The crowd in the Impact Zone were on their feet, going wild as they watched AJ Styles compete in a match against Bobby Roode. Though it had been back and forth for a while there it looked like AJ just might pull out the win.
AJ set him up for the Styles Suplex Special. As he rose to his feet the crowd began to chant his name. AJ could taste it. The win was within his grasp.
He was about to go for the pin when Bully Ray unexpectedly came racing down to ringside from the back. He climbed into the apron, yelling out AJ's name.
Both AJ and the ref rose to their feet and yelled for Bully to leave. AJ tried to go for him but the ref slipped in between the two men, trying to hold AJ back.
While this way going on Roode staggered to his feet and began to regain his bearings. He slipped behind AJ and knelt down, delivering a low blow.
The crowd began to scream their frustrations and Bully jumped down off the apron and onto the floor. He jogged towards the back, a huge grin on his lips.
When AJ hit the mat Roode was on him in an instant. He rolled the other wrestler up, grabbing his tights for extra leverage. The ref counted to three and Bobby Roode had once again stolen another victory.
He shoved AJ aside and rose to his feet, grinning with arrogance. He leaned over and snatched the mic from a frowning Christy before returning to the center of the ring.
He watched as the ref helped AJ from the ring, the smirk never leaving Roode's face, "Once again I prove why I am the It Factor of profession wrestling."
"You suck! You suck!" the crowd began to chant.
"Once again I prove why I am the best in the business." Roode went on, ignoring their jeers, "I beat the phenomenal AJ Styles. The only thing phenomenal about him is what a phenomenal loser he is. He just proved that on his best day he couldn't beat me. I am that damned good."
This was met with resounding boos from the crowd.
Roode simply grinned at them, unaffected, "AJ can't beat me. Nobody can beat me."
He looked deeply into the camera, the grin leaving his face to be replaced with a sneer, "That goes for you, too, Stinger. Cause at Victory Road I proved you don't have what it takes to still hang in this business. At Victory Road I proved that you are nothing but an over the hill has been. You're not even worthy enough to lace up my boots-"
Out of the blue the lights in the Impact Zone went out.
When they came back on there was Sting standing behind Roode. He was decked out in his ring attire and face paint.
And holding his baseball bat.
Roode looked around with a mixture of fear and annoyance. As he turned around and spied Sting standing behind him, his eyes grew larger. He had little time to react before the other wrestler rammed the end of his bat into his gut.
Roode let out a grunt and fell to his knees, gripping his now injured ribs. Sting dropped the bat and grabbed a hold of his hair, yanking him to his feet. He suddenly had him turned around and once again leveled him, this time with the Scorpion Death Drop.
The crowd began to cheer loudly as Sting picked up his bat and the mic.
He leaned over the fallen ex-champion and grinned, calling down to him, "Good seeing you again, Bobby. Catch you next time."
He dropped the mic onto Roode's stomach and made his way out of the ring, shaking hands with a few of the fans who had reached out to him.
Sting went behind the curtain and went over to AJ, who was being checked out by the trainers.
"How're you feeling?" he asked the younger man with concern, hand on his shoulder.
AJ looked up at him and nodded, frowning, "I'm all right."
"Good try." Sting tried to encourage him, "You would have had him if he hadn't given you that cheap shot."
"Man, I can't wait to see you kick Roode's butt." AJ grumbled.
Sting gave him a good natured clap on the back before continuing on. As he walked down the hallway he noticed Christy approaching.
She stopped him, smiling up at him, "Well that was a good show."
Sting grinned, "Liked that ending, didja?"
Christy laughed, "It was definitely one of my three favorite shows. Dixie probably enjoyed it, too."
She grew a little serious, adding, "It'll give her something to smile about after everything that's happened."
Sting looked at her in confusion, "What are you talking about? What happened?"
Christy's eyebrows rose in surprise, "You don't know?"
"Know what?" Sting inquired, instantly worried.
Christy took his arm and pulled him over to a quiet corner so that they could have more privacy.
"Serge moved out the night of the company party." she confided in him, "Dixie is upset and the kids are taking it hard. Especially Tamara."
Sting was astounded, "Serge left Dixie?"
Christy shook her head, "That's what Serge is telling everyone, but according to Dixie it was more of a mutual decision."
She shrugged, "It's probably for the best."
"Yeah." Sting murmured, thoughtful.
He just couldn't believe it. He knew there was tension between them. Anyone with eyes could see that. But to know that it had gone as far as Serge moving out of the house. . .
"Madison Rayne has been bragging around the locker room that Serge left Dixie for her." Christy scoffed, "As if."
Sting gave her an intense look, "So there is something going on between them?"
Christy swallowed and took a slight step back. Though she considered Sting a friend, she wasn't afraid to admit that sometimes he made her nervous. And with the unsettling look in his eyes, she was definitely a little scared.
And she was really glad she wasn't Serge or Madison at the moment.
"Well I've always wondered." Christy replied carefully, "Now it seems like it's a sure thing. Poor Dixie."
"Poor Dixie?" Sting repeated, growing angrier by the second, "She's lucky to be free of that joker, if he's going to do this to her and his family. Serge was lucky to have her-"
He stopped himself, correcting, "Have them."
Christy studied him but said nothing about his slip. She placed a hand on his arm, noting how tense the muscles were beneath her touch, and replied, "Dixie really needs her friends' support right now."
"I'll give her a call sometime soon." he assured her, "Right now I think what she needs most is space."
"All right." Christy nodded.
Sting returned the gesture, "I'll see you around, Chris."
And with that he headed off, a million thoughts running around in his mind.
Christy watched after him and sighed, "Definitely in denial."
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Dixie sat in her office, going over some paperwork.
She let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair, running a hand over her tired eyes. She turned and caught sight of her reflection in the glass of one the pictures adorning her wall. She sighed as she stared at herself. She looked exhausted.
It had been a few weeks since Serge had left. He'd had little contact with the children and she hadn't spoken to him at all.
The truth was she should have felt a little better with him gone. The house wasn't filled with as much tension and the load on her shoulders had lessened.
She should have, and she would have, if it weren't for the pain it caused Tamara and Davy. She could see the grief they were in and she ached for them.
Tamara kept trying to move in with Serge and he kept denying her. Which would have been fine with Dixie except for the fact that she could see it was breaking her daughter's heart.
She propped her elbow up on the desk, her chin in her hand. This was not where she saw things going. Not by a long shot. How had everything become so askew?
"Dixie," her assistant, Suzanne, called from the intercom, "Mr. Butler, from Spike TV, is on line one for you."
"Thanks, Suz." Dixie picked up her phone, at once businesslike, "Hello, Peter. How are you?"
"Dixie," an accented voice that could have only come from New York City greeted her, "Good to hear your voice. I'm doing fine. And yourself?"
"I'm fine." Dixie lied, "What can I do for you?"
"Well Spike TV is planning on being a part of the big television summit up here in New York in a few weeks." Peter explained, "We're bringing in a lot of our bigger name shows: Auction Hunters, Bellator, Repo Games and, of course, we want Impact to be a part of it. What do you say?"
"I think it sounds like a great idea." Dixie told him, "Did you have anything special in mind?"
"We'd like to have you up here," Peter told her, "Along with some of the talent. We're still working out the details but we're thinking a press conference along with television and radio interviews. Meet-and-greets. That sort of thing."
"That sounds great." Dixie told him, "Did you have any particular wrestlers in mind?"
"Well Hulk Hogan, of course." Peter answered.
"All right." Dixie replied, "I'll get in touch with him and see if he'll be available. I don't think it'll be a problem, though.
"Also what about James Storm?" she inquired, "He's just become our World Champion and his video on CMT has reached number one. I think it would be great for crossover demographics."
"Fine, fine." Peter agreed, "Oh, and we'd like Sting, as well. His and Hogan's name recognition alone would be great for the product."
"Sure." Dixie told him, "I just need to go over it with Sting and his managers."
"All right." Peter informed her, "We'll finalize the details at a later time and let you know."
"Sure. And thanks, Peter." Dixie bid him goodbye and hung up the phone.
She leaned back in her chair, thoughtful. Sting. She hadn't spoken to him sine the night of the party.
The truth was, for some reason she felt nervous to talk to him. And that confused her. Why should she feel nervous? They were friends, after all.
Suck it up, Dixie, she told herself and reached for the phone.
"Hello?" at the sound of his voice she felt her stomach flutter. The feelings surprised her. What was going on with her?
"Sting, it's Dixie." she greeted him, although a bit hesitantly.
"Dixie." Sting's voice was warm and friendly in her ear, "This is a nice surprise. What's up?"
"I was actually calling to talk to you about appearing at a summit for Spike TV in New York in a few weeks."
"Oh."
Was it her imagination or did he sound a little disappointed?
"If you're not interested-"
"No, no, it's fine." Sting assured her, "I'm interested. So who else is going?"
"Hulk, possibly." Dixie explained, "I need to talk it over with him but I don't think he'll have any objections to going. And James Storm. Oh, and me, of course."
"I'm in." Sting quickly replied.
"Really? Great!" Dixie beamed into the phone, "I need to get the dates and other information from the network and I'll let you or your management team know."
She could hear him chuckle, "You can let me know, Dixie."
"All right."
There was a short pause, both at a loss of what to say. Dixie couldn't understand what was going on. They never had trouble speaking to each other.
Something clicked in her mind and she replied, "Nice stunt with Roode the other night."
She heard him chuckle again and she had to admit she didn't entire like the sound that time. In fact, she was slowly getting worried. Sting was never one to back down and she had to wonder just how far he was going to push this.
"How long is this going to go on?" she found herself asking, "If you want a match with him all you have to do is ask."
"I can't do this the normal way, Dixie." Sting told her, "I ask for a match and Roode will just find a way to get out of it. No, when I'm finished with him he'll be the one begging me for the match."
"All right." she didn't like how this was going but she let the matter drop.
"So how are things going with you?" he asked.
Something in his voice gave her reason to pause. There was an almost. . .underlined hint of concern there.
She was hesitant, not sure what to say. While it would be easy to open up to him she just didn't know if she should. He was already going through so much what with his training and Roode. She didn't want to bother him with her problems.
"What have you heard?" she finally inquired.
"I don't care about what I've heard." he replied gently, "I only care about what you tell me."
Dixie hedged, everything in her yelling for her to spit it out. She trusted him. If there was anyone she could talk to, it was Sting. And she really wanted to get his take on what was going on. He had a way of putting things into perspective when she felt like they were a confusing mess.
"Serge and I had an argument the night of the party," she blurted out, "And we decided that he should move out. He left and the kids are a wreck. And I don't know what to do."
There was a pause on the other end. Dixie felt like kicking herself. She was sure she had sounded like a madwoman.
"I'm sorry for you and the kids." Sting said at long last, "I can only imagine how hard they're taking it."
"Davy is hurt, of course. But he seems to be taking it better than expected," Dixie confided, "Tamara is beside herself, though. She's so angry and so hurt and she blames me. She wants to go live with Serge, but he keeps putting her off. As if I would let him take my daughter, anyway."
"It's going to be rough for them." Sting replied, "For awhile. The only thing I can say is just be there for them. And I know you will be."
"I'm trying." Dixie murmured, "It's not easy, but I am trying."
"How are you?" Sting wanted to know.
"I'm not really sure." she admitted, "I'm still kind of numb right now."
"I'm sorry, Dixie." he repeated, "I know this has to be tough for you. I wish I knew what to say to help you through this."
"If anyone would understand, if would be you." Dixie murmured, meaning it, "You don't have to say anything."
"Do you need anything?" Sting inquired, "I could drive up to Nashville-"
"Oh no." Dixie quickly assured him, "Really, you don't have to do that. Besides, you need to concentrate on getting better."
"Dixie, I am better." Sting chuckled softly, "And it would be no trouble at all. I'm here if you need me."
There was a big part of her that wanted to tell him yes, come up. She knew she would feel so much better if she could see him. Sit down and talk to him.
He had that ability to make her feel better, just by being around.
But she couldn't do that to him. She wouldn't. He had his own life. He needed to concentrate on training and dealing with Roode. He couldn't be worried about her and her problems. She wouldn't allow him to be.
Besides, she couldn't keep running to him every time something went wrong. She had to deal with things on her own.
In the long run it would be for the best.
"I appreciate the offer." she told him, sincere, "I do. But I'll be okay. I just need to deal with this on my own."
"I understand." Sting murmured, "If you need anything I want you to give me a call."
"I will." Dixie promised, but it was a lie. She couldn't impose on him.
"I mean it." there was something in Sting's voice that said he clearly didn't believe her.
Dixie found herself smiling, despite the situation. How was he always able to do that? How could he always tell what she was really thinking or feeling even if she tried to hide it. It should have been nerve-racking but really it made her feel. . .comfortable. Almost safe in a way.
"I know." she told him, "And thank you, Steve. I promise I will call you if I need anything. Thank you. And thank you for being such a good friend."
There was another short pause, followed by, "Hey, yeah. Of course. What are friends for?"
"I'll let you get back to what you were doing." Dixie replied, "And I'll give you call in a few days when I find out the details of the summit."
"Sure. Talk to you then." he added, almost reluctantly, "Goodbye, Dixie."
"Bye." Dixie hung up the phone and leaned back in her seat.
She looked around her office, a frown coming to her lips. Though she would have liked to have him come up for a visit, ultimately she knew it was better if he didn't. There were so many things she needed to sort out.
And Sting was at the top of the list.
She hadn't been able to get him out of her mind. What was the matter with her? There were other things she should have been dealing with. Like Serge and the possible ending of her marriage.
So why did her thoughts keep going back to him?
It must have been because of Serge's accusations. How could he believe that there was something going on between her and Sting? It was absurd!
Yes, they did spend time together. But they worked together. And they were friends. Best friends, if she were to be truly honest.
And, sure, she had heard the rumors about them. She would have to have been naïve not to. But that was all they were. Just rumors. She was a married woman, after all.
Granted not a happily married woman. And, to be honest, Sting was very attractive.
She began to ponder that. He was definitely more ruggedly handsome than the classical sense. Not to mention he was quite charming. And funny. And kind with a good heart, but not a pushover. A real catch, to be honest.
But, again, she was married. And just because she found the man attractive didn't mean she would have ever acted on those thoughts.
She propped her elbows onto the desk and put her head in her hands. What was the matter with her? This was a dangerous path she was going down. One she definitely shouldn't have been entertaining.
Besides Sting was not interested in her. Not romantically. She was positive that he only saw her a friend.
And that was how it should have been. That was how it would always be.
No, she needed to put those ideas out of her head and come to some decision about her marriage.
She sighed. Her marriage. What marriage? There hadn't been one for a long time now.
She needed to come to some kind of decision about her marriage and soon.
Dixie looked up, misery beginning to pool in her eyes. Whatever her decision was going to be, she knew it would lead to someone getting hurt.
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Serge let out a sigh as he padded from his bedroom and into the kitchen at his new condo, wearing only his jeans. They were unbuttoned, the zipper half-hazardly pulled up.
He opened the fridge door and pulled out a carton of juice. He opened it and began to chug it right there, draining it almost completely dry.
As he lowered the carton he paused, eyes clouding over in thought. If Dixie saw him doing this should have yelled for him to get a glass. And while that kind of thing used to annoy him he actually found that he kind of missed it now.
Madison emerged from the bedroom wearing one of his shirts. She practically skipped into the kitchen, the young woman on cloud nine. She slinked up behind Serge and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Burying her face in his back she nipped at his flesh and giggled.
Serge cringed at the feel of her sharp little teeth against his skin and he ducked away from her, his excuse being to throw the now empty carton away.
Madison didn't seem to notice, though, as she flopped onto one of the stools at his counter and grinned up at him mischievously.
"When are we going to make it official?" she asked, still smiling brightly.
Serge turned away, grabbing a rag and wiping down the countertop, "We need to wait a little while longer. My kids are still going through a rough time."
"But, Serge." Madison began to whine, "I thought you said you couldn't wait to be with me. I thought you said you left Dixie for me. I thought you said-"
"And now I'm saying to back off!" Serge spun around and snapped at her, "Jeez, Madison, I just left my wife a few weeks ago. I haven't even had time to process everything yet. So why don't you just back off and give me a little space?"
Madison's eyes constricted as she jumped off the stool and stormed back into the bedroom. A few minutes later she reemerged, now dressed in her own clothes, her purse slung over her shoulder.
"You want space?" she hissed as she stormed passed him on her way to the door, "Fine! I'll give you space!"
She threw open the door and spun around to glare at him, "You can have all the space you want because I'm not going to be here. When you figure out what it is you really want give me a call. But don't be too surprised if I'm not there to answer."
And with a slam of the door she was gone.
Serge let out a sigh and angrily threw the dishcloth onto the counter. He stormed back into his bedroom and snatched a towel up from the doorknob. As he turned to go into the bathroom he drew to a stop, his eyes catching sight of one of the packing boxes that still remained unopened on his bedroom floor.
With thoughtful eyes he wandered over to it and sat down on the floor beside it, carefully opening it and beginning to go through it. There, laying underneath a few of his shirts, was an old framed picture of his family.
It had been taken at the beach about five years ago. One of their many summer vacations. While the kids were splashing in the water Serge was standing behind Dixie, arms wrapped tightly around her. They were watching the kids, smiling and looking so serene.
Pensive, he began to rub his thumb over Dixie's picture, a faraway look in his eyes.
The truth was, everything with Madison wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Now that he had all the time in the world to be with her he found he found that he actaully didn't like being around her.
She was just so clingy. And she could be so whiny.
Why had he never noticed that before?
As he studied his wife's picture he found himself, more and more, thinking about when times were good.
And he began to realize that he really missed her.