Continuing from the last chapter*

Bayley just canceled her and Tommy's date after hearing about his regret on breaking up with his ex girlfriend.

She didn't want to be the thing to hold him back that was making him happy.

A couple days later*

Tommy and the rest of the Firing Squad were on tour with WWE Live throughout the midwest. During this time, he would try to find Bayley but on the second day he found out that she had gone home with a slight injury to her ankle.

That bumbed him out as he was really trying to get her back.

But that'll have to wait, or will it?

Friday; 2 days before Elimination Chamber*

The tour was over and everyone had a couple days to go back home and relax before the chaos unfolds this upcoming Sunday.

Tommy had flown home with Donte as soon as the last show of the tour was over, so he was back in Texas.

Alarm*

He dreaded the alarm going off as he hasn't been able to get any sleep.

Ever since Bayley explained herself, he felt like a horrible person as he made her feel like a quick thing.

Tommy of course never wanted her to feel like that as he knew this could've been a serious thing.

Alarm shuts off*

His eyes opened as the sun was shining in his window, then he rolled over and saw the alarm clock read 11:00am*.

The normal alarms are set for seven in the morning, so that means he slept through four alarms before the fifth one got him.

Tommy: Je-us rubbing his eyes*

After a couple minutes of laying there, he decided to finally get up and get ready for his day.

He reached for his phone and saw a news bulletin pop up from WWE regarding the health of one of his boys.

@wwe

"Due to suffering a slight injury during the tour on the east coast this week, AKX has been ruled out of this Sunday's Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber match. He has been replaced by Ali."

That crushed him as one of his friends isn't involved in the match now, but being the veteran that Donte is; Tommy was sure that he was building something for Sunday.

But he now had a mission for today and needed to get it done before the days done.

30 minutes later*

Tommy was showered and cleaned up as he was dressed up a little for something hopefully special.

After he finished eating a small breakfast and cleaned the pot of coffee, Tommy grabbed his keys to his car and backed out of the driveway.

As the news broke with Donte, Tommy knew that he would be home until they all had to leave the next morning.

Down the road*

The car was parked outside of Donte's house where he saw his car in the drive.

Tommy jumped out of his car and walked up to his front door, then knocked on the door to see it open seconds later.

Donte: Eyy Tom, what's up?

Tommy: What's up man? Can we talk for a second?

Donte: Yeah sure, c'mon in.

He opened the door for his bro and both were now walking into his living room where Tommy looked at him walk and saw the boot.

Tommy: I've asked before, but how are you feeling?

Donte: Honestly, I feel fine. One hundred percent but you know wrestling regulations.

Tommy: True, but what happened? I don't remember seeing that boot when we were flying back?

Donte: Match with Buddy Murphy was going on until Kevin came out with his belt, hit me to disqualify me and targeted my leg.

Tommy: Really? That doesn't seem like his character.

Donte: It doesn't. They're already speculating that I was a threat in that line up, so Kevin took it to his own hands and took me out.

Tommy: That's actually pretty smart. I know he's got Alex in there now but I don't think they'd get into it as he's got others to worry about.

Donte: It is, but he has no idea what he's got coming this Sunday.

They shared a laugh, then Tommy remembered what he was over there for, a quick question and explanation.

Tommy: Man, I'm in a hole.

Donte: What's up?

Tommy: So Pam and I are now off.

Donte: What!?

Tommy: She overheard something about Ariel and I, then said she cant be the one to hold me back from being happy and left.

Donte: Oh man..

He rubbed his head and wondered if it was his fault.

Donte: I think I may have ruined it.

Tommy: Ruined it?

Donte: I was telling Leah and Lexi about it, then she overheard it.

Tommy: I see.

Donte: I'm sorry man.

Tommy: Nah, I'm sure she would've heard about it before. Plus I think I can get her back.

Donte: How?

Tommy: That's why I'm here, you and Leah..

But before he could say anything else, Donte had to interrupt him for a second as something was wrong.

Donte: Yeah, about Leah. We broke up.

Tommy: You did?

Donte: Last night. She doesn't seem like the type I can keep up with.

Tommy: Damn man.

Donte: Why? What did you need?

Tommy: I was going to head over to their house and try to talk to Pam.

Donte: Yeah. It wouldn't be a good idea for me to go with you. It didn't end well as she was pretty upset.

Tommy: I get it. Thanks anyways man.

They bro hugged and he headed out of his house, back into his car.

After thinking for a second, Tommy put his car in gear and headed down the road and a couple blocks.

5 minutes later*

Tommy pulled in front of Carmella and Bayley's house, both cars in the drive so they were home.

He took a deep breath and unbuckled, shut his door and started to walk until he reached the front door.

When his feet hit their front door mat, he took another deep breath and rung the door bell.

Then after a minute, he saw a head peak through the front curtains, then he heard footsteps run to the door until it opened.

Carmella: Tom? What's up?

Tommy: Hey Leah, is Pam home?

Carmella: She's out back, here come in.

He obliged and walked in to see her new puppy run up to him, then Carmella watched him squat down to pet the little one before following her.

Then as they walked through the house, Tommy had to being it up.

Tommy: I'm sorry to hear about you and Donte.

Carmella: It's alright. Even though we dated for a month, something felt left out.

Tommy: ...

They continued until Tommy could see Pamela outside in the back, laying in the sun.

But before he walked out, Carmella stopped him.

Carmella: So I've talked to her a little more about what's going on between you two.

Tommy: Anything good?

Carmella: Well she still likes you, like alot. But whenever she heard that little thing back at the backyard, that crushed her.

Tommy: I feel awful about that. It's all a misunderstanding in fact.

Carmella: You don't have feelings for your ex? Even though we all know what happend that night before?

Tommy: Like I've said before, seeing her after almost a year and getting some drinks in us made us turn to that.

Carmella: Well I'm going to tell you this now, and as her best friend. Pamela is nothing like that, she's looking for something serious. So if you hurt her, I will kick your ass.

He held his arms up and smiled as he knew what she was talking about.

Tommy: Leah, you have my word. If I can get this to work, I'll never hurt her. I'm not a player, I'm respectful and honest. Trust me, nothing will happen like that.

Carmella: Better.

She smiled back and then continued with her day by walking back into the house, which left Tommy to look outside the glass sliding glass door.

He stood there for a second before opening the door and closing it, that got her attention as she lifted her head up and looked at him.

Bayley: Tom? What are you doing here?

He waited to reach her and sit down next to her before saying anything else.

Tommy: I came to talk to you.

Bayley: Listen, if this is about us. I don't need to hear it. I know the situation and have been there before.

Tommy: Pam, listen. What I said back at the locker room on Monday was true. You never let me really finish anything but I wanted to tell you..

She then sat up and covered herself up a little while watching him through her sunglasses.

Tommy: I really want to go out with you on another date. I had alot of fun at the bowling alley and talking to you, alone. You make me feel open and comfortable. You're fun to hang around and we have alot in common.

Bayley: Yes, we do. But you seemed to sound happier with your ex girlfriend that night.

Tommy: That night was a mistake.

Bayley: Really now?

Tommy: I broke up with her almost a year ago that night, and for the wrong reasons. But I could've gone back to her after our schedules were good, but I didn't. I felt like I could've gone and spread to meet more people.

Bayley: And that's when you met me?

Tommy: Yeah. So can you please give me a chance?

She sat up completely and looked around as she was giving it some thought.

Bayley: I don't know. I've been in a toxic relationship for sometime now and I don't want to go into another one.

Tommy: You have my word, you will never feel that way around me.

Fast forward to Sunday*

Donte flew out early Saturday morning to go meet everyone in New Orleans for multiple meetings about his storyline.

Tommy was now going solo as he rented a car to drive there.

He left Dallas around one in the after noon on Saturday, then took the seven and a half hour drive there.

It was around half way where he met up with Anthony and Becky, they were driving from Nashville after a week of traveling around the south.

She was showing him around the states that he hadn't been around, and since she still lived in Nashville then that would be perfect for tourist attractions.

The new, close couple then were followed by Tommy as he had no idea how to get to where the venue was.

Everyone arrived around eight at night and were already dead tired from traveling all week.

It wasn't long before they all crashed at the hotel.

Sunday*

Today was Tommy and Alex's first pay per view for WWE, and only one of them were nervous.

Alex has been a bit nervous all week since he's gotten some news about his match. And now he's in there alone since Donte was ruled out, so now he's gotta keep his feet planted.

Later on into the evening*

The "Elimination Chamber" pay per view has been going on for some time now as they're already into their second chamber match of the night.

For the womens match, Sasha won it as she now has a match for the RAW Women's Championship against Natalya at Wrestlemaina.

Already off the back a huge victory for Firing Squad as "The Boss" was able to submit Charlotte Flair to win. That was already a huge step ahead from Bullet Club.

Now, the second chamber match is on and is for the Intercontinental Championship.

Firing Squad only has one member in with Alex, while Bullet Club has two; Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.

He also had Buddy Murphy, Ali and Kevin Owens but they weren't a threat.

Everyone in the back would think that Buddy and Alex would battle it out quite a bit, but what they found out was he doesn't know that Alex is dating Lexi.

Still secret to most of the mens locker room besides the people in the inner circle.

With Tommy and Anthony*

Both were in the mens locker room watching the match count down its numbers.

Both Bullet Club members were already eliminated along with Ali and Buddy. So that left Alex and Kevin duking it out in the cage.

The Intercontinental Champion had the upper hand most of the time as he hit his cannon ball move in the corner.

Just before he could throw Alex up in the power bomb position, the lights went dark and Anthony hit Tommy's shoulder.

Anthony: Woah.

Tommy: Oh shit, here we go.

Both men were glued to the screen as when the lights came back on, the door to the chamber was forced open and there stood a pissed off AKX.

The cameras watched AKX grab Owens, walk him to one of the pods with force. He hit a hard forearm to the champ as he leaned up to the glass, but before he could do anything; Kevin moved from the glass and was then pushed into it by Donte.

He more like speared him through one side and out of the other side.

Then he threw the champ back in and walked back out of the gate as Alex went for the pin and got the three count.

Alex stood up and held his fists to the air as he got a mixed reaction from the croud.

But the ref didn't take long to hand over the title and have him go to the back quickly as they could fix the destruction that Donte caused for the next match.

While they were doing that, Tommy stood up and slipped on his head phones to get warmed up before his match.

Anthony walked out as they do different warm ups, and also to give each other space.

He was jamming out while stretching and making sure everything was on correctly.

While this was happening, Alex and Donte walked in as a trainer followed too.

They were now checking to see if Donte was good to get rid of the boot, which he was.

Now a storyline was building between Kevin and the new Intercontinental Champion Alex; A nice triple threat rivalry to happen soon.

Go time*

Tommy took off his head phones as he was called to gorilla and followed Anthony there while walking past everyone.

This could be match of the night if it works out.

There were big names in this match with Finn Bálor, AJ Styles, Anthony Jenkins, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre and Tommy Majors.

One by one would get called in to the ring from whatever number they pulled. It seems like both Firing Squad members would be in pods since they were getting close to be called last.

But before their names were called, Tommy got Anthony's attention.

Tommy: Hey, remember. Business is business.

He held up his fist as they bumbed them together and nodded.

Anthony: Forever.

Anthony was then called and then before they knew it, Tommy was then called and locked into a pod.

Drew and Ricochet started the match off, which left both rivalry factions would stare each other down.

Throughout the match*

It would be tough to pin people, but that would soon change as Finn would be let out as the first pod guy.

He launched everyone towards Tommy and Anthony, trying to intimidate them as they were going to town.

As soon as AJ was let through, they pinned Ricochet and Drew pretty quickly with the double teaming.

That left them just waiting around for the next pod to open, which when it was they let Anthony out.

Backstage, everyone was told that Tommy would be let out before Anthony, but they changed and Tom watched the champ, his brother get double teamed.

That fired him up as he started to try to open the door, which ended with the cameras catching the sound of a crash.

Everyone turned to see Tommy kicking the glass out and escaping before they could open the doors.

The ref never threw him out so it was go time.

Tommy went in for the assaults and was backing up Anthony.

Backstage*

All of the talent were watching the big screen in the back as four legends were throwing down for the first time ever.

Bayley was watching with her four horsewoman at a table, just glued to the screen.

Finn was hit with a superkick to the front, and one from Anthony to the back of his neck.

He was out as Tommy went for the pin while Anthony tackled AJ to keep him from breaking it.

Now it was three.

AJ was now helpless as the assaults happen before he would be later pinned in a minute after his sidekick was.

Now, it leaves Tommy and Anthony*

Both just looked at each other, then Tommy took a quick look at the Universal Championship that was displayed in front of the announcers table.

He would then be blindsided by Anthony coming in with the nasty chops.

End of the match*

Tommy and Anthony were equally up on the match.

For a minute, it looked like they would be counted out for being down. Tommy quickly got up and climbed to the top rope, he was looking for a shooting starpress but was quickly caught.

Anthony tied up his foot so he couldn't move.

While Tommy was trying to unhook it, the Universal Champion climbed to the top of a pod and hit his famous superkick to the back of the head.

Cole: Light's Out for Tommy!

The camera's caught Tommy sell it pretty well, but when he fell he landed on his arm awkwardly.

Pain instantly shot up and down his arm like lightning, but that wasn't the case when he felt Anthony fall on him and heard the three count.

Anthony had successfully retained his Universal Championship for the fifth time since he's held it.

But the celebrating was on hold as the ref had the trainers come out and check on Tommy, and Anthony made sure he was alright.

Anthony: breathes heavily* Ey, are you alright?

Tommy: nods*

The victory came over him and Anthony walked out of the chamber to let the men and women do their work to help Tommy.

Backstage*

An hour has past since the camera's cut, and everyone was in the back getting ready to leave.

Tommy was put into a sling by the trainers until they can get him checked. And Anthony felt horrible and tried to blame himself for it.

Him and Becky were sitting next to Tommy in the hallway.

Anthony: I feel awful man.

Tommy: Don't, you did nothing wrong.

Anthony: Look at your arm.

Tommy: This is all on me. We called the spot together and I landed wrong, nothing you could've done. All me.

Anthony: I feel like it's my fault.

Tommy: Listen, were good. This is all on me, mistakes are always made in this business. Chill brother.

They continued to talk until he side hugged him and Becky, then watched them leave.

That left him alone.

Donte had left with someone that he wouldn't say her name, which threw up red flags from the group; He kept quiet about it.

And Alex, him and Lexi left as soon as his match was over so they could get on the road for tomorrows show in Birmingham.

That left Tommy, all alone in the hallway waiting for someone.

He had sent a text a while ago to have someone meet him in the hallway before shel left.

10 minutes later*

Here comes walking around the corner..

Tommy: Hey Pam.

Bayley: Jeeze Tommy, is anything broken?

Tommy: I have no idea, but I highly doubt. I'm just thinking it's a slight dislocation.

Bayley: Wow.

She put her bags down and sat next to him on the crates as he had a question.

Tommy: I know you probably don't want to hear this, but have you thought over what we talked about?

Bayley: About me giving you a chance?

Tommy: Yeah.

Bayley: Well, yeah I have. And honestly..

She stopped talking which made him curious on what she was going to say.

Bayley: I'm sure you're not going to like this, but I still think you're better off with your ex Tom.

Tommy: Pamela, I'm telling you. I'm done with Ariel, shes the past; and I believe you're my future.

That shocked her to hear him say that, and that also changed her mind on him alot.

Bayley: Really? You think that?

Tommy: I do.

Bayley: I'll be honest. Out of all my relationships, I've never had someone tell me that I mean something to them. Like you do.

Tommy: I feel like we can make this work, as long as you give me a chance.

He had his hand on her hand while they were on top of each other on the crate, she then looked at him and cracked a smile.

Bayley: Ok, I'll give you the chance.

Tommy: Really!?

Bayley: Show me what you got Tommy.

Tommy: Trust me, you'll have my full respect and honesty Pamela.

He kissed her hand and that made her smile.

Tommy: Can we restart this? Maybe by going to dinner when you get back?

Bayley: Wait, you're not going to RAW?

Tommy: They're sending me home.

He held his arm up and groaned as it still hurt a bit.

Bayley: Why don't we do dinner tomorrow night. I can't go from my ankle.

Tommy: Oh, perfect.

He then jumped down and grabbed his bag as she had one more question for him.

Bayley: Hey, do you want to hitch a ride with Leah and I? Were going back to Dallas?

Tommy: If I'm not in the way.

Bayley: C'mon now, it's just us two girls. Plus, maybe this can give us time to talk and get to know each other more before our date.

Tommy: Alright, I'll take the offer.

She smiled and they walked to the rental car to meet Carmella, then they all packed up and were on their way back to Texas.

END OF CHAPTER 7