A/N: Thank you for the reviews. I really appreciate them!
Chapter Fourteen: Decisions
TJ walked into the office and glanced silently at her biological father, half-sister and brother in law. TJ sat alone on the opposite side of the table and looked at Vince, Stephanie and Paul in silence.
"You obviously know why you are here," stated Stephanie, "Your three month contract ends tomorrow."
"It does," nodded TJ in acknowledgement, her fingers interlaced on the table in front of her.
"We have a yearlong contract here for you. You will remain as General Manager of Raw. However, you will also be expected to do interviews on television programs, magazines, papers and podcasts when scheduled to do so."
"And as Jon's PA?"
"We will find a PA to look after you both. You both will have demanding schedules. It would be unfair to expect you to continue looking after Jon as his PA."
TJ raised an eyebrow at that and shook her head, "So it's unfair of me to do the job I was originally hired for, but it's alright to force me in front of the world without any form of hesitation on your part?"
"Read the contract and bring it to the Smackdown taping tomorrow," said Stephanie.
TJ grabbed the contract, stood and left the room, slamming the door shut on her way out.
"She remind's me of my mother with her stubbornness," said Vince with a sigh.
"She won't sign that contract," said Paul firmly as he stood up.
"What makes you so sure?"
"Haven't you listened to a word TJ has said throughout this whole… saga?" spoke Paul in genuine surprise, "She doesn't want an on screen role, Vince. She was happy working as Jon's PA!"
"Paul, Dad just wants TJ to feel part of the family," defended Stephanie.
"And I am fairly certain TJ felt more part of this family before she found out you and her were really sisters."
Jon exited the change room's, pulling on his leather jacket. He headed towards the guerrilla area due to being in the show's opening segment – as was TJ. As Jon walked, he stretched out, bouncing up and down to loosen his muscles.
Joe caught up to him, slapping him on the back in greeting, "Hey man. Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah," nodded Jon as he rubbed his hands together and tilted his head side to side.
"Colby told me you and TJ had a falling out?"
Jon sighed, "Colby and his fat mouth. We got bombarded by the paps. It was a new situation for us both and I reacted badly."
"But you guys worked it out?"
Jon nodded, "I apologised for being an ass towards TJ and we are fine. Why, what did Colby say?"
"Just that he didn't like the way TJ stressed over you. That he wants someone to worry about him the way TJ does about you."
Jon remained silent at that as the pair rounded a corner into the open area of backstage. Jon spotted Renee prepping for her segment. What he felt for TJ he never felt for Renee. The relationship with Renee had started off smooth. It seemed to just happen. Everything seemed to happen when it was meant to and then they were just a couple. Once the one year mark hit Renee seemed to suddenly want more and hinted at more, as if Jon were to just go with the next step.
His relationship with TJ grew from a working relationship to a genuine friendship. And then it was as if a fire were lit between them. Every kiss, every touch, every look and every moment shared between them mattered and meant something. Jon was fiercely in love with TJ and he never wanted it to stop or suddenly vanish.
"So did you read the script for Renee?" murmured Joe as Jon checked the tape around his wrists.
"No. Why?"
"She has to interview TJ."
Jon frowned, "Are you serious?"
Joe nodded and Jon scowled in annoyance. He had no idea what creative were playing at with that or if they wanted a reason to fire Renee.
Two arms snaked around Jon's waist from behind and he turned, smiling when he came face to face with TJ.
"Going for the up do today, huh?" commented Jon on TJ's curly hair being pulled up and pinned with a few curls escaping.
TJ shrugged, "Like I have a say. I did just get the new contract but I'll show you it later."
"Okay. Joe told me about your segment with Renee."
TJ pulled an annoyed face but shrugged. There wasn't anything she could do about it. Creative decisions were out of her hand, although a voice in the back of her mind did tell her that she could make decisions against creative's plans whilst live on air.
"What's that look for?" murmured Jon, drawing TJ closer against his body.
TJ smiled and stood on tip toe and kissed Jon on the lips lightly, "No reason. But I must say, you look really hot in these jeans."
Jon grinned and winked, "I wore them just for you, babe."
TJ chuckled, hitting Jon on the arm when he playfully pinched her butt.
"Get a room, please," came Renee's snide comment.
TJ felt Jon tense but she placed a hand on his chest causing him to look at her. TJ shook her head at him and Jon responded with a slow, passionate kiss for all to see.
"Damn, I need to find me a man!" came Victoria's voice.
TJ pulled away from Jon blushing and laughing, burying her face in Jon's shirt. Jon merely chuckled, kissing TJ on top of her head just as the signal came for the show to begin in two minutes.
Tara McMahon's music hit and she strode out to a warm welcome from the WWE Universe – it probably helped that the world knew of her relationship with WWE's top superstar. Tara smiled at the audience as she strode to the ring decked out in black jeans with rips at the knee's, black heels and a red singlet top. She climbed into the ring and picked up the microphone to begin the show.
"Welcome to Monday Night Raw!" greeted Tara, "So next Sunday is Night of Champions and I just want to confirm a few details for the match I have set. So could I please have Seth Rollin's and Dean Ambrose out here - right now."
Seth's music hit and he strode out, looking at Tara in pure annoyance with J and J security following him out, patting him on the back and glaring daggers at Tara. Seth climbed into the ring with Joey and Jamie trying to intimidate Tara. Tara just shook her head at them and rolled her eyes as Dean Ambrose's music started.
Dean strode out and didn't waste time sliding into the ring and glaring at Seth with cold blue eyes.
"Alright, so I am sure you men are familiar with a Hell in a Cell match," said Tara, looking between them both.
"Yes, Tara, I am sure we are aware of the rules," spoke Seth slowly.
"Good. Because I am throwing in a new one," stated Tara, turning her attention to Joey and Jamie.
The crowd started reacting, seeming to know what was coming.
"Usually it would be a no disqualification match – and that still applies - however if ANYONE interferes in the match they will find themselves FIRED!"
"You can't do that!" yelled Jamie stepping closer to Tara, only to have Dean step forward.
"Actually, you will find that I can, Jamie," stated Tara coolly, "So if you, or Joey, or Kane, or any other WWE employee of ANY kind try to hinder the match this Sunday in any way I will drag your ass out of the stadium myself!"
Seth burst out laughing, bending forward as he did so, only to stand up right to find Tara standing right in front of him.
"Do you find me amusing, Rollins?"
"I'm just trying to picture you dragging Kane outside. I mean, he's three times the size of you!"
"I like how you underestimate me," replied Tara, "Tell you what, seeing as you find me so entertaining I'm going to reward you with a match! You and your two mini sidekicks will be in a match against the team of Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton. Oh and Seth? That stipulation of interference goes for this match as well… and the match is happening RIGHT NOW!"
"What do you want to do?"
TJ sighed as Shane watched her via their skype call, "I don't want to be General Manager… but at the same time… do you know what power I hold, Shane? It's… terribly tempting to throw a spanner in the works one night – especially if I get pissed off."
A knock at the door caused TJ to turn away.
"Miss Gregory, you're needed for the segment in five minutes."
"I'll be there shortly," replied TJ before turning back to Shane.
"Don't do anything reckless, Tara-Jayne. Read the contract carefully. I've gotten the pictures of it you sent me and I will look through them as well."
"Okay, fine," nodded TJ, "Thanks Shane."
TJ ended the call and hurried from the room to the interview set up. She spotted a sweaty looking Jon towelling himself down with Joe, Colby and Randy as she was checked over by Skylar before she walked to her spot.
Renee shot her a cold look but smiled politely once the camera was rolling, "I'm joined now by Raw's General Manager – Tara McMahon. Tara, do you see anyone going against your rule at Sunday's Night of Champions?"
"Well Renee, I guess that's a case of wait and see," replied TJ with a shrug, "I'm not a fortune teller but do you really see The Authority letting Dean Ambrose win or allowing their golden boy, Seth Rollin's, to lose cleanly and fairly?"
"I guess this is a family fight then?"
"I am merely trying to do my job, Renee, as are you. Unlike Stephanie and Triple H, I am more in tune with what the WWE Universe wants and therefore, I know what is best for business."
"I suppose it helps that you are sleeping with Dean Ambrose, as well," added Renee, sounding perfectly innocent.
TJ smiled and winked, "Yeah, it is true that Dean and I are dating. But that doesn't take away from the fact that he has worked hard to climb the WWE roster ladder and he deserves that title more than anybody else. Dean Ambrose is the face of the WWE and Seth Rollins… well, he is the butt of the WWE and any jokes linked to it. Anymore prying questions, Renee? Or will I need to suspend you as well?"
Renee shook her head, looking at TJ wide eyed as the camera's cut from airing the live segment.
"You're a real class act, Renee," said TJ calmly before walking off set.
TJ closed the email from Shane and rested her head in her hands, biting her lower lip. Everything Shane stated in the email was true. It left her with a lot to think about and decide on. The hotel door opened and Jon walked in and TJ lifted her head up and smiled.
"Hey babe," greeted Jon, dumping his bag beside the bench, "Everything okay?"
TJ knew she couldn't lie to Jon. She opened the email from Shane again and showed it to Jon. Jon read it silently as TJ stood up and set about making them both a cup of coffee.
"Damn."
"Yep."
"So… you would have to move back to Australia?"
"If I leave the company, yes. You know they won't just let me be your PA, Jon. So… I guess I have some thinking to do… but I already know my answer."
Jon frowned in confusion. TJ scooped coffee into their cups, adding some sugar to hers and none to Jon's.
"I'll sign it," said TJ.
"TJ, no. It's not what you want."
"But you are what I want, Jon."
Jon looked at TJ silently as she poured the hot water into the mugs and added some milk. Jon stood up and walked around the bench as TJ stirred their drinks. He turned her to face him, taking the spoon from her hand and kissed her passionately.
"I love you but you don't deserve to live in misery because of me," spoke Jon softly, "I could never ask you to live like that."
"You aren't… Jon, I can't leave you. I love you so much."
Jon sighed, "Can you amend the contract to suit you? Negotiate? You do have some ownership over the company… surely that means something."
"You know what? You may be onto something."
TJ sat opposite Stephanie, Vince, Paul and a few other of the head honchos of the WWE Company. TJ had chosen to dress in her normal clothes, not putting on a false act for anyone. They were going to see her as who she truly was – TJ Gregory – the daughter of a man who built a hotel empire from the ground up and taught his daughter to stand on her own two feet and work for what she wanted, fight for what she wanted.
This was a fight – a fight to get what she wanted and have her voice heard, instead of being ignored for the sake of business and what was best for it.
"So, you want to discuss the contract?" said Vince calmly.
"Yes," replied TJ, "I don't agree with this contract," TJ held up the one they had given her and tore it up, "However, here is one I have made amendments to."
Stephanie raised an eyebrow and went to speak but TJ shot her a look silencing her quickly.
"I will remain the General Manager on Raw. However, I will not be doing any television interviews, podcasts or magazine interviews unless I am okay with doing so – I will have final decision on those," stated TJ, "I will remain my own PA and Jon's. I do not want anyone else having any form of say over mine and Jon's business and Jon himself does not wish for anyone else to be his PA. In fact, given my percentage of ownership in this company I can lay claim over certain talents contracts," TJ spotted the surprised looks on Vince's and Stephanie's face's whilst Paul looked impressed, "So I have laid claim on Jon's. Therefore you cannot pass anything without my okay first and should I find him being treated unfairly or different – well, we know I will raise hell. I've also staked claim in a few others, including my own."
"Did Shane tell you all of this?" demanded Vince.
"No… I did go to university, remember? All I had to do was a bit of research and contact one of my old Professors and here you have it."
"So you will still be our General Manager for Raw… and your own PA and Jon's… and you have laid claim to Jon's contract. Who else's?" asked Stephanie stiffly.
"Joe's, Colby's, Saraya's, Tenille's and Victoria's. All with their permission as well, so they are well aware."
Stephanie looked at her father silently. Vince kept his eyes on TJ, his expression completely unreadable.
"I will be having the final say on any decisions regarding the said talents, as listed in this contract," stated TJ revealing the contract she worked on through the night, "It has my pay stated, as well as when I will take time off work. I will agree to continue training in wrestling and when I am prepared enough to begin implementing those actions in the ring – I will let you all know."
"Very well," said Vince, "I will read your contract and speak with you about it in two hours."
TJ nodded, stood and left the altered contract on the table, "If this contract is not agreed to, I will choose to leave the company altogether – without notice."
Stephanie, Vince and Paul remained silent, as did the other head honcho's as TJ left the room feeling much better in regards to her decision.
Jon paced nervously back and forth alongside the table that Joe, Saraya, Colby, Tenille and Victoria were sitting at. TJ had been in the meeting for longer than anticipated and Jon was worried the outcome would go against TJ's proposal.
"Has she been fired yet?"
Jon looked up to see Renee standing on the opposite side of the table of Jon with Danielle next to her.
"There's that annoying sound again," sighed Saraya, "This irritating, whining noise… like nails on a chalk board."
"I know," agreed Victoria, "There is one way to stop it though."
"There is?"
Victoria nodded as she stood up and whirled around to face Renee and Danielle, "Maybe I'll ask our Raw General Manager for a match against you two."
"Oh I am so in," agreed Saraya standing up to face the two blondes.
Renee shot them both a dirty look and walked away with a glaring Danielle.
"TJ!" yelled Colby spotting the woman they were waiting for walk into the catering section.
Jon whirled around and hurried over to TJ, looking at her expectantly.
"They will let me know the outcome in two hours," said TJ softly before moving to address her friends, "If you don't want me to claim your contracts, feel free to back out. I don't want to screw anyone's career's over."
Joe slung an arm round TJ's shoulders, "Baby girl, I'm on your side one hundred percent."
TJ smiled warmly at Joe and gave him a side on hug.
"We all are," stated Colby with agreeing nods from everyone.
"She is definitely a McMahon," said Paul casually as he looked over his copy of TJ's contract proposal, "And this is written really well. She has left no loopholes at all."
"She is definitely a shrewd business woman," agreed Vince, a hint of pride in his voice.
Stephanie sighed and looked over at the other head honchos. They all had the look that clearly said, 'We will agree with whatever you three say'. Stephanie pursed her lips together and placed the contract on the table.
"Well… I guess what we need to decide is if we need her. Is Tara-Jayne Gregory an asset to the company?"
Paul lit up the screen behind them, "The comments on her on screen character are positive. Many state she is the most realistic General Manager Raw has had in years. The latest poll on favourite WWE Divas has TJ just below Paige. I'd say she is an asset."
"Her posters sell quickly as well," pointed out Vince, "Many are asking for a range of TJ merchandise. Women want a 'One in a Million' shirt."
Stephanie sighed, "Clearly we have to agree with this contract then. What about her claim on the stated contracts?"
"Steph, TJ will provide us with a different outlook on the direction to take their characters," said Paul, "She is what the company needs. We would be idiots to let her slip away."
"So we say yes then?"
The Smackdown taping was in full swing when TJ walked back into the room. She kept a calm composure, not wanting them to know just how hard her heart was beating.
Silently, TJ sat down and looked over at Stephanie, Vince and Paul expectantly.
When TJ caught Paul's eye he have her a wink. TJ managed to not react with a smirk as Stephanie slid over the contract signed by the relevant people.
"We just need your signature," said Stephanie.
TJ flipped through the contract, double checking she was signing her own and that they hadn't changed anything. Vince watched his daughter in amusement as she checked the contract. He had to admit he was proud of her and the fact she didn't take anything they threw at her laying down. She fought for everything she wanted and didn't back down until she got it.
Vince had to admit, Derek had raised TJ to be an amazing young woman, but he also knew some of that determination was part of her genetics'.
Satisfied with what she saw, TJ signed her name at the bottom and looked up at Vince with a raised eyebrow.
"We are glad to have you with us for another year," said Vince with a smile.
TJ smiled back softly wondering how she would survive another year as part of the WWE.
A/N: Review, please?