"Pride and Prejudice"
An Edge/Ashley fanfic

Thanks to xAttitudex, Londrick-Forever, Christal-R and csimiamigirl73 for reviewing last chapter... keep 'em coming! :)

Enjoy the new one!


Chapter 34
"A Little Bit Longer"

Ashley arrived early the next Friday morning at the arena booked for Smackdown! where she had a training session with Michelle.

Dressed in a pair of military pants and a simple white tank top with '100% bad girl' printed on in black letters, she made her way through the corridors with her iPod switched on… just as usual.

And when the newest All-American Rejects' single "Gives You Hell" came up on shuffle her good mood, if possible, increased even more.

She was just starting to sing along the catchy refrain when she actually spotted someone whose face maybe not exactly gave her hell, but surely made her clinch her fists.

"Oh Ashley," Kelly faked her sweetest smile "you fell off the bed this morning?"

The dirty diva had to do her best to not let her emotions prevail, not cause she had any problem with her fist colliding with Kelly's pretty nose right there (actually it was a quite appealing idea), but knowing the blonde she would have surely made it look as if she was the poor innocent victim.

And the last thing Ashley needed at the moment was that kind of trouble at work.

So she just put up her sweetest smile as well, facing the younger diva.

"Yeah, and it seems like I'm not the only one. But wait, why should you remain in bed if you don't have anyone to share it with, right?"

Kelly's face twisted just for the split of a second before she regained her composure with a fake laugh.

"So funny. Why are you here then? Your man got already tired of you?"

You wish.

Now it was Ashley's turn to fake an outburst of giggles.

"I'm here for a training lesson, you silly girl." She playfully pinched her cheek while a couple of technicians already at work passed them by and looked at the two girls who unconsciously got closer to each other, or better in each other's throat, with every second passing.

"And I would assume the same about you…" she continued "if you could actually wrestle. So you're here for a tryout of your newest choreography?"

By this point Kelly's face was livid as she shoved her index finger in the punk's chest.

"YOU-"

But the latter cut out her insults by placing her iPod's earpieces back on place.

"I hate ending this lovely chat honey but my friend's waiting for me and it would be very rude to make her wait, don't you think?"

And with that she walked away, smiling at herself, as she left behind a very vexed 'extreme' diva who stomped her foot on the floor in frustration just like a spoiled child that can't have her way.

When you walk my way hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell.

x—x—x—x—x

"And finally here she is." Michelle announced in a sing-song voice when the punk princess finally made her appearance down the ramp "I was starting to think that miss now-I-have-a-boyfriend had forgotten we had plans."

Ashley playfully rolled her eyes as she put her duffel bag down at the steel steps' base and slid inside the four-sided ring.

"Miss I-don't-forget-my-friends-for-a-boyfriend would have been in perfect timing if she hadn't run into someone on her way here."

"Someone as a certain blonde Rated R superstar you just can't resist to?" The all-American diva teased with a playful smile.

She chuckled at the hint, "Nope. Actually this someone was more like a blonde bitch." She revealed rolling her eyes.

"Ow, sounds like Kelly then."

"Exactly."

"And what did she want?!" Michelle asked, already annoyed at the Extreme Exposé leader without even knowing what she wanted yet. Well, not that she needed any other reason after all, what Kelly had done was definitely enough.

"That's the funny part. She acted all nice, fake smiles and all that shit since we weren't alone in the corridor. Can you believe it?!"

"How ridiculous!" Michelle shook her head "No really, I think I never seen someone so much… someone like…"

"…Such a bitch?" The dirty diva suggested.

"That's it, thank you very much." They giggled settling the matter. "And what did you do then?"

"Oh I played her game," She innocently smiled "but bitch-talked back at her."

"Yes! Well done!"

…Only the cheerful approval didn't come from Michelle, causing both divas to turn and gaze at the opposite side of the ring where Cherry stood –almost hidden behind a turnbuckle- covering her mouth with a hand and blushing profusely.

"Ooops, sorry. I didn't… I didn't mean…"

"I asked Cherry to join us for our training session this morning." Michelle explained quickly recovering from the startling sudden apparition "Hope it's not a problem…"

The brief yet awkward silence that followed was interrupted by Ashley's smile.

"Of course it's not. If you don't train with friends with whom should you? Your rivals?" And with that she marched to the ropes, pulling the bottom one down with her foot to make her enter.

"Thank you!" A very happy Cherry smiled and waved at the two girls.

"Only next time make a noise sweetie, you almost gave us a heart attack!"

…and the trio couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Okay girls, don't know you, but I came here to work... are you ready?" Michelle asked with a satisfied grin.

The shy diva eagerly nodded.

"Let's get started then." Ashley concluded with a smile, tying up her long blonde hair in a ponytail.

x—x—x—x—x

Trying to find something in a mess of clothes and various other items isn't surely an easy task, and Adam was definitely realizing so in the neglected mess of his hotel room that morning.

And the fact that his affectionate roommate sighed or moaned every 3 minutes didn't help his mood either.

Eventually, not only he gave up the hopeless search, but his patience came to an end as well.

"Okay, what's the matter? Are you sick?!" He finally turned to Kenny's bed, his hands firmly on his hips and an annoyed expressions on his face as he waited for an answer.

A few seconds later the younger superstar's head emerged from under the bed's spreads as he dramatically let out another sigh.

"What? You caught the flu?" He asked puzzled by all that sighing and sniffling.

"She left me." Kenny solemnly revealed, collapsing again on his pillow.

The Rated R superstar rolled his eyes remembering how his friend had claimed to have found the 'love of his life' twice in three days… the first being his own girlfriend by the way.

"Well how long have you been together… one week?"

"One night."

At this Adam had to turn his face to hide his laugh, turning it into a fake cough.

"You know what's a one night stand, right?" He asked much to his own amusement.

But the ex Spirit Squad member had already launched himself in a full-confidence mode.

"I don't understand," he sighed "we were getting along so well that evening… and then from the day after she started to ignore me. How could she change in one night only?" He wondered.

"Alcohol could be a quite good reason in the first place." Adam muttered under his breath.

Kenny didn't seem to hear him and made the effort of adjusting in a sitting position.

"You have to help me… no one charms girls like you." He implored.

"Oh well," The Rated R superstar grinned, flattered by the compliment.

"What could have made her leave after one night?" The younger asked again.

I'd rather ask what could have made her stay one night actually. He thought as he went to sit on the edge of Kenny's bed… and immediately stopped.

"Ew man, since when have you taken a shower???"

"I'm depressed." Was the reply… as that was a good reason.

"Yeah, I see that." He rolled his eyes "But stop showering won't help you, trust me."

"But why?"

"…Because you stink." He pointed out.

"No, I mean why she left me?" He sighed.

Not all over again…! Adam inwardly complained.

"Look, you have to consider that sometimes girls are attracted by us only for our position."

"What position?" He asked in confusion.

"WWE superstar? Professional wrestler? Fame and fortune?" He asked matter-of-factly.

"Oh right, that."

Or maybe cause they're too drunk to notice they chose the stupidest one ever.

"So maybe she just changed her mind after getting what she wanted." He shrugged, wanting very much to end that conversation right there.

"And what did she want?"

Luckily an eloquent look from the Canadian was enough to wake him up.

"Oooh, that."

"Yes, that." He rolled his eyes. Had he taught nothing to the kid during all these months?!

"I don't even remember anything of that night." He whined.

I hope for her that she can say the same.

"Now stop thinking about that, c'mon. Next time be more careful with which fans you hang out with." He quickly patted his shoulder, hoping to settle the matter with this.

"But she's not ordinary girl!" Kenny protested "She's-"

"No, no, no, no." Adam cut him off "Time to move on. You have to forget her."

"But I can't, she's-"

"She could be even Wonder Woman, we don't care. It's time to look before and not behind you. So you know what you're going to do?"

He shook his head.

"I'm sending you out with Hawkins and Ryder tonight after the show. And don't you dare to come back before morning."

"But I-"

"Wait. Did I hear a whine?"

Kenny shook his head again.

"Good. You trust me, right?"

"Of course. You're the boss."

"Then listen to me. And now go and take a shower." He added literally pulling the superstar out of the bathroom and pushing him superstar towards the bathroom, a smirk on his lips when he closed the door.

Free room for Ash and I: check.

Now if only he had allowed Kenny to speak he would have known who the girl in question was… and understood there was something strange going on.

x—x—x—x—x

"That was a pretty kickass bulldog I have to say." An impressed Ashley commented, still rubbing her neck, while she and Cherry left the ring.

Michelle was already outside, taking long sips from a bottle of water.

"I totally second that." She echoed, joining her friends.

"Thanks." Cherry blushed "I guess I got a little carried away though, I'm not used to work with someone that doesn't yell at me the whole time. Sor-"

"No!" Ashley promptly silenced her by raising a hand "Rule number one: no need to apologize. Really, it's alright." She smiled.

"I second that again." Michelle piped up.

"Okay, sor… no, okay and stop." The shy girl corrected herself with a giggle.

"That's good." The punk agreed with a grin "And by the way one of these days you so have to teach me that bulldog."

"Sure, totally my pleasure to be helpful…!" She cheerfully nodded.

"Awesome." Ashley concluded with her trademark rock sign, prompting Cherry to giggle again.

"I like that think you do with your hand."

"Do you?" The dirty diva smiled, genuinely amused by the child-like assertion. "Then go ahead and do it yourself."

"Can I?" She unsurely asked.

"Rule number two:" the all-American girl interjected with a smile "no need to ask permission."

"That said," Ashley nodded "of course you can!"

"Okay… like this?"

"Hell yeah!" The dirty blonde diva exclaimed pulling up a 'rock on' sign as well again. "That's called rockin' out, my friend." She announced placing an arm around Cherry's neck.

Michelle couldn't refrain from giggling at the unusual sight… the two being the epitome of definitely two opposite styles.

"You know what I think?"

"That it's lunch time? Cause I'm literally starving…!" The diva 'from the other side of the tracks' revealed.

"Well yes, but not only that." The athletic one continued "I was thinking that it's time for the three of us to have a girls night out."

"I like that." Ashley grinned "Actually what about a girls night in? Like tonight after the show?"

"…As a sleepover?" Cherry gasped.

"Sounds great to me." Michelle agreed.

"Yes! Cherry?"

The latter eagerly nodded.

"Yes, please. Thank you!"

"Rule number 3:"

"No need to say thanks, really." The punk concluded with a smile.

"Oh right, sorry… ooops I didn't have to say that either!" She exclaimed, covering her mouth with both her hands.

And with that the trio erupted with laughter.

x—x—x—x—x

Half an hour –and a much refreshing shower- later, Ashley exited the arena with her duffel bag on her shoulder. She had just made two steps outside when she noticed the unmistakable figure of the Rated R superstar looking at his own reflection in a car's window, his back turned at her.

She silently giggled walking towards him.

"I was wondering who's this hottie…" she piped up as he, startled, turned to face her "but it seems like he's my own boyfriend…!" She faked a surprised expression.

He laughed, adjusting his shades on his nose and placing an arm around her petite figure.

"Seems like you're a lucky girl, then."

"Indeed." She agreed with a giggle leaning in for a quick kiss before they started to walk hand in hand. "I didn't expect you so early."

"Didn't we agree on having lunch together?" He asked slightly puzzled.

"Yes, but you said you were going to pack your things for tomorrow first… and since I saw the usual state of your room… I didn't expect you before other 2 hours at least."

"Very funny." He playfully rolled his eyes.

"So I get you already packed everything?"

"Yeah, well technically…" he nervously chuckled.

"Don't tell me you paid Kenny again to arrange your mess." She rolled her eyes.

"Hey!" He protested almost outraged (even though he actually did that almost every week) "I convinced him to do that for free this time." He revealed with his trademark smirk.

"You did what?" She exclaimed with a you-gotta-be-kidding-me expression before playfully rolling her eyes "You're impossible."

"Hey I was doing him a favor!" He defended himself.

"Oh really?" She raised her eyebrows "How's that?"

"Well he was acting all depressed cause his girlfriend dumped him… so I gave him something to distract himself. I know, I'm made of awesome." He grinned, visibly satisfied of himself, prompting her to giggle.

"I'm afraid I'll never make a honest man of you, baby."

"Keep trying, you never know." He chuckled.

"And so poor Kenny is single again? …So soon?"

"I know, right? I spent half an hour trying to make him understand what a one night stand is… I swear he never learnt anything from me." He shook his head in disappointment.

"A topic you're much acquainted with." She suspiciously looked at him.

"Don't worry babe," he laughed "I'm a changed man."

"Yeah, we'll see." She playfully rolled her eyes as they entered in a nice small restaurant where the waiter immediately led them to an empty table.

After he took their orders, the Rated R superstar started to chuckle in amusement.

"What's so funny?" She asked in confusion, taking a sip of her mineral water.

"Sorry, every time I remember the first time we went out to dinner together." He laughed.

"Oh right, when you basically told me I was just a playboy cover girl who couldn't get another shot at the women's title. Good choice of memories you have, honey." She rolled her eyes.

"But I sent you roses the day after… always the gentleman, you know." He smirked.

"Indeed." She couldn't help but giggle.

"Anyway, since I was so willing to help our dear Kenny… I organized for him a night out with Hawkins and Ryder after the show, so you could keep me company, you know?" He smirked.

"…Sounds tempting, but I already have plans for the night." She innocently smiled.

"…You're kidding, right?"

"No," she giggled "I have a sleepover with Michelle and Cherry."

"…So you basically just let my offer down?" He asked almost in shock.

"Well, yes baby, technically I just did." She couldn't refrain from giggling at his expression.

"You just turned me down…" he repeated "I'd like to point out that this never happened before in my whole life."

"There's a first time for everything." She shrugged, sweetly smiling "Oh here it comes my chicken salad, awesome!"

"You're aware you're hurting my ego, right?"

"Don't worry babe, I'm sure it will eventually heal." She smirked at him as he playfully rolled his eyes, muttering something that sounded very much like 'Unbelievable.'

x—x—x—x—x

"Oh here you are," Brooke greeted Kelly while she and Layla waited outside the restaurant "where are our take-away orders?"

"I changed my mind, this place looks awful." The blonde folded her arms.

"…But you chose it." Layla pointed out in confusion.

"Well I changed my mind, alright?! That's not the only restaurant around here, c'mon." She snapped, starting to walk away on her own and leaving to the other two no other option that following her.

She had not the slightest intention of remaining there and watching the lovely couple having their lunch together. That made her sick to the stomach.

And in that moment she knew she was going to act that same night, there was no more time to waste.

"C'mon Kel," she muttered to herself "hold on… just another bit longer."


Next Chapter: It's time for the special Cutting Edge... what will happen when Ashley has to confront Cherry about what happened? And in meanwhile how Kelly's plan is going to work? Wanna know soon? ...review :D