“Ronin” Chris Dumont vs. Marie Jones

[The Matt]

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April 17th, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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Taking the Leap has come and gone and, as expected, Marie Jones did not walk away from the event with a tag team title shot in her back pocket. Instead it was the duo of Glory Braddock and Brittany Lohan who conquered all of the other teams and are now in contention for the tag team championship. The Phoenix did her best but she knew that the promise of a tag team title opportunity was a long shot, especially when it came down to the fact that she was teaming with Chris Dumont, a man she had never before worked with, a man with whom she had no real chemistry. But now Jones must return her focus back to her SCW Television Championship. She won the championship for a historic third time by defeating Colleen, but that victory was for more meaningful than just another trophy or achievement for The Phoenix. This was symbolic of Marie’s intentions since returning to SCW. Marie had returned promising to be the workhorse, to be a fighter, and the SCW Television Championship is the workhorse title. You have to be a true fighter week in and week out. Holding this championship and defending it is Marie’s way of fulfilling her commitment to SCW and its fans. But this next opponent, her first challenger to the championship, will certainly be a rather awkward one to say the least. Jones will defend against her tag team partner from Taking the Leap, Chris Dumont. In the span of just a few short weeks Jones and Dumont have gone from allies fighting for a common cause to rivals fighting over a championship both crave. It certainly is funny how wrestling can take sudden twists and turns like that, but for a second generation wrestler like Marie, none of this is surprising. None of this is shocking. And despite the brief bond she formed with Chris Dumont at Taking the Leap, she will still do whatever it takes to successfully defend her championship on Breakdown.

Defending her championship against Chris Dumont isn’t the only thing that has been weighing heavily on the mind of The Phoenix. While her redemption journey in wrestling has gone well thus far, her redemption in her personal private life has had its fair share of ups and downs. On the one hand, Marie has finally earned the trust of her family. Her family finally believes that the brainwashing that led her to joining the Inner Peace cult has been broken and furthermore that she is mature and responsible enough to once again take over the very important duties of being a parent. Which means Marie not only gets her house back but also means she gets custody of her son, Sean Connor Jones, back. Knowing that her family trusts her and believes in her again is a gratifying and wonderful feeling. Yet at the same time Marie knows that there is still one secret that her family doesn’t know, a secret that would make them think twice if they knew; that secret has to do with Julianne Buchanan. Julianne is the beautiful blonde who Marie developed a romantic relationship with and who managed to convince Marie twice to join Inner Peace. Marie’s sister Kim and their mother Angelica both are aware of Marie’s continued relationship with Julianne. And while they do not trust Julianne, they have been willing to give the relationship a chance. But what they do not know is that Julianne never really left the Inner Peace cult. In fact, Julianne is making a play to take over the cult and she wants Marie to join her.

It is quite the decision for Marie. She recognizes that twice before Inner Peace fooled her, manipulated her, and nearly ruined her life. She would be foolish to join a third time after going to so much trouble to earn her family’s trust back. But Julianne insists that this time Inner Peace will be different. She insists that this time it will not be some cheap cult, that it is purely about female empowerment. Marie wants to trust her lover, she wants to believe Julianne. But she also knows how her family would react. If she were to join her lover in this new incarnation of Inner Peace, everything she fought so hard for on this redemption journey would be gone, all on a gamble that she can trust Julianne, that this time really will be different.

Today she isn’t thinking about it. Right here and now she is focusing on being with Julianne and enjoying her company. For the longest time Marie and Julianne have had to sneak around and keep their relationship a secret. But now that Marie’s family knows about and is ok with the relationship, they can freely enjoy one another without a care in the world. The smile on her face as she walks through the hall of her large, luxurious Boston home is evidence of just how happy Marie is on this day. Jones is wearing an ankle length floral print skirt, a red silk blouse, and sandals. She is carrying two glasses of red wine, one in each hand. The Phoenix makes a turn and enters her opulent living room area where she spots her beautiful blonde lover Julianne Buchanan sprawled out on the sofa. It has been forever since Julianne has visited Marie’s home. She could never have her over out of fear of her family finding out. But now things are different. And things are looking up for their relationship. Sure, there is that looming decision Marie will have to make regarding Inner Peace. Hopefully she can keep that decision on the back burner for as long as possible and just enjoy her time with Julianne. She knows Julianne can be impatient and headstrong, but perhaps she won’t bring it up.

“You’re not going to sleep, are you?” Marie asks as she walks over towards the sofa. Julianne looks up at her and smirks. She then swings her legs over the side of the sofa and sits up to make room for Marie. She sits down next to Julianne and hands her a glass of wine.

“Not a chance.” Julianne holds up her glass. “How about a toast?”

“What are we toasting?”

“How about the fact that your family finally are willing to let you live your life, that they’re keeping their nose out of our business? Or how about toasting to the fact that you have your house back and I can actually spend time here instead of you having to stay with me at my place all the time?”

“Or maybe a toast to me getting custody of my son back?”

“Sure. That too.” Julianne grins. She and Marie clink their glasses together and then take sips of their wine. Julianne sighs. “Incredible wine.”

“I broke out the best stuff in celebration of this occasion.”

“Clever girl. And what a celebration this is! I mean, not only is your nosy mother and annoying sister finally keeping out of our business, but you finally have this gorgeous home back from that idiot sister of yours.” Julianne shakes her head. “Honestly, I’m surprised that freak didn’t trash the place.”

Marie feels slightly upset, bothered by how Julianne is speaking about her mother and sister. She doesn’t like to hear it. But in fairness, Angelica Jones has always found it difficult to cut the apron strings. She’s always been very involved in her life. And as for Kim, well, Kim does tend to rub people the wrong way. So Marie can understand why Julianne may not like her that much. Marie chooses to keep her criticism to herself for now.

“Kim can certainly be…strange…”

“That is an understatement.”

“...but she DOES respect my boundaries.” Marie states firmly. “She would never have trashed the place.”

“Why was she staying here anyway?”

“To look after Sean.” Marie states. “He already lost me. Kim didn’t want to see him have to force any other unnecessary changes on him. So she just moved in here. Technically she did own the place. I signed the deed over to her when I first joined Inner Peace.”

“But now you have it back?” Julianne asks. Marie nods her head as she sips on her wine.

“Yeah.”

“Good. And uh, speaking of your son, where is he?”

“He isn’t here if that’s what you’re asking.” Marie begins. “He is with Kim right now. I figured you would want some alone time with me.”

“You read my mind.” Julianne says with a wide ear to ear grin. Both women set their wine glasses down and then they begin to passionately make out. It quickly escalates as Julianne pushes Marie onto her back on the sofa. Julianne is on top and she goes for Marie’s top, attempting to pull it off. But Marie stops her.

“Really, Julianne?” She laughs. “Now?”

“Oh and why not now?”

“For starters its early afternoon. Second, we have a bedroom for this!”

“Then let’s go to the bedroom.” Julianne says as she kisses her on the lips again. Marie chuckles as she gently pushes Julianne off of her and sits up. Julianne sighs with a hint of disappointment.

“Later, Julianne. I would just rather enjoy your company right now. That’s all.” Jones leans her head against the blonde’s shoulder. Julianne strokes Marie’s hair.

“I suppose I can wait.” Julianne remarks. “But if we’re just going to sit here and cuddle and enjoy each other’s company, then I would like to ask a question.”

“Sure.”

“Have you thought about my proposal?” Julianne asks.

“What proposal?” Marie plays dumb, acting as if she doesn’t know what her lover is referring to; but she knows full well what Julianne means. She just hopes Julianne will drop it. Marie doesn’t want to talk about Inner Peace. Not here and not now.

“Inner Peace, of course.” Julianne states, quickly dashing Marie’s hopes of this topic not coming up. Marie sighs as she shakes her head.

“Honestly, Julianne, I was hoping not to talk about this…” her voice trails off.

“Well when do you want to talk about it?” Julianne’s voice has a hint of displeasure and impatience. “I told you almost a month ago about my plans for Inner Peace, our plans to relocate, rebuild, and refocus. I want you to join me in this new era of Inner Peace and I gave you the time you wanted to think about it. But it has been a month and you haven’t so much as brought it up again.”

“Please try to understand where I’m coming from.” Marie says quietly. “I joined Inner Peace twice…” she sighs “...both times I was manipulated and deceived…”

“This time is different.” Julianne interrupts. “This is NOT the same Inner Peace.”

“Forgive me for having some doubts. And my family…” she shakes her head “...they wouldn’t believe it, not for one second. Everything I have done to earn their trust back, to get this house back, to win custody of my son back, all of it will be put at risk.”

“I swear to you that things are different now.” Julianne places a firm hand on Marie’s shoulder. “There is nothing sinister here, despite the misgivings you or your family may have. This is about female empowerment. There isn’t anything wrong with that, is there?”

“No…” Marie’s voice trails off.

“And I love you, Marie. I love you more than anything.”

“I love you too.”

“Then join me.” Julianne says grinning. “Because I want you by my side when I restructure and restart Inner Peace.”

“You’re not making this easy for me.” Marie says. “What if I were to say no?”

“Don’t be silly.” Julianne laughs lightly. “We were meant for one another. We were MADE for one another.” The blonde kisses Marie on her forehead. “You know that your proper place is by my side.”

The Phoenix is a complete mess with a mixture of conflicting emotions. Her logical mind tells her that this is all wrong, that she risks everything by following her heart and following Julianne. But deep in her heart she feels something special about Julianne. She feels loved, she feels cared for when she’s around Julianne. She feels comfortable when she’s in Julianne’s grip. Everything feels right when she is around Julianne. And after this conversation with Julianne, Marie now realizes that rejecting her offer to join Inner Peace will also come with a risk; she risks losing Julianne. What a difficult decision; if she joins Inner Peace, she risks losing her family. If she doesn’t join, she risks losing her lover. And now that same lover seems hell bent on forcing her to make a decision right here and now.

“So what do you say, Marie?” Julianne asks. “Do you want to join me? Do you want to be a part of this new era of Inner Peace?”

“Well…I have thought about it…” Marie finally nods her head “...yes, I will join you.”

“You will be with me in Inner Peace?”

“Yes.” Marie nods her head. Immediately the blonde squeals with delight.

“Oh this is such wonderful news!” She embraces Marie in a tight hug. “You have no idea how happy you have made me!”

“I…I am glad you’re happy.” Marie says quietly, unsure of herself and unsure if she has truly made the right decision. Julianne quickly grabs her wine glass and holds it up again. Marie grabs hers and holds it up.

“Another toast…to the new era of Inner Peace!”

“To Inner Peace.” Marie repeats. They clink glasses and then sip on their wine. Julianne seems absolutely thrilled. Marie is happy that she has made Jullianne happy. But she is also unsure if she has made the right decision. She knows that this is a big gamble. She risks losing her family at the expense of maintaining her relationship with Julianne. Her family trusted her and now she went and did this? Has Marie lost her mind?

But trust does go both ways. She must put her faith and her trust in those that she loves. Marie realizes now what she must do. She just hopes that the trust is there, that the faith is there, and that it isn’t too late. Because there is only one way to confirm whether or not she has made the right decision. Only one way.