I am still in shock over the deaths of Chris, Nancy and Daniel Benoit. I have spent this past week glued to the news and the internet trying to make sense of everything. I have finally felt ok to start writing again. As always, I hope that you enjoy my work. I thank those of you who have been an amazing support system for me. You reviews are what keep my stories going along.


Awe and amazed had become the new words to describe Sam's experience being with Steve. She sat behind Pat Patterson and in the same row with Dean Malenko. She could see everything and everyone in her seat and she was in awe. She was kind of glad that no one was paying her any mind because it gave her the chance to gawk at all the wrestlers she had spent so many years admiring. When Steve came out to induct J.R, she had to fight the urge to scream like a fan. She cried when Dusty Rhoades was inducted because he had always been one of her favorites.


Once the ceremony was over, Sam fought her way through the crowd to head into the bathroom. She locked herself in the stall and took a deep breath in order to calm her nerves. Once she got herself together and placed her hand on the handle, she heard her name.

"I think her name is Sam or something."

"Sam? What kind of name is that?"

"It's short for Samantha. She seems really nice."

"Well, her nice ass is messing with my man." Sam looked through the hole to see Lillian Garcia, Jillian Hall and Mickie James standing by the mirror. Sam held her breath as she continued to listen.

Mickie snorted. "Lil, when did Steve become your man? I heard that you two were just fucking."

"Yeah, well it would have been more but he's been busy. Anyway, did I tell you how he didn't even want to stop by my hotel room all weekend? I know that girl has something to do with it. When did Steve start messing with the common folk anyway?"

Jillian rolled her eyes. "Well, messing with valets and managers wasn't really doing him good. Maybe a nice, small town girl is just what he needs."

"Are you thinking it's a good idea for him to ignore me for a whole weekend just to be with some ring rat?"

"No, I'm just saying…" Jillian sighed as she didn't really have anything to say. Jillian didn't want to start an argument with the petite announcer, that wasn't really her style. Unfortunately confrontation was right up Mickie's alley.

"Why don't you deal with reality, Garcia? Steve doesn't want you. If he did, you would be in his bed and not Sam. I think she's a sweet girl and I think you need to lay off of her this weekend. She hasn't done shit to you. You want to be mad at someone, be mad at yourself. Besides, I heard she's leaving on Monday anyway, so just leave the girl the hell alone." Mickie rolled her eyes and walked out of the bathroom, Jillian closed behind.

Sam saw Lillian standing by the mirror, readjusting her dress. Normally, Sam wouldn't want to do anything that would embarrass the people around her but Mickie did have a point. She was leaving on Monday, so what did she have to lose? She opened up the bathroom door and made eye contact with Lillian. It was evident that Lillian had no clue who Sam was, probably due to the mini-makeover, courtesy of Dawn Marie.

"Can I help you?"

"You know it's not a good idea to talk about people behind their backs."

Lillian rolled her eyes. "Who the hell are you?"

Sam shrugged her shoulders and offered the announcer a smile. "Just a common woman who can offer a famous man more satisfaction than you ever could. Have a good night." Sam walked out the room, smiling to herself.


Sam found Steve in the sea of wrestlers and was still laughing to herself about her run-in with Lillian. She saw him standing by the bar talking to Jim Ross and his wife. She made eye contact with Steve and he motioned her to come over.

"Jim, I want ya to meet the little lady that Mark has been hassling me bout. This is Sam. Sam, this here's Jim and his wife Jan."

Hellos were exchanged all around and the four settled into a nice conversation. Sam couldn't help but smile at the exchange between JR and Steve. They seemed so comfortable with one another. Out of the corner of her eye, Sam saw Lillian approaching the foursome. Sam silently cringed at what the petite blonde was possibly doing coming over.

"Hey Steve. I haven't had much time to see you. How have you been?" Lillian made sure to send Sam a glare as she slowly ran her fingers down Steve's arm. The look of pure disgust on Steve's face didn't go unnoticed by Sam. She fought to hold in her laugh.

Steve gently released Lillian's hand from his arm and offered the woman a slight smile. "I'm good, Lillian. Have you met my date, Sam?"

Lillian sent a fake smile Sam's way. "I believe we have been acquainted."

"If that's what you want to call it." Sam gave Lillian the same fake smile. JR, Steve and Jan looked between the two women with confusion. Steve cleared his throat as he took a sip of his beer.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again. Sam, ready?" Goodbyes were exchanged between the two pairs as Sam and Steve headed towards the front door. Before they could walk out, Mickie approached the pair.

"You're Sam, right?" Sam slowly nodded. Mickie laughed out loud. "I heard what happened between you and Lillian and I just wanted to give you your props. Not too many people can render her speechless. I just wanted to say I bow down to you. Hey Steve." Mickie quickly walked away as Sam bowed her head, avoiding all contact with Steve's eyes. It was a quiet ride back to the hotel and Sam feared that Steve might be mad at her for arguing with one of coworkers. She tried to stay quiet but the silence was too much for the woman.

"Are we going to talk or are you going to ignore me? She started it by the way."

Steve laughed at the juvenile statement. "I'm not mad if that's what you think."

"Then why aren't you talking?"

"Just thinking, that's all."

"About what?"

"Look, Sam. I like ya. I really like ya. I know you're supposed to go home on Monday and I was wondering if maybe you could ask your boss for some more time off and maybe come to Texas with me for a little bit." Steve laughed at the expression on Sam's face. It resembled something of a gaping fish.

"You want me to go to Texas with you?"

"Sure. Whaddya say?"