RP Title: The Hunt Begins…
Date Written: July 23rd, 2002
Scene: Various
People Used: Neo, Jennifer Harte-Diamond, Fred
People Mentioned: “The Angel of Death” Sin, TOC

“Love…the eternal mystery…That which the hero seeks…”-Unknown

[The scene opens up in front of a huge, white house that is located in Waterville, Nova Scotia, Canada. The house, like the neighbourhood, is nice. The lawn is well maintained as well as the house, which looks exactly like the first time the parents of Roy Nova set eyes upon it. That was a long time ago though, and it is now under the care of the man himself, Roy Nova, and his soon-to-be wife, Nicole Andrews. And on this happy, great day in the summertime, the two are laying on the couch in their living room, watching TV, Roy with his arms around Nicole. Unfortunately, their joy is intrrupted by a knock on the door. Roy sighs as he gets up off the couch and walks over to the door. Instead of looking to see who's there first like he normally does, Roy just opens to door in a small fit of anger.]

Roy Nova: Look, I don't know who you are or what you want but...

[Roy stops speaking as he looks at the man whose back is to him. Though not much can be told about this man from his backside, Roy easily recognizes him by his hair...medium length and blood red in color.]

Roy Nova: ...Will?

[Without saying a word, the man at the door turns around, and Roy's thoughts become reality. The man is Neo. Or, to Roy, William Diamond.]

Neo: It's been a long time, old friend. Too long, if ya ask me.

[Roys eyes fill up with tears as he looks upon the man he's known all his life. The man who's been like a brother to him. He then embraces Neo and the two stand there, as only long lost family could. Finally, the sweet voice of Nicole breaks the silence.]

Nicole Andrews: Who's at the door, honey?

[Roy wipes his eyes and then leads Neo into his living room. Nicole stares up at Neo with the same wide-eyed wonder that Roy displayed.]

Nicole Andrews: Oh my god... William? We thought you were dead...

Neo: Well, ya'll weren't so far from tha truth then. I wasn't dead, but pretty fuckin close to it. It was hell... But that's all in tha past, eh? I've been free of my nightmare for a while now.

[Nicole sits up as Roy sits down beside her. He offers Neo a seat, but Neo declines, saying that he'd rather stand.]

Roy Nova: What brings up so far North, Neo? I mean, we've heard about Redemption. Personally, I thought it was just some cheap ruse to get people to buy tickets. I mean, for one, I thought you were dead, and, I don't know about anyone else, but I never thought I'd see you and Sean face off. He meant as much to you as I did.

Neo: Yea, that's true bro. He did mean alot to me. But then he turned his back on me, to be another one of Darren's lackeys. *Shakes his head* It's a cryin shame, ya know? But that doesn't matter, cuz I'ma put him in his place this Sunday, by any means necessary.

Nicole Andrews: What about the Tournament of Champions? Should you focus on that too?

Neo: Yea, I should. Tha prize is probably worth alot more. But, tha way I see it, me and tha BDC have it wrapped up. If by some strange distorsion of Fate I get eliminated, Tony and Bane have tha thing won. Though, I admit, I wouldn't mind havin that gold, but if I go down, I sure as hell ain't goin down alone. Whoever my opponents may be, I hope they watch out, cuz I'm aimin to take em out. From tha tournament at least. Out of action for good if I'm lucky.

Roy Nova: That's tha spirit Will! Go in there and kick some ass man! Make us proud!

Neo: I plan to bro. But I didn't come here so ya'll could listen to me talk about my matches. I came here cuz... Well, I've lost touch wit Jenny. I was kinda hopin ya'll might know where she is.

Nicole Andrews: Well, she called here a few times looking for you, but that was months ago.

[Roy then starts to think. Finally, a thought hits him.]

Roy Nova: We don't know where she is, but, I was talkin to Chris a little while ago, and he said he saw her once. It was brief, but she gave him and address, just incase you ever turned up. Or incase he ever got any news... Anyways, I can take ya to his place, if ya want.

Neo: Thanx bro! Thanx a million! I owe ya big!

Roy Nova: *Laughs* You've probably got a few million to spare too!

[They both laugh as Roy grabs his car keys and kiss Nicole. Neo winces as memories flood his mind. He shakes them off though, as he and Roy get into Roy's car and drive off...]

-------------------------One Hour Later--------------------------

[Neo and Roy arrive at a small time airport in New Minas, Nova Scotia, Canada. They get out of the car and Roy leads Neo over to a small house off to the side of the hanger. He knocks on the door and, after a few brief moments, a young man with long black hair and wearing overalls opens the door. He stares at Neo as though he seen a ghost.]

Trent Blood: *In southeren accent* I guess I've died and gone to heaven, cuz if I didn't, I'm surely seein a ghost! Chris! come 'ere bro!

[Trent steps aside as another young man that looks almost identical, except for the fact that he's built more and that he's wearing a pair of faded black jeans, walks up to the door. He takes one look at Neo and almost falls back.]

Chris Blood: Holy shit! It's the walkin dead, or some shit like that! You been diggin 'round the cemetary again Trent?

Trent Blood: Naw bro. That there's a real live massiah if I ever saw one!

Chris Blood: Whatever bro. The mothafuckin Franchise returns!

[Roy cuts Neo off before he can say anything.]

Roy Nova: We gotta make things as brief as possible, cuz Neo doesn't have a lotta time here.

Trent Blood: What? Is he dyin?

Roy Nova: Fuck no! He's gotta get somethin done, then be in Cancun. Anyways, Chris, Neo needs ya to take him to that address that Jennifer gave you.

Chris Blood: Alrighty! Lemme get the paper and we can be off. By the way Neo, I'm an excellant pilot, so you needant worry!

[Trent mutters the words "Excellant my ass" and Chris smacks him upside the head. A few minutes later, Neo and Chris are on one of the brothers' planes, getting ready for takeoff...]

--------------------Hours later-----------------

[Neo stands in an alley beside a big brick house in Detroit, Michigan. He paces back and forth, periodically looking over at a trash can where he set Fred down. After a while, he begins to talk to Fred and the cameraman, whom is hiding behind a dumpster.]

Neo: This is where Chris said she’d be…Fuck! Wut tha hell am I supposed to say? “Hi, how ya doin?” Fuck no! Gah!

[Neo slams his fists against the brick wall in frustration. He then turns around, leans back against it, and slowly slides down in, finally resting with his knees up and his head in his hands.]

Neo: *Holding back tears* This is incredibility unfair! Tha first time in months that I get to see her, after I’ve missed her so fuckin much, and I don’t even know wut to say! FUCK!

[Neo lets his head sink farther down as he almost begins to cry. After the stress of the past few weeks, who could blame him? But, just before he DOES begin to cry, the cameraman taps him on the shoulder, motioning towards the end of the alley. Not knowing what the cameraman wants him to see, but figuring he should find out, Neo picks up Fred and walks to the end of the alley, where he looks out and around the corner. What he sees shocks and surprises him. Jennifer IS there. She is standing in front of the house that he is standing next to, but she’s not alone. There is a young man with her. The two seem to be talking about something or other, but they both seem to be happy and content. Fearing the worst, Neo continues to watch on as they finish their little chat and Jennifer gives the man a hug, before turning around to go to her car. The man turns and goes back into the house as Neo’s heart sinks. He turns back into the alley and slumps down against the wall again, a few tears streaming down his cheeks.]

Neo: I guess I was too late…She found someone else…FUCK!

[Neo nails the trash can that’s sitting beside him, which makes a very loud noise as it topples over. When the noise is heard, the man stops for a second. Suspicion arises as he decided to walk towards the alley. Jennifer stops when she sees the man she is with walking towards the alley way. Something , out of nowhere, triggers her to walk back into the house. Neo hears the heavy footsteps. Much too heavy to be that of a female, but he ignores them and the frantic cameraman beside him.]

Neo: Yea yea, I hear tha footsteps. But it don’t really matter anymore. Nothin does. So if you wanna get outta here, go ahead. I’m stayin. Maybe this’ll help me clear my head…

[The man finally stops to see a camera man and Neo both on the ground. A very shocked and surprised look came across his face. All he does is shake his head at the scene.]

Alex: Hey man, where have you been?

[A very perplexed Neo, who has now stops his crying and dried his eyes, looks up at Alex, not moving from his position. The puzzled look on he face displays the fact that, although they have met before, the ordeals of the past few months have caused him to forget. All he knows is what he saw.]

Neo: You act as though we’ve met before…I’m sorry dude, but I’ve never seen you before. But I guess I should congratulate ya.

Alex: Congratulate me? All I did was take care of my sister when you ran away bud.

[Neo’s confusion is taken to a new level with this. Did he say…his sister?!?!]

Neo: I never ran away. I didn’t have any choice BUT to leave. It’s a long story…But, yer sister?! Wut tha hell are you talking about?!

Alex: Jen is my sister, remember?

[Finally, the realization of who this man is hits Neo. He is Jennifer’s brother, Alex. The man he met long ago in a hospital. Also a man he disliked. But, he decides to put that fact behind him for now, as there are more important things to worry about. Neo stands up and looks at Alex, who is a few inches shorter than he is.]

Neo: Right. Yea. Sorry. I didn’t remember at first. So…where is Jenny?

[Back at the porch, Jennifer walks out of the house with a very displeased look on her face. In her arms a baby that doesn't look anymore than a few weeks old.]

Jennifer: Alex. You don't leave babies alone…god.

[Jennifer walks off the steps while looking around the area.]

Jennifer: ALEX! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!

[Back in the alley, hears Jennifer’s calls, then looks down at the cameraman who is sitting on the ground. Neo just shakes his head and looks back up to Alex.]

Neo: She’s callin for you, bro. Don’tcha think you should go see wut’s up?

Alex: I'll think I'll let her come here instead…

[As a minute passes, Jennifer lets out a sigh then continues around to the alleyway where Alex and Neo are. Slight anger is in her eyes and movements, when she finally makes her way into the area.]

Jennifer: What the fuck did I tell you Alex? You don--

[She lets out a very loud gasp with a very puzzled, surprised look on her face. In disbelief, Jennifer studies Neo.]

Jennifer: Ne-Neo?

[Neo looks to her, and his eyes light up briefly. His joy is short lived, however, as he remembers he hasn’t a clue as to what he should say. He then puts his arms behind his head and leans up against the wall, still looking at her.]

Neo: Yea. Tha ghost lives, so to speak. Almost didn’t, but meh.

[Slightly hurt, Jennifer walks over to him.]

Jennifer: But that's good right? Where did you go?

[Alex walks away from the scene and back into the house. Neo looks to make sure he’s gone, then goes back over, sits on the trash can, and sighs.]

Neo: That’s a really long story, that I’ll tell ya in it’s entirety some other time. But, there is one thing I gotta say. Despite wut it may have looked like, I didn’t desert ya. God, I’d never do that. I love ya wit all my heart Jenny. That’s why I’m here. But that really doesn’t answer yer question, does it? Tha details would be horrifying, so lemme just tell ya this: I wasn’t myself, and because of that, I couldn’t be around you. I couldn’t be around anybody I cared about.

Jennifer: Oh

[She carefully walks forward to where Neo is, because of the half awake child in arms. Jennifer smiles a bit to try to comfort Neo.]

Jennifer: Well I haven't been myself. So you aren't alone. I guess.

[Neo looks down at the child Jennifer is holding, then back up to her.]

Neo: I always thought ya’d look good as a mother *Slightly laughs* Wutcha doin? Babysittin yer bro’s kids or somethin?

[A small laugh comes out of the girl's mouth. Right after the laugh is a soft smile appearing from Jennifer.]

Jennifer: No...this is James.

Neo: James eh? Cute kid. But um…if that’s not yer bro’s kid, who’s kid is it?

[She takes the baby from her arms then places him in Neo's arms.]

Jennifer: Yours.

[Neo looks down at the baby that Jennifer gave to him in shocked disbelief. He then begins to speak in a low, somewhat defeated and VERY shocked tone.]

Neo: Whoa… My kid? H-How could it be my kid? I wasn’t…um…around for a really long time. Th-Th-This is tha last thing I would’ve expected…

Jennifer: You didn't give me time to tell you that I was pregnant. I found out around the day you left.

[Neo looks down at the baby one more time, then gives him back to Jennifer.]

Neo: So…um…wut yer sayin is….I have a son?

[She nods her head lightly. Neo then looks away briefly, letting it all sink in. He then turns back to her, glancing briefly at her eyes.]

Neo: God…This is probably tha most unexpected thing that’s ever happened to me. I dunno though….I dunno bout all this, I mean. I should be happy but…*Starting to talk more to himself then Jennifer* I’m no role model. I’m probably tha LAST person on tha planet that should be looked up to, much less a father…

Jennifer: Then why do the fans love you? Children everywhere that watch wrestling look up to you and now you have your own that WILL look up to you no matter what. Like me.

[Neo’s eyes soften as he looks from James to Jennifer, and he almost starts to cry. He beats back that and then begins to speak, still keeping a low tone. His mind then comes off the fact that he has a child and he begins to think about the tragedy that was his life for the past few months. He then looks at Jennifer.]

Neo: I dunno… I’m still no role model, no matter how many people look up to me. And there’ll be even less of a reason to look up to me after Redemption, cuz of me and Stylez…But…there is one thing I do know…*Stares into her eyes* I love you Jenny. And I’m sorry. Sorry for tha fact that I wasn’t there, that I haven’t BEEN here.

[Jennifer leans in to kiss his cheek then looks to James.]

Jennifer: I deserved it Neo. Anyways I'm guessing this was someone's way to make me have a reality check.

Neo: Never. Ya deserve way better than that. And from now on, I promise I’ll give ya everythin ya deserve. And…Neo is my gimmick. It’s me but…well, Jenny, I think that maybe ya should start callin me by my actual name.

[With that, Jennifer takes Neo’s hand and leads him inside the house, where he stays with her. For tonight, anyways…]

END