A/N: I'm enjoying writing the little spats between Mattie and Jon. I hope you're enjoying them as much as I am. Please review.

Chapter Three: Beer and Bad TV

Matilda looked around at her apartment as Saraya finished setting out the nibbles.

"Everything looks set," said Matilda as she tugged at the short jeans skirt she was wearing with a pair of three-quarter black tights. She was also donning a white tank top and remained barefoot, "We aren't missing anything?"

"Chill out!" cried Saraya with a chuckle, "Everything will go fine! It's a party, not a dinner for the Queen of England!"

Matilda smiled a little and tucked her loose hair behind her ear.

An hour later and the party was in full swing. Tenille had arrived with her boyfriend, Victoria arrived, gifting Matilda with a cute little fairy statue, Renee arrived with Jon – who stood by the balcony doors drinking a beer with Joe and Colby. Windham had arrived with his brother along with Jon and Adam.

"This is a really nice place," commented Renee, "It's bigger than the pictures made it out to be."

"Thanks," replied Matilda, "I like it… I mean I don't really know the neighbours or anything, but so far it seems like a nice, quiet place."

"Which is what you want after being on the road."

Matilda and Renee continued to chat, soon being joined by Saraya, Victoria and Tenille. The women laughed and joked about locker room stories until Saraya suggested some music.

Matilda wandered over to her stereo and connected her phone with a jack cable and put her music on remix.

The party continued with Matilda getting to know her co-workers better – except for Jon, who chose to either converse with his mates or Renee or glare at her from wherever he stood.

Matilda laughed as Saraya attempted to twerk, with Victoria literally falling to the ground from her attempt.

Feeling rather hot, Matilda weaved past her friends and stepped outside to the balcony, breathing in the fresh air gratefully. She stood by the balcony railing, her hands clasped onto the cold metal as the breeze tickled her bare arms. It didn't smell like the fresh country air from home, but she could sense the salty sea in the air and knew she would soon grow accustomed to that smell and associate it with home.

The sound of the sliding door opening broke Matilda from her thoughts, as she turned to see who had come to join her.

"Hey," smiled Colby, handing Matilda a drink.

"Thanks. Sorry for abandoning the party, I just needed some fresh air," replied Matilda, running her finger around the rim of the can.

Colby shrugged, "I can understand that. It's getting pretty full on in there."

Matilda chuckled, "When someone breaks out into the Macarena we will know shits gotten real."

Colby laughed, "That sounds pretty accurate. So, how are you enjoying living in America?"

Matilda paused to ponder the question for a few moments. No one had actually asked how she was finding living in a different country until now, "It's… different, yet similar… Australia has embraced a few American customs and ideals… if anything the only things different is the money, accents and you guys drive on the wrong side of the road."

"We so don't… you Australians do."

Matilda shook her head and shoulder bumped Colby, "We do not. But I suppose when you guys won the revolution you needed to make something different, huh?"

Colby chuckled, "Too right we did."

A comfortable silence fell between them only to be broken when the door slid open and the music spilled out onto the balcony.

"Bro, the girls are singing karaoke to the Spice Girls!" came Jon's gruff voice, "Oh," he said noticing Matilda standing beside Colby.

"I've got to see this," said Colby, grabbing Matilda by the hand and leading her back into the apartment.

Sure enough, Saraya was belting out Sporty Spice, Victoria was Scary Spice and Renee was Baby Spice, with Tenille as Posh Spice.

"Mattie! We need a Ginger Spice!" yelled Victoria.

Matilda laughed and shook her head, "I am not drunk enough for that."

Her head hurt. The light filtering through the window was painful and irritating.

"Holy shit," muttered Matilda as she slowly sat up, "How much did I drink?"

She was still fully clothed and laying on top of her sheets with a lightly snoring Saraya asleep beside her. Matilda left her room, stumbling into the kitchen and opening the cupboard above her fridge.

"Advil, advil… where's the bloody advil?" she grumbled before finding the packet and popping two to take with water.

She surveyed her lounge room and found Colby asleep on her couch. Matilda frowned a little at that but figured he had been too drunk to leave the night before. Surrounding Colby were empty cups, cans, bottles and trays of food.

Brushing her hair from her face, Matilda set about cleaning the mess up with Saraya joining her fifteen minutes later and finally Colby.

"I need to head home," said Saraya once everything was tidy, "I need to repack my bag for the next week of travel.

Matilda hugged her friend goodbye and turned to face Colby, "I'm gonna go shower… did you want to grab brunch or something? Unless of course you need to head home."

"I'd love to have brunch."

An hour later found Matilda and Colby seated at a table and waiting for their respective meals. When the waitress brought them coffee's, Matilda happily drank hers, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Oh that hit the spot," laughed Matilda, her cheeks flushing pink as she glanced at Colby.

Colby chuckled, "I completely understand."

While they waited for their meals the pair swapped stories about their early wrestling careers, with Colby surprised Matilda had participated in quite a few hard core matches against men.

"That's why I'm not scared to pull a move against you guys," said Matilda with a shrug, "I know I can do it and I know you guys can take it… it's rare to find a female wrestler who will take the hard moves. Tenille will. Her and I were brutal against one and other in some of our matches."

"You have a really… eccentric technique. Did you pick that up from your trainer?"

Matilda pursed her lips together, "My grandfather trained me… he was strict I guess… but once I was competent at something he encouraged me to add my own twist," she gave a small smile as she looked at her coffee, "I miss him."

"You'll see him when you go visit."

"Yeah, his grave site – sorry. I should've mentioned that."

Colby reached out and placed a hand on Matilda's arm comfortingly as their meals arrived.

Matilda arrived at the First Niagara Centre an hour before show time. She greeted the people she knew with smiles and went to get ready for that nights show.

"So, chatting up the top superstar, huh?"

"Wow, that's a record," replied Matilda without a glance to Jon from where he stood taping his hands up.

"What's a record?"

"I've been here, maybe all of five minutes and already the sarcasm from you starts. While you wile away your time wondering how to piss me off, I'll be getting ready."

Jon said nothing as Matilda walked out, pulling her suitcase behind her.

"Bro, why do you hate her – and don't say it's the skipping the ranks shit either," asked Joe, who had witnessed the exchange.

"I dunno. Something about her gets under my skin," confessed Jon.

"You need to drop it, man. I'm pretty sure Colby likes her."

Jon scoffed at that, "Colby likes any woman who looks his way."

Joe held his hands up in truce, "Besides man, people are noticing your need to aggravate Mattie. If Renee begins to notice, questions will be asked."

Jon bounced from foot to foot, beginning his warm up, "Nothing to hide."

Sister Abigail's Wyatt theme started and the crowd once again gave their mixed reaction. They weren't sure what to make of her. She was different to the other divas – she seemed more reckless and had involved herself in the male wrestler's matches.

Abigail stepped into the ring after blowing her candle out, a microphone in hand.

"I came here to save the divas division – to remove the liars from the true ones," started Sister Abigail before chuckling, "As well as to deliver redemption to those who need it… so far I have defeated two liars… but there are more! More who need to be weeded out! I was given this mission… entrusted with it… I will not fail it… I will not stop until each and every liar in that divas locker room is dealt with!" Abigail roughly ran a hand through her hair as she paced back and forth, "They have lied to all of you! Letting you all believe they are true athletes! Worthy of gracing this ring… but they aren't… oh no, no… not at all! They gave you a divas revolution and what did that achieve? Nothing!" Abigail laughed, "Oh yes, perhaps they graced your social media with photos and hashtags but did they save the division? No… and now… now we have a champion who claims she is the best… but Nikki Bella – you are the biggest liar of them all and I am coming for you… the divas championship?" Abigail paused and grinned manically, "Anyone but you, Nikki… anyone but you."

Matilda walked backstage and let out a deep breath, covering her face with her hands, "Fuck…"

"You were brilliant."

Matilda looked up and smiled at Colby, "I was terrified I would mess it up. I had to memorise it on the flight here… pretty sure I was still a little hungover."

Colby laughed, "Well you nailed it."

Matilda smiled and hugged Colby, "Thanks."

Colby returned the hug, only pulling away a little bit, "Anytime, Mattie."

Matilda stepped back and cleared her throat, "I need a bite to eat before Windham and Adam's match."

Matilda hurried away from Colby, letting out a deep breath as she rounded a corner. A chill bit at her skin and she cursed at her idiocy for leaving without her jacket. The poncho was thin material wise.

"Mattie! Have you seen them?" yelled Saraya, running over, "Come with me!"

Saraya grabbed Matilda's hand and led her away and through to another room. Sitting amongst the other merchandise was a black shirt with 'redemption' scrawled across the front in messy writing. Matilda turned the shirt over to see 'Sister Abigail' at the top written in the same writing.

"And," said Saraya holding up a black hoodie jacket with the same design.

"Oh my gosh! Is this for real?"

Saraya nodded and grinned, "We can come to this room to take these."

Matilda took a jacket, pulling it on and grabbed a shirt and tank top, "I might get Christine to fix some of these up to have the fringe on them."

"She is probably already working on it… just like you and Colby are working on each other."

Matilda flushed red in the cheeks as they headed for catering, "I don't know what that is."

"Oh he is so into you!"

Matilda snorted in disagreement, pointedly ignoring Jon sitting at a table with Joe, "I've heard what he is like."

Saraya nodded in agreement, "But maybe this will be different?"

Matilda shrugged, "I'm not going to rush into anything. I won't be that girl who gets screwed and cast aside, you know? I… I have standards and morals."

"Churchy girl?"

"Bugger off!" laughed Matilda, "No, not a churchy girl. I just don't believe in jumping between the sheets as soon as the offer is there."

"Ah, make them work for it."

Matilda sighed with a grin as they sat at a table, unfortunately near where Jon sat, "More to prove that they are worth being with in every way. I've, unfortunately, had my share of encounters with assholes… I made a promise to myself I wouldn't let it happen again after the last one."

Saraya nodded, "I respect that."

His staring was aggravating. Had he nothing better to do? Like, go to the gym? Read a book, like she was trying to do and failing. Or even, as crazy as it may sound, pay attention to his girlfriend right beside him?

Matilda stood up and left the small café near the hotel and crossed the quiet street to the park, weaving through the trees until she found a shady spot. They weren't due at the arena for Smackdown for another four hours and Matilda was enjoying the time to catch up on her reading.

She opened her book once more and soon lost herself in the world of magic and adventure. Her grip on the pages increased as the lead heroine managed to avoid death at the hands of her arch nemesis.

"Found you."

Matilda looked up in surprise and frowned upon seeing Jon, "Lose me again, please."

Jon sat down opposite her, "No can do."

"Actually if you go three trees back and take a left you can jump into the lake."

"Catty."

"I have claws too."

Matilda missed the small smile on Jon's face as she glared down at her book, irritated at having been ripped from the world she was so enjoying.

"People think I have an issue with you."

Matilda sighed and closed her book, "Gee, I wonder why."

"But I think you also have an issue with me."

"Wow, someone call Stephen Hawking – we found the new genius for this millennium!"

"Well, what's your issue?"

Matilda looked at Jon disbelievingly and stood up. She started walking away but annoyingly enough, Jon stood and ran after her until he caught up, "The fact that you have nothing nice to say to me! You always stare at me… as if I am the worst thing in the world! I mean what the hell, Jon? I've done nothing to you! And I thought we covered all of this on the flight from Canada?"

Jon said nothing as Matilda turned to glare him. Her light brown hair was loose, strands moving in the breeze. Her light brown eyes were full of frustration and desperation – aimed at him. She licked her pink lips and looked away, tucking a lock of hair behind her ears.

"I never set out to piss anyone off," said Matilda, some of the venom gone from her voice, "I… this job has made me the happiest I have ever been… and you seem hell-bent on destroying it for me."

"Look… I can't explain it," sighed Jon, earning a look of disbelief from Matilda, "I'm serious! You just… you came out of nowhere and I honestly thought you would be another talentless model creative found in a google search. Turns out I was wrong… and I really hate being wrong. So I'm sorry for being an asshole to you."

Matilda remained silent for a few moments, "I accept your apology – but if you pull your bullshit on me again, I swear I will put you through a table."

Jon grinned at that, "I'd like to see you try."

"Don't tempt me."

"Check this out!"

Matilda jumped in surprise as Windham appeared beside her with his phone. He held it out displaying a fan art picture of Sister Abigail with The Wyatt's. Written below the image was "Redemption is coming."

"Wow," replied Matilda, "That is pretty wicked."

"There are tonnes of them. You have twitter?"

"Umm… no?" frowned Matilda, "I have Facebook but I barely use that. I prefer to read books and speak to people in person."

"They'll make you get one."

Matilda gave a nod, "Doesn't mean I'll use it."

Windham chuckled, "You rebel."

Matilda grinned as she pulled off her jacket and pulled on the shawl like cloak, "You know it."

Sister Abigail's theme blasted around the arena as she walked out carrying her candle. She slowly made her way down the ramp, the WWE Universe waving back their own light like fireflies. At the end of the ramp she blew the candle out and the lights flashed back on.

Without warning Abigail was hit from behind and suddenly Team Bella were laying into Sister Abigail with numerous kicks to the side.

Nikki yanked Abigail up when the lights went off again. They came back on and Team Bella were surrounded by Bray, Luke and Braun. Nikki stumbled backyards with Brie grabbing her and yanking her out of the ring. Alicia scurried around to them and the trio hurried up the ramp.

"Redemption is coming!" yelled Bray before he lifted Abigail up into his arms, "You will pay!"

"No, no I am fine!" laughed Matilda to a worried Nikki and Brie, "Seriously, I think you even cracked my back, back into place."

Nikki smiled, "Well I am seriously looking forward to this storyline building up more. It's so different from the usual diva story lines."

"I hope I can do it justice."

"You will," reassured Brie.

Nikki and Brie left to get back on the road for their next appearance. Matilda was actually grateful to have a few days to chill at her home and add the finishing touches to her home – she needed to buy some furniture for her balcony.

With that cheerful thought in mind she headed to go and change her clothes and head back to the hotel.

Matilda waited silently for the elevator to arrive. She was surprisingly exhausted and very much looking forward to chilling in her overly large hotel bed and watching some Netflix. Or sleeping – she wasn't sure which one to choose.

"Oh hey."

Matilda looked over at the surprise beside her and replied with a smile.

"Have we gone back to not talking?"

"Sorry," said Matilda as she stifled a yawn, "I'm knackered. My body is still getting used to this gruelling schedule."

Jon nodded in agreement as the elevator doors opened and they both stepped in, "It takes a while."

"Where's Renee?"

"She's already flown out. She has an episode of Unfiltered to do and some Total Divas shit."

"Oh."

"So I'll be flying to Vegas for the weekend."

"Well that can't be all bad – casinos and the Grand Canyon."

Jon snorted, "More like beer and bad tv."

Matilda slumped against the elevator walls and nodded, "Actually that sounds nice… do you have a twitter?"

"Yes and no."

Matilda gave him a confused look in response.

"WWE made me get one but I don't use it. Don't even have the app on my phone."

"Huh," replied Matilda inelegantly as the elevator stopped on her floor, "See you round, Jonny."

Jon looked at Matilda in a mix of amusement and confusion as she flashed him a smile.

Matilda adjusted the seat and stepped back, looking at her handy work. A small barbecue, a square table with seats, some plants and fairy lights wrapped around the balcony rails and her balcony was complete.

Matilda had even brought drought resistant plants to cope with her being on the road and unable to water them daily.

A knock at her door sounded and Matilda headed inside, checking over her outfit of jean shorts and loose, shoulder baring t-shirt. Matilda opened the door and a look of surprise flashed across her features to find Colby standing there.

"Hey… I know this is random," he said.

"Err, come in," said Matilda stepping back and letting him in.

Colby walked in and Matilda shut the door and turned around, looking at Colby expectantly.

"So, I came here to ask if you would go out to dinner with me… tonight."

"All the way from Iowa?"

"Pretty much."

"Well it would be rude to say no, huh?" replied Matilda with a grin, "Let me go get changed and we can pick a restaurant."

A/N: So… thoughts and reviews please!