**Thanks for all of your patience. For those of you that are reading this
but not "Everything Works if You Let It," I was unable to post because I
got in trouble with FF.net and I was not allowed to post for a week. Thank
you everyone for your reviews, and I hope that you're still out there! Now
in this story, I'm tweaking a lot of things to try and fit my scenario, so
please bear with me!**
Steph was walking on air. Finally, she would be able to prove to her dad that she was able to handle a house show all on her own. She went to where Matt had been, but he wasn't there anymore. "He's probably off with Spanky." She thought to herself.
As she was walking around backstage trying to find Matt, she ran into Nidia.
"Congratulations! I heard the big news." Nidia said to her with a big smile.
Steph got nervous, "What big news?"
"Oh, you don't have to play, that is so exciting! I hope that it works out ok." Nidia said to her smiling.
"Nidia, I'm serious. I don't know what you're talking about." Steph replied quietly.
Nidia laughed, "You're in charge of the house show tomorrow night! That is so cool! I bet you are just ecstatic."
Steph breathed a sigh of relief, "Yeah, it still hasn't sunk in completely, but I am really excited."
Nidia gave her a quick hug, "Well you looked like you were in a hurry, so I'll let you go. Congratulations again!" And she walked off.
Steph gave up on looking and decided to go and grab some coffee. At the coffee stand she found Matt and Spanky and Shannon chatting. "Hey boys." She said to them.
Shannon smiled and said hi.
"Hey Steph!" Spanky said with a smile.
Matt smiled, "Hi Steph, what are you up to?"
"Just grabbing some coffee. What are you guys up to?" She replied.
"I owe Spankster a soda, so we came out here to get it." Matt replied. "How was your meeting? Can you hang out for awhile?"
Steph nodded, "For a couple minutes. I tried calling you, but there was no answer."
"Oh yeah, I left it in my bag. Come sit down with us." Matt said motioning her over.
Steph still felt a little uncomfortable when they were around their coworkers. She wasn't ashamed, but it just felt awkward. She took a deep breath and headed over to their table and sat down.
"So, how was the meeting?" Matt asked again.
"Well, dad informed me that I'm in full control of the Raw house show tomorrow night. He isn't able to make it, so I'm in charge." Steph said with a proud smile on her face.
"Steph that's great! What an accomplishment. I know you'll do great. Too bad I have a show tomorrow night, I want to see how you do." Matt said with a big smile. He knew how much that meant to her.
"So what exactly is "full control?" Does that mean you do everything?" Shannon asked.
"Well, it means that I oversee the entire show, I set up the matches for the night, I work with the agents to ensure that we have no gaps in the card. I make sure that the storylines are still semi-covered in the matches." Steph started to explain when Shannon interrupted her.
"Ok, let me phrase it this way, does everyone answer to you tomorrow night?" Shannon said with a smirk. He hadn't meant to get a lecture on the ins and outs of a house show.
Steph laughed, "Sorry. Yeah, everyone answers to me tomorrow night."
"Ooooh. Everyone better watch out, if they mess with you, you'll just have to lay the Smackdown on them!" Spanky said.
Everyone laughed and Steph looked at her watch, "I've gotta run. I have a conference call with one of our sponsers to go over a few things." Steph looked at Matt, I'll catch up with you later."
Matt nodded, "Alright, take care."
Steph walked off and Shannon and Spanky looked at Matt, "You guys are cute together, do you really think it'll work out?" Shannon asked.
"Don't tell me that Jeff brain-washed you into thinking the way he does." Matt said in a dreaded tone.
"No, nothing like that. I was just wondering what it's like behind closed doors. Is she more laid back? Does she know how to have fun?" Shannon asked.
"She just seems so.tense around everyone. Almost like she needs to have a few drinks to relax." Spanky added.
"Yes she knows how to have fun. She's a totally different person when you take her out of this element. Here she has to be all business. That's her job. She's a lot of fun when we're just hanging out on our days off." Matt replied.
"I'll tell you what. I'm throwing a party on Thursday night. Steph's house show is Wednesday and we're all off on Thursday. Why don't you talk her into coming? It'll be great!" Shannon suggested.
"I'll ask her." Matt said nodding, "Your parties are always a lot of fun. And that way she could meet Crystal and see Beth again."
"See, it'll be great." Shannon said with a big smile.
"Did you invite a lot of wrestlers?" Matt asked. He knew that she felt uncomfortable letting go around some of them.
"Not really. Just the ones we're really close to, like Spanky, Adam, Jason, you guys," Shannon started listing.
"Ok, it's better if I don't know that much." Matt said jokingly. "I'll talk her into it."
"Sounds good, let's go get ready." Spanky said standing up.
*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That night after the Smackdown tapings were over, Steph was in the room she was using as an office and was busy working away on her laptop. She was beginning work on her presentation she was going to be presenting to a potential sponsor and she was working on the house show card. She had her hair pulled up in a messy bun at the top of her head and she had her reading glasses pulled down so they were resting on the tip of her nose. She had changed out of her "work" clothes and changed into some track pants and a tank top. She thought that she looked a mess, but at least she was comfy.
Matt was going nuts backstage trying to find her. All through the show, either she was in the ring when he wasn't or she was off with her dad and Shane when he would try to find her. He knew that at the tv tapings was the hardest time to get any alone time with her. Finally he decided to try her office and if she wasn't there, he would give up and call her.
Steph was deep in thought when she heard a tap on the door. "Come in." She called as she typed away.
Matt walked in and watched her for a minute. She looked so beautiful. He loved to see her like this. "You look good." He said quietly to her.
Steph smiled and blushed, "Oh stop. I look like hell."
Matt walked over to her, "I think you look great. So great as a matter of fact, I have to hold myself back from laying you down on that desk and making love to you all night long."
Steph smiled and laughed, "Is that so?"
Matt nodded with a seductive smile on his face.
Steph stood up and wrapped her arms around him, "I'm glad you came to see me. You looked really good out there in your match tonight, and I couldn't wait to tell you."
"Thanks. I have a great idea. Let's go back to the hotel, kick back, relax, Then tomorrow morning, we'll fly out to our prospective areas and then on Thursday we can meet up in North Carolina and go to Shannon's party." Matt suggested cautiously.
"Shannon's party? What type of party?" Steph asked.
"Just a friendly little get-together style party." Matt replied. "It'll be fun."
"Are there going to be a lot of the guys there?" Steph asked.
"Not really. Just the ones that we're really close to, I promise, it'll be a good time." Matt said rubbing her back.
"Keep that up and I'll agree to almost anything." She said leaning into him.
"Hmmm.then why don't we head back to the hotel and call it a night?" Matt said suggestively to her.
"Sounds good to me." Steph purred.
The two leaned in close and began to kiss when there was a knock at the door, "Steph, are you still here?" She heard John Cena call.
Steph backed away from Matt, "Yeah John come in."
John walked in, "Hey Steph, I was wondering if you" He stopped suddenly when he seen Matt in the room. "Did I interrupt something, should I come back in a little bit?"
Steph shook her head, "No, don't worry about it. What's up?"
"Well, I feel really stupid, but could I catch a ride with you back to the hotel? I borrowed Shelton my car and he left already." John said sheepishly.
Steph smiled, "Yeah John, no problem. I'll be ready in about 5 minutes, ok?"
"Sure, I'll meet you out in the parking lot. Thanks Steph, I mean it." John said heading out. "Sorry to interrupt man." He said to Matt.
"Not a problem." Matt said acknowledging him.
John shut the door and Matt turned to look at Steph.
"I'm sorry Matt, I can't tell him no." Steph started to say but Matt shush'ed her.
"It's fine. I'll order a bottle of wine, and I'll meet you in my room." Matt said to her.
"But aren't you sharing with Shannon?" Steph questioned as she gathered her things together.
"No, he's staying with Spankster tonight." Matt replied. "I'll see you soon ok?" He said kissing her quickly on the lips and heading out.
Steph got everything together and headed out to the parking lot and found John. "You all set?"
"Yes ma'am I am." John replied. He helped her load her stuff into the trunk of the car.
They climbed in and headed to the hotel.
They talked about the show, then it was quiet for a couple minutes. Finally John couldn't take it anymore, "So tell me something Steph, are you and Matt dating?"
Steph couldn't believe the way he asked, "Now why would you think that?" She asked trying not to sound too obvious.
He chuckled a little, "Because things looked a little cozy in there. You guys seem like you would work. He's definitely the serious one out of the Hardys. I think you guys could work." He watched her concentrate on the things he was saying, "Let me guess, I hit the nail on the head, and you guys are trying to keep it quiet, so you would rather me not say any more about it?"
Steph bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"It's alright, I'll keep it to myself, you don't have to worry about anyone finding out from me." John replied.
They pulled up at the hotel, "Well, here we are." Steph said getting out of the car.
"Steph, thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it." He said turning to walk into the hotel but he stopped, he took a deep breath and said, "Steph, I know that Kurt is usually your confidant, but now he's out with his hamstring. But I just want you to know that I can empathize with how alone you must feel at times. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."
Steph was so touched. She smiled, "Thanks John. That really means a lot to me. And I'll keep that in mind."
John waved and headed inside the hotel.
Steph grabbed her overnight bag and headed into Matt's room for a night of relaxation.and whatever else comes along. On her way to his room, all she could think of was the house show she was in charge of, and how perfect she'll make everything and how proud Vince will be of her.
**Well, it's Steph's big night next, what's going to happen?? Will it go as wonderful as she planned, or will something catastrophic happen? Let me know your thoughts! Have a nice day and please continue to read and review!**
Steph was walking on air. Finally, she would be able to prove to her dad that she was able to handle a house show all on her own. She went to where Matt had been, but he wasn't there anymore. "He's probably off with Spanky." She thought to herself.
As she was walking around backstage trying to find Matt, she ran into Nidia.
"Congratulations! I heard the big news." Nidia said to her with a big smile.
Steph got nervous, "What big news?"
"Oh, you don't have to play, that is so exciting! I hope that it works out ok." Nidia said to her smiling.
"Nidia, I'm serious. I don't know what you're talking about." Steph replied quietly.
Nidia laughed, "You're in charge of the house show tomorrow night! That is so cool! I bet you are just ecstatic."
Steph breathed a sigh of relief, "Yeah, it still hasn't sunk in completely, but I am really excited."
Nidia gave her a quick hug, "Well you looked like you were in a hurry, so I'll let you go. Congratulations again!" And she walked off.
Steph gave up on looking and decided to go and grab some coffee. At the coffee stand she found Matt and Spanky and Shannon chatting. "Hey boys." She said to them.
Shannon smiled and said hi.
"Hey Steph!" Spanky said with a smile.
Matt smiled, "Hi Steph, what are you up to?"
"Just grabbing some coffee. What are you guys up to?" She replied.
"I owe Spankster a soda, so we came out here to get it." Matt replied. "How was your meeting? Can you hang out for awhile?"
Steph nodded, "For a couple minutes. I tried calling you, but there was no answer."
"Oh yeah, I left it in my bag. Come sit down with us." Matt said motioning her over.
Steph still felt a little uncomfortable when they were around their coworkers. She wasn't ashamed, but it just felt awkward. She took a deep breath and headed over to their table and sat down.
"So, how was the meeting?" Matt asked again.
"Well, dad informed me that I'm in full control of the Raw house show tomorrow night. He isn't able to make it, so I'm in charge." Steph said with a proud smile on her face.
"Steph that's great! What an accomplishment. I know you'll do great. Too bad I have a show tomorrow night, I want to see how you do." Matt said with a big smile. He knew how much that meant to her.
"So what exactly is "full control?" Does that mean you do everything?" Shannon asked.
"Well, it means that I oversee the entire show, I set up the matches for the night, I work with the agents to ensure that we have no gaps in the card. I make sure that the storylines are still semi-covered in the matches." Steph started to explain when Shannon interrupted her.
"Ok, let me phrase it this way, does everyone answer to you tomorrow night?" Shannon said with a smirk. He hadn't meant to get a lecture on the ins and outs of a house show.
Steph laughed, "Sorry. Yeah, everyone answers to me tomorrow night."
"Ooooh. Everyone better watch out, if they mess with you, you'll just have to lay the Smackdown on them!" Spanky said.
Everyone laughed and Steph looked at her watch, "I've gotta run. I have a conference call with one of our sponsers to go over a few things." Steph looked at Matt, I'll catch up with you later."
Matt nodded, "Alright, take care."
Steph walked off and Shannon and Spanky looked at Matt, "You guys are cute together, do you really think it'll work out?" Shannon asked.
"Don't tell me that Jeff brain-washed you into thinking the way he does." Matt said in a dreaded tone.
"No, nothing like that. I was just wondering what it's like behind closed doors. Is she more laid back? Does she know how to have fun?" Shannon asked.
"She just seems so.tense around everyone. Almost like she needs to have a few drinks to relax." Spanky added.
"Yes she knows how to have fun. She's a totally different person when you take her out of this element. Here she has to be all business. That's her job. She's a lot of fun when we're just hanging out on our days off." Matt replied.
"I'll tell you what. I'm throwing a party on Thursday night. Steph's house show is Wednesday and we're all off on Thursday. Why don't you talk her into coming? It'll be great!" Shannon suggested.
"I'll ask her." Matt said nodding, "Your parties are always a lot of fun. And that way she could meet Crystal and see Beth again."
"See, it'll be great." Shannon said with a big smile.
"Did you invite a lot of wrestlers?" Matt asked. He knew that she felt uncomfortable letting go around some of them.
"Not really. Just the ones we're really close to, like Spanky, Adam, Jason, you guys," Shannon started listing.
"Ok, it's better if I don't know that much." Matt said jokingly. "I'll talk her into it."
"Sounds good, let's go get ready." Spanky said standing up.
*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That night after the Smackdown tapings were over, Steph was in the room she was using as an office and was busy working away on her laptop. She was beginning work on her presentation she was going to be presenting to a potential sponsor and she was working on the house show card. She had her hair pulled up in a messy bun at the top of her head and she had her reading glasses pulled down so they were resting on the tip of her nose. She had changed out of her "work" clothes and changed into some track pants and a tank top. She thought that she looked a mess, but at least she was comfy.
Matt was going nuts backstage trying to find her. All through the show, either she was in the ring when he wasn't or she was off with her dad and Shane when he would try to find her. He knew that at the tv tapings was the hardest time to get any alone time with her. Finally he decided to try her office and if she wasn't there, he would give up and call her.
Steph was deep in thought when she heard a tap on the door. "Come in." She called as she typed away.
Matt walked in and watched her for a minute. She looked so beautiful. He loved to see her like this. "You look good." He said quietly to her.
Steph smiled and blushed, "Oh stop. I look like hell."
Matt walked over to her, "I think you look great. So great as a matter of fact, I have to hold myself back from laying you down on that desk and making love to you all night long."
Steph smiled and laughed, "Is that so?"
Matt nodded with a seductive smile on his face.
Steph stood up and wrapped her arms around him, "I'm glad you came to see me. You looked really good out there in your match tonight, and I couldn't wait to tell you."
"Thanks. I have a great idea. Let's go back to the hotel, kick back, relax, Then tomorrow morning, we'll fly out to our prospective areas and then on Thursday we can meet up in North Carolina and go to Shannon's party." Matt suggested cautiously.
"Shannon's party? What type of party?" Steph asked.
"Just a friendly little get-together style party." Matt replied. "It'll be fun."
"Are there going to be a lot of the guys there?" Steph asked.
"Not really. Just the ones that we're really close to, I promise, it'll be a good time." Matt said rubbing her back.
"Keep that up and I'll agree to almost anything." She said leaning into him.
"Hmmm.then why don't we head back to the hotel and call it a night?" Matt said suggestively to her.
"Sounds good to me." Steph purred.
The two leaned in close and began to kiss when there was a knock at the door, "Steph, are you still here?" She heard John Cena call.
Steph backed away from Matt, "Yeah John come in."
John walked in, "Hey Steph, I was wondering if you" He stopped suddenly when he seen Matt in the room. "Did I interrupt something, should I come back in a little bit?"
Steph shook her head, "No, don't worry about it. What's up?"
"Well, I feel really stupid, but could I catch a ride with you back to the hotel? I borrowed Shelton my car and he left already." John said sheepishly.
Steph smiled, "Yeah John, no problem. I'll be ready in about 5 minutes, ok?"
"Sure, I'll meet you out in the parking lot. Thanks Steph, I mean it." John said heading out. "Sorry to interrupt man." He said to Matt.
"Not a problem." Matt said acknowledging him.
John shut the door and Matt turned to look at Steph.
"I'm sorry Matt, I can't tell him no." Steph started to say but Matt shush'ed her.
"It's fine. I'll order a bottle of wine, and I'll meet you in my room." Matt said to her.
"But aren't you sharing with Shannon?" Steph questioned as she gathered her things together.
"No, he's staying with Spankster tonight." Matt replied. "I'll see you soon ok?" He said kissing her quickly on the lips and heading out.
Steph got everything together and headed out to the parking lot and found John. "You all set?"
"Yes ma'am I am." John replied. He helped her load her stuff into the trunk of the car.
They climbed in and headed to the hotel.
They talked about the show, then it was quiet for a couple minutes. Finally John couldn't take it anymore, "So tell me something Steph, are you and Matt dating?"
Steph couldn't believe the way he asked, "Now why would you think that?" She asked trying not to sound too obvious.
He chuckled a little, "Because things looked a little cozy in there. You guys seem like you would work. He's definitely the serious one out of the Hardys. I think you guys could work." He watched her concentrate on the things he was saying, "Let me guess, I hit the nail on the head, and you guys are trying to keep it quiet, so you would rather me not say any more about it?"
Steph bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"It's alright, I'll keep it to myself, you don't have to worry about anyone finding out from me." John replied.
They pulled up at the hotel, "Well, here we are." Steph said getting out of the car.
"Steph, thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it." He said turning to walk into the hotel but he stopped, he took a deep breath and said, "Steph, I know that Kurt is usually your confidant, but now he's out with his hamstring. But I just want you to know that I can empathize with how alone you must feel at times. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."
Steph was so touched. She smiled, "Thanks John. That really means a lot to me. And I'll keep that in mind."
John waved and headed inside the hotel.
Steph grabbed her overnight bag and headed into Matt's room for a night of relaxation.and whatever else comes along. On her way to his room, all she could think of was the house show she was in charge of, and how perfect she'll make everything and how proud Vince will be of her.
**Well, it's Steph's big night next, what's going to happen?? Will it go as wonderful as she planned, or will something catastrophic happen? Let me know your thoughts! Have a nice day and please continue to read and review!**