Chapter 41:
For Haley, the Great American Bash hadn't come fast enough. The final week leading up to July pay-per-view had dragged on. Not even beating up Mickie on the previous RAW had made the time fly any faster. Now she was currently running through the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York at a lightening speed.
"Hunter!" She all but squealed in joy when she rounded the corner to where most of SmackDown's locker rooms were located.
The WWE Champion, who had been emerging from his locker room with the cafeteria in mind, turned around at the sound of her voice and an ear to ear grin stretched across his face. "Hey Punkin." He caught her in his arms easily, enjoying the hug just as much as she. "How's my girl?"
She stepped back slightly to shrug at him. "Been better, been worse."
"But, you seem to be handling this situation pretty well on your own." He pointed out, as he looked her over from head to toe. It had been three weeks since they had last seen each other and it felt more like months. She had been busy feuding with Mickie for her title and he had been ruining Edge and Vickie's marital bliss.
"I do what I can." She giggled. "You've ruined yet another wedding, I see."
He smirked at his latest accomplishment. "I do what I can." He threw back at her teasingly. "At least this time I wasn't actually married to the bride."
"My god, the horror if you were." Haley faked terror. "You'd actually have to listen to her talk outside working hours."
Hunter shuddered. "That alone makes Edge one sick puppy."
"And easy enough prey for someone like the Cerebral Assassin." Haley commented casually.
"Do I look like I've been loosing sleep over that moron?" He joked, allowing her to link her arm through his as they made their way to the cafeteria.
"Nope." She gave his forearm an affectionate squeeze. "You look just as good as ever, if not better."
"Surprisingly, I'm really happy on SmackDown." He admitted. "Although, I do miss you a ton."
"I miss you too, Coach." She let her head rest against his bicep. "It's just not the same."
"No." He agreed. "But the more I think about it, the more we're meant to be where we are right now. Plus, we both have titles to focus on; mine to keep, yours to win back."
"Hey Haley, you got a package, from Officially Jaded." Michelle McCool, who was in her own title match later that night to decide the first ever Diva's Champion, entered Haley's locker room with Cherry and Eve in tow.
While Michelle and Cherry immediately brought the package to Haley to see what Torrie Wilson had sent her for ring attire, Eve chose to look around the spacious room, hoping that Batista might be around. She had missed him since he had been drafted over to RAW, and it had stuck to her that winning him over was going to be a lot harder to win him over now that he was with Haley twenty-four seven.
"Well come on, open it!" Cherry urged. "Torrie has to have made something spectacular!"
"If it's as good as I think it will be, she's making mine next." Michelle agreed. "Come on, Hales, we're dying here."
The former Women's Champion looked over at Eve, who was examining the locker room. "Don't you want to see what Torrie made, Eve?" Haley asked pleasantly, although internally curious to why the Latina was more interested in everything but the three other women in the room.
Eve jumped, startled by her secret rival's question, before plastering a fake smile on her face. "Absolutely." With mock enthusiasm, she bounced over to sit beside Cherry on the couch while Haley tore open the brown packaging paper.
"Oh my god, it's gorgeous!" Michelle exclaimed, as Haley lifted the first article of clothing out of the package.
The coral color top was made with a shimmering spandex that molded to Haley's upper torso with a ruched bra area and tied around the neck. Right in the middle of her cleavage was a teardrop shaped hole that held a dangling rhinestone heart. It was fashioned to run diagonal along the bottom to expose her naval, but come down lower on her right side, while the left stopped just below her bustline. White spandex tights came with it. Four hearts were cut out of the fabric on each side, one on the thigh and one on her calf, above where her white wrestling boots ended. Torrie had outlined the heart cut outs with coral colored glitter and Officially Jaded was written in fancy coral colored cursive around the waistband.
"I love it!" Haley grinned. "It's modest but still sexy. Torrie did wonderful."
"She is so making my attire for the Summerslam." Michelle agreed.
"It's great." Cherry agreed, running her fingers over the fabric, you'll look awesome Haley."
"Thanks Cherry." Haley beamed. "What do you think Eve?"
"It's nice." Eve offered non-committed, although inside she was jealous that Haley got personally designed ring wear for that night. "You'll look good out there tonight."
"Here is your winner and the first ever Diva's Champion, Michelle McCool!" Justin Roberts announced to the sold out arena.
Backstage, Haley grinned. "Good for you, Michelle." She finished lacing up her boots and rose from the couch, now dressed in the attire Torrie had sent for her. Tommy Dreamer was due to take on Mark Henry for the ECW Championship next and Haley and Mickie were on right after that.
"Dave, I'm heading out to the gorilla." Haley secured the last of her dark hair into a loose low ponytail at the base of her skull, her new side swept bangs winging above one eye.
Dave emerged from the shower area, already dressed in his wrestling trunks for his own title match. "Good luck out there, baby. I know you'll win it back."
"That's the plan." She stood on her tip toes and accepted a kiss for good luck. "I'll see you back in the Gorilla afterwards."
He nodded. "Go kick some ass."
Haley exited their locker, only to find Ken Kennedy waiting for her in the hallway. He was grinning cheekily at her. "Going to win your belt back?"
"Absolutely." She gave into impulse and hugged him. "It's good to see you."
He released her and smirked. "You look good, kid."
"Thanks, so do you." She smoothed her hands over her pants. "I have to say, I wish you were still my partner in this thing."
"Well, I don't miss Burchill's ugly mug, but I kind of miss teaming with you too." He admitted. "I just came to wish you good luck, and to be careful out there, I think they're accompanying her to the ring."
"Dave's match is on right after mine, he'll be an idiot if he tries anything." Haley shook her head. "But thanks for the well wishes. Are you going to be at the club with the others tonight."
"You bet." He snorted. "Have to drink something after this boring evening, for me anyway."
"Then I guess I'll see you then." She gave him a half wave and continued down the hall. She had a match and title to go out and win.
A/N: So Eve's still plotting to getting her slutty little hands on Dave. That won't go over well with our heroine. Up next, Haley and Mickie meet in the ring, for their title rematch. Can Haley overcome the odds and win her title back? Review to find out!