Chapter 14
Punishment came fast and swift for Larry. He was fired imminently. Jeff was fined $5,000 and told he was on probation and if he stepped out of line he would stripped of the world title. TNA management made Alex give them all the footage of Larry so they could further explore the extent of the corruption. Rhino was reinstated and given all his back pay. Terry Taylor was named interim head of the championship committee.
All that happened in two hours. Now that Impact was over Jake and the rest of the Uprising were getting ready to leave. Some one started to knock on the door. Traci opens the door and the Naturals are standing there. "So you guys wanted to see us," Chase Stevens said as they walked in. "Yeah we wanted to see you guys want to join the group. "No thanks," Andy Douglas says as he and Chase turn to leave.
"Hold on guys. Why not?" Jake asks. "Because we don't want to be the stand-in for Team 3-D," Chase says. "Yeah if you wanted us so badly you would have come to us when you started," Andy says. "Hold on you two. Look at it like this, we didn't need in fighting and both, you two and Team 3-D want the tag belts," Traci says. It seems like that got though to the Naturals.
Chase whispers something in Andy's ear. "So you guys in or out?" Jake asks. "Were in," both guys say. "Welcome aboard," Sting says wiping off the last of his face paint. Alex walks in without knocking. "Yo Jake you wanted something," Alex says. "Hey can you guys give me, Sting, and Christian a minute with Alex," Jake says.
"Sit down Alex," Sting says as the rest of the Uprising expects Traci leaves. "Alex takes a seat and looks a littler nervous when he realizes he has followed and filmed all of these guys. "So ah how's it going?" Alex asks nervously. "Alex you need to calm down," Jake says. Alex tries but it doesn't help that Sting has picked up his bat and taping into his free hand. Alex gets up. "I just remembered I have to call my mom," Alex says trying to leave.
Jake and Alex push him back down. "You going to want to hear this," Christian says. "You did good kid. You got what we needed to take out Larry," Sting says. "You Alex you made a lot of mistakes. Trust me I know about making mistakes. But I also know about getting a second chance," Jake says smiling at Traci.
"Is this going somewhere?" Alex asks. "Yeah it is. Were willing give a spot in the Uprising," Jake says. Alex is shocked and relieved that they don't want to kill him now that they got what they want. "You guys are serious? Even with…" Alex stammers off. "Yeah like Jake says it's a second chance," Christian says. "Thanks you, I promise I won't blow this," Alex says.
Alex walks out of the room. AJ and Steve walk up to him. "Hey Alex we need to talk," AJ says. "Hey look if you haven't heard those guys just welcomed to the group," Alex says. "We know that but we just want to tell you that it was Jake that really went to bat for you and convinced the rest of us to give you a chance," Steve says. "It was Reed. I would have thought it was Sting because of his beliefs and being saved stuff. Or maybe Christian I mean he is no angle," Alex says.
"Well it was Jake," AJ says. "Why would he? I mean of all the guys I followed… I mean I really went to town on him in an Affair to Dismember," Alex says. "It's something about needing a second shot at life and getting it that makes you more willing to forgive others and give them one," Steve says.
"Just don't blow this Alex," AJ says. "I won't," Alex says walking off. "Do really think we can trust him?" AJ asks. "Well if you and I can trust Daniels it shouldn't be that hard," Steve says. "Good point," AJ says.
Jake and Traci are heading for the car just wanting to go home. "Help," someone yells out. Jake runs off to where he heard the yell come from with Traci following. They see two guys putting the boots to some guy. Jake chases of the attackers. "Hey buddy, are you going to be ok?" Jake asks checking on the guy.
"I'm fine, but you wont' be," The guy says as he looks up and reviles himself to be Mike Brandi. Before Jake can do anything he feels Abyss's chain wrap around his neck. The entire Jarrett Army start beating on Jake. Bobby Roode and A-1 grab onto Traci. Traci fishhooks A-1's eyes and low blows Bobby she runs to get help.
Jarrett breaks the guitar on Jake's head. Jake is still being choked by the chain. "You thought you won didn't you boy. Your about to learn the hard way why I am the "King of the Mountain," Jarrett says. "Abyss finish him," Mitchell commands. Abyss picks Jake up and is about to black hole slam him on the top of a car.
Alex Shelly some how runs up and hits Abyss in the head with the tripod for the Shelly cam. Abyss lets Jake go. Alex tries fighting them off but can't. AMW take Jake over to there truck, Storm opens the door and Harris puts Jake's hand in the opening. Storm slams the door right on Jake's hand. Harris then kicks the door to make sure it breaks Jake's hand. Storm is about to do the same thing but the rest of the Uprising show up to make the save. The army is run off.
Jake is holding his right hand in pain. Traci is the first to get to him. "Jake what happened?" She asks knowing he is in pain. "My hand, they broke my hand," Jake says. "We need to get him to an emergency room!" Traci yells.
Everyone is in the ER's waiting room. Jake is with the doctor. Traci is pacing back and forth. "Traci you really need to calm down," Steve says. "Don't tell me to calm down Cornino. If it were you wife how would you react?" Traci screams. "Traci look expect for his hand he didn't say anything else was hurting him," Christopher said. "Is it really necessary that I be in a wheel chair," Jake says as pushed down the hall. "Mr. Reed it's our policy," The doctor says as he walks beside the nurse pushing Jake.
"Jake…" Traci says unable to finish. "They said I'm fine," Jake says trying to calm her down. "Mr. Reed I said besides the severely broken hand you were otherwise fine," The doctor says. "But my hand is going to heal," Jake says. "Yes it will. But this isn't a paper cut you need to give you hand time or else you might do…" "Are tying to upset my wife?" Jake asks annoyed. "No I'm trying to make your wife understand that you are injured since you don't get it," the doctor says.
"Look doc I have title defense and then I need to get some payback on the guys that did this to me," Jake says. "What is it with you wrestlers? You try to kill each other every week and when you get hurt you don't even take time to recover," The doctor rants. "Ah doc can I leave?" Jake says. "Yes you done. But Mr. Reed I warn you if you chose to get in the ring at least make an effort to protect you hand," The doctor says. "No problem," Jake says standing up.
Jake looks at Alex who has been just watching. "Alex I just want to say thank you. If you hadn't gotten there when you did I might have a lot worse than a broken hand," Jake says. "You're welcome," Alex says. "Look I think I need to get Jake home so he can rest," Traci says.
Jake and Traci walk into there house. "Ah man my hand is starting to kill me," Jake says. "Are you sure you still want to do the match?" Traci asks knowing she wouldn't and Jake sure as hell won't give up. "I'm sure. Besides the guys are going to need me on Sunday," Jake says. "Yeah if tonight proved on thing that Jarrett isn't done yet," Traci says.
"It proves we need to ready for anything. I mean after what happened to Team 3-D and tonight," Jake says. "Yeah and you still want revenge for what they did to Ryan," Traci says. "You know any other woman would be trying to talk me out of it," Jake says. "Well no other woman actually loves you," Traci says. "Hey for you information I have had… There is no possible way I can finish that thought without shooting myself in head," Jake says. "At least you figured it out before you said anything to bad," Traci says.
Mitchell and Abyss are in Mitchell's house. "This Sunday Abyss you win the US title. It would have taken a miracle to beat you. But no with a more than likely broken hand taking away his only real offense. No amount of intervention either physical or divine will save him," Mitchell says. Abyss makes a sign that he wants the belt. "You will get the belt soon enough all you have is to simply destroy Jake Reed," James says. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Abyss yells as Mitchell laughs evilly thinking about how Jake will be destroyed.