Chapter 2

She took a long drag on her cigarette, still doubting her decision to be here. It seemed harmless enough at first. She had spent the weekend with Stephanie, just hanging out and catching up. The next thing she new Steph had somehow convinced her to make a return to the WWE. As the car drove through the city, a wave of nausea passed through her body. What was I thinking she thought to herself? I haven't seen or spoken to anyone except the McMahon's in three years, and she felt bad about it. She just shut out all of her friends, because she had been embarrassed and hurt. She knew some of them would be angry at her but most of all she was afraid to see Jeff. The car pulled into the arena. She remembers the excitement she used to feel everyday when she came to work. The thrill of the fans, the cheers, it was a great time, and she knew she missed it. As her car came to a stop Shane opened the door.

"Let's get you inside before someone sees you."

"What no hello?" She pouted to Shane.

"I'm sorry." He smiled and put her in a big hug."It's good to see you again. I don't get to see you enough of you lately."

"Well you know where I am. There's nothing stopping you from coming to the island and saying Hello."

"Yeah, well you rarely came up to Greenwich either."

"Fine; whatever." She kissed his cheek, "I missed you."

"Me too. Let's go." He took her hand and led her inside.

"So who knows I'm here?"

"Only Steph and I, all we said is a Diva will be involved we didn't say who."

"Shane, I don't know about this. I mean they don't even know I'm here. I should just leave."

"Why?"

"It's not right. I'm just supposed to jump out and say HI. Like nothing ever happened. I hurt a lot of people."

"You were hurt, besides, you went through a lot. If they're really your friend then they'll understand."

"Understand? You break up with your boyfriend and don't speak to them a week or so maybe they understand, but 3 years."

"It will be okay."

"And what about Jeff?"

"What about him? You don't owe him any explanation."

"You don't think just seeing me randomly appear isn't going to hurt him. Stephanie said he's got himself back on track. Me showing up again? What if it sets him back?"

"Jess, he got on with his life, why can't you? How come you have to give up everything you loved? You missed this. You've said it before. Now is that time, and I'm not gonna let you chicken out. So get over it. Besides Hardy's got a steady girl and he's happy."

"It's still not okay, Shane. If you want me to do this, I want them to know I'm here. I need to know that they are okay with this."

"Fine," He said as they entered a room. "This is gonna be your dressing room for tonight. After your reveal then you can use the locker room, but for now you're under wraps. I have a person coming in to do your hair and makeup. Jess, it's important you don't come out. We really want this to be surprise."

"But not to everyone, right?" She looked at him. "I'm serious Shane. Tell them I'm here or it's no deal."

"I will. Now get yourself settled. Here's the rundown for the night. I'll be back with some food. Again, please don't leave this room."

"Shane, don't you guys think you're taking this a little too far. This is all a little too secretive for me."

"I know but Stephanie getting really paranoid about the leaks, and we want to really shock people with your return. They already figured out Jay's return is tonight but they'll never expect yours. I got to go. I'll be back." And with that he left the room.

Jessica looked around the room and laughed to herself about how she felt comforted by the cold colored concrete walls. Just like old times. She glanced at her cell and considered placing a call. She knows Shane said he would talk to them, but now she doubted him. Maybe she should just call one of them and tell them she's here, but who would she call? Again, she questioned her decision to return. She looked in the mirror. She definitely had changed in those few years. Her blond hair now reached halfway down her back, and even she had to admit she looked good. After leaving she was hurt and angry. She had turned that anger over to the gym, working out constantly and now she had a well toned body to show for her pain.

She opened up the packet Shane had given her to review what she was doing for the night. It seemed simple enough and she really didn't have to say anything. She glanced at her watch; other wrestlers were going to be showing up soon. She was itching to go outside and see who was there, but she knew Shane and Steph would be upset if she left, so she stayed. She heard a commotion outside and pressed herself against the door to hear what was going on.

"Oh come on baby, I'm sorry for what I said." She heard a male voice say outside. "Just wait till I get home and let me explain. Don't do anything rash, please. I'll be home tomorrow and we can talk it out, face to face. Please."

Jessica walked away. A typical wrestler's conversation. Relationships in the wrestling business were hard. She should know. Her thoughts trailed back to Jeff.

"Who is she?" She had asked tears flowing down her face.

"It doesn't matter, she doesn't matter. I screwed up I'm sorry." Jeff said running his hand through his rainbow colored hair. He reached out to her.

"Don't touch me!" She said slapping his hand away. "I can't believe you. How can you do this to me?"

"I don't know. Please Jess; I need you to forgive me."

"Forgive you?" She couldn't breathe, she had to get out. "You slept with some supposedly random stranger and I should just forgive you? I love you, I trusted you."

"Baby, I need you. Please don't do this." Tears were welling in his eyes.

"You did this, not me. I have done nothing but love you and support you. I trusted you. I gave you my whole heart and you've just thrown it all away. I can't do this. Just leave me alone." She started to walk away. He grabbed her again and pulled her close to him. The pain in her heart was growing too hard to bear. He placed his lips on her and they kissed. It was a hungry desperate kiss that neither one of them wanted to end. Why did this have to happen she thought to herself? She pulled away and softly touched his cheek.

"I can't" She whispered and then walked out of the room. He called out to her, pleading but she willed herself not to turn around. She got into the car and drove away, for the last time.

Jessica snapped herself out of the flashback.

"This was a mistake." She said aloud to herself. She sighed and sat down in her seat. "A big mistake."