Together against all odds
Hotel Room
Long Beach, California
Alexandra sat on the edge of the warm hotel bed in their room in Long Beach, California, her elbows resting on her knees. Her brown hair was down around her shoulders cascade, beachy waves draping over elegant shoulders. The intensity in her piercing blue eyes matched the tension filling the room. Across from her, LJ leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His towering frame was relaxed, but the way his jaw tightened every so often betrayed his calm exterior. She had to admit that when he did that, her heart raced.
“We need a plan,” Alexandra began, her voice sharp with determination. “After what Logan and Brooke pulled last week, it’s clear they’re not done. They’re coming for us.”
LJ nodded slowly, pushing off the wall and taking a seat on the ottoman in front of her. He reached out, placing a hand over hers. “You’re right. We can’t let our guard down, especially not at the show this week. They’ve already proven they’re willing to cross any possible line. But we’re not going to let them dictate how we move forward. We’ve got this. I believe in us.”
Alexandra’s eyes softened momentarily at his reassurance, but her expression quickly hardened again. “It’s not just about us, LJ. Harper Mason’s going to be out for blood during our match, and if Logan or Brooke decide to stick their noses in, I could end up on the mat with three people targeting me instead of just one.”
LJ’s eyes darkened and narrowed at the thought of what had happened and what could happen. “They’re not going to get the chance,” he said firmly. “I’ll be out there. I’ll have your back, no matter what. If Logan or Brooke even think about stepping through those ropes, they’ll have me to deal with. Do you believe Carter and Miles would allow that to happen either? No, we all have your back.”
Alexandra tilted her head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “You’ve always got my back, every single one of you do.” She spoke, her voice softening again. That was one of the biggest things, Alexandra could trust him. “But I don’t want you all getting caught up in something we can't handle. Logan’s not exactly a pushover, and Brooke— I mean, they have already taken a shot at you.”
LJ held up a hand, cutting her off gently but firmly. “I can handle them, look at what I did last week, got attacked and still went out there and won. You focus on Harper. That’s your fight. I’ll deal with the rest.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the situation hung heavy between them, but Alexandra found herself drawing strength from LJ’s confidence. He had been her rock, the steady force in her often-chaotic world, since they met.
“Alright,” she said finally. “But we need to think through every angle. If they come at us before the match… if they try to ambush us backstage… if they send someone else after us to throw us off…” She trailed off, her mind racing.
“We’ll prepare for all of it,” LJ assured her. “First, we stick together. No splitting up, not even for a second. If you’re heading to the ring, I’m with you. If you’re warming up backstage, I’m there too. We’ll be a united front. As for them hiring someone else, let’s face it, they want the glory to themselves.”
Alexandra nodded. “Good. And I’ll keep my eyes open in the ring. Harper might act like she’s a lone wolf, but I wouldn’t put it past her to team up with Logan and Brooke if it meant taking me down. I’ll need to stay sharp.”
LJ’s lips curved into a small grin. “You’re always sharp. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
“While as lovely and charming as that is.” She rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress a small smile. “Flattery won’t make me forget how serious this is.”
“I’m serious too,” he said, leaning closer. “I’ve seen you take down opponents twice your size. I’ve seen you fight through injuries and setbacks that would break most people. Harper doesn’t stand a chance, especially not with me in your corner.”
Alexandra took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. She knew he meant every one of them, and she found herself feeling just a little lighter despite the storm clouds looming over the week ahead. She leaned forward and stole a quick kiss.
“We should also think about contingencies,” LJ added. “If things go south during the match, you need a way to signal me. A hand gesture, a phrase… something subtle but clear.”
Alexandra’s mind raced as she considered his suggestion. “How about if I adjust my wrist tape? That’ll look natural enough, but you’ll know something’s up.”
LJ nodded approvingly. “Perfect. And if I see you do that, I’ll be ready to step in. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Agreed,” she said, standing and stretching her arms above her head.She prayed she wouldn't have to use the signal. The movement was fluid and controlled, a testament to the hours she spent training. “Now, let’s talk about what happens after the match. Win or lose, we can’t let our guard down. If Logan and Brooke are waiting to jump us…”
LJ rose to his feet, towering over her but radiating warmth and protectiveness. “Then we fight back,” he said simply. “Together.”
She nodded, meeting his gaze. “Together.” For the first time that evening, Alexandra felt a spark of hope. The road ahead was dangerous, but with LJ by her side, she knew she wasn’t facing it alone.
As the evening deepened, the buzz of the city outside their window felt distant, like a muffled echo of the challenges they knew awaited them. Alexandra paced the room, laying out scenarios. “If we win, we can expect them to try something during the celebration. Brooke loves making a spectacle, obviously. Just look at her tweets. How does it feel knowing you got yourself a cougar?”
“I clearly don’t mind our age difference love. You of all people should know that. I love you.” LJ nodded, leaning forward on the arm of the chair he’d claimed. “And if the match goes sideways?”
“We don’t let frustration cloud our focus. No unnecessary risks. We stay on the move, control the narrative,” Alexandra replied, her voice steely.
LJ cracked a small smile. “You sound like a general planning a battle.”
Alexandra stopped, a soft laugh escaping. “Well, it kind of is, isn’t it? You’ve got to think three steps ahead in this business.”
“And that’s why you’re going to dominate, Lex,” LJ said. “When you’re out there, they’ll see someone they can’t break.”
The words settled into her chest, replacing some of the dread with determination. She knew what she and LJ were capable of separately and if you combined that as a team, there was absolutely no stopping them. It didn’t matter what storm came their way, they would face it hand in hand unwavering in their trust and loyalty.
“We’re a team in this, not just in the ring Angel, but in life.” LJ continued, rising to his feet. “No matter what happens tomorrow, we will do it together. Win, lose, ambush, whatever. We face it head-on.”
She walked over to him, resting her forehead lightly against his chest for a moment, drawing in his steadiness. “Thanks, LJ. For being here, for having my back… for everything.”
“Always, love.” he said simply, taking her face in his hands and kissing her softly. Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve got you and you’ve got me.”
As the city lights of Long Beach painted streaks across their hotel room window, Alexandra felt more ready than ever. Together, they would weather the storm, no matter where that storm happened to come from.
Young Gun vs Veteran again?
Beach at Night
Long Beach, California
The camera cuts in on a hauntingly beautiful scene: Alexandra, seated atop a weathered rock, her silhouette framed by the bioluminescent glow of the waves crashing onto the shore. The dark expanse of the ocean stretches endlessly behind her, its soft roar broken only by the occasional cry of distant seagulls. Above, stars scatter across the sky in an intricate, endless pattern, their light faint but steady, watching silently as if bearing witness to what’s about to unfold. The salty tang of the ocean breeze lingers, carrying with it an undeniable tension—the kind that hangs in the air before a storm.
Alexandra sits motionless at first, her back to the camera, her shoulders squared against the biting chill of the night. The glow of the waves reflects faintly against her skin, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Slowly, she lifts her head, gazing out at the endless horizon where the sea meets the stars. She speaks, her voice low but sharp, slicing through the sound of the waves like a blade.
“Harper Mason. Here we are again. You and me, staring down another night, another fight, another chance to prove who really owns the spotlight.”
She turns, her piercing eyes locking onto the camera. There’s a calmness in her demeanor, but beneath it simmers a quiet intensity, the kind of fire born from years of battles and scars.
“You know, Harper, I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately. About how it moves, relentless and unstoppable, pulling us forward whether we’re ready or not. It’s funny, isn’t it? How time changes everything and nothing all at once. Just look at us. The Young Gun and the Veteran. A tale as old as time, and yet every time we step into that ring, it feels like something entirely new.”
She rises from the rock, the hem of her jacket catching the breeze, fluttering lightly as she steps closer to the camera. Her boots crunch softly against the sand, the tide rolling in just enough to touch her feet before retreating again, as if testing her resolve.
“You and I have done this dance so many times before. One-on-one. Handicaps. Battle royals. Name the match, and chances are, we’ve been there, trading blows, trying to outlast each other. But here’s the thing, Harper: I don’t think you really understand what it means to stand the test of time.”
Her voice takes on an edge now, sharp and unyielding, like the jagged rocks jutting out from the shoreline. She points to the ocean behind her, its waves surging and retreating in a rhythm as old as the earth itself.
“You see that? That’s the ocean. It’s endless. It’s powerful. And it doesn’t stop for anyone. It’s gentle when it wants to be, but when it’s angry, it destroys everything in its path. Sound familiar?”
She lets the words linger, her smirk faint but unmistakable. Alexandra’s gaze remains fixed on the camera, her expression unwavering.
“I am the ocean, Harper. I am the tide that rises and falls, that shapes and carves and crushes. And just like the ocean, I’ve seen it all. I’ve weathered storms that would’ve sunk lesser fighters. I’ve pulled myself out of depths you can’t even imagine. And every time you’ve stood across from me, you’ve tried to pull me under, haven’t you? You’ve tried to be the tide that drowns me. But here I am, Harper. Still standing. Still fighting. Still proving that this ring, this business, this life? It’s mine.”
The wind picks up, carrying her words across the beach, as if nature itself is amplifying her declaration. She takes another step closer, her presence commanding, the glow of the waves dancing around her.
“But let’s be real, Harper. You’ve been impressive. I won’t deny it. You’ve got the speed, the strength, the hunger. And every time we’ve clashed, you’ve pushed me further, made me dig deeper, fight harder. You’ve made me question myself in ways few others have. And tonight, I know you’re coming with everything you’ve got. I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice. You want this. You want to prove that the Young Gun can outlast the Veteran. That you can finally take me down.”
She pauses, her smirk widening into something darker, more dangerous. Her voice drops to a near whisper, forcing the listener to lean in, to hang on her every word.
“But wanting something doesn’t mean you’re ready for it. Guns misfire, Harper. They jam. And when they do, they leave their wielder exposed, vulnerable, defenseless. And me? I’m not just another target. I’m the storm that’s going to make you question why you ever stepped into this fight in the first place.”
The camera shifts, following her as she walks toward the water. The tide laps at her boots, but she doesn’t flinch, her focus unbroken.
“Because tonight, Harper, it’s not about you proving yourself. It’s about me proving that I still belong. That no matter how many fresh faces come through these doors, no matter how many young guns rise through the ranks, there’s still only one Alexandra. And I’m not ready to be washed away.”
Her voice rises now, growing fiercer with each word, like the waves building toward a crescendo. She turns back to the camera, her eyes blazing with determination.
“You think you’ve got me figured out, Harper? You think you’ve studied the tapes, learned my moves, found my weaknesses? Go ahead. Bring every ounce of knowledge, every ounce of strategy, every ounce of fire you’ve got. Because when that bell rings, none of it will matter. The only thing that’s going to matter is whether you’ve got the heart to survive what I’m about to throw at you.”
She gestures to the ocean again, her voice booming over the sound of the waves.
“Because like this ocean, I don’t stop. I don’t falter. I don’t give up. And tonight, when you step into that ring with me, you’re going to feel the full force of what that means. You’re going to learn that it’s not enough to want it. You have to earn it. And Harper, I’ve spent my entire career earning it.”
The camera zooms in on her face now, capturing every line of intensity, every flicker of emotion as she delivers her final words.
“So bring it, Harper. Bring your speed, your strength, your hunger. Bring every ounce of fight you’ve got. And I’ll bring the storm. Because tonight, this beach belongs to me. This ring belongs to me. And when it’s over, when the tide recedes and the dust settles, the only thing left standing will be my hand raised in victory.”
She turns her back to the camera, facing the ocean once more. The waves crash harder now, as if echoing her words. The glow of bioluminescence shimmers around her, casting her in an almost otherworldly light. The camera lingers for a moment before fading to black, her voice lingering in the air like a final promise.
“Time and tide wait for no one, Harper. And neither will I.”
