Author's Note: Another Day to update. I know, I surprise myself sometimes.

Here with another Chapter of In Time. I love how this book is shaping up and I'd like to thank you guys for your support so far. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, or the WWF or stuff like that. I only own Lacey Michaels and some other OC's I might make up along the way. This is a pure work of fiction and all these events occurred in my head.

Warning: This story contains certain themes, language and/or triggering scenes that may not be appropriate for all viewers. View discretion is advised. Don't say I didn't tell you so. You have been warned.

Chapter 5 – A Step Back

"I'll get to the storyline later. But I am confused because… you paid for our room service this morning" He said still smirking at her. She blushed in embarrassment. Like a thief caught right in the act.

"I…" She started still looking up at the smirking Hart. "…did that. Yes" She said slightly surprised she wasn't interrupted. "I don't know. You did a lot for me already I just figured I should repay anyway I could. I was with my credit card after all"

"You're a real sweetheart. It's annoying. But thank you. A girl has never paid for anything for me before" He confessed with his voiced laced in gratitude. "I sorta feel indebted" She smiled.

"Well if you do, you could always take me out to dinner" She suggested still smiling. "If you ever feel like repaying me for anything" She said with her pearly whites visible in a smile.

Bret's heart thumped. Surprisingly. When last had it done that?

"Is that a request for a date?" Bret asked.

"Whatever you wanna call it Bret. Despite being an asshole to me after Unforgiven, I've seen that you're a really sweet guy. I wouldn't mind a date" She said. "Besides, free food is always good" She said making him laugh momentarily. His face quickly changed when he noticed he laughed. Lacey squealed in excitement. "You…"

"I didn't laugh. I could never…"

"But…"

"Uh. Shh" Bret silenced. "I didn't laugh" He protested. Lacey pouted and he laughed once more. Her eyes widened as Bret laughed once again. "Oh shit!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She exclaimed happily as Bret chuckled once more. There was just something about this girl. She was mature yet she emanated this sort of magnetic childlike aura which was absolutely adorable.

Yet sexy.

"Alright, alright, alright. You got me there" He said. "So you were waiting for me earlier?"

"Yeah. About our new storyline, I just wanted to ask if you had any ideas. Or if you actually know what we're meant to be doing" Bret shrugged.

"I say we be ourselves. With a bit of opposition of course. The fans will eat it up" Bret said. Lacey thought about it for a moment as she got a bright idea.

"You know what, I couldn't agree more" She said as she looked to the side and saw Owen standing there, looking at them. "Oh shit. I was talking to your brother before I came here"

"Oh then we better go back to him. But good talk" Bret said as a thought came to his mind. "Are you and my brother close?"

"No, we're kind of like friendly acquaintances. He's the nice Hart" Lacey said as they began walking over to Owen.

"You just went on and on about how nice of a guy I am but it's alright. I get it" Bret said making her giggle as they finally approached Owen. "Catch you guys later" He said patting Lacey's back tenderly before leaving the premises.

"Hi Owen, sorry I didn't mean to take up so much time with Bret and leave you hanging." She apologized. Owen smiled. How could anyone be angry at her? He wasn't angry.

But he sure was confused. He wondered when and how his sister was chatting so civilly with his brother. Hell it was more than civil, they seemed to be flirting.

She made him laugh. He hadn't seen anyone do that in ages.

"Nah don't fuss about it. I just hope you're alright. You know after my brother being an ass to you yesterday and then you being forced to work with him again" Owen said, trying to pry out her true perception of the whole thing.

"Yeah Bret was an ass yesterday but we met at the club and he was really nice to me. We hit it off and I guess we're kind of friends now" Lacey said with a smile. Owen frowned. "Is everything alright?"

"No. I mean, you sure let him off easy after he cornered you yesterday" Owen spat out. Lacey sighed.

"I did, didn't I?" She pondered.

"I don't wanna see you get hurt. Remember we're friends" Owen said.

"What are you insinuating?" Lacey asked as she furrowed her eyebrows. Owen shrugged.

"Nothing. But you're a smart girl. You'll figure it out" Owen said as he gave her a little side hug and walked away. Lacey sighed once more.

Sure, Bret was mean to her yesterday, but he totally redeemed herself in every way possible in her eyes and that just made him all the more complex and interesting.

Owen was right, she was gonna figure it out.

She was gonna figure out the man that was Bret Hart.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'On Screen'

"See last night was a slip but you'll get better. At least you're still WWF champ and Shawn isn't getting back there in a million years" Owen said in an attempt to cheer his brother up.

"Yeah but it's just…" Bret stopped as he caught a look at something in the corner. Owen stopped in his tracks too but smiled instead. "…her" Bret said as he narrowed his eyes. The camera panned over to Lacey as the crowd erupted in cheers. The blonde looked shocked but her shock was quickly replaced by her trademark smile.

"Hi Harts. It's been a while. Hi Owen, how've you been? Bret, looking good!"

"We've been great it's…" Owen started before being halted by Bret. Owen smiled. "…okay then. I'll just leave you guys to it. I'm not getting involved" He said as he stepped away.

"Wait Owen!" Bret called after him as his younger brother stepped out of the camera frame. "Now look what you did"

"Me? You were the one who interrupted him! You gave him the green light to go" Lacey pointed out as she twirled her long blonde hair in her fingers. Bret glared at her.

"What do you want Michaels? I'm not in the mood" Bret said. Lacey smiled.

"Oh come on, what do you have to be sad for? You're the champ! The WWF champion!" She said motioning to the title sprawled across his shoulder. "You've got a great look, great brother" Lacey said in a mocking tone as the crowd seemed to be amused and laughed. Bret huffed. "Oh is it because of last night…" She trailed as she stepped closer to him which made the crowd go 'ooooo'. Bret frowned. "…who knew the Hitman could lose his focus over a girl" She teased which seemed to fuel Bret's annoyance.

"Listen you little bitch" Bret said as Lacey's smile dropped. "I don't know what you thought you were doing last night or what you were trying to do but you better watch it. Your idiot brother are you're stupid teammates are already targets. I'll hate to add a sweet little thing like you to the list. So you best stay out of my way… or else" He threatened.

"Ha. That's the best you can come up with? You think I'm some little girl and I'm gonna run and hide." Lacey started, her sweet tone going and her vindictive tone taking over. "Think twice Bret. This 'sweet little thing'..." She paused as she motioned to her body. "…can make your life a living hell. You do not want to try me"

"Maybe I do" He said. At this point they were really close to each other and if no one knew better, they would have thought the pair were gonna kiss.

Bret was quiet for awhile as he kept staring intently into her eyes and the crowd roared. The tension was glaring as the crowd cheered "kiss" over and over again. Bret seemed to lean in closer to her until Owen's voice came from nowhere causing them to move away from each other slightly. Though they were still staring at each other.

"You guys are still here really? C'mon Bret let's go"

"Yeah Bret go" Lacey said with a smirk. "Oh you know what, I better go. I have a match soon" She announced. "And by the way Bret, I'd love to see what you plan on doing to me. Make it worth my time" She said as the crowd gasped and cheered.

The segment ended with Bret glaring at the Texan as she sauntered away.

'Off Screen'

"You know what? I love it! The chemistry, the intrigue, the opposition yet supposed attraction, wow!" Vince exclaimed as he walked over to Bret, Owen and Lacey. "I was at the edge of my seat and the crowd seemed to be as well!"

"Thanks Vince, it was mostly Lacey" Bret said. Lacey smiled.

"I can see that" Vince said as he smiled down at the young Texan. "You're gonna go far in this business Lacey. And you're gonna make me tons of Money" Vince announced excitedly. Lacey chuckled as the Harts rolled their eyes. "Well carry on now, you've got a match." Vince said as Lacey nodded and walked away. "And as for you two, keep up the good work!" Vince said he straightened his tie and walked away.

"Well that was awesome. Who would've thought I'd have chemistry with that girl?" Bret said as a smile curled up on his face as he watched her stretching at the gorilla position. She caught his gaze and smiled back at him.

"It is… odd" Owen said. "Yesterday you couldn't care less about her"

"Life is funny isn't it?" Bret asked rhetorically. "You know what, let's go to catering and watch her match"

"What?" Owen asked. "But you called a brainless talentless bimbo just yesterday!"

"Things change. She's not a brainless or a bimbo. So I'm curious to see how talented she is" Bret said with his eyes sparkling in curiosity. Owen frowned once again. He was clearly unsettled by their new found… would he say, friendship? He didn't know. But it was… unsettling to say the least.

At least to him.

They made their way to catering and got seats directly in front of a monitor. Bret was glad as the match was just starting. She was going up against Marlena who he knew wasn't that much to see in the ring. So he wondered what would happen.

"My, my. Bret Hart watching a women's match. Never thought I'd see the day. Hi Owen!" Chyna greeted as she plopped down next to Bret.

"Hi Chyna" Owen greeted.

"What's up Chyna?" Bret greeted. The Harts were really friendly with Chyna. They respected her a lot and she did as well.

"Nothing. Lacey came to me yesterday and told me how you treated her. I promised her I was gonna have a talk with you."

"Yeah sure, but can it wait till after the match?" Bret asked as he took a gulp of water. Chyna raised an eyebrow but nodded as the three watched the match.

'On Screen'

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is set for one fall. Introducing first, from Live Oak Florida, accompanied to the ring by Goldust, Marlena!" Howard Finkel announced as Terri Runnels aka. Marlena made her way to the ring. They got a mixed reaction from the crowd as despite being heels, they were entertaining.

Goldust did his whole shtick with Marlena as part of their whole weird gimmick and their theme song died down as another one came up. 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns 'N' Roses. (Don't cringe. I've always imagined it as a good theme song. Plus it fits her character).

"And her opponent, from San Antonio Texas, representing De-Generation X, she is the World Wrestling Federation Women's Champion, Lacey Michaels!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as a smiling Lacey got out, did a twirl which was part of her entrance as she made her way to the ring while hitting the outstretched hands of some fans.

Lacey got to the ring, unstrapped her title and took off her jacket throwing it into the audience for a lucky fan to catch that night. Soon enough, the match started.

Lacey ran straight to Marlena who screamed and got out of the ring to meet her husband. Lacey, though confused sat down on one of the ropes as she watched the drama. The crowd erupted in laughs at this.

Eventually Goldust calmed his wife down and she got back into the ring. The two ladies locked up and almost immediately Lacey got the upper hand. She had Marlena is a headlock but the smaller woman reversed it and pushed Lacey into the ropes which she ran twice and ended up catching Marlena with a big boot. Lacey went for the cover but only got a two count as Marlena got up.

Lacey knew the match wasn't gonna last long but she needed a good spot to give the crowd their money's worth so she got Marlena up and the shorter blonde got a punch in before throwing Lacey into the ropes. This time as Lacey swung back she hit her with a clothesline. Marlena got excited as she tried going to the top rope to work on a move that she and Lacey had worked on a long time ago.

A flying crossbody.

But as she attempted it, Lacey caught her in an enziguiri kick right in the middle which made the crowd erupt in cheers. Marlena was winded. Lacey knew this. But she needed one more spot. So instead of going for the pin, she went to Marlena's legs instead and attempted to lock in the sharpshooter.

"I bet Bret Hart would be happy to see that wouldn't he?" An amused Jerry Lawler said from commentary. She wasn't able to successfully lock it in as Goldust helped Marlena's outstretched hand to get to the ropes leading to there being no point of locking the submission.

Lacey then tried to pull Marlena off the ropes but was kicked to the side of the ring as Marlena struggled to get up. Lacey went charging at Marlena who slid away and let Lacey slide out of the ring.

Lacey managed to land on her feet, though awkwardly and got back into the ring. But Terri was ready for her as she attacked her with punches, kicks and slaps. An annoyed Lacey pushed her away as she tried to regain her breath.

Marlena studied this and came charging at Lacey who caught her in the crucifix which happened to

1….

2…

3…

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"The winner of this match, Lacey Michaels!" Howard announced as the referee raised the Texan's hand in victory.

"She got the win with one of Bret's move. It's on" Jim Ross said as the crowd kept on cheering for the victor, Lacey.

'Off Screen'

"She's a natural. And she could be an incredible heel if given the chance" Chyna commented as Lacey posed on the turnbuckle with the championship.

"Other than that, I think that was the best Marlena match I've ever watched" Owen added. Bret and Chyna nodded in agreement.

"She's pretty good. Great even. One of the qualities of a great wrestler is the ability to make a weak wrestler look good. She did that so well. I'm impressed" Bret acknowledged. "She's really good" Bret said as he focused on Lacey on the screen until the show went into a commercial break.

Owen and Chyna shared puzzled looks as they noticed Bret's out of character behavior.

"Okay, I've been wondering all night. What's your deal with this girl man? It's like your whole attitude did an entire three sixty"

"Well let's just say I had a change of heart" Bret said with a smirk. "So what did you wanna talk to me about Chyna?"

"It's about Lacey. She told me what happened yesterday. Then she told me what happened last night…" Chyna trailed off. Bret raised an eyebrow. He thought Lacey didn't want anyone knowing that she slept in his room. But then again, she didn't want him telling anyone. She never said she wouldn't.

"Yeah, we talked things through and I got to know her better" Bret said. Chyna raised an eyebrow but nodded. "What happened won't repeat itself again"

"It better not. Especially when I know what you really wanted to do" Chyna said. Bret glanced at her as they both nodded.

Owen was completely lost. But before he could get the chance to comprehend anything, Lacey walked into catering and grabbed a bottle of water. She high fived Dwayne aka The Rock before making her way over to where they sat.

"Hi guys" She greeted as Owen tried to reach for a hug. "I would have but I'm all sticky. I just wanted a bottle of water before I go take a shower"

"That's understandable. And great match. Always been a fan!" Owen complimented. Lacey smiled.

"Thanks Owen. The nice Hart" She said casting a sly smile in Bret's direction. "Did you enjoy my match Bret?"

"Nah, since I'm not the nice Hart. I reserve my comment" Bret teased. Lacey gasped and tried hitting him playfully but he took a whole of her wrist. She tried hitting him with the other but he took a hold of it as well and kept them secure with one hand. Lacey laughed as she tried struggling away from his grip but to no avail.

"Bret!"

"Say the magic word" Bret demanded.

Chyna and Owen were both puzzled and amused. Especially Chyna. She'd never seen Bret behave so childishly around anyone. It was a good change in her opinion.

"Pleasseee" She dragged.

"Nah, the other magic word" Bret insisted. A puzzled Lacey was silent and took a look at the smirk plastered on his face as she puzzled what he was trying to say. "You're the nice Hart?"

"Bingo" He said as he let her go. Almost immediately she hit his back. "You're such a child"

"You deserve it" She said as she stuck her tongue out at him. Bret laughed. "And what did you think about my match?"

"Honestly, you're a pretty good wrestler. Just don't let it get to your head" Bret warned teasingly.

"Oh wow, being called a pretty good wrestler by Bret Hart. The Excellence Of Execution, The Best There Is… and so on… and not to mention, the mortal enemy of my brother… oh I'm gonna have such a big head"

"You already do!" He teased as she hit him once again.

"Owen I hate your brother!"

"Hey, just be glad he doesn't think you're a talentless brainless bimbo again like he said yester… oh shoot" Owen said as he noticed the words that just escaped from his mouth. Lacey's smile dropped as she stepped away from Bret slightly.

Bret glared at his brother then gazed back at Lacey as his face softened. He could see the hurt expression on her face. He also noticed the way Chyna was glaring at him from the side.

"Lacey that was before our match. I didn't even…"

"It's fine Bret" She said quietly. "I'm gonna go take a shower. Chyna" Lacey called out as the taller woman stood up and followed her. As Chyna took her leave, she turned and mouthed to Bret 'fix this'.

Bret groaned.

"I'm sorry man. It slipped" Owen said remorsefully.

Bret said nothing as he stood up and slung the title over his shoulder. "Let's go meet the guys and get ready for our segment"

Bret felt a sharp pain in his chest as he thought back to the hurtful expression on Lacey's face. He was gonna fix this. He needed to fix this. He knew exactly how to.

God willing.

Things couldn't be just rosy like way. Like Bret said, a little opposition is always good. And who else enjoys Bret being playful?

Well that's a wrap for Chapter 5. I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to support by hsaring, following, reviewing and never forget to keep reading. See you all next time.