*!Its Me Against The World!*

***********

"We've taken your ideas to heart Ms. Carmichael, and we've decided that we like the Booker T angle, and we want him to make a run for the title." The writer known as Michelle said.

Hayley couldn't believe her ears when Michelle talked. This was the closest she had ever come to actually getting these people to like her, and she wondered if it had something to do with Jim sitting in the room with them this time. At the last meeting, they were alone and she didn't get anywhere, but this time, they actually smiled at her when she talked. It was like walking into another universe.

"Well I'm glad; I mean this wasn't something I expected to hear tonight."

"Well, I've talked to the group of people and they know they have been treating you badly, but after being run for so long on their own without real leadership, they feel they could do it on their own and make good television. It seems they've seen the error of their ways, wouldn't you say?" Jim said with a grin. It was obvious to Hayley that he had had something to do with it.

"Okay, so that about wraps everything up here I think. I don't see any reason to continue this. I will work with the ideas you've all given me, and the ideas I already have in motion and get back to you with them next week. Have a good everyone and thank you for finally understanding me, and what I want to do here. We all are on the same team."

Everyone started filing their things and getting out of the rooms to get to the back and watch the show, and see how well the angles worked. Before Jim could leave though Hayley pulled him aside. She wanted to make sure this wasn't some part of a bigger plan that he wasn't telling her about.

"Jim, what did you have to promise them to make them listen?"

"I didn't promise them anything, but there is something I want to discuss with you Hayley, if you have a few minutes."

"I have all the time in the world. What's on your mind?"

"I've been informed that you were in the hospital last week, and I've since found out the reason, and I want to know how you're doing."

"How did you hear?"

"Shane came and saw me, and asked me to take the load off of you for awhile. I hope you don't mind. I just wish you could have come to me."

"It's not really something that you should be concerned with. As far as things go on this end of the job, coming here and doing these meetings and the writing, it isn't too much for me. I just take it easier when I go home so I don't do any harm to myself. I just can't believe he told you."

"Hayley, I know how close the two of you are, and so do most of the people here, you love each other and I've seen that before, with Summer and Jeff, and I know what it does to people in this business. So don't try to hide anything from me. Shane was concerned about you and the workload and problems you take on every week here and asked me to look into it for you, and give you some time."

"So the talk with the writers is all centered on my illness? Does everyone know now?"

"Hayley don't take that tone with me. No one else knows at this point, but me and Vince because as much as you want to make this all your issue, it isn't yours alone anymore. We don't want anything to happen to you, and what that means is lightening your workload. Vince is in agreement that the writers don't need to know what's wrong, but we don't want anything serious to happen here with you again."

"So what are you saying? You want me to quit?"

"No, that's not it at all, I just wanted to make you aware that Shane came to see me and I'm worried about you. That's all it is. I want you to continue doing the great job you're doing, and do it well. I just want you to know that around here we are all family, and we look out for one another. I'm just letting you know in no uncertain terms that I'm here if you need me for anything alright?"

"I'll keep that in mind Jim, thank you."

"That's all I ask, now get your stuff together and go home and take a good rest"

"I will, and thanks again for whatever you did for me with the writers."

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

"How are ya dealing buddy?" Jeff asked throwing his bag down in the locker room and glancing at Shane.

"Dealing with what Jeff?"

"Shane, your girlfriend has cancer, and this is hard enough on her, knowing that you know, so I'm asking how my best friend is dealing with things."

"I'm dealing with it fine. I just want to spend every waking moment with her so nothing happens to her. I know I can't be there all the time and that scares me."

"She's alright you know right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she's not getting sick like she did a couple weeks ago, and she's happier then I've ever seen her. You have such a good thing with her, and I know she'd want you to know how happy she is."

"Do you speak for her now pal?"

"No, I just think the two of you have something special that's all."

"Stop getting involved Jeff."

"I'm not getting involved, I'm just commenting on how good my two friends are for one another. I just wish I'd gone with you guys to that club."

"What so you could meet her first?"

"Shane that's uncalled for buddy and you know it. I'm married to Summer, who is also your best friend and we are happy. I can't believe you'd say that to me man."

"I'm sorry Jeff, but I did something stupid tonight and I think Hayley might break up with me for it."

Jeff glanced at Shane questioningly. He couldn't think of anything that Shane could do that would make Hayley want to break up with him. It just wasn't in Shane to intentionally hurt someone. They had been friends for years and he'd always been the one getting hurt.

"What did you do buddy? It can't really be that bad man. Hayley loves you."

"Oh its bad Jeff, you don't even know the half of it."

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

"So how was your prom princess?" Trish asked Hayley as she sat down in the locker room to check out the action in the ring.

"It was wonderful, the best time of my life." Hayley said fading off, lost in thought.

"So why do you have that look of death in your eyes then? If you had such a good time you should be beaming."

"I was beaming, I've been beaming all week, I mean we were finally together in every way that night, and it was just the best time of my life. It really sealed everything in stone for me."

"So then what's the problem?"

"Jim went to bat for me with the writers and it just set something off in me I guess. I just need to talk to Shane about it I guess."

"What does Jim have to do with Shane?"

"It's a long story. and I know you have a match. You are scheduled to win the title back at the PPV you know?"

"I do know that, Jim came and told me and thank you so much because I know it had a lot to do with you and your wonderful writing." Trish smiled and sat down beside Hayley. Summer had explained to her that Hayley had some medical issues and she figured that's what was worrying Hayley tonight and making her not focus on how happy she had become over the last several weeks.

"It had to do with your talent actually, and the fact that the writers already liked you before I got here. But none the less you deserve it princess."

"So you want to tell me what Shane and Jim have in common with your attitude?"

"He told Jim I was sick Trish and now Vince know, and it seems like no one has faith in me that I can still do my job the right way."

"He did what?"

"Shane went to Jim sometime recently and told him about my hospital stay and my illness, and that I needed an easier work load. Which I don't, need really. I'm doing just fine right now."

"You need to find Shane and talk to him about this sweetheart, maybe it was something he felt he needed to do."

"You know what Trish? This is my life that everyone is playing with here. Yes I'm sick, god sicker then I've ever been and I don't see it getting better before it gets worse, but it's my life and I need to deal with it my own way." Hayley exclaimed before storming out of the locker room. She needed to be alone because right now she just wanted to hurt someone, and she didn't want to explode. It wasn't right. Walking down the hallway she hit the production area, in the back where the trucks were parked. She just needed to get her head on straight.

**********

"What did you do man?" Jeff asked pacing back and forth. He was starting to get concerned now. Shane looked really worried.

"I told Jim that Hayley was in the hospital and about the cancer. I just thought he should know, because she needs a lighter work load. But now I can't help thinking that when she finds out, she's going to go mental."

"Why would you do that Shane?"

"I thought it needed to be done Jeff. God of all people you should understand."

"Sorry dude but I don't get it. You shouldn't have done that. It's her life, and when she's ready to tell people, that's when she does it. I can't believe you tried to play god with someone's life here."

"What the hell are you saying?"

"I'm saying you better find her before she finds you and kicks your ass but good for this. Because Shane she will find out about what you did and when she does, she's going to be hurt. You don't interfere like that with something this serious. I admit, you want to help and I give you credit for that, you're a good guy man, but you don't go about it this way."

"She's going to kill me isn't she?"

"She probably won't Shane, but she's going to be hurt and she might lose trust in you. You're her boyfriend, she trusted you enough to tell you that she was sick and thought it would stay between you two, but now man, and it looks like you don't care about her trust in you."

"Jeff, I can't lose her, not now. I need her."

"How serious are you guys?"

"We've done everything Jeff, we're as close as two people can get and in the beginning I didn't want that, but now that its here, I can't lose it."

"Then be prepared to grovel dude. Because she's going to want to hurt you, or leave you, whatever strikes her mind first?"

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