A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing! Ashley, isn't suspense a good thing? lol. Also, in this chapter I mention Ryan's brother Travis. The real life Travis Hafner is a player for my favorite baseball team, the Cleveland Indians, and that will be a little important towards the end of the story. He won't be mentioned alot in this story, but I wanted you to have a little background info. And in my fantasy world, John Cena has a T-Shirt :)
**********
Sam and Ryan sat quietly, each typing at their computers. Ryan sat back in her chair and sighed. "Please tell me it is time for lunch or something."
Sam looked down at her watch. "12:15. I'd say we can go." Ryan locked the door behind them and they walked back down to the ring area.
"I want to let John know that we're leaving, then I can go." John and Shane were standing in the group of wrestlers all hanging around the ring. Ryan walked over to John, and Sam went to Shane.
"We're going to get some lunch."
Shane nodded. "Have fun."
"We will." Ryan said goodbye to John, and she and Sam walked out to the parking garage. When they got in the car, Ryan turned to Sam.
"Did something change between you and Shane, Sam?"
"No, Ryan. Why would anything change?"
She shrugged. "I don't know, it was just the way he looked at you."
Sam sighed as they got out of the car at Subway. "Nothing is different. We are just friends. You and Steph are ganging up on me today."
Ryan laughed. "She said something too?"
"Yep." They ordered and sat down with their food. "So, how are things going with you and John?"
"Fabulous, as if you had to ask." They both giggled. Sam really didn't need to ask. John and Ryan had been together since high school, and Ryan was technically a part of John's family. His parents were Ryan and her brother Travis's godparents, so when their parents died in a plane crash they moved in with the Cena's.
"I didn't, but thought I would anyway."
Ryan paused a moment before approaching the next subject. "So, I um...heard about David. And apparently, " she indicated Sam's eye," I see about David too."
Sam made a face. "The more I think about it, the more I wonder what I ever saw in him. I need a guy more like...I don't know..."
"Like Shane?" Ryan supplied. Sam opened her mouth to object and Ryan rushed to continue. "I just mean that Shane is such a good guy, Sam."
Sam looked down at her hands. "I know he is Ry. Stephanie said something this morning that really made me think. She said 'You guys are happier than a lot of couples I know.' It made me wonder. I am so happy with Shane, but will I ever find the guy that I am supposed to spend the rest of my life with?" She shook her head. "I fall asleep in Shane's arms, I wake up in them. Shane is the one I watch sappy movies with, the one I can complain about my period to, the one-"
"I get the point Sam."
She blushed. "Sorry, but you know what I mean?"
"Yes I do. I am very lucky. I found that guy in John. Are you sure that Shane isn't the one?"
**********
After lunch, Ryan and Sam went back to the arena. The ride was a quiet one, Sam thinking about what Ryan had said, and Ryan knowing she needed to talk to Amy. Maybe they could give the two a push in the right direction.
"Back to the grind," Sam groaned as they walked inside.
"Actually, I'm gonna go look for someone. I'll be back soon." Ryan turned and walked down the hall looking for Amy. She spotted her outside the guys' locker room. "Amy?"
Amy looked up. "Hey, Ry, what's going on?"
"Not too much. Can you talk for a sec?"
"Sure." They walked over to a bench. "What's up?"
"Have you talked to Shane about Sam recently?"
"A little bit. Why?"
Ryan glanced around to make sure they were alone. "Do you think that there is anything going on between them?"
Amy nodded. "I think there should be and that there will be." She told Ryan about Shane's reaction at the pool yesterday.
"Shane's a jealous guy, huh?"
Amy smiled and nodded again. "But jealousy is a good thing. Ssshhh, here comes Sam." She looked at Sam, who was walking down the hall. "Hey."
"Hey guys. You are never going to guess who just called me."
Ryan and Amy looked at each other, and Ryan answered. "Who?"
"Randy. He wants me to go out with him after the show Saturday."
Amy's jaw dropped. "As in a date?"
"Yeah."
"But I thought you weren't interested in him like that?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, he is pretty hot. And he's a nice guy. I think it will be fun."
"I'm sure it will be." Amy and Ryan exchanged a look as Sam went on down the hallway.
Amy sighed. "Shane is not going to like this."
**********
The show was about to start when Stephanie asked Ryan and Sam if they wanted to sit in the audience. "If you guys wanted to do that, you could gauge the fans' reaction to everything for us."
"What about keeping the brands separate??" Sam asked
"Cole and Tazz can say something on air, and if someone asks, you can say whatever you want really." They giggled, and took the tickets from Stephanie. "Have a good time."
Sam looked down at her outfit. "I think we need to go change."
Ryan gave her a wicked smile. "Oh yeah."
**********
"Welcome to Smackdown! I am Michael Cole alongside Tazz, and we are broadcasting tonight from Dallas, Texas."
"Yeah, Cole, tonight is gonna be a good one. Hey, isn't that RAW's Samantha Hardy sitting alongside Smackdown agent Ryan Hafner?"
"I think it is Tazz. And do I even want to know what they are wearing?"
"I don't think so, Cole." The camera panned to Sam and Ryan. They waved. Sam had on a Version 1 shirt and a pair of Matt's purple and gold ring pants. She borrowed one of John's hats, and added her Hardy Boyz Ball and Chain Pendant to complete the look. Ryan was wearing her 'Here Comes the Pain' baseball cap, John's new 'Thuganomics 101' shirt, a pair of pink plastic pants (think like Torrie's in ring gear), and slip on sandals. Both were wearing feather boas. They made an interesting pair sitting ringside.
"Whatever they want to do, I guess. On to the first match. Tonight we have Matt Hardy taking on Brian Kendrick..." Sam and Ryan started laughing as soon as the camera was away from them.
**********
Walking backstage after the taping, Sam and Ryan were greeted by Brock Lesnar. "Nice outfits, ladies."
"Gee, thanks Brock. Next time I'll wear one of your shirts." Sam said. Brock grinned. "Oh, Brock? Wear your white pants next week, you'll make some girls happy."
He laughed. "OK Sam." He continued walking. They went into the women's locker room to change, and walked out to find both John and Shane waiting for them.
John asked, "You guys wanna come out with us? There's a karaoke bar that some of the guys are going to."
Sam and Ryan looked at each other. Ryan nodded. "That sounds like fun. Are Matt and Amy going?
John nodded. "Matt took our car, and we're going to ride with you." They got into the car and drove to the almost empty club.
Sam looked around the parking lot. "Wow, not many people. Maybe I'll actually sing." Ryan laughed.
"You, sing in front of people. Yeah, right." Sam stuck out her tongue.
"Its not like you sing either."
Shane opened his door and got out. "Alright, children. Can we go in now?"
Walking in, John spotted Matt and Amy sitting with Shannon Moore and his wife Crystal near the stage. They passed a few other wrestlers on their way up front. The waitress came over sand sat down some drinks.
"We ordered Cokes, figuring that was fine." Shannon said.
"That's fine Shannie, thanks." Sam said,and turned to Crystal. "So, I didn't get to ask earlier. How are you feeling?" Crystal was 3 months pregnant with her and Shannon's first child.
She smiled. "I'm feeling good, Sam, thanks. How are you?"
"I'm doing good. I'm actually going out with-" They were interrupted by Shane getting up onstage. He grabbed the microphone and faced the crowd.
"Just so everyone knows, I'm only singing this song because Sam has been bugging me too since she caught me doing it last week." He smiled at her as the music began. It was 'I'll Be', by Edwin McCain. Sam had caught him listening to the American Idol CD last week, and this was one of her favorite songs on it. When he finished, he said, "OK, since I did 'American Idol', someone else has to." Sam stood.
"If I can do Kelly Clarkson, then I will." She found it in the book, gave the number to the man running the machine, and took the microphone from Shane. She sang 'Before Your Love.' She finished, and everyine started clapping. Amy yelled to the stage.
"Much better than Shane, Sam." Sam just laughed and sat down. Shane nudged her with his shoulder.
"Nice choice, Sam."
She smiled. "Thanks Shane." She turned to watch Crystal, who had started singing 'Fallin,' by Alicia Keys. Sam was unaware that Shane was still looking at her. He just couldn't tear his eyes away, until Amy tapped him on the shoulder.
"Problem, Shane?"
He shook his head. "No, Amers."
She sighed inwardly and thought, 'No problem yet, Shane.'
**********
Sam yawned and leaned her head against Shane's shoulder. "That was fun." After karaoking for an hour or so, they had went back to the hotel with Matt and Amy to pack. Matt had suddenly (sudden to Amy and Sam anyways) changed his mind, and decided to go to California with them, so they were all on the flight headed for Los Angeles.
"Yeah, it was." They both fell asleep in a matter of minutes, and were awoken by the pilot over the loudspeaker.
"We will be landing at LAX in approxomatley 15 minutes." Sam sat up and stretched.
"Seems like I just fell asleep."
Shane was rubbing his eyes. "Tell me about it. How far is the hotel from here?"
"I think about 10 minutes." She looked at Matt and Amy across the aisle. "Who's driving?"
Amy volunteered. "I will."
They made it through baggage claim and renting the car fairly quickly. They loaded their luggage into the car and made the quick trip to the hotel. They checked in and went to their rooms. Sam did nothing more than drop her luggage before falling on the bed. Shane locked the door and turned to talk to her, but she was already asleep. He set the alarm and lay down next to her.
**********
Shane tossed and turned through most of the night, before it hit him. He had to go talk to Amy. Looking at the alarm clock, he saw that it was around 7 in the morning. Sam was still sleeping, so he threw on a shirt, grabbed his keycard, and went down to the lobby to pick up some coffee. He walked back upstairs and knocked on the door, and a grumpy Matt answered.
"Dude, I actually get to sleep in. What is your problem?"
"I need to talk to Amy." Matt sighed and pulled the door open further.
"Amy?" She groaned. "Amy, Shane says he needs to talk to you."
"Ugh, fine." Matt went to take a shower, and Amy sat up. She took the coffee he offered. "What's going on Shane."
"You told me to let you know when I figured it out."
She vaguely remembered telling him that at the pool in Houston. "Uhhuh."
He took a deep breath. "Well, I did."
"And?"
"I'm in love with her."
**********
A/N: Of course that had to be the cliffhanger! Shane will explain more about how he figured it out in the next chapter!
As always, please R&R! Thanks!
Lisa
**********
Sam and Ryan sat quietly, each typing at their computers. Ryan sat back in her chair and sighed. "Please tell me it is time for lunch or something."
Sam looked down at her watch. "12:15. I'd say we can go." Ryan locked the door behind them and they walked back down to the ring area.
"I want to let John know that we're leaving, then I can go." John and Shane were standing in the group of wrestlers all hanging around the ring. Ryan walked over to John, and Sam went to Shane.
"We're going to get some lunch."
Shane nodded. "Have fun."
"We will." Ryan said goodbye to John, and she and Sam walked out to the parking garage. When they got in the car, Ryan turned to Sam.
"Did something change between you and Shane, Sam?"
"No, Ryan. Why would anything change?"
She shrugged. "I don't know, it was just the way he looked at you."
Sam sighed as they got out of the car at Subway. "Nothing is different. We are just friends. You and Steph are ganging up on me today."
Ryan laughed. "She said something too?"
"Yep." They ordered and sat down with their food. "So, how are things going with you and John?"
"Fabulous, as if you had to ask." They both giggled. Sam really didn't need to ask. John and Ryan had been together since high school, and Ryan was technically a part of John's family. His parents were Ryan and her brother Travis's godparents, so when their parents died in a plane crash they moved in with the Cena's.
"I didn't, but thought I would anyway."
Ryan paused a moment before approaching the next subject. "So, I um...heard about David. And apparently, " she indicated Sam's eye," I see about David too."
Sam made a face. "The more I think about it, the more I wonder what I ever saw in him. I need a guy more like...I don't know..."
"Like Shane?" Ryan supplied. Sam opened her mouth to object and Ryan rushed to continue. "I just mean that Shane is such a good guy, Sam."
Sam looked down at her hands. "I know he is Ry. Stephanie said something this morning that really made me think. She said 'You guys are happier than a lot of couples I know.' It made me wonder. I am so happy with Shane, but will I ever find the guy that I am supposed to spend the rest of my life with?" She shook her head. "I fall asleep in Shane's arms, I wake up in them. Shane is the one I watch sappy movies with, the one I can complain about my period to, the one-"
"I get the point Sam."
She blushed. "Sorry, but you know what I mean?"
"Yes I do. I am very lucky. I found that guy in John. Are you sure that Shane isn't the one?"
**********
After lunch, Ryan and Sam went back to the arena. The ride was a quiet one, Sam thinking about what Ryan had said, and Ryan knowing she needed to talk to Amy. Maybe they could give the two a push in the right direction.
"Back to the grind," Sam groaned as they walked inside.
"Actually, I'm gonna go look for someone. I'll be back soon." Ryan turned and walked down the hall looking for Amy. She spotted her outside the guys' locker room. "Amy?"
Amy looked up. "Hey, Ry, what's going on?"
"Not too much. Can you talk for a sec?"
"Sure." They walked over to a bench. "What's up?"
"Have you talked to Shane about Sam recently?"
"A little bit. Why?"
Ryan glanced around to make sure they were alone. "Do you think that there is anything going on between them?"
Amy nodded. "I think there should be and that there will be." She told Ryan about Shane's reaction at the pool yesterday.
"Shane's a jealous guy, huh?"
Amy smiled and nodded again. "But jealousy is a good thing. Ssshhh, here comes Sam." She looked at Sam, who was walking down the hall. "Hey."
"Hey guys. You are never going to guess who just called me."
Ryan and Amy looked at each other, and Ryan answered. "Who?"
"Randy. He wants me to go out with him after the show Saturday."
Amy's jaw dropped. "As in a date?"
"Yeah."
"But I thought you weren't interested in him like that?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, he is pretty hot. And he's a nice guy. I think it will be fun."
"I'm sure it will be." Amy and Ryan exchanged a look as Sam went on down the hallway.
Amy sighed. "Shane is not going to like this."
**********
The show was about to start when Stephanie asked Ryan and Sam if they wanted to sit in the audience. "If you guys wanted to do that, you could gauge the fans' reaction to everything for us."
"What about keeping the brands separate??" Sam asked
"Cole and Tazz can say something on air, and if someone asks, you can say whatever you want really." They giggled, and took the tickets from Stephanie. "Have a good time."
Sam looked down at her outfit. "I think we need to go change."
Ryan gave her a wicked smile. "Oh yeah."
**********
"Welcome to Smackdown! I am Michael Cole alongside Tazz, and we are broadcasting tonight from Dallas, Texas."
"Yeah, Cole, tonight is gonna be a good one. Hey, isn't that RAW's Samantha Hardy sitting alongside Smackdown agent Ryan Hafner?"
"I think it is Tazz. And do I even want to know what they are wearing?"
"I don't think so, Cole." The camera panned to Sam and Ryan. They waved. Sam had on a Version 1 shirt and a pair of Matt's purple and gold ring pants. She borrowed one of John's hats, and added her Hardy Boyz Ball and Chain Pendant to complete the look. Ryan was wearing her 'Here Comes the Pain' baseball cap, John's new 'Thuganomics 101' shirt, a pair of pink plastic pants (think like Torrie's in ring gear), and slip on sandals. Both were wearing feather boas. They made an interesting pair sitting ringside.
"Whatever they want to do, I guess. On to the first match. Tonight we have Matt Hardy taking on Brian Kendrick..." Sam and Ryan started laughing as soon as the camera was away from them.
**********
Walking backstage after the taping, Sam and Ryan were greeted by Brock Lesnar. "Nice outfits, ladies."
"Gee, thanks Brock. Next time I'll wear one of your shirts." Sam said. Brock grinned. "Oh, Brock? Wear your white pants next week, you'll make some girls happy."
He laughed. "OK Sam." He continued walking. They went into the women's locker room to change, and walked out to find both John and Shane waiting for them.
John asked, "You guys wanna come out with us? There's a karaoke bar that some of the guys are going to."
Sam and Ryan looked at each other. Ryan nodded. "That sounds like fun. Are Matt and Amy going?
John nodded. "Matt took our car, and we're going to ride with you." They got into the car and drove to the almost empty club.
Sam looked around the parking lot. "Wow, not many people. Maybe I'll actually sing." Ryan laughed.
"You, sing in front of people. Yeah, right." Sam stuck out her tongue.
"Its not like you sing either."
Shane opened his door and got out. "Alright, children. Can we go in now?"
Walking in, John spotted Matt and Amy sitting with Shannon Moore and his wife Crystal near the stage. They passed a few other wrestlers on their way up front. The waitress came over sand sat down some drinks.
"We ordered Cokes, figuring that was fine." Shannon said.
"That's fine Shannie, thanks." Sam said,and turned to Crystal. "So, I didn't get to ask earlier. How are you feeling?" Crystal was 3 months pregnant with her and Shannon's first child.
She smiled. "I'm feeling good, Sam, thanks. How are you?"
"I'm doing good. I'm actually going out with-" They were interrupted by Shane getting up onstage. He grabbed the microphone and faced the crowd.
"Just so everyone knows, I'm only singing this song because Sam has been bugging me too since she caught me doing it last week." He smiled at her as the music began. It was 'I'll Be', by Edwin McCain. Sam had caught him listening to the American Idol CD last week, and this was one of her favorite songs on it. When he finished, he said, "OK, since I did 'American Idol', someone else has to." Sam stood.
"If I can do Kelly Clarkson, then I will." She found it in the book, gave the number to the man running the machine, and took the microphone from Shane. She sang 'Before Your Love.' She finished, and everyine started clapping. Amy yelled to the stage.
"Much better than Shane, Sam." Sam just laughed and sat down. Shane nudged her with his shoulder.
"Nice choice, Sam."
She smiled. "Thanks Shane." She turned to watch Crystal, who had started singing 'Fallin,' by Alicia Keys. Sam was unaware that Shane was still looking at her. He just couldn't tear his eyes away, until Amy tapped him on the shoulder.
"Problem, Shane?"
He shook his head. "No, Amers."
She sighed inwardly and thought, 'No problem yet, Shane.'
**********
Sam yawned and leaned her head against Shane's shoulder. "That was fun." After karaoking for an hour or so, they had went back to the hotel with Matt and Amy to pack. Matt had suddenly (sudden to Amy and Sam anyways) changed his mind, and decided to go to California with them, so they were all on the flight headed for Los Angeles.
"Yeah, it was." They both fell asleep in a matter of minutes, and were awoken by the pilot over the loudspeaker.
"We will be landing at LAX in approxomatley 15 minutes." Sam sat up and stretched.
"Seems like I just fell asleep."
Shane was rubbing his eyes. "Tell me about it. How far is the hotel from here?"
"I think about 10 minutes." She looked at Matt and Amy across the aisle. "Who's driving?"
Amy volunteered. "I will."
They made it through baggage claim and renting the car fairly quickly. They loaded their luggage into the car and made the quick trip to the hotel. They checked in and went to their rooms. Sam did nothing more than drop her luggage before falling on the bed. Shane locked the door and turned to talk to her, but she was already asleep. He set the alarm and lay down next to her.
**********
Shane tossed and turned through most of the night, before it hit him. He had to go talk to Amy. Looking at the alarm clock, he saw that it was around 7 in the morning. Sam was still sleeping, so he threw on a shirt, grabbed his keycard, and went down to the lobby to pick up some coffee. He walked back upstairs and knocked on the door, and a grumpy Matt answered.
"Dude, I actually get to sleep in. What is your problem?"
"I need to talk to Amy." Matt sighed and pulled the door open further.
"Amy?" She groaned. "Amy, Shane says he needs to talk to you."
"Ugh, fine." Matt went to take a shower, and Amy sat up. She took the coffee he offered. "What's going on Shane."
"You told me to let you know when I figured it out."
She vaguely remembered telling him that at the pool in Houston. "Uhhuh."
He took a deep breath. "Well, I did."
"And?"
"I'm in love with her."
**********
A/N: Of course that had to be the cliffhanger! Shane will explain more about how he figured it out in the next chapter!
As always, please R&R! Thanks!
Lisa