Please Don't Go

A furious Reign makes her way to Sammy's room and doesn't knock, she just throws open the door and walks in.

Reign Reyes:
"What the fuck?!"

Sammy is standing at his bed, his bags already packed as he looks at Reign.

Sammy Grimes:
“What the fuck to you. Haven’t you heard of knocking?”

Reign just stares at him, ignoring everything he just said.

Reign Reyes:
"So that's it? You're leaving?"

He stops what he’s doing and just looks at her, clearly frustrated.

Sammy Grimes:
“I thought I could do this. I thought I could sit back and watch but I’m getting roped into it anyway. Maybe it’s my own fault for shit talking Scott. I don’t know? But I don’t want any of this. I don’t like how this feels. Fighting with my sister after everything we fought through together to get here.”

Reign walks over, taking both of his hands in hers before guiding him downward so they're both sitting on the bed. She nods her head, listening to every word as her eyes are trained on his. When he finishes she chooses her words carefully but speaks with conviction.

Reign Reyes:
"You can't leave. Not like this. You promised you'd never leave her, so you can't."

She sighs and looks up at him with a soft, understanding smile.

Reign Reyes:
"You're getting shit from both ends and it's not fair. NONE of this is fair to you. You obviously know her better than I do but I'm shocked by her reaction. Not so much to the shit from last night but to the original interview. To shut down like she did... To shut you out... that surprised me. You defended her in that interview. You dedicated that match to her. So for her to freeze you out the way she did, sucks. But she wasn't thinking straight. She was angry and hurt and confused. She went into panic mode and instead of clinging to you like she normally would she clung to him. That blows. But it is what it is."

She shrugs.

Reign Reyes:
"She wouldn't forgive me when I tried to get through to her so I got fed up and lit it all on fire. But you're not me. You're family. You have history. You've proven to her time and time again that she can depend on you. She'll see her way through letting you back in but you're going to have to use some tact."

She chuckles, hearing those words come out of her mouth.

Reign Reyes:
"I know, me talking about tact is rich. But it's true. I know you're angry. But you can't lash out. You can't blame Martell or try to browbeat Ava into forgiving me. None of that is going to work. She's stubborn and defensive and a lot more hurt than she's letting on... emotionally. So try to leave our relationship out of it. Go see her. Sit with her. Be her protective big brother. If she starts to talk shit about me, tell her you're not there to discuss me. You're just there for her. Ask questions about Scotty. Not threatening questions. Curious questions, because right now as far as she's concerned he's the only positive thing going on in her world. You don't need to explain my motives or try to make her see my side. If she asks why you're still with me, just be honest. Shrug and tell her you love me. Tell her the truth... that more than anything you hope she recovers from her injuries and beats my ass for that Gold Star."

Reign leans forward, the tip of her nose brushing Sammy's as she looks into his eyes.

Reign Reyes:
"Just don't tell her that I kinda hope the same. You CAN manage this Sammy. You've survived so much worse. But if it truly gets to be too much... I can stop... or you can dump my ass."

When Sammy goes to protest she presses her index fingers against his lips.

Reign Reyes:
"Not for real. Just for show. We can sneak around behind everyone's backs if we have to. I'd rather not, but if that's what has to happen then that's what has to happen... for now."

Sammy sits there for a moment, taking it all in before he takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

Sammy Grimes:
“First off? We’re never breaking up. Not for show, not for anything. I will never feel the need to hide you.”

He places a hand on her cheek and does his best to smile despite feeling so down.

Sammy Grimes:
“Ever, okay? Because if it comes to that? I’m not worthy to be your boyfriend. Because you deserve to be with someone who’s proud to be with you. Who wants to shout to the world, ‘this amazing girl is mine!’ And that’s who I am. That’s who I’ll always be. Because I love you. Especially for moments like this.”

Sammy leans in and kisses Reign softly.

Sammy Grimes:
“You’re right though. About all of it. I should stay out of this but also show Ava that nothing changes between me and her. And I guess ask questions about Scott.”

Sammy rolled his eyes.

Sammy Grimes:
“I truly liked the guy. I really did. But the way he told me I couldn’t go see my sister? I just… I’m still not okay with that. And him and Ava act like that was okay and that my reaction was my fault. It’s hard to just let that shit go.”

Reign nods in agreement.

Reign Reyes:
"I never liked him, honestly. But my reasons are petty, considering he's pinned me twice now with that stupid Scoop. I did try with him though. I reached out and he just gave me shit. Obviously he was never a fan."

She shrugs.

Reign Reyes:
"I'm not sure he truly understands the connection between you and Ava. He probably sees it as basic brother and sister, and I can't blame him because you had to explain to me that it was so much more than that on a few occasions. If they get close enough she'll tell him more. Until then do your best to tolerate him for her sake."

She exhales, her shoulders sagging a bit.

Reign Reyes:
"I wish I could do more to help. I wish I could just walk in there and somehow get across to her how I really feel, but that ship sailed the second I spouted off during that interview... and that ship sank when I decided to make it even worse. I know I'm not making things easy on you and I know you don't want an out, but it's here if you need it. I can pack all this shit away and just be Reign, the quiet little student.

She bats her eyelashes, somewhat convincingly but he rolls his eyes and laughs.

Sammy Grimes:
“Please Reign, that’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. You need to be yourself, no matter how frustrating or infuriating it can be.”

He wraps his arm around her shoulder.

Sammy Grimes:
“Because that’s the girl I fell in love with. You’re authentic and fiery and passionate. I don’t want to put out all of that fire that’s inside of you. I want you to do what your mom suggested. Just lean into it. People are already making you the bad person, so just give them what they want. It’s what you do best.”

She shrugs a bit.

Reign Reyes:
"Depends on the person I guess. Like with Ava it's easy. Easier than it should be because she gets SO worked up and goes on these insane rants about me. What did she call me during the last one? The Cunt Star?!"

Reign snorts.

Reign Reyes:
"Alice on the other hand, she has delusions of purity that'll never be a reality in this business."

Sammy shrugs now too.

Sammy Grimes:
"I can see why they are the way they are. Ava has always been my little sister. The one who's needed to be saved and protected and now? Now she's getting hurt and backed into this corner like a wounded animal. She's vulnerable but she also wants to prove that she can tough it out. That she can do it on her own and that her career isn't dead and over yet. As for Alice?"

Sammy sighs.

Sammy Grimes:
"I feel a little bad for her. It makes sense that she has that kind of outlook. She idolizes guys like Chris Night. And then she wants to probably right some of the wrongs her family did, especially her father, who kidnapped one of those North girls over in Valiant to prove a point. He went to prison for that. So, for her to have those delusions of purity? It makes sense. She wants to do things the right way. I can't blame her."

Reign exhales and flops back onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. She remains that way for a long time, thinking over her choices.

Reign Reyes:
"So you're saying I shouldn't kidnap CJ and hang him from the rafters by his underwear?"


Sammy shakes his head.

Sammy Grimes:
“No. That kid is going through enough. He just witnessed McKena turn on his dad and join the Division. It hit him hard. I saw him walking around the halls moping. Apparently McKena babysat him more than anyone else.”

He flops back next to Reign and looks at her.

Sammy Grimes:
“With all the bad stuff going on right now? We should do our best to support him and not tease him as much.”

Another sigh escapes from Reign.

Reign Reyes:
"Fine. I'll do my best to keep evil me in check while around mopey CJ. I swear that new girlfriend of his is making him even more emo."

Sammy quips back.

Sammy Grimes:
“So relatable.”

He holds out his arms in defense of a possible incoming attack as Reign sits up and gasps.

Reign Reyes:
"Did you REALLY just call me emo?!"

He laughs and shakes his head.

Sammy Grimes:
“No! I said having a girlfriend makes me emo too!”

He says playfully. She leers and then quick as a flash she grabs his bag and starts dumping the contents all over him as he lays on the bed! He laughs as he tries to push the contents off of him.

Sammy Grimes:
“Hey! All of that was neatly folded!”

He rolls off of the bed and motions toward the door.

Sammy Grimes:
“I’m gonna go fart in your room!

She hops up on his bed and starts jumping up and down on it.

Reign Reyes:
"Too late I already did!"

Sammy Grimes:
"What the!? You said girls don't fart!"

He gets up on the bed and tackles her down onto it.

Sammy Grimes:
"I can't believe you lied to me!"

She squeaks as she's tackled.

Reign Reyes:
"I also lied when I told you that size doesn't matter!"

He playfully quips back.

Sammy Grimes:
"I told you that it was cold that night!"

He starts to tickle her. Reign squeals and desperately tries to reach the edge of the bed, almost as if she were reaching for the ropes to force a rope break.

Reign Reyes:
"You'll never take me alive!! I can only be defeated by the Scoop, it's my only weakness!!"

Sammy's grip on her loosens as he bursts out into laughter from the scoop being her only weakness comment. Reign squirms away and leers down over him.

Reign Reyes:
"Hey! It's not that funny. The Scoop is a legit finisher!!"

He's laughing hysterically now.

Sammy Grimes:
“Maybe it is but it's called THE SCOOP! The pooper scooper, Scott Martell!!!"

Reign tries to be mad but she can't, she just bursts out laughing as well.

Reign Reyes:
"May not want to bring that nickname up when you visit Ava."

He laughs and shakes his head.

Sammy Grimes:
"I don't know if I'll be able to but I'll try my best!"

Shaking her head, Reign heads towards the exit.

Reign Reyes:
“C’mon, let’s sleep in my room. Your room’s a mess!”

Sammy looks down at the mess surrounding him before getting up and giving chase.

Sammy Grimes:
“You know you’re going to help me clean that later, right?”

Reign Reyes:
“Nope.”

Sammy Grimes:
“Why not?!”

Reign Reyes:
“I’m a heel.”

Reign once again squeals from being tickled as their voices fade behind a closing door.