A/N: Thanks to jojocheer28, .CMPunkluver., xAttitudex, Solitary Siren, rory21, Link Guru and stupidchicken05 for the reviews.
I know it's been a while. Let's blame writer's block for this :P
Happy reading.
Chapter 8 – The Not So Great News
She got back up on her two feet, dusted off her clothes before turning back to the diva she had apparently bumped into accidentally.
"Melina," Candice spat. "Sorry but I have no time to argue with you."
"Like I would want to waste my breath on you." Melina scoffed. "Puh-lease. I don't have time for people who are below my standards, including such people like you who thinks that can wrestle but just can't."
Her lips parted after taking in this offense. Then her eyes narrowed a bit with a glare.
"If I were you I would watch my mouth," she warned.
Melina faked a laugh. "Oh really? I'm just telling it like it is. See this on this shoulder?"
She tapped on her championship gold to gain the candy coated diva's attention. Candice stared at the shiny belt that was over Melina's shoulder. This was what she always wanted to be since day one: to become the women's champion.
"This proves that I'm the most dominant diva this industry has ever seen!" Melina continued. "If you haven't noticed, I've been the women's champion for nearly six months now. There's not a diva in this arena that can match my abilities."
"Oh yeah? Not one?"
"Not one," Melina confirmed with a smirk on her face.
Candice took a step forward and tapped a finger on the belt. "I bet I can change that."
"You?" Melina looked like she was about to burst into laughter at any moment. "You? Candice Michelle?"
"That's right," Candice told with confidence.
"You have got to be kidding." Melina cackled. "Wow. Um, did it ever occur to you that I'm not intimidated by your threat?"
Candice made a soft giggle. "Well that's good to hear then. I won't want my opponent's mentality to be preoccupied by fear."
"That will never happen," said Melina with a serious glare.
A smirk played on Candice's lips. "Good."
"I'm telling you this now that you will NEVER beat me. I will stay women's champ for a very long time."
Taking another step forward, Candice towered her but the women's champion still remained on the spot. She was still determined to show who the main diva on the show was regardless of the difference in height.
"We'll just have to see about that, won't we?" Candice questioned.
"Yes we will."
Then all of a sudden a slap came out of nowhere, prompting the candi-coated diva to stumble back a few steps.
Her hand rubbed gingerly over cheek that was stinging after receiving that harsh slap. She turned back to the women's champion who was now smirking at her move.
Candice said nothing but simply glare back at her, knowing that this was the last straw.
---
"Yo, rainbow freak."
Jeff lifted up his face after staring at the floor for a few moments, only to make a frown the minute he met his caller.
"Well if it isn't Nitro," Jeff began with a fake smile on his face. "I can't say that I'm thrilled to see you."
Johnny removed his shades and slipped them into his back pocket. "Well guess what? I'm not thrilled to see you either."
"That's good to know. I feel better already." Jeff folded his arms. "But that doesn't excuse you as to why you called me."
"I called you because you're standing in my way," said Johnny.
"Really? Well, all you have to do is say 'Excuse Me'. That will save you the trouble."
Johnny laughed. "What are you? My mother?"
Jeff rolled his eyes. "Far from it…but then and again, I guess you need to be reminded when it comes to manners."
"Hey, watch your mouth."
"I am watching it. And you should watch yours or you'll be getting a fist in your mouth."
He could tell how irritated he looked but he didn't care. Johnny advanced toward him but Jeff didn't move. He wasn't scared of him. And he was definitely sure that he wasn't going to back on either.
But before a fight could start once the stare down hardened between the two superstars, they heard a scream bursting out of nowhere.
"What was that?" Johnny turned to look down at the corridor behind Jeff.
"Sounds like it coming from down this way."
Johnny had already gone his way. Jeff followed him. Just a moment later, they had discovered two women rolling on the floor, trying to tear each other apart. They had gotten the hold of them before any more harm could be made. Johnny was gripping onto the women's champion while Jeff was desperately trying to hang onto the taller diva.
"Let me go!" Candice barked, trying to get out of the hold but wasn't successful.
"Control your girlfriend won't you?" Johnny yelled.
"She's not my girlfriend alright? And you should focus on yours since I doubt Candice is the one who started it."
Melina's jaw dropped. "How dare you?! Candice started it!"
"Don't try to twist things around Melina! You know damn well that you started this when you slapped me. You should have known better who you're dealing with!"
"What is going on here?!"
The quarrel stopped when someone spoke up. They turned to see the general manager of Raw, William Regal.
"Regal! I'm so glad you're here," Melina began and pointed her finger directly at the dark haired diva. "She attacked me."
"She's the one who slapped me!" Candice snapped.
"Who are you to lie about my girlfriend?" Johnny inquired with a glare.
But Jeff made a quick comeback. "And who are you to make such accusation?"
"Enough!" Regal barked. "Now it's clear to me that the four of you have issues that need to be resolved…and tonight will be your chance to do so. Tonight, I'm putting the four of you…."
Candice couldn't help but to smirk. This could be her chance to get back at Melina one on one. And to show her that she was indeed ready for the championship gold.
"…tag match."
She blinked twice. "What was that?"
"I said," Regal looked annoyed when he had to repeat himself twice. "I'm putting the four of you to compete in a mixed tag match."
No, he could not mean…could it?
Candice was lost for words. "You don't mean…"
"Yes," Regal confirmed. "Tonight, it's going to be Melina and Nitro versus Jeff Hardy…"
Her eyes widen with fear. She had a sudden feeling that she wasn't going to like what she was going to hear from Regal's mouth.
"and Candice Michelle," he finished.
"WHAT?!" Either Jeff or Candice liked the declaration that was made as they both yelled at the same time.
"My word is final and I'm not going to change it to one's pleasure," Regal told firmly. "If I hear one more word about it, then consider yourselves being thrown out of this arena and to never show your face here again." Then Regal smirked. "Have a pleasant day."
----
Tonight was definitely not her night.
Ever since Regal made the annoucement, her mind couldn't help but to pondering over it. This was the last thing she needed.
To worrying over a match that she was forced into. And to make it worse, she had to be in the same ring as him.
Why did she have to be in the same ring as him? The squared circle where they had their last training session hours before?
"Guess what Randy did for me today? He cooked lunch for me! Isn't he sweet or isn't he sweet? Okay, so I said sweet twice but gosh, he is SO amazing! That stewed chicken was to die for. Oh and for dessert…" The red head placed a hand on his chest and rolled her eyes upward in a dreamy manner. "Apple pie! And guess who made it? I thought I was in paradise after the first bite, I swear!"
"Maria, could you just shut up for a moment? Candice asked. "I need to think."
"Oh sure, sorry." Maria giggled.
"Thanks."
"No problem." Just about five seconds later, the silence was disrupted again. "Oh by the way, do you know that it tastes really good with peanut butter ice cream? The apple pie I mean. It's absolutely lovely! Though I think vanilla ice cream is better but since we don't have it…"
She trailed off when she caught a glance of Candice glaring in her direction. She cleared her throat. "Right. I'll shut up now."
"Good."
Then they heard a knock on the door. Maria went for the door.
"Your partner has arrived," she announced rather cheerfully. Candice refrained from groaning, reluctantly exiting the women's locker room.
Closing the door behind her, she turned her attention to the man in front of her. He had on his usual ring attire which would mean that he was prepared for action.
After a moment of silence, Jeff spoke up. "Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
Then he let out a sigh. "Look Candice, I don't like this anymore than you do."
She crossed her arms. "Well, that makes the two of us."
"I still don't like your attitude but I'll have to tolerate this for the sake of our match. I want to win this match. I'm sure you do too."
"Of course."
"So…" Jeff paused before he thought of what he was going to say next. He held his hand out. "Are we a team?"
Candice looked from his hand and back to him. "Yes we are."
Then she simply walked away without shaking his hand to seal the deal. That got the rainbow haired warrior frustrated.
"Can you be less of a bitch for once?!" Jeff yelled.
If he hadn't gotten her attention before, then he surely succeeded when she twisted her body around, gaping.
"Excuse me?!" She stormed her way to him. "What did you just say to me?"
"I said…can you be less of a bitch for once? I know that you don't like me…but it doesn't give you the right to disrespect me. I'm not a doormat and I'm sure as hell that you're not better than me. So drop that attitude of yours or that will affect our teamwork."
She stared at him for a moment and faked a chuckle. "You know what?" Then without warning, a hand flew to his face with a harsh smack. "Screw you!"
Then she stormed away, leaving Jeff to place his hand over the sting where she had slapped him.
This was not good at all.
Next chapter: The mixed tag match is on. Will Candice and Jeff be able to co exist?