TITLE: Sometimes Hate Can Lead To Love (Part 1/?)
AUTHOR: Kimberly Larkin
EMAIL: ShaneMcMahonsGrl@hotmail.com
RATING:NC-17
CONTENT: Sporadic use of adult language
CATEGORY: Adult
SPOILERS: None
SUMMARY: Okay, I took major creative license in this story. Basically the idea is, whatever you see on tv is real. Ex: HHH and Stephanie are really married, the McMahon-Helmsely Faction really hates The Rock, etc. Also, in this story Shane is single, not married to Marissa. Nothing against her, I just felt like using him as the romantic lead. It's mostly a love story.
DISCLAIMER: Uhm, well, I'm not any of these people, I do not own any of these people, with the exception of Samantha, Shannon, Patricia and Ryan.
DISTRIBUTION: Uhm, anywhere, I guess. As long as it's in an adult section

PART ONE:

The crowd shouted out "asshole" over and over again, making 18,000 people sound like just one really loud person. Ordinarily, I'd be a little unnerved by this and wonder if they were talking about me, but I know they aren't. They're talking about him. They're talking about "the most electrifying man in sports entertainment." The people's champ, the one and only, The Rock .

It's actually been quite some time since I've referred to him as The Rock. For almost half a year I've been dating the man behind The Rock. Oh, and for those of you who don't know, his real name is Dwayne Johnson. We've been dating - - oh wait, that's right. We're no longer dating. Dwayne apparently has decided that I cramp his style. I believe his exact words were "The Rock says this: The Rock is tired of his relationship with you and The Rock wants out. Now." As anyone who has ever been heart broken knows, break ups can be painful. Especially if they are unexpected; and this was. I never saw it coming. And, I especially never saw myself getting dumped in front of 18,000 fans in the arena and countless others watching from home. He dumped me in front of the entire country. God, I am humiliated.

~~

I stand nervously outside of Shane's dressing room. I know I look like a mess. I can easily feel how flushed I am. I'm also crying like a baby, something I hate doing. I stand there for a minute, not sure whether or not to knock. I know that Shane most likely hates my guts - not that I blame him. It's all apart of his deal. He's a member of the McMahon-Helmsely Regime and The Rock is their main target. But still, he had been nice to me on a few occasions and right then, I truly had no other place to go. I take a deep breath and knock. Within seconds the door opened and there stood Shane, staring at me in obvious disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"Shane, I - uh, I - -" I hear myself stammering and swallow hard in an effort to regain some sort of control over myself. "I know that I probably shouldn't be here and if the circumstances were any different, I wouldn't be. But - -" I pause and swallow hard again as a fresh batch of tears spring into my eyes. "But, Dwayne just - - he - - we - -" my voice trailed off. I can't speak. I look up at Shane and see that the iciness is disappearing from his eyes, quickly being replaced by a look of concern.

"Samantha, calm down. I can't do anything for you if you don't tell me what's wrong." He takes me by the hand and leads me into the dressing room, closing the door behind us. "Have a seat." I nod and sit down desperately wishing for a tissue, or for the floor to swallow me whole - - I don't know which I'd prefer. "Now, take a deep breath and try again."

"He broke up with me," I whisper, not looking at him. "Just like that. For no reason." I shake my head. "And he did it in the middle of the ring with 18,000 people looking on. And those are just the people that are here."

"That son of a - -" I look over at him and see his hands involuntairly clench into fists. "Samantha, not that I'm trying to say I told you so, but I warned you about him. We all warned you about him."

"I know you did. And right now, I really hate myself for not listening to you." I pause for a second and again take a deep breath. "I know how you feel about me, Shane. I know that you pretty much hate me. But thank you for putting that aside, even for a few minutes."

This time, it was Shane that sighed. "Sam, I don't hate you. None of us hate you. We just - - it was the man you were with."

I nod. "Yeah, I pretty much figured that. . ."

"Listen, go into my bathroom and splash some cold water on your face. I don't know if you want to hear this now or not, but he's not worth your tears." He pauses, almost debating about whether or not to continue. "Any man who has to give himself a build up by publically humiliating a woman he claims to love is a selfish bastard."

"You're right, Shane. I don't want to admit it, but you are. Tonight, when he looked at me like I was some sort of. . ." I shrug. "I don't know. Something that he just wanted to get rid of as quickly as possible, I saw another side to him. A side I have never seen before and never, ever want to see again."

"Go and splash some cold water on your face. I have to take care of something, but I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere."

"All right."

~~

For the next few weeks, Shane's like a godsend. He keeps everyone off my case about the break up, makes sure that Dwayne doesn't come anywhere near me and keeps the fans and the press away. Actually, looking back on it, everyone was incredible to me during that entire time.

Shane and I are sitting in his dressing room, almost a month later when I decide to bring up a subject I had been dreading. "Shane, I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done. You got me through this month when I didn't think I was going to make it."

"What happened to you was just wrong, Sam. I would've done it for anybody."

"I know. But. . .you and your family and everyone else. . .you've let me travel with you from place to place and there's really no real reason for me to be here anymore. That's why I think I'd better just fly home tonight."

I can't tell for sure, but for a second, it almost looks like Shane's disappointed. Could it be that he actually liked having me around? No. It's not possible. He's just being nice to the poor girl who got dumped. "Actually, my father wants to speak with you about that."

"He does?" I ask, suddenly feeling butterflies in my stomach.

Shane nods. "Yes. But don't look so worried. He's not going to bite. He just wants to talk to you."

I don't even get a chance to respond when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" He shouts. The door opens and in walkes Vince McMahon , the owner of the WWF and a man that intimidates the hell out of me.

"Hi, Shane," he greets as he walks in. "Samantha, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, Mr. McMahon. Thank you."

Vince shakes his head and I'm immediately afraid that I've done something wrong. "Please, don't call me Mr. McMahon. I much prefer to be called Vince." I nod and wait for him to continue. "I've noticed that you've been feeling a little . . .restless lately?"

I squirm in my seat. "Not exactly restless. More like useless." I pause. "I was only here in the beginning because of my relationship with Dwayne. But that ended nearly a month ago. I serve no purpose here now and I feel incredibly bad wasting your money."

"Did I say you were wasting my money?" He asks, with no challenge in his voice at all.

"No, you didn't but - -"

"But nothing. Something very odd has happened, Samantha. Everyone in the regime, including myself has taken a shine to you. We all like you and we want you to stay and be a part of the regime."

I look at him in disbelief. "You want me to join the McMahon-Helmsey Regime?"

He nods. "You'd be the perfect addition. . .and it would look good, business wise. I mean, think about it. The ex-girlfriend of The Rock teaming up with the very people he hates the most."

"It does sound very appealing. . ."

"You don't have to decide right now, but just remember that we all want you to stay."

I nod again. "Thank you, Mr. - -" I catch myself and blush. "I mean, Vince. I really appreciate the offer."

"You're welcome," he replies as he glances at his watch. "20 minutes until we go on the air. You're more than welcome to join us out there tonight. You don't have to do or say anything, you can just stand right beside Shane if that makes you more comfortable."

"I think I will," I answer, my decision to stay having already been made. If Dwayne thinks that he can publically humiliate me and get away with it, he has another thing coming.

"Great. Then I'll see you out there."

~~

"So, be honest now, Sam. You must love being a part of the regime with us," Stephanie commented one night as she was getting a final touch up on her hair and make up.

"I do. I really do. I still find it so hard to believe that it's been four and a half months since this whole thing started. And you guys . . ." I pause. "When I think about all the things that he said about you, all of you. And how I believed him."

"Don't even worry about it. What were you supposed to do? Disagree with him? I don't think so." She pauses for a second, taking a drink of water. "You were standing by your man, and that was valiant of you. I gave you a lot of credit for that."

"Thanks." I grin at her. "I still can't get over how quickly you all accepted me into your circle. I mean, first Shane, then your father, now you and Triple H."

"Hunter is a very caring man," she replies. "He's got a rough and tough image but in this business you have to. When he found out what Dwayne did to you, I swear he wanted to tear him limb from limb."

"I almost wish he would have."

"Do you hate him now?"

"That's a really good question, Stephanie and I honestly don't know the answer. Sometimes I think I really hate him and others. . .well . . .I don't want to be around him anymore or anything but still. . ."

"Well, it doesn't matter, really. I was just curious. . .actually though, I do have a really serious question to ask you. It's about Shane."

"What about him?"

"What do you think of him?" She askes, her voice lowering almost like she was involved in a conspiracy.

"What do I think of him? Stephanie, he's got to be one of the greatest guys I have ever met. I mean, after everything he's done for me and still continues to do for me. . ."

"Aside from that. Are you attracted to him?"

"I never thought about it, honestly, I'm feeling a lot better then I was a few months ago, but I haven't started looking around at other guys yet."

"Well start looking," she says with a grin. "And start with my brother."

I grin as I think about it. "He is attractive," I admit. "Very attractive. And I suppose I could be interested." I look up and see a small smirk form on her lips. "Stephanie McMahon-Helmsely, what are you up to?"

"That's priviledged information on a need to know basis. Right now, you don't need to know," she giggles.

"But, I'm sure I'll found out soon enough."

"Maybe, maybe not."

~~

An hour later the entire DX family: Vince, Triple H, Stephanie, X-Pac, Road Dogg , Tori , Shane and myself are standing at the top of the ramp waiting for our introduction. "And now, making her way to the ring, the WWF women's champion, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsely, accompied by Triple H and the rest of the McMahon-Helmsely Regime!" As we walk towards the ring, I hear a combination of applause and boos. Hearing that makes me realize just how much the people still love "The Rock" and that he apparently can do no wrong in their eyes.

We all stand in the center of the ring as Vince takes the mic. While he's talking, I lean over and whispered to Shane, "how can they still love him after what he did to me? I can't believe that it was nothing to his fans."

"I think you should tell them that," he whispers back.

"Me? No. They aren't going to listen to me, I'm nothing in their eyes. If they even remember me, it's because of the way I was so rudely dumped on television." I pause. "I was known as the woman who couldn't satisfy The Rock."

He shakes his head. "Not anymore you're not. Now you are a member of the most powerful regime this organization has ever known." Vince has just finished addressing the hostile crowd when Shane asks him for the microphone. Stepping up, he begins to speak. "As my father was addressing all of you, my friend Samantha over here made an interesting point. How can you still worship a man who gets his jollies out of humilitating an innocent woman in public?" The audience shouts obscenities and once again calls Shane a pussy, to which he rolls his eyes and responds with "are we not over that one yet? I thought we had come to the realization that a pussy is cat, which is a compliment, not a put down."

He's about to say more when Triple H comes over and takes the microphone. "Can you shut up for just one minute and listen to what we are trying to tell you?" He booms. "This girl," he begins, pointing at me. "Had her heart broken and stomped on infront of all of you people by the man you worship. Does this not bother you at all?" He stops talking as the crowd decides to turn against me. I hear shouts of "slut" and "whore" rippling through the crowd.

Finally, I've had enough. It's my turn to talk. "Triple H," I begin as I take the microphone from him. "Don't even bother wasting your breath. These people obviously are so mesmerized by what The Rock wants them to see that they can't even hear the truth." I pausefor a second, listening to the crowd who so obviously hate me, all the while trying to not visibly shake from nerves. "They are going to think what they want to of me. You know, and I know, we all know, that I am not. . .that word. I am a nice person who like them, was mesmerized by The Rock. But, I'm not mesmerized by him anymore. He is a selfish man who loves one person and one person only, The Rock."

Stephanie comes up behind me, and takes the microphone. I can't help but grin for a second. I remember being backstage, watching the Regime take the mic from person to person but it was so much different when you're a part of it. "That's right, Sam and it's about time that everyone knows it. Remember how I told you that Triple H was ready to go after The Rock to defend you when he found out about what had happened?" I nod. "Well, tonight, Triple H is going to go into a match with The Rock in your honor. It's about time that someone stood up for you and my husband is just the man to do it."

I turn and look at Triple H, stunned. I walk over to him and whisper "thank you." I then lean up to hug him as the audience continues to boo. Vince then tell us it was time to make our exit, that the point had been made. The Rock is facing Triple H in a match that will surely leave him in pain. Normally, I'm not a very vengeful person, but I've been pushed too far and am looking forward to my honor being defended, for once.

~~

I walk into my dressing room, two months after the match that Triple H competed in, defending my honor. He had easily beaten The Rock that night and as sick as it sounds, it gave me some pleasure to see him as hurt as I had been. Of course his hurt was of a different sort, but nonetheless, hurt is hurt. I shake my head. It had been six months already since that fateful Monday night and I know that I have to stop looking to the past and start focusing on the future. I'm about to go sit by the vanity when something on the couch catches my eye. Turning, I see one beautiful, long stemmed red rose lying ontop of a sheet of paper. Curious, I walk over and pick them both up. I realize that it's a letter from Shane. As I begin to read it, I feel myself tremble. It was the most touching thing I have ever read:

I clutch the letter to me and feel tears spring into my eyes. I've been harboring feelings for Shane for awhile now, but kept them to myself because I didn't think he'd want anything to do with me, romantically. I knew that he was enjoying his role as my protector. I decided going to give him my answer right now, before I lost my nerve. Picking up my purse, I head out the door to his dressing room. "Shane?" I call out as I knock softly on his door.

"Sam. . .hi, come on in," he replies, looking nervous. "How - how are you?"

"I'm okay. For the first time in a long time I can say that I'm really okay. . .better then that, actually."

"Oh? That's great."

"Shane, the letter was so sweet. And so was the rose. . .thank you so much. It made my day."

"Good. I'm glad." He takes a long drink of water and sat down on the couch. "So, you're talking about it, does that mean that you're. . .interested?"

I sit down next to him and nodded. "Yes, I am. I have been for awhile now. I just - -well, I know that when we first started spending a lot of time together it was because you were trying to get me through a rough time. I had no idea if those feelings had changed or not."

Shane smiles and shakes his head. "And I was afraid to say anything to you because you had been hurt so badly before. I didn't want to push you."

I grin. "See what happens when you get two considerate people in a room together? Nothing gets done." I laugh. "So uh, are you planning on officially asking me out or are you gonna make me do it?"

He grins. "Samantha O'Brien, I'd be honored if you'd join me for dinner tomorrow night. If you want to, of course."

I giggle softly. Shane is so goofy when he wants to be. "I'd love to."

~~

"STEPHANIE!!" I call out as I stand outside her and Hunter's hotel room. She opens the door and looks at me for a second.

"Where's the fire?"

"There is none, but I need help."

She looks at me, trying not to laugh. "Okay, come on in." I step inside as she closes the door behind me. "So tell, me, what do you need help with?"

"An outfit. Shane and I have a date tonight and I just realized that I have nothing to wear."

Stephanie looks at me again, her jaw practically hanging to the floor. "Did you just say that you have a date with my brother tonight?" I nod. "YES! I knew it! I knew I was right!"

"Huh?"

She grins and starts to explain. "I asked you about Shane a few months ago because I knew that he liked you. He's so transparent when it comes to stuff like that. I can't believe you didn't notice it yourself."

"I was too afraid to," I tell her as I sit on her bed. "I was afraid to maybe see something that wasn't really there and then get my heart broken again."

She sits down next to me and looks at me seriously. "I know that Dwayne hurt you badly, Sam. . .but he's the exception not the rule. My brother. . .he's . . .he doesn't make a move without calculating all the risks. He'll never hurt you. Not intentionally anyway."

I nod. "I'm so nervous and I don't know why. It's not like I don't know him well or something like that. He's been my best friend for the past six months."

"That's why you're nervous. When you and he went out to a movie or to get something to eat as just friends, there was no pressure there. The second you add the word 'date' in there, it changes everything. You're putting yourself out there and that's not always an easy thing."

"Believe me, I know that. . .but with Shane. . .it's. . .I. . ."

"You love him already," she states, confident that she's right.

I look at her, wide eyed. "I what? No I don't."

"Sam, get over it. Yes you do. And he loves you."

"Stephanie, we haven't gone out on our first date yet," I agrue, a little scared about what she just said.

"That doesn't matter. You've created a bond between the two of you and it's turned everything around." She pauses for a second, wetting her lips then continues. "Think about it, Sam. You hated each other when you first met. Despite what each of you says now, you both know it's true." I shrug, I'm not about to agrue. I learned awhile back you never win an argument with a McMahon. Any McMahon. "Then when your problems with Dwayne happened, Shane was there for you and slowly that hatred turned into friendship. Now, six months later, it's turned into love. You may not be in love yet, but there is most definitely some form of love between you." She grins. "And it's pretty obvious to everyone else. We were all waiting for the two of you to wake up and realize it."

I can't even find the words to respond to what she just said. Everything made sense. But. . .how could I love him already? So soon after what happened. . .and what about Shane? What makes Stephanie so sure that he had any feelings like that for me at all? Romantic feelings are one thing but love is something else entirely. "Well, uh, anyway, where are we on me borrowing an outfit?"

She grins and stands up, heading to her closet. "Let's see what we've got here. . ."

~~

Three hours later I'm dressed and ready to go. I standd nervously for a second, shifting my weight from leg to another as I wait, very anxiously,for Shane to knock on the door. After what seems like hours, he finally does. I open the door and can't help but stare. The features that I've found attractive before had somehow compounded themselves between last night and today. "Hi, Shane" I greet, almost shyly.

"Samantha, you look . . ." his voice trails off for a second as he searchs his immense vocabulary for the right word. "stunning."

"I do?" I ask, looking down at myself. I'm wearing anything special. Just one of Stephanie's denim skirts and a white off the shoulder top to go with it. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he replis as he holds out his arm to me. "Ready?"

"Ready."

"Good. Let's go." We head downstairs and out of the hotel.

"Shane, not that I don't like surprises but. . .where are we going?"

He grins. "Well, I know that you're probably expecting dinner and a movie, right?"

I have to laugh. "You caught me."

"Well, I figured. . .that's boring. I mean, sure the movie might be interesting, but then that's two hours wasted not talking. So, I'm trying a different approach."

"Oh? We're gonna talk during the movie until management kicks us out?" I ask, with a giggle.

"Damn. I hadn't thought of that," he answers. "Sadly, no. My plans are a little less risque then that. I was thinking that we could go play miniature golf and then get pizza or something for dinner. Is that okay with you?"

"That sounds great. I'm no golfer that's for sure, but I can hold my own with mini golf."

"Ahh, but see the thing is, you're playing against Shane-O Mac, the king of the mini golf course."

Again, I have to laugh. "Cocky, aren't we? well, Mr. 'King of the Mini Golf Course', you have just met your match because I have been deemed, several times over, the queen of mini golf course."

"Oooooh, I do so love a challenge. . ."

"Good, because a challenge is exactly what you are going to get."

~~

By the time Shane and I decide that we are hungry enough to eat, it's well after 10:00. We go to a little pizza place that he knew about and order a small pie. We take our food outside to a table on the patio and began to eat. While I'm eating, something hits me. I clear my throat before speaking again. "In case I forget later, thanks for tonight. . .I had such a great time . . ."

"I did too, Sam. . . and uh, I'm hoping to do this again. Soon."

I shift in my seat before responding. "I'd like that," I reply in a low voice. "I really want to see where this. . .us. . .where it can go."

"Me too," he replies as he leans in and kisses me. It takes me by surprise and I must have stiffened because he pulles away and apologizes quickly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I - -"

"Shane," I interrupt, "It's okay. . .You just caught me by surprise, that's all. . ." I'm about to say more when he leans in and kisses me again. This time I melt into it almost instantly and am almost shocked by how much I like it. There is something in his kiss that sent currents through me. I didn't realize it before, but those currents weren't there when Dwayne and I had kissed. Ever. I'm breathless when he pulles away.

"I think," he begins, "that we've passed the point of no return."

~~

It's nearly two a.m. when we finally get back to the hotel. After dinner we went for a long walk, enjoying the last of the indian summer before the cold winter weather sets in. Being the gentleman that he is, Shane comes upstairs with me and walkes me to the door of my room, just to be sure that I was safe. As I dug the key out of my purse, I look at Shane, almost not wanting the night to end. "Thank you again, Shane. Once again, you gave me back something I thought I had lost."

"All I did was finally tell you how I felt. I don't see how that helped you, but I'm glad that I did."

"You did. I guess that I'll see you in the morning then?"

He nods. "I've actually got a light day tomorrow. I'm free until one and then I have back to back meetings til about eight." He pauses and looks at me with a small grin. "Am I imagining things or do you look disappointed?"

I blush hotly. "Damn," I reply with a grin. "I really thought those drama lessons helped me. I guess not." I giggle softly. "Well, yeah, I'm a little disappointed. I had so much fun tonight and I don't want it to end."

"Well, we can have breakfast tomorrow before my meeting if you'd like. And as for tomorrow night, there's always room service and one of the ten thousand movies that you can order on t.v."

I smile. "That sounds great. . .night, Shane."

He pulls me close and kisses me again, quickly. "Night, Samantha." He turns and heads back in the direction of the elevators. I follow him with my eyes until he gets on the elevator and the doors close. Sighing to myself, I walk into the room, grab my pajama's and head into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

When I come back out, the voice mail light is blinking. Picking up the phone, I dial the code needed to retrieved the message. I smile when I hear Shane's voice. "I guess you're getting ready for bed. I just wanted to tell you that I also had a great time tonight and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Sleep well."

I put the phone down, get into bed and shut the off the light. Maybe Stephanie was right about this after all. Maybe this whole thing with Shane happened for a reason. I've heard about people hating each other so much because of a deep, underlying attraction that they didn't want to admit they had. Maybe that's what happened here. Turning on my side, I grab the small stuffed chick Shane won for me a few months ago at a fair. I hold it close to me and drift off to sleep, dreaming about him.

To Be Continued. . .