AN END TO CENSORSHIP?

SMACKDOWN, APRIL 12TH, 2001

Angel slowly put the phone down and wiped away tears.

"Benoit," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Benoit looked up from the TV and stared at her expectantly.

"Did you…did you know Lita got beaten up?"

Benoit simply nodded.

"Who…who did it?"

Benoit blinked. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah, it does," Angel said tearfully. "Who would do that to her? What kind of sick freak…?" She trailed off, overcome by emotion.

"Triple H and your old friend Stone Cold," Benoit informed her.

"Austin? Why? Why would he do that?"

Benoit shrugged. "Same reason anyone attacks anyone around here. She got in the way."

"But…why?" Angel asked, before dissolving into tears. "I don’t understand."

Benoit frowned and watched her for a few minutes. "Why are you crying?" he demanded.

Angel furiously raised her head. "Isn’t it obvious?"

"How many times do I have to tell you you’re wasting your time?" Benoit scowled. "I bet you even think Rhyno didn’t gore you on purpose."

Angel frowned. "Rhyno didn’t gore me on purpose. I touched his injured head and he just snapped. It could have happened to anyone."

"Wake up, princess!" Benoit cried. "Nobody likes you. Nobody cares about you. Not Lita, not the Hardyz, not Molly Holly, not Rhyno. Nobody!"

Angel swallowed furiously. "Test likes me."

"Now, yes, but once he gets you in bed he’ll stop hanging around too."

"Look," Angel scowled. "Whether or not Lita cares about me, I care about her. She’s my cousin and they…they just beat her up. She nearly died! I just…I wish I knew why!" She broke off and nodded to herself. "I’m gonna call her. I don’t care what happened between us. This is more important." She picked up the phone again.

"Wasting your time," Benoit repeated as she dialed and held the receiver to her ear.

"Hi? Yeah, it’s me again. Listen. Is Lita there? I mean, is she okay? Can I talk to her? Can she talk to me? She is? Oh." Angel’s face fell. "Uh huh. Yep. No, it’s okay. I understand. Thanks. Bye." She put the phone down and burst into tears again.

Benoit was far from compassionate. "I told you."

Angel bounced to her feet, sweeping the tears from her eyes. "Just…just leave me alone, okay?" she spat, heading for her room. "Just go rot in hell!"

She slammed the door behind her as Benoit watched, unaffected. If she couldn’t handle the truth, that was her own damn fault.

* * * *

Angel spread the travel brochures across the table as she waited for Benoit to return with the food. After her aunt had told her that she was the last person Lita wanted to talk to, she’d been chewed out about going into the business that had almost killed Lita.

"No doubt Lita’s told them all about what I supposedly did to Jeff," she muttered, picking up the brochure entitled ‘See Florida’ and tossing it over her shoulder. Florida was definitely out, as was North Carolina – Hardy country. That left forty-eight states and then there was Canada…or Mexico. Mexico would be nice. Warm…plenty of hot guys on the beaches of Acapulco. Yeah, that’d be nice. And it wouldn’t be so lonely, either. Wherever she went, she was going alone.

Benoit arrived and set down the food before silently starting to eat.

"How’s Edmonton this time of year?" Angel asked antagonistically.

"Cold," Benoit replied, refusing to play her game.

"Of course," Angel smirked. "You’ll be there."

"Keep hunting," Benoit advised. "They don’t let whores into Canada."

"Competition for your high-class strip joints, huh?" Angel asked, reaching for her food. "I hear they’re the best."

"And you’d know," Benoit replied.

Angel grinned across at him, picked up a carrot stick and slowly put the whole thing in her mouth. Then she pursed her lips, put her fingers up to them and slowly, slowly withdrew the carrot again, before holding it up in front of her.

"You think you know me," she said softly. "You will never know me. You are lost and scared. You know what I allow you to know. You’re…"

"Just a puppet?" Benoit asked, eyebrows raised.

Angel smirked. "Got it in one."

"How uncreative of you," Benoit said. "And you know something? They don’t like you either."

"They don’t?" Angel asked, finally munching on the carrot stick. "Let me quote you something you didn’t hear the first time. ‘Angel face? We love her.’ ‘Totally!’ That sound like people who don’t like me?"

Benoit was unfazed. "They will turn against you. You attacked their friend. Which, incidentally, is the reason you got gored on Monday."

"You’re so fatalistic, Benoit. Just ‘cause you don’t have any friends, you don’t want me to have any either. Well, you know what? I’m not going to fall for it. Hey, maybe I’ll get Edge and Christian and Rhyno to take you on. Sound fun?"

Benoit smirked. "Yes, it does sound fun, princess. Fantasy always is."

* * * *

Angel had never really been nervous about going to see Regal before, except for the first time, and that had been because she hadn’t known what to expect. Now she had that exact same problem. It had all been so easy before, when good ideas for matches came so easily and then when she and Regal had been united in their quest to take Benoit down a notch – or seven. Now she was walking a very thin line. Fall one way and she faced losing Regal’s support, something she needed desperately when the time came to set up her next freedom match. Fall the other way and she might as well be falling off a cliff because she would be gone. So, like a tightrope walker, she metaphorically put her arms out to steady herself and slowly began her march.

"Sorry to bother you, sir." Start by being polite and submissive. He’d dig that.

Regal looked up and gave her a smile. "That’s quite alright, my dear. How may I help you?"

"I need a match for Benoit. He wants you or Angle." Out with it. Wait for reaction.

"I’m positive he does. What do you suppose I should give him, however? The Big Show, perhaps?"

Angel shook her head. "I think you should give him you or Angle."

But Regal wasn’t listening. "Perhaps Kane? How does Chris Benoit feel about the hardcore title?"

Angel blinked and took a deep breath. "He wants you or Angle."

"I know that, but do you not think that he deserves something like a hardcore match? He certainly showed on Monday night that he is prepared to cheat and cheating runs rampant in that division. I know you yourself are a fan of hardcore…"

"No," Angel cut him off, feeling her body tense even further. "You don’t understand. He’s not going to be happy unless I get him you or Angle."

Regal frowned at her strangely. "No, I’m not sure I do understand. Are you suggesting that I give Mr. Benoit the match of his choosing?"

Angel swallowed and nodded. "Yes."

"Even after what he and Chris Jericho did on Monday night?"

"Yes."

"So, you mean to tell me that you condone besmirchment such as this?"

"No, I don’t," Angel said evenly. "But I am his manager and I have to do my job."

Regal ran a long, thin finger under his nose and made a face as if Angel’s words were the rankest of odors. "Well, it seems it’s up to me to restore order then, isn’t it?"

Angel stayed silent and waited for him to go on.

"Jericho and Benoit are one another’s nemeses and yet they refuse to fight for supremacy. If they want tag, I shall give them tag, and then we shall see their camaraderie implode. You may tell Benoit he has his match, and that Chris Jericho will be joining him."

"Against you and Angle?"

Regal nodded. "If that’s what the toe rag wants, he shall have it."

Angel nodded as relief washed over her. "Thank you, sir." She turned to leave.

"You’re most welcome. Oh, and Miss Torres? If you needed help, you wouldn’t be too timid to ask, correct?"

Angel cocked her head, surprised by his words.

"Of course not," she replied, giving a little smile. "And thanks, but right now I have a few things in the works. I’ll survive."

Regal nodded as she left. "Yes, my girl. I’m sure you will."

* * * *

"I got you what you wanted so don’t even look at me like that," Angel scowled as she pushed past Benoit and into the locker room.

Benoit raised his eyebrows. "Which one?"

"Both," Angel replied, digging in her bag for her beauty products.

"Handicap again?" Benoit asked warily.

"No. Tag."

"Let me guess. My partner is your favorite toy?"

"No," Angel replied, still not looking at him. "Unless you want me to play with Jericho."

"Jericho," Benoit echoed.

Angel finally looked up briefly. "Don’t sound so surprised. You know it’s what you wanted."

"I never said that," Benoit frowned. "All I said was I wanted…"

"God, I know what you wanted!" Angel snapped, throwing her compact down with almost enough force to smash it. "You never shut up about it." Benoit glared at her as she stared back, shaking her head in disgust. "You want me to go back on my hands and knees and change it?"

Benoit stared at her for a long time before replying. "No. It’s fine."

Angel frowned her disbelief. "You mean you’re happy?"

Benoit nodded coolly. "I’m happy."

"Well, good," Angel replied, turning back to her makeup. "Then you can leave me alone until match time."

Benoit simply nodded and turned away. He stepped over to his bag, then spotted something sitting on top of it. He picked it up and threw it at Angel. "Here. This came for you."

Not looking up, Angel reached out her right hand and caught the object, then brought it down so she could see it.

"What’s this?" she frowned, turning to Benoit accusingly. "I didn’t order any clothes."

"No. I ordered it."

"Oh really? What’s the matter, the tube top’s not doing it for you anymore?"

Benoit just stared at her expressionlessly. "If you want to show your bruised stomach to the world, that’s up to you. I don’t care."

Angel peered down at her black and blue midriff. She’d gotten so used to the pain she’d forgotten all about it. She nodded slowly. It definitely wasn’t her most attractive feature.

"Okay," she said slowly. "I’ll try it on."

She picked it up and stood, before realizing that this particular locker room didn’t have a screen. She immediately spun to Benoit with a fierce glare. "Can you turn around?"

He just stood there, giving her that Benoit look he was so good at.

"I mean it," Angel snapped. "If you think I’m going to let you see me naked, you’re really dreaming."

Benoit coolly raised his eyebrows. "You’re extremely vain."

"And you’re extremely a dirty old pervert, so turn your ass around!"

Benoit shook his head slowly, but finally turned around.

Keeping one suspicious eye on Benoit in the mirror, Angel changed tops. She stared at her reflection. It was a black and purple tank top – low cut, but the bottom of it just covered the edge of her pants. Across the top, in funky letters, was the word ‘Crippler’. Angel started to grin so she quickly bit her lower lip.

"I love it!" she blurted.

Benoit spun around. "Don’t be facetious."

"No!" Angel cried. "I have ‘Crippler’ written across my boobs. That is awesome!"

Benoit slowly shook his head. "I don’t get it."

"No, you don’t," Angel laughed. "What a crack up!"

Benoit gave her a strange look, shook his head again and stepped over to turn on the TV.

* * * *

Angel was doing pushups (crunches killed her stomach too much) when there was a knock at the door. Benoit frowned over at her but she made no move to get up, despite the fact that she could feel his gaze burning into her.

"Do I look like a butler?" she asked in between counting.

Benoit slowly shook his head and stepped over to open the door.

"Hey Benoit."

"Jericho," Benoit replied evenly, sizing him up. They stepped back into the room, paying no attention whatsoever to Angel.

"Some match tonight," Jericho commented.

Benoit just nodded.

"They’re trying to screw us. You do know that?"

Benoit frowned. "You and me against Regal and Angle. Can we possibly lose?"

Jericho drew back, surprised. "You haven’t heard? Weren’t you watching?" He turned suspiciously to the still-blaring TV and then back to Benoit.

"What?" Benoit frowned.

"Elroy’s out of commission. Stupid Bob wants to take on Rhyno. That leaves the frat-boys from hell without opponents. You and me are suckers of the year."

Benoit’s frown deepened. "In English, perhaps?"

Jericho smirked. "Crash Holly just got gored by Rhyno while he was talking to Garcia…"

"I know that," Benoit scowled.

"Okay, and he and Hardcore were supposed to have a tag title shot tonight. Obviously the little guy’s not gonna make it. So, you and me get Edge and Christian instead."

Benoit formed his glare. "I thought we had Regal and Angle."

"We do," Jericho replied. "We’re too good for two opponents so they gave us four."

"What?" Benoit snapped, turning his glare to Angel. "Did you do this?"

"What, get Rhyno to attack Crash so you’d get your ass kicked by four guys? Wish I could take credit for it, actually. It’s brilliant."

"Go back to Regal," Benoit scowled.

Angel still didn’t move out of her rhythm. "I got you what you wanted. How Regal changes things is not my fault. You don’t like it, fix it yourself."

Benoit glowered at her. "You listen to me, you little bitch. If you think you can…"

Suddenly, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder, so he spun around and refocused his fury on Jericho.

Jericho didn’t back down. "Look, this isn’t helping," he pointed out, slowly removing his hand. "What’s the deal with you and her anyway?"

Benoit breathed deeply and tried to relax his scowl. "Nothing. She’s nothing." He then closed his mouth and stared intently at Jericho, leaving no doubt as to who the spokesman in this particular partnership was going to be.

"The match," Benoit said at last.

"Right," Jericho nodded. "Well, you know we’re being set up to be screwed, right?"

"So you said," Benoit reminded him. "Your point?"

"Okay," Jericho said carefully. "You’re a great wrestler. You may even be the greatest technical wrestler in the WWF."

Angel rolled her eyes and made sucking noises with her mouth as she sat up into a stretch.

Jericho ignored her and continued. "But you’re not a rocket scientist." Benoit raised his eyebrows threateningly. Jericho knew it was time to back-pedal. "Hey, I’m no rocket scientist either. But it doesn’t take one to figure out we totally humiliated and embarrassed Regal on Raw Monday night…"

Angel cocked her head and peered over at them. "Are you two sleeping together or what?"

Jericho didn’t skip a beat. "Sure, why? You wanna join in?"

"Mmm," Angel mused. "Two prime slices of Canadian bacon? Bring it on!"

Before Jericho could think of a reply, Benoit cut in. "Shut the hell up or you can leave."

Angel smirked. "I don’t know that I can trust you two to be alone together."

"Shut up!" Benoit screamed.

Angel just shut her mouth and started a new stretch. So Jericho was quick with a comeback. Maybe this alliance would be fun after all.

* * * *

By the time Angel and Benoit made their way to the ring, all four members of the other team were already there. Benoit stopped at the bottom of the ramp, but Angel continued her walk, stepping into her friends’ corner. It was the first time she’d seen Edge, Christian or Kurt since Sunday. She wouldn’t have shed a tear if Kurt had died since then, but she was glad to see Edge and Christian.

"Hey guys," she called to her two blonde friends. They didn’t answer, obviously too focused on the match as Jericho made his entrance.

As soon as Jericho reached Benoit, they both dove into the ring and it was on. Benoit and Jericho had two opponents each and looked to be in trouble right from the outset.

"Yeah Regal! Go Edge! Hit him!" Angel cried as they attacked Benoit.

As if fueled by her anti-him cheers, Benoit managed to somehow battle back. He threw Regal over the top rope before reversing an Irish whip into a suplex on Edge as Jericho cleaned house with Christian first and then Kurt. The moment Edge’s back slammed into the canvas, Benoit spread his arms, signaling the headbutt.

"Come on, Edge!" Angel cried, leaning on the apron and spurring him on by tapping the canvas. "Get up, Edge. Get up!"

But before Edge could even move, Jericho leaped from the ropes and hit the lionsault. Kurt arrived in hot pursuit as Benoit grappled with Regal and then dropped him, freeing Benoit to climb to the top.

"No, no!" Angel cried. "Christian! Where’s Christian?"

She raced around the ring and finally found him. "Come on, Christian, get in there and help Edge." Summoning all her strength, she grabbed Christian by the waist and boosted him into the ring. He arrived just in time to break the cover Benoit had made on Edge, after landing the headbutt.

"Yeah, Christian!" Angel cried as Christian his a reverse neckbreaker on Benoit and started kicking him. Angel climbed up onto the apron to get a better look. "Yeah, Christian! Kick him! Stomp on him! Yeah!"

Christian grabbed Benoit and began to drag him towards the corner, but he stopped and shoved him down instead. Next he flew into the ropes, leaped Benoit and hurtled across the ring, slamming his fists into Angel’s face and knocking her off the apron.

Angel lay dazed on the ground for a moment before moving. Bewildered, she picked herself up and moved her hand to her cheekbone. Another day, another bruise. Why the hell had Christian hit her?

‘Must’ve seen movement and thought I was Jericho,’ she decided. ‘Can’t blame him for that.’

She grabbed the rope in both hands and concentrated on the action again.

Kurt was in, trying to finish off Benoit. Angel narrowed her eyes and moved one hand to her eyebrow, which still sported a Band-Aid. Son of a bitch. She might have hated Benoit, but Kurt had just joined Steven Richards and Eddie Guerrero on the list of people she hated more.

"Congratulations," she spat as Kurt hit a suplex and cried out, "Whoo!" "You are one of the chosen few."

She was just deciding whether or not she could stomach cheering for Benoit, when Kurt tagged in Edge. At least he’d done that properly.

"Let’s go, Edge!"

In between kicks, Edge hit a powerslam and then tagged his brother. But just as Christian was going for another neckbreaker, Benoit countered with a weak knife-edge chop. Christian whipped him into the corner, but Benoit raised his legs as Christian attacked, sending him backwards.

Benoit scowled and slowly shook his head. "Son of a bitch!" he screamed, stopping Christian’s approach with a huge knife-edge chop, and then another. Struggling for air, Christian grabbed him for yet another neckbreaker, but Benoit simply threw him away in a belly to belly suplex, which dropped them both.

"Come on, Christian!" Angel cried. "Don’t take that! Tag Regal, Christian! Tag Regal!"

Seconds later, Christian tagged Kurt and Benoit tagged Jericho.

Angel formed her scowl and decided to ignore the match for a while.

"Hey, Benoit. How’s your back?"

He was gasping for air and trying to watch Kurt and Jericho. "How’s your face?" he muttered.

Angel raised her hand to her cheek again. "It’ll leave a mark. Oh well. Hey, what do you think about Christian’s green tights? They’re like…shiny."

"Princess. He punched you in the face."

"I know," Angel shrugged. "Heat of battle. I shouldn’t have been standing on the apron."

"You’re a fool," Benoit breathed.

"Yeah, I know. I won’t stand on the apron anymore. I’ve learned my lesson."

"No," Benoit murmured. "Apparently you haven’t."

Just then Jericho reversed an Angle backslide and started to put him in the Walls of Jericho. Regal climbed in to interfere, but Benoit was over there in a flash, locking on the crossface. Christian attacked Jericho only to have the walls put on him, as Edge went for a spear on Benoit and found himself n crossface. Edge started to tap, but the ref was watching Jericho and Christian. Just then, Angle leaped in, gabbed Jericho and threw him in the Angle Slam. Kurt made the cover, hooked Jericho’s leg and the ref counted the three.

At the sound of the bell, Angel dove into the ring to help get Benoit away from Edge, but Kurt spotted her and decided to cut short his celebration. He grabbed her easily and before she could even argue, he’d suplexed her from the ring. She landed with a thud on the ground, feeling the impact right on her neck.

"Argh!" she screamed, rolling onto her stomach and grabbing at the back of her neck with both hands. "Goddamn Kurt Angle!"

Suddenly, Benoit jumped down next to her.

"How many times do I have to make that bitch tap before they’ll give me the win?"

He looked down, spotted Angel and noticed she was still on the ground. Sighing, he reached down to put her over his shoulder.

"Let me down!" she cried, punching and kicking at him. "I can walk. I’m fine."

"You don’t look fine," called a voice.

Finally on her feet, Angel spun to glare at Jericho. "I’m fine," she repeated, still clutching her neck.

Jericho shrugged and smirked at her. "If you say so."

"Yeah, I do say so," Angel spat, starting to run up he ramp. She wanted to catch Edge and Christian. Maybe they could hang out now the match was over.

"Edge! Christian! Wait up!" They didn’t turn around, unable to hear her over the crowd. No matter. She’d catch them in the hallway. "Edge! Christian!"

But before she could reach them, she was grabbed by strong arms, which were now becoming very familiar.

"Hey," called that soft voice. "I saw what happened out there. Are you okay?"

Angel broke into a flirty smile. "I’m a big girl. I’ll survive."

Test nodded approvingly as he placed one hand over hers on her neck and gently slid the other along her cheekbone. "I can’t believe those assholes."

"I know," Angel sighed. "Now I have two of them to deal with."

"Hey," Test smiled, drawing her close. "I’ll protect you."

"Test, get your damn hands off my valet," Benoit snapped automatically, grabbing for Angel’s arm.

Test didn’t release her. "Hey, I’m just gonna borrow her. I have a match and I want her to come down for it. Is that allowed?"
Benoit scowled but nodded. "Bring her back when you’re finished."

"Will do, Benoit," Test replied, almost mockingly, before turning back to Angel and rolling his eyes. "Does he ever crack a smile?"

Angel frowned thoughtfully. "He smirks sometimes."

Test grinned and squeezed her playfully. "What’s wrong with him? You always make me smile," he told her, losing himself in her eyes.

"Thanks," Angel smiled back. "So, who’s your match against?"

"Hmm?" Test asked, before snapping out of it. "Oh, I don’t have one. I just thought you could use a break from that asshole for awhile."

"That’s really sweet of you," Angel told him.

"I know," Test shrugged with false modesty, taking her hand and leading her down the hallway.

"Where are we going?" Angel asked, gently swinging his hand.

"I don’t know yet. Oh, wait. There’s someone I gotta talk to. It’ll only take a minute."

"Okay," Angel replied, dropping his hand and preparing to wait for him.

Test frowned. "You think I’m gonna let you wait out here on your own? You never know what jerks and assholes will be walking by. Come on," he encouraged her, putting an arm protectively around her shoulders. "It’ll only take a minute, then it’ll be just me and you, I swear."

"Okay," Angel smiled, reaching one hand up to link her fingers with his and smoothing the other down his chest as he pushed the door open. Angel froze. There, sitting on the bench in the locker room, was Jeff.

Angel turned to leave, but it was too late. He’d seen her and besides, Test had her too tight.

"Hey Jeff," Test greeted him, slapping Jeff’s hand with his free one. "What’s up, man?"

"Hey, Test," Jeff replied quietly, before switching his gaze to Angel. "Angel," he added evenly.

Angel said nothing. This was Test’s conversation.

"I just wanted to wish you luck with Hunter tonight," Test went on as Jeff stared at him suspiciously. "But hey, man. Most of all. That little tidbit with Steph? Man, that was sweet! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to do that myself."

"I’ll bet," Jeff replied, eyes downcast. His body was completely tense, but Test didn’t seem to notice how uncomfortable he was.

"But anyway, man. I just wanted to wish you luck."

"Thanks," Jeff replied quietly as Test slapped his hand again and then turned to leave.

"Come on," he heard Test whisper to Angel. "Let’s go find someplace to hang out. Just you and me."

Jeff slowly shook his head and sighed as he watched them leave. He really had not needed that. Sometimes, when he tried hard enough, he could forget about her for awhile. Like tonight. When he’d showed up, he’d had nothing on his mind but revenge for what had happened on Raw. He’d hit Triple H and Stone Cold with a chair and had then given Stephanie a Twist of Fate. And now, because of that, he had a shot at Hunter’s intercontinental title. He was nervous, he was excited. He was ready. And now Test had to show up and kill his focus. Was he for real, bringing Angel in here like that? Hadn’t Angel told him what they’d shared? Of course she hadn’t. None of that meant anything to her. But it was just like Test to do that kind of thing. Now he didn’t have Stephanie, or Trish, or his Euro belt, he’d found another little trophy to show off.

"Just a trophy," Jeff sighed. "But all that’s shiny fades, gets tarnished, collects dust. And it doesn’t matter how many times you polish it up, it’ll never be quite the same."

"That doesn’t mean it’s not worth winning," a disembodied voice called out as it simultaneously punched him in the stomach with nauseating force.

Jeff took a deep breath. So Test had won her. He was welcome to her. She had a new top on today. A purple tank top. A purple Chris Benoit tank top. But Test didn’t seem to be worried about that. Why would he be? He was obviously in love with her. And when you were in love, things like that just didn’t matter. At least, they weren’t supposed to.

"Aw, come on!" Jeff cried suddenly, slamming his hands onto his head. "Stop it! You got the most important match of your life tonight and you need this, man, you need it! You gotta win it. Win it for Matt and Lita. Angel doesn’t matter. Matt and Lita do. Come on, Jeff! Get with it!"

* * * *

"Why’d you take me in there?" Angel demanded as soon as the door closed between herself and Jeff.

"What?" Test frowned. "I was just wishing the guy luck."

"But…I told you about him and me."

"Yeah," Test nodded. "And you said it was over."

"It is, but…" Angel sighed deeply. "Look, just forget it. It doesn’t matter."

Just then, they heard a shout and Rhyno came hurtling towards them.

Test set himself and at the last second raised his leg to give Rhyno a big boot to the head. Rhyno fell to the ground and backed away.

"I have a match," he muttered. "She’s coming to my match."

"The hell she is," Test growled. "Get out of my sight. And if I see you even look at her funny again, you’re a dead man. Is that cool with you?"

Rhyno nodded rapidly. "I have a match," he said again, before racing down the hall.

Test clutched at Angel again, hugging her head against his chest. "That’ll teach him to mess with you. I don’t think he’ll try again anytime soon."

"Yeah," Angel murmured. Poor Rhyno. He hadn’t deserved that. But it had given her a great chance to see what Test was like in jealous boyfriend mode. Now, if only she could harness that power and unleash it on Benoit. She knew that Benoit at his best could beat Test at his best on any normal day. But put jealousy and protectiveness into the mix and anything was possible. She couldn’t stay mad at Test for that encounter with Jeff anymore. She needed him too much.

"Hey, just a minute, okay?" Test asked, stopping them by some stacked trunks. He picked up a copy of WWF Magazine, which was lying on top of the trunks. "You think anyone would mind if I take this?"

Angel looked up and down the hallway but saw no one. "Go ahead."

Test grinned and opened up the magazine – right to the centerfold.

"Wow!" he cried before he could stop himself. "Your cousin has a great rack! Are they real?"

Angel shifted uncomfortably. "I don’t know. I never really…"

"Yeah," Test cut in, slowly turning the magazine so he could see from all angles. "Yeah, I think they’re real. Wow!"

Angel sighed deeply and started to walk away. Test caught her arm. "Hey, don’t go." She spun back around and he visibly cringed at her expression. "I said something wrong, didn’t I?"

Angel sighed. Test was sexy and sweet. Why the hell did he have to be so stupid? "It was bad enough you made me walk in there and see Jeff, now you’re asking me about Lita’s breasts? I told you me and Lita don’t get along anymore."

Test frowned. "I’m sorry. I guess I thought you just said that because you were high. If it makes you feel any better, you have a great rack too." He took a long, undisguised cleavage perve. "Yeah, I think they’re better than Lita’s. Especially in that top. Hey, you really should do a centerfold for this magazine. I’d buy it. Or hey," he continued, eyes locking on hers at last. "Maybe you could pose just for me some time. I’d definitely be into that."

Angel couldn’t help but smile at the intensity of his gaze. "Oh really?" she asked. "Well, you’ll have to be really, really nice to me before I’ll do that."

Test mirrored her smile and raised a hand to her cheek. "Your wish is my command."

"Test! Glad we caught up with you."

Angel and Test peered up warily. They were surrounded by Bull Buchanan, the Goodfather and Val Venis.

The one who’d spoken, Bull, went on. "Can we have a couple words with you?"

Test glowered at him and put a protective arm around Angel, who reached for her sticks.

"Test," the Goodfather continued. "We’re trying to make a difference, not just in the WWF, but in the world. And that difference starts with us, all of us."

"Well, your hair’s pretty different," Angel muttered. "I hope you didn’t pay for that ‘do."

RTC ignored her and it was Val’s turn to speak. "Test, the world in which we live is currently being strangled by the weeds of abomination."

"Like the Kat," Angel said beneath a fake cough. "You slept with her! Slept with her!"

Val didn’t seem to notice. "You, Test, can make a change tonight, a change for the better. For yourself, for the world, by joining us," he finished, signaling himself and his RTC brothers.

Angel set her jaw, glared at Val and tightly gripped Test’s waist. What was he going to say?

Test widened his eyes. "Really?" he asked, with so much sarcasm Angel just wanted to hug him. "I can join you guys? Oh, man! So I can give up women." He gave Angel’s shoulder a squeeze. "I can give up my beliefs and I can dress just like you guys!" By now he was almost laughing and Angel was smirking widely. "Man, that would be sweet! What, are you out of your minds? Get out of here before somebody sees me talkin’ to you losers. Come on, Angel. We got somewhere to be."

"Or…" Val snapped, getting right into Test’s face. "You can face me tonight and show me how deep your convictions really lie."

Test laughed in his face. "Yeah, whatever. See you tonight." He gripped Angel’s shoulder and led her away. "Come on, babe. Looks like I’ve got a match after all."

Angel turned back to RTC with a smirk on her face. "Catch ya later, boys."

"Can you believe them?" Test cried, releasing her a little and taking her hand again.

"I know," Angel replied. "They wanted you bad. They seem to have given up on me, though, which is a real shame. Can you imagine me dressing like Ivory?"

Test cringed. "No thanks. You’re way too hot to look like that dog."

Angel grinned. Test was so good for her ego. "So, you want me to go back to Benoit and let you get ready?"

"Are you kidding?" Test cried, spinning her around and putting his hands on her shoulders as he stared deep into her eyes. "I want you to see just how deep my convictions really lie."

Angel stared at him dumbly. His gaze was so intense it was making her feel a little dizzy. She grabbed at his arms and broke into a small smile. "I’m there."

* * * *

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Making his way to the ring, being accompanied by Angel Torres, weighing in at two hundred and eighty-two pounds, Test!"

Angel and Test walked solemnly down the ramp. They weren’t holding hands anymore. Test had a job to do against Angel’s oldest enemies and she didn’t want to be a distraction. Test climbed into the ring and Angel started to walk towards his corner. He climbed the ropes and signaled the crowd as they cheered and held up their signs. Suddenly he spotted Angel on the ground.

"Hey," he called. "Come on in."

Angel shook her head. "No, it’s okay."

"Come on," Test insisted. He climbed to the canvas and leaned far over the ropes, then put his hands around Angel’s waist and gently lifted her into the ring.

Angel looked around, somewhat bewildered. She’d spent so much time lately picking on the crowd or completely ignoring them that she’d almost forgotten what it was like to have them on her side. Few things in wrestling were certain, but there was always one constant. Right to Censor were universally hated.

Hearing the cheers, though quieter than for Benoit and Jericho, Angel started to smile. She hugged Test tightly. "Thank you."

"Hey, that’s okay," Test replied, returning her hug.

Just then, they were censored.

"Making his way to the ring, being accompanied by Right To Censor. He weighs in at two hundred and forty-four pounds, Val Venis!"

Angel and Test spun to face the ramp as Venis, Buchanan, the Goodfather and Steven Richards walked down it. Angel fixed her gaze on Steven and glowered at him. He was the reason for it all. Despite everything that had happened, she hadn’t lost sight of her goal, and there he was.

"We meet again," she scowled as she felt Test’s body behind hers and he slowly slid his arms around her chest, protecting her from Steven, and herself. She reached for his arms and tugged on them so they were now covering her breasts.

Val Venis was outraged. "Get your hands away from that woman’s bosom, you depraved heathen! She is nothing but the spawn of evil and she will corrupt your soul!"

Test gave an amused grin and slid his arms even lower so they were now around Angel’s waist. "Yeah? Well, maybe that’s why I like her."

Val climbed the steps as Angel grabbed Test’s hands and forced his arms apart. She turned to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "See you later," she smiled.

Test nodded, focusing on Val. "Watch me deal with this loser."

Angel jumped to the ground and spun around, just in time to see Val run at Test, only to be stopped by a kick to the midsection. She tried to watch the action as Test took the early advantage, but the three men across the ring from her were distracting. She’d forgotten how RTC fought – always attacking like a pack of wolves whenever they got a chance. They preached an end to violence and yet destroyed opponents before they even got the chance to fight back. She frowned at Test as he went for and missed the big boot. He might be in trouble.

Just then, Test went for momentum off the ropes, but the Goodfather grabbed his leg and tripped him as Val kept the ref busy. Test turned around and grabbed Goodfather by the neck, but Val slammed into his back and forced him to let go. Val dropped him to the canvas and he grabbed at the ropes but, despite the ref’s admonishments, Val kept attacking, then lured the ref to the other side of the ring as his comrades continued the assault.

"Come on, ref!" Angel screamed. "They’re attacking him!"

The ref finally turned around, but RTC were already out of the way, as if they’d never been there at all.

Angel scowled as Val picked up from where he’d left off, grabbing Test by the hair and slamming his face into the top turnbuckle.

"Come on, Test!"

A knife-edge chop, two punches, several kicks and a boot to the throat left Test slumped in the corner as Richards encouraged every brutal shot.

"Go Test!" Angel cried. "Come on, baby! Get up!"

Val grabbed his hair again, dragged him away from the corner and sent him for a belly to belly suplex, made extra brutal by the fact that Test was so damn big. Next, Val pinned both of Test’s arms in a submission hold and jerked his head back as Test cried out in pain.

"You had enough?" the referee asked as Test groaned and shook his head. "You want me to end it?"

Test kept shaking his head, but the pain in his neck made it difficult to think. "No."

Angel leaned worriedly over the apron. "Come on, Test," she said despairingly.

Val dropped Test and got in the ref’s face about not ending the match.

"Hey, I asked him and he said no," the ref replied.

Val scowled, grabbed Test and powerslammed him, and then went for a kneedrop off the ropes, before making a cover.

"Come on, Test! Yeah!" Angel applauded as he kicked out on one.

Val whipped Test, but it was reversed into another whip as Test waited in the middle for the back body drop. But he’d telegraphed it and Val kicked him in the head, then went for more momentum off the ropes. Test simply caught him and sent him for a tilt-a-whirl slam.

"Oh my God!" Angel screamed. "I’ve never seen him do that to someone who wasn’t puny like Eddie!"

Test made the cover, but Val kicked out on two. But Test had the upper hand again and finally hit the back body drop he’d been searching for.

"Yes!" Angel cried. "Come on, baby!"

Test beckoned for Val to stand as Val cried, "no, no, no!" But just as he reached for Val’s head, Val raised his arms and lifted Test from the ring.

"No!" Angel cried as RTC pounced and Val again kept the ref busy. Bull Buchanan hit a bicycle kick and Goodfather picked up Val and threw him back into the ring.

Val turned and made a cover.

"One!" shouted the ref. "Two!" Somehow Test raised his shoulder.

"Yeah Test!" Angel cried. "Come on!"

Just then, she heard a voice.

"Look at you, vile daughter of Jezebel. You wretched harlot, soliciting yourself upon the depths of mankind."

Angel stared at the Goodfather as he continued his tirade.

"If only you’d put away your sheltered existence, leave behind your wanton ways."

Angel cocked her head, wondering whether he knew that she and Test hadn’t even really kissed yet, let alone engaged in something ‘wanton’. From the look on his face, he probably didn’t care. She turned to run, but almost ran straight into Bull Buchanan. Goodfather to her right, Bull to her left. She was trapped and in big, big trouble. She reached warily for her sticks and faced the ring so she could keep an eye on both of them. And then, just as they were about to attack, she ducked and dove quickly under the ring. Neither Bull nor Goodfather was small or agile enough to follow her so, at least for the moment, she was safe. She curled up amongst the hardcore props as the ring bounced over her head, and tried to get her bearings. If she went back, Goodfather would get her and if she went left she’d meet with Bull. If she kept going straight she’d get Richards, which left her only one option. The right. The ramp. But that would mean leaving Test alone to face the wolves. By the sound of the commotion above her, Test was in trouble. She felt sure she could hear more than three sets of feet.

"Go for the ramp," she decided. "Then help Test." She began to crawl.

Just as she reached the edge, she heard the ring bell and "Test, Test, this is a Test." What the? Test had won? She raised the cover and when her eyes fell on a set of black-clad legs her heart almost skipped a beat. But these legs were clad in shiny black, not slacks. Relieved, Angel burst from the ring, still clutching a trashcan lid.

Test heard her and spun furiously, but noticed it was her and put an arm around her instead. "Hey there."

"Hi," she smiled as she spotted someone moving up the ramp. "Raven?"

Raven stopped and turned back.

Angel met him with a warm smile. She held up the trashcan lid. "Here. You want this?"

Raven nodded and she tossed it to him. "Thanks."

"No problem," Angel grinned.

"Hey, I won," Test announced, squeezing her a little to get the attention back to him.

"Yeah, I heard," Angel smiled, wrapping her arm around his waist and starting up the ramp with him.

"We should celebrate," Test suggested.

"Definitely."

Suddenly, she realized the crowd were cheering far too loudly for a match which was well over.

"Just a sec," she told Test, slipping from his grasp and turning back to the ring. Her jaw dropped down around her ankles. She could not believe her eyes. Right To Censor were fighting amongst themselves! Bull was attacking Steven as Val pounded the Goodfather.

"Oh my God!" Angel cried joyfully. "Hey, you guys! Test, Raven, check this out!"

They both turned back and froze in surprise.

"Well, well," Test grinned. "Would you look at that."

Raven’s response was a little more poetic. "And like the griffin rising from the ashes, the Raven ascends above the depths of despair and flees the bowels of persecution. Solidarity, individuality maintained."

Angel just gave a little laugh and put one arm around each of them, marching them up the ramp as more officials arrived to break up the fight. The three of them walked slowly up the hallway as Right To Censor caught up, still screaming at each other, still trying to throw punches at each other as the officials struggled desperately to keep them apart. Angel, Test and Raven stepped out the way and shouted encouragement and insults as they passed by.

Angel shook her head in amazement. "You guys, I can hardly believe it," she murmured, voice filled with awe. "But I think you just brought an end to censorship!" She broke into a broad, crazy grin. "Raven!" she cried, throwing her arms around him in a huge hug, before breaking away and turning to Test. "Test!"

Test smiled and spread his arms, ready to return her hug, but she leaped at him, grabbed his face in both hands and kissed him instead. Test was surprised but he soon got into it, sliding one hand down Angel’s back towards her pants and bringing the other one up behind her head. The kiss was urgent, intense, passionate and across the hall, Raven looked on with a frown on his face. Inside his mind he began to compose some sort of prosodic soliloquy about fate and destiny and the inability of man to wrench asunder their grip upon humanity, but what he said out loud was, "Aw, I didn’t really want her anyway." Then he walked away.

Test and Angel didn’t notice. They were too wrapped up in each other, figuratively and literally. Test’s back was against the wall and had been since Angel had jumped on him. Angel was on tiptoe as Test’s strong arms helped to hold her up and they kissed hungrily, desperately, completely lost in the moment, in the enormity of what Test and Raven had just caused.

Finally, they came up for air and Angel stepped back on her heels, still holding Test and gazing at him dreamily.

Something, or rather someone, over Angel’s head caught Test’s eye.

"Hey Jeff! You heading out there? Good luck, man!"

Jeff raised a hand in recognition, but he didn’t turn around.

At the sound of Jeff’s name, Angel froze. She looked up at Test warily. "Do you think Jeff saw us?"

Test laughed away her concerns. "Probably," he said with an ironic grin. "Does it matter?"

Test’s smile was infectious. "I guess not," Angel replied, pulling him down for another kiss.

* * * *

"You are one hot chick, you know that?" Test asked in between kisses. They’d found their way to the empty Right To Censor locker room and had been making out on the couch ever since. Their kisses were long and deep as they explored each other’s mouths and bodies. Test was a good kisser, possibly as good as Jeff. His hands weren’t quite as soft, but they were talented. He knew exactly what he was doing and he did it well.

"You’re pretty hot yourself," Angel breathed into his mouth before nibbling on his bottom lip. Test groaned quietly and shifted his body, covering her mouth with his own. He was trying to feel her up, but she didn’t stop him, figuring she already had a head start, him with his shirt off and all. Her own hands slid down over his pants. He did have a pretty fine ass. But they both knew they weren’t going to go too much further, at least not right now. They were on a couch in an open locker room in the sold out First Union Center of Philadelphia. Anyone could walk in. And just then, anyone did. Two anyones.

Jericho caught Test and dragged him off the couch as Benoit grabbed Angel and wrenched her to her feet.

"Hey!" Test cried furiously, shrugging off Jericho. "What’s your problem, man?"

"I told you to bring her back when you were finished," Benoit snapped.

"Well, I’m not finished, am I?" Test scowled.

Benoit pinned a struggling Angel’s arms and followed Jericho to the door.

"God, Benoit, you’re such a dick!" Test cried.

Benoit stopped and spun back around. "When she’s your manager, you can tell her what to do," he said coolly, before turning again.

"You know what?" Test called after him. "Maybe she will be my manager. That’s a damn great idea!"