Making the Cut

By: Stefani
Rated: NC17
Distribution: email hardyzgurl17@yahoo.com if you'd like to use it

Disclaimer: Don't own…

Pt1

I sighed as I pulled my car up into the near empty parking lot. There were a few other cars there, but barely any. It was still early and a thick fog covered the North Carolinian sky. I grabbed my large duffel bag and threw it over my shoulder, I suppose I was still a bit early… The large front doors of the gym up ahead as I walked towards them. There was a dim light down the hallway as I tugged at the front door; locked.

"Damn it." I murmured softly. It was cold out and I wanted some warm up time. I sat down on the cold, cement front step. The building wasn’t the best, hell, it was pretty bad. But it was the only thing close to a gym in this area. And I wanted to be able to do this so bad. The wind blew against my long auburn hair sending it flying with the wind. Today was my little "tri out" for a professional wrestling school. I had always liked it a lot, and the traveling would be great. Finally, my ticket out of this stupid state. I shivered a bit as I tucked my bag tighter to my chest. Sure, being a female my chances were bad; hell, they were horrible. Not many women made it into the business, but I had to… I just had to! I know this is corny, but it’s my destiny. We don’t get many feds down here, truthfully, I haven’t even watched it as much as I would like to, it took me forever just to save up enough money for the tri-out and if I made it. Just to tri-out, the fee was three hundred dollars and if I made it, you paid 1,000 a week. That was a helluva lot of money; 200 a day. But I could stay here all day and come on the weekends too. I had enough to train for a month, and I could scoundrel up some more money with extras from my job. I work as a waitress at night in a local bar full of assholes; many who have learned the wrath of my anger.

"God…" I thought as I looked up into the sky. It was so damn cold! I brought my head to my hands when I heard a distant running from the building. I turned around to see a broad figure running down the hallway. I stood up and shook myself off before picking my bag backup from the cold ground. He fiddled with the lock on the door before opening it and holding it out for me.

"I’m terribly sorry miss. I came in the back way this morning and forgot to open the front." He said as I walked in.

"Oh, That’s quite alright. I could have used to extra thinking time." I said as I walked down the hallway with him.

"Couldn’t we all? Are you here for tri-outs?" He asked as he turned at a desk and got a clipboard.

"Yes." I said trying to remain sophisticated.

"Okay, can you fill out these forms?" He said as I took the clipboard and a pen from him.

"I hope you make it, I’d love to get to work with you." He said as he sat behind the counter and continued to scribble some info down. "You’re a bit early."

"Oh, I wanted to have some time to work out and warm up before my audition." I replied.

"Oh, I like someone who’s prepared. By the way, I’m Matt, I’m a the head trainer." He said.

"You’re Matt Hardy?" I said in disbelief, don’t get me wrong, I was just expecting some washed up old guy who retired years ago. He chuckled at the tone of my voice when I had said that. "Oh sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that…" I said.

"It’s okay, I get it a lot. I love the sport, but I had to retire early… reasons I don’t want to talk about." He said looking up. I looked back down at the papers as I started to fill them out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat in the large room that was the so-called "locker room." The building was coming off to be rather small, but it was better then nothing. However, I wanted to change quickly before the men came. I assumed that not many women would be here at all. It was the "grand-opening" of the gym and only 7 people were being accepted; so he could work with those seven closely. I pulled on my black shorts and matching tight tank top. The bad thing was that clothing had to be kinda tight because limbs would get caught in them sometimes. I pulled my long hair up into a tight ponytail, making sure it wouldn’t fall out as I shoved my stuff under a bench in a corner and walked out. I saw a kinda large open area at the end of the building as I walked down it in my tennis shoes. The ground was shiny and tiles and looked nice for something that was obviously ancient. There was a ring. I smiled at the sight of it. It was dirty and worn… but it was a ring! And there were mats on the ground around it and a large area with mats as well.

"Isn’t it nice?" He said. I hadn’t known he was behind me as I spun around.

"Yes…" I said caught off guard.

"It isn’t much… took a few months of work but I scavenged it together." There were quite a few nearby windows that added a nice light to the room.

"I got this place from some old karate master that couldn’t run his gym anymore and was looking for someone to sell it too. The price was right… not too much, not to low." He said, "But I got a lot of help." I smiled as I started to mentally twiddle my thumbs. "Well, I’m going to go get changed. You still have a good 30 minutes before anyone comes, you can warm up a bit." He said as he walked away. I smiled as I saw him stray down the narrow hallway. I walked over to the open mat area and lay down and did some stretches. I was on my last stretch now, about 5 or 6 minutes later I pulled my leg far over my head and started to count backwards to stretch out the muscle.

"Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four…"

"Actually…" I heard Matt cut me off and jog over, "If you put it so the back of your ankle is at the back of the head, it will actually work better then yanking your whole leg like that." His warm hands gently took my leg and changed it to how he was saying as he held it for 15 seconds and dropped it. "See?"

"Yea." I said as I did the other one as well.

"You might want to tape your wrists." He added.

"Huh? Oh… I’ve never taped my wrists." I said. I had wrestled at a few fairs and stuff, but nothing major. I could do a lot of what they were doing, but I wasn’t sure if it was correct or what.

"Never? Come here, I’ll show you." He said as I followed him to a bench with a cabinet behind it. "Hold your wrists out." He said as I did so and he got a long roll of white, stretchy like tape and started to wrap it around my wrists and in-between my thumb and index finger. His touch was always so gentle. "There, that way you won’t snap a wrist the wrong way." He said as I looked into his chocolate eyes.

"Thanks." I said softly as I flexed my fingers into a tight fit, adjusting to the sudden stiffness of my wrists.

"No problem." He said as I went back to my warm ups.

**********************

People started to filter in slowly here and there. I sat towards the back, all ready to go with about 5 minutes left before we officially started. The mat started to fill up with a ton of guys, that’s right, I was still the only girl. There were all these guys doing crunches and stuff… nothing like the stretches I had been doing though, they were trying to look ‘tough’. There were a few guys I saw that seemed a bit scrawny in my point of view. Well… not scrawny… just not built. Not that I was either. I have lifted weights… in fact… not many girls can show muscle. Now, I’m not like brawn woman or all nasty looking, but I’m stronger… very strong. I guess that’s what you get for growing up in a house full of men. My mom died when I was really little leaving me with my dad and 3 brothers… that was a trip.

"Okay, we’re going to get started in a few moments!" Matt yelled as he looked in my direction and smiled. I smiled back at him as he walked back down to deal with the late arrivals.

Pt2

"Okay, we’re going to get started now." Matt said. Everyone looked up. About… a good 40 had showed up and only 7 would make it. "We’re going in order you showed up." I felt my heart lump, "Last arrivals first." He added. Thank you God! Someone went up as Matt sat down with a huge pile of clipboards… he picked up the first one as he instructed the guy to do somethings. They all seemed rather simple. Bounce off the ropes, take a bump… just stupid things. He put down his clipboard and got in the ring with him. "Hit me." He said.

"What?" the guy asked.

"Hit me." The guy froze as he delivered a WEAK right hand. Matt grunted as he sat down.

"Next."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh my God I’m going to kill myself. Some of these guys are so bad! Ugly, bald, tattoos everywhere… major grossage. We were getting down to the last ten and I had to warm myself back up. It took FOREVER to get through the first… a good 2 and half-hours; and this was just first cuts! Matt looked worn beyond belief as well. Basically, everyone was leaving after they were done, a few stuck around for the next guy, but they were all too "big and bad" to care. How cheesy!

"Next." Matt said with tiredness in his voice as he got down form the ring. That was where everyone choked. With him in the ring that is. He gave a simple command and they like froze. It was insane! Just kick him or whatever! I went to a far corner of the mat and started doing some crunches and push-ups to get my adrenaline pumping again. My long hair flew every which way, basically starting to splash my face. I stood up to see the last person get out of the ring.

"Next." He said with a sudden cheeriness… A happiness to his tone. Not the droning noise the others had. The bald guy that was before me walked away as I hopped into the ring. The canvas was a bit bouncy and loose, which had a comforting feeling; it wasn’t brand-new or anything.

"Okay… Laura." He said reading my name from the paper. "Show me what ya got."

"Like… what?" I said smiling.

"Um… bounce off the ropes, one to another." He said as I did so easily. "Very nice… smooth transaction. Now could you… do a few summersaults?" Funny enough, this is what caused the big guys the most trouble. They could throw you across the ring but they couldn’t do a few small flips. I rolled across the mat and stood up.

"Very nice… could you climb to the second rope and fall backward in a bump?" he asked sweetly.

"Sure." I said as I took a hold of the top rope and climbed to the second. I positioned my elbows carefully as I slammed backwards. I landed with a thud.

"You okay?" He asked as I shot up.

Yes." I said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Okay… Um…" He climbed in the ring slowly. "Show me what you can do?"

"Just… anything?" I asked as he nodded.

"Anything you want." I took his arm and threw him into the ropes and caught him in a clothesline on his way back sending him down.

"Nice." He said as I offered him a hand and helped him back up. "Can you try a submission?" He asked.

"No problem." I replied as he lay down. I carefully twisted his legs and flipped him over putting him into a sharp shooter. After a second, I let go, not wanting to hurt him. He got up and smiled.

"Good job… I’ll give ya a call if ya make it… though, between you and me… you’ve got a good chance." I shrieked and gave him a quick hug.

"Thank you." I said.

"No… thank you." He said returning the hug as I got my bag and ran back to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked towards the dressing room and there was a few guys walking out and I stopped in front of them.

"No place for girls in a man’s world." The one said roughly as he pushed me down. I tumbled backwards onto the tile as they laughed and walked away and out the door.

"Are you okay?" Matt said as he ran up and I got up.

"Yea, I’m fine. Just a bunch of jerks." I added as he brushed a little dirt off me. We stood there looking at each other for a minute.

"I’ve uh… got to change… I have to work tonight." I said as I rushed in the dressing room and slid into my work clothes.

Pt3

"Laura, table 12B." Tom said from behind the bar. I pulled my apron on tighter. I looked like such a slut here sometimes, all these guys drinking beer and smoking, watching whatever’s on TV. It wasn’t like a biker’s place, it was a Sports Bar, so it wasn’t too bad. But my uniform was just totally icky. It was a skirt and a low cut tank top that my boobs practically fell out of. My apron just hung around my waist, hey, at least they tip good. I walked over to the table and saw a familiar face, Matt’s.

" Welcome to The Hub. I’m Laura and I’ll be your waitress, try our brand new barbecued ribs in zesty spices or our home brew beer fresh from our brewery are you ready to order?" I said in a large breath. He chuckled a little as I eyed his guest.

"Hi Laura… Jeff, this is the girl I was telling you about!" Matt said as I looked up blushing. He was telling people about me…was I that good?

"Hello Matt." I said smiling as I got my tablet out.

"I didn’t know you worked here."

"Oh… Well, it’s how I get my money ya know." I said.

"Matt said you were a killer wrestler." The one I assumed was Jeff said.

"Oh…" I said not really used to the compliments.

"This is my brother Jeff, Laura. He’s a pro, but he’s gonna help out at the gym when he can." Matt said.

"Nice to meet you." I said smiling again.

"Funny, I couldn’t picture you in that." Matt said as he looked at my uniform, quickly biting his lip, "Sorry… I didn’t mean it like that-"

"It’s okay, I don’t like it either, but they make me wear it." I said as Jeff picked up a menu.

"Well… I’ll have some of those barbecued ribs you were talking about… and a coke." He said as I wrote that down.

"And for Matt?" I said smiling widely. Usually I had to deal with such jerks here.

"Hmm… Matt’ll have a coke and some ribs as well." He said.

"Okay, 2 cokes, two rib plates coming right up." I said as I gave the order to Tom back at the bar.

"Watch yourself, here’s the food for Table 15." He said as I looked unhappily at the cloud of smoke. Same dick-heads every night. "Just don’t break one’s nose again, blood got everywhere." He said as he slapped me on the arm and handed me a large tray. I smiled. I loved Tom, he was the owner and was just great when it came to me beating drunken idiots senseless. I walked over slowly, breathing in deeply as I set the tray down. This was like their 9^th beer each.

"Hey pretty." The one slurred at me, spitting beer everywhere. I ignored him and passed out the drinks. They were mostly collage drop outs and such who thought they were oh so manly… hardly. I felt one swipe at my butt.

"HEY!" I grunted, "I f you want you’re nose in a piece you’ll never do that again." I warned as I handed out the last one. I felt a body against my back and immediately recognized it.

"Joey, you lay one hand on me-" Before I could continue, his buddies cleared the table and he restrained my arms.

"Dance for me pretty." I tried to elbow him, but he had my arms pinned tightly as he tossed me onto the wooden table. His friends all circled it, cornering me in. Oh my God… Every time I tried to get out, one pushed me back down and I skidded onto the lumber. I heard someone grunt and saw one of the jerks get thrown to the ground. I could feel my knees burning, properly bleeding as Matt stood in the spot where he had been.

"Hey! If the lady doesn’t want to, let her go." He barked loudly and angrily as he reached his arms out and picked me up.

"Go figure, Laura and the pretty boy." One muttered as he held his nose. Stupid asshole. Matt walked a little before he set me down.

"You didn’t have to do that." I said shyly.

"And loose my best wrestler? Don’t think so." He said smiling, "You don’t have to put up with that."

"I know… I’m known for breaking a few noses with those guys… they just caught me off guard." I said forcing a smile.

"Okay… Well… I know my gym doesn’t exactly "open" for a few more days when I make the final cuts or anything… but maybe tomorrow you can come in… help me fix it up and I can help teach ya a few things." He said.

"Really?" I said happily, "I mean… that’d be cool." I said trying to be calm.

"Okay, opens at 6 am sharp." He said as he sat down. I got them their food as I sat at the bar and saw my bloody knees. Remembering the accident, I asked Tom for a Band-Aid.

"What for?" He asked as he looked down, "Do you want me to take care of them?" he asked.

"Nah, someone already did." I replied as I wiped off the scrape. I did a few more tables and went back and handed Matt his check.

"See you tomorrow." I said as I walked back into the car area to make some more drinks. After he left, I cleared off his table and saw the tip. I stuffed the cash in my pocket as I finished the night off.

Pt4

I woke up the next morning, still pretty tired from a long night at the bar. I rolled out of my bed in my apartment and put on some loose jeans that were all ripped up and a T-shirt. I combed my hair into a huge ponytail as I slid on my tennis shoes. I looked around my messy place before getting my coat and running out to my car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pulled into the lot again; 5 till 6. A black truck that I assumed was Matt’s was parked and I parked next to it. I sighed deeply as I got my stuff and slammed the door to my piece of crap, yellow 1992, two-door car. It rattled a bit as I jogged to the front door and yanked it open, greeted by the heat of the inside of the gym. I walked casually back to the dressing room area, not seeing Matt around. I opened the door to see him changing into a pair of loose nylon pants. I blushed at the sight of him from behind in his boxers as he pulled them up. Maybe I should have knocked….

"Um… hello." I said with a scratch in my voice. He whipped around when he saw me and turned properly 90 shades darker then me as he yanked his zipper up.

"Sorry… I wasn’t expecting you so soon." He said as I tossed my bag on the ground.

"It’s okay… Usually I’m rather early." I said as he quickly yanked a shirt on.

"Okay… well, we’ll do some work first and then we’ll practice so… I’ll meet you by the front desk." He grabbed his shoes and left. I blinked a few times before snapping myself out of it. I pulled on my clothes from the previous day as I went out to look for him. Sure enough, he was at the desk and pulling his hair into a tight ponytail. It had long black curls through it that I absolutely loved.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yep." I said as I followed him into a small storage room.

"Okay, we’re hanging up these awards on the main hallway okay?" he said as he brought out a box and 2 hammers and nails. I picked up the first one. Matt Hardy wins Local Tournament. The box was chock full of Hardy awards!

"Oh my God, you’ve won so many!" I said as he smiled.

"Yea…" He seemed a little depressed about not wrestling, but he had said he didn’t want to talk about it.

**************************

"Okay, now let’s practice." He said after we had all the frames up. It didn’t look half-bad. I followed him to the ring area as he got in and I followed.

"Well Laura, you seem to be a little familiar, but we’ll do some basic stuff okay?" He said as I nodded. He threw me to the ropes and I bounced back to a clothesline. We went over the easy stuff and he taught me all kinds of holds and stuff from Japan and Mexico.

"Um Matt… Can you show me some suplexes? I’m not very good with those." I said.

"Sure." He offered. "First, we’ll do belly to back." He said I went up behind him. "Um.. can you lift me?"

"Of course." I said easily getting him off the ground to prove it.

"Okay… Lock your arms… here." He said as I tightened my grip around his waist. "Now yank backwards." I did so sending us both down. "Great!" He said. This was going to be so much fun…

**************************

"That was great!" I said as we walked down the hall with water bottles.

"Yea, much funner then when I’m here fixing up alone." He said as we walked back to the room.

"But, tomorrow and the next day I have to work all day." I said as he smiled.

"That’s okay." He said. "Official practice starts next Monday." He added.

"You mean I made it?"

"Of course you did!" He said as I practically jumped into his arms.

"Thanks you!" I squealed happily.

"Anytime."

****************************

That night, working at the bar wasn’t too bad. Joey and his gang weren’t there so everything went pretty smooth. I still had chills about actually making it to his gym. Matt seemed so sweet. As I finished up my last table for the night, I gathered my tips and headed off.

Pt5

I woke up Monday morning bright and early; 5 am. I got a letter of acceptance in the mail stating that practice was every week day, 6:30 to 2:30. Tom had even let me change my shift to 4:00-1:00 so I would be okay with practice. I made my bed and pulled the blinds as I quickly hopped in the shower and washed off. After that, I put on some jeans and a long sleeve shirt; we were each getting "attire" there. I shoved a few things in my gym bag as I headed off.

The drive wasn’t very long about 10 minutes and I pulled in the lot at 20 after 6. There were a few cars parked around as I grabbed my bag; curious as to whom else had made it. I walked up to the large front door as I pulled it open and saw a few people walking down the hallway. I walked down to the dressing room; acting casual as I pulled open the door. There were a few guys in there and they all stopped as soon as I walked in.

"Um…hello." I said smiling, I had to work with them after all. They grunted something and went back to what they were doing and talking. I went to a far corner, as far as I could, and sat down. Matt came in with a large box.

"The first thing we need to do is simple, simple. Right hands. Now… Laura, could you help me?" I smiled as I climbed up to the ring with him. "Now watch. Hit me." I swung as he moved his head. "Now, bend your wrist a little…" His hand did that so I had a flat side, "Hit me again." I did so as I slap noise came out. "Okay, did you all see that? Flat side, and make sure you move your head in time. I want you all to try." They did as I stood beside him awkwardly as he watched them.

"See that guy?" He said to be pointing at the biggest one here.

"Yea." I said back.

"I want you to go show him what he’s doing wrong." He said. I gave him a look of pity before walking over. I bit my lip as I tapped him. Him as his partner turned to me.

"What do you want, woman?" He said as he spit on the floor, gross!

"Um, you’re punches look to fake. Pull your arm back further and extend it. Make sure you keep your fist flat." I said.

"You listen to me, I know what I’m doing better then any girl, so run along." He said as his partner laughed and he turned back around. Oh well, I wasn’t about to deal with him. They went over that, and I kept watching Matt. He was instructing people over stuff and he looked pretty stern, not as gentle as he was with me.

"Okay, we’re gonna work on slaps now." He said as he started partnering people up, this time I was with some guy, he looked pretty young, so I should be okay.

"Hi. I’m Laura." I said smiling.

"I’m Jason." He said in a monotone. Matt went over the instructions and we went through it fine, the slaps on the chest were hard though because the kid was scared as hell that he’d like slap a boob, how funny! I however, was having a tad bit of problems with this. I would swat my hand, and it just looked like a catfight. Matt must have saw this because I felt him tap me.

"Here, watch." He said as he turned me so I was facing him. He slowly swung his hand at my face and I jerked my neck a bit. "Keep you’re wrist as straight as possible. Then on the chest, don’t bend your elbow in mid air, try it." I did that and swung at him as I felt my hand come to contact with his stiff, perfect chest. "Good, we’ll work on that." He got back in the ring.

"Okay, fore arm and back hands…."

Well, I’ll save you the whole boring day. We went through those and took a break. I just sat on the bench for a minute and swung my feet, I still wasn’t very accepted among the others.

"Hang in there." Matt said from behind me. I craned my neck and saw him with a water bottle. He offered it to me, and I took a sip, tasting his sweet mouth on the end as I handed it back.

"I know… they just won’t give me a chance." I said as I sighed.

"Just, hang in there. They will, don’t worry." He said as he set the bottle down. "Okay guys, I want you to all practice that a few times, then one by one, you’ll get in the ring and practice with me." He said. Jason and I did a few, no words exchanged from either; he wasn’t a big talker. Then he said something about good enough and walked off, leaving me there.

"Alright, first… Brian." Matt said as one guy got in and went through some hits back and forth. I slumped down and held my head in my hands; I hadn’t thought it would be this bad! I mean… I knew it would be rough, but I didn’t think it would be this bad and they wouldn’t even give me a chance… I needed to prove myself still, but this was insane.

"Laura… Laura… Laura!" I looked up from my daze to see everyone looking at me and sitting down, apparently it was my turn. I blushed as I got in the ring.

"Sorry…" I said softly. He gave me a warming smile.

"It’s okay. Um… Slap me across the face." I did so, creating a loud cracking. "Now with your left hand…" This time it was weaker, I was much better with the right hand. His beard rubbed against me hands in a scratchy way. "Alright…" He said as he did the same to me. I turned my head and felt a slight burning feeling as he looked at me. "You okay?"

"Yea, fine." I said as he raised his arm back and hit me in the chest… though his aim was a little off and he ended up slapping me in the boob. He blushed and the guys started to cheer, I swear to god…

"Oh my God, I’m sorry."

"It’s okay." I said smiling sweetly. We went through the rest, and he was really careful, which made me smile a bit.

"Okay, that’s enough for today." He said as all the guys rushed off to the locker room. I started off to and he grabbed my arm pulling me back.

"Listen, if they give you any problems, tell me."

"Matt… I just want to be treated like one of the guys… that’s how I grew up and that’s how I intend to be." I said simply. "But thanks for caring." I added before hopping off to the room to change.

Pt6

The next week went kinda dull. We did more basic stuff, kicking, hitting and some blocks. That was it, but I guess you needed to build yourself up. Today was the week’s "check-up" we had to square off with an opponent, and just guess who mine was? You guessed it… Ryan. That big tough guy who yelled at me and stuff earlier this week. Well, I had to fight him. I crossed my fingers as a few started out, they went well as usual. Next, it was my turn. Matt gave me a warm smiling as he picked up his clipboard and reclined in the chair.

"You ready woman?" He said in a low voice.

"Ready when you are." I replied as he made a punch. I ducked and caught him below the jaw. I paused for a brief moment to see Matt’s reaction, but in that one moment, the big guy rolled me around and nailed me in the eye before I could jerk my head.

"Fuck!" I yelled as I held my eye and punched him back, hard. "You knew I wasn’t ready!" I held my eye as he held his jaw.

"Okay, enough." Matt said as he came in. "Practice over." He said as the grumpy wrestlers walked away. "Let me see." He said to me after the room cleared.

"I’ll be fine." I insisted back. His fingers held at mine that were covering my face.

"Come on, let me see?" I reluctantly dropped my arms to my sides as he lifted my chin a little. "Come on, let’s go get some ice; you’re gonna have a nice little shiner for a few days." He said as I followed him into his little "apartment".

"Stupid ass, I hate him." I grumbled as he walked into his small refrigerator and got some ice.

"Well, at least you hit him back, still… He’ll learn." Matt said, "Come here." I walked over as he held an icepack to my eye. "Go sit on the bed while I kick them all out for now, Let that sit for 15 minutes." He said as he walked out. My eye really did hurt like hell, and I didn’t want a big bruise, just wait until I go to work now. We didn’t have official practice until Monday again, but I was hoping to come in tomorrow too. A little bit later, Matt came back in and crouched in front of me and took the ice off.

"Yep, nice little black and blue. Part of the game though, it’ll be fine." I sat on his bed as he sat beside me; it wasn’t too big to begin with. "You know, the big guys always razz the little ones. Just hang in there, in the end, you’ll be the toughest." He said, "Jeff and me went through the same thing when we wrestled."

"I know… I just… I just wish it was a little bit easier on me, I had a hell of a time just getting the money ya know." I said as he wrapped his arm around me.

"Remember, if they ever do anything real bad, I’ll kick their asses." I laughed as I put my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks Matt."

"Anytime." I looked out the window, snowing again.

"Oh man." I said as he looked at me with the "what?" look. "I hate driving in bad snow, my brakes are horrible."

"You can stay here and watch some TV with me if you want, until the roads are better." He said… hm…

"Really? Thanks… I’d like that. I just want to be, you know safe." He smiled as I got my bags and went into the bathroom to change. I pulled on a T-shirt and shorts and put the tight wrestling stuff in my gym bag and just left it I there. I glared in the mirror at the large purple spot already on my eye as I cursed to myself before going to the ‘main’ room. Matt was in his jeans… and that alone on the bed flipping through the channels. He looked up when he saw me and scooted a bit. I lay down beside him, our bodies smashed on the small bed. His arm went back around me as I laid my head down on the bed. I felt his hands pull my hair back a little. I was getting all these really weird, mixed vibes.

"Matt… why don’t you wrestle anymore? Professionally?" I asked as I looked up at him.

"I… I’d rather not talk about it." He said as his eyes adverted.

"Okay… that’s fine." I said smiling, trying to drop it. But deep down, I was just yearning to know why… there had to be some huge reason. I felt my eyes grow heavy as I gave in and closed them before falling into sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to sounds of Matt talking on the phone. I felt really warm and peeked an eye to see I was still on his bed with a blanket over me.

"Yea, this one dude named Ryan is just an ass to her. She got a black eye today; whatdaya think? He nailed her in the eye… yeah, so she swings back and gets him in the jaw. What do you think I did? I just ended practice… I don’t think he would… Oh, she’s asleep on my bed. Yea… well she changed in here because the guys were gett’n a little rough in the locker room. I know… it’s still early though… Would you? Okay… see ya soon bro… bye." There was a click and I heard a little scuffling as the blanket was pulled up further on me. My eyes drifted again to the darkness of everything. I felt his hand gently looking at my eyes, properly a gazillion colors by now.

I felt something cold added to my eye, not an icepack, cream or something. I just ignored it though as I tried to get back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Holy shit! She got nailed!" I heard a thick southern accent that I recognized to be Jeff’s.

"I know, that’s what I told you." They talked for a few minutes as I opened my eyes.

"Hey honey." Jeff said smiling widely.

"Hello…" I replied eyeing him cautiously.

"So, other then the assholes, how are you enjoying your first week as pro wrestler?" He asked.

"It’s cool…" I said being at a loss for words. I pulled the blanket down and looked at the clock, 5 o’clock.

"Hey, I hate to run, but I have to be at work in like 20 minutes." I said getting all my stuff. "Thanks again!" I added before quickly leaving. I drove like a fricking maniac down the road…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, so my story goes on. It’s the following Monday, I mailed in my first week’s check feeling… fairly confident I got my money’s worth. I pulled into the lot, same as usual, but I was running really late. My alarm hadn’t gone off… again and I woke up in a panic. I opened the front doors and saw everyone lounging around as I bolted down the hallway to the back room. I slipped in and started to change quickly. I pulled my hair up and decided I looked half-decent so I went back to the main room where everyone had already started. I did a few stretches before Matt said it was time to start. My eye was still swollen, but I could see out of it, so that was good enough.

"Okay, everyone has fairly completed kicking and punches; those are the basics. The next basic thing you really need to do is learn the ropes. Now, I know it seems easy, but it’s not really. You’re feet tend to drag and you don’t want that. So you run, bounce and then do whatever you’re doing. You can counter it, get thrown into them and so forth. One thing about the ropes is, they hurt. So it’s gonna burn a little, but that’s natural and you’ll get adjusted. One at a time, I want you to come up here and try just bouncing from one end to the other." One at a time someone went up and I watched as Matt came over to me.

"You’re eye’s look’n better." He said smiling, still watching the ring.

"Thanks… it’s not as bad as it was Saturday though." I added. It was my turn now. I walked up. The advantage to being a female was a got to wear a shirt so ropes weren’t a big deal for me. I ran up to the one and bounced off, and something grabbed my foot. I fell face first to the mat.

"What the hell?" I said. Someone had pulled my foot! My head pounded a little from bouncing off the canvas, but not too much.

"Hey guys, none of that." Matt said as I pushed myself up. They were snickering behind me as I went back to what I was trying and flew off the ropes again, this time making it across. I hopped off the apron, a little bit ticked. He flashed me a smile that just urged me on. The last person went as he stood back up.

"Next, is throwing someone into the ropes. Laura, come here and help me." He said as I got in. "Take their arm and whip them around you to the ropes and then they bounce off, like so." He did that to me and caught me on my way back. "You guys got it?" They grunted and we went through the same routine of everyone tries it. We did some more simple stuff and for our last thing of the day, Matt said we were doing a combination of everything we knew so far. This was how we ended all of our days; great. I got paired up with David. He was average, mid 20s. He didn’t talk much, so we went right into it. I threw him into the ropes and caught him with a clothesline. A few right hands were exchanged, and the guys kept yelling words of encouragement to him.

"Show the She-man who’s the boss!"

"Rip her apart."

They were really starting to get on my nerves. I turned and looked at one as I got caught in a reversal to the ropes. The guy lifted me up and slammed me to the mat. I felt all the air rush out of my lungs and the world spin a bit. Great. I forced myself up and rolled out of the ring while they went on. After a minute, I shook my head clear and sat on the bench as class was dismissed. I walked towards his room and shut the door as I collapsed on his bed. Once the world stopped spinning enough, I sat up and got my clothes on. I didn’t know how much more of this I could actually take! I sighed as I packed up and opened the door and walked out. Matt was at the front desk as I walked over.

"You’re doing great." He said smiling as I rolled my eyes.

"I feel like shit." I said back as he smiled.

"It’ll only get better, trust me. Just make sure you’re here tomorrow, I’ve got someone for you to meet."

"Okay." I said, "See ya tomorrow." I walked out and left for a long day of waitressing.

Pt7 ~ Used "I Believe" by Blessed Union of Souls w/o permission

I walked into the gym same as always the next day, wondering what Matt meant by someone for me to meet. I walked down the hallway and into his room. I set my stuff down on the bed and changed as I went to the ring where a small crowd was gathering. Matt waved me over and I saw some chick beside him.

"Laura, this is Amy." He said as we shook hands. "She’s gonna give me a hand today." He said, "Everyone, start stretching." I started to walk away when he pulled my shoulder and motioned me over to Amy. He walked away and she greeted me with another handshake.

"Hi, Matt told me about you and I totally understand, men are real jerks until you really kick their asses. Then they learn to get over themselves." I smiled as she went on. "So, I went through this a lot too and Matt told me about you so I wanted to come and watch out. I mean, he said you were a helluva talent to get scared away from the business." I felt myself blushing as she scurried me off to stretch. Today was more of a mix and match. Mostly suplexes. Matt had taught me several the days I came into help, so this should be easy. He and Amy showed everyone a few as people started working on them, but they worried me a bit. I wasn’t as strong as most of them and didn’t know if I could get them off the ground as easily.

"Hey… wanna work with me?" Amy said as she walked over seeing me alone.

"Sure, I know quite a few; Matt showed me." I said as I got in the ring.

"Alright, we’ll start with a belly to back okay?"

"Okay." We did a few of those until I mastered them. The day went really quick, with Amy there I didn’t have to worry so much as too what would happen. She left near the end, saying goodbye. We did our little ‘show what you know’ crap and today’s went fine… they were being unusually nice, which was too odd… and some were even smiling at me. Something was up. I think Matt noticed it too, because he was giving them the evil eye as well. I went and changed; very cautiously. Matt stopped me on my way out.

"Did they… do anything?" He asked as I nodded no.

"Nope… maybe they’re finally waking up." He shrugged as I walked out. The lot was abandoned; totally- including MY car.

"What the fuck." I said out loud. I scanned the lot a million times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things; and I wasn’t. My car was gone. I looked around again, not believing my eyes. I felt a tear ride down the side of my face. This wasn’t happening, it’s too much… I felt my knees wobble as I dropped down to the pavement in a mass blur of tears. I don’t know how much time went by until I heard the door slam and a running of footsteps.

"Laura, Laura what’s wrong?" Matt asked as he came beside me.

"My... My car is gone. I can’t take this… all I wanted to do was come here and wrestle and…" I felt him pull me up from the ground and I buried my face in his chest while he pet my back.

"Shh, let’s go inside and see what we can do." I picked up my bag as he put his arm around me and we walked back in. We went to his room and I sat on the bed.

"Okay, tell me what happened." He asked as I tossed my jacket to the floor.

"Nothing much, I went out there, and it was gone… I can’t take it, I’m a still a woman…" I sobbed as he held me in a tight embrace.

"Okay, do you have work tonight?" I shook no, "Here’s what we’ll do. You stay here and tomorrow we’ll find out where your car is, I promise."

"I hope so." I said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you want anything to eat?" Matt asked.

"No…" I said as my eyes wandered around.

"Come on, you got to eat something." He insisted, "A sandwich?"

"Fine… a sandwich." I said as he turned around in the kitchen. I flipped on the TV and surfed through, still on ultra depression. Sure, I mean, he would have to find it; but I loved my car; worked my ass off for it too! Finding nothing on, I turned it off. "You can play my stereo." He said as I saw it by the TV. I walked over to the CD tower and zoned through finding some random CDs. I found a mix one and stuck it in and moped back to his bed.

"Come here." He said as I got up and inched over. I sat at his small table; it only seated 2 people and picked at the sandwich.

"You have to eat," He said. I picked it up and took a bite and put it back down. He pulled his chair up beside mine while my sight remained to be examining the floor.

His hand went back to rubbing my back and his other picked up the bread and offered it to me. I opened my mouth a little and took a small bite. He offered it to me again and we did this until half was gone.

"See, not too bad." He said as I put my head on his shoulder.

"I just wish it wasn’t so hard." I cried softly. His other arm came around and held me for a few minutes; and it felt so nice… so right.

"Why don’t you go take a nice shower? It’ll make you feel better." He said as I looked at the bathroom. "There’s a T-shirt in there you can wear and some shorts…" I got up slowly with my arms wrapped around myself to replace his warm arms as I opened the door and shut it. I turned the shower on. I was moving like I was stuck in slow motion and I took a quick shower. I looked around the small shower and saw a washcloth; must be Matt’s. I picked it up and held it in my hands before I moved it around my body; thinking it was his warm touch. When I was finished, I got out and dried off. I slid on my under garments from today and pulled his huge T-shirt on as I tossed my old clothes in a laundry bin and walked back out with my arms still around me

Violence is spread worldwide and there are families on the street
And we sell drugs to children now oh why can't we just see
That all we do is eliminate our future with the things we do today
Money is our incentive now so that makes it okay

Matt went in and took a shower as I sat back down on the end of his bed. It seemed that a million thoughts ran through my mind and I couldn’t pick then apart; just a giant glob of worries. I found a pillow and hugged it tightly. What if no one said where my car was… there’s nothing I could do at all. It would be gone… and then, oh my god, what if I had to stop coming here… Sure I put up with a lot of shit, but…

My thoughts were interrupted when Matt came out of the bathroom with shorts on and his dark curls dripping water slightly. I guess he saw me staring off because he came over.

"You know, you don’t need to be so tough all the time." He said as I turned and looked at him.

"I know… I just…"

"Just, let it all out." He said softly as he sat beside me. I bit my lip and felt it starting to tremble. He pulled me into his arms once again and it felt perfect. I could taste water on his bare shoulder as I sobbed and he cradled me a little.

"Matt… maybe I should just quit… it’s what they want after all." I said softly, in a scared tone.

"No. You’re going to stick with it. I told you… it’ll be okay."

We spent most of the day like that, me just crying and telling him everything. About me growing up with all my brothers and always getting teased for playing with the boys and I never felt belonged and he listened quietly; never commenting, just listening. And that’s what I needed. It was growing dark and I just finished saying something when I looked up at him. The sun was almost gone and the sunset shone through the window projecting a beautiful light in the room.

"Matt… do you believe in love?" I asked him. He looked a little off guard, but answered.

"Yes… I do." He said, "Do you?" I nodded and that was enough said.

I believe that love will find the way
I believe I believe I believe I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
Love will find the way

"You ought to get to sleep; tomorrow’s a busy day." He said when the room was nearly completely dark. He got up with me in his arms and pulled back the sheets of the bed, slipping my body in. I scooted over a bit as he looked at me.

"Please?" I asked as he got in slowly. I put my arm around him and he did the same to me, so we’d fit. My head was just under his chin as I reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you. For everything." I said.

"No… thank you. Good night, Laura."

"Good night Matt." I said as I heard him immediately fall asleep; his gentle breathing on my forehead. I moved my finger to his chest and gentle placed my hand over his heart; feeling the steady beat of it. I kept my palm there as I fell asleep too.

"Hm? Matt?" I said as I rolled closer to his warm body.

"Hey, I got to get up and set up, you go back to sleep." He said.

"No, I might as well get up too." I said.

"No, I want you to stay here today until I find out where your car is." He said sternly.

"NO I want to beat out of them until I find out which one has my car." I said back as he rolled his eyes. He pulled a pair of pants on and put his hands on my shoulders backing me back down to the bed.

"It’ll be better this way. After they leave I’ll go over with you what we did, but if you go out there it was cause some major problems."

"I have to work at 8 today." I added.

"Okay, we’ll make it work. Just go back to sleep." He said. I grunted as I crawled back in the blankets, clinging to the large warm mass where his body had laid all night and closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matt’s POV

"Stupid ass holes." I thought as I unlocked the front door. Everything was up and running today as I sat back down at the front desk and filled out the day’s papers. I really didn’t know what I was going to do when they got here… guess I’d just play it by ear. It took me what seemed like forever to finish up all the paperwork; I had no idea this was going to be so much work! I finished my last receipt when I saw a bunch of people coming in; all joking around and pushing each other around. I eyed each of them cautiously as they all went into the dressing room. Stupid bastards… I sighed as I filed away the papers and walked into the room where they were all getting ready.

"Listen up." I yelled as I got on top of a bench. They all froze and looked at me, "I want to know, very calmly, which one has Laura’s car." They all looked at each other and shrugged. This was not going to be easy. "Fine, don’t tell me." I said angrily as I got out and went to the ring. A few minutes later, they all came out.

"In the ring now." I said as they came in. "Okay, I’m going to say this one more time, and if you don’t comply, we are doing solid push-ups all day non stop and if you refuse to do them, you’re outta here, no refund. NOW, where is her car?" All their eyes adverted to Ryan who smiled evilly.

"It’s in the lot, we don’t know what you’re talking about." He said with a wide grin. I looked around at everyone, and they looked convinced enough.

"Okay… then we’ll get started." I thought them a few things; though I was rather skeptical about it all day, keeping an eye on Ryan.

"So, where’s the chic?" He asked as I was observing them at the end.

"Laura, and she didn’t come in today." I said. Yea right, like I’d tell them she was asleep in my bed; how stupid do you think I am?

"Oh…" A few of them said, a few of them smiling like they accomplished something.

"And you better be damn ashamed! She worked just as hard, if not harder then all y’all. And you better straighten your acts up starting now. Now hit the showers." I said sending them off. While they left, I ran to the lot as sure as hell, there was her car in the corner, untouched. I breathed a sigh of relief and went back inside to my room. She was still sound asleep and I decided not to wake her. I watched everyone leave, smiling like nothing had happened. When the last was gone, I went out and looked her car over. Inside, there was the key on the seat and I turned it on; everything was fine.

"Just a little joke Matt," I told myself, "They got played on you and you played them too. Everything’s fine…"

~Later~

*Laura’s POV*

I felt something brush against me and I looked up to see Matt’s hand gently swipe me face.

"Your car is back and fine and I didn’t throw one punch." He said as my face lit up. "They brought it back fine." I grinned as he went on, "But you have to be at work at 8 and it’s 3 o’clock so we better get to work."

"It’s three!" I said surprised, I hadn’t slept that long?

"Yea, I just let ya sleep for a bit, but we need to get to work." I got up and showered and dressed quickly. He was already in the ring doing some stuff when I walked out there. I jumped up onto the apron and got in smiling widely.

"Kay, ya ready?" He asked as I nodded. I sat down and stretched a little bit. "Here, let me show ya something." He said as he walked over. "Lay on your back and put your legs in the air." I did so as he started to bend my knees back to my head. "One, two…" He counted out loud to twenty-five and released as he pulled me up.

"Okay, first we did some more rope work, but you’ve got that down so we’ll just skip that. I showed then the belly to belly suplex though so come here…" Our chests pressed against each other and we were nose to nose. "Okay, so pull back and voila." He said as I flew to the mat. "You try." I stood up and walked over and pressed us together. I looked up at him for a moment, we were so close. I gulped as I pulled back with a loud thud and we both landed. He stood up.

"Okay, we got that down… I showed them the uh… submission holds." We went through some things, us getting closer and closer to each other.

"Last one for today…" He said, "Um… lie down." I did so and I felt him climbing up behind and his arm wrap around my neck. Just this position was odd. He started to wiggle and bit and grip my neck harder as I tapped my hand and he let me up. I was a deep flush when he laid down; he wanted me to do it too. I carefully climbed on his back and put my arm around him… oh my god this felt screwed up. Not even waiting I jumped up and he did the same. I looked up at him and smiled as I pulled him into a hug; feeling our sweaty bodied mashed to one another.

"Thank you…" I said softly as his arm held me tightly.

"You’re welcome." I reached up and gave him a small peck before going to his room. I gathered my clothes up and shoved them in my bag, getting a quick glance of his room. He walked in toweling his hair as he tossed the cloth aside.

"I want to watch you pull out; make sure it works." He said smiling as we walked down the abandoned hallway and out the door. I got in my car, waving goodbye and started the engine. Everything worked fine as I gave a toot at the horn and pulled down the road, driving very cautiously.

***********************

"Laura, table 9A." Tom said.

"Okay." I said taking my tablet and walking over. God you must be kidding me.

"Oh, hi Laura." Ryan and his buddies said grinning. I looked at their table, full of the loser guys that practically harassed me constantly.

"Hey toots." Joey said winking as the table roared in laughter.

"Can I take your order?" I asked unenthusiastically.

"Well…. Can we have 2 breasts?" One asked as they all laughed again.

"No but you can have a kick in the nuts." I said under my breath.

"What was that?" One of my ‘co-students’ Brad said as some got up and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded again. Fuck…

"On the table!" One yelled as I was tossed back to the wooden top. I paced a little, trying to get down, but I was circled with pro wrestler wannabes and super assholes. I walked to a weak corner, but was shoved to the wood. I skidded and stood up, trying to fight my way over when I felt my whole body lifted off the table and I was slung over someone’s shoulders.

"Hey! Help!" I screamed as I felt something crash with my skull and the world turned into darkness.

Pt9

"Hey!" I screamed, but no sound came out and my head hurt like hell. I tried to open my eyes, but was only answered by a painful stinging to spread over my body and look into nothing but pure darkness. I tried to look where I was, but I couldn’t see anything at all. It was dark, and cold and that was all I knew….

Matt’s POV

I paced my room several times as I picked up the phone, still worried about her. It was 3am… god what I am I thinking? I called her house first, I just had to talk to her! It rang once… twice… six times! Where is she? Maybe she’s at work…

"Hello, thank you for calling the Hub this is Tom." A voice answered.

"Yes…. I’m Matt Hardy looking for Laura…" I said softly.

"Oh she left I think a few hours ago. Just up and left, I didn’t even see her walk out." He said.

"Okay, thanks." I said quickly hanging up. I grabbed my jacket and threw some shoes on hoping I wasn’t over reacting.

Laura’s POV

I mentally shivered… god someone help me! I’d gotten a little of my sight, but it was really blurred up. I could see the night sky from how I was laying but I could barely feel anything… just coldness. I heard blurred noises at what I assumed were cars somewhere nearby. There was cement across from me and there were dumpsters. Oh my god… I was in an alley. Now way… how could I have gotten here; no. Those stupid dick-heads! No fucking way! I suddenly became angry, but I was helpless to do anything.

Matt’s POV

I raced through the city streets like a mad man, looking everywhere. I parked at her work and started to snoop around as I walked up and down. I went inside and was greeted by a bunch of drunken idiots as I walked past them, but no signs of anyone I was looking for. I walked out the back door and down and alley, and there she was.

"Laura!" I yelled as I ran over, oh my god, please let her be alright…

Laura’s POV

Matt? That had to be him…. I’d recognize his voice anywhere… I can see him in front of me, bending over. His mouth is moving but I don’t hear words.

Matt’s POV

"Laura? Laura can you hear me? Do something…" I do the only thing I can… I pick her up slowly and head towards my car.

Laura’s POV

I can feel him taking me somewhere, his car. My body is slid in slowly as he gets in and drives off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matt’s POV

God, I’m not crying am I? I pull into Jeff’s driveway a mess. I wipe my face as I pick her up and run to the front door banging on it. His house was much closer than mine. He answers the door in a few minutes yawning, I must have woke him. He sees Laura and quickly opens the door and I run in and put her on the couch.

"What happened?" He asked

"I have no clue, I found her in an ally like this, but I have a clue who it was." I said as I looked at her. Her eyes were closed and her body was all dirty and a little bloody and she was bruising up quickly.

"I’ll go get a warm washcloth." Jeff said as he left down the hallway. I knelt down and took her hand.

"Come on Laura, wake up, please, for me?" I asked gently kissing her forehead. But when she didn’t move I became even more worried. Jeff came back and I gently washed off her face and arms and legs removing all the soot and dirt seeing a few bruises but she didn’t appear as bad as she properly felt.

Laura’s POV

"Matt?" I said weakly in a voice that definitely wasn’t mine. It was frail and scratchy.

"Laura girl…" He said . My eyes were still shut, I didn’t even have the energy to open them up. I could barely feel his hand holding mine. My whole body ached, the pounding in my head was worse. "Laura, what hurts?" He asked.

"Everything." I replied.

"What hurts the worst then?" He asked.

"My head." Him and Jeff said some things I couldn’t pick apart as I felt myself lifted again.

"We’re gonna take you to a more comfortable bed okay?" Jeff said as I felt his fingers on my forehead while Matt carried me off. I slumped my head to Matt’s chest as I was set down on somewhere new. The covers were silken and soft and cold against my burning flesh.

"Do you mind if I change your clothes?" Matt asked, "Your uniform is torn and bloody." I made an attempt at words that came out as a whimper as I felt my shoes gently pulled off along with my socks. His hands shook a bit as he moved up to my shirt and I felt it unbuttoned leaving me to the gentle air of the calm room. I arched my back a bit to help get it off as I could feel him staring at my skirt. His hands lie prone at my hips as he pulled the tight skirt down leaving me there, sprawled in the bed. I felt his thumb at my cheek as his lips gently touched my cheek.

"You’re beautiful." He said as there was a clicking of drawers. I smiled inside. He thought I was beautiful! A large, worn T-shirt slipped over me. "You need some rest." He said as I large blanket was pulled over me.

"Matt, stay." I said softly. I guess that was what he was waiting to hear because the bed slumped as he undressed and got beside me pulling my body close.

"You’re safe now." He added as I drifted off.

**************************

"Matt dude, are you going to the gym?" Jeff asked the next morning waking me up.

"Jeff, could you go? Please… just show ‘em some stuff and if Ryan comes just… God… deal with him. I just might kill him if I see him." Matt said. I was still around his arms and with every word he said, his chest rose and set.

"Okay, like show them…"

"Holds, blocks and suplexes is what we’re working on." Matt said, "Keys are in my pocket." There was a jingling as Jeff got them and a creak of the door as he walked back out. Matt’s hands pulled my hair back as I tried to open my eyes. I narrowed them into small slits of blue to his warm face.

"Hey, sorry, did I wake you?"

"No." I said delicately. We stayed that way; looking at each other for a while, him gently petting my face.

"Can you tell me what happened last night?" He asked.

"Well… um, I went to work. Tom told me this table and I went over and it was those guys that attacked me the one night when you were there and Ryan and his buddies and they were trying to get some action on me and when I had a eh, comment to them, I got thrown on the table and it’s all fuzzy after that." I said.

"Do you remember what they did to you?" He asked again as I nodded no, "Okay, that’s good enough. You don’t deserve any of that, you know that right?" I nodded weakly as he lifted my chin. "I’m going to take care of everything, starting with you." He said as he gently kissed my cheek. He pulled the cover back and I looked at my purple and blue arms.

"Come on." He said as his arms went under me and lifted me off the mattress. Our bodies snuggled as he walked down the hallway and set me back on the couch… wasn’t I here last night? A lot of things were scattered in my head, none sticking out. My head pounded as he pulled my hair back and tied it with a bandana. "Can you lift a leg up for me?" He asked. I slowly highered my right leg as I dropped it and then I did the same to the left.

"It feels like dead weight." I said as he lifted my arm up. I held it in the air before dropping it back and doing the same to the other.

"Can you try and walk a bit?" He asked as he pulled me up. My legs felt wobbly on the floor and I took a step falling onto Matt’s chest. He started to pull me up as I pushed him away and tried again.

"I can do it." I said determined as I slowly stepped forward, wobbling about. I took another, then another and then I fell again, pushing myself up with all my strength. I slowly inched back to Matt sinking into his broad arms.

"Come on, we got to find you some clothes. We got somewhere to go." Matt said leading me down the hallway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Listen, they’re just going to ask a few questions." Matt said as he pulled up to the police station.

"Matt… I don’t want to, I don’t remember." I said lightly.

"Listen, we don’t know ALL they did to you and it could have been bad, very bad." He said, "And these guys need to be taken care of." He said as he opened the front door and led me in, still having an arm around me for support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Miss Herush, what happened?" The detective asked. Matt said beside me watching.

"I don’t exactly know…" I said what I recalled as he scribbled down some things.

"Miss… do you remember anything else?" I nodded no as he continued. "You need to go to the hospital for some… tests so we can tell what they did to you while you were knocked out." He said as I stared at the ground, this was so embarrassing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked in the hospital with Matt, oh my God this was humiliating. Matt insisted it be for my own good as we were instructed down a hallway and later into a room. He held my hand comforting… he wasn’t going in with me…

"Laura?" A doctor asked as he came in and I sat on an examination table. I was changed into an uncomfortable hospital gown as he had a straight, robotic face.

"Yes." I answered, my voice soft and shaky.

"I’m Dr. Lowstein, the hospital head gynecologist for um… rape victims. Now, I understand we’re not sure here, but I need you to answer these questions. I put my hand on my head as he got out a clipboard. "Now, you need to be truthful on all these, okay?"

"Yes sir." I managed.

"Have you had sexual intercourse in the past 6 months?"

"No." I said from my hands.

"Past year?"

"No."

"Ever?" He waited for my answer as I moved my eyesight from Matt.

"No." I said quietly.

"Have you had any kind of sexual activity?"

"No."

"No kinds?"

"None." I said muffled.

"When was your last menstrual cycle?"

"Four weeks." I said as he took notes and check marked things.

"Have you had any discomfort in the past day?"

"I just woke up this morning and I can’t feel much of anything." I said as he instructed me to lie down.

"Do you need me to leave?" Matt piped up.

"You don’t have to Mr. Hardy… only if you like." He said as a gazillion things ran through my head. "But this can be very traumatic for the young lady and the police station said we needed witness in here, I’ll have to go find someone…"

"Just stay." I said not believing the words came from me. He bit his lip as the doctor pulled my robe up and my panties down. Why a male doctor?!

"This may have some discomfort…" He said in doctors words for "it’s going to hurt like hell." Matt stood up and walked over slowly and offered his hand. I took it as he stared at my eyes in a way of saying "I won’t look." It kinda made me happy about it all in a strange way. I felt something cold at my opening and the next 5 minutes were mass blurring of me crying and cold probing and poking. Matt squeezed my hand as the doctor continued doing some things, tears streaming. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt. I refused to yell though. I bit my lip to stop the screams as he did more before finishing. He pulled my panties back up and walked away with lab tests and such. Matt reached down and wiped my tears away.

"You did good." He said as he gently hands brushed away the tears. I stayed lying on the cold metal table, staring at the ceiling a million things running through my head. The doctor came back in with a clipboard again about 20 minutes later.

"Well, the result came in." He said as he looked at me, "Are you ready for them?" My heart screamed a million things all at once as I nodded. Please… nothing bad… please.

Pt10

"Miss Laura, according to the reports…" My heart stopped for a minute, "You were raped." I just sat there and stared dead ahead. This wasn’t happening… to me… "The DNA is being sent in and we’ll find out in a few days. I’m really sorry, but when the results come in, you’ll need to return to the police for further questioning. I’m really sorry… The good news of it all is that you’re physically okay. No disease or anything likes that and no conception occurred. You’ll need to take these pills every 4 hours for the next week though." He handed me a bottle that I held loosely in my hands. "I’m really sorry, but we can’t do anything about the past. If you need to talk to someone, you can just ask me and I could find you someone." He added, "But I have other patients to attend too." He handed Matt a piece of paper and walked out.

"Laura it’s…" Matt started to say something but stopped. I felt myself coming down to tears again as he approached me. It wasn’t like normal crying though. The tears were coming, but I didn’t feel anything at all. No emotion, just… sadness. It’s hard to put to words.

"I’m really sorry this happened… if only I’d stayed with you."

"Matt, it’s not your fault." I said calmly in a monotone.

"Come on, let’s go." He said as I hopped off the table and walked out in front of him and right out the door. He stayed inside for a second and discussed something with a nurse as I got in the passenger seat. I sat straight up and looked dead ahead at the car in front as Matt got in and looked at me for a minute. I felt his hand on my thigh.

"Listen, they’re going to find out who did it and lock them away… okay?" I kept my look ahead as his hand rubbed my leg. "You’re gonna be okay." He added as he started to drive off down the calm, steady road. I breathed in deep sighs with my shoulders lifting and setting. I laid back and closed my eyes to the peaceful car ride.

"Laura?" He asked, his voice near a whisper. I turned my head to show he had my attention. "Where do you want to go?" He asked

"Not alone." I said simply as he nodded; knowing. He made some more turns and ended up back at his place.

"Do you want to stay here or go back to your place?" He asked.

"This is fine." I said as he stopped the car. I opened the door slowly and walked behind him into the building. It was pretty empty and there were little things here and there as he pulled his arm around me and I sunk into it. I heard some noises and Jeff came out smiling until he saw us, obviously reading my face like a book.

"Hi." He said softly as Matt pulled his arm from mine.

"Hey, um Laura, you can go ahead in the room and do some stuff, I’ll be in there in a minute." I slowly walked in and shut the door.

Meanwhile………..

"Hey man, what’s up?" Jeff asked as Matt shook his head.

"We went to the sheriff and he questioned and stuff and then we were transferred to a rape specialist gynecologist." Matt said as Jeff’s eyes shot out.

"What he say?" He asked.

"He did this questionnaire and um… looked around." Matt rose his eyebrows and Jeff nodded

"You were in there?!"

"Yea… I didn’t watch though man, I held her hand and turned my head…looked painful though. Anywise… long story short… she was uh… she was raped." Jeff gasped a little

"Yea and she’s just broken. She’s never uh… well you know and she’s just totally broken man. So she’s going to stay with me for a little, could you um, teach that class still until they test the DNA to whomever was the rapist."

"That’s fine, do you want me to stay and teach? I’m home for 3 more days." Jeff offered as Matt nodded.

"I think that’d be best for everyone."

"Okay, I’m going to go get some clothes."

"Could you stop by Amy’s and get some uh, girl clothes?" Matt asked as Jeff nodded and left and Matt walked back into his room.

Laura’s POV

I sat on the bed staring at my hands. I felt so dirty and violated. I didn’t even notice Matt come in until I felt his hands on my back. He sat behind me on the bed and I heard him move around for something.

"Want me to comb your hair?" he offered causing me to smile.

"Yea." I said as I felt a brush run through my long locks pulling out the several tangles.

"You want to talk?" He offered as I shrugged.

"Sure… about what?"

"Um… a little bit of everything… whatever you wanna chat about." He said as he continued his motions, "Just, what’s on your mind?"

"Everything and anything." I said calmly as I turned my full attention back to my hands, "I mean… I’ve never slept with anyone and to think my first was with someone I despise, it feels horrible. I mean, I don’t brag about being a virgin, but I wanted to until I got married. And now that’s gone… I just fell so worthless… horrible. This has been the worst week ever." I said as I felt the strands twisted; he was braiding.

"Um well… if it makes you feel any better… I have never… I mean I’m a… Well, you know." He said. No way! He wasn’t a virgin! I could name a hundred people that would lay for him!

"Nuh uh!" I said as he chuckled.

"Yea huh." He said in reply as a pony nail holder was pulled in and I arched my head to see his serious face. "Does that make you feel any better?"

"A little." I admitted as his hands started to rub my shoulders.

"I mean, it was a horrible thing and all, but it’s done and over with, at least you weren’t awake for it…" He said as his hands rubbed out the large knots that had been in my back.

"I guess so… but still… now I have the whole what if and I just… I can’t explain it ya know?"

"Yea I know what you mean. When I was… never mind." He said quickly.

"No tell me!" I urged as I jumped up and sat behind him and started to comb his hair, the thought of what happened making it to the back of my mind. His hair was so perfect. I ran my fingers through the dark locks and curls as he inhaled deeply.

"Well, when my mother died, I was just feeling really bad and no one understood. Jeff was still young ya know but he was upset too and all. But it hurt me the most of the two because my father didn’t show too much affection over it and I felt all alone."

"Oh my god, how old were you?" I asked, my movements stilled.

"Twelve." I reached my arms around him and held him loosely as he reached up to hold my hands and pull me around to him on the bed.

"I’m so sorry." I said as he forced one of those ‘I’m sad but I’ll make my way through it’ smiles I had shown a lot the past few days.

"Don’t be, it was a while ago, I’m a big boy now." He said gently rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand. I looked deep into his eyes that could tell a million stories simply by looking at them. The door opened and Jeff came in whistling. I turned around and saw him smiling widely.

"Hello…" he said his face turning worried when he saw me.

"Hi Jeff." I said as Matt nodded in a silent form of greeting.

"I got you, Laura, some um, girlie clothes from my friend… if you want I don’t know…" He said.

"Oh thanks!" I exclaimed trying to sound as cheerful as I could though my insides still hurt. He put the bag down by the bed and walked in the bathroom.

"He’s gonna stay and teach for a few days while he has some time off." Matt explained, "I might kill someone if I have a inkling out there." I smiled at how he was so worried.

"Come on kiddo, we’ll get ya some food so you can take your medicine." He said as he went into the small kitchen leaving me on the bed. I lay back onto the blue sheets that were still unmade from when he had obviously woken up and found me the previous evening ago or so. I turned my head on the pillow to get the strong scent of him and looked at the clock on the nightstand; almost 8:30. I needed the pill every four hours… so 12:30, 4:30, 8:30, 12:30… okay… my thoughts were interrupted by Matt yelling for me. I walked into the kitchen where a bowl of soup was with a glass of water and a pill. I slowly drank/ate the steamy delight as he watched smiling. I felt myself blush slightly as I finished.

"Okay, the pill is going to make you very sleepy… pretty fast." He said as I held the capsule in my hand and examining it before popping it in my mouth and downing a glass of water. I sat fine for about a few seconds and when I was about to say that I was fine, I felt my eyes close and my head lean forward.

"Whoa there." Matt said as I barely heard him and lifted my out of the chair. I mumbled something that even I didn’t know what I said as he set me down in the bed and I immediately drifted off to sleep.

Pt11

"Hey, you gotta wake up." I heard Matt whisper lightly. I stirred towards his touch grumbling under my breath as he pulled me up. "You got to take this medicine now." I stuck my tongue out showing just how tired I was and I felt his warm fingers place the pill there and a glass at my lips. I drank it, taking the pill down with the liquid and yawning before falling back to he pillows.

Later…..

"Damn, out like a light." Jeff said as Matt came back and put the glass in the sink.

"I know, you take it and it’s like pow; asleep." Jeff smiled as he sipped his coffee and set the glass back down.

"Coffee at midnight, Jeff?" Matt said rolling his eyes.

"I got to be awake for when I hit the clubs." Matt sighed as Jeff finished off the cup of steaming latté.

"Well, you got class at 8 tomorrow morning." Matt reminded as Jeff showed little concern.

"No biggie, I got it." He put his cup in the sink and grabbed his jacket. "I’m out, I’ll be back… not too late." He said as he left via the back door. Matt sighed as he washed the dishes off, putting them away and walking back to the ‘bedroom’. He had no clue where Jeff was going to sleep, or himself for that matter. He looked at the big bed with Laura in it and thoughts and memories jumped through his mind.

"Okay… got to get her up at 4:30…" He thought out loud as he set the alarm and gently scooted her body over and dropped his clothes to be down to his shorts. He snuck under the covers and pulled her body close to his, feeling her gentle breath on himself. He matted her hair down a little and bent over to give her a tiny kiss on the forehead. She moaned and moved to his touch purring slightly as he laid back and closed his eyes and eventually, drifted off.

***************************

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Matt reached over and shut the alarm clock off and fumbled by the bed for the medication and the glass he had left there at 4. He got her to sit up and take the pill before falling back down. He looked around and thanked God he could hear Jeff ‘teaching’. Jeff hadn’t stayed out late last night so he was fine to show them a few things here and there. Matt sighed as his fingers gently grazed down her cheekbones. He smiled as his fingers gently touched her soft, delicate skin of her pale and rosy face. He gently reached his hand under her body and pulled her close, intoxicated by her real and down to earth scent of what was he was sure was 100% woman. She turned gently towards him and nuzzled her face to his, the rough feeling of his beard that desperately needed shaved to her smooth face. His fingers gently tapped her arm as they moved up and down. Her face looked so peaceful sense she’d fallen asleep.

"Damn, she’s been asleep for so long." He said as he watched her every breath, every time her chest rose and set again. Just as he was sitting there, he heard some loud yelling and such from the other room. Listening closely, he picked up a few words such as "bad lay" and "stupid bitch". Fire rose within him as he started to get up, but something held him down. Not literally of course, but something internal. He heard Jeff say something that shut a lot of people up. Laura moved a little bit around before slowly opening her eyes.

"Matt? What is it?" She asked quietly.

"Shh, Jeff’s just teaching, go back to sleep." He said.

"I’ve slept for 12 hours." She joked as a small grin came to his face.

"Alright, fair deal." He said, "But aren’t you tired from the pill I just gave you?"

"I am… and I’m not." She replied as hi fingers trailed down her face again.

"Come on, I’ll get you breakfast." He replied. He got up leaving me in the blankets as she stretched and got up as well, following him into the kitchen. "Jeff got pizza last night, you just wanna slice?" Laura nodded as he pulled out a box and handed me a slab. She ate it slowly, even though she felt as if he was watching me every breath. His eyes were so powerful and strong that they could just open you up and search through your entire soul with just a blink.

"Laura, I’m really sorry about this… all of it. I mean… well, you know." Matt said as she took the last bite and gently wiped off my face.

"Matt, It’s not your fault, I don’t want you to take any of the blame." She said as his face changed expressions.

"Yea but… If I’d gone with you, I should have known something’d be up their sleeves."

"Matt… it’s okay. None of us could have possibly known! I’m going to go shower, kay?" She said as she walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

Matt’s POV

I sat there and ran my fingers through my hair. I know she was right, but why was I trying to convince myself that it was indeed my fault? God… I don’t know. I cleaned up the table and went back to the bed and made it neatly, folding all the corners in. I listened again through the door at the sounds of the canvas bouncing and Jeff yelling things here and there. God… I sat on top of the unmade bed when the phone rang shaking me out of my trance.

"Yes?" I asked as I picked it up.

"Mr. Hardy? This is Laura’s doctor, Dr. Lowstein."

"Yes doctor?" I asked growing very concerned.

"I needed to speak of a few things. Um… how is she holding up?"

"Um… pretty well actually. The medication really makes her sleep a lot." I said as I could hear the gentle pitter pattering of the shower running in the faint distance.

"That’s normal, but her insides could be corrupt. We should get the DNA results tomorrow but… until then I really suggest you keep an eye on her. She’s going to need someone to be there for her."

"I understand." I replied.

"Alright, if you have any problems, eh difficulties, I please, do not hesitate to call me. 555-4829."

"Okay." I said as I hung up and shook my head out. The shower turned off as I sat up slowly on the edge of the bed.

Laura’s POV

I got out of the shower, feeling no better then I had a day ago. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t me. Sure, it WAS me… but it wasn’t. The person I saw was empty, violated, and just… blank. I looked at his cabinet… shaving cream… soap… pain killers. Just a few of those… and I’d be fine. I thought. I took the bottle and held it in my hand… my life, my death… it was all in the grasp of my fingers. I opened it slowly, seeing the capsules. There was a knock at the door, but I couldn’t hear it well. His faint voice brought me back a little.

"Laura… Laura what’s the matter?" If only you knew Matthew… if only you knew. Maybe… maybe they were right, I just was a stupid whore… dumb bitch… didn’t deserve to be alive. I didn’t deserve anything, or anyone. Including Matt. The pills shifted around my hands… the possibilities…

Matt’s POV

I panicked. I banged on the door and screamed. God what was she doing? She wouldn’t answer me and I heard the faint jingling of the medication I had from my wrestling injuries… they were too strong for her!

"Laura! Please open the door." I screamed as my head landed on it. Every noise I heard angered my blood more. I grew impossibly impatient, I couldn’t live without her… I gave a rough bang on the door as a hinge popped off. I gave another bang and got the other one as I tossed it aside and ran in, knocking the pills form her hand. I didn’t think, just wrapped my arms around her limp, crying body and rocked us back and forth. The only question was why… why… why…

Laura’s POV

Matt ran in and held me… I was crying, he was crying and…everything soaked in, what was I about to do! My head was buried in his chest and for once, nothing mattered.

"Why?" He asked softly, I’d never heard him like this.

"Matt… I mean… why live? Why am I here?" I said not believing what was coming from my mouth.

"Did you take any?" He asked, in what was… not his voice. I nodded no and he sighed a small, quiet, sigh of relief.

"Matt…" I said, it was all I could say.

"Shh… we’ll take care of it later, for now, just sit still." He said as I pressed my head to his chest.

Pt12

The rest of the day was slow. After Matt found Laura, everything was really quiet. A lot of it was more crying and such. Jeff finished teaching and left to go see some friends. He didn’t ask anything when he saw Laura and Matt, just smiled and patted her on the back and left. Laura lay in Matt’s arms and he patted her hair, and kept asking why but she couldn’t say anything; no words could form. But Matt was calm and understanding, when his career went to shambles… well, he understood.

Laura’s POV

Matt held me calmly, trying to get a good sturdy answer, too damn bad that I don’t have one… it just felt so right. Like it was the only thing left to do ya know…

"Laura…" His hushed voice said as I whimpered to show I was accepting his presence, "Laura… you can’t do that to yourself." He said.

"Why Matt? Why does my life matter?" I said as his grip loosened a little.

"Because… those pain killers you used… are why I don’t wrestle anymore."

"Matt what do you-"

"Shh, let me talk first, I listened to you all day. When things got bad, my career wasn’t doing well, Jeff was never home and I broke my leg, I thought it was over. I mean, I could never wrestle again and while my career fell, Jeff’s rose. Everyone liked him and I left… left out. So I held those very pills and if it wasn’t for Jeff running in and shoving them from my hand, I… I would have downed them all and I wouldn’t be here." He said. I looked at him in disbelief, "And… I never would have met you." I looked up at him higher as his hand touched my chin. I felt a few tears falling as he wiped them away. Everything moved in slow motion as his lips connected with mine. At first, I was in shock and just took it all in as I started to kiss back. No tongue, just sweet… loving. I pulled back as he dipped his head.

"I’m sorry… that wasn’t right of me, you’re… you’re in a bad timing and-" I silenced him with a small, sweet kiss on the lips.

"It’s okay… really Matt… I needed it." I said as I laid my head on his chest and he stroked my hair slowly and kindly... as if we had all the time in the world. "But… is that why you don’t wrestle?"

"Sort of… after my injury… I just… stopped the want and I thought maybe I should sit back and… let Jeff enjoy the spotlight… and now you’re like… my little… sexier… Jeff… who can grow up and be big in the spotlight." He said with a small grin coming to his cheek.

"Matt… I don’t want to be in the main picture… without you… will you come back to the wrestling world… for me?" I asked as his movements stopped.

"I can’t… I mean… the media…"

"Matt that was over what… 2 years ago! You know you want to…" I urged as a small grin arose larger.

"I’ll think about it, first, we train you." He said, "But… I think we need to wait a bit, with all that’s happened…" Just then as if on queue, the phone rang and Matt stared at it before picking up.

"Matt? It’s Dr. Lowstein. I’m afraid I have made a terrible mistake." Matt listened on, "Laura wasn’t raped, some tests got mixed with another patients."

"Are you serious?!" He asked happily causing Laura to look up curiously.

"I’m sorry for everything…"

"That’s okay! Thank you!" He hung up the phone and before she could ask, he dipped his head again catching her in a kiss.

"It was the doctor, the results were wrong, no one raped you." He said happily as Laura squealed.

"I know!" He exclaimed as she jumped up pulling him with her.

"Come on!" She urged.

"Where?"

"You’re going to teach me to wrestle!"

Pt13

"Come on now, you can do it." He urged me. I was having major problems with the small package pin up and it was pissing me off. "Just roll up right." I did so on him and did it right too! "See!" he said as I was grinning cheek to cheek. "I told you it wasn’t too hard!" he said as I helped him up.

"Come on." He said, "We’re going out, my treat." I giggled as he took my hand, "A reward of somewhat. For everything." I walked back into his room and found some clothes Jeff had gotten from Amy.

"Where to?" I asked as he started to go through some drawers.

"One of my favorite places," He commented, "But it’s a surprise." I sighed as I pulled on a pair of jeans that were actually rather tight around my hips, but I thought looked really great on me. Making sure Matt’s back was still turned, I pulled off my top and yanked on a new one. It was long sleeved and black covered in silver glitter. Its neck was a straight line like… hard to explain, but it really showed off my neck nicely. I puffed my hair out as I picked up a comb that was in another drawer and combed it out.

"Ready?" I turned around to Matt who was in a pair of jeans and had on a short sleeved, silk-like, collar shirt that was black and silver.

"Yep." I said as he reached his hand out; offering it to me. Of course I took it as he grinned, showing off those killer dimples. He reached over for his jacket and took his large leather one and put it on me. I didn’t say anything as he took another for himself.

"Want you to be warm after all." He said as he opened the door and we headed out. We walked out the back and he opened the car door for me and I got in… it seemed too… too perfect. I got in and sat down calmly as he walked around and got in, the same… loving look never leaving his already perfect face. And by perfect… I mean perfect. I mean… damn was there anything wrong with him?! He started the car up and pulled back and started down the road, at his same soothing motion as he put the radio on. I glared out the window as he drove on, down the road slowly whistling with the music. I snuggled to the comforting warmth of his jacket and pressed my forehead to the window. The scenery passed slowly as I stared at the trees, the darkening sky. It was getting towards 6 and my stomach growled a bit but I quickly, mentally, told it to shut up.

Our ride continued farther, growing deeper into the countryside until I didn’t even know where we were. Matt pulled down an old street. The road was bumpy and old as the houses looked ancient compared to what I was accustomed to by now.

"Close your eyes." He said softly. Before I could protest, I obliged, as the world became very dark. The car lifted slightly as he got out. I sat for a few moments, tempted to peak, but I didn’t; not once. He came back over and I opened my door as his arms reached under me and picked me up into his arms.

"Shh now." He said as I pulled my arms up around his neck, resting my head, once again, on his chest that was perfectly sculpted as if from Greek statue of a god or something. He walked up steps and through a door, for I heard it slam behind me. He moved swiftly and calmly as I felt him sit down with me on his lap. He put his hands over my eyes.

"Open them… now." His hands pulled off as I fluttered my eyes open to an old room. The walls were puke green and the flow was a hideous darker green to match. The walls were scattered with Macho Man and various other wrestler posters and trophies were scattered around. We were on a small twin bed that appeared to not have been touched in decades.

"Matt where are we?" I asked softly as he gazed around.

"My child hood room. This was my sanctuary, apart from the trampoline. This is where I learned about everything- my mom’s dying, Jeff’s first girlfriend, my first girlfriend… the birds and the bees." He chuckled and showed off the killer dimples. "This is where my story started." He said as I let my eyes zone in on the gold plaques for various sports and pictures of him and his brother from the younger years. "My dad still lives here, but he’s away on vacation now for a week and a half and hasn’t been in here in years." He added as his hand started to lazily stroke my arm. I let everything soak in as I turned and faced him, eye to eye, nose to nose.

"If this is where you learned everything." I said with a smirk as he returned one and nuzzled his cheek against mine.

"Where I learned, not experienced." I giggled a nervous giggle as his hand moved up and down my back slowly. "You know… when I first saw you outside my gym… I saw love. When you were hurt, I would have killed those stupid bastards, just for you. All for you. You’ve seem my whole life in a few weeks, not… anyone has." That brought a smile to my face. His face moved from mine and he caught me in another kiss, breathtaking. His hands moved up my shoulders as he gently pushed my backwards on the small bed and hovered over me, widely attacking my lips with his.

"Matt… not… soon…" I managed. The so-called rape was still on my mind. Though it didn’t happen… still I was a little worried. He pulled his head up and his expression changed to sorrowful.

"I’m sorry…I should have…" I looked at him, really closely. Just… zone in on him. I moved my hand to the back of his neck, he was watching my every movement.

"Matt… there’s just one chapter this room needs to end the book… for now." I said my mind totally changing. Just his gaze made all the hurt, all the pain go away. I pulled him close as pressed his lips to mine, letting my tongue explore the wild bumps along his mouth, our tongues dancing along. His hand moved down my chest, feeling myself as I deepened the kiss and moved my hands down his chest. His mouth moved from my lips and licked along my neck, sucking gently. His hands held my, er, Amy’s shirt and pulled it off, tossing it to the floor as he looked at me, beneath him down to my jeans and black bra. His hands moved over the area just above where my nipples were as they stood on end to his gentle touch. He delivered tiny kisses on my bare skin as he moved my strap down and took my shoulder in his mouth. His hands fumbled to get my strap down as he got it unhooked, now leaving me half-naked. His hands gently cupped my breasts, gently rubbing, gently kissing.

I pulled his shirt up and over and moved my hands down his now slick chest circling my thumbs around his nipples. An eye for an eye, sort off. He pulled me into another kiss before helping my shoes, socks and pants off. He quickly discarded himself of his confining jeans, showing off his large erection on through his now too tight jeans. I moved my hand to gently rub him as he moaned deeply. He dipped his head catching me in another kiss as his fingers slipped under my panties. I gasped as he inserted one and he quickly pulled out.

"What’s wrong?" He asked worried,

"Nothing…" I said with very little breath, "Don’t stop!" I yelled as he was grinning and pulled my panties all the way off. His eyes wondered me for a moment.

"So beautiful." He added as he stuck two fingers back in and slowly moved around. He was looking for something… but what?

"HOLY FUCK!" I yelled loudly as my hips shot up. Like I told the doctor I am 100% virgin. No sex, no activities, not even much kissing.

"Is it as good for you…as it is for me?" He asked as he reached over and took a tight hold of the sheets.

"It’s…. too good." I said softly.

"Jeff told me a few things… I didn’t know if it was true… but…" His fingers went back to that spot… that wild spot as I bucked up again.

"Oh my God… oh my God… oh my God…" I said over and over again as an extreme wave came over me and I felt myself flooding widely. But his fingers… they were still… they were still in… kinda. He pulled them out and licked his hand slowly.

"Mmm, taste good." He said smiling as his ‘clean’ hand reached over and wiped the sweat from my forehead. "Okay?"

"Okay." I said as I tried to regain myself. I sat up, the world spinning and quickly fell back down. "Wait." I said before he could do anything. I pulled myself up to him and moved my hand to his erection. "I want to give you… pleasure you gave me." I said as I ushered him to his back and pulled his shorts off. I licked my lips a little as I just held him in my hand. He gave me pleading as I forced a fist around him and moved it up and down a little getting groans from him again as I reached my head down and ran my tongue along his length. There was a salty pre cum already dripping as I sucked it up and his hands found my hair. He adjusted me above him and moved me up and down to his liking.

"I’m going to cum in a… in a…" He trembled and shook as I stuck my mouth over him just before he shot out into my warm mouth. I sucked generously as he panted and sweat like a banshee.

"Do you want to go… all the way?" He asked as I looked at him and reached up giving him a loving kiss.

"A first for me, you, the room, a first for us." I said smiling as he hovered over me. We made love all night long, sweet, passionate, long, strenuous, and perfect. Two, became one.

Pt14

I woke up in Matt’s arms, our bodied pressed against each other, his bed an absolute mess. The sun outside was burning proudly, must be late. I shifted a little to his body warmth. My fingers brushed his hair out his eyes a little as he stirred and pulled me a bit closer to him as our naked bodies smooched closer. His hand softly moved around my back as he opened his crystal eyes.

"Good morning." He sang softly as he dipped down and caught my lips in a gently, kind kiss.

"Good morning." I replied sweetly. His hand pet along my face softly as we lay there, prone; both lost in thought.

"Listen, about last night-" He started as I put my hand up.

"That was last night, leave it there for a moment and ride with it." I said as he smiled and kissed me gently.

"Okay." He said as he stood up and pulled me up. He opened a drawer and tossed me a shirt that I slipped over my naked body as he pulled on his shorts. I walked over to the floor and found my panties and slipped them on, even though they were kinda sticky still. He came back over and reached his arm around me laying a gentle peck on my cheek. We walked into the old kitchen as he sat me down at the table.

"It’s one in the afternoon." He said kinda surprised, "You want lunch?" I nodded as he opened the old, brown refrigerator and got out some lunchmeat and bread from a cupboard as he made a sandwich and split it in half and sat down. We both quietly ate and I felt his foot gently brushing against my leg from across the table. I looked up at him, but he kept the same, solemn look on his face as the tip of his foot journeyed up my leg to the material of my panties. I scoffed as he took the last bite and stood up and came over.

He urged me up and we walked down the hallway and he opened a door.

"Jeff’s room. Find some old clothes and meet me back in the kitchen. Socks too, no shoes." I did as he said and found a pair of pants with a drawstring that looked ages old and a sweater. I found some socks too, but they were huge on my tiny feet. I put them on though and combed my hair as I went to the kitchen where Matt was. He looked at the back door and went out it, knowing damned well I would follow him. Out there, I found a trampoline with ropes that didn’t look very sturdy.

"Welcome to the ring of dreams." He said as I giggled and jumped onto it with him. "This beauty taught me and Jeff to wrestle." He added as I smiled. "Care to practice?"

"Of course." I said as I pushed him into the ropes; immediately going into wrestling mode. He came off and his me with a shoulder block as I fell backwards. The rusted springs creaked as I got up and speared him down and started to put the boot down. I stopped and credited myself and for the split second, he caught me with a drop toehold and I fell flat on my back. I winced in minor pain for a second as I saw him hover over he and offer his hand. I grinned as I flipped backwards and caught him in a head scissors take down faster then a blink.

"Whoa!" He said as I ginned and lowered myself on top of him.

"Give up?" I giggled as I gently let my lips touch his.

"No… do you?" He asked as his lips grazed mine and made their way to my neck, gently sucking, slowly blowing. I arched my neck to him and moved my mouth back to his as I poked my tongue in. His hands moved down my sides to my butt as he pulled me up on top of him, still lying on the trampoline. This kiss deepened as his hands moved under my shirt and searched out my tender breasts as he lightly rubbed them.

*Later*

I sat on Matt’s lap in the living room as he slowly ran his fingers through my majorly knotted hair that was still wet from the shower we had shared after we made love on the trampoline. Now let me tell you, that is a ride. The thing is bouncy and squeaky, thank God his yard was fenced in. His hands pulled from my hair and massaged my backbone.

"Do you want to talk now?" He asked as I laid my head back onto his chest and sighed deeply.

"Yes." I said softly hoping he would do much of the talking and this would be short and sweet. The topic was a scratchy one for me.

"Well… um… was it just-"

"Matt, it was… not just spur of the moment, much more. A little bit of a thank you for all you’ve done, a little bit of a repayment for saving me, but most of it was…. It was… God I wanted that for so long." I said swooning as his fingers delicately rubbed my arms.

"You don’t need to thank me… I need to thank you." He said.

"Matt… let’s just call it even." I said giggling.

Pt 15

*3 Months Later *

"Matt… Matt I’m scared." I said as I paced the tiny locker room that was bare compared to the crowded mess it was 5 minutes ago. He stood up and walked over to me, putting his arms around my waist.

"Come on, it’ll be fine. There won’t be too many people out there." No, I wasn’t performing for the WWF… or even WCW. But OMEGA. Matt got me an interview and I was accepted… of course, so was he. He said he wanted to tag with me for a little to get back in the whole wrestling thing. Not that I had any problems with it, hell, I was the one who suggested it!

So I was in a brand new outfit, courtesy of… you guess it; Matt. It was short blue spandex tights that laced up the front and a matching tank top that ended mid stomach. I got some GOOD wrestling boots; black ones as well. I turned to look at his, dressed in these flower tights. What the hell… I guess he caught me staring.

"What?! I wore these when I was in the OMEGA fed thank-you-very-much." He said smiling as he adjusted the material.

"I… didn’t say anything." I smiled as he came over with a bag rolling his eyes.

"Gotcha someth’n though." He said as he sat it down on the bench and opened it up. Inside, were kneepads and elbow ones, not big and bulky at all either. There were actually thin and slip-on like. Very classy. I reached my arm around his and pulled him in a big hug thanking him as he carefully kissed my cheek.

"Come on, we got a match." He reminded me as he helped me into the new padding. I giggled like mad as he took my hand and pulled us out into a main room where several wrestlers were. Our match was against these 2 guys, sorta of newbies; Frank and Paul, whoops, I mean the Insane Asylum. Ha! They looked harmless, but that’s okay, I’m sure they’re thinking the same thing about me, even though Matt kept getting the evil eye.

"We’re next." He whispered as the other team was announced. I peaked out and saw a good 50 people in the crowd… not too many, but more then I was used to.

"Now making their way to the ring… Surge and Sora! Alright, I didn’t pick the names out, so don’t look at me. Matt wrestled as whatever before and the guy wanted something that ‘looked’ to go with Surge, apparently this was it… unfortunately. Matt and me walked down to the ring smiling as we got in confidently. The match went well… very well in fact, we won! To make a long story short, I got tagged in and just proceeded to kick the guy, Frank’s, ass all over the ring and finished him off with w swinging neck breaker for the pin fall. We got our hands held as Matt raised mine smiling widely, but not as wide as me obviously! I was ecstatic.

"One down, the rest of your life to go." Matt said as we walked backstage and he gave me a small kiss on the forehead, "I think… you made the cut." And I think I did too… this after all… only was the beginning of a journey for a lifetime.

End