"Summer? Summer come on girl get over here" Steve called after Summer who was with the make-up ladies putting last touches on her make-up.
"Sorry Steve I'll be with you shortly" Summer replied in a singsong voice making Steve smirk, "Why'd you need to be caked in that stuff anyway? You're beautiful without it"
"Remember when I told you I'd sow your mouth shut?"
"Yeah"
"That wasn't a statement, that was a true promise"
Steve laughed and said "Can't take a compliment now?"
"It's only a little bit of make-up"
"So"
"And remember dummy I'm sitting in front of a camera for the rest of the night with King"
"So"
"So I wanna look at least half decent" Steve just shook his head and rolled his eyes as he paced back and forth near the tunnel to head towards the gorilla position.
Throughout the past 3 weeks, Steve had returned to Smackdown to start the storyline with being the general manager. As always the fans had taken to it because they loved Steve and cheered loudly for him when he came out. As planned though, Eric made his return as well stating that Linda McMahon said he was the general manager. They'd fought for a couple weeks both on Raw and Smackdown, until Linda came out and said they were both co-general managers of Smackdown and had to work together.
So tonight Eric was planning to outsmart Steve by 'firing' JR from commentary, but then Steve would come out and outsmart Eric by hiring Summer to be the new commentator. Then Summer would take over JR's commentating position until JR could return from taking care of his wife, as she'd fallen ill.
So tonight was the night Summer was returning to the WWF universe and she couldn't shake off the nerves. Although she was excited about it, she was worried about the fan reaction as she'd been out for a while now.
"Stop stressing out honey you'll be fine" Summer jumped when she heard Steve's voice and she turned around and smiled, "I'm just nervous"
"It's perfectly normal to be nervous, but trust me you'll be fine"
"What if they hate me?"
"Now we both know that's not true, they'll love you" Summer smiled as Steve pulled her into a hug, "Thank you"
"No problem honey"
"Err guys, I'm sorry to disturb you but you're up next" one of the producers said making Steve let go of Summer and smile at her.
"Show time"
Summer nodded and said, "It's all or nothing"
"And we know it's going to be all" Summer smiled again but turned her attention to Eric who had joined them, "Good luck tonight Summer"
"Thank you Eric"
"It's lovely to see you back"
"Yeah you too" Steve cleared his throat loudly and Summer rolled her eyes and Eric just stared at Steve, "Ahh yes Steve"
"Eric" is all Steve replied. He wasn't fond of Eric ever since he told him he wasn't ever gonna be successful, and the fact that he fired him over the phone and not face to face. "Well I must dash, I'm out first" Eric said after sensing the tension between him and Steve.
"Good luck" is all Summer said and smiled when Eric smiled before walking towards the gorilla, where shortly afterwards, his music boomed around the arena along with boos from the crowd.
"Wise ass" Steve mumbled.
"He was just being friendly"
"I still don't like him"
"What about water under the bridge and all that crap"
"You sure you wanna go down that road?" Steve said irritably making Summer just stare at him, "Jeez what's suddenly got you cranky?"
Steve sighed and said, "I'm sorry honey, it's just that man bugs me"
"Fair enough, anyway it's nearly time to head out" Summer then steered towards the monitor to listen to Eric ranting and raving to the crowd.
"I've come out here tonight to address all you people about one person and that person is, Stone Cold Steve Austin" the fans went crazy at the sound of his name making Eric frown. "Stone Cold is nothing more than a beer drinking thug and I hate having him as my co-worker to run Smackdown" the fans booed loudly making Eric smile this time, "Oh you like all the things he's been doing to me recently?" everybody agreed by cheering loudly,
"Well I'm out here tonight to say that two can play at that game! Steve you wanna cause havoc and make me go through hell? Well that's fine because I'm gonna do something now that will really get your attention" Eric then turned around in the ring to stare at JR and the King who were merrily chatting away and watching their monitors.
"I've got one man in mind and that man is JR" Eric said making the fans cheer for JR who looked confused. "JR could you please step into the ring" Eric said making JR get up from his chair and head towards the ring leaving a worried King behind still commentating to the fans.
JR stepped into the ring and just looked at Eric completely confused, "Now JR I know you've been loyal to this company for years and have called a lot of exciting action" JR nodded in agreement making Eric smile evilly, "And I also know you're close friends with my rival at the moment Stone Cold" JR nodded again and the fans were cheering loudly.
"I don't like it!" Eric suddenly went face to face with JR and the fans booed. "I don't like it at all, you're in it together aren't you! Plotting things behind my back and causing havoc together" JR shook his head but Eric continued, "So just to prove a point to all you people and to Stone cold, I know your back there!" he pointed towards the stage, "I'm proving to everybody that I am not a pushover and I won't take anymore crap! So JR" he turned around to JR again, "I'm gonna take great pride in saying this… You're Fired!" the crowd booed loudly at that and JR just looked stunned.
"That's right you heard me, take yourself backstage and never come back again! Get outta my ring you're fired!" Eric then laughed as JR still looked stunned as he exited the ring and walked up the ramp slowly, he turned around and waved to the fans one more time before going backstage.
"So Steve, I hope that's sent you a strong powerful message to not mess with me again!" He laughed as the fans booed louder, "Not even going to respond Steve? Hell I might as well fire King too!" Eric was about to point to King but got interrupted when the glass shattered and Steve's music filled the arena.
He looked pissed off and stormed to the ring to confront Eric who was still smiling smugly. Steve's music died down as he grabbed a mic and started to pace the ring, "What's wrong Steve? You look tense" Eric teased making Steve stop pacing and glare at Eric.
"You know you may be a complete jackass and may not remember, that I am also a general manager and have power too"
"So?"
"So I say I can hire JR back"
The fans cheered but Eric said "Nuh-uh Steve not possible"
"Why?"
"You see you call me a jackass but I am pretty smart when it comes to making connections" the crowd began shouting 'what' with every sentence he spoke.
"I spoke to Vince"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"And we came to an agreement"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"That JR can never return"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"So whatever plans you have Steve you can save them"
Crowd shouts "What!" Steve smiled at the 'what' chants but began to pace the ring again.
"So what you're saying is, JR can never come back?"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"He's gone"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"He's history"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Set in stone"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Kaput"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"That's exactly what I'm saying" Eric said and then smiled at the crowd booing.
"So you kissed Vince's ass"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Sucked up to the boss"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Did him a favour"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Under the desk"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"And then he gave you a favour"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Alright then" Steve said, "What if I have a replacement"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Somebody to take his place"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Somebody who can sit with King every week"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"I'm sure the coach would be happy to take his place" Eric said making the crowd boo again.
"I'm not talkin' about the coach you jackass" Steve replied, "I had somebody else in mind"
"Who Steve? Who? Who could possibly want to team with you and follow your crazy rules?" Eric asked with a big smile on his face, but it was wiped off shortly afterwards when Summer's new entrance music blared through the speakers. The crowd went completely crazy as she came out on stage and saluted the fans who happily saluted her back and took photos.
Steve was grinning widely as she walked down the ramp still bopping to her music, then she walked up the steps and came into the ring. She saluted the crowds again and smiled as more photos were taken.
The lights returned to normal and her music died down and Eric could be heard cursing, "No! No Steve that's not fair!"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"What's not fair?" Steve asked receiving another 'what' chant making him smile.
"Bringing her back"
"Her has a name" Summer interrupted taking a microphone herself making the crowd cheer as she spoke.
"Is too fair" Steve said.
"Is not"
"Is too"
"Is not"
"Is too" The crowd were cheering loudly at this scene being played out in front of them and Summer also had a hide her smile behind her hands.
"You do things behind my back and I do it too"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"No Steve that's not how it works"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"We're supposed to work together"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Agree on things that we both like and want"
Crowd shouts "What!"
Steve walked around the ring again and then said, "If you want Stone Cold to continue breakin' the rules and making all the decisions give me a hell yeah!"
Crowd shouts "Hell Yeah!" loudly in response and then cheers as Steve grins widely making Eric frown.
"That's not how we do things Steve! I say Summer can't come back"
"Well I say she can"
"She's fired"
"She's re-hired"
"Fired!"
"Hired"
"Fired!"
"Hired!"
Summer was watching the argument in front of her and smiled, she'd been hired and fired about 4 times now.
"Summer is the new Smackdown commentator and that's the bottom line cause' Stone Cold said so!" Steve said down the mic getting everybody to say it with him. Then his music hit as he walked around the ring signalling for some beer to be thrown into the ring. He caught two and opened them and drank them before throwing them away and signalled for more. But stopped when he realised Eric hadn't left the ring yet and was staring down Steve, who picked up his mic again and waited for his music to die down.
"What are you still doing here?"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"You deaf"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Not understand English"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"You stupid"
Crowd shouts "What!"
"Or just a plain jackass who doesn't understand the rules"
Crowd shouts "What!"
Eric still refused to move but then said "Whether it takes all night or 3 weeks, we're gonna work together" Steve looked around the crowd but then said, "If you want me to stun this sumbitch give me a hell yeah!"
Crowd shouts "Hell Yeah!" and then cheers when Steve kicked Eric in the gut and stunned him. the glass shattered and Steve's music played again as the camera panned to Eric passed out on the floor and then to Summer who was standing there looking at Steve smiling.
Steve had signalled for 4 beers to be thrown and he caught them all, then he opened two and gestured towards Summer making the crowd cheer. Summer took them and waited for Steve to open his before they crashed them together making beer spill everywhere. Summer drank her beers down letting it run down her shirt making the crowd go crazy. Then she laughed as Steve continued to throw a mini beer bash in the ring until Smackdown went into commercial.
"Oh man that was awesome!" Summer said excitedly as they both backstage to a small round of applause from the nearby technicians controlling the soundboards.
"You did good honey" Steve replied and smiled at her happiness, "I especially loved the beer drinking part" Summer giggled as she looked at her t-shirt which was soaked in beer.
"It just came to me" she replied and giggled again making Steve smile, "You can surely chug a beer or two"
"Yeah I'll take you on one day"
"I'm looking forward to it"
Summer laughed but said, "What happens now then?"
"Well you need to change and head out to commentary with King"
Summer nodded and then said "Okay then lets go" Steve then followed Summer towards their locker room so they could both change their t-shirts from the beer bath in the ring.
"That didn't go too badly did it?" Summer asked when she and King got backstage from the arena after Smackdown had gone off the air and the crowd had filed out.
"No you did good, you're a natural" King replied with a smile making Summer smile too,
"I never realised how everything isn't scripted in commentary"
"Yeah we pretty much have to study hard and improvise"
"So you have to learn all the names of the moves we do?"
"Yep"
"Wow"
"I know but it's pretty simple, I enjoy it very much, especially now that you're there"
"Aww that's sweet, but I suppose I can't stay too long"
"How come?"
"Well I've still got 8 months until I can officially practise and train in the ring again, so between that period I'll have to be fired so I can surprise people when I come back to wrestle again"
"Hmm that's true, but just enjoy it now"
"Believe me I'm going to"
"And congratulations with your relationship with Steve, you two look so happy"
"Thanks King, yeah we're really happy, lets hope it stays that way"
"I'm sure it will, anyway I better dash so I'll see you tomorrow or summat"
"Yeah I'm sure you will"
"Later Summer"
"Later Jerry"
Back at the hotel it was reaching midnight but everybody was still awake and down in the restaurant. It was just a small get together to celebrate Summer's gracious return to Smackdown, of course she'd disagreed to it but Hunter and Shawn insisted she had some fun. So she gritted her teeth and went with it, actually having a good time drinking and laughing with everybody.
She was currently talking to Randy; they'd become close in the past few weeks and could talk about everything and anything. Summer knew that Steve denied it bothered him, but she could still see the occasional look he gave her whenever she looked his way.
"You sure he's alright?" Randy asked noticing another small glare coming from Steve making Summer sigh.
"Yeah he'll be fine, it's just past relationships have made him uneasy trusting women"
"Ahh I get it"
"Yeah, it's pretty easy to put up with as he knows I'm faithful and have pretty much committed to him"
Randy could tell the dreamy look on her face and smiled, "Is somebody in love?"
"I don't know Randy, probably... who knows? I don't even know what that feels like"
"You've never been in love before?"
"Nope"
"So Steve has been your only one?"
"Uh-huh" Randy smiled slightly, happy that Summer was happy. He had hoped at first that he could snatch Summer up for himself, but being around her throughout the past few weeks he'd come to realise she was head over heels for Steve and wasn't thinking about leaving him anytime soon. So instead Randy opted to be her best guy friend and so far they'd had a lot of fun and grew close.
"I reckon you are falling for him" Randy said noticing the dreamy smile on her face again, "You get this dreamy look and act all giddy"
Summer laughed and said "Maybe it is love, but it's too soon"
"How long you been with him?"
"Nearly 3 months, but we've spent more time than that as friends and grew close before the relationship started"
"So it is a good time to say you love him, he obviously feels it to by the way he keeps glancing at you and smiling like a lovesick puppy" Summer laughed and then looked at Steve and instantly felt the butterflies when he caught her stare and smiled widely… oh yeah… she'd fallen.
She'd fallen hard and now realised she loved him… oh man she loved him! It was all clear now, "Oh wow I love him" Summer said slightly shocked making Randy smile and said "Well I'm happy for ya Sumsies"
"Eugh stop calling me that Randies"
"Well I'll stop if you stop calling me that"
"I will not"
"Well I wont either"
"Fine"
"Fine"
"I didn't realise this was nursery" Came a deep southern voice behind Summer who jumped slightly, but slowly turned around to see the one and only Mark standing there.
"Mark" Summer said quite surprised,
"Summer" Mark replied smiling slightly, "You're looking well"
"Thanks, so are you"
"You been alright these past few months?"
"Yeah I've managed"
"No problems then?"
"Nope, doctor said I'm healing just fine, but can't consider training for another 8 months"
"Well I'm glad to hear things are good"
"They certainly are, so how are things with you? You look well rested since your time off" Summer fell quiet at the last part of the sentence, remembering why he had time off in the first place.
"Now, now kiddo remember I deserved it" Mark replied looking down at the young woman, either he grew taller or she'd shrunk. "I've just been resting, feel a lot more refreshed now and happier"
"Well I'm glad to hear that Mark, another happy face back in the company"
"I watched your return tonight"
"Were you at the arena tonight?"
"No I got in about 3 hours ago, I'm meeting with Vince here tomorrow to discuss my comeback"
"Lucky we're in Connecticut then" Summer said with a small smile making Mark smile, but he looked at Randy and didn't recognise his face.
"You new here kid?" he asked Randy who had suddenly fell shy, "Yes sir I'm Randy Orton" he extended his hand and Mark shook it,
"Orton? Cowboy Bob Orton's son?"
"That's correct sir"
"Nice to meet ya kid" Randy smiled but then proceeded back to hiding behind Summer casually glancing around the room. Summer looked up at Mark not sure of what to say.
What do you exactly say to the guy who broke your neck? Bastard didn't even call once to check on her throughout the 3 months he was off.
"Hell if I broke somebody's neck I'd be ringing them every damn day!" Summer thought as she stared up at Mark, who was confused as to why Summer had drifted off into thought.
"Kiddo you still with me?"
"Yes sorry Mark, just thinking there"
"Well I best move and circulate, you know? Greet the guys again"
"Sure of course"
"See ya round then kiddo"
"Yeah see you later Mark" Mark then walked off through the crowds to greet everybody.
Summer watched him go, then swivelled round to Randy who still looked frightened, "What's the matter with you?" Summer asked confused.
"Did you see the size of him?"
"Yes I'm quite familiar with that, seeming as he was just standing in front of me, what was with you being a coward?"
"I got a lot of respect for the guy but come on he's huge and doesn't play nice with newcomers"
"Well I can certainly agree on that, anyway I gotta go pee I'll be back shortly"
"Okay" Randy watched as Summer left, then he proceeded towards another group to talk to them.
Summer eventually found the toilets and headed inside and smiled when they were empty, but then she heard somebody talking inside one of the cubicles and the voice sounded familiar.
"I'm telling you Dawn this plan isn't working" Summer slowly crept forward trying to make no noise at all. "What do you mean lets keep trying? It's been weeks and nothing has happened, Randy isn't falling for it anymore, the two are becoming best friends!" there was a moments pause and Summer frowned deeply when she recognised that Voice as Ashley's.
She had been planning something with Randy? And suddenly becoming best friends with Summer's rival and enemy Dawn? "It's just not working, they're not breaking up! Steve will never be mine"
Summer put her hand to her mouth in shock, that's what Ashley wanted? She wanted Steve so she was using Randy as a decoy to sweep Summer off her feet? This wasn't right at all and made Summer angry "We'll just have to persuade Randy somehow, it was working last time, so maybe he'll still fall for it" there was another moments pause whilst Ashley listened to Dawn, "I don't know I'll see what I can do. Anyway I'm gonna go so I'll talk to you later" Ashley hung up the phone and then got off the toilet and opened the cubicle door to see an irate Summer.
"Oh… Summer… Hi"
"Don't you dare"
"Don't what?"
"Act all innocent"
"About what?"
"I heard everything"
"Oh… that, I was talking about another Summer I know"
"Whatever"
"It's true"
"No it's not, I'm the only Summer you know you told me that when we first met"
"Oh"
"Yeah, so FYI I am not leaving Steve for Randy"
"You sure about that?"
"Yes I'm sure, there isn't a damn thing you can do to keep me away from Steve"
"You're getting awfully pally with Randy"
"So"
"I've seen the way Steve looks at you whenever you're around him. He's got trust issues written all over him"
"Steve trusts me 100% and I'm not leaving him ever" Ashley just looked at Summer, still a bit scared she actually overheard the plan. "So you better sit tight Ashley and realise that you're messing with the wrong woman. Steve's mine and you're not taking him away from me" then Summer shoved Ashley out the way and stormed out of the toilets.
"We'll see about that," Ashley said as she placed her hands on her hips, it was definitely play time now.