Title: Promises Not Broken
Disclaimer: Now..if I owned the names and things you recognize..would I really be sitting here?
Spoilers: Like they'd actually use my story line..but really...no
Distribution: Ask if you want it
Rating: Nothing overly excessive or violent..mild swearing..tis about it
Pairing: Multiple, but focuses mainly on Dawn/Lance, Lita/RVD and Stephanie/Jericho. Some pair switching here and there and cameo's by other couples.
Author Notes: I know the last chapter wasn't exactly..typical. But please...don't kill me after reading this one. Yes I know..someone's being a high and mighty..biotch. But well..things'll come a close....eventually. Anyway, enough with the rambling, as always my thanks for the reviews. And now.. *runs behind a tall tree* on with the story......

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(Airport, March 31, 2002)

{Another turning point a fork stuck in the road,
Time grabs you by the wrist directs you where to go,
So make the best of this test and don't ask why,
Its not a question but a lesson learned in time }

"So..you're off again?" Rob held Amy, his arms loosely draped around her waist.
"Yeah well..can't keep a bird that wants to fly, caged up very long" She grinned turning so her back was to his chest, taking a look around at those gathered.

This time to see her off were Matt, Jeff, Trish, Lillian, Shane, Stephanie, Chris, Dawn, Lance, Justin and Tommy. She hadn't told anyone where she was heading, hadn't even shown them her boarding pass. All she would tell them was that she would be back within a few months..maybe longer. She didn't leave an address or a phone number, but she said she'd call when she got the chance. A letter was pushing it, but she'd certainly try to the best of her ability to keep in touch.

She leaned in closer to him, "I better go say farewell to everyone else first.."
He nodded, relinquishing his hold on her and she stepped away over to the rest of the group. Matt and Jeff wrapped her up first, both mentioning that she will come back or they would jump off the highest building they could find..or at least Jeff would. She chuckled..moving to Trish and Lillian next. The three hugged, Trish and Lillian requesting a souvenir..or shirtless guys if she could fit one in her suitcase. Next up was Shane, Stephanie and Chris. All they had to say was don't do anything we wouldn't do. Dawn and Lance approached her next, no tears this time though- just that she stay safe. Tommy and Justin only reminded her that she had something to come back for.

When the farewells were done..she moved back to Rob. He wrapped her in a tight hug, whispering to her
"We made our promises before...just..don't forget them"
She shook her head, pressing a tiny kiss to his neck "I won't..as long as you won't"
"I won't.." he gently released her, resting his forehead against hers "Stay safe."
"I'd ask you to do the same..but the matches you do.." she trailed off, pressing a tiny kiss to his nose "Just don't get too injured"

She stepped back, gathering her shoulder bag and brandishing her boarding pass as she approached the security gates. With one final wave she stepped in line, hoping that no one in front of her would set off the metal detector.

*********************************

(April 14, 2002..pick a beach..any beach)

Amy laid back on the blanket, staring up at the sky.
Well..this is certainly one way to spend a birthday. I wonder what everyone else is up to?

She pushed herself up on her elbows, now watching the setting sun. It was so peaceful out here. She stared out over the ocean, watching the waves..the sun settting. Now this was as close to perfect as it could be..and she took a deep breath laying back again. Slowly, she closed her eyes, and just listened to the world around her.

(Meanwhile...hotel room..the night before RAW)

{The radio plays our favorite song
And it's what keeps me holding on
......
Heaven knows where you are right now
But my heart won't lie
My mind's been speaking about you
All the love in the world
And I'm lonely without you }

"She's at a club..I'm telling you" Dawn persisted
"Nah..she's probably in her hotel room..or wherever it is she's sleeping" Jeff put in
Trish snorted "I bet you're both wrong"
"Where do you think she is?" Dawn turned her gaze to Rob
He shrugged "I doubt she's anywhere inside..but..if it's night.."
"Then she's looking for the stars." Jeff finished for him and the two nodded.
"Not like we could call her anyway" Matt muttered looking at them.."What?..What did I say?"

They were about to yell..when Stephanie walked in, brandishing cup cakes. Chris followed with balloons, Shane with crepe paper and party hats and Lillian with beverages.
"She's with us in spirit..so we should still celebrate.." Stephanie reasoned "and don't give me that look Dawn..you can celebrate and have some cup cakes or you can just sulk all night"
Dawn rolled her eyes as she accepted a party hat from Shane, reluctantly putting in on. She was about to pour a drink when her cell phone went off.

"Well answer..it could be her" Trish jumped up, nearly grabbing Dawn's phone from her pocket
"Yeah..come on Dawn..we can sing!"
"Ugh..you want something done right you do it yourself" Stephanie commented, reaching into Dawn's pocket removing the phone

"Hello you've reached the McMahon Escort Service..how can I help you?"
"Ya know Steph..I might just be tempted to take you up on that offer..describe your employees"
Stephanie smirked, looking over at the males in the group "Well..I'm not so sure any of them are your type...see..one can be pretty..brash. Another..well his mental stability isn't so sure. One of them is my brother..that ends any possibilities..and the other two...well.maybe that'd work."
"Steph..you are way too much.." Amy chuckled, tucking her phone between her shoulder and ear "Be a nice girl and give Dawn her phone back"
"You like girls then? Well I-"
As she was about to launch into a description of the female counterparts Jeff snatched the phone away
"Hello?" he asked in a high pitched voice
"I swear if you don't put a normal person on the phone I'll hang up"
"Normal?" He chuckled and shook his head "Woman if you wanted normal..you shouldn't have called"
"True enough Jeffrey..true enough..now where in the hell is Dawn? Or did ya'll steal her phone?"
"No mommy we didn't. Thought about it..but I didn't." He held the phone out to Dawn "It's for you by the way"
"Hi Amy.."
"Hey Dawn..how're you?"
"Well aside from the fact that I'm being forced to wear a stupid party hat with" she reached up to examine said party hat "hearts on them..how do you think I'm doing?"
"Hearts? Pink hearts I'm guessing.. Oh lord now they've just completely ruined my day ..and I'm not even there"
"Hold on ok?" Jeff and Tommy stopped tugging at Dawn's sleeve and she rolled her eyes but held the phone out towards everyone
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!" they all shouted and when Dawn brought the phone back to her ear, Amy's laughter was heard
"Well I'll let ya'll get back to your party now..have fun. I'll-"
"Not so fast you..what...I don't even get a hello?" Rob had now grabbed the phone from Dawn and stepped into the bathroom.
"Didn't think you'd be there too" She teased, knowing full well he was
"I'm hurt Amy.."
She cooed through the phone "Awww..poor Robbie..need someone to kiss it and make it better?"
"Well..I was thinking more along the lines of-"
"Don't finish that thought. It's getting late here..I need to go..seriously so don't start pouting at me"
"Alright alright..when are you coming back?"
"Why does that matter?"
"I miss you Amy"
"I miss you too..but I need my time"
"How much longer?"
With a sigh she stated tiredly "I don't know alright? I'll be back when I'm back. Good night"
"But-"
"Good night Rob" and he was then met with the dial tone.
{ Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts }

"Happy birthday" he muttered as he walked out, tossing the phone to Dawn.

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(July 9 2002, Smackdown- Dawn makes a phone call)
"Pick up damnit." Dawn muttered into her phone
"This is Amy..talk to me"
"What the hell are you thinking?" Dawn clenched her fist "First..you nearly.. no I correct that..you did hang up on us..more specifically on him..and now? What the fuck is your problem? Would it kill you to call once in awhile?"
"What the fuck is your problem Dawn? Huh? Are you my mother? Is he my father? No. What is with everyone that they can't give me some space!"
"You have space Amy no one knows where the fuck you are"
"Dawn..don't start with me alright? You wouldn't understand"
"You're right Amy I wouldn't..because you never explain anything. You just assume that people will understand. And while he-"
"Dawn this is not about Rob alright? It never was. So just leave him out of it."
"Then what is it about Amy. I'm confused, shit everyone's confused."
"And you think I'm not Dawn? You think I don't want to be there right now? To spill my inner soul to people and share my deepest fears?"
"Then do it Amy. Come back and talk to us. That is all we're asking for"
"I can't Dawn. I'm still trying to figure a few things out and I need time."
"Have you ever stopped to think for just one minute that there are people who care about you. People who miss you and people who are going crazy without you around? Have you ever thought about that?"
"Dawn he's a big boy I'm sure he's fine"
"That's not the fucking point. Are you that blind?" Dawn sighed in frustration "If he's not waiting when you get back..I wouldn't be too surprised."
"Dawn..fuck you..Ok? Fuck you. If he's not waiting, fine. If you're not waiting..fine. I don't fucking care."
"Ugh..you can be such a bitch you know that?"
"Well if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black..fuck off"
"Hello? Hello?....Amy you bitch!" Dawn spat angrily into her phone throwing it back in her purse.

{I realize you're afraid
But you can't abandon everyone
You can't escape
You don't want to escape
I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands
Is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone
I can hear you in a whisper
But you can't even hear me screaming }

And meanwhile, someone is impatiently waiting outside the arena for Stephanie.
She's got some fucking nerve. Trying to tell me what to do. Why can't she understand?

"I should slap that attitude off your fucking body and into your next life time"
"I'd like to see you try."
"Don't you dare cop a fucking attitude with me."
"I'll put up an attitude with whomever the hell I want to"
"Dawn's going fucking hysterical and you're out here..acting all high and mighty..what is going on?"
Amy threw up her hands in frustration "I don't know ok? I just don't fucking know anymore."
"Whatever..you've used that excuse far too many times and I am sick and tired of seeing people hurt. "
"Stephanie please. You wouldn't understand"
"You here to see me or are you here to see Dawn?"
"Dawn actually..I have some things to explain to her"
"You don't deserve this you know that right? And even if you said you did" She trailed off angrily staring at her "..I know you don't know. Come on"

The two slipped in through the back, ignoring the curious looks the Smackdown roster was tossing her as they made their way to the locker rooms. Stephanie stopped in front of Dawn's locker room, carefully knocking.
"You have an hour..then I want you out of here. We start taping soon and I need Dawn" Stephanie turned, marching down the hallway with her arms at her sides as the door opened.
"Well..hello"
"I'll get to the point of this spontaneous visit now." She moved past Dawn and stood near the door, as Dawn slammed it shut
"I just need you to understand that I had to find myself. This wasn't about anyone but me. Selfish? I sure as hell know it was. But it was something that I needed to do. I needed to find Amy. Not Lita, not Angelica, not Miss Congeniality and certainly not a girlfriend or valet to anyone. I'm sorry if I didn't live up to everyone's standards and check in more often. I'm sorry if I hurt people. But I'm not sorry that I left. It was something I had to do. Not something I wanted to do or should do, but something I had to do. And you may not believe me, I'm not expecting you to and I am not asking you to. All I'm doing is for once, explaining why I left. If you can't understand, then I'm sorry. I have no more explainations to give. At least not to you or Stephanie."
And before Dawn could respond, Amy left.

*********************************

(August 23, 2002. Cameron, North Carolina)

{ And you will hear yourself when the rain begins to fall
Feel the fire burning inside us all
Remove me we're going in unchained
Blow away for ourselves to gather again
And listen to the conversations of the sea
Inside us all there's a quiet beach
If we fall into our sands we will be comfy
I myself could use a little clarity
Cos I am so full of love
I am so full of hate
I am so full of these feelings that tear me every which way
I am so full of you
I am so full of me}

Amy stood impatiently on Jeff's front porch. She had tried ringing the doorbell, was in the process of knocking yet again when she tried to shimmy up the drain pipe.

"Well..look who the cat drug in"
"Shut it Jeff"
"What..no condolences for your favorite wrestler?"
.............
"You tellin me you didn't watch that match? "
"Yeah yeah, whatever... " she shrugged "So you lost to the better man"
"Tommy is by no means the better man" He scoffed
"Yeah whatever Jeff"
He snorted "Still a smart ass." He walked towards her, slipping the key out of his pocket "And still the same fire ball" He opened the door and let them both in.
"I just need to know one thing..I don't need a place to stay so don't even bother asking. All I need is for you to pick me up at the airport. Here's my flight information" She shoved a piece of paper over "Can you do that for me?"
He arched a brow "And Stephanie-"
"I already cleared it with the people who matter. And Stephanie and Dawn are helping me out. We're all fine right now....can I count on you or not?"
"You know..I shouldn't do this for you. But..."
She strolled into the living room, flopping down on the couch. "Ya got anything to eat? I'm starving"

********************************

So what now? Amy's back..duh. But how will everyone else take it? She says everything is a-ok but is it? Find out in the next chapter..
Songs used in this chapter are : Good Riddance (Time of your Life, Greenday) Do You Miss Me (Jocelyn Enriquez), Don't Speak (No Doubt), Where Will You Go (Evanescence), I Am a Cloud, (Boy Hits Car)