Team Elemental Promo

[Winter]

Having to say Goodbye
Killeen Airport, Killeen, Tx (Fort Hood)

August 24, 2024

Rachel and Stephanie stepped off the plane and made their way through the bustling Killeen airport. The weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, but they moved with purpose. After collecting their luggage, they headed to the rental car counter.

Rachel handled the paperwork while Stephanie stood by, her mind clearly elsewhere. The clerk handed over the keys, and they made their way to the parking lot. Rachel unlocked the car, a sleek black sedan, and they loaded their s into the trunk.

As they settled into their seats, Rachel glanced over at Stephanie.

Rachel: Ready?

Stephanie nodded, her eyes focused straight ahead.

Stephanie: Yeah, let’s go.

Rachel started the car, and they pulled out of the parking lot, merging onto the highway. The drive to the hospital was quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of paper as Rachel checked the directions.

Stephanie stared out the window, watching the scenery blur by.

Stephanie: I can’t believe we’re here. It feels so surreal.

Rachel reached over and squeezed her hand.

Rachel: I know. But we’re here now, and we need to be strong. For them.

Stephanie nodded, taking a deep breath.

Stephanie: You’re right. We can do this.

The hospital came into view, a large, imposing building that seemed to loom over them. Rachel parked the car, and they sat in silence for a moment, gathering their thoughts.

Rachel: Ready?

Stephanie nodded, her resolve firm.

Stephanie: Ready.

Rachel and Stephanie stepped out of the car and walked towards the hospital entrance, their hearts heavy but their spirits united. They entered the bustling lobby, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling the air. Rachel approached the reception desk, her voice steady but urgent.

Rachel: We’re here to visit Alana Allure and Eyesnsane. They’re in the ICU.

The receptionist nodded, checking her computer.

Receptionist: They’re in Ward C, Room 305. Take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs.

Rachel: Thank you.

They made their way to the elevator, the silence between them filled with unspoken fears. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside, pressing the button for the third floor. As the elevator ascended, Stephanie took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The doors opened with a soft ding, and they followed the signs to Ward C. The hallway was quiet, the only sound the soft beeping of medical equipment and the occasional murmur of voices. They reached Room 305 and paused outside the door.

Rachel: Ready?

Stephanie nodded, her resolve firm.

Stephanie: Ready.

They entered the room, their eyes immediately drawn to the two beds where Alana Allure and Eyesnsane lay, surrounded by machines and monitors. The sight was overwhelming, and Stephanie felt a lump form in her throat. In the room where members of a stable called The Bad Boys, the last wrestling stable Eyesnsane was a part of. The last time everyone in this room was together was when the Bad Boys had helped Rachel and Stephanie build the dream cabin that Rachel and Stephanie got put together about five years ago. They quietly shared friendly hugs to greet each other before they left the room allowing some private time. Rachel squeezed her hand, offering silent support. They approached the beds, their hearts heavy with grief but filled with determination to be there for their friends.

Stephanie: Alana… it’s me, Steph.

She blinked back tears, her voice trembling as she spoke. They had spent five years as roommates, training together at the dojo in China. The dojo was like a city in itself, bustling with activity and life. They did everything together—ate, slept, trained, and even did chores side by side.

Stephanie: Remember our first day at the dojo? We were so nervous, but we had each other. We got lost trying to find the training hall and ended up in the kitchen instead. The head chef was so mad, but we couldn’t stop laughing.

A small, sad smile crossed Stephanie’s face as she recalled the memory. She could almost hear Alana’s laughter echoing in her mind.

Stephanie: And those late-night training sessions… we pushed each other so hard. You always said I was the only one who could keep up with you. We were unstoppable.

Her voice cracked, and she wiped away a tear. The memories were bittersweet, a mix of joy and sorrow.

Stephanie: Do you remember the time we snuck out to see the lantern festival? We got caught by Master Li, but it was worth it. The look on your face when those lanterns lit up the sky… I’ll never forget it.

She let out a small laugh, the sound tinged with sadness. The memories were a comfort, but they also made the reality of the situation even harder to bear.

Stephanie: We did everything together, Alana. Eat, sleep, train, chores… you were my sister in every way that mattered. I need you to fight, okay? Just like we always did. Fight to come back to me.

Stephanie’s tears flowed freely now, but she didn’t let go of Alana’s hand. She leaned in closer, her voice a whisper, offering a prayer for Alana. Rachel walked over to Stephanie and put her hand on Stephanie’s shoulder. Once Stephanie ended her prayer, she repeated it again, this time in French. Rachel joined Stephanie in the French version of the prayer. Rachel then took a step back. Stephanie got up, turned to Rachel for a hug, and then moved towards Eyesnsane. Stephanie pulled away slightly and raised herself on her toes to kiss her wife. After the kiss, Stephanie looked over Alana’s bed to glance at Eyesnsane. Stephanie took a deep breath as she walked towards Eyesnsane. Rachel noticed Stephanie’s walk, recognizing that she had switched to her Winter Elemental side. Stephanie nudged Eyesnsane’s bed.

Winter: Wake up fuck face!

Winter snaps her fingers at Eyesnsane.

Winter: Bro! Don’t make me wake you with a pimp smack to the face, my dude!

Winter grunts.

Winter: Come on, you promised you would travel with me when I debut in CPW. You need to wake up. I hate traveling alone, and this one here is stuck at work. They keep extending her contract, not allowing Rachel to kick ass with me in the ring, let alone travel with me.

Rachel walks over to Alana’s bed to get to the edge of Eyesnsane’s bed. Rachel closes her eyes and sighs to herself, not allowing Winter to hear her quiet exasperation. Hearing Winter just now weighed heavy on her.

Winter: Bro, I’m gonna punch you in the balls if you don’t say something!

Stephanie takes a deep breath before grabbing Eyesnsane’s hand. While staring at Eyesnsane, Stephanie starts talking to her wife, Rachel.

Stephanie: I’m sorry for lying to you, Rachel. When we met, you asked about my parents. I told you they were both dead. The truth is, my mother didn’t want me, so she decided to drive across the border to drop me off at my dad’s house in Portland, Maine. I was just five years old. I never heard from her again. To me, she died that day.

Stephanie tears up as Rachel steps over to her.

Stephanie: For five years, Rachel, I lived with my dad. He was the one who showed me how to survive in the world. He taught me how to hunt, fish, cook, and skin a deer. It all came from him. But when he died, I had no one. I was just ten and about to be put into the system, and I refused to be some orphan who was just going to get assaulted in more ways than one.

Rachel: I know, Munchkin, but this is about Eyesnsane right now.

Stephanie: For two years, Rachel, I survived in the woods alone. Then I bumped into Monk and his mom. They realized the trouble I was in and the hardships I was dealing with. They offered me a home in China. I went along, and for many years we were best friends. But when Eyesnsane and I met, he was the only one who yelled at me, the only one who made sure I wasn’t doing something stupid. Eyesnsane didn’t try to have sex with me or hit on me. He talked to me like my father did. When I needed that type of guidance, it was him who took that role. When I found myself in trouble or lost, it was Eyesnsane who came to rescue me. Of course, he dropped the ball when I met you, but no one can bat a thousand, right?

Rachel lets out a smirk.

Stephanie: When you met Eyesnsane, he was still at the peak of his career. I had my own life going, but Eyesnsane would still reach out to me from time to time to make sure I was not in jail. Every time I met someone I was interested in, they had to go through Eyesnsane’s approval. He looked out for me, so I trusted his judgment. Then he met you and he told me he wasn’t sure what to think, but that if I wanted to really get to know you, I had to not worry about what he thinks and follow my heart. So when…

The monitor stops beeping and goes flat. Rachel and Stephanie look at the machine and see that Eyesnsane’s monitor is still functioning. Nurses and doctors rush in to attend to Alana Allure. Rachel quickly guides Stephanie out of the room. Once outside, Rachel grabs Stephanie and holds her tightly as Stephanie cries on her wife’s shoulder.

The Bad Boy members rush back from the visiting area. Rachel and Winter now see that others from their past have arrived. The realization that Alana is gone and Eyesnsane will not survive has started to set in on Stephanie. She knows she doesn’t have many people who care for her. Once Eyesnsane passes, she can count how many people in the world care for Stephanie on one hand.

The Bad Boys were offering them a night out for a few drinks, but at this point, the last thing Rachel or Stephanie wanted or needed was to get drunk. However, they did agree to go out for dinner after visiting tomorrow. The Bad Boys had been there all day and were heading out for lunch.

Rachel: We’ll be fine, we still need to check into the hotel.

As Stephanie wipes her eyes, Mickey, however, knew what she needed. He pulled out a blunt, offering it to Stephanie for later. Stephanie didn’t think twice and took the blunt, as Mickey is known for growing really good stuff from time to time. As Alana Allure’s and Eyesnsane’s wrestling family started heading out, their personal families began to flood the area. Stephanie and Rachel decided to give them space.

Stephanie: Rachel, we should go. I want their families to say goodbye.

Rachel: We’ll come back first thing tomorrow morning.

Stephanie: Okay. Let’s go to the hotel. I could use a hot tub right now.

Rachel and Stephanie navigated through the chaos around them to get back to the rental car.

One chapter ends a new one begins

Some time later, Rachel and Stephanie arrive at the Hilton, and Stephanie lies in the bed, eyes barely blinking, trying to process the day’s developments. Rachel sets the hot tub and arranges for dinner.

Rachel: Come on, let’s get you in the tub. I’ve got Mick’s joint and your lighter already on the side there for you.

Stephanie: Thank you. For everything today.

Rachel: Baby, no need to thank me.

Some time later, as Rachel and Stephanie’s food is delivered, the two of them crawl into bed and turn the TV on, trying to find a movie. Rachel nudges a saddened Stephanie.

Rachel: Hey, I got something that might cheer you up.

Stephanie: Not tonight, yeah?

Rachel turns in the bed and faces Stephanie with a dorky face.

Rachel: That wasn’t what I was talking about. It was something you said to Eyesnsane earlier. About how he was supposed to come with you to CPW because I couldn’t.

Stephanie sighs.

Stephanie: Don’t remind me, okay? I almost don’t want to go anymore. I’ll be alone and what happens if I have a panic attack? What happens if backstage is crazy and I have to get out of there quickly?

Rachel holds her as Stephanie starts to cry again. Rachel rubs her back and strokes her hair.

Rachel: Munchkin, you won’t BE alone.

Stephanie pulls back and looks at Rachel, almost disgusted.

Stephanie: Are you going to tell me something like they’ll be with me in spirit? I don’t want them in spirit, I want them HERE.

Rachel: Not at all. I’LL be there. I wanted to surprise you for our anniversary next week but considering the circumstances, I thought you should know now.

Stephanie: Know what?

Rachel sits up in the bed and takes Stephanie’s hands. Stephanie keeps eyeing her food, then her hands, then the food again.

Rachel: I put the condo in Ottawa up for sale a couple of weeks ago. I’m not going to need it much longer. I gave my boss three months’ notice, I’m officially done November 30th. I’ve already started training my replacement.

Stephanie’s face lights up for the first time since the start of the day in British Columbia.

Stephanie: So you’re going to be my manager then?

Rachel: Not exactly. Your debut match is now a tag team match.

Stephanie looks at Rachel, confused.

Stephanie: Who’s my partner? One of the other new girls like Orchid or Tiger Lily?

Rachel: Baby I love you but sometimes you’re oblivious. Team Elemental is back. I’M your tag partner.

Stephanie thinks about this for a second before falling back into the bed, shaking her head against her pillow.

Stephanie: Great, I thought I was going to win this match. I have to carry YOU now?

Rachel crosses her arms and Stephanie pushes her back in the bed as well, and sits on her.

Stephanie: You hid this from me. You deserved that.

Rachel: Says the woman who said her mentor dropped the ball when you met me, right? I’ve got something you deserve too.

Rachel takes a forkful of mashed potatoes and smooshes it in Stephanie’s face, causing them both to laugh. Not just at their own silliness, but a laughter that comes as a break from a heavy day.

~End