Title: The Road Less Traveled (47/?)
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: Thanks for the reviews! In this chapter: Jeff and Andrew get ready for the match. Tara and Todd resurrects Rio and Fury. Shannon and Matt vow to help if they can. Jeff tries to keep all of the WWE stars from ogling Rio.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is officially dedicated to Kittie, Kittie, Kittie and RHD for their tireless feedback and unfailing support and for being the first two members of Rio's Yahoo group. And, Kittie, thank you SO MUCH for updating "Somewhere Out There." To everyone who hasn't read it yet, go read it. It's AWESOME!
I've started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
Rio now has a Yahoo Group for those who want to discuss her or post art of what they think she might look like. All opinions welcome whether pro or con. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rio_angele and let me know what you think. I WILL BE ISSUING A FUN CHALLENGE FOR ALL MEMBERS ONCE THERE ARE ENOUGH OF US.
As always, I know nothing about the WWE superstars that appear in this story. The personalities used here are purely fiction and not meant in any way to represent the true natures of the individuals. And, as always, apologies to Shannon Moore (just in case he or anyone he knows ever reads this) for writing his character as so aggressively possessive. (I can't help it. I find that kind of hero attractive. *Wink*)
--------------------------------------
Jeff paced the backstage area restlessly. He knew Tara was already there but hadn't seen her yet. Matt and Shannon had made their presences known, though and waited with him in his dressing room, as did Amy and Shane and a few other curious superstars. Adam and Rey had convinced Stephanie to let them attend the show with Matt and Shannon. Since the show was near Matt's hometown, he'd even offered to put the two up for the night so the company wouldn't have to pay for lodging. Shannon hadn't said anything derogatory to him yet but Jeff knew the smaller man suspected that something had happened between the younger Hardy and his girlfriend. He gave Jeff meaningful glares all evening and spoke only to Matt and Shane. Jeff felt a little guilty for what had happened between them but he refused to back down on his ultimate goal. That girl was meant to be with him and he intended to be ready and waiting for her when she realized it.
"You ready, Blue?" Andrew asked as he came through the door taping his wrist. He was followed by an unsmiling Jay, and an even-more-serious-than- usual-looking Lance.
"Mo' ready than ya kno'!" Jeff said with conviction. He looked over to Shannon who just raised a derisive eyebrow at him. "Wha'ssa matta, Sahhny?" Jeff taunted. "Ya mad yo' no' gonna be involved?"
"If she needs me, Imma git 'involved', big bro," the smaller man gritted back. "COUNT on it!"
"I expected no less," Andrew nodded.
"There will be no interference from anyone other than me," a very large man dressed in a red satin mask and matching tights boomed from the doorway.
"Damn," Matt smiled. "I's a good thin' Glenn 'as th' night off. "E'd be pissed ta see ya lookin' a bit like 'im, Todd."
"It's Fury now, Matt," the smiling red head grumbled.
"Whoever you are, it would be nice if you hauled your rather large carcass out of my way," hissed a female voice in a distinctly Russian accent.
The large red man grinned widely and moved to the side allowing the small silver woman to glide passed him into the room. She was all business and ready for action in her golden wig, black tights and ninja boots. She'd even worn the Supreme Championship belt, which still bore her bloody handprint from that fateful night. Jeff looked at it morosely remembering the events that led up to its appearance. Rio looked at him, down at the belt and then back up into his eyes.
"Justin sprayed a layer of shellac over it so it would not fade away," she answered his unasked question.
"Why?"
"It proves that I never lost the real belt," she explained. "The fact that I was never defeated and that Henry crowned a new champion anyway will ruin the reputation that he has been trying to establish. I so love taking care of all loose ends."
"I guess I'll be able to see you fly tonight," Rey said flashing a grin.
"And you'll be glad you're not on the receiving end," Todd retorted.
"We'll be ready to attack them if you need us," Adam added.
"There will be no need for that," said a blonde man with a Scandinavian accent.
"Ar' ya Justin o' Sven," Jeff demanded unwilling to be startled by Rio's family.
"I am Sven," the man returned in a flat, unemotional tone.
"Nice ta meet ya."
"Indeed."
"Ya'll right, baby?" Shannon asked grabbing Rio around the waist and pulling her to him firmly. Jeff watched the scene with barely masked rage. Shannon made sure he took every opportunity to let those around him know that Rio was his. It wasn't right, Jeff seethed. Still, he remained where he stood.
"She has made her choice, young Hardy," the blonde man said so softly that only Jeff heard him. "Do not interfere in that union."
Jeff turned an icy glare to Sven letting the other man know he didn't appreciate his thoughts on the matter.
"Oh, but my opinions do matter," Sven said evenly, obviously not amused by Jeff's reaction. "She is my daughter and he makes her happy. I will not allow anyone to take that from her. She has suffered too much for too long for me to stand by and watch it be taken from her."
"I can maker 'appy, too," Jeff grunted.
"Not if she has already chosen to give her heart to another."
Before Jeff could say anything else Andrew pulled him aside to talk strategy. Rio joined them quickly.
"The strategy goes like this," she said with a tone that brooked no argument. "When I enter the ring, you both leave it immediately."
"This is our match," Andrew sputtered. "You can't just kick us out of it."
"This is MY match," she said implacably. "Henry tried to kill me. He threatened to do so through you but it was me who spent all of those weeks recovering and retraining and worrying about all of you. I WILL have my retribution tonight and I will not stand for your interference in the matter. Am I clear?"
The others had ceased all conversation and stared at the trio in rapt attention. Jeff noted the flushed look and nearly every man's face as they eyed the small silver woman. Though many of his fellow wrestlers had seen Rio fight before, some had not. All were apparently very much looking forward to it, however, and although this wasn't billed as the evening's main event, to the WWE superstars in attendance, it sure was. He also noticed the slight bulge in nearly every man's pants and grunted in exasperation. It was one thing to be jealous of his best friend, who actually had Rio. It was quite another to find out he shared the attraction with so many others.
"Do ya min'?" he growled at them stepping in front of Rio and effectively blocking their view of her.
"What is the problem?" she asked nonplussed.
"Only that every male in this room, save for a choice few, is sporting a hard on for you, kiddo," Andrew whispered nodding at Jeff in agreement.
"You are seeing things," she seethed.
"No we're not," Jeff snapped turning back to her. "This is why we're so protective of ya! Ya neva notice those looks, do ya?"
"I do not care what others think of me, Jeff," she replied. "I have only one goal tonight and that is to bitch-slap Sasquatch back in time!"
"Well, we'll help ya," he returned with a smile. "An' we'll clear th' ring like ya asked, but we're NOT clearing outta th' arena. We'll be at th' sidelines th' whole time."
Rio appeared to be considering his ultimatum while he watched her closely. She was a different Rio this time. Not at all like he remembered her to be. Yes, she was still a lethal fighter, that was clear. But she had an undeniable temper to her now that gave her an edge no one had witnessed before.
"Fine," she said. "But you will not engage them in any fighting while I am down there and you will stay back from the ring's apron."
Jeff looked up and caught Andrew's smile returning it. "Tha's fine, baby," he said to Rio.
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"What do you think of her?" Jay whispered to Adam.
"She's like silver fire," he answered not taking his eyes off the scene.
"Yeah, that's what I thought when I first saw her," his friend laughed. "A real babe."
"Shannon's still worried Jeff's going to try to come between them," Rey said sidling up to the two blonde Canadians. "If Jeff doesn't back off I don't know if they'll ever save that friendship."
"They'll be fine," Adam said with certainty. "She's definitely Shannon's girl. She makes no secret of how she feels about him. Besides, you know Jeff. He'll find another distraction soon and things will be back to normal."
"Think she'll go back to fighting now?" Jay asked.
"Definitely not," Rey laughed. "Shannon will move heaven and hell to keep that from happening."
"He won't have to," Adam chuckled. "She's tired of that world. She'll leave it if he asks her to."
"He doesn't look like he's going to ask her anything," Jay smirked.
"True," Rey remarked. "He's going to tell her she's done with it. I don't understand why she lets him dictate to her when she's supposed to be such a tough fighter."
"She's tough, Rey," Jay said in a serious tone. "She's deadly in the ring. I've seen it."
"Why, then?"
"She loves him," Adam answered and Jay grinned his agreement.
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"Are you ready, Sweet One?" Sven asked as Rio returned to where he stood with Shannon, Matt and Fury.
"Absolutely," she replied. "I cannot wait to get my hands on that filthy, lying scum. Oh, and Sasquatch, too."
"Jus' rememba whatcha promised me," Shannon said with natrrowed eyes. "No unnecessary risks."
"That will not be hard, Shannon Moore," she smiled. "I have never taken unnecessary risks before and I do not plan to do so now."
"I guess this is as good o' time as any ta tell ya I consida any risk ya take unnecessary," he growled. Sven laughed at this statement, as Shannon looked so serious that it was priceless. She knew he would start acting this way when they got closer to the time when the match would take place. It would be difficult for him to watch her go back into this mode however temporary it may be. She sighed as she tried to think of something to say that might give him a measure of relief.
"You know that I have to do this," she said slowly. His expression remained dour. "Shannon, there is no avoiding it now. They are here and as much as I was trying to avoid this, I find I really do need some closure."
"Closure . . ." Shannon murmured more to himself than to her. "Tha's whatcha need? Closure?"
She nodded in confusion as he suddenly smiled.
"Awright, then," he said. "But Imma still come out there if it looks bad."
"So long as you do nothing unless Sven agrees to it."
"'E'll neva agree," Shannon groused.
"If you see me running out to the ring," the blonde man said with humor dancing in his eyes, "you are most welcome to join me."
Shannon nodded grinning from ear to ear.
"I'll take ya up on tha', too," Matt laughed.
************************************
PLEASE NOTE: Rio now has a Yahoo Group for those who want to discuss her or post art of what they think she might look like. All opinions welcome whether pro or con. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rio_angele and let me know what you think. I WILL BE ISSUING A FUN CHALLENGE FOR ALL MEMBERS ONCE THERE ARE ENOUGH OF US.
I've started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
************************************
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: Thanks for the reviews! In this chapter: Jeff and Andrew get ready for the match. Tara and Todd resurrects Rio and Fury. Shannon and Matt vow to help if they can. Jeff tries to keep all of the WWE stars from ogling Rio.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is officially dedicated to Kittie, Kittie, Kittie and RHD for their tireless feedback and unfailing support and for being the first two members of Rio's Yahoo group. And, Kittie, thank you SO MUCH for updating "Somewhere Out There." To everyone who hasn't read it yet, go read it. It's AWESOME!
I've started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
Rio now has a Yahoo Group for those who want to discuss her or post art of what they think she might look like. All opinions welcome whether pro or con. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rio_angele and let me know what you think. I WILL BE ISSUING A FUN CHALLENGE FOR ALL MEMBERS ONCE THERE ARE ENOUGH OF US.
As always, I know nothing about the WWE superstars that appear in this story. The personalities used here are purely fiction and not meant in any way to represent the true natures of the individuals. And, as always, apologies to Shannon Moore (just in case he or anyone he knows ever reads this) for writing his character as so aggressively possessive. (I can't help it. I find that kind of hero attractive. *Wink*)
--------------------------------------
Jeff paced the backstage area restlessly. He knew Tara was already there but hadn't seen her yet. Matt and Shannon had made their presences known, though and waited with him in his dressing room, as did Amy and Shane and a few other curious superstars. Adam and Rey had convinced Stephanie to let them attend the show with Matt and Shannon. Since the show was near Matt's hometown, he'd even offered to put the two up for the night so the company wouldn't have to pay for lodging. Shannon hadn't said anything derogatory to him yet but Jeff knew the smaller man suspected that something had happened between the younger Hardy and his girlfriend. He gave Jeff meaningful glares all evening and spoke only to Matt and Shane. Jeff felt a little guilty for what had happened between them but he refused to back down on his ultimate goal. That girl was meant to be with him and he intended to be ready and waiting for her when she realized it.
"You ready, Blue?" Andrew asked as he came through the door taping his wrist. He was followed by an unsmiling Jay, and an even-more-serious-than- usual-looking Lance.
"Mo' ready than ya kno'!" Jeff said with conviction. He looked over to Shannon who just raised a derisive eyebrow at him. "Wha'ssa matta, Sahhny?" Jeff taunted. "Ya mad yo' no' gonna be involved?"
"If she needs me, Imma git 'involved', big bro," the smaller man gritted back. "COUNT on it!"
"I expected no less," Andrew nodded.
"There will be no interference from anyone other than me," a very large man dressed in a red satin mask and matching tights boomed from the doorway.
"Damn," Matt smiled. "I's a good thin' Glenn 'as th' night off. "E'd be pissed ta see ya lookin' a bit like 'im, Todd."
"It's Fury now, Matt," the smiling red head grumbled.
"Whoever you are, it would be nice if you hauled your rather large carcass out of my way," hissed a female voice in a distinctly Russian accent.
The large red man grinned widely and moved to the side allowing the small silver woman to glide passed him into the room. She was all business and ready for action in her golden wig, black tights and ninja boots. She'd even worn the Supreme Championship belt, which still bore her bloody handprint from that fateful night. Jeff looked at it morosely remembering the events that led up to its appearance. Rio looked at him, down at the belt and then back up into his eyes.
"Justin sprayed a layer of shellac over it so it would not fade away," she answered his unasked question.
"Why?"
"It proves that I never lost the real belt," she explained. "The fact that I was never defeated and that Henry crowned a new champion anyway will ruin the reputation that he has been trying to establish. I so love taking care of all loose ends."
"I guess I'll be able to see you fly tonight," Rey said flashing a grin.
"And you'll be glad you're not on the receiving end," Todd retorted.
"We'll be ready to attack them if you need us," Adam added.
"There will be no need for that," said a blonde man with a Scandinavian accent.
"Ar' ya Justin o' Sven," Jeff demanded unwilling to be startled by Rio's family.
"I am Sven," the man returned in a flat, unemotional tone.
"Nice ta meet ya."
"Indeed."
"Ya'll right, baby?" Shannon asked grabbing Rio around the waist and pulling her to him firmly. Jeff watched the scene with barely masked rage. Shannon made sure he took every opportunity to let those around him know that Rio was his. It wasn't right, Jeff seethed. Still, he remained where he stood.
"She has made her choice, young Hardy," the blonde man said so softly that only Jeff heard him. "Do not interfere in that union."
Jeff turned an icy glare to Sven letting the other man know he didn't appreciate his thoughts on the matter.
"Oh, but my opinions do matter," Sven said evenly, obviously not amused by Jeff's reaction. "She is my daughter and he makes her happy. I will not allow anyone to take that from her. She has suffered too much for too long for me to stand by and watch it be taken from her."
"I can maker 'appy, too," Jeff grunted.
"Not if she has already chosen to give her heart to another."
Before Jeff could say anything else Andrew pulled him aside to talk strategy. Rio joined them quickly.
"The strategy goes like this," she said with a tone that brooked no argument. "When I enter the ring, you both leave it immediately."
"This is our match," Andrew sputtered. "You can't just kick us out of it."
"This is MY match," she said implacably. "Henry tried to kill me. He threatened to do so through you but it was me who spent all of those weeks recovering and retraining and worrying about all of you. I WILL have my retribution tonight and I will not stand for your interference in the matter. Am I clear?"
The others had ceased all conversation and stared at the trio in rapt attention. Jeff noted the flushed look and nearly every man's face as they eyed the small silver woman. Though many of his fellow wrestlers had seen Rio fight before, some had not. All were apparently very much looking forward to it, however, and although this wasn't billed as the evening's main event, to the WWE superstars in attendance, it sure was. He also noticed the slight bulge in nearly every man's pants and grunted in exasperation. It was one thing to be jealous of his best friend, who actually had Rio. It was quite another to find out he shared the attraction with so many others.
"Do ya min'?" he growled at them stepping in front of Rio and effectively blocking their view of her.
"What is the problem?" she asked nonplussed.
"Only that every male in this room, save for a choice few, is sporting a hard on for you, kiddo," Andrew whispered nodding at Jeff in agreement.
"You are seeing things," she seethed.
"No we're not," Jeff snapped turning back to her. "This is why we're so protective of ya! Ya neva notice those looks, do ya?"
"I do not care what others think of me, Jeff," she replied. "I have only one goal tonight and that is to bitch-slap Sasquatch back in time!"
"Well, we'll help ya," he returned with a smile. "An' we'll clear th' ring like ya asked, but we're NOT clearing outta th' arena. We'll be at th' sidelines th' whole time."
Rio appeared to be considering his ultimatum while he watched her closely. She was a different Rio this time. Not at all like he remembered her to be. Yes, she was still a lethal fighter, that was clear. But she had an undeniable temper to her now that gave her an edge no one had witnessed before.
"Fine," she said. "But you will not engage them in any fighting while I am down there and you will stay back from the ring's apron."
Jeff looked up and caught Andrew's smile returning it. "Tha's fine, baby," he said to Rio.
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"What do you think of her?" Jay whispered to Adam.
"She's like silver fire," he answered not taking his eyes off the scene.
"Yeah, that's what I thought when I first saw her," his friend laughed. "A real babe."
"Shannon's still worried Jeff's going to try to come between them," Rey said sidling up to the two blonde Canadians. "If Jeff doesn't back off I don't know if they'll ever save that friendship."
"They'll be fine," Adam said with certainty. "She's definitely Shannon's girl. She makes no secret of how she feels about him. Besides, you know Jeff. He'll find another distraction soon and things will be back to normal."
"Think she'll go back to fighting now?" Jay asked.
"Definitely not," Rey laughed. "Shannon will move heaven and hell to keep that from happening."
"He won't have to," Adam chuckled. "She's tired of that world. She'll leave it if he asks her to."
"He doesn't look like he's going to ask her anything," Jay smirked.
"True," Rey remarked. "He's going to tell her she's done with it. I don't understand why she lets him dictate to her when she's supposed to be such a tough fighter."
"She's tough, Rey," Jay said in a serious tone. "She's deadly in the ring. I've seen it."
"Why, then?"
"She loves him," Adam answered and Jay grinned his agreement.
--------------------------------------
"Are you ready, Sweet One?" Sven asked as Rio returned to where he stood with Shannon, Matt and Fury.
"Absolutely," she replied. "I cannot wait to get my hands on that filthy, lying scum. Oh, and Sasquatch, too."
"Jus' rememba whatcha promised me," Shannon said with natrrowed eyes. "No unnecessary risks."
"That will not be hard, Shannon Moore," she smiled. "I have never taken unnecessary risks before and I do not plan to do so now."
"I guess this is as good o' time as any ta tell ya I consida any risk ya take unnecessary," he growled. Sven laughed at this statement, as Shannon looked so serious that it was priceless. She knew he would start acting this way when they got closer to the time when the match would take place. It would be difficult for him to watch her go back into this mode however temporary it may be. She sighed as she tried to think of something to say that might give him a measure of relief.
"You know that I have to do this," she said slowly. His expression remained dour. "Shannon, there is no avoiding it now. They are here and as much as I was trying to avoid this, I find I really do need some closure."
"Closure . . ." Shannon murmured more to himself than to her. "Tha's whatcha need? Closure?"
She nodded in confusion as he suddenly smiled.
"Awright, then," he said. "But Imma still come out there if it looks bad."
"So long as you do nothing unless Sven agrees to it."
"'E'll neva agree," Shannon groused.
"If you see me running out to the ring," the blonde man said with humor dancing in his eyes, "you are most welcome to join me."
Shannon nodded grinning from ear to ear.
"I'll take ya up on tha', too," Matt laughed.
************************************
PLEASE NOTE: Rio now has a Yahoo Group for those who want to discuss her or post art of what they think she might look like. All opinions welcome whether pro or con. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rio_angele and let me know what you think. I WILL BE ISSUING A FUN CHALLENGE FOR ALL MEMBERS ONCE THERE ARE ENOUGH OF US.
I've started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
************************************