Brian 'The Freight Train' White

"Bri, you're going paranoid!" Tommy watched on helplessly as the big man hefted his baseball bat to his shoulders as he headed for the door. "He's not gonna try anything today..." It was only a week before SummerFest, and White had been getting more and more nervous. Not about the show itself, but about Dai's gang and their tender mercies towards him.

White just glared at the boy as he headed for the door, but it didn't seem to work this time. "I'm serious Bri, no-one's gonna try anything today, there's no point! It's only a week till the show, it wouldn't make sense for Dai to go for you now, not before such a big payday... And anyway, I think I gotta plan.."

White's expression turned from hostile to one of surprise as he lowered the bat and turned towards his friend. "Ok Tommy, let's hear it."

***************

"Does this mean I'm finally gonna get my interview with you?" Marie looked down at him as he was lounging in the catering area. "You look well enough, those bruises have gone away anyway..."

White chuckled at her. "Yeah, you're gonna get your interview, and yeah, I'm fine now thanks, no need to mother me or anything!"

Marie took as step back as she realised that that was exactly what she was doing before giving him a withering stare and storming off. White sat back, an area of apparent calm in the hustle and bustle of the backstage area as the crews went about their business in preparing for the nights show.

"So what the hell happened to you Brian? I haven't managed to get a strait answer out of anyone..." White opened his eyes to see that Marie had returned, a mug of coffee in hand and had sat herself opposite him.

"Why do you want to know? It ain't kayfabe and I don't want the fans to know...." White examined Marie as she sat there, her expression betraying a sense of worry about her. "What, you worried they might be back to hurt me? Hahaha..!"

Marie bristled at Whites slightly mocking chuckle. "I'm not just thinking of you, you douch bag! The rest of the roster is on edge about it too... If one of us is attacked, then we're all in danger."

"They got nothing to worry about..." White nonchalantly waved his hand in the air to suggest this and caught Maries look. Miffed didn't come close. "Alright, fine, I'll tell you... It's just my old mentor from back in Barry feeling underappreciated and trying to bring me back into the fold. The man's an asshole, but he has clout, and a lot of contacts in the kind of business no-one sane would want to get tangled up in. 4CW gave me an opportunity to get away, but since I've got successful here, he's figured he can use that to his advantage to make a bit more cash, at my expense."

Marie's eyes widened in shock at Whites matter of fact explanation. "You should take this to the police! They should be able....."

Marie was cut off by Whites raucous laughter. "They can do what? Put me in protective custody? Arrest him for assault? Extortion? Blackmail? Hah! Nah love, he's to smart to be caught and he's been doing it a long time. Believe me, if anyone's gonna sort it, it's gonna have to be me." White looked up to see Tommy coming towards them, a look of satisfaction on his face. "But a little help never hurt anyone... Heheheh!"

Last edited by Gorgrim (Sun-6-Aug-2017 15:41:38)

After the Supershow

White looks down at Tommy, his look questioning. Tommy returns his gaze with confidence. White knows it should be fine, he trusts the boy, he's actually surprised to realise. He knows he's never been particularly popular in the locker room, respected yeah, I mean, just look at his accomplishments since the company's been back, but popular... White shakes his head with a slight chuckle to himself before hoisting his baseball bat to his shoulders. He looks around the arena loading area, catching the eye of Tony Rock who was talking to his old partner Carlos Starr. Tony thumbs up White before moving off himself towards one of the other doors, Carlos with him.

White shrugs again and nods to Tommy to follow along. They make their way through the parking lot, towards their car. As they moved between a pair of trucks, the voice they were hoping not to hear, but expecting all the same came out of the darkness.

“Another good night for you there Whitey-boy” Dai's chuckle echo's between the hard sides of the trucks. “And now it's time for your next instalment...”

Dai finally makes himself visible as he and his gang of dockworkers and street fighters block the exits in front and behind. A laughter and chuckling is heard from the group along with a cracking of knuckles. White looks behind and swings his bat and catches in his meaty hand. The laughter from the group intensifies as Dai steps forward again. “Hahaha! You think you're going to fight us off? Whitey-boy, Whitey-boy, Whitey-boy... I didn't think you had much for brains, and turns out it's true!” Dai looks at Tommy. “And it looks like your friend is lacking in the same department.” Tommy returns Dai's stare with an easy swagger, though White notices a tenseness about the boy.

Dai's chuckle echoes through the tight space again. “So, are you gonna pay up what you owe, or are we gonna take it in blood like we did last time?” Dai's eyes have gone hard by this point and his posture is no longer relaxed.

“Brian won't be handin' you anythin' Brothah!” The new voice sends shockwaves through the gang and Dai looks around in shock as several men detatch themselves from the shadows. The speaker, turns out to be a tall and well muscled man who waves at White.

“You coulda been a bit quicker Tony..” White grumbles as the other man shakes his arms out.

“What you want, Heffeh? We come quick as we can, no?” Carlos swaggers out of the shadows behind, leading another group of men. “You guys should leave, man, before things go bad!”

Dai's face contorts into fury as he looks around, before breaking into laughter. “Hahahahahaha! You think these punks can help you? I recognise them! Not a real fighter among them! Tony Rock, Carlos “BA” Starr, Scott Angel, Don Stone, to name a few of you “wrestlers”. Hah!” The sarcasm drips from Dai's pronouncement, though some of the men with him begin looking around uncomfortably.

“It's true, we are entertainers, but that doesn't mean we don't know how to break every bone in your body. I myself was an All American Armature wrestler back  in the day.” Another man steps out of the darkness and even pushes through the men surrounding White. He stands next to White, nodding at him. “Brian.”

White nods back, a certain surprise across his face as he recognises Mark Redman. “Mark” he nods back. “Surprised to see you out here.”

Mark just smirks at the big man. “Don't get me wrong Brian, we're not exactly here for you. These men attacked a member of the locker room, and the locker room looks after it's members. I'd much rather be back in my hotel room, entertaining some of my fans...” He smirks again, the lack of subtlety very evident to what his fans might be... “But this is indeed more important...Also, you missed a couple of people!”

The smirk that permanently adorns Mark Redmans face turns sickly as he points behind the seething Welshman as two massive shadows move forward. “Let me introduce you monkeys to Phear and MONSTAR!”

Tony and the men on his side step aside as two men who make White look small come forward and look down on the man who threatened their fraternity.

White smiles at this and swings his bat again. “Looks like you might have bitten off more than you can chew, Dai... If I were you, I'd get the fuck out of here before you need to be carried out on a stretcher!”

The sounds of running behind White  makes him chuckle again. “Looks like half your men have already run!” The line of wrestlers moves forwards as Cazrlos and his group join White, Tommy and Redman, now surrounding Dai and a trio of thugs.

The four men look around frantically trying to spy a way out, but the wall of big men proves to be impenetrable. “You try anything again, and you'll have the entire locker room breaking you. And as we travel a lot, your bodies won't ever be found!” Whites smile takes on an evil cast and he begins to move forward.

Dai raises an accusatory finger at White. “Next time I see you, you're dead Whitey-boy!”

White nods at Tony and he and his men leave enough room for the four men to escape. “Thanks guys, much appreciated.” White offers his hand to the men around him and when he gets to Redman, the smaller man just looks at him, his smirk still plastered on his face.

“As I said, the locker room looks after its self, and this was important enough even for me to intervene. Now don't make a habit of it!” And he walks off towards his limo with out a backwards look.

“Hmph, what a bastard....” White looks down at Tommy again, who had stoically remained at his side, noticing the goading look in his eyes. “Oh fine, first rounds on me!”

The shouts and laughter envelopes the big man as many hands slaps his back and crowds around. So, this is what it's like to have friends...

Last edited by Gorgrim (Sun-11-Aug-2019 22:41:35)

The day after Stormfront.

The phone is ringing, buzzing irritatingly on the sideboard whilst the obnoxious ring tone finally pulls White out of his sleep. It feels like the damn things been ringing for hours, it may as well have! His head is killing, and he frankly doesn't remember making it to his hotel room.

“Fuck sake... Alright, alright!”

White reaches over and grabs the phone, knocking over an empty bottle of whiskey in the process. He tries to focus on the falling bottle, just barely remembering drinking the stuff in the bar downstairs. He blearily looks at the phone as the caller rings off and goes to answerphone. The lock screen comes up and he sees the time. 09.42 am. FUCK! Ow my head... 3 missed calls, 1 new message, 2 text messages. Creative.... It's to early for this shit...

White groggily lifts his torso to vertical, putting out his right hand to steady himself, only to find something lumpy, a bit squirmy and suddenly quite yelpy.

“Oh, fuck!” White jerks his hand back as he looks over at what turns out to be a young woman in her mid twenties, apparently naked under the covers, quite pretty with auburn hair and pouting at him as she rubs some feeling back into her ribs.

“Damn, you're heavy....” she begins before noticing the look of shock on his face. “What?”

“Ok, no offence love, but who the fuck are you?” White winces as the sun comes out from a cloud and shines through the window, right onto the bed. White covers his eyes with a groan.

The girl looks at him, a slightly hurt look on her face. “Ok champ, you should probably lay off the drink a bit if you don't remember last night...” She sighs and White looks around the room, noticing the small t-shirt lying on the floor among the rest of their clothes and the belts, that seems to have the flaming skull train emblazoned on it. Oh shit....

“Well, if you don't remember, my name is Teri. We met last night in the bar and, well, one thing led to another...” Although she tries, she doesn't seem to be able to hold her pout and a smile begins to cross her face as she looks at White. He suddenly realises that he's naked and that she's not exactly looking at his face. He twitches as if to cover up before grabbing his head again then shrugging inwardly to himself, he moves off to the bathroom.

Teri just lies back and watches him go, taking in the large muscular body and smiling to herself, she not being as inebriated and able to actually remember the passions of the night before.

White meanwhile is leaning against the wall of the bathroom, relieving himself, before grabbing a glass and filling it with water. After his fifth glass he feels hands on his back moving round followed by the warmth of a body pressing up against him. “If you can't remember what we did last night, maybe you'd like to be reminded?” The suggestiveness in her voice was just enough to cut through the fog of Whites mind.

“Heh, sounds good to me babe!” And he allows himself to be lead back to the bed by the naked beauty in front of him.

Five minutes later, Whites phone hits a wall and breaks apart.

Last edited by Gorgrim (Sun-22-Oct-2017 01:10:49)

“Ok, I'm done....”

The wrestler just lays on the matt and waits for White to cover him as the reff moves round to a better position. White, having just run the poor bastard over with a spear covers and the reff counts the three. This was the thirteenth wrestler he'd pinned in the last hour or so and Tony Rock was pacing the ring side with a look of awe as he watched the show. He'd stopped shouting pointers and encouragements twenty minutes ago, it didn't seem to matter anyway...

Tommy comes and stands by Tony's side as White stands and moves to a corner. “I don't know how you managed it Tony, he hits hard!” Bruises were already starting to show on Tommy's bare upper torso.

“Hah! Yeah, he does. And I don't really know either kiddo, it's just the job that needs doing...”

“Anyone else?” White shouts from the ring.

“Brian, my brotha, you've wrecked every one here! There's no one else in the building I'd let in that ring with ya!”

“No one, Tony?” White's smirk could've chilled the hardiest of spirits.

“Whoa, whoa, not today Bri, I'm here as a trainer, not your personal whipping boy!” Tony actually steps back from the ring, almost as if wanting to run away. “Come on now man, you've done what you wanted, thirteen wins in a little over an hour! That's insane! And that covers the gauntlet match and your Universal Title bout, you're ready!”

“Ready? Like hell! None of these people could stand toe to toe with any of the competitors in the gauntlet match! And thinking that anyone of these could be prep to face Wolfbain?! Tony, you should probably start thinking of retirement from in ring work, you're losing it buddy!” White shakes his head in disappointment and rolls under the ring ropes. “I guess we're just gonna have to do this all again tomorrow.” And with that White heads towards the showers.

“Man's a fuckin' machine!”

Tommy looks at Tony and shakes his head a bit. “Maybe, but he is tired. That kind of work rate for that long...”

“Shit, Tommy, you're really getting it! You're right though.” Tony slaps the young man on his back in encouragement. “You did well out there!” He looks around conspiratorially. “Don't tell anyone, but you're probably the best student I ever had! Hah! Keep it up kiddo!” With a final tousle of Tommy's hair, Tony makes his way back to his office, leaving the young man to turn bright red with embarrassment.

***********************

A week later.

Relaxing in his apartment, White thinks back over the last few days, training almost non stop. White had to hand it to Tony, he did come through after that first day and brought in some indy vets to help. There's actually been some good challenges in the last week, even some, he admits, that could do well in 4CW and even beat him in a strait up shoot match if they were lucky! Still, he'd won every gauntlet Tony'd laid down, each one with thirteen challengers, each one lasting well over a hour. Even Tommy was proving a real challenge, which was a great surprise. He guessed he's have to see about getting him an actual try out match...

He shakes his head and gets his mind back on the game. With two matches to prepare for, this was the most pressure he'd ever found himself under as a performer. But he was confident. He'd beaten everyone he was up against at one point or another, or at least everyone that was worth beating anyway.

He looked at the time and grunted. Time to get going or he'd be late for his appointment. The people you meet in this crazy business, he mused. Turns out the girl he'd met the month before was a sports therapist based in New York and was more than happy to schedule a few sessions in the run up to Gallow's End. What was particularly weird for him was how receptive she was being. He'd told her he wasn't a particularly nice guy and she'd just smirked and said she wasn't a particularly nice girl, so they matched! As taken aback as he was, he wasn't against the idea of seeing where this ride might lead, and it was nice to have someone other than Tommy to hang out with, if he was being brutally honest.

Looking over at Tommy sitting at his computer desk, doing who knows what as far as White was concerned, he grunts a bit before speaking. “Right... I'm off out. Be back in a few hours, I guess....”

“Uh huh, I'll see you tomorrow boss. Have fun!” Tommy's smile was one of someone who knew too much for Whites comfort, but there wasn't much he could do, especially as he was feeling his hard demeanour begin to slip with the beginnings of embarrassment. To cover, White just punched the wall, increasing the sizeable dent already there. Tommy just smiled to himself as White left the apartment. After this last year, he thought, it's good that Bri finally seems relaxed and happy.

Week after Gallow's End, White enters the apartment he shares with Tommy, trying without much success to conceal a smirk, the closest he'd ever get to a smile, as me moved into the main living space. Tommy, as ever, was sitting at his now not inconsiderable desk, looking into the dual monitor set up of his brand new PC.

“Hey, Tommy, happy Birthday!” White chucks an envelope at the young man as he turns in his chair, which he barely catches.

“What? Oh, thanks Bri, hadn't thought you'd noticed...” Tommy looks down at the envelope in his hand as White sits on the sofa and turns on the tv. Looking back over his shoulder he grunts, kinda good naturedly, at Tommy and looks pointedly at the new tower, sporting a glass side and too much RGB.

“With that thing lighting up the place like a Christmas tree, it'd be hard not too! Now, go on then...” White waves his hand towards the envelope still sitting unopened in Tommy's hand as he turns back to the tv. He here's Tommy ripping open the envelope, followed by silence from behind him for several minutes. White smirk/smiles to himself again.

“Wha... Umm... Bri.... This is a... a contract?!” Tommy's breathing is slightly ragged and his voice incredulous as White turns in his seat to face him again.

“Yeah?”

“A competitors contract?!”

“Yeah. What else kid?”

“Soooo....” Tommy's breathing deepens as he tries to regain control. “I... I gotta match?”

“Yep! As I said, Happy Birthday!” White chuckles as he turns back to the tv again, leaving the younger man to contemplate his new circumstance. “Oh, and by the way, your first match is next Stormfront, and it's against Witch Hazel” he calls over his shoulder. “So, if I were you, I'd get preparing!”

********************

Two weeks later. White is now sitting in his customary seat in a small Deli caffe in Brooklyn. The pictures and articles are still covering the walls, though there seems to be an addition of replica World and Universal 4CW championship belts above the bar. White ignores them as he always has since the owner put them up. He's the only one there apart from the pretty little waitress behind the counter. He looks up as the bell above the door rings, to see a heavily coated woman enter, steam appearing from behind her scarf. White smiles as he recognises the green eyes and auburn hair of Teri as she begins removing items of winter ware and comes and sits opposite the big man. The waitress brings over a pot of coffee and Teri smiles her thanks as her cup is filled.

“God damn, it's cold out! Nice place, can't believe I've never been here before”. She eyes the two belts hanging above the counter. “Seems like your a regular though!” She laughs as White tries to brush off the growing embarrassment.

“They like the idea of having a famous regular” her shrugs. “considering everything else in here” he looks around, his gaze loitering on the small shrine to 9/11, and Teri's eyes follow.
“Yeah, I guess you're right. So, how's things been babe? Not seen ya for a while!” Her eyes are playful as she looks back at White, her smile seemingly infectious as a genuine, if small smile begins to creep up on him. “You don't seem as stiff as last time I saw you, though that was just after your last show...”

“Err, yeah, sorry... Been busy” White mumbles. He looks up to see a smirk from her and remembers a little of his old grumpiness enough to recall a little gruffness and straitens his shoulders a bit. “Yeah, been busy with stuff for Tommy's debut match. Just gonna say, it's gonna be good” White's smirk re-emerges as he looks away non-nonchalantly.

“Ok big guy, fair enough!” Teri laughs at the display of machismo and picks up her coffee. White chuckles too as their hands subtly meet in the middle of the table.

*******************

“Careful kiddo, don't overextend! You'll hurt yourself and the guy you land on!” Tony shouts from ringside as Tommy awkwardly lands a moonsault onto his training partner. Tony shakes his head as the two groggily get to their feet. “If you were planning on using that in your match, I think you can forget it!”

Tommy looks disappointedly at Tony. “It's not that bad, surely...” Tommy stops short as he meets his trainers eyes. “Ok, ok, no moonsault.”

“You got other things in your bag for now Tommy, and though you are good, you're still learning. Those kind of moves are risky even for vets!” Tony's eyes softened a bit as he looked on the young man. “Heard of a promotion up north who got this big guy who was challenging their champ to do a shooting star press, cus they heard he'd done it a few times before in another promotion. The guy landed on his head and got a concussion! And we don't want that to happen to you on your first televised match!”

“Ok Tony, I get the picture! Not sure I wanna use a moonsault if I'm honest too. I'm against Witch Hazel and the moon is kinda their thing, sooo...” Tommy leaves this dubious piece of reasoning hanging as Tony laughs at him.

“Shit boy, I heard of bad reasons not to use a move, but that's one of the worst! So, we're stick mainly to a ground game, lotsa strikes and kicks, running the ropes and the like. And if ya gotta go up the ropes, stick to a diving crossbody for now. We'll work on your air game in the coming weeks.” Tommy perks up at this. “Hey, Pat!” Tony shouts over the gym.

An older man in black slacks looks up. “What?”

“Get you're ass up here! Your turn to be whipping boy!” Tony laughs as the older man shrugs and makes his way to the ring.

A few days after Stormfront.

Tommy enters the apartment after a training session to hear White on the phone. He doesn't really pay it much notice to begin with, thinking it's just another business call from the company or something similar, which in a way it was...

“Come on man! I've explained what's on the line, the pay out, everything, and you still don't wanna come kick some ass?! I know you're on hiatus, but this could seriously help out your brand! … Uh huh, I understand... Yeah, yeah, but this is your chance for retribution! Right, I know... Look, Tommy and me, we'll owe ya one, right? Ok? Right good, glad I can count on you. Hah, yeah, should be awesome! First War match in what, five years? Heh, yeah, those girls are up for it, and they won't know what hit em! Right yeah, Tony Rock's? Friday afternoon, around two? Sounds good. See ya then buddy!” White puts the phone down and looks up into Tommy's questioning glance. Smiling, he nods with anticipation. “He's in.”

“Awesome! So, first training sesh on Friday?”

“That's right kiddo, so you better be able to keep up with us!” Laughing to himself, White drops back onto the sofa and reaches for the remote as Tommy moves to his desk, smiling slightly to himself and shaking his head at the implied rebuke.

*****************

It's a cold and bright Boxing Day afternoon. The sun is high and the wind brisk, making it feel colder than it is. There are a few people walking along the coastal path of Barry Island.  The sea is rough and the waves make for spectacular viewing over the cliffs.

White leans against a railing looking out over the estuary, the same railing at which he last met Dai a year ago. He chuckles as he thinks on the last year, especially what's gone down with Dai, but still... He hasn't seen or heard from him since that encounter after SummerFest.

He turns as he catches a glimpse of blond hair and purple puffer jacket and smiles. Teri smiles back and hands over one of the polystyrene cups she was carrying. She leans against the railing with him.

“Nice view” she smiles as she follows Whites gaze across the water.

“Yeah, not bad.” White looks around. “Nice weather too. Good day for a walk...”

Teri looks up at the big man and chuckles. “So we're talking about the weather now? You really don't do this much!”

“No, I guess not.” White grimaces slightly. “Truth be told, last time I was here, it was raining and I told my mentor and father figure to piss off!”

Teri laughs at this, the sound like a cascade of silvery bells to White. That thought also surprised him! He was spending far too much time with Tommy, he thought...

Teri snuggles up against him. “It was nice of you to invite me.”

White smiles and wraps his arm over her shoulders. “Thanks for coming along. Tommy's mum is nice I guess, but it's nice being able to spend Christmas with someone else...” White looks down into Teri's face, amazed that he had such a beauty in front of her. Hardly thinking now, he bends down. Their kiss is lingering, and White still can't believe his good fortune!

After War Supershow

White's resting in the locker rooms, looking over his bruises and welts from the match. His thoughts rocking from the match and its outcome and Teri. With a start he told himself it was because she was good with massages and sports therapy and stuff, though he had to admit to himself that that wasn't exactly the case. He shakes his head and leans back against the couch, his eyes closed. Being a champion has it's perks...

The door opens slowly and Tommy sheepishly sticks his head through. “Uh, hey boss...” Not getting an answer seems to be among the more comforting outcomes Tommy was expecting and so he enters fully, still in his gear. “Um, good match..” Tommy smiles, still with that sheepish look. He moves across the room and grabs his bag before moving to the shower room attached. Being associated with a champion had it's perks...!

“Next time you get in my face like that, kiddo, it might not go as well for you...”

Tommy looks around, shock starting to cross his features. White hadn't moved, and his eyes were still closed as if he'd dozed off.

“Erm, ok boss... Sorry....”

****************

White really couldn't believe his luck. He'd been thinking this for the past month or so. He was doing what he loved, he had a beautiful girlfriend who seemed about as whacked out as he was and he actually had friends and others that he trusted.

This last thing was ridiculous to him. He'd been pretty much on his own since Dai took him under his wing and taught him to be a bastard, but since coming back to 4CW he was beginning to feel like he was more than just a wrecking ball, beating people for money and generally not being a nice guy. Tommy, he realised, had been a major factor in that change. And to be fair, he kinda liked being less of a dick in real life and even toning that character trait down a bit during the shows. It was certainly nice.

He smiled as the waitress refilled his coffee cup. A thing that was becoming easier and more natural to him as time went on. He glanced around his favourite cafe for the umpteenth time and took in its decor, the many newspaper articles, the little shrine to 9/11 in the corner and the replica 4CW belts now adorning the wall above the bar, along with a few magazine clippings and pictures of their most famous regular. He smiled again. Teri had said that he should practice a bit in the real world, and weirdly, it seemed to be working. The first time he tried smiling at the waitress it was a bloody good thing that Teri was sitting across from him because the poor lass was about to run away screaming. Of course, it was a little embarrassing having her laugh at him as he tried, but she was able to convince the waitress that she wasn't about to be murdered and eaten. White shook his head resignedly as the memory played through his mind again.

Still it was working. People were starting to smile back and respond amicably towards him in response. He still felt weird actually being an apparent member of the human race, but at the same time, he couldn't deny that it felt good, especially with Teri. He shook his head again, smiling, before standing up from his table. With a smile and a wave towards the bar, he exited the cafe and left his musings for now as he began thinking towards his next challenge.

A few days after Stormfront.

Tommy's sitting at his computer, watching an internet DnD series. White and Teri are watching tv. Tommy chuckles at a joke from one of the players, shaking his head as everyone notes that even the crew groans at that one! He settles down again to continue watching, but it's not long until his mind starts to wonder. And wonder it does, right back to the locker room and the very surprising image of Witch Hazel, half naked with only a short gown covering her modesty, locking the door and sultrily walking towards him. Even the memory was causing a certain stiffness with his trousers! He blinks, and a slight blush begins to rise as he realises he flying at half mast! He just thanks his stars that his desk faces the opposite wall and so things like this wont be noticed but White and Teri. He tries to concentrate on the episode of Critical Role again, but his mind wonders almost immediately. Sighing to himself he pauses the episode and allows his mind the freedom to wonder.

Witch Hazel... She was certainly something! Even the contacts he found alluring! And he even caught a glimpse of underwear when she climbed on him! Thinking back, there was no way he was gonna be able to stop her walking out with that popcorn, and the look she gave him as she left, Oh god... It had been a while since he'd been with a woman, and the idea that maybe Hazel would be interested in him even a little was ridiculously exciting for him! Next time he'll see her is in Japan, and as far as he was concerned, that trip couldn't come quickly enough.

And speaking of Japan, he still couldn't believe that he'd been put in for the Soul Survivor qualifier. That match should be interesting, and he'd be up against Hazel again. He knew from his own experience that her submission finisher was a doozie....

Submission finisher.....?

“SHIT!!!” Tommy jumps up from his desk and scrabbles for his phone.

“What the hell Tommy?!” Both White and Teri look around at him, a look of irritation on Whites face and surprised curiosity on Teri's.

“Sorry boss, but I just realised... The match I'm in at the next show, the Survival Chamber....” Tommy finally grabs his phone and frantically goes through the phone book.

“Yeah, what about it?” White's expression goes a tad sullen as he watches his protégé frantically wait for whoever he's phoning to pick up.

“I don't have any fuckin' submission moves yet!” Tommy's face was beginning to show panic as White suddenly burst out laughing. Teri meanwhile just gave a sympathetic look and lightly punched White on his shoulder as a silent reprimand for his lack decorum. “Hi, Tony? Yeah, yeah, I need a training session, like right now! Ok, ok, so as soon as possible anyway... Yeah, this match I'm in next month, it's basically a submission match... yeah, exactly! So, 9 tomorrow morning? Great, awesome! Thanks buddy...” Tommy puts the phone down, the panic beginning to subside a little and flops back into his chair, everything forgotten except the prospect of training in the morning.

****************

The next day at Tony Rock's Gym.

“Hey, Tommy boy! You seemed a little on edge last night when we spoke” Tony comes to meet the young man at the training ring, watching him as he limbers up. Tommy just looks up and smiles a little, embarrassed.

“Yeah, sorry. It's just that it's the biggest match of my life so far, could be a massive opportunity, and if I can't submit anyone...”

“Yeah, read up on that stip last night. Interestin' for sure! So... We'll start with some basic moves, maybe an armbar or sleeper and practice those for a while. Then I think I might got somethin' a little custom for ya!”

*****************

A couple of days before Stormfront.

“What the hell is this?!” White laughs loudly from the laundry room. Tommy comes up to the door to see what's going on and immediately regrets that decision. White is standing in the middle of the room, a huge grin plastered on his face, leering at Tommy as he holds up what can only be described as; A cup.

“What do you think it is?” Tommy asks, trying to put a brave face whilst knowing that his face is getting redder by the second.

“I know exactly what it is kiddo, and I also know that you didn't have one last month! So, what's changed? Tony recommended it or something?” Whilst White's voice was conversational, he'd also clocked the colour rising on Tommy, so his features retained the leer as he raised the article up towards Tommy.

“Erm, not exactly...” Tommy tried to snatch the cup from the bigger man, but for once, White was the quicker man.

“Alright, why?” It was obvious that White was enjoying this. It was also obvious that White had a pretty decent idea, he just wanted Tommy to admit it.

“I just need it, ok!” Again, Tommy made an ineffectual grab which just made White's smile wider.

“Come on kiddo, you can tell me....”

“Yeah right! Just give it back Bri!”

“Hmph!” White just stands strait and hold it out of the smaller man's reach.

“Oh, for fucks sake Bri! Fine! I'll tell you! It's cus of Hazel!”

If White had hair, his eyebrows would have disappeared. “Really?! You expecting a low blow from her or somethin?” Again, the leer was in full effect.

“Not exactly.... God dammit... It's in case she tries she tries to lick me or something, in case parts decide to go off on their own...” Tommy's voice faded in the face of White's stoic, if somewhat false, incomprehension. “FUCK! In case I get a hard on! There, I said it. Now give it the fuck back!” Tommy's face begins to glow with anger and embarrassment as White's laugh thunders around the apartment. White throws the cup at Tommy, who catches it and turns to storm off.

“Tommy, don't sweat it! We al get that at one point or another!” White follows, tears pouring down his face, even as he tries to give a small amount of comfort now his game is done. “So unless you're hiding a monster down there, I wouldn't worry. And if you are, well, maybe you can use it to distract that creepy bitch! AHAHAHAHAHA!”

Tommy turn to face the big man, his face betraying his hurt and embarrassment. “You know what, fuck you Bri!” He stomps off to his room, leaving the big man to his mirth.

“Ah, the delicate ego of a twenty year old.... Heh, he'll learn soon enough!” White Raises his voice as he turns back to the laundry room. “Remember to finish your packing tonight kiddo, it's an early plane tomorrow morning.” Silence follows, so, smiling again, White decides to fill it. “And you never know, we might bump into our coven colleagues at San Fran for the connecting flight... Heheheh”

A thump against the door is all the response he gets.

Just after Wherever I may Dome.

White stands just outside the gorilla area , leaning against a wall and watching the screens as Tommy takes his victory. His face is impassive for the most part, though the few that know him well, can see a faint trace of pride in his eyes.

“The boy done good...” The New Orleans drawl brings him out of his reverie as Maria Dubois joins him at the screens, her face betraying an impressed look as she watches the exhausted and painful walk up the ramp that Tommy stoically endures, even slapping some hands on his way up. A number of other competitors and staff also wait in this area to congratulate the young man on such a momentous win for such a young career.

Finally, the curtains part and the bruised and bloody young man finally makes his way backstage. He nearly jumps out of his skin as the applause begins again, this time from the 4CW employees. Even Lord Skywolf himself adds his applause with a satisfied smile and nods in appreciation as he catches the young man's eyes. The look of shock transcends to awe as he begins to recognise those who were waiting for him, and finally his eyes rest of White, who is also clapping, slowly and rhythmically with a slight smile on his face.

Tommy begins to make his way towards his friend, and smiles sheepishly at Marie, who's applause was long and enthusiastic, and gets a big smile in return, which just makes Tommy's cheeks go even redder.

“Good win kiddo, well fought. Now, let's get you over to the medical room. The EMT's'll want to check you over.” White turns down a corridor as the crowd begin to disburse, talking animatedly about the show.

Tommy walks alongside the big man, trying to scratch at his back. With a groan, some memories of the fight begin to re-surface. “Oh man.... Did I get thrown into a pile of pins again...?”

White laughs and reaches behind Tommy's back. With a none too gentle yank, to which Tommy winces again, White brings his hand in front of Tommy again, and Tommy groans again as clenched between finger and thumb, is a bloodied thumb tack.

“That should answer your question!” White laughs. “You seem to be getting a taste for the hardcore!”

Tommy shudders a little. “I'm just glad me Mam doesn't watch this stuff... Otherwise I'd be a dead man next time I get home!” White laughs again as he pushes open the med techs room, and saunters inside, Tommy following, his every step almost followed by a wince!

***********************

A few days later at the 4CW Head Office

Lord Skywolf is sat at his desk, the screen slightly illuminating his face in the darkened room. He seems to be very interested in the contents on the screen, and, not being able to see it, one would assume some sort of important document he was working on. Suddenly, the intercom blares to life, making him jump at the sudden intrusion to the silence.

“I'm sorry sir, but Mr White is here too... Hey, you can't go in yet, he's not to be dis...” The intercom shuts off suddenly and a few seconds later, the door slams open, revealing all 6'8, 400lbs of furious Brian White. As he stomps in, he also spots the shapely and attractive legs (This months model was sporting a nice pair of black stockings and high heals combination to go with the pencil skirt he can just about see, he notes privately to himself) of his assistant as she tries to get past the big man.

“I'm sorry sir, I tried to stop him, but...” The poor girls face was a mask of despair, that quite pulled at Skywolfs heartstrings, not to mention other strings a little lower!

“Not to worry Stephanie, I'll see Mr White now.” Skywolf didn't notice that her face had taken on the look of consternation of someone who's name had just gotten wrong, but she closed to door behind her none the less.

“Now, Mr White, what can I do for you?”

White, stil fuming looks around the darkened room, taking in the closed curtains, the large aged wooden desk, and Skywolf himself, his hands steepled beneath his nose and the light from the screen under lighting his face making him look quite ominous, almost like Mr Burns. Striding forward, White slams his hands down on the desk and leans in.

“What. The Fucking. Hell!” Lord Skywolf simply waits for White to elaborate. In exasperation, he stands up strait and moves about the room. “A Fatal Five Way? Where the hell did that come from? You trying to stack the deck against me again like you did at Gallows End? And who the hell is this Claud, er, Clive... Whatever! I don't know him, never heard of him, does he even fight? And why does he get a free pass into my match!!”

Skywolf breaths deeply to try and calm himself. “Firstly, it's Clyde Bonham, and he's a veteran of 4CW and former champion no less. I would remind you that there's a significant on demand library of past shows and PPV's online, I suggest you use it!” Skywolf sees the look of incomprehension on the big man's face. “On second thoughts, get your 'social media manager' to show you!” Skywolf stands and moves around the desk to face the larger man directly.

“Secondly, you've been a great champion, really helped rebuild the stature of the belt, and maybe you'll carry on being a great champion, or maybe someone else will get that chance! So get your head back in the game mister, cus we're putting on the biggest show of the year here!” Skywolf is pretty much standing tiptoes to get as nose to nose with White as he can. White on the other hand is taken aback by Skywolfs response. “So, you gonna go out there and put on a show, or are you gonna pussy out and make it a fatal four way after all?” Skywolf smirks as he returns to his seat. White just stands there, stuned for a second as the words sink in.

Before he has a chance to respond though, Skywolf completely changes the subject. “So, this must be your little lady I've heard so little about!” Skywolf leers at White as he turns the screen slightly to show off a feed from the security camera in the foyer, where Teri is waiting, calmly sitting in a chair and reading a fitness magazine. Her form fitting jeans and top don't leave all that much to the imagination, especially with the camera angle afforded to Skywolf. “Tell her if she wants it, there may be opportunities with 4CW!” Skywolfs leer widens as he thinks of that prospect. Whites face darkens with the same thought. “Now, piss off Brian, I've got work to do!”

White turns to leave, but turns slightly to look over his shoulder. “Ok 'boss'” the words dripping with sarcasm. “Though I'm not sure porn hub counts as work!” The look on Skywolfs face tells White he's scored a point back, but he beats a hasty retreat anyway!

“Brian, will you please stop fretting and sit the hell down? Tommy's found some stuff on the Bonham guy...” Teri was comfortably lounging on the sofa as White irritably paced around the living room. Tommy was at his desk setting up to cast his findings on the main TV.

“Fine! Move over...” White flops down in the space vacated by Teri's legs, only to have them immediately lain over his legs. White looked over to catch the mischievous twinkle in Teri's eyes. Chuckling in spite of himself, White placed his hand familiarly on her thigh and look back towards Tommy's desk. “Well?”

“Yeah, yeah boss, I'm working on it....” With that Tommy extends the remote and, a menu or two later, totallynotyoutube.com comes up with the main event from Revival 2010, Clyde Bonham vs Cocozo for the world heavyweight championship.

An intense half an hour later, White sits back, tapping Teri's thigh thoughtfully. “Hmmmm, not too much of a surprise then...”

“Uh-huh. Can you stop that babe....” Teri gently taps White's hand as he abruptly stops, looking a little embarrassed.

“Uh, sorry love... Just thinking...” White again notices the twinkle and sighs a little. Tommy who was sat in his gaming chair off to the side was trying desperately to not laugh, and the wink he received from Teri didn't make it any easier.

“Huh-hmmm... Er, you want another one Bri, there are others from that feud, and others too...” Tommy rolled his chair back to his desk in an effort not to draw the ire from his friend.

“Nah, he's not too hard to figure out. Technical brawler for the most part, should be fun to fight actually!” White chuckled to himself. “Yeah, he's good, but I'm better! Just hope Skywolf remembers that...”

****************

It was nice to get back to London, it had been a while since he was there, and Brian was actually enjoying himself, wondering along the Thames with Teri walking along arm in arm.

“Nice part of town” Teri murmured as they passed restaurants and bars, looking over the moored boats at the ducks and geese flocking towards some people on the other side of the river throwing bread.

White removed his cap to wipe away some sweat as the spring sun bore down on him. “Huh, yeah. Been ages since I was last here actually. Changed a lot, especially the square. Now, where the fuck was that pub...”

White dug into his pocket and grabbed out his phone, taking a minute to load up the map app and slowly type in the pub he was looking for. “The Lamb.... Surbiton.... Fuck, I hgate technology! Where's that bugger when you need him!”

Teri laughed as she reached over and took the phone from White. “Leave him be Bri, you know he went to see his mom.” Glancing at the screen she gestured forward. “The pubs just off the river, about a mile or so up that way. Plenty of time to work up a thirst! I hope this place is as good as you say it is.”
White grunts but does seem to relax again as Teri guides the two of them along the path.

Yeah, good to be back...

Tommy was really starting to feel the pinch of things now... Ever since he went to Skywolfs office and showed him the designs for the Ultimate X and how it would work in this instance, Skywolf had essentially given him full control over the structure and its fabrication, because, Tommy seriously suspected, Skywolf couldn't be arsed! And now, with time running out, the main structure was still unfinished. As Tommy walked through the workshop where the structure was being built, he could see several pieces of the structure, and very few people. Continuing his search, he finally came upon someone who seemed to be maybe working.

“Uh, hi... Erm, I'm Tommy from 4CW?”

The man looks up from his work, grunts and points further into the workshop towards what seemed to be an office door.

“Oh, uh, cheers...”

Tommy just shrugs and wonders towards the office door. Knocking, he waited only a second before a gruff New Jersey accented voice called out; “Yeah?” Taking this as a cue, Tommy gingerly opened the door, taking in the small crowded office: the large desk with a computer monitor barely visible among the piles of paper, the printer on a small two drawer filing cabinet, that didn't seem to see all that much use, judging from the piles on the desk, and the man, staring at the screen. He was a large man in his mid fifties, balding reddish brown hair, barrel chested, though a lot of the muscle seemed to be turning to fat in his middle age, and a cigar sticking out of his mouth. The man looked up at the younger man, an expectant look on his face.

“Er, hi! My name is Tommy, I'm from 4CW. I'm here about the Ultimate X structure....” Tommy's voice kinda trails off as the other man just stared at him.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Well, I mean, it's late! We should be receiving delivery for it tomorrow and it's not even finished!”

The cigar moved from one side of the man's mouth to the other as he looked Tommy up and down. Seeming to come to a decision and leaned back in his chair.

“Ok, look kiddo, did  Wolfie send ya?” Tommy shook his head uncertainly. “Then there ain't a problem. You'll get your scaffold on time, no problem.” Tommy tried to object, but the other man just put up his hand. “Right, Tommy was it? Tommy, you're obviously new ta this. We've been doing this stuff for your company since Wolfie took over and there ain't been a problem. Hell, we even built that damn stupid triple cage thing that idiot Sery wanted! And look how that turned out. So don't you worry yourself, that structure will be built, and it'll be safe for you lot to try and kill ye-selfs on!” Chuckling to himself at his own joke, the man turned his attention back to the screen and just waved his hand at Tommy as a dismissal. Uncertainty clouded Tommy's mind, but with a sigh, he turned and left, making his way through the half finished pieces of structure as he made his way out of the workshop and out into the hot New York sun.

Darkness.... Darkness and fleeting whispers of pain. Consciousness never within grasp, but occasional instances of sound, of colour, blurred and too bright before falling to darkness again. Neither cold nor warm, just a feeling of floating for eternity

Sound begins to permeate through the fog;

Beep.... Beep.... Beep....

Movement? Kind of... Feel constrained...

Light, too bright.... can't open eyes....

“Uuuuurrghhh.....”

“Brian?!”

New sound, oddly familiar?

“Brian, come on babe, wake up!”

Wake up? Ummm... how do I? Do that?

Light, bright, but not so much...

“Come on Bri! Nurse!! Come quick!”

Nurse? Where am I?

Blurred image, eyes slowly opening and focusing.... Face of a woman, worried, happy? Pretty though...

“Teri! What's going on? He awake?!”

Another new voice, this one a guy, worried too, anxious about something... They worried about me? Why? Who are they.....

Movement at my side, my arm.... I can move my arm! Rub my eyes, help me see...

“Brian, thank God! Come on babe!” female voice.

“You can do it Bri!” male voice.

“Clear some space please!” New male voice. “Now let me see....”

New sensation, hand on wrist, can see better now, man in white coat, fingers on my wrist...

“Urrrghbbbrrrlllll....”

“That's all right Mr White. You've been in a coma for the past 10 days! It'll take a little time for things to start making sense again.

Coma? 10 days? What happened? Where am I? Who.... am I? Sinking.... Darkness.....

*************

Time passes, fleeting images and sounds of voices, some familiar, some not. It doesn't feel so dark and the snatches of voice and colour come a lot now...

The light starts to rise again, eyes open to see a white ceiling, light coming in from a window. Looking around, there's a bunch of machines, a few chairs... Someone's sitting in one. The pretty lady, though she looks asleep. Raise my arm, there's a slight tugging on my hand... Hmmmm, something's in it, looks like a pipe? I dunno.... still a bit fuzzy.

The bed creaks as I manage to slowly sit up, something falls on the floor with a slap. The lady jumps awake.

“Oh, crap!” She looks a little shocked, confused, then she looks at me and smiles brightly. “Brian, you're awake! The doc's said you were out of the coma, oh thank god!” She's leaning over to me, she's gonna... hug me?! Why'd she do that? She called me Brian too... That my name?

She pulls away, looking at my face. “Oh babe, do you recognise me? No you don't, don't you... The doctor did say there'd be some memory loss, though they didn't say how much and for how long.... I'm Teri, and you're Brian, ok?”

“Te...ri?” Voice cracks badly.

“Oh babe, here, have some water.”

She hands a cup to me, I drink. The water feels good, I try again. “Teri?” Some of the fog lifts, I think.... I recognise her! “Teri!” I smile, she smiles, she comes in to hug me, I hug back. I know her! I remember her! She's my girlfriend, I love her!

“Bri, you're awake finally!” another voice laughs, I look up and see a young man smiling at me. He has a pair of steaming mugs in his hand. He comes in and sets them of a nearby table and comes to stand next to Teri. “Come on Bri, you remember me?” The man smiles encouragingly.

I look at his face, his brown eyes alight and laughing, his smile broad, his brown hair tousled, I do know him.... More fog lifts. “T.... Tommy?”

He laughs and gives me a big hug too, knocking me back a bit. “Ugn!” Aargh, my head! Stabbing pain!

“Shit! Sorry Bri!” Tommy looks worriedly as I shake my head, Teri slaps him lightly on the arm.

“Be careful Tommy! Is the doc coming?” Tommy nods and hands Teri one of the mugs he brought in.

“What.... Happened?” my voice is still cracking, but the water's helping.

Teri looks at me, her face showing a myriad of emotions. “You were hit in the head...”

“That bastard, Bonham, tried to kill you Bri!” Tommy angrily burst out.

“Bon...ham...?” I look at Tommy, confused.

“Yeah, Bri, remember? The last show, Stormfront, you announced you were gonna have a Gallow's Pole match with Clyde Bonham...” Tommy looks into my eyes, anger turning to worry again. “Remember Bri, you're a wrestler, Brian 'The Freight Train' White, yeah?”

Mind still foggy, but something's are coming through... Lot's of lights... and people... a ring... other men standing in the ring with him... A man, with a pipe, confronting him.....

“Now, that's enough everyone, let the man rest.” New voice, the doctor, I remember him. He comes over, checks my wrist again, shines a light in my eye, I blink and he smiles and nods. “Good” he mutters. “Looks like you're getting there Mr White. Frankly, I'm surprised, most men with that kind of injury wouldn't've been out of a coma for weeks or more!” He turns to Tommy and Teri. “Let him rest please, the nurses will be around and we'll get some more fluids in him.” He nods at me and leaves. Tommy mores to follow, but hovers near the door when Teri doesn't.

“We'll be back soon.” She kisses me on the cheek. I lie back down, the feel of the kiss remaining as I close my eyes.

*****************

Dreams... dreams of fighting, of crowds cheering and chanting, of flashing lights and loud music, of his opponents, of his nemesis...

Brian jolts awake, sitting up abruptly, cold sweat running down his back as a surprised yelp emanates from the chair beside his bed. He looks over to see Teri recomposing herself.

“Sorry babe... How long?”

“About two weeks now. What do you remember?” Teri looks at him curiously.

“Everything!” White slumps back onto the bed, hearing it creak some more. He looks over at his partner. “Thank you.” He smiles slightly as she beams at him, joy radiating from her as she realises that she has her man back.

“We were so worried for you Brian, Tommy and myself, we've been taking it in turns to stay by your bed! When you woke up from your coma a few days ago, we thought it was a miracle! Even the docs didn't expect it so soon!”

White smiles again. “I've gotta hard head!” He chuckles to himself. “Good thing too, that attack really could've killed me....” He groans slightly as he gets back up and swings his legs out of the bed. “You know, I'm starving! Anything to eat around here?”

Teri just laughs and throws herself into him, wrapping him in as big a hug as she could manage. “Yeah, we'll fix you something.”

White chuckles as he wraps his oak like arms around he slim form. “Then I can start thinking about fixing the one who put me here....”

Brian had to admit, it had been a weird couple of months... Things had been going well since gallows end for him too. Obviously getting the belt back meant a lot to him, but having Teri at 4CW with him... It made him happy! And, he told himself, that felt really kinda weird! Happiness happened to to other people.

And she'd been spending a lot more time round the apartment too, though he did suspect that that was in part to keep an eye on him and his recovery. Could be worse! He thought back again at the whole situation. He really shouldn't have shown up at the ppv, and the doctors nearly had him fired for it too... Still it helps when the boss can be considered a friend and ally. He chuckled to himself a this thought as memories of that argument 5 minutes before Bonhams music hit came rushing in.

Of course, thinking of that man brought his mood to a more sour note, but it was quickly dispelled as he was brought back to the present by Teri flopping herself down on the sofa next to him, packet of crisps in hand, cheeky look on face, and legs already swinging up and over his own.

Smiling at her, he shuffled a little bit along to make some more room and get comfortable in his new position of leg rest, and laid one of his meaty paws on her very shapely thigh, which he gave a slight squeeze to. Teri chuckled at this and settled down, watching the TV. 

He looked her over again, she didn't seem to notice, or had gotten used to his staring over the last year or so, so didn't react. The soft lightly tanned skin, the hardness of muscle under his fingers, her blond hair falling freely across her shoulders, her blue eyes just as enchanting when they weren't directed at him. Honestly, it gave him butterflies, and he still couldn't figure out why the hell this beauty was still hanging out with him!

And he knew things had changed a bit with him since the concussion. Less prone to anger, more prone to introspection. This little thought drew a chuckle as the irony was not lost on him, but he was a little afraid that this would mean that if and when he did lose his rag, turning green and shouting 'HULK SMASH!' would be a safer less destructive situation to be in! It nearly did result in him doing something pretty permanent to his opponent in his last mach. Still, company psychs were keeping an eye and having Teri around....

He looked over at her again, marvelling even at the way she ate crisps, and then marvelling at the way he was able to marvel at that recently! Yep, that hit to the head had changed something!

He looked down at his hands as they lay gently over her legs, looked up at her again.... And made up his mind.

“Hh-hughmm... Huh.. Er, Teri?” She looks over at him and smiled. He almost lost his train of thought in that smile! “Hum, things have been going pretty well with us over the last year, right?”

She lookes at him curiously at this, her smile not fading. “Yeah babe, we have. What's up?”

“Oh, nothin', nothin'... Was just.... thinkin', that's all” Brian lookes down at his hands again, nervousness, a trait rarely, if ever, displayed by the big man, beginning to show.

“Thinking about what, Bri?” Teri leans in a little closer.

“Well, we been goin' out a while now... Things going well, and you spending quite a bit of time over here recently and stuff...” Brian trails off to a bit of a mumble as Teri's smile takes on a hint of... something he couldn't quite place.

“Come on Bri, spit it out!” She laughs, poking him playfully in the chest a few times.

Bri tries to swat her hand away and can't help himself but grin and the playing. He manages to catch her hand eventually and holds in gently, lightly, if absent-mindedly,  massaging the skin with his thumb and forefinger.  “I mean.. I guess what I'm saying is... Do you wanna take our relationship to the next level...?” He doesn't make eye contact up until this point, when he suddenly looks up into her eyes, with, for possibly the first time in his life, all the barriers down, hope and nervousness on show as he takes a deep breath. Teri is slightly taken aback. He'd never looked at her quite like this before.

“Teri, will you... Will you move in with me?”

There was quiet for a moment, Brian holding Teri's eyes, full of hope for something he knew he didn't deserve, but still... Teri shifted her legs so she could sit next to him properly, and took both his hands in hers.

Looking up into his eyes again, she smiled coquettishly, and half nodded. Gently she replied “On one condition Brian, say what you haven't said to me yet....”

Brian winced a little, looked away worriedly, searching for her meaning, looked back up into her eyes, saw her nod of encouragement, and a light dawned in his mind!

“I love you!”

The gleam in her eye intensified as her smile widened at this first time admitting it. She leaned in closer to him. “I love you too!”

They were still necking nearly ten minutes later when Tommy came home with the shopping!

“Five minutes Mr. White”

The producer, clipboard in hand smiled, at him as White grunted, barely moving as he sat hunched over on a bench near the gorilla position, staring into space.

A presence sat next to him on the bench, long lithe legs entering his vision as a hand rested on his thigh. “You ready hun?” White smiled as he looked up at Teri. They were both in their ring gear, ready to go for a show, though not a 4CW show.

“Yeah, I'm ready.” White stood and rolled his shoulders, doing some final stretches as he moved towards the curtains, waiting for the ring announcer to start.

“AAAAAAAND INTRODUCING, making his debut in New York Combat Wrestling, weighing in at four hundred and fifty pounds, From Barry, South Wales, he is a multi time champion, He is the 4CW Hall of Famer, BRIAN, THE FREIGHT TRAIN, WHIIIIIIIITTTTEEEE!!!!!”

The sizeable New York crowd explodes as “Wherever I May Roam” by Yashin hits and the lights drop. The music hits again and White pushes through the curtains, pumping his arms and throwing them wide, taking in the adulation, Miss Teri at his side, hands on hips, looking across the crowd with a smile. She puts her hand on his arm and smiles up at him, and they both walk down the ramp towards the ring. White Jumps up onto the apron as Teri goes for the stairs. He then sits on the middle rope, lifting the top allowing more room for Teri to enter, after which he steps over the top rope, showing off his considerable size. Once inside, they both play to the crowd a bit more as the music starts to fade. Teri, having already having retrieved a mic from a stage hand, hands it over the the big man.

“GOOD EVENING NEW YORK!!!” White yells into the microphone, earning the expected pop from the thousand or so strong crowd. “It's great to be here in NYCW tonight! I always love performing in my adopted home city!” Again, another pop at this revelation. “It's just a shame I have no gold to show you guys right now!” A more sympathetic pop hits as memories of Revival come to the fore. “But it won't be for long. Come Rumble In The Storm, I'll have my Universal Championship back where it belongs! Ansd Mad dog Valentine BETTER WATCH OUT!!” The crowd pops loud as White grins maliciously across the crowd, Miss Teri, clapping her approval as she leans against the far ropes.

White lifts the mic to his lips again but is interrupted when Papa Roach's Last Resort hits the PA and the crowd boo heavily. A man wearing black trunks and boots, a dark short clipped beard and dark hair, gelled into a coiffured tip, and a very arrogant expression! Mic in one hand, silver and gold belt baring the initials NYCW on it's front in the other, he stops at the head of the ramp.

“Oh, boo hoo, mister big man lost his gold! And still thinks he's the top dog around here!” The crowd haven't stopped their jeering, forcing the man on stage to shout. “Well mister big man... SHUT UP!!” His gaze traverses the masses in irritation, his outburst only goading them to be louder. “I said SHUT IT!! Show some respect for your champ!”

White, chuckling a little raises his mic. “I'm sorry, who are you?”

Veins on the man's forehead seems to bulge as rage seems to sroxx his face at this show of ignorance and disrespect.

“Who am I? WHO AM I? You big dumb lump of shit, I'm Marcus Strong and I'm the NYCW heavyweight champ around here! And no-one, not you, or anyone else is gonna change that!”  He stops yelling as the crowd noise just becomes too much even for him, but his eyes do not leave the ring.

White looks over to where Miss Teri is standing, looking up to the stage a contemptuous smile on her face. “Touchy, ain't he?” She laughs at White's little quip, earning her a murderous look from the local champion. “Look, Marcus, was it?” Marcus' gaze jumps back to him. “I'm not interested in you, or your little toy belt there! I'm just here to give these people something to cheer about, since obviously they don't have much if you're their champion...” White chuckles and a noticeable laugh begins to form in the crowd, only adding fuel to this fire. “And of course, to promote my next big match, my 4CW Universal Championship rematch!” The crowd pop again in anticipation of this huge match.

“Toy belt, you come here, disrespect me, disrespect this belt and disrespect this company!” It seems like he's going to say more, but instead, almost frothing at the mouth, he drops both the mic and the belt and charges for the ring. White drops the mic and assumes a defensive posture. Miss Teri rolls to the outside and stands by the apron, shouting instructions at her man.

Marcus, going at full speed, slides into the ring, jumping up and ducking under a clothesline in one movement to bounce off the opposite ropes and slams his own clothesline into the back of the Freight Train. Much to his surprise, White does not fall. He tries again, running the ropes before doing a jumping shoulder tackle, only to land on his ass, looking up the the smile of contempt. He backpedals hard to avoid White's grasping hand and gets to his feet again. Trying for a different tactic, Strong goes for a corner, quickly climbing and going for a crossbody. White effortlessly catches him and the look of shock is very apparent on Strongs face. With a slight grunt, White hoists his opponent into the air and holds him there, a full eight feet off the floor. Strong, held solidly in place, can do nothing but shake his head in disbelief as he's dropped in a military press slam. The crowd roar in appreciation as Strong bounces to his knees.

White saunters over to his fallen foe and grabs his head, lifting him to his feet, before grabbing his arm and yanking him towards the ropes, almost ripping Strongs arm from it's socket. On his return journey, White grabs Strong around his shoulders and spins around hitting a massive spinning pavement slam. Strong is left twitching and coughing in the centre of the ring as White gets up to his feet again and moves to a corner where Miss Teri joins him on the apron. Together they both throw their heads back and shout “WOOO WOOOOO!!!” And White drops low, holding onto the second ropes as he leans forward in anticipation of his charge. Teri is grabbing onto the top rope and snarling at the man in the ring, who is only now beginning to stir.

Strong manages to turn over and begins to pull himself slowly to his feet. The crowd are wild with anticipation as Strong makes it up to one knee, looking blearily around the crowd. Finally, he makes it to his feet and staggers around to face White in time to hear both a roar of rage and a banshee like shriek as White takes off, jamming his shoulder into Strongs abdomen, almost knocking him out of his boots. They both land with a jarring crash, and White bounces back to his feet with a roar. Strong is left on the ring floor, completely stunned.

Miss Teri climbs back into the and joins White in the centre of the ring, raising his arm into the air. White looks down at her, smiling, before leaning down, wrapping one massive arm around her thighs and lifting her into the air on his shoulder. She smiles and laughs at this show of strength as he parades her around the ring before gently dropping her back to her feet. Whilst his face is still in easy range, she drops a little kiss to his cheek, earning a final cheer from the crowd as they both walk up the ramp, arm in arm.

They both enter the gorilla position again, applause and cheers coming from members of the roster and production team who came up to watch the spectacle. With many pats on the back and shakes of hands, they both manage to make it to their changing room, smiling and laughing.

“Well, damn, that was fun!” White chuckles as he flops onto a couch, which creaks slightly.

“Sure was!” Teri laughs as she sits down next to him and throws her legs over his. “Damn, I love watching you just have fun.” She snuggles into him as they put on the feed from the ring, taking a rest to watch the rest of the show.

It was a lovely, clear August evening. The stars where out in force, the waves where washing against the cliffs and the view across the severn was be-speckled with town and street lights. The sea breeze was cool and catching the spray of the sea, giving it a nice salty tang. The trees moving in the breeze added their own sibilance to the scene. The shorts and t-shirt he wore was just enough to keep warm in the cooling night. Brian had always loved this spot, just above the beach on Barry Island. He smiled in contemplation.

“I always wonder what you're thinking Bri...”

Brian looked over startled out of his reverie and smiled, accepting the steaming cardboard cup gratefully. Teri, wearing a pair of short shorts, showing off her shapely legs, and tight t-shirt, her own cup now clasped in both hands under her nose takes a deep, satisfied breath. “So, whatcha thinking about?”

Brian has the brief moment of panic all men feel when confronted with this question by their significant other, before realising he could actually answer it.

“I was thinking how beautiful this place is, the stars, the lights...” His eyes twinkle as he looks down at the woman by his side. “The company!” He chuckles as this earns him an elbow to the ribs.

“I can see why you like it here. There air is so clean compare to New York.” Teri Takes another deep breath.

CLICK!

“Well, isn't this sweet!”

Both Brian and Teri turn in shock and recognition to face Dai, who is holding a revolver.

“What the actual fuck Dai!!” White snarls, instinctively moving slightly in front of Teri.

Dai, in his usual leather jacket and jeans, however looked older and more worn that he had the last time White had seen him. His hair was greyer, even in this light and his eyes sagged noticeably, except or the anger evident there.

“What the actual fuck, is it Whitey-boy? Well, the actual fuck is that you're going to pay what you owe me, you shit head!”

“I don't owe you jack shit! And you fuckin' know it you idiot!” Despite the bravado White was showing, it was also clear he was worried and kept glancing down at Teri, who had taken a slightly defensive posture.

“You don't owe me anything, do ya, you ungrateful bastard? No, you owe me everything! And more, since last time! Beaten by a fucking bunch of actors... Hah! Unfortunately word like that gets around... Business has gone south... Hmph, you and your damned friends have ruined me White!” Dai's eyes were gaining a tinge of madness by this point, but his gun was steady, and aimed squarely at White. “Maybe I should take from you what you took from me, eh? Hahahah!” And Dai changes his aim towards Teri.

“Fuck you!” White shouts and tries to move in front again, but Teri places her hand gently on his arm, and he backs down. Dai sees this and leers.

“Taking orders from the bitch too are you? Hah! Maybe I should see what she's like before putting a bullet through her head... You can watch too Whitey-boy! Hehehe....” Dai's countenance takes on a very dangerous edge to it. Teri looks up at White, who's beginning to look more like a sacred child, and smiles before mouthing 'I love you' to him.

Her eyes harden to daggers as she looks back at their attacker. “You think you frighten me? With your little gun and bad man attitude like you're gonna rape me or something? Hah! I'm a New Yorker, bitch! That's like a normal Tuesday for me!”

Brian almost chokes and drops his tea at this. Dai's eyes begin to widen to the point of popping out their sockets, their bloodshot nature becoming obvious. “You dare speak to me like that woman? Next time I'll put a bullet through that pretty little head of yours!”

“Hah! I dare you, shithead!”

Brain looks down with shock at the woman he loves. “Teri, what the hell...”

Teri quietly answers without breaking eye contact with Dai. “It's ok babe, I got this...”

Spluttering, Dai takes a step forward. “You... dare me....?” Dai takes another step, as if to get in range to place the weapon against her forehead. Dai looks at Brian. “Say goodbye to your girl..What?! ARGH!!”

as Dai takes a third step, Teri moves and throws the now lidless and still hot cup of coffee in Dai's face, before kicking out with her left leg, knocking the gun out of his hand, and following up with a picture perfect spinning heel kick, cracking his jaw and dropping him instantly to the floor, unconscious!

Breathing heavily, she looks back at Brian, who's stood looking at her with abject horror and shock! “Bri, it's alright! He's down! SNAP OUT OF IT!!” The yell seems to be enough to jerk Brian out of whatever personal hell he'd found himself in.

“Erm, right, yeah...” He looked around wondering what to do and flinched as Teri reached out and took his hand.

“It's ok, just a bit of shock. Now, I'll fetch the gun and put it out of sight, you put that son of a bitch under citizens arrest.” Teri smiled slightly at the confused look Brian gave her. “Sorry baby” and she slapped him sharply across the face!

The shock finally brought White back to his senses. “FUCK!!!” He took a step back and looked at the fallen man. “Ok, ok.. right, citizens arrest.... Got it.” Stepping over to Dai, he grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back before kneeling onto his back, putting enough weight there to keep him in place if he woke up.

Teri meanwhile pulled her sweater from around her waist and bundled the fallen pistol in it before grabbing her phone. “I'm gonna call the police” White just nods, now in control of himself again, and continues to hold their attacker.

A few seconds go by and she's answered. “Yes, we need the police, and probably an ambulance... Yeah, we're on the Barry Island coast path... about a quarter mile from the beach. Uh-huh... Yeah, we were attacked by a man with a gun... Yes, a gun, a damn revolver! I managed to disarm him and he's under citizens arrest now. Uh-huh.... Ok, yeah, no need. Thanks!” She lowers the phone. White looks up at her, questioningly. “The guy asked if I wanted him to stay on the line, said there was no need. Cops should be here in a minute...”

As if summoned, both hear the wail of a police siren going off and soon see a can and van pull up near the end of the path. Several officers jump out of the van, including a pair of armed response officers, and begin making their way up the path. Teri holds up her phone in the air, her screen active, to act as a flair and the officers make a bee-line to them. A second siren is soon heard as an ambulance comes into view, offloading a pair of paramedics.

Teri is soon deep in conversation with one of the officers as one of the armed officers takes control of Dai's weapon and formally places the still unconscious man under arrest.

White moves back to the fence and sits down against it, a little shock still evident enough for one of the medics to come check on him.

“Hey, you ok?” White looks up into the somewhat careworn face of an older gentleman.

“Yeah, just never been in this situation before. Hah, fuck... and before you ask, yeah go ahead and do your checks!” White leans back against the fence again as the paramedic gets to work, watching the slender, beautiful woman he thought he knew explain to a police officer what the hell just transpired.

“You're the Freight Train, right? Brian White?”

White looked up at the paramedic, who was just getting his little flash light out to check his eyes. “What?”

The medic smiled warmly. “The wrestler, Brian the freight train White? My kids watch 4CW, we got tickets to Stormfront in Cardiff next week. You're my kids favourite wrestler!” The medic chuckles a little. “Yeah, you're all good, just a little shock.”

White just looked dumbfounded at the medic. “Er, yeah, that's me. Erm... Cheers.” The medic smiles again and begins to move off. White stands and calls to him. “Erm, do you mind, what's your name?”

“Michael Davies. Why?”

“If... If you're gonna be at the show, heh... Yeah, I'll get you sorted with something a little special... As thanks... For what you do...”

The medic nods. “Thank you Mr White, but there's no need.”

White shakes his head. “Fuck! I'm not good at this! Look mate, I'm not gonna force your or anything but I'm offering you VIP backstage passes here! For you and your kids..”

The medic just nods and smiles again. “Thank you. Ok, I'll take them, for my boys.” White sags as the medic moves back towards the ambulance with the rest of the officers and their new cargo.

Teri comes and stands by the big man. “That was a really nice thing you did there Bri.”

“Least I could do.” White looks down at Teri. “And just what the fuck was that back there?! I thought you were dead!”

Teri smiles. “I wasn't completely joking about that being just a Tuesday for me.” She looks down a little demurely. “And I used to do Mui Tai...” They both chuckle at this revelation. Suddenly Teri is pressed up against White, and he lays an arm over her shoulder. “Now let's go find another, non caffeinated, drink!”

White looked down at the bar in front of him, his vision tunnelling and his hearing diminishing so that his whole reality was that bar in front of him. Seven hundred and fifty pounds of steel total, a personal best, if he could lift it. He controlled his breathing, long slow breaths, followed by some quick short breaths to oxidize his blood as much as possible. His focus was absolute. He stepped up to the bar, kneeled down and wrapped the straps that were around his wrists around the bar. He was barely aware of the group of men and women around him, including Miss Teri. He tenses, takes in a huge breath and pulls on the bar. It inches off the ground as his long legs slowly straighten, though with some shaking beginning to be obvious. Cheers and encouragement from the crowd around him begin to get louder. His face is showing the strain, but White perseveres through the pain. With a shout he manages to lock his legs strait, and holds the bar at his waist for a second, looking around at the group in triumph, before dropping down to one knee, controlling the bar from bouncing up too high and unwraps the straps from the bar and his wrists. He looks up into the smiling face of Miss Teri as a number of men come up to congratulate him on his latest deadlift pb.

“Wow, that was quite something baby!” Miss Teri smiled as she approached, stepped up on tip toe and gave the big man a kiss on the cheek. “How're you doing?”

White smiles at first then looks down into the concerned face of his partner. “Er, I'm fine. What do you mean?”

“I've been worried about you for a while, Bri. Ever since you had that concussion the other year. You haven't been quite your self, and I don't mean the way you 'hulk' out during your matches! I've seen when you seem to zone out, when some stressful situation happens and you just freeze. I know it doesn't happen often, but it's not like you at all.”

White looks away for a second, not being able to face those eyes and the worry he could see there, so he goes to pick up a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow. “You're thinking about that time with Dai? Look, I.... I know I froze, I wasn't expecting that bastard to pull a gun on us. I didn't know what to do! But, I... I'm fine, I promise.” He looks up and smiles at her. “Hell, I'm stronger than ever! New personal best baby! Hehehe!”

White knew exactly what Teri was thinking though. Despite is attempt at bravado, he knew there was something more that was wrong in his head, and despite what Teri had said, bless her, that 'Hulking out' shit was a symptom. He didn't know what the hell was wrong with him, and he sure as hell wasn't going to talk about it if he could help it, but then, if he couldn't talk to Teri about it, be vulnerable to her of all people, then did he really deserve to be with her? Was he able to open up to anyone? He admitted to himself, possibly for the first time, he hoped so.

But he couldn't right now. He had a match to prepare for, and this deadlift attempt was part of that conditioning. He needed to focus, to concentrate and control his emotions and his mind set. And so far it seemed to be working. He looked up with a resolve coming over his face, surprised to see Teri still looking up at him, worry still very much on her face.

White relented, the knowledge that what he felt, and what he thought she felt, was more than real. “I'll try and tell you after War. You can think of it as my new years resolution. But before that, I have a match to win!”

Teri gave him a small smile and nods. “I'll hold you to that.” She looks up at the clock. “Come on, we gotta be at Tommy's new place soon, and you gotta shower first!”

Hours later, White looks up at the darkened ceiling, his arms up behind his head as he lies in bed. It had been a good day, he had to admit. To see the pride and excitement on the young man was actually quite a stirring moment, which had surprised him. He realised that he genuinely did care for the kid now. Before he was not much more than a nuisance, a useful nuisance, but a nuisance none the less. He hadn't seen the ambition and drive in that kid that basically ran away from home to join the fucking circus! But now, he saw a man who was in the process of carving out a successful career with a drive that had surprised many, not least him. And he found he was proud of the man. He remembered his words to Tommy earlier that night, and smiled. Yeah, he was proud of what he had seen Tommy accomplish. And he was always gonna be proud of that young man, almost like a father would be proud of his son.

He smiled to himself as a thought crossed his mind. “Maybe I'm not as much of a bastard as I thought I was!” With that he rolled over, his arm stretching to pull the beautiful woman lying next to him into his embrace.

RP for White and Young Soul Survivor match.

White was unhappy. Everyone at the gym could sense it. Those poor unfortunate souls who found themselves in the ring training with him very quickly felt it. Teri stood against the ring apron watching her partner as he whipped his latest victim against the ropes, laying him out with a surprisingly vicious lartiat, before picking the poor sod back up and lifting him up as if to do a brainbuster, and from the look of Whites face, it was going to hurt!

“Brian!” Teri snapped. “That's enough!”

White snapped his attention to her. Teri was on the apron now, staring daggers at the big man as he held his opponent steady in the air.

“Put. Him. Down!” Teri emphasised every word with a finger. White looked around the training gym, noticing finally the number of men and women staring at the ring, several of them seemingly ready to jump up into the ring. White's eyes finally rested on Tommy's, the only other person, apart from Teri, who had a look of determination that wasn't heavily garnished with fear, and very ready to take on the big man himself. The roaring in Whites ears finally ebbed enough to hear the whimpering coming from the man who was still held vertical in his grip.

Teri, now inside the ring, approached the big man. “Put him down Bri, that's enough of that for today.” With a grunt, White let the other man back down onto his feet and another trainer slid into the ring to help the woozy wrestler out.

White turned his attention to the woman in front of him, noticing that now Tommy was entering the ring also. “Bri, what's up?” Tommy walked up beside his mentor, keeping a wary eye out for another outburst. White just grunted. “Come on Bri, what's up? We're both here for you.”

White turned away from both of them, exiting the ring, but both Teri and Tommy followed. “Bri, baby, if you still need to hit something, at least make it a punchbag, not one of these guys.”

White, again, just grunted, but seemed to make his way towards the boxing bags instead of the changing rooms. Teri looked up at Tommy, laying her hand appreciatively on his arm. Tommy nodded and went back to his training, but still seeming to keep an eye on his biggest friend.

“Come on baby, what's up? You've been pissy since the War show...”

White began laying into the punch bag with a cold ferocity that would instil fear in most people. Teri just stood there, arms folded, waiting patiently, watching.

Finally, White leaned against the bag, his head resting on his arm. “You know what's up...”

“No I don't baby.”

“Yes you do! I feel like a fuckin' laughing stock right now! What the hell was the point in the last damned year? I lose the Universal Title to that prick Jack Valentine, and that's fine, I've held that belt long enough, so I don't care about losing the rematch cus I know I got a chance at the world title again. Then he goes ahead and wins that too and then I lose every other shot I get against him! Fuck sake! I don't even care that we got a feature for spot of the year. And then that bastard Simtul, costs me the last match at War, so yeah, I'm fucking pissed!”

Teri keeps her stance and weathers Whites tirade. “So you lost a few matches, who cares, your time will come again. And apart from that you and Tommy did win the first Soul Survivor match and did well in the last one too. You're doing fine honey.”

White glares back at Teri, refusing to be mollified. “I've been a major player in this company since the day I set foot in it. I've never had a run like this. What the hell are they thinking?!”

“That maybe an industry vet like Jack Valentine deserves his time with the World Championship? You've said it yourself, you've managed far more in the last five years than he did in fifteen.” White just grunted, turning away again. “And maybe they're thinking it's a chance for you to change priorities for a bit, maybe even join the ranks of the few triple crown winners?” Teri pointed out. White stopped in his tracks, the tops of his ears reddening a little. “Come off it Bri. So you've had a bad year, that's in the past. Right now you've got to look ahead and see what's in your future. And you're not alone there baby.”

White grunts irritably again, though at Teri or himself, it's hard to say, and moves off to the changing rooms. Tommy comes up to Teri again and exchanges a glance, before looking back off towards the retreating Freight Train.

A few days later White stomps back into the gym. Several of the regulars seem to trip over themselves to be inconspicuous, but Tommy looks up and smiles. Miss Teri comes in behind and waves at Tommy as White goes to get changed. Teri steps over to Tommy, smiling.

“We good?” Tommy asks. Teri just smiles and nods and White comes back, ready for training and looks over to his partner. Cracking his knuckles, he joins his friend and partner.

“Ok Tommy, we have some work to do.”

Rumble in the Storm RP (God I can be a soppy git at times... :-P )

Aaahh... This was the life! Living on an undisclosed tropical island, paid for by the company you work for, only really having to work every month or so, plenty of leisure and gym equipment to get yourself ripped, and.... ouch! Your significant other jamming her elbow into the fleshy part of your back as she does a deep tissue massage on you after a heavy training session! Oooooh! That feels so gooooood!

White grunted as Teri drove her fingers into his spine, working out some lingering little niggles in his back and shoulders.

“Ya like that then huh?” Teri smiled as she spread some more oil over the massive slab of meat that was he boyfriend lying face down on the table in front of here. All she got was a moan as she jammed the heel of her wrist into his left shoulder joint. She chuckled as she worked him over, releasing muscle tension and lactic build up. This had become a daily ritual for them too by now. Brian had been putting in a lot of training recently, and not just for the wrestling. Tommy had shown him some Strongman competitions recently, and White had got it into his head to begin training for that now too! He'd even managed to persuade some of the production staff to set up some new rigs for it! It's good to have a hobby, Teri thought. With a final slap to the rump, Teri stood up strait and stretched. “There, you're done. Time to hit the showers.” Teri caught the look on Brian's face as she said that. “Later ya big lunk!” And she turned and strode out of the private physio treatment room, giving the semi naked giant a good eyeful as she left.

Brian smiled, enjoying the curves the yoga ware gave Teri. He reached for his own towel and wrapped it around himself before reaching for his bag and rummaging around inside until he found the small box he'd hidden in there. He looked towards where Teri had disappeared, had a slight shiver of nervous anticipation, and headed out into the main gym and towards the showers himself.

Later that night, they were both seated on an outside veranda of the hotel, enjoying some food, drink and the sunset, though Brian did seem a little preoccupied. Miss Teri, dressed in short jeans shorts, white blows, flip flops, sunglasses and sun hat, sipped on her wine as she sat back, looking at her man as he played with his food. Brian, dressed in a cotton short sleeved shirt, jeans and flip flops, was nervous. He kept looking at the picture of perfection in front of him and felt his mouth dry up. This was not as easy as those tv shows made it out to be.

“Brian, what's the matter? You've hardly eaten anything!” Teri smiled at him. White fidgeted with something in his pocket.

Without a word, he got up and stepped towards the edge of the veranda, looking out across the see at the sunset sky. His face was a little troubled, as if a conflict was going on in his head.

“Brian, are you ok?” Teri's worried voice managed to cut across his thoughts and be took a deep breath, straitened his shoulders and turned back towards her, a look of determination now on his face, a stark contrast to the worry beginning to show on Teri's.

“I'm sorry. It's just, this is kinda hard for me right now. We've been together for a few years now, we've been through a lot, all that shit with Dai, my head injury and subsequent, er, slight personality change, I guess... I'm sorry, we still haven't really talked about that have we!” Brian smiled apologetically at her as she grimaced at that. “What I mean to say is, I don't think I could've got through half of that stuff on my own, even with Tommy around. You've been a rock I thought I'd never have. A source of happiness I sure as hell don't deserve, and a strength to get me through some of the toughest years of my life. You've helped me in my training, in my career, in my recovery and my personal life.” White steps towards the somewhat startled Teri and goes onto one knee, reaching for something in his pocket. “What I'm trying to say is, I love you, now and forever, even if I don't say it enough.” White opens the box as he lifts it towards Teri. She barely manages to hold in a squeal as he eyes rest on a small silver band with a decent sized diamond set into it. “I don't think I'm much of a catch, but as much as I think that, I still want to spend the rest of my life with you. So...” White takes a deep breath, looks directly into Teri's eyes, and utters those four little words. “Will you marry me?”

Miss Teri barely moves, caught, seemingly in the magic of the situation. The beautiful setting of the hotel veranda, the sunset colouring the sky, the big brutish, yet soft and caring man kneeling in front of her, his face totally open, hoping against hope, baring his heart completely to her. A happy sob escapes as she slowly nods and whispers “Yes!”

White slowly smiles as that one words trickles through his brain. Teri puts both her hands around his face, begins laughing and says again, louder this time “Yes!” and buries her face against his in a kiss. Brian gets up to his feet, taking Teri in his arms and spinning her around in joy. Setting her down, he takes the ring from the box and gently slides it onto the proffered finger. Yes, he thought, This Was The LIFE!!!

Last edited by Gorgrim (Thu-31-Dec-2020 20:08:03)

It was dark. Brian looked around, but his eyes felt heavy. An uneasy feeling of loss began to come over him. Something was missing, something important. But he couldn't remember what. He began to move forwards, but his legs felt leaden and difficult to move. What's going on? What's missing? Why can't I move? Why is it so dark?

“Brian!”

Brian starts, hearing something in the distance. Brian starts to run forward, forcing his legs to move through sheer force of will! The darkness begins to brighten as he moves forward.

“Brian!”

Again, that voice in the darkness. His legs feel like something is wrapped around them, and he can't move properly.

“Brian!”

With a start, Brian shoots upright, his bedclothes wrapped around his legs, dim early morning light coming through the bottom of the curtains, sweating and breathing hard. He looks to the other side of the bed to see it empty, then looks into the grinning face of Tommy, holding out a mug of tea.

“You look like hell Bri” Tommy states matter of factly. “Good  thing I've got plenty of time to get you ready!”

Get me ready? Brian thinks to himself, looking at where Teri should be sleeping. He looks back at Tommy confused. Suddenly, like a bucket of cold water, it hits him!

Today's the day. Teri isn't here because she's staying with her sister. Tommy is here. And I'm getting married in a few hours!

Hand only slightly shaking, Brian takes the proffered mug and swings his legs over the side of the bed. A big gulp later, he looks up at his best man.

“Let's get this show on the road!”

At the same time, Teri and her sister were having an early morning jog through central park. The ever present sound of New York traffic permeates the air, and a low fog covers the frosty grass. The women's breath clouds in front of them, but the sweat still glistens from their bare arms.

“Come on Kelly, you're lagging!” Teri laughs as she again has to slow her pace so Kelly can keep up.

“Well (pants), I haven't... been on a … tropical island for the past... year  with nothing to do... but train!” Kelly stops and leans over, resting her hands on her knees as she tries to get her breath back.

Teri just laughs. “It wasn't like that Kelly, we worked hard back there too you know!”

Kelly just gives her a grimace as she finally gets back up and stretches. “Uh huh, and I've been lounging around my apartment for god knows how long, doing nothing at all!”

Again, Teri just laughs. “And I've spent this last year with a pair of Brits, so I know sarcasm better than most.” The sisters share a look for a few seconds before breaking down into uncontrollable giggles.

“Oh Teri, I've missed you!” Kelly laughs. “And I still can't believe you're getting married, especially to Brian! Honestly, when you told us mom and dad nearly collapsed in shock!” Kelly begins to untie the sweater she has around her waist. “Can we go get a coffee now? I'm getting cold!”

Teri also shivers involuntarily as the cold finally makes itself known on this February morning and she also goes to put her sweater on. “Yeah, let's do that. One thing I don't miss about coming back, New York winter! I almost forgot what it was like to be cold on the island!”

With a chuckle, arms linked, the sisters go off to find a coffee, chatting and planning the day ahead.

Brian, dressed in his immaculately tailored tuxedo, glanced around the large and quick full church nave. He smiled warmly at Mrs Young and Aunty Jacquie, so called, not because she was Mrs Youngs sister, but because she was her best friend and both he and Tommy treated her like an aunt. Both ladies were smiling excitedly, looking about the church, exclaiming loudly in very welsh accents and generally making a bit of a scene, as two older ladies who've never left their country of origin are want to do. Brian glanced at Tommy, who was doing his best not to rush down and beg his mother to quiet down!

Brian looked further out, noting all his colleagues that had taken the time to join him on this day. Sery was there of course, grinning to himself, and probably thinking up a formal ware line for Seryshop.com. Rhys Cain was there, with his family, and of course the rest of the Black Flame, but this wasn't a professional gig, so no hard feelings or anything. Even towards Jack Valentine, who was sat as close to the front as he could get away with, a massive smirk covering his face. Seeing Whites eyes lock on him, he gives an over exaggerated wink, perfectly designed to irritate the big man. Brian quickly moves on, seeing Pilgrim Page and Kinzy Kane taking their seats alongside Madeline Phoenix, Anna Molly and Witch Hazel and chatting happily. Yeah, nearly the whole gang was here, really the only exceptions were those who could sort out their travel visas due to remaining covid restrictions in time. And looking over to the brides side, well, it seems that her family was out in force as they actually outnumbered the staff and competitors of 4CW by a bit of a margin!

Tommy gave Brian a brief nudge, nodding to the back of the hall, as a head poked out, followed by a waving arm. The vicar coughed slightly before stepping to the lectern mic and with a smile pronounced “Please be upstanding for the bride”. The congregation stands, many craning their necks towards the back and the string quartet set up in the corner begin playing Pachelbel's Canon. A pair of young girls, no more than 10 years old, dressed in pretty deep red dresses emerge first, each carrying baskets of petals which they begin liberally dispersing along the carpeted aisle. These are followed by a line of three brides maids, lead by Kelly, who was the Maid of Honour, this time. And finally, dressed in a much plainer, though far more classy dress than her kayfabe wedding; heavy velvet and silk folds in the dress, no trail, her hair held up with a tiara, and a few carefully chosen, and quite old family jewellery accenting everything perfectly, her arm laid demurely through the loop made by her father, also immaculately dressed, both smiling beatifically as they made their way down. Brian felt a tear trickle down his face as his eyes found hers, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. As she stepped up to him, he he smiled, and didn't remember much of the next hour or so, except for the smile.

Some time later, his finger lightly throbbing due to the pressure of his new ring, Brian stood next to his new wife, going through the motions of congratulations from the myriad of friends and family, and trying not to obviously look bored out of his skull. Teri was in her element, hugs and kisses all round with aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His head was pretty buggered not even half way through with all the names he'd been given!

“Brian! Teri! Congratulations!” The slightly smarmy way this was said finally brought Whites wondering attention back, only to see the smirking face of Jack Valentine.

“Thanks Jack...” White took the proffered hand and shook, trying not to actually crush the hand as this was personal, not professional, even though he quite frankly would love to wipe that smirk off.

“It was a lovely ceremony, gotta say. Not how I'd have done it, but then, I wouldn't get married in the first place! Hahaha! Too much damn stress!” Valentine chuckled at his little joke. Teri put a calming hand on her husbands wrist.

“Now Jack, no need for that, we're all friends here...” Teri spoke gently, but there was a hint of hardness, that even Jack recognised.

“Haha, I know Teri, it's just too easy sometimes! Of course, no hard feelings and all that, especially for what's coming up!” Valentine made to move off, before removing a hip flask from his pocket, quickly unscrewing the lid and raised it in front of the surprised couple. “No matter what you think of me professionally, I do truly wish you the best, here's to ya both!” And taking a generous slug of the liquid inside, he saunters off with a “See ya love birds later!”

No longer Miss Teri looked up at her mildly fuming husband, her hand squeezing his.

“You really shouldn't let him get to you like that Brian.” Rhys Cain and his family move forward to congratulate the new couple.

“Easy for you to say, you don't have to work too  closely with him at the moment! You heels get it easy!” Rhys chuckled as he extended his hand and shook his fellow Welshman's hand.

“Yeah that is true I suppose. He's still an asshole, but then, aren't we all, to some extent.”

“Humph, I suppose”. White releases the grip and looks back to his wife. Surprise takes him as he sees a toddler now held at Teri's hip as she's laughing with Melissa, who is holding the baby herself. He glances back at Rhys, who is also surprised to his his second sun in the arms of Teri, and rolls his eyes towards Brian. Despite himself, White chuckles. Rhys reaches over to take his son back before leading his family off as Melissa and Teri give a quick cheek kiss in farewell. The line still looks long, and White sighs a little inwardly as the next group come forward to offer their congratulations. This was gonna be a long day!

Later that night, in the penthouse suit of the Plaza hotel, Brian stood, butt naked in the open window, looking out over central park in the clear cold night. He shivered slightly, but other than that, didn't move.

He felt the gentle touch of fingers on his back and the warmth of another body come close and lean into him. He looked down at his wife, also naked, and smiled, wrapping his meaty arm around her slender form. Together they stood, gazing out over the city that never sleeps, just enjoying the closeness and silence, or at lease the kind of silence that past for gone midnight in central Manhattan!

Teri looked up at Brian. “Are you ok?” Concern was evident in her voice.

Brian looked down, smiling, and pulling in tighter on Teri for a second. “Yeah, I'm fine. Still can't believe it really. Still digesting everything. What a great night!” With this he turns slightly so he can wrap both arms around his wife, enveloping her almost completely as he leans in to kiss her. She leans in too, wrapping her arms as far round his torso as she can reach.

After a minute of this she rests her head on his chest. “I still can't believe Kelly actually left with Jack though! I didn't think anyone could get that drunk!”

White chuckled, thinking back to the look of pure mischief on the face of his new sister in law, as well as the drunk look of satisfaction on that of Jack Valentine as he was led out of the Plaza Hotel Ballroom. “Can't fault him, he's a slick bastard, to be sure, but I think your sister isn't as innocent as you think too!”

Teri thumps him lightly on the chest. “She's not allowed to be not innocent, she's my little sister!” They both laugh at this. “Anyway, I think you've had enough of a rest now, time to come back to bed...” And with that, she leads White back to bed, and back to a version of heaven he wishes to never leave!