A/N: I do think that this is my absolute best fic. I've worked very hard on it. I put a great deal of effort into this, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. (This fic is in Mara's POV)
Disclaimer: I own Mara Martinez and Gail Thomas. Vince McMahon owns WWF shows, moves, characters. Wrestlers own themselves.
Summary: Gail Thomas and her sister, Mara Martinez are great forces in the WWF. They have their own tag team, 'Sister Circle.' Mara has everything, but the one thing she desires most is out of her reach.
Genre: Drama/Romance.
Rating is PG-13 mostly for language.
Sister Circle
We leaned toward each other, our noses touching. His lips barely touched mine, and he was moving closer…
"Sleepy head!" My sister, Gail Thomas, opened the curtains in our hotel room all the way so that the blinding light of the morning sun shone on me. "Oh, five more minutes…" I pleaded, taking a spare pillow and throwing it over my head.
Gail took the pillow off. She leaned down so low that her shoulder length light brown hair tickled my chin. "Five more minutes and we are going to be late." Slowly, I opened my eyes. I squinted so that the rays of the sun wouldn't blind me.
"Where are we going tomorrow?" I asked, sitting up. By that I meant where were we traveling next. My sister and I have our own tag team in the WWF called 'Sister Circle', which meant we were constantly on the road, traveling and making appearances.
Gail was already in the bathroom, getting dressed. I was miffed that she woke me out of a very pleasant dream, with Chris Irvine and I. I really liked him, being that he and my sister were very good friends. They weren't dating yet and I was thankful for that. That would have pushed me to the brink of insanity, if not further.
I stepped out of the bed, my bare feet connecting with the cold, hard marble floor. I shuffled to the bathroom door and pounded on it. "Gail, are you done?" Gail opened the door. "Yeah, yeah, it's all yours… And to answer your question, we go to Boston next." I nodded.
I stepped into the bathroom, searching for my red toothbrush. I found it on the toilet tank, wet. Damn it. Gail used my toothbrush again. I opened the door and found Gail making my messy bed.
"Oh, hell, Gail, the maid will do it… I know you like using my toothbrush, but for crying out loud, put it back in the right place!" Gail snapped around. "Oh? Did I use your toothbrush again?" She asked innocently. I sneered. Gail fluffed up my pillow. "Just use mine… I have no germs."
I cringed. "You have cooties!" I said. Ugh- I am twenty-four and I still rely on the cootie game. Ah, some things never change. Gail waved her finger at me. "I do not have cooties! I shower, unlike some people who will go unmentioned…" I stuck my tongue out. "I showered last night… It saves time." I closed the door, and searched for my sister's toothbrush.
*-*-*-*-*
Twenty minutes later, Gail stood, packing the last of our items. She pulled down her ocean blue sweater, and made sure her tight jeans were lint-free. Her three-inch heels clunked as she walked, and not a strand of hair was out of place in her super perfect ponytail. Despite her organized appearance, my sister is one hell of a fighter. I swear she could take The Rock and Triple H out single handily.
I tapped my foot. I was not very patient. At all. Unlike my sister, my long, thick black hair was straight behind my back and my brown tank top straps slid down my shoulders. My leather brown pants made it impossible to sit, and my sandals made dents on my ankles. Apparently, with me, comfort doesn't always come first.
Gail and I are half-sisters. Same mother, different father. I look like my father, who I never met. Gail looks just like mom. Gail has white skin; I have dark skin. She is short; I am tall. She is thin; well, so I am. Her eyes are crystal clear blues, like the sky. Mine are a mysterious brown.
There was a light knock at the door. While Gail was totally absorbed in checking that we had everything, I opened the door. It was Chris Irvine. He had on a WWF attitude sleeveless shirt and a pair of jeans. He tied his hair back. "Hey, Chris." I said. I just then remembered he was driving us to the arena. "Ready?" He asked. Gail turned around. "Oh, what's up Ayatollah?" My sister just loved using nicknames.
She ran to him, and she hugged and kissed him on the cheek. He gladly returned the favor. It was like they hadn't seen each for two months- and they saw each other at last night's RAW is WAR. She was his freaking manager! "Ahem- I believe we have a Smack!down taping to get to."
Gail and Chris both noticed my disgust. "Um, yeah, alright." Chris took his bags as well as Gail's and mine. "Chris, can't you let me or Mara hold something?" I nodded. "Yeah, Chris. You have so many bags on your back you look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame." The generous guy shrugged it off. "It's alright, it's alright."
Gail, who still didn't think it was all right, sighed. "Anyway… What's the angle?" Chris's eyes closed as he thought. "Ah, yes… Sister Circle versus Dean and Perry, while Stephanie tries to interfere, but fails." I nodded. "Sounds good… But what about you, Chris? You, our lovely valet don't help us?"
Chris chuckled. "That's the good part. I am not within reach because Terri Runnels is seducing me and the ref." Gail didn't think that was funny at all; while I burst out laughing. "Great… Another two cent ho trying to seduce the Ayatollah!" Gail raised an eyebrow. "Are you shitting me, Chris, or is that what is going to happen?" Chris snorted. "I'll show you the script in the car."
Gail held her hands up in defeat. "Alright, I believe you."
*-*-*-*-*
As we made our way towards the car, Gail smiled. "Shotgun." I glared at her. "Bitch." Gail smiled in a very Stephanie way when I playfully gave her the finger. "Bring it on, BEOTCH!" Chris sighed. "Sibling rivalries. I tell you what, since I really don't want Jerry Springer exploding in my car… Mara, you get shotgun on the way back." I smiled, looking forward to that ride, next to Chris.
"Fair, fair." I said, happily getting into the backseat. Gail filed in next to Chris. On the way to the Pepsi Arena, Gail and Chris sounded like a married couple with Timmy, Robby, Johnny, and Fluffy the dog in the backseat. "It's left." Gail insisted, her arms folded.
"I am telling you, Gabriella- it's right!" Chris shot back. Uh-oh. He called her Gabriella. My sister's real name is Gabriella, but Gail fits her perfectly. We call her by her real name when we're pissed at her. Their fighting was giving me a headache. "DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT ASKING SOMEONE FOR DIRECTIONS?" I asked, holding my temples.
"Asking for directions? And be ambushed by crazy fans? I think not, Marisol." Oh, shit. I didn't do anything to him, and he called me by my real name. Yup- it's Marisol. But I liked Mara. "Well, Christopher, if you two just HAVE to bitch and whine, then I don't have to suffer."
Gail moaned. "Look- there's a sign. PESPI ARENA- turn left. HA! In your face, Irvine!" My sister stuck her tongue out at him. I never really saw the playful side of my sister. She always seemed stuffy and serious to me. I guess I never saw her loosen up. I liked the playful streak of her, and I hoped it would stay.
"Fine, Y2J will admit he was wrong, only because it is such a *RARE* occasion."
"My ass it is, Chris."
The bickering ended about a minute later. I saw them from the back seat; and watched them carefully. They looked into each other's eyes and then burst out laughing. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I saw some sparks. Chris was grinning from ear to ear, and he pulled my sister close. I laughed along, but I felt like a phony.
*-*-*-*-*
"Gail! Mara! Chris! Great, see you finally made it on time." Vince said, chuckling. True, time was not on our side, usually. I loved to see Vince joke with us, as I hated his mean, selfish bastard character. "So…" Chris said, putting our bags down. Vince nodded. "Ah, yes… The angles… Well, Terri is seducing Chris and the ref…" I looked down to control my laughter. I knew, and so did everyone else, that Chris wasn't exactly that fond of Terri Runnels.
"Alrighty, then… Off we go!" I grabbed on my sister's arm, and gave Chris a quick hug goodbye. He was taken aback, which was just my intention- but he did return the hug. "I'll see ya, Marisol-" I glared at him. "MARA," He corrected, "you too, Gabriella." Gail smiled a half-smile and we left in route for our dressing rooms.
*-*-*-*-*
"I can't believe we have to wrestle men," Gail declared, searching her bag for something to wear. I had already found my white and blue windbreaker pants, and my matching, thin shirt. My hair was put into a sloppy bun.
"What?" I said, dabbing some lip balm on my cracked lips. "Amy wrestled Dean." Gail nodded. "I guess," There was a knock at the door just as Gail decided to wear her black tank top and stretch pants. "Come in," I said carelessly. In walked Stacy and Terri Poch, our best friends. "Hey, girls!" I said, creeping over Gail to hug each of them.
Gail got up and followed my lead. "What's up?" She asked. Stacy smiled. "Just came to wish you good luck before Terri and I made complete asses of ourselves. Excuse me, I have to go strip for thousands of people now…" I chuckled. "RTN! RTN!" I chanted, just like the crowd did. Terri's angle wasn't much better.
"Can you believe this piece of crap? Kane and X-Pac fighting over me… Guess who wins?" She pouted. Gail frowned. "Our lovable red retard loses you, huh?" Terri nodded. "Yeah, and I am officially with X-Pac. Think ya better? Better get ready and bow to the master…" She sighed. Gail put an arm on her shoulder. "Sean will treat you good." Terri snorted. "He better! Or I might have to choke slam him!"
As our friends left our dressing room, I sighed. "Wouldn't that be cool?" I asked. Gail, who was tying her sneakers on, looked up. "Would what be cool?" I smiled. "Two guys fighting over you… God, I would love to be in Terri's position." Gail rolled her eyes. "No one is really fighting over her, Mara. It's all scripted." As if I didn't know?
"Duh. Reality check, Gail. Come on, our match is next."
*-*-*-*-*
'Sister Circle' blared through the arena as thousands of fans jumped up, or groaned. While Sister Circle is a favorite, there are some people would just love to rain on our parade. Chris was right behind us. "Ready to rock the house, ladies?" Chris asked us. I raised my eyebrow. "I hate to quote Steve Williams, but, HELL YEAH!" Gail gave a simple nod. "Let's screw the Radicalz."
As the Radicalz music began to play, they were greeted with boos, with some cat calling from the males, as Terri did her traditional 'horns.' Perry looked up her body, and with a peck on the cheek, they started down the ramp. I sneered, and Gail and Chris exchanged glances. Chris slid out of the ring, and so did Terri. I noticed, as Gail took her spot in the ring, Terri was grinning at Chris, who wasn't affected by it.
The bell rang, and our match officially started. I would wait off to the side, and getting tagged when Gail needed me. Gail and Dean Malenko started at it. I knew Dean was going to hit on her, he had a look in his eye. It was the same look that he had given Nora when he kissed her.
Gail and Dean held each other's shoulders before Dean threw my sister into the ropes. He went to clothesline her over the top, but she ducked and he went for nothing. She stalked him from behind, looking for a low blow, but it was too early in the match. Instead, she punched him on his back, and he limped, but he didn't fall to the floor. Gail went to throw him into the turnbuckles, but he had other plans.
He reversed it. Dean threw Gail onto the hard canvas and went to slap her. As he lowered himself onto the canvas, my sister's foot went clearly across his face. Even though it was made to look like it did, this time it did. "Shit!" I saw Gail murmur. "Damn. Sorry, Dean." Dean rubbed his injured jaw, but merely nodded. "It's alright…" He picked my sister up and clotheslined her out of the ring.
I saw that as my cue to enter. Dean tagged in Perry, and I thought to strangle him with the goddamn boa he never leaves home without. Aw, hell, I decided against it. Dean slid out of the ring, going to check if my sister was alright.
While Perry was blowing kisses to Terry, I speared him to the mat. I slammed his head on the canvas and a few hard slaps to the stomach. I tried for my submission move- Curved Circle, where I hold the leg and the arm of the opponent together. I locked in it, but then I saw Stephanie make her way toward the ring. Uh oh, here's where Terri makes her move…
From the corner of my eye, while I was busy distracting Steph with slaps and hair pulling, Terri had pinned Chris against the wall, and was flipping her hair around. She puckered up her pink lips, and she had somehow made her shirt look even shorter… I'd be damned if I said Chris wasn't enjoying it.
I got Stephanie out of the ring and the ref had come back. I had my cover on Perry. One, two, three! And Sister Circle had yet another victory. As Gail had gotten up, she slid into the ring, and so did Chris. I laughed as I saw he had pink lips imprinted on his neck. As he lifted Gail and my arms in victory, he leaned into my ear and whispered, "you did great." I couldn't help but smile.
*-*-*-*-*
As we went backstage, we saw Stephanie McMahon. "Hey- sorry about the interference… I am a damn heel!" We laughed. "Aren't all McMahons heels?" Chris asked. "No…" We heard a cheerful voice say. I gasped. "SHANE!" I threw my arms around him. "How are you? How's Marisa?"
"Good, good… You look great! Cool match." Shane said. I smiled. "I've been working out…" I liked my innocent flirting with Shane, even though I knew he wasn't flirting with me. He was married, for god's sake!
"The Radicalz are tough to beat." Shane declared. Gail raised an eyebrow. "Shane, are you feeling okay?" My sister then put her hand on Shane's forehead. We all had a good laugh. Just then, we saw Terri Runnels come over. I groaned. "Hey, guys. Hi, Sisters… Congrats on your win. Just another to put in the books, eh? And, um, Chris, hoped you enjoyed the angle as much as I did…"
Chris wrinkled his nose. "Yeah, Terri, it was cool…" Chris said. He didn't like woman all over him, especially if they were bottom feeding, trash bag hos. "Listen, Terri, I hate to interrupt, but Chris and I really need to get back to our hotel." God, Gail nailed Terri.
Terri smiled. "Oh, well, I see… Alright… See you guys at the houseshow." Terri walked off, glancing back every so often to look at the Ayatollah. "Well, girlies… Let's go. And, Mara, you get shotgun." I smiled. I planned to feel very tired and lay my head on his shoulder and breathe on his neck. If that didn't get him to start liking me, nothing will.
*-*-*-*-*
As it turned out, I did fall asleep, and the next thing I knew I felt Chris put me down on the bed. I was woken up, but I kept my eyes closed. I heard our bags drop and I felt someone lay down on the bed. Two people lay down on the bed.
I tried to go back to sleep, and uneasily, I did. I heard a noise- a kissing noise. I convinced myself that it was a dream. But…
*-*-*-*-*
I heard someone singing happily early in the morning. I opened my eyes and saw Gail, who was already dressed. "What happened last night?" I wanted to know. Gail's smile faded. "Well, Chris and I- kissed." I fell back onto the bed. "And then…?" I asked, wanting to know more, even though I knew my already shattered heart couldn't endure it.
"He asked me out. We are going after the Houseshow." I nodded. "That's great. Really great of you to ruin my heart! You're such a bitch!" I exploded. Gail blinked. "What did I do?" I took a pillow and threw it across the room. It was dangerously close to falling out the window.
"You knew I loved Chris." I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to come out so badly. Gail laughed a surprised laugh. "All of this exploding shit because you love Chris? Marisol, remember in high school, where I loved Stuart Zinfield and he asked you to the prom?"
By this time, my head was in a pillow, and I was crying my eyes out. "But this is totally different! I didn't even like Stuart! I HATE YOU!" I spat out. Gail sighed. "Look, I don't know how your panties got tied in a knot, but there is no reason to hate me! I didn't ask him out! So, instead of crying your ass off, why don't you get on with life?"
I broke down in more tears. "I thought he loved me, I thought I caught his interest…" My eyes were all red, and I was trembling. Knock, knock. "HI GIRLS!" It was Chris. I sighed. Gail shooed me into the bathroom so I could fix myself.
She opened the door. "Hi, Gail." Chris said. He dropped his bags and scooped her into his arms. He gave her four quick pecks on her lips. I stepped out of the bathroom, looking better, but not great. I wasn't trembling, but my eyes were still red. So was my face. "Mara, what happened?" Chris asked, putting Gail down. I didn't know if I should tell him the truth or not.
"Um, I-" I was lost for words. "I am very happy." Chris raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem happy." I nodded. "Yes, yes, I was crying happy tears! I am so happy that you found happiness with my sister." I mumbled. Chris smiled. "Ah, yeah! Gail and I are going out rock climbing after the houseshow." I smiled. "Great! Well, come on, everybody… Let's get ready."
*-*-*-*-*
In the dressing room, I was all alone. I started to cry again because Chris was in a match, and Gail had to escort him. I turned on the TV, to catch the last few minutes.
"Well, The Rock going for the Rock Bottom-" JR commented. "He can't seem to get it in, and Y2J got the Walls of Jericho! It's locked in! It's locked in! The Rock is tapping!" Paul Heyman said, and Lillian Garcia got on her Mic. "And, your winner by submission, CHRIS…. JERICHO!!!"
I started crying more as I saw Gail slid into the ring and pull his arm up in victory. He brought her in for another kiss and the crowd cheered in shock. I groaned as someone knocked. "Come in," I said, thinking it would be Stacy or Terri. How very wrong I was. "Hi."
Kurt Angle came into the room. "Hi, Kurt." I said. There were rumors all over the WWF that Kurt had a thing for me. I couldn't deny that he was a very attractive man, and not at all like his asshole character. "Hey- I heard crying. Is everything alright?" Kurt asked, sitting down beside me.
I sighed. "Well, I would like to confide in you, but I don't want to burden you with all my stupid problems." Kurt laughed lightly. "I'd like to listen- maybe I can help." A small smile played my lips. "Maybe." I started to tell him the story of how I felt for Chris, and what he felt for Gail. Kurt listened with amazing interest.
When I was all done, I eagerly waited for Kurt's reply. "You and Chris aren't meant to be." He said. I nodded. "Gail and Chris possibly are. I mean, I see their chemistry in the ring, and I am sure you do, too." Kurt's words were so true. I nodded. "I have been acting babyish and selfish, lately. Chris isn't the one for me. I am sure there will be others." Kurt nodded. "Who wouldn't want a great woman like you?" I grinned. "Thanks. And thank you so much for listening."
"It's alright." He got up, and he gave me his hand. I took it and he helped me up. "I don't want see you down, Marisol." I blushed. Kurt said my real name with elegance. I liked the way he said it. "I want you to show that beautiful smile." I blushed even pinker. That's when it happened. Kurt leaned in and kissed me. A little peck at first, then deeper. I kissed back, lost in his touch.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and I put my hands on his neck. "MARISOL MARTINEZ!" Kurt turned around and took his hands off my waist. He bolted his lips and looked down at the ground. I circled my finger around my lips. It was Chris. "What the hell is going on?"
"Chris, I can explain-" I started. Chris shook his head. "YOU!" He pointed to Kurt. "Go." Kurt turned to leave, and waved to me solemnly. I waved back. "Chris, how could you?" I sputtered. I was too stunned for words. "Oh, man, Gail is going to beat the shit out of you." Chris said.
I gasped. Gail never was too happy about my boyfriends or male friends. "But I am not going to tell her," Chris said. "But if I ever see you doing anything with that prick again, you will be sorry." I massaged my head. "Chris, what the hell do you have against Kurt? He never did anything to you."
Chris sighed. "Man, Marisol! He's a jabroni, to put it bluntly." I shook my head. "He's a great guy. And I believe you have some rock climbing to do." Chris sighed in disgust and left. I went out, looking for Kurt.
*-*-*-*-
I found him in the lounge, drinking a bottle of water. "Kurt-" I said. Kurt put his bottle down. "Marisol- I am so sorry." I shake my head. "Kurt, it's okay. You know how Chris can be." I hug him. "But, I thought you had a thing for him." I shake my head quickly.
"I did until you told me that we weren't meant for one another. I then realized who I was meant with." Kurt looked dumbfounded. "Who?" I gave him a kiss. "Answer your question?" Kurt grinned. "I know that I meant for you, Marisol. But I don't want Chris or Gail to do anything to you." I shook my head. "They won't. We can see each other in private." I suggested.
"Private? That's risky…" Kurt said, cupping my chin. I raised an eyebrow seductively. "Marisol Martinez is all about taking risks." Kurt nodded. "I see." He brought me in for another kiss, and I happily returned the favor.
That night, as I entered the tour bus, I was met with cheers from Terri Poch and Stacy. "My god! Is it true?" Stacy asked. I cocked my head. "Is what true?" Terri rolled her eyes. "None of that shit, Mara. Is it true that you and Kurt are seeing each other and that Chris caught you guys kissing?"
I nodded. "That's old news. But, yes, we are seeing each other. Not a word to Gail or Chris." Just then, I heard a crash. "SON OF A BITCH!" Gail entered the room. I sucked in my breath, hoping she didn't find out about my new boyfriend. "What is it?" Amy asked. "Where is that little bitch Mara?" I snapped my head sideways. "What?" I asked.
Gail pulled me up. "You were kissing Kurt Angle in our dressing room?" The whole tour bus gasped. I nodded. "Yes, I did. And in the lounge, too." All of a sudden, I felt a whole burst of boldness flow through me. Gail picked up a dry hand and slapped me hard across my face. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I rubbed my cheek, and I saw Kurt come after Gail. Chris held him back as I speared Gail and slapped her back.
She pulled on my hair and I kicked her side. "I am an adult! I don't need this shit! Hell, if I want to kiss someone, I'll be damned if anyone gets in my way!" I screamed at my sister. "Mara! Don't talk to your sister like that!" Chris demanded as he grasped Kurt's shoulders. "You know, Chris? Why don't you shut the hell up? What makes it right that she go barging in here and demanding everything? So what I kissed Kurt in the dressing room. He's my boyfriend. You two were getting more than friendly on my bed!"
Kurt broke free of Chris's grasp and went for me. I jumped into his arms and put my legs around his hips. "That's it," I declared. "Kurt and I versus you and Gail, Chris. It isn't scripted now. Now it's goddamn personal."
TO BE CONTINUED