Hello, Wisconsin!

[DSX93]

"They'd let her sign? Damn, I knew LAW was more open than most when it came to shady characters, but this goes behind even what I would have guessed."

"Yeah." Beatriz had those same worries. She'd come across her share of violent psychos and perverts in PGLL, but there were wrestlers in LAW who were on a whole other level. It made her sort of glad that Terrell was here with her; it was that comfort of knowing that she wasn't going into this alone, that somebody would be there to watch her back if the worst were to happen. Not that she had any plans of actively seeking these people out, of course.

"Today, huh? Good. Great, even. Don't know about you, but she wouldn't recognize me. So she'd better hope I don't meet her backstage anywhere. I'd probably steal that top after I beat her senseless."

Ooh! Now that..."Oh, I'd pay to see that." Looks like this was happening, then. Beatriz could hardly wait to do her part welcoming Simon to combat wrestling.

Terrell finally emerged from the inside of the station with a couple bags in hand. He raised them into a more clear view, a signal that he'd picked up some goodies. His smile faltered when he caught his best friend's expression. That flash of concern in her eyes. She held the phone against her chest. She didn't want to give him this news. Not right now. But now that they've made eye contact and he's seen Keira's face, she knew that she had no choice. There wasn't going to be any letting this go.

He didn't waste any time, getting right down to business after passing a tall, cold bottle of water to Keira and the rest of his purchases to Beatriz. "What's going on?" His eyes traveled back and forth between the two, lingering on Beatriz and her phone.

After a long, deeply uncomfortable moment's hesitation, she turned the screen back on and handed him the phone.

"Fuck." Lisa's was a face that he thought he'd never see again. But nope, they're gonna be working in the same company. How fucking grand. Terrell sat back in the driver's seat, holding the phone out for Beatriz to take back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. When his eyes were open again, they were looking up at nothing in particular. And they kept looking up at nothing in particular as dread began to flood his system.

He couldn't face them right now. Keira, especially.

He didn't know how much she knew, but he knew that she knew. And he knew that Beatriz was her source of that information. The why was beyond him, but he wasn't angry. Whatever her reasons were, Beatriz hadn't set out to do him any harm or embarrass him.

But this was...It was beyond embarrassing. How could he explain this to Keira? What was there to say, really?

Does she still see him as a man?

Why would she?

Simon fucking Baxter. Of all the people in the world, why did LAW have to go and sign her? "This world is too fucking small." His voice, while not quieted, was nonetheless diminished. Like he was admitting defeat.

Terrell took another deep breath, preparing himself for a long, terrible conversation that'll most likely end with Keira leaving.

"Don't worry about that trash, T." The blonde reached out for him, looking to lay a soothing hand on his shoulder. She didn't get the chance. Failing to notice her movement, Terrell started the car and drove, keeping his eyes open for...just any space that looked private or private-ish for him to park in. No way was he going to do this in front of an audience.

[ThurmanMermanPlx]

"Oh, I'd pay to see that."

Keira only had time to smirk at that before Terrell appeared in the window, back from his rest stop, and the mood came crashing down around her.

Beatriz hastily withdrew her phone, so Keira righted herself in her seat, fixing her smile back on her face, but she feared it was too late. They hadn't been paying attention; he'd probably seen her annoyed expression, and she wouldn't lie to him if he asked about it.

Which, of course he did. Keira accepted he water bottle with a quiet "Thanks" as Beatriz showed him her phone and the article they'd been looking at. Her heart sank as his expression fell. "Don't be upset at her, I brought it up," Keira said, gesturing at Beatriz.

She watched as Beatriz reached out but opted not to touch him as Terrell started the car and pulled away. Keira second-guessed her own comforting touch upon seeing that. The tension was thick and awkward in the air, the silence deafening. Still, though... she should say something.

"Hey, T," she started, hesitantly at first but picking up confidence a bit as the words tumbled out. "Listen. I'm sorry. It was just an involuntary reaction, I promise. Hitting the door, I mean. But I saw that it bothered you, and I asked if Beatriz knew why, because it looked like it bothered you more than just beating up your property, and... look, bottom line, I'd never hit you. Well, uh, outside a match, anyway." She let out a shaky laugh. Maybe she shouldn't have said that. True, but poor timing. She moved on. "Really. I don't know how to prove it, but I promise, I wouldn't do that.

"And as for the bitch, well, Beatriz is right. She's not worth the brain cells." It was here that she tentatively reached a hand out and put it back on his thigh. "Don't worry about her. We were just saying how we'd pummel her in an alley if she so much as breathes in your direction. I mean, not that you can't fight your own battles, but... well, you don't have to."

[DSX93]

"Don't be upset at her, I brought it up."

"I'm not mad. I...Just hold on. I don't wanna talk about this here."

Terrell didn't know whether or not that was a stroke of fortune -- as much of one as was possible right now -- but it wasn't much longer before he was able to just pull over on the side of the road. There was still plenty of traffic, but everyone else was focused on getting to wherever it was they needed to be.

"Hey, T...Listen. I'm sorry. It was just an involuntary reaction, I promise. Hitting the door, I mean. But I saw that it bothered you, and I asked if Beatriz knew why, because it looked like it bothered you more than just beating up your property, and... look, bottom line, I'd never hit you. Well, uh, outside a match, anyway."

"Outside a match, anyway." Beatriz had to try so hard not cringe. The timing with that choice of words was just...no.

Terrell was surprised that he wasn't being ridiculed for being subjected to violence by a much smaller woman to notice her reaction. "Really. I don't know how to prove it, but I promise, I wouldn't do that. And as for the bitch, well, Beatriz is right. She's not worth the brain cells." Was this happening? Was she for real?

Keira's hand reached out and found its resting place back on his thigh. Her touch made it feel safe to look her in the eye. "Don't worry about her. We were just saying how we'd pummel her in an alley if she so much as breathes in your direction."

"Damn right."

"I mean, not that you can't fight your own battles, but... well, you don't have to."

Oh, fuck, what if management puts them in a match?

The thought was terrifying. Putting his hands on a woman was one thing, but putting his hands on Simon in particular...He didn't want to think about how that could go.

He didn't know how to feel about what Keira was offering him. That she'd even made that offer had him questioning if this was a dream. If maybe he was plugged into The Matrix or something; this whole thing with LAW was crazy from the get-go. Unbelievable.

But he wants it to be real.

"I...I don't think I'll ever have the words to properly describe the scale of either of the things I'm about to say -- how big this is for me -- but...Thank you. And I'm sorry. This is...It's a lot to process at once. To have come out so soon -- so damn soon. I'm sorry to put all of that on you."

Beatriz reached out for him again, and this time, her soft hand found its way to his shoulder. "You don't have anything to apologize for, T."

"Thanks." He tried to smile for the both of them, but couldn't make it stick. This was a conversation that he didn't think he'd be having...ever. If he had his way, it would've been as simple as Simon being an ex. But now that this is happening, with everything coming out to the open, he needed to take a breath.

"I'm not mad at you, B. I know you're just looking out."

"Always. Eso es lo que hace la familia."

[ThurmanMermanPlx]

Terrell wasn't kidding. Problem was, once they were back on the road, there... really wasn't any other place to talk about it, unless he wanted to just wait until they arrived at their destination. Keira had no idea how long it would be until they got there, though... but no, instead, he just pulled right over on the side of the road. He wasn't even in any shape to drive anymore.

Fuck.

Still, she breathed a small sigh of relief. He wasn't mad.

He did, however, take a lot of time to sit and absorb everything she'd just said. He seemed to be lost in thought. Keira sat there in nervous anticipation, waiting to hear what he had to say about the whole thing.

...but...Thank you. And I'm sorry. This is...It's a lot to process at once. To have come out so soon -- so damn soon. I'm sorry to put all of that on you."

The fuck? Why-

"You don't have anything to apologize for, T."

"Absolutely fuckin' right," Keira added. Poor guy was so scarred, he thought he was in the wrong here somehow? Then again, he did have certain... submissive tendencies. Maybe it was just habit at this point. Keira wondered if she could help him work on that... but for now, there were more important matters. "That bitch is the one who should be apologizing here, not you. And god help her if she ever shows her face, 'cause I'll be damned if I let her leave without her giving you one, if not also a black eye or two."

[DSX93]

"That bitch is the one who should be apologizing here, not you. And god help her if she ever shows her face, 'cause I'll be damned if I let her leave without her giving you one, if not also a black eye or two."

"And I'm gonna help her do it. You won't have to put up with seeing her face for long after we're done with her."

Beatriz Yvonne Murillo Gutierrez. Terrell couldn't ask for a better friend. No one could. Three years away doing it big in Mexico, making herself a star, and she's still got his back after her return to the States. And Keira Robinson...He looked into her eyes and...that resolve, it felt real. It was unbelievable, having this woman walk into his life -- literally -- and to now be willing to stand with him through this. But here it was. Here she was.

There was that initial feeling of being less of a man for this; he knew that he was going to be relying on this support. He didn't want to say that he'd let them fight this battle for him, even in his own mind, but the truth was that he didn't trust himself in a match with Simon. After everything she put him through, everything she did, everything she said...It left him with a lot of anger inside. And he didn't want to unleash it. Not even here in LAW, where it would be tolerated.

"Thank you both." This time, Terrell's smile would stick. His voice was shaky. He could feel tears welling up, but he wouldn't let them out. This was more than enough as it was. He didn't need to be crying in front of Keira too. Gotta show some strength.

Man. What a trip this was turning out to be.

"Of course, T. Anytime." Seeing the struggle that Terrell was currently going through, she did some quick thinking to help. "Why don't you and Keira hop into the backseat, and I'll drive?"

Yeah. He could use a break right about now. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that." He turned to Keira before finishing his answer. "If that's alright with you?"

[ThurmanMermanPlx]

Again, it took a little while for Terrell to gather his thoughts after Keira's declaration and Beatriz backed her up, although this time... Keira thought his expression looked less grim, so perhaps he was simply at a loss for words.

Eventually though, he did speak, to thank them.

"Don't even mention it," she replied with a grin. Again, her palm gave his leg a gentle squeeze of reassurance. His smile was back now, and he hadn't said anything more, which only supported her assumption.

She was caught off guard by Beatriz's suggestion, and for a moment, her surprise was written all over the blush that formed on her face. But no, obviously Beatriz hadn't been suggesting that... she'd just wanted to let Terrell relax without having to focus on the road for a while.

She nodded back at Beatriz before turning her attention back to Terrell. "I'd like that, too."

[DSX93]

That hand. It never moved. When he felt that squeeze that said "It's okay, you're safe", he scooped it up into his own and placed the other on top of it, gazing into her eyes. And that entire time, her smile never broke. That conviction of hers turned into strength that picked his own smile up from the dirt. Started bringing him back.

Enough so that he let out an admiring chuckle at the sight of her reddening cheeks when Beatriz suggested that they get in the back seat. Girl's got a dirty mind. He doesn't mind that one bit. "You're so cute when you blush."

With all three in agreement about the new arrangement, they switched places. Terrell took hold of Keira's hand again once they were buckled up and raised the back of it to his lips. "You're..." How to describe her? He started talking before he thought of what he'd say, and now he's at a loss for words. After a few seconds, he gave up. The struggle in and of itself would say a lot. Right?

"You're something else, Key. In the best possible way. The longer I know you, the luckier I feel."

[ThurmanMermanPlx]

The smile on Terrell's face told Keira that he'd understood her without the need for words; her touch conveyed everything necessary. She was glad she was able to lift his spirits, and that he wasn't going to dwell on his problems.

And of course he noticed her blushing. "Heh. I'd say don't get used to it, but it's been happening increasingly often recently." And looking at him, it was no wonder why.

Keira mouthed a quick but silent 'Thank you' at Beatriz as she slid into the driver's seat, before closing the door and re-entering the behind. Terrell wasted no time in collecting her hand and bringing it up to his lips, an act that drew another blush, more faint but definitely still there.

"And you really know how to flatter a girl," she said in response, as she slid closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. She curled her fingers around his hand rather than pulling it back. "It's just... basic human decency. But I like to think I know how to take care of a guy, too," she added with an intentional light chuckle. "So don't you worry, T. I'll take good care of you."

[DSX93]

"Heh. I'd say don't get used to it, but it's been happening increasingly often recently."

"Well, thank goodness for whatever's causing it."

Beatriz responded to Keira's thanks with a nod and a subtle smile that went unnoticed by the normally observant Terrell thanks to his focus on the latter. It was here that the blonde was finally convinced that yes, she did indeed need to take a step back. All of that, and she still flirts?

When Keira laid her head on his shoulder, he wrapped an arm around hers. Held her close and stroked it the way she liked.

"It's just... basic human decency. But I like to think I know how to take care of a guy, too," A quick laugh to lift his spirits further. "So don't you worry, T. I'll take good care of you."

And he's never letting her go.

"You already are."

An Hour Later...

The rest of the ride was going without a hitch. A great portion of it was spent in a peaceful silence, aside from the songs from Terrell's playlist. Just vibing to the music. Terrell and Keira cuddling in the backseat, her closeness reinvigorating him. Soothing to the point that he'd even fall asleep for some time, helped along by some back-to-back ambience tracks.

Beatriz couldn't help but smile at that sight. Despite her feelings, the thing she wants the most for Terrell is to be with someone he can actually feel safe around. And he's found her. Had her practically handed to him by God Himself.

So that's how it's going to be.

The blonde hoped that God would be merciful enough to send a nice guy her way. What she sees there in the mirror? That's exactly what she wants.

The thing that woke Terrell up? The potholes. Practically unavoidable. That's how he knew that they were getting close.

"Yep, we're home."

"There's a lot potholes this way. Sorry."

"But the roads clear up along the way."

"Now that you're up, though..." Bella had navigated to

given where they are now. Terrell's eyes lit up when he heard the opening, which put some brightness to Beatriz's smile. "Yep! We've gotta jam to this! We simply have to-" When the lyrics started, she cut herself off and got synchronized.

"♩Hangin' out! Down the street! The same old thing! We did last week!♩" / ""♩Hangin' out! Down the street! The same old thing! We did last week!♩" They were both grooving to it. "♩Not a thing. To. Do. But TALK! to you! Not a thing. To. Do. Out in the street! Oh yeah!♩" / "♩Not a thing. To. Do. But TALK! to you! Not a thing. To. Do. Out in the street! Oh yeah!♩"

[ThurmanMermanPlx]

Keira wasted no time once she and Terrell were together in the back seat. She snuggled close to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He responded by throwing his arm around her and stroking her with his thumb, which set her whole body tingling. God, this man had such skill with his hands...

She awoke to a sudden jolt, only subconsciously realizing she must have dozed off at some point. The car was on very rough terrain, it seemed... or, as Beatriz clarified, a road full of potholes. Nasty ones, by the feel of them. She kept herself close to Terrell, but couldn't help looking out the windows to see where they were.

"God, I've had body slams that have rocked me less than this," she joked, rubbing her eyes gently.

She could do nothing but hum along as Terrell and Beatriz performed a duet; she recognized the song and the tune, but didn't remember the words. Still, just being there in the middle of it lifted her mood. They'd clearly done this before.

When it was done, she turned her attention back to Terrell. "Welcome home," she said, followed by a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now I really can't wait to get you on that karaoke stage."