Jose's office, a few months later

The picture on the little black and white TV wasn't coming in too well. Kate was glued to it nonetheless with a bowl of popcorn between her knees and a juice box in hand. Kansas City, this is a great place for Shawn to get noticed. Do some promos, get more face time, better guys.. I hope they do more with him than Bill Watts did, that's for sure…. Shawn Michaels came into frame wearing black trunks and a shiny vest. Her heart ballooned with pride and anxiety. The fear in his eyes and his feigned confidence as he walked to the ring did not escape her notice. I hope he knows he's good... come on Shawn.., she worried. He entered the ring and the match got underway. Quickly Shawn acclimated to the ring and started really catching his groove. He even did a few taunts! There you go! Show 'em! Do it Shawn! On some level, Kate felt any success Shawn had, she could have too. Maybe it was because they trained in the same place. Maybe it was the bond she still felt with him from the first day they met. They had gotten off to a rocky start, her heart hadn't wavered. It hurt when he walked away from her back then, but her insides kept nagging - don't get mad. He needs you, you know it. His eyes screamed it. He was just scared. Don't let go... patience... So she kept watch over him the only way she knew how. She watched all his matches she could, she felt as though she was in the ring with him too, calling moves, discussing strategy and psychology. Every bump he took, she felt the bruises. Every time he was booed, she wanted to do a heel turn and soak up the animosity. Every cheer Shawn got, she felt like the white-meatiest face of them all. She had faith in him, and every time she turned the TV off, she thought the same thing. Oh yeah, he's gonna be sooo big.

1985

FINALLY! She thought. THE AWA! Now this is better! God he and Marty are so good. They're, they're water in the ring. They're so flexible. Kate walked toward her bedroom to go to sleep, after tucking her father in and bringing him a glass of water. I can't believe how quick it's going! He's gonna go to up North so soon, I just know. I mean Vince has to know about him now.. If he doesn't he's a fathead. I bet in two years, she climbed under the covers, two years he's gonna make it big. She heard her father coughing in the next room. It was a sick sound - the decayed lungs of a lifetime smoker choking for air. But in a morbid way, it comforted her. It was nice not being alone all the time. At school, Kate was not a popular girl. Though they couldn't put their finger on it, the other kids knew there was something different about her. The depth with which she looked at them, the ratty old shoes she always wore and the way her lips never cracked into a smile all wrapped up in such a neat package scared the others. They couldn't fathom her. Every day on her walk home the older boys hassled her-You're a weirdo Black. Black. That's such a stupid name… Freak! You know nobody likes you... just a nobody know-nothing little GIRL.. Go home and be with your father... that's what mom said, you and your dad all alone at the house all the time... She'd let them vacillate and try to rattle her as long as she could take it. This daily routine was like a training session - learn how to block out the sound and use that tension to your advantage. Learn how to look them dead in the eye and cut them back down to size - with a smirk, a deadly glare, a fist even.. When she'd had enough, all she had to do was stare - a mean stare that sent an icy shot through the chests of her aggressors. Every time they went away, tails between their legs. But they'd be back, for the rest of her life they'd be back. She was a girl without friends, but then, Kate was also a girl without peers. The times when she got lonely and her emotions threatened to revolt against her, all she had to do was think of Shawn and she would calm down. The tears would dry up and her heart would pump gold. Though she'd never tell him, he saved her during her school career. She played with her silver necklace and rolled over, closing her eyes.

There were too many of them. She was stuck in the middle. Faces and faces and faces were sneering and pointing. She couldn't crawl away. Limbs were gelatinous, couldn't function. They wouldn't give her space. "You're nothing kid. You're the nothing girl," she looked around, trying to find an escape route. "I've said it before I'll say it again." "Nothing." "Nothing nothing nothing girl," a little boy chanted. All the faces were blurred, she didn't know where she was, who the people were. A woman, middle-aged, brown puffy hair came too close. Kate backed up only to have the crowd push her back. She couldn't face this woman, help, help, she needed help. She knew but couldn't recognize, who is she? "You're a joke! Being a wrestler, it's like being a circus freak! You don't want that do you? Why is wrestling so special? What is your point? What are you doing?" The woman laughed uncontrollably, a big, gaping, ugly hole in her face. Kate wanted to cry, crawl up and cry. The noise ceased. A blonde man walked through the crowd, he stood next to the woman. His face was crystal clear, everything else blurred. He put a hand on the woman's arm and nudged her gently aside. Shawn looked at Kate and came up to her. He knelt in front of her and motioned her to come closer. His lips - "come here Kate, come on," silent. Deep inhale, she walked into his arms. Warmth, safe, breaths. One arm clutching her closer, the other hand on the back of her head, patting and rubbing. The woman's face cleared up, Kate closed her eyes, don't want to see that... The crowd started up again, quickly Shawn picked Kate up, hand still on her head and moved through them. She clung to him.

Randolph High School, November 1992

Kevin Morris and Colin Davis both wanted the same thing. The same leggy, pale thing that wore black Keds every day. Colin was your average jock - about 6'4", slightly muscular and quite skinny. He was tan with a sly smile and was the star pitcher on the baseball team. His superstar status at Randolph High School had rendered Colin something of a dunce - he could easily rely on his looks and sly charm to get away with murder in classes, the halls, with fellow female students... Kevin on the other hand was about 5'10", had the beginnings of a spare tire around the waste, crew cut blond hair, a sweet smile and killer blue eyes. He was the star of the golf team with a usual score of about five under par. Kevin was not a stellar student either, however he possessed great test-taking skills which saved his bacon. Within him was also a quick-draw wit, a depth of knowledge about music not to be challenged, and the focus/drive of a vampire on a blood hunt. They both stood outside the entrance of the high school, waiting for the object of their affection to walk by. Kevin looked over at Colin, murder in his eyes. Big dumbass jock, she'll see right through your shit buddy, don't even worry about it. He knew that Colin wanted to be with her too, how could he not. How could anyone not want to be with Kate Black. A big toothy grin came over him just thinking her name. She's so beautiful, smart, geez she's so fuckin' funny. I've never seen anything like her… I want to be with her so bad, God, I need to be with her.

Colin Davis didn't even see Kevin standing two feet to his left. But Colin Davis never really saw much of anything he didn't wish to see. He was a truly oblivious creature who could only focus on what he wanted. A ball in the strike zone, his reflection in the mirror, an icy can of Bud or the slim copper-haired girl about to pass him by.

Kate Black's mind was where it usually was, in a wrestling ring. WWF Superstars would be on that night, and her mind batted around the possibilities of the card. This whole Papa Shango thing is so boring. And friggin' Warrior, what the fuck is going on with his promos?? I mean, they're hilarious, but that's not good when you're trying to be serious... I hope Sherri stays in the picture, she's a friggin' gem. She lit a cigarette and started toward her car, but dropped her Stephen King novel. She knelt to get it when Kevin Morris magically appeared in front of her, beating her to the book. She looked up at him,

"Hi." Was all he could get out. Reason being, he saw her face which caused his vocal cords to quit working. She grabbed her book and put on her Ray-Ban shades.

"Hey Morris." She stood up. Colin came from behind and pushed on her ass with the bottom of his sneaker. She knew it was him, she didn't even have to turn around. What other fathead would think kicking on my rear is cute? A guy that doesn't return your phone calls and makes out with big-nose Traci Daniels all over the halls is not a guy worth paying attention to. Plus that hair, nice bleach job doofus. Kevin stood as well, ready for action - that cocky douche.. messing with Kate.. Hopefully someday, my Kate...

"Hey man," Kevin started angrily but Kate grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

"C'mon Morris, let's get the hell out of here." She kept a firm grip and walked him to her car. She stole a glance at him. Morris was in her English class, he had a smart mouth and a great smile. Nice combination... Kevin on the other hand, was not thinking at all, aside from touching me, she's touching me. Wow, she's touching me! Ha, fuckin' Colin Davis. I win.

Her old powder blue Camaro was at the back of the lot. When they got there she threw her books in the back seat, pulled her sunglasses back and cocked her head. She was staring right at him, Kevin felt as though he was going to melt into the pavement he was so giddy. He couldn't get the huge grin unstuck from his face. What's he smilin' about? She resumed fumbling for her keys.

"Would you like a ride?" She asked. Okay Kevin, be cool, you're only in love with her.

"Wanna marry me?" Great job ace. He felt relieved though when she replaced her sunglasses over her eyes and laughed-

"Just get in the car K-Mo." He did hurriedly. She turned on the cassette player and Velvet Underground's Ride Into the Sun came on. If only… Kevin thought.