Chapter 13: 'Another day... Another rival'

Molly stepped out of the rental car, and took a deep breath of the fresh air outside the arena. It was early evening and the sun hadn't quite set yet, painting the sky in an ominous shade of red. For once, Molly's mood didn't mimic the setting, as she opened the trunk to retrieve her bags.

"You need a hand with that Mol?"

"I'm okay thanks Dave." Molly replied to Batista, who had been kind enough to pick her up from the hotel earlier that morning. "Thanks for the ride, I really appreciate it."

Dave returned the smile she flashed in his direction and set about collecting his own belongings. With their gear in tow, they headed for the building.

"How come you wanted to get down here so early? The other guys are going to be here for another hour at least?" Dave asked. It was a question that had been going through his head for the last hour of their car journey. He'd not had a chance to pose it earlier, because Molly had been snoozing.

Molly flicked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and cocked her head in his direction, before filling him in, "I have something to clear up with Eric Bischoff. I'm still a bit sore after last night's match and don't really fancy being in action tonight."

"I'm not surprised, that was one brutal killing you dished out last night. You did us all proud." Dave said, giving her the thumbs up.

Molly shrugged, "Shucks Dave, you're too kind!"

Randy had tried to dish out similar praise the night before, but even accounting for her mood, she regarded Dave's words as far more genuine and believable. It all stemmed back to her stay in hospital and him being at her side when she came around; he was a totally different person away from wrestling, displaying a compassionate side that most people would never imagine possible.

"Well I'll leave you to it then, I'm going to head to the canteen for a bite to eat."

"Okay Dave, I'll catch up with you later. Thanks again for everything today."

"It's a pleasure Mol... Oh, and don't worry about any hassle from anybody tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"I've got your back, no more sneak attacks from now on." he assured her, adding a sly wink for good measure.

Molly felt good inside as she watched him walk away; she was thankful to have such a powerful hulk of a man fighting in her corner, she knew how much easier that would make her life during her latest championship reign. And he made a good friend too...

She set about finding Bischoff and was in luck instantly; he was stood in the reception area, having an altercation with the lady sat at the desk.

"I don't care about procedures! I want somebody on to it right this minute!" he yelled.

Molly looked on as he flailed his arms around, slammed them on the counter and gestured to tear his hair out. She walked over and tried to prevent him having a coronary.

"Problem Eric?" she said, startling the already disturbed General Manager.

"Huh... Oh it's you Molly. Can you believe this, they haven't even assigned me an office for today's show!" he ranted.

"You're kidding? Second class citizen hey..."

"Heads will roll, let me guarantee you!" he said, the annoyance evident on his face as it pulsed a bright shade of red.

"I'm sure... Listen, do you have a minute?" Molly asked, changing the subject. Bischoff pulled back the sleeve of his jacket and checked his watch, before nodding and pointing to a couch in the reception area of the arena. Molly followed his lead.

"I must say you are looking much happier today Molly... Not to mention the fact you look as beautiful as ever." he showered praise on her, as they both settled themselves on the seat. She became aware of the way he was eyeing her up, which prompted her to cross her legs and fidget with her fingers. Once he re-established eye contact, she responded.

"Thanks Eric. I guess I am feeling a bit happier with myself today."

"I'm glad to hear it, I didn't particularly enjoy our 'confrontation' last night."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Molly said, blushing at the reference to their spat. Eric held his hand up to signify that it was all water under the bridge.

"Hey, there's no need to apologise, we all lose our cool from time to time." he pointed out, deliberately referring to his outburst with the lady at the reception desk. He glanced back at the reception cubicle and shook his head scornfully. "By the way, I've already spoken with Vince... He filled me in on your little conversation."

"Oh, well um..."

"It's okay Molly, I have no problem with the way you conducted yourself last night."

"You don't?"

"Not at all. But you really should have come to me earlier if you had a problem with your colleagues."

Molly realised that Vince had obviously left no stone unturned in his exchange with Eric, something she didn't appreciate.

"He told you everything then..."

"Pretty much. I wished you would have come to me, I could have helped." he said, taking one of Molly's hands into his own hand. She began to feel uneasy about how close he was to her and resolved to get the conversation over with as quickly as possible; hoping to avoid a repeat of the previous night's altercation in the process.

"Um, okay... I appreciate the sentiment." she lied. As much as she liked being on the right side of her immediate boss, she was worried he was getting the wrong impression about their 'relationship'. It was purely a professional one in her eyes. If he scratched her back then she would scratch his... Not in the literal sense of the word however.

Molly twitched nervously and became flustered as Eric squeezed her hand a little tighter, causing her to wrench it from his grasp. Eric noticed her uneasiness and bit his lip apologetically. Before he could say anything, they were interrupted.

"Lovers tiff?"

They both turned to face Trish Stratus who had just entered the lobby and made her presence felt. Molly sensed her good mood was going to be a very short lived one.

"Do you ever keep your nose out of other people's business?" Molly said, as she leapt to her feet to get in Trish's face. Trish smirked, gratified to see that she was still capable of winding Molly up.

"Well Molly, I wish I could. But how do you expect me to keep your little affair with Eric quiet?" she replied, grinning from ear to ear.

"Leave it Molly." Bischoff attempted to interject.

"Stay out of this." Molly warned him, before answering back to Trish, "There's nothing happening between me and Eric Bischoff, so you'd be well advised to keep your opinions to yourself. Besides, my business is none of yours."

"Oh, but I am afraid it is." Trish responded.

"And how is that?"

Trish swept her lustrous blonde tresses over her shoulder and pointed towards the Women's Title, which gleamed on top of Molly's bags on the floor. "Well... You see that shiny belt over there? That's your business right?"

"Right."

"It happens to be my business also. And I think it is time you and I renewed our little rivalry, in order for the belt to return to its rightful owner. Tonight."

Molly was tempted to agree to the match there and then, but Eric Bischoff had other ideas. He got up from the couch and physically stepped between the two feuding ladies.

"Now, now Trish. Not so fast. I decide who fights who round here... And there is no way you are getting a title shot tonight." he declared.

Trish huffed, although she wasn't surprised at all; Eric Bischoff made no secret of how much he hated her.

"What a surprise... It must be nice to have this creep sticking up for you Molly."

The now livid Molly tried to jostle past Trish in order to get her hands on her, but Bischoff held her off; albeit at a struggle. Trish managed to cast aside the disappointment of her proposal being rejected, preferring to laugh at the comical efforts of Bischoff holding back the raging diva.

"Trish... You don't have a match with Molly tonight..." Eric just about managed to say, as he continued to hold off Molly's advances. "But you do have a match with Gail Kim... You're going to have to earn your title shot..."

Trish paused and considered his suggestion before coming up with another witty response, "Fine by me Eric. Some of us don't have to sleep with the boss to win a title shot after all."

Molly stopped dead in her tracks and stood wide mouthed at Trish's patent insinuation that she had resorted to those antics to get her title shot. The cheap pop deeply offended her.

The Canadian vixen left the scene, satisfied that she had left a lasting impression on her rival. Molly remained rooted to the spot, her eyes transfixed on Trish in an intense glare.

"She is going to pay." Molly promised, snarling and gritting her teeth together.

"Molly, I understand your frustration... But I don't want you getting involved in that match tonight... Do you hear me?" Bischoff advised her, placing special emphasis on the word 'you'.

"Fine... Just be aware of one thing though. Nobody speaks to me like that and gets away with it." Molly retorted with venomous tones hissing in her voice, "Nobody..."

Bischoff brushed himself down and mulled over her comments, as Molly picked up her belongings and stormed off in the direction of the locker rooms. Her good mood had indeed been shattered.

A/N - I just want to say thanks to everyone who has submitted reviews so far, I appreciate your comments and support. SD