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Kendal watches Wren paces back and forth.
"I'm just wondering if we're doing this too soon, y'know? I mean, I know we agreed that we'd tell him when he got back from Japan, but maybe we should hold off, y'know? He's a very busy man, Charles, and I don't know if we'd just be burdening him with the knowledge of us, y'know? Oh God, what if he tells Ava?! She'll be angry that we didn't tell her first because you're supposed to disclose things like this to management. Oh my God, Kendal, you're the Evolve Women's Champion! What if they strip you of your title?! I can't be responsible for that, no ma'am! That's it. We should just call the whole thing off. I mean, I still want you to be a part of the WrenQCC, obviously, and maybe you'll want to put me in the Gray Area for this, but I could never forgive myself. Oh God, what are we gonna do?!"
Actions speak louder than words, so Kendal kisses Wren the moment the taller woman finally stops talking. Wren lets out an adorable gasp which descends into a sigh, her hands cupping Kendal's face and holding her there as Kendal's hands rest on Wren's hips.
When their lips part, Kendal rests her forehead against Wren's.
"Feel better?"
Wren nods enthusiastically. "Yup. Yes. Definitely."
Kendal smiles. "Good. Because we are doing this, Wren. It's time."
Wren bites her lip and looks down at her feet, nodding solemnly.
"I know. I'm just nervous, y'know?"
Kendal chuckles. "I hadn't noticed, but if it makes you feel any better; I'm nervous too."
Wren's looks up, eyes wide. "You are?"
Kendal shrugs. "Maybe not for the same reasons as you. I've never felt this way about anybody before."
Wren blushes. "I...I feel the same way. I just really want Charles to like you."
"He's not your dad, Wren." Kendal says, rolling her eyes.
"I know, but he's like a father to me, and a mentor!"
Wren grasps Kendal's hands determinedly. "To Hell with it. Let's do it. Right now."
Kendal frowns, but before she can reply Wren is dragging her from the locker room and out into the corridor.
"Charles?!" she calls out, one hand cupped to her mouth whilst the other pulls Kendal in tow. Those that they pass give the pair unusual looks, but Kendal can't help but smile. Wren's earnestness is infectious.
Eventually, they find Charlie in catering, filling a paper plate with food.
"Charles! Didn't you hear me? We've been looking all over for you!" Wren says, releasing Kendal and skipping over to her mentor, who doesn't look up from the selection of foods in front of him.
"The entire PC heard you, Wren." Charlie says, shovelling potato salad onto his plate.
"Oh. Sorry about that. It's just, well, there's something we wanted to talk to you about."
Charlie sighs and finally deigns to look at his young protégé.
"What?"
Wren takes a deep breath.
"So, whilst you were away, I set up this group called the WreNQCC-"
"I heard." Charlie interrupts, returning to the food trays. Wren stops and glances nervously at Kendal, who gives her an encouraging look, then scowls at Dempsey when Wren's back is turned. Composing herself, Wren pushes on.
"A-And I thought it would be a good idea to recruit some new, female, members, and Kendal-"
"You didn't think to run this by me first?" Charlie says, interrupting again. Kendal bristles, thinking about how much she'd like to put Charlie through the catering table for interrupting Wren again.
"Oh, well, I-I didn't think that I..." Wren gulps. "...had to, y'know? I mean, you always talked about taking the initiative and-"
"I never said anything about taking over the group that I created, Wren."
Kendal has heard enough. She pushes past Wren - who let's out an anxious squeak - and jabs a finger at Charlie, who appears to notice her for the first time.
"You listen to me, Charles-"
Charlie holds up a hand that Kendal would very much like to break, and talks over her.
"The NQCC isn't looking for new members right now, sweetheart."
Wren, sensing Kendal's rage, quickly puts herself between her and Charlie.
"K-Kendal's actually the real reason I wanted to talk to you, Charlie. She's-I mean, we're a-"
Charlie waves a hand dismissively. "I haven't got time for this right now, Wren. Save it for next week."
He turns his back and begins walking away. Wren half-heartedly calls out to him, but quickly deflates and turns back to Kendal.
"Well, we tried. Maybe Charles is just having a bad-"
But Kendal is no longer listening. She shoves Wren aside and marches after Charlie.
"Dempsey!" she barks. Charlie turns, making an exasperated sound.
"Look, I know you think being Evolve Champion makes you a big deal but-"
Charlie never finishes the sentence, because Kendal wraps her arms around his waist and launches him over her 5'4 frame, sending the former Heritage Cup Champion crashing through the catering table. Food goes flying into the air and splatters over the surrounding area.
Wren stares, aghast, her head jerking between Kendal and Charlie.
"K-Kendal! Why...what did you-"
Kendal stands over Charlie, who stares up at her, dazed.
"You'd better listen good this time, asshole. What Wren was going to say was that she and I are together, understand? I've no idea why, but she respects you and your opinion, so much so that you were the first person she wanted us to tell. So this is me telling you. I'm also gonna tell you that I don't give a damn about you or your opinion, and the only reason I haven't already put your sorry-ass through another table is because of Wren, so you'd better watch how you treat her from now on. Got it?"
Wiping food from his eyes, Charlie looks at Wren, then back at Kendal.
"So...you two are together?"
Kendal nods. "Is that gonna be a problem for you?"
Dempsey shakes his head. "No, no. I'm, well, I'm happy for you. Both of you."
Kendal smiles and brushes her hands together. "Glad to hear it."
Wren nervously walks over. "So, uh, I'll guess we'll see you next week, Charles?"
"Yep." Charlie says, shakily getting to his feet. Behind them, someone clears their throat. Wren and Kendal turn to see Ava standing there with arms folded and eyebrows raised.
"Do I have to ask?" she says, nodding at the destruction.
"Nothing to worry about, Ava." Charlie says, stepping out from behind them. "I, uh, slipped."
Ava gives all three a knowing look. "Right."
Kendal feels Wren's hand slip into hers. "Ava, there's something Kendal and I would like to speak to you about." She says, her voice clear and firm. Ava smiles and turns, beckoning for them to follow.
"We'll talk in my office. You'd better go take a shower, Charlie. Try not to slip again."
Once they are out of earshot of Charlie, Wren is gripped by a bout of disbelieving laughter.
"Oh my God, Kendal! I can't believe you just did that! You totally put Charles into the Grey Area."
Kendal laughs and kisses Wren's cheek. "Hell yeah. I wasn't gonna let him talk to my girlfriend like that."
Wren blushes as they enter Ava's office. "Oh God, girlfriend! This is really happening, isn't it?"
Kendal lifts Wren's hand and kisses it.
"What can I say? Your recruitment pitch was very convincing."