The room was dimly lit.
That was the first thing that Ivory noticed when she opened her eyes and saw the ceiling above her. While there did seem to be some lights on in the immediate vicinity, they weren't very bright.
But she didn't dwell on this fact very long, as she was far more concerned with figuring out where the heck she was…not to mention how she'd gotten there. Hadn't she been in a match? Her thoughts felt a little fuzzy.
"Ivory?" the voice was gentle but full of emotion. It was Molly's. Ivory tried to turn her head towards the sound of the voice but found herself unable to do so. That's when she recognized the feel of the neck brace she was wearing. Some memory started to return even as Molly's face came into view.
"What happened?" the elder women asked.
Molly recounted the details, all of which made perfect sense to Ivory…fitting in very well with her own recollections. When Molly finished speaking, Ivory paused a long moment before saying anything else.
"So, I'm going to ask you something and I need you to tell me the truth," she began in a serious tone. "I feel a little woozy and I have no idea how much drugs I've had pumped into me." She paused again. "So are the drugs the reason I can't feel my arms and legs…or am I paralyzed?"
The brief look of surprise on Molly's face shifted for one moment to horror and then quickly to an almost frantic attempt at comfort.
"No, no," she said quickly. "You're fine! It's just the drugs. Everyone was a little worried at first, but the doctors ran all sorts of tests. You're going to be fine."
Ivory closed her eyes and took in a very deep breath. She inhaled and exhaled slowly for a few long moments. Finally she opened her eyes again, and her expression was less serious.
"Well, thank goodness for that," she cracked. "Last thing I wanted to do was ask you to go all 'Million Dollar Baby' on me."
A look of horror returned to Molly's face. "How can you say that? That's terrible!"
"I know," Ivory continued in an irreverent tone. "Eastwood's a great director but that whole movie was such a downer. Hated it."
"Ivory!" Molly exclaimed. She wondered if Ivory really had been paralyzed…if she would have seriously requested a 'mercy-killing' as the character in the movie had. "Never joke about something like that again!"
Seeing how upset her friend was, Ivory softened her tone. "Sorry."
Molly calmed herself and smiled at the other woman. "It's okay."
"Could you raise me up a bit?"
When Molly used the hospital's bed controls to adjust Ivory upwards into more of a seated position, the injured woman got a better view of her surroundings.
"What the hell?" she said rather loudly. "Is this a hospital room or a penthouse suite?"
Molly chuckled. "A hospital room," she answered. "I didn't know they had anything like this either. JBL insisted you get the best treatment though. He's been in and out of here all night. Lots of people have. We've just been trying to limit it to only so many people in here at once."
"I don't see why," Ivory commented as she glanced around the large, luxurious furnished room. "You could fit a small army in this joint."
"I should go tell everyone you're awake."
"In a minute," Ivory responded. "Stay and talk with me some more first."
Molly was more than willing to indulge her friend. The talk that followed quickly turned back to the match that had sent Ivory to the hospital in the first place.
"I had her beat," she complained. "I totally had her. But now it'll go down in the books as another win for McCool."
"She needs to pay for this," Molly said, her temper rising. "She could have…you could have been…"
"No," Ivory replied. "Let's be fair. Michelle may be a rotten piece of garbage…but this…this could have happened in any match. It was a freak accident."
"But she's-" Molly began to protest, only to be cut off.
"She does need to be put in her place," Ivory went on. "And the way to do that is to take the title from her." She gazed directly into Molly's eyes. "You need to take the title from her."
"Me?" The younger woman's manner was hesitant. "I'm not the number one contender."
"Only because you haven't tried to be," Ivory shot back.
"There are more important things to worry about right now than the championship," Molly argued. "The others should know you're awake. I'll-"
"You'll stay in that seat and listen to me," Ivory insisted. "There's nothing more important than this!"
Once she saw Molly wasn't going to leave, Ivory continued in a softer tone.
"You know the first time I saw you wrestle? You know what I thought?" she asked.
"You have told me this before," Molly said with just a hint of embarrassment.
"I saw this kid, this freaking child with a few months worth of training, who was already as good as anyone I'd ever seen in the business," the other woman went on. "You were a damn prodigy, Molly. It was amazing."
"You're exaggerating."
"Cut the modesty crap," she admonished. "But think on this. Did you ever wonder why I warmed up to you from day one? Why I saw a kid who was so talented and tried to help you instead of worrying about you showing me up…maybe taking my spot in the company?"
Molly shook her head. "You're just a nice person."
Ivory laughed. "Yeah, I'm a regular sweetheart."
"You always have been to me."
"Because you're special, Molly." She paused. "You know…I love this business. I have from the first day I laced up a pair of wrestling boots. And it's not an easy business to love…especially not if you're a woman…especially not when I started." She laughed softly. "But I do LOVE it. And I made it my life. There were some…tough choices. No family…no kids…just wrestling…and I'm fine with that. My only legacy is going to be my career."
Molly couldn't help but notice the seriousness of her friend's tone. "You have a lot to be proud of."
"You know, you've been laughed at sometimes…for being a wrestler. I know you have. Every woman on the roster has been. But you girls have no idea what it was like twenty years ago. It was so much worse. And that's what I think about when I remember the first time I saw you, Molly. I thought…here's a girl that's SO GOOD…that nobody will be able to look at her as a joke. They're going to see what she does in the ring and they're going to go, 'My God! What an athlete!' I was sure that's what would happen."
Molly was silent. This was something Ivory had never told her before.
"Then a little while later, Victoria shows up… older, little bit of a late start compared to you…but still, so talented. And then girls like Gail came along…and all of you getting the chance to show your stuff on national television…even if it meant playing second fiddle to Trish most of the time. I thought…I thought we were so close to getting real respect." She sighed. "But somehow it didn't happen. Women's wrestling ended up just being a sideshow again. That's way I never blamed you for quitting, Molly. There wasn't much point then, was there?"
"I didn't think so," she answered quietly.
"But now there is," Ivory said firmly. "The FWF can change everything, Molly. And that's why I snapped when Michelle went out of her way to injure the other girls. Melissa, ODB…none of you should have your careers ended now when there's a chance to finally have the respect we worked, sweated and bled for. But Michelle doesn't care about that. All she cares about is being champion…she doesn't deserve it, Molly. You do!"
The younger woman didn't know what to say in response.
"Like I said, I made the choice a long time ago not to have children. But if I had…if I'd had a daughter…" Ivory's voice started to crack with emotion. "And if she'd been a lot like you…I would tell her to go out and show the world just how amazing she is. Because you are amazing, Molly…and I so want you to realize that."
Tears began to fall from Molly's eyes as she bent over and hugged her friend and mentor. But even in the midst of the embrace, Ivory didn't relent from delivering her message.
"Take the belt from Michelle, Molly," she whispered into the younger woman's ear. "Take it!"
The answer came in a whisper as well…but one that seemed to fill the room.
"I will."
******'******
In the days that followed, Ivory had many visitors to her hospital room. Most everyone in the FWF were glad to know that she'd be alright…though she would have to be absent from her commentary duties for a short while.
Still, the drama of Ivory's injury was not the only matter that occupied people's minds. There was still work to be done, business to be conducted and matches to be scheduled.
Victoria and Trish each continued preparing for their impending showdown.
Mickie continued to worry.
One day she approached Victoria after the latter had finished a particularly grueling workout session.
"So what if you lose?" she asked without preamble.
Victoria looked at her in shock…then her expression turned angry.
"What if you lose and she shaves you bald on live television?" Mickie continued. "Then what?"
"I'm going to beat her!" Victoria shot back in rage.
"And I want you to beat her. I want you to win!" Mickie replied. "But I need to know what's going to happen if you don't. Have you thought about it?"
"I'm going to win!" she all but screamed.
"BUT YOU MIGHT NOT!" Mickie yelled back, her volume stunning Victoria…and herself as well. After a moment, she went on more quietly. "I've lost matches to women I should have beaten. So have you. Even the most one-sided fights sometimes end in upsets. And…let's face it…a fight with Trish isn't exactly one-sided. We might not like it…but it's true. She's hard to beat."
A sliver of uncertainty appeared in Victoria's eyes. The sight of it was almost unbearable to Mickie.
"I…have to win," Victoria said…an almost pleading quality to her tone.
"But if you don't," Mickie forced herself to say. "What then?"
Victoria turned away.
"If she beats you in this…there's no way to continue the feud," Mickie stated. "There will be nothing you can ever do that will make people believe you're a better wrestler than her."
"Why are you saying this to me?"
Mickie took hold of her lover by the shoulders and turned her around so they were once more face to face.
"Because I need to know if you can live with that…or if I'll lose you," she said.
Looking into the shorter woman's eyes, Victoria finally understood her worry. "You're worried that if I lose, I'm going to go all Psycho-Diva…maybe forever."
Mickie sniffed back some tears and nodded.
Victoria swallowed the lump that had quickly formed in her throat. "I understand why you'd think that." She paused. "I could…that could happen…under normal circumstances. But there's one thing that will stop it."
"There is?"
"Yeah," Victoria answered. "I'm looking at her.
Mickie's eyes widened even as Victoria moved her hands to the sides of her lover's face.
"I need to have this match," she explained. "And I WILL win. But if I don't…I will get through it…as long as you're with me."
"Promise," Mickie replied. It was not a question but a demand.
"I promise," Victoria said solemnly.
Mickie crushed her lips to the taller woman and kissed her for all she was worth.
When the kiss finally ended, Victoria spoke once more.
"I WILL win," she repeated. "But if I don't…will you still love a bald woman?"
Mickie started to respond at once but stopped herself. She grinned and her tone became mischievous. "Well, I suppose if we find a good wig, I MIGHT be able to handle it."
"Why you little," Victoria said before taking Mickie to the floor with a simple maneuver. She then pinned the surprised woman before applying a 'lip-lock' that was not exactly a regulation wrestling move.
Mickie didn't protest however.
******'******
On the day of the next television tapings, hours before the show was to start, a knock came to the door of Cornette's office. This was surprising, and somewhat annoying, as Cornette had clearly hung a sign that said he was not to be disturbed at the moment.
"Whoever that is, can't you read?" he shouted. "Come back when the door is open." He then prepared to continue the discussion he was having with Lance Storm, the only other person in the room at the moment.
But to both men's surprise, the door was kicked open a moment later. And their surprise turned to utter shock when they saw who had done the deed.
"Molly?" Cornette said in disbelief.
"I want Michelle," she said firmly. "For the title."
"You…you just kicked in my door!" Cornette exclaimed…still clearly stunned. It was because the door had been kicked in (that was a fairly common occurrence in the wrestling business)…it was the fact that Molly had done the kicking. This was not her normal behavior.
"Are you alright, Molly?" Lance asked.
"No," she answered calmly. "But I will be…as soon as I have my shot at Michelle."
Cornette shook his head to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Then, once he was satisfied of the reality of the situation, he responded.
"And what makes you think you can kick in my door and demand a title shot?"
"I'm a two-time World Champion," she replied. "I haven't had a title match yet in the FWF…despite the fact that I'm undefeated. I haven't lost a single match since I came out of retirement."
"That is true," Lance commented.
"Yes," Cornette agreed. "But you haven't been facing the top tier competitors. Also…you kicked in my door! You! Molly Holly!"
"That should show you how serious I am," she responded.
"Well…I'll give you that," he said. "You got my attention."
"So you'll book the match?" she asked.
"As it happens, I was just trying to decide who should face Michelle for the title at MegaClash," he answered. "I'll take your request into consideration."
"What?" Molly's serious but calm demeanor shifted to one of anger. "Forget 'consideration'…I want my shot!"
"Sorry, but it takes a little more than vandalizing my office to get a title shot," he replied. "That door is coming out of your paycheck, by the way."
Molly seethed for a moment before pointing a finger towards the man. "I am getting this shot…one way or another!"
She then turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
Lance looked towards Cornette. "She's a world class wrestler. I don't think it's unreasonable to give her a shot."
Cornette grinned. "Oh, I'm pretty sure she's going to get the match she wants."
Lance raised an eyebrow.
"Molly's often had the same problem you had in wrestling, Lance. Too damn quiet and agreeable. Not aggressive enough to go out and make a grab for what she wants. But now…with her this fired up…hell, I can't wait to see what happens next."
******'******
In another backstage area, another door was knocked on. The door to the dressing room of the FWF World Champion.
"Who is it?" Michelle asked from inside. But rather than answering, the door simply swung open.
Michelle leapt from her chair angrily as Kong, acting as bodyguard, went to confront the unexpected intruder…but both froze when they saw who it was.
The look on JBL's face was…intimidating, to say the least.
"What do you want?" Michelle asked.
"Just have a few questions," he said in a flat tone. "I see you've got a promo segment tonight in the ring. Just curious about what you're going to say."
"Well, what do you think I'm going to say?" she replied. "Just the standard sort of thing. I'll point out how I won my last match…and kept my promise about ending Ivory's care-"
She was interrupted the rather loud sound of JBL's hand slamming into the wall.
"Let's be perfectly clear here," he said, his words fairly dripping with menace. "You are going to cut a standard promo. You will say how you were victorious in your last match…and that's all. You can then brag about being better than any other woman on the roster…or say there's nobody that can stand up you…Hell, you can spew whatever garbage you want, woman. But…there are a few things you will not be saying…at all!"
"S-such as?" the blonde asked.
"You do not mention Ivory's name…or make any references to her. You do NOT claim that you've ended her career. You don't even allude to it. Understand?"
"That's ridiculous," Michelle protested. "Everyone knows she was my last opponent. And-"
"Woman, this is not a debate!" JBL interrupted. "I am telling you…for your own good…what you are NOT going to say tonight. Understand?"
"And what happens if I do?"
The man raised a hand to his temple and sighed before answering.
"You know, Michelle…where I come from, one thing every boy is taught growing up is that a real man would NEVER strike a woman." He paused. "No exceptions. No matter how evil a woman might be…a man never lays his hands on her."
He looked her directly in the eyes. "So understand…this is the one and only time that you do not want to test my manhood. Because just this once…I don't think I'd pass."
Michelle swallowed hard. "You wouldn't."
"Do you really want to find out?" The tone of his reply was icy cold. "Because a guy my size…if he snapped…he could do more than just end a woman's career."
******'******
Gail Kim was in the locker room when an obviously upset Molly entered.
"Hey," she called out to her friend and former tag team partner. "What's wrong?"
Molly explained how she was determined to get a shot at Michelle but that Cornette wasn't cooperating. In the midst of this explanation, another wrestler walked into the room.
"Yeah, you should totally get a shot at that skank," ODB told Molly as she interjected herself into the conversation. "Bitch has some serious payback coming."
"But how do I get a title shot?"
Michelle offered a match to anyone who could beat Kong in five minutes," Gail offered. "But that's not exactly a great option."
"Tell me about it," ODB cracked. "Odds are stacked in 'McDrool's' favor there."
Unbeknownst to the three women, two other members of the roster had entered the room and overheard some of the conversation.
"Well," an English accented voice called out. "We need to change the odds."
Molly, Gail and ODB turned to see Layla…with Beth Phoenix at her side.
"And I think I've got an idea," the British beauty said with a wicked grin.
******'******
To be continued…
******'******
author's notes: I'm still alive and managed to update…though it wasn't easy. I've been having a hard time writing, but am determined to finish this story. Please tell me what you think of the latest developments. Reviews greatly appreciated.
In real wrestling news...some good and bad since my last update. I'll stick with the good...Victoria and Mickie are tearing things up in TNA. They've managed to turn the whole division around...I hope it lasts. In WWE, Natalya has won her first championship...and Beth Phoenix is back from injury. Hooray!