Where Is Black? : Chapter 1 - 'Tis the Season

only1legend

A haunting violin intros us into Carrie Underwoods "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (one of Steve's favorite versions of a timeless Christmas Carol).

As we open up on the snowy Colorado mountain landscape, snow falling, a small gust of wind pushing snow between trees, her wonderful voice softly sings.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

We switch over to kids outside their suburban homes running around having fun.

Let your heart be light

Cascade across the fireplace mantle as four red-and-green stockings hang down.

From now on...

The man himself, "Suicide" Steve Fella sits looking off screen, with his right arm in a sling. Something must be amazing, as his jaw is slightly dropped open, a small strand of saliva beginning to form in the corner of his mouth.

...our troubles will be out of sight.

Switch over to a tight shot of a plump ass fitting into some tight jeans.

Pull back to see Steve sitting on the couch staring at his wife who's on a step ladder, hunched over and struggling to put an ornament on the tree.

Steve.

The music quietely fades away.

Steve!

The Universal Champ shakes his head fast, snapping out of his transe like state.

Yeah, yeah honey?

Can you see if you can reach?

Oh Katie, you know you can't stress my arm.

Kate, a bit frustrated, slams her foot down and places her hands on her hips. She snaps her head around over her shoulder giving Steve the dreaded "stink eye".

You do have two arms, jerk. Now quit staring at my ass and come help me.

Feeling a little bit embarrased, Steve shrugs off Katie's last comment.

You know me all too well.

Steve uses his good arm to push himself off the couch. He walks over to the Christmas tree and climbs behind Katie on the step ladder. She hands him a porcelain snowflake ornament and points to a bare spot on the tree.

There.

Steve leans out while his wife folds her arm back keeping him from tumbling over (like her tiny woman arm can stop that from happening, but I digress). Steve latches on the ornament and turns his attention to his beautiful wife.

They stare an intimate eye lock before being interrupted.

Steve's youngest, the precious Catelyn, pulls at daddy's loose-fitting jeans. He looks down and smiles as his 2 year old daugther holds her arms up to be picked up.

Of course sweetie.

Steve comes down off the lady, bends over, and picks the little girl up with his uninjured arm.

Does Daddy's Princess want to help decorate the tree?

She tucks her chin into her chest for a second before nodding.

Well we'll have to get Mommy to show you how to get things done. She's the one in charge of these things. If you want to learn how to burp the alphabet or crop-dust, well...that's Daddy's department.

Steve!

What? You have to give her the proper skill sets in life.

How is THAT a skill set?

Well, you'd want to to be able to defend herself after a Dutch Oven, wouldn't you?

Absolutely dumbfounded by that last statement, Katie decides not to respond. Instead she turns her direction by to the tree as Steve walks with his daugther in his arms back over the couch and sits down.

He notices that she's looking at his injured arm.

Don't worry honey, Daddy's okay.

Daddy has a boo-boo?

Yes, but it's not bad.

Promise?

Steve laughs at the innocence of the question.

Yes baby, Daddy promises.

Of course he's not hurt bad!

At the threshold of the living room stands stands proud Drake, fists to his hips with ELITE's Universal Title around his waist -- albeit, saggy down quite a bit. He looks off in the distance, basking in the pseudo spotlight he's made for himself. After a few moments of self-indulgence, Drake turns his sights back to Steve and his sister.

After all, he's the UUUUUNIVERSAL CHAAAAMPION! The great, the powerful, the ICON! Katelyn, the man you're sitting on is invincible. Like Wolverine!

Curiosity hits the little girl. She grabs Steve's left hand and examines it, looking for claws.

Isn't that right, Dad?

Little man slumps over the back of the couch. His dad squinches his face and makes low inhale sigh.

Not exactly Drake.

The boy raises an eyebrow.

I mean, I was in a steel cage match son. The probability of leaving uninjured pretty much didn't exist.

So...does that mean you're not going to be champion anymore?

Let me see that belt, Drake.

The boy unlatches the title and slowly hands it over to his dad.

I'm pretty proud of this accomplishment. Almost as much as when you both were born. And as long as I have an ounce of fight left in me, I'm going to continue to give all of my effort...200% every title defense. I'm still Champion, Drake...and I plan on being one for a very long time. But during that time, your old man is going to get bruised and beat up.

Yeah?

Definately. But here's the thing. Almost as proud as I am of this title...I am of this sling.

You're HAPPY you're hurt?

Not quite, Drake. I'm not happy, but I am proud. Pride isn't all butterflies and candy, my boy. Pride comes with all it's consequences. Sometimes good...

He pats the Universal Title.

...and sometimes bad.

Steve shoots a look down at the injured arm.

But the reason I can look at my right arm Drake, and feel proud of what's happened...is the simple fact that hanging off the other arm will always be this title. You see, it's one thing to just WIN a championship -- it's a whole other adventure defending it. And yeah, sometimes I'll lose. But I won't lose the Universal Title.

If you learn anything tonight Drake, it's that the hurdles and mountains I had to climb to get to this championship...a hurt arm pales in comparison. A slight injury isn't going to stop me -- might slow me down some. But I won't hide behind it. I won't let it get in my way. It's a badge of honor...or your father's pride. If anything, I'll look down as the muscles tense up and ache right in the middle of a match and it'll inspire to do the unthinkable...the unimaginable. It'll push me to do what I've done my entire career. You know what that is, right Drake?

BE THE CHAMP!

That's right son. In fact son, this sling is probably a whole lot better trophy for you too hang on to.

Steve unwraps his free arm from his daugther and removes the sling carefull. He hands it over to his son. Drake still is unsure about the whole gesture.

Let it be a reminder not to let anything or anyone stand in your way from being who you were truly meant to be. Follow your dreams, and take the good with the bad as you finally reach them.

Drake nods. He looks up with a slight smile on his face.

Thanks dad.

With that, he runs off. Steve turns to see Katie staring at him from the Christmas tree, hands over her mouth.

Ah man.

That...that was so sweet Steve.

So...dutch oven...

Aaaand moment killed.

Just then, the house phone rings.

Can you get that babe?

Sure Steve, and how about I make dinner on the way.

She hops off the step ladder and starts to make her way down the hall.

That would be nice.

Steve looks at his daughter.

Wouldn't it Catelyn. Some steak...and potatoes. Yeah, doesn't that sound awesome. It's too bad your mom couldn't cook a decent steak if her life depended on it. Of course, your mom wouldn't eat it if she somehow was able to cook it to a perfect medium rare. No...no she wouldn't. Something about range-free and cages...Daddy really doesn't understand all the fuss. It's from a cow, and we all love us some cows, don't we?

STEVE! Steve it's for you!

A bit bewildered, Steve looks over the side of the couch.

Well...can you walk the phone over? And yes, please fold the laundry on the way.

You can hear the Katie's steps pounding down the hallway. She mutters under his breath.

Self-centered asshole has nothing better to do than...

She starts to hand the phone off to Steve, but he softly grabs her hand.

Love you.

For a moment she stares lovingly back at him, but then snarls.

You're still an ass.

Steve makes an exaggerated gasp towards his daughter.

Mommy said a no-no word, didn't she? You'll have to wash her mouth out and I'll have to SPANK her!

Catelyn giggles.

Now go bug your brother.

He puts little Catelyn down as she skimpers away. Steve pulls the phone up to his ear.

You got him.

Steve listens intently to the phone. At a certain moment in the conversation, Steve's eyes get big and he sharply stands up. Katie watches.

Oh no.

I'll be right over.

He hangs up the phone abruptly. As abruptly as pushing a button entails.

Katie...

Let me guess, that was the President and there's a national crisis that only YOU can resolve.

Close. I'm going to Danny's and we're going to go on a road trip.

Steve...

I know, I know. I'm injured, I'm hurt...blah blah blah.

She seductively walks up to him.

You promised me a spanking.

A bit taken back, Steve lets the moment mull around and then nods.

I certainly did.

So...let's put the kids to bed and wrap up loose ends shall we.

Absolutely.

The duo clasped hands, finger interlaced with finger and makes their way down to the hallway.

You'll never guess what the phone call was about.

Shut up Steve.

Okay, but let me just say...they found him.

Who?

Black. But more about that later. We got some sexing to do.

Smartest thing you've said all night.

Close up shot on the Universal Title before a simple fade.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

Tagged