Chapter 11

"Mandy really?" Sonya groaned as the alarm went off. "Sorry," Mandy says as she gets up and grabs her tablet. Riley had told her he didn't care if she watched the match. But so far on this long tour for him he always had watched her matches and segments giving her feedback and encouragement. She also knew this was a huge match for him. She was back in the US on another loop of shows for the WWE while he was back in Japan after a brief run in Australia. She and Sonya were always room mates on the road sadly that meant waking her friend up. Riley had given her a guess on when his match would start. Sonya was trying to get back to sleep so many grabbed her head phones and head for the bath room in there room.

Logging into New Japan world she started the stream and watched as Riley and Kenny Omega were introduced. For this main event they were facing Jay White and Okada. For Riley this was a huge match. He and White's feud was about to get another chapter and he had told her how excited he was to work a match with Okada. On the outside she saw Gedo to the world that didn't know or care about backstage he was just the manager of Okada but in reality he was New Japan's booker. Putting extra pressure on Riley.

She smiled when she saw he would start for his team vs. Okada. When the bell rang Okada demanded Kenny his long time rival who had finally beat him for New Japan's title face him. He dismissed Riley even go so far as to on a lock up move him to the ropes let him go and pat him on the head like a child. Riley response had been to kick the Ace as he was known so hard it made Mandy flinch. Mandy watched with pride and amazement as Riley and Okada exchanged a series of hard chops and kicks before trading off suplexs. Once Okada hit a Flapjack on him Riley rolled over and tagged Omega drawing a cheer from the fans. "And here we go first time we see Omega and Okada since... Jay White tags himself in," Kevin Kelly announces. From there Omega and White had there own strong exchanges with Omega taking control and tagging back in Riley.

Together Riley and Omega hit a few double teams before White got away and tagged in Okada. Mandy checked the time she prayed this match wouldn't be to long. Eventually it settled into Riley being the wrestler in danger as White and Okada took over. "Tombstone coming up," Kelly announced as Riley was moved into position but began to kick his legs and reverse it and hit one of his own. "Morgan needs to make that tag. He can't have much left after that," Don Callis says. Riley began a slow crawl towards Omega but Okada held on to his foot. Suddenly Jay White jumped in and to Mandy's shock tired to break his partner's grip on Riley. It than dawned on her the story they were telling. Both White and Okada wanted a shot at Kenny. White waned Okada to let Omega come in so he could tag in as well and get the win. Okada let go but got up and knocked Kenny off the apron.

Okada and White began to argue. Riley got up and hits his jumping front kick knocking the partners into each other before making the hot tag to the recovered Kenny. "Kevin that just shows how Riley has taken things to the next level lately. Once upon a time I think the type punishment would put him down," Don Callis says. Mandy smiled knowing announcers spoke like because the company wanted the fans to buy Riley was becoming a better wrestler. After a while it was back to Jay White and Kenny. "Blind tag," Kevin Kelly says. "And White feels the cobra bite," Don yells as Riley hits his chickening suplex on White. White rolled to the outside as the terminator clap started. Riley ran the ropes and hit a suicide dive to the floor.

"Kevin I had a chance to talk to Riley this week. His three goals in New Japan have always been, win a tournament, win a title, and have a major singles match at the Tokyo Dome. At the rate he is wrestling and picking up wins he had a chance to to do of those three because January 4th is not that far off," Don Callis yelled. At this point Sonya came in and needed to use the rest room. Mandy headed back for her bed.

The match was nearly twenty minutes at this stage and all four men were in fighting at once. Okada had Riley set up for the rain maker his finisher. Riley ducked it just as Kenny hit Okada with a jumping knee or V-trigger as he called it. The Ace rolled to the floor where Kenny hit his flip dive taking both men out. White and Riley started to attempt to go for moves with each man countering the others. Riley ducked a lariat. "Ode to CHONO!" Kevin Kelly screams. "White is dazed!" Don adds just as Riley jumped for the Final Wave. "One two three he got him!" Kevin Kelly yells. Kenny got back in the ring and hugged Riley to celebrate. White rolled out of the ring ignoring his tag partner. The Young Bucks and a few other Bullet Club members came out to celebrate as well.

After a while someone handed Kenny a microphone. He spoke in perfect Japanese for a bit before handing it Riley. "I miss when Kenny would only speak English... Jay White I know you can hear me right now. Lets make something clear you have been a problem for the Bullet Club for far to long! Now credit where credit is due you did Kenny and win that belt. And you beat Hangman to retain it. But you only beat me because Dusty's kid kicked me! Well as you can all see Dusty's kid seems to have learned to stay out of the way finally. And just pinned you! To say again I pinned you Jay White. Don't worry about getting another shot at Kenny. Worry about me taking the belt you do have. Its coming home to Bullet Club!" Riley says before handing the mic back to Kenny who promises something real special for the IWGP title before wrapping it up. Mandy turns off and head back to sleep smiling knowing Riley was on his back to the US now.

TGI Friday's Japan

Riley took a bite of his burger. Matt Jackson was filming. "So Riley how you feeling? It's been a long month for you?" "I am so glade to be heading home. I just hope I can remember how to get to my house,' Riley jokes. "Nick and I actually did the math last year we spent almost as much time in Japan as we did at home in California," Matt says. "It will be nice to be back on US time. So many of my loved ones I have not actually talked in weeks," Riley says. Matt puts down the phone. "So how man how are things with you and Mandy?" He asks. "As good as they can be given it's been nearly two months since we were in the same city much less room. I am worried about her," Riley says.

"What's going on?" Matt asks. "I think they are de-pushing her because of me," Riley says. "Because of you? That's stupid," Nick chimes in. "Its beyond petty but I have seen them do stuff like it before," Cody says. "All of a sudden she and Cole go from a big push with Charlotte and Hardy to barley being on the show. What sucks is I Know Mandy was really excited with how it was playing out," Riley says. "Dude it's out of your control," Matt says. Riley nods. "And hey man tour is over. Let's celebrate how big a success its been," Kenny says raising a glass.

Five Days Later Houston Airport

Mandy scanned the sea of humanity. Her phone went off. "Hey where are you?" "Behind you," Riley says. Mandy turns around and sees him. The kiss. "I've missed you," Mandy says. "Not as much as I've missed you," He says as they head toward the exit. They had two days and wanted to take every advantage of it. "This is for you," Riley says handing her a small teddy bear. "Oh Riley it is so cute," Mandy says. "I was thinking flowers but well I can't even take a bottle of water on a flight these days," He says. "I didn't get you anything," Mandy says. "Just seeing you is gift enough," Riley says as they get into the car.

"So hey did you find out what you are doing in the dome?" Mandy asks. Like WreslteMania the Tokyo Dome show as New Japan's biggest event of the year. Many of the top matches were laid out months in advance. Riley had been on the show before but only in multi man tag matches. But like Mania things could change to make the show bigger and better. Chris Jericho being brought in for example. Riley was hopeful his feud with White would mean he was finally getting a big singles match. "Not yet. Still got my fingers crossed," Riley says. "What ever you do I'm sure it will be great," Mandy says. "Thanks. Seems like Adam's feud with Dillinger is going well," He says.

For Mandy it was a mixed bag. They were still on TV most weeks but her involvement was limited to being at ringside. "It has been," Mandy says but her tone tells him she's not happy. "I'm sorry. I think it's so stupid they pulled the plug on the stuff you guys were doing," Riley says. "The good news is Total Divas starts taping next week and I'm still on the cast hopefully things will pick up again," Mandy says.

Later

After dropping off there bags at the hotel they walked around the shopping distract. "Okay I need coffee. Can I get you anything?" Mandy asks as they pass a stand. "A diet soda if they have it," Riley says. Mandy heads off to the stand gets a coffee for her and a diet coke for Riley. It takes about three minutes. When she turns around she sees he's on the phone and he looks angry. She heads back to him but he is so wrapped up in the conversation. "Look this is no my responsibility anymore… I have a life of my own… You don't get to guilt trip me anymore," Riley says before hanging up. Mandy is stunned she's never heard him this angry or short with anyone.

"Something up?" She asks. "Nothing… Thanks. So hey what was that shop you wanted to find," Riley says. Its obvious to Mandy he is trying to change the subject. "Riley hold on. What was that call about?" She presses. He takes a deep breath. That habit she knows he has when he's trying sort out what he wants to say. "I have an ex that is really messed up. It was about her," Riley says. "Is she okay?" Mandy asks. "She hasn't been okay in a long time. For to long I kept trying to fix… fix her," Riley says. "And she just called?" Mandy asked. "No it was her mother. Laura is in a really bad place she wants me to talk to her. But I can't. At some point you have to move on," Riley says. She can tell this still really upsets him. "You can only do so much," Mandy assures him.

"Thanks. But lets enjoy our day. What do you want to do?" Riley says. "Well I did want to check out that boutique," Mandy says. "Hey lead the way… But can you help me with something?" He asks. "Sure." "What the hell makes a store a boutique?"

WWE Smackdown booking meeting

"So the stuff with Dillinger and Cole has run it's course," Stephanie says. "I agree," Triple H says. "So what comes next? I mean Dillinger has his role. But Cole and Mandy Rose?" BG asks. "Well we all agree we want Jeff Hardy and Orton. Charlotte needs to be back in the title picture," Stephanie says. "I have an idea," Vince says.

Houston

"You were a drama geek?" Mandy asks as she and Riley eat dinner. "I wouldn't say geek. But yes I did drama. You have to remember I never did team sports I had to do something to make friends," Riley says. "Were you in plays?" Mandy asks. "Yeah a number of them. Noises Off I played Freddie, I was as Sam in Plaza Suit, and oh Judge Brack in Heada Gabler," Riley says. "You played a judge?" She asks. "It wasn't like Law and Order. Heada Gabler is this really old play about this manipulative woman. But in the end she winds getting caught and choices to kill herself rather than be blackmailed," Riley says. "Sounds really dark," Mandy says. "Oh it is. Mrs. Murphy took a risk putting it on. Some parents weren't happy but they let it go. I mean the play is from 1891 so it wasn't to extreme," Riley says.

"I wanted to try it drama but in school I was to busy with dance and cheer leading," Mandy says. "Like I said if I had stuck with football or baseball no way I would have had time… I'll check with my mom she might have some of my old drama stuff in the basement," Riley says. "I would love to see it. You in costumes," Mandy says. "To be fair I'm kind of in a costume when ever I wrestle," Riley says. "Never thought of it like that," Mandy says.