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Trish ran a hand through her hair as she counted the change in her other hand. She was standing in front of one of the hotel's vending machines, prepared to get a Coke.

She deposited her three quarters into the machine and pressed the proper button. After a beat, and when the can of soda didn't appear, she pressed it a second time.

"Come on..." she muttered. She hit the button a little more forcefull this time, and with a closed fist.

Nothing happened - other than the machine remaining idle and not delivering her Coke to her.

Trish swore under her breath, noting the red digital words that read 'insert correct change.'

"I did, damn it!" Furious that something like this would happen after the horrible night she'd had, she hit the machine with all her might with both hands. Afterward, she pushed the lever to reject a purchase to retrieve her coins, but to no avail.

"Stupid piece of junk!" she cried, and she swung her leg back to kick the vending machine.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The little blonde whirled around at the sound of the voice, coming face-to-face with Rob Van Dam. She eyed him sheepishly, then ducked her head slightly. She couldn't help feeling embarrassed that he'd caught her little battle with the device.

"Yeah, I just... This stupid machine ate up my money and didn't give me my soda."

"Here, let me give you a hand," RVD said, and he reached into one pocket of his jeans for some coins. With seventy-five cents in hand, he slipped the change into the slot and turned back toward Trish. "What do you want to drink?"

"A regular Coke," she replied.

The man made the selection, and, amazingly, a can made its way through and down to the bottom. Van Dam reached down for it and handed the soda to the blonde diva.

"Thank you." Trish managed a small smile.

"Don't mention it. I'm always glad to help out a damsel in distress," he said with a smile of his own.

The little blonde eyed him for a beat, then shyly shifted her gaze down to the can she held in her hands.

"Hey," Rob said, placing one hand on her shoulder. "I saw what happened to you tonight..."

Trish's eyes became distressed as she listened to his words. She hated this - almost everyone knew about her humiliation, and they had to let her know they knew. Before she could say anything, RVD continued.

"I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need to talk... I'm here." He gazed at her softly, gently. The Canadian diva bit her lip as she nodded. Emotion welled up inside of her as everything she'd learned earlier that night came rushing back to her.

"Okay?" Rob moved his hand from Trish's shoulder to her arm, rubbing it gently.

She slowly shifted her gaze from the man's hazel eyes to his hand caressing her arm. Damn it, Rob was a friend, and here she was looking at him with mistrust - as though she thought he were up to something... As Chris had been up to something, and no good at that. Would she ever really get to trust men again?

"Yeah... Thanks," she finally spoke, and, self-consciously. She pulled back a bit so as to avoid the physical contact.

"I mean it, Trish," RVD said softly. "I'll always be around if you need me."

The petite diva blinked and gazed into his eyes silently.

He's not like Chris, she told herself. He's nothing like Chris...

"Okay." She nodded, not knowing what else to say for the moment because of how very emotional she was and because she was feeling pretty awkward as well. "Look, I'd better be getting back..." Trish gestured with a thumb she hooked over her shoulder.

"Sure... I understand."

She gave him a tiny yet uncertain smile, then turned to leave and head back to Lilian's room. She made it as far as four feet before stopping to turn back.

"Oh, and Rob?"

Van Dam looked back at her expectantly.

"Thanks for the soda..."

A smile spread across the man's face.