SummerSlam

Norfolk VA

Part One

Eric Bischoff's Office

"Look guys, you have to put your differences aside. Tonight is a big night and I need you two to focus!" Eric said, as he looked at Hunter, then to Chris. Both had been sitting in Bischoff's office for over thirty minutes now. They were more than ready to get into the ring and work off some steam before their match that night. Ironically, they were going up for the WWE Championship Title. Neither one spoke, as Bischoff continued his lecture. "You both know the risks, if your head isn't in the game. The injuries you both could suffer are tremendous. And since we have been hyping your main event match for weeks now, we can't just change things because of your personal issues. Damn it! Do you both realize the staked here? I want a clean match, no bullshit!" Eric ran his hand through his hair and paced his office. He wasn't sure what else he could possibly say. They were both veterans in this industry. Hunter was a ring general, he normally took good care of his opponent. But in this case, Eric was worried. There was too much tension between him and Jericho. It was out of his hands though. Once Hunter and Jericho stepped in that ring, the battle would be real. Eric prayed that their professionalism would over ride their hatred, and they both would walk away from the match uninjured.

Catering Room

"Hi daddy!" Autumn yelled, as she ran towards her father, Chris Benoit. She was all smiles as she gave her father a hug.

"Hey sweetheart! It's good to see you!" Benoit said, as he returned her hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"How are you daddy? I see you have a match against Shawn Michaels tonight."

"I'm ok. Sore as hell, but ok. Yeah, I have Michaels to thank for these stitches." Benoit pulled back a bandage on his forehead to reveal seven stitches. "I'll get the bastard tonight." He gave his signature toothless smile.

Audi just shook her head, knowing her father wouldn't really harm Shawn. "Oh daddy, don't be too hard on him." She replied with a laugh. Benoit sipped his coffee and looked at his daughter. He admired her for her hard work and dedication to this business, she was just like him. He knew the day she was born that she would follow in his footsteps, and become a wrestler. He was so proud that she was a skilled wrestler and not just eye candy, although she had beauty too. Benoit put his serious face on, wanting at all costs to avoid a confrontation with his daughter, about the subject he was about to approach. He sat his coffee down and looked at Autumn. "So how are things with you and Randy?" She really didn't feel like discussing the issue of her relationship and if her daddy was asking about Randy, she knew that he knew something. "Why? What have you heard?"

"Audi. Randy told me everything. He wants me to talk to you, and find out why you are running around with Rob."

Autumn laughed. "Is that what he told you?"

"Well, he mentioned that you were with Rob on a couple of occasions. And that you ran out on him at a restaurant."

"Sorry dad, but I refuse to have this conversation. I have to find Randy and talk to him. Not to mention I need to find Mel, I haven't see her in months. Let's all have dinner after the show." Audi gave her dad a peck on the cheek and walked off.

Parking Garage

Melony pulled her car into the area reserved for the WWE superstars. Although she was about an hour late, there was still fans standing around, waiting for a glimpse of their favorite wrestlers. Mel smiled to herself, remembering when she use to be one of those fans. Not much had changed, she was still a fan. She got out of her car, grabbed her bags from the trunk and walked over to the crowd. She plastered on her biggest smile, although she was crying on the inside. Being the number one diva on the WWE roster, Mel was obligated to pose for pictures and sign autographs. And she did so, never complaining once. Finally she gave a wave and thanked the small crowd of fans. Walking into the arena, she out her head down hoping to avoid everyone for as long as possible. She knew the women's locker room would be buzzing with activity, so she decided to go to the one place she felt safe.

Weight Room

Randy lifted the one hundred pound weight bar up into a biceps curl, as the music blared through his headphones. Thinking of Audi made his heart ache. He just couldn't figure out where he went wrong. God help me! He pleaded. Ran thought about the events of the past few days and anger surged through him. It hit him like a bolt of lightning, he pumped the weight harder as he thought of Rob Van Dam with his girl. "I'll kill the son of a bitch." He mumbled, as he sat the weight down.

Men's Locker Room

"If anything has happened to Mel, I will literally kill you in that ring tonight." Chris said, as he stared at Hunter.

"Look man, I have no clue where she went. But I hope like hell she stays far away from your punk ass." Hunter pulled on his knee pads and sat down on the bench to put his boots on. Chris walked over and glared down at Hunter. "This is the last time I tell you this, back off and leave Mel alone! She's mine. She loves me and when she gets here tonight you'll find it out for yourself junior." Chris stood there with a cocky smile on his face. Hunter finished lacing up his boots, grabbed his water bottle and stood up. Looking Jericho eye to eye, he grinned his own cocky smile. "We'll see alright." Hunter left the room.

Bischoff's Office

"Come in." Eric yelled, as he looked at the door. Wondering what else could go wrong tonight, he took a deep breath as the door slowly opened.

"Hi Eric. Mind if I hide out in here for a while?" Mel said with a smile.

Eric got up from his desk and walked over to her, he closed the door and gave her the biggest hug possible. "Babe, where did you go? I've been worried about you!" Eric held her close to him, not wanting to let her go. He silently thanked God that she was safe, as he kissed the top of her head.

"Oh Eric. I'm sorry for leaving like I did, but I couldn't just stand there and watch Chris and Hunter destroy each other. Thank you for coming to my rescue Eric. You are always there when I need you." Mel kissed him on the cheek and sat down on the leather love seat. Eric sat down beside her, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted him to know, if anything.

"So are you ok?" Eric asked, with genuine concern.

"I'm, well....., I'm ok I guess. I mean, I still have no idea who I am going to leave here with tonight, if either of them. It's just so crazy. I had finally decided to give Hunter a chance and here comes Chris with a marriage proposal. He even decided to quit his band. God , Eric, what do I do?"

Eric looked at the floor, not really knowing what to tell her. It wasn't his place to make her decisions. But he did wish she would decide before the main event. Not to sound selfish, but he had a feeling WWE might lose one or both men to serious injury. Eric took her hand in his. He looked into her light blue, almost gray eyes, and he saw the pain, sadness and conflict she was feeling. Her eyes were a window to her soul. "Mel, I can't tell you what to do or who to choose. I've already told you who I think is the better man. You have to follow your heart. If your heart is torn, give things some time. Everything will work out. Now don't you have a match to get ready for beautiful?" Eric flashed her a huge smile and stood up. He extended his hand out and helped her up off the sofa.

"Thank you Eric. Thanks for everything. I don't know what I would do without you. I mean that. You are my hero." Mel gave him a wink, blew him a kiss and was out the door.

Hallway

Autumn made her way towards the women's locker room, hoping to find her sister. It had been a while since they talked and Audi was anxious to tell Mel everything that had been going on. As she rounded the corner, she locked eyes with Rob. Dawn stood beside him, outside the locker room. A surge of anger and hurt ripped through her, as she walked right up to the two of them. "What the hell is going on here?"

Dawn smirked sexily and looked at Rob. "Nothing, we were just talking." Rob said, as if it were not big deal.

"Dawn, you really are a dirty slut! I can't believe you would betray me. You know I'm not even going to worry about this Dawn. Being the professional that I am, I'll settle my score with you, in the ring." Without so much as a peep, Dawn just stood there. Autumn turned her attention to Rob. "I do believe I promised you a little secret about your girl Dawn here. She has her career with WWE secured because she's sleeping with Heyman. Actually, she's been getting down and dirty with Paul E. For sometime now. But when Dave finally finds out and Mr McMahon, it will all come to an end. Including your career Dawn." With an appalled look on her face, Dawn stomped off.

"I had no idea Autumn. But believe me, nothing is going on with Dawn and me. Please believe me."

"Rob save it. What's done is done. If you'll excuse me, I have a match to prepare for." Autumn reached for the locker room door, but Rob reached out and spun her around. He looked intently into her eyes. "But I love you Autumn!" Autumn just stood there, not knowing what to say. She saw the loving look in his eyes and wanted to run into his arms. But she couldn't bring herself to even breathe as she watched Randy walk up behind Rob.

"What the hell? Why are you harassing my fiancé?" Randy asked as he glared at rob.

"Man, I was just talking to her. Chill out dude."

"Ran, calm down. It's ok." Audi put her hand on his arm.

"I'll kill you, you son of a bitch! Stay away from her!" Randy's eyes were filled with rage.

"Randy, please calm down! There is nothing to worry about."

Rob shrugged his shoulders and remained calm. "Whatever. I'm out of here. I'll see you later Audi and I'll see you in the ring Orton!"

"You stay away from my fiancé! I won't tell you again."

As Rob walked off, Randy focused his attention on Autumn. "I'm sorry baby. I had to talk to you. I miss you so much."

Autumn exhaled. "I've missed you too Ran."

"Really? I can't tell. You haven't called me at all."

"I didn't call because I was at a loss for words. After you showed up in Dallas and dumped me, I just didn't know what to think." Autumn dropped her head. Saddened at the thought of losing Randy. This was too much to handle. Especially after what Rob had just told her.

"Audi, I apologize for that. I was angry and upset. I love you too much to let you go that easily. Things have been pretty rough for us these last few weeks. But I know we can work it all out. I love you."

Before Autumn could respond, they were interrupted by a stagehand. "Orton, your match is in ten. Get a move on!"

"Shit! Shit! Sorry baby, I got to go." Running down the hall, Ran stopped midway and turned towards Audi and yelled. "I'll wait for you in gorilla, after your match." Audi smiled and walked into the locker room.

Women's Locker Room

Mel tied the strings that held together her barely there bikini. She was glad she had a bikini match instead of a real match, because her mind was elsewhere. She thought about Hunter and Chris, wondering if they would survive their match without killing each other. She knew she should go talk to them, but she couldn't bare to face either man, until she made a choice. It seemed so childish to be torn between two men, but she couldn't help it. Chris was her first love and he wanted to marry her. Hunter was an undeniable force, that tugged her heart, and made her feel wanted. It was complicated. Mel couldn't deny her feeling for either of them.

A/N: To be continued........Stay tuned, it's all coming to an end.