Think Twice
21 year old Naomi Fenix slipped through the roaring crowd of people heading towards her sister, Jenna Pearson. Jenna waved her hand at the brunette who was almost knocked over in the midst of a small argument between two middle aged men. She was caught mid-fall by her brother-in-law and newly crowned Ultimate Fighter winner, Ross Pearson. Ross' thick British accent wailed out as he stared at those men who had almost knocked her over.
"Blokes watch where you goin', alright?" Ross smiled down at Naomi as the two men threw looks of apology her way. Naomi nodded at them shaking her hand in response and turned her head to look at Ross.
"Thanks Ross." Naomi was American as was her sister. However the two had moved out to England when Jenna was 18 and Naomi was 15. The short, nearly bald cut Ross sported was what had attracted Jenna in the first place.
"No problem, Nami. Now come on I want you to meet someone." Ross chose a simple nickname for the younger girl. She smirked and nodded following close behind him.
Ross' eyes shot across the crowd as the much thicker accent of his trainer bellowed out to reporters and spectators. Wearing his fighting shorts and a white t-shirt Ross pushed through the crowd, grabbing for Naomi's hand. He had explained to Jenna he wanted Naomi to meet the former Ultimate Fighter winner and the now ended season's trainer.
Naomi held onto Ross with her hand in his and her other hand on his arm. She had fixed her blue halter top after being nearly knocked down and even further tugged her skirt down a bit. Her black heels added just a little bit to her height but did not make her taller than Ross.
"Oye! Mike!" Ross yelled at the man whose back was turned to them at the moment. Upon turning he smiled at them, his blue eyes going specifically to Naomi. She smiled back taking him in, blue eyes, short buzzed hair, well defined features. He wore a black dress shirt with the buttons open at the top along with blue jeans and black dress shoes.
"Ross! It's good to see you mate. Who's this pretty little one you got here?" He had extended his hand to Ross, allowing Naomi freedom of her hand again. Her other hand still held onto his bicep so that she wouldn't get dragged away in the sea of people. Ross winked at Naomi out of the corner of his eyes to which she smiled. Ross pulled his hand away and Naomi slipped hers into Michael Bisping's.
"Naomi Fenix, nice to meet you." Naomi smiled wide as Michael gripped her hand tightly and gave her a shy smile. "I'm Ross' sister in law."
"Well then, you're the one I've heard so much about." Michael released her hand and she remained a close yet comfortable distance from him. Suddenly someone pushed between Ross and Naomi forcing her flying into Michael's arms. He caught her easily as Ross had. He clenched his jaw staring at the man who had inevitably shoved her. Not that he minded her being in his arms, but the circumstances did not please him.
"Hey!" One word escaped his lips and the man turned to look annoyed at him as he approached. The man made a move to throw his fist as he walked towards Michael. Ross grabbed his wrist at the proper angle, twisted and yanked him down to the floor, pulling the man's arm into an arm bar.
"Have more respect for ladies, you rude git." Naomi spat viciously down at him and Michael grinned, having allowed her to turn in his arms to speak. Jenna finally wiggled her way through the crowd and stared first at her sister, Michael's hands resting softly on Naomi's waist, then her eyes drifted down to her husband on the floor attempting to break a man's arm.
"Right…so I'm not sure what to ignore first." Jenna's voice was loud enough for both Ross and Naomi to snap out of their daydream. Naomi looked down at Michael's fingertips resting on her hips and looked at Michael who was staring down over her shoulder as Ross released the man's arm. He squeezed her hips lightly before letting go to help Ross up.
"Sorry, babe. Didn't mean for you to see that." Ross said to Jenna who just grinned and shook her head hugging him tight and giving him a once over.
"You did, love. You'll pay later." Jenna's joke made the group laugh except Ross who shot her a look of sadness. Having moved over some to stand beside her sister, Naomi blushed at Michael's eyes on her. A stir of voices rang through the crowd and two pairs of hands lifted Naomi up making her yelp slightly. Looking down she realized it was two people she had known for quite a while. She had worked hard during her time in England and traveled to the United States in her spare time, meeting UFC fighters like the two that were holding her up at that moment.
"Hey, baby girl." His tone was smooth, reassuring and confident. Dark blue dress shirt, blue jeans and black shoes were his ensemble.
"Oh, future wife…I did miss you so." The second man spoke, brown eyes locking onto her green ones. She blushed and ran a hand over each man's head.
"Rich, Dan…please put her down. She's wearing a skirt for crying out loud." Jenna ran a hand through her brown hair and fixed the strap on her black dress. Both men lowered her carefully to her feet. Turning to her right Naomi fixed the white dress shirt of Rich Franklin. He was much taller than her, but not by so much. Dan Henderson stood on her other side, his arms crossed across his chest staring seriously at Michael.
"You look lovely, Rich. Are the others here?" Naomi's voice was kind, firm and loving. His hands fell on top of the ones messing with his shirt. He squeezed her hands and then released them as one hand moved a strand of hair out of her face.
"Maybe…but how about we not worry about them right now, doll?" Rich's fingertips stroked her face softly a moment before his hands caught the ones that had fallen away when he responded.
"Uh…sure." Rich gave Naomi a long hard look that made her finally respond. A loud cough snapped the two from their private conversation. Dan's eyes flitted to Rich's and away, his head turning to look over the crowd.
"Baby girl, why don't you come with me? I think I see Chris from here." Dan smiled as she turned to look at him. She looked back at Rich, who had disappeared into the crowd without warning. Her eyes locked onto Jenna's as she turned back.
"Go have fun. Just text me, eh?" Jenna nodded at her as Ross put his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Okay, Dane, show me the way." Naomi reached for Dan's arm but turned to look at Michael. "It was great to meet you. Maybe I'll see you around."
The brunette winked at him before turning back to grab onto Dan's arm, pulling herself close to him as he walked through the crowd. He looked down at her, a sign of worry and anguish on the opposing coach to the man she had just met's face. Both arms encircled his biceps she squeezed.
"You know I really don't like him." Dan's voice was authoritative as well as caring as he spoke. He placed a hand over the hand that met at the front of his bicep.
"Who? Josh? Yes I know." Naomi responded looking back at him as he shook his head, still picking his way through when a head of buzzed red hair came into view. Tapping on his shoulder caused him to spin and smile at Naomi.
"Nao-mi." He said her name as two separate words. She chuckled, her arms unwrapping from Dan's arm to hug Chris Leben. Dan was barely paying attention as the two conversed. He spotted Rich talking to Naomi's boyfriend, the blonde haired, green eyed Josh Koscheck, also one of the more disliked and hated fighters. Dan watched him throw his hand hands up at Rich, who was poking Josh in the chest and then towards where Naomi stood.
"It's going good like I said." Naomi's voice brought Dan's attention back to her. His last look towards Rich and Josh prepared him as Josh pushed through the crowd towards Naomi.
"Baby girl…" Dan warned touching her shoulder and she looked in the direction he pointed. At the moment his hand dropped Josh emerged looking pouty and puppy-dog eyed. He walked over to her and she smiled, allowing him to lift her up into his arms and kiss her. People around awed at the gesture but Dan looked disgusted as did Chris.
Rich emerged soon after the display ended. His eyes shooting to Dan's and then to Chris'. He shook his head disdainfully at them as Naomi's soft laugh broke through the crowd's noises, Rich's eyes now on the girl he often admired from afar. Taking a deep breath he gave her a smile as she held Josh's hand and looked over at Rich a moment. The smile she gave him back made his heart skip a beat. Dan cocked his head, catching the way Rich seemed to light up the minute Naomi looked at him.
"Ya'll wanna stop doin' that?" A sort of country-touched accent erupted from behind Rich causing the group to turn and look. Naomi bounced out of Josh's arms and straight into Forrest Griffin's. A ripple of jealousy crossed Josh's face.
"Hick boy, I missed you." Naomi whispered when she was able to be closer to his ear. He held her closer a moment smirking at Josh. Turning towards Rich he left her feet up, cradling her before placing her into Rich's arms. Rich gladly took her and Naomi just looked over at Forrest. He shrugged and then grinned.
"He looked like he really wanted to hold you." Forrest responded finally and Josh grit his teeth walking over to Forrest and getting in his face. "Whoa, boy."
"Fuck off, Forrest. She's mine and you know that." Josh was fuming until Forrest snapped his fingers and a videotape was placed into his hand. A girl appeared next to Forrest and Josh went a pale shade of white. Rich's jaw dropped as the tape, girl, and Josh's reaction clicked into place. Setting Naomi down he glanced from the tape to Chris and Dan, both sharing looks of shock.
"Now…Josh you wanna check that tone and that mouth? I think I got something to show Naomi, if you will excuse me." Forrest pushed by Josh and with Dan and Rich backing him up escorted Naomi to the backstage where they found a VCR and TV, placing the tape in the three men stood behind Naomi.
"Oh…god no." Naomi spoke in broken stutters of words, feeling her body weakening as she watched the man she thought loved her having sex with the girl that had handed Forrest the tape. "Did you plan this?"
"No…that girl is a friend. But she did it of her own accord." Forrest's voice was deep, calm and there was a hint of sympathy. Naomi could feel her lower lip trembling as Rich walked over to her, catching her the moment her knees gave way and buckled under. Dan walked over pushing the eject button as Naomi's tear-filled sobs echoed through the room.
"No…Shhh. Doll…Naomi…baby you gotta calm down." Rich whispered to her as he cradled her shuddering figure in his arms. His anger filled him but was suffocated by the way Naomi gripped to him.
"This wasn't the way we wanted you to find out, baby girl." Dan had knelt down beside Rich and Naomi, stroking her hair as Rich held her close, his face scrunched up in sadness. Naomi shook her head against Rich's chest as Forrest kneeled down as well next to Dan.
"You gotta be strong. I know this is hard but you just gotta try for us." Forrest reached out a hand to cover one that held onto Rich's shirt. Squeezing it in response she turned to look at his face.
"I think I might be…pregnant." The words that Naomi croaked out spun the three men into fury and hurt for her.
"I'm going to kill him." Dan's voice was coarse, angry, and as he stood Naomi moved from the frozen Rich's arms to stop Dan. Forrest helped her stand and put his hand on her lower back to support her.
"It's not worth it." Naomi had her hands on his chest as she spoke. Lifting his clenched fists, his hands uncurling so that his palms could hold her tear-stained cheeks. Sighing he nodded finally but a realization came to him making him speak.
"Where's Rich?" Upon asking Naomi whirled around, looked at the two men as they walked out the door and checked the halls. Shaking their heads in confusion Naomi slapped them in the chest.
"JOSH!" The two yelped out rubbing their chests. Taking off with Naomi running to grab the tape and then high-tailing it after Dan and Forrest. Having calling to warn a few other fighters and friends of what was to go down, Dan and Forrest emerged from the back stage looking for Rich over the crowd of people. Naomi saw him before Dan or Forrest, taking off towards him without care who she shoved into. He was mere inches from grabbing onto Josh's arm to chuck him into the cage when Naomi appeared between them. Turning Josh stared at Rich's face, now contorted in pure rage.
"What…" Josh began but Naomi turned shoving the tape into his hands, her body shaking as Dan, Forrest, Chris, Ross, Jenna, and Michael burst from the crowd.
"You sick, egotistical bastard…I hate you. No, wait, I don't. Hate implies I actually give a shit about you, but like your lack of feelings for me, I simply don't care. Oh…and I hope I'm wrong that I think I'm pregnant because if I'm not wrong, I plan on letting everyone that wants to get their hands on you do just that." As Naomi spoke every jaw of those around her dropped except Dan, Forrest, and Rich.
"I swear to god if I ever…EVER see you near her again I will break every bone in your body…twice." Rich's voice drifted from behind Naomi but came through with a hateful edge.
"And we won't stop him." Dan yelled over to Josh, who now stood with a mixed look of shock, annoyance, and frustration.
"Why do you care, Naomi? You were fuckin' Rich!" Josh lashed out as Naomi turned away and everyone gasped. In the next instant Naomi's fist connected with the arrogant fighter's face.
"No, Josh, no! Because unlike you I could keep it in my pants." She spat out at him as he clutched his nose in pain.
"Is everything alright over here?" A man's voice broke the frozen state of shock on those watching as Naomi held her fist in slight pain.
"Dana, this bitch broke my nose." Josh managed to get out, having dropped the tape in the scuffle. It had been picked up by the President of the UFC, Dana White. Running a hand over his bald head he looked from the tape in his hand, then to Josh and finally on Naomi being surrounded by the fighters and her sister.
"Well…I'm guessing you deserved it. So quit bitching and go get yourself fixed up and shut up." Dana's words caused Josh to gasp and others to cheer and applaud Dana. Josh shoved his way through the crowd, anger and humiliation on his face.
"Ross, Rich, Chris, Michael, Dan, Forrest…I'm going to assume there really is a good reason for why that jackass has a broken nose." Dana said as he approached the group around Naomi. Rich was cradling Naomi's fist in his hand and paid no attention to those around them. Dan's voice was vague as he could comprehend he was explaining what had happened.
"You gotta promise me you won't waste your time or your health by punching him…again." Rich smiled as Naomi nodded; clenching and unclenching her fist to ensure nothing had been broken. Rich would simply step back one step with a sigh. Dan catching this as well. Forrest knew Rich cared deeply about Naomi. In fact he knew Rich was falling in love with her more and more every day the two spent together.
Watching the way Rich stepped back from Naomi irked Forrest enough that he walked over to his friend's side and pointed at Michael, who was now hugging Naomi and laughing. Rich looked over at Forrest before crossing his arms across his chest and looking back.
"You know you love that girl…so why do you continue to hide your feelings and torture yourself?" Forrest's straight forwardness caused Rich to drop his arms from his chest and look at him, mouth half-agape.
"Forrest…I-I don't know what you are talking about." Rich managed to finally get out and Forrest rolled his eyes, shaking his head and walking away. He wouldn't force Rich to admit his feelings to and for Naomi. He was hoping fate would do its part.
Dan would continue to watch Naomi talking to Michael. A man he personally believed was just as egotistical as Josh. However he knew Michael was not as deviously cruel nor would he cheat on her. Though the main fact remained that the majority of UFC fighters like Michael, Rich, Forrest, Chris, and Dan himself, along with many others were married.
The gravitational pull Naomi had on Rich and Michael was not uncommon. Even Dan got twitchy and bothered when Naomi walked into his office in nothing but short black shorts and a tight black tank top. He could see how she cared for and loved all the fighters that had come into her life. She was everything in a woman one could wish for. Walking over he pulled Naomi away from Michael dragging her a bit before she found her feet. Rich and Michael stared in wonder and slight annoyance.
"Listen, baby girl…you know they are married. You aren't a ring rat. Take a break, step back, and take time away from Josh to think. Feel free to come to my house…or wherever. Just don't do something you'll regret." Dan explained as he steered away from the group and Naomi nodded hugging his side as they walked.
"I think I'll spend like two weeks with Ross and Jenna and then to Ohio for some visiting." Upon the mention of Ohio, Dan threw his hands up in the air. Ohio was where she was from but it was also where Rich's training center was.
"I'll be there then." Responding in an almost parental tone Naomi patted his chest softly and staying close to him.
"I'll behave I promise." Naomi's soft smile convinced the fighter enough as the two would disappear to relax in Ross' room until it was time to go.
So here it is my first chapter of this new story. Again forgive me for my lack of finishing other ones. To everyone sending me pms, thank you, I'd love to help, collaborate, and do what I can. Thank you for those who have favorited me. ^^ Hope you enjoy this ride. It comes from a special place.
Much Luv,
Animus Patronus
