Disclaimer: I own nothing. Absolutely nothing. If I did, I'd be one happy so and so. But Vince owns it, not I. I own not a thing. Except the idea...lets just say new muses moved in and they won't shut up.
Distribution: If ya want it, ask.
Rating: Nothing overly violent or excessive...yet.
Spoilers: None.
Pairings: Multiple, but focuses mainly: Dawn Marie/Lance, Lita/RVD, with a later: Stephanie/Jericho
Author Notes: For purposes of this fic, yes I am ignoring several things. Personalities may be slightly different, but no worries..won't last long. Other things I'm sure you'll pick up. Roster split still happened, Alliance/Invasion still happened (it'll make sense along the way..trust me). I'm also placing Lita a tad longer in ECW, I know I know, she was only in a short while but it will make sense for purposes of the story to keep her there longer. One more note...Dawn and Stephanie are cousins, again.for purposes of MY story it makes sense. Everything else will fall into place.
Many thanks to Funky in Fishnet and SouthernersCanWrestle...Long live ECW :D
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December 31, 1999
The next few months passed without relative incident. Rob and Tommy had either forgotetn the bet or were prolonging the agony for Amy. Either way, they hadn't messed with her wardrobe yet. The five and Justin continued to hang out on a regular basis. And things had indeed settled quite nicely for her. Between trips to the clubs, weekend road trips and a surprising excursion for ballroom dancing they had passed the time almost too quickly. Of course, thanks to Dawn the snap happy photo girl they all had albums filled.
Christmas had just passed and she laughed to herself..recalling Tommy's mistletoe obsession. And how she had gotten trapped on a few occasions..not with Tommy but with Rob or Justin. Mistletoe traps seemed to spring up from nowhere..quite literally springing from a rafter..and usually attached to a very familiar face. They had of course gone home to see family, coming back to exchange presents together. She smiled softly, admiring the new charm bracelet on her wrist, a suprising gift from Tommy, a simple necklace was a gift from Justin. Dawn had gotten her some charms and a cd, Lance the same. Rob however had bought her gift certificates..one for a clothing store, another for a music store and another for a book store. He proclaimed he didn't know what to get her..but he had managed to disguise the gift certificates inside a bouqet of wildflowers.
Currently the group was getting ready for a New Years Party. After all..this was the one time you could truly say..and "Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999". And perhaps..Amy had just a little bit more to celebrate this year. Not only did she have a wonderful best friend in Dawn, partners in crime with Rob and Tommy and just good ole drinking buddy in Justin..but she also had the career opportunity in front of her. A chance to go to WWF.
She hadn't said anything to anyone about it yet, putting off the inevitable sad goodbye and the empty promises that came along with it. She had already spoken to Paul..and while he was sad to see her go, he did wish her the best. Going to the WWF meant going to see the Hardy brothers. She knew full well that the two were over there and she had already told them about it. They were all thrilled, and honestly she couldn't wait to see them again. But at the same time, she had formed quite a bond with the group here. She shook her head, ridding it of any sad thoughts, reminding herself that she still had time. . It was New Year's Eve after all, a time for new beginnings..no need to get all nostalgic just yet. So, she continued to get ready for the evening. She wrinkled her nose as she looked over the dress that Dawn had insisted she buy. And now, she sat down hot-rollers in her hair and she went to work on her makeup. Nothing overly fancy, as per her usual. Her hair she pulled back, half of it piled up in a bun, the rest flowing softly over her shoulders. Curls coming down from either side to frame her face. And reluctantly she reached for the dress, rolling her eyes as she took it out of the garment bag.
Dawn had just finished dressing in the room next to her and walked in to find Amy standing in front of the full length mirror. The dress looked stunning..but of course Dawn knew that already. She had insisted that Amy buy this black satin dress. It was modest enough, ankle length..even if it did have slits going up the sides to her mid-thigh. The halter top and thus low cut back Amy wasn't so sure about. But, Dawn re-assured her that with a shawl..it wouldn't even be noticeable. Dawn brought a pair of elbow length gloves to Amy and rested them on the desk beside her.
"I told you that dress would look good on you" Dawn met her best friend's gaze in the mirror. A triumphant grin on her face.
Amy rolled her eyes and turned "I guess...I mean I never really thought I'd look like this though" She trailed off, looking down at the dress then back up to Dawn.
"Like what? You look good Amy. But you'll look better if you let me put these chopsticks in the bun. Trust me ok? It compliments the dress" Dawn insisted and removed said chopsticks from her purse.
So, while Dawn gently placed the finishing touches on Amy's hair, she slid the gloves on. When both had finished their tasks, Dawn draped the shawl over her shoulders and stood back to appraise her. Meanwhile, Amy let out her own comments.
"Geez Dawn...you planning on knocking Lance flat on his ass tonight or what?"
Dawn looked down at the short red dress she was wearing. Modest it was not, but it fit her. And she shrugged..chuckling slightly before she said "Well..I was going for .."
"No no no..don't finish that" Amy cut her off before she could get the mental images.
Sure the two were adorable together but puhleaze. And before Dawn could say a thing about Amy and Tommy, Amy and Justin or Amy and Rob for that matter Amy looked at the clock on the nightstand
"Well come on..I'm sure the guys are waiting"
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Dawn and Amy stepped out of the elevator to the awaiting guys. Justin, Lance, Rob and Tommy were all gathered in the lobby. Tux's all around (as author takes this moment to swoon), Lance holding a small wrist corsage on his lap. They stood when the two got closer. Lance walking to Dawn, holding the corsage out to her. She smiled softly to him as he slipped the corsage over her wrist. Rob, Tommy and Justin stood, jaws dropping as Amy walked closer to them. She looked at the three, closing mouths as she spoke
"You know..if I left ya'll speechless., it's a good thing I didn't choose the other dress Dawn was eyeing"
Justin snapped out of his trance quickly, shaking his head "Nononono..you look good ..great even"
"Yeah..what he said..Amy you look good" Tommy nodded firmly, a goofy grin on his face.
She looked to Rob next, searching his face for any more reactions to her dress. Her thoughts were broken when he stepped forward, whispering to her "You look amazing..stunning...."
"No need to continue..I got the idea....gracias." She smiled, stepping back to look him over.
He shrugged "If I had known someone else had planned on taking a trip back to the Senior prom..would've gotten ya a corsage"
With a laugh, she looked at Dawn and Lance then back to Rob "No need for that. Ya'll won't wilt the way a corsage will in a few weeks"
They all got a good chuckle out of that and so they were set to go. Dawn and Lance heading first, Tommy and Justin followed, Amy and Rob bringing up the rear. The group piled into the waiting limo and off to the party they went.
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After a rousing rendition of 1999 (and many other songs) the group finally reached the party. Lance, Tommy and Rob stepped out first, each offering a hand to the waiting three. Dawn accepted Lance, Justin grumbled and groaned..earning a hurt look from Tommy as he stepped out and Amy graciously took Rob's hand. They made their way inside, handing over the tickets before checking their jackets. Dawn, Lance and Tommy made a beeline for the table, Justin picked up a glass of champagne before joining, and Rob and Amy stopped long enough to drop off Amy's purse before heading to the dance floor.
The night continued..The highlight of the evening, quite possibly the Chicken Dance..or maybe it was the Electric Slide..Although there had been some partner switching occuring for Amy, when the time rolled around to 11:59 there she was...dancing with Rob. Lance and Dawn were in their own world, and Tommy and Justin had paired off with some girls. Rob's arms were draped about her waist, hands resting at the small of her back. Her arms were around his shoulders, and she was nearly close enough to hear his heart beat.
10
9
8
Why am I staring at his lips?..Well duh..it's almost midnight..he'll be the first kiss of the New Year..nothing you haven't done before..platonic kiss between friends
7
6
5
I like this feeling..her..here with me...No wait..It's not like that between us..We're just friends..and we're going to share another platonic kiss..that's all
4
3
2
Their faces moved closer, as the crowd started on 1.
1
And that kiss was anything but platonic looking. It may have started out as such, but do things always go as we plan? While they certainly weren't swapping spit out on the dance floor, the kiss had moved beyond that purely platonic level. And at the moment it looked like it would progress, they both pulled back, resting their foreheads together.
"Happy New Year Ames"
"Happy New Year Rob"
..........................
"Well we're not dead so I think it's safe to assume the end of the world hasn't come"
"Rob you dork-"
She was cut off as Justin pulled her away, he and Tommy planting kisses on her cheeks. She rolled her eyes at the two before heading back to the table. Rob, Dawn and Lance joined her and the four sat in comfortable silence. Neither Rob or Amy said a thing about the not so friendly kiss..nor did they say anything about the way their fingers were now entwined. And at the point, all Amy could think about was that she didn't have much time left to tell them all she was going to WWF. Before..she was just leaving friends. And now? Well now she wasn't so sure.
As the four sat there and waited for Tommy and Justin, Amy made up her mind. She had to tell them and she had to tell them soon. She looked down at the table..more specifically to the pairs of hands. She was sure she could feel tears brimming but she swallowed all emotions before looking up to meet Rob and Dawn's eyes. Silent questions passed between them, but Amy only offered a smile..her way of saying she'd explain later. Dawn nodded and gently dis-entangled her hand from Lance's, making her way to the dance floor to round up Tommy and Justin. Rob kept quiet, either not wanting to spoil this moment or just for lack of nothing better to do. When Dawn returned, the three stood silently and left the party. The ride back to the hotel was equally silent..and the group made their way to Dawn and Amy's hotel room.
Tux jackets and high heels were ditched, hair let down and the group was now dispersed in the room. Dawn and Lance sat on one bed, Amy, Rob and Tommy on the other. Justin had run back to his hotel room to grab pillows and was now sitting quite comfortably on a pillow bed between the two beds. Amy looked at them all, going over all she needed to say in her mind and before anyone else had the chance to speak about resolutions for the year she took a breath and
"Guys? I really need to tell ya'll something. Now..just hear me out before ya'll bombard me with questions."
Again, she looked at them..making sure she did indeed have their full attention. Tommy and Rob had each taken one of her hands in their own and Lance and Dawn were leaning forward slightly in expectation.
"Well..it's like this...I uh got a call from Vince McMahon....he uh...offered me a contract..I'd get more tv time...more chances to wrestle.."
She paused..looking at them to gauge reactions and so far the only reactions were the tightening of Rob's grip on her hand and Justin's shifting on the pillow bed. She took another breath before she continued
"I already talked to Paul...right after I spoke to Vince actually. And he said I would be missed..but he's happy for me..wished me the best of luck and all that. So...all I had left to do was talk to ya'll..and well.."
"When do you leave?" Justin's voice was quiet, but everyone heard it..Dawn looked well near tears..Tommy masked whatever he was feeling and Rob..well Rob just tightened the grip on her hand.
"Second week of February actually...so I've got.."
"You were going to be leaving us in a month and a half...and you tell us now?" Dawn's voice was shaky..quiet but shaky. She wasn't mad..hurt but not mad.
"I was going to tell ya'll sooner...but I couldn't figure out how.." Amy fidgeted then...and Tommy dropped her hand. Amy looked sideways to Rob and he offered her a ghost of a smile.
"We're happy for you...but we're going to miss you...that's all...just don't .."
Rob was now staring down at the bedspread, not sure of where or how to continue but Amy thankfully cut him off.
She shook her head fiercly.."Now don't even say it..I could never forget you...any of you. Ya'll mean a lot to me..and I'll miss you all...and even though we may not be together..traveling together, doing shows and all that..we'll always have memories. Besides..we've got vacation times.."
She trailed off..looking to Dawn, sad smiles passing between the two. Then to Lance, his lips were pressed into a thin line but he still smiled with his eyes. Justin offered a grin and Tommy still hadn't said anything. Amy then looked to Rob, the two turned slightly..speaking with their eyes for a moment. She then laid her head on his shoulder, no more words were needed.
Eventually..the group settled on watching some movie on tv. Justin remained on his pillow bed; Tommy, Amy and Rob occupied one bed and Lance and Dawn had already fallen asleep. Amy looked to Tommy who was slowly but surely drifting off. She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead before scooting off the bed. She made her way over to the balcony, dragging a chair with her. Rob followed and the two stood at the sliding doors leading to the balcony. He hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder and she leaned against him. He sat down, and she sat half on his lap, half on the chair. He just shook his head, pulling her completely into his lap. Nothing they hadn't done before..but then again..well things were changing. The two curled up in the chair, staring out the windows. No words were spoken, but in that shared silence (and the occasional snoring of either Lance, Dawn or Justin) they found solace and serenity. One tear had managed to sneak it's way down Amy's cheek before sleep overtook her. *************************************************************************
So the big moment has come and gone. What happens now? Well duh, Amy leaves ECW and moves to WWF. But what really happens? Well stay tuned for the next chapter. Untl then..read, review and hopefully enjoy.
