Dislaimer: I own no one, escept Nicole.

A/N: I'm going to try and update thing as much as possible from now on. Thanks for all the reviews!

Chapter 13: Wanderlust

Nicole sat at the small table on the balcony of her room painting her toenails. The sun was brightly shining, as it was early in the afternoon, and not a cloud was in sight.

As she continued her task, events of the night before swirled in her mind. She had finally come face to face with the consequences for her actions. Although, she never believed the reaction to her joining Evolution would be so strong, she knew that it would definitely be there.

She didn't ever thing people would react as they did; especially people whom didn't even know her. Every stagehand, referee and even some of the RAW roster seemed to have a negative outlook on what she had none, and had no problem letting their feelings be known.

As she first began receiving the stares and dirty looks, Nicole couldn't help but feel guilty. Not only that, but for some reason her confidence had dropped . If these people that she didn't even know had come to make such harsh judgements about her, what did that say about those who did know her? What were Trish and Amy saying? What were they feeling? She knew she could ask Stacy, but she didn't want the leggy Diva to get too involved in a problem that was never hers to begin with.

But, however bad she felt, there was always something there that kept her going: Hunter. The words he had whispered into her ear when they had first arrived at the arena had resonated through her mind the entire night, and continued to do so. Don't let them get to you, that's all they want to do. They want to tear you down. With that small boost of confidence, and Hunter by her side, Nicole knew she could make it through.

The rest of the night had been quite uneventful. Randy and Dave had both won their matches, and Hunter had further tried to gain some leverage over Chris Benoit, leading up to their match for the World Heavyweight Title. Nicole had decided against making an appearance, not wanting to hear what the fans had to say about her. Hunter had also thought it best for her to stay backstage during the tag match, and so Ric accompanied them instead.

She was caught off guard as someone cleared their throat in the doorway. She looked up and smiled seeing Hunter leaning against the door frame. He hair was loose, and he wore a black wife beater with his signature logo on it in white.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" he sat himself down beside her.

"Sure. How was the gym?"

"Uneventful, if that's what you mean. I didn't see Shawn at all, and I didn't get into a fight with anyone else." he grinned. "Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen Shawn since the fight in the gym."

"I saw him yesterday," she looked over to him and saw the look on Hunter's face change, "I was passing down a hall and I saw him walk into a locker room."

"Did he see you?"

"I highly doubt it; I barely even noticed it was him." She went back to painting her nails.

"Good...Someone's obsessed with pink" he said with a laugh.

"It's not an obsession Hunter, I merely like the color."

"Well, if it's not an obsession as you say, then why is practically everything you own pink?"

"I told you: I like the color. Besides, not everything I have is pink. I have plenty of other colors in my wardrobe."

"Really?" he seemed skeptical. He looked over at her, and chuckled. She was wearing a pair of light pink Juicy short shorts, and a white baby- tee with "Princess" written in pink across her chest.

Nicole followed his gaze and realized he was staring at her attire. She shrugged realizing that maybe he was right, maybe. She stuck her tongue out at him as he chuckled.

"So what time are we leaving tonight?" she asked.

"The house show doesn't start until 8, so I'm thinking we should leave at 7."

"Sounds good," she paused, "I was thinking that next week on RAW we could make it official that I have joined Evolution." She looked over to him, wondering what his response might be.

"What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Nothing specific yet, I just thought we could formally let everyone know, not that they don't already..."

"It doesn't matter what everyone thinks Nikki," he said reading her mind.

"I know. It's just that it sort of hurts to know that all these people see me in this different way now, as if I'm some power-hungry, spoiled little girl." she sighed.

"Are we supposed to think that you're not any of those things?" he smirked.

"Hunter!"she playfully slapped his arm

"No, seriously though," he sat up and faced her, " you really can't let them get under your skin, because if you do, you're screwed. Besides, you get used to it."

"Speaking from experience are we?" It was now her turn to smirk.

"Very funny, Nikki." he pouted.

Nicole smiled back at him, and they remained in silence, taking in the view.

Breaking the silence, Hunter spoke, "So, what are you doing tonight?"

"You mean after the house show?" She looked to him, and he nodded, "I dunno why?"

"Just asking," he paused "I was thinking, maybe after we could grab something to eat?"

Nicole tried to hide the huge grin that was starting to make its way onto her lips, "Are you asking me out on a date Hunter?"

He coughed, "No, its nothing that official."

"Well, okay then."

The pair continued their conversation, until it was time for them to get ready for the house show. Hunter left her room, and Nicole began her search for the perfect outfit for her diner with Hunter. After tearing her closet apart, she finally settled on a pair of form fitting black dress pants. She paired it with a dark purple velvet blazer by Marciano. She buttoned the first and only button, exposing her stomach, and her light blue lacy bra, along with some cleavage. She put a light coat of make up, consisting of eye liner, mascara and a shimmery eyeshadow, and applied some lipgloss. She grabbed her purse and giving herself one last glance in the mirror, she was off for the house show with the rest of Evolution.

The house show, much like that week's RAW, had gone off without a glitch. Randy and Dave both won their matches, after some interference by either Ric or Hunter.

Nicole had tried her best to keep out of sight; not wanting to have to deal with what was going on. Hunter and Ric had kept her company in the locker room, as Randy and Dave both got themselves ready for their matches, but she was then left alone to her thoughts when the aforementioned matches took place.

Randy's match had been placed right in the middle of the card, so when he had come back to the locker room, there was no one else but Nicole.

He sat down next to her and took a swig of his water. "So I hear you're going out on a date with Hunter tonight?"

Nicole looked up from her book, "It's not a date," she closed her book and faced him.

"Well, are you, or are you not going out to dinner with him?"

"I'm going out to dinner with him, but just as friends Randy"

"But you're going just the two of you? If it wasn't a date, as you say it isn't, then wouldn't he have asked all of us." Randy pried.

"Well, I don't know why he didn't ask you Randy, but don't feel left out; I'm sure Hunter still likes you."

"Very cute, missy. But I still think it's a date."

"Well, it's not!"

"You keep telling yourself that," Randy rolled his eyes, and headed for the showers.

A little while later, after Dave had had his match, the 3 remaining members of Evolution finally came back to the locker room. They all retrieved their belongings, and made their way for the limo.

Hunter hung back, as he waited for Nicole to finish applying her lipgloss. "So are you hungry?"

She looked at him through the mirror, "Not particularly."

"Good, same here. I was thinking we would go to this quiet little café?"

"Ya, that sounds good," she smiled.

"I'll just ask the driver to drop us off there; it's on the way to the hotel."

Nicole finished up, and they made their way to the awaiting limo. Hunter instructed the driver to let them off at the café and then continue on dropping off Randy, Dave and Ric at the hotel, or where ever it is they wanted to go.

A few hours later, Hunter and Nicole were laughing as they slowly made their way home. They had opted to walk home, as it was not a long walk, and it was a beautiful night. The pair had conversed for hours at the café, hardly noticing that it was beginning to clear out. Only when the maitre d' had informed them that the café was now closing did they realize that they were the only two still there.

"Can I ask you something?" Hunter inquired, "But if it's too personal, you don't have to answer."

Nicole nodded, giving him the go ahead. "What did you ever see in Shawn Micheals?"

Nicole sighed; she knew the question would inevitably come up in their conversation sooner or later. "Shawn was the first guy that I had an actual relationship with. I was young at the time, and I thought I was in love with him and that he loved me; obviously I was wrong." She looked down at her feet, and then continued, "When he cheated on me, and then lied about everything, it really hurt because I honestly did think he cared."

"You were young, he took advantage of that. I should never have let him..."

She cut him off, and stepped in front of him so she was no longer by his side, but now facing him "Hunter you hated me, and the feelings were mutual. So even if you had tried to warn me, I would never have listened."

Hunter nodded his understanding, "It's hard to believe that at one point in time, I couldn't stand you, and now..."

"...and now what?" she asked. They were now a mere few meters from the hotel.

Hunter stepped closer to her, closing the gap between them, "Now, I don't know." He ran his hands along the exposed skin between her pants and blazer, "Did I mention how amazing you look tonight?"

Nicole took in a sharp breath at the touch of his hands on her waist, "No you haven't"

"Well, you look amazing." He stepped back a little to be able to look her over, as he did his eyes finally rested on her chest. "...and there is not one touch of pink. I'm surprised." he smirked.

"Well, that's what you get for not believing me."

"I guess now I know better than that; I'll never go against what you say again."

"Good. That's the way it should be."

He stepped closer to her once more, "Do I sense a hint of arrogance in that voice of yours, Nikki?"

"I suppose some of yours might have rubbed off on me," she grinned, unable to keep a straight face.

"Really? Well, here I thought you liked dating men who were arrogant, after all you did date Shawn; but I see I was wrong."

"Don't fool yourself Hunter: Shawn's got nothing on you in the arrogance department."

He laughed, not even bothering to pretend he was offended, because in truth; he wasn't. "And what about in other departments; do I surpass Shawn?"

Nicole bit her bottom lip, and furrowed her brow, pretending to be in great thought. "Well, I don't know; Shawn was a pretty good kisser."

"Really?" He pulled her closer to him, and captured her lips in a gentle, yet mind-blowing kiss.

After a few moments, she pulled back, "Yeah, I think you got one up on Shawn in this too."

Hunter smiled, as he once again pulled her closer by the waist. He recapture her lips, this time in a heated, passionate embrace. She allowed his tongue entrance, letting it explore her mouth. Entwining her hands in his hair, she pulled him as closer to her as possible; wanting to feel him against her. His hands roamed her small waist and, then up under her blazer.

She moaned into him before pulling away, "I thought this wasn't anything official?"

"It's not. At least not yet."

Nicole smiled, before letting him continue his assault on her lips. Finally, they broke apart, and walked the remaining distance to the hotel.