Chapt. 22

An hour later Claire and Sadie were sitting ringside. "So, Joe and the other two will come down through the crowd. Joe will come through here and the others will come out at other corners of the ring. They'll come through the crowd and then jump the barricade before hitting the ring. It's so cool because this is the first time that I have gotten to have a say in so much with a character. First time I've seen one of my ideas debuting live too. I'm beyond excited. You being here is the icing on my cake!"

Sadie was just excited to feel like her life was back to normal. No one knew the hell that had been her last relationship, the one that had her pack up and move from Florida, away from everyone she knew and loved, to a strange town and city and for what? A year and a half of abuse, mental and emotional, until finally he had gone into physical abuse. She knew that she could have confided in Claire long ago, but if she was honest, she was embarrassed to do that. Her best friend owned a place designed for women like her, and she was just too humiliated to tell the one person who could help her break free from what was going on in her life. It was over and done now though and Sadie had to keep that in the front of her mind. It was done and over and she wouldn't be going back to it, ever again.

The music hit and the show started and Sadie immediately was drawn in as she always had been at the shows when she would go in Florida. She saw so many familiar faces, pleased with who had been pulled up to the main roster. She realized that she had been missing this. There was no one else that she'd rather be sitting by, taking this all in with, than her friend either. It was like old times, times that she would love to get back to.

Claire felt her excitement boiling when she heard Nic's music hit. He was fighting for the United States title tonight and she was hoping that he would be walking out with it on his shoulder. She could have found out the outcome, but over the years she had become a fan of the industry that she was employed by and as a fan she always asked to be kept out of the know. She wanted to watch and be just as into it as the rest of the audience, clueless to the end of the match. Along with being clueless, she spent matches on the edge of her seat, worry a constant in her mind. She knew that these guys were professionals and that they knew what they were doing. She knew many who would say she was foolish to worry, that wrestling was fake. Maybe for those outside of the business it was, but she knew all too well how easily injuries could happen. It didn't help her that Nic was such a great seller either; you never knew if he was really and truly hurt, or if he was just selling the spot.

Nic was in the ring and he found her, smiling at her with a wink as he waited on his opponent, Jack Swagger, to make his way to the ring. It would take a few minutes Claire knew, Swagger liked to take his time for his entrance, talking trash and doing his "we the people" gimmick, she guess in hopes of intimidating to the man in the ring waiting. Claire knew that Nic wasn't intimidated at all even if he was giving up height and weight in this match. She sucked in a deep breath when Swagger circled the ring and stopped in front of her, snarling in her face.

"Your boy is going down tonight, mark my words on that one," he growled in her face.

Claire didn't mind so much when they would do that sort of thing. She had gotten accustomed to it and knew that it was all for show and that it boosted the crowd's reaction to the match. She stood tall and cheered her heart out for her friend as Swagger climbed into the ring. Finally the bell rang and the match started. Claire leaned over to Sadie and said, "He's so good in that ring. This is his night I feel it!"

"He's in love with you," Sadie said back.

Claire stared blankly at her friend and then she laughed. "You're crazy Sadie. Totally crazy." Claire turned back to the ring just as Nic was tossed out, his body bouncing off of the barrier right in front of her. She was on her feet leaning over to check on him.

"Are you okay," she whispered?

A slight nod said yes while he didn't break his character for the rest of the audience. He knew he had to calm her nerves though.

Claire watched as Swagger exited the ring and marched his way to where Nic lay, sucking in deep gulps of air. He grabbed Nic's hair and jerked him up. He got right in his face and shouted at him, then he pulled back and punched him hard in his face. Nic fell back to the ground and Swagger grabbed onto the barrier, using it for leverage as he repeatedly stomped Nic in the stomach and ribs. Claire winced at every kick. Before taking the match back into the ring, Swagger threw Nic into the steel steps hard, head first.

When Nic climbed back into the ring, Claire saw the red staining his blond curls, her hand covered her mouth, muffling a cry. She had never seen him busted open live before and she didn't like it one bit. Sadie reached out and took her hand, squeezing it for comfort.

"He's okay Claire," she whispered.

Claire just nodded and kept her eye on him. The match lasted another ten minutes. Nic landed a super kick, and then his signature finishers, both the zigzag and the famouser, before pinning his opponent right in the middle of the ring. Claire held her breath waiting on the larger man to kick out and when he didn't she leapt to her feet, clapping and yelling her heart out. Sadie was right beside of her doing the same thing. Claire was so happy for her friend, and the tears came easy out of that excitement.

Nic took his moment in the ring and the climbed out on the opposite side. He began his walk around the ring, high fiving fans and stopping here and there for a selfie. When he got to her he stopped and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly, letting her know that he was okay. The bleeding had stopped from his head and he seemed to be just fine, just as he said.

"I'll see you after the show, kiddo," he whispered before he let her go and continued his way to the back.

With Nic's match over and done, Claire settled into her seat and watched the rest of the show as a quiet observer, waiting on the debut of The Shield. She knew that tonight they would come on the scene unannounced, no music or anything. She and Sadie talked through most of the matches and caught up as best they could in an arena full of screaming fans until the last match started. It was John Cena and Randy Orton for the world heavyweight title. It was near the end of the match when Claire got antsy and the audience started to stir. She could see Colby and Jon and knew that would mean Joe was behind her, making his way down the stairs. There was a stirring in the crowd as they started to notice the three men who were coming toward the ring in full on tactical gear, looking as if they meant serious business.

Claire resisted the urge to turn and search for him, but she knew when he got near. She felt his hand at her elbow, his soft whisper as he leaned in as he passed, whispering hello beautiful into her ear. She had chills up and down her arms, her whole body on high alert at his presence.

She watched the three men, impressed with how in sync they were tonight. They hit the ring at the exact same time, stepped through the ropes at the same time and stood, intimidating with their presence. Randy and John stood in confusion, wondering who these guys were and then the three of them moved, all at once, and unleashed an attack on Cena and Orton, leaving the two veterans laying in heaps on the mat. They ended the show with the three in the middle of the ring, their fists extended, touching in a show of solidarity. The people in the arena were all in shocked awe, wondering out loud who were these guys and why had they just done what they had done. Claire stood, clapping and proud of the way that the three of them burst onto the scene and got everyone's attention.

As Claire and Sadie headed to the back, Sadie cleared her throat. "So uh, that other guy, the short haired one, he uh, well hell, he was damn good looking."

Claire smiled. "That's Jon, he's a doll. Kinda a sarcastic nut but he's sweet as can be. Single too." She raised an eyebrow at her friend and smiled.

"I only said he was cute, not that I needed a date."

"Well too bad because I thought we could all go out tonight to celebrate."

Sadie smiled and shook her head. "No match making woman, I mean it."

"Cross my heart," Claire said while making a cross motion over where her heart was.

When they hit the catering area, Claire was scooped up from behind. "You, little bit, you are wonderful and I owe you a million times over! Tonight was fucking awesome!"

"Hey, Jon how about ya put my girl down and let me get a hug at least before you assault her?"

"Fine, but make it quick," Jon laughed as he sat her down.

Joe wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "He's right, tonight was pretty fucking awesome. Thank you," he said softly, leaning down to kiss her lips fully and tenderly.

"Can someone grab a fire extinguisher for these two?" Sadie joked.

"Or just get em a room," Jon chimed in.

Claire laughed as Joe pulled back. "Oh, yeah, by the way, Sadie you've met Joe, this is Jon. Jon, my best friend from back in Tampa, Sadie."

"Well hello beautiful lady," Jon said as he took her hand and instead of shaking it, placed a soft kiss on the back of it. "It's my pleasure to meet you, promise." He winked at her and Claire could have sworn that her friend was blushing.

"So," Claire said, "I thought we could all go out tonight and celebrate."

"If by all that includes your friend here, I'm in," Jon said.

Joe nodded. "Sounds good, we just need to go grab quick showers."

"Okay, I need to find Nic anyway. Meet back here in twenty?"

The guys agreed and Claire and Sadie went to find Nic.