Pleasant Surprise {Invite}

[King Vegas]

Cross' eyes remained fixated on the numbers continuing to rise in count as the elevator continued it's ascension towards his destination for the evening...Quite an...Interesting trip towards the top floors of the GCW Tower it had been to say the least. Despite the more disturbing encounters during that is...

A long and deep cough emanated from his person, as a slight roll of his neck ensues...Of course pondering the "possibility" of signing on with an upstart promotion...For the second time...In as many season's...Something that didn't sit well with His Majesty at all to be quite frank. All of the hard work put in by his brethren, as well as himself...Gone...In the blink of an eye...Because of a over rated "family feud"?...

Unacceptable...

The fans, the ladies and gentlemen in the backstage area proclaiming their greatness, on to the owners of the very promotions Mr. Genovese had worked for in previous years...All...Sought out...Wished for...And even sadly at times...Fabricated that one individual whom could do just what he and his brethren had accomplished...Time...And time again...

Change...The Game...For the better...Heighten the level of both in and out of the ring entertainment...And give the masses...What they so desperately desired...

Ego much?...

And this is the thanks he gets? Forced to move from city to city once more...The God's are sooooooooo unreliable are they not? Perhaps they should be replaced by...Meh...As if you don't know...

*DING*

His eyebrow quickly raised, watching as only seconds later the doors to the vessel in which had carried him to his destination began to part at a slow rate...A look of...Shock?...Instantly making it's way to his facial features as he notices the FAMILIAr face before him...Approaching...The smile was something he knew he wouldn't be able to contain as his eyes downcast towards the floor of the elevator before even taking one step into the corridor...Indeed a most interesting meeting this would be...Just as the previous he thought. With his focus not wavering in the least, he finally spoke, ensuring that the approaching figure would most certainly hear his words...

You've been quite the busy bee haven't you dear?...Funny we should run into each other JUST before my meeting with Miss Wallace. Here to congratulate me are we?...

[Lilith]

"Even certain kinds of royalty can be caught in a spiders web... Cross."

Her eyes glisten slightly as she stares at him while he exits the elevator slowly. She knew it was only a matter of time before he would show up here... creature of habbit of course. She rests her right hand on her hip and smiles a bit while shaking her head softly.

"You know.... lots of rumors have been said and heard regarding a FAMILIA-r sequence of events taking place recently... Vegas. I had almost begun to worry about you...

Your 'brethren' Buck, let me know that you'd be alright. You'd... walk it off. So tell me... it isn't true, Vegas...."

Lilith approaches the man slowly, the tight leather pants hugging her skin firmly. The half jacket open, bra slightly exposed. No sunglasses today. She stops mere inches away from him before leaning forward... and stepping back.

"Don't tell me... you finally got chained down by another..... it's almost heartbreaking."

[King Vegas]

Now this was...Cute...SO very different from their last encounter back in the city of Toronto. Guess that memory was FULLY reinstated within Miss Creighton's mind already. Surely this would be a most interesting conversation he thought...Glancing her frame up and down slowly as the smirk forming at the very corners of his mouth only grew in size as each second passed...

Chained down?...Was that a..."Dog" reference aimed towards yours truly Miss Creighton?...Tsk...Tsk...Shame on you...But...

...

I honestly am surprised that you'd even inquire about the...Um...Recent happenings concerning the "family"...Never known you to well...Let's be honest here...Give a fuck about anyone else. Don't tell me Lilith Creighton has finally found a heart beneath all of that ice embedded underneath her skin...

His eyes slowly lower towards her...Um...Breast area...Before continuing...


Meh...Nah...There must be something else about the entire ordeal holding your attention...Something that intrigues you so to speak...Am I correct?...I must be doing something right to have my name appear in not one but...TWO...Of those very, very...VERY interesting blog entries of yours. Oh...And Sarah says hello by the way.

[Lilith]

"Ohhhh.... that hurts Cross. You know I'm a loving caring individual. After all, the family situations seem to be involving myself.... and we all know I'd save my own skin above most others.

Target by association... seems not everyone is found of.... Jonny. Still can't remember him though.. pity.

I knew you'd show up here.... one way or another. Thirst for more power is it?.... No, no you could have done that easily down in Ohio again. Hmmm..... maybe you just, missed little ole me?"

Lilith smirks a bit and shakes her head softly. Placing her hands on her hips and tilting her shoulders back softly. Vegas, King Vegas. Cross Genovese. Lilith grins as she licks her lips slowly.

"You know, you must have enjoyed it to no end when I was falling allllllllll over myself in Toronto around you huh. Trying to openly flirt like a cheerleader with the captain of the football team huh. Bet you enjoyed the hell out of that shit.

Tsk tsk.... the King himself, with a wife. That's totally disappointing..... course, from what I hear...

I've already caused adultery ONCE so..."

She grins again before winking at Vegas and laughing a bit under her breath. Slapping his arm playfully, Lilith scoots beside him and links her arm under his left. Pressing her upper body against him as she smiles and looks up at him with that oh so deviant smile.

"Off to see the wicked witch of the west are we? Frankly, I really would suggest going to see Candi instead. Amanda is still in her bitchy holier then thou self satisfied mind-set.

You know

Like mine. It can get really annoying if you know what I mean. You deal with enough idiocy in the family alone... at least, if there's more then one surviving member. Oh God...

PLEASE tell me you and Buck aren't the only ones left."

[King Vegas]

Thirst for power?...Is that what they think about Cross Genovese?...How mislead they are...Hm...No matter I guess...

Immediately an eyebrow raised, as His Majesty seemed to had found himself an escort of sorts on this evening. Slow and methodical steps carried them down the corridor, their arms interlocked with one another as the impromptu dialog continued...

...And...For the record Miss Creighton...Adultery?...Bad...VERY...Bad...Don't get me wrong. I've caused a few um...Instances of such a few times in my day yet...Sometimes a different approach is needed. I'm sure you're not the only one who was surprised by the union of holy matrimony. But who can deny the nearly perfect compatibility?...Besides...We'd never work if something such as this was to occur...I mean...Which one of us would bend to the other's will?...

...

Precisely...Destined for disaster no?...But...I have to admit Miss Creighton, I have to admit...In a perfect world?...Well...You get where I'm going with this I'm sure...But I must admit to knowing how you must feel...Let's just say...I've been there...

A slight pause in his words as his attention was diverted for but a few seconds, glancing over the scenery they passed by on their way to Miss Wallace's office.

And...No...We're not the last one's standing actually...Though...I'm not quite sure of the whereabouts of a few of our family members...I find solace in knowing that not everything is lost...Not everything...

[Lilith]

"I'm very good at bending...

Marriage... hmph. I'm not sure that's the wisest of choices Cross. To be blunt, I'm glad I don't remember Jonny right now..... maybe in time. As for the family? You would do best to find out what is going on with them Cross, leaving Buck running around trying to run it's name into the ground is just as bad as those rumors of you and the.... mutt, known as Knight

It's a shame too. That name used to be so respected in the wrestling industry. Shame.

Oh...? Know how I feel.. do you."

Lilith grins under her breath before looking back up at Vegas again. Oh ho... is that so. Now.... it's times like this, that the mind has a war to fight. Rationality, and Want. Right and wrong is a long since past situation for Lilith in this time in her life. She tightens herself firmly against his left arm before letting out a soft, almost sensual sigh.

"If only you knew how I felt...

My main concern is not only with the family, there are.... sub sects of concern as well. If I'm not mistaken.... what is the word on those endeavors, Cross."

[King Vegas]

His footsteps immediately come to a halt...Gazing down towards the floor a few feet in front of him as his thoughts travel to past dealings with the aforementioned Mr. Pryor. His comrade...His brother in arms...Dare he say...His friend?...

.....

He was speechless for a duration no longer than a few seconds as he remembered his fallen brother. One of the many men and women whom had given their all to a cause...Some would say that was spearheaded by the likes of Mr. Genovese himself...As well as others...Truth be told, the untimely demise of Mr. Pryor hit Cross harder than most would suspect...Though of course keeping such matters contained as he possibly could, there wasn't a day that passed that images of his good friend didn't make themselves known in his thoughts. Despite the fact that...He got to Miss Creighton before he could...Yet it was best if that piece of information remained...Unknown to all parties involved of course...

....

Timing...It IS a bitch...

Sad...That you can't seem to conjure any memories of your other half Miss Creighton. I can't help but feel...

...

Well...Hopefully...Those memories WILL in fact resurface sooner than later. It would be a true travesty if not. You two were...Quite the pair I have to admit. Can't deny that fact my dear.

He slowly nodded his head in her direction, as his steps began once more, extending his arm to her to grab ahold of once more as the trek had continued from where they had left off. A few moments passed, his thought process attempting to relinquish any thoughts of his fallen comrades...Perhaps a change in subject matter could assist him...

...And I...See there's no love lost between Miss Knight and yourself hm?...

A small chuckle as he continued on...

You lovely ladies I tell you...Even more competitive than your counterparts I'm afraid. And much more brutal verbally as well. I wonder will it ever end...

As well as the inquiries concerning...How did you put it..."Sub sects"?...I wonder just where THAT...Topic is heading...Always the curious one aren't we?

[Lilith]

".... Playing stupid only works for the lower level lackeys of the industry, Cross. You are smart enough to know playing games with me isn't the wisest thing one can do...

Destiny Knight makes Kim Hunter look like a A-List star in the eyes of the industry. You should be punished for such an action, I mean Buck doing it is one thing.... but we all know he'd fuck a watermellon if it stays in the same room long enough.

I want to know about The Order Vegas. I want direct answers....

And I get...

What I....

Want."

Lilith stops walking, standing her ground and yanking back on the Kings arm without warning. She uses the surprise of the moment to anchor him towards her and pin him against the wall. We all know if it hadn't been for the mis-step, Vegas' physical strength alone could EASILY surpass her own, so Lilith had to use the moment as best she could. She turns around and leans against him back first, using her weight as a harness if you will. Lilith stares at the opposing wall and sighs slightly.

"I've had dreams like this, to bad it won't end as well as they do....

I never got to be in the interconnecting web between the family and everyone else. The most connection I had was from Starry and Jonny. I reFUSE to let this chance pass me by once more.

I want information Cross... you're the only man who can.....

Give it to me.

Do we have an understanding...?"

Lilith pushes off from Vegas, standing back in the middle of the hall, her back still turned to him. She wanted answers, she wanted power, she wanted her life back. If it meant selling her ice cold heart down the river to someone in the position of Cross, she would do it as fast as she could make someone pop off in a public pool.

[King Vegas]

A deep sigh escaped his lips, glancing towards the door to the office of Miss Wallace not very far away from where he stood motionless, his back still firmly planted against the wall...Her words played over and over through his mind...Over and over...

The Order......

...The Order...

His line of vision slowly, found it's way back to Miss Creighton's person...Staring seemingly aimlessly at the beauty before him from behind the cover of his trademark dark tinted glasses...Pondering...Wondering just what the young woman truly thought she could accomplish with inquiring about such a thing that had...Truthfully come...And passed...

And then it hit him...Slowly but surely...He finally came to the realization of it all...She...She wished for a resurrection of some sorts?...

Raising his arm, his right hand slowly removed the dark tinted glasses from his brow only seconds later, just as his response began with...


...Miss Crei...Lilith...Why would you even concern yourself with something so...Trivial my dear? Isn't obvious, that part of the wrestling industry has passed us?...Wasn't it not clear and obvious that the sport itself, not to mention the individuals who consider themselves at the helm of the sport, were FAR from prepared for such a...

Movement to take place?...Furthermore...I fear that even speaking those words...Or perhaps even other words remotely connected with OUR brethren...Could possibly place yourself in danger...As it has those closest to yours truly. I'm sure...Even you wouldn't wish for something as such?...Some things...Are meant to remain buried...And in the past I'm afraid...A woman such as yourself...Needs no such thing to become what she is clearly destined TO become...At least not...From where I stand that is...

It's information you seek?...No...There is no reason to do so dear. Trust me. It's not something either of us wants to be even remotely associated with any longer. We've had our run...At least in that fashion...I'm afraid...I cannot help you...

A slight push, as if removing him from the wall he stood by motionless only moments ago...His eyes remained fixated on Lilith the entire time, hoping that he took her words to heart...For her own well being.

Pausing only momentarily, his steps towards the office of Miss Wallace continued at a slow pace, his eyes downcast towards the carpet below, hopefully having removed any inquires considering the Order from Lilith's thoughts.

[Lilith]

"............"

Lilith, didn't take no for an answer in life. If she had, she wouldn't have dominated a City under her thumb as if it was the remote to a Rabbit. She wouldn't have run down countless useless pieces of trash believing they know the score when all they are is skid marks on her map, in her world. No? Cannot help her? She wouldn't allow such things to be held as truth in this interaction. There was no way Lilith would allow the past to be destroyed along with the present in her memory.

"You think... it was easy, for me to get where I am Vegas? I was not held with regard and respect in this business down in New York. I was not revered. I was not feared. I had to earn it...

I had to betray people, I had to harm people. I had to erase people from MY history in order to have a better chance at a more productive future. I had to obliterate any emotion, any weakness.... any instinct of hope and faith and why?

So I could gain POWER. That is all that matters in this business.... you know that better than most. I refuse... to allow myself to be subjected to a form of lower level idiocy in a company that would not even be around if it had not been for MY hand back in the till down in Detroit.

You say... the past needs to remain burried..... how trite. The past is the glory most of us need to hold onto, Vegas. Not all of us have a entire empire at our fingertips anymore. You think... I'm willing, to start over? And build up a reputation of fear and intimidation that I already still have a grasp over?

I will... have information Cross. I ask you once more...... as an associate, as a... comrade....... as the only woman you SHOULD HAVE LOVED...

What.. happened..... to all of us..."

In public. In the halls leading to Amanda Wallace's office. In the GCW Tower in Chicago. The words are spoken, the echo is alive for but a second. Air seems to almost go stagnate. Lilith doesn't move for a moment. Her face goes numb after the words are spoken. Ohhhhhhhhh..... crap. See, in the heat of the moment... words, phrases..... things get said and done that, really probably should remain in secret. If Donnie and Marie haven't proved that enough.... there's a couple more examples I could fucking think of if you want ;D Ahem... moving on. Lilith slowly turns her body towards Vegas. Her arms crossed over her chest. She swallows hard and clears her throat softly once more.

"... What happened to everyone Cross."

[King Vegas]

....I...

He made his attempt to speak...Yet no words would escape his lips as his vision rose towards the ceiling of the corridor in which they stood mere feet from one another...This...This was more than mere shock and awe making it's appearance in the facial features of the man who would be King...Much more...The entire scene was surreal to say the least...He felt almost paralyzed as the words played through his thought process once more...

What HAD happened to them all...How had their presence within this very industry...Seemingly vanish overnight...How had they not remained at the very apex OF the business itself, further more cementing their names and legacies into the minds of each and every fan...Fellow wrestler as well as promotion...On the face of the planet...It was all of a sudden...Just...Gone. Cross could not deny the fact that...He himself had wrestled with the inquiry himself as of late...Honestly...More, MUCH more than others would believe a man such as himself would even entertain such thoughts as "failed" conquests.

You...Lilith you...You just don't understand...There's much more to be told concerning...What happened to "us"...We can only control so much my dear. You know that as well as I...It'd...It'd take nearly a lifetime to even begin to explain the dynamics of the organization we speak of at this moment...There is no need Lilith...We've enjoyed more moments at the very top of this business than most can even FATHOM...And now...You want...More?....

...Didn't we do enough? Didn't we accomplish enough during our time Lilith? What more can you possibly wish for? Think about...The countless amounts of females either veterans in this business , as well as those looking to become a part of it...Who would sell their very souls to be half the woman you are...To be half the competitor that you are...To command the attention and praise you clearly do each and every time you step foot into a room OR a wrestling ring? What some would say the epitome of the word...Woman...And you wish for...

...More...?

...And then what Lilith?...Hm?...You rise once more from the ashes of the remnants of the Familia Regime Order...Take your RIGHTFUL place at the very helm of the business of professional wrestling with an iron fist...Crushing any and all that oppose you...Imposing your will on whomever would stand against you and yours...Watching intently with endless thoughts of destruction and torment?...And then when you stand once again as the Alpha Female...All bowing down to you and your associates...Allies...Brethren...

On top of the world and the industry that is our livelihood...

...Then what?...Wait for the next visionary to come along to knock you from that throne Lilith? Because let's be as truthful as possible...No one...Remains at the top forever...No one...Did it ever cross your mind that our time has come and gone?...Hm?...Perhaps we're meant to go our separate ways and find OTHER avenues for showing our prowess and exceptional skill ?...Some...Things...Must...Be...Let...Go...Lilith...We ALL know this to be a fact of life...

...Yet what separates the REAL talent from the lower tier talent?...Recognizing WHEN...It's time to let go...

A cold stare emanates from his eyes, clearly a change in his demeanor following his last passage, as the tension between the two seemed to be escalating as each second passed. His arms now folded across his person, as if in response to her gesture mere moments ago, hoping, praying that Miss Creighton wouldn't notice his clearly purposely missing response to the words...as the only woman you SHOULD HAVE LOVED...His eyes clearly and evidently showing that the words did in fact linger in his thoughts hearing the sudden and most unexpected outburst...Cross knew...That in itself was a subject that was best not explored in any amount of detail...Regardless of how small...

[Lilith]

"......"

Wow, dude. Just, wow. You see that shit? Fuckin... long live The King. Lilith's entire body seems to almost tingle, that numbing feeling washes over her. No.... no. No.. no.... NO! Lilith couldn't accept it, she wouldn't, her pride was to stubborn to admit it. To admit it... to admit..

".... You.. cannot be serious..... this.. this isn't happening....

We.. were the future. We were the only example of evolution in the business. We helped CREATE THE INDUSTRY! You... you can't stand there with your.. your glasses, and your suit and.... you.. you can't say that...."

Anger builds, depression sets in behind it, hugging it closely. No, there was no way it could be the truth, no.... Lilith swallows hard. Her throat had gone dry, not even from screaming.... Cross, and his words seemed to almost.. take the energy out of her body and mind. Her skin was almost crawling. Goosebumps had begun to set in. It wasn't happening, it couldn't be happening. THEY WOULDN'T BE RIGHT.

".... No, Cross. We..... all of us.. The Familia.... The Regime... The Order.....

We... our time has NOT PASSED. We..... will not be a afterthought in this industry, in this community. I won't LET THAT HAPPEN!

We all worked to hard, we worked to long. We carried EVERYONE WHO CAME ACROSS OUR PATH!! We did to much for this business to just let it sweep us under the rug as if we were simple card fillings. How can this be what you see now...

The Familia alone is one of the most recognizable factions in wrestling history. You, are STILL one of the most respected and feared names in this business. What about....

What about JUAREZ Cross? Would HE do this to us? Would he back down and out of the spotlight, would he HIDE in the shadows on the sidelines and watch as useless toys of a world gone mad run around on OUR TURF?

.... This is wrong. Our time is still here.."

Lilith takes a couple steps forward in the hall. Almost stumbling. Her body was still... faltering in the wake of Cross's words. She stops mere inches before him, the man who would be King. The original, the only. Vegas. She looked up at his face and clenched her jaw firmly. This... no..

"You... have not given up on your time..... I can see it... why do you do this why are you fighting this. What do you have to gain if all of us are simply forgotten in the pages of a history book we DOMINATE Cross?!..

Order will be restored.... even if I have to find all of the fallen puzzle pieces alone. I had hoped...... you wouldn't abandon the rules of the family.. I had hoped you would help.

In this business.... no one is forever at the top.. you're right.......

........

But our time at the top of this pyramid is not.... over."

[King Vegas]

He shook his head in her direction...Seeing the severity of just how badly she wished to not let go...To not relinquish the obvious power and influence they embodied not that long ago...He could see the fire, almost approaching that of pure lust in her eyes for the organization to be resurrected once more...But at what price?...

Risking their very lives...The lives of the ones they cared for...The ones who cared for them in return...Or perhaps to have each and everyone of their bodies ripped and torn apart by a flurry of gunfire by those who would wish to silence the organization she spoke of...

...Was...Was "power"...Regardless of how much...Worth...Risking...

...All...?

His eyes remain locked onto hers intently...The seemingly dozens of Tower inhabitants passing by, nether seen nor recognized by the two...Their gazes locked in turmoil even...He slowly responded...


...You know...I...I initially thought the same as you...I truly did...Even with the scheduled time of sabbatical planned by my Familia brothers and sisters looming...I knew...I always knew without a doubt...We'd once again stand atop of the industry...More prominent than ever...More focused...More merciless...

...But it's amazing...How swiftly one's outlook on something can change...Once you're subjected to images of your closest friends and families being decimated before your very eyes...Watching as they fall one by one...Or either flee to safety like...Like cowards...

...Those are experiences Lilith...I don't wish to bestow on even the most hated of my rivals...Perhaps the most difficult time in my short lifetime actually...The only silver lining...I was able to keep her from harm...I was able to survive to see a smile placed upon her face, seeing that I did in fact see the error in my past decisions...

...That I was finally...Able to be with her...If no one else...

No harm...Was brought onto her...

All else...Is lost...I truly...Truly hate it just as much as you do Lilith...Please believe me when I say this...

I just merely...Believe it is for the best...If we ALL...Let the past remain just that...The past...There are some things you can ask of a person...This...Is one of those instances...

His eyes remained fixated on hers the entire time...Flinching not in the least as he allowed for his words to linger, awaiting her response...

[Lilith]

"... So that's what this is about.... it's about 'her'..

Priorities seem to change over time, don't they Cross.... I see. So you've placed the commonwealth of one above the good of the rest of us.

You've chosen the health and happiness of one woman over the entire FAMILY CROSS!....

.... I wouldn't have made such a mistake, if it had been me at the reigns of that juggernaut Cross..

Sometimes in life you have to choose what is most important to you.... what is it to you, Cross?

You legacy? Your name? The power you can wield...? The family you have created?...

Or the Yoko Ono of the center?... I am sorry, that there have been casualties.....

But there always are. You KNOW THAT CROSS!!... You think that the Familia is the only one who took the brunt of this little devastation?... Flesh wounds heal Cross....

But emotional scars don't.

I lost my husband. He's gone Cross and he's gone from my MEMORY.

AT LEAST YOU ALL STILL HAVE YOUR FALLEN BRETHREN IN MIND VEGAS!! AT LEAST THEIR MEMORY IS STILL IN THE PAGES OF HISTORY AND FRESH IN YOUR MINDS!!

.... You ask me to let go of the past? When all I want back from it is my own memory? You, will live on long after you die. Your... woman, will live on long after she dies. And why?

WHY CROSS?! BECAUSE YOUR MEMORIES ARE IN ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN BEFORE AND WILL FALL AFTER!

What about MINE Cross? What about JONNYS?! I DON'T HAVE THOSE ANYMORE!

How dare you ask me to forget and step aside. I will... regain my memory, and the memory of Jonny..... with..

.....

Or without the family's help."

Lilith looks up at Vegas, her eyes moist to the point they could be considered.... tear filled. Her legacy would NOT be forgotten so easily. She would not allow her work and the work of those few who had managed to actually earn her respect and admiration, be dusted away for some 'green behind the ears' kids who were nothing more then cheap imitation knock offs of the Family and more. This would not be accepted in her mind. Lilith shakes her head and turns abruptly around. Her back facing Vegas for a good couple seconds before she begins to walk down the hall... away from The King. Away from Cross Genovese.... away from 'The Father'. She stops at the end of the hallway, her fist clenched and against the wall, propping her up.....

".... Do yourself a favor, Cross......

......

Cherish the memories you and yours can create before your times come... because if you don't......

.............

Others may forget sooner, rather then.... later."

Lilith closes her eyes tightly, the feeling of tears streaming down her cheeks was almost.... a lost one to her this late in her life. She looks back at Cross once more, her eyes open. The damage of her own words, the damage of his words more then visible on her face. Lilith bites down on the bottom of her lip before shaking her head slowly once more from left to right... her head hangs down as she turns the corner... disappearing from Cross's sight.

[King Vegas]

Cross was visibly shaken up...Truthfully speechless following Miss Creighton's words...His line of vision remained locked onto her the entire time during her abrupt exit. Clearly recognizing the look of pain evident in her facial features and her voice...Was she correct in her words...Her words which seemed to almost border along the lines of...Accusations?...

...Had the "King" given up on his brethren?...

All that they had stood for, diligently worked for and sacrificed for during their "reign" so to speak...Had he essentially done what he had sworn on his life he never would...

...Fail them?...

Had he been too easy to allow for the "family" to be decimated...Separated and spread across the globe?...Was HE truly to blame for the absence of what some would consider THE most prominent and dominant stable/organization in recent years of the industry...Did...

All of this fall upon his shoulders...?

He could feel his body almost shiver, his thoughts constantly replaying the harsh truth Miss Creighton had spoken to him only moments before...Perhaps she was right. Perhaps...He had given up. Perhaps he lost faith in the movement. Lost faith in the clear and evident impact they had obviously made. That...Could not be denied. Regardless of what promotion it was...What region of the states, or of the world it was located in...Their influence was absolute...

...Had he made a decision based upon a characteristic many abroad had classified him as time and time again...?

Selfish...Self absorbed...

Had he wanted to be with his better half so much...Longed to be beside her always and to feel her touch...That he forgot the pact...The mission...The moments of years passed when gentlemen like himself...Mr. Juarez...Mr. Pryor...Mr. Taylor...Mr. Starr, all the way to Miss Creighton herself...Swore upon their very existences they would succeed...In changing the sport for the better...That they would succeed in giving the masses what they wanted...No...

What they NEEDED...What the sport was TRULY about...Excellence personified...In...And out of the ring...

...But...What about...Her...

Was he not supposed to have what he wanted...? What he longed for...? Or perhaps sacrifice was the evident choice here...Regain their prominence and place at the top of the sport once more...

...But...Possibly...Lose her?...

His vision lowered towards the carpet slowly, his eyes closing as his breathing seemed to increase in speed, pondering the possibility of such a thing...Then it hit him...Hard...As truth always does once realized...

She was...Right...

...He could lie to her...For the rest of his days if he chose to...Yet to himself?...Impossible...He knew it was neither possible nor plausible for that matter. He had a responsibility...He was bound by the alliance they had all silently agreed to always covet and cherish...

His eyes divert towards the office door of one Miss Amanda Wallace, pondering just what he was truly doing here. Was he running from his past...Perhaps his rightful present as well as future? All of the above?...Either way he knew...He knew that coming here the way that he did...Was a mistake...

One which had to be rectified...As soon as possible....His only barrier to doing so?...Where and how to start...Immediately his mind begins to recall, past allies and associates...His thought process excelling at rates previously fathomed by not even the man who would be King...He...He needed answers...He owed it to himself...He owed it to his fallen brethren...He owed it to the men and women whom had believed in HIS vision...And given their blood, sweat, tears and dedication...

Faith...

An almost violent burst of energy ensued, pushing himself away from the wall which had held his person in an upright position for the past 10 minutes of recollection, his pronounced steps carrying him towards the nearest elevator towards the end of the corridor. A look of determination now resided in his facial features, almost approaching that of anger...Perhaps even rage. Answers to the mysteries of his fallen brethren abroad were the only thing on his present mind...He had the resources...He knew the names...The faces...The incidents...It was up to him to put the pieces of this mysterious puzzle together...To begin the possible resurrection process Miss Creighton, and honestly even he himself, wished to see come to fruition...

His hand slowly places the dark tinted glass back upon his brow as the elevator doors open slowly, stepping slowly inside of the car, and extending his hand towards the numbered panel mere feet away. Taking his place dead center of the elevator, a deep breath was released, already pondering the first piece of the puzzle he would attempt to solve and decipher with his newest quest if you will, raising an eyebrow as he muttered beneath his breath...

...Hm...England...England...

TO BE CONTINUED...