PART 4

Torrie found herself strolling down the arena hallway, having a talk with her fellow Smackdown diva, Dawn Marie. The two hadn't really spoken in quite some time, and since neither were scheduled to appear on that night's show, they decided they'd spend the evening together. That way, they could catch up on each other's lives - and with the way Dawn Marie loved to chat for hours on end, they'd need an entire evening.

"So, how are things with John?" Dawn asked curiously, a sly grin on her pretty face.

Torrie smiled... one of the things she'd loved most about the brunette was how easy going she was when it came to men. She had actually dated John before he and Torrie got together, and not only was she not bitter over their relationship, she remained close friends with both of them.

"They're pretty good, except for the fact that he's not speaking to me on account of me telling him to get a hair cut," she answered, giggling as Dawn raised an eyebrow. "See, he insists that he doesn't need one because he's always got a hat on. I've tried explaining that it's not going to stop his hair from growing, but he'll have none of that. I think he just doesn't want to get it done because I told him to."

"He's so stubborn. I don't see what the big deal is, it's not like he's got long hair like Edge or Jericho," Dawn replied with a shrug and a smile. Running a manicured finger through her hair, she continued, "Speaking of hair, I'll need to stop by the locker room and get some hairspray before we head out. Wanna come with me?"

"Sure, I've got nothing else to do," Torrie said with a nod. Then, from the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jackie Gayda, who was stretching in the a corner, preparing for her upcoming match with Charlie against Sable and Luther Reigns. "On second thought, Dawn, you go ahead. I'll meet you in the locker room in a few."

Turning her head in the direction Torrie was looking, Dawn too saw Jackie. She smiled at Torrie, nodding in agreement.

"Alright, see you in a little!" she said cheerily, sauntering away.

Torrie waved goodbye and then turned on her heels, heading in Jackie's direction. She approached her friend slowly, remaining silent as she took note of her serious, determined demeanor. She was almost hesitant to speak, as she didn't want to startle her obviously focused friend.

"Hey..." she voiced tentatively, sending Jackie a warm smile when the young woman looked up. "I just wanted to drop by and wish you good luck tonight... with the match and with Charlie."

The serious expression on Jackie's face dwindled away, and she rolled her eyes playfully.

"You're never going to get off my case about him, are you?" she asked with a laugh, shaking her head.

"Not until you guys hook up," Torrie stated, placing her hands on her hips. She frowned when Jackie once again shook her head. "Oh come on, you're killing me! You two have to get together, you just have to."

"I think I should focus on my match first, Torr. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll start thinking about Charlie," Jackie replied, hoping that her response would be enough to satisfy her ever persistent friend, at least for the moment.

"True... though I know you won't have any trouble with Sable," she said with an eyeroll.

Torrie didn't hold her former Playboy co-cover girl and friend in the highest regard anymore. In fact, she couldn't stand her. No one really could, though, as Sable was incredibly hard to please. The only one who got along with her was Dawn, and that was only because Dawn was everyone's friend. Jackie laughed at the look of distaste on Torrie's face at the mention of Sable's name.

"Let's just say I'm confident I'll do just fine in that department," she assured her with a wink, rising from the floor. "I have to go meet Charlie, but thanks for the well wishes, and I promise... I'll toss one extra hard punch just for you."

As Jackie walked away, a satisfied smirk played on Torrie's lips.

"That's my girl!"

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Charlie didn't understand women. Not all women, actually... just women like Sable, who had the guts to step in the ring with him. He had felt her nails rake into his back - she had attacked him while he wasn't looking, of course - and God knew those tings didn't belong to Luther Reigns. He turned to face her, regarding her in disbelief as she began to holler at him. Was she really so stupid that she'd pick a fight with a man twice her size? Part of him wanted to knock the smug look righ toff of her face, but he just couldn't. He was too much of a gentleman to hit a woman - even one who deserved it.

Shaking his head, Charlie turned his back to her, marching over to the corner of the ring. He grinned as he extended his hand to Jackie, who had been eagerly waiting for his tag. He gladly tagged her in, stepping aside as the blonde woman immediately went after Sable. He couldn't hold back a cheer as Jackie took Sable out with a rough clothesline, and he couldn't hold back a gasp when the older woman did the same only a minute or so later.

The contest was pretty much back and forth, neither of the two women having the clear upper hand, until Jackie nailed Sable with a DDT, leaving her lying prone in the center of the ring. In a rather daring move on her part, Jackie walked to the far corner of the ring, climbing the ropes and perching herself on top of them. Though Charlie was a bit concerned for her safety, he knew that if she nailed this move, it would be the end of the match. Just as he was about to cheer for her, he saw something out of the corner of his eye... Luther Reigns eyeing Jackie murderously from the floor just below her.

Charlie hopped off the apron and bolted in their direction, taking Luther down before he could act. The two men dropped to the floor, and Charlie began nailing into him with all his might. Next thing he knew, the bell sounded and he looked up to see the referee raising Jackie's hand in victory. Forgetting about Luther for a moment, Charlie slid into the ring, stepping over Sable and approaching Jackie. She threw her arms around him, beaming with excitement as he lifted her from the mat, spinning her around in the air. When he placed her back to her feet, she gazed up at him, their eyes locking.

As he eyed her intently, Charlie could hear the voices in his head - those voices being John's and his own - telling him to go for it. He had to stop putting his feelings on the back burner and go for what he truly wanted.

So, he did... he kissed her.