Disclaimer: I do not own the characters affiliated with WWE, I do own Nicole Michael's however. This story is completely AU! This is my first fic so be gentle, reviews are welcomed!

"We know who they are," a dark haired man with a beard said. "Girls."

"Hey Helms," Maria said, "long time no see."

"Do you guys all know each other?" Matt asked.

"Shannon went to school with me," Maria said. "I knew Helms through Shannon."

Nicole wanted to die. She hadn't seen Shannon since they'd met up in Europe. She could see him looking at her awkwardly. Of all the things that could have gone wrong today, it had to be him.

"Would you like a drink?" Jeff asked her breaking her thoughts.

"Yes please, just a beer thanks," she said quietly.

She watched Jeff move away back to the house, and Helms stare her down. Shannon must have told him, she thought to herself.

"So is it just you and Jeff who live here?" Maria asked Matt.

"Shannon and Helm live here too," Matt said as Jeff came back with a beer for Nicole and Maria. "Our uncle, who we inherited the shop off, was friends with these guys' folks."

While the conversation continued, Jeff leant by Nicole and whispered, "Are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Nicole sighed and shook her head.

"I'm here for you, you know that." She smiled warmly as he stroked her hair.

"Can I talk to you Nic?" Shannon asked. Nicole nodded and followed him out to the front of the house, not before looking back at Jeff who smiled back at her. Shannon motioned for her to sit on the loveseat on the front porch, but Nicole couldn't bring herself to sit. "It's been a while," he said sadly.

"Yeah," she said.

"He likes you a lot," Shannon said, "and you like him too, I can see it. He needs to know what happened in Europe."

"I know," Nicole said, "but I can't. I haven't told anyone, not even Maria. I'm so ashamed."

"It's ok," Shannon said pulling her into a hug and stroked her back. "What happened happened, and nothing we can do will change that. I'm sorry it happened, and I know you are too, but my friend in there is so into you that its hurts him. We both have to move on, but you must be honest with not only him, but yourself to do that."

Nicole nodded pulling away and hugging herself tightly. "I'm so sorry, Shannon. I fucked up big time, and I ruined your life at the same time."

"Is everything ok?" Nicole couldn't face Jeff.

"I'll leave you two," Shannon said, kissing Nicole on the forehead. "You didn't ruin my life," and left Jeff and Nicole on the porch on their own.

"Nicole, what's going on?"

She turned to him, tears fighting to break through. "There's something you need to know."

"Ok, let's go to my room, we won't get interrupted there," he said taking her hand and took her through to his room. She looked around the posters and artwork on the wall, and the CDs that were stacked on the desk, the beside table, the floor and the bookcase. His double bed was unmade, and covered in clothes. "Take a seat."

She sat on the bed and crossed her legs. "I just want you to know, these past three months have been incredible. You have been an amazing friend, and I feel things for you I cannot explain."

"I feel the same," he said sitting opposite her.

"I need to tell you something, but if I tell you I know you will hate me."

"I doubt…"

"I've never told anyone this; I could barely believe it myself." She took a deep breath and let Jeff wipe away the tears that were streaming down her cheek. "Shannon and I dated when I was in high school; Maria was the only one who knew. If my dad had found out he would have flipped out, not only because of the age difference but because he's a control freak. In Newport you're expected to love people who are like you, but Shannon wasn't like me, he was punky, I was supposed to be this typical Newport rich snob. I cared for him so much, I guess I loved him. When I graduated I found out something about my father that sent me over the edge. I have an aunt that teaches in Paris, so that was the first place I thought of to run away to. I applied for college over there and began a whole new life. Shannon was understanding when I left, he even came to the airport to say goodbye. He was my first real boyfriend, he was my first everything. We stayed in touch while I was over there."

Jeff looked sadly at the broken girl in front of him. He took her hand in his.

"I'd been in Europe for about a year; I'd just graduated, so I decided I'd go to Budapest to celebrate with some of the people in my class. Shannon saved up and came and stayed with me. The week before we left for Budapest my father had called saying he didn't want anything to do with me. I was so alone and depressed. Then one night in Budapest I got really drunk, and Shannon was really comforting. I really needed someone; I needed to feel something other than sadness. I wanted to feel loved, and I knew Shannon could give me that. One thing led to another," she stopped knowing she had to go on, she angrily pushed the tears away, "we slept together. About a month later I was living in Milan, and I had been sick for a while. I went to the doctors; that's when I found out I was pregnant."

She broke down, letting Jeff take her into his arms. "You don't have to go on if you don't want."

She shook her head, "I couldn't tell Shannon, I couldn't even believe it myself. I just spent weeks wishing it away, and one day it did. I was walking home from work one night, there was a soccer match on. They were all so rowdy and it was so loud. Someone bumped into me while I was walking up the stairs. I fell down the stairs. I lost the baby. Shannon was so upset when I told him of course; he was the only person who knew about it. Things have never been the same with us ever since."

"It wasn't your fault," Jeff said pulling her away at arms length and staring into her blue globes. "You can't punish yourself for something that was an accident."

"I wished…"

Before she could finish her sentence Jeff placed his lips on hers. It was sweet, simple and pure. He leant his forehead against hers and whispered, "I could never judge you. I'm sorry you had to go through that." He smiled sweetly, "What I feel for you is out of this world. I don't know what it is about you, but when you're near me I can't concentrate."

"I feel the same," Nicole said stroking his face.

"Would it be cheesy if I asked you to be my girlfriend?"

Nicole giggled, "No it wouldn't be. And the answer is yes," and with that she threw her arms around Jeff, lifted her body against his and let him kiss her again. His hands sat on her waist and he savoured her sweet taste. His scent was an intoxicating mixture of orchid and musk.

"I'm so glad feel the same way," he said kissing her cheek. "I want us to be special, and I know it's early but there's something here we can't deny. I want to take things slow; I want to help you heal."

Nicole took his lips in hers, smiled and said, "I'd like that very much."

"I promise to be a Southern gentleman," he said stroking her hair. "Most of the time."