Author's Notes: For disclaimer, warnings, list of characters, etc., please see chapter one.
Chapter XV: Exacting Revenge
Kevin insisted on seeing Samia into her apartment and settled before he left. He had been nothing but a dear during the trip. She still couldn't get over how he and Shawn were treating her despite their reputations. When Kevin ducked his head under her doorway to leave, the woman had to shake herself out of the surreal moment of Kevin Nash being in her living room. Her calendar even sported a couple of lunch dates with the massive wrestler. She rubbed her eyes and then her nose but his cologne was still there—this was real. Despite the fact that she couldn't even fathom why they cared enough to bring her home, she was still dropped off at her apartment by the infamous Nash. If she could just figure out what was going on, maybe she would feel much better about trusting them.
Shawn called briefly every night to check on her and Ms. Salley called later on in the week to wish her well. She wanted to be there to help out because she knew she was needed but she was too busy reveling in being home. Several of her friends called on her Thursday night and stayed to watch SmackDown! Of course, they had to offer their comments on last week's RAW. It was all the same from each of them—join the nWo and get revenge on her assailants. It seemed the whole issue with Rob had passed in the spectators' concern, or at least from what she gathered from her friends.
The Undertaker still held the Undisputed Title, therefore, setting him to be on SmackDown! Before Taker's match, the announcers made a point to replay the whole incident with Benoit, Guerrero, and the nWo, which she couldn't figure out why. The whole room flinched, including herself, when they saw the damage done to her from the fans' point of view.
"Damn, girl! How did you take that?" Jamie, one of her friends studying to be a pharmacist, exclaimed.
"I really didn't have a choice. I think I passed out right after that. I remember it cracking across my ribs but I don't remember anything else…" she trailed off as the cameras cut back and forth between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker working to find her. She never once remembered the Undertaker being there—at all. The note he left for her at the hotel and the black and red bandanna she found in her things at the hospital began to make sense. She had been completely baffled by the bandanna but chalked it up to not remembering much about that night. That begged the question of why Shawn or Kevin had not said anything about the Undertaker's involvement in her rescue. Now, on top of what the nWo was up to, she had to wonder why the Undertaker was interested in her.
"Something wrong?" Kerri quietly asked.
"No, it just makes it hurt all over again. Wanna see the bruises?" she asked, pulling up the edge of shirt. That went over real well with the guys, who seemed to thrive on injuries, and easily changed the subject. By the time the evening was over, the guys had shown everybody every scar they had on their bodies and told every story that went with them.
Samia finally saw them out the door late that night and then settled herself in a hot bath to relieve some of the pain the long day had inflicted. The images of RAW played through her mind over and over. She dismissed the concern of no one telling her about the Undertaker but the mental anguish that came with "seeing" the physical pain raged, calling to mind the beating she had taken from them before Guerrero cared to call Shawn's attention to the situation. She was finally angry over it all. At the hospital, she was just upset over being hurt but then numbness set in. However, the emotion changed after seeing SmackDown! Her cheeks now burned with fury.
If I walk away now, I walk away defeated, she thought. Defeated—that's the way this whole fiasco into wrestling can be characterized. I've never let myself be defeated. I may have lost but I've never been defeated. But if I go back, I set myself up for another attack by Benoit and Guerrero or anyone for that matter who has a bone to pick with the nWo, especially Shawn. Shawn. Can I walk out on him too? For my health's sake, maybe. If…if I come back with the nWo, they'll take care of me. I would be their equal, not their 'employee.' Working side by side with them, they would be my protection. It's not enough to just defeat you but they have to burn down everything around you. I would have their loyalty and they could personally see that anyone who ever said or dared to say a word to me would be taken out. She evilly smiled as she mused to herself about what could happen and then sank lower into the now lukewarm bath.
Sunday night, Samia found herself at Nash's house for dinner and the No Way Out pay-per-view. He was actually cooking for her, making her wonder if this was more incentive for some plan that she hadn't figured out yet. Over the meal, Kevin explained that the rest of the nWo was showing up at No Way Out only because Triple H was on the card. They had every intention of lying low before claiming revenge on the two who had chosen to tango with the most feared faction ever. She inquired as to their plans in the mean time but he only responded that they weren't sure because they wanted to take their time to make it really good.
True to Kevin's word, the nWo quietly showed for Hunter's victorious match and exited unceremoniously. By the time Guerrero and Benoit made it to the arena and out to the ring, the nWo was as good as Elvis and the duo never knew they had already left the building. The two had made a tremendous effort letting everyone know that they had arrived. Samia caught sight of RVD and Adrienne Bradley being a little too cozy for her liking as Benoit and Guerrero passed by but she quickly squelched those feelings of jealousy. The two wrestlers came out to the ring and Guerrero immediately took up a mike. He gloated about their ability to make the nWo turn tail and run. He stated that they were better than all five members and the rest of WWE and how everyone in the business should now show them the respect they deserve and bow down to their every whim. Nash muttered something about them digging themselves deeper.
"Kevin, when are you going back?" Samia inquired, picking up her purse to get ready to leave.
"Since we're in Montgomery tomorrow night, I thought I'd drive out sometime in the afternoon."
"I wanna go back," she bluntly stated, straightening up from where she gathered her jacket off the armchair.
"I don't think you're physically capable. Besides, I don't know how safe you'll be from those idiots backstage," Nash said, trying to deter her. The point was to convince her that she needed their protection.
"I don't want to go back as a go-fer. I want to go back as a member of the nWo." If someone had told her a year ago she would be sitting in the living room of one of her favorite wrestlers, she would have laughed herself dead. She realized how far she had come in what was once just a hobby while sitting there on Kevin's couch and talking with him. She wasn't going to walk out now when she could go even farther. Seeing RVD and Adrienne rekindled her desire for revenge. When it came to those two, it was no longer about love but about dignity, honor, and standing up for herself. As for the other two—Benoit and Guerrero—it was blinding rage that drove her.
"I'm sorry. Did I hear you right? One of us?" He paused and she nodded. "Just like that?"
"Yeah, just like that." She snapped her fingers to emphasize her words.
Kevin seemed baffled and the woman wondered what exactly about. "Well, sure. I…yeah." Lately, Nash figured it would be harder to draw her in. He definitely didn't think it would be that easy. "Don't leave yet. Let me call Shawn." Samia nodded and dropped her purse and jacket back on the couch as Nash dialed Shawn's cell phone. "Hey…yeah…sit down…don't ask what for, just do it…guess who's in…I'm not kidding…no, really…no, tomorrow…she's really adamant about it…yeah, we'll meet you then…see ya." Kevin replaced the receiver. "Looks like we're leaving in the morning," he said, smiling. "I'll pick you up. Cool beans?"
"Sure. See you then," she answered, a little disappointed that Shawn didn't ask to talk to her.
"Shawn said to call him when you get home, let him know you got there safe," Kevin added, picking up her things and handing them to her.
"Oh, okay," she replied, a slight smile creeping up.
Samia tugged at the short black leather jacket that showed off her rear too much for her liking. At least the black leather pants weren't that tight because she could still move in them. However, her ankle was itching again. She reached down underneath the pants to unzip her boot and ferociously scratched the itch. She tugged at the simple white tank underneath the leather jacket and then pushed her loose hair behind her ear again. A last glance in the mirror made her blush. If my mother could see me, the woman thought, she'd be turning over in her grave and my dad would be coming out of his with a hick'ry switch! Shawn had taken her shopping for her new look with the nWo and she couldn't believe she let him talk her into this outfit but he was so persistent. This awful feeling stuck with her that she would be wearing clothes like this from here on out.
She hadn't much listened to Shawn running his mouth in the ring about nothing much until the subject of his monologue changed. "Without further adieu, I present to you the newest member of the nWo," Shawn belted out, "Mia!" Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" blared from the loudspeakers—another of Shawn's ideas.
Samia threw her head back and strutted out from behind the black curtain. The thought of sweet revenge was the only way she was able to summon the courage to act like the women of wrestling that presented themselves as high-priced whores. Her first thought was a prayer that she wouldn't trip up in the high-heeled boots but the next thought was the awe she had because the arena was cheering for her. She used the wide stage as a cat walk before heading down the ramp.
Triple H jumped down out the ring and lifted her to the ring apron. Nash was there, down on one knee. She used his thigh to raise herself high enough to sit on his shoulder and then slide over the top rope into the ring. The intention was for this to be the way she would enter the ring every time she was part of the focus of the promo or whatnot. She had thought it too much but Hunter's idea was not going to be shot down and it stuck at Shawn's insistence. However, she flat-out refused to address the fans. Macho Man Randy Savage's Miss Liz came to mind as she readied for her debut. Miss Liz was fairly quiet and very sophisticated during her stint with the nWo in WCW. Samia tried to model herself after her commanding but quiet presence in the ring but she had every intention of being a very active she-devil outside of the ringed square.
Nash took the microphone as Shawn came over to use Samia's head as a prop for his arms. She tried to push his arms off her but he didn't budge. She glared at him out the corner of her eye and backed into him but Shawn simply tweaked her ear and stepped aside. Nash was now extolling her status as an nWo member and commanding respect for her based on her position. She was listening intently when she felt arms on her head again. She just knew it was Shawn and was about to light into him. This time Triple H was being the troublemaker. She smiled and pushed him away. She turned back to hear Nash but Hunter used her shoulder as an elbow prop. She reached up and pinched him on the underside of his upper arm but he found an unprotected spot on her side and pinched back. She came back after him but he smacked her hand away. She couldn't help but laugh and, by the time Nash was done, he had to break up a full-fledged smacking-pinching fight.
Shawn retrieved the mike and pointed at Triple H and Samia. She knew she was in more trouble than she could get out of but they both were about on the verge of tears trying to hold back the laughter. "Benoit, Guerrero, you are nothing but child's play to us and we laugh at you. But if you want to play the pinching game, we'll pinch back. Just when you think you've got us, we'll put you on your knees and you'll be begging for mercy." Shawn tossed the mike aside and the nWo made their exit. At least this time, she went through the ropes and slid off the ring apron with the Big Show's help.
Samia wanted nothing more than to get back to her room and crash. She was hurting pretty badly from last week's beating but there was no way she would let anyone outside of the nWo see that. As the entourage headed through the main hallway of the arena, Benoit and Guerrero appeared from nowhere and the faction made a barricade across the corridor. Feeling extremely secure, Samia pushed through the massive men to the front of the group, putting a hand on Shawn's arm to stop the taunt that was forthcoming.
"Evening, gentlemen," she addressed them and they nodded. "I hope you enjoyed yourself last week. But, to echo the words of Jeff Hardy, I'm still standing." She glanced around at the men who surrounded her. "I do believe I will remain standing. I'm not scared of either of you. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that you had better watch it and we'll take great delight in annoying the hell out of you."
Benoit stepped forward, stopping within mere inches of her. Kevin and Shawn immediately came even with her and crossed their arms over their chests. She put an arm out to the side, letting them know she wanted to hear Chris' piece, who hadn't flinched at the intimidation. "Mia, don't waste your breath. You had better not ever turn your back without your bodyguards," Benoit growled and they both turned on their heels and casually strolled off. Samia snorted, hoping that Benoit was only calling their bluff.
With nothing but time on her hands, Samia slowly returned to the gym with Shawn personally seeing her into a ring to continue what RVD started. She didn't ask to be trained to wrestle but only wanted to be able to defend herself when needed. However, she caught the bug—or that's what Nash wanted her to think. There was something to be said for working with your hands…and being able to pound others. Her parents had raised her to seek reconciliation and promote peace. Despite the occasional want to put a hurting on someone, she had never hit someone until the night she had punched Terri. One of her friends predicted that she'd blow one day if she didn't find an outlet. Apparently, the actual act of wrestling was a much better outlet than just watching.
At the arenas, the nWo caused little trouble outside of their matches. They concentrated all their efforts on simply stalking Benoit and Guerrero. With each of the duo's matches, an nWo member stood on the entrance ramp and casually watched. Upon the two's entrance and exit, another member made an effort to step from the shadows and show his ever-watchful presence. It was more than obvious that it was driving the two crazy. Benoit and Guerrero thought it was worse than just attempting to beat the daylights out of them in the ring.
On the other hand, Samia quietly watched as she accompanied them to each event until a bright idea for revenge landed unceremoniously on her head. With a few modifications from the group, the nWo was rip-roaring and raring to go. Even X-Pac was excited to be involved in this plan—although he would never explicitly state that. Evening came of the planned fiasco and Shawn found Adrienne Bradley in the bar. He made a quick call to Nash before casually settling on the stool beside her.
Shortly before that, the desk clerk was stupid enough to believe that Samia was Adrienne and gave her a key to Adrienne's room since she had "lost the first one." Nothing would have worked if she and Van Dam had shared rooms. Ostensibly, there was trouble in paradise or Rob never allowed her as close as he had Samia. She had to force those feelings of hope away—that Adrienne was not what he thought and that Samia was still the one he loved but just didn't know how to tell her. However, it made little sense and, besides, he owed her for the way he had treated her. She may not be attached to anyone romantically but Rob had messed up and she wasn't backing out of the plan.
With everything in motion now, X-Pac, who was on "stake-out" outside of RVD's room, called in with Nash to let him know that Van Dam had not left his room since coming in that evening. In Adrienne's room, Samia arranged the flowers on a table in the corner to carefully hide the tiny camcorder. She flipped the television on and found an episode of Friends that had just come on—when was it never on?—and settled down to wait for Nash. By the time the time Ross and Rachel had reconciled again, Nash knocked on the door and Samia was helping drag in an unconscious Benoit.
"How did you do it?" she breathlessly queried.
"Don't ask," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Just help me get him in the bed." They made quick work—if that's what could be called what felt like working with a dead body—and put in a call to Shawn. Shawn glanced at his cell to see Nash's number on the caller ID and smiled—he had almost completed his mission. Adrienne had been wary of him when he had taken a seat beside her, but, in minutes, she never knew what had hit her. Shawn worked his magic and had her falling all over him—and drunk. He didn't take Nash's call but escorted Adrienne up to her room.
After signaling Shawn, Samia hit the record button on the camcorder and she and Nash bolted. The Big Show held open up his room door that was across the hall and three doors down from Adrienne's. They scrambled in as Shawn and Adrienne came off the elevator and he literally carried her into the room. Nash called Triple H to give him the cue to deliver the message. Hunter slid a note under RVD's door, knocked loudly, and hurried for the elevator. Shawn settled a now passed-out Adrienne into bed beside a still unconscious Benoit. He was able to divest her of her blouse and skirt in no time—after all, that was what he was famous for.
At the same time, Van Dam opened his door and glanced out. As he was about to go back in, he noticed the note on the floor. He picked it up, wondering what fan found his room this time, but it was a note from Adrienne asking that he come up now. Maybe she's gonna apologize for being an idiot, Rob thought to himself. Doubt it, probably got herself drunk after I left her in the bar. He was tired of her hanging on to him like a leech and told her so, more bluntly than she wanted to hear. They had a row and Rob stalked off to his room, leaving a brooding Adrienne to be picked up by Michaels. The fight had been the tip-off to put the plan in action.
Shawn quickly split after tossing the woman's clothes aside and made it into the room as X-Pac called to let them know that RVD was on his way up. Within seconds, Triple H banged on Show's door and was hurried in. They cracked the door to be able to barely peek out and not be seen. Camcorder or not, nobody wanted to miss this. Samia lay down on the floor and Shawn sat down beside her. Hunter pulled up a chair and Nash leaned across him. The Big Show declined a view and had to go in the bathroom until he could contain his laughter at the heads lined up to catch the drama that was about to unfold.
Van Dam knocked at Adrienne's door that Shawn had purposely left cracked open. There was no answer, so he pushed the door the rest of the way open and took a step inside. "Adrienne? You okay?" he called out but there was only silence. "What do you want?" Still no answer. He walked on in and disappeared from their sight. Just as quick as he had gone in, he came right back out—this time with another person on his heels, wrapped in a sheet.
"Rob! Wait, please wait! I can explain," she pleaded, and then a little quieter, "I think." She stumbled from the alcohol and grabbed hold of the door.
Rob whipped around, fire in his eyes. "Why should I? Obviously, there's not much to explain. Let me guess, the nWo did it?"
"How did you know?" she asked innocently, believing him to be sincere.
"Puh-lease. Give me a break." He face wrinkled up in disgust.
"No, really, Shawn Michaels got me drunk and…" She put her hand to head, closing her eyes and trying to remember, but she was quickly cut off. "Was that Chris Benoit in there?"
"Shawn Michaels, Shawn Michaels, I am sick of his name. First, Samia," he took a big breath, "and now you."
"But…but…" Her alleged lover, still in her bed, was forgotten at this point.
"You just go on back inside, finish what you started, and tell Benoit that I'll get him if there's anything left after the nWo's done with him."
"But…but…" Adrienne continued to stutter but Rob walked off in the middle of her protest. He never noticed four pairs of blinking eyes right before the door quietly clicked shut. When he was safely out of sight, the door creaked up again for them to see Benoit appear where a shocked Adrienne still stood.
"What just happened?" he asked, rubbing his head. Adrienne pushed him out into the hall and slammed the door shut, leaving him out there in nothing but his paisley boxers. "Hey! Let me back in! Give me my clothes!" He banged on the door but she didn't answer. It was too much for the foursome as they busted out laughing causing Benoit to catch sight of them before the door slammed shut again.
"Let's go out for drinks to celebrate!" she sang out, passing out high fives as pounding began on the other side of the door.
"Are you sure about that?" Kevin asked, raising his eyebrows, ignoring Benoit's shouts at them.
"Let's go," was her glaring reply. "Well, let's go after the concierge gets rid of him." She hooked her thumb towards the door and picked up the phone to call the hotel desk and report a disturbance.
Samia didn't get drunk this time since she had a mission the next morning and because Helmsley didn't need any more ammo to tease her about. She couldn't say the same for some of the other guys.
As soon as Adrienne left the next morning, Samia was in her room before housekeeping and the camcorder was still there. The VCR had never been hotter as she and those sober enough gathered around the television. The footage was beautiful. Everything that they wanted to get was there. The camera angle couldn't have been better. "Want to see a trick?" she asked aloud. "Kevin, get me the VCR out of your room." With a little jimmying, he detached the VCR from its place and brought it to her. "Let's make magic happen."
She wasn't about to wait to ask one of the WWE crew to let her piece the tape together, she wanted it now. The guys knew exactly what she was doing and joined in, helping her copy the choice bits of the tape. "I have some gift wrapping to do. I'll meet you guys in the lobby before we leave for the airport. Okay?" She didn't wait for an answer before she was on her way to have the tape boxed and wrapped. A little card with purple flowers was attached that Samia thoroughly enjoyed writing—"Just know that this isn't the original tape. Imagine what we could do with it. Revenge is a dish best served cold...Stay out of the way. Sincerely, you know who." Samia wished she could be there when Adrienne picked up the package at the front desk in New York.
TBC…
Author's Notes: Once again, I must give props to my readers and to my reviewers: AnimeWitch02, Shadow, EdGeHeAdV1, LeelooJinn, Alisha, dragonmage5, FunkyinFishnet, pixygirl101, Latisha C, and Kora Flair.