All's Fair In "Love" & "War"...

[Laura De'Icco]

Following_Love Never Truly Dies Part II

Here she was once again. The APW Tower. Somewhere she hadn't believed she would see again after departing so abruptly at the culmination of the first season some months ago. The madness that followed also played quite a part in that assumption she thought as she held on tightly to Madison's hand while walking the corridors of the Executive floor of the Tower, glancing back and forth at the now new names placed on the door of the officers that were once occupied by the Angel sisters.

Her grip on the small child's hand only increased as she passed by a few of the staff members walking the hallways, the place seemingly coming back to life slowly after last season's "fallout" so to speak. It slowly but surely brought a smile back to her face, knowing that she was only moments away from finally beginning her journey towards achieving her life long dream of being a professional wrestling. Yet deep down she knew that'd be the easy part as far as the coming days and decisions to be made. Glancing down towards Madison, met by her ever so bright smile she raised an eyebrow as she listened to the young child's words...

"Laura...Why are we here? Who we here to see?"

"Well...Depends on who's here now actually sweetie. Hopefully somebody we know, can tolerate and won't make us feel like turning around and bailing out of the door quicker than we came through it....Least I hope...We'll see baby, we'll see."

Slowly her steps began to subside in rate, glancing over the names on the doors as a look of surprise came over her face. To say she was surprised to see those names in particular would have been a gross understatement. Coming to a complete stop, she placed her free hand on her hip, tilting her head slightly before replying...

"Well I'll be...When they said the "New" Action Packed Wrestling they weren't kidding were they? Didn't expect to see these names that's for sure. "

Her attention immediately began bouncing back and forth between the doors, reading the names as she began to decide on who would be the best choice for this visit of hers...

"Shaddix?...Wow...Um..."

Instantly her memory began bringing back images of the Familia's interaction with the man in question as well as his long time tag team partner. Easily the worst of the choices to be made she thought...

"Um...No...NOT a good idea ummm...And I don't believe in asking for anything from a man who's used to wearing more makeup than me...Let's see..."

Her eyes redirect to the door in the middle of the three, seeing the name plastered on the door as yet another moment of surprise crosses her facial features. She replies, thinking out loud...

"Okay. Lindsay. Talk about landing on your feet. Wrestler to CEO. You go girl. But...She's a friend. It'd feel awkward going to her...Soooooo..."

Katanna Jade. Former head of security. She remembered hearing the name last season but never had the pleasure of meeting the woman herself. She seemed to be the most logical and appropriate choice right now. Looking down to Madison once again, she smiled as their hands released a hold of one another, hers finding it's way to the small child's upper back area as if motioning for her to proceed forth with her steps to the door. Raising her hand to the center of the door she placed a few soft knocks dead center before letting out a long sigh, replying...

"Well here goes nothing. Let's see if we can get Laura Love a spot on the new APW roster shall we?..."

Following the knock her attention turned towards the far end of the corridor from which they had exited the elevator only moments ago, then towards the opposite direction, her observation interrupted by the small child's voice once again...

"Laura?"

A raised eyebrow as she turned to face the child, making direct eye contact with her...

"Yes baby?"

"Why would man wear make up? Girls wear make up right?"

"Well I..."

A smile instantly found it's way to her face hearing the child's words. Shaking her head back and forth as she thought about the countless references Cross himself had made to the precise same thing over the years. Like father like daughter she thought. A small cough left her mouth as she raised her clenched fist towards it as if to contain the moment of laughter building within her. Then...

"He's just sexually confused sweetie. Nothing for you to worry about"

"..."

"Laura what's sexu..."

"Don't worry about it...Yet."

[Katanna Jade]

Another day and another knock on the door, things definately seemed to be picking up here at APW now that the first show had come and gone. As was her custom Katanna made herself presentable before taking a seat bejind her desk and speaking up.

Please come in the door is open.

Katanna was only slightly suprprised to see who entered it was the fact that she wasn't alone that surprised her more.

[Laura De'Icco]

Hearing the words informing her she was allowed clearance to enter the officer, her arm extended, pushing the door open just enough for Madison to enter, her steps mimicking hers as she too found herself in awe over the newly assembled "makeover" the offices had received. Her eyes widened instantly, her face showing that of impression over the rooms new make up. One hand holding on tightly to Madison's, the other closing the door behind her, her attention then turned towards the woman of the hour to speak...

"Good evening Miss Jade..."

The sound of the door closing behind her could be heard, as she turned fully facing one of the new 3 CEO's, beginning her trek towards the desk with Madison in two. Within seconds they had found themselves directly across from Miss Jade, her arm extending for a friendly gesture of her arrival as well as meeting for the first time it seemed. As their hands meet for a brief moment...

"Nice to meet you. I'm Laura De'Icco. I worked here in APW as a management representative last season...And this here..."

Her attention instantly shifting to the small child that had accompanied her for the visit, leading her to the seat next to the one in which she would soon find herself occupying surely, formally introducing the young lady as she continued on...

"Um, is...A family member you could say...Madison..."

The small child now seated, Laura then took her seat as well, smiling brightly as she made eye contact with Miss Jade again, continuing on with...

"I do hope we haven't interrupted anything too important? I merely had to speak with one of the new CEO's about a possible employment opportunity. That is...If that would be possible Miss Jade?"

[Katanna Jade]

Katanna smiled at Laura and young Madison.

Of course it's possible to talk about empolyment oppourtunities. Have you seen someone you wish to manage here or is this about someone else?

This could prove very interesting Laura had always seemed to have an eye for the best talent so whoever this was abourt must be good.

[Laura De'Icco]

And there it was. Just as she had suspected it would be. And understandably Miss Jade was expected to suspect such a thing but...Alas she was incorrect in her assumptions actually...

"Actually Miss Jade...I'm not here concerning managing...Any of the talent here in APW now or in the future. I'm here...In hopes of securing a contract to be a part of the "active" roster here in APW. You know...In the ring?"

She allowed for her last words to linger a bit, seeing the clear look of surprise on the face of Miss Jade. Honestly she herself couldn't believe she was sitting here possibly moments away from starting her own wrestling career. Hopefully, she wasn't too late as she was sure once the word had gotten out that APW was in fact in a rebuilding phase, the talent would come out of the woodworks looking for placement.

[Katanna Jade]

Well this was a very surprising turn of events indeed. She had assumed that Laura was here to continue managing, but this was a rather unexpected turn of events.

Well signing you to a contract here in APW should be no problem at all. I'm sure I don't need to ask but you have had the proper training for such things and know of all the risks that stepping into the ring could possibly involve?

Well of course she knew from having dealt with the business end of things but the question still needed to be asked. Still this could be very interesting she knew Laura had wrestled a few times here last year so she obviously did have some talent in the ring and her previous stay here did mean she would be a face that at least some of the fans would recognize.

[Laura De'Icco]

Her eyes quickly darted to Madison's hands, seemingly wandering towards a paper weight a few inches from where she sat. Taking her hand, a smile comes across her face before placing it back into the young girl's lap. Curious kids eh?

Looking back up to Miss Jade, the question lingered, yet the answer was clear and evident. Surely she saw the few matches Laura competed in the year before?

"Sorry about that umm...Yes I was trained by Mr. Robert Storm. Nicole Storm's father back in Boston. Sure it was years ago but, I did compete a few times last season. Three to be exact. Was at least decent I think...Well...I think Dez would say more than that but...*Giggles* You get the picture."

"But I'm glad there's still an open spot for me. I was nervous, thinking I had waited too long to come back here. Also a bit on the worried side considering how things went at the end of last season."

[Katanna Jade]

No you haven't waited to long. We are still in the rebuilding phase of things and there are some open spots left on the roster yet, and of course a face that the fans will recognize is always welcome.

Katanna retrived a contract from her desk and handed it over to Laura.

I'm sure I don't need to explain anything about the contracts to you so feel free to sign and begin your time here as a wrestler instead of a manger.

[Laura De'Icco]

Instantly she took the contract up into her hands, looking the document over for a few seconds. Things seemed to be remotely the same as the previous year when she handled this exact same thing for her former clients if you will. Seeing that most of everything was up to satisfactory level to her, just as before, she laid the contract flat on the desk in front of her before taking up a pen into her hands as well.

A quick glance towards Madison ensued before she was to sign her name making the document binding and official. There was still the task of figuring out what exactly the future held for the young princess she had been tending to over the previous month or so. And now with the signing of her first wrestling contract, she knew that the moment where she had to make that decision most definitely fast approached them both. Letting out a long sigh, she signed her name on the dotted line, making it all official now.

__xLaura De'Icco

A bright smile instantly comes over her face. She had done it. Taken the first step to finally securing her dream in the palm of her hands. She slowly pushed the contract back across the desk towards Miss Jade commenting...

"Well...There we have it Miss Jade. Laura De'Icco at your service once again I guess. But there is one thing I have to ask of you and I hope it's fine and doesn't cause any problems or confusion. It...Concerns Madison."

[Katanna Jade]

A look of curiousity comes over Katanna's face at this point.

Just what is it you would like to ask, I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement whatever it may be.

[Laura De'Icco]

"Well, it's nothing where you all would have to do for me per say. I just merely need a few weeks to get things in order before being fully prepared to set foot back into the ring is all. Which would include, reuniting Madison with her parent(s)...If I can that is. It would only take a little more than a week or so. Then an extra week to go back to Boston to brush up a bit on my the in ring aspect of it all. Don't want to step out in front of the APW fans unprepared now do I?"

"So...If it's not too much of a problem, could I be granted that grace period to handle those few things?"

[Katanna Jade]

I don't see that as being a problem at this point. Taake the time you need and we'll be here waiting when you've finished what you need to do. Is there anything else or can we consider this meeting to be succesful?

Katanna waited a polite smile on her face.

[Laura De'Icco]

"Actually..."

Standing from her seat, she extends her hand while the opposite finds it's way to Madison's as she stands as well. As their hands met...

"No I think that'll be it Miss Jade. Thank you so much for your time and understanding. I'll be sure to get back to Toronto as quickly as possible."

And with that the meeting had found it's ending, Laura turning and leading Madison away from their chairs headed towards the door once more. Once there, she turned back, offering a warm smile and a wave to the newly appointed Co-CEO Katanna Jade, and seconds later their exit was made. And now...Came the hard part.

_END SCENE