A/N: Thanks for reviewing and here is the next chapter!
Chapter Twenty-five: Make It Alright
Tara slowly sat up and a microphone was handed to her as she wiped her face with the back of her glove. Slowly she stood and looked at a smirking Stephanie McMahon.
"You won," said Tara finally as her own team slowly stood up outside the ring, "Albeit, in a dirty way but at the end of the day, you still won," Tara bit her lower lip, which trembled slightly as she swallowed a lump in her throat and turned to face her shocked team, "Thank you so much for fighting with me against the Authority. You fought fairly and gave it your all and for that I am eternally grateful."
Tara caught the confused look on Dean's face as he looked at Roman in confusion who gave a slight shake of his head.
"Because I lost this match," stated Tara pausing slightly to lick her lips, "I am no longer the General Manager of Monday Night Raw."
The crowd suddenly yelled out a chant of "No! No! No!" at Tara's announcement as Dean yanked himself up to the side of the ring furiously.
"In fact I am leaving. I was told if I couldn't win here… I would be sent back to Australia to assist developments there in regards to the WWE Network," continued Tara, turning so she couldn't see Dean stepping into the ring, "Congratulation's Stephanie."
Tara threw the microphone at her sister and turned and left the ring, dodging Dean's hands.
Tara wiped the make up off of her face, ignoring the pounding on her locked dressing room door. She changed out of her ring gear and yanked on an old long sleeved shirt, jeans and boots. After she tied her hair back up into a ponytail she finally unlocked the door and Jon stumbled in, still in his ring gear.
"What the fuck was that out there?" Jon said furiously, shoving the door shut as TJ stepped away from him, "We were set to win that match! That was the plan!"
"Plan's change all the time and your reactions needed to look legit," replied TJ looking down at the ring on her finger, "But maybe if you had have just spoken to me just once this week, everything would have stayed the same."
Jon said nothing and TJ licked her lips and shook her head.
"You blame me," she stated.
"No-"
"Don't lie to me!" yelled TJ causing Jon to step back in surprise, "You won't look at me, you don't talk to me… you are acting as if I cheated on you! I never once led Colby on – I treated him like a friend! He kissed me but I damn well did not kiss him back!" TJ shook her head and turned away from Jon and pulled the engagement ring from her finger, "I can't be treated as if I am the worst thing in the world and at the moment that is exactly how you are making me feel," TJ turned around and looked at Jon, "I leave for Australia tonight. I am in charge of establishing a wrestling show there and organising it all so... so I don't know if or when I will be back. Right now, time apart to work out what we both really want and feel is probably the best thing."
"TJ," whispered Jon, his voice breaking as she placed the engagement ring on the table beside them, "Please-"
TJ shook her head, tears in her own eyes, "You know I am right Jon. It's just been one thing after another between us and neither one of us as had a smooth time in a while. We need this. We need time apart."
"But I love you."
"And I love you as well. Always and only you."
Jon looked at TJ sadly, standing still as she stood on tip toe and pressed one last, lingering kiss to his lips before she left the room.
Two months later
It was Australia Day in Australia and TJ woke up with a sense of relief. A day off to just relax and enjoy the swimming pool. She lived in Brisbane but had sold her parents place, finding it too painful to live in.
Instead, she brought a nice four bedroom house with a pool in the backyard.
Progress for the Australian WWE show was going well. A deal had been made with Channel Seven to air it every Wednesday night from seven-thirty in the evening to nine-thirty, making it a two hour show. TJ had set up a headquarters in Brisbane and already had a team of people, personally selected by her to help get everything organised.
Vince was extremely proud of the progress she was making and planned on coming to visit in the next couple of months.
Finding the talent had been easy enough, along with a training base. Some of the NXT trainers had transferred to Australia to help with setting up the developmental territory.
TJ had even organised for some of the NXT people to headline the Australian show. Tenille had eagerly signed on, with TJ wanting her as their top diva. Sami Zayn was going to join the show and Jojo was going to be the permanent ring announcer.
The first show was set to happen in March, giving TJ just over two months to finalise everything.
Jon glanced at the time on his phone. He let out a sigh and stared at the sky, drawing in a deep breath as he inhaled his cigarette.
He looked around the hotel a small smirk as a memory flashed in his mind.
"Check out this dorktacula shirt I got myself," said TJ holding up a black t-shirt with I heart Boston written across the front, "I couldn't help myself."
Jon chuckled as TJ looked at the shirt with flushed cheeks, "You'll look hot in it."
TJ playfully shoved Jon, "Flirt."
Jon sighed and rubbed his tired face. He missed her immensely. Her laugh, her smile, her ability to see through his bullshit. He missed holding her, waking up to her curled up against him – heck he even missed finding her collection of hair ties around the shower taps.
March 8th 2017
TJ raced around backstage, breathless as she double checked everything was in order. It was the first night for WWE: Revolution Australia and TJ wanted it to go perfectly. A lot of hype had built up around the show with social media keeping tabs on the happening of the show.
"Everything will be perfect," reassured Skylar, who had moved to Australia to be head of the make-up and hair style department.
"I know, I know," sighed TJ, brushing her brown, curled fringe from her eyes, "Right, well I better go get backstage."
Skylar smiled and hugged TJ, wishing her luck.
TJ stood backstage and looked at the team of announcers she had handpicked. Her panel consisted of two men and a woman. TJ's main criteria, other than being confident on the microphone was for them to be enthusiastic about the wrestling world, which thankfully they were.
"We are on in five, four, three, two and one," announced the head of the production team as the show's theme song, Nickelback's Edge of a Revolution kicked off.
TJ stood ready back stage as the screen lit up with images of the Australian landscape with the talent pulling moves in the desert, on the beach, in their training ring. Along with images of Tara McMahon on Raw and working with the team at the headquarters to put the show together.
"Welcome to the first ever WWE: Revolution Australia! My name is Crystal Marks and I am joined by Scott Gold and Jordan Grant! We are coming to you like from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with a sold out crowd!" greeted Crystal as the crowd got loud and excited.
"That's right, Crystal," agreed Scott, "This show sold out in twenty minutes! And next weeks sold out just as quickly!"
The sound of Tara McMahon's theme hitting sent the crowd into a frantic round of cheers as she walked out with a smile. Tara refused to amp her look up into a suits and skirts girl. She stuck to her black jeans and a green shirt to blend with the show's theme colour of green.
"Welcome to WWE: Revolution Australia!" greeted Tara as she stepped into the ring, pausing as the crowd roared in excitement, "Tonight the face of WWE is changing forever! No longer will it just be Monday Night Raw and Thursday Night Smackdown! No! Wednesday night will be the night to tune in! Wednesday night Australia gets to show the world how the WWE is changing! I am proud to bring this to you all!"
Chants of Thankyou Tara broke out and Tara grinned in appreciation.
"And it's not just the Raw and Smackdown brands that have titles either. We are debuting four titles here and the competition for the first wrestlers to have their turn to reign over them begins tonight!" announced Tara as four referees walked out holding covered titles, "We have the WWE Australian Heavyweight Championship!" The first referee held up a title with a black belt and the main plate in gold with the image of Australia in green, "We have the WWE Australian Women's Championship!" The next referee held out another belt, small in size to the men's but with a similar design, "And then we have the Men's Tag Team Championship Titles," added Tara with the third referee holding up a white belt with silver plates and a black outline drawn image of Australia on it, "Along with the Women's Tag Team Titles!" The crowd went crazy as the referee held up another set of white belts, similar in size to the women's championship one.
When the crowd calmed down Tara turned towards the ramp, "Now I didn't come home from America alone. I brought a few of my friends with me who want to help revolutionize the WWE! So please welcome your match announcer, Jojo!"
Jojo walked out with a smile and received a warm happy greeting. She stepped into the ring and hugged Tara happily.
"And someone who I think you are all familiar with," said Tara with a warm smile as her music hit, "Emma!"
The crowd went crazy as Emma walked out, decked in her Australian theme ring gear and a happy smile to match how she felt about being home.
"I also brought one more special person with me," added Tara, "He knows how to fight and he wants to mark his place in WWE history."
Many people began to yell out for Dean but Tara smiled through it as the music of who she spoke of hit.
"Sami Zayn!"
Despite asking for Dean, the crowd greeted Sami Zayn with enthusiasm and Tara breathed a sigh of relief as the first show kicked off in high gear.
TJ breathed out a sigh of relief when the ratings and review's came in. Positive, positive and more positive. The celebrations that night were extremely loud and energetic with Tara stumbling into bed at three in the morning – not drunk but extremely happy.
She laid on her bed and in a daze scrolled through to find a number she had looked at many times but never dared call – until that moment.
TJ held the phone to her hear and after a few rings it was answered.
"Hi."
TJ swallowed the sudden lump in her throat at the sound of his voice, "Hi."
"It's been… what four months?"
"I know."
"So I hear the show went great… I watched the start."
"Yeah, it went fantastic, you know? Umm, good reviews and stuff."
"You must be tired."
Tara breathed out a little sigh, looking up at the white ceiling, "Not really. How is… everyone?"
"Good. Saraya misses you and Tenille a lot."
"I miss her too… and … and you, Jon."
She heard Jon's sharp intake of breath and closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay away.
"I miss you as well, TJ. Every damn day."
TJ sat up and tried to mask the slight sob with a cough, "You probably hate me anyway… I wouldn't blame you."
"Is that what you think?" cried Jon, "That I hate you?"
"I don't know what to think Jon. I miss you with every fibre of my being but I left you."
"You and I both know it was the right choice."
"Was it really?" asked TJ bitterly, "Waking up apart, never hearing your voice, your laugh… never feeling your arms around me."
She heard Jon sigh and TJ picked at a loose thread on her quilt.
"Colby spoke to me when he came back from leave. He feels awful and was confused with everything going on in his life," Jon let out a slight chuckle before speaking, "Him and Saraya have been flirting a lot lately. I dare say she is keeping him on his toes."
TJ smiled a little, "I'm glad you patched things up."
"But I haven't with you."
"I-I should get to sleep," said TJ suddenly, as a wave of emotion took her over, "I have to finalise next week's show tomorrow and meetings… can we talk again… soon?"
"Of course."
"Well you have plenty of leave built up," agreed Paul.
"TJ called me last night," said Jon finally and Paul looked at him in surprise, "Yeah, my expression exactly when I saw her name on my phone screen."
"Is she okay?"
Jon frowned, "She seemed… lonely."
Paul frowned at that.
"Yeah, she has friends there and the show to keep her busy but her voice just sounded tinged with misery," admitted Jon, "I can't ignore that, Paul… her calling me was her way of asking for help… asking for me to hold her and make her feel better, you know?"
Paul nodded and signed the form granting Jon time off, "Go make my little sister in law feel better, Jon."
Two days later found TJ in her garden digging at the ground and planting a range of flowers. She had her stereo playing and was humming along to the songs as she worked her way through the garden. She stood up and brushed the dirt off of her hands on the back of her shorts and examined her handy work before musing about which plant to add to her garden next.
The sound of the doorbell ringing caught TJ's attention and she jogged across the yard and in through the backdoor. She quickly washed her hands in the laundry sink and walked through the hall to the main entry.
TJ pulled the door open, prepared to greet anyone but who was standing at her front door.
"Jon," she said with a gasp.
"Hi," he replied with a small smile.
TJ blinked rapidly, uncertain she was seeing correctly, "U-Um, come in. Sorry. I just… yeah, come in."
TJ stepped back and Jon walked in with his suitcase and backpack.
"This is… this is just unexpected," said TJ as she walked along the hall and into the kitchen to turn the stereo down.
Jon looked around the house, taking in the light colours and airiness to the place with the French styled decorations, "Sorry about that."
TJ gave a shrug and cleared her throat, "Would you like a drink?"
"Yeah sure."
TJ nodded and opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle of mango and passionfruit juice – one of his favourites. He gave a small smile at that and TJ's cheek's flushed pink lightly as she poured it into a glass for him.
"Anything to eat? I have fruit… and some jatz… erm… some dip or I can cut you some cheese up."
"I'm fine, thanks."
TJ nodded and handed him his drink as she gestured around her, "So yeah, this is my new place. I've been doing it up… just the yard left really."
"It look's great. Very you."
TJ managed a small smile, "Yeah. Very me. Just me," TJ cleared her throat, "Umm, so the bathroom is the second last door on the right. If you want to sleep there is a guest room but I haven't made the bed up, so just let me know… I'll ah, be outside… gardening."
Jon watched as TJ hurried away and let out a sigh.
Half an hour later after a shower, Jon walked out the back. He watched as TJ patted the ground around the flowers and leaned back to examine her work. It was when she swiped a hand under her eyes, did he realise she was silently crying.
Jon walked forward and stopped at the edge of the garden, "TJ… talk to me."
With her back turned to him, she gave a shrug, "There is nothing to say."
"Bullshit."
"We said everything when I left you."
"You blame yourself."
"Just like you do."
"No, I don't."
TJ dropped the small shovel and turned to look at Jon incredulously, "Bullshit. You did blame me. I know you did, you know you did!"
"I was angry," admitted Jon, "I admit that and had you stayed we both know it would've ended up a huge mess with us hating each other… and I don't want to hate you. I want to keep loving you."
TJ stood up, "I hurt you. I know I did and I hate myself for that. Yeah, putting space between us was probably the right thing but it doesn't take away the fact I am away from you," TJ let out a bitter laugh as she weaved through the flowers she planted, wiping her hands on the sides of her shorts, "You'd think I'd be the happiest person ever. Achieved a career dream to pretty much run a business. Helped create a hit show… everything should be fan-fucking-tastic! But you know what?" said TJ, a sob escaping her, "I am the loneliest I have ever been!"
Jon didn't hesitate in pulling TJ into his arms. The feeling of him holding her set TJ off into another torrent of tears. She clung onto him tightly, willing herself to calm down.
"I need you," she admitted as she sobbed.
"I need you too."
TJ exited her bathroom after a shower feeling much calmer. She wandered into the kitchen finding Jon making them both a coffee. He greeted her with a warm smile and TJ returned it, murmuring a thanks for the coffee.
"Feel any better?" asked Jon, standing on the opposite side of the counter to TJ.
"Yeah… not so much like a walking dirt pile."
Jon chuckled and sipped his coffee, "I like this brand."
"Only the best in this place," teased TJ before she took a sip and smirked as she continued to speak, "None of that fake crap where you're from."
"Hey, I am from there and I like to think I am the best."
TJ smiled with her cheeks tinging a light pink, "You are."
Jon returned the smile and both drank in silence, "Is it hard being here without your parents?"
TJ shrugged and gave a nod, "I mean I have Sam and Scarlett… well Scarlett is off being pregnant and married now. Sam is maintaining the hotel business for me still and he was helpful with the start-up of Revolution. But really… you know, Tenille is in Melbourne. Sami settled in Sydney and so did Jojo. Other than the people who work at the headquarters, I kinda spend time alone."
"And you only see everyone else on Wednesday?"
TJ nodded, "Sydney next week."
Jon hated seeing the sadness on TJ's face. She had gone from being surrounded by him, her family and friends to doing it alone, just to give them space and mainly give him room to sort out how he was feeling.
"You are the most selfless woman I know," he said suddenly lowering his coffee cup to the bench.
TJ looked at him in confusion, placing her own cup on the bench, "What?"
"You… you've let yourself be miserable because of me… I'm such an arsehole for letting you go."
Before TJ could respond, Jon stepped around the counter in three long strides and pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately. TJ felt herself melt into his embrace, a moan escaping her lips at the feel of his body pressed firmly alongside hers.
"I fucking love you," he said earnestly as he cupped her face in his hands, brushing his thumbs across her cheeks, "I'm never, ever letting you go again Tara-Jayne."
TJ licked her lips and smiled a little, "I don't plan on letting you go either Jonathon."
A/N: The next chapter will indeed be the last one! Please review!