"Date With A Super Star"

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional and I have not received permission to use any of the names mentioned who are or may be associated with WWE or NWA/TNA Wrestling. Any resemblance of the other characters in this story to anyone I know personally is intentional and I’m sure they will know who they are and will enjoy having been placed in this fictitious account. I am not benefiting from the use of these WWE or NWA/TNA names.

Date With A Super Star

        The contest was finally over and weeks of waiting and wondering and hoping against hope were finally over too. Each woman, young or not so young, deluged the wwe.com site to see whose name showed up on the "Date With A Super Star" page winning a date with Scott Hall. He was single again and they all had hopes of either winning his heart or at least getting a closer glimpse of the oft-troubled star who had a penchant for getting his name in the Miami news. Whether or not the allegations against him were true these women didn’t seem to mind because Scott was a wrestler who had captivated their hearts and walked through their dreams and fantasies.

        "Oh! What I wouldn’t give to win that contest and actually spend an evening with Scott Hall." Juliane whispered as though saying it out loud would ruin any chance she had of winning. She had been on line for what seemed like several hours but was really only a few minutes. "The Internet must be so busy that it’s taking me forever to get to that page. I probably didn’t win anyway but I just have to know."

        Like Juliane, Antoinette was also waiting impatiently to learn that she probably had not won either. It was so irritating to get on and then have to wait. What was that her mother used to tell her when she would hurry to get ready to go some place and then have to sit around until it was time to leave? Oh that’s right, "Hurry up and wait!" She may have to wait but this was worth it. Just a little longer and she would know.

        As if on cue, Juliane’s cell phone rang. She was going to ignore it but she recognized the number on the caller ID as Antoinette’s. Had Antoinette been able to break through the wall of Cyber Space and reach that page to find out she had won the contest? Was she calling to rub her friend’s nose in it? She would be gracious no matter how disappointed she was and congratulate her best friend. The suspense was killing Juliane so she finally picked up.

        "I guess you must have won the contest Toni. I knew that if it was between you and me, it would be you. Congrats!" Juliane was genuinely happy for her girl friend and she hoped she disguised her own disappointment well.

        "No you silly girl. I’m calling to congratulate you!!! Aren’t you on line?"

        "I’m on line but I can’t get throu--. What did you just say?"

        "Jules, you don’t know do you. I hope you’re sitting down. You are the winner! I just saw it and I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you. I can’t believe you didn’t know."

        "AAAAHHHHH!" Juliane screamed into the phone.

        "Yeouch! That’s my ear!"

        "Sorry Toni. I just can’t believe I’m going on a date with Scott Hall!"

        "I know. He’s not much older than you are either but you better watch yourself. He has a rep you know and maybe you should take along a body guard."

        "Nice try Toni, hehehe. You wouldn’t make a very good body guard. He’d have to beat you off with a stick but I am grateful for the offer."

        "Yeah, whatever. I tried. Ha!"

        "I feel like someone should pinch me. What will I wear? Should I get a new hairdo? Maybe he won’t like my hair. Should I change my hair color? Oh man I’m going to go nuts worrying about this now."

        "Will you calm down Jules? You turn heads everywhere we go and it makes me sick. I can’t believe Scott would take a look at you and turn and run."

        "Cut it out. I never notice guys looking at me like that. I see them ogling you all the time though. I think you would make a better match for Scott than I would."

        "Really? You want to switch places???"

        "Again, nice try. I think I better get busy and find out what I need to do to consummate this deal." Juliane said with a naughty grin.

        "Ooo, I can’t believe you said that. I’ll let you go now and plan the man’s future." Antoinette snickered as she hung up.

        "I’ll get her for that one." Juliane laughed out loud.

        She finally found what she needed to know on line and printed out the information so she wouldn’t forget any of it. If she messed up this opportunity she would never forgive herself. According to the information she printed she figured she had 2 weeks to get her act together to be ready for this date. What should she do first? Shop for a new outfit, make an appointment to get her hair and nails done, get a facial, beauty makeover, teeth straightened and whitened, . . ., ok that last one was a little silly but it had crossed her mind. Her teeth weren’t bad but had never been pearly white no matter how often she flossed and brushed so she was really stuck with them the way they were. At least she could get them cleaned if there was time. They were always so busy in that place. Yes she should probably call to make an appointment right away.

        "Jules, the next opening for Dr. Hardy to clean your teeth is in 3 weeks. I can schedule it for you and call you if we have a cancellation in the meantime."

        "3 weeks is too long. I need this done as soon as possible. Are you absolutely sure there are no other openings? Maybe with a different dentist? I like to go to Dr. Hardy but this is an emergency."

        "To get your teeth cleaned?" The office girl was a little surprised at Juliane’s urgent tones.

        "Oh, I know it sounds like I’m making a big deal out of such a simple procedure but it really is so important to me."

        "Big date?" Teased the office girl Joanie.

        "You could say that. Don’t tell Dr. Hardy though. I like to imagine he has a crush on me and I don’t want to devastate him." Juliane joked.

        "Ok, I won’t tell Jeff you said that."

        "Stop it. I know his name isn’t Jeff Hardy. You’re such a tease!" There was a smile in Juliane’s voice. Joanie was a sweet girl but had a wicked sense of humor. It helped that they had shared daydreams of meeting their favorite wrestlers while waiting for Juliane’s appointments. She didn’t want to tell Joanie about the date but Joanie had an inkling about it because she knew about the contest. Joanie was engaged to a great guy and had no interest in winning a date with a wrestler but out of curiosity she went to the wwe.com site and almost jumped out of her chair when she saw Juliane’s name. Now she knew she had to try to get her in for a cleaning before that date. It was time to work her magic so she got on the phone and set about rearranging appointments. After a couple hours of finagling, she was finally able to get Juliane in earlier than 3 weeks.

        "I would like to talk to Juliane Peterson. This is her Dentist’s office calling." Joanie called her at work.

        "This is Juliane. Please tell me you’ve had a cancellation."

        "I will tell you that if you will get Edge’s address and phone # for me when you go out with Scott Hall." Joanie laughed.

        "Joanie! You are so bad but I love you for working this out for me."

        "Thanks, I love you too but why did I have to read about it on line? I thought we were buds."

        "I wanted to tell you but I was afraid you would ask me for Edge’s addy and phone #." She laughed at Joanie.

        "Touche’, you know me too well.

        The first thing Juliane did was gather up as much personal information she could find on Scott. Unfortunately the majority wasn’t very flattering and on top of that, there wasn’t much out there. This became a real concern to her because she wasn’t sure she would know what to talk to him about and didn’t want the date to be a dud. Of course he knew absolutely nothing about her but that didn’t occur to Juliane right away. She hadn’t considered the idea that Scott might be interested in learning about her and might be a little nervous about meeting a complete stranger and going on a blind date. If there were only some way to contact someone in his business, someone who was his friend and could fill her in. The thought was crossing her mind when the phone rang. Juliane absentmindedly answered the call and at first thought it was a tele marketer and was about to be brief with the woman on the phone and hang up on her when she said a name she didn’t expect to hear.

        "If you will give us your address we will be able to--"

        "Wait, I don’t give that information to anyone I don’t know. I think we should end this conversation now." Juliane almost hung up.

        "But Ms Peterson, we need to know where you live so we can send a car around to pick you up--"

        "What? A car to pick me up? Who did you say you were?"

        "I work for Mr. Ross who is head of public relations at WWE and you have won the contest for a date with Scott Hall. Did you not know about this?"

        "Oh my I did know and I apologize for being so abrupt with you. I guess when I didn’t recognize your voice I assumed you were selling something and I wanted to get off the phone so I could figure out how to contact your/Scott’s people. I would really love to give you my address. Please accept my apology."

        "That is quite alright Ms. Peterson. I get those calls too and I don’t like to talk to tele marketers either. First let me take down your address and get a little bit of personal information from you and then I’ll try to answer any questions you have if I can."

        Juliane gave the woman her address, age, interests like favorite pastimes, food, hobbies and whether or not she was single, married or divorced. Scott didn’t really want to go out with a married woman but it was hard to know whether or not contestants were honest when competing for the date, and it was important to keep the date above board, so to speak. The woman asked for directions so that Scott could find her place. Juliane had to think a minute because she had just moved in and wasn’t as familiar with the neighborhood. She had not even met the neighbor who lived next door to her as the landlord said the woman was away on vacation in Montana for a couple of weeks but was expected back by the weekend and he was sure Juliane would really get along great with her.

        Now it was Juliane’s turn and amazingly enough she had only thought of asking about one of those questions but now that they were fresh in her mind she decided to ask all of them, with the exception of his status. The answers were a little more vague but they were enough to satisfy Juliane so that she felt a little more secure in carrying on a conversation with Scott. She was a little amused too that her information would be given to Scott so he would know what she was interested in. That was thoughtful and it gave her a different perspective on him. Scott wasn’t just a super star granting her greatest wish and taking her out on a dream date. It seemed he was a man who was interested in getting to know her and showing her a nice time. Juliane initially thought they would probably go out for an expensive meal like Lobster or Steak but now she really hoped they would go to some quiet, intimate place for burgers. A place that would allow them some privacy where they could just talk and enjoy a simple meal together. That was probably the kind of situation where they could at least become friends, if nothing else, she conceded to herself.

        What a relief to have finally made contact with someone from WWE. It was the kind of thing that sort of validated this whole "date with Scott" thing in her mind. She wanted to call Antoinette about it but there were just so many details she had to attend to first. Maybe she could get her to help her shop. That was something they really had a great time doing together and she could get an honest opinion. Now that her other appointments were set she made the call.

        "Well Jules I wondered when you would call your little friends again."

        "I’m sorry Toni. I know I should have called before this but I have had so many details to work out and I was afraid we’d get so caught up in gushing over Scott that I wouldn’t get anything else done."

         "Gushing? Me? C’mon Jules I never do that."

        "Oh! I’m sorry. I had you confused with my other friend Toni."

        They shared a good laugh and Antoinette picked her up in a half hour. They drove down E. Washington Ave. toward the East side shopping mall that had been recently rebuilt and had a lot of new shops. Since Juliane didn’t really know where they would go or what they would do she had to find an outfit that was flexible and interchangeable. She did learn from the woman in Mr. Ross’s office that Scott would most likely dress semi-casual, possibly wearing denim or leather, and they would go somewhere in her own town and that she was being picked up by Scott personally. The woman said she would give Scott her phone # and he would have it just in case he had difficulty finding her apartment. Oh! That was the best part. If the phone rang while she was waiting to be picked up, it would be Scott himself calling her. A shiver went through her like excitement she hadn’t allowed herself to feel before and it made her feel a little sick in the middle of her stomach.

        "What’s wrong Jules? You look a little green."

        "I just had an absolutely delicious thought about Scott Hall and I realized I wasn’t really prepared for the reaction it gave me."

        "Ahhhh, that’s so typical." Antoinette threw her head back and laughed at her friend’s plight. "You have an improper thought about the man and you can’t handle it!"

        "It was not improper! It was totally innocent but I still wasn’t prepared." Juliane giggled.

        "Yeah well I would bet there was something improper about it underneath the surface."

        "Just stop it! I’m not that kind of girl."

        "Okay, good girl. We’re at the mall so where do you want to start first? Victoria’s Secret?"

        "You’re wicked! Sure let’s start there and see what they have that I would never have the nerve to even try on, let alone buy and wear on this date."

        "Jules, I don’t know why you put on this innocent act when I know you’re a seething nympho under the surface."

        "I may be that and more but not on this date. I think it would be better to present a little more wholesome image because I would feel more at ease that way. If I came on like a skank he might expect me to put out and I wouldn’t have a clue. I freely admit I’m a little backwards and would just feel more comfortable being myself."

        "I suppose you’re right. Even if nothing serious comes of this date, if you are honest with him you might end up his friend and that’s way more than the rest of us poor women can say who you’re leaving in your dust." Antoinette stuck out her lower lip in a pout. They laughed, gave each other a hug and Juliane said she would never leave her in the dust.

        Several clothing and shoe stores later Juliane felt she had found the right outfit. They hurried home and she carefully pulled each item out of the shopping bags and began to change. She made Antoinette wait out in the living room until she was ready to model her new purchases. It seemed like it took forever and Antoinette was getting antsy. "Will you come on? I can’t stand the suspense. I want to see what Scott Hall is going to see when you dazzle him." Antoinette had a camera ready which Juliane did not anticipate.

        Juliane finally came out with her hair fixed just right, a little longer than shoulder length with a slight wave in it and her makeup perfectly applied. She was wearing a white tunic with a turned out collar and a trim little gray tie at the neck. The tunic had narrow pleats permanently ironed into the front of it and was slightly gathered at the waist. It tucked into her new pressed and creased black jeans. She hoped it would be alright to wear jeans. She was the most comfortable in jeans. Even when the rest of her outfit was a bit dressy, if she was in her jeans then she felt right. There was something classy about them when she wore a vest with them. This she did. She wore a Jacquard vest and a pearl gray leather jacket that was also slightly fitted at the waist and completed the look with a pair of short, black ankle high boots with ornamental silver clasps in the back.

        Antoinette snapped the camera and then took her first look at Juliane and gasped at the sight. "I’m totally amazed. You are going to knock his socks off!"

        "Oh Toni. He doesn’t wear socks. Do you really like the new me?"

        "Are you kidding? I’m stunned. I’ve never seen you dressed like this before."

        "This had to be the perfect outfit or it wouldn’t work. Besides, I had to wear enough layers that if he did get frisky it would take him a while to get to what I’m wearing underneath it all." Juliane said raising her brows.

        "And when did you get something hot to wear underneath? I was with you and I didn’t see you buy anything like that?"

        "I got it when you went to get us coffee and Cinnabuns. I knew it would take you a while so I snuck away then and bought something I had looked at the other day. I laid it away and promised to come back this week for it."

        "I knew it! You are a bad girl after all."

        "Ha! You think you know me well. There are all kinds of things you don’t know about me."

        "Okay so what did you buy? C’mon, ‘fess up you little skank."

        Juliane giggled and said it was just an off-white silk chemise with soft lace trim. That was it. She hoped she hadn’t disappointed her friend.

        "You are such a tease Jules. I was ready to be shocked and scandalized and all you did was buy more layers to keep the man at bay."

        "Yeah, like it would even come to that. It was just something that I thought would make me feel prettier even if no one but me saw it and I mean to keep it that way too!" Juliane punctuated her remark with a look that said she was not going to take any grief from any man who was out for more than a nice evening.

        Antoinette got the point and said she had better get home because she had more exciting things waiting for her, like balancing her check book. She gave Juliane a hug and said she would call her later and left.

"Ok girl don’t be such a wuss! Suck it up and for pete’s sake breathe!" It wouldn’t do any good for him to arrive and find her passed out on the floor in front of the door with her little dog licking all her make up off. The image in her mind made her shiver and just that moment the phone rang. She thought it was probably Antoinette calling to wish her a good time or tease her a little to settle her nerves. She looked at the Caller ID and almost dropped the receiver. It was a Cell Phone # she didn’t recognize and a very familiar voice said "Hi, is this Juliane?"

        Juliane almost couldn’t speak but somehow a calm came over her and she was able to control the level of her voice and speak fluidly. How she did it she would never know but she managed it somehow without sounding like she was panicking or gushing.

        "Yes this is Juliane."

        "This is Scott. I thought I would make sure I was sitting outside the right apartment. Wanna check and see?"

        Juliane ran to the door and blinked hard as she looked upon his long dark hair, thankfully not tied back in a ponytail, but falling full length across his shoulders and on his back. There was still a little wave in it and she couldn’t help but smile wide as he turned around and caught her just gazing at him. It was as if time stood still for a long minute and she drank in his strong frame, immense shoulders, narrow waist and his stature was unbelievable. A man so tall and perfectly proportioned was standing at her door waiting to pick her up for their date and she just stood there looking in awe. He turned to look at her and smiled as his eyes twinkled and locked on hers. A moment later she was opening the door and he pulled her to him and embraced her quick and then released her.

        "I was beginning to think I was lost so if you’re not Juliane, it’s alright. Let’s go on that date anyway." He was a real teaser and this delighted her.

        "Who is Juliane?" She beamed up at him and felt at ease instantly. This was going to be easier than she thought. They seemed to hit it off immediately and the ice was broken. Juliane could see she dressed appropriately. Scott was wearing a semi-casual/dress shirt that was open at the neck and jeans, of course. She had been right about the socks too. He wasn’t wearing any. She smiled to herself when she made note of this and would remember to tease Antoinette about saying she would knock his socks off.

        Juliane tried not to stare at Scott but it was so hard when she had never been in such a presence before. Then she realized something and her jaw almost dropped in her lap. He caught her expression and grinned at her. He knew and he had wondered if she would notice. It had taken about 30 seconds in the car but that was all.

        "So how do you like the new and improved Scott Hall?"

        "Oh My Gosh! I can’t believe it. I have never seen you like this. All these years seeing you through that 5:00 o’clock shadow didn’t prepare me for this." She was truly surprised.

        "Oh man, it ain’t that bad is it?" He laughed at her shocked expression.

        "No! Not at all. I just can’t believe what I’m seeing."

        "Well?"

        Juliane took a deep breath and let it out and without thinking of what she was saying, she just said in a breathy voice "Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!" Then the heat began to rise in her neck and face which really set off the laughter. Both of them laughing at her candor and surprise.

        She took a moment to compose herself and this time looked for the right words to convey to him that he was very handsome without the shadow and it would please every woman she knew to see him go without it from now on. And why hadn’t he done this before? Then she retracted her words.

        "I just realized what I said. I’m glad you didn’t shave it off before. I am so pleased and grateful to be the first woman to see you up close and personal after you’ve shaved it off. Only do it for me in the future. Ok?" Juliane said grinning wide.

        "You’re sure taking liberties with my body for having just met me."

        "I know but why drive all those other women mad when you need only do it to one." The grin becoming wider.

        Now Scott threw his head back and laughed loud and long. This little woman he had just met had reached into his mind and heart and effortlessly pulled out such joy and laughter. No one but maybe his best friend Kevin had been able to do this and Kevin couldn’t make him feel this joy and comfort that he felt with Juliane. It was like they had known each other forever. There was a spark he couldn’t deny but it made him pull back just a little and get control over his emotions.

        Juliane sensed it a little and definitely felt that same spark between them and understood his reaction perfectly. It would do no good to move too fast just basing their feelings on a momentary spark that may not last through the evening. Better to just enjoy the mood and the company and get acquainted first. Still a tiny, little twinge of guilty pleasure nagged at her most of the evening. Of all the people, no of all the women she knew, she had created a spark in Scott Hall. She wondered if she would wander through his dreams the way he had hers and it made her feel a little guilty but it also amused her.

        Scott and Juliane drove out to University Ave. and arrived 20 minutes later at Smokey’s, a little out of the way place where they serve up the best burgers and steaks Juliane had ever eaten. It wasn’t fancy but it was quiet and this was what she had hoped for. A nice place where they could visit and not be disturbed by dozens of little kids or gawkers and autograph seekers who might recognize Scott. He was meant to be all hers this evening and she determined ahead of time to keep him all to herself too.

        While they waited for their food to arrive she sipped a Diet Sprite and he had a Diet Pepsi and they shared a basket of French Fried Cheese Curds. It occurred to her that this was a contradiction in terms to eat fried food and wash it down with diet pop but it sounded good when they ordered it so she might as well enjoy it. Besides, they were small so how much fat and calories could there be in one? Juliane decided it wasn’t worth worrying about and she would just enjoy his company this evening because she would probably never see him again and she didn’t want to squander this time they had together worrying about such a trivial matter as fat and cholesterol.

        "So Juliane, I usually get asked about my private life but you’ve been either nice enough or disinterested enough not to ask me." Scott was trying to draw her out a little.

        She looked thoughtfully into his brown eyes that were just a few inches from hers and then glanced down at the table before she spoke. Her voice was soft and almost a little shy when she said she was most definitely interested but thought it was unfair to him to ask prying questions. She said if he wanted to share his private life with her, she would gratefully listen, and so he did. He told her about his two children, Cody and Cassidy, and how he hated being away from them as much as he has to be because of his work. The stint in the NWA was great for him and he hoped to be able to do more there but for now he was happy he had some time off and if he weren’t with her tonight, he would be home with them watching their favorite TV show or they would be going out to McDonalds or watching a video of their choosing.

        "So I’ve taken you away from your family then?" Juliane said, watching his face out of the corner of her eye.

        "No, I didn’t mean that. I meant . . ."

        Juliane smiled and said she knew what he meant. Scott swatted the back of her hand lightly and called her an imp and then he put his fingers under her chin to bring her face directly to his and just looked into her yet smiling eyes. They were shining and truly happy making him very aware of what was in her heart. That spark was there again and they both felt it. She put her hand on his wrist and cradled it gently, brushing her lips over his palm when their food arrived.

        "Just in the nick of time." Juliane thought. "What am I doing? I promised myself I wouldn’t go too fast." She scolded herself. "Just enjoy his company." She told herself for what seemed like the hundredth time. She hoped he was telling himself the same thing but she kept catching his glances and it became more and more obvious to her that he wasn’t. "Oh! This is going to be a difficult evening." Juliane surmised and realized she needed to bolster herself and stick to her guns about not giving in to these urges she felt and have it all be over in one night. She had too much self respect and she respected him too.

        "That looks like the ‘Burger of Death’ Scott. What did you order with that?" Juliane tried to put him on the defensive to keep him off balance.

        "It’s great. It’s got the usual toppings and some unusual ones." He squinted his eyes at her and moved away from her quickly as she picked up the Mustard container and pretended she was going to squeeze it all over him and his burger. "I know it’s not what I should be eating but I’m not working at the moment so I’m going to enjoy myself. I noticed you ordered, and ate most of those fried curds so don’t be so judgmental." Again he ducked away from her a little with a big grin when they both erupted in loud laughter.

        "You’re right. My bad." Juliane conceded with a twinkle in her eyes. It wasn’t working. Whatever she did to slow things down, she preceded to undo. The only thing to do was bring herself back to reality. She thought fondly of Rowdy Roddy Piper and his Reality Checks on Nitro. Yes she needed a reality check and she needed it now.

        "You know I have a lot of respect for a man who is so devoted to his children and who is trying to raise them on his own. I never had children though I was married once for a verrrrry long time." Juliane tried to set the tone to a more serious one.

        "How long is a verrrry long time?"

        "A little over 20 years." There she had said it. She was divorced and by the shocked expression on Scott’s face, she discerned that he didn’t realize she was as old as she was.

        "So that would make you???" He was fishing.

        "That would make me old enough to have children as old as yours." Was her official response.

        Scott blinked and began to count on his fingers, teasing her of course.

        "I’m 45. Does that surprise you? I think it does. I’m sure you are used to spending time with much younger girls but a 45 year old woman won a contest for a date with you so this evening you’re stuck with me." Juliane thought this would surely pour cold water on the situation and for a fleeting second she regretted saying this to Scott but she was wrong.

        "Spending this evening with a woman who is more mature-no, exper-no I mean . . ." he just sighed. "No matter how I say this it’s gonna come out wrong. I just want you to know that I believe I have more in common with someone closer to my age than I do with some pretty young thang." He ended that sentence with a Southern drawl.

        Juliane could tell Scott was wishing he could take back what he had just said and while she didn’t mind his reference to her maturity or being experienced, although she wasn’t experienced in the way he meant, she wanted to keep him off the mark. It was better to keep him at arms length than to sooth him and say what she was really thinking.

        "Why don’t you put that dangerous burger where your foot is Scott?" She narrowed her eyes and gave him a frown.

        "I guess that would be a good idea. I hear conversation is overrated and I think this one definitely is." Scott took a bite of his burger and didn’t look up again for a minute. Juliane began to think she hurt his feelings or made him feel small by pretending to be offended. She was about to say she wasn’t really upset when he suddenly looked at her and took her hand. She was so unprepared for this that she dropped her fork on her plate, making a loud clatter and she felt the heat rise in her neck and face again.

        "Look Juliane, I’m sorry. I seem to lead with my chin at times and I didn’t go to charm school to learn how to talk to a sweet lady like you but I know the difference and I am sorry." He looked deep into her melting blue-gray eyes a long time and she felt a pang that made something unexpected begin to float over her lower lashes. His sincere apology and tender gaze that seemed to be entreating her to forgive him brought forth a tremor she couldn’t control. Try as she might, she couldn’t speak either and for a silent moment she just looked down and he put his arm around her and drew her to him.

        "Shh, it’s alright. I guess I must have brought up a painful memory or something. Like I said Jules, I’m very sorry." He stroked her hair and kissed her crown.

        Juliane felt the kindness and warmth coming from Scott and was grateful for this moment in his arms that might never come again. But how could he have known he had revived a painful memory? She dried her eyes as much as she could and peered up into his face and smiled a little with eyes that were still moist. She then sat up straight and said she was sorry to be such a baby. Her voice was still not quite normal though she tried to lighten the moment by making a little joke about it. Scott still had not released his hold on Juliane completely and he seemed unwilling to because he seemed to sense that he had genuinely hurt her feelings.

        "You alright now?" He asked cautiously.

        "Yes I’m fine." She looked directly at him again and decided she needed to be totally honest with him now. "I’ve never said anything like this before Scott but I need to now or I will lose all self respect. When I learned I was going on a date with you I was so thrilled and acted like a school girl getting ready and going shopping with my best girl friend, Toni. We joked about not letting the date get out of hand and letting things go too far but . . .," she looked away for a couple of seconds and then back at him a little ashamed, "but it was because I’m not experienced at dating. I haven’t dated since I was in my early twenties. I don’t have a clue about how to act, what to talk about and definitely not what a man is thinking about. I’ve spent this time with you, getting to know you and I suddenly learned that you aren’t trying to get something from me. You’ve been a real gentleman and treated me like a real lady and I saw it in your eyes just a moment ago when you apologized to me. I feel so ashamed that we joked about it all."

        Juliane began to feel those same tears coming to the surface and this time, with some difficulty, she was able to suppress them. "What I’m trying to say is that I was not offended by what you said and yet when you said what you did and you looked so grave I realized that you were being real and I was touched. Scott, I will probably never see you again and I want to make the most of our time together but I have to be realistic. I don’t expect you to keep in touch with me or think of me again after tonight but I hope that you will smile to think of me a little. I know I will smile to think of you, and often." Her eyes became moist again and he dabbed at them lightly with his handkerchief and suggested they just leave now and go for a walk or a drive. They had other plans to go to a show but maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.

         "Let’s just talk all night, ok?" Scott said with real consideration for her. It seemed to be the right thing to say because Juliane agreed and they left Smokey’s and went for a long drive.

        Scott said nothing for a while as though waiting for Juliane to talk when she was ready. Why force a conversation when she wasn’t ready to talk yet? It would only make things awkward so he waited. They drove out Campus Drive to the Arboretum, stopped and got out and walked out to Picnic Point on the peninsula off of Lake Mendota. It was a balmy May evening with the happy sound of Robins singing and fragrant flowers in bloom all around them. The sun was setting, providing one of the most beautiful sunsets Juliane had seen, as they found a large rock to sit on and enjoy the view of the sun as it seemed to sink into the lake.

        "You sure know how to pick a view Jules. There isn’t anything prettier in Florida that I’ve seen."

        "Thank you. This is one of my favorite spots at this time of year. The students don’t usually come out this far on the peninsula and litter the area. It seems like it’s one of the last unspoiled places in Madison." Juliane felt better and found it was easier talking to Scott now.

        Scott wanted to put his arm around Juliane but he was afraid of a repeat of what happened in the diner so he picked up some pebbles and skipped them across the water. It made her smile and seemed to release the tension they felt.

        "You’re pretty good Scott. I never got the hang of that."

        "Aw, it’s nothing. Just something kids pick up somewhere along the way."

        "I hope you don’t mind ditching our plans for this evening. This is such a beautiful night and it seems perfect for a long walk and just talking. Or maybe just a long walk."

        "Jules, if this is how we spend our evening it’s fine with me as long as we have a good time. You’re right, this is a beautiful night so let’s just drink it in and not worry about anything else."

        They stood in the fading sunset, facing each other and looking passed each other for a moment and then Scott put his hands on her shoulders and said he had never spent time like this with a woman before and it was refreshing not to have her come on to him or act like a gushing fan. He didn’t feel he was any more deserving of that kind of attention than other men and it made him feel uncomfortable. Juliane made him feel very different and he would never, as she supposed earlier, forget her.

        "I understood what you were saying at Smokey’s about all that you did to get ready for this date. I did the same thing and was kind of nervous about meeting you until we met today. Then I felt giddy and knew I had to back away a little because I felt something for you almost immediately. I think you felt it too and you did the same thing. It was there between us at dinner and I see no reason for us to deny our feelings but it would be hard carrying on any kind of relationship long distance. I’m in Florida and you’re in Wisconsin. I would really like to keep in touch with you though because I don’t think this "thing" is going to go away quietly, so how do we do this?

        "That’s a good question Scott. Do you have an e mail address so we could write often? I can’t afford long distance phone calls on my salary and I wouldn’t expect you to call me all the time. I can write letters but I get bogged down in them because I don’t know how a person is feeling at the moment I’m writing to them and with e mail I would have a better idea because it’s a more instantaneous response."

        "I don’t spend much time on the computer but my kids do. Cody does use e mail on line I guess and maybe I could have him set me up with an account that only I could get into." Scott said with a little smile.

        Juliane knew what he meant. If they were going to correspond with each other they wouldn’t want a youngster reading their letters.

        "Well we could try it and see if it works out for us. I will certainly give you my e mail account so Cody could put it in your address book on line. Scott, if it doesn’t work for you then we don’t have to do it this way. I too would like to keep in touch with you but we both have to be comfortable with the way we do it. Just give it some thought. We don’t have to send long letters, just a few words really. I believe that saying very little can convey much more than many words." Juliane took Scott’s hands and smiled up at him hoping he would agree to this. She was really comfortable with e mails but it would be up to him.

        "I’ll think about it."

        He peered into her eyes as the moon began to cast a soft glow in them. They lost themselves in the moment and as their lips met, she felt the tremor again that went down deep to her core. The kiss was so soft she barely felt the touch of his lips on hers as she allowed him to draw her to himself. It almost felt innocent to Juliane because she had imagined his kisses would be hard and passionate. It was passionate but it was also so tender that she felt as if she were floating and had to be held down to earth in his strong, sheltering arms. Running his hand down the back of her hair he held her face close to his chest, but not tight. They held each other for a long time until they heard someone on the path behind them.

        "Oh! I’m so sorry to have startled you two. I come out here most nights when the sun has gone down and just enjoy the view." Said a woman of about 50. She did appear to have stumbled upon them by accident and yet when she hesitated just a moment she seemed to recognize one of them.

        "It’s alright. We just came out here tonight for a little while and to talk so we’ll leave you to your view." Juliane was still a little dazed from what had just happened but she had the presence of mind to respond to the stranger.

        "No really, there is no need to leave. I don’t stay long, just long enough to see the moon on the lake and then enjoy my walk back to my car. You must not leave on my account." Again she seemed like she recognized one of them, but this time Juliane sensed it was Scott.

        "Do we know you? There seems to be something you’re not saying but you appear to know us." Juliane said a little uncertain of the woman.

        "I noticed it too." Scott said with a generous smile. "You can join us if you don’t mind sharing the view. It’s my first look at it and I’m used to breathtaking sunsets but this one was just as gorgeous as any I’ve seen at home."

        "I’m sure you have wonderful sunsets where you’re from and I have seen a few but here we don’t have palm trees to enjoy them through." The woman said with a coy smile.

        "So, you do know who I am then." Scott looked at her a little more closely to scrutinize her countenance and found her a little flustered at his boldness. "Hey, that’s ok. I get that but I know you just happened upon us so I’d like to invite you to stay and talk."

        "Thank you for your kindness but I’m sorry to have intruded on your evening, and yes I do recognize you. It probably seems absurd that a woman of my age would know who you are but I will confess that I’ve watched you on television often and enjoy my videos. Now please let me take my leave before I embarrass myself. I didn’t know you were here and it wasn’t my intention to invade your privacy." The woman smiled warmly at Scott and then at Juliane and turned around and walked away.

        "Do you believe that?" Juliane looked at Scott and they laughed quietly, forgetting momentarily what the woman had intruded upon. As they watched her walk down the moonlit path, they heard her talking to someone on her cell phone. What she said made them realize what a sweet moment had passed between them before she appeared behind them.

        "Hi. You are not going to believe what I just did."

        "Yes I’m on my usual walk back from Picnic Point but I didn’t stay as long as I usually do because I encountered two lovers who seemed so sweet that I felt really guilty accosting them. They weren’t upset and were about to leave and let me stay to enjoy the view but I’ve seen it many times and don’t need to see the moonlight on the lake every night."

        "It wouldn’t have meant anything to me if I hadn’t recognized the man. I had no idea he was even in Madison. It’s so incredible just getting back from visiting your Mom and Dad today and tonight I meet him. You will just not believe who it was."

        "Oh be serious! Who have I been waiting to see come back to wrestling for what seems like forever?"

        "Well I’m telling you it was him and what I saw was so sweet. You know all the rotten stories that go around about him all the time. Well I never did believe them and now I’m even more convinced that he is a wonderful guy. I don’t know who the woman was who was with him but I could tell they meant a great deal to each other and even though I interrupted them I know what I saw and it looks like the dark cloud that follows Scott Hall around is turning into a sunny day. He was genuinely happy and it was so nice to see him that way. It makes me wish those writers for those tabloids would choke on their rotten stories about him."

        Scott and Juliane had not meant to eavesdrop on her phone conversation but the lake surrounding the peninsula seemed to make her voice resonate a little and they heard almost every word until she got out of ear shot. What they didn't hear her say was that she was going to write about it and share her experience with her pals in the WWE Fan Fiction Groups on line. They turned back to each other and knew the woman was right about them. There was something special about them and they needed to make it last.

        Slowly they walked quietly back to Scott’s car and when they arrived Scott found a note on the windshield just under one of the wipers. It looked as though it was written quickly but he could read it. He read it to himself first and then aloud to Juliane.

        "Scott, it was a real pleasure to meet you and your lovely companion. I regret that I interrupted your date but I hope you will forgive. Have a happy life, and if it works for you, I hope to see you again real soon in the squared ring. If not, I will always fondly remember our brief encounter at Picnic Point. Take care, Terese"

        "How did she know this was your car Scott?" Juliane forgot about the rental plates until Scott pointed to them. "I get it." She said as she tapped her forehead with the butt of her hand. "What a nice thing to do."

        "Yeah, it was nice, and maybe I will come back to wrestling one of these days if things work out for me." Scott looked at the note again as though he was memorizing it and then folded it and put it in his jacket pocket. "I think it’s late and I should take you home."

        "It is late. Later than I realized." Juliane looked at her watch and raised her eyebrows because it was almost midnight and she had to get up early to go to work the next day.

        They got into his car and went back to Juliane’s apartment. The ride back was quiet in a dreamy sort of way. She was nestled next to Scott, leaning her head on his chest, with his right arm around her shoulders. He didn’t hurry because he had put the top down on the convertible he rented and didn’t want her to get cold. When they reached her place, Juliane sat up and took a piece of paper out of her purse. She wrote something on it and stuffed it in Scott’s jacket pocket with the note from the woman they met earlier. He looked at her and she asked him to just think about it.

        Scott climbed out of the car and came around to her side and opened her door for her. Juliane stepped out and they walked hand in hand to her door not really noticing that her new next door neighbor was home. It wasn’t until she reached her door that she heard a little noise coming from the door next to hers. They stopped a moment and they heard a familiar sound with a Latin beat and then they looked at the name on the mailbox, T. Chambers. Scott and Juliane looked at each other in disbelief and then grinned as they put two and two together. Even though the chances of it happening were slim to none, the woman they encountered tonight was her neighbor who had just returned home as they had heard her say.

        Juliane remembered what her land lord had said and knew in her heart that she was right. She and Terese were going to get along and would probably share many good times in front of the TV once Scott returned to wrestling. Although she knew Terese was up Juliane would wait until tomorrow to introduce herself.

        It was late and they knew it was time to say goodbye yet neither one wanted the evening to end. Juliane didn’t want Scott to leave and Scott lingered in the light just outside her apartment not wanting to walk away from her and drive away. He knew she wasn’t going to invite him in and strangely he felt this was right and yet they couldn’t stand outside her apartment all night because he had to return the rental car and catch his plane back to Florida. As if trying to find a way to say it, Scott suddenly remembered that she had put something in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out the paper she had written on and saw her e mail address. With a broad smile, he said yes he would give it a try. That seemed to make their parting a little easier and kissing her on the cheek, he turned and walked back to his car. As he drove off, she knew she would be hearing from Scott again soon.

        Juliane went inside and sat down to put a few lines down in her diary about her date with a super star. As she fell into bed and drifted off to sleep, she thought of what she would tell Antoinette tomorrow and it made her smile to think of him and she knew in her heart that he was smiling too.