“If I were you, I’d avoid Orton for the next little while.” Dave sighed walking into the section of seats where Lilian was sitting. Currently she was watching Hunter and Flair going over their match for the night and warming up. It wasn’t unusual for him to find Lilian watching what was going on in the ring, it almost seemed to calm her at times.

“Yea? And why is that?”

“He figured out that you and I mentioned something to Tania during breakfast. By the sounds of it ever since Tania’s been ignoring Randy.”

A smile grew on Lilian’s face. “Because she knows that we are right. She won’t face Randy because she knows that she has feelings for him.”

Dave wasn’t so certain that was the reason why. “Yeah well whatever the reason is, Randy is pissed at the fact. You probably aren’t his favorite person right now.”

Lilian shrugged. “Oh well. Not much I can do about it now. Someone has to make them realize the feelings they have for one another.”

“Did you ever stop and think that maybe Tania and Shane really are meant for one another? That they are more compatible for each other than Tania and Randy would be?” He still had trouble believing that Shane was acting the way that he was simply to keep Tania away from Adam. The way Randy had explained it to him, Shane had been flirting with Tania way before the blonde was ever introduced to the picture.

“It’s Shane we’re talking about here Dave. Let’s not forget his past.”

“So?” Dave questioned. He was perfectly aware of Shane’s past. “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to be happy. Same with Tania, if she is happy with Shane then who are we to deny her of that?”

“She’d be happier with Randy. You know that as much as I do.”

At that comment Dave raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t too sure that Lilian was right about it. Tania and Shane did have some adorable qualities to them from what he had seen and heard. Not only that but when Copeland had Tania Shane had shown genuine concern for her well being and safety.

“Do I?”

Lilian turned and glared at Dave. “Don’t play dumb Dave, it doesn’t go well with you. You’re telling me you’d rather see Tania with Shane than Randy?”

Dave gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. “I’d like to see Tania happy. Besides, do you really think Shane would willingly give up what he has with her to Randy? I really can’t see that one happening. He’ll fight for her and he will win.”

“Tania has friends that would be willing to fight for her here.”

“I hate to break it to you Lilian but I refuse to get between Shane and Tania’s personal relationship especially if Randy were to become involved. I love my job and I’d like to keep it the way it is. As heavyweight champion.”

“So you’d rather see Randy unhappy then cross a McMahon.”

Dave nodded. “That is exactly what I’m saying. You’d be smart to think the same way too Lilian or you might just end up unemployed.”

“He can’t fire me.”

“That may be.” Dave agreed. “But you and I both know that your contract is up for renewal in a few months. You think Shane won’t make sure that it doesn’t get renewed if you cross him?”

Lilian rolled her eyes and she listened to Dave. He was so concerned about everything and constantly expecting the worse of every situation. What he needed to do what lighten up a bit. “They need me too much to get rid of me Dave. I am an asset to this company.”

“So? Stone Cold was an asset to the company, Brett Hart was an asset to the company. You think the McMahon’s care about them when they got rid of them?” Lilian shrugged. “Thought so. You know that I love you Lilian, but by God you are so naive at times!”

Lilian was actually hurt by that comment. “No, I just happen to care about my friends! I want to see Randy happy and I know that it would be a possibility if he could only have a relationship with Tania.”

“Right.”

“Not only that, but Tania deserves so much better than Shane. Sure he’s good looking and rich. Hell, he may even be a charmer and good in bed. The bottom line, however, is that Shane is a rat. He’s slime! The first second he gets he’s going to hurt Tania.”

Dave refused to agree with anything Lilian was saying. “You seem so certain of that fact Lilian. Can you see into the future or something that I don’t know about?” There was no way Lilian could say with a hundred percent certainty that Shane was going to hurt Tania. Just because he didn’t like the man didn’t mean a relationship between Tania and Shane was impossible.

“It’s just something I know.”

“Funny, because when you and I started seeing one another there were a lot of people saying the same thing about us. Incase you forgot when I started seeing you I was technically still married to Angie.”

“That’s different Dave, you know that.”

“You’re right, it’s not. Shane’s not having an affair on his wife now is he? Which, in a way, makes him better than us.”

---

Shane actually had some work to do, and so far the police officer had yet to show up and question Tania about the entire Copeland situation. Deciding that there wasn’t much else to do, Tania made her way towards catering. She was actually quite thirsty, and to be honest, needed a bit of a break away from Shane.

“Though why…I have no idea.” Tania sighed silently to herself. She really didn’t know why she wanted to be away from Shane. He was everything she found herself looking for in a man and was falling hard and fast for the handsome millionaire.

“No idea what?” Turning around Tania found herself facing the one person she had not seen all day - Randy.

Tania exhaled the breath she had been holding. “Uh, nothing. Just talking to myself yet again.” Lame, but partially the truth at the same time. It had to count for something. “Haven’t seen you around much.”

“I could say the same.” Randy half joked. The other half was out of guilt for what Dave and Lilian said. “You here with Shane?”

Giving a small nod, Tania grabbed a stir stick for her coffee. “Yeah. He’s doing paper work right now for something or another. Figured it would be a good time to make my escape for a bit. Get coffee no matter how horrible it tastes.”

“Yes, because catering coffee is definitely the next Starbucks.” Randy noted with sarcasm and a roll of his eyes.

“I was thinking more along the lines of Tim Horton’s but whatever.” Smiling, she licked the coffee off of the stick and tossed it into the garbage. Studying Randy for a moment she noticed that the cheerful aura he normally had to him seemed to have vanished since breakfast. “You okay?”

Randy nodded. “Course, why do you ask?”

“You seem a little different. Preoccupied maybe?” Tania couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was exactly but preoccupied definitely seemed to be a word worth using for the time being. She wondered if he was still feeling guilty about the entire situation.

Resting against the wall with his hands folded over his chest, Randy gave a shrug. “When am I not preoccupied with something?”

“Wouldn’t know Rand, haven’t been around you long enough to figure it out. Is this something I should be asking others about? How often you’re not preoccupied?” Tania was trying to make a joke but it was clear to her that Randy didn’t find it that amusing. “C’mon Orton, lighten up. Should I start picking on your lack of ass again?”

“Please don’t.” That was the last thing Randy wanted to deal with. “How long do you plan to sneak away from Shane for?”

Tania bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. “Meh, when I decide to go back I guess. Wasn’t something I gave much thought to if we are going to be honest. I just wanted to get out of the locker room for a bit.”

“Funny, I figured that Shane would have you pretty occupied in the locker room.”

“God! Randy!” Tania exclaimed, half jokingly and half serious. “What kind of slut do you think I am? Besides, I deserve way more than a locker room lay.” Giggling, Tania actually found it amusing that she was quoting Shane now on the entire subject.

“Whatever.” Randy wasn’t in the mood to joke. Something Tania happened to be quick to note.

“Okay, I may not know you as well as everyone else here, but something up. C’mon, out with it right now. What’s got you pmsing all of a sudden?”

Wiping his eyes with a thumb and forefinger, Randy sighed. He had the perfect opportunity in front of him and if he were smart he would take it. He had to get what he wanted to say out in the open before it was definitely too late. “Can we talk somewhere? Privately?”

Tania hesitated for a moment. “Uh, sure. Where do you suggest?”

Randy actually had to think about it for a moment. There weren’t a lot of places around that could be defined as private. “We can find one of the empty locker rooms or something. There has to be a million places here to get some privacy.” Glancing across the room to the outside hall it dawned on him. “The boiler room. No one ever goes in there, it will be perfect.”

Tania’s brows furrowed momentarily. “Orton, should I be worried? You aren’t going to try and molest me or anything are you? Because I definitely would have wore something a little sexier for such an occasion. “

“Shut up would you?” Her jokes weren’t doing a damn thing for him. Not only that, but to be perfectly honest if he were given the opportunity he probably would try and get a little frisky with her. Of course so many things would have to be different in the situation.

Grabbing Tania’s wrist, he was quick to lead her through the empty room towards the door to the boiler room. Making one last glance to make sure that no one was watching them, he opened the door and pulled Tania inside.

“Randy, the room is dark.”

“That might have something to do with the fact the lights are off.”

Tania snorted. “No kidding. Care to turn on some lights? I’d like to be able to see what I’m going to run into.”

Randy rolled his eyes. “You don’t need lights on to talk.”

“Okay then…” Tania wasn’t sure she liked the change in Randy all of a sudden. He seemed rather hostile all of a sudden and she was determined to find out why. “Then what did you want to talk about?”

“What’s going on between you and Shane?”

That definitely took Tania aback. She was pretty sure that Randy knew what was going on between the two of them. “Same thing that was going on before Rand. Shane wants to pursue a relationship and I am willing to give it a try. There’s nothing wrong with that…”

“You sure it’s not just based on sex? That Shane’s looking for a good fuck?”

“Randy!” Tania couldn’t believe he’d even insinuate such a thing. “Be grateful I can’t see you right now. That comment would warrant a good smack.” She couldn’t believe he’d even say such a thing! Suddenly Tania was starting to wonder if the man she had met out in the ring was the real Randy.

“I’m well aware of that Tania, but I want you to answer the question.”

“Not that you deserve an answer but no, it’s not based on sex. If you must know, I haven’t had sex with Shane as surprising as that may seem to you.” Why she felt the need to tell him anything she didn’t know. What he had said was both rude and completely unacceptable in nature. Hell, he hadn’t even asked. It was more of a demand from her than anything.

“And why not?”

“Fuck you Randy! I don’t know why you are so interested in my private life all of a sudden but what goes on between Shane and I is none of your business!”

“I beg to differ.” Randy growled.

“Oh yeah?” Tania was more than ready to challenge Randy on the subject.

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do.”

“Why’s that?” After a moment of no response, Tania was angrier than before. “Answer me for fuck’s sake!”

Her response was the feel of two firm hands on each side of her head and the pressing of two soft lips against hers. Letting out a startled cry, Tania brought her hands up to grab Randy’s on instinct. Realizing what she had done, Randy grabbed her hands with is and entwined their fingers together. Backing her into the wall, he deepened the kiss in hopes of getting some type of response from her.

After a minute passed, Randy finally pulled back from Tania panting heavily. Sitting in silence, it took a moment for what he had done to really sink in. It wasn’t until he heard a sob from Tania that things suddenly clicked into place. “Shit Tania, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize-”

“Don’t!” Getting that much out, Tania fumbled around for the door handle and quickly races out of the room.

When the door shut and left Randy in the dark, he fell down to his knees on the floor. He hadn’t even thought about how much what he had done had resembled that of Copeland. She had been trapped, in a room, defenseless and overpowered. This time, however, it had been by someone she trusted. He had definitely fucked up big time. There was just one problem with the entire situation.

An electricity had shot through him the moment his lips touched her.

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