Still on Top

[Alex Cross]

*The following series of promos takes place immediately following Battlefield: London prior to "You Can't Beat the Real Thing.*

Walking backstage of the O2 Arena just moments after Battlefield: London had gone off the air was the former dual champion Alex Cross still dressed in his wrestling attire, sporting the GZW World Title. A confident smile is plastered on his face in an almost sickeningly fashion as he nodded his head in the direction of anyone that passed. He stopped just feet away from his locker room and grabbed the handle before being stopped by a voice behind him.

Got time to talk Alex?

He turned around and locked eyes with Amanda who stood dejected behind him, her arms crossed in front of her chest. She had already changed out of her wrestling attire into a pair of blue jeans and a pink t-shirt. Alex leaned against the corner of the door giving his attention to the young woman in front of him.

I've got a few minutes to spare. My flight for Hong Kong doesn't leave until tomorrow morning so I figured I might as well see a few more sights before I call it a night.

He turned to look at the World Title sitting on his right shoulder.

For some reason I'm on top of the world and feel like painting the town red.

Amanda laughed as she uncrossed her arms, placing her right foot against the wall as he hands hung by her sides.

Yeah I'm sure. Listen I want to make sure things are good between us. In case you didn't hear they've already booked Titan and you and I are facing Stephon Davis and America Vaughn. I mean, after what just happened out there I want to make sure...

Alex quickly cut her off before another word could be said by holding up his right hand.

You want to make sure I'm not Clan Mayhem and that you can trust me right?

An uneasy laugh came from Amanda as she shrugged her shoulders and nodded.

That pretty much sums it up Alex. You just turned your back on the GZW. Hell, you just turned your back on your girlfriend all because of your rivalry with Leon. If you're willing to turn your back on the woman you love just to try and get one over on Leon how am I supposed to know you won't do the same thing?

Because I'm telling you that you can trust me. Is Leon in that match? No. So what do I gain from stabbing you in the back? Nothing. So why stab you in the back Amanda? Besides, last I checked you and I were on the same side?

She pushed herself off the wall and took a step towards Alex.

Same side? How do you figure Alex? I don't turn my back on people just to prove a point. I don't stab my friends in the back, especially the ones I love just to get at one person. Nor do I skirt the rules just to make myself feel better or give me an advantage. So please Alex, tell me how we're on the same side?

The smirk on his face slowly fades away though some remnants remain.

You don't stab your friends in the back especially ones you love? You fucking kissed me in a restaurant filled with fellow employees after a wrestling match! Correct me if I'm wrong but you're dating someone aren't you? So that would mean you stabbed the one you loved in the back. Now why did you do that Amanda? Oh yeah, to prove a point, to get at one person. Do you hear yourself Amanda? You think you're better than me? I suggest you take off those rose tinted glasses and look around you.

Nobody in this business is perfect. Nobody that walks through that curtain and into that ring is without some sort of blood on their hands. I never said I was perfect Amanda but at least I can look myself in the mirror at the end of the day and know I didn't fake it like everyone else. Half the people in this company phone it in on a daily basis because the only thing they give a shit about is collecting a paycheck. They lie to those people, they lie to the people in the back and they lie to themselves. I know because that was me not too long ago.

Just look at Sean Locke. He thinks he can just waltz in here and go right to the top? He's lying to himself and anyone within ear shot. He doesn't deserve a shot at the World Title he lost because he was stripped of the title, deemed unworthy to hold it and lead the company. Oh sure, he had an injury and was sidelined but instead of rushing back at the eight week mark he was given he chose to sit and watch the action from the sidelines. He didn't want to get involved and get his hands dirty so he just pushed it back and pushed it back. What should have been eight weeks was almost eight months! Yet he should be able to just right to the front of the line? Not only that call out the top superstar in this business? Yeah sure buddy I'll stop competing for World Titles and go play in the shit with you! But as I said, he's a liar just like almost everyone else.

Now, I might be a lot of things Amanda but I'm not lying to anyone about who I am or what I am. What I am is a fucking prick through and through. I'm not a hero, I'm not some saint or some lost soul still trying to find themselves. I know just who I am Amanda. Maybe it's time you tried to figure out just who the hell you are. You got a good thing going with James so I suggest you pick his brain and get his thoughts because right now all you're doing is lying to anyone that will listen.

At Titan I'll have your back Amanda because I've got no reason not to. I like you Amanda and I'd suggest you not give me a reason to doubt you holding up your end of the match. Because if I think you're holding me back so help me I'll drop you just like I dropped everyone else tonight. I've got no time or patience for dead weight so if you're gonna stick with me then you better pick up the slack.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes for a moment as if processing everything.

With that being said, I'm in a good mood so I'm headed out for drinks and sight seeing you in?

What about Munin? Won't she have something to say about it?

I think it's time you two buried the hatchet and we moved on. I'll give her a call and see where she is.

He dug into his pocket looking for his phone quickly finding it and pulling it out as the scene closed.

[Alex Cross]

“Allleeex, come out come out wherever you are.”

Munin’s voice echoed eerily through the backstage hallways, sending chills down the stagehands spines that happened to hear it.”

“I think a little heart to heart is overdue.”

Alex stood on the other side of the nearby corner still dressed in his wrestling attire, with the GZW2K1 World Title slung over his right shoulder. Amanda stood close by, turning just in time to see Munin approach.

“Now Munin, I know you’re angry, and you have every right to be a bit upset. I even agree that a little talk is overdue, but we need to have it in privacy.”

He opened a nearby door and stepped to the side, motioning for her to step inside with a wave of his hand.

“Please my love, after you.”

Munin arched an eyebrow at his words, her lips twisting feral grin of dark amusement. She wondered if he was honestly foolish enough to think this conversation would end well, or whether he thought she was foolish enough to let it end well.

“Privacy, why should we talk privately?”

Her rough chuckle showed just how absurd she considered his suggestion, and with mocking countenance she purposely leaned against the wall.

“It’s not like you had privacy when Amanda kissed you.”

Alex looked back at Munin, his smile still firmly in place, though not nearly as it was a few moments before. In fact anyone that knew him would see how much effort it was taking to keep his strained grin firmly in place.

“Well then…”

Resigned to the oncoming confrontation Alex cleared his throat before finding his own place to lean on the opposite wall. He crossed his arms over his chest in an unconscious effort to shield himself from the situation.

“That was nothing my dear, I already handled the situation. In fact it’s water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned. You have nothing to worry about, I’m all yours.”

“How nice, I’m so happy to hear that you feel that way, or maybe I’m just happy to hear you talk to me about the situation at all. You see, I’ve been waiting for the man I love and trust to call and TALK TO ME about THE KISS.” A kiss that anyone with cable knows about, but instead for the past few weeks all I’ve received is silence and a cold fucking bed. You didn’t even give me a courtesy call to let me know that the image of you being kissed by another woman would be plastered over the T.V and internet! So DEAR, please enlighten me. I would love to hear you tell me why I shouldn’t be furious with you, when the first time I see you for weeks you betray me in the god damn ring!”

Each word that came from her mouth was saturated with sarcasm and disdain, her face was finally starting to show signs of the barely controlled fury hidden behind her calm facade. Whether Alex realized this and was trying to salvage the situation at this point, or he just refused to see things as they are, was debatable. What was clear however were that his next words would either save this conversation, or push it into a nose dive off a cliff.

“Why didn’t I contact you? I didn’t contact you because I didn’t want you to overreact or worry. I hoped that matter could be handled between the two of us like adults. Had I known KING LEON would run his mouth like the little bitch he is I would have chosen a different route. So once again he has screwed me over, which exactly why tonight had to happen. Don’t you see/ Tonight was nothing for you to be concerned about, it was simply a message for our resident King and his Queen.”

Alex pushed himself away from the wall driven by his convictions he stepped towards her. His eyes were burning with a light of an all-consuming obsession, and a fervent determination to believe that his words were true, and his actions justified.

"It was simply to say, if you fuck with me I'll break your fucking body, mind, and soul."

Munin stared at his earnest expression with one of shock.

"So, you're trying to say that your actions tonight and your failure to communicate with me are Leon's fault?"

Alex let out a sigh of relief at her question. A happy smile once more spread across his face.

"Yes, my love its all Leon's fault, but everything is going to be OK now."

He reached out to brush a long strand of black hair from Munin's face, only to have her jerk away from him.

"Do you truly believe the drivel that is pouring from your mouth? Are you honestly that delusional?"

Alex took her words like a smack to the face, but he wasn't going to give up so easily. He just knew he could get her to see things as they really were if he just had time.

"Munin, might I make a suggestion to you? Take a deep breath. There is no need for you to overreact or do something you'll regret. That was a hard match out there, and tension is running kinda high. I get that."

He took a step closer and placed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. If he had made the gesture to anyone else it would have been threatening, but with Munin the gesture was tender. When he stared down into her dark eyes, she felt her heart twist at how much love he could pour into one look.

"We've got a great thing going right here. Please don't let something stupid disrupt it."

And just like that the moment was gone. For a moment it felt like ice had replaced the blood in Munin's veins.

"Just to be clear, did you actually just insinuate that my concerns are stupid, and that I am the one that is disrupting our relationship? Poor Alex, you've been thinking of me these past weeks! I've just misunderstood this whole time, how can you ever forgive me...Did you believe that, because I sure as hell wouldn't. In fact I think that was the biggest pile of bullshit that anyone has tried to force feed me."

"No you had your chance, now it's my turn. You haven't thought about me for months Alex, and you sure as hell weren't thinking of anyone but yourself tonight. You pissed all over tonight's match, can you look at me in the eye and tell me that you even once thought about me?"

The silence that hung between them in the wake of her furious words was suffocating. Her next words though spoken softly seemed louder than a trumpet.

"No you can't, because you've only thought of yourself. To be honest I doubt you have room left for anyone but yourself."

Alex dropped his hands to his sides, shocked and blindsided by her words.

"Munin I love you. I always have, and I always will. BUT, you know how much getting this World Title means to me. It means EVERYTHING to me. That shit that happened with Amanda was a mistake. Should I have come to you about it? Sure maybe I should have, but I was trying to protect you! I didn't want you or Travis or anyone I care about to get hurt, or caught up in some bullshit that didn't even fucking matter from the START."

A mocking laugh interrupted his next words, much to his chagrin.

"Protecting us? That's rich when I've been the one dealing with the social backlash and consequences of all your fuck ups and petty actions!"

Alex grabbed her by the arm, and used one hand to silence her much to her immediate fury.

"You have to listen to me, you've got it all wrong. I love you, you are my entire world. It's everyone else getting in my way, our way. I deserve this belt, its mine and Leon knows it! That's why he has been doing everything he can to deter me. I guarantee you that this is all his fault!"

Munin stared at him with wide disbelief for a moment, before jerking away with a look of heartbreaking disappointment tinged with disgust.

"You've completely lost your mind haven't you? Who are you trying to convince Alex? Me...or yourself?"

"Why Nin? Because I didn't want you to worry about it? Besides, you know how focused I've been lately and believe it or not I didn't reach out to Amanda, she reached out to me!"

"Alex-"

He held up his right hand to cut her off.

"Don't worry about it Nin, I am all yours."

Munin stepped back words with a muffled scream of frustration, as she jerked one hand through her long black hair in agitation.

"You aren't listening to a word I say, you just keep going around in circles. Stop talking to talking to me about ficking Amanda! THIS HAS-"

Having heard enough Amanda finally chose to make her presence known to the not so happy couple. Perhaps for the first time being noticed by Munin whose attention had been focused on the man in front of her.

"Munin I promise I didn't-"

Munin jerked her head towards the voice, not even bothering to hide her fury.

"Run along little girl, the adults are talking and we have enough trouble as is. Thanks."

"Munin I-"

"SHUT UP AND-"

Amanda braced herself for whatever venom or attack was about to be thrown her way. She had done something terrible, and she was ready to pay for it. So you can imagine her surprise when Munin cut herself off mid sentence, and seemed to be truly looking at Amanda for the first time. Miraculously some of the fury seemed to leak away from her.

"It's fine Amanda, we have already settled things between us, and there is nothing left to be said about it. This-"

She makes a lazy hand gesture between herself and Alex.

"Has nothing to do with you, now please walk away. This is not a conversation...you want to be a part of."

Unsure how to respond to this turn of events Amanda nodded her head as she stepped back from the couple and hurried on her way. This left Alex and Munin alone in silence once more.

"I'll talk to you later Alex."

Alex turned back to look at Munin unbalanced and confused by the exchange himself.

"So then if this isn't about that stupid kiss what is it about? Certainly can't be about what went down in the ring because it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with our self promoted King Leon. I already explained myself in regards to that."

Munin leaned against a nearby wall once more. Who ever thought that talking to someone could be this exhausting?

"No Alex, you did it to get to Leon, and you never once stopped to think about how it would effect me. I am getting tired of your over used casualties of war line. I am sick and tired of being one of the casualties of the man that is supposed to love me."

Honestly it would be less exhausting to exchange actual physical blows. It was a notion that was quickly gaining merit as far as Munin was concerned.

"Supposed to love you Nin? Correction I DO love you. Was I trying to hurt you back there? Of course not but it happened and if I could change it all I wouldn't and you know why? Because in the end it's not about you and I it's about Leon and the World Title. It's about me beating him in the center of that ring and taking what's mine. Nin I'm sorry the blowback got you and you had to suffer a loss because of it but so did I, so did Lamer, so did Eva. We all suffered a loss because of Leon. So if you want to blame someone blame Leon not me."

"It is not Leon's fault we lost it's yours. You walked out on that match and returned only to cost us the match. That's a fact Alex not an opinion. You cost us the match, and through your complete lack of consideration and your petty selfishness...you betrayed me."

Alex took a step back from the woman and looked away for a brief moment before turning back to her.

"You're right Nin it was me that cost the team the match. It was me that came back and took out Leon giving Clan Mayhem the easy win. And yes, it was me that did all of that without even thinking of how it would affect you or anyone else in that match. I've got no problem admitting that Nin but all of that was done because of Leon. Had Leon not been put into that match nothing would have happened and I would have stuck it out till the end. By putting that man in the match they left me no choice but to walk out because their is no way in hell I am teaming with that man I don't care who else was on the team and that my dear is a fact!"

With a tilt her head to the side she looked at him with hardened eyes. Realizing just how much of a stranger the man she loved had become, and refusing to let him see just how much the realization has affected her.

"No Alex that is not a fact, you had a choice just like Leon did. You just made the wrong choice...that's my opinion at least. I'll tell you what is a fact though. That belt may look good on you, but it doesn't belong to you, and it will not stay with you."

The smile she offered him at this point was mockingly sweet.

"It's not that I don't love you, it's just that now you have helped Clan Mayhem, you are my enemy...I guess that makes you the casualty of war. One day we'll have to compare notes on how it feels."

Alex removed the title from his right shoulder and held it down by his side.

"Listen to me clearly Nin. You won't be taking this title from me. You won't, Leon won't, Eva won't, James fucking Corbin won't be taking this title from me. I love you to the moon and back and I hope you know that but no one is taking this title without a fight."

"Did I help Clan Mayhem win? Yes and I'll be more than happy to take any blow back from the higher ups that may come from that move. But as for me being a casualty of war that remains to be seen because so far as I'm concerned I may have fired off the first shot months ago but I've still got plenty more to go Munin."

Alex locked eyes with Munin refusing to show how much pain he was because of his words.

"Let me make this perfectly clear so that anyone within fucking ear shot can understand. I will destroy anyone who gets in my way not just physically but mentally as well. Anyone."

"I think you will find me harder to destroy than you anticipate, but it's such a shame that it's come to this. We once wanted to see each other succeed. It pains me to see just how much you've lost sight of that."

Without warning Munin's hand whips out to box Alex in the ear, discombobulating him and leaving him open for further attack. Alex dropped the World Title and shoved Munin against the wall pinning her against it with his forearm under her chin. He lifted her up higher almost choking her in the process as he stared into her eyes. With his free hand he grabbed her by the front of her shirt and threw her to the floor before mounting her and driving his knee into her chest.

"Munin it's taking everything in me not to kick your ass and leave you a bloody fucking mess!"

He got back to his feet and pulled her back up.

"If anyone else had done that they'd be a dead man walking. However considering our history and the fact you were just in a hell of a match I'm going to walk away and let cooler heads prevail."

He shook his head still trying to get himself straight.

"Nin you have no idea how much that hurt me not so much physically but emotionally. I hope you know what you're doing."

He picked up the World Title from the floor and held it by his side.

"You know where I'm staying and you know my number so if you want to talk this out like adults then you know how to get in touch with me. Otherwise give Travis my best and I'll see you down the road or inside that ring."

"Go for it if it helps you get to where you want to be, physical pain is shit in comparison to what you've put me through these past weeks."

She slammed her heel down on his instep, and followed it with a hammer fist to the jaw.

"You never stopped to think of me or Travis in that time, so why should you now?"

She kneed him in the gut before boxing his other ear and following it with a round house.

"I made peace with my regrets before I even left my locker room. You think I'm breaking something now, but the truth is you broke and spit on US in that ring tonight."

Alex covered up before shoving Munin away. His eyes became cold as he forced them shut trying to decide on the fly how to handle the situation as it unfolded. He grabbed the nearby World Title and with one motion smashed it against the face of Munin knocking her to the floor. He struggled back to his feet trying to shake off the effects of the assault before kicking Munin repeatedly in the rib cage.

"I fucking warned you! I told you to walk away but you just couldn't do that could you? You couldn't take the easy route and let this end could you."

He continued to kick her in the sides as she covered up.

"Now you'll see I make good on my promises."

His kicks became harder and faster. Amazingly she managed to grab his foot and twist with one deft movement sending him to his knees. Munin tried to twist the leg into a modified heel hook but Alex kicked her underneath her chin with his free leg forcing her away. Alex got to his knees as Munin balanced herself on the wall. With a primal scream Alex charged in and tackled Munin against the wall forcing her hard against it, knocking the air out of her lungs.

Alex tried to stand back up perhaps to walk away but Munin was having none of it and tripped Alex knocking him back to the floor. With a sick smile on her face Munin managed to get on top of Alex and connect with several hard swiping elbows to the chin as he tried to defend himself to no luck. Scream came from the mouth of Munin as she continued her assault with no end in sight. As if a last ditch effort Alex reached up with both hands and wrapped them around the throat of Munin as he tried to cut the oxygen off to her brain.

Munin clawed at his hands as he sat up and looked into her eyes, her pale skin turning a light shade of blue and purple. The darkness in Alex eyes finally left him as he released his grip around her throat and scooted himself away as if unsure of who he was. The man sitting in front of Munin was no longer the man she once loved, he had become someone else. Something else.

A barely audible laugh could be heard from Munin as she rolled away from the man she once thought she would spend her life with. It's devoid of humor or joy and raised the hair on the neck of anyone that's close enough to hear it. Laughter after all should never sound like restrained sobs. The laughter finally stopped as Munin got to her feet.

"That's right hate me Alex, maybe it will hurt less now when you act against me. Though in all honesty I doubt it."

After spitting a small amount of blood on the floor Munin wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

"I guess we'll both have to live with the consequences of our actions now."

Alex got to his feet and whipped the blood from the corner of his mouth as he picked up the World Title and looked deep into the eyes of the woman he still loved.

"I know I can live with my actions can you? I tried to walk away and let cooler heads prevail but you were too damn stubborn to allow that to happen. I'm sorry all this happened Munin I truly am. Maybe one day we'll look back on this and laugh."

He cracked his neck from side to side before once more locking eyes with her.

"But as for right now?"

He spit a glob of blood on the floor.

"I suggest you head your way and I'll head mine."

"We've been doing that for awhile Alex. The only difference is that now you have no choice but to notice it."

"Goodbye Munin."

He turned his back on her and walked away slowly refusing to look back in her direction.

"Goodbye Alex. I hope you don't take it too hard when you realize that all that glitters is not gold."

She turns away without looking back. She had her answers and her consequences. Now she just had to live with the regret.