Chapter One
"Beyond Greatness"

Shelton Benjamin tapped the empty water bottle against the table as he leaned back in his chair and glanced at his watch.

"She should've been here already." He said anxiously, "I left her a message an hour ago."

"Relax man, she'll be here." Charlie Haas replied, snatching the water bottle away from Shelton to stop the annoying sound, "You know Mel, she's always fashionably late."

Shelton nodded in agreement, sighing quietly. The only problem with Melony being "fashionably late" was the fact that he needed her here, and he needed her here now .

Melony was one of the very few Divas who actually wrestled her way to the WWE, and was the proud valet of the World's Greatest Tag Team. She was also the key to getting the three of them where Shelton thought they belonged.

At the top.

"What the hell is going on?!" Melony ran over, startling Shelton out of his thoughts, "Is everyone ok?"

"Yeah, we're fine." Shelton rolled his eyes, and Melony groaned as she sat down at their table.

"Geez, Shelton! The way you threw the word 'emergency' around, I thought there was a bomb threat or something!"

"Would I really ask you to meet us in catering if that was the case?"

"Probably!"

Charlie cleared his throat, "I hate to interrupt this genius conversation, but, Shelton and I have been thinking."

"That's never good." Melony smiled, ignoring Charlie's glare, "But continue."

"Mel, I'm serious," Charlie continued, "We're sick of this--all of this. We're the World's Greatest Tag Team for a reason..."

"Cause you're damn good!"

"Exactly! And we know that. But we're also one of the most underused teams on Raw."

"Not just Raw, the whole damn WWE!" Shelton growled, "We're stuck hanging out backstage while Coachman pushes Nitro and Kenny? You know that ain't right!"

"Yes, yes, you're both right! You know I completely agree with that." Melony shook her head, "But what can I do about it?"

Sheltone leaned forward, his arms propped on the table, "We want a shot at the titles. The Hardys are here tonight. Their first night on Raw since the draft." He smiled cockily, "This is our chance to shine, Mel."

Melony smiled, nodding, "You're damn right it is. Let's go talk to Coach now." She started to rise from the table, but Shelton held up a hand to stop her.

"We're not going to talk to Coach," He motioned between himself and Charlie, then pointed at her, "You are."

She raised an eyebrow, "Me? Why just me?"

"You have certain..." Charlie shrugged, "Charms, that Shelton and I don't have."

Mel bit her lip to keep from laughing as she sat back down and crossed her arms over her chest, "You mean I'm hot."

Charlie slapped the table, "Yes! See? I knew she'd understand."

Mel laughed, "You could've just come out and said 'strut your stuff and get us a shot'. You didn't have to go all Jack Bauer."

Shelton laughed, pressing his hands together in praise, "Thank you, Mel, thank you. I knew you'd come through."

"Anything for my boys, Sheltie," She winked, "But before the sexual harassment commences, I need coffee."

"I'll get it." Charlie said, rising from the table, "I need water. Shelton?"

Shelton shook his head, Charlie walked away, and Shelton brought his gaze back to Mel, "You know I hate asking you to do this, Mel."

"Why? It'll be fun!" She smiled, "You know tormenting Coach is one my favorite past times."

He laughed, "I promise you won't regret it. Me and Charlie...we're ready for gold again."

"You've been ready, Shelton." She reached across the table and touched his arm, "I promise you'll get your match tonight. You and Charlie..." She clicked her tongue, "The Hardys won't know what hit 'em."

Charlie ordered one of the Iced coffees he knew Melony liked, as he leaned against the counter and took a sip of bottled water.

The thought of being a champion again made his heart race. Wearing the belt around his waist gave him a sense of honor he didn't think was possible. It had been a long time, but he remembered the feeling. It was like a natural high.

He smiled.

"Can I get a cappuchino and a black coffee, please?"

Not recognizing the voice, Charlie looked up to see a short brunette standing at the counter, bangs hanging in her eyes and waist length brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

Charlie took a step forward, "Excuse me," He smiled, "Are you new?"

She looked up and smiled, "You could say that."

"I thought so." He extended his hand, "I'm Charlie."

"Autumn." She shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."

"You too. Welcome to Raw."

"Thanks." She smiled. Her coffee was set on the counter, and as she went to pay for it, Charlie held up his hand.

"I got it. Just put it with mine." He told the man behind the counter, then turned back to Autumn "Consider it a welcome present from yours truly."

"I like it here already." She smiled even wider, "Thank you, Charlie." She touched his arm lightly before picking up her order and walking away.

Charlie could do nothing but stare as she walked off, then he paid and took Melony her coffee.

Melony put an extra flaunt to her walk as she strode down the backstage halls of the arena. Jonathan Coachman's office was after the next right turn, and she wanted to be in full sex-goddess mode.

She knew damn well Haas and Benjamin deserved a title shot, and if Coach couldn't see that, she was also ready to break him in half.

She leaned against the doorframe and knocked. When Jonathan Coachman opened the door, he nearly fell backwards.

"Hi, Mr. Coachman." She smiled sweetly.

"Melony!" He cleared his throat nervously, adjusting his tie, which wasn't even crooked, "This is a surprise. How can I help you?"

"Well, Coach..." She pushed past him, walked into his office, and made herself comfortable on the black leather couch, "I have a request."

Coach smirked, his eyebrow raised as he leaned against the desk across from her, "Well, I'm sure you know that the Coach is happy to oblige..." His eyes trailed up and down her body, "To absolutely any request you may have, Melony."

"Any request?"

"Any request." He smiled.

"Good." Smiling, she stood up, slowly walking towards him, "As you know, The Hardys were just drafted from SmackDown, here to Raw."

"Uh-huh." Coach nodded.

"And, as you also know, the Hardys are the WWE Tag Team Champions."

"Uh-Huh."

To distract him even more, she played with his tie, "Well, Coach, I want you..." She leaned into him. He nearly had a stroke, "To schedule a match for tonight."

He cleared his throat, "And what match would that be?"

"My boys, The World's Greatest Tag Team, against the Hardys for the titles." She ran her hands over Coach's shoulders, "Can you make it happen?"

"Consider it already done."

"Great. Thanks." She slapped him on the chest and walked out without even a look back.

Damn... She thought, smiling, I'm good.