It's Not Over

Usual disclaimer - see Chapter 1 for the full details, but I own nothing but my original characters, all the people own themselves, WWE owns the trademark names, I'm doing this to exercise my creativity and for the sheer pleasure of writing. Ask my therapist!

Oh and to those of you who are big fans of the Divas . . . sorry!

Chapter 13

Dacey was on the road, heading for Shreveport. She had her iPod set up, using one of her more mellow playlists, and she let her thoughts drift as she drove.

It had taken her some time to regain her composure after watching the DVD her mother had given her, and her mother had sat with her, gently rubbing a hand over her back. She had felt . . . cleansed. Like she'd purged herself of something that was weighing her down. Her mother was right - she had to open her heart to the possibilities that being with Glenn offered her. And if it meant a leap of faith - in herself, in him - then she would take it.

She had to admit that, when she envisaged that leap of faith, it looked rather like a perfectly executed Swanton Bomb off the top of a ladder, which made her chuckle. She definitely wouldn't lose her practicality, or her passion for her work, if that's what had worried her.

She had said her goodbyes to her parents and left the ranch mid-morning. Now, the fresh air coming through the car window was blowing away whatever cobwebs she felt, and she found herself smiling with happy anticipation of seeing Glenn again tomorrow. She'd gotten his voicemail again this morning, and had settled for leaving him a laughing good morning message, rather than pining for the fact that she could not speak to him.

Stopping for lunch at a roadside diner, she'd smiled when she was recognised, fetching some photos from her car and signing them for the fans who had approached her to politely ask for them. She'd refused to be drawn on what was going to happen with Ginger, Kane and 'Taker, except to say that they should keep watching to find out.

Her cell phone rang as she was going back to her car, and she answered it with one last wave to the fans, leaning against the side of the car.

"Hello?"

"Hello honey," Glenn said.

She couldn't help the wide smile that hearing his voice caused. "Hello yourself, fear mo chroi."

"Sorry I missed your call this morning."

"That's okay - it's not like it's going to be weeks before we see one another again. And besides, that's why they invented voicemail," she chuckled.

There was something different about her, although he couldn't put his finger on what, exactly. "And how is your time off treating you, Dacey?"

"Oh, pretty good. Spent my day yesterday working with my daddy on the ranch - it was better than a gym workout, I think!"

He laughed. "So much for giving your shoulders a little time off, apart from the rest of you! How are they, by the way?"

She rolled her shoulders as she spoke. "Good as new, I think. That's not to say I wouldn't enjoy another of your massages though."

"Oh, really?"

"Mmmm, yes. In fact, I think that's just what the doctor ordered."

He grinned. "Then I guess I'll just have to give you one, won't I?"

She chuckled. "That was too easy, Glenn! You should make me work harder to get what I want, honestly!"

"Don't think you're always going to get your own way, aingeal. As it happens, I rather enjoyed giving you a massage, so it's not just something you want."

She grinned, and then looked at her watch. "Then we'll definitely have to arrange it, sooner rather than later. But speaking of sooner, I'm going to need to get back on the road, fear mo chroi, if I'm to make it to Shreveport in time for a workout before the show tonight."

"Drive safely, Dacey. And good luck for tonight. I'll see you in Baton Rouge tomorrow," Glenn smiled.

"Aye, that you will, Glenn."

She was smiling as the call ended, slipping her phone into her pocket and getting into her car to continue her drive.

As she arrived at the hotel in Shreveport, Matt and Jeff Hardy were checking in, and Jeff gave her a cheerful grin.

"Hey Dacey - you here for the house show too?"

Dacey chuckled. "No Jeff, I just got me a powerful hankering for some crawfish étouffée and a spot of riverboat gambling."

Matt snorted laughter at that, and Jeff punched his brother in the arm with a grin. Matt just shook his head and winked at Dacey. "If you want to go gambling, Dacey, I'd be happy to take you."

She raised an eyebrow and then winked back. "You know, I could see you as a riverboat gambler type, Matt."

Matt grinned at her. "And you'd make a delightful companion on my arm, distracting my opponents with your dazzling smile, and perhaps a hint of cleavage?"

Jeff gave them both a mock-glare. "Okay, you two, enough - I'm starting to get disturbing mental images!"

Dacey couldn't help laughing, nor could Matt.

As she filled in her own registration card, Matt wandered off, and Jeff leaned on the desk, smiling at her. "So, wanna hit the streets with me?"

She looked up at him with a grin. "Oh I see your game - run your brother off and make a play for me yourself, is that it?"

Jeff laughed. "Yeah, that's exactly it! Actually, I was inviting you to come running with me, if you'd like."

Dacey checked her watch. "Hmm, tempting. But have we got time before the show?"

"You got your own car?"

She nodded.

"Then we could toss our gear in your car, take a run, and then go straight to the venue when we're done. What do you say?"

"I say you've got yourself a running mate, Jeff. Give me five minutes to go up and change?"

"Sure thing, Dacey. I'll meet you down here."

Jeff smiled and loped off for the elevators, while she finished checking in and headed upstairs herself. It took her only a few minutes to change into a pair of shorts and toss some clothes into her duffle with her wrestling gear. She laced on her running shoes and grabbed her hoodie and a baseball cap, doing some stretches in the elevator as it descended before striding into the lobby where Jeff waited with his own bag.

They locked their gear in the trunk of her rental car, and Dacey pulled on her baseball cap and zipped her keys into the pocket of her hoodie before they began some serious stretching. At her nod, they jogged off from the hotel's car park, following the paths along the banks of the river. Once they'd warmed up, Dacey tied her hoodie around her waist by its sleeves and they picked up the pace. Jeff ran with a long stride, and Dacey had to push to keep up with him, but she enjoyed the workout. They turned around after twenty minutes and started heading back to the hotel, trading off the water bottle Jeff had carried with him as they went.

They were still a few hundred yards from the car park when Jeff gave her a grin and lengthened his stride, and she took off after him, feeling her heart pound with the unexpected wind sprint. He slowed about a hundred yards out, and she caught up with him, letting her own stride slow, breathing heavily for a moment before she kicked into recovery. They stopped at the edge of the car park, both breathing hard, and Dacey bent into a deep stretch, her forehead to her shins as she stretched one leg and then the other before she stood up.

Jeff gave her a grin, nodding. "You're quite a runner, Dacey."

She nodded, still a little out of breath. "You pushed me hard, Jeff, but it was great. Way to go almost killing me with that wind sprint though!"

He chuckled, handing her the water bottle. "Nothing like a wind sprint to get that heart rate right up at the end. Besides, how else do you get into the habit of reaching deep for those last reserves when you really need them?"

She took a long swallow of water, thinking about that. She'd seen Jeff put on matches that would have felled any other wrestler, and she was beginning to see how he did it. That was a useful thing to learn. "That's a hell of an idea. I may have to run with you more often."

He winked, heading for the car with her. "Excellent! I'll save you from that riverboat gambling reprobate brother of mine yet!"

Laughing, she unlocked the car, and they both reached for towels from their bags to dry off before climbing in. They arrived at the venue in plenty of time for Dacey to grab a shower and talk with Amy about their match before heading to Wardrobe.

The following morning, Dacey had breakfast with Matt, Jeff and Amy, enjoying the talk and laughter with them. It seemed only natural to offer Jeff a ride with her so that Matt and Amy could spend some time alone in their car, and Amy had given her a grateful look while Jeff had smiled and agreed easily enough.

They chose to leave right after breakfast, while Matt and Amy lingered a little longer, and Jeff settled into the passenger seat, smiling as Dacey got behind the wheel. He gestured to the iPod dock.

"You mind if I share some music?"

Dacey nodded. "Go right ahead, Jeff."

His musical tastes and hers had some similarities, but enough divergence for her to be pleasantly surprised by some of the new things she heard. They chatted easily throughout the drive, mostly about music and wrestling as their shared passions. Dacey spoke of having worked a little with Amy in Ohio, trying out some of the lucha libre styles, and her desire still to incorporate more of that style to her work.

Jeff was surprised and pleased to hear she was interested in trying some new things, and offered to work with her that afternoon, if they could get some ring time. It occurred to him that it was an excellent way for them to step things up a notch when the match with Ginger happened. The drive flew by as they discussed ideas for their match, laughing together at some of the more outlandish suggestions, and Dacey found herself quite excited at the prospect of working with Jeff again, after their Brat Pack days. Going up against a former Brat Pack member would add another dimension to her current heel turn, and would also allow her some interesting aspects to work through with Ginger's character.

They checked into the hotel together, and Dacey asked if Glenn had arrived. She was a little disappointed to hear that he hadn't, and decided to leave him a message before heading over to the arena with Jeff. She really didn't want to miss the opportunity to work with him this afternoon, and she was sure that Glenn would understand. She left the note at the front desk and she and Jeff took her rental car to the arena, talking together as they went in.

Dacey found the women's locker room and changed into her training gear, talking with Victoria as she did. Their match was on tonight, and they'd already sketched out most of the action they wanted. Tonight, Kane and 'Taker would intervene to stop Kenny Dykstra from helping Victoria, and their presence would be enough to distract Ginger so that Victoria would take the pin.

As she made her way to the gym, Dacey was deep in thought. She had an idea for tonight that might lead to something interesting, but she needed to wait until Mark and Glenn arrived to see what they thought before she would mention it to anyone. She went through her intensive stretching regime as she waited for Jeff to arrive, wanting to make sure she was well and truly warmed up before they took to the ring.

Jeff poked his head through the door with a grin, beckoning to her, and she rose from the floor where she'd been stretching her quads and followed him out to the arena. This early in the afternoon, very few of the wrestlers were around, so they had the ring to themselves. One of the first things they worked on was the springboard moonsault, which Dacey just hadn't been able to master, no matter how hard she tried.

At Jeff's urging, Dacey went through the move, and he could see immediately what the problem was.

"Dacey, you need more elevation for it, that's all. You're not high enough to get the backflip in, which is why it's not working."

Dacey rolled up onto her feet, her expression thoughtful. "I don't really know why that should be, but that's what feels like isn't happening properly, the backflip part."

Jeff leaned against the turnbuckle, looking at her. When they stood together, she was barely two inches shorter than he was, which explained a lot. "You're not tucking into the backflip. Which isn't a problem, because with your height and your long legs, it looks great when it's done that way, but you need more elevation to pull it off. That's my style too, which is why the Whisper in the Wind is a top turnbuckle move. I think you need to be trying a double jump moonsault, so you're coming off the top rope into the backflip."

"I've never tried that before - care to demonstrate?"

He moved to the centre of the ring, turning to her as he prepared to move. "Okay, so you start like an ordinary moonsault, but you hit the second rope with one foot and bounce up to the top rope, and then push off into the backflip from there."

As she nodded, he went through the move, and she immediately saw the technique. He landed on his feet, rather than down into the splash, and turned to her.

"Think you're ready to give it a shot?"

Dacey paced the steps to the ropes, rehearsing them, thinking through the move. Then she grinned at him.

"Here goes nothing!"

Her first attempt was slow, and the backflip still didn't have much elevation, but she immediately rolled to her feet, her expression excited. She could now feel the move, and was eager to try it again. This time, her jump from the second rope to the top one had more bounce, and she kicked off hard into the backflip. She landed on her feet with a whoop of delight - she had done it!

"Alright!"

Jeff grinned. "I knew you could do it. And you've got a great backflip there, the double jump really lets you show it off. Care to try it into the splash?"

"You offering?"

"I wouldn't be much of a sparring partner if I didn't." he winked at her, laying down about half way across the ring from the ropes.

Dacey raised her eyebrows. "You're kidding, right?"

He looked up at her. "Dacey, do your backflip at full extension and I guarantee you'll make it this far across the ring. Trust me."

She measured the distance with her eyes and launched into the moonsault. As she hit the top rope and bounced back, she stretched into the backflip, and a second later she landed across Jeff's midsection, absorbing a lot of the force of the landing in her outstretched hands. Still, it winded her a little, and she rolled off him immediately, breathing hard. He sat up beside her, one hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?"

Nodding, she turned to him. "Yeah. It just hurt a bit more than I was expecting."

He laughed. "That's because you tried to take all the fall yourself! Dacey, I appreciate you not wanting to hurt me, but trust me, your opponent is going to have to take some of it. When you're ready, we'll try again. This time, try to go limp as you land - that way the impact won't hurt as much. I'll be ready for you."

She nodded and got to her feet, stretching to ease her muscles and taking some deep breaths. When she was ready, she nodded to Jeff and and he lay back down. She launched into the moonsault again, stretching out into the flip, and letting herself go limp into the fall. This time, the force of the impact was more evenly distributed, and her outstretched hands could still take some of it, but she didn't wind herself as she had the first time. She rolled off Jeff and looked at him. As he sat up, he grinned.

"Picture perfect that time! And see, I'm fine."

He winked at her and she grinned in return. As they rose to their feet, he nodded at her.

"You're pretty good from the top rope, Dacey. You should think about doing more stuff from there."

She looked at him with a smile. "Thanks Jeff. I'm working on that. After all, I'm about to be teaming with two guys who have some devastating top rope moves."

He chuckled. "You gonna start kicking people in the face too? Although, I don't know that Jim Ross could refer to you giving anyone the 'big boot' - your feet are too dainty for that."

Dacey laughed, looking down at her feet. " 'Dainty'? I don't think so! But I have got a spinning heel kick."

"Really? Lemme see it."

Jeff leaned back against the ropes and she bounced lightly on her toes before spinning in a tight turn to the right, pivoting on her left foot as her right leg came up in a sharp kick. He grinned and pushed off the ropes.

"Come on, do it again," he said, as he stood opposite her.

She raised an eyebrow, judging the distance between them before whipping into the spin, her leg coming up in a tight arc, her foot impacting his shoulder with a fairly solid blow, making him stagger back a step. She grinned at him as his hand came up to his shoulder, rubbing it a little.

"You pulled that at the last minute, didn't you?"

She nodded. "Didn't want to hurt you."

"Damn, Dacey, that's impressive. Who taught you that?"

"My daddy. He was a physical trainer for the Army. That was part of his self defence program."

"You know, I'm beginning to think that instead of me looking out for you when we run, you're probably the one who needs to be looking out for me!"

She laughed, and they continued on with their training session.

@@@

Glenn was handed a message when he checked in to the hotel, even as he asked if Dacey had arrived. He was told that she had checked in, and to his delight, he found himself in the room next to hers. Once he had dropped his bags in his room, he read her note, seeing she was at the arena. He was packing his gear for the evening when there was a knock at the door, and he opened it to find Mark there, carrying his own bag.

"Hey, Mark - give me a minute to finish getting my gear together."

"Sure, buddy. They told me downstairs Dacey had already checked in - is she here?"

"She's already over at the arena, working on some stuff with Jeff. She said she'd meet us there."

"You've spoken to her?"

Glenn pointed to the note on the table. "She left a message for me at the desk."

Mark sat down on one of the chairs. "Girl's got a real passion for the work, hasn't she? Although part of me is worried what she's gonna learn from Jeff - I'm getting too damned old for ladder matches!"

Chuckling, Glenn zipped up his bag. "Wouldn't surprise me if it was ladder matches. I think I need to learn not to be surprised by anything Dacey does professionally."

As they headed downstairs, Mark held his own counsel on what they might be learning about each other personally. By the time they arrived at the arena, more of the wrestlers were arriving, although few had moved into the arena yet. After changing into their own workout gear, they headed for the arena - Glenn was impatient to see Dacey, and Mark was curious about what she and Jeff were working on.

Which at the moment was a dropkick. Jeff had encouraged Dacey to try it, figuring that her leg strength would give her an advantage in a standing dropkick. Her first attempt had been pretty abysmal, barely reaching his thighs, which had them both laughing. They worked on it, with Dacey realising she needed some momentum in order to get the best elevation.

After some experimentation, they came up with something that seemed to work. Jeff threw her into an Irish whip, and as she came off the ropes, she used the momentum to help her plant one foot and jump high in the air, twisting her body to deliver a drop kick to his chest before landing on her side and rolling quickly to her feet with a grin.

Glenn's eyebrows raised, watching her, and Mark just applauded as they approached the ring.

"Nice dropkick, Dacey."

She just grinned at them, and Jeff looped his arm around her shoulders with a chuckle. "She'll be taking heads off with it before you know it!"

Dacey laughed. "Jeff, I can already take heads off with that spinning heel kick."

He rubbed his shoulder with a chuckle. "Don't I know it!"

"Sounds like you've been busy, Dacey," said Glenn with a smile.

"You don't know the half of it," she winked at him, coming over to the ropes. She turned her back, hooking her arms under the top rope and flipping herself over it before dropping easily to the floor, grinning at him.

He laughed. "And now you're stealing my classic ring exit?" He wanted to hug her close, but he wasn't sure how she'd feel about that with Jeff around.

She surprised him, though, winding her arms up around his neck and pulling him down to kiss him, murmuring, "And what do you plan to do about it, hmmm?"

His arms went around her, pulling her close as he kissed her, nuzzling his cheek to hers before he spoke. "You'll just have to wait and see, now won't you, aingeal?"

She laughed softly, stepping back from him a little, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she smiled at Mark.

"Hey, big dog."

"Hey yourself, girl. Spinning heel kicks, dropkicks? You planning on doing some serious ass kicking?"

Jeff leaned on the top rope, grinning down at them. "You forgot the new double jump moonsault. Dacey's pretty good off the top rope."

Mark chuckled.

Dacey's expression turned serious. "Actually, while the four of us are here, I've had an idea I'd like to run past you."

Jeff dropped easily to the mat, sitting with his arms now resting on the bottom rope, nodding. "Absolutely, Dacey. What is it?"

She outlined her ideas for that night's show, and waited for their reactions. Jeff grinned immediately, nodding, and Glenn and Mark looked at one another. Mark gave Dacey a long look.

"You sure about this, Dace?"

"Absolutely, Mark - I think it makes good sense. Not to mention creating some good tv and an interesting angle to play out."

Mark nodded. "Then I better go find the writers and get the okay. I'll come find you and let you know what they say."

Jeff scooted out from under the ropes and grinned. "And I got to find that riverboat gambler brother of mine - see you later, Dacey, I hope!"

Dacey laughed and waved goodbye as Mark and Jeff left, and Glenn smiled, turning to face her, one hand gently caressing her cheek.

"Hello, a ghrá mo chroí."

She sighed very softly, nuzzling her face to his hand. "Hello, fear mo chroi. I've missed you."

His voice was husky as he pulled her closer to him, bending to kiss her. "Have you, Dacey?"

"Very much," she whispered against his lips, her arms around him.

He rested his forehead to hers, smiling. "I've missed you too."

She smiled up at him. "Did you enjoy your time off?"

"Would have been more fun if I'd been with you."

She chuckled softly. "I know that feeling."

Glenn hugged her close. "And now I've got you back."

Dacey rested her cheek against his chest, sighing happily. "You never really lost me. But it is nice being with you again."

"We're still taking things slow, aren't we?" He wasn't sure, given how she'd kissed him before.

She nodded, then looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. "Kissing is still taking things slow. You bending me over a table in a deserted corridor - probably not taking things slow."

Growling, he bent to kiss her deeply, pulling her close to him, delighted when she responded with equal passion. He murmured against her lips as they parted, "Don't think that day won't come, Dacey."

She nipped softly at his bottom lip, whispering, "I know, Glenn."

He ran his hand over her hair as he straightened up. There was no rush for them. He was content just being with her. But he did have some news for her, and he wondered just what she might make of it.

"You know, I'm in the room right next to yours at the hotel."

She grinned. "The only thing better than that would be having adjoining rooms! I wonder how we might go about arranging that?" She leaned up to kiss him. "At least I don't have to go far to get my goodnight kiss."

There was laughter behind them, and Dacey turning to see Paul Levesque making his way into the arena, popping the gum he chewed. "Jeez you two, get a room already!"

Glenn laughed, and Dacey grinned at him. "We were just discussing that, Paul, you'll be happy to know!"

"Strangely, I'm not, but that's beside the point. I'd like to talk, if you've got a minute?"

Glenn leaned back against the ring, and Dacey joined him, both listening to what Paul had to say. When Mark returned with a green light from the writers, he joined the discussion, and as had happened that night at the Calaways', the ideas came thick and fast, leaving them all grinning. This time, it was Mark and Paul who went to find the writers, while Dacey giggled, leaning against Glenn.

"You think the writers are gonna get sick of us any time soon?"

He laughed, hugging her. "I don't think so - we're doing their jobs for them!"

They headed off to Catering together, and Glenn kept his arm around her shoulders. It wasn't quite shouting from the rooftops that he loved her, but he knew it wouldn't escape notice. Not in this company. He didn't care, and from the way Dacey nestled into his side, her arm around his waist, she didn't either.

There were some raised eyebrows as they perused the catering, finally choosing what they wanted and sitting together at one of the long tables, opposite Shawn Michaels, who simply smiled at them, nodding. As more of the roster arrived, the tables started filling up, and there was the usual good natured joking and conversation. Mark and Paul had given them the thumbs up when they arrived, and Dacey chuckled, her hand on Glenn's thigh.

"Guess we're working together tonight after all, Glenn."

He grinned, looking down at her hand, and leaned in to kiss her quickly, whispering, "Keep that hand there and we'll be doing more than just working together tonight, honey."

She laughed softly and edged her hand a little further up his thigh, whispering back, "And that's supposed to frighten me, fear mo chroi?"

He could only laugh at this flirtatious side of her, while Adam Copeland, sitting next to Shawn, stared at them and then shook his head with a grin. "How come when you and I were working together, I never got this kind of treatment, Dacey?"

"Adam, you filled my bathtub with Jell-O. Now how on earth was I supposed to put the moves on you after that?" Dacey laughed.

"I did not fill your bathtub with Jell-O. I filled it with hot water and Jell-O crystals - any formation of Jell-O was purely incidental and occurred hours later. And you were supposed to invite me to wrestle you in it! Or to watch while you wrestled Trish in it. That's my best move, right there!"

Dacey shook her head, laughing. "Please, Adam - it was raspberry Jell-O! It would have looked terrible on me. Now had it been lime Jell-O . . . " She gave him a broad wink.

Shawn made a time-out sign with his hands. "No, no more! I can't listen to this, I'm a married man!"

Glenn gave Adam a long look, spoiled slightly by the smile that he was trying to stifle. "Don't get any ideas, Copeland."

Adam looked appropriately terrified and Dacey giggled. Suddenly, she sat up, patting at her hoodie pockets. Glenn watched her curiously.

"Something wrong, Dace?"

"I gotta go find a phone!"

"Honey, slow down - what's up?"

She gave him a little grin. "I promised my daddy that I'd let him know next time it looked like I was gonna get hurt on the shows. My mam doesn't like to see that. He'll take after me with a hickory switch if I forget, given what we have planned for tonight." She leaned in to kiss him quickly. "And I better do it now, or I will forget. Then I have to shower and get to Wardrobe. See you later?"

Glenn smiled. "You will, definitely. We'll find you before the show, go over what's going to happen, okay?"

Giving him a quick nod, she bussed her tray and headed for the women's locker room to dig out her cellphone. She left a message on her parents' answering machine alerting them to the fact that Friday night's show might show some action that could upset them, and then stripped off her workout clothes and headed for the shower. As she was drying off, Trish came into the locker room, setting down her bag. She gave Dacey a warm smile.

"So, you and Glenn, huh?"

Dacey chuckled and nodded, still rubbing a towel over her hair. "It seems that way, yes."

"Oh, so it's only a new thing?" Trish was unpacking her bag as they spoke.

"Pretty new."

"I'm glad for you - I've always thought Glenn was a sweetie. And you're nice people too."

"Thanks, Trish. We're trying not to be too much in anyone's faces about it though."

It was Trish's turn to chuckle. "I for one would appreciate that! Not that you don't make a nice couple, but it can be enough of a pressure cooker around here without coming across people playing tonsil hockey around every corner!"

Dacey giggled. "I agree!"

Their conversation was interrupted while Trish showered and Dacey dried her hair, and then they pulled on robes and headed over to Wardrobe together. Victoria was already there, and she and Dacey discussed what would be the best costume choices so that they complemented one another in the ring. Victoria ended up in red, while Ginger's outfit was the green spangled version she'd used most often as part of the Brat Pack.

They changed into their gear and then went across to Hair and Makeup - Dacey was still wearing her hair in Ginger's mane, and she left wearing the heated rollers which would be taken out at the last minute to hopefully keep the style longer. She went back to the locker room to lace on her boots and to start a warm up, and Stacey found her there a few minutes later.

"Hey Dacey, Mark and Glenn are outside looking for you."

Dacey thanked Stacey and went out into the corridor, smiling at the two men, who were still in their street clothes. Glenn chuckled at the rollers in her hair.

"There's something awfully domestic about seeing you like that, Dacey!"

She just poked her tongue out at him, and continued her stretches as they spoke. The writers had given the go ahead for what they had discussed earlier, and Mark had worked out with Jeff and the crew where the action would take place. They made their way there now, and she and Mark discussed how things would happen, while the camera crew advised on camera angles and the like.

When they had the action planned out, Mark asked her again, quite seriously, if she was sure about this, and she smiled up at him.

"Mark, I trust you completely, you know that. And you have to admit, this will be shocking and create some good tv."

He chuckled. "You're right, Dace. Just making absolutely sure. I'll see you later, then."

As Mark made his way towards Wardrobe, and the camera crew went back to the pre-show preparations, Glenn looked at her. "Dacey, I have to know - why Mark for this? Don't you trust me, too?"

She stepped closer to him, her arms going around his waist as she looked up at him. "With my life, Glenn. But it was time for Ginger to run afoul of the Dead Man, since she's already had her confrontations with Kane. I don't know, it just came to me, and once it had, I couldn't let it go."

When she put it like that, he understood, and he bent to kiss her lightly. "Thank you, Dacey. I guess I was concerned that you didn't want to get into action with me, given how we feel about one another."

Dacey chuckled softly. "Never happen, Glenn. If things go to plan, Kane will more than have his hands full with Ginger in some quite physical confrontations."

He gave her a wicked grin. "Not going to complain about that, so long as I get to have my hands full with you in some physical confrontations of our own."

Darting a quick look around to be sure they were alone, Dacey leaned up to kiss him, whispering, "I can guarantee it, fear mo chroi."

"Oh excellent!" he grinned, and kissed her lightly again. "I'm off to Wardrobe, aingeal. Have a good match, and I'll see you out there."

She grinned. "You won't be able to miss me, I'll be the one in green spandex giving you a look that could kill!" She winked and headed back to the locker room to continue her warm up.

@@@

Dacey stood at the gorilla position, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. Victoria was just finishing up her entrance, and from the sounds of the audience, she was going to be the crowd favourite. Which was fine by Dacey, who grinned as her own entrance music began. Ginger rounded the edge of the Titan-tron, not acknowledging the jeers of the crowd as she stared down Victoria. She held position for a long moment, and then ran down the ramp, leaping high from the concealed springboard to enter the ring, landing in a crouch and immediately sweeping Victoria's legs out from under her.

The referee admonished her even as he signalled for the bell, and the match began.

Ginger and Victoria were well matched, physically, and the match reflected that as both of them used moves that other Divas might not have tried. From hard clotheslines to Ginger's brutal elbow drops, the match was running at full power. Kenny Dykstra, who had accompanied Victoria to the ring, had stayed out of the action for the most part, but as Ginger threw herself at the ropes to give her momentum for a kneedrop onto a prone Victoria, Kenny grabbed one ankle, causing Ginger to fall face first to the mat.

She was up an instant later, turning to snarl at Kenny, but the delay had given Victoria time to recover, and she attacked Ginger from behind, forcing her towards the ropes with a knee to her back, choking her against the top rope. As she did so, Kenny jumped up from outside the ring and grabbed Ginger's shoulders, pulling her down harder onto the ropes and snapping the rope harder into her throat when he let go.

The referee's view of that was obscured, but someone else had seen it, and the lights dimmed in the arena momentarily. When they came back up, 'Taker and Kane were at ringside, Kane stalking Kenny as 'Taker leapt up onto the ring apron, brandishing a fist at Victoria to make her break her hold pinning Ginger's throat to the top rope. The crowd went wild at the brothers' appearance.

The referee instantly called on Victoria to let Ginger off the ropes, and Victoria stepped back, her hands held up. Kane had backed Kenny up the ramp, but 'Taker held position at ringside, as if daring Victoria to try another move like that.

Ginger was incensed, screaming at 'Taker to leave her the hell alone. Which was just the distraction Victoria needed, moving swiftly to pull Ginger around to face her and delivering a painful kick to her mid-section. As Ginger doubled over, Victoria grabbed her around the waist and flipped her up over her head, the crowd surging to its feet as Victoria got her into the Widow's Peak. Ginger was held suspended in that painful position for what seemed like forever before Victoria dropped to the canvas, slamming Ginger's neck into her shoulder and her knees to the mat. Ginger collapsed forward bonelessly, and Victoria moved quickly to turn her over and cover her for the pin.

'Taker just shook his head and headed up the ramp as Victoria was proclaimed the winner, while Ginger got groggily to her feet, her face showing her anger. Brushing off the help being offered by the referee, she stormed off backstage, and into the scene they had planned earlier.

Ginger raged through the corridors, tossing things into walls, in a perfect fury. She rounded the corner into an open area and came face to face with the man she sought - the Undertaker. With a snarl, she launched herself at him, throwing punches which rained against his chest, and he reached out with one massive hand and pushed her aside. Undaunted, she launched a spinning heek kick at him, her foot impacting solidly on his left side, which made him raise his eyebrows. She danced back a step and then spun in the opposite direction, going for a kick to his right side . . . only to have her foot caught easily by his big hand.

He pushed her back by that foot, more solidly this time, and she fell back a pace or two, but then lunged for him again. Shaking his head, that big hand closed around her throat, and he stepped closer, staring down at her. She raked her nails over his arm and kicked him, the blow landing hard on his thigh, startling him enough at the fight in her to make him release her momentarily.

As she once more went on the attack, he growled, grabbing her by the shoulders and forcing her head between his thighs, wrapping his arms about her waist as he bent forward. He straightened up, lifting her to his shoulders. She struggled a little, but he ignored that, lifting her high above his head before sending her crashing down in a brutal Last Ride, straight into a pile of crates which splintered underneath her.

There was the sound of running feet, and 'Taker looked down at Ginger, shaking his head and moving off unconcernedly just as Jeff Hardy rounded the corner, dropping to his knees beside Ginger, reaching out to check to see if she was alright, already calling for the EMTs.

Once the camera crew nodded that they had the footage they needed, and the cameras were off, Mark hurried back down the corridor, bending down beside Jeff.

"Dace?"

She opened her eyes and smiled up at him, not moving just yet. "Hey Mark."

Glenn rushed up behind him, his concern written on his face. "Are you okay, Dacey?"

Dacey gave a wry chuckle. "I'm fine. Luckily these crates broke my fall." She winked at him, and he released the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.

The director was reviewing the footage on the camera's viewscreen, and he grinned. "That looks brilliant. Dacey, hang five til the EMTs make sure you're okay, then we'll get some footage of them and Jeff helping you up, okay?"

She nodded, and Jeff moved away so the EMTs could get in and check her over more thoroughly, and the director spoke to Mark and Glenn. "While they're doing that, let's get you two around the corner and do your bit."

They moved around the corner and Glenn took his position. As the cameras rolled, he looked up, as if hearing the sound of the crates breaking, and tilted his head to one side as 'Taker came around the corner, that quizzical head tilt asking the question.

'Taker just shrugged. "Girl's going to have to realise it will hurt a lot less if she stops fighting us."

Kane nodded, but he did cast one more glance over his shoulder as the two of them moved off together.

The director dismissed them, and took the crew back to Dacey, who the EMTs had pronounced okay to be moved, although she would be checked out thoroughly once the last part of the scene was taped. As the cameras rolled again, Ginger pushed the EMTs away from her impatiently, but strangely, allowed Jeff to help her up. He wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as she leaned on him heavily, helping her down the corridor as the EMTs shrugged to one another and started packing up their gear.

Calling for the cut, the director again checked the footage and then dismissed Jeff and Dacey, and the EMTs came straight up to her, ushering her away to be checked over properly. Jeff gave Mark and Glenn a quick grin.

"That was great - I can just imagine Jim Ross's commentary over that footage. It's gonna have audience reaction through the roof!"

Mark chuckled."It isn't everyone who can get up and walk away from the Last Ride."

Even Glenn had to admit the action was going to shift the momentum they were going for. And Ginger teaming again with Jeff, even briefly, before turning on him would certainly advance the Darkness storyline. He still had a match to take part in, or he'd be at her side, making sure she was alright. Not that he didn't trust Mark, but this was Dacey, after all.

He had to be satisfied with looking in on her briefly before his match. She sat on a stretcher in the med room, swinging her feet idly. They were doing five minute observations, and she'd be released after thirty minutes if everything continued to be okay. He came in to the room, in costume, the mask and his one pale blue contact lens in place, and she gave him a quick grin.

"Hello, fear mo chroi," she beckoned him closer, her eyes twinkling.

He walked over to the stretcher, stroking a hand gently over her hair. "Hey, honey. Feeling okay?"

"Perfectly fine, Glenn." She darted a quick look over her shoulder at the EMTs, and raised her own hand to his face, her fingers running over the mask, and then lightly brushing over his lips, whispering very softly, "You know, I've never kissed you with the mask on before."

He couldn't help but grin as he bent his head to hers, whispering back, "Far be it from me to disappoint a lady, then."

Tilting his head slightly, he kissed her, one hand cupping the back of her head to hold her to him. Her lips parted under his, and she moaned very softly into the kiss, her own hands caressing his chest. As their lips parted, she smiled up at him, whispering, "Wow."

Smiling, he held her cheek in his hand for a moment. "I think the lady is pleased, so I'm happy."

Dacey laughed softly, nuzzling her face to his hand. "Good luck with your match, Glenn. I'll see you afterwards, okay?"

Glenn bent to kiss her softly once again before leaving, and she gave a little sigh as she watched him go. There was a monitor in the med room, so she could at least watch his match while she waited out her thirty minutes. Kane was going up against Edge, and as was to be expected, the match was decidedly physical. She watched with interest - both men had years of experience, and she always enjoyed watching how her colleagues put together matches.

She made sounds of exasperation as the EMTs blocked her view of the screen in doing her obs, barely able to conceal her irritation at having to look at them directly to have her pupils assessed, when she would prefer to be watching the screen. Finally, they pronounced her okay to leave - something that would have been obvious to anyone quite some time earlier, as she had been poised to flee after perhaps ten minutes.

On the screen, Kane had taken a spear from Edge, and instead of remaining motionless, had sat up and was now advancing on Edge, one big hand shooting out to grab him in a goozle. She chuckled as Edge was hoisted up and chokeslammed to the canvas, and Kane dropped down to cover him for the pin.

"That's my man!"

With that, she slipped off the stretcher and made her way quickly backstage behind the gorilla position, waiting for them to return from the ring. Adam appeared first, and gave her a hopeful look, trying not to grin.

"Come to comfort me, Dacey?"

She just laughed. "If you play with the big boys, Adam, you got to expect to be chokeslammed occasionally. That's just the breaks."

He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head as he moved away towards the locker rooms. There was a huge audience pop, and Dacey peeked at one of the monitors - Glenn had just set off his pyros, and would be exiting the ring any moment. She leaned against a trunk, waiting for him.

Matt and Jeff were waiting too, going out next for their match against Deuce and Domino. Jeff asked Dacey if she was sure she was okay after the slam, and she assured him she was fine. He leaned in to kiss her cheek with a grin before heading up the stairs behind Matt, and she chuckled to herself. Jeff had always been a good friend to her, right from her first days with the big show.

Glenn smiled as he came backstage, seeing her. He was about to take his mask off, but instead left it on as he approached her, remembering her reaction to it before his match.

"Hello there, little lady."

Dacey grinned, looking around before answering him. "Oh! You mean me!"

He pulled her to him with one arm, chuckling. "Yes I mean you! You've obviously been cleared by the med techs."

She walked her fingers up his chest with a smile. "Fit as a fiddle, they tell me."

"That's good news. Very good news indeed."

"That was a very good match, Glenn. You're to be congratulated."

He moved closer to her, smiling. "And how do you propose to do that, Dacey?"

She slid her hands up over his chest and around his neck, leaning up as she pulled him down, kissing him. His arms went around her, holding her close. As their lips parted, he chuckled softly. "Oh, I think I could get used to this."

Winking at him, she stepped back a step. "That can be arranged. But for now, I have a date with a shower. I'll see you soon?"

He nodded, heading for the locker rooms himself. He was towelling his hair dry after his shower when Mark came in. He didn't mince words.

"Dacey's been cleared?"

Glenn nodded. "Just as my match ended, I think. She insists she's fine - she went to shower."

Mark sat down on one of the benches, shaking his head with a chuckle. "I gotta say, she about floored me with that idea of hers. I mean, it certainly has the potential to create great tv, but volunteering for a Last Ride? Hell, most of the guys aren't that thrilled when I suggest it as a finisher, and that's doing it in the ring!"

Chuckling himself, Glenn tossed the towel at the hamper. "We've had this discussion before, with Jeff and Paul, remember? There's definitely some guys in the company who'll have to start sucking it up when they see what Dacey will take in terms of action."

Dacey stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her. She went over to her bag, taking out a bottle of body lotion, smoothing it over her slightly damp skin, deep in thought over the evening's events. Two of the newer Divas crowded into the locker room, giggling over something, and she gave them a quick glance and then bent to rub the lotion on her legs. She really had nothing in common with a lot of the new Divas, most of whom barely knew how to wrestle, although she realised they had their place in the company even if she didn't personally believe they should. Live and let live, that was her motto.

The door opened again, and Stacey Keibler entered, giving Dacey a grin.

"Hey, I heard about the scene you did with Mark - are you kidding me? You took a Last Ride?"

Capping the bottle, and applying the last of the lotion to her shoulders, Dacey nodded. The other Divas looked up at Stacey's words.

The blonde Kelly looked at Dacey, her eyes wide. "Ooh, are they gonna team you with the Undertaker? He's kinda hot, even if he is old."

Eve, the brunette, snorted. "No way, it's gonna be with Kane - I saw them together in Catering."

Kelly squealed. "But he's so freaky looking! Why don't you make them put you with someone hot?"

Stacey rolled her eyes, and Dacey just shook her head. Ignoring the mindless babble, Stacey sat down on a bench near Dacey. "Were you scared?"

Dacey took her clothes out of her duffle, unconcerned about her nudity as she dropped the towel from around her to dress. "I wouldn't say I was scared - I mean, I trust Mark to know what he's doing. Apprehensive maybe - I mean, I had no idea how it would actually feel smashing through those crates."

"Oh I hear that - the first time the Dudleys put me through a table, I was freaking! How the hell does someone explain to you what that feels like? I don't think it would have helped anyway," Stacey giggled.

Chuckling herself, Dacey nodded. "I think the anticipation was worse than the actual slam. My daddy is likely to pitch a fit when he sees it though - even though I've warned him about it!"

Stacey giggled again. "Well, at least he'll want to kill Mark for it, and not Glenn - that would mess things up between you!"

Buttoning up her jeans, Dacey laughed, nodding. "It would be kind of hard for Glenn to convince daddy that he's going to take care of me after slamming me through a pile of crates!"

Eve looked at them and frowned. "Who are they going to get to play your daddy?"

Stacey and Dacey locked eyes and burst out laughing. Amy came into the locker room, giving them a grin.

"So what's tickling you two?"

Dacey pulled her t-shirt on and just shook her head, glancing over at Eve and Kelly, and Amy grinned again, coming over to perch on the bench beside Stacey.

"Jeff's pretty pumped about working with you again, Dacey."

"I'm excited about working the angle with him too - we had some good times in the Brat Pack days." Dacey was collecting her things and placing them into her duffle as they spoke. "How did their match go?"

"As planned, of course - Deuce and Domino smacked them around, and then they pulled out all the high flying stops and won."

Stacey chuckled. "Wonder how many times JR will call Jeff the 'rainbow haired warrior' this week?"

Amy groaned. "God, Jeff hates that! He's been begging JR to give it a rest, but I don't think JR can help himself."

Dacey zipped up her duffle and straightened. "Okay, I'm going to go find a monitor and check out the rest of the matches."

Winking at her, Stacey said, "Come on Dacey, be honest - you're going to go find Glenn and a monitor, in that order!"

Chuckling, Dacey nodded. "I was trying not be be too obvious about it, but yeah - that's exactly what I'm planning on doing."

"Have fun! Oh, and if you want to clear out early, Jeff can come back to the hotel with us."

Blushing a little, Dacey shook her head. "We'll be here til the show is over, Amy - Jeff can ride back with me, it's no problem."

"Nah, he already mentioned catching a ride with us. You don't have to worry about him tonight."

"Well, okay, if you're sure . . . "

"I'm sure. Now get outta here - Glenn's probably pacing the corridors out there, making lesser folks nervous." Amy chuckled.

As Dacey left, Eve looked at Amy and Stacey. "Oh my god, is she really going out with that freaky Kane?"

Amy looked at her levelly. "That's none of your business."

Stacey just shook her head. "Come on, Amy, I think I need a soda."

As they left the locker room, Stacey looked over her shoulder and made a disgusted sound. "Is it me, or are these girls getting dumber with every year?"

Amy grinned. "Nah, they aren't getting dumber - just less tactful. Wouldn't want to be around when one of them says the wrong thing about the wrong guy, though. Can you imagine Glenn's reaction to being called 'that freaky Kane'?"

Stacey snickered. "I'd rather see Mark's reaction to knowing they think he's 'kinda hot, even if he is old'!"

"You're shitting me? One of them actually said that?" Amy's eyes were wide.

When Stacey nodded, they both dissolved into laughter.

@@@

Dacey felt light-hearted as she made her way through the backstage corridors to the locker rooms set aside for the men. She side-stepped crew and other wrestlers, exchanging greetings, and as she turned to blow a kiss to a grinning Shawn Michaels, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and she looked up over her shoulder at Glenn.

"Hello again, fear mo chroi - I was just looking for you."

"It looks like you found me, aingeal. Shall we find someplace with a monitor and watch the rest of the show?"

"Exactly what I was thinking," she smiled.

He took her hand and they headed for one of the unused locker rooms, where quite a few of the roster had gathered to watch the large monitor that was set up. They found seats together, and he pulled her close to him with his arm around her shoulders, smiling as she rested her head against him. Despite her relaxed body language, she was watching the monitor intently, determined to learn from whoever she saw.

There were a chorus of laughing groans as Ric Flair did his typical face plant during the match that he had against John Cena. Ric was given the greatest respect for his experience, and they all knew he played the face plant for laughs every time.

Mark's match with Randy Orton was the last on the card, and was eagerly anticipated by the roster and fans alike. Dacey was in awe of Mark's abilities, and she realised during the match that Randy was another wrestler who could give her some pointers on looking menacing. Although he had learned from the best, in Paul and Dave Batista. She was deep in thought after the match ended, and it was only Glenn's gentle kiss against her hair that brought her back to her surroundings. She turned her head to smile up at him.

"Sorry, I was wool-gathering. Not to mention divinely comfortable here with you."

Glenn chuckled softly. "Mmmm, I like having you in my arms, too. But I want to go and check how Mark is after his match - coming?"

She nodded, rising to her feet with a stretch, her t-shirt riding up and exposing her skin above the low waistband of her jeans, and before he could even think about it, his hand moved to caress that spot, leaning in to kiss her as he did. She shivered at the touch of his hand, so warm against her skin, and leaned into his kiss eagerly. As their lips parted, she was the one who laughed softly.

"This is not getting us any closer to seeing how Mark is, Glenn."

"True - but it's very nice all the same."