Sting's breathing was deep and even as he slowly raised and lowered the barbell above his head. He continued to do another five reps before placing the bar back onto the stand and sitting up.
He reached over and picked up his towel, scrubbing it over his face. As he lowered it he looked to the far wall, his eyes vacant.
He had been incommunicado for the past few weeks since he left the summit. He hadn't spoke to anyone in that time, instead choosing to stay holed up in his Texas home and throw himself into his training.
He might have been pushing himself too hard, but at the moment he didn't really care. He had too much anger, too much pain, to work through.
Sting closed his eyes, a sneer twisting his mouth. He could still picture Dixie and Serge standing in front of her hotel room, Dixie wrapping her arms around her estranged husband.
He opened his eyes, a cold smile crossing his lips. Well, it didn't look like he was estranged from her anymore.
He shook his head and rose to his feet, angrily going over to his barbell set. He grabbed hold of one and began to do a series of reps, his breathing growing more and more harsh each time the heavy metal was raised and lowered.
He forced himself to clear Dixie from his mind and instead focused on Roode.
Roode.
Yeah, that's where he needed to be.
He could picture that piece of crap so clearly. That arrogant smile. That sly, triumphant look he got in his beady little eyes every time he screwed over an opponent.
He grit his teeth and yanked the barbell up. Roode hit James Storm with a beer bottle to capture the title.
He did it again. Roode pinned AJ Styles by holding his tights.
And again. Roode got himself disqualified in his title match against Jeff Hardy.
Again. Sting went for the Death Drop and hit the chair.
Again. Roode carried Dixie into the ring and manhandled her, calling her a 'bitch' and forcing her into a corner.
Again. Roode grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to look down at Sting who was down on the mat.
Again. Roode rubbed off Sting's face paint and smeared it across Dixie's frightened features.
Sting let out a curse and practically threw the barbell back onto the stand. Raking his hands through his hair, he turned away, his body trembling with fury. He tilted his head back and squeezed his eyes tightly shut.
He could feel the rage laying just below the surface. Rage like he hadn't felt in years.
He opened his eyes, a cold smile tugging at his lips. It had been a long time since he had tapped into his dark side but it was still there, laying just below the surface. He could feel it screaming to get out.
Maybe it was time he got back in touch with it.
Oh yeah, long past time. . .
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Slammiversary weekend finally came.
Since it was taking place in Texas Dixie had decided to take advantage of the opportunity and make a family outing out of it. She, Tamara and Davy had hopped on a plane and flew out to stay with her parents, who lived there.
Dixie leaned back against the limo seat, her eyes landing on Tamara. Her daughter was sitting beside her, casually flipping through a copy of Cosmo. She hadn't said two words to her for the past few weeks. The word 'difficult' was an understatement when it came to her daughter.
Dixie thought she was going to get a fight on her hands when she told her they were going to see her parents but, thankfully, Tamara had been all for it. She had always been close to her grandparents, her grandmother especially. And right now maybe that's what Tamara needed. She hoped her mother could get through to the girl.
It wasn't long until they reached the lavish Carter estate. The car came to a stop and Dixie and the children climbed out, Davy and Tamara hurrying towards the front door.
Dixie remained where she was, though, looking up at the manor with apprehension. She always got that way in relation to seeing her parents.
She knew they loved her in their own way. But with their love also came their high expectations. Expectations that she could never seem to meet.
Well you better get it over with, she thought with a sigh.
As she entered the Carter household she was met with the sight of her mother and father hugging their grandchildren. Both Davy and Tamara were talking excitedly, Dixie's mother and father fighting to keep up with them.
"Virginia," Janice Carter called out to the maid as she entered the room, "Please have the children's luggage collected and sent up to their rooms."
"Oh, Mother, there's no need." Dixie called out, "Tamara, Davy, grab your bags, please."
"Really, Dixie." Janice sniffed at her daughter, "It's her job."
Virginia stiffened at the remake but then quickly collected the bags and left the room.
"I'm gonna go see Scout." Davy said as he hurried from the room to see his horse.
"I'll go with him." Tamara smiled lovingly at her grandparents, "I want to see Snowflake's new colt."
She dropped a kiss on both grandparents' cheeks and left after her brother.
Dixie watched her for a few seconds before slowly turning to face her parents.
"Hello, sweet pea." Robert Carter greeted his daughter warmly.
"Hello, Daddy." Dixie went to her father and gave him a hug and a kiss.
"How are you holding up?" he asked her softly.
Dixie's face faltered for a moment, revealing the sadness and failure she felt. But she quickly smoothed it away, replacing it with a confident smile.
"I'm fine." she told him with a vehement nod.
Robert studied his daughter for a few moments, clearly not believing her. But he simply gave her a comforting pat on the back and stepped back.
Dixie turned and faced her mother.
"Mother." she greeted the older woman with a kiss on the cheek.
"Dixie, dear." Janice sadly shook her head at her daughter, "My, look at you. You look exhausted. Have you been sleeping?"
"A little." Dixie murmured as she and her parents took seats on the sofas.
"I figured as much." Janice replied coolly, "I have a very good spa. I go to it six times a year and every time I leave I feel completely revitalized. I think you could stand to visit it."
"Thank you, Mother." Dixie replied quietly, "I'll have to get the number from you before we leave."
"Hmm." Janice nodded, "So when will this whole messy affair be over with?'
"I'm not sure." Dixie admitted, "There's still a lot to discuss."
Janice sniffed, "You should have never married that musician."
"If I hadn't," Dixie replied evenly, "We wouldn't have Tamara and Davy. They're the two best things to come out of my marriage."
"Hear, hear." Robert agreed with a kind smile, "They're what made it all worth it."
"So what, exactly, needs discussing?" Janice demanded.
Dixie bit her lip. The truth was she didn't really want to talk about this. Especially not with her parents. They had such little faith in her anyway-at least her mother did. She didn't need to add fuel to that particular fire.
"Serge is asking for a lot of money." she hesitantly told them, knowing it would do no good to try and keep it a secret, "I'm trying to get evidence of his affair, but so far nothing has come up."
"Are you sure there was an affair, sweet pea?" Robert asked as he put a comforting hand on her knee.
Dixie looked her father in the eyes and nodded, set, "Yes. I'm sure of it."
Robert and Janice looked at one another, a silent question passing between them.
"What?" Dixie asked as she looked back and forth between her parents, "What's that look about?"
"Your mother and I have been talking." Robert answered her, his tone cautious, "And we'd like to help you out with the divorce."
"What are you-what do you mean?" Dixie was confused.
"I was thinking of calling Serge and arranging a meeting with him." Janice stated, "Perhaps I could persuade him call off his demands."
"'Persuade' him?" Dixie repeated with an arched eyebrow, "As in offer him money?"
Neither elder Carter spoke but they didn't need to. Their intentions were clear enough.
"No." Dixie rose to her feet and began to pace the length of the room, "No, absolutely not. I won't hear of it. I'll handle this. Thank you, but no."
"Oh you will, will you?" Janice icily asked, "Like you've handled your little wrestling program?"
Dixie drew to a stop and turned to look at her mother, her eyes narrowed. Leave it to her to throw that back in her face.
Granted, there was a time when Impact had started to go south and she needed help to keep it afloat. It had been the hardest thing in the world for her to do, but she had gone to her parents to get that help. And she had only done that because she believed so much in the company and what it could be.
"And I've thanked you countless times over for that help." Dixie stated evenly, "Not to mention the fact that I've been paying off your loan, steadily, for almost a year. A loan that is almost fully paid off due to the growing success of that 'little wrestling program'."
"And we couldn't be prouder of you." Robert was quick to tell her, "What you've managed to do, how you've managed to turn it around-"
"Robert, please." Janice snapped, "Stop placating the girl."
"Yes, Daddy, please don't." Dixie turned back to her mother, her own tone cooling by the word, "And don't worry, Mother. After my little wrestling show finishes up Sunday night the children and I will be out of your hair. Thank you for your hospitality. Now if you excuse me, I have to meet with a few of the agents to discuss the weekend."
Without another word Dixie turned on her heels and marched towards the front door. As she did so she fought to control the shaking in her body.
She began to smile. She couldn't believe she had just done that!
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To say that the convention hall was packed would have been an understatement.
Dixie looked around the room, unable to keep the smile from her lips. To see the hundreds of fans who had come out to meet the Impact stars, well, she just couldn't have been prouder.
A family approached her, asking for a photo. She smiled and readily accepted, offering a bright grin as the family milled around her and one of Dixie's assistants snapped the picture.
They shook her hand and thanked her before moving on.
Dixie let out a sigh as she studied the room. Her smile slowly faded, though , her mood dampening somewhat. Despite all the wrestlers there, despite all of the fans, it still felt just a little bit empty.
He wasn't there.
And the word was he wasn't going to show up at all.
Dixie crossed her arms over her chest and bowed her head. Nobody had heard from him in weeks. Not since he had disappeared from the summit. Not even James or Hulk could get a hold of him.
She knew he couldn't have been happy to see Serge there, but why did he have to just up and leave.
He had said he wanted her. That he wanted to be with her. But if that were true then how could he have just gone?
Dixie closed her eyes and sighed, fighting to control her emotions. Now wasn't the time for this. She needed to concentrate on the event. That's what was important.
A buzz began to go through the crowd of fans, a few of them looking to the main doors. Dixie opened her eyes and followed their gaze. Her brows began to knit, a frown marring her features.
Bobby Roode entered the convention hall and looked around with disdain. It was clear by his expression that he thought all of this was beneath him.
His eyes landed on Dixie, though, and he began to smirk.
"Why don't we get you out of here, Dixie." Al Snow suggested as he slipped a hand on her back and tried to lead her away.
"Yeah." D'Lo Brown agreed, "This way."
"No." Dixie shook her head, "No, I'm staying right here. I'll be damned if I let him run me off."
Bobby made his way towards her, his smirk growing, "Hey there, Dix. Can't have an Impact fan weekend without your biggest star, can you?"
"Bobby, why don't you just get out of here." Al sighed, "It's obvious that you don't want to be here."
"Hey, Al, why don't you shut up." Bobby threatened, "Before I take that stupid mannequin head of yours and shove it down your throat."
Al's eyes narrowed and he started to advance on the cocky champion when Dixie and D'Lo grabbed a hold of his arms and held him back.
"Not here." Dixie warned.
Al stopped and forced himself to calm down.
"That's right, you pathetic has-been." Roode threatened, "Make that never-was."
"Why are you even here, Bobby?" Dixie questioned him, "This is a fan weekend. For the fans. It's clear that you couldn't care less about them."
"I just thought I'd give your pathetic little party some credibility." Roode turned his attention back on her, his smirk returning, "Come on, Dixie, when are you going to get it through that empty head of yours? I am Impact Wrestling. You wouldn't have a show without me. You wouldn't have a company without me. You would have nothing. I am this business and I need to be treated with a little more respect."
"You've got to be joking." Dixie shook her head, disgusted, "I cannot believe your arrogance! You may be a star in this company. And you may be it's champion. But you didn't make it. It doesn't revolve around you!"
Bobby started to approach Dixie when Al stepped in front of him. There was a quick scuffle and the Impact champion leveled the older man with a vicious blow. As he sank to his knees D'Lo rushed forward. Unfortunately Bobby took him out with a kick to the midsection and a well placed knee to the jaw.
Dixie looked down at the injured agents with wide eyes.
She turned back to Bobby and pointed a finger at him, "Get out of here! You're not welcome here, Bobby! Just get out!"
Bobby grabbed a hold of her wrist and yanked her to him, "Me get out?! You're telling me to get out?! I made this company, you bitch! You're nothing without me! Impact is nothing without me!"
Suddenly one of the fans jumped out of the crowd and grabbed the sleeve of Roode's suit jacket. They yanked him around and sent a kick of their own to his gut. As the champion hunched over the fan grabbed him by the hair and sent a vicious blow to his jaw. Bobby hit the ground as the fans began to cheer.
As the "fan" lowered his hood and removed his shades Dixie's heart began to speed up.
"Sting." she murmured in disbelief and the fans' cheering grew.
The Icon leaned down and grabbed a hold of either side of Bobby's head, yanking him up. He leaned over and snarled something in his ear before shoving him away in disgust.
As he straightened he found himself looking right at Dixie. At that moment time seemed to stand still. Seeing her again after so many weeks was like a shock to his system. He wasn't prepared for the acute reaction he felt.
"Steve. . ." Dixie started to approach him when he backed away.
Sting shook his head. He couldn't do this. He couldn't deal with her right now. No matter how much he wanted to go to her and demand to know what was going on between her and Serge. No. No, he needed to concentrate on Roode.
He waved her off and turned, exiting the hall.
Dixie looked after him in disbelief as tears pricked her eyes and hurt welled up in her chest.
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It was the end of the night and the final match, a championship Title Match between Bobby Roode and James Storm, was taking place.
The crowd were on their feet, swept up in the fire and emotions of the match.
For the past twenty minutes champion and challenger had gone back and forth. Just when it looked like James might win it Bobby was able to turn it around. Just when Bobby looked like he was going to win James found the strength to fight back.
It got to the point where James had Bobby down on the mat. The Cowboy backed up into the corner and tapped his leg, anxious for his former friend now turned sworn enemy to rise.
"Come on!" James bellowed, raking his hands through his hair with anticipation, "Come on!"
The crowd were on the edge of their seats, begging for Roode to eat a Last Call Superkick.
The Impact champion staggered to his feet and turned around. James launched himself at the other man, his foot aimed for Bobby's face.
Somehow Bobby was able to duck out of the way at the last minute and kick James in the gut. He then grabbed his former tag team partner, intent on giving him a DDT. James swung out of the move and spun Bobby around, his foot once again going up.
But Roode caught it, stopping the blow that would have ended the match. James again swung out of his hold and Bobby was on him in an instant, getting him down on the mat and into a Cross Face.
James screamed out in pain, his free arm shaking.
Brian Hebner leaned down and asked him if he wanted to quit but the former champion refused.
Somehow the Cowboy was able to get to his knees and he rolled over the champion. Unfortunately the hold wasn't broken and Bobby locked it on even tighter than before.
Luckily Storm was close to the ropes and he was able to get his foot across the bottom one. Brian called for Bobby to release the hold, which the champion did so reluctantly.
Bobby climbed to his feet and pulled Storm up by his long hair. He went to attack him again when Storm suddenly jumped up, hands locked around his neck and his knees shoved into the champion's chest. He yanked Bobby down, sending the other man rocking.
James wasted no time and did it again, this time on the self proclaimed Leader of the Self Generation's back.
Bobby hit the ground and James jumped on him for the pin.
One! Two!
At the last minute Roode kicked out, causing some members of the crowd to groan in frustration.
Both men sagged to the ground, exhausted and desperate to get their fiftieth wind.
"This is awesome! This is awesome!" the crowd cheered their appreciation of the match.
Both men staggered to their feet simultaneously, James grabbing Roode and whipping him towards the corner. Bobby turned it around at the last minute and sent the Cowboy into the turnbuckle. He was on him in a second but James banged back into him.
As he hit Roode, the champion hit the ref and all three men hit the mat.
Roode rolled onto his back and blinked, trying to get his bearings. He rolled onto his side and looked around.
Suddenly his eyes focused on the six pack of beer sitting on the ring steps. James had brought it down before the match.
Gritting his teeth, the champion crawled over to them and selected a bottle. As he stood up James also climbed to his feet. He hurried over to his former partner and spun him around when, swiftly, Bobby hit him over the head with the bottle.
Glass and beer showered over the Cowboy as he fell onto his back with a groan. The champion used that opportunity to cover the other man.
Brian let out a moan and blinked his eyes several times to focus them. He turned his head and noticed that Bobby had James pinned.
The ref crawled over to the two men and weakly beat his hand against the canvas, "One! Two! Three!"
A few in the crowd cheered, a lot of them booed.
Bobby staggered to his feet, a Cheshire grin dancing on his lips. He went to the ropes and yelled for one of the crew members to bring him his belt.
He snatched it out of the man's hands and returned to Brian's side, shoving it into his arms.
"Raise my hand!" he ordered Brain.
The ref looked up at him with narrowed eyes but did as he said. He handed Bobby back the belt and raised his hand.
Roode raised his hand and the belt high into the air and grinned triumphantly. He could hear the crowd booing him but he couldn't care less. He was the champion. He was the It Factor. They were nothing to him.
He lowered his hand and turned, spotting Storm. The other man was still down on the ground, a trail of blood flowing from the gash on his forehead.
Bobby walked over to him and studied him.
"Back off, Bobby." Brian ordered him, trying to move him back.
Bobby simply grabbed a hold of the man's face and shoved him back across the ring. He turned back to his former tag team partner and grinned. To add insult to injury he spit on the other man and laughed.
The crowd's booing grew, the fans insulted by the disgusting behavior of the World Heavyweight Champion.
Bobby only grinned at them. They were nothing, meant nothing, to him. They were peons beneath him.
Suddenly their boos turned to cheers. They were on their feet, screaming and clapping.
At their abrupt change of mood Roode's eyes began to narrow, uneasiness welling up inside of him.
What are those idiots cheering for? he wondered.
He slowly turned around, preparing himself for the possibility that Storm had gotten to his feet.
Who greeted him instead was the Icon, Sting, and his baseball bat.
Without wasting an instant, Sting drove the end of the bat into Roode's gut. Bobby let out an 'oof' as pain shot through his middle and caused him to fall to his knees.
While the fans screamed with approval, Sting drug the other man back up to his feet and turned him around.
"No! No!" Bobby called out feebly seconds before Sting Scorpion Death Dropped him in the center of the ring.
"Owww!" the crowd yelled to the Insane Icon.
Sting repeated the chant but promptly returned his attention to the fallen champion. He grabbed Roode by the hair and once again helped him to his feet. He reached over and grabbed the bat, this time slamming it against Bobby's ribs.
Bobby cried out in agony and again sank to his knees. Gripping his middle he glared up at the older wrestler, pain racking his body while anger and helplessness flooded his mind.
Sting walked over to the ropes and called for a microphone. Christy happily gave him one and the Icon returned to Roode.
"Bobby, Bobby, Bobby." Sting grinned down at the other man, "You know, all of this can be avoided if you just give me that match."
"Screw. . .you. . ." the Impact champion wheezed, shaking his head, "Not going to happen, you freak. You're crazy!"
Sting's smile vanished, his expression turning chilling, "That's where you're wrong, Bobby. I'm not crazy. I'm pissed off."
He dropped the mic and once again drove the end of the bat into Roode's sternum. The champion howled, beating his feet against the mat.
Sting turned and left the ring, making his way up the ramp. As he did he passed by a couple of trainers who were making their way down to check out Roode.
"Bobby? Bobby, how are you feeling?" one of the trainers asked as they slid into the ring and began to check over the champion.
"How do you think I am, you idiot!" Roode snarled, shoving the man away.
"Just let us check you out and then you can go." the other trainer murmured, seemingly not caring if Roode were seriously injured or not.
"I don't need your help!" Bobby yelled and started to roll out of the ring.
He groaned and clenched his teeth against the pain as he made his way out of the ring.
Hurt and humiliated, still clutching his wounded middle, he staggered up the ramp and towards the back.
As he passed through the curtain he saw countless wrestlers and crew looking at him with abject elation and triumph.
"Go to hell!" he growled before continuing on.
He had gone a few more feet, finally reaching a more secluded portion of the arena, when he heard someone call out to him.
"Bobby! Bobby, wait up!" the voice was female, young.
"No autographs." he barked as he turned around.
But it wasn't a fan approaching him. It was one of Dixie's brats. What was her name? Tina? Teri? Tiffany? Oh yeah, now he remembered. Tamara.
"You think it's a good idea to come here now?" he asked her darkly, taking a step towards her, "Especially after what your mommy's little hero just did to me?"
To her credit, Tamara held her ground. Her chin went up a notch and she shook her head, "Believe me, I hate Sting as much as you do. Maybe more."
"Good for you." Bobby turned around and began to hobble away.
"Listen, I'm on your side. I want to help you." Tamara fell into step beside him, looking up at him earnestly.
Bobby stopped and glared down at her, "And why should I believe some teenybopper brat like you?"
"Because Sting's ruined my life." Tamara told him, unshed tears shining in her eyes, "He came between my parents and now my mom wants to divorce my dad and be with that freak."
"Can you speed it up, kid?" Bobby muttered, "Get to the point already."
"I want to see Sting get his." she went on, her tone dripping with acid, "And I know you're the only one who can make that happen. Let me help you, Bobby. I'll do whatever it takes to bring that bastard down."
Bobby looked her over thoughtfully. Dixie's sweet little daughter had quite a bad side. Maybe there was hope for the kid after all.
Suddenly he began to smile. Thing just might be looking up after all.