Revisited...

[Referee Trystan Lloyd]

*Ring ring*

"What's up, Trystan?"

"Joy. Just the usual. Checking when is best convenient to pick up Secret..."

"Um...Mist didn't call you about that?"

"No. But I'm sure you're able to handle your own business from time to time."

"Surely I can but I'm surprised a man that has made his living being manager to Leon's nightclub is giving me shade about handling my own business?"

"Business is business. This is about a little being WE created at one time. On those grounds, I am sure we can deal with her together without any middlemen, so to speak."

"Maybe we should hang up and try this again because whatever is up your ass needs pulling out!"

"I'm not here to argue. I just want to know when I'm seeing my daughter..."

"You know how hectic my schedule has been lately. You've never had a problem before dealing with Misty concerning visitation of Secret. "

"I don't care about your schedule. Clearly you've had enough time to play happy families so a few minutes to make arrangements with me should be a dawdle, should it not?"

"Hold up! First of all I'm the one with eighty percent custody of our daughter which means that you are granted visitation when it is convenient to MY schedule. MY schedule. I've been kind enough to readily drop what I have going on so that Secret can spend time with you. So don't get it twisted. And as far as 'playing happy family' that's none of your damn business!"

"Eighty per cent because that was you playing god. I could have her a WHOLE lot more than that but somehow, you won't let that happen, Joy. And why? I don't have a schedule anywhere NEAR as hectic and can make valuable time for that child, what she deserves, not some crazy Hollywood plastic lifestyle she is getting EIGHTY per cent of the time. This is...this is crap and you know it. If it's too much for you, Joy then let me have her more. Maybe let ME have her eighty per cent of the time so that you don't have to drop anything."

"You must be out of your goddamn mind, Trystan, if you think I'm going to give up my child to you. There is no way in hell! No way in hell...."

"I am not asking you to give her up. But you treat me like I am some criminal or a dead beat father. You know I am nothing like that so why should I have to go through the same thing those useless men do?"

"No one is treating you like that. If that was the case I wouldn't have let her stay with you for nearly the entire month of January."

"That's because you needed the time out to do 'other' things, not because you were doing me any favours. It was like you were using me more for a babysitter than equal rights as a parent because that was an isolated case. A one off. This should be fifty/fifty, nothing less."

"But it's not a fifty/fifty, remember. The load of caretaking for Secret is my responsibility. Why am I even having this conversation with you? This is supposed to be one of my happiest days in my life. If you have an issue with visitation maybe you should talk to your lawyer."

"If I do, you know full well I will have her. I do not want to go that route. There is NO reason it cannot be fifty/fifty. For the sake of our daughter, it really needs to be."

"Do what you feel you need to do that, Trystan. But if you think I'm going to just allow you to take my daughter, you're either stupid or smoking crack!"

"I said I don't want it to go there, but believe me, Joy, I have a very convincing case if I had to. And as for your happiest day? Good for you. I don't know who he is and I really don't care but if he DARES to have my daughter call him daddy, I swear...My girl has a father and it isn't going to be whoever you've convinced yourself you love."

"What?! Fuck you, Trystan, with your bitch ass!"

*Click*

[Piper]

"You should really think about adjusting the volume on your cell there, Trystan."

The soft but heavy Texas accented female voice hangs in the air behind the GZW2K1 referee. Pushing a few more buttons he pockets his phone before finally turning around to face the TV champion, trying to sport a smile.

Trystan: I'm sorry. I usually turn it up in public places. I find it difficult to hear otherwise. I hope you didn't have to hear anything.

Piper returns the smile with one of her own.

Piper: I didn't have to hear anything but I have to admit I did hear some things. Baby mama drama sucks, huh?

Trystan: I could certainly do without it. It's just so unnecessary.

He sighs, clearly looking deflated as he searches his glass for a drink but finds only a few drops of what was only tonic water anyway.

Piper: Should have been more selective on who you stick your polla into.

Chuckling, she uninvitedly takes a seat opposite him at the table. He actually blushes, gripping his empty glass.

Piper: I never understood how people don't think about that before you lay down with someone.

Trystan: It didn't happen that spontaneously. I'm not that kind of man who just plays the field. It...just went horribly wrong for no real reason I could see.

Piper: Ever heard of birth control, homie?

Trystan: We were using birth control...

Piper: Uh, really? If you were then you wouldn't be caught up in this drama now.

Trystan: Stranger things have happened. But alas, I'm sure you really don't want to be talking about my sex life. Or lack of.

Piper: Don't worry I'm in the same boat as well. Sex is overrated anyway.

Trystan: Nothing but trouble. I knew there was a reason I just stayed by myself. Never ever going to make that mistake again.

Piper: Not to dig deeper, but could any of this angst be over the fact that ol' girl just got proposed to?

Trystan: No. Not now. But I am just sick and tired of being treated like a goddamn fool by people. Sometimes I think I'd be better of just being a bastard. It seems to get people everywhere but for guys like me, nowhere. Just pushed around.

Piper: Mierda, that sounds like me right now! I must admit being the rudo has it's advantages.

Trystan: Does it? Does it really? Just leaves you empty, desperate to keep trying to fill that void. Explains why some people just can't stop and shows that deep down they're just empty shells. But you? Weren't you with...was it Oscar? No...um...I've forgotten, sorry."

The Warpath member squints her eyes at the the former Voodoo member.

Piper: Not cool. Not cool at all. I've moved the conversation to work and you bring up up some old stuff.

She chuckles.

Piper: But I'm good just being alone, focusing on wrestling. Anything and everything else is all just a big ass distraction really.

Trystan: I apologise and I agree, it's better to keep on that path, eyes focused and looking straight ahead. By that, I should also congratulate you as I didn't get to before now. Breaking away from the women's division and becoming TV champion is great.

Piper: Appreciate it. Of course Kolic seems to disagree. But that is expected from a guy with the shortest title reign in GZW history.

Trystan: He did well for having battled a triple threat beforehand. I'd give the man his dues for that.

Piper: Pffttt! If I didn't have to deal with John Champa again at Anniversary Armageddon 2014 I would gladly beat him again.

Trystan: Seems a pattern with Champa. Considering all his accolades, you've made some short work of him lately.

Piper: It's not like I'm still fresh out of Trouble Trax. I've seen my share of battles and been guided by some of the best wrestling minds in the sport.

Trystan: I know you have. Still, you must be so proud.

Piper: Oh I am. I just need to prove all the doubters and haters wrong about winning the title. At Aftermath2K14 it was more about the impact of revealing to the Globalverse Warpath as a group. Now that I'm the champ I'm ready to show hijos de putas that I can win without any gimmicky rules or help from my crew.

Trystan: No matter how hard you try, people will always downplay your efforts the moment you're part of a group. Especially one considered underhanded in anyway. But I know you're ready.

Piper: Kinda like you and Voodoo?

Trystan: Exactly like me and Voodoo.

Piper: I've always meant to ask you but kept forgetting, but how was it working with Ms. Fortune?

Trystan: Surprisingly pleasurable. I'd never gotten on her bad side so I suppose that counted for something. She doesn't suffer fools kindly though. She has a very clear view image on how things should be and if those on that path show promise or initiative, sometimes they can get themselves a little power as long as it doesn't detract from her plans. Makes sense considering...

He pauses.

Trystan: Nevermind.

Piper: Considering what?

He hesitates again before smiling.

Trystan: She was going to give me a little more power in Voodoo or so I heard.

Piper: And you turned it all away. I can't imagine be so well connected to someone so powerful in our business to the just walking away from it all. That's crazy!

Trystan: I realised I wasn't cut out for that side of the business. I'm doing better where I am now instead of trying to be something I am not. I love the sport of wrestling but I was kidding myself to think I would ever be a top tier professional wrestler.

The Hellcat shakes her head in mixed confusion and denial.

Piper: At least you can admit it. You know she's in town for awhile?

Trystan: I didn't know that. Although I am not shocked. She's a busy woman.

Piper: Yeah, all the Fortunes meet up every year at their father's ranch house. Since William is married in he invited me out there.

Trystan: Family is everything to the Fortunes. No matter their social standing, it always comes first.

Piper: I've noticed. I would have been there but being right down the road from my own family I had to kick it there while we're back in the great state of Texas.

Trystan: That's...nice.

He smiles, hiding behind the clouds in his own eyes. Family was a touchy subject for the Canadian being that he had no close living relatives.

Piper: Espera un minuto!

An expression of clarity comes across the young Mexican woman's face.

Piper: Isn't your baby mama a Fortune?

Trystan: Through marriage, yes...Why?

Piper: No, no, not through marriage but birthright. I met her madre the other night and she's a full blooded Fortune. Wow!

Trystan: Great...So any future of me having my daughter in some humane capacity is now zero...

Piper: Maybe you should talk to her aunt since you do have a connection with her. Mierda, maybe I need to rub shoulders with your baby mama.

He says nothing, poker face coming across his features.

Piper: I might not like the chica but a connection is a connection.

Her attention falls onto the stone cold face of Trystan and she catches herself.

Piper: What...?

Trystan: Nothing.

Piper: Um, okay.

She peers at her wristwatch becoming aware of the time.

Piper: I need to run. I have to get in some required airtime in a few. It was good talk to you, Trystan, and don't worry about all that baby mama drama. It'll surely work itself out.

Trystan: It won't but thank you. Nice talking to you too.

Standing from her chair, Pipeer gives her last goodbyes before leaving.[/colr]

Piper: Adios.

Trystan: Take care, Ms Sanchez.