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The next week Candy made her first on-screen video promo with Retribution. The skit showed them talking to the Justice team about joining forces to get an edge over Davis and his corporate cronies. Slade had mentioned early on how Sam, the nephew, and Candy were not getting along, and they could use it to their advantage. She finally was turning away from her short on-stage romance with Sam that night due to him cheating on her on the show. In actual life, Sam had been fairly nice to her. A little nerdy but seemed okay.

Later that night Candy rushed out to the ring, saving Retribution’s female wrestler Tomi from an attack from Sahara. Another show of loyalty to the faction. The idea was Candy helping Retribution from time to time, becoming one of them. Davis decided not to have her interact with Slade until the end of the show, to avoid them from fighting all night with each other. No one on the staff needed their drama right now, leading up to one of their big pay-per-views.

Standing in position by the stage curtains, Slade and Candy were trying to ignore each other while waiting to go to the ring, but the tension was getting the best of him.

“Try not to botch this move and get us hurt,” Slade said coldly.

He didn’t mean to come off that way. He was just trying to focus before hitting the stage, but his snarky remark hit a nerve.

“Try to get your head out of your ass and watch for me to get in the ring. Neither of us wants to do this. It’s high risk and —” Candy got suddenly silent, realizing the finishing spot was putting trust in Slade to not to hurt her. A soft, wavering voice came out pleading, “Please don’t hurt me.”

Turning his head to look into her sad eyes, he realized she was honestly scared. “I would never put you in danger like that. In the ring, its business, not personal. We watch out for each other there. Do what we talked about, and it’ll be fine. I got you, Sprinkles. Don’t worry.”

He reached over to squeeze her hand to confirm his sincerity.

When his music came over the sound system, the crowd went wild. Retribution was a thorn in everyone’s side on stage, but a real fan favorite. Candy watched the match proceed as Davis’s team of bodyguard wrestlers and Slade faced off. Once Davis came beside her with Sam backstage, she stood at the ready. The head of IWX rushed to the ring to interfere, showing Slade being ambushed by the men.

Waiting patiently for the right time to hit the stage, Candy pacing back and forth to get in the right headspace. This was her big chance to show she was a star. When the time came, Candy ran out, and the crowd erupted in cheers. She slid into the ring, giving a low blow to Davis as Sam, while the bodyguard’s focus was on Slade. She grabbed Sam, throwing him toward Davis, who was struggling to get back to his feet, making him trip over Davis’s body.

Steve, the bodyguard, turned to her, giving Slade a chance to get himself to standing. Steve went for Candy and Slade grabbed her, pulling her behind him protectively. With quick reflex, he kicked Steve in the chest, sending him staggering backward.

Slade turned to check on Candy. “Ready?”

“He’s in the right spot, Slade. Do it.”

Slade picked her up, sling-shotting Candy into mid-air. The next move, ending with a dropkick to Steve in the chest, pushing him over the top rope. While Slade gave Davis a piledriver, Sam rolled out of the rig, then grabbed his uncle’s leg to drag him from the ring.

Everything went as planned, and Candy was feeling good about what she and Slade accomplished together. Even though they were usually bitter rivals, it seemed in the ring they were a great team.

Slade looked over at Candy to make sure she was okay from the hard hit to the mat. He hadn’t meant to launch her into the air so high and far, but she was light as a feather. Across the ring she was back up on her feet, looking back at him with a satisfied grin. Maybe waiting for approval? He didn’t know.

Walking over, he grabbed a mic from a stagehand outside the ring to talk to the audience. “One more step to —”

Slade put the mic in front of Candy in a gesture of solidarity, chanting, “Retribution!” as the crowd joined in.

On the floor, Sam was smacking the mat and throwing a tantrum. She smiled devilishly in his direction to give the allusion that the on-screen romance was over for good. Sam ranted as he helped his uncle from the arena, and Slade raised Candy’s hand in victory. To her surprise, it was nice to feel he accepted her into the fold. Especially since she was now part of a group that she pretended to despise.

Slade and Candy celebrated in the ring for a while before heading backstage. No matter how much they hated each other, they both knew in the ring they had to leave that all behind. Their teamwork was a surprise to them both, and Slade smiled, thinking about how well they worked together. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

“Good job, Sprinkles,” he said, patting her back on the way behind the curtain.

“Thanks for not killing me and launching me into the crowd,” she said with a half-smile.

Reaching over, he pulled her in for a side hug. “Some other time.” Slade chuckled.

Sahara ran up, stopping in her tracks. She was almost at a loss for words to see them smiling at each other. Shocked they were getting along, she said, “Wow! You managed to not kill each other. That was so freaking cool. Everyone was cheering backstage. How did you do that, Candy? You guys looked great out there.”

Candy watched Slade walk away, disappointed she couldn’t celebrate the first night working with Retribution with him.

“Well, that was short-lived. Guess I should be happy he didn’t kill me with that move.”

Sahara looked over her shoulder at him, adding, “You know him. He takes the ring seriously. He would never hurt you. I know you were scared to go out there, but your acrobatics are so cool. I guess it has to be scary letting someone else launch you like a bullet, considering you fight all the time. I think secretly he had fun tonight, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Let’s go grab the Rage brothers and go to the club. I need a drink. Braxton is a great dancer, and he’s funny too. We always have fun hanging out with them.”

“Sounds great. Maybe I can talk Drake and Nick into going, too. Candy, don’t let Slade ruin your shine. You were great out there. I’m so proud of you,” she said reassuredly, hugging her best friend.

Candy turned in the direction Slade left, hoping to get at least a smile back. He was standing, talking to Gage, and sure enough; the smile came with a reassuring nod. It wasn’t much, but it warmed her heart.