A/N: Probably my biggest chapter yet. I feel kind of dirty what I did to a character. But it kind of needed to happen. I went back to other chapters to try to make Jen's ex more menacing. After deliberating, he's slightly based on someone I knew. No. I wasn't in an abusive relationship. I broke things off before it got bad. He ended up marrying someone I knew. Yeah, I warned her. Anyway. Thanks to reviewer, PMs. Read on!
The house show before No Mercy was on fire throughout the match. However, Paige must had been set on making sure I didn't make it to the pay-per-view. "Your winner by disqualification, the Raw Women's Champion, Deanna Ambrose!" Paige was pulling herself up using the ropes. Sonya and Mandy had me by my arms. I was running on empty. The kids in the front row were screaming at me to fight back. I smiled up at Paige.
"You thought I wouldn't have a backup plan?" I hollered at Paige as Sasha grabbed her hair. Natayla went after Sonya Deville as Bayley fought off Mandy. I rolled to a corner to catch my breath. Bayley checked on me as Sasha suicide dived. I stood up and turned to Bayley. "Thanks." She shook her head at my attempt to handshake and held her arms out. The crowd cheered as I gave her a hug. Natayla couldn't resist and joined. "Alright y'all get off me." Sasha slid in the ring. She was holding my title. The crowd suddenly was quiet. Sasha smiled as she placed it on my shoulder.
"I'm taking that Sunday." She tapped my title and held her hand out. I took the microphone from her.
I gave my sly smile, "From my cold dead hands." My music hit and I rolled out of the ring. "Thanks for the help, by the way." I gave fans high fives as I walked out. Colby met me backstage.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Just irritated I had to win by DQ. I wanted a good fair fight." He chuckled. "Thanks for rounding up the calvary."
"I saw that shit going sideways. Didn't want you to get a heavy beat down before the pay per view." He handed me a water bottle. "The bosses already asking about doing a Paige/Deanna feud angle that includes me." The venomous voice rose in the back of my head.
"That's all I need. Them irritating Derek and he comes after me again!"
"I informed them no." He shrugged. "However, you got to realize that you slipped during Raw last Monday." I questioned him. Colby took out his phone and played my berzerk moment where I said Paige was trying to take Seth away from me. "Yeah, they asked about us." I felt the color drain from my face.
"And?"
"I told them we're just two good friends trying to get on good terms so the reunion can blow the roof off." He had that devilish grin, "Cause that's best for business."
"God that stupid line never gets old."
"As far as I'm concerned." He looked around for any listeners, "No one needs to know about me and you." Colby whispered in my ear as he hugged me. "Now come on, there's a couple of cold ones waiting on you. Need to discuss the big plans." The guys and I were given scripts earlier for the Monday after No Mercy. It was time, the reunion was set for two weeks. The Hounds of Justice epic return, in Indianapolis of all places.
For a pay per view called No Mercy, the crowd was giving hell for every move. As I sat in my locker room, I felt bad for the opening matches. The crowd just seemed not into anything. After gathering my opponents in the locker room, "Alright. Who's with me on waking the hell out of this crowd?" Thankfully they were with me on changing a few of the spots. We all made it to the Gorilla Point, and Sasha pulled me aside.
"Got an idea. Tell me what you think?" I smiled at her plan.
"Let's do it." I high fived just as her music hit.
After we all made it to the ring, I stood in a corner watching my opponents as they were introduced. I held my title up as my name was called last. The referee backed up and motioned for the bell. Nia immediately targeted me. I fell outside the ring as Bayley, Sasha and Emma kicked Nia out of the ring. Sure enough, Nia grabbed Sasha and dragged her out of the ring. I jumped from the top of the stairway and elbow dropped across Nia and Sasha. The Irresistible Force wasn't out long. She made it back to the ring. The crowd pop suddenly made me realize Nia's powerbomb just happened. I managed to break the pinfall. Nia picked me up like a ragdoll and Samoan Dropped me. "One. Two." Bayley dropped onto Nia from the top turnbuckle. Emma, Sasha and I saw Bayley trying to take the biggest opponent out. We all teamed together and dropped Nia out of the ring. Emma and I teamed against Sasha. After Sasha was tossed into Bayley. Emma attempted a pinfall but I broke it up.
"What are you doing?" Emma started to argue, and I slapped the spit out of her. Quickly I landed Dirty Deeds, but Emma kicked out before the second count. Sasha started to punch me, but I headbutted her. I stood and whipped her into the corner. Nia started to climb up the ropes, but Bayley grabbed Nia in a powerbomb position. Emma rolled out of the ring and took up position by Bayley. Nia however was holding on for dear life. Sasha and I looked over, without another thought, we both superkicked the Samoan woman in the face. The crowd gasped as she connected with the floor. Finally the crowd was on their feet cheering. I turned to Sasha and motioned for a suicide dive.
"Let's do it." She ran into the ropes with me. However, only I landed on top of Bayley and Emma. I stood up to see Sasha on the top turnbuckle. The crowd started chanting 'this is awesome' after she did a frog splash that would make Eddie Guerrero proud. Sasha grabbed me and rolled me into the ring. There was only an attempted pinfall after Emma broke it up. I rolled to a corner to catch my breath. There were multiple slams from each of the opponents stopping the other one from gaining the pinfall.
"How is she still walking?" I heard someone cry out in the crowd. Nia was starting to lay waste. I pulled myself up and waited as Emma conned Nia to spear her. Emma dropped out of the way, causing Nia to collide with the LED ringpost. Nia dropped to the mats like a sack of potatoes. I used Bayley as a weapon and launched her into Sasha. Making the Boss hit the steel steps as she fell down. After grabbing Emma, she tried to fight off the second Dirty Deeds. I side stepped and hit her with a curb stomp.
"One. Two. Three!"
"Your winner and still Raw Women's Champion! Deanna Ambrose!" The referee handed me the title. As I stood, I felt a forearm smack me from behind.
"What the hell?" I happened to see Nia standing over me.
"NO! It was my time!" She grabbed me by the hair and pulled me close.
"Ready?" I grunted through my teeth. She nodded and just picked me up for another Samoan Drop. After managing to slip through her arms, I hit her with Dirty Deeds. The crowd giggled as I wiped my hands. The referee handed me my title and I turned to the crowd. "This is my yard!" I was greeted by Seth and Jon at Gorilla Point.
"You alright?" Jon handed me a water.
"Still got the gold." I patted my title.
"You really had to use the curb stomp?" I shrugged.
"The crowd was going to sleep. I thought they needed a wake up call."
"Epic performance." He hugged me. "Cold ones waiting in the cooler."
"I ain't cracking one open until you two come back with those." I put my fist out.
"Cesaro and Sheamus are going down!" Jon music hit. "See you out there." I made it back to my locker room, and froze at the black roses sitting on the counter. There was a picture of Colby and me from the burger joint a few weeks back. Immediately I called Renee when I saw this one was of me and him holding hands.
"Get to my room, now." She got to my room, and I just opened the door. "I thought you said you handled it?"
"I did!" She took the picture. I saw her fold it and pocket it. "I'm going to talk to them right now!"
"Renee! Nobody can see that picture!" I began to freak, "This will make him target me again!" Renee froze.
"Breathe. You can trust me. I will go beat the person myself for this." I grabbed two beers from the cooler and went to what Shield called home. Ironically, the Big Dog was already there.
"You okay? You look like you saw a ghost?" I shook as I tried to explain what I saw in my locker room. "Hey. Little Sis. Breathe. Stay here. I'll go talk to security see who was in your room. Alright?" He popped my first beer for me. "Until either me or one of the others comes to get you. Stay." I leaned up against a corner, to where I could watch the door. There was a commotion in the hallway. I wanted to go out to check, but I was too afraid of moving.
"Come on, Big Dog." I rubbed my eyes, suddenly thinking back to the first time we met sober.
I sat at a corner of the bar. Survival tactic from growing up, keep my back to the wall and watch the doors. After an irritating day of trying out for NXT, I needed to unwind. "You know, it's not wise for a lady to drink alone?" Some skeezeball walked up beside me.
"Yeah? That's why you're walking over here to me? So you won't get hit on by guys?"
"Smartass." His hand went up, but a tattooed arm grabbed it.
"When she ordered her drink, she didn't ask for the side of douchebag." The guy got up and started cursing. "I'm sorry, why don't you come say that to my face."
"Hey. Hey. Big Dog." I jumped up. "He ain't worth it." I motioned to the Samoan to sit, "Thanks for the save."
"I had to save you. I need you in NXT. You're the master of promos from CZW. I want to learn from you." Joe shrugged as I realized he knew me. "We met at a party of my brother's once."
"Oh gosh! We met back when I was..."
"No worries. It's been so long since then, besides you're clean now. Right?"
"Yeah." I started a nervous tap on my collarbone. "Wrestling Royalty is a fan of me? Boy I'm not going to get over that."
"I followed CZW. That was some crazy shit. Your character was awesome at the depth you were willing to go."
"I'm not sure WWE would want someone like me in their business."
"Why not?"
"If you know about me in CZW. Then you got to know about what came afterward."
"You mean the legit straight jacket?" I sneered at him. "Sorry. Touchy subject." I motioned to the bartender.
"His first round is on me."
"I think you'd be a big asset to WWE. I see you going big along with me." He suddenly looked at me funny. "What was it you called me just a bit ago?"
"Big Dog?" He shrugged.
"I kind of like it." He smiled as we clinked beers.
Suddenly the door slammed open, I jumped up ready to fight. Colby looked terrified. "Thank God. You're okay." He immediately threw his arms around me.
"Why'd you think something happen to me?" Colby looked petrified.
"I went to drop my title off at the locker room. There was a black rose with a picture of us waiting for me." He looked around the boiler room. "Why are you hiding in here?"
"Same thing. Joe went to see if security can look into it." Colby's gears started turning.
"We need a plan."
"Great I didn't realize I was still talking to Mr. Architect."
"Can we not fight? I'm being serious."
"Fine. What's your first plan?" He looked irritated as I started my nervous tapping.
"I think Stephanie and Hunter should know about us. I want us to share the same locker room."
"That's all I need getting out, to where he'll hear." I launched the beer across the room. "He'll come after me and I got too much to lose." I buried my face in my hands. "That's why I asked Renee to handle the picture."
"What do you mean? This ain't the first time you've seen it?"
"Right after we hung out at the burger joint. Renee got a text from someone about us." He looked confused.
"The burger joint?" He pulled a picture out from his boot. It was a picture of us and Hades outside of the local coffee shop in Boston.
"Stalker. Great. They publish this and it could incite him to come back at me."
"If I can get confirmation that he is still sitting in a jail cell. Will you think about sharing a locker room?" He cupped my face, to force me to look at him. "Are you listening, My Lunatic? I asked you a question." I went to walk away, he gripped my arm that I can pop out of socket easy. My mind went back to that night with Derek, and I swung at Colby. When I realized that I almost hit him, I froze and backed off slowly.
"I didn't mean that. I'm sorry." I slid to the floor.
"It's okay. I shouldn't have grabbed you like that. Especially after the shit going on." He shook his head. "Whoever is stalking us, is going to pay. Cause this is now crossing a line." Colby started cracking his knuckles.
"How about we come up with a signal? Like codeword if one of thinks we're being followed. Or if like me finding the stuff in my locker room, I put something outside your door and you'll know I need you." He looked around.
"Just be sure to come home and hold up here. Until I come get you." He held his hand out and walked me out.
I was jumping at everything all night. My paranoia was in high gear. There was no way I was getting any sleep tonight. Poor Hades watched me pace around the room for about the past hour. I thought about going down to the gym, but I was actually afraid to go alone. My phone buzzed, and I looked over at it. "Hey."
"Thought you'd still be up. Come to your door." I peered through the peephole and saw Colby standing there.
"I've got food and beer. Let me in?" I opened the door.
"Or what? You'll huff and puff?" He laughed.
"Making jokes? Feeling somewhat like herself, clearly." Colby set the food on the table. "No signs of breaking things. That's good." Hades jumped up to greet Colby. He huffed and returned to his spot on the couch.
"How'd you know I was awake?" He just gave me a look.
"I could feel it in my soul."
"Now who's making cracks."
"I'm being serious." He held a beer out to me. "Come on, sit. Let's plan our codewords and signals."
We ate and laughed over the words we were coming up with, "You know if anyone hears this. They will think we've both went crazy." I scratched my head. "That's why it's got to be something that sounds innocent but has meaning to me and you." I turned my Pandora on, and a song popped up. We both shared a look.
"Our song from that time in the bar?"
"All or Nothing. It is then." I giggled as he grabbed my hand and twirled me around as if we were at a dance. Colby leaned in and made my heart skip.
"Our backs are against the ocean, It's just us against the world."
The next morning, I felt irritated knowing we had to film an episode of Ride Along. Seth was given the keys. "I need my co-pilot!" He shouted at me as I walked up to the SUV with Hades.
"I'm coming. I'm coming."
"I was talking to him." I made a sarcastic laugh. "Where's Jon?"
"Hunting down the Samoan."
"Last two to the SUV gets to sit with the mascot." One of the Ride Along crew members cracked. I slid into the front passenger seat and began to set the GPS unit up. Roman and Jon tried sneaking past a bunch of screaming kids.
"Guys. Do your parents know your up?" Roman was always in Dad mode. "Its like four in the morning."
"Come on! We got an hour drive ahead of us!" I shouted. Jon and Roman sat on either side of Hades. He kept leaning over the front seats checking out the camera system. "Sit back boy." He turned to Roman and licked him across the face.
"Really?"
"It's on camera too!" Seth laughed. "Tell me that's going to make the episode!" He started the SUV and took off to the arena. "Wow. This really is like old times. Me driving, my co-pilot to my right. And the two goobers in the back who doze off on us."
"That was one time!" Roman snapped back. "Look he's dozing off now."
"Yo, Cuz. In the cooler is a Starbucks coffee if you want it." He suddenly snapped awake.
"What would I do without you?"
"Crash and burn like these two did the first week after Shield dismantled." Colby laughed.
"What are you talking about?" I turned to him.
"You and Roman were on the side of the road because someone forgot to gas the car up?"
"Oh yeah." I laughed.
"You can't talk boy." Roman laughed, "Remind me, who forgot to check his tires before going to Chicago?"
"Hold up! When this happen?" I literally didn't know this story.
"Sometime after we broke up. He tried to keep it quiet. I only know about it because I drove by and saw a construction crew helping him change the blown tire." Roman pointed at Seth.
"That's cause I didn't have my little Ms. Gearhead with me." Suddenly I realized why I didn't know this story. It happened during my little sabbatical.
"Nobody believe him. I know basics. That's it." I argued to the camera.
"You know more than me." He laughed.
"That pay per view last night! Did you hear what happened to Cesaro?"
"You mean what you did to Cesaro?" Seth laughed at Jon.
"That boy is going to blow his nose later, and canines are going to come out." Hades let out a weird whine. We all laughed. I held out a treat for him.
"Not that canine."
"I was scared there for a minute. His teeth go up into his face, and I swear he got stronger."
"How cool he looked with that blood coming out," Roman laughed at me. "So what's next for Big Dog after beating John Cena?"
"Working on that plan." He smiled. "What's next for the Raw Women's Champ? Huh?"
"Knock Paige back to Norwich." I did my best impression of her. "Hopefully the cronies go running too." I looked over at the tag team champions, "Who's next in line for you guys?"
"I think Anderson and Gallows still going to try to come at us. Be cool if we could go up against the Hardy Boyz." Jon muttered. He never did like to speak on camera. Just liked to be seen and not heard. He was busy watching the scenery.
"Hey, it's our exit." I pointed. Seth got off the interstate.
"How far from here?"
"ETA, twenty minutes." I looked at the GPS. "Says it'll be on the right."
"Plenty of time, let's stop get food." Seth turned to me, "Ms. Gearhead can check the car." I rolled my eyes as he turned into a gas station. The guys grabbed breakfast while Hades and I stayed with the SUV. Sure enough some fan that spotted me, and started shouting from across the lot.
"Who's that?" I shouted back at them. Even though it was barely any sunrise, they spotted the camera rig system on the front. Thankfully, a security team had followed us in a van that Ride Along crew members worked in. The security guys jumped out as someone tried sneaking up behind me. Before they could get to me, I had grabbed the guy by the throat and shoved him against the car. Hades popped out of the window and grabbed him by the shirt. The guy freaked out and started screaming to get the mongrel off him.
"I just wanted a picture, bitch!" I turned to see Seth and Roman running out of the gas station. As if someone was watching over, local cops walked over.
"Hey. Dude. You're not hurt. Just walk away!" One cop said.
"Walk away!? That thing could have rabies! I want him tested!" I pulled Hades collar off.
"You can check, he's up to date on shots."
"She didn't have to attack me!"
"Stop with the accusations! I watched you from my cruiser! You were sneaking up on her. How'd you think she was going to react, you Mark?" The guy must have realized his fight was fruitless. He stormed back to his car and drove off. I couldn't hear what he said, but the cops turned to me.
"If you want to press charges, Ms. Good, just let me know." The one who witnessed the incident said, "I know that fool and I kind of want to pick him up now."
"Nah. I don't want trouble." I held my hands up. "Just trying to get to the next show. That's all." The other officer handed me Hades' collar back. I slipped it on as I got curious.
"Wrestling fan?" I turned to the first officer.
He held up his phone to show me. "My wife and I got my kids into it. They record Raw to watch with me when I get home." Boy was I glad for nights like this, that I carried promo pictures in my bag. I signed two pictures for both of his kids. The other officer was oblivious as to why his partner was is fanboy mode. I made sure he got a picture of us together so his kids would know the presents were from me.
"Well today is already off to an awesome start." I said as I got into the car. Seth popped in the overused Nickelback CD. "How is this still working?"
"Yeah, I kept your road mix." He laughed. Roman and Seth kept trying to keep the spirits up. "We're here!"
"In one piece, believe it or not!" Jon jumped out and kissed the cement.
"Bro. Really?" Roman rolled his eyes. He pulled the bags out and I held onto Hades.
"So remind me, tonight's the night we all get jumped? It makes us decide to band together, right?" I looked at Seth.
"I think you're first to get jumped. Jon and I will get jumped later. Big Dog gets attacked in Main Event." Thankfully cameras stopped rolling and we weren't close to the gaggle of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of us.
"I'm not even in the mood for pictures and screaming fans now." Colby opened up one of his bags and handed me his spare pair of sunglasses.
"Walk quick. You've got your protection squad with you." He scratched Hades' ear. "See you later, okay?" I gave him a quick peck. Jon stood there looking between us.
"Break her heart this time around, and you won't have to worry about the Universe watching me kick your ass."
Raw started off with Bayley, Sasha and Me teaming up against Paige and her cronies called 'Absolution'. It started off without a hitch and we were looking in favor to win. I was almost jumping over the top rope trying to get the crowd behind our team. "Come on, Bayley!" From out of nowhere, someone grabbed my legs and pulled me off the apron. I smacked against the steel steps. Maryse stood over me. Sasha jumped up to help. "Get to Bayley! Don't worry about me." I tried to crawl away, but the referee saw Maryse jump on top of me. The bell rang.
"Your winners by disqualification, Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Deanna Ambrose." Maryse grabbed me by my hair and led me to the stage.
"Consider this as payback." She swung me off the stage, and I dropped through a table. I felt a hand in mine and I gave two squeezes.
"I need a trainer!" He shouted. I rolled over and groaned.
"Where is she?" I attempted to get up. "MARYSE!" The ref shoved me back down.
"Deanna. You're hurt."
"I'm fine." I got up and limped to the back. "MARYSE!" Seth and Jon came running through the hall.
"What the hell was that?" Jon turned.
"You see where the bitch go?"
"No." Seth leaned over, "Are you okay after that?"
I looked up slightly agitated, "I got whipped off the stage. No, I'm not okay!"
"Go get checked out."
"Keep your heads on a swivel. In case Miz has some bullcrap planned." Brianna walked up to me.
"I was wondering when my favorite patient be back in my office." I growled.
"Just make sure nothing is broken. Okay?" Seth encouraged. I went to get examined. She had the television going so I knew what was happening out in the arena. Miz had his squad in the ring with him. Before he could announce Roman's name, he was interrupted by the thunderous roar in the crowd.
"Are you and your little Sister set on making things hard?"
"If it ruins your TV time, then yes." The crowd laughed.
"Anyway, first question. What's the Big Dog's plan now he's beaten John Cena? I mean are you going to reunite with Seth and the others?"
"They're doing their own thing. I'm going to do mine. Which is finally gun for Brock and take that title off his shoulders."
"Why do I have a feeling that if the Miztourage was around 5 years ago, the Shield wouldn't even been known today." I choked from laughing at Bo.
"Oh wait, you're serious?" Roman looked at Miz and the Miztourage. "We would have beaten all of y'alls asses!" He pointed at Miz, "Speaking of which? Where's your wife?"
"I don't know what she was thinking." He shrugged.
"You know what. Since Deanna can't get payback. Why don't you and I fight right here, right now?"
"I'm not dressed, and I..."
"Am going to send a message to my wife that if you mess with one Hound of Justice. You will deal with the whole pack." Roman got snarky and punched Miz straight to the mat. Axel and Bo scrambled out of the ring.
"You know what, Roman. That'll be a great match. Tonight, Roman versus Miz in the main event." Kurt interrupted via titantron. "Gives Miz time to properly get ready."
"Here we go." I muttered knowing what was coming next.
"Oh and Miztourage. Don't leave just yet. You two are dressed, so your match starts right now. Roman and Miz. You both are banned from ringside."
I went to Gorilla Point just as Seth's music hit and saw the guys get beat by Sheamus and Cesaro. After grabbing a steel chair, I ran out to chase the attackers off. They stood at the top of the ramp laughing like hyenas. "You alright?" I bent down to Seth.
"Peachy." He moaned. "Where's Jon?" Jon was sprawled out on the mat. I rolled out and leaned over.
"You okay Cuz?"
"I don't know." He was holding the back of his head. "My head cracked on something." Jon moved his hand just enough to show blood. "I've got a pain shooting down my right arm and legs." I made an X with my arms towards the ringside doctor. He leaned in and checked.
"Can you lean on Seth and Dee and walk to the back?"
"I want to try, but I'm not sure with the pain." The doctor bandaged Jon's head as Seth joined us.
"What is it?" I shrugged.
"He's bleeding from the back of his head and pain shooting in his limbs." Jon tried to sit up but he fell back.
"Get the stretcher." I looked to Seth.
"This ain't good." Jon got strapped down and wheeled to the back. Renee ran down the hallway.
"Jon? How bad are you?"
"I..." He suddenly went quiet.
"Jon?" The EMT began checking him. "We got to move now." He almost stopped Renee from going in the ambulance.
"Hey. She's his wife." The EMT motioned for her to get on, "keep us updated. We'll get over as soon as we can."
The ambulance took off just as Hunter and Roman ran up behind us. "How bad is he?"
We shrugged. "Bleeding from his head and complaining of shooting pain in his limbs." Seth said as he put one arm around me.
"This reunion is cursed and it's not even started.." I walked away to find a spot to be alone. Colby found me and took me over to catering to try to eat. Our phones sat on the table, waiting for any news.
"If some reason he can't join us. They still want the band together."
I looked up bewildered, "But the Shield is four."
"I know that. Hopefully whatever is wrong won't keep him out long. He can rejoin us later." He rubbed his brow. "They're wanting Shield to main event TLC." Suddenly he saw a smirk.
"As in we get to go to war with Miz and his merry band of morons?" He smiled.
"I thought that would get your attention." A stagehand walked up to us.
"Hunter needs you two at Roman's locker room, now."
"Yessir." Seth went and grabbed some ice. He knew Roman would be hurting. We stood outside the door as Roman groaned like an injured animal from inside. Seth entered first and stood by Roman. He got up slowly just as I stood on his left side. No words were needed. Just a mutual look of 'time to bury the hatchet between us.' Seth dropped back first after handing him an ice pack. I dropped back last after hearing the crowd start 'Shield' chants.
Hunter stood in the hallway waiting on Seth and me. He yelled for Big Dog to come to listen. "Renee called me." He didn't have to say anything. We all knew it was bad news.