"Professional wrestling," chuckled the man, turning his head towards the woman, "Yes...I know it's an interesting dream to have, but what can I say? Ever since I was a child...I loved helping others, I loved being the hero for people...and what better business to make a hero then wrestling?"

"You could always be a fireman." joked the elderly woman with a smile, bringing a small smile to the man's own face. Her objective complete, the woman continued; "Ah, there's a smile. I was beginning to get worried that you were just going to sit there depressed throughout."

"Heh...well, as far as the whole 'fireman' thing is concerned, I suppose that could have been a possibility. But...there's a difference between a hero and a superhero. A hero plays to the people, a hero gives them someone to look up to. A hero inspires people and gives them something to follow, someone to believe in. A superhero...a superhero saves lives. A superhero touches people in ways that a hero can't--they alter the lives of people much more drastically then a regular hero. I could have been anything had it not been for my father introducing me to wrestling at a young age...and I understand now why I chose it. When I watched the television...those men were heroes to me. When I watched my father...he was a superhero. It was that man that introduced me to the very thing I'd go on to make my profession at a later age, you know? He was the one that altered my life--the heroes just played their parts. A hero does what he's expected to do...a superhero ignores what's expected of them and steps beyond that, revolutionizing the outlook others have on them. At least, of course, that's my philosophy..."

"It's a fine philosophy, that it is." the woman nodded her head. Outside of the bus, the dam was quickly being rebuilt, as the torrent slowed to a mere trickle. A single couple walked the sidewalk under the shelter of an umbrella, the woman holding her lover's arm close to her. The man looked away from the window, his eyes quickly closing as he saw his love's own face before his closed eyes, her name echoing through her mind as his heart raced slightly.

"You love her, don't you?" the woman asked suddenly, watching his reactions and identifying them with relative ease. The man lifted his head and laughed lightly, shaking his head side-to-side and sitting up straight, the answer easily filtering through his mind.

"Love...as strong as that word is, it really isn't strong enough."

"No words are strong enough to properly portray emotions...they never will be."

The man nodded his head, the bus lurching everyone within forward slightly as it slowed to another stop, the doors once again opening and welcoming in the possible rabble of the outside world. However, in a strong contrast to the particular group which had entered before, a single woman steps into the bus, seemingly back from a night in a club. Her steps are effected by a drunken stagger as her rosy cheeks lift with her clueless smile, her wobbly legs working to get her forward to one of the many empty seats near to her. The momentary distraction lasts for a minute or so before the man finally continues, anxiously awaiting the approach of his own stop.

"I just...I feel like I can't give her all of my heart like I want to. I feel like I'll never be able to...like there's always going to be that bit left missing due to the past...and it aches. It hurts so deeply that, well...that I can't help but run from the possibility of our future, for fear of never being able to give her what she deserves."

"And you're certain that this fear is then what she deserves?"

"Pardon?"

The woman watches him carefully, a small frown of concentration on her own face as the rain comes to a complete stop on the outside, the bus gliding down the dampened road. The sound of laughter breaks through the air from across the bus, the group of friends enjoying their night out as they joke with on another. Silently the man wishes they'd let the silence remain in peace, but at the same time he's greatful for the noise.

"You fear that you can't give her what she deserves...but in fearing this, you're merely not giving her what she deserves anyway. Does it occur to you that, perhaps, all she truly desires is your heart? That all the both of you deserve from each other, is each other? It may seem impossible from a first-person's perspective, due to our own personal bais towards ourselves...but from the outside looking in, isn't that what any two people in love truly wish to have the most? The complete love and trust of the other?"

"I suppose," the man sighs, "But...well, I honestly don't know anymore. I know what you're saying is right--I've known that all along as it stands--it's just...it feels like I could do better for her."

"Well of course it does, it always will. We'll always believe that we can do better for the one we love, because our actions will never match what we feel for them. Just know that everything you do will never be as mountainous to yourself as it will to them."

The ensuing silence of understanding brings light to the darkness of the man's eyes, as he nods his head softly once again and feels the bus lurch once more, slowing to his own final stop. This was where he'd get off, abruptly cutting short the conversation between himself and the woman as he stood slowly, offering her his own slighted smile--though there was a bit of warmth to be had in it now, at least much more then there was the first time.

"What's your name, dear?" asks the old woman as he turns to leave after a brief 'thank you'. He stops for a moment, watching as a few others get up from their own seats in front of him, making their way to the front of the bus, readying to re-enter the outside world.

"...Dominic." the man simply states, "Dominic Pericolo."

"It's been nice talking to you, Dominic." smiles the woman.

"Likewise, and thank you again." he replies, making his way down the aisle to the front. The bus driver watches him as he walks off the bus and chuckles, shaking his head as he closes the door. It was interesting the conversations to be had on a night-time ride through town...something he'd learnt fast throughout his years of driving.

Dominic stares upwards at the suite looming overhead, standing as the highest building in the city. Despite the late hour, there are still many bedroom lights on, illuminating many of the windows throughout the hotel--though strangely enough mainly focused towards the top. Dominic makes his way towards the entrance of the hotel, hands in pockets and mind on the words of the old woman as he finally begins to make the biggest decision of his life.

"I can't let this drag me down anymore...it's time I step up and do what I need to." he sighs, this time happily as he lifts his head to the sky. "Last week I was a completely different person...and this week I'm another different person--a better one. Somehow, I'll overcome this...I'll better myself from it and I'll finally do what I've wanted for so long now. With Suki and with wrestling...the change starts this week."

Little, however, did Dominic know...that the change was already beginning.