Dixie smiled up at the Spike executive she was dancing with.

"I think it's a great idea to do a cross promotion with Impact and Bellator." she told him, "I know there's this taboo that MMA fans can't also be wrestling fans, but I think a cross promotion could change that."

"I agree." the man, Mark, nodded, "Besides Bellator is still relatively new. Getting a few of the Impact talent on there could help boost the ratings. Do you have anyone in mind?"

Dixie thought a moment before answering, "Samoa Joe would be perfect, for one. Maybe even Kurt Angle. I would like to discuss it with them, and a few others on our roster, before giving you a definitely answer."

"I understand." Mark smiled down at her, "And I look forward to hearing from you."

Standing a few feet away, eyes locked on the pair, was Sting. He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help the feelings of jealousy that churned in the pit of his stomach.

James approached him at that moment, giving him a good-natured clap on the back.

"I could really go for a beer right now." he confided.

Sting grinned at the Impact Champion but he once again turned his attention to Dixie and the man she was dancing with.

James followed his gaze and a hint of a smile began to tug at his lips, "Don't like what you see?"

Sting gave him a look before turning his attention back to Dixie.

"Dixie can dance with whoever she wants." he murmured, "It makes no difference to me."

"Oh yeah?" Storm began to smirk, "Then why does it look like any second you're gonna go tearing off across that dance floor and rip the guy's head off?"

Sting snickered, "I do not."

"Maybe not." James shrugged, "But it's pretty clear that you'd at least consider it. Listen, buddy, I can see there's something going on between you two. Anyone with a pair of eyes can. Even if you haven't acted on it."

He began to grin, "You haven't acted on it, have you?"

Sting turned to him. At the expression on his face James found himself slowly removing his hand from the other man's back. Though he considered Sting a good friend that didn't make him feel any less intimidated of the man from time to time.

"No." Sting muttered, irritation marking each word, "I haven't."

James shrugged, "Not that it's any of my business. But she and her husband are separated. That makes her a free woman in my book."

Sting's eyes traveled back to Dixie and he replied quietly, "She's still married, though."

He turned back to the Impact Champion with a frown, "Besides, I thought Serge was a friend of yours."

"He is." James nodded, "But so are you and Dixie. And besides, I don't think a guy who's played his wife the way Serge has played Dixie deserves to hang on to her."

He began to grin, "And there's nothing sayin' you cant dance with a woman. Separated or not."

Sting glanced over at him but slowly began to grin.

He turned to see that Dixie was now dancing with a different suit. Only she wasn't smiling up at this one. In fact, she looked a little bored.

He began to make his way across the dance floor.

"You know, Ms. Carter," the executive, Dixie thought his name was Neil, replied with a lazy smile, "I must say that it's nice to see more women in positions of power in the television network game. Especially a woman as beautiful as yourself."

Dixie offered him a forced smile, but held her tongue.

"Ya know," Neil went on, his hand starting to travel low on her hip, "I was thinking that we could, possible, leave early. Maybe get a drink. We could talk more about a possible crossover with our stars and your, um, athletes."

Dixie arched an eyebrow, a little annoyed by how he referred to the Impact wrestlers.

"They really are, you know." she told him, "Athletes, I mean. What they're able to do in a wrestling ring is truly awe inspiring. Their agility and athleticism is unmatched. Not to mention, their dedication is commendable."

"Yes." Neil smiled down at her, as though he would a child, "I'm sure they're very. . .uh, very talented."

"Thanks." a dark voice murmured behind them, "I appreciate the compliment."

The pair turned and Dixie felt herself begin to smile. Sting was behind the exec, towering over the small man. He was looking at him with a slight smile, but there was still something a little intimidating about him.

"Mind if I cut in?" he asked politely, although his words held a bit of a daunting undertone.

"N-no." the man stammered and quickly released Dixie, "G-go ahead."

"Thank you." Sting murmured as he turned his attention back to the Impact owner and slipped his arms around her waist.

Dixie's hands slide up his shoulders as she found herself smiling up at him, "Thanks for rescuing me."

"Are you saying you didn't enjoy his company?" Sting smirked down at her, causing her to laugh.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Dixie asked him.

He gave her a look, earning another giggle from her.

"I guess not." she quipped.

She glanced over his shoulder and noticed a trio of women checking him out with open interest. She felt a tinge of jealousy at their blatant appraisal.

Oh, come on, she told herself, There's nothing wrong with a few women looking at him. Who can blame them? And why should I care? It's not like we're involved.

But even as she tried to tell herself that, she still couldn't help the feelings of jealousy that flared up within her.

"You have a fan club." she nodded over his shoulder.

Sting glanced sideways, taking note of the women. But he only looked at them for half a second before turning his attention back to her.

"Not interested." he told her, looking deeply into her blue eyes.

Dixie beamed, his words instantly making her feel better.

"So are you really having a bad time?" she asked him.

"Nah. The party is fine." Sting shook his head, adding with a grin, "Though I think Storm is itching to get out of here."

"We're almost done." Dixie assured him, "Then you guys can leave."

"Yay." Sting cheered lightly, causing Dixie to smile once more.

Suddenly the current song ended. Instantly Matt Nathanson and Sugarland's started to play Run.

"Hey, they're playing our song." Sting joked.

Dixie smiled, "I guess they are."

"You come in waves, we crash and we roll." a familiar voice sang out, "You surround me, pull me, drown me, then swallow me whole."

Slowly their smiles began to fade away as they continued to dance. Dixie swallowed as she looked up at him, suddenly feeling very nervous and unsure. Sting's arms tightened, almost involuntarily, around her; the wrestler pulled the Impact owner closer. He stared down at her pensively, enjoying the feel of her in his arms.

"You pull me in close. You buckle my knees. I shake and I shiver just to feel you breathe."

"You look beautiful tonight." Sting found himself murmuring.

Dixie's eyes lit up, touched by his compliment.

She had to bow her head, though, as she admitted, "You look very handsome in your suit."

"I clean up good." Sting joked, earning a laugh from her.

He leaned in closer, their faces inches apart as his voice dropped to a whisper, "To be honest with you, I can't wait to go back to my room and get out of this suit."
Suddenly Dixie got a mental picture of what Sting would look like out of that suit and she blinked, surprised by herself and the risqué thought.

"You trace my lines, stirring my soul. Shoot sparks at the heart of the world and I watch it explode."
Sting noticed her change in expression, his eyes narrowing in confusion, "You all right?"

"Fine." Dixie quickly told him, offering a weak smile, "Just fine. Just. . .just thinking about something."

Sting was still perplexed but he didn't press her.

"Still I run, run, run, run right into you. Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you."

As they continued to dance Dixie found her head lowering to his chest. As she pressed her cheek against it, she closed her eyes and swayed to the music. She liked being there with him like that. The validity of it actually frightened her.

She opened her eyes and the first thing she noticed was her hand as it laid against his chest. Her wedding ring sparkled in the light, flashing almost like a neon sign. She began to frown, guilt welling up deep inside her.

Sting bowed his head, his lips inches from the top of her head. He was so tempted to press his lips to her hair, breathe in her scent. The feeling was so great. An all consuming fire that threatened to erupt at any moment.

Almost simultaneously the pair pulled back. They looked deeply into each other's eyes, each alone with their thoughts.

As the song drew to a close they separated. Dixie glanced down at her dress, sweeping her hand across some imaginary wrinkles. Sting studied her for a few moments. He was about to speak when he noticed Hulk and James approaching.

"Hey." he nodded to them.

Dixie looked up and offered them a bright smile, "You guys did a great job. I heard a lot of the execs buzzing about you and Impact."

Hulk nodded, "I think we made a lot of good contacts tonight."

"And as a reward," Dixie looked pointedly at James, "You can leave now."

"Hell yeah." James replied, but not too loudly, as he led the way out of the hall.

The others walked after him, chuckling.

"I'm ready to get out of this suit and into a nice, cold beer." James stated as he punched the button for the elevator.

"I could go for a little shut eye, myself." Hulk let out a yawn.

The elevator doors opened and the foursome got in. When it reached James and Hulk's floor the two men bid Sting and Dixie goodnight and left.

As the elevator continued on Dixie glanced over at Sting, sincere, "Thank you for agreeing to come here. I know it's taken time away from your recovery and training-"

Sting reached out and took her hands, halting any further words, "I'm recovered, remember. And as for my training, it hasn't put a dent in it. So don't worry about that."

He looked down at her, his expression tender and his voice soft, "I would do whatever I could for you. For Impact. All you need to do is ask."

He offered a regal bow and added with an upper crust English accent, "I am at your service, milady."

Dixie giggled and playfully slapped at him, "Well thank you, good sir. I'll remember that."

They reached their floor and the pair got out, going to their designated rooms. Sting put his card key in the slot when he paused and looked over at her with thoughtful eyes.

"You feel like turning in?" he asked.

"Not really." Dixie admitted from her spot at her door.

"Me, either." he leaned his shoulder against the door and offered a smirk, "Feel like going on a little adventure?"

Dixie found herself smiling over at him, wondering what he had up his sleeve.

"Sure." she told him at last.

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Dixie looked down, perplexed and a little frustrated, "I don't know how to hold it."

Sting began to grin, "I thought you handled them all the time."

Dixie gave him a look and deadpanned, "Not as often as you think."

"I could show you." Sting offered, still smiling.

"I. . ." Dixie once again looked down, finally relenting with a sigh, "All right."

Sting rose from his seat and came around the table. He knelt down behind her and reached around, his hand going over hers.

"The key, Dixie-san." he replied in a hushed tone as he arranged the chopsticks in her hand, "Is that you must have balance."

Dixie glanced over her shoulder at him and smirked, "Thanks, sensei."

"No problem, grasshopper." he quipped, his eyes locked on their hands as he continued on with the task.

Dixie found herself giggling, despite herself.

Sting repositioned the sticks in her hand and, still holding both them and her hand, he reached down and plucked a piece of tempura. He slowly brought their hands up, holding the food out for her to eat.

Dixie felt her giggles subside and, not taking her eyes off of him, took the delicious food offered her. She chewed it silently, not really tasting it. She was too transfixed on the man sitting very close behind her. It was at that moment that she realized just how close he was. She could feel the heat from his body and she had to admit, she enjoyed the feel of him at her back.

Sting, too, was mesmerize by the woman sitting in front of him. Being that close to her, he had the overwhelming urge to turn her around, bury his hands in her hair, pull her close and kiss her until she was breathless.

Instead, he asked, "How is it?"

Dixie blinked, coming out of her thoughts, and murmured, "Good."

Sting grinned and reluctantly rose, returning to his seat.

"How did you become such a pro at this?" she asked as he once more sat down.

"I learned how to use them when I wrestled in Japan." he explained, "Believe me, when I first started I was all thumbs."

Dixie was impressed and she found herself asking, "Where else have you wrestled?"

Sting leaned forward in his seat, elbows propped up on the table and chin on his knuckles as he thought.

"Everywhere, really." he replied thoughtfully, "Japan, Ireland, England, Mexico, New Zealand."

He began to chuckle at the last one.

"What?" Dixie inquired, also smiling, "What is it?"

"I was just thinking about this time I was in New Zealand." Sting explained, "Man, the crowd there was amazing. The fans, the energy they gave off, wow!

"But, uh," he began to chuckle once more, "It would have been a perfect night except that some idiot stolen my ring jacket."

"Oh no!" Dixie gasped, her eyes wide.

"Oh yeah." Sting grinned, his eyes clouding over as he remembered, "Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I also couldn't believe it when it turned up on eBay."

"That's terrible." Dixie breathed, "Did you get it back?"

"I tried." Sting told her, "I did, but no. No, he pulled a fast one and I never saw it again."

"That's awful." Dixie frowned, "I'm really sorry."

Sting shrugged, "Eh, it comes with the territory. I would still go back to New Zealand in a heartbeat."

"I would love to have Impact go on a world tour." Dixie admitted, "To let you in on a little secret, we're working on taking the show back to Wembley Stadium."

Sting's eyes widened, the wrestler impressed, "Really? That would be great. Any ideas of about when you'd want to go back?"

"We're still working on the details." Dixie told him, "I would love to have them host one of our Pay-Per-Views, though."

"That would be amazing." Sting nodded in agreement.

At that moment Dixie's cell phone went off. She glanced down at it, reading the text she had just received. She began to frown, her eyes narrowing in bewilderment.

"Everything okay?" Sting asked in concern.

"Yeah." Dixie slipped the phone back into her purse but it was clear she was still thinking about it.

"Are you sure?" he inquired, "I don't what to press you but-"

"No, no, it's just that. . ." Dixie sighed, shaking her head, "That text was from Serge."

"Are the kids okay?"

Dixie smiled at his instant concern for her children's welfare and assured him, "The kids are fine. Having a great time, actually."

"So why do you look so disturbed?" Sting wanted to know.

"Serge text me and said there was something he needed to talk to me about." Dixie shrugged, "If it's not about the children, then I honestly have no idea what he wants."

Sting remained silent, but his mind was racing. He remembered back to what Christy had said about Serge and Madison.

He tapped his chopsticks against his plate as he debated what he should do. Part of him believed that he should tell Dixie what he had heard, but he wasn't sure how to breach the subject.

But then there was the other side. The side that said he shouldn't risk upsetting her over hearsay. Granted, he trusted Christy. And if she said Madison had been bragging about herself and Serge then he believed her. But he himself hadn't heard the Knockout's claims.

He was truly at a loss on what to do.

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Sting and Dixie left the restaurant some time later. They opted not to take a cab, instead choosing to walk the short distance to the hotel and enjoy a night in the city.

As they made their way down the sidewalk Sting removed his jacket and slipped it onto her shoulders. Dixie offered him a grateful smile and wrapped her arm around his when he offered it to her. If there was one constant, it was that Sting was the consummate gentleman.

While they walked Dixie found herself unconsciously leaning her head against his shoulder. Her mind began to wander back to Serge's text, the Impact owner wondering what her estranged husband wanted.

Could he possibly have wanted a reconciliations? And how did she feel about that?

The truth was, she wasn't sure if she wanted one. She hadn't been lying when she said the time apart from Serge had been good for her. It might have been horrible to think, but the truth was she actually felt like she was herself again. Like she was coming back into her own. She had started to feel better than she had in a very long time.

"Still thinking about the text?" Sting asked suddenly.

Dixie blinked, coming out of her thoughts. She also realized where her head was. She promptly lifted it as they drew to a stop.

"Yes." she admitted as she slipped her arm from his and took a step back, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. What if he wants to reconcile? I don't know how I feel about that."

Sting glanced down at his feet, his hand tapping against the side of his leg. He needed to tell her. She deserved to know.

"Dixie," he began, looking up at her, "I have to talk to you. About Serge."

"What about Serge?" Dixie asked, trepidation welling up inside her. She wasn't sure she wanted to know where this talk was going to go.

Sting inhaled, trying to find the right words. How could he tell her that her husband was a cheating scumbag?

"Have you. . ." his words trailed off and he paused. He needed to choose his words very carefully.

"Have you ever noticed Serge spending time with another woman?" he asked.

Dixie's eyes slowly narrowed in confusion at his question. Why would he ask that?

"Madison Rayne." she murmured, bowing her head, "I've seen them spending a lot of time together. He even brought her to Tennessee to appear in James' music video."

She looked up at him and sighed, "Serge keeps claiming that there's nothing going on between them but I just can't shake the feeling that he's lying. I've seen them together. Just the way they look at each other sometimes. The way they interact when they think I'm not around. It just all seems. . .suspicious."

"It's. . .you have a right to be worried." he told her, "Madison was overheard, at the Impact Zone, bragging that Serge left you for her."

Dixie blinked, his words washing over her like ice water. She didn't know what to think.

"There's been talk about them for months." Sting went on, "With her confirming it, well it looks like it's not just talk anymore."

She stared up at him in shock. Talk about them for months. . .? And he never told her. . .?

Dixie looked up at him, her eyes flashing like fire. She couldn't believe how angry, how hurt, she felt at that moment. And it was the hurt that hit her above everything else.

He was the one person she thought she could always trust. Always depend on. Was that just a lie, too?

How could he? How could he not tell her? She thought he was her friend. She thought. . . She thought he was her best friend. And yet he had kept that silent. Of all the things to not tell her. She just couldn't believe it.

"Why?" she asked, her voice raw with emotion, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Christy and I discussed it." Sting started to tell her, but she cut him off.

"Chris-" Dixie lost her voice for a moment, the Impact owner completely astounded, "Christy knew about this, too? Who else? How many other people knew?

"My God, does everyone know?" she took a step back and began to laugh humorlessly, "I guess it's true what they say. The wife really is the last one to know."

"We weren't sure if we should tell you or not." Sting argued, "At the time it was only rumors."

Dixie turned away and scoffed. Sting took hold of her shoulders and turned her back around to face him. She tried to pull free from his hold but he refused to let her go. He was determined that she was going to hear him out.

"I wasn't going to upset you over rumors!" he told her, trying to get her to see his side, "What if I'd had been wrong? I wasn't about to destroy your marriage over locker room talk!"

Though what he said made sense Dixie's emotions were too overwhelming for her to see reason. She pulled away from him and shook her head.

"If you were my friend you would have told me." she accused.

"I'm not your friend?" Sting repeated, his temper growing, "I'm not your friend, Dixie? If I wasn't your friend I would have walked away and never looked back when Hogan and Bischoff took control of Impact. I've been through it before. Why would I want to put myself through it again?"

"You said you had done it because you loved Impact." Dixie replied.

"You think that was the only reason?" Sting challenged her, taking a step closer to her.

"So you came back to try and get rid of Hulk and Bischoff." Dixie argued.

"I came back for you!" Sting roared.

He suddenly reached out, taking hold of either side of her head. Dixie only had time to gasp before he yanked her to him and ground his mouth against hers. His tongue surged forward, curling and lapping at her own. Months worth of repressed emotions finally erupted like a volcano.

Dixie stood there stunned for a few seconds before she gripped at his shoulders and returned the embrace. Her hands knotted in his shirt as her tongue met his stroke for stroke.

One of Sting's hands came around to the back of her head, pulling her head more fully against his. Dixie released her hold on his shirt and her arms slid up to wrap around his neck. She wanted him closer.

Sting must have had the same need because he wrapped his other arm around her waist and, not breaking the heated kiss, he lifted her high into his arm and carried her over to a enclosed doorway. He pressed her against the cool metal and glass of the door, his mouth ravaging hers. He pressed his body more full against hers, hard meeting soft.

Dixie whimpered at his assault. She could feel him everywhere. His mouth, hot and demanding. His body, hard and stalwart. He was all around her, surrounding her. She didn't want him to stop. . .

Something clicked in her mind then. Some little voice of doubt or reason, she didn't know. But with it came the last shred of her common sense. She pushed back against him until he broke his hold on her.

Dixie used that opportunity to duck under him and back away. Sting turned to face her and the pair stared at one another for a few heart stopping seconds, both breathing hard.

Both still angry.

It was all too much. The news of Serge's infidelity. The kiss. It was all too much for her to handle at once.

Not saying a word, Dixie threw off his jacket and turned, making a mad dash back to the hotel.

Sting stepped out of the doorway and watched after her, everything in him screaming for him to go after her.

But he didn't. She was too on edge, too overcome with emotion. There was no way she would listen to him now.

And besides, if he did go after her and catch her he was afraid that he might not let her go.

He turned away, raking his hands through his hair. He was shaking with rage. At her. At himself.

Mainly at himself.

He didn't regret kissing her. Not for one second. All the nights of yearning, of wanting, to have her in his arms and it hadn't prepared him for the reality. In fact, it was a pale comparison to the reality. Just that one kiss made him want more of her. All of her.

No, he was angry that he hadn't gone to her in the beginning when he had first heard the rumors. He had meant it when he said he hadn't wanted to risk her marriage on locker room talk, but he. . .

He didn't know. Maybe he should have done more. Looked into it himself and then gone to her. He just didn't know.

His anger circled around and focused on her. How could she think he wasn't her friend? Did she have such little faith in him?

He understood that she was hurt. He understood that maybe that's why she doubted and lashed out at him. But still, her words had cut through him like a knife.