Chapter 13: Breaking the Habit

Nicole had managed to avoid her father and her "friends" for an entire week. Yet, she knew it would not last much longer; she knew she couldn't last much longer either. She needed to talk to her friends, especially Chris and Trish. Every time she saw them at an arena or at the hotel, she fought with herself wondering if she should go up to them or not, and every time she found herself retreating hoping they wouldn't see her.

She was now traveling with, oddly enough, Evolution. They had been much more accepting of Randy's relationship with her than she had first expected. Hunter seemed to welcome her with open arms, as had Dave and Ric. They had put her up in a very luxurious hotel room, right across from theirs, which was more than comfortable for her.

She and Randy were now able to go out together, and didn't have to hide their relationship from anyone. There was no more sneaking around, no more lies, and no more secret meetings. Everyone was now exposed to their blossoming relationship, and could see that Nicole had never been happier.

After two days of relaxing, for they had no house shows, it was back to work. They had flown to Boston, RAW's next venue, a few days early and had taken in the sights and done some shopping during their free time.

They arrived at the arena, by limo of course, and went into Evolution's locker room. Nicole had decided that it would be best for her to stay there, instead of in the Divas locker room where she'd have no one to talk to.

After settling in, Randy, Dave, Hunter and Ric all headed to the gym.

"You sure you're going to be okay?" Randy asked as he pulled her towards him.

"Don't worry I'll be fine. Actually I think I'm going to grab something to eat and go over my lines for my promo tonight with John. See I have plenty to do. So you go and make yourself sexy for me." she smirked.

Randy quickly kissed her and ran out to catch up with the others.

Nicole slowly walked down the halls not wanting to run into anyone unnecessarily. She finally reached the cafeteria, and poking her head in, noticed that hardly anyone was occupying the room except for some of the crew members.

Nicole, letting out a sigh of relief, walked in and got herself a salad, a bottle of water, and an apple. She sat herself in the furthest corner of the room, and opened up her script to that day. Her lines weren't really that difficult and she was able to know them by heart after going over them a few times.

Soon, after finishing her meal, she became very bored of rehearsing her lines, and decided to leave. Yet the entrance of two Canadian blondes hindered her in doing so. She sat back down quietly as Trish and Chris took their seats at a table closer to the entrance

Nicole desperately tried to consume herself in her work, yet it didn't seem to be working. Her mind just wouldn't concentrate and her eyes kept drifting to where Trish and Chris were seated. As she gazed upon them, she realized how much she really needed them. She knew it sounded silly, but really they were her bestest friends in the whole world. They knew everything about her; they knew what she was thinking, before she even thought of it.

She remembered the day she met Chris, she had been walking around the halls of an arena and they had bumped into one another. Nicole, being the hot- tempered person she is, immediately begun yelling at him and telling him to go straight to hell. That was until she looked up at his piercing blue eyes. She then had stammered with her words and he forgave her, and offered to get her a drink for recompensation. During that time they had gotten to know each other and had been best of friends ever since. They always told each other everything; so naturally Nicole understood that Chris felt hurt, but to take it to the extent that he did.....

She had met Trish a few days later; after Jericho had introduced them and at first Nikki thought she was just another blonde bimbo. Soon she came to realize that Trish was anything but that. After all she had originally planned to become a doctor, and just settled for modeling and then wrestling later on. Nicole inwardly smiled, remembering the day when Trish had told her she had originally thought Nikki was a blonde bimbo. Nicole had then confessed to Trish that she had thought the same about her, and they had a good laugh. No wonder Chris always said they were practically twins...

Nicole sighed, when she thought about it, she really missed them. All she really wanted was someone to talk to. Someone who would understand her. It's true she had Randy and Dave and Hunter to talk to, but she couldn't really tell them what she really thought. She had told Randy how upset she was about what had happened, but she couldn't very well tell him that all she wanted to do was run to them and beg for forgiveness.

She couldn't tell him how much she needed them; after all they were all she had. When she was all alone in New York, it was Chris and Trish and Adam and everyone else, who came and see her. They made sure she was okay. They called her every night, for a whole month, so she wouldn't feel home sick. Not her parents, but her friends. They were her family, more than her own parents were and she didn't want to lose the only family she ever had.

Sighing, again, she ran a hand through her long blonde hair. Sometimes she wondered what if Shawn hadn't exposed their secret to everyone within a five mile radius; what would have happened then? She probably would be sitting with them right now actually she thought. Suddenly she felt tears begin to form. 'Dammit Nicole, don't you dare cry'.

After a few more moments of sulking in her own self pity, Nicole realized what she had to do. It was no use just sitting and thinking about what used to be, or what she should have done. If she wanted something to happen, she would have to do it herself, and there was no moment greater than the present. After a few more minutes of deliberating with herself, Nicole stood up and walked over to where Trish and Chris sat.

As soon as she had begun making her way, Trish noticed Nicole, and nudged Jericho to look in the same direction. At first thought, Trish supposed Nikki might simply strut out of the room, paying them little or no attention, but Nicole's actions shocked even Trish. Before she knew it Nicole was standing right in front of her, her blue eyes filled with worry.

Now, that Nicole had made it all the way over to them, she had no idea as what to say to them. Obviously she wanted to apologize, but who would be the one to break the ice and get the ball rolling.

Luckily for her, Chris spoke up, "Haven't seen you for a long time" he said with a hint of disdain in his voice.

Trish sent him a knowing look, "It's nice to see you. How have you been?"

"Not that good actually, seeing as my best friends don't seem to want anything to do with me anymore." Nikki replied "How about you?"

" Well...my best friend has been keeping a pretty big secret from me, and if said person had just come out and told us all about it, I would have felt much better. But instead I had to hear it from someone else, and I wouldn't have believed it from this person, if the accused hadn't finally come clean about the whole ordeal." Trish explained.

Nicole knew that it was now her chance to apologize for everything that had happened. She sat down next to Trish and sighed, "Look, you know I'm sorry. I never meant for it to come out the way it did. If I could do everything all over again, I would tell you all from the beginning everything, I swear. I just....I was scared okay. You guys all don't like Evolution, and anything or anyone, that has anything to do with them. And I just thought that if I told you about me and Randy, you all wouldn't be thrilled about....."

"So you just decided it would be best to keep it a secret. Were you ever going to tell us, or should we be thanking Shawn Michaels right now?" Chris said.

"Of course I was going to tell you...eventually. When I thought the time was right. I didn't want to tell you about me and Randy while I was still unsure if it would work out between the two of us. Chris you know I tell you everything, sometimes it just isn't right away."

"That's just the thing Nicole, you usually tell us everything, but this time it wasn't you who told us.... It was Shawn Michaels for crying out loud. How the hell did he know, while we didn't. I still can't seem to understand that." Trish shook her head.

"He must have seen Randy and I together, because I sure as hell would never tell him anything. I hadn't even spoken to him until that day he came up to talk to us at the cafe. I didn't know how, or why he knew about my relationship with Randy."

"Shawn has always been resourceful, it must have took him little to no time to figure out what was going on between the two of you." Trish reassured us both.

There was a tense silence in the air for a few moments, "Look, can we please just forget all about this and move on. You all know the big secret now, so can't we just go back to like everything was before." Nicole asked.

"Nikki, you know we would all like to, but...."

"..but what Trish, I apologized, what more do you want. I'm sorry, okay. You guys are like my family what the hell am I supposed to do without you?"

"Well you should have thought of that before you began lying to us. How do we know you aren't still lying to us right now?" Trish explained.

"Are you for real? Do you not believe a word of what I just said. And Trish, if I do remember correctly, didn't you initially suspect something was going on between Randy and I, so don't try and act the part of the victim."

"You're right, I did think something was up, but then I said to myself, Nikki would tell me, after all she is MY BEST FRIEND." Trish shouted that last part.

"Best Friend, well friends forgive one another when an apology is made, friends don't keep grudges, and friends stick by each other's side......."

".....And friends don't lie to one another......"

Chris sat in silence as he watched the two women before him yell at one another. He couldn't believe what had happened to them, all because of some stupid little thing.....Sure, he had been upset too, and he still was, but to blow it to this proportion was utterly preposterous. They were acting like two little children fighting over the same piece of candy. He knew that this would go on forever, for he knew that neither Trish, nor Nicole would back down from any type of challenge.

Suddenly, one of the two blonde women stormed out of the room. He wasn't sure who had left: they looked so much alike when their backs were turned to him. Soon, the remaining woman turned around and Nicole faced Chris who was still seated. She sat down and put her head in her hands as he continued to watch her.

"You've been quiet" she practically whispered.

"What else is there to say....." Chris stopped as Nicole raised her head and looked him dead in the eyes. Her cheeks were still pink from yelling and the water forming in her eyes seemed like it might overflow any minute now. He sighed, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay, that he would fix everything for her. But he couldn't; he had been cleaning up her messes for too long now, she had to take responsibility for this. He had to give her credit though; she had been doing much better than he had thought she would.

"Chris, I'm so sorry, you have to believe me! I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm just so confused."

"Nik, I know you're sorry, but Trish is just really taking this to heart, and I can understand 'cuz I did too at first. Just give her some time to calm down, and she'll come around I promise."

"And what about you, are you still mad at me?"

He ran a hand through his hair, "I'm not as mad as I was when I first found out, but I guess I'm still disappointed Nicole. Look, if Randy makes you happy then fine. But you could really be screwing up here. I don't think your father is all too happy Nicole, what if he decided that this is the last straw and sends you packing again. Did you ever think of that? What are going to do then?"

"I don't care what Steve thinks, or what he says, so don't try and change the subject. We're talking about me and you here, not me and my father; I'll deal with him later. Chris, you don't know what I feel like right now. I'm confused and hurt, and at the same time I'm a happy that everything is out in the open. All I'm asking for is that you be happy for me too. I'm not asking you to like Randy, hell I'm not even asking you to talk to him, but all I want is for you to accept him and respect the fact that I want to be with him."

"Nicole, are you really sure about Randy?"

"Why are you even asking? Of course I am. I wouldn't be with him if I wasn't."

"Maybe the Randy Orton you know, isn't the Randy Orton I know.... because from what I've seen, he only has one thing on his mind when it concerns women: sex. And maybe he has led you to believe that he's someone else...."

"Chris please! Randy's not like that; not at all. Why don't you believe me Chris, why can't you just be happy for me?"

"I want to be, I just need a little more time to adjust to it."

"Chris have I ever, not trusted you on anything? I've always been happy for you, even when I may have thought that what you were doing wasn't right, but I never undermined you did I? All I'm asking for is that in return."

Chris didn't know what to say. She was right; everything she said was right and he knew it. He couldn't hold anything against her anymore, because truthfully none of them were in the right. They were both wrong, but she had been the bigger person to fess up to her mistakes, whereas he and Trish hadn't.

He looked at Nicole, who was still awaiting a response, "I have to go. I should see how Trish is." He stood up and made his way towards his locker room.

Nicole walked down a hallway towards Evolution's locker room her conversation with her friends playing over and over in her mind. She and Trish had said some very uncalled for comments, and she only wished she would forgive her although now she didn't blame her if she didn't want to. She hadn't meant any of the things that were said, yet she didn't know if Trish knew that.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a booming voice call her name, "NICOLE!"

"Oh great, this day just keeps getting better and better" she muttered to herself as she turned around to face her father.

"We need to talk, about a certain relationship with a certain Randy Orton that you will be terminating." Steve was dead serious, he looked about ready to, excuse the expression, "open a can of whoop-ass" if his demands weren't complied.

Nicole had had enough for one day, and of her father telling her what to do for that matter. "No, we don't need to talk. I'm going to talk, and you're going to listen, and listen good. I have had enough of you telling me what to do, and yes I haven't been listening to you anyways, but still. I am not some 2 year old that you can manipulate into being a good girl anymore; I can take care of myself, and I have been for the past 5 years of my life so don't pretend to be concerned with my well-being. You don't have to be, nor do I want you to be. "

She took a breath of air, "As far as Randy and I are concerned, that is none of your business either. We have a relationship, and you can't do anything about it. I want you to stay out of my life; you have no purpose to me except to make me miserable. As of right now, I do not want to have anything more to do with you except have the same last name. If you cannot comply with what I want, well then......you can go straight to hell for all I care." Before Steve had a chance to reply she turned around and stormed to the locker room.

Nicole slammed the door to Evolution's locker room shut, startling Randy. He hadn't seen her for a good few hours and had begun to worry about where she had gotten to. He had almost decided to go and look for her, but decided against it for she was a grown woman. He looked at her and realized that she didn't seem to be in a very good mood, something must have happened. Now he mentally kicked himself for not going and find her.

He watched her as she sat down next to him, and sighed, "You okay?" he asked her putting an arm around her shoulders.

"I don't know. I just told my father where he can stick it, so that makes he feel good, but I had another fight with Trish and Chris so that puts a damper on everything."

Randy kissed her forehead "Don't you worry, everything will be fine. Just give them some time to cool down and then they'll come around. I promise."

"Yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me, the hard part is to believe it." She rested her head on his shoulder and that�s when she noticed the time, "Is your watch right!!!"

"Umm ya, probably. Why?" He watched as she flew off the couch and sat down on the floor.

She opened up her suitcase and began rummaging through it looking for something to wear for that nights RAW. She began pulling pieces of clothing out one by one and looking at it with scrutinizing eyes, after a few moments she would chuck it down next to her in what could only be the "reject pile". She did this for a few more minutes and by the end of it she had accumulated quite a pile of things she couldn't wear that night.

"I have nothing. Absolutely nothing to wear for tonight. I can't believe this!" she picked up her clothing and began placing it back into her suitcase.

"That's not true, you have so much stuff, just pick something. You always look good anyways."

"Now, that's not true Randall. Just look at me now, I'm a mess and I won't have much time to fix myself up. I have to find something to wear, I have to go and find John and go over the promo with him, and I have to....I have to...." she trailed off.

Randy realized that she was now furiously throwing her clothes back into her case, and that her voice was beginning to waver; tears had begun to once again form in her eyes. He slipped down on the floor next to her and pulled her to him. She quietly sobbed on his chest as he tried his best to console her.

"Aw baby its okay, everything will work itself out. Don't get so stressed out for nothing." He began looking through her clothes, she had so much stuff he wondered how in the world she was able to stuff it all in one case, finally he spotted what he was looking for, "Here, why don't you wear this, it's one of my favorites" he held up the black silky dress as she looked on.

She smiled as she saw that it was the dress she had worn on their first date. She got up, took the dress from him, and kissed him as a way of saying thanks, "You always come through don't you Orton."

She went into the bathroom and dressed herself; she then quickly did her makeup and hair. Within 20 minutes she was ready to go and find John, she only hoped she would find him in time to over their promo at least once. She walked out of the bathroom, and twirled around for Randy who gave her an approving whistle.

He pulled her towards him and kissed her, "You look amazing in that, although it would look even better off of you" he smirked.

Nicole, playfully hit him, "Randy.....I really have to go, and you should be getting ready too. I'll see you later okay?"

"What the hell are doing in my locker room" John Cena stared at the blonde sitting on one of the leather couches, flipping through a magazine.

"Looking for you, obviously" Nicole said as she stood to reach eye level.

"Why's that?"

"Well, I think we have to have a little chat."

"About what?" he said incredulously.

"About the fact that you haven't even bothered to thank me, or even show some appreciation about me continuously saving your ass." Nikki answered getting upset herself.

"Saving my ass, is that what you think you're doing? Well, how about this for thanks, I don't need, or want your help."

"Really? You know, John I've been watching your matches, and from what I've seen I know that...."

"Forget this," he said cutting her off, "I've got a match next." John turned around and stormed out of the room towards the ring.

Nicole waited where she had been standing, staring at the door. Within a minute Cena was right back standing in the doorframe.

"Well, are you coming or not?" he asked her.

Nicole smiled as she followed him out of the room and towards the ring for his match.

"And cut..." the director yelled out.�That was perfect you two, perfect" he said to both John and Nicole.

Nicole nodded. The promo had gone pretty well, even though they hadn't even had enough time to practice it once. She had to agree with the director, the promo was perfect.

"The two of you" he said pointing at them, "you two have chemistry, and it really lights up on the screen. Bischoff will be ecstatic."

Nikki and John both laughed. They had "chemistry", ya right. Maybe it had come off so well, because they were fighting. After all that's what they were good at, wasn't it.

After John's quick match with Kenzo Suzuki, where he picked up the win after an F-U. Nicole made her way back to her locker room. Evolution had already finished for the night, and was waiting for her to leave. She sped up her pace thinking of Randy waiting for her.

They arrived at the hotel 15 minutes later, all visibly exhausted. Hunter had originally planned for them to all go out tonight, but everyone had been too tired, Hunter included. They rode up the elevator in silence, just as their ride had been. Hunter, Dave, and Ric whispered "good bye" and "good night" to her and left Randy and Nicole alone in the hall.

"How was your night?" he asked her. he had worried about her after she left, she was too stressed and he didn't want it to happen again.

"It was good, after all I did get a little help from someone" she smirked.

"I can see that you're very grateful, how are you going to repay this someone." It was now Randy's turn to smirk.

"I can think of a couple of ways...." she trailed off as he pulled her closer to him and kissed her hungrily.

She pulled away, and opened the door to her hotel room. She sauntered inside and left the door open for Randy to enter. Randy inwardly smiled; he was resisting every urge in his body telling him to run in that room. Instead, he slowly walked inside, almost cautiously, and closed the door behind him.