Note: This is dedicated to the ever talented Mentally-Unstable whom without I would have never started writing fanfictions. So thank you MU! May my bastardizations live forever...(inside joke)...

Shannon Moore stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel. Even though he and Jimmy had won their match, tonight was just not his night. He didn't feel like himself and he was in a bitter mood. He didn't want to admit it to himself but he was mentally kicking himself for leaving TNA. And he was pissed that Shane lured him back with promises of a cruiserweight title run. He should have known if it comes out of a McMahon's mouth it was all bullshit. But all his best friends were with WWE and they did pay a little better than TNA.

But WWE was killing his confidence and his spirit. And he felt even more lost than usual. And Shane was out with an injury, Jeff was on RAW and matt was, well Matt. So why did he come back and then it hit him as soon as he heard the knock on the locker room door.

"Hey Shannon, you ready?" Autumn called out through the cracked door to his locker room.

"Yeah, just let me grab my bags."

Autumn left her own luggage outside the door as she walked into the room and set down on an empty chair watching as Shannon crammed the last of his stuff into his bags.

"That was some match you had tonight. How do you feel?"

"I'm fine." He snapped. And immediately wished he could take it back. "Sorry."

She shrugged. "It's ok. What's up with you? Lately you've been so grouchy and preoccupied. Not to mention, not at all like your usual self."

"I'm starting to regret leaving TNA. The only reason I came back to WWE was because I was told I would get a big push. Can you even remember the last time I held a title? Because I sure as hell can't!"

"You have a valid point. So why don't you just talk to the big dogs and remind them of this?"

Shannon held open the door and waited while Autumn got her bag and they continued down the corridor. "Do you know who the last person was that complained about a not getting their push or the way creative wasn't using them the way they felt they should be used? Yeah, it was Chris Masters and where is he now?"

"Another valid point."

They continued the rest of the way to the car in silence.

-- -- --

Autumn glanced over at Shannon as they pulled into the Outback steak house for a bite to eat. "Are you sure you don't want to go to your room and order pizza?"

"No way am I passing up Fosters beer and steak. I'm fine, now come on."

She shook her head, grabbed the keys and trailed Shannon into the restaurant. Once they were seated he wasted no time ordering their usual tequila shots with beer backers.

"Did you forget that I'm driving?" Autumn asked in an annoyed tone.

"No I didn't. Did you forget I'm having a bad week?"

She rolled her eyes. "We'll both be having bad weeks if I go to jail for a DUI."

Shannon knocked back his shot and downed half of his beer before responding. "All I want is a few hours to relax and forget about work before I have to return. We can call a cab or look there's Punk over there. We can easily ride with him."

"Fine." Autumn followed suit and downed the alcohol in front of her. "So what do you plan to do to get your shot at the 'big time?"

Shannon finished his beer and motioned for the waitress to bring another. "I don't want to talk about it tonight."

"What do you want to talk about then?" She pretended to look over her menu as the waitress set down two more shots and two more beers. It was going to be a long night for her.

"Let's talk about the weather, politics or what you're going to order."

"The weather sucks because it's cold. The candidates for president suck especially Obama and I'm getting the usual."

"Well then, let's get this party started. Blooming onion anyone?"

Autumn laughed. "You may be the lamest party planner I know."

"Speaking of lame, look who just walked in."

Autumn turned to see Chavo walking past. "Ah, I didn't order ham!"

"Neither did I."

Both of them burst out laughing and chugged their remaining beer down.

"So what are your plans for your days off?" Autumn asked as she popped a piece of the onion in her mouth.

Shannon seemed to be in another world, his eyes transfixed on Chavo and his parade of cheap whores and the Cruiserweight title that was being used as a centerpiece to seemingly taunt Shannon.

"You know there's more than just the Cruiserweight title."

"Yeah right. They've already done the whole David and Goliath angle with Rey and Khali. Face it, in a world where only big guys sell in Vince's eyes- I am nothing."

"That's not true Shannon. You have more skill and potential than most of the guys, big and small on the roster."

Shannon threw back another shot and stared a hole through Chavo. "You know that and I know that. But look at where I am. I'm lucky if I even get a match. Now that Jamie is in charge I'm seeing a little more time but we both know it won't last- it never does."

Autumn sighed. She hated seeing Shannon so down on himself. Even though he had some good points she wished he wouldn't beat himself up over it. Maybe he would have had it better in TNA but he was back with them at WWE now. She never was sure what led to his return and she never pushed the issue. She was just happy to have her best friend back. "So do you want to do something this weekend or what?"

He seemed lost in thought as he fidgeted with the edge of his menu. "Oh, I think Matt's having a party but we don't have to go if you don't want to."

"No it's cool. Matt's parties are the best. Besides he would never forgive us if we didn't show."

"Yeah, you're right about that."

Autumn frowned at his simple reply. "Do you want to just get our food to go?"

Shannon nodded and downed his beer. "Sounds good. Go ahead and order for me, I'll be back in a minute."

"OK." She watched as he walked away. There was nothing she could do but be there for him and hopefully catch him if he fell.