**FRIDAY MORNING IN D.C.**

/MERCEDES POV/

Dave just picked me up so we could head to the airport. Halfway to the airport…

Dave: Hey, sis, you ok? You're really quiet today.

Mercy: I kicked Chad out last night.

Dave: Why?

Mercy: Well, because he read way too much into Shannon and my friendship. He thought something was going on…when there isn't.

Dave: What made him think that?

Mercy: I was getting in the shower and Shannon called.

Dave: Really?

Mercy: Yeah, but it turns out he was just feeling guilty.

Dave: Guilty? Why would he feel guilty?

Mercy: Because, about 30 minutes after I kicked him out and his phone rang. The caller id said Dylan so I assumed it was one of his boys. Turns out it was a Dylan, it just wasn't one of his boys. He's been cheating on and God knows for how long.

Dave: That son of a bitch. I ought to kick his ass.

Mercy: Don't even worry about it, it's not worth it.

You and Dave just stayed quiet the whole way after that.

**TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN PHOENIX**

/Normal POV/

It's been a few weeks and I was officially cleared to get back in the ring. I was so excited. I couldn't believe it. And my first order of business…and begged Vince for…was to get back at Adam. ECW and Smackdown! Were having a joint show that night.

Mercy: Natie! You're back! I can't believe it.

Natie: I know, I can't either. I'm so ready for tonight.

Mercy: Are you sure that's such a good…

She paused and the look on her face wasn't a good sign. I turned around and of course…Adam.

Natie: What the hell do you want?

Adam: Wow! I can't believe you are gonna have the nerve to beg Vince for a chance to get back at me.

Natie: You deserve it. You put me out for weeks Adam. Weeks in my career that I can never have back, thanks to you.

Adam: How do you even know it was me that messed it up. It was your own fault for flying on the top rope. Don't you ever listen to people when they say those are career enders.

Natie: Of course I do. But that had nothing to do with it. I was fighting through the adrenaline, so I didn't feel it till after the match. Even the doctor told me that.

Adam: Whatever! Just don't go crying to Vince for revenge this time. Because you know injuries like that are never truly healed for at least another month.

I just wanted to pound him right there. Adam was such an asshole. How could Amy cheat on Matt--the sweetest and most loving guy in the world--with Adam, who could never just…keep his mouth shut and stop thinking with his penis. Later that night, when it was time for my segment I put on my shoes and started heading towards the gorilla.

"Riot" by Three Days Grace plays.

*ANNOUNCE TABLE*

JBL: Oh my god! She's back. Natalie's back. I can't believe it.

Michael Cole: I can't believe my eyes.

I make my way to the ring. Giving the fans high fives on my way there. I get in the ring and grab a mic.

Natalie: Wow!

The crowd goes wild.

Natalie: I've only been gone for a few weeks but it seems like I've been gone for months. You have no idea how good it feels to step in the ring and be away from you guys.

The crowd chants…"Natalie…Natalie…Natalie."

Natalie: Well, I'm sure you all guessed why I'm out here. The reason I was out with a separated shoulder. The World Heavyweight champion. The rated L for Loser superstar…Edge.

Just then…

Vickie: Excuse me! Who do you think you are coming out here and throwing around accusations that my baby, Edge was the one who caused your injury.

Natalie: Because Vickie, you--along with everyone else--know that Edge is that conniving. He has nothing better to do than to make everyone else's lives miserable. He's an ass*****! (The stars are considered bleeps for TV purposes).

Vickie gets an angry look on her face. As she's about to say something, I interrupt and start saying something else.

Natalie: Vickie, Vickie, Vickie, how could you?

Vickie: How could I what?!

Natalie: Now everyone knows that I've worked with Eddie before and he became a mentor of mine.

Vickie: What are you getting at?!

Natalie: Well, how could you do this to Eddie?

Vickie: Do what?!

Natalie: How could you not only go from a great wrestler, and man, like Eddie to Edge, who isn't even half the man Eddie was. Not only that, but soil the Guerrero name by doing a p**s poor job at being the general manager.

Vickie: Watch it! My personal life is none of your concern! Don't forget who you're talking to!

Natalie: I know exactly who I'm talking to. The General Manager of Hagsville.

Vickie: That's it. You just earned your boyfriend, Jeff, a one way trip to the hospital. Because tonight, he's going to face Edge in a Last Man Standing match.

She starts to walk off…

Vickie: Oh, and one more thing. If you even think of getting involved you can forget ever getting a shot at the Women's championship as long as I'm here and Edge is the World Heavyweight champion.

I get a look of anger on my face. Then the show takes a break for commercial.

*BACKSTAGE NEAR THE LOCKER ROOM*

Jeff: Natalie! So was that the deal you made with Vince? You'd give up another championship run for a chance to get back Adam. Why would you do that?

Natie: Because Adam's gotta pay for what he did.

Jeff: It's not worth it. It's not worth getting what you love over a guy like Adam! He's not worth it! And what's the deal between you and my brother. Ya'll haven't spoken to each other since that day I came home and found y'all fighting.

Natie: I don't wanna talk about it! I'm over it. If you wanna know, why don't you go ask Matt why I'm so pissed off at him!

Jeff: I did, and he told me the same thing. I want the fucking truth Natalie!

I knew Jeff wasn't going to let it go, so I told him the whole story.

Jeff: That's why?! Y'all are acting like 6 year olds.

Natie: Whatever! That was your brother who was trying to get me and Amy to be friends again. That's like me asking him to be friends with Adam again, even though I can't stand him either. I'll let it go when he can come apologize to me.

/MERCY POV/

You're just chillin outside the locker room waiting for your match when you see Matt walk by.

Mercy: Hey, Matt! What's going on?

Matt: What do you mean what's going on? Did you talk to Natalie? Jeff? What did they tell you?

Mercy: Whoa, calm down. I was just wondering how you been. Hadn't talked to you since the whole Dave and Buster's incident. But since you bring it up, what's going on between you guys? I can't imagine there being a riff between y'all.

Matt: Well, there isn't between me and Jeff, just me and Natalie.

Mercy: What happened?

He tells you the story and you're in complete shock.

Mercy: Wow, I can't believe it. But come on, don't you think you're both just overreacting, just a little. It would be like her telling you to forgive Adam, even though she can't stand him.

Matt: I guess in a way that does make sense. I just hate that I can forgive Amy and she can't. They used to be the best of friends. Inseparable.

Mercy: I know, but her best friend betrayed her, that's a tough thing to forgive. Like you and Adam.

Matt: I guess you're right. Maybe I'll talk to her later, if she'll even talk to me.

/NORMAL POV/

Jeff's match was just about over. That's when I started running to the ring with an 6X4 and slid into the ring. The ref tried to hold me back but when it looked like I was going to swing at him he jumped out of the way. That's when I hit Edge in his abdomen, then on his back, and when he fell to the ground I hit his arm. I dropped the 6X4 and went to the top rope and hit a moonsault. As soon as I finish that I roll out the ring and stay ringside. That's when the ref started counting. 1...2...3...4...5...6...7..8..9..10. He signals for the bell.

Todd Grisham: And here is your winner. The last man standing. Jeff. Hardy.

That's when I step in the ring and ask Todd for the mic. I look down at Edge.

Natalie: Bet you thought I wouldn't give up a chance at the women's title for this, did you? Well, I'm full of surprises. After what you put through, I would give anything to get back at you, and make your life a living hell. Vickie said I would never have a shot at the Women's championship as long as she was the GM and you were the World Heavyweight champion. It's only a matter of time before you both get what you deserve. Trust me, you're both done.

I throw the mic down on him and leave the ring. Jeff just looks in total shock.

Later that night at the hotel I hear a knock on the door. Jeff went to go have a drink with Shannon and Dave. I looked through the peephole and there was…Matt. I opened the door…

Natie: What do you want?

Matt: I wanna talk. Can I come in?

Natie: Sure…whatever.

I walk away from the door to sit in the bed as Matt walks in and closes the door behind him.

Matt: Look, I came by to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to force you to forgive and forget with Amy. It was wrong of me and not very big brotherly of me.

Natie: But why'd you do it? Do you know how much it hurts to see that you would choose her, the one who broke your heart, and me--the one who's been there for you since I was 9 years old. It hurt.

Matt: I know, that's why I'm really, really sorry. I only did it because we all used to be such good friends. It was fun when we'd all hang out. I guess I just wanted it to be like old times.

Natie: But it'll never be like old times. Not by a long shot.

I took a breath before saying what I was going to say next?

Natie: Matt. Answer me this. And I want the honest truth. On our cleansing ritual.

Matt: What?

Natie: Do you still love Amy?

Matt took what looked like a long and deep breath before answering my question.

Matt: Yeah, I still love her. I just wish we could go back. But a part of me still sees the hurt that she did. I'm always going to love her. My heart just won't let her go.

Natie: Wow. I'm sorry I jumped at your throat with the whole Amy thing. I just think you need to move on. But if it was me in that situation I think I'd feel the same way you do. So in a way, I guess I understand.

After that we gave each other a hug and that's when Jeff walked in.

Jeff: Aw, I'm glad to see you two finally buried the hatchet.

Matt: Yeah, me, too. It was weird not being able to talk to my little sis.

/MERCY POV/

You're sitting in your hotel room just thinking about what happened between you and Chad when you hear a knock on the door. You look to see who it is and its…Shannon. You open the door.

Mercy: Hey, Shan, what are you doing here?

Shannon: What, I can't come say hi?

Mercy: Of course you can. Come on in.

Shannon walks in and you both sit down on the bed.

Shannon: So how are you? I called you a couple of weeks back. I was calling to see if you and Dave wanted a ride to the airport. I was doing an appearance in D.C. and knew you guys lived there.

Mercy: Oh, yeah, I know. Sorry about that. Chad got hold of my phone and blew everything out of proportion. He thought there was something going on between the two of us.

Shannon: Really? That's ridiculous.

Mercy: I know right.

There was an awkward silence after both of you said that.

Mercy: Yeah. But it turned out it was just a guilty conscience. Turns out he'd been cheating on me with this girl named Dylan.

Shannon: Wow. What an asshole. How could he cheat on you. You're like the whole package. You're smart, beautiful, and talented. That's a great combination most guys would kill for.

Mercy: Yeah, right.

Shannon: It's true. Those are awesome qualities. If I had a girl like you, trust me, I would've never gotten divorced…at all.

You both look at each other with that "high school" crush look. Then shake it off and go to watching TV.