Chapter XIII: Guess Who's Back?
With her heart beating loudly in her ears and her throat tightly constricting, Samia sauntered into the hotel bar. She sighted Evolution in one corner, a drink in one hand and a scantily clad woman on the other arm. HBK wasn't joking when he said there was competition. If she was guessing right, they were a group of ringrats that had somehow tracked down the faction. Samia chose a more direct route this round and headed straight for their table. "Hello, gentlemen," she said in sultry voice. The girls automatically glared at her before any of the guys responded. "Hunter, I was about to call you and see if you wanted to get together for some drinks, but I found you here first instead."
"Looks like I'm very popular today," he said, glancing around at the women.
She leaned down on the table. "And now the question that begs to be asked, which one of us gets your attention?"
The redheaded woman hanging on his arm snaked a hand into his hair and then nibbled on his ear. Triple H softly laughed and pulled away from her. "She's prettier."
"And better in bed too, I'm sure. However, do you really want to waste your time tonight on someone who has been ridden more times than a mechanical bull at a sleazy bar?"
The redhead was furious. The color of her face closely resembled her hair. "Me and you, outside, now," she spat.
The other guys' eyes immediately lit up. Ric Flair couldn't resist. "Whoo! Catfight!"
"Do you even know who I am, missy?" Samia asked, planting a hand on her hip.
"I don't care 'cause I'll kick your ass," she snarled.
"Hunter, you should feel honored that this floozy's willing to take on the former WWE women's champ." The look of surprise on the woman's face was classic. "You still willing to get your ass kicked?" She thought for a minute and opened her mouth to say something when Samia stopped her. "You can have him when I'm done. Don't get your panties in a wad. Oh, wait, you're not wearing any."
The woman almost came across the table at that comment but Triple H pulled her back down. "What am I doing? I wanna see a catfight," he said, releasing the woman.
"Hunter," Samia said, narrowing her eyes.
Everyone poured out of the booth and Helmsley took her by the elbow, whispering, "I get to make it up to her later. It'll be fun."
"I'm not promising I won't hurt her," Samia noted.
"Just don't break anything," he whispered back and dropped her arm.
"Oh, god," she muttered under her breath.
The group ushered the two women to the back of the parking lot where there were few cars and no people. The other girls were gathered around the redhead giving her pointers. The four guys stood off to the side, looking like eager little boys about to be rewarded with chocolate. Samia had no intention of giving them that satisfaction. She would back out if she didn't need "in" with them so badly. "What's her name?" Samia asked Triple H.
"Gina," he quickly answered.
"I thought it was Jeannie," Orton contradicted.
"No, it was Jenny," Batista asserted.
Samia looked at Flair, waiting for him to put in his opinion. He just shook his head and Samia turned to the group of women. "Hey, chick, you got a name?"
"Tracy," she loudly answered, as if her voice was as vicious as her threats.
Samia turned back to the guys who were now glancing around, picking at their clothes or running their fingers through their hair. Not one of them made eye contact with Tracy or Samia. She handed her purse to the first available hand. I just did my hair and make-up and what for? To impress a bunch of immature men by fighting with a ringrat, she thought with a roll of her eyes. "Alright, Tracy, let's get this on." The girl shook her hands out trying to rid herself of nervousness. Samia held her hand up, waiting for Tracy to take it. The redhead stared at her like she an alien. "You know how to play 'Mercy,' don't you?" With no response, Samia backed up a step. "You go first. Hit me. Free shot." Tracy glanced behind her and the other girls encouraged her. She took a step forward and drew her fist back. Samia was ready to deflect when the woman jammed her stiletto heel into Samia's boot. "Damn!" she yelled and immediately grabbed her foot. She could hear the guys chuckling.
Tracy took a handful of Samia's hair and jerked down. She lost her balance and toppled down, loose gravel in the lot slightly scraping her back. Samia rolled over and jerked the redhead's ankle, sending her down to the pavement. Samia got to her feet. "Oh, look, you do wear underwear." She pulled Tracy up by her hair and drove the woman's face into her knee. Samia let her fall to the ground and wrapped her legs up into a sharpshooter. "Do you give?" she yelled over her back. Tracy didn't have time to respond when the other three women rushed Samia. She speared one into a car, which gave the other two time to grab her arms. One good turn deserves another, she thought and jammed the heel of her boot into the exposed flesh of a foot. The other ended up in a snap mare.
Evolution thought it enough and gathered their respective ladies, helping them back to the hotel. Samia didn't know what else to do but follow. In the lobby, Triple H said a few words with the blonde in the group and nudged Tracy in her direction. He then walked over to Samia with a smile on his face. "How about those drinks now?" He took her by the arm and guided her back into the bar. "So, tell me, Carlsen, what did you want to talk about that was so important that you had to take on four women at once?"
"Let me clarify that. I didn't want to and you made me."
"Okay, okay, I'm at fault. I just wanted to see if you'd actually do it."
"You can't back down from every challenge," she lightly replied, thinking, Why do I keep getting tested?
"You dropped off from the face of wrestling for two years. What was the Yoko Ono of the nWo doing all that time?" he asked, wasting no time on chitchat.
"Very funny," she said with a glare. "Besides, she didn't break up the Beatles."
"And Elvis is alive," Hunter sarcastically commented.
"But he is!" Samia protested.
"You think Elvis is still alive?"
"Of course. He had to go into the witness protection program to escape the mob," she declared.
"The more I know about you, the more interesting you get," he replied with a shake of his head. "So, tell me, what did you do for two years?"
"Just train."
"I know that, but that can't be all you did," he responded and leaned into the corner of the bench seat.
"Just about it," the diva answered with a shrug. "I moved next door to the training facility and ate, slept, and breathed wrestling. I was tired of standing on the sidelines and wanted to be the best when I returned."
"Which you haven't gotten the chance to really show," he stated, leaning up on his elbows.
"You know, you don't have to badger Bischoff into giving me title shots. I'll earn them as I go. I haven't done anything yet to earn one of them."
"This is a side of you I've never seen."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Samia asked with a furrowed brow.
"You didn't hesitate to jump in with the nWo. All the other women there had earned that more than you had but you didn't protest when RVD dumped you."
She wanted to yell at him that she wasn't dumped. "I'm an opportunist. I take the opportunity when it arises and one hasn't risen yet since I've been back—not for the title, but quite possible for something else."
"And what is that?" he asked.
She leaned forward before answering, "The chance to get back at Nash and Michaels."
"And you didn't do that already when joined up with the Undertaker?"
"That didn't do anything to them," she answered, slumping down in the seat.
"And why are you telling me this? How I remember it, I was on the receiving end of all that too." His hazel eyes bore into her soul. Samia was almost afraid to look back.
"Definitely don't look like it bothered you one bit, looks like it helped you more than anything," she deflected.
"Well, maybe I owe you a little."
"You know, me and you, we had a different kind of relationship. You didn't use me like they did. You treated me like we were just friends, not like you could get something out of me."
"Yeah, well, you were fun to have around," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I can't say I didn't use you some. You remember when I sent you to the airport to pick up an old girlfriend because I had a hangover from partying with that other girl the night before. There is no way you would have went if I hadn't told you she was my sister."
Her eyes went wide as the memory came flooding back. "But that wasn't the bad part."
"Yeah, you should have seen the look on your face when you caught us in bed," he said, winking at her.
"That wasn't so funny then, but now," she laughed a little, "it's not quite so bad."
"Yeah, you couldn't say I didn't use you when I always voted for you to go on a beer or food run," Hunter added.
"Apparently, I was the only one who didn't vote me," she said, more to herself than to him.
He began laughing and had to dry his eyes before saying, "You remember how much we annoyed Kevin and Shawn every time all of us were in the ring?"
She busted out in laughter too, remembering the time he put her in a fireman's carry and twirled her in the middle of the ring during one of Shawn's rants. "I had nothing to do with that. You always started it. But don't forget when you got us banned from the hotel pool that night."
He snorted and then grinned at her. "Yeah, we were trouble together," Hunter responded, shaking his head.
They quietly reminisced for a moment and then she tentatively said, "So, can I have a pardon for what I did?"
"I guess so, but that doesn't mean a whole lot right now."
"But I'm on your side," she hurriedly said, but then slowed. "I'm after the same two that you are. Give me a little help every once and while."
He snickered. "Evolution help you?"
"Well, I'll help Evolution," Samia quickly answered.
"We'll see," he replied, rubbing his chin.
"Will you stop saying that?"
"We'll see. Right now, I have a very angry redhead waiting on me. She needs to take that anger out on something," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
Samia watched him go and finished the rest of her drink. She wasn't sure if she needed to tell Nash and Michaels what had transpired or go back to the hotel. After another drink, the hotel became her destination.
Apparently, everyone was back when she returned because Lita, RVD, Tommy Dreamer, and Shane Helms had congregated in their room for a game of cards. There was no retreat. She dropped her purse by the door and wedged her way in between Tommy and Shane. "Deal me in."
"You know what we're playing?" Shane asked.
"Doesn't matter. Deal me in." They had planned on only a few more rounds of cards before hitting the sack and it wasn't long before she had the ability to wash off the evening's events.
With the room empty, Lita stopped her. "I know it's probably none of my business, but what happened? You've got a scratch on your cheek, marks on your back, and that is definitely not the shirt you left in."
"Oh, you know what happens when you help a friend wash his cat. It was utter chaos."
"And your guy friend owns shirts like this?" she asked, picking at the sleeve.
"Oh, no, it's his girlfriend's, a quite lovely girl. You'd like her."
"Fine," Lita said and walked out of the bathroom.
The house show went off without a hitch. A victorious Lita and Samia survived an amiable match against Trish and Ivory. Then, they all packed up again and moved on. At first, the travel had been taxing, but now Samia lived for it. Yet, she wasn't ready to be in Denver having no clue what would happen at RAW. Each step took her a little closer to her desires but did nothing for her nerves. She explained it away to Lita as being a little worried about whether or not Nash and Michaels would start anything tonight.
Samia took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the curtain for her match. Each step was the same as she tossed her fedora at the announce table and sauntered into the ring. She was stuck wrestling Jackie Gayda of all people. She would be easy and Samia thought about tinkering with her to release some frustration. Shortly into the match, Nash made an appearance. Jackie did the smart thing and ran.
Samia played the role of the stupid girl too scared to run and cowered in the corner. Nash grasped her by the arm and she fell to her knees to plead with him. The same sick grin that he always had on right before he was about to powerbomb someone spread across his face. She prayed that he wouldn't actually do it. He grabbed her by the hair and she latched onto his arm to keep it from hurting. He jammed her head between his thighs. She wrapped her arms around his legs because she had no intention of being powerbombed if he truly meant to do so. Kevin stopped to take in the jeers and her mind immediately wandered. You know, Samia, you are exactly where you wanted to be four years ago, between Kevin Nash's thighs, she thought and laughed to herselfAt one time, she wanted to be powerbombed just because of who was doing it. Now, if he wanted to Jackknife her, he would have to pry her off his legs. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited.
Nash seemed to have a change a mind and pushed her away. She tumbled over and lay there, trying to catch her breath. Whatever was going on, it was their plan and she dared not move. Kevin motioned for a microphone and Lilian immediately passed hers off. He pulled Samia to her feet and wrapped his huge hand around her throat. Not knowing his intention, she grabbed his wrist and stared up at him, trying to gauge his thoughts. Nothing.
He licked his lips and started on his tirade. "Triple H, buddy, wha'cha doing back there? No, no, I'm sorry, who're doing there? What wrestler are you screwing over now? Well, I'm sick of it. Things are about to change around here and I say we start with the source—you. Yeah, yeah, we've already went over our history—best friends, Kliq, nWo, turning on each other—let's move on. I want you out here right now. No Evolution, just you. And if you do it, I'll let her go. I know you two had something going on in the nWo, that you were conspiring against us. We know you've been hitting on her since she came back. You gonna let me powerbomb her?" He brushed her hair aside and ran his thumb up and down her throat. "Do you know how easy it would be to snap her neck?" She gulped. "Don't make me. Get out here now!"
Triple H's music, "The Game," hit the speakers. At first, he was alone, but then the rest of Evolution made their way out. Helmsley signaled for his music to be cut. "Nash, come on, man, if you wanted me that bad, you didn't have drag Carlsen into it." He slowly started down the ramp. "I would—"
"I said 'no Evolution.'"
Triple H glanced behind him. "Yeah, go on, guys, I've got it." He then turned back to Nash. "Like I was saying, I would have come out here and whipped your ass without you having to threaten her. Still want to Jackknife her? Want me to help?" Her eyes went wide. What the hell does he think he's doing? she thought. Okay, maybe now I want Rob to come out and help. Hunter climbed into the ring. "Let her go. This is just between me and you."
If she had blinked, Samia wouldn't have seen Shawn Michaels coming from beside the ramp. Triple H didn't have a clue until Shawn had leveled him. Nash pushed Samia out of the way and started in on Helmsley. The rest of Evolution didn't waste time in coming to his rescue. She came to rest against the barricade and waited for the right opportunity to make her break, which was hard with bodies flying out of the ring and jumping back in.
At first, Michaels and Nash held their own against them in an all-out brawl but then Evolution started to get the upper hand. Samia chose to watch, waiting to quickly slip out until…the lights dimmed and music blared from the sound system. There was no footage indicating to whom the theme belonged but neither she nor the crowd needed any prompting. Evolution immediately stopped to stare at the entrance. Nash and Michaels backed off to watch their reaction. The lights came back up and a figure jumped the barricade over her head. Oh, god, I have to go, she thought when she recognized the black curly hair. They had never met and she no desire to become acquainted at this moment. She dashed around the ring before the fray could ensue again. At the top of the ramp, she couldn't resist stopping to watch one of her past favorites in action despite the fear that engulfed her over what would happen next.
As Evolution chose to fight the battle another day, Samia slipped through the curtain before they got there. From the commotion, she could tell they were getting closer and were mad as hell. She ducked into a hallway and slid down behind a crate.
"I will kill them!" she heard Triple H shout. "I'm not standing for this."
"We're right behind you, champ, all the way. If they think they can beat us by bringing back Scott Hall, they are sadly wrong." Batista and Orton chorused their agreement.
TBC…