As the time drew closer and closer, all he could imagine was Jessica's face being slamed into the canvas. Whoa, that sounded a bit gory. Let's tone it down a bit. As the time drew closer and clcoser, all he could imagine was himself hooking Jessica's leg. It was what he attempted to imagine the whole day, before any of his matches, but for some reason, this one was a lot harder to do. He had been in plenty matches against plenty of people who clearly had more experience then he did. Jade, Dark Child, Evan Pierce, hell, he had even beaten Emerald before she became what she is today. For some reason, unlike so many of the rest, he knew this would be one of his better matches, with one of his better opponents, even if he didn't win.

Just because Zarek had this realization, it didn't mean Jessica would be getting an easy win, it didn't mean Zarek would be coping out of the match, and it didn't mean he'd half ass it, like with Emerald. It didn't mean she would win, period. Just because you admit to your opponent having atleast some shred of talent in them, it doesn't mean they have enough to get the job done.

"A coffee and a doughnut." It was a stranage order, to say the least, especially for Zarek who had never particularly enjoyed doughnuts in the first place. But it seemed to him that this order, was that of a workman's. It was what you expected from a construction worker. A man to walk in, wearing a hard hat, and yell out the same order as he did. All the same, it was Zarek's so called 'breakfast of champions' today.

From the cafe' he headed straight for arena, Wondering exactly how much time he had left before his match. He never carried a watch around anymore, because he had soon come to realize that time was the enemy. To short had his BUDvision title reign been, to long Emerald has held his title, and for too long Zarek has been away from it. Not to mention the fact that there were never enough hours in a day that would allow him to do what he intended to do. He had so many goals, and so little time to accomplish it all

As he walked into the doorway of Bytches Ultimate Domain, he was spotted by one of the annoying reporters that lurk around backstage for some 'interesting' story to scoop up. For awhile now, they had been wanting to get a word with Zarek, concerning the whole 'fall from grace' deal, and now that he had publicly stated his 'return to grace', it made these vultures strive even more for a word. "Oh, Zarek. Zarek Lyle. I've been waiting for you for quite some time now. I was simply wondering if I could get a word with you about a few things. Mainly concerning Jessica Michaels and your intentions for Rage and Retribution..."

Zarek kept his pace up, and kept walking by the reporter, it's what he always did. "You can only ignore us for so long, Mr. Lyle" said the reporter, chasing after him.

In truth, she was all together correct, there was only so long that someone could ignore the flying rumors, and the chasing voices. Another example given to us by the evils of time, itself. Zarek suddenly spun around, and ended up face to face with the unknown reporter. She made a slight yelp, because of the unexpected change of heart, but she was confused more than anything else. She looked at Zarek with pleading eyes, hoping he would stay, "Look, I know I don't have as much time as you'd like me to have, in order to do this, so we're going to have to get this over with as soon as possible. The only thing I want is just for people to stop talking, and I suppose I have to shake hands with the devil in order for that to happen, don't I? So, what is it you want?"

"A...All I want is to ask you a couple of questions. It won't take too long I promise, it won't even take as long as you think it will..."

"Will you please just ask your questions? You're wasting time."

"Right. First off, everyone knows that ever since Emerald has taken the BUDvision strap off of your waste, you haven't been able to get it back. Your only attempt in doing so far has ended in disaster. Do you plan on picking yourself up and trying again, or has the tragedy from last match left you licking your wounds?"

"First of all, I say this time and time agan, but Emerald was only able to win that match at 4:20 because she had Nova on her side. I'm man enough to admit my defeat at Vendetta, but that doesn't make her better that me. Excluding 4:20, considering Nova got involved, that makes us tied, Emerald seems to be forgetting that part. No matter how many times she thinks it didn't happen, it was I who defeated her to become champion in the first place. There may have been other people in the match, but it was over the top rope, and when it came down to the final two, Emerald and myself, it was just a regular match between us two. Obviously, she needs to constantly be reminded of this, because she seems to forget. It's proof that I've beaten her, fairly, before and I can do it again. No matter what happens, Rage and Retribution will be the night I take it back."

"And what about your vow? I do rightly remember you promising Emerald that you won't only take your BUDvision championship back, but you'll also be taking something of hers. Many believe you were thinking something along the lines of the Tag Team Championships. Is that true, and if so, wouldn't you need a partner in order to do that?"

"Emerald took something from me, that I held dearly, so after I take that back, I believe it only fair that I take something of hers with me. If that has to be the Tag Team Championships, then so be it. I really don't care if Nova is a legend, and the World Heavyweight champion. Eventually I will make Emerald feel the same way I felt at 4:20. Bust rest assure, I won't stoop to her level and use blinding powder in order to do so. As for the tag team partner, it really doesn't matter who it is. All that matters is that they can get the job done."

An intrigued feeling raised the reporters eyebrow, "What's this relationship with yourself and Dante Cross?"

Zarek smiled, "It's simple really, we both share the same views, and the same goals of relieving the Caine's of their gold. Dante takes care of Nova and his World Heavyweight Championship, while I focus on Emmy and my BUDvision strap. It all works out a little to perfect, actually. From after Emerald was pinned in the 12 person battle royal, until 4:20, she was training with Nova, a legend, former World champ, future World champ. Dante has given me what I need to match Emerald in that department. A legend, former World champion, trainer of my own. True, Dante can be sly, but I think he dislikes the Caine's just as much as I do."

"And this out of the blue acceptance to Jessica Michaels' challenge."

Zarek's face widened. "Jessica is looking to get back into the game, the same as I am. True, she's been actually out of action, and I've been here the whole time, but that doesn't make it any less true. She issued an open challenge, and a graciously accepted, because that's what Jessica is to me, a challenge. She obviously has talent, potential to become the next Bytch Champion, experience, and so on. So why wouldn't I take her up on her open offer, and push myself, in order jump back into competition? I respect her for what she's done for BUD thus far, and what she will probably do in the future, but I'm trying to make a new for myself here. Besides, she's a former, or current, whatever, Caine girl, and if you can't see the underlying meaning in that situation, then take a second glance."

"I never expected her to not give this match her all. I know she's too smart to walk into a match, unknowning of her opponent, and not do herbest. I've seen what she can do against Dannica, and I know some people consider it to be one of the best matches of the year. Even Dannica, herself, has pronounced Jiessica as a formittable opponent, so why would I begin to think otherwise? I've seen her against Nova, as well as others, and I know she can handle herself."

"In one word, how would you describe her?"

"Fighter."

"Oh really?"

"Of course, would you honestly attempt at descrbing her to be anything else. She's fought with Dannica countless of times, but has yet to win the big one. Although she can't seem to pull one over on her current tag team parnter, she still keeps on going. Nova's threatened her time and time again, yet she refuses to back down. Through it all, she still remains in BUD, fighting her to wherever it is she believes she belongs on the ladder. You have to respect someone with a mentality such as that. A challenge is what she has been known to be, and a challenge is what I am expecting to see. I'll be disappointed to recieve anything else."

"Yes Jessica, you are not like most of the other girls, here, but it's another reason why I respect you as much as I do. You're a female who is making her own way in the buisness, fairly, on her own times. Like Dannica, Amethyst Jane, and so on. You're not like Genna, Miss VixXxen, or Kandy Kane, the females who tend to play to the stereotypes, but you're different. I know you are capable of something more, and that's what I'm looking for. I want you to go all out in this match, because when I, I mean, if I win, I want to know that I earned the win. No doubt, you'll make me work for it, and like I said, that's what I like about you."

"But what's all this about counting my chickens before they hatch? She's one to talk. Is there one time that she put any doubt in herself, or said she wouldn't win. No, actually, is there any moment where she shed some light that I could possibly walk out with my hand raised. Yet, I shouldn't be 'counting my chickens before they hatch'. Maybe you should take your own advice for once, eh Jessica?"

"So what do you say the outcome of your match will be?"

Zarek looks at the unknown reportor and shrugs his shoulders. "The outcome, well, who really knows? Jessica is going to say that she's going to win, and of course I am going to say that I will win. We both respect each other, and we both acknowledge the fact that the other has talent, but it's the pride factor that pulls us back from saying otherwise. We both know we're going to bring it all to thar ring tonight, but at the same time, we both know we'll leave it all in the ring. There's something different between us two though. Yes, we both share the same sort of competitors respect, we both share the same comeback match, against one another, but I simply, want it more. I'm on my way back up the ladder to take my strap back, and it's as simple as that, really. I have something to prove, something waiting for me at the other end of this match, and all I can see for Jessica at the other end, is keeping her pride intact. I'm in my rookie year, and hell, I'm the 'rookie sensation', it's my time to show you why."

Just then, from off camera, a man with a headseat came around the corner.. "Zarek, you're on in five minutes, we need you on deck."

"I see my time has all been wasted, and now my match is up, well, I guess I'll see you afterwards, you can ask me how the match was, then."

 "Four minutes, Mr. Lyle."

The scene fads as the backstage manager leads Zarek off camera.