Post by Gavin Grimes on Jul 13, 2016 19:43:16 GMT -5
** OFF CAMERA **
Santorini, they say it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and right now I couldn’t think of a more beautiful place as I lie in the bed of our honeymoon suite with my leg draped across Gavin’s legs. A gentle breeze has the curtains swaying in the wind as he runs his fingers along my skin. It’s like a scene from a movie. Nothing could ruin this moment… nothing.
Don’t do it; don’t be an idiot… do not ruin this moment. Take all the negative thoughts and stomp them down so deep that you have to swallow them whole. She deserves to enjoy this moment, this honeymoon… doesn’t she? Of course she does. So what if she stabbed me in the… shit! …stop that!! She’s perfect. Everything is perfect. No it’s not…
Gavin: “Babe, can we talk for a minute?”
My eyes focus on his as I run my fingers through his hair. I don’t like his tone but I hide my concern behind a soft smile.
Ashleigh: “Of course. What’s up?”
Shit! I shouldn’t have said anything. Tell her it’s nothing. Tell her to forget you said anything. Her eyes, it’s like they’re looking right through me and I can’t help but frown.
Gavin: “I-I don't want to start anything, especially on our honeymoon, and I want you to know that I'm not mad anymore… I'm just... disappointed about some stuff, you know? And I don't want to… like… let it dwell in my mind.”
Yeah, that was smooth. Way to put together a cohesive sentence, asshole.
I feel my eyes narrow in disdain but I do my best to keep an understanding smile in place. Did he just say he was disappointed in me? Like a parent would be disappointed in a child?! Oh hell no…
Ashleigh: “Oh? You shouldn’t let it dwell, so tell me what’s on your mind.”
…and hope I don’t punch you in the throat.
Great. She’s going to punch me in the throat.
Gavin: “Well, first off, it really bothers me that you addressed the whole situation when you did. That was MY moment and you took it away from me. That's now two out of my three title defenses you’ve done that for. Now my next one is going to be against you and I’ll probably…”
I sigh and shake my head. Do I really need to say this out loud?
Gavin: “It's possible that there won't be any moments left for me. The one I had, I didn't even enjoy because I had rush to the hospital to be with you.”
Did that sound bad? That sounded bad. She’s staring at me like she’s processing but can’t find the appropriate wording to tell me to go fuck myself.
Wait… Did he seriously just say I ruined his moment by being in the hospital? Are you fucking kidding me?! That self-centered little shit!
That was a mistake. This is a mistake. I shake my head and look away.
Gavin: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
You’re damn right you shouldn’t have said anything… but I’ll just pretend to agree with you while being sarcastic as fuck!
Ashleigh: “I guess I hadn't realized I'd stolen ALL your moments. That’s on me. The one against Mark Storm, obviously a HUGE mistake... though I kind of paid for that one. The Kenzie one... MY BAD AGAIN. Had I been conscious after the beating Dirk gave me I would've made sure I told you to stay and enjoy YOUR moment and not let ME fuck it up with my traumatic brain injury or other trivial matters that detract from the awesomeness that is Gavin Grimes.”
And I’m the asshole again. I take a deep breath and sigh. Why does she always make me feel like shit?
Gavin: “Forget it. I was dumb to even bring it up. I wasn't blaming you for the night Dirk attacked you, I was just saying I haven’t had the chance to enjoy my reign at all. But it’s fine, we'll enjoy yours after YOU beat me and prove everyone right.”
I slide out of the bed and start to put on some clothes.
Gavin: “I need some air.”
I kneel on the bed, seething as he tries to mope away from an argument he started.
Ashleigh: “Oh I’m sorry, was that not the reaction you were hoping for after telling me that I suck and that I’m ruining your life?”
I look over and shake my head. She can really be a cunt sometimes.
Gavin: “I wanted to have a conversation, and THIS is where we ended up. You’re not ruining my life. Everything’s fine, babe, I promise. You told me this was going to happen. So I shouldn't be upset over it. I ASKED for this.”
My brow furrows. What the fuck is he talking about?
Ashleigh: “I told you WHAT was going to happen?”
Sometimes she’s so good at playing dumb it’s scary.
Gavin: “You told me that if you joined NGW, you were going to let loose and cause chaos because that's what you do. I told you I didn't care, as long as I had you by my side, none of it mattered. So it’s fine, we’re fine. I wanted this so now I need to suck it up and deal with it. Forget I even brought it up.”
Blah, blah, blah… drama, drama, drama. Fuck him.
Ashleigh: “Why are you so fucking emo right now? You were fine with us facing each other a week ago when I first brought it up.”
And now I’m emo. She twists everything. I scoff while shaking my head.
Gavin: “I was fine until you went back on so much of the shit you said to me. I was FINE when I thought it was ABOUT US. Now? It feels like it's about YOU.”
He’s staring at me with an incredibly disappointed expression, like I let him down or ruined his favorite pair of baggy pants. He forgets who went back on their word first. It’s time I remind him. Strap in, this is to be a long one.
Ashleigh: “I went back? ME?! Do you remember when you told me we'd rule NGW together, that we were equals? Because I do. I remember believing that I was your equal and I held on to that belief despite not being allowed to compete against people in YOUR division. A division THAT I belong in. But it wasn't your fault and I was fine with it. Then all of sudden I hear your voice telling everyone that I'm nothing in NGW, that I can't come close to you because all I've done is win a second rate title and that my Inferno accomplishments don't mean SHIT here. That's when it hit me. You were right. It went against everything you said to me in private, but you were right. You want to demean me in public and apologize to me in private and expect everything to be peachy. Well that’s not the way this works. I'm as good as you, if not better, and I'm not about to sit on the sideline and fester while you pick and choose when you talk me up and when you make sure the world knows I'm beneath you. So think really hard about who went back on their word first.”
BOOM! Motherfucker!!
I sigh. I’m surprised she didn’t punctuate it with a, boom motherfucker!
Gavin: “Then you can have NGW. You can have the Unified Championship. I don't want it. I'll quit and let you dominate everyone you're supposed to dominate. You can kick Dirk's ass for your own revenge. You can have it all. I don't want it anymore. I fucking hate it.”
My fists clench as the frustration continues to mount and every word’s laced with venom.
Gavin: “I HATE having to defend my accomplishments. I HATE being compared to you. I HATE that I'm supposed to defend MY championship against you. I HATE that you called me out in front of thousands of people in person and a shit load more watching on TV. So I'm done. I don't want any of that shit. You can have it ALL.”
I tilt my head. That sounded like one hell of a pity party. Wonder if I should call the whambulance.
Ashleigh: “Really? Not even a sorry? Wow. Okay. So when it was non-title it was fine. But when your title is on the line, you HATE this.”
I chuckle in disbelief.
Ashleigh: “I really don't know what to say, Gavin. I'm sort of surprised and if we're speaking honestly it sounds like you're afraid to face me. I thought you wanted to beat me and legitimize your reign but I guess not. I should just leave NGW. That's probably best for everyone because I don't want to fuck up what we have and my being here is putting WAY too much pressure on you.”
I roll my eyes. I’m done playing her pandering little games.
Gavin: “I DID apologize, but you went off anyway. You want me to say sorry again? I’M SORRY! I'm fucking sorry! I was tired of hearing Dirk bitch about how I wouldn't defend against you and I fucking raged. But fine, I’ll defend it against you… and I'll fucking beat you too. Happy now? YOU FUCKING LIAR!”
You fucking what now? Is he for real? That shit hurt, he can see it in my face and I hate him for it.
Ashleigh: “So you can lie and you can shit talk but I'm not allowed to defend myself?”
I shake my head and scoff indignantly.
Ashleigh: “You won't beat me, because we're not fighting. Not in the ring at least. You've never been more mean to me then when this match started to become a reality. SO I’M DONE WITH IT!”
I jab a finger towards her.
Gavin: “You're not backing out of this shit. You’re the one who started it. You dug your grave and now you're gonna sleep in it. As for lying, you're the one who planted the idea. You're the one who wanted a non-title match. You're the one who said you simply wanted to find out who was better and that this would be about US. You're the one who said you didn't want to take anything away from me that I earned. I said some bullshit, yeah... but you just backtracked on EVERYTHING we talked about and you did it for everyone to see. You could’ve just talked to me and bitched me out in private and told me that I fucking hurt you! But now we're here, and now we're both going to be hurting and somehow it’s all MY fault. All of this is on my shoulders. I should be lifting you up but I brought you down and now it's your turn to bring me down.”
I pause and take a breath. I need to remain in control.
Gavin: “You can try to beat me, but I'm going to scrap and claw and fight to make sure you don't. I promise you that.”
Watching him slowly unravel breaks my heart. This isn’t what I wanted.
Ashleigh: “I'm not doing this. It's off. IT’S FUCKING OFF!”
Gavin: “After everything you said, you can't just take it back. Just like I can't take back all those things I said. We're stuck in this whether we like it or not.”
I lean back against the wall before sliding down onto the ground while shaking my head. It all feels so hopeless.
Ashleigh: “Like hell!”
I stand and start towards my phone. There’s no way I’m letting this ruin our relationship.
Ashleigh: “I'm texting Devlin, we're not doing this.”
I find my voice but it sounds hollow and emotionless.
Gavin: “Go ahead. Cancel it so everyone can say that I convinced you to do it because I'm scared of you.”
I let out a loud sigh.
Gavin: “No matter what you do, you come out looking good in every situation, you know that, right? It's going to be me that looks like shit, no matter what. So please, for me, don’t cancel. If you do, I'll never hear the end of it and we'll be back to square one until I get frustrated and say something stupid all over again.”
I throw my hands in the air, frustration mounting.
Ashleigh: “It's a match, Gavin. A fucking match. Why is it such a horrible thing? Yes, I plan on beating you. But you know what?”
I shrug.
Ashleigh: “Maybe you'll win. Fuck at this point maybe I'll LET you because this is fucking ridiculous.”
I shake my head. I’m done. Defeated.
Gavin: “I've said what I needed to say and so have you. I'm sorry I fucked everything up. I'm sorry that I've fucked up our honeymoon. I'm just sorry.”
I rub my hands over my face before running them through my hair as I stare at the carpet.
I find myself crouching in front of him while holding his hands. I’m not even sure how I got here. It’s as if instinct took over.
Ashleigh: “This is stupid. Are we seriously going to fight over this? You’ve said it a million times, you felt like this was inevitable because of the shit everyone was giving us for not facing each other, so let's just own it and fucking blow them away. Whatever happens we're still the two best talents in wrestling, period. Now can we please enjoy our honeymoon? Because I swear to god I'll retire from this sport if it fucks up the most amazing surprise of my life, with the most amazing man in my life.”
Without a word I lift her up and begin to kiss her aggressively before throwing her down onto the bed. As I climb over her I stare down into her dark eyes and see my reflection in them.
Gavin: “No matter what happens, I fucking love you and I always will. You are my world and all I want is for you to be happy. So yes, let's get back to our honeymoon, because that's the only thing that should matter right now.”
I reach up and hold his face between my hands.
Ashleigh: “Gavin listen to me, I promise you, we've got this. No matter what, we've got this. I won't let it break us and I won't let ANYONE bring us down. It's going to be okay. Everything's going to be fine, no matter what.”
I nod my head as I stare into her eyes. I believe her, of course I do.
Gavin: “I know you won't. I trust you. I won't let this break us either, okay?”
I smile as my nose nuzzles against his.
Ashleigh: “I know.”
And fuck anyone who thinks otherwise.
** ON CAMERA **
The scene opens with Ashleigh Grimes standing behind a podium. She draws a deep breath and taps the microphone, causing the sound to echo through the room before feedback shrieks from the speakers. Ashleigh grimaces and cops an apologetic smile.
Ashleigh: “Sorry about that. This really isn’t my forum. It’s more of a setting where you’d find a sleazy, two-timing politician speaking out both sides of his or her mouth. Where they distract you with the actions of their left hand…”
She waves her left hand in the air for all to see.
Ashleigh: “..while their right hand is picking your pocket. Sleight of hand, slander, immature insults; they’re ALL part of the mudslinging that goes on during a political campaign, in fact they’re the expected norms. Which is why someone threatening to build a wall to keep MY people out may be YOUR next president.”
She frowns.
Ashleigh: “Gavin begged me to say that. I thought it was tacky.”
The shot switches to Gavin who is once again dressed as Senor Grimes, greasy moustache, sombrero and all. He shakes a set of maracas before the shot quickly switches back to Ash, who appears less than impressed.
Ashleigh: “Anyways… the reason I find myself poised to cut a promo in an environment I loathe is because those double-talking, shit slinging, snake oil salesmen Aurora and Damon left me no choice but to…”
She punctuates each word by pointing towards the camera.
Ashleigh: “…fight fire with fire!!”
She pauses a moment, weighing her options before chuckling aloud.
Ashleigh: “Actually, scratch that… I’m going to fight lies with the one thing those two can’t dispute; truth. I mean after all the truth will set you free; isn’t that right Angelz?”
Harp chords are heard as a bright light fills the screen before subsiding into a sea of white. The camera traces a path along what appear to be billowing clouds, panning upwards until it falls upon the smiling faces of Gavin and Ashleigh Grimes, lying in bed. Those billowing clouds weren’t clouds at all but were instead the fine satin sheets of the bed they now occupy in their honeymoon suite.
A grinning Gavin can’t help but beam as Ashleigh cuddles into him, both of them basking in a bit of an afterglow.
Gavin: “I’m sorry, did you think this was going to go all highbrow and religious. Haven’t you heard? We’re a couple of sinners. I mean, that’s what the Angelz of Dumbasses have labeled us. They’re here to ‘cleanse’ the wrestling world of people like Ashleigh and I; you know, people who can actually wrestle a damn match. But the majority of the AoD wouldn’t know anything about that. I found it amusing that Aurora had to use Gray Malone and Corey Bull’s past accomplishments BEFORE NGW to justify teaming with, ‘greats’ like them. How come it’s Aurora coming to the aid of Corey and Gray? Shouldn’t their ‘past’ accomplishments speak for themselves? Aren’t those two, ‘legends’ able to stand on their own? Nope, and Aurora realized that her and her pencil-necked boyfriend with the hipster haircut hitched themselves to the wrong group of people.”
“Instead of AoD looking like a dominating group, they’ve simply been dominated over and over again. Well, Gray and Bull have… As for Aurora and Damon, they’ve been sheltered in a broken down tag team division where they’ve fought countless teams who were thrown together at the spur of the moment. Then when they finally went for the NGW Tag Team Championships, they had to beat Avery Miles III who was forced to choose Kenzie as his tag team partner. Once again, you were fighting a thrown together team because Levi Daughterty took his ball and went home and once again, you took advantage of it, except this time, only one person showed up to the match. Drunk or not, at least Kenzie showed up to fight Ash, I guess she didn’t give two fucks about you two, right? So tell me something, up until this point in your four months here in NGW, what the fuck have you done? ENLIGHTEN ME!? Because as far as I’m concerned, you haven’t accomplished much, the only thing you’ve done is make AoD look halfway decent, as opposed to like complete shit.”
Ashleigh reaches over and taps Gavin gently on the chest while a grin wrinkles her nose.
Ashleigh: “Tag, my turn.”
Her dark eyes dance with devious intentions.
Ashleigh: “Is it double the hypocrisy when the Angelz of Hypocrisy themselves call ME a hypocrite? Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to own my shortcomings. In fact I’m pretty sure Aurora pegged me as being a, ‘shit human being.’
She raises her right hand while smiling.
Ashleigh: “Guilty as charged. I’m sorry; did you think you were the first person to stumble upon that low hanging fruit? Were you hoping to enjoy a Scooby Snack while I complained about how those meddling kids exposed me to the world?”
Ash holds her hand to her forehead and gasps in mock horror.
Ashleigh: “I’m sorry Gavin, they exposed me for the untrustworthy fiend I am. Until they blew the whistle you knew nothing of my befriending of Reiko Tatsuya only to bury her pathetic career. Now you’re aware I sabotaged the relationship of Julian Savell and Lizzy Taylor just to gain a mental edge in a meaningless tag match of all things.”
She covers her mouth.
Ashleigh: “Oh my god; did you know that I purposely caused one of my anemic best friends to bleed out just so that I could secure the Inferno Title?! I mean those were all matters of public record and oh yeah… YOU WERE THERE for each and every heinous infraction.”
She shrugs.
Ashleigh: “Believe me Aurora, the world is WELL aware that I’m a special kind of asshole. I own every precious misdeed, so please remember that for later. It’ll be important when I point out all the stupid bullshit you two Einsteins manufactured while grasping for straws. But for now…
Ash reaches over and tweaks Gavin’s nose.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles and shakes his head.
Gavin: “And here go the clowns once again trying to claim that I’m pretending to be something I’m not. The whole time I’ve been in NGW, I’ve shown my true colors. I respect the company, I respect the fans and I even respect my opponents when they show me respect back. But if you disrespect me? Then I’m going to slowly and meticulously tear you apart. And that’s all that Aurora and Damon have shown me is disrespect, ever since they walked through those NGW doors. But you want me to respect you and what you’ve done? Why the fuck should I when you haven’t done ANYTHING worth my respect? Why should I respect your empty victories that have basically been HANDED to you. The lame battle royal victory for Aurora and your pathetic tag team victories over Mandi & Mickie Lee and KEG & Billy Ray Roberts, all of whom are hot garbage. Then Aurora beat the inconsistent Drake Hunter who had one foot out the door while Damon beat Levi Daughterty, who didn’t even BOTHER to show up for the match, so congratulations on the countout victory there, bud. The fact that the only relevant thing you’ve done in NGW is take part in multiple sneak attacks is straight up PATHETIC.”[/COLOR]
Gavin scoffs.
Gavin: “Ash and I, we BOTH get shit done in the ring. We don’t need to resort to petty sneak attacks, and we don’t need to be in a GROUP to legitimize ourselves like you two do. Damon went ahead and admitted that he joined AoD because he was a scrawny little bitch who wasn’t taken seriously in the indy companies he was in, even though he gave his ‘everything.’ You know who didn’t need anyone to legitimize themselves? Ash and I. She did it on her own in Inferno Wrestling and I did it on my own in Portland Pro Wrestling before doing it here in NGW.”
“When summarizing my career it’s interesting how you continue to overlook my victories over Tyson Gregory, Bronx and Mark Storm. Sure, they aren’t here now but that doesn’t change how great they are in the ring. So how much do you guys plan on contradicting yourselves? You say that my opponents, like Dirk, have been handpicked but didn’t he beat the shit out of Corey to EARN his shot against me? Yeah, keep on trying to twist it to fit your narrative. Devlin and I currently have an understanding, we’re not friends and we never will be, but he backs me as his champion while I back his company as the face of it. That’s where it starts and ends. We aren’t buddies, we don’t grab dinner or hang out or text… I’m simply the top guy in his company because I EARNED this spot. What have you two EARNED? I’ll save you the suspense; not a goddamn thing. Those belts? They were handed to you.”
Gavin holds his hand out and receives a fist bump from Ash.
Gavin: “Wonder Twin powers... fuck these bitches up.”
Ash smirks while letting her hair cascade onto the pillow as she focuses on the camera.
Ashleigh: “I have to commend the way the two of you function as a unit. I only hope that one day Gavin and I can finish each other’s…”
Gavin: “Sandwiches!”
Ashleigh: “…sentences, like the two of you can. Of course if you look a little closer you’ll find that the reason you seem so in sync is because you’re saying the EXACT SAME THING. It’s like every time Damon moves his lips it’s Aurora’s hand up his ass, sliding a giant hemorrhoid to the left as she pulls his strings. So let’s talk about those points your collective voice hit on. We seem to be in agreement that I can and will kick Gavin’s ass; bravo the two of you can pick a winner. In fact you inferred that I was the top wrestler in NGW, the one to beat. Again, kudos on being so observant. But that’s when one of you went off script. It’s like the hand was still up the ass but suddenly Damon forgot his lines. How else would you explain his chastising me for wanting more than the Five Lakes Championship yet Aurora so astutely points out that I was cheating not only myself but the fans AND the roster by depriving myself of a shot at our company’s highest title. So Damon thinks I’m a self-absorbed, egocentric asshole for wanting more yet Aurora thinks I’m a delusional, love struck asshole for wanting less.”
She shrugs while blowing her bangs from her face.
Ashleigh: “Seems to me you’re both hell bent on painting me as an asshole; but why reach? Why contradict yourselves when there are plenty of assholey things I’ve done that we can ALL agree on.”
A smile forms.
Ashleigh: “My ego, for one. You both think it’s out of hand, that I’m thumbing my nose and looking down upon the rest you… and I am. Why? Because I can. I love watching you try to minimize MY accomplishments while maximizing your pathetic careers. Damon dismisses the fact that I’ve NEVER lost. He tosses it aside as happenstance, because after all everyone HAS to lose sometime. Aurora chooses to discount my domination of an Inferno roster that was second to none. Why? Because a seasonal fed came to the end of its season with me capturing its most sought after title. Just so we’re clear; by Aurora’s logic the Cleveland Cavaliers championship is now worthless because the NBA season has drawn to a close. Wow. I sure hope we don’t have any Cleveland fans out there.”
She gives the camera a big wink.
Ashleigh: “Damon and Aurora got back on the same page while declaring my Five Lakes Championship meant nothing because I beat a, “Z-grade scream queen.” Again I agree, Shelley Silver is lower than sub par. Here’s the thing though, who did Shelley Silver defeat to capture the meaningless championship I now hold? That’s right; it was Gray Malone AND Kenzie Rydell. The same Kenzie you sought to recruit the second you arrived in NGW. Funny how that works. You claim to be such astute judges of talent yet you hitched your wagons to the wrong horse, a fact that was hammered home when Gavin drove Kenzie through a table. A position she’s familiar with because I’ve done the very same thing to her. Kenzie Rydell has been my bitch her entire career. So stop and think morons. Stop and think how stupid it sounds to minimize OUR talent while you try to prop up the dying careers of Gray Malone and Corey Bull. Do you know who would take those two over Gavin and I at this moment? NO ONE. Not even you. Which is why you sound SO ridiculous when you dismiss our accomplishments while saying you’re going to bring prestige to the Tag Titles. By beating WHO? Not us. That’s for certain. You just fling insults and make claims that have no basis. Gavin and I have our titles AND our records to stake our claims on, yet you choose to dismiss them because they’re not convenient to your argument. Because an argument steeped in fiction can find no facts to support it. So yes, we’re cocky… and yes, we’re confident… if you were us, you’d be too. I look down my nose at you because much like Gavin said; I earned that right. I earned it by being better than the both of you in every way possible, and Gavin has too. You may think those claims are steeped in fiction like your cockamamie theories, but come Vendetta you’ll find they’re based on solid, indisputable facts.”
She reaches over and flicks Gavin on the ear, causing him to swat at her.
Gavin: “Ow! What was that for?”
Ashleigh grins.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles and sighs before taking his turn.
Gavin: “Now what’s this about me being ‘scared’ of defending my championship against Ash? Newsflash, assholes, Ash didn’t have to challenge me in the first place, the title shot was hers as soon as she chose to revoke the clause, which she did and now we’re going to fight for MY championship, but that’s not even relevant at the moment, seeing as how we aren’t having our match until when? September or something like that? Yeah, I angrily walked out on Ash after I beat Dirk Bentley, who surprisingly, gave me more of a challenge than anyone has in months. But it wasn’t because I was ‘scared’ of Ash or because I wasn’t accepting her ‘challenge.’ I was pissed at her because she basically hijacked my moment when I’d just defended my championship in one of the toughest matches of my life. Try and downgrade Dirk all you want but he brought me the fight of his life and almost beat me and I’m not ashamed to say that. I didn’t get to soak in that moment but oh well, shit happens and Ash and I got OVER it. We bicker, we fight and we forgive each other because THAT is what married couples do. So don’t come out here with your ‘Oh, we never fight, we support each other in everything, BLAH FUCKING BLAH!’”
Gavin scoffs loudly and rolls his eyes.
Gavin: “You two are talking shit like you think you’re going to drive a wedge between Ash and I, like we give a fuck what you or anyone else thinks about us or our relationship. But oh, I’m such an asshole for not going at Dirk right away for his attack on Ash, right? What a piece of shit I am. I mean, it’s not like I tried to beat the shit out of him after he BEAT Corey ‘Crybaby’ Bull before he ran away. Then the next show, all of you idiots decided to attack him after he beat Khonda, so you kind of stole that moment there for me before Corey attacked me from behind later on that night. So I beat the shit out of him in a match and pinned him for the three count and that was the end of it. Don’t you find it a little funny that Ash was standing in the ring with me with Dirk lying down, staring up at the lights, and she didn’t even bother laying a hand on him? BECAUSE IT’S DONE AND OVER WITH, EVEN FOR HER! It’s cute how much you’re trying to reach and ‘expose’ our relationship when ours is probably stronger than yours. You can have your rainbows and butterflies relationship because it’s a proven fact that fighting and then resolving issues with each other builds a stronger relationship and in our case, a stronger marriage. History shows that Ash and I fight, we make up and then there’s no lingering resentment after that, while history also shows that we work WELL as a tag team. So far, we’re up two wins and zero losses as a team, one of those happening against Team IPW, a team that had the likes of Jacob Daniels, somebody who’s head and shoulders above both of you. How many tag team matches have you two won together? Oh, right… Two. One against jobbers and the other against one man; when you compare that to Ash and I eliminating the best IPW had to offer, it seems like you can’t even hold a candle to a team like us and don’t pretend like you have as much experience as we do either.”
Ashleigh doesn’t even wait for the tag, immediately stepping in as Gavin finishes.
Ashleigh: “Do you have a stronger relationship than ours? Gavin raises an interesting question but then again does it matter? Up to now most of my opponents have elected to keep my personal life out of our affairs because they could only imagine the verbal undressing they’d endure should they venture there. But not you Aurora, you thought it would be cute to use a cracked vase as a metaphor because let’s be honest, you lack the vocabulary to get your point across without a visual aid, such as Damon nearly shitting himself.”
A sly grin takes hold.
Ashleigh: “Did you think your vase analogy would throw me, that I’d take it personal, playing it over and over in my head as I rocked myself to sleep in the corner while crying about how Gavin and I were doomed to end up scattered in pieces on the floor? Then you thought wrong and you thought me feeble minded when I’m not. Your analogy was dead on, but here’s the thing, it applies to EVERY couple on this Earth. Big, small, black, white, gay, straight, whatever sexual orientation Damon claims to be… they ALL run the risk of becoming broken SO badly that there’s no putting them back together. But you know that because you got married way too young and thought you found love where it wasn’t. Let me ask you a question similar to the one you asked me; how does that make you any different than the millions of other women who married too young and made the same goddamn mistake? You’re not unique in your experience much like your analogy wasn’t unique to my situation. We’re ALL fragile, Aurora. Some more than others, but if you knock us down enough times we’ll eventually break. We can patch ourselves up like you said but a little piece of us dies with every suture. What you described is a fragile existence that every human being is confronted with the second they wake up in the morning. So yes, Gavin and I could crumble much like you and Damon could. Just like an innocent man could get shot during a traffic stop or an officer could be killed in the line of duty by the very people he’s trying to protect. Life is fragile. Does that I mean I should give up on it? That I should sit inside my house and never venture out? Do a few bumps in the road mean Gavin and I are doomed? If that’s what you believe then you’re not as wise as you make yourself out to be. Gavin and I are fighting about a match stipulation, nothing more. I can only hope the same, ‘horrible tragedy’ will befall the two of you, as opposed to something serious like Damon sleeping with another woman or just waking up one day and deciding he doesn’t love you anymore. You think I’m immature and irrational about my relationship, yet you’re the one crowing about how it’s broken because of something we do for sport. Think about how irrational THAT sounds. But hey, you’re young just like me, and we’re figuring this shit out as we go. Just do me a favor and stop acting like you’re fit to judge just because you fucked some guy when you were a teenager and fell for him too soon. Outside the ring your mistakes are yours and nobody else’s; but inside the ring your mistakes will lead to OUR victory. Trust me on this one; when it comes to winning big matches, I’m the one speaking from experience.”
Gavin kisses Ashleigh on the cheek.
Gavin: “TAG!”
He grins before continuing on.
Gavin: “Now here’s the question at hand… How can Ash and I even TRUST each other after everything we’ve been through? HOW can we do it when she’s turned on so many tag team partners? HOW can we do it after, according to Damon, Ash stabbed me in the heart, personally and professionally?”
Gavin frowns as he looks at the ground and shakes his head.
Gavin: “I honestly can’t tell you… HOW FUCKING STUPID ALL OF THAT SOUNDS!”
He smiles and laughs while shaking his head.
Gavin: “We’ve already established that Ash and I are just fine and have settled shit when it comes to us. But here’s another history lesson for the two of you; Ash has never gotten along with her tag team partners until she tagged with a certain someone who’s quite close to her. Who could that be? Hmmm… Who? Who? Who?”
Gavin looks around and there’s nobody to be found besides the two the, so he points at her.
Gavin: “Ash, could it be you?”
Ash strokes her chin while contemplating this vexing mystery.
Ashleigh: “I don’t think I’ve ever tagged with myself because let’s be honest, if that were possible, I wouldn’t need you.”
She grins before sticking her tongue out at him. Gavin can’t help but nod and laugh.
Gavin: “Well, then I guess that leaves only one person.”
His eyes scan around the room one more time, along with his pointed finger following along with everything he’s looking at but there’s nobody to be found until he points at himself and a shocked expression rolls over his face.
Gavin: “OH MY GOD! Ash, I can’t believe it, the obvious answer was sitting in front of Aurora and Damon all along. It was me, Ash! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!”
Ash covers her mouth in mock surprise.
Ashleigh: “You’re right, it IS you.”
She looks from the camera to Gavin and then back to the camera again.
Ashleigh: “But it’s always been you, hasn’t it? Then again feeble minds like Aurora and Damon can’t comprehend that while I might believe I’m better than you inside the ring, I know for a fact I’m not better than you outside of it. Let’s go full circle back to what Aurora alluded to earlier, I’m an asshole. An insecure, condescending, angry asshole…
Gavin: “Not true, and even if it were you’d be my asshole.”
Ash grins.
Ashleigh: “I am your asshole, babe. Why? Because our relationship wasn’t built inside the ring and it wasn’t forged out of the convenience of being stablemates. Our relationship started before you were ready to compete professionally and before I made my Inferno debut. Our relationship has spanned companies and continents until we finally came together in NGW and much like you’ve admitted; you told me flat out that you didn’t want me to change the way I am inside the ring, no matter what… and I’ve respected your wishes and stuck to my guns. Why? Because it’s not about trusting in you or trusting in me, it’s about trusting in us. The in-ring part is easy. I know that on the off chance I find myself in trouble between the ropes, I’ll have the best wrestler in NGW watching my back. It just so happens that at the end of the night I get to go home and fall asleep in the arms of that very same wrestler. Lucky for me, unlucky for all of you.”
She chuckles.
Ashleigh: “Shit, I just realized. This match may not be for the tag titles but it’s for something far more valuable. Damon and Aurora want what we have. The fame, the fortune, the success, the relationship; it’s why they started calling themselves the power couple in the first place. It’s kind of cute in a Fatal Attraction stalker sort of way. It explains all the petty insults and hypocrisy. They have to tear us down in order to become us, even if that means lowering themselves to inane name calling and schoolyard insults. They’re like a couple of kids with a crush, only there’s absolutely no question; we’re WAY out of their league… but keep swinging for the fences, kids.”
Ash mimes swinging a bat and clicks her tongue against the side of her cheek to imitate the sound of contact as the imaginary bat strikes Gavin’s head.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles at Ash before focusing on the camera.
Gavin: “A couple of kids with schoolyard insults… That suits Aurora and Damon perfectly. You two can make fun of our names like a couple of immature teenagers and talk shit about OUR relationship all you want, but the fact of the matter is, you two can’t hold a fucking candle to us in the ring and in a few days, you’re going to find out exactly what I mean when I nail The Crowning and Ash hits The Long Kiss Goodnight, or she’ll use one of your OWN moves just to prove a point. Either way, you won’t see it coming and when Ash and I are through, you’ll be forgotten champions, left desperately seeking the attention of anyone and everyone who will listen… just like your buddies Corey Bull and Gray Malone.”
A confident smirk runs over his face as he moves towards Ash and wraps his arms around her.
Gavin: “Oh, and Damon… I don’t think someone with a gay as fuck belly button tattoo should ever speak about any of my tats; you know, because that tattoo makes you look like a cocksucking bitch.”
A grinning Ash reaches out towards the camera and taps the lens.
Ashleigh: “Tag. Your turn to churn out more baseless propaganda and senseless rhetoric. Do your worst but I promise you, we’ll be ready… we always are.”
As Gavin rolls on top of Ashleigh and pulls the sheets up over them, the scene slowly fades to black.
Santorini, they say it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and right now I couldn’t think of a more beautiful place as I lie in the bed of our honeymoon suite with my leg draped across Gavin’s legs. A gentle breeze has the curtains swaying in the wind as he runs his fingers along my skin. It’s like a scene from a movie. Nothing could ruin this moment… nothing.
Don’t do it; don’t be an idiot… do not ruin this moment. Take all the negative thoughts and stomp them down so deep that you have to swallow them whole. She deserves to enjoy this moment, this honeymoon… doesn’t she? Of course she does. So what if she stabbed me in the… shit! …stop that!! She’s perfect. Everything is perfect. No it’s not…
Gavin: “Babe, can we talk for a minute?”
My eyes focus on his as I run my fingers through his hair. I don’t like his tone but I hide my concern behind a soft smile.
Ashleigh: “Of course. What’s up?”
Shit! I shouldn’t have said anything. Tell her it’s nothing. Tell her to forget you said anything. Her eyes, it’s like they’re looking right through me and I can’t help but frown.
Gavin: “I-I don't want to start anything, especially on our honeymoon, and I want you to know that I'm not mad anymore… I'm just... disappointed about some stuff, you know? And I don't want to… like… let it dwell in my mind.”
Yeah, that was smooth. Way to put together a cohesive sentence, asshole.
I feel my eyes narrow in disdain but I do my best to keep an understanding smile in place. Did he just say he was disappointed in me? Like a parent would be disappointed in a child?! Oh hell no…
Ashleigh: “Oh? You shouldn’t let it dwell, so tell me what’s on your mind.”
…and hope I don’t punch you in the throat.
Great. She’s going to punch me in the throat.
Gavin: “Well, first off, it really bothers me that you addressed the whole situation when you did. That was MY moment and you took it away from me. That's now two out of my three title defenses you’ve done that for. Now my next one is going to be against you and I’ll probably…”
I sigh and shake my head. Do I really need to say this out loud?
Gavin: “It's possible that there won't be any moments left for me. The one I had, I didn't even enjoy because I had rush to the hospital to be with you.”
Did that sound bad? That sounded bad. She’s staring at me like she’s processing but can’t find the appropriate wording to tell me to go fuck myself.
Wait… Did he seriously just say I ruined his moment by being in the hospital? Are you fucking kidding me?! That self-centered little shit!
That was a mistake. This is a mistake. I shake my head and look away.
Gavin: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
You’re damn right you shouldn’t have said anything… but I’ll just pretend to agree with you while being sarcastic as fuck!
Ashleigh: “I guess I hadn't realized I'd stolen ALL your moments. That’s on me. The one against Mark Storm, obviously a HUGE mistake... though I kind of paid for that one. The Kenzie one... MY BAD AGAIN. Had I been conscious after the beating Dirk gave me I would've made sure I told you to stay and enjoy YOUR moment and not let ME fuck it up with my traumatic brain injury or other trivial matters that detract from the awesomeness that is Gavin Grimes.”
And I’m the asshole again. I take a deep breath and sigh. Why does she always make me feel like shit?
Gavin: “Forget it. I was dumb to even bring it up. I wasn't blaming you for the night Dirk attacked you, I was just saying I haven’t had the chance to enjoy my reign at all. But it’s fine, we'll enjoy yours after YOU beat me and prove everyone right.”
I slide out of the bed and start to put on some clothes.
Gavin: “I need some air.”
I kneel on the bed, seething as he tries to mope away from an argument he started.
Ashleigh: “Oh I’m sorry, was that not the reaction you were hoping for after telling me that I suck and that I’m ruining your life?”
I look over and shake my head. She can really be a cunt sometimes.
Gavin: “I wanted to have a conversation, and THIS is where we ended up. You’re not ruining my life. Everything’s fine, babe, I promise. You told me this was going to happen. So I shouldn't be upset over it. I ASKED for this.”
My brow furrows. What the fuck is he talking about?
Ashleigh: “I told you WHAT was going to happen?”
Sometimes she’s so good at playing dumb it’s scary.
Gavin: “You told me that if you joined NGW, you were going to let loose and cause chaos because that's what you do. I told you I didn't care, as long as I had you by my side, none of it mattered. So it’s fine, we’re fine. I wanted this so now I need to suck it up and deal with it. Forget I even brought it up.”
Blah, blah, blah… drama, drama, drama. Fuck him.
Ashleigh: “Why are you so fucking emo right now? You were fine with us facing each other a week ago when I first brought it up.”
And now I’m emo. She twists everything. I scoff while shaking my head.
Gavin: “I was fine until you went back on so much of the shit you said to me. I was FINE when I thought it was ABOUT US. Now? It feels like it's about YOU.”
He’s staring at me with an incredibly disappointed expression, like I let him down or ruined his favorite pair of baggy pants. He forgets who went back on their word first. It’s time I remind him. Strap in, this is to be a long one.
Ashleigh: “I went back? ME?! Do you remember when you told me we'd rule NGW together, that we were equals? Because I do. I remember believing that I was your equal and I held on to that belief despite not being allowed to compete against people in YOUR division. A division THAT I belong in. But it wasn't your fault and I was fine with it. Then all of sudden I hear your voice telling everyone that I'm nothing in NGW, that I can't come close to you because all I've done is win a second rate title and that my Inferno accomplishments don't mean SHIT here. That's when it hit me. You were right. It went against everything you said to me in private, but you were right. You want to demean me in public and apologize to me in private and expect everything to be peachy. Well that’s not the way this works. I'm as good as you, if not better, and I'm not about to sit on the sideline and fester while you pick and choose when you talk me up and when you make sure the world knows I'm beneath you. So think really hard about who went back on their word first.”
BOOM! Motherfucker!!
I sigh. I’m surprised she didn’t punctuate it with a, boom motherfucker!
Gavin: “Then you can have NGW. You can have the Unified Championship. I don't want it. I'll quit and let you dominate everyone you're supposed to dominate. You can kick Dirk's ass for your own revenge. You can have it all. I don't want it anymore. I fucking hate it.”
My fists clench as the frustration continues to mount and every word’s laced with venom.
Gavin: “I HATE having to defend my accomplishments. I HATE being compared to you. I HATE that I'm supposed to defend MY championship against you. I HATE that you called me out in front of thousands of people in person and a shit load more watching on TV. So I'm done. I don't want any of that shit. You can have it ALL.”
I tilt my head. That sounded like one hell of a pity party. Wonder if I should call the whambulance.
Ashleigh: “Really? Not even a sorry? Wow. Okay. So when it was non-title it was fine. But when your title is on the line, you HATE this.”
I chuckle in disbelief.
Ashleigh: “I really don't know what to say, Gavin. I'm sort of surprised and if we're speaking honestly it sounds like you're afraid to face me. I thought you wanted to beat me and legitimize your reign but I guess not. I should just leave NGW. That's probably best for everyone because I don't want to fuck up what we have and my being here is putting WAY too much pressure on you.”
I roll my eyes. I’m done playing her pandering little games.
Gavin: “I DID apologize, but you went off anyway. You want me to say sorry again? I’M SORRY! I'm fucking sorry! I was tired of hearing Dirk bitch about how I wouldn't defend against you and I fucking raged. But fine, I’ll defend it against you… and I'll fucking beat you too. Happy now? YOU FUCKING LIAR!”
You fucking what now? Is he for real? That shit hurt, he can see it in my face and I hate him for it.
Ashleigh: “So you can lie and you can shit talk but I'm not allowed to defend myself?”
I shake my head and scoff indignantly.
Ashleigh: “You won't beat me, because we're not fighting. Not in the ring at least. You've never been more mean to me then when this match started to become a reality. SO I’M DONE WITH IT!”
I jab a finger towards her.
Gavin: “You're not backing out of this shit. You’re the one who started it. You dug your grave and now you're gonna sleep in it. As for lying, you're the one who planted the idea. You're the one who wanted a non-title match. You're the one who said you simply wanted to find out who was better and that this would be about US. You're the one who said you didn't want to take anything away from me that I earned. I said some bullshit, yeah... but you just backtracked on EVERYTHING we talked about and you did it for everyone to see. You could’ve just talked to me and bitched me out in private and told me that I fucking hurt you! But now we're here, and now we're both going to be hurting and somehow it’s all MY fault. All of this is on my shoulders. I should be lifting you up but I brought you down and now it's your turn to bring me down.”
I pause and take a breath. I need to remain in control.
Gavin: “You can try to beat me, but I'm going to scrap and claw and fight to make sure you don't. I promise you that.”
Watching him slowly unravel breaks my heart. This isn’t what I wanted.
Ashleigh: “I'm not doing this. It's off. IT’S FUCKING OFF!”
Gavin: “After everything you said, you can't just take it back. Just like I can't take back all those things I said. We're stuck in this whether we like it or not.”
I lean back against the wall before sliding down onto the ground while shaking my head. It all feels so hopeless.
Ashleigh: “Like hell!”
I stand and start towards my phone. There’s no way I’m letting this ruin our relationship.
Ashleigh: “I'm texting Devlin, we're not doing this.”
I find my voice but it sounds hollow and emotionless.
Gavin: “Go ahead. Cancel it so everyone can say that I convinced you to do it because I'm scared of you.”
I let out a loud sigh.
Gavin: “No matter what you do, you come out looking good in every situation, you know that, right? It's going to be me that looks like shit, no matter what. So please, for me, don’t cancel. If you do, I'll never hear the end of it and we'll be back to square one until I get frustrated and say something stupid all over again.”
I throw my hands in the air, frustration mounting.
Ashleigh: “It's a match, Gavin. A fucking match. Why is it such a horrible thing? Yes, I plan on beating you. But you know what?”
I shrug.
Ashleigh: “Maybe you'll win. Fuck at this point maybe I'll LET you because this is fucking ridiculous.”
I shake my head. I’m done. Defeated.
Gavin: “I've said what I needed to say and so have you. I'm sorry I fucked everything up. I'm sorry that I've fucked up our honeymoon. I'm just sorry.”
I rub my hands over my face before running them through my hair as I stare at the carpet.
I find myself crouching in front of him while holding his hands. I’m not even sure how I got here. It’s as if instinct took over.
Ashleigh: “This is stupid. Are we seriously going to fight over this? You’ve said it a million times, you felt like this was inevitable because of the shit everyone was giving us for not facing each other, so let's just own it and fucking blow them away. Whatever happens we're still the two best talents in wrestling, period. Now can we please enjoy our honeymoon? Because I swear to god I'll retire from this sport if it fucks up the most amazing surprise of my life, with the most amazing man in my life.”
Without a word I lift her up and begin to kiss her aggressively before throwing her down onto the bed. As I climb over her I stare down into her dark eyes and see my reflection in them.
Gavin: “No matter what happens, I fucking love you and I always will. You are my world and all I want is for you to be happy. So yes, let's get back to our honeymoon, because that's the only thing that should matter right now.”
I reach up and hold his face between my hands.
Ashleigh: “Gavin listen to me, I promise you, we've got this. No matter what, we've got this. I won't let it break us and I won't let ANYONE bring us down. It's going to be okay. Everything's going to be fine, no matter what.”
I nod my head as I stare into her eyes. I believe her, of course I do.
Gavin: “I know you won't. I trust you. I won't let this break us either, okay?”
I smile as my nose nuzzles against his.
Ashleigh: “I know.”
And fuck anyone who thinks otherwise.
** ON CAMERA **
The scene opens with Ashleigh Grimes standing behind a podium. She draws a deep breath and taps the microphone, causing the sound to echo through the room before feedback shrieks from the speakers. Ashleigh grimaces and cops an apologetic smile.
Ashleigh: “Sorry about that. This really isn’t my forum. It’s more of a setting where you’d find a sleazy, two-timing politician speaking out both sides of his or her mouth. Where they distract you with the actions of their left hand…”
She waves her left hand in the air for all to see.
Ashleigh: “..while their right hand is picking your pocket. Sleight of hand, slander, immature insults; they’re ALL part of the mudslinging that goes on during a political campaign, in fact they’re the expected norms. Which is why someone threatening to build a wall to keep MY people out may be YOUR next president.”
She frowns.
Ashleigh: “Gavin begged me to say that. I thought it was tacky.”
The shot switches to Gavin who is once again dressed as Senor Grimes, greasy moustache, sombrero and all. He shakes a set of maracas before the shot quickly switches back to Ash, who appears less than impressed.
Ashleigh: “Anyways… the reason I find myself poised to cut a promo in an environment I loathe is because those double-talking, shit slinging, snake oil salesmen Aurora and Damon left me no choice but to…”
She punctuates each word by pointing towards the camera.
Ashleigh: “…fight fire with fire!!”
She pauses a moment, weighing her options before chuckling aloud.
Ashleigh: “Actually, scratch that… I’m going to fight lies with the one thing those two can’t dispute; truth. I mean after all the truth will set you free; isn’t that right Angelz?”
Harp chords are heard as a bright light fills the screen before subsiding into a sea of white. The camera traces a path along what appear to be billowing clouds, panning upwards until it falls upon the smiling faces of Gavin and Ashleigh Grimes, lying in bed. Those billowing clouds weren’t clouds at all but were instead the fine satin sheets of the bed they now occupy in their honeymoon suite.
A grinning Gavin can’t help but beam as Ashleigh cuddles into him, both of them basking in a bit of an afterglow.
Gavin: “I’m sorry, did you think this was going to go all highbrow and religious. Haven’t you heard? We’re a couple of sinners. I mean, that’s what the Angelz of Dumbasses have labeled us. They’re here to ‘cleanse’ the wrestling world of people like Ashleigh and I; you know, people who can actually wrestle a damn match. But the majority of the AoD wouldn’t know anything about that. I found it amusing that Aurora had to use Gray Malone and Corey Bull’s past accomplishments BEFORE NGW to justify teaming with, ‘greats’ like them. How come it’s Aurora coming to the aid of Corey and Gray? Shouldn’t their ‘past’ accomplishments speak for themselves? Aren’t those two, ‘legends’ able to stand on their own? Nope, and Aurora realized that her and her pencil-necked boyfriend with the hipster haircut hitched themselves to the wrong group of people.”
“Instead of AoD looking like a dominating group, they’ve simply been dominated over and over again. Well, Gray and Bull have… As for Aurora and Damon, they’ve been sheltered in a broken down tag team division where they’ve fought countless teams who were thrown together at the spur of the moment. Then when they finally went for the NGW Tag Team Championships, they had to beat Avery Miles III who was forced to choose Kenzie as his tag team partner. Once again, you were fighting a thrown together team because Levi Daughterty took his ball and went home and once again, you took advantage of it, except this time, only one person showed up to the match. Drunk or not, at least Kenzie showed up to fight Ash, I guess she didn’t give two fucks about you two, right? So tell me something, up until this point in your four months here in NGW, what the fuck have you done? ENLIGHTEN ME!? Because as far as I’m concerned, you haven’t accomplished much, the only thing you’ve done is make AoD look halfway decent, as opposed to like complete shit.”
Ashleigh reaches over and taps Gavin gently on the chest while a grin wrinkles her nose.
Ashleigh: “Tag, my turn.”
Her dark eyes dance with devious intentions.
Ashleigh: “Is it double the hypocrisy when the Angelz of Hypocrisy themselves call ME a hypocrite? Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to own my shortcomings. In fact I’m pretty sure Aurora pegged me as being a, ‘shit human being.’
She raises her right hand while smiling.
Ashleigh: “Guilty as charged. I’m sorry; did you think you were the first person to stumble upon that low hanging fruit? Were you hoping to enjoy a Scooby Snack while I complained about how those meddling kids exposed me to the world?”
Ash holds her hand to her forehead and gasps in mock horror.
Ashleigh: “I’m sorry Gavin, they exposed me for the untrustworthy fiend I am. Until they blew the whistle you knew nothing of my befriending of Reiko Tatsuya only to bury her pathetic career. Now you’re aware I sabotaged the relationship of Julian Savell and Lizzy Taylor just to gain a mental edge in a meaningless tag match of all things.”
She covers her mouth.
Ashleigh: “Oh my god; did you know that I purposely caused one of my anemic best friends to bleed out just so that I could secure the Inferno Title?! I mean those were all matters of public record and oh yeah… YOU WERE THERE for each and every heinous infraction.”
She shrugs.
Ashleigh: “Believe me Aurora, the world is WELL aware that I’m a special kind of asshole. I own every precious misdeed, so please remember that for later. It’ll be important when I point out all the stupid bullshit you two Einsteins manufactured while grasping for straws. But for now…
Ash reaches over and tweaks Gavin’s nose.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles and shakes his head.
Gavin: “And here go the clowns once again trying to claim that I’m pretending to be something I’m not. The whole time I’ve been in NGW, I’ve shown my true colors. I respect the company, I respect the fans and I even respect my opponents when they show me respect back. But if you disrespect me? Then I’m going to slowly and meticulously tear you apart. And that’s all that Aurora and Damon have shown me is disrespect, ever since they walked through those NGW doors. But you want me to respect you and what you’ve done? Why the fuck should I when you haven’t done ANYTHING worth my respect? Why should I respect your empty victories that have basically been HANDED to you. The lame battle royal victory for Aurora and your pathetic tag team victories over Mandi & Mickie Lee and KEG & Billy Ray Roberts, all of whom are hot garbage. Then Aurora beat the inconsistent Drake Hunter who had one foot out the door while Damon beat Levi Daughterty, who didn’t even BOTHER to show up for the match, so congratulations on the countout victory there, bud. The fact that the only relevant thing you’ve done in NGW is take part in multiple sneak attacks is straight up PATHETIC.”[/COLOR]
Gavin scoffs.
Gavin: “Ash and I, we BOTH get shit done in the ring. We don’t need to resort to petty sneak attacks, and we don’t need to be in a GROUP to legitimize ourselves like you two do. Damon went ahead and admitted that he joined AoD because he was a scrawny little bitch who wasn’t taken seriously in the indy companies he was in, even though he gave his ‘everything.’ You know who didn’t need anyone to legitimize themselves? Ash and I. She did it on her own in Inferno Wrestling and I did it on my own in Portland Pro Wrestling before doing it here in NGW.”
“When summarizing my career it’s interesting how you continue to overlook my victories over Tyson Gregory, Bronx and Mark Storm. Sure, they aren’t here now but that doesn’t change how great they are in the ring. So how much do you guys plan on contradicting yourselves? You say that my opponents, like Dirk, have been handpicked but didn’t he beat the shit out of Corey to EARN his shot against me? Yeah, keep on trying to twist it to fit your narrative. Devlin and I currently have an understanding, we’re not friends and we never will be, but he backs me as his champion while I back his company as the face of it. That’s where it starts and ends. We aren’t buddies, we don’t grab dinner or hang out or text… I’m simply the top guy in his company because I EARNED this spot. What have you two EARNED? I’ll save you the suspense; not a goddamn thing. Those belts? They were handed to you.”
Gavin holds his hand out and receives a fist bump from Ash.
Gavin: “Wonder Twin powers... fuck these bitches up.”
Ash smirks while letting her hair cascade onto the pillow as she focuses on the camera.
Ashleigh: “I have to commend the way the two of you function as a unit. I only hope that one day Gavin and I can finish each other’s…”
Gavin: “Sandwiches!”
Ashleigh: “…sentences, like the two of you can. Of course if you look a little closer you’ll find that the reason you seem so in sync is because you’re saying the EXACT SAME THING. It’s like every time Damon moves his lips it’s Aurora’s hand up his ass, sliding a giant hemorrhoid to the left as she pulls his strings. So let’s talk about those points your collective voice hit on. We seem to be in agreement that I can and will kick Gavin’s ass; bravo the two of you can pick a winner. In fact you inferred that I was the top wrestler in NGW, the one to beat. Again, kudos on being so observant. But that’s when one of you went off script. It’s like the hand was still up the ass but suddenly Damon forgot his lines. How else would you explain his chastising me for wanting more than the Five Lakes Championship yet Aurora so astutely points out that I was cheating not only myself but the fans AND the roster by depriving myself of a shot at our company’s highest title. So Damon thinks I’m a self-absorbed, egocentric asshole for wanting more yet Aurora thinks I’m a delusional, love struck asshole for wanting less.”
She shrugs while blowing her bangs from her face.
Ashleigh: “Seems to me you’re both hell bent on painting me as an asshole; but why reach? Why contradict yourselves when there are plenty of assholey things I’ve done that we can ALL agree on.”
A smile forms.
Ashleigh: “My ego, for one. You both think it’s out of hand, that I’m thumbing my nose and looking down upon the rest you… and I am. Why? Because I can. I love watching you try to minimize MY accomplishments while maximizing your pathetic careers. Damon dismisses the fact that I’ve NEVER lost. He tosses it aside as happenstance, because after all everyone HAS to lose sometime. Aurora chooses to discount my domination of an Inferno roster that was second to none. Why? Because a seasonal fed came to the end of its season with me capturing its most sought after title. Just so we’re clear; by Aurora’s logic the Cleveland Cavaliers championship is now worthless because the NBA season has drawn to a close. Wow. I sure hope we don’t have any Cleveland fans out there.”
She gives the camera a big wink.
Ashleigh: “Damon and Aurora got back on the same page while declaring my Five Lakes Championship meant nothing because I beat a, “Z-grade scream queen.” Again I agree, Shelley Silver is lower than sub par. Here’s the thing though, who did Shelley Silver defeat to capture the meaningless championship I now hold? That’s right; it was Gray Malone AND Kenzie Rydell. The same Kenzie you sought to recruit the second you arrived in NGW. Funny how that works. You claim to be such astute judges of talent yet you hitched your wagons to the wrong horse, a fact that was hammered home when Gavin drove Kenzie through a table. A position she’s familiar with because I’ve done the very same thing to her. Kenzie Rydell has been my bitch her entire career. So stop and think morons. Stop and think how stupid it sounds to minimize OUR talent while you try to prop up the dying careers of Gray Malone and Corey Bull. Do you know who would take those two over Gavin and I at this moment? NO ONE. Not even you. Which is why you sound SO ridiculous when you dismiss our accomplishments while saying you’re going to bring prestige to the Tag Titles. By beating WHO? Not us. That’s for certain. You just fling insults and make claims that have no basis. Gavin and I have our titles AND our records to stake our claims on, yet you choose to dismiss them because they’re not convenient to your argument. Because an argument steeped in fiction can find no facts to support it. So yes, we’re cocky… and yes, we’re confident… if you were us, you’d be too. I look down my nose at you because much like Gavin said; I earned that right. I earned it by being better than the both of you in every way possible, and Gavin has too. You may think those claims are steeped in fiction like your cockamamie theories, but come Vendetta you’ll find they’re based on solid, indisputable facts.”
She reaches over and flicks Gavin on the ear, causing him to swat at her.
Gavin: “Ow! What was that for?”
Ashleigh grins.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles and sighs before taking his turn.
Gavin: “Now what’s this about me being ‘scared’ of defending my championship against Ash? Newsflash, assholes, Ash didn’t have to challenge me in the first place, the title shot was hers as soon as she chose to revoke the clause, which she did and now we’re going to fight for MY championship, but that’s not even relevant at the moment, seeing as how we aren’t having our match until when? September or something like that? Yeah, I angrily walked out on Ash after I beat Dirk Bentley, who surprisingly, gave me more of a challenge than anyone has in months. But it wasn’t because I was ‘scared’ of Ash or because I wasn’t accepting her ‘challenge.’ I was pissed at her because she basically hijacked my moment when I’d just defended my championship in one of the toughest matches of my life. Try and downgrade Dirk all you want but he brought me the fight of his life and almost beat me and I’m not ashamed to say that. I didn’t get to soak in that moment but oh well, shit happens and Ash and I got OVER it. We bicker, we fight and we forgive each other because THAT is what married couples do. So don’t come out here with your ‘Oh, we never fight, we support each other in everything, BLAH FUCKING BLAH!’”
Gavin scoffs loudly and rolls his eyes.
Gavin: “You two are talking shit like you think you’re going to drive a wedge between Ash and I, like we give a fuck what you or anyone else thinks about us or our relationship. But oh, I’m such an asshole for not going at Dirk right away for his attack on Ash, right? What a piece of shit I am. I mean, it’s not like I tried to beat the shit out of him after he BEAT Corey ‘Crybaby’ Bull before he ran away. Then the next show, all of you idiots decided to attack him after he beat Khonda, so you kind of stole that moment there for me before Corey attacked me from behind later on that night. So I beat the shit out of him in a match and pinned him for the three count and that was the end of it. Don’t you find it a little funny that Ash was standing in the ring with me with Dirk lying down, staring up at the lights, and she didn’t even bother laying a hand on him? BECAUSE IT’S DONE AND OVER WITH, EVEN FOR HER! It’s cute how much you’re trying to reach and ‘expose’ our relationship when ours is probably stronger than yours. You can have your rainbows and butterflies relationship because it’s a proven fact that fighting and then resolving issues with each other builds a stronger relationship and in our case, a stronger marriage. History shows that Ash and I fight, we make up and then there’s no lingering resentment after that, while history also shows that we work WELL as a tag team. So far, we’re up two wins and zero losses as a team, one of those happening against Team IPW, a team that had the likes of Jacob Daniels, somebody who’s head and shoulders above both of you. How many tag team matches have you two won together? Oh, right… Two. One against jobbers and the other against one man; when you compare that to Ash and I eliminating the best IPW had to offer, it seems like you can’t even hold a candle to a team like us and don’t pretend like you have as much experience as we do either.”
Ashleigh doesn’t even wait for the tag, immediately stepping in as Gavin finishes.
Ashleigh: “Do you have a stronger relationship than ours? Gavin raises an interesting question but then again does it matter? Up to now most of my opponents have elected to keep my personal life out of our affairs because they could only imagine the verbal undressing they’d endure should they venture there. But not you Aurora, you thought it would be cute to use a cracked vase as a metaphor because let’s be honest, you lack the vocabulary to get your point across without a visual aid, such as Damon nearly shitting himself.”
A sly grin takes hold.
Ashleigh: “Did you think your vase analogy would throw me, that I’d take it personal, playing it over and over in my head as I rocked myself to sleep in the corner while crying about how Gavin and I were doomed to end up scattered in pieces on the floor? Then you thought wrong and you thought me feeble minded when I’m not. Your analogy was dead on, but here’s the thing, it applies to EVERY couple on this Earth. Big, small, black, white, gay, straight, whatever sexual orientation Damon claims to be… they ALL run the risk of becoming broken SO badly that there’s no putting them back together. But you know that because you got married way too young and thought you found love where it wasn’t. Let me ask you a question similar to the one you asked me; how does that make you any different than the millions of other women who married too young and made the same goddamn mistake? You’re not unique in your experience much like your analogy wasn’t unique to my situation. We’re ALL fragile, Aurora. Some more than others, but if you knock us down enough times we’ll eventually break. We can patch ourselves up like you said but a little piece of us dies with every suture. What you described is a fragile existence that every human being is confronted with the second they wake up in the morning. So yes, Gavin and I could crumble much like you and Damon could. Just like an innocent man could get shot during a traffic stop or an officer could be killed in the line of duty by the very people he’s trying to protect. Life is fragile. Does that I mean I should give up on it? That I should sit inside my house and never venture out? Do a few bumps in the road mean Gavin and I are doomed? If that’s what you believe then you’re not as wise as you make yourself out to be. Gavin and I are fighting about a match stipulation, nothing more. I can only hope the same, ‘horrible tragedy’ will befall the two of you, as opposed to something serious like Damon sleeping with another woman or just waking up one day and deciding he doesn’t love you anymore. You think I’m immature and irrational about my relationship, yet you’re the one crowing about how it’s broken because of something we do for sport. Think about how irrational THAT sounds. But hey, you’re young just like me, and we’re figuring this shit out as we go. Just do me a favor and stop acting like you’re fit to judge just because you fucked some guy when you were a teenager and fell for him too soon. Outside the ring your mistakes are yours and nobody else’s; but inside the ring your mistakes will lead to OUR victory. Trust me on this one; when it comes to winning big matches, I’m the one speaking from experience.”
Gavin kisses Ashleigh on the cheek.
Gavin: “TAG!”
He grins before continuing on.
Gavin: “Now here’s the question at hand… How can Ash and I even TRUST each other after everything we’ve been through? HOW can we do it when she’s turned on so many tag team partners? HOW can we do it after, according to Damon, Ash stabbed me in the heart, personally and professionally?”
Gavin frowns as he looks at the ground and shakes his head.
Gavin: “I honestly can’t tell you… HOW FUCKING STUPID ALL OF THAT SOUNDS!”
He smiles and laughs while shaking his head.
Gavin: “We’ve already established that Ash and I are just fine and have settled shit when it comes to us. But here’s another history lesson for the two of you; Ash has never gotten along with her tag team partners until she tagged with a certain someone who’s quite close to her. Who could that be? Hmmm… Who? Who? Who?”
Gavin looks around and there’s nobody to be found besides the two the, so he points at her.
Gavin: “Ash, could it be you?”
Ash strokes her chin while contemplating this vexing mystery.
Ashleigh: “I don’t think I’ve ever tagged with myself because let’s be honest, if that were possible, I wouldn’t need you.”
She grins before sticking her tongue out at him. Gavin can’t help but nod and laugh.
Gavin: “Well, then I guess that leaves only one person.”
His eyes scan around the room one more time, along with his pointed finger following along with everything he’s looking at but there’s nobody to be found until he points at himself and a shocked expression rolls over his face.
Gavin: “OH MY GOD! Ash, I can’t believe it, the obvious answer was sitting in front of Aurora and Damon all along. It was me, Ash! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!”
Ash covers her mouth in mock surprise.
Ashleigh: “You’re right, it IS you.”
She looks from the camera to Gavin and then back to the camera again.
Ashleigh: “But it’s always been you, hasn’t it? Then again feeble minds like Aurora and Damon can’t comprehend that while I might believe I’m better than you inside the ring, I know for a fact I’m not better than you outside of it. Let’s go full circle back to what Aurora alluded to earlier, I’m an asshole. An insecure, condescending, angry asshole…
Gavin: “Not true, and even if it were you’d be my asshole.”
Ash grins.
Ashleigh: “I am your asshole, babe. Why? Because our relationship wasn’t built inside the ring and it wasn’t forged out of the convenience of being stablemates. Our relationship started before you were ready to compete professionally and before I made my Inferno debut. Our relationship has spanned companies and continents until we finally came together in NGW and much like you’ve admitted; you told me flat out that you didn’t want me to change the way I am inside the ring, no matter what… and I’ve respected your wishes and stuck to my guns. Why? Because it’s not about trusting in you or trusting in me, it’s about trusting in us. The in-ring part is easy. I know that on the off chance I find myself in trouble between the ropes, I’ll have the best wrestler in NGW watching my back. It just so happens that at the end of the night I get to go home and fall asleep in the arms of that very same wrestler. Lucky for me, unlucky for all of you.”
She chuckles.
Ashleigh: “Shit, I just realized. This match may not be for the tag titles but it’s for something far more valuable. Damon and Aurora want what we have. The fame, the fortune, the success, the relationship; it’s why they started calling themselves the power couple in the first place. It’s kind of cute in a Fatal Attraction stalker sort of way. It explains all the petty insults and hypocrisy. They have to tear us down in order to become us, even if that means lowering themselves to inane name calling and schoolyard insults. They’re like a couple of kids with a crush, only there’s absolutely no question; we’re WAY out of their league… but keep swinging for the fences, kids.”
Ash mimes swinging a bat and clicks her tongue against the side of her cheek to imitate the sound of contact as the imaginary bat strikes Gavin’s head.
Ashleigh: “Tag.”
Gavin smiles at Ash before focusing on the camera.
Gavin: “A couple of kids with schoolyard insults… That suits Aurora and Damon perfectly. You two can make fun of our names like a couple of immature teenagers and talk shit about OUR relationship all you want, but the fact of the matter is, you two can’t hold a fucking candle to us in the ring and in a few days, you’re going to find out exactly what I mean when I nail The Crowning and Ash hits The Long Kiss Goodnight, or she’ll use one of your OWN moves just to prove a point. Either way, you won’t see it coming and when Ash and I are through, you’ll be forgotten champions, left desperately seeking the attention of anyone and everyone who will listen… just like your buddies Corey Bull and Gray Malone.”
A confident smirk runs over his face as he moves towards Ash and wraps his arms around her.
Gavin: “Oh, and Damon… I don’t think someone with a gay as fuck belly button tattoo should ever speak about any of my tats; you know, because that tattoo makes you look like a cocksucking bitch.”
A grinning Ash reaches out towards the camera and taps the lens.
Ashleigh: “Tag. Your turn to churn out more baseless propaganda and senseless rhetoric. Do your worst but I promise you, we’ll be ready… we always are.”
As Gavin rolls on top of Ashleigh and pulls the sheets up over them, the scene slowly fades to black.