Later That Day...

Don't hate me yet.

Granted, this isn't the best situation for a guy to be in...just give me the benefit of the doubt?

This is a strange place indeed...but with Suzy walking through this with me hand in hand, I feel like I'm going to make it out alright, y'know? I don't feel so stupid. This could turn out right. She's got plenty of reasons to stay. I'm a nice guy...I'm successful...

Who am I kidding? She'll drop me on a moment's notice the minute Steve Sharp gets back.

Don't worry about me...I'll survive.

Right?

*Whatever that once took the spring out of Jonathan Storm's step seems to have returned. He sits facing his hotel room window, strumming his acoustic guitar, playing an unfamiliar song. Suddenly, Inferna walks into the room. She is in jeans and a short cut-off red t-shirt. She looks over to Jonathan and a small playful smile is on her lips. She quietly walks over to him, as not to disturb him.*

Jonathan Storm: If I can't make you love me, you're out of reasons to stay. Make it easy on yourself, don't worry 'bout me...to make you feel something you don't...

*He keeps strumming away, unaware anyone has joined him in the room. Inferna slowly reaches out and touches him softly on his shoulder. Shaken up, he drops his guitar, and nearly falls out of his chair. Looking up to find her, he smiles.*

Jonathan Storm: Hey!

Inferna: Hey.

Jonathan Storm: How long have you been here?

Inferna: Not too long. I liked the song.

Jonathan Storm: Oh...it's something I heard on the radio...I dunno..it just kind of..fit, I suppose.

Inferna: It was nice. So, what have you been doing today?

Jonathan Storm: I trained for a little while, and then I got inspired to write some music...so I came back to the room. But I did get some shopping done...and I found something I thought you would like.

*Inferna's eyes light up.*

Inferna: Really? What is it?

*He reaches down and pulls up a dozen red roses.*

Jonathan Storm: Hope you like 'em...I'm not really good with this gift givin' shit.

*Inferna looks surprised at the gift and smiles broadly.*

Inferna: They're beautiful. Thank you. I'll go put them in water right now."

*Inferna walks out of the room for a second. A few moments later she walks back in with a vase full of water. She takes the roses and starts rearranging them in the vase.*

Jonathan Storm: Hey Suzy?

Inferna: Yeah?

Jonathan Storm: Did you really mean what you said this morning? About us...and..."

Inferna: What do you think?

Jonathan Storm: Well...I hope so...because I can't force you to do anything you don't want. I also don't want to get you hurt. I'm not exactly Mr. Emotion. To be honest, I've kind of just 'shut off'. Even now, I don't feel happy or sad about anything.

Inferna: I know. Hey, I have enough emotion for the two of us.

*She gives him her famous million-dollar smile.*

Jonathan Storm: Oh really now? I find that VERY difficult to believe.

Inferna: Why?

Jonathan Storm: You come off as very cold sometimes. When we were talking last night, you just...seemed disinterested in the surroundings. Plus, you've had a lot more trauma than I have. You almost remind me of...Robbie.

Inferna: Who's Robbie?

Jonathan Storm: Robbie was my older brother...but he died in Japan back in September. It was a freak accident.

*He sits back down on the chair and picks his guitar up again, tuning it.*

Jonathan Storm: He died in a ladder match.

Inferna: I'm so sorry.

Jonathan Storm: It's no big deal...but Robbie and you had a lot in common. Hell, I bet he'd probably be all over my case if he ever met you. Him and all my brothers.

Inferna: Why?

Jonathan Storm: Because out of all of us...well, this is kind of embarrassing...I dated the least.

Inferna: Really?

Jonathan Storm: Yeah...I actually married my first and only girlfriend.

**He blushes, and begins to play some of "Letters From The Wasteland" by The Wallflowers.*

Inferna: I think it's cute that you've only had one girlfriend.

Jonathan Storm: But I ran off with her after high school. I signed with a major promotion, and she followed me. I didn't even really experience life.

Inferna: Until recently, I had only been with one man my entire life. So, I know how it feels.

Jonathan Storm: It's just so weird. I can't even begin to describe how...liberated I feel.

Inferna: I'm glad. You deserve so much better than what is going on around you.

Jonathan Storm: You've made things so much better for me Suzy...I can't even begin to thank you.

*He stops and stands up again, hugging Inferna.*

Inferna: Hey, there's no need to thank me. It's what I'm here for, silly.

Jonathan Storm: But you make me so happy. You take me for who I am, and you look past that persona and mask I wear outside this room.

Inferna: I'm glad I make you happy. You deserve that.

Jonathan Storm: But what about you? Don't you deserve to be happy?

Inferna: Of course, and you do make me happy. I'm just concerned about not being able to get anywhere in the company.

Jonathan Storm: Don't worry about that. Things are going to change. You have my full support. Don't you know Drake's got my back?

Inferna: I know, but still...

Jonathan Storm: *Interrupting* ...Things will happen for you. I'll talk to him, and we'll fix things. You're going to be a major superstar, Suzy. All we need to do is start you off on the right foot. You can't be fighting the other gals forever. I know you're tougher than that.

Inferna: I know that. All of my life I've fought other men.

Jonathan Storm: Then trust me. I'll make things happen. You'll be just as much a contender as me.

*He looks away in a bit of worry. Inferna looks concerned.*

Inferna: What is it?

Jonathan Storm: What do you think will happen if word got around back that we were...'together'?

Inferna: I don't know. A lot of people will have problems with it.

Jonathan Storm: And someone's bound to tell Ashlee or Silky.

Inferna: I heard that Silky is up in Michigan or something, so we don't have to worry about him for a while. But...what about your wife?

Jonathan Storm: I'm...I'm gonna separate from Ashlee.

Inferna: Are you sure you're ready for that? I don't want you doing anything just because of me.

Jonathan Storm: It's something I've needed to do for a long time, Suzy. You don't know what she's done to me.

Inferna: She hurt you terribly, that's all I need to know.

Jonathan Storm: Then you know I have to do this. I'll work around things. I'll get you booked, I'll use all my resources to see you succeed. It's the least I can do for you.

**Inferna smiles brightly.*

Inferna: I want to make you proud of me. If you think I can do it, then I know I can.

Jonathan Storm: You've got the talent and the heart...you just need the right matches. I'll do everything in my power to see that happen. You deserve nothing but the best. After all...you're someone special to me.

*Inferna hugs him tightly for a second and lets him go. She looks up at him with a big smile.*

Inferna: Thank you for wanting to do this for me. All I need is a shot.

Jonathan Storm: But don't get too angry if it means going through me...after all, King of Violence isn't too far, and I want my shot too.

Inferna: I won't be angry.

Jonathan Storm: Good...because I plan on showing people I'm rededicated again. Zakin's not gonna stand a chance...I'm doing this for you and me now.

Inferna: I know you're going to succeed. I just know it.

Jonathan Storm: It's going to be difficult. I know Zakin's tough, and I know that to succeed, I'll have to cut down Trey and my 'best friend' Gavin.

Inferna: What do you mean?

Jonathan Storm: Gavin turned his back on me, on Darrin, and our goals just to get the gold he knows I should've had. I'm the one who had Sterling beat ages ago...I'm the one who busted my ass off to give him a place in the HWF finally.

*His happiness turns to disdain and walks away from Inferna, reaching into his suitcase to grab a Sacremento Kings jersey.*

Inferna: Hey, you helped him get to where he is, you'll help him fall off, too.

Jonathan Storm: But for some reason, it seems that Trey's the roadblock to him. That bothers me. He sold me out for good old 'what's-his-name'? That's not right. Those two have been fighting longer than the Hatfields and McCoys, and now they act like they've loved each other for years. *He stands up* And now I'm off focus. I need to make Zakin the focus of the present...I need to figure out what I'm gonna do to beat him.

Inferna: Are you worried?

Jonathan Storm: Yes and no. No I'm not, because I have beaten him before, but those were in matches that had other people. Yes...because I don't know how focused I am on anything. My mind is in nine different places.

Inferna: I understand. What can I do to help you focus?

Jonathan Storm: *He grins.* "Get me his tapes from the last few weeks, some more paper...and some Taco Bell for the both of us...we're in for a long evening.

That's right, Dave...keep taking the low road. I don't mind. It's the road I've traveled most of my life.

Push me...take me for granted.

I'll be the one left standing, after you've tapped out of course. The Encore Performance, after all, just injured two men.

Could you do me a favour?

When you make it to the ER on Saturday, tell Tatsumi and Jin I say hello. I kinda miss them touring with us.

I'll probably miss you too.

I guess this will turn out right.