Cody pushed open the door to hair and make-up, searching around for Bryony in the mix of Divas and Superstars.

"Need something, sweetie?" one of the make-up girls asked him with a smile.

"I'm looking for this beautiful strawberry blonde, with a perfect smile and an articulate nature. She's supposed to be in here," he answered. She smiled sweetly at him.

"Well, aren't you adorable? She's in the corner chair, getting her hair curled," she pointed Cody in her direction, where he could see a tall short-haired female with a curling iron. He made his way over, catching sight of her in the mirror as he approached.

"Holy… wow. Bryony…" he stopped, the woman spun Bryony around in her chair and she stood uncertainly. She was wearing an extremely form-fitting pink mini-skirt and a black buttoned top, with knee-high black boots. Her hair was styled in a 50's pin-up, with platinum streaks throughout; her make-up was done in a similar style. She put her glasses on and looked at him.

"Do I look alright?" she asked. He nodded, unable to speak. She looked so amazing, Cody just wanted to wrap her up in his arms and take her somewhere quiet. The stylist smiled, taking a rose from the bundle she'd placed in a vase next to the vanity and snipping it so she could fit it behind Bryony's ear.

"I'd say you look absolutely beautiful, Miss Lesnar. Thanks for letting me have my way with you," the stylist said, touching her up a little. She threw a quick wink at Cody.

"Well, I suppose a make-over was deeply overdue. Are you here to tell me we're up soon?" she asked Cody. He managed only a nod again. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Re-connect your jaw and let's go, Mr. Runnels," she said, picking up her vase and beginning her brisk walk out of the room. Cody followed her like a hungry puppy, his eyes unable to move from that amazing ass. Zack Ryder had been right. She was one hot babeski.

"Mr. Runnels, do not objectify me. Walk beside me or walk away from me," she said, snapping him out of his daze. He quickened his pace to catch up with her.

"Sorry, it's just… I've never seen you looking so…"

"Attractive?" she finished for him, sounding a little bitter. He shook his head.

"No, no, you're always attractive. It's just… this is a very revealing outfit. You're not uncomfortable are you?"

She shrugged a little.

"This skirt is much tighter and shorter than I'd like it to be, but I'll live. I'm fairly certain Brock will have a heart attack, though. He saw photos of me when I wrestled, and I looked far more conservative in that attire," she replied. They arrived in guerilla, alone. Cody turned to her, taking her in while she stared questioningly back at him.

"What is it, Mr. Runnels?" she asked. He smiled.

"You're so beautiful it's hard not to look at you," he replied. She broke a small smile, shaking her head a little and fixing the rose in her hair.

"You are too much sometimes, Mr. Runnels," she replied with a little laugh.

"Just call me Cody," he said, stepping a little closer to her. She looked away from him.

"Maybe one day, Mr. Runnels," she replied, her eye catching a stage-hand signaling them. Cody's theme music started up. He touched her hand for a moment, then adjusted his title belt across his shoulder and made his way out onto the stage. Justin Gabriel could be seen from the other end of guerrilla, awaiting his time to come out and challenge Cody.


"Hello, and welcome to Friday night Smackdown! I am your new and improved Intercontinental champion, Cody Rhodes!"

His pompous smirk made Bryony smile from her place backstage. She'd always been a fan of the heel characters; they always had more personality, more flare. And Cody's character was a perfect example of that. Her eyes were glued to him, and he seemed to know it. He winked into the camera beside him just before continuing his promo.

"Good evening, Miss Lesnar," the slow, deep, calculating voice of Randy Orton made her jump a little. She turned around, expecting to be bombarded by his entire group as she had been the night before. But it was only him and he stood a ways off from her in plain clothes, arms folded.

"Good evening, Mr. Orton," she turned back to the monitor, catching cameras in the shadows out of the corner of her eye. A fair attempt at secrecy, she'd have to applaud McMahon for trying to get an honest reaction out of her. She was far too aware of his ways for that.

"I'd like to ask you a question, if you'll have me," he said, taking a step or two closer to her. She noted it but didn't turn away from the monitors. When she did not reply, he continued.

"I'd like to ask you for a rematch against Cody on Raw," the way he spoke often told people his intent was deeper than his surface words. Bryony was becoming quickly privy to that. The way she said Cody's name, only his first name; the way he continued to cross the boundary of their distance, of her comfort level with him after last night.

"It's neither the time nor the place, Mr. Orton. I understand it must have been upsetting for you as well as everyone else, but we are currently taping for Smackdown and I am not the general manager of-" he began to walk and quickly passed her by before she could finish her sentence.

"If you will not give me what I'm asking for, I'll take it," he said simply before ducking through the curtains to his music. Cody had been in the advantage on this before he heard Orton's music and Justin Gabriel took the opportunity with the distraction to attempt a roll-up but only got a 2 count. Bryony debated going out, kicking that smug look off of Orton's face as he made his way down to the ring. If he stepped in, in any capacity; she would revoke his re-match privilege. If any of the former champions did anything to Teddy Long's show tonight, she would have their heads. Orton was seated at ringside beside Michael Cole, watching. Waiting. His only problem was his predictability. Cody was being worn down by Justin Gabriel, and when he finally hit the Cross-Rhodes, and pinned him for a 3 count; Orton was ready to make his move.

"Cue my music," Bryony said simply to the stagehand, which resulted in some quick hand-signals and speaking quickly into a mic. She could hear Brock's music, the cheers and boos of a crowd unsure of how to feel about a woman like her. Randy froze in the ring, his eyes on the stage but ready for Cody; who was breathing heavily in the opposite corner. She picked up a microphone, and smiled to Randy.

"Mr. Orton, what exactly do you think you're doing? I may not be running this show, but-"

You know it's the Mac-militant, coming to get it on…

Bryony took a deep breath, keeping her eyes on the ring as Teddy Long took up at mic and focused on her.

"You're damn right you don't run this show, child. Now let me handle my business. Randy, you want to fight so badly? I've got a match for you. Meet your opponent."

As Ryback marched out, growling and fuming and ready to destroy Randy Orton, Bryony could hear the small click of the mic in her hand being cut and the cameras moving away from them. She let it drop to the ground, and turned to Teddy.

"Do not refer to me as a child," she said coldly, her regularly icy eyes panning over his still face as he remained facing the crowd. She could feel Cody's eyes on her as he made his way up the ramp.

"Why not, Bryony? You are a child. As well as a guest on this show. Booker would agree with me on this. Stay out of Smackdown affairs," he responded without looking at her. He turned around and passed her by on his way through the curtain. Bryony narrowed her eyes a little, turning sharply as Cody met her and walking with him through the curtains.

"What was that about, Bry?" he asked, noting her particularly sour expression.

"Nothing surprising. Mr. Long was keen on my position before it was granted to me. Needless to say, he doesn't find me fit for the task at hand," she replied, catching the eyes of Paul Heyman awaiting her backstage. He was flanked by the same two bodyguards that had been at her door the night before.

"Bry, if you would please, and I really mean it this time, stop walking right into large fires; they've asked that we head along to the next venue. You've gotten us kicked out! And in this city, I don't mind. But being kicked out is just bad for business," Heyman said, exasperatingly folding his arms.

"Mr. Huffman asks me here in order to retain his unruly talent, and then asks me to leave? Does he think he's my boss? Because the man is sorely mistaken if he does. I'll leave, and gladly so. But I'll remember this, he can bank on that," Bryony replied sternly, grasping her hands together behind her back so tightly it made her knuckles pale.

"Well, on that note," Heyman said, dismissing her fury completely, "Brock is in town and I'm planning to get dinner with him. You should join us."

"I'd rather jump off the roof of a large building," she replied immediately.

"Just go, Bry, how bad can it be?" Cody said, reminding them both he was still present.

"How bad can it be?" Bryony repeated, turning on him. Those eyes were an arctic ocean of disdain.

"How would you know if it was any bad at all, Bry? You've never gone to dinner with him. I'm sure he'll pay, if that's what you're worried about," Heyman said, again so dismissive he even began to straighten his tie in the middle of his speech. Bryony stomped her foot a little, digging her heel into the cement.

"Ah yes, that $60 tab plus tip will make up for 18 years of child support and concern for my well-being. You know what? If this is on Brock's tab, I would like to invite you to accompany us, Mr. Runnels," she turned to Cody, awaiting his response as soon as she spoke the offer. Cody shrugged.

"Sure, I'll go."

"You've got to be kidding with me. Cody, you do not know what you're getting yourself into here. Put some pants on, Bry. Your father's going to have a heart attack when he sees you in this on Friday," Heyman looked her up and down, shaking his head a little.

"Do I look alright to you, Cody?" she asked. He nodded.

"You look beautiful, Bry."

"Thank you, I'm going as I am. I'll have the limo pull up to the lot. I'll see you shortly, Mr. Runnels. I have some business to tend to," she stalked off quickly, passing between Heyman and the bodyguards, who all turned and took up step with her. Cody could hear Heyman shouting at her as the sound of her clicking heels faded quickly with distance.

"Do NOT hit anyone, Bry! We have a reputation to uphold here!"