Lieutenant Commissioner, a role never been created before in the WWE. Plus, it was being done by a female. She felt proud of that, she'd been able to make decisions about matches, stipulations, be in on business meetings, travel with Mick to discuss the next show. She'd been treated as someone with a brain and a valid opinion, not a dumb blonde. It had been a wonderful change from being seen as just another diva. But Steve didn't treat her as though she was nothing but puppies, he treated her as an equal, as someone to discuss everything with, as someone he loved and trusted.

"But does he still? How can he when he hits you? Just to take out his frustrations with his career? Do you really mean that much to him?" that voice in her head snidely sounded her doubts

No! She pulled herself up abruptly from the couch, big mistake. The pain felt like it was glowing in her back like a beacon, she pressed her make shift ice pack against the sore spots desperately.

"I am not going to get medical help, I am not" she spat out angrily to herself

That would mean explanations to how she got such a bruised back and a black eye, she did not want to get Steve in trouble, he had enough to worry about already. She busied herself with leafing through the rest of the photos left from her memory cabinet. There were ones of her from her days as Lt Commissioner; holding her pie on Thanksgiving dressed as an Native American, talking to Mick backstage, making decisions at her desk, talking to the talent about their matches. It had been so much fun, she really had had a blast doing that, she had felt like she was achieving something; the first woman other than a Mcmahon to have the power to run the WWE.

Then Steve returned. She kept her role as Lt Commissioner but really they both wanted to work together. So the writers divised a plan, she would be The Rock's manager when he and Stone Cold were set to square off for the WWE title at Wrestlemania. It was a good plan, adding spice to their old rivalry. She'd enjoyed working with Steve and Dwayne, they'd created some good moments, she had the pictures; her accompanying the Rock to the ring, caught in an Ankle Lock by Kurt Angle, being saved from a Stinky Face by Rikishi by Steve. But the fans weren't responding so they cut her out, making Steve heel and her annoyed with his association with Vince.

Then came the Alliance and a whole new era for her. She got a whole new wardrobe. No longer stuck in suits, she was given skintight black pants and different style tops that had lots of Steve's details on. She blasted from the past to the present. This had been the most fun for her, she and Steve became comical characters, she baked awful cookies that he hated but everyone else loved, she hit him over the head with a cookie sheet, she carried his belt for him, they argued backstage. Effectively, she played his wife. It made them laugh to do that, they came up with ideas together to make it fun. They'd always spent time backstage together and now they were getting the chance to show it. But this was where the seeds for Steve's departure were sewed; he became a hugely comic character but still retaining his bad ass ring presence. However, after the fall of the Alliance and his babyface turn, he was still comical.

She remembered those days, he'd come into his locker room in a very bad mood

"They got me doing another vignette, no match again!" he'd roar, throwing his bag down

It all built up, even though he was as popular as ever and getting the PPV matches, he wasn't getting the main events and he wasn't getting the title, he wasn't being the best. She remembered that day; it was so clear to her how it happened. She'd woken up and found Steve pacing up and down in the room. He'd told her to pack her bags because they were going back to Texas. She'd asked why and he'd replied that he didn't like what he was doing on TV. She was pretty happy with what she was doing, she was on TV each week, true she was still playing his wife but she was training before each show to try and learn the basics of wrestling, that way she could become a worthy Women's Champion. She'd protested but he'd told her that they were leaving, no questions. She'd packed her stuff and he'd driven them to the airport, J.R had called Steve's cell phone then, desperate to talk some sense into his friend but although Steve had listened to him, he didn't agree and simply told J.R he was going home. And they had

She couldn't remember how the beating had started. She remembered waking up in the morning with a sharp pain in her side, looking at it and being aware that Steve had done it. It had only started happening a week ago, he'd apologise in the morning, saying he didn't know what came over him. She did, it was the beer and the failure he felt at not being able to stay. He was angry with himself for giving up. She remembered when they argued just two nights ago, he'd yelled and sent her flying onto the floor, her knees hurt as she shakily got to her feet. He was not the man she'd fallen in love with and pledged to stay with for the rest of her life. He'd disappeared behind this storm of drinking and sadness. He'd hurt her, not just on the surface either, for not letting her make her own choices.

The last of the pictures fell onto the pile. She pulled her hair away from her face, she was sweating slightly, going over what had happened. She gathered the memories up in her hands and went back into the bedroom, placing them back in the cabinet. Beside the bed was her black suitcase, she'd packed last night after he'd left. Maybe that was what made him hurt her so much, it was the most he'd done. She had to leave. She had to, she loved him still but she had to let him get through this by himself, then she'd come back. She changed into jeans and a long sleeved top, throwing a jacket on over the top. She put her shades on; she didn't want any questions about her eye. She pulled the suitcase to the front door. He'd know she'd gone when he saw their bedroom, lots of her things had disappeared into her suitcase. It was funny; today she'd realised how little her role in the WWE mattered anymore with all the divas that were there now. She loved to work there though, she just loved it. Her two loves intertwined so closely, she had to get away from them both for a while.

SLAM! The door crashed shut behind her.

The End



I do not know whether Steve has been hitting Debra or not but I want to wish them both the best of luck in all they do. My prayers and love are with them, and with anyone who suffers domestic violence and abuse. Thank you Kathy for your strength and support and thank you Fallen Angel for your encouragement, I luv u girl!