It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

Three.

The end of the month came around pretty quick, I had set up a home in Knoxville, TN. It was pretty quick and it had to be, Skip had helped me secure a nice place. I had two bedrooms and it was a pretty crappy house to be honest. It needed a lot of work but money was tight, my brother helped me with some money, along with my parents but I guess scraping together some money for their disappointment of a daughter was difficult. 

My parents hadn't seen much of me in the last 5 years, they had visited twice, I guess telling me you do care doesn't mean you actually do. My brother had visited me once a month, telling me it was all he could manage, blood doesn't count for much now though, since being in a less secure unit he doesn't feel the need to visit as much. I did have friends though, the people I thought wouldn't care did come to see me in my hour of need, AJ was there. He came to see me as often as he could, telling me all the news, during the last year his visits had been less frequent, I couldn't blame him with a new baby on the way though. Even Al Snow and Mick Foley had come to see me, not too often, just enough to keep my spark alive. Every time Mick came to see me he brought along a little present, the guards took it every time but he was determined. Al continued to tell me to train, even in my mind, even if not physically. Once I was in the less secure unit, I could happily train with Al again, he even sent the video to Vince. Al, Mick and AJ were my angels, my saving graces, I had them to thank for everything. 

This house though, Skip tried to convince me on this very day I moved it that it was perfect. 

"I swear Tash," he told me as I sat on the hard chair in the middle of the living area/kitchen/dining area, "It's going to look beautiful."

I looked around and gulped hard, "Please do not tell me that we are looking at the same room."

"All you need to do is fix it up," Skip rubbed both my shoulders as he stood behind me. "It can work."

The room was cold and wooden. The floor and walls were wooden, disgusting dirty wood, I swear there was even some blood splatters on the floor. The window was even wooden where the glass had previously been broken and it was now boarded up, the previous owner neglecting to get a new window. The fireplace had a big hole in the floor, like fires had been made in the hole, the whole place had a charred smell about it, almost like it was still burning. 

I shook my head as I let out a sigh. "I don't think I can live here."

Skip let out a laugh before he stepped around and lowered himself to my level, he was crouching and looking up at me, he wrung his hands together as he smiled at me. "You are such hard work you know Missy."

"It's just such a mess."

"Good job I had ordered a few things and called in the help of a few good friends." Skip wiggled his eyebrows before he stood back up. "I promised you that before I left we would get this place live able, that is what we intent to do."

"Who is we?" 

Skip wagged his finger at me, "Just you wait and see Tasha." He walked towards the door, opening it letting the night flood into the dimly lit room. "Lets go catch some sleep at the hotel."

<3

I surprised the next morning to say the least, Skip had out done himself. Ready and waiting at my new house were AJ, Mick and Al, a few other guys I didn't recognise and a lot of supplies. Skip had my best interests at heart and he knew the best way to make me happy. He was more than my counsellor he was great friend. 

"Guys!" I shrieked as I walked towards them as I got out the car. "I cannot believe you are here."

AJ pulled me into a hug, "Even dad's need time away." He held me tight, like it was a release, he was happy to see me and happy to spend some time away from home. 

"Move over," Mick told AJ before he pulled me into a hug. "I've missed you Tash." He told me as we hugged. He broke the hug apart and smiled at me, "You are like a daughter to me, it's been a long time and I'm more than happy to help you."

Al decided to be his usual self and he put a hand on my shoulder before he nodded at me. "Nice to see you Tasha."

I smiled at him, a wide and inviting smile, "I've missed you too Al."

He took his hand back before Skip bounded over, he smiled at me before turning to the guys. "Thanks for coming guys."

"It looks like we have a lot of work to do," AJ said as he looked at the house. "It's a lot of work for a place you'll probably never stay in."

"Jesus man don't be so negative," Al growled at AJ. 

Mick rolled his eyes as he looked at me, "Shall we get to work then lovey?"

I ended up going into the lounge area with Mick where we set to work on the floor and walls, scrubbing them to see if they could be something, or if they needed to go. I was on the floor with a bucket and a lot of washing product and a brush, sitting and scrubbing. 

"I know you are coming to work," Mick said in a quiet voice. "I did try to fight for you to come to Raw."

"Don't worry about it," I assured him not looking up, keeping my eyes on the job. "As long as I am working that's all that matters. This time it's all for real."

"No let me explain," Mick sighed. "I wanted you to come to Raw, I thought you'd be a great edition. Someone to come in, someone fresh, in fact I thought you and Bayley would get along just great."

"I know the problem already." I told him as I dropped the brush into the bucket and looked up at him. He was watching me as I caught his eye. "Stephanie doesn't want me there. I'm unreliable."

Mick looked shocked, "Are you a mindreader?"

"I just know myself." I laughed. "I know that is what other people think about me. I know that I wasn't always the most reliable person. I know that I was a mess."

"It's good that you can admit your faults Tasha." Mick told me as he sat down with me. "It's going to help you make it. I know you can do this."