What They Don't Know Won't Hurt Them...

"Dave please...."

He began to sit up, pulling her up with him and pulling her into his lap. She fought him slightly. She hadn't wanted him to look at her the way she knew he would. She didn't want to explain. Her heart beat had began to increase again. Alex shivered a bit as her skin touched the cold air in the room again. Dave noticed, pulling her close to keep her warm and keep her close long enough to get answers to his questions. "Okay my dear, now that I have your undivided attention.... Why, pray tell, did Dwayne Johnson call you this damn early in the morning? Last time I checked retired wrestlers don't call and give the boss' daughter calls this early unless they are hiding something." Alex sighed, trying to look anywhere but at him but using one arm to hold her he used the other to cup her face and lead her gaze in his direction, "No hiding from me kid. I don't like secrets."

She tried to study his face, doing her best to see if she can figure out his gaze on her. Underneath her bottom, she felt a slight twitch, knowing well enough that he'd awoken with a stiff member. Dave for his part was attempting to ignore it but having her in his arms made it difficult as he hoped she'd begin to talk so he could get his mind off of her.

Alex still hesitated to talk until she finally felt the words inside her spill out. "You think I don't know? How everyone... hell even you, wonders who is Amy's father? Don't you think that I know all the silly rumors? Hell every time I'm in gorilla waiting around or watching I hear whispers."

He began to realize where the conversation was heading but he didn't push, letting her rest her head against his chest as she continued. "Dwayne had separated from Dani by the time we met. It's not like I expected to love him but I did. I loved him. I gave him everything I could of me and it backfired. I was the dutch boy with his finger in the dam." Her tears had begun to form, falling down her cheeks as she blinked. Dave brushed them away with his free hand. "He didn't know. I can be mad at him all day but he didn't know. Maybe I'm to blame. I should have told him I was pregnant too."

"Too?"

"He was leaving me. Because Dani was pregnant. It's why I never got the chance to tell him. I got tongue tied."

"How long had you known?"

She laughed a little, taking advantage of his loosened grip on her. She shifted, rubbing her eyes. "Not too long. About 2 to 3 hours."

"God...."

"When I had Amy... God she was so tiny Dave. I was taking a small rest when he came in. He kissed her, kissed me thinking I was asleep. A while ago, when he came to Titan to talk to my father about the end of his contract he saw her. He'd known, three years and he hadn't come looking. And now after one chance meeting with her.... Dave I had sex with him in my office. I don't even know why. I gave in. I shouldn't have and I did. Now he wants more and I can't...."

Dave began to pull her down with his body, lying her down on her back. She balanced himself over her with one hand, looking down into her big brown eyes. "What does he want?," he asked, rubbing her thigh softly, her legs still swung over his lap.

"New York. When we get to New York he wants to see Amy. He'll be backstage."

Dave shook his head, "You don't have to let him see her Alex. She's your baby. You get to decide."

"He has a right...."

"To go fuck off," he answered, smiling down at her.

"You smell, go brush your teeth or something. I'll have no more of this taking advantage of me when I'm drunk."

"Hey hey," he teased, pinching her sides, "I promised no sexing you up. I did as I promised."

"Thank You. I can't be everyone's mistress," she said in an attempt to see his reaction, half regretting her decision and half not at all.

"No... not everybody's.... just maybe--"

Their cellphones went off, almost in unison. It broke them from their spells, both getting up instantly. Their eyes linked for an instant as they both looked at the caller IDs and then at each other.

"Angela?"

"Hey Kurt."

~~~~

New York was nothing like Miami, a bit cold compared to the sunny skies in Miami. Alex entered the arena a little later than usual, speaking into her cell phone at a million words per second. "Those numbers need to go up or that product gets cut, end of story. James please make sure the copies get sent to my father. I have other things here that need to be taken care of. Please call me if there are any concerns." She hated phone calls like those. But her mind was erased from any bad thoughts the second she heard the squeal she'd missed. "Mooooooooooooooooooooom!"

Alex dropped everything, figuring she needed a new laptop anyways, and dropped to Amy's level, sweeping her up into her arms. "Kid I missed you so bad," she said to Amy, giving her daughter quick kisses all over her face. "Let me look at you." Amy knew it was her cue to stand in front of her, arms wide open to her sides with her small goofy smile. You brush your teeth and shower and brush your hair and pick up around grandma's and do your homework?"

"Yes!"

"Good, glad to hear my kid is a champ. Where's your Grandma?"

Amy took Alex's bag, dragging it behind her towards the offices in which her mother and father were reuniting. "Hey Mom. How was the flight?"

"Amy kept us nice and chilly playing with those buttons. How are you dear?" Linda hugged Alexis tightly, holding her in front of her to study her.

"Tired today but I've been well. Hoping you can convince Dad not to send me out there tonight."

Vince laughed, sitting down on a chair, hugging his granddaughter, "Too bad kid. You agreed to finally be on-air talent. But... well I had other news."

Alexis raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Pray tell, what is it?"

"I am supposed to be waiting until we are back at Titan. However, I want to tell you that you will no longer have a active roll in Marketing and Merchandise."

"Wait, what? Why not? Dad I said I wasn't doing on-air full time.... And I swear last time I checked our numbers are good and...."

"What did you major in Alex?"

"I... in Public Relations. My minor was Marketing."

"We need you in Public Relations. I think you got your feet wet in Marketing and it's time you start doing what we planned on all along. You'll still have a role in those areas but your main focus will now be the public relations."

"Dad... Really?"

"Yes. Happy?"

"God... you have no idea. Thank you. Thank you so much I promise I'll do a great job and--"

Vince laughed as he got up, pulling Alex into a tight hug, "Kid, you can do anything."

~~~~

Amy wouldn't leave Alex's side all night. She'd sat on her lap when she got hair and makeup done, she'd sat on her lap in the office. Now in gorilla before heading out to the arena, Amy was being a pain to seperate from. "Amy please, I just need 5 minutes to go out there and say something and you can watch me do it right here okay?"

"Can I come too?"

Alexis sighed, trying to figure out how to explain it to Amy in a better way in 5 minutes until she saw arms pick Amy up and swing her about. Dave was laughing, covering Amy in kisses. "Kiddo you are just too cute. Let Mom go do something important and you stay here with me."

"Thanks Dave, I swear your girls are lucky to have you."

"Amy is lucky to have you too Al. Go out there, I can hear Vince yelling up a storm."

Alex couldn't describe the feeling to hear the music picked by Stephanie to signal her entrance and the clapping and cheering. As much as she hated to admit it, she got goosebumps yelling at Vince. "This might get fun," se thought to herself. As she got more comfortable up there she looked to her right, seeing not just one familiar face, but three. Two she hadn't expected. Luckily Vince was talking when she saw Dwayne with his wife and daughter, Kaila, avoiding a nasty slip of the tongue or a stutter. She did a good job at pretending nothing was wrong, finishing flawlessly. When she'd returned to the back she was congratulated by everyone who had gathered to tell her she'd done well. She was hugging her brother when she managed to catch Dave's eyes. He could tell automatically she wasn't thrilled. Eventually, after all the hugs, she felt Dave lead her aside. "What's going on?"

Alex started rubbing Amy's back who was busy playing with Dave's ear. It had always been a wonder Amy was like that with Dave. She was only like that with certain men, mainly Vince, Shane and Paul. There were rare occasions when she loved hanging off Mark's neck. Glenn could swing her around for days. Matt Hardy was another person she loved to play with. But then there were others who couldn't get the kid to stop being her usually shy self. Letting those thoughts go for a second she lowered her voice. "Dwayne is here."

"Saw him walking around earlier. What about it? You knew he'd be here."

"Guess who he brought."

Dave's face was blank for a bit until the light-bulb went off in his mind, "Kidding?"

"No lie. Damn asshole."

Amy laughed hysterically at the word, poking Dave's face, "Mommy called you an asshole Dave!"

"No no bug, she called someone else a asshole. Good thing my match is over, I can stay with you while Dwayne sees her."

They were walking in a hallway towards catering when she saw the scene. Dwayne, along with his daughter and wife, were standing in the catering area, saying Hello to everyone in the room, introducing them to his family. She suddenly went into panic mode, turning to Dave and Amy with a sick look. "God... Okay, no way. Get her away from here please? Just take her to my office and I'll be there to take her to the hotel."

"So no Kurt tonight?"

"This isn't exactly the time Dave."

"Well is he going to be staying with you two?"

"No, he'll be next door. Dave I've been with him for a while now. Ever plan on stopping your whole Anti-Kurt campaign?"

"Never."

"Well let's try again later shall we? Off you two go."

"Actually... not so much. Dwayne is on his way here."

"What?"

Alexis turned around to see Dwayne, who had left Dani and his daughter with some of the wrestlers to come towards Alex. She couldn't help but scowl, not worried anyone would notice. He didn't let her say anything, speaking as quickly and quietly as possible. "Dave, hey man. Nice to see you. Mind letting me talk to Alexis real quick? Maybe take Amy to see my daughter. They should meet."

"No, Dave take Amy to my office."

Dwayne tried to make eyes at Alex, still unaware Dave's knowledge of the whole situation but Dave decided to not tiptoe around the elephant between them. "Hey Aims, do your Mom a favor, go to that table where Matt is sitting. I think he wanted you to go say Hello."

"Okay! Hi Dwayne, bye." She began to wiggle out of Dave's arms and as she ran past him, Dwayne let his hand fall to his side, roughing up her hair a bit as she left. All three of them turned to the table she headed towards, Matt, Amy- who Alex and Amy called Lita when Amy was around because as young as Amy was she couldn't understand someone sharing her name and got confused- and Jeff turning their attention to her hugs.

Finally Dwayne looked back at Dave and Alex, "Dave you mind?"

"Yeah man, I do. I don't leave unless Alex wants me to."

Dwayne smiled slyly, looking down and then back up at Alex. "Thought you were seeing Kurt."

"I AM Dwayne. Don't be a smart ass. Dave is my friend. Better one than you ever were."

"We were MORE than friends Alex, guess Dave knows all about it too. Does Kurt?"

It was the first time she'd thought of the possiblity she'd have to explain Amy's birth to Kurt. He hadn't shown any interest in finding out yet. "No he doesn't Dwayne. Does Dani?" Her eyes turned to Dani who was looking at Amy. Alex's heart sped up a little, fearing that Dani would see the signs Vince had seen. "You never said you were bringing them Dwayne. How the hell did you think I'd be okay with this?"

His instinct was to reach out for her hand but re-thinking the idea he raised his hand to his head, trying his best to keep quiet. "I didn't plan on it Alex. Dani suddenly thought she should tell Kai that I was coming to New York and... they just ended up coming."

"Fine then. I'm getting Amy and leaving. We had dinner plans anyways and...."

"Please just let me spend SOME time with her Alex?"

"How can I? Dani and Kaila are here Dwayne. How are you going to explain it?"

"Dwayne?"

They all turned their attention to Dani, carrying her daughter, approaching them with a broad smile, "You must be Alexis. We never met. Hello, I'm Dwayne's wife."

If there was any time in her life she wanted to be somewhere else, that was the moment. Not only was it awkward but it happened to be very uncomfortable. Alex tired her best to pull her face into a smile, reaching out to shake Dani's hand, "Yes, Alexis McMahon, pleasure." She noticed Amy running running back, attacking Dave's leg and looking up with a smile at Alex.

"Mom, Dave's not wrestling with me backs!"

Alex sighed as Dave picked Amy up, pinching her check, "Not now Amy, you ready to go to the hotel? Tired?"

"No! I want to stay."

It was a wonder to Alex how when she needed Amy to say "Yes" she'd say the opposite. She heard Dani begin to speak and she tried her best not to look petrified. "Is this your daughter?"

"Yeah, Amy want to say hello to Dwayne's wife?"

"'Allo."

"Hello beautiful. Kaila, say hello?" This was the first time Alex had ever seen Kaila in person and she was fully aware of just how much she and Amy looked alike. She cursed Dwayne's genes in her mind as the little girl quickly ducked her head into Dani's shoulder shyly. "Sorry, she's a bit tired. She's not used to all this. Thank God Dwayne is done with the constant traveling. Couldn't do it anymore, Kaila missed him alot. So did I."

"Well glad for you. I'm so sorry but you'll have to excuse us. Time to take her back or she'll be cranky as hell tomorrow."

"Noooooooo! No bed," Amy roared.

"Need me to go with you Alex?," Dave asked.

Dwayne began to feel his jealously begin to grow, realizing what Alex was ignoring. The fact that he had not just Kurt after Alex but Dave was a little much. But then he had to deal with Amy sitting happily in someone else's arms and treating Dave in a way he wasn't too happy to watch.

"Please can Dave come?"

"Amy we're having dinner with Kurt. Remember Kurt?"

Amy's face grew a bit disappointed, "Mom but I want DAVE to come."

"Tomorrow we're all having breakfast together then okay? With you Uncle Paul and Shane and Auntie Rissa and Stephie. Grandma and Grandpa too. Like at home. Cool?"

"And Dave?"

"Yes and Kurt. Happy now? Good, let's go." She took Amy from Dave's arms who reluctantly let go. "Love ya Dave. Tomorrow morning then."

"Tomorrow."

"You know," Dani said, interrupting Alex and Dave's goodbyes, "We'll be in New York a little longer, how about you?"

Alex realized she was directing the question towards her and answered, "Yeah, then heading for Smackdown, why?"

"Kaila and Amy should have a play date. Like at the park? Or Zoo?"

"Oh um...," but before Alex could politely decline, Amy decided it was in her best interest to squeal in delight at the idea. Alex made a stern face at Amy before turning back to Dwayne and Dani, "I guess maybe an hour in the park tomorrow wouldn't hurt anyone. Say 12? Dwayne I think you have my cell number. Call me. Dave, want to come? Kurt has some interview then some other thing."

"No problem." Dave understood her intention when asking him to come, not wanting to be left alone with Dwayne and Dani with no one to turn to. They'd discussed earlier that week that Alex had decided not to tell anyone she was allowing Dwayne to see Amy, knowing her family's reactions wouldn't exactly be understanding or may just confuse her feelings more.

"Okay then," Alex said, taking a deep breath, "Dinner time Aims. Let's go."

"Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee!," Amy called as she was carried out the door by her mother.

"Amy Lizzie McMahon, you are no help sometimes you know?"

Unfortunately she didn't. She also wasn't too happy to be having dinner with a man she barely knew an hour later. They were all sitting in the hotel room at a table eating, Alex and Kurt talking to each other as Amy starred at Kurt with small eyes. She much rather would have liked to eat with her Uncles or Grandfather. Dave would have been another fun choice, as well as Jeff or Matt or Glenn or Mark or Chris. Anyone. Not him. He didn't pay attention to her any other man around all the time did. She couldn't understand how so many men were always around, yet none were her Dad. Worst of all, she couldn't understand why of all the men, she was having dinner with Kurt. Finally, realizing she hadn't thought of it before, she spoke up for the first time since being told broccoli was her friend (which she still didn't buy either), "Kurt are you my Dad? Is that why you are here?"

Alex choked a little on her food, wide eyed as she looked at Amy. "Amy! Why would you...?"

"Well?"

Kurt laughed a little, shaking his head, "No kiddo, sorry to say I am not. That could change though...."

Alex cleared her throat while Amy, annoyed that she hadn't figured out why Kurt was there went back to eating and Alex turned her attention to Kurt, "We talked about this."

"We actually didn't. You told me to 'Shut up' and that it's quite too soon and all that."

Alex smiled, "So then we discussed it. Not happening Kurt. You... you barely know me."

"I know you. We can make this work Alex. I love you."

Alex didn't know how to answer, turning her eyes towards Amy who upon hearing those words looked at her mother for an explanation. She couldn't describe her feeling for Kurt. Her family had certainly warmed up to him, or atleast half of them had. Shane and Paul were still iffy on the situation. She'd grown to love Kurt. Love his affection towards her, his company, his drive. She'd always assumed that her love for Dwayne almost 4 years back was it, true love. Alex had believed she'd never find anyone else. Then there was the constant feelings of love towards Dave. It was yet another feeling she tried ignoring because of ties that kept him away from her in her mind. She didn't need another Dwayne situation, having decided friends was as far as she'd push it. There was really nothing to stop her from loving Kurt, she did love him. She just wasn't sure that love was the one he wanted. Finally, after a long silence, she answered the only way she could, taking a risk, "I love you too."

He hadn't stayed the night, although after that moment he'd wanted to. Alex wanted the night alone with Amy, missing her daughter's tiny arms around her neck as they slept. The next morning felt like she was back home, Amy running amock and trying her best to wake her up at a ridiculous time to watch cartoons. After showers and a little wait for a slow rising Kurt they had left the hotel along with Paul, Stephanie, and Dave to Shane and Marissa's New York penthouse.

"Damn this place is quite too fancy," Alex said as she pulled off Amy's coat before she ran off to play with her cousin.

"When are you looking for your place?," asked Marissa, giving her a tight squeeze before taking her coat and Amy's from her hands.

"Tomorrow. Today is relax day. Tomorrow I'll take Amy with me before she and Mom go back home and we head to Smackdown. God, that reminds me that in two weeks it's someone's B-I-R-T-H day. We're all going back home for that right?"

Vince looked up from the paper as everyone began to sit down, "I assumed so. Have the party planned out yet?"

"Oh yeah, Atleast 300 pink and purple balloons and a bunch of princess outfits. The cake looks like a castle, it's cute. Mom picked the cake. Then I had like 50 invitations to send out which remiiiiiinds me...." Before sitting down she headed back to the living room, grabbing invitations, and walked back to the dining room. "Here. Shane... Steph, and Dave. Good. That was taken care of."

"You act like not getting one of these would have stopped me from attending," Paul laughed, looking the invitation over, "Stephanie and I got her something good."

"Shit! A present! I have no idea what she wants this year except...."

~~~~

"Thanks for inviting my girls Alex," Dave said as they helped Amy into the car that would be taking them to the park.

"Why wouldn't I? Haven't seen them in ages. Plus Amy loves them. She gets tired of playing with her cousins. Shane keeps giving Riss a bunch of boys." She sat next to Amy, making sure her seat belt was on right, before looking up to the driver that it was okay to drive.

"Angela will come too you know."

"I figured. She isn't still all peeved about me right? I know she never liked me."

Dave laughed, rubbing her knee, "She doesn't like any Diva."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "I'm not a Diva. I'm just talent."

"Stephanie is a Diva."

"She should be she's beautiful."

The comment surprised him a bit, "So are you."

"Eh. I just don't see what everyone else does." She looked at him and smiled a little before continuing, "I know I'm not ugly. I'm fully aware of it. But I just don't think I live up to all the hype. I'm just like everyone else in the world."

"Yeah, rich, talented, funny, gorgeous, not a fake thing on you...."

Alex laughed, assuming he was alluding to Stephanie's fake knockers. "Not my fault. My birth mother must have had some huge ones because I swear Stephanie got unlucky in that area. Well she did what she wanted to do. It's not like before she got them done she was horrid looking."

"Alex, mind if I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Alex have you met your mom?"

"You have. We just had breakfast with her."

"You know what I mean Alex."

Alex took a deep breath, playing with her necklace, the same one given to her on her 18th birthday. "I think so. I was little. Amy is about to be four but I think I was about 5-ish. I could hear arguing downstairs and I was supposed to be sleeping. I had snuck into Shane's room after a bad dream but they arguing woke me up. I sat on the stairs and there was this woman telling my Mom that she hadn't ever wanted me. I assume she meant me, she kept saying "That child." Dad and Mom were telling her she should atleast see me, spend a little time with me every now and then. I swear Mom is grade-A woman. I couldn't be like her in her situation.... Anyways she didn't want to. On her way out she looked in my direction. I kinda understood who she was. She pretended she hadn't seen me, just left. Dad and Mom never noticed I had seen or heard it all. I went back to my room and slept in a tent Stephanie and I had made and hadn't taken down. That's about it. Or atleast that is all I really remember. Here Ken, thank you. I'll call for you. Come on Amy."

She wasn't to thrilled about the play date, trying her best to not let the sudden memory of feeling unwanted and nervousness get the best of her. Amy ran off towards the park where she could see Dwayne standing, calling to Kaila on the jungle gym. She attempted to follow but Dave had grabbed her arm, pulling her close, "Don't be scared. I'm here." Alex smiled, reaching up and cupping his cheek.

"Thanks. I know."

Dwayne looked up to see one thing he'd died for and one that made him want to kill. On one hand, Amy running to him made his heart skip a little, having dreamt of it often. Far behind Amy, Alex and Dave looking at one another like nothing else existed was killing him. He could remember her giving him those looks, those smiles. "Hey Dwayne," she said when they'd finally approached him and Dani. The girls were already playing, Alexis ignoring purposely Amy and Kai's similarities. It was a wonder to her if Dani couldn't see them. "Dani. Nice to see you two. Sorry if we can't stay too long today. We promised Amy shopping."

"We?"

"Alex and I," Dave answered, attempting to push Dwayne's buttons since he was attempting to push Alex's.

"How's the wife Dave? And the girls?"

"Home and fine."

Dani began to feel a little bit of the tension between the two although she didn't understand the reason behind it, grabbed Alex's hand. Alex was a bit alarmed but smiled as Dani sat down on the bench with Alex. "So Amy is 3?"

"She'll be four soon. Party is in about two weeks."

"Wow," Dani said, watching the girls get along, "Crazy how close in age they are. You must have gotten pregnant around the time I did."

"I assume that must be the case," Alex answered, nervous as hell.

"And her father? Has he met her yet?"

The look on Alex's face must have been one of horror because Dani quickly patted Alex's hand, "Sorry, Dwayne explained that... well that you haven't said who her father is. Sorry if I intruded."

Alex understood Dani was only asking and recovered with a smile, "Oh. No no. Um... he hasn't. I just. It's just complicated and Amy doesn't need it."

"I understand. We all try to do what's best for our children, as mothers. Even if it hurts us sometimes, they come first."

Alex had a new found respect for Dani, the words making perfect sense to her. Meanwhile, Dwayne and Dave were walking towards the girls, sitting arguing, shielded with fake politeness. "Don't you feel a little stupid chasing after someone who obviously doesn't have feeling back for you Dave?"

"Don't you feel stupid for letting that person go Dwayne?"

"You wouldn't understand it Dave. Dani and I were separated. You, on the other hand, have a wife and kids at home but want to play house with Alex and Amy. Leave them to me."

"So you can just hurt them some more? Over my dead body. My home life is none of your business anyways buddy."

"Neither is mine."

"Dave!," Amy called out as she dragged Kaila towards the swings. "Push me please?"

"No problem Aims, need help getting on?"

"No. Dwayne you can push Kaila."

"Okay Amy."

They pushed the girls in silence for a while, watching Alex and Dani talk. Finally Dave broke the silence, "You broke her enough. Paul's told me everything. Having to pick up her pieces and get her through telling everyone. What do you think that was like for her?"

"You act like it was so easy for me."

"It obviously was easier for you. Think of it Dwayne, stop being so damn arrogant and blind to everyone else's feelings every now and then."

By the end of the play date Amy had gotten Kaila to be less shy, Alex had learned alot about Dwayne in the last three years, and Dwayne and Dave had new rivals. Before leaving them, Alex had handed Dwayne one of Alex's birthday invitations. "Know it's way out of the way. But if you'd like to go, that's Amy's birthday party invitation.

Dwayne could have kissed her then but knew better, "We'll try.... Thank you."

"Welcome," she said, walking away.

Once in the car again, Dave grabbed her hand lightly, "You didn't have to do that."

"I know. Just thought I should, you know?"