Disclaimer: This is fiction, it did not happen. Everyone belongs to themselves and/or TNA, except for Allison, she's mine. However, I would not be opposed if anyone wanted to give me one of the other people mentioned in this story...

Allison wondered into her study, searching for her briefcase. In it was the files she needed to examine before her meeting with her bosses the next day. She had been searching for it all day and was starting to worry. Still being somewhat new to the company, Allison knew that this was one mistake she couldn't afford to make. No matter how understanding her bosses were, there was no excuse for incompetence. Her father had taught her that at a very early age.

Spying a handle sticking out from under a box by the window, Allison made her way over to it. After moving the box, she smiled knowing she had escaped trouble once again. She picked up the briefcase and set it on the desk that wasn't too far away. She bent and grabbed the box, wondering why she had left it on the floor to begin with. She had every intention of putting the box in the closet and working on the files, but curiosity got the best of her. Deciding a few more minutes wouldn't hurt anything; she sat in her leather chair and laid the box in front of her on the desk. She lifted the lid and pulled out what looked like a photo album. Confused, Allison glanced to her bookshelves where she kept her pictures and a few knick knacks. Finding that none seemed to be missing, she looked at the spine of the book. It read simply Snapshots in silver lettering. Definitely not hers. Allison started to pull it out to take a peek when a noise at the door interrupted her.

"What are you doing, sunshine," the voice questioned while the owner of it leaned in the doorway.

She looked like the kid who had gotten caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar. She looked up to see one of her best friends. She groaned inwardly at the look on Patrick's face. He knew what she had been about to do, and he wasn't above trying to blackmail her with the information. She attempted to deflect his question with one of her own. "Nothing, Patrick. What brings you by? I thought we were meeting up later."

He moved out of the doorway and closer to her desk, making her uncomfortable. "We are, we are, but I wanted to see what you were up to. Plus, I was looking for 'lover boy', but now I'm wondering why you look like you're about to pass out from nerves. I know you too well, you're up to something."

Allison tried to play it cool, act as if nothing was going on, though she knew it was useless. Patrick Martin, known to the world as Alex Shelley, was one of the most annoying people she knew. Once he caught on to something, he wouldn't let it go until he was let in on the secret. He had been the first person she met upon coming to work for Total Non-stop Action straight from college almost two years ago. He had made her feel at home by his joking and hyper attitude. She knew she owed him a lot, especially since he had been the one to introduce her to her boyfriend, the one Patrick calls 'lover boy'. But right now, she wanted nothing more than to strangle him.

"He's not here; I think he's over at Petey's. Something about helping him move in a new couch. I don't really know for sure though, he's been acting strange lately…" Her voice trailed off. She tried so hard to keep her insecurities hidden from her friends, bosses, and co workers, but it was getting harder and harder. It didn't help that her boyfriend was seemingly keeping things from her.

Patrick picked up on it immediately, and had to control the urge to laugh. He knew what was in store for his friend later, but it wasn't his place to ruin so much hard work. He tried his best to put on a concerned face, saying. "Josh, strange? Surely you lie!"

Allison resisted the temptation to throw something at him, but just barely. "Shut up, skunk. You're not much better."

Patrick laughed slightly before turning serious, something he wasn't known to be by many. "Want me to talk to him or beat some sense into his thick head?"

She smiled gently. It was one of the things she loved most about Patrick. He was fiercely loyal. He and Josh were friends, but he aslo knew of her past, that she had been hurt and let down so many times. He didn't want to see it happen again, especially by Josh.

"No, I'm sure he's just stressed from working so much. He's been busy with Indy shows as much as TNA. It'll be alright."

Patrick studied her face closely, wondering how much he could tell her to calm her fears, while still keeping his word to Josh. "Okay, then, I'll head over to Petey's and see if they need some extra help." He held up his hands at her warning look. "Don't worry I won't mention I was here." She started to sigh with relief, when he continued. "On one condition."

She glared at his evil grin. Just when she was beginning to think she was off the hook, too. He removed her hands from inside the box, where she didn't even realize they still were, and picked it up, and walked towards the door. "And what might that be," she asked sarcastically.

"You stop snooping around. I know for a fact that Josh has been shopping. I'll see you later tonight." He grinned at her and walked out the door, still carrying the box under his arm.

She didn't bother to respond, she was too busy thinking over what he had just revealed. She smiled brightly, the first one in weeks. Josh was notorious in his inability to keep secrets. Especially when it came to presents. If he'd been shopping already for Christmas, his strange behavior must mean he was having trouble keeping it to himself. She relaxed instantly and decided to get to work. Now that she wasn't worried about Josh, she was able to put everything out of her mind, including the mysterious box and concentrate.

Several hours later, Allison was finishing up the last file update that was needed, when she was startled by two arms encircling her from behind. She started to jump up when she smelt the familiar scent that was Josh. "Hey," she said softly, placing her hands over his where they lay on her stomach.

"Hey, yourself," he placed a kiss gently on her neck feeling her shiver at the touch. "What are you up to?"

She turned slightly to look up at him before replying simply with, "working."

"Want me to leave you alone then?"

She shook her head. "No, I want you to stay."

Even after a year, she was still shy about saying things like that to him. Allison had always considered him too good for her. Though he was always quick to stop her from saying such things, she couldn't help but think them at times. He smiled down at her before turning her chair to face him. He leaned in and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself to the kiss.

After a few moments, he pulled back and grinned wickedly down at her. "I thought you might be in need of a distraction." He laughed as she punched him in the arm playfully.

"Jackass," she stuck her tongue out at him.

He winked and said, "you know it, babe."

He stood and pulled her to her feet by her hand, bringing her close to him. She studied his face thoughtfully. It was a face she had memorized, but looking at it never ceased to mesmerize her. Josh Hartner, otherwise known as Chris Sabin to his fans, had stolen her heart the first time Patrick had introduced them. She thought back to that day with a small smile on her face.

Flashback:

Allison had been working for TNA for about six months when Patrick had talked her into joining him and a few others for a weekend at the beach. She had been hesitant, not really knowing many besides Patrick, but he had been his usual insistent self, and she had eventually given in. She had been sitting on her couch waiting for him to pick her up as they agreed when Josh had knocked on the door with Patrick beside him. It felt as if she had been punched in the stomach when he smiled at her. She had known her face was turning red by the amused look on Patrick's face. She remembered her hands shaking and her legs barely holding her up as she grabbed her bag and walked with them to the car to begin the drive.

The two had been inseparable that weekend, joking, laughing, talking, and playing like two kids together. It had been the perfect weekend. New friendships were formed, and others strengthened. She had left the beach and the hotel in high spirits, and a few hopes for the future...

End Flashback:

It wasn't until Allison had gotten back home and listened to her messages that her insecurities came back. Her father had been the only one to call, and he reminded her of her duty to the family and demanded that she give up her job and let him find a more 'suitable' one for her. No matter how many times she told him she was happy in TNA, it never made any difference with her parents.

She had withdrawn from everyone after that, only talking to those she had business with. As embarrassed as she was now by her actions, at the time it had seemed like all she could do. It had taken Patrick and Josh weeks to draw her out and tell them what was wrong…

"Earth to Ally, where are you," his voice teased her out of her thoughts.

She blushed. "Just thinking what a crazy two years it's been."

"I hope it's been a good crazy, baby."

She stepped closer to him as he allowed his hand to rub her back gently. "The best kind of crazy," she tightened her arms around him.

He kissed her lightly before saying, "as much as I love hearing how great I am: I thought you'd be getting ready by now."

Allison looked at him strangely. "Why? We don't have to be there until seven."

Josh laughed and turned her to look at the clock on the wall. It took a moment for her to realize what she was seeing. "Oh no, It's already five! Why didn't you say something earlier?!"

Josh stared after her with his mouth open as she rushed upstairs. He shook his head and decided to make himself comfortable while he waited. He walked into the living room and sat on the couch, flipping thru channels on TV. He allowed his mind to drift to what was happening tonight. It was killing him to keep it from Allison, but he wanted it all to be a surprise for her even if everyone else knew. He smiled as he thought of how eager his friends were to help him with this. Even Jeff and Dixie were in on it, Dixie providing the place and Jeff providing the excuse to force everyone to dress up. Normally they were informal at get-togethers, but after he had explained what he wanted to do, they both had been happy to change the rules for the night. Josh tugged at the collar of his shirt, unaccustomed to the tightness of it around his neck. He knew that she was worth the discomfort and that this was a special night.

Patrick had told him Allison almost seen what was in the box and he cursed himself for not being more careful with it. He had intended to take it home with him after he dropped her off last night, but they had ended up talking well into the morning and he had fallen asleep. Then he had forgotten it when he went to help Petey, Josh was just glad the cover hadn't been added yet. Patrick had also told him of her fear. He hated not being able to tell her what was going on. The idea of causing her pain killed him. He wanted to tell her everything, but she deserved more than that. He wanted to give her everything she ever wanted, and romance was something that had been missing in her life before him. They had talked about her past enough for him to know that anything short of perfection tonight would ruin it.

Not that she knew anything of what was going on tonight, but he knew she had been hurt and disappointed so many times growing up, and he didn't want this to be one of those times. He wanted her to know, without a doubt that he wanted her to be happy. Josh thought back to their first date.

Flashback:

He had been so nervous asking her, and the fear hadn't lessened in the time between asking and picking her up. However, his nerves had calmed immediately when she opened the door for him and smiled. He had told her to dress comfortably, but he had no idea that she could do that and still look gorgeous. She stepped out in a tank top and jeans and he had found it hard to draw air into his lungs. He had taken her to Disney, and her face had lit up when she realized it. He wanted to be able to cause her to always do that. The night had been perfect. They had ridden the rides, played the games, eaten the food, but most of all they had gotten to know each other better. Josh had found it hard to leave her on her doorstep with only a kiss on the cheek.

End Flashback:

The sound of footsteps on the stairs broke him from his thoughts. He stood up and turned around in time to see Allison step into the doorway where he was. Josh couldn't help but stare at her, transfixed. Her long brown tresses cascaded down her back in tiny ringlets, her emerald eyes seemed to glow. She wore a simple black skirt that came to just above her knees and a navy blue sweater that had sparkling silver snowflakes on it, her feet were clad in two inch heeled boots.

"Do I look okay?" She asked nervously. It was her first party at Dixie's house and she didn't want to embarrass herself.

Josh walked up to her and wrapped her in his embrace. Bending down he kissed her softly, even in heels she was still inches shorter than him. "You look amazing," the husky reply came as he pulled away slightly. "Sure you don't want to just stay here? We can curl up on the couch and watch a little TV in between kisses."

She blushed at his words even as she wagged her finger at him. "You know we have to go. Dixie will have our hides if we no show tonight." She turned away before he could put his puppy dog face on. He knew she couldn't resist that look.

Sighing, he grabbed his coat and help Allison with hers. They walked hand in hand out the door and to the car. Just as she was about to slid in, Josh wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear. "I love you, Ally."

She turned her head and beamed up at him. "And I love you, Josh," she said just as softly before reaching up to kiss him.

He made sure the door was shut firmly before dashing around the car and climbing into the driver's seat. He started the car and glanced over at her. She was watching him with a smile on her face that he couldn't help but return. They laughed and talked for most of the ride before his nerves caused him to fall silent during the last ten minutes to the Carter's, letting the radio play in the background. Allison didn't mind the quiet; she was content just to be with him. She hadn't even known this kind of happiness was missing from her life until Josh had come along and shown her a different way to live. Now, she couldn't imagine going back to the shell of a life her parents lived and had planned for her to live. He had opened her eyes to so many things, both big and small, that she was hard pressed to remember what she had once been.

Pulling to a stop, Josh cut the ignition before looking at her. She looked to be lost in her own world: her eyes were staring into space absently while her fingers ran over the car seat. She hadn't even noticed they'd arrived. He moved to face her properly before turning her head towards him and searching her eyes. When he saw the hurt and confusion he knew what she was thinking. "Don't think of them, baby. You're amazing; kind, sweet, gorgeous, talented, funny, and so many other things. If they don't want to know you, then it's their loss."

She blushed as tears started to form in her green eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Too many tears had been spilt over her family as it were. She touched his face, lightly running her hand down his cheek. "Do you remember the first time you said that to me?"

He turned his head and kissed the inside of her wrist before nodding. He allowed his mind to drift back to that day.

Flashback:

He had been 'preparing' for his match later that day; which meant the stars of the X-division were trying to top each other's moves. Currently, Allen, or AJ, was attempting to beat Petey's Canadian Destroyer from the top rope. Others were standing or sitting outside the ring, cheering them on. Josh sat in the seat, watching the action while trying to recover from the moonsault from the top of Ultimate X that he had delivered to Jeremy earlier. He was chatting with America's Most Wanted member Chris Harris and his victim from earlier Jeremy Fritz, or Eric Young, when Allison walked down the ramp towards the ring. She stopped to talk to Chris Parks, or Abyss, laughing as he talked. Josh instantly forgot what was going on around him, including what was being said when she walked over to him. She smiled shyly and told Chris about the photo shoot he and his partner, James Storm were needed for. She had made her way around the ring, stopping to address everyone. He could see her laughing at whatever Patrick and Petey were telling her.

Eventually, everyone wondered off to different places, leaving Josh and Allison alone in the six sided ring. They sat dead center facing each other. Allison had her head resting on her knees with her arms wrapped around them, Josh sat with his legs out in front of him, leaning back on his hands. They had talked about anything and everything until the subject of her parents was brought up. It hadn't taken long for the tears to fall. He moved over to sit beside her, attempting to comfort his friend. She had felt his arms around her shaking shoulders. "Don't worry about them," was Josh's soft reply. "You're an amazing person, and if they can't wake up and see that then it's their loss, not yours."

She had looked up at him. He hadn't been able to resist and she hadn't been able to stop him when he lowered his head and kissed her...

End Flashback:

The sound of tapping on the window brought them back to the present with a start. Allison turned to see Allen and his wife, Wendy looking at them with goofy grins on their faces. Josh rolled his eyes while Allison blushed, both climbing out of the car. Wendy immediately attached herself to Allison's side, leaving Allen and Josh to follow at will. After the girls had moved in front of them a little ways, Allen turned to the younger man.

"You ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Josh sighed.

"Sounds like you're having second thoughts about going through with it…" Allen eyed his companion.

"No! Not at all, I just want this over with. I don't like keeping things from her." He rubbed his hands on his slacks before adding under his breath. "Enough people have done that to her."

"Do you have everything set?"

"Yeah, Patrick has the book completed and wrapped and Chase has the ring…"

Allen seen his face turn slightly pale and tried to take his mind off of it somewhat. "Chase? Why give it to him?"

Josh laughed slightly before answering. "Because Ally likes to dig in the pockets of my coat and I didn't want her to find it early. Chase heard me talking to James Storm about it and offered to help out."

Allen patted his shoulder as they continued up the path to the front door. "You got it covered, buddy. This is going to be a night she won't ever forget."

"That's what I'm counting on… well, that and she accepting."

"You really thing she won't," a new voice said from behind them.

They both turned to see Andy Douglas walking up. After exchanging the traditional greetings with the newcomer, Josh answered the question. "It's not that I think that, it's just…"

Allen spoke wisely. "You're going out on a limb and you're nervous. It's natural."

Andy nodded his head. "Yeah, dude, it's not supposed to be easy. Just have faith in your girl. It'll turn out right."

"Dude, when did you get so smart?"

Andy just grinned at the younger man without responding. Just then Josh noticed they were at the front door with Allison and Wendy standing in front of them. Andy greeted them and teasingly attempted to get both to be his dates. Josh was mesmerized by Allison as she laughed off Andy's impossible compliments. Her eyes sparkled like emeralds; her hair flew behind her as she tossed her head back and laughed. Her laugh was infectious and he found himself smiling without knowing what was being said.

Wendy caught the look on her young friend's face and glanced at her husband. Husband and wife shared a secret look before she reached over to her left and rang the doorbell. The door was opened almost immediately by none other than Jeff Jarrett. He smiled and welcomed them in. Allison watched him interact with his coworkers and friends. Seeing him like this, happy and kind, made her wonder how the fans could hate him so much. I guess that's testament to what a great performer his is, she thought to herself.

Still standing in the doorway, Josh took a deep breath to fortify him and attempted to calm the butterflies running on jet packs in his stomach. "Here goes nothing…," he muttered under his breath before stepping the rest of the way inside the enormous house.

Author's Note: I bet you can't guess what he's got planned.. LOL. Anyway, I promised this would be up today and the first part of it is. The rest will be up sometime tomorrow more than likely.