TITLE: The Shadow Dancer
AUTHOR NAME: Marlena R. Snape
CATEGORY: Drama
SUB-CATEGORY: General
RATING: R. Blatantly, it'll get bad.
DISTRIBUTION : Ask and you might receive.
GENRE : Wrestling (WWE/TNA - AU)
CAST: Malela Trombley OC, Chris Sabin, TNA roster, some WWE cameos, and an unnamed assailant.

SUMMARY:

Malela (Ma-le-la) Trombley was a WWE diva. She had a good career, she was a former Women's Champion, had a lot of amazing friends, but something went wrong. She had a vivid affair with a fellow superstar, and after they broke it off, Malela left the WWE for 'reasons unnamed'. Her contract is free though, and she's picked up by Total Non-Stop Action. It was her chance to really shine.
Malela has a new man in her life as well. TNA's Chris Sabin. Her alias on screen, Taylor, is the valet for America's Most Wanted (with Jeff Jarrett and Gail Kim) and is in the midst of a kidnapping storyline. But what happens when her storyline becomes all too real, and a shadow dancer is out to not only to make her pay for her past infidelity, but also, to prove he loves her? Love makes you do desperate things, this is one of them.

DISCLAIMER:
I've been dying to do a fic to prove I'm crazy D This is IT. "Sleeping With Ghosts" was bad, to where I got, but this one? Oh doggie, you're not even going to KNOW who the shadow dancer IS until it's, well, too late. Bum bom bum! Malela is mine, that's about it. I'm not dating Chris Sabin, I'm not managing Chris Harris and James Storm. I'm not friends with Gail Kim or Jeff Jarrett. You know the deal by NOW. Note: there are two main types of chapters. Present and video. However, there is one past. Hope it's all clear.

--

Chapter Two: The WWE

(Past)

Malela Ashelyn Trombley was twenty-two when she signed her contract with the WWE. She was excited to be in the organization when it was at it's peak of interest in the society. There were people mucking around like Edge, Christian, Gangrel, Lita, The Hardy Boyz, The McMahon's, Molly Holly… big names that were just as every day and average in sports entertainment homes across the world. It wasn't a surprise to hear conversation about the Eddie Guerrero's, Kurt Angle's, and The Rock's of the world. She thought, just maybe, she'd be on the road to the big time with any luck.

Her debut in the federation was in the smack dab of a gigantic angle. She was teamed with the WCW/ECW Alliance, and she was on the arm of Shane "Hurricane" Helms. Lita and Matt Hardy were facing Shane Helms and a WCW/ECW diva of his choice. Ironically enough, he picked a girl named Taylor from ECW. That someone, was Malela's on-screen persona. She came out to the ring with Shane to "Meaning Of Life" by Disturbed, dressed to kill. As it was, Taylor and Shane Helms pulled off the cheap victory, after Taylor kicked Matt Hardy in the groin, and Helms hit the "Eye of the Hurricane". While Taylor kept Lita at bay for the three-count, Shane and Taylor were quick to retreat with Ivory, who was praising proudly Taylor's way of getting things done.

That was just the start for Taylor in the WWE. She was one girl Shane McMahon called on frequently during the WCW/ECW invasion. He saw 'potential' in her, even though she had been taught her 'ways of the world' under Paul Heyman. Lord knows what was going through her head at any given time right? She was from the EXTREME. She was from ECW! The extreme was tested though, in a women's title match. It was a six pack challenge that pitted Lita, Trish Stratus, Ivory, Jacqueline, Mighty Molly and an unnamed diva for the re-emerging women's title.

Get Psycho
I Wanna Get Psycho
Get Psycho
I wanna get psycho
Run you little bitch!

With "Meaning Of Life" by Disturbed, meant the coming of ECW's Taylor. She came to the ring ready for an all out brawl. She ALWAYS came to the ring ready to brawl! Paul Heyman was right there to support not only Taylor, Molly, but Ivory. If either of them walked away with the title, the Alliance won! No doubt! Unfortunately, it was Trish Stratus to walk away with the gold, and alas came another ECW diva to help Taylor 'show Trish what it was like' to be the top diva. A woman, rough as hell and tough as nails, named Jazz.
Jazz and Taylor were two divas that stuck together throughout the Alliance invasion, and had no problem taking it to the best the WWE had to offer.

After the alliance invasion, and the WWE was back in control, Taylor and the other girls from it stuck around. When Malela signed the contract for the WWE it was one of the biggest thrills of her life. She was, as said, just twenty-two at the time. She was in ECW a couple years previous to the WCW/ECW invasion, and this was her big break into the WWE. The break she had been waiting for. She loved the way she had a chance to get into it with the fans, but after the invasion, and new storylines were created, Taylor had the opportunity to try her hand at being a face. She got to team up with girls like Lita, and Trish (when Trish was good), and fight in the ring against Jazz, and Molly, and up-comers who were always coming and going from the federation.

Outside of the ring though, Malela was fairly easy to get along with. It must have been in the way she was, personality wise, where she liked everyone pretty much. She was friends mainly, with Nora Greenwald and Trish Stratigias. Those were the girls she'd hang with on the road, spend time with when they were away from work, as well. It was through Trish though, that Malela got to know Amy Dumas. The lady known as Lita.
Things were going well for Malela, both in and out of the ring. She was in contendership for the WWE Women's Title as she was on RAW (after the RAW/Smackdown! Brand drafts) along with Amy, and Women's Champ Trish Stratus.

During the next year, Malela (as Taylor) managed to have a great run in the women's division, fighting her way up the ranks to become number one contender for the Women's Championship. It was December of 2002 that she got her opportunity. The match happened at a RAW pay-per-view, Armageddon, in 2002 -- she won the title from newcomer Victoria. It was Victoria's first time winning the title, but she lost it to another first timer, named Taylor.

In 2003, though, things changed for Malela personally. Since later 2001/early 2002, she had been having an on-again-off-again affair with a fellow superstar. That superstar was on Smackdown! as she traveled with RAW but that wasn't the point. That superstar, was Matt Hardy. Something about Matt had Malela interested, but not interested enough to making a full-time commitment. Matt on the other hand, thought he wanted to do just that. Little did Malela know though, Matt was still seeing his then, long term girlfriend Amy Dumas. Lita. One of Malela's closest friends at that point in time.

Nobody knew, except his brother Jeff, and their close friend Shannon Moore. Shane Helms, one of Malela's best male friends, told her once he found out, to let it go. Matt would never leave Amy. Malela believed it. It wasn't what she wanted to believe, after all, since she thought she had feelings for Matt --- but feelings could be changed with the right information. And finding out he was still with Amy, was good enough to change her feelings.

"Shane, what in the hell can I do?" Malela asked, as she was visiting Cameron, North Carolina one afternoon in February of 2003. "I mean, it's been going on forever… can I really just say, 'it can't happen anymore, Matt, I'm sorry'? No…"

"Look, hurting you is the last thing on my mind right now." Shane said shortly, "But I don't want to see you in the middle of something you can prevent."

"Shane, I don't know what to do. I really don't. I mean, I don't want to be in the middle of this. I can't be. This is going to ruin my fucking life…"

"It already has…" Shannon Moore commented, as he sat down next to her. "Look at you, honey… you're upset…"

"No… really…" Malela's tone was sarcastic, as she sighed, resting her head down on the table. Somebody stroked her hair, and as she turned her attention up, she was looking into the green gaze of Matt's brother Jeff.

"I love my brother, but what he's doing to you isn't right." Jeff sat down next to Malela and she continued to look toward him. "But do you love him?"

"I don't know…"

"I know he loves Amy, but he might love you." Shane and Shannon individually shot looks at Jeff, as he raised his hands. "Let me finish…" Neither of the other two men in the room wanted to. They both seemed to have her best interest in mind, and hearing 'Matt may love you' was NOT in her best interest. "May… is the operative word here. I don't know. I don't know what's the matter with Matt, leading you on, or whatever he's doing. He can't do it. I don't approve of it."

"There you go, Nero. You're finally starting to make a lick of sense." Shane put his arm around Malela, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I think you should tell him to forget about it. Because you can do better. Something you girls like to say to really kick us guys in the nuts…" Malela laughed a little as she looked at Shane's smile. One of those, too goofy but adorable, smirks.

"Well when you put it that way…" Malela smiled, "I think I could do it. Didn't Taylor say that to you, Hurricane?" She flashed a grin, as Shannon hooted a laugh.

"Ohhh…" Shannon shook his head. "She's good at the breakup thing. Or at least she makes it LOOK good. Can we date so we can break up?" Shannon asked thoughtfully, as Malela stifled a groan.

"Shannon, NO. I'm DONE dating guys. Done dating period. Never know who's fucking or seeing who."

"Damn." He snapped his fingers playfully. "I tried."

"No… it's just not for me anymore, Shanny. I'm sorry."

--

The next time Malela saw Matt, it was for dinner. But unfortunately, it was also for a breakup of what-EVER it was they had going. She wasn't so sure it even MERITED being called a 'relationship'. It was dinner. It was drinks. It was sex. That's it. After finding out what was going on between Amy and himself, the sex was done. Malela wasn't going to be that much of a whore, knowing and then willingly hopping into his bed. That was not the way she operated. At dinner, Malela casually threw out a comment that seemed to rile Matt. He knew she had been in Cameron that day in February. He was at home as well, just not at his brother Jeff's house, where Shannon, Shane, and Jeff were talking to Malela.

"So, how's Amy?"

"Why are you asking me that? I don't know." Matt said shortly, as he took a bite from his pasta dish. "Why should I know, Lela?"

"Oh, I don't know." Malela took a drink from her wine. "Just a thought, you know, since you're still with her and all."

"What?" Matt dropped his fork. He looked at her, repent rage building in his dark eyes. How did she know? Shane… Shane. It had to be him. He would unfortunately do ANYTHING for her, Matt thought. "What in the fuck are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid, Matthew." Malela said, "I know. I've talked to Amy. I asked her not to tell you we talked, and evidently she hadn't. I need to thank her."

"You're a liar… you haven't talked to Amy…"

"Matthew, in case you've forgotten, she's on my show…" Malela said coolly. "I can get around technicalities all I want and get things done. I had suspicions that you weren't being completely honest with me. For rightful thought, too."

"Don't start with me," Matt said as he stood up from his seat. "We're leaving. Let's go."

"No."

"Don't make me cause a scene, Le…" Matt grabbed her arm, a little forcefully, and gave a yank. Malela followed. "Good girl…"

"I'm not your fucking pet, don't say 'good girl' like I deserve a doggie biscuit…"

"Oh, you are my dog, Lela. And maybe you do."

They left the restaurant, and getting to Matt's car, he slammed her back first against the metal frame. She was able to handle that, because she knew what it felt like in a match. Street fights were nothing to her. But when Matt grabbed her hair, and twisted her head to look up at him, that… drew the line of the roughness she'd allow.

"Get your fucking hands off me!"

"Then QUIT LYING to me!"

"FINE! It WASN'T Amy… but it was a reliable source!" Malela tried to get out of Matt's grip, but he was holding on tight. "Let GO!"

"Who told you!"

"Let GO of me!"

"WHO TOLD YOU?" Matt slammed her against the car again, but Malela would be DAMNED before she told Matt that Shane was the one who put a bug in her ear. That Shannon, helped. That his own brother, helped.

"I won't say, and you can NOT make me!" She protested. She was always the strong type. Probably to a fault. "Just let me go and you can get on with your god damned life, Matthew." Oh, but Matt wasn't going to let it end like this would he? He had to be the one to stand up last and stand up the tallest.

"When I find out, I'm gonna get back at them. And then, I'm gonna get back at you. One way or another. You don't know when, or where, or how -- but mark my words, Malela, I will get back at you for believing someone else over me."

"He's a better source than you any day of the week," Malela had finally had it with Matt's attitude and violence. She raised her knee, and made a thrust up into his groin. Matt let out a groan, and Malela kneed him in the midsection as he was half doubled over. With a shove, she managed to get away from his grasp as he hit his knees, and she spitefully took a twenty-dollar bill from her purse. "Keep the change you son of a bitch," She spat at him. "It's, well, it's over Matthew. Do make sure you tell Ames that I said hello. I'll take a cab back to the hotel…"

The hotel, was not where Matt thought. She made plans to spend one night with Jeff and his girlfriend Beth, and then, she was heading home to Tallahassee, Florida. She had been living there since she was six, after being born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The night she spent with Beth and Jeff, Malela spent almost the entire night talking with Jeff. She even cried in front of Jeff, and that was one thing she hated to do. Jeff was really supportive of her situation, and gave her a hug, trying to calm her down. Oddly enough, this Hardy boy couldn't imagine being anything more than friends with Malela. She was just the type of person you could have a great time with and still be great friends with. There was a lot of 'great' things about her, really.

"You did the right thing," Jeff said quietly, as he hugged her, rubbing her back to calm her down. "Nobody steps up to Matt. He hates it. But you did…"

"I wasn't going to let him treat me like a piece of trash…" she said, "I couldn't disrespect myself again to let him…"

"You're a brave woman, you know. You really are." Jeff smiled a little. "Get some sleep though, we have to head out in the morning for Trenton."

New Jersey was their destination for RAW. But little did anymore know, this would be the end of Malela's WWE stint. Somehow the entire locker room, except Amy, knew of what happened between her and Matt. Suddenly, it was something worth talking about? She wasn't going to be able to handle the rumors, the backtalk, and especially what the fans would do if they found out about it. She was surprised people weren't coming up to her on the street and asking how Matt Hardy was in bed…

March 10th, 2003.

Malela Trombley (WWE diva "Taylor") and the WWE have officially parted ways. Malela's contract, still with two years remaining, has decided to leave World Wrestling Entertainment for 'reasons unspecified' to the fans, and to reporters trying to find out just why would a woman with so much potential leave when she was at her peak in World Wrestling Entertainment.

"It's on personal terms," Chairman of the WWE, Vince McMahon went on record to say when asked about her decision to leave. "I understand where Malela is coming from in this and if she gets her life situated and wants to come back, her contract will always be open. She has done a lot for the Women's Division here in the WWE, and all of these women are grateful to her, as are myself and the fans."

Vince McMahon wouldn't comment as to the 'personal terms' of the departure, but here at -- Taylor will be greatly missed.
Taylor is a one-time (December 2002-February 2003) Women's Champion. She was one of the 'Invaders' during the WCW/ECW Invasion. And she was the 2002 Slam! Magazine Women's Wrestler of the Year.

--

Just like that, news of Malela's decision to leave the WWE sent ripples through fan websites across the globe. She actually spent time looking over messages boards, and fan sites, just to see how big of a deal it was. To some it was a bigger deal than others. She had no desire to wrestle at that moment in time, and no matter what was said, she knew she left for a good reason. If she couldn't get Matt out of her head, and out of her system, she had to do something.
Leaving, was the next best option. That way she'd never see him again. With any luck.

--

A/N: The next chapter will cover her present. -M.S