AN: Thank you guys for all of the reviews. I really appreciate it. First, I wanna apologize for my lack of updates on this story as well as 'Not Like This'. The past couple of weeks have been chaotic for me with essays and mid-terms so I had to focus all of my attention on my work. However, I'm off for almost a month so I'm really hoping to update more frequently. I'll even try to get out a new chapter of this story and of 'NLT' by the end of the weekend. Anyways, on with the story and hope you enjoy. Please Read and Review.

I Disclaim

Randy couldn't help but replay Trish's words over the past two weeks. She had sounded so dejected and alone and he finally understood why. He wished that everyone could try to understand where she was coming from, especially Jericho and Benoit, but first Trish would have to give everyone the opportunity to see the real her and to see that she is hurting. Besides, it was getting really tiresome listening to Jericho and Benoit invent new slut jokes for Trish and waiting to try them out on her. Any one that garnered some sort of angered response by the petite blonde was considered a keeper for them. Randy made it a point to excuse himself every time Trish entered a room with himself, Jericho and Benoit in it, just because he really didn't want to hear them insulting her. There had more than one occasion where he had wanted to stand up for her but she seemed to be pretty good at the witty and equally insulting replies. Randy had gone as far as to try and talk to the guys and tell them to back off, but they would say that he was just hypnotized by the tits and ass. He would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued by the Canadian beauty, but after their car ride that night two weeks earlier, he could see that there was something special about her that was engaging and he couldn't help but want to get to know her better.

"Hey man….what's got you thinking so hard?" Maven asked with a smirk.

Randy looked up at one of his best friends and gave him a small smile and shrug. Jericho and Benoit entered the room seconds after, saving Randy from getting into any explanations.

"Well, well, well….." Jericho said with a sly smile, "Long time no see Mave my man….". Benoit gave Maven a slap on the shoulder and Maven couldn't help the blush that rose to his cheeks because he knew what they were talking about. He was sure that the guys would tease him about it…he might as well get it over with.

"Tell me bout it guys….I've been busy over the past couple of weeks though….don't think I was intentionally trying to avoid you guys…." Maven laughed.

"Busy?" Benoit asked with mocked innocence.

"When you say busy, do you mean with that hyperactive, fiery red-head, by the name of Christy?" Benoit asked.

"Because let me tell you something….I can definitely see why you would be busy with her….I'd hate to see that girl on caffeine considering how eccentric she is without it…." Jericho said. The men shared a laugh.

"So what are you guys doing here?" Maven asked.
"What do you mean" Jericho countered.

"Well….this is our locker room….." Maven said pointing between himself and Randy. "I'm assuming you guys came here for something, otherwise you guys would have waited until Raw started to come by…." Maven said. Randy had remained quiet throughout the entire conversation and he preferred to keep it that way. He was thinking an awful lot about a certain gorgeous blonde and he really didn't need to be bothered. Besides, he would never tell the guys that he couldn't get Trish off the brain. He knew for a fact that just mentioning that would put Jericho and Benoit in a fit of rage.

"Well we just came by to tease ya…" Benoit smiled.

"Hey Maven, do you know where Christy left my…..". The blonde trailed off as the four men turned to look at her. If she knew the three of them were in the locker room, she would have never come. Now she would have to listen to jackass number 1 and 2 as they tried to top their previous insults from the last time she had the unfortunate displeasure of their company.
"Uhhhhhh, I'll come back later…." Trish stuttered out. She didn't notice the look Randy sent her way because she had made sure to avoid all eye contact with him. For the past two weeks she couldn't get Randy off the brain and it was driving her crazy. She didn't need to be infatuated with anyone, especially someone who was good friends with Jericho and Benoit. She already knew how things would end up….Randy having a laugh and her heartbroken. She couldn't get their conversation from the car out of her head. She was usually really good at hiding her emotions and pretending that things were great and that she was untouchable, but that night with Randy, Trish couldn't help but allow herself to unravel. A part of her trusted him without knowing him and without any reason and that scared the living daylights out of her.

"Well, well, well….if it isn't Trash Stratus" Jericho taunted her.

"Shut up Jericho" Maven retorted fiercely. Both Jericho and Benoit faced Maven, completely bewildered.

"Come on Mave, don't tell me you're actually sticking up for this slut….."Jericho asked incredulously. Maven grit his teeth and without warning, pounced on Jericho before he had a chance to prepare himself for the attack. Maven pounded him with lefts and rights until Randy was able to successfully pull him off. Trish stood by, a bit intimidated, but mostly flattered that Maven stuck up for her like that. He really was a good friend and she was glad that she had made him her exception. She looked on as Benoit helped Jericho up and her eyes followed their movements but they couldn't help but look at a certain legend killer's way. She couldn't help herself so she prayed that he wouldn't notice, however, after she carefully scanned his taught body dressed in a black suit with a dark purple shirt underneath with the first few buttons undone, her eyes finally reached his face and to her embarrassment, he was looking right at her. She felt the blush rise to her cheeks and she immediately looked away. When she finally got out of her trance regarding Randy, she could still hear Maven shouting obscenities at Jericho and calling him a boorish jackass who didn't know how to treat a woman. Trish thought it was about time that she probably ended this so she quickly cleared her throat and nervously licked her lips now that the entire room's attention was on her.

"Maven…leave it alone….I just came to ask you something but it wasn't that important, look….I'll just talk to you later after Raw….." Trish took one final look at Maven before quickly bowing her head and rushing out the door. Maven gave Jericho and Benoit a look of death before he shook Randy's hold on him and proceeded to walk out of the locker room. Before he left, he turned around one last time and looked at all three men before shaking his head in disappointment and walking out.

"What's up his ass?" Benoit asked as he continued to help Jericho up. Randy looked over at both men, he considered them pretty good friends of his but he couldn't really encourage what they were doing and he thought it was about time that he said something.

"Maybe if you guys would just lay off of Trish, he wouldn't need to be so defensive…" Randy offered.

"I just don't get why he gets so hell bent over Trish….looks like she's cast a spell on him too…" Benoit said.

Randy shook his head before quickly running his hands through his hair thinking about how he could explain things so simply that even these two could get it.

"Look, it's very simple….Maven and Trish are friends and for whatever reason he's decided to have her in his life is none of your business. He's entitled to have relationships with whoever he pleases and both of you have got friends that I don't like very much, in fact, there are a few that I can't even tolerate….but even considering that, I'm sure that if I took it upon myself to hurl insults at them, you would come at me the same way….I'm just saying….you don't need to like her, but it would be nice if you could show some respect, if not for Trish….for Maven because I know for a fact that if the shoe were on the other foot, you guys would want the same thing…." Randy didn't wait for them to answer, he simply walked out leaving the two men to think about what he said.

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Trish sat back and downed the last of her drink before slamming it down and taking another look at the dance floor. There was Maven and Christy grinding into one another in a way that they were practically having sex on the dance floor in front of everybody. She noticed the smiles that seemed permanently glued on their faces and she smiled to herself. She was really glad that they were happy, she only wished that she could just find a fraction of what they had. The song ended and the couple made their way towards her at their table. They took a seat, both looking all worked out. Trish giggled at the two of them and the fact that it was probably the first time she had ever seen Christy tired.

"What's so funny?" Christy asked, slightly slapping Trish on her arm in a playful manner. Christy found it amazing that this was the same woman who seemed to have had a serious problem with her in the beginning of her still young career. She had assumed it was because she had entered the business the easiest way possible and that it was up to her to earn the respect of her co-workers. She figured that Trish was just another one of her peers that she would have to prove herself to. However, other instances with the blonde diva had made Christy think otherwise. She was glad that Trish had approached in the arena that night, briefly explaining her past actions to Christy and that she was hoping that they could mend broken fences and start over. Christy readily agreed considering that she would have done anything to actually be able to say she was friends with her inspiration. She had never told Trish, but as a wrestling fan, Christy had always admired Trish and her strength.

Snapping Christy out of her thoughts, Trish snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"Did you hear a thing that I just said?" Trish asked with a slight laugh. Christy's face broke out in a grin and lightly placed her hand on Trish's arm.

"I was just thinking about how far we've come in our friendship…I don't know what possessed you to come to me that night besides trying to fix me and Maven up….by the way, we still have to think of a way to repay you for that…." Christy said, sending a wink Maven's way. Maven smiled and stood up, and moved his chair between both ladies, putting a hand around each of them with a sincere smile on his face. Both Christy and Trish nudged him in his sides, forcing him to quickly bring his hands back to clutch his sides.

"What was that for?" he asked innocently.

"Just because" both women said in unison. Both women laughed and Trish looked at both her friends.

"Just for the record, I'm glad to have the two of you in my life….it's nice to know that there's people out there that I can count on and that won't abandon me so easily…".

All of the moved in for a hug and after a couple of seconds, Trish pulled away and looked at the two of them,

"If you two breathe a word of this sappy moment to anyone, I swear I will deny it…". Everyone at the table laughed and Maven decided it was time to get back on the dance floor. He pulled both women up and they all headed to the floor for some fun.

Four fast songs later and Trish was tired. She should have worn smaller heels. She politely excused herself from the dance floor and took a seat at their table. A waiter immediately approached her.

"Here's your drink" he said placing an expensive martini on the table in front of her.
"Oh….I didn't order a drink…"Trish said with a small laugh. The waiter shrugged his shoulders,

"I know…someone else did" and with that he was off. Trish looked around the crowded room to see if she saw anyone that seemed remotely interested in talking to her. After glancing around for a few minutes, she gave up, settling on enjoying the drink.

"Ahem…". Trish heard the a deep voice being cleared in front of her and quickly looked up.

"Randy?" she asked confused. Randy gave her a small smile.

"Mind if I sit?" he asked with obvious hope that she would say no. Trish simply shook her head and motioned for him to take a seat. Randy readily accepted and pulled out the chair from across her and took a seat.

"How's the martini?" he asked. Trish looked at him quizzically before it dawned on her that he must have ordered it for her.

"It's great…thanks" she replied. Randy nodded his head, gesturing a 'your welcome'. The two sat their for a couple of minutes in uncomfortable silence. She didn't know what to say to him and he knew exactly what to say just didn't know how.

Randy was about to break the silence, but Trish beat him to it.

"I don't wanna sound really ungrateful or anything, but I'm just curious as to why you're being so nice to me?" she asked softly. Randy wasn't surprised by the question, but more surprised by the fact that she didn't beat around the bush.

"Look…I'm really sorry about what happened last time and after the conversation in the car I can't get what you said out of my head…I've never really looked at your situation from that point until now and I've realized how right you are…I mean…there's no hidden intentions here, I just want to start over with you…like a clean slate….so what do ya say?" he looked her way willing her with his eyes for to look up. After a couple of seconds, she finally did so and breathed out a heavy sigh before running her hands through her long blonde hair.

"I don't understand why…I mean we've only begun having frequent encounters with each other since you aligned yourself with Jericho, Benoit and Maven. Why would you care?".

"I can't explain it really because I don't understand it myself, I just want know that I want to. I realize that you're misunderstood and you can deny that all you want but that night in the car, you showed a vulnerable side to yourself that I know that that was no acting…what have you got to lose?" he asked challengingly while extending his hand across the table. The smug look on Trish's face told that she was up for the challenge as she reached across and placed her hand in his, sealing the deal. She felt a slight tingle by his touch and quickly pulled away and cleared her throat nervously.

"How bout another drink?" she asked looking up at him. He agreed and that's how the two of them spend the remaining evening while the inseparable Maven and Christy continued to gyrate on the dance floor.

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Randy tightened his arm around Trish's waist and pulled her closer as he leaned into him while Maven held the same position with Christy.

"I'm really glad that you talked to Trish and you've agreed to be friends….she's really a great girl and if I wasn't so crazy about Christy, I would have definitely tried to snatch Trish up" Maven laughed tiredly. Randy looked over at his friend before looking down at the petite blonde who was practically almost passed out from all the drinks she had. First thing Randy learned, the girl really couldn't handle her alcohol. He turned back to look at Maven.

"Hey, it took a little work but we've agreed on a friendship, so don't be getting any ideas Mave…keep you're romantic ideas for you and your little girlfriend because I won't be needing them, thank you very much…" Randy said softly, not wanting get the girls' attention.

"Whatever you say man…I'm just saying that she's beautiful and intelligent and not to mention feisty…you gotta love feisty man….hey, after all she's been through, she doesn't let just anyone into her life and you've got a rare opportunity. I was just implying what any red-blooded man would be thinking…." Maven replied. Randy looked at his friend and let his words replay in his mind for a while. They finally reached their cars and Randy gently slipped Trish into his car and reclined her seat back.

"Thanks for taking her back to the hotel for me…" Maven said as he struggled to fix Christy properly. Poor girl was tired out from the night of dancing.

"Hey no problem, I'll see ya tomorrow…..". Randy jumped into the driver seat and sped off.

They met the hotel in a record time of 7 minutes. He turned the ignition off and turned to see Trish in a deep sleep. He looked at her and he couldn't help but think about what Maven said. There was no denying that she beautiful but he wasn't looking for that. He gently moved a couple stray hairs from her face and continued to study her face.

They were friends…that was what he asked for and that was all they'll be.