Chapter 13
Venting
Author's note- This chapter changes a lot of things. You may love you may hate it but either way review and let me know.
Impact began with Jake on his way to the ring. "Here the people's champion Don," Mike says. "And Mike there is a very long list of men that want a NWA world title shot but this in my mind is the guy deservers it the most," Don says. "I mean think back Don he never got a rematch for the belt," Mike says. Jake gets in the ring and looks around, he has a microphone in his one hand.
"Well you people wanted Reed and you now you're getting him. And Christian your about to get a whole lot of Reed when you get to taste this," Jake says holding up his fist. The lights go down and Kurt Angle's music plays as the former gold medal winner makes his way to the ring. "You know I was backstage Jake I couldn't help but overhear that you want a shot at Christian Cage. Well I have a lot of respect for you but there is no way in hell you should get a shot before me," Angle says.
Suddenly Samoa Joe's music starts to play. "You know Kurt Angle deserve a shot before Reed than I should get a shot before you. Because I am Samoa Joe and I am pro wrestling," Joe says. "Wait a second," Jake yells out. "What?" "I beat every time we wrestling and some how you are ahead of me. No disrespect but that funniest thing ever heard," Jake says laughing.
Scott Steiner's music plays and he comes down. "Now hold on if anyone is getting the next title shot it's me the man with largest arms in world the big bad booty daddy," Scott says. "Joe I'm sorry that is the funniest thing I have ever heard," Jake says. Steiner gets in Jake's face. "Unless you want me to knock that bleach out I would step back," Jake warns. Tomko's music plays and he comes to the ring. "You know Jake your right the idea of that guy getting a title shot is funny. And if anyone gets a title shot it's me," Tomko says.
"Wait no body say anything," Jake says climbing out of the ring and heading up a ramp and down a tunnel. He exits the tunnel and runs to the other one. He than runs back into the ring and climbs in. "Well I didn't see anyone else but this being a wrestling show you never know what is next," Jake says. Tomko bumps in to Joe who shoves him. The riot breaks out. "Ok that is next," Jake says before taking Steiner down and throwing him out of the ring.
Jake than locks up with Angle. The crowd goes nuts as neither man can get the advantage. Security comes down and breaks it up. Jim Cornett's music plays as he comes out looking pissed off. "Ok since everyone wants a title shot I see only way to settle this. We are going to put all of you and a few other guys in the ring at once and have us a good old fashion battle royal and the winner gets the title shot," Jim says.
Jake is in his locker room stretching. Someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Jake asks but the person just knocks again. "Who is it?" Jake yells getting mad. "It's Traci," she says from out side. Jake opens the door and sure enough it's her. "Hi," Jake says. "We need to talk," Traci says. "Come in," Jake says. Traci comes in and Jake shuts the door. "So what do you want talk about?" Jake says. "My lawyer needs to know how to get in contract with yours. Every call to his office is hung up on," Traci says. "Well they make it's a sick joke since my lawyer died two months ago," Jake says. "Just tell me," Traci says. "Traci he's dead," Jake says.
"Wait so for two months you haven't had a lawyer. Why do you keep tying to drag this out case out Jake," Traci says. "Gee I don't know Traci because I don't want to end our marriage," Jake says. "Jake don't start," Traci says. "Why I'm just being honest. I don't want a divorce. And I know deep down you don't want one either," Jake says. "Jake I just want to move on with my life," Traci says. "Fine you want to move on but first you have to let me say this and don't interrupt me," Jake says. "Fine go ahead," Traci says.
"You bitch! I get that you are mad! But don't think I blame myself enough and dump all that hate on me! I remember what you said that you hated me and it was all my fault! Well guess what Traci felt like that and the last thing I needed was you saying that to me!" Jake yells unleashing a lot of pent up anger. "Jake…" "Shut up you said a hell of lot already. Remember at Brian's funeral I tried to talk to you and let all that venom fly. Well now it's my turn. I love you more anything! Yet the one time we really needed to be there for each other we weren't" Jake says leaving. A small tear rolls down Traci's cheek.
The battle royal was already in progress. Jake wasted no time and dumped Robert Roode out of the match. James Strom went after Jake but Jake side stepped and the cowboy went right over the top. Jake got a quick second look around. Tomko and Joe were locked up while Scott was trying to Angle. Meanwhile Kip James was leaning locked up with Hernandez of LAX, Christy Hemme the pain in Kip's side for months pulled down the top rope causing both men to go over. Jake charged and hit a viscous jumping knee to Scott's head.
Someone clipped Jake in the leg. Jake looked and saw AJ posing over him. Jake got up and bum rushed his one time friend over the top. AJ skimmed the cat and stayed off the floor. When he turned around he winds up get getting gored thanks to Rhino. Tomko almost had Joe out when Jake came up to them and dumped both of them out. It was down Jake, AJ, Angle, Rhino, and Steiner. A camera man jumps up on the apron and shocks everyone by pulling Kurt over the top. The guy's wig falls off showing it's really Christian Cage.
Jake and Rhino charge Scott and start beating on him. AJ gets up and low blows Rhino and throws him over the top. Jake hits a big drop kicks knocking Scott into AJ. Jake than charges all three men go over. AJ hits the ground first. Scott is on the apron while Jake has his legs wrapped around the top rope. Scott is able to roll back into the ring. Scott unhooks Jake's legs but keeps a hold of them allowing Jake to use his leg strength to pull Scott over the ropes and right to the floor.
"The winner and new number one contender to the NWA title Jake Reed," JB announces. Jake gets back in the ring and celebrates. Christian taps a microphone into his hand. "Well Jake you won't make it to Lockdown you see I am putting a bounty on your head. First person to take you out gets your title shot," Cage says. "Oh man Jake is going to have to watch his back more than ever," Mike says. "Not only is Cage handing out title shots like candy he is now giving away Jake's," Don says. Jake turns around and kicks get kicked right in the face by Tomko.
Tomko throws Jake right out of the ring. Tomko gets out of the ring and picks up the ring steps. "No he is going to crush Jake," Mike yells. "Stop this," Don yells. The Kings of Wrestling attack Tomko. Security comes out and breaks it up while taking Chris and Claudio out the Impact zone.
Jake walked back into dressing room and was shocked to see Traci was still there. "I'm sorry," she says. Jake doesn't say anything. "I was just looking for someone to blame. I was mad at myself," Traci says. "I'm sorry about earlier I just held that in and it needed to come out," Jake says. "I blamed you because I knew you wouldn't hate me for it. Since the truth it I blame myself," Traci says. "Blame yourself?" Jake asks. "I should have been able to save him," Traci says.
Jake thought back to that day. He had filming a commercial for Spike TV while Traci had stayed home. The fire fighters had found her passed out on the floor of the living room. It hit Jake like a ton bricks at that second she had been running to save Brian when the smoke overcame her. Jake looked at Traci she had started to cry. He pulled her into a hug. "It's alright. It's not your fault," Jake says. Traci returned his embrace. "I'm sorry," Traci says again. "It's alright I don't blame you," Jake says. After a few more seconds they looked at each other and slowly leaned in and kissed.