^ - All sentences preceded by this symbol will be typed in English, but interpreted in another language.
Dean's heartbeat kicks up to a cocaine addict's pace. Sirens going off in his head. A verbal bomb bigger than Hiroshima being dropped without warning. He was out of it in every way.
"Dean? Hello?"
He breathes slowly before raising the phone back to his ear.
"Can you repeat that?"
"I told you I'm pregnant."
Dean falls back against the wall, sliding down into a seating position. A female employee comes over to check on him.
"You alright Dean?"
"Yeah, yeah. Could you uh, get me some uh, some water. Water, please."
She goes to fetch a drink as Dean gets back to the conversation.
"Is it mine?"
"I don't know. Me and Luther were trying to have a kid for a while. Then the thing between us happened. This is why I needed you to answer me, cause I don't wanna talk about this over the phone."
"Okay...okay. I know this is a bad time, but I really got a lot going on right now."
"ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!"
"Stop yelling! I mean it. I got promoted, I've been losing sleep cause of the bigger workload and my team just got tasked with finding a drug lord."
"What the fuck does that have to do with me?"
"Why is this about you?"
"Because this could possibly be your kid. Not saying I want it to be, cause clearly you've shown me how much you care."
"No, don't you do that! I've been trying!"
"You call ignoring me for a month TRYING!"
"I'm just used to moving on from things. Honestly I thought you were just in love for a moment."
"Love? It was a drunk fuck. But since you like moving on, don't worry about hearing from me for another eight months. When that time comes, please believe there will be a DNA test. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN FIND TIME FOR THAT!"
Bayley hangs up before Dean could get another word in. In a fit of rage, Dean hurls his phone at the wall, just missing the worker coming back with a bottled water. She puts the water down near him and quickly leaves. Becky comes into the hallway concerned.
"You alright lad? Someone get on your bad side?"
"Don't worry about, its not your problem. Besides we got a job to do."
Becky walks ahead while Dean composes himself. Grabbing the water before moving on.
On his way to the front door, Seth bumps into Regal. Being gone for a month, there was a question he never got to ask.
"Hey Mr. Regal."
"Ah, Seth. Hope you're a having good day son."
"I am. Listen, there was a question I wanted to ask about Paige."
"Such as?"
"What's her deal? She always talks about how she has no friends or family but you. She doesn't like anyone here. Is she okay...in the head?"
Regal moved in close and lowered his voice to a whisper.
"She's a very sweet, loving and complicated girl. Also very trusting, which hasn't done her any favors, especially with men. I'm not going to lie to you Seth, she has a tendency to be, well uh, how can I say?"
"Annoying?"
"Well, yeah. People says she talks too much, can be clingy, some other things that were not nice. Eventually the gossip got back to her and things changed. Started keeping to herself, spending any free time on work. She's just socially awkward."
"What about her family?"
"That's something that I'll let her tell you."
"Okay, maybe I got a better understanding now. Thanks man."
Seth starts walking off until Regal calls his name.
"Seth, I consider Paige as one of my children. I'll do anything in my power to see her happy. For whatever reason, she really took a liking to you, Roman and Dean. She thinks the world of you three, don't forget that. Please be there for her."
Seth nods his head. Regal gives him a strong handshake and goes back to work.
February 5th, 2012
Tampa Bay, Florida
Roman's Home
Tasha laid in bed as Roman packed his bags. Tasha was horrified after hearing about the Klan. However, her thoughts were more focused on hearing it would a duo mission, with another female.
"So it's going to be just you two?"
"Yes. Just me and Sasha. Don't worry, nothing is going to happen."
"She's very pretty, young, likes to flaunt her body. Those things that men like."
"Come on Tash, she's gay. You know that."
"Mm hmm. She is until she's alone with you."
Roman sighed, rubbing his face. Sasha had been hanging out with Tasha and Roman for the past month, after bumping into each other on the street last year. Even though both worked at competing organizations, that was put aside for the sake of comfort and friendship. He sat down next to Tasha, hoping to calm her down.
"I travel all over the states, meeting different kinds of people. Men and women alike. I work with them too. Why is this any different? Are you jealous?"
"No, just cautious. I like Sasha, but I don't have to trust her."
Roman starts chuckling. He knew the deal, but wasn't going to say anything.
"Alright, when I get down there, I'll rub pesticide on my balls okay?"
Tasha pulls up the covers, trying to hide a smile. Roman gives her a big kiss before picking up his bag.
"Trust me, Sasha's the least of my worries."
"I know. Please be careful. Love you."
"Love you too."
Roman gets in his car and heads towards Sasha's vacation home in Miami. A light drizzle started to pick up. Sounds of rain hitting the window always gave him a calm state of mind. Even in the rain, Miami was still jumping. Roman considered moving here, but needed a more quiet area. He parks in front of Sasha's vacation home and knocks on the door.
"Come in."
Roman walks into a draw dropping sight. Ivory tables and silk cloths. Fine china placed inside of a oak display case. Marble kitchen floor. Paintings across the wall. Family pictures in the corner. Roman walks over to look at the photos, showing an elder man holding a baby Sasha.
"That's my great granddad." She said coming downstairs. Her head wrapped up in a towel.
"Really?"
"Yup. He was a Tuskegee Airman. He would always tell me stories about loving being in the air. Picking me up and flying me around in his arms. He died when I was three."
"So that's why you fly?"
"It's the main reason amongst others. I wanted to make him proud, but my attitude got in the way. It always has."
"Well at least you're certified right?"
"Yup, but I wish I ended my time there a bit differently."
Sasha pulls the towel off, revealing her new ocean blue dye job.
"Whoa! Candy girl over here. Going to be hard for us to stay incognito, but you look nice. We should get a move on. Gonna be a long drive. Didn't you say a dog was coming?'
Sasha does a loud whistle, summoning Hero from the backyard. A patch of black fur around his eyes, in the shape of a classic superhero mask. Hence the name.
"Hero, say hi to Roman."
Hero sticks out one paw. Roman leans over, giving a handshake to the dog.
"You ready for another trip boy?"
Hero lets out a loud howl. He bolts outside and runs in circles next to Roman's car.
"I think I may have to replace Seth." Joked Roman.
"I couldn't tell the difference, they're both horn dogs."
"HA! Come on girl."
February 6th, 2012
Houston, Texas
Charlotte's Home
Charlotte sits on her bed, messing around with the utility belt. Also packing up for her trip to Santa Monica. Leo comes running into the room in his underwear, with Fiona chasing behind with his pants. As they circle the room, Charlotte scoops up Leo with one hand as he laughs.
"Why you giving auntie Fiona a hard time?"
"I don't know."
"Can you get dressed for mommy?"
"Yes."
She sits Leo down as Fiona puts on his pants.
"Thanks. We're off to lunch in a little bit."
"Alright, thanks for watching Leo."
"Not a problem, I love spending time with this little teddy bear, and your house is amazing. So this guy you're going to be with, he cute?"
"He's an idiot from another company, not a blind date."
"Then ask if he has any single friends."
"Last thing on my mind sis."
"Well it should be at least a thought. You've been single for how many years now?"
"I'm not ready."
"That's because you spend all of your time working. Never making any time for Charlotte. It's starting to worry me. Are you not ready because you don't want to be ready?"
Charlotte just stared at the wall. It was a long time since she was loved, or at least accepted it. Any guy she met got brushed off after a week. Regardless, Fiona was right, but that didn't mean Charlotte was wrong either.
"I'll know when the time is right. Just haven't found the right guy."
"No one is going to replace Arin, I know that. What can be replaced is that empty feeling you got when you lay in this giant bed alone every night. At least try and meet a guy?"
"Sure, whatever."
Charlotte gives Leo a kiss goodbye. They both leave as Charlotte clutches her hand. Rubbing the wedding rings on her finger. Her netwatch starts ringing, getting a call from Seth. She answers, activating the hologram.
"What do you want?" She asks sounding annoyed.
"Is that how you greet people?"
"What...do you want?"
"I asked a couple of my friends about the Prime Time nightclub. It's an exclusive joint, so we need to somebody to get us in."
"I assume you have someone in mind."
"Yup, my boy Adam over in Long Beach. So before we go to Santa Monica, we need to meet up with him. Cool?"
"Yeah, bye."
February 6th, 2012
Puebla, Mexico
Alberto Del Rio sits outside of a cafe. Dressed down in clean gray suit. Bright lights strung among each awning in a plaza. A small cup of tea and pastry on his plate. Two bodyguards right behind him, keeping very close. His sister Carmen walks out of the cafe after using the bathroom. Wearing a sleek gray dress to match her older brother's. Taking a seat across the table.
^"Alberto you don't have to watch me everywhere I go, I'm a big girl."
^"I know, but I worry. All these men around here would kill to have you. Unless I get to them first." He said, chuckling.
^"Hopefully I can have some privacy at my first fashion show."
Del Rio's perky smile hid a stressful one. It was no secret who Del Rio was and where he stood amongst top dogs in the drug trade. Even his sister knew. What she didn't know, was an attempt on his capture in the same country. They were inches away from succeeding, but Del Rio was five steps ahead. Evading capture and dropping several WWE bodies. However, he wasn't going to let that interfere with Carmen's dreams. Nor would she let him.
^"Of course you'll have privacy, the bodyguards I send with you will make sure of that."
Carmen lets out a chuckle herself. Plucking his pastry, eyeing Del Rio as she bit down. She swipes a bit of hair from her face before standing up.
^"Fine brother, I won't argue with you. Just make sure they know who's boss."
^"Yes, yes. They'll burn down buildings if that's a command. Better safe than sorry."
^"Always. Even though this night has been lovely, I must leave to catch my flight."
Carmen hugs Del Rio and summons the two bodyguards behind him. Once she's gone, a small boy runs over to whisper something to Del Rio, which he responds by handing the boy a few bills. The boy says thank you and runs off. Del Rio leaves a few more bills on the table before heading to a black convertible parked nearby.
A few miles out, Del Rio parks by an old factory. He walks in, going up the stairs and into an office. Inside sits a few of his hired goons, led by the head of security, Jose Savero. They've been torturing a man tied to a chair.
^"Hello boys, I got the message."
^"Evening boss, our friend here has something he wants to tell you." Said Savero.
Del Rio had his own local network. People passing the word around, taking calls to keep Del Rio off cell phones. The tortured man sat a bloodied mess. One eye completely shut. Del Rio lifts up his head, getting a good look at him.
^"Don't I know this cabron?" He asks Jose.
^"Yeah, that's Marco."
^"Holy shit, Marco? Beat this guy so bad I couldn't recognize him. What did he do?"
^"Skimming off the top. Dummy couldn't even hide his new found wealth. Guy was throwing money around like a lottery winner. Knowing damn well he doesn't make that much."
^"Why you do this Marco? You not satisfied with what I give you? Huh?"
Marco tries to talk, but only manages to blurt out nonsense. Del Rio grabs a hammer from off a table and gives a stiff whack to Marco's head. The blow kills him instantly. Del Rio breathes deeply as he drops the hammer.
^"So hard to find good help. Bunch of fucking idiots. Jose, I need a favor."
^"Anything you need boss."
^"My sister is going to Italy for a little fashion show. Can't help but think those fucking government pigs are watching my every step. I need a little bit of extra security to keep a distant eye on her. Get me the Red Hood. Let him know, money is not an issue."