Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the WWE or its superstars. The only thing I own is my original character. This is a complete work of fiction.

Fanning the Flames

Chapter 10

Raven

"Raven, are you out of your god damned mind?!" Daniel yelled as we walked through the corridors.

"It had to be done," I said simply.

"No, it didn't!" Kane chimed in

"Well, too late now!"

"Rave!" D-Bry pleaded. "You can't do this!"

"It's done, Daniel. I'm on the line," I said a little aggressively as we entered our locker room.

"I just don't understand why you would do this. We were going to walk away. We didn't want the deal!" he said sadly. I turned to look at him. I sighed.

"I know you weren't going to take the deal. I knew you two wouldn't have put me on the line. That's why I did it. I told you that I was going to do what I needed to do to make sure you guys became champions again. I meant it."

"But not this way, we didn't want it this way!" the Big Red Machine interjected.

"I know. It's not an ideal situation. It's not definite that I'm going to be a part of the Shield. If you guys win Sunday, you'll be champs and I'll be standing right beside you!"

"It's not worth the risk to us."

"Look, I know you don't necessarily know where I'm coming from here. But I had to do this for you guys."

"Why? Why! You don't need to put yourself on the line for us," he growled as he fussed with his beard.

"Because it's my fault you lost the titles in the first place. I'm the reason you lost the rematch. So I'm fixing it. I'm putting myself on the line so that you guys can have one more shot at it, because my job is to make you successful, to make you champions!" I said with emotion spilling over. Daniels face softened.

"Rave…" he said in nearly a whisper. "Neither of those losses were your fault. You did your job. We didn't do ours. This isn't on you," he insisted.

"Yes it is. You guys only were distracted because Ambrose was on me like white on rice! It's my fault I couldn't handle what was happening outside of the ring. That is my job. Your job is to take care of the in-ring stuff. I failed you guys…now let me make up for it!"

"Looks like we're going to have to agree to disagree."

"I guess so, Daniel. I guess so."

Friday Night Smackdown

It was still relatively early in the show and the boys had a match tonight. I was pretty optimistic as it was against 3MB. They desperately needed a morale booster and thought that this might just do the trick. So I happily made my way through the halls before I was grabbed by a stage tech.

"Hey, Raven! I'm going to need you to come with me," he said urgently.

"Oh? Why?"

"Well, ugh, Booker wanted to speak with you a moment."

"Ugh, okay. Lead the way!" I said dramatically. Honestly I was irritated by this request. Usually Booker and I got along quite well…we were friends. But being intercepted by assistants didn't usually mean you were headed into his office for a social call. I walked behind the man like child follows there parent in a store.

Finally I made it to his office. The usual camera crew was present.

"Raven! Glad you could make it!"

"Didn't seem like I had a choice, Book."

"Well I wanted to talk to you about this personally."

"Talk about what exactly?"

"Well I have concerns. You have your appointment with the WWE doctors tomorrow to see if they can remove you from the injured list."

"Correct."

"Look, things between the Shield and Team Hell No has escalated to pretty violent stakes. With the addition of the contract signing on Monday, I'm anticipating that the high stakes will make the violence worse. As your friend, I'm worried about you. I want you off of that injured list before I let you even touch the ring apron."

"You can't do this to me, Booker! They need me more than ever!" I yelled. "You can't do this to me! I won't allow it!"

"I can do it. At least, I'm having you escorted from the premises for tonight's show. You can fully participate on Sunday, I promise."

"What? Are you fucking nuts Booker?" I seethed as security personnel appeared in the doorway.

"This is for your own good. They will take you by the locker room to gather your things on the way out. So grab your stuff and head back to the hotel and rest up for Sunday. I want you 100% better, Raven," he said softly.

"Oh, piss off! You'll regret this, Booker. I promise you that you will rue the day you did this to me!" I threatened before storming into the hallway.

Once in the parking lot, I just sat in my car feeling defeated. I didn't want to leave the arena. I picked up my phone and called who I always did when I was having a hard time. I dialed and waited for them to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Daddy!"

"My little bird! Your voice sounds so sad tonight. What's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of worry.

"It's just…everything is a mess."

"Is this about the contract signing Monday? Signers remorse?"

"Kinda….well no…I just got kicked out of the arena! I've never been kicked out of the arena before. Booker is such an ass!"

"Well why did he kick you out? Surely he had a reason," my Dad said wisely.

"Dad!"

"Well?"

"He said he wanted me at the hotel so I would be out of the way of the Shield. For some reason he thinks I'm made of fucking glass!" I growled.

"You mean he's looking out for you? And for god's sake watch your language!" he scolded.

"Would it kill you to take my side?"

"Raven, I love you! I'm your Dad, I'm always on your side. I'm just trying to give you the other side of the story here."

"I know. I love you too."

"I know that. But Raven?"

"Yeah?"

"I've never known you to allow other people to make you do anything. I mean, I'm your father and you barely listened to me!" He joked. "You're a determined young lady. Take back control of your destiny."

"You're right, Daddy. I've got to go!"

"That's my girl. Be safe. I love you."

"Love you, bye!"

I hung up and looked at my phone reenergized. I knew it would do me no good to try to get though the big beefy security guys. I could be out powered by them…but I did know somebody who could out power them. I scrolled through my contacts to one of my former clients and dialed.

"Hello?"

"Hi hun! Look I need a favor…."

Dean

"Whoa! Guys! Check this out! Raven is getting kicked out of the arena!" Seth said shocked and amused as he watched the screen intently. I looked over to see a furious Raven scowling at Booker T. I couldn't help buy smirk as I watched her mouthing off to her pal. She never lashed out like that at him so it definitely peaked my interest.

"Oh, piss off! You'll regret this, Booker. I promise you that you will rue the day you did this to me!" She screamed as she stormed through the doorway.

"Holy shit, I can't believe Booker didn't cave this time like he always does with her. Guess that makes our night a little bit easier tonight, boys!" I cooed.

"I guess so. Team Hell No will be a little thrown off by her absence. It's pretty perfect actually," Roman admitted.

"Can you believe that after Sunday, she might be our handful to deal with?" Seth asked with a chuckle.

"I'm still in shock that she signed the damn papers. Never thought she'd agree to it," I admitted.

"I'm just as surprised as you but I think she could be a real asset," Rollins said happily.

"That's why we even asked for her services, it's the only valuable thing that Team Hell No has left. Plus, she is pretty easy on the eyes…" the Samoan chimed in.

"Dude, you have a fiancée!" Seth scolded.

"Doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good looking woman when I see one!"

"Touché"

"Can you doofuses focus now? We've got stuff to do. Team Hell No's match is coming up in a few minutes and we've got things to do."

Daniel Bryan and Kane made easy work of 3MB but we couldn't let their night go that easily. We'd already shot them a nice little message.

It began to play as Team Hell No celebrated in the center of the ring, panting.

"Not so fast guys!" I heard Seth's voice chime. "We've got you a little something!" On cue, a stage hand brought Team Hell No a black gift box. Kane took it from him.

"No need to be afraid. Go on open it!" I dared with a pleased look on my face. In the ring, they obliged, revealing a small Shield vest. "We thought you two could pass this along to Raven. We want her to get used to them before she's forced to join us on Sunday…"

"Believe in the Shield!" Roman hissed.

Daniel Bryan began to lose it. Over and over again he screamed 'No!', crazily waving his arms horizontally.

"Is it time?"

"Oh it's time. Let's go boys!" I called out. Our music cued and we made our entrance through the crowd. Kane and Daniel braced themselves for the upcoming attack. I had to hand it to them, they weren't cowards. They could have run.

We all sauntered over to the ring. Each of us taking a different side. We closed in and dove into the squared circle. I immediately lunged at the tinier man. Fists were flying, kicks were driving into each others bodies.

That's when music came over the arena…Team Hell No's to be exact. Everybody stopped and looked over to see an empty ramp. Cheering began. I followed the source only to see the Raven making her way through the crowd with the Big Show acting as her security detail. She reached the barricade and Show lifted her up and over it. She slipped on her signature brass knuckles and stared deviously at the ring.

"Seth! Watch out!" I yelled as I saw a mess of blonde and brunette waves heading towards him. I heard him yelp as she made contact with his body. I switched my attention back to Bryan who, in my lack of attention, was able to secure me in the Yes lock. I writhed in pain. I closed my eyes as I bucked and wiggled trying anything to get free.

I could feel a person approaching. I immediately recognized it as Raven due to her size. She crawled across the ring apron, quite saucily on all fours. A smile crossed her lips.

"Hey there, Sweetheart," she cooed with great pleasure at calling me what I always called her. "I'll never join you."

"You'll be ours, Sweetheart, trust me," I managed to muster. Her smile turned to a frown. She positioned her brass knuckled on her hands.

"Release him, Daniel," she ordered. He relented. She swung and then the world went dark and fuzzy….

Raven

I stood feeling quite victorious over the busted bodies of the Shield. Daniel went over to help Kane to his feet as the crowd began chanting 'Yes!'. I smiled the biggest of smiles as we stood united, with Big Show by our side.

"We are so glad to see you!" Daniel joked.

"Aren't you always?" I shot back.

"Fair enough. Thanks for bailing us out again!"

"Oh, please! It's my job! Besides, I had some help," I said gesturing to the giant.

"You always were a woman with many connections!" Kane mused at the assistance of his one time tag team partner.

"That I am!"

"I hope we don't lose you Sunday," he said sadly.

"You won't. We won the battle tonight, we'll win the war on Sunday. Trust me!"

"This ain't over, Sweetheart, not even close!" I heard Dean muster from behind me. His voice sent a shiver down my spine. I immediately knew he was right.

Thank you taking the time to check out my newest story. Keep on reading to see what Raven gets herself into and see more of the Shield! Feel free to leave me some reviews and feedback!