I just want to thank everyone who reviewed. Even my little sister Kylie who logged in under my name to review. Just for that I am using your name in one of my future stories. But seriously I don't think I could continue to write if I didn't get feedback. So Thanks. Happy reading.
John watched in amusement as his sister dived back into her story and didn't resurface. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk to her anymore so he left the locker room. Not wanting to talk to any one he decided to be productive and went in search of his partner for the night, intending on getting some practice in. Walking sown to the ramp his eye caught the action happening in the ring where Randy was working against Adam Copeland. Among the spectators he spotted Carlito and Jesus and moved towards them.
"You want to give it a try next?" He asked Jesus as he stopped in front of the two men.
"Sure man what ever." Jesus shrugged, not really interested.
John gritted his teeth in frustration. Jesus was fast getting a reputation of having a bad work ethic which was resulting in lack luster matches. The last thing John needed was a match that the fans booed.
"So if I put our names down for ring time you will actually work with me?" John questioned letting the anger show in his voice.
Receiving the other man's curt nod John stomped to the ring, not caring that half the roster was witnessing the behavior. Ten minutes later he was waiting impatiently while Jesus ambled his way through the seats. Not waiting for the other man to get in the ring John approached him to discuss strategy.
"So how do you want to do this? Do you want me to have control the whole time until you use the chain or do you want to go back and forth until the end where I gain total control and you resort to using the chain?" John asked.
"Whatever." Jesus replied leaning against the turnbuckle like he didn't have a care in the world.
"You have got to be kidding me." John muttered under his breath as he paced the ring. Taking a deep breath he turned back to his opponent for the night, not noticing Randy edging closer to the ring.
"Do you have any moves that you really want to do, any ideas about the match?" John asked as he clenched his fists.
Jesus shrugged. "Not really."
John saw red. He was frustrated beyond belief, not just with Jesus but with everything in his life. Launching his body he dived into the other man, pining him in the corner. Letting his emotions rule him he began throwing punches, aiming to inflict pain. Prepared Randy jumped into the ring and attempted to pull John off. Unaware of what he was doing John turned and swung a fist at the opponent at his back, hitting Randy square in the eye. Shaking his head Randy , with the help of Adam, flung John into the opposite corner. The two young men held the angry man to the mat as he struggled to get up.
Having witnessed the entire thing Paul stopped to pick up a bottle of water as he headed to the ring. Unscrewing the cap he walked over to where John was being held down and turned the bottle upside down.
Listening to John rant and rave Paul watched as Carlito helped Jesus out of the ring. Turning back to the angry young man he waved Randy and Adam off before yanking him off the mat and throwing him into a corner.
"I would suggest you shut up. You have already done enough to convince everyone in this arena that you are a fist class idiot." Paul shouted, not caring who was listening.
John, anger still coursing through him, tried to shove Paul away. Narrowing his eyes Paul motioned for Randy and Adam to hold him down again. Shaking his head he walked to the edge of the ring where he accepted the bottle of water an amused Dave handed him. Slowly unscrewing the cap he raised his eyes at John before dumping the second bottle over his head.
As more cold water poured into his eyes John took a deep breath trying to calm down. He knew, somewhere in the far corners of his mind, that he was out of control. He just couldn't seem to care. Closing his eyes he managed to relax every muscle in his body until his arms hung limp in the grips of the other two men. Opening his eyes he stared back at the angry man in front of him.
"Are you ready to listen yet? Or are you planning on acting like a juvenile delinquent again?" Paul asked curtly.
"I'm cool." John replied sullenly, shaking water from his head.
"Yea and thanks to you so am I." Randy stated, releasing John's arm to wipe beads of water off his chest.
John gave a half smile, afraid if he tried for any more he would break down.
"You do realize that there is a chance that Jesus could press charges. That you could end up in jail for this stunt that you pulled?" Paul asked him in a low dangerous voice.
John shook his head. "He wouldn't have a leg to stand on. We were practicing for the match tonight. Besides Vince would discourage him from doing that because it would be bad press."
"And what do you think Vince is going to say to this. Didn't he warn you last week tht he wasn't going to put up with anymore from you?" Paul exclaimed, relieved that John was calm enough to talk rationally about this.
"It's not like those two hold a lot of respect with Vince anyway. Nobody can stand to work with them. And that's what started this in the first place. He wouldn't work with me, he didn't care about the match at all." John pointed out.
"We all saw what happened. That does not give you the right to jump someone and beat the crap out of them." Paul stated, trying to stay calm.
"He provoked me." John said quietly.
"Well you are provoking me at the moment. Does that mean I can start beating on you? Because that is something I would really like to do at the moment." He yelled, slamming his hand into the turnbuckle.
John wisely kept quiet while Paul gathered his thoughts. "Can you tell me honestly that this will hot happen again, that you will be able to control your emotions while in this ring?" He asked finally.
"Honestly, I don't think so. Most of the time I am so stressed out that my head feels like it is going to explode and my stomach is so tore up that I can't eat." John shrugged. Such a feeling of hopelessness overcame him that he felt tears come to his eyes.
"John you need to take some time off. Get your life straightened out." Paul told him quietly, wanting to comfort the young man but not wanting to embarrass him.
"Maybe, but if I get things straightened out then my life is never going to be the same and I hate that fact." John shrugged, staring at the roof of the arena.
"What?" Paul asked confused. When John just stared back at him he shook his head and continued. "It wasn't a suggestion. You are going to take some time off. It is dangerous to your health and to your opponent's health for you to be in the ring. What happens if you are so distracted that you miss a move? Someone is going to end up with a broken neck. It's happened before." The older man said sternly.
John nodded in silence.
"If I have to I will go to Vince and tell him to stop booking you. But I think it would be better if you went and asked your self." Paul added.
John leaned against the ropes deep in thought. He knew Paul was right but he didn't know haw to admit that he was in over his head.
Paul laid a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "John, don't be afraid to ask for help. We are here for you if you need us. Now go get cleaned up. You are soaking wet." He said smiling as he gave John a push out of the ring.
Watching John slip around the curtain to the back Paul sighed and went to sit next to Dave. "I've been thinking." He started as he settled into his chair.
"Should I be scared?" Dave asked, looking up from his magazine.
Paul shot him a look. "I think I resent that."
Dave shrugged. "Okay, what were you thinking?"
"I was wandering how hard it would be to keep the baby inside of Steph forever. I don't think I want kids anymore." Paul said frowning.
"See I'm scared. Can you imagine her pregnant all the time?" Dave stated laughing.
Paul thought of his wife who was seven months pregnant. "You're right. I think I will take my chances with the baby." He said shuddering. Steph hadn't been the easiest person to be around lately.
"Besides you have thirteen years before he becomes a teenager." Dave muttered as he frowned at the article he was reading. Turning to Paul he pointed to the byline. "Have you ever seen her name before?"
"Jayden Anderson." He read. "Yea, she's a friend of Steph's. Just started with the Raw magazine."
"She has some interesting views. Not sure that I like them." Dave said closing the magazine. "So do we call Mark and tell about that little stunt?"
"I don't think we're going to have to." Paul replied as his phone rang. Knowing it was his wife he answered, waving at Dave as the other man headed to the ring.
Deep in thought Randy stepped out of the shower and walked into the locker room. His head snapped up in surprise at the sound of feminine laughter. Spotting Nikki lounging on the cough he tightened his grip on the towel, thankful he had gotten it around his waist.
Nikki grinned at him, delighted with his embarrassment. "If I had known you were in there when I walked in I would have joined you."
Randy, regaining his composure, smirked at her. "I would be willing to get back in if that will entice you?"
"I think I can contain myself." She replied laughing.
"Are you sure?" He asked giving her his puppy dog eyes.
Instead of replying Nikki leaped off the couch and grabbed his face, turning it so she could see better. "What in the world happened to your eye?" She demanded.
"Oh um nothing." He tried.
"I have three brothers. Cut out the bullshit and give it too me straight." She demanded crossing his arms.
"Well one of your brothers went ballistic and slugged me. I don't think he meant it though." Randy told her before grabbing his clothes and heading for the bathroom. Through the closed door he heard her shout and then the slamming of the locker room door.