THE NEW T & A

RAW IS WAR, APRIL 16TH, 2001

Angel flipped through her guidebook, turning to Tennessee as the airplane coasted through the air and she relaxed into her first class seat.

"I could definitely get used to this," she decided.

Sure enough, Trish had come through with another hundred-dollar first class set, even though she herself wasn’t on the flight. While Angel was returning to the WWF tour at University of Tennessee, Trish had some promotional work to do at WWF New York. So they’d parted at the airport in Toronto, new but already firm friends.

Angel smiled to herself as she remembered the weekend. It had been an absolute blast. Trish’s family had been so sweet to her and they were obviously very proud of Trish. Trish had also taken Angel under her wing, treating her like a sister. Angel kept waiting for it to end, for them all to bring her down in some devastating scheme, but it hadn’t happened.

Easter Sunday itself had been unbeatable. Angel had eaten so much she’d probably gained about five pounds, but she didn’t care and neither did Trish’s family.

"Eat up, honey," Trish’s dad had said. "Men like a woman with a hearty appetite."

And she hadn’t disappointed him, finding that, once withdrawn from Benoit’s force-feeding schedule, she was hungry every few hours. Just another way Benoit had ruined her life. But Trish’s mother was always ready with the baked goods, so Angel was always satiated. She even had a secret batch of chocolate chip cookies hidden in a tin in her suitcase. She was tempted to eat one in front of Benoit, just to see what he’d do, but then he might take them away from her and they were chocolate. Chocolate!

Angel frowned at her thoughts.

‘Girl, you gotta get out more.’

She decided to take that advice and stretch her legs. Deep vein thrombosis was something she really didn’t need.

The plane was just an average sized domestic plane with a single aisle and a simple curtain separating the first and coach classes, not like those huge 747s, where first class lives it up near the pilot while the lesser mortals slum it downstairs.

Angel walked slowly down the aisle, through coach class, not to rub it in that she had a better seat than they did, she simply wanted a longer walk. She slipped past the flight attendants without them calling her on it. Apparently first class and coach class weren’t even supposed to share a bathroom. When she got to the back of the plane she discovered why. Occupied and occupied.

"I bet they’re not occupied in first class," she muttered, thinking that the two Cokes she’d had were possibly not a great idea.

"Oh, come on!" she cried, starting to hop from leg to leg. "Come on!"

Eventually the lock clicked open.

"Finally!" Angel cried the moment the door moved. "Outta my way!" She pushed past the tall toilet hog.

"Angel?" He grabbed her arm.

"Argh!" she cried in surprise. "Two minutes!" She leaped into the bathroom and threw the door closed.

Two minutes later, when she emerged, he was waiting for her. She broke into a broad smile and held her hands up.

"Washed my hands."

He smiled back.

"Sweet," he nodded, bringing his mouth down towards hers.

Angel looped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

When they broke away, Angel kept her hands on his face and stared deep into his eyes. "I missed that face."

He broke into a dreamy grin. "Can I ask you something?"

Angel nodded slowly.

"What the heck are you doing here?"

Angel gave a little laugh and started to reply, but she was interrupted by an insistent voice.

"Sir, ma’am, can I ask you to please return to your seats?"

"What, all the way back in first class?" Angel moaned.

The flight attendant looked surprised. "I’m sorry, if you’ll both return to first class, we will allow you your privacy."

"Sweet!" Test cried. "I get to go to first class too?"

Angel felt like elbowing him in the ribs. If only he hadn’t opened his mouth.

Now the flight attendant was really confused. "Sir, where is your seat?"

"Right there," Test frowned, pointing it out.

Not the flight attendant turned to Angel. "And you know this man?"

Angel thought fast. "I ought to. He is my husband." She grabbed Test’s face again and planted one on him before he could open his mouth and blow their cover.

The flight attendant said it for him. "Husband?"

Angel nodded confidently. "This man is so romantic. We eloped to Vegas last week, then we’ve just been to visit his family in Toronto and now we’re headed home. We would have stayed longer, but I’m a student at University of Tennessee and I’ve got a big test coming up. Thermonuclear physics can be a real drag. Our real honeymoon will have to wait until summer, right, baby?"

Test just nodded dumbly as Angel stared at him adoringly, then turned abruptly back to the flight attendant.

"Do you know how long he will have to work to pay off our trip?" she cried, reaching back to pull Test’s arms around her shoulders. "First class all the way. He spoils me, he really does."

The flight attendant looked absolutely bewildered, but she was determined to sort this out. "But, he’s not traveling first class!"

"No, not anymore," Angel frowned at last. "When we went to collect our boarding passes, they told us that first class was full and one of us would have to fly coach instead. Of course, my baby sacrificed his seat for me. Nothing’s too good for his little Angel, isn’t that right, sugar muffin?"

Test, who was finally catching on, broke into a smile. "You bet, babe," he enthused, leaning down to kiss her hair.

Angel turned her triumphant grin to the flight attendant. "Of course, they refunded the difference. That was the least they could do. I mean, we’re not millionaires, we’re simply two normal people in love with each other, wanting the best in life."

The flight attendant looked fit to burst, so burst she did. "But we’re full in coach! There are at least three vacant first class seats!"

Angel frowned. "I thought it was strange when no one sat next to me, but I guessed we’d be stopping someplace to pick up more people." She slowly broke into a scowl. "You know, that’s not a very good way to do business."

"You’re right, it’s not," the flight attendant agreed. "I don’t understand why they would have done that."

"You know what, baby?" Angel asked, reaching for Test again. "I don’t think we should fly with this airline again. I mean, I don’t think adjoining seats are so much to ask for."

By now the general public were staring. The flight attendant was flustered and backpedaling faster than a clown on a unicycle.

"You’re absolutely right. Did you say there’s a vacant seat by you?" she asked Angel, who nodded. "Well, I really think you and your husband should sit together, and since there are no spare seats here in coach…" She trailed off.

Test nodded and speared her with his piercing eyes. "I’ll go get my gear. Thank you."

"No, thank you," the flight attendant replied, giving them the most apologetic of smiles.

Angel followed Test, who reached for his bags.

"You need help?" she asked worriedly.

Test grinned over his shoulder at her. "Nah, I got ‘em."

"Ooh!" Angel squealed as he easily lifted his carry on luggage. "My baby’s been working out!"

Test chuckled a little. "Come on."

Angel grabbed his wrist and led him towards the front of the plane. Many other travelers were watching, with expressions ranging from curiosity to jealousy, to ‘oh, to be young and in love’. Angel grinned to herself. Well, they were half right.

Finally they reached her seat and got settled in.

"You know," Angel started, leaning over into Test. "Those people back there probably think I’m nuts, but at least I’ve got someone cool to talk to now. I was going crazy up here."

Test grinned at her. "You’re amazing, you know that?"

Angel mirrored his smile. "I’ll do just about anything for a pretty face."

Test laughed. "No, seriously. The only other person I know who can fool her way into first class is Trish Stratus. I haven’t flown it since I was in T & A."

‘Go figure,’ Angel thought.

"Well, you know," Angel smiled flirtily. "You and me…between us…we could be T & A." She brought her face towards his and he closed his eyes as their lips touched. They deepened the kiss, grabbing faces, shoulders and hair. When they came up for air they noticed people were staring.

"We’re newlyweds," Angel explained, before turning back to Test. "I always wanted to say that."

Test just grinned and kissed her again.

* * * *

"…So I went to some nightclubs, did some sightseeing and ate Easter dinner at a cute little restaurant. It was awesome. I’d love to go back. Everyone was so nice to me, especially in the clubs. I had that many guys talking to me and buying me drinks. Apparently I have a sexy accent. What do you think?"

"I’ll tell you what I think," Test muttered, pulling her into his arms for an intense kiss. Eventually he released her and they continued down the hall, hand in hand.

Test slowly shook his head. "I still can’t believe you were in Toronto. You should have called. We could have hung out and done some…stuff together."

Angel smiled at him. Good old Test. Master of the single entendre. She sighed regretfully.

"Next time, eh?"

Test grinned down at her. "See? You’re already talking Canadian." They stopped next to a locker room door.

"Well," Test shrugged. "I guess this is where I leave you. Remember to get your bags from my locker room before you leave."

"Will do."

Test held out his arms and she happily stepped into them. "Thanks for everything, Test."

"No, thank you," Test replied. "You know, after the show, you should come by my hotel room. We’ll hang out…and talk…and stuff."

Angel beamed at him. "Sounds great. I mean, we’ll have to see how we both feel by then. But yeah, I think…stuff…sounds good."

"Great," Test grinned. "I’ll see you then."

They stared at each other for a long time, neither willing to be the first to move away. Finally, Angel pressed back against Test’s hands, but then stopped, turned back, threw her arms around Test’s neck and kissed him. He responded and they kissed frantically, urgently, all arms and hands and legs and lips. Just then the door opened and Benoit grabbed for any body part he could reach (her left arm) and dragged her into the locker room. He expected her to struggle, but she didn’t. She just let him pull her along and called out cheerfully, "Bye, Test."

Test didn’t argue or try to go after her. He just stood in the doorway and watched. But he didn’t give Benoit that fearful sideways glance like he should have. He had eyes only for Angel.

"Later, gorgeous," he said softly, and then he walked away.

Angel perched happily on the bench as Benoit glared down at her.

"Unbelievable," he muttered.

Angel grinned triumphantly. "You’d better believe it, ‘cause tonight I’m going to his hotel room and after that there’s gonna be another team called T & A around here. Test and Angel."

"I was talking about you wearing an Edge and Christian jersey," Benoit scowled.

Angel’s smile didn’t fade.

"Oh, don’t worry about that," she replied, getting to her feet again. "I’ll do a striptease, just for you. Strip, because off it comes," she started, pulling it over her head to reveal the ‘Crippler’ tank top. "And tease, because, sorry mate, but that’s all you’re getting."

Benoit just shook his head as she grinned maniacally.

"How was your Easter, Benoit?" she prodded. "Did you have fun? Did you and the wife get up to making any more little wolverines? I found out, by the way, that you Canadians have a clothing brand called ‘Roots’. Can I just say that’s a great name? No, really, Benoit. You saw your wife for the first time in God knows how long. Does your place in Edmonton have central heating or do you have to burn your own wood?" She was on a roll and Benoit was just about to snap. "You can tell me, you know. For, while the thought of you having sex and actually enjoying it could render me incapable of eating for months, it does make you human."

She waited for him to hit her, or at least scream, but he just glared at her, his face impassive. She took it as a cue to continue.

"Wanna know where I ended up? Apparently they do let whores into Canada. Well, they let me in anyway. I thought you and me could even sit together on the plane like we normally do, but there was the certain problem of you leaving from Edmonton and me leaving from Toronto. It just didn’t work."

Finally, Benoit spoke. "What the hell were you doing in Toronto?"

Angel grinned at how pissed off he sounded. "Trish invited me to spend Easter with her family."

"Trish," Benoit repeated. "Trish Stratus?"

"Yep," Angel grinned. "She’s my new best friend. You have Jericho now, so I felt like I had to find one. I’m going to have to keep her around a lot longer than Jeff or Molly, though. She’s real useful. She got us first class seats both ways for a hundred dollars or less and I’m not even gonna tell you how she did it."

"What the hell do you have in common with Trish Stratus?" Benoit demanded.

Angel paused thoughtfully. "Lots of things. According to you, we’re both whores. We both screw people to get what we want. We’re both totally hot and, believe it or not, we’re both a hell of a lot smarter than you."

Benoit just glowered at her, making her grin even wider.

"It just kills you that I have a new friend, doesn’t it? Well, like I said, you have Jericho and you don’t think I’m just gonna stay here all day and listen to the two of you whispering sweet nothings, do you? Hey, you know what? We should play that game. You know the one. The ‘let’s see who can get rid of the other’s friends first’ game. Come on, Benoit. You know you love that game. You’re real good at it. Remember how good it feels when you win? Do you remember? ‘Cause I sure do. It feels good, right? Real good. Come on, Benoit. Let’s play. You know you want to."

She hadn’t noticed that Chris Jericho had entered the locker room and was staring at her with a smirk on his face.

"I’m not even gonna ask," he announced, before heading for one of the lockers and hanging up a spare shirt.

Angel scowled over at him. "Do you live here now or something?"

"Certainly looks that way," Jericho replied, making himself at home.

Angel just narrowed her eyes at him. "I’m gonna go see Regal."

Jericho frowned at her as she left and then he turned to Benoit. "She doesn’t like me much, does she?"

Benoit simply shrugged. "She doesn’t like anyone."

Jericho smiled knowingly. "You’re a good teacher, then?"

Benoit just blinked.

"She’s a good student," he replied expressionlessly.

Jericho nodded and they left it at that.

* * * *

Angel grinned as she left Regal’s office. She felt pretty damn proud of herself after that little arrangement. Tonight, Benoit had no cause for complaint. He had Commissioner Regal one on one. Angel had even arranged a match for Benoit’s little friend, although it was more for Angel’s benefit than Jericho’s. With Benoit taking on Regal, she had someone to cheer for, while she could look forward to watching Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle tearing each other apart. It was absolutely perfect.

"You’re Lita’s cousin, aren’t you?"

Angel scowled and stopped short. She’d been around three months now and she knew almost everyone, at least from sight. Surely it wasn’t too much to ask for them to learn her name.

"I have many names," she stated, turning around. "Lita’s cousin, Benoit’s manager, Jeff Hardy’s ex, Test’s sort of current, Steve Blackman’s student." She’d almost stopped when she realized who she was talking to, but by then she had to save face. It was a good rule in life. When faced with your hero, do not crumble.

The tall, muscular woman gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I should know better than anyone not to place labels on people. I’m Chyna."

"Yeah, I know," Angel smiled, shaking her hand. "Angel Torres."

"That’s right, Angel," Chyna nodded thoughtfully. "You used to be a valet for rent, right?"

"Yep."

"And you never did valet for Billy, did you?" Chyna grinned.

Angel’s eyes widened. "No! I didn’t, either. I was meaning to, it just never happened."

"Don’t worry about it," Chyna advised. "He probably can’t even remember he asked you. But you said you’re managing now? That’s quite a big step up."

"Yeah, you’d think," Angel murmured, unable to conceal her bitterness. She decided to change the subject. "So, I saw what you did to Steven Richards on Smackdown. Wish I could have done that when he Steven-kicked me."

Chyna shrugged modestly. "If he wants to get in the ring, I’m gonna treat him just like I would anyone else…by kicking his ass."

Angel grinned. "Well, I thought it was awesome."

Suddenly, she felt arms around her.

"Hey, I knew I saw you talking to some guy."

"Hi Test," Chyna smiled.

Test jumped a mile. "Chyna! You know I meant ‘guy’ as in ‘hey, you guys’, right?"

"It’s okay," Chyna replied, amused. "I’ll take it as a compliment."

Test still stared at her sheepishly.

"You and me have a lot in common, you know," he said thoughtfully. "When people see Hunter and Steph, they always forget about us."

Chyna nodded, then stared at Test and Angel for a while. "We’re both better off without them."

"You got that right," Test nodded. "I sure hope Hunter’s enjoying Steph’s little…well, things that make her Steph, if you know what I mean."

"Hunter’s no dreamboat either," Chyna informed him. "Look, I really have to go, but Angel, great meeting you and Test, we really should get together and bitch about our ex’s sometime."

"That’d be sweet," Test enthused. When Chyna left, he leaned over to kiss Angel’s cheek. "You’re not jealous, are you? ‘Cause it’s not like she’s some other chick. She’s Chyna!"

Angel laughed and grabbed for his hand. "Don’t worry, I’m not jealous. It’s good to find new people to hang with."

"It sure is," Test grinned, pulling her in for another kiss. They broke apart when they heard a derisive snort and their eyes followed the person as he walked away.

"Hey Jeff!" Angel called out, still feeling a little giddy. "Good luck in your rematch with Triple H. I know you can do it."

Jeff stopped and spun around furiously.

"Let’s get something straight," he spat. "I do not want or need your luck, okay? You can keep it." With that, he spun back around and continued on his way.

"Ouch," Test murmured, peering sympathetically at Angel’s stunned face.

"Forget that," Angel scowled, removing Test’s arm from her body. "I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let him talk to me like that in front of you." She marched up the hall after Jeff.

"Angel, wait!" Test called out, but she was never going to stop.

Angel threw the door to the locker room open, just after Jeff had closed it. Matt and Lita were in there, but she didn’t notice them as she strode straight up to Jeff and got right in his face.

"No, you get something straight, okay?" she shouted. "All I was doing was wishing you luck. You could have graciously accepted it, but no, you had to be an asshole about it, didn’t you?"

Jeff glared at her for a moment before he spoke. "You know what I don’t understand? Why you’re wishing me luck at all. I really do not get it."

Angel threw her hands onto her hips. "Well, maybe I want to be a bigger person about this."

"Why?" Jeff asked again.

"What do you mean why?" Angel demanded.

"Did someone hit you in the head again, Angel? Because you’ve clearly forgotten that we’re no longer friends."

Angel scowled at him. "God, if I’d known I was going to put up with so much shit for just wishing you luck, I wouldn’t have bothered."

"You shouldn’t have bothered," Jeff replied. "And I still don’t get why you did. Just because you finally found out that we were right all along about Edge and Christian doesn’t mean you can come back to us as soon as things fall apart."

"This has nothing to do with Edge and Christian!"

"What, then?" Jeff demanded. "Is it the fact that I have a title now, you suddenly want a piece of me? ‘Cause let me tell you something. I didn’t need you in my life before I won the gold and I sure as hell don’t need you now."

"I don’t give a crap about your title, Jeff!" Angel exclaimed.

"Well, what is it? ‘Cause the only other thing I can figure is that you were just being nice to me so Test won’t think you’re a total bitch."

Slap! Angel’s palm slammed into Jeff’s cheek.

"Forget this," she said evenly, glaring at Jeff ferociously. "This was obviously a mistake. I’m leaving."

"Go!" Jeff shouted after her, reaching for his cheek. "Go be with Test. Have some fun, have a blast. And try to find whatever it is you’ve lost. Because you have changed, Angel, and I’ll tell you one thing. Back then I liked you. I might even have loved you. But not anymore, Angel. Not anymore."

The room was gripped in a deadly silence as Angel tried to think of what to say. Finally, her shoulders heaved in a huge breath and she stormed out, before he could have the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Unfortunately, Test was waiting for her and by the time she spotted him, her tears had already started.

"It didn’t go so well?" Test asked softly, drawing her into his arms.

"I don’t know why I bother, Test," she sobbed against his chest. "I really don’t. He used to be my best friend, but I don’t even know him anymore."

"Angel," Test said at last. "If he makes you sad, he’s not worth it."

"I know," Angel sighed. "I’m sorry. You don’t need this."

"Come here," Test smiled, leaning down to kiss away her tears. "You are going to cheer up because you and me are gonna hang out later. Okay?"

Angel formed a small smile. "Okay."

Test released her, then wrapped and arm around her. "Now, let’s get you back to your keepers. What’s up with those two anyway?"

Angel gave an exasperated sigh. "I don’t even think I want to know. They’re awful friendly for guys who are supposed to hate each other’s guts. A little too friendly, if you ask me."

Test just laughed and gripped her shoulders. Angel snuggled into his body a little bit. Tonight was going to be fun, and she suddenly realized she wanted it as much as Test did. Sex might not solve everything but sometimes, if you were lucky, it could help dull the pain.

* * * *

"Okay boys, I’m back and I have some good news for the both of you. Ayatollah, I figured since you live here now I might as well book your matches too, so I got you both singles. Benoit, you’ll be facing…what in the hell are you wearing?" she blurted.

Benoit stared at her indifferently. "Tights."

"No, no, no," Angel argued. "That is not a set of tights. That is a gay pride banner!" She looped a circle around him, taking in every shocking detail. "All I have to say is…pretty."

Benoit glared at her. "Do you have a problem with my outfit?"

"Not if the fact that you have your name on your butt doesn’t strike you as unusual. It’s like ‘this is my name, this is my ass. Come get me, boys’!"

"Sister, you think you can tear your eyes away from Benoit’s ass long enough to tell us what’s wrong with those tights, ‘cause I really don’t see it either."

Angel frowned at Jericho. "Has it escaped you that they’re purple?"

"So?"

"So?" Angel cried incredulously. "Oh, I forgot I was dealing with the king of fruity outfits. Or should that be queen?"
Benoit glowered at her.

"Are you finished?" he scowled.

Angel smirked at him. "Give me a minute. I’m on a roll."

"If you don’t tell us who are opponents are now, the only thing that’ll be rolling will be your head," Benoit snapped.

"Gee, Benoit," Angel frowned. "That was almost witty. Maybe the J-man is a good influence on you."

"Tell us!" Benoit cried impatiently.

"Okay, okay, keep your faggy tights on. Numero uno, you have Regal. And el presidente," she continued, turning to Jericho. "You get Angle and my wishes that you kick the shit out of each other."

"El presidente?" Jericho asked. "What the hell’s that mean?"

"It’s Spanish for Mr. President," Angel told him slowly.

"I know that," Jericho scowled. "But Ayatollah, fair enough, J-man, I get that one too, but el presidente? Where the hell did you pull that from?"

Angel cocked her head. "Well, you are the president of the Winnipeg chapter of the cult of the crippler, right?"

Jericho smirked. "You’re funny."

"I know," Angel replied, mirroring his expression.

Benoit had had enough.

"Go sit down," he ordered Angel.

Angel smiled sweetly at him and headed for the bench.

"Okay, Benoit," Jericho started. "I’ve faced that assclown all too many times, so, aside from him being a jackass, I can tell you his weaknesses, and he has many…"

"Seriously, Benoit!" Angel cried suddenly. "Where did you get those tights? Were they free with the April edition of Jerichoholics monthly?"

Benoit spun furiously. "Just sit there and keep your damn mouth shut."

Angel grinned at him. "Yes sir!" she cried.

She let them continue their strategy session as she watched and started singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ under her breath. Badass Benoit in purple tights. It was insult gold!

* * * *

"Okay, so we know they’re up to something," Benoit pointed out. "You just have to kick Angle’s ass before they get a chance to try it."

Jericho gave a smug smile. "Don’t worry, Benoit. By the time you see Kirk Angel again he won’t even be the quarter of a man he is now."

Benoit nodded and held out his hands. Jericho touched fists with him as Angel rolled her eyes; then Jericho left the room.

"Sure you don’t want to go after him?" Angel asked as soon as he was gone.

Benoit turned and stared at her.

"Serious, Benoit. You’d look so cute in a little cheerleader’s outfit. We could even make it purple like those tights."

Benoit glowered. "Do you have to act like a spoiled little child?"

Angel nodded slowly. "Role play. In life we always take up the role expected of us, whether we mean to or not."

"What, are you a psychologist or something?" Benoit asked skeptically.

"Maybe," Angel shrugged. "It’s like you and Jericho though. As soon as he started hanging around, his personality completely dominated yours, so you let it and fell into the role of the submissive little sidekick. I mean, look at yourself. You even dress like him now."

"You’re good," Benoit replied expressionlessly. "But I know you too well and I’m not falling for it. You just play your role by keeping your damn mouth shut."

He turned his head over towards the TV so he could watch Jericho’s match.

"Or you’ll what?"

Benoit stopped and raised his eyebrows. He turned back, a slight smirk on his face.

"Don’t try me, little girl," he growled, raking one or two menacing steps towards her.

"Why, you’ll make me famous?" Angel asked, unimpressed. "Not your catchphrase, Benoit. Try again."

Benoit’s smirk widened.

"If you try me," he said slowly. "I’ll set you free."

Angel nodded slowly. "That’s what I’m counting on."

"No," Benoit scowled, lunging forward, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her back against the wall. "You don’t get it, do you? You don’t get it." He closed his fist around her throat and glared at her furiously. "If you try me, I will set you free."

"Okay," Angel coughed, kicking out at him, but only managing to increase the pressure on her neck. "Let me down."

Benoit backed off and released her so she fell onto the bench with a thud that jarred up her spine.

"God, psycho."

Benoit ignored her and turned back to the TV, taking his seat in front of it.

"So maybe you didn’t get any this weekend," Angel muttered. "How is that my fault?"

Benoit spun furiously. "What did you say?"

"Nothing!" Angel cried. "Just turn around and watch your boyfriend’s match."

Still glaring at her, Benoit raised his hand, holding his thumb and forefinger half an inch apart.

"This close, princess," he advised. "You’re walking a very, very thin line."

Angel scowled at him, folded her arms defiantly and leaned back against the wall. Now she couldn’t even enjoy watching Jericho and Angle beating the crap out of each other. He’d even taken that away from her. Her humor was soon restored, though, as Angle led Jericho up the ramp, where he was ambushed by William Regal.

"Ha," Angel grinned. "Like none of us saw that coming."

Benoit leaped to his feet.

"Get up," he ordered. "We’re going out there."

Angel stared at him indignantly. "But your match isn’t until..."

"Move!" Benoit screamed.

Angel sighed and followed Benoit’s rapidly disappearing form.

By the time she reached the backstage area, Benoit was already wreaking havoc in the ring, rescuing Jericho from the Regal Stretch and the ankle lock.

Angel watched on a backstage monitor as he hit a German each on Angle and Regal, then suplexed Kurt onto Regal’s body with sickening force.

"Shit!" Angel cried. "He is pissed!"

Regal and Angle slowly, painfully rolled from the ring, leaving Benoit and Jericho. What happened next shocked everyone. Everyone except Angel, that is. Benoit leaped from the ring, then ran over next to where Jericho was lying. He grabbed his fallen countryman around the shoulders and helped him from the ring and up the ramp.

Angel shook her head slowly as they made their way towards where she was standing. She’d hoped her little comment about Jericho being the dominant personality would hurt Benoit’s ego. Obviously, she was wrong.

On the TV, Regal was livid. He was calling Benoit out for their match, despite the fact that it was supposed to come later on the card.

"Benoit's gonna get it," Angel grinned, before turning to the two Canadians. "Hey, Benoit. I thought you should know Regal’s calling you out."

Benoit didn’t look up from where he was helping Jericho to loosen up his injured shoulder. "Regal can suck my dick."

"If he can get Jericho away long enough to get a look in," Angel mumbled under her breath, turning back to the TV. On the way she caught the eye of a tech guy, who was staring straight at Jericho and Benoit, absolutely bewildered. Well, it would look pretty strange to someone who had only known them as mortal enemies.

"They’re just friends, I swear," Angel told him with a dramatic shrug.

The tech guy grinned back at her.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the arm and she spun defensively. "Oh, so you decided to go out there after all, huh?"

Benoit smirked at her and led her along. "I never could resist a challenge."

Angel sighed and started walking, soon realizing they were being followed.

"What, you’re coming too?" she asked, disgusted.

"You got a problem with that?" a still weary Jericho asked.

"Yeah. I do, actually."

Jericho shrugged, not easy with a half-busted shoulder. "Then I guess it must suck to be you."

Angel scowled and turned to Benoit. "If Jericho’s gonna valet for you, you don’t need me."

Benoit gave her a look out of the corner of his eye. "Jericho is not my valet. You are my valet. Jericho is my partner."

"What?" His words hit her in a rush of blood to her skull. An ally was one thing. A partner was something completely different. Angel wasn’t sure how she felt, but she knew she didn’t like it. Not one little bit.

Suddenly, as they reached the ramp, Jericho’s words hit her again.

"I guess it must suck to be you."

Angel scowled to herself as they headed towards the ring. "Yes, Jericho. It certainly does."

* * * *

A huge cheer rang out when Benoit appeared, followed by and even louder one when the crowd realized that Jericho was following. The two of them sprinted to the ring, leaving Angel to walk solemnly behind.

Benoit started punching Regal as Jericho went for Angle. Eventually, Regal and Benoit were left alone in the ring as Jericho threw Angle out and jumped down after him. Benoit sent Regal for a suplex, then spread his arms. Headbutt time.

"Come on, Regal!" Angel shouted. "He’s going for headbutt! Roll towards me. Towards me!" She heaved a sigh of relief as Regal moved and Benoit’s head slammed into the canvas. "Yeah, alright!"

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

Angel spun and noticed that Jericho had finished with Angle and was walking past her.

Angel smirked at him. "Cheering on the better man."

Jericho shook his head slowly and turned to the ring, clutching the apron.

"Come on, Benoit," he said quietly. "Kick some ass."

But the only one doing any kicking was Regal, who grounded Benoit with a standing sideways dropkick.

"Yeah!" Angel cried. "Way to go!"

Regal was doing all the attacking and actually made several covers, but Benoit always kicked out.

"Yeah, Benoit," Jericho said, rubbing his sore shoulder. "Come on."

Suddenly, Benoit reversed a suplex into a crossbody press. He got a nearfall, but Regal took him out with a clothesline and made the cover.

"Go again!" Angel shouted as Benoit kicked out on two, knocking that every kick out or raised shoulder expended more and more energy. The next cover also got two, before Regal put Benoit in an unorthodox abdominal stretch. Then he toyed with Benoit for a while, standing over his fallen body to wave at a hostile crowd and shoving Benoit back down whenever he tried to move. Finally, Regal holed Benoit up in the corner, but Benoit spun him round and hit him with chop after chop after chop, and two German suplexes before Regal reversed and tossed Benoit from the ring. Kurt Angle was waiting, but Jericho was there before he could do more than bounce Benoit’s head off the apron and lift him back into the ring. Regal locked on the Regal Stretch, but Jericho arrived and broke the hold, before diving from the ring again.

"Damn cheat!" Angel cried. "Come on, Regal!"

But Benoit locked on the crossface and Regal tapped out, just before Kurt Angle tried to save him. Jericho quickly disposed of Kurt, giving Benoit a few extra seconds to injure Regal in the crossface. Regal crawled from the ring in Angel’s corner.

"Are you okay?" she asked, putting a hand on his back.

"No, I am bloody well not okay," Regal replied, glaring into the ring as Jericho raised Benoit’s hand in victory. "Those bloody toe rags besmirched me!"

"Next time, commissioner," Angel soothed. "Next time."

"Yes, you’re right, my dear. Next time."

They both frowned at the ring. Angel’s mind suddenly went very clear. Her plans were ordering themselves in her mind. Step one, bring Test around. He was almost there anyway. All she had to do was get him to fight for her on Sunday and he’d do it, no problem. His reward would come first, of course. She was perfectly prepared to sleep with him, especially so she could find out about that thing he did with his tongue Trish had been talking about. Step two. Get Jericho banned from ringside so it’d be a fair fight. Step three. Plot with Regal so it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Unlike Kurt, Test was a nice guy. And besides, he wouldn’t be doing it for himself. He’d be doing it for Angel and she’d be doing him.

"Everybody wins," Angel mused, leaving her spot and following Benoit and Jericho up the ramp.

"Hey, long time no see," Test said, appearing from nowhere and kissing her deeply.

"Yeah," Angel grinned. "What’s it been, like an hour? Two, maybe?" She stood on tiptoe and gently brushed his lips with hers. "Where you headed?"

"The ring. Wanna come?"

"Sure. Hey Benoit!" she called. "I’m going with Test."

Benoit nodded and kept talking to Jericho.

"That was easy," Test said, reaching for her hand.

"Yeah, I know. New love’ll do that to you. I’ve gotta get out. They’re driving me insane."

"Well, I’m not letting you go tonight," Test told her. "They got a problem with that, they can deal with me."

Angel grinned and kissed him. That was just what she wanted to hear.

"Hey, Test, man. You ready to go?"

Test turned. "Yeah, man. Let’s do this thing."

"Hey, Billy!" Angel cried.

"Angel," Billy smiled. "The little valet for rent." He frowned at her and Test. "You guys an item now?"

"We’re hanging together," Test nodded. "Where’s Raver?"

"It’s Raven," Raven replied darkly. "And I’m here."

"Okay," Test said, putting a hand on Angel’s back. "Lets do this."

Angel broke into a grin as soon as they emerged onto the stage and could see the ring.

"Hmm," she mused. "Radicalz."

"You know those guys?" Test frowned.

"I know them well," Angel nodded. "I got Benoit kicked out."

"Serious? Sweet!" Test grinned. "Too bad you couldn’t bust up the rest of them."

Angel shrugged. "I tried."

Test waited at the ramp for Billy, then the two of them dove right in. It was two on three, but Angel’s boys weren’t outclassed. They were still missing someone.

"What about me?" Raven cried, racing down the ramp. "What about Raven?"

No one really noticed. They were too busy fighting.

Angel slowly stepped around the outside of the ring. She pulled out her sticks and tapped them together as she walked.

"Hello, Terri."

Terri’s eyes widened in terror. "Angel! What are you going to do to me?"

"Nothing," Angel smirked, suddenly spotting Saturn’s discarded hat. She picked it up carefully. "Oh, did your cat die? Poor little kitty."

"Hey!" Terri cried. "That’s Perry’s hat!"

Angel still smirked and put the hat on. "Wanna fight me for it?"

Terri pouted and ran at Angel, shoving her in the chest. Angel didn’t even move. She simply ducked down and scooped Terri through the air in a back body drop.

"Hey! That’s my woman!"

Angel fixed her gaze on Saturn and started backing up.

"Hola, ‘cita. How’s my favorite putacita doin’, huh?"

"Uh oh," Angel replied, turning slowly to face Eddie. He grabbed her viciously by the shoulders and glared deep into her eyes.

"Why you always gotta be so stupid, huh, ‘cita? You so pretty, why can’t you just be like Terri and stay out of it?"

"I don’t know," Angel scowled, suddenly bringing her knee up in Eddie’s crotch. "I guess I never learn." She made a run for it and by the time Eddie was back on his feet, she was safely in Test’s corner.

"Come on, Test! Let’s go, baby!" she cried, straightening her new hat. She now wasn’t worried at all. On her side she had Raven – 6’3", 240; Billy Gunn – 6’5’, 270 and Test, 6’6", 280. The other side had Eddie – 5’8", 215; Malenko – 5’8", 220 and Saturn – 5’9", 240. It wasn’t even a contest.

* * * *

"Uh oh, that can’t be good," Billy Gunn commented.

He, Test and Angel were sitting on a couple of armchairs in a general purpose locker room, watching the rest of Raw. Well, Billy was watching. Test and Angel were making out again. At the sound of Billy’s voice, Angel moved her lips away from Test’s.

"What’s wrong, Billy?"

"Matt just got banned from ringside. Jeff’s a dead man."

Angel shrugged. "Should make it a fair fight. If Jeff’s worth anything at all he shouldn’t need help to win."

"I’d agree with you," Billy frowned. "But it’s Hunter. I was on a team with that guy. I know what he’s capable of."

"Well, Jeff should have thought of that before, shouldn’t he?"

Test stared thoughtfully at the TV. "So Matt’s letting Lita go out there with Jeff? Is he crazy?"

"No, just whipped," Angel replied. "Trust me, I know."

Test peered down at her.

"Whipped, eh?" he asked, putting a hand behind her head.

"Yeah," Angel grinned, moving her mouth towards his. "Whipped."

"Come on, Jeff," Billy enthused, leaning forward in his chair. "You can beat Hunter. Come on." He reached into his gym bag and pulled out some Doritos. "You guys want any?" he offered the others before he caught sight of them. "Never mind. Looks like you’ve already got some."

The only sounds were the blaring of the TV, Billy’s shouts of encouragement to Jeff, and Test and Angel’s murmurs. Until…

"Oh my God! No, Austin, no!"

Billy sounded so insistent that Test and Angel immediately broke apart.

"I thought Austin left," Test frowned.

"He did. He’s back and he’s pissed at Matt. Jeff’s down in the ring and Lita’s on the ramp. She doesn’t know which way to go."

Angel went pale. "So, Austin’s back. And Matt’s down. And Jeff’s down." As soon as she got the affirmative on all three, she leaped to her feet. "I gotta go." She sprinted from the room before they could reply.

"Where’d she go?" Billy frowned as Test relaxed into the suddenly huge chair.

"I don’t know," he shrugged. "She better come back, though. ‘Cause tonight’s the night I’m gonna get lucky."

Billy grinned. "You looked like you were getting pretty lucky over there anyway."

Test nodded. "She’s hot!"

"Yeah, she is," Billy nodded. "A little young for me, but way to go, man."

Test just grinned and nodded. "Tonight, Billy. Tonight’s the night."

* * * *

Angel burst frantically into the locker room, knowing she might already be too late.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you’re doing bursting in here like that? You’re either very brave or very dumb. So, what’s it to be, girlie?"

Still doubled over and gasping for air, Angel swallowed and spoke. "I need your help."

"Help? We don’t give out no help. You want the APA, honey. Go back in the hall, take a left…"

"No," Angel interrupted. "You are the only ones who can help. Please."

He frowned at her. "Well, I still don’t know whether you’re brave or stupid, but what do you think, Kane? Should we listen to what the girl has to say?"

The man in the mask turned his head towards Angel and spoke in a low voice. "Talk."

Angel swallowed. "You have to go to the ring. You have to stop them. If you don’t, they’ll kill her. They’ll kill my cousin."

The unmasked guy still frowned. "Honey, what in the hell are you talking about?"

"Lita. They’re gonna kill her. Austin and Triple H. You’re the only ones who can help me. Please." She was hysterical and tears were streaming down her face.

Suddenly, the unmasked guy seemed barely restrained. "What do you say, Kane? Should we help this girl? Should we kick Hunter and Austin’s asses?"

Kane nodded slowly. "Let’s go."

And then they were gone.

Angel dropped to her haunches and fell forward onto the ground, sobbing loudly. They were going to help her.

‘It’s going to be okay,’ she told herself. ‘It’s going to be okay.’