Joe and Mel stood locked in the middle of the ring; if she were taller, they would be nose-to-nose. "So why is it that Kurt is the mortal enemy here?" Mel asked as she finally backed away and hoped up onto the corner of the ring.

"Kurt's got so much passion for the business and so much drive in getting to the top that he forgets to push the others." Joe was trying to broach the subject lightly.

"In other words, he's being Kurt. A selfish ass who doesn't think anyone else deserves a push. It's turned into the Kurt Angle show and everyone else is the sideshow."

Jacqueline stepped in between the two. "Sound familiar to you?"

Mel laughed. "A little too familiar."

Joe glanced between the two before adding his last words. "Look Mel, Rhi's not the only one counting on you. Many people in TNA are upset with Kurt and we know that adding you to our roster may be costing us a moneymaker but we would rather have a positive environment. Dixie won't fire Kurt because of his current contract and we don't want you to feel used but Mel, honestly you're going to be put into storylines and situations that aren't exactly what you're use to. TNA is a lot less scripted that WWE and a lot more raw."

"Mel, we came here because you are the key to bringing Kurt down. First of all, you are the last person he would ever suspect of making a return. Secondly, you know him better than any of us and third you know that catching him completely off guard is going to throw him for a total loop therefore leaving him vulnerable." Jacqueline said before leaving the ring to get a bottle of water.

Mel raked the loose strands of hair back against her head and hopped down from the ropes. "It seems like you guys are banking a lot on me. And I have to be honest, I'm really flattered that you think I can bring him down but I really think you are underestimating Kurt."

"We're not underestimating him. We know what he's capable of to a certain point but it seems like the more power he gets the crazier he gets. Not to mention…"

Jacqueline cut him off. "That's enough Joe!"

"What is it Joe?" Mel studied the expression on his face and it was evident that they knew something she didn't. "So we're keeping secrets now? This is just great!"

"There's not secrets honey. It's just something that Rhi thought would be best if you heard it from him."

"Well Rhino's not here! So I suggest you tell me or I'm out of here."

Jacqueline threw her hands up in the air and stepped back. Joe took a deep breath. "It's just that Kurt's been drinking a lot and we suspect he may be hooked on pain killers."

"That's it?" Mel shot back.

"That's it, I guess. I mean, we just wanted you to realize that he's pretty out of it."

Mel climbed through the ropes and hopped down. "Well thanks for the news bulletin. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to take a shower."

--

She couldn't shake Joe's words from her head. Kurt abusing alcohol and taking pain pills like candy. Surely, he was mistaken. Kurt never drank or used an excess of pain medication. Sure when he was in real pain or had a legitimate injury he would take the prescribed amount but not sixty pills a day, which is what Joe suggested. However, if Kurt was drinking and popping pills then it would certainly explain his actions. She shook her head as if to make the thoughts magically go away. There was so much to take in and evaluate, it was almost too much for her mind to process.

--

"Melony?" Rhi called out as he dropped his gym bag by the front door. "Melony?" He knew she was here because her truck was parked out front. He made his way through the house not finding any sign of Melony anywhere when he had a sudden thought and ran to the sliding glass door that opened onto the patio. And there he found her sitting by the pool so engrossed in her world that she didn't even notice him until he was sitting beside her.

"Hey there, what's on your mind?"

"Nothing much, just the usual." She lied, hoping she sounded somewhat convincing.

"How was your day? Joe didn't work you too hard did he?"

She laughed. "No, it was actually a lot of fun and I feel great. What about you?"

Rhi shrugged. "It was the same crap. I had a match against Robert Roode and got booked in a big match this Sunday at the pay-per-view."

"Really? That's great!" Mel through her arms around Rhi and gave him a quick squeeze. "Should we celebrate?"

He laughed. "Well we could but it's kind of late and we both need to get up early tomorrow."

"Why do we have to get up early? I was looking forward to staying up late and sleeping in." She seductively ran her hand down his arm.

"We can stay up late but you might want to be dressed by nine in the morning because Dixie is bringing you a contract to sign."

Mel gave him a sheer look of confusion. "Why do I need to sign a contract?"

Rhi smiled. "Oh, didn't I mention that my match Sunday has been changed from a title match to a tag team match it's going to be me and a mystery partner versus Kurt Angle and James Storm."

"And?" Mel questioned before the answer hit her in the face. "Rhino! I'm not ready to be on a pay-per-view much less in a brawl with some drunken redneck."

Rhino couldn't contain his laughter. "You won't be in a brawl. Kurt actually has to pick his partner and I'm assuming it will be Storm and when I reveal you as my partner I'm sure Jacqueline will substitute for Storm as TNA frowns on male on female violence, for this match anyways."

"I'm just not sure what to say at this moment Rhi so for your sake and mine, I'm going to bed."