Chapter 10
A/N: Italics depicts nightmares, memories and/or flashbacks to about 7 years in the past. Don't ask me why I spread it out throughout the day OF the night she had it. I just thought it would be more gripping that way rather than day, night, nightmare and hysteria.
Seven Years in the Past
"Please, Christopher! I want to do it."
"I don't know, Lex. It's going to be a big crowd and your first outdoor venue. I'm not sure I like the idea of not being there with you."
"It wouldn't be the first time, and Eddie will be there."
0-0-0-0-0-0
As luck would have it, Paul threw a wrench in the Cornells' plans of doing Soundgarden's show the day before Hell in a Cell. He excitedly informed Lex the next day that NXT landed the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th.
Lex was given the option of skipping the PPV in favor of cutting down on travel but she refused. She felt obligated to work Reigns' and Rollins' security detail, and she still wanted to speak to Lesnar.
Since the NXT roster would only be performing during the day while bands took to the stage at night, Paul offered to arrange Finn and Baron's matches early in the shows so that they could leave to fulfill her commitments but again, she refused, not wanting to rush her clients around and wear them out.
In the end, she had her brother move the show to the 23rd of December on Eddie's birthday. The theater was a smaller, more personal venue that both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden tended to love; it reminded them of where they came from. It would suit a birthday celebration better as well.
Chris jumped all over the idea.
The NXT roster would be free then and could attend without running all over California.
As the schedule stood now, they would stay at the festival all day on the 24th so that Tom and Lex could enjoy some music after he and Fergal were done for that day. The three would leave together for LA Sunday afternoon when her clients were free; taking the jet to get to the PPV with plenty of time to spare.
She already had a reliable crew set to start as security that weekend for the NXT roster, and two of her best assigned exclusively to Paul. She felt comfortable leaving them in their care but Chris couldn't help but feel a chill run through him when he learned it was taking place at an outdoor venue.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Chris stayed for a while to spend time with his sister before flying home. He missed his wife and children, wanting to be with them until he had to pack up, return to the States, meet with the band and prepare for the show in Los Angeles in December.
Shaun was left with a warning from the elder Cornell to go easy on Tom and not confront the man about his nighttime visits to his sister.
The three resident males were made aware of his first foray of sneaking into the house when they woke up for breakfast and found him sitting at the kitchen table shirtless in a pair of basketball shorts. The three exchanged a look while Lex's suitor browsed the morning paper while drinking coffee and shoveling a huge plate of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and sausages in his mouth.
He didn't bother to hide his entry into the house or presence in her bedroom every night since.
Dan thought it was cute.
Chris was cautious.
Shaun didn't like it all and was fixing to lose his temper until her brother put the brakes on his plans.
"Putting aside he's the first man I've seen her take interest in, in a very long time, she's been having nightmares again and; to avoid them, she's not sleeping. He keeps them at bay, Shaun." He cut off the South African's argument. "I can't explain it but just being there with her keeps them somewhat under control. And if they hit, he comforts her enough to lull her back to sleep. Unless you see him treating her badly then I suggest you leave him alone. You and I know above anyone else how bad she gets when she remembers what happened. Are we clear?"
"Yeah, man, I'll give him a chance." Shaun grumbled; rolling his eyes when Chris grasped his hand, pulled him in and gave him a pat on the back before boarding his plane.
0-0-0-0-0-0
The day was overcast; yesterday's rain still scented the air. The grass in the field was damp; mud already appearing in some spots. As the day wore on, the entire place would be a muddy pit from thousands of feet shuffling through.
Crew was out in droves, assembling the stage and barricades. Vendors were setting up their merchandise stands. Medics were preparing the first aid tents. She stood among a group of strangers; the security team, going over safety, placement and strategies for worse case scenarios.
She was overseas; thousands of miles from her brother, her crew. Yeah, she had Eddie and the others but it wasn't the same.
It didn't feel right.
0-0-0-0-0-0
October 19th, 2015
"So what do you think about the gimmick we've been working on?" Lex glided towards Tom in the pool; letting the big man keep her above water by grasping his shoulders. "Like I said, a perfect stripper pole." She grinned; eyes widening when his hands ran from her hips to her thighs and hiked them up to wrap around his waist.
"I'm confident that I can pull it off." He placed one big hand between her shoulder blades, holding her to his chest; the other wound in her hair on the back of her head, and pulled her lips to meet his. "You taste sweet." He breathed into her mouth; his lust-filled, dark brown eyes darting between her heavy-lidded blues. "A man could get quite addicted to that taste."
He didn't give her a chance to reply before taking her mouth with a probing kiss. Her tongue darted across his lips, briefly swiping the tip of his tongue, and he took that as an invitation. It was the first time he French-kissed her and he couldn't get enough.
"Tell me he isn't blinded by bold, outspoken Lex." Shaun sighed; leaning his forehead against the French door leading out to the backyard.
"I think he's genuinely falling for the vibrant woman that she is…both of them." Sami replied; glancing at Tom kissing the breath out of Lex while dipping them down in the water. "He knows something is wrong with her. I just don't think he cares. I mean he cares about her, that she might have some issues but won't let that stop him from falling for her. He cares enough that he asked Chris why she's sad. I don't think he answered him though." He shrugged, looking at her roommate when he sat across from him at the kitchen table.
"What makes you think he didn't tell him?"
"Because he not only looks at her with admiration, he studies her moods and that quirky behavior she ended up with." Sami turned his attention out the window to his friends. "I think he knows how she acts at times isn't normal even for her."
"But she was like that when they met. How would he know it isn't normal?"
"I think most of it is just a feeling he gets but I also think it has something to do with the fact that Paul lets her get away with it." Sami leaned back in his chair, taking a drink of his beer before he met Shaun's inquisitive gaze. "Lex is invaluable to the company but not irreplaceable. Paul is one of the three big dogs. No one makes demands of him like she does. He lets her get away with most of it because he adores her but reins her in when she gets out of control. I think Tom realizes that because he's quiet and watches closely unlike a lot of people we work with. He's like Jon in that aspect. He figured it out on his own and I bet Tom will too, if she doesn't tell him first."
"I can see that." Shaun nodded after contemplating his words before lifting his dark eyes to the man across from him. "I also think your boss lets her go too far for his fucking benefit. That shit I saw in the ring during my first visit was over the top. Her mouth isn't the only thing that changed about her after the incident. She pushes her self too hard and we are all well aware that she's isn't invulnerable."
"I admit I get hyped to see her work, man, but yeah, you're right. I don't think Paul should let her do shit after one of her workouts. If I see it happening too often, I'll say something to him. It isn't what she was hired for, after all." Sami nodded; looking back out the window when Lex squealed.
Tom had picked her up and German Suplexed her back into the water. Lex emerged in front of him, splashing him before giving him some instructions. Shaun shot to his feet when the big man disappeared below the water and rose up with her legs draped over his shoulders and down his back.
"Why is his face all up in her pussy like that?"
"That is a powerbomb, man. Chill the fuck out." Sami laughed; pointing at them when Tom slammed her down into the water again. "You're so protective over her."
"Yeah, I am." Shaun sat back down; focusing on his beer can for a moment. "I knew her for like a hot minute before it happened but I could see the difference when she came back. I know she's told people that it happened; not many but she told some, but she's never talked about it, you know?"
"I can't imagine living with that and not getting what you feel about it off your chest. I think Jon was the closest she could have gotten to actually telling one of us about it but he wouldn't pressure her." Sami shook off his melancholy and forced a smile when he watched the two of them play wrestle. "He's her best bet."
"Hey, bitches, I'm finally here!" The two men turned their attention when the front door slammed and the sound of luggage hit the floor. "Where the fuck is everyone?"
"In the kitchen." Shaun called out with a smile.
"I've never been here before, dick. Like I'd know where the goddamn kitchen is. Hey!" Corey Taylor followed his voice and appeared with a bright grin. "Hey bro!" He hugged Shaun and held out a hand to Sami about to introduce himself.
"I know who you are, man. I'm Sami Johnston; a friend of Lex's from the wrestling side of her world." He shook his hand and noticed the scowl cross the Slipknot member's face.
"Why does Baron Corbin have his face in Lex's pussy? Oh, a powerbomb." He nodded in understanding before cocking his head. "Someone better keep an eye on that shit though." He pulled his t-shirt over his head, tossed it on the back of one of the chairs and headed towards the door.
"Fucking hell." Shaun dropped his head down on to his crossed arms on the table.
Sami just laughed at these ridiculous rockstars and Corey opened the back door and stepped out.
"Heads up, wench!" He yelled before cannonballing into the pool. "How are you doing, sweetheart?" He asked when he emerged, giving her a hug.
"I'm doing good, Cor. It's about time you got here. Our mother hen was beginning to worry." She nodded her head towards Shaun with a smile.
"Ah, he's gonna get old before his time." He rolled his eyes when their friend flipped him off through the window.
"Corey Taylor, this is Baron Corbin; real name Tom Pestock. Tom, this is Corey."
"Of Slipknot, I know." Baron held out his hand and Corey took it. "I'm a big fan. It's great to meet you."
"I'm a big fan of the E too, and I've seen some of your matches. I can't wait to see you hit the main roster, man."
"Do you two want me to leave you alone?" Lex darted her eyes between them; a smirk firmly in place. "You seem to have this bromance thing going on. I feel like I'm intruding."
"Oh shut up!" Corey splashed her in the face. "So I hear we're doing a show together." He turned his attention back to Baron who nodded enthusiastically.
"I can't wait actually!"
"Are you working their security?" Corey asked Lex with an arched brow.
"I'm working theirs only but those of you that have my crew are covered as always." She dipped her head back, re-wetting her hair and grew quiet for a moment before darting her eyes back to Corey with a mischievous grin. "I have an idea that you can help me with."
"Color me intrigued and paint me a pretty picture."
0-0-0-0-0-0
The day progressed miserably just as she predicted. She was drenched, muddy and ignored when she voiced her opinions on how to handle the massive crowd.
They came in droves despite the bad weather and crappy conditions of the outdoor venue. Rock fans didn't care about things like that. She should know since she had attended many festivals under the same conditions as a spectator.
She had been assigned to stand at the barricade in front of the stage. From her vantage point, all she could see was a sea of bodies in motion. Thousands of people filled that field of mud; all of them dancing, singing and pushing forward.
Everything was manageable until they hit the stage.
By the opening of their set, the crowd moved forward in excitement and she felt a sense of trepidation that she had never felt from a gig before. At the onset of the third song, the crowd swept over them like a crashing wave.
She remembers looking up; trying to keep her bearings by keeping sight of the overhead sky. Pain shot through her body from stomping feet, elbows and knees of the fallen, and the weight of those that either lay on her or walked over her.
Panic finally settled in from the pressure on her lungs and the total lack of gray sky above her. The weight on her chest was never ending. The ability to take a breath was stolen from her. The pain was fading to numbness now.
The last thing she registered was Eddie screaming her name but it sounded so far away and then everything faded to black.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Lex! Wake up!"
Baron woke with her whimpers; employing his usual tactics of holding her and stroking her back to settle her down. But it wasn't working this time. Lex went from whimpers to a choking sound; her mouth open and struggling to draw breath.
"Come on, baby! Wake up for me!" He slipped an arm under her back; his other hand palming the back of her head. "I'm right here, baby. I've got you but you need to wake up from this one. Lex!"
"Man, what's going on?" Corey ran in, standing at the side of the bed and watched the large wrestler lose his mind with worry.
"It started as a usual nightmare but it got worse. It's like she's stuck in the damn thing." Baron explained quickly while shaking her whole body to shock her awake.
"Lay her down, Tom." Shaun bolted into the room, kneeling beside Lex before he darted his eyes up to his. "You're going to have to trust me that this works and not beat my ass." He returned his gaze to his gasping best friend, pulled his arm back and slapped her hard across the face.
Lex's eyes snapped open and she sat upright; taking a deep inhale of breath, coughed several times and practically began to pant air in and out of her lungs.
"Hey!" Shaun took her face between his palms and forced her panicked eyes to his. "You're with us! You're right here. Okay?"
Her head jerked in tiny movements and her body began to shake but he caught the slight nod she managed to pull off.
"That's my girl." Shaun brushed her hair back while giving her a soft smile. "Tom, hold her for me. Let her get comfortable but keep her upright so that she can wash down a pill. Corey, go get a bottle of water from the fridge. I'll be right back." He handed her over to Tom when he settled behind her with his back to the headboard, leaning her back against his chest between his legs.
"It's okay, baby." Tom whispered in her ear; one arm across her upper torso, the other wrapped around her midsection, gently rocking her back and forth. "Try to slow your breathing. In through your nose, out through your mouth; nice and slow, munchkin."
Corey came back in, twisting the cap off a bottle of water just as Shaun emerged from the master bathroom, shaking a pill out of a prescription bottle and sat back down beside them.
"Open your mouth, love." Shaun waited until she parted her lips and placed the pill on her tongue; grabbing the water from Corey and held it to her mouth. "Wash it down and wait for it to kick in. There we go." He nodded when she swallowed it and placed the bottle on the nightstand.
"What was that?" Tom asked while he kept rocking the shaking, unresponsive woman.
"Ativan. Normally, she takes Xanax everyday, four times a day to control this panic disorder but when it gets bad like this, only Ativan can bring her back down before she hyperventilates and passes out." Shaun sighed softly, looking sadly at his best friend who sightlessly stared forward and trembled in the big man's arms. "It'll kick in pretty quick and she'll fall asleep." He used his thumb to dry the tear tracks on her cheeks and cocked his head when her eyes began to flutter. "It's taking effect now. Keep doing what you're doing and she'll be out shortly."
"Will she be okay?" Tom whispered; glancing at the South African with sadness and worry in his brown eyes.
"If you're as observant as I think you are then you know the answer to that question, Tom." Shaun gave him a grim smile. "When she wakes up, she'll be embarrassed about this, she won't mention it but she'll be the same Lex we know and love. Sleep now, love." He kissed her forehead before standing up. "Yell if you need anything. Night, man."
Baron silently watched Shaun lead Corey out of their room and pull the door shut before he settled a bit more comfortably in the bed with Lex still reclining against him.
"Slow, deep breaths, baby." He breathed out against the top of her head; hands stroking her sides and stomach in gentle, calming strokes.
"You'll still be here?" She mumbled sleepily; eyes drifting closed.
"I'm always here, munchkin."
