-Viper -

"Daddy, are you lonely?" Alanna patted my arm as I tried figuring out how to assemble the swing set in the backyard.

"What?" I questioned even though I had definitely heard.

"Are.you.lonely?" She said with more emphasize as she stared up at me.

"Why on earth would you ask me that?" I chuckled, I was used to her random questions but surprisingly not on how life was for me without her mother.

The divorce was an adjustment for all of us, so was a new man in her mother's life and her believing we could still be together as all kids did. Until she simply avoided any topic relating to romance as Samantha became more serious with her choice.

"No one visited." She mumbled with a small shrug.

I frowned and she continued, "when you were hurt, no one visited. Only Uncle John and Coco. And Aunt Brie, but she only came to play with me"

"Those are people though" I smirked, briefly glancing at her as I was slowly but surely getting some success with the swing set that had been delivered shortly after her last visit.

"Daaaaaaddy!" She whined not liking my response and I shook my head.

"I'm not lonely, Ally. You know everyone else has to work." I simply said.

"And your girlfriend?" She slowly questioned which led to me stopping altogether and turning to her.

"What girlfriend?" I chuckled and lift her into my arms despite her growing quite fast these days, she'd always be my little girl despite her squirming in my arms with a slight giggle.

"The only girl in my life is my Alanna." I kissed the side of her head before I set her down on the grass beside me.

"What's going on in that little head of yours? Or have you been eavesdropping on mommy's conversations?" I narrowed my eyes and she glanced at her fingers which led to me sighing.

I knew how Samantha could get, she'd discuss how I wasn't doing anything constructive with my life. The only constant I had besides my daughter was my job which was anything but constant, like John they believed I needed the stability only a woman could provide. Yet funnily she had found it difficult to put up with my ass, so she should have known finding someone wasn't exactly easy and I would have liked me not being discussed but yeah.

"Mommy wants me to have a girlfriend because she's happy. Buuut I don't have one and you know if I did I'd need your approval. The one in first place needs to know whose following behind her in my heart" I winked, poking her tummy and she giggled before looking at me.

"So you don't want one?"

"No. "

Kitty...

"You're happy?"

"Yes." I chuckled and jumped up, "come on, let's get some lunch before your dad has to go hurt some poor guy at work"

"Its okay not to be happy. Then you can find someone to make you happy" She mumbled as she followed.

"Mmmm is a boy making you happy?" I lowered my voice and she cringed, shaking her head frantically.

"Daddy, don't be gross!"

I smirked and shook my head knowing once they weren't gross, I really needed to have a woman to prevent me from beating on every fucking guy knocking on my door for her.

●●●

"Thanks again" I smiled at the short-haired blonde watching Alanna seated on the set of Talking Smack.

"No problem! I have literally nothing to do with my life besides run over lines. Maybe if a certain Viper would agree to feature on Unfiltered." She nudged me and I rolled my eyes.

"So you babysitting my daughter while I make a living is basically being used to get me on your show?" I chuckled while she shrugged.

"It was worth a shot, Randy. Come on, think about it. You just returned, get people into the state of mind of Randy Orton after being out for so long. You should see my twitter feed, people are crazy, I swear if I don't get you on soon they'll probably get some petition against me" She rambled even though I had been shaking my head the entire time.

"Your show is for people who have something to share. I have nothing, I have quite a boring life." I shrugged while she eyed me sceptically.

"Seriously? The Legend Killer has a boring life?"

"Former and well yeah. I have been hibernating, soothing my own wounds, the life of a lonely man." I mused leaning against the wall hearing her scoff.

"Sure! Says the guy who had night outs with my boyfriend before I reeled him in."

"Guess this fish wasn't worth hooking in by anyone" I sighed and earned a fist to my shoulder.

"You sure love your pity-parties! You are a third generation wrestler, tattooed-stud, with some good charm. You, Randy Orton could get any lady you want but you've become used to life without a woman. I actually feel sorry for anyone who captures that heart of yours" She tapped her chin reminding me why I tended to avoid her.

She had a good heart and all but she was a talker, but I knew she wouldn't refuse taking care of my little girl while I had to go on my duties. Unfortunately for me it seemed my name being announced was taking longer than I anticipated so I was stuck.

"Please do tell me why?"

"I just told you, you're used to being a lone wolf.."

"Hey!" Baron warned as he conveniently walked past glaring at her for using his brand name while she simply rolled her eyes and waved as he went on.

"As I was saying, you're used to your own skin. Just picture a woman invading that space bubble, it would be a huge adjustment for you and not to mention the maintenance. Technology is the root of all evil, when you were married before people weren't so nosy. Honestly its easier to date within the business, yes some fans can be an absolute pain. But its better me, a person used to criticism dealing with hate, being with a beloved wrestler than a woman who isn't used to this world you know?"

I nodded slowly getting her point but it was too late for me however, the only woman who had caught my eye was not in this world. And seemed didn't want to be in the snake's world either as Smackdown was in my town for the week so I had gone last night hoping for something more after she had dismissed me when I knew she enjoyed yet another kiss.

But she was off for the week, believe it or not, most likely I believed she saw the advertisements showcasing us and knew my persistent nature. Taking a week off work to avoid me should have bruised my ego but it actually did the opposite, made me believe the gentler approach Nikki had suggested, worked. However, I knew it wouldn't last long, it wasn't in my nature to be all sweet and considerate. That was John's job, I did what I wanted and took what I wanted.

"Well Renee, as you know, everyone is basically taken over here. So if I do happen to even think of getting my feet wet in the sea, I'll most likely end up with a woman out of this world."

"There's nothing wrong with that, she just needs to be prepared. So when you do, be sure to bring her to mwaaa!" She smiled.

"I'll do just fine preparing her."

"Says the guy who doesn't care about people's opinions? Anyway, there are quite a few new announcers back here. Who knows, love might strike!" She made a shooting arrow gesture and I pushed myself off the wall.

"Nah, its enough to work around here. Deal with all the guys and work, I don't think mixing business with pleasure is it for me at this age."

"I'll try not to take offense to that. Aaaah saved by the bell, Orton!"

I heard my name ringing backstage.

"Not as soon as I had hoped but yes. Hey, wish your daddy some good luck!" I walked over to Alanna ignoring the glare I received from the blonde I had only come to know more due to her tagging along with the twins.

"Good luck, daddy!" She hugged me and I chuckled, kissing her forehead before going on my way to release frustration the only way I would be doing for the rest of the year it seemed at this point.

●●●

I didn't hold back in laying a good beating to Del Rio, despite his constant heat backstage I enjoyed fighting with him. He wouldn't whine like a baby if things became too physical at some points, then again I didn't deal with babies. With the newbies I'd make sure they understood to follow my lead and they usually did, some had respect while others were debating what kind of guy Randy Orton really was. But I wasn't looking for new friends, had enough trouble keeping up with the current in my life.

I urged the crowd to scream louder as I prepared for the DDT, pulling Del Rio's head between my arm and body. I touched my ear as I scanned the faces, not really taking any of them in until of course the long dark hair caught my eyes.

I frowned briefly and smiled as I saw her face while her eyes widened slightly, no coat. Just a simple white t-shirt but I liked it, I was used to the flimsy lingerie dress she wore or the black coat serving as protection.

I felt my jaw clench as she glanced away and sat down and of course 'never take your eyes off of your opponent'...

Alberto tried to obtain the upperhand but  it didn't take me long to regain control but as my eyes trailed over the crowd.

Gone was my Kitty...