Part One

"Soul mate: A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet – a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior."

Chapter One

A problem I've always found in life is there not being adequate words in the English language to describe phenomenal, too-good-to-be-true moments that don't come around very often. Perhaps that's why our language falls short, because those moments are rare, too rare to be slapped with an average word that describes something other people won't understand. Because do we ever experience the same thing as anyone else? Sure we may witness the same triumphs, but we can never completely feel the exact same way about those achievements as anyone else and that's what makes them so damn special. Especially when it's something you've been working towards for a very long time.

In my case, getting called up from OVW to debut on the big show. I was twenty six years old, had been in the wrestling industry for more than six years (a fan for even longer) and was more than ready to mix it up with the women I'd idolized for so many years.

"Mickie, I'm so proud of you. I know how hard you've worked and all the sacrifices you've made to get here. You're going to be wonderful. This is what you were born to do."

I couldn't help but grin while talking to my mother on the drive to the arena, "Thanks Mom, you've always been my biggest support system; I couldn't have done any of this without you."

"Of course you could have and you would have. You did this on your own Mickie Laree, but I am here for you and that will never change."

When I'd gotten the call a few weeks ago, I swear I nearly fainted. I mean sure, this is what everyone in developmental hopes for. But to have it happen first hand, it's honestly been a dream come true. Clearly they'd seen something they liked while I was performing in OVW and thought I'd be able to bring that to the main roster.

Over this past weekend I'd gotten in the ring with a few of the other divas just for some good old fashioned practice, but the real deal was happening tonight and I was going to be debuting live on television in front of millions of people in a storyline with Trish Stratus of all people! Talk about words falling short.

"Okay, I gotta go, Mom, I just arrived at the arena and I've got so many things to attend to. I'll call you later, alright? I love you!"

"I love you too, Mickie. Don't forget to have fun."

I parked the rental and turned the ignition off and took several deep breaths, resting my head against the top of the steering wheel. I stayed that way for several minutes until finally I worked up enough courage to exit the car, grab my belongings and head towards the nearest door. I hadn't had the opportunity to talk to too many people on the main roster outside of the ones I'd bumped into at OVW during my time there or those Trish had taken the initiative to introduce me to last night, so I made my way through the arena without interruption until I found myself outside of the women's locker room.

I entered the room feeling immediately relieved when I saw Trish and Lisa aka Victoria standing not too far away.

"Mickie!"

Trish approached me and pulled me in for a quick hug, "You ready for tonight?"

"No," I responded.

Lisa joined us and laughed, "You'll be great, Mickie. Don't over think it. Trish and I were just about to head out to the ring for a quick run through. How about you get changed and then come and join us? If you spot Ashley on your way out, let her know where we are."

I nodded my head and watched as they left before turning to find a spot to settle in. I glimpsed Melina across the room, and with a scowl on her face she followed Trish and Lisa out the door. She and I weren't exactly on the best of terms. Somehow we'd always found ourselves at each other's throats, and quite honestly I couldn't even remember what had started it. Only that I didn't like her anymore than she did me. I didn't know if there was room for that to change as I think we'd burned that bridge far too long ago. I couldn't bring myself to care too much, not with the way things were going at the moment. So I continued getting ready with a smile on my face and the knowledge that my entire life was about to change.

"Soo… how do you feel?"

"Can I answer that question in a few days when I come back down to reality?"

Trish placed a hand on my shoulder, "I remember what it's like. We've got a strong division. You're going to fit in great around here, Mickie."

"Thanks. This is amazing. Most of my life this is what I've wanted, and now I'm finally here," I glanced at her, Lisa and Ashley. "So any tips or pointers you can give me on the backstage situation around here? I know a few people from OVW, but not as many as you'd think."

Lisa put an arm around my shoulders, "Just stick with us and you'll be fine." She steered me in the direction of the locker room with the other two girls flanking us on either side.

"There are a few guys you should probably steer clear of. Dave Batista, nice and all, but a little into himself these days," they all rattled off a few names and then, "And top of that list, Randy Orton," Ashley said with a grin.

"Why?" I asked.

"He's trouble. He likes to think he has to make every new diva around here a conquest. Tried it with me, and I wasn't having any of that."

Lisa laughed, "He's just bad news, Mickie."

"Oh come on you guys," Trish chided them and looked at me, "Randy's a good guy, just a bit unpredictable. Rough around the edges you know?"

"I'll keep that in mind…" I said.

The next little while was a whirlwind of being introduced to new people, talking to those in charge about the direction of this storyline and learning the ropes of being on the main roster. I knew I should be exhausted and ready to hit my bed, but I was on such a high from being out there in front of that many people with Trish and Lisa, I felt like I was never going to sleep again! It was a couple hours after my debut that I found myself cornered in an abandoned hallway by current champion, Dave Batista.

"No seriously, I've heard a lot about your time down in OVW. If you're half as good as they say you are, I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to show us around here."

"Thanks Dave, that means a lot coming from you, being top of the food chain and all," I said with a grin, accepting his hand to shake. I'd been very surprised when he, of all people, approached me personally to welcome me to the main roster of Raw.

"I'll keep an eye out for you," he said with a grin while retreating and then he was gone and I was finally alone for the first time all evening to bask in the glow of my bliss. But I realized then that I wasn't alone when I sensed someone standing behind me. I whirled around to find Randy Orton, whom I recognized from TV and the few times I'd caught sight of him on his visits to OVW, leaning up against the wall, surveying me with a look of curiosity on his face.

He finally kicked off the wall and approached me, pointing after Dave he said, "You know, he doesn't give a shit about what you have to offer the WWE, he just likes what he's seeing, and…" he looked me up and down, "I can't say I blame the guy."

"And what's it to you?"

He placed his hand over his chest in a show of innocence, "I'm just looking out for your best interests."

"Is that so?" I crossed my arms, unable to keep the smile off my face, "Well I can look out for myself thanks."

"Oh I have no doubts about that. But you don't know Dave as well as I do. He has a reputation around here."

"From what I hear, he's not the only one."

He gestured to himself, "Are you referring to me? Let me guess, the divas got to you already. Mentioned something about me and all the new divas… That thing with Ashley, was clearly a misunderstanding. She's got that whole angry, goth, rocker thing going on and quite frankly, I don't find it attractive in the least."

I pretended to deliberate, "Yeah it was something along those lines… maybe the word unsatisfactory was thrown in there too…"

He smiled in amusement, a sight that, to my complete surprise, created a warm sensation in the pit of my stomach. "You're funny. I like that in a woman."

"Well you can understand why that surprises me since I get the impression you don't like your women very verbal."

"On the contrary, I love it when a girl tells me exactly how she's feeling," he said suggestively.

I couldn't help but laugh, "I'm sorry, you don't actually think this little conversation here is getting you anywhere, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you're here to try and make me your next diva conquest, it's not happening."

"I think you've misunderstood me. I'm just here to welcome the newest diva to the business and warn you about who to stay away from. You're the one who mentioned my reputation." He said it so innocently I almost believed him but then, with a taunting smirk on his face he closed the distance between us and leaned down to say quietly in my ear, "Come by my locker room, anytime, I'd love to give you a personal tour. And I'm not referring to the arena." And then he was retreating the same way Dave had minutes earlier, and before I could catch myself, I was staring after him, a small amused smile on my face.

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Well there's the first chapter, let me know what you think. There's a lot more where this came from :)