| Part X |
Storm was sitting in the hotel restaurant; she had left Alex with Kane for her next lesson. She saw Paul enter and waved him over. As he walked over, Paul was hoping Storm would be able to help him with this. Sending Alex flowers without signing the card had been a stupid impulse, but he couldn�t think of anything else. �Hey, what are you up to?� Storm asked. �Actually, I was looking for you.� Paul replied. �Me? Okay, you found me.� �I was wondering if I could ask your opinion or help really.� Paul replied, slightly rambling. �With what?� �Well, I was wondering if you knew if Alex was seeing anyone?� Storm grinned, then replied. �No, she hasn�t mentioned anyone specific. Should she have?� Storm asked slyly. Paul looked around and smiled, �Well we�ve talked a few times, but I wasn�t sure if she was maybe seeing someone outside the industry.� �You know how hard it is on relationships IN the biz, much less someone who isn�t.� Storm stated. �I�m fortunate in that my work allows me to be away for extended periods of time.� Storm remarked. �I think you should go for it. She and you would be great.� �Thanks, I think I will.� Paul replied, he thanked Storm again for her help and left. In the short couple of days, she had been there, someone would have to be blind not to notice the way those two looked at each other. She knew Alex was a bit shy but could not figure out what Paul was waiting for. ~~*~~ The next day Kane, Storm, Alex and Paul were walking down the corridor of the arena toward the exit, on to the next town. �It�s now or never.� Paul thought. He glanced at Storm. She nodded toward Alex, silently telling him to ask her already. Alex was talking to Kane, oblivious to what was going on. Trying to be causal, Storm moved to grab Kane�s hand and pulled him back to where she was walking. She stood on her toes and kissed him. Alex seeing why Kane had stopped rolled her eyes good-naturedly and continued to walk down the hall. �What was that for?� Kane asked. �I need a reason to kiss you?� �Well, no but . . � �I was trying to give them some privacy.� Storm, nodding toward Paul who was trying to catch up to Alex. Alex was quietly thinking to herself. She started humming her favorite song. �Um, . . .Alex . . .I was wondering . . .if maybe you�d. . like to, maybe . . .if you�re not busy . . . have dinner with me?� Paul stumbled. Alex squealed and dropped her bag. �Oh great, I scared her. The thought of having dinner with me has her screaming.� Paul thought. ��Taker�s back!!� Alex squealed, running toward him. Alex had not heard a word Paul said. �Taker was barely off his Harley, when he was �attacked� from behind by Alex. �Hey little girl! You�re gonna put me out again. Remember, I�m still healing.� he stated jokingly. �Oh please. What you doing here? I thought you would be out for a few more weeks.� Alex asked, hugging him tightly, excited her friend was back. As �Taker was about to answer Kane, Storm, and Paul had reached them. Paul had seen the way Alex was with �Taker. He tried to smile, to be happy �Taker was back, but was barely pulling it off. Storm was happy to see �Taker as well, but she couldn�t stop the urge of wanting to kick Alex. Fortunately, she would be given the chance to talk to her alone. 'Taker moved to hug Storm. �Hello, when did you join us?� �Just the other night. It�s good to see you. I thought I would miss you this time.� �Hello, brother, what are you doing back?� Kane asked shaking his hand. �Well, before Alex tackled me I was feeling better, but now . . .� �Taker answered. �Bullshit.� Alex responded. �Oh, little girls don�t talk that way. I�m gonna wash your mouth . . .� reaching for Alex. She squealed and ran behind Kane for �protection�. When she was behind him she peered around and stuck her tongue out at �Taker. Paul had brought Alex her bag, watched all of this silently. �Anyway, Vince asked me to drop by to catch up on the angles. He said maybe in a couple of weeks I could show up to make my �presence� known, then do commentary, etc.� 'Taker informed them. �They don�t want to rush me, but the fans are screaming for my return.� �Can�t imagine why.� Alex responded sarcastically, as she came around Kane and reached down for her bag. 'Taker grabbed her from behind, Alex squealed as he playfully picked her up and shook her. �Smartass.� �Yes . . .but that�s why you love me.� Alex replied smiling smugly. �Taker scrunched his face as if thinking then pretended to drop her. Alex yelped and put her arms around his neck. �You guys want to come while I talk to Vince?� �Taker asked. Before anyone could answer, Storm replied. �You guys go, Alex and I will wait for you here.� 'Taker turned to walk in the building, with Alex still in his arms. Paul and Kane followed. �Hey!� Alex exclaimed, �Down please.� 'Taker put her down gently and grumbled �brat� so only she could hear. Alex giggled. Alex turn to Storm, �So, what�s u . . .Ouch!� Alex yelled, as Storm popped her on the side of head half-heartedly. �What was that for!?� �You are truly dense sometimes.� Storm stated. �What are you talking about?� Alex asked confused. �I didn�t know you were with �Taker?� Storm asked. �Don�t be weird, we�re just friends.� �But the way you guys play with each other, it�s very . . . flirtatious.� Storm declared. Alex thought for a moment, �I guess it is, but it�s not serious. I�ve always been an affectionate person by nature.� Alex stated off-handedly, then continued. �I know �Taker and I are friends and obviously linked. He was a huge help to me when I first started working for the WWF. We enjoy each other, but neither of us think romantically about each other.� Alex informed her. �When it comes to someone I�m really attracted to, or want to know better personally . . .� Alex stopped and looked over at Storm. She had only known Storm for a short while and she really liked her, but this was not a subject she was comfortable discussing. �I�m sorry.� Storm apologized, �I�m being nosey. I just thought maybe you and �Taker were together.� Alex laughed, �No, not that that�s a bad thing. But, we�re just not meant for each other. We make better friends.� �Well that�s good, �cause I don�t think Paul wants to step on any toes. Especially not 'Taker�s.� Storm stated. �Huh?� Alex asked confused. �That�s why I popped you, he was trying to ask you out and you blew him off!� Storm exclaimed. �When?� Alex asked. �Just before you ran over to 'Taker.� �I didn�t even hear him, I was thinking about work, and then 'Taker pulled up. I wasn�t even paying attention.� Alex replied embarrassingly. �Why would Paul ask me out?� Alex questioned Storm. �Uh, I don�t know. �Cause he likes you maybe.� Storm sarcastically. �I like Paul too, but I never though he was interested in me.� Storm was looking at Alex shocked. Didn�t she see the way Paul looked at her? As she was about to question Alex, the guys came back out. �So where are you guys headed?� 'Taker asked. �Dinner. I�m starving.� Kane answered. They all agreed to meet at nearby restaurant. 'Taker glanced at Alex and shook his head smiling. She looked like a 2-year-old about to ask for a new toy. �You want a ride don�t you?� Alex nodded . . .like two-year-old smiling. �Please?� She asked, clasping her hands together. He nodded his reply and was rewarded with a hug. �Will you guys take my stuff, we�ll meet you there. I think we�re going to take the long way.� Alex declared. Paul watched as 'Taker and Alex took off, with Alex�s arms firmly around 'Taker�s waist. Suddenly Paul didn�t like the idea of watching Alex and 'Taker together. �You know I�m not really hungry, you guys can just drop me at the hotel.� Paul requested. �Oh, no you don�t, you still have something to do.� Storm reminded. �I don�t think it�s going to work out.� Paul decided. �You didn�t ask!� �What are you two talking about?� Kane questioned. �Paul wants to ask Alex out.� Storm informed Kane. �STORM!� Paul growled. �Well, you guys will be here �til the next millennium the way you guys are moving.� Storm chided. �Storm, why don�t we let these kids move at their own pace.� Kane suggested. �But . . .� Storm tried. �Leave it alone.� Kane reiterated as they reached the car. They dropped Paul at the hotel saying good night and that they would see him in the morning. �Why did you do that? I think those two would be great together. They just need a little help.� Storm asked. �Did you think maybe Alex isn�t interested?� Kane asked. �I�m not sure. I tried asking her but she got quiet.� Storm informed him. �Let�s just have dinner and leave it alone.� Kane concluded. �You know something don�t you?� Storm guessed. �Alex and 'Taker ARE together? Why would she lie?� �No, 'Taker and Alex are just friends.� Kane emphasized. �Storm baby, I need you to drop it, okay.� Storm sat back in her seat grumbling about Kane keeping things from her. ~~*~~ Kane, Storm, Alex and 'Taker had a great dinner. 'Taker filled them in on what he had been up to while he was out. Alex got to tell 'Taker all she had been learning while he�d been gone. When they got back to the hotel, 'Taker realized he didn�t have a room. �Do you have a spare bed?� 'Taker asked Alex. �Yeah, I think. Why?� �Do you mind if I bunk with you.� 'Taker continued. �Uh uh, you snore!� she protested. �I do not!� 'Taker exclaimed. �Yes, you do.� Kane reminded him. �You take him.� Alex told Kane. �No way, I got a roomie.� Kane, putting his arm around Storm. Storm replied, �I think you guys need some quality time to catch up. Alex and I are going to have a girl�s night.� Before either man could respond, Alex and Storm wandered down the hall to Alex�s room waving goodnight. Kane turn to 'Taker. �If you start snoring, you�re sleeping in the hall.� ~~*~~ The next morning Alex woke up alone. Storm had already left. She had left a note for Alex to join her in Kane�s room. She hurried out of bed to shower and change. As she approached the room, she heard Storm�s raised voice. Alex got the sense she was walking into an argument. As she walked in the door, she walked into the middle of a sentence. � . . .because she�s not ready. I told you, I did what I had to.� Kane was explaining. �We can�t control her life. That�s not fair to her . . .� Storm began; she turned to see Alex walk in the door. Alex waited a second, looking around the room at 'Taker, Storm, and Kane. �Well, I�ll guess by the abrupt silence, you�re talking about me.� She continued into the room, to sit on one of the beds. �Don�t let me being here stop you.� She replied somewhat sarcastically. �I�m trying to get these two to explain to me why they�ve been playing �big brother� with you.� Storm said heatedly. �That�s what they�re good at.� Alex replied lightly, looking at Kane and 'Taker. �What have they done now?� �They�ve been playing �round robin� between you and Paul.� Storm answered. �Huh? Alex asked confused. �I ran into Paul this morning. I wanted to tell him not to give up, to ask you out again. He informed me he had been trying to for MONTHS. But for some reason, these two have been keeping him at a distance.� Storm gestured to 'Taker and Kane. �When I asked them why, all I get is �she�s not ready�, whatever the hell that means!� Alex looked at them sternly, "Would you like to explain yourselves?� She asked, looking accusingly at both, crossing her arms. �Who wants to start?� ~You have to understand. Sometimes we will do things for your own good. We do what we think is right. I won�t apologize for that. Kane responded defensively. �Okay. Fine, I�ll accept that. But you tell me WHY?� Alex demanded. �Paul wouldn�t do anything to hurt Alex. He�s really a good guy.� Storm interrupted. 'Taker shook his head, �We didn�t do this because of Paul, we did it because of Alex.� Alex looked between both with confusion. Kane stepped up to stand in front of her. ~I can feel your fear. Alex looked at him wide-eyed, then her eyes closed to mere slits. �So much for my privacy. �Your mind is not a playground�, huh?� she spat. She turned and stalked out. Kane caught her just before she reached the door. He turned her around to make her face him and held her hands in front of her. Without looking at him, �Let go of me!� she gritted. Kane jerked her hands, ~Alex, look at me. She refused, so he jerked again. She reluctantly complied, glaring at him. He held her gaze and said slowly. ~I can feel your fear, what I don�t know is why. I would never invade your mind like that. He paused for her to understand. ~ What I need to know is the reason you�re afraid. Did he do something . . .? Before he could finish, Alex pulled her hands from Kane�s grip. �Don�t be stupid. Paul has never done anything to me.� Alex walked back to the center of the room. ~So he�s not the reason for you fear? But, it�s very acute when you�re near him, almost like a panic. So what is it? 'Taker asked. Alex fell back on one of the beds, �This is so stupid.� She mumbled to the ceiling. Storm came to sit next to her, grabbed her hands and pulled Alex up. �What is?� she asked. Alex looked at Storm, trying to forget Kane and 'Taker were in the room. �Have you ever put off a situation because you were scared, and the longer you put it off the more scared you got?� Alex asked her. �Okay, yes, maybe once or twice. But I don�t understand how that applies.� Storm replied. Alex paused for a minute and took a deep breath. �I�ve never been with a guy.� She whispered. Storm looked confused, but replied. �Well, I don�t think that�s going to come up on the first date.� Alex blushed and laughed lightly, �Okay, that�s not what I meant exactly. Although that either.� �If you two don�t mind, we�re going to remove ourselves from this conversation.� 'Taker rose to leave, uncomfortable with the current topic. �Could you stay? I�m not done being mad at you two, and� looking at 'Taker, �there�s something you should know.� �What do you mean you�ve never been out with a guy?� Storm questioned. �Exactly as it sounds. I was chronically shy, growing up. When I got out of school, I had other priorities and was busy.� Alex explained. �Everyone gets busy, but surely after a while you dated someone at sometime.� Storm questioned. �I don�t need a man in my life to be happy. I don�t depend on anyone but me.� Alex replied angrily. �That�s not what I mean.� Storm replied, startled by Alex outburst. �I didn�t mean it that way.� Alex sighed, and dropped her head to her hands. When she picked it up, she felt horrible. �AAARRRGGG!!! I�m sorry, that was �knee-jerk�. It�s kind of a defense mechanism, if you will.� She added glibly, �You know, if you tell yourself that often enough, you eventually start to believe it.� ~Do you want to talk about this now? Kane questioned. *Yes, If I stop talking now, I don�t know if I�ll have the nerve later. Alex looked at 'Taker. �When I told you a while back I had a messed up view of guys,� 'Taker nodded, remembering �I never told you why?� �Growing up I was very na�ve, looking back, borderline stupid in most situations. By the time I was 12, I was mature, physically.� gesturing toward her chest. �From that point guys stop looking at my face. So on top of being shy, now I was incredibly self-conscious. As I got a little older I had a black-n-white picture of relationships. You had sex or you didn�t; there was no middle ground. So I went for the later and usually avoided guys altogether. I came to assume guys only wanted one thing.� ~Alex, most guys aren�t like that. Kane said gently. ~Granted, there are plenty, but not all. Alex nodded, smiled and got up to walk around the room, �Like I said I was na�ve. My mother wasn�t much help, she regaled me with stories of when she was young, about how guys thought she was easy because of her figure. It didn�t occur to me that things could be different. I purposely wore baggy, ugly clothes. I didn�t want guys to notice me. I eventually figured things out for myself. But a little voice in my head kept telling me I didn�t know what I was doing. I had never even been kissed to this point. I was in my 20�s! I felt really stupid about the situation, so I never put myself in a position where it would come up. I avoided relationships, I either closed up around guys or became a smart-ass, whichever the situation dictated. I used to hear stories from girlfriends about their first kiss. I used to think I should just kiss someone already just to get it over with. But I couldn�t bring myself to throw that kind of memory away.� �Wait a second.� 'Taker spoke up realizing. Alex smiled and blushed. �Yes.� she nodded and looked at Storm. �The first guy I kissed was 'Taker just before he left.� �I really like Paul, I�m just . . .scared, for lack of a better word. I also didn�t know he was interested.� she said pointedly, looking between Kane and 'Taker. �I can�t make up my mind if I�m mad or not.� She crossed the room to hug Kane. �Thank you. Both of you, for what you�ve done.� Alex sighed deeply. �I know why you did it and while I don�t appreciated the interference, I do appreciated the thought.� ~We can keep this up until you�re ready. �You can�t keep it up forever.� She replied laughing. �Besides I need to do this.� ~~*~~ �Okay, I changed my mind. I can�t do this.� Alex whispered nervously. She and Storm were backstage at the Coliseum. 'Taker and Kane were in their dressing room. Alex and Storm had decided to go for a walk. Alex spotted Paul from a distance before he saw her. �You need to relax. Breathe.� Storm suggested jokingly. Then after turning to look at her, �Alex, breath.� Before they could say anything else, �I need your help right now.� �Why, what�s wrong?� Alex questioned completely forgetting about Paul. �Keep me from slapping her silly.� Storm gritted nodding in the direction of Kane�s dressing room. Alex looked over, Tori was talking to Kane. She was standing, in Alex�s opinion, far to close to him. Alex grabbed Storm�s hand and squeezed, �DON�T let her push your buttons!� Alex and Storm crossed the backstage area. Upon approaching Kane, Storm slid in between Tori and Kane, wrapped her arms around Kane�s waist and kissed him. Alex had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing out loud at the look on Tori�s face. �Hello, luv.� Kane purred, looking down at Storm as he wrapped his arms around her. Alex stood beside them with her hands behind her back. �Hello Storm. I didn�t know you�d be here tonight.� Tori offered. �I�m here every night. You just don�t always see me.� Storm answered not bothering to look at her. Alex could practically hear Tori�s teeth gnashing together. �Well, I need to get ready.� Tori said to no one in particular. Alex waved and replied innocently, �Bye.� As soon as Tori was out of ear-shot Alex stared to giggle, she looked at Storm who smiled back. �What�s so funny?� Paul asked walking up. �I have no idea.� Kane answered, looking confused. Alex smiled at Paul. As they stood there talking and laughing before the guys had their matches, she discovered she wasn�t nervous. ~~*~~ Storm asked Alex later, �So? Are you better?� �Yes, I just need to relax. He�s really very sweet. I think I�m just over-reacting.� Alex paused to think for a minute. �How do you deal with it? I mean, with Tori, it�s easy to get in her face. But what do you do with fans? I don�t know if I can be that calm.� �Well, it�s not easy to deal with, but eventually you learn to accept that other women are interested. It�s when they try to butt in that they find out just how much of a bitch I can be.� Storm smiled evilly. �I guess what I�m trying to say is, you learn to be understanding, but when someone is pushing or crossing that line, you have to do a complete turnaround and go into protective mode. That way they know their efforts are futile. There is nothing wrong with a little jealousy when you are dealing with a man who�s in the spotlight so much. I guess it�s just a fine line between being overly-jealous and too laid back. And having said that, I know I just confused the hell out of you.� Storm giggled. �No, I think that helped.� Alex grinned, �After I figured out what you were trying to say.� jokingly crossing her eyes. �I just know I messed up a relationship by pretending not to be jealous, and lost someone I thought was important to me. I just really want this one to work out.� Alex sighed. |