Title: The Road Less Traveled (35/?)
Author: Esquirella
Rating: R (for violence in some chapters.)
Disclaimer: I own the Rio character and have written other stories with her. I own all non WWE characters. But I do not own the wrestlers. (Unfortunately. They are so cute!)
Synopsis: In this chapter: Rio finds out that destiny is impossible to escape.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Status quo on the first Rio stories. They're coming. I've gotten a few feedbacks on Shannon's behavior in the story. He is being pretty possessive. It will be explained why in later chapters. Also, I've heard about Jeff's behavior. I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that I don't know how Shannon or Jeff are in real life and I've never met either of them. (In fact, on the slim chance they ever read this: Please accept my apologies if you find this offensive.) This portrayal is fictional and not meant in any way to represent the real personalities of Shannon Moore or Jeff Hardy.
--------------------------------------
Rio picked up her gear bag and prepared to head out to her third and final title defense. Shannon said he'd wanted to come to this one but Rio insisted that he stay behind again citing the need for her ability to concentrate on her opponent as the main reason. He stood by the door with his usual frown, and she smiled at him.
"Do not be so dour, Shannon. I always return to celebrate with you."
"I jus' hate no' bein' there."
"I know."
"Matt's goin', though. So at leas' someone's aroun' t' keep an eye on you."
Her smile vanished. "Why is he going? Did you ask him to?"
"Nah," he replied. "'E tol' me 'e was. An' I'm no' gonna try an' stop 'im eitha. Ya need a keepa."
"I am perfectly able to take care of myself," she complained. "Have I not vanquished everyone I have been put against?"
"Tha' don' matta. I feel betta knowin' 'e'll be there. When ya gonna leave it anyway?"
"Actually, I have now earned more than enough to finish paying my debts. I will be leaving the Series very soon."
"About time! Now gimme a kiss, li'l girl."
He pulled her to him and covered her lips in a deep kiss, holding her tightly against him.
"Ya sure ya gotta go now?" he asked lightly pecking at her neck. "Ya got some time, don'tcha?"
"I am sorry, Shannon. I have to go," she laughed pulling reluctantly away from him and settling the strap of her bag more securely on her shoulder. He gave her a pout and touched her lips again lightly with his own.
"I love you, baby," he whispered.
"I know," she answered uncomfortably.
"Ya'll git used t' it," he grinned confidently. "An' ya'll even feel comfortable enough ta tell it' back t' me someday."
She touched his cheek with a silver painted hand and turned to leave. She had to meet Sven soon and he would not like it if she kept him waiting.
--------------------------------------
Henry paced backstage before his leather-clad ally. Tonight was the night he took care of his Rio dilemma. Sasquatch was in a back room with Goliath learning the fine art of spearing an opponent with a poison-dipped knife.
"She was easily able to avoid Goliath's blades before," Henry insisted. Phantom shook his head almost imperceptibly.
--------------------------------------
"There you are, Sven!"
The tall blonde turned around just in time to prepare himself for Rio as she laughingly launched herself into his arms. It felt good to have her there again and he held her tightly.
"Sweet One!" he chuckled. "How are you?"
"I am better now that you are here!" she exclaimed. "But where is Justin?"
"He will be here later," he answered enigmatically. "And now we need to prepare for your match."
"Prepare?" she asked, clearly perplexed. "Is this different than the other?"
"Much," he said furrowing his brow.
--------------------------------------
Sasquatch carefully sheathed the knife and strapped it into his boot. Its twin was already strapped onto his other ankle, waiting for use. He looked up at Goliath and grinned evilly.
"I appreciate this, man," he said gratefully to the still-limping warrior.
"You can pay me back by finishing her off," the other replied. "Get her for all the pain we've both been through."
"Oh, you can bank on that!"
--------------------------------------
Rio stretched into her warm up exercises in the back, loosening her muscles. The modifications Sven had made to her gear before felt strange to her, but she would compensate for it. The main thing, she was told, was to prevent the blade from piercing the skin. She leaned into another position hearing the slight squish of Sven's additions, as voices approached the crates that hid her.
"What if she avoids the knives again?" Henry asked impatiently. "I want her finished tonight!"
"She will be," soothed a deep voice with a soft French lilt. "Two of her friends are in the front row. If she somehow escapes, I will use one of them for bait."
Rio's blood went cold as she thought of Matt.
"I'm not ready to involve the WWE people yet, Phantom."
"They came here of their own accord," the voice said bluntly. "If something should happen to them, it isn't the Warrior Series' fault."
"Hmph," Henry grunted seemingly unconvinced.
"I will take the young Hardy out first," the mysterious man went on. "Everybody knows he's not too stable. No one, not even Vince McMahon himself, would assume he was a target."
Jeff! Rio's mind was screaming as she sat motionless behind the crates.
--------------------------------------
"Jeff, wha' th' hell are ya doin' here?" Matt growled when he saw his brother take a seat beside him the front row.
"I could ask ya th' same," the purple-haired dare devil returned.
"I haven' seen 'er fight since th' firs' time," Matt said grudgingly. "You 'ave."
"Well, now we can watch 'er t'getha," Jeff smiled.
"Ya didn' tell Ames you were comin' 'ere, didja?"
"Nah," the younger Hardy assured him. "She'da wanted t' come, an' I didn' wantta wait fo' 'er. Should we caller?"
"Hell no," Matt smirked. "I wouldn' be able t' keep my eye on Rio if my baby was here."
--------------------------------------
Rio paced nervously backstage waiting for her music. She went to her private corner where she and Sven had stashed her equipment earlier and pulled out her cell phone from her bag. Dialing Shannon's number she waited in uncharacteristic impatience for him to answer.
"'Lo?" he finally said on the line.
"Shannon," she breathed.
"Baby?" he said worriedly. "Wha's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said sadly. "I just wanted to hear your voice."
"Miss me tha' much," he joked.
"Yes," she replied. "Shannon . . ."
"Wha's wrong, li'l girl?" he asked again. "Yo' beginnin' t' worra me."
"I just wanted to say that I love you, too."
"I . . . uh . . . now I KNOW somethin's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong, Shannon," she assured him earnestly. "I just wanted to tell you that. I have been thinking about our conversation earlier and you are right. I do have feelings that I have been trying to ignore. I wanted to tell you about them."
"Now? Befo' ya go fight?"
"Why not?" she chuckled. "You do not like surprises?"
"I's no' that."
"I must go now, Shannon. My match is about to be called."
"Alrigh' baby, but lata, we talk."
"Agreed," she sighed."
"I love you."
"I love you, too, Shannon. Good bye."
"Fo' now," he said before clicking off the line.
A tear escaped her eye as she replaced the phone in the bag. She knew she'd be facing Sasquatch tonight and that he would do everything in his power to repay her for their last match. She also knew she would have to let him believe he'd finished her off, but she intended to go out a winner at least. He would not leave the ring with her belt. Her nerves were frayed because Jeff and Matt sat in the front row, vulnerable to Henry and his henchmen. She had to protect Jeff at all costs. He was her brother as far as she was concerned and he did not deserve to be harmed by the world she'd chosen to live in.
Suddenly she saw Jack motion her to the ramp and she took her place, ready to face the destiny fate had in store for her. Her music hit and she automatically trotted down to the ring to face the behemoth. He glared at her maliciously from the center of the ring and she grinned, albeit uncertainly. She circled the ring slowly and looked into Jeff's eyes as he watched from his seat next to Matt, smiling at her encouragingly. At all costs, she vowed to him silently turning her attention back to the ring. She flipped inside and faced her executioner.
--------------------------------------
"She seems uneasy tonight," Sven said to Justin into the phone. "I have never seen her this hesitant."
"Her friends are here," the calm voice replied. "She is undoubtedly worried for their welfare."
"Do you think she suspects Henry of targeting them?"
"Yes," Justin said. "And as well she should. He will stop at nothing to gain popularity for the Series. The WWE superstars would fit very nicely in with those plans."
"I just hope she keeps to our plan."
--------------------------------------
"At last we meet again, Quick Silver."
The silver fighter said nothing, pacing a few feet away from her challenger. She looked over at Jeff and Matt every so often to reassure herself that they were okay. This was going to become most unpleasant. She had to focus on Sven's instructions.
"No small talk for me, then?"
"You have been hanging around with Beelz during your vacation, have you not?" she finally said disgustedly.
"Why do you say that?"
"You never used to be THIS chatty," she replied dropping suddenly and taking him with her.
She flipped and kicked him for the next ten minutes or so, being careful not injure him too severely. She wanted to win the match but she needed to make it look like he had injured her severely in the meantime. The big warrior fought back and seemed surprised when a couple of punches connected. Rio smiled grimly as she set him up for a roundhouse kick, purposely missing his ribs and connecting with his hip lighter than she normally would. Jeff was shouting from his chair and Matt looked very concerned.
Sasquatch crouched low and pulled the knives out from his boots. Rio wriggled her fingers in anticipation. This was it. She had to let one of the knives puncture the plastic blood bag taped to her left thigh but keep it from breaking her skin. She sent a silent prayer up to Ben in the heavens to watch over her as she waited for the throw.
The first one was aimed at her chest and she had to stop it cold. The next flew to her leg and she turned slightly to let it hit the bag. It had gone a little too far and she felt a prick. Shit! She pulled the bloody knife out and dropped it. Giving her prey a feral grin, she charged him, spearing him down to the mat. She then stood back up slightly unsteadily and brought her foot down on his rib cage and twisted his ankle, dislocating his hip in the process. He pounded the mat ferociously to stop the attack. She looked over at Matt and Jeff who were staring at her horrified. The medics came for Sasquatch and Rio bowed to the audience almost falling forward as she did so. She put a bloody hand on her belt as she shakily left the ring and ran up the ramp.
--------------------------------------
"We gotta find 'er, Matt," Jeff shrieked in the parking lot. "She's hurt real bad!"
Matt knew his brother would go into a case of hysterics if he didn't take charge of the situation. He grabbed the younger man's shoulders and shook him with force. "Ya'll be no good t'er like this!"
Jeff sniffled slightly but stopped quivering. He nodded solemnly as he pulled away from his brother.
"Good," Matt said. "Now you go tha' way an' I'll check ova there," he said pointing behind him.
Apparently happy to have someone else in charge, Jeff nodded readily and ran to cover his allotted area. Matt turned and ran into the bushes to the surrounding woods area. It seemed like a perfect hiding place to him. He'd been looking for about ten minutes when he came upon her leaning against a tree breathing erratically.
"Rio, sweetheart," he whispered pulling her into a hug. She looked up slowly and pulled her glasses off. He was surprised to find himself looking into crystal clear deep blue eyes. It made a startling contrast to the silver paint.
"Matt," she said shivering. "I cannot stay."
Her Russian accent was faltering and Matt heard the New England tones coming through. "Shhh," he soothed. "We're gonna gitcha to a docta."
"No," she argued fighting to hold onto the Russian accent. "You cannot. I must not stay with you. It will put you in great danger."
"Whatdya mean?" he asked looking deeply into her eyes. He could tell she was frightened for him, for all of them. He could also see that she blamed herself for it.
"Henry wants me dead. He knows you are my friends and will be watching you all," she said between cringes of pain. "If I stay with you, even without the disguise, he will know it and come after me through you. He had planned to tonight."
"What!?"
"Yes," she said lowering her head in guilt. "I heard him earlier. He had planned to have Jeff attacked if I escaped Sasquatch tonight."
"Tha's why ya let 'is hits connect, isn' it?"
She nodded still clutching her wound.
"Ya cain' leave us, sweetheart. 'E'll win if ya do."
She looked up into his eyes, steeling herself against her emotions. "If his winning means you all live, so be it. He wins." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "Please take care of them all for me. Especially Shannon. Tell him I meant what I said to him," she begged him.
Matt's insides were turning to sludge. "Rio, please . . ."
"Tara," she whispered as she pulled away from him and replaced her glasses. "My name was Tara." And with that she found one last burst of energy and fled, leaving him standing with tears in his eyes. He looked down and saw her blood staining his hands.
--------------------------------------
Rio ran to the back of the parking lot until her energy deserted her. She leaned against the trunk of an old car trying to fight the poison, but it was too strong. Suddenly she felt a hand against her back holding her in place. Her sight was blurring but she could make out a hand with a key open the trunk and push her inside. Then there was nothing but blackness.
Author: Esquirella
Rating: R (for violence in some chapters.)
Disclaimer: I own the Rio character and have written other stories with her. I own all non WWE characters. But I do not own the wrestlers. (Unfortunately. They are so cute!)
Synopsis: In this chapter: Rio finds out that destiny is impossible to escape.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Status quo on the first Rio stories. They're coming. I've gotten a few feedbacks on Shannon's behavior in the story. He is being pretty possessive. It will be explained why in later chapters. Also, I've heard about Jeff's behavior. I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that I don't know how Shannon or Jeff are in real life and I've never met either of them. (In fact, on the slim chance they ever read this: Please accept my apologies if you find this offensive.) This portrayal is fictional and not meant in any way to represent the real personalities of Shannon Moore or Jeff Hardy.
--------------------------------------
Rio picked up her gear bag and prepared to head out to her third and final title defense. Shannon said he'd wanted to come to this one but Rio insisted that he stay behind again citing the need for her ability to concentrate on her opponent as the main reason. He stood by the door with his usual frown, and she smiled at him.
"Do not be so dour, Shannon. I always return to celebrate with you."
"I jus' hate no' bein' there."
"I know."
"Matt's goin', though. So at leas' someone's aroun' t' keep an eye on you."
Her smile vanished. "Why is he going? Did you ask him to?"
"Nah," he replied. "'E tol' me 'e was. An' I'm no' gonna try an' stop 'im eitha. Ya need a keepa."
"I am perfectly able to take care of myself," she complained. "Have I not vanquished everyone I have been put against?"
"Tha' don' matta. I feel betta knowin' 'e'll be there. When ya gonna leave it anyway?"
"Actually, I have now earned more than enough to finish paying my debts. I will be leaving the Series very soon."
"About time! Now gimme a kiss, li'l girl."
He pulled her to him and covered her lips in a deep kiss, holding her tightly against him.
"Ya sure ya gotta go now?" he asked lightly pecking at her neck. "Ya got some time, don'tcha?"
"I am sorry, Shannon. I have to go," she laughed pulling reluctantly away from him and settling the strap of her bag more securely on her shoulder. He gave her a pout and touched her lips again lightly with his own.
"I love you, baby," he whispered.
"I know," she answered uncomfortably.
"Ya'll git used t' it," he grinned confidently. "An' ya'll even feel comfortable enough ta tell it' back t' me someday."
She touched his cheek with a silver painted hand and turned to leave. She had to meet Sven soon and he would not like it if she kept him waiting.
--------------------------------------
Henry paced backstage before his leather-clad ally. Tonight was the night he took care of his Rio dilemma. Sasquatch was in a back room with Goliath learning the fine art of spearing an opponent with a poison-dipped knife.
"She was easily able to avoid Goliath's blades before," Henry insisted. Phantom shook his head almost imperceptibly.
--------------------------------------
"There you are, Sven!"
The tall blonde turned around just in time to prepare himself for Rio as she laughingly launched herself into his arms. It felt good to have her there again and he held her tightly.
"Sweet One!" he chuckled. "How are you?"
"I am better now that you are here!" she exclaimed. "But where is Justin?"
"He will be here later," he answered enigmatically. "And now we need to prepare for your match."
"Prepare?" she asked, clearly perplexed. "Is this different than the other?"
"Much," he said furrowing his brow.
--------------------------------------
Sasquatch carefully sheathed the knife and strapped it into his boot. Its twin was already strapped onto his other ankle, waiting for use. He looked up at Goliath and grinned evilly.
"I appreciate this, man," he said gratefully to the still-limping warrior.
"You can pay me back by finishing her off," the other replied. "Get her for all the pain we've both been through."
"Oh, you can bank on that!"
--------------------------------------
Rio stretched into her warm up exercises in the back, loosening her muscles. The modifications Sven had made to her gear before felt strange to her, but she would compensate for it. The main thing, she was told, was to prevent the blade from piercing the skin. She leaned into another position hearing the slight squish of Sven's additions, as voices approached the crates that hid her.
"What if she avoids the knives again?" Henry asked impatiently. "I want her finished tonight!"
"She will be," soothed a deep voice with a soft French lilt. "Two of her friends are in the front row. If she somehow escapes, I will use one of them for bait."
Rio's blood went cold as she thought of Matt.
"I'm not ready to involve the WWE people yet, Phantom."
"They came here of their own accord," the voice said bluntly. "If something should happen to them, it isn't the Warrior Series' fault."
"Hmph," Henry grunted seemingly unconvinced.
"I will take the young Hardy out first," the mysterious man went on. "Everybody knows he's not too stable. No one, not even Vince McMahon himself, would assume he was a target."
Jeff! Rio's mind was screaming as she sat motionless behind the crates.
--------------------------------------
"Jeff, wha' th' hell are ya doin' here?" Matt growled when he saw his brother take a seat beside him the front row.
"I could ask ya th' same," the purple-haired dare devil returned.
"I haven' seen 'er fight since th' firs' time," Matt said grudgingly. "You 'ave."
"Well, now we can watch 'er t'getha," Jeff smiled.
"Ya didn' tell Ames you were comin' 'ere, didja?"
"Nah," the younger Hardy assured him. "She'da wanted t' come, an' I didn' wantta wait fo' 'er. Should we caller?"
"Hell no," Matt smirked. "I wouldn' be able t' keep my eye on Rio if my baby was here."
--------------------------------------
Rio paced nervously backstage waiting for her music. She went to her private corner where she and Sven had stashed her equipment earlier and pulled out her cell phone from her bag. Dialing Shannon's number she waited in uncharacteristic impatience for him to answer.
"'Lo?" he finally said on the line.
"Shannon," she breathed.
"Baby?" he said worriedly. "Wha's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said sadly. "I just wanted to hear your voice."
"Miss me tha' much," he joked.
"Yes," she replied. "Shannon . . ."
"Wha's wrong, li'l girl?" he asked again. "Yo' beginnin' t' worra me."
"I just wanted to say that I love you, too."
"I . . . uh . . . now I KNOW somethin's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong, Shannon," she assured him earnestly. "I just wanted to tell you that. I have been thinking about our conversation earlier and you are right. I do have feelings that I have been trying to ignore. I wanted to tell you about them."
"Now? Befo' ya go fight?"
"Why not?" she chuckled. "You do not like surprises?"
"I's no' that."
"I must go now, Shannon. My match is about to be called."
"Alrigh' baby, but lata, we talk."
"Agreed," she sighed."
"I love you."
"I love you, too, Shannon. Good bye."
"Fo' now," he said before clicking off the line.
A tear escaped her eye as she replaced the phone in the bag. She knew she'd be facing Sasquatch tonight and that he would do everything in his power to repay her for their last match. She also knew she would have to let him believe he'd finished her off, but she intended to go out a winner at least. He would not leave the ring with her belt. Her nerves were frayed because Jeff and Matt sat in the front row, vulnerable to Henry and his henchmen. She had to protect Jeff at all costs. He was her brother as far as she was concerned and he did not deserve to be harmed by the world she'd chosen to live in.
Suddenly she saw Jack motion her to the ramp and she took her place, ready to face the destiny fate had in store for her. Her music hit and she automatically trotted down to the ring to face the behemoth. He glared at her maliciously from the center of the ring and she grinned, albeit uncertainly. She circled the ring slowly and looked into Jeff's eyes as he watched from his seat next to Matt, smiling at her encouragingly. At all costs, she vowed to him silently turning her attention back to the ring. She flipped inside and faced her executioner.
--------------------------------------
"She seems uneasy tonight," Sven said to Justin into the phone. "I have never seen her this hesitant."
"Her friends are here," the calm voice replied. "She is undoubtedly worried for their welfare."
"Do you think she suspects Henry of targeting them?"
"Yes," Justin said. "And as well she should. He will stop at nothing to gain popularity for the Series. The WWE superstars would fit very nicely in with those plans."
"I just hope she keeps to our plan."
--------------------------------------
"At last we meet again, Quick Silver."
The silver fighter said nothing, pacing a few feet away from her challenger. She looked over at Jeff and Matt every so often to reassure herself that they were okay. This was going to become most unpleasant. She had to focus on Sven's instructions.
"No small talk for me, then?"
"You have been hanging around with Beelz during your vacation, have you not?" she finally said disgustedly.
"Why do you say that?"
"You never used to be THIS chatty," she replied dropping suddenly and taking him with her.
She flipped and kicked him for the next ten minutes or so, being careful not injure him too severely. She wanted to win the match but she needed to make it look like he had injured her severely in the meantime. The big warrior fought back and seemed surprised when a couple of punches connected. Rio smiled grimly as she set him up for a roundhouse kick, purposely missing his ribs and connecting with his hip lighter than she normally would. Jeff was shouting from his chair and Matt looked very concerned.
Sasquatch crouched low and pulled the knives out from his boots. Rio wriggled her fingers in anticipation. This was it. She had to let one of the knives puncture the plastic blood bag taped to her left thigh but keep it from breaking her skin. She sent a silent prayer up to Ben in the heavens to watch over her as she waited for the throw.
The first one was aimed at her chest and she had to stop it cold. The next flew to her leg and she turned slightly to let it hit the bag. It had gone a little too far and she felt a prick. Shit! She pulled the bloody knife out and dropped it. Giving her prey a feral grin, she charged him, spearing him down to the mat. She then stood back up slightly unsteadily and brought her foot down on his rib cage and twisted his ankle, dislocating his hip in the process. He pounded the mat ferociously to stop the attack. She looked over at Matt and Jeff who were staring at her horrified. The medics came for Sasquatch and Rio bowed to the audience almost falling forward as she did so. She put a bloody hand on her belt as she shakily left the ring and ran up the ramp.
--------------------------------------
"We gotta find 'er, Matt," Jeff shrieked in the parking lot. "She's hurt real bad!"
Matt knew his brother would go into a case of hysterics if he didn't take charge of the situation. He grabbed the younger man's shoulders and shook him with force. "Ya'll be no good t'er like this!"
Jeff sniffled slightly but stopped quivering. He nodded solemnly as he pulled away from his brother.
"Good," Matt said. "Now you go tha' way an' I'll check ova there," he said pointing behind him.
Apparently happy to have someone else in charge, Jeff nodded readily and ran to cover his allotted area. Matt turned and ran into the bushes to the surrounding woods area. It seemed like a perfect hiding place to him. He'd been looking for about ten minutes when he came upon her leaning against a tree breathing erratically.
"Rio, sweetheart," he whispered pulling her into a hug. She looked up slowly and pulled her glasses off. He was surprised to find himself looking into crystal clear deep blue eyes. It made a startling contrast to the silver paint.
"Matt," she said shivering. "I cannot stay."
Her Russian accent was faltering and Matt heard the New England tones coming through. "Shhh," he soothed. "We're gonna gitcha to a docta."
"No," she argued fighting to hold onto the Russian accent. "You cannot. I must not stay with you. It will put you in great danger."
"Whatdya mean?" he asked looking deeply into her eyes. He could tell she was frightened for him, for all of them. He could also see that she blamed herself for it.
"Henry wants me dead. He knows you are my friends and will be watching you all," she said between cringes of pain. "If I stay with you, even without the disguise, he will know it and come after me through you. He had planned to tonight."
"What!?"
"Yes," she said lowering her head in guilt. "I heard him earlier. He had planned to have Jeff attacked if I escaped Sasquatch tonight."
"Tha's why ya let 'is hits connect, isn' it?"
She nodded still clutching her wound.
"Ya cain' leave us, sweetheart. 'E'll win if ya do."
She looked up into his eyes, steeling herself against her emotions. "If his winning means you all live, so be it. He wins." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "Please take care of them all for me. Especially Shannon. Tell him I meant what I said to him," she begged him.
Matt's insides were turning to sludge. "Rio, please . . ."
"Tara," she whispered as she pulled away from him and replaced her glasses. "My name was Tara." And with that she found one last burst of energy and fled, leaving him standing with tears in his eyes. He looked down and saw her blood staining his hands.
--------------------------------------
Rio ran to the back of the parking lot until her energy deserted her. She leaned against the trunk of an old car trying to fight the poison, but it was too strong. Suddenly she felt a hand against her back holding her in place. Her sight was blurring but she could make out a hand with a key open the trunk and push her inside. Then there was nothing but blackness.