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!

Nicole felt the early morning sun warm her cheeks as she lay in bed, a big silly grin painted her face. She got out of bed and skipped to the door. She went downstairs and into the dining room where everyone was already seated for breakfast.

"Good morning," her father said looking up from his newspaper. "What are you so happy about?"

Now's not the time for him to know about Jeff it's too soon, she thought to herself as she sat in between John and Dave. "Can't I be excited about a beautiful day?"

Maria tried to hide her giggle, knowing what her sister was really grinning about.

"You should smile more often," John said, "you have a beautiful smile."

"Isn't he sweet dear?" her grandmother said.

"Thanks, John," Nicole said turning to John. "I will try."

After breakfast, Nicole decided to spend her Sunday morning soaking in the sun by the pool, until the afternoon when she would meet Jeff for their first date.

She showered, changed into her bikini and joined her sister by the pool.

"So, where are you going on your first date?" Maria asked, giggling like a school girl.

"It's a surprise," Nicole said blushing.

"That is so sweet," Maria said. "When are you going to tell dad you're seeing Jeff?"

"I don't know. I don't want to have to think about that yet. He's going to chuck a shit when he finds out." She sat up. "I'm going to get some water, do you want a bottle?"

"Sure," Maria said.

Nicole went back into the kitchens, sitting her Gucci sunglasses on top of her head. The kitchen was deserted. She opened the fridge and took out two bottles of water, stepping back into a body.

She spun around to see Adam.

"What do you want?" she spat.

"I want to know what you're so happy about. I hope it's about me."

"No it's not; now get out of my way."

"Is that anyway to talk to a friend?"

"You're no friend…"

"Nicole, is everything ok?" Nicole turned to see John standing in the doorway.

"Yeah, it's fine," Nicole said walking away from Adam towards the backdoor. "I'll speak to you later Adam." She went back to the chairs and handed Maria the bottle of water and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Is everything ok?" She looked up to see John.

"Yeah," she said, "you know what Adam's like."

"You know what," Maria said, "I'm just going to get some suntan lotion, I'm starting to burn. John, why don't you keep my sister company?"

Maria had been trying for three months to make sure John and Nicole became friends, knowing that you needed as many friends as possible when living under the same house as Adam Copeland.

Nicole watched her sister run back into the house as John sat on the chair opposite her.

"Nicole," John said, "I know I treated you like shit when I first came to stay here, but I'm not that same person. I'm a nice guy, I'm a great listener; I just want you to be comfortable around me."

Nicole had been treating him coldly since she'd come back from Europe. She felt bad because he had been nothing but gentle and kind to her; and on many occasions had come in time when Adam was giving her grief.

"I'm sorry," she said looking into his deep blue orbs. "I really am. I shouldn't have been such a bitch about the whole teasing thing. That was so long ago. I'm sorry my grandmother kicked you out of the house for pushing me off that horse."

"You've been guarded, it's ok, I can understand why. I see the way Adam looks at you, and I know he scares you. I'm sorry he's like that, but if he so much as lays a hand on you, you will tell me right? 'Cause I will go kick his ass."

Nicole laughed. "It's nothing I can't handle. Thankyou though, for understanding why I have been holding back. Can we be friends?"

"Friends is good," John said pulling her into a hug.

Nicole clung to Jeff's hand as they walked through Middletown, north of Newport. They been to the movies, he'd bought her ice-cream and had not let go of her hand.

"Thankyou so much for today," Nicole said as they headed down to the beach. "This is the best date I've been on."

"Well I'm glad," he said looking down at her. "This is the best date I've been on too."

Nicole smiled brightly as they reached the beach. They took their shoes off and let the cool sand sink between their toes. They looked over the water; the sun was beginning to set.

"Wanna go for a swim?" Jeff teased.

"Unless you want to go swimming naked," Nicole grinned.

"Well, we could," he smiled wrapping her in his arms. "Where do you want to sit?"

"Over here," she said grabbing his hand and led him a few feet away. They sat down and he took her in his arms. "When are we going to tell people?"

"I don't know," he said kissing her hair, "Matt doesn't want us to be together."

"My father doesn't want us to be together," she said "he doesn't want me to be with anyone, unless they work for him."

He held her tighter and leant his head against hers. "Let's hold off for a while, hey. We'll tell them in our own time. Are you cold?"

"A little," she said, and he pulled off his sweatshirt. She put it on and kissed him on cheek. He pulled her up into his lap, facing him, and she wrapped her legs around him.

He grinned and kissed her gently. "So, when do I get to stop being a southern gentleman?"

Nicole sat in the entertainment room with the boys watching a movie. She sat on the couch next to Adam, much to her protest as she could feel him gaze over her body, his hand inching towards her leg. She thought back over the last two weeks since she and Jeff had started dating. They'd had dinner at his house when he was home by himself; they'd snuck away to the movies in Middletown, up north, where Nicole was unknown. She was so happy.

Being under Adam's gave was making her lose her concentration. "Would you stop staring at me!?" she suddenly yelled at him, causing the other guys to stare at her.

"Touchy," Adam said as they watched her storm out of the room.

"Why are you always trying to make her uncomfortable?" Randy questioned as Dave left the room to go check on Nicole.

"She loves it," Adam said triumphantly. "She's just playing hard to get."

"Bullshit," John said, "you've got her on edge all the time, and she might think she'd hiding it well but she ain't. You're trying to make that poor girl's life hell."

Dave found Nicole in her room, holding her pillow as tightly to her chest as possible. He sat on the edge of her bed after closing the door.

"Has Adam been touching you?"

"No," she said quietly. She had grown to love Dave as a big brother, but she was far from ready to tell him about Adam's threat. "I just don't like the way he stares at me."

"He's just an asshole sweetie, you shouldn't let him get to you like that," he said scooting over to her and pulling her against his chest and held her tight. "You know that's what he wants."

"I'm sorry, I'm being over-sensitive." She sighed pulling away. "Can I tell you something in confidence, Dave?"

"Of course sweetie, it doesn't leave this room," he said, unaware of the figure that stood on the other side of the door.

"I'm seeing someone."

"Is that why you've been disgustingly happy the past few weeks?"

She nodded. "He makes me feel so good about myself. For the first time in my life I can be me. He doesn't judge me or try to make me something I'm not."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"You know that guy Jeff, the one who I'm working with, well it's him."

"Well sweetie that's great. But you do know your dad is going to flip out when he realises who it is?"

"I know, but I really like him. I haven't been this happy in a long time, not since I was with Shannon anyway, and that didn't turn out so well."

"I'm really happy for you," Dave said. "I'd just keep it quiet, until you're certain this is going to last, because I guarantee your grandmother is going to make your life hell when this comes out. Your relationship is going to have to be as strong as iron, because if it's not it's going to kill you both."

"Thanks Dave," she said kissing his cheek.

Well, well, well Nicole. Adam thought to himself as he made his way down the corridor to his room. You've got a little toy to play with; don't worry my sweet you will be mine.