[an] I am so happy you are all enjoying this story.

[disclaimer] I only own Ava.

one of a kind; fixed in gold
[Chapter Two]

Ava had spent Monday training at the Performance Center. Normally, she would have had to work the Smackdown Live! Event but, because Jeff was dealing with a mild nerve injury, he had been given a night to rest up.

Tuesday morning, She had caught the earliest flight from Orlando to Baltimore and went straight to the hotel to check in. Once she was in her hotel room, a private room she had booked on her own seeing she had not traveled with the rest of the roster, she threw her suitcase up on her bed and unzipped it. She dug through the contents of her suitcase until she found a light blue tank top and burgundy and light blue leggings capris. She quickly changed out of her jeans and long-sleeved shirt and into her work out attire. She slid on a pair of light blue Fila sneakers and grabbed her Ipod and earbuds.

She threw her light blue hair up into a messy bun, before putting her earbuds in and clipping her Ipad to her leggins. She grabbed her keycard and water bottle before exiting the room to head to the downstairs gym.

Ava had just finished her final set of dumbbell lunges and was returning the weights when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She sat the weights on the rack and turned around. Jeff smiled and motioned for her to remove her earbuds.

She blushed slightly as she pulled them lose and switched off her Ipad, "Sorry." She murmured, feeling stupid for not thinking to turn off her music.

He shrugged, "We all get in a zone when we work out. I was actually coming over to ask if you were almost done."

She nodded, "Yes, actually. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to have brunch and talk about the show tonight. I guess I have a money in the bank qualifying match with Miz tonight."

"I am guessing Miz wins after some interference?"

"Exactly. I was wondering if you want to go with Mike, Zelina, Andrade and I to talk about some spots for the match."

"Sure. What time?"

"Forty-five minutes. We all still have to get ready."

"Sounds good. Do you want to take my rental? We can meet in the lobby?"

"Okay, see you then." Jeff smiled and walked toward the back of the gym where the Usos were doing dead lifts.

Ava grabbed her water bottle and keycard. She had just enough time to finish up her morning yoga routine, grab a quick shower and be ready to meet Jeff to go to brunch.

Ava stepped off the elevator. She had decided to wear a green, blue, and black plaid dress and black leather jacket to brunch. She had paired the outfit with nylons and black combat boots. She had found enough time to blow dry her hair and apply a quick coat of makeup before heading down to the lobby.

Jeff was already waiting for her in one of the armchairs by the front door. He had chosen to wear a pair of jeans, black t-shirt and blazer. He smiled and stood up when she walked over to him.

"You look great." He said when she approach him, a slight blush creeping up his neck.

She smiled in surprise, blushing as well, "Thanks. Are you ready to go?"

He nodded and opened the door for her. She thanked him as she stepped outside. She led the way to her rental car, a black ford fusion, and unlocked the doors. They both got inside. "Where are we having brunch?"

"The Blue Moon Cafe. Zelina and I wanted to go to Denny's, but Mike insisted we got to this Cafe instead."

Ava laughed at the thought of Jeff and Zelina trying to convince Mike to go to Denny's. "He can be stubborn?" She said as she turned the car on and slowly backed out of her parking space.

"Extremely. He is a good enough guy though. Haven't you had the chance to meet him yet?"

Ava smiled and shook her head. A lot of people liked to complain about Mike Mizanin. She had heard many stories, but she liked to wait and see how she felt about a person once she met them before coming to any conclusions. "I haven't had the pleasure."

"I think you'll like him."

They rode in comfortable silence to the cafe where she parked on the street. She could see Zelina waiting outside for them.

Zelina waved when she spotted them walking down the sidewalk. "About time. The boys are already inside and have a table for us."

"We left right on time." Ava rolled her eyes.

"Well you should always leave early so you never come off as late. Now get inside, I am starving."

Ava laughed and walked up to the door. She held it open for Jeff and Zelina then followed them to a table in the back.

"They are finally here." Zelina said as she sat down beside Andrade. Mike Mizanin was seated on the other side of Andrade and smiled when they arrived.

"Stop being dramatic, Z. We aren't that late."

"You're right on time." Mike confirmed, earning a glare from Zelina. He brushed it off. "I'm Mike, by the way." He held out his hand across the table and Ava took it.

"Ava Quinn, nice to meet you."

"It's really not. You will regret saying that." Zelina joked.

A waitress approached the table, holding a notepad. "Morning, what can I get you all to drink?"

Ava glanced down at the menu while everyone else ordered their drinks. "I'll take an orange juice please." The waitress nodded and left to get them their drinks.

"So let's get started. Tonight, I have a match with Jeff to qualify for Money in the Bank. Andrade is going to come out to attack Jeff and continue your feud."

"And where do I come into all of this?" Ava inquired.

"You are going to be at ringside with me." Jeff sat the menu down he had been looking at. "We are going to have a segment earlier in the show were you offer to come to ringside because you know Andrade and Zelina will try to interfere."

"Makes sense." Ava nodded in approval. "How do you guys know all of this?"

"We got the scripts this morning. You probably didn't get yours because you were coming back from Orlando."

"Oh, okay. That makes sense. I guess."

"So Andrade and I were talking this morning. I am going to interfere in the match and attack Jeff. That is supposed to set up a mixed tag match for next Tuesday. Well, Andrade thought it might be a good idea for you to retaliate against him."

"What? He wants me to hit him?"

The waitress gave them a funny look when she returned with a tray holding their beverages. "If you guys fight we will have to ask you to leave." She said as she handed Jeff his cup of coffee.

"Thank you. Don't worry no one will be fighting here." Jeff smiled kindly at the waitress.

The waitress nodded as she gave Ava and Mike their orange juice. "Are you all ready to order?" She asked as she gave Zelina her green tea and Andrade his cup of coffee.

"That would be wonderful." Mike said. "I'll take the Vegetarian Scramble, please."

"I'll have the same," Zelina said as they both handed the waitress their menus.

"I'll have the G&G's country scramble, please." Jeff also handed over his menu.

"I'll take the Garden Style Eggs, please." Ava smiled politely.

"The Huevos Rancheros Santa Fe." Andrade smiled when Ava took his menu and handed both to the waitress.

"It will be right up." She smiled before heading towards the kitchen.

"No, we were thinking we need to start foreshadowing the upcoming match for the inter-gender tag titles." Zelina said, making an exaggerated gesture with her hands. "We were thinking you should either do your inverted frankensteiner or a spear off the ring apron."

"Don't you thank that might be a little much before the match?" Ava frowned. She wondered if one of her finishers or a move off the ring apron might be a little too much for only their second encounter.

"Imagine the hype." Mike interrupted, looking excited. "You can do some pretty amazing things Ava. We have all seen them on NXT. Make sure you guys shine in this feud. Make it special so the fans will talk about it for years."

"It is a pretty big story-line Ava." Jeff added. "Not that I want to push you into anything you are uncomfortable with…" He added.

"I know that." She smiled gratefully. "I just want to make sure we don't put too much out too soon."

"It's just one move and the fans will love seeing it again anyway." Zelina insisted.

Ava nodded, 'You're right. We will make sure the fan's in Baltimore tonight go home talking about this feud." Ava smiled.

Andrade clapped his hands together and smiled, "Fantastic."

Jeff was sitting one one of the large rolling carts backstage. He was already clad in his ring attire and was looking at something on his phone when Renee Young approached him for an interview.

"Jeff, you have a money in the bank qualifying match tonight against The Miz… but after what happened Sunday night at Backlash aren't you are a little worried that Andrade Cien Almas might make an appearance?" She asked, the held the microphone out in front of him, hoping for a response.

"To tell you the truth Renee, my mind is focused on The Miz tonight. Backlash is done and I have to keep my eyes on the prize going forward...and that is the money in the bank briefcase. I don't care who decides to show up… I plan on walking out of here tonight with a spot in that ladder match."

Someone cleared their throat and both Renee and Jeff turned their gaze toward the opposite side of the hallway. Ava stood, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She was dressed in black, side corset leggings, a black and white vintage patterned corset with lace, and black and white lace up gloves. She smiled and walked over to the duo. "I'm sorry to interrupt your interview Renee." Ava looked over at Jeff who was watching her with mild interest. "I just wanted to say that when you go out there tonight, you don't have to worry about Andrade or Zelina Vega, because I'm going to be in your corner."

She didn't wait for a response. She turned on her heel and walked away. Jeff smiled and shrugged once she was out of the view of the camera. "I guess that answers your question Renee." He jumped down off the box and walked away. '

The Miz hit Jeff with a running knee in the corner. When Jeff fell forward Miz took a moment to cheap talk and work the crowd. He then grabbed Jeff and pulled him up, hoping to set him up for the skull crushing finale.

Jeff countered and hit the twist of fate. The fans cheered as he climbed up to the top rope, looking to hit the swanton bomb. He stood at the top as Ava cheered him on at ringside. She was blindsided when Zelina Vega appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her, throwing her into the barricade. While Zelina hit Ava with a series of kicks while she leaned against the barricade, Almas climbed up on the ring apron and knocked Jeff off. Jeff landed on the floor. The fans booed as Miz climbed out of the ring and grabbed Jeff, pulling him back inside. Jeff shoved him and went for another twist of fate, which Miz countered with a skull crushing finale.

Miz went for the pin, but Jeff kicked out at two. Miz swore as he lay on the mat. Jeff rolled out of the ring and leaned against the apron to steady himself. Andrade ran around the ring and hit him with a clothesline, knocking him onto the floor.

Zelina had stopped kicking AVa and motioned toward Andrade, yelling into the crowd. Ava swept Zelina's legs out from under her and rolled on top of her, hitting her with a series of punches. Andrade rushed over and grabbed Ava around her waist and pulled her off of Zelina, who crawled backwards, looking horrified, and leaned against the barricade. Jeff ran around the side and hit a drop kick to Almas's back. Almas released Ava who moved out of the way as Andrade stumbled.

The referee was yelling for Jeff to get back in the ring. Jeff ran over and slid into the ring and was meant by a stomp from the Miz. As he Jeff went to get up, Miz hit him with a series of Yes kicks that had the fans chanting.

Jeff grabbed Miz's leg and knocked him over. He stood up, then performed his signature double leg drop followed by a low dropkick. He went for the pin, but was distracted when Andrade jumped up on the ring apron. Jeff stood up as Andrade yelled and pointed at him.

Ava grabbed Andrade's leg and pulled him down off the mat. He hit face first and rolled onto the floor. Jeff turned around and was struck by a kick from Miz, who then set him up for the DDT. Jeff kicked out and the fans cheered again.

Ava climbed up on the ring steps as Andrade staggered to his feet with Zelina's help. Ava ran across the ring apron and hit Andrade with a spear that had the fans screaming. Ava rolled onto her back as the fans chanted and cheered.

Inside the ring Miz, ignored Ava and all of the action outside of the ring. He waited as Jeff got to his feet then hit the skull crushing finale for the three count and the win.

Ava climbed into the ring to check on Jeff as Miz rolled out of the ring and walked backwards up the ramp to end the show.

"That was amazing." Zelina insisted as she and Ava packed up their bags to leave the arena. "The fans loved it and you were amazing."

"Thank you." Ava smiled as she zipped up her duffel-bag. "You did amazing yourself."

"I can't wait until next week's match." Zelina said excitedly as she grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Who are you riding with?"

"I'm not. I have my own rental. I was just going to head back to the hotel and get some shut eye."

"I can't believe they booked an extra show this week." Zelina said. "But, if you are interested do you want to travel together?"

Ava smiled and nodded. "Yea that would be nice." She hadn't thought about traveling with anyone. She had always traveled with Drew on the rare occasions they traveled for NXT. The realization that she would be traveling all the time hadn't quite set in yet. "I guess it is a lot to do on your own."

Zelina nodded, "It's lonely and if you don't take the buses, it can be expensive. I prefer driving though. I mean the girls are alright, but it gets crowded on the bus sometimes."

Ava nodded in agreement. She preferred to be alone, or with a few close friends. She was certain she wouldn't enjoy riding on a bus with all of the ladies from Smackdown, regardless of how wonderful they might be.

"Well then, it's a deal, travel buddy." Ava smiled and laced her free arm through Zelina's as they left the locker room.