Chapter 8:

Got you hot flammable like fire

Come with me let me take you higher

I'm the object of all your desire

And your attention is all I require

Don't stop now 'cause I'm on a roll

Make me go anywhere that you go

I'm that dream in your head when you're sleepin'

I'm that secret inside that you're keepin' woah-woah

You want this don't front qué qué quépasa

Speak up cuáles la cosa

Venaquí let's get closer and closer

I say no-oh-oh

If you wanna take it slow-oh-oh

Catch up well now let's go-oh-oh

Together we run the show-oh-oh

As Kat Deluna's "Run the Show" blasted through the speakers and her titantron began to roll, Haley leapt out onto the stage, mocking punching and kicking the air. Cheers rose from the audience as she did one final high kick before making her way down the ramp and into the ring.

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first, from Boston, Massachusetts, Haley!" Lillian Garcia's voice cut over the music.

Haley posed one last time in the center of the ring as her music died down. She placed her hands on her knees and looked up at the stage, waiting patiently for Mickie to make her appearance. She felt confident tonight.

The music changed to a funky drumming and clapping rhythm and Mickie skipped onto the stage, flipping her hair as she came down the ramp. Her peppy energy was infectious and she too received plenty of cheers. She slid into the ring and scaled onto the turnbuckle, saluting the fans.

"And her opponent, from Richmond, Virginia, Mickie James!" Lillian lowered the microphone and exited the ring, as the ref came to the center and Mickie's music drifted away.

"Okay Ladies, here are the rules, no hair pulling, no biting and no eye gauging. Okay, let's keep it clean!" Mike Chioda, one of WWE's more respected referees informed the two Divas, who nodded at him. "Let's ring the bell."

The two Divas began to circle each other once the bell rung three times, signaling the start of the match.

"I really like this match up, King. Both of these young women are young, courageous and talented." JR commented.

"I like this match too, JR, two brunettes. Puppies!" King exclaimed.

"Well referee Mike Chioda has signaled the bell and oh! What a kick to the sternum by Mickie James. She's coming on aggressive and quick, as usual for her." JR's wince could practically be heard through his voice.

Haley felt the air leave her lungs and she staggered away from Mickie, after that harsh kick to the gut. Mickie advanced forward; however and Irish whipped her into the turnbuckle. Haley felt her air supply cut off as Mickie's boot pressed unrelentingly against her throat. Only when the count neared five did the pressure release, before Haley was dropkicked in the chest.

She stumbled out of the corner, gasping for air, helplessly searching for her bearings. Mickie hit harder and faster than her previous opponents. Micke came from behind and brought Haley down hard with a vicious bull dog. Haley swore she saw stars erupt in front of her eyes. Disoriented, she barely managed to kick out at two when Mickie went for the cover.

Mickie dragged her to her feet by pulling unrelentingly by the hair. Having had enough, Haley struck out to startle Mickie, before charging forward into a spear. She rolled the former Champ into a cradle, only to have her power out at two.

Haley propelled herself off the ropes and clotheslined Mickie, following it up with a leg drop. When the older Diva remained motionless, Haley made her way to the nearest turnbuckle in preparation for Haley's Comet. The crowd urged her on, but she would never get the chance to use it. Once she had reached the top turnbuckle, Melina decided to interfere.

Her balance was always precarious at best on that top turnbuckle; one hard shove from Melina had her toppling off into the canvas headfirst. Haley vaguely heard the bell ring, as Mike Chioda called a disqualification in her favor. Melina's high pitched screaming that Haley would never be good enough to come near her title cut over the roars of the crowd as everything grew fuzzy. The last thing she saw before succumbing to the darkness was Mickie's face of concern as she bent over Haley to check on her.

"Hang in there, Haley." Mickie stroked a hand through the young woman's hair as her eyelids fluttered closed.

Melina was still trash talking at the top of the stage and the crowd was jeering at her. Mickie shot her a death glare, but there wasn't anything she would do to her at the moment. She wasn't going to leave Haley alone while Chioda beckoned the medics down to the ring.

"You're going to be okay, Haley." Mickie wasn't sure whether she was trying to assure her hurt opponent, or herself, as the medics brought down a stretcher.

When Haley awoke, she was in the quiet trainer's room. A headache throbbed behind her eyes and she was definitely body sore. Mickie stood beside the exam table, smiling down at her.

"How are you feeling, Killer?" She asked.

"Like I crashed into a brick wall." Haley groaned, sitting up. "What are you doing back here with me?"

""More like you head butted canvas, but same difference in your skull right?" Mickie joked. "I came back with you to make sure you were okay. That was a bad fall and a nasty move on Melina's part."

"Stupid bitch." Haley muttered. "I had you too."

Mickie laughed. "I think you hit your head a little too hard. You're lucky she interfered or I would have whipped your skinny ass around that ring."

Haley scoffed. "Yeah whatever." She turned serious. "Thanks Mickie."

"No problem." The veteran shrugged. "We'll have a rematch sometime."

Haley was cut off from replying by the commotion outside and John Cena burst through the door. "Where is she? I want to see her now!"

"John, I'm right here." Haley leant around Mickie to wave him over.

"Hales!" In two strides, he covered the distance between them and crushed her against his chest. "Jesus, you scared the crap out of me."

"She's all right, John. She's only been unconscious for about ten minutes. It's a fairly minor concussion. She was also going on about how she had me beat in that match so I'd say she's feeling just fine." Mickie touched her arm. "We'll plan that rematch for a later date. Feel better soon."

"Thank you, Mickie, for everything." Haley's voice was slightly muffled from John's embrace.

"No problem, Killer. Catch you later." Mickie paused at the door and looked back over her shoulder. "By the way, just thought you'd like to know that Candice totally went after Melina backstage and kicked her ass for what she did to you."

Haley laughed and snuggled into John. "Remind me to thank her later."

"Will do." Mickie saluted them and left.

"Are you sure you're all right?" John inquired.

"Yeah." She looked up at him. "One things for sure though. Next time we're in the ring, I'm going to bring everything I've got and make her pay. I will be worthy for that title."

A/N: Okay, so I must say that I am totally pissed about this pitting Triple H and Jeff Hardy against each other thing going on. I started watching wreslting in 1998 and Triple H has been one of my favorites for the longest time, face or heel I'm addicted to the Game. Yet, I've loved Jeff almost as long. These last few weeks have been awesome seeing them team up and I even squeal when Triple H played hero when Jeff Hardy looked like he was in serious trouble. I was hoping when Regal started his spiel last week about wanting to see both of them compete at Armageddon that he meant they could take on Cade and Murdoch for the tag titles. I mean come on, how awesome would that be! The Game who is all force, power and strength with Jeff who is all agility, speed and daring. One hell of a set of tag team champions right there!

Now they have to fight each other?! What the hell is up with that?! Regal even put the prospect of having a shot at the title come Royal Rumble made it worse. I'd like to see both of them Champion at some point, but right now I think it's Jericho's time to shine! Urgh, this makes me mad. Even with that knowledge, Triple H still came out and helped Jeff Hardy Monday night. This whole thing sucks!

Anyway, now that I'm done rambling. This story is really picking up. I'm really having fun writing Haley's career, and I think I've decided who she's going to end up with. Now, you're going to have to read through to figure it out and by all means keep on voting because it's not set in stone. Those she does not end up with, she will have very close friendships with. I might even write an alternate ending for the runner up, but that's still up in the air.

1: Jeff

2: Batista

3: John

4: Chris

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