Book Three/Chapter One

Never had the time passed so slowly for Lissa, but finally the time had arrived. It was the day before the SummerSlam pay-per-view. She and the rest of her company had been hired to help enforce security at the airport when the wrestlers would begin arriving later that morning.

Unable to sleep, she’d tossed and turned all night long and finally got out of bed just as the sun was rising. As she took her mug of coffee out to the porch to watch the brilliant display of colors lighting the eastern sky, her thoughts automatically turned to the hours that lie ahead of her. She laughed to herself thinking that if she did happen to come face to face with Chris, she probably would faint right on the spot and make a complete fool out of herself. She prayed for the strength to get through the day uneventfully as she walked back inside her house to get ready for work.

As she drove toward the office an hour later, Lissa pulled out her cell phone and put in a call to Dville. “I hope that you’re ready to go because I just have to stop by the office and pick up the portables and the assignment charts. I’m just pulling in to the parking lot now so I’ll be at your place in twenty minutes max.”

She barely had the words out before she heard Dville squeal with excitement on the other end. Lissa held the phone away from her ear, a huge smile curving her lips as she waited for the noise to subside. She knew how excited Dville was now that this long awaited weekend had finally arrived.

Lissa had finally confessed to Dville about Chris. How he’d been the one to find her that night in the parking lot and everything else. In turn, Dville had a little confession of her own. She’d developed a crush on the WWF’s head of security, Jim Dotson. She was bound and determined to at least meet him, but was hoping for more. Both girls had spent endless hours talking, speculating and daydreaming of the possibilities that the weekend could bring.

Book Three/Chapter Two

"Oh my...God!" Dville breathed softly as she and Lissa took their posts at the gate that most of the big name wrestlers would be arriving at.

Lissa glanced at her friend and then followed her gaze to see what had captured her attention. She smiled when her eyes touched on Jim. He and a few of the WWF’s other security had arrived just a short time ago and waiting for everyone else to arrive. Lissa could easily see how Dville could be so taken with Jim. He was a good looking man with a body that compared to many of the WWF superstars.

"We have a few minutes," Lissa gave Dville a little shove in Jim’s direction. "Go talk to him!"

Dville’s head whirled around and she gaped at Lissa like she’d suddenly sprouted another head.

"I can’t!" Dville exclaimed, her knees going weak after she’d sneaked another glance at Jim. Only this time he’d caught her eyes and smiled at her.

"Oh, please!" Lissa rolled her eyes in faked exasperation. "You know you want him." She watched several shades of red creep into Dville’s cheeks.

"Go talk to the man or I will do it for you!" Lissa threatened playfully.

"Don’t you dare, Lissa!" Dville was so flustered at this point that she didn’t even realize that Lissa was teasing with her until moments later.

"Aw, come on, Lissa. You can’t tell me that when you finally run into Chris, you won’t get cold feet."

Lissa’s eyes glittered with anticipation. "No way. I have been waiting way too long for this. I’m going to make it happen." Book Three/Chapter Three

People were really beginning to fill up behind the barricades that had been placed to keep the fans at bay. Lissa met the eyes of each one of her fellow guards from Oxford, remind them to be alert to anyone or anything that looked like might pose a problem. Usually these things went off with out a hitch, but the possibility of trouble was always there. Something that they all reminded themselves of on a daily basis. And today, the WWF people were counting on them to do their job. There was no room for mistakes.

"Hey, here they come." Dville nudged Lissa’s as a smile played at her lips. Lissa turned and looked out the huge floor to ceiling window and saw the WWF jet making its decent.

"I suppose the only one that you’re going to escort is Chris." Dville teased once again.

Lissa nervously bit her lip, suddenly losing all the courage that she had built up in the months that had passed. "I don’t know" He probably doesn’t even remember me. Hell for all I know he’s probably married. Judy was right when she told me not to get my hopes up about him. I should have just forgotten about him. What would he want with some one like me anyway? I’m only twenty-seven and have already been married and divorced. My ex-husband is a psycho that used to stalk me. That should be real appealing to him.”

Dville stared at Lissa in disbelief. She knew that Lissa thought that Scott had been the one that attacked her, but she didn’t know that he’d been stalking her. And never had she thought that Lissa would back down from some one that she felt so strongly about. "Listen to you!" Dville began her lecture with out really realizing that she was doing so.

"Get your chin up! You are a beautiful, intelligent, talented, warm, caring woman and if Chris doesn’t want anything to do with you, then he’s the one that is losing out. Not you."

Lissa sighed heavily, not completely convinced. But before she had a chance to comment, the first of the wrestlers began coming through the gate and her thoughts were momentarily diverted from Chris.

All was going good until Undertaker and Kane made their appearance. All hell broke lose faster than Lissa could blink an eye. She, along with the rest of the Oxford security crew worked feverishly to hold back the fans back that were foolish enough to attempt to jump the barricades until the police that were standing by could take them into custody and escort them from the area. Taker and Kane were swiftly escorted through the airport by the WWF security and to cars that were waiting to take them to a near by hotel where there wives were waiting for them.

"Damn, this crowd is insane!" Lissa shouted to Dville over the noise of the crowd while they were waiting for the rest of the superstars to come through.

Dville didn’t say anything at first. She only smiled as she looked over Lissa’s shoulder at some one. "Um" I think you might want to turn around right now, Lissa." She barely had the words out before Lissa spun around.

Her breath caught sharply and she felt her knees go weak as her eyes touched on Chris. He looked gorgeous wearing a tight pair of faded Levi’s and a T-shirt that looked like it had been painted on his chest. His golden blond hair hung loose around his face, setting of his intense blue eyes.

Even with her back to him, Chris knew that that was Lissa standing just a few feet in front of him. Watching her turn around, a smile began to spread across his handsome face. After four long months, he’d finally found Lissa again. And relatively easy at that.

Book Three/Chapter Four

Their eyes locked, leaving Lissa completely captivated. She tried to breathe, but found it impossible.

The next thing Lissa knew, she heard a mob of shrill screams. She quickly looked around seeing a bevy of female fans jump the barricade and rush toward Chris. She and Dville sprang into action successfully cutting off the crowd before they could get to Chris. The police had seen the problem happening and were on their way.

"You go get Chris! We can hold those teenage walking hormones off until the cops get here." Dville shouted over the noise as three more of their security crew came over to help.

"Thank you!" Lissa exclaimed as she turned and grabbed Chris’ hand and got the hell out of there.

She and one of the Wwf officials got Chris safely through the airport and to the limo that was waiting just outside the doors for him. As he climbed into the limo, Chris kept a firm hold on her hand. He was willing to let her go just yet, even though he knew that she had a job to do.

"You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to see you again." Chris stated as his bright blue eyes met hers. He felt a shiver wrap its tingling fingers around his spine and then spread through out the rest of his body. The night that he’d found her, he’d been too concerned for her welfare to notice how beautiful she was. His breath caught sharply as that very realization hit him hard right at that moment.

"Probably about as long as I’ve been waiting to see you." Lissa replied softly. She looked down to his hand, still holding on to hers as a hot blush colored her cheeks a delicate pink. Just from that casual touch, the electricity flowing between them was extraordinary.

Before either of them could say or do anything, Lissa was suddenly yanked away. "Come on! W need you back in there!" Steven, one of her co-workers shouted as he tugged on her arm.

Lissa looked quickly from her partner to Chris and then back again. As much as she hated to go back in and leave Chris’ presence, she also knew that she had a job to do.

"Give me your number. I’ll call you tonight. Then you better get back to work. I’d hate for you to get in trouble on account of me." Chris told her as he smiled into her glittering blue eyes.

Digging a scrap of paper from her jeans pocket, she scribbled her number down on it. “I should be home after seven o’ clock this evening." Their fingers touched briefly as she handed him the paper, leaving Lissa feeling intoxicated as she turned and began walking away.

Just as she went through the doors that would take her back into the airport, she heard Chris yelling his promise to call her later that night.

Book Three/Chapter Five

"Now can I say that ‘I told you so’?" Judy hated being so blunt, but lately it seemed to be the only way to get through to Lissa.

Lissa turned and glared at her sister. She knew that Judy was right and she hated it!

"Look, I’m sorry that you got your hopes up and he never called, Lissa." Judy’s tone was much more compassionate now. She really did feel bad for her sister. She’d had a rough time of life and Judy really wished that something good would happen for her for once.

"But deep down, did you really expect that he would call you?"

"Yes." Lissa admitted quietly as she turned and stared out the window again.

Judy sighed deeply and decided to change the subject. "What time do you have to be to work?"

"I don’t know. Around four o’ clock, I guess. The Wwf is putting on some sort of meet and greet banquet for the fans. It starts at seven o’ clock so I suppose we’ll need to be there a few hours earlier." Lissa replied flatly. She was not looking forward to the evening one bit.

Judy glanced at the clock and smiled. "That gives up plenty of time."

"For what?" Lissa knew that Judy was only trying to make her feel better. "What ever it is, I don’t feel like it!" She didn’t. All Lissa wanted to do was go back home, crawl into her bed and pull the blankets tight over her head.

"Please just take me back home." Lissa spoke again before Judy had a chance to say anything. "I didn’t sleep well last night and I really need to get some rest before work. Tonight and the pay-per-view tomorrow night are going to be late nights." She made any excuse that she could think of to get out of what ever it was that Judy had cooking in that mind of hers.

"Nope." Judy wasn’t listening. "We’re going shopping whether you like it or not." Judy knew that Lissa hated shopping with a passion, but she was about to let her sister sit at home all alone and become even more depressed than she already was just because some asshole didn’t have the courtesy to call her when he said that he would.

Four hours later, Judy dropped Lissa off at her house with just an hour left before she had to be to work. Lissa was smiling happily as she walked into her house and set down her purchases. She had to admit that she did have a good time. No matter how low she felt sometimes, Judy was always able to lift her spirits.

After taking a quick shower, Lissa applied her make-up and wound her long hair into a twist behind her head. Then she slipped into the form fitting black dress that she’d bought earlier that day. The dinner that night was a formal, black tie affair and everyone, Even the security personnel was expected to dress accordingly.

After placing a pair of diamond stud earrings in her ears, Lissa tool one last look at her appearance before heading out the door. She smiled, satisfied with what she saw.

Book Three/Chapter Six

Lissa stood in the back of the enormous banquet hall watching the action with a fair amount of disinterest. The Wwf people were seated in front at a long, head table. The two or three thousand fans filled the floor area.

More than once Chris had grabbed her attention. Smiling at her, he motioned that he needed to speak with her when the dinner was over. Each time Lissa looked away from him. She knew that if she looked into those beautiful blue eyes even once, she’d be lost. And that, she wasn’t going to allow herself to happen".hopefully. Some things were easier said than done.

Finally several hours later, the night was brought to an end. But she, along with the other security people had to stay around until all the fans had left and while the Wwf stars made their exit as well.

Lissa looked around the room that was rapidly becoming empty. She smiled when she spotted Dville talking comfortably with Jim. She watched Jim laugh at something Dville had said while he put a huge arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his body as he smiled happily down into her eyes. Lissa turned away, happy that things seemed to be going well for her friend.

Looking up just in time to see Chris walking in her direction, Lissa immediately turned on her heel and began walking away.

"Lissa! Wait, please!" Chris called after her.

Hearing his voice, Lissa felt her heart jump and then race off. She could feel herself weaken and letting her guard down. She quickly put an end to those feelings and hardened her defenses up again.

"Lissa!" Chris exclaimed again as she caught up to her. He gently took hold of her arm and turned her around to face him.

Lissa was unable to prevent her eyes from sweeping over his magnificent features. Chris looked incredibly gorgeous in his black tuxedo. The royal blue vest made his already noticeable blue eyes even more brilliant. His hair framed his face in a soft golden mane that nearly had Lissa willing to do anything for just one chance to run her fingers through it.

Shaking her head slightly, Lissa called herself all kinds of a fool and snapped herself out of the spell that she’d fallen under. "What do you want?" She asked, her soft voice laced with anger.

Chris looked away and sighed ruefully before he turned his blue eyes back to hers. "Listen, I know that I said that I’d call you last night, but if you’d let me explain, I . . . Chris was cut off before he could finish his statement.

"Save it Chris!" Lissa spat angrily. Her own blue eyes glowed brightly with the same emotion. "I waited up all fu . . ." Lissa stopped herself before the word was able to escape past her lips. She took a deep breath to calm her irritation with him before she spoke again.

"I waited up all night for you to call. If you had no intention, why did you say that you would?" Lissa paused for a split second and then continued before Chris got a chance to get a word out.

"You know what? Just forget it! I don’t have the time, energy, or patience for this kind of crap." She looked away as she felt the beginning of tears stinging her eyes.

"Why do I even do this to myself?" Lissa said softly, more to herself than to Chris. "I should know better."

Chris could see that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Crabbing hold of her hand, he pulled her out into the crowded hallway and then led her away further down the long hallway to a more private location.

Book Three/Chapter Seven

Chris stared intently into Lissa’s eyes for several moments before he spoke. "Will you please at least listen to what I have to say? Then if you still don’t want anything to do with me, I will walk away. Never bother you again.” Still gripping her small hand in his much larger one, Chris waited for her response.

Lissa sighed as she looked away. She refused to meet those stunning blue eyes just yet.

"Lissa, please!" Chris again attempted to gain her understanding in the situation that he’d been in.

Lissa turned her eyes back to his. "Look, I probably overreacted back there. I’m sorry." A nervous laugh escaped her. Mostly because she suddenly began to realize how close he was. He had her leaning back against the wall. He was close to her that she could feel his body brushing against hers every time either of them made the slightest move.

"Why you didn’t call doesn’t matter. I’m sure that you had a good reason and I had no right to lash out at you the way I did." One look in those stunning blue eyes and she’d be able to forgive him for just about anything.

The look of relief that washed over Chris’ handsome features after hearing her words could not be missed. He smiled into her eyes as he reached out and ran his fingers along her cheek, allowing them to linger momentarily against her soft skin.

Lissa’s heart was pounding. So hard that she was certain that Chris was able to hear it. Her legs had become rubbery and her hands trembling.

Lifting her blue eyes, Lissa’s breath caught as she watched Chris lean forward until his lips touched gently against hers.

Book Three/Chapter Eight

"Hey! Jericho! Get a room, would ya?"

Chris and Lissa jumped apart, both of them looking around for the owner of the deep voice that had just bellowed at them.

A hot blush instantly colored Lissa’s cheeks as she recognized from TV, Undertaker, Kane, and Edge. Three very beautiful women, two of whom were glaring at Undertaker, accompanied the three men. The woman at his side gave him a sharp look as she turned and gave him a good punch on his arm for his uncalled comment. Kane and Edge found her actions overly funny and broke into fits of laughter. It wasn’t long before Undertaker joined in with them.

Chris scowled at Kane, Edge, and Undertaker until they finally managed to get themselves under control again. "Do you guys mind? I’m sort of in the middle of something here." Were the only words he could think to speak as Chris bit his tongue to keep the stronger, more offensive words from surfacing in the presence of the ladies.

"Yeah, so we see . . ." Kane broke off as a huge grin curved his lips. In the next instant he threw his head back and roared with laughter. He quickly quieted down after seeing the look that Kristin gave him.

"You must be the woman that Chris has spoken so fondly of over the past few months." The woman at Undertaker’s side spoke as she took a step forward and held her hand out to Lissa. "I’m Cath. Just ignore these big oafs. They like to think that they’re embarrassing people, but they’re only making huge jack asses out of themselves." She shot Taker another warning look. He just grinned down at his wife as he hugged her close to his body.

Lissa smiled as she briefly took Cath’s hand into hers in greeting. "Nice to meet you. I’m Lissa."

In turn Kristin and McKayla introduced themselves as did Taker, Kane, and Edge.

"Was there anything in particular that you guys needed?" Chris asked once all of the formalities were over.

"No." Kane began and then stopped as he glanced first at Edge and then at Taker. All three men wore noticeable smirks on their faces.

"We tried to stop them. Chris!" McKayla said before any of the guys were able to get anything more in. "But you know how they get. They were determined."

"Just wanted to meet your girlfriend." Edge told him. "And I must say that you have very good taste, Chris."

Lissa’s eyes immediately dropped down to the floor as she face began to burn once again. When was the last time she’d ever gotten a compliment like that? She wasn’t used to it. It flustered her, and made her feel on top of the world at the same time.

"Well, we’ll leave you two alone." Kristin stated before Chris had a chance to reply to Edge’s remark. It was obvious on Chris’ face that right then was not the time for casual chitchat. She looked over at Lissa and saw that she didn’t know what to think. Kristin smiled warmly as did Cath, both knowing all too well what Lissa was feeling.

"Hope to catch you tomorrow before or after the pay-per-view." Cath added.

"I’d like that." Lissa replied honestly. She immediately liked the three women and hoped that they could be friends.

Chris watched with relief as his friends turned and left. Sure, they were great friends, but sometimes Edge, Kane and Taker would get a wild hair up their ass. Yet, for all the jokes they’d pulled on him, Chris would never want to be with out his friends.

When they were a safe distance away, Chris turned back to Lissa. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he leaned n close to her again. "Now, where were we?"

Book Three/Chapter Nine

After leaving the banquet hall, Chris followed Lissa back to her house, wanting to make sure that she arrived there safely considering the late hour.

"I’d like to see you tomorrow." Chris said as they stood at her doorstep.

Lissa smiled as she took old of his hand and drew him closer to her. "It already is tomorrow." Her voice was soft and inviting as she gazed up into those gorgeous blue eyes of his.

"Do you want to come in for a little while?" Lissa heard herself asking before she was even aware of it. But after fully realizing what she’d asked, she didn’t regret it. With Chris it felt so right.

Chris remained silent for several moments as he intently studied her eyes. He wanted nothing more for the night to continue and to get to know her even better. But he wanted to make absolutely certain that this was what Lissa wanted as well since she had seemed surprised for a split second at the words she’d spoken. Now all he saw in her eyes was how sure she was.

"Yeah, I’d like that." Chris finally answered her question.

"Its not much, but its home for me." Lissa began to ramble nervously as she fished her key from her purse and unlocked the door. After walking through, she stood aside, allowing Chris entrance into her home.

Closing the door, Lissa took hold of his hand and led him down the short hallway into the living room. The room had actually been a den when she purchased the home. With the fireplace and French doors leading out to the patio, it immediately became her favorite room. After a few slight renovations and her own special touches, it had been transformed from den to living room in less than a day.

"Make yourself at home." Lissa leaned over and attempted to turn on the lamp beside the sofa. Her hands were trembling so badly that she fumbled with the switch several times before she was finally successful.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Lissa straightened up and looked at Chris, only to have her knees go weak all over again. With the soft glow from the lamp shining on him, his eyes and hair were illuminated making him look almost… angelic. Never before had she ever considered a man to be beautiful, but Chris was. Stunningly so.

"Uh"Can I get you anything to drink?" Lissa managed to choke the words out albeit stuttered and choppy.

Chris smiled, making her nearly unable to breathe. Lissa began to wonder if it was possible to pass out just from looking at such a gorgeous man. She sure felt like she might. Her knees were weak. Her head was spinning. It was hard to breathe. And she felt like she had thousands of butterflies floating around in her stomach.

"Just water is fine." She heard Chris say, although his voice sounded miles away.

Lissa shook her head slightly to clear it before she did make a fool out of herself and end up on the floor. "Sure thing." She returned his smile. "Be right back."

She’d only been in the kitchen for just over a minute when she heard Chris come in. Her heart jumped in her chest and then raced off.

"I got lonely." Chris stated as he walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he rested his head on the top of hers. Lissa sighed contentedly as she leaned back against him. She closed her eyes feeling like she could just melt right into his body.

Still wrapped up in his arms, Lissa turned around and gazed up at Chris. She immediately found herself drowning in those perfect sapphire pools. The next thing she was aware of was his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss that quickly heated up.

With a great deal of effort, Chris pulled back. Meeting her burning gaze with his own, he ran a finger along her cheek and then over her soft lips. As much as he wanted, and as willing as she seemed to take their relationship to a higher level, at the same time he didn’t want to. With Lissa, Chris felt something that he’d never experienced before. It was a feeling so strong and so complete that it nearly overwhelmed him. He felt joyous and scared to death at the same time. It was by far the most exhilarating feeling that he’d ever had in his entire life. It wasn’t something that he wanted to rush into. He wanted to take his time and savor every sweet moment. He sensed that Lissa felt the same way.

"How about that water?" Chris finally snapped out of his thoughts and got his voice to cooperate with him.

Still feeling the effects of that delicious kiss, her words were again stuttered. Reluctantly she moved from his embrace and turned to fill the glasses that she’d set out with ice and cold, very cold water. She had a feeling that they both needed it.

Book Three/Chapter Ten

"So tell me about you." Chris asked after he and Lissa had returned back to the living room and were seated comfortable on the plush sofa.

Lissa met his blue eyes with her own. "Not much to tell. What ever I do tell you will probably either bore you to tears or send you running out the door."

Chris remained silent, waiting for her to go on.

"Well," Lissa began, seeing that Chris wasn’t going to let her off the hook. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide from him. She just always felt awkward talking about herself.

"Have you lived in Saint Paul all of your life?" Chris sensed that she was having a hard time getting started so he gave her a little push.

"No, I lived in a small town in the southern part of the state until I was finished with high school. Shortly after I got married and we moved up here."

"Married?" Chris was completely taken by surprise with that statement.

"Yeah." Lissa sighed as she sat back and thought about it. It was over before it ever started though. I probably would have never married Scott, but at that time things were a lot different than they are now." Lissa paused and took a sip of her water. She was amazed at how intently Chris was listening to what she was saying. Very few people did that.

"For me, marrying Scott was my means of escape. My childhood and teen years were a bit rough going. My Dad was a surgeon. He worked long, odd hours. We rarely ever saw him. My Mom was an alcoholic, although she did manage to become sober and was so for fifteen years before she passed away a little over a year ago."

"I’m so sorry." Chris reached out and brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. He’d lost his own Mom just the past year and knew the devastating heartache that Lissa was feeling.

"Thanks." Lissa took a deep breath in effort to get her emotions under control again. "It was very sudden. A car accident. A head on collision with a drunk who had passed over into her lane. The only comforting thought is that she didn’t suffer. She was killed instantly and so was the bastard that hit her."

Chris drew her into his arms, giving her all the comfort that he had to offer her. He tenderly rubbed her back as he kissed away her tears. After a few moments she’d settled down again and was ready to continue on.

"You sure you want to hear all of this?" Lissa asked before going any further.

Chris took her hand into his. Her blue eyes were still damp with tears as he stared into them. "What ever you feel comfortable talking about. Or if you’d rather wait until another time, I understand."

Lissa let out a long, slow breath as she looked back at him. "No actually it feels nice to talk about this. Normally I wouldn’t spill my guts like this to an almost complete stranger, but . . She trailed off, wondering if she sounded as stupid to him as she did to her own ears.

"But if we’re going to be spending more time together, we need to get to know each other anyway." Chris finished her sentence for her. Lissa felt her heart leap in her chest. He’d just said exactly what she’d been thinking.

Shaking her head slightly, Lissa cleared her thoughts before she let her emotions get out of control. So they’d been thinking alike. Big deal. It happened all the time to people. Lissa silently berated herself for letting her feelings get the best of her. It wasn’t like her knew her every single thought thankfully. Giving herself a good mental shake, Lissa continued.

"When I was sixteen I got really sick. I almost died. I spent most of that year in the hospital." Lissa stopped as the painful memories of that time played through her mind. Even after all the years that had passed, it still hurt to think about all that she’d been through. All the tests that had been run, needles, IV’s and tubes stuck into her body. The countless amount of hours spent in the hospital hovering in a near death state. The numerous surgeries that came with curing the illness and then even more after the fact to cure yet another life threatening disease. Lissa wondered over and over what had given her the will to survive through all of that.

Chris could clearly see the wide range of emotion lighting her blue eyes. He could tell that it was difficult for her to speak of this. He took her hand into his, letting her know that he was there for her as she spoke again.

"After everything was said and done, I was given a clean bill of health. I was'I can’t even begin to be able to tell you how happy I was. I just wanted to put the whole ordeal behind me and get on with my life. But that didn’t happen. A lot of people made fun of me when I returned back to school. I had been held back a year due to missing so much time. People didn’t care that I was held back because of the illness. They didn’t want to hear it. They called me stupid, dumb and said that I wasn’t smart enough to pass the classes and that was why I had been held back." Lissa paused for a moment and reached for a tissue to dry her eyes. She shivered noticeably as more memories flooded her mind. Chris gathered her against his body to warm her again.

"As if that wasn’t bad enough, the medication that I have to take has some nasty side effects that they didn’t understand. They didn’t understand that it was the medication making strange things happen to my body. The called me a freak, a monster, a beast, and every other name along those lines. Even after the dosages had been lowered and the side effects subsided, they still didn’t stop. They were all so cruel, making fun of my scars from the surgeries. Telling me that I looked like I had a road map on my stomach and all kinds of other cruel comments. When I had to change for gym class, they always cornered me and made fun of me. They even ganged up on me a couple of times and beat the hell out of me." Lissa stopped again, unable to go any further for several moments. Chris held her close to him until her shaking subsided. She pulled back, but not completely and went on again.

"I quickly found out who my real friends were. There wasn’t a one of them. The ones who were nice to my face and said that they were my friends talked behind my back. My sister Judy was my only lifeline. With out her, I have no doubt in my mind that it would have been over. I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now." Lissa dried her eyes again as she finished speaking.

This amazing woman fascinated Chris. What inner strength she possessed to be able to over come such huge obstacles. She had him completely captivated. "Please, go on."

Lissa smiled weakly. It felt weird that she was going to be talking to Chris about her ex-husband. But" if Chris wanted to be with her, he had a right to know what he was getting into, although she wasn’t telling him everything. Some skeletons were better of staying in the closet some demons were better off staying buried.

"So, I pretty much kept to myself through the remainder of school. I never dated none of the guys wanted anything to do with me. Then during the senior year, Scott came to our school. When he showed interest in me, I was so starved for any kind of attention that I clung to it. He was always a few short of a six pack. But after he got married, it got worse. After we moved up here, I got a job and met a lot of people. I began emerging from my shell. Scott suddenly made me quit my job. He refused to let me leave the house with out him and he became very controlling and abusive. Then one day he just suddenly up and asked for a divorce. I was more than happy to grant him one since I had served him with papers on several other occasions and he always refused."

Lissa paused, looking to see if Chris had heard enough yet. "Bored yet?" Taking a long drink of her water to ease her dry throat, she waited for his answer.

"Far from it." Chris replied sincerely. He’d never met such a strong person. To be able to survive was one thing, but to be able to get past it was another. Her life had been hard, but she wasn’t dwelling on it. She was trying to make the absolute best out of the hand that had been dealt to her. Chris’ admiration for her soared to new heights.

"Please tell me the rest."

"Okay, but remember when I’m done and you’re bored to tears, you asked for it." Lissa laughed softly as she sat back again and got comfortable.

Chris said nothing as he put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his body, waiting for her to continue. Lissa looked up at him for a moment. She continued to be amazed by his genuine interest.

"So I got divorced from Scott. Everything was going great. I loved my job and quickly fell into a comfortable routine. I have some great friends at work. My sister moved back here after being gone for a little over three years. Life was good. Then just a few months ago, Scott started stalking, I guess you could call it. He followed me when I went some where. Sometimes I would see him outside of my windows. The police tried to help in anyway possible, but they really couldn’t do anything unless he was caught in the act. When I would call them, Scott would always be long gone by time they got here. The best I could do was put a restraining order on him. Which I did. I had done it just a day or two before you found me in the parking lot that night."

"So it was him that attacked you that night?" Chris asked. He was completely intrigued by all that she had told him so far.

"Well, I can’t be positive. He had a mask on. It was dark, he hit me from behind and it all happened so fast. Just a matter of seconds although it seemed like an eternity. But I’m pretty sure that it was him." Lissa shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. She was tired of talking about Scott. She just wanted to concentrate on the gorgeous man sitting beside her.

"But enough about all that." Lissa effectively put an end to the subject before Chris had a chance to say anything further.

Part 4

Main

Except where otherwise noted, this website and most of it's contents © copyright by Dancer Productions, Inc. 1999-2002.