A/N: My apologies for the delay in updating. I had an issue with my computer screen getting cracked, thanks to my cat Crookshanks knocking it over. So I had to find the money to get a new computer. And then there was the massive family drama... its been a tough time. Thank you for the reviews and enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Five: Strangers
Present
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Was a police report-"
"Look, I don't know all the details… I-I'll have to get her to come talk with you… but if you have any kind of sway please don't let him back."
"I'll do what I can, but without the police report… there really isn't much I can do."
Present - Dubuque, IA
Quinn looked at the scars on the side of her left hip. It ran across her hip bone from the front too her back. Another scar was between her shoulder blades, running midway down the top part of her spine.
Quinn ran her fingers over the hip scar before pulling her tights up and grabbing her gym bag. She was finally part of the live shows and had a bit of time to kill before heading for the Five Flags Center for that night's show.
As she shut the door behind her, Quinn popped her headphones in her ears and hit shuffle on her iPhone. A Backstreet Boys song started playing and Quinn walked along losing herself in the lyrics.
Once in the hotel's gym, Quinn lost herself in her workout. She focused on the plan she had in mind, starting with cardio based exercises and moving onto strength training. She spotted a few other wrestlers in the gym and acknowledged them with quick hellos but all were rather focused on their own gym training.
Over and hour later, Quinn finished up and headed for the shower to change. Once done she went back to her room to drop her gear off and left again to get a bite to eat. The hotel had an eatery and she had heard from her co-workers that the meals were really good.
Quinn walked into the eatery and was instantly greeted and seated at a small window table.
"Quinn, right?"
Quinn looked up from the menu she was looking over and spotted Nicholas Nemeth – otherwise known to the WWE Universe as Dolph Ziggler – smiling at her.
"Err, yeah," she nodded, "Don't worry, I know who you are."
Nick chuckled and gestured to the empty seat, "Mind if I join you?"
"Any company is good company. I don't really have many people to talk with here."
Nick nodded, "I have heard a few things but believe it is rude to judge others by other people's comments. I'd rather get to know the person myself before I make a decision."
Quinn smiled at Nick as a waiter came to take their order. Both ordered their meals and continued to chat with one and other.
Jon laughed as Allen finished at tale about one of his children's antics. Both were heading for the eatery to get a meal prior to a signing occurring at the nearby mall.
"You need a reality show just about your kid's antics," commented Jon.
"Nah, I doubt anyone would want to see that," replied Allen.
Jon chuckled and the pair were led to a table. As Jon pulled his chair out he heard a laugh he hadn't heard in many years. He looked across the room and spotted Quinn, sitting with Nick and grinning at him.
Jon sat down, looking away from Quinn and focusing on looking at the menu – anything to ignore the random flame of jealousy burning in his gut.
"See Nick's got eyes for the new girl," commented Allen.
Jon glanced over and resisted rolling his eyes as Nick performed one of his party tricks with a glass of water.
"Whatever floats his boat," sighed Jon.
"So it's true. You and… and whatever her name is have a history?"
Jon looked at Allen in surprise, "What?"
"Rumours are floating around about you both. You both dated or something," replied Allen with a shrug, "None of my business man, but Renee may have questions when they reach her ears, you know?"
Jon just gave a short nod and looked over at Quinn and Nick.
Quinn placed her knife and fork on her plate. She had enjoyed her meal with Nick. He was funny and didn't make her feel awkward or need to be on edge either. It was a definite change and Quinn was reveling in it.
"I would love to continue this," said Nick, "But I have a signing on the other side of town and need to get there."
"Thank you for keeping me company," said Quinn, "And thanks for… you know, taking the chance to get to know me."
"Trust me when I say the pleasure has been all mine. Maybe we can do it again sometime?"
Quinn nodded, "I'd like that."
Nick grinned and left, meeting Windham at the entry to the eatery. Quinn drank the rest of her smoothie and stood up to go explore Dubuque. She exited the eatery, popping her headphones in to listen to music as she walked and explored. It also avoided her being approached by random people. Quinn had taken to mostly preferring her own company in public and didn't particularly like unwanted attention.
Quinn walked up Main Street and turned at the end, following the path along. By the time she was halfway up the block she was completely lost in her music and viewing the buildings exteriors. When a hand grabbed her shoulder, Quinn couldn't hold back the shriek that escaped her. She yanked herself away and spun around only to see Jon looking at her with both hands held up.
"Sorry!" said Jon as Quinn pulled her headphones out, "I didn't expect that reaction."
"Well excuse me for being a bit jumpy," snapped Quinn in annoyance before frowning in confusion at Jon, "What do you want?"
Jon gave Quinn an amused look.
"What? Either you normally death glare me like I'm a contagious disease or you ignore me. This wanting to initiate contact is not the Jon I've come to know in the recent weeks."
"Yeah well… when you dropped the whole… you know, rape, thing I've become a bit more… observant of you."
Quinn crossed her arms over her chest and frowned, "I'm quite capable of caring for myself. Thank you for your… concern… but it's not needed."
"I beg to differ."
"What's that supposed to mean? You beg to differ? Why? You didn't give two shits about me two weeks ago! You suddenly learn some guy forced himself on me and now you want to play hero?"
Jon sucked in a sharp breath and looked away from Quinn as she shook her head and turned away, marching up the street to get away from Jon.
"Quinn!" yelled Jon as he started to run after her.
"Leave me alone! I don't need or want your protection! I've done well enough on my own without you!"
"Yeah, well you didn't give a choice to even try to be there for you! You made that decision!"
Quinn stopped in her tracks and whirled around to look at Jon angrily, "Because I heard about the plans for The Shield! Initially, after the rape and car crash, I was in shock and so out of it I didn't know who or where I was! But then I remembered they had huge plans for you, Joe and Colby. I knew Saraya's career was taking off… I would ruin all of that for you and the others. I couldn't and wouldn't do that. So yeah, I made that choice and I don't regret it. I'm glad you have a stellar career! I'm so proud of you, of Colby, of Joe and Raya… you all have achieved so many things… if I had let any of you in to know what really happened… no one would be where they are."
Jon remained silent, "But we… we were going so well, Quinn… what about us?"
Quinn shrugged her shoulder's, blinking back tears, "We are no longer. What we had ended when… when I chose not to fight back. You have Renee and I know you love her. From now on we are co-workers. We interact on a professional basis only. What was in the past is in the past."
Quinn turned away so she could hide her tears. She jammed her hands into her pockets and walked quickly up the street and away from Jon.
"Yeah well… I hope you and Nick have a great time together!" shouted Jon but Quinn continued to walk away, ignoring his cold comment.
Green Bay, WI
Quinn hadn't seen Jon since their altercation on the street of Dubuque, for which she was grateful for. She had, however, spent more time with Nick and found he was not only funny but purely good company.
Quinn arrived at the Resch Center, parking her hire car and hopping out to get her gear. She was to appear in the opening segment over another argument about the four-way match that would be the shows main event. As Quinn walked across the car park she saw Jon and Renee arriving. Quinn kept her eyes down and focused on getting to the stadium without any incidents occurring. As it stood, she was lucky her argument with Jon hadn't reached the ears of the head honchos. Who knew what impact that could have on her when her contract came to an end in April.
"Hey," greeted Rebecca as she neared the doors at the same time as Quinn, "Excited for tonight? Little Miss Harley's big match and all?"
Quinn smiled, though she did feel nervous, "I am but I also feel like I'm going to puke."
"Adrenalin will out do your nerves."
"Fingers crossed."
The two women went to put their gear on and head directly to hair and make-up after that, along with Trinity, Natalya and Alexis. As Quinn was getting her eyelashes done she heard her name called.
"You're all done darl," Quinn was told.
"Thanks," said Quinn before jumping down from the seat and exiting the room.
She was greeted by Bryan, who gave her a small smile.
"Can we talk privately for a moment?" asked Bryan, his hands jammed into his front pockets,
"Ah sure."
Quinn followed Bryan to another room, where he shut the door. Quinn crossed her arms over her body, glad she was wearing one of her baggy, hoodie jackets. She knew Bryan was a decent guy but Quinn never liked being in a room alone with men.
"So… Saraya came and spoke to me," said Bryan, "She is saying one of the chefs we occasionally use for catering… err… that he… he raped you."
Quinn felt her mouth pop open in surprise and she didn't know what to say.
"Look… what I want you to know is whatever you tell me will stay between us, but Quinn, I want you to feel safe here. You're a great asset to the women's division and I don't want something like this to make you feel unsafe and that you need to leave. So… if what Saraya has said is true, I'm willing to help you see the person banned from working with the company."
Quinn nodded and Bryan left the room. Quinn let out a breath she had been holding in, with it coming out in a shuddering manner.
It had been on a whim, the night after Jon found out about her being raped, that Quinn had told Saraya who it was that had done it. Only Hanna had known before hand and Quinn had felt Saraya was trustworthy enough to tell. Now she wasn't so sure. Of course she knew Saraya was simply looking out for her but Quinn felt it was her business to deal with on her own and in her own terms. She didn't want to appear weak and like she needed other people to fight those battles for her.
With a glance at the clock on the wall, Quinn saw the show was starting in five minutes and her time to stew over her thoughts was finished.
"I need to talk to you."
Jon looked up from taping his hands to see his girlfriend standing in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest, "Okay."
"Not here. After Talking Smack," said Renee with a look around them. She brushed her fringe from her face and looked at Jon, her eyes narrowed, "I just really wish you had told me the truth. It all makes sense now."
"What are you on about?"
Renee sucked in a sharp breath and grabbed Jon by the hand and made him follow her along the corridor. Renee walked towards a door but came to a halt at a voice being heard.
"…to feel safe here. You're a great asset to the women's division…"
Renee sighed and opened the door next to the closed one. She flicked the light on as Jon walked in and shut the door.
"You and Quinn. Did you think I wouldn't hear the rumours?" asked Renee frostily, "That you and her were a hot couple back in FCW. How you both were a dream couple… so in love and everyone thought you two would last the distance?"
"But we didn't, Renee… look, Quinn turning up was a shock for me… she-she left FCW without a word to anyone, not even me. I should have told you but seeing Quinn threw me. I'm sorry."
Renee nodded slowly, "So… so you aren't still in love with her or anything?"
"I haven't really spoken to her, Renee. She is a stranger to me," lied Jon smoothly, reaching out to grasp Renee's hand, "I love you, okay? Only you."
Renee smiled and gave Jon's hand a squeeze as she stepped closer and kissed him on the lips, "Just promise me one thing?"
"Name it."
"No more secrets between us."
Jon nodded and Renee kissed him once more and left the room. Jon let out a deep breath when the sound of Renee's heels faded. He needed to find that closure with Quinn that he never got. He thought he would be fine seeing her and being near her, but Jon knew he had been kidding himself. Quinn was everywhere he looked and it was driving him mad and confusing his emotions to no end. Jon stepped out of the room and came to a sudden halt as Quinn exited the room next door. Quinn glanced at him and looked away as she hurried down the hall.
"No," muttered Jon before he hurried after her, "Quinn!"
"I'm on the opening segment, so whatever argument you want to hash out with me can wait," snapped Quinn without slowing down in her walking.
"Fine… fine… meet me after the show. The room you just came out of. Meet me there. Please."
Quinn slowed her walking and looked at Jon before nodding in agreement.
The theme of Smackdown starting sounded and the WWE Universe in attendance were cheering and yelling, signs were being held up high as the cameras panned the audience.
Alexa Bliss' theme struck and she walked out with her cocky stride on show as she made her way down to the ring, a microphone in hand.
Alexa stepped into the ring and her music came to a stop.
"Last Tuesday on Smackdown a huge injustice occurred!" started Alexa, "My number one contender position for the Smackdown Women's Championship was taken away from me! Naomi didn't stand a chance against me! I was going to easily defeat her but-"
Alexa was cut off as the stadium went black and the sounds of Naomi's entrance music played. The energetic woman bounced out and danced her way down the ramp. Alexa let her frustration show as she crossed her arms and glared at the glowing superstar.
"I think you need to stop right there," stated Naomi as the lights came back on, "I didn't stand a chance against you? What, all four foot of you?"
"I may be tiny but you know I am lethal," snapped Alexa, "I had you beat!"
"I beg to differ. We both know how that match was turning out and we both know who is responsible for it turning into what it has."
Before Alexa could answer the woman from the Hart Dynasty strode out with her music blasting. She wasted no time in getting to the ring, a look of annoyance on her face.
"Harley needs to go," stated Natalya bluntly, "She doesn't belong on Smackdown, or with the WWE in general."
The music of Harley started and the three women in the ring turned to look as Harley herself walked out, a grin on her face. She walked down the ramp, in no hurry as she twirled and half skipped.
"Tonight we finally see the debut of Harley in action against these three women, whom she has certainly made enemies of," stated Byron.
Harley slid into the ring, holding her own microphone. The three women looked at her silently, each wondering just what Harley had to say.
"I don't think you get to decide where I belong," said Harley, "That decision belongs to them."
"Them?" frowned Naomi.
"What kooky nuthouse did you escape from?" said Alexa, "You come running down here week after week and cause chaos and leave laughing. Are you insane?"
"I quite possibly am," replied Harley, "But I know what I want."
"Yeah well, what you want is mine! You won't get it and neither will you or you!" shouted Alexa, "I will leave this match victorious! You wait and see!"
"You need to chill out. All that stress can drive you mad," said Harley as she sat up on the top turn buckle, "I sure would know."
"It would explain a lot," commented Natalya as she moved towards Harley, "But you still don't deserve a title shot."
"And you do?"
The crowd let out a murmur as Natalya looked at Harley as if she were begging for trouble.
"I have sacrificed everything-"
"Yes, yes, yes!" cried Harley bouncing about from her spot, "We all know your tale! It never changes, does it? So you sacrificed your body and tears and sweat, blah de blah, blah! It doesn't mean you deserve it! You're not a nice person! Alexa isn't a nice person! Naomi… well you weren't a nice person for quite some time and look at your husband!"
"Wait… so you are saying only nice people deserve the title?" asked Naomi.
"No."
"Oh, ignore her! She doesn't know what she means. She's ten screws loose," snapped Alexa.
Harley stood and jumped from the top rope, landing directly in front of a startled Alexa, "The one who leaves as the winner deserves the title shot. But who will it be? Hmm, you? Me? Natalya? Naomi? Nobody knows! Nobody knows!"
Harley laughed as her music played and she left the ring, skipping up the ramp.
Quinn spent her time before her match going over the merchandise of hers that had arrived. She was in awe at the line organised for her character, involving shirts and tank tops, along with wrist bands and posters.
Quinn grabbed one of her tank tops and headed back to the locker room to fix it up to wear that night. As she was working on it the locker door opened. Quinn looked up to see Renee and gave her a small smile, before returning her focus back to her shirt.
"I know about you and Jon," said Renee quietly.
Quinn halted in her work and looked up at Renee, masking her surprised expression with one that gave nothing away.
"I heard it from Trinity… I just… I'm not going to be a bitch towards you or threaten you," said Renee calmly, "I just want you to know that I know about the history between you both. I don't know the full detailed story but its history, right?"
"Right," said Quinn with a nod, "I've hardly spoken to Jon, so he is a stranger to me now. Just a co-worker."
Renee nodded, "Well, that's all I really needed to say. Sorry to make it awkward."
"I'd be the same as you," shrugged Quinn, "Thanks for talking to me about it. I know it wouldn't have been easy for you."
Renee gave Quinn a smile and left the locker room. Quinn let out a breath she had been holding in and returned her focus to getting her shirt ready for the match.
The music of Alexa Bliss blasted and the tiny blonde walked out with a determined stride as the main event for Smackdown kicked off. Alexa climbed into the ring for a second time that night and stood in the middle of the ring, glaring up at the ramp for the rest of her opponents to appear.
Harley's music started and she skipped out, twirling at the top of the ramp donning her black tank top with her name in red writing with the saying 'A lil bit crazy…' underneath. Harley made her way down to the ring climbing in and taking a seat on the top of the turnbuckle again. The lights dimmed and Naomi's amazing, glowing entrance started. Harley bounced in time to the music in her spot as Naomi danced her way down the ramp and into the ring, doing her big jump into the middle, landing directly beside Alexa. The two women glared at each other as the lights came on, but that was short lived as Natalya's music struck. The Canadian marched her way down to the ring, smirking at the crowd as she pointed to Harley and mouth the words 'You don't belong.'
Natalya climbed into the ring as Harley jumped down and looked at Natalya with a raised eyebrow and her hands hooked into the belt loops on her shorts.
Before the match could begin the music of the Women's Champion sounded and she burst out, holding the title up high in the air.
"And this is what will be on the line at Survivor Series," stated Mauro, "The Smackdown Women's Championship. One of these four women could potentially be our next Women's Champion."
Becky joined the men at commentary and the referee signalled the start of the match.
Natalya launched herself at Harley, hitting her with a flurry of punches as Naomi and Alexa locked up in their own battle.
Harley was backed into a corner with Natalya ramming her in the mid-section with her knee. Harley slid to the ground and Natalya stepped backwards to get a run up for her next attack. Just as Natalya ran at Harley, Harley moved out of the way, sliding out of the ring. She fell to the ground and pushed herself back up to her feet and ducked another attack from Natalya before springing up and grabbing Natalya by the hair and yanking her down. Natalya bounced from the bottom rope and fell to the mat. Harley slid back into the ring and circled around Natalya and kicked her hard in the side. She spied Naomi throw Alexa out of the ring and turned and avoided a high kick from Naomi and struck back at her with a clothesline. Harley jumped over Naomi and bounced off the opposite rope and ran back, jumped and flipped mid jump to hit a frog splash.
Naomi cringed and rolled to her side. Harley let out a yell like scream and spun around to cop a spear from Alexa. The force slammed Harley into the corner of the ring and Alexa ran to over Naomi for the win.
1!
2!
Naomi kicked out and Alexa stood up and looked around at the three downed women. She moved in a circle, deciding who she could cover next. She moved over to Natalya and sat on Natalya and hit her with a flurry of slaps, only to be yanked off of her by Naomi. Naomi hit her with a hard punch and flung her into the nearest corner. Natalya stood up and moved towards Naomi at a run, hitting her with a running DDT.
With a grin she set Naomi up for the sharpshooter, her eyes glued on a watching Becky Lynch.
"Will Naomi tap? Will Natalya be Becky's opponent at Survivor Series?" asked Mauro.
Harley pushed herself up, noticing Naomi's predicament. Harley quickly climbed to the top of the turn buckle and jumped, hitting Natalya fair in the chest with her boots and forcing her to break the sharpshooter. Harley rolled as she landed and quickly stood up, as did Alexa. The two women looked at each other with Alexa shouting at Harley about her owning the shot at the title. Harley looked at Alexa, gave a short nod before slapping her hard across the face. Alexa stumbled backwards and Harley ran at Alexa, tackling her through the middle rope. Both slammed out to the ground, but Harley stood and yanked Alexa up, turned and threw her into the nearest barricade. Harley turned towards the ring just as Naomi hit Natalya with the Rear View. Harley stepped towards the ring when she was grabbed by the foot. She turned and kicked at Alexa with her free foot, forcing Alexa to let go. As she turned to stop Naomi going for the win, the bell was ringing with Naomi becoming the Number One Contender.
A/N: So... how will the talk between Quinn and Jon go? Review to find out!