Part 7
Dave shoved the curtain aside, wiping sweat from his brow as he headed to the backstage area. After a grueling match against both Sylvan Grenier and Rob Conway, he had secured a position in the Royal Rumble. A wide grin crossed his face as he pinned both members of La Resistance simultaneously, because he knew he was almost there. His victory over the multiple-time tag team champions was just another step in the direction to his ultimate goal. Though he rarely spoke of it, he had dreamt of it for some time. And now, he was one step closer.

Nobody knew how badly he wanted to win the World Title. Even back when he and Randy were the best of friends, and told each other everything, he'd kept quiet on the issue. He'd sit and listen as Randy told stories of his aspirations to win the very same title, and - though he said nothing - the exact same thoughts ran through his own mind. He wanted it just as bad.

He rounded a corner, freezing as a blonde whirl collided with him. He laughed, knowing exactly who the blonde whirl was.

"Jesus, woman, watch where you're going," he said playfully, giving her a lighthearted nudge.

"Bite me," she muttered under her breath.

She know that Dave did not deserve to be on the receiving end of her attitude, but at the moment, she didn't care. Her mind was clouded.

"There's that happy attitude I love to see," Dave quipped, trying his best to keep their conversation light. He was in too good of a mood to let her ruin it.

"Dave..." Trish began slowly.

The slight waver in her voice signaled him to glance down at her. He was caught off guard by the moisture that had built in her brown eyes. Jumping slightly, he placed his hands on her arms.

"Trish, what's wrong?" he questioned her, a concerned gaze filling his eyes.

A loud, shaky sigh left her lips as she glanced up at him. She reached out and grabbed his forearms, holding them as though she needed them to support herself.

"I, I didn't think it would bother me so much," she said, shaking her head.

Dave did not understand her cryptic response, so he nodded for her to continue.

"I mean, I knew it'd happen eventually... I just didn't think it would be... and with her."

"Trish, what the hell are you talking about?" he asked.

She remained silent, her eyes glazing over as though she was in a trance. He shook her gently, snapping her out of the daze.

"Christian," she breathed. "He's got a new girlfriend."

Dave sunk back a little bit, a frown marring his features. From the few things Trish had said to him about Christian, he suspected that she was not fully over him. Not that she was still in love with him... but it would be a lie to say she didn't obviously miss him. After all, their breakup was not her idea.

Dave sighed, placing a consoling hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said, offering his arms to her.

Trish placed her hands on his chest, pushing him away. Dave knew she was just distraught, but he couldn't help but feel slightly rejected. He glanced away, waiting for her speak.

"He's with Molly... my best friend Molly. I saw them together," she mouthed in disbelief. "I knew he was going to move on eventually, but with her?"

Dave took a step back, wondering whether Trish had directed her comment to him, or to herself. She took a deep breath, desperately fighting the tears that were begging to fill her eyes. She couldn't let herself cry in front of him.

"Oh, Trish," he said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."

He didn't know what else to say. He knew how hard it was to witness an old love with a new interest. But to see them with your best friend? Nothing could be more heartwrenching.

She glanced away, and Dave wasn't even sure if she heard him.

"Molly is my best friend," Trish said with despair. "Why would she do this to me... and not even tell me?"

The feelings of loneliness she had struggled with so often as of late rushed back to her, and the tears spilled over her eyelids.

"I have no one," she realized in horror.

Dave stared down at her, a saddened look in his eyes as well. He hadn't seen her look so upset since they first ran into each other weeks ago.

"That's not true," he said sternly. "You have me. Molly might be your best friend, but I'm still your friend. And if you need anything, I'll make it my personal duty as your friend to see that you get it."

He followed his comment with a wink and a reassuring smile, hoping it would rub off on her.

Trish's lips curled up into a half smile as she moved to him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hugged him graciously. Dave held her tightly, and this time, she sank into his embrace.


The Royal Rumble - January 16, 2005
The noise was ear-shattering. Dave soaked every last bit of it up as he bolted toward the the ring. The applause and cheers did wonders for his morale, which was already extremely pumped up.

So far tonight, everything had gone his way. He had entered at number 28, and he was certainly going to take advantage of the late entry. Not that it mattered. The outcome would be same whether he entered at eight or 28. This was his night.

He stepped through the ropes, staring down the other participants. Though none of them dared to show it outwardly, he knew they were all intimidated by his presence. He didn't blame them one bit.

From the corner of his eye, Dave caught a glimpse of Gene Snitsky, who was lingering by the ropes. A smirk played on his lips as he charged over, blindsiding Snitsky and knocking him right out of the ring.

"One down," he said as he watched him hit the floor.

A moment later, he turned his head, just in time to witness Smackdown superstar John Cena muster up the strength to toss Kane out of the ring. When Cena turned around, he locked eyes with Batista, and he smiled. Dave gave him a knowing nod.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dave saw a head of blonde hair charging towards him. In a flash, he grabbed a hold of Chris Jericho, throwing him right over the top rope. Almost immediately after Jericho hit the floor, all hell broke loose. Dave went on a roll, eliminating wrestlers left and right. He eliminated some men before they could even put a finger on him. He'd be damned if he let anyone ruin his night.

In the middle of all the chaos, a familiar song blared in his ear, and his eyes shifted to the entrance ramp. He pursed his lips together as he saw Ric Flair heading towards the ring, entering at number 30. He made the mistake of turning his back to the action, and the next thing he knew, he felt a swift, hard blow to his back. He dropped down to the mat, clutching the small of his back as he let out a pained groan.

A few moments later, his determination, rage, and will to win teamed up on his pain, easily overpowering it. Next thing he knew, he was back to his feet, eliminating people once more. By the end of the Battle Royal, two men remained: himself, and John Cena. As the two men stared each other down, Dave knew that the silent alliance they had formed was now history.

They started fighting, and before he knew it, he opened his eyes and found himself on the floor... outside the ring. No, no... he thought to himself. This can't be happening...

He shook his head, praying that he was just hallucinating. He was still in the ring... he had to be. He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings... he was on the ground.

"Shit!" he cried. This couldn't be real.

Dave glanced up, and he noticed that he wasn't alone on the outside of the ring. Laying on the floor beside him was John Cena. They had both fallen out of the ring. What the hell was going on? By the time they had gotten to their feet, one referee raised Dave's hand in victory. Yes...

His smile faded quickly as another referee raised Cena's hand, signaling that he had actually won the Rumble match. A confused look was etched on the faces of both men as the refs began to argue over who actually won the match. Was it possible to have a draw?

Then, loud music boomed through the arena. All four men standing by the ring glanced to the head of the ramp, as the chairman of the WWE, Vince McMahon, strutted out. He stared down at the ring for a few moments, before letting them know that the match simply could not end this way. He ordered the Rumble to be restarted, and insisted that Cena and Batista to get back in the ring. After his brief announcement, he turned away from the ring and headed back to the locker room area.

Almost immediately as the bell sung to restart the match, John grabbed a hold of Dave, attempting to give him the FU. Using every last ounce of strength left in him, Dave countered the move, slamming Cena to the mat with his signature Batista Bomb. He didn't waste another moment, scooping his opponent up and hurrying to the ropes, throwing him over them and out of the ring.

Dave fell to the mat in relief as the bell sounded again, signaling the end of the match. He had done it...