Please Mind the Gap

-December 30, 2013; Richmond, Virginia-

Tessa was ready. She didn't have much to be ready for but she was ready nonetheless. Her WWE debut would take place after the 10 Diva tag team match. Once the Total Divas won the match, Tessa would walk out onto the stage and stand back, watching as the 'True' Divas walked past her. She didn't need to look intimidated or intimidating; she just needed to be there.

When she had been briefed about her debut she wondered why she was debuting when AJ wasn't on the card but she realised that by making an appearance in front of the other Divas, her character Tia would be seen as ready for all of the Divas should the need arise. She was going to always be one step ahead of the game and she liked that.

June Jacobs was no more, forever left on the independent circuit. The WWE was her chance to start anew, to put everything in the past and she was going to do it right.

She had checked in to a hotel earlier that day, as she would be staying the night and celebrating New Years with the rest of the WWE roster. Brie had told her that they were all going to be staying in Richmond for the event and Tessa was just grateful that she was being accepted, she'd taken up the invitation instantly.

She pulled into the car park at the Richmond Coliseum and was shocked to hear someone call her out as June. Tessa raised her head as she closed the door to see a few fans crowding the fence that had been put up and she smiled, waving at whoever called out to her.

The person called out again a few minutes later just as Tessa had pulled her bags from the trunk. Tessa decided, seeing as she was early, there was no harm in walking over to speak with the fans.

"Who's the one calling for my alter ego?"

"That'd be me, sorry," he apologised. "I didn't know what to call you."

"Tia," she told him. "You want the first autograph?" He nodded eagerly and pushed a piece of paper through a gap in the fence along with a marker. A vertical stem for the T was followed by 'ia' before Tessa crossed her T so it stretched the length of the letters and dotted the end. "Not much is it? Such a boring autograph."

"It's great," he said with a wide smile. "You look great."

"Thank you." She looked down at her outfit and laughed, "I actually get to dress like me now. June and Tia have quite a different style."

June Jacobs was more prone to wearing cut up jeans or shorts with some variation of torn up band t-shirt when she had been Tyler Black's girlfriend during Age of the Fall. June Jacobs, since her debut in 2005 as the relationship of Jimmy Jacobs – her real life and kayfabe brother – and Lacey began to blossom, had always been that way. She was rough and angry, her sole purpose was to try and keep Jimmy and Lacey apart. She was Lacey's anti-thesis. June wanted her gone.

Tessa, in real life, however, was shy and proper. She dressed modestly and acted in accordance to society's norms. She didn't start fights, she didn't get into trouble and she definitely didn't meddle in her brother's relationships. Though, Tessa was a phenomenal liar. Maybe it was to do with the amount of acting that went into being June Jacobs.

"Hey, how's it going over here?" Tessa jumped slightly when Nikki appeared by her side. Tessa was deafened by the high pitched squeals when the fans realised John Cena was about to come off the bus. Nikki shrugged; to her it was all in a day's work.

"I gotta go," Tessa said after signing a few more things and taking some photos. "Be safe and respectful and have fun tonight, okay? And stay warm! You're all mad for being out here!"

Telling fans to be respectful had become somewhat of a habit for Tessa. Far too many times she had seen people shouting insults and offensive things at the wrestlers. It came with the territory of being a heel but a lot of things she'd heard had been far past kayfabe.

Tessa tugged her suitcase, her handbag resting on top of it. She didn't yet need to worry about packing for weeks of continuous travel because she only had to make appearances on Monday nights. She knew that she wasn't looking forward to the extensive travelling she'd have to go through. In Japan travel hadn't be strenuous and prior to that she booked her own shows so she was always in control. The WWE was a different ball park.

Her gaze firmly fixed on the ground in front of her, Tessa made her way to the Divas locker room. It as courtesy to introduce herself to people but she couldn't bring herself to do it when every single one of them knew her past. They already knew who she was; introducing herself would only leave herself open for criticism.

"Girl, how excited are you for tonight?" Naomi asked the second the door was pushed open.

"I am nervous," Tessa revealed with a huge smile. "This is actually happening."

"Nothing to be nervous about! Nothing can even go wrong!" Naomi assured her. "All you have to do is go out there and look pretty. You're half done already."

"Thank you," Tessa smiled at the compliment and looked down at her blouse. While she loved what she was wearing, she felt it to be a bit frumpy. Long sleeves and a curved collar. She voiced her thought.

"It's lovely," Brie said, walking into the room. "If that's who Tia is, then there's nothing wrong with it."

"I'm wearing high waisted jeans under it, I'm a prude," Tessa laughed despite herself. Naomi and Brie both shook their heads and again told her that she looked perfectly okay. Tessa let it go but couldn't help but wish she'd at least worn something with shorter sleeves.

Brie dragged her along to make-up. It had been a long time since Tessa had had her makeup professionally done – her Senior Prom was her only memory of it – and she felt slightly confronted when her face was practically redone.

"Sweetie, you're about to go on a stage with many, many lights. And while you looked gorgeous, on camera you'd be paler than the Irish."

Tessa understood eventually, but she didn't like it when her hair was tousled and doused with hairspray. They were putting far too much in for her liking; she hated having to watch the stuff out.

Her decision to wear a long shirt suddenly seemed less disastrous when she thought about the lights and the cameras and how they would look on her skin given she hadn't been for a spray tan in almost two months. She'd become complacent in everyday life and not having to rush around since her release from JWP Joshi Puroresu and Ice Ribbon.

Spray tan was put on her list of things to do alongside a facial and a mani-pedi. All of which she would have to do before she was put on house shows, too.

They made their way to catering, sitting down beside Nikki and the other Total Divas, Tessa noted Natalya's absence. Tessa was quite happy to watch how everything ran, just staring into space until Nikki got her attention.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"The party," Tessa answered. "Like everyone else."

"Yeah, of course, but you do have dinner plans?" Nikki questioned, leaning forward with a cheeky grin.

"Room service." Tessa's answer was met with boos from the other Divas; she elbowed Brie in the side. "What?"

"Please, room service before a party? No, that's lame," Nikki said without hesitation. Tessa would still have to get used to her forthright behaviour. "Brie and I are having dinner with the men, you can join us."

"No!" Tessa answered quickly, hitting her knee on the underside of the table as she jumped up. The other Diva's laughed, all listening to the conversation interestedly.

"Ouch," Brie put a hand over her heart. "We aren't that bad."

"Sorry, over reaction." Tessa hung her head for a moment. "Fifth wheeling? Been there, bought the t-shirt."

Nikki grinned again, the cogs ticking over in her mind. She stated definitely, "We'll get you a date. No problem. All of the boys back here would love to get a piece of you."

"Nikki," Brie scolded her sister. "Sex is actually all you think about, isn't it?"

"If Bryan was as good in bed as John, you'd be the same." The look on Brie's face led Tessa to believe that it wasn't the first time Nikki had used than in an argument. Brie seemed slightly annoyed but mostly indifferent. "Honestly, anyone you're interested in?"

"Please don't set me up," Tessa piped up, her voice pleading. "I don't want to date within in the company. I tried that and it's hard."

"You haven't found the right person," Naomi interjected. Tessa had been given a run down by Brie about the relationships within the company and in her head she connected Naomi to one of The Usos.

"Okay," Tessa relented. "Not now. Not so soon."

"Anyone you got your eye on, boo?" Cameron asked her with a wink.

"No," Tessa answered honestly, shaking her head. She pushed some hair out of her eyes and saw that all of the Divas were staring at her in disbelief.

"Fandango?" Cameron suggested, earning a unanimous laugh.

"Brad Maddox?" Eva Marie asked excitedly, pushing her chair closer to the group. "He's pretty fine." Tessa shook her head but laughed anyway, it was clear the Divas were trying to help her.

"Antonio Cesaro," Naomi offered. No one noticed the colour drain from Tessa's cheeks – probably hidden by the mountain of make-up she was sporting. The women all gushed over his accent and his genuine personality before Tessa could respond.

She did so loudly.

"No!" She protested, louder than she had to the fifth wheel suggestion. She had pushed her seat back and was standing away from the table.

Brie gazed up at her with concerned eyes. She stood up, too, taking Tessa's hand and leading her away from the group and the attention she had garnered.

"What's the matter?" Brie took both of Tessa's hands and searching her face for something. All she saw was panic. "You and Cesaro?"

"No, no," Tessa shook her head, ashamed by her outburst. In a small voice she spoke again, "Bryan told you. Everything. Right?"

"Yeah, he did. I don't care, Tessa." Brie nodded her head as she spoke, trying to assure her friend as best as possible. "Know that, okay? That was back then and we've all done some stupid shit. We're friends now, right? And that comes with all the baggage. I can give you some pretty good stories, too."

"Thank you," Tessa smiled warmly and took a deep breath. "He was there when it happened, you know? Like Bryan. They know what went down and saw it first hand... I'm trying to avoid those people."

"I'll remember that," Brie squeezed Tessa's hands before letting them go. She pushed Tessa's shoulders back and lifted her chin. "Nothing happened. If you act it, it's true."

"What did I do to deserve you?" Tessa asked in disbelief. "I haven't had a decent female friend since 2008."

"Guardian Angel. Who comes with the evil stepmother," she gestured discretely to Nikki as they walked back to the table, Tessa still with her head up and shoulders back. "I told Nikki... I know it's not my place, but she's my sister and-"

"I was the same with my brother, I get it."

"Sure." As they sat down, Brie leant over to whisper in Tessa's ear so the others wouldn't hear. "I think you need to tell the others. I'm sure they know parts of it, but your side of the story is most important."

"You'll get it soon, I promise," Tessa whispered back. "It's just been a long time since I've spoken about it."

"Secrets!" Naomi protested, snapping her fingers in their faces. "None of that, what are you talking about?"

"She's a bit nervous," Brie covered quickly. "Veteran tips for the newcomer."

"She's more of a vet than you are," Cameron reminded Brie who pulled a face.

"I know nothing about a crowd this big," Tessa threw in, ending the conversation.

-Live on Raw-

The True Divas were walking backwards up the ramp while the Total Divas all huddled over Nikki in the ring.

Not one of them saw Tia walk out onto the stage. The crowd murmured and a few people pointed at her, Tia did not react. She watched, expressionless.

Soon enough the Divas noticed her and stared at her in confusion, Aksana asked who she was but was given no response.

"Freak," Rosa laughed directly in Tia's face but still Tia did not flinch.

The Total Divas slowly made their way up the ramp once the others had disappeared behind the curtain and Tia was still standing there. Her together and hanging in front of her, Tia cocked her head to side slightly as Nikki took a step towards her.

"Hello? Anyone in there?" Nikki waved her hand in front of Tia's face but still the new Diva did not flinch. Nikki looked at her sceptically before Brie tugged her arm and pulled her through the curtain, following the others, leaving Tia on the stage by herself.

She moved to stand directly at the top of the ramp and looked down at the ring. A smile formed on her face; genuine, huge. She threw up a quick peace sign to the crowd before turning on the heel of her boot and disappearing behind the curtain, just like everyone else.

-Off Air-

"See, I told you nothing could go wrong," Naomi said pointedly to Tessa who couldn't stop smiling.

Instead of following everyone to the locker room, Tessa sat in front of a screen so she could watch the rest of the show. Bryan Danielson had always been her favourite person to watch in the ring. Not even her brother could make her feel so proud to be a wrestler.

She jumped – for the third time that night – when a hand wiped at her chin. She looked up at the person with confusion in her eyes and panic in her veins. When she saw the person who had touched her, she huffed, crossed her arms and slid down into her seat. There were no greetings necessary, she decided, and stared up at the television as Jon Good pulled a chair up beside her.

"You were drooling a little bit, thought I'd get it before anyone else saw," he told her with a teasing voice.

"I was not," she said back shyly only for him to laugh at her. "What?"

"I spoke to Jimmy yesterday," Jon revealed. "He seems to think you've been ignoring him."

"And if I am?" she asked him, tearing her eyes away from the match – Eric Rowan had just begin his match with Bryan.

"He's cut you didn't call him up when you got signed," Jon stated, moving his chair so he was facing Tessa.

"I haven't spoken to him since all of that. Why would I call him up just to say that?" She asked him in a tight voice. Her brother was someone she didn't like speaking about.

"Maybe because he's the one who got you into the business?"

"If you're finished," Tessa said, knowingly very well that Jon had only just gotten started with her. "I have places to be and things to do."

She stood up and walked away, she could feel his eyes on her and she pictured him shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

Tessa turned the corner and stopped walking. Leaning against the wall she swallowed the lump in her throat and willed away impending tears. Of course her brother knew where she was. Of course she should have told him first.

It was every little mention or thought of her brother that made Tessa realise just how bad she had messed up; just how much she had missed her family. It made her realise how difficult it was going to be to fix all of that.

a/n: I cannot thank everyone enough for being interested in this story at this very early stage! I hope I can keep you enticed throughout!

Extra super duper special thanks to deanambooty, UntilNeverDawns, Tootertoad85, Livin on the EDGE, nmoxracha, alibob687, Imagineer1392, ajroleplays and CarolReigns for taking the time to review!

I'm going to try my hardest to keep updating every two days, too!