Chapter 4: Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

February 2006

She was in the kitchen one Sunday morning, making coffee when the phone rang. Not wanting it to waken her room mates who had been out partying the night before, she hurried over to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Rach, its Punk."

"Hey, what's up?" she asked.

"Nothing much. Listen. I just spoke to Derek the booker at OVW and we've sort of formed a plan for how to use you." he informed her.

"Use me?" she queried.

"Yeah. Use you. You're a wasted talent competing in dark matches. You should be on your way to the top of the womens roster" he stated.

"Okay, What's your plan?"

"You're gonna be my valet."

"Uh….isn't Maria you're valet?"

"No, Maria was my valet, she's gone up to the Raw roster full time as off tomorrow night, hence the reason I need a new valet."

"Oh…..okay"

"Well you better watch it there kid, your enthusiasm may just be contagious" he remarked sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, just trying to get my head round this. I mean….are you sure? You want me as your valet? I really don't think you even need a valet….you're good enough as it is"

"Enough with the gushing" he jested, "And I'm totally down with it. Its only for a short time, to give you a push in the right direction and get your face on the map. Listen, Rach, I wouldn't do this for anybody else in that company but Cabana would have my balls for Hanukah if I didn't try and help you somehow. And I know you're good. You can handle it. I laid the idea out to Derek and he's all for it."

"It sounds awesome. Thanks"

"Don't thank me until you hear the rest of my wicked plan. Come on over to mine this afternoon and we'll discuss"

"Okay, I'll see you then Punk"

"See ya….oh and Rach?"

"Yeah?"

"You're okay with partial nudity and tons of sexual innuendo, right?"

...

After a long and tiring afternoon of discussion with Phil, Rachel's tummy began to rumble, reminding her that she hadn't actually eaten all day. It was now 7.30pm.

"Okay, I'd best go. I need to get some food in me belly and rest before training tomorrow." she stood up getting ready to leave.

"Wait. I was just gonna order a pizza. Stay and eat my left overs." he offered, too hyped up with the proposal of a new storyline that he didn't want spending the rest of the evening on his own. Maria had already left to head to Calgery for Raw.

"Tempting." she put on a show of considering his "offer".

"Okay fine, I'll order a 14" and we can share. What do ya want on it?" he picked up the phone to call for a delivery.

"Whatever." she shrugged. "But not pineapple or anhovies" she made a face of disgust.

"One 14" with extra pineapple and anchovies coming right up" he joked as he dialled the number.

Once he placed his order, he went to the kitchen and brought them back a pepsi each.

"Don't you have any coke?" she asked.

"Don't curse at me in my own home woman," he scolded her.

"You don't like coke?"

"Is that a trick question?" he asked as he scratched his head, "You have met me before, right?"

"Punk….What on Gods green earth are you talking about?"

Instead of answering her, he simply lifted his shirt sleeve and showed her his tattoo.

"You have a pepsi tattoo," she informed him.

"Yeah, I know! I was there when I got it."

"Why?"

"It's a straight edge thing," he waved a hand dismissively, "You obviously haven't been paying enough attention to me in my matches if you missed it."

"Oh I pay attention alright. But I'm completely distracted by your superior 'rasslin' skills that I fail to notice your….um….body art."

"Good save," he laughed, "Anyway, back to the original discussion….you don't like Pepsi?"

"I like pepsi, I just prefer coke," she answered, "Where I'm from, if the waiter offers you a pepsi, you retaliate by asking him if they accept monopoly money."

"I don't get it," he frowned.

"Fake money for their fake coke," she explained simply.

"Well, for that remark, you can pay for your half of the pizza." he smirked.

"I intended to pay for it anyway." she informed him.

"Okay, if we're gonna be working together you need to know two things….a) all I drink is Pepsi and b)…..well, there is no b, there's only a. But be sure to remember it." he raised his can and toasted the air before gulping it down in one go.

"Will do." she replied "And whilst we're sharing, there is something you need to know about me too."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Im crazy addicted to Starbucks vanilla cream café lattes. Need at least two a day to keep the engine running." she told him.

"So we understand each other then?" he held his hand out for her to shake.

"Hell yeah" she shook it, laughing.

"So…fancy watching a DVD?" he asked.

"Sure, whatcha got?"

"I got the new Roddy Piper box set this weekend?" he suggested.

"Put it on already." she demanded excitedly. Roddy Piper was as close to God as Randy Savage in her books.

"You sound like a Jewish housewife sometimes. Those few months you spent with Cabana have cleary had a lasting effect. " he rolled his eyes.

"Well, you sound like a douch bag sometimes. But I forgive you" she shrugged as she got comfortable on his sofa.

"Touché" he nodded to her.

They spent the evening, watching the entire box set, eating pizza and talking about their up and coming storyline together. When Phil, eventually started yawning, Rachel, once more attempted to leave and go home, only to be stopped. yet again, by him offering her his sofa bed for the night.

"You can shower here in the morning and wear something of mine, then we'll stop at your place on the way to training so you can grab your own things."

"Okay, thanks"

"Wanna thank me? Buy me one of them vanilla things your obsessed with. They sound like they'd rot your teeth in seconds. Can't wait to try it out" he pulled out the bed and unfolded the sheets that were already squished between the matress and the sofa cushions. He went to his room and returned moments later, tossing a t-shirt to her as he walked.

"I heart Bacon?" she asked, holding it up.

"A present from 'bana."

"Okay. That explains nothing."

"Just a joke with him and some of our ROH cronies. I'll explain another day. I'm off to toss n turn all night long in a bid to catch a few hours z's. See ya." he waved as he returned to his room and closed the door.

"Night John Boy" she hollered through the door.

"G'nite Mary Ellen." the faint reply came. She giggled as she changed into his t-shirt and got herself into bed.

Today was the first day since she'd arrived in America that she hadn't thought of home.