Title: Incognito
Chapter 3: Hello
Summary: When Evolution reformed in April 2014, The Shield wasn't really sure what to do to stop the powerhouse of a stable. An unlikely source sends the brothers to find something... or better yet someone… to help them in their crusade against Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista. Only problem: Olivia Hurst was never supposed to reenter the world of the WWE.
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April 2014
"Savannah would have never stood for this, Dave!" shouted an irate Randy Orton as the two descended the staircase at WWE headquarters after having Evolution's weekly team meeting. They had been berated about their performance from the past Raw and SmackDown. Trips had gone to great lengths to scream at them about how terribly a unit his two young protégés had become since they had last teamed together. Hunter seemed to forget it had been over a decade since the last time they had teamed together. It had been an even longer since they had all been on the same page or let alone even in the same book for that matter.
Dave sighed internally not wanting to showcase his emotions to Randy Orton of all people. He shouldn't have come back here, he shouldn't have entered the Rumble, and most of all he shouldn't have rejoined Evolution when Triple H had asked him. There were too many painful memories still surrounding this place and Dave couldn't shake them. Even in all his time away, the nightmares that existed here never left it seemed. Sure the people didn't speak about the tragedy, but they buried it under everything else.
Every second he was here, his bones ached from his bouts with The Shield. He knew it wasn't their fault for wanting to protect the WWE from all injustice in the company. If Dave truly voiced his opinion he really didn't care "what was best for business" anymore. Daniel Bryan had been cheated out of the title because of him, Randy, and Triple H about a dozen times over the last two months. Sure, Dave had wanted to be champion especially put up his creed for the movie, but to bury someone who was here every day working in and out was wrong. That wasn't the only thing bothering the Animal though. The shadows plaguing him were more his concern than upholding The Authority's corporate mantra. But the second Randy uttered that name; it opened up the flood gates of emotions he had been struggling to keep shut since he had returned to the WWE.
Savannah Sage Helmsely still lived on in each and every wrestler's mind every single day. There certainly wasn't a day when Dave didn't think about her. Her shining eyes smiling at him as the two of them did yoga poses in the park, \ her rocking out to ABBA and annoying Randy on their road trips across the county to get the next show, or even just having the ability to give her a hug when she was looking upset. Batista's heart ached every day for the loss of Savannah Sage, but rarely did he speak of it.
It was Hunter's biggest rule: never speak of Savannah Sage. Randy Orton, of all people, had just broken it. This was of no surprise to Batista, knowing Savannah had seen Randy as a brother. The two had bonded, not like him and her had bonded, but in a familial ties sort of way. Trying to prove they were better than the Legacy they descended from. To Hunter though, Savannah was his greatest asset, yet biggest mistake. In some circles, they said if his opponents would have used Savannah right, she could have been Triple H's kryptonite, but she never let that happen. Savannah was pure, good, just, and fair, until Hunter christened her with that stupid sledgehammer, but that was a story for another time.
In Evolution's earliest days, Savannah Sage served a greater purpose. She had been Dave's girlfriend. The two had stuck together quite well and Hunter couldn't have been more thrilled about his daughter to taking to his stablemate. He had finally cracked the nut that was his daughter by having her join Evolution in order to protect her Woman's Championship. Batista and Sage had intergender tag matches so often it was ridiculous. They were two of the most dominate superstars in the business. The announcers would always say Savannah was the Beauty who tamed the fierce and savage heart of a beast known as the Animal.
Randy would always get jealous of the two of them. Before his mean streak, he was like a brother to Dave and Savannah. The three would hang out together and live the high life any young superstar would want, but that came crumbling down upon them faster than any of the three had expected.
The night Savannah was gifted with Triple H's sledge hammer something inside her snapped. Hunter had concocted a plan to get the young woman to forever keep her in his corner. Savannah had received the sledgehammer as an insurance policy for keeping her championship around her waist. She had to retain her title against Trish Stratus the following week at a pay per view, but no one knew what was coming. The night the sledge hammer arrived was the beginning of the end for Evolution.
The night after the pay per view where Savannah Sage lost herself was when it happened, the car crash from hell that would forever change the course of WWE history.
Savannah was in a car headed to the airport with Lita and Edge at the time. It always struck Dave as odd she had chosen to drive with them instead of him and Randy, but her friendship with the couple predated that of theirs. The driver of a different car had swerved into the opposite lane and hit the superstar's car straight onward. Savannah was in the passenger seat and dead upon impact. It didn't help by the time Evolution arrived at the scene the car burst into flames with a fire overtaking everything. A charred and tattered miss was found after the fire. Officials presumed it was Savannah judging by what was left of her teeth. The case was dismissed from court and the driver released from all charges due to the weather conditions that night. This provided little solace for the men of Evolution as what was left in the wake of tragedy was a grieving father and his friends.
Hunter never talked about Savannah and when her name was mentioned hell froze over. Dave had realized Hunter had buried his emotions about the situation a long time ago and was never going to let them show. If you were an employee of the WWE and dare mention Savannah Sage, it was in private quarters where no wrestler or WWE employee could hear you.
Dave shook the thoughts of despair from his mind. He didn't have time to think about this. He was due for an interview on the other side of town in 10 minutes and was pretty sure he wasn't going to make it. As he looked around, he saw a security guard giving him and Randy a dirty look shaking his head in disgust. Dave knew full well the guard had caught what Randy had said about Savannah.
Great, Hunter was going to give them hell more than ever before now. Hopefully, Triple H wouldn't take too much of his rage out on them, but instead focused it on the Hounds. Now there only problem wasn't going to be The Shield, but the unspoken name of Savannah Sage Helmsley. What else could possibly go wrong?
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April 2014
"Rum and coke please," stated the auburn haired vixen as she plopped her butt into the bar stool. It had been a long day contemplating whether or not she had chosen to make the right choice in regard to helping the trio more commonly known as the Shield. Deep down in her gut she could feel something bubbling up for the trio, but she shook her head. It was probably just gas from the burrito she had eaten ate lunch. In order to clear in her mind, Liv had decided to head to her favorite local establishment to enjoy a drink in peace while contemplating everything that had gone on in the last twenty-four hours.
There was no real life in the bar on this Wednesday evening with only a few locals being scattered around. Although, it was late April a major spring snowstorm was expected to hit that night so many people were not out and about in the small town of Alma. A few of local patrons in the bar waved at Liv knowing her as a local business proprietor and she happily waved back. No one knew anything and here she could just be herself. Those boys didn't know anything either, why would Ric think it was even a remotely good idea to send her a bunch of rookies? Those idiots looked like they could handle Evolution on their own. Ric was probably up to his old mind games and she was just a pawn in it.
"A rum and coke, Pumpkin," immediately Olivia's eyes shot to the man handing her the alcohol. Only one person in the entire universe was allowed to call her pumpkin and live. There was no way or reason for him to be here now. She bit the inside of her cheek guessing this was another part of Ric's plan. Why couldn't she just be left in peace to drink herself into a stupor?
"Edge," Liv groaned taking a long swallow of the alcohol before making eye contact with the man standing behind the bar. When she finally set the glass down, a smiling opportunist was giving her his classic Cheshire grin. This night could not possibly get any worse.
"Miss me, Pumpkin?" questioned the Canadian with a still smiling smirk on his face.
"Why are you here, Edge?" growled out an angry and annoyed Olivia while taking another big drink and then slamming the glass down hard on the counter, "What is this? The WWE comes to Wisconsin show? First, Lita in February, then those three idiot rookies show up at my apartment yesterday, and now you! Why can't anyone leave me alone and accept I nothing to do with WWE!"
"Woah, woah, woah, cool your jets Liv, did you say Lita was here?" the Canadian answered back not even taking in the angry scowl on Olivia's face. Liv rolled her eyes remembering how the couple had ended things. The former Women's Champion and the Rated R Superstar were not on the friendliest of terms. Liv didn't blame Edge for not wanting to have a confrontation with the former Extreme Diva.
"She was here about two months ago, your fine," answered Liv as she rolled her eyes again not really caring about the whole situation and Edge's concern for his safety, "Now quit wetting yourself and tell me why the hell you're here?"
Edge quickly looked around the bar in suspicion not believing Olivia as she shook her head in annoyance at her old friend. The Ultimate Opportunist had been one of the first people Liv had trusted and admired in the WWE. It seemed the two had a knack for kazoos and pranks making her the perfect complement to his and Christian's duo, thus completing them and making them a trio. The now turned Sci-Fi TV star smiled sweetly at the young woman with a knowing look as he leaned his entire body across the bar gaining Liv's utmost attention.
"You know those rookies may be onto something," explained Edge as Olivia rolled her eyes at the former wrestler not impressed with anything he was saying.
"Yea and if you got together with Christian the two of you would make babies that reeked of awesomeness," snarked Liv as she finished off her glass throwing it back at him wanting another refill of the rum and coke. Edge looked disgruntledly, but obliged to give the woman what she wanted handing her another glass of the drink. "But those rookies aren't onto anything; they think I'm some kind of cure for their problems with Evolution. Fat chance, you remember what happened the last time I was around them? You know what happened! I can't go back to that dark place again, Edge!"
Olivia arms flew out amplifying how insane she had gone. Several heads in the small bar turned to look at the duo with raised eyebrows. Edge quickly gave them an angry glare making them all turn back to their own conversations. He walked around the bar taking the seat next to Olivia and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She was in a slumped position trying to softly muffle the sobs into her chest not wanting anyone to see her cry especially not the people of Alma. Before she knew what was happening, Edge had wrapped her in a hug.
"Shhh, Pumpkin, just let it out," the Ultimate Opportunist said quietly as he rubbed circles on her back. And that was exactly what Olivia did. Edge had always been the big brother in her life, while before she joined Evolution anyway. He had been one of the few to actual support her decision to leave the way she did back in early 2000s. They had kept in contact, but Liv always kept her distance when it came to her former co-workers since she had no intention of Hunter finding out the truth…ever. Since Edge retired several years ago the two had grown close again, but Liv still kept a safe distance not wanting to jeopardize her new lifestyle. She also had her suspicions about him being sent here by Flair to convince her to help the rookies the old man had sent her. Edge always was a good schemer, if not the best in the business, so it wouldn't surprise her at all if he was indeed lying to her. As the blonde continued to hug the auburn haired woman, Olivia began to slowly compose herself as she leaned out of the comforting grip.
"You know, there was a rookie who wouldn't leave two Canadian wrestlers alone much to their annoyance," explained Edge as he settled into the seat beside Olivia. Olivia sighed as she rolled her eyes knowing Edge was going to attempt to make her feel nostalgic. He knew she was a sucker for memories of her past life if she was in the right mood, but right now he was playing on not solid ground.
"Before you go any further Edge, I'm not going to let you talk me into helping those boys. I can't risk going back there and turning into that monster again," explained Olivia as a shiver ran down her spine in fear remembering the past.
By chance she went back to the WWE and returned for Triple H to see she was alive all these years would do one thing: ignite an eternal fire within him that no one would be able to put out. For Hunter to find out his beloved protégé and daughter, Savannah Sage was alive would kill him. But it would be what would come after the death when the real tyranny from The Game would start. Olivia knew the implications of returning and her fear of walking into that was what kept her safe all these years.
Fight or flight had always been her plan since the day Savannah Sage died. Her natural instincts since then had yet to lead her astray. Plus if she was caught with anyone knowing her secret or being her ally, they would suffer from Hunter's iron fist too. She could not let anyone take the fall with her. Olivia Hurst had chosen long ago to walk this path, however she had brought Flair, Edge, Christian, and Lita into her new life. There was no possible way she could bring more people into this life of hers. Especially not Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns of all people
"I'm not asking you to return," said Edge as he gently placed his hand on the young woman's shoulder causing her to immediately look up at the Hall of Famer, "I would never ask that of you, you know that. These rookies need your help, Liv. Here, I'll show you."
Quickly Edge pulled out his phone and pulled up a video. He handed the phone to Olivia who waited for it to cue up the video Edge had selected. It was from WrestleMania, which had happened just a few nights ago. All of a sudden a small bearded goat looking man appeared on the screen as he made his way to the arena floor. Then quickly following him was Hunter in the most ridiculous garb getting ready to face the small goat man. Leave it to the old man to still be fighting. Liv listened as the announcers explained the implications of the match between Triple H and Daniel Bryan (the goat man). She sucked in a sharp breath when she heard Bryan was trying to get into the main event with Dave Batista and Randy Orton. She heard the announcers talking about how Triple H was the leader of The Authority. She heard them talk about the wrongfulness of everything going on in with the WWE thanks to The Authority. Olivia watched with pain in her eyes while watching Hunter try to kill the young man. As the video finished showing Hunter lose, a small smile of satisfaction crossed Olivia's face.
"Bryan goes onto to win the championship, right?" questioned a hopeful Olivia as she clicked the phone off to display a black screen while handing it back to Edge.
Edge smiled fondly at the girl, "Bryan does. However, as you know that's not the end of the story."
"Of course not, it never ends, does it," sighed Olivia as she ran a hand through her auburn hair, "Do I want to know what happens to him?"
"Well those rookies who came to you for help saved him as often as they could, until well you know Evolution reformed. Those boys Olivia are some of the most driven young men I have ever met. There intentions when they entered the WWE weren't pure, but whose are when they get there? We all have to claw and scratch our way to the top; you know that better than anyone else. They stand up for the little guy, Olivia. They stand up for justice. They stand up for those of us who can't stand up for ourselves. All they ask of the people in return is to believe in them. Remind you of anyone who always wanted people to believe in her and give everyone a fair opportunity?
"You know me, I'm not a big sentimental guy, but I've seen the tyranny of The Authority first hand. To have a strategic mind like yours would be the biggest asset to those boys in stopping Evolution. I know they aren't your ideal people to train, but help save the WWE and please believe in The Shield. You don't have to return. You can train them from your gym on their off days. No one will even know they are coming here. All of I'm asking of you is to teach them what you already know about Evolution. We all know you can do it and we all want to see WWE be fun again. Help Shield stop Evolution and stand up for the little guys like Daniel Bryan, Liv."
Olivia blinked at Edge trying to shake her head no at him, but she couldn't do it. She had told herself numerous times over the last twenty fours she would not jeopardize the last ten years of her life. The young woman looked up at Edge with a resigned sigh knowing this wasn't going to be easy for her, but she knew it had to be done. Men like Daniel Bryan should be able to win the title and not worry about getting mugged or never being able to wrestle again because of people like her father.
Of course, the young woman was still terrified to her core about the entire situation. By opening this door she would never be able undo the damage that may come with it. If she opened this door, it presented the opportunity for her inner Game to come out. But if there was one thing Olivia had learned over the last ten years away from the business, it was the fact she had learned control. It still didn't mean she wasn't a terrified little girl masquerading around as balls to the wall former Woman's Champion. She had shown the Shield said woman a day earlier at her apartment.
"I'll do it," answered Olivia as Edge saw a spark ignite underneath her shining emerald eyes. The Ultimate Opportunist hadn't seen that spark in the young woman in a long time, but he knew this would just be the beginning, "If I'm going to do this, I'm doing this by my rules though."
"We wouldn't have it any other way," a voice announced from behind the duo sitting at the bar. The voice had belonged to none other than the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose as a cocky grin was laced across his face. Immediately, Olivia swung her head around to see the trio of Hounds standing a few feet away with smirks of satisfaction crossing their faces.
"Edge," growled Liv as the Ultimate Opportunist was slightly blushing as he absentmindedly scratched at his beard trying to pretend to not be in this current predicament. The little weasel had probably been working with Flair and maybe even the Shield the entire time. Olivia rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the rookies standing in front of her. "How much of our conversation did you hear?"
The last thing Olivia needed was three strangers who hated her father to find out she was the daughter of their bitter enemy. Surely, that would create more problems than solutions to stopping Evolution and The Authority from taking over the WWE.
"We only heard you agree to help us," explained Seth Rollins, "Ambrose and Reigns here needed a drink after the day we had. It's been a rough one of trying to get out of this god forsaken state; did you know there's a major snowstorm supposed to hit Wisconsin tonight? What the hell? I'm from Iowa and this stuff doesn't happen in late April. But I guess we won't have to leave like we thought. So when does our training start, darling?"
"Yea babygirl," stated the Samoan Powerhouse, "When does it start and what are you teaching us?"
"Yea, sweetheart what's the plan of attack?" questioned Ambrose too as the three young superstars stared intently at the woman who had agreed to help them in their quest of destroying Evolution.
"We start tomorrow, my gym, 5 AM," answered Olivia while rolling her eyes at the pet names the men had just used on her. Needless to say those were going to be the first thing to go in the morning especially Reigns and him calling her babygirl. She waved down the bartender. If she was going to start training these idiots tomorrow morning, she was going to need some more alcohol to make it through the evening. She looked over to Edge, who shrugged his shoulders at her before starting a conversation with the Shield about how Daniel Bryan was doing since his attack.
As Liv watched the men interact, all she could think was if she was doing the right thing by helping these three men protect the WWE from Evolution? Or was she making the biggest mistake of her life by jeopardizing her entire post WWE life? Only time would tell.
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*a/n: Thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites! Shout outs from Chapter 2: Bad Reputation go to- nolabell66, A Wrestling God, abitoflightreading, Willow Edmond, and caylendar. Sorry for no thank you PM's this time around, guys and gals. I had an interesting two weeks with harvest season and the muse didn't want to cooperate or dictate anything. The struggle is real, I tell ya.
Special thanks to caylendar for being my pre-reader and beta on this fic. I don't know what I would without you. I think Olivia would be really lost and I'd be pulling my hair out in frustration thinking I wasn't telling the story the right way. So thank you for listening to my ramblings! In other news…
THE SHIELD REUNITED MONDAY NIGHT… sort of! I was up at 3:30 a.m. because my brain wouldn't shut off about it. I know Seth did walk out, but still come on; they REUNITED for like ten minutes without killing each other! There is HOPE, PRAISE BABY JESUS! *runs around screaming frantically while flapping arms like a chicken*
PSA: There's actually a great oneshot about Monday night's events out right now called "I Trusted You" by sunnydelight09. It's from Dean's perspective of the entire situation Monday. The stylistic prose is beautiful and it really yanks you right in the heart strings. So hold onto your feels because it's an emotional rollercoaster of Seth/Dean bromance.
Ahem, now that's out of my system, reviews are the wrestler of your choice buying you the drink of your choice in the bar of life! Thanks for reading!