Chapter 31:

Her throat felt raw and scratchy, like she had swallowed sandpaper, while her eyes were red rimmed and slightly puffy from the crying jag she had just indulged in. What had started out as a great night, had taken a huge turn for the worse. While her boyfriend would join her on Monday nights, her mentor, coach and go-to guy would be moved to Fridays. She wasn't quite sure how she'd fair without him to turn to.

"You know I'm only a phone call away." He attempted to assure her, though he wasn't much happier about this new occurrence than she was. He hadn't been on SmackDown for six years, RAW was his brand, his home.

"It's not the same." Haley's voice was still shaky from the sobs she had just expunged. "I HATE John Cena." She exclaimed venomously. "This was about working as a team, for RAW and he had to prove his one-up-manship."

"He's an idiot, Haley." Hunter shook his head. "He paid for it, by getting his ass thrown out of the ring by Edge."

"And in doing so, we lost you and Kennedy to SmackDown." She felt her eyes prick again, and cursed herself. "Hunter, what am I going to do without you?"

"Hey, I'm not abandoning you." He turned away from where he had been packing his suitcase and went to sit beside her on the bed. "I just won't be here with you every day. But, you'll see me at every pay-per-view and who knows, I could end up back on RAW sooner than you think. Besides, Dave will be here when I can't."

"But, who's going to train me?" She pointed out. "I mean yes, I can call you and stuff, but you're like family, Hunter. I'm essentially left alone."

"Haley, I'm always going to be there for you, you know that." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest. "You and I can get some ring time in before every pay-per-view. As for the rest, Haley, you're the Women's Champion now. You know you're strengths and weaknesses. I think you'll be just fine training on your own for the most part. And if you need help, your boyfriend is no slouch in the wrestling department."

"He's not you." But she couldn't help but smile at his comment. "I'm really going to miss you, Hunter, more than anyone else."

"I'm going to miss you too, baby." He kissed the crown of her head. "But we're going to okay. I know you'll be looked after now that Dave's here and you know me, I can make any brand my home. I'll still be at the top."

"Cause you're that damn good." She laughed weakly. "Do you really have to go tonight?" She asked plaintively, wishing he'd stay with RAW for the rest of the week, like Jeff and Kennedy were.

"SmackDown taping is tomorrow." He let his head rest on top of hers. "I need to go and make a big statement there, Hales, especially since Dave and Rey are making their last appearances. Besides, if anyone is going to break up La Familia's reign of terror, who better than the Game?"

"They don't stand a chance." She agreed with a half-hearted nod. "I mean, you make Vince McMahon's life a living hell, Edge and Vickie are a cake-walk in comparison."

"Exactly, so maybe this is a sign for me to go and save SmackDown." He chuckled. "Besides, you'll see me on Sunday, where I will finally beat John Cena and you will retain that belt you worked so hard for."

"Then I won't see you until the Great American Bash." She whined.

"Which will come up faster than you expect," He said firmly. "The RAW roster's changed too, Haley and there will be a lot of drama in the coming weeks to determine the hierarchy. I mean, you have no General Manager and now no World Champion, though hopefully your man will bring the World Heavyweight title back to RAW."

"You're right." She gasped at the realization. "Hunter, with Vince out, RAW is going to be a mess! We have no World Champion, no leader; it'll be a free for all."

"At least Umaga got moved, so you won't have to worry about him being out of control." Hunter released her and rose back to his feet. "Just do me a favor and stick by Dave in the coming weeks until the hierarchy is figured out."

"I promise." She nodded. "I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either, Haley, but I have no choice." Needing busy himself to keep from worrying about her, he resumed his packing. "You're going to be okay, Haley. I've taught you well, plus your own instincts are more than acceptable. You don't need me as much as you think you do."

"You're only saying that to make me feel better." She ran a hand through her dark hair. "I need you as my friend, as my coach and as my family."

"You'll still have me as all three, just not every day like you do now." He let out a heavy sigh. "We'll get through this and make it work out, Haley. It'll just take time for us to adjust."

"Yeah." She murmured quietly. "I love you, Hunter. You're still my hero, no matter what."

"I love you too, Haley." He grinned at her. "I don't know if I've said this enough, but I'm so proud of you. You've become everything I thought you could be and more. You've shown the world what I saw in you when we first met. I'm really looking forward to seeing where you go from here."

"It wouldn't have been possible without you." She shrugged. "I owe you for it all."

"No, I was just the right push to get you there." He denied. "I'll keep pushing you if I have to, but it's all you from here on out. My leaving kind of cements that. It's time to play your own Game."

With her emotions thoroughly strained, Haley wasn't quite sure what she would say to Ken Kennedy. But she felt that she had to say something to the man who had become a very good friend in a short amount of time before he left for SmackDown.

"Hey." He swung open the door of his hotel room and ushered her inside. "Rough night?" He asked, referring to her red rimmed eyes.

"It's had its highs and lows." She admitted, before shooting him a rueful smile. "I don't want you to leave."

"Well, I'm kind of torn about it myself. I've been happy on both brands in the past, but if I'm honest with myself, SmackDown is home for me." The platinum blonde shrugged. "I enjoyed my time on RAW, made a few friends, but the majority of my accomplishments have been over on SmackDown."

"I can see where that would make you happy to be returning then." She conceded with a soft laugh. "Well then, I hope you find what you're looking for over there."

He nodded. "Thanks Haley. I don't usually say mushy stuff like this, but for what it's worth, I'll miss you more than most of the idiots on the RAW roster."

Her laugh grew louder. "Thanks Ken, I'll miss you too."

"And, I'm sorry I'm abandoning you right in the middle of our war with the Burchills." He winced. "Be careful with them, okay?"

"I will." She assured him, before giving in to instinct and giving the Green Bay Native a hug. "Give them hell over there."

Internally pleased with her reaction, Kennedy hugged her back. "You can count on it. Find someone to help you kick Burchill's ass will you?"

"All right." She pulled back from him. "Well, at least we'll see each other at the pay-per-views."

"Exactly, we can piss off the Burchills together again once a month." He chuckled. "Good luck with RAW."

"Good luck with SmackDown." She reiterated. "And, could you do me a favor and watch Hunter's back for me?"

"If he needs it, sure." Kennedy guaranteed her. "We're all going to be okay, Haley."

"I sure hope so." She sighed. "It's such a huge change."

"What's your slogan again?" He demanded playfully.

"Go hard, or go home."