Date August 17th 2020 / Time Unknown / Status Not Recording
Location UGWC Kobayashi Maru – The Prudential Center – Newark, New Jersey

Well, tonight’s the night. Things have been kind of quiet all day between Joe and myself. My guess is that he’s been going through what we’re about to do in his head and he’s probably second guessing himself.

Probably wondering if it’s gonna be worth it in the end.

Hell, tonight we could walk out of here with the Cooperative titles.. We could walk out of here champions, but would it really feel like it? No matter how that title match goes – Joe and I aren’t walking out of here together.. And I can’t really blame him if he’s wondering what I think he’s wondering.

Because I’m thinking about the same exact thing.

I raise my head and look across the locker room at him. He’s hunched over in a chair near the door, his head in his hands.

“Hey, Joe?”

The moment he hears my voice, he jerks up and turns around.

“Yeah?”

“What are you thinking about?”

He lowers his eyes again and shakes his head.

“You already know what I’m thinking about, Luce.”

I shrug my shoulders and get up, stretching.

“Yeah.. So talk to me about it, Joe. This is probably our last night together for…”

I let out a sigh.

“…For I don’t know how long. Why are we spending it like this?”

“I don’t know. As much as I want to do this…”

I nod my head.

“You don’t wanna hurt me. I know.”

We’ve been over this for the last couple of weeks, since Joe thought up this little scheme. He just wanted to tell Tempest that he agreed with what he said – But I’m the one who wanted to up the ante. I’m the one who wanted to show Tempest, instead of tell him. I felt like that was the only way Joe was gonna be able to convince them that he really had believed what Tempest has been saying about me, and us.

I’ll admit, I’m not looking forward to whatever Joe’s got planned for me after the match.

And I’m definitely not looking forward to the aftermath.

“I mean, we don’t have to do this, you know. No one knows what’s gonna happen except you and me. We can just forget about it and go out there and…”

My voice trails off as Joe glances back up at me.

“…But…”

I say, kneeling in front of him, grabbing his hand and holding it for dear life.

“But do you think he’ll shut the fuck up if we don’t?”

He sighs and shakes his head.

“No.”

“Me either. So are we still in agreement? We gonna do this?”

He squeezes my hand and brings it up to his mouth, kissing it softly before letting it go and getting up. He paces around, much like he always does when he’s thinking, or upset, or… Well anything really. Instead of getting back up myself, I just slide up onto the chair he was occupying and I watch him.

“Yeah. We are. Just maybe I hit you with something small afterwards. Something that looks good and gets the point across.”

“You can’t look like you’re trying to take it easy on me Joe.”

He turns around and looks at me incredulously.

“Lucy.”

“What, Joe? Do what you gotta do to make the message clear. You can’t give anyone any doubts that you’re turning against me. Kick my damn head off my body, I’ll survive. But we’ve only got one shot to send this message and we can’t fuck it up.”

He runs his hands over his head as I talk, letting his arms fall to his sides as I finish.

“I know, I know.”

I open my mouth to speak but a knock to the door cuts me off.

“You’re next! Five minutes!”

I close my mouth as my eyes move to Joes and we stare at each other for a few moments, before I turn my face down to my hands, wringing them out in my lap. My eyes move to my engagement ring and I realize I forgot something.

“Shit…”

“What?”

I don’t answer him right away, as I head across the room, opening my bag and grabbing something out of it. A small box. I open it and pull another ring out of the box, and slide my real engagement ring off of my ring finger as I feel Joe move in behind me.

“This…”

I say, sliding the fake ring onto my finger and putting the real one into the box. I turn around and hand it to Joe as I notice a sadness in his eyes.

“Calm down… I’m still gonna marry you when all this is over with. I just didn’t think you wanted to toss the real thing into the crowd…”

I chuckle as he takes the box and slides it into his gear bag.

“How do you think of shit like this?”

He asks, as he closes the bag and lays it on the ground by the door. Easier for him to grab quickly once all this is over. I shake my head.

“The nicest ones always have the most evil minds… I don’t know.”

I reply, grinning at him.. Trying to get him to crack at least one smile before we gotta go out there. Instead he looks just as grumpy as ever.

I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. Before he can say anything, I get up on my tip toes and kiss him.

I kiss him like it’s the last time.

I feel his arms wrap around my back, pulling me in tight for the last few moments we have before we finally pull away from one another.

“You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

I nod my head, my stomach doing somersaults as I cast a quick glance towards the door.

“You better hit me…”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were gonna enjoy it.”

I roll my eyes and head towards the door.

“Oh yes.. This is going to be the highlight of my entire career.”

I open the door and step out, turning back to see if Joe’s behind me but he’s still standing in the same spot he was in a few minutes ago. I walk back in, just enough to lean against the door frame.

“Joe?”

He turns his head and his eyes tell me everything I need to know. I smile.

“I love you too, Joe. Come on, let’s get this over with, hmm?”

 

Date August 17th 2020 / Time 11:39PM / Status Not Recording
Location St. Michaels Medical Center – Newark, New Jersey

It’s funny, I’d gotten so used to seeing that ring on my finger – So used to constantly checking my hand to make sure it hadn’t fallen off. It’s weird not seeing it there now, and even though I know that Joe threw a fake into the audience… I still feel like I lost something.

Jesus… What a fucked up game we’re playing.

“How’re you doing, Miss Wylde?”

I look up, to see the same nurse who’d brought me back here, standing in the doorway watching me fiddle with my empty ring finger. I wonder if she saw… Or if she thinks something else happened to me tonight.

Who knows.

I shrug my shoulders and move my legs so they’re dangling off the side of the hospital bed.

“Aside from a bit of a headache, I’m alright.”

A bit of a headache. Right. I know I told Joe to kick my head off if need be, but I certainly didn’t expect him to use my own move against me. Nice touch, I think to myself as the nurse nods her head.

“You shouldn’t be stuck here too much longer, it doesn’t look like a concussion from the tests we’ve done.”

“Thanks.”

I say as she leaves me by myself again to contemplate.. Well, everything. But it’s not long before I hear a loud, exasperated sigh coming from the very doorway I just looked away from. I know that sigh anywhere…

“So, how do you want me to kill him?”

Eden.

I take a quick peek to make sure it’s actually her, and shake my head – Looking back down at my hands.

“Heh. Yeah..”

I see her move towards me out of the corner of my eye and cross her arms over her chest.

“I got it handled, Edie.”

I say, finally looking up into her eyes where I can easily see the rage bubbling up inside her. I can’t help but chuckle and the look I get in return is probably one of the best ‘Eden’ looks I could have ever hoped for.

“Why are you laughing? That Judas–”

I shake my head.

“No, what happened isn’t funny… It’s just… You.”

“Me?”

She asks, looking hurt.

“Yes, you… Eden Morgan… Or, Baal.. Whatever… You coming in here after I get blasted, looking to get revenge for me. Come on, that’s pretty funny.”

“I think he kicked you harder than you want to admit.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“If he decided to use my move all the time, he’d…”

I let my voice trail off and sigh. It’s kinda nice to see her here, supporting me.. But I don’t like acting like I’m all torn up about this when I’m not. It’s not right.

“Listen, Edie…”

I can’t just let her think that Joe actually did this. Like, he did actually kick me in the head but not for the reasons she thinks. Just as I’m getting ready to spill the whole thing, I look up and see another figure in the doorway.

“I was about to ask where you were at.”

“Well you disappeared, my dear and I had a bit of trouble finding someone to tell me where you went.”

I watch Gabriel move into the room, stepping up beside Eden.

“Hi, Gabriel.”

“Hello, Lucy.. How are you feeling?”

Eden scoffs.

“How do you think she’s feeling, husband?”

Gabriel side eyes his wife.

“I was merely being polite.”

“Guys… I’m fine.”

I say, interrupting them.

“Really. And I’ll take care of… this myself.”

“We know…”

Gabriel starts, nodding his head knowingly.

“But… You have back up if you need it.”

Eden finishes the thought, both of them looking at me with what I’m assuming is pity. Because I guess in their minds, this is just the kind of thing that always happens to me. Lucy can’t find a meaningful relationship to save her life. Lucy can’t find someone that’s worthy of the trust she so naively gives to these assholes.

But that’s not Joe.

And I really don’t want them to think that of him… Especially since what we’re doing is exactly something that Eden and Gabriel have done in the past..

And they let me in on their secret…

Fair is fair, right?

“Listen, guys… I–”

Gabriel puts his hand up, stopping me.

“I’m sorry my dear, but it’s been an incredibly long evening… Would you mind it if I went and found some tea? I don’t even know if it’ll be drinkable, but–”

I nod my head.

“Go for it.”

“I want a latte.”

Eden chirps in. Gabriel nods and motions to me.

“Oh, I don’t want anything, thanks.”

He shrugs and leaves the room, promising that he would be back promptly. As he leaves, I sigh and lean back against the bed.

“You’re not fine.”

“Yeah, I am.. Actually.”

“Right.”

I roll my eyes and glare at her.

“Eden… I’m fine. Really. Things aren’t what you think they are…”

Her eyebrows raise in surprise as she sits down beside the bed and leans forward.

“I’m listening…”

“You can’t tell anyone… Except Gabriel. But no one can know…”

She rolls her eyes and scoffs.

“Please, you’re talking to the one who died.. Okay?”

I shake my head.

“Obviously.. What happened tonight… It was a show. To lure Tempest in. That’s all.”

It takes Eden a few moments to think about what I just said. It feels like a huge weight’s been lifted off my shoulders though. I have a really hard time looking people I care about in the eye and lying to them… Even if it’s for an important cause.

But finally, she nods her head – Looking disappointed.

“So.. I can’t kick his ass now…”

I shake my head and roll my eyes.

“No!”

“Rude.”

“I know, right.. But you can’t beat the shit out of my fiance.”

She shakes her head and pouts.

“Eden…”

She groans.

“I get it, I get it. I won’t say anything… But the positive? I get to bash him all over twitter..”

A devilish grin comes across her lips. But just as quickly as it does, her face turns more serious. Now I’m worried.

“What?”

“I… I don’t think we should tell Gabriel.”

My eyes widen.

“Wait, what?”

I almost can’t believe she’s telling me that we shouldn’t tell Gabriel.. Her husband. They’re both my friends, and if I can’t trust them with this.. Then who the hell can I trust?

“It’s just.. He’s got this thing with Tempest and the Creeps and if he knows this… It would put him in an.. Awkward position.”

Oh shit…

I didn’t realize that. Or maybe I forgot, I don’t know.

“I- Yeah.. I don’t want to put him in that position.”

“Yeah. But hey, come with us.. We’re headed back home tomorrow. Relax, get a tan.. Get some help keeping your secret. It’ll be fun.”

I nod my head.

“I’m in no position to say no.”

“Well, I believe it’s tea.”

We both turn to see Gabriel come back into the room, holding two cups and a sour look on his face.

“As for what’s in your cup, dear..”

I roll my eyes and chuckle.

“I’m sure it’s horrible. Lucy’s gonna come home with us, by the way.”

Gabriel grins and nods at me.

“I’m pleased to hear that. We’ll make sure you have a nice time, Lucy.”

I smile at him.

“Thank you.. Thank you both, so much.”

 

Date August 20th 2020 / Time 3:45PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Baal Residence – The Maldives

It’s been an interesting couple of days.

This place is gorgeous. As gorgeous as I remember when I was here for Eden and Gabriel’s wedding. But it’s weird. It’s weird being here under the guise of being torn up about what Joe did, and trying to deal with it. It’s weird to have to talk about him like I hate him, when my feelings are anything but.

My phone rings and I glance down at it, smiling as I see his name.

-I miss you.-

I look around, seeing if I’m still alone here on the beach – and I am. I’m sure Gabriel and Eden are off doing whatever it is they do when they’re home. Either way, I’m glad for the reprieve.

-I miss you more.-

I send back, laying the phone on my lap and closing my eyes. The sun feels great. But I don’t know if I’ll actually get a tan. Eden said and I quote, ‘your skin is so fluorescent it might actually reflect the sun back into the atmosphere’. I chuckle to myself as the phone rings in my lap once more.

-How are you doing?-

-I’m fine. Sunning on the beach at the moment.-

I’m glad we can at least speak like this.. But it’s only been a few days. It’s only been a few days and it’s already borderline unbearable. Sure, it’s nice here. It’s nice spending time with Eden and Gabriel, but it would be much nicer if both of them knew what was going on and I didn’ t have to play the role of the betrayed lover.

But here we are.

And I ain’t got no one to blame but myself. Joe just wanted to tell Tempest, I just had to wanna go all in on this plan.

To be fair though, with either plan.. Things would have been this way.

We’d be apart and we’d be trying our hardest to fool everyone and their brothers.

-Lucky.-

I roll my eyes.

-I’d much rather be with you. But at least Eden knows what’s going on… Makes it a little easier.-

-Wait.. Eden knows? Why’d you tell her?-

I sigh and sit up on the lounger.

Why’d I tell her? Because I don’t know.. I knew that she was alive when everyone else thought she was dead. She trusted me, and now I’m trusting her. And so far, she’s not made me regret it. I know Joe doesn’t like her, and that’s fine, but damn.. I had to tell someone.

-And so does Kyra… And why? So you don’t get murdered.-

I send back, as Eden steps in beside me and sits down.

“Talking to Judas?”

My eyes widen and I look around, making sure she didn’t just–

“Relax, Gabriel’s in his study. What’s he saying?”

“He’s none too happy that you know.”

She scoffs and chuckles.

“If I didn’t, things would be so much worse for him.”

My phone rings.

-That’s fair. Listen, I gotta go.. I’ll try to talk to you later. Love you.-

I sigh.

-I love you.-

“How’d you keep everyone in the dark when you died? Christ this sucks.”

She shrugs and takes a sip of the drink she brought out with her.

“Well, being dead… I didn’t have an obligation to attend shows and be around all our ‘peers’, so that was a plus.”

“Maybe I should stay here until Joe decides to finally tell Tempest what’s up.”

I mutter to myself, grabbing my own drink off the table and taking a healthy drink.

“I mean, you could. I don’t know how well that would work though…”

“I know. I’m sorry for putting you in this position though.. Keeping this from Gabriel. I–”

She puts her hand up and shakes her head.

“When all of this is over, he’ll understand why I didn’t want you to tell him. Don’t worry about it. But for now…”

She pulls out her phone with a smile on her face.

“..I get to further the plot….”

Oh lord…

“What are you doing now?”

She’s typing away on her phone furiously and I can only imagine what she’s doing…

“Eden…”

“Shut up, Rude Cow and let me work my magic…”

DING!

“Christ…”

What’s she done now?

 

Oh, Tempest…

How’s it feel to think that you’d turned a man against the woman he loves, made him believe the bullshit lies you were telling… Only for it to blow up in your face so spectacularly?

Let me tell you something, Tempest.

Let me make something crystal clear for you and your band of Merry punks.

Nothing you could ever say about me would make Joe forget the fact that I’ve been one of the ONLY people that have been in his corner for YEARS. I’ve been the one person who’s championed for him, who’s supported him, who’s helped him.. No matter what that meant.

I took him out of a Wargames match, I was the reason his career ended in Carnage because I knew he wasn’t in his right mind and I didn’t want him to do something he’d eventually regret. I did that because I love him, because he means more to me than anything this business could ever mean. From the outside looking in, I’m sure it looked like I was just trying to steal his thunder.. But that’s not me.

It’s never been me, Tempest.

And if you actually took the time to know who in the fuck I am, you’d know that.

You’d know that and you wouldn’t have even had to bothered trying to split us up.

But now, you look like the idiot that you really are and Joe and I are as strong as ever.

I don’t know what else to tell you, Tempest. You’re shit out of luck as far as I’m concerned. Joe’s off fighting Hide for that UGWC World Championship and you’re stuck with me. The woman who was the mastermind behind the plan to put you in your place. But what Joe and I did the other week? That was just the beginning because now we get to settle this one on one.

Just you and I.

And I’m looking forward to putting you out of your misery all on my own.

But that goes without saying, huh?

If I let you walk out of Battleground, I just hope you learn one thing… Make sure you know who you’re fucking with.  Sorry I don’t have much to say to you, but I figure that everything I really need to say… I’ll just say it with my fists, or my boots.

See you soon, my dear Teeemmmpesttttt…….

 

OOC: Eden/Gabriel/JC used with permission!