Elijah = The Pope D'Angelo Dinero

late May 2011

The sun was shining, the weather was sweet, yeah. It shone on haters and lovers alike. It was another beautiful Florida morning, and Bobby was smiling as he drove to the Impact Zone. All week long he'd been smiling. Smelly fan at a meet and greet? Greeted him with a smile. Slightly creepy fan that had come to every meet and greet to stare at Velvet's chest? Greeted him with a smile, too. Cranky security guard who was popping off to the mouth at the people standing in line? Greeted her with a smile and wished her a nice day.

He had another full week planned. Two days of tapings here at the Zone, another sponsor appearance, and then a weekend on the road. Five days with AJ. Five glorious days where he wouldn't worry about a thing. Every little thing was gonna be all right.

He turned into the lot, parked, grabbed his bags and strolled into the building. This last week had put a bounce in his step. Just to be with AJ, to finally be with him and not have to bite his tongue, or watch his body movements, or go to sleep at night frustrated and angry, was having a great effect on his personality. Even Tommy had remarked on it.

"Bobby, I have never seen you smiling so damn much in my life. Tell me your secrets, dude. You're dating somebody on the side, right? Fresh ass makes me smile like that, too."

"Uh, no. My kids made the all province lacrosse team," lied Bobby. He knew Crimson didn't know shit about lacrosse. "Both of them! I'm so proud! Catch me later, I'll show you some pics."

"Yeah, sure thing. You sure look like you're getting some new ass, though."

"I'm not," he replied. It was technically true; he and AJ had gone no farther than their mutual masturbation and frottage sessions. The other night he'd tried to go a little farther, but AJ had pushed his hand away and explained that he wasn't ready yet. He was fine with that, knowing patience would pay off down the line. Meanwhile, he gave Tommy an angry stare and wondered how he ever thought this tool was attractive. "One day you'll know for yourself."

"I'm in no rush."

Thank God.

He arrived at the locker room and started putting things away. Elijah was already there, and they greeted each other politely. A voice called to him; this time it wasn't a harried production assistant but Eric Bischoff himself. He looked pissed, and Bobby's grin evaporated.

"Bobby Roode. I need to see you in my office right now." Eric stalked out of the room and slammed the door behind him. Elijah raised his eyebrows. "What the hell got into him this morning? He's been stomping around and snapping since I got here. Watch yourself, Bobby."

"I will. See you in a few," Bobby said, getting up and grabbing a notepad just in case. He headed down the hallway to where Eric's door was standing open. Eric was seated at his desk, looking like he had turned things down to a steady simmer.

"Close the fucking door and sit down," he growled. Bobby, a little taken back, did as he was told.

"Bobby Roode. ROBERT Roode. The rising star of the company. One half of Beer Money. A total complete massive pain in my motherfucking ass. If I could, I swear, I would beat the shit out of you right now. I don't care if I would break my hand on your fucking face!"

"Excuse me? What the hell is the matter with you?"

"Do you remember, Robert Motherfucking Roode, me having you into this office in December to tell you why Reaction was cancelled? Do you remember that? Because I sure as hell fucking do. I remember that we sat right here exactly like we are sitting right now, except that I had just had one of the most awkward meetings of my life. I never wanted to repeat a meeting like that. I still don't. But you, fucking you, fucking Robert I Don't Remember Shit Roode, are back in my office again and we're going to have the same fucking conversation that we had six months ago. Let me refresh your poor as shit memory regarding the discussion we had."

"I remember what we talked about."

"NO, you clearly DO THE FUCK NOT, so I'm going to go over it again. I told you that the higher ups had complained to be about your conduct with AJ Styles. I reminded you that this is still an old fashioned industry with backwards attitudes. I told you that you are not to go near AJ Styles, to watch yourself around him, to act like he was just another guy. Is any of this ringing a bell?"

"Yes, Eric, it is."

"So why aren't you doing WHAT I ASKED YOU TO DO?" Eric yelled, his face blooming with redness and fury. "WHY DO I HAVE YOU IN MY FUCKING OFFICE AGAIN? Why am I getting a call that you spent an entire weekend on the road with AJ? That you two spent three straight nights sharing rooms together? Do you think people don't watch you and that you two can go against directives and do whatever you want? Did you think it wouldn't get back to me? Did you really think that? ANSWER ME!"

"No."

"So why did you do it?"

"I don't know. I wasn't thinking about any repercussions."

"Of course you weren't," Eric said, switching moods with a lightning suddenness, as if his anger was a boil that had popped and deflated. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I understand why you did it. I certainly never imagined a homophobic fucker like AJ would return your feelings. I thought he'd blow you off, if you'll excuse the phrase."

A faint tinge of blush reddened Bobby's cheeks, but he didn't say a word.

"But that doesn't excuse the facts. I am furious that you didn't do as I asked you. Haven't you wondered why you and James weren't on the potato chip bags? Why I don't fight for any endorsements for you? Why I don't send you on the Tweet and Greets anymore? It's because you're defying me. Right in my face. I don't like it when I tell a guy to do something that he needs to do and he doesn't do it."

Eric sat back in his chair and somberly stared at Bobby. Bobby stared back, not dropping his eyes but refusing to say anything.

Finally, Eric said, "I can't punish you right now. The booking committee has decided to run with you. We're going to be doing stories on your family and pushing you hard as the guy who's been in the business forever and is finally getting a shot. We're starting an angle tonight where you get injured. It'll be great. The hard working babyface gets his chance at the title. You have some powerful allies on the committee who really like you, so I'm kind of hamstrung in that respect with what I can do to you. So instead, I'm punishing AJ. I'm going to fuck with him for a while. And if he comes crying to you, you'll know why." He looked directly into Bobby's eyes as he said this, a small, mean grin on his lips.

Bobby's hands had formed into fists, but he kept silent. He thought about AJ, who had been there in TNA since Day 1, and how he was going to be miserable. He thought about having to stay away from AJ, and not be able to kiss him, or hold him close, or wake up with him nestling into his side. Then, he thought about his family, and his contract, and how screwed he would be if he did what he wanted to do and punched Bischoff right in his smarmy ass face. He forced himself to relax his hands. Eric's grin widened.

"Yeah. That's what I thought. Now, you listen to me. If both of you can toe the fucking line, I'll let up eventually. I'm not one for hurting people forever. I know people have to eat. I'm saying, frankly, you two have forced my hand and you don't have anyone but yourselves to blame."

And Bobby knew he was right. He felt like a heavy anvil had hit him in the stomach.

"So, I reiterate, you two stay away from each other. If I get any more reports of you two sharing a room or cuddling in a fucking IHOP or anything, and I mean ANY thing, I'm bringing down the fucking hammer. You may have contracts, but that doesn't mean I have to use you, or that even when I do you look good. I will make you two look like fools. I'll tie you up in paperwork so you can't get booked to pick numbers in a bingo hall in Alabama. Don't try me. If you do what I ask, you'll be the man around here in a few months and AJ will be fine, too. Got me?"

"I got you."

"Good. Now I know this sounds strange, Bobby, but for what it's worth, I'm not happy that I have to do this. I don't like having to discipline people so harshly. Don't make me do it again."

"Okay."

"Goodbye." Eric picked up the phone and started to dial. Bobby got up slowly, the pain in his stomach and heart slowing him down. He walked down the hallway, and instead of turning into the locker room, he walked further, following the twists and turns until he found a bathroom on the other side of the building. He went in the door, making sure there was no one in sight, and locked it behind him. The tears welled up in his eyes and spilled down. He lurched over to the sink and held it, shaking with the tears that were flooding down his face. He cried at the sink until he was unable to stand, and then he sank down and cried on the floor. His whole body shook.

After a few minutes of full force tortured sobbing, his tears tapered off to gentle sobs, and then down to nothing. He remained curled up on the floor, trying to get a handle on himself. Pull it together, he told himself over and over, pull it together. You can't let them see. You can't let anybody see. Pull it together. Slowly, he regained his composure and stood up to check himself over in the mirror. His eyes were red and swollen, and he ran cold water in the sink and submerged his face in it.

Ten minutes later he was back in the locker room. Elijah was there and his eyes widened when he saw Bobby. He started to ask what happened, but Bobby shook his head. His face was stern and set. He sat down and started to go over his sheets for the day. He'd have to talk to AJ, but he figured that was best done after the show.

Later, during a lull in taping, Bobby texted AJ that he needed to talk to him in the hotel parking lot at 10. AJ replied back that it was fine.

At 10 sharp, Bobby walked out to his car and got in. AJ arrived five minutes later and got in on the passenger side.

"So, what's going on that we couldn't talk in a room? I'm staying in a room by myself. Aren't you?"

"I don't think it's a good idea to be going in hotel rooms together for a while," said Bobby. "Bischoff talked to me today. Someone told him we roomed together this weekend. We have to stay away from each other for a while now. I don't know how long. And...he's not pushing you for a while."

"What? That asshole! What is he doing to you?"

"Nothing. He said he's already worked out the storylines for the next couple of months and people in high places want to push me."

"Well that's nice for you," said AJ, a touch of bitterness in his voice.

"I didn't ask for this."

"Doesn't make it hurt any less."

"I'm sorry."

"You're sorry. Yeah." They were quiet together. Bobby wished he was anywhere else. AJ said, almost inaudibly, "Maybe this is for the best."

"Why?" gasped Bobby. "I thought you were happy?"

"I was and I wasn't. Bobby, we're married. I'm a man of the Lord. I've always told you that. And even though I care about you very much, this isn't right. I'm cheating on my wife with you and that's something I'd never thought I would do. So, maybe it's for the best that we have to break up, because I can't look my wife in the eye right now. I wish things were different between us. Sometimes I wish we had never kissed, that I hadn't given into temptation and been with you. I know when I'm on the road I have you and what we have is - was - wonderful, but we have to go home too. When I was home it was eating me up inside. I need to live right, Bobby. I have to set an example every day. I can't do that if I'm lying with you."

Words froze in Bobby's throat. He couldn't breathe. He looked out the window and tried to force something to come out. Nothing came. Nothing at all.

"I'm so sorry, Bobby. I really am. I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want to hurt my wife either. I just started thinking about what would happen if my wife found out. What would happen to my kids? How could I do what I'm doing and still go to church-"

"Get out."

"What?"

"I SAID, GET OUT! GET OUT OF THE GOD DAMNED CAR!" Bobby screamed. He put his hands over his face. "Get out. Just go. Get out."

AJ put a hand on Bobby's arm, but Bobby shrugged it off angrily. He sighed and got out of the car. Bobby put the keys in the ignition and drove off. AJ watched him drive out of the lot and straight down the street, almost speeding. Then he turned and walked back to the hotel.