Dixie sat at a tastefully decorated table in a very posh restaurant in Nashville with good friend, Christy Hemme, and her old sorority sister and best friend, Dorothy "Dot" Henson. What should have been a calm, lovely afternoon was anything but as the trio were discussing the disaster of a video shoot from a few days before.
"I just couldn't believe he would invite her to do the shoot." Dixie sighed, leaning back in her chair, "I mean, of all the people to have come out and promote the Knockouts he chooses Madison Rayne?"
"That is kind of surprising." Christy agreed, "I would have at least thought he'd ask, say, Mickie James. Especially considering how popular she is with the fans and the fact that she's working on a country music singing career."
"Exactly." Dixie nodded in agreement.
"Not so surprising considering Serge isn't drooling after Mickie James." Dot murmured nonchalantly before she took a drink of her iced tea.
Dixie's eyes constricted while Christy's grew wider. Dot looked back and forth between them and shrugged, unaffected by their expressions.
"Serge isn't 'drooling' after Madison Rayne." Dixie muttered defensively, even though the truth was she did worry that was the case.
"Hey, I'm not the one who said she didn't like seeing her husband and some young, gorgeous thing acting all chummy." Dot reminded her, her green eyes staring down her friend.
"Gorgeous." Christy snorted.
"Look, for all I know they're just friends." Dixie sighed, "Madison is probably just trying to further her career. It wouldn't be the first time she flirted to get what she wanted."
"So long as it's just flirting." Dot said pointedly, her Georgian accent thickening as she got riled up, "Of course I wouldn't even let it get to that point. If Serge was my husband I'd be showing him the business end of my daddy's shotgun and laying out a few ground rules."
Christy laughed and even Dixie had to smile at her friend's spunk. Dot was definitely not one to pull any punches.
"About the video," Christy cut in, trying to steer the conversation back towards a pleasant topic, "When do we get to see it?"
"Editing should be finished by today or tomorrow." Dixie informed her, "If all goes well we'll be premiering it on this Thursday's show."
"Great." Christy smiled, "James must be so excited."
"Well he deserves it." Dixie also began to beam, "And the topping on the cake will be when he defeats Bobby Roode and wins the Championship."
"Speaking of that no-good coward," Dot inquired, "He wouldn't dare show his ugly mug there Thursday, would he?"
"Well he's scheduled to be thre." Christy spoke up, "And knowing him, he wouldn't miss an opportunity to try and stick it to James on the night of his video premiere."
She glanced at Dixie, adding hesitantly, "To be honest. . .a lot of people are wondering if you're going to be there or not."
Dixie sighed, figuring as much. She knew it. She just knew the wrestlers would begin to wonder about her. And she couldn't have that.
She leaned forward in her seat, at once determined, "That right there is why I need to be there. I can't have the wrestlers doubting me."
"Nobody is doubting you, Dixie." Christy tried to reassure her, "They, myself included, just worry that maybe it's not such a good idea for you to be there."
"Believe me, honey, I understand your reasons for wanting to go." Dot added, "And usually I'd be the one saying you should lead the charge. But that Roode swine is not a man to be messed with. He proved that plenty the night of your big show."
"You two sound just like Sting. He told me pretty much the same thing. " Dixie sighed as she leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms, "Ugh, he even said I shouldn't go until he came back so he could look after me. I mean, really. Can you believe that?"
Christy and Dot shot looks at each other at that. Christy bit her lip while Dot arched an eyebrow in silent question.
"So when is that big hunk of man coming back?" Dot asked, and she began to grin devilishly as she added, "I need something to drool over and that man really melts my butter, if you know what I'm saying."
Christy's eyes widened and Dixie swatted at her best friend in surprise. But all three women began to laugh when, for emphasis, Dot grabbed her cloth napkin and began to fan herself.
"He'll come back eventually." Dixie explained, "It's just that he needs some time off to heal right now."
Worry etched across her features as she added, "Sting is very dedicated to getting revenge on Roode. And he wants to be in top shape to be able to do that."
"It's important that he takes care of himself." Christy agreed, "I know how much of an influence he is on everyone at Impact. The way he helps out the younger guys and tries to do what he can for the company. We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope he makes it back as soon as he can."
At that moment Dixie's cell phone began to ring. She quickly dug it out of her purse and answered it.
"Hello?" she listened for a few moments before going on, "Of course, yes. I think we can work something out."
She mouthed an "excuse me" to her friends as she rose from her chair and made her way out to the lobby. Christy and Dot watched after her for a moment before turning back to one another.
"I can't believe that dirt bag." Dot muttered, tossing her napkin angrily onto the table, "Imagine having his little tart be in that video."
She leaned forward, eyes blazing, "And don't tell me there's not something going on between them because there definitely is."
"Do you know anything?" she grilled Christy.
Christy raised her hands, shying away from the other woman's tirade, "I don't."
"Hmm." Dot leaned back in her seat, "Well have you at least heard anything about them?"
"There are always rumors." Christy shrugged before laughing, "But there's always rumors going around about one person or another. There are even rumors going around about Dixie and Sting and we both know how wrong those are."
"Well maybe they should be." Dot grumbled as she ran a hand through her ash blonde curls.
Christy gasped in shock and the other woman fixed her with a smirk.
"Oh lighten up, I was only kidding." Dot grew thoughtful before adding, "But maybe it would be better if it were."
"Dot-"
"No." Dot argued, "No, I'm not apologizing for wishing it was true. I mean, while Roode was terrorizing Dixie where was her no-good husband? Hmm? Answer me that one."
She scoffed, "He was probably catting around with that harlot."
She once again leaned in, adamant, "And who tried to come to Dixie's aid? Sting, that's who. And who's the one who got Dixie's company back for her? Sting, that's who."
Christy could only look at her, at a loss for words. She really didn't know what to say. Though she had to admit that Dot made some good points.
Dot pressed on, "Don't you see it?"
"See what?" Christy wanted to know.
Dot threw her hands up in exasperation, "Am I the only one who sees it?"
"Sees what?" Christy repeated, growing annoyed.
"You've seen Dixie and Sting together. Something is there." Dot sighed, "They have feelings for one another. Even if they don't realize it."
"Are you sure?" Christy shook her head, "No. No, I don't think so. I mean, they're just friends.
"And, sure, Dixie and Serge may have their ups and downs but what couple doesn't from time-to-time?" she tried to play diplomat, "And Sting. . .he's always been Impact's number one supporter. He would have done anything to get the company out of the hands of Bischoff and Hulk. In fact, he did do everything possible.
"And he and Dixie are just friends. If anything what they went through this past year has made their friendship that much stronger."
Dot gave her a look. It resembled one a parent would give a child.
"Let me ask you this." she crossed her arms, "You're usually at ringside, right? You get a front row seat for all the action, right?"
'Yeah, I guess." Christy shrugged, not sure where the other woman was going with her questions.
"Okay so what about that night a few months ago." Dot suggested, "When Sting called Roode down to the ring to apologize to Dixie. When Roode told Dixie she wasn't woman enough for him. You saw our boy. He looked like he wanted to take that vile, lowdown cretin's head right off."
Christy paused, thoughtful. She was there that night and she did see what had happened. And Dot was right. Sting did look like he wanted to kick Bobby's butt.
"And don't forget when he spit on her, the swine." Dot reminded her, "Sting just about punched his lights out."
Though Dot raised a few good points Christy still didn't think it meant anything more than a friend helping out another friend. And she told her so.
"He was just doing what anyone else would have done."
"Okay." Dot conceded, "But what about Dixie? She almost got up close and personal with a chair how many times trying to help Sting?"
"Wait a minute." Christy raised her hand, "She didn't have a choice there. Roode picked her up and carried her into the ring."
Dot gave her another one of those looks, "And she couldn't have rolled right out and gotten help the minute his back was turned?"
"She wouldn't have left Sting defenseless in the ring.." Christy was starting to feel testy, "Besides, he saved her before Bobby could hit her with the chair."
"Ah-ha!" Dot smiled triumphantly, "The man was dazed and confused and yet he almost instinctively went to Dixie's aid and tried to make sure she was all right. Tell me there are no feelings there."
Christy gave pause, letting Dot's words sink in. She hated to admit it, but the other woman was making a lot of sense.
At that moment Dixie came back to the table. She noticed the knowing look on Dot's face and the inquisitive one on Christy's and she instantly became curious. Just what had those two been talking about?
She slowly took her seat, glancing back and forth between the pair with a slight smile, "So what did I miss?"
Christy and Dot glanced at one another for a moment before offering bright grins in reply.
.
.
.
.
.
The night of Impact had finally arrived. Dixie didn't think it would ever get there.
She and Serge sat in the back of their limo as they made their way towards the arena. Though they were seated side-by-side they might as well have been in different cars. Neither talked or even looked at one another. They spent the entire ride there staring out their windows, each alone with their thoughts.
It had been a very tense few days. Though Serge had sworn up and down that he and Madison were only friends Dixie still couldn't ignore that little voice of doubt in her head telling her otherwise.
And, true, there had been no outward signs of a possible affair but she just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on.
"Maybe it isn't such a good idea for you to be there." Serge spoke up, looking over at her pensively.
Dixie blinked, coming out of her thoughts. She turned to him, "You're going."
"Yeah, but I'm going because I need to talk to James about doing a few reshoots." Serge stated, "I came up with a few ideas for an alternative cut of the video."
"I have to do this." Dixie announced as she once more turned back to the window, "I have to prove to everyone that I'm not a coward."
She was surprised when she suddenly found Serge's arm around her. At the unexpected act of tenderness she turned back to find her husband watching her with concern and admiration.
"You're not a coward." he stated, pulling her close, "You are the bravest woman I know. It's one of the things I love about you."
Though the words and the embrace should have made her feel better, feel safe, she couldn't help but want to shy away. It just didn't feel. . .
Didn't feel right.
The limo slipped into the back entrance of the arena and drew to a stop. Dixie used that opportunity to pull away from Serge and climb out.
Serge quickly rounded the car and came to her side. Before she could walk into the building, though, he took hold of her shoulders and halted her.
Looking her over with concern, he murmured, "I'm just worried about your safety."
Dixie spotted her two bodyguards approaching from over Serge's shoulder. She gave her husband what she hoped was a reassuring smile and nodded, "I think everything will be okay."
He followed her gaze, also spotting the bodyguards. He seemed content to have them there and released her, the pair entering the building.
As they stepped inside a few of the wrestlers approached them, shaking hands and welcoming them to the show. Dixie was delighted to see that there was no sign of Roode.
AJ Styles noticed her looking around and as he stepped up to shake her hand he leaned in close and informed her, "He's in the building. Just be on your guard, okay?"
Dixie offered him a slight smile, "I'm sure everything will be fine, AJ. But thank you."
She tried to keep up her brave face, but she couldn't help the way her heart began to pound.
You're all right, she told herself, You have your bodyguards here. Everything is going to be just fine. Roode wouldn't dare try anything tonight.
But still, she would have felt a lot better if. . .No. No, she wasn't going to rely on him. She could do this. She could be strong.
.
.
.
.
.
Sting all but flopped onto his couch. He propped his feet up on the coffee table and let out a long, satisfying sigh. He had just finished a thorough workout. He felt tired, but it was a good kind of tired. The kind of tired that let him know that he had worked hard.
If he kept it up it wouldn't be much longer before he could get back to Impact. The idea lifted his spirits and brought a grin to his face.
He reached for the remote and turned on the TV. Impact's logo greeted him, signaling the start of the show. Instantly he felt a rush go through him. He could hear the cheering from the crowd and his blood started to race.
He missed it. He missed being there in the middle of the action. He missed hearing the crowds and thriving on their cheering.
He wanted to get back there. Now. Yesterday. He just wanted to be back in the thick of it. It was like a drug for him.
Sting watched as the camera went backstage and filmed Hulk talking to Samoa Joe and Magnus about their tag match for that night. Immediately his brown eyes locked onto a redheaded figure standing behind Hulk a few feet away.
Dixie.
At the sight of her Sting grew iritated. He had hoped she would heed his warning and stay away but she was just too darned stubborn for her own good.
He hated to admit it but he was also, grudgingly, proud of her. She refused to back down, that was for sure.
All too soon she was gone and the show continued on.
For the next almost two hours Sting cheered on the faces and booed the heels. He watched as Hogan laid down the law and he couldn't help but grin. He knew Hulk was the right man for the job.
And through it all Sting felt pumped up. More than anything he just wished he could be there, surrounded by the fans and feeling the energy. The more the show went on the more he missed it all.
They eventually got to the end of the night and Dixie, along with Serge and a couple of bodyguards in tow, made their way down to the ring. While the bodyguards stayed down on the floor Dixie and Serge entered the ring.
Sting leaned forward in his seat as he studied Dixie. Though she had a smile on her face he could clearly see that her eyes were filled with trepidation. She was definitely nervous.
He wished he could be there, standing beside her. Making sure that she felt safe. He hated seeing her afraid. It was like a knife in his gut.
He had heard Roode was in the building, but the coward hadn't shown his face yet. He hoped for Roode's sake that he stayed away from the ring, and Dixie, tonight.
Dixie greeted the crowd and enthusiastically introduced James Storm's video. It began to play out to the crowd and Sting found himself bobbing his head and taping his foot to the song. James came on screen and Sting grinned, sincerely happy for his friend.
He had to admit the video was great and completely showed who Storm was.
He also happened to notice one of two shots of Madison in the background and he frowned slightly at that. Serge's influence, he was sure. That thought brought a sneer to the wrestler's lips.
The video finished up and the crowd began to cheer, chanting Storm's name. Dixie and Serge smiled and started to make their way out of the ring.
At that moment Roode's ring music hit and suddenly there was Roode at the top of the ramp.
Sting was instantly on edge and he rose to his feet. He began to pace back and forth in front of the TV like a caged animal, his eyes never leaving the screen.
Dixie and Serge came back to the center of the ring, Serge taking hold of Dixie's arm and gently pulling her behind him. Serge looked angry, Dixie anxious as both of them watched as Bobby Roode began to slowly clap and make his way down to the ring.
Serge yelled something to the bodyguards and they began to make their way up the ramp and to Roode. Roode stopped in front of them and raised his hand to hold them off.
He had a mic in his other hand and he called out, "Whoa, whoa. Hold it right there. I just came down to congratulate Dixie and Serge on the video."
Sting could clearly see Dixie mouth the words, "Yeah right."
"Great video, Dixie." Bobby told her, "Great video, Serge. But only one problem with it."
His cocky smile left his face as his expression grew tense, "Why wasn't it about me? Huh? Where is my video? Why am I not going to be on CMT? I'm the face of the company! I'm the star!"
Roode started to go to the ring when Dixie's bodyguards blocked his way. Bobby took a step back, grinning. Suddenly his expression turned fierce as he kicked one bodyguard in the crotch and knocked the other one out with his mic.
He climbed into the ring, going for the pair. Serge nervously came forward and placed a hand on Roode's chest, yelling for him to leave. Unexpectedly Bobby leveled him with a vicious punch, knocking the other man down and out.
Dixie cried out in alarm, unsure of what to do. She started to kneel beside her husband, to check on him, but Bobby approached her and she instantly straightened and backed away, begging for Roode to leave.
Sting stopped in front of the TV, watching intently. Rage washed over him in waves, causing him to shake. If Roode hurt her. . .
Feeling helpless, Sting could only watch on as Roode began to stalk Dixie, yelling at her about where his video was. Dixie backed away, pleading with him to leave her alone. Her back hit the ring post and she raised a hand, cowering away from him and begging him to go away.
Suddenly James Storm was making his way down the ramp and to the ring.
"Go! Go!" Sting bellowed at the television, waving Storm on.
"Yes!" he cried out as Storm dove into the ring and yanked Bobby around, clocking him with a closed fist.
Roode staggered away and quickly ducked out of the ring, racing back up the ramp and to the back. James jumped on the ropes, yelling that Bobby was a coward. The cowboy looked absolutely livid.
But Sting paid no attention to him. He was focused solely on Dixie, watching as she knelt beside her fallen husband and checked him over. There were tears in her eyes and he could see her hands shaking as she gently held Serge's head in her hands.
Sting's eyes narrowed in fury and concern.
.
.
.
.
.
Dixie and James helped Serge to the back where the trainers quickly rushed to their sides. They took hold of Serge and led him over to a nearby table where they began to look him over.
Dixie crossed her arms, seemingly holding herself as she watched on in fear. She noticed that James was still beside her and she turned to him.
"Thank you." she told him sincerely, taking his hand in hers, "And I'm so sorry that Bobby ruined the debut of your video."
"I don't care about that." James shook his head, "I've had it with Roode thinkin' he runs the show around here. I'm planning to put a stop to it come Lockdown."
"I know you will." Dixie offered him a reassuring smile, though it wavered ever so slightly, "Thank you again."
"Yeah, well I'm gonna go see if that son of a bitch has left." James gave her hand a pat and left in search of Bobby Roode.
Dixie turned back to Serge, coming to stand behind the trainers as they checked him over.
His eyes seemed focused and he appeared lucid.
"Did someone get the number of that truck that hit me?" he groaned, offering a weak grin as he tried to joke. A bluish/purplish bruise had already began to form on his jaw.
Dixie smiled faintly at that, but she was still very concerned.
"I think he's going to be all right." one of the trainers told her, "I'm just going to go get an icepack for him."
He and the other trainer stepped away and Dixie came to stand before Serge, taking his hand in hers.
"You shouldn't have tried to stop him like that." she gently told him.
Serge blinked a few times, letting her words sink it. His eyes began to narrow and he slowly pulled his hand out of her grasp as he muttered in annoyance, "What was I supposed to do? Let him go after my wife?"
Before Dixie could say any more the trainers returned with the icepack and went back to checking him out.
She ran a shaky hand through her hair, still overcome by what had happened. By what could have happened.
Maybe Sting was right, she thought with a sigh, Maybe I shouldn't have come tonight.
At that moment her cell phone began to ring. She quickly dug it out of her pocket and answered it.
"Mom? Oh my God, is Daddy all right?" Tamara's frightened voice filled her ear.
"He's fine." Dixie assured her daughter, "But I'll let him tell you that himself. Here he is."
She handed the phone to him, mouthing the word, "Tamara."
Serge nodded and took the phone, instantly chuckling, "Hey, baby. Did you see that awesome dive I took in the ring?"
One of the stagehands approached Dixie at that moment, inquiring, "Ms. Carter, I'm very sorry to bother you at this moment. But Paul needs a quick sign off on some footage before we send it to the website."
"Of course." Dixie nodded, glancing over at Serge. He was still on the phone with Tamara, joking in an attempt to get her to stop worrying.
She headed off after motioning to him that she'd be back in a minute.
Serge waved to her before turning his attention back to Tamara, "Yeah, yeah I'm okay. Good thing your dad has a hard head, huh?"
"Ugh, I was so worried when I saw that creep hit you." Tamara was sighing dramatically into the phone, "I'm just glad you're all right."
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Serge reassured her, "Your mom and I are flying home tonight. We'll be there when you get up tomorrow."
"All right. I love you." Tamara told him, adding with an almost afterthought, "Tell Mom I love her, too."
"Will do. Love you," and with that Serge bid her goodbye and hung up the cell phone.
He was just about to put it down when it began to ring again. Lifting it up his eyes instantly narrowed as he read the name of the person calling.
He thought for a moment before finally answering coolly, "Hello?"
There was a short pause followed by Sting's voice, "Serge? Hey, I saw what happened. Are Dixie and you okay?"
"I'm fine." Serge's voice might have been casual but his features were hardened like stone.
"And Dixie?" Sting prompted.
"My wife is just fine." Serge informed him, "I've got everything handled. Don't worry."
"That's great to hear." Sting murmured, his own voice brisk, "Listen, is Dixie around? I'd like to speak to her."
"Sorry, Stinger, but Dix was called away on backstage business." Serge apologized but sounded anything but sorry, "Thanks for calling, though."
Before Sting could say another word Serge hung up and slipped the cell phone into his pocket.
At that moment Dixie came rounding the corner and walking back to him.
"Were you able to calm Tamara down?" she questioned, still a bit shaken up over all that had happened.
"Oh yeah, she's fine." Serge assured her, handing her back her phone, "Just a little freaked out. But you know how teenagers are. Drama, drama."
Dixie began to smile and she nodded, "Oh I know. I'm just glad you were able to calm her."
Serge rose to his feet, swaying ever so slightly from the effort. Dixie hurried to his side and slipped her arm around him.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"I'm fine." Serge told her, "Just ready to get out of here."
"Of course." Dixie replied and began to help him through the building.
As the pair made their way to the back entrance they passed Madison, who was standing a few feet away and looking at Serge in worry.
Though Dixie didn't see her Serge did and the pair locked eyes for a moment. He gave the Knockout a slight nod, one that Madison promptly returned. She turned on her heels and walked back to the dressing rooms, passing Christy as she did so.
The ring announcer watched her before turning to stare at Serge's retreating back.
Her eyes began to narrow as the wheels in her mind began to turn.