Author's Note: Lilian's retirement hit me pretty hard, and I was very disappointed at the lack of Lilian fics there are on this site. So, I've decided to buckle down and write some oneshots. They are all going to be fics based on certain Superstars' memories, some based on true events, most probably not. Oh, and everything is kayfabe based, as in Shawn's name is really Shawn Michaels, and not Michael Hickenbottom, and the events on the show are real. Hope everyone enjoys!

Disclaimer: I not own anything, just the ideas for the story.

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Inspiring

She was leaving. After ten long years in the business, she was finally leaving. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around it, even as I watch her say goodbye to the WWE Universe. Lilian Garcia is finally leaving. I suppose I shouldn't be so shocked, I've known it was coming for a while, but she's been one of the few constants around here. Every week, no matter how crazy things would get, she was always out there in the ring singing her heart out and bringing some semblance of order to this crazy show. I'll miss the sound of her voice, so sweet and powerful, but most of all, I'll miss the way she always says to me "I knew you could do it" after every show. I still remember the day she first said those words to me…

Summerslam 2003

I was sitting in the arena, watching the ring crew set up the stage for Summerslam. In a few hours, I would be facing my former best friend, Hunter Hearst Helmsly, better known as Triple H. Naturally, I was having doubts. It was my first match back after years of retirement, and I wasn't sure I could put on the show these people wanted. I wasn't deaf; after all, I heard what they were saying.

"What's he doing here? Isn't he retired?"

"He's washed up."

"Hunter'll tear him to shreds!"

Those words would have destroyed my resolve if I hadn't literally been knocked out of my thoughts by a small, feminine form ducking for cover. Looking down, I was greeted by a mass of blonde hair.

"Um, hello?"

She looked up at me with two big blue eyes and put a finger to her lips. "Shhh! I'm hiding!"

I instantly recognized her voice. It was hard not to, since I had kept watching the shows even after I retired, and easily figured out that this was Lilian Garcia. We had never formally met, even during the few times I acted as a guest referee, but I was curious about her. Or, more specifically, her reasons for being on the arena floor. "From who?" I whispered.

"Finkle. He doesn't know I'm coming back tonight, and I don't plan on letting him know 'til later! I usually come out here to relax and prepare for the show, but I didn't think he'd come out here to do a mike check so soon!" she whispered back urgently.

I looked down to the ring, easily spotting Howard's bald head. I felt a sudden surge of anger, remembering his smugness in recent weeks. I had seen what he did to Lilian with Three Minute Warning, shoving her in the way to protect himself. That pissed me off. A real man would have defended her, even if they didn't get along. If there's one thing I hate, it's a man who allows an innocent woman to get hurt. I looked back down at her, watching as she glared off into the distance.

"Stupid Finkle. I'm just as good as he is, even if I am a woman! What's gender gotta do with it anyway?" I heard her mutter.

My own worries suddenly vanished, replaced instead by the strong need to comfort her. "Nothing. It has nothing to do with anything. You're just as good as he is, if not better. I've been listening to you announce for the past few year, and I for one am very impressed."

She looked up at me with a surprised smile, the gloomy look in her eyes gone. I took a moment to glance back towards the ring, and smiled. Looking back down at her, I said, "Fink's gone. You can get off the floor now."

I had almost laughed when she blushed, she just looked so adorable. She at least seemed happy to get off the dirty floor. Settling into the chair next to me, her eyes lit up in recognition so suddenly I thought she would jump right back out of the chair.

"Oh my God, you're Shawn Michaels!" she exclaimed. She held out her hand. "I'm Lilian Garcia. It's such an honor to meet you!"

It was my turn to blush, though I did take her hand. She'd said my name with such admiration. "Come on, I'm not that special. Meeting me's no honor."

She looked at me with disbelief. "The Showstopper acting humble? I never thought I'd see the day!"

I knew she had meant it as a joke, but once again all my doubts came crashing back down on me. I shook my head. "I'm not the Showstopper anymore, Lilian. I'm just a broken-down has-been. I don't know why I even came back."

What happened next will forever remain in my memory. Her eyes turned serious, her smile left her face, and she dropped my hand, only to grab my shoulders, turning me to face her. Then she spoke to me in that powerful voice which left no room for argument. "Now you listen to me, Shawn Michaels, and listen good; I may not know you personally, but I know what I've seen on TV and heard from the other wrestlers. I'm always hearing people talk about what you've done for this business, how you revolutionized the industry. You pushed the envelope and broken barriers, made new matches and entertained millions across the world. I know it's been a while since you've been in the ring, and some people may doubt you, saying that you'll never beat Hunter. Honestly, their opinions don't matter. But if you keep doubting yourself, then Hunter'll win without throwing even a single punch! You are an amazing, talented man, Shawn. All you need to do is believe in yourself, and you'll win."

Something in her eyes made me believe her. She wasn't saying it to be nice, or because she thought that's what I had wanted to hear. She was saying what she truly believed. She believed in me.

She gave an adorable squeak when I hugged her. Her sincerity touched me, and I'm still quite sure that God had sent her to me to set me back on track. I pulled away and smiled.

"Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you."

She'd smiled back, then left to prepare for her own return. After the show, I sought her out backstage. I found her outside the women's locker room, and she smiled when she saw me. She gave me a hug and said the words that made my night so much sweeter.

"I knew you could do it."

Present Day

I'll never forget that day, the day she inspired me to be the Showstopper again. I don't know how I'll be able to make it through the show each week without hearing her announce my name. How will I get through the night without hearing her say to me "I knew you could do it" after every show? She's been a true friend to me, and now she's leaving for a new life. I'll miss her, but I know what she's doing is her decision, and I'll support her the whole way, just as she supported me. I just hope she realizes just how much she means to me.

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So, what do you think? I thought it turned out pretty well, and don't worry, there's more to come with even more Superstars. I can't promise frequent updates, as I'm rather busy at college, but I have already started writing one with Chris Jericho. Hopefully I'll be able to submit it around Thanksgiving. Once that one goes up, you'll understand the Teen rating. For now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and you'll give me some good reviews. Keep on Rollin'!