Thursday 15th September
''That was...''
''Uh-huh...''
Jon had made good on his promise and they now lay in a sweaty tangle of limbs, her head resting on his chest as he idly ran his fingers through her hair.
''So, how was the show, you get booed?''
Alexa rolled her eyes and prodded him gently in the ribs. ''No. I got a pretty loud cheer actually, it was awesome.''
''I bet... are they going to be showing it on TV?''
''I don't know, I'm sure it'll appear on the internet at some point though.''
He nodded, glancing down at her. ''Anything else happen?''
''I met Bret Hart!" She exclaimed, suddenly remembering the awkward encounter. ''I made a complete idiot of myself, as per usual, but he was nice about it... all I have to do now is meet Roddy Piper and my life will be complete!"
Jon snorted at her excitement. ''You're a Piper fan?''
''Huge! I had the biggest crush on him when I was younger... I think it was the kilt...'' She quickly reached up, placing a finger over his lips as he was about to speak. ''Before you say anything, yes, I'm aware that I'm a weirdo... thank you.''
He smiled down at her before grabbing her hand and placing a tender kiss on her fingers. ''I wouldn't have you any other way.''
''Good to know.'' She spoke softly, laying her head back on his chest as he kept hold of her hand, tracing soft patterns over the lines of her palm. ''I, uh, also had a little run-in with Randy...''
His movements faltered slightly as she spoke. ''What happened?''
''He's delusional. He thought we could put everything behind us and be friends or something... we argued, he grabbed my arm, and I may, or may not, have kicked him in the balls.''
Jon laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. ''Good. He's a dick.''
''Understatement of the year.''
''The last time you saw him, you came back with bruises all over your face and arms.'' He started softly. ''You just said he grabbed you the other night... did he ever hit you, back when you were together?''
''There were times when I thought he might, usually whenever he was high... but no, he never hit me.''
''I'd heard a few things about his drug problems, wasn't sure if any of it was true though.''
She let out a wry laugh. ''Oh, it's true. The stuff that's been documented is only the half of it, the reality was much worse... steroids, weed, sleeping pills... I got back to our hotel room one night and found him... he'd overdosed and stopped breathing... it was rough.''
''Why did you stay with him?''
''I loved him.''
Jon tentatively broke the silence that had fallen over them. ''I had a drug problem... back in my early twenties. I was wrestling in Puerto Rico, which was pretty decent money. Being so young and having so much extra cash in a place like that... just lead to me popping pills and taking a shit load of drugs. I lost a ton of weight, I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating... Honestly, I'm surprised I'm still alive...''
''How did you get out of it?''
''I came home... cleaned myself up. I got turned down by Johnny Ace for a developmental contract because I'd lost so much weight... but then I built myself back up and made something of myself in the indies before finally getting this WWE contract... so in the end, I guess it all worked out.''
''What's that saying...'' She murmured, watching the gentle rise and fall of his broad chest. ''Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places.''
Thursday 13th October
''Yes!"
''Okay, that's it. I don't know how, but she's cheating. Nobody can be that attractive and this good at a video game.''
''Don't be such a sore loser, Pollinsky.''
''Yeah dude, it's not her fault you suck.''
Alexa laughed at the sour expression on the man's face as he glared over at Joe, who was watching from the other side of the room. The two men had been going over their match for the TV tapings that night when she had joined them. Somehow their conversation had turned to video games which lead to their impromptu game in the lounge room of the building.
''Best of three?''
Jon paused as he walked down the hallway of the FCW arena, yanking his headphones form his ears and hearing loud laughter as he passed one of the rooms. He took a few steps back and glanced through the doorway.
Alexa and Matt were perched on the small couch playing WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 on the Playstation. They were both laughing as he shoulder barged her in an attempt to throw her off, while Joe was chucking from his seat in the corner.
An irrational feeling of jealousy awakened in him as he watched the pair interact before he quickly shook it off, reminding himself he had no reason to feel that way. ''What's going on?'' He asked, leaning into the room.
Joe glanced over at him, amusement shining in his eyes. ''Lex keeps beating Matt.''
''Really, Matt? Beaten by a girl...''
''Didn't you get beaten up by said girl last week in the ring?'' He shot back, not taking his eyes off the screen.
Alexa turned, sending a smug smirk his way as Matt leaned over and pressed all the buttons on her controller. Her head snapped back to the television just in time to see herself get pinned, her mouth falling open in outrage. Matt raised his arms in victory and she dropped her controller, moving over to put him in a headlock.
''You fucker!"
The other two men laughed as they watched them grapple on the couch, before another body appeared beside Jon in the doorway. ''What have I told you about manhandling the talent, Alexandra.''
''It's okay, Darren, I don't mind...''
Alexa's eyebrows furrowed and she glanced down, finding that their current position had Matt's face squashed against her chest. She quickly released him, shoving her away from him as he sent her a cheeky wink.
''I need to borrow you for a while, if that's alright?''
''Sure thing.'' She hopped up off the couch with an impish grin. ''I'm getting sick of winning anyway.''
''Next time, Torres.'' Matt warned her.
Alexa just rolled her eyes as she crossed the room. As she passed Jon, she discretely reached out to give his ass a light squeeze, letting out a soft laugh when he jumped at the sudden contact. She followed Darren down the hallway, not having to turn around to know that Jon was staring after her.
The sound of bodies hitting the mat echoed around the training room as Alexa and Darren walked inside. Živilė, Ariane, Ashley and Irena were joined inside one of the rings by Adam 'Joey Mercury' Birch, who had recently signed up at FCW as a trainer. The four women were due to have a tag team match later on that night and were running over some moves as the man offered them his expertise.
''So, why am I here?'' Alexa asked, turning to face the man beside her.
''Well, we thought they could benefit from some time with you. Especially young Ariane, she's... got a lot to learn.''
She snorted at his polite way of saying she sucked and the pair wandered over to the ring. Adam told Ashely and Živilė to take a quick breather while he and Alexa spent some time with the two newest members of the roster, Ariane and Irena. Ignoring the glares the latter kept sending her way, Alexa joined Adam in the middle of the ring.
"Watch this carefully, Ariane."
He whispered a few words into Alexa's ear before picking her up and dropping her to the mat in a hard body slam.
"See how Lex controls her body and protects her head and neck on landing? You can't let your opponent do all the work for you, you need to work as a team. You're both responsible for each others safety as well as your own.''
Ariane nodded as she watched them, taking it all in eagerly. ''Can you teach me how to do a DDT?''
''Sure.'' Alexa and Adam squared up and she lifted up her foot, placing the flat of it over his abdomen. ''First thing you have to do is kick him right in the stomach.'' She demonstrated and the man doubled over like he was in pain. ''You've only got to tap him with the flat of your foot, then pull it away really quickly... for the actual DDT, you start by putting him in a front facelock, your arm needs to be tight around his neck." She wrapped her forearm around Adam's neck as she explained, before looking over at Ariane. "Then all you have to do is kick your legs out from under you. You'll take a back bump and he'll take a face bump. Make sure you do something to let him know you're about to go, a slap on the back or something is usually easiest. As you go down, you'll need to loosen your arm... if it stays tight around the neck then he's just going to go face first into the canvas.''
Alexa gave him a quick smack on the back before kicking her legs out from underneath her, performing a textbook DDT. She turned to face Ariane with a smile. "Want to give it a go?"
Alexa grunted as she landed hard on the mat, the wind being momentarily knocked out of her.
''Shit, sorry Lex.''
She had been training one-on-one with Ariane in the ring for just under an hour while Adam and Irena watched from the side. She had just attempted a snap suplex but got the angle slightly wrong, meaning Alexa's landing was off.
She smiled as Ariane helped her to her feet. ''It's okay.''
''You know, I really appreciate you helping me out. I know I'm a slow learner and you've been really patient with me.''
''You're doing great.'' Alexa encouraged.
''How about you three have a quick match?'' Adam suggested to the women. ''You two against Lex and I'll referee.''
Ariane and Alexa started the 'match' off, the younger woman being able to perform every move that had been asked of her, albeit a little sloppily. Eventually, Irena tagged in, charging towards her with her arm outstretched.
Expertly ducking underneath, Alexa waited until other woman had turned to face her before crouching down and sweeping her legs out from under her. Irena hit the mat with a bang, surprise etched on her face as she looked up at her. After a few more minutes of moves back and forth, the two women locked up in the middle of the ring.
Alexa was suddenly sent reeling back when the other woman's elbow connected solidly with her face; she felt her teeth rattle together and her head started to swim as she stumbled backwards, using the ropes to support herself. Her teeth must have cut into her bottom lip when Irena hit her, she could taste the metallic tang as blood started to pool in her mouth.
''Lex, you alright?''
Ignoring Adam's concerned voice, she opened her mouth and tentatively touched the inside of her lip, wincing when she found a deep cut.
''Lex?''
''I'm fine.'' She told him, swiping away the blood that was slowly trickling down her chin.
After sending one last glare Irena's way, she quickly climbed out of the ring, the sound of Adam admonishing the woman reaching her ears as she stalked across the room. She was beyond pissed off; knowing what had just happened was no accident, having seen the smug look on Irena's face when she saw the blood. She had no idea what had made the woman hate her so much that she would act so unprofessionally.
Glancing up as she neared the exit, she spotted Jon making his way inside, closely followed by Darren. The pair presumably planning on using the ring so they could go over their upcoming match.
They came to a halt in front of her and, catching sight of her murderous expression, the Englishman's smile quickly turned into a frown. ''What's the matter?''
''Nothing. I'm peachy.'' Unaware that her teeth were coated in blood, she flashed him a sarcastic grin and felt the warm liquid drip down her chin. Their expressions were a mix of concern and disgust as she quickly cupped her hand over her mouth.
''Jesus, how did that happen?'' Jon asked.
''Irena stiffed me.''
Instead of making an innuendo, like the other two expected, Jon stepped forward and nudged her hand out-of-the-way. Placing once hand under her chin, he used the other to gently pull her bottom lip out, eyes furrowed as he assessed the damage.
''Looks like it needs stitches.''
''No, it's fine.'' She insisted, trying to shove him away.
''Your tooth's gone right through the skin, I'm telling you, it needs stitches.''
Darren stepped forward, taking a quick look before glancing at her sympathetically. ''I think he's right, you should head down to the trainer's office. Mark should be there.''
''Fantastic.'' She groaned, rolling her eyes.
''Would you like one of us to come with you?'' Darren asked kindly. ''I know how much you despise needles.''
Alexa shot him a grateful smile but shook her head. ''I'll be fine, I've got my big girl panties on today.'' She watched as Jon smirked before opening his mouth, and quickly cut across whatever comment he was about to make. ''You guys go ahead, I know you've got things to go over before the show.''
RealSierra: Battle wound!
Alexa took a quick selfie showing off her newly stitched lip and her blood coated teeth, before posting that along with her tweet.
''Thanks, doc.''
''No problem, I hope I don't see you here again any time soon.'' The man smiled as he ripped off his gloves and tossed them in the trash.
''Trust me, I don't want that either.''
''Knock, knock.''
Alexa turned, finding Darren's head peering around the doorway. ''Hello, dear.'' He smiled down at her. ''I just came to make sure everything was alright.''
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly and jumped off the medical table. ''Everything's fine. It was only four stitches, I've had worse.''
''She was very brave.''
''Thank you Mark, not at all patronizing...''
The medic laughed. ''She nearly broke the table, her hands were gripping the edge that tightly.''
''Bless.'' Darren offered her his arm. ''Come on. I'll escort you back to the locker room.''
''How gentlemanly of you.'' She laughed, looping her arm through his. They said a quick goodbye to Mark before heading off down the hallway. ''So, will you be gracing us with your presence tomorrow night?''
He glanced across at her. ''Tomorrow night?''
''It's Shaul's twenty-first birthday, we're having a surprise party for her down at the Manhattan.'' She informed him with a smirk. ''I asked you a couple of weeks ago, you're obviously getting forgetful in your old age.''
''Cheeky cow. There's plenty of life in the old dog yet.''
Alexa laughed. ''I don't doubt it. I'm sure you could give most of the guys around here a run for their money.''
''You bet I bloody well could!" Darren puffed out his chest proudly.
''You should come. It's not going to be a wild night or anything, I probably won't drink so you won't be the only sober one there.''
''You don't have to abstain on my account, Alexa. I'm perfectly capably of being around people drinking without feeling the temptation to do so myself.'' He told her softly.
''I'm doing it more for me. I've been partying a lot recently and-''
''I think after everything you've been through over the past few years, you're entitled to let loose every now and then. You're only young, you should be out enjoying yourself, not sitting at home moping around. You know I'd be the first to say something if I thought it was getting a bit much.''
''I know... thank you.''