(A/N: Again the usual this story takes place in its own special timeline where some real events take place as they do or differently depending on the writer. Again, no Thunderdome, no COVID-19 here, sadly no Capitol Wrestling Center. Sucks? Yeah I know.

Also another disclaimer as early as now, I am fully aware of Tegan's sexuality since she came out as a lesbian sometime in July of this year. And also her coming out as a bisexual sometime after, credits to JohnnyWriting for informing me of this, on an episode of The Bump. Not mad or offended by her coming out. I got no problem with that. But for this story, she's bisexual, but leaning towards men. Updated this last part just to add a bit of real life and still fit with the original drawing board.

We all good? Alright here we go.)

WWE Performance Center, Last tryout day. 1 week after NXT TakeOver.

Patrick had arrived and was working on his last rep, with sweat already showing on his workout shirt. He then headed to the sandbag to work on his striking game. As he had began striking on the sandbag he had this in mind.

Patrick: (mind: Take me seriously damnit! I am worth being a contender!)

He then finished his striking game and saw Matt Bloom enter. 

Patrick: Good morning Sir.

Bloom: Hey there, I've seen you put in all the work since you got here. Today being the last day of tryouts I decided to make it special for you. Found you some special trainers who can make or break your training. - sees the special trainers - And I will leave you with them as I observe you and see if you are worth getting signed as a WWE superstar.

As Matt said this, in came Jessamyn Duke and Matt Riddle to oversee and  assist his training. 

Jessamyn: Oh, if it isn't Patrick Jose. Finally wanted to make the leap huh?

Riddle: Bro! Glad to see you here and take the leap from octagon to squared circle.

Bloom: Oh you three know of one another? 

Patrick: Yes, we all had our brushes in our MMA days. 

Bloom: Then I did a good job picking you two to help our trainee here finish his last day in tryouts. Do your worst on him? - jokingly says that - (mind: Just want to see him push himself more but he is already guaranteed a contract. Hunter has seen his work even when he least knew he was being watched)

Matt Riddle, Jessamyn Duke and Patrick Jose then proceeded to do some drills together. As Patrick did his reps, Matt and Jessamyn were keeping watch on Patrick as he was doing his drills. What Patrick did not know was that he was being watched by another person in the PC, a woman with brown hair still with crutches hobbling about along with Dakota Kai and Mia Yim. 

???: Hey, who is that big man over there doing drills with Jess and Riddle?

Mia: Ooh Tegan, you into that guy now?

Tegan: Uhm no! I'm just interested is all.

Dakota: You seem to be staring right into him now Tegan.

Tegan: No! Geez...

Dakota: I see Jess there. Steph (Mia), we need to see if lunch is still on.

Mia: Yeah, we might have to stream later together with Shayna - chuckles - Come on, Captain Marvel, you're joining us. 

Tegan: Wait! I can't walk as fast on account of my crutches! - pouts  but still tries to catch up to Mia and Dakota - 

Patrick was doing his drills while Jessamyn and Matt Riddle were motivating him.

Jessamyn: Come on now! You got this man. Make the leap!

Riddle: Go bro! No turning back!

Patrick: - finishes his drills, breathing to catch his breath lying on the floor -

Riddle: Bro, you did great! 

Jessamyn: Yeah man! Good job!

As Patrick was catching his breath, Tegan, Dakota and Mia approached Jessamyn.

Mia: Jess! I see you're busy with a new blood here.

Dakota: And this is a big new blood. Big cat but for sure he seems like he can handle himself. *sits down and tries to reach his hand* Did these two tire you out?

Patrick: No ma'am. They did their job to train me.

Dakota: Ma'am? I'm not that old!

Mia: Ma'am? - laughs - 

Tegan: He got you good Kota! - laughs - 

Patrick's eyes were then drawn to the girl with crutches laughing at Dakota. Tegan noticed Patrick's gaze and quickly blushed and looked away.

Dakota: Tegan, what's wrong? Someone stopped the Shiniest Wizard from laughing?

Tegan: Kick rocks Kota! - pouts -

Mia: Oh, we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Stephanie, or Mia Yim.

Dakota: Oh, I'm Cheree, or here I am known as Dakota Kai. And this blushing mess with the crutches is....

Tegan: - interrupts Dakota - I can speak for myself Kota! - pouts then looks at Patrick laying on the ground - My name is Stephanie too, but so you won't be confused, you can call me Tegan Nox. 

Patrick: - breathes but still on the ground a bit tired - Nice to meet you, Mia, Dakota and Tegan. The Femme Fatales of NXT huh? - chuckles -

Jessamyn: Come on now, you haven't met the rest of the NXT Women's Division. 

Riddle: And this is my cue to leave. The wife won't like it when the women outnumber the men, and I will be reporting to Bloom on your progress. Catch you on the flipside bro! - walks away -

Patrick: Riddle? Bro, come on! Help me up, Jess?

Jessamyn helped Patrick up to at least sit up and stand

Patrick: I'd like to shake all your hands, but callouses and I stink 

Tegan: It's not a problem. 

Dakota: Yeah dude, you're good. 

Jessamyn: Speaking of, are we still up for lunch?

Mia: Yeah, Shayna's waiting for us at the chicken place outside the Performance Center.

Tegan: Oh good! I am starving.

Jessamyn: Hey Patrick, want to join us for lunch? I mean you will have to report back right after for when Matt (Bloom) calls you trainees up.

Patrick: A good meal seems to be on the cards for me. But not too much as I don't want to eat more than what I've burned. 

Jessamyn: Yeah yeah, but come on. Don't go wet blanket on us. Especially Tegan here.

Tegan: Jess! Take that back! - pouts -

Jessamyn: Until you get to beat us or be at par with us when we do multiplayers, babe.

Patrick felt a bit off when it came to gaming as his background did not allow much gaming from his life before entering the crazy, combat filled world of MMA and now the WWE. Tegan noticed this uneasiness from Patrick.

Tegan: Now, hey guy, no need to be upset. 

Jessamyn: Oh right, not a gamer huh? 

Patrick: Sadly, yes. Rough upbringing. Being able to get a good meal is already a challenge from where I came. 

Jessamyn: Man...anyway, want to join us for lunch still? 

Patrick: Who am I to deny the invitation of future, hopefully- coworkers?

Mia: A funny guy huh? Let's see how Shayna takes you in.

timeskip to the eating establishment

3/4 of BRE (Best Roommates Ever), Tegan and Patrick arrive to the establishment to see Shayna already at the table.

Shayna: What took you ladies so long? I almost tore off the arm of someone almost for you all losing our reservation.

Jessamyn: We could have gone here faster had it not be for Lady Hobbles not going ga-ga over our new piece of meat here. I mean new recruit.

Shayna: New recruit eh? - sees Patrick - Hey you look quite familiar? Did Jess treat you unfairly?

Patrick: No Shayna, she did not.

Shayna: - high fives Patrick - Good. I knew another MMA fighter will not go down . Glad you made the jump with us, Patrick. 

Mia: How did you two know each other?

Patrick: We MMA fighters know each other once we get around circuits. 

Dakota: Oh, that's a pleasant surprise. 

Shayna: Anyway, are we going to get seated and order wings or what ladies? Oh and Patrick. Right, not used to having a guy with us unless it's Keith.

Mia: Yeah, he's busy nowadays becoming a rising star. - sad tone - I feel he may be called up and won't be around as much...

Dakota: Now now, he is loyal to you. Don't worry about it.

While the relationship talk was ongoing, Tegan was silently looking at her phone. Patrick notices this and initiates small talk with her.

Patrick: So, are you okay, Tegan was it?

Tegan: - shocked at Patrick checking on her - Yeah...sorry, the injury has been such a  bugger. Oh I mean a pain.... Oh gosh - blushes -

Patrick: Hey, there's nothing to worry about. I can tell you that things can only get better from here.

Tegan: Can only get better? I don't think you've ever been injured before?

Patrick: Well, not that grave of an injury, but let's say there were days I wasn't supposed to even remain standing or should have just stayed down. Oh shoot, I may have made things uncomfortable for you

Tegan: Hey now, - looks away from her phone and now at Patrick - You're a good guy. I sure do hope to see you soon on the Black and Gold.

Dakota witnesses the small talk between the newbie and her best friend and signaled the rest of BRE to stop their bickering.

Mia: Uh, excuse me to our new friend and Tegan. Paging both of you, mind sharing to us what you're talking about? - giggles -

Jessamyn: Tegan, do we need to break your limbs more to get a guy to talk to you? - laughs - 

Shayna: - slaps Jessamyn on the shoulder - Don't steal my thunder, sister! But hey, you two are getting off real quick now. 

Patrick: Oh uh... I only didn't want her left in silence....with me too.

Mia: Oh, uh my bad for bringing up Keith but you know what Patrick, you're a good man. Hope you get in.

Jessamyn: Yeah man, we could use your style to get more eyes glued on Wednesday nights (mind: Riddle and I feel this one's going to make it. Hands down! Bloom just wanted to make this guy feel uneasy so it all gets sweeter once he hears the news himself)

Shayna: Yeah man, but I hear you don't have a gaming console of your own. Mind enlightening the two Stephs and Cheree here as to why?

Patrick: Oh, uh.. wow, didn't expect to be put on the spot here. But yes, the only reason why was I was so focused on competing in martial arts tournaments when I was younger to provide a better life for myself and my family. As well as to make sure that I got through my schooling, but then the siren call of the MMA pro fighting circuit piqued my interest and that got me hooked onto bettering myself. I still send my family money to make sure where they are staying now, they stay there for good. So little is left for myself but I can get by.

Mia: That's so admirable.

Tegan: - in awe - Guess we're all coming from the same situation huh?

Dakota: So selfless...

Patrick was now embarrassed, thinking he made a bad first impression. But Jessamyn reassured him with a few words.

Jessamyn: Hey now, we now know your story. But once you're in here, money will be the least of your problems. And if you have anything you want to get off your chest, we're here for you man.

Patrick: Thank you all. Now, shall we be ordering the wings?

Everyone at the table laughed and ate away.

timeskip back to the Performance Center, after lunch

 Patrick and the rest of the other trainees were called upon by Matt Bloom for the final assembly. All the trainees, Patrick included, were all nervous as to what Matt will say next.

Bloom: So you're all gathered here because we are now in call-up season. Some of you will be made to stay on, either as trainee or the lucky one to be called up. Others however will be at the end of the road and should they like, either re-sign or have to hit the road. - paces the floor - So, to the one lucky bastard who I call, come with me to Hunter's office....and his name is...

Patrick: (mind: For sure I'm staying as trainee. I don't think these people will like me around... seen it in Pride, One, UFC, URCC...)

Bloom: Patrick Jose! 

Patrick stands in front of the rest of the trainees.

Bloom: Didn't you hear me? Come with me to Hunter's office. As for the rest of you, you're all still trainees. No one's leaving but you all still have work to do. 

Patrick then joins Matt Bloom and they head to Hunter's office. They see Hunter holding a contract and stood up to shake both Matt's and Pat's hands.

Hunter: Gentlemen, take a seat. - both take a seat - Bloom, I like your eye for talent and actually today was just for formality. Good job making this tank show himself more. - turns to Patrick - as for you, Mr. Jose. I've read up about you. Seen your interview, your dedication as you trained, I don't know what those MMA circuits and organizations did to miss out on such a gem as yourself? Now don't get a big head over this but you got what it takes, kid! And that is why - hands him the contract - sign here kid. You will reach new heights with us and be given the space and the floor to show the world the ferocity of Patrick Jose! 

Patrick could not believe it. He was now going to make that leap and finally begin his journey as a WWE NXT superstar. 

Patrick: Thank you Sir! For this opportunity - signs the contract - I promise and will ensure I give it my all.

Hunter: You know, all I did was show you the door. As to who got you to that door, you have yourself to give all the credit for. Pushing yourself each day as if it were your last. Giving all your effort to the craft. Hell, if Regal wasn't so persistent in having you in NXT, I would have catapulted you immediately to the main roster. But Regal does have a point, you still need honing plus you got a lot to learn before we throw you into the lion's den of either Raw or Smackdown.

Patrick: Sir, you don't know how much this means to me. But I will do my best and show my best in all I do going forward. And if I may, I want a new name upon entering this world. It's time I give the NXT universe a new face and side of me that will have them fear and keep their eyes on for days and months and years to come....

Hunter: Alright kid, let us hear it.

Patrick: I want to pitch my new name as ....

to be continued 

End of chapter 1. Had to do a cliffhanger because Chapter 2 will start with that game changing moment for Patrick Jose.

Keep safe and stay awesome!