Just a note: Just so there's no confusion. In this story there is no Raw/ECW/Smackdown brand separation.
~~~~~~~
{Chapter 6}
It hadn’t taken the storyline writers long to whip up something for Randy, Angela and Kane. By Raw the following week they were set to start the whole angle going. With just a few weeks leading up to the pay-per-view they really needed to get the ball rolling.
Angela had learned that if she did as Randy wanted her to do she would be fine. Her bruises faded and thankfully no new ones took their place. Angela set her bag down in Randy’s locker room and sat down looking over the script she had been handed.
She would be facing Beth Phoenix that night in a non-title match. Scanning ahead to the segment with Kane she frowned. Kane hadn’t said two words to her since the day she broke things off and she couldn’t really blame him. Now she had to carry on a conversation with him in front of the camera.
“Something wrong,” Randy asked as he unpacked his gear. She was still frowning as she read what would happen.
“No,” she replied. “Just not looking forward to tonight. That’s all.” She grabbed her bag and stood. “I should go get ready. My match against Beth is coming up soon.”
Randy stopped her and grasped her shoulders. “This is just for a couple of weeks,” he said. “Then you’ll be free of that freak. All right?” She nodded, forcing a smile.
“I should go,” she said softly, heading to the women’s locker room.
Victoria was finally back from her honeymoon and though she had made attempts to call Angela, the calls had not been returned. Angela was sinking into a depression and calls, even from a good friend like Victoria just didn’t thrill her.
She pushed open the locker room door and the chattering from inside instantly stopped. All the women gawked at her. With her head down Angela entered the locker room and began to unpack her gear.
Victoria made her way over to her. “Hey there stranger,” she said smirking. Angela looked up at her. “I’ve been leaving messages.”
“I know,” Angela replied returning her gaze to her things as she unpacked them. “I haven’t really felt up to returning calls. Sorry, Vic.”
Victoria touched her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. “Honey, I know what the other girls are saying about you and I want you to know that I don’t believe for a second that you married Randy willingly.” She took a seat on the bench next to Angela. “Jason doesn’t believe it either and believe it or not Undertaker doesn’t buy it.”
“Why are you telling me this, Vic,” Angela asked.
“Because I want you to know that you’re not alone,” Victoria replied. “You have friends who want to help you.”
“That’s great,” she said gathering up her tights. “I appreciate you guys supporting me, but the one who really truly matters hates me.” With that she headed into the bathroom to change for her match.
~*~
Angela was holding her own with Beth Phoenix. She had the Glamazon on the ropes and had just backed her into the corner stepping back to charge her when Beth pulled the ref in front of her. Mike Chioda went down like a sack of potatoes. Beth got a wicked gleam in her eyes as she stalked Angela.
Out of nowhere Randy Orton appeared, spinning Beth around and RKOing her. He smirked at Angela and slid out of the ring, waking the ref. Warily Angela rolled Beth onto her back and pinned her as Chioda counted the pinfall.
Randy smiled up at Angela. “My gift to you,” he said blowing her a kiss before heading back up the ramp and disappearing. Angela stared after him confused by his actions.
~*~
After the match Angela made her way to the back, snagging a bottled water on the way. Beth Phoenix jogged up along side her. “That was a great match,” she said smiling at Angela. “For the record, I don’t care what the other girls are saying about you. You’re a good worker and I’d love to step in the ring with you again.”
“Thanks, Beth,” Angela said smiling for what seemed like the first time in a long while. Beth hurried along to shower and change leaving Angela by herself. She was about to head to the women’s locker room when Kane stepped into view.
“We…uh…have that segment we have to do,” he said sounding awkward.
“Right,” she said mopping her face with a towel and following him to his locker room. The camera crew was already there setting up. “So, how are we doing this,” she asked, all business.
“You’ll come through the door and then I’ll take it from there,” Kane said, somewhat relieved that she was all about the job.
He watched her as she headed out into the hall, the handprint still on her arm. It was faint, but he could see it. With a sigh he prepared for the segment they were about to tape.
~*~
Angela stepped through the door and saw Kane warming up for his match. When he saw her enter the room he stalked over to her. “What the hell was that,” he demanded.
“What,” Angela asked. Realization then hit her. “Oh, you mean, Randy?”
“Yes, I mean Randy,” he growled.
“I have no idea,” she shrugged. “I certainly didn’t want or need his help.”
“Yeah, well you didn’t seem all that pissed about his involvement,” Kane grumbled.
“Should I be,” she demanded. “I won the match. I fail to see how that’s a bad thing.”
“I don’t want you going near Orton. As a matter of fact I want you to keep your ass in the locker room tonight while I deal with him,” he growled. As she walked past him he grabbed her arm and made her look at him. “Are we clear, Angela?”
She wrenched her arm free of his grasp and replied, “Yes, Kane, we are.” Kane nodded, a small smirk curling his lips before he exited the locker room. Angela glared in his direction as the scene faded.
~*~
When the camera crew cleared out Kane re-entered the locker room. He glanced at Angela a moment before turning away. “You can go now,” he said.
“Kane…I…”
“I said you can go,” he growled. “I have a match to prepare for.”
Without another word Angela exited the locker room. She came face to face with Randy in the hall. “Not now,” she said shaking her head as she walked past him. She was in no mood to deal with him.
“Did he say something to upset you,” Randy asked falling into step beside her.
Angela sighed, knowing that if she told him the truth he’d likely do something to her. “I’m just tired,” she replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. Her match had taken a lot out of her and she still wasn’t done for the night.
“Well, then let’s get you back to the locker room,” he said wrapping an arm around her waist. “Can’t have my baby tiring herself out.” He chuckled. “That’s my job later tonight.”
“Can’t wait,” Angela said. Randy either didn’t notice the sarcasm or ignored it.
~*~
It was finally time for the main event. Angela watched from the Gorilla position waiting for her cue to run out. Kane’s music hit with a burst of flames and he stalked to the ring looking determined to put a hurting on his opponent.
Moments later Mercy Drive rang through the arena and Randy Orton made his way to the ring. His title belt slung over his shoulder. He glared at Kane as he approached the ring. As he entered the ring and posed for his adoring fans he kept an eye on Kane.
The match started off with both men exchanging blows until it seemed that Randy had gotten the upper hand. Angela made her way down the ramp while Kane was tied up. Randy saw her and smirked, blowing her a kiss as he delivered a DDT to Kane.
“Come on, Kane,” Angela yelled, pounding on the apron as he got to his feet.
Kane saw her there and glared at her. “I told you to stay in the back,” he yelled leaning over to the ropes.
While he was distracted Randy rolled him up for the pinfall. The champion grabbed his belt and high tailed it up the ramp, celebrating his victory once he got to the stage. Kane sat up, glaring right at Angela. Raw went off the air with Kane yelling at Angela before stalking up the ramp.
~*~
When Kane and Angela stepped through the curtains Shane McMahon clapping greeted them. “That was great, guys,” he said smiling. “The fans were eating it up.” Kane didn’t say anything, just brushed past Shane heading to his locker room. “Was it something I said?”
“No, Shane,” Angela replied. “It was me.” With that she went to find Randy.
~*~
“This has to stop,” Edge said to Jason frowning as he listened to Kane tearing apart his locker room again.
“Tell me about it,” Jason agreed. “Every time I go into his locker room lately it looks like it was hit by Hurricane Kane.”
“Don’t you guys see why he’s so upset,” Victoria asked sadly. “He loves Angela. It’s killing him that he can’t be with her.”
“What can we do,” Jason asked slipping an arm around Victoria’s waist.
“Nothing we can do about it,” Edge replied shrugging.
“I’ll think of something,” Victoria replied. “She won’t talk about it, but I think she’s married to Orton against her will.”
“Of course she is,” Undertaker said approaching the three. “No way she would be with a man who treats her like a punching bag.”
“He’s abusing her,” Victoria asked mortified. She had seen the bruise on Angela’s arm, but just assumed it happened in the gym. Undertaker nodded. “That bastard.”
“I might not have liked Angie right off the bat, but no woman deserves that,” Jason said.
“Now the question is how do we get her away from Orton,” Undertaker asked.
“Good question, Deadman,” Edge replied. “When you figure that out be sure to let us in on the plan.” Jason elbowed Edge in the ribs. “Fine, but I’m coming up blank.”
“Keep thinking,” Undertaker said before heading off to calm his brother down.
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