Daughter of the Deadman III
Chapter 22: Visitors
Angel was excited as she stood at the airport with Taker and Lea. They were in Atlanta, Georgia and Angel's Grandfather Dean and Uncle Liam were coming to visit them. They had originally only planned to stay for one night in order to bring Beth's wedding ring—newly repaired—to Angel like they promised, but they decided that they wanted to stay a bit longer to see what went on outside of the Squared Circle. They had watched wrestling faithfully since 1994 and had always been curious about what went on behind the scenes.
Angel was also nervous. Her Uncle and Grandfather had no clue that she was dating Roman. All they knew was that she and David had split up and Angel had become good—and fast—friends with Roman and his best friend Dean Ambrose. It wasn't her Grandfather that Angel was worried about. It was her Uncle Liam that had her nerves on edge. He didn't like the idea of Angel dating at all. Everyone swore that the reason for this was because he felt as though—in an odd way-through Angel he had his baby sister back. Her Grandfather, on the other hand, didn't feel that way at all. As far as he was concerned, Angel was an adult now, at twenty three years old, and as long as she had happiness in her life, that was all that mattered. He thought that she deserved that much after all the hell she'd gone through.
"Are you OK in there, baby girl?" Taker asked.
"Yeah, Daddy, I'm alright. Thinking is all." Angel said.
"You're worried about what Liam is going to think about you and Roman, huh?" Taker asked.
"More like how long it'll take for him to figuratively rip yours and Ro's heads off. He thinks he's got his sister back, but I'm not Mom. However much I act like it, I'm not her and I never will be. I wish he could have Grandpa's attitude." Angel said.
"Grandpa Dean doesn't really mind what we do, does he?" Lea asked.
"Nope. As long as we're safe and happy, that's all that matters to him. To him, I'm not Mom. I'm a gift that Mom gave him and a small piece of her that she left for everyone…but…" Angel tried to explain.
"I get what you mean, baby girl. Don't worry." Taker said.
"Good." Angel said.
"I'll try to get your Grandfather to talk to him, alright? You're right, baby girl. However much you may act like her, you aren't your Mother and it's time that Liam realizes that." Taker said.
"Thanks, Daddy." Angel said.
She gave her father a hug. Just as they finished their conversation, Liam and Dean pushed their way through the throngs of people, bags in hand. They beamed when they saw Angel. They had watched her on TV and even though she had been in a slump ever since Rollins had broken her only portable memento of her Mother, she had still been putting on some decent matches. They both hugged her. Then they gave Mark a hug and both of them knelt down and hugged Lea. Then they stared at her. She seemed to have grown more since they saw her last.
"Sweetheart, you need to stop growing so fast. Every time we see you, you've gotten bigger." Dean said.
"That's because you don't see me a lot." Lea said sadly.
"Don't worry, Lea. We're staying for a bit this time." Liam said.
Lea nodded. They went back to the hotel where they greeted Bret, Owen, Kristy and Wyatt. They were stunned at how much Wyatt had grown as well. Once they got settled in, Dean went into his bag and pulled out a package. He opened it and handed the contents to Angel. Angel wrapped her hand around it and held it there for a second. She knew what it was.
She burst into tears and ran to her father, hugging him and thanking him for going out of his way to get the ring fixed as fast as he could. Taker just hugged her until she calmed down. Once she had, he put the ring around her neck. It was back where it should have been the whole time. Angel's face lit up and she smiled brighter than they had seen in the last couple of weeks. Before anyone could say anything, there was a knock on the door. When Taker opened it, Dean and Roman stood there. Taker let them in.
If Liam is gonna blow up at her, it's better to do it here than at the arena. He thought. Dean walked over and hugged Kristy and kissed her. Roman noticed Angel's smile and walked over. He hugged her.
"There's that beautiful smile that I've been missing." He said to her.
"Oh? Are these your friends?" Dean asked.
"Yeah. Grandpa Dean, Uncle Liam. This is Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. Roman, Dean. This is my Grandpa Dean and Uncle Liam….and I just realized that this just got confusing." Angel said.
"We'll keep it straight somehow, Angel. Don't worry." Kristy said.
"Grandpa….Uncle Liam….look….Roman is more than just my friend. We've…been dating for two weeks. Since Seth broke Mom's ring. He was...he was afraid that I'd be so hurt by what Seth did that I would leave WWE, so he took a gamble. Roman told me loved me. And….I love him too." Angel said, hesitating.
"WHAT?!" Liam yelled.
"Angel Baby…." Dean said.
"Look, it's been nine months since I broke up with David. I need to move on with my life." Angel said.
"I understand that, Angel Baby. I'm happy for you. As for you, young man you had better take good care of my Angel Baby. If I hear that she's being harmed in any way, you're going to be in big trouble." Dean told Roman, glaring at him.
"I understand, sir. You don't have to worry. I'll protect Angel as best I can." Roman answered, not backing down.
"DAD!" Liam shouted.
"What?! What do you want me to say, son?! Angel is happy. And Roman's obviously gotten the same warning from Mark! There's no way Roman would hurt our Angel Baby on purpose! Can't you at least be a bit happy for her?" Dean asked his son.
"NO! SHE SHOULDN'T BE DATING! LET ALONE DATING THIS…THIS UNWORTHY MAN!" Liam shouted.
"Unworthy?! Hold it, Liam! Roman is as worthy as they come! Samoan men are the most worthy! They put their family and women before themselves and they care more about their family and friends than anyone, so don't you call Roman unworthy!" Kristy snapped.
"Wow. She's never snapped at me before." Liam muttered.
"That's because you have never pissed her off before." Grandpa Dean said.
"I knew this would happen…." Angel said quietly.
"Liam you need to stop judging people you don't know, son." Dean told his son disappointed.
"What he needs to stop doing is thinking I'm my mother!" Angel snapped.
"She's right, Liam. Angel isn't Bethany, you know." Taker said.
"I never said she was Bethany! Where did that come from?" Liam asked.
"Seriously?! Uncle Liam, you treat me like I'm Mom! You flipped out when I started dating David and you flipped now! It's like you think you've got your baby sister back! I'm not Mom! However much I may act like it!" Angel said to him.
"I never said that…Angel Baby…" Liam said.
"You haven't had to verbally say it! Your actions speak loudly enough." Angel told him, quietly.
"That's very true, son." Grandpa Dean said.
"I…just don't want to see Angel hurt. I…don't want her to end up like her Mother." Liam said.
"And just what does that mean?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, just what does that mean, Liam?!" Kristy snapped.
"Just that….Bethany was never really happy until she met Mark." Liam said.
"Well, Angel is happy with Roman." Dean said.
"Yeah. She was happy with David too and look how that worked out." Liam snapped at him.
"David wanted to leave WWE and it was tough to have a relationship with someone who isn't around, Liam." Kristy said.
"I know. Look, I just don't want her to be hurt." Liam said.
"And you think Roman would hurt her?! Really?" Taker said.
"Yes, I do. OK?" Liam said.
"I won't though. I'm not going to hurt her on purpose, you know. Everyone in this room would bury me in about ten seconds." Roman told him, staying calm.
"I'll hold you to that." Liam said.
Roman nodded. Everyone else sighed in relief, glad that the crisis was averted. Even so, Taker cast his father-in-law a meaningful look. He nodded, knowing what Taker wanted. Roman went and got Angel's bag for her and Taker put Ozzie's special vest on him. He wore it whenever they were at the arenas. It was to let everyone know that he was working and was not to be petted.
Then they left for the arena. When they got there, they got a huge shock. Jennifer was back. Not only that, but she wasn't alone. Kel and Cher were with her. Jennifer had been off on sabbatical doing whatever she had been doing ever since Taker and the others had realized that she had fallen into the same traps that her father had back in the day. And of course, Kel and Cher had gone off to help her out.
Kristy whispered in Angel's ear that they were back and Angel sighed and rolled her eyes. She still had some control over the movement of her eyes, but it was limited. She could still roll them in disgust and roll them back into her head, but it had taken a lot of work and quite a few migraine headaches to get there. Just then, the three girls noticed them and walked over. Kristy didn't think twice before stepping in front of Angel. She trusted the three girls about as far as she could pick them up and throw them.
"So these three are the ones who picked on Angel for years?" Liam asked.
"They still do. The only reason they haven't lately is because Daddy finally got smart and took Jen off the road to clean up her act." Kristy explained.
"So, old Shawn's daughter followed in his footsteps." Grandpa Dean said.
"Yeah, she did. Luckily—or unluckily, however you want to look at it—Shawn found out and pulled her off the road. She's been gone for months. And I'm guessing that she's come back to go after me since she can't go after Daddy." Angel explained.
"What did Mark have to do with it?" Liam asked.
"Who do you think it was that told Shawn?" Roman asked.
"Oh…and she can't go after Mark…because…?" Grandpa Dean asked.
"Company rules." Dean answered.
"Divas can't go after Superstars and vice versa." Kristy explained.
"Ah, well that makes sense." Grandpa Dean said.
"Not to mention that they take some sick pleasure in picking on me." Angel said.
"That is what you're doing here, right? To make Angel's life pure hell? I mean, you're good at it, after all." Roman said.
"Why don't you shut up, Reigns? What would your father say if he saw you hanging around with this lot?" Jen said.
"I'm an adult, Jen. My Dad doesn't really have to know what I'm doing all the time." Roman said.
"Not to mention I think Roman's Dad would think it best to hang out with the company Uncle Taker keeps rather than hang out with your group of Hunter's ass kissing friends." Kristy snapped.
"Whatever. Tell me, Reigns what is it that you see in her anyway? Why would you want to date someone like her? She's a complete and total freak with all the powers and stuff. Not to mention the fact that she can't even see what you look like!" Jen said, laughing.
"Watch it, Michaels or I'll make sure that your Dad knows you're picking on Angel again. And believe me, I can make it happen." Roman said.
"So much for cleaning up her act." Angel whispered.
"You know, Jen, I know your Dad was a jerk back in the day and I would think you would want to be better than him." Dean said.
"Well, you know what they say, Dean. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Liam told him.
"That's true." Dean said.
"Why don't you and Angel just leave, Kristy? This is the WWE. It's not a place for disabled people. Neither of you belong here." Kel said, speaking up for the first time.
"If I had a dime for every time I've heard that since I started here, I could buy the company." Angel said.
"You guys really need to come up with some more stuff if you're going to pick on us. We've heard all this before." Kristy said.
"What's with you playing guard dog again? I thought you'd have realized by now that your best friend is a big girl." Cher said to Kristy.
"She's still my best friend, you witch." Kristy said.
"And given that I can't use my eyes, I don't mind. At least I know that all the friends I have are real friends and not pets that play follow the leader." Angel said.
"Isn't that the truth?" Roman said.
"Now, if you three are finished, we've got places to go." Taker said.
"Whatever you say, you broken down, battered old man." Jen said.
"Why…you…disrespectful…" Angel growled.
"Watch it, Jen. You might be Hunter's God Daughter, but I'd still be willing to take a risk and kick your ass." Dean threatened.
"This "broken down, battered old man" has done more for this company in twenty four years than your father did during his whole career." Angel snapped.
"Watch what you say about my father, you freak." Jen snapped.
"Practice what you preach." Angel snapped.
"She's right, Jen. Uncle Taker has done more for this company in twenty four years then Shawn ever did. I mean, if memory serves me, your Godfather had to help Shawn beat my Uncle Bret in ninety seven by convincing Vince that Uncle Bret would leave with the title, which by the way would never happen. Let's face it, Jen. Your father might be a legend now, but at one point he was the joke of the company." Kristy said.
"Whereas Mark has left his blood, sweat, and tears in that ring. From what I've heard, he'd walk out there with broken bones and injuries to wrestle if his name was on that card. It was no wonder that Beth used to constantly worry about him when he was gone." Grandpa Dean said.
"Because she always knew that Daddy had a really bad habit of putting the company ahead of his own health. He still does that." Angel said, grinning in spite of herself.
"We all do that." Kristy said.
"What would you know about it, old man?" Jen snapped at Angel's Grandfather.
"He knows enough. Now if you guys are done, we need to get moving." Kristy said, pushing them aside.
"Angel, I suggest you watch yourself!" Jen called as they walked away.
Angel sighed, but she couldn't stop herself from bursting into tears. She didn't even know why she was crying exactly. Lea stopped them from walking when she noticed that her big sister was crying. Everyone stopped and looked back. When they saw that Angel was in tears, they walked over.
"Oh dear…" Liam said.
"Hey, sweetheart. It's alright." Roman said, putting his arms around her.
"Ang, what is it?" Kristy asked.
"I…don't know. I just feel upset…" Angel whispered.
"Angel Baby, did they say something that upset you?" Grandpa Dean asked.
"Yeah…I mean, I know that the jerk…I mean, Seth…has said all that stuff about me not being able to see what Roman looks like…but…every time someone brings it up, it hurts. It always reminds me that it's not just Ro that I can't see. It's everyone. And….I'm scared I'll forget everyone's faces someday. I hate being blind." Angel whispered, saying it for the first time.
"You won't forget, Ang." Kristy said.
"Isn't there anything they can do to fix it?" Dean asked.
"The only chance she would have had was an eye transplant and that requires having her retinas. She hit the ground so hard, they turned to nothing. Even if she had have been able to have an eye transplant, she never would have agreed to it." Taker said.
"Because she likes having eyes like Aunt Beth." Kristy said.
"It's not just that. After…Amber told me the truth about my family. It's strange…but my eyes…they were a sort of comfort for me. They reminded me that even though I was in Hell….there was someone out there who gave a damn whether I lived or not. And they let me know that I actually belonged somewhere." Angel said, letting her tears fall unchecked.
"I hate my eyes. They look so much like my mother." Kristy muttered.
"I can't say I blame you for that." Owen said.
"What am I going to do? I mean, even my future children are going to be affected by this. I'm not going to be able to see them. And…they'll have to deal with the fact that their Mom is different. It's not going to be fair to them. I…hate this whole situation. I…almost wish…I almost wish that I had just let that accident kill me!" Angel whispered.
"Angel Marie Calaway, don't ever say that again, young lady." Taker snapped at her, careful not to raise his voice too much.
"Why not, Daddy?! It's true! I hate being blind! I hate the fact that I'm burdening all of you by even being here! Someone has to be with me all the time and help me with things that I could do just fine before! Lea and Wyatt are even being left out because everyone is so worried about me! I should never have woken up! Everyone here would be a whole lot better off that way! And….I could be with my Mom too." Angel whispered.
"Aunt Angel, I don't care if you're blind or not. I still love you and I don't want you to be with Nana Beth. I want you here with Mommy, Papa Taker and all of us." Wyatt said.
"I don't care either, Angel. Daddy still finds time for me. Kristy still finds time for Wyatt. It's OK. Really." Lea said.
"No it's not! It's not OK! You all shouldn't have to look after me! I shouldn't have woken up! I should either still be asleep or be dead! You'd all be able to go on with your lives without worrying!" Angel snapped.
"ANGEL MARIE CALAWAY, DON'T EVER SAY THAT AGAIN!" Kristy yelled.
"Kristy, that's not helping. Angel, sweetheart. Why do you think all this? Where did it come from?" Roman asked.
"I…I've been trying so damn hard to be strong through this whole thing…and I just can't do it anymore. It's just too hard." Angel whispered.
"Hey, Angel. Why don't we go for a walk? You cool with this Ro?" Dean asked.
"Of course. I trust both of you." Roman said.
Angel sighed, but let go of Roman and went with Dean. Everyone looked worried. They hoped that Dean would be able to help Angel a little bit. Angel and Dean walked for a good ten minutes before Angel spoke up.
"Please, Dean. I don't need a lecture, alright?" Angel told him.
"I'm not going to lecture you. I know how hard it is to be strong when something bad happens." Dean said.
"I'm glad someone understands." Angel said quietly.
"So how much of that did you mean?" Dean asked.
"All of it. I'm burdening everyone. Lea and Wyatt are getting left out because everyone is so worried about me. I…should have stayed in my coma…or died. That way everyone would be happier and they know I'd be alright…and I could be with my Mom." Angel told him.
"I don't think everyone would see it that way. Especially not Lea and Wyatt. Wyatt looks up to you. He gets his goodness from Kristy and his strength from you. Not to mention Lea. She would be lost without you. You're like her mother. The only one she's ever known. She would be heartbroken. Not to mention Kristy. Don't get me started on what she would go through. Then there's Taker and Kane." Dean said.
"I know they'd all be hurt, but…at least they'd know I'd be alright. And…they wouldn't have to look after me so much and do stuff for me that I can't do anymore. They shouldn't have to do that. It's not fair to them." Angel tried to explain.
"They're your family, Angel. As Kristy likes to point out to me a thousand and one times a week, family doesn't end in blood." Dean said.
"I know, Dean, but it's really unfair to them. I love them, I really do, but they shouldn't have to drop everything to take care of me. I mean, what if I become a Mom? How am I supposed to take care of someone else when I can't even do things for myself sometimes?" Angel asked, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.
"You'll have Taker, Lea, Roman, Wyatt, Kristy and I to help you. And hey, you aren't a burden. Kristy's been watching over you for years. She never really stopped you know." Dean said.
"I know. And…what about Roman? And his family? I mean, I'm not Samoan for one and I'm…well, you know…different. If his family doesn't accept me, then what will happen?" Angel said.
"His family will accept you. If they can accept Naomi, they'll accept you." Dean said.
"How come Roman loves me anyway? Everyone always says I'm kind and caring and all this stuff, but…I don't really see it." Angel told him.
"Well, I could tell you, but he'd probably kill me." Dean said with a laugh.
"Oh?" Angel said, curious now.
"Let's just say Roman fell for you the day we met you and Kristy and that's it. I'm not saying anything else." Dean said.
"He fell in love with me on sight? You're kidding right?" Angel said.
"Nope. When we left the Development Centre that day he let it slip. Seth, of course was completely disgusted. I told him to be very careful. One, because of who your father was and two because of all the hell you'd been through up to then." Dean said.
"Do I want to know what Seth told him?" Angel asked.
"That it wasn't a good idea to mess with you because you're Taker's daughter, which is really good advice when you think about it. But he also said that Roman could do a whole lot better than you." Dean said.
"Figures." Angel whispered.
"He's wrong, by the way. But between you and me, Seth is getting harder and harder to deal with. Thankfully, he's has yet to figure out that Roman is with you and I'm with Kristy. When he finds out, we're dead. I'm sure of it." Dean said.
"Why does he care if you and Roman are with Kristy and I?" Angel asked.
"Well, he thinks Kristy is a whore. He's so sure that she went from Barrett to Cena to Edge. He doesn't care to know the whole story. And you…well, he thinks you're a freak because of your powers…and unfortunately you being blind is a factor." Dean said.
"Kristy is no whore to start with. Barrett raped her to get to Cena. Then she broke up with Cena because he was being a total ass. She was with Edge for a while and they grew apart like David and I. As for my powers, well, Daddy has them and Lea has them and so does Uncle. And so what if I'm blind what does he care?" Angel asked.
"I know all that, Angel, and so does Roman. But Seth is convinced you're a freak and that Roman can do a lot better than some blind woman who can't even see him." Dean said.
"He shouldn't care. It's not like he's the one that has to live with being blind." Angel told him.
"No he doesn't. He also doesn't want to understand what you go through or what you've been through." Dean said.
"So how long is it gonna be before the Shield goes out the window?" Angel asked.
"I have no idea. I just know Seth is really trying mine and Ro's patience." Dean said.
"I can imagine. Actually, I don't have to. I know what it's like dealing with him." Angel told him.
"Be thankful you only had to deal with him for a short time." Dean said.
"I am. Believe me." Angel said, smiling.
"Hey. There's that smile." Dean said.
"I still feel like garbage. I just don't think I can be strong about this anymore. I've tried, but it's so hard. I want my sight back. More than anything, I wish that accident had never happened in the first place." Angel said.
"Angel, you don't have to deal with this alone, you know. I know that when something bad happens, you retreat and try to deal with yourself. Kristy told me. But you don't have to deal with this on your own. We may not understand what it's like to be in your shoes, but we'll do everything we can to help make it easier for you." Dean said.
"Thanks, Dean." Angel said, giving him a hug.
They walked back to the locker room. When they went in, the first thing Angel did was walk over and hug Taker and Lea. They were a bit confused, but they hugged her back. Then she went around, hugging everyone. When she got to Roman, she hugged and kissed him. When they pulled apart, Angel didn't let go. She just hugged him.
"I'm sorry everyone. I didn't mean to worry you all. It's just…when something bad happens, I think I have to deal with it on my own. But I can only do it for so long before I snap." Angel said.
"You're just like someone else." Owen said, looking at Taker.
"Baby girl, it's alright. But just know that we're all here for you." Taker said.
"I know. Dean told me that even though none of you really understand what it's like to be blind, all you want to do is make it easier for me if you can." Angel said.
"Thanks for helping her out, Dean." Taker said.
Dean nodded. He walked over to Kristy and gave her a hug and a kiss. Roman hugged Angel and Angel walked over and sat down on the couch with some help from her Grandfather. Ozzie hopped up and sat beside her, giving her kisses and making her laugh. She hugged the dog.
"So what happens now?" Liam asked.
"Now we wait until Bret decides what he's doing with us tonight." Taker said.
"I'd love to see you in a match with of those girls, Angel Baby." Grandpa Dean said.
"I wouldn't. I've spent too much time fighting them." Angel said.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Taker opened it and saw Bret standing there. He looked quite worried. He walked in and walked over to Angel. He knelt down. Angel wondered why he seemed a little worried.
"Jennifer wants a match with you tonight. Is that OK?" Bret asked.
"Fine. I get to beat her…yet again." Angel said, rolling her eyes. "Looks like you get your wish, Grandpa."
"Nattie, Kristy. I want the two of you ringside. Kel and Cher will be there with Jennifer. I don't want to take any chances." Bret said.
"Right." Nattie said.
"Probably a good idea." Kristy said.
"Might I suggest Roman and I be of some help?" Dean suggested.
"Nah. I've been through this before. Besides, you guys need to catch up with Dingle Dorf before he gets suspicious." Angel said.
"Do I even want to know?" Roman asked.
"Let's just say Jennifer and I have quite the long history." Angel said.
"With both of us." Added Kristy.
"I think it's time for another history lesson." Dean said.
"Basically Jen and I were friends from Kindergarten to Grade nine. I trusted her and told her everything. She repaid me by telling the whole school all of it. Everyone knew about my life at home. When I confronted her about it, she tried to kick the crap out of me. Then Kristy came along. Ever since then, Jen's been taking every chance she can to go after the both of us." Angel said.
"Hm. She and Seth sound like the perfect match." Dean said.
"Don't ever say that. If those two get together, I'm going to need a giant bottle of Jack Daniels." Kristy said.
"That would be like my worst nightmare come true. My two worst enemies in the world working together." Angel said.
"That would be awful. Not to mention gross." Wyatt said.
"Mostly because Rollins is yucky." Lea said.
Everyone laughed at that. Lea and Wyatt did act older than they're ages of eight and seven at times, but they still had the innocence of children. Kristy looked at Angel and saw a smile crossing her face. She nodded, not saying anything. Everyone looked at each other. Taker just smirked.
"What was that?" Dean asked.
"These two are relieved that Lea and Wyatt still act like innocent children at times." Taker said.
"You got all that just from a glance and a nod?" Roman asked.
"I can read these two like a couple of books. Just like they can do to me." Taker said.
"I thought Bethy was the only one who could read you like a book." Liam said.
"Think again. Kristy and Angel can do it." Taker said.
"Kristy's pretty much been able to do it since the day she got lost in the locker room area looking for Owen and Taker found her." Bret said.
Liam and Grandpa Dean laughed. They could picture baby Kristy getting curious about where Owen had gotten to and wandering off in search of him and then getting lost and Taker finding her.
"Tell us the story!" Wyatt said.
"Well…" Taker said.
~Flashback~
It was a few days after Kristy's first birthday. She was at a show with Bret, Owen and Davey. Davey was supposed to be watching his daughter while Bret and Owen went out there and had a tag team match against the Steiner brothers, Rick and Scott.
Kristy sat there for a while looking at the monitor. Then she decided that she wanted to be with Owen in the ring if she could figure out just how it was she was supposed to get there. She waited until Davey slipped into the washroom to go and change. Then she slipped out the slightly open door and wandered down the hall. She couldn't hear anything, so she wasn't able to hear where it was that all the noise was coming from.
All she could do was walk around, looking for her two uncles. She seemed to walk for a very long time before realizing that she had no idea where she was or how to get back to her Dad. She also felt tired from walking for so long. She sat down next to one of the crates used to store extra equipment. Then she started to cry. She may not have been able to verbalize or hear what was going on around her, but she could still cry as a means of communication.
Just then, Kristy saw a giant shadow fall over her. When she glanced up, she saw Undertaker standing there. Her eyes widened as she looked at him. He knelt down and looked at Kristy. He wasn't sure what she was doing all the way out here and how she had gotten herself lost. He placed a hand on her forehead.
"Hey, you're Davey's little one, aren't you? Kristine, right?" Kristy heard him ask.
Kristy stared at him curiously. He had just spoken to her without moving his lips. What was more was that his voice was coming from inside her head. He hadn't spoken out loud. After a minute, Kristy nodded in answer to his question.
"Hey. It's OK. I'm using my special powers to talk to you. It won't hurt you. All you have to do is think what you want to say and I can hear it." Taker explained.
"I…I was looking for someone. Now, I'm all lost and confused." Was the reply.
"Who were you looking for?" Taker asked.
"My Uncle Owen. He left. He went out to where all the people are with my Uncle Bret. I want to be out there." Kristy said.
"Oh. So your Uncle Owen went to wrestle with Bret?" Taker asked.
"Yeah. And he left me with Daddy." Kristy said, tears running down her face.
"Hey. Don't cry." Taker said.
"But he left me alone…and now I can't find him." Kristy told him.
"Don't worry. He's coming back. Come on, I'll take you back to your Daddy for now." Taker said.
"OK." Kristy said.
Taker helped Kristy to her feet. Then he picked her up. Kristy beamed and rested her head on Taker's chest. Taker just smiled at her. They walked back to the locker room that Davey shared with Bret and Owen. He was frantic over not being able to find his daughter. When Taker knocked on the door, Davey jumped. He opened it and was about to yell at the person on the other side when he realized that it was Taker and he was holding Kristy.
"Thank goodness! Where did you find her, Deadman?" Davey asked.
"She wandered away. She went looking for Owen and Bret and got lost. I found her. She's not hurt. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she can't speak. I…sort of used my special powers to talk to her." Taker said.
"I'm taking her home after tonight. Diana and I have to take her to a specialist in two days." Davey said.
Taker nodded. He tried to set Kristy down, but she clung to him. When he tried a second time, she clung to him and shook her head. The third time, she clung to him and screamed at the top of her lungs, telling him not to put her down. Taker sighed and placed his hand on her forehead.
"Hey, Kristy. I gotta go, sweetheart. Paul Bearer is waiting for me." Taker said.
"No! I want you to stay! And I don't want to go home! I don't like doctors! I don't want to see my Mom again. She doesn't love me. I want to stay here with you and Uncle Bret and Uncle Owen." Kristy told him, staring at him with pleading eyes.
"Oh, Kristy. Your Dad will be with you. Don't worry. It will all be OK. And…no matter what happens and what the doctor says I'll be here for you. I promise." Taker said.
"Really? You really promise?" Kristy asked.
"I really promise." Taker told her.
Kristy nodded, but she didn't let Taker put her down until Bret and Owen got back from their match. He was surprised when Kristy flung her arms around his neck before reaching her arms out to Owen.
~End Flashback~
"…and that's how Kristy met me." Taker said.
"That is too cute." Angel said.
"That's awesome. Thank you, Papa Taker!" Wyatt said.
"Taker was the first person to "talk" to your Mom." Bret said.
"When I needed something from that point on, I would run to Uncle Taker and pick up his hand and put it on my head and tell him what I needed and then he would tell my Dad or Owen or Bret." Kristy said.
Angel grinned. She could see that happening too. She was glad that her father and her best friend had had each other back when she couldn't be there for either of them.
"So what are the rest of us doing tonight?" Taker asked.
"You're not doing anything, Deadman, you're supposed to be off, remember? Kristy and Nattie are going to ringside with Angel and if needed, it'll turn into three on three. We'll see how much Kel and Cher try to involve themselves. As for you, Roman and Dean. Seth has requested ring time with you. Something about clearing the air." Bret said.
"Lovely." Roman said.
"I'm going out there with them." Kristy said.
"Me too." Angel said.
"Kristy, I don't think that's a good idea. If Seth…" Dean said.
"What about him?" Kristy asked.
"If he finds out, he's going to come for the both of you." Roman said.
"And…? No offence Ro, but I've dealt with so much worse than that thing." Angel said.
"Yeah. We've dealt with worse than him. We'll be OK." Kristy said.
"No." Dean and Roman said at the same time.
"The longer we can keep it from him, the better it'll be for all of us. When the inevitable break-up of the Shield happens, then it won't matter so much. Until then…just…" Roman said.
"Keep it under wraps, alright?" Dean said.
"Fine. But if he starts beating on you two, we won't sit back and just let it go." Angel said.
"You're fearless, Angel." Roman said.
"It's not that. She just has a complete disregard for her own safety and well-being. It's Jason's fault." Kristy said.
"It's not lack of fear or disregard for my safety and well-being. It's more…Jason pushed me around literally and figuratively…he beat me up so much…when I got here I decided that no one I cared about was going to get hurt if I was around." Angel told him.
"Don't worry, baby girl. Roman and Dean can handle themselves." Taker said.
"It's not Roman and Dean that have me worried." Angel said.
"It's that slithering snake in the grass, Seth Rollins that we're worried about, Uncle Taker." Kristy said.
"Alright fine. If things get really bad, then the two of you can come out, but otherwise stay back here. Deal?" Dean said.
"Sounds good to me." Kristy said.
"Works for me." Angel said.
"Good. Now, we really need to run before Seth gets suspicious. So we'll see you later, alright?" Roman said.
"Yeah. See you later, Ro. Stay safe." Angel said, hugging him and then following it up with a kiss.
"See you later, Dean. Take care of yourself." Kristy said, hugging and kissing him as well.
The two guys left. Angel and Kristy looked at each other. Both of them had a feeling that this was going to be a long night.