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*RAW, February 6, 2006*
Ashley sat alone in catering, a small notebook opened on the table in front of her. In her right hand, she twirled a pen absently, then from force of habit stuck the capped end of it between her teeth. She looked up as a shadow suddenly fell over her, a smile coming to her easily and naturally.
"Hey!"
"Well, hello." He smiled and glanced quickly down at the notebook. He didn't want to eye it too long out of respect for her privacy should whatever she was writing be personal. "How are you?"
"Oh, I'm better... Sit with me awhile," she said, kicking out the chair across from her and gesturing to him to sit down.
"I don't want to disturb you," he protested, gesturing to the notebook.
"Don't be silly!" the blonde exclaimed. As he shrugged and smiled and sat down, she explained. "I keep a journal - really just for me, but I don't mind if my friends see it."
"I see..." This thoughts shifted solely on what she'd said moments ago, about being better. "... So things are better now?"
"Yeah... Matt's been nicer over the last week. I guess he was just not in a good mood," she said.
The young man nodded.
"Could be," he said, but he couldn't help but be suspicious. Being a guy, he *knew* guys, and he knew that if one mistreated their girlfriend the way Matt Hardy had mistreated this goddess, he would do so again. It wasn't fair - Hardy didn't deserve such a woman as Ashley Massaro... But him? He would worship her, cherish her.
Those thoughts were prevalent in his mind as he gazed intensely at her. She was still chatting on, her head down as she was writing something in her notebook. She seemed totally unaware of his adoring scrutiny. Then, she looked back up, those beautiful blue eyes locking on his own orbs. She smiled, and that smile just about melted him.
*
"I'm not sure my congratulations to John was convincing," Adam griped as he and Amy walked down the arena hallway. They had just done their first spot of the night, an interview with Maria Kanellis - which had ended with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan coming in to insult Lita with the "Ho" chant followed by the redhead battering Maria and an intent to Spear the young woman - only to have Cena run out to make the save.
"Baby, I'm sure he understands," the diva assured her boyfriend. "He knows what a tough spot you're in, and he knows you don't hold anything against *him*." She stroked his hand, which she was holding. Poor guy... After the Royal Rumble two weeks earlier, they had left in a hurry, so they hadn't spoken with John or Trish. And the same had been the case last week as well, as they hadn't really hung out with the other couple as Adam had so much on his mind. She knew the same had to be the case for them tonight, as John would not only be teaming with Maria to face them in a mixed tag team match - he also had to *kiss* the former Diva Search contestant. She truly wondered how Trish had to be feeling about that, as she knew for herself, if Adam had to kiss another woman in storyline, it would definitely bother her.
They were on their way to catering for a quick bite before their match later on. As soon as they entered the room, the tall blond man gave her a nudge at the sight of the two sitting together at a small table by the wall.
Amy blinked in surprise as she saw them. She'd never really spoken with Ashley Massaro, not even before the blonde woman had started dating her ex, Matt. The redhead had nothing against the younger woman, although she was opposed to the Diva Search contests the WWE was now apparently holding on an annual basis. Sure, she noticed Ashley in the hallways of the arenas and hotels, and in the Women's locker rooms and whatnot, but it surprised her that, evidently, she and the young man sitting at her table were friends.
The two didn't seem to take much notice of them or even pay them any heed as they grabbed some food to go. They piled their plates and then left, heading back toward Adam's locker room.
The tall blond man's face donned a smirk that evolved into a surprised, amused smile.
"Did you see what I just saw?" he asked rhetorically.
"Yeah, I did," Amy replied. "And call me crazy, but they looked so into each other."
The Canadian smirked again.
"I'm guessing that Matt doesn't know a thing about their friendship."
"He might - but I doubt it," the redhead replied. "Wow! Who even knew those two were friends?"
"Maybe it's pretty recent," Adam said with a shrug.
"Could be." Amy was silently thoughtful for a moment. Then, "You know, you and I sort of started out that way - good friends, and then-"
"And wouldn't it be a real 'shame' if history repeated itself and Ashley left him for another guy?" The blond man smirked again, this time rolling his eyes. He couldn't stand Matt Hardy, and frankly, he found this whole thing amusing. There was obviously a reason, and a *good* one, why women tended to leave the dark-haired man for another. Too bad the prick didn't just open his eyes to reality.
The redhead had grown silent again, this time her smile fading. The recent memory of Matt letting himself into the rental car while she'd still been inside replayed in her mind. She hadn't told Adam a thing about that and didn't plan to. She knew exactly how he would react - most likely, he'd appear calm on the outside, but on the inside, he would flip! No, there was no sense in upsetting him.
"Anyway..." The Canadian made his way closer to her, pulling her out of her thoughts and into his arms. "... Ready for our match later?"
She smiled brightly as she raised her arms, clasping them around his surgically-repaired neck.
"I am... I'm so excited! I've wanted to team with you in a mixed tag forever!"
He chuckled and placed a quick but sweet kiss on her lips.
"Yeah, me too..." He made a pouty face she found adorable. "But I hate having to spear you."
The redhead smiled at his concern and fear of hurting her.
"You've always been so gentle spearing me," she protested. She moved one hand to place it palm-flat on his cheek.
Adam grinned.
"Well, except for when we're in bed." He wiggled his eyebrows, causing her to laugh.
"True... But that," she said in a husky tone and tipped his face so that he could meet her lips, "is exactly the way I
like it."