Chapter 32

“So do your kids watch Smackdown?” Teddie asked Finlay.

“Sometimes. Of course it's David's bedtime at 8, but he sometimes gets to stay up depending on the match.”

“Depending on the match?”

“Well since we tape Smackdown Tuesdays, I call and let them know what's going to be on Friday.”

“Your wife is a wrestling fan then?”

“No,” Finlay shook his head. “She will usually watch my matches but she doesn't go out of her way to catch any of the others.”

“Ohhh,” Teddie nodded. Finlay gave her an inquisitive look.

“I guess I was just trying to figure out if she was watching a couple weeks ago,” Teddie flushed.

He simply nodded, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Aye...she saw it.”

Teddie cocked her head. “What's so funny?”

“Nothin',” He shook his head. “It's no matter.”

Teddie squinted suspiciously, but decided to give it up.

“I have a match tonight,” she said.

When Finlay raised his eyebrows, she continued. “Against Beth Phoenix.”

“Beth Phoenix,” he sounded incredulous.

“Beth Phoenix,” Teddie confirmed.

“Well that should be interesting.”

“It should,” Teddie nodded. “Especially since my best friend is visiting me tonight. She'll be in the audience.” Teddie made a face.

“Well...good luck.”

“Thanks...I'll need it!”

“You look really tired,” Teddie observed. “I'd be willing to bet you're the most overworked superstar in the WWE right now.”

Punk offered a wane smile. “That could be.”

Teddie frowned. Despite the fact that he was talking to her again, Teddie was hurt that he had withdrawn into that tough exterior once more. CM Punk presented the picture of man who didn't need anyone, and who didn't care.

“If I can do anything to help...” Teddie tried offered.

“No, I'm fine. Thanks.” Punk said shortly.

“Dude—that's just rude.”

Teddie's eyes widened as she identified the speaker. The Miz was one half of the WWE tag team champions and one of CM Punk's main enemies.

Punk slowly turned around. “What?”

“She's trying to be nice to you, man.”

“Did I ask for your opinion?” Punk glared at Miz. Punk brushed past the shorter man, leaving the Miz to stare daggers at his back, and Teddie speechless.

Come on boy
I've been waiting for somebody
To pick up my stroll

Well don't waste time
Give me a sign
Tell me how you wanna roll

Madonna and Timberlake's “4 Minutes” blared throughout the arena as Teddie made her first solo appearance. Fortunately Beth was already in the arena, giving her something to concentrate on and to help her forget about the butterflies in her stomach.

If you want it
You already got it
If you thought it
It better be what you want
If you feel it
It must be real just
Say the word and Imma give you what you want

Teddie was aware that her energy level did not quite sync with the music, but the cocky tune gave her confidence and it was a trait she was very much in need of at the moment.

The referee signaled for the bell. Beth stood for some moments just staring—almost as if she couldn't believe that she were facing Teddie—the rookie who wasn't even a real wrestler. Teddie bent with her hands on her knees waiting. It was an awkward and suspenseful stare down that ended when Teddie motioned for Beth to bring it on.

Taking several long strides forward, Beth seized Teddie by her long ponytail and yanked her head back. After having waist length hair for some years, however, Teddie had built up resilient neck muscles and to Beth's surprise, the move seemed to have no effect.

Beth kneed Teddie in the stomach, causing the smaller woman to double up. As Beth tried to gain the upper hand with a couple of hard blows to the head, Teddie surprised her by kicking out and sending Beth flying backwards into the ropes.

Irritated, the Glamazon attempted to lift Teddie to her shoulders, but to her surprise Teddie was too heavy and strong, easily shoving her away.

Teddie's confidence was building. Unlike Izzie, who had spent her time building up a large collection of deadly moves, the Glamazon fought in much the same way she did, slower and with power. Teddie had her own power however. Having grown up on a farm riding horses and putting up hay had taught her many ways to employ that strength as well.

Beth attempted to put Teddie in a headlock, but Teddie quickly slipped out of it and forced Beth back into the corner. Beth indignantly tried to shove Teddie off her, but Teddie quickly worked in a few quick elbows to the stomach before backing up.

Angered, Beth struck Teddie across the face. Teddie immediately charged her, ramming her shoulder into the taller girl's stomach and knocking her off a feet in a spear. She went to the cover, but Beth managed to roll a shoulder off the canvas at two.

Teddie was suddenly in control. She was able to drop Beth in a facebuster and went for another cover, but again Beth kicked out at two and a half. Undeterred, Teddie pulled the Glamazon to her feet and backed up for another spear.

This time, however, Beth was ready. As Teddie closed in for the kill, she suddenly brought her knee up, catching Teddie hard directly in the abdomen.

Sharp pain shot through Teddie's body like a bolt of lightning. It blinded her in its intensity and she nearly blacked out. She was vaguely aware that Beth was rolling her up for the three count, but the pain was paralyzing and she was unable to move. Beth raised her hands in victory.

In a sudden show of temper and aggression, she suddenly began to assault Teddie. The referee was yelling at her to back up, but the Glamazon paid no heed.The abdominal pain was overwhelming now and Teddie attempted to fight back to protect herself. But she had no idea where she was at this point and only succeeded in getting herself cornered. She was groaning and crying in pain, clutching her stomach where she had had her C-Section surgery just 6 months prior.

There was a commotion in the crowd. Through a blur of pain, Teddie faintly saw a tall blonde confronting the Glamazon.

“Who are you?!” Beth was demanding.

The girl slapped the taste right out of the Glamazon's mouth and charged her before the referees managed to separate them. Teddie rolled out of the ring. Her knees buckled suddenly beneath her and she fell onto her side, unable to move.

The next minutes she remembered as a haze of pain and blur of shapeless faces. Somebody was shouting for the medics and several referees seemed to be all talking to her at once. The first face she actually recognized was Izzie and then Ariel. In her confused state she was desperately trying to remember why Ariel should be there. She closed her eyes.

Words babbled and shrilled like lullabies echoing off a broken record. And then there was a voice seemed override the others. Struggling to open her eyes, Teddie was barely able to distinguish Finlay. She recalled a feeling of safety before she closed her eyes once again.

She came to when the cool night air rushed to touch and tingle her cheeks. She saw the ambulance and realized that she was the one it was intended for. She suddenly panicked, looking desperately around for Izzie.

“Gracia?” She whispered.

“Cody's got her,” Izzie assured her, squeezing her hand. “They're taking you to the hospital now, Teddie. We'll see you there.”

Teddie nodded and closed her eyes. The drugs in the IV were already making her drowsy and for now, all she wanted to do was sleep.

Geez, poor Teddie. Not only does she suck when it comes to wrestling, she's injured now too! I guess you'll have to wait til the next chapter to learn the extent of her injuries...sorry but I've got another exam in the morning (last one!) and I've got to get to bed!

Shout Outs:

Sweeney todds pirate lady: I'm glad you think so—I actually make it up as I go along, which lends a hand as far as “inpredictability” goes I guess! Jeff is very close to making his return...just a couple more chapters!

XinnLajgin: Lol...well make sure it's FINLAY vs Matt Striker...Hornswoggle had a very funny rematch against Matt Striker the next week, but alas! No inflatable shillelagh! ;)

Inday: Well, it looks like Teddie might be the one needing Finlay from now on!

Takersgurl35: Finlay and Teddie can't help being close somehow. Unlike Punk who can be somewhat of a loner and doesn't really have a need to express his feelings, Finlay is (slightly) more sensitive. :)

68 stones from a broken heart: Thanks! Yeah, I feel sorry for his wife too...we actually get to meet her in a couple future chapters!

AshMattXoXo: Upset isn't quite the word for it! But that's the least of everybody's worries now...

Medieval Mystic: lol...thanks! And thanks for the review on my other story as well! I haven't updated it in a while, but I'm trying to get this one finished first! ;) Haha, I usually write a new chapter everyday, but yesterday I wrote 2 because I didn't write any on Wednesday. And don't worry...you're not bothering me! ;) No matter what happens I have very big plans for Jeff...and he will be back in a few chapters!