Honolulu, Hawaii - A few years backShe could still remember it. The sound of her step-daughter’s crying ate away at her, both mentally as well as physically. Just the memories alone of that horrible day was almost too much to bear, not only because she lost someone she had not expected to grow to love as much as she did, but because the memories lingered on and she had no real closure to help heal the emotional wounds. What had happened to her husband was a tragedy that nobody on either side of the family had been prepared for, but she had at least expected to be able to be there for Anela, Malulani’s daughter from a previous marriage. That sweet, little girl was all they had left of him, but while his fate had been taken out of any of their hands, her’s had not. What happened with her was simply the cold and calculated actions of another who while was certainly grieving, cared less about what her son-in-law and granddaughter might have wanted, and more so what she wanted.
The fact that Malulani’s former mother-in-law often had accused Alleyene of “replacing” her precious daughter in Malulani and Anela’s lives left a bitter aftertaste in the older woman’s mouth, and a hole in Alleyene’s heart.
Alleyene: Please - I am begging you! Don’t do this!
Mahina: It’s already done. The lawyers have seen to it.
It was less than an hour ago when Anela’s grandmother and Malulani’s former mother-in-law had shown up at their doorstep with the case workers from not only the family court, but Child Protective Services as well. They had served Alleyene with the papers, a formality that stated Mahina would be taking custody of Anela as of that day. Alleyne had argued and even was ready to fight but the agents from CPS stated that police were at the ready outside of the house to intervene if the need arose, forcing her to stay her hand.
Alleyene: Why are you doing this!? Is this what you were waiting for all of this time!? To take her away just so you could punish me for marrying her father!?
Mahina: I am only thinking of what is best for my granddaughter.
The older woman’s calm demeanor only served to infuriate Alleyene even more, as she knew that she had her bent over the proverbial rail, and she could do nothing. No matter which way she turned, no matter how she fought this, the simple truth remained; she would lose Anela. It was just a matter of whether or not she would end up behind bars in doing so. Alleyne stared her down with the agents watching on, the feeling of the unsettling tensions rising was almost more than any of the government agents could bear. Yet this was their job, and it was not the first time they had been in such circumstances.
Finally, she shook her head.
Alleyene: No. You’re not doing this for anyone other than yourself. Anela is all you have left of your daughter and for that, I am sorry! But you aren’t doing this to protect her; you’re doing it to hurt me! The love you have for that little girl has been eclipsed by the hatred you have of me!
Mahina: You’re mistaken. I am her grandmother.
Alleyene: I am her…!
Mahina: You are NOTHING to that girl! A substitute mother at best and a poor one at that! Traipsing around, chasing after common thugs and criminals! What kind of example were you setting for an impressionable little girl!? You didn’t even have the heart or courtesy to adopt her officially!
Alleyene: You wouldn’t let me! You contested it every time Malulani and I tried!
That horrible woman had no defense because she did not need one. She didn't even believe that she should have had one. Everything Alleyene had said was true. She could sense it, and when that old bitch simply smiled at her and turned her back, that was the last straw! She took a step forward and stepped in the old woman’s path, causing the agents to step forward and ready themselves to intervene if things went south.
Alleyene: This isn’t over, you miserable old BITCH! I will get that little girl back!
Again, that cocky smile as Mahina shook her head.
Mahina: You can try, but it won’t happen.
That being said, she all but brushed past Alleyene and the woman who would one day come to be known as Tempest turned her body at the waist and her heart sunk as she saw that darling little girl watching her from inside of the rear passenger seat of her grandmother’s car. She had such a pleading expression on her face, her warm eyes brimming with a fresh wave of tears that threatened to overwhelm her - again. Anela already had several tear stains dried on her cherubic face. One more was too much to bear. The very moment Mahina had opened the car door and turned on the engine, that little girl who had placed such faith in her that everything would be alright lost what little control she had over her senses and emotions.
Anela: No! NOOO! MOMMA!!!
Alleyene took a step forward as the car pulled from the drive, but the CPS agents stood in her way to prevent her from doing anything that any of them might soon regret. Anela’s pleading screams and crying continued as the car pulled out of the drive and onto the road, leaving a vulnerable and helpless Alleyene standing there in the drive. Watching until the car vanished from her sight, and with it?
The last remnant of what little heart she had left.
New York City - Madison Square GardenThe worst part of the memory of that horrible day was the dawning realization that the old bitch had been right from the very start. She was not Anela’s legal guardian as the adoption during the marriage was never finalized. And the grandmother had used every ounce of influence she had in the community and money in her bank account to ensure Alleyene didn't stand a chance in the courts when she made the attempt to contest the decision and regain custody of the child who had fast become her daughter, even if not by blood but by marriage.
It was why she remained standing so far away, and watching as the ring great J2H escorted his son around the backstage area of the world-famous arena, introducing him to every Superstar and Bombshell that crossed their respective paths. That little boy was about the most precious little one she had ever laid her eyes on, and she would have loved to have been in on this little ritual with the family and J2H’s “peers,” but she just couldn’t.
Just watching the cherubic smile of that boy broke her heart all over again, reminding her of what she had once had, and what was no more.
Empire State BuildingAustin James Mercer: So, you want to tell me what’s going on?
Indeed, Austin had cornered Tempest earlier in the day and along with his wife Lisa and their children, had convinced her to accompany them on a little sightseeing excursion to the Empire State Building. Tempest had little desire to do anything of the sort. Well, she had originally when the tour had first arrived here in New York City. She had long been a fan of the classic film “King Kong,” ever since she was just a little girl. And how can you be a fan of that classic film, be in New York, and NOT visit the Empire State Building?
But despite her desire, the pained memories that had manifested themselves into her mind had slowly become too much and she simply wanted to hole herself up in her room, order a big meal through room service and just be left alone. That was what she wanted, but ever since she had started to get to know Austin and a bond and yes, friendship, had slowly started to form between them, she had come to realize he wasn’t the sort of man to just let a friend wallow about in self pity. The fact that they were staying in the same hotel was just a mere formality.
And given how the sight of J2H with his son had caused her current mood, the fact Austin and Lisa’s little ones were right there certainly didn’t help her miss Anela any less.
And here is a little secret we can let you in on; Lisa Mercer was just as relentless as her husband was when it came to caring for someone close. And even though the two women had barely ever spoken two words to one another, that fact did not stop Lisa from taking Tempest by the bend of her elbow and escorting her along with the family as if they had been old friends from years ago.
But back to Austin’s question… the family -- and Tempest -- along with a number of tourists stood in the Observatory of the Empire State Building, watching the skyline darken into night from this dizzying height even if down on the street below, the sun was still in the process of slowly setting into dusk.
Tempest: What makes you think anything is wrong?
Austin James Mercer: Because I’m big and beautiful…
Tempest frowned and turned to look at him, and found him looking into her face and he had that damn grin that made her want to cuff him a hard one. But didn’t. That should speak volumes for how she felt about the man that had somehow grown from a simply tag team partner to a valued friend. Then the smile vanished. As if she could tell privacy was needed, Lisa gathered the children and moved around the Observatory to look down from another angle.
Austin James Mercer: I’m also not dumb. I saw you at the Garden, Alleyene.
And there he had her. He had used her real name as opposed to her ring name. She sighed, shaking her head.
Tempest: It’s nothing. I’m just missing someone pretty bad. Something happened at the Garden that just made the memories come flooding back.
Austin nodded, turning aside to look out of the glass. He had long ago deduced that not only had she been married, but tragedy had struck in the form of an untimely death. He had never pried, but sometimes that was what a friend had to do.
Austin James Mercer: Your husband?
She shook her head.
Tempest: No, someone else.
Austin James Mercer: Do you want to talk about it?
Tempest: I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
Austin James Mercer: And why is that?
Tempest: Because if I do, I’ll start crying.
She looked at him by way of the reflection in the glass against the darkening sky and the city's lights.
Tempest: And if I start crying, I can promise you that you’ll start crying.
Austin just smirked and chuckled beneath his breath. He hadn’t expected anything less, but still - he had to try. Plus, now that the offer had been made, if and when she felt the need or desire to talk or confide in someone,she knew that he was there. Ready to lend an ear. Still, even if she wasn’t ready to talk to ease whatever fresh hell she was going through emotionally, there was still one thing he could offer.
Austin James Mercer: You want to get outta here?
Tempest: God, yes!
Satisfied, Austin turned to find Lisa and the kids so they could get going, and hopefully lure his partner and friend into having dinner with them one more time before Sunday…
Down in the lobby, the soft chime of the elevator sounded and the golden double doors slid open, and the Mercer family stepped out into the lobby, accompanied by Tempest.
Tempest: I appreciate the offer of dinner but I would really rather…
“Mommy! Daddy-DADDY! Look!”
The child’s excited call practically rang off of the lobby’s walls and caused many a head to turn, the Mercers and Tempest included. Tempest’s heart felt ready to sink, as somehow fate was seemingly playing a cruel trick on her as there at the entrance of the lobby was none other than J2H himself, his wife Melody, and that darling little boy of theirs; JJ. Judging by the look on J2H’s face, he wanted to be there even less than Tempest herself did, but the bright expression on Melody’s face and the way the excitement radiated off of JJ’s own was testament enough as to who was really behind this little family outing.
But as Tempest believed the child’s excitement was for being in the building, she could not have been more wrong as JJ ran as fast as his small legs could carry him with his hands encased in the fingers of both parents. They did not go directly toward the elevator as Tempest might have expected, but JJ skidded to a halt right in front of both Tempest as well as Austin, and his wide eyes practically glowed with the excitement of a true wrestling fan that only a child could radiate.
JJ: Daddy! Look who it is! Austin James Mercer!
Heel or face, wrestlers were this child’s hero, and Austin leaned down onto one knee and shook JJ’s hand, practically making the boy tremble with excitement while Melody had covertly slid her camera from her purse, lest she as a mother miss out on this important memory for her son.
J2H: You may find this hard to believe, but he’s something of a wrestling fan.
J2H then leaned over and nudged his boy in the shoulder, garnering his attention.
J2H: And you know who this is, right?
JJ looked from his father and right to Tempest, and if she thought the child’s smile could not get any wider nor brighter, she was mistaken. And as much as her heart had been aching only moments ago, the simple fact was that a child’s smile could be infectious. A soft smile crept to her lips, making Austin ready to crack a joke that her face might break. Like her partner did, Tempest kneeled down and took JJ's hand into her own.
Tempest: And what’s your name?
JJ: JJ?
It was almost comical how quickly he went from excited wrestling fan, almost to a touch bashful. He chewed on his finger until he found his voice again.
JJ: Are you really as strong as they say you are?
Tempest: Well, you seem like a healthy boy. Touch your ears.
JJ blinked, suddenly unsure. He looked back at both his mother and father, as if to silently ask for permission to such a simple thing.
J2H: Go ahead.
JJ turned back around to look at the amazon and he finally did as instructed, touching both ears with his fingers, leaving his elbows bent outward. Tempest then played along and took hold of his arms and stood upright, thereby scooping JJ up off of the floor to eye level. James Jr. laughed and laughed as Melody continued to record, until finally Tempest lowered him to the lobby floor.
After taking pictures with Austin and Tempest both together as well as on their own with JJ, J2H and Melody went into the elevator with their son, as the Mercers and Tempest headed out into the city; Austin glancing at Tempest with a smirk.
Tempest: Not a word, Mercer!
Central ParkDespite her rough profession as both a professional wrestler as well as bounty hunter, Tempest was no fool. She knew when not to tempt fate and that was why she found herself walking through the famed Central Park midday as opposed to earlier in the morning when she had first desired to do so. Central Park was indeed famous for its beauty and attractions, but it also had a darker history where muggings and worse had taken place, and she had no desire to become another statistic for the news. The Stevens had suggested the time change, and her mother practically pleaded. Together the Stevens and her mom were an unbeatable combination and she had finally relented.
It was why she was here, now, walking the path and enjoying the sight of the foliage turning color while leaves fell from the trees high above to the ground below.
“I’m not going to mince words here today. I’m just going to be honest and express my disappointment. Did you know that Hawaii has a fair number of heroes that every child on every one of the islands is taught to look up to and respect? Everyone from King Kamehameha I to Saint Damien, right up to Don Ho. Those are people my mom and dad taught my brothers and me to respect and to revere. And I did, but I also couldn’t help but wonder as I got older, how would I feel were I to meet them, face to face? I’ve always heard the worst thing you can do is to meet someone that you’re a fan of because they can never live up to the hype that you’ve built up for them inside of your own head. I was never certain how true that way because I never actually tried to meet anyone I looked up to in that way. Then I found myself up against Mercedes Vargas, and I was left wondering how true that statement really was.”
“Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan of Mercedes. I don’t revere her and I sure as hell don’t call myself a fan. But - I respected the hell out of her. Everything she accomplished in this business, I wanted to emulate. She was - is - a woman that any newcomer to the Bombshell division can easily look up to as an example and strive to be like. So imagine my vast disappointment when I realized just how far away my expectations of her truly were. The woman acknowledged me; she had to. I’m holding the one thing she wants in the Mixed Tag Team Championship, and let’s face facts; I’m not an easy woman to look past. But as much as I look up to the woman and respect her for everything she has accomplished, because she has accomplished literally everything that there was and is to do. But for everything that she said to address me as champion and the woman she had to go though, for her to say so much yet so little, it was as if she believed actually paying attention to me was beneath her.”
“Do you even remember our little match on Halloween, Mercedes? Did you pay attention to anything I said to you and about you? Anything at all? Obviously not because you acted as if I absolutely hated you when I said outright in my promo for that ridiculous match that I had the utmost respect for you. I told the world that I was legit excited to face you not only in that singles encounter, but the chance to defend the Mixed tag titles against a legit threat in the form of Goth and yourself - two Hall of Famers -- but…”
She paused in her steps and shook her head.
“It was as if you paid no attention to anything I said or did where you yourself were concerned. Like the resident ‘memory bank’ of SCW was too important to pay attention to anyone, least of all a woman who has been competing for a fraction of the time that you have. I’ve got the mixed tag titles with Austin, but aside from your desire to take what belongs to us, does my accomplishment mean anything to you?”
“Obviously not, or you would have paid actual attention to how I really felt about the chance to face you in the ring as opposed to glancing past me and simply assuming I hated you because that’s seemingly how the rest of the world feels. Well Vargas, it may come as a great shock to you, but I don’t hate you. And this may be an even bigger surprise, but what others have to say and think matter. Not acknowledging them or just outright ignoring them, what they say and how they think? That’s beneath even you, chicky, but that’s okay. I’m past it, and I’m past you. You showed your true colors, so I am going to make the most out of this defense with Austin against Goth and yourself. Now I’ve built something of a reputation, so let’s address that for just a moment, shall we?”
“I’ve attacked and beaten down a number of women in SCW, among them Bella Madison, Courtney Pierce and Sierra Williams. Among others. Now here we are, just you and I while our partners have the chance to settle things between themselves. And I know you think that for all the advantage I have in height, weight and strength alone, to you I am little more than another rookie standing in your path. Only this rookie has championship gold around her waist, and that’s the only reason the high and mighty Mercedes Vargas has deigned to address me. Everything that I had done in the past to the women I mentioned before and every other one I’ve been in the ring against, you know that I am going to do to you as well, right? The key difference is with women like Bella and Sam Marlowe, it was a pleasure to beat those chicks down. With you?”
“I would say that it’s going to be more business than pleasure. I can’t say that I’ll enjoy throwing you all over that ring, but I will enjoy forcing you to realize and to understand that I am not just some other rookie that the bosses want you to put through the proverbial ringer. After this match and Austin and I retain? I want nothing more than for you to look me right in the eye - and say my name.”
Tempest then started to walk along the path again, crossing over a carved, stone foot bridge that spanned over a running brook beneath.
“And while Mercedes is mine to face, I have nothing to worry about where Goth and my partner are concerned. Austin has proven himself in every way since that first match against the Barnharts; that he is a man that despite the past he shared with Fenris and Aron, he is someone that I can place my faith in to hold up his end of the bargain and fight to keep what’s ours. And not just for himself, but for me as well. I wasn’t surprised to find Austin and myself to be as successful as we’ve been. I mean, look at us! Austin’s singles record speaks for itself, but for as confident as I was in how effective we would be, the man surprised me in just how good of a friend he was capable of being to someone like me.”
“And therein lies the real advantage that he and I have over Mercedes and Goth as we head into High Stakes XI. We have the size and strength. We have the experience as a tag team. But above all, we have each other's backs as much out of friendship as we do professionally.”
“That’s not an advantage even a team like the two of you can surpass.”