Disclaimer - I do not own WWE or any of it's characters. I only own my character Siren and her family.
Thank you to Dangerjaz and kitten42 for choosing to favorite and follow this story and myself.
Also thank you to MarshWolffe for the awesome review of chapter 31, in your honor I am posting two chapters today. Thank you so much!
So just to help you guys out while you read this, every thing that's in bold is "in ring action, promos, text messages or social media posts", bold and italicized are "flashbacks", and italicized is "phone calls".
Reviews are appreciated, let me know what you like or don't and if you see anything spelled wrong :)
Also please let me know if you'd like to see a prequel to Wake Up.
Thank you!
The song for this chapter is, "Graveyard," by Kelsea Ballerini.
Tasha bid goodbye to everyone as she left the arena, heading to the airport to catch her flight out to California. She wouldn't be back until Sunday at Night of Champions, Hunter and Stephanie had given her the whole week off. Since she normally filmed Walking Dead on Saturday and Sunday, and she had the pay-per-view this weekend, they agreed to let her miss Smackdown.
So as always Tuesday and Wednesday Tasha was on set with the rest of the Sons, it was getting to all of them, they were filming the last few episodes of their 7 season run, and none of them were ready for it to end. Spending seven years with a group of people, you get close to them, you become a family, and no one was ready to say goodbye to the SOA family.
Thursday she was with her Teen Wolf crew filming the last episode for her, for at least a month. The next few episodes would be focusing on the rest of the pack, so they didn't need her to be there. Tyler made sure she was laughing and having a good time while she was there. He knew things were rough between her and Colby, and even though things hadn't worked out between Tyler and Tasha, she was still one of his closest friends.
Friday morning she got off the plane in Georgia and went straight to set, spending a full day getting tossed around and chased by zombies. She talked to Joe that night in her hotel room, asking him how Smackdown went. She laughed as he told her how he had gotten the best of Seth once again, consequently making Rusev an enemy of Rollins as well.
Tasha was exhausted on Sunday morning when she arrived at the arena for Night of Champions. In the last five days she hadn't slept more than four hours a day, her body was begging her to lay down, if only for a little while.
Joe noticed how tired she looked, and after a small argument that Tasha surprisingly gave into, a cause of her being so tired, Joe made her go to the locker room and lay down for awhile. He promised he would come wake her before it was time to go out, giving her time to change and have her hair and makeup done.
As promised he woke her up a few hours later when the show was getting underway. Tasha felt better than she had in several days, thanking Joe she headed to catering to get some food and a water. As she got her things she saw Colby come into the room, his eyes landing on her for the first time since Monday. As much as she wanted to go over and speak to him, she was sticking to her guns, it was his turn to make the move. He needed to decide, did he want them to work out, or did he not.
As Colby turned and walked away from her, sitting down at a table with Kane and Orton, she felt he had made his decision. Blinking back her tears she strode confidently out of the room, she had shed enough tears over Colby Lopez and she'd be damned if she let anyone see her cry.
Coming into the women's locker room she waved to the ladies inside, the occupants, Paige, AJ, Brie, Lana, Renee and Naomi waving back to her.
Sitting down on the bench she opened her water and took a sip, hearing her phone playing a familiar song she picked it up, putting it on speaker so she could still eat.
"Hey, J. Long time no talk to." She giggled.
"Hey, pretty girl. A phone works both ways you know."
She could hear the teasing tone in his voice, but it didn't make her feel any better. "I'm sorry. I know I should have called you, or at least sent a text."
"T, stop. I was kidding. We both have been really busy. You know I'm not going anywhere, you're one of my closest friends, no matter how often we do or don't talk."
"Thanks, Jared. That means a lot."
"What's going on, blue eyes? You sound really down."
Tasha sighed, he always knew when she wasn't feeling well. "Just work. My schedule is crazy right now, between WWE, Sons, Teen Wolf and Walking Dead, plus personal appearances and awards shows on top of that. I'm exhausted, Jared."
"You sound like you could use a vacation."
"Ha, I wish."
"I get the feeling that's not all that's causing you grief."
Tasha rolled her eyes, she hated that he knew her so well. "Relationship problems."
"Seth Rollins?" He questioned.
"How'd you know?" She said with a smile.
"We do watch you, you know. Even when we're on the road, Shannon records it all."
"Gotcha. Well, it's good to know I have such dedicated fans." She giggled.
"Smartass. I could say the same thing about you, how many tats of us do you have now?" He teased.
"Shut up. I'm not a fan, I'm family."
"That you are. By the way Shan, Tomo and mom all send their love. We're watching you tonight."
"Oh, thanks. Give them my love back and tell them I miss them."
"I will. Now back to the question you ducked, what's up with you and Rollins?"
"Nothing now. We started dating finally two months ago, and then three weeks ago everything changed. I haven't spoken to him in almost a month, no calls, no texts, nothing."
"What changed?" Jared asked wanting to help her get to the bottom of her issues.
"The bosses. They decided that us being together was a risk, since we're supposed to hate each other for our storyline. So, they forbid us from being around one another. And that's not even a big deal, because distance shouldn't come between a relationship. The problem is that he didn't defend us like he did before, he just sat there and said nothing. And now he hasn't made any effort to speak to me. I don't even know if we're still together or not."
Jared sighed, he felt so bad for her, it broke his heart to hear her so down. "I'm sorry Tash. It sounds like he's more concerned with his career, than he is with a relationship. And, you're right, distance shouldn't mean anything, especially when you're in the same place at the same time constantly. All I can tell you sweetie, is don't give up just yet. He's young, he's got to have some time to figure out what he wants in life. I have no doubts that he'll realize he needs you in his life, that he's crazy about you."
Tasha raised her eyebrow, "And how do you know that, oh great one?"
"Cause you're amazing. You're beautiful, talented, funny, smart and a good person. Any guy who can't see that, is stupid and doesn't deserve you in the first place."
Tasha smiled, "Thanks, Jared. What would I do without your words of wisdom?"
"You'd be a whore like me, fucking anything that catches your attention."
She laughed, "When are you gonna settle down? You're an amazing catch, Jared."
"Naw, that's just not in the cards for me anymore pretty girl. But if I did settle down, it'd only be with you."
She could hear the teasing tone in his voice, "Oh, shut up. You're such a pathological flirt. You know damn well I don't believe a word you just said."
"That's why I love you, you see straight through me." He laughed. "But seriously, if you ever need a break, even if it's just for a night, you're welcome wherever we are. You always have a pass with your name on it. It's been forever since you've been to a show."
"I know, I miss it. I promise I'll come visit and see one soon."
"I'm gonna hold you to that."
"Okay. I gotta get ready to go out there."
"Okay. Be careful and have fun. We'll be watching."
"I will. Bye, J."
"Bye, blue eyes."
Tasha hung up the phone smiling, feeling better than she had in the last two weeks. She looked up to find all of the girls in the room staring at her, "What?"
"And who was that?" Renee asked her.
"A friend." She replied cryptically.
"A friend with a deep luscious voice." AJ smirked.
Tasha rolled her eyes with a laugh, "His name is Jared. Jared Leto."
"You're kidding me right?" Brie asked excitedly. "He's gorgeous. I loved him in Alexander."
"Nope, not kidding. It was really him."
"When did you meet him?" Paige questioned.
"I went to one of the very first concerts that his band did when they debuted in 98. 30 Seconds to Mars. It's a band he started with his older brother Shannon, and their best friend/brother Tomo. I got to meet the whole band and we've been friends ever since. I was actually in one of their videos, for the song "Hurricane," I got to have Jared manhandle me, it was fun."
"How did we all not know about this?" Naomi says smiling.
"I don't know, maybe cause you never asked." Tasha laughed. Opening up her phone again she brought up the video, Jared had sent the uncensored version to her since they wouldn't play it on TV. Turning it on she let the girls watch it while she went into the bathroom to get ready for the match.
When she came back out she was greeted with grins from all of the girls, she knew why they were looking at her like that. "Pretty hot, huh?"
"I don't know what's hotter, the guys or you?" Paige said grinning.
"It was all Jared, he designed everything and directed it."
"Multitalented. Nice." Brie said.
"Yeah, he's amazing." Tasha agreed. "Singer, Rockstar, guitarist, actor, director. He wears so many hats, and he's amazing at them all."
"Sounds like he gives good advice to." AJ told her with a knowing look.
"Yeah, he does." Tasha said. "And I think I'm gonna listen."
The girls looked up as Florida-Georgia Line was introduced, Tasha smiled as she started singing along with the song playing.
"You are such a country girl." Lana said laughing.
"I love country, it runs in my blood. And those guys are awesome. One of my favorite bands."
"30 Seconds to Mars being your favorite right?" Lana winked.
"Of course. That's why I have five tattoos dedicated to them." She said showing them the bands name in glyphs with their Triad symbol across the inside of her left wrist, the secret glyphs behind her left ear, the album name and Latin sayings across her collarbones and the symbol on the back of her neck. "I'm getting another one in a few weeks after I finish filming Sons."
"Those are awesome." All the girls agreed.
Tasha bid the girls goodbye as she headed up to the curtain to meet up with John for his match. Smiling as Tyler and BK from Florida-Georgia Line came walking past her.
"Tyler. BK. So good to see you." She said kissing their cheeks and hugging them.
"Good to see you too. It's been awhile." Tyler told her.
"Yes it has. Too long. I hear you guys are joining us for Tribute to the Troops, I can't wait."
"You gonna be there?" BK asks.
"Of course. John and I haven't missed a Tribute to the Troops since we started it. It's literally the one show I look forward to most all year long."
"Well, awesome. Maybe we'll get you to sing with us." Tyler said smiling.
"Maybe. That'd be fun."
"Well, we brought you something." BK smiled pulling a small case out from behind his back, handing it to her. "The first copy to be released."
Tasha beamed as she saw their new album in her hands, the cover boasting their signatures. "Guys, this is amazing. Thank you so much. I can't wait to hear it."
"Well, thank you, for supporting us." Tyler tells her.
"Always." She said, before bidding them goodbye as she went to see John.
She only had one match to worry about that night as Joe had been admitted the previous night for emergency hernia surgery, so he would not be competing tonight. But she still had to endure Seth Rollins coming out to talk shit about her brother for falling ill.
Seth Rollins strode cockily down to the ring to boast about Roman not being there to compete in their match. He climbed into the ring grinning like a Cheshire cat as he took a microphone from one of the techs.
"Isn't it amazing how life works sometimes? Just crazy. I mean, one minute you're on top of the world and the next… you're Roman Reigns. Now my former partner and brother in The Shield was scheduled to be here tonight to face me in a one-on-one contest. Well, I got word yesterday that Roman was rushed to a hospital here in Nashville. But emergency surgery is no excuse for not showing up here tonight. But in the interest of fairness and the interest of justice, I'm gonna give Roman Reigns a chance. I'm gonna give Roman Reigns ten seconds to get here and face me, otherwise I'm gonna have to accept Roman Reigns' forfeit and have my hand raised in victory."
He smirked as the crowd booed him, "Referee, if you would be so kind as to ring the bell."
The ref rings the bell and proceeds to go into a ten count, ringing the bell once he's done and having Seth Rollins declared the winner by forfeit.
"No, no, no, no, no, look, look, it's not official until you raise my hand." Seth says until the ref raises his hand in victory. "Look, I know you're disappointed, all right? I understand you all wanted to see me compete here tonight. I get it, okay? Hey, I'm disappointed too. I'm disappointed in Roman Reigns. I'm disappointed because Roman isn't half the man that I thought he was. He's sure not man enough to show up here tonight and face me. And he kinda leaves me in a bind. He left me high and dry and I've got no choice, I've got to rectify the situation. I got to do something to make you guys happy, right? Luckily, I am an opportunist and The Authority is all about providing opportunity. So right now, in that vain, what I'd like to do is issue an open challenge. Because that's the kind of guy I am! That the kind of competitor I am! I'm going to issue an open challenge to anybody, anybody in that locker room who wants to come out here and have a match with me right now! Anybody? Anybody? Anybody? This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm giving you a chance to step into the ring with Mr. Money In the Bank! Come on, anybody."
Of course the music that comes on isn't what he's expecting as Siren strides out onto the stage, a mic in her hand. "Seth. Now, I can see the look on your face, and relax, I'm not answering your challenge. Even though, I would love to stomp your face into the mat and I'm pretty sure Nashville here, would love to see me come down there and kick your ass."
The crowd goes crazy cheering and whistling for her, she laughs as she nods. "But of course, The Authority would never allow that. So, onto why I really came out here. Do you remember about a month ago when I told you that eventually Ambrose was gonna come back and when he did, there would be nowhere for you to hide? You, you remember that right? And then I told you that with him and Roman gone, that left me to make your life a living hell. Well, I'm here to make good on my promise. I've found the perfect opponent for you tonight, Seth. He should be arriving any minute. You know, you really should be careful about issuing challenges like that… because you never know, who might answer that call."
Pointing to the titan-tron above her she smirked, as the camera crews showed a cab pulling into the arena. She watched in rapt amusement as Seth's face paled when he saw who got out of the cab.
"It's Ambrose! Dean Ambrose is here!" She heard Michael Cole yell.
Dean's music kicked on as he ran to the ring attacking Seth, knocking him out of the ring, then being thrown over the barricade into the fans. Dean followed the two men beating the hell out of one another.
Siren scoffed, rolling her eyes as Hunter and Stephanie brought security out to keep the two men apart. However Dean had other ideas as he jumped off of one of the light fixtures and took out the entire security team.
Dean continued to beat Seth back out through the crowd, before clotheslining him back over the barricade. Seth scurries away into the ring as Dean grabbed a steel chair from the timekeepers area. But before Dean could slam the chair into Seth, security scrambled into the ring and tackled Ambrose. They placed zip ties around his wrists to subdue him, while Stephanie checked on Seth to make sure he was okay.
Siren followed the security team as they carried Dean out of the arena, she making sure that they didn't harm him in any way.
Coming back into the building she was approached by Stephanie and Hunter, her patience waning as they smirked at her. But she didn't allow them to say whatever it was that they wanted to, her resolve breaking as she saw Seth standing stoically behind them.
"Save it." Siren said holding up her hand, her voice slightly breaking as she held back her tears. "You win Stephanie. You got your wish. You want that coward… keep him. He made his decision."
Through bleary eyes Siren reached up and unclasped the necklace holding his initials, flinging the object and hitting Seth directly in his chest. "We're done."
Siren walked back to the locker room trying to keep herself in check, no more tears would be shed for Colby. She walked in and changed her shirt, before leaving once again to go up to the curtain and meet John for his match.
"You ready for this?" John asked her as she stood beside him, he could see her wringing her hands in trepidation.
"Yeah. I'm ready." She said, but her tone conveyed her hesitation.
"Hey, look at me." John said taking her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. "I will not let anything happen to you. No matter what goes down in that ring, you stay out of it. I do not want you getting hurt like last time. Promise me."
Siren stared into her ex-husband's eyes, in them she saw the same fear he had the night Brock put her in the hospital on Smackdown. She nodded her head, "I promise."
Siren and John walked out to a ruckus crowd in Nashville, many of them voicing their support for the duo. Saluting the fans the two superstars ran down to the ring, sliding in and posing for the fans.
Siren felt her heart drop to her feet as Brock's music cued up, those first notes rocking her entire body, sending her into a near panic attack. She quickly slid out of the ring as Brock jumped up onto the apron, his pyro exploding from the turnbuckles. She managed her best glare as Brock smirked down at her, but she knew he could tell that she was scared.
As the match got started Siren stood by scared for her friend, as Brock took the fight to John, quickly locking in a submission maneuver that could break John's arm. But John managed to grab the ropes to break the hold, but Siren could tell that his arm was hurting. She cringed as Brock suplex' John, the start of several she thought to herself, but John immediately went back on the offense.
Throughout the match Brock continued to work on John's left arm, continuously locking in the submission hold, coupled with several suplex'.
15 minutes later Siren was literally going crazy, the men had went back and forth the entire match. John was putting up an amazing offense this time around, the crowd going crazy every time he got the upper hand on Brock. John had managed to get Brock into his submission hold, the STFU, but Brock countered it into his hold, a Kokina clutch, the move that had broke Triple H's arm years earlier.
Somehow, even Siren didn't know how, John powered out of the hold and managed to get Brock on his stomach, locking in the STFU once more. Stuck in the middle of the ring, Brock had nowhere to go, not close enough to reach any of the ropes.
Siren and Paul were both screaming at their clients from the ring apron, Paul desperately willing Brock to power out and Siren telling John to hold on. John could feel Brock breaking the hold, so he stood up, picking the big man up onto his shoulders and delivering the fourth AA during the match. But just as he went for the cover, the sellout Seth Rollins slid into the ring and slammed his briefcase down into the back of Cena.
"You sonofabitch!" Siren screamed as the ref rang the bell, giving the win to John via disqualification. But everyone knew that a title cannot change hands on a disqualification, so Brock was still the champion.
John got to his feet only for Seth to slam the case into his face, knocking him out of the ring onto his back at Siren's feet. The two former Shield mates stared at one another, both glaring holes through the other.
Siren sees Seth's attention turn to look over his shoulder, where Brock is still down on the mat, dazed from the beating by John. She knows what he's thinking, and she'll be damned if this is how he's gonna cash in. But Seth doesn't move to cash in the case as he sees Brock trying to get to his feet, instead he drops the case and delivers a curb stomp to Brock, planting him on the canvas.
Seth then jumps out of the ring with his case in hand, handing it to the ref to cash in on Brock. Siren glances over at Brock, making her decision she climbs up onto the ring apron, perching herself on the top of the turnbuckle. Before Seth can return to the ring, Siren leaps off of the turnbuckle, wrapping her legs around his neck and planting him with her signature move, the "Siren's Call," a hurricanrana into a DDT, slamming his head into the floor.
Seth groggily gets to his feet, climbing into the ring to escape as John follows him inside the squared circle, determined to beat the shit out of him. Seth manages to get out of harms way, scurrying up the ramp to the backstage area.
Siren yells to John, but it's too late as Brock gets to his feet and delivers an F5 to Cena. John may have won the match, but Brock still walks out the champion.