Diclaimer: I do not own, nor am I associated with the WWE or the WWE Superstars.

She'd been rushed into an ER room and put on oxygen. It had taken several minutes to hook up the IV, because Kendall wouldn't quit moving around. She was scared and didn't want them touching her. Her fright made it harder for her to breathe and the more trouble she had breathing, the more panicked she became. The more panicked she became, the harder it was for her to breathe. Eventually, John and Randy had to hold her down so the IV could be hooked up and the sedative given. Eight hours later, she was allowed to go home.

Kendall slowly opened her eyes, her body screaming in protest as she stretched. She slowly made it to the bathroom and looked at her reflection. Dark circkles underlined her eyes and part of her cheek was bruised from the night before. She had a bandage around her ribs. She was sore.

She didn't even bother changing out of her pajamas before heading downstairs. She could hear everyone talking in the dining room. Reaching the bottom of the stars, she paused a moment to catch her breath, then turned and started back up the stiarcase. She didn't feel like being around everyone.

Maria noticed though, and quietly followed her. She found the girl in her bedroom, sitting on the side of the bed, staring intently at a photograph. Maria sat down on the bed, gave Kendall a pain pill, then took a look at the picture. Seeing the resemblance, Maria figured this was a picture of Kendall's mother.

"She's beautiful. You look just like her." she whispered softly.

Kendal turned watery eyes towards her friend and look at her hopefully.

"Really?" she asked as a single tear escaped. Maria smiled softly, wiping the tear away.

"Really."

Kendall smiled and turned back to the photo. "Last week was two years. I thought maybe everyone had forgotten, but in the morning, Dad and I laid flowers at her grave. My mom always smelled like flowers."

Kendall looked up, looking out the window, but focusing on nothing. "On Fridays, we'd order out and play games all night long. I was a horrible loser...and a horrible winner. Mama used to say I was just like my dad. I asked her once why she kept saying I was like him when she knew it made me mad. You know what she said? She said that my dad was the greatest person in the world, and the traits I have from him are the ones that made her fall in love with him. She said one day I would understand..and she was right." Kendall glanced at Maria with a smile. "She always was."

"I told myself that I'd never forget her, but I have. There are some days I wake up and I can't remember her face, Maria. I have to look at her picture, to remember what color her eyes were, and how she styled her hair. Jillian was right. My mom is barely a memory. She's disappearing, and I don't know how to stop it."

Tears cascaded from lowered lashes as Kendall slid down the wall to the floor. Maria sat on the floor beside her.

"Kendall...what exactly did Jillian say to you?" she asked.

"Last weekend... she told me that once she got rid of Trish, she'd work on the memories of my mom. She said once she married Daddy, my mom was history."

Maria closed her eyes, hiding her anger at Jillian's words. Taking a breath to calm herself, she listened to Kendall continue.

"I just got so mad, Maria. I didn't know what else to do."

Maria grinned mischeviously. "Hey, I'm not complaining about you kicking her butt."

Kendall looked up with a sigh. "You know, I do want Trish to be my mom. I always have. I just feel...guilty. My mom was really great, Maria. I shouldn't want another one to replace her ."

Maria took Kendalls hand, squeezing it. "I'm going to tell you what my father told me the day he told me he I was getting a new mom. Listen carefully okay?" Kendall nodded.

"When you become a mom, you dream about seeing your child growing up and having kids of thier own. But sometimes that doesn't happen. And when it doesn't, your first worry is 'who will finish what I started'," Maria smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behing Kendall's ear.

"Your mom understands that Trish is not trying to take her place, Kendall. She understands that Trish is just willing and wanting to finish what your mom started. Your mom will always be the greatest mom in the world to you and she will always have a special place in your heart. And I bet if she was able to, she'd tell you that she has no problem moving over to make room for Trish. Do you understand?"

Kendall thought for a moment then nodded. "I would love to have my mom here, but since I can't, I'd really like Trish to step in. I just wish I didn't miss mom so much."

Maria gathered Kendall onto her lap and hugged her. "You will never get over the loss of your mother, Kendall. But you will find a way to live with it. It does get easier every day."

Kendall clung to Maria as she cried. Maria looked up seeing Trish and John standing just outside the doorway. From the look on thier faces, she knew they had overheard most of the conversation. Trish smiled, wiping the tears away and John mouthed the word thank you. Maria smiled, as the two went back down stairs.

After Kendall calmed down, they moved to the bed and sat down to talk.

"I feel better, Maria. Thank you." Kendall said, looking at her hands.

Maria smiled "I'm glad you feel better. But, I can tell something else is still bothering you. What is it?"

"Just wish I knew what was up with Jeff. We used to be so close, then a few months ago he started disappearing on me. I just feel like he's moved on to something better and I am being left behind." Kendall muttered.

Maria's smile faltered, and after a breif hesitation, she turned to Kendall.

"Kendall...if I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone? Not even your dad?"

Kendall looked up. "Sure, I can keep a secret, Maria."

Maria took a deep breath.

"I know what's going on with Jeff."