Author's Note: I am writing this before getting any views on the first chapter, but I will kick myself if I don't get it out while it's in my mind. I think it's time to get into the actual story now, no? Just so everyone knows, I'm not going to go with actual matches for the most part. However, I will be picking certain feuds and events to stick with.

September 12th, 2011 – Monday Night RAW

"Looks like we've got another gold digger, Cole," Jerry Lawler chuckled as he and his broadcast partner watched the now 29 year-old diva at ringside.

Mary grinned as she licked her lips. She twirled her hair around her finger with a lustful look in her eyes as she watched the intercontinental champion, Cody Rhodes, kick ass in a non-title match. She shot a quick glance over to the broadcast table and winked at "The King" as if she knew exactly what he had just said.

"You can't deny that she has good taste, King. All of the divas should be clamoring to be with a champion." Michael Cole, in his truest heel commentator fashion, always praising the traditionally disliked superstars.

Just as he got his opponent where he wanted him, Cody had noticed the slightly older woman at ringside admiring him and decided to let his arrogance show. He flashed her a cocky grin before hitting his opponent with the "Cross Rhodes" and pinning the other man for a three count. After the referee raised his hand, he exited the ring and walked over to Mary, his grin only growing brighter as she linked her arm with his and walked up the ramp with him. They continued this until they were backstage and completely clear of all cameras.

Mary then broke away from her long time friend and began giggling as she high-fived him. "Are you sure that you're ready for your first on-screen romance, Coddles?"

Flashback:

It was the summer of '97, she was fifteen and he was just twelve. She had given birth to her son, Marcus, just two months before. She had already lost most of the weight, and was already starting to train once again. She was working out with Dustin when his father, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, had walked up with Dustin's very impatient half-brother.

"What's he doing with this fat girl? Is she even old enough to be wrestling?" Cody snarled at his father. Which earned him a punch in the arm from his half-brother.

Mary just rolled her eyes at the younger, cute boy and smiled. "For your information, I just had a baby. Thank you very much."

Cody jumped back, blinking. He hadn't expected such a reaction, but it said a lot about what she would be like in the ring. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. But really... are you old enough?"

She shook her head with a smile, "no, but I started training when I was around your age. I always knew that this was what I wanted to do. So why wait?"

Cody cupped the chin of his friend and took a deep breath. "I'm more concerned about why you were so quick to agree with this. It's not like we're actually dating, let alone actually attracted to each other or anything like that."

Mary just smiled as she turned her head to kiss his palm and grabbed his other hand, pulling him toward the locker room so he could shower off. "That's not entirely true, Cody. I've always found you attractive. In fact, I'd probably rate you as one of the five best looking guys currently in the company."

Cody sighed as they reached the door to the men's locker room. "Be that as it may, Maryanne, I know you. I know that you're not into me like that. What is this really about?"

Mary looked down for a moment. She knew that her friends only used her full name when they were being especially serious with her, and this situation really called for it. "He's married. It's about time I accept that I've lost my chance with him." She kept her voice low in case anyone may have been eavesdropping close by.

Cody closed his eyes for a moment before giving his friend a quick hug and retreated into the locker room. He wanted to continue the conversation, but he knew Mary well enough that it wouldn't make any bit of difference. She was in love, and Cody was one of the very few people who knew. Sometimes, he wondered if she really knew just how deep her feelings ran for this man.

…

September 13th, 2011 – Smackdown tapings

Mary sat in her dressing room with AJ and Kaitlyn, which is what Mary preferred to call them at times, despite knowing their real names. The "Chickbusters" were already showing signs of faltering by this time, but April and Celeste were still extremely close. The three young women were best friends and completely inseparable. There wasn't anything that they kept from one another. Well, or so the younger two girls believed. Mary had her secrets, but her keeping things from them wasn't because she loved the other two girls any less.

"I can't believe you're doing a line with Cody," April laughed at her friend.

"Hey, at least she's getting more screen time out of it." Celeste shrugged. It was one thing that none of the divas could deny. The women of the WWE were lucky if they got air time once a week, so many of them took whatever they could get.

Mary shrugged with a sigh. "I've been wanting to get back into the dating scene for a while now. Especially now that Marcus is fourteen. I figure what better way to start than to pretend to date a guy I've known and trusted for years."

"Shit, your kid is that old now?" Celeste blurted out without thinking, causing April to elbow her in the ribs.

Mary blinked in realization of her entire situation. She was only twenty-nine and she had a son who was a teenager. What happened to the time? What happened to her youth? Had she given up everything she could have in life to be a mother except for wrestling? "Y-yeah..." she bit her lip as her shoulders sunk.

Just then there was a knock at her door, she turned to face the door and called out. "It's open."

Cody walked in with a smile, but it quickly turned upside down when he saw the look on his friend's face. "Mare?" He looked over to April and Celeste questioningly.

"It's my fault," Celeste pouted. "I accidentally pointed out her and Marcus's ages."

Cody nodded in understanding. The two young divas were still rather new to the entire situation, whereas Cody had known the entire fourteen years, growing up with Mary's son. He took a deep breath and stepped toward his friend. "Hey..." he cupped her cheek with a comforting smile. "You are young and beautiful, Mary. I am truly honored to pretend to be your boyfriend. Someday you'll find a guy who you can confidently tell about Marcus and he will love you even more because of it."

Mary couldn't help but laugh at her friend. He always knew exactly what to say to her. Which was a trait that not many seemed to possess when it came to her. "I take it that it's time for our segment?"

Cody nodded as he held out his arm for her. He looked back to the other girls and smiled, "see you ladies later."

April and Celeste giggled and waved as Mary linked her arm with Cody's and allowed him to lead her out of the room and down the hall where the cameras were waiting for them.

Matt Stryker met them in hall way with a microphone. "Cody, Mary, if I may..."

The "couple" stopped, Cody rolling his eyes as Mary giggled.

Stryker continued, knowing that some of the superstars didn't particularly like to be stopped by interviewers. "What is exactly going on between the two of you?"

Mary just smiled as Cody tilted his head with a sly grin. "Time will tell my friend." He left it as simple as that as they continued down the hall, making their way to the gorilla position in preparation for his match.

Sorry things are a little short so far. I promise that as I get more into the story, chapters will get longer. I'm really getting into this story. I hope people will like it!