December 24th, 2011

Lafayette, Louisiana

The Velvet Showroom

"Mommy, no! Please, I don't wanna go in the basement! Mommy please."

A short and dingy looking brunette drags a young Dean across the floor. Kicking and pleading with all of his might, he begs for mercy. She opens the door and tosses in Dean. He clings to the top step before falling all the way down and tries to crawl to the door. He gets his hand through as she closes the door, smashing his hand. Dean screams in pain as his mom slams the basement door. The loud bang wakes up Dean, who's asleep on a bus.

"Fuck me."

Dean hops off the bus, wiping crust from his eyes. The sun had barely broken dawn and he was already up. He'd been escorting Imani to and from the club since the incident. Its been quiet since then. As quiet as it gets for Christmas Eve. Dressed in the usual jeans and t-shirt, he makes his way to the club. Imani is outside smoking, wearing a beautiful blue African dress complemented by a denim jacket.

"Sup."

"Good morning Dean. Aren't you cold?"

It was chillier than usual, but Dean didn't seem fazed by it.

"Don't worry about me. I've been in jail cells much colder than this." He says leaning against the wall.

"To each their own. Thank you for coming this early. I just wanted to check on the Showroom before we head off."

"Where we going?"

"Bayley's concert is tonight. Have you forgotten?"

Imani opens the door and they head inside to warm up. Imani checks around while Dean takes a seat, looking through his phone. No one has made contact with him besides Hunter, giving him a file on Sandow. Dean didn't necessarily care, but it felt nice when people asked how he was doing. Now he can't even get a good morning. Dean leans back in the chair thinking about his dream. He hasn't seen his parents in years. Maybe they're dead. Imani comes from the back with an envelope, handing it to Dean.

"Here is your payment. I apologize for taking so much of your time, I just don't know what to do."

"It's alright. I'm on my job's time, not mine. I just heard back from my boss too. I got a little bit of info on Sandow. He's an underground trader. A big name on the black market. A man who likes only the finest things. There were some killings with his name involved, but nothing stuck. Dude has a lot of stroke."

"So we can't do anything?!" She asks angrily.

"Look, I know this place is popular, but not so much to a point where you should get killed."

"The Showroom has been around for 50 years, making it a landmark in Lafayette. Sandow only wants it for his personal interests, not for the love of music and people. Who knows what he would do to this place." She explains.

"So why not just give him the damn place? Is it really worth dying over? I've seen guys die over a pack of Ramen Noodles, but still."

Imani sits down next to Dean. She grabs his hands and makes eye contact.

"Dean, let me ask you a serious question. If there was something that you really cared for, something you could not give up no matter what, something that would break your heart to the point that you died without it, would you die for it?"

Dean looks into Imani's brown eyes, almost staring into her soul. Seeing the true love she had for the business, and feeling the warmth in her hands. Raw human emotion. The memories of meeting Seth and Roman, Paige constantly bugging him, Hunter teaching him the way, all ran through his head. Laughing and joking with them, having the family he never had. He slumps over, burying his face in his hands.

"Dean are you alright?" Imani asks concerned.

"I fucked up. I let everyone around me walk away."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since I was a kid, no one gave a damn about me. For over 20 years I fought and bled to stay alive. I take this job and all of that starts to change. Then Roman...he up and leaves without saying anything. It hurt all over again. Then I pushed everyone away."

Dean was angry. Clenching his fists and seething with hate and sadness. Never pulling his face from the ground.

"It's okay Dean, you can let it out."

"NO!" He yells, springing up from his chair.

Imani jumps back at first, but eases a little. Dean paces back and forth, knocking himself in the head.

"I can't let them see me like this. They CAN'T see me like this. I CAN'T LET THEM SEE ME WEAK!" He screams while beating his chest.

Imani slowly inches over, unsure of what he might do. She sees the heartbreak in his eyes and consoles Dean, placing his head on her shoulder. He considers pulling back, but instead wraps his arms around her, accepting the love he was never shown. His heart aching while he embraced the kind woman before him.

December 24th, 2011

Stamford, Connecticut

WWE Headquarters

Seth sits in an office finishing his last bit of paperwork. Running around and shooting guns was the fun part, this was the part no one wanted to do. The building was quiet. Most of the employees were home, the others taking care of small business before Christmas Day. Alicia walks into the office with a long gift box.

"Here's that suit you wanted. Merry Christmas."

Seth peeks into the box and a grin slides across his face. His gives Alicia a hug and cheek kiss.

"Thanks. Merry Christmas to you too. Got any plans?" He asks peeking at the suit again.

"Might spend some time with the hubby, get drunk. Ya know, the usual." She replied.

"Haha, I hear that. Well enjoy yourself."

Alicia heads out, but pokes her head back in remembering something.

"Oh yeah, Paige was looking for you too. Said she had a gift."

"Thanks."

Seth files up his papers and drops them off at Hunter's door. He walks past Billy Gunn, giving him a fist bump and wishing him a Merry Christmas. After getting off the elevator, he gets a text from Roman saying MC. Seth texts him back and heads to Regal's office. Paige is inside working like its any other day.

"Pay, Alicia said you wanted to see me?"

"Pay? Usually we bang before we give each other pet names." She says laughing.

Paige reaches into her desk and pulls out a small box. Seth is hesitant to take it, leaving Paige confused.

"You don't want my gift?"

"Sure I do, but I didn't get you anything. I just feel bad about that."

"I didn't ask you to get me anything. Stop being a prude and take it. Merry Christmas."

Seth takes the box and unwraps it. He takes off the lid to find a pair of shiny dog tags with his name imprinted in them. Shining bright as he dangles them.

"Awesome."

"Yup, that's real silver. I had got Roman and Dean a pair, but they're not here so." She says shrugging her shoulders.

Seth grabs her out her seat. Lifting and swinging her around. Kissing her all over the face.

"Ew, don't slobber on me."

Seth puts her down as she wipes her face off. Seth puts on his dog tags, tucking them into his shirt. Paige reaches in and pulls them back out.

"Oh no mister, you're gonna show those off!"

"Okay "mom". So what you got planned for tomorrow?" Seth asks sitting on the desk.

Paige's face slowly goes from joy to blank as she sits back down.

"Nothing. Regal invited me to his house, but I've been there the past 4 years. It's getting kind of awkward with his wife."

"No family plans at all?"

Paige rests her chin in her hand. Seth could tell she didn't want to talk about it.

"Are you and your family on bad terms or something?" He asked cautiously.

"Kind of. It's a long story and I don't want to ruin the mood. Long story short, that's not an option, and hasn't been an option the past 7 years."

"So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"Don't know. Might make a TV dinner, watch some reality TV and chill with my fish." She tells him, sounding depressed.

Seth often wondered if she exaggerated her loneliness. She had to have some friends right. I guess that was a topic for another day.

"Okay. Merry Christmas then."

"Merry Christmas Seth."

Seth gets up, ready to leave. He stops at the door, thinking twice before turning back around.

"Hey Pay."

"Yeah?"

"Listen, I'm going to see my mom in California. You can come with me if you want." Seth offers.

Paige eyes light up like they always do when she hears good news.

"Really!"

"Sure, it's just gonna be my mom and a few relatives. I'm sure she would love the company."
"Yay!"

Paige grabs all of her stuff and runs out the door.
"Come on, move your ass!" She yells from down the hall.

Seth laughs as he closes Regal's door behind him.

Over in New Orleans, Louisiana...

Imani and Dean pull up to Carver Park later that evening. Carver park wasn't huge, but it was enough to get a stage and a bunch of people to watch a show in there.

"Hey uh, about what happened earlier..."

"It's okay. That stays between us." Said Imani patting his shoulder.

They get out the car and head to the back of the stage area. Bayley is taking pictures and signing autographs with VIP guests. Bayley is decked out in a gold and white ensemble, looking as dashing as ever. Imani heads off to the bathroom while Dean kicks back. He gives Paige a call, hoping to seriously apologize. He gets the machine, so decides to leave a message.

"Hey Paige, I uh, had a lot of time to think about what I did. My head has been a mess since then, and that half ass apology didn't make it better. So when, or if, you listen to this, just know I'm gonna make it up to you. I promise."

He hangs up just as Bayley finishes her last picture.

"Thanks for coming guys. I love you and hope you enjoy the show!" She says smiling and waving.

After the last fan is gone she drops the smile and drags herself over to Dean.

"What's up Booboo?" Asks Dean grinning.

"Kill me."

She slumps in a chair and lights up a cigarette.

"You don't look like you enjoy this very much." Said Dean.

"I don't. In fact, I hate this shit. All this cute and cuddly nonsense is so not my scene."

"So why do it?"

"Cause a bitch needs to make money that's why!"

Dean starts laughing up a storm. He liked Bayley even more now than he did the first time.

"Is Bayley even your real name?"

"It's my middle name. Tanya Bayley Flores."

He and Bayley get to talking, as she opens up a little more. Bayley is more of a laid back type of girl. Playing video games, watching basketball, even getting into burping contests with her brothers. The whole Bayley character was the creation of her little sister. She wanted to be a singer, but Bayley was the one who could actually sing. Dean knew most celebrities weren't what they portrayed in public, but this was a pleasant surprise. Imani makes her way back from the bathroom.

"Hey Bayley. You looking good today."
"Hey sis. Same to you."

"Where's Luther?"

"He headed home a little early. I said I'll meet him for the holiday after this show."

A man wearing a headset comes over. Bayley is needed for a sound check. She's off as Dean and Imani walk around the park. They get to know each other a lot more. Dean opens up about his childhood and his parents. His mom being a drug addict and his father being her dealer. Making Dean feel more comfortable than anyone has in a while.

Imani told him about her struggles with the Showroom. It was originally a comedy club, but Imani's father bought it out. After he died, it was passed on to her. Due to his inexperience running a business, the Showroom was losing money, and she was in a position to be homeless. Thankfully Bayley loaned her enough money to keep going. Eventually Imani was able to turn things around.

A couple hours later, fans pile in and the show kicks off. The crowd chant Bayley's name, creating an echo heard from a mile away. Bayley hits the stage as the crowd goes nuts.

"HELLO NEW ORLEANS! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! ARE YOU READY TO PARTY!"

The crowd agree in an uproar of cheers applause.

"ALRIGHT, LETS DO IT!"

The music hits and Bayley goes off full steam ahead. As the show goes on, a black van pulls up a few yards away. Top Gun parks and goes to the back of the van. He loads an AR-15 rifle and his SMG. He tucks a knife in his boot and tightens his gloves. He gets on one knee and does a small prayer. Taking a huge breath, and exits the van to head towards the ongoing concert.