"Pride and Prejudice"
An Edge/Ashley fanfic
Thanks to csimiamigirl73, Edgesgurl, xAttitudex, Christal-R and Writinglove101 for reviewing last chapter, you rock!
Hope you like this one,
R&R and enjoy!
Chapter 39
"Find a Way"
Ashley couldn't help the smile on her face as she re-entered the arena that evening alongside with her tag team partners, after having spent the last half hour outside engaged in an impromptu basketball match between the two… she being the special referee.
"The last two points were a fluke, I'm telling you." The blonde guy sulked.
"They were not." The other rolled his eyes.
"You deliberately advantaged him." Brian morosely said turning to the punk diva, who was walking in the middle.
"Yeah, sure thing she did." Paul snorted, rolling his eyes.
"I did not!" An outraged Ashley slapped Brian's arm. "And, for the record, I didn't even want to be the referee."
"You couldn't play," the dark haired guy shrugged his shoulders matter-of-factly "you're too short."
"Uh-huh." The other promptly echoed.
She couldn't help but scoff at this. "Guys, seriously, coming from you two…"
"HEY!" Now it was Brian's turn to look outraged as he turned to her in disbelief.
"Meanie." Paul simply muttered.
"Alright, alright," she lazily placed each arm around both their necks as the trio walked on, "stop talking trash about my referee skills though."
"Fine." The blonde huffed "Anyway, just so you know, when I was a kid I was quite tall for my age."
Paul burst out with laughter as such claim. "Yeah, I don't doubt it."
"Hey, look who's here." The self proclaimed dirty diva wisely said, interrupting another argument "Cherry! Over here!" She loudly called out.
"Oh, hi…!" The diva in question shyly approached the trio "I was actually searching for you." She revealed focusing on Ashley.
"What's up?" The latter asked in curiosity, her previous smile already starting to drop as the recollection of her current situation rushed back to her.
"I wanted to tell you that Kelly is in the women's locker room right now… so I was thinking… maybe you'd prefer…" She trailed off biting on her bottom lip.
"Oh, sure… yeah." The dirty blonde girl nodded in understanding. All the cheerful appearance disappearing completely. It had been too good to be true to have forgotten her problems for the last past hour in company of her boys.
"Good thing we're champs again," Paul piped up "we have our own locker room, you know. Mi casa su casa." He winked, tightening his grip on her waist as she gratefully smiled at him.
"What about you?" The latter then focused on her fellow diva once again "How are you coping with miss skank in our locker room?"
"Oh I'm just hanging out there while I wait for Michelle to come back from her signing." She weakly smiled.
"You can come over too," Brian suddenly blurted out "…if you want to, of course." He added in a lower voice, suddenly looking down.
Paul and Ashley exchanged a confused look at such odd behavior, which was completely unnoticed by Cherry who gladly accepted the offer with a timid smile gracing her features.
x—x—x—x—x
"Here." Kenny announced opening the door of Adam's locker room and entering while he carried a whole bunch of different roses… that looked like they could have been entire bushes actually.
"Good." The other guy immediately sprint up, slightly frowning as he noticed the exact amount of flowers his friend had just laid down on one of the wooden benches. "Kenny, how many of these have you exactly bought?" He inquired lifting an eyebrow.
"Aren't they beautiful?" He cheerfully smiled.
"That's really not the point." The champ said through narrowed eyes "I told you to buy just one bouquet of red roses… not the whole bloody shop!"
"I know but… I thought we'd better think of other options as well."
"…Pardon?" He couldn't help but blink twice at such statement.
"You would never guess, but there are so many things you can say with flowers… without even uttering one single word!" He explained with a bright look on his face that could have been second only to the one of a child on Christmas morning.
"I'm amazed."
"I know, right?! I had no idea!" The younger superstar beamed, as usual oblivious of the sarcasm in Adam's voice. "So I was thinking… you might put a few white roses in the mix to symbolize the purity of your love."
"My… what?!" He repeated with a classic what-the-fuck-are-you-talking-about expression.
"The purity of your love." Kenny calmly repeated, "Cause your love is pure, right?"
"Go on, please." He scoffed.
"Alright, no white ones." He said gesturing towards the next quality of roses "What about these pink ones? I've been told they're perfect to apologize!" His face lit up again "Cause you need to apologize to Ashley, right? Well, whatever you did to her I'm sure these—"
"—I'll take just the red ones, thank you very much." The Rated R superstar cut him off by harshly seizing the flowers he had already chosen.
"Wait!" Kenny urged while his friend was already on his way to the door.
"What now?" He impatiently turned "Cause, just so you know, I'm going to give whatever flowers you're about to show me the new meaning of 'I'll kick your ass if you don't cut this shit right now'."
The ex Spirit Squad member looked puzzled for a few seconds, then he quickly shook his head.
"No, no, I was wondering if you might add at least one yellow rose there." He reached Adam on the door, trying to arrange another rose of said color in the bouquet he was holding. "Yeah… that will do it." He eventually complimented the final sight with a content smile.
"Why? What is its meaning?" He asked with a weary sigh.
"Jealousy."
The expression on the champion's face immediately changed into a scowl.
"Excuse me? And why on earth should I be jealous?" He hissed.
"I don't know mate," he shrugged his shoulders "but when I told you I saw her in the hotel lobby with Matt Hardy this morning you looked quite—"
Though he didn't have the chance to reveal his earlier impression when the very same yellow rose was quickly tossed on his chest, the door being loudly slammed only a second later.
"Well, he could have just said no thanks." He grumpily muttered.
x—x—x—x—x
After leaving his locker room in said way, the Rated R superstar had carefully walked towards an almost empty corridor and hid in a corner, still carrying the red roses.
If Ashley was determined in refusing to talk to him, or even to just let him talk for that matter, then he had to find some other way to reach her cause, sure as hell, he wasn't going to give up.
Though, with both London & Kendrick plus the older Hardy around, it wasn't that simple to come close to his ex girlfriend.
Reason why, he had opted for the flowers. And a huge and beautiful bouquet of them, to be exact. Just like he had done after their very first argument… when neither of the two would have ever guessed how things were going to develop between them.
Original plan wanted Kenny to deliver them; he confided she wouldn't have the heart to treat the younger superstar too bad but, after the recent events, he had given up on that option.
So that's what he was doing in such secluded corner of the arena… he was waiting for his brand new, and unaware, ally.
And he didn't have to wait long when, after hearing a nearby door being closed, he caught glimpse of the exact person he needed passing him by.
Quickly coming out of his hiding spot, he loudly cleared his throat as he followed said person's steps.
"Good evening, Cherry." He said in his most kind tone… one that had never been heard from him inside the many arenas he had been into.
The shy diva turned on her heels, literally paralyzing when she saw whomshe came face to face with.
He was taken aback at first by her obvious discomfort as her eyes widened and she started to nervously glance around. Then he recalled how Ashley had explained him that the less experienced diva seemed to be just a bit terrified of him… either inside or out a wrestling ring.
"No, no, no," he rushed to explain as she slowly started to stumble backwards "it's okay, really. I'm here in peace!"
"I..." She trailed off, still incredibly shy –and scared- when it came to the Rated R superstar.
"Please, can't you listen just a minute… for Ashley's sake?" Adam sternly asked, "I have no intention to hurt you whatsoever, I swear."
Cherry seemed to calm a bit at the mention of her friend's name.
"What… What about Ashley?" She asked in her low tone of voice.
Adam couldn't help but sigh in relief as he noticed how her expression had indeed softened.
"I just want to ask you if you could take these flowers to her." He revealed, "Please."
"Oh." The diva's eyes widened again as she finally understood what his intentions were.
"Please Cherry," he sternly repeated "I know she considers you a friend and I know you're… a bit intimidated by me, but I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't really important."
This seemed to calm her down as she eyed up the beautiful flowers in his hands.
"They're pretty." She timidly said.
He halfheartedly smiled, "I wish to make my peace with her."
Now, if it had been Michelle, she would have probably smashed the pretty flowers on his head right on the spot… but Adam Copeland wasn't stupid. And after all the manipulative side of him, the one that actually belonged to Edge, was used this time for an innocent and better cause.
On her side, even though the diva was completely on Ashley's side in the confusing situation the two lovers –or former ones- were currently in, she was also a hopeless romantic. Especially considering who the man she had last dated was.
And so she couldn't help but give her usual quick nod of the head as positive answer as she seized the bouquet from his hands.
"Thank you, really." He sincerely said.
Then, after taking up enough courage to look him up in the eyes, she quickly disappeared the following moment… running away with all her energy.
"At least she consented." He sighed before walking in the opposite way. Now he could only wait to see if its plan had worked as wished.
x—x—x—x—x
Ashley was sat on the leather couch in Paul and Brian's locker room, trying to get her mind off the tricky situation she was in. And, luckily enough for the diva, her two best friends were doing their best effort to help her on such matter.
"So I ran into Teddy Long earlier at the hotel," Paul piped up as he sat down on the couch next to her, friendly placing an arm around her shoulders "and he told me that tonight we're not competing. We just need to be at the commentators' table during the match to decide the first contenders for our titles."
"Oh, the joy of being champs." She teased with a playful roll of eyes, receiving a nudge as answer.
"And you know," Brian echoed "we've been thinking…"
"Yes?" She asked as he hesitated, exchanging a look with his teammate.
"That if you don't feel up to it, there's no need for you to come outside with us tonight. After all we just need to utter a few sentences as Hawkins & Ryder and Deuce & Domino beat the hell out of each other."
She smiled at their concerns, "Thank you guys, I'll stay behind tonight then." She agreed affectionately pulling the two into a hug… which was soon interrupted when there was a knock on the door.
"This could be Cherry." Paul announced, not without a subtle smirk as he noticed Brian standing up to open the door.
"Or Matt." The latter added, trying to hide a soft blush on his cheeks "Didn't he tell you he was on his way, Ash?"
"Yeah, but I think he's still at the signing with Michelle." She said glancing at her wristwatch.
At least the mysterious visitor was revealed as the hooligan opened the door… finding indeed Cherry on the other side… almost hidden behind a huge bouquet of red roses.
"Hi…!" The diva cheerfully said… only to blush when she looked at Brian, who suddenly seemed to have lost the capacity of speaking as he just stood there, staring back at her.
"Thank you Cherry," Paul decided to put an end to the awkward moment "but there was really no need to bring us flowers." He joked.
"Oooh, but I didn't…!" She shook her head, eventually stepping inside "They're for Ashley."
"Well, I dare say there was no need to bring them to her either." He chuckled, earning a playful slap on the shoulder from the dirty diva herself.
"Never mind him sweetie," the latter playfully rolled her eyes as Cherry handed her the roses "they're really beautiful…" She commented proceeding to read the small note attached.
"One more time to say l love you always
and keeping faith, letting love find a way.
Still yours,
A."
She didn't have to question who this "A" was… especially cause he was the only one who would have quoted The Used… the very band they had seen together the night they had shared their first kiss.
At the same time as she silently read the note, Brian finally recovered from whatever had cut his tongue, as he turned to the punk diva with a curious smile.
"Who sends them?"
Though she didn't answer at first… and Cherry, in her truly fashion, started to panic.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to…!" She rambled on "But he stopped me… and you know how I'm easily scared of him… and then… he said something sweet about you… I don't quite remember what now but I—"
"Cherry, sshh, it's alright." Ashley hushed the diva with a friendly smile… before her expression hardened as she moved her gaze on the closed door. "It's not you the one I'm mad with."
And with that she resolutely marched outside, the flowers still secured in her hands.
"What the heck is going on?!" Paul asked as the unusual trio crowded under the doorframe to follow their friend's movements down the corridor.
Though the hooligan didn't have to wait long for an explanation as it was given in the form of the punk diva suddenly stopping at the sight of an unaware Adam coming out of the adjacent corridor.
"…Hey," he breathlessly said as he eventually noticed her "I see you got them." He quickly recovered from the unexpected meeting, nodding at the flowers in her hands; and for a moment he was hopeful… hopeful that maybe she was just coming to see him and that everything was going to be alright again.
Unfortunately for him, only the first part of his thoughts was right and his smile was destined to immediately drop as she scowled at him.
"Do-you-think-that-I'm-so-easily-win-by-a-bloody-bunch-of-roses?!" She nearly yelled, accompanying each of her words with hardly hitting him with the flowers in question.
"That's not what—"
But, as he tried to shield himself with his hands, she didn't even give him a chance to explain.
"WHAT-FUCKING-EVER!" She eventually exploded "I don't care! You can write me all the sweetest songs in the world, you can buy me a whole garden for what I care, but this still doesn't change what you did to me! And never will!" At this point she was almost panting "So leave me and my friends the fuck alone…!"
And with a last, and more powerful blow, she was done. The flowers scattered around the couple, the Rated R superstar looking at her in dismay, co-workers peering out of their locker rooms' doors to see the scene while she turned on her heels and walked back from where she had come… her chin high in the air not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
Though another stop was in order when, out of the corner of her eye, she made out the shape of a certain diva leant with her back against a wall, slim arms folded on her chest.
"Very touching," Kelly's words reached her as she passed by "ever considered a career in acting? You'd be perfect for such dramatic scenes… I was almost on the verge of crying."
And the sarcastic comment was enough to set Ashley's fury free once again, as she literally launched herself on the ECW diva, ready to strike.
"Uh-uh," the latter innocently shook her head while the punk prepared her punch "hit me and I'll make you get suspended. You know we can't fight outside the ring, don't cha?" She snickered.
"I don't care." Was the growl that followed… though, before she could act, Matt had suddenly appeared at her side, firmly holding her arm.
"C'mon, you know she's right." He softly whispered inside her ear "Don't give her such satisfaction."
And with that he started to lead her back where her friends were still standing, though not before Ashley had pointed her finger in Kelly's direction, loudly declaring "I want you in that very ring, bitch."
"I'm sure this can't happen tonight sweetie," Michelle –who had just arrived with Matt in time to witness the scene- breathlessly said as the group took the punk diva in.
"What do you mean?" The latter raised an eyebrow, ready to battle whoever was even trying to hold her back from legally beating the skank.
"Haven't you read the card for tonight? It's Kelly vs Cherry." She carefully stated, "With you as special guest referee."
The shy diva loudly gasped, covering a mouth with her hand while Ashley muttered a simple "Fuck all" as she stormed inside the Hooligans' locker room once again.
Next chapter: What's going to happen on Smackdown when Kelly and Ashley find themselves in the same ring? Also, I wanted to let you know that this story is coming to an end soon.
