Jessa headed to find Traci. She discovered her in the catering room with Christy. She flopped down next to Traci, alerting her to a presence next to her. Christy laughed as Jessa leaned over on the brunette.

"Yes, dear? What's wrong now?" Traci smiled.

"Nothings wrong," Jessa shrugged. "Found out I'll be jumping ship to manage the Paparazzis soon."

Traci raised an eyebrow. "Really? How'd Alex take that?"

"Don't start," Jessa glared. "He didn't seem happy or bummed about it. You know how Alex is. Plus, I told him they could use some genuine femininity since Johnny isn't cutting it."

Christy laughed. "Unless he decides to let us put his hair in pigtails and make him up again."

"I think he enjoyed that more than we did," Jessa giggled. "Though it would be kinda fun... Johnny was a sucker for that pink eyeshadow.."

The three laughed, and Jessa leaned over Traci to grab an orange slice from the table. She peeled the rind off, sucking on one end.

"So I just have to ask... why exactly does Traci always give you that look when anyone mentions Alex, huh Jes? You guys didn't get back together, did you?" Christy asked.

Jessa threw the rind towards her. "Ugh. No. I don't know what Traci's deal is," She nudged her hard with her elbow. "Maybe she's hoping we do. Sorry Trac, not gonna happen."

"Ow! You brat!" Traci grimaced. "And yes, you and Alex Shelley need to get back together, if you know what I mean, like you need a hole in the head."

Jessa glared at Traci. "Shut up."

"Okay! Touchy subject I see. Sorry I asked." Christy blushed.

"Nah, Christy, it's okay. It's just sometimes Traci doesn't know when to shut up."

"Oh excuse me!..."

"Excuse me, ladies."

Traci was cut off by Scott D'Amore standing in the doorway. Jessa pushed away from Traci and smiled, swallowing down the last of her orange slice.

"Hey Coach!"

"Jessa. Can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure," She got up, waving at Christy and Traci. "See you two later."

The girls said their goodbyes as Jessa headed out of the room with D'Amore.

"What's up?" She asked.

"I talked to Larry Zbyszko. I hear they're handing you over to the Paparazzis." He said. "Are you okay with that?"

Jessa shrugged. "It's alright with me. It's just Alex and Johnny. What could really be bad about it?"

"I'm just making sure. Team Canada will miss you."

"I know, and I'll miss everyone, too. I think it's just time I tried something kinda new. I mean it won't be the same, sure, but I know those two well enough. I only lived with Alex for practically two years."

Scott sighed. "That's what I'm concerned about."

"Alex? Coach, come on! You don't honestly think I'm gonna hook up with Alex again, do you? Like we can't concentrate on work or something?"

"I didn't say that, Jes."

"It was implied." She muttered.

"Now listen! I know how you and Alex Shelley work together, and putting you on the same team is bound to be headed for trouble. You two are good friends and don't concentrate on work well when you're paired up," He caught her objection but spoke over her. "And you both know it. I trust once you settle into your roles it'll work out fine, because chemistry wise you and Alex have no problems. I just want you to concentrate on what's in front of you and don't cloud your head with something silly, understand?"

"It's crystal clear, Coach. I just... I don't think you need to be so worried about us. It's not like it used to be."

Scott patted her on the back. "I know. I just want to let you know."

"I understand. How do you feel about it?" Jessa asked.

"As good as I can. I'm losing one of my best students. It's unfortunate I can't get you into the ring as much as I'd like to... but you not being a part of Team Canada is going to take some getting used to."

"We're all still in it together, right? Planet Jarrett and whatnot. Or have I been lost the past few weeks and that's disintegrated? I mean they practically hired Alex to do their snooping work anyway."

"No telling how long that will last. Especially if plans go as it should and Alex and Petey have their feud. They'll probably let it fall away slowly, forget it happened or something."

Jessa shrugged again. "I can't stay with the Paparazzis forever, right? Maybe there'll be a chance for me to come back to the team."

"Team Canada may not last forever," Scott reminded her. "Remember what business we're in, princess."

"Yeah..."

"Don't start sulking now. Go on and find Petey and get ready. He has a match against Chris Sabin tonight."

Jessa nodded as Scott gently pushed her off in the direction of the lockeroom. She headed down the hall, taking a detour to the women's lockeroom to change for the match. Wearing a short red skirt, black lace-up boots, and a white shirt with red lettering on the front that said "I Like Canadian Boys" and had a big maple leaf cut-out on the back. She fixed her shaggy blonde hair in the mirror and touched up her makeup before strolling down to the team's lockeroom. She knocked before entering and slipped in to find Petey dressed in his wrestling gear talking to Eric Young.

"Hey Petey, hey E.Y." She smiled, pulling up a chair next to Eric.

"Hey Jes."

"Cute shirt," Petey grinned. "How's it going?"

"Can't complain. Coach and I had a 'talk' earlier. Says he wants me to 'keep focused' when I go to work with Alex. Like we're still teenagers or something."

"You two do still kinda act like it." Petey joked.

"You're funny," Jessa stuck out her tongue at him. "It's gonna be weird not showing up for team meetings anymore."

"Wait a second, you're leaving us?" Eric said.

"I just told you, E.Y. They're pulling her from the team to manage the Paparazzis. I guess they think they need a female presence." Petey shrugged.

"That's what I said. Someone a little more convincing than Johnny. I guess it really does take a nice rack to get people to let you spy on them."

Eric blinked. "What?"

"Really, why else would they pair me up with these two? They need an actual set of boobs as a means of distraction while Alex does his dirty work."

Petey snorted. "Somehow I doubt that."

"Well what else am I gonna do? It's not like I can get in the ring or anything. I'm not much competition for you X-Division boys, or even helping them out in the tag team scene."

"Don't say that, Jes. We trained you good! I wouldn't doubt if you could be the first girl to hold that X title."

"Whatever," Jessa shrugged. "Don't get your hopes up."

"Don't be so down," Eric said. "Anything can happen."

"You've been talking to Coach too much, E.Y."

"Cut it out, Jes. Don't be so negative," Petey stood up, pulling Jessa with him. "C'mon. Match time."

---

"The following X-Division contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, being accompanied by Jace, he is the captain of Team Canada, "The Canadian Destroyer" Petey Williams!"

Jace headed out of the tunnel ahead of Petey, posing for the crowd before he appeared to a loud round of boo's. Petey rolled his eyes at the crowd, slinging his arm around Jace's waist as the two proud Canadians strolled down to the ring. Petey rolled into the ring as Jace took the stairs up and ducked into the ring.

"And the opponent, from Hell, Michigan. Chris Sabin!"

Sabin headed to the ring glaring down at the pair already there. Jace was perched on one of the top turnbuckles, Petey standing protectively in front of her. As Sabin got into the ring, she wriggled down from behind Petey and jumped out. The bell sounded and Petey and Sabin stared each other down in the center of the ring for a few seconds before Petey took the first shot, a right hand that staggered Sabin slightly. Sabin served a shot back to Petey that rocked him backwards. Petey shook it off and charged at Sabin with a hard elbow shot to the head, followed by another. Petey bounced off the ropes, sliding under Sabin's attempted clothesline before he shot back up and hit him with a flying one of his own. Petey grabbed Sabin by the hair, thinking to drag him to his feet but Sabin hit him with a stiff right to the stomach and threw him into the ropes, tripping him with a drop toe-hold. Sabin hit the ropes and hit him with a resounding kick to the side of the head. Sabin went for a cover but Petey kicked out after a two-count. Jace cheered on Petey, sneering at Sabin as he pulled Petey up from the mat again. Petey swept Sabin's legs from under him, shaking off the kick to the head. He hit an elbow drop on Sabin.

"A great exchange by Petey Williams and Chris Sabin. This has got to be X-Division action at its best!"

"Oh you've got that right, Don West. But don't forget about Jace outside there. She's always at Petey Williams' side."

"Exactly. She's not out here for no reason. Jace is always the 'equalizer' if you will."

"Equalizer is putting it nicely! She's Team Canada through and through."

"For what we know about Jace, the boys of Team Canada trained her right alongside them, so she certainly isn't just a pretty distraction, she means business!"

Petey had the upperhand on Sabin, hooking him in body slam position but shoved him into the corner, tying him up in the tree of woe. Parts of the crowd cheered and parts booed but most chanted "Oh Canada!" along. Jace grinned outside the ring, clapping as Sabin fell to the mat. Petey pulled Sabin up and clobbered him with a series of elbow shots to the side of the head. Sabin staggered but regained his composure and ducked Petey's next right hand attempt and hit him with a jumping enzuigiri. Petey fell and Sabin went for the pin but Jace jumped onto the apron, distracting the referee from the pin. Not hearing the count for the pin, Sabin got up, noticing Jace on the apron. He made a swipe to grab her by the hair but she jumped down from the apron in time, yelling up at Sabin.

"There's that interference by Jace!"

"Not surprising, not surprising at all!"

Sabin rolled out of the ring, yelling at Jace. She rolled her eyes and started to walk away from him but noticed he started to follow her and shrieked, racing around the six-sided ring. She rounded the side as Petey slid out and clotheslined Sabin down on the outside. Petey rolled into the ring, distracting the referee again as Jace attempted to kick Sabin in the ribs but he grabbed her around the ankle and yanked her down to her rear end. Sabin rolled into the ring to be caught with a swift kick to the gut and an attempted Canadian Destroyer but Sabin elbowed his way out of it, going to rebound off the ropes but Petey grabbed the back of his tights, pulling him back and ramming and elbow into his lower back. Petey whipped Sabin into one of the turnbuckles, following it up with a splash. He pulled Sabin from the corner, but he fired back with a series of rights again, throwing Petey into the ropes and hitting him with a standing dropkick.

The crowd cheered Sabin on while Jace on the outside, recovering from her unceremonious fall to the floor, was encouraging Petey to get back up and on his game. Petey pulled himself back up via the ropes and caught Sabin coming in with a kick to the stomach and a lightning fast Russian legsweep. Petey smirked, motioning that he was ready to reel Sabin in for the Canadian Destroyer. Sabin got to his feet and Petey kicked him hard in the stomach and quickly slammed him down with the Canadian Destroyer. He dropped for the pin and the referee counted the three. Jace slid into the ring, glaring down at Sabin as she helped raise Petey's hand in victory.

---

"Nice going out there, Jessie," Petey smiled, putting his arm around her. "Didn't hurt yourself with Sabin dropped ya, eh?"

Jessa rolled her eyes. "Eh. You're so Canadian, Petey. But no, I didn't. But he did pull me down pretty hard and my ass hurts."

"Sorry hon!" Chris laughed as he jogged by, swatting her on the rear.

"Ow! Uncalled for, Chris!" She yelled after him, shaking a fist.

"You're a brat." Petey snickered.

Jessa pouted. "I am not."

"Don't try and be all cute now," Petey laughed. "I'm heading to change, I'll see ya later, princess."

Jessa nodded and started off back towards the ladies lockeroom. On her way down, Alex had stepped out of the lockeroom he shared with Johnny Devine, grabbing her around the waist, pulling her back against his front.

"So, I've been thinking about this."

Her stomach jumped. "About what?"

"About us. Teaming up. In the ring, that is."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. I think we can make it work. It'll be fun! With your looks and talent, with my looks and talent and... well Johnny can be our get-away driver or something. We'll be the best set of paparazzi the world has ever seen! The wrestling world anyway. Whatdaya say, dollface?"

"Sounds like it'll work. We'll have a good time." Jessa grinned.

"You better believe it, honey," Alex grinned along, and leaned down to her ear. "See me later tonight?"

"You know it."

Alex smirked, twirling her around to face him. He planted her with a kiss that made her knees wobble as he backed her against the wall. She hadn't kissed Alex like that in nearly two years. His hands fell to her waist, his body crushing against hers. Jessa could hardly breathe, that kiss was crushing her lips and sucking every breath out of her and Alex's weight against hers wasn't helping. Alex pulled away, leaving Jessa in a gasp for air.

"Call it incentive." He said with a wink and walked away.

Jessa fanned her face, feeling a deep blush that started at her toes and crept up to her face. Shaking her head, she headed back to the ladies lockeroom. As she walked in the door, she spied Traci sitting down reading a magazine. She looked up as Jessa entered, visibly flustered and flopped down on the bench next to her.

"What's your issue?" She asked.

"Alex."

Traci sighed, folding up her magazine. "What now?"

"He kissed me... I couldn't breathe for a minute..."

"Jessica... you're not..."

"He wants..."

"You have to stop giving him everything he wants, Jes! You can't honestly keep sleeping with Alex like this," Traci whispered. "It's not good for you, honey!"

"Traci I know. But..."

"But!? Jessica there is no but! There is no reason for you to keep doing this to yourself! You dated Alex once, and you broke up, there's the end of the relationship! You don't need to keep going back just to give him sex!"

"Will you quiet down?! I don't need everyone knowing!"

"You also don't need to keep putting out for him!"

"Traci! Alex is the only guy I've ever slept with. It's not like I'm going around sleeping with any of the guys in the lockeroom! It's just Alex." Jessa said.

"Yes but Jes, what's it doing for you? Alex is just using you for sex, hon. And whose to say he's not sleeping with other girls? You've got to stop giving in to him. It's not worth it."

Jessa sighed loudly, burying her face in her hands. "Maybe I still feel something for Alex."

"If you want to date him again then tell him, Jes! Don't just let him screw you whenever he feels like it! Plus, err...um... nevermind."

"What? Nevermind what?"

Traci sighed. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Whatever. I'm gonna get changed."

"Jes. Please, hon. Do yourself a favor and don't, please don't go sleep with Alex again. Just don't do it."

Jessa sighed and got up from her chair and grabbed her bag, headed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She leaned up against the sink, brushing her hair away from her face. She knew that every word Traci had said was true. She didn't need to keep giving in to Alex every time he came to her but she just couldn't help it. Alex was the only guy she ever knew that way. But what Traci said weighed on her. What if he really was sleeping with other girls? What if he was just using her?

"Why does it have to be so confusing?" Jessa mumbled, unzipping her bag.

Sighing again, she changed into a pair of blue jeans and a white tank top. She dug out a pair of her flip-flops and kicked off her boots, sliding the sandals on. Shoving everything she'd taken off back into her bag she swung the door open and walked out again, tossing her bag down next to the chair she was sitting in earlier.

"Thought about it?" Traci asked.

Jessa mumbled something noncommittal and sat back down.

"Jessica..."

"Stop calling me Jessica, already. You're not my Mother, Traci." She snapped.

"Hey! Don't get an attitude with me, honey. I'm trying to help you..."

"I understand that," Jessa sighed. "But what if..."

"What if?"

"I don't know, Traci! You know how it was with Alex. He was the second most positive male I've ever met. Next to Coach, that is. And Alex was good to me, really good to me. And when we stopped dating it was really, really weird. So he came to me with this and... I don't know. I didn't think I could say no. I still don't think I can really say no. I miss being that close to Alex. He's one of the only guys I've ever felt that strongly about."

"One?"

Jessa waved her hand. "It's not important. But... I don't know, I guess that's why I keep doing this. Alex and I can't date anymore... it's the only way I can stay close to him."

"Can't date anymore? Why not? What's stopping you? If anything it'd be better for you and Alex to date if you wanna keep doing this. It doesn't seem so ... so dirty that way. Like you're creeping around. This just seems so wrong, hon."

"Because. He ...he just doesn't want to be 'exclusive' again. So he says."

"He's an idiot, Jes. I know you still feel some kind of crazy crush feeling for Alex but he's clearly a moron! Why else would he put you through this?"

"He's not putting me through anything..."

"Okay. Then why are you putting yourself through this? You can do so much better than this, Jes."

"Can I, Traci?" Jessa asked, frowning. "Can I really? Who else would put up with me?"

Traci sighed loudly, rubbing her temples. "Petey!"

"Petey? Are you crazy?"

"Excuse me? You're the one running around having this little rendezvous with Alex Shelley and you're calling me crazy?! Jessa really, please stop acting like you don't know any better before people start to believe it."

Jessa glared at Traci, her eyes welling up. She looked away and grabbed her bag, marching towards the door. Traci sighed and got up, going after her. She pulled Jessa by the elbow, causing her to snatch it back.

"Look! I understand you're supposedly concerned about me, Traci but you don't have to dumb down my fucking intelligence. Maybe I don't know any better, did you ever think of that? Maybe I didn't ever have anyone to teach me how to get through life without fucking everything up. Maybe that's just what I'm stuck with. I'm just shit outta luck! I'm a lost cause and stupid little girl, right Traci?"

"Jessa. That's not what I meant... I just... I don't want to see this hurt you. You know I care about you like you were my baby sister. I don't want this to ruin you, honey. Okay? Please, promise me you'll stop this thing. You don't have to do this."

Jessa sighed hard, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "I promise..."

Traci smiled and hugged her, kissing her on the forehead. "You can do it, Jes."

She put on a smile and hoisted her bag over her shoulder. She headed out of the building, to her car, shoving her bag into the trunk. She'd stop with Alex... just not tonight. Tonight she was rather looking forward to it.