A/N: Another update for you all while I sing along to some old school music from the 90's and 00's... meanwhile in the kitchen, my partner is blasting Adele... Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter Sixteen: Harassment
Tampa, FL
Quinn couldn't find Jon anywhere in the stadium. After realising he had left the building altogether she headed to the locker room and got changed. Once dressed in her normal clothes of jeans, tank top and a hoodie, she dialled Jon's number on her phone only for it to ring out.
"Fuck," she growled in annoyance as she hooked her bag over her shoulder and left the locker room.
"Quinn!"
Quinn turned to see Joe hurrying towards her, "Hey Joe. Listen I need to go-"
"I messed up. I mentioned the online harassment you've been coping and Colby mentioned the fans at meet and greets – we didn't know that you hadn't told Jon and he's mega pissed."
"Yeah, I know. He made that clear after my match."
Joe grimaced, "Shit. I'm sorry baby girl."
Quinn shrugged, "I probably should have told him but he has enough to deal with as it is. I didn't want to add onto it."
"He will calm down."
Quinn didn't know what to say and simply shrugged her shoulders before making a gesture in the direction of the exit, "I gotta go. I'll see you later, Joe."
Jon glared moodily into the glass tumbler as he stood outside his hotel room on the balcony. The ocean looked calm and peaceful as the moon reflected on the water. Jon tensed when he heard the hotel door open and click shut. He listened at the sounds Quinn made as she walked across the tiled floor to the carpet and placed her bag beside her suitcase. He listened as she unzipped her hoodie and place it on the suitcase, followed by removing her boots. He listened as she walked towards the balcony and came to a halt at the open sliding door. He could imagine her facial features frowning before shifting to a look of confusion and uncertainty of what she was going to face.
Jon had noticed the difference between today's Quinn and the Quinn from four years ago, being she was more uncertain of herself. More determined to carry her own burden and not let anyone around her down. Her fiery spark was also somewhat dimmed and the only time he really saw her let it out was when she was wrestling.
Occasionally Jon would see the spark ignite but she controlled it as though scared it would… what? What would it do? He just didn't know and at times it drove him insane.
Jon turned to face Quinn and sure enough, her face was shifting through the multiple emotions, "Why didn't you tell me? Why did I have to hear about it from Joe and Colby?"
Quinn licked her lips and shifted from foot to foot before shrugging as she answered him, "I didn't want you to stress about me. You have enough to deal with already and I didn't want to add to that."
Jon sighed and placed his tumbler on the table, "You don't need to protect me from everything, Quinn. We are in a relationship, right?"
Quinn nodded silently.
"To me, that means we are in this together and that we face anything thrown at us together. No secrets. One hundred percent honesty."
"I don't want to burden you," said Quinn in almost a whisper, "I don't want you to… to regret being with me."
Jon walked over to Quinn and cupped her face in his hands so that she had no choice but to look at him. He leaned forward and pressed a single kiss to her lips before leaning back to look Quinn in the eyes, "I don't regret anything. When will you realise how much I love you Quinn? Losing you was the worst thing I ever experienced and the day you walked back into my life… seeing you for the first time after all those years... just the sight of you brought back all those feelings I had for you."
Quinn placed a hand over Jon's and bit her lower lip, "I think I was shocked when I first saw you again. I didn't know what you think or feel… and then you looked at me with so much hatred that I didn't think there was any chance of any sort of relationship between us."
"Look at us now."
Quinn smiled softly and leaned forward and kissed Jon once more, "I'm trying Jon… I'm trying to be open and honest with you. I'm trying to be the best person I can be for myself and you."
Jon simply responded by kissing Quinn deeply, both stumbling backwards into the hotel room…
San Antonio, TX – present
The next three weeks passed by with busy schedules and only one weekend chance for Jon and Quinn to catch up. The heat on Quinn from fans didn't die down much. The Smackdown story line was pushing ahead, much to Jon's displeasure. The media were confused by it, especially with Renee also releasing a statement about the end of the relationship. The airing of Total Divas, which exhibited Jon and Renee's relationship prior to the breakup helped with keeping the heat on Quinn.
Quinn barely touched her social media and focused instead on the positives in her life.
This year's Royal Rumble was featuring a women's rumble match with a mix of the Raw and Smackdown women. Whoever won got to decide whether they would face Charlotte or Alexa Bliss at Wrestlemania. Quinn was quite amused that they had made Nikki drop the title to Alexis at a recent show.
Quinn arrived at the stadium and hopped out of her car, noticing fans gathered at the fence watching the superstars arrive. Quinn kept her sunglasses on to avoid interacting with them – it was hard to judge how they would react towards her. She walked around to the boot and opened it and pulled her bag out, looking up at a wolf whistle. A grin spread across her face as she saw Jon walking over to her. He'd obviously been waiting at the door for her to arrive directly from the airport.
"Hello beautiful," he greeted pulling her into his arms.
Quinn dropped her bag and cupped his face in her hands and kissed him deeply, "Hello handsome. How long as it been?"
"Two weeks and one day but who's counting?" murmured Jon his lips nibbling her earlobe.
Quinn felt a shiver down her spine, her fingers reflexively digging into Jon's shoulders, "That is incredibly mean."
Jon gave a husky chuckle before stepping back slightly to look at Quinn properly, "You are mine all night after the Rumble and tomorrow… well some of tomorrow."
Quinn pressed another kiss to Jon's lips before the voices of the fans suddenly became louder.
"YOU BROKE DEAN AND RENEE UP!"
"HOMEWRECKER!"
"GO BACK TO DAYTON!"
Quinn picked her bag up and shut the boot of her car, not looking Jon in the eyes as he looked at Quinn in shock.
"We should head inside. I need to go get ready. My match is up first," said Quinn.
Jon nodded and walked inside with Quinn as the jeers from the watching fans followed them into the stadium.
Jon sat down in the catering area with Joe and Colby shortly joining in. Joe noticed the troubled look on Jon's face and nudged Colby in the side. Colby frowned and looked at Joe in confusion. Joe gestured towards Jon making Colby look at his other friend.
"Everything okay, Jon?" asked Joe curiously.
Jon leaned forward in his seat, placing his elbows on the table, "I was greeting Quinn when she arrived just before. You know how the fans always wait and watch from the fence at some stadiums?"
Joe and Colby nodded.
"Well there were a bunch there and you know, Quinn and I were just having a bit of a kiss and all that stuff when they started hurling abuse at her… calling her a homewrecker and a bunch of other shit. I mean, I know you guys said it was bad but I didn't realise how bad until I saw it just now. Quinn just… she just shut down, you know? Wouldn't look at me or react to what they said."
"She does ignore it. When Saraya is with her or even Mercedes, they will yell back at the well… dickheads to shut up and mind their own business," said Colby, "Look man, you said it yourself the other week – Quinn has changed but I see glimpses of the old Quinn more often, especially when she is around you. Give her time. She will come back. One day a fan will push her buttons and she will fight back."
"I agree," said Joe with a nod, "I also want front row seats and popcorn when it happens."
"I suppose… maybe there is a way to face this as a united front," said Jon with a frown as an idea struck him, "Actually… I need to go… I'll be back."
Before Joe and Colby could get Jon to elaborate he was up and racing out of the catering area.
"Should we be worried?" asked Colby, looking at Joe.
"No… maybe… a little."
Quinn adjusted the waistband of her black, tight shorts and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in her pure, classic Harley fashion. A call rang out for all the women to get to the gorilla section as they were the opening match for the Royal Rumble. The order of who came out what was kept secret from the fans with the women being notified only a few days prior.
"Quinn!"
Quinn stood up from finishing a round of push ups to warm up. She smiled warmly at Jon as he hurried over to her and pulled her aside.
"Firstly – you look damn hot in those shorts," said Jon, one hand sliding up her thigh, "Secondly – I need to discuss something with you after your match. It's not bad, trust me. I'll be waiting here for you at the end of the match."
"Okay… well I better go. A kiss for luck?"
"You don't need luck, babe. You have this," said Jon before kissing her, "Hmm… I want to take those shorts off you tonight."
Quinn smirked, "I might have something else in mind for you to remove."
Jon raised his eyebrows in interest as Quinn winked and headed to the gorilla with a cheeky smile on her face.
The pyrotechnics for the Royal Rumble came to an end the theme music of Harley echoed around the arena, signalling she was the number one entrant for the Women's Royal Rumble match. The audience reacted in a mixed manner – half cheering and half booing. Harley skipped out and paused at the top of the ramp before twirling and making her way down the ramp, her usual amused smirk on her face. She slid under the bottom rope and stood up, twirling and sitting at the top of the turnbuckle to see who the second entrant would be.
The music of Becky Lynch blasted around the arena and the crowd were on their feet cheering the Irish Lass Kicker on. Becky ran out, amping the crowd up even more as she ran down the ramp and slid into the ring.
Harley looked at the woman in amusement as Becky pulled her steam punk styled goggles and jacket off.
Harley jumped down from the turnbuckle and her and Becky looked at each other with mutual interest. The bell rang signalling the start of the match and Becky and Harley quickly locked up into a grapple. They knew in just less than thirty seconds now another woman would enter the match.
Becky got Harley into a headlock and dropped backwards into a DDT. Harley rolled away as Becky got to her feet and moved over to Harley, yanking her up by her shirt. Harley managed to grab Becky by her hair and forced her down, making Becky headbutt her knee. Becky bounced to the mat and Harley stood up, smirking as Becky sat up, shaking her head. Harley pulled Becky up by her arm and whipped her to the opposite ropes. Becky bounced and ran back at Harley. Harley hit Becky with a clothesline and Becky once again slammed down to the mat.
As Harley reached for Becky the theme of the third entrant hit. Paige came running out, ripping her jacket off as she did so. Harley stepped away from Becky, glaring at her opponent and meeting Paige in a full-scale fight of back and forth hits. Becky took the chance to slide to a far corner of the ring to recover as Paige and Harley continued to battle each other.
"The hatred between Paige and Harley is strong," commented Corey Graves, "I predict they will aim to eliminate each other tonight."
Harley ended up shoving Paige backwards then hitting Paige with a spinning heel kick. Paige stumbled, her arms slumping over the top rope. Harley quickly moved towards Paige and lifted, trying to force Paige over the ropes.
"You could be right, Corey," commented Michael Cole, "It looks like Harley might just make Paige the first eliminated contestant!"
As Becky jumped up to help Harley the theme of the forth entrant sounded with Bayley running out ready to join the fray. Bayley slid in and met Becky face on as Paige elbowed Harley in the face. Harley fell back, clutching her face as Paige turned herself and jumped from the middle rope, knocking Bayley and Becky down as she landed.
Harley leaned on the rope shaking her head, turning around to have Bayley charging at her. Harley quickly defended herself, slamming her knee into Bayley's middle as Becky and Paige started battling each other. Harley circled around Bayley, grabbing her by the ponytail and leading her over to the turnbuckle and slamming her face first into it. Bayley slumped down and Harley stepped back to continue her attack when Becky hit her from behind with both boots. Harley fell forward, slamming to Bayley and slumped down to the mat.
Becky let out a yell as she looked at the three downed opponents.
The fifth entrant's music sounded with Naomi running out in her neon coloured gear. She slid into the ring and tackled Becky to the mat laying into her with a flurry of hits. Becky did her best to defend herself and was given reprieve when Paige yanked Naomi off her by the hair and began kneeing Naomi in the stomach. Harley slowly stood up, using the ropes to help her up. Becky stood back up also and Harley and Becky looked at each other in silence before they ran at each other, both hitting a clothesline at the same time.
"Oh that sure looked hard!" yelled Byron Saxton as the sixth theme for the match played.
The music of Asuka blasted around the arena and the NXT Women's Champion came running out, eager to get into the fray. The WWE audience were excited for Asuka to make her main roster debut and cheered as she slid into the ring and was met by Bayley. The two women fired hits back and forth as Paige slumped down in the corner after a hard kick from Naomi. Naomi turned her attention to Harley with her lifting Harley up and slamming her down to the mat on her back. Harley cried out in pain, arching her back up from the mat.
Naomi yanked Harley up and shoved her towards the ropes. Naomi pushed Harley against the ropes, lifting her up by one leg as the music of Eva Marie sounded. The seventh entrant came running down to the ring and slid in, knocking Naomi's hold on Harley in the process. Harley's leg dropped and she quickly used it to her advantage to knee Naomi in the face.
Naomi stumbled backwards, bumping into Asuka which in the process caused Asuka to slam into Paige who was mouthing off at Eva Marie. Paige whirled around and shoved Asuka backwards. Asuka returned the shove and the other women in the ring sensed the growing tension between the two and stepped backwards, each watching what was happening with interest.
"This looks interesting. Paige, the first NXT Women's Champion facing off against the current NXT Women's Champion," said Mauro with excitement in his voice.
Asuka dove at Page but Paige met the attack with a hard shoulder barge. She kicked Asuka in the gut before lifting Asuka up and depositing her over the top rope, making Asuka the first woman eliminated from the match, just as Dana Brooke made her entrance into the match.
Asuka yelled angrily at Paige declaring it wasn't over as Dana slid into the ring and launched an attack on Harley. Harley fought back, gaining the upper hand and shoving Dana away from her with a forceful kick to the chest. Dana slammed into Naomi, who took over the assault on Dana. Harley took a moment to catch her breath before she was tapped on her shoulder. She turned around to be met by Eva Marie flipping her bright red hair over her shoulder. Harley raised her eyebrows at Eva Marie and looked back at her with her hands on her hips. Harley shook her head and socked Eva in the jaw, making her stagger backwards as Naomi shoved Bayley over the rope and out of the ring. Harley turned away from Eva Marie as Maryse strutted out in her in ring return. A couple of the women looked at her curiously wondering just how Maryse would perform in the ring that night. Maryse slid in and looked at all the women looking at her. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched over to Eva Marie, slapping her hard across the face. Soon Maryse and Eva were locked up in battle with Harley facing off against Paige once again. Paige whipped Harley across the ring and Harley grabbed onto the ropes to stop her from flying back towards Paige. Paige bent, ready to throw Harley over her back but Harley instead ran forward, dropped to her knees and smacked Paige across the face. She jumped back to her feet, grabbed Paige by the head and got her with a swinging neck breaker. Paige winced from the hit and Harley stood up, yanking Paige up and shoving her against the ropes. She backed up a few steps, smirked at Paige and blew her a kiss before hitting her with a high kick and sending Page over the top rope and out of the ring.
As Paige hit the mat outside the ring Nia Jax made her entry into the match. This caused the women in the ring to stop their battles and look at the newest entrant. They all seemingly backed up. Nia climbed into the ring and looked at the women with a smirk on her face. The women looked at Harley and Becky, putting it on them to take on Nia. Becky and Harley looked at each other before both ran at Nia, pummelling her with a flurry of hits. As Harley and Becky worked together to get Nia into a corner a scream of anger sounded as Eva Marie eliminated Maryse from the match. Nia used the distraction to her advantage and grabbed Harley and Becky by the hair each and slammed them down to the mat before turning her attention on Dana Brooke.
Harley rolled to the side, holding her head as the music of Summer Rae sounded. Summer Rae ran down to the ring and slid in as Becky stood up and angrily hit the blonde woman with a clothesline and sent Summer over the rope and out of the ring before she even had a chance to register it. Summer's instant elimination was quickly followed by Naomi's at the hands of Nia Jax.
As Harley stood up she was met with the smirking face of Eva Marie.
"I'm better then you," stated Eva Marie.
Harley licked her lips and smirked at Eva Marie before striking out and grabbing her by the hair and leading her over to the turn buckle and slamming her face first into it. She yanked Eva Marie back and kneed her in the gut repeatedly before lifting Eva Marie over her shoulders and with a loud yell threw the annoying woman over the top rope and out of the match.
"Bye bitch!" shouted Harley as the crowd cheered loudly at the elimination of Eva Marie.
With just four in the ring Harley was quickly locked up in battle with Dana Brooke once again. The two were constantly trying to shove the other over the rope but deflected the exit with a series of attacks and counter moves.
The twelfth entrant was Alicia Fox who jumped into the battle, wanting to take on Dana Brooke straight away.
Jon winced as he saw Quinn take a hard fall from Rebecca. He let out a sigh as she got up quickly to retaliate.
"There you are," said Colby taking a seat beside Jon, "Brilliant match so far."
"Yeah," nodded Jon, watching Carmella stride out.
"So… where did you hurry off too earlier?"
Joe sat down on Jon's other side having heard Colby's question. Jon begrudgingly pulled his eyes from the television and looked at Colby.
"I organised something for Quinn and I to do tomorrow," answered Jon.
"Which is?" prompted Joe.
Jon sighed looking at the water bottle in his hands and up at the screen in time to see Quinn hit a spinning heel kick perfectly, "An interview on Chris' podcast. He is happy to help us set the fans straight about our relationship."
"Will Quinn be down for that?" asked Colby.
"Once I explain to her why it's a good idea I think she will be. I want to stop her from having to face the harassment from the fans. She doesn't need or deserve that."
A/N: There we go! REVIEW FOR MORE!