Chapter 9:

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the WWE, TNA, HWA or CZW. I only own the OCs.

Bill's funeral had been beautiful, yet extremely difficult for Allie. Much like Mark and Glenn, Bill had, had a large impact on Allie's life. Having to say good-bye so soon was just something Allie couldn't accept. During the viewings and church service, she sat between Mark and Glenn in almost a daze. She hadn't slept much and when she did her dreams were filled with sorrow and mourning. This industry was a harsh one, where it seemed like you were constantly saying good-bye to friends, in this case she was saying good-bye to a man that was practically family. Allie just couldn't wrap her head around it.

It was Saturday, the day after the funeral. She was suppose to stay in Alabama until Monday morning, then fly out for Raw. As she sat around, trying to come to terms with the last few days, she just couldn't. She had received many texts and calls from friends expressing their condolences, but she hadn't responded to any of them. She just didn't know what to say and figured most of them had probably spoken to Mark or Glenn, anyway. Even The Shield and Sami had tried to check up on her and she felt bad not responding, but she just felt lost.

After sitting around for most of the day, she finally decided that she had to find something to occupy her mind. She just couldn't spend the next two days doing nothing, it would only play on her mind and wouldn't help her heal. Picking up her phone, she scrolled through her contacts, finding the person she was looking for and hit send.

After a few rings the expected strong, gruff voice sounded through, "Hey. Surprised you called me."

"Yea, well, I knew if I called Steph I'd have to sit through the therapy session and as much as I love her I'm just not in the mood," Allie spoke calmly through the phone.

"Then I won't bother to ask how you're doing since we saw you yesterday," the gruff voice said in an understanding tone.

"Thank you," she replied, gratefully. "I just don't know what to say to people. I've been letting Mark and Glenn field all the questions and condolences. I feel like an ass, but it just sucks. I don't know how else to describe it."

"I think that sums it up pretty well, actually. It does suck," he agreed. Trying to change the topic for her, he asked, "So, what are you doing to keep yourself occupied?"

She sighed heavily, before responding, "That's why I was calling. I can't sit around here for two more days. I need to do something."

"Well, you can fly out to the house show for tomorrow. You won't make tonight's, but you can fly to the next town. The Shield has a meet and greet with kids out at a blood and cancer center tomorrow," he informed her. "You can go with them and manage that, if you want."

"Sounds good," she responded, almost relieved that he had something for her. "I'll book a later flight then and get in sometime tonight."

"Alright, I'll take care of hotel accommodations and have someone pick you up at the airport. Just let me know when your flight will be in." She heard the background noise of him clicking at his computer, as he responded.

"Ok, I will," said pulling out her laptop to pull up flights. "Thank you," she answered with genuine gratitude.

"Don't mention it, Al," he said as they began to wrap up their phone call.

Before they hung up, Allie spoke again, "Oh, and Hunter?"

"Yea?"

"You're still a jackass."

"Yea," she heard the smirk in his voice, along with a small chuckle. "I know." With that they ended the call and Allie scrolled threw flights. After finding one, she shot Hunter a quick text informing him of the arrival time. After receiving a confirmation from him that someone would pick her up, Allie heard a knock at the door.

Opening the door to her hotel room, she was greeted by the hesitant smiles of Mark and Glenn. Opening the door wider, she motioned for them to come in.

"What's up, guys?" She asked, as she closed the door behind them. The three of them moved to sit in the small living area of her suite.

"We just came by to see what you had planned for the day," Mark spoke, he eyes scanning her as if trying to read her current emotional state.

She gave him a small reassuring smile, as she spoke, "Actually, I just got off the phone with Hunter. I think it's best for me to head back out on the road and back to work. Sitting around for the next two days, especially here isn't going to do me any good."

Glenn and Mark glanced at each other, before looking back at Allie. "We're glad you said that, because we were actually going to recommend that. We feel the same way in regards to us, it's just weighing on our minds being here. We were gonna head home, before meeting back up with the crew on Monday," Glenn said as he leaned forward to rest his arms in his denim covered thighs.

"When are you leaving, Rookie?" Mark asked her, placing his arm across the back of the couch.

"I booked it for later this evening," Allie answered looking between them. "I thought maybe we could go out to dinner before my flight." The two men agreed, and the three friends headed to dinner.

After dinner, Mark and Glenn had dropped her at the airport in Alabama. It had been an emotional good-bye after being in such close quarters with them over the last few days. With tight hugs and promises to meet up when the other two returned to the road, they parted ways. A few hours later, Allie's flight had just landed and she was making her way through the airport to meet up with her ride.

Reaching baggage claim, she approached the belt and was leaning over to grab her bag, when a hand shot out in front of her and pulled it off the belt. Turning quickly, she gave a relieved sigh and a small smile at the sight of Joe. Glancing behind him, she saw Colby and Jon, both giving her a small wave.

"Hi boys," she said to all three in a quiet, tired voice. Jon and Colby both stepped forward. Jon taking her carry on and throwing it on his shoulder, while Colby wrapped a friendly arm across her shoulders and steered her towards the parking lot, with Jon and Joe following close behind. None of them spoke as they reached the car, and all four of them settled in for the drive to the hotel.

Allie was sitting in the backseat, her head rested against the window as she gazed outside. Jon's voice, coming from beside her, brought her out of her thoughts, "Hunter said to let you know that the hotel was all booked up tonight, so he hopes you don't mind crashing with us."

Allie turned her tired gaze towards him and stifled a yawn as she responded, "No, that's fine. Sorry to inconvenience you guys."

Joe's voice chimed in from the driver's seat, "It's not an inconvenience. We volunteered when he told us the hotel was booked. We just hoped you wouldn't mind." Allie shook her head, stifling another yawn.

She suddenly felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her, until she was pressed snugly against Jon's warm body. "Might as well catch some sleep. The hotel's a little bit of a drive." Allie's exhaustion didn't allow her to protest, as she laid her head against Jon's shoulder. She didn't know if it was just her body's exhaustion or not, but she had fallen asleep quickly in Jon's warm, comfortable embrace. For the first time in several days, she didn't dream of sadness and broken hearts. She dreamt of strong, warm arms and crystal blue eyes.

When Allie awoke, she was tucked snugly into a warm comfortable bed. The sun was just starting to shine threw the cracks in the drawn curtains and for the first time in days, she felt rested. She sat up slowly and looked around the room. She saw her suitcases sitting on the floor by the dresser, but noticed a second set laying beside them. She instantly felt a wave a guilt fill her, knowing she had cost one of the boys their bed. Heading towards the door, she opened it quietly, in an attempt to not wake the others.

As soon as she entered the next room, the glorious smell of coffee hit her nose. As she closed her eyes and let out a small moan in joyful pleasure, she heard the soft sound of deep chuckles not to far from her. Opening her eyes quickly, she glanced to the side, where the small kitchenette was, and saw the three men sitting at a small four person table.

"Would you like some coffee, baby girl?" Joe's amused voice sounded around the room. Allie could only nod, blushing slightly at having been caught moaning about the thought of coffee. She made her way further into the room and sat down at the table to join the three men. Joe had already moved to get her coffee and came back set a steamy mug in front of her.

"Thank you," she said, pulling the creamer and sugar, that were sitting on the table, towards her to fix her coffee. After preparing just right, she took several deep swallows of it, before speaking again. "So, who got kicked out of their bed last night?"

The three men looked amongst each other for a moment, almost having a silent conversation with their eyes. "One night on the couch didn't kill me," Jon suddenly spoke, looking down at his coffee cup, before raising it to his lips.

"I could've slept on the couch, Jon. This is your room," Allie insisted. Jon just shot her a look and shook his head, declaring it a dead issue. Allie sighed and continued with her coffee. She suddenly remembered the meet and greet, and looked back up at them. "What time do you have to be at the blood and cancer center?"

"We have to leave in about forty-five minutes," Joe spoke up, standing to refill his cup. "Time for you to finish you coffee and get ready." Allie nodded and quickly finished her coffee, hearing protest from the guys telling her not to rush. She just shrugged and stood to put her mug in the sink, then headed to get ready for the meet and greet.

The boys sat and watched her go, all three feeling as though Allie just wasn't herself. She was usually so spunky, fun, and always joking around. Bill's death had definitely taken it toll on her and they wished and hoped she would bounce back quickly.

Allie was watching the three members of The Shield interact with the children of the blood and cancer center. This had definitely been the distraction that she needed. She smiled watching a little boy slap them all five after being hesitant to approach them at first. As more and more children built up the courage to approach them, Allie felt a small tug on her shirt. Turning and looking down, she met a pair of dazzling green eyes of a tiny little girl with a big smile of her face. Allie smiled back, glancing at who she assumed was this beautiful little girl's dad, before squatting down to her level.

"Hi," she smiled at the girl. The little girl walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her neck, giving her the tightest hug her little arms would allow. Allie felt her heart melt as she returned the hug. A moment later the little girl pulled back to look at her, but remained close.

"You're my favorite," Allie's heart skipped a beat at the girl's words. How could this little girl possibly know her? She's too young. Before she could respond, the girl's father spoke up.

"LeeAnne," he said, trying to get the little girl's attention. When she wouldn't take her eyes off Allie, he spoke to Allie instead, "I'm so sorry. She thinks you're someone else."

"That's ok," Allie smiled at him, before turning back to the girl. "Your name's LeeAnne?"

"Yea, and it's your middle name," whatever doubt that Allie had about this little girl knowing her, vanished with that comment.

Hiding her shock, Allie asked, "Who do you think I am, LeeAnne?" Not responding verbally right away, LeeAnne reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. Handing the paper to her, she realize it was actually a picture. A picture of female wrestler, standing on a turnbuckle in the ring. It was like looking at a picture of ghost. Allie struggled with the reality that at one point in time, she and the woman in the photo were the same person.

The picture had to be 4-5 years old. She was decked out in all her purple and black glory. Black leather, skin tight shorts that laid over black fishnet, covered her legs. Her torso was wrapped in a tight, purple and black camo, leather vest. It was similar to the vests the shield wore now, only more feminine. She wore black and purple kick pads that almost had a leather look to them. Her hair was black with bright streaks of purple running through it and her make-up dark, with her right eye painted with a purple diamond. How LeeAnne was able to tell it was her was a mystery.

"You were my mommy's favorite too," LeeAnne spoke, as Allie looked back at her, "She used to watch you all the time. She said you were different. You were the change that girls needed. Someone we could all look up too. Before my mommy left to live with Jesus, I told her that I wanted to be just like you when I grow up. Know what she said?"

Allie eyes had filled with tears and they began to stream slowly down her face. Unable to respond verbally, she merely shook her head.

"She said that, when I got the chance to meet you, to make sure to tell you that there are people out there that still remember. That people may forget the matches you were in, how many titles you won, and how many Wrestlemanias you main-evented, but no one will ever forget how you made them feel." Allie's breath got caught in her throat as she struggled to keep her composure in front of this beautiful little girl. "How you made her feel. How you make me feel. We need you need you back. Lots of little girls need a superhero."

Allie sniffled back tears before answering, this little girl who was so wise beyond her years and who had lost a lot of her innocence, because life had dealt her a tough hand, "It's been a long time since I was a superhero, sweetie. I don't know if I remember how to be one."

LeeAnne wrapped her arms around Allie's neck and pressed the sides of their faces together, "Yes, you do. You're doing it right now. The way to be a real superhero, is fighting for the good guys, visiting sick kids in the hospital, and taking the time to listen to a little girl who is probably your biggest fans, just to name a couple things."

Out of her peripheral vision, Allie saw three figures standing and watching the scene before them. Turning towards them, Allie was met with the unreadable expressions of Jon, Joe, and Colby. LeeAnne gave the men a bright smile as she stood back from Allie. "You guys all done?" The only response was Joe and Colby nodding slightly, while Jon's eyes continued to bore into her. Standing back up to her full height, Allie wiped her eyes, then took LeeAnne's hand and walked over to the three men. "LeeAnne, have you met The Shield yet?"

LeeAnne shook her head shyly, but still smiling brightly at them. "They're the greatest team ever." After hearing her statement, all three men finally snapped out of their thoughts and focused on the little girl before them. Jon stepped forward, squatting down to her level, much like Allie had.

He smirked at her, cocking his head slightly, and in Dean Ambrose fashion asked her, "Do you believe in The Shield?" LeeAnne didn't hesitate, she nodded her head vigorously, making all three men smile. Jon held his hand out to her and she took it, stepping closer to him. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"LeeAnne," she smiled sweetly at him.

"LeeAnne?" He continued to smile at her, "That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you," she blushed and giggled. "It's Allie's middle name too."

Jon looked up to Allie, giving her another unreadable look. It unnerved her a little to not be able to tell what he or the others were thinking. Jon's gaze remained on her as he answered, "I heard." Allie felt her heart stop and she froze, swallowing harshly. Looking to Joe and Colby, she saw the confirmation in their faces. If they had been standing there long enough to hear that, then they had heard the rest of the conversation too. Allie felt herself begin to tremble slightly, repeating over and over in her head, 'No, no, no'. This couldn't be happening. Not now, not this way. She wasn't ready yet.

She watched LeeAnne lean forward and whisper into Jon's ear. His eyes remained locked on Allie as he listened. A small smile came to his face as she went on. Once she had finished, he turned and began to whisper back to her. As he finished whispering to her, LeeAnne laughed happily and leaped at him, hugging him tightly.

After taking numerous pictures with both The Shield and Allie and collecting autographs, LeeAnne gave Allie one more big hug and skipped happily away with her father. Allie watched her leave, until she couldn't see her anymore. She was then ushered out of the building by The Shield, as they all headed back to the hotel.

Once back in their shared hotel suite, the three men turned to look at her. She swallowed harshly, waiting for one of them to speak. Suddenly Jon snapped out, "You got something you wanna share?"

Allie ran her hand through her hair and sighed heavily again. She could tell the men were confused and a little angry, feeling they had been deceived again. Allie cleared her throat, before speaking as strongly as she could. "I use to be a wrestler for the WWE. I was better known then as, 'The Allie Kat'. I was the Undertaker's protege and Vince McMahon's worst nightmare. I was the original Anti-Diva."

A/N: I'll leave you here :) Reviews please!

I was completely heartbroken at the news of Ultimate Warrior's passing. It just seemed so surreal. He had literally just been on Raw the night before. My prayers are with his family. Those poor little girls :( RIP Warrior