Bliss pounded the bag in front of her, causing it to sway heavily. Often she had to stand back when it swung back so it didn’t hit her. She had her headphones on as well so she didn’t hear anybody come into the gym behind her. A mere second or two before she felt a hand move to her shoulder she felt the presence of someone much larger than her step close and into her personal space. She smelled the musky, admittedly delicious aroma of some kind of aftershave and noticed how light the touch was on her shoulder. Turning her head she saw the hand bore a large white bandage and as she continued to turn, ready to knock this presumptuous asshole’s lights out for having the nerve to touch her like he owned her or something, her gaze followed the man’s long, muscular, bruised and bandaged arm until she was looking into his equally bruised and battered face. Her eyes connected with bright, clear ones first before her mind processed the rest of his face. It was Aidan.

She pulled off the gloves and the headphones and frowned as she took in his appearance. It had been a brutal match and she’d almost had to turn it off several times because she'd almost felt as though she’d been the one taking the shots. He didn’t fail to notice a smaller white bandage on her left wrist.

He nodded toward it as he simultaneously took her hand, leaning forward to exam her wrist more closely before realizing what he was doing and dropping her hand like it was on fire. He cleared his throat, sounding a little more soft than usual but still himself.

Aidan Caine: So... you know what mine are for. What’s that one from?

Bliss tried to avoid his eyes and played with the bandage, which normally would have been her snapping the damn thing that had caused the damage in the first place.

Bliss: Ah... would you believe a broken mirror?

she chewed on her lip a second, still trying to avoid his eyes a little. Although she couldn’t cover up the slight wince when her fingers touched the gauze.

He gave her a doubtful look and shook his head, remaining uncharacteristically quiet and slightly cold.

Aidan Caine: For two years while I was getting my degree in Exercise Physiology I studied sports medicine Kahlan. That was not caused by a broken mirror and I know it was not. So what was it?

Bliss: I didn’t try and bleed myself or anything... between you and my brothers.... geez... it’s just a couple stitches...

She tried to brush it off, relying on her normal non-chalant attitude. She eyed her gym bag not far but didn’t want to seem to rude by picking up her gloves and putting them in the bag.

Aidan Caine: Stitches?! You needed stitches...

He stopped himself, took a deep breath, and literally took a step back, holding both hands up in silent surrender. He wasn’t going to be like her brothers. Suffocating and controlling. She’d said they should try and keep some space so he needed to try and respect that. Still, he couldn’t help but be worried about her. Especially after what Justin had said on twitter the day of his match. He’d been thinking about it the entire day and he kept hoping she’d call before his match. But she hadn’t. Not before. Now he found himself staring at her bandaged wrist. He felt he could assume she’d gone back to wearing her elastics and that had done it but he wasn’t so sure it would have snapped so hard as to have required stitches. He had hoped she would come clean with him but no, he was being grouped in the same category as her brothers now...

Aidan Caine: Sorry... I’ll leave it alone.

She sighed heavily and shook her head.

Bliss: Justin hasn’t stopped calling since the day before yesterday and I let it go to voicemail. I'm still really fuckin pissed off at him... not just about what he did to you guys but because... did you watch it?

She shook her head again...

Bliss: Never mind... I guess it doesn’t prove anything.

She bent down and picked up the Pink Everlast gloves and walked and dumped them into a matching gym bag. A present from Jerry when they started working together at ICW.

She turned and offered a softer look and a smile.

Bliss: Doctor thought I was Looney toons if that makes you feel any better. Gave me Zoloft... can you imagine. I’m not depressed.... fuckin’ doctors and their quick diagnoses....

she looked down at her wrist again suddenly regretting snapping it so hard when she’d opened the file from Justin’s email.

Caine nodded, his gaze never leaving her face though he didn’t return her smile and kept a stoic, safe distance away. Contrary to what he wanted to do of course.

Aidan Caine: I watched it. Don’t know if he plans to do anything with it but if he does... well I’ll take care of it. Then I’ll take care of him. Maybe not in that order. He mentioned you called him crying hysterically? May I ask what that was about?

Bliss turned red, embarrassed that she’d let her initial reaction to the email to get her in such a rage.

Bliss: He may have exaggerated that a little.... I don’t think it was hysterical... I think I was mostly calling him a what was it again... a pinhead computer geek with nothing better to do than fuck with people’s lives... or something to that wording....it was probably a lot worse...probably more swear words...but I was pretty upset about that.... also lack of sleep didn’t help.... Like I said in my message... I’m fine....really...

Aidan Caine: So that’s all it was right? You were upset about the email and tired? I know I sound a little like Justin right now but, no offense, you have a tendency to tell people you are fine and you’re not. You can call me a pinhead or say I’m fucking with your life now if you want for asking... I don’t think you could ever call me a computer geek or say I have nothing better to do but you can if you want... I just want you to know that... that I was worried. About you. That’s all.

Bliss: Me... I’m not the one that got carried out on a stretcher the other day.... I could barely watch. I almost risked getting fired.... I had to hold myself back because I'm not your girl... that’s not what I’m supposed to do.

He couldn’t help it. Maybe it was the pounding in his head or the pain he felt all over or maybe it was much deeper than that. A wound that hurt even more than any of the physical ones. Regardless he raised his voice at her, not even seeming to think about who may overhear.

Aidan Caine: And you want it that way. Don’t you? You said it yourself. We’ll never work. So why are you.... no... no I’m not going to...

He turned, as if to walk away.

Bliss: We probably wouldn’t.

Her voice hadn’t raised like his had.

Bliss: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that but do you see me doing things to try and break up what you have? Destroy your family? cuz that’s what I’d do if you were anybody else. You don’t seem to get it... You wanna be mad at me fine... I guess it makes things easier.

He froze. Simply stopped dead in his tracks for a moment, before turning and looking at her. His voice was thick and she could see that something she’d said had struck a nerve though he didn’t voice it.

Aidan Caine: This has nothing to do with what I have or my family. I’m not expecting you to do those things because unlike you I don’t think that deep down you are that person. I’m only asking...

He stopped himself. He couldn’t do it. He never thought he’d have to ask her of all people to do the one thing he knew she was more capable of doing than just about anyone else he knew. He lowered his head and mumbled his next words.

Aidan Caine: I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You say you are. So I guess we have nothing else to talk about.

Bliss slunk down onto a workout machine, feeling defeated but knowing that it’s probably better he leave now.

Bliss: yeah... sure okay...

She noticed the bandage that moments ago was white was starting to turn pink. she must have touched it too much. she rustled around in her bag and realizes she forgot more gauze... but finds a small pink Band-Aid. she rips off the gauze and swears at the momentary sting... looking at the stitches and realizes that it’s gotten a little more red since this morning.

Bliss: Shit balls.

At her animated cursing Caine turned, a flash of reddish pink catching his eye. He couldn’t stop himself. Seeing her bare exposed wrist more clearly he painfully crouched down to one knee, wincing as his body screamed at him that it did not want to move like that right now. He cursed under his breath as he took her hand once more and lightly began to touch around the affected area, checking for extra warmth or any lumps or oozing. He didn’t even look back up at her as he spoke. Noticing how the skin was extra warm around the stitches and there looked to be some swelling beginning.

Aidan Caine: Did they give you any antibiotics for this? A cream or a steroid? It’s starting to get infected... and I think you’re about to pop a stitch. That band aid will only make it worse by the way. You need to use gauze and only gauze on this.

Bliss: They said to just use one of those antibiotic creams you use on cuts and stuff... I’ve been doing that. I’ve had stitches before....

She stopped herself, knowing that she’d probably just revealed a little more than she meant to.

His gaze was still on the cut but his hands had moved down so they were at her hands. He’d learned that sometimes cuts could inhibit blood flow to the more inferior portions of extremities. That scar tissue could actually form very quickly and cut off circulation, so he was checking her fingers and palm for reflexes and coloring. He glanced up at her face, intent on what he was doing, even if to the naked eye the way he was holding and squeezing her hand looked like something more.

Aidan Caine: Well of course you have. Haven’t we all in this business? Can you feel me touching you? Squeeze my hand.

she wasn’t losing any feeling and she’d almost forgotten that he was touching her at all. she gripped his hand fine. Part of her had wished he’d picked up more on why she’d had stitches before.... to be honest the larger white scar underneath the stitches she currently had had been not done by an elastic. she was worried that if he asked...she wouldn’t be able to stop talking about it... she didn’t know if that would be dangerous in that ‘he’ll think I'm crazy’ kind of way or not.

With these thoughts running through her mind it almost took her off her seat when he looked back down at her wrist one last time and reached into his own gym bag. Who was he kidding? He almost never missed a workout but today it just wasn’t happening. He’d had another bad morning of headaches on top of all the physical pain from his last match. He needed rest more than anything else right now.

Aidan Caine: So, how long did you cut yourself? Months I’m guessing? You used different things to do it too huh?

Bliss’s mouth opened into a silent ‘o’ wondering if he’d just read her mind.

Bliss: when I was a teenager.... Before my dad started letting me train.... Mostly razor blades.

She winced because she was ashamed that she’d had such a lack of strength back then.... that she’d always had that feeling of abandonment from her mother, just because when other girls had their mom’s... she didn’t. She had a father and 4 brothers who didn’t know a thing about being a girl.

He nodded, pulling two tubes of some kind of salve from his bag and a box of new gauze. He always carried them with him to the gym. He’d seen enough and had enough accidents of his own to know it was always best to be prepared. After sanitizing his hands with some sanitizer he’d also thought to throw in, gym equipment could be pretty nasty sometimes, he began to gently rub some of one of the lotions over her injury, all the while talking but never once meeting her gaze.

Aidan Caine: Training helped huh? Gave you an outlet for all that pain and anger? Probably one of the best feelings in the world was coming into the gym and taking it to a bag right? You’d come home with cuts on your knuckles and not even feel them? Best anger management in the world right? I’ve known by the way for a while. I just didn’t know that I should say anything. Don’t forget Miss Bliss, I have seen every single part of you. And I’m not blind.

Bliss: My dad doesn’t know. I stopped when I cut a little too deep... actually... Lexi found me... I made her swear not to tell anybody but of course Justin was with her at the time... since they were....

she stopped and cleared her throat before continuing

Bliss: She was worried... I think that’s why she was trying to get me to come to your place. I think with Justin’s words she was probably thinking I’d started doing that again....

Part of her thought she should stop talking. It seemed that she could open up about anything with him with no qualms... he made her someone different.

Bliss: she had already started training with my Dad and I asked for her help in convincing him. My jealousy started when she dumped my brother.... I guess I kind of owe her you know....

As she’d been talking Caine had rubbed both lotions on her stitches and around them and then taken a small vial of medical glue from his bag and carefully applied some where it looked like she might lose a stitch soon. If it were open it would increase the chances of her getting more of an infection than what little she had already. Then he’d wrapped her wrist with the gauze, incorporating her hand this time. He finished just as he heard her voice begin to fade with deep thought.

Aidan Caine: Wrap it around your hand too. It’ll last longer and keep particulates out better.

He thought about everything she’d been saying for a moment, some things suddenly making much more sense to him. Lexi and Kahlan seemed to have a very unique, strange relationship. Lexi was usually sweet to everyone unless provoked but in all the things she’d shared with him none of them had ever been about her experiences with the Fischers aside from a side comment here or there. He started to toss the tubes and medical glue in the now empty gauze box and closed it sitting it on top of her gloves so she’d have more later in case she didn’t have any or needed it. He got the best stuff anyway. He looked at her, studying her almost. She’d been through a lot too, like Lexi. She’d just handled it all very differently. Still, he hated she’d had so much pain in her past.

Aidan Caine: She owes you too so think of it like that. Can I ask, are you still jealous of her? Is that why you guys seem to have this... tension?

Bliss: Lexi and I... yeah well... it is a really strange thing. sometimes we get a long and other times I just get so pissed. I mean really... 5’11... come on.... so yes, I'm still jealous of her but not in the same ‘I'm going to make sure you suffer’ kind of way.

she smirked.

Bliss: She doesn’t owe me anything. at least not now. I haven’t done anything except cause her trouble since she started dating toucan no nuts. I never thought in a million years that we’d both be in love with the same person... most guys would choose her anyway...and don’t take that badly... it’s not her fault, it’s not like she asked to be so freakin beautiful is it?

As he closed his gym bag and stood back up he, an odd smile coming across his face as he looked at her directly for one of the first real times since they’d run into each other.

Aidan Caine: I don’t know, to be honest I like long legs and all but I’m usually attracted to the shorter, more petite women. Taller doesn’t make you sexier. Lauren was only 5’6” and if... things hadn’t happened... I’d probably still be with her today. I don’t think you realize just how many guys would choose you, but you should.

Bliss smiled.

Bliss: So far I have Clash breathing down my neck on twitter... like I’d go anywhere near that disease ridden bag of shit....plus why would I want that traitor’s sloppy seconds.

she face took on a look of anger... still feeling the sting of betrayal from her former tag partner.

Bliss: If I dressed less like well... this... I'm sure I'd be passed over very easily. But... well not going to get into the list of men that have dropped me to the curb. You know... I used to dye my hair brown when I was a teenager. Drove my dad nuts.

she laughed, bordering on giggling again. Fuck what was with the damn giggles.... geez

He knew he shouldn’t say it but he felt she deserved to know just how beautiful she was so that she didn’t have to settle. Ever.

Aidan Caine: If you dressed like this? I probably would have shown up at your apartment a lot sooner than I did. And do you know when I thought you looked your sexiest? It wasn’t a... perfect kind of way to start the day all things considered but, when I woke up in your apartment and your hair was all tangled and you weren’t wearing a bit of makeup. That’s when I couldn’t believe how stunning you were and I hadn’t noticed it truly until then. Of course, I couldn’t say that at that time but... I was thinking it.

She smiled a little shyly. No one had ever said she looked good in her comfy sweats. it was funny though. She always spent a small fortune on the attire she wore to the ring but somehow always managed to come to the gym in jerry’s old T-shirt and a pair of yoga pants.

Bliss: Thank you.

it seemed that today there was less sexual tension in their conversation so did that mean that it was going to get progressively easier to interact with him without automatically picturing him without his clothes on?

Why couldn’t he stop picturing her without her clothes on? Damnit. One of the few joys in life was now a curse. He’d worked hard to “behave himself” this time. Trying to give her the space they’d agreed on, that she wanted right? Didn’t make it any easier. He reached down to grab his bag from the floor and sucked in his breath. The large laceration across his chest was probably what hurt the most. That or his back, but he was started to become concerned by the dizziness that had started to accompany the headaches and bleeding from his ears and nose. Putting one hand to his chest for a moment and sucking in a deep breathe of air he glance at her and plastered a smile on his face.

Aidan Caine: If we weren’t trying to give ourselves some space I’d say anytime but for now I guess I’ll just say you’re welcome. I don’t think I’ll be working out today... not feeling too hot.

Concern crossed her face as she saw him wobble a bit on his feet. she stood right away taking his arm and forcing him to sit where she had moments before.

Bliss: Are you sure you're okay? cuz it doesn’t look that way to me. I mean I'm no college medically trained thingamajig but I know what a concussion looks like.

She went to get the bottle of ice water from her bag when she noticed something. she stopped, brow furrowed and wiped away blood from his ear. She pulled her finger back, looking from it to Caine with a slowly changing look from concern to outright fear.

Bliss: I think we need to get you to the hospital or something... last I checked bleeding from your ears is a pretty bad sign....

He’d closed his eyes and suddenly seemed a bit more pale with a very fine sweat starting to create a slight sheen to his skin. He shook his head, his hands gripping and ungripping his knees over and over again.

Aidan Caine: I’m fine. No hospitals. The doctors are finally getting to where they’re going to release me to compete. If I go back...

He’d already said too much but the pain had distracted him into accidentally giving away some truth. God that hurt... right behind his eyes. It pressed and made him feel like his eyeballs were grapes about to be crushed. He sucked in his breath and tried to figure a way to play this one off. It would be difficult though. She had beauty and brains. A lethal combination.

Aidan Caine: I just cut myself shaving this morning. Must have missed a spot. And it’s just a headache. I fell from the top of a semi through wooden crates so a headache is probably normal.

she shook her head, the concerned look on her face as she sat down beside him.

Bliss: Oh yeah... started shaving inside your ears did you? I’m the queen of finding excuses to play off things. My brothers and Dad think I cut myself on a broken mirror... except Justin right. My dad still doesn’t know about what I used to do. You can’t fool me. I don’t think this is from a couple nights ago, I think this is still healing from when you got taken out with a bat. And I’m guessing that since you're here and not in a hospital bed that Lexi doesn’t know either. you don't want her to worry... I get that... but this could be serious...

Each one of these episodes seemed to get worse as time went on. The last time he’d actually collapsed on the plane flying to Carolina and Cam had found out. That was an unexpected nightmare. Now felt the dizziness starting to get worse and he feared history was going to repeat itself. He tried to smile, ignore it, maybe if he kept talking it would work itself out and fade away. Maybe this time wouldn’t be as bad as the last.

Aidan Caine: Hey, you are the one always poking fun at my monkey ears... you and Lexi... for all you know I could have very hairy ears. Like my grandpa... This is nothing. I just... I kinda stopped taking one of my pills and maybe I shouldn’t have. So I’ll just start taking them again and everything will be fine. This is nothing serious okay?

He felt like he needed to lie down but this was not the place for that so he simply leaned into her and tried to make the room stop doing that wall vision thing it was doing.

Bliss put a hand to his forehead. she wasn’t a motherly type in the least but she’d seen many people do it. You could be able to tell if someone felt warmer than they should right? his forehead seemed to be a little warm... but she couldn’t tell if it was normal for him or not but his brow was a little sweaty and that was not normal.

Bliss: Aidan... you're sweating like you just worked out and all you’ve done was put some cream on my wrist. this isn’t right... whether or not this is from the other night or something else it’s not normal....not unless you weigh 300 lbs and sweat doing a simple task and I know for a fact that you are very fit. At least go and see the medic for god’s sake... men can be so stubborn when it comes to medical treatment... you going to wait until you fall down?

He couldn’t help but give a slight chuckle. This was no laughing matter, not even close, especially considering he was starting to feel more and more like he on the plane the other day, but if he listened to her and went to get checked out he knew they would find something wrong and that would bench him for even longer and right now? With all the extra concerns he had going on? He needed to work. He needed it like he needed oxygen. Because it was what helped keep him sane during insane times.

Aidan Caine: Fall down? Been there, done that, broke a coffee mug... but that’s another story for another day. And I’m really not all that far from 300. I was 251 this morning. All that Waffle House... probably what it is. They call it the Awful Waffle for a reason you know? Pay for the food, get the free side effects. The pills... they’ll help. I think I accidentally left them at your place that night. They were in my shorts pocket and when I got home the next day they were gone. They’re the...uh... blood thinners. Think you could get em to me sometime soon?

Bliss’s eyes started to water a little.

She turned away and went to her bag and pulled them out, shaking the container a little.

Bliss: Found them under the bed this morning. now I can’t help but feel even more guilty.

this time she did hand him her water bottle and the prescription bottle.

With shaking hands he uncapped the bottle and, not trusting his dexterity, he simply leaned back and allowed two tablets to slide into his open mouth, chasing them with a few sips of water. He shook his head at her, frowning slightly.

Aidan Caine: God I hate taking these. They make me so tired... what do you have to feel guilty about? You said it yourself, you just found them this morning. I could have told you at any time but I didn’t. Figured if we were trying to give ourselves space I shouldn’t be coming back over to your place and then when we saw each other just... other things came up and I’d always forget about them. Trust me, I’m fine. Just need some ice, some heat, some Ibuprofen, and a nap and I’ll be good as new... well, with a few new scars to add to the list.

Bliss: We can stay here as long as you need to. I’m not going to feel good about this at all but at least give me the satisfaction that you walked out without wobbling around. No one will be in. hardly anyone even uses this gym and if someone does see us big deal... I don’t care anymore.. your health outweighs any stupid rumours.

Before he knew it the words were escaping his lips. He wasn’t able to think clearly and at the moment all he was thinking about was how nice it would feel to lie in a bed and hold her. Maybe it was the head trauma... maybe it had awoken this in him, seeing this new side of Bliss the Bitch and falling for her, loving her, all while still loving someone else. Yeah, it’d be nice to be able to blame it on just that but if that were the case then how come every time he was around her his chest hurt? That was not part of the brain injury.

Aidan Caine: I don’t care either. Let them say and do whatever they want. They’re going to anyway. I can’t keep fighting all the time...

It was the first time he’d ever said it out loud to someone. He was a fighter, it was what he did every day and he worked hard to make sure people thought that it came easily to him, that he didn’t mind, that he could take it all onto his shoulders and be just fine with it. Lately it hadn’t been like that. It had been the total opposite. Between fighting in the ring, fighting for Lexi, fighting WITH Lexi, fighting Lexi’s ex boyfriends, fighting Bliss, fighting Justin, fighting to make his own body obey him... it was too much and he was slowly starting to realize he just couldn’t care anymore. Not enough to fight for all of it at once.

Bliss: Fortunately for you... I have been known to do a little fighting myself.

she pulled his head to her shoulder, and kissed his temple. She didn’t mean it in anyway except as comfort. Plain and simple. She wished everything could be so plain and simple for them.

Without even realizing he was doing it Caine wrapped his arms around her waist, getting even more comfortable and enjoying the feel of her. His eyes closed she felt him smile slightly against her and he chuckled lightly.

Aidan Caine: I know this will sound crazy, and you’re probably either going to hit me, hurt me, or push me off into the floor for saying this but, I think even though you say kids freak you out a little, you’d be a good mom. You have more of a caring instinct than I think you realize. Don’t freak out that I just said that. It doesn’t have to mean anything.

Bliss: It’s not an insane thought... but god...I only turned 24 in June. I have so much time to worry about that later.

she smiled, also enjoying the comfort in the gesture.

Aidan Caine: I said that once. I have so much time... later... not me... ever... nuh uh... no kids for this guy... Now look at me. I found a binkie in my gym bag this morning. I have no idea how it got there and yes... I, Aidan Caine, professional wrestler, just said the word binkie without cringing. Sad aint it?

She shook her head.

Bliss: Knowing me I'm going to fall all over myself for my niece or nephew. hey might even lighten up Jerry for once. I miss him though. We haven't really talked in months.... I know I shouldn't have done what I did but.... I hate seeing him like some monkey man around here. for a time he was even talking on his own in his promos.... now he’s just like he was when we were in the underground. My Dad always called them suckies.

She laughed.

Bliss: Ah yeah... me Kahlan Bliss Fischer was addicted to my ‘suckie’ until I was 5... isn’t that sad?

He started chuckling along with her, enjoying the musical sounds of their combined laughter. Too bad her comment just had him thinking about her mouth now... Ignore it Aidan. Try to anyway

Aidan Caine: You were just being economical. Or... smart little you was just thinking that orthodontically you’d be losing those baby teeth anyway so who cared. Cute.... I didn’t ever have a binkie or a suckie... but I did have this action figure I loved. Took it with me everywhere. My mom got it at a church giveaway so he was old. He had no arms so I pretended they’d gotten shot off... I was a messed up little kid in retrospect. Five and talking about how my soldier got his arms blown off in Vietnam by “the zipperheads.” Explains a lot huh?

Bliss laughed.

Bliss: there was also Veronica.... a Barbie doll that Justin cut all the hair off of and strung up in my closet with the eyes all blacked out. I opened the door and screamed. I think Peter or Jeremy roughed him up quite a bit for that one...

she giggled.

Bliss: that would be something to watch now. A Fischer feud... but peter doesn’t wrestle anymore.

Aidan laughed despite the sharp pain in his head. It was nice to just sit and talk to her like this, find out more and more about this woman. It could be dangerous too but this felt too good to look at it that way. It was no chuckle or simple grin but a full-fledged hearty laugh that left him grabbing at his tapped torso it hurt so much. Didn’t stop him though.

Aidan Caine: Veronica would have probably scarred me for life! Interesting how Justin doesn’t really sound like he changed much.... you know, I think I’d enjoy watching a Fischer feud. I know who’s foam finger I’d be wearing.

Bliss: Well believe it or not... I’ve gotten Justin down a few times. My dad has a whole ring setup in our basement back home. He bought the land and purposely made the basement bigger with a higher ceiling so he could still do some training... but mostly he just works with the kids from his school... the high school that is... did I mention that he’s a gym teacher now? He hasn't done MMA training since Justin screwed him over. Seems that he doesn’t care who he hurts when he sees a possible revenge. some guy that was hitting on Lexi or something... Justin went crazy, put Hgh in his water bottle. Looked bad on my dad because he was the one training him.... Dad decided that instead of going back to it, he’d retire and stick to high school stuff. Justin always thought that he got the least amount of attention from our dad because he was the middle child...but apparently he was my mother’s favourite.”

Caine was not afraid of Justin Fischer, not in the least, but hearing how far the guy would be willing to go when he’d put a target on someone’s back was eye opening. Normally Caine would simply make the first move, throw the first punch, attack before he was blindsided but Caine was still not sure what the lines of loyalty were between Justin and his sister, a sister that Caine was unfortunately very much in love with despite all the complications that came alone with it. He wondered what Fischer could possibly have planned for him if he stayed in the guy’s sights. If he kept hanging out with his sister and dating his ex-girlfriend. Best not to bring it up and maybe wreck this moment.

Aidan Caine: You know, I don’t have a single doubt in my mind that you could kick his ass. Just make sure if it’s ever going to happen you call me first? Let me know? I’ll sell tickets and we can make a fortune. Your brother is not very well liked as I’m sure you know by now. You on the other hand... well, like you said, single for a day and they come out of the woodwork...

Bliss: right. You do know that this whole thing has me doubting my loyalty to BRC.... when Jackson was a part of it... at least an active part of it I felt like I had some reason to be there... now. I don’t know. I only seek out revenge on people when they do something personal to me but I tended to avoid attacking people if they said something about one of my brothers or did something to them because I know that titan and J can take care of themselves but they fail to see that in me. and if he comes back.... I can’t go back to the way things were... all it really was, was friends with benefits and I don’t think I want that anymore. Damn it Kahlan go away.

she laughed at herself. she squeezed Caine a little, careful of his injuries.

He smiled again, forgetting all the pain and fatigue and weariness of the last few days. It was easy to do with her, especially when it was like this. Simple. Easy. Where they could just not think about later. He couldn’t help but nuzzle into her neck slightly, thinking and enjoying how she actually sounded really and truly happy. Maybe she was, maybe she wasn’t, but Caine still knew that this moment was a good one that he would remember. Bringing his lips closer to neck and ears he mimicked her tone.

Aidan Caine: No Kahlan stay! Stay!

Bliss: Ah but only if it were that simple. but in light of my brother using the video as fodder to bring out more secrets about people his secrets aren’t off limits. I’ve always said to people that they can’t try and use sibling loyalty to try and get me riled up because it won’t work. If they had grown up with them they’d know. It’s a love-hate relationship... mostly hate but there is some love in there occasionally. You do know that's the reason he came out at TNT and told everyone about the baby... because he found out about us... right?

Instantly Caine’s muscles tensed up at the memory and the sudden realization that came along with it. He hadn’t really put two and two together actually. He didn’t know why because it was pretty obvious now that he thought about it but to suddenly realize in a small way he had only himself to blame for Justin’s big reveal put a whole new spin on things. In fact, he felt a little sick.

Aidan Caine: So do you have any idea what he thinks he knows? I mean, I saw the video but is that all he knows? That I spent a drunken night at your place?

Bliss: I’ve been avoiding talking to him. except for when I called him after watching it and told him to stay out of my life.... but I didn’t confirm anything. For all anyone knows you did stay on my couch.... it’s just one part on it that if someone were really looking they would think it was kind of fishy. You held my hand when we waited for the elevator.... Friends don’t normally just do that.... at least I didn’t think they did....otherwise yea it’s open to interpretation.

Aidan Caine: Funny thing is I don’t even remember holding your hand but yeah, now that you mention it I guess I did kinda notice that too. Justin sure is pissed at me for sleeping on your couch isn’t he?

And boy would I love to stay on your couch again...

Caine quite literally shook his head, wondering where that little thought had snuck up from.

Aidan Caine: I’m sorry this has caused you so many problems you know? Justin really nothing more than annoying and I’m certainly not afraid of him or what he may do but, I know even if you two aren’t exactly joined at the hip, he’s still your brother so even with the whole Lexi situation with me, I’m sure you have had to deal with your own fair share of fallout from that night.

He shifted in his position, once more grabbing at his chest where he’d been slashed. There was just no comfortable position when you went through a match like that apparently but this was pretty damn as close to perfect as he’d probably get for awhile at least.

Bliss: Justin jumped to conclusions... unfortunately he jumped to the right conclusion, however... he doesn’t need to know he was right about it... we could openly admit that you stayed on my couch but then... Lexi would know it was me you were with and I don't ‘know how she’d take that....She’s under enough stress right now. I know she’s not a jealous type but its still not fair to flaunt anything in front of her....besides that... you may love me but the love you have with her is different... that one is a forever kind of love.... maybe that’s one of those ‘cross that bridge when we get to it’ kind of thing. For now say it’s some kind of trick that TWI is doing to try and cause more trouble, knowing that Justin is a hot head...that the video isn’t clear enough to prove that it’s even us. I'm so thankful though that Lexi deleted his email without looking at it.

In his new, even more comfortable position, Caine felt what he assumed was the medicine finally starting to take its hold over him. It had always made him so tired, one of the reasons he’d hated taking it actually, and again he nestled himself closely alongside her. The tension in his muscles was already starting to fade again, despite the difficulties her brother had thrown their way. She was warm, and soft, and smelled nice despite having been working out when he’d arrived to find her punching that bag like her life depended on it. The last few weeks had been so chaotic, stressful, and confusing so it was nice to just be able to cradle up to her in the practically vacant gym and not focus so much on what everyone else might think. Even if it was just for a while. With his head propped on her shoulder again he sleepily closed his eyes and sighed, even his voice sounded fatigued.

Aidan Caine: I’d like to tell Justin exactly where he can jump. Like off a bridge... that would be nice... I was trying to prepare myself if she’d opened that email but I’ll be honest, it killed me to see how much faith and trust she has in me, knowing what I’ve done with it. She has been through so much in her life and I just want to change all of that for her. I do love her but I’d be lying if I said that recent events have made me doubt our future together some. She was the one that stayed by my side the whole time I was in the hospital, she fell in love with Gracie almost immediately... I’m not sure if many other women would do that. I’m not sure if you... well, never mind. Just know this though? I do love you too, and even though you aren’t the only reason I’m having these doubts? You are probably the biggest reason. I want you...

His words had grown slower and heavier as he’d spoken. Stupid pills. In the back of his clouded and pain-filled mind he knew he probably shouldn’t be saying all of this, coming so clean, but he was just too tired to fight the world, her, and himself anymore. So he’d give up on himself.

Bliss: ah lust.. given into it more times than I can count.. tell me something though... what other doubts do u have?

Aidan Caine: More than just that... doubt I’ll ever be able to make her truly happy. She always seems so sad nowadays... every day it seems... I used to think I could marry her one day... Now... don’t know... you happened... why care about you... so much... if she’s who I’m meant to be with...

They were the words of the incredibly sleepy, broken and hardly making sense. It was truly a time when uncensored answers could be found. Half asleep and half awake his arms wrapped around her a little tighter.

Aidan Caine: I brought Gracie and Matty to her... day of the match. They are still here... you should meet my daughter...

Why he’d mentioned that he didn’t know. It just came out. Maybe part of him had wanted to see something for himself. Maybe that could be a deciding factor of sorts, maybe not. As mumbled as his words were his thoughts were even more fuzzy.

Bliss: You know that's not a good idea.... Aidan... does one rough patch have you doubting everything? you know it is possible to love a lot of people and in different ways. I'm no expert by any means but you cant let your fear dictate. even if we did try to be together.... I'm not domestic.... your family would hate me and horses scare the shit out of me. I see the way you are with her... don't lose that for something that MIGHT work out. I would love to have a guy like you but I cant be what you need. you like that Lexi needs you and that you need her just as much. I WANT you but that doesn't make it right....but I will try to be there for you cuz....

she sighed

Bliss: cuz for the first time I actually care about someone a little more than myself

For several long seconds there was no response or movement from Caine and for a moment she thought he’d fallen asleep. That might not be good but it was growing harder to care. The all but empty gym could at any time become filled with others and in their current position - Caine’s head resting half on her shoulder half on her chest, their arms around each other, and their legs intertwined - suggestions would definitely be made. Then there came a slight groan and a faint response.

Aidan Caine: One rough patch, this early, can mean a lot more than one that comes later. You know me, you’ve seen what I’m about... I like taking the risks and making the gambles. Seeing what might happen... but okay. I get it. I’ve gotten it... I don’t like that she needs me, I like that she is finally accepting she doesn’t need to do everything alone... she’s a lot like you sometimes... only you like being alone... just don’t... go too far away after this... I care too... I need... you... too...

Bliss: I don't necessarily like being alone... hence why I get lonely.... I just don't like to admit it most of the time. i'm not going anywhere... besides I'm the sin city champ... cant let just anybody hold this title now can I?

she was trying hard to lighten the mood but she knew that if he walked away from Lexi it would be a mistake

Bliss: she's not going to leave you cowboy... whether it be by her own feet or otherwise.... you know that expression.. whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger? that should be tattooed on her ass....

There had been a lot of doubts in Caine’s small piece of the world lately. He’d had his doubts about his relationship with Lexi, doubts about her pregnancy, doubts about Bliss, and now, since his loss to Rage, he’d been plagued by almost constantly persistent doubts about himself and his abilities inside that ring. Seemed a few others felt the same way... When you lose a match of that calibre suddenly everyone seemed to see you different. Some saw you as stronger but many saw you as weaker, something less, a mere pebble in their shoe instead of a boulder coming to crush you. He’d never been a man who had much in the way of doubts in his life. It simply wasn’t how he operated. Never had been. So now he felt like he was in uncharted waters and his raft had struck a leak. He was paddling like his life depending on it and yet he was still losing the battle. He was still sinking. Things had not been like this just a few weeks ago. Caine had been so sure, about everything. Maybe that’s what led him to make the impetuous and impromptu decision he had made that day, while walking the strip after a long gym session. Maybe that had been what had gotten him in that shop, talking to that clerk, and ordering something so special and one of a kind... something he knew was way too soon to be shared but nonetheless he wanted to have ready for when it was the right time. After he’d woken up from his coma and especially after his Unsanctioned Empty Arena match had been announced he’d wanted to cut to the chase, stop the denial, and give it to her. Ask her that important question that had the potential to change everything, carried with it the weight of his world... But that was also when the tensions had started between him and Lex, and when his one night of transgression with Bliss had proven to be more of a night of eye-opening revelations for them both. A night that had less to do with being drunk and more to do with realizing things they’d both buried deep inside. His next statement seemed simple, or so it would have been to anyone but himself and the woman he was currently holding so closely that even a stranger would be able to see their intimacy and the comfort level that came along with it.

Aidan Caine: I’d bought her a ring.

Bliss' arms dropped from around his waist and she went rigid, but her voice didn't lose the soft quiet tone she'd been using the whole time they had been snuggling on the bench.

Bliss: this is wrong....

she started to shuffle away from him. He was confusing her. she couldn't explain their attraction any better than he could but she couldn't understand why if he felt he could buy her a ring but yet have doubts about their relationship. why couldn't he share his feelings with HER like this. it should be HER that got these tender moments.

Bliss: I have to go.

she gently pushed him upright and stood, grabbing her gym bag and starting toward the door. He started to limp after her, his head spinning, the dizziness suddenly much worse. He didn’t know why he’d told her. He just hadn’t been thinking. He needed to stop not doing that.... or doing that... or... damn-it why couldn’t he think clearly! He reached out and grabbed the handle of her gym bag to stop her.

Aidan Caine: Kahlan, stop, wait, please! I bought it before. Before I even got hurt, before she told me about Justin, before we started having our problems, before... you and I... you know. Started all this. A lot of things have happened since I bought that ring. I didn’t have the doubts I have now. And I wasn’t even planning on giving it to her for a while anyway. We were going to fast to begin with and then she got pregnant and it was like it speeded everything up even more and ... I don’t want to just give her a ring because it would be the “right” thing to do. I can’t give her a ring as long as I’m feeling this strongly about another person. About you. It wouldn’t be fair to her to give her a lie. I love her, so much it hurts. But what does it mean when every time I see some guy hitting on you on twitter I want to hold their head under water and punch them in the side, until the bubbles stop? Huh? I don’t know what in the hell that MEANS! And until I know, until I figure all of this out, I can’t do that to her. Because I’m already doing THIS to her! Even if she doesn’t know it.

When he said “this” he gestured back and forth from himself to Bliss.

Aidan Caine: You have no idea how guilty this makes me feel but at the same time, I can’t seem to stop myself. I think about you, all the time, I want what we did to happen again... and that kills me. And I know I shouldn’t be saying this and I know you don’t feel the same way and I know we would never work. But... I want to know you. More. I want to be able to be with you and remember every single second of it and not just have moments of clarity in the middle of drunken hazes. So what does that mean? Please tell me because I can’t figure it out. I go home to her and I can’t believe how happy I am, how lucky I am. But if I’m supposed to give her that ring, then why do I think about you at night? EVERY night? Answer that for me. Should I give a woman a ring when I’m having these kinds of doubts? When I’m asking myself if I can spend a whole lifetime with a woman that I love when I’m with, and I love when I’m away, but when I’m with you I hardly think about at all? What does that say about ME? I’m no better than Clash!

she shook her head.

Bliss: first off never compare yourself to that scumbag because its far from the truth. I would never in a million years stoop that low. second if I knew what it meant I'd tell you... I'm not angry that you want to marry her... in a weird twisted way it kind of makes me happy.... cuz all jealousy aside she deserves to be. I really don't know what it is u see in me that makes you love me. until recently I’ve always been a ball buster to u and anyone else I talk to. I don't know what to do....I cant ever go back to the way it was before but I cant move forward either... all I know is that I want to be held and forget about everything else... but I cant have that either....

she looked away feeling like she was to blame for everything except Lexi going to Justin. what had she done exactly to make this man so head over heels for her? she thought she'd been so good at keeping an arms length distance... didn't know that harmless meaningless flirts would be taken out of context like this... that somehow the crush that had started that first night shed partied with him would reveal itself like this....

Aidan Caine: I want that too. To hold you. Not worry about anything else. Just feel you... I wish I could explain this but I can’t. I just...

He shook his head and went to reach for his own gym bag. He was so tired now and the mental strain of trying to figure this out was only making it worse. He felt dead on his feet and he didn’t see how anything he could say to her right now would help or make any difference in a single thing. Standing he limped over to the doorway, gently shouldering his small duffel, and looked down at the floor when he paused beside her.

Aidan Caine: I’m sorry that I even brought any of it up. It’s just making it all harder isn’t it? I... can I...just... remember what I said about keeping it wrapped using the hand too okay? And you should put those lotions on more often than I think you have been. It really did look like it was starting to get infected. So don’t touch it. You probably have been right?

Bliss: force of habit to go for my wrist.. especially lately....

Instantly he felt guilty. He was sure his contributions to her life hadn’t helped.

Aidan Caine: Try not to. Please.

He couldn’t look at her. He just felt too bad to look at her.

Bliss renewed her grip on her bag and didn't even try to placate him with a fake smile... she wasn't in the mood for niceties.

Bliss: I will try

With thoughts of longing, images of just holding her in her bed and falling into a deep sleep beside her floating through his pained head he took a deep breath and tried to act normal. It ended up only coming out sounding uncomfortable and forced.

Aidan Caine: So I guess I’ll see you around, at work then.

Bliss: yeah... right.... work....

she grimaced and shook her head awkwardly

It was as if his feet were glued to the floor, as if he needed her to walk away from him because he just couldn’t do it. Everything about his felt wrong somehow. Was it always going to be like this from now on? His voice sounded weak to even his own ears. Great Aidan, could you sound any more pathetic?

Aidan Caine: Bye?

she couldn't find her voice something she usually had no problem doing. she sucked on her bottom lip and nodded her head to confirm shed heard him before brushing past him out the door toward her locker room. He didn't try to follow her and she managed to get to the room without incident. she didn't normally shower at work but decided she needed to relax a little and set it up.... trying to forget some of what had gone on. she unwrapped the gauze and left her clothes in a pile before heading into the small stall. To Be Continued...