Edward.

[Doc]

I glance down at little Edward sleeping in his crib, and I can’t help but feel sorry for him. He is the only one totally blameless in all of this, but the one who will have to suffer most for the mistakes of his parents. Angel, for choosing to mess with the wrong brother in law. And Tara, for choosing to marry the wrong man.

He makes a little noise in his sleep, and I kiss him on the forehead. Babysitting Edward is the best way I could find to break up a week as intense as mine has been in preparing for a match this difficult. He reminds me of what we all once were. Sombre, happy, innocent little creatures, with no concept of right and wrong and no understanding of social constructions except that when you need it most, it’s your family who will be there for you. I used to be that child too, innocent and happy.

Until Glasgow got a hold of me.

I turn out the light and leave Edward to sleep, knowing that now I have to be the one to teach him right from wrong.

And do the job of a father he will never see.

Let me be honest with you right from the off Gjenrei. It’s refreshing to see a man in this business with half a brain. A man who has reasons for his actions and the ability to articulate what he feels. I wish I could say I was as thoughtful as you – but unfortunately, I’ve acted out of instinct pretty much my whole life. But then again, it’s my competitive instinct that’s got me out of poverty and standing here today.

And you probably know enough about me Gjenrei to know that, the little stunt you pulled in refusing to beat Freakke, it isn’t something I would have done. So as much as I’m sure you’re able to come out here and articulate how there would have been no honour in taking advantage of Freakke and no satisfaction in beating a wounded opponent – I have only have one question ask.

What’s changed this week?

You stand there and tell Angel you don’t like the fact you’re placed in this match, but you’ll accept it because it’s in your contract that you have to face whoever your boss tells you to face. But that’s funny, because for two weeks in a row the IWF staff wanted you to face Freakke. Where was all this bullshit about honouring your contract then? You stood on camera last night and said that you refuse to take it easy against me just because I’m in a 2v1 situation. So why take it easy on Freakke just because he had a slight injury? Surely that’s less of a handicap than facing two capable wrestlers at the same time in a no disqualifaction match? Hell, if Freakke’s bad leg was an excuse, don’t you think the fact I had a broken neck is excuse enough to take it easy against me?

So I’ll tell you what I think Gjenrei. I think you’re full of shit. You and I both know that beating Freakke earns you no respect what so ever, and it’s easy to be honourable when you’re up against someone who can’t advance your career the way I can. But now that you’re up against an established star of world wrestling, a man who holding a victory against in any circumstance could transform your career overnight – all you’re so-called sportsmanship has went out the window.

You're a nice guy when it suits you – just like AJ.

Speaking of Mr. Jones, where do I start with this guy? First of all, let’s cut the crap as far as Angel’s concerned. You stand there and say that Angel’s in danger of losing everything he’s earned through his hard work and sacrifice. That’s funny, because in the last few weeks it seems like Angel can do no wrong. While I’ve become America’s Most Wanted man since Saddam Hussein for looking out for my family, nobody seems to remember that Angel achieved what he did through a reign of fear, bullying and bloodshed. Angel is one of the best wrestlers that’s ever lived, no doubt about that. But this is a man who was willing to crush the career of anyone that stood in his path. And now that someone finally has the balls to stand up to him, we’re suddenly supposed to feel sorry for him?

Then again, you always did have a way of warping memories Alex.

This is the same guy who just last night got on camera and told us that he knows he can be the greatest wrestler on planet earth when push comes to shove. To clarify, the best wrestler on earth. Meaning, none better. And then five fucking seconds later he’s blabbering on about how he knows guys like Xander and Xavier Cross are better than him. And were supposed to take anything this guy says seriously?

What actually goes through that head of yours Alex? Do you even think before you speak?

Then again, thinking never was your strong point.

But don’t get mad AJ – I mean, God forbid you got so angry that you lock me in armbar this Sunday night. I mean, really? That’s you’re big threat to me? I piss you off that much that you want to put me in an armbar? Well sorry that I’m not exactly hiding under my bed in fear. And for the record, I stand by exactly what I said. This match does prove I’m better than you. And if you can’t understand the fact that if Angel thought you were good enough to kick my ass one on one, he wouldn’t have had to add another man to your team, then maybe it’s time you hung up the boots, because I don’t think you can afford to lose the few brain cells you have left in there.

Maybe when you’re done thinking that the world revolves around you and the fact that you didn’t want this match and that you just wanted to forget I even existed - you’ll wake up one morning and realize that I didn’t want this either. You think I want to be forced to face two men in a no disqualification match that might put me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life? This wasn’t my idea, but I don’t come out and spend three quarters of my promo time making that same point about how I don't want to be in this match over and over like you. I just accept the fact that, even though I’m probably going to lose this week, there does exist a minute possibility of me coming out of Lineage as the winner. And as long as that possibility exists, I’m going to come to out that ring intent on kicking your ass as badly as I usually do.

Because if there’s one thing you know about me AJ, it’s that Doc lays down for no one.

And I don’t plan on starting now.

Especially not for you.

"Thanks for looking after him Doc, I know you must have a lot on your mind with your match this week.."

"Me have a lot on my mind? Tara, don't worry about me. I just hope you're ok - I understand how difficult this must be for you. I'm.. I'm sorry that we've put you through this Tara. I didn't want you to know, honestly. But we had-"

Tara wraps Edward in a blanket and pulls him in to her arms as I talk. He's still asleep, still unaware of anything that's been going on around him. Maybe it's for the best. By the time he's old enough to understand that he can never see daddy, he'll be old enough to understand why.

"It's ok Doc - you should have told me earlier. To be honest, I'm surprised that both of you would have hid this from me all this time."

She shoots me a piercing stare, and for a split second, I almost think that she doubts me. But I know it's not her fault. Tara just wants to know the truth.

But in time, she will see the real Angel. I just have to keep her away from him until she does.

"Yeah.. I'm sorry. I just knew what this would do to you. You don't know how difficult it is for me to see you like this. I love you Tara, I don't want to see you get hurt."

For the first time in weeks, she manages to raise a little half smile.

"Thanks. It'll just take time to get over it, that's all."

"I understand. But listen, it was great looking after Edward. Any time you need me to babysit, just give me a call."

I smile at her and she smiles back. Without saying anything else, she turns and leaves. I shut the door behind her, and go back to that feeling of lonliness I've endured my whole career. That feeling of having no wife to go home to, no kids to wave off to school.. that feeling that is going to haunt Angel for the rest of his life.

Seeing her like that.. so miserable and upset.. I don't care what anyone says - this is his fault.

And he's going to pay.

No matter how many of his lackeys I need to run through to get my hands on him.