A/N: I hope y'all had a happy and safe Labor Day weekend ^_^ I'm really sorry that this is taking longer. But nonetheless, on with the show! :D
DISCLAIMER: I only own the OCs. All other characters belong to WWE and NXT (FCW).
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
~Toby, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
United they stood with grins of satisfaction on their faces and the golden crown jewels perched on their shoulders.
"Rollins..."
"Reigns..."
"And they are... the WWE Tag Team Champions! I'm Dean Ambrose and I am the WWE United States Champion." Ambrose proclaimed as he showcased his newly won prize that shimmered in the light. "Tonight, you all witnessed that high flyer come crashin' back down to earth hard."
Seth brought the camera to face him, staring a hole into whoever watched on the screen. "And we showed the entire world what true unity, what teamwork is all about!"
"Team Hell No, Kofi Kingston... They didn't believe, but they do now." Ambrose stated as he refocused the camera on him. "There's still a lot of arrogant fools out there who still don't believe..."
Wearing a subtle glare in his eyes, Roman moved to lens to him and whispered. "But they will..."
"They will." Dean agreed. "Tonight, The Shield brought power back to these championships. And y'know what the scary thing is? This is just the beginning. We're gettin' warmed up."
"The Hounds of Justice run this yard now..." Roman declared.
"You better believe that!" Seth warned.
"And we wear the collars to back it up..." Roman growled.
"Believe in The Shield..."
Wearing a mask of concern, Stephanie McMahon Helmsley shut off the TV screen in her office. This is gettin' out of hand... I just wish that my husband- Knocks on the door derailed the lady vice president's train of thought. "Come in."
The door opened to a troubled Dr. Parsons. "Excuse me, Mrs. Helmsley may I speak with you?"
"O-of course." Surprised by her arrival, Stephanie escorted her inside and motioned her to a nearby couch. "Have a seat."
Dr. Parsons looked around the office, seemingly in search of something or someone. "Where is your husband?"
Trepidation crawled throughout Stephanie's system as she ran her hand through her long brown curls. "He's... readying himself for the battle against Brock Lesnar..."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Dr. Parsons expressed, baring an apologetic look.
"No need to apologize, ma'am." Stephanie assured as she shifted from foot to foot, faking a calm and collected exterior. "What I can do for you?"
"I can't get a hold of Lily." Dr. Parsons frowned. "I called her cell dozens of times with no reply at all. I even asked some of the wrestlers in the locker room and they said that they haven't seen her. I-I even asked Cameron and Naomi and they said that she ran past them crying-"
In an attempt to ease Dr. Parsons growing fears, Stephanie placed her hand on her shoulder. She then turned to the door, commanding to the security guard outside. "Search the building for Lily. When you find her, bring her into my office immediately."
"Yes, ma'am." The guard nodded then left the room.
"I'm going with him." Dr. Parsons rose from the couch only for Stephanie to sit her back down with a gentle tug. "But, Mrs. Helmsley-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you go with him. We can't risk the possibility of an incident involving guest." Stephanie pleaded, hoping that she'd comply.
Dr. Parsons let out an exasperated sigh. "With all due respect, I am not some dim witted 18 year old trying to get a thrill."
"I'm aware of that. But we cannot afford-"
"Do you have any children?" Dr. Parsons interrupted, her expression stern.
"Three little girls..." Stephanie said tightly. Anyone who knew the McMahon family should know better than to speak about their family, especially on such an intense level. But as a mother herself, Stephanie couldn't help but wholeheartedly sympathize with her.
"And what would you do if one of them could be missing?"
If she were in her position, she'd most likely deliver the hardest bitchslap to whomever took one of or all three of her girls and let Hunter pick up the pieces afterwards. "I'd be feeling the exact same way and do everything in my power to find my angel..." She then took a moment to steady her breath and quell her emotions. "In the meantime, you have to trust us. We all know that Lily is a tough diva. Not only in the ring, but can shoot light out of her fingers." Stephanie comforted with a smile.
"Oh, I hope you're right. And I truly hope that those... jackals don't have anything to do with this..." Dr. Parsons frowned, turning her gaze away from Stephanie...
December 6th, 2012
NXT Full Sail
Watching the show's festivities unfold on their monitor The Shield sat together in a dark secluded room. Dean sat in his steel chair, leaning forward with his classic smug face, while Seth leaned on the wall with his NXT championship glistening in the light from the TV screen. "Heh, look at 'em. Rookies tryin' break bread, but are only breakin' themselves instead."
"Indeed..." Roman nodded in agreement. Two weeks removed from that night at Survivor Series and The Shield already broke down doors, running rough shot over anyone they deemed an injustice to WWE. Roman became part something bigger than himself. They've taken down the likes of Ryback and Team Hell No. By the grace of their reputation having ran rampant all over WWE, The Shield even gained their first official match against the three men they decimated for weeks. A match that could truly cement their mark of justice right out of the gate. But despite all of that, Roman couldn't help but think about how and why his unbreakable bond with Lily fell through the cracks...
Goddamn it, Pixie! You can be such a stupid little brat sometimes. Other than returning to the ring with a new sense of swagger and new name, Roman felt that he simply came back to the ring just the same and that Lily was being impossible. But still...
"I made changes for you Joe. Think about that..."
She had a point. She changed for him. He aided her in getting over her fears by helping her open up to him. One would think that she'd be grateful and not so quick to write him off simply because he returned with a smile and three piece suit.
"Come on, big guy. We got a job to do." Said Ambrose, breaking his thoughts.
"Right." Roman sighed.
As the black clad trio's daredevil and NXT champion disappeared into guerilla for the main event, Roman and Dean made their way to the upper deck to position themselves to aid Seth when necessary.
A diva's match was in full swing as the two hounds stood in the shadows.
"Oh, great... It's the 'piss break' match..." Ambrose scoffed with Roman chuckling at his statement. Upon closer observation, Roman's expression turned into stone as he realized the young fae was one of the contenders. Despite the heartbreak backstage, Lily's wrestling skills haven't lost their edge. "You don't stay down for long, do you Pixie?" Roman muttered with a grin.
"What'd you say, Ro?" Dean inquired.
"Huh?"
"You were sayin' somethin' about a pixie?"
Roman shook his head. "It's nothing..."
"Ha, Roman Reigns..." Ambrose arched an eyebrow. "You're not over her, are you-"
"Mind your goddamn business, all right Dean?" Roman snarled, causing Dean to throw his hands up in defense.
"Ok, ok, Ro! No need to flex your muscle so hard! Shit..."
The match neared its' end as Lily signaled to the NXT crowd that it's time for her opponent to Crash and Burn. But as she hoisted up her prey, Lily dropped her and fell on her back all at once.
"1...2...3!"
"Here is your winner, Audrey Marie!"
Did she spot me? Taken aback by the surprising upset, Roman stood with his head tilted to the side trying to figure out how Lily lost the match in such a manner.
"Gotta say, Tinkerbell always knows how to put on a show. We should keep an eye on her more often..." Ambrose suggested.
Despite his personal issues, having someone like Lily in The Shield served as an interesting thought...
"Well, boys, we did it. We did it all!" Seth cheered. "Now, we can look to the future in a new light!"
Ambrose sighed as he continued driving their shadow black range rover. "Good, now how about you keep it down so that I can look to the road, please? Thank you. Hey, big guy?"
"Yeah?" Roman answered while keeping his gaze on an unconscious Lily next to him.
"Try your damnedest to keep it in your pants. At least for the time being." Ambrose chuckled, earning a growl from Roman.
Not wanting to cause an unnecessary ruckus, Roman exhaled and forced himself to cool down his hot temper. Shingles of guilt peaked in his being as he turned his attention to the Scottrade Center, home for Extreme Rules, fading in the distance. Right now, Lily's mother was most likely panicking over where her only child could be and if she was taken away.
However, as ashamed as he felt for putting Dr. Parsons and Lily through what is sure to be one hell of an ordeal Roman needed to make them both understand that it's for a greater cause. Would he and Lily go back to how they once were? Probably not.
But still. I wonder if... Nah, it's just wishful thinking...
A/N: Looks like the beginning of the end OoO I didn't really mean for this chapter to be a filler, but I hope y'all like it ^_^;;;
