Chapter 9:

American Airlines Flight 127

"Hey Soraya." The deep rumbling voice of the Animal, Batista was the first to greet the Pittsburgh blonde as she strolled down the narrow aisles of the airplane.

"Hey Batista." Soraya shoved her sunglasses up into her slightly disheveled blonde hair. "Looks like we're seat mates." Trying to shrug off the lethargic effects of her hangover, she reached up to open the overhead compartment for her carry-on.

"Let me get that for you." He offered, stretching up to his full height and placing her carry-on in the tiny compartment with ease. "You look like you had a rough night." He commented in concern. "Did Trish's attack really hurt you that much?"

"No." She laughed lightly as they both took their seats, she on the aisle and he by the window. She was grateful that she wouldn't be as close to the direct sunlight. "More like a slight beating I took at the hands of Jose Cuervo."

He browns eyes lit with amusement. "Ah, hangover then?"

"McMahon and Lita popped in and kicked Benoit out of my room. I hold no responsibility for my actions." She protested weakly.

"Oh please!" Jessica rolled her eyes as she sat down in the seat across the aisle, next to her seat mate, Randy Orton. "Like you weren't a willing participant?" She raised her eyebrow.

"Okay you caught me; I willingly drank all that tequila you guys kept throwing at me." Soraya laughed again.

"Of course, how else would we get you to reveal your deepest darkest secrets?" The youngest McMahon smirked and poked her other best friend in the ribs. "You can't imagine the dirt you get out of Randy if you replace his blood with whiskey."

The Legend Killer groaned. "None of which you'll be revealing, Jess. You know Dave wouldn't let me live it down."

The Animal chuckled. "Now I've got to know the skeletons in Orton's closet."

"Sorry Big Guy, I've been sworn to secrecy." Jessica's expression suddenly lit with an idea. "Hey, what would you say to an outside job with a little extra cash, Batista?"

"Uh," He scratched his head. "Depends on the job."

"I think beating the holy Hell out a certain UFC fighter and Batista Bombing him through something would suffice." Jessica smirked wickedly at Soraya. "And if he asks why, tell him to turn on Monday Night RAW and he'll know."

"Come off it, Jess!" Soraya began to giggle. "Forget it, Dave, it's not important."

"I don't get it." Randy frowned in confusion. "What UFC fighter are we talking about and why does Dave need to kick his ass?"

"Ken Shamrock." Jessica answered. "And he needs to get his ass kicked for how he treated Soraya."

"What did he do?" Dave asked curiously.

"We dated awhile ago." Soraya shrugged.

"And he bailed on her the moment her cancer got worse!" Jess added. "The guy deserves to get an ass kicking for that kind of selfish treatment."

"What an asshole!" Batista bristled. "You can do so much better than that, Soraya."

"Thanks Dave." She said shyly.

"Dude, that's fucked up." Randy shook his head in bewilderment. "Who does that?"

Soraya eyed Randy in shock for the slight defense of her, while Jessica responded to his rhetorical question. "Assholes, Randy. Assholes do that."

At the Hotel later that night

Soraya left Lita's hotel room with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. At least Soraya hadn't been the only one with a minor hangover that morning. Assured that the redhead had suffered like she had and wouldn't divulge any of Soraya's personal life to others, the Pittsburgh blonde was ready to go back to her room with Benoit and watch a movie.

Her thoughts now centering on the movie she would watch that night, she was caught off guard when someone larger bumped into her, knocking her right to the floor.

"Oh God." A deep male voice exclaimed anxiously. "Are you all right? I'm so sorry, I was in a hurry and I didn't see you."

Soraya looked up into the soft brown eyes of Maven, one of the mid-carder wrestlers that Benoit thought showed promise. "I'm okay, it's no biggie."

"I still feel bad." He offered a hand and helped her back to her feet. "You're Soraya right?"

"That'd be me." She nodded and rubbed her backside. "You're Maven, the guy who won Tough Enough?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "It's really nice to finally meet you. I was a big fan before you left."

"I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you before I had to leave. You had just debuted too." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled at him. "Good on you for beating Tazz though."

He grinned with pleasure that she would remember something back in his starter days of wrestling. "Thanks. I have to admit, you were one of my favorite Divas then and now. Whether it was locking submissions like Shamrock, being badass like the Undertaker or tearing opponents apart like Benoit, you are one hell of a competitor."

"Well, it was a treat for me to see you knock Taker off his high horse by eliminating him from the Royal Rumble, very nicely done." She grinned broadly at the memory.

He grimaced. "I got my ass handed to me afterwards."

"You're still standing though, that counts for something." She assured him. "Well, it was nice meeting you, or bumping into you as it were, but I'm on my way back to my room. Hopefully I'll see you around."

"Yeah." He nodded vigorously. "It was great meeting you too."

As she began to walk away, he made a sudden decision and called out to her again.

"Hey Soraya?" He waited for her to turn around and seemed to be internally debating something.

"What's up?" She frowned in confusion.

"Look, this may sound really weird, but the answer is always no if you don't ask, so…" He shoved his hands in his pockets in a gesture of discomfort. "Would you like to maybe grab coffee sometime? We could talk and get to know each other a little bit? Like I said, I've been a fan so I'd really like to do something like that with you."

She hesitated, before nodding. What could it hurt honestly? He seemed like a nice guy. She wasn't tied down to anyone, and who said it had to become something?

"Sure Maven." She offered him a bright smile. "I'd like that too."

"Really?" He sighed in relief. "Great! When would you like to do it?"

"How about before RAW next week? We'll hit up a Starbucks or something?" She suggested.

"Perfect." He grinned like a school boy. "I'll let you get back to your room. We can plan out the details later."

"Sounds good." She winked. "See you soon."

"Bye Soraya." He beamed to himself, as she strolled down the hallway. She had just made his week by accepting his invitation.

A/N: Soraya's got a date! Soraya's got a date! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…me acting my age again lol. So she's finally stepping into the dating pool again, how is that going to sit with Jericho and Evolution? Review to find out.

Poll Results

Chris Jericho 17

Randy Orton 14

Batista 5

Triple H 4

Maven 1

Rob Van Dam 1

Goldberg 1

xxHungryeyesxx: The poll is to see what you think. This story was decided a long time ago. So you don't have to lose faith just yet. I'm glad you're enjoying how I write Jericho.

XiinLajgin: haha since they're not biologically related, that'd be difficult.

Aaron: The idea is that Soraya doesn't have it easy, but she knows how to survive. But no worries, she'll finally get it right…eventually, with mishaps along the way lol.

I luv Drama and Jeff Hardy: Oh I totally agree, Randy is drop dead gorgeous!

Mr.Kennedy'sExtremeVixen: haha, I think Benoit had that in him, before his big murder scandal anyway.

Asher02: Everyone needs a close girlfriend(s), Haley has Candice. Soraya has Jess and Lita.

Inday: Yes she is. We all need friends like that in our lives.

Xoxo15lovesyou: Thank you.

Couldn'tbefunnier: All right, sounds good. Thanks for the vote and the review.

SBMFanatic: haha someone's a Jerichoholic.

CrystalxxRose: If you'd like to know Jess's past with John Cena, her story is She's a Rebel by Jewelgirl04, it's on my favorites list if you want to check the series out. They're really good. And yes, Soraya has hung on to Mark for a long time, but I think she's ready for someone else by now.

Jewelgirl04: You'll find out soon enough since I plan on asking you to make me banners again :D and yes, this will travel pretty far so we'll see Jess and Cena through Soraya's eyes. BTW, when did Jess "date" Edge, like begin to anyway.

Pinktink79: Thank you. You're not alone in assuming Soraya and Randy, they do act juvenile at times lol.

LindseyRedfield: You never know ;) It's everyone's ballgame at this point.