Chapter 3

Backstage at the Sydney SuperDome, Mandy was waiting for her match against Trish Stratus. Batista stood beside her, clutching her hand. He insisted on being at ringside to make sure Tyson Tomko didn't touch her.

She turned around and looked him in the eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this. You have your own match to prepare for."

"I love you, and I've seen what happens when Tyson's at ringside." He pulled her close to him, tilting up her head to face him. "I know I haven't been spending much time with you lately, atleast no time alone. So tonight, straight after you beat Trish, I'm all yours. None of the others, just you and me okay." He gave Mandy one final kiss before her entrance music played.

It turned out to be the most intense womans match Batista had ever seen. Slap after suplex after special move, there was no way to tell who would walk out victorious. Mandy had a Buffalo Sleeper hold on Trish, and Batista noticed that Tyson was about to enter the ring and interfere. Before he could enter the ring, Batista ran over, kicked off half the steel steps and grabbed him. "You trying to mess with her, huh!" He shouted, before giving Tyson a Batista Bomb onto the steps. Turning his attention back to the match, he cheered for Mandy. It seemed to give her a boost of strength as she gave Trish a DDT, covered her for the three count and picked up the victory.

---

Back in their room, Mandy and Dave lay next to each other. "Tomorrow we have to get up early for the flight to Melbourne. Though personally, I could just stay here with you. I love you."

"Not as much as I love you." Dave sat up, and opened the top drawer of the bedside table, pulling out a box. "Here, I brought you this earlier today. I saw it and thought of you. Then again when am I not thinking of you." Inside was a diamond pendant, hanging off a silver chain.

Mandy's heart melted. "I love it, thank you." She was about to put it on, when Dave closed the box and turned off the light.

Randy was walking up towards their suite to invite them out for their last night in Sydney. Though when he reached the door, he noticed the 'Do Not Disturb' sign hanging off the door. He couldn't stand there any longer, he ran back down the hall to the elevator, pushing the button for the lobby. He didn't want to know, but the thoughts came to his mind. Why can't they, they're married after all, he told himself. He bashed the side of the elevator swearing.

Getting out, he walked over to Paul, Ric and Danielle. "They're not coming." He said bluntly, grabbing Danielles arm and walking out to the limo they had hired.

---

The days passed by quickly, and soon enough the Raw supserstars were back in America, heading to San Antonio Texas for Monday Night Raw.

"Geez, the moment you get back home you have to head off to another show." Danielle stood at the departure gate, kissing Randy goodbye. "I'll miss you, but I'll get to see you soon I guess. Have fun."

The other five boarded the plane and not long later were in San Antonio checking into their rooms.

"I'm going to hit the gym, work out for awhile. Are you coming?" Dave asked Mandy, while changing.

"I'll catch up with you later. I might stay here and get some rest, maybe have some lunch." Mandy called out from the bathroom. She heard the door shut and went back to applying her makeup. A few seconds later the door opened again. "Forget something?"

Mandy walked out to find Randy standing in the doorway. "Sorry, I should have knocked. I just saw Dave go off to the gym and thought I'd come up here and keep you company."

"That's okay. I wanted to talk to you anyway." Mandy sat down at the table, Randy sat down beside her. "So, did you mind Danielle coming with us? I wasn't sure because you'd only known her a few days."

"No, it was fine. It's just, I don't really know how I feel about her. I know she's your best friend and I don't want to hurt her." Randy explained. He wasn't lying, he truely didn't know what he thought of Danielle, all he did was leave out the reason why.

"I guess it is weird. She lives here, you live there. Not to mention the constant travel that would prevent you from seeing her. It's understood that you would feel that way. Like you want something you can't have." As Mandy didn't know how much truth was in her last statement, she was confused at Randy's sudden departure.

"I have to go. Got a match tonight and I really should go to the gym." Randy waved at her, before running out the door. Mandy decided to go out for something to eat.

---

Chris sat down at the cafe by himself, eating a bagel. A couple of fans had come up and asked for autographs, but apart from that he was lost in his thoughts. Then he noticed her. She walked into the cafe and ordered an ice tea.

She turned around, saw him and came to sit down with him. Chris couldn't believe it. "Hey Mandy, how are you?"

"Pretty good, then again this is the first hour I've spent not on a plane." She swirled the straw in her ice tea, laughing.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? You know how Dave reacted when we spoke at the airport." Chris took a bite of his bagel.

"I wouldn't think you would be the type of person that cares what he thinks." Mandy replied.

"I don't. I was just wondering if you did." He explained.

"Look, I don't know why but you're nice to me and I have nothing against you. Why should I dislike you because of Dave?" Mandy looked at him, suddenly thinking. "Come to think of it, why are you so nice to me?"

"Does it really matter?" Chris asked before changing the subject. "Anyway, your match in Sydney was excellent."

"So was yours. Then again if you're matches weren't good you wouldn't be champion. If I could do something like the Crossface or Sharpshooter, I'd be Womans Champion for sure." Mandy looked at him, while sipping her ice tea.

"What?" Chris asked, wondering what she was thinking.

"It's just weird how we work together, see each other all the time and yet we've never really talked. But at the same time, I feel like I can really talk to you." Mandy explained. Chris moved his hand across the table until it came in contact with hers. He ran his thumb over her fingers. Feeling confused, Mandy laughed nervously. "Chris, what are you doing?"

Chris pulled his hand back. "I don't know. I'm sorry." He looked up at her, biting her lip due to the awkwardness.

"I think I better go. I'll see you later tonight though." Mandy walked off. She wasn't sure how to react to what just happened, the only thing she wanted was to see Dave.