Chapter 19:

Dave Batista grinned as he placed his cell phone back into his gym bag. As always, Haley had called to wish him good luck before his match against Hawkins and Ryder tonight. Vickie Guerrero always managed to put a sour taste in his mouth with her stupid, power hungry ideas, while his girlfriend always knew what to say to make him feel ten times better.

Checking to make sure all his knee and elbow pads were in place, he made his way out of his locker room and down the hall towards the Gorilla position. There was only about a month left until the 2008 Draft and he would keep his fingers crossed that he would be drafted to RAW.

He smirked as he entered the Gorilla. Hawkins and Ryder were in for a big surprise tonight, a really BIG surprise. Those two lackeys caused nothing but havoc to any superstar who stood against La Familia as they were and he'd enjoy kicking their asses himself, but GM Vickie had demanded he find a partner.

"Hey Batista," came the sultry voice of SmackDown's latest Diva, Eve Torres. The Latina had made her debut by interviewing him on her first night here. Since then, she made sure to say hello to him whenever she saw him.

"Eve." He nodded to her in acknowledgement while watching the ending of Cherry's match with Maryse.

"Are you on next?" The 2007 Diva Search winner asked in an attempt to make conversation with the Animal.

He nodded. "I'm going to take out those two idiots, Hawkins and Ryder."

"Did you find a tag team partner?" She continued.

"I don't need a tag team partner." He shrugged in disinterest. "Is there something I can do for you, Eve?"

She blushed at his direct question. She had to admit that Batista intrigued her to no end. He had been borderline flirtatious when she had interviewed him her first night, but since Wrestlemania, he hardly looked at another Diva, much less flirted with one. She felt it was such a waste that such an attractive man be tied down to a woman who traveled with an opposing brand.

"Actually, there is, if you're interested." She played coy.

Batista raised his eyebrows at the Hispanic brunette. "Depends on what the favor is."

"Well, I'm a WWE Diva now, yet I have no wrestling skills whatsoever and I'm looking for someone to train me. And since you're one of the best in the business, I'd love to learn from you." She smiled at him sweetly.

Batista stared at her in surprise. That had been the absolute last thing he expected from her. From what he could tell, Eve had shown no interest in wrestling had seemed perfectly content as an interviewer for SmackDown.

"If you're looking for training, Eve, Finlay's specialty is training Divas." He suggested, unsure how him training another girl would go over with Haley. Sure, his girlfriend was trained by Hunter, but Hunter was in love with Stephanie and viewed Haley almost as his daughter.

"He's my second choice," She looked up at him imploringly. "I'd rather learn from you instead. After all, I feel as though we have a lot more in common."

"Like what?" He asked, completely baffled as to where this was coming from.

"Well, we both have animals inside that need to be unleashed." She trailed a red tipped fingernail down his chest. "Just think about it okay? And good luck in your match out there." She smirked seductively before sauntering away.

"What the hell?" He shook his head in disbelief. Over the past year none of the Divas, barring Haley, had shown any interest in him. Mostly because he either went towards ring rats or kept to his own company. He was sick of the messy drama that came with sleeping with co-workers, i.e. Melina. His aloofness made the other Divas steer clear, but now here was Eve, making advances and he was taken!

"You all right, Big Dave?" A deep voice asked from behind him. "We're on in like five minutes."

Dave looked over his shoulder to see the Big Show, his partner for the night, standing directly behind him. "Yeah man, I'm good."

"You sure?" Show frowned looking unconvinced. "We need to get your head in the game, Man."

"I'm sure." Batista shook it off. "Nothing will distract me from giving those two idiots the beating of a lifetime."

"All right, Man." Show backed off. "I can't wait to see the look on that bitch's face when my music hits."

"It'll almost be like giving Edge that Batista Bomb he's deserved lately." Batista agreed. "Do me a favor and scare her real good."

"My pleasure." Show cracked his knuckles in anticipation.

"Thanks for teaming with me tonight, Show. I really appreciate it." Batista rolled his head around to loosen the muscles in his neck.

"No problem." The giant shrugged casually. "I get to lay a hurting on those two punks."

"Still, you got me out of a tight spot anyway." Batista prepped himself as the taping paused for what will be a commercial break. Exactly three minutes until he took the stage.

"It's all good," Show nodded. "How's your girl?"

A smile curved Dave's lips as he focused on his girlfriend once again. "Never better. She's thrilled that Kennedy got Regal fired last night. She was pissed when he put the lights out on her match and then forced her to face Umaga."

"Can't say I blame her." Show shook his head in disgust. "Never cared much for Regal myself."

"Well he's lucky Jeff Hardy was waiting to make his big return backstage. If that Samoan piece of shit even touched one hair on Haley's head, I'd kill not only Umaga, but make Regal's death slow and very painful." Batista growled like the Animal he was often compared too. "No one threatens my girl and gets away with it."

"I don't think you have to worry there." Show chuckled. "Not only did Hardy come to the rescue, but Triple H has a soft spot for Haley as well. You've got a whole crew of bodyguards over there for her."

"That also includes Cena, who keeps trying to get her back." Batista rolled his eyes. "He's almost as pathetic as Vickie and Edge."

"No one's that pathetic." Show argued.

"That's why I said almost." Batista nodded to the stage tech who awaited his cue for music. "Time to kick some ass."

Show stepped back into the shadows, knowing Vickie, Hawkins and Ryder were on their way. "Go do your thing, Big Dave."

"See you out there!" Dave rolled his shoulders and went through the curtain onto the stage. The crowd popped loudly for him as he made his presence known.

He was a SmackDown fan favorite, unless he was facing the Undertaker. They loved him here. Some came just to see him. For longest time, SmackDown had been his home, where he had really made his mark.

But SmackDown was missing one very important thing, Haley.