short chapter, but i'm planning on writing the next one really soon, if not today. so it evens out. uhhh... for those of you turned off by a Orton/OC/Cena love triangle, don't worry. that's NOT going to happen. for those of you hoping for it, sorry.

anyway, next chapter someone dies!

Review!

Ruby

Chapter Five

Madison Square Garden, New York

Candice sprayed some of her favorite perfume in front of her, then walked through the fragrant cloud. She was going out with Todd Halphaway tonight, after the pay-per-view, and she wanted everything to be just perfect. Looking at herself, standing perfectly in the outfit she had preselected, Candice noticed Torrie walk into the woman's locker room.

"Going out with that security guy again?" She smiled, slipping on her wrestling attire. Tonight, there was a huge all Diva match, where the winner became number one contender the women's title at next month's event. The title holder, Mickie James.

"He's not just a security guard, Tor. He's the head of security for the entire WWE, and he single. And interested." She decided that she liked what she saw, so started taking off her 'date outfit' and started putting on her wrestling gear. "And it's our second date."

"So... what? You don't put out till the third." Candice threw a towel at her while Torrie snickered. "Kidding! Anyway, so what about tonight. What would your bet be that Peyton wins?"

"What makes you think that Peyton's going to win, hmm? Why not me? Or yourself, for that matter?" Candice always was the one who was a bit too competitive. One time, Torrie had beaten her in a match and Candice wouldn't talk to her for two weeks.

Torrie put her hands innocently in the air. "I'm not saying that you couldn't win... you have a really good chance...I'm just saying that Peyton's got a fire lit under her ass, is all."

Candice considered it, "Yeah. If she wins, she gets to legitimately beat the shit out of Mickie."

"And... if she wins the title, she could legitimately ask for a career break from Randy." Torrie concluded, finishing by tightening her elbow pads. "It must be so hard for her to go out there with him every Monday," she sympathized.

- - - - - - - -

Peyton walked into the arena, her oversized hoodie and ripped jeans folding against her body against the harsh wind. After telling Randy off the other night, she felt liberated to a certain extant. It was like yelling at him was letting his choke hold on her heart loosen. Over all, it made her smile. More than she ever thought she would after the last week and a half, anyway.

Now she had one more chance to make something of herself tonight. If she won tonight's match, she would be rid of Randy forever. Sure, she would eventually bump into him backstage, maybe she would even smile and wave one day, but she wouldn't be forced into looking like she was happy while walking alongside him. And that's what meant the most to her.

Hiking the strap of her duffel over her shoulder, Peyton took the plunge and entered the arena. John was standing there, a coffee in his hand and a smile on his lips. "Some weather we're having, huh?"

- - - - - - - -

Peyton listened to her music play for a moment, taking in the power of the lyrics and letting the punk-rock tune fill her persona. Torrie was already down at the ring, Candice was standing to her left and waiting for her entrance. Behind her was Trish. They both nodded to her and watched as she disappeared out onto the stage.

She listened to the crowd's roar of approval, but Peyton kept her sights set on the commentary table. Mickie sat there, headphones over her ears. Her goal was set, and all she had to do was eliminate five other Divas. Sounds easy, right? Okay, maybe not...

Still, Peyton was on the war path and hell bent on kicking Mickie's ass. When she was firmly in the ring, Peyton walked over to the south side ropes, staring Mickie down with a devilish smirk on her face. Mickie squinted her eyes in a fake confusion, like she was wondering what it was all about. But she knew. "Wow... look at that? She looks just a little mad..." King's voice echoed through Mickie's headphones.

"I thought you two were on good terms?" JR's followed.

Snapping out of her trance-like state of mind, Mickie remarked, "I guess not."