A/N:So is being weird and not emailing new chapter notifications... hopefully this one gets out to you all!
Chapter Nineteen: Contract
Dayton, OH
Quinn chuckled as Hanna let out a groan from her seat in Quinn's living room. At twenty-one weeks, Hanna was learning the joys of an increased need for having to go to the toilet.
"I would be happy if this baby would get off my bladder," sighed Hanna, though she had a smile on her face.
"I bet you that baby is thinking 'just wait until its week 38'," teased Quinn.
Hanna threw a pen at Quinn who simply laughed and caught the pen.
The television was on with the sounds of Elimination Chamber playing. It had been two weeks since the release of the podcast with Chris Jericho and the fallout from that had seen a positive change from the WWE Universe towards Jon and Quinn's relationship. Many were outraged at what Quinn had suffered and plenty of female fans praised Quinn on her strength to rebuild her life and praised WWE for giving her another chance at her dream.
Renee and Quinn maintained being civil and Jon had collected the last of his belongings the week before and currently had his belongings stored in a storage shed in Las Vegas. The idea of Jon moving in with her until the lease was up and they could get another place together had crossed Quinn's mind but she wasn't sure if they were ready for that step. Granted, when they were travelling together they stayed in the same hotel room and managed to share those just fine, but the thought of moving in together seemed daunting.
"So, is your man's match up soon?" asked Hanna as she went back to her seat, brushing her auburn hair from her face.
Quinn glanced at the time and pursed her lips together, "Maybe in the next ten minutes. He said they had a good half hour to forty-five minutes for their match."
A knock at the door saw Quinn standing up and walk across the room and opening her door. Quinn was startled to find her father standing before her dressed in his Sunday country club attire of tan slacks and a white buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
"Quinn," said Frank Gallagher by way of greeting.
"How did you know I lived here?" replied Quinn.
"The landlord and I golf together."
Quinn sighed, "Of course," she stepped back and let Frank into her house, closing the door behind him as Hanna looked at her father in surprise.
"Hello Hanna," said Frank.
"Hi."
"So what brings you here… to my home?" asked Quinn, wanting to get directly to her point.
"Your case against… that person."
Quinn frowned, "I haven't heard anything from the Tampa Legal Department."
"I have contacts-"
"Of course you do," muttered Quinn but Frank continued to talk as if Quinn hadn't said a word.
"- and they are saying mid-April it will be brought to court. It could be drawn out, Quinn, given the fact you didn't say anything until four years after the fact."
Quinn sighed, hearing her boyfriend's theme playing on her television. She ran a hand through her brown hair and looked back at her father, "How long could it be?"
"Five months at most. Then the jury will take their time to reach a verdict… then you have sentencing. Why didn't you just admit what happened to begin with? This would have all been dealt with quick smart, Quinn!"
"Dad!" gasped Hanna, her eyes wide with shock.
"Well excuse me for being in shock at being raped!" snapped Quinn angrily, "It wasn't like I fucking walked into the bathroom expecting to have some man assault me! I also wasn't in the right state of mind after it happened to even be thinking rationally! Now if you came here to just berate me about decisions I was forced to make you can just fucking turn around and leave!"
Frank looked at Quinn in silence as she glared at him furiously. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes briefly before opening them and looking at a still glaring Quinn, "I apologise. You dropped the rape on me out of the blue. All your mother and I knew for years was that you drank and crashed your car… had we… had I known what really happened… I am just glad you have had Hanna through all of this. At least one Gallagher has her head screwed on right."
Quinn snorted at that in an unladylike manner, her anger dissipating, "I don't think Hanna even knows how to operate with her head screwed on crookedly."
"Shut up," retorted Hanna.
"Look," said Frank, "I want to be your lawyer against this… bastard. I know I have never been the world's best father to you, Quinn. At least let me try to amend that by supporting you through this case."
Quinn nodded, knowing her father would push for the strongest punishment allowable against Nigel, "That's fine… I'm just going to need dates as soon as possible. I need to sort my schedule out with WWE and inform them of everything."
Frank gave a nod and looked over at the television as Jon jumped from atop the chamber The Miz was standing inside of, "That's your boyfriend?"
Quinn chuckled, "That's him."
Richmond, IL
It was the last Smackdown before Wrestlemania. Quinn had been working like crazy with Raw, Live Events, press commitments and building her feud up against the retaining Alexa Bliss. In between that she corresponded with her father in building her case. She had received her first court date for the seventeenth of April and her father told her Nigel had a good lawyer on his side.
With everything going on Quinn and Jon had managed very little down time together and it was putting a strain on them both. Quinn was feeling overworked and stressed, whilst Jon was tired and feeling somewhat neglected.
Quinn arrived at the Richmond Coliseum and grabbed her bag from the back of her car and wheeled it in behind her. She felt utterly exhausted from flying straight from Philadelphia after a day of press related duties.
Walking into the building Quinn was instantly engulfed in a hug from Alexis. The two had grown quite close over the past few weeks with working together to build the feud.
"You're here!" she grinned happily, "Tonight is going to be awesome! We get to open the show!"
Quinn grinned as she linked arms with Alexis, "We do! Beats being thrown somewhere in the middle and have our segment cut short from matches running over time."
Once in the dressing rooms Quinn changed into her Harley gear of her red midriff top that zipped up at the front and had thick singlet straps and her black shorts with loose cords down the side in a fringe like style. She pulled on her red and black diamond patterned socks that came to above her knees and added her black ankle converse shoes. Quinn headed to hair and makeup and got her hair styled into a messy side bun with a braid going into it. She added her custom back bows and had her usual make up style applied.
Once finished Quinn hopped down from her chair and skipped out of the room and came to a sudden halt upon seeing Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon and Paul Levesque looking directly at her.
"Quinn," smiled Shane, "Excellent timing. Can we have a meeting right now? I know you open the show but I promise this won't take long."
Quinn gave a slow nod and followed the three WWE heads into a nearby room.
"I just saw Quinn."
Jon looked up from his food to the face of Nick Nemeth sitting opposite him, "Good for you."
"She was going into a room with Stephanie, Shane and Paul. She looked petrified."
Jon frowned before the date dawned on him. He hastily stood up, "What room?"
"The green room near where hair and makeup are set up."
Jon nodded and took off at a run, ducking around corners and yelling out apologies to those he passed.
"So, obviously, you know your six-month contract is finishing up," said Stephanie seriously, "Which obviously means your future with us is up for discussion."
Quinn nodded, licking her lips as they went dry from nerves.
"You know this was a second chance. Your opportunity to prove you deserve to be in this company and amongst the top talent on the roster," continued Stephanie seriously, "Jon put his position with us on the line because he clearly believed in you. Some would say that is an incredibly risky choice to make, especially given how things ended between you both originally."
"But, the question is, was that risk worth it? Did it pay off for Jon and yourself career wise?" spoke up Paul.
Quinn let out a shuddering breath and Shane gave Stephanie and Paul an exasperated look.
"Quinn, we want to offer you a three-year contract," said Shane, "You are driven, passionate and the WWE Universe love your character. The risk paid off, you are going into Wrestlemania with a championship match… I think that should have told you that we want you to stick around. We understand you have a court case coming up and are willing to work with you on that."
Quinn looked at the three-people sitting opposite her stunned, "Three years?"
"Yes."
"You really want me?"
Paul chuckled as Stephanie and Shane looked amused, "Quinn, I watched you in FCW, you were amazing and passionate back then and you still are now. We would be idiots to let companies like Ring of Honour or TNA get a hold of you."
"My contract won't be tied to Jon's in anyway now?"
"Completely separate. You'll be paid handsomely and get bonuses for wins at pay-per-views and get a percentage from merchandise sales," explained Stephanie, "Here is the contract. Read through it and hand it to Shane at the end of the night if you accept."
Quinn took the contract smiling widely. She shook all their hands and thanked them profusely before leaving the room, her mind and body still in shock.
Jon walked up the corridor quickly as he spotted Quinn walking out of the green room. Her face was blank as she looked down at a wad of papers in her hand. He jogged over to her and Quinn looked up at him, her face splitting into a wide grin before she ran over to him, jumping up and down excitedly.
"They want me! They want me!" she cried, "I got offered a contract!"
Jon laughed and pulled Quinn into his arms, kissing her on the lips, "I'm so happy for you babe. I knew they wouldn't let you go!"
Quinn grinned and let out a deep breath, "I just have to read through it and hand it back to Shane after. Gosh, I was so scared they would tell me it was goodbye after Mania."
"Nah, only an idiot would let a good thing like you slip away."
Quinn looked up at Jon and rested her hands on his arms, "This happened because of you. You risked your career for me and I can never repay you for that."
"You do. Every time you smile at me, kiss me… and many other things… I know it was worth it."
Quinn stood up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips, "I will definitely pay you back some more tonight but for now I need to go and help kick off Smackdown."
Alexa Bliss' music pulsed around the arena and the woman herself strode out wearing her title around her waist. She strode down the ramp giving the audience dirty looks, as if they were completely beneath her. Once at the ring she climbed in and stood in the middle, smirking at everyone.
"This Sunday I will be defending my title on the grandest stage of them all – Wrestlemania," started Alexa, "I will be proving that I own this title and that crazy idiot Harley doesn't belong here at all. Smackdown is my show. I refuse to allow that looney toon come tearing in here to mess up all of my hard work! If that no hoper Bayley can't contain her then I will! Clearly the Queen of Smackdown needs to lay the smack down on that insane asylum escapee!"
Alexa let out a smirk and chuckle as the dings rang around the arena with echoes of "I need a gangsta… to love me better…"
Alexa spun around to look up at the entrance ramp in time to see Harley striding out. Harley stopped at the top of the ramp with a twirl and pointed directly at Alexa. Alexa shook her head angrily as the crowd began chanting for Harley to kick Alexa's ass. Harley smirked and started walking down the ramp and laughing. Harley hadn't appeared on Smackdown in person since the show after the Royal Rumble so this was a much-hyped appearance that had been building up – it was a home coming of sorts for Harley.
"Well the insane asylum let me out once again!" spoke Harley after she slid into the ring and grabbed a microphone, "They said there was a pest causing an issue – something about dribbling a bunch of crap. It was creating a lot of mess and I was asked to come and find the source of it all. It wasn't hard to find at all," Harley chuckled and tilted her head to the side as she looked at Alexa, "All I had to do was find the person with the most irritating voice and well, honey, that's you. But thing is… I was also told that once I find the source I was to take. Them. Out."
The audience let out a big cheer in agreement with Alexa shaking her head angrily.
"No! No! I beat Mickie James at Elimination Chamber! I have PROVED I belong here! I am the Queen of Smackdown damn it!"
Harley laughed coldly, "I'm the Queen of Crazy. Your queendom is nothing compared to mine, sweetheart. My queendom is going to destroy yours and on Sunday I will be taking what belongs to me."
"You don't have what it takes to beat me."
"Those sound like fighting words," said Harley, stepping closer to Alexa, "And one thing you should know about me is I never… ever… back down from a fight."
Alexa smirked before smacking Harley across the face. Harley instantly dropped the microphone and launched herself at Alexa, tackling her down to the mat and going at her with a flurry of hits. Alexa managed to roll them out of the ring, the fall breaking them apart. Alexa stood and went to flee but Harley stood and caught Alexa at the end of the ramp and yanked the woman back. Alexa turned and hit a kick to Harley's mid-section. Harley leaned forward from the kick and Alexa aimed a knee to her face causing Harley to stumble backwards. Alexa laughed and started walking away but Harley wasn't having none of it. She ran after Alexa, who turned in time to be speared onto the hard surface of the ramp. Harley stood up, pulling the title from Alexa's hands. As Harley's music hit she held the title up above her, smirking down at an incapacitated Alexa Bliss.
"And Harley is making sure everyone knows just what her intentions are this Sunday at Wrestlemania," stated Tom, "I don't think Alexa Bliss realises just what this woman is capable of."
Dropping the title on Alexa as referee's from backstage rushed out, Harley turned and walked up the ramp, stopping at the top for one last twirl and mock curtsey.
Orlando, Florida
It was finally here. The ultimate thrill ride – or for the talent, the busiest time of the year. It was a constant non-stop week of go, go, go. Each day Quinn's schedule was jam packed with interviews, autograph signings, photo opportunities, fan meet and greets, visiting the local hospitals and fulfilling Make A Wish moments. In between that Quinn had to ensure her hair was given a cut and treatment, ensure her Wrestlemania gear arrived on time, along with her gown for the Hall of Fame.
The second night of Wrestlemania week found Quinn laying on her hotel bed staring up at the ceiling. She was exhausted and was counting down to her two days off the week after Wrestlemania.
Quinn looked up at the sound of the door opening and smiled at an exhausted Jon arriving from his latest meet and greet.
"That was intense," said Jon as he pulled his jacket off and tossed it onto his nearby suitcase, "Two hundred fans… and some of them," Jon made a motion with his hands that expressed what his words couldn't."
"Hmm, I had a few teenage boys try and get handsy with me," sighed Quinn, "Security were on it quick thankfully."
Jon peered at Quinn worriedly, "Are you okay? Did… did it cause any flashbacks?"
"No. I managed. Mark was contacted and it was decided to cut the meet and greet short and have Cesaro start early."
"Good. I hate that we have no matching moments in our schedule this week."
Quinn sat up and crawled over to Jon, kneeling behind him and began to massage his shoulders, "We have Hall of Fame together and we will have plenty of fun at that."
Jon moaned appreciatively as Quinn kneaded at some knots, "We need to just have a weekend of doing nothing but relaxing."
"Soon."
Jon nodded, a relaxed smile on his face as Quinn pressed a kiss to just below his left earlobe.
Quinn stepped out of the bathroom and looked over at Saraya, Alexis and Rebecca hesitantly. The three women looked at Quinn with big smiles.
"You look gorgeous!" exclaimed Alexis.
"I think Jon won't want to leave the hotel," chuckled Rebecca.
Saraya grinned, "Becky is right. That dress is perfect for you, Quinnie!"
Quinn smiled and looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. She donned an emerald green coloured maxi dress made from sheer lace. Starting with a sweet heart neckline and stopping midthigh beneath the sheer lace was an emerald green silhouette. The back was open with a hidden zipper and clasp. The lace sleeves came to just above Quinn's elbows and the lace gown fell to skim across the ground with a mid-thigh slit on the front right side showing when Quinn walked. Carefully, Quinn sat down and pulled on white coloured single strapped four inch high heels. She walked to the mirror to check her make up and hair. Her curly brown hair has been pulled back and into a side bun with a silver-smokey eyed make up and dark red lips.
"Seriously, you look stunning," said Alexis, beside Quinn, dressed in her silver coloured and sequin covered two piece outfit.
"Thanks. This is my first red carpet anything," said Quinn, "I don't want to mess up."
"You won't."
Jon met Quinn down in the foyer, where he was waiting with Joe, Galina, Colby and his new girlfriend Sarah.
Jon smiled softly at Quinn, reading the nervousness on her face. He took her hands into his and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "You look gorgeous."
"Thank you. You scrub up handsomely as well," murmured Quinn, her hands slipping up to rest on his chest as Jon looked down at her.
"This old thing? It was in the back of my wardrobe."
Quinn chuckled, feeling her nervousness slip away as Jon's presence soothed her. Quinn peered over Jon's shoulder and smiled on seeing Galina. She moved from Jon's hold and greeted Galina with a happy hug.
"It's so good to see you," said Galina, "Joe was very excited when he heard you were back."
"Thanks. So, how is your little girl?"
"Growing nonstop and begging for a baby brother or sister," chuckled Joe.
"Err, Quinn… I'd like you to meet Sarah. Sarah, this is Quinn – Jon's girlfriend," cut in Colby.
"Nice to meet you," said Quinn with a nod to Sarah.
"You too," replied Sarah with a half-smile.
The group headed out of the hotel foyer and stepped into a limousine with Joe passing around glasses of champagne. Quinn fell into easy conversation as stories from their FCW days came up. Galina joined in agreeing with Quinn on one story which saw Jon, Joe and Colby winding up with a rash from messing around with itching powder.
"I'd warned you guys to leave it alone – but did you listen to me? Nope," smirked Quinn, "Didn't you three look particularly sheepish explaining that one to Dusty!"
"It was worth it," replied Colby with a smirk.
"I recall plenty of whining for the next three days from you, Colby."
Colby stuck his tongue out at Quinn, who merely rolled her eyes at him with a smile.
"So, didn't you leave FCW?" spoke up Sarah suddenly causing the mood in the car to shift from warmth and laughter to complete awkwardness.
"Ah, yes…yes I did," answered Quinn, feeling Jon go tense beside her and glancing at Joe to see him eyeing Sarah with cold eyes.
The limousine pulled up outside the Amway Center where a red carpet was set up and fans were milling about. The occupants in the car remained silent until the door was opened. Colby and Sarah stepped out first, followed by Joe and Galina and then Jon and Quinn. Jon entwined his fingers with Quinn as the realisations dawned on Quinn that this would be hers and Jon's first public outing as a couple that was work related.
"Ready?" asked Jon, turning to face Quinn, one hand placed at her waist.
Quinn smiled and sucked in a deep breath and nodded, "Ready."
A/N: And Wrestlemania week will continue in the next chapter! Review!