Thanks to TorriexJohn, rory21, xscandal, xAttitudex and xFireSpritex for the reviews. Here is the update at last! Lol. Hope you enjoy this one. It's short but I'll make the next one longer, don't worry lol. Happy reading!

Chapter 6 – Number One Contenders

"You ready Brian?" Paul asked, looking across at his tag team partner on Monday night.

"Of course I am. You have any idea what tonight is? This is the chance where we can finally get a shot at the tag team gold!"

That was true. Tonight there were going to face The Highlanders and if Brian and Paul could win this, then they would become the number one contenders of the world tag team gold.

"I know," said Paul with a grin. "We have done so much to get to where we are right now. I have absolute faith that we can and we will tag champs again."

Brian couldn't help but to chuckle at the thought. How great that would be…to called as 'one half of the tag champions' once again.

"Damn it's been a while hasn't it? He asked Paul. "Remember our time back in Smackdown?"

"Yeah…the good 'ol memories," said Paul with a chuckle. "You remember when me, you and Ash go against Mercury, Melina and Nitro?"

Of course Brian remembered that very well. One year ago, back in Smackdown, the threesome teamed up for the first time in a mixed tag match against MNM. He remembered that he, Paul and Ashley won that match after Ashley used her finishing move the 'Starstruck' to score the pinfall.

"Sure, I remember that…Ash was amazing wasn't she?" Brian asked with a smile.

"She really was," Paul agreed. "Who knows? Maybe the three of us get to team up again."

"Yeah maybe." But there was an answer that Brian really wanted to say:

I hope so.

"Who are you guys referring to?"

Brian turned to look at the dirty blonde and then a smile grew wider.

"Oh we were just talking about you," said Paul.

"Me?"

"Yes you. Unless there's another Ashley Massaro in this building that we don't know about?" Paul rolled his eyes.

Ashley laughed at Paul's use of sarcasm and slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "There's only one Ashley and you're looking at her!"

"Yep," said Brian with a chuckle. "The Ashley we all know and love."

Love. He had no idea why he was so stuck on that word. It was only just a normal word of the English language. Right?

"I couldn't agree with you more," was Paul's voice, snapping Brian out of his thoughts at last.

Ashley beamed. "Aw you guys! So why were you guys talking about me, if you don't mind me asking."

"Oh we're just talking about our time back in Smackdown," said Brian with a chuckle. "You know our first mix tag match together."

"Oh yeah I remember." Ashley grinned. "I had fun kicking Melina's ass."

"Ashley did great back then didn't she?" Paul asked Brian.

"Of course. Absolutely," said Brian with a smile.

"Aw you guys are so sweet!" Ashley gushed and laughed. "Anyway are you ready to go? The match is up next."

"Yes we are ready!" said Paul.

"Let's go and run this show!" said Brian with a grin.

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Almost eight minutes had past and Brian was falling unconscious when Robbie was giving him the sleeper hold. The pressure had been applied and it proved to be too great.

Everything around him started to fade until he reached at a point where blackness was going to swallow his sight. He could still hear the crowd in the background….

And then he heard claps. And then the claps got louder and louder.

"Come on Brian!" he heard Paul yelling from the apron.

Then Brian heard another voice. It sounded like it came from the outside and from then on, he knew where it was coming from.

"Come on Brian! You can do it!"

Suddenly a boost of energy erupted in his body and soon his eyesight was slowing coming back to him. Though he couldn't see clearly just yet, he managed to see a fuzzy image of a girl who was looking on from the outside.

"Come on Brian! Come on!"

Her cheer was the strength that he needed to get out of the situation. He fought with all of his might and finally he got out of the sleeper hold and eventually, he got the upperhand in the match.

After seeing that Rory was coming into the ring, Paul rushed in and drop kicked him out to the floor. As Paul disappeared from the ring, Brian had his arm secured around his neck, as he was about to do his finishing move. He made a yell as he ran up the corner turnbuckle. As he was performing a backflip in the air, Robbie was driven back-first down to the mat, at the same time when Brian landed.

He went for the cover and after getting the three count, Brian was shocked yet he was pleased that he got the pinfall which could mean only one thing.

"We're the number one contenders!" Paul yelled with excitement. "Yes!"

"We did it!" Brian and held his hand high to Paul with a grin.

"Yeah!" Paul whooped with a grin and gave his tag partner a slap to response to the high five.

"Ow, not so hard Paul!" Brian moaned as he shook his hand as if he had just touched the hot pot on the stove.

"Quit whining," said Paul with a roll of the eyes.

"That was totally awesome!" Ashley jumped in between them and hooked both arms around each of the man's shoulder and looked at them. "You were great!"

Brian felt a slight tingle on his cheeks when Ashley had her arm on his shoulder. He couldn't help but to not smile at this. His stomach made a jolt when he caught her eyes looking at him.

"What?"

"What you mean what?" Ashley asked with a giggle. "You! You were amazing Mr. Kendrick! That Sliced Bread Number Two was fan-rocking-tastic!"

"Wow is that a new word of the day?" Brian asked with a chuckle.

"Yes it is!" Ashley laughed. "And what I said is true!"

"Oh well thanks for…."

Suddenly, he felt like time froze on him. And so did his brain.

Something soft and warm had just been pressed against his right cheek. His hand was now on that same cheek, that exact spot where she kissed him.

Did she just….

It seemed surreal to him but then and again, it seemed too good to be surreal.

He smiled and let out a content sigh as he fell back first on the mat.

"Are you okay?" Paul asked as both he and Ashley looked down to check on him.

"Yeah," said Brian with a chuckle. "I think I'm a little tired."

"I'm sure you are," said Ashley with a giggle.

From that moment, he thought that her beauty had glowed through that sweet smile of hers. He smiled back.

He was on cloud nine and there was no doubt in that.

Next chapter: Brian confesses his feelings for Ashley to Paul and then asks for advice.