Chapter 10

The next night found Tara back in the coffee room at the arena with the Dudleys and their friends watching Trish's match on the monitor. "So the owner's son's taking over?"

"Shane-O-Mac is back," Booker T said enthusiastically.

Seeing the blank look on Tara's face, Rob Van Dam translated, "yes, Shane McMahon is taking over."

"At least until Bischoff is back on his feet," Spike said.

"Which, according to the hospital, will be just in time for the next city on your tour," Tara added.

"Stop raining on our parade," Goldust complained.

Tara shrugged. "Okay, Eric Bischoff has the insect reflection of a mosquito, but no one deserves to be hurt like that."

"Good observation about his insect reflection," Rob said then noticed the silence in the room. "It represents his insignificance in the karmic cycle."

The silence continued.

Bubba turned to Tara. "So you remember tonight's plan?"

She nodded. "Jeff's match is after Trish's. Then your match is next followed by Shane's. I'll wait for Trish in the Divas' locker room, and then we'll meet you back here in the coffee room."

"You mean you're not gonna hang with us?" Booker T asked causing Tara to blush.

"You guys are sweet, but you're becoming as overprotective as they are," she explained motioning to her cousins.

"Bubba, Trish is in trouble," Spike said and ran out the door.

"Shane, take care of Tara," Bubba ordered as he followed his brother.

Tara watched wide-eyed as the scene unfolded on the monitor. Trish's match was with a newcomer named Victoria. It had been a pretty brutal fight. Trish was about to go for the pin with Steven Richards interfered. He tossed the referee through the ropes and, with Victoria, ganged up on the blond. Jeff Hardy rushed into the ring, but Richards was prepared for such an act and attacked him immediately while Victoria continued the assault on Trish.

Tara breathed a sigh of relief as the camera swung over to show Bubba and Spike running down the ramp. The sight of the charging Dudleys scared Richards and Victoria who ran off.

"I hope Trish is okay," she said concern crinkling her forehead.

"Don't worry," Booker T said. "Girl's tiny but tough."

"Do you think Victoria will be in the Divas' locker room?" Tara asked not really wanting to witness a second confrontation between the two women.

"I doubt it," Shane said. "Trish says Victoria usually gets ready elsewhere. You want to head over there now? Bubba would probably feel better if you were there waiting for them."

"Probably," Tara agreed and got to her feet.

They were halfway to the Divas' locker room when a frazzled Chief Morley stopped them. "Hurricane, the boss wants to see you now."

"But -"

"Now!" the chief ordered then rushed off.

"Shane, go. I'll wait right here for you," Tara said.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay, I'll be fast," he said then left her with his cape fluttering in his wake.

He turned the corner and spotted the young blond sipping a soda by a wall.

Alone.

With a bit of a smirk, he approached her. "Hi!"

Startled, she choked a little on her drink. "H-hi."

"We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Chris Nowinski."

"Tara Maclay."

"That was a good observation you made yesterday about HLA. What school do you go to?"

"UC-Sunnydale."

Not bad, he thought then said, "Good school. I graduated from Harvard."

"Good school," she smiled.

There was a brief silence.

"Would you like to go for a drink after the show?" he asked.

"Thanks, but I, ah, already have plans," she replied shyly.

"What? Don't like the brainy type?"

"Actually, I like the brainy type," she said softly. "It's something else you have."

"What's that?"

She paused for a moment then said with a mischievous smile, 'a Y chromosome."

"Tara!"

They both turned and saw Shane Helms striding purposefully toward them. You okay?"

"I'm fine, Shane," Tara assured him. "We better go. Bye, Chris."

Shane shot him a glare then guided the girl down the hall leaving behind a slightly puzzled Nowinski.

TBC