[Jake Sullivan]

 May 28th
Gold Coast Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
Following Rage’s Loss to James Tuscini

He lost. To James Tuscini, no less. But it wasn’t just an loss. It was an embarrassing loss that Rage will not soon forget as he had been pinned by a simple Backslide. Had anyone ever lost by a backslide before tonight? He has no idea, and he ultimately doesn’t care. All he wants to do is leave the Gold Coast Casino and head back home.

As he walks through the curtain following his loss to Tuscini, he’s quickly met by his wife of just two weeks, Kittie. She’s staring at him with a look of sheer shock on her face, and she’s holding his cell phone in her hand. She goes to say something to him, but he holds his hand up and shakes his head.

Rage: Not now, Kittie. I know what you’re going to say, but you can save it for later. I really don’t feel like talking about it right now, alright?

He brushes past her and she quickly turns around to follow after him.

Kittie: Rage, that’s not what--

Rage: I get it, Kittie! Alright?! I lost to a damn Backslide. It was embarrassing and people will be pointing it out to me for the rest of my life. I don’t care. Let them. But, please, don’t you join in on it because I can handle--

As Rage stares at Kittie, continuing to speak, he trails off as he studies the look on her face. She was in shock, yes, but there was something more to it.

Rage: What? What is it?

She takes in a deep breath and holds his phone out to him. He reluctantly takes it from her.

Kittie: You...need to call that number back.

Rage: What? Why? Kittie, just tell me what the fuck is going on.

Kittie: Just call the damn number, Rage.

Rage stares down at his phone for a moment and then glances back up to Kittie. She nods and he shakes his head, letting out a sigh before he unlocks his phone and dials the number back that had tried calling him earlier. He starts walking back down the hall, heading towards the locker rooms when a person on the other end answers, and he immediately stops, frozen in place.

Rage: Yeah someone from this number tried calling me earlier...Ra--Jake...Jake Sullivan….Alright, fine.

Standing just outside of the locker room, Rage turns around to face Kittie. She’s standing behind him quietly as he is put on hold, but he raises an eyebrow at Kittie.

Rage: Department of Child and Family Services in Ann Arbor? Kittie, what the fuck aren’t you--

He’s suddenly cut off as someone returns on the other end.

Rage: Yeah, this is Jake. Can you tell me what the hell is going on?

His eyes grow wide as he looks back to Kittie with the phone still to his ear.

Rage: Wait...what? You’re joking, right?...What the hell happened?!

As the person on the other end answers Rage’s question, he leans against the wall, sinking down slowly. He shares in Kittie’s shock and he runs his hand over his head, at a loss for words. Kittie takes a few steps towards him, but remains quiet.

Rage: Y-yeah, I’m still here...Look, I’d like to help out, but...I can’t, alright?!...I didn’t even know I had a kid until like eight months ago!...She’s better off without me. Just find somebody else. I’m sorry...

He quickly ends the call and shoves his phone back in his pocket as Kittie stares at him, her jaw dropped even further now.

Kittie: Did you just really hang up on them?!

Rage: What did you expect, Kittie?! You could have told me the truth! You couldn’t tell me that Electra and her brother were killed in a car accident, but why? Did you really expect things to suddenly change and me change my mind about being in Ember’s life?

Kittie: Look, I know I was never a fan of Electra’s or anything, but you gotta think about this, Rage. Ember just lost her mother, and her uncle- who she thought was her father until just a few months ago. She’s in foster care for fuck’s sake!

Rage closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. Like earlier, he looks as though he is trying to channel some kind of anger, but again, it’s just not there. He slowly opens his eyes and looks at Kittie, still shaking his head.

Rage: Look, not to sound like an ass here, but are you really trying to talk me into being a father when you gave up your own son and are letting that asshat, Jame, raise him?! Like I told that DCFS woman...Ember is better off without me. End of story.

Kittie: Fair argument, but is this because you think she’s better off without you as her father or because you’re too scared to even give it a shot because you might actually be good at it?

Rage’s jaw drops and Kittie folds her arms across her chest. He thinks for a moment and then quickly snarls at her.

Rage: She’s better off without me! Just drop it, Kittie!

Rage then turns towards the locker room door, shoving it open and slamming it right in Kittie’s face. She stands there for a moment, shaking her head when a thought hits her. She turns around and walks a few feet away from the door, taking her cell phone out of her pocket. She dials a number and starts pacing as she waits for the other person to answer. Much to her relief, they do just a few moments later.

Kittie: Synn! Thank God you answered...No, everything is not okay. Look, I wouldn’t be calling you if I absolutely didn’t have to, but it’s about Rage...Synn, his daughter needs him. And he needs your help...

Kittie turns around to glance at the locker room door before she goes on to explain the situation to Synn. She walks a little further down the hall in case Rage were to step out of the locker room, and the scene fades away.



About an hour later, Rage and Kittie were just down the street from their home. The whole ride from the Gold Coast Casino, short as it was, was quiet and full of tension. Kittie stared out her window as Rage drove through the streets of Vegas leading to their home. Every once in a while Rage would turn and glance at her, expecting her to be looking at him. But she wasn’t.

Rage: I can’t believe you’re seriously going to be pissed off at me over this, Kittie...

He finally broke his silence as he turned down their street. Their house was just up ahead, and Kittie just shook her head, refusing to speak. The truth was, she was saving it for what was going to go down when they finally got home. But she was surprised when he pulled the car over, just before their driveway.

Rage: Look at me.

Kittie shakes her head as she continues to stare out the window. Rage grits his teeth, trying not to get angry with her. He closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath and when he opens them, he reaches towards her, taking her hand.

Rage: Kittie, would just just fucking look at me? Please?!

He doesn’t see her roll her eyes, but she slowly turns her head to face him with a scowl on her face. And she remains absolutely silent.

Rage: Why are you trying to push me into this? This whole marriage thing is a two way street, Kittie. I gotta support you in your decisions, and you need to support me. But apparently, that ain’t how it works with you, is it?

Kittie pulls her hand away and folds her arms across her chest.

Kittie: I would be supporting you. If the decision you were making wasn’t a stupid one. I supported you before, when there was actually someone close to Ember to take care of her, but now...

Rage: Now she’ll go to a family that will be better than me or even Electra could ever give her! Don’t you fucking get it?!

Kittie shakes her head, letting out a frustrated laugh.

Kittie: You don’t know that, Rage! Haven’t you heard the horror stories of the way the foster care system works?! Do you really want that for her?!

Rage turns and grips the steering wheel, gritting his teeth and growling under his breath. He closes his eyes, trying to find the right words to say, but Kittie continues to speak.

Kittie: You’re just scared and you know it. It’s not like she’s a baby, Rage. She’s ten. And she just lost the only family she’s ever known. Try and think about her instead of about yourself, because you’re lying if you say you are thinking about her.

Rage growls again and shakes his head. He puts the car back in drive, finally turning into his driveway. He’s about to say something else, when he spots the other cars in his driveway. He pulls up next to Phil’s car and when he puts the car in park, he turns and glares at Kittie.

Rage: Why are they here?!

Kittie turns and grins at Rage as she opens her door.

Kittie: You’ll find out once you head inside now won’t you?

Rage: I’m still behind the damn wheel, Kittie! I can leave right now if I want to!

Kittie: But I don’t think you will.

She doesn’t say anything more as she steps out of the car and starts walking up to the front door. She leaves her bag for Rage to carry inside, but he doesn’t follow behind her right away. He watches her disappear into the house as he grips the steering wheel hard enough that his knuckles turn white. He contemplates doing exactly what he threatened to do by backing the car out of the driveway, but he quickly changes his mind as he spots his brother step out of the house, staring directly at him behind the wheel. He closes his eyes and growls as he removes the keys from the ignition and then opens his door.

Rage: Whatever she put you guys up to, Phil, it’s not going to work!

Rage shouts to him as he slams his car door shut and starts walking towards his house, and his brother. Phil just smiles and stands where he is, keeping his eyes locked on Rage.

Phil: You say that now, but something tells me you’re wrong, bro.

Rage finally approaches his brother, standing toe-to-toe. Neither speaks a word for a few moments as Phil stares at him, quietly speaking with his eyes. Phil breaks the silence only when Rage looks away from Phil.

Phil: What are you doing, man? Why are you here and not on a plane to Michigan right now?

Rage laughs and shakes his head.

Rage: This doesn’t concern you, Phil. This is my decision. You of all people should understand why I’m not on a plane right now.

Phil shakes his head, disagreeing.

Phil: But I don’t. Maybe I would have two years ago, but now? I really don’t. And this does concern me because she’s my niece.

Rage: If you’re so concerned about it, why don’t you and Maddie go and take her then?! Jesus Christ, you people just don’t understand!

He walks around Phil and storms inside the house where he’s met with glaring eyes not only from Kittie, but the man who has refused to speak to him in over six months...Synn! Rage takes one look at Synn and just shakes his head, attempting to make his way upstairs and towards his bedroom.

Rage: Well isn’t this just a lovely sight. Now you’re ready to talk to me, Synn? You wasted your time coming over here. You and Phil both.

Synn walks around Kittie when he sees Rage has his sights set on the stairs. He quickly blocks Rage’s path, and shakes his head.

Synn: Now is not the time for this sort of attitude, Rage.

Rage: Oh, I think it is, Synn. For months I tried to approach you to talk shit over and you ignored me every chance you got! You expect me to talk now? Over something that none of you really should be trying to pressure me into?! Get out of my way, Synn.

Synn stands his ground. He shakes his head, keeping his arms crossed in front of his chest, refusing to be intimidated by Rage. Not that he would be either way.

Synn: No. You need to talk about this situation with your daughter, because as much as it is your’s to make, it’s a selfish decision your choosing.

Rage rolls his eyes and laughs. He turns around and walks away from Synn, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration.

Rage: It’s not a selfish decision, Synn! Don’t you get it?! When Electra told me about Ember last year, I told you why I couldn’t be a part of her life! She’s better off without me! She’s better off without the fucked up baggage I’d bring into her life. So tell me how the hell that is being selfish?!

Synn: Because you’re refusing to even try, and instead allow her to be thrown into the foster care system. Which, I might add, could potentially cause her more harm than you think.

Kittie: Seriously think about this, Rage. Regardless of whether or not you think she’d be better off without you, she stands a better chance at a better life with you...with us, than being thrown into foster care. You have to know that!

Phil approaches Kittie, standing next to her, nodding.

Phil: And it’s not like you’d be alone, Jake.

Synn: Ember needs you. I think it’s time you get over your fear of actually being a father and get on a plane to Michigan and go get her. Before you regret it.

Rage laughs and shakes his head. He spins back around and glares at Synn.

Rage: Why the hell do you even care, Synn?! You don’t think I can do it!

Synn: That’s not true. Quite the opposite, actually. I don’t know what gave you that impression, but I fully believe you can be a father to Ember if you just try.

Rage is shocked to hear Synn say this and he’s left speechless. Synn takes the few steps towards him, getting right back in Rage’s face, but remaining calm as can be.

Synn: And that anger of yours...that temper?

Rage: What about it?

Synn: Lose it. Now.

Rage grins and laughs.

Rage: Yeah, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. I couldn’t even punch a damn wall if I wanted to right now.

Synn: Be that as it may, should your temper suddenly return, keep it at bay. For her sake. And for your own.

Rage lets out a sigh and nods. He closes his eyes and thinks for a moment as he grips at his head, still struggling with his decision. When he opens his eyes, all three are still staring at him.

Rage: This house isn’t even ready for a ten year old girl! I’d have to get--

Phil: Let the women handle that. I’m sure Maddie would love to help decorate.

Synn: And I’m sure Odette and Melody Grace could lend a hand as well. It will all be handled while you’re gone. Just go to Michigan and bring your daughter home.

Rage looks back and forth from Synn and Phil. Phil just nods slowly at him, urging him to do the right thing and Rage finally gives in. He takes his phone out of his pocket, going to call the airport.

Synn: What are you doing?

Rage: I need to call the airport and book a flight...

Synn: No, you don’t. I already handled it. Your flight leaves in two hours.

Rage raises an eyebrow.

Rage: You booked a flight before I even decided to go get her??

Synn smirks.

Synn: I knew you would give in and do the right thing. Now you best get a move on it. Everything for Ember’s room will be handled by the time you get back.

Kittie is already heading towards the door and Rage looks at both Synn and Phil one last time.

Rage: Thank you both. I’ll call you guys to let you know when we’ll be back or to let you know what’s going on.

Phil: Anytime, bro. Just take your time and go get Ember.

Rage and Synn just exchange looks, Rage quietly thanking Synn once again. Synn nods and Rage turns and follows Kittie out the door. Phil turns to Synn, and runs his hand through his hair.

Phil: So...you really think he can do this?

Synn nods.

Synn: I have no doubt, Phillip. I think that once he spends time with Ember, there won’t be a thing he wouldn’t do for her or to keep her safe.



The Next Morning

By the time Rage and Kittie had made it to Michigan, it was too late to do anything about getting Ember for the night. The two had booked a hotel room at least for the night, potentially longer depending on how the situation with Ember panned out. Rage had barely gotten any sleep, for obvious reasons Kittie didn’t need to question him about.

They made sure to be up and ready bright and early so they could head over to the Department of Children and Family Services in Ann Arbor. Rage has just pulled the car into the parking lot of the building, and after finding a parking spot, he doesn’t turn the car off right away. Kittie goes to get out of the car, expecting him to follow suit a few seconds later, but he reaches his right hand over towards her, gripping her arm and stops her.

Rage: Kittie, don’t. Just...wait.

Kittie looks down at her arm in Rage’s grasp, then lifts her head to look at him. He’s staring out the window at the building, and just stays frozen in his seat.

Kittie: What? Why? Please don’t tell me you’re changing your damn mind?! Rage, we’re already---

Rage: No, I haven’t changed my mind! I just...need a few minutes.

Kittie nods, without saying a word in response. Rage loosens his hold on Kittie’s arm and then moves it down, taking her hand in his, squeezing it. She stares down at it for a moment before she looks back up to him.

Kittie: Dude, your hand is a sweaty mess. Relax, alright?

Rage shakes his head, still squeezing her hand.

Rage: I can’t relax, Kittie. I really can’t. This whole situation is fucked up. I never wanted kids, Kittie. I’m fucked up. I can’t fuck up a kid’s life with my baggage.

Kittie can’t help but crack a smile as she shakes her head.

Kittie: You think her life wasn’t already somewhat fucked up before this? Electra was her mother for Christ’s sake. We all have baggage, Rage. Just because you’ve got a shit ton of baggage from your childhood, doesn’t mean that you’ll fuck her life up. Hell, you could make it a lot better.

Rage turns his head and looks at Kittie. Sweat is starting to drip down his forehead as his panic increases and he takes in a few deep breaths.

Rage: She just had to have a girl, didn’t she? This would have been a lot easier to deal with if we’d had a son and not a daughter. Jesus Christ, I don’t think I’m ready for this...

Kittie: Is anybody ever really ready to have a kid? People can say all they want that they are, but I think it’s bullshit. And honestly, if the two of you had had a son, I think I’d be more afraid of that than anything. A mini Rage? Yeahhh...

Kittie cracks a smile and Rage frowns at her. She lets out a laugh and nudges him.

Kittie: It was a joke. Seriously, relax.

Rage takes in another deep breath and looks back out the window.

Rage: So that means you’re not ready for this either?

Kittie: Fuck no, I’m not ready.

She lets out another laugh.

Kittie: But we’re married now so we’ll just have to experience and deal with all of this together. And like I said, I may have hated Electra with a passion, but I didn’t want her dead. Not really. And I sure as shit wouldn’t want to see her daughter…your daughter...end up in foster care when she has a family she can grow up with and be a part of.

Rage: I won’t lie, Kittie. I’m fucking terrified right now. About this whole situation.

Kittie returns the favor and squeezes Rage’s hand this time, trying to reassure him but also comfort him.

Kittie: I’d be surprised if you weren’t terrified, honestly. This isn’t supposed to be easy. She’s going to have a hard time coming up because she just lost the man she grew up thinking was her father, and her mother, who she thought was her aunt. It’s going to be a confusing time, but I think together we can do the best we can to make it easier for her. And so will everyone else. Gabriel and Odette. Shane and Fantasia. Despy. Melody. Phil. Maddie. This girl is going to have one hell of a family now. You know--

Rage suddenly takes Kittie off guard as he takes her face in his hands and brings his lips to hers in an intense kiss. They kiss for a few long moments and when Rage finally pulls back, Kittie is staring at him, blinking her eyes slowly.

Kittie: That was...

Rage: Thank you...

Kittie tries to speak, but she can’t find the words. Rage kisses her again, but this time just a quick one.

Rage: I love you. I know I don’t say it enough, but I do. And honestly, I couldn’t go through all this shit without you. I can’t guarantee I won’t be an ass from time to time from here on out, but...I’ll try not to be.

Kittie: Well..that’s all you can do. But, we both know that when you’re being an ass, I’ll just be a crazy bitch right back to you. And I love you, too. Asshole.

They both manage to crack a smile and laugh.

Rage: You know what us taking custody of Ember now means, right?

Kittie raises an eyebrow and shakes her head.

Rage: I’ll either need to take some time off from SCW or just call it quits all together. I can’t deal with the shit in SCW and focus on her.

Kittie shrugs and just offers him a smile in return.

Kittie: That is completely up to you then. And I’ll support you in whatever decision you make, because right now, she’s more important than anything.

Rage nods and finally turns the engine off, removing the key from the ignition. He takes in a deep breath and then looks at Kittie.

Rage: Alright...let’s do this. It’s now or never...

Kittie: Ready whenever you are...

Rage then gives the ok with a single nod, and he and Kittie get out of the car. And for the first time that Rage can remember, he and Kittie walk hand in hand up to the building.

TBC...



“It’s crazy how so much can change in just the span of a single month. Changes for the good and some...for the bad. It’s already been a month since I walked into Into The Void VI as the World Heavyweight Champion, but I walked out with nothing. I’m not gonna lie and say that was an easy pill to swallow, because it sure as shit wasn’t.

But, a lot has changed for me outside of SCW, too. Shit that is way more important than the World Heavyweight Championship will ever be. Now, I’m not going to sit here and talk about all of that, because honestly, what goes on in my personal life is really no one’s business. And like I said on Climax Control last Sunday...I almost called it quits. I came pretty damn close to hanging up my boots and retiring for good, but a little voice told me not to. Begged me not to.

So here I am.

And here I am once again being put up against Jeremiah Hardin. I don’t know how many times I have to prove myself against him, but I guess I have to do it once more, don’t I? But, here’s the thing…

I’m not the same person that I was the last four times I’ve faced you, Jeremiah. I’m not going to deny it. You might think that you stand a better chance at beating me this time because of that fact, but let me tell you right here and now, you’d be wrong in thinking that, Jeremiah. And I’m not going to sit here and hash out a bunch of bullshit that happened in the past, because I’m not going to do that either.

You, Jeremiah...You have nothing to prove going into this last match between the two of us. But me? I’ve got everything in the world to prove, because all the other encounters between the two of us? You were up against Rage. You faced the part of me that couldn’t control the anger...that couldn’t control his temper. You faced a part of me that, for the most part, did more damage than good in the time he existed.

But I’m not Rage anymore, Jeremiah. I no longer feel that uncontrollable anger building at the drop of a dime. I’m much more relaxed. Much calmer than I was before, and I have to say...it feels damn good. And it’s going to feel even better walking into the ring and getting what I will consider the most important win of my career this Sunday.


Yeah, more important than any title match we’ve ever had. You want to know why, Jeremiah?

It’s because people don’t know me as Jake Sullivan. They don’t know what I can do as my true identity. They’ve only ever known me as Rage. Hell, I’m sure that most of them, including you, probably think that he’s all I’ll ever be. But, again, that’s just not true.

I’m Jake now. I’ll always be Jake from now on, because I just can’t be Rage anymore. I have to learn to control my emotions and as Rage...I wasn’t able to do that. It didn’t matter how angry I got, I was always looked at as a joke...as weak. And maybe they were right then.

But everyone better get a different opinion of me now, because I’m looking at this as not just a much needed change of pace. I’m looking at it as a whole new beginning. A beginning I’ve needed for longer than I can remember.

I honestly don’t know what to expect from you, Jeremiah. I really never do. One minute you can act like you don’t give a shit about the match you’re heading into, the next you’re doing what everyone should be doing and just giving it your all. And you stay quiet the entire time. It makes it pretty damn difficult to face you most of the time.

But I’m not underestimating you. Not one single bit.

And I won’t be holding back. This may be just an ordinary match. A non-title bout touted as the final one between the two of us, but I have to win, Jeremiah. You managed to defeat me as Rage once before, and maybe that was my own fault.

But you won’t beat me as Jake. I am lot smarter than Rage ever was. And I’m a hell of a lot more determined.

So get ready, Jeremiah. Get ready for the fight of your life, because I’m not letting myself lose this one. You and everybody else is going to see a whole different side of me...the real side of me and I plan on sending a message that I still have what it takes to be here…

And I’m not giving up.”