Chapter 10:
A few days later, Haley entered the Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. She had spent the last few mornings training with Dwayne and the evenings being entertained by him. He had waited backstage at the House shows, cheering her on and almost pressuring her to really do her best out there. And yes, even though she had been sad when he had left for Miami that morning; his visit had still put her in a really confident mood for RAW tonight.
She felt so motivated in fact, that she was praying that she'd be facing Melina tonight. She had been tussling with Jillian Hall at the House Shows and she really wanted to seek payback on the Women's Champ for the concussion she received at her hands.
"Hey, how's head?" Mickie James seemed to appear out of thin air and fall into step beside her.
"Oh hey, Mickie." Haley smiled brightly. "It's good. Like the trainer's said, it was fairly mild, so it didn't cause me any problems."
"Well that's good to hear." Mickie reached over and tugged a lock of her hair. "You can't afford that much more empty space up there as it is."
"Shut up!" Haley playfully bumped her using her hip.
"I'm just kidding!" Mickie laughed. "Well, I thought you'd be interested to know that you're facing Melina tonight in a mixed tag match. Just in case you needed something to make you feel better."
"You saw the card, already?" Haley raised an eyebrow in interest. "Am I with Jeff again?"
"Yes, I saw the card, and no, you're not teaming with Jeff tonight." Mickie rubbed the back of her neck. "Tonight its going to be Melina and Mr. Kennedy versus you and Randy Orton."
Haley paled. "Wait, I'm partnered with Orton? Do they not know who my boyfriend is?"
"Well, at least John hates both of those guys. You can use the excuse that Randy's the better wrestler out of the two." Mickie shrugged helplessly.
"That's not going to stop John from going off the handle." Haley groaned. "Can't I partner with someone else?"
"I don't think management will agree." Mickie shook her head. "Well I've got to get ready for my match with Jillian. Good luck in your match tonight, Haley and with John."
"Thanks Mickie." Haley accepted the other Diva's supportive hug. "Kick Jillian's ass tonight!"
With a wink, Mickie started off down the hall. "You know I will. I'll even throw in an extra shot for you. Don't stress too much and try to enjoy your match. You'll get to pay Melina back for the concussion."
"Right." Haley watched her new found friend disappear around the corner and sighed, already feeling defeated. There was no way John was going to be completely cool with her match tonight. If there was one person in this company he despised, it was Randy Orton. He wouldn't take the fact that his girlfriend was teaming with his most loathed opponent lightly.
As for Haley, she had yet to really form an opinion on Randy. She was one of those people who liked to form their own opinion about someone and ignored the reputation that preceded the superstar. So far, she found him to have a touch of smugness, but nice enough from their first meaning, a little forward though.
With a weary sigh, she braced herself and entered John's locker room. He was sitting on the edge of the couch, tying the laces of his sneakers. He was dressed for his match against Bobby Lashley later on tonight.
"Hey Hales." His lightening-quick grin faded when he noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong baby?" His expression changed to one of concern. "Did you and Rock have a fight or something before he left?"
"No, Dwayne and I are completely cool." She dropped down beside him. "I'm facing Melina tonight in a mixed tag team match."
"Don't you want to face her though, because of what she did to you?" Confusion laced his voice.
"Yes, but she's partnered with Mr. Kennedy." She leaned to rest her head against his shoulder.
"So? He's a tool." He said it matter-of-factly, before kissing her hair. "As long as you have a decent partner you have nothing to worry about. Did they team you with Jeff again?"
"No, I wish." She winced.
He chuckled. "Aw baby, are you partnered with Umaga or something, is that why you're so upset?"
"Nope, but you'll probably wish I were."
"Well, that doesn't sound promising so I've got no more guesses. Who are you partnered with?" His hand stroked through her hair.
"Randy Orton." She tensed, awaiting his explosion.
His hand fisted. "I'm sorry, baby, did you just say Randy Orton?"
"Yes." She flinched, he was going to blow.
"UNBELIEVABLE!" He leapt to his feet. "ARE THEY OUT OF THEIR MINDS?"
"Quite possibly." She agreed with a nod.
"THEY'RE TEAMING MY GIRLFRIEND WITH THE MAN I HATE THE MOST!" Anger rippled through the room like an earthquake. "THIS IS BULLSHIT!"
Slamming the door with enough force to make the hinges shake, he stormed out of the locker room, leaving a trembling Haley in his wake.
"Well that went well." She muttered sarcastically. "Thanks for the well wishes, John. Your support means the world to me." She rolled her eyes, reached for her gear and went to change. "Just freaking great!"
She slipped into black cotton pants that had Haley in white going down the right pant leg and black tank top that split down the middle and was laced up with black leather string, leaving and inch of skin visible of her torso. She pulled the top half of her hair back, letting a couple front pieces fall forward and put on her elbow pads. Trading her flip flops for black sneakers with white stripes, Haley felt satisfied with her ring appearance. Now hopefully John would come back before her match started.
Twenty minutes later, John hadn't returned and Haley needed to go to the gorilla position if she was going to make it on time for her match. She couldn't help but feel slightly hurt by his behavior as she left the locker room and started down the hall. She waved and exchanged greetings with the superstars she knew and liked and ignored the ones she didn't, like Snitsky and Umaga.
Melina, Kennedy and Randy were already in the gorilla position when she got there. Kennedy was scowling, something new and different, while Melina snapped her wad of gum continuously. London and Kendrick were still battling with the Highlanders, so they had some time before they would make their way to the ring.
"How's your head?" Melina asked cattily.
Haley ignored her and stepped up beside Randy, who smirked down at her. "Nice shirt." He commented.
"Let me guess, it would look better on your bedroom floor?" She quipped, shooting him a smug expression of her own.
His grin flashed. "Nah, more like in shreds when I rip it off you."
"You're so charming." She shot back dryly.
"A lot of women agree with you there." He turned serious and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look, I know loverboy probably had a conniption fit when he found out we were partners tonight. I can assure you right now that we are going to go out there and win this match, kicking ass along the way."
"I plan on it. That bitch won't get the better of me again." She shot a glare at the Women's Champion. "She's going down."
"I've got your back out there." He promised, squeezing her shoulder. "No matter what John told you, you can trust me."
"Ditto." She smiled gratefully at him.
"We're going to cue music in five minutes after commercial. You two are going out first. Are you going out separately?" A stage hand stopped in front of them.
"Together?" Randy looked at her for conformation. At her approving nod, he continued. "My titantron."
"Right." The tech jotted it down. "Five minutes." He reminded them before walking away.
"Thanks." Haley rolled her shoulders. "I'm ready to kick some serious ass!"
"Ditto." He quoted her from moments ago.
They exchanged a smile, just before the stage hand began their countdown.
A/N: Don't fret, I haven't chosen Randy! But, I am giving him a more significant role in this fic. Keep on voting and keep on reviewing!
1 Jeff
2 Batista
3 John and Chris are now tied