Bittersweet

Chapter 54

As always I own absolutely nothing other than the plot and my own characters. This chapter is more Alana/Phil orientated but they have a similar situation to Trish and Jeff and now that's out the way, Jeff and Trish can take centre stage once more! I also realised I made an error with the chapter numbering in the last update.

Maria's grin was as wide as ever as she stood triumphantly at the top of the ramp. Candice glowered in the ring, clutching her cheek in agony. She couldn't believe that Maria of all people had just beaten her!

Maria beamed once more and saluted the fans before she was almost knocked off the ground by her delighted fiancé.

"Johnny! You'll make me dizzy!" She giggled as she was spun round in the air.

He set her down gently and kissed her softly. "I am so proud of you!" He rested his forehead against hers.

"The last few years have been tough but I'm glad Steph and the writers have faith in me. Who knows I could be the next Champion?"

Candice had reappeared from the ring and overhead Maria's comment she barged none too lightly past the brunette Diva.

"Hey!" Maria exclaimed, glaring at the dark haired Diva who glared at her.

"Baby…she's just a sore loser." John remarked still holding onto her.

Trish, Jeff and Chris had appeared their match was scheduled after the girls match. Earlier that night Ashely had went one on one against Jillian Hall but had lost out.

"Puhlease! I can see why you got through to the next round." Candice snottily remarked as she looked Maria up and down then cast a look at John.

"What the hell are you insinuating?" Maria broke free from John.

"Well…"Candice smirked. "You're shacked up with the resident golden boy so tell me, who did he pay or better yet you give a favour too, to win our match tonight?" Candice cackled at the last part as John grabbed his fiancée just in the nick of time.

"I think you better go." John said sternly as he had a vice grip on Maria.

Candice just smirked once more as she left, she blew a kiss at a scowling Trish as she passed.

"Man she really is a grade A bitch!" Chris muttered as they joined their friends.

"Don't listen to her Maria, you've worked hard and are more talented than she'll ever be." Jeff smiled at the Diva who had relaxed but now looked glum.

"Thanks guys." She looked up at John and sighed. "I just sometimes feel like she's right. I know I'm not the strongest but I've worked just as hard as anyone to get here."

John stroked her face and his eyes never left hers. "Baby you have no idea how proud I am of you and to me you'll always be number 1 no matter what."

Trish felt a pang of sadness as she watched Maria gaze adoringly at John after hearing his words. Jeff snuck a glance at her. You have always been my number 1 Trish, I wish I never left you. If I could go back I'd change it all.

However, the sincere moment was short lived due to Chris making retching noises. Trish whacked him none too lightly while they all laughed.

"You always have to be a jackass!" Trish huffed as she hit him.

"Hey! Watch the hair! I need to look my best!" Chris protected his hair as she hit him.

Maria rolled her eyes at him as RAW came back from a commercial break. JR and King were talking about Jeff and Chris' ongoing feud.

"Let me guess…Chris is being well Chris?" Matt called as he and Amy joined them.

"Ding, ding, ding we have a winner!" John smirked as he greeted them.

"You were amazing out there!" Amy hugged Maria.

"Thanks…good luck out there guys!" Maria took John's hand as they bade farewell to the group.

Rene Dupree joined them with a smile. "Hey man." Chris greeted him.

"You ready to get your asses kicked?" Rene teased as a stagehand informed them they'd be up first.

Matt rolled his eyes with a smile. "Yeah, yeah…we'll see about that."

The crowd booed as his music hit and he done his usual showboating entrance. Chris turned to Jeff and Trish before his music hit.

"Just think Trish, soon it'll be me and you sauntering down the ramp together."

Trish giggled. "I still have to agree to the heel turn Christopher."

"Please…" Amy began with a grin. "You love being a bitch!"

Chris smirked before walking down to join his partner. Although Trish was part of the storyline, she wasn't going to appear until after the match following Jericho's ruthless attack.

Trish had left her hair down and wavy, she wore a white short bra style top with pink lace through it. She wore her signature long black Stratusfaction 100% guaranteed pants. She chose a silver sparkly belt tonight.

Amy hugged Matt as their music hit and the fans went wild. Trish turned to Jeff and smiled. "You know I still can't get used to this toned down look."

Jeff chuckled. "I still can't get used to everyone telling me this."

She hugged him. He smiled as he inhaled her perfume. "Kick his ass."

He laughed as they pulled apart, Amy and Matt smiling sadly at them both. They were too engrossed in each other to notice them.

"Jeffro, we better go." Matt snapped him back to reality.

Amy slung her arm round her friend as they stood watching their match at the monitor by the Gorilla position.

"I've been thinking…"

"You sure you got enough brain cells for that?" Amy smirked as Trish rolled her eyes and shoved her.

"I'm going to tell Jeff at the bachelor party, how I feel. I was thinking about it all weekend but I need to do this Ames" Trish said quietly.

Amy stared at her best friend, ignoring the match now. They were the only two in the corridor.

"Really? Trish, what if…" she swallowed hard.

"I know." Trish didn't need to hear her friend tell her the truth. "I can't not take the risk. I'll hate myself forever if I don't tell him."

Amy didn't say anything she walked over and hugged her friend. "You better not cry, you'll ruin your makeup and you're needed out there soon."

Trish just laughed, she didn't feel like crying for the first time, in a long time. Since Beth was now out the picture until their wedding she felt stronger. The two women stood side by side as they watched the rest of the match unfold.

"Oh! Jericho is relentless with those kicks King!" JR winced as he watched Jericho continue to beat on Jeff.

Matt was rallying his brother, the crowd joining in. Chris grinned as he looked down at Jeff who was clutching at his leg.

The cheers soon turned to boos as Jericho mocked Jeff. Rene laughed at his partner. Matt was livid but he couldn't do anything, they'd end up disqualified if he went into the ring.

Jeff managed to swerve out the way as Chris attempted another kick. Chris glared as the younger Hardy got to his feet. He aimed a punch at Jeff who countered and flung him into the ring post, much to the crowds delight.

"Yeah Jeff! That's what I'm talking about!" Matt cheered his brother on. He and Rene opened the match before Rene tagged Chris in.

Jeff smirked as he watched Chris hiss in pain he charged at the Canadian who narrowly missed his attack by moving out the way at the last minute.

The wind was knocked out of Jeff. Never gets any easier. He turned around but it was no use, Chris had anticipated his moves and hit him with a suplex.

Rene rushed into the ring as Chris went for the pinfall. The referee had only got to 2 before Matt grabbed Chris and threw him off his brother.

"Wow, they don't hold back do they?" Trish said as she and Amy were still watching.

"Miss Stratus, you're on in 5." A stagehand replied as she approached the two women.

Trish thanked her as they waited for her cue. Rene had rushed in and grabbed Matt by the hair and threw him none too lightly out the ring. Matt landed hard on the floor and grunted. He stayed down as expected.

Jeff glared at Rene who was standing beside his brother smirking at him. Chris had used the opportunity to grab a steel chair. The crowd and commentators screaming at what was about to happen.

The Referee signalled for the bell as the arena erupted into a series of boos. Chris slammed the chair onto Jeff's leg sending him crashing down to the matt. He raised it up before bringing it back onto his knee once more. He laughed as he threw the chair away and looked down at Jeff. Rene had started to make his way to the back as Lilian announced that the Hardyz had won via disqualification.

Matt groaned as he rolled onto his back. The crowd cheered as Trish appeared and ran down to the ring. She pushed past Rene who smirked before going through the curtain. Chris had now slithered out the ring. He stood in front of the commentators, his eyes never leaving Trish who was now attending to Jeff.

Trish glared pure hatred at Chris who just laughed and blew a kiss at her as he walked around the outside of the ring. Jeff moaned as he tried to sit up.

"Don't." Trish could be heard telling him as she stroked his head. "We need help!" She called out to the referee as Jeff could be heard in pain saying about his knee.

Matt had got to his feet and Chris was now at the top of the ramp watching with glee as the elder Hardy got into the ring to help his brother. Matt glared at Chris before helping Trish and the referee get Jeff up to his feet.

Amy grinned at her friend as he joined her backstage. JR and King were thanking the audience for watching and commenting on the state of Jeff Hardy's leg as he hobbled up the back supported by the others.

"You okay man?" Chris frowned as Jeff and the others had now appeared.

Jeff smiled and then winced. "I'll live. Great job out there man."

"I particularly loved Trish's Oscar winning performance as the 'doting girlfriend'" Amy teased.

"You guys wanna get some food before we head back to the hotel?" Matt asked as they made their way back to the locker rooms.

"Sure. Get you in the parking lot?" Trish called as the girls headed towards their locker room.

Alana studied her appearance in mirror – her face devoid of make up, hair scraped up in a bun with her bangs straight. She wore an old black Fred Perry top and short black skirt. RAW was just about finished, Jeff and Chris' match was on. She grinned slightly as she thought back to how good Phil looked when he was cutting his promo. He had cut his hair shorter and sported it slicked back.

He looked so sexy. She felt a tingle down there at the thought of that. This feels weird but a good weird. I feel so nervous. I need to get a grip!

She was cut short by a sharp knocking at the door. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she wandered over to it. You can do this!

"Hi." Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him standing on the porch.

He wore a white t-shirt, dark jeans, a dark grey hoodie and sneakers. He grinned slightly at her.

She looks beautiful. "Hey, I figured I'd leave after my promo." His hands were stuffed in his pockets.

"Come in, do you want a coffee? Pepsi?" Alana stepped aside to let him in. He unzipped his hoodie and sat on the couch.

Phil made to get up. "Pepsi would be great. I can get it?"

She held up a hand stopping him.

"Sit on your arse. I'm quite capable of getting you a can of juice." She walked into the kitchen.

He chuckled. "I still don't get why you don't call it soda. Juice is orange juice…don't think I can't see you giving me the finger." He added as he waited for her to return to the living room.

Alana rolled her eyes as she grabbed the Pepsi for him and finished making herself a cup of tea. She added a hearty spoonful of sugar – for her nerves.

"Do you want a glass or a straw?" She waited in case he needed anything and to calm herself once more.

"Nope. I'm good. Thanks." He yelled in response as she went back to join him.

"Here." She handed it to him. He studied it suspiciously before staring at her.

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't? There's only one way to find out." She grinned wickedly at him.

She tried not to laugh as he hesitantly opened the can but he was soon relived to find that Alana hadn't been mean enough to shake the can before giving it to him.

"How have you been?" He asked after taking a drink. He was sitting at one end of the couch, she sat at the other.

She took a long sip before replying. "Okay, up and down. It hurts how reckless I was and that I'm missing out on the Divas competition." She sighed then set down her tea. "As much as it hurts, I'm a big girl and need to be held responsible for my actions."

Phil nodded. "It's weird not seeing you so much. It's definitely quieter."

She leaned forward and punched his shoulder as he laughed and swatted her hand away. "I didn't invite you here to give me cheek Philip."

"No you did not. I apologise." He cleared his throat and tried to stop the smirk from forming.

She rolled her eyes at him. "Your promo was good tonight, the fans seem to be loving the storyline. Never know you might end up getting drafted to RAW soon."

Phil smiled as he leaned back and looked at her. "Maybe." He smirked once more making her frown. "Although…I don't think I can ever beat your promo back in our developmental days."

He managed to put his can down and avoid the cushion she launched at him.

"Fuck you! Trust you to bring that up at any opportune moment!"

He laughed again. "I can't believe that was over 2 years ago now."

"You're also forgetting… it was the first time I had the misfortune of meeting you." She teased.

2 years earlier.

Alana took a deep breath to compose herself, she had finally made it to the developmental training arena of the WWE.

She had worked hard the last few years and despite only turning 19 last week, she'd grew up within a wrestling family and her dad had finally been accepted to the WWE. He had a few dark matches and had been helping Dave "Fit" Finlay train some of the newest superstars.

She was waiting to film a promo before her match against Maria Kanellis. Maria had been part of the company for a year or so before Alana joined. The blonde Illinois native had become one of her first friends since she joined and was 4 years older than Alana.

Her and Maria had been on screen rivals and had been battling it out for weeks with no end in sight to their feud.

"Okay Alana. Ready in 10?" A stagehand asked her. "Remember after you've finished you're heading down the corridor to your left, don't look back and we'll yell cut to let you know when we're done."

"Great. Thanks for the heads up!" Alana beamed back at him.

They were filming the segment before their match. Alana was standing in her ring attire – a black halter top that showed some cleavage and high waisted black hot pants. She wore black patent ring boots. Her hair was wavy and the tips were dyed a deep red colour.

She was getting ready to film a trash talk filled promo, declaring that she would be showcasing once again why she was the next best thing and Maria would be the one tapping out this week. Maria was angled as more of a face whereas Alana was more neutral – creative were on the fence of where she should be. Alana loved being a fan favourite but also being a bit of a bitch.

She stretched her arm out and took another moment to compose herself before she found herself looking over to a pair of olive eyes.

Wow. Who is that? He must be new. She blushed slightly as he smirked at her. He was older – maybe 4 or 5 years than she was. He was taller than her – over 6ft she'd guess, his hair was dyed with blonde streaks but it was dark brown or black naturally. He had a few tattoos – the Straight Edged one stood out as did the Pepsi one on his arm. He wore long baggy shorts and had a lip ring. He was leaning against the wall looking over at her, he was standing with Dave Finlay, and Adam – a 25 year old Australian wrestler who had recently been working in Japan.

"Son, you'd be best focusing on your own match tonight than staring at Alana." Finlay's chuckle snapped him out of his revive.

So this is the infamous Alana that Ria has been talking about. She's hot.

Alana noticed him look at Dave who was near enough like an uncle to her. She had returned her gaze back to the camera crew.

"Just wanting to see how you guys film a promo…been a while. I feel I'm a bit rusty." Phil responded innocently.

Adam rolled his eyes and grinned. "Your full of shit mate and we both know it."

Dave grinned. "Seriously, I know her Father, besides Alana is only 19 she's got more important things than daft boys in the locker room to be dealing with." He playfully teased before leaving the two men alone.

"Is this the girl Maria was telling you about?" Adam asked as they watched the crew finish the last minute preparations.

"Yep. They're good friends despite the onscreen rivalry. Ria thinks I'll like her. Says she's funny and a bit of a sarcastic asshole like myself."

"Well you heard Finlay, don't be a creep for too much longer we've got match to get ready for remember?" He called none too quietly as he passed Alana on his way back to the locker room area.

Now it was Phil's turn to blush as she has heard what Adam called out. She was the one now smirking over. So Mr Straight edge likes what he sees huh?

I'm going to kill him when I get back! Phil realised he was stuck as the promo was about to begin.

While all this was happening, no one had noticed that the door to the corridor that Alana was due to walk down had been kicked shut. A production guy had accidentally caught the trolley he was carrying in the door.

"Action!"

Maria was waiting at the Gorilla position, next to a monitor she was standing beside John Cena – a 24 year old from Boston who had joined them a year earlier. She wore her blonde hair down and it was poker straight. Her ring attire consisted of a sparkly gold bra top and matching shorts. They had been chatting – well flirting for months but neither of them tough enough to make the first move.

"So…Maria, you got plans for after the show?" John watched in amusement as she blushed at him.

"Nothing exciting so far Johnny…why?" She gained some confidence and got closer to him, twirling a strand of her hair.

"Well…I…" He cleared his throat and attempted to sound more macho. "I was thinking if you'd like to accompany me for some dinner after the show?"

She looked at him from under her lashes and a coy smile appeared on her face. John couldn't believe how beautiful she was. He always thought back to the first time he laid eyes on her almost a year ago now – she was wearing this aqua ring gear and he couldn't stop staring at her. He knew he had to talk to her and he was glad he did. Not only was she beautiful she was funny, kind and humble.

"Are you asking me out Mr Cena?" She purred. Alana's promo had started but she focused on John.

John smirked in response. "Maybe…depends on your answer."

Maria giggled and got closer to him. Her gaze flickered to the monitor and her eyes widened.

John frowned. Okay that doesn't look promising…what is she looking at? He turned and winced as he saw what caused Maria's alarm.

Phil was impressed with Alana's onscreen demeanour – her arrogance was not enough to push her directly towards HeelVille but she wasn't far off. She had this presence as she confidently delivered her lines to Lauren the interviewer.

Her smirk and gaze left the screen for a second as she saw Phil still watching her. She was determined to show off to him. However, as she returned her gaze to the camera, she was unaware he was now frowning at her - he felt as though he was watching a slow motion video. She turned sharply on her heel getting ready to showcase her best bitchy strut and end what she felt was her best promo yet but was caught off guard by the newly shut door she'd just walked face first into.

"Shit!" Phil rushed over to her as the camera was cut off and the crew attended to her.

Alana was now rolling on the floor clutching her face. She had landed on her back and her body shook as she was now half laughing and crying at the pain radiating from her nose.

Please don't be broken, don't let me have lost a tooth!

"Owww." Although through the pain and her extremely busted nose and mouth it sounded more like owwwb.

She sat up slightly and winced as did they all as the noted her bloody nose and lip. Thankfully she was lucky and not broken anything.

"Hey, easy does it now." Phil had crouched down beside her and helped her into a sitting position.

Alana looked over at him as blood poured down her face. Brilliant. Great first impression Alana hen. He's definitely going to want your number now.

"Awb fuckb sakeb." She moaned as someone else applied wads of tissue to stem the bleeding from her face.

Phil chuckled. "Well I gotta admit, that was one heck of a promo. Maria's powers must be improving, she was only at mind reading last week, door closing is a whole different ball game."

Alana laughed but winced through the pain. "You knowb Mariab?"

"We'll get you through to the trainers room in a minute. I think it's safe to say your match won't be happening tonight Alana." A crewmember announced.

She could have kicked herself.

"Hey we've all been there…well maybe not as spectacularly as this." Phil replied grinning as she looked at him. "And yes, I do know Maria. This wasn't how I imagined our first meeting but I'm Phil."

"Phil from Chicago!" Alana replied then stopped herself because it hurt so much.

"Maybe it's best if you don't speak? For the pain?" Although he had to admit her thick Scottish accent was something he looked forward to hearing more of.

"I'm Alana. I'd shake your hand but I guess pouring blood on you is a better alternative."

He laughed slightly at her humour as he helped her up onto her feet. He had narrowly missed getting blood on himself. The floor and tissues had soaked up most of it.

"Oh my god! Alana are you okay?" Maria rushed to the scene with John…

"To think there's no lasting damage to your nose." Phil teased her.

She rolled her eyes. "Well if someone wasn't being a creepy bastard I'd have focused more. I thought I was going to get sacked!"

"I've missed this…I've missed you." He replied softly.

"It's been tough these last few weeks." Alana's eyes never left his.

"It's been shit." He was brutally honest. "I fucked up Alana."

"Phil…"

"No don't give me that…"His tone was a bit harsher than he meant but she didn't say or do anything. "I wasn't thinking straight, I acted like a complete jackass and I hurt you." He finished on a softer tone.

She reached over and took his hand. "I've fucked up too." She struggled to keep it together. "I should have listened to you."

He gently stroked her hand in his. "I can't keep lying to myself anymore Alana."

She swallowed. "Neither can I."

"I thought I wanted to be with Liam, I was attracted to him but now I know that's all it was and I was so stupid." Tears formed and she took her hand from his to wipe her eyes.

He didn't interrupt her, just let her continue.

"When we agreed to the storyline I was worried things would be awkward but they've not been. When we had our first kiss I was so nervous but when it happened…I can't explain it. I felt something and I hadn't felt that with Liam. Then you got with Mickie and I got so jealous, at first I told myself it's because it's you and you're my friend but now when I look at it I realise, I was jealous because I wanted to be Mickie."

"I came to find you after RAW…the night I got with Mickie." He began softly. Her stomach lurched.

"Oh God." She whispered she couldn't look at him.

"I heard raised voices, I thought he was going to hurt you." The anger was clear in Phil's voice. "I had my hand on that door knob, ready to burst through and kick his ass then I heard you say you didn't love me."

Alana brought her attention back to him and he looked hurt. It came flooding back to her. "I didn't even think. I blurted out what he wanted to hear. I am not bullshitting you! I mean it! I felt so weird and he was getting closer and closer and I thought he'd hurt me."

Phil ran a tired hand down his face. "I was so pissed, I wasn't thinking straight and then collided into Mickie."

"The night you two hooked up?" She replied sadly.

He nodded. "I'm not proud of it but I was hurt, I wanted to forget how I felt and I figured I needed to prove to myself that it was just the storyline and that I didn't feel the way I do about you."

"I'm scared Phil…I don't want to lose you, I can't keep lying to myself. I can't be your friend anymore because my feelings have gotten much stronger than that." She didn't even know how she managed to speak now, she felt it was an effort to say those words.

He had moved closer to her now, they were just inches from each other.

"I'm in love with you Alana." He finally said it.

They both looked at each other before her lips were on his. He grinned as did she as he deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap.

Eventually she pulled away and rested her head on his. "I love you too Phil."

He smiled softly at her. "What are we like?"

She giggled kissed him softly this time. "You can spend the night if you want."

"Alana…we don't have to…"

Her eyes widened. "No!" Her face got redder and he bit back a grin. "Not that I don't want to!"

"It's okay…" he chuckled. "I want to too but tonight as soppy as this sounds I just want to be with you. I've missed you."

Neither of them could believe what was happened as they climbed up the stairs and got into Alana's bedroom.

They stripped off, Phil to his boxers and Alana to her bra and pants. "I can put jammies on…"

Rolling his eyes he playfully shoved her. "What and ruin the view?" She blushed. "I promise you, I can wait." He told her truthfully.

They got into bed and he pulled her to him. He brought his lips to hers once more. "G'night Alana." He sleepily mumbled as they pulled away.

"I'm not facing you. You can get to fuck if you think I'm acting like I'm in some Hollywood film." She rolled away so her back was facing him.

He laughed in response. "You just want my dick in your back."

She elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey!" He protested, she stifled a yawn. "I barely touched you. Now… night night Brooksy." She reached over and switched off the light.

"I told you to stop calling me that."

"Yeah well Rome wasn't built in a day."

"You fart on me and you're dead!"

"Wash your mouth out! Ladies do not fart!"

"Yeah well when I see a lady I'll do well to remember that."

"Arsehole."

"Love you too."

Author's note: Don't worry Trish and Jeff will have their heart to heart soon. I really wanted to get this chapter done!

I'm already working on the next chapters. Nearly there guys. Promise.

XXxArwenxXx