Chapter 10 - Note: In this story Gail Kim is Womans Champ and Benoit is WHC.

It was comforting to be in Arizona, working to keep her mind off things. Standing in her own dressing room, Mandy wished that she had a match so she could let out her anger and frustration in the ring. Being at home made her realise just how alone she was and she hated Dave for making her feel that way. She walked out in the hallway and found Randy alone and decided it was time to explain everything.

"I'm sorry for everything. I know it's not your fault and I shouldn't have blamed you." Mandy explained, clasping her hands together.

"Now you say you're sorry? A little late don't you think?" Randy asked, sighing in frustration. "I tried to do the right thing by you, even if it meant betraying my best friend's secret."

"I know you did. That's why I'm talking to you now." Mandy said, finally meeting his eye. "You made me see something I didn't want to believe. So I lashed out. Then I thought about everything you said, and how this must have hurt you because of your feelings."

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm tired of being knocked around by you." Randy wasn't in the mood for her change of heart. "Being away from you for two weeks made me see you meant nothing. The only thing I was envious of was Batista's ability to commit to someone and I thought I wanted that."

"I know I have been hard on you, but this is not fair. I atleast listened when you apologised." Mandy yelled back at him.

Randy stepped closer to her, getting right up in her face. "You know what's not fair? That you just piss off somewhere when I want to talk to you, then you drag me here and expect me to listen to this garbage just when Evolution has cleaned up the mess you left. Don't try and talk your way out of it. Take your own advice and stay away from me." The moment he turned his back on her, he regretted what he said. Though he knew that it was the only way he could get over her.

Mandy stood paralysed for a moment, watching Randy walk away. She expected something like this to happen, but wasn't prepared for the moment when it did.

She walked away to look for Chris, to catch up with him. Explain why she hadn't been returning his messages. Then she checked the match scheduale, seeing that a match between Chris and Shelton was taking place.

"Mandy, just the girl I was looking for." Eric came up to her, smiling. "How would you like a shot at the Woman's Title, tonight?"

Mandy couldn't believe it. "That would be excellent! Not to question your decision, but what brought this on?"

"As much as I'd love to chat, you should get ready for your match. Mandy versus Gail Kim for the Womans Championship." Eric walked off, which made Mandy wonder about the ulterior motives for setting the match.

------
Mandy fought the battle of her life, releasing all the anger she had built up inside while being careful not to get disqualified. Even Gail Kim's submission moves were no match. Soon enough Gail Kim was on the ground, allowing Mandy to pick up the 1-2-3 and the belt.

She fell to her knees in disbelief, hugging the belt before standing up and raising it in the air. She turned around to find Chris Benoit standing behind her, smiling with his own belt over his shoulder. Feeling the happiest she had been in days, she hugged him.

The joy ended when Batista came out to the ring. He charged at Benoit, shouting at him. Mandy cried for them to stop it, feeling an unbelievable amount of anger at Batista for interupting her big moment.

"Keep your hands off her. I set up this match so that I could get Mandy's forgiveness and tell her how I feel. Not to have a dick like you come out and put your discusting hands on her." Batista shouted.

"You set this up!" Mandy looked at the belt. She looked at the man who betrayed her, fighting with the one who stuck by her through the tough times. She stepped in front of Chris, just as Batista threw a punch. The punch hit Mandy in the cheek.

Batista looked at her, shock in his eyes. "Mandy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

Mandy went to the ropes, leaning on them to recover from the shock. She couldn't get over how much it hurt. Chris came over and began comforting her. Batista pulled him away and turned Mandy's face to look at him. In anger, she bashed him over the head with the Woman's Title.

Batista stumbled and turned around, grabbing her by the hair. "You little bitch!" He screamed in her face. "I give you everything and this is how you repay me!" He threw her down, towering over her.

Mandy refused to be intimidated. She kicked him in the groin. Turning her head slightly to the side, seeing Ric Flair came running towards the ring she stood up, preparing to run. Before Ric could even step into the ring, Chris knocked him off the apron and pulled Mandy out of harms way, holding her and making sure she was okay.

"What's the big idea? I will not have this type of chaos on my show." Eric had come out and all four superstars were speechless. Everyone on the roster knew Eric only came out for one reason, to punish the people that crossed him. "Though since you insisted on bringing your personal business on to my show, next week on Raw it will be Batista versus Mandy!"
------

Mandy watched Chris pace the floor of his hotel room. She sat on the edge of his bed, not saying anything. Finally Chris sat down beside her, grabbing her shoulders. "Why did you do that?"

"I didn't want him to hurt you. Plus I was angry that he thinks I will forgive him for cheating because he set up a Womans Title match." Mandy explained.

Chris let go of her shoulders sighing. "Sorry, I just can't believe Eric put you in a match like that."

"Judging his past behaviour I figured it wouldn't be that surprising." Mandy said, sighing. "Besides, there is nothing we can do. Hopefully they'll get beaten down in the Royal Rumble and be in no state to wrestle."

"The great thing is though, you won the title." Chris picked up her chin, so her eyes met his. " You know next week I'll be there with you. I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know." Mandy touched his cheek. "If only Dave was as good to me as you are. I just can't help but feel so angry at him, making me look like a fool."

"Well we can't change the past." Chris told her. "He's out of your life now. So you shouldn't worry about that."

That moment, Mandy saw Chris in a whole new light. A rush of emotions filled her. Everything that he had done for her ran through her mind. She gave in to the moment. Smiling she moved her face to his and kissed him passionately. Chris couldn't believe it. He didn't want to stop. Mandy however, pulled away.

"I'm sorry, that was stupid." She said, removing her arms from his shoulders. "I shouldn't have done that." Though part of her wanted to jump back in his arms and kiss him again.

"It's okay." Chris said, grabbing one of her hands.

"Look, I don't want to be another locker room joke." Mandy told him.

"You won't be. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me too." Chris slid his hand on to her knee.

Mandy edged away from him. "I better go. I'll see you tomorrow."

--------
Randy watched his three friends, listening to the way they spoke about the match next week. He couldn't believe some of the stuff they were saying. It was bad enough that he had yelled at Mandy, sending her straight into Chris Benoit's arms, making her believe he didn't love her when he would do anything to stop the match taking place.

"How can you talk about her like this? You loved her once!" Randy couldn't take it anymore.

"What's up with you? You see what she did to me?" Dave looked like he was about to attack Randy.

"Don't mind him. He's just getting soft. We all thought Mandy was one of us." Ric explained to calm Dave down.

"No man has ever been able to split up Evolution, that's not going to change with a woman." Paul said. "As inappropriete as it is, sometimes you have to teach a woman a lesson."

"Did you see that way Chris was holding her. Wouldn't be surprised if they were screwing around." Dave said, though he knew he didn't mean any of it. He wanted the match to be cancelled just as much as Randy.

"You can't possibly want to hurt her that bad. I'm just saying, it may affect you." Randy saved himself because he knew that if the guys found out what he really thought, he would be kicked from Evolution.