Chapter 4

The next week was gruelling for Chaya. She spent most of the day in the gym, training, learning new moves and getting used to the size and capacity of the WWF ring. Matt Hardy and Triple H had been assigned as her trainers and they worked her as she had never been worked before. They pushed her to her breaking point and beyond. But on the Thursday before they left for the next loop, her breaking point came much earlier than anyone expected. The entire roster had seen how good the new kid was, and how hard she could fight. Hell, Hunter was one of the toughest trainers in the entire business. He'd reduced grown men to tears, but not Chaya. She sucked it up and came back for more, gaining Hunter's respect and friendship. A friendship that proved to be her breaking point that day.

She was nearing the end of her session with Hunter when she pulled off an unbelievable moonsault from the top rope. "That was beautiful babe! Textbook." Hunter praised her. "Jeff couldn't have done any better! Right Matt?"

"Don't let Jeff hear you say that!" Matt laughed packing up his gear. Chaya and Hunter laughed and Hunter slung his arm around Chaya's shoulder. Chaya caught Joanie's glare from across the room. Locker-room gossip had told her that Joanie and Paul had finally called it quits. After being in Playboy, Joanie had wanted to expand her horizons, and Paul obviously cramped her style. Everyone had expected Hunter to take it really hard, but after a day beating the hell outta some rookies in the Dojo he was fine, much to Joanie's chagrin. "Think you can pull it off twice?" Hunter dared her. Chaya grinned and jumped to the top rope. "Does the sun set in the west?"

"Let's see it cowgirl!" Hunter drawled out with a grin. "Cheeky!" Chaya teased him as she balanced herself on the top rope.

She was all set to repeat the move when the rope shifted beneath her and she fell to the mat, twisting her leg in the rope. Chaya screamed as pain swelled in her ankle. "What the hell?!" Hunter roared coming to her side and looking around the turnbuckle. There was nobody there. No one except Joanie bending to tie her shoe. "You jealous wench!" Hunter spat down at her as Matt and Allen Sarven rushed to get Chaya untangled. "Lay off Hunter. Your little protege tripped." Joanie tossed up coldly. She didn't flinch as Hunter jumped down in front of her. "I'm not buying it Jo. She's too good for that!"

"She's not a perfect little warrior Hunter. She's green, just like the rest of the rookies. Coulda happened to anyone."

"Man I musta been out of my mind to want to marry a conniving evil bitch like you." Hunter whispered darkly. The sound of Joanie's hand striking his face echoed off the gym walls. "As if I'd ever marry a drug-dependant, cheating bastard!" Joanie screamed before stomping out of the room. Murmurs spread through the gym as Hunter sighed as climbed back into the ring. "Chay, you okay?"

"Yeah. Fine. I'm losing my edge though. I should have heard her coming up behind me."

"Yeah well, she's gonna get an earful from McMahon. No way is she working the next loop. Let's get you up."

He was pulling her up to her feet just as Andrew and Matt Bloom came into the gym for their late night workout. Andrew saw her in Hunter's arms, saw the tears running down her face and he lost it. He charged into the ring and shoved Hunter down to the mat, making sure Chaya was safely tucked into his side. "What did you do to her?!" Andrew demanded. Hunter was on his feet in two seconds, Matt and Al holding him back. "Nothing you arrogant little_."

"Then why is she crying?"

"I didn't do anything man. Joanie pushed her off the top rope."

"Bullshi_" Andrew began and Hunter pushed against his restraints. "It's true." Chaya finally spoke through her haze of shock and pain. She couldn't believe the way Andrew was talking to Hunter, the way he was trying to protect her. His arm was around her shoulders, his fingers absently massaging her stiff muscles, and he had pulled her so close. She could feel the warmth of his body through his tearaways and tank top.

When she spoke Andrew turned to her, and leaned down so that they were eye to eye. "Is that really what happened pixie? Cause if it's not, you don't have to be afraid of him. He won't lay another finger on you. I swear it." He spoke quietly to her, the words so hushed and intimate they caused her to shudder. It felt like old times, when they discussed strategy in their corner before taking on another team. The strength and sheer possessiveness in his eyes made her feel warm all over. Then she remembered, this was all too much like old times. He was still trying to treat her like a child. She drew away from his embrace and scowled. "I'm not afraid of Hunter, or anyone else for that matter. If Joanie wants to start a war, that's fine with me. I can handle her. Just like I can handle anyone else that gets in my way." She turned to make a graceful exit but forgot about her ankle. She took one step and went crashing down, biting her lip to blood to keep from crying out. Both Paul and Andrew reached out to her but she smacked both their hands away. "Go away. I'm fine."

"You should get that checked out pixie it's_"

"Stop calling me that." Chaya returned icily. Her eyes cut daggers at him and he turned away, swearing a blue streak. Paul watched as Andrew pushed past Matt towards the punching bag.

When he turned back to Chaya he found two crystal tears trailing down her cheeks. "You really should get that checked out."

"I know." Chaya spat up at him. "Good. Thanks for your help guys." Paul nodded to Matt and Al. "I'll take her to the trainers room."

"Alright. Take care Chay." Matt patted her back. "Keep your chin up." Al told her with a smile. She smiled through her tears and thanked them both quietly.

Once they were alone Paul came down on his haunches next to her, attempting to give her a hand up. Chaya ignored his help and reached to the ropes to pull herself up. "What's the deal with you and Drew? Bret told me you were good friends." Paul told her, watching her muscles strain as she pulled on the ropes.

"My uncle was mistaken." Chaya informed him coldly as she struggled alone to gain her feet. Paul reached out again to help her and when she tried to push him away he held fast to her arm. "Save the bravado Chaya. Your uncle warned me about that too."

"I'm surprised he's still speaking to you."

"Bret knows I had nothing to do with what happened in Montreal."

"That didn't stop him from decking you."

"He was an angry man Chay. Angry people do stupid things. I shouldn't have to explain that to you." He nodded gravely towards her ankle and she sighed.

Paul helped her to the side of the ring and jumped down, turning back to lift her to the floor. "You really should be nicer to Andrew though, considering."

"Considering what?" Chaya asked sharply. "You haven't talked to Shane yet have you?"

"Talked to Shane about what?" Chaya asked through gritted teeth. With Paul's help she was hobbling out of the gym towards the trainers office. "You're his new valet_"

"WHAT?" Chaya's scream echoed off the walls and she would have pitched forward had Paul not picked her up in his arms. "Take it easy Chay you're_"

"HIS VALET?! HIS valet?! Forget it! I'd rather go back to the dungeon!"

"Calm down, you didn't let me finish. You'll be Andrew's valet until the new mixed tag matches start."

"Never. I'll never be that man's ANYTHING!"

"Whoa, time out. Retract the claws for a minute. What did Drew ever do to you?" The question brought a deadly look from her hazel eyes. "Nothing."

"Then why all the hissing and spitting?"

"Because I damn well feel like it."

"Remind me to stay on your good side cowgirl." Paul said lightly. Chaya glowered at him. "You can start by burying the subject, indefinitely."

"Whatever you say sunshine." They arrived at the trainers' office and found out that her ankle was only badly twisted. It would heal within the first couple of days of the loop. Paul saw her to the women's locker-room and left her in the care of Amy. Then he went back to the gym. He had a score to settle.

Andrew watched Paul jump back into the ring where he was practising with Matt and he widened his stance, preparing for the first blow. The seasoned pro threw the first punch and had him down into a submission within a minute. "Get off me Hunter."

"Shut-up and listen jerk-off. First of all, don't you EVER lay your hands on me outside this ring again. Got it?"

"Hey just as long as your hands stay off of Chaya we won't have any more problems."

"Who assigned you as her knight in shining armour?"

"Bret. Now get the hell off me."

"I don't think she appreciates it."

"I don't give a damn."

"What did you do to her?"

"What are you talking about now?"

"She through a complete hissy fit when she found out she was paired with you." Hunter explained tossing him out of the hold. "Paired with me? Since when?"

"You mean Shane hasn't told you either?"

"No. What the hell do I need a valet for?"

"She's only gonna be your valet until the new mixed tag matches start. Then she's your partner."

"Mixed tag matches? Who's brainfart was that?"

"Stephanie. I'll let her know what you think of her creative skills." Hunter laughed. Andrew scowled and jumped down from the ring to head for the showers.

Pixie, Andrew thought with a sad smile. Why her? Why now? Years ago it had been his dream to fight with her by his side. Now he was sure she'd just a soon stick a knife in his back. He remembered the first time they tagged together.

"C'mon Test! Get up!" Athena cheered him on, clapping her hands and leaning from the top rope for a tag. They were working a small indy show in Calgary, tagging against two other young men from a different promotion. Andrew smiled up at her as he writhed in mock pain. He reached out and tagged her hand as the small crowd went crazy. Athena was well known to the hometown crowd and she put on a helluva show each and every time she got into the ring. Within seconds she had taken down her current opponent in a drop toe and was setting up for a drop kick. Test recovered and jumped back into the ring to save her from the other partner who was sneaking up behind. The two of them cleaned house and Athena got the pin. One, two, three. When the bell had rung he held up her arm for a scant second before lifting her on his shoulders. Chaya had laughed at his spontaneity and reached down to place a kiss on his sweaty forehead. That kiss had sealed their fate.

Fate was not without a sense of irony. Chaya was going to be his partner again. But for how long?

How long could he keep protecting her while keeping her at arm's length? How long would she fight him? How long would it be before she forgave him? Ah, now that was the real question. How long would it be before he was forced to confront the truth of that day, the day he had left her, tears streaming from her warm hazel eyes? How long could he hide from her?