Disclaimer: don't own anything except Shadow and Amanda who I created myself and have copyright to. The rest is owned by Vince and the WWE

"Man my head hurts" groaned Manda, holding an ice pack to her head

"You shouldn't have challenged Jericho to vodka shots then should ya" said Shadow with a smile

Manda growled at her before shifting the ice pack slightly that she held pressed to her head. It wasn't just the fact that she and her favourite sexy blonde Canadian had engaged in a healthy drinking contest that she admittedly had lost, her head was also still tender from the Monday backstage brawl. The thought that training was fifteen minutes away was not helping her headache either

The fact that her friend was acting as though she'd had a full night's sleep and had no hangover or head injuries to speak of was more than a little annoying. The fact that Shadow was acting cheerful and unaffected was downright rude.

"I can handle my drink" Manda protested "I just can't handle that many vodka shots"

"As you're well demonstrating now"

"Shut up Candy"

"You know I am not gonna respond to that Manda, considering the fact that you look like hell this morning with a killer hangover"

"Gee you say the nicest things"

"I try"

"Well you're not trying hard enough"

Shadow grinned. It wasn't often she could one-up Manda since her friend was the one with the quick comebacks. So she was gonna enjoy this for as long as possible. She couldn't help giggling when she thought about their night out last night. Jericho and Manda had played some rounds of pool, pretty much coming out equal so Jericho decided they'd settle the score by a drinking game. How was Manda to know he had a cast iron stomach when it came to drink?

"What in the hell are you laughing at and it had better not be me" growled Manda, glaring at her

"Would I?"

"Damn straight you would"

Before Shadow could reply, her cell-phone rang loudly. With a small apologetic smile to Manda, she grabbed it off the desk and answered it.

"Hello?..........oh hey!, how you doing?...........me? I'm good....yeah we know, we'll be there in ten...Manda? How did you...?............oh ok, I know, I won't question...yeah see you then...bye"

"A message from our all powerful trainer, we've gotta get our asses into the ring for practice in ten, hangover or not" Shadow relayed, putting her phone into her pocket as she spoke

"I hate him" grumbled Manda, peering out from under the ice pack disgruntled "how the hell did he know anyway? He wasn't there last night"

"He said he just knows, whatever" Shadow shrugged "hope you haven't let Jericho see you this way"

"No and I hope by the time I do see him, I don't look like death"

"There isn't nothing a cold shower won't cure" Shadow teased

"Urgh!" Amanda closed her eyes, frowning "that is the last thing on Earth I want right now"

"At least have some sort of shower before training just to wake you up?"

"Yeah ok, I'll go now, it might work" Manda said, taking the ice pack gingerly from her head and putting it down on the desk, she looked up at Shadow out of squinted eyes "training in ten right?"

"Right"

"See you then"

Manda stumbled out of the room, trying hard not to look hung-over. She knew that she was gonna get teased a lot if she did. Jericho. She was gonna get him back so good for out-doing her with the shots and then leaving her in the bar for Shadow to escort back to the hotel. Apparently, he'd had some business to take care of. Like hell, he just didn't want to carry her to the car.

Then as if he'd heard her thoughts, Jericho appeared around the corner, his usual obnoxious smirk on his face. Manda inwardly groaned, her heart speeding up all the same. She crossed her fingers, hoping he'd let her pass without comment. She couldn't hope for miracles

"Hey Manda, how was your night?"

Was it her or was he speaking a lot louder than usual? Either way it was making her head pound. Wincing slightly, she smiled thinly at him.

"Unforgettable" she managed "your's?"

"Great, I beat this broad at pool and then obliterated her at vodka shots; apparently she can't hold her drink"

"Bite me Jericho"

"Oooh baby, that's an offer! You name the time and the place"

"Jerk"

"Hey you offered baby"

"Just let me be miserable in peace ok?"

"Sure, any sign of our blonde friends?"

"None so far and you only have a few days till the event and then afterwards maybe they'll leave me alone"

"And I am gonna wipe the ring with them"

"Naturally, can I go now?"

"Don't you like my company baby?"

"When you're intentionally trying to make my head feel like its exploding, no and I have to get ready for training, it starts in ten"

"Got a hangover have you baby?"

Manda mentally kicked herself. The plan was not to let him know how crappy she was feeling. She knew he would use it against her and by the look of the smirk on his face, he was already planning. This could never be good. She glared at him hard

"What gave you that idea?" she muttered

"The fact that you're squinting in the light and look like you have one monster headache baby" Jericho stated, his eyes sweeping over her critically

"That obvious huh?"

"Sure, it's kinda regular round here baby, you seen the amount the APA drink and don't get hangovers? When people try to keep up with them, they end up looking like you"

"I'll take that as an insult"

"That's how it was intended"

She glared at her, crossing her arms over her chest. Her head was still pounding, though it seemed to have softened somewhat. It wasn't as painful as when she was sat in the office with Shadow. Shadow! Manda quickly checked her watch. Man she did not have long to get ready for training

"I've gotta go, but I'll come by and annoy you later"

"Look forward to it"

"You should do" Manda hurled over her shoulder as she quickly walked away to the locker room

She couldn't help silently grinning to herself as she rushed into the locker room and began stripping off quickly for a shower. Jericho may have been an obnoxious jerk who annoyed her and fired off one liners faster than she could keep up with but he was still a sexy blonde Canadian and still gorgeous. She would tell him that but she did not want him thinking she was a ring rat ready to get laid. That could wait. Right now, she was enjoying being friends with him, no matter how strong the urge was to jump him. Shadow was right, but Manda was not gonna tell her that. She wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

*

"Nice of you to join us" Raven said dryly as Amanda hurtled down the ramp towards the ring where Trish, Shadow and Raven were already.

"I'm here aren't I?" Amanda retorted, sliding into the ring

"That isn't enough and you know it" Raven replied softly, never taking his eyes off her "but we've already lost enough time, lets get started"

He slowly turned taking them all in before speaking.

"None of us have matches at Judgement Day" he began "but that doesn't mean we can get sloppy, we have to keep practising and training because you never know where and when you're gonna be jumped, it could be in the ring, it could be backstage but either way you've gotta be prepared"

"So what's on the itinerary?" asked Shadow lightly

"Matches, a triple threat and I'll referee" he fired off "win at all costs"

He backed away so that the three faced each other. He began speaking as he walking around them in a slow leisurely circle.

"You all have strengths and weaknesses, you should know each others by now and know how to exploit them, use the knowledge you have of each other to get the win, there are no friends here, only opponents"

His voice trailed off as he stopped behind Shadow. She could feel his eyes on her, burning into her back. She bit her lip to prevent herself from smiling, she knew he wasn't.

"What's there to stare at? I haven't got a tattoo like you Raven" she called back quietly

"You would be surprised" he replied "at what I see"

She could feel his breath on her back but she knew he wasn't that close to her for that to be possible. Was it her mind playing tricks on her? His presence was dizzying to her, she was acutely aware of him, just there staring. Amanda wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at her friend. Shadow scowled back, before sticking her tongue out.

Then was a pause, crackling with energy. A single word escaped Raven's lips

"Begin"

*

"You're looking awfully happy today Trish" commented Shadow

"Am I?" the blonde said perkily "just happy to be here"

"Uh huh" Manda added disbelievingly "got a new lay or something?"

"Hey I resent that" Trish laughed, pushing Manda slightly "no, nothing like that"

"Must be your mystery man then" Shadow concluded "are you gonna tell us who he is yet?"

"No, not yet but soon you'll see" Trish replied confidently "we're gonna start making our business partnership known on TV soon, all the arrangements are sorted out and I am gonna be back in business"

"Business partnership, right" Amanda said rolling her eyes

"He's part of the PPV this Sunday" Trish offered, ignoring Amanda "so you'll have to guess or wait till next week"

"Hmmmmm, this is very intriguing Trish and exciting, you've got a new client to manage and all" Shadow said enthusiastically "you've been hanging out with us for ages now in the office during shows, I was afraid you'd given up on getting back involved in the wrestling game, I'm glad you're back on track to kick some ass,"

"Better believe it" confirmed Trish "there is no way I'm going down just because I was Vince's bitch, I got what I wanted and now I'm moving on"

"Sounds good to me" replied Shadow linking arms with Trish as they moved on down the corridor, Amanda walking beside Trish.

As Trish was about to add something, a door opened in front of them and Undertaker appeared out of it, blocking their path. Shadow let out a squeak, starting at the unexpected appearance of the Deadman. Trish smiled, she was used to him lurking about, this was nothing new. Amanda simply crossed her arms and waited

"You girls seen Mcmahon or Austin yet?" Taker rumbled, leaning against the wall

"Not yet" replied Amanda "why?"

"The word is that Mcmahon knows who beat down Austin and Hunter on Monday backstage" Taker drawled "and that your names are gonna be on the list for him to execute so might wanna find some place to hide over the next few days"

"Thanks for the warning" answered Shadow

"We're not hiding anywhere" Amanda exclaimed "we're gonna be there at Judgement Day to watch you kick ass and win the title"

"I admire the spunk but it's on your own heads" Taker slashed a thumb across his throat for emphasis as he used to signal for the Tombstone "literally, I'll see ya Sunday"

He turned and moved back into the room, the door slamming shut behind him. Shadow let out a breath she didn't even know she'd been holding in. Amanda shrugged and began walking. Then she realised that Shadow and Trish were still not moving, talking in quiet voices together. With an exasperated sigh, Amanda marched back to them.

"Why are you still standing there?" she asked with a wild wave of her hands

"Maybe we should lie low for bit" volunteered Shadow after an awkward pause when she and Trish exchanged glances "just to keep out of the way of the boss, you know, for safety and all that"

"No, I don't know" replied Amanda angrily "in my book, that's called cowardice"

"Oh really? In mine its called safety" retorted Shadow

"Look, we can go there and just keep out the way, or better go to the ring for safety, Mcmahon won't come out to get rid of us considering how many want him dead anyway" Amadna implored "I've had this idea, why don't we be guest commentators for the tag team turmoil match? You can keep an eye on the Hardyz and I can keep an eye on Jericho"

"And Edge and Christian" added Shadow knowingly

"And them yeah, hopefully they won't attack or anything like that but then you've got my back right?"

Shadow thought about it. It would be fun and it would keep them away from Mcmahon since the only times he was likely to check the monitors would be when Hunter or Austin were out there. They'd be pretty safe and if they wanted to be safer they could hide in Taker and Kane's or the Hardyz' locker rooms. It seemed a sound idea

"Ok, you win; we'll go to Judgement Day and commentate" Shadow said smiling "it should be fun"

"That's better" Trish said with a laugh "you guys have gotta stop arguing, I mean it's fun to watch and all but sparks fly"

"Oh you mean like you and Lita?" Amanda asked innocently

"Not at all like me and Lita" Trish spat, her eyes narrowing as her mood instantly darkened at the mention of one of her arch enemies "the difference is, you two are always friends at the end because that's the way you are, you always have been and you know your differences keep you together, me and Lita have never been friends and never plan to be, she's a skank and I'm hot, that's the difference"

"Excuse me but..."

Before Amanda could finish her retort, Lita hurtled down the corridor towards them, grabbing one of Amanda's arms and one of Shadow's yanking them away from Trish and down to a space where no one could hear them

"Just leave me I don't care" Trish called after them "guess I'll see you in the office"

She turned and stalked away, her fists balled at her sides. So they were friends with the redhead, so what? They were friends with her as well. They'd soon learn that Lita was nothing special, just a jacked up bitch who could do a few lousy arial moves so people thought she was unique. Big deal. If they wanted beautiful, intelligent and talented, they should look no further than Trish Stratus. But they'd learn that, eventually they would when Trish beat Lita's ass in the ring, proving just who was queen of the ring. But that could wait. She had some planning to do for next week when she revealed just who her mystery man was. A smile spread over Trish's face; oh everyone was in for a shock when they saw what she and her man could do together, everyone.

"Wow, that's a beautiful outfit Lita!" breathed Shadow, taking in her friend's appearance "different to your usual stuff but really beautiful"

"You think? Thanks Shadow, thought I'd try something a little different tonight, just felt like it" Lita said, momentarily distracted as she looked down at her outfit: tight leather crimson pants and a matching bikini top. Her make up was lot more classical, making her look very elegant but still totally Lita

"So what's up?" Shadow asked, taking in the worry on Lita's face

"Besides the fact I have the biggest match of my life on Sunday when I face the woman who completely redefined the role women play in wrestling, the strongest woman in the company and one of my idols? Eddie Guerrero, he's teaming up tonight with the guys and I still don't know whether to trust him" Lita rambled quickly "me, Matt and Jeff were talking about this earlier and Eddie came in saying that if he was us, he wouldn't trust him either, but we've gotta trust him to play his part in the match"

"Chill Lita, I know he's cheating scum but he's been pretty good to you and the boyz recently, he saved you from a Gore if I remember right" Shadow said gently

"Yeah I know but it could all be part of a plan or something I don't know" Lita sighed, raking a hand through her hair "after all he's done, can we trust him?"

"It's ok Lita, just trust him tonight and see how it goes" Amanda suggested "just wait and always watch your back"

Lita smiled, her face lighting up. The worry seemed to left her face, her body a lot more relaxed.

"Thanks guys, I needed that pep talk, the boyz are too worried themselves to help"

"What are you doing tonight?" Amanda asked, sticking a hand in her black pants' pocket

"Valeting for the guys and Eddie but I'm also planning a little run-in of my own" Lita said mysteriously, raising an eyebrow

"Oh really?" Shadow said in the same tone "tell us more"

"All I'm saying is that Chyna's fighting tonight, make of it what you will" Lita said with a giggle "oh, you guys up for going out as usual?"

"Sure, meet you at the hotel as usual" Shadow called as Lita began walking away

Lita held a hand up in the gun signal to acknowledge her before disappearing around a corner. Amanda grinned and slung an arm around her friend's neck as they began walking to their office.

"So I have Jericho, as a friend" she said

"And I have Raven, as a friend" Shadow added with a smile at her thoughts

"We both have Lita and the Hardyz and Trish" Amanda finished "life isn't too bad is it"

"We're training as wrestler and we're already valets" Shadow added on the end "nope life isn't too bad"

"Speaking of which are we fighting tonight?"

"We could do; any ideas?"

"Hmmm sure I could think of something, I could face Perry Saturn since he's still pissed that I beat his whore so I could always face him" Amanda suggested, thinking

"So I could face his Radical pal Dean Malenko, it could be their warm up for Judgement Day" Shadow added excitedly

"Agreed, ready to kick some ass?" asked Amanda with a laugh

"Always girl always" answered Shadow with a grin "as we count down to Judgement Day..."

"Let the mat games begin, c'mon girl lets go stretch out"

"I love being a wrestler"

"Me too, but you know it's for a different reason than yours though?"

"I know I know, the sexy blonde Canadians"

"Got it in one girl, got it in one"