MJBELLRP

Apirl 17, Outside of Panera Bread.

The weather is beautifully mellow while the people move about in the small shopping center. Many of them are gathered around a semi-large space of grass. Folks are at the stands scattered around the space. The scent of baked goods, different spicy aromas drift through the air accompanied by the sounds of chatter and music flow along the wind. Homegrown, homemade and hand made crafts are keeping sells going for those stands across the way. MJ Bell has a bag in her hand with a large butterfly logo on it that has some baked goods in it. The day is so calm with only a few clouds sailing across the sky. The sunset haired woman is taking fulled advantaged of it and wearing a deep forest green dress with a thin jacket over it and worn boots. Her cell is pressing to her ear.

MJ Bell: “Yeah, i'm pretty, uh, actually I'm a little nervous about the match this week. I debuted in a triple threat match but I don't understand why Dean put me in the running for a title shot. Not that I'm not grateful for it. I would love to prove myself to him but--”

There is giggling on the other end along with a smack that comes at the end of a kiss. MJ narrows her eyes towards the phone but doesn't comment on it. With all the noises on the other end she would think Melissa is home and not with one other person.

Melissa Reed: “Don't! Desmond, don't touch that! I'm not done cooking! Yeah, yeah. I'm going to get you later. Sorry, sweetness, I'm dealing with some thieves over here! Now, what did you say?”

MJ Bell: “You sound awfully happy Mel. Uh, I was just talking about my match this week. I'm up against Pryde and Ana in case you forgot.”

Melissa Reed: “And are you worried about it? I mean, Ana is your daughter and Pryde is the Southern Champion.”

MJ Bell: “ Har har. Very funny... I'm as ready as I'll ever be for this match. I am nervous. Pryde isn't going to be easy. He has some amazing skills inside that ring. It's no wonder why he is Southern Champion... However, I'm sure I'm no concern of his. Which is probably a good thing, we both know how I enjoy being underrated by people. Although, the Operation Zero thing is going on and I'm not sure if  I want their sights on me. I already have The Family's and that is enough for me. I'm not sure if going up against Pryde will get any reaction but if it does then that is another faction that I might have to handle. I'm trying to be prepared, to convince myself that I deserve this shot. So far I haven't calmed my nerves yet. I'm sure with some careful thought then I'll be ready for this match, no questions asked. Right now, I'm just try to level my mind and so far the only one that will be a large challenge is Pryde. I mean, Ana is impressive so far, I know she has potential to go far in OCW but she is new to this. I can't say that she is necessary a huge threat. Of course she could be the one to pin down Pryde... Ana could impress the whole world with a win. Honestly, I don't know what to think of the match right now. This match is so off balanced as far as skills go. I'm not sure what Dean was thinking.”

Melissa Reed: “Please, after what happened last week? I don't think you'll have anything to worry about, sweetness. I think Dean sees something in you that you haven't yet. You don't have time to doubt yourself. Don't worry about Pryde and keep in mind that he isn't some God. He can fall just like anyone else-- Oh shit!”

The twang of pans clashing against the ground along with the loud out burst of barking interrupts the conversation. Melissa is yelling something inaudible. MJ stops from taking another step to listen to the noises, eyes flitting from one side to the next. There is now the sound of a male voice but before long the sound of laughter soothes the situation.

MJ Bell: “Mel?”

Melissa Reed: “Yeah, yes, I am here. Sorry about that. I knocked a bowl of chopped up fish to the floor then Doc had a field day and then I knocked over other stuff . Let me call you back after I'm done cleaning up. Down, Doc! Good boy, gah, no!”

More barking, more laughing then before MJ can really answer back the call is over. MJ gives a curt nod before slipping her phone back into the jacket pocket. That was an odd call but it didn't end with Ian or Kenshin so that is a plus. What is Kenshin up to anyways? MJ really needs to check on him again after his beating at Masscare. From what he told her, he is healing up alright. Seems the two of them will have their hands filled with their own battles. MJ wants to be there for him, have his back whenever he needs her but her sights cannot leave The Family. Kenshin is also strong enough to fend for himself. Regardless, it's difficult to watch the repay of the beating.

Her thoughts begin to drift over to the match. There is a lot that she should be doing right now. Maybe killing herself at the gym or running laps around a local track. Pryde is not a pushover. He is tough to beat and she has respect for the man, regardless of his plans with OCW and ego. Then Ana? The thoughts on her are very unclear. All MJ really knows about Ana is that she believes she is her mother. Does that mean that Ana is a threat? Could she really take her down without a thought? There is no ill will against Ana but a match was a match. No feelings involved, just a single goal to win.

Her mind juggles the many stresses going on, however they ease themselves away when MJ catches sight of a young boy sobbing next to a baked goods stand. An elderly woman glancing around with her palm rubbing circles to reassure the child. Curiosity pushes MJ over to the two of them. The woman looks up a faint smile when MJ closes in.

Elderly Woman: “Is this your son?”

MJ Bell: W—what! No. No... I'm just, I um, I was just checking if everything was okay.”

Her cheeks are warming up from the embarrassment. Her? Have kids? It wasn't like MJ didn't want kids, she did one day in the future when she found the right man but not now. With her luck with men? It won't be any time soon either. There is a very kind smile crossing the elder's face as she stands up holding her hand to the boy's back.

Elderly Woman: “No one quite knows the proper time in life to have little ones these days so you'll have to forgive me for asking. This little one is lost and I have no idea which way his mother went. I might have to run down to the band's stage to have them announce it, however he won't tell me his name.”

MJ Bell: “Oh, I think I might be able to help with that. I'm good with kids.”

MJ reaches over to grab a chocolate chip cookie from the stand, giving the woman a small smile but the woman doesn't seem upset over her gesture. She kneels down next to the child as he rubs his dark eyes furiously while his breath hitches from the crying. MJ offers the little one a kind smile.

“Hey there, I couldn't help but notice what shirt you have on. Superman, huh? He's a superhero right?”

The little boy slowly nods his head only glancing up halfway.

“I hear that Superman is very brave in the face of danger. I'm sure that a big boy like yourself can be just as brave, huh? I know this whole thing really scary but you don't have anything to worry about. I promise we'll stay right here to wait for your mom to come back, okay?”

MJ lifts the cookie up for him to see. The boy eyes the cookie then MJ's face before he sniff to clear his dripping nose. She wags the cookie again before he takes it then looks up at the elderly woman.

“See, no reason to be upset. No one is going to hurt you with us around. Now, my name is Madeline, what is your name?”

The little boy sniffs again shuffling his feet over to whisper his name into her ear. MJ ruffles the boys brown hair. She turns to glance up at the woman with a serious expression now on her features.

“Edward.”

The elderly woman nods as she hurries to go tell the band that is playing the center of the park on a small stage. Edward is munching on the cookie quietly while MJ stays kneeling by his side. Her hands fiddle with the end of jacket. They two exchange a look before he flashes her a very cute smile. MJ giggles ruffling his hair once more. His name and location are blurted out over the PA. Edward finishes off the cookie as he eyes glance around. Not long after, a frantic woman runs up with bags over her arms. She lunges down to tug her son into her arms as all the bags are carelessly flung to the ground.

Mother: “Edward! You can't go running off like that! I was so worried about you!”

Edward is saying something to his mother that MJ cannot understand but it doesn't matter because out of the corner of her eye she catches someone moving suspiciously close. He is younger, probably in his late teens but he is bending down near the woman's purse. MJ's eyes widen and their eyes meet. In a apprehensive burst he snatches it up and takes off. It isn't possible for this woman to have such rotten luck today! How can someone steal from a mother who is holding her son? The red head is bolting from her location on the ground leaving the bag behind. The guy is ducking through people and knocking wares to the ground while he tries to make an escape.

MJ dodges through the people, avoiding all the destruction that the robber is leaving behind while she stays close on his trail. Pain from her injuries throbs throughout her whole body only increasing in discomfort the faster MJ runs. She refuses to slow and allow this guy to get away. MJ ignores the pain. The guy swerves onto an a smaller street, his foot snagging some rubble on the ground. This slight pause in his movements is enough time for MJ to catch up to him.

MJ Bell: “Stop!”

He guys turns slightly to spot the red head that was chasing him. At first, he is laughing at her in a mocking tone but this abruptly ends when she lunges at him in a spear formation to tackle him down. Her elbow scraps against the rough ground breaking open the skin. MJ grunts in pain but tries to block it out. Beneath her the guy groans from his skull whacking the ground but he gives her a smug expression. That cocky attitude, the way his eyes seem to scan her body, it makes her blood boil. Suddenly, her head is stuffy, heavy with fury and her body seems to grow warm. The words spill from her mouth before she can catch them.

“I can't believe you had the fucking nerve to steal from a mother! You are a  fucking asshole! Get that fucking smirk off your damn mouth!”

MJ's hand is balling into a fist. He laughs.

Robber: “What are you going to do? Hit me? I'm so scared!”

He is mocking her. Without another thought MJ slams her fist right into his cheek with a low crack. There is a slight pain erupting through her knuckles but the assault doesn't end. Her fists repeatedly strike against the now confused male. He tries to snatch a hold of MJ's wrists to stop her but he can't get a grip. Flashes of random memories begin to transport MJ's mind away.

First, it's Finn on the ground next to the ring. He is bloody from the match but his skin is sickly pale. His body is limp when the medics finally pick him up from ring side while MJ is inside in a puddle of her own blood... MJ is frozen in the hallway when Finn is in the hospital. He is still pale with a shallow breath each time he attempts to breathe. Their mother is sobbing by his bedside with her face buried in her hands. Finn groans in pain whenever he moves. The nurse is telling them that he can no longer wrestle or it could be life threatening right now. With the proper treatment he might be able to... When he first wakes up he is angry. He is yelling at MJ out of rage. Finn doesn't mean it but the words stay swirling in her head for years...'This is your fault! I warned you to watch your footing!'

The male finally finds the strength and space to shovel the furious MJ off of him causing her to tumble backwards. The guy tugs a switch blade from his pocket as he gets back up to his feet. There is now anger in his eyes watching MJ climb back to her feet. In seconds, the two of them clash again. He slashes a thin cut across her cheek and she nails him in the stomach. The robber grunts but is too quick as he grabs a fist full of her fury locks. Squirming in his grasp is MJ while he attempts to impale her with the blade again. Her hand grabs his wrist, a cry leaving her lips when he tugs at her hair again. Like a trapped animal, with a lot of force she brings his arm to her lips and bites down. He curses struggling to knock her away and instead he bashes her head back into the brick wall near by. Her eyes widen from the shocking pain. They separate to recover and he looks for another escape route but MJ is already moving again. The adrenaline is blocking the pain as her body slams forward to him. The two crash down to the unforgiving ground. MJ is once again on top with her knee against his wrist. The more weight she presses the more he struggles and a cry of pain escapes his lips. The knife is released from his hand quickly before she throws it out of his reach. He reaches up grabbing her throat to throw her again. MJ rolls into a bunch of boxes.

This time it is Ian. He is leaning close to her face, his lips closing in while her heart pounds in her chest, but Kenshin is at the door to interrupt. Ian is calling them a couple. She  wants Ian to not look so disgusted with her... Again, the two of them are together but they are in the hospital. Ian's lip crush against hers with a lot of force. Briefly, she enjoys the touch of his smooth lips but the emotion is corrupted by them now being in the hallway. MJ is screaming at him and he is trying to not shout back. He shoves her against the wall to kiss her. The giddy encounter from before has faded into angry confusion. MJ is angry with him. Ian is now holding a fist full of her hair. When he slams her head down she wants nothing more than to hit him but something stops her.

The robber scrambles to pick up the knife again. Within the heap of boxes MJ lies there to soak in all the pain from their fight. Her elbow is bleeding and her head is aching with threats of a headache. Within her mind the scene drifts...

Kenshin is standing there with a smile on his features. The two of them make plans to go out later. They part and she is so unaware of what is going to happen next... Kenshin is now lying in blood. A lot of blood. MJ is panicking and he won't wake up. Tears flood her cheeks as she strokes his forehead until the 911 medics arrive on the scene to take him away... In the hospital, MJ is crying out of fear and frustration but Kenshin wakes up. He is okay. For a moment, he eases away her sleeping rage... MJ was again unaware that she would be against Pryde. When she first finds out, anger boils in her stomach. Pryde will pay for his actions. Horrible thoughts of the match cloud her mind but slowly melt away into nerves...

In her hand is a plastic pipe. The guy is standing once against shouting obscenities towards the red head. The words sound as if he is submerged in water. MJ growls, rising the pipe over her head. The guy is holding his hand up in defense now. The red head looks insanely angry. Her eyes narrow, glaring daggers through his chest, a few chucks of her hair hanging in front of her face, and her teeth bare together.

Guy: “Wait, what are you doing?!”

Sean is smiling at her from inside the ring. The twisted expression causes panic to break through MJ's body. His words ring through her head while she turns to run from him. He is threatening to take her Down The Ally. She is frightened. Sean is inside her hotel, saying the worst words imaginable. Sean taunts her. MJ is scared because he might be right about her. MJ is throwing her fists towards him but they meet only air. The whole scene grows dark. A spot light flips on. Katilyn is beneath her now. The blonde is unconscious on the mat. Sean is struggling at the ropes to reach his wife. Instead of holding in her anger MJ brings the chair down. It makes a sickening crack when it connects but it doesn't bother MJ. In fact, she is enjoying it because the rage is fueled and fed. With each swing of the chair there is a satisfying snap that follows. The beating continues until there is only a bloody mess where Katilyn was...

MJ gasps in disgust. Currently, there is the broken body of the younger male. He is bloody, the skin on his arms is oozing fresh blood. There is too much blood to focus on one area of his mangled face. His body is no longer moving. The plastic pipe hits the ground as MJ wheezes to gather air in her lungs. Blood is painting her arms along with spotting her face. Her hands tremble as she turns them over to look down at the red. Soon her body is trembling all over. All the blinding rage is gone. It has disappeared into despair and tremendous fear. A loud voice makes her body flinch.

Cop: “FREEZE! Hands in the air!”

Her eyes grow blank continuing to stare down at her hands. Slowly they lift in the air as she takes a breath to figure out what happened... How could she do this? Sure, the guy stole from a mother but... He is still not moving. His chest slowly lifts to signal he is alive, while two cops pass by her to check on his condition. Calming relief runs through her body however her figure still shakes. The cop is checking if she is carrying any more weapons and now tears drizzle down her cheeks. Her words come out very soft, very slow.

MJ Bell: “It... It was.... I promise... It was self defense... He had... A knife...I... I didn't mean.... I...”

Cop: “We're taking you down town.”

MJ Bell: “Okay.”

She is breathing through her nose trying to collect her emotions but she can't stop trembling. She just beat a man... Was he going to be okay? What happened to her? All that rage bubbling up from years and years of  blocking it out finally came out. Normally, she is great at letting it go or that is what she had believed. Were those years all a bunch of lies of control over her own anger? MJ is scared. She is shaking so bad that her feet refuse to move an inch. Even when the cops try to help her move, both feet are stumbling. Her lips part once more the words choke in her throat.

“Okay.”