Hello, lovely readers!
Hope you all have had a lovely week so far and are ready for No Mercy on Sunday. I kinda love this whole PPV every two weeks situation because of the brand split. More wrestling makes me happy.
Also, how did we reach 100 reviews?! Thank you all so much! My readers are literally the best!
Nattiesbroskette – There's tonnes to take in… especially when you discover your team mate has a split personality.
Oakland89 – Aww thank you
Tantoune – At least she's all clued up and knows what's going on. She might be able to understand everything much better now
Magikat – I'm giving small glances at Moxley until I fully let him loose. She definitely has no idea what she's in for. Dean is a pussycat compared to Jon Moxley
Mandy – At least she can approach him a little more knowledgeable
Raquel the writer – It isn't, but it gives more of an idea as to why he's the way he is
GeorgiaDeanGirl – She will! Georgie is a smart girl. She'll solve all this
Guest – Thank you! So glad to hear you're enjoying this
Espeon44 – They've already debuted!
Rams30 – Yes, eventually
Rkosgirl1 – I think things will be easier for her to handle now she knows about Moxley. She now has a reason for the way Dean is
Ambrose-kohli-girl – Georgie is a clever girl and a friendly girl, so she won't go into this guns ablazing. She's tried that once and it didn't work. She needs to be much softer in her approach
Ambroserollinsgirl – Dean is being a total ass, but we all know he'll come round in the end
MizzHellKat – That is the official mission name haha!
Dawnie-7 – Definitely! Georgie saw it in his face, she saw that moment of weakness. And now she knows about Moxley, she can really try to get through to him
Crazy-wild-and-free – Dean is ridiculously back and forth, and hot and cold. But Georgie is a little wiser now. She has new information on him that could benefit her greatly.
KaylsDaughterOfHades - It's like he's slowly being broken down, a slight hint of his real self being shown. He just needs to get over his prejudices and accept Georgie into the team.
This chapter is named after 'Keeping Your Head Up' by Birdy
Georgina Hale's Point Of View
As I sat on my bed in my hotel room that night cuddled up against my pillow, I held my phone to my ear and impatiently waited for my call to be answered. My head was everywhere right now, heading in more directions than I could count or follow, so I called the one person I wanted to speak to more than anyone else.
This person was my rock, my best friend, my biggest cheerleader. And if anyone could help me out, it was her.
Finally, my call was answered.
"Hello?" came a familiar voice.
"Hey, it's me," I said with a smile.
"Georgina! Sweetheart!" My mom's voice beamed down the phone. She always called me Georgina, never Georgie. "Oh my god, how are you, honey?"
"I'm good, mom," I said. "I just thought I'd call and check in with things. How are you?"
"I'm well," she said and I could hear the smile in her voice. "Work is busy but it always is. Missing you, angel. How's things with WWE? I saw you on TV last night. I was so proud, you kicked that poor blonde girl's butt."
I chuckled lightly. "I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, things are going good. It's very full on but it's worth it."
"How's Becky?" she asked. My mom loved my best friend. We'd always try and visit her a few times a year back in NXT and I'd occasionally go to Ireland to see Becky's folks. We were all one big happy family.
"She's good," I replied. "She sends her love."
"And those boys you wrestle with," she said. "The ones with the wet hair. How are they?"
I knew she was referring to The Shield and even though I knew this conversation was coming, I was dreading it. I wished I could say things were fine and lovely and wonderful, but I couldn't lie to my mom. Every time I did, the woman could see right through it so I learnt early on in life to never bother lying to her.
"Things could be better."
"Oh, honey. What's wrong?"
"Things with Roman and Seth are great," I explained. "They've really taken me onboard and welcomed me to the group."
"Is Roman the tall good looking one?" she asked.
I couldn't hide the smirk from my face or the way my eyes rolled. My mother had no filter; she said it as it was.
"Yes, mom. Roman is the tall good looking one."
"Ooh, I like that one, sweetheart. Well if they've taken you onboard then what's the problem?"
"It's Dean," I said.
"Which one is that again?"
"The one with shorter hair."
"Oh, he's rather good looking too, honey. A bit rough round the edges but he has pretty eyes."
I shook my head in amusement. "Maybe. But he doesn't like me, mom."
"What do you mean? Why?"
"I don't know," I explained. "He's… distant. He barely speaks to me, he gets angry with me and he's outright told me that he doesn't want me in the team."
"I've changed my mind," said my mom. "He's ugly… and dirty… and his eyes are too small."
I smiled. My mother never failed to cheer me up.
"I just don't know what to do, mom."
"Georgina, you have always been a bright, warm and friendly person. Even when you were a little girl, you were friends with practically every child in your class. People are just drawn to you, and even though this Dean seems distant now, he'll come round. They always do."
"But what if he doesn't?" I ask. "This could be my job on the line."
"He will, sweetheart," she promised. "How can he not? You're my little Georgina, the greatest person I know. You've won two of them over, right? And you're doing wonderful in the ring. He'd be a fool not to want to get to know you. If anyone can bring him out of his shell, it's you. I have faith."
"I hope so."
"Just get to know him," she suggested. "Small talk. Think of a topic that can lure him into a conversation. A mutual interest, a favourite TV show, wrestling. Anything. It'll work."
"Fingers crossed," I said half heartedly.
"Just keep trying, honey," my mom said softly. "If anyone can win him round, it's you. Keep your head up."
I couldn't help but smile as I held the phone, my mom's optimism and confidence in me always a great boost to my spirits. My mother was the type of woman to see the good in everyone and see the light in every situation. And she always had faith in me. I sometimes wished I had her cheerfulness and hopefulness.
"Thanks, mom," I said. "Listen, I'll call you later in the week, okay?"
"Okay, Georgina," she said. "I look forward to it. I love you."
"Love you too, mom. Bye."
I ended the call and dropped my phone onto my bed.
I hoped beyond hope that my mom was right and that I could finally get through to Dean. Now that I knew about Moxley, my mission was a hell of a lot harder. It was like I had two people to win over rather than one, and from what I'd seen of Moxley he was going to be a hell of a lot tougher than Dean. As much as he denied it and said that his rescue of me at the bar meant nothing, I knew it did.
If he hated me as much as he protested that he did, he would not have got involved that night. He knew I was with Sasha and Becky, and he knew as a wrestler I could handle myself, so he had clearly got involved under his own volition. He wanted to help, a small part of him wanted to take care of me, and that meant Dean was slowly being won round. I was certain of it.
But Moxley was a different story. He was angry, disagreeable and was not afraid to make his opinion known. He was going to be a tough cookie to crack so I had to keep my mom's words and encouragement in my head.
I had to break Dean down and win both him and Moxley round. I was determined to. As much as both of them pissed me off and annoyed me with their cold attitudes, I had to remain optimistic.
I sighed, standing up and grabbing for my jacket, slipping it on. I needed to get out and clear my mind, ready to begin a fresh tomorrow. So I reached for my purse, grabbed my key and left my room figuring I'd go outside to a store. After everything that had happened I was feeling sorry for myself so I wanted to buy candy, junk food and soda. I may be a wrestler but I was also a girl, so tonight I wanted to pig out and make myself feel much better.
I walked down the long and empty corridor, heading into the direction of the elevator, stopping in my tracks and taking a tentative step back once I got there. I peaked forward again, my eyes landing on Dean Ambrose standing by the closed elevator doors, clearly waiting for it to arrive.
Typical…
I swallowed nervously, seeing that if I wanted to leave the hotel, I'd have to confront him and wait with him. A part of me considered lingering and waiting for him to get the elevator alone whilst I got the next one. But my mom's talk convinced me that running and hiding was not going to help. I needed to face the situation head on, and that meant talking to Dean when possible.
So I took a deep breath and continued on, heading towards Dean and the elevator.
"Hey," I said in greeting, my body facing the closed metal doors.
From the corner of my eye I saw him turn his head in my direction before it quickly turned back again.
"Georgina," he said as a way of hello.
"You going down?" I asked.
"I was planning on it," he replied.
"Mind if I join you?"
He shrugged. "Do what you want. It's a free country."
I took this as something positive as he wasn't exactly saying no or pushing me away. He was leaving the choice up to me and that was more than I'd ever got from him before. So I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
"Where you going?" I asked curiously. I figured starting up a conversation would be a good way to bring down his defenses and find my way in.
"I want cigarettes," he said monotonously.
"I didn't know you smoked," I replied. "I was just-"
But I was cut off as the elevator doors opened and Dean stepped inside. Sensing I'd have to do the chasing here I quickly followed after him. The doors closed behind us and Dean pressed the button for the ground floor. The button lit up as the elevator slowly began to move.
I rested back against the mirrored wall, my hands behind me as I watched him curiously.
He was definitely Dean right now, the venomous look in the eyes of Moxley nowhere to be seen. So this was a good start. Granted, he hadn't looked at me yet or uttered more than a few words, but considering how he treated me during the first few days of our meeting, this was definitely progress. Back then he couldn't even bare to be in the same room as me. But now he had kind of agreed for us to share an elevator. Things already seemed ten times better.
Knowing about Moxley was good as I knew not to trigger him, but cracking Dean was still pretty difficult. So I continued on trying to make a conversation.
"I was going to the store to get some candy and some snacks," I tried. "I know I could probably call room service, but I prefer the walk."
"Good for you," he said.
"Fresh air is good after being cooped up inside for most of the day."
"Uh-huh."
"I was just on the phone to my mom and I haven't spoken to her for days so-"
"Do you always try to make small talk like this?" he asked, his eyes finally settling on me.
"I… no…" I swallowed. "I just… thought I'd try to get to know you a little and let you get to know me."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because we're team mates," I said. "And we have to work together."
"Stop fucking reminding me," he muttered.
I looked closely at him, staring particularly at his face. Stubble covered his chin and jaw where he hadn't shaved in a few days. His baby blue eyes were bright as they looked at me, his fluffy brown hair hanging over his forehead. Dean definitely gave off an angry, strong and cold persona, but I had to believe I could break that and get down to the real Dean inside.
Roman and Seth had often told me that he was a great guy, so I wanted to see the reasons why they thought that.
"You know something? I don't think you're as standoffish or as angry or as cold as you make yourself out to be," I suggested.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I think it's all a persona, a shield to protect yourself," I said. "I think you're probably a decent guy deep down."
"You don't know anything about me," he accused, his voice raising a little. I wanted to recoil but I stood my ground. "So stop pretending you do."
"If you weren't, you wouldn't have helped me the other night," I said. "And if you hated me that much, we would not be sharing an elevator and you wouldn't be talking to me right now."
"I'm talking to you because you won't shut up," he said, tapping his foot impatiently. "And if this elevator moved a little fucking faster, this conversation would be over a lot sooner."
"What's your issue?" I asked. "I know you hate the whole angle of expanding the group and the fact that I'm female, but you saw the reaction I got on Raw. They loved me out there and I more than proved myself. If Seth and Roman can get onboard with this, why can't you?"
He growled to himself and looked away, resting back on the wall behind him, his foot still tapping.
"Why does it matter? I feel the way I feel, nothing will change that."
"Because last night proved this isn't as black and white as I first thought it was," I said.
"I wish you would stop bringing up last night," he mumbled.
"Why do you feel this way, Dean?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I fucking hate change," he finally admitted. "Change sucks, it's shit, it never ends well."
"Change can also be good," I suggested.
"No it can't," he argued. "Change is never good. At no point in my life has change been a positive. So having you here won't end well and I don't like it."
"You can't know that," I said. "Besides, if Raw is anything to go by, me being here is a good thing."
"I do know that!" he stated loudly as the elevator finally came to a stop, the doors sliding open. "And you talking to me right now isn't helping."
He quickly stepped out the elevator and began walking away, but I quickly followed him, my shorter legs miraculously keeping up with his strong and long strides. I wasn't letting him go, especially with how things were right now. I could tell he was annoyed and aggravated but I needed to calm him down and settle this.
We stepped outside the hotel, the brisk cold of the empty street at night hitting my skin causing goose bumps to appear.
"I'm just trying to get to know you," I called after him.
He stopped walking and turned to glare at me, bending down until we were on eye level.
"Well stop it," he said. "I don't want to get to know you. I never want to get to know you. And the last thing I want is you in our fucking team."
"Then why did you help me last night?" I asked.
He threw his arms up in exasperation.
"For fuck's sake! Stop bringing up last night!" he yelled. "I did it for Seth and Roman, not you."
"I don't believe that," I said, trying my very hardest to keep my voice level. It was difficult, the need to raise it and argue back very overwhelming in that moment.
"Then you're a fucking idiot," he growled. "And you need to leave me alone."
"What if I don't want to?" I asked.
"Don't try me, kid," he threatened. "The last thing you wanna do is try me."
I didn't appreciate this, his words venomous and dangerous, an underlying warning swimming in them. I'd done nothing wrong; all I'd tried to do was get to know my work colleague. And he had yet again thrown it back in my face.
So I fought back with the only weapon I had.
"What you gonna do? Unleash Moxley on me?"
Dean fell silent at that. He blinked, staring at me so intently it felt as if he was burning a hole through my skin. I suddenly felt naked, indicating to him that I knew his biggest secret. It was risky to have mentioned it but it was only fair he knew.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at me before a knowing smirk slid onto his lips.
"So Roman and Seth told you, huh?" he asked. "I knew they wouldn't keep their mouths shut."
"I'm not scared of him, you know," I said bravely, holding my head high. "And I'm not scared of you either. I'm gonna get through to you. I promise."
"Then you're even more of an idiot than I first thought," he said before he turned on his heel and continued walking down the street.
Again, a huge thanks to nattiebroskette, Oakland89, Tantoune, Magikat, Mandy, Raquel the writer, GeorgiaDeanGirl, Guest, espeon44, Rams30, rkosgirl1, ambrose-kohli-girl, ambroserollinsgirl, MizzHellKat, Dawnie-7, crazy-wild-and-free and KaylsDaughterOfHades for their reviews