"Thanks… but I could have handled him myself". Mickie didn't need a man to protect her. Not from Miz or anyone else. "I know you can look out for yourself" he said starting to walk away. "You're looking good, by the way". He smirked before walking off. He had definitely checked her out. She didn't know how to feel about that. She could also appreciate him standing up for her.

Who knew what Miz might have done if he hadn't helped her. Not that she needed help. Brian had acknowledged, he knew she could look out for herself. She hoped he meant that. She was flattered he had helped her. He was a hot guy though she never thought of that before. He looked a little like Kurt Cobain. Not really her style of music but still. She would have a story for the girls.

He had protected her even though she hated being protected. It was romantic. She chuckled to herself as she headed to the lockerroom. Checking her phone she saw a message from Natayla. "Mickie, you were amazing in the Diva Rumble last night! Even though I gave you a tiny bit of help, you were just incredible! I really hope we can team up some time, so I can learn more from being in the ring with you". Mickie smiled as she loved being a mentor to the other women.

Mickie was informed she and Brian would be in a mixed tag match against Miz and Beth. She hadn't had to face Beth since she took the title. Correction when she won the title. Beth would no doubt be itching to meet her in the ring. Mickie felt the same. She was ready to mix it up with her once more. She defeated her once and she would do it again. She needed to show her title win was no fluke. No better place to do it than Monday night Raw. Her first since becoming womens champion.

She hadn't been in the ring with Miz before. She was looking forward to making him lose. Then there was the fact she was teaming with Brian. The hot guy who just protected her. She was a little nervous at that idea. But knew he was an incredible wreslter. Because of nerves she didn't bother to speak with him. Prefering to just do the tag match. She was sure they would be fine and would walk away with the victory.

Mickie came out for the match and felt the crowd's energy. Beth had the same focused look on her face as she stared Mickie down. She paid no mind and finished her entrance. Miz was smirking at her like he thought there was no way she could win. Hadn't he seen her last two matches? No probably not. To busy looking at himself or flirting most likely. Brain came out and she had to admit he was hot. Though he looked a little arrogant but that was part of the entrance.

As mix tag rules Mickie and Beth would start things off. She wouldn't have to worry about having to mix it up with Miz. If she were being honest she would like to get a few punches and kicks in. "Its Mickie and Kendrick vs Beth and Miz. Its like beauty and the beast" Cole commented. "Which ones which Cole"? King asked as they focused on the match. Mickie waisted no time in showing Beth why she was champion. The crowd chanted for her as she knocked Beth out of the ring.

She took a moment to show boat before getting back to business. "Things are clicking for Mickie and Kendrick" Cole said. "I wasn't sure about this pairing but these two are working well together" Jerry said. Mickie hit Beth with the finisher and went for the pin. Miz ran up and pulled her off interrupting the count. "Hey I had that and you knew it" Mickie said at him angrily. "No Mickie your going to lose because you're a loser and you don't belong here".

Mickie wanted to rip him apart but she needed to keep her eyes on Beth hit her from behind and began manhandling her. She elbowed her getting enough distance to tag in Brian. He and the Miz mixed it up before Miz tagged back in Beth. Mickie came in and hit her with the chick kick for the win. She and Brian held each other's hands up and hugged. She felt electricity or at least thought she did. They did well in their match. She couldn't help but blush a little at the thought of him touching her.

The next week Mickie had heard that Michelle Mccool was going to challenge her to a match. She was always ready for the competition. She checked her phone and squealed with delight. She had a voicemail from Brian. "Mickie, we made a great team last week and I just wanted to say thank you. I know this great little Italian restaurant in downtown buffalo. How about we grab some salad and pasta after tonight's show? Let me know". Mickie couldn't believe he asked her on a date.

She smiled as she thought to herself. It looks like I have a date tonight! I should end this match with Michelle quickly so I can go get ready. She sent Brian a voicemail confirming their date for tonight. She went out and fought Michelle. It was a hard fought victory but she won the match with her finisher. She managed to do so in under three minutes. Which was good as she wanted to prove herself as the best diva and as champion. That and she wanted to get ready for her date.

She was nervous and excited as they headed to the restaurant. It was fancier than she expected but that was okay. He was the perfect gentlemen. The pasta and salad was as good as he said it was. She found herself telling him all about her life. She was afraid he would be annoyed but he wasn't. He was attentive and listened to all she had to say with interest. He genuinely wanted to know about her and her life. She had never had someone like that before. Especially a guy.

He told her about his childhood as the eldest of three children. He also talked about how he washed dishes in a pizza parlor to save up the money for wrestling school. "Wow you really wanted to be a wrestler" she said but felt dumb. Of course he wanted to be a wrestler. "Yeah it's always been a dream of mine. I am living that dream now". "Yeah me too". "I feel bad I didn't notice you before. I mean I knew who you were but hadn't talked to you before.

I wish I had. Least I did now. I hadn't noticed how pretty you were". "Thank you" she said blushing. "I actually can't believe I hadn't talked to you before". "Well I am so glad we changed that". He reached over and put his hand over hers. "I know this is the first date. But I would love to start seeing each other exclusively. If you want to at least".

"I would love to" she said. "So I what made you want to be a wrestler"? "I was a huge fan of wrestling growing up. A friend told me I had to go to this professional wrestling school. The rest is history". "Wow that's amazing were kind of alike". "Yeah we are". "So I don't want to bring up things that don't matter. But when I saw you and Miz together in the hallway and he was bothering you. What was that about"? "Umm I really don't know exactly to be honest" she said rolling her eyes.

"I have never liked Miz and he has never liked me". "Yeah who has liked Miz" Kendrick commented. "Yeah seriously. Well anyway I came out during the diva's swimsuit competition. Looking back I probably shouldn't have. It could have gotten me in a lot of trouble. Normally I ignore things like that. But the fact I don't like Miz to begin with and him hosting it made me mad. Then he said the divas were just good for eye candy. I couldn't take it and I went out there.

He seems to have this crush on Maryse so she came out there. I left her laying and I think it made him mad. Anyway he accused me of trying to upstage him. Which I wasn't really trying to do". "Yeah I heard him say that part. I cant handle guys being rude to women no matter what. When he got angrier I stayed by to make sure nothing happened. Couldn't live with myself if something did. When I saw him coming up to you I had to step in. Hope you didn't mind".

"No its okay. I am actually glad you did. I mean I think I could have handled him but who's to say" She shrugged "I might have been a little scared. So I'm happy. Thank you for doing that for me. You didn't have to". "Really I did". She smiled at his confession. He was such a great guy. They enjoyed their dinner and he walked her back to the hotel. "I know we said we were official. But I still hope we can do this again sometime". "We can". He kissed her just lightly before telling her goodnight. She squealed once she was safely behind her closed door.

She never squealed and this guy had her doing it twice. The next morning he came to her room and they grabbed breakfast in the hotel lobby together. They trained and worked out and texted each other. She finally set down with Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, and Gail Kim. "He really is great" she said finishing up her story about him. They had spent the week together before he did another show separate from her. She just now had the opportunity to tell the girls.

"That's so sweet he protected you. Miz is such a jerk" Eve commented. "He really is a cute guy". Kelly pursed her lips. "Mickie I don't want to ruin anything or accuse him of anything. He certainly sounds nice and he is cute. But I have heard a lot of bad things about him. They say he's arrogant and a little crazy". "Yeah see I didn't see a bit of that. He has been so wonderful" Mickie said. "People can change" Gail offered. "Besides maybe he liked her so much it changed him.

"Maybe well I am happy for you Mick" Kelly said smiling. "Thanks Kells". Kelly wanted to be happy for her friend. Kendrick could be a good guy. It really wasn't fair for her to judge him. If he made Mickie happy then that was great. And who wouldn't change for Mickie? She was beautiful, smart, talented, and fun. She shouldn't be so selfish. Instead she should be happy for Mickie.

Life was sweet for Mickie. She was women's champion and she had an attractive boyfriend. She felt happier than she had in a long time. She also had wonderful friends who supported her and she was living her dream. She felt sure she could change how the divas division was viewed.