Smackdown : 17-10-2002.
Valerie sighed as she listened to the older diva walking next to her.She had been released from the hospital only a day earlier,she already had a match scheduled for that evening and her friend was giving her a hard time about it.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?.I mean don't you need more time off?" Trish asked.
"Trish I'm fine.I'm dying to get back into the ring" Valerie said.
"I know but…" Trish said,trailing off.
"I appreciate your concern but it's really not necessary" Valerie said.
"Does your father know you're wrestling tonight?" Trish asked.
"No and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't…"
Valerie stopped talking when she saw who was standing on the other side of the hall. Valerie's mouth slowly quirked into a smile.
"Your father told you to stay out of it" Trish said.
"I wont tell him if you wont" Valerie said.
Valerie started walking to the woman that was standing there with Trish right behind her.
"Maybe it's not such a good idea to talk to her,Lesnar and Heyman could be around" Trish said.
But Valerie kept on walking.
"I'll take that chance" Valerie muttered.
When they reached Tracy,who was apparently waiting for someone,Valerie stood behind her.
"So you're the bitch that's been bothering my father,huh?" Valerie asked.
Tracy turned around,gasping when she saw Valerie.
"I…I was only telling the truth" Tracy said.
"Yeah,your truth" Valerie sneered.
"Your father has admitted to being with me,he just has the timing wrong that's all" Tracy said in a snooty voice that made Valerie's blood boil.
"Yeah,that has me a little bit stunned,I would have thought my father had better taste" Valerie said in the same snooty voice.
"Are…are you insulting my looks?" Tracy asked incredulously.
"Of course she is" Trish cut in "I mean look at you"
Tracy was at a loss for words so Valerie leaned forward a little so her head was at the same level as hers and said:
"Do us all a favor and admit that you're lying,if you don't…" Valerie said,leaving the sentence unfinished.
Valerie and Trish walked away snickering and Tracy looked frustrated and nervous as she was left behind.
***
Valerie smiled brightly when she saw the blonde man coming her way.Trish had gone back to her lockerroom and Valerie was on her way to her own.Edge smiled back and stood in front of Valerie.
"Hi" Valerie said.
"Hey there,good to see you're back" Edge said gently.
Valerie nodded but didn't say anything.There wasn't a whole lot that needed to be said between them anymore.Edge visited Valerie every day,the whole time she was in the hospital and they grew closer during that time.Valerie sighed happily as she stepped into Edge's embrace and he held her close.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good,very good in fact"
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that" Edge said.
Valerie broke the hug and looked at Edge to see if he meant what he said and when she saw the sincerity in his eyes and the smile on his face,her heart melted and she very nearly cried.
"We're gonna have to take it slow" Valerie said carefully.
Edge nodded.
"You don't mind?" Valerie asked.
"Not one bit" Edge said.
Valerie smiled and hugged Edge again.She felt safe and warm in his arms and she didn't wanna leave them.Little did Valerie know someone was lurking around the corner.
***
Paul Heyman swore under his breath as he entered his protege's lockerroom.He had counted on Valerie leaving Brock and she did and he had counted on her getting hurt and she did,what he hadn't counted on was Edge becoming friendly with Valerie.
Heyman wanted Brock to take care of the Undertaker so there would be nothing stopping Heyman from getting a hold of Valerie but now that Edge was in the picture he'd have to take care of both of them.Brock looked up from where he was sitting and frowned at his manager's expression.
"What's up?" Brock asked.
"Brock…there's something you should know" Heyman said.
Ten seconds later a very loud noise came from Lesnar's lockerroom as Brock destroyed the room.
"That little bitch" Brock yelled "She's mine,all mine"
"Brock,calm down" Heyman said carefully.
"How can I calm down?.That pretty boy Edge is taking what's mine" Brock snapped.
"Not necessarily" Heyman said.
Brock looked confused so Heyman explaned.
"I have a plan,it will take care of Edge quite nicely" Heyman said.
Heyman proceeded to explain his plan to Brock.Brock nodded,happy with what Heyman had thought of but before he left he turned to Heyman.
"She belongs to me and nobody else will have her" Brock whispered in a dangerously low voice.
Heyman nodded but couldn't quite suppress a smirk as he watched Brock leave.We'll see who has her when all is said and done,he thought.
***
Valerie smiled as she made her way to the curtains.It was time for her match.
"Joyful" a gruff Texan accented voice called.
Valerie cringed and turned around to see her father walking to her.
"What are you doing wearing your wrestling gear?" Taker asked.
"Ehm…practising my walk to the curtains?" Valerie tried.
Just then a stagehand came walking to Valerie.
"Valerie,you're up next" the stagehand said.
Valerie cringed again when she heard this and looked up at her father.
"Dad…" Valerie said.
"You're not wrestling" her father simply stated.
"Dad,I have to" Valerie said.
"Too bad,you're not wrestling" Taker said.
"No dad,really I have to.Stephanie made this match and I have to wrestle it or I'll be suspended" Valerie lied.
"You expect me to believe that?" Taker asked.
"Not really" Valerie muttered.
"Go back to your lockerroom,I'll have the match cancelled" Taker said.
"Valerie,come on" the stagehand called.
"You can't have my match cancelled,I'll lose my credibility" Valerie said.
Taker frowned and Valerie gawked at him.
"Oh thank you,that's exactly what I needed" Valerie said.
"That's not what I meant and you know it.You were released from hospital yesterday,you're not going to lose your credibility by cancelling this match" Taker said.
"Valerie,you're…" the stagehand said.
"Shut up" both Taker and Valerie yelled.
"Dad,I'm wrestling this match" Valerie said firmly and with that said she walked to the curtains.