Post by Kathleen Conway on Oct 9, 2013 19:35:50 GMT
A burst of light intruded upon her darkness and Tiffany Jones turned her head towards it, squinting, her eyes damp with glistening tears as they adjust and regain focus on the slender outline of a female silhouetted against the light. A familiar voice called out to her, a voice she hadn't heard in what seemed an eternity.
"Tiffany..."
The voice of her elder sister, Kay...and her mind flashed back three weeks, her present reflected through the mirror of her mind, taking her back to the moment of her salvation. Her salvation from the bowels of the Quicken Loans arena and her salvation from this personal Hell.
Isabella Maldini stumbles into the boiler room as she is shoved forward ahead of Kathy by Jessica Reed.
Isabella: Hey, watch it!
Kathy: Shut up!
Isabella has her hands handcuffed behind her back, and Jessica simply smiles at her, holding Kathy's police baton in one hand, ready to clock Isabella if necessary. Kathy quickly moves over to the steel chair upon which Tiffany was bound. Kathy squats down and looks at her younger sister in the eyes before yanking the duct tape that was over her mouth off. Tiffany didn't flinch. Kathy smiled at her sister.
Kathy: Let's get you out of here, shall we?
Tiffany tried to speak but no words came, taken from her by her exhaustion as Kathy quickly started to undo the ropes that bound her.First around her ankles and then her wrists. Tiffany shook her arms free and rubbed her wrists with a welcome sense of relief, and it was only then that the two sisters shared an embrace. Jessica looked on with a smile at the heartwarming scene between the two reunited siblings.
Tiffany then stumbled to her feet, and out of instinct Kathy threw her arm around her sister and walked with her out of the boiler room. In the doorway, Jessica turned to Kathy.
Jessica: What shall we do with her?
Kathy looked at Isabella and smiled.
Kathy: Well, she's been so helpful to us, maybe if we leave her here she can be just as helpful in explaining to Eternity what happened....when she comes around...
Jessica smiles and shrugs, as Kathy shoves Isabella to the cold, hard ground. Isabella lands on her thigh and grimaces. The three women are about to leave when Isabella calls after them, a sense of fear creeping into her voice.
Isabella: Wait! You're supposed to be the good guys! You can't just leave me here...she'll kill me!
Kathy turns her head and smiles at Isabella.
Kathy: Why would she do that? You're friends, aren't you?
Without another word, the door closes leaving Isabella in the cold, dark boiler room and even as the three women hurry down the hallway, they hear Isabella scream.
Tiffany: I think she's just met Lionel...
Tiffany, Kathy and Jessica make it out of the arena where Jake Conway is stood by his custom white stretch limousine. He opens the door for them to get in, but before she does, Kathy turns to Jessica.
Kathy: Thanks...for everything.
Jessica: Hey, no problem. It was good to get a bit of revenge tonight.
Kathy hugs Jessica and the two women smile at each other. Jessica holds out the police baton.
Jessica: I believe this is yours.
Kathy takes it from her.
Kathy: Thanks.
Kathy then steps into the back of the limousine as Tiffany embraces Jessica in a hug and thanks her. Jessica wrinkles her nose.
Jessica: Whewww boy, you really need a shower!
Tiffany and Jessica share a giggle before Tiffany follows her elder sister into the limo. Jake steps into the limo and turns back to Jessica.
Jake: Are you sure you don't want to come with us?
Jessica: Nah, I'll be okay. Wouldn't want Roberto to worry unnecessarily...
Jake simply nods, and closes the limousine door behind him. The limousine drives off and Jessica waves them off. Tiffany looks back from her white chariot lead by the noble Stallion and ridden by her sister, the only thing missing from her fairy tale rescue from a wicked witch was her Prince Charming.
Tiffany turned to Kathy.
Tiffany: Where's Caleb?
Kathy sighed.
Kathy: It's a long story...
And it was a story she still didn't fully understand as the touch of a warm hand brought her back to to her present and face to face with the concerned face of her elder sister as she sat beside her on the bed in the dark bedroom of the luxury of Kathy's luxurious Las Vegas home.
Kathy: Why are you still sat here in the dark, sis?
Tiffany: I'm still not used to the light I guess...
Kathy nods and sighs, trying to push aside her own feeling of regret.
Kathy: For what its worth, I'm sorry...its my fault you got mixed up in all this, if I hadn't pushed for Jake to get you the job so you could spend more time with Caleb like I do with Jake, none of this would have happened...
Tiffany: No, it really isn't your fault, Kay, it's mine. I took the job because I thought Caleb and I had something special, I thought we could be just like you and Jake...but I realise now that I was a fool to even think we could replicate that kind of love and devotion in each other. It just isn't meant for me, I hope you know how lucky you are Kay, I hope you never lose what you have with Jake. Don't get lost in the chase, don't get caught up in some fanciful dream of what you think you can have. Don't end up like me...
Kathy: I won't. I never have. I've just now started to get my life back, and I suggest you do the same. Caleb may not be here for you, but I always will be. We're family Tiff, nothing will ever change that. You'll never be alone again, I promise.
The two sisters lock eyes and a momentary silence passes between them.
Tiffany: Then why do I feel it? Maybe it's better Caleb is gone, I wouldn't want him to see me like this.
Tiffany traces the long scar from her lips slashed upward into the twisted grin across one of her cheeks. The mask of somebody else's dark comedy concealing the face of her tragedy.
Kathy: It'll fade, sis. Soon, all of this will be a memory. It's just going to take some time...for all of us.
Tiffany: You know, I still miss him, even though I don't want to. Seven years ago I just didn't understand, but now I finally understand. I understand what it was like for you when you were pining for Jake after he left without giving you a real explanation, I mocked you for it, I told you Jake was just a guy, that there were plenty more just like him, but there really aren't, are there?
Kathy: He is pretty special. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here, if he left the business tomorrow, I would too, but I will never ask him to leave something he loves doing for me....
Tiffany: Even though we both know he would if you did, because he loves you even more...
Kathy: Maybe, but I don't think even I can compete with the Imperial Championship, if I'm honest...
Kathy giggles.
Tiffany: Do you really think he cares about titles more than you anymore? It's pretty obvious he's changed...because of you...
Kathy: I don't know about that. I doubt he's changed that much...
Tiffany: Why don't you ask him? I think the answer may surprise you...
Kathy cocks her head to the side as she contemplates it. She then gets to her feet with a smile.
Kathy: Maybe I will...
Kathy walks away, but Tiffany calls after her as she reaches the doorway.
Tiffany: Kay...
Kathy: Yes?
Tiffany: Turn the light on, would you? A girl's got to start appreciating her freedoms someday.
Kathy smiles as she flicks on the light and Tiffany looks up and smiles at it as Kathy leaves, the door left wide open for her to come and go as she pleased. She was no longer a prisoner. Her will and her freedom was her own once again and nobody would ever take it from her ever again...
You know Ana, you really had me worried there for a moment, only a moment though. All your talk of ghosts, spirits, waxing atmospheric poetry and of course reflecting on your mother's death from however many years ago, you almost got an eye roll and a tut out of me. Almost...
Kathy holds up a forefinger and thumb on the same hand.
I was this close to throwing my hands up in the air and surrendering to the fact that I was once again dealing with a damaged, grieving and tortured soul just like Eternity. Same shit, only a different shade, Lord knows this business has an attraction to life's most miserable people,after all.
Kathy lowers her hand.
They each with some kind of trivial ax to grind to make themselves feel better about the weak hand they've been dealt in the game of life. They all look at me with disdain and confusion because I refuse to be just like them. See Ana, I don't have to be a pig to enjoy frolicking in the mud with all of you...and as much as I could sling that mud back at you for the sake of promising victory in this match, I won't, because it is beyond me. We all have our stations in life Ana, and its quite obvious that you think you are above yours. Far be it from me to shatter those precious illusions of superiority, instead I will lay down the challenge for you right now Valentine, if you really think you are better than me, if you really think you will beat me because I just don't want it enough, then this Monday Night at Sacrifice, you will get your chance to prove it little miss piggy, just don't force my hand in this and make me force you to squeal by twisting you up like a pretzel. My taste for that really has been re-awoken lately as you would know if you truly understood just who in the hell I was and what I'm truly capable of in that ring.
Do you have any idea? Do you have any clue? Do you understand what I've just been through over the past three months? Do you even care about the personal ordeal I've endured? No, of course you don't, because you're Ana Valentine, the pampered pristine perfect little princess who has been sheltered from the trials and tribulations of living in the real world by daddy's money and as such you have only ever managed to attain a most basic understanding of the way things work in life. Should I laugh at you Ana or should I weep for you? I honestly don't know. Your understanding of this business and of me as the woman who will stand across from you this Monday is rudimentary at best, and I don't know about you Ana, but I find that to be terribly disappointing.
I expected so much more from the new girl on the block who took the Diamonds World Champion to her limits two weeks ago and last week beat a former Ruby Champion in the ring. Everything about your record says I should be impressed, and that I should be excited about facing some new blood, that I should relish this opportunity to test myself against a pinnacle of youth, a classically trained ballerina to boot, so why aren't I? I'm sure you could dance circles around me, compared to you, I'm just an enthusiastic amateur about that sort of thing, luckily for me however...
This ain't ballet. This is professional wrestling.
Wow, who knew I'd actually be able to use that cliche one day and actually have it mean something? Still, that particular glass slipper seems to fit you doesn't it Princess? It's just a shame that your ego is as big as it is fragile. For you, the win here means everything, for that is the curse of the overly ambitious rookie. Don't worry though Ana, if you make it a few more years in this business, I promise you it will become easier to accept that winning isn't the be all end all, and that you can survive in this industry and do rather well for yourself even if you never win them all. I'm sure it all sounds terribly foreign as a concept to you right now, but I'm not in this match for the win, and that difference between us whilst subtle is key. Some people might look at this match and expect me to beat you by virtue of my experience alone, but I will never sell you that short. It would be all too easy for me to sit here and dismiss you as easily as you dismiss me, but I've never taken the easy road in my life Ana and I'm not about to start now.
No, instead I will sit here and be quite happy to admit the one thing about you that your ego and sense of pride won't let you admit about me. You are and will be a challenge to me at Sacrifice Ana, maybe not on the same scale as Eternity but still, you represent just the kind of challenge I need to face on my road to the Ruby Championship. I need to be tested, I need to give Ashley a reason to stop and think, and right now there is no better test or reason than you. A woman who is just coming off the high of owning a pinfall victory over the former Ruby Champion. If I had any say in this, that would already put you ahead of me in the chase for that title, but I don't - and I would guess that you've really impressed someone in management lately given the calibre of in-ring talent they've been putting you up against. They obviously see something special in you, I do too but only if I let your ring work speak for you.
Your matches tell a far more impressive story of who you are than you ever could. Give you a microphone and five minutes alone with my IWF dot com roster profile and all you can really say about me is that I'm a mother and that this business will break me. Excuse me whilst I try to stifle a yawn here Ana, by all means take the moment to consider how truly absurd your statement is, and whilst you do that, I will take a moment to remind you of all the times that this business has already tried and failed.
Spike Kane tried to break me.
Zelda Knite tried to break me.
Eternity tried to break me.
Yet here I am, still whole, held together by a love and devotion mocked as my weakness rather than revered as my strength.
So go ahead Ana, give me your best shot. I welcome it. There really is nothing you can do to rain on my parade and make me doubt who I am or what I've overcome and am still capable of overcoming. You ask me what drives me if not something as fleeting as victory - what drives me is something you only have a cheap understanding of, a hollow sentiment echoed in your very name and move names.
Love.
My love for my children.
My love for my husband.
My love for my sister.
My love for my family.
I would hope that somebody who has already lost part of theirs would understand just how potent a driving force love can be when channeled properly, but maybe I'm giving you a little too much credit Ana. Perhaps all you really understand and will ever come to understand is the one, two, three or the tap out and the momentary euphoria they each afford you to temporarily make you forget how hollow your pursuits of victory really are.
I'm sorry Ana, Cupid already beat you to it, by about seven years in fact. Try as you might this Monday, the arrow you're aiming at my heart at Sacrifice will be deflected by the one that's already there and then you will truly understand all you will ever need to know about me not only as a wife and a mother, but as a wrestler. You will finally understand why I've never needed to win every battle to win the wars I wage. This will be a battle Ana, of that I have no doubt, but it will not be a war.
I want to win but I can afford to lose.
You cannot. You have something to prove and if you can't win, your world will end. If I can't win, I will continue to wander, not as two halves but as a whole. A happy whole. Never jaded and never alone. Knowing that it is not the end of the world and that every day cannot and never will be...
Valentine's Day.
There was a knock on the door to his study and Jake Conway looked up from his laptop that was showing the end of last week's Sacrifice with Spike Kane's shocking announcement and formation of a concept he knew very well and once was a part of in more than one incarnation. Jake rubbed his eyes, clearly he had been studying the footage for some time, trying to make sense of it all and getting nowhere.
Jake: Come in...
The door slowly opens and Kathleen Conway walks in, wearing his favourite silky champagne coloured negligee. She softly closes the door behind her and subtly locks it by palming the spare key she had.
Jake sighs.
Jake: Oh, I'm sorry honey, is it really that late?
Kathy walks around his desk.
Kathy: Yes, it is.
Jake: I'll be up in a minute...
Kathy: Maybe even sooner than that...
Kathy sits herself in his lap, closing his laptop lid for him as she does so. Jake raises an eyebrow as a sly grin comes across his face.
Jake: How is she?
Kathy: She's okay. A little shaken, but who wouldn't be after dealing with Eternity for three months?
Jake: Yes, well, quite. I'm just sorry we couldn't get to her sooner.
Kathy: We got there in the end, that's all that matters. Now things can get back to normal around here.
Jake: I like the sound of that.
Kathy: So, what were you watching?
Jake: Nothing really, just reminding myself what a bastard Spike Kane really is. Some people never change I guess...
Kathy: No, some people never do, but the right people always will.
Jake: You were right to have your suspicions about him honey, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt this time. I encouraged you to try and forgive him, I'm sorry....
Kathy: I understand why you did, he is your friend -
Jake shakes his head emphatically.
Jake: He was my friend, all that ended when he decided you were just another expendable pawn in his game.
Kathy: He sent Lex Sense out there to cost me a match against Eternity, it happens, its not the end of the world.
Jake: Maybe not, but its the principle. The very idea that he would cost you your shot at the World Championship on the way to taking his own just doesn't sit well with me. You've always worked hard and nobody ever seems to appreciate it...
Kathy: As long as you do, that's all that matters to me. Can I ask you something? And I want you to be honest with me...
Jake: Always and forever babe, you know that.
Kathy: Would you leave this industry behind right now if I asked you to?
Jake looks a little taken aback by the question.
Jake: Right now? No. Not until....
Kathy: You've won the Imperial Championship?
Jake: Not until I have made Spike understand why I still do this. I do this for the kids and for you...
Kathy: What about titles?
Jake: They're nice, but honestly the only titles worth a damn in this life to me are my titles as a husband and father. I couldn't stand to lose them any more than I could stand to lose you...
Hints of tears form in Kathy's eyes as she processes the meaning of his words. It touched her that he still cared so deeply.
Kathy: You really have changed from the man I met seven years ago, you know?
Jake smiles.
Jake: Hey, what can I say? You've made me a much better person...
Kathy: Likewise honey, likewise...
Kathy then turns her head as he wraps his arms around her waist as she is sat in his lap. She leans in and their lips gently brush against each other at first before they each surrender to the other's kiss and allow their tongues to lead the way for them to start reacquainting themselves once again with the depths of their deepest passions. Depths that had not been explored in three months.
Tonight as their bodies would entwine, Jake and Kathy Conway would finally reclaim eternity for themselves. True to the words that was the bedrock of their love.
Always and forever.
"Tiffany..."
The voice of her elder sister, Kay...and her mind flashed back three weeks, her present reflected through the mirror of her mind, taking her back to the moment of her salvation. Her salvation from the bowels of the Quicken Loans arena and her salvation from this personal Hell.
Isabella Maldini stumbles into the boiler room as she is shoved forward ahead of Kathy by Jessica Reed.
Isabella: Hey, watch it!
Kathy: Shut up!
Isabella has her hands handcuffed behind her back, and Jessica simply smiles at her, holding Kathy's police baton in one hand, ready to clock Isabella if necessary. Kathy quickly moves over to the steel chair upon which Tiffany was bound. Kathy squats down and looks at her younger sister in the eyes before yanking the duct tape that was over her mouth off. Tiffany didn't flinch. Kathy smiled at her sister.
Kathy: Let's get you out of here, shall we?
Tiffany tried to speak but no words came, taken from her by her exhaustion as Kathy quickly started to undo the ropes that bound her.First around her ankles and then her wrists. Tiffany shook her arms free and rubbed her wrists with a welcome sense of relief, and it was only then that the two sisters shared an embrace. Jessica looked on with a smile at the heartwarming scene between the two reunited siblings.
Tiffany then stumbled to her feet, and out of instinct Kathy threw her arm around her sister and walked with her out of the boiler room. In the doorway, Jessica turned to Kathy.
Jessica: What shall we do with her?
Kathy looked at Isabella and smiled.
Kathy: Well, she's been so helpful to us, maybe if we leave her here she can be just as helpful in explaining to Eternity what happened....when she comes around...
Jessica smiles and shrugs, as Kathy shoves Isabella to the cold, hard ground. Isabella lands on her thigh and grimaces. The three women are about to leave when Isabella calls after them, a sense of fear creeping into her voice.
Isabella: Wait! You're supposed to be the good guys! You can't just leave me here...she'll kill me!
Kathy turns her head and smiles at Isabella.
Kathy: Why would she do that? You're friends, aren't you?
Without another word, the door closes leaving Isabella in the cold, dark boiler room and even as the three women hurry down the hallway, they hear Isabella scream.
Tiffany: I think she's just met Lionel...
Tiffany, Kathy and Jessica make it out of the arena where Jake Conway is stood by his custom white stretch limousine. He opens the door for them to get in, but before she does, Kathy turns to Jessica.
Kathy: Thanks...for everything.
Jessica: Hey, no problem. It was good to get a bit of revenge tonight.
Kathy hugs Jessica and the two women smile at each other. Jessica holds out the police baton.
Jessica: I believe this is yours.
Kathy takes it from her.
Kathy: Thanks.
Kathy then steps into the back of the limousine as Tiffany embraces Jessica in a hug and thanks her. Jessica wrinkles her nose.
Jessica: Whewww boy, you really need a shower!
Tiffany and Jessica share a giggle before Tiffany follows her elder sister into the limo. Jake steps into the limo and turns back to Jessica.
Jake: Are you sure you don't want to come with us?
Jessica: Nah, I'll be okay. Wouldn't want Roberto to worry unnecessarily...
Jake simply nods, and closes the limousine door behind him. The limousine drives off and Jessica waves them off. Tiffany looks back from her white chariot lead by the noble Stallion and ridden by her sister, the only thing missing from her fairy tale rescue from a wicked witch was her Prince Charming.
Tiffany turned to Kathy.
Tiffany: Where's Caleb?
Kathy sighed.
Kathy: It's a long story...
And it was a story she still didn't fully understand as the touch of a warm hand brought her back to to her present and face to face with the concerned face of her elder sister as she sat beside her on the bed in the dark bedroom of the luxury of Kathy's luxurious Las Vegas home.
Kathy: Why are you still sat here in the dark, sis?
Tiffany: I'm still not used to the light I guess...
Kathy nods and sighs, trying to push aside her own feeling of regret.
Kathy: For what its worth, I'm sorry...its my fault you got mixed up in all this, if I hadn't pushed for Jake to get you the job so you could spend more time with Caleb like I do with Jake, none of this would have happened...
Tiffany: No, it really isn't your fault, Kay, it's mine. I took the job because I thought Caleb and I had something special, I thought we could be just like you and Jake...but I realise now that I was a fool to even think we could replicate that kind of love and devotion in each other. It just isn't meant for me, I hope you know how lucky you are Kay, I hope you never lose what you have with Jake. Don't get lost in the chase, don't get caught up in some fanciful dream of what you think you can have. Don't end up like me...
Kathy: I won't. I never have. I've just now started to get my life back, and I suggest you do the same. Caleb may not be here for you, but I always will be. We're family Tiff, nothing will ever change that. You'll never be alone again, I promise.
The two sisters lock eyes and a momentary silence passes between them.
Tiffany: Then why do I feel it? Maybe it's better Caleb is gone, I wouldn't want him to see me like this.
Tiffany traces the long scar from her lips slashed upward into the twisted grin across one of her cheeks. The mask of somebody else's dark comedy concealing the face of her tragedy.
Kathy: It'll fade, sis. Soon, all of this will be a memory. It's just going to take some time...for all of us.
Tiffany: You know, I still miss him, even though I don't want to. Seven years ago I just didn't understand, but now I finally understand. I understand what it was like for you when you were pining for Jake after he left without giving you a real explanation, I mocked you for it, I told you Jake was just a guy, that there were plenty more just like him, but there really aren't, are there?
Kathy: He is pretty special. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here, if he left the business tomorrow, I would too, but I will never ask him to leave something he loves doing for me....
Tiffany: Even though we both know he would if you did, because he loves you even more...
Kathy: Maybe, but I don't think even I can compete with the Imperial Championship, if I'm honest...
Kathy giggles.
Tiffany: Do you really think he cares about titles more than you anymore? It's pretty obvious he's changed...because of you...
Kathy: I don't know about that. I doubt he's changed that much...
Tiffany: Why don't you ask him? I think the answer may surprise you...
Kathy cocks her head to the side as she contemplates it. She then gets to her feet with a smile.
Kathy: Maybe I will...
Kathy walks away, but Tiffany calls after her as she reaches the doorway.
Tiffany: Kay...
Kathy: Yes?
Tiffany: Turn the light on, would you? A girl's got to start appreciating her freedoms someday.
Kathy smiles as she flicks on the light and Tiffany looks up and smiles at it as Kathy leaves, the door left wide open for her to come and go as she pleased. She was no longer a prisoner. Her will and her freedom was her own once again and nobody would ever take it from her ever again...
You know Ana, you really had me worried there for a moment, only a moment though. All your talk of ghosts, spirits, waxing atmospheric poetry and of course reflecting on your mother's death from however many years ago, you almost got an eye roll and a tut out of me. Almost...
Kathy holds up a forefinger and thumb on the same hand.
I was this close to throwing my hands up in the air and surrendering to the fact that I was once again dealing with a damaged, grieving and tortured soul just like Eternity. Same shit, only a different shade, Lord knows this business has an attraction to life's most miserable people,after all.
Kathy lowers her hand.
They each with some kind of trivial ax to grind to make themselves feel better about the weak hand they've been dealt in the game of life. They all look at me with disdain and confusion because I refuse to be just like them. See Ana, I don't have to be a pig to enjoy frolicking in the mud with all of you...and as much as I could sling that mud back at you for the sake of promising victory in this match, I won't, because it is beyond me. We all have our stations in life Ana, and its quite obvious that you think you are above yours. Far be it from me to shatter those precious illusions of superiority, instead I will lay down the challenge for you right now Valentine, if you really think you are better than me, if you really think you will beat me because I just don't want it enough, then this Monday Night at Sacrifice, you will get your chance to prove it little miss piggy, just don't force my hand in this and make me force you to squeal by twisting you up like a pretzel. My taste for that really has been re-awoken lately as you would know if you truly understood just who in the hell I was and what I'm truly capable of in that ring.
Do you have any idea? Do you have any clue? Do you understand what I've just been through over the past three months? Do you even care about the personal ordeal I've endured? No, of course you don't, because you're Ana Valentine, the pampered pristine perfect little princess who has been sheltered from the trials and tribulations of living in the real world by daddy's money and as such you have only ever managed to attain a most basic understanding of the way things work in life. Should I laugh at you Ana or should I weep for you? I honestly don't know. Your understanding of this business and of me as the woman who will stand across from you this Monday is rudimentary at best, and I don't know about you Ana, but I find that to be terribly disappointing.
I expected so much more from the new girl on the block who took the Diamonds World Champion to her limits two weeks ago and last week beat a former Ruby Champion in the ring. Everything about your record says I should be impressed, and that I should be excited about facing some new blood, that I should relish this opportunity to test myself against a pinnacle of youth, a classically trained ballerina to boot, so why aren't I? I'm sure you could dance circles around me, compared to you, I'm just an enthusiastic amateur about that sort of thing, luckily for me however...
This ain't ballet. This is professional wrestling.
Wow, who knew I'd actually be able to use that cliche one day and actually have it mean something? Still, that particular glass slipper seems to fit you doesn't it Princess? It's just a shame that your ego is as big as it is fragile. For you, the win here means everything, for that is the curse of the overly ambitious rookie. Don't worry though Ana, if you make it a few more years in this business, I promise you it will become easier to accept that winning isn't the be all end all, and that you can survive in this industry and do rather well for yourself even if you never win them all. I'm sure it all sounds terribly foreign as a concept to you right now, but I'm not in this match for the win, and that difference between us whilst subtle is key. Some people might look at this match and expect me to beat you by virtue of my experience alone, but I will never sell you that short. It would be all too easy for me to sit here and dismiss you as easily as you dismiss me, but I've never taken the easy road in my life Ana and I'm not about to start now.
No, instead I will sit here and be quite happy to admit the one thing about you that your ego and sense of pride won't let you admit about me. You are and will be a challenge to me at Sacrifice Ana, maybe not on the same scale as Eternity but still, you represent just the kind of challenge I need to face on my road to the Ruby Championship. I need to be tested, I need to give Ashley a reason to stop and think, and right now there is no better test or reason than you. A woman who is just coming off the high of owning a pinfall victory over the former Ruby Champion. If I had any say in this, that would already put you ahead of me in the chase for that title, but I don't - and I would guess that you've really impressed someone in management lately given the calibre of in-ring talent they've been putting you up against. They obviously see something special in you, I do too but only if I let your ring work speak for you.
Your matches tell a far more impressive story of who you are than you ever could. Give you a microphone and five minutes alone with my IWF dot com roster profile and all you can really say about me is that I'm a mother and that this business will break me. Excuse me whilst I try to stifle a yawn here Ana, by all means take the moment to consider how truly absurd your statement is, and whilst you do that, I will take a moment to remind you of all the times that this business has already tried and failed.
Spike Kane tried to break me.
Zelda Knite tried to break me.
Eternity tried to break me.
Yet here I am, still whole, held together by a love and devotion mocked as my weakness rather than revered as my strength.
So go ahead Ana, give me your best shot. I welcome it. There really is nothing you can do to rain on my parade and make me doubt who I am or what I've overcome and am still capable of overcoming. You ask me what drives me if not something as fleeting as victory - what drives me is something you only have a cheap understanding of, a hollow sentiment echoed in your very name and move names.
Love.
My love for my children.
My love for my husband.
My love for my sister.
My love for my family.
I would hope that somebody who has already lost part of theirs would understand just how potent a driving force love can be when channeled properly, but maybe I'm giving you a little too much credit Ana. Perhaps all you really understand and will ever come to understand is the one, two, three or the tap out and the momentary euphoria they each afford you to temporarily make you forget how hollow your pursuits of victory really are.
I'm sorry Ana, Cupid already beat you to it, by about seven years in fact. Try as you might this Monday, the arrow you're aiming at my heart at Sacrifice will be deflected by the one that's already there and then you will truly understand all you will ever need to know about me not only as a wife and a mother, but as a wrestler. You will finally understand why I've never needed to win every battle to win the wars I wage. This will be a battle Ana, of that I have no doubt, but it will not be a war.
I want to win but I can afford to lose.
You cannot. You have something to prove and if you can't win, your world will end. If I can't win, I will continue to wander, not as two halves but as a whole. A happy whole. Never jaded and never alone. Knowing that it is not the end of the world and that every day cannot and never will be...
Valentine's Day.
There was a knock on the door to his study and Jake Conway looked up from his laptop that was showing the end of last week's Sacrifice with Spike Kane's shocking announcement and formation of a concept he knew very well and once was a part of in more than one incarnation. Jake rubbed his eyes, clearly he had been studying the footage for some time, trying to make sense of it all and getting nowhere.
Jake: Come in...
The door slowly opens and Kathleen Conway walks in, wearing his favourite silky champagne coloured negligee. She softly closes the door behind her and subtly locks it by palming the spare key she had.
Jake sighs.
Jake: Oh, I'm sorry honey, is it really that late?
Kathy walks around his desk.
Kathy: Yes, it is.
Jake: I'll be up in a minute...
Kathy: Maybe even sooner than that...
Kathy sits herself in his lap, closing his laptop lid for him as she does so. Jake raises an eyebrow as a sly grin comes across his face.
Jake: How is she?
Kathy: She's okay. A little shaken, but who wouldn't be after dealing with Eternity for three months?
Jake: Yes, well, quite. I'm just sorry we couldn't get to her sooner.
Kathy: We got there in the end, that's all that matters. Now things can get back to normal around here.
Jake: I like the sound of that.
Kathy: So, what were you watching?
Jake: Nothing really, just reminding myself what a bastard Spike Kane really is. Some people never change I guess...
Kathy: No, some people never do, but the right people always will.
Jake: You were right to have your suspicions about him honey, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt this time. I encouraged you to try and forgive him, I'm sorry....
Kathy: I understand why you did, he is your friend -
Jake shakes his head emphatically.
Jake: He was my friend, all that ended when he decided you were just another expendable pawn in his game.
Kathy: He sent Lex Sense out there to cost me a match against Eternity, it happens, its not the end of the world.
Jake: Maybe not, but its the principle. The very idea that he would cost you your shot at the World Championship on the way to taking his own just doesn't sit well with me. You've always worked hard and nobody ever seems to appreciate it...
Kathy: As long as you do, that's all that matters to me. Can I ask you something? And I want you to be honest with me...
Jake: Always and forever babe, you know that.
Kathy: Would you leave this industry behind right now if I asked you to?
Jake looks a little taken aback by the question.
Jake: Right now? No. Not until....
Kathy: You've won the Imperial Championship?
Jake: Not until I have made Spike understand why I still do this. I do this for the kids and for you...
Kathy: What about titles?
Jake: They're nice, but honestly the only titles worth a damn in this life to me are my titles as a husband and father. I couldn't stand to lose them any more than I could stand to lose you...
Hints of tears form in Kathy's eyes as she processes the meaning of his words. It touched her that he still cared so deeply.
Kathy: You really have changed from the man I met seven years ago, you know?
Jake smiles.
Jake: Hey, what can I say? You've made me a much better person...
Kathy: Likewise honey, likewise...
Kathy then turns her head as he wraps his arms around her waist as she is sat in his lap. She leans in and their lips gently brush against each other at first before they each surrender to the other's kiss and allow their tongues to lead the way for them to start reacquainting themselves once again with the depths of their deepest passions. Depths that had not been explored in three months.
Tonight as their bodies would entwine, Jake and Kathy Conway would finally reclaim eternity for themselves. True to the words that was the bedrock of their love.
Always and forever.
Well howdy there pardner.