Disclaimer: I do not own anything other than the other OC characters in this story. I cannot claim that I own any WWE Superstars, events, locations, or the WWE itself. I'm entirely too poor and unlucky for that to be the case – believe me, ask my student loan payments.

I'm writing for my own enjoyment, as well as that of my readers. Please review this piece, and let me know if there are suggestions, ideas, or just your thoughts. I appreciate the feedback.

CHAPTER 1

Taking a deep breath, the door to the car swung open. She stepped out slowly, trying to keep herself upright on unsteady feet – shoes that often look too good should not be worn. That's the problem with needing the looks more than comfort; it will often lead to a pair of shoes that can't be seen as they sit under a table.

It had taken some doing, prodding, and multiple threats of being left out in the cold for Christmas, but Tessa had been talked into attending an event she had been avoiding for well over a decade. Her mother, having been pestered by some of her old friends who stayed local about when she was coming back to see them, had reluctantly joined their force for lobbying her back. Unfortunately enough, she hadn't come up with a good enough excuse to skip this year's party, thusly leading her to be standing at the door of the old gym. Standing there, but so far, not going in.

Before she could really process the gravity of the situation, there was a giant pair of arms that enveloped her while slowly compressing the life out of her. He was laughing as though this was a welcomed approach.

Muffled, but trying to be polite, Tessa spoke. "Hi, Jeff." Her assailant laughed heartily and placed her back down on those unsteady shoes.

"Well, well, well. I never thought I would see the day that you came back." Jeff kept his hands wrapped around Tessa's elbows as he held her back from him. The last impression he had of her was when she came over to say goodbye before leaving for college. Then, she was a pretty girl – lithe in figure, long caramel hair, green eyes, and tan. Her braces had finally come off a few months before, revealing her perfect smile between those rose-colored lips. Her long, lean legs revealed a couple bruises here and there from her latest diamond exploits, and her jean shorts and softball jersey were basically hanging from her frame after the weather had become warm enough for her training plan to kick in.

Now, she was not much different. "Give me a twirl; lets have a look at you." Tessa smiled and complied with the request. As she turned, Jeff noticed that she had maybe lost a few pounds here or there, but she was just the same as ever. Her hair glittered with more light than dark strands, and was just as long as it used to be. Her long legs teetered on those high heels, and slid right up into that deep purple dress, the color of which caused her green eyes to glint in the lights.

"Well?" Tessa waited expectantly for Jeff's response. His face read of that lovely warmth that she remembered from him. Jeff had been such a comfort to her before she made her way out in the world, and now, he gave her that very same feeling of safety. Compared to how he had been then, Jeff had barely changed. His face and blue eyes still bore that mischievous twinge, and his dark hair was still in place. His frame had filled out slightly, making him less of a teenager in shape, and more of an adult man. The standard scruff was all over his face, and his smile lit up the night. The more time lapsed, Tessa began to tense herself despite being near her oldest and dearest friend.

"Same as always." Jeff smiled bigger and his cheeks revealed a deep set of dimples. "You look wonderful. Now come on in with me, I know where we're going."

Tessa's nervous energy took over, "And where are we going?"

"To the bar for a drink, then to our assigned seats." Jeff led Tessa into a gym that was decorated with balloons, streamers, and suddenly reminded her of a particularly unfortunate homecoming décor from Freshman year. They passed by people embroiled in their conversations, murmuring amongst themselves, laughing, and looking generally happy. Faces looked familiar, but didn't leave Tessa with an overwhelming urge to go over and join in the conversations. After crossing the floor, they arrived at a makeshift bar in a corner near where the entrances to the locker rooms were.

Jeff started, "I need a beer, and she…"

Tessa perused the offerings that were stacked behind the bartender. "Can I please have a Grey Goose vodka tonic with a cherry splash, please." Jeff leaned back on the bar, seemingly astounded.

"Listen to the big girl over here! When did this change?"

Tessa smiled, "Well, this is a little bit of unfriendly territory, so I might need something a little stronger than a Shirley temple."

Jeff nodded and paid for the drinks being handed over. They made their way back to a table in the middle of the floor. Tessa read the place card that held her name, and noticed that Jeff's was not on either side of her.

"Uh, Jeff?" Jeff held up his finger as he went around the table and grabbed his name, switching it with one of Tessa's neighbors.

"All set." After tucking her purse down at their shared side, Tessa settled in. "So tell me, what have you been up to lately?"

Tessa leaned back and took a long draw off her cocktail. "Well, was in Seattle for a while, and then got moved to our Miami office. I kind of like Florida, but I'm afraid that being in Miami is unhealthy for people."

"Oh? How do you figure?"

"Well, I've decided I need to diet." Tessa laughed softly as she patted her non-existent stomach.

"Bullshit, Tessa," Jeff took a long swill from his beer. "I don't think that you've ever been in need of a diet. You always thinned out after the winter had you pinned down inside before training." Tessa blushed slightly as she took another drink.

"So what are you up to lately, sir?" Jeff set his beer down and turned to face Tessa more.

"Well, still working, like always." Jeff was an engineer for an architecture firm, and working was his life. "But, I've found time to find a nice lady who believes my being gone all the time is the best part of our relationship. She made me move out from my old apartment, and we have bought a house not far from here. It's quiet, and she has good taste, so most days, it's a pleasure to come home."

"Oh, oh! That's wonderful! I mean, if she has figured out that the best part of you is being away from you, she must be smart, too." Tessa giggled as Jeff flashed her a big smile. "Where is she? I'd love to meet her."

"Well, she planned a weekend trip to Vegas with some of her friends from college a while ago, just happens to coincide with this debacle. Reminds me a bit of you, actually. Not a fan of the mindless trips down memory lane."

"I'm not against memory lane, Jeff. Just not a huge fan of the people you see along the way."

Before the conversation could continue, a loud voice came across the speaker system asking everyone to take their seats. Tessa and Jeff's table began to fill up slowly. There was a wayward girl who Tessa remembered was a music-centric body back from school, and the artist who sat next to her. Most obviously they were married as their hands never left the comfort of the other's. There was a couple other people who Tessa did not recognize seated directly across from her and Jeff, then it happened. There was a large man, dusty colored hair and blue eyes, who pulled a seat out for a blonde woman. Tessa immediately knew who both of these people were, and silently began to curse each and every person who had convinced her to come here. Jeff read her face, and placed his arm around her chair more firmly to draw her attention to him. The voice instructed the caterers to begin serving the meal, and there was a deathly silence that enveloped the table for a brief second. Then it happened.

"Well, well, Jeff, right?" The voice was like listening to nails on a chalkboard for Tessa.

"Yes, that would be me, Ms. Graham. And you look, uhm, well." Jeff tried in vain to hide his snickers behind the hand holding his beer.

"Why thank you! And is this your girlfriend?" The snarl of her last statement was drawn out, and Tessa's eyes were pleading with Jeff to just let her get up and wander away from what was about to come down, when she heard another voice.

"Not unless there is news we don't know about. Card says it is…" There was a pause from the direction of the voice behind Tessa's turned head before a long breath was released. She knew him. He knew her. It was almost exactly the reason that Tessa had wanted to avoid this place and these people.

"Well, John, who is it?" The female voice was straining to direct the male.

"It's Tessa. Tessa Finch."

Tessa's eyes opened wider at being discovered, and Jeff's brow furrowed as he watched her face flush. After a moment of quiet, Tessa realized that she would have to face this head on, and there was no chance to run, despite Jeff's mouthing that they could just get up and leave if she liked. She shook her head no, and leaned up to sit with her very best posture. She smoothed her hair down, and picked her drink up as she turned to face the man and woman who had found her out.

As she turned to look at them, she came face to face with two prevailing reason for her lack of enthusiasm for coming back to these events, and to this place. Tessa's eyes took in the faces. The girl was Amelia Graham, and time had not been kind to her. Amelia then had taken pleasure in lording her status above Tessa any chance she had. Amelia was a cheerleader, at the peak of the social ladder. Always bedecked in the most expensive clothes, jewelry, and having her hair done at the most exclusive of locations to keep that platinum blonde look. Now, she had really let herself go compared to then. Amelia looked as though her roots needed a massive touch up, and her figure had added several pounds along with a new set of chest enhancements that seemed to be straining against both her skin and her blouse to be held in. Her eyes were dull, and when she gave a twisted smile, her teeth looked more mangled than they had before. Upon processing the sight before her, Tessa breathed a little sigh of relief at knowing she had at least won this battle.

The male was another story. His face was freshly shaven and his features chiseled. His eyes were steel blue, but calm and welcoming. From what Tessa remembered of him, his frame had put on substantial bulk, and his chest and arms were straining against his button down shirt as well. His smile was brilliant and white, but Tessa remained a bit restrained. The harpee's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Well, well. Tessa Finch, gracing us with her presence." It was almost unbearable to look at the mouth that sent that phrase spewing with such venom. "Long time, no show."

Tessa drew a quick breath. "Hello, Amelia." She turned her attention to the man. "Hello, John."

"And now everyone has said hello, so don't let us interrupt your pre-coitus dance," Jeff touched Tessa's shoulder to turn her attention away from the other two. Tessa began to tuck her chin away from John and turn.

John laughed heartily at the comment. "Oh no, not interrupting anything." Amelia shot daggers at both John and Jeff, then turned her attention back to Tessa.

"So what have you been up to lately?" Before Tessa could process a response, Amelia blasted past her. "I'm sure it's important to you, anyways. Some of us have been making a name for ourselves in your absence, since you couldn't be bothered to keep the committee informed about your information." Amelia patted John's arm, attempting to slide her hand into his. John twitched his hand away, and met Tessa's eyes after they had watched the same.

Jeff leaned in closer. "So just what have you been doing to help the world, Amelia? Did you manage to catch some new strain of Chlamydia that results in sterilization? I didn't think that philanthropy was big on your list of to-do's." Jeff's questions caused a peal of snickers under the breath of John and Tessa. He had always been a little bit of a comedian.

If Amelia understood what Jeff had asked her, she didn't act like it. Without skipping a beat, she went forward. "Oh yes, our squad does loads of charity work. We just helped fund a toy drive for needy children." She seemed happy that the topic of conversation was turned to her, and Jeff smelled something wasn't right.

"Your squad funded a toy drive? Like your employer?"

"Sort of. I helped."

"Helped how? Did you organize it?"

"No, but I was there."

"I'm a little lost. How did you help out if you didn't organize it and you weren't in charge of it, but you were just there."

John interjected and helped reveal the mysteries. "She was there holding pom-poms. It was a toy drive that the team had."

"Pom-poms help the needy? I'm lost." Tessa could tell where this was going and had little desire to continue hearing about it.

"You are feasting your eyes on the head of the spirit team for the New York Knicks." She looked very pleased for herself.

"You are a professional cheerleader?" Tessa uttered incredulously before she could stop herself, and then took a long drink from her glass, draining it.

John leaned forward finishing his beer as it appeared in his hand. "She's not a professional cheerleader. Part-timer - she's a cheerleader for their developmental team. Not even the real Knicks." Amelia's face read that she was hurt by his distinction.

"Well, no, but there is great opportunities for me there, and I get so much exposure. My modeling career is bound to jump forward." Amelia seemed a little dejected, but was determined to bounce back.

John leaned closer to Jeff and Tessa, "She hasn't done any modeling. She is living off her trust fund." Tessa caught herself snickering as Jeff leaned back and laughed out loud. Sensing that she had been made a fool of, Amelia struck back.

"If I were you Jeff, I wouldn't laugh. Someone who moves home and thinks it's amazing to do so is so blasé. And I'm sure it's easy to live a life of anonymity, isn't it Tessa? Same as ever – always in someone's shadow being mediocre. What do you do now? Work as a cashier in some grocery store around the corner?" She snickered at her joke.

John leaned forward, "What are you up to now, Tessa?" Jeff blurted her answer for her.

"She is a principal partner in a major law firm. Worked on loads of important cases, and has argued before some state supreme courts." John sat back, visibly impressed, and Amelia looked remarkably smug. Tessa's cheeks burned white hot, and she nodded slowly.

"Well once a nerd, always a nerd. I'd rather be helping people anyways." Amelia huffed, folding her arms across her enormous chest and turned away.