Hey everyone! Thanks for all the reviews, as usual! You guys are the best readers ever! I love all you so much! Thanks for everything! Here's chapter 17, please review! I redid this one like a million times before I came up with this, sorry if you don't like this too much, but if you remember what Paul said in the last one, it'll come into play in this one!
Laura
Dave and Nikki head into the arena in Raleigh, North Carolina with smiles on their faces. Dave looks down at Nikki who looks back up at him.
"What's up?" Nikki questions, giving him a small smile.
"This just feels right," Dave replies, nodding, "I made the right decision."
"Of course," Nikki agrees, "you'll be champ soon enough."
They head into their locker room and set their things down as Randy and Courtney come rushing into the room with Courtney looking very worried.
"C, what's wrong?" Nikki asks immediately, concern flooding into her face.
"Paul has a friend with him tonight," Randy says first, looking at Dave.
"So what?" Dave replies nonchalant, "I don't give a damn."
"It's the sledgehammer!" Courtney exclaims causing all the color to drain from Nikki's face.
"Oh god, Dave!" Nikki stares up at him, fright filling her eyes.
"It's alright," Dave comforts her, "I'll watch my back."
Nikki bites her lip, but doesn't say anything as Dave turns his back and goes to change. Courtney stares at Nikki in shock and as soon as the door closes to the bathroom, Courtney hits her on the arm.
"What the hell is up with you!" Courtney demands, "you just sat there!"
"I can't stop him," Nikki says, sadly, "as much as I want him to not go out there, I can't stop him."
"Yes you can!" Courtney argues, "he'll listen to you!"
Randy grasps her arm and tugs on it, trying to get her to back off, but she shrugs it off.
"C, listen, he's going for the title, he won't stop until he gets it," Nikki explains, "just let it go."
Courtney throws her hands up and storms out of the room with Randy following close behind. Dave exits the bathroom and sits down next to her.
"Something wrong?" Dave asks softly, rubbing her hand with his thumb.
"Courtney's pissed," Nikki sighs, "she wants me to talk some sense into you."
"Because of the sledgehammer? I never knew she cared about me that much," Dave jokes, then becomes serious, "I'll be ok hon, you don't need to worry."
"I know and I'm with you 100," Nikki states proudly.
"I'm going to go get a bottle of water, I'll be back soon," Dave says, standing up and heading out of the room.
Nikki smiles as he leaves and goes to grab her laptop. As she turns around, she finds Paul leaning against the wall, smirking at the sledgehammer. Nikki's frozen in her spot, staring at Paul.
"Well hello," Paul says, pushing off the wall, "where's Dave? Oh wait…he left. Too bad."
"What do you want!" Nikki exclaims, setting her laptop down, "leave me alone."
Paul laughs and shakes his head. He backs her against the wall, and she can feel the cool metal of the sledgehammer under her chin.
"Fat chance," Paul states, "you know what I'd love to do right now? I'd love to hit you so hard with this, to hear the bones crunching as I hit you."
Nikki lets out a sob and Paul smiles.
"I knew you were scared of me," Paul whispers, "don't worry, I'll see you on Wednesday."
"Wednesday?" Nikki questions weakly, "but…"
"Oh I forgot to tell you," Paul smiles, "Eric signed a little match at the house show for me. You verses me. Good luck honey."
Paul walks out of the room as Nikki sinks down to the floor, her head in her hands, letting the tears fall. Dave walks back into the room to find Nikki like this. He runs to her side and she looks up into his eyes.
"Oh god Dave," Nikki sobs, "I'm done for!"
"What happened? Did he hurt you!" Dave demands.
"I have a match on Wednesday!" Nikki exclaims.
"What?" Dave asks confused, "but you don't…."
"Eric made it!" Nikki cuts him off, "it's against Paul!"
"Son of a bitch!" Dave roars, "I'll kill him!"
Dave turns and stalks out of the room. Nikki scrambles to her feet and rushes after him. He shoves open the door to Eric's office causing the general manager to jump. Dave grabs Eric by the lapels of his jacket and shoves him against the wall, growling.
"Bischoff, what the hell were you thinking!" Dave demands, "Nikki can't wrestle!"
"Dave! Stop!" Nikki states, grabbing his arm.
"Dave, I'm sorry!" Eric exclaims, "but Paul…"
"Save it! You better fix this," Dave says in a threatening tone.
"I'm sorry, but Paul went over me to Vince!" He states, "my hands are tied. Vince thinks this would be a great idea."
Dave lets out an angry breath and lets Eric go, turning to Nikki.
"God baby, I'm so sorry," Dave whispers, "this is all my fault."
"Dave, stop. I'll just fight him," Nikki replies, "I know enough to keep me going."
They walk out of the room and on their way back to the locker room, they pass a smug looking Paul.
"See you Wednesday Nik," Paul laughs, waving at her.
"You son of a bitch!" Dave yells, trying to go after Paul but Nikki grabs his arm.
"Dave, don't do it. Let's just get out of here."
Nikki drags him away from Paul and into their locker room. Nikki checks her make-up as Dave stretches. When he's done, they head to the gorilla area to wait for his match. His music hits and Dave and Nikki walk out, hand in hand. Dave holds open the ropes for her and then poses on the turnbuckles. Ric's music hits and he comes out with Paul next to him.
Ric enters the ring as Paul blows a kiss to Nikki. Dave and Ric lock up and Dave pushes Ric to the outside easily. Ric gets back into the ring and they lock up again and Dave shoves him into the turnbuckle, smiling. Ric gives Dave a thumb to the eye and starts to hit him with some right hands to the chest. Dave doesn't even flinch and throws him off the ropes and gives him a back body drop. Dave then works Ric in the corner as Nikki cheers him on. Dave hits Ric with a sidewalk slam and goes for the cover, but Paul jumps onto the ring apron to distract him, allowing Ric to chop block Dave's knee. Ric hits Dave's knee again and sets him up for the Figure 4 lock and grabs Paul's hands to apply more pressure. Dave pushes himself up into his elbows and reverses the lock. They both release and Ric gets up first, chopping Dave in the chest, backing him into the corner. Dave battles out of the corner but gets an elbow to the face, causing him to fall to the mat. Ric goes up on the top rope but Dave gets up and throws him off. Dave hits him with a powerslam, but doesn't go for the cover. Instead, he tosses Ric off the ropes and nails him with a spinebuster. Dave does the thumbs up, thumbs down but Paul rushes into the ring. Dave sidesteps him causing Paul to fall to the outside. Dave sets Ric up for the Batista bomb and nails it, covering him for the win. Nikki starts to go into the ring, but Paul slides in, taking out Dave's sore knee, kicking him some more. Paul slides out and starts to look under the ring. Nikki runs over as he starts to pull something out. She comes to a halt when she sees he pulled out the sledgehammer. She tries to grab it away from him, but he shoves her down. He gets back into the ring as Nikki gets to her feet.
"Dave! Watch out!" Nikki screams as Paul raises the sledgehammer over his head.
Paul brings it down but Dave grabs it before it can hit him. Nikki watches in amazement as Dave grabs it away from Paul and breaks it over his knee. Paul scurries out of the ring and Nikki slides in. Dave wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly. They get out of the ring and head up the ramp and into the back. Courtney runs up to them with Randy following close behind.
"That was… AWESOME!" Courtney exclaims, staring at Dave in shock.
"I do that when I get mad," Dave replies, shrugging, "he'll learn not to mess with Nikki."
"What!" Courtney asks, "what'd he do now Nik?"
"He made a match," Dave explains as Nikki shakes her head no, "him and Nikki."
"Nikki slaps her forehead as Courtney turns her attention to her.
"Nicole! Why didn't you tell me!" Courtney demands angrily.
"I just didn't want you to worry," Nikki states.
"She can't wrestle though," Randy says.
"Thank you Captain Obvious!" Courtney replies, "what are you going to do?"
"Fight," Nikki answers, "what else can I do?"
Courtney gives Nikki a big hug and then turns to Dave.
"We have to teach her some more things."
Dave nods in agreement.
"Tomorrow."
They say their good byes and head their separate ways. Dave stops Nikki as they were about to leave their locker room.
"I'm proud of you babe," Dave says, kissing her softly.
"For what?" Nikki asks.
"Fighting Paul," he replies, "I know you'll do good on Wednesday."
WEDNESDAY
Dave and Nikki walk into the arena with Dave coaching Nikki on what to do.
"Remember to go for…"Dave starts, but Nikki cuts him off.
"His quads, I know," she finishes, "I remember everything you told me."
Dave nods and holds open the locker room door for her. He sets her bags down and sighs.
"I wish you didn't have to do this," Dave says, "this is total bullshit."
"But I have to," Nikki reminds him, "I'll be ok. I'm going to go change."
Nikki grabs her clothes and heads into the bathroom. Dave sits down on the couch as someone knocks on the door.
"Come in!" Dave states, as the door opens, revealing a techie.
"Nikki's match is up next," he states before leaving.
Dave knocks on the bathroom door and Nikki opens it. She's wearing track pants and a white wife beater. Her hair is up in a messy bun.
"You're up," Dave sighs, "I'll go out with you, but I can't get involved, Eric's orders."
Nikki nods and they walk out of the room. They pass Courtney and Randy. Courtney hugs her and Randy gives her a small hug as well.
"Good luck hon," Courtney says, "I'll be out there as soon as I can if you need me."
"Thanks, but Dave's out there for me," Nikki replies, "see you later."
Dave's music hits and they walk out together. They get into the ring and Dave rubs Nikki's shoulders. Paul's music hits and he comes out with a smirk on his face. Dave hesitantly gets out of the ring as Paul gets in. The ref rings the bell and Nikki and Paul circle each other. Paul lunges for her but she scrambles out of the way.
"Just lay on your back," Paul states, "you're used to that."
Nikki goes to smack him but he grabs her wrist and pulls her into him.
"Told you I was going to make you pay," Paul whispers angrily.
He picks her up and slams her to the mat, standing over her. He grabs her hair and pulls her up and throws her into the corner. Nikki lets out a yelp of pain as her head hits the turnbuckle. Paul corners her and slaps her hard. He then whips her into the other turnbuckle hard and when she hits it she crumples to the mat.
"Get up Nikki!" Dave yells, "you can do it!"
Paul stands over her and laughs, looking at Dave allowing Nikki to kick him in the leg hard. Paul stumbles back as Nikki slowly gets to her feet, glaring at Paul.
"You bitch," Paul spits out, rushing for her.
Nikki dodges out of the way and then gives him a drop kick into the turnbuckle. Paul lets out a growl of anger and lunges for her again, this time tackling her to the mat. Paul picks her up and sets her up for the pedigree, but Dave jumps up on the mat, distracting the ref. Nikki low blows Paul and Dave jumps back down, allowing the ref to turn back to the match. Nikki covers Paul and gets the pinfall.
Nikki jumps to her feet and Dave runs into the ring, hugging her tightly. Paul gets to his feet and hits Dave in the back, causing him to stumble. Nikki tries to get out of the ring, but Paul sets her up for the pedigree, this time nailing it. Dave slides over to Nikki as Paul gets out of the ring. Dave picks Nikki up and slowly gets out of the ring, cradling her in his arms. He pushes back the curtains to the back and sees Courtney, Randy, Chris, Trish, Amy, Shawn and Chris Benoit standing there, waiting for them. Nikki moans and looks up at Dave, who smiles down at her.
"You won baby," Dave states, setting her down, but keeping his arm around her waist, "you did it."
Nikki looks out at everyone who's standing in front of her and smiles.
"I did? I beat Paul?" Nikki repeats, "awesome!"
Everyone laughs and says their congratulations. Dave pushes his way through the crowd with Nikki at his side and they head to their locker room. Dave holds open the door for her and Nikki walks in, plopping down on the couch. Dave kneels down in front of her and places his hand on her knee.
"I'm so proud of you," Dave states softly, "you did great out there."
"I just remembered what you taught me," Nikki replies, "I'm one tough cookie."
Dave chuckles and kisses her softly.
"Are you going to stay away from Paul now?" Dave asks, sitting up next to her.
"Yeah," Nikki replies, sighing, "I've seen what he can do and I don't want to be the one who he beats up on."
"Good girl," Dave kisses her again, "go shower and then I'll take you out."
"Are you telling me I smell?" Nikki asks in mock anger, "you don't smell so great yourself."
"Don't make me tickle you," Dave warns, laughing, "I'll make you scream….wait I do that any ways."
Nikki smacks his arm and Dave busts out laughing. She stands up and places her hands on her hips.
"Alright, that's it! Let's go, you and me!" Nikki says, bouncing around, "if I can take down Paul, I can take you on too!"
Dave stands up as Nikki rushes for him. He catches and tosses her over his shoulder. He heads into the bathroom and turns on the shower, making sure the water is freezing cold. He sets her down under the cold water causing her to yelp. Dave laughs and goes to walk away, but Nikki grabs him by the shirt and pulls him back underneath the water, kissing him. Dave pulls away and places his hand on her cheek.
"I love you so damn much," Dave mutters, kissing her quickly, "shower and we'll go get ice cream."
Nikki's face lights up and she pushes Dave to the door. Dave walks out of the room to see Randy and Courtney sitting on the couch, looking up at him in amusement.
"Sweat much?" Courtney jokes, "how is she doing?"
"Pretty good," Dave answers, "couldn't have asked for more. She made me so proud out there."
"You really love her," Courtney states.
"I couldn't see me without her. I love her so damn much," Dave replies, with a smile, "I think she's the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"Awww! How cute!" Courtney exclaims, "you guys are good for each other."
Nikki comes out of the bathroom and smiles at Dave. He looks at Courtney and nods.
"Yeah, we are good together," Dave says, smiling up at Nikki.
I know, cheesy ending, but I couldn't think of anything else. I'm going to be finishing up the next chapter for Stay with me along with ch 18 for this one. Please review! I love it when you tell me what you guys like about this story, it keeps me motivated! Look for the next chapter soon!
Laura