Elite Doubts (Scotty/Ruby)

The Oracle arena is nearly empty just a few hours after the conclusion of a successful Dissension event. The NGW ring crew are busy at work tearing down the ring and the set, but they find themselves in an unfamiliar position of performers with a very small audience. Within the empty stands, high up in a random row is the Future Elite Scotty Latimer and NGW's newest roster member (and reigning South Bay Champion) Ruby Lance. The couple sits snuggled together and while it may look like they are simply watching the ring crew do all the hard work, they are only in the stands for a moment to themselves while the backstage area remains in chaos following a huge show.

Scotty seems to be in deep thought as he looks out at the scene below him. He remembered just like those guys when he first started getting trained by his Uncle Alan Envy. He remembered setting up the ring….hanging the lights….doing all the grunt work that is needed to give a great show aesthetically. He feels a soft, warm hand cover his forearm then soft lips pressing against his cheek.

"What are you thinking?"

She asks quietly, giving his forearm a gentle squeeze. Scotty smiles as he feels her holding his hand now.

“Just watching those guys down there….remembering being 17 years old on the New Edge Wrestling ring crew because Uncle Alan got me the job. Dreaming that one day….I would get my break. And I did ya know?

He told her what he was thinking...and you would think that he would look in the better mood. Yet he still seemed distant. He wraps his arm around Ruby’s waist as he kept looking out at the arena floor

"Yeah, you did."

She smiles up at him and lays her head on his shoulder.

"But you don't seem… um… happy about it?"

Ruby almost asks that last bit, unsure of exactly how to word what she's getting from him right now.

“You saw my match tonight right? It feels like I'm becoming a joke. Billy had to interfere? It's just frustrating."

She frowns and doesn't have anything to say, so she remains quiet for a moment. Another moment passes and she realizes that she can't think of any encouraging words for him; each passing moment just making it worse.

"I… Scotty…"

He looks at her smiling…

“I just want to be taken seriously that's all. It seems that everyone thinks I'm the weak link of the Horsemen."

He looks at her and smiles.

"Not everyone."

She offers him a smile and looks up into his eyes.

"I don't think you're a weak link. In fact, you're my favorite wrestler ever."

Scotty smiles at her. He strokes her cheek gently.

“Maybe I'm overreacting. Besides…..this night is about you. I'm so happy you are on the main roster now.

He gently kisses her hand. She smiles at his sweet gesture, but it's obvious that his own disappointments are weighing on her mind.

"Are you kidding? After that show, it was hardly about me. That main-event was insane."

She looks down and shakes her head at the idea that the night is about her.

"I am so glad to be called up, though. Even though I'll still be getting to defend my title in West Coast Genesis - which is so awesome that I'll continue to see all my friends there - it's nice to know that traveling with you to the NGW shows isn't just me tagging along anymore."

Scotty smiles as he crosses his legs once again watching the crew finishing breaking down the ring.

“That main event was great….but that pop you got was the loudest of the night. And you never were a tag along honey…..so never think like that.”

He feels her looking up at him as her head lied on his shoulder. She smiles bigger and even blushes a little, but continues to shake her head.

"Well, you are definitely my biggest fan and I love that. However, you see things a tad differently than they really are because of that. And, just so you know, I really appreciate the effort you go to put a smile on my face, but... "

She cringes slightly and hesitates a moment while looking up at him.

"I'm not super comfortable with some of the things that you say. It's just a little embarrassing as all. You know I have a lot of friends in West Coast Genesis, and even some here in NGW. There's a lot that aren't my friends in NGW that I look up to and I just don't want to rub anyone the wrong way before I've introduced myself. Do you understand?"

Ruby looks at him, concerned and slightly nervous about telling him all of this. She puts a hand on his chest, doing her best to convey that she's not upset with him and that she appreciates his support more than anything; but her concerns are weighing on her mind. Scotty sits there and thinks for a minute until he speaks.

“Yeah….I kind of figured that. I go over the top sometimes. Especially when it comes to you. Hell….I put you over more than I do myself these days. I guess…..it's just important to me that you know how special you are to me and sometimes I push a little too much. But I'll scale it back honey. I promise.”

He takes a deep breath as he looks at her. She smiles and leans in to give him a quick kiss.

"You should always put that Scotty Latimer guy over. He's pretty great. In fact, he's the best guy I know. I'm dating him. On purpose."

She scrunches her nose as she presses it against his and grins before stealing another kiss. He takes a deep breath.

“Well if the Phoenix Elite says I'm great then that's all I need. I don't care what others think. I'm sorry I vented like I did. We should go celebrate. Waffle House or Denny’s?

He smirks and laughs because at this time of night they were the only two places to go get a bite. He takes one last glimpse as the ring was finally broken down and was being carried out off the arena floor.

"Hmmm… I was thinking…"

She gets a sneaky look on her face as she stands and takes him by the hand, feigning that she pulls him to his feet when clearly he does most of that work to stand alongside her.

"How about we just head back to the room and order some room service and have a nice, quiet celebration with just the two of us?

He smiles as he strokes her hair from her face

“I think that is a great idea

He leans down and kisses her gently. Ruby wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed gently for a few seconds before they eventually pull back.