Do It With A Flair

"Fuck."

As soon as I got home and saw that someone had left a message on my machine, I got this really disgusting feeling in the pit of my stomach. Ya know like when you've just eaten a chili cheese dog and now you're on the double ferris wheel at the fair? Yeah. That's the one. I dropped my purse on the table in the living room, bent over to scoop up my terrier Burlap and took a deep breath. Hesitantly I pressed that annoying flashing button.

BEEP

"Hey, Molls! I got that CD you wanted. It's behind the counter, so when you come to pick it up, be sure to tell Nathan that it's back there. Ciao, bella." The breath left my lungs in a rush as soon as I'd heard Julio's voice. I should've known it was nothing to worry about! I quickly scanned through the next three messages. There was one from Stephanie, reminding me about the report I needed to turn in next week, one from my best friend Nora saying that she'd call back later and one from my dad.

"Hi, pumpkin. Just wanted to leave you this message to call me if you need anything. Oh, and Randy said to tell you tha--" His voice abruptly ended, signaling the last of the messages. I cursed loudly and unplugged the phone from the wall. I was bound and determined that I wasn't going to have my nice relaxing bath interrupted by any unwanted phone calls.

I dropped Burlap to the ground and got a half-hearted growl from the old mutt. Unbuttoning my jacket as I went up the stairs I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something terribly important. I put it off to nerves, figuring my little run-in with Randy had left me somewhat jumpy. Okay, more than SOMEWHAT jumpy. Very jumpy. Oh hell, who was I kidding? The man had been playing havoc with my hormones for the last seven years!

Growling in frustration, I grabbed an old tank top and pair of shorts and headed into the bathroom adjacent to my bedroom. I'd bought my house as soon as I'd graduated from college, much to my father's dismay. I think he must've had some wild idea that I'd still live with him. But after having the luxury of freedom for the last few years, I knew that living with dad was going to be out of the question. I'd looked at several houses that were beautiful in their own right, but just not my style. Then, as soon as I saw this one, I knew, KNEW I'd found home.

It was a newly remodeled Victorian "monstrosity" as my father put it. The tall columns outside made me think of southern plantations and the wide mahogeny staircase in the front hall just screamed "Gone With The Wind." I'd modernized it somewhat, installing new kitchen equipment and a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, but aside from that, it had pretty much stayed the same.

As I ran the water for my bath and dropped in a few of the lavender fizzy tablets that Stephanie had gotten me the last time she went to Paris, my thoughts returned to Randy. God, but he'd filled out nice! He'd looked like a much buffer and bigger version of the boy I'd fallen in lo-- the boy I'd thought about often, I quickly corrected myself. While I stripped out of my suit, my mind wandered back to a time, nearly five years ago... the last time I'd seen Randy.

Flashback


I grunted as I pushed up on the 195lb.weight that skimmed my chest. Conditioning had NEVER been this intense before! But having your best friend call you and tell you that she'd gone out with the guy you'd privately considered "Yours" well.....it made a girl want to do something strenuous. And since dad had already told me that if I rammed another car because the person in it "couldn't drive", or because I'd heard something I didn't like on my cellphone voicemail, he'd pull me out of school and make me go back on the road with him, I tended to take my frustrations out in the weight room. "My insurance DOES NOT cover PMS, Molly."

I finished my twelveth rep and sat up, burnt out for the day. I'd been working out since noon and it was already a little after 5 pm. Wiping my face with the driest end of my towel, I stood and stretched. Time to hit the showers and then get home as quickly as possible. I had a hot date with Ben & Jerry and a pint of Chunky Monkey. Grabbing my bag, I started off towards the shower when a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Still working without a spotter, I see."

I froze. It couldn't be. I had JUST spoken to Steph that afternoon and she'd said that she had gone out with him the night before. That was a good 400 miles from my school, not that he'd have any reason to be here in the first place. I turned slowly and my breath caught in my throat. My God, how was it possible that he looked THAT good?!?!?!? His short brown hair was mussed, as though he'd been running his hands through it in an agitated fashion. The black polo shirt he wore brought out the intense blue of his gaze and set off the golden tan that touched his body. And what a body, too! Muscles. That's all I could think. Muscles. The sleeves of his shirt were tight around his biceps, as though they could barely restrain them. The material was stretched tight across a broad chest and tucked into the narrow waist of INCREDIBLY snug jeans. My god, he HAD to have spray painted them on. I swallowed hard and licked my lips, hoping I didn't look as hungry as I felt. But my mouth and lips had suddenly become dry and if I were to speak without making a fool of myself, I had to moisten them. I took a deep breath and tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Still making obvious observations, I see."

Randy Orton laughed as he pushed off from the door frame he'd been leaning against. "Gee, I've missed you too, Flair." I arched an eyebrow in his driection, but didn't move from my spot. He stopped a mere inch from me, his smell intoxicating my senses until all I wanted to do was bury myself in his arms and kiss him for all he was worth. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his mouth as he spoke softly, reaching out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. "REALLY missed you."

I laughed wryly and took a step away from the gentle brush of his fingertips. "So, lemme guess, you going out with Steph made you feel closer to me, is that it? I mean, she IS my best friend and all...." for a split second I thought I'd seen confusion flash in his eyes. But as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone to be replaced by that familiar and infuriating smirk.

"Jealous, Flair?"

I gave a very UN-ladylike snort and turned away, heading once again toward the showers. I should've known better than to think he'd ever meant anything by what he'd said to me those last few days before I'd left for college. And after all, it HAD been almost three years ago.....

"You wish, Orton. Why don't you go on over to the Kappa Delta house, Randy? After all, those ARE the easiest girls on campus...right up your alley." The next thing I know, I'm being whirled around and pulled tight against the chest of one VERY pissed off man. Boy. Whatever the hell he was classified as now. I looked up into eyes clouded with fury. Damn, but he was getting me all hot and bothered with this whole take charge thing!

"Watch your mouth, little girl." I couldn't help it. I laughed at that one.

"Little girl?" I jerked out of his grasp, crossing my arms over my sweaty shirt. "If you'll remember, SWEETHEART, I'm older than you."

Randy's eyes clouded over and all of the sudden, I could've SWORN that the temperature in the room went up to over a hundred degrees.He snatched me to him again, this time, his grip punishing. "That may be SWEETHEART, but I don't take comments like that from anyone. Not my father, not my brother, not any of the guys.....and I sure as HELL don't take them from you!" I had never seen Randy look as angry as he did right then. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just the slightest bit frightend of him at that moment. He must have been able to tell, because almost instantly his touch gentled on my arms and the hardness left his face. He sighed heavily and dragged me to him. I couldn't move, too shocked by his little outburst to really do anything.

"I'm sorry, Molly." His words snapped me out of my stupor and I shoved away from him, crossing my arms, once again over my chest.

"Just...go, Randy." I turned and started back toward the showers.

"Molly, wait, please." I stopped, but didn't turn around. It annoyed me to no end that I was starting to tear up and I refused to let him see me that way. I hadn't cried in front of him in the hospital three years ago and I wasn't about to start now. I heard him approach and stood there, stiff as a board. I'd be lying if I didn't say a BIG part of me wanted to do nothing more than throw myself in his arms. But, damnit, I was a Flair and pride was always in our way. A large warm hand took hold of my arm and turned me gently towards him. I looked up at him and all of my good intentions of not crying vanished. With a strangled sob, I jerked out of his grasp, horrified at what I thought was pity reflecting in his eyes.

"Do us BOTH a favor, Randy, and pretend this never happen." and without looking back I went into the women's lockeroom and bawled like a baby.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A sudden pounding on the front door shook me from my thoughts. I'd sunk down as far as I could in the tub, before leaning back my head and taking that little journey down memory lane.Now, as the water cooled and my hands were becoming pruny, I glanced at the clock on the far wall, surprised to see that an hour had passed. The pounding on the door continued,effectively pissing me off.

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I'M COMING, DAMNIT!" I yelled as I jumped out of the tub and pulled the drain. I towled off quickly and threw on the clothes I had brought with me to change into. Whoever was at the door was an insistant little shit, I thought as I ran down the stairs. I threw open the door and almost fell over. Randy's hand was poised to knock again and as soon as I opened the door, it fell to his side. He looked down, almost shy and stuck his hands in his pockets. Yeah, THAT really helped my train of thought! It drew my attention to his pants, a place that was definitely better off without my observation.

"What are YOU doing here?" I asked coldly.

"Why yes, I'd LOVE to come in, Molly, thanks for asking!" Randy pushed past me to the foyer. I grunted and swung the door shut, making sure to put a little more force than was necessary behind it. It was REALLY starting to get on my nerves the way he seemed to just waltz into my life whenever and WHEREver he felt like it. As he stood taking in vastness of my home, though, I couldn't help but look him over for what seemed like the millionth time that day. Would I EVER get tired of looking at the man?

"Nice place."

"Thanks". My arms wrapped themselves around my waist, a defesive gesture from my years living with my grandparents. I stared at him, waiting for an explanation as to why he was standing in my foyer. "Well?"

Randy turned around and the look on his face almost made me crumble. I'd seen this man angry, happy, cocky (which was more often than not), agitated....but I'd never seen him look sad. The pain that radiated from his gorgeous blue eyes seemed to pack a mean punch as I felt it hit me square in the gut. He ran a hand through his short dark hair, almost in a hestiant way. Well, that was new. "Look Molly, I really think we need to talk."

I decided to play it cool. The last thing I wanted to do was let on to Randy how much I'd been thinking about him these last few years. I snorted derisively. "Well, Randy, I really don't see any reason that we should." I didn't budge from my stance at the door. I could tell it was starting to get on his nerves, so I sent him a small smirk thinking that he'd take the hint and leave. "I said all I had to say this evening at the office. So, if you don't mind I have to get ready..."

His head jerked up at that comment and there was a fiery gleam in his eyes. "Get ready?" I rolled my eyes. I knew that he assumed I meant 'get ready' for a date, but far be it from me to correct his assumption. After all, you know what they say when you assume things.

"Are you deaf now too, Orton? Yes, I said 'get ready'." He took a step forward and before I could stop myself, I'd retreated a step, effectively backing myself up against the door.

"Going somewhere?" I swallowed...HARD. This was something I wasn't used to. I wasn't used to seeing jealousy on Randy Orton's face, much less directed at ME. I raised my head defiantly. He had no claim over me. There was absolutely no reason on earth I should back down from that gaze.

"As a matter of fact...."

DING DONG

"Saved by the bell, " I mutterd sarcastically. I turned to open it, hoping against hope it was Nora or Steph. Wouldn't ya know, it would HAVE to be Shane?

"Hiya, buttercup!" he grinned and swept me up in a great big hug. I could almost FEEL the anger coming off Randy in waves. So what? I thought to myself as I squealed when Shane picked me up to swing me back and forth in his arms, let him think what he wants.

"Shane! When did you get back?" I asked, happily taking his hand to draw him into the foyer. He'd left three weeks ago to attend a meeting for his father in Japan and must've JUST gotten back. He stepped inside, the smile slipping immediately into a frown upon seeing Randy there.

"Am I interrupting anything?" he asked, looking back and forth between Randy and me. I shook my head.

"No, actually Randy was just leaving, weren't you, Randy?" I asked, with barely controled steel in my voice. He arched a brow, as if to say,'This isn't over yet' and turned to hold out a hand to Shane.

"Not by a long shot. Hello, Shane. Good to see you again." Shane took the pro-offered hand warily. Instead of replying to Randy's obviously false comment, he dropped the younger man's hand and turned to me.

"Everything alright, Molls?" I nodded and took his arm, creating a united front, so to speak, against Randy. "I just dropped by to see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat and catch a movie..." I smiled broadly at Shane. I really was going to have to do something really nice for him one of these days....he was always getting my ass out of trouble.

"Sure! Just let me throw on some clothes..."

"What about your 'headache' Molly?"

Randy's quietly asked question caught me momentarily off guard. I smiled at the concerned look that crossed Shane's face and patted his arm reassuringly. "It's alright. I just had a little headache earlier, that's all." I turned to look at Randy, whose position by the door had yet to change. "I'm fine now."

He nodded and an odd look crossed his face before being replaced by one of those arrogant smirks. "Well, just stopped by for Ric to check on you." He glanced down at his watch. "I've gotta be going. I'm meeting Sasha in about half an hour." And with that he simply walked out, leaving me clinging to Shane's arm as if he were my lifeline. As soon as the door fell shut behind him, Shane slipped his arm from my grasp.

"Okay Molly. What the hell was HE doing here?"