Highway don't care (Birdie and Jolene)

[Winston Family Values]

Birdie frowned slightly as she came back from the bathroom and flopped onto the bed next to Ricky to go back to playing the marvel game Midnight Sons with a team of her Hunter character, Nico Minoru, Captain America and Doctor Strange.

“Still not pregnant.” Birdie pouted.

“Probably a blessing given that someone on the booking team finally remembered you still have a TV contract,” Ricky said, trying to stay optimistic.

“I just wish I was. I want to have a bunch of little versions of you to dress up in geeky onesies.” Birdie glanced over her shoulder at him as she had Cap sling his shield into the vampire hydra agents in a special move. “We could try again?”

“What? Right now, in the middle of your game? I don’t think the rest of your team would appreciate that,” Ricky teased.

“What? Watching Captain America kill Nazi vampires doesn’t get you in the mood?” Birdie teased back, shaking her butt at him.

Ricky hugged her from behind, arms around her waist as he whispered in her ear. “That’s my secret Cap, I’m always in the mood.”

Birdie paused her game and leaned back into him, “So am I. Guess that’s why we’re perfect together.”

“Hell yeah we are,” Ricky said, not minding at all the baby fever that had gripped Birdie recently. There was no greater turn on for him than knowing his wife desired his geeky little ass, literally all of the time.

Birdie moved against him teasingly. “Does it bother you I’m booked and you’re not?”

“No, not really,” Ricky said, “I mean I miss you when you’re at work or training, but I understand you need to be there for your family. I don’t think they’d feel right competing without you on the road with them. They already feel bad about Mai, after all.” Ricky slipped his hands subtly under her top as he kissed her neck softly.

Birdie encouraged him with a shiver and a little press against him, “I wish you were mmm with me too though.”

“If I came back on the road with you more regularly, we’d likely have to put trying for a baby on hold for a while, is that honestly what you want?”

“I’d love a baby.” Birdie pouts a little. “I guess we can wait a little while to travel together.”

“You could always retire from in-ring competition,” Ricky said. “If your family wouldn’t mind. Focus on raising a family instead?”

“I mean they might mind a little but…it’s our life now isn’t it?” Birdie reached behind her and played with his hair.

“It is,” Ricky said, “But I also recognise the importance of family. You stick by your siblings, just like I do, and I’d never ask you to give that up. It has to be your choice, Peachy.”

“What if we keep trying for a baby and put it in God’s hands?” Birdie asked.

“Ain’t it always in His hands?” Ricky asked. “Besides, I have ta be honest, I enjoy just tryin’, is that terrible? Ta enjoy the practice till I’m good enough for ya, like ya deserve?”

Birdie looked up at him with a soft smile, “You are my Player One, ya are amazing at it. Best in the world as far as I’m concerned.”

Ricky shivered at the praise, “Keep talkin’ like that and you’re gonna have ta drop out of your game, honey.” His hands caressed further up under her top as he nuzzled her neck.

Birdie pressed the center icon and dropped from her game. “Done. I want my husband.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, Birdie Winston here. It’s been a minute since I was last booked and hoo boy, like a cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs, am I nervous about this match? Ain’t like I haven’t been doing my training. Even with the honeymoon and the new games that been released I still make the time to hit the gym. I make time to try practice new moves.

We got two pretty powerful ladies on the otherside. We got Itami, mistress of pain or something like that. She hurts to hurt people and because she feels the pain will teach us or somethin’. I ain’t really in ta much of the capital punishment. That seems right frightening. But we are in the good ol US of A. It’s everyone’s constitutional rights to practice ya faith how ya see fit. Ain’t my place. I mean, The ATF sure do some disagreein’ on that from time to time but ain’t my place.

Then we got Hayleigh Blake. Shoot girl, you been just shootin’ off like a rocket. Good for you. You got that talent. One little stumble ain’t nothing to cry about. You can over come done near anythin’. You’re dedicated. You’re skilled. Hells bells, you been fighting and trainin’ for a match since you were walkin’. You’re a star in the making. Maybe not this week. But soon.

I am fighting along side my sister. Jolene the quiet type. But both she and me ain’t nothing to dismiss. We work hard and we fight harder. We got some of that homegrown grout. I believe in us. I believe in family. And I sure as shit believe we can overcome y’all! I bet we can win this match if we try.

Also…Starling! I mean…Mai. Good luck sis! Kick his ass!”



The training gym is buzzing with energy as Jolene Winston steps through the doors, her expression set with determination. She’s had her fair share of street fights and brawls, but the ring is different—it's more calculated, more technical. That’s why she sought out Ciara O'Connor, a legend in the business, known for her brutal efficiency and ability to break down her opponents piece by piece. Jolene knows she needs that edge for her upcoming match, where raw power alone won’t be enough.

Ciara, dressed in her signature black workout gear, is already at the center of the mat when Jolene arrives. She motions for Jolene to join her with a quick nod, wasting no time.

“You want to survive in that ring, you need to get smarter. You’re already tough, but you need to sharpen your instincts and tighten up your technical game,” Ciara says, her voice a mix of encouragement and demand. Jolene nods, setting her bag down and stretching her arms, ready for whatever Ciara has planned.

They start with grappling drills, Ciara focusing on Jolene’s ground game. Jolene’s strength is undeniable, but Ciara wants to ensure she can maneuver her body fluidly, adapting to whatever her opponent throws at her. They roll across the mat, with Ciara showing Jolene how to control leverage, lock in submissions, and escape when pinned.

“Don’t rely on just your size and strength, use your mind,” Ciara instructs, as Jolene tries to break free from a rear chokehold. “When you’re in a bad spot, you can still win if you’re thinking two moves ahead.”

After 30 minutes of intense grappling, Jolene’s breathing is heavy, but she’s picking up on the finer points. Ciara notices Jolene's persistence, how she’s absorbing the lessons, though there’s still that raw energy about her.

Next, they move to striking. Ciara knows Jolene is used to brawling, but she teaches her how to make each strike count. Jolene throws a punch, but Ciara quickly corrects her form, stepping behind her to adjust the angle of her elbow and the twist of her hips.

“Every punch needs to be precise. You can’t just swing wildly. Watch me,” Ciara says, demonstrating a series of sharp jabs and kicks that land with precision on the practice dummy.

Jolene mirrors her movements, and while her strikes are heavier, they lack the refinement Ciara wants. They work through several combinations—kicks, punches, forearms, and elbows—Ciara barking corrections and guiding Jolene to perfect the timing and impact.

"Think of your strikes as part of a strategy. You’re wearing them down, not just trying to knock them out in one shot. Make them hurt, make them hesitate, and then go in for the kill,” Ciara says, her words blunt but motivating.

After another hour of drills, Ciara decides to test Jolene with a full-on sparring session. The two square off, Jolene's eyes narrowed as she faces her mentor. Ciara immediately forces Jolene to stay on her toes, mixing in feints and rapid movements. Jolene swings hard, but Ciara ducks and counters with a sweep, sending her sprawling to the mat.

“Gotta be quicker than that,” Ciara says with a smirk, pulling Jolene up.

Jolene, not one to back down, adjusts her stance, more focused now. She blocks Ciara’s next strike, counters with a heavy elbow, and attempts a takedown. Ciara counters smoothly, but Jolene doesn’t stop, using her raw strength to force Ciara into a clinch. It’s a tough back-and-forth, but Jolene is learning, adapting. She’s not just reacting—she’s thinking ahead, applying the lessons Ciara drilled into her earlier.

The sparring session goes for another 20 minutes, with Jolene pushing herself beyond her limits, refusing to give up even as Ciara catches her in a leg lock.

As they finish, both women are drenched in sweat. Ciara looks at Jolene, impressed by the fire in her eyes and the progress she’s made. She nods approvingly.

“You’ve got the heart, kid. Just keep working on your technique, and you’ll be a nightmare for anyone who steps in that ring with you,” Ciara says, giving Jolene a pat on the back.

Jolene, still catching her breath, wipes the sweat from her brow and gives a small smile. “I’m ready for this,” she says, her voice low but resolute.

“Okay. Assume the creek don’t rise…

We are in this tag match against two certified threats. We got the up and comin’ Hall of Famer Hayleigh Blake. You’ve got more than a lot of people do. You got a head start. But I donn judge ya. Everyone has somethin that gives them an edge. You just happen to have a bit of a bigger step. And that’s just somethin’ we got to deal with. And I ain’t scared of ya. I know you got just as much right to wrestle as anyone else. I’m sure you’ll be showing everyone how good ya are no matter who wins.

Itami is..is scary. I ain’t gonna lie about that. She scares me somethin’ hard. There’s a darkness in her. And I…I don;t like it. I dont know much about MOD. Is it self-help or religion. But its scary. And I dont like it. Sorry. But it true.

Me and Birdie are gonna be given’ it our best shot. We are gonna work as a team as hard as we can. We are gonna try this match to win. I believe in us. We train hard we plan to wrestle harder.

And…Mai…Good luck.”