25 minutes to go.

Twenty five minutes til show time. Storming Raven sits on the hood of a random car in the parking lot smoking a cigarette. His guitar by his side. He starts to think of his years in this business, and the friends and family that have come and gone. He takes a last drag off of his cigarette, flicks it off to the side. He picks up his guitar and strums a few chords to make sure it's in tune before he begins to play and sing an old Garth Brooks song.

"This ol' highway's getting longer
Seems there ain't no end in sight
To sleep would be best, but I just can't afford to rest
I've got to ride in Denver tomorrow night

I called the house but no one answered
For the last two weeks no one's been home
I guess she's through with me, to tell the truth I just can't see
What's kept the woman holding on this long

And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old

The competition's getting younger
Tougher broncs, you know I can't recall
The worn out tape of Chris LeDoux, lonely women and bad booze
Seem to be the only friends I've left at all

And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old

Lord, I'm much too young to feel this damn old"

"What's up? You look like you lost your best friend."

Leilani appears seemingly out of nowhere, having sensed his anguish. The connection between them still strong despite the years that have gone by.

Storming Raven shoots that famous grin. He lays back on the hood of the car,with his arms under his head.

"Just thinking about the eight long years I've been in this business. The friends and family that have come and gone. Feel alone you know?"

He sits back up and pulls her onto the car with him.

"I'm on a four win streak, and what do I have to show for it. Sometimes I wonder if this is even worth it. I'm no closer to fulfilling my father's dying wish than I was when I started."

"I know how you feel. Why do you think I've been watching you all this time?"

She looks at him. She knows all too well that feeling of utter loneliness.

"Sadly fame and fortune come with a very heavy price."

He kisses her temple and looks lovingly in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you came back in my life."

He picks his guitar back up, and sings an acoustic version of a song that means something to the two of them.

"I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever.
I said there is no reason for my fear.
Cause I feel so secure when we're together.
You give my life direction,
You make everything so clear.

And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the window,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crushing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you.
I've been running round in circles in my mind.
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl,
Cause you take me to the places,
That alone I'd never find.

And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the wind,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crushing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore."

She smiles up at Storming lovingly as she gently caresses his face. Looking deeply into his eyes.

"My brave Cherokee warrior, I was never too far away. I've always been here all along."

She listens to his singing. The words bringing tears to what would be consider to be cold emotionless green eyes.

"What is it you want to tell me?"

He looks deep into her eyes seemingly into her soul.

"I love you. I've always loved you. I never want to lose you again."

A lot of questions run through his mind, is it too soon to be engaged again, so soon after signing divorce papers?

"Sure I joke around a lot but it means nothing. You're the only one for me. You're the only one who's ever really understood me."

"I love you too."


She does love him. With all her being. She can see herself with no other man but Stormy.

"Shh. I don't want to think about that. Let's just enjoy the moment."

He runs his hands through his hair and just lays in her arms.

"Lani...Why did you leave me in the first place? If you only knew what the women after you put me through. I was ready to just end it all a couple times."

He looks up at the ceiling remembering the past, the names and faces passing through his mind's eye.

"Bless the broken road I guess."

"Neither of us were ready. You had your dreams of becoming the best. I didn't want to be in the way of you getting there. So I followed my own path. But I'm here now. I've seen everything. I was waiting for you to reach out to me. So I continued to watch and wait. I still am...watching and waiting."


She looks and waits.

Storming Raven continues to stare deep into her eyes.

"I love you. I never want to lose you again. My heart,and soul have always been yours...."

He takes a small box out of his pocket and opens it not saying a word revealing:

Leilani stares deeply into his eyes and simply nods. With one word, she speaks from the heart.

"Yes"

He smiles and kisses her, as he slips the ring on her finger.

"It was always meant to be this way. I was never the same when you left. I'll make all your dreams come true."

"I'm not going anywhere, huckleberry. You're stuck with me."

She kisses him again.

Storming Raven smiles.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

He looks around the parking lot.

"This brings back memories"

She smirks as the memories flood her mind.

"I remember the first time we kissed. It was a night just like this...."

He grins.

"After one of my fights. I still don't know why you were there, or what you saw in me. It's not like we knew each other from school."

He chuckles and leans in to kiss her.

"I have a thing for bad boys. Seeing you, I knew you were mine."

She leans in and kisses him deeply.

He grins and kisses her back.

"How did you even know about the fights. Did you follow me?"

He chuckles as he looks around the parking lot.

"My opponent doesn't stand a chance tonight."

"Everyone was talking about it. So naturally I had to see what the talk was all about. Then I laid my eyes on you."

She chuckles.


"Of course not baby. You are the pride of our nation."

"Bloody face and all?"

He laughs and runs his fingers through her hair.

"So when should we set the date?"

"Yes bloody face and all."

She smiles.

"I have no idea."

Storming Raven leans back and takes a pack of cigarettes and a book of matches from his pocket. He flips one in the air and catches the filtered end in his mouth, and strikes a match on his jeans lighting it. He takes a long drawl, and exhales slowly thinking.

"You know I have kids don't you?"

She nods.