A/N: Omg you guys, can I first start off by saying…It's about damn time that Jeff won the title! Geeze! Phew, now…Thank you guys for all the wonderful reviews for the last chapter. Hope you enjoy.

- - - - -

Feeling a gust of cold wind, Maria groaned and hugged the blanket tighter around her. Flying her eyes open at the night's events, she sat up and found the spot next to her empty. Worry set in. What if Jeff didn't feel that same way? What if he just saw her in her state and felt bad for her?

Too much things were going on in her life right now; with her fight with her best friend, to her brother's text and now this? She didn't know if she had enough strength to fix everything.

Feeling another breeze, Maria looked toward the balcony door and noticed it was open. Tossing the blanket to the side, she parted the blinds and stepped out.

"Hey," Jeff turned around when he heard Maria come out.

"Hey," Maria released the breath that she was holding.

Walking to the edge of the balcony, and standing next to him, she looked out at the view in front of her. The streets were so busy at this time of hour; that the young Diva was tired just looking at all the cars, and people passing by.

"How are you?"

"I'm not going to lie," Maria shrugged, feeling his eyes on her, "Been better."

Glancing at Jeff, she saw him nod; thankful that he knew her well enough to know that she didn't want to talk about it yet.

"Do you have anything to do today?"

"Not really," She replied, "But I think I'm going to go talk to Candy."

"I'm sure they didn't mean to get you upset," Jeff said, "They're just looking out for you."

"I know," Maria sighed, "It's just. Just because I'm the youngest, I feel like they're looking out for me too much. I mean, I have to make mistakes to learn right?"

Once again, Jeff nodded. Maria turned her attention back to the street below her; wondering if he was going to bring what happened the night before up, or she'd have to do it.

"What about you?" Maria chickened out, "What do you have planned?"

- - - - -

Jeff looked over his shoulders when he heard the door to the bathroom close. Sighing, he ran his hand over his face and leaned against the railing. Ever since Maria came out, he was waiting for the right time to bring the previous night's events up, but just couldn't find the right time.

He didn't want to just jump into it and make her uncomfortable, but he didn't want her to think that he didn't care about it.

Truth was he didn't even know if Maria cared. Jeff knew the state that she was in, and a part of him felt as if hooking up with someone was her outlet; and if that was the case, than Jeff would feel terrible for taking advantage of the broken women.

He had feelings for her; he wasn't going to deny it anymore. But if he had to hide them to make Maria feel safe, to make her feel comfortable, he was willing to do so; for her sake.

Taking one last look at everything around him, he took a deep breath before heading back into the room.

Hearing the door crack open, he looked up and saw Maria dressed in jeans and a plain tank top.

"So," Maria looked at the man sitting on top of the bed, "I'm going to go. Do you need anything before I leave?"

Shaking his head, Jeff threw off his shirt and tossed a clean one over his head. Feeling Maria's eyes on him, he turned to face her and saw an amused look on her face.

"What?"

Tilting her head to the side, Maria shrugged, "You're going to wear that to work out?"

"It's a gym Ria," Jeff smiled, "Not a fashion show."

"Yeah," Maria rolled her eyes, "But still. Anyway, I'm leaving."

"Good luck," Jeff called.

"Like I need it," He heard her, as she slipped on her shoes, "Okay, maybe I do. Bye!"

Now that Jeff was alone, his smile fell. Hiding his feelings was so much easier said than done.

- - - - -

Once outside and in the elevators, Maria sighed. Maybe he really didn't like her that way. Maybe Jeff really did feel sorry for her and kissed her to make her feel better. Shaking her head, for again falling for a person she could have, she stepped out of the elevator and to her best friend's room. Knocking on the door, she waited. When no one answered, she seriously thought about turning around and heading back to her room.

"Chill out Maria," She mumbled to herself, "This is Candy. She's your best friend, she can't be that mad."

Exhaling, she adjusted the strap on her shoulder, "Okay, I got this. Just knock, maybe she just didn't hear the first time."

Bringing her hand back down she shook her head, "Damn it Maria, just knock on the door. It isn't that hard."

Knocking on the door, Maria felt nervous. What if she was still mad at her for yelling? After a few moments of waiting, Maria heard a faint voice coming closer to the door. Hearing the locks on the other side of the door click, Maria was greeted with her best friend's brown eyes.

"Maria," There was no anger, no remorse in her voice; she just said it.

"Hey," Maria let out a shaky breath and smiled, "Can I come in?"

Not taking her eyes off of the redhead, Candice moved aside and let her in. Maria stepped in and noticed that both Mickie and Torrie were there also.

"So," Candice voice came through Maria's ears, "What can we do for you?"

"You're still mad," Maria whispered as she glanced at the girls around her.

"What do you expect Maria?" Candice asked, "We try to help you, and you get all upset and start freaking out."

Maria knew that she was right; she shouldn't have gotten so upset. But she didn't think she freaked out.

"I know," Maria replied, "And I so sorry. But with everything that was going on, with Jeff, with my brother, and the fact that I didn't want to talk about it. I just couldn't do it. So I took it out on you guys, because I knew you guys would understand. I mean, we all yelled at each other at some point, and we all understood." Maria licked her lips, "And I know I was wrong, and I shouldn't have let out my feelings and lash out at you guys. But with what happened with me and Jeff last night, I really need to talk to you guys."

Looking around after her little speech, she noticed the confused look on each of her friends' face.

"What do you mean," Torrie spoke slowly, "'What happened between me and Jeff? '"

"You guys…" Mickie motioned with her hands when Maria didn't answer.

"No," Maria shook her head, "We didn't."

"So what happened?" Mickie was fully curious to find out.

"We," Maria paused, "Um, we hooked up."

"But you didn't…" Torrie asked.

"No," Maria repeated, and looked over at Candice, who didn't say anything.

"What do you mean?" Candice studied the women in front of her.

"They didn't sleep together Candy," Mickie looked toward the sexy diva.

"No," Said Candice, "With your brother. You said 'with everything that was going on, with Jeff, with my brother' what's going on with your brother?"

Maria sighed; she didn't want to make a big deal out of her fear.

"Nothing, it's just that we'll be in Chicago next week. And I know my family is going to want to 'talk'. This is always the chance they have to brag about their golden child." She rolled her eyes.

- - - - -

"I still don't get what the big deal is little bro," Matt's voice came through the speaker, "I thought you liked Maria."

"I do Matt," Jeff sighed, "That's the problem."

"I'm lost."

"Whatever is going on in her life right now obviously took a toll on her last night; and she needed someone to be there for her. And I was the one there."

"You don't believe that."

"Yeah I do,"

"No," Matt said, "Do you really think that she's that kind of girl? Did you ever think that since you didn't bring it up, she thinks that you don't feel the same way she does?"

"I got to go," Jeff sighed, not wanting to hear his brother anymore, "I'll call you later."

"Maybe he's right," Jeff heard a voice behind him say, "I've known that girl for a long time, and she gets a little worried at times."

"A little?" Jeff couldn't help but smirk.

"Okay," Laughed Shawn, "She's a worried mess. But you can't help but love her for it."

Jeff raised his eye brows and let out a small breath, yeah, he knew.

"But your brother's right," Shawn said, "Maybe you should be the one to spark the conversation."

"Well, next time I know not to have the phone on speaker," Jeff joked.

"Look Jeff," Shawn started, "We're leaving for Chicago tomorrow, and every time we're there, Maria meets up with her family. Don't really know what's going on there, but we know that they're not the perfect family. Maybe you could start there."

"Whose we?"

"Me and Candice," Shawn stood up, "Maria's stubborn, she won't tell us. But from your face, I can tell she told you and knowing her, there's a reason for that."

- - - - -

"So, are you going to take him?" Torrie asked as Maria was sitting between her and Mickie.

"Take who where?" Maria asked.

"My best friend," Torrie smirked, "To meet your family."

"Ah, yes," Maria nodded, "My wonderful family. I don't think so."

"So you'd rather go alone?" Mickie chimed in.

"I don't know," The youngest of the group sighed, "But you know how my family is, especially my mom."

"Maybe you should Ree," Candice said sitting opposite of her, "I mean the last time you met up with them-"

"I don't need a refresher, Candy," Maria stopped her, "Thanks."

From the moment she walked into the room until now, which was a good fifteen to twenty minutes ago; Maria managed to makes amends with each Diva in the room.

"Well, I don't need you coming back all upset," Candice's mother-tone came through, "I still don't understand how they can be so dismissive of your feelings."

"They aren't like that," Maria lied.

"Oh no," Torrie shook her head, "They just have the tendency to completely ignore the fact that they don't give you any credit."

"Maria, we understand you love your family. But they do have a good idea of how to upset you. Don't you think?" Mickie added.

"I guess," She sighed, "I don't know. I guess I'm just used to it that's all. When you grow up around your parents over looking the good things you do, and just focusing on the bad, I guess you just get used to it."

"But it shouldn't be like that Ria," Candice sighed, placing a comforting hand on her best friend's.

Maria sighed, once again, and nodded. She knew that. But what could she do; like the saying states, 'you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.' And Maria learned the exact meaning to that quote.

"Can we just talk about something else?"

"Sure we can," Torrie was the first to jump, "How about we talk about what exactly you did with my best friend last night."

"You make it sound trashy," Maria looked toward the blonde.

"Well since you say you didn't do anything, other than kiss, you have nothing to worry about." Torrie smiled sweetly.

"Never mind that," Mickie rolled her eyes at the two, "What I really want to know is, have you guys talked about it?"

"No," The redhead mumbled, "I was waiting for him to bring it up."

"Ria," Candice shook her head, "As sweet as Jeff is, he's still a guy. Guys usually wait for you to bring it up."

"But what if he doesn't feel the same way?" Maria voiced.

"What if he does?"

"Why wouldn't he? I mean look at you."

"I don't think he would've kissed you back if he did."

Maria frowned as she listened to all three friends throw their thoughts at her at once. Why couldn't love be easy for once?

- - - - -

The next morning, Jeff zipped up his luggage and rolled it closer to the door. Looking over at Maria, who was standing on the bed looking confused, and smiled. Walking closer to her, Jeff noticed that the Diva managed to dump all her clothes onto the floor in a matter of seconds.

"Found it?" Jeff asked.

"If I did, then I wouldn't be standing on top of the bed, would I?" Maria snapped.

Raising his hand in surrender, Jeff dropped the subject. Ever since Maria woke up this morning she was in a really bad mood; and unfortunately for Jeff, he was the only one that she took it out on.

Thinking it was because she had to wake up earlier than normal, Jeff walked back into the bathroom to collect all of Maria's things, and put them into a small zip lock bag.

"Jeffy!" Maria's whiny met his ears, "Can you help me find it?"

"Did you check outside?" Jeff walked out of the bathroom, Maria's things in hand.

Watching her shake her head and hop off the bed, Jeff set her things onto the bed. They had to be at the airport in an hour, but Maria was freaking out over her lost iPod.

"It's not out here!" Jeff heard Maria high pitched voice cry.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jeff sighed. If he were an iPod, where would he be? He knew that Maria already checked under the pillows, and the sheets. He saw her check the living area and the kitchen. Jeff himself checked the bathroom. Maria already looked in her bags, and obviously she checked her luggage and outside.

"Jeff!" Maria whined once again as she came back inside with a frown on her face, and plopped onto the bed.

"Which jeans did you wear yesterday?" Jeff asked, remembering that he saw it with her the day before.

"The black ones," Maria pointed in the general direction of the jeans.

Rolling his eyes at Maria's great sense of directions, Jeff carefully stepped over her clothes, to the jeans. Picking up Maria's small sized black jeans, he shoved his hands into her pockets. Feeling the small device in one of her back pockets, Jeff sighed.

Tossing it to her, Maria looked besides her, and her face lit up, "You found it!"

"Is that the thanks I get?" Jeff mocked, "Gee, I can feel the love."

The smile not leaving her face, Maria got up from the bed and walked over to the pouting man. When she was close enough, she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Thank you Jeff."

"That's better," Jeff smirked.

Maria stepped out of his embrace and matched his smirk, and playfully pushed him. Raising his eyebrows, Jeff slowly inched towards the already shrieking redhead.

"No!" Maria's laugh filled the air, as Jeff threw her over his shoulders.

Spinning, he then dropped her on the bed and started to tickle her. Hearing the mixture of her shrieking and laughing, Jeff couldn't help but smile.

"No, Jeff. Stop!" Maria managed to get out in between laughs, "I'm sorry!"

Ignoring all pleas, Jeff continued to tickle her. He couldn't help by think how beautiful she was, despite her hair all messed up, and tears slowly starting to slip down her face; due to the laughter.

"Wow," A voice came out of nowhere, causing Jeff to freeze, and Maria's laugh died down to a giggle, "What is this?"

"Candy."

"Torr," was their response.

"I'm here too," The duo heard Mickie's voice, "I'd like some acknowledgement you know."

"Hey Micks," Jeff and Maria said and stood up to properly present themselves.

"Again I ask," Candice started, "What was that?"

"I'll go and check us out Maria," Jeff said not wanting to be apart of whatever was going to go down, "Ladies."

"I'll come with you," Torrie was not going to let her best friend off the hook.

Hearing the hotel room door close, both brunettes looked back at the only redhead in the room with both curious and amused looks.

"Maria?" Candice said in a warning manner.

"Nothing," Maria mumbled, and started to repack her things, "Nothing."

"So you guys didn't talk about it yet?" Mickie asked, kneeling to help her friend.

- - - - -

"She told you guys?" Jeff asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"Yeah she did," Torrie answered and punched him in the arm, "Unlike someone. Way to tell your best friend something like that."

"Okay, one, ow," Jeff rubbed his arm, "And two, I was going to tell you."

"When?" Torrie challenged, "Exactly, Jeff you can't do that."

"Do what?" Jeff replied as they came to another floor and an elderly couple stepped in.

"You can't woo-hoo with one of my closest friends, and not tell me about it," Torrie whispered.

"Woo-hoo?" Jeff mocked.

"Shut up," Torrie rolled her eyes.

"Again, with the punching," Jeff said, holding his arm.

Instead of answering, Torrie only smiled at the couple who was currently looking at them. The elevator, once again dinged, and the four of them stepped out. Casting Jeff a look, the blonde shook her head and walked over to the front desk.

"So, are you going to talk to her about it?" She asked when Jeff was standing besides her.

- - - - -

"I don't know," Maria sighed as she zipped up her luggage, "I don't want to make him uncomfortable."

"So just ignoring the fact makes it better?" Candice asked, trying to get the younger Diva to see how stupid she was being.

"I don't know," Maria cried, and dropped her head back onto the bed, "I'm confused."

"You think?" Mickie laughed, "But really Ria, you guys need to talk about it."

Maria's frown deepened as she knew that her hyper friend was right. She really wanted to see where Jeff's feelings were in all this, but she didn't want to end up hurt if it wasn't what she thought it was.

"I know," Maria stood up, "But, I can't. Because I have to deal with my superb family."

"So is Jeff going with you?"

"Do you think he'd want too?" Maria asked, kind of annoyed that they're back to the subject of Jeff and her family.

"I think so," Candice nodded, "I mean, I heard from Shawn that you actually told him about them."

"Like what's going on." Mickie chimed in, eye brows raised.

- - - - -

"How could she not tell us, but she can tell you?" Torrie asked, "I mean, she's known you for what, couple months now. But she's known us since she came into the WWE."

"I don't know Torrie," Jeff said for like the fifth time that day, "You should ask her that."

"Well are you going with her?" Torrie really wanted to know if he at least willing to go.

"If she wants me to, I'll go," Jeff said handing the man his and Maria's key, "If she doesn't, I won't."

"But you know how she is," Torrie said, "She'll deny any help, and say that she's fine, when really she's not."

"Maria's a strong girl," Jeff said, not wanting to share a story that wasn't his to tell.

"Really?" Challenged Torrie, "How so?"

"I can't tell you," Jeff thanked the man and looked down at his best friend, "Ask her."

"I can't," Torrie followed, "I don't want to push her into tell us."

"Well then," Jeff said and pressed the button to their floor, "It's not my problem."

"That's not fair," Torrie crossed her arms.

- - - - -

"Yes it is!" Maria whined.

"No Maria," Candice sighed, once again, "It's not."

"How would you know?" Maria eyed her best friend, "You don't even know."

"Maria, just stop," Candice shook her head, and tossed another hat to her best friend, "That one matches better."

"No it doesn't!" Maria's whine could be heard.

"Oh good god Candy," Mickie started, "Just let her wear the hat."

"I'm using it," Candice protested.

"It'll make her shut up," Mickie said.

"No," Candice stood her ground, "Maria just stop and wear this one."

"No!" Maria threw it back at her.

"Maria!" Candice cried, but heard a knock on the door.

Opening it, she looked at the taller of the two, "Make her shut up!"

"Then let me wear your hat!" The three heard Maria's voice.

"What's going on?" Torrie asked a little amused.

Both Jeff and Torrie walked into the room and looked around. There had to be a least three of Maria's hats on the floor. The shortest of the group sitting at the round table with her head resting against it, the youngest of the group on the floor, pouting; and former one time women champion just looked annoyed.

"Someone's being a baby and won't shut up," Candice's gaze was at her best friend.

"Someone's being a bitch and won't share," Maria bit back.

"Oh my god, just shut up!" Mickie's mumbled voice cried.

"Whoa, what's going on here?" A new voice said.

"Chris!" Maria whined, taking this chance to get him on her side, "Tell her to give it to me."

"Candice," Chris gave her a stern look, "Give it to her."

"You're an idiot," Candice shook her head, "Maria, we have to go, hurry up."

"Not until you give me the hat," Maria knew she was being childish, but she wanted that hat.

Roughly running her fingers through her hair, Candice took a deep breath and looked at the tallest in the room.

"Jeff," Candice practically begged, "Please."

Hiding a smirk, he walked over to the pouting Diva. He seen this act before, and he knew what she wanted. But with one look at Maria, he knew that he was going to play along.

"Why are you so set on wearing that hat?" Jeff asked.

"Because it's plaid!" Maria said like it was the most obvious thing on earth.

"So is this one," Jeff said picking up a hat that was a few feet away from him.

"But it's not red," Maria stated, "And my shirt is red."

"Then what is Candice going to wear?" Jeff said, treating her like a five year old.

"Who cares," Maria rolled her eyes, "I'm the baby of the group, and I should get what I want."

"But you're twenty-"

"If you finish that sentence, we'll have problem," Maria stopped him.

"Maria, we really need to go," Torrie said looking at her phone, "We have to be at the airport of half an hour."

"No," Maria shook her head, "Not until she lets me have it."

Maria watched as both Mickie and Candice sighed in frustration; and looked over at Jeff. She knew that he understood where she was going with this, and she hid a smile knowing that he was playing along.

"Candice, if you want to get out of here on time, you're going to have to give her the hat." Jeff stood up and faced the sexy Diva.

"Fine," Candice sighed.

"Really?" Maria asked.

"Yes," Candice said tossing her the hat, "Have the stupid hat."

"Ew, no," Maria moved away from the hat and stood up, "I don't want that."

"Then what the hell was that for?!" Candice yelled.

"I just wanted the window seat." Maria said and rolled her luggage out of the room and into the elevators, with Jeff by her side.

- - - - -

A/N: Okay, I know that this chapter was pretty much pointless, but I just needed this chapter to ease into the next one without getting people too confused. So please review, and next chapter Jeff finally meets Maria's parents. That is if Maria lets him…REVIEW!