Sunday: August 23, 2009 9:30 A.M.

I sat in the buffet area at the hotel, eating breakfast by myself at a two seat table. I had two pancakes, a glass of orange juice, an omelet, and a cinnamon roll on my tray. Most of my coworkers aren't even awake yet. Brie, Kelly, and Eve are still sleeping in the room, which was fine because I thought some alone time wouldn't hurt right now.

Suddenly, someone sets their tray down across from me. I look up. It's Ted. He pulls out his chair and sits down.

"What do you want?" I ask quietly, knowing this was about to become about Randy.

"I wanted to know if you really will eat all of that food." Ted tells me.

"That's not it."

"I also wanted to check up on you after what happened yesterday."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to see if you are taking it as bad as Randy is."

I sigh. "How bad is he taking it?"

"Between the time you left last night and about an hour ago, he had smoked a whole pack."

"He always has a second pack on him. Please tell me that someone took it and his wallet. He really doesn't need that much tobacco in his system."

"I got the cigarettes, and Cody has the wallet."

"I'm sorry if he loses it on you guys."

"He thinks you're going to break up with him."

I raise an eyebrow. "He does?"

"Yeah. He says you were pissed last night, but he just told me about you leaving over something that happened earlier yesterday. What exactly happened?"

"When we went engagement ring shopping with John, he randomly went out for a smoke. As you clearly know, he only smokes when he is stressed out."

"He must be really stressed about what happened last night then."

"I know. As I was saying, he went for a smoke, so John and I were worried and confused. I wanted to go after him, and John knew that and said to go. Once I found Randy out by his Hummer, I sat down and asked him if he was okay, and Randy snapped at me and was like do I look okay, Marissa? I was scared and intimidated, Ted. I've never been scared of Randy like that. He lost it on me so suddenly, and I didn't do anything."

"I think he hasn't been himself lately, like these past couple of weeks. Cody thought so too. We were meaning to talk to you about it to see if you knew what's up with him."

"He's been a little off lately." I stand up and grab the cinnamon roll and orange juice. "You can have the rest. I think I've lost most of my appetite."

Ted gave me a genuine smile. "Thanks, Rissa. I'll try to talk some sense into him. I can see why you want space. That was way out of line from Randy. I believe if he can respect your wishes, you will remain together."

I nod. "Thanks, Ted."

Randy's POV

Where the hell are my wallet and extra pack of cigarettes, and where the hell is Ted? I know Cody went to apologize to Eve, and I know Ted is awake. He probably has my wallet and cigarettes. I understand taking my cigarettes, but I think taking my wallet crosses the line.

Somebody knocks on the door. It's Ted. I glare at him.

"Why do you look so mad?" Ted asks nonchalantly.

"Where have you taken my cigarettes and wallet, and why do you have so much food?" I ask in response.

"I have the cigarettes, and Cody has your wallet. Rissa gave me the food."

Marissa rarely gave up food. It hurts to hear her name or even think about her right now, especially knowing she was likely going to break up with me, but I know I can't avoid it.

"She nevers gives away her food for no reason." I mutter.

"She was going to eat it, but she gave me all of it after our conversation." Ted explains.

"You had a conversation?" I was a little shocked by this as I hadn't thought those two really spoke without others in our group of friends around.

"Yes, we did, Randal. She is concerned about you too. Cody and I think you haven't been yourself lately, so I asked her about it."

"What'd she think about it?" I was curious to know what my girlfriend thought about this.

"She agreed. Something is clearly going on with you, and none of us know what because you're so stubborn and keep it to yourself."

"Give me my cigarettes, Ted." I gave Ted a dirty look and spoke in a cold tone.

Ted's facial expression looked similar to how Marissa did yesterday when I snapped.

Ted pulls the pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and hands it to me. "She told me something else I think you need to know."

I look at Ted as my ears perk up. "And what's that, Ted?"

"Randy, she told me that when you snapped at her yesterday, she was scared of you and also intimidated. She was more scared of you than she has ever been before. I know I wasn't there, but you snapping on her did a number on her. You screwed up. I don't get why you won't just explain what's going on. If you didn't want to tell me and Cody, or even John, you should've at least discussed it with Marissa. That woman is absolutely in love with you, and I'm pretty certain she'd do damn near anything for you before you snapped on her. She would've listened to you about whatever is bothering you so much that you snapped. You screwed up, Randy, and it's about time someone told you that. If Marissa does end your relationship, you're the only one to blame after how you were towards her. There's never any reason to make your girlfriend feel intimidated like you made Marissa feel."

I walked out of the room and slammed the door. Why did I have to snap on her? I hadn't meant to do it. I was just so freaked about that threat that I didn't know how to respond when Marissa reached out with concern about me. I didn't want to admit it, but I knew Ted was right.

I walked out to smoke. Mickie James was also outside.

"So I heard you and Marissa are having relationship problems. Maybe I can help you relieve the stress." Mickie smirks and winks.

"Stay out of my business, Mickie." I coldly say. "She's still my girlfriend, and even if she wasn't, I wouldn't sleep with you ever again."

"The entire WWE roster knows about it. I don't get it. Why do you stay with her, Randy? We could be together. What does she have that I don't?"

"You want to know why, Mickie? I stay with her because I love her. Mickie, I love Marissa. You don't know her like I do. She's an absolutely incredible woman. Plus, the issues are my fault, not hers, and somehow, some way, I'll fix it."

Mickie frowns and starts to walk away, but she turns around. "I'll make sure to give your bitch a beating tonight."

"I hope she puts you through a table. You need to stop disrespecting our relationship. You've done it so much that whatever Marissa does to hurt you in that match tonight, you deserve even more. Knock that shit off and move on."

Mickie scoffs before walking away.

SummerSlam (Marissa's POV)

I have been trying to keep a confident face in front of everyone, but I am struggling. I hope Ted has talked some sense into Randy. I just couldn't bring myself to go see Randy right now, even though part of me really wanted to go see him before the show. I am still trying to get over him snapping on me right now though.

John proposed to Michelle this morning, so I was able to tell her everything. I hope their marriage goes well. Michelle already made it clear that I'll be the maid of honor. Randy probably will be the best man, so I hope we're good by then. If he walked in right now, I wouldn't be able to speak to him. I have nothing to say yet. I didn't know what to tell him.

Eve was right. He had no right to snap at me like he did. Eve, however, made up with Cody this morning as well, so she's with him, Ted, and Ryse. I was with Chelle in the locker-room, sitting in a nice silence.

Michelle looked at me. "I heard Mickie was badmouthing you to Randy this morning."

I looked at Michelle. "How did Randy respond? Did you hear anything about his response?"

"Apparently, he told her that he hopes you put her through a table."

"That's not a bad idea. He does know me so well."

"Are you sure you'll be fine during the match?"

"If I can get my personal drama off my mind long enough to beat some kid I don't know at SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, I can do it long enough to beat up Mickie and Melina no problem."

Maryse walks in. "Ted's talking with Randy now, and I lost Eve and Cody."

I smile. "Come join our party."

Maryse sits with us on the floor. "What are we doing?"

Michelle shrugs. "I don't know. Want to be one of my bridesmaids?"

"Sure. Are you doing okay, Rissa?"

I nod. "I am for now."

"Are you breaking up with Randy?"

I sigh. "I'm not sure yet honestly. I just know I'm never taking anything like that from him again."

"Good, you shouldn't."

("Obsession" plays)

"This is the first ever Divas TLC Tag Team match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, representing the Insurgents, Melina and the WWE Divas Champion, Mickie James!"

I watch from the guerilla position as our opponents enter the ring. I turn around to see Randy look at me from where he is standing nearby and give me a thumbs up. It was nice to know that despite everything that went down with us yesterday, he really is still routing for me. I turn back around, and Michelle and I walk out to the ring.

All the ladies tell the fellas

We can do what they can do

We can do it even better in broken heels…

"And their opponents, representing the Divas of Domination, Michelle McCool and the WWE Women's Champion, Marissa!"

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I immediately jump on Mickie. I send her to the ground and start beating on her. Melina hits me from behind with a chair. I roll out of the ring. When I recover, I grab a ladder and slide it into the ring. Mickie and Melina are beating on Michelle. I ram the ladder into them. I then lay down the ladder and powerbomb Melina through it. Mickie attacks me from behind; Michelle sends her into the ring post shoulder-first. I pin Melina.

1...2...kickout!

Mickie brings a table and hits me and Michelle with it. I tried to get up, but they put Michelle through it before I could. I manage to get up and throw Melina outside the ring and into the announce table. I grab another table. Mickie runs at me; I hit her with it and then powerbomb her through it. I pin Mickie.

1...2…

Melina breaks the pin. She sends me through a table she brought out. Michelle is still out, so they hit her with chairs. Mickie picks Michelle up and hits a MickDT on her. She pins her.

1...2...3!

I'm a second too late. Mickie gets in my face.

"You lost. I'll take Randy from you too. You're pathetic. You're an embarrassment to him." Mickie grabs me by my hair.

That last comment crossed the line and made something snap in me. I slapped Mickie. She started running. Melina left her alone. I caught Mickie and threw her into the barricade. I picked her up and hit a Picture Perfect on the concrete.

"Don't ever cross the line with me, Mickie! You don't know what you've started!" I yell before heading backstage.

Michelle follows me and grabs my arm as we pass the guerilla. "You love him."

I look at her. "What?"

"You love him. You want him to always be yours. When Mickie said she'll take Randy from you, you lost it. Even though he snapped on you, you want to be with him. You, my dear Marissa, have fallen in love. I'm not talking about just that little puppy love either. This is real pure love that you have for that man, even after yesterday."

I let out a sigh. "I know, Michelle, but what if Randy doesn't love me like that? Look at what happened yesterday."

"Then Ted will cry because he already called dibs on being best man at your wedding" Michelle jokes before giving me a serious look. "Randy does love you like that. I can tell."

"How does everyone know this? Chris claimed we have clearly fallen in love, too."

"Just in the way you two look at each other. You know what they say, eyes are the window to the soul. Your eyes and Randy's eyes show all the love you have for each other. It's there. That doesn't mean you should tolerate stuff like what happened yesterday, but that also means you'd be lying if you even denied loving him right now."

Randy's POV

I smiled as I overheard Michelle and Marissa when they walked past me in guerilla without noticing, and it wasn't because of the funny comment Michelle made about Ted. Marissa loves me like I love her. She is perfect.

I'm not mad at her for needing space. I'm mad at myself for being the reason she needed it. I'll try to talk to her when we're at Raw tomorrow. Right now, I needed to work on figuring out what to say and how to fix things. I really didn't want to tell her about these threats, as I wasn't sure how serious they were and knew that Marissa would freak out as soon as she knew, considering her name was in them.

I knew Marissa typically didn't need protection from me, but considering who was sending these threats to me, I knew she'd need my protection from this if the threats were indeed serious. I didn't want to freak Marissa out about this, but after what I did yesterday, I probably wouldn't have a choice because even though it didn't excuse me snapping on her, it was the cause, which she deserved to know.

I glanced at Marissa and Michelle as they were walking further away. It was incredibly hard to not go to Marissa to try to comfort her after losing that match, like I would be if we were fine, but I knew giving her space tonight was the right thing to do. It gave us both time to calm down and gave me time to plan, both for how I was going to apologize and how I was going to explain to her what had been going on.

I was full of so much regret right now. I should've told Marissa what was going on when it started a couple weeks ago, but I was stupid and just kept it bottled up to not freak her out, only to freak her out on my own. I knew the next thing to do was to get her to forgive me and make sure she was protected from these threats.