Smackdown : 17-10-2002 Continuation.
Valerie walked out when her music cued and basked in the cheers of the fans.She stepped into the ring as Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler commented.
"What shape is Valerie Calloway in after being viciously attacked by Brock Lesnar only one week ago?" J.R questioned.
"I think she's in great shape,look at those legs" the King enthused.
"I was talking about her health,King" J.R said.
"What?.Yeah so was I" the King said.
"Well,in any event…Valerie will be taking on Jacqueline for the number one contendership. Remember folks,last week Valerie took on Victoria but the match ended in disqualification thanks to Brock Lesnar,so Valerie will once again have to fight for a shot at the title" J.R said.
"It's not fair J.R,beautiful women like Valerie shouldn't be attacked by guys like Brock Lesnar" the King said.
"I agree with you wholeheartedly,King" J.R said.
Valerie waited for Jacqueline to come out.Jacqueline came out and stepped into the ring,taking her hat and jacket off while walking to Valerie.
"My Texan sister,are you ready for a fight?" Jacqueline said.
"I'm always ready for a fight" Valerie said,smiling.
The bell rang and the match started.The match was short but all the more violent.Jacqueline and Valerie liked eachother but they both wanted a shot at the WWE Women's title so they were going all out.Valerie's shoulder landed against the top turnbuckle at one point during the match and Valerie cursed as she felt the throbbing pain shoot through her shoulder and straight through her spine.
She clenched her teeth to keep herself from crying out,she didn't want Jacqueline to know about the weakness but Jacqueline had seen it,she had seen the pained look on Valerie's face so she took advantage of it and started working over her sore shoulder.Jacqueline locked Valerie in a shoulder submission move and it took Valerie everything she had not to tap out.The referee kept asking her if she gave up and she had to stop herself from hitting him.
Just as Valerie was about to tap out,somebody grabbed hold of Jacqueline's foot and pulled her away from Valerie.Jacqueline whirled around in fury and saw Paul Heyman standing there with a big smile on his face.While Jacqueline went to confront Heyman,Lesnar snuck up behind Jacqueline.
Lesnar easily knocked Jacqueline down and threw her back into the ring.Valerie painfully lift her head and saw Jacqueline laying there.Not in any mood to question a lucky break,she covered Jacqueline and got the pin.She was just about ready to pass out when she heard a voice above her saying:
"My,my pretty Valerie,all worn out"
Valerie tried to clear her blurry vision but found that she couldn't and the hand that plunged into her hair and pulled her up came as a big surprise.She felt herself being held up in front of somebody and cringed when she felt fingers trace her jawbone and neckline.She could hear the fans cheer loudly as someone came running to the ring.
"I'll be seeing you real soon,Valerie" the voice said again.
Suddenly she felt herself getting picked up and thrown into the air into somebody's arms.The arms were strong and soft and somehow familiar.Valerie passed out immediately after.When she woke up she was in the back on a soft sofa,her father hovering over her,concern etched into his features.
"Hey babygirl" Taker said smiling.
Valerie smiled a little but immediately winced when she moved her arm.
"Try not to move your arm,you bruised your shoulder pretty bad" Taker said.
"No kidding" Valerie snapped.
Taker raised an eyebrow and Valerie sighed.
"I'm sorry,I didn't mean to bite" Valerie said.
Taker stroked some of her hair from her face and smiled.
"That's alright" Taker said.
"Can you help me up?" Valerie asked.
Taker nodded and helped Valerie sit up,being careful not to touch her shoulder.
"What on earth happened out there?" Valerie asked.
"That's what I'd like to know" a voice said from the doorway.
Jacqueline came walking into the room,she didn't look pissed,she looked disappointed.
"Val,all's fair in love and war but what happened out there was way out of line" Jacqueline said.
"I don't even know what happened" Valerie said.
Valerie turned to her father and so did Jacqueline.
"What did happen?" Jacqueline asked Taker.
Taker ignored Jacqueline and looked at his daughter.
"Paul Heyman interfered in your match,Brock Lesnar took your opponent out and you won" Taker said.
"They helped me?.What for?" Valerie asked.
Taker shrugged and Valerie thought for a moment.
"I remember being grabbed and thrown to someone.Did you catch me?" Valerie asked Taker.
"No,that was Edge actually.I was right behind him" Taker said.
"Where is Edge?" Valerie asked frantically.
Taker didn't answer and Valerie's eyes widened.
"Where's Edge?" Valerie asked again,practically yelling.
"I don't know" Taker said.
When Taker still didn't answer Valerie went to get off the sofa but Taker stopped her and gently pushed her back.
"You're hurt,you need your rest" Taker said.
"I need to find Edge" Valerie said,tears glistening in her eyes.
"I'm right here" another voice said from the doorway.
Edge walked in and Valerie burst into tears when she saw he was limping.He sat down next to her and hugged her gently.Edge told Valerie the full story,he told her that he and Taker had taken on Brock Lesnar until Lesnar had received help from the Big Show and Chris Benoit.Valerie swallowed hard when she heard this,none of these men liked eachother but they all had a bone to pick with Valerie.He told her that he and Taker had received help from Rey Mysterio and surprisingly Kurt Angle.Edge got hurt during the fight but he assured Valerie that he would be fine.After she had been told all this she agreed to go see a doctor.
A doctor examined Valerie's shoulder and told her that it wasn't broken but it was bruised and she needed to take it easy for atleast a couple of weeks.Valerie wasn't happy with the news but she knew that she wouldn't be getting her title-shot for a while anyway so she accepted it.The doctor gave her some painkillers and told her she was lucky that she wouldn't be out for months.
Valerie didn't feel very lucky but she nodded anyway.After the show Edge and Valerie went back to the hotel together.They weren't sharing a room just yet but they did always make sure their rooms were close to eachother.
***
That night around 11pm Valerie left the hotel to go for a walk.Her arm was in a sling and it still hurt alot but she needed to clear her head.After walking for a while she ended up in front of the hotel again.She sat down on a bench and sighed deeply as she looked at the stars,unshed tears stinging her eyes.
So many things had happened over the past weeks and although all of it had been difficult,Brock's attack in the lockerroom had been the worst.She had known that it was well and truly over between them when Brock threatened Sara but she had never expected Brock to attack her the way he did.
Valerie automatically brought her hand to her throat as she thought of the attack.It hurt to have her throat almost crushed by his strong hand but what had hurt even more was the cruelty that she had seen in his eyes as he choked her,he had actually intended to cripple her and it hurt more than anything else.
He had been so sweet to her when they were together and it made her wonder…Valerie jumped up when she heard something behind her and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Edge standing there with a look of concern on his face.Valerie sat down again.
"Are you okay?" Edge asked sitting down next to her.
Valerie heaved a trembling sigh and shook her head.Edge put his arm around Valerie and gently pulled her into his arms.Valerie buried her face in his shirt and breathed in his scent.Gosh,he does smell good.
"Talk to me,tell me what's on your mind" Edge said stroking her hair.
Valerie was silent for a while until she gathered all her courage and said:
"All this stuff with Brock is making me wonder.Was it all an act?.The way he held me and told me he loved me?.The way he…made love to me.Was I a fool to think he loved me?.That anyone could ever love me?"
"Hey" Edge said as he held Valerie as she cried "That's not true,you know that.There are plenty of people that love you,your father,your mother,your stepmother…me"
Valerie broke the hug and looked Edge in the eyes.
"I love you too" Valerie said "And you know what?"
Edge shook his head and Valerie took a deep breath.
"I think I'm falling in love with you as well" Valerie said.
Edge's eyes radiated affection and love and it made Valerie wanna cry of joy.Their lips approached and then met.Their kiss was sweet and long and it said more than words ever could.It spoke of their love,of their trust and their future…together.
A/N : Forgive me if this chapter is a little confusing.Please review and tell me what you think.