Title: The Road Less Traveled (49/?)
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: Sorry, Kittie! I threw you a curve ball in the last chapter, huh? In this chapter: Shannon collects on Rio's promise and Jeff has a revelation while he handles Sasquatch. Justin worries that Rio won't be able to handle his deception.
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! And thanks to Pheonix Lioncourt, too!
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*)
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"Dad?!" Henry squealed in horror. No, he thought, that can't be right. This was his newest trusted ally. He looked at Phantom uncertainly then at the small woman in front of him. "You must have mistaken him for someone else," he said to Rio.
"No," she smiled. "He is my father."
Henry looked at Phantom again with a feeling of dread bubbling up inside of him.
"You were a very stupid man, Henry," she went on. He glared at her briefly before locking his sights back on Phantom. "You should have made sure I was no longer breathing before you crowned a new champion."
"I would have," he bit back. "If only you'd stayed in one place."
"I always wondered what it would be like," Rio murmured.
"What?" Henry asked not taking his nervous gaze off of the dark warrior in whom he had placed so much trust these last few weeks.
"What it would be like if either of my guardians got their hands on you," she explained. "If you thought I was bad, wait until you feel the wrath of those who have trained me."
Henry returned his shocked glance to her and quickly exited practically running down the small set of stairs next to the ring. He stood down on the outside as Goliath painfully pulled himself back into the fight. Fury grabbed him and threw him at Sinbad. Phantom kicked Grendel in the side and sent him flying into the corner. Henry was slowly inching away when Rio apparently decided to take matters into her own gloved hands. She swung herself over the top rope holding on and grabbed Henry under his arms with her legs. She then swung both of them back into the ring dropping him at Phantom's feet.
"Not so fast," she said with another golden grin.
Sasquatch had pulled himself to his feet and was stumbling towards the ramp when Jeff grabbed him and began punching the hell out of him. Andrew took hold of Sinbad and followed suite. Suddenly Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore came running into the ring. Matt attacked Grendel while Shannon towered over the fallen Henry who had as yet remained untouched. Henry stared up at him in defiance wondering why his fighters hadn't finished the cruiserweight when they'd had the chance. Phantom stepped back and watched him while Rio came forward to speak to her boyfriend.
"'E's no' lookin' so scary now," Shannon said in an icy tone.
"I saved this one for you," Rio replied with another grin.
"Fo' me?" Shannon looked up at her in wonder. "Thank you, baby!"
"Just try not to kill him," she laughed. "You do not want to become like him, do you."
"Neva," he agreed giving her a small kiss on the lips and returning his attention to Henry who cowered in a fetal position. "My turn," Shannon grinned as he reached down and began pummeling Henry with flying fists of rage.
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"You are not angry with me, are you Small One?" Justin asked Rio cautiously as they stood back and watched Shannon unleash his frustrations on Henry.
"Well, you did keep this from me and you also played a large role in telling Henry about my relationship," she said noncommittally, her mirror- covered eyes never leaving Shannon as he grabbed a fleeing Henry and pulled him back down to the mat. "It was the reason I almost died in that last match."
Justin instantly felt a wave of nausea almost overtake him. "I did not mean for that to happen, Tara," he said sincerely. "I needed Henry to trust me completely or I would not have been able to control his plans. When I found you bleeding and dazed against the car I thought I would die myself. I would never, and please understand me, I mean never put you or anyone you love intentionally in harm's way."
"Of that I am certain, Dad," Rio turned her smile on him. "I was just kidding. I know you would never hurt me."
He breathed a sigh of relief and opened his arms to her. She went to him without hesitation and he hugged her tightly. He was so worried she would leave him when she found out about his secret identity and realized he was the one who was with Henry that day. But she trusted him implicitly and didn't question his motives. She knew he was only trying to save her he released her and kissed her forehead.
"You know," she said, "you and Mom are going to have to find a place on the East coast now that I am moving to North Carolina."
"You want us to move to the same town as you and Shannon, Small One?"
"Let us not get carried away," she grinned turning her gaze back to Shannon who finally rose leaving a bloodied but living Henry in his wake.
"All done," he said ambling over to his girlfriend and pulling her to him.
"I see you have left me a little something," Justin grinned slapping Shannon on the shoulder before reaching down and pulling the beaten Warrior Series owner to his feet.
"Remember what you have promised me," Rio said darkly.
"I will not kill him, my daughter," Justin smiled. "Do not worry. I am aware that you disapprove of death."
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"Y'okay?" Shannon asked her as they watched the carnage around them. He had been so worried all day it was good to hold her knowing this thing was finally finished. Now he could tell her what happens next. He couldn't wait to see the look on her little silver face.
"Yes," Rio smiled and snuggled closer to him. "I am glad it is finally over."
"Ya kno' we gotta talk lata, right?"
"Today?" she frowned. "Can it not wait until tomorrow?"
"Nope," he said grinning. "Ya made me a promise an' I kno' what I want now."
"What is it?" she asked warily.
"I don' think this is th' place ta discuss it," he replied pulling her out of the way as Matt rolled by them punching Grendel with fervor.
"She'd neva sleep witchew, ya gian' troll!" Jeff shouted slamming Sasquatch into the pole outside the ring. Rio laughed before turning back to Shannon.
"Please just tell me," she said looking up at him. "You know I hate suspense."
"Li'l hypocrite," he smiled. "Ya kep' ME in suspense fo' a while, tho'." He grinned as she glowered at him. "Okay," he sighed. "Yo' quittin' this whole fightin' thin'."
"That is it?" she asked still using her Russian accent. "I had already planned to do so."
"Tha's no' IT," he smiled sweetly. "Yo' also gonna marry me."
"WHAT?" she shrieked. Jeff stopped in mid punch to glare up at him. Shannon smiled innocently and gestured for his friend to continue with his task. Jeff gave him another icy glance before pulling the large Series champ up and tossing him onto the steel grating on the ramp.
"Ya 'eard me," Shannon said to Rio. "Ya promised me anythin' I wan'ed if I letcha do this. I wanna marry you. End o' story."
"How is this the end of the story?" Rio asked hotly. "You cannot believe you can order me to marry you."
"Why no'?" he returned. "I kno' I cain' ask ya. Ya'd say 'no' immediately. An' I kno' ya always keep yo' word. Ya said anythin' I want an' YO' what I want." He then mutely watched her carefully feeling a little guilty about what he was doing. He knew it wasn't fair but he also knew that she loved him more than anything in the world. If they had any chance of getting past her ridiculous phobia of bringing doom down upon him he had to make sure she committed to him completely. It was the only way.
"I cannot give you an answer now," she said still obviously annoyed with him.
"There's no ansa ta give," he replied resolutely. "Yo' marryin' me. End o' story."
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Jeff put all of his energy into beating the hell out of Sasquatch. It felt good to take the big man down for all he'd done to Rio. He'd also had a bit of time to finally think about the situation as it stood. Rio was in the ring with Shannon and they were arguing about something. Jeff heard her shriek but didn't have time to investigate it right now. At some point Sven had come down to the ring and grabbed hold of Goliath from Fury who went to help Matt finish off Grendel. Jeff looked back to his bloody foe and kicked him some more.
Rio, also known as Tara, would never leave Shannon, he suddenly realized. She was very happy with him. And Shannon seemed happier than he'd ever been, too. Jeff knew it was a losing battle and he didn't want to wreck his lifelong friendship over it anymore. He also knew it was the right thing to do, releasing her to his best friend. After all, if he couldn't have her there really was only one other person he could think of to take care of her. And it was pretty cool to have another 'sister' around. He looked up to see that Amy and Shane had strolled on out to see if they could get a piece of the action.
He caught Shannon's defiant stare and knew that the smaller man was thinking along the same lines. Suddenly, Jeff grinned at Shannon widely letting him know that all was cool and he was backing off. His friend blinked once in confusion then grinned back in understanding. The younger Hardy finally felt at peace with his family again after so many weeks of confrontations. Life was good.
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Tara was ready to boil over she was so pissed. When she finally got out of this ring, she was going to have to straighten some things out with her "fiancé".
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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: Sorry, Kittie! I threw you a curve ball in the last chapter, huh? In this chapter: Shannon collects on Rio's promise and Jeff has a revelation while he handles Sasquatch. Justin worries that Rio won't be able to handle his deception.
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! And thanks to Pheonix Lioncourt, too!
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*)
--------------------------------------
"Dad?!" Henry squealed in horror. No, he thought, that can't be right. This was his newest trusted ally. He looked at Phantom uncertainly then at the small woman in front of him. "You must have mistaken him for someone else," he said to Rio.
"No," she smiled. "He is my father."
Henry looked at Phantom again with a feeling of dread bubbling up inside of him.
"You were a very stupid man, Henry," she went on. He glared at her briefly before locking his sights back on Phantom. "You should have made sure I was no longer breathing before you crowned a new champion."
"I would have," he bit back. "If only you'd stayed in one place."
"I always wondered what it would be like," Rio murmured.
"What?" Henry asked not taking his nervous gaze off of the dark warrior in whom he had placed so much trust these last few weeks.
"What it would be like if either of my guardians got their hands on you," she explained. "If you thought I was bad, wait until you feel the wrath of those who have trained me."
Henry returned his shocked glance to her and quickly exited practically running down the small set of stairs next to the ring. He stood down on the outside as Goliath painfully pulled himself back into the fight. Fury grabbed him and threw him at Sinbad. Phantom kicked Grendel in the side and sent him flying into the corner. Henry was slowly inching away when Rio apparently decided to take matters into her own gloved hands. She swung herself over the top rope holding on and grabbed Henry under his arms with her legs. She then swung both of them back into the ring dropping him at Phantom's feet.
"Not so fast," she said with another golden grin.
Sasquatch had pulled himself to his feet and was stumbling towards the ramp when Jeff grabbed him and began punching the hell out of him. Andrew took hold of Sinbad and followed suite. Suddenly Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore came running into the ring. Matt attacked Grendel while Shannon towered over the fallen Henry who had as yet remained untouched. Henry stared up at him in defiance wondering why his fighters hadn't finished the cruiserweight when they'd had the chance. Phantom stepped back and watched him while Rio came forward to speak to her boyfriend.
"'E's no' lookin' so scary now," Shannon said in an icy tone.
"I saved this one for you," Rio replied with another grin.
"Fo' me?" Shannon looked up at her in wonder. "Thank you, baby!"
"Just try not to kill him," she laughed. "You do not want to become like him, do you."
"Neva," he agreed giving her a small kiss on the lips and returning his attention to Henry who cowered in a fetal position. "My turn," Shannon grinned as he reached down and began pummeling Henry with flying fists of rage.
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"You are not angry with me, are you Small One?" Justin asked Rio cautiously as they stood back and watched Shannon unleash his frustrations on Henry.
"Well, you did keep this from me and you also played a large role in telling Henry about my relationship," she said noncommittally, her mirror- covered eyes never leaving Shannon as he grabbed a fleeing Henry and pulled him back down to the mat. "It was the reason I almost died in that last match."
Justin instantly felt a wave of nausea almost overtake him. "I did not mean for that to happen, Tara," he said sincerely. "I needed Henry to trust me completely or I would not have been able to control his plans. When I found you bleeding and dazed against the car I thought I would die myself. I would never, and please understand me, I mean never put you or anyone you love intentionally in harm's way."
"Of that I am certain, Dad," Rio turned her smile on him. "I was just kidding. I know you would never hurt me."
He breathed a sigh of relief and opened his arms to her. She went to him without hesitation and he hugged her tightly. He was so worried she would leave him when she found out about his secret identity and realized he was the one who was with Henry that day. But she trusted him implicitly and didn't question his motives. She knew he was only trying to save her he released her and kissed her forehead.
"You know," she said, "you and Mom are going to have to find a place on the East coast now that I am moving to North Carolina."
"You want us to move to the same town as you and Shannon, Small One?"
"Let us not get carried away," she grinned turning her gaze back to Shannon who finally rose leaving a bloodied but living Henry in his wake.
"All done," he said ambling over to his girlfriend and pulling her to him.
"I see you have left me a little something," Justin grinned slapping Shannon on the shoulder before reaching down and pulling the beaten Warrior Series owner to his feet.
"Remember what you have promised me," Rio said darkly.
"I will not kill him, my daughter," Justin smiled. "Do not worry. I am aware that you disapprove of death."
--------------------------------------
"Y'okay?" Shannon asked her as they watched the carnage around them. He had been so worried all day it was good to hold her knowing this thing was finally finished. Now he could tell her what happens next. He couldn't wait to see the look on her little silver face.
"Yes," Rio smiled and snuggled closer to him. "I am glad it is finally over."
"Ya kno' we gotta talk lata, right?"
"Today?" she frowned. "Can it not wait until tomorrow?"
"Nope," he said grinning. "Ya made me a promise an' I kno' what I want now."
"What is it?" she asked warily.
"I don' think this is th' place ta discuss it," he replied pulling her out of the way as Matt rolled by them punching Grendel with fervor.
"She'd neva sleep witchew, ya gian' troll!" Jeff shouted slamming Sasquatch into the pole outside the ring. Rio laughed before turning back to Shannon.
"Please just tell me," she said looking up at him. "You know I hate suspense."
"Li'l hypocrite," he smiled. "Ya kep' ME in suspense fo' a while, tho'." He grinned as she glowered at him. "Okay," he sighed. "Yo' quittin' this whole fightin' thin'."
"That is it?" she asked still using her Russian accent. "I had already planned to do so."
"Tha's no' IT," he smiled sweetly. "Yo' also gonna marry me."
"WHAT?" she shrieked. Jeff stopped in mid punch to glare up at him. Shannon smiled innocently and gestured for his friend to continue with his task. Jeff gave him another icy glance before pulling the large Series champ up and tossing him onto the steel grating on the ramp.
"Ya 'eard me," Shannon said to Rio. "Ya promised me anythin' I wan'ed if I letcha do this. I wanna marry you. End o' story."
"How is this the end of the story?" Rio asked hotly. "You cannot believe you can order me to marry you."
"Why no'?" he returned. "I kno' I cain' ask ya. Ya'd say 'no' immediately. An' I kno' ya always keep yo' word. Ya said anythin' I want an' YO' what I want." He then mutely watched her carefully feeling a little guilty about what he was doing. He knew it wasn't fair but he also knew that she loved him more than anything in the world. If they had any chance of getting past her ridiculous phobia of bringing doom down upon him he had to make sure she committed to him completely. It was the only way.
"I cannot give you an answer now," she said still obviously annoyed with him.
"There's no ansa ta give," he replied resolutely. "Yo' marryin' me. End o' story."
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Jeff put all of his energy into beating the hell out of Sasquatch. It felt good to take the big man down for all he'd done to Rio. He'd also had a bit of time to finally think about the situation as it stood. Rio was in the ring with Shannon and they were arguing about something. Jeff heard her shriek but didn't have time to investigate it right now. At some point Sven had come down to the ring and grabbed hold of Goliath from Fury who went to help Matt finish off Grendel. Jeff looked back to his bloody foe and kicked him some more.
Rio, also known as Tara, would never leave Shannon, he suddenly realized. She was very happy with him. And Shannon seemed happier than he'd ever been, too. Jeff knew it was a losing battle and he didn't want to wreck his lifelong friendship over it anymore. He also knew it was the right thing to do, releasing her to his best friend. After all, if he couldn't have her there really was only one other person he could think of to take care of her. And it was pretty cool to have another 'sister' around. He looked up to see that Amy and Shane had strolled on out to see if they could get a piece of the action.
He caught Shannon's defiant stare and knew that the smaller man was thinking along the same lines. Suddenly, Jeff grinned at Shannon widely letting him know that all was cool and he was backing off. His friend blinked once in confusion then grinned back in understanding. The younger Hardy finally felt at peace with his family again after so many weeks of confrontations. Life was good.
--------------------------------------
Tara was ready to boil over she was so pissed. When she finally got out of this ring, she was going to have to straighten some things out with her "fiancé".
************************************
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!)
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