1"It's about damn time you're traveling around with us." Matt Hardy said, a large smile playing on his handsome features.
"Don't push it Hardy or I'll travel with Morrison." Kara Williams was the newest Smackdown Diva, having just transferred from the RAW brand.
"Oh yeah, he'd love that." Jeff Hardy said momentarily looking up from his journal.
"He'd probably be better company for her than you are bro." Matt took a sip of water. "It's been a year man, let it go." Jeff and his fiancé had broken things off and every rebound had left Jeff more broken hearted than the previous one.
"Leave him alone Matt." Kara said quietly. A strand of her curly dark brown hair fell into her face and she started twirling it in between her fingers, a nervous habit. Matt raised his eyebrow slightly, but didn't push the subject. "So, Jeff when are they going to give you the title?"
"I am hoping at a big pay-per-view. They've been stringing me along for a while now."
"It's getting painful to watch." Matt said with a hint of laughter.
"It's like a cat and a piece of yarn." Kara said shaking her head.
"What about you Williams?" Matt asked.
"What about me?"
"What are they going to do with you?"
"Who knows..." She said calmly. "I am thinking they'll get me into a feud with Maryse."
"They'll probably give you the title." Jeff said, not looking up from his drawing.
"Why do you say that?" Her question caused him to pause momentarily.
"Just a feeling." Their eyes remained locked for a long moment until a knock at the door caused Kara to jump, and Jeff to continue drawing.
"Come in!" Matt called loudly. The door opened and in walked Nikki Danielson. Nikki, despite being only 23, was the lead Pyrotechnition for the Smackdown brand of the WWE.
"Nikki!" Kara jumped off the bench and pulled the shorter girl into a hug. "I love your hair!" Nikki had recently put bright red highlights into her naturally brown hair.
"Thanks! I have been waiting for you to get here!" Nikki said excitedly as the two pulled away. "I figured you'd be with these two."
"Of course, I can't resist my southern boys." Kara said sweetly.
"Ok, well you need to come with me and let the southern boys fend for themselves."
"Come on Nikki, why you gotta be so cruel?" Matt said with a mock pout on his face. Nikki just shook her head and pulled Kara put the door.
"Where's the fire?" Kara asked as Nikki pulled her along the hallway. "No pun intended."
"We only have three hours until the taping starts and you haven't even picked your pyro entrance." She pulled her into a side room full of, what looked to be, expensive equipment. "Ok, colors we need colors." Nikki ran through a list mentally in her mind of the numerous different colors Kara could use.
"I was just thinking you guys would pick the same pyro I had at RAW. Blue, green, and purple."
"It kind resembles Jeff's pyro though."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, considering you're in love with him no." Nikki said, not looking at Kara.
"You're crazy."
"Kara, I've seen the way you look at him."
"Kind of like you look at Mr. Sydal?" Nikki shook her head and took the high road of not responding. Matt Sydal, better known as Evan Bourne, was not a subject she wanted to bring up. However, Kara knew that's exactly what would distract her. "Have you seen Evan lately?"
"No."
"No?"
"Are you deaf? I said no."
"Touchy." Kara said laughing.
"Hey I can screw up your pyro's if you piss me off."
"You wouldn't do that." Kara said, confidence in her voice.
"Wouldn't I?"
"No, because you're like my sister and if you sister died, where would you be?" Nikki just shook her head and laughed. "Are you almost done? You know my pyro now can we go some where else?"
"Where?"
"Let's go down to catering. Everyone's there." Nikki rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Morrison will be down there, so come on." As if mimicking Nikki earlier, Kara pulled her friend through the crowded hallways."
"Hey Kara." His voice was soft.
"Hey Evan." Nikki's brown eyes were suddenly wide and her face bright red as she tried to hide behind Kara.
"How's the ankle?"
"A lot better, stronger everyday." Evan said, motioning to his foot. "I can't wait to get back out there."
"You know my friend Nikki right?" Kara said pulling Nikki out from behind her. Nikki looked mortified.
"Yeah, you're the lead pyro for Smackdown." He held out his hand, which Nikki reluctantly took. "It's nice to officially meet you Nikki."
"You too." Her words were barely audible. Evan laughed and blushed slightly, something that Kara picked up on right away.
"Well, I should be going, but again it was nice to meet you Nikki, and good luck out there tonight Kara."
"Thanks, bye Evan."
"Bye." Nikki squeaked out. As soon as Evan had turned the corner she rounded on her friend. "You knew he was going to be backstage tonight, didn't you?"
"Guilty."
"Ahhh! You're so infuriating!"
"How so?"
"You know I can't talk to him."
"You just did." Kara said matter-of-factly. "Besides, he blushed too."
"No he didn't."
"Yes he did. Nikki, if you're ever going to date him you need to talk to him first." Nikki just stared at her in shock. "I'm going to get you to sit down and have a full conversation with him before the week is out."
"Fat chance." They pushed the doors to catering open and almost ran into John Morrison.
"Must be my lucky day, running into two beautiful women." He said smoothly.
"Oh John, you are forever a pimp." Nikki said shaking her head.
"And I am damn proud of that." He said kissing the top of her hand. Kara felt strong arms wrap around her mid-section.
"Why, Mr. Hardy." She said as she turned and her dark brown eyes connected with the equally dark eyes of Matt. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I think I'm hugging you, but don't worry I know what you're thinking."
"And that would be?"
"Wrong Hardy brother." He stated simply. Kara wiggled out of his grasp.
"I don't like Jeff as more than a friend. What is wrong with you people?" Matt and Nikki looked at each other and Kara just shook her head. "John?"
"Yes darling?" Morrison said sweetly.
"Want to accompany me to grab something to eat?"
"It would be my pleasure." He held his arm out which Kara quickly grabbed and the two walked off to find a table.
"That girl is clueless." Nikki said laughing.
"Don't start." Matt said seriously.
"What?"
"You and Evan?"
"You think you know everything, don't you Hardy?"
"Yes." He smiled brightly at her. The doors opened behind them and the rainbow haired warrior walked in. "Jeffery. It's about time you join the world of the living."
"Don't push it bro." He said sullenly. His eyes scanned the room.
"She's sitting with Morrison." Nikki said nervously. Evan Bourne had joined Kara and Morrison at their table, and she knew her best friend was only seconds away from calling her over to sit with them.
"Who?" Jeff asked, turning toward the pyro.
"Kara."
"Don't worry Nikki, he knew who you were talking about." Matt said wrapping his arm protectively around his younger brothers shoulders.
"I'm going back to the locker room." Jeff tried to turn around, but Matt held him firmly. "I can get out of this grip if I really want to."
"You need to eat something Jeff, besides you need to socialize. Be human." The two people standing on either side of Matt Hardy seemed anxious and nervous. A devilish smile crossed Matt's face. "Ok, we're going to sit with Kara, Evan, and Morrison." He put a hand on each of their backs and guided them toward the table.