Mickie pushed open the door to the women's locker room and sat down next to a blonde who was tying her boot laces. Her platinum blond hair was covering her face and Mickie wished the diva would push back her locks so she could recognize her. Shrugging, Mickie unzipped her gym bag and began pulling out her wrestling gear. Suddenly the blond diva stood up and Mickie gasped. 'Oh my gosh…you're Trish Stratus!' the brunette exclaimed.

Trish turned to Mickie and smiled. 'I'm sorry, I don't believe we have met. You are…?'

Mickie stood up and extended her hand. 'Mickie James, Raw's newest diva,' she announced. 'I'm debuting in your match against Victoria tonight.'

Trish nodded in acknowledgment and shook the brunette's hand. 'Ohhhhhhhh…so you're Mickie James. I have heard a lot of things about you.'

Mickie blushed and grinned sheepishly. 'Good things I hope.'

Trish smiled. 'They tell me that you're very talented. I really hope I get a chance to wrestle with you.'

'Coming from you, that's quite a compliment,' Mickie gushed. She couldn't believe she was talking to the women's champion her first day on the job.

Trish put a hand on the brunette's shoulder. 'Well, good luck tonight. I hope you kick butt.'

Mickie grinned. 'Thanks.' She continued smiling as the women's champion made her way out of the locker room.

Randy stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. Grabbing another towel to dry off his dark hair, he saw Batista staring at the television set. 'What are you watching?' he asked curiously, walking over to The Animal.

'Divas match,' Batista replied, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Randy rolled his eyes. 'Might as well watch paint dry,' he remarked sarcastically.

Batista turned to his friend. 'What's your problem? Do you have a problem with diva matches?'

Randy shrugged, putting his towel down on the wooden bench. 'It's always the same thing. Girl hits other girl, pulls her hair, rolls her up for the pin and ta-da, a two minute match.'

Batista shoved Randy's shoulder lightly. 'Man, stop being so sexist. They do have some good women matches. Trish is fighting Victoria right now.'

Reluctantly, Randy turned his attention to the screen. He saw Trish reverse Victoria's power bomb to keep her championship. As planned, Victoria proceeded to beat up Trish and was jumped on by Ashley Massaro. Ashley was clinging onto the raven-haired diva as if her life depended on it and it looked like Victoria was giving her a piggyback ride. Randy rolled his blue eyes. Could it get any more ridiculous? Victoria finally got Ashley off her back by throwing her onto the mat. Suddenly, a brunette rushed into the ring and began punching Victoria. Randy froze, his breath caught in his throat and he could have sworn his heart stopped beating. He knew exactly who it was. 'Mickie,' he whispered under his breath.

Mickie continued to punch Victoria and then knocked her out of the ring with a roundhouse kick. When Victoria climbed back onto the ring, the brunette hit her roughly with the women's championship belt. Victoria fell onto the floor with a thud and the crowded reacted wildly.

'That must be the new girl. Wow,' Batista said in awe, shaking his head. 'Brawns,' he commented, tilting his head, 'and she has a nice ass, too.'

Randy frowned at Batista's lewd comment and snapped, 'will you stop checking her out? She's not some piece of meat.'

Batista chuckled. 'You should talk. You're the one who never looks above Trish and Torrie's chests when talking to them.'

'Well can you blame me? Their chest makes up 90% of their bodies. Where else can I look?' Randy averted his attention to the TV and frowned. Mickie had never worn short skirts before when wrestling. He did not like how much her skimpy outfit was showing. God knows how the males in the audience must have loved the free show.

Batista licked his lips. 'I think this is the first time I have ever been jealous of a skirt.'

Randy grabbed his towel and smacked Batista on the shoulder. 'Why don't you concentrate on your match tonight instead of being a pervert?'

Batista rubbed his shoulder sorely. 'Someone's an ass tonight.'

Randy ignored his comment and walked out of the locker room.

Mickie rushed backstage, still feeling the high of her debut. She stopped to catch her breath and exhaled, hand on her chest. She felt a pat on the back.

'Good job, rookie.'

Mickie turned around to see Victoria smiling at her. 'Thanks, you were amazing tonight.' She meant it, too. Victoria was one of her favorite wrestlers in the WWE. Few had her strength and athleticism.

'You were pretty impressive, too. You really gave me an ass kicking.' Victoria winked at her and left when she heard someone call her name.

She saw Trish coming up to her. The blonde patted her on the shoulder. 'Nice work, Mickie. I loved that round house kick,' Trish complimented, grinning.

Mickie blushed and ran her fingers through her brown locks sheepishly. 'Thanks, Trish. It was so cool being part of your match.'

Trish wrapped her arm around Mickie's shoulder. 'Maybe you can teach me that move sometime.'

It took a lot of willpower to not act giddy around the blonde diva. 'Ummm…sure.'

'So, have you seen any of the Raw superstars yet?' Trish asked mischievously.

Mickie tapped a finger on her chin. 'So far, I've met you and Victoria.'

Trish laughed which confused the brunette. 'I'm talking about the guys. In case you haven't noticed, there is a lot of eye candy here.' Trish winked at John Cena who gave her a nod.

Mickie looked down at the ground so Trish wouldn't see her blush. 'I haven't gotten a chance to meet any of the guys yet,' she said quietly.

'Then you have to meet this guy. He's quite the ladies' man.' Trish grabbed Mickie's hand and led her down the hall. 'Hey, Randy!'

Mickie halted. Even a hundred feet away and with him standing against the wall, she recognized him instantly.

'Randy, I want you to meet someone!' Trish waved at the Legend Killer.

Mickie saw him slowly turn his head towards them. He looked at Trish and then his gaze immediately stopped on her. It was like time had stopped between them.

2002

'Randy, don't leave,' Mickie begged, grabbing his arm that was carrying a duffel bag.

Randy looked back at her, his other arm on the doorknob of their apartment. 'I'm going to ask you one more time, Mickie. It's me or TNA.'

Mickie continued to hold onto his arm, distraught. She felt tears slip down her cheeks and she bit her lip. 'Please, don't make me choose,' she pleaded.

He stared at her and said solemnly, 'there shouldn't even be a choice, Mickie.' She saw his eyes begin to water and she knew he was also feeling the effects of their crumbling marriage. He turned the doorknob and gave her one last look. 'You'll be getting divorce papers in a few weeks. Then you can finally be free to do whatever you want.'

She watched him walk out the door and out of her life.