Chapter 8: I Love the Holidays

There's this song that says "About boys, there's something I should have known: They're like chocolate cakes, like cigarettes -- I know they're bad for me, but I just can't leave them alone."

We TNA girls are all hooked on the vice. You know, the one that is neither chocolate cakes, nor cigarettes.

"Hey Christy," Trinity asked, "are you and Raven, like, together?"

"No," I laughed. Ashley would kill me if we were! "We're just friends, and besides, he has a girlfriend."

"Ooh," they all cooed.

Trinity finished lacing up her boots and sat down beside me. "Who is it?"

"You're gonna have to ask him yourselves, girls," I replied, grinning.

"Oh, fine. But how about you, are you dating anyone?"

"Well --"

"Actually," Gail interrupted, "I saw her with Jeff Hardy a few times. If I remember right, I believe you were the reason why Jeff even showed up to TNA two weeks ago."

They all eyed me with predatory grins.

"Do tell, honey," Jackie prodded.

I shrugged at the lot of them. "He's already seeing someone," I replied. Technically, it's true! I just don't plan to tell them that that somebody is me.

Trinity started talking about her own relationship, and while we were all really happy for her, I couldn't help but notice that Jackie was looking a little glum; a stark contrast from her usually cheery demeanor. She and I stayed behind as the other girls left to get some food.

"What's wrong, Jackie?"

She looked up at me and blinked. "Huh?"

"You're looking a little down today."

"Oh." She smiled sadly. "It's nothin', really, just that all these love stories are making me a little nostalgic."

I sat down on the bench facing her. "I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's not that I'm jealous of y'all, but I hardly ever get to see Charlie anymore. The wrestling business gets real tough sometimes, especially if your someone's working for a rival company."

"You miss him?"

"That I do."

-o-

"So have you two...you know, done it yet?"

I elbowed Ashley's side and giggled. A matronly lady glared at us from a distance, but I didn't really care.

"Nope. Easy, Christy, we're only on our second date. Our third date's this week, though." She pulled out a sparkly purple dress from the rack and held it against her.

"Oh, the big sex date!" I exclaimed, quoting the cast of Ally McBeal in that episode when she had a thing with uber-hottie Jon Bon Jovi. I pulled the dress away from her and put it back, shaking my head. Neiman Marcus is great, not to mention the best place to bond with your gal pals, but please. That dress was so not her.

"Must everything be about sex? You're so horny."

A little girl ran by right then as her mother walked behind her, narrowing her eyes at us.

"Am not," I argued once she was out of earshot, "I'm just curious as to how you and Raven are doing!"

She pulled out a light pink blouse. "Well, we're just fine. We're taking it slow."

I couldn't help laughing. "He must be bouncing off the walls right about now, the poor thing! And that blouse -- eww."

"Fine." She rolled her eyes and put it back. "Well, what should I wear to this TNA Christmas party then? Did they specify any attire?"

"Not really. How do you want to look?"

"Fun, flirty--something that Scotty can't resist!"

And there it was, just a few meters behind her. The dress. The dress. Green silk, plunging neckline, with a skirt that ends just above the knee. With the right Manolos, she'd be stunning!

I pointed to it. "Look no further, my friend. I think we've found the one!"

-o-

It seems everyone had a date tonight. Raven had Ashley, I had Jeff...one of the few who went stag was Jackie, and it kind of broke my heart to see her like that.

We all fell silent as Jeff Jarrett took the stage. "First off, I'd like to thank y'all for coming," he began, beer mug in hand. "I'd also like to take this welcome a special guest, Miss Ashley Massaro," he said as the spotlight fell on Ashley, who was sitting on Raven's lap. (That green dress was totally working!) She smiled and blushed a little as we all applauded. "Girl, everyone on our roster can tell that you've made Raven a very happy man," he added, laughing. Raven flipped him the bird, but he was laughing with the rest of us. The men hooted and catcalled in praise.

"Anyway, let's get down to business." The crowd became quiet. "Miss Massaro, we know that your...present organization," Jarrett cleared his throat as and the rest of the TNA roster somehow managed to politely hide their dislike towards the WWE, "is paying you a large sum of money. However, we at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, most especially Raven" -- hoots from the boys in the crowd -- "would be more than happy if you would work for us instead."

"Now, I can't promise you a bigger salary than what they pay you in the company you're currently working for, but what I can promise you is a decent amount of face time every week, great backstage camaraderie, and the assurance that we won't fire you anytime soon because of 'budget cuts' or any of those lame excuses." Some of the former WWE Superstars there booed at the mention of 'budget cuts,' and I myself couldn't help but scowl. "We're a meritocracy, Ashley, so you don't have to worry about sucking up to anyone."

"Cutting to the chase," he continued, "I would like to offer you a one-year contract with TNA Wrestling." The room erupted in cheers. Hell, even Gail Kim was smiling. "You don't have to answer right away, Ashley," he called out over the cheers, "I'll give you a week to decide."

It took her just one look at Raven to come up with a decision. "I don't need a week, sir. I say, hell yeah!" She pumped her fist into the air.

We all cheered and applauded even louder, and I walked over to hug her. "Ash, I swear, you will not regret this decision!"

Mr. Jarrett grinned. "Well, I'll drink to that!" He raised his glass. "Ladies and fellas, a toast to Ashley Massaro, the newest member of the TNA roster! Welcome to the TNA family, girl!"

"Cheers!" we yelled.

Seated at one table were a lot of the TNA girls, Jackie included. She was laughing along with them, but you could easily see the sadness in her eyes at just one glance. I ran and took her by the wrist. "Come on, Jackie, I have something to show you!"

"What the hell...?"

I half-dragged her through the crowd towards the stairs. "The view is great from up here, I swear! You should see it!"

"I don't much care for stargazing. Not at a Christmas party, anyway."

"Trust me," I giggled, "you'll love this."

At the top of the stairs, I stopped her and fixed a loose strand of her hair. She looked great tonight---her hair was in a pretty up-do, and she had a cute light-blue dress on. This would work perfectly!

I opened the door to the top of the building and rushed out, turning back only to wait for her. "Well, come on!"

"Honey, are you drunk or somethin'? What is up with you?" She slowly, reluctantly followed me. And then she saw what I was talking about.

"Oh my God!"

Right smack in the center of the top of the building was a candlelit dinner, a violinist in a tuxedo...and Charlie Haas, carrying a big bouquet of roses.

"No one should spend Christmas alone," I told her with a grin. She ran and embraced him.

"Wow," he gasped, eyeing her up and down. "You look...amazing."

"She's definitely worth a day off, isn't she?"

He looked at me and laughed. "She certainly is."

I smiled and waved as I left them to go back down the stairs.

-o-

The drinking and merry-making continued as I made my way to Jeff. "This is one awesome Christmas!"

"You're telling me," he agreed, putting his arms around my waist. "Merry Christmas, baby, three days in advance."

"Hey guys!" Christian yelled. "Christy and Jeff Hardy are under the mistletoe!"

I looked up to see Bubba Ray Dudley holding mistletoe above us. "Damn," I laughed. "So our cover's blown?"

"I don't really care." He grinned at me, his green eyes twinkling.

"Good," I sighed. "Me neither."

"So may I have this kiss?"

I answered Jeff by setting down my champagne flute, wrapping my arms around him and locking lips with him. I could feel everyone's eyes on us and hear their cheering, hooting, and hollering, but like Jeff, I didn't really care.

"Well, well," Mr. Jarrett said over the microphone, "looks like we got ourselves a new storyline here!"

A/N: A short little Holiday bit, LOL. Beware the next chapter, ladies and gentlemen...towards the end, it gets kind of...lemon-y. :P