September 25, 2003

Jade had just finished changing into her ring gear at home before heading downstairs to meet up with her parents who were going to drive her to & attend the show that night. The ride most the way was quite. Reaching the arena she showed her pass to allow her parents to pull down into the loading dock area. Getting out of the car they headed for the back doors where security but nodded seeing who it was & waved them through.

"You know I took an odd risk bringing you this way. A big part is the mystery of me. Only a couple know 'Jade'."

"We understand hun...if you wish we can head into the main area?" She faintly nodded & her mom gave her a quick hug and her dad just a warm felt good luck. As they walked away she got a pat on her shoulder which she quickly turned to look.

"¿hermano del yo, usted listo para esta noche?" (yo brother, you ready for tonight?) Questioned Rey. Shadow just nodded. "Good...just remember Tajiri isn't a joke. You haven't had many 3 way dances before."

"I know...I dealt with him before."

"ECW right?" Shadow nodded "good don't forget you got me to deal with too." Rey said with almost a laugh.

"But remember you the one with the gold." Shadow replied with a chilling grin. "Véale fuera allí de bro." (See you out there Bro.) He patted Rey's shoulder before walking away. Shadow walked right past Los Guerreros with hardly a look. They turned their heads watching before continuing over to Rey.

"¿Todo muy bien con usted dos?" (Everything of with you two?) Questioned Eddie.

"Yeah, just fine. Hey title matches are never easy, more so a 3-way. He just focused is all. Excuse me guys." Rey offered a small smile before heading off.

Getting ready for their match Tajiri & Shadow head for the gorilla spot while Rey headed for the starting spot for his entrance. Shadow tried what she could to calm the butterflies in her body. What was a big deal. Was it because it was her home town? No couldn't be hey she performed in Philadelphia for years. Maybe it was the title? Yeah that could be it. It was going to be her first one in WWE. Tajiri's entrance was first. She was to come out next & they took opposing sides of the ring before Rey came out. There was one chant stronger then the rest. A solid chant of E-C-W Kept filling the air. For who if anyone who knew a all 3 one time or another wrestled there. The match started & went as planned for like the first 5 minutes. Tajiri got knocked out side leaving Shadow & Rey to lock up. At one point she was thrown towards the ropes not seeing Tajiri had gotten up early & was standing on the apron. The action took place so fast it shocked her. All she saw was a sea of green blinding her, to cause her to fall to the mat. That bastard misted her. Then feeling an impact & actually heard the ref begin to count she mustered up what she could to kick out. Hearing blows being exchanged she moved to the side to try to finish wiping her face. She vision began to clear just in time to see Tajiri pull something from his waistband tucking it into his mouth. Damn he never used 2 mists in a match before. At least that was the only thing she could think of he would be putting in his mouth. Even though it might of blown her cover she yelled to try to warn Rey. She don't know if it was too late or her voice muffled by that of the crowd. Rey dropped her teeth clenched in pain. She ran up behind Tajiri Grabbing him to quickly roll him up for a three count. After the match she quickly moved to Rey motioning to the EMTs. What of Rey's face wasn't covered by mask was streaked red. She had never seen a red mist again. The EMTs took Rey back after asking if he was OK. The ref was an able to award Shadow the belt which she only quickly celebrated with before heading back to be checked over herself. The medics complained about Shadows refusal to removed the mask.

Assuring them she was fine she then headed to get ready to leave. Reaching the GM's office she knocks & waits to be invited in. Not getting an answer she slowly opened the door to look in see it empty. Damn she forgot the Stephanie must be out as the ring for her promo. Closing the door Shadow waited outside. She leaded against the wall until she heard Stephanie & Vince heading in her direction. They both nodded seeing her.

"Good match."
"Thanks Mr. McMahon."
"Please Vince." Shadow just nodded. "So what can we help you with?"

"Just wished to secure the belt before I headed out."

"OK come on in." All three headed into the office. Stephanie retrieved the belt cases knowing the others would be there soon. Shadow placed the Cruiser weight belt in the right spot & bid them both a good night. Deciding on the time that passed She made her way down the hall to check on Rey. Luckily it was OK but had to admit the red stuff the vicious & really should be checked out. He offered proper congrats to Shadow & of course wanted him to expect his rematch.

November 10, 2003

Shadow was watching the action of the show on the monitors. She couldn't believe they had her there as a backup in case something happened to one of the other wrestlers. She was a champion, but was working as a back up. The night wore on slow for the most part. She was debating leaving once Batista's started since it was the last of the night & of curse wouldn't be needed anymore. Standing from where she sat most of the night & began to head for the parking area where she had the belt case for the night since it was away from Smackdown.

Turning the corner she saw Shane & said a brief hello as she passed.

"Wait a moment." She turned to look back. "I want to talk to you later...when you free?"
"Just name when."
"My room 9 am...Breakfast ok?"

"Fine." Shadow turned & continued to her rental & back to the hotel wondering what Shane wanted to talk to her about.

The next morning she got up & cleaned before dressing in Shadow's street clothing. She grabbed the belt case before heading up to Shane's suite. Knocking the door was opened to a comment about being on time. Shane allowed him to enter & take a seat on the sofa setting the case near him.

"Take that everywhere with you?"

"Well if I am away from my main show...I heard too many horror stories of the cases walking. If I know I will be on Smackdown a while I turn it in to your sister at the end of the night."
"Smart move."
"Thanks, I have a feeling you didn't want to talk about proper belt behavior."

Shane tried not to laugh. "Well right on that. I wanted to know how your sister was doing?"

"Good."

"what else?"

"Well I talked to Paul about you & her."
"Paul? You mean Heyman?"

"Yes."
"And what he say?"

"That she was a wrestler too, good at it. The thing is she left before you even started. Sort of but faded away. I was wondering why."

"She wished to focus on the other business."
"But in ECW it would have been still local. A brother sister tag team defiantly would have been different."

"Perhaps, but it wasn't what we wanted."
"Worried you to may compete with each other for 'head' spot?"

"No we get alone quite well together. I don't know how one would get along without the other. We keep in VERY close contact with each other."

"I see...oh where my manners? You want a drink or something?"
"Water is fine."

"Good be right back." Shane headed for the mini-bar when there was a knock. "That should be breakfast. Would you mind getting it."

Shadow stood up heading for the door answering & it was room service with the order. Shadow checked off on it but told Shane he would still need to sign. Shane began to walk over & stopped a moment. He just had an odd feeling, but brushed it off for now as he came to sign for the food. The cart was wheeled in & the guy left. Moving to the table with their trays they sat down to eat & talk some more. Shane kept looking over as if trying to make out the features under the mask. One image kept popping into his head over & over again.

"Why don't you wish us to know your real name?"

"Personal reasons."

"We know Rey's we knew Ultimo's...I don't think we have not known a Masked wrestlers real name, even if we didn't see the face."
"can't convince you Shadow is mine?"
"Nope...Paul did comment about an Alias." She tried not to grumble, at least he didn't flat out tell them. "What if I can guess it?"

"Fine."

"Ok sister's name is Jade..so Jasper?" She just shot Shane a look. "Guess not. Lets see. Malachite?" She just shook her head taking another bite of her food. She had a feeling this was going to take a while. "ok is it as stone name?" She nodded. "Hmm what other guy names are also stones?" She tried not to smirk, but he saw a faint twinkle in those eyes. "God this will sound like I am totally nuts. Maybe it's because of my dads recent plans...You can even laugh after I say it. Are you actually Jade?" He looked down a moment actually feeling a fool for saying it. "Ok that was a jo..." he started to lift his head back up causing him to stop mid-statement at the look of worry in Shadow's eyes. "Wait, it's not a joke is it?" She shakes her head. "Wow...you really are, aren't you?"

"Yes." The gruffness of Shadow wasn't there. "So what will you do now with that knowledge?"

"What would you wish me to do?"
"Honestly...nothing. I doubt your father will be as understand as you seem to be."

"That may be true, but sadly being one of the chief officers him & my mother both deserve to know." She just nodded slowly. "Hey he can't fire you over this & you are a good wrestler, he would be a fool to even try. Can you take the mask off so I can sort of talk to you...as you?" She nodded unhooking the chin strap & slides it off running a hand through her hair. "I guess that explains why you like it short?"

"Yes."

"OK next question, how do you...um...how do you disguise your...um..."
"How do I hide the appearance of my chest?"

"Well yes?"

"Well I guess it partly helps it's not that big to begin with. Second I wear a chest piece made of almost a wet suit material that holds them in & helps with the smoother appearance of pectorals."
"impressive & you did all that just so you could wrestle guys?"
"More or less yes."

"So there is no brother?"
"Nope, I'm an only child."
"You parents know about this?"
"Yes they were there when Shadow won the belt."

"well that was nice of them."
"Yeah even though my mom I think freaked out when Tajiri hit me with the mist."

"I guess that can be understandable. OK I feel odd asking this part, but has anyone ever told you how much to look like my sister?"

"Not really."
"But you knew?"

"Well once I came to WWE & was working for her yes. Even though the first time I saw her I wasn't fully sure who she was. It was back in Philly at the ECW Arena."

"OK Yes I think she did briefly mention you to me." He laughed "Maybe we share a distant relative."

"Yeah maybe." Her facial expression & tone of voice almost dropped as if telling Shane she didn't see the humor in it.

"What's wrong? I meant it as a joke."

"I know you did...I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Jade please...hmm I want you to & how you can think of me more as a friend then a boss. Remember your boss is my sister not me."

"That would be nice."

"Then please what's bothering you."

"I never talked to anyone about it outside of my family...something we try not to talk too much about. The think is when you said about distant relative, it...it just made me think. You see...damn not even sure how to put this. My parents...well they aren't fully mine."

"What?...what do you mean not fully?"

"That's the confusing part. I guess you can say my mom was sort of a surrogate that never had to give me to the other people."

"So you were basically adopted?"
"I guess that is one way to put it, but none of us knew."

Shane really looked confused. "How could you mother not know she was a surrogate?"

"Because she really wasn't...there is no easy way to explain...bluntly she went to a hospital to get fertility treatment & somehow she was given the wrong one. I was already over 18 when we found out about the mix up."

"So do you want to find out who your parents would have been?"

"Yes, but for slightly selfish reasons..." her skin then paled realizing what she was about to slip.

"Selfish how?"

"Forget it...please."

"Ok...but if you want any help in your search, let me know. We have quite a few ties to the media. Also you want to just talk it will stay between us. OK?"

"OK thanks Shane, I really should get going though I got a flight out this afternoon."

"Ok catch you later." She nodded as she put the mask back on & headed out the room & back to her own to pack..

Shane sat there a few minutes thinking. He remembered something faintly from his past. A letter he remembered seeing quite a few years ago when he was home visiting & Stephanie was away at school. A letter he remembered sadly his parents didn't want talked about. Shane thinks it might have to be brought up again after all this time.