Emmie #1: The First Step

***

Interventions were originated in the 1960s with Dr. Vernon Johnson. It focuses on creating a confrontation between a group of supporters and the addict in order to expose the addict to the consequences of their addiction. The confrontation serves to precipitate a crisis in the addict's life that is not threatening, damaging, or fatal, and is used to compel them into treatment before they are able to suffer irreparable social or physical damage as a result of their disease. It became a source of entertainment when the whole "reality TV" phase happened in the mid 2000's.  Since then it can be a hit or miss in terms of really helping an addict to admit they have an issue and further agree to get treatment.

Emmaline Ward had a problem. In the back of her mind, she knew it but outwardly she tried to convince herself she was just a little too overindulgent. She was managing just fine, in her opinion. However, Jack King A.k.a Jack Asher, her tag partner, had experienced this sort of thing before when he had nearly lost his mother to alcoholism three years ago. Which had prompted him to act now, before it ended up a repeat of his mother, or worse, he wasn't able to save Emmie in time.

Emmie wasn't expecting it at all, which was how an intervention was supposed to work, so when she arrived at the hotel conference room expecting a fan meet and greet she was stopped dead to see a large group of family and friends staring at her.

"What's all this about? Mum? Da?"

Among the group were her parents, grandparents and even Jericho, Jack's girlfriend. Bobbie sheepishly gives a little wave from her seat whereas her Cousin Mark has his arms crossed over his chest with more of a "Dad" face than that of her own father or Grandfather.

Patrick Ward stands, "Ems, have a seat my love."

She always related better to her dad, probably because they were similar in nature. Generally honest, sweet people who outside of her actual job of hurting people wouldn't actually hurt anyone.

Her brow furrows, "Is this a bloody intervention?!"

Her father is still trying to gently persuade her to sit in the empty seat in front of everyone but she was brushing him off. Instead she turns angry eyes on Jack. "This was you, wasn't it? I told you, I don't have a problem!"

"Emmie! Sit your arse down, now!" Mark finally makes his presence known and Emmie's mouth drops open. Mark raises his eyebrows and points to the chair. She does so, but it is more like that of a petulant child, not a woman a month away from turning twenty-one.

Jack clears his throat. "Emmie, this is a group of your family and peers here to help you to understand that we are worried about your relationship with alcohol."

Emmie shakes her head, "There is no prob..."

Mark stares her down and she shuts up, suddenly looking down at her feet.

"This is Dr. Canon. He is a very good therapist and specifically deals with addiction. He helped my mother after her battle with alcoholism."

The man was rather attractive, tanned skin and wearing a crisp white dress shirt, open two buttons down the front to reveal a tiny dusting of sandy blond chest hair.

"I know this will be hard for you Emmaline, but these people have all come because they love you and are concerned for you."

He folds his hands on his lap and Emmie can't help noticing that he seemed to have muscular thighs.

"A few of your family have prepared a letter to read to you."

Surprisingly, it's Jericho that stands first.

"Emmie..." she clears her throat and can only look at the paper in her hands, hands that seem to be shaking with either nerves or emotions. Emmie doesn't know which. "I have only known you for a short while but I feel like our friendship was a fast one. We seemed to connect on so many things. I noticed that you seemed to drink a lot, especially when we would go out but I hadn't fully realized how much until Jack told me what happened two weeks ago. You came to his room, assisted by some strange man and as Jack was attempting to take care of you, you kissed him."

Emmie feels the tears burning in the corner of her eyes. By the surprised looks on both Mark and Bobbie's faces she can tell that Jack had only told Jeri about the kiss.

"I think I know you well enough to know you would never do something like that when you weren't drinking, but it seems you are never without a drink lately. Never completely sober. You drank so much that it turned off that part of Emmie I like. How can I trust you around Jack now? How can I know that you are not going to do this again? I care about you Emmie which is why I am hoping that you will accept this gift of help, before it becomes a problem that ruins your life."

There is a choke in her words as she lays her head on Jack's shoulder. He puts an arm around her.

Emmie hadn't realized it would affect Jericho that much. It had been a stupid mistake.

Patrick starts reading next, "As you know Ems, alcoholic issues do run in my side of the family. Both Mark and I's Grandfather had a problem as well as my father who passed tragically due to liver issues. I blame myself for not being a better father to you..."

"Da... don't say that. You were a great father..."

"Let him finish Emmaline." Dr.Cannon speaks up.

"I should have been more hands on. I should have told you more about our family and the problem with having an addiction. I do not want to see my little girl become what my father became. He was a kind, generous man too and after Alcohol took over he became violent, unscrupulous and nasty. Alcohol can turn even the purest person into a monster. I can't let that happen to you Ems. Not on my watch."

Her mother nods in agreement, obviously having had helped her father with his speech.

"I..." Emmie falters on her words.

Mark clears his throat. "When Jack approached me about there being a problem a few weeks ago, I didn't believe him at first. Told him to just leave ya be and piss off but then that tweet happened. The Emmie I know would never call anyone... that word. Then when Jack called me again talking about how you were going out alone and comin' back with some bloke ya don't know? I knew then that I had been foolin' myself just like you been foolin' yourself thinkin' you got this handled. You may not be a drunkard yet, but if ya don't catch it now, ya will be. So smarten up and accept the help."

There was nothing nice in Mark's tone in the slightest.

Bobbie seems to look uncomfortable in her chair but she goes next.

"I didn't really think you had a problem Em, then after Jack told me everything and now hearing from your family, I just want you to be healthy. You and Jack have been good friends to me, even when I was being a bit of a jerk, so I'm here to support you and help any way I can."

Dr. Cannon then looks at Jack.

"I already told you everything I felt two weeks ago Emmie and you didn't do what I asked. You showed up to our first title defense tipsy and I had to take some drastic measures to make sure we didn't lose to the wonder twins. I shouldn't have to do that because you are exceptionally talented Ems. Everyone knows that but you have put so much pressure on yourself. You've let other people's opinions dictate your opinion of yourself and I suppose you're using booze as your escape. I get it, my mom went through the same thing. She was promoted at work. Being a supervisor for other nurses started to weigh on her. She didn't feel like she was good enough and it all started with a glass of wine after work, then two glasses and on and on until she was having to take vodka shots before going to work. It wasn't until I was pulling her from the pool and doing CPR that it finally sunk in there was an issue. She's three years sober now. I don't want the same thing to happen to you Emmie. You're too good to allow that demon to control your life."

The heartfelt tone to his voice was probably the most genuine she had ever heard her partner be. It brought tears to her eyes. Maybe she wasn't handling it. Maybe she hadn't realized that it was affecting those close to her. Her grandmother basically agreed with her father, which was a miracle in itself because her maternal grandparents always seemed to butt heads with her dad.

"So..." Dr. Canon offers a kind smile, "Are you willing to accept help today Emmie?"

The idea of never drinking again caused a knee jerk reaction and she could feel the impending panic attack of not having that buffer to protect her from the hurtful words her opponents had flung at her and would continue to throw at her going forward. But Jack was right, she couldn't just bury those feelings or numb them with alcohol, she had to deal with them now before it became something she couldn't give up and everything she lived for was gone for good.

She nods her head and the room fills with claps and cheers for her brave decision but she doesn't feel brave at all. She feels weak and like a failure. She feels this way even after everyone has filtered out of the room, her parents and grandparents were staying for High Stakes, which added even more pressure to win.  It isn't until she feels the comforting hand on her shoulder that she looks up to realize that Bobbie is the only one that has stayed back. She offers a comforting smile.

"It was a really tough day, huh?"

She pulls up a chair and the metal scratches the floor
Emmie winces

"Ug... sorry... my bad..." finally Bobbie gets it to the right spot. "Probably wasn't the best for that hangover you're obviously sporting."

"No. Not at all..."

"I wish I could tell you I sympathize but I can't. I don't know what an addiction is like. But I am going to help whatever way I can. I'll even come with you to AA if you don't want to go alone."

"Thank you Bobbie."

Bobbie bites the inside of her cheek, searching for the right words to help her friend.

"I meant what I said earlier. I have been lucky to have met so many great people and I know I've been pretty crappy lately with this Artie stuff. Now my opponents are bringing it up. So I guess I get the whole pressure to do well... thing..."

Finally, Emmie looks up. "Andrea Hernandez's promo was just a giant "read between the lines" all her words being "big" and "large". For someone that's supposed to be a good person, I think she's a sham. She should just admit that she has something against overweight people and don't pussy foot around it."

Emmie's tone was fired up. She had been steamed after watching that promo.

"Overweight sounds worse, just call it what it is. I'm a fat girl and up until recently I wasn't ashamed to call myself that. I owned it. I mean people can't hurt you with it if you make fun of yourself, right? I have to get back to that place and I'm going to but you gotta get back to the girl that managed to get grampa Jack to partner with a new, young girl from London that wanted to save the tag division. Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. You get back to old Emmie and I'll make my way back to old Bobbie."

Bobbie holds out her hand. What happens next goes so smoothly that it even amazes the women involved. The two slap hands and then do a series of weird gestures and actions until it ends with both women giggling at how ridiculous their girl pact handshake really was.

"Remember, only we know about that. It's like being blood sisters..." Bobbie awkwardly tries to explain. Emmie only smirks and shakes her head before finally getting to her feet. She was sporting a wicked headache but she figured that maybe she just needed a cold cloth and a couple aspirin. Maybe even a nap.

"Now... what about this Artie situation...?"

***
Well, here goes nothing...

Hello, My name is Emmaline Ward and I'm an alcoholic.

It feels good to admit it publicly. I wanted to tell you all personally before any rumors started flying. I know I'm young but my dear friend and tag partner had the foresight to recognize that I had a problem before it became something that ruined my life. I tried to tell myself that it wasn't a real problem. That I just needed to control it but let's face it, the first sign of having an addiction is not recognizing that it is an addiction.

That being said, I know that my opponents will have a field day with this. Probably going to tell all of you,my fans and supporters that I am not worthy of being a champion. But here's the thing, they can't deny that we did win against London Underground and they can't deny that we beat Jessie Salco and Caleb Storms.  So despite what my personal problems may be, I am still the same girl that stood here just a few short months ago and told you I was going to be the next one. Jack and I fought the odds. We rose above the shade being flung our way and we became the saviors of the mixed tag division.

What doesn't kill us,only makes us stronger, isn't that the phrase used so often here in America? A reputation for being true grit and tough. A people that were built on the rebellion against those they thought oppressed them?

It's sort of ironic that, seeing as how I am both an American and a British Citizen. It's like two halves of me at war, much like my conscience and that part of my brain making me need alcohol to keep me sane. A constant war. A never ending battle. That being said, who better to be a champion in a division so wrought with war wounds it might as well be a medical tent in a warzone.  Never has there been this much interest in these titles. Never have there been so many teams stepping up with fire and determination.

Four teams all vying to be on top of the mountain and oh what a mountain it is. You need a ladder to get to the top and you need a sure grip to get back down. I know that I can do this. I am sure footed and heights don't scare me. I was made for this match and when it's over and Jack and I have our hands raised in Victory, there will be no doubt about what we are capable of.

I'm not saying it will be easy. It's going to be pretty hard. It's going to be incredibly hard. Four teams trying to climb up a rickety ladder for the greatest prize. It will be pure hell. But I have already been on the road to hell. It's hot and its murderous. It is full of traps and deceptions. And I'm not even talking about my addiction. The whole tournament was hell. So much back talking and back stabbing. Underhanded tactics and clever lies all just to be crowned champion. You would think it was the presidential race or something...

It's a good thing that titles are not won by popularity because Jack and I would be champions for a very long time. Out of the other three teams,we are the only team unanimously cheered, even with a guy like Jack because like me, they see his potential. They can see that despite his hard exterior he has a heart. And I know that these titles mean just as much to him as they do me. We don't intend to lose on only our second defense. We are champions for a reason, and I made a promise to myself that no matter what, I am not going to give up. I am not going down without a fight.

London Underground thinks I'm still just a rookie. Amy and Joshua think I can just be dismissed. And the Elders? To be honest what gives them any right to be in this match? Thinking they can just walk in and be given a shot based on past success? Where Were they during the tournament? They don't deserve a shot. Let them earn a spot just like the other teams. Amy and Joshua may have lost in the tournament but at least they showed up. At least they wanted to be apart of it all. And London Underground? Despite all the really... Excuse my french, shiity, things they said, it doesn't change how much talent they have. They took Jack and I to the limit. We didn't just steal the titles, we had to work for them. Unfortunately, they lack the focus. Daniel for example seems to have his hands in many pots, even so far as to saying he has another business venture in the works. I am all for multitasking but come on. A Casino, other investments and now yet another thing too? It is rather hypocritical to call Jack and I out on not "being focused on the titles" because we aren't on camera at every show. At least we have one hundred percent committed our time to SCW alone. That's the difference between doing this out of love and doing this for money or fame.

And Orchid and Matt Spears? You mean the Matt Spears who let his alter ego, Jon Dough claim his Roulette title shot and just enter a match, very similar to this one and basically discredited all of those men who worked hard for that match. He could have picked any other match but no, he had to be center of attention. Much like now. Orchid is a formidable opponent but frankly she should know better. She's supposed to be honorable. No honor in being handed things.

Oh I know this might come off hypocritical on my part since there have been people saying that I was handed something. Handed a contract, handed a place in the tournament, handed opponents that I'd easily beat. Of course none of that holds any weight, but I am not about to explain myself any longer. It's a horse I'd rather not beat to death.

I know I've worked hard and all of you who have supported me know it too. I am a people's champion. My game plan wasn't to come out here and just trash talk on my opponents, it was also to sell myself. Show you all that despite my setbacks recently it is not going to stop me from getting a victory at High Stakes. I am going to be the best me and the best me is one half of the Mixed Tag Champs.

I owe it to all of you. I owe it to Jack but best of all, I owe it to myself. I have been so bloody hard on myself, taking the word of people that don't even know me. People who rely on rumours and insinuations. Who would rather assume I haven't worked hard and just asked Mark for all of this. That is more of an insult to him than anyone else. The fact that anyone would think he would ever do that is sad.

The first step of Alcoholics Anonymous is to admit that I am powerless over alcohol and that my life has become unmanageable, but now, I can manage. I have a goal, I have something worth staying sober for. I know there is no amount of alcohol in this world that will ever take away my insecurities so I am just going to try to handle them as they come. Like a normal adult. I have grown up a lot quicker than most and even at nearly twenty-one. I think I just need to let myself be twenty-one. A nearly twenty-one year old who won the tag titles within the first two months of her debut, I might add. Not to toot my own horn as it were.

So let the haters hate. I am going to fight these feelings and I am going to fight to keep my title too. I may not be Super Emmie right now but I'm still strong enough to fly.

***

Emmie's head felt like there were a thousand men on bongo drums inside it. The beat was steady with her heart. She felt dizzy and nauseous. Part of her wanted to end that pain and she knew that all it took was just one of those little bottles locked in the mini bar to do it.  She looked up, seeing the pain reflected in her own blue eyes. Eyes that pleaded with herself to just forget everything, allow that bitter, beautiful liquid to do what it had been doing for the last few months, numb any lingering pain, drown out those voices of doubt and insecurity.

"No!" Her fists on the counter rattle the jars and containers of beauty products. "No!" Again but this time several of them rattle enough to topple over, filling the small bathroom with the sharp noise of glass on melamine.

"No...?" Her voice has lost that determination. She sobs, unable to look at her reflection now due to the blurriness of her tears. A knock at the door causes her to wipe her face with her sleeve, not exactly very ladylike but Emmie was past that point now.

"Are you okay in there sweetie?"

Her mother's voice was a welcome one. She wondered if maybe she had been in Las Vegas this entire time, she wouldn't have felt so alone. She cared about Jack, no doubt,but there were some issues she just couldn't share with him. Issues he probably wouldn't understand,like how she felt so utterly alone even in the small group they had acquired. He probably wouldn't understand how much she wanted her parents close.

"I'm fine mum. Be out in just a sec."

The older woman's voice comes out a tad skeptical, Emmie had grown up reading the subtle differences in her mother's tones. "Well alright. Your Dad and I want to head back to our room."

Emmie knows her mother and father both probably were aware of the shouting, the rattling of the bottles, her fists hitting the bland beige of the countertop but yet, they respected her struggle enough not to comment past the query of "Are you okay?"

If she was being completely honest with herself? No, she wasn't alright. She was the biggest,hottest mess that one person could be. And maybe part of why she held so much contempt for herself was because there were so many others that were in far worse shape then she was, but yet here she was, selfishly using her issues to promote herself in her latest promo.  In hindsight, maybe she was using it to get a bit of sympathy but all she actually wanted was to have people know that her issues were not going to keep her from her goals.

She takes one last look at the girl staring back at her. She felt pangs of guilt. That haunted look, those tear stained cheeks, the paleness of her skin from emptying her stomach not more than a few moments before she had accosted herself in the mirror. For a second, she hates this girl but slowly, she realizes that this girl was just trying to deal with pressure and expectations that most twenty year olds didn't have.

Success.

Success was harder than failure. At least with failure, you had something to get back up for. Something to work towards, but being successful right out of the gate? What did that leave to fight for besides just staying at that level?

But.

She wasn't going to be what those other teams expected her to do. She wasn't going to crumble. She wasn't going to let them keep getting in her head, when that was what had contributed to this whole bloody mess to begin with.

Later, after her parents had retired to their own room and she was left to herself, her eyes kept going back to that mini bar. She knew exactly what bottles were in there, how many of each and the brands. She Knew that with one drink she could erase the stinging in her eyes and the fuzziness of sickness in her head. Two drinks would help her smile again. Three or more had her not even worrying about anyone else. The problem was that, that worry was what the real problem was and she couldn't just mask it. It never went away and so she had stayed partially drunk for weeks. Seeing everything now with sober eyes felt like trying to drive west in the early morning. Even sunglasses couldn't completely block out the sun, but it was permanent. No matter where she went or what she did with her life there was always going to be someone that wasn't a fan of her methods.

Acceptance was part of the twelve steps. She was still just on the first. In fact she barely had her toe on that step. It was going to take a while but in the meantime she was going to go out there and be the best.

 ~Off Camera~

When Emmie Ward enters the hotel room of her tag partner and co-champion Jack Asher's room, she is both confused and surprised.

The floor is littered with manilla file folders, there are papers and pictures. Newspaper articles are strewn everywhere and Jack himself is just as disheveled as his room. He has what can only be described as a crazed look in his eye as he pours over the paper in his hand.

"Jack... what's all this about?"

She steps over a pile of discarded folders and manages to make it to his bed, which also appears to be covered in more of this 'research' he was doing.

"I know it got to you about Daniel accusing you of not doing research but this is ridiculous..."

Jack holds up a hand, cutting her off.

"I don't care about that. He was just using the only thing I said that he could dispute. It was more of this smoke and mirrors bullshit he constantly tries to use. No. This is actual research. London Underground are real honest to god mobsters and I'm going to prove it."

Emmie offers him a compassionate smile, even though he hasn't actually looked her in the eye since she came in.

"Jack, that's ludicrous. Daniel is not a gangster. He's just a business man that made some good investments."

He spins now and Emmie can see how even more obsessed he has become since the cruise.

"No. Em, I know that you want to be the good cop in this team and try to see the innocence in everyone but honestly sometimes there isn't any good to be found. I don't have enough evidence to come out and say it publicly yet, but I will. I will find something. I have the interns at Dad's firm digging..."

Emmie sighs. "Way to piss of your Dad doing that. Besides, when are you going to take your bar exam? You finished your last course ages ago."

Jack bites onto Em changing the subject. "Why do I need to? I have wrestling. I have the tag titles. I have you."

She shakes her head.

"Because being an impressive multinational lawyer is a far better gig than a tag team wrestler in a local Nevada promotion."

"That's some nerve, Emmaline Ward. Weren't you accepted to Oxford for pre-med before leaving it all for wrestling. You very well know what it feels like to live and breathe this sport..."

Emmie stands up, doesn't back down from her partner. "It's different and you know it. You are doing all this research why? To out some guy that wrestles? So what if you are right and the world knows? You think people will suddenly like you better? That it will somehow change everything? It won't. People are always going to see you as the arrogant little shit stain that came into SCW not knowing he stunk."

"Oh really? You practically begged me to partner with you. Do you remember? Didn't mind the stench then, did you?"

Emmie can almost see the pout. The arrogance was wearing thin these days, she gave herself credit for pushing him in a better direction, however it was times like these she could really see the difference in how they both grew up affecting how they dealt with stress.

Emmie smiles. "I didn't say I thought you stunk Jack. I just said everyone else does. You know what I realized after that fiasco on twitter last week? I realized that it doesn't matter. None of it matters. Daniel might just very well have this secret life you claim, but so what? It will never take away from the fact that you..." she motions between the two of them. "...We have already bested them once. London Underground is not a team that takes well to having their egos busted up. They seem to think they still have all the fans they did months ago but they don't. We are what's new. We are relatable to so many young fans. We are transparent to a fault and that is what has those fuckers in a tizzy. The only thing they have is to prey on our new-ness, he preyed on my need to succeed despite my last name and he's triggered you into this obsessed little cretin. He's played us both exactly how he meant to. Let's not give him the satisfaction. We gotta stay united Jack otherwise they will win and all of this will be for nothing."

Em's words are still with him long after she's left to enjoy another night of depravity among the island locals. She'd tried to persuade him to join her but he'd already proven that bar hopping, no matter how beautiful the scenery was, was not his thing.

Jeri hadn't been able to join him this week but they'd been texting and skyping. They were even discussing him coming out to Malibu again after this tour was over. After Calia, he had a hard time believing he would ever find a woman that would fit every single one of the qualities he wanted in a partner, but Jeri had filled all of those and more he hadn't realized he wanted . Now they were getting to the point where he wondered if they should discuss the next step. And that, of course, was Sex.

He was surprised that after Em had exposed his being a virgin on social media it hadn't sparked more of his fellow wrestlers to tease and ridicule him over it. Not many men like him were still virgins at twenty-four. Mind you, Jericho was twenty-three and yet also still a virgin. He wondered if it really was something so mind blowingly eventful that it would change his entire outlook after one night?

Bobbie had insisted that most people hyped it up to be this magical thing and then were left completely disappointed because of it

"You'll blow it in like two minutes the first time. You'll probably apologize to Jericho a million times but you'll feel a little dirty until things rise up again. After like, the third or fourth time, it will be so much better. I promise."

He didn't want to believe her though. The thought of failing so bitterly the first time at something that was supposed to be so monumental seemed inherently wrong to him. He didn't want Jericho to be disappointed that she had waited, and he failed to live up to her expectations. Just like with everything else in his life, he turned to his laptop, immediately researching everything to do with the 'first time' and what he could do to avoid a bitter disaster.

The six degrees of Google had led him down a dark and disturbing path, one that led to a particular 'kink' of virgin school boys and their unapologetic teachers.  With a disgusted grumble he closes his laptop and was back to internally pondering.

He knew Emmie was right. London Underground had played them both. If Daniel was smart enough to be a gangster in plain sight, then he was certainly smart enough to pick at their flaws. But the fact remained,  Daniel had completely glossed over his points about them being outdated and irrelevant, which to him meant it did what it meant to and struck them just as easily as their own initial blow had with him and Em. London Underground had no defense for that. Because it was true. Everything he said was true. Except his joke about them dressing in drag, that was just him throwing insults back. But they knew from the beginning just how good him and Em were but he also knew they were both still wet around the ears. He knew that Jack's ego was large enough to easily pierce and that Em was sensitive about her "uncle Mark". But they couldn't keep using that same argument while in another breath claim to be better representatives for the titles. It just wouldn't keep like he hoped. London Underground were essentially treading water in a shark infested sea while bleeding heavily. And him and Em were two of the sharks.

But it wasn't just them. It was any other team that got into the tank. Caleb and Jesse, admittedly, were just as hungry for any sort of gold and if him and Em weren't careful, they might just lose it all in next week's match and then prove those gangster assholes right. He wasn't about to do that.

He must have dozed off, because a knock on the door roused him. He glanced at the alarm clock, seeing it was nearly four am. Looking out the peephole he can see it's Em and she's not alone. She's being half lifted by a very impressive looking man. He could have bench pressed Jack and Jack hardly ever admitted he wasn't as good as someone else.

"Does she belong to you?" The man has an accent but Jack can't be sure if he's a local or just another tourist unfortunate enough to get stuck with a drunk Emmie.

"Uh, kinda. Bring her in."

The man deposits her onto Jack's bed and then looks at him with disapproval.

"You know, you really shouldn't let your girlfriend out by herself. Some of the locals may take advantage of such a young pretty girl."

"She's a friend, co-worker, not my girlfriend."

The man chuckles. "Well all she could talk about was Jack this, Jack that. I assume you are Jack, no?"

"Yes but..."

"I know a crush when I see one."

Then man turns leaving Jack alone to care for Emmie.

"Em, you'd be so mad at that guy if you weren't mostly unconscious right now."

With a sigh, he removes her heels but stops there, not feeling comfortable removing anything else she was wearing.

"I appreciate that you want to have a good time Em, but I think this drinking is becoming a problem."

He'd noticed that over the last few months her drinking had steadily increased. To the point where she was becoming more irritable to others and easier to actually irritate. Point in case, her tweet last week. It was out of character for her.

He moves to the couch in the suite, knowing there was a pull out bed there. Which he would move her too once he got it fixed up.

Getting her there was no easy feet, dead weight was hard to get a good grip on. He finally hauls her up in his arms only for her to curl into his neck.

"You smell good Jack-e..."

He pauses. What if that man was right? He couldn't stay her partner if she had feelings for him. He thought that they had both established early on that there was not an ounce of romantic chemistry between them but this changed everything.

"You're drunk. I could smell like a foot and you'd think that was good."

She giggles as Jack lays her down on her stomach, just in case she vomited in her sleep. He would never be able to forgive himself if she choked on his watch.

As he goes to move away, she grabs his face and full on kisses him. For a split second he forgets everything but it's all forced back, slamming into him like a car crash. He pulls away.

"Em, you're drunk..."

Not to mention that he was falling for his present girlfriend and thinking about sex with her, but now he was suddenly thinking about Emmie in a way he shouldn't. He backs away, getting into his own bed and shutting off the bedside lamp. He didn't need this right now. He had so much to already worry about, sexual attraction to his tag partner was not something he needed to add to that.

***
~Promo Time Again~

If Jessie and Caleb think they have a chance they they are far more deluded than I previously imagined.

I do not however, want to be like Daniel from London Overrated. I mean Underground... what was I thinking... I am not going to deny either of these two their due. Both have held titles, so it's not as though they lack the potential. They have so much of it that the big wigs keep on giving both of them opportunity after opportunity and sadly... well maybe not so sad but still unfortunate, they fail to bring home gold both have claimed they deserve. Unlike our future opponents of the muscle head bullies of London, they have trouble winning matches against every challenger. So tell me, coming up against the champions, how is this any different? We have come up against what some believe is the rightful heirs to these titles and gone home victorious, so I'm interested to hear how Caleb intends to be essentially better than London Underground.

Facts are there, he isn't and therefore, by default not better than Em and I. I gotta say, I am trying real hard to find some redeeming qualities in these two but I'm coming up short. Amy and Vinnie couldn't defeat us, and they are by far the better pair in this headache of music choices, so what chance do these two members of the "B" team have to offer that their more accomplished club patronage didn't have?

I'll give you a hint... they got nothing. While I appreciate their determination and the clout to get on social media and proclaim to be "the new champions" it's really all just words. Until I see something that proves otherwise, I don't really believe that Caleb has what it takes to beat me, that he has what it takes to beat anyone. He's gotta get off this treadmill of failure and truly evaluate the things that are just digging his grave for him. We are both arrogant men, the difference is that my arrogance is justified with the wins I have, Storms doesn't have that same proof.

I am in no means thinking I don't have to go out there with everything I got. I always give everything even in the matches where I believe I am far more superior, one hundred and ten percent. If that means that Caleb gets destroyed in the process? So be it. I am one half of the tag champions and I am here to represent the best of the best. It's Caleb that needs to step up. However, I highly doubt that Caleb will admit that I am by far the more superior athlete. In fact, pretty sure he's going to talk about his failure at SummerXXXtreme and how it's only made him more motivated to get hold of... ANY gold.

As we already saw sir, getting a title is not going to change anyone's opinion that you're pretty bad at this wrestling thing. But please, enlighten me with how you intend to beat me this time. I always enjoy a bit of comedy.

 Emmie saw the notification on her phone. She had purposely set it up so that whenever a new promo went live on the site she would know but she was hesitating. She had been a London Underground fan since they had appeared but Jack had been right. More right than she wanted to believe. She knew without even watching that they were not going to be praising her. They were not going to be friends and best of all, they would likely be on the same wavelength as the rest of her opponents. Nepotism and luck would be the vein they mined at. Knowing full well, how hard Em had worked to prove otherwise.

With a deep breath, she swipes the notification away and decides to not watch. There was not going to be anything in that promo that would help her. She wasn't a coward as some might assume. She had watched enough London Underground promos to know that they didn't sugar coat anything. This was them playing mind games as much as Jack tried to tell her that she had to do them too, she wasn't going to change who she was for that.

"Earth to Emmie..."  there is a tap on her forehead and she looks up to see her friend Bobbie Dahl. The older blonde smiles widely.

"Sorry Bobs, was just a little lost in my thoughts..."

"About Jack?" She winks and Emmie shakes her head.

"I am not into Jack like that. Stop trying to play matchmaker. I am fine, I don't need a boyfriend or a girlfriend to know who I am or how valuable I am."

"Hey... cute butt..." the bartender turns and surprisingly it's Jack. While the two had been talking, they hadn't noticed that the shift had changed. Bobbie's mouth drops open to gawk at her friend in the tight shirt.

Emmie giggles, putting a hand over her mouth.

"Why are you bartending?"

Jack actually smiles, something rarely seen from the serious rookie.

"Research. And I am not serving you Ems. I know how old you are..."

But he does slide a glass filled to the brim with a pink liquid and an umbrella to their mutual friend. The ship they were on wasn't yet moving. It was still docked, waiting to pick up some stragglers that still hadn't boarded yet.

"He's right. You're way too young and innocent to be indulging in..." she takes a sip and her eyes go wide. "Where did you ever learn to make drinks? This is..."

"Horrible?" Emmie offers but Bobbie shakes her head.

"It's the best damn drink I've ever had. All these hidden talents Jack. Next, are you going to tell us that you were once a stripper?"

Jack turns away from the women but not before Bobbie catches what looks like a blush on his tanned skin.

"YOU WERE A STRIPPER! OH MY GOD! NO WONDER YOU CAN DO..."

Emmie puts a hand over Bobbie's mouth and then drags her friend to a table. She's quick to grab her drink as they go. Emmie releases her hand only for Bobbie to take a sip quickly like it was a shot rather than a yummy fruity concoction.

"Stop gawking at him. He's practically got a girlfriend now."

Bobbie looks back at Emmie.

"Sorry. This is about you, I mean you do have something to talk about. I can see it in your eyes. I'm good at reading people."

"Am I too nice to be a wrestler, Bobbie?"

Bobbie's eyebrows go up. "No?! What does being nice have to do with being a good wrestler? The only thing that matters is that you are good at wrestling. Period."

"Jack said that I can't keep trying to be friends with all our opponents. That I was too naive."

"Well, you can't be friends with everyone because there are an awful lot of jerks around this place. And as charitable as that Sweet ass Daniel is, he's successful because he didn't let anybody get to him. You gotta do the same. Don't let anybody make you soft. Ya, you're new, so what? Ya, you are the cousin of the owner? So nepotism is how the world runs. Ya, you have a pretty face and are about as threatening as a newborn but..."

"Bobs... stop. I get it. I'm not exactly a killer."

Emmie seems defeated when Bobbie puts a hand on her wrist, causing her to look up.

"You didn't let me finish. You are talented, girl. Valentina was no slouch, Amy Santino is a grand slam champion. And you know what big mistake those people are going to make? Underestimating you and Jack. Sometimes when people know it's going to be hard, they put on a brave face and lie."

"London Underground doesn't lie Bobbie."

"No? We all get in front of the camera and lie. We put on a big smile and pretend that we aren't shitting our pants."

"Graphic..."

Emmie screws up her nose in disgust.

"It's true. We have to pretend to be absolutely, one hundred percent confident. It's why a promo doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of it all. We can't let them know we doubt ourselves. Even those hotties in Underground have doubts, they are just smart enough not to let people know. It makes us doubt ourselves because it's so flawless."

Emmie appears to get an epiphany.

"Maybe that's the answer. Maybe I need to show weakness."

Bobbie shakes her head. "Were you listening, that's the opposite of what I was saying..."

Emmie stands. "No, it's brilliant actually. Bloody hell Bobs, you are a genius!"

The bigger girl blushes. "Well Not to toot my own horn but..."

Emmie plants a kiss on her cheek.

"I got work to do. Thanks, Bobbie."

She runs off and Bobbie realizes her glass is empty. She raises the glass and looks over at Jack, wiping down the bar.

"HEY SWEET CHEEKS! I need a refill si Vu plait!"

Jack visibly grits his teeth and rolls his eyes as he starts pouring liquid into a metal shaker.

***

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a wrestler. I know it seems like an unlikely dream for a young girl, and while yes it was influenced by my dear cousin, he had no hand in my decision. The influence came from going to a show. Watching how the people almost seemed to fly like superman. I wanted to fly too.

My parents tried very hard to fill that want with other things. More 'girly' things. Gymnastics, ballet, sports. Although I enjoyed them all, none of them could fill that void. None of them was hero inspired. There is nothing quite like jumping off that top rope and taking down a villain. No other feeling in the world can even come close. And I know that no one is the SCW tag division is quite a 'Villian' like those in comics, it is still my duty to show that it's not always the same teams facing each other for the titles. That is why the tag division is crumbling. That is why Jack and I need to save it.

I used to idolize London Underground. Actually, until just recently, they were my favourites. The tough, no-nonsense style. I was foolish to think they would treat me any differently than the other teams. In fact, if I had let the stars in my eyes fade out, then perhaps I would have seen it much earlier than this.

I don't need to watch their promo. I have seen enough of them to know that they will be no more original than my last opponents. Using my inexperience as their stepping off point. And they're right. I am new. I don't have experience in other companies and I am well aware of what a challenge this is going to be for me. I can't speak for Jack on that though. Despite being new to SCW, he has the one thing I don't. Experience. But that is the reason why I wanted him as my partner. Experienced enough to know what he's doing yet not hardened by this industry to be hardened and stuck in his ways.

Charlotte and Mackenzie have been on a steady cycle. Wash, Rinse and repeat. That is the reason I don't have to watch what they have to say because it is like a rerun.

"We're better than you. We have experience and you don't. We are going to win because we said so."

Pretty standard if you ask me. Never showing any cracks in their porcelain but in the same respect showing about as much personality in their stone-cold expressions. Never changing, never faltering. And that is how Jack and I are going to win this.

Predictable. As I said, I have been watching for a long time. While I may not have years of 'in-ring' experience, I have a lot of London Underground experience.

Do you know why Team Eggplant couldn't get back on top for this? They blame Malachi but it's not really his fault. It's theirs. They allowed him to distract them, just like Jack let me distract him in the match against Lachlan. You can't blame others for your failures. And honestly, what has Eggplant done since they lost the titles? An unsuccessful run in singles? Yet because they were champions before they were put on this pedestal they don't necessarily deserve. They failed against a better team. No denying that. London Underground have been a force in SCW. But they were defeated before, they are not unbeatable. Eggplant was beaten by Gamers Inc, a team that couldn't even be bothered to show up to a show. Say what you will about us being new here, at least we have stepped up. At least we show up. At least we want those titles for a legitimate reason.

But you know I have been making mistakes. Not in the ring but out of it. I assumed that people here in SCW were genuinely good people outside of the ring. Obviously, that isn't the case. I was thinking that by winning matches, I would somehow get the respect from others. Be recognized for my talent.  I seem to be the only one that is willing to respect people for what they have done. And I am not ashamed of that.

What some might call weakness, I call character. Weakness is objective. I am not watching London Underground looking for weakness, I am looking for their strengths, so I can counter them.

I learned something really important recently. I see more than black and white. I can see all the colours and within that, I can see what I need to do. What I need to be to win. Being a little bit frightened is exactly what I need to stay.

Do you know the expression fight or flight? That reaction is based on the amount of fear within you. I never run so maybe what I need to fight harder is to be scared. The thought of going home empty-handed is my worst fear right now. I don’t want to win just to prove to everyone that I am good at what I do. I want to win the titles for me. For Jack. Because we are living proof that with the right kind of perseverance we can accomplish anything. We can accomplish everything. Maybe if the members of London Underground were more scared of what could happen they would be able to face us.

Jack and I have a very real possibility of losing. But it’s not like a ninety percent chance. This is truly a fifty-fifty chance. We beat two very good teams to get here and there is no denying that London Underground deserves to be here, in the final two. But so do we. We have worked our arses off to be here and I am not about to listen to anyone that tells us otherwise.

The only running I am going to be doing; is circles around either one of those two women.


***

Emmie shuts off the camera in front of her and leans back against the pillows on her bed. She was sharing a cabin with her new friend, Jericho. She was yet to arrive yet but already the room was a mess, random clothes and items kind of haphazardly thrown around. Emmie was not known for being a neat person ever. What she lacked in tidiness, she made up for with her big heart and large personality. She smiles wide before picking up her phone and calling someone. Within minutes an English male voice replies.

“So? Did you find a talking point?”
“I did.” She smiles widely.

“I’m glad baby. You know that we are here, cheering you on.”

Emmie nods. “I know Daddy. I just wanted to tell you that I am so incredibly lucky to have you and mum around. You have accepted everything I have done. Even my weaknesses and there is nothing I can say or do to truly tell you how much it means to me to have that.”

“Ah, love. You never have to thank us for that. We’re your parents and you’re our kid. There is nothing you can do that will ever change how much we love you. There is nothing you can do to stop us feeling that pride in our hearts. I am very proud of everything. I am proud of you for accomplishing your goals. I love how you can be yourself even when people are out there putting you down for that. That is your greatest strength.”

“My weakness is my strength?” She smiles because that was exactly her talking point.

“Many people see a big heart as a weakness Em. Especially in a sport like wrestling. What they don’t know is that it takes a big heart to stay strong in the face of adversity. Even if you and Jack lose on Sunday, we are still going to be here. You’ll just have to keep trying. Keep getting up and keep being the hero we know you are.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m hoping to come home for a visit after this trip. A much-needed trip.”

“And maybe you can bring Jack with you?”

“Why?”

Her father coughs uncomfortably.

“Why does everyone think we are dating? We’re just friends Dad. Besides, Jack has a girlfriend now, or at least on his way to having a girlfriend. But I will ask him if he wants to visit and meet you guys.”

“Alright love. Have a good match and we’ll be watching here at home. Go get em.”

Emmie hangs up with a huge smile on her face. She was willing to admit to her opponents that she was scared but nowhere did she mention that she wasn’t confident that she could beat them. Confident that she and Jack had what it took. It didn’t matter what the members of London Underground say, they were not properly prepared for them because they refused to look beyond them being new. That was their weakness and it was what was going to make them triumphant.  

 Emmie Ward loved the sun. Ever since she had moved to Las Vegas a few years ago, she had immediately taken advantage of how warm it was. She had laid out in the sun with SPF one million on and just enjoyed how there never seemed to be much rain here. No clouds. It never seemed dreary. Best of all, she didn’t have to listen to her mom’s soaps or her Dad’s constant talk about how parliament wasn’t doing their jobs. Despite her ‘uncle Mark’ being who he was, her family had not been thrown any bones. IN fact, her father, Patrick Ward, hadn’t wanted Mark to do him any favours. While he appreciated the offer and loved Mark like a brother, he wanted to make his own way and he had. He’d been a certified accountant until his retirement in early 2019. Now he did books for his friends for a small fee. He mostly just read the paper and complained about how nothing was earned ‘rigth and proper’.

Their flat was atop of a pizza place that served really bad pizza yet always managed to stay in business despite that. She had no idea how. She had grown to really hate the smell of cooking mozzarella cheese since it always wafted up into her bedroom through the connected vent.

Even now, her parents still lived atop that pizza place, still managing to stay open despite the horrible service and even horrible food. She supposed it was the prices. In hard times, people would rather pay for dirt cheap pizza that tasted like just that... dirt.

In her early teens, she had worked in her father’s practice. Mainly just answering phones and taking down appointments. It had earned her a small wage which she had saved for her ultimate plans to become a wrestler. Despite her hard work at school, she still wanted to be this. Despite her scholarship. Despite Mark’s bribes of a flat to attend Oxford. This was what she wanted.

So now, seeing everyone in SCW doubt her ability despite her heritage. Despite who she was trained by. Judging her by one loss rather than her wins. Not actually giving her any credit for her hard work... it made her mad.  IT made her mad enough to be rough with her grandfather’s lawnmower as she pushed it across their backyard. A task she normally enjoyed because in involved not only helping out her grandfather but being able to spend time in that warm sun she had grown to love. Mad enough that even her grandfather noticed and he didn’t really notice much. IT was enough that her own Nana put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. It startled the young girl and she put a hand to her chest.

Pulling the earbud from her head she exclaimed, “Nana... you scared the Jesus outta me...”

Her grandmother’s white eyebrows go up in surprise to which Emmie automatically feels bad and quickly apologize, “Sorry Nana.”

“Come have some lemonade dear, We don’t want ou killing the lawnmower...”

Emmie does as she’s asked. Despite her being an adult, she still was lovingly obedient to her maternal grandparents. Her grandmother had already poured her a glass. Her grandfather was still buried behind his fishing magazine while peeking over with one blue eye, only to wink at her and sneak back behind the glossy pages of Bass and Pike.

“Now Dear... It’s plain to see that you are agitated. You know you tell us anything.”

Emmie knew how accepting they were. In fact, when she realized that she liked both men and women, her grandparents were the first she told. They had lovingly accepted her regardless. She knew that they would always give their unfaltering support no matter what.

“It’s SCW. It seems like everyone keeps underestimating me because I”m a rookie...”

She rolls her eyes at the word. She hated that word. IT was a stereotype no different than saying all blondes are dumb or all kids are stupid.

“Well then they will be sorely sorry for that assumption dear. I may not know about his... wrasslin’ thing you do, but I know you are good at it or you would still not be here doing it. Your cousin would not have given you an opportunity in his company.”

IT made Emmie feel a little better. What she said was true. She wouldn’t be. Uncle Mark didn’t just hire anyone. He only recruited those he thought that the skill to be in SCW. She knew he would rather she do something else with her life if only because he cared about her getting hurt, but he still was not the kind to just hand her anything.

“I know...”

“Well... then what’s this. Since when do you let anyone tell you what you are? You are Emmaline Alanna Ward. You are a beautiful, smart and talented girl and I will not have you listening to any of that trash those... people say. They only want you to doubt yourself because what they say is actually the opposite of what they know. They know that they have hit their glass ceiling while you are only continuing to go on, and break barriers. That’s what it is. Plain old jealousy and intimidating you, praying on your kindness... that’s what they think will give them the advantage. You are better than you give yourself credit for.”

Emmie nods.

“So you are going to go into that ring with that odd young man you have as a partner and you are going to show those people that you are not someone to count out.”

Emmie swigs down her lemonade and stands, kissing her grandmother on the cheek.

“Thanks, Nana. That’s exactly what I needed.” She runs toward the house.

“Emmaline... The mower....” but it’s fallen on death ears, leaving the lawn only half mowed.

“That child...” the woman exclaims. Her husband lowers his magazine and smirks before the pair of them break out into a chuckle, for they saw their only daughter in their granddaughter nad it brought back fond memories of when she would do the same. The same daughter who had become a lawyer, a lawyer that helped improvised fight for their legal rights in England.

***

“I know what all of you expected when you heard that a relative of Mark Ward was coming to SCW. You all expected me to be some poor relations that were just being given a shot knowing that I would probably fail. Like Mark was only taking pity on me.  That was your first mistake. I am not a poor relation. In fact, Mark tried to convince me not to do this. He fought really hard to have me take the scholarship I won to go to Oxford University for my doctorate. But that wasn’t want I wanted. You know what it’s like, right Amy? To want something so bad you can taste it. I am not a stranger to your career or your life. I know what’s happening. Instead of offering some sort of professional respect or even just good luck you decide that it’s okay to treat me like every other ‘legend’ here. You decided to count me out before I’ve even begun.”

“And you know what... that’s fine. I”m not here to talk badly about you. I”m not going to be the bad cop, that’s what Jack is good at. No, instead I’m going to tell you why I am not going to repeat our last match together, against each other. You see yes, I did get pinned but you know what the difference is.. You know why I didn’t fight harder? Because my partner and I were no on the same level. I know I might sound like a broken record here but it’s the truth and I think we proved that when we went up against the fire dragons and even they took back what they said about me. Because I proved that I wasn’t just some ‘rookie’ that had no idea what she was doing. You lot are all the same, assuming that every newbie is some green as grass loser that doesn’t know what it takes. I would not be here if I was not ready. And honestly, with how your career has been fairing lately Amy, I wouldn’t really be one to dish out who is better than whom right now.”

“I pride myself on being a very quick learner and learning isn’t all about what you do in a ring it’s how you watch and learn. I have been watching, knowing very well that everyone that was in this tournament had a real chance of progressing. I wasn’t just watching you either. I was watching Evelyn. I was watching Sierra, I watched Valentina. I am not the idiot you think I am and you are going to be making a huge mistake by underestimating me and my abilities. Not just physical, like I started to explain, but mental too. NO, I’m not going to stand here and try to talk you down or put you down because that just isn’t who I am. Instead, I am going to memorize all your moves. What you do, how you think, what happens when you get into a situation you can’t capitalize on. Those are the things that are going to win me this match, that is of course if you even get the chance. Jack isn’t one to mess with either. And despite us losing our first match as a team, he stuck with me. Because that’s what partners do. Good with the bad. This wasn’t just some thrown-together team. I chose Jack as my partner because unlike you and the others, I didn’t see just another rookie, I saw someone capable fo being great.  It’s not like I have a different partner in every match. I have one partner and that partner is someone that I have started to grow with. Training is everything. Talking is everything. Being friends is everything. Can you say that you and Vinnie are truly friends? Really? And how does one go from one of the greatest teams to a menagerie of... well I don’t even know because like I said, I don’t just throw out insults to hurt people. That’s your job. That’s Vinnie’s job. That’s Jessie and Josh. I know Jack and I couldn’t be more polar opposites but that’s what makes us great together. If we were all meant to be the same, then by golly we would all reproduce asexually. There would be no need for partnerships or couplings. There would be no need for us to grow evolutionarily. Evolution has no set time frame and while you believe that I have not grown or changed in a few months, well that just shows just how far you have fallen to that you would trust assumptions rather than real facts. And I’m sorry that you have come to that because I always thought you were a great athlete. Then you made some really questionable choices. Then you came back here and haven’t been able to get a real good foothold on any of the championship ladders despite the opportunities. Those are real facts, Amy. I may be a rookie to you, but I won’t always be a rookie and at one point, you were also a rookie and had some arsehole legend telling you that you would never amount to anything. That you would never be good enough to be a champion. Did you listen to them? I bet now otherwise you wouldn’t be a grand slam champion, would you? So don’t try to hide behind your jealousy. That emotion is useless and toxic as hell. And toxicity is going to have you sitting on the sidelines while Jack and I get this win.”