Shoot 008: Go All In Or Not At All

Zero hour. Ready for this?

She must have been able to tell something in his breathing, a smile in her voice as she snuggled up against him, "morning, sexy man."

"Mmmhey..." he grinned as she kissed his neck, "can't beat wakin' up like this."

"Oh I'm sure I can find a way," her fingers slowly walked down his chest to his stomach, sliding under the sheet.

"Wasn't a challenge," he laughed at the sight of her smirk, shivering as her fingers slid back up to his chest. "Effort's appreciated, though." He let out a soft groan, closing his eyes. "It's Tuesday – fuck."

"Yes, it is." She looked up at him, "I know how you feel."

"Yeah?" One eye opened a crack, "do ya?" There wasn't any hostility in the question, just genuine curiosity.

"Lunchpail day – time to go to work." She questioned herself the moment she said it, "right?"

"Definitely," he sighed, "an' after Sunday's Vegas clusterfuck, been tryna avoid thinkin' about championships altogether – don't wanna mindfuck myself completely."

"Lex... 'it's just a match. You win or you lose. You do what you can to win because you know your opponent is gonna do the same'. That's what Todd used to tell me before every match he was in – even told me that Thursday night in Fayetteville." She turned his head towards her. "Trust yourself," she smiled, "I do."

"Trusting myself's the only thing I got, only thing I can control. Just got a bad feelin' an' I just really don't wanna..." he paused, looking sheepish, "know what's stupid? More worried 'bout lettin' you down. I know that's dumb 'cause you'll be here either way but," he shrugged.

"Then don't let me down. Bring YOUR title home." She rolled over top of him, smiling, "I'll still be here but I don't want you to hold back, either. Go all in or not at all."

"Always do."



His hands were sticky with tape residue, knuckles bleeding but he couldn't stop touching the cool metal. It was probably shock, probably halfway towards concussed, dehydrated and exhausted. He felt like he'd spent a few hours swimming, that full-bodied weightlessness, like he was still bobbing in the waves. It'd fade.

The tap of heels on the concrete floor stilled his hands and he could hear the emotion in her voice when Jana murmured, "told ya so...."

The floodgates broke, a sob catching in his throat. He blinked, tears dripping off the end of his nose, splashing down on the golden face-plate. "I shoulda listened." His voice sounded so far away to his own ears – small and humbled – not at all like a champion should.

"Only to yourself," she leaned in, kissing the top of his head, "I knew you could do it."

"Still feels," he looked up at her helplessly, lifting his hand to swipe at his reddened eyes.

"Surreal?"

He nodded mutely, gaze dropping back to his warped reflection in the smudged-up metal. "Last time I had a top belt was more'n three years ago."

Her smile broadened, pride shining there along with the tears she tried to hold back. "Uncle Vince had it twice, Todd had a second tier once. Dad, Uncle Jake, Uncle Omy, and Mom never held gold...." She struggled to keep her emotions in check, "now my champion is really... my Champion. I love you, Lex."

He scooted over, making room for her to join him. "I dunno what happened to Motors – wanted to test myself against the guy more'n anything." He chuckled, "don't even care now."

She sat down, draping an arm around his shoulders. "It's not your place to worry, Lex. You fought who was in front of you, two-on-one and... you won." She leaned in and whispered softly, "savor this, baby. Relish this. Love this."

"All the shit... everythin'... I..." he sniffed, muttering a few cuss words under his breath, "just glad you were here to see."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." She kissed his cheek gently.

"First of many. I hope. I mean... milestones. Not just in my career or yours but..." he turned his head, swallowing hard. "It's a good night. But something's missin'. Lemme just," he set the title to the side, pulling a little box from his pocket. "I wanted to make sure... timing's never been my strong suit." He moved to his feet only to drop to one knee in front of her, flipping the box open to show a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring. "Jana... I'm askin' for real, now. Will you marry me? Someday?"

Her eyes fixed on the ring, the dazzling flash off the stones under the fluorescent lights blinding before she lifted her gaze to him. His eyes were warm, chocolate brown – "yes," she whispered, eyes fluttering to focus on his shaking hands placing the ring on her finger. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"There." He cupped her cheeks, wiping away the tears with his thumbs before kissing her. Someone wolf-whistled – he didn't pay it any mind. "Now it's the greatest night ever." He kissed her again, whispering against her parted lips, "I love you, Jana. So damn much."

She kissed him repeatedly, almost bowling him over as she leapt into his arms, "I love you Lex... love you... love you...."

"Gotchu," he laughed, oblivious to the crowd of people milling around that seemed to be getting larger by the minute. "Not ever lettin' you go."

Jana looked up, forcing a watery smile at the sight of the straggling fans with backstage passes around their necks. She wiped her cheeks, trying to compose herself. "Your public awaits, baby. Go on. I'll wait."

He scooped up the belt, settling it on his shoulder as he turned with a smile, allowing himself to be pulled away by the tide. He wasn't worried. Not anymore. He knew he could swim even with the sharks in the water.