_________________________________________________

*November 17, 2002*

"Okay... you know what to do."

Torrie nodded, a sly smile on her face as she looked up at her boyfriend. Matt's expression was one of fierce determination as they exchanged the silent communication. He allowed his gaze to sweep over his girlfriend from head-to-toe, the platinum blonde looking more alluring than ever in his eyes. She was dressed in a short, silky white robe, her long hair flowing with a slight curl over her shoulders and down her back. If he had the time, he would take her right here in their locker room, but that wasn't a luxury at the very moment.

It was the night of Survivor Series, and he and Shannon Moore would be making a very surprise appearance in the Tag Team championship match tonight. Over the last couple of weeks, the belts had been passed back and forth between the teams of Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit, and Edge and the recently returned Rey Mysterio. Although originally billed as being a triple-threat elimination match between those teams and Los Guerreros, Matt had managed to convince Stephanie McMahon into adding Shannon and himself to the mix.

The dark-haired man smirked arrogantly as he thought about how very persuasive he could be. That bitch of a General Manager had had no choice but to add his team. They were too good to be passed up, and she knew it. Matt sensed the brunette had had other motives in agreeing, but he didn't give a damn. All he cared about doing was going into this match and getting his hands on that damn Adam.

"I'll be watching you back here," Torrie said softly, winking at him as she recaptured his attention. The blonde knew her man was so focused on the match. In fact, none of the other teams had been alerted as to who the fourth, mystery team would be. She could hardly wait to see the expression on that bitch Amy's face when they were announced...

*

Amy gazed up at Adam as they stood at Gorilla position, her hazel eyes filled with concern as she listened to the conversation taking place between him and Rey.

"How much do you wanna bet the 'mystery' team is none other than that prick Matt and Shannon Moore?" the tall blonde was saying. He scowled as he spoke, his right hand clenching into a fist. Ever since his Street Fight against the dark-haired man a couple of weeks prior, he hadn't had a rematch with him. Instead, he'd been nursing his concussion, which was all but gone by now. Of course, he still felt a few cobwebs here and there, but it was nothing he couldn't work through.

"Hey, it wouldn't be a *bet* against me," Mysterio replied, the diminuitive man smirking beneath the mask he wore. "We'll just have to give 'em hell, that's all."

The redhead cringed at the look on her boyfriend's face, the way he was vigorously nodded at his friend. She reached out to grasp his arm, and he turned to gaze down at her.

"Please be careful out there..."

The tall blond man moved just enough to take hold of both of her hands in his own as he eyed her tenderly. A tiny smile crossed his lips as his heart swelled with love for the woman.

"You know I will, babe... Don't worry." As soon as the words left him, he knew she would do that regardless. He remembered how upset she'd been during his most recent injury. But he could handle Matt Hardy. Lord knew, he *had*, time and time again.

She sighed sadly. She would be accompanying Adam and Rey out to the ring, but it was against the blond man's wishes due to the suspicion of the extra team being Matt and Shannon. She blinked all her emotion, her eyes widening slightly as her boyfriend pulled one his hands free to stroke her cheek.

"I'll be *fine* - we *all* will," he promised. Then, dipping his head, he pressed a kiss to her soft lips.

"All right, you two," Mysterio suddenly piped in when Adam seemed to linger a little too long. "Come on!"

The tall Canadian reluctantly raised his head, becoming aware of the stagehand who had apparently just given them their cue. Then, casting the redheaded diva another glance, he winked and gestured toward the curtain.

*

Torrie kept her gaze on the television monitor in Matt's locker room, her blood boiling as she witnessed the downfall of her boyfriend's team. To make matters worse, they'd been the second team, after the Guerreros, to be eliminated, thanks to a double-team maneuver by Edge and Mysterio.

The platinum blonde looked up as she heard the door open, and the dark-haired man groaned with fury as he entered.

"Damn it, I *hate* those bastards!" he spat. He cast a quick glance at Torrie. "What are you still doing here?"

"Patience, patience," the tall woman said calmly. "As soon as this match ends, I'm going. *Promise*."

"Good," Matt said, nodding. Despite the rotten ending he'd endured during the contest, he smiled confidently. "I can't wait to find out what happens."

Torrie smirked, knowing full well he didn't mean the *match*. She crossed her legs as she sat back against the cozy pillows on the loveseat upon which she'd been sprawled. And just then, the match came to a close as Adam delivered a spear on Kurt Angle. One, two, three... The new tag team champions were crowned.

Matt grumbled, shaking his head. The blonde diva didn't fail to notice the wicked gleam of rage in his eyes before she slipped out of the room.