email: tempest@thatbitch.com

disclaimer: I don't own any person or personas recognizable from the WWFE. They are owned by Vince McMahon and Titan Sports. No money is made off this, no copyright infringement intended.

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7.

She walked sadly backstage with Shane, she knew what was about happen. She was about to get seriously scolded for what just happened in the ring. He never did more than push her around a little, but she was afraid that one day he might push her around too much. When she tried to fight him back, he threatened physical harm to her and everyone she was close to. Shane gripped her arm roughly. To anyone else, it would look like he was just leading her away by holding her arm, but in actuality he was hurting her.

"That hurts, Shane." She said trying to wrench her arm away from him, but he held his grip.

"Shut up, and stop trying to cause a scene. You know this is all your fault." Shane muttered in her ear. Molly tried to fight back her tears as he led her to their dressing room. He pushed her roughly into the room when he opened the door.

"Why do you always have to be so mean to me, Shane? I don't ever do anything to you, I always do what you tell me, and you always threatened to hurt me." Molly cried, scrambling away from Shane.

"Molly is just so innocent? Isn't she? You cost me my match. Instead of getting in the ring and getting that red headed bitch and her hillbilly boyfriend off of me, you do what? Stand there like some fucking moron." Shane yelled at her.

Molly winced at his words, they hurt her deeply. She hadn't meant to stand there torpid while Shane got beat. Shane should know that she would have done anything to help. Her mind had been filled with thoughts of her 'lover', he had been on her mind most of the day. She had spent a little time with him earlier that day. They had went for a walk in the park. He had actually hand-picked her some flowers and bought her ice cream while they were there. How was she suppose to give that up? He made her feel special. Who would she be without him?

She was the one who had chosen to play the game. Now, she had to go through with it. She wasn't so sure she wanted to do this anymore. She didn't want to use someone for her own selfish gain. What if this person really fell in love with her? What was she suppose to do then? What if she fell in love with this other person? What if he chose Lita or Trish over her? In her book, they had a lot more to offer him than she did. There were so many questions running around in her head at that moment. She was holding in so many fears about the whole thing.

"You're zoning out, again. Do you need to see an EMT? Maybe, there's something wrong with you." Shane continued shaking her shoulder. She focused her eyes on him, again. Did she detect a note of worry in his eyes?

"No, I'm okay. I've just got a lot on my mind." Molly said.

"You need to learn to leave your personal life at the door when you enter the arena." Shane said his face filling with anger once again. That was the first sound piece of advice that Shane had ever given her since they had became a team. She needed to learn to stop wearing her heart on her sleeve, she needed to toughen her skin against the world. That wasn't who she was though. She couldn't help that she didn't have a really cruel bone in her body. Sure, she had done some mean things in her time, but she had always regretted them afterwards. She was too compassionate.

"You're right, Shane."

"Don't try to humor me to get me off your case."

"No, I'm serious. You're right. I let things get to me too easily." Molly insisted.

Shane looked at her rather shocked. "Okay, that's the first time you've ever said I was right. Hell must have frozen over, I need a drink."

Shane picked up his duffle bag and headed out the room leaving Molly alone. Molly started to pick up various things that were scattered about the room. She placed Shane's comic books neatly in a stack. He would kill her if she left those there. Why he never took them himself was beyond her. She heard the door to the dressing room opened. She looked hopefully at the door, was it him? Instead, Lita walked in. Her eyes were a little puffy. Had she been crying.

"Sorry for not knocking. I saw Helms head out, and I figured you were here by yourself." Lita explained. Molly didn't say anything as she continued to pick up things from around the room. Lita started helping her. "I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to worry about me anymore. I broke it off with him."

Molly paused and looked at Lita. Had she heard correctly?

"I told him that we didn't deserve this. He was making us hate each other, and in the process I lost a very good friend." Lita continued. She looked away from Molly shyly.

"Lita -" Molly started.

"No, listen, Moll." Molly smiled a little. Lita just called her by her pet name. She couldn't remember the last time Lita had used that. "I want us to be friend despite him. We were friends before him, and I know it's going to take a little time for us to build our friendship back up, but I'm up for the challenge if you are. If he ultimately chooses you, it'll be hard. No guy is worth more than our friendship. I also noticed how unhappy you were at ringside, and I wanted to say if you ever want to talk I'm here. That's all I wanted to say. We can talk about this more later. Right now, I'm going bowling with Rob."

Lita turned and retreated towards the door. Molly didn't know what to say. She couldn't believe this was really happening, it was like a dream. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure it was real.

"I hate Shane because he hurts me." Molly said. Lita turned to look at Molly.

"What?"

"I said I hate Shane because he hurts me." Molly repeated. Had she just used the word hate? "I never told anyone, but him. Shane isn't the person he makes himself out to be."

"Hold that thought one second." Lita said as she exited through the door, a few moments later she reappeared. "Tell me about it."

Molly went through basically the same story she had told him. She told Lita about how Shane threatened her, how he sometimes pushed her around. Lita comforted her. Molly didn't know why she hadn't went to Lita in the beginning. They probably would have avoided a lot of tension. Lita was a good friend to her, she would have understood. After their talk, they shared a hug.

"I can't keep Rob waiting. Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Lita asked. She had asked Molly if she wanted to come with them to get her mind off everything that was going on.

"I'm sure. I just want to be alone." Molly replied.

"Catch up later? You can come sleep in my room like old times." Lita smiled.

"I would love nothing more." Molly said.

Lita gave her a wide smile and walked out the room. Molly felt a piece of her return that had been voided for so long. She had missed Lita's friendship. Who knew reforming old bonds would make her feel so much better? The door to her locker room opened again. This time it was him. She didn't say anything as he walked over to her. He kissed her sweetly on the cheek.

"Molly, do you want to spend a little time together?" He asked hopefully.

Molly took in a deep breath. The next words she spoke were even a shock to herself. "No, I want to be alone to think."

"Are you sure?" He said his eyes wide.

"Yes, I have a lot on my mind. We'll have to get together another time." Molly said sternly. He nodded and offered her a weak goodbye. Molly felt proud of herself. She had told him no, she hadn't given in to him like she had feared earlier.

It was a small victory for her, but it felt good. Molly congratulated herself. She locked the dressing room door and changed her clothing. She was tired of being Mighty Molly, she wanted to be just Molly for a change. She threw on a pair of favorite jeans and a big oversized shirt. She secured her hair in a ponytail. She was going to relax for a change, and not worry about him, Shane, or anyone else. She stuffed everything in her bag except her tiara. She didn't want it getting broken. She walked out the dressing room. She walked confidently up the corridor. Jeff came speeding down the hallway. He bumped into Molly causing her to drop her bag and tiara. Jeff picked up her bag.

"Sorry, Molly. I'm in a big hurry. " Jeff apologized and continued down the hall. Molly muttered to herself, and turned to pick up her tiara. Her hand covered another hand at the same time when she tried to pick up her tiara.

"I've got that." Raven said picking up her tiara, dusting it off and handing it back to her. Molly smiled up at him.

"Thanks." Molly said. She had a history with Raven, but lately had been nothing but nice to her. She didn't see him hanging around with big groups of people, he was more of a loner. He didn't have a big ego, and he wasn't a jerk. He was smarter than the average wrestler, and he was more than a little cute.

"Where ya headed?" Raven asked.

"Back to the hotel to relax."

"That's just where I was going. Want to ride with me? We could relax together, if you want. Totally platonic, I know you have a boyfriend. Scout's honor." Raven said raising 2 fingers up. Raven seemed more cheerful than usual. She wasn't going to question his good mood, though. She was just glad to see it.

"Sure, that sounds like fun." Molly said. They walked the rest of the way down the hallway, chatting like they were old friends. When the came to the exit, Raven opened the door for her and bowed.

"Milady." He said in a bad British accent. Molly laughed and walked out the door, Raven carried her bag for her. Molly was finding him Raven charming, she had already forgotten about the troubles with Shane and her 'boyfriend'.

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author's notes: Yeah, well now you know the mystery wrestler isn't Raven. Sorry, for all you people who were hoping it was him. Or is this a good thing? *thinks* I guess it all depends on you the reader. :) I'm really narrowing down for ya! You know the routine, I will fix all mistakes later.