REC:
“Stepping into the Elimination Chamber, I knew that it was going to be one of the hardest fought matches of my life. Being the first one in was a challenge in itself, having to go the distance along with Kandis was one of my greatest achievements especially with all the talent that was in the match, from Jake Starr to Crystal Zdunich, Aaron Blackbourne and yes, Christy Matthews. This was all for one thing, an opportunity at a chance to win either the Adrenaline Championship or the United States, both so prestigious in their own right. I wasn’t thinking about what title I would compete for, more if I was going to survive, since honestly things haven’t gone all that well for me going back to even before Rise to Greatness. I try to balance my personal and professional life, it is rather hard though, as I have still been dealing with the stages of grief, I can freely admit it, Ricky Octavius death hit me pretty hard and well, I thought I would be over it by now. With my piss poor decision making as of late, unintentionally hurting the people closest to me, I needed to walk into the Chamber and prove my worth, remind everyone why I was the Rookie of the Year in 2019, why I was one of the longest TV Champions of all time, and why I left EMERGE never beaten for the title there, and a lot of that is my fault, I will take full responsibility for my actions, that still doesn’t mean I can’t focus one what I may not be able to control, but at least what I am able to dictate with my wrestling.
The Chamber was just that.
A lot of my wounds are self-inflicted, and I was not in a good place when I went to the ring at RTG against Glory Braddock. This is far from an excuse, for this all falls on me, so looking back on how I let down so many people and allowed for Glory to rob me of the Adrenaline Championship, I had no other choice but to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities. Does it bother me what happened afterwards? Of course it does, The Wonderland could have killed one of us or at least severely injure me, or referee Demitra or even Kandis though hindsight now, its 20/20 and she didn’t care about my well-being, but is that supposed to change my approach in any way?
No.
I made a promise a long time ago to the one man I love and respect more than anything that I would never change the way I am, and yes, I have made some awful choices in the last year or so, probably more so since I have been in the SCW, I am trying to amend those now, and the Chamber was the start. Now I have some grueling matches coming up against Hall of Famers…
It’s time to show them all that I am back on track.”
/REC
A LONG ROAD TO GET THERE
CHAPTER FOUR
Winning the Elimination Chamber was one of the highlights of Peyton’s career, if not the biggest match she has ever won, and that was saying something, as she has been climbing the ladder of success for quite some time now but like anyone in the sport, she has at times taken some crushing defeats. The key to her success is how she has bounced back, and when the huge loss at Rise to Greatness occurred, the one thing that Peyton Rice is very good at bouncing back quickly, she did it at and before leading into Trios, she did it right before RTG and then again entering the monstrous Chamber first and outlasting everyone to the very end. With the help of her training regimen outside the ring, and trying to fix her personal problems, especially suffering from PTSD when it comes to the murder of Ricky Octavius, Peyton has found it a challenge, a welcomed one to stand her ground and find a way to heal. Within her personal life, she was having issues with Jennifer Helms after having a couple of one night stands with Christian after breaking off her marriage to Alistaire Allocco, which it hit her a lot harder than she even imagined, for Peyton, really trying to get back into the groove of things was most important and unknowingly staying at Kelcey’s old beach house which Chris Cannon had moved back to was a bit of a welcomed change. Staying with Chris really helped her focus on the Chamber, she started to take Kata again, a form of martial arts she used to do when younger. Peyton was also able to talk to her father and unveil some very troubling thoughts she had when in her dark places. She was even able to talk to her mother, who Peyton had issues addressing as mom, for what she had done to the family after Ray Rice’s injury on the job that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Peyton has had to do a lot of soul searching lately, where she felt that maybe she had lost her way, and that alone scared her, but with the help of Kelcey and her family, Chris as well, she has been able to find herself some, including challenging the monster Xander Valentine. Nothing has troubled her more than the fact she has had to watch Kelcey go through hell with The Wonderland, the same people that could have seriously injured or even killed Peyton after the Chamber win at Under Attack. Peyton wanted some semblance of order, she yearned for her life to go back to normal, this was never going to be possible, but with meeting Hunter, the handyman at Chris’s house and inviting him to the party, Kelcey’s Halloween Bash, she would have thought the night would be interesting, but nothing like this.
Cannon Home
Hermosa Beach, CA.
11.22.2020
Peyton was outside wearing her tight marine green Yoga Pants and sports bra, barefoot with her nails polished white and long hair slicked back in a ponytail. It was early in the morning, doing her Kata routine on the beach. Bear was digging a hole again not too far away from her, it seemed like the norm for both of them. Kelcey was inside drinking a cup of coffee, she had come over to talk to Chris, bringing Nathaniel so he could see his father. She was in jeans, wedge sandals and a black halter top, her toenails polished a bright red, long sandy blonde hair hanging down. Chris had Nathaniel in his arms playing with him on the couch, Kelcey watching Peyton from the house…….
Kelcey: “You know I never knew that she had so much knowledge of this martial art. Did you?”
Chris: “I’ve only known about it recently, one day I woke up and saw her outside doing it, the night after she was attacked, since then it is an everyday occurrence.”
Kelcey: “I see…”
Chris: “Yeah, Peyton told me she used to practice it a lot in private, it was when Ricky died, she stopped. Something they started to do together after he pushed her to do it, even she admitted it helped her mentally and physically, but it was too painful to continue it after his death.”
Kelcey: “Time heals all wounds, love.”
Chris: “…Does it?”
Kelcey took a deep breath, turning to Chris and nodding, a small smile formed across her face as she watched him hold their son in his arms….
Kelcey: “Yes, yes it does.”
Chris nods and looks down at Nathaniel while doing so, something clearly on his mind and Kelcey could tell…
Chris: “Kelcey, can we talk about what happened on Halloween….”
Kelcey: “I rather not talk about it, Chris.”
Chris: “Why not, I think it deserves to be talked about.”
Kelcey: “I don’t know what needs to be discussed I was seas sick, maybe it was something I ate or could have been I drank a little too much cognac with Sienna.”
Upon hearing that, Chris slowly sat up, the idea of her drinking with Sienna caught him by surprise, then he started to think about the possibilities, as Sienna was not above trying to make Kelcey sick and he knew that…..
Chris: “Drinking with Sienna? I thought you wanted to talk Kelcey, why in the bloody hell would you go and do that?”
Kelcey: “I was trying to extend the Olive Branch to her, you know this. We can’t keep doing this with her, for the sake of you, Nathaniel, all of us. If you are implying that was the reason, I was sick you’re mistaken, I assure you….”
Chris: “Maybe you’re right, I just don’t think you should be getting mixed up with her right now. She is dangerous and erratic.”
Kelcey: “That we can both agree on, she is.”
Chris: “Besides, I am beginning to think I need to handle this with her, she will listen to me.”
Kelcey: “I don’t know Chris, her getting involved with The Wonderland, costing Owen the shot at facing Bree for the World Championship… I thought I got through to her at the party, I really did…”
Kelcey sighed before taking another sip of her coffee…
Chris: “I don’t know how much more I can handle staying quiet and not doing anything about it, Kelcey. After I was told about what happened at the party, all I wanted to do was request that I be on the other leg of the tour with you all. I still believe I should have been there.”
Kelcey: “No, you can’t let what she is doing get to you Chris. You’ve done a lot to repair your image as of late with thanks to Lucas. This is my issue, I don’t want you involved, it will only make things worse, you know that. Besides if something was to happen to me, I need you here to care for Nathaniel.”
Chris: “Nothing like that is EVER going to happen to you, Kelcey. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
She wanted to believe him, but Giovanni Aries was on a whole new level lately. He was testing the SCW and the Perfect Pack more than ever before. His antics were getting more dangerous by the week, to the point eventually he was going to severely injure or even kill someone it felt. A lot like he almost did to Peyton at Under Attack when dismantling the chamber while she was still inside it….
Kelcey: “Let’s hope not.”
Kelcey turns back to the sliding glass door, watching Peyton do her Kata routine when she would stop occasionally because Bear wanted to play and leapt up at her. Despite the latest going’s on, Kelcey was happy to see Peyton laughing a little while she kicked off her sandals and was ready to open the door….
Chris: “What are you doing?”
Kelcey: “I need to talk to her about everything…”
Chris: “You know she fears your safety, love.”
Kelcey: “I know, and I don’t need that to be a distraction, she has Christy Matthews soon who we both know how vicious she is in the ring when she wants to be, and then she has Xander Valentine at the PPV… Who again we both know what he can do in a ring as well, I only hope he does do anything serious to Dylan on Breakdown…”
Chris: “Me too… But before you go out there, I need to ask you something.”
Kelcey: “Sure, what is it?”
Nathaniel: “Dada!”
Nathaniel blurted out those words, as both Kelcey and Chris smiled, hugging his son, hearing him call him it more and more meant the world to him….
Chris: “That’s right, I am your dada.”
Kelcey: “See, he knows.”
Chris: “Yeah he does…”
Kelcey: “So what is the question?”
Chris: “Do you think she can beat Xander?”
Kelcey doesn’t say anything, instead she smiled uncomfortably at Chris, before opening the sliding back door and walking out. Chris turns and sighs, returning his attention to Nathaniel, his son starts to laugh as Chris begins to tickle him.
Outside, Peyton continues her Kata routine before stopping, looking over at Bear who returned to digging some holes in the sand. She giggles a little, before turning back toward the house, looking at Kelcey opening the sliding glass door. Peyton closes her eyes, thinking of all they have been through lately, that including Kelcey’s Halloween party. Peyton sits on her Yoga mat, facing the ocean, it felt almost like she could hear the music on the yacht on the Ocean breeze….
The Halloween Party
10.31.2020
10:00 PM
Peyton at first had not planned on going, but she decided that it was probably in her best interest to because of how important it was to Kelcey. There were quite a few people there, she watched Christian and Jaina seeming to get very comfortable with each other, which she thought was actually cute, considering the young Lancaster was never a fan of Peyton during her time with Owen… She then turned to see others mingling, Sienna Swann kept to herself mostly which she found interesting. Hunter, her date was there as well, he was dressed as Tarzan, she was not dressed as Jane, instead as a devilish witch. Peyton sat back drinking, watching everything unfold when a familiar voice approached her, that being Owen Cruze dressed as Clyde…..
Owen: “Hey Pey…”
Peyton: “Hey, Owen.”
There was an awkward silence between the two for a moment…
Owen: “I know we haven’t really had a chance to talk much after you moved out, and with all that has been happening in SCW and with the tours and such… It’s like we haven’t really been connecting much and….”
Peyton: “Yeah there is a reason for that.”
Owen: “Oh yeah?”
She knew he wasn’t that stupid, but she also wasn’t one who would beat around the bush either and spelled it out as plain as day to him just in case he was…
Peyton: “Yes. I have been avoiding you, Owen.”
Owen was caught off-guard with what she had just stated….
Owen: “…Peyton?”
Peyton: “God, do you blame me? Look, I know how much you and Jennifer are in love, I have been your biggest cheerleader since the very beginning, but let us be honest here, she hates me now for what I did, and you know what? I have accepted that, much as I hate it, because well, I don’t really care to rehash this anymore.”
Owen: “Okay hold up, that’s not…”
Peyton: “What, it’s not true? You don’t expect me to believe that do you, I fucked up, I get that and well, rather than fight it, I decided it’s time to move on. I wish we could co-exist, but that is not possible. The last thing I want to do is put a strain on your relationship with her, so yeah…. I have been avoiding you. I’m sorry. Enjoy the party and….”
As she is walking away, Owen gently grabs her hand which she retracts back instantly with a slight scowl….
Owen: “Please don’t go, and just give me a chance to talk?”
Peyton: “Owen, what is there to talk about, huh? Things are the way they are, and it’s alright, you are still my friend, I still love you I just need to keep a distance and….”
Voice: “No you don’t.”
It was Jennifer’s voice, slowly turning around Peyton looked up at the taller Helms dressed as Bonnie to complete the look Owen was in. Peyton was a little surprised to see her there willing to talk. She turns back to Owen…
Peyton: “Are you two trying to screw with me right now?”
Owen: “What?! No! Will you two please just talk? I know that a lot of hurtful things have been said, but I would really wish that you gals can look beyond that and just talk? I know it is a lot to ask for, but please, for me? I don’t ask for much…”
Peyton: “I don’t know… I don’t want to leave my date alone, I can see some of the vultures looking at him.”
Jennifer: “Owen can go over there and introduce himself while We talk over there by the bow of the yacht, just give me a few minutes? Please Peyton… After you hear me out you’re free to do whatever you want.”
Peyton: “I….. I don’t know. You were pretty harsh to me the last time we tried to talk.”
Jennifer: “I was, but I think we need to talk, just a few minutes.”
It took a few seconds for Peyton to come up with a decision, turning and looking over at Owen who was basically pleading with her to listen at what Jennifer needed to say. Finally Peyton let out a sigh and nodded reluctantly…..
Peyton: “Okay, a few minutes.”
Owen: “Thank you, and don’t worry about your date I’ll go introduce myself.”
Peyton: “Alright… Be nice to him, he isn’t like anyone else here.”
She and Jennifer walk toward the back, glancing over at Hunter, Peyton signals that she going to talk to her in the back, he gives a thumbs up while sipping on a water as Owen approaches him….
Owen: “Hey bro, I’m Owen I’m a friend of Peyton’s.”
Hunter: “Oh hey, I have heard a lot of good things about you man, nice to meet you dude. I’m Hunter.”
They shake hands…
Owen: “So you and Peyton are….?”
Hunter: “We’re just friends, this is the first time we have hung out, she didn’t want to come alone, I was there when she was talking to Mr. Cannon, and I was there, and here I am now. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but I’m glad I came everyone seems… Nice?”
Own laughed, given how Hunter was dressed it wasn’t a surprise people were taking a interest in him. He was in incredible shape. But Owen just nodded while watching Peyton and Jennifer talking in the distance…
Owen: “Hunter, mate… Peyton is a very special woman to me, she’s like a sister.”
Hunter: “Yeah I got that vibe when she’d talk about you bud.”
Owen: “Well she is a great person and has been through a ton of shit. You know where I am going with this right?”
Hunter: “Totally and I get it, I think she would appreciate to know what a great friend she has trying to protect her. Don’t worry, like I said, we are just friends, bro.”
Owen: “Well, any friend of hers is a friend of mine, come on, I’ll get us some drinks and introduce you to a few of the folks here who probably won’t have their wicked way with you.”
Hunter: “… Yeah, I appreciate that.”
They guys laughed as Owen starts to introduce Hunter to other fellow wrestlers and friends, Jennifer and Peyton make it to the back of the ship, as she passes, seeing Kelcey inside the cabin with a bottle of Cognac and Sienna which she found quite odd. She want to stop and go see just what was happening but thought better of it and should talk to Jennifer first.
Jennifer: “Just a little further…”
Peyton: “Yeah, I just…”
Jennifer: “Peyton, I just need a few minutes, that is all.”
Peyton: “Fine…”
Peyton gritted her teeth for a moment before sitting in a chair, Jennifer did the same…
Jennifer: “You are angry, and I get that, I acted like a total bitch when I should have been more sensitive to the situation you were going through, like you were with me when I broke up with Christian. That was hard for me, but as time went by, I started to realize just how stupid and selfish I looked with the way I acted toward you, and for that I apologize.”
Peyton sat there patiently listening, although part of it was being ignored as she was a little more concerned about Hunter…
Peyton: “Okay. Are we done?”
Jennifer: “Uh…. Yeah, okay.”
Peyton: “Have fun at the party.”
As Peyton stood up and turned around to leave, she started to think about Ricky and how it would break his heart to see them fighting like this… Jennifer watches unsure what she is about to do, but was ready to accept anything Peyton would do in this instance… Peyton takes a moment to compose herself, she could see the sincerity in Jennifer’s eyes, they were really close friends, and she was even going to be in her bridal party. Peyton turns back around, the two lock eyes….
Peyton: “You really fucking hurt me, Jenni…”
Jennifer: “I know.”
Peyton: “No I don’t think you do… Some of the things you said pierced my heart, I lost count, then the night away as I cried myself to sleep after the things you told me especially about Ricky. You already knew how much I blamed myself for his death, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I still do, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing it because, this is something I will take to my grave, Jennifer.”
Peyton takes a moment, she felt the flood gates opening and she wasn’t about to stop it this time…
Peyton: “So to hear you say it though, to hear you of all people blame me as well that is what finally turned me off from all of this bullshit and I knew that our friendship was over, because you fucking knew how much I have beat myself over the head with that notion and the guilt which everyday eats away at my soul… I don’t even know if I am capable of loving anyone like that again. Yes, I broke your trust, I should have never slept with Christian the first time let alone the second, but I was in a really bad place and wasn’t thinking straight, and I’m only now recovering from it all which I owe a lot to Chris for letting me stay at the beach house.”
Jennifer nodded, she was aware she was staying at Chris Cannon’s and did for a moment think that they might have been doing something but realized how much Peyton loved Kelcey to ever dare do that.
Jennifer: “I’m glad you’re getting through everything; you’ve been through a lot and I shouldn’t have piled on like I did.”
Peyton: “I didn’t deserve that.”
Jennifer: “No, you didn’t. There are things that I have said I wish I could take back. So many times, I have found myself putting my foot in my mouth and I have a size 10, it’s a pretty big foot, but the things I said to you, especially that is unforgivable.”
Jennifer looked down at the deck and bit her bottom lip as she felt a tear starting to form…
Jennifer: “I don’t expect you to forgive me for that, or how the way I acted, it was immature and uncalled for. That is on me. Yes, you broke my trust, yes, I felt betrayed, but it was because you didn’t come to me for help, you didn’t even want to talk about it when Owen and I were there… That hurt me, and then you did it again knowing how much it hurt the first time that I started to think you didn’t give a damn at all about my feelings.”
Peyton sighed as she retook her seat and grabbed hold of Jennifer’s hands, the two women once again looking each other in their eyes.
Peyton: “No… I would never hurt you intentionally. I have made mistakes Jennifer in my life, I have owned up to those mistakes, I just never thought it would have come down to this type of fighting and you know that Ricky would have hated it. All I can think about is how proud of a moment it was for both of us to be in the ring in the finals of his memorial tournament. It was magical, and I thought…. I thought that it solidified our friendship and….. and….”
Her eyes start to tear up, covering her mouth trying to fight off crying when Jennifer embraces her, she starts to cry as well, continuing saying in her ear….
Jennifer: “I am so sorry, I will do whatever it takes for your forgiveness, I don’t care if it takes the rest of my life, I will make it up to you in every possible way imaginable to show how much I love and missed you.”
Peyton: “I love….. and missed you too….”
Jennifer: “I will never hurt you again, I promise that.”
Peyton: “I never wanted to hurt you Jenni…… I’m just a mess and my makeup is now running, do I look like a Panda now….?”
They both share a laugh as they wipe tears from each other’s eyes, while Owen and Hunter look on, he turns to him…..
Owen: “Not going to lie mate, this makes me happy.”
Hunter: “So they are like best friends, she’s your girlfriend?”
Owen: “Yeah, but they were friends longer than we have been dating. Peyton actually was the one that brought us together.”
Hunter: “I see.”
He looks on smiling while watching Peyton and Jennifer make up from their huge fight. After a few more minutes, Peyton is seen saying something to her before heading over to the cabin, again she looks up at Hunter signaling that she is going to the cabin, where she steps up to the deck and Sienna walks out dressed like The Black Cat. Peyton and Sienna glare at each other for a moment, metaphorically speaking Sienna bares her claws…
Sienna: “Peyton… Are you still living with my husband?”
Peyton: “Yes.”
Sienna: “Be careful Peyton, that is all I am telling you. Get any ideas and….”
Peyton: “Okay, stop. You already attacked me on the beach, and Chris dog almost tore your arm off, are you really going to stand there and threaten me again on this yacht? What is your problem? This is the one night we put our differences aside, can’t you be nice for one fucking night and act like the person most of us thought you were?”
Sienna: “I’m sorry what?”
Peyton: “You heard me, Sienna. I understand you’re angry and want to show everyone that you’re not the bitch to mess with, I get it, but please, can we just lay off the husband shit for once!? God….”
As Peyton goes to storm past her, Sienna grabs her arm, but Peyton quickly yanks it away….
Peyton: “Don’t you ever touch me!”
Sienna: “I don’t care who you think you are now, and what you feel is entitled to you, Peyton. We are all drawing battle lines now and I suggest you fall in line, because if you thought what happened at Under Attack was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet. Now, if you will excuse me….”
Peyton: “Don’t threaten me, bitch.”
Sienna’s eyes widen at the candor of Peyton who is standing up to her for the first time, this isn’t even about her trying to play nice or even defusing a situation, she is ready to fight if need be which then brings a smile to Sienna’s face….
Sienna: “Cute, I like the spunk, but like you said, tonight is not the time for this, just stop looking at my husband with those lustful eyes, we all see what happens to all your exes.”
Peyton: “I…. grrrrr……”
The gorgeous South African winks, before walking down the stairs back to the deck where Bree Lancaster and Xiomara can be seen. Peyton held herself together, fists clenched ready to throw Sienna overboard when she instead stormed into the cabin and slammed the door behind her startling Kelcey….
Peyton: “What the hell was that just now!?”
Kelcey wide-eyed looks a bit shocked, turning around after putting the liquor away, she wasn’t expecting Peyton to barge in, but understood why, she just saw Sienna walk out….
Kelcey: “Please lower your tone with me Peyton, there is no need for that.”
Peyton: “Isn’t there? After all she’s done and likely planning to do to not only me, but you and everyone else in SCW? Why are you even talking to her let alone drinking with her?!”
Kelcey: “I don’t have to explain myself.”
Peyton: “Actually I think you do! Does Chris know you’re talking to his wife? What would everyone else think if they see you two together like that?”
Kelcey: “I wouldn’t care what others think because it frankly has nothing to do with them. But if you must know, yes Chris is aware because I was trying to reach out to her.”
Peyton: “Reach out to her?”
Kelcey: “Yes… I decided to do it before the night really had a chance to start. I felt like we had a good conversation, and maybe, just maybe I was able to get through to her. This isn’t about SCW, it is about the baby and her future role in his life…”
Peyton: “You know, a year ago, I would have applauded this effort and been proud of what you did, but honestly, now you can’t help that bitch.”
Kelcey was startled again by the suddenly out burst from a usually much kinder Peyton…
Kelcey: “Whoa! Peyton slow down, since when did you start cursing so much?! Since when were you ever against trying to make peace not war!? There is one person who always tried to see the good in people, that was you, love.”
Peyton: “Yeah, I grew up. This is not going to end well, she doesn’t want to bury the hatchet, if anything, she wants to drive it into your back, Kelcey! I understand that you want to help, she can’t be helped. No matter what you try to do, she is not going to stop until you are out of the picture and that could be permanently!”
Kelcey: “Peyton, come on, we have to give her the benefit of the doubt. I don’t want to fight with you, we are here to have a good time, we can talk about this later, I would like for you to give me the benefit of the doubt at least, trust me okay?”
Peyton scoffs a little at the notion in which Kelcey is telling her to trust in what she is doing, if there is one person she trusts as much if not more than her father, it is Kelcey. Her mentor knew it the second those words left her mouth….
Kelcey: “Peyton….”
Peyton: “Kelcey, I trust you more than anyone else not named Ray Rice. I admire that you are trying to take this road, but for crying out loud, she is in cahoots with Gio, she is trying to destroy your family, she wants us all gone and out of the way so she can have Nathaniel. I’m sorry, but I have this thing about almost getting killed after the Chamber match, and I don’t take things like it lightly. I trust you in every possible way, but in this, I must disagree.”
Kelcey: “That is alright to not agree with me, Peyton. Listen love, we are all going through a lot and….”
She stops and holds her head for a moment, shaking it off….
Peyton: “Are you okay?”
Kelcey: “Yeah, maybe I need to work on my sea legs a little more, it has been a while. Should probably slow down on the drinking too. Look, I have faith in her Peyton, I have to for my family’s sake… I gave her a pamphlet of a place that can help her, hopefully she obliges.”
Peyton: “And what if she doesn’t? She’s always trying to accuse me of waning in Chris’ pants.”
Kelcey: “She is trying to goad you, pay no mind to her. I better get back down to the party; Blake wants to have some huge get together down on the deck later, I hope to see you there.”
Peyton: “Kelcey, I worry about you, so just be careful, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing on this yacht and they will do whatever they can to undermine and hurt you, I don’t want to see that happen.”
Kelcey: “You will not. How is Hunter doing?”
Peyton: “Getting acquainted. I am sorry I barged in like that I just had a emotion conversation with Jennifer and we kinda finally buried the hatchet….”
Kelcey cups Peyton’s face, kissing her forehead…..
Kelcey: “Shhh…. I’m glad to hear it. Go enjoy the party, I will be down in a moment and don’t worry…”
Peyton: “Okay, I’ll see you later….”
Kelcey: “I know.”
They both sheepishly smile at each other before Peyton leaves the cabin and goes back to the deck. Kelcey starts to perspire a little, grabbing a napkin and dabbing herself some, leaning against the cabinet a bit lightheaded.
A Couple of Hours later
Hunter and Peyton had been mingling, drinking some, and doing a little bit of dancing, they were getting to know one another when Blake Mason had called a get together, standing on stage with Kelcey. Peyton looked on, she smiled, and everyone cheered at the gracious hosts before Blake had taken the mic to raise his glass….
Blake: “I want to thank everyone for coming, I know that many of us have our differences, but this has become a yearly tradition with Kelcey and her Halloween bashes. It is nice to put our disdain for each other on one night a year though it has been a crazy night already with a lot of yelling and even one person falling overboard which we are all glad they are okay. Thanks for coming, you all knew I was going to say that but before I finish, I would like to turn my attention to Kelcey, because I have something I need to say.”
Kelcey: “Than… thank you.”
Peyton could tell that Kelcey was not being herself, she looked ill, maybe she was sea sick, or had drank too much, Kelcey wasn’t exactly a heavyweight when drinking, she was a cheap date, that combination was definitely one that could spell some trouble. She was about to speak…..
Kelcey: “Blake…. I……”
Suddenly she collapses, hitting hard on the stage with a huge thud as there are some gasps, Peyton was one of the first to jump on the stage to help her with Blake, they quickly moved her down to the cabin and the bed where they took off her heels, she was burning up, Regan put an ice pack on her, lifting her feet as well, putting ice on her legs as well, Kelcey was slowly stirring, barely conscious, slipping in and out of consciousness as Blake made a call to turn the yacht around and have emergency services ready….
This was not the way the night was supposed to end.
Long Beach Hospital
A Few Hours Later
After Kelcey had collapsed and Blake Mason had the yacht taken back to the port, she was rushed to the nearest hospital where Peyton sat quietly in the waiting room. Hunter had brought her a cup of coffee; she was a little tipsy and pretty upset. Almost everyone else had already gone home. Blake was pacing, he looked terrified, Peyton had been there way too many times already with Kelcey and it was weighing heavily on her, for she was tired of spending nights at the hospital because of Kelcey, she had put everything on hold just to make sure she was alright. This though was fishy, Owen was there with Jennifer, they were talking in the corner, even Christian was there without Jaina. Peyton didn’t say anything, until she could see Blake almost losing it, he was worried sick, she stood up and started to make her way over to him, wanting to do whatever she could to help him out in anyway, for if there was one thing that scared every single one of them was the unknown. Still in costume, she stood in front of him…
Peyton: “You should try to calm down, you’ll make yourself sick. She has had worse, Kelcey is going to be alright. I hate hospitals, I always have but I have in many ways been used to it with her after last year. She’s going to be alright, I’m positive…”
Blake: “I know, I know, I keep telling myself that and then this happened, and I can only think of the worst-case scenario. I don’t know what the hell happened, she was fine, maybe I was so preoccupied with other crap, I didn’t notice her being sick, damn it I knew the yacht was a bad idea that thing is cursed…”
Peyton: “Can’t blame yourself Blake, things happen which sometimes are out of our control. If she was seasick, maybe it was the meds she is on, I don’t know. I have faith, there is no stronger woman than Kelcey, you know that.”
Blake: “I know…. I know…..”
Peyton: “Just think about the good moments with her, like what were you going to ask her?”
Blake: “Yeah…. Sure…. Of course….”
Peyton: “I know.”
Blake tilted his head, glaring at Peyton for a moment before she nods….
Peyton: “Women’s intuition. It’s okay, I won’t say anything. Listen, She….”
Before Peyton could finish her sentence, Chris Cannon enters the waiting room, he looked furious and concerned. Peyton had called him the minute she could, as he walked right up to Blake Mason, punching him right in the face dropping him to the ground….
Peyton: “CHRIS!?”
Chris: “You were supposed to keep her safe!”
Peyton tries to grab Chris but he is too strong, Hunter and Christian rush over and hold Chris back as Owen and Jennifer grab Blake who is back up on his, charging toward Chris….
Blake: “What the hell was that for!?”
Chris: “You had one job mate! Keep Kelcey safe and now we are at the bloody hospital!”
Peyton: “Oh my GOD Please STOP….”
Blake: “You are blaming me for this!? You have some nerve, for all I know you’re behind it! She became ill! I didn’t even know she was until Kelcey passed out on stage with me!”
Chris: “Let go of me.”
Chris glared at his son and Hunter wo begin to release their grip, Blake shaking his head as Jaxson starts to take a step forward but Blake motions for him not to do anything…
Blake: “I’ll let that one slide Chris, but next time you try something like that I won’t hesitate to drop you where you stand. You don’t think I am not already blaming myself for this Chris!? You had no right to come in here and punch me in the face! I would never do anything to hurt Kelcey! I love her!”
Chris: “No shit! I love her too! She is the mother of our son.”
Hearing Chris say he loved Kelcey made everyone do a double take for a moment, Blake especially…
Chris: “But none of that is the point! It was your yacht! You were the host! For fucks sake Blake, all you had to do was look after her! There are enough people on the boat that want to hurt her, all you had to do was stay close, but no! You fucked that up again like you do everything!”
Peyton: “Please stop….”
Blake: “You are one to judge! You’re the reason this is all happening in the first place! Yet you want to pin this all on me, how convenient!”
Chris: “Convenient?! How funny that anything that ever happens to Kelcey you are somehow always around or involved! That is the mother of my son in there, don’t you ever come to lecture me about my actions! I know what I have done, and I will do whatever it takes to make things right! But you…..”
Peyton: “PLEASE STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Screaming from the top of her lungs Peyton automatically silenced the room as both Chris and Blake stopped yelling at one another to look at her….
Peyton: “Why are we fighting amongst ourselves where the same woman we all love needs us to be strong right now!? Why!? I….. I can’t do this shit anymore…..”
Peyton let’s go of Chris and storms out, Hunter is ready to run after her, but Chris shakes his head, glaring at Blake….
Blake: “I don’t want to fight with you, Chris. We are on the same side here no matter what you think of me.”
Chris: “Are we?”
Blake: “Really Chris!?”
Owen: “Blake calm down, not here at the hospital, alright? This is not the place.”
Christian: “I’ll go talk to Peyton.”
Chris: “No, I got this, just stay here in case there is any news on Kelcey.”
Christian: “Okay…”
As Chris leaves to chase after Peyton, the rest stay in the waiting room, hoping to hear some news soon about Kelcey. Outside Peyton is pacing, she is visibly angry as Chris walks out. She turns and he is standing right in front of her….
Chris: “Peyton, I’m sorry…”
Peyton: “It isn’t me you need to apologize to. As much as I’m sure you would love it to be true, it wasn’t his fault!”
Chris: “Isn’t it? Everywhere that wanker goes there is always problems and I tend to take it very personal when he is involved in anything after the stunts, he has pulled on me in recent years.”
Peyton: “I know that, but it wasn’t him.”
Chris: “I understand you have no issue with him, that’s fine, but I do especially when it comes to Kelcey. That son of a bitch in there has…..”
Peyton: “Stop! Chris you are better than this and how do you think Kelcey would feel if she knew that both of you were fighting right now? I can answer that, she would hate it. I was at the party, Kelcey was mingling the whole night, she was dancing, having fun, hung out with all of us, she was even in the bar alone talking to Sienna and….”
Chris: “Yeah I knew she planned to do that.”
Peyton: “Well I wish I knew; I wasn’t too thrilled about it either, but Sienna was on her best behavior. She danced, drank, kinda kept to herself with Xiomara and Bree, but after the conversation she seemed very relaxed and content. When I approached Kelcey about it, she said they had a good convo and she even offered to help Sienna and gave her some pamphlet for some retreat.”
Chris: “So what are you trying to say?”
Peyton: “Honestly, I don’t know, it seemed off since she still thinks I want to sleep with you, but whatever, I am not going to get into that nonsense, and neither should you. Punching Blake might feel good, but it is only going to complicate matters and make things worse, right?”
Chris: “Peyton, I have a lot of regrets and not fighting for Kelcey was one of them, this should have never happened….”
Peyton: “Just like In there should have never happened. Chris, you have been like a big brother to me since I started living at the house, all you have done is protect and nurture my physical and mental well-being… I owe you a lot so let me be the one to help you this time. What happened in there is a no-no, we cannot have that we need to think about Kelcey. Hate Blake on your own time if that is what you want to do, but I thought this was all buried.”
Chris: “Peyton, I don’t know if Blake and I will ever be buried, love. What he did is unforgivable, almost as much as what Lancelot Crane did to Ricky because I could have ended up just like him that day on the road…”
Peyton closed her eyes, she finally begun to understand what was going on with Chris when it came to Blake.
Peyton: “I understand, could you at least be civil, please? I can’t handle this fighting and turning on each other shit anymore. We may not like each other, but we are on the same side, Chris whether you agree with me or not, we are on Kelcey’s side, right?”
She could see that he was flustered and angry, it was hard trying to get through to him, but she was hoping that her attempt was actually worthwhile. Chris was not himself and it showed which in many ways was how he felt about Kelcey, she caught on to that, just like Blake. She was not going to get in the mix of it, and sighed, hands on her hips waiting for an answer….
Chris: “Yes, we are all on Kelcey’s side.”
Peyton: “Okay, I know you are upset at yourself for not going, but there was nothing you could have done, Chris.”
Chris: “I beg to differ…”
Peyton: “Whatever, I am not going to argue that point, I just want her to be alright. Can we keep the peace, please?”
Chris: “Yeah…. Okay. I’m sorry.”
She took him at his word, hugging Chris before the two went back inside. Chris on the other hand was thinking about Sienna and Kelcey having the conversation alone over drinks. They both stepped back into the waiting room, Chris and Peyton see a Doctor coming out talking to Blake and Owen, they quickly run up there….
Chris: “What is going on, how is she!?”
Doctor: “I was just telling Mr. Mason and Mr. Cruze here that she is going to be alright. I want to keep her for observation tonight, but she will be released in the morning to go home. We took blood samples and I have sent them to the labs for a toxicology report. Should get them in a few weeks. In the meantime, she was running a high fever, we were able to get that down, and she was very dehydrated. She is awake, but only a few people at a time to see her.”
Blake: “Thank you Doctor.”
Chris: “Yes, thank you.”
Peyton: “I think Chris and Blake should go first.”
Both men turn around to face Peyton as she smiles, they then look at one another and Chris says something surprising probably everyone in the room other than the doctor…
Chris: “You go see her first Blake. I can wait.”
Blake: “Are you sure?”
Chris nods before resting a hand on the shoulder almost reassuringly. He was trying to do his best to keep his word to Peyton. Blake nods and heads into the Kelcey’s room as Chris walks off towards a coffee machine as Peyton looks on, relieved that she is alright. Hunter walks up to her to make sure she’s okay while Christian looks on, she glances over at him and half smiles, before heading with Hunter to sit down until she is able to see her and end this night hopefully on a positive note.
Cannon Home
Hermosa Beach, CA.
11.22.2020
It was not easy for Peyton to accept what had happened to her mentor, and then all that was piling up with The Wonderland as well, things were starting to get extremely dangerous, and while they were waiting for the toxicology report from her incident on Blake Mason’s Yacht, Peyton was worried that this was only going to carry over further until things seemed to get worse In just a few days she had a match with Christy Matthews, then in a few weeks it was Xander Valentine at Last Laugh. Just thinking of everything that has happened and seeing Kelcey in the hospital again was enough to really rattle Peyton though she never really said anything to her mentor or anyone else, keeping it all to herself. Peyton wanted nothing more than to make sure that her mentor was safe, but that was starting to become an insecure thought now as Kelcey had on many occasions been attacked by The Wonderland and Sienna Swann while on tour and made what happened at the party to be a little suspicious, Peyton had already lost faith in trying to see the good in others. She has tried for the last almost two years in the SCW, but enough was simply enough. Sitting on her Yoga mat, she could hear someone walking toward her, turning to see it was Kelcey, holding her sandals in hand, she sat next to Peyton…..
Kelcey: “It’s a beautiful day out here, I do miss the beach…”
Peyton: “I’m surprised you are here so early.”
Kelcey: “You know I’m an early riser, more so with the Baby now. Besides I wanted Chris to spend some more time with Nathaniel, you too.”
Peyton: “Me? He is a cute baby but…”
Kelcey: “I meant I wanted to, I can’t speak for the baby for now but imagine he will cling to you like a baby panda given half the chance. I had no idea you studied Kata.”
Peyton: “I only started doing it again after a few weeks ago when I first moved in…”
Kelcey: “Chris mentioned it was something Ricky got you into?
Peyton: “Yeah he did…”
Peyton lets out an audible sigh…
Kelcey: “I Is everything okay Peyton, is it? Christy Matthews?”
Peyton: “A part of it is, yes…”
Kelcey: “Well you know full well just how relentless she can be, just remember what I taught you and what you already knew from Ante Up and that should steer you in the right direction.”
Peyton: “You really believe that?”
Kelcey: “Of course I do, why wouldn’t I? You have been in the ring enough times with her, despite what she says she is actually more concerned about you and honestly, probably wants to hurt you more than she is letting on which will make her lose focus, if there is one thing that goes against Christy is her ability to get too emotionally invested in her matches, use that against her, stay with the plan, last couple of times you took it right to her and caught Christy by total surprise. You can do this Peyton. Obviously it is not really the ideal match right before a huge title opportunity at Last Laugh, but I know you can do it.”
That put a smile on the face of the beautiful Peyton Rice, she takes in a deep breath and exhales while closing her eyes. Losing herself for a moment with her own thoughts about what has happened over the last few years…
Peyton: “Can I ask you something, Kelcey?
Kelcey: “You know you can ask me anything, love.”
Peyton: “Do you think I was a fool for taking this match with her?”
Kelcey: “What? No. I have never turned down a challenge and I wouldn’t expect you to turn one down either, love. I just think that this can be a situation where she wants to hurt you and prove a point, she doesn’t like you Peyton because you threaten her very SCW existence, this has always been her M.O., and really Infamous too if you think about it. Stick to the plan, and I will be there, don’t worry about outside interference.”
Peyton: “You mean like Owen, last week?”
Kelcey: “Peyton, come on that is unfair.”
She was being testy, part of that was due to her overprotectiveness of Kelcey, and she was starting to worry more and more about her safety as things progressed in SCW…..
Kelcey: “You’re angry with me, I should have known better and maybe been more prepared…”
Peyton: “No, I am worried sick about you Kelcey. I don’t want to visit a hospital with you in it again the rest of this year let alone ever again. What more do I need to say, this is getting extremely dangerous, and it terrifies me when I think what could happen to you and what I would do if something did? Under Attack was bad enough, but the picture over your head, the choking out, the constant attacks by Sienna and Gio, now Christy, Xander, it is becoming overwhelming… I know you’re physically better now but you’re still taking medication… Aren’t you?
Kelcey sat there quietly for a moment, it was all Peyton needed to hear…
Peyton: “Your silence tells me all I need to know. There is always going to be a risk if you’re out there I can take care of myself and I know that you can too. I just…..”
Kelcey: “Exactly! I can take care of myself. I’m going to be alright, I am in the best shape of my life, what happened on the yacht was most likely a combination of alcohol, not enough sleep because of the baby and motion sickness that is all. I need you to concentrate on what is happening this week and next weekend, neither one of them are going to relent and they will do whatever it takes to put you down, but I know that will happen over my dead body.”
Peyton: “Can we please not say that?”
Kelcey: “Okay, I’m sorry it was a poor choice of words… You know what I mean. We are going to get through this. Xander, Christy, The Wonderland, Sienna…. All of it, okay?”
Peyton nods, then turns to Kelcey….
Peyton: “So answer me this, do you think I can beat Christy?”
Kelcey: “Absolutely.”
Peyton: “What about, Xander?”
Kelcey was silent a little too long for Peyton’s liking, however the Perfect Ten was still able to get an answer out…
Kelcey: “O…. of course.”
Peyton: “No you don’t, you don’t have to pander to me…”
Kelcey: “It’s not that I don’t, it is that I have dealt with big monsters like him before and I have seen some good people lose their careers because of them. I lost the Perfect World to Blitzkrieg; I’m not losing the Perfect Pack to the Wonderland or Xander Valentine.”
She gets up to her feet, clearly upset as she recalls the horrifying moment Blitzkrieg locked her friends inside a car and caused it to crash into a wall with them in it… Peyton stands with her, holding Kelcey’s hand….
Peyton: “That’s not going to happen to any of us.”
Kelcey: “I hope so Pey, because I can’t go through that again… Anyway, that is enough doom and gloom, we need to remain positive. This Kata you were doing, do you think you could possibly show me how to do it as well?”
Peyton: “You want me to show you how to do something…? Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
Kelcey: “Contrary to popular belief, and while some believe I walk on water, piss champagne and crap diamonds. I do not know everything. But not today swing by the lake house and we can do something there.”
Kelcey forces out a smile and starts to make her way back to the house while Peyton laughs, but Peyton stopped to chase after her a moment and called to her….
Peyton: “Kelcey?”
Kelcey: “Yeah, Pey?”
Peyton: “Honestly, I am not the one to pry but while you were in the hospital, Chris and Blake had a small fight…”
Kelcey: “A fight? Over me?”
Peyton: “Not because of you, but because of what happened. I don’t think I have ever seen Chris like that before… He was really concerned so was Blake…”
Kelcey: “Thank you for telling me.”
Peyton: “I wouldn’t keep something like that from you, but what’s going on isn’t fair to them either… I think you need to make a choice.”
Kelcey: “A choice?”
Peyton looked at Kelcey wondering if she was really going to be that coy with her, if that was the case, she wasn’t…
Peyton: “Despite what is going on with Sienna he still loves you in there. Blake loves you; Even Scott loves you… At some point you need to pick one or you may lose them all.”
Peyton turns and walks back and grabbing the yoga mat, turning and getting Bear’s attention as well while Kelcey stood there trying to digest what Peyton had just said. Kelcey sighs knowing what Peyton told her was likely true and heads back to the house, walking in and seeing Chris playing with Nathaniel, which instantly brings a smile to her face.
The Following Day
Hollywood Hills, CA.
Hollywood Sign
Peyton saw Hunter as a breath of fresh air, meeting him of course was a total accident after thinking he was a peeping tom or someone trying to break in which was understandable on Peyton’s part with what she experienced after RTG, it was easy to see she was a bit on edge, but once she was able to get to know him better, he was actually a really cool guy. Peyton didn’t know much about Hunter; his late father was a family friend of Chris and Kelcey who used to take care of the handywork in and around the beach house when needed. After the split between Kelcey and Chris, that work dried up with both moving on and the house standing by the beach empty for over a year. But with Chris’ return to Hermosa Beach, there was a lot of work that needed to be done and it was Hunter who started to do it after taking over the business, and this was something she saw as a really great thing, because he wasn’t a wrestler, and that in itself was refreshing.
Peyton had a busy morning, running some errands for herself and Chris along with visiting Kelcey to be true to her word and show her some Kata basics. When she returned, she see Hunter had been busy, after finishing the new fence, installing the new alarm system along with a series of nest cameras for security. He was happy to see her much like she was to see him, she enjoyed having a friendly face around the house. So, it came as a surprise when he invited her out to jog in the hills. It took a while to get there in his car, a rickety old mustang his father owned which he was still working on but they did get there in one piece.
Peyton: “You ever thought about investing in a new car, I think I smelt a fire earlier…”
It was a joke and Hunter knew that and laughed along with her.
Hunter: “Probably, though once I’m done with it, she’ll look good as new. She was my dad’s car, so only feels right I keep the tradition going you know?”
Peyton: “Oh… I’m sorry I didn’t realize…”
Hunter: “It’s alright how could you know?”
Peyton: “Well now I feel like a jerk.”
Hunter: “So you should, this only means you have to be punished.”
Peyton looked at him while he smirked, she wasn’t sure what it was he meant…
Peyton: “Punished…?”
Hunter: “Yeah, you get a head start while we run up the hills.”
Peyton: “This hardly sounds like a punishment…”
Hunter: “It will be when you still lose…”
Peyton: “Ooooh there it is, well then you’re on.”
The two share a laugh as they exit the Mustang, he locks the car up and the two begin some warm up stretches to limber up and Hunter does exactly as promised, lets Peyton have her head start which certainly didn’t help matter as he caught up to her pretty quickly much to her surprise… After jogging down the trail, Peyton in her black leggings, sneakers and matching sports bra, with Hunter in shorts, sneakers and a tank top, they arrived at the Hollywood sign, of course there is no trespassing, but it was something Hunter didn’t pay much attention to. He was a rebel in a way, but not one that would hurt anyone or break serious rules intentionally, but this place was an exception to the rule with it being special to him. Peyton stopped; a bit perplexed looking over at him….
Peyton: “Uh… Hunter? What are we doing here?”
Hunter: “Have you ever been on the Hollywood Sign before?”
Peyton: “Uh, no it’s illegal isn’t it?”
Hunter: “We are not vandalizing it or anything, it is only against the law if you get caught, come on, I want to show you something it won’t take long..”
Peyton: “We could get in a lot of trouble you know.”
Hunter: “Trust me, take my hand. I do it all the time.”
Peyton stood there in deep thought for a moment, she thought what Kelcey would tell her and realized it would probably be the normal thing to do and walk away. But she instead went ahead and trusted Hunter, taking his hand as they entered the gates, he quickly started to climb the Hollywood sign, turning and grabbing her hand, lifting her up as well, it took her a moment to realize what she was doing, she was running almost on auto pilot but that stopped as they stood there looking out at the LA Basin, on top of the world. She smiled, amazed at the view…
Peyton: “Okay, this is pretty awesome…”
Hunter: “See, I told you. My dad used to bring me up here, he loved the view, would hang out for hours, shooting the shit.”
Peyton: “You would be here for hours? Didn’t Security come here at all?”
Hunter: “Yeah, but my dad knew em. He had a lot of friends in this city between you and me. When he died, it was too painful to come back, took me a while pluck up the courage, I guess to come back…”
Peyton: “Really? How long’s it been since you came here?”
Hunter: “Today is the first time back…”
Peyton: “Hunter!?”
She wasn’t expecting him to be so honest with her, this place was one of significance for him and he wanted to share it with her? That took her back a little… She wasn’t sure how to process it…
Hunter: “What!? After the last few weeks, I thought maybe you needed a break and change of pace, so I brought you here, a place that means a lot to me. Besides, you said it yourself, this is a hell of a view…”
Peyton: “Thank…. Thank you. Seriously, but since we’re being honest with each other, I have to say I didn’t expect this rebellious part of you. It’s charming.”
Hunter: “You talk like it is a bad thing. Being a rebel isn’t always a bad thing, sometimes it takes one to do it to instigate change. Whether it’s a place of work or one’s life, we all need a little adventure other what is the point of all of this you know?”
Peyton: “I couldn’t agree more and no it isn’t a bad thing, actually it is just refreshing. I was with someone for a while and let’s just say he was less than willing to try anything out of his comfort zone. I guess I forgot what it was like to be spontaneous, not since…. Well never mind. Like you visiting this place, for me it has been a while also.”
Hunter walks over to Peyton, raising her hand up to the sky, she doesn’t know what he is trying to do so she follows suit with a smile….
Peyton: “So what are we doing?”
Hunter: “Before I tell you, I just want to say, it’s okay to miss him. A lot of people may seem uncomfortable with it, but when losing a loved one, it takes a lot of time to heal. My dad has been gone a while now and so far, I’ve not been able to get over him yet.”
Peyton can’t help but stare at Hunter who smiles…
Peyton: “Hunter, you are a nice guy, a sweet and very cool person to hang out with, but if I am being honest I am damaged goods, and I don’t know if I will ever get back to the person I was before.”
Hunter: “You’re the furthest thing from damaged goods, all the people you surround yourself with tell me that.”
Peyton: “That is very nice of you to say, but it is totally unfair to you for me to do that to someone who is very attractive and could be dating anyone. I do not want to bring you down with me. I appreciate this, I like the time we spend, but I am worried I will only hurt you.”
Hunter: “I understand that Peyton, but you’re not the only one who hurts or is still trying to heal, I think it would be beneficial for you to maybe give people a chance to come back inside when they knock on the door. I am not saying me per say, I am not trying to play on your emotions at all. Instead, I wish that we could just hang out, get to know each other and instead of predetermining our fates now, we should just see where it goes.”
Peyton knew that Hunter was right, but even deep down inside she didn’t know if she could dive into another relationship so fast, but hanging out with Hunter had been fun, they haven’t even kissed or anything, he was more of an escape that Peyton appreciated, a welcomed distraction from everything going on in SCW…..
Peyton: “I will try my best, that is all I can say.”
Hunter: “That is all you need to say. Now, close your eyes, hold your arm up in the air and feel the warmth on it.”
Peyton: “What are we doing?”
Hunter: “I usually climb the tower to get to the highest point I can, to be closer to my dad.”
Peyton’s eyes open, she turns to look at Hunter who still has his eyes closed, realizing that he is hurting too, and she could never imaging losing her father, it was bad enough Ricky was taken from her…..
Hunter: “I know you’re looking at me, close your eyes, and you can feel Ricky too.”
Peyton: “I….. Hunter……”
Hunter: “Trust me, it works. Even if it’s in our own mind.”
Peyton: “I……. “
Closing her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun, a single tear trickles down her cheek as she smiles. Hunter now opens his eyes and looks over, drying the tear with his thumb, when she turns to him and in that moment, she feels something, nothing like she has ever felt in a long time, she felt peace in front of Hunter….
Like she did with Ricky.
SCENE FADES
REC:
“I have unfortunately learned the hard way in this business there are not too many people who want to see you succeed. I mean, sure those who will say it to your face, then behind your back wish for the worst. Others are straight forward and tell you exactly how they feel, never sugarcoating anything. From the very beginning I had this hope the wrestling business would be about competition, it was a rude awakening when I saw differently which had me very upset, confused and even appalled to the point I started to hate the dream I had of becoming a professional wrestler. To see so many wrestlers especially those who have been here for so long, winning championships, accolades and being respected as competitors in the ring, take shortcuts and shit on the younger talent who want the same chances they had, trailblazing for young women like me and to see their reaction of selfishness and abhor is downright insulting and heart-wrenching at the same time. I came to the SCW to make a name for myself and do what I love, compete against the very best in the world, instead after the BIGGEST win of my career in the Elimination Chamber I am caught dodging chains and objects from the top of the cage. I am punched in the face by a man that leads Christy Matthews, I am told that Peyton Rice is nothing, and yet here I am with the chance to become a United States Champion. I will not brag, for I am on a road ready to climb to the very top and one day become a World Champion. Many sleep on me, they think that I am nothing more than a pushover, and this is alright, I want them to think it….
For when I shock the SCW and I go on to defeat two of the very best, then maybe all of you will start to listen to me instead of brush me off as some girl trying to get attention. The Chamber and what happened afterwards fired me up, these senseless attacks on Kelcey Wallace, Aaron Blackbourne and Owen Cruze have finally hit me to the core, I cannot and will not stand by and watch it happen. Yes, I have some big challenges ahead, this, is why I came to the SCW, to face the World’s greatest wrestlers, but in doing so, I know what I am up against. They don’t care about competition; they care about themselves and destruction. I know what I must do now, something that I had refused a long time ago without hurting the integrity of the sport and my own moral code and compass. I don’t care if anyone thinks I am soft or that I don’t have some killer instinct, I don’t need to, the passion alone to be successful is enough. The Wonderland, Christy Matthews and so many others have taken my kindness for weakness….
Well, I am about to show them, this is my greatest strength of All…
The ability to do things right and leave you without any excuses.”
/REC
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
The Strong National Museum of Play is part of The Strong in Rochester, New York, United States. Established in 1969 and based initially on the personal collection of Rochester native Margaret Woodbury Strong, the Museum opened to the public in 1982, after several years of planning, cataloguing, and exhibition development for the Museum’s new building in downtown Rochester. For at least fifteen years after its opened, the mission of the Museum was to interpret the social and cultural history of average Americans between 1830 and 1940, under the direction of H.J. Swinney and William T. Alderson. Mrs. Strong’s collections of dolls and toys, American and European decorative arts, prints, paintings, Japanese crafts, and advertising ephemera provided a firm foundation for this mission and were supplemented with collections purchased and donated to more fully support the Museum’s early mission. The Museum received considerable local and national publicity and support and substantial financial support from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Exhibitions and Public Programs division. In the 1990s, the Museum’s Board of Trustees and Director changed the Museum’s mission to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of play. Since then it has refined and increased its collections, hundreds of thousands of items, and expanded twice, in 1997 and 2006.
The Museum is now one of five Play Partners of The Strong, which is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, and the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, and produces the American Journal of Play. Here is where we find the gorgeous Peyton Rice and her manager/mentor Kelcey Wallace. Peyton has a couple of rough weeks ahead after her huge win at Under Attack, walking out as the sole survivor in the Elimination Chamber against some of the best, but she knew that her issues with Christy Matthews were far from over and they solved nothing in the Chamber. For some reason Christy took issue with Peyton, maybe it was because she saw a young her in the prodigy or it could be her hate for Kelcey Wallace, and this is her way to get back at her, there were many reasons why but this was a dangerous match to have right before she faced the monster, Xander Valentine. The reasons why she chose him were still unknown, but at this point it didn’t matter, she had made the commitment, but first thing was first, proving to everyone that she could indeed defeat one of the best in Christy Matthews, and the chance to walk into Last Laugh with some momentum, considering there were other factors working here, like The Wonderland and their “partnership” if anyone can call it that with Sienna Swann. Outside the museum in the colorful statue of blocks was Peyton in jeans, white boots, a white jacket and beanie, her nails polished white and long sandy blonde hair hanging down. Kelcey was in jeans, black boots, a matching leather jacket, red sweater, her nails a glossy polish, long hair hanging down, blowing in the cool 35-degree weather breeze….
REC:
Peyton takes a second to compose herself before she is clearly ready to speak, turning and looking at the camera with her green eyes, Kelcey standing a little to the side as the young former Adrenaline Champion speaks in her girlish tone….
“I love this time of year as the weather cools off, and when it comes to New York, it will always have a special place in my heart, for when I first started my career in professional wrestling, I was in upstate, sharing an apartment with the late Ricky Octavius as we both competed for the UWA. I am also well aware that Rochester is the home of SCW’s Executioner, none other than Xander Valentine, along with my ex-fiancé, Alistaire Allocco, six months ago, this would have been exciting, but now, it gives this Breakdown tomorrow night a huge, big fight feel. I have heard the rumblings, there are a lot of people in the back and who surround me thinking I may have too much on my plate, well I may be a small gal but you should see me at the buffet, I can eat like a horse and sometimes I don’t want to make another trip, so I stack it all on one shot. I think what nobody really understands is that for almost two years I have been here in the SCW and in many ways, while I have made some impact, I have not made THE impact I had been hoping for, and to see what so many others have accomplished in that time, how they are recognized, revered and even held to a higher standard than me at some point starts to really pull on your strings. I am not the type to be envious of anyone’s career, matter of fact, I cheer them on, I want every single person who puts in the work to get the rewards, show that hard work does pay off….
…. And now it is my turn.
Personally and professionally I have struggled in recent months leading into Rise To Greatness, I had to take some time off and contemplate if I really wanted to continue doing this, for the sport I love has in many ways torn my heart more than the relationships I have screwed up. Having my engagement broken off, the poor decisions I have made following it, seeing the woman I love and admire in Kelcey Wallace go through absolute hell with Sienna Swann and The Wonderland has lit a fire under me. There was a time I wanted to simply compete, happy to be here, a part of the roster, wrestling the absolute best, that is not enough anymore, at some stage in my career it changed, morphing into something deeper, not about championship gold or even outright success, it was about standing up for what you believe in and doing whatever you can humanly possible to preserve it. I have been criticized for choosing Xander Valentine and going after the United States Championship but there are reasons behind it that I have yet to unveil and until I do, I will keep them close to my chest until we reach Last Laugh. I could have gone after Glory Braddock, but that would have been solely on revenge and wanting the win back from RTG, it would have had nothing to do with the Adrenaline Championship and the title deserves much better. Sure, she has changed some, I still wouldn’t trust her far as I can throw her, unfortunate really that I have to feel this way but that is how things have turned out, I am okay with it. Here is the thing, I walked out to the ring and called the Elimination Chamber, I made the statement, I wanted in before anyone made an announcement, I knew the only way people were going to remember my name and take me seriously which many still do not, I am okay with that too, is to grab the one structure which has changed lives and careers, step inside and see how well you do, and all of you know that I owned it, from the very beginning to the very end I survived, I Main Evented Under Attack, I was able to knock off another item off my bucket list, wrestle in the Main Event of one of the big five SCW PPV’s. Not only did I do it, I came out the winner in a match that many cannot say they have been a part of or have come out victorious.
This is what makes Christy Matthews angry….
I embarrassed her, not once but twice.
Even before the Chamber happened, when I walked out to the ring, she was the first person to challenge me on it, she didn’t like the young girl out strategizing her, she didn’t do it first and it pissed Christy off that I actually had the courage to waltz down to the ring and lay the gauntlet. I was tired of it, I couldn’t wait any longer, this was about more than just a win or a loss….
This was about establishing myself as a major player in the SCW….
…. And by the looks of what I have going in the next few weeks?
I’m there.”
Kelcey looks over at her and smiles, nodding, proud of what Peyton has done by grasping the bull by the horns and taking control of her career. She was spiraling out of control and now she is extremely focused and ready to do whatever it takes to not only defeat and survive the onslaught of Christy Matthews, but also the monster in Xander Valentine. She turns and continues to speak…
“It seems like some people have questioned my focus, that includes Christy’s mentor in Rey Anillo. I don’t mind him coming out when I was speaking, matter of fact, I expected someone too, and I found it rather interesting that he would try to intimidate me with the talent Christy has, but the one thing that caught my attention that he said was this. “Christy can’t stop thinking about you”? Why? See, Rey Anillo did his job, he promoted the woman that is a Hall of Fame inductee, who basically has done everything in the SCW, and for the longest time one of the most respected wrestlers in the world. Rey Anillo, I will say this though, I wasn’t intimidated, I do my homework, I know my opponents, I breath, eat, sleep and shit this business, I will NEVER walk into a match not knowing who the hell I am wrestling and this right there, the notion that I am supposed to be scared of her and Xander, frankly is insulting. Yes, I have fears for my physical well-being, there isn’t a wrestler alive that isn’t, but I don’t fear Christy Matthews, if this was the tactic you were looking for, it was an epic fail. I don’t know if Christy sent you out there, but when I saw the previous week her going out to Xander and telling him that she was going to break my face and I would be in no condition or less than 100% against Xander at Last Laugh, well I took that a little personal, because here is one of the most renown superstars in this company trying to bully me, and I found it both sad and pathetic….
I am looking at you now Christy, do I really grind your gears?
Why do you hate me so much? What is it with you and wanting to end my chances to become a United States Champion? Is it because I could possibly win the only title you need to become a Supreme Champion? Is this the reason you came out when I made the Chamber request, didn’t want little Pey Pey here leapfrog you over to the contention? Maybe if you were not the third wheel in Infamous that would have never happened, had you stayed the course of a career that every young woman has admired, and I get it Christy, for years you have stated that NO ONE ever gives you credit for breaking ceilings and paving the way for the young females who want or are wrestlers today, and I am here to tell you right now with absolutely no conviction I have always seen you as one of the best, your heart, fire, desire and passion have been awe-inspiring, the wars you had in the past have been nothing short of extraordinary, as I took lessons from your matches, how could I not, Christy What you fail to realize though is that there is this feeling you need Infamous? There is this desperation that comes out when you’re acting all tough that the legacy is slipping away, the younger talent is starting to get their just do and you cannot stand that, why? Hanging out with Syren too long? What are you so afraid of Christy, what you have done is cemented in SCW lore, there isn’t a single person including me that can ever take it away from you, and yet it seems like you’re so threatened by my existence, and I think it is for one reason….
You see a lot of yourself in me.
I am sure your gasping right now at the sound of this, I can picture your hand on the chest, mouth wide open thinking to yourself, “What is this bitch smoking”, right? No, as you can see Christy, I was always a fan of your work before you decided to turn your back on the business for your own selfish greed and watch Syren and Ravyn practically use you to advance their careers. A proud mother, a woman that has been the centerpiece to so many memorable matches, one of the greatest Adrenaline Champions to ever exist, I can praise you over and over, but the bottom line here is Christy, we both shared the same love for wrestling, there was nothing we wanted more than to come to work every night and perform in front of the fans, the energy we fed off them, there was a time it was appreciated but as the days, months and years went by, what happened?
You became paranoid, salty at the same sport which made you Christy, you didn’t make SCW. This is where the wheels came off, wasn’t it? When it slowly started to become apparent that this was all about you now, like every other bitter and despondent veteran I seem to face, they do not care about the why or the how anymore, they care about the ME, and the day I ever feel that way will be the day I leave this sport forever, this is where it separates us Christy, I will never become you in that aspect, a self-entitled trope who thinks she has a license to push people around and old them down. Look at me for a second, through all the insults, all the petty little jabs and even Richter punching me in the face, your little play with Xander Valentine, Rey Anillo coming out, challenging me at every turn, an itch that you obviously need to scratch, ask yourself one question….
Why Peyton Rice?
I’ll tell you, because I could become the next Christy Matthews and the idea alone scares the hell out of you.”
Taking a deep breath, Peyton glances over at Kelcey who nods in approval. There is so much Kelcey wants to say too as she has faced Christy in the past, but this is about Peyton, not her. Peyton has a lot to say, she is ready for this challenge, she needs to be ready especially for someone like Matthews. Pacing a little outside the Strong Museum, she turns and speaks….
“Christy Matthews was someone everyone could have looked up to. Your knowledge and experience could be so vital to the young men and women who have dreams of becoming professional wrestlers, but it seems like I pissed in your Wheaties, when I started to make my claims, yet at some point I had to Christy, how the hell was I going to stay stagnant, I could not accept defeat anymore, I have been here longer than some wrestlers who are already World Champions or on the way, and yet here I am in the middle of the card just another body in a crowd of many, that I had to make my move, seeing that as stepping on your toes, and I know what I am going to hear, that no one will ever remember my name, or I am fanboys dreams come true and nobody cares about me when I am gone because I have done nothing newsworthy, right?
I won the Elimination Chamber, they will remember that, for it cannot be taken from me either, Christy.
I could be the next United States Champion, how would that make you feel, huh? This is the biggest mistake you’re making, judging a book by its cover, sure I may not look like a wrestler, I look like a model in a sea of beautiful women in the SCW, I get it. I can’t compare to you physically, but that is where you are wrong for, I recall our first singles match when we went toe to toe and I brought the fight to you Christy. What about a year or so ago when I faced Jordan Majors, defending the TV title and Infamous decided to jump me, you knew then that sooner or later I was going to breakthrough and be a contender, where you would have to deal with me and here we are.
I know about your pasts, the ups and the downs, professionally and personally, I am not one to judge, I have done a lot of stupid shit too lately in my life, but I learned from my mistakes, I don’t think you ever learned from yours. I don’t care what Richter, Anillo, Xander or anyone else in the SCW tries to do in order to psyche me out of this match, far as I am concerned, I already proved I can defeat you Christy, I know that I can go with the best, from our first match to the Elimination Chamber, all the excuses you want, and maybe nothing between you and I was proven at Under Attack but what was?
I was the better wrestler on that night, and I went the distance, I earned a shot at the United States Championship, you even had the advantage where your pod opened last and still couldn’t pull it off, what does that say about your claims and trying to water me down as some talent that cannot match yours?
I already did.
This is what I wanted, and I knew women like you and Kandis would jump at the opportunity when I decided to open the flood gates and let it all out. See, Christy, there came a time when I needed to make a choice, and maybe part of why you hate me is because of Kelcey Wallace, who knows, but what I see right now is a woman hanging on to the last knot on her rope, for you are already overshadowed by the rest of Infamous, I don’t see you as anything less than being better than your two partners, which is why this is the match many are saying is the one that I need to make a statement, and if I defeat you which I have every confidence in the world that I will?
It will be the final exclamation point to the sentence, I have arrived!
Christy, I respect what you have done for this business, thank you for the contributions and the memories, and I know you will continue to be a force here in the SCW, winning gold and major matches, but this is not your story being told now, this is mine and it will have a Happily Ever After ending, it will be the moment in front of this crowd who I love and admire, see a more determined and focused me. Then Christy, when it is all over, after I already went fist to fist, steel to steel, words to words, like everyone else, you will know….”
Flinging her hair back, she glares into the camera with her gorgeous green eyes, Kelcey standing next to her….
“Peyton Rice, is NOT just another “Pretty” Face.”
… and for the first time a scowl forms on the face of Peyton as Kelcey firmly places her hand resting on the shoulder of her protégé as the Perfect one cracks a smirk.
FADE TO BLACK
/REC
Peyton Rice 