Storm Stories
Leaving the Ravyn's Nest
A week had passed since Ravyn had finally been released from the hospital. She was under doctors orders not to even step into the ring for three months. She could barely move with how sore her ribs were. So no matter how badly she wanted to, she physically could not get into the ring even to teach. She was miserable. She tried to spend as little time at the arena as she could, because it only made her want to work. She spent most of her time laying on the hard floor of her livingroom willing the tv to play something watchable. Shannon and JJ came in the door while she was watching Chef Ramsay.
"Please, entertain me," she begged. "Daytime tv is rotting my brain. I think I've seen every episode of Kitchen Nightmares ever made."
Shannon laid down on the floor next to her, gently kissing her cheek, "J's going to make dinner. Do you want anything else?"
"No, just keep me company. I'm so bored," she pleaded.
He smiled, " I'm not going anywhere. How are your ribs?"
"Hurt like a mother fucker," she sighed. "That's why I'm not moving. I'm going to stay right here until bed."
"You know, if you would just take the pain medication you wouldn't be hurting so bad," he reasoned.
She looked at him grumpily, "You know how I feel about pain pills. I'd rather suffer."
"Suit yourself," he shrugged. "I just hate seeing you like this."
She snuggled up to him as best as she could, resting her head on his shoulder, "I'm better with you here."
JJ came into the livingroom and smiled at the two of them on the floor together. "I assume you two want dinner out here?" she asked. Shannon nodded to her and she returned to the kitchen. A minute later she came back with plates of food for the three of them. She sat on the couch and handed everyone their plates. "So how you doing friend?"
"Today I've been asking myself why I didn't drop a brick on Joe's head when I had the chance three years ago," Ravyn only half joked.
"Good question," JJ confirmed. "You let me know if you figure that one out."
"Because I'm a dumb ass," Ravyn concluded. "That's the only answer I could come to."
"I wonder what made him decide to show up now," Shannon thought.
"He's crazy," JJ explained. "And he doesn't know how to take no for an answer."
"Don't let her fool you," Ravyn looked at Shannon. "She doesn't either. If she would have just listened to me in the first place she wouldn't have gotten hurt either."
"I still don't even know what happened in that match," JJ sighed. "I remember parts, but I don't know how I got as hurt as I did. Is there a tape I can watch?"
Ravyn panicked briefly, "No, um, the camera ran out of tape right after your entrances. That night ran really long."
JJ nodded accepting her answer as the truth. She was clearly disappointed that she would never know what really happened. "Well guys I'm going to go work on some stuff. I'll leave you guys to... lay on the floor or whatever you plan on doing," she chuckled. "Night."
They waves goodnight to her as she walked up the stairs. "Why did you lie to her?" Shannon asked.
"What do you mean?" Ravyn countered.
"You told her that the tapes ran out," he said. "And your face says you lied."
"She can't know how bad it was," Ravyn explained. "If she knew what really happened it would ruin her confidence all over again."
"But that means there is a tape. Can I watch it?" he asked innocently.
Ravyn thought for a moment, not sure if she should share the footage or not. "Not now," she replied. "When she falls asleep we can watch it. But it isn't pretty. It wasn't a real wrestling match, is was a brawl."
Shannon nodded in understanding. They lay together on the floor watching Chef Ramsay scream at whomever got in his way for a few hours before Ravyn told Shannon where the tape was. He put it in the vcr and she fast forwarded to the match.
"Ugh," Shannon cringed. "What an ugly son of a bitch."
Ravyn fought laughter, "Ow, stop! They can't all be as handsome as you."
Shannon kissed her gently and rested a hand on her stomach as they watched. Ravyn tried to hide her unease. Soon she forgot that his hand was even there as the match started. Shannon watched in horror as the match went on. Joe was brutalizing JJ, and when she finally started to get the upper hand the worst of it happened. She climbed to the top of the cage, contemplated escaping down to the outside, but decided to attack Joe again. When she turned back to joe she lost her footing and went crashing through a table to the outside off of the cage. The footage showed a bit more. Paramedics tending to her, Ravyn at her side and then it all faded out.
"Wow," was all Shannon could muster.
"I told you it was bad," she said.
"I didn't realize how bad," he admitted. "She's definitely not ready to see that."
Ravyn agreed, "That's why I told her that it doesn't exist."
He kissed her forehead and assured her that she was doing the right thing. Carefully he helped her up and took her to bed.
*****
Ravyn was back at the arena three weeks later. She couldn't do much more than manage with the current state of her ribs. She still had a lot of pain, but she was walking around much better. Sitting at home was just making her crazy with boredom. They had started a program with her managing Lodi, almost mimicking Raven's Flock. Lodi had discovered a rubber ducky at a flea market and carried it around with him. He named it Carlos and made sure the fans knew how much he adored the duck. Shannon was the main competitor of their little stable and Lodi provided the comedy relief. Occasionally Shane would team up with them when they needed another member.
Ravyn had the card all set up for the Sunday show. Shane and Lodi would take on the Outlaws. And JJ would go up against Shannon for stealing her best friend. She relaxed in the office waiting for the matches she was part of. Her mind raced, she couldn't stop thinking about what the doctor had said only a month ago. "Unfortunately you lost the baby," she mumbled to herself. She looked down and put her hands on her stomach. Swallowing hard she fought getting emotional about it. The crowd popped at the end of the match in the ring. She got up slowly and headed to the curtain to meet up with Shane and Brad.
They walked to the ring with Lodi holding up signs and cuddling Carlos. He set the duck down gently in their corner while the Outlaws made their entrance. They brought JJ with them to even the odds. The match went well, each team taunted the other. Billy kept threatening to steal Carlos. At some point in the match he succeeded. He went running to the back with Lodi in hot pursuit, leaving Shane to get cleanly pinned by Brian. Ravyn helped Shane to the back and then paced the floor while she waited for Shannon's match. There was only one match to wait through so she didn't get many laps in. JJ came up and put a hand on her shoulder.
"You okay, friend?" JJ sounded concerned.
"My mind just isn't in it tonight," Ravyn looked down.
JJ's eyes widened and she hugged her friend gently, "It'll be okay. You know I'm here for you, and Shannon would be too if he knew."
"Knew what?" Shannon asked walking up behind them.
"She doesn't feel so hot," JJ covered. "I told her to sit this one out, and that you would agree with me."
He looked at Ravyn with worry in his eyes, "You okay, baby?"
She nodded, "I just over did it today. Standing in the ring really hurt with the bouncing around."
"Go rest," he insisted. "J and I can handle this one."
"I'm just gonna go home," she sighed. "Eddy said he could drop me off on his way home."
"I'll see you in a little bit," Shannon kissed her forehead.
She smiled, "I love you. Make them crazy out there tonight."
"We will," he promised. "I love you, too."
Ravyn waved goodbye to JJ before meeting up with one of her students to get a ride home.
*****
JJ came bursting into the front door of the house two hours later. Ravyn barely glanced up from her magazine. JJ ran around the house looking for Ravyn, who was sitting in her office. JJ appeared in the doorway nearly bubbling over with excitement.
"You'll never guess what happened tonight," JJ bounced up and down giddily. "A scout from the WWF was in the crowd tonight. And I'm going to go with him and work on a developmental contract!"
"J that's awesome!" Ravyn said hugging her friend gently. "I can't believe it! How did I miss him out there?"
"He was way in the back," JJ informed her. "He only came and said something to be after the autograph session. I can't wait. I'm leaving in two weeks!"
"Wow, already?" Ravyn asked.
"Yeah," JJ picked up on the twinge of sadness in her friend's voice. "They want to get me to as many shows as they can. Who knows, maybe you'll see me on tv in a couple of months!"
Ravyn smiled, "I know you'll make it to tv. And I'll watch you every week."
"Thanks friend. I couldn't have done it without you," JJ told her happily.
"That's what friends are for," Ravyn said trying to hide her jealousy.
"I'm gonna go start packing," JJ squealed turning and running up the stairs.
Shannon walked into her office a moment later with two mugs of hot tea. "Kid sure is excited," he nodded after her.
"Yeah, she should be," Ravyn sighed. "It's a big deal. I'm proud of her."
Shannon looked at her knowingly. "I know what you're thinking," he said. "And you have every right to feel this way."
"Some how Joe manages to fuck my life up even from jail," she stewed. "If he would have just stayed gone.."
"It would be you getting the contract and not JJ," he finished her thought. "I was in the match tonight, too. I'm in the same boat as you. But we can't be bitter. Especially now. She needs our support more than ever."
"I know," Ravyn shrugged. "But why the one time a scout shows up, I can barely walk without having to hold my breath because the pain is so bad. It just doesn't seem fair."
He sat down on the couch next to her and pulled her into his lap, "I know babe. I know."
*****
Over the next few weeks they worked towards finishing up JJ's storyline. She and Ravyn halfway made up, but Ravyn remained the heel in the fans eyes. They finished the autograph session after JJ's last show. Many of her fans were upset that she was leaving for the WWF. At the same time they were thrilled that she was being given such a chance. As the last of the fans trickled out of the arena Ravyn locked the door behind them. The rest of the workers set up tables with food and drinks. This was JJ's going away party.
Brian and Billy cracked open the first beers and the party began. They had decided that they were going to get everyone as drunk as possible to celebrate. Music pulsed through the arena as everyone mingled. Ravyn and JJ were parked on a set of folding chairs talking about J's schedule for the first month. Cham Pain was standing with Shannon and Lodi when an dance contest broke out. Marty showed the boys Cham Pain's exotic dance skills to become the unspoken victor of the competition. Ravyn and JJ laughed at the boys being silly.
"I can't believe you leave tomorrow," Ravyn stated.
"I know," JJ grinned. "I'll be back though. You can't get rid of me that easily."
Ravyn smiled, "You better come visit us when you can."
"You know I will," JJ promised. "The first few months will be hard, but after that I'll make sure I come and see you guys."
"You're going to be so busy," Ravyn sympathized with her as the phone rang. "Hang on let me grab that."
Ravyn stood up and walked as quickly as she could manage to the office. She stayed in there for a few minutes before letting Shannon know that the call was for him. She returned to her seat with JJ. "Kanyon says he's really proud of you," Ravyn told her. "And he knows you'll make it big."
"Aw, that was Kanyon?" JJ smiled.
"Yeah he had to talk to Shannon about something," she explained. "Who knows with those two."
Shannon stepped out of the office just long enough to get Ravyn's attention and wave her over. She told JJ to hold on again and headed over to the office. When she got inside Shannon shut the door behind her. She sat down on the couch gingerly, trying to avoid jarring her still sore ribs. He paced between her desk and the couch, unsure of how to word what he was about to say. She noticed his discomfort and started to worry.
"Hun," she interrupted his pacing. "You're making me nervous. And you're wearing ruts in the floor."
"Kanyon just offered me a job with WCW," he blurted out.
Ravyn's eyes lit up, "Baby that's awesome!" she stood up and hugged him as hard as she could handle.
"Really?" he started to smile. "You're not mad?"
"Of course not," she replied. "A little jealous sure. But you really deserve it. As long as I'll still get to see you I'm really happy for you."
He grinned, "You know I can't not see you. Once we settle in I can bring you on the road with us."
She looked confused, "We?"
"Kanyon said he was told to hire ten cruiserweights," Shannon explained. "He asked me to bring someone to work with. So Shane is coming too."
"That's so cool that you'll get to work with Shane," she told him. "We'll have to throw you a party too."
Shannon looked down at his feet, "Well, that's the thing. This will have to be my party too. We're in North Carolina next weekend, and I start with WCW the following Monday."
"Oh," her face fell. "So soon?"
Shannon nodded, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she assured him. "I would be far more mad at you if you didn't follow through with this opportunity."
"Kanyon says the pay rate is really good too," Shannon hinted. "So I shouldn't have to work too hard before we can settle down someplace. Maybe start a family."
His hopeful tone really tugged at her heart strings. But she hid her feelings from him. "I'd like that," she paused. "Did you tell Shane yet?"
"No," he said kissing her. "I wanted to tell you first." she kissed him back, "don't leave him hanging."
Shannon smiled and left the office. Ravyn shut the door behind him and laid down on the couch. She was thrilled for him, really. But she couldn't help feeling like she just couldn't catch a break. She felt like she just wasn't good enough. She knew better though. Circumstances caused things to happen the way that they did. She listened to everyone cheer as Shannon and Shane announced their good news. She just didn't feel much like celebrating anymore. Her heart still hurt from Shannon's mention of starting a family. She had planned to tell him what had happened at the hospital, but now she felt like she couldn't. It would break his heart if he knew he was so close to having that family. And for him to know that it was Joe's fault would be unfair. She couldn't ruin all of the good things that were about to happen for him. She took a few more minutes to collect herself before returning to the party.
*****
Shannon solidified his heel status in North Carolina by proclaiming that he was leaving for the big leagues. And that he was too good for their promotion anyways. The fans ate it up. Shane made a goodbye speech too, but was met with love and well wishes. Ravyn and Shannon spent their last night together for the next few weeks. And the next morning Ravyn was on a plane headed home, alone.