December 27th, 2011
Tampa Bay, Florida
Home of Roman Reigns
Black Cerberus suits up, adding their own little touch to each of their outfits. Seth ties up his hair and slips on a pair of tight grip gloves. Dean puts on a sleeveless hoodie underneath his vest for comfort. After taping his fists, he combs his hair back to look extra slick. Roman tightens his vest and wraps a black bandanna around his head. Styled around the forehead with his hair overlapping. They load up on equipment such as pistols, knives and flashbangs. Nightfall sets as they wait for the go ahead from Christian.
"DAMN! We look good!" Boasted Seth.
"Except for that stupid ass blonde strip in your hair." Said Dean poking Seth in the head.
Seth smacks Dean's hand away and they start slapping at each other. Paige yanks the both of them by the ear to break them up.
"Would you two stop. Roman, how you feeling bud?" She asks.
Roman just stood there clutching his belt. Staring off into space with wide eyes. The beeping of the microwave catches his attention. Amelia stands on a chair and pulls out some leftover food.
"Paige, you mind watching over her?"
"Absolutely."
Amelia walks over to the group with a bowl of chicken and broccoli.
"Where you going dad?"
"I'm going off to fight some bad guys sweetheart."
"Okay."
Amelia sits on the couch and turns on the TV. Paige's tablet goes off and she darts over to the table.
"Okay boys, we got suspects and a location. You're looking for two white males. One wearing a red hoodie and sweat pants, the other wearing a black track jacket and basketball shorts. They were traced through traffic cameras and store cameras to the northeast of Tampa Bay."
"The northeast? I know a few drug dealers go there to hide out." Said Roman.
"So some low life pushers did it?" Questioned Seth.
"Either that or some dope heads looking for a fix. That would explain why they left the credit cards." Dean added.
"Regardless, you guys have some ass to kick." Said Paige walking over with a small box in her hand.
She gives the box to Roman. Looking surprised as Seth and Dean smile behind him. Roman opens the box and pulls out his custom made dog tags. Roman lightly chuckles while his teammates flash their own. Roman puts on his tags as a feeling of euphoria flows throughout his body.
"Guys, I really appreciate this. I can't even put into words how much this means."
Seth puts out his fist in the middle of the group. Dean does a weird arm wiggle and throws in his fist. Roman puts in his fist to complete the set. Paige throws in her fist. Amelia puts her tiny fist on top.
"Go get em dad!"
Black Cerberus hops into the pickup truck and heads off with Seth driving. Dean and Roman sit in the back catching up. They ride through the night getting closer to the northeast. Going from lovely suburbs to a less than stellar area. Crime wasn't super high, but like anywhere you go, there will always be places that should be stayed away from. Roman smacks on the back window and tells Seth to pull over. Doing so, they exit the truck to start the search.
"Hello? Can you guys hear me?" Said Paige through the earpieces.
"Loud and clear Ms. Happy." Dean replied.
"Good. I just pulled some old police reports about a few killings in those parts of Tampa Bay. You're definitely in the right area."
"Aint a damn thing 'right' about this part of town." Said Seth as he looked around.
BC walk down the street to get some answers. People they passed either gave dirty looks or avoided them completely. The gear giving off a vibe that they shouldn't be messed with. Hitting the street corner, a Hispanic woman nearby tries to walk off. Seth does a loud whistle and commands her to stop.
"Officer I was doing nothing. I was just waiting for the bus." She pleaded.
"Really? I don't see a bus sign and how come you're out here in a mini skirt and halter top?" Asked Roman as he folded his arms.
The woman's face turned fearful, feeling she was in trouble.
"Please don't arrest me. I'm just trying to make some money. I aint hurting nobody." She cried.
"Relax. Just answer us some questions and you're free to go." Said Seth.
"O-Okay." She said easing up.
"What's your name?"
"Lucy."
"Okay Lucy, we're looking for a couple of men that were involved in a robbery/shooting last night. Got some info they might be around here. Two white dudes. One dressed in ball shorts and a track jacket. The other wore a red hood and sweats. Seen anyone like that?" Asked Roman.
She pauses for a second, searching her thoughts to find an answer that wouldn't anger the three large men.
"I might know something, but I don't know if I should tell you anything. They might kill me."
Roman angrily grabbed her by the top, slightly tearing it."
"WHERE ARE THEY! TELL ME!" He barked in her face.
Lucy lets out a faint scream as Dean grips Roman around the neck while Seth pry's his fingers off of the top. Dean throws Roman against a street pole to contain him. Seth puts his arm around Lucy and walks her over to a parked car. Roman growled with intensity. His nostrils flaring, drooling like a wild animal.
"Dude, dude! Almost there. We're almost there man. Keep your cool and let Seth handle this." Said Dean.
Roman leaned on the street pole, trying to compose himself. Working up a massive sweat just by getting pissed off.
"Is everything okay?" Asked Paige.
"It's fine, just a little misstep." Dean replied.
Seth sends Lucy on her way and rejoins his team.
"What she say?" Asked Roman through his heavy breaths.
"Last night she went to the New Jack apartment building to meet a client. She walked past a dude wearing a red hoodie. Wasn't sure if it was the guy we want, but he came out of a room looking doped up. Apparently a lot of drugs get moved over there. Some Mexican guy named Essa Rios is moving the product. No one lives there but his gang. The apartment is just down the block."
"How'd you figure out all of that?"
"I just gave her some money. Now lets go." Seth ironically answered.
Five minutes later, they stand across the street of the four story apartment building. Three men hanging out in the front. Under the suspicion they might work for Rios, Dean suggests they talk to the guys, much to the shock of his comrades.
"It may sound crazy, but lets try being a little diplomatic here." Said Dean.
Dean heads up to the men as Seth and Roman follow.
"What's up fellas? Mind if we buy some dope?"
The guards immediately pull out their guns and BC do the same.
"Real diplomatic, dumb ass." Said Seth.
"Woah. I ask you guys a simple question and it comes down to this? This doesn't seem necessary." Said Dean.
"I don't know who yall work for but yall need to roll the fuck up outta here." Said one of them.
"Buddy I promise you I aint scared to die." Dean retorted.
While Dean went back and forth with the guards, Seth slowly reached into his back pocket and pulls the pin from a flashbang. He counted the seconds in his head before squeezing it from his pocket and kicking it to the middle of the standoff. Roman and Dean duck as it explodes, blinding the apartment building's watchmen. Shots are fired from both sides hitting everything from cars to other buildings. Inside an apartment on the third floor, Rios and his crew of four can hear the shots.
"Date prisa, toma el dinero y sopla! (hurry up, get the money and blow)." Rios shouts to his crew.
Outside the firefight continues. Two guards shooting from the steps and the other from the entrance. BC taking cover behind a van. Dean sits with eyes closed. Counting the bullets as the clips empty. Once he hears a certain clicking he pops from cover and kills the one at the entrance. Courtesy of two shots to the chest.
"Roman, I'll get their attention and you flank. Dean, provide cover fire." Seth ordered.
Seth runs from the van to the side of the apartment building, shooting as he moves. Dean fires of a couple more rounds while Roman crouches around another car. Roman takes aim and caps another one in the head. The last guard retreats into the building and BC gives chase.
Rios peeks into the hallway as his crew bags up the money and drugs in two duffel bags. An Uzi tucked behind his back. The guard frantically enters the hallway running towards Rios. He mumbles something before flinching and falling face first to the floor. Rios sees a knife in his back, thrown by Seth who made it up first. Rios fires his Uzi, making Seth take cover behind the wall.
"Estan aqui cubreme! (they're here, cover me)." Rios yells as he dips back into the room.
Rios and another man throw the duffel bags around their shoulders while the other three fire at BC with glocks and Uzi's. Seth throws another flashbang but its noticed this time, and the Rios gang take cover behind the door. Dean tries to make a move but the suppressing fire returns. Rios and his mate take off in the opposite direction, going to the fourth floor.
"SHIT! NOW WHAT!" Roman shouted over the gunfire.
"I got an idea. Throw another flashbang." Dean tells Seth.
Seth pops another one and flings it into the hallway, sending their attackers back into the room. After the flashbang blows, Dean takes aim at a nearby fire extinguisher. As they reappear from the room, Dean shoots the extinguisher, blowing up the middle of the hallway. BC jump back into the lower stairwell as flames almost fill the hall.
"What the fuck is happening!" Yells Paige.
"Que fue eso? (what was that)." Asked the man with Rios.
"Joder solo sigue moviendote! (fuck it just keep moving)." Rios shouted as he ran to the fourth floor fire escape.
With the explosion over, BC run through the blackened hallway. Seth and Roman move forward as Dean takes a look at the burnt remains of Rios' gang. Dean sees one of them still moving and puts a bullet in him before continuing. Seth and Roman hit the fourth floor and see the open window. They look on as Rios and his mate hit the ground and make a break for a car. Seth gets on the fire escape and hangs on the outer bar, dropping from each flight by hand to get to the ground faster. Roman jumps down each flight of stairs on the fire escape while Seth hits the ground and fires at Rios. Rios grabs his mate and uses him as a human shield. He takes three bullets to the back before Rios throws him to ground.
Roman hops over the last flight and hits the ground with a roll before running past a reloading Seth at full speed towards Rios. Rios gets in his car, locking the door and reaching into his pocket. Only to realize his mate had the keys, and he was on the ground. Roman runs up to the car, throwing all of his force behind a right hand punch that breaks through the window and cracks Rios in the jaw, knocking him out.
"GOD DAMN!" Yells Dean as he jumps from the fire escape.
Roman drags Rios from the car and throws him on the ground. Seth and Dean run up to check on the situation.
"Dude your hand!" Shouts Seth.
Roman looks at his severely bleeding hand, lacerated from the glass. He couldn't even feel it because his adrenaline was running at an all time high. Roman drops to his knees, rocking back and forth while holding his cut hand. Seth takes off his belt and ties up Roman's hand to cut the circulation. Police sirens wail in the distance. Dean walks over to his buddies and kneels down with them. Paige is screaming through the earpiece, but gets no response. Cops surround the building as all three put their hands in the air.
The clock struck 1:03 AM as BC reside in the local police jail cell. All three have been mostly quiet since the arrest. Only stating their names and employers to the police. Not even talking to each other. Roman's hand was taped up, courtesy of an EMT that was called in. With an hour gone by, Paige finally walks in followed by an officer.
"You three are in luck, references checked out. Tell your bosses they'll be getting a fine from the city as well. No more of this cowboy shit you pulled tonight, understand!" Stated the officer as he opened the cell.
After collecting their equipment, they follow Paige outside and pile into Roman's car, which Paige borrowed to get here. Riding to the sounds of Frank Sinatra on the radio. At Roman's place, Seth and Dean pass out on the couch. Roman checks on Amelia, who's sound asleep. Stroking his good hand across her head, happy that his daughter is safe. He walks out the front door to find Paige on the porch step, going through her phone. He takes a seat next to her, and she rests her head on his shoulder.
"You feel any better?" She asks.
"Kinda, sorta, not really. I didn't get the guy I was looking for."
"Well you did nab the biggest drug dealer in the city, that's a nice consolation prize isn't it?"
"I guess. Doesn't change the fact that assholes are still moving drugs around."
"Yeah, but it's our job to make sure those people are took down. It would be a shame if you weren't there with us."
Roman didn't have another response. Unsure of where things go from here. All he felt was slight relief and intense pain from his hand. He just wrapped his arm around Paige and hugged her tightly. Both sat there and tried to enjoy what was left of a ridiculous night.
Roman wakes up the next morning feeling stiff. The pain in his hand starts up again, so he grabs a bottle of pain pills from the nightstand, taking a couple. He sees a text from Tasha, saying she's feeling good. He texts her back saying he'll stop by later. He drags himself from bed in his pajama pants and heads downstairs. Dean and Paige are on the couch watching TV while Seth and Amelia do push ups in the dining room. A sight that was a wonder to see.
"Morning everyone."
"What's up Incredible Hulk?" Joked Seth as he bounced off the floor to his feet.
Roman lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head.
"How's the hand?" Asked Dean.
"Sore."
"At least you didn't die."
"Yeah but Tasha's gonna kill me when she hears about last night. Speaking of, Amelia go get dressed. We're seeing mommy today."
Amelia and Seth bow to each other before she runs up the steps.
"What was that?" Asked Roman sitting on the couch.
"Gotta teach her the ways man. Before you know it she'll be a teen, boys are gonna give her certain looks, and she should know how to kick a little ass."
"Fair enough. Guys I really do appreciate-"
"Oh not this shit again. We GET IT!" Dean moaned.
"What Dean is trying to say, its that you don't need to thank us. We have to take care of our own." Paige elaborated.
"Which includes going with you to the hospital to go see your wife. Figured we can take the heat for last night." Said Seth.
"I'm a grown man. I can take responsibility for my own actions. But if you want to feel heat from Mrs. Reigns, you're more than welcome to."
Everyone changes into fresh clothes and ride to the hospital in Roman's Toyota. Picking up flowers on the way there. Roman carries Amelia on his back as they head into Tasha's room. Tasha is sitting up eating lunch.
"Mommy!"
Roman lets Amelia down as she runs over and hugs her mom.
"Hey baby. How you doing? You have fun with dad?"
"Uh huh. He even brought his brothers and sister over."
Tasha stares at the others, only recognizing Seth. Roman kisses his wife, hiding his right hand, and introduces his friends.
"This is Paige, that's Dean, and I'm sure you know Seth already."
"Oh yeah, I slammed the door in his face." She said laughing.
"You wouldn't be the first woman to do so." Seth replied with a huge grin.
Paige greets Tasha with a hug and places the flowers on the table. Seth and Dean do the same, adding a kiss to cheek.
"How you feeling?" Asks Paige.
"Good. I'm alive, so that's a plus. The doctor did an excellent job. I'm going to start therapy next week."
Tasha grabbed Roman by the shirt and pulled him in close.
"I don't think our insurance is going to cover all of this."
"Don't worry, my people got this covered." Roman assured her.
"Really?"
"Paige, we're covered for the hospital expenses right?"
"Well, you're technically still an employee because you weren't removed from the system. So you're still covered." Said Paige giving the thumbs up.
Roman turned back to his wife raising his eyebrows with his hands out. Tasha laid back in her bed, letting out a small sigh of relief. Roman pulled up a chair next to his wife and grabbed her hand. At the same time exposing his taped one. Tasha leans back wide eyed.
"I gotta be honest with you, last night...we..."
"DAD WENT OUT TO FIGHT BAD GUYS!" Amelia blurted out.
Roman nods his head to back up his daughters claim. The rest of BC stand awkwardly in the background, waiting for Tasha's response. She clutched Roman's hand, staring at him deeply.
"I heard you the other day. When you grabbed my hand, saying you were going to "get them all". I knew you would do something crazy and I couldn't stop you."
"I'm sorry." Said Roman, lowering his head in shame.
"Don't be." She replied.
Roman raised his head in shock in awe. Thrown off by his wife's answer.
"I got a message from a man named Hunter this morning, saying to check the news. I did, and what happened with that drug dealer, you guys were responsible for. I can't say I'm ecstatic about it, but this city is better off."
"What are you saying?" Roman asked.
"I'm saying I overreacted. There are soldiers out there putting lives on the line, just like you. I should be proud to have my husband fighting to keep our country safe. Just promise me you'll come home, and make the right decisions."
Roman's frown turns into a smile as he hugs his wife. Seth and Dean high five each other and they all gather around to hug Roman. Taking solace in the fact that Black Cerberus was officially back in action.
"Reunited and it feels SO GOOD!" Seth shouted, beating his chest.
"I just got one more thing to take care of." Said Dean pulling out his cell phone.
He goes through his phone as everyone watches. He dials a number and activates the speaker.
"Hello?" Said a female voice.
Paige's jaw drops and eyes grow anime character wide.
"Hey its Dean. I got that friend who wants to talk to you."
"Is this...Bayley?" Paige utters.
"Yes it is!"
"OH MY GOD, BAYLEY!" Amelia shouts.
Amelia and Paige jump around screaming until a nurse quiets them.
"This is a hospital ladies."
They apologize as Bayley comes back on the speaker.
"I heard you were one of my biggest fans! So I want to invite you and all of your friends to my New Years charity show!"
Paige holds her breath to keep her voice down. Turning tomato red as she bounces up and down with Amelia hugging her waist.
"She'll be there. Thanks Booboo." Said Dean as he hung up the phone.
"Booboo?" Said Seth looking at Roman.
"I'm hungry, anyone else hungry?" Said Dean trying to change the subject.
"Let's go eat. Tasha needs to get her rest anyway."
Roman hugs and kisses his wife before leaving.
"Thank you." He said in her ear.
Amelia jumps on her dad's back and they leave the hospital. Outside, Paige finally lets out her scream. She jumps on Dean's back, squeezing him and kissing him all over the face.
"Ugh, get off me!"
Roman, Seth and Amelia laugh it up as Paige chases Dean around the parking lot.