Notes: The Italicized parts are memories.

Looking at him on my television I always have to smile at the memories of days long gone when our lives were but mere shadows of what they are now. I was in the eighth grade, but already called the bad one. He was a senior in high school, but as green as the day was long, a good boy who wadn't gonna get nothin from me but corruption.

My how times change, just look at him now. As the show ends I set down the remote and head to another room letting my house mate have his free reign of the TV. I have seen what I needed to for the evening. Long gone is hair the color of the sun setting and innocent green eyes. In their place is hair darkened by man and eyes hard enough to hide all the secrets he holds behind them. Curling up in my favorite chair I close my eyes and let the music take me back to another time and place.

I was hungry back then. I was a bad girl from a bad family and I reveled in my label. Young and stupid, I thought that the world owed me something for all the pain I suffered. I was on a one woman mission to corrupt all the innocents of the world and make them suffer the pain and humiliation I did on a daily basis. I'd seen him in the hallways of our Junior/Senior High School. He was always hanging on the edge of the jocks one of them and yet not at the same time. You could just see that there was something different about him that they couldn't understand.

One of the many things I didn't know about him was that he was hungry too. He was a good boy from a strict home. He was smart, but not overly smart. He was sweet and shy and quiet. He looked at people and had a habit of looking past all the armor and bullshit that they wore on the outside and saw the good things underneath. Hell he even saw something in me something that no other single person in the world had seen or even bothered to look for.

As soon as I saw him I knew that I had to have him. I had to change him. I had to hurt him and corrupt him. I had to make him mine. I was a girl on a woman's mission and I saw no possibility of failure in sight. I knew what I needed to do and I did it. I wore my skimpiest skirts that showed off the fact that I wore no panties if someone looked real close. I let my hair flow long and free. I made sure that my already impressive cleavage was shown off to its maximum advantage. I found out his schedule and made sure our paths crossed until he had no choice but notice me. And once he did… once he did it was the beginning of the end for him and for me as well.

It got to the point where I could feel his eyes on me as I walked past him down the hallway. I couldn't just feel his hunger I could taste it. I knew what he wanted. I knew what he craved in a way that some women never figure out and I when I decided it was time I gave it to him. I'd watched the basketball game that night. He'd scored the winning shot. Their hero for once, part of their world if only for a few moments. That night the party would be in his honor and he was going to revel in it.

My parents didn't care when I came in. They would have had to stop their arguing long enough to notice that I wasn't there. Finding the location of the night's festivities and getting an invite was as simple as a blow job in the showers after gym class for a boy or two. I didn't see anything degrading about being on my knees if it got me what I wanted… if it got me him. Weaving my way through the drunken boys that night I sought out my victim and finally located him on a couch drinking his beer and pretending they were including him in their laughter and fun.

It was so easy for me. I just slunk over and placed myself across his lap straddling him without even considering giving him a choice in the matter. I heard the whistles and the comments, but I pushed them out of my mind. There was only one person I was interested in and it was the owner of the startled green eyes looking at me like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Very soon though startle turned to need as I felt his teenage hormones stirring as he hardened beneath me. Putting my arms around his neck I rubbed myself against him slightly, watching the green of his eyes change, listening to his breath changing. "I know you want me," I whispered to him as I ran a hand down the side of his face and neck, but never taking my eyes from his. I could see the battle going on in his head, the good boy arguing with the needs of a body out of control, teaching and lessons of parents conflicting with human nature. Luckily for me need and human nature won out.

First he set his beer aside then stood with one arm wrapped around my waist carrying us both out of the house much to the delight of his team mates. Quickly he carried me to his truck opening the driver's door and giving me a curt, "get in". Scrambling in and to the other side I turned to watch him as he pulled out of his parking spot and rushed away from the noise and prying eyes. This development hadn't been part of my plans and my mind worked furiously trying to figure him out wondering where he was taking me. Deciding to test the waters I scooted closer to him molding my body into the side of his and ran a finger over the profile of his face. I could feel him shudder beneath my touch and knew that I at least hadn't misjudged his need.

Leaning in I placed my lips on his neck and felt him quiver. Sucking on the tender flesh there I let my hand trail down to cup him through his jeans and began to stroke softly delighted when I heard his moan. Unexpectedly the truck came to a stop but one of his arms suddenly wrapped around me saved me from crashing into the windshield. Then those eyes were on me and I could see them searching me for something looking searching needing to know the answer to some deep question he would soon ask. "Why?" He whispered not finding the answer in my eyes or my soul. Why indeed. "Why not?" I whispered back stroking him once again. "You aren't like them," I added sensing this one needed something more than the longings of his body. "Or maybe I'm looking for a savior and you're it."

It's funny. At the time they were just words or at least I thought they were. I had no clue how true they were. Save me he did. He rescued me from the hell I was heading towards and gave me the most precious gift in the world. If only I could return the favor. "Mom I'm going to bed." Pulling myself from the past I turn my head and smile at my son softly. He is the image of his father. Tall and lean with bright red hair and green eyes deep enough to get lost in them. He is the second greatest love of my life and I only pray that I do better with him that I did his father. "When do you leave in the morning?" I ask and I see his face transform into a mixture of excitement and nervousness. My son is Harvard bound. Sixteen and already done with high school he's going to be a doctor some day. I can't imagine how I managed it. "Eight," He replies. Coming in he kisses my cheek and I can see things in his eyes he's dying to say. "Thanks mom for everything." As I watch him hurry out I sigh and wish his father could be here to see this. But it wasn't meant to be. At least not then not for us, we both had other paths we were destined to follow his ending at the bright lights and fame of the WWE and mine a little less in the public eye, but not any less fulfilling. There was also my other job. In addition to raising my son I was a published author. I wasn't one that hit the New York Times Best Seller List every time that I put out a new book, but I did good enough to be able to provide a good home for myself and my son.

Thinking back in time again I admit that he would have been a good father and should have had the right to raise his son. But I found out I wasn't as strong or as tough as I though I was and in the end I really had no control over my destiny.

That night I discovered something in the back of that truck that I hadn't expected. That man that boy that human lying naked under my body wasn't going to be something I could just use and toss away as I had planned. Some how some way he had managed to work his way into my blood and I began to wonder just who had been chasing who. Quickly we became inseparable. He tried to teach me something about responsibility and seeing beyond the moment and I tried to teach him something about fun and believing in himself. He told me I was better than the little sex toy that I acted like and I told him that he was too good to beg idiots to pay attention to him. Our relationship may have started with sex, but it quickly became about much more than that. He became the first thing I ever loved in my life and any plans I had for causing him pain and heartache quickly went out the window. Like the children we still were we forgot all about tomorrow only caring about the moment we were trying so desperately to stay in.

Unfortunately for us tomorrow always comes. Eventually people found out about us and began to talk. The principal at the school kicked me out saying I was a bad influence and before I knew what was happening my parents had me packed up and shipped off leaving that boy I loved more than life behind.

I can still remember that last tear filled moment before our parents ripped us from each other's arms. He swore to me that he would find me some day. "Some day they won't be able to stop me. Some day you'll see baby. You just hold on and wait for me. Some day…"

Almost seventeen years later I am still waiting, but I can't really blame him. After we left Texas I soon figured out I was pregnant. It was like someone had given me a second chance. I knew what would happen if my parents found out and sure enough eventually they did. So there I was alone and six months pregnant abandoned by uncaring parents who labeled me a whore without a dollar to my name and alone in some strange place not sure what to do or where to go. But I figured it out. I worked my fingers to the bone and never stopped believing in those words he swore to me. I knew he would find me again, if I didn't find him first.

**~~~~** Two Months Later ** ~~~ **

I've never used my minor fame for anything other than a way to raise my child and yet here I was having used every connection my agent and I had backstage waiting to meet the man I love for the second time in my life. I have to admit that it is much more nerve wracking now that it was before, but then I am a lot less full of myself now than I was then. Gone is the short skirt that barely covers my ass and in its place is a knee length one that I happen to think I look damn good in. High heels have been replaced by knee length boots although I have to admit I am still maximizing my now much more ample cleavage. On my lap rests a scrap book filled with memories of our son and I can only hope and pray that he doesn't hate me too much for keeping them apart.

Suddenly the door swings open and there he is. The tall boy had grown into an even taller man. The lean form had been replaced by muscle and age. The bright red hair was gone covered by a beautician by a darker color that I have to admit looks better on him than those red flames ever did. The eyes though. The change in them I don't like. There is no hope left there. No softness or belief in the gentler things looks to be alive in them. In fact if I didn't know better I would say he had stolen my eyes and taken them on himself for I know that look well. I'd seen it in the mirror every morning up until he set out to change my life.

I saw him pause as his eyes set on me and slowly I stood holding the scrapbook in front of me. His head cocked to one side as his lips curled into a frown and I knew what was going on in his head. His brain was trying to place this face that reminded him of something from his youth. The only question was, were they things he wanted to be reminded of? I had never stopped to think maybe he wouldn't want to see me, to be reminded of our time together; maybe he didn't hold it close to his heart the way I did mine. Maybe that promise had been forgotten and shoved somewhere hoping to never be thought of again. Maybe he hadn't found me because he didn't want to. "Mark," I whispered softly moving forward and I saw his eyes grow as it clicked in his head. His jaw dropped and he took one step forward then froze as if suddenly unsure of himself.

I thought I saw it. If only for one second I swear I saw my Mark in his eyes, but this new man covered it up before I could be sure. It was enough though. If my Mark had taught me anything it was to believe in the power of us. I would be strong for him and me both. I was getting my man back.

I felt the change in my heart. It was like that girl long ago forgotten and hidden labeled as an embarrassment had broken free. My lips curved into that smile that had won me many a man before Mark and one hand rested on a hip as I watched his eyes. Something was going on behind those walls he though were so strong. I could only believe it was my man trying to fight his way back to me. "I know I was supposed to wait for you to find me, but I decided I couldn't wait no more. I hope you don't mind I found you instead."

This time I know I saw it. The eyes changed. The face softened and my name appeared on his lips. Then I was lifted into strong arms and turned in circles as he laughed and shouted my names as if letting the world know they hadn't won. "My god girl," he breathed and happily I smiled down at him as I watched his eyes change yet again, and I didn't mind a bit. Lowering my head I reclaimed those lips that had been stolen from me long ago as I felt his arms tighten around me. When the kiss broke we were both shaking and breathless, but I don't think either of us minded. Resting my forehead on his I was just too happy to have him back.

Several moments later I found myself sitting in his lap in some office backstage away from his friends and co-workers who had been astounded at the change in this man who they had never seen smile so big. "So what's in the scrapbook?" He asked and taking a deep breath I told him the truth. "They are pictures of our son." I watched all the emotions move through him disbelief, panic, anger, pain, confusion. Quickly I rushed to tell him the story starting at the point of our separation using my pictures to aid in the telling of the tale. "I never lied to him about you, Mark, I swear. He knows it isn't your fault you weren't able to be there. He knows all about you that I do and can't wait to meet you."

I watched his head shake before he looked at me again with his mouth still open and smiling softly I put a finger under his jaw and pushed up gently closing it. "He's smart like his daddy. In fact he's in college this year. He got through High School quickly. He wants to be a doctor and…" He put a finger over my mouth stopping my nervous words and taking a deep breath looked at me again with all the love I remembered. "Thank you," he whispered and confused it was my turn to cock my head. "What for?" I asked and his lips curved into that smile I remembered. "For climbing into my lap that night and making what I thought was the best night of my life real. For teaching me to believe in myself and damn anyone else. For giving me something to hold onto once you were gone. For raising our son without me and doing one helluva job and if for nothing else for finding me and saving me for the second time in my life."

Sniffling I set the scrapbook aside and threw my arms around him again swearing this time no one would ever separate us again.

The End!