A new girl in town Chapter 86
Kayla/Hunter/J.J.
"That's now how things happened J.J." Hunter stuttered.
"Oh, then how?" J.J. asked. "I don't know you but so far you are not looking like a very good guy."
"Yes, I did tell people to push you around a bit to knock you off your feet at ringside. And yes, it was to prove a point to Kayla. But it was not supposed to be that serious. It was not supposed to really get you hurt. Someone took it way to far." Hunter said.
"SO, you admit you did this you caused my head injury. YOU caused my amnesia!" J.J. said stepping up to the much bigger man.
"In a manner of speaking." Hunter said trying to step back just a bit from the angry woman.
"YOU ASSHOLE!" J.J. said hauling back and slapping the hell out of Hunter then storming off back into the building.
"I don't know what you expected," Kayla said sarcastically.
Then all of the turmoil of the lats few weeks with him at the center of it took hold of her. All of the unanswered questions, the dancing around each other, the careful tip-toing around what was really happening... In an instant, all of it became too much for her to handle.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Kayla's right-hand contacted hunter's left cheek with a loud smack.
"God, you're such an asshole," Kayla said tiredly, all of the energy draining out of her.
Then without a word, she stormed off back into the building.
"AW what the fuck." Hunter groaned before turning and heading back in.
Outlaws.
Billy and Jessie walked into the DX locker room.
"Hey Chyna, where's Hunter." He asked.
"Who the fuck cares." Chyna yelled.
"Um… I do." Jessie said.
"Then go fucking find him." Chyna said. "Cause he ain't here where he belongs."
Billy and Jessie looked at each other.
"What did we miss." Jessie whispered.
"I Have no idea." Billy said. "But I'm keeping a low profile for a while."
"Me too." Jessie said.
J.J. /Kayla
J.J. walked back inside and looked around.
Shit she thought they left. Now how will I find them.
Looking across the hall she saw DX on the door. I guess Hunter is part of DX but what do Kane and Taker call themselves? She wondered.
Should I just walk down the hall and see if I can find them? She thought.
Where do they have me set up this time? Kayla wondered walking back into the arena. She spotted DX but pretended she didn't. Then she spotted J.J.
She looks lost and probably doesn't know where to go. Kayla thought. Should I help her out?
"Hey, J.J. You look a little lost," Kayla said walking over to her.
What does she care? J.J. thought at first. Then decided better.
"I am." J.J. said reluctantly.
The locker rooms are usually all in one area. 'Taker and Kane's shouldn't be hard to find," Kayla said. "I can show you if you want. I want to check on Kane anyway."
"Why would you want to check on Kane. He and that Hunter guy hate each other, and you are friends with Hunter?" J.J. asked.
"I was friends with Kane first. He and 'Taker were the first people I met when I started here," Kayla said.
"Hunter and I are... complicated. It's kinda hard to hate someone after they've saved your life."
There is definitely a story there. J.J. thought falling into step with Kayla. But that's for another time, I think.
It didn't take Kayla long to locate the locker-room area. She pointed out the signs on each door to J.J. then found 'Taker and Kane's. She knocked quickly, hoping that she wasn't about to have to deal with a pissed off Kane. Maybe getting his hands on Hunter, even briefly, had calmed him down somewhat?
J.J. knocked on the door rather than just walk in.
Taker opened it and ushered her and Kayla in.
Kayla/J.J./Sammy/Kane/Taker
J.J. walked in and looked around. The locker room was larger than she'd though it would be. Sammy was setting up a laptop in the corner and Kane was pacing the room seeming somewhat angry. But Taker seemed calm enough.
"Hey," Kayla said, interrupting Kane's pacing. "Are you too pissed off to talk to me?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm pissed." Kane growled."
"Your body language says otherwise Kane." J.J. said without thinking.
"You could always read me like a book J.J. Even when I wasn't talking." Kane said with a sigh.
Wasn't talking? J.J. thought. Why wasn't he talking?
Kayla chuckled.
Even with memory loss, they're still the perfect couple. Kayla thought.
"Okay... So, you're pissed off at... me, maybe?" Kayla asked, trying to piece things together.
"More Hunter. What were you doing talking to that asshole?" Kane asked.
"It's complicated. But he did save my life" Kayla said.
"What are you talking about?" Kane asked. "How could he save your life?"
"Wait, you don't know?" Kayla asked, sounding shocked.
"If I did, would I be asking?" Kane said.
"I was kidnapped. Drugged, tied up and hidden. Hunter found me."
"He's probably the one who did it or had it done." Kane said. "He had J.J. kidnapped once to make me lose a match."
"You weren't there. I know he's an asshole, but you didn't see how terrified he seemed... Or how he was at the hospital when I woke up," Kayla said, almost forgetting that she was talking to Kane as she remembered.
"It was all an act. Believe me he's a conniving piece of shit he's up to something I know it." Kane said.
And you don't know the rest of what Hunter told me. Kayla thought.
Maybe I'm being stupid for believing him when there's no way to prove without a doubt that he wasn't responsible but that conversation we had... Something about it tells me it wasn't Hunter. Kayla thought.
What isn't she telling me? He wondered watching her face. There is something more. Something maybe I need to watch for. Kane thought remembering the lessons J.J. had given him in body language.
I think I need to talk to Taker about this kidnapping thing. Kane decided.
"Maybe I should go," Kayla said.
"I have a mountain of work to get through."
"OK," Sammy said. "I'd like to catch up. Haven't seen you in a while."
"Sounds good. Text me," Kayla said over her shoulder as she headed for the door.
Taker/Sammy/Kane/J.J.
J.J. took a seat nervously on the couch.
Damn doesn't he ever sit still. She wondered as Kane continued to pace.
Taker sat down beside her.
"Does he always do that?" she asked him quietly.
"What, pace. Mostly yes." Taker said. "He does it when he's anxious, nervous or angry. Right now, he's a bit of all three."
"Before I got hurt what did I do here?" J.J. asked.
"You were the second in command of the photographers." Taker said. "You did most of the magazine shots. Your share of Ringside work and also candid shots of the wrestlers backstage and at autograph signings."
"That's a lot." J.J. said.
"Yes." Taker said. "You worked very hard. But you enjoyed it. And you were damn good at it."
"So, what do I do now?" J.J. asked.
"I expect you'll be hearing from Vince Before the night is out with your answer to that." Taker said. "He's not one to mince words. Just be aware he loves to yell and make empty threats. Be firm with him and don't let him scare you into anything." Taker said.
"I don't scare easy. And no one makes me do anything I don't want to." J.J. said.
"Good." Taker said with a smile.
"Time for staff." Kane said.
"Ok." Taker replied getting up.
"You need to go to J.J." Kane said. "At least you used to go."
"Oh," J.J. said getting to her feet. "Does Sammy?"
"No, she doesn't work for the fed." Taker said.
"She doesn't?" J.J. asked with surprise.
"No," Taker said. "She's a fiction writer. She just travels with us and works on the road."
"Oh." J.J. said.
"We'll be late." Taker said smiling. "Vince and everyone will be surprised to see you." Taker added to J.J.
"They sure will." Kane said.
He can't wait to surprise them. J.J. realized noting Kane's body language.
Kayla
Kayla found her office and proceeded to work without even a pause to grab coffee as was her usual habit until it was time for the staff meeting. When her alarm went off at the appointed time, she quickly saved the video she was almost finished prepping for tonight's show opening then went to the appointed room.
The now familiar whispers started up as soon as she sat down.
"Lovers' spat?" someone said snidely a few rows behind her.
She didn't bother turning around to see who it was. Instead, she focused on blocking out everything around her while she waited for the meeting to start. Hunter and DX's arrival barely registered with her. When she did finally notice them, she didn't react at all.
Kane/J.J./Taker/Kayla
Walking down the hall J.J. felt kinda dwarfed by the two big men with her. How can anyone not fear these two now that they are working together. She thought. Or will they go back to working together now that Kane is back? Did I ruin what they had going by getting hurt?
The arrived at the meeting room and entered. J.J. was surprised to see Taker cross the room and take up a position leaning on the far wall. Without thinking she moved to the right of the door and stood against the wall and Kane moved to stand beside her.
I guess she does remember some things. Kane thought when J.J. took her old position.
Kayla looked up when Kane, 'Taker and J.J. arrived.
Is she starting to remember things? Kayla wondered as J.J. took her usual position by the door next to Kane.
Maybe I can help her remember somehow? She thought, grateful for a distraction from her thoughts.
I wonder why she came back so soon. She thought with concern.
Wouldn't it be better for to be in a calmer environment to recover, especially with the lasting symptoms she no doubt has? Kayla thought, remembering some of the soldiers with head injuries she had seen while serving.
But Kane would go crazy without her. So maybe this is the best option. Maybe we can all help her remember. Kayla thought, resolving to aid in any way she could.
Is he always this boring? J.J. wondered listening to Vince's drone on and on. Most of this stuff makes no sense to me but I guess it did at one time. I'll just have to figure it all out again.
Finally, he's done. J.J. thought when he gave the time for the talent meeting.
"J.J. and Kayla, I need you two to stay behind I need to talk to you." Vince said.
Shit J.J. thought what did I do I just got back.
What now? Kala thought with aggravation. I can't be on Vince's shit-list again, can I?
The two women approached Vince.
"Have a seat." He said gruffly.
They did.
"Kayla, you wanted an intern. You have one." Vince said pointing to J.J. "Since she can't do what I pay her for because she's on light duty she is all yours. I expect some damn good results."
Kayla just nodded and turned to leave.
J.J. got up to follow her.
"Um Kayla what exactly do you do?" J.J. asked.
"I'm the digital media producer," Kayla replied. "I do everything from highlight videos for matches to web design and working with the photographers on things like video game covers and the like," she explained.
"So, you're me but on motion pictures." J.J. said.
"Pretty much," Kayla said.
"We'll be somewhere in the bowels of this place, no doubt," Kayla said as she led the way.
It took little time to find where they were set up for the night. She was relieved to see two workstations set up; she'd wondered if Vince may have 'conveniently' forgotten just to make things more difficult.
"Do you have any experience with video editing?" Kayla asked as she powered up her computer.
"No but I'm really good with photo editors or all kinds." J.J. replied.
"Perfect. We're a bit backlogged in that end so that'll be great," Kayla said.
I don't know how Vince expects you guys to shoot every event and photo edit as well. I'm swamped as it is; I've inherited a bit of a mess," Kayla said.
"Photography isn't my specialty, but Vince doesn't want to hear it."
"You'll probably need to start by scanning a lot of stuff in before you can edit," Kayla said apologetically. We're in the process of trying to get that all changed but Vince is being Vince about it."
"Oh, you mean going digital. Yeah, I'm on the fence about that myself. I'm so used to film." J.J. said.
"Yeah, there are pros and cons. An SD card glitch could mean the loss of a night's work; on the other hand, it makes i easier to import directly into photo editing software," Kayla said shrugging.
J.J. got to work scanning things in as they talked.
"Do you need a refresher on the roster?" Kayla asked, realizing that J.J. May not remember any of that.
"The highlights wouldn't hurt." J.J. said.
Kayla quickly resumed her work on prepping video for that night's show as the two women got reacquainted.
Kayla began filling her in on the major feuds as they worked, giving particular attention to 'Taker and Kane' as she figured J.J. Would be most interested in them.
She looked over from time to time to see what J.J. Was working on a tried to provide context for the images.
"This place is insane. Why did I ever come to work here?" J.J. said. "And how did I ever hook up with Kane of all people. His story seems the craziest of all."
Kayla shrugged. From what you told me; you guys didn't have an easy road to getting together. Sounds like he tried really hard to push you away in the beginning," Kayla said.
"But it sounds like you guys had a hell of a connection and that overcame the obstacles. Back when we first met, you mentioned that he wasn't able to speak when you guys first met. You said that you just seemed to know what he was thinking," Kayla continued, thinking out loud and trying to remember every detail of what J.J. Had told her.
"I guess you really wanted to get to know him and wouldn't take no for an answer," Kayla said with a wink.
"I don't understand." J.J. said. "I mean he seems like a really nice guy but he's scary too."
"You should see him in the ring." Kayla said. "He's really scary there. With you he's a pussycat."
"Seriously?" J.J. asked.
"From what I understand before you he was the terror of the place." Kayla said. "Since you he's almost human most of the time."
"That's hard to imagine. I mean what could I have done to change him that much." J.J. asked.
"You loved him." Kayla said. "That's all it took."
"But I don't remember him. What happens if I never remember?" J.J. asked.
"You've already remembered something," Kayla said. "You know that position you took at the meeting? Right by the door next to him? You've been doing that for as long as I've been here and who knows how long before that?"
"Really?" J.J. said.
Maybe there is hope. Maybe one step at a time. J.J. thought. But this could take forever.
"You'll get there, J.J. You just got back; give it time," Kayla said, reaching over and patting her gently on the shoulder.