2:30PM

Mark entered the locker room, he would be sharing with a group of the guys. Glen took in his best friends smile and figured things were going well with Cassie. Mark dumped his tuff and sat next to Glenn as a few of his closest friends entered. With his ten closest friends around him Mark decided that now was the best time to make his announcement and get it off his chest.

"Guys I need to announce something."

They all stopped to look at him, only Dave was brave enough to interrupt him.

"Who is she?"

"Yes I've met someone but that isn't my announcement." All of them were worried now as the what he was going to say. 'Tonight is my last show, I've decided to retire tonight."

"Congratulations Mark on both." Dave was first to shake his hand, closely followed by everyone else. After all of the congratulations Dave sat and asked in full seriousness. "So who is she?"

"A woman I have come to know very well."

Mark didn't want to put all of the guys attention onto Cassie, he wasn't entirely sure about how she would react.

'happy for ya man!" John Cena said "You do have to stay in touch you know."

"Next time your in Houston you can all bring your families for a weekend." Mark pulled his phone out and read the message he had just received.

'She spent 20 mins dciding between a

kane or undertaker bobble head and

then bought both!'

Glenn heard his best friend laugh and knew who it was, Mark as usual was the last out the door to head to the pre show meeting. Walking down the corridor next to Mark Glenn looked across and knew that it was time he said something.

"Mark." Mark stopped knowing that something was wrong with Glenn. "Tonight is my last match."

"What?" Mark was stunned.

"Vince offered me the position of trainer for the Diva's and I've decided that tonight is the best time to go."

"Wow, who knows?"

"Vince, you and Nat. But I'm not going to bring much attention to it though."

"Why not?" Glenn grinned.

"because old man, I haven't been here all that long and your retirement is more important. Just wanted you to know beforehand.

Mark and glenn hugged briefly before heading into the meeting, taking their seats at the very back waiting for everyone else to arrive.

'Darl life's taken an unexpected turn'

'Whats wrong? Are you okay?'

Mark knew that he'd worried her and also knew that Glenn was reading over his shoulder.

"it's serious isn't it?" Glen asked.

"yeah, its never been like this before. What about you and Nat?"

'Glens retiring tonight too. Think

I might be nervous.'

Nat had walked in and sat next to Glenn who wrapped his arm around her.

"I love her." Was all Glenn said in reply and summed it up perfectly.

"I'm happy for you two."

'Stop stressing. U are going to be

amazing. Enjoy the atmosphere and

calm down. I believe in you '

'Thanks sweetheart, I needed to hear

that.'

"Is Cassie coming to the party at the hotel?" Nat asked.

"yeah security will bring her back here after the show."

"You love her?"

"I think I do, I don't know."

Vince then got up and began the meeting in earnest, going through the show step by step. After he'd run through the show he began his lecture on appropriate behaviour at the party and his expectations.

5PM

Jess, Jackson and Cassie had taken their seats in the front row of the arena. A young security came over and introduced himself, Cassie knew that Mark was responsible. The atmosphere in the arena was awesome, there were constant ripples of excitement as the crowd came in to take their seats.

Backstage mark was pacing, he was more worried about Glenn retiring than his own. Cassie, Jess and Jackson had already taken their seats; Cameron from security had gone to introduce himself. As Cameron came backstage Mark called him over.

'Can you go and get Cassie and bring her to the trainers room please."

Cameron took off back down the ramp and escorted Cassie to the side door. As they stepped into the corridor she saw Mark heading towards them and smiled.

"Thanks Cameron."

Mark stopped outside the trainers room and waited for Cassie to reach him, he smiled down at her and escorted her into the room. The trainer immediately left knowing that they wanted some private moments. Mark sat on the bed and watched her.

"Are you okay?" Cassie asked.

"yeah. Just lost."

"Talk to me Mark." She stood directly in front of him.

"Its my last match tonight I've been here so long I don't know what I'll do without this place. I'm worried that I'm going to regret retiring. It's been nearly twenty years since I've lived a normal life, what am I going to do." Cassie rested her hands on his thighs to get his full attention.

"Mark the fact that you've been here for twenty is testimony to the fact that you deserve this. You have been the best in the business for that long you deserve to go out on top. Everyone here is here to see you, Mark you've helped make this show what it is, its time for you to let the new guys have their time."

"What if I regret it? What if I hate retirement?"

"Do you regret wanting to spend time at home? Or time with Jess?"

"No, never. Don't regret wanting to spend time with you either Cassie." She blushed deeply and he just grinned.

"Jess said you have a bike shop, plus your development company. You've got your workouts plus you can still do stuff in wrestling if you want to. Honestly I think you need to concentrate on yourself a little."

"Darlin' how do you know what is going on in my head?"

"Just do I guess. Tonight just go out there give it your all and retire with pride. Jess is insanely proud of you Mark, for what its worth I am proud of you also."

"Thankyou Cassie." He sounded truly thankful and it melted her heart. Cassie leaned in and kissed him softly, not surprised when Mark drew her closer and deepened the kiss. His hands rested on her hips with his thumbs drawing slow circles on her skin. They were both blissfully unaware of everything apart from each other and so neither noticed Glenn bursting into the room until he cleared his throat. Mark pulled back slowly not removing his hands from her waist.

"What?" He asked his best friend.

"the show is starting and I thought that Cassie might want to see some of it." Glen watched Cassie smile and lean in to whisper in Marks ear.

"for better or worse, wrestler or retires I'm not running away. See you later." She kissed him on the cheek and said "good luck". Just as she was about to leave she stopped in front of Glenn. "Good luck Glenn."

"thankyou Cassie!"

Mark stood in the hall and watched Cassie leave with Cameron to return to her seat. Glenn looked at him. "She's really something special Mark."

"Yeah she is." When Cassie was out of sight Mark grinned. " Let's go get ready, this is our night."