So Joe, you know you can keep the money as far as raising the amount is concerned, I don't need it.

Yes I know, I'm just setting it to a per appearance pay, as you don't need the money.

That works for me. So, what match did I get this week?

I was so exhausted from today I didn't even bother to tell you, I'm sorry man.

No problem, just tell me who it is and I'll forgive you, haha.

I signed you against Dark Lord Mantys for your return match.

Mantys? Didn't he just lose to Pozen?

Yeah but don't take him lightly. Mantys gave C4 a run for his money awhile back. Then again, anyone could do that, it's fucking C4.

How come I'm not fighting Sinister? That's who I targeted as soon as I got here.

Quite frankly, I felt that was more PPV worthy than just to have it on FNX. You and Sinister are two of ICW's greatest competitors.

That's mainly why I went after him...you know I'm just like you as far as competition goes, I thrive on it.

No doubt about it. I just won a competition of sorts with LOW I imagine.

Yeah tell me about it, they were calling me for weeks asking me to come back!

No doubt I'll see a decrease in pay on my next paycheck, even though I'm the best guy in that fed not holding a title. They put me with some guy, Canyon Thunders, to for the tag team titles against The Metallo Zords.

Those power-ranger wannabees? You gotta be kidding me! How are they even champions?!?

Beats me. You know, I was actually wanting you to sign a LOW contract briefly, so we could win those things.

I quit because I just can't get along with some of the people there. Plus I was stormin through the wrestlers like no one's business.

And now you got some real competition with Sinister. Don't take him lightly just because you're bigger than him.

I took you lightly last year and look what happened, haha.

Yeah, we both ended up on the wrong end of that one.

Ok so I have Sinister at ICW Torment? Wow, I doubt it will equal the match I had with you at LAST year's torment, but either way it works.

Joe and Judgement look around when a cell phone starts ringing, Judgement realizes it's his and excuses himself out the door to take the call. Joe puts the final touches on the contract and walks out the door with a pen, allowing Judgement to sign it. He then goes back inside and files it away before putting on his "Coroner" jacket and walking towards the door when he forgets something, and starts back. He bumps into his "sister" Andri, who goes by Angel of Mercy in his company. She just smiles briefly and hurries out towards the door. Joe scratches his head and calls out to her, but she keeps on walking.

Must've not heard me.

Who's that?

Joe turns around and sees Judgement behind him, apparantly finished with his phone call.

Oh that's just my sister.

Joe you don't have a sister, we've been friends long enough that if you like someone you could tell me man.

*smirks* I meant it, she's my sister. Maybe not by blood of course, but past experiences brought us together as close friends, so I look out for her...Who was on your phone?

It was Johanna. I need to go meet her at the hotel, she's got something to tell me, she says.

Have I met her?

Not sure. Would you like to?

Sure, just bring her by here.

Judgement and Joe say their goodbyes and both depart once they leave ICW's doors. Judgement gets on a cab and Joe starts walking the few blocks it takes to go to his home.

Honey? Are you in here?

Joe goes to the bedroom and sees Mandy sobbing softly on the bed.

Mandy, baby, what's wrong?

Don't look at me.

I couldn't keep from looking at you...you know that.

You would if I told you what I plan to tell you.

I'm sure nothing you say could be that bad.

I'm afraid that's where you are wrong.

Well, tell me then, and we'll see.

Well..you remember Seth don't you?

You mean your previous boyfriend?

Yes. He came over today.

So? Did he hurt you? That son of a...

No! No Joe, it's nothing like that.

Then what is it?

He's been coming over here quite often in the past 8 months.

Why couldn't I meet him?

Joe, you're not following me.

Obviously not, I'm clueless here.

He came over today, and informed me that either I go with him now, or....I'll never see him again.

Well being a friend, he shouldn't make you have that choice, and to tell the truth he's a prick for intruding on your marriage like that.

He wasn't exactly intruding.

What do you mean?

Well...

She turns her head away and starts to whimper. Joe, concerned sits next to her and places an arm around her shoulder. She jumps up and stamps on the ground before wiping away the tears.

Why do you have to make it so hard? Damn you! I'm just going to come right out and say it. I'm leaving you and going with him.

Joe chuckles, with a half-convinced look on his face, trying to laugh it off.

Nice one Mandy, the acting and everything was super, top notch.

I'm not acting Joe and this isn't a joke. I'm serious. I don't love you anymore.

How can you say that? What about the ring on your finger, what about my son?

You don't have a son.

A look of sudden realization comes across Joe's face and he sits down, with a look of shock on his face.

Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't want to hurt you...

Why do I find that hard to believe? It certainly didn't stop you this time.

I wasn't sure if he was just lying or what....I had to be sure...and you're not exactly endearing yourself to me either.

What do you mean?

I mean you're never here. You run ICW, sure, but you don't HAVE to go on the shows with them, especially when you have a Vice President. And you don't HAVE to work for LOW, we don't need the money, it's all for you competing cuz you have fun at it. When I got pregnant you went and threatened losing your career to settle a score! And then you come home and I'm supposed to act like everything is ok? Joe, I'm sorry but at least Seth is there for me when I need him. He was here when you were off fighting Orb, and I was worried, and that's when we made love.

I can't fucking believe this.

And then the doctor told in secret, it wasn't your baby.

Get out of my house.

Joe...

Joe, trying to maintain his composure, while still having a look of pain on his face, hangs his head low and in a monotone voice repeats himself.

Get out.

Joe I'm 7 and 1/2 months pregnant!

Get the fuck out of my house.

You can't just kick me out!

Watch me.

Joe, letting his anger get the better of him, makes a motion to strike at her, and she squeaks out a cry of fear, but he stops. He can't do it.

Get out. I'm not saying it again. Call your boyfriend or something, and get out. This is my house.

Not when I sue you. I'll be sure to mention this incident of you almost slapping me.

As the song goes, "Buy you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit, I'll smile in the courtroom and buy you a wardrobe." I'm loaded Mandy, I'll give you whatever. I don't care. GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!

Joe, letting his anger get the better of him, roars loudly at his wife, making her shriek again, before she grabs a small travel bag she had packed when she hears a car horn beeping. She leaves, and Joe just absolutely collapses...being a strong person he doesn't cry without extreme provocation, but this is one of those times. He's teary-eyed, and biting his fist..he knocks over the nightstand, releasing his depression in the form of anger. The phone rings, he ignores it. The answering machine picks up.

Joe? It's me, Angel. I hope you're not too busy at home with Mandy, but I need to speak with you. Meet me at ICW at 7:30.

Joe picks up the phone, and hangs it back up. He slides down the wall next to it, just shocked and depressed, and angered.

An hour later, Joe is at ICW HQ. He knows Angel wants to meet him, but he doesn't much care at the moment. He's pissed off to be honest. He's in his office away from everyone. He's ignored his brother, his friends, even the VP Fiery Phoenix. He's in his office, meditating in a corner. He hears a sharp rap on his door, and checks his watch. It's not 7:30, so it's not Angel. Not caring if he's rude or not, he ignores the knocking. It happens again. He ignores it. Finally the door is opened and he continues to ignore this person, even when it turns out to be ICW Vice President Fiery Phoenix.

Joe? I need to speak with you about something.

He hears her, but it goes in one ear, and out the other. He is indifferent.

Joe, I don't know what happened, but this is business that we need to discuss.

No, Phoenix, you don't know. You don't know what it's like to have your heart ripped out. Right now, I don't care about "ICW"..this whole entire company can go to hell in a handbasket. We could sell it to Taker for all I care. I came here to think, not to work.

I think it's your obligation Joe, to leave your personal problems at home when you come into the office.

I think it's your obligation, to get out of my office, and leave me alone, before I fire you.

You've got a lot of nerve Joe, I should quit right now! At least in another company I'd get respect!

You won't quit. Get out.

Phoenix, pissed off, leaves the office and slams the door. Joe still is unmoved from his chair. Outside we hear a bit of conversation between Josh and Phoenix.

Is he ok?

No..he's not even worried about his own company.

Wow....maybe I should talk to him.

He seems very angry about something. And no offense, but only 4 people I can think of could help him at this moment...and you're not one of them. None of them are here.

That's true. But I can try.

Josh enters without knocking. Joe has unmoved from his position.

Joe, what's goin on man. Phoenix left here pissed.

Let me guess, you care about my situation?

Well, we've been friends not too long, but I still care about my friends.

Sure you do. Everyone says they care. Then they fuck some bastard and run off on you.

What? Joe..um..you've lost me.

Forget it. I have something I need to do. Don't be here when I get back.

Joe gets up from his chair and leaves the room, with Josh scratching his head in confusion.

After driving around the town for what seems like forever, he finally stops at a church in the outskirts of East Rutherford as he is on his way back to ICW HQ, back where his parents used to live, a small town about 20 miles away. He goes to the church he grew up in. We don't know his motives. He goes inside, and goes to the front...kneels, and folds his hands in prayer.

Lord in Heaven...I know it's been awhile since I've asked you for anything, other than your blessing, but I must know what your purpose for me is. I thought you had made the perfect woman in Mandy, at least the perfect match for me. Who is that perfect match Lord? Who was made for me? Forgive me for seeming selfish, forgive me for not forgiving those who have hurt me. I know that you are all forgiving, and I should strive to be more like you. Please lead the one in my life who you have made for me. Please be with me through my time of struggle. In Jesus Name..Amen.

We don't know why Joe has decided to pray here of all places, but he has. He stands up, wipes his eyes, and walks out, gets into his Dodge Ram, and speeds towards ICW.

Shit..I'm late.

Joe is now reaching the ICW again after driving so far away..and he notices he was supposed to meet Angel 23 minutes ago, when he looks at his truck radio. He finally arrives, and the first thought in his mind is anger at himself, and how he's going to apologize to his "sister" for not being there for her. He walks inside and sees no one. A few staff members working late, but otherwise, the person he is looking for is not here. He searches. Upon entering the office, Joe stops, seeing Angel's head in her hands, her shoulder's slumped a little. There is a tissue in on of her hands. Angel sniffs a little and then looks up, seeing Joe standing here. She wipes her tears away and then gets up off the couch, going over and hugging him.

I'm sorry. I didn't know who else to turn too.

Joe continues to hug her, for the moment, keeping his own issues to himself and he leads her over to the couch and they sit down.

What are all the tears for? And don't be sorry, I enjoy your company. I should be the one who's sorry. I'm late, plus I didn't answer your phone call. How did you know I'd be here?

It's okay. I figured you would come here to meet me. I don't know. I've been in such a daze lately. Nothing has been going right. I feel so lost, and I had no clue what to do. I got on my cycle and almost spun out on it. That's when I knew that I had to do something. I'm so scared and confused.

Joe gives her another small hug and hands her another tissue.

What's wrong? Don't you have Rocket to turn to?

No. He doesn't care anymore. You saw how he was when I told him I had a miscarriage. He acted like he didn't care about it. Like it was nothing. But it wasn't nothing. I don't know. I thought that maybe you would understand.

Joe lowers his head slightly, but enough for Angel to pick up on.Angel looks down at his face and her face shows a growing concern.

Joe, what's wrong? Are you okay? Is everything with Mandy doing good?

He doesn't look up.

It's not important. Your miscarriage...I can understand how you feel about it. I know your sad as well. I don't know why Rocket's being such a jerk towards you Angel.

Angel sighs and hangs her head down too. She then looks up at him and puts her arm around his shoulders.

I'm not going to press this issue with you Joe. Just know that I'm here for you, okay?

We didn't come here for me and my problems. It's you I'm here for, remember? I'm looking out for you.

I know that. But when are you going to let me look out for you, Joe? We all need to lean on someone sometimes.

Ok I'll spill it. I'm not going to be a father anytime soon. The baby wasn't mine, and Mandy's left with the real father. I don't know what is going on anymore.

Joe stands up and moves to the opposite side, he's becoming emotional. He simply takes his anger out by punching a hole in the wall before lowering his head.

Sorry. I'm not meaning to load this on you.

Angel gets up and hugs him against her, just holding him.

Don't be sorry Joe. I told you that I was here for you. I care. You aren't loading anything on me that I can't handle. I want to help you in anyway I can, even if that's just listening to you.

For someone that's got her own problems, it seems like I'd be the least of your worries.

Joe, I'm always here to help you, regardless of my own problems. No matter what? Do you want to talk about it some more?

What's to talk about? I've lost everything I've cared for, well, except for you of course, in the span of about 8 hours.

That's not true. You have your brother too. And besides, I thought I would count for something. There's always a silver lining or something that makes everything worth it. There is a reason for what happened. You just have to open up your mind and heart in order to see it.

Well, sorry to say but my mind and heart just don't want to open right now, especially my heart, considering it was just stomped on.

Joe notices blood trickling from his knuckles...he casually wipes it away with a tissue and snickers to himself.

Great, now I've probably busted my hand on top of everything else. I'm just a mess right now. Maybe this wasn't the best time for you to come by here.

No. It was the perfect time. I'm not just your employee, I'm your friend. We are close, you know that as well as everyone else does. I'm here for you as much as you are for me. Now, let me take a look at your hand.

Angel takes his hand and gently wipes it with some tissues. She takes a looks at the knuckles and begins to test the fingers a little, looking for broken bones. Angel grabs some gauze from the first aid kit. She takes his hand and wraps it gently and ties it around.

There. That should hold the bleeding. You might need to change it, but it looks like it should be okay.

Joe looks up and smiles.

Well you've managed to make me feel better. Thanks for that, and you know, the hand thing. I think Rocketboy should really consider treating you better, he's a very lucky man.

Angel gives him a bitter smile and shrugs her shoulders.

Men are all different. We just have to make due, I guess. I'll survive. I always have.

I'll tell you right now, if you were with me, the only thing you'd have to worry about is how to handle all the good things I'd do for you. I'd treat you like the angel you are.

Joe withdraws momentarily, considering the fact he might have said something he shouldn't have.

Sorry for that. I think I've overstepped a boundary there.

Angel smiles and shakes her head.

You didn't overstep any boundaries. Mandy doesn't know what a good thing she lost. You are a rare find. Any woman would be lucky to have you. You deserve to be treated better than you have been too, Joe.

Joe steps away and shuffles his papers on his desk, even though he hasn't even touched them. He seems flustered, if anything.

Yeah, I'm almost inclined to ask if I could take you out...but..well, you're engaged so I need to just remove all of those thoughts from my head right now. I'm sorry.

Joe turns to leave and Angel places a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Angel turns him around and looks into his eyes, tears glistening in hers. She takes a huge gulp and then leans towards him, wrapping her arms around him.

Don't be sorry. I'm not. Joe, what I wouldn't give to have Bob treat me the way you've treated Mandy.

Joe tilts her head upward and gives her a small kiss, then realizing what he has done, backs off slowly, apologizing.

I'm so sorry....Angel I'm very sorry. I'm going to go now...

He's cut off as Angel steps forward and returns the favor with a slightly more passionate kiss as the two embrace...she steps back and puts her hand on her lips, shocked and confused, she quickly leaves the office, not saying anything and Joe curses at himself as the scene fades.