Chapter 1

“So do you have any other questions regarding your contract, Miss Hampton?”

Jaxine slowly looked up at him from her contract, raising a slow eyebrow, and shook her head before placing it on the desk, signing the dotted line before standing up. “No, that'll be fine, as long as we agree that my son is allowed to be on the road with me and you call me Jax.”

“That's not a problem, Jax.” He smirked at her and handed her the information she would need. “Your flight leaves at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. You'll be going to Phoenix, Arizona and you'll meet up with him then.”

She nodded, knowing he was referring to the WWF wrestler she would be assisting. “Thank you, sir.” She took the information from him and walked out of his office and out of Titan Towers, closing her eyes, knowing she was about to embark on a journey she would not soon forget.

~*~*~*~

“What am I getting an assistant for?” Michael Hickenbottom- who was known to the wrestling world and fans around the globe as Shawn Michaels- asked curiously, standing in a hotel lobby with Paul Levesque- who was also known as Triple H. “I'm not the prima donna you are.”

“They serve their purposes.” Paul rumbled good-naturedly. “Considering that you keep forgetting your own name lately...”

“I'm always so damn busy; I'm surprised I remember how to use my dick.”

“Hence the reason for an assistant. She would have found her way to you, Michaels.” Paul grumbled, leaning against the rental car Michael was driving, standing outside the airport. “How are you even going to know which one she is?”

“Good point.” Michael admitted, frowning slightly. “I felt bad that she'd be arriving with no one to meet her.”

“You are such a moron, she's here to help you; obviously SHE'S not a scatterbrain.”

~*~*~*~

Jaxine lead her ten year old son, Nathaniel, through the airport terminal in Phoenix, Arizona the following day, seeing how busy it was and kept a firm hold on his hand. “Stay beside me.” She ordered gently, not wanting to lose him as they went to retrieve their luggage. Jaxine still couldn't believe she'd actually taken this job, but when she found out what the salary was, she had to take it. Nathaniel had to go to college after all and not to mention both of them loved to travel.

“No, kiddin’.” He drawled, going through a prepubescent sarcastic phase. He was mostly a normal ten year old; minus the fact he had a mentality of a teenager without the liking for girls. “Mom, I don't need ya holding my hand.” He grumbled, trying to pull away from her, his dishwater blonde hair falling into his eyes, he refused a haircut point blank.

“Nathaniel, please don't argue with me right now okay? We have to get out of here and to the car and THEN you can let go of my hand.” She stated over her shoulder, pulling him closer to her when a huge crowd came at them. They barely managed to escape before finally making it to the baggage claim, retrieving their luggage, and then went to go through security. She sighed, hating that they had to search her bag with her personal belongings. She'd deal with it though.

After a half an hour, Jaxine was finally free to leave the airport and sighed when Nathaniel started complaining again. “We'll get something to eat on the way to the airport.” She told him, still holding his hand as they crossed the street before heading to the parking lot. Her outfit for the first day consisted of a midnight blue and white pinstriped skirt suit with a silver dress shirt underneath, blue pumps on her feet, her black hair pulled back in a tight bun with chopsticks holding it together, a few tendrils framing her face. “We're almost there.”

“You said that during the layover.” Nathaniel muttered, tired and cranky from the traveling.

“Well Michaels, as usual, what a brilliant idea you've had. You just wasted my day.” Paul grunted, shaking his head.

“Did you have any other plans, Hunter?” Michael shot back, smiling broadly. The men often called each other by their ring personas, not really thinking about it.

“Sleeping with your mother was on the top ten.”

“You're dead!” Michael tackled his friend to that ground.

Jaxine blinked when she seen two grown, very LARGE men going at it in the parking lot, shaking her head, and pulled Nathaniel to stand beside her as they kept walking. Honestly, men could be immature at times. She grunted when one came flying at her, shoving her down to the ground, scraping her knees while Nathaniel had moved just in time.

“Damn it!”

“Shit, sorry! Hunter!”

“Sorry ma'am.” Paul rumbled, helping Michael lift her off the ground. “We didn't mean to knock you down.”

“Are you alright?” Michael asked worriedly, looking her over for cuts and bruises. “I am so, so sorry.”

“Calm down, Michaels.”

“I'm fine, thanks.” She replied evenly, dusting her skirt off and groaned when she seen her knees had broke skin against the damn pavement, scratching them. “Now that my day is ruined, can one of you gentlemen point me in the direct of the wrestling arena where the WWF is currently located?” She asked, shaking her head, knowing she would have to change into a pant suit before meeting the man she'd been personal assisting.

Michael and Paul exchanged looks, Michael blushing slightly while Paul looked more then amused. “Um...are you Jaxine Hampton?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. When she shot him a look, he smiled sheepishly, holding out his hand. “I'm Michael Hickenbottom.”

Nathaniel snorted at the same time Paul did.

Raising a slow eyebrow at this man, Jaxine wondered briefly if he was a stalker of some kind. “What's your point?” She demanded, not taking his extended hand and immediately pulled Nathaniel to her side, shooting him a glare when he tried pulling away from her. “Look, I really don't have time for this. I need to get to the arena and I'm not sure which way it is. I have a very important meeting to attend.” She explained, not that it was any of their business.

Michael shared a confused look with Paul, who just shrugged. “I’m Michael Hickenbottom,” He repeated slower this time. “I'm with the WWF. You ARE Jaxine, right?”

“Mom, I think this is the guy you're working for.” Nathaniel put in, trying not to grin. It was hard keeping his face perfectly straight, his eyes sparkling wickedly.

“You're the one Vince McMahon assigned me too?” Jaxine questioned, looking over at her son with narrowed eyes, wondering how he knew since he didn't go to the meeting with her. She sighed, feeling a headache coming on, and decided to just roll with this for now. “Yes, I'm Jaxine Hampton, Mr. Hickenbottom.” She rolled her eyes inwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. “I was supposed to meet you at the arena, what are you doing at the airport?”

“He's the local good Samaritan.” Paul joked, extending his hand to her. “I'm Paul Levesque, most call me Hunter though.” He flashed a warm smile at her, grunting when Michael nudged him in the ribs.

“I didn't know if you were familiar with Phoenix.” Michael explained. “I thought I'd help you.”

“Boy scout.”

“The little man pegged it.”

“Do NOT call me that.”

“Nathaniel...” Jaxine warned, sighing when her son simply rolled his emerald green eyes at her, shaking her head. “It's nice to meet you, Mr. Levesque.” She said professionally, shaking his offered hand. “That was nice of you, Mr. Hickenbottom. I have a rental car so I'll just follow you over there.” She informed, releasing Paul's hand. “Though do you mind if we stop and get my son something to eat? He's starving.” She smirked when he scowled up at her. “Well if you would stop complaining so much...”

“I'm a growing boy.” He reminded her.

“How old are you?”

“Ten.”

“Tallest ten year old I've ever met.”

“Like I haven't heard that before.” Nathaniel rolled his eyes, hating his height. He got called freak a lot.

“You are fine the way you are, Nathaniel.” Jaxine assured him softly, shooting a glare in Paul's way before guiding him to the car, not waiting for their response regarding getting her son something to eat. He came first to her always as she got in the driver's side, buckling up, and waited for him to do so before putting the key in the ignition. This was going to be an interesting job as she pulled out of the parking spot and started heading out. “What do you want to eat, honey?” She asked once they were out on the open road with Michael and Paul in front of them.

“As much as you can afford.” He teased, pointing to a Burger King. “Drive thru is fine, mom, we don't need to go in or anything.”

“What do you think of her?”

“I think whoever hired her is trying to fuck with me.”

One thing Jaxine loved about her son was he was fairly easy to please, though she couldn't stand his sarcastic nature. She ordered him three burgers, two fries and the largest coke they had available, handing him the bag before driving off. Paul and Michael were waiting for her as she waited for them to pull off on the road, heading toward the arena. Jaxine was too nervous to eat; she'd have something later while her son proceeded to gorge. He was going to eat her out of house and home soon enough if he kept eating this much.

“Sanity.” Michael muttered when they reached the arena, still sure someone was messing with him. Jaxine seemed a little bit...stiff...for this kind of work. And he was a laid back, run around naked kind of guy. This would be interesting, volatile and explosive to say the least.

His green eyes widened in disbelief. “Mom, this place is PACKED.” He stared out the car windows, spotting a motorcycle and moaned longingly. “I want one of those...”

“You can have one when you're eighteen.” She quipped, knowing he wouldn't like hearing that, and smirked when he just glared back at her before both of them got out of the car.

Jaxine decided to leave their luggage inside, but grabbed her briefcase with her paperwork in it, knowing she would have to go through Michael's schedule and do whatever a personal assistant did. She walked over, grabbing Nathaniel's hand, and met up with Michael, seeing all the cars surrounding them. Nathaniel wasn't lying, the place was packed and her parental instincts were kicking into high gear.

“Mom, seriously, that is embarrassing.” Nate groaned, jerking his hand away from her. “I will stick to you like glue, okay?” He crammed his hands into his jean pockets, looking around quickly, arching a blonde eyebrow when a woman said he was a cutie. “That is sick.”

Jaxine finally gave up and kept close to her son, placing her hands on his shoulders as he was the guide once they arrived in the arena. Michael was in front of them, showing them the way to his dressing room. Once they arrived, Jaxine released his shoulders and let him do whatever he wanted, to which he turned the monitor on and sat in front of it.

“Okay Mr. Hickenbottom, do you have a copy of your schedule with you?” She asked, getting down to business, knowing he did because Vince had told her so.

“Somewhere.” Michael replied, nodding when Nate shot a look at the Nintendo 64. “Help yourself, kid. It's a wrestling game...”

“I'll learn it. I'm Nathaniel, call me Nate.” He grinned at Michael before occupying himself.

“He's interesting.” Michael said, rifling in his duffel bag, finally pulling out a wadded, crumpled paper. “Here we go.”

“You're not serious, are you?” Jaxine sighed when he nodded, knowing she had a hell of a job ahead of her. “Tell you what, from now on, when you get important documents such as these; give them me so I can keep them from being...messed up.” She looked over at her son, smirking, knowing he would beat the game before the night was out. The kid was a whiz when it came to video games as she started looking over it, barely reading the fine print, nodding before jotting down some notes in a notebook. “I'm going to switch a few of your appearances so you're not so booked up.”

Michael's face broke out with a relieved grin. “Thank god.” He exclaimed. “I'll have it so they're delivered directly to you from now on.” He said, not bothering to explain why the paper was 'messed' up. He'd been reading it and spewed chocolate milk on it when he seen he would be lucky if he had time to take a piss in between everything he was supposed to do.

“That's a good idea. Thanks.” She replied as she continued writing down notes, tapping the pen against her chin, knowing Nathaniel would be busy for the night with the video game and silently thanked Michael for bringing the contraption with him. She ended up writing all of his appearances down on a piece of paper neatly before crumpling up his schedule, throwing it in the trashcan. Whoever did that job needed to be fired on the spot!

“I'm thirsty.” Nate announced after a half an hour, saving his game and setting down the controller.

“That makes two of us. I can take you to the cafe...uh...if your mom doesn't mind.”

Nate rolled his eyes heavenward.

“I'll go with you.” Jaxine announced, refusing to let this guy take her son anywhere when she'd just met him an hour ago. “I'm thirsty too, Nathaniel.” She stated, seeing the look on his face, and rubbed her temples before Michael guided both of them out the door. Jaxine was protective of her son, sometimes overly, but she had every right to be. He was her pride and joy and if anything happened to him she would end up in a nuthouse.

“She's a pain in the-” Nate smiled sweetly at his mom, moving to walk by Michael. It'd been awhile since he'd had someone not a female to talk too, since he was no longer in his school with his friends.

“She's a mother.” Michael replied with a shrug. “Mine's the same way and I'm an adult.”

“She holds your hand everywhere?”

“I made her quit last year.” He even said it with a straight face.

Jaxine smirked and sent a silent thank you in his direction with her midnight blue eyes, walking down the hallway with them, looking around. They arrived in the cafeteria and Jaxine got water with a muffin, letting her son raid the table, shaking her head. The boy had a tapeworm, she swore it. Then they walked over and sat down at a table before she glanced around for the first time, crossing one leg over the other, Nathaniel sitting down by Michael. It broke her heart because he didn't have a male role model in his life and she had to be both his mother and his father. She was trying so hard too, but sometimes she felt like it wasn't enough. Deep down she knew it wasn't.
Chapter 2

“Yo Deadman, you mind me payin' you after I get my paycheck?”

“Hardy don't play cards unless you can afford to lose. Pay me now or I'm going to kick your teeth in.”

“Damn it.” Jeff groaned, whipping out his wallet.

Mark smirked wickedly, swiping the kid's water off the table, accepting the money he was handed. “You're short.”

“Cut me some slack man, I got kids to feed.”

“You don't have kids.”

“I have sperm to make them!”

Michael snorted into his own plate of food.

Jaxine raised an eyebrow at the bickering and started laughing along with Nathaniel, shaking her head. These men were insane and speaking of which, Jaxine didn't see any females walking around. That made her frown. Great, she was in testosterone world. She sighed and bit viciously into her muffin, coughing when a piece went down the wrong pipe and grunted when Nathaniel slapped her back hard, causing the piece to dislodge, smiling down at him.

“Thanks honey.” She croaked out, kissing the top of his head before ruffling his dishwater blonde hair.

“Mark, Mark I was jokin'!” Jeff yelped when he was raised over Mark's head. “I was just kiddin' man! C'mon, Callaway.”

“Well...since you beg so nicely.” Mark dropped him.

“Thanks.” Jeff groaned, rubbing his jarred legs.

Jaxine heard that voice and choked on her water, spitting it out right in Michael's face, her midnight blue eyes as wide as saucers. Mark Callaway. She hadn't heard that name in years and slowly looked over at him, knowing damn well it was him. The red hair, the build... “I'm not feeling so good.” She croaked out, slowly beginning to stand up, ignoring her half eaten muffin and knew she had to get Nathaniel out of there, even though they hadn't seen each other in nearly eleven years.

“Mom, you alright?” Nate asked staring at her like she had lost her mind, his green eyes crinkling with worry.

“Calm down, Jaxine, nobody's going to bother you or anything.” Michael said reassuringly. “'Taker, knock it off, you're scaring people!”

“It's what I do best.” Mark chuckled, sitting at the table with Jeff and his brother Matt.

“I'm fine. I have work to do.” She said quickly, pulling Nathaniel from the table, and walked out of the cafeteria hurriedly, her heels clicking against the flooring as she raked a hand through her hair.

Fate was a bitch that was the only thing that could explain this. Jaxine never knew he became a wrestler, she always assumed he'd become a basketball player and graduate from college and go overseas. Groaning, she walked inside Michael's dressing room and pointed to the Nintendo 64, giving Nathaniel a look that told him to back off before going to resume Michael's schedule.

Nate muttered something about PMS and a Midol before occupying himself, seriously angry.

~*~*~*~

“Good one, ‘Taker, you scared off my PA.”

“You have a personal ass?” Mark grunted, not looking up from his food.

“Have I told you lately your sense of humor is not cool?”

“No. Have I told you you're about to get your head knocked off your shoulders?”

~*~*~*~

The rest of the night Jaxine stayed holed up in Michael's dressing room, only answering questions when spoken too, completely consumed with her work. When it was time to leave, she was more than happy, wanting a nice hot bubble bath and a glass of wine. Nathaniel was getting on her last nerve as they walked out of the arena, carrying her bag over her shoulder while he trudged behind her.

“Nathaniel, if you don't shut up I'm going to pop you one!” She threatened angrily, sick of his smart mouth, and got in the driver's side of the car, pressing her forehead against the steering wheel.

“It's BORING sitting in there all night, mom!” He protested. “Seriously, you could have let Michael take me with him when he said he would, it'd give me something to do besides annoy you.” He scowled when she shot him a look, the expression on his one that he did definitely not get from her.

Jaxine had to look away from him, that expression reminding her too much of his father before shakily slipping the key into the ignition, knowing he acted more grown up than he had the right to. “Whatever Nathaniel, I'm not arguing with you. I'm exhausted.” Jaxine pulled out of there and headed toward the hotel, turning the radio on so he would stop bitching for two seconds. She sighed with relief when he did and the rest of the ride was made in silence.

~*~*~*~

“So who was it I scared earlier?” Mark asked, yawning as he fell into step besides Michael on their way out.

“My PA, like I said.” Michael grunted, tired and ready to hit the hay.

“Better inform her she ain't got nothin' to worry about. I rarely hit women.”

“Oh how reassuring.” Michael groaned when he got whacked upside the head.

~*~*~*~

After ordering Nathaniel some food from room service, which was three servings, Jaxine put him to bed with the TV remote and went to take a nice relaxing hot bath. Her mind instantly went to the past, to Mark Callaway. Only she didn't know him as the Undertaker. She knew him as the Texan who'd stolen her heart her freshman year in college. He'd been a senior and they'd hit it off in a bar. They partied, had sex, and the result was that little boy who was currently watching Rocko’s Modern Life in the bed. Jaxine slipped into the water and closed her eyes, leaning back, knowing she would try her best to keep Nathaniel away from him, but wasn't counting on it.

Nate rolled his eyes when a knock sounded at the door, frowning when he realized his mom hadn't heard it. Sighing, he rolled out of bed and padded over to answer it, looking way up. “Hi?”

Mark peered down at the little mite, smiling good-naturedly. “Yer mom in, son?”

“She's busy. Why, pops?”

He blinked at the sarcasm before smirking, kid had balls. “I just wanted to let her know I was sorry for scarin' her.”

“I'll let her know.” Nate shut the door in the man's face.

“Who was at the door, Nathaniel?” Jaxine asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair, wearing a black robe that was tied around the waist. When he simply said room service wanting a tip, she snorted and rolled her eyes, not believing the audacity of some people. She smiled upon seeing the episode of Rocko’s Modern Life that was on and sat on his bed, beginning to brush her hair, kissing the top of his head. “I'm sorry about today, honey. I'll try to remember you're growing up.” She sighed heavily.

“Thanks mom.” He hugged her briefly, not feeling bad in the slightest by his lie. “I'm going to bed. “He yawned, slipping under the covers and pulling a pillow over his head like he always did. “Night mom, get some sleep!”

She smiled back at him, having separate beds, and sat on hers as she took her lotion, having dry skin after baths. “You too my beautiful boy.” She whispered before finishing up, pulling her hair back in a low ponytail before shutting the light off and slipped under the covers. As soon as her head hit the pillow, sleep engulfed her.

~*~*~*~

Nate was up early the next morning, something he always did, dressed and watching the morning news quietly, doodling on hotel paper. He rolled his eyes when he heard a loud thud from the room over, glancing at his mom to make sure she hadn't woken up.

“Damn it woman, if you throw one more thing at me, I'm goin' to break your fingers!”

Nate shot to his feet, shaking his head and was tempted to press his head to the wall.

“Screw you Mark!” Rena Mero- who was known to the wrestling world as Sable- shouted, her eyes spitting fire back at him as she threw a second boot at him, nailing him right in the arm.

Jaxine groaned, hearing the fighting, and slowly sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes, not surprised to see her son already up. She heard the fighting and growled; eyes narrowed, and threw the comforter back before standing up, wearing a light blue nightgown that went to her knees and spaghetti strapped. “Stay here.” She ordered gruffly before walking out and went next door, hammering on the door. When it opened, Jaxine jacked the woman in the face, causing her to go down like a ton of bricks before glaring down at her. “There are OTHER people in this damn hotel trying to SLEEP, you fucking bitch! Next time, think about that before you wake me up!” She then went back to her room, slamming the door shut and went back to lie down.

Mark stared down at Rena with wide green eyes before bursting out laughing. “Darlin', we're done.” He said through his laughter, picking her up and depositing her out in the hallway. “Christ.” He grumbled, rubbing his arm. “Vicious bitch.”

“Mom, wow...” Nate hadn't stayed put like he was told, glad he'd disobeyed. “You got an awesome hook on you, where'd you learn it?”

“Nowhere you need to know.” She mumbled behind her, snuggling into the pillow and sighed when she heard nothing, but the TV and distant laughter. She sighed when her phone rang, having set her alarm, and slowly got up as she poured herself a cup of coffee, turning it off. She didn't like being woke up, damn it, especially when she had serious jetlag. She would get used to that as the job progressed and yawned loudly, looking over at her son. “Did you eat?”

“Nah ain't hungry yet.” Nathaniel said, going back to his doodling. “I was thinking maybe we could go downstairs and eat when you're ready?” He was ten; he couldn't stand being cooped up in a boring place like this. He needed something to do, besides drive her crazy of course.

“Sure honey, that sounds fine. Let me wake up a bit and get dressed.” She replied yawning again, and started sipping her coffee down quickly, knowing her son wanted out of this room. She sighed, really hating that he had to come on the road with her for this job, but she had nobody else he could stay with, especially her psychotic mother who was too busy popping pills left and right to give a fuck what day of the week it was. She drained her cup of java before walking into the bathroom, pulling on a pair of blue jeans that had sparkle designs on the pockets and a black tank top, leaving her hair down after pulling it out of the ponytail and brushing it out along with her teeth. She slipped her white and blue tennis shoes on before grabbing her purse. “Okay come on, let's go get some food.”

“Yes!” He punched the air excitedly, his blonde hair falling into his eyes. He smiled at her, quickly leading the way out of the room. “Is that the woman you punched?” He asked curiously, seeing a blonde with a bloody nose cursing to someone on a cell phone. “Can you do it again?”

Jaxine smirked down at her son, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and kissed the top of his head, knowing he hated it, but she didn't care. She gave birth to him, nineteen hours of labor; she could do whatever she wanted to him within reason. “Maybe if she wakes me up again.” She stated as they stepped on the elevator, raking a hand through her hair, not believing she'd allowed her son to see her do that. “I don't ever want you to use violence, do you understand me? That was wrong of me to do and I should go apologize to the blonde bimbo.”

“Yeah, you probably should, but I wouldn't waste my breath.” Nate replied, not saying a word about using violence. Too late, he'd already beaten up a few kids from his old school for harassing him.

“Hold the elevator.” A large black boot stopped the doors from shutting. “Damn.” He grunted, glancing back at Rena, shaking his head before stepping through the doors.

Jaxine moved to the side, still holding onto her son, winking down at him. “I already know about the fights you've been in, Nathaniel. Just try to keep your temper in check.” She didn't blame him for beating up kids who harassed him, though she didn't understand why they did. Nathaniel was close to five feet tall already and he wasn't even a teenager yet. If she were those kids, she'd run in the opposite direction, but some of them just didn't know when to shut their mouths.

He shrugged. “No promises.” He said, smiling up at her to show he didn't mean it. If he kept growing the way he was, he'd be as tall as she was soon.

Mark arched an eyebrow, not looking at the pair, but he couldn’t help overhear. The woman probably broke Rena's nose, but she was cautioning her son not to use violence. If that wasn't a walking, talking contradiction. Funny as hell though. Especially since the kid didn't seem to take her seriously.

The elevator doors opened as Jaxine walked out with her son, not caring what people thought of her parenting skills. She taught him right from wrong, but to also stick up for himself because if he didn't kids would walk all over him. Jaxine refused to let her son go through that and if fighting solved a problem, then he should do it. She wasn't like normal mothers, protective yes, but she also wasn't going to let her son be pushed around in school either. Not that he had to worry about that anymore. She smirked as they walked into the restaurant that was linked to the hotel and seated in a booth.

“Over here, Mark!” Glenn Jacobs –who most knew as Kane- gestured the big man when he seen him walk in after Michael's new PA and her kid. He kicked out a chair for the man he'd come to respect, arching an eyebrow. “So...”

Mark just grunted.

“Rena called Tori...”

“I ain't the one who broke her nose.”

Jaxine smirked when her son ordered two meals instead of one, shaking her head. “I'm taking you to a doctor.” She stated, watching his head lift, and stared into his emerald green eyes. “I mean it, Nathaniel. Eating this much can't be healthy.” She sighed when he simply snorted and went back to inhaling his food. The boy didn't know how to chew, he just engulfed his food. She looked around the place and spotted Mark, groaning inwardly when she seen he was doing the same thing, rubbing her temples.

Glenn wasn't put off by Mark's apparent lack of needing to chew before swallowing. “So if you didn't break it, who did?”

Mark looked offended. “I don't hit women.”

“I remember you smacking Terri.”

“She kicked me in the balls man.”

“Who are you looking at mom?”

“Nobody, eat your food.” She stated, pulling her eyes from Mark before looking down at the notes on her notebook, knowing Michael had an appearance at four today and decided to call him. She sighed when she got his voicemail, telling him about it, and hung up before digging into her breakfast, eating ALOT slower than her son. When he asked for a third serving, she groaned and nodded, knowing he wouldn't be happy until he had a full stomach.
Chapter 3

“Sorry I didn't answer the phone, but I was already here.” Came Michael’s chipper voice. He nodded at Nate. “May I?”

“I don't care.” Nate was too busy packing it away.

Michael sat next to the kid, watching him eat with wide eyes, glancing at Jaxine. “Is that normal?”

“I hate saying it, but yes it is.” She sighed with relief upon seeing Michael and smiled at him. “We just ordered.” She was referring to her son's third serving on the way while he was packing away his second, not believing how much the boy ate. She was surprised he hadn't thrown up yet and simply took another bite out of her French toast. “You have a signing tomorrow morning at eleven.” She informed Michael, knowing he wouldn't like that, but she couldn't very well schedule it during his workout time.

Michael groaned, signaling for a waiter. “I'll have what he's having, only double the order.” He was a grown man. He needed that food. He smiled apologetically when the waiter looked annoyed. “I tip well if you smile.”

Nate snorted when the waiter smiled. “That's cheating.”

Jaxine giggled, not able to help herself, and stood up to excuse herself to use the bathroom. She had to walk right past Mark and Glenn, not glancing at them, her scent wavering in the air as she headed to the bathroom to relieve herself, smirking upon seeing the bitch she clocked earlier on. “Good morning.” She greeted cheerfully.

“Maybe for you!” Rena snapped angrily, looking at her broken nose.

Unbelievable, the blonde bimbo didn't even know it was her who clocked her.

Mark's head shot up as he inhaled a scent that was strangely familiar wafting his way. He took a deep breath, knowing he knew it, but couldn't place it. “Damn...” He shook his head, trying to clear it out. “Get bent.” He growled when Glenn said something about 'getting senile'.

Jaxine shook her head as she walked back out of the bathroom and headed back to her table with her son and Michael, who were both in an eating contest. “You're paying for this, Michael.” She stated as she sat down, smirking when he just nodded, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

That was fine; she didn't mind getting a free meal out of it before going back to her notebook, switching a few more things around. She almost had his schedule perfect.

“Holy hell!” Nate blurted out when Michael demolished a plate of pancakes in thirty seconds. “You win.”

Michael nodded, looking like he was going to be sick before recovering, throwing his arms in the air in a sign of victory, grinning when Nate laughed. “I got to go puke now.”

“He is weird.” Nate watched Michael bolt to the bathroom.

“What an idiot.” Jaxine chuckled and shook her head, having finished her breakfast despite the food eating contest. “Do you feel sick?”

She wasn't surprised when he shook his head, sighing, knowing her boy had to be some kind of mutant to eat that much and not want to blow chunks. Then again...her eyes drifted to the table where Mark had already finished his fourth plate of food and groaned inwardly before looking back at her notebook. Like father, like son.

As if sensing he had been looked at, Mark glanced at her, his green eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the woman and her son. Something nudged the deepest recesses of his memory, but he shook it away, wondering if maybe he WAS going senile.

After Michael did his thing in the bathroom and her son had all three of his meals, Jaxine walked out of the hotel with him in tow, guiding him to the rental car with Michael in the back, smirking. “That's pretty cool of you, Mr. Hickenbottom.” She commented, starting the car before pulling out, knowing she had to be at every one of his appearances and basically had to stick to him like glue except for evenings when business was taken care of.

Michael looked at her like she'd lost her mind, arching an eyebrow. “What's pretty cool of me?” He asked curiously, not entirely sure he wanted to know. If it was a bathroom comment, he'd pass. If it was a swallowing comment, he definitely didn't need to know.

“Letting my son have the front seat, moron.” She replied with a roll of her eyes, wondering if he knew what two plus two was.

She honestly was afraid to ask that question as they arrived at the destination. She wasn't happy to find out the signing also had another individual, another wrestler. The Undertaker AKA Mark Callaway. Jaxine was in hell as she guided her son to sit down in the back along with her, playing with his Gameboy she'd bought him to keep his ass occupied at boring events like these.

“Hey Michaels.” Mark grunted when the man dropped down beside him, flexing his hand, knowing soon he probably wouldn't even be able to bend his fingers.

“Marky Mark.” Michael groaned when a pen hit him before the eyes. “Dude, it was a joke.”

He snorted. “Where's your PA?”

“She's OFF limits.”

The signing was boring and tedious; lasting well past four hours, which by the time it was over, Nathaniel was complaining about how bored he was. She had to find something for him to do when it came to these events and wondered if she really did need to be here for his signings. What was she going to do, tackle a fan for attacking him? Snorting, Jaxine stood up when Michael finally finished, Mark following him and took a deep breath. She would have to face him sooner or later.

“Done?”

“Been done, I can't feel my hand.” Michael groaned, whacking it against a wall as if to prove it. He tried punching Mark with it. “Did that hurt?”

“I don't know,” Mark returned the punch. “Did that?”

“Yes…” Michael groaned, cradling his shoulder. “You're inhuman, Mark.”

“I've been told.” Mark's green eyes moved onto Jaxine. “Mark Callaway.” He extended his hand to her. “I don't think we've been introduced yet, darlin’.”

She had two choices; she could run away from him or just stand there and shake his hand, refusing to give out her full name though. “Jax.” She replied gently, shaking his hand, watching as it practically engulfed hers while staring into his emerald green eyes. They'd always taken her breath away, even more so now. Age had been wonderful to the man. “This is my son, Nathaniel.” She said, gesturing to him, smiling when he simply waved at them, too busy engrossed in his game at the moment.

“Pleasure.” He murmured, nodding at Nathaniel, more interested in her name. “Jax, is it? Don't hear that one much. What’s it short for?” Mark asked, staring down at her, feeling that memory he couldn't remember nudging again.

Michael folded his arms over his chest, arching an eyebrow. “I hate to break this up, but we have to go.”

Jaxine could honestly say she loved Michael at that moment because he saved her ass, knowing if Mark knew what her name was short for, he would surely remember her since her appearance apparently hadn't. “Yeah we do. It was nice meeting you Mr. Callaway.” She said politely before walking out the door with Michael and her son in tow, sighing a huge breath of silent relief. That was close.

“You look like you want to kiss me.” Michael teased as they walked towards the rental car, leaving Mark back to shake away the déjà vou. “Something I should know about?” He was smarter then she gave him credit for.

“You discovered her secret, she's dating the guy.” Nate snorted, walking past them, nose still in his game.

Jaxine's eyes widened to the size of potatoes when she heard her son say that, immediately shaking her head at Michael. “No I don't want to kiss you and no I'm not dating him!” She shot a glare at her son as they walked to the car, getting inside the driver's side, shaking her head back and forth. “There's nothing to tell Michael. I don't know who that guy is, never met him in my life.” Oh yeah like he'd REALLY buy that. Jaxine was toast.

“Uh huh, sure.” Michael said shaking his head, looking confused when Nate slid in the backseat.

“So you can keep annoying her.” Nathaniel explained, grinning slightly. “Mom, you're red in the face. Need a moment to chill?”

“You do look like you're going to explode...Jax.”

“I'm fine.” Jaxine stated through gritted teeth, taking a few deep breaths before putting the car in reverse and pulled out of the spot, heading toward Michael's second appearance of the evening. Her hand was still tingling from where Mark touched her. Hell, she hadn't forgotten about him and it broke her heart secretly to know he didn't even recognize her. ‘It was a long time ago, just forget about it.’ She thought and looked in the rearview mirror, smirking when they arrived and a bunch of cute ten year old girls started fawning over her son. “Aww why don't you walk them to a store, Nathaniel dear?” She did so love revenge.

Nate looked extremely uncomfortable, trying to politely shrug them away, knowing hitting girls was the ultimate no-no. “Um, look...” He grimaced when one took his hand. “I, uh...Look, Shawn Michaels!”

Michael yelped when the girls tackled him, followed by a crowd. “NATE!”

Jaxine was rolling with laughter as she watched the ten year old girls flock to Michael like he was the greatest thing living today. She winked at her son and walked over, ruffling his blonde hair up, not believing he just did that. “You are my son.” She stated and kissed the top of his head while both of them laughed at the torment Michael was going through. It was such a damn shame watching a grown man try to get away from precious ten year old girls who just wanted his autograph...and clothes. She laughed harder.

“Line up nicely and I'll sign autographs for you.” Michael yelped, wincing when a grown woman tried to pull out some of his hair. “Lady, it’s attached and apart of my gimmick, hands off!”

Nathaniel started laughing his behind off, falling to the ground in his giggling fit. “Wow.” He blinked when a man asked Michael to sign his chest. “Is...that normal?”

Michael groaned.

Jaxine had to run to the bathroom because she was laughing so hard, shaking her head and laughing harder while pissing. She finally calmed down and walked back out, seeing her son was egging Michael on more as she steered him away, deciding to do a little shopping while they were in the mall. She kissed the top of Nathaniel's head, loving his son with everything in her.

“You can get anything you want for pulling that master prank.” She stated, beaming proudly at him. She wasn't the ordinary mother.

“Anything at all?” Nate double checked and when she nodded, he dragged her into the Neostar, drooling over games, having a hard time deciding which one.

“You couldn’t have bailed me out?” Michael's voice came from behind her. He was looking tattered, his shirt ripped all to shreds. “I was almost raped!”

“Oh, well we thought you were having fun and wanted to do some shopping.” Jaxine managed to say that with a straight face, though Nathaniel was laughing. “Sorry Michael.” She then burst out laughing as she turned around to watch her son pick out a game. Michael had no idea what evil, diabolical people he had on his hands. Jaxine and Nathaniel weren't normal as she pointed to Pokémon, something he'd been wanting for awhile. “When you're done, I want to play it.”

“Heh.” Nate nodded, reading the back of it before reluctantly handing it to his mom so she could pay for it. “Nice look, Michael.” He said innocently, green eyes widening.

Michael had to remind himself this...evil, wicked, devious creature was a child just so he didn't try to hurt him. “Not talking to you.” He grunted.

“My bad.”

“Pick out another game, sweetie.” Jaxine said happily, winking at her son before staring back at Michael, seeing his clothes were nearly hanging off of him now. “I think you should go shopping for new clothes if you're going to make another appearance.” She was trying so hard not to laugh before turning around to follow her son. She ended up buying him five new games, knowing that would keep him busy for a bit before heading to Michael's appearance, after getting him a new outfit.

Michael was officially dead by the end of the appearance, knowing he had a house show yet to participate in. His hand would never recover. “Can we not schedule two appearances which require me signing autographs in the same day?” He asked later that night. “I love the fans, but my hand can only stand so much.”
Chapter 4

Mark watched them go, slipping into the room and closing the door behind him, shaking his head. “What happened to the blonde hair, Jaxine?” He asked bluntly.

The pen stopped writing on the notebook as Jaxine froze in her spot, carefully swallowing hard. She slowly looked up into those green eyes of Mark's, narrowing her own slightly at him and stood up from the couch, rubbing the back of her neck. “Glad to see you finally remember me, jackass.” She didn't mean to say that, but there were a lot of emotions coursing through her at the moment and anger won out. “What do you want Mark?”

He shrugged, leaning against the wall and folding his arms over his chest. “It's been ten years and a lot of chair shots since the last time I seen you, Jaxine.” He rumbled. “Not to mention you look...different.” He inhaled deeply. “It was your perfume that gave it away, then the whole Jax thing.”

“My perfume?” She echoed, smelling herself, and shrugged before walking back over to sit down on the couch, leaning back against it. “So you caught me. I didn't know you worked here until Michael pointed you out and told me what your name was. I thought you were going overseas to play pro-basketball, so imagine my surprise when I find you here as a professional wrestler. Who would've thought it?” She looked back down at her notebook, crossing one leg over the other, swinging her foot back and forth.

“I was going to go overseas, but...plans changed.” Mark rubbed the back of his neck, finally inhaling deeply, looking at her. “Are you married?” He asked, not seeing a ring on her finger, but in this day and age it didn't mean shit. He remembered Nathaniel, wondering who the lucky daddy was of that sarcastic monster.

“No, I don't believe in marriage. It's a piece of paper and expensive jewelry you can't afford.” She stated evenly, deciding she wouldn't be getting anymore work done for now, and set the notebook aside. “Are you married?” She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms in front of her chest, seeing he wanted to know about her life. She had a right to know about his then.

“Divorced.” He grunted, not about to go into that fiasco. “So...what was your boy's name again? Nathaniel? Where's his father?” He took in her outfit, arching an eyebrow, trying to find the young woman he remembered. He could picture her, just not the clothes.

“Yeah, that's his name, though he prefers to be called Nathan or Nate.” She informed him, wondering why she did when it was none of his business to begin with. “Gone, ran off after he found out.” She lied smoothly, no emotion in her eyes or face, shrugging. “It was a long time ago Mark. Nathaniel doesn't even know he exists. As far as he's concerned, I'm his mom and dad.”

He knew her well enough to know this conversation was ending and decided it was time to go. “I got to go get tapped up.” Mark pushed away from the wall. “For what it's worth, Jaxine, I'm glad you're here darlin'.” His eyes seared into hers for a moment before walking out, closing the door behind him. He saw Nate before and had discarded the green eyes at first because he hadn't 'known' her at the time. Though now those green eyes seemed quite familiar.

Jaxine had to learn how to breathe when he left, leaning further back against the couch, and tilted her head back as her eyes closed. The blonde hair left her long ago after college, when she decided she needed a change, a new start. She'd dyed it to black, not caring what her drugged up mother thought, her father was dead so he couldn't really have an opinion. She sighed heavily and stood up, walking over to stare in the mirror, not even recognizing herself anymore. These dress clothes weren't her. Blue jeans and tank tops were more like it, but the company did have a dress code. She gripped the sink with her hands and finally let a few tears fall from her eyes.

~*~*~*~

“Hey Mark.” Michael greeted from his place on the floor, Nate behind him applying an ankle lock. “Yep kid, just like that. OW! Don't twist!”

Mark stared at Nathaniel.

“You're giving me the creeps, dude.”

“Your eyes are a nice shade of green.”

“My mom said I got 'em from my dad.”

~*~*~*~

Deciding she needed water, Jaxine walked down the hallway toward the cafeteria, her arms wrapped around herself, sighing heavily. She could only hope Mark would back off now and just leave her alone, having a feeling that wasn't going to happen. Nathaniel was the spitting image of him except the facial and head of hair. He had her old dishwater blonde hair, which Jaxine would never catch herself with again. Sighing, she walked inside the cafeteria and got water along with an apple, her stomach growling a bit from hardly eating.

~*~*~*~

Nate was having a great time, laughing as Mark showed him how to do an arm bar, Michael being the unfortunate soul it got practiced on.

“You can't do these moves on people.” Mark told him, wondering just what Jaxine was going to do when she realized he knew her little 'secret'. “Unless of course, it's with us.”

“How bout you take a turn?” Michael groaned, not believing how strong this little kid was.

“Holy shit! Is that Jaxine's kid?” Matt Hardy asked Michael, who had rolled out of the ring, favoring his arm.

“That is one strong boy.” Jeff commented, standing beside his brother, downing some water. “Damn! He just took ‘Taker down with a leg sweep and now...oh damn he's got an ankle lock on him now!”

Matt was gaping as he blinked at the ring. “Michael, do you need to go see a trainer for your arm, dude?” He asked smugly.

“I think so.” Michael muttered, wincing. Glad Mark and Nate were having such a great time, not believing Mark was roaring with laughter at being taken down. “Sickos. Nate, c'mon, your mom will kill me if I don't take you with.”

Mark seen the fallen look on Nate's face and sat up, getting to his feet. “Let him stay with me, just tell her who he's with.” He suggested.

“Umm... no.” Michael flinched at the look that crossed Mark's face. “I don't want her removing my balls. Let's go.”

“Blame it on Mark; tell her that he threatened to cut your balls off for you.” Jeff suggested, a grin on his face, and groaned when Michael smacked him upside the head with his good arm.

“Come on, Michaels, I'll go with you. You two have fun and, Nate; don't hurt the Deadman too much.” Matt smirked as he walked with Michael and Jeff up the ramp way, deciding they would go with incase Jaxine did decide she wanted to castrate Michael.

~*~*~*~

“YOU WHAT?!” Jaxine bellowed when Michael told her who he'd left HER child with! She was going to kill this guy and shoved past him, stalking down the hallway.

“Well, that went better than I thought...”

Michael knew better, he shouldn't have left Nate. “I'm toast.”

“Yeah, sorry about that man...”

Matt bolted along with his brother when Michael turned around, glaring at both of them with ice cold hazel eyes.

~*~*~*~

“Whoa tiger, easy does it.” Mark laughed, catching Nate when he wound up tossing himself off the ropes too hard. “You got to watch how you do it or you'll damage yerself, watch.” He threw himself into the ropes, flying across the ring and rebounding, doing it twice more, with grace a man of his stature shouldn't have had. “Like that.”

Jaxine walked through gorilla position and stopped short when she seen Mark in the ring with her son, blinking, not believing what he was doing. “Jesus...” She whispered to herself and headed down the ramp way, bellowing at the top of her lungs, “NATHANIEL MARSTON HAMPTON!!”

Nate froze in his tracks, almost falling on his face only to be caught again in Mark's strong hands. He knew he was in deep trouble because she used his full name. “Umm...Mom, I can explain.”

“Marston?” Mark echoed. “You gave him the middle name of Marston?” He shook his head, leaning against the ropes, staring down at her. “Come to join us for some family time?”

“No, I-what?” Jaxine blinked as she now stood at ringside, refusing to get in between those ropes with Mark, especially right now. “Nathaniel, get your ass down here RIGHT NOW!” She ordered gravely, no room for argument in her voice and watched as he did what he was told. Good. She'd bust his ass if he didn't. “What the Hell were you THINKING doing something like that?!” She demanded, ignoring Mark for the time being, placing her hands on his shoulders. “You scared me to death. God you're going to be the death of me, kid!”

“I wasn't gettin' hurt. Mark was there.” Nate said moodily, scuffing the toe of his sneaker on the floor mats. “Mom, you're being too over-protective again.”

“Yeah, Jaxy, I was here.” Mark drawled, pissed that she would keep this from him even now. “You think I'd let anything happen to him?” His tone of voice added the not said, but implied 'would I let anything happen to my son?'

“You were supposed to stick to Michael's side and you didn't do it Nathaniel. Jesus, do you have ANY idea how worried I was when I found out you were with a stranger? That's what this man is, a STRANGER!” She glared up at Mark, not believing the audacity of this son of a bitch before pointing up the ramp way. “March now. Do it or I swear to god I will take all of those games back I just bought you, Nathaniel Marston.” She didn't care what Mark thought of his middle name, shaking her head back at the man standing in the ring. She couldn't deal with this right now as she followed her son up the ramp way.

“Since when is someone's father a stranger?” Mark called after her, seeing her freeze for a moment before she continued on her way.

He snorted, not following. He'd pick his battles and right now, he wasn't going to waste his breath. She was just too damned worked up.

“What'd he say?”

“Nothing. Let's go.” She stated, shoving her son through the gorilla position curtain before arriving backstage. “That's it Nathaniel, you're not allowed to go with Michael anywhere else.”

When he went to argue, she shot him the deadliest look she could muster up, causing him to clamp his mouth shut instantly. They walked into Michael's dressing room and Jaxine didn't say a WORD to him as she sat down on the couch and proceeded to finish up her work while he got warmed up for his match. She was not in the mood right now and wanted to be left alone while Nathaniel started to play Pokémon on his Gameboy.

Michael knew he was in trouble and didn't say a word, knowing better. He felt like a child being punished or something and balked. He was an adult damn it. But then the look on Jaxine's face sent that thought flying out the window.

Matt walked in after knocking. “Look, Miss Hampton, Michael didn't want to leave your son out there. Jeff and I...well, we kinda frog marched his ass away. He did tell Nate it was time to leave.” He felt bad about getting Michael's balls busted.

Jaxine slowly looked up from the notebook, raising an eyebrow and smirked. “Wow, the man can't even man up and defend himself. How uncanny. Michael, you're off the hook.” This was too pathetic as she smirked, looking back down at her notebook while Nathaniel simply nodded at Michael as if to say 'she's right you know' before going back to play his game. “Though if he does it again,” She said before Matt could walk out. “Please inform him his balls will be in a jar in my suitcase.” She smiled sweetly, though it didn't reach her eyes.

Michael exploded. “I didn't say anything because I didn't want to piss you off even more, you're scary when you're angry!”

Matt -who had been walking out- collapsed in a fit of laughter.

“She reminds me of MY mom!”

“Puss.”

Michael rolled his eyes exasperatedly.

“Wow, that's a compliment.” Jaxine snorted and rolled her eyes, watching as Matt fell out of the door from laughing so hard. “I have to admit, Michael dear, it's going to be SO much fun working with you.” She stated, standing up and began packing her things, her back to him. She knew he probably wanted to strangle her and that was perfectly fine with her. She liked pissing people off, it amused her. “Nathaniel, time to go.” She stated, finishing up before turning around to face the man she was assisting and walked out the door.

Michael sighed, chasing after them. “Hey wait up a second.” He called, running to catch up. “Jaxine, look...I am sorry about all that. Can I make it up to you?”

Nate rolled his eyes. “Just ask her out already, moron.”

“Would you let me buy you dinner?” Michael asked, ignoring Nate.

“You want to buy me dinner?” She quipped, raising an eyebrow at him, and smirked down at her son before staring back into Michael's hazel eyes, shrugging. “Wherever I go, my little man joins. So are you asking US out or just me?” When he rephrased it, Jaxine smirked and pinched his cheek before nodding. “Sure, I'd like that. Just let US know when.” She patted the cheek she pinched before turning and walking down the hallway with her son in tow, who was laughing.

“Mom, how bout I DON'T go?” Nate suggested when they were in the car. “When Michael asks you out I mean. I'll stay in the hotel room like a good little boy and you can just enjoy yourself.”

He was more then aware his mother rarely had her own personal time. He couldn't even remember her going out without him. That was pretty bad. He sized his mom up. She was pretty as far as a girl could be, he credited her a bit more since she WAS his mom. She deserved a dinner from some nice guy.

“You'd be alright with that?” She asked softly, glancing over at him before moving her eyes back to the road. “Nathaniel, you come with the package and any man I'm with needs to understand that.” She sighed when he started contradicting her with reverse psychology, hating it when he did that and finally agreed. “Fine, but if you so much as step a FOOT out of that hotel room while I'm gone, I'm taking your Gameboy away for a month, deal?” She smiled when he nodded his head grudgingly, ruffling his hair with one hand before going to get something to eat.

~*~*~*~

Michael returned to his dressing room to grab his stuff, mentally smacking himself for not grabbing it on his way out to chase down Jaxine, grunting when he tripped and went sprawling to the floor. “Damn.”

“Best learn to watch where you're going, Michaels.” Mark drawled, his green eyes ice cold. He pushed away from the wall he'd been loitering at. “Night, kid.”
Chapter 5

Jaxine looked in the full length mirror, sighing heavily as she put her hair down before putting it up again, groaning. She had no idea why she even cared what she looked like, but she did want to look nice. She'd decided on a short jean skirt that went two inches above the knee with a spaghetti strapped black tank top that hugged her curves and a white jacket. She was wearing her white Skechers since it was a dressy, sporty outfit. She finally decided to leave her hair down and teased it a little with the curling iron, giving it bounce. It was long and went down to the middle of her back. Straightened, it would've went past her ass.

“Okay what do you think?” She asked, turning around to show her son.

Nathaniel looked up from the garlic bread he'd been munching on, having devoured two plates of spaghetti already. “You look nice, what's the big deal? It's just dinner, right?” He knew Michael had asked her out for dinner, but as far as he was concerned, dinner was McDonalds. “You're going somewhere fancy?” He asked curiously, wondering what was going on. Not that he minded, if she was happy, he was happy.

“I have no idea where we're going. God I shouldn't even go.” She was talking more to herself now than him as she walked over to the mirror.

It'd been years since she'd been on a real date, just her and a guy. Jaxine was nervous as Hell, sighing when a knock sounded at the door. She seen her son was still eating and knew it was probably Michael as she walked over and opened it, after checking herself one more time in the mirror.

Mark blinked, looking down at her, his green eyes taking in her outfit, hair, all of it. “Am I interrupting somethin'?” He asked, glancing past her.

“Hey Mark!” Nate appeared at his mom's side. “What're you doin' here?”

“I just wanted to talk to yer momma.”

“Take a number, she has a date tonight.”

“Nathaniel, go eat your food.” She ordered softly, shoving him away from the doorway, sighing before stepping out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. “What do you want Mark?”

In truth, this was a nice distraction from thinking about her date with Michael, even if it was more drama and more than likely about him finding out that Nathaniel was his. Of course, Jaxine would deny that until the day she died.

“I wanted to talk to you about Nathaniel.” He said as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. “I can put two and two together. He's ten. We last seen each other just over ten years ago, close to eleven. He has green eyes. You don't and neither did your momma.” He stared down at her. “You plannin' on ever comin' clean with it?”

“My father had green eyes, thank you very much.” Jaxine lied smoothly, leaning against the wall, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Mark, when are you going to get it through your head he's not yours? We had sex and we were careful, so you can rest easy. You're not the father.” She wished he would just let it go so they could move on with their lives and be professional toward each other. It'd been a week since she'd caught Nathaniel in the ring and had tried everything in her power to keep the two apart. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date to finish getting ready for.”

“The truth shall set you free, Jaxine.” He murmured as she disappeared back into the hotel room, his eyes narrowing. Lying bitch. He snorted, shaking his head and walking down the hallway. If she wanted to play games, he could too.

“What'd he want?” Nathaniel asked the moment she was back in the room.

“He was asking about something regarding his signing with Michael.” She lied smoothly to her son, knowing she had to protect him, and sighed before going over to look in the mirror for the umpteenth time. ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ She thought, answering her own question when another knock sounded at the door. She walked over and opened the door, revealing Michael and smiled nervously at him. “Hey Michael.”

“Hey yourself.” Michael smiled at her, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white button up shirt, holding out a pink rose. “Here.” He held it out to her. “Hey sport.” He called to Nathaniel.

“God, you're sick.” Nate moaned, making a face when he seen the white shirt and rose. Hopefully he never liked a girl, he'd go nuts if he had to wear buttoned up shirts and buy flowers, dinners and stuff.

“Thank you.” Jaxine took the rose from him, walking over and placing it in the vase on the table, with the rest of the roses he'd sent her earlier that day prior to their date. “Nathan, please behave and do NOT answer this door without the secret knock.” She stated, hugging him tightly and kissed his forehead, feeling bad for leaving him alone. She really didn't want to go, she'd rather spend time with him. She sighed when he groaned and knew he was pushing his boundary issue again before walking over to join Michael again. “I love you Nathaniel.” She called before closing the door, raking a hand through her hair and smiled nervously at Michael again as he guided her to the elevator. This was already a disaster.

“Good grief.” Nate muttered, sprawling out on the bed and occupying himself with his Gameboy. He had too many awesome games to play to go out wandering.

“I feel like I'm on my very first date with a woman.” Michael said, breaking the ice as they stood in the elevator, looking at her. “I like your outfit.” He said, smiling warmly. “It's nice to see you in something besides work clothes, suits you better.”

“Believe me, if I could wear this at the arena, I would.” She assured him, hating her dress clothes, feeling like herself in this outfit and smiled at him. “I'm so glad I'm not the only one who is nervous. I haven't been out on a date since before Nathaniel was born.” Holy shit had it really been that long? Jaxine blinked and quickly shook herself as the elevator doors opened, allowing him to take her hand. “So where are we going?” She asked, deciding to try to make conversation.

“To dinner.” He teased. “It's a surprise.” He didn't want to tell her because he worried she might think it was too pricey or something, he'd had that happen before. “Ten years huh?” He whistled. “Long time. And a bit of a waste, Jax. You're a very beautiful, intelligent woman.” Michael ducked his head, glancing down at her and smiling, his hazel eyes lighting up.

Jaxine smiled back at him, her midnight blue eyes sparkling back at him, seeing for the first time just how cute he was. He had beautiful hazel eyes and a killer body. “Thanks, Michael.” She replied softly as he guided her to his rental car, slipping in the passenger seat before he got in the driver's, firing it up, and pulled out of the hotel parking lot. “So what kind of music do you like?” She squealed when he put Def Leppard in and grinned. “I love this band!”

“Me too.” He laughed. “I like anything, but country.” He wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Mostly rock and heavy metal if you can't tell.” He chuckled, glad they had at least one thing in common. Michael weaved through the streets expertly, not prone to bouts of road rage when they'd get cut off. He did however curse when a motorcycle came out of nowhere, zooming ahead of them, the driver a female who flipped them off angrily, mouthing 'slow'. “Jesus, what's the rush?”

“I actually like country.” She stated, raising an eyebrow over at him and shrugged before blinking at the woman with the motorcycle, flipping her off right back. “Yeah fuck you too bitch!!” She shouted, smirking when the woman raced away, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and ignored Michael's expression.

She didn't appreciate being flipped off. What could she say? Jaxine nodded her head to the song ‘Love Bites’ by Def Leppard, knowing word for word.

Michael listened to her singing along and smiled. He figured it'd be a really slim chance of meeting someone else who listened to Def Leppard let alone being able to sing a song of theirs word for word. He enjoyed her singing, finally pulling up in front of an impressive looking building, one that used valet parking.

“Hope you brought your appetite.”

Jaxine looked at the place and knew they weren't dressed for this, but didn't mind. “I'll try my best.”

She winked at him playfully before stepping out, allowing the valet to park the car, allowing Michael to guide her inside the restaurant by the hand. Once they were seated and had ordered their meal, Jaxine just looked around at the fancy place, crossing her ankles and wondered what the hell she was supposed to talk about with Michael besides Nathaniel. She opted to just keep her mouth shut and sipped her wine slowly.

Michael was perfectly comfortable being underdressed in this place, but then again, his celebrity status allowed him that luxury and extended to whoever he was with. “So besides driving Nate crazy by being over-protective, what else do you do?” He asked, not about to let her be quiet, wanting to genuinely get to know her.

“Besides working for a little boy in a man's body and being a mother, that's pretty much my life, Michael.” She replied evenly with a straight face, downing nearly half of her wine, setting the glass down before leaning back in her chair. Hey, she had every right to be over-protective of her little boy and this pompous ass was going to learn damned quick she did what she wanted with her son. She squeezed him out and raised him up until now, not Michael, and until he experienced that, then he would never understand. “You?”

“Besides apparently offending beautiful women by putting my fat foot in my mouth? Nothing, but my job. I tried acting, that didn't pan out too well. Tried singing, didn’t work out either.” He smiled at himself, offering her an apologetic smile. “I'm sorry if I upset you Jax, I wasn't trying too.”

“You didn't upset me one bit, Michael.” She replied with a sweet smile, genuinely not offended. She just got defensive when it came to her son and she sometimes didn't even understand it. “I really don't have much of a life except Nathaniel. I know it sounds pathetic, but being a single mother does that to you.” She sighed, raking a hand through her hair, seeing their salads had arrived and she poured French dressing on hers while Michael opted for Italian. “I'm a boring person, that's the point blank truth.”

He studied her thoughtfully, taking his time in chewing before speaking again. “No, I don't think you're boring, Jaxine. I think you've devoted your life to Nathaniel and put your own on the back burner. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Just sometimes you got to do something for yourself, you know?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She adverted her eyes to her salad, already missing her son, and sighed heavily as she took another bite out of her salad. “He is my life, there is no putting my life on the back burner. Nathaniel is my life and my heart. That little boy is the reason I'm on this earth day in and day out and I love him with everything in me.” She was speaking softly as she kept staring down at her salad, Mark suddenly popping into her mind. “I mean, granted, he can be stubborn as a bull, but that's to be expected from a ten year old boy.”

“I still can't believe he's only ten. He's so damn tall for his age.” Michael shook his head. “He's as strong as a bull too, he about twisted my ankle off the other day.” He cleared his throat, wishing he hadn't said that, she didn't need any more reminders about his fuck-up. “Well, how bout you let me take you out again sometime, providing Nate doesn't mind? I know he's your life, but...maybe a little breather every now and then won't hurt?”

“You really want to take me out again?” Jaxine asked, smiling when he nodded, and shrugged before nodding. “Okay, torture yourself some more.” She winked and giggled when he started laughing, the tension finally breaking.

The rest of the dinner went well, mostly with Michael talking about his family back in San Antonio, Texas. He sounded like a true family man and Jaxine was finding herself more interested in him as the night progressed. After dinner, Michael drove her back to the hotel and walked her up to her room, turning around to face him, staring into his hazel eyes.

“Thank you for tonight, I really had a nice time.” She wasn't lying, she honestly did and wanted to do it again.

“Good, I'm glad. Next time I'll let you pick what we do, alright?” He smiled down at her, his forearm resting on the door though he made no move to kiss her or anything, fairly certain she'd slap him.

“Do the secret knock so I can open the door already! I'm TIRED!”

“Date's over.” Michael laughed.

“Yeah, I guess it is. Good night Michael.” She reached up and kissed his cheek, smiling softly before turning around and knocking three times in a pattern, nodding when Nathaniel opened it and closed it behind her. “Come on, time for bed.” She murmured, yawning as she threw her key card on the table, and kicked her Skechers off, pulling out a nightgown from her bag, and walked in the bathroom to change. She groaned when a knock sounded at the door, trudging out, opening it to see who it was. “For crying out loud...”

“Is Mark here?” Rena Mero demanded, looking close to tears. She had knocked on every damn door, trying to find him. This floor had been especially booked for the WWF so she knew she had to be getting close. “Please? I really need to talk to him right now.” She sniffled, not realizing this was the woman who had broken her nose.

This woman seriously needed her ass kicked. “Do you realize it's near midnight and people are probably SLEEPING?” She asked, shaking her head. “Lady, here's my advice for you, ready? MOVE ON.” She then slammed the door in Rena's face and shook her head, scrubbing a hand down her face, not believing the audacity of some people. She could find Mark her damned self. Jaxine was going to bed and could already hear Nathaniel's snores.

“TAKE A FUCKING HIKE!” His voice echoed throughout the hallway, not pleased at being woken up, wearing nothing, but a sheet and a frown. “Rena, let me alone damn it, we're done.”

“Don't you dare say that, I refuse to hear it!” Rena shrieked, not caring who could hear them. “I'll tell everyone about you smacking me around.”

“They already know.” He snorted, pushing her back into the hall before slamming the door shut.

Jaxine was two point five seconds away from getting up and going to break the bitch's neck if she didn't shut the hell up. She smirked when she heard the silence and sighed, letting sleep consume her body.
Chapter 6

A month had passed since her and Michael started dating and Jaxine could honestly say she was happy. He was fun, easy-going and downright handsome. She loved the color of his eyes, especially when they lit up like stars and sighed. Nathaniel was SLOWLY warming up to him and she honestly didn't blame him for being skeptical. Though it didn't help that Mark was STILL coming around demanding her to tell him the truth. Jaxine told him the same thing every time, feeling like a damned broken record.

“You hit it yet?”

Michael spewed water all over Paul, his hazel eyes about popping out of his skull. “Dude, you can't be asking me that shit!” He snapped, wiping water off his chin.

Paul grunted, setting down his weights to shake water out of his face. “Say it don't spray, so did you?”

Mark walked in, shaking his head. “Yeah Michaels, did you?”

“No of course he didn't.” Matt Hardy snorted, ignoring Michael’s icy glare while he did squats, working on his thigh and leg muscles. “You know it's been a month already...”

“Matt, some people like to wait and get to know each other before jumping right into sex...”

“Sex is a HUGE factor in a relationship and you can't deny that.”

“That's what masturbation is for...” Jeff was thrown out of the weight room at that moment.

“It's not like that, we're getting to know each other first.” Michael defended himself.

“Well hell son, sex is apart of that process.” Mark drawled, seating himself at a weight bench. “Unless of course, you're afraid you can't handle her.”

Paul sniggered, returning to his workout.

Matt snorted as he shook his head. “He probably can't handle that hell cat. I don't think anyone can. But damned if I wouldn't like to try...” He smirked when he seen Michael's face turning redder by the second. “I wonder if she's tight.” He wondered aloud and a second later, Matt was thrown out of the weight room to join his brother.

Mark was glad Michael tossed Matt out because he had been fixing to cram a dumb bell up the moron's ass. He seen the uneasy look Michael shot him and just smiled back. A nice, big ‘I just fucked your mom’ grin.

Michael shook his head, deciding it was time to get the hell out of the Twilight Zone.

Mark felt he could afford to be generous too little Mikey boy because he knew something that punk didn't. Whistling, he began his workout.

~*~*~*~

Jaxine was in Michael's dressing room, where she was stationed ever since started in the WWF, looking over his schedule and knew he wouldn't be happy. He had to go down to Alabama to have his back checked out. Vince was ordering her to stay on the road to assist another wrestler, to which she had no idea who right now and sighed. She wasn't sure if she should feel mad or happy, wondering if space apart was a good idea since they'd just gotten in this relationship.

“Hi.” Michael greeted when he walked in, dropping his bag and walking over to kiss her. “I smell, I know. I need a shower.” He apologized, not daring to inhale, just incase he passed out.

“Yeah, but I have to talk to you about something first.” She stood up quickly and stopped him, turning him around to face her, sighing heavily. “Vince is sending you away to Alabama to have your back looked at.” She cringed when his eyes widened, holding her hands up. “Your plane leaves on Friday and you'll be written out of the storyline. I just received it, Michael. I'm sorry.” She raked a hand through her hair and turned around, seeing Nathaniel was busy on his walkman and playing his Gameboy.

Michael took the paper, reading it and groaned, shaking his head. “Damn it! I told Vince I would take care of it after Mania.” He sat in a metal folding chair, staring at the paper. “You are coming with me, right?” He asked softly, not sure what he would need her for besides support, but unable to stop himself from asking anyway.

Her eyes instantly lowered to the floor before walking back over, sitting on the couch. “Vince said he needs me to assist another wrestler while you're gone.” She cringed, seeing he was about ready to explode, and did not dare look up at him. She had no idea who she was personal assisting either while he was gone, but whoever it was, she really hoped Michael didn't find out. “There's nothing that can be done, Michael. I guess Vince thinks your back is serious enough that it can’t wait any longer.” She quietly said, smoothing out the pink and black skirt she wore that matched her suit.

“Apparently, maybe this time they’ll paralyze me.” He grumbled sarcastically, picking up his bag. “I'm not mad at you Jaxine, I'm just...” He shrugged. “I'm going to get that shower now.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

~*~*~*~

Mark was in a pretty good mood when he strolled down the arena hallway, wearing tight blue jeans and an open vest, his hair pulled back into a loose tail. “Hey, Hardy.”

“Please don't co-cock me.”

She sighed and looked down at the paper, tossing it to the side, and raked her hands through her hair, leaving it down for the night. She suddenly needed some fresh air and walked over, tapping Nathaniel on the shoulder. “I'll be right back. I need to go get something out of the car.” She stated before walking out, walking hastily down the hallway, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. She needed to get outside and inhale the fresh air, wondering what was going to happen now with Michael.

She hadn't gotten far when she was pulled back into an empty dressing room. The lights were off, but Mark had no trouble seeing in the dark as his eyes were adjusted to it. “Hey Jax.” He greeted casually, letting her go and spinning her around so she was facing him. “Heard Michael was getting shipped off…without you.”

“Mark?” She tried seeing through the darkness and moved her hand around the wall, trying to find a light switch, flipping it on once she did, breathing heavily since he had scared the shit out of her. “Yeah he is. Vince is assigning me someone else.” She didn't even know why she was explaining this to him and swallowed hard, trying to get her heart rate to slow down. “Thanks for scaring the shit out of me by the way, jackass.”

“You're welcome, darlin'.” He replied, his lips curving into a knowing grin. “Yer gorgeous when yer face is flushed and yer eyes are wide like that.” He leaned against the wall, staring down at her. “So, you don't know who you’ll be workin' with huh? Interestin'.” He rubbed his chin, the smile broadening before abruptly changing track. “You goin' to tell Nate yet?”

“Tell him what?” She asked tiredly, crossing her arms in front of her chest, leaning back against the door. Feeling her heart rate quickening by staring into those hypnotic green eyes of his that had always captured hers in ways no other man could. “I'm not telling him anything Mark because there is NOTHING to tell him.” Why couldn't he just let this go? “I have to go.” She turned around and started out the door, refusing to deal with this right now.

“Yeah, yeah go back and keep Nathaniel from knowin' his dad, good motherin'.” Mark snorted, watching her walk away, folding his arms over his chest. He decided he was going to have a chat with Vince, figuring he could use a personal assistant.

It took every ounce of willpower not to go back in there and slap the taste out of his mouth as Jaxine stormed back inside Michael's dressing room, seeing her son was still on his Gameboy and went to go finish up Michael's schedule. She would find out who she would be personal assisting before the night was out, she was sure of it since tomorrow was Friday. She just hoped it wasn't an asshole as she leaned back against the couch, not even acknowledging when Michael stepped out of the shower.

“How's it going, sport?” Michael asked, dropping on the couch while toweling his head, noticing that Jaxine didn't seem to be in a very talkative mood at the moment, wondering what pissed her off now. He adored the woman, but she did have a bit of a temper.

“I just beat this level.” Nate said, saving his game and smirking. “I am a gaming god, all bow down before me.”

“Twisted kid.”

Jaxine sighed when Vince called her, telling her he didn't know who her replacement would be yet as they drove back to the hotel. Michael in the backseat as always. He walked them to their room, Nathaniel walking inside first and Jaxine sighed when Michael stopped her, staring back into his hazel eyes. “What is it?” She sighed when he kissed her softly, running her hand up his back to his neck, slowly pulling away. “Mmm that was nice.”

“I just- I just don't want you to forget me while I'm gone.” He whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist tightly, pulling her against him. Michael's hazel eyes stared down into hers, anxiety clear in them. “I mean, I know we haven't been going out that long and being apart will be tough, but...I don't want to lose you, Jax.”

“I'm not interested in anyone else, Michael so you have nothing to worry about. Just go and take care of your back and get back here so I can be with you again.” She kissed him softly once more before hugging him around the neck, rubbing his back soothingly and assuring before pulling back. “Go on.”

She didn't want to cry in front of him and was putting up a brave front, a master at doing it. Once he was around the corner, Jaxine let the tears slide down her cheeks before walking in, going to the bathroom before Nathaniel could see her, shutting the door behind her and slid down it, burying her face in her knees. She'd just flat out lied to Michael and hated herself for it.

~*~*~*~

Vince shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, having just gotten off the phone with Mark Callaway. He'd been shocked as hell at what the man had requested, never figuring Mark one who needed assistance. Though he suspected Mark's motives weren't entirely healthy for anyone involved. He'd agreed though, unable to provide a sound argument against it.

~*~*~*~

Jaxine sighed as she walked inside the arena the following night with Nathaniel, having said goodbye to Michael before boarding a flight to Seattle, Washington, where she would get her new assignment. She went to Vince McMahon's office and knocked, hearing him call through it to enter and walked in with her son, the door closing behind her. When she turned around, her eyes instantly locked with emerald green orbs, causing her heart to nearly stop beating.

“Oh my god, no...” She shook her head and looked back at Vince, groaning from low in the back of her throat before lowering her head. “What could he POSSIBLY need an assistant for??”

“Hey, I have things I need help with.” Mark said, sounding injured, a pout on his lips though his eyes were sparkling wickedly.

“Mark needs his schedules watched so he's not overbooked.” Vince explained. “He's popular so PR likes to drive him crazy with more events then one man can handle.” He'd finally come up with a reason for Mark needing Jaxine.

“You've GOT to be kidding me?” Jaxine wasn't buy that for a minute, especially since Mark had never asked for a personal assistant until now.

She wasn't born yesterday and knew this was Mark's doing. There was no other explanation. This was her job though and Jaxine knew she had no other choice, but to do it, even if she wanted to castrate Mark and wipe that smirk from his lips.

Mark smirked, looking down at her out of dangerously amused eyes. “Looking forward to workin' with ya, darlin’.” He rumbled, sounding like he was fighting the desire to laugh.

“Let's not get this...association off to a bad start.” Vince interrupted quickly, almost saying 'fiasco.'

Jaxine smiled sweetly as she extended her hand to Mark's, squeezing it as hard as she could and smirked when he grunted, knowing she'd sent her warning to him loud and clear before shaking it slowly. “Me too, Mr. Callaway. Come on Nathaniel.” She ushered her son out of Vince's office and felt like she would hit the roof. That damn Mark Callaway was a slick son of a bitch!

“Mom, I don't think you like Mark very much.” Nathaniel said thoughtfully, his eyebrows drawing together as he pondered it. “I don't know, he's a lot of fun.” He remembered the day Mark showed him some wrestling moves, before his mom had come and exploded of course. Recalling her anger, he shuddered. She had been really scary that day.

“I don't even know him Nathaniel.” She rolled her eyes down at her son and wrapped her arm around his shoulders before heading to the cafeteria, knowing he was probably hungry.

She was going to try avoiding going to Mark's dressing room for as long as possible, hating that she had to stall. All he was going to do was pester her about telling Nathaniel the truth and she wasn't going to do it. Nathaniel didn't need to know who his father was. He'd gotten along just fine with him.

Nathaniel just rolled his eyes, huffing with exasperation, but perked up when he seen where they were going. “Food...” He moaned, his stomach rumbling as if knowing where they were.

Mark was still smirking when he reached his dressing room, tossing his gear on the bench and stretched, his arms going over his head. She wanted to play games about their son, he'd play them right back. Only he'd do one better.

Jaxine wasn't surprised when her son had four plates full of food and looked at the clock, knowing she couldn't stall any longer. She had a job to do and knew Mark's schedule was probably a mess. Sighing, Jaxine finished her coffee before standing up, Nathaniel by her side before they headed to Mark's dressing room. Jaxine promised herself she wouldn't blow up at him or lose her temper, knowing that would only fuel him even more. She would keep this strictly professional and stopped when they arrived outside his door. Taking a deep breath, Jaxine knocked twice before entering.
Chapter 7

“Hey Mark!” Nathaniel greeted enthusiastically, not breaking out the Gameboy like he normally would have. He was too intrigued by the strange man. Factor in the whole 'keep away thing' and he was totally hooked.

“Hey there, little man.” Mark replied, a genuine smile crossing his face as he slapped Nate a high five, or in his case, a low five.

Jaxine didn't like seeing that, but maintained her composure. “Do you have your schedule, Mr. Callaway?” She asked, walking over and sitting on the couch before pulling out her notebook. She wasn't surprised to find his piece of paper wasn't crumpled like Michael's had been, sighing softly. She hated admitting it, but she missed Michael and pinched the bridge of her nose before getting started, her head down, focused one hundred percent on her work.

Mark listened patiently as Nate explained the Gameboy game to him. Midnight something, Moonlight something. “Now what do I do with it?” He asked again, staring down at the thing in his hand, feeling like he might break it.

“Here, watch.” Nate shook his head, taking the Gameboy back and showing him all over again. “Like THIS.”

Jaxine kept sneaking glances at her son and Mark, watching them interact, wondering why Nathaniel was so attached to Mark, but yet every time he saw Michael he disrespected him. It didn't make sense to her, though a lot didn't lately. She sighed, finishing up his schedule in an hour. The man didn't need a personal assistant, he needed a damn hole in his head!

Mark was well aware of Jaxine, but he was more interested in his son. No matter what Jaxine said, he knew Nathaniel was his. He'd seen way too many quirks in the boy that he knew he himself possessed. “I have a match in ten, son, I have to get around.”

Nate didn't even flinch an eye at being called son. “Can I watch?”

“Nathaniel, leave him alone.” Jaxine ordered, not even looking up from her notebook, knowing exactly why Mark had set this up. He wanted to get closer to Nathaniel and she wouldn't allow it to happen. Granted, there wasn't really anything she could do about it until Michael got back. Damn it why did Michael have to leave now? She sighed when Nathaniel started begging her and finally snapped. “I SAID NO, NATHANIEL! Now shut up and play your damn game!”

“Jesus woman, the kid is just bein' a kid.” Mark grunted, pulling the straps up on his costume. He disappeared into the bathroom to wet down his hair, emerging a few seconds later, black eyeliner outlining his green eyes.

“What's your wrestling name?”

“The Undertaker.”

“Why?”

“Because he's morbid.” Jaxine answered gruffly, slamming the notebook shut, and slid it back in her bag before standing up. She couldn't be in this room with him, wanting to kick the living shit out of him for putting her and Nathaniel in this predicament. “If there's nothing else you need from me, Mr. Callaway, I'm taking my son back to the hotel for some rest.” She was already gathering their things, feeling a headache coming on.

Mark shrugged, shaking his head when Nathaniel went to start griping. “She's right; it's time for ya'll to go. I'll be leaving after my match anyway.”

“Okay, but tomorrow can you tell me why you're the Undertaker?”

“That'll take a while.”

“I got time!”

“Go to the car, I'll meet you out there.” She softly ordered her son, knowing he didn't want to go, and watched him walk out of the door before Jaxine turned on Mark, fire blazing in her blue eyes. “You are unbelievable and you haven't changed ONE damn bit! I know why you fucking did this and I'm telling you right now, stop messing with my son! He's NOT yours, you may think and want him to be, but we were both sleeping with other people back then! His father is gone and he's not coming back so stop assuming shit you don't even fucking know!” Jaxine was a master at lying and could make anyone believe her.

“So prove me wrong, Jaxine.” Mark said nonchalantly, shrugging into his black coat. “Do a paternity test and put your money where your mouth is.” He patted her on the head on his way out the door, leaving her with that thought to dwell upon. Mark had to fight to rearrange his features as he headed to the gorilla position, trying not to smirk.

The ride back to the hotel was made in total silence, not even the radio was on. Jaxine couldn't believe what Mark asked of her and there was NO way she was giving him a paternity test. Then again, maybe if she somehow had the results switched to where they were negative...Jaxine sighed, that wouldn't work. Nathaniel was Mark's, but she would never admit it. She wasn't getting a damn test done because she refused to let Mark be apart of her life again. He'd broken her heart once and left her with a baby, even though he didn't know about it. He still left her and that was enough for Jaxine not to let him in again. They arrived at the hotel in record time and Jaxine sent Nathaniel to bed, after ordering some room service, needing sometime to think for herself. She stared up at the ceiling, having gotten a suite, needing a room to herself and knew Nathaniel enjoyed his own privacy as well.

Michael yawned, looking down at his cell phone, wondering if it was too late to call Jaxine. Then if by chance it was, he wondered how pissed off she would be. Though the safety of distance was in his favor, it wasn't like she could reach through the phone line and jerk his balls off.

Jaxine heard her cell phone and looked at the caller ID, sighing when she seen who it was, deciding to put it on silent. She didn't want to talk to him right now and sat up in bed, raking a hand through her hair. What if she told Mark, what would he do?

“No, I can't surrender. I can't tell him. He'll take Nathaniel from me if I do.” She whispered to herself and stood up from bed, looking out the window and pressed her forehead against the cool glass. She couldn't lose her baby boy and knew Mark was vindictive to do something in that ball park even if she did come clean.

Mark had made his way to his home for the night after making a stop at a bar for a few wind-down drinks, his mind on Jaxine and Nathaniel. He'd contemplated the possibility of Nathaniel not being his, but had dismissed it, fairly certain if the boy wasn't his, Jaxine would be throwing that fact in his face with details. Not this 'he's gone' shit.

~*~*~*~

“Nathaniel, I think you should stay at the hotel tonight.” Jaxine said as she slipped her knee high boots on, putting her dress pants over them before looking back at him. “I just think you'd have more fun here. There's an arcade downstairs and besides, you said it yourself you didn't want to follow me around all the time with this job. There's plenty of security in the building and there's also a pool. What do you think?” She asked, speaking softly, hoping he complied, not wanting him hanging around Mark as often as he did. She figured by giving the boy some freedom to do what he wanted, that would help with matters.

Nathaniel was overjoyed with the prospect of being left to his own devices, but when his mother mentioned the arcade down below, he grew concerned. That didn't sound one bit like her. “I don't know, Mark said he was gonna tell me about wrestling some more.” He said, testing the waters.

“You can hear about that tomorrow.” Jaxine smiled at him, not falling into the trap, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “It's just going to be really hectic tonight honey and I don't want you being bored out of your skull. I'm trying to do you a favor here. But if you want to come to the arena and be bored out of your mind, I won't stop you.” She then stood up and walked over to finish her eyeliner, her hair already down, pulled up in a high slicked back ponytail with a few clips to hold the bumps down.

Deciding to give his mom a break, Nathaniel nodded. “I'd rather stay here tonight, mom. Can I have a roll of quarters for the arcade?” He asked sweetly, not about to be completely sweet and innocent. “Please?” His green eyes twinkled up at her.

Jaxine smirked and ended up giving him a hundred dollars in change, being fully prepared. “Have fun sweetie.” She kissed the top of his shocked head before literally dancing out of the door, knowing this was going to irk Mark like crazy.

She sighed, some things in life were simply priceless as she walked out of the hotel and toward the parking lot. She decided on a crisp black and white outfit, her pants pinstriped along with the cardigan, wearing a black silk shirt underneath it. Getting in her car, Jaxine was all smiles as she started the ignition and pulled out of the hotel, knowing Nathaniel would be fine for a few hours alone.

He was a ten year old with a hundred dollars, the boy was GONE. He halted in the doorway of the arcade. “Ooooohhhh....”

Mark arrived at the arena on his Harley, cutting the engine and setting his feet on the cement beneath him, his long legs encased in light blue jeans, wearing a white t-shirt that sculpted his chest to perfection. Mischief was running rampant in his eyes.

Jaxine was already at the arena and inside Mark's dressing room when he arrived, looking downright happy with one leg crossed over the other, having just gotten off the phone with Michael and now on the phone with the airlines, booking Mark's flights for the next week. She didn't bother greeting him, too busy doing her job and knew Nathaniel was probably having a blast, a smirk forming on her lips.

Mark looked around the room curiously, setting his bag down, unwinding the bandana from around his head and shaking his long hair out over his shoulders. “Nate in the cafeteria?” He asked, arching an eyebrow when the smirk widened. “What's the joke?”

“Oh nothing. No he's not here tonight.” She informed him nonchalantly, hanging up with the airlines. “You have a six A.M. flight tomorrow morning so you can make your appearance in Chicago by ten. You have back to back signings, I'm sorry I couldn't reschedule them for you. Oh and you also have a photo shoot around noon after your second signing. Should be a busy day for you.” She walked over and got water out of the mini fridge, that smirk never leaving her face, hoping her son was having a blast.

“Vince said you were to lighten the load darlin'.” Mark said, not missing a beat, inside debating on the pros and cons of beating her ass for being a vindictive bitch. He smiled down at her, patting her shoulder. “But I'm sure you tried your best.” He walked out of the room, whipping out his cell phone.

Jaxine watched him walk out of the room and snorted, rolling her eyes. Lighten the load? Right. She wasn't doing jack shit for him, if anything she was going to make him busier than ever. She'd looked at his schedule and to her luck, that's how busy he actually was. It wasn't her fault that he took on too much to handle and shrugged before making a couple of other calls to hotels and whatnot. Jaxine reminded herself to buy Nathaniel a cell phone so she could call and check up on him periodically, knowing she was going to be leaving him at the hotel more often.

~*~*~*~

“Hey tiger, what’cha doing?”

Nate looked up from his game, frowning when he seen Rena Mero. “Playin' Pac-Man.”

“Mark called me and asked me to keep an eye on you.” She explained, holding out her cell and replaying a voice message. “Is that okay with you?”

“I guess...” Nate shrugged, returning to his game. Fifteen minutes later he was playing a racing game with her, laughing as their seats jostled with the track on the screen.

~*~*~*~

Jaxine walked inside her and Nathaniel's hotel room later on that night, tired and needing to sleep. She'd barely gotten any sleep the previous night and stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw. “WHAT THE FUCK?” She shouted, causing Rena Mero to whip around, immediately stalking over to her. “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOTEL ROOM?”

Rena blinked. “Mark called and asked me to watch him for you...”

Jaxine was livid and proceeded to dot Rena's eye and broke her newly fixed nose before tossing her out the door, shaking from head to toe in rage. She was going to KILL Mark Callaway!

Nathaniel blinked, watching from his bed as his mom punched Rena. He'd actually had a good time with the woman, finding out she wasn't as bad as he had thought. She told him stories that were age appropriate AND interesting, played games and watched TV with him. Even making sure he ate regular food and not the candy he'd been planning on.

“Mom?” He asked hesitantly, the question in his tone.

Jaxine wasn't thinking straight as she kept her eyes closed, standing there stiff and frozen solid, her knuckles turning white. She couldn't believe Mark would stoop to the level he did and felt the tears slowly leak from her eyes and slide down her cheeks. She didn't cry often, but when it came to her son and his well being, she showed emotion.

“Nathaniel, please go in your room.” Her voice was eerily calm as she slowly opened her eyes, walking slowly into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

He convinced Rena not to call the cops and press charges, knowing she'd be well within her right to do so since she technically hadn't done anything wrong. Nathaniel did not need to see his mother hauled off in cuffs. He paid Rena for her trouble and sent her away. Then he decided to pay a visit to Jaxine, knowing she was probably pretty pissed at the moment.

Jaxine heard the knock sound at the hotel room and stopped Nathaniel from getting it, turning his frame and directed him into his bedroom, closing the door. She was wearing a pair of black cotton shorts and a tight black tank top, her hair down, ready for bed. Her hand was wrapped in heavy gauze from hitting Rena so hard and didn't care. That bitch deserved it. She walked over and answered the door, took one look at the man standing before her, her eyes instantly icing over.

“Walk away right fucking now.” Her voice was low and cryptic, NOT in the mood to deal with him right now.
Chapter 8

“No.” He shot back, catching her before she could knee him, grabbing her wrists in one massive hand to stop her from slapping him. Mark pulled her out into the hallway, pinning her to the wall with his massive body, his heat radiating against her, soaking into her skin. “You realize you could have gone to jail tonight for assault?” He asked conversationally.

“Be thankful it wasn't you.” Her voice was ice cold and low, refusing to alarm her son in anyway as she stared back into his emerald green eyes. Tears were slowly sliding down her cheeks, but she didn't care and didn't blink, her lips pursed tightly together and just stood there. “You had no right sending that filth anywhere NEAR my son, Mark.” She still kept her voice low and closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly back and forth. Why did she have to meet up with him again? Why did he have to work for the damn WWF? “Let me go.” She ordered gravely.

“Not until you tell me why the hell you insist on lyin' to me.” Mark said gravely, not bothered in the least by her tears, or at least not letting her see that he was. “You keep sayin' he's not mine, prove it already. What do you have to lose, Jaxine? Besides maybe your pride.”

“Because it's the truth, he's not yours. He's MINE. He's MY son. I raised him. I cared for him. I love him more than my own life and I will do ANYTHING to protect him. I told you, my father had green eyes that are almost identical to yours. I have pictures. I don't know who his father is okay?” She sighed heavily, deciding to play a different card since the one she currently had wasn't doing the trick. “I was young and stupid back then, Mark. I don't want to find his father, alright? I just want to live my life with my son. That's all I want.” She refused to look at him and closed her eyes tightly shut, not giving in. She would carry the fact he was Nathaniel's father with her to the grave because she wasn't risking the chance of getting him ripped away from her.

Mark blinked, his pride stung and, as silly as it sounded, his feelings hurt. “How many men were there besides me, Jaxine?” He demanded, a rough edge lining his tone. “Contrary to what you may have thought, when I was with you, I was ONLY with you.” He stared down at her, refusing to believe she had been that cold to sleep around like some common slut. Not the Jaxine he remembered.

She hated hurting him like this, but it was the only way to get him to back off of her and to stop saying Nathaniel was his. ‘I'm sorry Mark.’ She thought before looking up at him, her eyes holding no emotion. “Enough to assure you that Nathaniel isn't yours.” She stated evenly, feeling him slowly release her wrists from the wall, trying like hell to keep the tears in her eyes. “I wasn't aware we were exclusive back then, my mistake.” She knew she sounded like a cold hearted bitch and knew she was lying to his face about this, but she had no choice. “Is there anything else you needed?”

Mark finally nodded, an unreadable expression on his face, his eyes going from pained to blank. “I see. My mistake.” He echoed tonelessly, throwing her words back at her. “I thought we were. Good night, Miss Hampton.” He didn't even look back at her as he walked away, disappearing down the stairwell, the door slamming shut behind him so hard it fell off it's hinges.

Jaxine blinked as more tears spilled down her cheeks, walking back into her suite, and pressed her back to the door, closing it quietly and slid down it. The sobs tore through her entire body as she drew her knees up, burying her face in her knees. She'd lied to him to protect her son and even though she hated herself for it, she knew it was the only way. Mark had been the only one she was with in college, the only one she thought about, the SOLE reason why she hadn't dated anyone in the past ten years. Her heart shattered in her chest again, just like last time, and Jaxine couldn't stop the pain coursing through her frame as it shuttered. She loved Mark, she always did, and she always would...but she loved her son more. She wasn't willing to risk losing her parental rights over Mark's anger toward her from keeping his child from him for ten years.

Mark rode his motorcycle all night, letting the wind blink away the tears that came to his eyes. He'd wound up looking for a fight with someone, anyone, just as long as he could vent his anger. He'd picked a fight alright, with a man at a biker bar, winding up fighting a group of at least five or six men, walking away, but barely.

~*~*~*~

Jaxine walked into the hotel restaurant the following morning with Nathaniel, wearing a pair of black shades, a cup of straight black coffee in her hand. She was hiding her eyes from how red and puffy they were since she'd cried herself to sleep last night and during it with her nightmares. She sighed heavily and sunk down in a chair, not even hungry while Nathaniel went to help himself at the breakfast bar, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. She was putting up a brave front for her kid and smiled at him whenever he looked at her. He hadn't noticed she'd been crying since she'd gotten up and when he asked her about the shades, she merely said the sun was bothering her. He was a kid, he didn't know any better.

“Shit... Mark?” Glenn had been sipping a mug of coffee at a table when he seen his friend stumble past the restaurant doors. He got out of his seat and ran to catch the big man before he fell. “Send the hotel doctor to my room!” He shouted to the front desk clerk, taking in the bruises and cuts that marred Mark's face. “What happened to you?”

“I picked a fight.”

Jaxine heard Glenn shout Mark's name and immediately looked up, her eyes widening at how he looked, and instantly stood up. “Stay here Nate.” She ordered before rushing over, taking her shades off, not caring if Mark saw her eyes, hardly believing how bad of shape he was in. “Jesus...” She whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, and looked up at Glenn, wanting to go with them, but she also couldn't leave her son. “Damn it! Wait here!” She ordered them both before rushing over and grabbing her son from the table. “Come on, Mark needs our help.” She ignored the look on his face when he seen how bad of shape her eyes were in and followed Glenn up to his room. She was Mark's personal assistant after all and had to follow him wherever he went.

“Get offa me.” Mark growled, trying to push Glenn aside, conscious enough to know he was being carried and not appreciating it. He groaned when he felt himself being laid on a bed, trying to get his vision to focus. “I'm fine, I just need to sleep it off.” His eyes narrowed on Jaxine. “Get out.” He hissed.

“Mark...”

“GET HER THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!”

Jaxine immediately left the room, Nathaniel staying behind to glare at Mark before following her out, running back to her suite in tears. She shakily opened the door and dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around her midsection and felt Nathaniel come up behind her, his hand on her shoulder. She didn't care if he liked it or not and wrapped her arms around him after sitting on the bed, pulling him to sit on her lap and stroked his blonde hair between her fingers, pressing her forehead against the side of his head. She needed his comfort right now while she cried, not able to be strong right now.

Nathaniel knew his mom was on the edge of something bad and needed him so he let her hug him to the point of cutting off his air, returning the hug just as tightly, rubbing her back as gently as he could. “It's okay mommy.” He whispered, calling her that to soothe her, something he hadn't done in a few years. He had dropped the endearing word for the shorter and more boy suitable mom.

She finally calmed down after an hour and gently pushed him back to stare into those green eyes that broke her heart every time she looked into them. They reminded her of Mark because they WERE Mark. Jaxine slowly shook her head and kissed his forehead before hugging him again and stood up from the bed, wiping her tears away. She had to get over this and move on, that's what she did best after all, and went into the bathroom to freshen up before having to go to the arena. She shuttered at the thought of having to face Mark again, hearing his bellow echo in her head, and splashed cold water on her face, knowing she deserved everything he did to her and more.

~*~*~*~

Mark arrived at the arena with Glenn, not bothering to argue about needing to be drove because he really didn't care. He didn't care that people were whispering about his face, wondering what had happened to him. He just didn’t fucking care. He wanted to do his job, injure someone and go back to his room to drink a fifth of whiskey and vent some physical frustration on Rena's all too willing body.

That's how it went for the next several days. Jaxine would leave Nathaniel at the hotel and be called every name in the book by Mark, only to keep her head lowered while trying to do her job. She would walk out of the arena every night in tears, feeling like she wanted to die. He would ask her how many men and Jaxine wouldn't answer him. It was none of his business and honestly, she couldn't lie to him again. She knew this would eventually pass and hoped Michael came back soon so she was out of Mark's clutches.

Though, unbeknownst to her, Mark had other plans in mind, even after Michael got back from having his back checked out. Jaxine received the call on a Friday morning, waking her out of a dead sleep, and was told that she would be Mark's PERMANENT personal assistant, not Michael's. Michael was getting a new one and Jaxine felt like hanging herself. He was doing this on purpose. He was doing this so that way she would crack and leave the WWF. Well she wasn't easily broken.


The sun is gone and the flowers rot
Words are spaces between us
And I should’ve been drown in the rivers I’ve found of token lost
And I should’ve been down when you made me insecure


After the first few days Mark had realized he couldn't stand Jaxine around him. He didn't want her around the WWF period. When harassing the hell out of her hadn't worked, he went a different route. He'd keep her at his side as much as possible and FORCE her to leave. The bitch broke his heart, he'd break her.


So break me down if it makes you feel right
And hate me now if it keeps you alright
You can break me down if it takes all your might
‘Cause I’m so much more than meets the eye


Jaxine followed numbly behind Mark, holding Nathaniel's hand as they went through the airport, sighing heavily since her jetlag was pretty bad and she was sure she was coming down with a vicious cold. Mark guided them out to the rental car, not even allowing her to take her own, and she sat in the passenger seat, not saying a word. She was used to this treatment and leaned back in the seat, black shades over her eyes. He hadn't struck her, but he had his own ways of abusing her mentally.

She knew she'd hurt him with her lies and there was no excuse for it. She could tell him, would that make things better? No, if anything, they would get worse. Jaxine would deal with as much pain and punishment as it took because eventually, she knew Mark would get over this and move on.

Nathaniel was almost to the point of going nuts. He had tried and tried and still couldn't figure out what was wrong. His mom looked like a zombie from the living dead these days and Mark refused to even look at him. Every time Nathaniel tried to talk to him, he just patted his head and walked away. He could honestly say he missed Michael.

Jaxine wasn't surprised when Mark got them a suite to share, having been that way ever since she became his personal assistant. Jaxine didn't bother calling Michael, knowing he was too busy with his back problem to care what she was doing. She sighed and trudged in, raking a hand through her hair and walked into her bedroom before pulling her black shades off. She looked in the mirror and closed her eyes, not liking the reflection that stared back at her.

‘You did this. You did this to yourself and you have nobody to blame, but yourself.’ She scolded mentally before turning away to sit on the bed, her head lowered. Her hair was straightened and flowing down her back, hitting the comforter, and coughed from low in her chest. She was definitely coming down with something, especially when she checked her temperature and seen it was border lining one hundred point two. “Damn it...”


And I’m the one you can never trust
‘Cause wounds are ways to reveal us
And yeah I could have tried and devoted my life to both of us
But what a waste of my time when the world we have is yours


“Out Rena.” Mark ordered, wondering how the hell she had gotten in there in the first place. He wasn't about to let Nathaniel see a woman coming in and out of the room, even if the kid wasn't his, it just wasn’t right.

“But Mark...”

He had to physically escort her out, turning and frowning. “Bitch.”

Jaxine stumbled out of the room, dizzy from how high her fever was, and started searching through her bag that she'd left out there, finding the Ibuprofen and popped two, hoping that would bring her fever down. She started shivering, her teeth shattering, and her face was as white as a ghost. “Nathaniel, order whatever you want sweetie...” She trailed off, coughing loudly, her nose beginning to run. “P-Put it o-on m-my t-tab...” She managed to get out before stumbling back into her room, tears stinging her eyes. She was sicker than a dog.


So break me down if it makes you feel right
And hate me now if it keeps you alright
You can break me down if it takes all of your might
‘Cause I’m so much more than what meets the eye


“Mom?” Nathaniel's voice rose hysterically, having never seen her like this before. “MOM?”

Mark couldn't ignore that even if he wanted too and walked into their room, frowning when he seen Nate in the doorway of his mom's room, frowning and standing behind him, seeing how shitty she looked. “You need a doctor.” He said finally.

“N-No...I-I'm fine...oh god...” She chattered out and groaned, wrapping the comforter around her tighter than a cocoon. “I-I just need r-rest...” She smiled at her baby boy and managed to give him a wink before coughing more in the blanket, her eyes bloodshot since she'd barely gotten any sleep. “O-Oh hell...” She slowly reached over and dragged something out of her bag, handing it to her son. “G-Give that to h-him, sweetie...” She knew she still had a job to do and closed her eyes, beginning to tremble from head to toe and she was curled up in a tight ball.

Shaking his head, Mark gently nudged Nathaniel out of his way. “Get your coat and shoes on.” He ordered quietly, scooping Jaxine up into his arms, discarding the blanket. She needed to be cold, it would bring down the temperature. “Fuck.” He cursed, feeling how hot she truly was and carried her out of the hotel room, Nate at his heels. “You ARE going to the hospital.” He said, knowing she was in no condition to fight it.


Hate me, break me down
So break me down
So break me down
So break me down if it makes you feel right
And hate me now if it keeps you alright
You can break me down if it takes all your might
‘Cause I’m so much more than meets the eye


Jaxine was too tired to argue with him as she coughed harder, groaning softly and leaned her head against his shoulder. “M-Mark please...n-no hospital...” She whimpered out, shivering from head to toe, her eyes closed. She hated having her son see her this way, but she honestly couldn't help it. Mark had been running her ragged for weeks and it was finally catching up with her, that and she'd barely gotten any sleep since becoming his personal assistant. “Nathaniel...”

“I'm right here momma.” Nate said reassuringly, shivering as they walked out of the hotel, the chilly wind hitting him. He ran ahead to Mark's rental truck when Mark unlocked it with the control on the keys. “She going to be alright Mark?” He asked worriedly as the big man gently lowered Jaxine into the backseat.

“Course she is.” Mark said as he and Nate got in the front seat, seeing how worried the kid was. “Don't worry, she'll be fine.” He hoped.
Chapter 9

When they arrived at the hospital, Jaxine was immediately admitted and given a water IV. She was severely dehydrated and diagnosed with walking pneumonia. They gave her a sedative when she started fighting, knowing she HAD to sleep, and administered some heavy antibiotics to kill off the horrible infection she'd caught. They checked her vitals and made sure everything else was fine before allowing Nathaniel and Mark in to see her. She was white as a ghost, her lips even white, her black hair splayed on top of her head and down her shoulders with an IV in her right arm and tubes up her nose, a heart monitor beeping every few seconds. Due to the sedative, she was also unconscious.

“She looks like shit.” Mark grunted, studying Jaxine critically.

“Big time. Let's never tell her that though.”

“Course not.” He studied everything she was hooked up too, all the tubes in her body and shook his head. He'd worked her too hard apparently, but at the same time, if she had the balls to do everything she had done, she had the balls to put her foot down and say enough's enough. So why hadn't she?

The beeping in her head slowly caused Jaxine's eyes to open, the sterile smell entering her nostrils, and looked around, realizing she was in a hospital. She seen the IV in her arm and sighed heavily, coughing from deep in her chest, her breathing heavy. She looked down further, seeing her son's head resting on her legs, sleeping and felt the tears instantly sting her eyes before resting back against the pillow. She didn't know how long she'd been there and honestly didn't care as long as Nathaniel was with her.

Mark was sitting in a chair, leaning against the wall. He hadn't slept a wink, though him and Nathaniel had kept watch over Jaxine all night. He heard her cough and looked up from the floor, which he had been studying the entire time. He had the pattern memorized. “How're you feelin', darlin'?” He asked softly.

“Like I got ran over by a truck.” She whispered out, not even needing to look to see who it was. His voice was unmistakable as she kept her eyes closed. She hated hospitals, they gave her the creeps. She coughed more and groaned when it burned in her chest, knowing she was deathly sick. “What do I have?” She asked in a whisper, not able to use her real voice since her throat was bone dry.

“Walkin' pneumonia.” He grunted, knowing she'd need to take time off to get better, even after being discharged she would probably be weak as hell. “You've been asleep for hours, you should probably sleep some more.” He was tempted to wake the sleeping Nathaniel so the poor kid could talk to his mother, but the boy had been awake all night worrying over her. He deserved to sleep.

Jaxine felt the tears slide down her cheeks when she heard that, thinking it'd only been a small cold. She was dead wrong on that assumption and now she was paying for it. She'd been sick for the past few weeks and kept taking Dayquil and Nyquil to get rid of it, but nothing seemed to help. Now she knew why.

“Damn it.” She whispered out, sniffling and ended up coughing up a wad of flem, spitting it in the trashcan beside her, wishing this burning in her chest would go away. “Is he alright?” She asked quietly, knowing she had no right asking Mark that question, but he was the one who'd been with Nathaniel during this.

“Yeah, just worried sick and dead on his feet.” Mark said quietly, glancing at the sleeping kid, frowning. “You're going to be here for a few days, maybe a week or so. Then you're taking time off, I already called and talked to Vince about it. He'll probably put you to work with someone else.” He shook his head, raking a hand through his tangled hair.

“This has to stop, Mark.” She sat up a little more, wincing, her entire body racked with insurmountable pain. “I can't take back what I said and I can't take away what happened.” This wasn't the best place for this type of conversation, but if Jaxine was being assigned to someone else, then she damn sure was going to make amends before it happened. “I'm sorry for hurting you. I never meant to cause you any pain. “ She meant it as a few more tears spilled down her cheeks. “I-I deserve this, I deserve what's happened to me and I deserve what you've been doing. The only one I'm worried about is Nathaniel, I'm trying to do my best as a mother and it seems as though, sometimes, it's not enough.”

Mark held up a hand to stop her, shaking his head. “I don't want to hear it, Jaxine.” He said gravely, staring at her out of haunted eyes. A pain he had been trying to hide for weeks now was coming out during this one moment before he locked it away again. “I don't care anymore.”

She didn't say another word after that night and slept for the next week, getting up on occasion to say hello to her son and talk to him, make sure he was eating right and everything. She was actually happy to hear Mark had been taking care of him, feeding him, telling him about his character the Undertaker. It broke Jaxine's heart to see the happiness in her son's eyes, having a male role model in his life. She couldn't go back on her word though because then a custody battle would ensue and Jaxine just didn't have the strength to deal with that on top of her job and being a mother right now.

~*~*~*~

Mark took care of Nathaniel, treating the boy like he was his nephew or something, just another kid he knew. He knew Nate was happy around him and tried not to let that bother him, refusing to remember how convinced he had been that this was his son. Now he knew better. “Careful tiger, your mom isn't going to want to see you bouncing around like a jelly bean.”

“Hyper, hyper, hyper, hyper!” Nate had gone nuts on chocolate ice cream as a dessert after lunch.

Jaxine was restless laying in her hospital bed with nothing to do. She was slowly regaining her strength, but the doctor still wouldn't release her. Vince had called her, asking her if she wanted to stay as Mark's assistant. Jaxine was at a crossroads during this phone call and she was shocked as hell when she found herself saying she wanted to stay with him. More for Nathaniel than anything, though she asked Vince not to say anything to Mark regarding her decision. He agreed without hesitation, knowing Mark was one of his top stars, and needed her more than Michael did.

“Mark, can I try?” Nathaniel asked eagerly, watching the big man bench press.

“Sure, tiger.” Mark replaced the bar, getting up and wiping sweat off his forehead.

He winked at Paul before helping Nate lift the weights, making sure to keep his hand on the bar at all times. Lifting the weight mostly himself, letting Nathaniel think he was. He didn't know Jaxine would be staying on so he figured he had just a few days or so with the kid, something he was both happy about and sad.

“Mark, let him try on his own.” Paul said, walking over, wanting to see how strong the boy was. He blinked when Mark did it only for Nathaniel to start lifting and it was over two hundred pounds. “Holy Hell!! Mark, this kid is strong!” He was shocked needless to say and had a look on his face that reminded Mark of a fish out of water.

Mark and Nathaniel both grinned identical grins, not that they could tell they were identical, but anyone who looked at them would be able to see. “Damn boy, what's yer momma feeding you? Steroids?”

Nathaniel brushed his long blonde hair out of his face, staring up at Mark out of sparkling green eyes. With a perfectly straight face he said, “Vitamin C.”

Paul blinked as he stared from Mark and then Nathaniel, raising a slow eyebrow before excusing himself, walking out of the workout room. He found Michael in his dressing room, since they'd been in the arena's workout area, and closed the door behind him. “We gotta talk...”

“What about?” Michael asked curiously, staring at Paul with raised eyebrows. “You look like someone shit on your grave.” He smirked when Paul just rolled his eyes, dropping down onto the bench to finish taping his wrists. “Just tell me already, man.”

How was Paul supposed to explain this without sounding completely stupid? He sighed and raked a hand through his long blonde hair before deciding to come out and say it. “I think Nathaniel might be Mark's kid...” Michael stared at him like he'd grown a second head, but Paul was straight faced. “Man, I know I sound crazy, but you should've seen it. I was in the workout room with them down the hall and they both grinned at the same time. They looked IDENTICAL and they have the same eyes. Michael, do you think Jaxine left you to be with Mark, man?” Jaxine hadn't spoken to Michael in weeks, for obvious reasons, but she had no idea Michael was back two weeks early from having his back looked at.

Michael frowned, looking thoughtful. “She didn't leave me.” He said defensively. “She was assigned to someone else because of my back injury.” True, she hadn't returned any of his calls, but...he had just imagined she was busy. “She's not into Mark, Paul. From my understanding they don't like each...” He frowned again. “Identical, did you say?” When Paul nodded, he squared his shoulders. “Let's go see.”

“Well that was...”

“Retarded.”

“Yeah that, let's try ya on some leg weights.”

Paul didn't know the can of worms he opened, but he wasn't about to let his friend get hurt. They walked down the hallway together and inside the workout room, where Mark was showing Nathaniel how to punch the bag. “What did I tell you?” Paul hissed in Michael's ear, standing right behind him, his hazel eyes narrowing slightly when Nathaniel started punching the bag.

Seeing the two together like this made it all too clear who Nathaniel's father really was. He wondered -through his heartache- why hadn't Mark seen it yet. Or Jaxine come out with it?

“You're right man.” He sighed, retreating before Mark or Nate could see him. “Where's Jax at?”

“She was released from the hospital yesterday. I'd imagine she's at the hotel.” Paul replied gruffly, knowing Michael was going to have a talk with her. Jaxine had been released from the hospital after promising to be on STRICT bed rest for the next few weeks, according to what Mark said. He ignored Michael's shocked look about her being in the hospital, assuming he already knew. “Good luck with that man.” He slapped Michael's back before walking away down the hall, needing to go get his script for that night's show.

Michael feigned an injury just to get out of wrestling, heading back to the hotel to see her. On the drive a million and one things were going through his mind. He had a hard time believing Jaxine was letting Mark watch Nate for one. He recalled the time she'd about clawed his eyes out for leaving the boy with Mark. Had she been going out of her way to hide this from everyone? But then that didn't make sense if she was suddenly letting Mark watch him. And when did she get sick? Why hadn't anyone told him?

Jaxine sighed heavily as she typed on her laptop, trying to get some work done and emailing Vince Mark's schedule. She sighed and saved her work when a knock sounded at her door, knowing it couldn't be Mark or Nathaniel because they both had keycards to the room. She slowly stood up, wincing, her body still recovering from the walking pneumonia she suffered. She was wearing a simple blue velvet suit, pants and jacket with a long sleeved white shirt underneath. Opening the door, she met the confused blue eyes of Michael Hickenbottom, causing her own to widen.

“Hey Jax.” Michael said softly, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jean shorts, staring down at her. He broke his gaze with her eyes to take in her pajamas, remembering how he had been told she'd been sick. “How're you feeling?” He asked, gently stepping around her into the room, knowing they had to talk, but also knowing she'd probably have told him 'it wasn't a good time' if he'd stayed in the hallway like a good boy.

“I'm fine.” Jaxine replied softly, shutting the door behind her, and slowly walked back over to sit down on the bed raking a hand through her black hair. She was still pale, though a little color was in her cheeks and her eyes didn't have the same dark circles around them as they once had. “What did you want, Michael?” She asked bluntly, though her voice remained soft, knowing she couldn't get worked up or have any stress no matter what. She was still recovering from something that could've potentially killed her.

Michael raked a hand through his hair, trying to think of a way to word this delicately. It looked like one good shouting match would be all it took to send Jaxine back to the hospital. “Mark...” He said slowly, seeing her eyes widened for just a fraction of a second. “And Nathaniel...” He stared intently at her. “He's Nate's father, isn't he?”

All the color drained out of Jaxine's face as she blinked at him, not believing what he just asked her. “W-What? Michael, I don't even know Mark that well. How could he be Nathaniel's father?” She took a few deep breaths, her heart hammering in her chest as she slowly stood up, needing a glass of water, her mouth suddenly dry.

Michael seen her licking her lips, looking faint and rushed to get her a glass of water, pressing it in her hand and guiding her down on to the bed to sit. “I'm not blind, Jax. He and Mark have the same eyes, hell they even have identical grins. You just have to look at them, listen to them to see their related.”

Jaxine was in trouble and she knew it as she slowly sipped the water, raking a hand through her hair, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach. How could she lie to Michael when it was obvious he knew the truth? Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly looked up at him and blinked, feeling them spill down her cheeks.

“Please don't say anything.” She finally whispered, dropping the glass on the carpeted floor, and buried her face in her hands.
Chapter 10

“Does Mark know?” Michael asked after a moment's silence.

He wanted to be upset and rage at her, but that wasn't his nature. He was just...deflated. Sighing, Michael sat on the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. He couldn't imagine Mark not knowing, the man wasn't dense. He was actually smarter then he looked.

Jaxine wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her gently on his lap, sitting sideways, and buried her face in his neck. “No…” She whispered before slowly pulling back, staring into his hazel eyes, and knew she would have to come clean to him. She didn't know why, but she felt she could trust Michael. Taking a deep breath, Jaxine started her story. “Mark and I met in college, I was a freshman, and he was a senior. We met at a frat party and the alcohol was flowing...we ended up sleeping together that night. I thought he wanted nothing to do with me, but we ended up having this sort of, having sex with each other when nobody else was around type deal.” She closed her eyes, lowering her head. “Graduation rolled around and Mark told me he was going overseas to play pro-basketball and told me our fling had to end. We slept together one last time the night before graduation and Mark disappeared. I didn't see him at graduation and figured he'd already left to go overseas. Two months later, I found out I was pregnant with Nathaniel.”

That was a lot to take in and Michael was quiet for ten minutes solid, just reflecting on everything she had just told him. “And Mark doesn't know...” He repeated, not believing the big guy was that damn retarded. “So why are you working for him now? Are you going to tell him at all?”

“Mark thought at first Nathaniel was his when I started being your personal assistant.” Jaxine admitted, slowly standing up from his lap, needing to stand as she scrubbed a hand over her face and rubbed the back of her neck. “I can't let him find out Nate is his because he'll take him away from me.” Tears started again and Jaxine felt very weak as she turned her back to Michael. “I told Mark that he wasn't the father, that my father had the same shade of green eyes. That I had slept with other guys in college. I said WHATEVER it took, whatever I had to say, to make him believe Nathaniel isn't his. I'm trying to protect my son, Michael. Please, you can't say anything about this. As far as me working for him, he was your replacement. That's it.”

Another silence engulfed them as he reflected once more. “So you lied to him and said all those...things.” He didn't even want to know what Mark's reaction had been to that. He did however want to know what was going on between them, where they stood, but didn't think now was the best time for that conversation. “I won't tell him.” He promised finally. “You going to keep working for him or come back to me?”

Now Jaxine was at a crossroads. Did she tell Michael the truth or did she lie to him too? “I didn't know you were coming back this soon. Vince called me and told me you already had a replacement and he asked me if I wanted to stay as Mark's personal assistant. I told him yes. It's business, plain and simple. The man needs a PA with how much shit he has on his plate. I didn't know you were coming back, what are you doing back early anyway?” She explained and turned around, asking him that question, raising an eyebrow. “And what made you come here and ask me about Nathaniel's father?”

He took the questions in the order she shot them. “I'm back early because they said I could wait until after Mania to have my back operated on.” Michael explained, not happy with what had happened in the short time he was away, but knowing he wouldn't be able to change it anyway. It sounded like Jaxine had made up her mind for the both of them. “And...I seen them in the weight room, they were grinning. Mark has this...shit eating grin and no offense, Nate has it too.” He remembered how Jeff Hardy had described the grin. It was Mark's personal ‘I banged yer momma’ grin, not that he would say that to her.

“I know he does.” Jaxine replied softly and had to sit down as she walked over to the bed, trying not to get too worked up. She didn't yell at him once, she didn't sound angry either. “I didn't know Mark worked for the WWF, Michael.” She added quietly. “Imagine my surprise when you pointed him out in the cafeteria my first night and I saw him.” She chuckled ruefully, sniffling a bit and wiped the dried tears away from her face. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.” She whispered feeling like some of the weight had been lifted off of her shoulders from admitting the truth.

He remembered that first night quite well, Mark had been terrorizing Jeff. “Don't be sorry.” Michael said finally, wishing he could be mad at her, but he couldn’t. “You sure you won't tell him though? I seen them together and I think they'd both be really happy if they knew.”

Jaxine's head shot up, instantly regretting that as a wave of dizziness washed over her, causing her to lay back on the bed for a minute, closing her eyes. “No because one, Mark wouldn't believe me after all the shit I told him and two, I can't risk losing Nathaniel. Mark has a temper and he won't hesitate to use his power and stardom to take my son. I can't do it Michael so please, pretend this conversation never happened.” She was pleading with him now, her voice quiet, trying to get the dizziness to subside.

“Just lie down and relax, I'm not going to say a word.” And probably go to hell for it too. Unless one day Mark found out and found out Michael knew and hadn’t told him...Michael was getting dizzy himself now. “I think I need to lie down and relax.” He whispered.

Jaxine didn't mind when he lay down next to her or when he pulled her into his arms. She sighed gently against him, having removed her laptop from the bed, and snuggled against the pillow with her hand underneath it. “Thank you Michael.” She whispered, feeling his nose bury in her hair and relished in the feeling. It'd been a long time, over a decade, since she had a warm body next to her and arms holding her close. It felt too wonderful to push away as Jaxine quickly fell asleep, both on top of the comforter.

~*~*~*~

“Whoa, did you know Michael was back?” Nate asked later that night when he and Mark returned from the show. He stared at the pair on the bed, not budging from the doorway.

“Nope. C'mon tiger, you can get yer bath in my bathroom.” Mark nudged him towards his bedroom. “Let's not wake 'em up.”

Jaxine slowly woke up later that night, feeling the dizziness gone and felt a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, causing her to turn and look at who it was. She saw Michael's sleeping face and sighed gently, remembering their earlier conversation, and kissed his forehead softly before standing up. She had to take her medicine and wanted to check on Nathaniel as she walked out, closing the door quietly behind her. They were in another suite as she headed into the kitchen area, getting a glass of water before popping her last pill, hoping she never caught walking pneumonia again.

Mark was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter finishing a bottle of water. “You look like yer feelin' better.” He commented, crushing the bottle in the palm of his hand and tossing it into the trashcan, not commenting on the whole Michael being there thing. “Nate is asleep in my bed.” He added. “He had a bath and I fed him pizza. He was tryin' to stay up fer ya, but he was tuckered out.”

“Thank you.” Jaxine softly replied, holding a hand to her heart since he'd scared her. The man was quieter than he had a right to be at his size, but Mark had always been that way. She remembered when he'd sneak into the girl's dorm at college and go up to her room for a quickie. None of her friends minded, they all knew about her and Mark. She smiled at the memory and quickly pushed it aside before setting the glass down on the counter. “Sorry to bother you.” She then walked out of the kitchen slowly, sighing.

“Yer not botherin' me.” Mark said quietly, following her, his eyes landing on Michael and snorted. “What's he doin' here?” He asked, listening to the other man snoring lightly and rolled his eyes, grunting when Michael began to groan in his sleep. “Now he's gettin' annoyin'.” He picked up a throw pillow from a chair and held it over Michael's face, looking to her for permission.

Jaxine slowly walked over and took the pillow from him, setting it on the bed, and guided him out of her room, closing the door quietly behind her. “He came here to check on me. Apparently someone told him I'd been in the hospital and he wanted to know where we stand.” She explained softly, wondering why Mark even cared considering all the hell he'd been putting her through lately. She knew he didn't forgive her. The man wasn't that easily swayed and Jaxine wasn't going to think otherwise.

Mark grunted, staring down at her out of intense eyes. He hadn't forgiven or forgotten a damn thing. The only reason he was...babysitting...HER kid was because he felt bad for Nathaniel. He didn't care to admit he was beginning to care for the boy, that'd just be a whole mess of pain he didn't need to deal with when she decided to pull the plug on it.

“Gotcha, Jaxine. Well, good night then.” He stepped past her, slipping into his own bedroom.

“Mark...” She whispered out painfully, the tears stinging her eyes, and knew she had no right crying over this.

What did she honestly expect, that things would go back to the way they were before all of this happened? No, she was smarter than that. Sighing and knowing she couldn't get herself worked up; Jaxine decided to go check on her little boy and knocked on the door before entering, hearing the shower going. She sighed at the sight of Nathaniel sleeping. God he even slept and snored like Mark. Her heart broke as she covered him up with the comforter and kissed his forehead.

“I'm sorry Nathaniel, I'm so sorry.” She whispered quietly and vacated before Mark knew she was in there, closing the door silently behind her.

~*~*~*~

“Mom awake?” Nathaniel asked, yawning and sitting up in bed.

“I think so.” Mark said from his place in the bathroom, busy shaving. He arched an eyebrow when Nate padded in. “What?”

“I want to shave too.”

So Mark set Nathaniel up with shaving cream, a step stool and a razor with the cap still on so he didn't cut himself. “Like this, son.” He said, tilting his head back, looking at himself through narrowed eyes.

“Uh huh.”

Jaxine was up and in the living room, typing away at her laptop, trying to get some work accomplished. She yawned, barely getting anymore sleep, but she would keep that to herself. There was no need for her to worry Mark or her son. She sipped more of her tea, not allowed coffee at the moment, and looked up when her son walked out.

“Hey sweetheart.” She smiled softly at him and kissed the top of his head when he sat beside her.

“Hey mom.” Nathaniel seemed pleased with himself, frowning when she didn't seem to notice. “Don't you smell it?” He asked pouting then remembering pouting wasn't manly, tucking his lower lip back in. “Aftershave.” He announced proudly. “AND deodorant.”

Mark walked out, chuckling softly. “You still got shavin' cream on yer face, tiger.”

“You shaved?” Jaxine's eyes widened when he nodded, tears forming in her eyes, and pulled him into a tight hug, not believing how fast her little boy was growing up. She sniffled and pulled back, wiping her nose, smiling at him. “Go on, go clean it off.” She ordered quietly, watching him get up and walk back into the bathroom before looking back at her laptop. She wiped a stray tear away that fell down her cheek and cleared her throat, needing to focus.

Mark ignored her, or at least appeared too, bustling around in the kitchen, getting himself a morning cup of coffee.

“Can I have some too?” Nathaniel asked eagerly when he reemerged, eager to continue being a 'grown-up.' He took one sip from the mug Mark offered and coughed. “That is GROSS!”

“We have cocoa.” Mark said mildly, his green eyes twinkling in amusement.

Jaxine giggled at him, shaking her head, and looked up when her bedroom door opened, seeing Michael emerging. “Morning.” She quietly said, knowing he was the only one who knew her secret, who knew Nathaniel really was Mark's. She just hoped he kept his word as she looked over at Mark. “You have an appearance today at four, it's a signing.” She informed him before turning back to her laptop.

Michael smiled at her, yawning and ruffling the tips of Nathaniel’s short hair before scratching his stomach, smiling at the boy. “Hey sport.”

“Yo.”

Somewhat confused, Michael dropped down by Jaxine.

Mark nodded, watching the pair of the rim of his mug, arching an eyebrow before glancing at Nate, just shrugging one shoulder.

“Don't you have somewhere to be, Michael?”

“We'll talk later.” She quietly said to him, glancing back at her son and Mark before staring into his hazel eyes. “Go on, I have to talk to him.” When Michael arched an eyebrow, Jaxine quickly shook her head. “About the job.” She whispered in his ear and patted his thigh, watching him nod before standing up and walking into the bedroom to collect his things. She hadn't meant to throw him out that fast, but she didn't want him around incase Mark erupted when she told him about the phone call from Vince. She would put her own spin on it though.

Nathaniel crossed his arms over his chest, looking pleased when Michael finally left, rolling his eyes. “Mom, did he REALLY stay the night?” He asked. He'd been all for Michael -until Mark.

Mark coughed. “I don't think that's yer business, tiger.” He said quietly, shaking his head when Nate went to open his mouth. “Go brush yer teeth or somethin'.”

“I already did!”

“Go brush your hair then.” Mark laughed when Nate grumbled.
Chapter 11

When Nathaniel listened to Mark, Jaxine seen this was her perfect opportunity as she slowly stood up. “We have to talk.” She walked past him and inside the kitchen, refilling her glass of tea, and kept her back to him. “Vince called me and he said I'm going to remain being your personal assistant until further notice.” Her voice was low and soft as she slowly turned around to face him, staring into his green eyes. “So it looks like you'll be stuck with us for awhile unless something changes.”

Mark stared down at her, his green eyes unreadable, his face a perfect poker expression. “Is that right?” He murmured, not looking away from her. “How's that goin' to fly with yer boyfriend?” Not that he was interested or anything. And just to make sure she knew that, he added, “Not that I give a rat's ass, but if he's goin' to be a prick or anythin', that's just shit I'm not needin'. He makes your life hell, you'll probably fuck up my schedule or somethin'.”

“He's not my boyfriend. We went on one date and I have no time to even consider a relationship.” She stated, rubbing the back of her neck, and sighed heavily. “The only man I want in my life is my little man in the bathroom. That's it. So don't worry about your schedule being fucked up, it's not going to happen.” She assured him, knowing they were back to square one, and walked past him sipping her tea. She had work to do now that she'd gotten that taken care of and went back to it.

Mark shrugged, walking back into his bedroom, spotting Nathaniel trying to style his hair with water and shook his head. Talk about needing a father figure. He snorted, knowing that wasn't his damn job. He'd made it clear to Jaxine that they weren't friends. He'd stopped for the most part being a jerk to her, but that didn't mean they were friends. Hell, they weren't even on the casual acquaintance level. She worked for him, that was it and that was more then enough for him.

“Try some gel.” He finally advised, sitting down on the edge of his bed, promising himself for lord knew what time that he would step back and let Nate alone.

~*~*~*~

A week passed and Jaxine was back to her normal self, full of energy and whatnot. She was walking regularly and going top speed, ignoring Mark's threats to slow down. She didn't work for him, she worked for Vince McMahon, and she knew her limitations. Nathaniel was being home schooled on top of her working so to say Jaxine was a busy woman was an understatement. It didn't help either that Michael wouldn't leave her alone.

“Michael, I told you already, I don't want a relationship. I can't have a relationship right now.” She said in her phone, walking down the hallway, wearing a pale blue spaghetti strapped dress, deciding pants and skirt suits weren't for her on this night. She gasped when she was pulled into a dark dressing room and shoved against the wall, her phone dropping on the concrete floor.

“Why can’t you?” Came Michael's husky whisper, pinning her to the wall face first, his body pressed against hers. “I thought we had something, Jaxine.” He kept his voice low, soothing almost. “If it's Mark, forget him. He don't care about you, that's more then obvious, honey.” He ran his hands down her sides, resting them on her hips. “You and me...we could really have something, Jaxine. Besides, staying around him and your little...secret…is BOUND to come out. Just...think on it.” He kissed her right underneath her earlobe. “Alright?” Michael pushed away from her, walking out the door.

Jaxine stopped him, pulling him back inside, her blue eyes narrowed with tears shining in them. “Stop it. Don't you dare threaten me about that! I told you cause I trusted you and this has NOTHING to do with Mark. This has to do with my son and what's best for him and he doesn't like you, Michael. He just doesn't. You know why I'm doing this, why I'm staying as Mark's personal assistant. Just stay away from us.” She ordered gravely, going for the door, refusing to let him get the last word in.

Which wasn't happening. Michael grabbed her by the arm, gently pulling her back, a hurt expression on his face. “I wasn't threatening you, Jax.” He said quietly, looking sad that she would even think that. “I'm not, Mark. I don't hate you. I just meant that he's not stupid, he's going to eventually realize you lied to him and then what? He'll take Nathaniel from you. I'm just concerned about you and Nate, that's all, honey.” He stepped away from her, shaking his head. “Sorry, my mistake, I thought you knew me better.”

“I'm sorry.” She whispered, taking a step toward him, his hazel eyes sincere. “I'm just so confused right now about everything. Mark will never find out, he believes me one hundred percent about all the other guys in college. He believes my lies and maybe I am feeding this, but Nathaniel deserves to be near his father, whether he knows Mark is or not.” She knew she wasn't making any sense to him, but it made sense to her and that's all that mattered. “What do you want from me, Michael?”

“Well, I wanted to pursue what I thought we had going, but I guess I was reading the signals wrong.” Michael rubbed a hand over his head, hazel eyes confused. “I don't know Jaxine, that's kind of wrong, you know? Letting him be around his father, but neither of them know the truth. Nathaniel's getting attached, what's going to happen when all this is over and he doesn't see Mark anymore? Are you ready to deal with that?” He stared down at her, palms upward on his outstretched hands, as if trying to both reason with her and see things from her point of view. “If you don't want a relationship that's fine, but I’d still like to be your friend.”

“Being friends is fine because as far as I'm concerned, you've always been my friend. That's why I told you and trusted you with the truth. I know you won't tell anyone. I don't know what's going to happen with Nathaniel. The only thing I do know is that he's comfortable with me working for Mark, so until he isn't, I'm sticking with it.” She pressed her hand to his chest, staring into his hazel eyes, and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I have to go. I'll call you soon.” She then turned and swiped her phone from the floor before walking out.

Michael stood there, watching her go until she disappeared around the corner and shook his head. “Idiot.” He muttered, turning and heading in the opposite direction.

“Mom, check this out!” Nathaniel said the minute she walked into the dressing room, holding up his hands, showing off his new boxing gloves. “Mark's teaching me how to box!”

“Nate, pay atten-” Mark winced when the bag Nate had been punching swung back, knocking him down. “Tion.”

Jaxine's eyes widened and started going toward him, stopping, knowing he would hate her for helping him up. “Nathaniel, I would really like it if you didn't learn how to box.” She shot a glare over at Mark before sitting down on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, her black hair pooling over her shoulders while she pulled out his schedule to look over it. “You have a signing before the show Mark, better get ready.” Her voice was even, not looking up at him.

“I am ready.” He rumbled back at her, patting Nathaniel on the shoulder when he went to whine. “Argue with her later, son.” He suggested, taking down the bag. “Boxin' ain't goin' to hurt him, might be a good way for him to release all that energy he has.” He held up his hands when Jaxine shot him a look. “Fine, I'm goin'. You comin' tiger?”

“Yeah!” Nate had obviously gotten used to being around Mark twenty-four, seven and it showed as the pair walked out the door.

“No, Nathaniel you're staying with me this time.” Jaxine stated, stopping both of them in their tracks, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Mark, go to your appearance.” She pulled Nathaniel back into the room, knowing she was doing the right thing by doing this, even though her son was glaring at her like he wanted her dead at the moment. She didn't care.

Nathaniel exploded the minute the door closed behind Mark, his temper just as horrible as his father's “It's alright for me to be around him when you need a babysitter, but not any other time?” He demanded, his green eyes flashing with rage. “You can't keep babyin' me and keepin' me from everyone, but you ma!” He had even begun adopting Mark's accent. “It's not FAIR!”

“You're with him all the time, Nathaniel! You need to put some distance between you and him!” She snapped back, her temper just as bad as his, he had a mixture of her temper and Mark's, not a good combination. “You can throw all the fits you want, but the fact remains is that I am your mother, I gave birth to you, and you WILL listen to me or you will suffer the consequences. Now play your game, sit there and shut up.” She ordered gravely, knowing exactly how to put that temper out that flared in his green eyes. She sighed when he just sulked and got back to doing her job, wondering if staying as Mark's personal assistant was such a good idea.

Nate just sat there, ignoring his game, arms over his chest, breathing heavily. He didn't even look up when Mark walked back in.

“What's yer problem, tiger?”

“Mom says I need to put distance between you and me.”

“I see.” Mark surveyed Jaxine with a curled upper lip. “I guess you needed a babysitter and now that you don't, I'm expendable. How like you.” He disappeared into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him, almost knocking it off the hinges.

“Goddamn it will you both STOP?” It was Jaxine's turn to explode, not believing this, and stood up as she slammed her laptop on the couch. “The ONLY reason why you two have been hanging out with each other is because I had walking pneumonia, you stupid son of a bitch! Get out here right now Mark!!” She shouted, her face turning beat red and shoved him against the wall when he stormed out. “SHUT UP! It was because of YOU that I ended up with walking pneumonia, it was because of YOU treating me like I was lower than trash that I got sick and you had to watch my son! It's not my fault this time and I'm NOT going to feel guilty about it anymore! What happened between us back then is the past so either get over it or go fuck yourself!!” She had it, absolutely had it, and grabbed Nathaniel's hand before storming out of the dressing room, slamming the door behind her so hard, the walls rattled and the sound echoed down the hallway.

“Good riddance.” Mark snorted, shaking his head. He would miss Nathaniel, but his mom was baggage Mark just didn't need. Been there, done that and apparently she had done everything in between. His green eyes flashed with a mixture of hurt and anger before heading back into the bathroom. “Poor kid, his momma's crazier then hell.” He muttered.

“You suck, mom.”

“Yeah so I've heard.” She muttered under her breath, stalking out of the arena and went to the car, getting inside. “Nathaniel Marston Hampton get in this car right now!!” She shouted, her blue eyes flashing and daring him to defy her.

When he was in and buckled up, Jaxine peeled out of there and went back to the hotel, needing a nice stiff drink after everything that'd been happening lately. Maybe she should just quit the WWF and find a new career. No, she wasn't going to let him run her off! They were going to work this out even if it killed her.

~*~*~*~

Mark waited patiently by the gorilla position, his eyes lighting up when he seen Michael coming, apparently ready for the ring.

“Where's Jax at?” Michael asked, not sure if he liked the fact that Mark was beginning to smile.

“Fuck if I know, she's not my concern.”

Now he knew he didn't like that fact.

Mark was whistling after the match, walking up the ramp way, Michael laying in the ring seeing stars before his eyes.

~*~*~*~

Jaxine was up when Mark walked in the hotel suite later that night, sitting on the couch, wearing a dark blue nightgown that went to her knees sipping a glass of wine. Nathaniel was in her room sleeping, after yelling at her for two hours. She sighed heavily, leaning her head back and pressed a hand against her forehead. She didn't say one word to Mark and ignored the buzzing of her cell phone, suddenly putting it on silent. She didn't want to talk to anyone, knowing it was Michael.

Mark halted when he seen her, turning and stopping someone from following. “Not tonight, darlin'.” He said in a low, husky tone of voice.

“But why?”

“Tomorrow.” He murmured, his voice like warm honey, closing the door partially behind him as he stepped out.

The woman giggled.

He stepped back in, straightening out his shirt. “Yer up late.”
Chapter 12

“If you want her to stay the night, Nathaniel and I can get our own hotel room.” Jaxine stated, standing up from the couch, and refilled her glass of wine. She hadn't had a drop since she came down with walking pneumonia and tonight, she was having a few, especially after the explosion between her and Mark at the arena. She walked back over to stare out the window.

“Tomorrow maybe.” Mark shrugged, helping himself to the mini bar. He poured himself a triple of jack, setting out a beer for a chaser then pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it on the table. “I'm not in the mood for...blondes.” He eyed her hair, remembering how it had once been blonde. He sat down, lounging in the chair comfortably and sighed as he shook out his hair, letting it fall over his shoulders.

“God I hated being a blonde.” She muttered, having watched him take his shirt off and lounged back against the chair with those long legs that were encased in tight black jeans. She downed half of her wine glass before turning to stare out the window again, sighing heavily. “Mark, this has to stop. This anger and hatred, it has to stop.” She turned around to face him, the pleading in her eyes. “I'm sorry I hurt you, I really am, you don't know how sorry I am, but think of it this way. Nathaniel isn't your responsibility and you have no obligation to him, it's one less weight off your shoulders. We have to make amends somehow, Mark, before we end up destroying each other. I don't want that. Please, I'm asking you for not only my sake, but my son's, please just let the past go and let's move on and make this work professionally.”

He surveyed her thoughtfully, sipping his drink even though if he'd shot it, it wouldn't have done anything. It took a lot to get a big man like him even buzzed let alone shit faced drunk. Finally he set the glass down on the stand beside him, folding his arms behind his head, muscles rippling with every move. “Maybe I didn't mind him bein' around, Jaxine.” He said finally. “He's not a burden or a weight. But then again, it ain't my business. You want to keep him attached to yer apron string, that's fine.” He stood up, draining the glass and walked over to the bar, pouring another drink.

Jaxine didn't know what else to say to him at the moment and simply turned back around to stare out the window, so many thoughts running through her mind. God she wanted to tell him. She wanted to tell him so badly, her heart ached. She was scared though, afraid he would take Nathaniel away from her. Tears filled her eyes as she pressed her forehead against the glass window, not able to take that risk. He would have every right to if she came clean and who's to say he would even believe her? She'd been so convincing in telling him he wasn't the only one in college. What if he didn't even believe her?

‘I can't do it. I can't tell him. Maybe someday, but not now.’ She thought and downed the rest of her wine, not even realizing a few tears had slipped down her cheeks. That's how deep in thought she'd been.

She'd been so lost in whatever thoughts that were occupying her mind, she didn't even notice Mark had moved around to stand at her side. The side of his head was leaning against the window, staring down at her. “Why are you cryin'?” He asked, trying to keep his tone blank, just mildly curious instead of concerned. “Look, I'm sorry Jaxine, but you're over-protective. You either let the kid have a bit of freedom or you turn him into a sissy, that's all I'm sayin'.” He shrugged, figuring her damage was him commenting on Nathaniel.

Jaxine touched her face and felt the tears, quickly wiping them away and sighed heavily as she turned to stare into his emerald green eyes. “I don't want that, to be over-protective. I'm trying to be his mother and his father...” She had to look away from him before she spilled her secret, dropping her head. “It's so hard trying to be both at the same time, I don't know what to do anymore.” She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Whatever pushed him to say what he did, Mark would never know. “Let him have some space, Jaxy. He's growin' up and it's only normal for him to want a male role model in his life. Even if ya don't want it bein' me, at least let him around Michaels.” After Michael had recovered from his concussion of course. He awkwardly patted her back, stepping away to refill his glass, needing to get away from the woman who had so recently ripped out his heart and spoon fed it to him.

“He doesn't want to hang out with Michael, he wants to hang out with you.” Jaxine turned to face him, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “What if he was yours, Mark?” She suddenly asked, causing him to slowly turn his head, his emerald green eyes peering at her curiously. “He's not, but I want to know, what would you do if he was yours, if you were his father?” She was speaking quietly and took a few steps toward him, not able to stop the questions from coming out of her mouth even if she tried.

Mark had to slam his drink, considering that. Was she purposely fucking with him? If so, she'd better watch it before he decided to fuck back. “Same thing I've been doin'.” He said gruffly. “Or ain't you noticed? That boy is happy when he's with me, but ya already knew that, didn't you?” He shook his head, walking towards his bedroom door. “I get it Jaxine, he's not mine. You don't need to fuckin' throw it in my face.” He disappeared into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Damn it...” She whispered out, closing her eyes tightly shut, not meaning for it to come out that way.

What was she thinking? Did she want Mark to find about Nathaniel? Did she want him knowing the truth? Sighing, Jaxine walked over and laid on the couch, deciding to give her son what he wanted. She pulled the cover up over her that she'd gotten from the hotel receptionist downstairs and curled up, falling fast asleep.

~*~*~*~

Nathaniel didn't even greet Mark the next morning, his eyes puffy and swollen from crying himself to sleep. He just watched morning cartoons, eating his second bowl of cereal, remembering the blow-up he'd had with his mom the night before. She didn't want him around Mark, fine.

Mark grunted, glancing down at the sleeping Jaxine and shook his head. Damn if she didn't look beautiful when she was asleep. He could almost forget she was a lying, vindictive bitch when she was asleep. He idly wondered if she'd stay that way so he could like her again.

Jaxine slowly opened her eyes, hearing the cartoons, and rubbed the sleep out of them as she slowly sat up, cracking her neck and knuckles. Sleeping on the couch wasn't that comfortable, but she'd dealt with it as she stood up, cracking her back before going to the kitchen to get some coffee. She seen her son was already up, not surprised, he was always an early riser. She could see how miserable he was and sighed, walking over and turned the TV off.

“I'm giving you free reign.” When his eyebrow raised, she simply stood there with an even expression on her face. “You can choose who you want to hang out with and you can choose what you want to do, within reason. Now go on, I know you want to go say hi to Mark.” She then walked back into the kitchen, knowing Mark was right. She had to give her son space and it hurt to know he wanted to be around Mark more than her, but she'd deal with it.

Mark blinked in surprise when he heard Nate behind him, halting rifling for breakfast to see the kid squeezing past his mom. Surprised, he dropped down to catch the boy when he hugged him, staring at Jaxine wondering what the hell was going on. “Okay, tiger, calm down.” He said gently, peeling Nathaniel off of him.

“Mom said I could hang out with you again.”

Mark stared up at her curiously.

She smiled back at him, nodding, silently letting him know she was taking his words to heart. “He likes you. It's not my fault you're likeable.” She shrugged before pouring herself a cup of coffee, putting the creamer and sugar in it before walking back into the living room to sit down. She hated getting up this early, but also knew it was apart of the job.

He wasn't sure if he even wanted to know what caused Jaxine's apparent change of heart. He wouldn’t say anything about it just in case she changed her mind again. It would only screw Nathaniel up even more if his mom started acting like she had a split personality. The nice one and the bitch. Mark almost smirked.

“What's on the agenda today?” He asked, lifting Nate up to sit on his shoulders, both of them wearing identical grins.

“I do believe you have the day off. Let me check.” Jaxine walked over and opened her laptop, nodding to confirm what she'd said. “Yeah, the day off.” She seen their identical grins and it both lifted and broke her heart at the same time, the torment obvious in her eyes. “Hold still.” She ordered, pulling her camera out and snapped one before putting it away. She then walked inside the bedroom and pulled out some clothes, needing to put some clothes on since the nightgown clung to her every curve.

Mark hadn't realized how good that nightgown looked until she stood up, the fabric stretching over her chest when she'd gotten to her feet. He licked his lips and shook his head, setting Nathaniel down before he wound up dropping him. “What do you want to do today, tiger?”

“I don't know, lemme go see if mom wants to do somethin'.” Nate took off after his mom, knocking on the door. “You decent?”

Jaxine chuckled and opened the door, staring down at him, wearing a velvet looking pale green jogging suit, jacket and pants with a white tank top underneath, her hair brushed and pulled back in a slick ponytail. “What's up honey?” She asked, seeing the happiness in her son's emerald eyes, smiling softly.

“Mark wants to know what we're doin' today!” Nate said eagerly, garbling his words a bit in his excitement.

Mark shook his head, not exactly what he had said, but close enough. He left them to sort it out, going back into his room to dress, tossing a pair of blue jeans onto the bed, hunting up a shirt.

“Can we do somethin' momma? Can we? Please?” Nate begged, jumping up and down.

“You want me to come with?” Jaxine knew that wasn't Mark talking, that it was her son, and smiled wider when he nodded eagerly. “Let me go talk to Mark, hold on.” She left him standing there and walked over to his room, knocking, hearing him call out to come in as she entered, closing it behind her. “Nathaniel wants to do something with both of us today. I'm just going to tell him that I have to catch up with my work, okay?” She didn't want him to feel uncomfortable and knew her presence did.

Mark nodded, in the process of getting dressed, his back to her. He pulled the jeans up over his hips, affording her a quick glimpse of his ass, nothing under those jeans except bare skin. He turned around to face her, the zipper and button not done yet, a light sprinkling of dark red hair going from his naval to under said jeans. He pulled a white beater over his head, tucking it in his pants. “Why aren't ya goin'?” He asked casually.

“Because I know you don't want me to and I'm fine with it. I just don't want my son knowing how much you despise his mother.” She was keeping her eyes glued to the floor while he dressed, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and knew she was right. She made valid points and even though it bothered her, she would sacrifice her own happiness for Nathaniel's.

Mark snorted, beginning to brush out his hair before he put it in the customary braid. “If he wants ya there, you should be there. I can act like I like you.” He looked at her pointedly as if to say 'you're not the only one who can pretend to care'. Then he sighed. “Sorry.” He grunted, tossing the brush aside.

Jaxine looked up, seeing he was having trouble braiding his hair, and walked over. “Sit.” She ordered gently and crawled on the bed on her knees behind him, taking the braid out and smoothed his hair back before beginning to braid it the right way. “I do care about you, whether you believe it or not. I'm trying like hell not to make this as awkward as possible.” She finished and tied it before he turned around, her hands gently on his shoulders, staring deep into his emerald green eyes, beginning to get lost in them.

He stared back at her, his eyes gradually moving from her eyes to her lips. Mark was a goner when he seen her pink tongue flick out to lick them and leaned forward, capturing her lips with his, wrapping his arms around Jaxine and pulling her against him.

“Hey, we going or not?” Nate called from outside the door.

He pulled away, standing up and smirking slightly. “Now that's awkward, Jaxine. C'mon in Nate.”

Jaxine blinked, trembling as she touched her lips with her fingertips, sitting back on his bed. She quickly shook herself mentally and stood up, walking out the door after Mark and seen they were getting ready. “Honey, I'm not gonna-” She sighed when she seen the pleading in her son's eyes and raised an eyebrow when he grabbed her hand, saying he missed her and wanted her to come with. “Let me get my shoes on.” She said resignedly and walked away from him inside her own room, blinking, her lips still burning from that kiss. What the hell just happened?

Mark was in an abnormally good mood, looking over the local events of the newspaper, frowning and set it aside. “There's an amusement park not too far from here. You like roller coasters?”

“Can you even FIT on one?”

“I'm tall, not fat, son.”

“Hey mom, how bout an amusement park?”
Chapter 13

Jaxine changed into a pair of blue jean shorts, knowing how hot it was in California, with a light blue tank top, leaving her hair up. “Yeah that's fine!” She called through the door, slipping her white tennis shoes on, and walked out a few minutes later. “Sorry I heard what you said and had to change.” She said and smiled down at her son. “You know I don't like roller coasters, but I'll go on the water rides.” She looked up at Mark and immediately went back to looking at her son, this was awkward as hell.

Mark smirked slightly, tucking his wallet in his back pocket. “Champ, you're not dressed.” He said, taking in Nathaniel's pajamas. “Make it snappy.” He watched as the kid zoomed off, whooping and laughing, shaking his head before focusing his attention on Jaxine. “You're lookin' uncomfortable darlin'.” He drawled, reaching out to trace a finger over her shoulder. “It ain't nowhere we ain't been before, relax.”

What had gotten into Mark? Was he purposely doing this to drive her to insanity? Her stomach was currently doing flip-flops and she wasn't sure if she knew how to breathe, that single touch on her shoulder instantly burning. She opened and closed her mouth as he lifted her head by the chin, staring into his eyes, knowing she couldn't resist them. She couldn't resist him in college and she damned sure couldn't resist him now, especially since he was a lot sexier than back in the day. She swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat, trying to find words, trying to figure out how to use her voice box again, and tried like hell to relax like he'd said. She finally just nodded slowly, feeling like complete jelly under that green gaze.

It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to laugh at the dazed expression on Jaxine's face. He smiled when Nathaniel came back out, grinning and ruffled the boy's unruly blonde hair. “You ready?”

“Heck yes!”

~*~*~*~

Mark took off his sunglasses, staring up at the rollercoaster, glancing down at Nate. “You sure you're up for this?”

“Um...yeah. You comin' mom?” Nathaniel swallowed hard. He wanted to ride it, but he also felt like throwing up his cereal too.

“I hate roller coasters, hell no!” Jaxine stated, shaking her head and walked over to sit down on the bench, waving at both of them with a smile. “Have fun honey!” She winked as Mark taunted him into riding it. Her mind was still on that kiss and decided it didn't mean anything and she would have to forget about it.

Nathaniel felt his stomach rising to his throat as they crept up the hill, closing his eyes. Once they shot down the hill and the lurch was over, he was enjoying himself. “Woohoo!”

Mark was roaring with laughter, tossing his hands up in the air, acting like a big kid himself.

“Mom, you GOTTA go on that!” Nate shrieked as he wobbled off the coaster and into her arms. “That was AWESOME! Boy am I dizzy though.”

“Did you have fun?” Jaxine laughed when he swayed against her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders, and kissed the top of his head. “I am not going on the roller coaster.” She stated emphatically and looked up at Mark, seeing the evil glinting in his wicked green eyes, shaking her head. “How about a water ride?” She was suddenly feeling hot. “Yeah, a water ride. I'll go on a water ride with you.”

“Yeah, let's do a water ride.” Mark agreed, studying her light blue top thoughtfully. He smirked, lifting Nathaniel up and putting him astride his shoulders. “How'd that be, tiger?”

“Okay, it's not going to make me dizzy is it?”

“Nah...just...wet.” He looked directly at Jaxine when he said that.

Jaxine was in HELL as she seen the smoldered gaze in Mark's eyes as he guided them a log water ride. They stood in line for about a half an hour before finally boarding. Jaxine was in front of Mark and Nathaniel, not minding riding alone. The sun beat down on all three of them, causing sweat to trickle down her forehead, and knew this is what she needed. The sun wasn't the only thing that made her hot just as the ride began, a smile crossing her face.

Mark was sitting in the back for a reason. He wanted Jaxine to take the brunt of the water. He leaned back, relaxing as the ride began. He was grateful for the cold water when he did get splashed; it kept him from thinking thoughts that weren't appropriate for his current situation.

“Holy hell, dude!” Nathaniel exclaimed, spitting out a mouthful of water with wide green eyes and a smile on his face.

Jaxine shrieked out in laughter as a huge wave of water crashed over their log, completely soaking her from head to toe along with her son and Mark. They got off of the ride and Jaxine laughed when her son ran over to her, hugging him close and ruffled his wet blonde hair. “It's been a long time since we did something like this huh?” She smiled when he nodded eagerly and kissed his forehead, her tank top clinging to her body, thank god she wore a white bra underneath so it didn't show through. She shook her head and wrung her hair out of the excess water, the shorts sticking to her like a second skin. “I feel much better now.”

“Makes two of us.” Mark rumbled from behind her, his eyes firmly fastened on her ass. He was tempted to reach out and grab himself a handful, but managed to restrain himself. He did however brush against her as he sidestepped her, looking down at Nathaniel before glancing back at Jaxine. His eyes taking in how her shirt clung quite nicely to her curves, green eyes beginning to darken.

Nate wrapped his arms around himself, making squishing noises with his shirt.

Jaxine giggled before turning to look at Mark, immediately regretting that. “How about some food? I'm starving and I know you have to be, honey.” She said to Nathaniel, causing the little boy to nod, and smiled before they walked away from the ride and toward the first restaurant. “I'll meet you guys there.” She quickly jogged across the way to a gift shop, buying three towels, needing them at the moment and she needed a few minutes away from Mark.

He tilted his head to watch her jog, apparently Jaxine didn't realize it made her ass bounce.

“Uh Mark, what are we lookin' at?”

Mark looked down to see Nathaniel imitating him and snorted, clamping a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. “Uh, just watchin' the scenery.”

“Mom's butt was blockin' it.”

Jaxine walked up a few minutes later, a towel draped around her neck and handed her son and Mark theirs before sitting down. “A corndog?” She smirked over at Mark, knowing it was his doing, and decided to tease him a bit since he was torturing her. Two could play that game. She dipped it in the ketchup and bit into it slowly, smiling as Nathaniel completely inhaled his before going to his third. Mark had ordered him five as requested by the little guy. ‘He definitely has his father's appetite.’ She thought, seeing Mark's humungous burger sitting in front of him loaded with everything imaginable.

It took Mark a second to realize what Jaxine was doing and wound up with half his burger down his shirt. “Fuck!” He cursed, wiping the mess off of him, growling and looking at her. He ordered a fresh one and pulled off his shirt, knowing so long as he had on his pants, nobody would care about the lack of a top. “Not funny.” He growled, watching as Nathaniel tried to stifle his laughter, shooting Jaxine a glare.

Jaxine was snickering in her food as she tried to take another bite out of her corndog, only to snort before bellowing out in laughter. “Oh god...” She breathed out, her stomach tensing as she laughed harder and Nathaniel soon joined in. She knew she got him good and wrapped an arm around her son to keep her from falling out of her seat, giggling uncontrollably. “Mark, you okay?” She managed to get out before laughing again, taking another bite, shaking her head. Maybe now he'd cool it with the teasing.

Mark nodded, smiling when another burger was set in front of him. “Yep.” He arched an eyebrow, seeing her trying to eat her corndog, but had to keep putting it down because she was laughing. He shook his head, rolling his eyes heavenward. He sat there for a minute, just listening to her before slipping his bare foot -he had taken off his shoes and socks to let them dry- up her bare leg, snorting when she shrieked. “Payback, darlin'.”

“Oh you little...” She bit her lip when Nathaniel looked at them and smiled, simply shooting Mark a glare with her eyes before chomping into the rest of her food. She slowly slid her tongue along her top lip before smacking them together, seeing he was once again holding his burger. “Eat Mark before you get it all over you again.” She snickered before standing up and throwing her tray away, giggling.

Snorting, he took a huge bite of his hamburger, chewing and swallowing before giving her another pointed look.

“Um, what the hell are you two doin'?” Nathaniel demanded, having watched all of this in silence, his green eyes wide. He looked confused when they seemed confused, apparently just realizing he was still there. “Uh, hello?”

“Nothing honey, eat your food.” Jaxine waved him off dismissively before opening the map, looking and seeing where they could go next. She jumped when Mark placed his cold foot on her thigh again and rolled the map up, whacking him in the head with it. “Now knock it off!” She ordered playfully before reopening it, crossing one leg over the other.

Mark just smirked, shaking his head when Nathaniel shot him a 'what the hell' look. “Nothin', tiger.”

“Let's go to the funhouse next.”

“Nothin' like gettin' lost in- hey, let's go to the funhouse next.”

“That's what I said!”

“Well, I agree with ya. What do you think, Jaxy?”

“I don't care.” She was giggling at how Mark was acting, he was one HUGE kid!

They quickly finished eating and Jaxine let Nathaniel run ahead, staying back with Mark, running a hand over the top of her head since it was up still. She smiled when they arrived at the funhouse and groaned when Mark forced her to go in. She never liked these things, they crept her out. Though one look in those green eyes and Jaxine would've signed her own soul away to him if he wanted it.

Mark hung back, letting her get ahead of him, smirking when he reached the mirrors, hanging back to watch her find her way through them. “Over here, darlin'.” He taunted, his height letting him see how to navigate through them, chuckling deeply when she spun around. A glimpse of his reflection catching her eye before vanishing. “Behind you.” He whispered, flicking his tongue against her earlobe before slipping behind another mirror.

Jaxine groaned inwardly when she felt his tongue brush against her ear, feeling a shiver run up her spine as she slowly made her way through the mirrors. She smirked when she felt him behind her and grabbed his hand before he could jump behind another, turning around to face him. “Nice try.” She smirked, blue eyes twinkling before hearing Nathaniel's laughter, knowing he was ahead of them. She turned around and continued making her way through the mirrors, not releasing his hand because she didn't want him playing anymore games with her.

“You liked it.” Mark drawled, letting her lead the way through the funhouse, catching her on the shaking bridge when she stumbled, his hands searing through her damp shorts to her hips. “Mmm.” It was almost like thunder rumbling from a distance, coming from deep within his chest.

“Ya'll coming?”

“Notice he's beginnin' to sound like me?” Mark abruptly let her go.

Jaxine had to learn how to breathe as she nodded, smiling at her son as they made their way across the bridge before going in the circle spin. “Oh god I hate this thing.” She grumbled, stumbling her way through, hoping this was soon over so she could put some distance between herself and Mark. He was torturing her, he wasn't called the master of mind games in the WWF for no reason and she now understood why.

“Mom, you gettin' dizzy yet?” Nate laughed, loving this. He turned in time to see his mom start to fall backwards, hooting when Mark caught her. “Good catch.”

“Thanks.” He lifted her into his arms princess style, calmly walking through the tumbler like it was nothing. Come on, he balanced on top of a ring rope for Christ sakes. “You alright?”

“Yeah, I'm starting to feel that corndog.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, her arm wrapped around his neck while the other laid on her stomach. She felt the fresh air blow across her face and smiled, slowly opening her eyes and looked up at Mark. “Thank you.” She murmured and felt him set her on her feet, sliding down his body as she did so, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I never did like funhouses.” She chuckled ruefully.

“Remember that one at the campus carnival?” He chuckled. “You got lost and started screamin' your head off.”

“College?” Nathaniel frowned slightly. “You two already knew each other?”

Mark arched an eyebrow at her, looking confused. “He didn't know?”

“Know what?”

Jaxine's eyes widened when he said that, swallowing hard, and raked a hand through her hair, knowing part of her secret was out now. “Nathaniel...” She sighed and stared down into his widened green eyes, nodding. “Yeah, we knew each other in college honey.” She couldn't lie to him and felt a sudden rush of sickness coming on. “Oh god...” She bolted to the nearest trashcan and vomited.

Mark blinked, shaking his head and followed her, Nathaniel in tow. “It's probably too soon for you to be doin' this.” He said, holding her hair back as she hurled.

“Oh mom, that is gross.” Nathaniel groaned, peering into the trashcan.

“Go get yer mom a bottle of water.”

Nate took off, shaking his head.

“Why're you pukin'?”

“Sorry, that funhouse and corndog didn't sit well with my stomach.” She was telling the truth halfway, the other part refusing to come out. She hadn't expected him to bring up a part of their past when they were actually happy and in love, even though she knew Mark was never in love with her. He cared about her, but never loved her, not like she loved him. “I'm okay, I'm fine.” She slowly stood up and took the bottled water from her son, downing some of it and swished it around in her mouth before spitting it in the trashcan, getting the vomit taste out. “So what next?”
Chapter 14

“How bout we just...go see a movie or something.” Nate suggested, not wanting his mom to be sick, but knowing if he said go back to the hotel she'd feel bad.

“Yeah, that'd be fine.” Mark agreed, lowering his raised eyebrows, knowing damn well Jaxine wasn't telling him the complete truth, but shrugged it off. So she didn't tell Nate they knew each other in college, no big deal. Apparently she had known a lot of guys in college. He scowled at the thought.

Throughout the movie, Jaxine thought about what she was going to tell Nathaniel, knowing he'd want some answers regarding why she hadn't told him about them knowing each other prior to this job. She didn't even pay attention, just sat there and pondered, wondering what was going to happen now. ‘Damn it.’ She thought, putting her head in her hands and closed her eyes.

Mark wasn't interested much in the movie, some kid thing though he pretended to watch. He draped his arm over the back of Nathaniel's, reaching out to play with Jaxine's hair. Hell, if he kept this up he was going to wind up thinking they were some sort of family. Snorting, he retracted his hand, folding them over his chest to keep from doing anything stupid. Like playing with her hair again.

~*~*~*~

Later on that night, Jaxine walked out of the bedroom, smiling since Nathaniel was completely worn out and currently snoring in the bed. Her hair was down and damp, fresh out of a shower, and had a silk ivory nightgown on that went to her knees, seeing the rain beginning to fall outside as it tapped lightly against the window. What a day that'd had together. Jaxine enjoyed herself immensely, feeling bad that she'd gotten sick at the amusement park, but the movie more than made up for it in her mind. She wrapped her arms around herself as she watched the rain, that kiss and the flirtatious advances Mark and her made on each other. What did it all mean? She tried pushing it out of her mind and sighed when she couldn't.

Mark was sitting in the corner of the main room, sipping whiskey from the bottle, wearing nothing more than a pair of dark blue pajama bottoms. He watched her, his upper lip curling into a sort of snarl. “What happened today?” He demanded, his voice echoing around her.

“You are a lot quieter than you have the right to be.” She stated softly, slowly turning around to face him, seeing his shape in the dark with a glass in his hand. “What do you mean what happened today?” She asked, walking over to the liquor bar, knowing she would need a stiff drink to get through this conversation.

She knew what he wanted to know. Why hadn't she told Nathaniel about knowing him prior to taking this job? It just proved she was hiding something else and that just made the glass she poured of tequila that much bigger.

“Why didn't you tell Nate we knew each other way back then?” He demanded, finishing the bottle and reaching down by the side of his chair to open a new one, staring at her intently, disregarding her comment about him being quiet. “It only makes sense, considering we DO know each, we DID know each other. Why not mention it to him?”

“Why does it matter?” She shot back quietly, taking a large gulp of her tequila and felt the liquid burn down her throat, sighing heavily. “It never crossed my mind to tell him, Mark. I don't want to confuse him.” She shook her head before walking back over to stare out the window, holding her glass of liquor in her hand. Why couldn't she ever catch a break?

“It matters because he might've understood why we don't seem to care for each other better if he knew we have a past.” Mark drawled, standing up and moving to stand behind her, reaching out to caress the nape of her neck with his fingertips. “And what a past it is...” He murmured, lowering his head so their faces were side by side. “Remember how good we were together, hmmm?”

She could feel the heat spreading throughout her body along with the liquor, shivering against him, and felt her mouth suddenly go dry as she took another large sip of Tequila. “Not a day goes by I don't think about it.” She murmured softly, truthfully, inhaling his intoxicating scent that only he had. It was a mixture of leather, cologne and something else that she still after all this time couldn't quite put her finger on it. “I should've told him, but I was afraid I would confuse him.” That was the truth as well and Jaxine felt her eyes close, his touch hypnotic.

“Why would it confuse him?” His voice was low and husky, moving to tower behind her again, resting his hands on her shoulders. “All he needed to know is that we're old...friends, no confusion there.” He began to massage her shoulders in slow, sensuous circles, his thumbs gently pressing into the knotted muscles, feeling her relax under his touch. “Did you miss me?” He whispered, his breath hot on the back of her throat. “Did you miss this?”

Her eyes drifted shut as she leaned against him, her lips parted slightly as she nodded. “Yes, I missed everything.” She purred out softly, being so long since she'd last had a man touch her this way, this sensually.

He was the last man she'd slept with, though he'd never know that. He wouldn't believe her anyway. That wasn't important though as she melted further against him, feeling him move her hair to the side to expose her neck further. She was in heaven and felt her stomach tense slightly as his hot breath continued caking on her neck and ear.

He grazed the side of her throat with his teeth, smirking when she melted against him and stepped away. “Good night, Jaxine.” He whispered, vanishing into his bedroom.

God he wanted her, but he'd be damned if he started another relationship -sexual or otherwise- with her. She was like a preying mantis, she fucked and killed. Mark stepped into the shower after shedding his pajama bottoms, resting his forehead against the cool tiles.

Jaxine actually dropped to her knees when he walked away and she heard the door shut, swallowing hard and began trembling from head to toe. She knew it. She knew he was playing games with her. “Damn it, I fell for it.” She felt the tears burn her eyes and slowly stood up from the carpeted floor, taking a long swallow of her liquor before collapsing on the couch. She deserved it and she knew it. She didn't blame him because, hell, she'd probably have done the same thing. “Never again.” She vowed in a whisper before laying down on the couch, letting a few more tears and sobs silently escape her before falling into a restless sleep.

~*~*~*~

“You look like crap, Mark. So does mom.”

“Nate, buddy, I got one hell of a hangover, mind steppin' out for a moment?” Mark groaned, not wanting to pull his head out from under the pillow. He had drank himself to sleep just so he COULD fall asleep.

“Sure, sure.” Nate walked back out, staring at his mom and shook his head, wondering if she had a hangover too. He groaned when there was a knock on the door, walking over to answer it. “Hey Michael.”

Jaxine slowly opened her eyes, hearing the knock on the door, and sat up on the couch when Michael walked in, blinking to try to get the blurriness to go away. “What are you doing here?” She grumbled, standing up, and stumbled into the kitchen to make some coffee, knowing Michael was behind her. “We have a flight to catch in three hours, Nathaniel, will you go inform Mark please?”

“I came to see how you were doing.” Michael said softly, ruffling Nate's hair as he ran past. He studied Jaxine thoughtfully. “You look like shit, Jax.” He finally murmured, reaching out to gently turn her towards him. “Everything alright?”

“Michaels, don't you have better things to do, like do another Playboy cover?” Mark muttered, leaning past Jaxine to get the Tylenol.

Michael didn't say a word, not about to pick a fight.

“Everything's fine, Michael.” She replied, really not in the mood to see him at the moment, ignoring what Mark said to him. As far as she was concerned, Jaxine wasn't going on a personal level with Mark anymore, not after what he pulled the previous night. She ended up having some pretty erotic dreams, which did anything, but help her sleep peacefully. “I'm sorry, I have to get ready to leave.” She walked past him and in the bedroom, sifting through her bag and pulled out an outfit while Nathaniel was busy in Mark's room.

Michael leaned against the counter, watching Mark make himself a cup of coffee. “You look like shit.” He offered cheerfully.

“You wantin' another concussion, Michaels?” Mark demanded in a low, deadly tone of voice.

“Hmm...I'm guessin' Jax don't know what you like to do to people for fun, you sick fuck.”

“She's fixin' to find out if you don't get the fuck on outta here.” Mark threatened darkly.

Michael sneered. “Try me you- Hey sport.”

“Hi.”

Jaxine came out wearing a pair of blue jeans with a black and red tank top that had a sparkling devil on it, raising an eyebrow at the tense looks on the men's faces. “Nathaniel, go get ready sweetheart.” She ordered gently, getting him out of harm's way because Mark looked like he was going to maim Michael. “You need to leave Michael.” She stated, standing in front of Mark, eyes narrowed slightly and grabbed him by the arm as she guided him to the door, stepping out in the hallway as she closed the door behind her. “I don't know what you're problem is, but you'd better back off.” She hissed angrily.

Michael stared at her like she had lost her mind. “Are you kidding me?” He demanded, anger flaring in his hazel eyes. “That...maniac...threatens me with another damn concussion and you're defending him?” He glared down at her. “What, he gets in your panties and you decide everything’s all hunky dory?” He caught her hand before she could deck him. “Tell him your little secret yet? Or still worried he might decide you're not a very good mommy?”

“You son of a bitch...” She hissed, shaking her head back and forth slowly, yanking her hand harshly from his grasp. “I knew I should've never told you! And no, not that it's any of your business, but he hasn't gotten in my panties. He doesn't want me like that and I don't want him. It's business, plain and fucking simple, you stupid asshole!” She shoved him away and gasped when he shoved her back, pressing his body against hers, staring into his cold, calculating hazel eyes. “You better back off Michael, this is your last damn warning. Leave me and my son alone before you get hurt.”

“Who's going to do the hurting, you?” He snorted, apparently not too worried. “Or maybe you could have Mark do it for you? I know how GOOD you are at manipulating him.” He grabbed a handful of her hair, jerking her head back and kissed her violently. “I would have treated you like a queen.” He whispered almost sadly before stepping away as the door opened.

“We're ready to go mom.”

Jaxine glared, ignoring her son, and kicked Michael square in the balls, her eyes lit on fire. “FUCK YOU!” She then tackled him and started hitting him with everything she had, tears streaming down her cheeks, twisting and torquing when Mark pulled her off of him. “NO! NO GET OFF OF ME! YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME AND MY SON OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL FUCK YOUR WORLD UP!” She shrieked, fighting against Mark, kicking and clawing at his arms as the tears flowed harder. NOBODY was going to threaten her and get away with it as Michael stumbled to his feet, blood coming out of his mouth and there were scratch marks on his cheeks. “I hope I broke it, you cocksucker!!!”

Michael groaned, spitting blood from his mouth trying to talk, but couldn't get past his swollen lips. Finally he settled on flipping her off. His hazel eyes widened when a very big ten year speared his ass, groaning when his head hit the floor.

“Damn, Nathaniel that was one hell of a spear.” Mark commented, still trying to hold Jaxine still. “Stop it or I'm applyin' a pressure point.” He cautioned gently.

Jaxine's eyes widened when she seen what her son did, blinking, and looked up at Mark as both of them smiled. “I'm fine, I'm fine now.” She stated, holding her hands up and reached over to pull Nathaniel off of Michael, wrapping her arms around him from behind. “Stay away from my family Michael or the next time, I won't be lenient. Our friendship is OVER.” She then pulled Nathaniel into her chest, kissing the top of his head, feeling him tremble a little. “Shhh it's alright baby, it's alright now...”

Nathaniel was physically shaking, wanting nothing more then to cream this jerk who had obviously done something to upset -no, that wasn't the word- enrage -no, still not it, but the best he could think of. “You okay mom? What'd he do to you?” He demanded, pulling her into the hotel room.

Mark carted Michael down to the nearest trashcan and stuck him in it, head first.

“I'm okay sweetheart.” She was busy checking him over, tears still in her eyes, not believing he speared a man of Michael's size to the ground. “You are your father's child.” She murmured low enough to where he couldn't hear her, guiding him over as she sat on the couch. “You don't need to concern yourself with what he told me. I took care of it and I'm fine.” She wrapped a protective arm around his shoulders and pressed her forehead to the side of his head, feeling his trembling slowly subside. “That's it, calm down Nathaniel, everything's alright...” She soothed, rubbing his arms, not believing how angry her son was.

Mark strolled back in, looking grave. He examined Jaxine carefully, taking in her swollen lips and snarled, disappearing out the door.

Nathaniel began grinning when he heard a girlish shriek followed by something much like glass shattering. When Mark walked back in, he was smirking. “Well?”

“He knows better then to be rude to yer momma now.”

“Good.”

Jaxine wanted to stand up and kiss him, but refrained from doing so, knowing now he didn't want her. She was bound and determined to keep this professional as she looked up at Mark, her tears subsiding. “Thank you Mark.” She quietly said, standing up, needing a glass of water. She leaned over the sink and squared her shoulders, gripping the counter so hard her knuckles were turning white. Michael was going to tell him, he was going to tell her secret and there was nothing she could do to stop him. ‘Damn it why did I tell him?!’ She thought angrily, slamming her hands down, the rest of the anger slowly diminishing followed by pure helplessness.

“Not a problem.” He murmured, rationalizing his actions this way.

She was his P.A., if she was emotionally distressed or physically harmed two things would happen. First, people would think he had done it. Secondly, he seriously needed to keep his schedule the way it was. That and he didn't like seeing Nathaniel in distress. It had nothing to do with the fact that Michael had kissed her, apparently against her will, that he had put his filthy hands where only Mark's should be…

“Mark, you're going red in the face.” Nate pointed out curiously, cutting into Mark’s thoughts.
Chapter 15

Jaxine finally stood up straight, washing her mouth out with hot water, and slowly turned around staring at both of her men. “Come on, we're going to miss our flight if we don't get going.” She stated in a grave voice, walking past them and out of the hotel room, raking a hand through her hair and rolling her luggage behind her.

Nathaniel and Mark followed her out to the elevator, but Mark opted for the elevators which she didn't mind. The ride to the airport was made in silence, each person in their own thoughts. Jaxine had to find a way to tell Mark now before Michael told him. She was screwed and buried her head in her hands, feeling sick.

“Momma, you alright?” Nathaniel asked for what had to be the hundredth time since takeoff. He sat beside her, staring at her worriedly. He had never seen her this worried before and it scared the hell out of him. “Mommy?” He reverted back to the old affectionate term in his concern.

“Soda for the kid and get her a red wine.” Mark said to the stewardess, knowing Jaxine needed to calm down before she gave herself a heart attack or stroke, returning to staring straight ahead. He was pretty damn curious to know what had happened out in the hallway with Michael, what had sent her over the edge like that. Now that he thought about it, he should've beaten the answer out of Michaels.

Jaxine was shaking from head to toe, her knee popping up and down, not able to calm down to save her life. She could probably drink three bottles of red wine and nothing would calm down the worry that was eating away at her insides. She looked over at her son, tears in her eyes, and kissed his head before staring out the window again, pressing her forehead to the cool glass.

“It's going to be fine, it's going to be fine, it's going to be fine.” She kept whispering to herself, jumping out of her skin when Mark's hand pressed against her shoulder, and turned around as he handed her the glass of wine. She took it and downed it before going back to staring out the window, praying she could find the strength to tell him before Michael did. “Oh god...” She trembled more, looking paler.

Mark had watched her all through the flight, then throughout the drive to the airport. Her nerves never once changed, she was shaking and on the edge of her seat. He let Nathaniel into his dressing room, but stopped Jaxine, staring down at her intently. “What'd he do to you?” He demanded calmly.

“Nothing, I'm fine.” She sighed when he pinned her against the wall, her eyes instantly closing. “Mark please, please not now, okay? Please.” She whispered, more tears falling. “I just want a few more days of peace. Please.”

She managed to walk away from him and inside the dressing room, knowing she HAD to do something to get her mind off of this ordeal. Work. Work never failed her, why would it now? She opened up her laptop and completely emerged herself in it, all the while in the back of her mind wondering when Michael Hickenbottom was going to strike and rip her life apart.

Mark didn't follow her back into the locker room. He went to find Michaels and get his fucking answers.

“Mom?” Nate asked hesitantly. “Are you feeling...better?” He stood at her side, watching her work on the laptop, glad to see her doing something normal instead of acting like the world was falling down around her ears.

Michael wasn't at the arena because he was still at the hospital in the last city, getting checked on for being thrown through a glass window.

Jaxine finally sighed as she leaned back against the couch, rubbing her temples with her fingers, and patted the seat beside her. “Nathaniel, there's something mom hasn't been telling you and...” She blinked when Mark walked in, looking madder than Hell. “We'll talk later, okay?” She kissed his forehead gently before getting back to work, refusing to look up at Mark right now. She knew if she did, she would crack under pressure and spill her secret, spill the whole truth, and she wasn't prepared for that yet.

Nate frowned, looking at Mark then his mom, then back to Mark. “Mom, I already know.” He said finally, smiling when she shot him a startled look. “I know you two were sweethearts and that's gross, but it's okay. I mean it's not like you're boyfriend/girlfriend now, right?”

Mark shook his head no, dropping down on the bench and pulling his bag to him, wishing he hadn't beaten Michaels up quite that badly.

Jaxine sighed with relief and it showed on her expression clear as day before smiling, ruffling his hair gently, still shaking a bit. “Yeah, that's what I wanted to tell you and no, we're not together now. It was a long time ago and...I should've told you sooner. I should've told you everything...” She cleared her throat, swallowing hard, and sighed before going back to work. Her son was so innocent and he didn't know what was about to hit him. Nathaniel got up and went to the bathroom, leaving her and Mark sitting in the room together and the tension was so thick, it couldn't be cut with a knife.

“So was that really what you were going to tell him?” Mark asked evenly, wrapping the tape around his wrist before tearing it with his teeth and doing the other, his black wrestling gloves would hide it. “Or you just lettin' him off the hook?” He looked up, his green eyes boring into hers. He knew something was up and he was fixing to find out one way or the other.

Did she lie to him or did she come clean? “No and yes.” She answered before leaning back against the couch, putting her head back and closed her eyes, not believing how fast the events turned and they were against her, not for her.

It was always like that, she was constantly digging herself out of one hole only to wind up in a deeper one than the last. When was she ever going to catch a break and just enjoy life? Besides Nathaniel and job, most of the time, Jaxine hated how her life was and wished she could change the clocks. She would've done things completely different.

Mark studied her carefully, curiosity burning in his eyes almost feverishly. What was she hiding from her son that scared her the way it did? “What does that mean, Jaxine?” He murmured, tilting his head to the side, his hair sliding over his shoulder. “Yes and no. You weren't lettin' him off the hook or you're sparin' his feelin's?”

“That's not what I wanted to tell him and yes, I'm letting him off the hook and sparing his feelings.” She didn't look at him and opened her eyes, instead staring at the pattern on the ceiling.

Her heart was thundering in her chest and she began to tremble again, taking in slow deep breaths to calm herself down. She was scared to death and had every right to be right now. Things were SLOWLY starting to get better for her and then Michael had to come and ruin it. She suddenly snarled, she was going to maim that son of a bitch if he ever came near her or her family again.

It took him a minute to get past the snarl on her lips to realize Jaxine was trembling. He didn't know if it was from fear, anxiety or anger, but he crossed the room to pull her up into his arms anyway, staring down into her pale face. “Whatever's got you so stressed, you know you can tell me, don't you?” He whispered, concern in his eyes, no games, just worry.

Jaxine wanted to believe him, god help her, she wanted to tell him everything and couldn't. “I can't...” She whispered, burying her face in her hands while sitting sideways on his lap. She knew she had too, but not now, not here. He'd played this game with her once and she wasn't falling for it again. Though when he wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her against him, Jaxine couldn't help calming down as her head buried in his chest, tears coating her cheeks. “J-Just a few more days...” She whispered out pleadingly, clenching her fists tightly. “Not tonight, please...”

Mark sighed inwardly, that curiosity beginning to drive him insane, but nodded. “A few days.” He whispered back, stroking her back soothingly. Finally he set her on her feet, holding her shoulders just incase. “You gonna be alright, Jaxy?” He asked finally, not sure what else to say to her. Whatever it was that was eating away at her looked like it might be the death of her if she didn't get it off her chest soon.

She nodded back at him, wiping her tears away, and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace before letting go. She then walked back over and sat down on the couch in front of her laptop, the trembling stopping for the time being. She was exhausted and knew in a few days. She would have to come clean; she would have to tell Mark the truth about Nathaniel, about college, about everything. Not tonight though. She watched her son walk out of the bathroom and felt him sit beside her, wrapping her arm around him.

“I'm sorry for scaring you, sweetheart. Mom isn't herself tonight, but I promise I'm fine.” She assured him softly, kissing the top of his head.

“I hope so.” Nathaniel muttered, clearly not believing her. He stared at her more focused then a kid his age had the right to be before nodding, apparently deciding to take her words at face value. “I'm hungry.” He announced.

“I'll take you to the cafeteria.” Mark volunteered. “I'm pretty hungry myself. You want anythin' Jaxy?”

She shook her head back at him, knowing if she ate it would just come back up again. “Go ahead, I'm fine.” She assured them both, seeing the mirror worry in their identical eyes, sighing heavier. If only they could see it, Mark wouldn't even have to ask her what she was hiding. “Have fun.” She watched them walk out the door and jumped when her cell phone rang, pulling it out of her pocket and flipped it open, putting it to her ear. “Yeah?”

“Your fucking boyfriend put me in the hospital!” Came Michael's voice, sounding like he was in serious pain. “But that's okay because I left him a very nice voicemail, he's gonna LOVE it, Jaxine, just you fucking wait!” He hung up on her.

Jaxine turned ghostly white when she heard his voice, knowing Mark always carried his cell phone. She swallowed hard and stood up, raking a hand through her hair, tears in her eyes, knowing she'd have to distract Mark long enough to get his cell phone, but how? “Goddamn you Michael!” She punched the wall as hard as she could, stumbling back and felt the tears slide down her cheeks before stalking in the bathroom. If Mark checked his voicemail, it was over and he had her son.

~*~*~*~

“Mom's lyin' bout being alright, isn't she?”

“Yeah, tiger, I think so. But let's not tell her we know, okay?”

Jaxine's eyes widened as she ran out of his dressing room and down to the cafeteria, stopping in the doorway as she seen Nathaniel, her chest rising and falling rapidly. What was she going to do now? She had to get Nathaniel away from him, but if he'd checked his voicemail then she was screwed.

“Nathaniel honey, can you come here for a minute?” She was trembling again and her face was pure white.

Mark frowned, seeing her pale face and shook his head. “He's fine darlin'.” He held up a plate. “We brought ya back somethin', in case you change yer mind.” He set the plate down on the table, holding up his cell when he felt it vibrate and frowned. “Unknown.” He shrugged, tossing it in his bag.

“Ain't ya gonna answer it?”

“Nope, no number.”

“Could be important.”

“Or it could be some crazy who got my number, tiger.”

Jaxine seen the bag he tossed it in, swallowing hard, knowing damn well what that unknown number entailed. “T-Thank you for the thought.” She gently said, raking a trembling hand through her hair, and sat down next to her son. She kept glancing back at the bag, remembering every detail about it before holding her son. She was going to end up with a stroke if she wasn't careful and tried to take deep breaths again. Screw her job, this was her family on the line! ‘I have to see that phone and delete that message.’ She thought gravely, knowing it was the only way. ‘I need a distraction of some kind...’ She added thoughtfully, her mind going a hundred miles an hour it seemed.

Which Nathaniel was only too happy to provide. “Hey Mark, can we go watch them set up the ring?” He asked, bouncing on the soles of his feet.

“I suppose, ask your mom.”

“Mom, can we? Please. I want to go up to the catwalk, it looks so cool up there!”

“Yeah sure, go ahead.” She smiled at him and grabbed the bag before Mark could. “I'll take this back to the dressing room, you two have fun.” She kissed Nathaniel's forehead before rushing out of the cafeteria and back to his dressing room, closing the door behind her. She quickly fished through it and pulled his cell phone out, trembling and knew she didn't have much time as she flipped it open, seeing he had the same kind she did. How quaint. “Now where is it you son of a bitch?” She muttered under her breath, finally finding the voicemail and clicked it to listen. Thank god Mark didn't have a password or else she would've been fucked.

After deleting all fifty voicemails, Jaxine finally sighed with relief and threw the phone back in his bag, slumping against the couch as the tears flowed. Fuck the few days, Michael knew his number and he would keep calling until he heard of something happening to her. “I have to tell him tonight.” She whispered softly and curled up on the couch, her face buried into the couch as her heart began to break little by little. “I have no choice...” She whispered, coughing as the sobs tore throughout her body.

~*~*~*~

Mark frowned, realizing Jaxine was definitely going off the deep end if she was allowing her precious boy to go up to the cat walk. Not that Nathaniel wouldn't be safe with him, but normally he would have had to persuade Jaxine of that. “Up you go.” He lifted Nate onto the ladder, climbing after him. “Now just hold onto the rails.”

“It is so cool up here.” Nate said, looking around, holding tightly so he didn't fall.

“Yeah, it is, kinda high.” Mark replied, watching him like a hawk.
Chapter 16

“That was so AWESOME!” Nathaniel exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air after they were back on ground level, his eyes straying to the ring which had just been set up. “Can we?”

“Yeah, sure.” Mark followed more slowly as Nate ran to slide in the ring, nodding as the ring crew passed him by. He watched Nathaniel toss himself off the ropes, recalling the first time they'd been in the ring, Jaxine had blown a fuse. “Watch how you do it, son.” He cautioned.

Paul loitered down, arching an eyebrow when he heard Mark say that, wondering if Jaxine had spilled yet. “Hey, ‘Taker.”

“Here, you can practice on me, little man.” Matt said before rolling in the ring, beginning to bounce off of the ropes, showing Nathaniel how he did it. “Though if you're slow like the Deadman here, you do it like this…” He did it slow motion and gulped when Mark got in the ring. “Gotta go.” He zoomed out of the arena like his pants were on fire.

Mark shook his head, exchanging amused looks with Paul. “What're you doing out here?”

“Practice, I heard what you did to Michaels in the ring, you think I want that?”

“What'd you do to him?”

“Your old man gave him one hell of a concussion, right Deadman?”

Nathaniel stared at Mark and Paul in confusion, wondering what had them so animated. “We gonna wrestle or not?”

“Paul is gonna keep ya company while I check on your mom.” Mark said, managing to flash Nate a smile, nodding at Paul before storming up the ramp way.

Paul looked like he was both confused and in trouble.

~*~*~*~

The tears finally subsided as Jaxine sat back up an hour later, getting back to doing her work, typing on her laptop. She was figuring out how to tell Mark and honestly had no idea how to go about doing it. She lied to him, convinced him that Nathaniel wasn't his, and now she was going to have to tell him that it was all a lie and...Jaxine felt a headache coming on as she closed her laptop and rested her head back against the couch, pinching the bridge of her nose. What was she going to do? Jaxine nearly jumped out of her skin when the door slammed open, her head snapping up and stared back an irate looking Mark, swallowing hard.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” She snapped, pressing a hand to her chest, jumping again when he slammed the door shut behind him and flipped the lock on it. “Oh god...” She slowly stood up from the couch, looking behind him. “Where's Nathaniel?” She asked hesitantly.

“He's fine, he's with a friend.” Mark said, his voice quivering with rage he was barely keeping in check. “It's really fuckin' strange, Jaxine, how everyone, but me knows the damn truth about Nathaniel.” He cracked his knuckles, not looking away from her. “I mean, here I am, believin' every fuckin' word ya say about sleeping around and him not being mine.” He stopped abruptly, face and eyes both showcasing his fury.

The color quickly drained out of her face as Jaxine's eyes filled with tears, beginning to tremble from head to toe as she slowly backed away from him, knowing she didn't have anywhere to go and the door was locked. “W-Who told you that?” She managed to ask, her mouth going dry, the fear coursing throughout her entire body. “WHO TOLD YOU THAT?” She finally snapped, gripping her hair in her fingers before releasing it, covering her mouth with both of her hands, shaking her head back and forth in disbelief. She'd deleted the voicemails, unless he'd already heard them and was playing her like a fiddle in the cafeteria??

“Paul Levesque. He apparently noticed it when you were sick, Nate and I were workin' out when he realized. Then he told Michaels, which is I'm assumin' the reason yer panickin'. Michaels was probably theatenin' to tell me, wasn't he?” Mark demanded, slowly backing her into a wall. “Tell me, Jaxine, why the FUCK WOULD YOU LIE TO ME ABOUT MY SON?”

Paul knew all along? Michael hadn't told her!! Jaxine could feel the tears streaming down her face, but it didn't matter as she pressed her back against the wall, his voice a loud roar. “I-I didn't want you to know at first...” She whispered staring back into his rage filled acid green eyes, trembling from head to toe. “I didn't want to risk you taking Nathaniel away from me for not telling you!” She cried harder, her heart thundering against her chest, moving her head to the side and closed her eyes, not able to look at him right now.

“Why the hell would I take him from you Jaxine? A boy needs his mother.” Mark hissed, pressing his hands on either side of her head, his face mere inches from hers. “And he needs his fuckin' father. You realize what I could do to you in a court, Jaxine? I could bury your ass in legalities.” He stepped away from her, shaking his head, apparently still restraining himself. He didn't hit women as a general rule, but he did make exceptions.

“I know…” She whispered out, standing there frozen solid, not even able to fight him back or clench her fists. She deserved this, she deserved to be scared half to death. “I thought you went overseas, Mark. We went our separate ways and I didn't want to burden you with it. I made a mistake, a few mistakes, but I was trying to protect my son the only way I knew how. I didn't know what kind of man you were when I finally saw you again after all these years until Nathaniel started hanging around you. I was wrong, I'm sorry...” Her voice was trembling the entire time as she refused to look at him, feeling like her knees might give out, her teeth chattering as her entire body felt like it would give out at any moment.

“Sorry...” He snorted, nostrils flaring. “You knew how to contact me overseas, Jaxine, I would have came back.” He pulled her up by her underarms, staring down at her sternly. “Then you told me you slept will all those other men and I wanted to kill every one of them, even if I didn't know them. Was there nothin' you wouldn't do?” His green eyes filled with anguish, remembering her words when she had convinced him she'd slept around. The hurt physically assaulting him.

She finally looked at him, seeing the anguish and pain in his eyes, more tears sliding down her cheeks. “I-I don't know what you want me to say...” She whispered out, her arms hanging at her sides, not caring how hard he'd gripped her arms. That was the least of her worries, she just wanted to get out of here alive. “I didn't want you to feel like I took the job with the WWF to hunt you down for child support or anything.” She lowered her head. “I didn't even know you worked here and when I found out, I panicked, okay? I panicked, I didn't know what to do, and before I knew what I was doing, I'd convinced myself you would've taken him away from me and that you could never find out. I was wrong about everything and you had every right to know...”

“Come on.” Mark took her by the hand and pulled her across the room, unlocking the door and stepping out into the hallway, leading the way out to the ring. “We're tellin' Nathaniel before you change yer mind or somethin'. I'm not gonna lose my son.” He said, saying the word 'son' differently then he normally would, with a hint of pride. He could actually say it and mean it.

“Mark, can't we wait until we get back to the hotel at least?” She stopped when they were just outside gorilla position, shaking her head. “Not here, we can't do this here, Mark...” She shook her head when he started shoving her into the curtain, swallowing hard, and narrowed her eyes when she seen Paul Levesque in the ring with her son. The anger flared inside of her as she suddenly bolted down the ramp way and slid in the ring, stumbling up to her feet. “I have one thing to say to you,” She then slapped him as hard as she could, the sound echoing in the arena and shoved him away from Nathaniel, the rage burning in her blue eyes. “I don't know WHO the HELL you think you are trying to destroy MY life, but I've got news for you and that punk bitch Michael. WATCH YOUR FUCKING BACKS! I swear to god, you'd better be looking over your shoulders because one day, soon, you're both going to get what's coming to you and that's not a threat, it's a DAMN PROMISE!” She then grabbed Nathaniel's hand and got him out of the ring, her hand stinging from how hard she'd slapped Paul.

Paul looked at Mark, wondering what the fuck had just happened. He didn't know what was going on with Michael, all he knew was what he had observed. “What the FUCK lady?” He shouted after her, confusion in his tone.

“Mom, why'd you just co-cock Pauly?” Nathaniel asked curiously, seeing Mark waiting for them on top of the ramp. “What's goin' on?”

“I have my own reasons and I'm going to explain everything to you.” She said, wrapping her arm around Nathaniel's shoulders, hoping he didn't hate her as they joined Mark at the top of the ramp way.

~*~*~*~

After pleading with Mark to wait until they got back to the hotel and finally getting him to agree, promising she wouldn't go back on her word, Jaxine had one last phone call to make. “Hey Michael, it backfired. Congratulations, you're in a Hell In A Cell match with Mark when you get back on the road. So take this voicemail and SHOVE IT.” Vince had informed Mark earlier on that night about the upcoming feud and Jaxine was more than ecstatic about it.

When his match was over, they got in the rental car and she stared out the window the entire time, closing her eyes, hoping her son didn't hate her when this was all said and done.

Mark was anxious the entire time, hoping against hope Jaxine didn't go back or her word and try to run. He'd hate to do it, but he would either track her down and kill her or have her ass in court so fast her head would spin. He was on pins and needles the entire ride.

Nathaniel was curious to put it mildly. He kept glancing between the adults, sensing the tension and nervousness, unable to keep himself from being excited. He knew something major was about to happen and couldn't wait to find out what it was.

When they were inside the hotel room, Jaxine immediately went to the bedroom, saying she needed a moment. She changed into a midnight blue nightgown that went to her knees before brushing out her hair, finally walking back out, seeing Nathaniel and Mark sitting on the couch. “I need a drink.” She stated, walking over and pouring herself a nice big glass of Tequila before taking a long swig of it, finally walking back over to sit in the chair across from them. “Sweetheart, mom hasn't exactly been honest with you about everything,” She began, raking a hand through her hair and stood up, beginning to tremble as she stared out the window, setting her glass down as the tears instantly started. “I lied to you about your father, Nathaniel. I lied to you about where he is. He didn't run away from us like I told you. Do you understand what I'm saying?”

Nathaniel more then understood. He shot to his feet, green eyes flashing, his temper flaring much like Mark's had earlier in the night. “You lied to me?” He demanded angrily, his fists clenching. He inhaled deeply, exhaling through his nose, forcibly calming himself down and sat back down on the edge of the couch, holding himself stiffly. “What’s going on mom?”

“Yes I lied to you!” She shouted, throwing the glass of Tequila against the wall and spun around to face her son. “Do you want to know who your father is? Look to your side, Nathaniel! Look at the man who you've been following around and wanting to be like! You have his eyes, his temper, his attitude, you're just like him! I didn't tell you because I never thought I would see him again and when I did, I panicked. I was trying to protect you; I was being overprotective and went about it all the wrong way!” She scrubbed a hand down her face, staring back into Nathaniel's widened emerald green eyes that reminded her of Mark since the day he was born. “Mark is your father, Nathaniel. Even a blind man could see it.”

Nathaniel stared at Mark incredulously, for the first time really looking at him. He took in the green eyes, the color, the shape then felt his own eyes. He shook his head, staring at Mark. “And you didn't know?”

“No.” Mark said quietly, not about to tell him he had suspected it, but then had listened to Jaxine's 'I cheated' bit, knowing that was something Nathaniel didn't need to hear. “Nate?”

“Give me a second.” The boy whispered.

“I-I'm sorry Nathaniel.” She whispered softly, wanting to reach out to touch him, and felt the tears cascade down her cheeks.

She seen him flinch away from her and her heart shattered, instantly pulling back before sitting in the chair. She buried her face in her hands as the sobs once again overtook her, knowing she should've been honest from the beginning. She would never be able to turn the clock back. She would never be able to forgive herself for putting her little boy through this much pain, let alone Mark.

“Nate,” Mark began, only to back off when Nate turned his wrath on him.

“How long have you known?” He demanded angrily. “How could you NOT know? We look alike!”

“Nathaniel, it's a long story.” Mark said patiently, glancing at Jaxine, wishing she would dry it up already. Nathaniel needed her to be strong enough to last this out.

Nathaniel didn't reply, just stormed into a bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him.
Chapter 17

“Damn it!” She stood up and walked to the door, opening it, seeing he was laying on the bed curled up. “Nathaniel, it was all my fault that Mark didn't know until tonight. None of this is Mark's fault, sweetheart. It's all mom's fault.” She walked over and sat on the bed, touching his leg gently and sighed when he flinched. “Nathaniel, Mark thought you were his at first when we first got here. He fought me tooth and nail and I told him every lie I could think of. I'm not going to tell you those lies because you're too young to understand, but I just want you to understand that you shouldn't be angry at Mark. Be angry at me and hate me.” She blinked back the tears, needing to be strong for her little boy right now. “I should've told you, I should've came clean from the beginning, but I didn't know what would happen if I did and I can't lose you...I can't lose you.” She repeated that and got up, bending down so she could face him, running her finger down his cheek. “I'm so sorry sweetheart...”

“I'm too young to understand?” Nathaniel hiccoughed. “That's what you say about everythin' mom, that I'm too young.” He sat up, wiping the tears out of his eyes and stared at her, next wiping snot off his nose with his shirt sleeve, sniffling. “Is there anything else I should know about?” He asked her quietly, staring at her out of glistening green eyes.

“No baby, there's nothing else. It's all out in the open now.” She quietly replied, running her fingers through his blonde hair, slowly standing up to sit on the bed beside him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “With what I told him, that's something you are too young for. I know I say that a lot, but it's the truth. I'm sorry for lying and keeping this from you, Nathaniel.” She whispered, pressing her forehead to his head. “I love you so much, sweetheart. I never meant to hurt you. I would NEVER hurt you intentionally.”

Nathaniel nodded, keeping quiet while he waited for his hiccoughs to subside. When they did he cleared his throat. “So Mark is...is my dad.” He said, watching her nod and smiled timidly. “Does he like me? I mean as his son.” He looked worried because he adored Mark, already seeing him as a father figure. “I know he does things with me, but...that's not cause of you is it? He's not being nice to me cause of you is he?”

“Why don't you go ask him that?” Jaxine suggested softly, pulling him up gently from the bed and guided him out of the room, seeing Mark was sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand. “Go on sweetheart.” She whispered encouragingly in his ear, pushing him forward, nodding at Mark silently. She then walked back into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Sliding down the door as the tears finally fell once again; Jaxine buried her face in her knees, letting father and son talk alone for awhile. She needed a few moments alone anyway.

Mark listened patiently as Nathaniel stuttered through what he wanted to say, setting the beer aside and doing the only thing he really could at this point. He hugged his son tightly to him. Nathaniel stiffened for a moment before relaxing, hiding his face in his...dad's shoulder and did something most boys would never do in front of their fathers. He cried.

Jaxine walked into the bathroom and took a shower, needing one to wash away the day and night events. She stepped out about an hour later and slipped her nightgown back on with new garments, brushed her hair, and walked out of the bathroom. She opened the door to the bedroom and walked out, not seeing Mark or Nathaniel anywhere, and looked at Mark's bedroom door, knowing they were in there. She then grabbed a broom, paper towels and a dust pan before going to clean up her mess, feeling exhausted.

Mark was lying awake, laying on his side on the bed, his head propped up in the palm of his hand as he watched his son sleep. He studied every detail about the face he had grown to know so well, this time with new adoration. His...son. Nathaniel had fallen asleep on the couch so Mark had carried him into his bedroom, knowing this had been a very exhausting night for the boy. He tenderly placed a kiss on Nathaniel's forehead before carefully getting out of the bed and walking silently out of the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Jaxine was staring out the window, her arms wrapped around herself, sighing heavily to herself. She was contemplating on what to do next. She couldn't leave the WWF, not when Nathaniel just found his father. But she wasn't sure if she should be Mark's personal assistant anymore, not with everything that transpired. Sighing heavily, Jaxine already had that answer. She would stay because of her son. She knew Mark wanted nothing to do with her, not after breaking his heart and all the emotional turmoil she'd put him through in the past few months. The thought made her head drop as she pressed her forehead against the glass, silent tears rolling down her face.

“He's asleep.” Mark said from behind her, having changed into a pair of loose shorts and a t-shirt. “He's exhausted.” He gently took her by the arms, turning her to face him, peering down intently in her face. “Jaxine, what do we do?” He asked softly, staring into her eyes. “About this? About Nathaniel? About us?” He whispered, tracing the curve of her chin with his finger.

“I don't know.” She whispered, not sure what to say to him or how to answer those questions. “I-I'm not leaving the WWF and I'm not leaving this job. You and Nathaniel can be close this way.” She sighed and leaned into his touch, knowing he was messing with her again. He had to be, like last time, which she deserved. “I'm sorry for everything I put you through.” She lowered her eyes and slowly closed them, another tear falling down her cheek.

“I wouldn't let you leave.” He said gravely, capturing a tear on his forefinger, staring down at it before popping his finger in his mouth. “Jaxine...was there anyone besides me?” He asked softly, staring down at her, watching her eyes slowly open. “When we were together, were we together or was that me being a fool?” He whispered.

“There was no one else.” She whispered truthfully, staring back into his emerald green eyes, pressing a hand against his chest over his heart, more tears falling. “You were the only one, Mark.” She swallowed hard, wondering why he wanted to know, feeling his finger trail from her chin slowly down her neck, her eyes never leaving his. She still loved him and always would.

Mark nodded, closing his eyes, a look of relief crossing his face. “Thank you.” He whispered, slowly opening his eyes and inclined his head forward, gently capturing her lips with his. “Jaxine, I still love you.” He murmured against her lips, confessing something he had promised he'd never say since laying his eyes on her when she had joined the WWF.

Her arms instantly wrapped around his neck, pressing herself against him, running her fingers through his silky black tresses, slowly pulling back and pressed her forehead against his. “I never stopped loving you, Mark.” She whispered, thinking she'd never be able to tell him that, rubbing her nose against his. Cupping his face with her hands as she kissed him again before hugging him tightly around the neck. “I'm sorry for hurting you.” She whispered against his skin, never wanting to let go of him again as long as she lived.

Mark just nodded, too intent on holding her against him, reveling in the feel of something he had missed for so long. He lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, needing to feel her weight against him, something solid and concrete that this wasn’t just some fantasy his brain was imposing on him. “I love you, Jaxine.” He murmured against her throat. “Always have, always will.”

Jaxine smiled against him and tilted her head back while his lips assaulted her neck, a soft moan escaping her lips. “I love you too, Mark, forever.” She breathed out, her hands clamping on his shoulders before sliding down his arms, whipping her head back up to stare back into his darkened green eyes. She rubbed her nose against his before kissing the side of his neck, her entire body trembling against him, having missed him more than words could say.

Before Mark could kiss her, he heard a voice clearing behind them and spun around, Jaxine still in his arms, spotting Nathaniel in the doorway, rubbing his eyes tiredly. “Yes, tiger?”

“What're you two doin'?” Nate yawned, still half asleep. “Kissin'?”

“Yep, do you mind that?”

“Not really.”

Jaxine smiled back at Mark, staring into his eyes, and kissed his lips once more before he set her down, walking over to her son, and hugged him tightly. “Come on sweetheart, let's get you back in bed.” She guided him back in Mark's bedroom and laid him down. He was exhausted as she kissed his forehead, seeing him instantly fall back asleep. She then walked back out, closing the door behind her and walked in the kitchen to get a glass of water, suddenly overheated.

He watched her, a smirk gracing his lips when he seen the flush in her cheeks and the way the water shook slightly in the glass. “What's wrong?” He asked in a casual voice, leaning against the counter and reaching out to push a stray strand of her hair behind her shoulder. “You're lookin'...red.” He tried to keep the smirk off his face, really he did.

Jaxine downed the entire glass of water before setting it in the sink, turning around to face him. “You know what's wrong.” She stated with a smirk, running a finger down his bare chest before walking away from him.

The way he touched her, made her feel. It nearly drove her insane. Her lips were still burning from their kissing and aching for more and she couldn't stop her pulse from quickening whenever he was around along with her heartbeat.

He watched her walk away, his green eyes narrowing on her swaying hips and licked his lips. Mark shook his head and grabbed her by the arm, spinning her around and capturing her lips in his. His kiss demanding, demanding she yield to him, love him, let him love her, all of it. He wanted all of her or none of it. Heart, body, mind and soul.

Jaxine completely melted against him, kissing him back just as demanding as the kiss grew to boiling hot. Her body was on fire and she could feel the heat pulsating through her pores. She slowly pulled back, his fingers in her hair before nodding, breathing heavily. Taking his hands in hers, Jaxine guided him into her room, closing the door behind her and stopped him when he came after her again.

“One condition.” When he raised his eyebrow, her eyes became perfectly serious. “No more blonde bimbos by the name of Rena Mero, are we clear?”

He couldn't stop a wicked smirk from crossing his face, staring down at her with an eyebrow raised in amusement. “Jealous, are we?” He purred, laughing softly at the expression on her face. “No more blondes by the name of Rena Mero.” He agreed, pulling her back into his arms. “That was a pretty dirty trick of mine, I'll admit it darlin'.” He conceded.

“So you did do it to make me jealous.” She giggled back at him, smiling softly into his eyes before kissing his lips hungrily, running her hands up and down his smooth, strong chest, a soft moan escaping her. It'd been over a decade since she'd had a man in her bed as Jaxine pulled back, the nervousness suddenly entering her blue eyes. “Mark, it's been so long...” She whispered, running her hands down his strong arms, loving how the muscles rippled beneath her touch, eyes darkening instantly.

He had to mentally slap himself in order to stop and focus on her words, blinking. “How long?” He asked, his voice rough with desire. His green eyes stared into her, seeing how nervous she was and sat on the edge of the bed, gently patting the space beside him. “Nothin' has to happen tonight, Jaxine, we have all the time in the world.” He soothed gently.

She slowly straddled his lap, wanting to be as close to him as she possibly could, and kissed him again softly. “The last time was with you before graduation.” She whispered against his lips, seeing his eyes widen, and slowly pulled back as the tears filled her own. “I couldn't be with anyone else, Mark. I had Nathaniel to raise and I was pregnant and it just...it never struck my mind. Jesus...it's been damn near twelve years since I've done something like this...” She sounded in near disbelief and blinked, raking a hand through her hair.

He could only stare at her, not believing that. Unable to believe it. She was a beautiful woman, desirable, surely he hadn't been her one and only after all this time? Seeing the seriousness in her face, he raked a hand through his own hair, still staring incredulously. He almost wished he could say the same thing, but he couldn't.

“We can wait.” He finally said, not sure what else he could say.

“If you want, but I for one have waited long enough.”

Jaxine then kissed him hard and passionately, guiding him to lay back on the bed, her hair falling around them as she ran her hand up and down his chest. Her lips attaching to his neck, the feelings and desire slowly coming back to her. It was like riding a bike, she never forgot and it was how he made her feel that was driving her to do this.

Mark almost felt like he was the one with lesser experience when she did that, growling and quickly rolling her onto her back, his hair falling down around them, forming a dark curtain surrounding their faces. “I'm just makin' sure, darlin'.” He said gruffly, pressing against her so she could feel how much he desired her. “I just want you to be sure this is what you want, Jaxine. That you want me, only me and not because you feel any obligations.”

“I've always wanted you, Mark.” She whispered, loving the dark curtain that surrounded them, and moaned as his lips captured hers once more.

Her hands ran down his chest, nail barely grazing flesh, and arrived at the elastic waistband of his shorts. She opened her mouth as his tongue dueled with hers and shoved them down his long, muscular legs, pulling back as she slowly began crawling up the bed, beckoning him with her finger. Her midnight blue eyes were now nearly black as she pulled her nightgown off over her head, tossing it to the floor, leaving her clad in just a pair of ivory panties. Mark removed his t-shirt, leaving him naked before her.

He pulled back to stare down at her, green eyes hungrily roaming over her body, hardly believing it had been untouched all this time. Almost as if just waiting for him to return. Smirking a bit at the thought, he ran his knuckles down the curve of her breast.

“Beautiful.” He murmured, leaning down to flick his tongue against her nipple, feeling it harden under his ministrations.

Every sensation exploded within her body as Jaxine melted into the bed, her fingers running through his hair while arching her back against his mouth and hot tongue. Her breathing was becoming ragged just feeling the heat of his body against hers, not believing he'd forgiven her for everything she'd done and said. She would never lie to him again and vowed never to let him walk out of her life without a fight as she pulled his face up to meet hers, kissing him demandingly.

Feeling her more then coming to life sent tremors coursing down his spine, his tongue caressing her lips, demanding access and groaned from the back of his throat, loving the sweet taste of her. He knew he would never be able to let her go after tonight, or walk away from her, not even if she asked him too. He was addicted to her. She was his drug and always had been.
Chapter 18

Jaxine moaned against his mouth, gripping his hair in her fingers as she pressed herself against him more, skin meeting skin being the most erotic feeling she could ever experience. She remembered the last time they were together, in her dorm room, he wasn't as big or strong as he was now, but he was still the most incredible lover she'd had. Before him, Jaxine had been with five other guys, none of them coming CLOSE to what Mark could do to her body. She felt his large hand slid down her body, across her breast, and down her stomach before feeling him cup her hot sex in his hand beneath her panties, gasping out and kissed him harder.

He broke the kiss to trail his lips down the side of her throat, humming gently as his mouth burned against her flesh, suckling gently, careful not to mar her beautiful skin. He used the hand not busy massaging her side to gently pull down her panties, feeling her legs bending to help and ran his palm up a smooth calf. Skimming fingertips just behind her knee and up her inner thigh, feeling the heat from her center as he got even closer.

“Mark...” She breathed out, running her hand from his hair down his shoulder and chest and back up again, using her nails to entice the sensations within his body, wanting him to feel exactly what she was feeling at that moment. His lips were so soft and tender against her skin, loving the feeling that overtook her body, the desire that coursed through her. She cried out softly when his thumb began rubbing her swollen bud, her thighs tensing while feeling his lips travel further down to her chest, flicking her other nipple with his tongue, giving it the same treatment as previous.

“Hmmm?” He murmured, a bit distracted with what he was doing, loving everything about her.

Her scent, the way she tasted, the way she felt. Jaxine would be very lucky if he ever let her out of this bed again. One long finger slipped between her folds, crooking into a 'come here' gesture, seeking out the sweet spot, wanting to make her cum harder then she had ever dreamed then do it all over again.

She could only moan, raising her hips slightly against him, her knees bending and planting her feet against the comforter, trembling at the sheer pleasure that overtook her. It felt exquisite as she buried her hand in her hair, gripping it as she tried focusing, trying to withdraw and hold back, wanting to make this last forever. Her eyes squeezed shut as she fought, gritting her teeth, a slow hissing sound breathing between her lips, her free hand trailing down to cover his as he worked his finger in and out of her methodically.

Feeling her hand on his, her guiding him sent his mind reeling. He loved a woman who knew what she wanted, his nostrils flaring as her scent filled his head, intoxicating him. “Enough.” He growled, pulling both their hands away, gripping her hips tightly and lowered himself further down on the bed. He met her eyes, midnight blue on deep green before lowering his head to taste her.

Jaxine cried out softly, her hands instantly burying in his hair, and arched her back against him. Her long black hair splayed around her on the pillow while his fanned over her stomach, her eyes shutting. “Mark, oh god please...” She moaned out, her chest rising and falling rapidly, writhing against him as her legs rested against his shoulders, spreading her thighs wider with his strong, muscular hands.

He held on tight to her hips, refusing to let her inadvertently buck him away, his tongue delving deep, lapping her juices like a man dying from thirst. He could feel her beginning to cum and worked her harder, moving his mouth to suck on her clit, alternating between gentleness and bordering on too intense for pleasure. Knowing the combination would almost be a sensory overload.

She couldn't take it as she whipped her head back and forth, pursing her lips together, gripping her hair in her hands, trying like hell to fight it. She could feel her orgasm building within her, her stomach clenching, thighs tensing, walls clamping around his tongue and cried out when he added a finger to add to the unimaginable sensation. “Ohhh...I can't...I can't take it...Oh god...” She trembled from head to toe, squeezing her eyes even tighter, face tightened as the pleasure washed over her.

“Yes, you can.” He murmured, running his broad tongue up and down her slit, drawing out the pleasure, torturing her. “Cum for me, Jaxine.” Mark whispered, plunging his tongue back in her, groaning as her juices coated his tongue. He held her firmly, his thumbs drawing circles on her hips, his eyes moving up her trembling body to watch her face, wanting to see her explode for him.

His voice in combination with what he was doing to her sent Jaxine over the edge as she cried out his name, her hot juices flowing into his greedy and very willing mouth. She fell back on the bed in a sweaty heap, swallowing hard, her chest rising and falling as her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest. “Oh fuck...” She gasped out, trembling as the aftershocks ran through her body.

Smacking his lips, Mark moved himself back up so he was laying over her, his elbows resting alongside her head. His tongue flicked out to lick his lips, staring down at her out of lusty green eyes. “What's for dessert?” He murmured, smirking when she blushed and bent down to kiss her collarbone, nudging a thigh between her legs, pressing against her.

“I missed you so much...” She whispered, pulling him on top of her, wanting to feel his weight. “Mark please, take me...” She pleaded, kissing him softly, wrapping her arms around his neck, tasting herself on his tongue. It turned her on more as she bent her knees up again, spreading her thighs for him, wanting him more than her own life at that moment. “I love you...” She whispered against his lips, her eyes staring into his when she said it, wanting him to know how much she meant it.

Mark caught her hands in his, bringing them to rest on his chest, right over his pounding heart. “It was always yers.” He murmured, bringing her hands to his lips, kissing them tenderly before drawing one of her legs around his waist, the other hand moving to her waist. He positioned himself against her, gritting his teeth so he didn't just thrust, wanting to ease her into this. Ten years plus was way too long.

Jaxine smiled tearfully and closed her eyes as he slowly began sliding inside of her, her walls accommodating his size as they stretched to the max, wrapping around him fully. Her eyes flew open as she stared at him, not believing how big he was. “Christ...I forgot how big you are...” She whispered out, the memories flowing back to her, feeling her thighs trembling against his waist as her hands gripped his forearms, swallowing hard. “Mark...” She moaned out, feeling completely full for the first time in years.

Talk about an ego booster. Mark gritted his teeth, his entire body tensing, forcing himself to not cum in her right then and there. “Hold still, darlin'. Gimme a minute.” He murmured, his voice rough and husky. When he could finally concentrate on something besides exploding, he opened his eyes, staring down at her. He smoothly pulled away from her, feeling her inner walls gripping him, trying to stop him before plunging back, sighing at the exquisite heat.

Ten years with no sex, it was as if Jaxine was losing her virginity all over again. The burning of her walls as they gripped his hardened shaft, the trembling, her heavy breathing, her heart thundering in her chest, pulse quickening and the all out physical sensation that coursed through her body...it was as if she was losing her innocence again. “Ohhh god don't stop...Mark, it feels so wonderful...” She breathed into his neck, pulling him further against her and planted her feet on the bedding, forcing him to drive deeper inside of her. It was an indescribable feeling, one she would never feel again, no matter how many times her and Mark did this in the future.

Mark couldn't have stopped under pain of death. He was too far gone in her, his body overriding anything his mind might have thought. “Christ, Jaxy...” He hissed, tossing his hair back over his shoulder, refusing to have anything blocking her beautiful face from his view. “Yer so damn tight, darlin'.” He whispered, grunting as she took him even deeper, snapping his hips forward.

Jaxine cried out when he plunged as far as he could inside of her before pulling back, only to do it again. “Harder...” She gritted out through her teeth and felt him wrap his arms around her, pulling her up as their chests crushed together, her legs wrapping around his waist, never sliding out of her. She cupped his face in her hands, passionately kissing him, feeling his hips snap back and forth in hard, sharp thrusts. Nodding her head as she pulled back, pressing her forehead to his as their fingers entwined together. He pulled her back and forth against him to intensify the thrusts, causing her senses to reel. “Mark!”

He couldn't speak, couldn't get a sound past his gritted teeth. Mark silenced her with a searing kiss, knowing if Nathaniel woke up, he'd probably go insane, refusing to let that happen. What he couldn't silence however was the sounds of flesh smacking flesh echoing throughout the room. “God, darlin', I'm close, so close!” He rasped, breaking the kiss for air and finding none. His world nothing, but the gorgeous woman writhing against him. She was sending him over the edge, spiraling out of control, fighting to stop it and dying to let go all at the same time, needing her to go over that edge with him.

Jaxine nodded as she met him thrust for thrust, feeling that burning sensation erupt in her body, the heat overtaking all senses, knowing she couldn't hold it in anymore. She crushed her lips against his, screaming out against them as she came against him, shuddering, her juices completely soaking him. She gripped the back of his neck to keep her balance, feeling him thrusting as hard, fast and deep as he possibly could, knowing his explosion was mere moments away.

Feeling her cumming for the second time this night was enough, he couldn't hold himself back. Increasing the tempo, Mark drove deeper and harder into her, letting out a loud curse as he came. His body rigid for a fraction of a second before shuddering, drawing a few more strokes, prolonging the intense pleasure for as long as he could. Electricity coursed through him, returning her kiss passionately, wrapping his arms around her and holding her as close to his massive body as possible.

Jaxine trembled against him as she felt him explode inside of her, her lips shaking and cupped his neck with her hands, refusing to break the kiss. She finally pulled away needing air to breathe and buried her face in his neck, coughing since she could barely breathe. Their hearts pounded as one as she ran her hand up his bare back to his hair, losing it in his tresses while trying to get her breathing back under control. She sighed as Mark guided them both down on the bed, the cool comforter feeling wonderful against her overheated skin, her eyes closed. She ran her fingers through his hair as he rested his head against her chest, opening her eyes to stare up at the ceiling, a soft smile on her face. She was home, she was finally back where she belonged.

Mark rolled onto his side, nestling her against him, running a hand lazily up and down Jaxine's spine, working on evening out his breathing. He finally kissed her temple, brushing her damp hair back over her shoulders. “I love you, Jaxy.” He murmured, pressing his forehead against hers, his eyes closed, just enjoying this moment. He could die happy, not that he planned too. They had so many more nights ahead of them, with their beautiful son.

“I love you too, Mark.” She whispered, kissing him softly and smiled as he pulled the comforter over them. She was content with feeling his weight on top of her, his arms around her waist, his breathing on her neck. That's how she fell asleep too, in his arms, where she'd dreamed of being for the past decade.

~*~*~*~

“Nathaniel, would you stop whining and just do this for me?” Jaxine pleaded, staring at her sixteen year old son, not believing how much he looked like Mark, except the dishwater blonde hair, which was neatly cut short. He was wearing a black leather vest with black jeans and a silver belt, black boots on his feet. They were currently throwing him a sweet sixteen birthday party and all he wanted to do was go check out his gift from his father, a motorcycle.

“Mom, c'mon, I gotta be the only guy to have a sweet sixteen party.” Nathaniel groaned, not believing she had done this, his green eyes straying to the Harley. “Just one little ride, please?”

Mark shook his head, watching the pair go back and forth, Nate towering over his mother and smirked slightly. “Nate, you’ll have plenty of time to ride that thing, now make yer momma happy and put on a smiley face.”

“Aw hell, not you too.”

“Nate, please listen to mom.” Caitlyn stated, crossing his arms in front of her chest, standing there like a typical five year old with an attitude. She had long red hair and midnight blue eyes, looking more like her mom than anything.

Jaxine sighed heavily and rolled her eyes, holding the cake up to him. After that one night together, Mark had excellent aim because Jaxine ended up pregnant with their daughter. They named her Caitlyn Lee Callaway and Jaxine had Mark's last name added to Nathaniel's on his birth certificate. It was just the four of them, her blue eyes pleading with him. She smiled when he blew out the candles and groaned when he kissed her forehead and bolted out to the garage.

“I'm going to kill you for buying that for him.” She muttered, setting the cake down that was cut in the shape of a Harley and sat down at the table.

“A truck would've been too damn cliché.” Mark replied innocently, his green eyes sparkling with pure happiness. He heard the engine roar to life and flinched, the squealing of tires echoing around them and raked a hand through his hair looking sheepish. “I guess I shoulda warned him not to be doin' that.”

“You're gonna be in BIG trouble, daddy.” Caitlyn informed him in an adult tone of voice, trying to emulate her mother.

“You're lucky I love you, my dear husband.” Jaxine pressed her lips to his, smiling softly in his eyes, knowing he would do anything for her and their children.

After finding out they were having another baby, Mark proposed to Jaxine, wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. Jaxine had been skeptical at first, not wanting to marry him just because of the kids. Mark assured her he loved her with everything in him and the kids were an added bonus, which made her laugh. They were married in a small ceremony in Mark's backyard in Houston, Texas, where all four now lived. It was simple, black and midnight blue for the colors, only a party of about twenty or so with a small reception afterwards. She'd been six months pregnant and they had a beautiful honeymoon at home, not wanting to be anywhere else. It was their paradise.

“Luckiest man alive.” He murmured back, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. He ignored his daughter's pained groans of disgust, winding his hands in Jaxine's beautiful tresses, tilting her head back to study her face. “I love you.” He said softly, his green eyes not hiding anything from her. His eyes were the window to his soul and she held the key to his heart, all of what he was, was hers. It always would be.

Jaxine's eyes lit up when her son walked back in, knowing he would never let her down, tears in her eyes. “You came back.” She kissed the top of his head and stared into his eyes that mirrored his father's before guiding him over to the table. The four sat down together as a family while Jaxine cut the cake, giving them each a piece. Being with Mark and going through all she had made Jaxine realize that it was never too late to have her happily ever after. This was it. Mark and their children. They were finally a family and Jaxine was the happiest she'd ever been in her life.

The End.