A/N: Inspired by the recent segment of LayCool buying 'Best Friends' charm necklaces.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

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DOUBLE MEANING

"Are they really going to make us do this skit?" Michelle asked her partner, Layla, as they prepared for the arrival of the cameras by giving their appearances a second and third look.

"You know it has the announcement for my title match with Tiffany," Layla replied in a slightly admonishing tone.

"I know. But the rest of it is completely ridiculous," the tall blonde responded, "I mean, these 'best friends' necklaces are just plain goofy. How is anyone supposed to believe we independently went out and bought the correct halves of the same necklace for each other? It's dumb."

Layla held the necklace box in her hand. A small thing, shaped exactly like a ring box, covered in a soft fabric and containing a piece of jewelry that inadequately represented only one aspect of her relationship with Michelle.

"I don't know," the British beauty murmured, "I kind of like them."

Michelle turned startled eyes away from the make-up mirror and fastening them on her shorter companion, "You do?" she asked incredulously.

Layla turned solemn eyes on her partner, "Yeah…I know they're a little tacky and definitely something we're too old for but…they're showing the world my connection to you. They show the world that we belong to one another, that we belong together. They're stand-ins for our rings."

Michelle felt her hand clench around the box in her palm. Anger directed at the company executives flared up within her as she remembered returning from her private wedding to Layla, gold band gleaming proudly around her finger, and being told in no uncertain terms that if they wore those rings in public they would be fired, black listed in the business, and never allowed to wrestle professionally again. Though it broke their hearts to do so, they had bowed to the company's ultimatum and stowed their rings safely away where none of the public would ever see them.

She recalled how pleasant her wedding band had felt wrapped around her finger. How every time she looked at it she saw Layla's smiling face in her mind's eye and was filled with love for the other woman. How having that symbol of belonging, of commitment, had made her feel the happiest she'd ever been. How it showed the world she was taken, she was loved, she was married. And she recalled how in less than a minute, in fewer than thirty words, all that joy had been stripped from her when her ring was removed.

She tore her gaze away from her still clenched fist and met Layla's warm regard. Involuntarily her hand relaxed, the fondness in Layla's eyes working magic on Michelle's agitated soul and soothing her without words. She smiled and stepped close to the petite brunette, one hand reaching up to cup a smooth cheek. "Well, when you put it that way it's not dumb at all."

Layla chuckled, "I'd kiss you now if it wouldn't smear our make-up and our segment weren't starting in less than a minute."

Michelle grinned, "You can make it up to me later."

A wicked smirk was all the reply she got before the cameras were upon them and their skit had begun.

When Layla fastened the necklace around her neck Michelle felt the same nearly overwhelming love she'd felt when Layla had slid a ring onto her finger.

She felt as though by putting these necklaces on she was once again committing herself to Layla, only this time in a very public way, and she smiled.

The executives, and the public, would never know that these necklaces were tantamount to marriage vows for Michelle and Layla. And Michelle liked it that way.

When the cameras had gone she held up her charm towards Layla, and Layla joined the two halves as she joined their lips.

'Best Friends' indeed.

And so much more.

THE END

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A/N: I adore these two. I really do. Now, please review.