"Alright ladies, we've got the ring for thirty minutes. We'll keep it simple, nothing too complicated and no top spots. Mel, you will hit a few of your signature moves and Jackie...You just try to be where you are suppose to. It takes two people to make a match work."

Jackie huffed. "I'm always where I need to be."

Mel glanced at the poor girl. Jackie really didn't have a clue. She was only here because she won a stupid contest. It's not like she had any passion for the business. "Come on Mark, let's get on with this."

Taker walked Jackie through some of the simpler moves that she needed to execute, while Mel worked the ropes to loosen up. Then Taker took Mel on, using some of the spots that her and Jackie would use tonight, so that Jackie could get a better understanding and know how things should look.

"You got it Jackie? You have to sell everything. The fans all the way in the nosebleed section should believe that you are hurting when you get hit. Selling is everything. They have to feel your pain, you wanna make them cringe when your face hits the mat or when you get hit with some slap shots. And on another note, you have to always know where you are in the ring. If you miss one spot tonight Jackie, we are pulling you from the active roster and shipping your ass right back to OVW. Got it?"

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Yeah I got it. But that's fine with me. I just want to be a Diva, not a wrestler anyways."

"Oh God! Jackie, have some respect. All of us have worked our asses off to get here. We didn't have a contract handed to us on a silver platter like you did. If you don't want to be here, leave! There's more to being a Diva than just looking pretty."

"I couldn't have said it better myself." Taker said, as he shook his head in disgust and walked away before he lost his composure. He would watch this match carefully, hoping that she would screw up once, just once. He would take pleasure in booting her ass out of his yard.

"Whatever. I'll do the match but this is the last one. I just want to be a valet."

"Fine Jackie, talk to Vince after the match. I don't care. Just pull this match off and don't screw it up or this will be your last match for sure cause I'll break your leg!" Mel growled, as she stormed off to the locker room.

XXX

Mel showered and changed into her ring attire. Her adrenaline pumping at the thought of performing in front of a live audience. But it still wasn't enough to keep her mind off Kurt. She glanced at the clock and realized she only had ten minutes before she had to be at the gorilla position. Picking up her cell, she punched in his number and hit send.

"Hey, Angle here. Sorry I missed your call. Leave a message and I'll get back to you soon as I can."

"Hi Kurt, it's Mel. I was just thinking about you. Sorry we got cut off earlier, bad battery. Well call me when you get a chance." She hung up the phone and threw it in her bag. She was on her way out the door when the phone began to ring. Running over to the bag, she retrieved the phone. "Kurt?"

"No! Sorry to disappoint you. You left me and are already looking for Angle to warm your bed?"

"What do you want Bubba?"

"I want to apologize baby. You know how my temper gets. I didn't mean to hurt you baby. Come on, you know I love you. We can work this out, we've done it before. Can you forgive me?"

Mel fought the urge to laugh. Bubba was so predictable. He thought he could talk his way out of anything, and normally he could. Maybe with the old Melony, but this Melony was fed up with his cunning ways. All he wanted was the suspension lifted, she read him like an open book.

"Sorry Bubba but I really don't have time for this. Your temper is out of control and you need help. Use this time off to get some treatment. Now I have a match to get to. And for the record, No Bubba, I don't forgive you."

She walked to gorilla and waited for her music to play. As she walked down the ramp, all she could think of is that she wished Kurt was here to see her long anticipated return to the squared circle. She had been out of in ring action for months, she had been too busy playing valet for the Dudleys. The crowd popped as she climbed into the ring. The pink lights swirling overhead, as she climbed to the top rope and posed for the crowd. Camera flashes went off all around like lightening. Right now she was on top of the world. She ran to another corner giving the crowd photo ops, as Jackie made her way out to the ring. "This one is for you Kurt." She mumbled to herself, as the bell rang.

Both women locked up in the center of the ring. Mel nailed Jackie with a hip toss and pulled her up from the mat by her hair, and slung her face first into the turnbuckle. Mel went after her with a clothesline and knocked her over the top rope. Jackie landed on the floor ringside and Mel went out after her. She pulled Jackie to her feet and threw her back into the ring. Jackie lay there breathing heavily. Mel went for the pin and Jackie kicked out at two. Mel pulled Jackie to her feet and went to DDT Jackie, but she countered and flipped Mel over her back. Jackie was now in control as she went to pin Mel. But Mel kicked out after the two count. Mel got to her feet and slung Jackie into the ropes, Jackie bounced off the ropes and attempted to nail Mel with a clothesline. Mel ducked and hit Jackie with a bulldog. Jackie was face down on the mat and Mel captured her in an ankle lock, or as she liked to refer to it, the Angle lock. Jackie screamed in pain and tapped out.

Lilian's voice filled the arena. "Here's your winner...Melony." The crowd cheered as Mel climbed to the top of each of the four corners. Smiling the biggest smile she had in months, her heart swelled with pride. She truly loved this business. And she was glad she had taken it upon herself to modify the match and pay a little tribute to her Olympic hero.

Mel made her way back through the curtain and there in the gorilla was Taker waiting for her. She smiled brightly. "Sorry Mark. I hope you aren't mad that I made a little change."

Taker laughed and pulled her into his massive arms. "You looked great out there tonight. The only thing I'm mad about is you chose the ankle lock over the Tombstone Piledriver."

She playfully punched him in the ribs and laughed. "Thanks Mark. It feels so good to be back in the ring where I belong. I'm still pumped up." She said as she bounced up and down trying to wear off some of the adrenaline that still coursed through her veins.

"There's no stopping you now. Are you going to hang around the arena?"

"I want to but I think I will go back to the motel and try to relax."

"Ok, well be safe. I'll stop by after the last match, if it's not too late. My room is three doors down from yours, 328, if you need me." He kissed her softly on the cheek and walked off.

XXX

Exhausted, Mel swiped her keycard in the door, pushed it open and threw her bags on the floor. The drive from the arena to the hotel had calmed her down and now she was sleepy. She fell across the bed and closed her eyes, dozing off the instant her eyes shut, only to be woken by the ringing of her cell phone that was laying next to her.

"Huh?" Mel answered lazily.

"Wake up sleepy head! I was just returning your call." Kurt was practically yelling into the phone.

"I'm not deaf you know. I've had a tiring day and just dozed off, sorry." She rolled over and stared at the ceiling.

"Poor baby. If I was there I would give you a massage. How was your match?"

Mel smiled. "Thanks Kurt. I wish you were here. I would give anything to be in the comfort of your arms." She blushed, had she really just blurted that out? It must be sleep deprivation. "Uh, yeah my match went well. I made Jackie tap out with the Angle lock. It's a long story. Not really a long story, but one I'm too tired to tell." She chuckled.

Kurt laughed at the notion. "I'm gone, what, two months and you are already stealing my moves? I guess I do need to hurry back." An awkward silence filled the phone line. "So what's this about being in my arms?"

Mel cringed, she felt like a teenager all over again. "Well, umm, I was just thinking about how nice it would feel to be laying next to you, wrapped in your arms. I've thought about nothing but you since we left Tucson. I really wish I would've listened to you that night. But no matter what was said... I do care for you Kurt. I hope that we can...well...maybe start fresh and build something together." She held her breath, waiting for his response. But instead, she got a dial tone. She threw the phone across the room and reached for the hotel phone. Dialing Kurt's number, she patiently waited for him to pick up. Eight rings later and no answer, she placed the receiver back in its cradle. What the hell was going on? Maybe she should have kept her big mouth shut, like Bubba's always telling her to do. It was too soon to admit her feelings, what was she thinking? She had already wasted three years of her life in a dead end relationship and now she was trying to jump into another potential dead end relationship. "I don't think so." She told herself. But she couldn't just turn off her feelings for Kurt, it wasn't that simple. The man had snuck into her heart and filled her mind of thoughts of him and her together. Doing normal things that she and Bubba rarely did, like cuddle and watch movies. Typical couple things. Frustration overcame her as she tried in vain to figure out why Kurt wasn't answering his phone. She plugged her cell into an outlet to charge and grabbed her bag. She pulled out the U Suck shirt and smiled. It looked like that was as close to him as she was going to get for the moment. She was just about to get undressed when there was a knock at the door. Panic and fear ripped through her, thinking it might be Bubba she reached for the phone to call Taker, then she heard, "It's Torrie, open the door."

Mel walked over and unlocked the door. "Hey Torrie. What's up?" She stepped aside allowing her best friend to enter. Torrie plopped down in a chair. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Torrie. Now why are you really here?" Mel sat down on the edge of the bed, giving Torrie a knowing look.

"Oh ok. I wanted to know what Kurt had to say. And Taker said to tell you to be ready to leave by eleven am."

"Thanks for the message Torrie." Mel laughed knowing Tor would never let things go that easily. The blonde had to know all the details or she wouldn't sleep at night.

"And what about Kurt?"

"Well...I told him how I feel and that I hoped we could build something together, and he hung up on me."

Torrie's mouth fell open and Mel shrugged her shoulders. "What? He hung up on you?"

"Yeah. I barely got the sentence out and there was a dial tone. I didn't even get to tell him everything I wanted to. I feel like maybe his feelings have changed. It was almost two months ago that he professed his feelings for me. Maybe something's changed. I tried to call him back, but there's no answer."

Torrie walked over and sat down beside Mel and gave her a hug. "I'm sure he still cares for you. Maybe there's a snow storm or something in Pittsburgh and all the phones are out. Or maybe...oh I don't know Mel. But I'm sure he didn't intentionally hang up on you."

"I don't know what to think. I'm moving too fast aren't I ? I'm not in love with him but the potential is there. I'm falling but I haven't fell. He's just so damn amazing Torrie. When we were in Tucson and he kissed me with those full, soft lips, I literally thought my heart would melt. His kiss was so intense and powerful, full of desire. God, does that sound corny?"

Torrie smiled. "No not at all. It sounds like someone who's falling in love. And I personally think you and Kurt need each other. Don't give up on him Mel. I'm sure there is a good reason behind this." She hugged Mel and stood up. "I hate to run, but Billy's waiting on me. Call me if you need anything. I'll see you tomorrow."

XXX

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story and all my others. It is just now that I realize this story could have been written a lot better, oh well. I have a new masterpiece in the works and think I have finally mastered the art of writing...LOL :) I don't know maybe you guys like this one better than I think....Only your reviews will tell me. :)