AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story picks up from No Holds Barred in Boston, which was based on the idea/request of a fan who wishes to remain nameless. We rejoin the action in a secluded retreat in Colorado, shortly before Trish gets back in the ring with Victoria.
*****
Chapter One
Mickie had to go back to the master bedroom to get the key for the handcuffs. While she was at it she took opportunity to "prepare" for the fun ahead. Then, wearing a robe over her harness, she returned to Erin's room.
'What kept you?' the reporter said snappily. Then, as she noticed the bulge in Mickie's gown, 'I do not believe it. You left me at the mercy of liver-eating ghosts to get that toy!'
'You'll be thanking me for that toy before the night's out.' Leaving one end of the padded cuffs on Erin for the time being, Mickie took the other off the bedhead and paused. 'How's your wrist?'
'Not too bad.' The reporter's eyes narrowed suspiciously. 'It hasn't bruised. My arm's just a bit stiff but don't worry; I'll still find plenty to sue you for.'
'It's being attached to something inanimate that causes stiffness.'
'Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you know all about that.'
'I do, actually.' So saying, Mickie fastened the freed cuff to her own wrist. 'There,' she said with a grin, 'and I promise I won't be inanimate.'
'I bet you won't.' Erin laughed shortly. 'Come on, let's get out of here. I heard strange noises while I was waiting for you.'
As she spoke there was a muffled rap, away to their left. It came from outside, probably a twig or something similar, blown against the window. But it still startled the elfin reporter.
'It's him isn't it?' She stared fearfully in the direction of the sudden sound. 'He's come looking for his squaw.'
A shiver ran through Mickie. Her ghost story hadn't been made up (not entirely), but she hadn't for a second believed it . . .
Not until now.
Erin was more than convinced. 'Let's get out of here,' she repeated, 'locking the door behind us.'
Doing her best to seem nonchalant, Mickie led the tiny woman out of the room. And she did lock the door behind them, telling herself she was just keeping up the pretence as she did so.
It's for Erin, she thought, she'll want "comforting" all night at this rate.
And so might I!
Then, as they crossed the main lounge towards the master bedroom, a woman's loud voice rang out.
'And now,' it said, 'in a late change to the programme . . .'
It was Mickie's turn to be startled by a sudden sound, even though she knew she'd left the TV playing away to itself.
'We have a special treat for you,' the voice continued. 'Ladies and gentlemen, replacing the scheduled opponent, here she is! The lady who needs no introduction . . .'
Fanfare for the Common Man resounded and Erin tugged her in sight of the screen just in time to see the WWE audience go berserk. And didn't they do it well! They made the reaction to a Super Bowl touchdown seem like polite applause for a no-hoper's scraped par at Augusta.
On-screen Trish emerged and strutted down the walkway, smiling and waving.
'There goes my exclusive,' said Erin.
'Don't worry about it,' said Mickie, laughing, 'there's still a story in it for you.'
'Sorry, I can't see one myself.'
'Erin, you're now one of the few people who know this; tonight's fight is for real.'
*****
The second reverse posting brought it home to Victoria. She really could lose her title, right here and now. She needed to step up a gear.
But how could she? She and Trish knew each other's moves inside out. They'd been going at each other non-stop for ages. And, as if that wasn't exhausting enough, they'd both been coming up with weird and wonderful combinations; she was as spent mentally as she was physically.
That's my belt, she reminded herself, and I'm keeping it!
Alert to the danger of being trapped in the corner, she raised her hands boxing-style and forced herself to stay upright. Trish stayed where she was, dominating the middle of the ring, her mouth working ten to the dozen. Fuck only knew what she was yelling about. Victoria could hardly hear herself think, never mind hear that bitch's latest insults.
Even so, she snarled back a few insults of her own; insults and a statement of fact.
'I'm bigger, stronger and tougher. You'll never beat me!'
She made a lunge as she snarled but Trish was too quick. She dodged under the flying elbow, grabbed Victoria's hair and pulled, bringing her down hard on her tailbone. Victoria automatically rolled, refusing herself the right to feel pain, getting out of range before scurrying upright.
Trish was there, though, hitting her with a palm strike that made her ears ring. Knowing she had to respond, Victoria threw herself back onto the ropes and launched into what was meant to be a leaping clothesline. Trish deftly avoided it and then added insult to injury with a knee drop.
'No,' Victoria gasped, somehow staggering to her feet. 'I will not lose. I fucking will not!'
Brave words but Trish's eyes told her a different truth. The Canuck bitch had this won and she knew it.
*****
'So run it by me again,' said Erin, her gaze still fixed on the TV.
'You get the world exclusive,' Mickie explained. 'Everyone else gets to write first, saying what a great fight it was. Then on Monday you get the headline. It wasn't only a great fight, it was a real fight. I'm sure you can come up with something appropriate.'
'"WWE Break Habit of a Lifetime",' said Erin wryly. 'Or maybe "Divas Can Do It After All".'
'Come on Erin, you can do better than that.'
'How do I know you're not stringing me along?'
'You saw Victoria before they started. She's a good actress, but not that good. And you've seen the fight. They've been at each other's throats for fifteen minutes. Don't tell me you can't see it's for real.'
'It looks the same as always to me.'
'Trust me, Erin, this is as genuine as it gets. I'm wincing at some of this.'
'Do I get a quote? Before I go to press, I mean.'
'I'll get you the Commissioner tomorrow. And I'm sure Trish will endorse everything he says.'
'If she wins,' said Erin.
'She will. And it's going to happen anytime now.'
Still cuffed together, the two of them had been sitting on a couch. Erin couldn't see how, exactly, but the action on-screen must have intensified because Mickie was suddenly on her feet. Being a lot smaller, Erin was up with her; she had no choice in the matter.