A/N - Thanks for the great reviews last chapter! Honestly, they've been great and the back and forth conversations with you guys have really gotten me thinking about where this story is going to go. I have some great ideas now, so thanks so much. Oh and keep them coming! I love hearing from you guys!
Enjoy!
"Hey jackass, wake up," a familiar voice said, nudging Randy awake.
Randy blinked quickly, smiling when he recognized the face in front of him. "April Jeanette," he smirked, knowing just how much she hated the use of her full, real name. "As I live and breathe."
AJ frowned menacingly as she punched him in the arm. "Hello to you too Randall Keith," she fired back, returning the favor.
Randy chuckled slightly as he stared down the former diva. The pair maintained the gaze for what felt like minutes, broken only when Randy blinked.
"Ha!" AJ exclaimed cheerfully. "I win, I always win."
Randy rolled his eyes before gesturing for AJ to take the empty seat next to him.
AJ tilted her head as she remained standing.
"What?" Randy asked. "I offered you a seat, isn't that enough?"
"Nope," AJ said simply. "You owe me something else and I'm not sitting anywhere near you until I get it."
Randy sighed, a smile on his face though. AJ was a tough cookie to crack. It was something he had always admired about the petite brunette. She was never afraid to speak her mind and never afraid to stand her ground to get what she wanted. Randy had learned that firsthand.
His and AJ's paths first crossed in 2013 at Night of Champions, back when both were at the top of their profession. As part of what Randy considered an 'obligation' to being a title holder, both were forced to attend the annual Night of Champions Dinner that Vince liked to host the day after the September PPV.
It wasn't a very highly regarded event, especially for someone like Randy. He hated formal events and had been to more than his share of those dinners to last a lifetime. So like he usually did, Randy stuck by the bar for most of the night, avoiding small talk at every chance he got and unleashing the Viper when needed.
But there was one person who didn't seem to get the memo, who didn't seem to understand that he wanted to be left alone. And she wasn't intimidated or afraid of the Viper. As she told it, he wasn't the only one to have a little bit of crazy locked inside. They didn't call her the Black Widow for nothing.
Randy turned back to where AJ was still defiantly standing. He'd be damned if he gave in so easily.
"Sit or not, that's your choice," he said casually.
AJ stood her ground for a few more seconds before frowning again. "Randy," she pouted, her lips pursed.
"Dammit," Randy said as he looked at her face. She had mastered that pout and he'd be lying if he said he was immune to it. In fact, he found it cute. And that was part of what always seemed to get him into trouble as far as she was concerned.
Randy took a quick glance around the arena before standing up and looking back at her.
He smiled.
She smiled back.
"Just shut up and give me a hug already," AJ demanded, practically jumping into his arms. Like always, she was determined to get what she wanted. And as Randy reluctantly hugged her back, like always, he was powerless to deny her anything, especially something as simple as a hug.
The two held the embrace for longer than they should have but Randy didn't care. The truth was, he was really, really happy AJ was there. When she finally pulled away from the hug, he again offered her the seat and this time, she happily accepted.
"So, care to tell me why you were sleeping?" AJ prodded as she absentmindedly twirled her hair.
"I wasn't sleeping," Randy said defensively. "I was just, resting my eyes."
"Uh huh, sure," AJ smiled as she leaned over and pulled something off of Randy's chest. She lifted it up, showing it to him.
"What the hell?" he asked as he took the popcorn kernel from her hand.
"If you weren't sleeping, why didn't you notice those two guys over there throwing popcorn kernels at you for the past, oh I don't know, 15 minutes?" AJ asked with a smirk.
Randy quickly turned to the direction of the two men and recognized them as NXT's Enzo and Cass. He gave them the death glare and almost instantly the pair dropped the bag of popcorn and scattered to the opposite side of the arena.
Angrily, Randy pulled another stray kernel off of his shirt before turning back to AJ. "Why the hell did you wait 15 minutes to tell me those idiots were throwing shit at me?"
"Calm down Viper," AJ said as she put her head on his shoulder. "Remember why we're here. You can beat up those guys later."
Randy sighed. There was something calming about AJ's presence. And she was right. Today was not the day. He wished it was though. Enzo and Cass weren't the only ones who had gotten on his nerves. In fact, the list had been getting quite long.
"They're lucky I'm not heartless," Randy said. "But seriously, I knew there was a reason I had always hated Seth's stupid friends. Those guys are going to learn real quick if they ever get promoted that I'm not someone you want to mess with."
AJ smiled. "I love it when you get all heated. It must make the ladies go crazy."
Randy smirked. "Never worked on you though, did it?"
"Nope," AJ laughed. "I'm too smart for that. Besides, we would have never worked. You never would have put up with me totally getting four pieces of popcorn in a row in that stupid mouth of yours. Did you know you sleep with it open? Totally made those shots so much easier."
"Dammit AJ," Randy said, his temper starting to rise. "I knew you were," he paused, a smile cracking his face. Just as quickly as the anger came, it seemed to subside. Randy laughed to himself, and people think I can't control it.
"You know, you're the only person who I'd let get away with that without getting an RKO," he said, just a hint of viciousness in his voice. "But even you only get one so don't do it again. Got it?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Viper sir," AJ teased.
Again, Randy rolled his eyes. "I hate you."
"You love me," AJ corrected.
"Yeah whatever," Randy said, turning his attention back to the ring for the first time since his little nap an hour or so ago. When he did, he nearly fell out of his seat at the person he saw. Standing in the center of the ring next to Hunter and Steph was none other than Dustin Rhodes, more commonly known as Goldust.
"Once again, Hunter and I, on behalf of the entire WWE, want to thank all of you for your beautiful words and touching tributes," Steph said. "I am beyond words. The love for Dusty that permeates through this room is truly something remarkable. Dream was an icon, a legend, but more than that he was a friend, a teacher, a family man. He is someone I will be telling my kids about one day and with so much pride."
"I know those two were close but man, leave it Steph to make it about her," AJ whispered to Randy.
"Shut up AJ," Randy instructed more harshly than he intended. His focus hadn't been on Steph or her words. It had been on Goldust.
AJ nodded, getting the hint. It was true that she was one of the very few people who could tame the Viper, but even she knew when he was being playful with her and when he was being serious. She had learned how to tell the difference a long time ago. So without hesitation, she heeded his words.
Randy looked back at AJ and squeezed her hand slightly, letting her know he didn't mean to be so harsh. AJ looked back at him with a smile, very familiar with their unwritten code, before they both turned their attention toward the ring where Goldust was preparing to speak.
"I'm overwhelmed," Goldust said as he took in the sight. "I mean, wow. For all of you to come out and share these beautiful stories and memories about my dad. I can't even begin to tell you what that means to my family, what it all would have meant to dad. Dusty Rhodes. The man was a legend. He'll always be. I'm sure his name will be spoken around these halls lovingly for years to come, long after I've hung it up in this business. He left that kind of impact everywhere he went. I should say, he got me into this business. He got my little brother into this business. I could go on and on but I know Hunter wants to dismiss you guys. I have so much I could say about dad, about what he meant to me, to everyone, but from what you all said, I'm pretty sure you already know. So I just wanted to thank you. Thank you all for being a part of Dream's journey and his legacy. He loved you all like family and we all know what family meant to Dusty Rhodes. So from the bottom of my heart to the bottom of my soul, thank you to each and every single one of you. Dad loved you, he loved this business, every last inch of it. He clawed and scratched and gave it his all every single night. The people drove him, he said it over and over again. What I heard tonight just shows that he was doing something right. So, before I fall apart in front of you guys, for everything you all meant to dad and most certainly for tonight, thank you. Thank you."
Randy listened to Goldust's every word, doing so with a clear intention in his mind. He watched as the older superstar hugged both Steph and Hunter before leaving the ring to a standing ovation. Looking around Randy saw that many were in tears or near tears which was unsurprising. Goldust's words had been powerful to say the least and so had the dozens of speeches offered prior. Had he been less cold-hearted, Randy knew he might have shed a tear or two as well. But as it was, he was only focused on one thing and that one thing was to talk to Goldust and find out anything he could about the whereabouts of the man's younger brother.
At this point, Goldust was out of the ring and Hunter had begun to dismiss the superstars and divas because after all, tomorrow was a work day. But Randy hadn't been concerned about that. His eyes followed Goldust as he made his way through the crowded room, many individuals stopping to offer hugs, handshakes and personal condolences.
Randy watched closely as Goldust made his way to the doors, before quickly shooting a glance toward AJ.
Go," she said, knowing exactly what Randy needed to do, what he planned to do regardless of her blessing. That didn't mean he didn't appreciate it though. It also didn't mean that he wasn't grateful to have someone actually back him. It made it seem like this might not actually be a bad idea after all.
Although, had Randy really considered it, approval by AJ, who really was as unstable as he was, wasn't exactly the best endorsement he could have received.
But Randy wasn't thinking. He saw his opportunity and he pounced on it.
Sooo, thoughts?
This chapter wasn't planned. In fact, it kind of just happened. So I really want some feedback on what you guys think about this AJ/Randy friendship, which is totally un-canon as well as the Champions Dinner in which they met. I'm debating developing this more and possibly adding AJ as a character. But I want to hear your thoughts. Oh and before you say anything, I do have it tentatively planned for AJ and Punk to be together as they are in real-life. For this story, AJ's like a little sister to Randy, even if they do flirt a little. But anything can happen I suppose. I enjoyed writing their interaction in this chapter and depending on what you guys think and how much you want AJ to play into things, I won't rule out these two becoming an item.
In other news, Goldust is back! So does that mean Randy is finally going to get some answers regarding Cody?
Share your thoughts and then tune in next chapter to find out!
