CHAPTER 9
xXx
It was the day before Karlee's match with Rey and it was fair to say she was shitting bricks. Dean was trying to calm her but the nerves were getting on top of her so much that she had started baking. Roman joined them in the kitchen and had to sit down when he saw Karlee, covered in flour, putting a cake tin in the oven.
"Oh hey Roman. How's the house hunt?" He shrugged, taking a sip of the coffee that Dean had made him.
"It's slow. I want to but something that's going to be an investment. A house I can start my family in but everything is just so tiny or needs too much work done." Karlee understood where he was coming from and she was secretly glad that buying her future home was something she didn't need to worry about. Dean had already said that this was the place they were going to have their babies in and she didn't need to argue, it was spacious with a pool and plenty of room for a pet. Or two.
They were all leaving that night to move onto Atlanta where the show and the house show, ceremony and PPV was. Then they would film RAW on Monday, SmackDown on Tuesday and everyone would go home until the following Monday, it was a pretty relaxed week once the shows were out of the way.
"Alice is coming over before we leave. She thinks she has boots that will fit me so we can just take her to the airport. That okay?" Dean shrugged as he leant against the counter.
"You ready for your ceremony speech. The internet is buzzing about you two." Roman explained. Karlee couldn't see why. They were a pretty boring couple who just enjoyed spending their time together. Nothing exciting there except every time a picture went up with the two of them, everyone pooped their pants. It was unreal.
"I'm just excited that Megan gets to do my hair. I haven't has a chance to actually speak to her yet. God, remember when I left, she died her hair exactly like mine?" Megan showed a lot of support for Karlee after she was fired. Most of the ECW divas wore her merchandise shirts to events and signings and although it never got her resigned, it gave her lots of publicity and was one of the main reasons Vince hired her. Dean shifted uneasily in his spot and excised himself to the toilet. Karlee's eyebrows kitted together.
"What's with him?" She asked as she sipped her soft drink. Roman shrugged, deciding to change the subject.
"Anyways, what time is Alice coming over?"
"About 4 why?"
"Just wondering. She's a nice girl." Karlee spluttered her juice.
"A nice girl you want to get with?"
"Karlee, I've only been split up with Layla for a few weeks, I don't want to rush into a new relationship. Plus I see her as more than a rebound. She's a real sweet girl." Karlee gushed at her friend and knew she would have to drop some sort of hint to her new friend. She loved playing matchmaker.
xXx
Karlee and Alice were in her and Deams bedroom, picking out her outfit to wear in her return matches. So far, she had come to the conclusion she was going to wear a long sleeved, lace swimsuit style body suit. She would wear her long, knee length booth with it and to cover up the tattoos on her thighs, she would plaster her legs in makeup and wear skintone tights.
"What if someone notices you? That gives away the fact your returning at the PPV then what happens?" Karlee shrugged.
"I honestly have no idea. Just let's hope I have no die hard fans there that might notice me." She joked, throwing the rest of the things in her bag.
xXx
They had kept her busy with profiles of all the divas, letting her choose her new partner for the Shields number three woman. So far, they had nobody. Vince had suggested Eva but after a violent stare was thrown his way, he quickly retracted his opinion. Karlee was having her hair curled by Megan and so far, the nerves for her match hadn't kicked in. Alice had helped her dye her hair a deep brown colour that would wash out after the show. Dean sat in a chair across from Karlee, his eyes catching Megan's ones every once in a while. She made his skin crawl. She talked sweetly to Karlee who was totally unaware of the one night stand her boyfriend and hair stylist shared. Megan kept smirking at him, her smile telling him she remembered every little detail.
"Babe, could you grab me a water. I'm dying over here and I want Meg to finish her masterpiece." ,Egan stopped for a while, her eyes connecting with Deans.
"Babe? Ah, you two are an item then. How longs that been going on for?" Karlee smiled and was about to answer when Dean stepped in instead.
"Nearly two years, and we are perfectly happy." Karlee was drawn back by his forwardness but ignored it. He only ever really showed his romance or feelings behind closed doors, not that he had had a chance since sex was still off the cards, much to their annoyance. Dean retreated to catering and Megan continued with doing Karlee's hair.
"So enough about me, what's new and exciting in the life of Casey Ray? Married yet?" Megan sighed.
"Nope, haven't found Mr Right yet but I did have a kid. A little boy called Albey. He's six in a few months."
"Couldn't have been too long after I left then? Is dad still in the picture."
"Dads a touchy subject, well typical me there's a possible two but we are fine how we are. I don't think it was actually. We were out celebrating keeping out jobs and I got a little drunk. You can figure the rest out yourself." Karlee nodded.
"Anyone I know." Megan smirked.
"Maybe, but you'll have to find out for yourself."
xXx
Her mouth was dry. Her legs were shaking. And she was sure if sweat started trickling down her forehead, her mask would slip off. Karlee was minutes away from her first live appearance since the 'accident' and she was close to shitting her pants. She was currently engulfed in a circle, surrounded by all three members off the Shield, The Bella's, John Cena, AJ and Punk and of course Rey.
"I'll die out there. What if I screw up. Oh AJ, what am I going to do?! Please forgive me in advance." AJ was beyond shocked that her modern day idol was nervous.
"I'll scream if you hurt me bad and ill tag Punk in straight away. Just run on adrenaline and you will be fine. Rey, did you tell her yet?" Everyone looked between Karlee and AJ. Karlee was a little more confused on what was happening and her nerves tarted to go into overdrive when she looked at Rey. He was wearing a jets shirt and jogging bottoms. No wrestling gear.
"Um... I'd just like to point out that we have a match in less than a minute and you haven't even got a mask on." Rey just looked around the small crowd of people.
"Oh, I uh broke my hand last night so I called in a replacement. Sorry!"
"Sorry! How am I meant to know what my partner wants to do in a match if I haven't spoken to him, this is going to suck! AAAAH!" She borrowed her face into Deans neck as he ran his fingertips down her hair and back in an attempt to comfort her. Punk and AJ left to do their entrance and then it was Karlee's turn under the name Lareesha. She had to laugh as she was introduced, both Punk and AJ mouthing off about having mysterious opponents. Dean shuffled her towards the curtain and strange music began to play. She heard it gearing up and after fixing her mask, she stood ready, waiting for the beats to drop.
"And introducing from El Paso, for one night only...Lareesha!" Karlee burst out onto the stage and threw her hands in the air, skipping down the ramp and entering the ring to a mixed reaction. No one was really interested but that was to be expected. They didn't know her. She had to get them chanting her name by the end of the match. That was her goal for the night. And to make it out alive despite the mystery partner.
"OH! And if you close your eyes tonight, the naked truth revealed."
Karlee's heart skipped a beat as she heard the music hit and her uncle and God father walk out onto the stage. She knew this had been planned by the boys in the back and she couldn't be more grateful. She turned to glance at Punk who smiled at the mat and to AJ who just gave her a discreet wink and thumbs up.
He entered the ring and held her hand up, earning a cheer from the crowd. This was going to be fun.
Punk and Christian got the match started and hyped the audience up pretty good. Karlee decided to earn her own crowd appreciation and secretly tagged in letting the ref and punk see so he could see what hour was doing. She quickly climbed onto the top rope and stayed hunched down, waiting for the perfect opportunity. When Punk got into place, she jumped, flipping upside down and knotting her ankles around his neck, locking in a perfect hurricanerana. Punk held her in place and spun her around for as long as he could, tapping her knee lightly to tell her she could let go. She tucked up and sent him flying, listening to the crowd roar in delight as Punk was left dizzied. AJ tagged in and the two divas were off.
AJ got the upper hand as she sent a flurry of punches to Karlee, all of which she blocked with force, getting to the point where she pushed AJ with such force she fell on her backside. AJ scrambled up and came running towards her but was countered with a clothesline. Karlee grabbed her by the hair and went for a running bulldog yet AJ never went down instead, lifting her hands behind Karlee's legs and she knew what she wanted to do. Karlee, with the help of AJ, ran towards the ropes, sprung on the first, second and third and did a backflip, leaning on her feet with her back face the ropes and AJ in the crab position. She yelled a fierce war cry and landed a perfect snap neck breaker. She quickly sprung to her feet and dragged AJ to the middle of the ring, drowning in a sea of cheers and went for the pin.
1...
2..
Yet AJ kicked out. Karlee groaned. This was going to be gruelling but AJ whispered in her ear and at that moment, she knew what to do. The pair exchanged blows and AJ manage to lock in her Black Widow. Karlee let her knees meet the mat and took three long breaths. After summoning her energy back up, she sent AJ a tap to the leg and Karlee powered up, lifting AJ on up and slamming her back first into the mat. Karlee and AJ lay on the mat, the crowd starting to drum their feet as Karlee flipped and regained her stature. AJ winked and she knew what she had to do. Punk tried to interfere and Christian knocked him down, their brawl spilling into the mats. Karlee froze as she ascended the ring ropes, standing on the top without a wobble,s he knew this could make her or literally break her. She saw AJ tense and she knew she had about ten seconds to make the move. After another deep breath, Karlee tucked her head into her chest and straightened her arms out, bending her knees and springing up into a forward flip. She kept her boys tucked and spun once, vaulting her body forward again and managed a second flip before landing stomach first on AJ who made a 'humph' noise as Karlee landed. She went straight for the pin and the ref slid halfway across the ring to count.
1...
2...
3...
The bell rang and Karlee let her body fall to AJ's side, her chest rising and falling in heavy movements as her adrenaline settled and her breathing returned to normal. Christian bounced into the ring as punk pulled AJ out and carried her away in his arms, his face covered in mock anger. He helped her to her feet and held her face in his hands.
"You did it sweetheart and I'm so proud of you. I love you so much!" Christian gathered her up in her arms and she felt a tear slip out. She felt no pain after her match and she couldn't exactly say it was easy.
She was back and in less than 48 hours, she was challenging Sofia for the Divas title. Her title. And nothing would get in her way.
Or would it?
xXx
Aw, this story isn't receiving much love guys! Do you want me to carry it on?
Shit may have just hit the fan and if you haven't pieced it together yet, you need to read it again. Bumps are about to appear in huge road for Karlee and Dean!
Love you guys and thanks to all you guys who have continued to love the 'Protecting Them' series. This is the second final one and I'm so excited to kick it up a gear. Suggestions are welcome!
Lots of love, from my house to yours, Amanda xo (PS, The outfit Karlee wore is up on PolyVore. Follow me at: WrasslinChick