A/N: So , the Street Fight between the Tennessee Connection and the Saints is done , the Saints have broken up , and Grace will now be managed by Andy Douglas with KHAOS still being a problem ; the Extended Family is busy this time around .
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the wrestlers . I do own my OCs , Khaos , and the story itself . Domino is my new heel character while The Phantom is a face , so if you want to use them for anything else please ask .
Chapter 11 : Open Challenge
Harris House
A couple of days later , Grace was sitting alone at the kitchen table in her house when The Naturals came walking in the door with Storm and Cassidy .
" Don ' t you guys knock ? " Grace asked eating jello while looking over a calendar and planner to go over her schedule after the Street Fight with a large box next to her .
" Your dad gave me a spare key . " James said .
" Oh , Andy , stay out of my red jello , " Grace said throwing a balled up piece of paper at the man , who had been looking in the fridge for jello , hitting him on the back of the head .
" Hey , now , I am your manager . " Andy said as Chase and Cassidy chuckled .
" Yeah , you are my manager not a jello thief . " Grace said .
" So , what exactly are you doing ? " Cassidy asked .
" Since the Saints are over with , I am having to book myself now as Grace Harris , the American Kid with her jello thieving manager , Andy Douglas . " Grace looked at Andy who held his hands up innocently .
" Where ' s the first match going to be ? " Chase asked laughing at Andy trying to look innocent .
" Raleigh , " Grace said .
" North Carolina , is our first stop , " Andy said looking at the schedule .
" Yeah , speaking of , dad mentioned before my match with Domino in Miami , that Chase and Storm knew someone that Shannon Moore was connected to who could do a tattoo for me . " Grace looked at Chase and Storm .
" Yeah , Shannon runs a place called Gas Chamber Ink. , you need to talk to a guy named Shane Gastaph and he can definitely hook you up with something good , Grace . " James said .
" Yep , so , you are thinking about joining the rest of us who has ink ? " Chase asked her .
" I am , " Grace said pulling out a piece of paper from her planner that she kept with her things that went on the road with her showing them what she was getting done .
" Does your dad know what you are getting ? " James asked smiling at the picture she showed them of what she was having put on her .
" No , I wanted to surprise him with it , " Grace said .
" Where are you having the tattoo put ? " Andy asked .
" My left shoulder . " Grace said .
" Alright , we will call Gas Chamber Ink to see if Shannon and Gastaph can ' t schedule you in . " James said .
" Sounds good , " Grace said .
" Hard to believe this one is talking about tattoos . " Chase said .
" But , at least she ' s thinking it through properly . " Cassidy said .
" Agreed , " Andy said eating the jello in front of him .
" Jello thief . " Grace said making them laugh and Andy smile at her satisfied .
" Are you going to start feeling the pressure of wrestling as a singles competitor now Grace since you don ' t have the rest of the Saints to back you ? " Cassidy asked .
" Should I use you as a tackling dummy and find out ? " Grace smiled at Cassidy .
" Grace , do remember that you are a face now and not a heel , so , you need to start acting like a face . " Storm said .
" Oh , whoops , " Grace shrugged looking at the box .
" What ' s in the box ? " Chase asked curiously .
" New gear , " Grace said .
" So , you got an upgrade . " James said .
" Yeah , look , " Grace pulling out her new ring gear and jacket .
" So , it doesn ' t have the Saints on it anymore . " Cassidy noticed .
" That and the jacket has been slightly altered as well . " Grace showing them that an eagle was now on the back with American Kid spelled out with red , white , and blue threading , while Liberator was on one sleeve and Freedom on the other sleeve , and the American Flag decorating much of the rest of the jacket .
" She knows how to style just like AMW taught her to do . " James said as Chris and Jessie came in the door with Andy and Chase ' s family Andy Jr. and Dakota talking about something .
" Where did you guys pick up Dakota from ? " Andy asked .
" Team Canada will be here in a minute after going to check the tunnel with the Franchise . " Debra said .
" So , Dakota came with us . " Andy Jr. said .
" Daddy is eating jello , " Talia said looking at Andy with pleading eyes .
" Come here , Princess , " Andy said picking her up and letting her finish the jello .
" I ' m surprised Grace let you near her jello , Andy . " Jessie laughed .
" He like to have gotten his fangs knocked out , but then I remembered that I need my manager in one piece . " Grace said .
" You couldn ' t catch me , " Andy declared .
" Andy , I am probably the only one who can catch you around here . " Grace reminded him .
" No , Grace , not the only one , you ' ve been on the road so much that you ' ve missed on the fact that I can keep up with dad pretty well now . " Andy Jr. said .
" Andy is getting competition now . " Chase realized .
" Running gives me gas . " James said .
" Uncle James , you only run when somebody is giving out free beer . " Grace said making Chris laugh .
" That ' s so true , " Chris said .
" Do you know anyone giving away free beer ? " James asked .
" Nope , " Grace said .
" So , this must be the new gear . " Chris looking at the box .
" Yeah , I ' ve been meaning on taking it up to my room . " Grace stretching as she stood up and took everything she was working on up to her room .
" So , back to singles competition for Grace . " Traci said .
" With Andy managing her . " Jessie said .
" Yep , when are you going to start physical therapy on the leg , Chris ? " Andy asked the Wildcat .
" In the coming week , " Chris said .
" We will need to start watching out for KHAOS more often since they have been quiet as of late . " James said .
" Has Jarrett said anything to the possibility of who might be leading them ? " Chase asked .
" Not yet , " Jessie said .
" Pops said that he was certain that just Domino , Ron Horn , and Ryan Stone was at the Street Fight the other night . " Andy Jr. informed them .
" Meaning they are planning something . " Grace said coming down the stairs .
" We ' ll be ready . " Dakota said .
" But , how are we going to know who KHAOS will attack next ? " Traci asked .
" Seeing as they haven ' t been to keen on attacking us a second time , maybe that ' s a clue . " Chase said .
" And they have attacked only seven of us at the moment . " James said .
Grace looked around knowing what they need , but with her feeling like only a few in the family believed she wasn ' t aligned with KHAOS she knew for sure that she wasn ' t the best one to bring the family back together .
" Grace , you are deep in thought . " Andy said .
" Have you noticed anything different about the family this time around with KHAOS that was in the Extended Family during the Aces & Eights Crisis , during the fight with Trifecta , and the battles against Biohazard ? " Grace asked .
They all looked at her curiously and confused .
" Unity , everyone was working on a way to take down the enemy together , and I get it we have other things to deal with at the same time . But , wasn ' t the Extended Family and what has already formed with the Inheritors suppose to work together and believe in each other . But , here this KHAOS comes in and all of a sudden family members are doubting family members , people are getting blamed for stuff they didn ' t do , the family is scattered when the enemy is out ploting something instead of using that time to start planning a strategy against them , and the ones within the family are still getting attacked and having to deal with the ones inside of KHAOS . " Grace said trying not to start tearing up again .
" Grace , " Jessie said .
" No , I know , what you would say , Daniels is pissed at what they did to him and is trying to blame it on someone , I get it , I do , it would be just as easy for me to blame the smoke issue and numbness on anyone of you . But , here I am ready to fight for the family , because I know that the ones within the family wouldn ' t hurt me . I know that I am safe at least around the Extended Family , but what many don ' t realize is that I put defending this family before anything else I do or anything else I care about . Standing up for the people I care about has made me happy , its a part of me that if I wasn ' t able to do so and wasn ' t able to take a stand , I wouldn ' t be able to live with myself . The issues in the family needs to be hashed out and dealt with now and before KHAOS gets any worse and then we need to focus on taking out the enemy instead of blaming each other and going off to try and fix things by ourselves . This isn ' t what TNA was founded on and its not the way the Extended Family came together to begin with to deal with the problems that found their way into TNA . " Grace finally having enough as she got up and went upstairs to her room .
" Grace , " Andy Jr. and Dakota ran up to get her with Katie .
" She has a very valid point . " Traci said .
" Maybe we should get a family meeting together and deal with all of the issues . " Chris suggested .
" It would be good to see where all of the investigation stuff is at as well . " Storm agreed .
" Then lets set up the family meeting , but what do we say to Daniels to convince him that Grace isn ' t aligned with KHAOS ? " Chase asked .
" Wrestler ' s court , but lets bring in some impartial people to decide what is what by presenting all of the evidence to the jury and letting them decide who is guilty and who isn ' t . " Andy suggested .
" You want to put Grace in wrestler ' s court when she hasn ' t done anything wrong and in front of people who hardly knows her , Andy ? " Chris asked .
" Chris , it maybe the only way to clear this mess up in the family . " Andy said .
" I don ' t know , I mean it could work , but Andy take into account that Grace has been put in a situation where she has been judged and mistreated by other adults that are not her family . Let ' s remember that it took one wrong person with a bunch of false allegations telling people who didn ' t know her and didn ' t know Chris and where that put Grace for years after that man . " Storm realizing this might not be a good situation .
" Alright then , lets not go with complete strangers , how about we allow Grace and Daniels someone they both trust to talk for them preferably , someone who hasn ' t felt the attacks . Then we ask older , more experience wrestlers that have been close to the family to deal with issues , but not actually in the family who intellectually think things through , and wouldn ' t be bias to either one , guys like Sting , Jarrett , The Franchise , D ' Amore , Raven , Low Ki , guys like that . " Andy explained better .
" That definitely sounds more reasonable than just letting anybody deal with the issues . " Chase liking it better .
" I can agree to that as well . " James said .
" Alright , then lets set it up . " Andy said .
" I don ' t like it , " Chris said wheeling himself away from the table and into his office .
" Maybe , we should just see what the evidence shows . " Jessie told them .
" Huh ? " The Naturals asked .
" I mean its been proven that Grace was in the ring in Alabama when Cassidy got the call about the attack on Chase and walking into the locker room when the call came about the attacks on Daniels and EY , so , lets start there and see where it leads us . " Jessie said .
" That could work , too . " Andy sighed .
" I know , babe , you want the situation resolved , we all do , but would you want to put Andy Jr. and Talia through something like that knowing good in well how wrestler ' s court can be ? " Debra asked .
" No , you have a good point , " Andy realizing what everyone was saying as he looked at Talia .
" Jello , all gone now daddy . " Talia smiled .
" I see that Princess . " Andy hugging his daughter .
" Sometimes you wish you could keep them this little forever with that innocence before they get to the point where everything can hurt them and where the world is a mess . " Jessie said .
" I ' ll say , sometimes its hard to believe that Little A isn ' t little anymore . " Debra said .
" Hearing Katie ' s giggles does wonders when I need a stress reliever or feeling swore after a match . Its amazing how just one little sound of it makes the strength come back into my body . " Chase said .
" Makayla is with my mom right now , so , I don ' t get as much time to see or talk to her like I would want , too . " James said .
Grace ' s Room
Grace was in her room trying to calm down when a knock came at her bedroom door .
" Yeah , " Grace opened the door to see Katie and the Dynamic Duo .
" We want to talk . " Andy Jr. said as Grace let them in .
" There ' s not anything to talk about that I didn ' t say downstairs . " Grace said .
" You said it yourself that the Extended Family and Inheritors were suppose to work together . " Dakota said .
" I did , why ? " Grace asked .
" How is the Extended Family suppose to work together if we in the Inheritors are not united ourselves ? " Andy Jr. asked .
" We can ' t expect them to do something if we are not willing to do it ourselves . " Katie said .
" Then lets bring the Inheritors together to show the Extended Family that we know what true unity is and how to trust others in the family . " Dakota said .
Grace looked at the three realizing they have a point and smiled knowing it was what they were meant to be , united and the future generation of what the Extended Family built and the future of TNA itself .
" You guys are right , lets truly unite the Inheritors and put us to use in helping the Extended Family deal with KHAOS . " Grace said .
" What if we got a team meeting set up so the adults can deal with what they have to and the Inheritors have their own meeting at the same time ? " Andy Jr. asked as they left Grace ' s room back downstairs .
" That could work , " Dakota and Katie both said .
" It could , and I think we need to have someone who can be the go between for the Extended Family and the Inheritors at least at the moment when we are trying to set up and not really familiar with everything . " Grace said .
" An adult that has worked with the adults and some of us type of thing ? " Andy Jr . asked .
" Sounds about right . " Dakota said as they saw Chase now in the kitchen stealing a cookie , but not seeing anyone else .
" Andy Douglas is a jello thief and Chase Stevens is a cookie bandit , what is the Naturals coming to these days . " Grace said making Chase jump and look at the kids .
" Hey , its just one cookie . " Chase said .
" Chase , I said stay out of the cookies , jeez , they ' re for Chris . " Jessie scolded as Chase hid behind the kids .
" He doesn ' t need all of them . " Chase said making Jessie glare at him .
" Chase , she has been taking care of dad a lot since the accident , so , do you really want to push it ? " Grace asked .
" No , " Chase said .
" Where is everyone else then ? " Dakota asked .
" Chris is in his office while everyone else went to the training facility . " Jessie said .
" Okay , so , back to this go between for the Inheritors and Extended Family . " Katie said .
" This person could also aid us at times and be beneficial to the growth of the Inheritors if we ever decided to add new people . " Grace thinking it through .
" So , wait , the Extended Family is made up of more than just guys that were there the first days of TNA ? " Andy Jr. asked Chase looked at them curiously .
" Yes , Team Canada and Alex Shelley wasn ' t apart of the first days of TNA or even the first year , some didn ' t even come in until the Aces & Eights Crisis , and the Extended Family add people that were in TNA the first days , but hadn ' t been here in years or only came around for special occasions . " Grace said .
" Meaning what for the Inheritors as far as adding people ? " Dakota asked .
" They need to have at least some qualities that would be similiar to the foundation that TNA was built on by the Originals and the Extended Family , or they must be able to strengthen that foundation as Jarrett mentioned five years ago . Those born within the family already have a spot within the Inheritors and can be reinstated if something went wrong like the Extended Family reinstating A1 five years ago after he fully left Aces & Eights , we have the ability to add people outside of the family into the Inheritors if they meet the requirements and they can be asked to leave if they go outside of TNA tradition and start messing with the foundation TNA was built on , further more the Extended Family or those connected with family and the Inheritors can send people to us that they feel should be add to the Inheritors and the same rules apply to those we add ourselves . " Grace explained .
" Who came up with those rules ? " Chase asked .
" Jeff Jarrett , Sting , Booker T , Shane Douglas , and Scott D ' Amore , " Grace said .
" I was actually about to say that Shane could be our go between , seeing as he has been a big part in helping the Extended Family and TNA Originals since the very beginning of TNA and since he ' s helped us in the Inheritors both during the Trifecta and Biohazard situation and now with KHAOS . " Dakota pointed out .
" That ' s not a bad choice at all , " Grace agreed .
" Pops definitely has my vote . " Andy Jr. said .
" Sounds good , but wait and see what the others say . " Katie said .
" I can always talk it over with Rosie and the twins after they get home from school , but getting the word to Edward maybe hard . " Grace said .
" Maybe not if he still has the radio we use during the war with Trifecta and Biohazard . " Dakota said going to his bag and pulling out the radio .
" We will call him and find out about what he thinks about all of this . " Andy Jr. said as both of them moved to the side to talk to Edward .
" Should I be worried about what you guys are up to ? " Chase asked Grace and Katie .
" The Inheritors are putting the pieces in place to start helping the family and maybe all of this bullshit about whose siding with who and the trust issues in the family will stop . " Grace said .
" We need to be united in order to help out the Extended Family . " Katie said .
" Jarrett put this in place for it to happen , we are just making it now with KHAOS after us and before other problems start happening . " Grace said .
" Alright , but you guys be careful . " Chase said .
" Sure , so , what ' s the word with the Tennessee Connection now that you guys won the war against the Saints ? " Grace asked .
" Haven ' t really said yet . " Chase said .
" At least your boys don ' t have to worry about getting their asses kicked by me , anymore . " Grace shrugged .
" Grace , " Jessie glared .
" Ma ' am , " Grace gulped .
" Watch your language . " Jessie scolded .
" Yes , ma ' am , " Grace hiding behind Chase now Katie and the Dynamic Duo trying not to laugh .
" Now , what ? " Chase asked .
" Let ' s go down to the training facility and see if my manager has any insight . " Grace stealing a cookie while Jessie ' s back was turned .
" Now whose . . . " Chase started as Grace pulled him out the door with the Dynamic Duo and Katie following trying not to laugh .
Training Facility
James and Andy were working out in the training facility with Debra and Traci talking over upcoming events with the Knockouts when Chase and the kids came walking in .
" So , I ' m still scheduled for the SAW event in Nashville , but I don ' t exactly have a match , how does that work ? " Grace asked .
" It means they want you to be on the card that night , but don ' t really know what to do with you . " Chase said .
" Sounds like a good opportunity to throw out an open challenge and see what fish I can get on the line that wants their ten minutes of fame by getting beat by the American Kid . " Grace said .
" Oh , that was some smooth talking . " James said .
" Do we need to remind you that you are a face now ? " Andy asked .
" Being a face doesn ' t mean I let just any old or young fool steal a victory from me , Andy . " Grace said .
" Open challenge actually doesn ' t sound to bad for you . " Chase said .
" With me answering that challenge . " Daniels walked into the training facility right to Grace looking her dead in the eyes .
" Daniels ? " The Naturals asked .
" Chris called and said this maybe the only way to get all of our issues out and I say he ' s right , the only way I can know for sure whose side you are really on Grace is to fight you in the ring . So , I did some calling around and I will be your opponent in Nashville , Tennessee in the SAW main event , so , if you really want to prove you ' re innocence except my challenge if not then I will assume you are really guilty like I have always believed , American Kid , " Daniels challenging Grace .
" If that ' s the only way to resolve the issues and get this family focused on what ' s important again then fine I will except your challenge , but don ' t think I ' m going to lose to you , Fallen Angel . " Grace accepting the challenge .
" You guys are weird . " Edward said as he walked in with AJ , Frankie , Maria , and Leia .
" Leia , " Talia ran to Leia hugging her friend .
" Talia , " Leia squealed as both started laughing and bouncing up and down .
" Andy acts like that too when he ' s excited . " Chase said getting a look from Andy .
" Must be a Natural trait as I recall Chase doing that a time or two as well . " Traci said making Debra and the kids laugh .
" Hey , Andy can you focus on being my spotter instead of on your first wife ? " Storm asked .
" I was never married to Chase like you were to Chris . " Andy said .
" Yeah , right , " Frankie said .
" So , the match is on ? " AJ asked .
" Yes , " Grace and Daniels both said staying as far away from the other as possible .
" It was the best plan I could come up with . " Chris wheeling himself into the facility with Jessie .
" Okay , " Grace said .
" By the way which one of you stold another cookie ? " Jessie looking at Chase and Grace who looked at each other .
" I was doing dad a favor by saving him from unnecessary carbs . " Grace said .
" Grace , never ever get between a Harris and their cookies , you should know that by now . " Maria said .
" I am a Harris , Aunt Maria , so , wouldn ' t that apply to me , too ? " Grace asked .
" It would . " Maria said as Talia came running over hiding behind Chase with Leia running after her both of them laughing .
" Hey , when did I become a hiding spot ? " Chase smiled at the girls as Chris wheeled his wheelchair right beside Leia picking her up .
" Uncle Chris , " Leia laughed .
" Sweet girl , its been awhile since I ' ve gotten a hug from you . " Chris said .
" Big hug for the big Wildcat . " Leia hugging Chris .
" Talia , what are you doing ? " Andy asked as they looked at her trying to put on a bandanna like her dad and brother had on .
" Uh oh , " Talia looked at the bandanna after she thought she had it , but then it came apart making her drop her head .
" Hang on , sis . " Andy Jr. walked over to his sister and redid the bandanna on her head where it would stay making her smile .
" Bubba , " Talia hugging her brother .
" Happy children are good children . " Debra said .
" Exactly , " Jessie and Chris said .
" I ' ll agree to that . " Frankie and Maria said as James finished up with his work out .
" That was fun , " Andy said .
" For me or for you ? " Storm asked .
" What you weren ' t having fun ? " Andy asked .
" Calm down children , " Chase said getting a look from Debra and Traci .
" Coming from the other kid in the building . " Traci said .
" Whose the kid ? " Cassidy and Shane Williams walked into the training facility .
" Chase , " Debra said .
" Not me , " Chase holding his hands up innocently .
" Chase , you are definitely not innocent . " Andy declared .
" Neither are you . " Chase said .
" Guys , calm down , " Grace finally said .
" So , we come baring gifts from Konnan and Phantom . " Cassidy said giving the folder he was holding to Chase .
" What is that ? " Chris asked .
" Information you seek on Domino . " Williams said .
" King of Knoxville , I could kiss you if you weren ' t so funny looking and if my dad wouldn ' t kill you after the fact . " Grace said .
" Eh , " The Dynamic Duo and Edward said .
" Domino is not Mexican , but Puerto Rican which can help us start tracking down his whereabouts and who he is a lot better . " Chase looking in the file .
" Something else he lied to the Saints about . " Grace said .
" He ' s been known as like the ghoul of Puerto Rico much like the Islamic ghoul that is known as a body-snatching demon . The folklore in Islam about these ghouls says they are evil demons that eats freshly buried bodies , and often abducts children or attacks unwary travelers . " Chase read what Konnan put down .
" Phantom mentioned that every mask has a meaning in luchador wrestling , so , Domino ' s mask means what , that he is dark , evil , obsessed with the dead , and not against kidnapping or abducting those that are helpless . " Grace said .
" According to this that Konnan wrote that ' s exactly what his mask means . " Chase answered .
" Abducting children ? " Katie said making Grace look at her .
" They are not involved Katie , the Motorcity Machine Guns and Johnny Devine said that they were put away for a long time and not out at the moment . " Grace knowing who she was thinking about .
" But , they were in the child abducting business weren ' t they ? " Katie hinted at Grace .
" They were , I wonder how deep that business runs , " Grace answered .
" It was never mentioned , but surely we couldn ' t have been the only two they had at any given time . " Katie said .
" Do you know of any other children that were there before I came along ? " Grace asked .
" No , not there , but I do remember scratch marks and other things that made me assume a kid had been at the other place before I was brought to him . " Katie said .
" He wouldn ' t talk to any of us , but I think I know someone who might talk to me . " Grace said .
" Who are we talk about ? " Chris asked .
" Cledus , " Grace said walking out of the training facility .
" Grace , wait up . " Chase ran after her realizing what Chris was concerned about .
" Chase , I need to go and deal with this . " Grace going to get into her car with Chase behind her .
" You don ' t have to dig this up again . " Chase told her knowing what it did to Grace five years ago remembering what she went through as a child .
" Chase , I am not afraid of that place anymore , but if there ' s any hint that what Katie says is true about Sanders , Cledus and those people that hurt us and if Domino is connected to them or child abductors then I need to find out . And I will personally shut everyone of those places down to find out the truth and to put a stop to them hurting kids and ripping apart families like mine . " Grace said .
" But , why Cledus ? " Chase asked .
" He might be the only one that would talk to us , seeing as what Sanders almost turned him into and he decided to not go that far . I am not saying that the guy isn ' t evil because I know what he did to me personally even after Sanders left with Katie , but I ' m hoping he may at least have the decency to tell the truth after he saw the evil Sanders was doing . " Grace said .
" Then let me go with you . " Chase said .
" Why ? " Grace asked curiously .
" Because I don ' t feel right about you going to a prison all by yourself to talk to someone who hurt you . " Chase said making Grace looking at him with a slight smile .
" Alright , you can go with me . " Grace said .
" Hang on , " Chase said running back in to tell Traci to look after Katie and where they were going .
" Grace , are you sure this is good idea ? " Chris came out to ask her .
" I need to do this dad to make sure nothing happens to someone else like it did to me . " Grace said .
" Alright , baby , " Chris realizing what she was saying .
When Chase came out his and the Wildcat ' s eyes met each other and Chris knew Chase would look after Grace .
" I ' ll watch her , " Chase said .
" Thank you , " Chris said .
With that the two were gone to see Cledus in prison to see if they could figure out how to deal with Domino .