Disclaimer: All of the people in this story are owned by Vince McMahon and the WWF.
If you would like to use my story on other sites, please ask me first.
Chapter 1: It comes with the territory
Monday Night Raw, 9:00 p.m.- the Hardys and Lita fighting against RTC- as usual RTC's Ivory interfering, knocking out Lita, distracting Matt, enabling Steven Richard's to clothesline and then pin him. Disgusted he flicked the off button on the remote. Jeff got up off the recliner and walked into the kitchen -- "Well, Matt, what can we do to beat RTC at their own game?" he asked in frustration.
"Don't worry about it tonight, Jeff. Just sleep it off. We'll figure something out."
The next morning, Matt had just gotten off the phone with Vince, when a knock sounded at the door. "Hey Amy, come on in," he said with a slight drawl.
"So, are you guys ready to go?"
"Uh, not quite, Jeff is upstairs getting dressed."
She narrowed her eyes -- "The gallery opens in 20 minutes. He woke up late didn't he?" Matt nodded.
"Doesn't he have an alarm?" she questioned, exasperated.
"He claims he is his own internal alarm," he said with a slight grin.
"Well, the batteries are dead," Amy deadpanned.
"Not dead, just need to be recharged," Jeff's voice said from around the corner. He walked into the foyer running a towel through his wet hair. Amy reddened, she hadn't meant for Jeff to hear her comment.
He grinned, " I expect an alarm clock from you on my birthday," he replied mocking her tone of voice.
"In your dreams," she replied. She hit him lightly in the arm, but smiled slightly.
Fifteen minutes later:
Amy was impatiently tapping her foot on the floor while she attempted to relax on the Hardys couch. "Come on Jeff," she muttered, "hurry up."
"Okay, let's go," Jeff said as he bounded down the stairs.
Matt read his brother's face, "I know -- we'll stop and get some breakfast on the way."
Amy looked disbelievingly at Jeff, "I thought you had eaten already." She waved her hand in the air despairingly, "Sure, fine, whatever, but I'm driving!
Matt tossed her his keys, "I like a woman in control," he remarked jokingly.
Amy smirked, "If I recall correctly, at the end of your last date, she was the one asking for a goodnight kiss and holding the door open for you. You were just beside yourself. It was hilarious!"
"Thanks for the reminder Amy," Matt replied sourly.
"Your welcome," she said with a grin.
Fifteen minutes later they were on the road again after getting Jeff some breakfast.
"Jeff, bro, you may want to get an alarm clock," Matt said, looking uneasily over at Amy. She hadn't said a word since they had left McDonalds. He knew she was upset. Normally, when she was really mad, she didn't say a thing until she was good and ready. He sighed, *this was going to be a long day.*
*It is at least an 1 ½ hour drive to Fayetteville and we have 1 hr. and 15 minutes to get there!* Amy's mind was screaming. Matt knew what she was thinking.
"Uh, Amy, I think I can get us there quicker," Matt said a bit reluctantly. Amy shrugged, and Matt knew she was listening. At the same time Jeff realized how ticked she really was. It was about 5 minutes before their scheduled signing that the "Hardyz and Lita" finally arrived. Amy jumped out of the SUV followed by the Hardyz.
They had to sneak in the back way or as Jeff had so aptly pointed out "'be mobbed by young girls,'"
"Oh, I'm so sure you guys would hate that," she said with a sly smile.
Jeff looked at her apologetically, "Look Am.."
Amy shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry about it. I didn't want to be late. Besides, I've been kind of moody lately, so I'm sorry for being so mean earlier. You still need an alarm clock though," she said with a grin, as she punched him lightly in the arm.
After 2 hours of signing autographs the guys and Amy were pretty tired, but it had been Amy's Idea - she had gotten plenty of fan mail requests for her and the boys to visit Fayetteville on their next trip to North Carolina. She hadn't regretted their decision until now. Usually love sick girls didn't bother Amy all that much when it came to the Hardys, but she was particularly annoyed watching some blond floozy hang all over Matt, and he looked as if he was enjoying it way to much! *What is the matter with me,* she thought, *the girl fan thing never bothers me*
She was jerked out of her thoughts by a young man's voice, "Excuse me, but may I have your autograph?"
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and smiled brightly,
"Sure, there you go," and she handed the photo back to him.
"Wow, thanks!" he said excitedly.
"Your welcome," she said distractedly, sneaking a glance over at Matt. She sighed, the girl was gone, along with the line. *Hopefully, she would have time to check out the museum before they had to head back to Cameron to catch a flight to San Francisco.*
"Penny for your thoughts?" a masculine voice asked.
"Huh, oh Jeff, sorry. Hey, who wants to check out the paintings before we have to leave?"
The guys shrugged, "Sure, why not."
"Come on," she said, "we don't have that much time!" As they wandered through the art gallery, Amy said, " Jeff, you should see about putting some of your art here."
"They probably wouldn't think it classy enough," Jeff said. Both Amy & Matt could tell he was mulling it over though.
They left the museum at 1:30 in Matt & Jeff's dad's 1987 Bronco. At Jeff's suggestion, the stopped at Arby's on the way back, to grab a bite to eat.
Chapter 2: Mid-flight
3 ½ hours later:
Matt & Jeff gave their Dad a hug before boarding the plane to New Orleans.
"Bye Dad, we'll call you when we get there all right?" Matt said.
Mr. Hardy nodded, "Take good care of them Amy."
She gave him a quick hug good-bye, "You know I will Mr. Hardy," she said with a smile.
"We gotta go," Jeff said, hefting his duffel bag over his shoulder. "Love ya Dad," Jeff tossed over his shoulder as they disappeared down the walkway.
It was a 2 hour flight from Cameron to New Orleans, but Matt and Jeff brought plenty to keep them occupied. Amy looked over at them from across the aisle as they settled in their seats. She watched as Matt pulled out a stack of about 10 wrestling magazines from his backpack.
Amy's eyes widened, "You brought all that just for a 2 hr. flight? Don't you like to read a "People magazine" now and then?"
Matt shook his head, "Nope, I'm not really into the Hollywood scene."
"I mean, there is such a thing as conversation," she pointed out, clearly annoyed.
As Matt handed half of his magazine stack to Jeff, he shook his head.
"Not right now, but if you would like to talk, we're perfectly willing to listen," Matt said innocently. Amy looked at him, her mouth hanging open, speechless. She turned around abruptly in her seat, and picked up the novel she'd been working on.
An hour into the flight her airplane roomie decided to have one too many drinks and started hitting on her.
"Hey sweet thing, how's about you and I paint the town when this here big bird lands?" he said, and he lazily ran his hand up and down her arm.
She jerked her arm away. "How about keeping your hands to yourself mister, she said angrily. She looked across the aisle over at Matt and Jeff, *darn, it looked as if they were fast asleep.*
"Aw, but they'd rather be touching you," he slurred. She could smell his breath, which reeked of alcohol. His hand reached out to encircle her slim wrist, but didn't quite make it. A larger, stronger hand tightly gripped the drunk guy's wrist.
"I believe she told you to leave her alone," the person said icily. Lita looked up in surprise, only to see the enraged face of Matt Hardy.
"Unhand me!" the stranger sputtered.
Matt shook his head, his eyes glinting, he whispered, "I'm going to let your wrist go, and I swear, if you touch her again, I'm going to break it, understand?" The guy nodded, swallowing profusely.
"Good, now why don't you go find somewhere else to sit," he said practically shoving him out of his seat.
Jeff had been watching the whole time and grinned, breathing a sigh of relief. "You okay Amy?" Jeff asked. She nodded and gave him a small smile.
Matt sat down in the window seat next to Amy. "Thought we were asleep huh?" he said with a grin. "Now before you say anything, let me explain. I was awake and listening, waiting to see if you needed any help. You seemed to be doing okay on your own. Jeff and I thought you would want to handle it by yourself anyway, until he didn't take no for an answer. Matt abruptly turned his head to face straight ahead. Jeff and I felt he needed a little friendly persuasion," Matt said lightly, but Amy could see his jaw muscle tighten as he said it. She had an irresistible urge to stroke his jawbone. Instead, she settled for door #2.
She just looked at him in awe, "Thanks," she said softly.
He turned to her in surprise, concern etched on his face, "Amy, are you sure your okay? He didn't hurt you did he?"
"I'm fine really. I appreciate your coming to my rescue," she said almost shyly. He stared at her, his mouth gaping open. *Man, I thought she was going to be really ticked at me for helping her-she tends to be really stubborn much of the time.*
"Matt?" Amy waved her hand in front of his face. "You okay?"
"Huh?" he shook his head.
"Thought you were zoning on me for a second," she said with a smile. Almost as if reading his thoughts, Amy said, "Look, I know I tend to be stubborn sometimes but" her voice trailed off.
Matt was listening to her intently, "Go on," he said softly.
Amy waved her hand nonchalantly. "No, no, it's okay, I'm finished." Matt let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. *I know that she needs, no wants to say more. He sighed. *She'll talk about it when she's good and ready.* It concerned him that she was holding things inside. When she was in the ring she needed to have her mind totally focused. He didn't want her getting hurt in the ring due to outside problems.
"Okay, if you're sure," he said quietly. He stood up, but Amy tugged on the sleeve of his red checked, flannel shirt.
"Hey, toss me one of your magazines, would ya?" she said with a smile.
He grinned, "Hand me a magazine, would ya Jeff?" Jeff grinned and Amy spent the rest of the flight reading wrestling magazines.
Chapter 3: Welcome to the fold
Amy flopped back on the bed, exhausted. After an hour's drive from the airport to the hotel, she was having a serious case of jet lag. She looked at her watch and sighed, *8 o'clock, I only have 1/2 hour to clean up and change for dinner.* She figured since it would be in the big dining hall with the rest of the wrestlers she should dress up a bit more. She changed into a pair of black slacks and a sheer black shirt with a black shell underneath. Just as she finished buttoning up her shirt, a knock sounded on the door. She looked through the peephole.
"Oh, hey Chris," she said tiredly, as she opened the door.
"Hey, Hon, how was the flight?" he asked. He was a bit alarmed that she looked so tired. His look of alarm didn't go unnoticed.
"I'm just a little tired from the jet lag, that's all," she said with a reassuring smile. "Actually, the flight went pretty well." She smiled wistfully, as she found herself thinking back to her and the guy's bonding moment.
"Come on Amy," Chris said softly, "we have a dinner to attend."
It nearly took her breath away when she walked into the dining room. Joanie had told her every year at Wrestlemania, all the wrestlers got together for at least one dinner. She realized as she scanned the crowd, there were at least 50 wrestlers seated at the 3 long tables. Her and Chris found 2 empty seats next to Paul and Stephanie. There was a clinking of glass as Mr. McMahon stood up and cleared his throat.
"I'm glad everyone could make it this year. Every Wrestlemania I like to see all of us get together, so perhaps we can get to know each better, not to mention giving new wrestlers a chance to meet all of you. As a matter of fact, we do have a new wrestler entering the fold this year." He extended his arm, motioning for the wrestler to stand up. "Everyone, I would like you to meet Nora Greenwald!" She smiled shyly, as she tucked a golden ringlet behind her ear.
Matt noticed Jeff staring and smiled. "Taking a page from my book huh?" Matt's voice broke through Jeff's reverie of the young woman with golden tresses. Jeff turned to Matt and frowned. "Sorry to break up your daydream man," Matt said with a laugh.
Jeff reddened a little, "I was just thinking, that's all," he defended.
"Uh huh, sure you were man," Brian Christopher Lawler said, a small smile playing on his lips. Jeff shook his head, *Oh, man, now Matt and Brian will be teasing me all night. I'd like to be anywhere else but here, right now!* he thought miserably.
As if reading Jeff's thoughts, Matt clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, "We promise not to tease ya all night about it," Matt said sympathetically.
"Just through dinner," Brian said with a sly grin. They all laughed.
Amy thought it was neat to have another female wrestler in the group, even though it meant competition. She recognized Nora from the WCW as her alter-ego, Mona. She scanned the crowd for other familiar faces, when she spotted Matt and Jeff sitting next to Brian Christopher Lawler and Trish! She frowned, *I don't trust her. Behind that sickly sweet smile lies a pair of fangs! *she thought furiously. She caught Trish looking at her with that pasted on smile of hers. What Amy noticed most of all though was the cold, calculating look in Trish's eyes. Instantly, Amy pasted on a smile of her own, then quickly turned her head away.
The dinner went well over all. Amy talked with Joanie, Al, Chris, Stephanie, and Terri. Everything was going great, until she noticed Trish grab Matt by the hand and lead him to the veranda. Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms. Chris looked at her, then at Trish and Matt. Before he could say anything though, he felt delicate arms slide around his waist. He put his hands on the person's arms and turned around.
"Hey, Jess," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, "I'd like to introduce you to my friends."
Exhausted, Amy fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was a light sleeper, though, because she heard some commotion out in the hall and instantly, her eyes popped open. She slowly got out of bed and looked out the peephole.
First words that came to mind: *scum, as she looked at Dean slobbering, his version of kissing his girlfriend goodnight.* Then she realized that this girl didn't want to be kissed! Amy didn't think, she just reacted. Dressed in her royal blue silk pajamas she stomped towards Dean.
"Guess you don't know what N O means do ya Dean," she said nonchalantly, as she attempted to pull him away from the girl.
"Nora!" she gasped. Her surprise gave Dean the advantage. He slammed her head into the wall. Excruciating pain, followed by stars, was all Amy saw for the next few seconds. Meanwhile, the commotion out in the hall woke up Matt and Jeff, not to mention Chris and his wife, who were next door to them. Matt and Jeff stumbled out into the hall, followed by Chris and Jessica. Jeff's eyes widened when he saw Nora with Dean, but instinctively went towards the struggling girl, attempting to get her out of Dean's clutches. Meanwhile, Matt saw Amy trying to regain her balance and grabbed her around the waist.
"You okay," he whispered into her ear. She nodded slightly as she held her hands to the side of her head.
"Ooh, I will be as soon as the room stops spinning," she muttered. Meanwhile, Chris had gotten into it by simply punching Dean in the jaw, knocking him out.
"Well, that was easy enough," Chris said.
"Only because he was drunk," Nora said wryly.
Chris turned to face her. "You don't seem like the type to hang out with him," he said bluntly. Nora looked down at her feet nervously. She turned to look at Jeff, who was watching her carefully. She felt as if she was on the witness stand.
"Well, Dean was talking to me at dinner and.."
"That was your first mistake, you listened," Amy said with a slight grin. Nora smiled, she liked this girl's sharp sense of humor.
"He was nice at first, until he started drinking. It went down hill from there. He became.. a bit difficult," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"You're being too kind," Amy said drolly. Nora was highly curious as to why Amy held such contempt for Dean, though now was not the time to ask any such questions.
"Thanks for your help," Nora said, as Jeff walked her to her hotel room.
"No problem," Jeff shrugged, "as long as your okay." He noticed she still looked a little pale, which concerned, him but he couldn't help but think how cute she looked, what with the sprinkle of freckles across her nose.
"Well, we're here. Not a long walk huh?"
"Huh, oh yeah," he said absent-mindedly.
"So, are you and Matt wrestling tomorrow?" she asked casually.
"Yeah, Amy, Matt, and I wrestle RTC tomorrow night."
"Oh, okay, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Wait a second, you're wrestling tomorrow night? Who are you wrestling against?"
Nora bit her lip in thought, "Tori, I think."
"Well, good luck against Tori tomorrow, but be on your guard with her, Tori's nice, but she'll do what she has to in order to win." Later that night, she thought about Jeff's warning as she turned out the lights. *Tomorrow night should be interesting,* she thought, as she fell into a deep sleep.
If you would like to use my story on other sites, please ask me first.
Chapter 1: It comes with the territory
Monday Night Raw, 9:00 p.m.- the Hardys and Lita fighting against RTC- as usual RTC's Ivory interfering, knocking out Lita, distracting Matt, enabling Steven Richard's to clothesline and then pin him. Disgusted he flicked the off button on the remote. Jeff got up off the recliner and walked into the kitchen -- "Well, Matt, what can we do to beat RTC at their own game?" he asked in frustration.
"Don't worry about it tonight, Jeff. Just sleep it off. We'll figure something out."
The next morning, Matt had just gotten off the phone with Vince, when a knock sounded at the door. "Hey Amy, come on in," he said with a slight drawl.
"So, are you guys ready to go?"
"Uh, not quite, Jeff is upstairs getting dressed."
She narrowed her eyes -- "The gallery opens in 20 minutes. He woke up late didn't he?" Matt nodded.
"Doesn't he have an alarm?" she questioned, exasperated.
"He claims he is his own internal alarm," he said with a slight grin.
"Well, the batteries are dead," Amy deadpanned.
"Not dead, just need to be recharged," Jeff's voice said from around the corner. He walked into the foyer running a towel through his wet hair. Amy reddened, she hadn't meant for Jeff to hear her comment.
He grinned, " I expect an alarm clock from you on my birthday," he replied mocking her tone of voice.
"In your dreams," she replied. She hit him lightly in the arm, but smiled slightly.
Fifteen minutes later:
Amy was impatiently tapping her foot on the floor while she attempted to relax on the Hardys couch. "Come on Jeff," she muttered, "hurry up."
"Okay, let's go," Jeff said as he bounded down the stairs.
Matt read his brother's face, "I know -- we'll stop and get some breakfast on the way."
Amy looked disbelievingly at Jeff, "I thought you had eaten already." She waved her hand in the air despairingly, "Sure, fine, whatever, but I'm driving!
Matt tossed her his keys, "I like a woman in control," he remarked jokingly.
Amy smirked, "If I recall correctly, at the end of your last date, she was the one asking for a goodnight kiss and holding the door open for you. You were just beside yourself. It was hilarious!"
"Thanks for the reminder Amy," Matt replied sourly.
"Your welcome," she said with a grin.
Fifteen minutes later they were on the road again after getting Jeff some breakfast.
"Jeff, bro, you may want to get an alarm clock," Matt said, looking uneasily over at Amy. She hadn't said a word since they had left McDonalds. He knew she was upset. Normally, when she was really mad, she didn't say a thing until she was good and ready. He sighed, *this was going to be a long day.*
*It is at least an 1 ½ hour drive to Fayetteville and we have 1 hr. and 15 minutes to get there!* Amy's mind was screaming. Matt knew what she was thinking.
"Uh, Amy, I think I can get us there quicker," Matt said a bit reluctantly. Amy shrugged, and Matt knew she was listening. At the same time Jeff realized how ticked she really was. It was about 5 minutes before their scheduled signing that the "Hardyz and Lita" finally arrived. Amy jumped out of the SUV followed by the Hardyz.
They had to sneak in the back way or as Jeff had so aptly pointed out "'be mobbed by young girls,'"
"Oh, I'm so sure you guys would hate that," she said with a sly smile.
Jeff looked at her apologetically, "Look Am.."
Amy shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry about it. I didn't want to be late. Besides, I've been kind of moody lately, so I'm sorry for being so mean earlier. You still need an alarm clock though," she said with a grin, as she punched him lightly in the arm.
After 2 hours of signing autographs the guys and Amy were pretty tired, but it had been Amy's Idea - she had gotten plenty of fan mail requests for her and the boys to visit Fayetteville on their next trip to North Carolina. She hadn't regretted their decision until now. Usually love sick girls didn't bother Amy all that much when it came to the Hardys, but she was particularly annoyed watching some blond floozy hang all over Matt, and he looked as if he was enjoying it way to much! *What is the matter with me,* she thought, *the girl fan thing never bothers me*
She was jerked out of her thoughts by a young man's voice, "Excuse me, but may I have your autograph?"
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and smiled brightly,
"Sure, there you go," and she handed the photo back to him.
"Wow, thanks!" he said excitedly.
"Your welcome," she said distractedly, sneaking a glance over at Matt. She sighed, the girl was gone, along with the line. *Hopefully, she would have time to check out the museum before they had to head back to Cameron to catch a flight to San Francisco.*
"Penny for your thoughts?" a masculine voice asked.
"Huh, oh Jeff, sorry. Hey, who wants to check out the paintings before we have to leave?"
The guys shrugged, "Sure, why not."
"Come on," she said, "we don't have that much time!" As they wandered through the art gallery, Amy said, " Jeff, you should see about putting some of your art here."
"They probably wouldn't think it classy enough," Jeff said. Both Amy & Matt could tell he was mulling it over though.
They left the museum at 1:30 in Matt & Jeff's dad's 1987 Bronco. At Jeff's suggestion, the stopped at Arby's on the way back, to grab a bite to eat.
Chapter 2: Mid-flight
3 ½ hours later:
Matt & Jeff gave their Dad a hug before boarding the plane to New Orleans.
"Bye Dad, we'll call you when we get there all right?" Matt said.
Mr. Hardy nodded, "Take good care of them Amy."
She gave him a quick hug good-bye, "You know I will Mr. Hardy," she said with a smile.
"We gotta go," Jeff said, hefting his duffel bag over his shoulder. "Love ya Dad," Jeff tossed over his shoulder as they disappeared down the walkway.
It was a 2 hour flight from Cameron to New Orleans, but Matt and Jeff brought plenty to keep them occupied. Amy looked over at them from across the aisle as they settled in their seats. She watched as Matt pulled out a stack of about 10 wrestling magazines from his backpack.
Amy's eyes widened, "You brought all that just for a 2 hr. flight? Don't you like to read a "People magazine" now and then?"
Matt shook his head, "Nope, I'm not really into the Hollywood scene."
"I mean, there is such a thing as conversation," she pointed out, clearly annoyed.
As Matt handed half of his magazine stack to Jeff, he shook his head.
"Not right now, but if you would like to talk, we're perfectly willing to listen," Matt said innocently. Amy looked at him, her mouth hanging open, speechless. She turned around abruptly in her seat, and picked up the novel she'd been working on.
An hour into the flight her airplane roomie decided to have one too many drinks and started hitting on her.
"Hey sweet thing, how's about you and I paint the town when this here big bird lands?" he said, and he lazily ran his hand up and down her arm.
She jerked her arm away. "How about keeping your hands to yourself mister, she said angrily. She looked across the aisle over at Matt and Jeff, *darn, it looked as if they were fast asleep.*
"Aw, but they'd rather be touching you," he slurred. She could smell his breath, which reeked of alcohol. His hand reached out to encircle her slim wrist, but didn't quite make it. A larger, stronger hand tightly gripped the drunk guy's wrist.
"I believe she told you to leave her alone," the person said icily. Lita looked up in surprise, only to see the enraged face of Matt Hardy.
"Unhand me!" the stranger sputtered.
Matt shook his head, his eyes glinting, he whispered, "I'm going to let your wrist go, and I swear, if you touch her again, I'm going to break it, understand?" The guy nodded, swallowing profusely.
"Good, now why don't you go find somewhere else to sit," he said practically shoving him out of his seat.
Jeff had been watching the whole time and grinned, breathing a sigh of relief. "You okay Amy?" Jeff asked. She nodded and gave him a small smile.
Matt sat down in the window seat next to Amy. "Thought we were asleep huh?" he said with a grin. "Now before you say anything, let me explain. I was awake and listening, waiting to see if you needed any help. You seemed to be doing okay on your own. Jeff and I thought you would want to handle it by yourself anyway, until he didn't take no for an answer. Matt abruptly turned his head to face straight ahead. Jeff and I felt he needed a little friendly persuasion," Matt said lightly, but Amy could see his jaw muscle tighten as he said it. She had an irresistible urge to stroke his jawbone. Instead, she settled for door #2.
She just looked at him in awe, "Thanks," she said softly.
He turned to her in surprise, concern etched on his face, "Amy, are you sure your okay? He didn't hurt you did he?"
"I'm fine really. I appreciate your coming to my rescue," she said almost shyly. He stared at her, his mouth gaping open. *Man, I thought she was going to be really ticked at me for helping her-she tends to be really stubborn much of the time.*
"Matt?" Amy waved her hand in front of his face. "You okay?"
"Huh?" he shook his head.
"Thought you were zoning on me for a second," she said with a smile. Almost as if reading his thoughts, Amy said, "Look, I know I tend to be stubborn sometimes but" her voice trailed off.
Matt was listening to her intently, "Go on," he said softly.
Amy waved her hand nonchalantly. "No, no, it's okay, I'm finished." Matt let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. *I know that she needs, no wants to say more. He sighed. *She'll talk about it when she's good and ready.* It concerned him that she was holding things inside. When she was in the ring she needed to have her mind totally focused. He didn't want her getting hurt in the ring due to outside problems.
"Okay, if you're sure," he said quietly. He stood up, but Amy tugged on the sleeve of his red checked, flannel shirt.
"Hey, toss me one of your magazines, would ya?" she said with a smile.
He grinned, "Hand me a magazine, would ya Jeff?" Jeff grinned and Amy spent the rest of the flight reading wrestling magazines.
Chapter 3: Welcome to the fold
Amy flopped back on the bed, exhausted. After an hour's drive from the airport to the hotel, she was having a serious case of jet lag. She looked at her watch and sighed, *8 o'clock, I only have 1/2 hour to clean up and change for dinner.* She figured since it would be in the big dining hall with the rest of the wrestlers she should dress up a bit more. She changed into a pair of black slacks and a sheer black shirt with a black shell underneath. Just as she finished buttoning up her shirt, a knock sounded on the door. She looked through the peephole.
"Oh, hey Chris," she said tiredly, as she opened the door.
"Hey, Hon, how was the flight?" he asked. He was a bit alarmed that she looked so tired. His look of alarm didn't go unnoticed.
"I'm just a little tired from the jet lag, that's all," she said with a reassuring smile. "Actually, the flight went pretty well." She smiled wistfully, as she found herself thinking back to her and the guy's bonding moment.
"Come on Amy," Chris said softly, "we have a dinner to attend."
It nearly took her breath away when she walked into the dining room. Joanie had told her every year at Wrestlemania, all the wrestlers got together for at least one dinner. She realized as she scanned the crowd, there were at least 50 wrestlers seated at the 3 long tables. Her and Chris found 2 empty seats next to Paul and Stephanie. There was a clinking of glass as Mr. McMahon stood up and cleared his throat.
"I'm glad everyone could make it this year. Every Wrestlemania I like to see all of us get together, so perhaps we can get to know each better, not to mention giving new wrestlers a chance to meet all of you. As a matter of fact, we do have a new wrestler entering the fold this year." He extended his arm, motioning for the wrestler to stand up. "Everyone, I would like you to meet Nora Greenwald!" She smiled shyly, as she tucked a golden ringlet behind her ear.
Matt noticed Jeff staring and smiled. "Taking a page from my book huh?" Matt's voice broke through Jeff's reverie of the young woman with golden tresses. Jeff turned to Matt and frowned. "Sorry to break up your daydream man," Matt said with a laugh.
Jeff reddened a little, "I was just thinking, that's all," he defended.
"Uh huh, sure you were man," Brian Christopher Lawler said, a small smile playing on his lips. Jeff shook his head, *Oh, man, now Matt and Brian will be teasing me all night. I'd like to be anywhere else but here, right now!* he thought miserably.
As if reading Jeff's thoughts, Matt clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, "We promise not to tease ya all night about it," Matt said sympathetically.
"Just through dinner," Brian said with a sly grin. They all laughed.
Amy thought it was neat to have another female wrestler in the group, even though it meant competition. She recognized Nora from the WCW as her alter-ego, Mona. She scanned the crowd for other familiar faces, when she spotted Matt and Jeff sitting next to Brian Christopher Lawler and Trish! She frowned, *I don't trust her. Behind that sickly sweet smile lies a pair of fangs! *she thought furiously. She caught Trish looking at her with that pasted on smile of hers. What Amy noticed most of all though was the cold, calculating look in Trish's eyes. Instantly, Amy pasted on a smile of her own, then quickly turned her head away.
The dinner went well over all. Amy talked with Joanie, Al, Chris, Stephanie, and Terri. Everything was going great, until she noticed Trish grab Matt by the hand and lead him to the veranda. Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms. Chris looked at her, then at Trish and Matt. Before he could say anything though, he felt delicate arms slide around his waist. He put his hands on the person's arms and turned around.
"Hey, Jess," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, "I'd like to introduce you to my friends."
Exhausted, Amy fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was a light sleeper, though, because she heard some commotion out in the hall and instantly, her eyes popped open. She slowly got out of bed and looked out the peephole.
First words that came to mind: *scum, as she looked at Dean slobbering, his version of kissing his girlfriend goodnight.* Then she realized that this girl didn't want to be kissed! Amy didn't think, she just reacted. Dressed in her royal blue silk pajamas she stomped towards Dean.
"Guess you don't know what N O means do ya Dean," she said nonchalantly, as she attempted to pull him away from the girl.
"Nora!" she gasped. Her surprise gave Dean the advantage. He slammed her head into the wall. Excruciating pain, followed by stars, was all Amy saw for the next few seconds. Meanwhile, the commotion out in the hall woke up Matt and Jeff, not to mention Chris and his wife, who were next door to them. Matt and Jeff stumbled out into the hall, followed by Chris and Jessica. Jeff's eyes widened when he saw Nora with Dean, but instinctively went towards the struggling girl, attempting to get her out of Dean's clutches. Meanwhile, Matt saw Amy trying to regain her balance and grabbed her around the waist.
"You okay," he whispered into her ear. She nodded slightly as she held her hands to the side of her head.
"Ooh, I will be as soon as the room stops spinning," she muttered. Meanwhile, Chris had gotten into it by simply punching Dean in the jaw, knocking him out.
"Well, that was easy enough," Chris said.
"Only because he was drunk," Nora said wryly.
Chris turned to face her. "You don't seem like the type to hang out with him," he said bluntly. Nora looked down at her feet nervously. She turned to look at Jeff, who was watching her carefully. She felt as if she was on the witness stand.
"Well, Dean was talking to me at dinner and.."
"That was your first mistake, you listened," Amy said with a slight grin. Nora smiled, she liked this girl's sharp sense of humor.
"He was nice at first, until he started drinking. It went down hill from there. He became.. a bit difficult," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"You're being too kind," Amy said drolly. Nora was highly curious as to why Amy held such contempt for Dean, though now was not the time to ask any such questions.
"Thanks for your help," Nora said, as Jeff walked her to her hotel room.
"No problem," Jeff shrugged, "as long as your okay." He noticed she still looked a little pale, which concerned, him but he couldn't help but think how cute she looked, what with the sprinkle of freckles across her nose.
"Well, we're here. Not a long walk huh?"
"Huh, oh yeah," he said absent-mindedly.
"So, are you and Matt wrestling tomorrow?" she asked casually.
"Yeah, Amy, Matt, and I wrestle RTC tomorrow night."
"Oh, okay, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Wait a second, you're wrestling tomorrow night? Who are you wrestling against?"
Nora bit her lip in thought, "Tori, I think."
"Well, good luck against Tori tomorrow, but be on your guard with her, Tori's nice, but she'll do what she has to in order to win." Later that night, she thought about Jeff's warning as she turned out the lights. *Tomorrow night should be interesting,* she thought, as she fell into a deep sleep.