A/N: Thank you to all the people who reviewed! Sorry it's taking so long to update now, but I never have any time anymore! Anyway, please review or I won't post the next chapter!
Disclaimer: 1st chapter.
* * * * * * *
~Dangerous Business~
~Chapter 8 – Turn up the Jazz~
= SMACKDOWN! =
= 3 MORE DAYS UNTIL ARMAGEDDON =
= 8:06 P.M =
Rob leaned against the open doorway, watching his girlfriend, one eye arched. Music flowed steadily from her Discman that lay on the table. Liz sang softly as she stretched out for her match, every once in awhile, her eyes setting on the Women's Title with a sense of pride.
"Graffiti decorations/Under a sky of dust/A constant wave of tension/On top of broken trust," her voice echoed through the room. The brunette slid easily in and out the splits once, and then stood up, dusting off her nylon pants. She turned her Discman off, turning around. Liz smirked at Rob for a second as she wrapped her headphones. "What's up?" she said. Rob didn't answer immediately. He studied Liz's face carefully. Hardly noticeable, two dark circles under her eyes had been formed.
"How's Amy?" he asked quietly, knowing that Liz had been up at the hospital for a while. Liz dropped her head quietly, thinking of her answer quietly, taking notice of the bandages around his stomach angrily.
"She – She ended up just like you and Jeff," she said. Her eyes grew distant for a second, and she said, deadly, "The doctor's think that something went wrong when she landed and she screwed up her neck again." RVD grunted in reply, lapsing into silence. Liz leaned against the wall, her eyes flickering shut quietly.
"Why…did he do it?" Rob asked quietly, knowing he was walking on dangerous ground. Startled by the question, Liz jerked her head down. She bit her lip quietly for a second before trying to explain.
"I…don't know, really," she whispered quietly. "I mean…when he left…we didn't really have the best goodbye or anything…" she trailed off quietly.
"What happened?"
"I…uh…broke a beer bottle on his shoulder," she said, shrugging, "I'd seen it on TV, and I was mad…"
"Somehow I don't think it has anything to do with the bottle," Rob said knowingly.
Liz chuckled sadistically. "Probably not." She sighed again, shutting her eyes. "I told him never to come back, that I hated him… I said I'd call the police and tell him what he did to mom…" Rob jerked his head up, blinking in surprise.
"What'd he do?" he asked.
Liz swallowed quietly, calming her nerves, "He and my mom went out one night… Just out partying or something… When they got home, they were both really, really drunk," she squeezed her eyes tightly. "They were fighting about something, and then my mom…she slapped Dad." Liz paused for a second, blinking, "Dad tackled her…he started punching her and yelling," she shook her head quietly as tears formed in her eyes, "I tried to pull him off, he just shoved me into the wall and yelled at me too." Rob walked forward and hugged her quietly. "They weren't always like that," she whispered into Rob's shoulder. "But…every time they came home it was something else…and most of it was Mom's fault too…" RVD hugged her tightly, resting his cheek against her head. "I mean…that's just why I…hate…him…" she trailed off once again.
"Elizabeth Smith?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Yeah?" she replied, a faraway gaze claiming her face once more as she smoothed her hand down her halter-top quietly.
"It's time for your interview!" the voice announced through the door.
"'Kay. One second." Liz hugged Rob quickly, flashing him an apologetic smile. Feelings jumbled clearly across her face as she stepped out, trying to forget about what she just told Rob. Liz walked up to Terri, a false sense of confidence in her stride. Quickly, she shouldered the Women's Title and pushed the thoughts of anything else but this interview from her mind. Terri talked to her for a few seconds, telling her what sort of questions she was going to ask.
"Thank you King," Terri said, turning to Liz, pointing the mike near her mouth. Liz stared down at Terri, shifting her feet awkwardly as she waited for the first question. "How do you feel about your match with Austin this Sunday at Armageddon?"
Liz pursed her lips together for a second and said, "I've wrestled with Austin – briefly – before. He's the top of the business and blah, blah, blah. Basically, he's a damn good wrestler." She paused quietly and added, "But I'm better."
"I've heard that Mr. McMahon has decided to let you choose the stipulation for your match. Is it true, and have you decided?"
"Yeah, McMahon said he'd let me decide. I'm between two different choices, but I haven't made my big decision yet."
"How do you really feel about your dad at the moment?"
Liz smirked readily, "How do I feel about the asshole that goes around beating my friends from behind?" she smirked. "Put it to you this way, I'm looking forward to kicking his ass on Sunday." As Liz continued to speak, a cold, harsh voice interrupted her.
"You should be worrying about me now," growled Jazz, stepping in front of Liz. "'Cause I'm the one who's gonna take the title, tonight." Liz snorted quietly.
"You?" scoffed Liz, "You couldn't beat Molly Holly!" Jazz stepped closer. "You invaded my bubble," she pointed out childishly.
"You better watch your back, Smith," she growled into Liz's face. Liz raised her eyebrow quietly.
"Why? Too afraid you'll lose to me fair and square?" Jazz just sneered and glared at Liz for a minute more before stalking off. Liz rolled her eyes and turned around...straight into Victoria. Liz blinked in surprise as she stared back at Victoria. Liz narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists, clearly seeing the fury in Victoria's eyes. For a while, the two Divas glared at each other. "Excuse me," said Liz firmly, "I have to go and defend my title to Jazz, and win." Liz sidestepped Victoria before the ex-champion could grab her arm.
Behind her, Victoria shouted at Liz's retreating back. "You'll lose!" she cried in desperation. Liz turned, her light brown hair brushing across her face. "I'll make sure of it!" she promised. Liz shook her head quietly as Jazz's music pounded through the speakers.
"You do that," she replied quickly before jogging to the curtain, shouldering her title. Victoria stared after Liz for a minute longer, her face twisted in anger. Her fists clenched in anger as she stomped to the curtains.
Liz stepped out onto the steel ramp, posing for the fans. All the while, her eyes focused on Jazz. Jazz stared back, her eyes threatening Liz to step in the ring. She felt Jazz's stare bole a hole in her back as she walked into the ring, flaunting her title before she handed it to the ref.
"Keep it clean," suggested the ref as the bell rang. Liz studied Jazz for a moment before grappling. Jazz grabbed Liz's neck and choked her with her arm. Liz, her neck squeezed between Jazz's ribs and her arm, managed to shove Jazz to the ropes. She went for a clothesline, but Jazz ducked and hit the other side of the ropes. Liz turned and dropkicked Jazz straight in the jaw. Jazz reeled backward, refusing to fall. Liz swung her leg into Jazz's jaw again, but Jazz didn't fall. Liz struggled, but eventually suspended Jazz in the air, creating a straight line for a few seconds, before slamming Jazz onto the mat. Quickly, Liz went for the cover.
1…hardly 2 when Jazz pushed Liz off her. Jazz stood up, but Liz was up first. The two exchanged right hooks, Jazz getting the upper hand as Liz's back leaned against the ropes lightly. Jazz threw her strength into three chops on Liz's chest before shoving her to the ropes. Jazz went for a blow to her head, but Liz ducked. Upon returning, Jazz locked arms with her for a belly-to-belly suplex. Liz, having other plans, slammed her head into Jazz's forehead. Jazz stumbled backward, pressing her palm to her forehead. Just as soon, Liz gave her a roundhouse kick, driving Jazz to the ground. Liz lifted Jazz off the mat and shoved her toward the turnbuckle. Jazz countered, sending Liz to the turnbuckle, running after her to perform a body splash when Liz hit the turnbuckle. When Liz got near the turnbuckle, she leapt up and performed the moved Jeff had taught her recently.
"Did she just hit Jazz with Whisper in the Wind, J.R?" King exclaimed. Indeed she had. Liz stood up slowly, grasping her back as she picked up Jazz. Jazz, however, refused to be manhandled. She jabbed Liz in the stomach several times, and gave her a DDT. Jazz sat on the top of the turnbuckle, ready to end the match. Liz forced herself to her feet and ran at Jazz. Jazz, not expecting Liz to be standing, much less running after her, tried to think of a way to end this. As Liz neared, she came up with an idea that might hurt her more than it hurt Liz, but Jazz took the chance. As Liz jumped atop the turnbuckle in front of her, Jazz grabbed her head, using her momentum against her as she slowly – painfully – tossed Liz to the outside. Jazz smiled through her pain as she heard the definite crack of Liz's spine slamming against the ring steps. Jazz slowly massaged her shoulder, knowing it was, at the least, sprained.
Elizabeth twisted her head away from the mat so she could breathe easier. She gave a wary eye to the steel steps that she'd bounced off only a moment before as her eyes glazed over with pain. Still, her breath quickened. She didn't move…she couldn't. The pain in her back burned at her, worse, as she tried to claw her way to her feet. She finally grasped the apron, trying to pull herself up. Her legs quaked beneath her as her fists tightened their hold. She lifted her head off her head, noticing the cold sweat trickling down her face. Jazz glanced back at her, a smile on her face as she grabbed her shoulder. The ref continued his count.
7…8… Liz dropped her head, trying to force herself to stay upright. She could hardly stand, much less wrestle. Suddenly, the ref stopped counting. The ref turned as Steven Richards rushed into the ring, holding a steel chair. Immediately, the ref grasped the chair, telling Richards to leave and let go of the chair. He was quite oblivious that while Richards came into the ring, Victoria was also there.
Liz felt a fist collide with her back, and she fell to the ground easily. The brunette looked up to see Victoria smirking down at her as she grabbed a handful of Liz's hair. Liz, too weak to resist, stared into the ring as Victoria pulled her to the ramp and lifted her onto her shoulders. Liz gave out a cry of pain as her back slammed relentlessly against the steel. She arched her back, clutching at it weakly. Soon, Victoria lifted her to her feet and rolled her into the ring. Richards had let go of the chair and started his way to the back.
Liz clutched at the mat, balling the fabric between her hands as she continued to breathe heavily, blinking the sweat away from her eyes. She was hardly aware of the ref shouting to her if she wanted to forfeit; she was only aware of shaking her head over and over. Jazz ignored the ref's shouting to Liz and stomped her boots into Liz's back, each kick emitting a yelp of pain from the Champion. Jazz took a quick look at Liz. She looked delirious, the sweat pouring down her face, the glazed eyes… Jazz lifted Liz up, giving her own grunt of pain as she delivered a backbreaker to Liz. She clutched her shoulder in pain as she pressed Liz's shoulders against the mat.
1…2…Just as the ref's hand went down for the three, Liz rolled to her stomach, clenching her teeth in pain. Jazz cursed in anger as she grabbed Liz to her feet once again, throwing her into the ropes.
Victoria growled as she heard the fans cheering. She turned from her spot at the top of the ramp to see Liz spear Jazz, and watch them both fall to the ground in pain. Victoria jogged back down, calling Richards from the curtains as she did so. She bared her teeth as she found the chair that Richards had dropped. Liz and Jazz finally made it to their feet. The ref saw Richards and fell for it once again. He screamed at Richards, telling him to go to the back. Jazz tried to whip Liz to the ropes once more. Victoria leapt up on the apron, pulling the chair back for a hard swing. Liz reversed the hold, and instead of Victoria blasting the chair into her injured back, she slammed it into Jazz. Liz dropped to her knees, wincing at the pain in her back. Hearing the chair shot, Richards thought the job was done and went backstage once again. Victoria followed angrily as Liz stumbled to Jazz, pinning her.
1…2…Jazz painfully set her foot on the ropes, but the ref didn't see it…3! As Liz pushed herself to her feet with help from the ropes, Jazz's foot fell to the mat. Liz held her title proudly over her head, hardly managing to stand. She slowly rolled out of the ring. As her music throbbed from the speakers, Liz stepped up the ramp. Her vision swam with pain as she staggered up the ramp. Once behind the curtains, she leaned against the wall, her eyes closing. When she reopened them, Jeff was carrying her to the doctor, casting concerned glances down at her. Confused, Liz closed her eyes once more, trying to ignore the pain.
* * * * * * * *
A/N: Hope you liked it! Sorry the stair-thing wasn't that realistic, but I had to do something drastic! Anyway, review please!!