I remember my last day in Tampa very well. It was kind of like the last day on death row. I sat on the front step of Jay's house as he packed up the car. It was 6:30 in the morning. Matthew was sleeping on the couch inside, I didn't even dress him, just moved him downstairs. Chris found his way over to us, in his bathrobe and coffee in hand.

"Nice to see you hard at work here." He joked; his voice was a little quiet. He was scared.

"I am of no use to Jay right now." I replied. "I am so nervous."

He nodded. "I am too. I feel completely powerless. I'll be there, backstage, waiting, but I feel completely powerless. I am powerless. No matter what happens inside that cage, I have no control."

"But, it's always been like that."

"No, not this time. This is different." He said. "Not that I don't have confidence in your match or anything, it's not like that. It's just, I have this gut feeling. Usually I ignore them, because I get them before my matches, but I can't help it this time. I can't ignore. The moment you told me, I felt this way."

I had seen Chris nervous before, it wasn't anything new. But, this, this was something different. This was full on fear, and I never saw that from him. I couldn't turn back now; there was no way. I was three days away from my fate.

"I appreciate you being worried about me, but I have to do this. I know that it's going to be the most dangerous and most important thing I will ever do, that's why I have to do it. I have to end this, and this is the only way I know how. Turn over the title and continue on in the tag division. I can't face her then."

"Yeah, but I don't know if I'll have a functional partner after this match. Des, I can't lose you to this match. A lot of people need you around to make their days go on smoothly. Despite every piece of drama you have brought with you, you make a lot of people's day go on. You're loved by a lot of people, and if you don't make it out of this match in one piece, a lot of people aren't going to be able to continue in their careers as well." He paused. "I don't want you to think that you are the holiest of wrestlers around here. In fact, I don't even know what I am trying to say. Better yet, I do, I just don't know how to tell it to you. How's this, you're a muse. You inspire, and not just us, but the people out there who watch you. Sacrificing yourself to the wrestling Gods isn't necessary; you're already a star."

"This isn't about being a bigger star, this is about pride. This match is what the business is about, everything we stand for." I said. "I know what you're trying to say, Chris, and I am very touched, but this time I'm going to have to go against every feeling everyone is having, including myself. I have to put my life and body on the line for real this time, just to have the rest of my career. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand me."

I didn't want this to become a huge debate, I knew why I was doing this, and only I had to know. But those who knew me understood in some degree. I know now that Chris was very nervous, to put it simply. He, like everyone else I knew, didn't want me to get hurt. And there is much more in his reasons that I thought about in that match.

"Well, then can you just promise me one thing?" He asked.

"What's that?"

"Be safe, or, as safe as you can be." He told me.

"As safe as I can be." I replied.

He hugged me. "I'll see you on Sunday." He said in my ear.

"You will, and after, we're going to go out."

"Right, no matter how careful you will be, I know you, and you won't be going out for a few days."

He kissed my cheek, and Jay and I were off. Jay was unusually quiet, and with Matthew sleeping, there wasn't any noise going on. I was lost in Destiny-land, that I didn't really ask. Destiny-land, for those who don't know, is my own personal Utopia. It's where I go to think, relax, and try to calm down. I'm there before matches, and most of the time when I am alone, and a lot of the time when I am not. It's where I like to go when I need a moment.

"Des, I know this match is a big thing for you, but," Jay started. When conversations start like that, you know they aren't going to be good ones.

"But...?" I asked.

"Nothing." He said.

"No, you can't say that, and then say nothing, and then expect me to believe you and not ask anymore." I said.

"I don't want to make you upset or nervous even more before your big match."

"And that's supposed to make me forget?" I asked. "Jay, you know I don't handle these situations good. I have no patients."

"I know, which, when situations like these do come up, I like to take full advantage." He smiled. "But seriously, you've probably heard this from Chris, so it won't be new coming from me." He said. "I'm worried, worried that Amy's got something up here sleeve. I'm worried that whatever deals were made about Kurt not being able to be there won't hold, and, no matter what Jeff can do to him in his match, it won't be enough."

"I forgot all about Jeff's match against Kurt." I said with shock. "I've been so wrapped up in this, that I forgot about that. It's such a huge match for him. It's just like my match, so much on the line, so personal."

"Yeah, well, don't expect everything to go so smoothly. Expect that Amy's got some plan and that she's going to do whatever it takes to really put you out."

I really wanted to believe that the match would just as it was on paper. But, anyone knows that in this business, things never go like they do on paper. I guess, I wanted to think that because I put so much into this match, that nothing would go wrong. It w as very naive for me, and I am never naive.