(See Pro-log for disclaimer)

Rose made her way around to the employee's entrance of the arena, Dan was the one that opened the door. His mouth dropped for a second out of shock seeing her after what he was told happened before he spoke. "You came to watch the practice right?"
"Nope work."
"You sure you ready?"
"Man why does everyone ask me thatm I am fine…Even if I was wrestling I could handle it. Well if I had the skills to wrestle"
"OK come on in." Rose walked in waited for Dan to shut the door before he took her up to the front, they sat listening to the sparring matches as Dan began going over a list of different equipment. Tomorrow night was a televised event & if Rose really felt up to it she was more than welcomed to come in & work. As they were chatting one of the guys walked up to them. He had medium brown to reddish hair, his eyes faintly deep-set & tall. His voice was some what deep yet oddly familiar.

"Danny boy who's the new chick." Rose looked up, she knew who he looked a lot like, but knew it wasn't possible. A faint smile crossed her lips when she realized who it was. The big man looked back almost wondering what the inside joke was.
"Ello Brian I'm Rose." She stood up to face him before offering to shake his hand; of course her head was still tilted some to look at him. She could tell he was trying to study her.
"I feel we have met before." He told her, Rose almost chuckled as she took a finger motioning Brian downward. She then leaned closer whispering to him, his eyes widened faintly.

His voice low as he replied. "That was you? You tell anyone I swear…"
"Hey relax why you think I whispered it."
"Ok cool…you that good you should think of expanding past ring tech."
"I'm hoping to one day."
"Ok see you two around."
Rose sat back down looking at Dan, once against stumped. "You always make friends that easily? Primetime can be a bit of an…ego at times."
"Sometimes yes sometimes no. Let's just say he has seen some of my skills before." Dan laughed then went back to going over the checklist with Rose.

The night went off well the only problem was some out of control fans, but that was pretty much any night at ECW. The next day Steven called.
"Hey Jade. How's my charm?"
"Been better…I…I expected you to call sooner."
"What's wrong? I normally call you after I know you did a show. Nothing different then normal, right?"
"No one told you what happened about a week ago?" Her voice showed her disbelief.
"No…about a week ago would have been your prom. Everything ok?" He was going to ask if she had fun, but her tone of voice already hinted she didn't.

"Let's just say I shoulder of listened better when you told me to stay safe. I am OK now though, enough of me. When should you be getting back in the ring?"
"Any day now, just as soon as the bookers get me in a spot."
"Ah OK cool, I'll be keeping an eye out. Well let me let you go."
"OK, Jade hopefully you'll be on the road with us soon after school lets out. Bye,"
"Bye." Hanging up the phone Rose went to take a shower as it felt like she still had soda in her hair.

Steven hung up the phone & thought for a bit, Rose wasn't exactly sounding like herself. What did he miss? Well it was Sunday so he really doubted he would reach anyone today. Getting up he grabbed his bag he headed for the gym for his daily workout. Over the next month they didn't talk, but Steven did mange to find out bits & pieces about why Rose wasn't exactly herself. Rose was laying in a hammock in the back yard scribbling some sort of drawing when her mom walked out handing her the phone.

"It's your boss Rose." Her mom informed her as she took a hold of it.
"OK" Taking the phone placing it to her ear "Ello Dan."
"Try higher on the chain."
"Oh Sorry Mr. Bischoff. What can I help you with?"
"I want you to come to New Jersey next week. We are having Thunder there & I want to see if you're as good as Dan is claiming."
"Sure thing, all black like at ECW?"
"Yes, and Rose no entourage this time."
"Sure thing Sir."
"OK a car will get you around five. Bye."
"Bye sir." She clicked the phone off resting it next to her. A smile crossed her lips at the thought of actually being able to show her work off. She just hopes she doesn't mess up from nerves. She just has to keep the mind-set it is just like any other show, it's not the big guys & it's not on a major show.

The night of Thunder came & Rose began to get ready. By 4:30 she was ready, she was sitting downstairs in black jeans, a hooded shirt & sneakers. Her hair was braided down her back to help keep it in place & out of her eyes. She leaned the point of ring assistance was to keep things running smoothly, stay out-of-the-way of the action & to be seen as little as possible by the fans. About quarter of she got up grabbing her small backpack, she told her mom she was heading out to wait for the ride. Kissing her good-bye she went out side to wait, as she did she was practicing different defensive stances as well as a few punches & kicks, her mind working almost as if she was sparing with some unseen force.

A silver car pulled up out front & honked, this caused Rose to jump, she didn't even realize she was that wrapped up in her practicing. She knew must have looked like a complete fool to who ever the driver was, the window rolled down a familiar voice inside called out "Come on Jadie we don't have all night." Bending down she grabbed her bag almost laughing as she headed down the steps sliding in the front seat she tossed the small bag in the back.
Her tone she was of course joking. "IF it wasn't the fact you are most likely old enough to be my father…I would think you're sweet on me Steven."

"Why is that?" He asked just keeping an eye on the road. The sky getting cloudy he reached up removing his sunglasses resting them in a holder near by. "And I doubt I am as old as your father."
"Well if you're here I assume you have a match. Which means you have more important things to-do then pick up a member of the stage crew."
"Well let's say I wish to protect my good luck charm."
"OK how long will that reputation follow me?" She said with a chuckle resting her elbow on the arm rest turning her head to look out the window.
"My guess…never. You picked the name Jade & jade is claimed to be a very lucky stone." Oddly she didn't say anything her mind drifting elsewhere. As they stopped at a red light he looked at her.

"Hey Rose?"
"Hmmm?" She turned her head looking at him.
"I heard what happened. I am sorry, but if it counts for anything you look great…you been working out some?" He almost blinked looking ahead again glad the light had turned green. 'Man that did sound so much like a pick up line. What you saying man?' Steven faintly chastised himself, he hoped she didn't take it the wrong way.
"Ya some I guess…I figure being a smaller size might help with speed & making it easy to stay out of the way." She looked over at him & she could tell something made him uneasy.
"Hey Steven…relax OK, thanks for the compliment. Nice to know someone noticed." She smiled then went back to looking out the window. One could almost feel the tension easy up when he realized his comment wasn't as bad as it sounded. They pull to the back of the arena & get out. They walk across the lot to the door heading in.

"OK I'm going to check in with Mr. Bischoff to find out who I report to. I'll catch you in a bit Steven."
"OK see you later." Rose reached in her bag removing her pass when she noticed she wasn't wearing it. She then headed down one hall to find the office she knocked.
"Come in" She opened the door walking in, Eric was just hanging up the phone looking up towards the open door.
"Good you got here OK. Go to the front of the house & find Alex. He will fill you in with your duties tonight."
"OK sir." She turned walking out, Eric was already back looking over papers for the night. Reaching the ramp way she asked the person on the board who Alex was, he was pointed out as the guy near the ring checking a few wires. She walked out & stood near the barricade. She just watched him for a few moments. She had learned sometimes the best way to learn is watching. She then realized her mind was drifting other places so she spoke up.

"Ello Alex?"
"Yep who is asking?"
'Man he is kind of cute, but too much attitude.' She thought as she watched him. He then looked over his shoulder at her. A smile crept over his face as he turned more to face her, sometimes she even wondered how she does it.
"Yes I am Alex…You must be the gold child I kept hearing about." He walked closer the smile never leaving his face.
"Golden child?" Rose questioned suddenly feeling self conscious.
"Ya you know, smart, quick wit, learns fast."
"Well I don't know about the name, but if they were talking about Rose or Jade, that is me & I am not sure if I deserve such praise."

"OK let's get started there isn't much for you tonight." They walked off to talk, Rose was basically placed with a few other new guys to handle any props that were needed for tonight. She was also given a small headset radio that they crew uses to talk back & forth when needed, on the radio was a small list of who was to be on each channel. You stayed on your own channel unless trying to call someone else. Done with her instructions she headed to the back of house area again. Looking over a few names on the door she stops outside Sting's she gets ready to knock but hears talking inside.

"Yes…How are the kids?...OK…Love you too…Bye." She took a breath as she lightly shook her head realizing that explained his behavior before. She then knocks on the door.
"It's open." Rose opened the door peeking her head in. A faint whistle came from her looking around.
"I guess star status has its perks?"
"Yep some."
"Um I, well I over heard some of your conversation. Speaking to family before show time?"
"Yep, my wife I like to check up on her from the road. See how her & my kids are doing."

"Ah that explains you comfortable charm."
"What does?" Steven grabs his bag & heads into an adjacent room.
"Being a father…Responsible, but yet also playful. Still a kid at heart yourself."
"Nice perspective."
"Thanks…well I will head out so you can finish getting ready." Rose headed out the door letting it close behind her. She just leaned against the wall till it was time to get in position.

The show went off without a hitch. Everything was great. Rose began traveling with the group the next week. She traveled up to the week before school was set to go back into session. Of course there was a few mistakes, a few close calls. Her Birthday came while on the road. She was feeling a little down as she had never been away from her family on her birthday before. WCW was in California not more than an hour from Steven's home so he took Rose on a little ride. Once at his place she was surprised by him & his wife with a small party. Susan is a lovely woman. Rose even had a chance to meet his kids. School started up again in September & it was back to the part-time work schedule. When ever Rose had time she would scribble brainstorm ideas for angles & then fax them in about once a month to WCW headquarters. It wasn't until her next birthday that she was offered a more standard contract. Her duties would stay more or less the same for now, but had the option to expand.

The End of Part one...Part two 'Enter the Shadow'

(Final Stats to new version. Chapters: 11, Word Count: 20,507)