Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC, everything else goes back to Vince's idea.
Enjoy~
The ride from the hotel wasn't quite far away. Possibly about twenty minutes distance. But the traffic...phew, was way over the head. Lou admittedly regretted having to stop-by for some Chinese take-away located on the other end of the block, causing her to make a detour. At the last minute, Lita was craving some noodles and then the next thing she knew many people wanted some dumplings and rolls. And now still stuck on the car, Lou also began taking bites of her own pork buns.
Just as she finished her drink, her cellphone rang. Casually she turn the radio down and picked her phone up. "Hullo?"
"Where are you?! The briefing is about to start. We need to get prepared for the segment and stuff. Where are you?"
"I am driving. The traffic here is messed up."
"Oh please, there's only one route and I arrived just fine. You know you should have come earlier. You should've been here since half an hour ago."
"Blame Amy for making me take a stop for food. Besides, I already told you I'm going to be late. Stop calling me every now and then."
"Fine," the caller, Lisa let out a sigh of defeat. "How far you think are you?"
"Uh, twenty minutes, more or less."
"Okay. Drive safe, but hurry up."
"Yes, Ma'am."
So, after few weeks of creating an angle, the writers had finally came up with something to heat the tension between Lou Smith and Ivory. To begin with, Smith would finally interfered on an already-going feud between Ivory and Right to Censor stables and The Kat. Tonight on the show, The Kat would appeared in the ring, giving speeches and stuff, before Ivory and Steven Richards interrupted her, and later began harassing. Lou Smith was known to the universe as this laid-back but unpredictable young woman who just liked to mind everyone's business. So, it was a must that Lou Smith would come to the rescue and began a promo for the title match; that was basically what would happen later on the evening.
But just now, Lou Smith happened to still stuck in the traffic zone.
Good riddance, the traffic soon loosened up and Lou actually made it, just in time before Lisa made another phone call. Lou immediately went to the building, went to the Women's locker room, got changed, gave the food to Lita, and came straight to the scene.
The arena was already set, with all the lights, stages, audience seats, and of course the make-shift ring in the middle of all of that. Since it was early, the arena was still empty; apart from some ring-crews and a couple of wrestlers booked for tonight were seen hanging out talking about their match. Lisa could also be seen talking among them, before she finally noticed a black-haired woman came rushing down the ramp. Wasting no time, Lisa stormed off to get her.
"Louisa Smith!"
"Yeah, sorry. I know, I'm sorry. I won't be late again. I promise," Lou cut Lisa off almost too soon, resulting a grunt respond. "Anyway, what's the briefing drill?"
Lisa shook her head and handed a piece of paper to her. "Nothing much, just like usual. We play the fourth card." She explained briefly, before letting Lou read further about the information.
"Oh cool. So, how would we play?" Lou looked around for a little bit. "Where's the Kitty Kat?"
Lisa simply pointed out to The Kat, or kitty, as Lou would like to call her, who was talking to Jerry Lawler somewhere in the middle of the audience seat. Lou merely shrugged. "And how about our stuff? Do I have something to work on with you?"
"I guess, get ready to talk shit about me in the ring."
"Oh, you bet! I could start now," Lou lightly jabbed her finger to Lisa's shoulder.
"Stop it!" Lisa grunted and aggressively shoved her away, making Lou laughed. Lisa couldn't help but shook her head. "Anyway, how's Chyna doing? Have you heard?"
"Actually I have. I called her the other day to catch up on things. She told me she would go through some surgery soon. I dunno' when exactly but it would be this month."
"Gosh. I feel so bad now. I hope she's okay," Lisa sighed and sat down on the steel steps.
"Oh of course she is. She will be fine," Lou reassured, sitting down on the apron, giving a calming squeeze on her shoulder. "And don't blame it on you. It was an accident that none of you didn't expect. It is what it is."
Lisa nodded and respectively sighed, much more relief came out with it. The two decided to watch some guys in the ring, appeared to be rehearsing some match. When The Kat came, the trio, along with additional Steven decided to talk through what they were going to do in the ring.
…
Sooner than later, it was evening.
And that evening the arena was already filled with so many diverse people under the same roof, and with the same purpose of the night; to watch people getting beat up.
The match before her had finally came to an end. That meant, Lou would be up next. From one of the entrance, Lou could be seen chilling by the curtain, waiting for her in-ring segment. Since she didn't need to gear up for a heavy physical, she decided to stay casual, with a tuck-in merch t-shirt, blue jeans, and chucks, complimented with an olive flannel shirt over. She even styled her hair into a messy bun, with several flyaway framing her face.
When her song blasted off the speakers, echoing throughout the whole place, she felt nothing but an adrenaline rush and an eagerness to step out and into the other side of the fame. The rhythm of the song, the flash of camera lights, followed by cheers from the crowds was enough to drive her crazy, in a good way. In no time, Lou Smith grabbed her always around lead pipe—fan's favorite—and on cue, she ran straight through the curtain an out to the world.
[Lou's Theme song: Blue Stahli – Anti You (instrumental)]
Just before Ivory could perform The Poison Ivory on The Kat, she was interrupted when a song blasted through the speakers, a perfect harmony with the pops of the crowds, who wanted nothing more than to have someone kick Ivory and Steven's asses. The pair of idiots were baffled and nervously prepared for anything that came down the ramp, as they also knew that Lou Smith would just come with something on her sleeves.
"Leave, Kat, Leave! Oh man! Just in time before Kat's pretty face getting crushed down to the mat. Finally! Someone stop them!"
"Yes King, but where is Lou Smith already? We are still waiting. She isn't here yet. Could she really stop all this madness?"
"Oh I'm sure hope so! I mean, a nice girl-on-girl brawl in the ring would be fine—"
"King, look! Look! She's here! SHE IS HERE!"
Unknown to the sorry-asses in the ring, Lou Smith came from the crowd and sneaked an attack to Steven from behind, with a long pipe; swinging it all around Steven's body. It was huge and relentless action, and the fans loved it every seconds. They loved it even more when all of the sudden, Steven was already scattered by the ring side, leaving Ivory alone with the Lunatic Lou.
"Aw man, it doesn't look good for Ivory. Ivory is trapped, JR!"
"Ivory has nowhere to go. I'm so certain that if Ivory makes any move, Pickles will definitely move with her—oh look out!"
As a survival attempt, Ivory went for a weak and desperate clothesline towards Lou Smith, which predictably failed. Lou Smith easily duck and bounced off the ropes, before delivering a powerful and confident big boot to the chest, knocking Ivory to the ground. Lou Smith just stood there, putting her usual sadistic smile and looked around the crowd, as they cheered her more, begging for more action.
"Yes JR! Girl fight in progress."
"I don't think this is what you meant by girl fight. Not with a lead pipe, King!"
"It's Pickles, JR. Say it! Pickles! And I think they deserve it, for treating Kat like that."
Oh boy, look at how Lou Smith staring back and forth between the Pickles the Pipe and Ivory. She is on to something bad, King."
JR was right. Lou Smith took a giant swing, targeting Ivory's now fragile body, before the staggering Steven slid through the bottom and dragged Ivory out of Lou's reach, and pulling her out of the ring.
"My dear, Ivory. I am really sorry that I have to interrupt your fun, over here," Lou Smith said through the microphone, her eyes gazed shortly to Kat, who was standing in horrid by the announcer table, before bore into the pair, twinkled in satisfaction. "I just can't help but to see that … well, Pickles here whispered to me and said that I was invited. Was I invited, Ivory?"
"You—"
"Anyway!" Lou went on, even before Ivory could reply. "Also, Pickles mentioned something else. He came up with an idea, and truthfully I like that idea. Do you know what the idea is?" Lou paused. "Let see how I say it… well, basically what I'd like to say is; I want your ass beat."
A cheer erupted right after she said so; it seems that the fans wanted the same thing.
"I want to beat your ass—quite frankly, because you're a piece of crap and a piece of crap doesn't deserve to be a champion," Lou added and the fans agreed once more. "So, before you and your Stevie there go back home to your crib and weep all over, lemme just say one thing; I will make you weep even more when I beat you down, and that gold you are proud of will be mine."
"I can't believe it, JR! Lou Smith wants the gold. She wants the big gold! Or Pickles? It was his idea."
"A rather direct method to challenge the champion for the championship. I wonder what Ivory has to say about that! Will she bulge?"
Ivory stared deep in to Lou's eyes, and finally she had to respond.
"Oh, Lou, Lou, Lou. You think with your threatening words and strong actions makes you a champion, huh? Just because you play with a pipe doesn't mean you can beat me," she sneered. "But! Lou, I admire your stupid wit, so, okay, yeah go ahead and try to beat me for the championship—but ONLY— if Kat accepts my challenge for a match next week."
Gasps and confuses looks spread all around the arena and all eyes turns to Kat who obviously didn't expect anything at all. And by the look of Lou's face, she also didn't expect the turn. She went to the other side of the ring, to see where Kat was in, staring at her dead in the soul.
"You like games, don't you Lou? Well then, I give you one," Ivory beamed. "IF next week, Kat wins the match against me, then I will accept your challenge and put my gold on the line for you to try and reach it. If not, then, you might as well go home and weep yourself."
"Oh Ivory, how very thoughtful of you to entertain me," Lou let out a short chuckles, before added. "That can only mean one thing, you know. That you have no guts whatsoever to even face me. You rather spend your miserable life clinging on this beautiful young nudist, who's just a nudist—no offense, Kat," Lou looked at Kat briefly and shrugged, before turned back to the snarling woman on the ramp. "—maybe you are that low on your opponent type, Ivory."
"You are worried, Smith, aren't you? When you stick your fat ego into my business, MY BUSINESS, then I have the power to do anything I want with you," Ivory cut her off. "Maybe if Kat worries you so much you might just want to talk your bestie and actually prepared her for a real deal in the ring."
Lou briefly turned around to see Kat again, now pointing her pipe to her, and then back to the enemy down the ramp. "Interesting thing to say. You should know—"
"YES! I said yes! I accept the challenge!" Lou's was shortly cut off by the quite woman at the corner of the ringside, who had found her own voice. With a mic on her hand, Kat walked up back into the ring and stood next to Lou, ignoring the look she got from her. "Ivory, I will fight you next week. And I will win; so that my bestie, here, will be happy to beat your ass!"
The crowd cheers louder; they agreed for how many times that night, supporting the new friends in the middle of the ring. As a sign of relief, Lou suddenly gave Kat Pickles, and Kat immediately pointed it to the direction of the two unfortunate people gawking like idiots. The look on Ivory and Steven's face were priceless, since this was something they least expecting. Their plan wasn't working. And by the look of Lou's face, she had already planning something on her head.
Steve Austin sat down quietly at the corner of the locker room, putting off his ring gear and loosened up the knee braces. By his side was The Rock, merely doing the same thing. The two people were just finished for the night. Their main event match they were in, along with Triple H and Kurt, went amazingly well.
It still amazed him so much that a lot of people were still chanting his name, cheering his coming; reacting to anything he did in the ring; fighting, cursing, drinking—even when he did nothing in the ring.
Hence, Austin was packing now up, getting ready to go back to the hotel.
"Hey Steve, are you up for the bar tonight?" Rocky asked.
"Sure thing. But lemme' get to the room first—" Steve paused. "Oh hell."
"What?"
Steve froze on spot, but his eyes were wondering over his belongings on the table. When he found out the problem, his face dropped. "I can't find my necklace."
"Your what?"
"My fuckin' chain necklace. I forgot where I put it," Groaning, Steve began rummaging his bags, taking his stuff out, messing it up all over again. "Dammit, where did I put it?"
"A what?"
"Stop it. Y'know damn well my necklace is. Help me find it."
Rock watched in amused, watching the infamous rattlesnake was overly panicked over a simple thing. He could only sneered. "I don't know. Did you wear it during the match?"
"I don't think so. I remember gettin' ready and—" Steve stopped, as if a brick hit his mouth. "Actually I did wear it before the match, I think so. God dang it!"
"Geez, Steve, you're slowly losing your mind. Your memory could end up like your hair."
"Shut your mouth," Steve grunted and headed to the door. "I'mma look for it. Don't wait for me."
"Actually Steve, I was wondering if I could catch a ride with you. Rikishi went out early so I bailed on him," Rock suddenly told him. "Could I?"
"Fine. Then sit your ass down."
The first place Steve looked for was the catering, which didn't have much left. There were some people left eating here and there, but mostly were crew members, getting ready for the night shift. Unfortunately, the necklace wasn't anywhere near the catering.
Next he went to the promo room, where he had a short interview segment going on. But, no.
He headed straight to the gym, where he worked out just hours before his match. But, again no.
The wardrobe room was one place he was sure of, but still, no.
He then tried the Gorilla position, where he waited up just seconds before entering the arena. But, nuh uh.
Almost giving up, Steve tried the medical treatment room.
"Hi doc—oh hey, do ya' know where doc is?" Steve asked.
"She went out to grab something. I am waiting for her too," Lou who was laying down on one of the bed, attempted a lazy shrugged. "Oh and uh, I also know where your necklace is."
"Oh."
Lou couldn't help but let out a laugh after seeing Steve Austin's shocked and confused look plastered on his face. "Not to be rude, but I could easily read your face like a book."
"My necklace? How you know?"
"Gold chain, right? You actually gave it to a staff before your match; he told me so. I guess you forgot to take it back. And he didn't know where to find you. He talked to me and asked for my help," Lou then pointed a finger to a shelf nearby. "Side pocket of the red duffle bag. If you don't mind, though. I can't get up."
"Oh yeah, not at all," Steve nodded and went for the necklace. "What's wrong with ya'?"
"Kind of rolled my ankle."
"During your match?" Steve asked. "No, you didn't have any matched, did you?"
"Yeah, no. Actually it was something else stupid," Lou added. "Which is why I didn't come for you earlier, sorry about that."
"No, it's fine. At least it's not lost," Steve just nodded and took out what appeared to be a folded handkerchief, which had a thin necklace inside it. His necklace to be precise. He grabbed it and immediately wore it, already feeling relieved. "Man, I hope you're good. Thanks so much, Lou."
"No biggie. You seem very much attached to it, huh?"
"Yeah, kind of. I am quite attached. It means sumwhat good to me," Steve smirked slightly, fiddling his finger on it. "Anyway I better go now. Thanks again Lou."
"You're welcome."
Steve nodded to her once again and headed back to the door, until he realized what a gentleman he was, leaving a young woman alone on her own, with a swollen ankle; he just noticed. "Hey, are you gon' be here all by yourself? You'll be okay?"
"Y-yeah, I'll be fine."
"Do you need help with your stuff, over there?"
Lou glanced at all of her belongings, before finally shook her head. "I'll managed—"
"Oh Mr. Austin, what are you doing here?" from the door, the medical doctor came in with an ankle brace and a pack of bandages on her hands. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, doc, I'm fine. Just dropping by," Steve reassured her. "What're those for?"
"This girl is too clumsy to do anything and ended up injured herself," the doc glared at the young woman on the bed, who rolled her eyes. "Oh stop it, Lou. Don't bluff."
"I am not bluffing for anything. I am fine," Lou crossed her arm defensively. "I can walk on my own."
"Please, you came limping just a second ago."
Steve found the ignorance act was rather entertaining. He decided to tag along. "What exactly happened to you, Smith?"
"I rolled—"
"She decided that it would be a great idea to jump over some tables for fun. And now she cracked her ankle," the doctor told him as she began wrapping the bandage on Lou's foot. "Uh, Mr. Austin, would you be so kind to help this poor lady out?"
"Hold up, no need to—"
"Don't deny your body, Lou," Steve lightly chuckled and sat back down by the vacant bed next to her. "You need to be careful, kid."
"I second to whatever Mr. Austin here suggesting," the doctor agreed, but then turned her attention to the man. "The same goes for you too, Austin."
"Me?"
The doctor didn't say anything else. Instead she pointed a finger and tapped the side of her neck. "You too, Austin. I watched your match tonight; really risky for your neck. So the same goes for you, Steve."
Steve just sighed and gave a heavy shrug, something that Lou found very entertaining. When he glanced at her, she couldn't help but to laugh as well.
After getting a good wrap of bandages and a good grip on her ankle brace, Lou bid her goodbye and went out of the room, with the helping hands of Steve Austin.
"Where are we going now, Lou?"
"You know, Steve, you don't have to do it."
"Eh-eh, wrong answer, lil missy!" Lou couldn't help but to raise an eyebrow at the sudden Stone Cold thing he said, which Steve just shrugged her off. He repeated. "So, I asked again, where are we goin' now?"
"Hmm… I wanna go back to the locker room, if you don't mind. I need to grab few more stuff before heading out."
"Sure thing. I am heading the same way, anyway," he told her, already taking her duffle bag with him. "How exactly did you get injured, Smith? Doc said sumthin' 'bout jumping around the tables and shit."
"Ah, yes. I was at the catering area and Jeff Hardy, being the boy that he is, was sort of going around, doing stunt and stuff across tables. I tried and, well, didn't do so well," Lou suddenly smiled, remembering the jump she failed to land. "What a stupid thing I did."
"Whatever this jumping thing you are into, you should be careful."
"Yes, Sir!" she just snickered and shook her head. And then she turned her attention to the man again. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"I am not the only one who needs to be careful. Tell me, how's your neck doing?"
"My neck?" instinctively Steve raised his free hand to slowly massage the nape of his neck. "My neck is considered fine."
"Y'know, Summerslam. I was just backstage when it happened. I was watching, didn't know what was going on, until I saw you being taken away with a stretcher. Already, people mentioned about you went paralyzed. Yikes!"
"Oh, I know. You have no idea how that felt like, miss."
"I sure never hope to feel that. But Steve, is it painful still? Like nowadays?"
"Mm, guess not. Although sometimes I feel my neck goes stiff cause of the cold," he told her. "My surgery went well and I recovered from it. Took me almost a year before finally able to go back into the ring. I mean, I have this bone thing and metal plates now supportin' my neck. So I guess I'll be fine."
"Geez, man! That's rough." Lou cringed her face as an immediate sense of goose-bumps crawled all over her neck, which Steve just smirked at. He had seen those reactions numerous of time.
"Anyway lil missy, who are you riding with?"
"What's up with this lil missy thing?"
"Are you going back to the hotel with someone?" Ignoring her complaint, he asked again.
"Weeeell…," Lou actually paused for few seconds before nodding. "Yeah, I'll find someone."
"Find someone? Who were you with this mornin'?"
"Well, hmm…"
"Whaddaya mean 'hmm'?"
"I am not finished, Steve," she grunted. "Hmm… I was with Lita."
"Wrong answer, missy, I know you were not with Lita," Steve sneered quietly when remembered that Lita arrived to the arena at the same time as he did, with the Hardys and no Smith were seen with her. "You're not gonna drive on your own, are ya?"
"Eh, well, I'll manage."
"You'll manage? How are you s'pposed to drive with that shit on your foot?" Steve remarked, scanning down on her braced ankle. Before she could say anything, he spoke again. "You know what, lemme drive ya—"
"No-no-no-no. I'll be fine. I'll manage something."
"Yea, That sumthin' would be me. Now stop talkin' and get your stuff packed. After that we'll fetch my bags and we're good ta' go." Steve insisted and honestly Lou couldn't deny anything more.
He shook his head and chuckled slightly when Lou frowned and childishly grunt a face on him, before disappeared into the female locker room. To be honest, she felt defeated and spoiled. But this was the rattlesnake she was talking about. No point of arguing.
Besides, she felt rather relieved that she had a designated driver for the whole ride to the hotel.