CJ closed her eyes, swallowing back the tears, as Lily draped her arm over her shoulders. Lily spoke "You ok?" CJ nodded, as they stood from their spot on the bench, and made their way to the parking lot, to head back to the hotel. CJ laid on the bed, resting her head on her hands, her mind thinking of the ultimatum she found herself in. She didn't know what the right answer was, and no matter how much thinking she did, she couldn't come up with a good answer. She watched as Lily opened the hotel door, Jeff and Matt walking in, Matt plopping down on the bed next to CJ. Jeff spoke up "Come on, let's go cheer you up!" he spoke, nudging CJ on the leg. CJ spoke calmly "I think I'll pass" she said in a soft voice. Jeff turned to Lily, who simply shrugged, when Matt spoke up "Why don't you two go and bring us something back to eat, I'll stay here and keep her company" he said, as Jeff and Lily walked out of the room.
The room was silent except for the soft sounds of the TV, that was on. Matt rolled onto his side, facing CJ when he spoke "Wanna talk about it?" not saying a word, CJ simply shook her head. Matt sighed before he spoke "It's not fair to you" CJ rolled on to her side, facing Matt as he continued "I mean, you're getting the chance that many women wrestlers will never get, and he wants you to give it up for him? It's not fair" he said with a slight smile. CJ gave Matt a quick smile, as she nodded her head in agreement. Silence grew through the room again, for a few moments when CJ spoke up "Why do you get it and not him?" Matt shrugged his shoulders before speaking "I guess, I'm a special type of guy" he said with a slight blush on his skin. CJ smiled when she spoke "You really are…" a grin on her lips. Matt decided to just go ahead and take the risk, as he spoke up "Do you mind if I say something?" CJ nodded her head no, as Matt spoke "He shouldn't treat you like this…You need a guy who will be beside you in everything, no matter how crazy it is…not a guy who wants you to give up things just because he doesn't like it" Matt sighed after saying it, almost as if he got it off his chest. CJ couldn't help but chuckle, then spoke "When did you become Dr. Laura?" causing Matt to laugh a little, before he answered "Let's just say I've been down this road before."
They stayed silent for a few more moments when Matt spoke up "If it helps any, just know whatever you decide, you have people behind you…" Matt spoke calmly, then continued "Me, Lily and even Jeff will support you." Matt laughed a bit, when CJ's eyes grew wide at the mention of Jeff's name. CJ spoke "You sure about Jeff?" Matt nodded his head in agreement when he spoke "yeah, Lily will drag him with her…plus…whether he admits it or not, I think he likes you…Just like no matter how much you deny it, I know you like him…" Matt said giving CJ a knowing look, as CJ rolled her eyes. CJ looked back to Matt, who still was looking at her, before she responded "Fine! He's alright…but don't you dare tell him!" Matt simply laughed out loud, while crossing his heart not to tell Jeff.
A few days later…
CJ awoke hours later, her eyes fluttering open, she must of fallen asleep without knowing it. Sitting up on the bed, she looked at the bed across from her, Lily and Jeff both fast asleep on the bed, both still fully clothed, they must have been watching TV or something, the TV was still on.
CJ made her way to the bathroom, quickly splashing water on her face, she was starving. She hadn't eaten much the last few days, grabbing her purse and phone, CJ left the room, making her way down to the hotel lobby. Stepping off the elevator, CJ looked around, the lobby seemed bare, as she walked through, making her way to the bar, CJ plopped down on an empty barstool. The bartender immediately approaching, CJ ordered a soda and told him she'd take any food he could get the kitchen to make, watching the bartender smile wide, then scurry off. CJ couldn't help but think about the situation she was in, and for once in her life, she didn't know what to do.
The bartender returned, sitting an ice cold pepsi and a cheeseburger down in front of CJ. Popping a fry into her mouth, CJ's mind ran through the events of the last few nights. She thought about Paul, and how much she cared for him, she thought about the championship and how much she wanted it. She thought about how confused she was, and how angry she was at Paul for putting her in this situation. She started thinking about the match, and what she would do inside of a steel cage, against a man who everyone claimed was dangerous. She wondered if Paul was right, what if Orton was trying to hurt her? What if she got seriously hurt? Her mind ran through the situations and thoughts for hours, finally shaking herself free from the thoughts, she glanced at the clock on the wall, it read 4:34 AM.
Paying her bar tab, by throwing a quick $20 on the bar, CJ stood up and walked out to the lobby. Opening her phone, glancing for the number she was looking for, CJ dialed it. She knew they would be up, she just needed somewhere to think. Closing, her phone, CJ hopped in a cab, and told it her destination.
Arriving at the arena, that was supposed to be used for tonight's show, it seemed barren. The parking lot was deserted, as the taxi pulled around back. CJ paid the cab, before stepping out into the darkness, walking towards the security gate, flashing her pass she walked in meeting up with Bryan. Bryan was a member of the ring crew, CJ got to know him because he was Lily's boss, Bryan smiled when he saw CJ walk in to the hallway. "The ring's set up, we're working on connections and preparations for tonight's show backstage, no one should bother you" Bryan spoke, as he walked with CJ down the hallway, leading to a doorway. CJ gave Bryan a quick hug, before walking down the ramp, into the abandoned arena. Her eyes scanned over the empty seats, as she stood on top of the ramp. Her hands on her hips, she stood there for a moment, taking it all in.
CJ took a deep breath, as she walked down the ramp, pulling herself into the ring since the steps hadn't been set up yet. She got to her feet, walking around the ring, looking out on the sea of empty seats. She thought about how many people would be in the arena, later in the day. CJ walked to the middle of the ring, laying down on her back, resting her head on her hands, CJ looked up to the rafters of the arena. She could hear the workers backstage drilling and hammering, as she listened to the thoughts in her mind. CJ closed her eyes, letting her memories wash over her.
FLASHBACK****
"Grandpa I can't" CJ screamed as she stood on the edge of a diving board. Looking out in the pool, her Grandpa was standing in the water just past the diving board. Lily, barely the age of 5 stood on the ladder that led up to the diving board. CJ a scared 8 year old, stood paralyzed at the foot of the diving board.
"CJ! You're my granddaughter, and we're never scared!" Her grandfather yelled sternly.
CJ fought the tears that welled up in her eyes glancing back to her young sister, her grandfather spoke again "CJ, You always have to overcome things, You can't let fear or anything else stop you! Now do it!" he yelled at the young child.
CJ taking a deep breath, plugging her nose, she ran and jump off of the diving board, feeling the water quickly surround her body. CJ opened her eyes, looking around under water, until she felt the strong hands pull her up, her head finally breaking the surface of the water, as she gasped a new breath. Opening her eyes, she saw her grandfather holding onto her, with a wide smile on his face, as he walked her back to the shallow side of the pool. Setting her on the edge of the pool, CJ wiped her eyes free of the chlorine, as she saw her grandfather move back to the middle of the pool. She couldn't help but smile as Lily easily ran to the end of the diving board, jumping off freely, her grandfather catching Lily, and bringing her to sit next to CJ.
"You see that CJ…because you overcame the fear, Lily had none." Her grandfather explained, pulling himself up to sit on the edge of the pool, while he continued "Everything you do in life, affects the people that will come after you, remember that…" Her grandfather spoke while climbing to his feet, lifting Lily up, as he carried her to the pool chair, wrapping a towel around her, as CJ followed grabbing her towel, and sitting next to her sister and grandfather.
"It's not what you do, but it's what you overcome that will help the others" her grandfather spoke, as CJ listened intently.
END FLASHBACK****
She woke up a few hours later when she heard voices speaking near her, not opening her eyes she recognized the voices. "I knew she'd be here" she heard Lily speak, then heard Jeff say "If she doesn't wake up in the next 2 minutes, I'm gonna Swanton her ass!" CJ with her eyes still closed spoke calmly "Do it and die Hardy!" stopping Jeff as he stood on the top of the turnbuckle.
CJ sat up, rubbing her eyes with her hand, looking around the ring, she saw Lily on the top turnbuckle. Watching Jeff and Lily for a few moments, she could hear them chatter, as she climbed to her feet moving over to where they were standing. "No Way!" Jeff spoke in a disbelieving manner, "I can too" Lily fought back, CJ watched as Jeff backed away from the turnbuckle a smug smile on his face, "Do it then hotshot!" Jeff yelled back, now standing next to CJ. With a quick roll of her eyes, Lily turned around and performed a perfect standing backflip off of the top turnbuckle, landing squarely on her feet. CJ couldn't help but smile on the shocked look on Jeff's face, CJ walked over to Lily, giving her sister a hug while speaking "Perfect like always", as Lily shot back "Well I learned from the best". Jeff spoke up, as if he couldn't believe what he just saw "Wait a minute! You taught her that?" he asked, looking at CJ.
CJ laughed before answering "Yeah", Jeff shook his head is if he couldn't believe what he just saw, then spoke "Weren't you scared?" he said nudging his girlfriend. Lily smiled wide as she answered "I was, but then I saw CJ do it, and I knew it would be ok…she always shows me that there's nothing to be afraid of" she spoke with a smile, nudging her sister, causing CJ to smile. "Well damn, I'm gonna remember that move next time we're alone" Jeff spoke, winking a eye, only to have CJ reach across, slugging him hard in the arm. "Ow!" Jeff exclaimed, as CJ walked past him "You deserved it!" she spoke calmly, climbing out of the ring, Lily and Jeff behind her.
Finally getting backstage, which was a little more alive than earlier, CJ glanced around at the people rushing by her. Making her way to catering, she grabbed some breakfast that had been set out, then grabbing a table. Lily and Jeff plopping down on the two seats across from her, they sat in silence for a few moments, until Jeff broke the silence "So are you gonna do it?" he asked bluntly. Lily slightly nudging him in the ribs, only to hear him respond in a loud whisper "What? Like you're not wondering the same thing!" he spoke back to Lily. CJ smiled, placing her cheese Danish back on her plate, before speaking "I haven't decided yet." She said before grabbing her orange juice and taking a sip.