*******************
"What's on your mind girl?"
"Beth, Matt kissed me the other night, but then he walked out on me, so I'm not sure what he wants me to do about it."
"What do you want to do about it?"
"If he can get past everything and move on, then so can I. I mean when he turned me down a while ago, it hurt so much, but he's the only guy I'm even thinking about getting involved with."
"Then it seems like you already know what you want to do here girl. I say go for it. Take it from someone who is dating a Hardy. If you're this hooked on him, then you have to make the move and try to make it work. There are times I hate Jeff more then anything, but I would never think of leaving him. He's my life."
"And I'm sure you are his as well. With Matt it's different though. I know what kind of guy Jeff is I mean we have so much in common, if I wasn't his friend it would look weird right? But his brother is completely different. I love the wrestling business and so does Matt, but where does that end and something begin with us?"
"Only you and him can answer that Hun, all I can tell you is that if you liked the kiss and you want things to get better from here, you better do something about it, because you don't want to lose him again. You've both been through that enough times already."
"You've got a point."
"I always do. Listen girl, I know you and Matt argue a lot of the time, and that you think that it's a bad thing and it's stopping you from just opening your mind to the fact that there is something there, but everyone argues."
"You're right but matt and I fight more then anyone else I've ever met. He gets into my skin and makes my blood boil every time. I just can't think that's normal and just jump him can I?"
"Why not?"
"Because that's not fair to either one of us."
"Okay listen, I'm with Jeff, and life with him can get really hard at times, we fight a lot, and its always about stupid shit too, but when I look at him, and just see that look he gets in his eyes, there is just something that makes me stay. You've got the same thing with Matt from what I can tell. So just make a move, and well if it's wrong, then you learned something you didn't know before."
"You have a point."
"You keep saying that, so now start taking it for what it's worth. Just deal with this Matt thing. Just put yourself out there for him, and if he doesn't take the bait, then he's worse off then I thought."
***************************
"Jeff what's up your sleeve now?" Shannon asked with a gleam in his eye and nodding towards Matt sitting in the chair.
"Why does something always have to be happening in my mind with you guys?"
"Jeff, you're basically family, I can tell when you've got something on your mind. So just spill it out for me alright?"
"I'll tell you later, now isn't the right time to get into this."
Matt looked up from his space on the couch and glanced over in their direction. With a look of stone he threw his brother a mean look and went back to staring out the window. After a few minutes of silence, he decided to speak.
"Jeff just has something planned where Aurora and I are concerned, and he doesn't want to tell you until I'm safely out of the room. So Jeff just spill it and get it out there, I don't care what you have planned because you aren't setting me up anymore for this shit."
"I didn't think..." Jeff stammered.
"You never think, but that's not the subject at hand. Shannon wants to know what's on your mind and honestly so do I, so I can put a stop to it right now."
"There is nothing in my mind damnit!"
"Jeff that's bullshit and me and Matt know that."
"Okay well I'm dropping it now, because you guys don't believe for once I don't think about things, and well I'm not fighting with you over it."
"Okay Shannon, in case you haven't guessed by now, Jeff doesn't want to get into it, so that means it's a code for he will tell you later. What I'm telling both of you now is, do not put Aurora or me into another awkward situation. We have enough issues on our own without you two getting involved."
"We wouldn't dream of it." Jeff and Shannon exclaimed together.
"Good, because I don't want any part of it, and I know she wouldn't either."
Matt stood off the couch and went towards the stairs of their house. They had all decided to room together before Shannon got married, and now it was just he and Jeff. He walked slowly up the stairs, secretly waiting for Jeff to spill his guts. He wanted to know what he was in store for this time with the two of them.
"So what are you thinking about Jeff?"
"Nothing Shannon, for once I'm thinking nothing. So let's drop it and just play some pool alright?"
*********************
"So what brings you here Aurora?"
"Well Stephanie, I know you have me slated to compete in the Cruiserweight division, and I wanted to talk to you about that. Do you have a minute?"
"I have all the time in the world. I've dealt with all the other odds and ends today, so I wouldn't mind going over this with you. What's on your mind?"
"I want a match with Matt."
Stephanie tried to hide her glee in hearing this news. Matt had come to hear the week before and asked for a chance to go to ringside and watch Aurora's match, and the kiss that resulted had done amazing ratings for them as of late, so hearing that now Aurora wanted a match with the man she kissed, well it was a business score on her end.
"Why do you want a match with Matt?"
'Well he is the champion right? It's only fair, and I can see it happening sooner or later. Did you have plans to build me up more or something?"
"Not at all, in fact, knowing your talent the way I do, I'm granting you the match. How about at Vengeance you and Matt face off for the belt?"
"I'd like nothing better."
"Is there anything else then?"
"Not from my end of things. Is there anything thus far that you want to bring up with me?"
Stephanie took a moment to think about it. Looking down at her desk and shuffling some papers around, not really paying attention she looked back up at Aurora. She might as well find out what this girl was all about, if Matt Hardy was interested in her, and it wasn't like she was prying.
"Can I ask you something Aurora?"
"Of course."
"What are you intentions where Matt Hardy is concerned?"
"How do you mean?"
"I mean, is there a romantic involvement at this point?"
"No there isn't, and to be honest Stephanie, all I want right now is to kick his ass, and get that belt around my waist. Is that good enough for you?"
"More then good enough. Have a good night out there and kick Dawn's ass for me. I know it wasn't the match of your dreams, but we did need filler and well Matt will come down to help you out. Just make sure you get a few good chops in there for me before he does alright?"
"You got it. And Stephanie?"
"Yes Aurora?"
"Thanks for the match. I won't let you down."
With a quick smile and a wave, Aurora made her way out into the hall leaving Stephanie alone with her thoughts. She hadn't met someone this aggressive with wrestling and with men, since she had met Paul's ex, Angel. Maybe it was time she reconnected with her again, so she could better understand what she was working with, and on with Aurora.
Picking up the phone she dialed the number she knew by heart. It was time she called in the big guns, and there was no one better then Shawn Michael's sister to do it.
*************************
******************
As she applied the finishing touches to her lipstick, there was a knock at the door. Pouting her lips together for affect, she threw her makeup into her purse and went to answer who ever was there. She had a girl's night out with Beth and Amy tonight, and she didn't want to be late for it. So whoever was at her door now, was just going to have to come back another time.
Opening the door, and seeing Matt standing there with a single rose and a suit almost took her breath away. She knew her mouth was hanging open and at that point she no longer cared. She couldn't figure out what he was doing here tonight dressed like this, and she couldn't even find the words inside her throat to ask. All she knew was that he looked breathtaking.
"Can I come in Rory?"
"Oh, yeah of course. I'm sorry, I just didn't expect you."
"I bet you also didn't expect the rose and the monkey suit either did you?" he asked with a laugh.
"Actually no, but I'm not complaining. So what brings you by? Are you here to have another kiss and run away again?"
"Ouch! That hurts me deep babe. Actually I'm here to let you know that the girl's night out you had planned isn't taking place."
"And you got all dressed up to tell me that? Do you have a death wish or something?"
"Not in the slightest actually. I called Beth and Jeff at home last night and she let it slip that you were going out together with my ex girlfriend Amy. I can think of a much better plan then sitting around with two girls all night, so I asked her if she would help me out."
"So I take it she did help you out?"
"Yeah she did, and that's why I'm here now. I'm taking you out."
"Excuse me?"
Aurora was floored. Not only was she bummed that her night was now not planned out, but she was pissed that Beth couldn't call her and tell her Matt's plan. She wasn't dressed like he was to go out somewhere romantic or special. It just threw her completely off balance. She realized with a start that every time she came in contact with Matt Hardy, her life got thrown off balance. This was just another notch in the belt.
"Well what did you have in mind?"
"Quiet dinner, some nice conversation. I really would like to get to know you, not just come to your house, kiss you and leave ya know."
"Well can you wait a minute? I don't think I'm dressed for what you have in mind. Did you have reservations made already? Or are we just winging it?"
"I'm here flying by the seat of my pants. So take all the time you need. You look fine right now, but I'm just the guy. I don't know what you actually want to look like for me."
"Well give me ten minutes and you'll find out."
With a slight brush of her hand on his shoulder, she made her way up her stairs and ran into her bedroom. Flopping down on the bed quickly she let out the biggest breath of her life. She had been hoping that Matt was finally coming around to her and that she was getting to him, and now here he was in her house. It couldn't get any better. She quickly grabbed her blue dress from the rack in her closet and made her way to her mirror. Sliding the dress over her, she did one last take in the mirror, and turned towards the door. It was now time to knock him dead.
**********************
"So how are you enjoying being in the WWE Rory?"
They had just finished eating, and they were pleasantly talking and drinking wine, and it was surprising because Matt was asking her about her life, where she started and what made her want to do this for the rest of her life. She had never actually talked to anyone in detail about this before, and she was worried he might get bored with her. But Matt seemed most happy when she was talking about her life, wrestling and otherwise, and she didn't want to mess with a good thing.
"It's wonderful. I mean I'm used to the independent scene still, so sometimes it takes me a while to adjust to things. For the most part though the people are amazing, and I wouldn't change anything. I can see myself being here or around here for quite a long time."
"Why did you leave Toronto?"
"I needed a different scene to be perfectly honest with you. Growing up in the big city was harder for me because I think in my heart that I was the girl that wanted quiet and living in the country. When I got the chance to move to Carolina and train with some of the best guys in the business, well something just clicked. I have no desire to return to Toronto, unless I'm wrestling there."
"Don't you miss your family?"
"All the time, but they know what I'm doing, they watch me, they call me. Things are good for us this way. Back home we always fought because they didn't see my desire to be a wrestler. They wanted me to be more stable. The funny thing is, if I was in any other job, I think I wouldn't be as stable as I am right now."
"I can understand where that comes from believe me. Although I think I've always been the more stable one, the one that seen everything clear."
"Yeah, Jeff is a bit of a loopy bastard sometimes isn't he?"
Matt laughed hard at her use of the word loopy and drank another sip of wine. He was finding that even though they had met under weird circumstances, and with all the sexual tension she brought out in him, she was really a perfect girl underneath it all. He felt stupid for not giving her a chance to explain a while back about Brock and where that stood, and he missed out on even more time getting to know her. He was glad he had the chance to make it up to her now. He didn't want to say this to anyone, but he wanted to make her his girlfriend tonight.
"Jeff is my little oddball, well actually he's our daddies little oddball. I think he's always been different and that's a good thing most of the time, but sometimes, you need to buckle down and be serious."
"But Jeff does that sometimes."
"Yeah, more now then before, with him not being in the business anymore, I think it's opened up more doors for him and he's starting to see more where I come from. He focuses hard on his music, and that desire there to succeed, well I think it makes him see where my mind is with this business we're in."
"Well you are very dedicated to the business Matt, it's a good quality to have believe me."
"You feel it too don't you?"
"I eat, sleep, and breathe wrestling. I don't really care if I'm in the WWE or some hick town federation, but just the idea of doing it and pleasing one damn person in the crowd, among myself and the people I'm with, well it's a damn good feeling and it keeps me going."
"I like your attitude."
"I figured you might." Aurora said with a slight smile. Truth be told she knew he understood her more then anyone would at this point. It wasn't about the money and the fame, although those were nice things too. The love for the business was what kept them both going. She never felt more comfortable sitting and dining with anyone in her entire life, then she did with Matt right at this moment.
"So are you enjoying being here with me tonight?"
"There isn't anywhere I would rather be right now Matt, and that's about as honest an answer as I can give you."
"Well your honesty means the world to me. So Aurora I have something serious I want to ask you."
"And that would be? You know at this point you can ask me anything, and with the amount of wine in my system, you're going to get an honest answer whether you like it or not." She exclaimed with a slight laugh and a tilt of her head.
"Well Aurora, it's pretty simple really, and I really do hope you'll consider it before you answer."
"Just ask me Matt, I promise I will think about it."
"Will you be my girlfriend Aurora? Will you make me the happiest man right now and just be with me?"
********************************
****************
"So what do you think Rory? Will you be my girl?"
Aurora could sense the nervousness coming off on Matt right at that moment, and she knew he had a whole lot riding on her answer. Looking into his brown eyes, she knew she wouldn't say no to him. She wanted to be his girlfriend more then anything. That was what she had planned on after their first meeting, and she couldn't get him out of her system. But now thinking on it, she added a new element into their relationship by going against him for the belt. He had no idea she'd asked for it, and wouldn't know until the following week when the pay per view meeting and cards were announced. Could she date him knowing that in less then three weeks she would be going against him in the ring? And a better question would he do it?
"Matt I don't know what to say."
"Just say you'll be my girlfriend, it's just that easy. You make me happy, and sitting here with you tonight, with or without the wine, well I got to know things about you that I didn't before and it's made me realize what a real ass I've been towards you. I think if we try, this could work."
"You sound so sure."
"That's because it's a sure thing for me baby."
"What if something happens, we get together I mean, and then something comes up with our careers. How would you handle that?"
"Nothing could possibly piss me off that much that it would end things Aurora. Unless of course you wanted to sleep with Brock for real or something. Which you don't right?" Matt asked raising his eyebrow lightly and looking seriously at her.
"The thought never entered my mind actually. If you're so sure this can work, then so am I Matt. So yes I will be your girlfriend."
Jumping up for the table he pulled her to her feet and smiled brightly. It was the first time she'd ever seen him smile so big and it just made her heart explode in her chest right there. She really did want to be his girlfriend, and match or no match, they would get through this together. She could just feel it.
When he brought his lips to hers she wasn't too taken aback. She knew it was coming and the thought of the two of them being closer then ever was making her really happy. It felt so good to have him this close to her, his hands pressed into her back and his lips on hers exploring. She never wanted to wake up if this was indeed a dream.
"So princess, what do you want to do now? Your wish is my command." He said with a laugh as he pulled his lips from hers and gazed at her across the table.
"I just want to go home with you Matt, can you do that for me? Just take me home."
Grabbing her purse she again stood from the table and started walking towards the door. Matt caught up behind her and put his arms around her and followed her out. If she wanted to go home, he was going to do whatever it took to get her there. He knew he didn't want to leave her side.
*****************
"Excuse me, I don't think I heard you right Rory, you're sitting here telling me you and Matt are dating now?"
"Yeah, is that something foreign to you Jeff?"
"Not foreign, I'm just surprised that you did it that's all. You haven't tried to kill him yet?"
Aurora grabbed the pillow from the couch and smacked Jeff hard in the face with it. He hadn't stopped ribbing her about the relationship since she'd shown up and told him only a few short minutes before. She figured Jeff would be happy to hear it seeing as that meant he didn't have to scheme with Shannon to get them together anymore.
"I would never knowingly kill him. Sure he pisses me off to all hell, but his intentions are good. He doesn't mean to be an ass does he?"
"Um honey, yeah I think he does."
"Oh shut up! You're such an ass sometimes Jeff!"
"Yeah I know, Beth tells me all the time. So what was this important thing you needed to tell me about? It wasn't just the dating Matt thing right?"
"How'd ya guess?"
"Sixth sense. It's a man gene. So what's on your mind?"
"Before Matt asked me to be his girlfriend, feeling pissed off I went to Stephanie and demanded a match with him at the pay per view for the title. I was granted it, but knowing how Matt feels about this business, if I beat him for this belt, it could ruin our new found relationship."
"Have you told him any of this yet?"
"Not one word of it. I'm scared about his reaction Jeff."
"Well he's gonna find out at the meeting tomorrow, and you're gonna hear about it either way. Chances are knowing my brother the way I do, if he hears it from you and you alone, you might get a better reaction then if it was just Stephanie announcing it. Do you know if you're gonna win it or not from him?"
"Not at this point no. I don't know the turnout. I'm just worried about the fallout from it. I really like your brother Jeff, and I don't want this to fuck it up."
"You won't fuck it up Rory. Matt is a hard case to crack, ask Amy she'll tell you all about that. He might get his ego hurt if you have to win it from him, but the match itself I don't think he's going to care much about. He's just not going to know how to wrestle you. I mean you are his girl now, and he can't go all out and murder you in the ring you know?"
"I don't care if he goes full throttle on me Jeff, that's what I want with my career. I don't want him to have to lie down for me and then I win. I want to be a fighter."
"You already are. My advice is simple princess. Just tell him about the match now, before he hears about it through the grapevine and then comes back and does what he did before with you. You don't want that to happen again do you?"
"Not at all."
"So how far have you and my brother gone?" Jeff asked with a smirk and a glint in his eyes.
"Oh don't even go there you sick bastard. I don't kiss and tell. If you want to know, ask Matt, but if he tells you, in that ring in three weeks, I will kill him."
***************
"I called this meeting with all of you today to announce the matches for our upcoming pay per view. Now this is a Smackdown only venture, and it's our first one, and with the status of the show RAW managed with last month, I want to make this one even better. So first I want to announce the title matches that we have booked to date. Changes will be taking place, so be careful on what you hear right now. If there is anything serious I will inform you."
Matt shot a look at Rory, who was sitting in her chair beside him stone, faced. He couldn't figure out why she would be sitting there like that when she had been so happy before. He couldn't get inside her head, but he thought it might have something to do with not being put on the pay per view. He knew she wanted to make herself bigger in the business, but she was new, so she might not get a huge push. He really felt for her.
"The first match of the night is going to be a Cruiserweight title match actually. Matt Hardy will be putting it on the line against one Aurora Rivers. This match is also going to be ruled no DQ, so Matt, don't even think about it this time."
Now Matt understood why she was stone faced towards the entire room. He shot her another look and at that moment she turned to face him. It looked like she was going to cry at any second, and he didn't know at this point how he felt about that. He wanted to tell her it didn't matter, but then again how the hell do you wrestle your girlfriend without someone getting hurt?
Moving over closer to her ear, and trying to listen to the rest of Stephanie's list of matches, he whispered in her ear.
"We need to have a serious talk it seems. Meet me in the locker room after the meeting."
Without a word, she just nodded her head and turned back to what the boss was saying. Matt knew she didn't like it anymore then he did, but at that moment he didn't care. He didn't ask for the match, but he couldn't be sure if she had or not. He just needed to get some answers, and he needed them fast.
****************
