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*WWE Hall of Fame - April 1, 2006*
Carlito stood in the hallway at the establishment in which the WWE Hall of Fame was being held that night. Along with him were lots of other wrestlers, who were congregated all over with one another and their wives, husbands, significant others and friends. He himself had invited a female friend along, as he hadn't wanted to attend the event alone.
The young man couldn't help but look for her... He knew she hadn't yet arrived, as he didn't spot her anywhere. But then, oddly enough, as though on cue with his thoughts, there she was, entering the building on her crutches, her long blonde hair hanging loosely, spilling like spun gold down her shoulders.
Carlito couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked perhaps more beautiful than he'd ever seen her, her face fresh with just a hint of makeup, and she was wearing a pale yellow dress that perfectly suited her gorgeous figure. She simply took his breath away, and he found himself openly staring at her. For the life of him, he couldn't help it.
Ashley's blue eyes met his brown, and she gave him a smile and a very subtle wink. She wanted to hobble over to him, but she couldn't - not with Matt right there at her side. And unfortunately, she doubted he would leave her alone tonight for a second, except for when she went to the ladies room or he to the men's room.
But Charlie knew the drill... That day when she'd been holed up at Matt's and he'd confronted her about her phone conversation with her friend, she had indeed called him back. She'd told Carlito all that had happened, and he'd listened and been patient with her all the way through.
Carlito's dark eyes caught the blonde's gaze, and he seemed to read her thoughts. 'Please, don't come over right now.' He knew it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Hardy. The bastard had gone all possessive, as Ashley had told him not too long ago. And he had accused her off... Hell, Carlito actually wished it *were* true except for the cheating part. He wished she would dump that guy, and not even because he wanted her for himself. Ashley was a beautiful, sweet, kind and caring girl who deserved nothing but the best. She deserved someone who would treat her with kindness and affection and respect... And the more he thought about that, the more he wished *he* could be that person. He let out a sigh and finally turned elsewhere.
Trish Stratus and John Cena were standing nearby to his right, and they were holding hands and talking. He eyed them for a moment until both became aware of him, and they smiled and waved.
When he turned to his left, he saw Adam Copeland and Amy Dumas, another happy couple in spite of the way they'd gotten together. He had his arm around her as they spoke with Rey Mysterio and his wife Angie.
Carlito turned back a moment or two later and caught Ashley watching him. His heart nearly stopped at the surprise of it. But she *was*... She gave him a smile, and it just about melted his heart.
*
"Hey! Amy!"
The redhead turned, startled by the voice calling after her in a loud whisper. She had gotten up and left during a break in the Hall of Fame ceremony to go to the ladies room. What was he doing, *following* her?
"Hello, Matt," she said, reaching a hand up to her hair, which she had just pulled back into a tight ponytail.
"How are you?" Hardy asked. He glanced around, noting that although a small handful of people milled around, no one was paying them any heed.
"I'm actually okay."
"That's good," he said, his dark eyes fixing on her hazel. Then, "Hey, I heard about your place being vandalized recently. My God!"
Amy eyed him with caution. Was this really it, that he was concerned because he'd heard about that? She really wasn't sure.
"Yeah, that sucked," she said. "We fixed the place up real nicely, though." She let out a small, almost sardonic laugh. "Maybe I should actually thank the vandals, because after all the redecorating, it looks better than it did before."
Hardy simply stared at her before realizing he was supposed to laugh.
"Well, that's good. So... Not rooming with the boyfriend anymore, huh?"
Again, the wariness shot through her. She didn't like the way Matt referred to Adam... Although she had to acknowledge that it wasn't that bad, seeing as he could have referred to him by something else she would have totally hated.
"We do the same thing we always have," she answered, regretting she was even telling him this. "Sometimes I stay at his place, sometimes he stays at mine."
I see," Matt said. He was silent for a beat, then spoke again. "So... When can I come by to see you?"
"I... I've been insanely busy," Amy said, casting through her mind for any excuse.
He just eyed her quietly, and the redhead actually began to feel guilty.
"Well, I guess Wednesday would be okay," she said. "I'll be home and not at Adam's, so... Why not?"
A smile adorned Hardy's face. At long last, she'd agreed to spend some time with him. It left him with a feeling of satisfaction and triumph.
"Great," he said. "Then I'll stop by Wednesday afternoon... Three-ish." He worded it as a statement rather than a question.
"Yeah," Amy said. Inwardly, she wondered what the hell was wrong with her, what had possessed her to agree to get together with him. "Look, I have to get back... Adam's gonna wonder what kept me."
"Yeah, Ashley too," Matt said. "Well, she'll wonder what kept *me*, that is. Okay, so see you later, Amy."
"Yeah... See you," the redhead called as she trotted off.
She felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand erect as she felt his eyes still on her. He'd been perfectly
nice, but she still had that strange, eerie feeling.