Disclaimer : I do not own Fortune .
Chapter 1 : Tin Man
When Autumn got home and put up the groceries , she found her dad pissed off with her .
" Autumn , get in here . " Her dad called to her .
" Yes sir . " Autumn gulped before heading into the living room of the house .
" I heard you were mouthing off today at Ronnie and his boys and that you were walking around with five grown men . Why ? " Her father growled .
" Ronnie and the boys were picking on me and I was showing those guys around town . " Autumn said honestly .
" No excuses , you are in big trouble . I didn ' t tell you , you could hang around grown men . " Her father said .
" I ' m eighteen . " Autumn said .
" Don ' t back talk me . " Her father said smacking her across the face . He stood up and took his belt off .
" Now , you listen to me . I don ' t want to catch you disobeying me again . Do you understand ? And you don ' t mouth off to Ronnie or his boys . " Her father spat at her .
" Yes sir , " Autumn said . But , she wasn ' t going to stop hanging around Fortune while they were in town .
But , the next moment her father was whipping her with his belt all over . When she was finally able to go to her room she looked at her body full of whelps . She then layed across her bed and cried . Her father had gone back to drinking and was passed out again . So , he didn ' t care if she was hurt or not .
Autumn looked over at her posters of Fortune . All of them had been so nice to her and treated her like she was human . But , everyone else in her hometown , including her own dad , treated her lower than the stinky trash . Autumn was particularly fond of Roode , but wasn ' t sure why . Autumn got up and took a bath , it stung with the whelps on her body . She was soon out and dressed when her father called her .
" Autumn , bring me two beers to my room . NOW ! " He shouted the last part . She did as he asked . Once again her father passed out , this time in his room , because of his drinking .
" One day , he is going to kill himself drinking . Then what will I do ? " Autumn asked herself . She looked at her window in her room . It was low to the ground where she could squeeze out .
So , quietly she got up and moved her bookshelf and TV against the door of her bedroom after locking the bedroom door . Her father was going to be pissed if he found out , but she didn ' t care . She pulled off her nightclothes and put on clothes for going out doors and pulled her shoes on . She then got her keys and purse and crawled out of the window into the night .
She drove her truck to a small park , got out and walked to the pond to watch the still , quiet water . She could hear crickets chirping and frogs croaking , she wished she was free from her home and troubled life . She had a broken heart and a broken home of not being wanted or needed . Autumn wished she could be like Fortune and wrestle for TNA , going all over the place where people loved them .
Hotel
In the hotel Fortune was settling down in their adjoining rooms . Daniels , Styles and Kaz was in one room , while Storm and Roode were in another . Right now they were all in Beer Money ' s room .
" Shit , those people wouldn ' t even give me CPR if I was dyin . " Storm cursed as he walked into his and Roode ' s room .
" What happened ? " Styles asked .
" I asked them where the gym was and they stared at me like I was stupid . " Storm shook his head .
" Autumn said they were anti - wrestling , so what did you expect ? " Kazarian asked the Cowboy .
" A little hospitality . " Storm said .
" I wonder what makes them so anti - wrestling ? " Daniels questioned .
" No clue , go ask them . " Kazarian said .
" Don ' t both mate , they will stare at you like idiots . " Storm warned his buddy .
" So , what is Bobby ' s opinion on the townspeople ? " Daniels looked at the Canadian .
Bobby didn ' t answer because his mind was somewhere else . He was thinking about Autumn and how lonely she was . He didn ' t like hearing how everyone treated her just because she was a wrestling fan . He didn ' t like hearing how her own father treated her like crap either . There was something special about the little red - head he had met today , but what . She was definitely beautiful and she had a heart unlike the other mindless zombies in town .
" Bobby , Bobby , James Storm pagin Bobby Roode to come back down to Earth and talk to his friends . Robert Roode , your banker just called and there was a major break in and the robbers cleaned your bank account out . Why do I sound like I ' m talkin to the wall ? Oh , no , I think the townspeople ' s craziness is affectin him , too . " Storm said .
" Huh , what ? I ' m sorry I didn ' t hear you guys . I was thinking about Autumn . I think , I ' m going outside for some fresh air . " Roode said standing up and picking up his key card . He left the room before anyone could say anything .
" Guys , I think Roode is side tracked . " Kaz said .
" I think my partner has a crush and her name is Autumn Wilder . " Storm looked at the door .
" Go Fish , " Styles said .
" I would if I wasn ' t tryin to figure out the people in this crazy , one - horse town , AJ . " Storm said .
" No , James , he means me . We are playing Go Fish , like in the card game . " Daniels informed his friend .
" Shit , I ' m going to sleep . Have fun guys . " Storm said laying back on his bed .
The Pond
After leaving the hotel , Roode was walking out by the pond in town when he saw Autumn sitting on a bench . He walked over to her surprised she was out so late .
" Autumn , " Roode spoke to her as he came to her .
" Huh , Bobby , what are you doing out late ? " She asked .
" I was going to ask you the same question . " Roode said .
" Seems that some of the townspeople can ' t keep there mouths shut as to where I have been , what I have said , and who I have been aroundand told my dad . He was pissed with me when I got back and then after he gave me his long , you live under my roof , speech . He told me to bring him more beer and passed out in his room . So , I snuck out to get away from him for awhile . I do this quite a bit , coming out here alone at night . The crickets and frogs don ' t yell at me or yell insults out at me , so , its more peaceful . " Autumn said .
" Yeah , I have seen what you mean by anti - wrestling town . Storm , was ranting back at the hotel about the guy at the desk not telling him where the gym is . Why is everyone the way they are around here ? " Roode asked .
" I don ' t really know , but if you guys are looking for a gym in this town . There isn ' t one , you have to go back to the bigger town . " Autumn said .
" Thanks for that info . So , why are you not like them ? " Roode asked .
" Because , I am not mindless or stupid . " Autumn said .
" Fair enough . " Roode smiled at her . He was trying to get her to smile because she had such a sad look on her face .
" What are you doing ? " Autumn asked grinning .
" That , " Roode chuckled . She was even prettier when she smiled .
" What ? " Autumn asked again confused .
" Trying to get you to smile . " Roode said .
" Didn ' t it work ? " Autumn asked .
" Yes , it did . " Roode said .
" Uh hu , you usually get what you want don ' t you ? " Autumn asked .
" It Pays To Be Roode . " Roode said .
" Yes , I know . " Autumn giggled .
" I got you to laugh . " Bobby smiled at her .
" Yes , you did . Normally , I am about ready to cry . I don ' t take being lonely very well . I always wish for someone to talk to and to love me for me . I never been loved by anyone , not even my dad . I just do what they tell me to like a puppet on a string being controlled by a puppeteer who doesn ' t care what happens to you . "
Autumn said .
Roode saw the sad look again of a broken heart . But , he knew that somewhere deep down there was beauty in this lady .
" You don ' t have to live like this . You could get away , I know you said you can ' t afford anything else , but you have a truck . Why not drive away from it all if you hate it ? " Roode questioned .
" I don ' t know where to go . " Autumn said .
" What do you what to do in life ? Where does your heart lead you ? " Roode asked .
" I haven ' t felt my heart in along time Bobby , so , I really don ' t know how to follow something I have no knowledge of . But , what I want in life ? I do have a thought , but there is no way my dad would allow me to do it . " Autumn said .
" What is it ? " Bobby pressed on .
" Don ' t laugh . " Autumn said .
" I won ' t laugh . " Roode said .
" I want to wrestle , but I can ' t afford the cost of wrestling school . " Autumn said .
" You want to wrestle . Wow , why didn ' t you say anything sooner ? I could find someone to train you . In fact I know someone who I can ask to train you . " Roode said .
" Who ? " Autumn asked Roode .
" Canadian Destroyer , Petey Williams and Coach Scott D ' Amore . " Roode answered .
" I don ' t know . I don ' t think I could just get away from my dad . " Autumn said .
" You want to wrestle ? " Roode asked her .
" Yes I do , " Autumn answered .
" Is that what your heart is telling you to do ? " Roode asked .
" I - I don ' t know Bobby . I already told you I haven ' t felt my heart in along time . I often feel like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz , my joints are all stiff and rusted up because of the constant rain and not being able to move them right . But , the place that is the most stiff and rusted is my heart that doesn ' t know what to feel . " Autumn was enjoying this moment with Roode . It felt like the whole world faded away and left the two of them on this park bench talking in the quiet of the night .
" Then why stay where your heart is hurting ? " Roode asked .
" Because , I am afraid of my dad lashing out . " Autumn said a tear fell down her face at that moment , because she knew that if her father found out about her talking to Roode or sneaking out of the house . She would get worse than what she did when she went back earlier today .
" Sshh , I didn ' t mean to upset you , Autumn . " Roode said pulling her in for a comforting hug . But , he felt her flinch .
" Autumn are you okay ? You ' re not hurt are you ? " Roode asked looking at her concerned .
" My dad is going to be pissed if he finds out I ' m gone . But , I ' m scared to go back right now . " She looked at Bobby .
" Then come back to the hotel with me . The guys will be nice , I promise . Even Storm as rowdy as he can be , wouldn ' t hurt you . " Roode said .
" But , the hotel staff might tell my dad . " Autumn said .
" Is that bad ? " Roode asked .
" Yes , he will use his belt on me again . " Autumn said before she could catch herself .
" What ? He beats you ? " Roode asked with even more concern in his eyes .
" Yes , but I wasn ' t suppose to tell you that . He hits me all over , all the time . I have wanted to run away so many times . But , I ' m afraid of him catching me and I don ' t know where I can go to be safe . " Autumn said .
" You can come back to the hotel for now and we can figure the rest out in the morning . The guys and I can keep you safe until then and we can help you leave if that is what you want . " Bobby said to her .
" I ' ll go with you . " Autumn said .
" Alright lets go , " Bobby said .
" What about my truck ? " Autumn asked .
" Lets go and get it . " Roode said .
Soon they were back at the hotel with her truck .
" Why did you park out of the way ? " Roode asked curiously .
" So , no one will see it . " Autumn said .
" At least the key cards work on the side doors . " Roode said opening the door to the side of the hotel his and the rest of Fortune ' s rooms where at .
He and Autumn hurried to his and Storm ' s room . He used the key card in his door and it opened .
" Ladies first . " Roode said .
" Aw , how thoughtful . " Autumn said going in and Roode followed her . He put the ' do not disturb ' sign on the doorknob and then let it close quietly .
" Safe . " Roode said as they walked in and found Storm asleep on his bed and Kaz on Roode ' s .
" I am going to have to remember when I told Frankie he could use my bed . " Roode shook his head at his friend .
" Where is AJ and Christopher ? " Autumn asked smiling at the two boys asleep . They looked more like children than wrestlers right now .
" Room next door . " Roode said walking to the adjoining room . He looked in and found Styles and Daniels still up watching horror movies .
" AJ , Christopher , what are you two doing still up ? " Roode asked .
" Watching Halloween , where have you been ? " AJ asked .
" Walking by the pond , I found a friend who needs our help . " Roode said .
" What friend ? " Daniels asked . Autumn walked in .
" Hey Autumn , " AJ said .
" Hey guys , hope I ' m not intruding . " Autumn said .
" No not at all , " Daniels said .
" When did the other two go to sleep ? " Roode asked .
" Storm not to long after you left and Kazarian went in there about a minute ago . " Daniels answered .
" I would still be asleep if you guys would hush . " Storm mumbled .
" Sorry partner , but we have company . " Roode said .
" Company , where ? " Storm sat up and saw Autumn .
" Darlin , couldn ' t stay away ? " Storm asked .
" Nope , Bobby found me by the pond . " Autumn said .
" So , who gave Kaz permission to take my bed ? " Roode walked over to him .
" I don ' t know . I was out of it when he went to bed . " Storm said .
" Kaz , " Roode said .
" Five more minutes , Traci . " Frankie said .
" Who is Traci ? " Autumn asked .
" Traci Brooks , his wife . " Daniels said .
" Oh , huh , Bobby looks nothing like Traci . " Autumn said looking a Bobby who was staring at Kazarian with a weird look on his face .
" Frankie Kazarian , " Roode poked him again .
" Huh , what , hey Bobby , why are you looking at me like that ? Hey Autumn , what are you doing here ? " Kazarian asked yawning .
" I am looking at you like this because you called me Traci . Autumn is here because she needs our help . You got all of that ? " Bobby asked .
" Yes , why ? " Kazarian sat up in the bed .
" Because , I was about to have Storm go and turn the shower on cold and then stick you up under it . " Roode smiled .
" You wouldn ' t ? " Autumn asked .
" I would , " Roode said .
" So , what do you need help with darlin ? " Storm asked .
" Ask Bobby . " Autumn said .
" Autumn is planning on ditching town with us tomorrow . " Bobby said .
" Really , where too ? " Styles asked .
" I am taking her to Petey and Scott . " Roode said .
" Can - Am Wrestling ? " Daniels questioned .
" Yes , apparently our friend here is interested in being a wrestler . " Roode said .
" But , I can ' t afford the cost of wrestling school . " Autumn said .
" So , I figured Petey and Scott wouldn ' t mind doing me a favor in training her . But , there is more , go ahead and tell them what you told me . " Bobby said .
" Bobby ? " Autumn looked at him questioning this last decision .
" I promise they won ' t hurt you and neither will anyone else with us around . " Roode promised .
Autumn looked at Roode for a moment , then at the rest of Fortune .
" My dad beats me when I don ' t follow his rules or his beliefs . He beat me today when I went home . I think Ronnie and his boys told them everything I said to them and that I was with you guys . " Autumn said not really looking at anyone of the guys in the room .
" So , how do we get her out of this mess ? Or do we tell the authorities ? " Styles asked .
" It won ' t help if you tell the authorities . Around here everyone knows my dad and respects him . I don ' t understand why , but I do know that with them knowing him . They know me and they don ' t hesitate to tell my dad if I do something they don ' t like or they know that he doesn ' t like . And with the way they are already treating you guys , they wouldn ' t do what you ask ? I am that alone and they are that much against you . " Autumn said .
" What would happen to you if you go back to your father ' s right now and he found out you were out of his house this late at night ? " Daniels asked .
" I would get it worse than I ever have . " Autumn hinting at what her father would do .
" Then you are not going back tonight . " Kazarian said .
" I already made that clear to her . " Roode said .
" Where will I stay ? " Autumn asked .
" Here , with us , if its okay with Storm to have an extra roommate ? " Roode looked at his tag partner .
" I don ' t mind darlin . " Storm said .
" Is he tamed Roode ? " Autumn asked getting a chuckle from the others including Storm .
" Not sure , but he won ' t hurt you . Infact he might be the first one going through that door if anyone tries to get you . We always let Storm out of the gate first because he is on a hair trigger . " Roode answered .
" Yeah , the bull should go first . " Autumn agreed .
" Well now that we have everything settled I ' m going back to sleep . " Kaz said rolling over .
" Oh , no you don ' t . You are going into the other room with Daniels and Styles . " Roode said .
" No I ' m not . I was in this bed first , so , snooze you lose . " Kaz said closing his eyes .
" Right , we will see . Storm , I need a tow truck . " Roode looked at his partner .
" Got it . " Storm got up and picked Kazarian up over his shoulders .
" Storm , put me down . " Kaz said .
" Okeydokey , I will put you down right here on the couch . " Storm said taking Kaz into the other room with Styles and Daniels following . Storm put Kaz on the couch and left .
" Night guys , " Storm said walking back to his room and closing the adjoining door .
" Shit , Beer Money strikes again . Autumn watch those two in there . " Styles called .
" I will , " Autumn said .
" Sorry About Your Damn Luck , Kazarian . " Storm called .
" It Pays To Be Roode . " Roode added .
" Does this happen all the time ? " Autumn asked the tag team partners .
" Nope , but we like cutting the fool with each other . We are all like brothers , so , we can have fun without the others getting pissed . But , wait til you get in a hotel room with the rest of the TNA Roster . " Storm said .
" Don ' t scare her , James . So , what are you sleeping in ? " Roode asked .
" This , " She pointed to her clothes .
" Won ' t it be uncomfortable ? " Roode asked .
" No , I have slept in regular clothes before . When my dad was to lazy to wash clothes when I was little . " She said .
" You can have the bed and I will take the couch . " Roode said .
" But , won ' t you be uncomfortable ? " She asked .
" No , I will be fine . " Roode looked at her .
" Liar , you take the bed and I will take the couch . " She said .
" No , I am taking the couch . " Roode looked at her .
" How about both of you take the beds and I will take the couch ? " Storm asked .
" Or how about you two take one bed and I will take the other ? " Autumn asked .
" No way , " Roode said .
" Hmm , then how about Roode and I take one bed and Storm takes the other ? As long as he keeps his hands to himself , we will be fine and we are both adults . " Autumn said .
" Sounds good to me . I am going to bed . " Storm said crawling back into his bed and laying down to go to sleep .
" Nice , save . " Roode said .
" I ' m to tired to bicker . " Autumn said as they both climbed into the other bed . Roode reached up to turn the light out and soon , both were asleep .