AfterMath
Dean and Roman had the week off. Corey, however, was punished for her actions on Raw. She had to put her title up against Paige on the taping of Smackdown. She retained it, but just barely. On Main Event, she had to go against AJ and Paige, in a handy cap match. Then on Superstars, she had a lumber jill match against Layla. Fortunately, she came out unscathed, for the most part.
By the time Raw came around again, the boys were cleared to wrestle again. Roman drove them from the hotel, to the arena. They were scheduled in a tag match tonight. Not just any tag match, but a mixed tag match. It was going to be the SHIELD against Evolution, with AJ Lee. They weren't being very subtle about punishing them.
Dean wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close to him. She exhaled loudly, in frustration.
"This is getting ridiculous." She growled.
"This is perfect." Dean said.
She frowned as she looked up at him.
"I'm glad that you are enjoying this." She said.
He gave a chuckle.
"Of course, I have a target for my aggression now, until I can get my hands on Rollins' scrawny little neck." He said.
She thought about that for a moment. She gave a nod, in agreement.
"Agreed." She told him.
They headed for their locker room.
"Meet us in catering after you get ready." Roman told her.
She gave a nod, and they went their seperate ways. She headed for her locker room. She quickly found it, and changed into her black tank top, with black spandex leggings, and her black boots. She did her hair into a french braid, and did her make up. She put her title belt around her waist, grabbed the black wrist tape, and headed to find Dean and Roman. As she walked, she began wrapping her wrists. She decided to stop at their locker room, to see if they were there, before she headed to catering.
She got to their locker room, and knocked on the door. She heard a muffled response. She rolled her eyes, but leaned up against the wall next to the door. She finished wrapping her wrists, as she waited. A few moments later, the door opened.
"How is it I was finished getting ready, before either of you?" She asked them, handing the wrist tape over to Dean.
Dean grabbed it from her.
"You're a freaking riot Corey." Dean told her.
"You make it too easy." She said.
They headed for catering. They grabbed something to eat, then they sat, and talked about what the plan was for their match. Corey let Roman and Dean talk, she sat next to Dean, and played with her food. She tried not to let her emotions get the best of her, but all she could think about was what Seth had done to them last week. She was brought out of her depressing memories when Dean put his arm around her shoulders.
"Are you okay?" He asked her.
She exhaled loudly, but nodded.
"I'm fine." She told him.
He looked like he didn't believe her, but before he could say anything, a stage hand came up to them.
"You three are scheduled for an interview with Renee Young in five minutes." The tech told them.
Roman gave a nod, and they headed for the interview. Corey removed her title belt from her waist, and put it over her shoulder. She walked next to Dean, who had his hand on her lower back.
Renee Young turned to them as they walked up to her. She smiled up at them.
"It's the SHIELD! Corey Dove, the Diva's Champion, do you believe that the Authority are punishing you for what you did to your former team mate, Seth Rollins?" Renee asked.
Corey refrained from rolling her eyes at the question. She frowned.
"Of course. Anyone with eyes can see that's what they are doing, but they get away with it by saying that it's what's 'best for business'. So, I played along. They seemed to think that it's oh so hilarious to take Roman and Dean out, so, I took Seth down. I don't think that they fully appreciated my humor." Corey said.
"Rollins deserved what he got baby girl." Roman told Corey.
"He deserved worse, and that's what I'm going to do to him, when I get my hands on him." Dean told Renee.
Renee gave a nod.
"Don't worry, if you don't get your hands on him tonight, you'll be able to take your agression out on..." Roman stopped when he realized there was a couple of people coming up to them.
Corey frowned when she saw who it was.
"Corey, that wasn't the smartest move, last week, on Raw." Randy Orton told her.
This time she really did roll her eyes.
"He deserved worse than what I did to him. I'm not worried about it though, karma's a bitch, and Rollins will get what's coming to him, when Dean gets his hands on him." Corey said.
Dean and Roman laughed as Corey smirked.
"So, you enjoy being punished? Corey, I didn't know how kinky you really were. Maybe we should get together, later, and have some fun." Randy said, suggestively.
She narrowed her eyes at him as she felt her face get warm. He had to be joking! Dean stepped in front of Corey, and got into Randy's face.
"Corey would never touch you with a ten foot pole. She has better taste and sense than that." Dean spat at Randy.
Randy gave a laugh.
"I don't know about that, she lets you put your hands on her. She must be either be desperate, or has really low standards." Randy said.
Dean growled at Randy.
"Is there a problem here?" A voice said from behind Randy.
It was their boss, one half of the Authority, and the founding member of Evolution, Triple H. Corey put her hand on Dean's arm, and pulled Dean away from Randy.
"No, sir, there's no problem. We were just leaving." Corey said, stepping in front of Dean.
"Corey, how nice to see you again. Have you learned your lesson yet, or do I still need to teach you?" Triple H asked, smirking at her.
She narrowed her eyes at them, as Randy laughed.
"Hey, I just did what you did. You thought it was fun to hurt Dean and Roman, so I decided to see just how fun it was. It's not my fault that you guys, or Seth, didn't think it was." She snapped at him.
"I guess that you haven't learned your lesson yet. So, guess what? I'm going to make a match. Since the SHIELD is an unit, when one gets punished, the unit gets punished. So, tonight, the SHIELD, including the Diva's Champ, Corey, versus Evolution, with number one contender for the Diva's title, AJ Lee." Triple H said.
"You've got to be kidding me! I thought you wanted to punish us? Defeating Evolution, and AJ Lee will be a piece of cake. If I couldn't beat AJ, then I wouldn't have the Diva's title." She said, holding her title up, smirking at him.
He gave a smile.
"Okay, then, how does this sound? AJ is out of the match, as is one of the members of your unit. So, Corey, you have a choice. Will you partner with Dean Ambrose, or Roman Reigns? Pick one, because the other will be banned from ringside." Triple H said.
He couldn't be serious!
"You can't do that!" She said.
He gave a sadistic smirk.
"I'm the Authority, I can do it." He told her.
"It's a glorified handicap match!" Roman snapped.
"So, tell me, which one will it be?" Triple H asked.
She could not believe that he was doing this! She looked from Roman to Dean.
"We don't have all day Corey." Randy taunted her.
"Do I have to choose for you?" Triple H said.
She exhaled loudly.
"No, I can pick. Roman." She growled.
Both Triple H and Randy looked surprised. Roman stepped up next to her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Fine. Dean Ambrose is banned from ringside. Good luck, you'll need it." Triple H said.
Triple H and Randy left. Corey, Dean, and Roman, headed for their locker room. They got there quickly.
"It's a trap, it has to be. They're going to try and take us out." Corey said.
"Right, so Dean, as soon as the match is over, get out to the ring quickly, just in case they try to surprise us." Roman said.
"Of course. I'm going to keep an eye out for Rollins while I'm at it." Dean said.
Roman gave a nod.
"We all know how Rollins can be." Roman said.
Corey frowned.
"How could he do that?" Corey growled.
The boys looked at her.
"Hunter is just being vindictive." Dean said.
She shook her head.
"Not him, I'm talking about Seth. How could he do that to us?" She demanded.
Roman walked over to her, and put his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her close to him.
"I don't know baby girl, but he will get what is coming to him." Roman told her.
She exhaled loudly.
"I know, and I'm going to be one of the first in line to dish it out." She said.
"That's my girl." Dean said.
He was smiling, and she gave a laugh.
X*X*X
Corey was walking down the hallway, heading to meet up with Roman. She suddenly heard footsteps walking behind her. She did a quick look, but had to do a double take. She exhaled loudly. She could not get a break. She decided to ignore him, or at least try to. Moments later, she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"What do you want Orton?" She demanded.
"Stop, and talk with me for a moment." He said.
She frowned, but stopped. She crossed her arms in front of her, and looked up at him.
"What? Our match is soon, what is it that cannot wait?" She demanded.
He gave her a smile.
"Why are you fighting against us? You aren't stupid Corey, so why are you acting like you are?" He asked her.
She raised her eyebrows.
"You and Triple H are in the wrong. Just because I'm doing something that you or him don't like doesn't mean that I'm stupid." She snapped at him.
He moved in closer to her. She frowned and backed away from him. He backed her up against the wall, and pinned her there.
"You should do what Seth did, you could go so far in this business, if you just were to join Evolution." He said.
"Oh please, the SHIELD is way more dominating and destructive than Evolution ever was. There is no way that I will ever consider joining you three. So, you can stop trying." She spat at him.
He gave a laugh.
"You won't think so after Hunter and I take Roman out tonight. When we do, you'll realize how wrong you are, and you will be begging to join us." Randy told her.
His face was inches from hers. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"You are delusional, and you need to get out of my face." She warned him.
He smirked at her.
"You don't fool me Corey. I know that you want me, you are just in denial." He said.
She rolled her eyes.
"Now you are just insane. I wouldn't touch you, even if you were the last man on earth. Nothing will ever happen between us, now get away from me." She told him coldly.
He shook his head, as if he didn't believe a word that she was saying.
"You don't have to pretend any longer Corey. It's in your body language, and I can see it in your eyes, you want me." He told her.
"You disgust me." She spat.
He laughed.
"I believe that the lady told you to get away from her. I suggest you do what she asks."
Randy looked behind him, at the newcomer. It was Dean. Randy moved away from Corey, facing Dean.
"Coming to save the damsel in distress Ambrose? You're not the knight in shining armor, at least, not hers. She doesn't want you. She chose Reigns over you. She's over you." Randy said.
Dean frowned. Corey grabbed Randy, and made him look at her. She slapped him across his face. He was pissed. His hand went to his cheek, as he glared at her.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, so shut up." Corey snapped at him.
"Yeah Orton, go and find Triple H. Come on Corey, Roman is waiting for you." Dean said.
Dean grabbed Corey's hand, and led Corey away from Randy. They headed for Roman.
"I can't believe that douche." Dean said.
Corey giggled, and shook her head.
"I can. He thinks that he's God's gift. God's gift to women, and to wrestling. He's delusional to say the least." Corey told him.
"Especially if he thinks that you'd give him the time of day." Dean said.
"Exactly, delusional." Corey said.
Dean laughed, putting his arm around her shoulders as they walked. When they found Roman Dean told him what had happened with Randy. Corey filled them both in about what had happened before Dean had come along.
"I'll take care of Orton." Roman growled.
Corey exhaled loudly.
"What exactly am I supposed to do?" She asked.
"Triple H is gunning for me, you are a way for him to get to me." Roman said.
"So, why keep me in the match then?" Corey asked.
"To give you a front row seat to see what they will do to me." Roman said.
She shook her head.
"That's just...perfect." She said.
Dean wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. He pressed his lips to her temple.
"We should get going. It's almost time." Roman said.
She gave a nod. Dean walked with them, keeping his arm around her shoulders. Corey was frowning, not liking what they were walking in to.
They got to their enterance as Evolution's theme played. Dean wished them good luck, kissed Corey's temple, and then headed for the backstage area, to watch the match, while keeping an eye out for Rollins. Corey watched him leave. She felt Roman slip his hand into hers, and squeeze gently. She looked up at him.
"Ready?" Roman asked.
She gave a nod.
"As I'll ever be." She said.
He smiled.
Their theme started playing. Corey took a deep breath, and headed through the door. They got to the platform, and paused before heading down the stairs. The crowd was cheering like crazy for them. Corey adjusted the title belt on her shoulder, and they headed down the stairs, through the crowd. They cleared the partition, and got into the ring.
Corey had just got onto the apron, when she saw Roman standing nose to nose with Randy, while Triple H was leaning up against the turnbuckles, watching them. Corey hurried to get into the ring. She grabbed Roman's hand, pulling him away from Randy. She stood in front of Roman, putting her hands on his chest. She locked eyes with him.
"Calm down. Don't let him get into your head, or he will RKO you before you can say 'best for business'. Breathe." She told him.
She led him over to their corner. She did her best to ignore Triple H and Randy Orton laughing at them.
"When you need a breather, tag me in. They can't touch me, or they will be disqualified." She told him.
Roman gave a nod, as he made the ropes wider, so it was easier for her to get on the apron. Corey grabbed the little white rope, and held on to it tightly. Roman turned, and faced Randy.
The bell rang, signalling the start of the match. Roman and Randy locked up, and Corey watched, feeling helpless. She wished that there was more that she could do. She took a deep breath, and prayed for it to be a quick match.
X*X*X
Roman was fading, fast. Randy had given a low blow to Roman, when the ref was distracted by Triple H. Corey yelled at the ref for being blind. Triple H laughed at her, and all she could do was glare at him.
As soon as Roman had come close enough, Corey tagged herself in. She pulled Randy off of Roman, and helped him over to the corner.
"Thanks." Corey heard Roman mutter, as he hit his knees, and rolled off of the apron.
Randy suddenly grabbed her arm, and spun her around, so that she was facing him. He didn't look happy with her. Apparently, he was still mad that she had hit him, and defended Dean, earlier.
Oh well.
Corey frowned at Randy, shaking her finger at him.
"You can't touch me Orton." Corey hissed at him.
He moved closer to her, trying to intimidate her. She wasn't going to let him. She stood her ground, looking up at him, when he got right in front of her. She crossed her arms across her chest. He leaned down even closer to her.
"Want to make a bet on that?" He asked her.
She rolled her eyes.
"You may be one of Triple H's lap dogs, but you can't just throw away the rules." She told him.
Suddenly, he grabbed her, and he pressed his lips to hers. She hadn't been expecting him to do that. As soon as her mind caught up, she started struggling to push him off of her. When she finally managed to, she wiped her mouth with her hand. She looked up at him. He was laughing. He was proud of himself with what he had just done.
She balled her hand into a fist, and punched him. He put his hand to his jaw, and looked at her, narrowing his eyes. The crowd was loving every moment of it.
"You're going to regret doing that Corey." He spat at her.
She rolled her eyes.
"There's nothing you can do about it. You can't touch me." She said, with a smirk.
Without any warning, he slapped her. She stumbled back a step, covering her cheek, with her hand. She managed to stay standing, but she could not believe he had just done that. She looked up at him, seething. She jumped on him, knocking him down to the mat, pounding his face in. She released every ounce of frustration into each punch.
She was pulled off of him by Triple H and the ref. Roman was still out of the ring, somewhere, trying to recover. Triple H got back out onto the apron again, as Randy managed to get onto his knees. Corey smirked at Triple H, and then gave a round-house kick to Randy's head. He was out before he hit the mat, once again. She smirked as she rolled Randy over to his back, and pinned him.
She saw a black blur fly past her as the ref got down, counting to three. The ref signalled for the bell, as the crowd errupted. Corey sat up, looking behind her, to find Roman getting back up to his feet, holding his ribs. Apparently, Triple H had tried breaking the count up, but Roman had taken care of him, with a spear. Corey smiled and Roman helped her to her feet. The ref got between them, and raised their arms into the air, as their theme played.
When the ref let their arms go, Corey wrapped her arms around Roman, hugging him. The sound of the crowd got a couple decibles louder. Corey pulled out of the hug, and saw Dean heading towards them. Corey smiled, as the ref handed her the Diva's title belt. She raised the belt in the air, as Dean got into the ring. He fist bumped Roman, then turned to Corey. Dean put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her closer to him.
She'd gotten used to him doing this after a win. People asked them about it all the time. Everyone wanted to know if Corey was...involved with any of the SHIELD members. They all gave the same answer every time. No, they were just very close, and that's why it was so shocking, and hurt so much. However, there almost was. It's what made it that much more painful, Seth's betrayal.
Corey wrapped her arms around Dean, hugging him tightly. He leaned in close to her.
"I'm going to kill Orton." Dean growled to her.
She shook her head.
"Leave him for Roman, Focus on Seth." She told him.
She heard him growl, but he gave a nod. Dean laughed at Triple H and Randy Orton, then led Corey up the ramp, and into the back. They brought Roman to the medic, and while he was being looked over, Dean checked her face over. He was frowning as he looked her over.
"I can't believe he put his grubby paws on you. I'm not even going to mention his lips." Dean said scathingly.
She rolled her eyes, and smiled. To an outsider, it would look like Dean was jealous, to her, he was just being over protective.
"No one ever said he was smart. I'm sure Roman will teach him a lesson, right Roman?" She asked, looking over at Roman.
"Of course baby girl." Roman told her.
She smiled, and looked back at Dean.
"You need to focus on Seth right now. He can't really believe that there will be no consequences for his actions. He's smarter than that." She said.
Dean nodded.
"We can't underestimate the little weasle." Dean said.
She gave a chuckle.
"The little weasle is going to regret doing this to us." Roman said, coming over to them.
She smiled up at him.
"Now, that's what I like to hear." She said.
Dean and Roman laughed.
With Roman being released, they headed for the locker rooms. Corey changed into her street clothes, her Shield tank top, workout pants, and her Shield hoodie, and threw her hair into a messy bun. She put her ring gear into her duffle, put her title on her shoulder, and headed for the boys' locker room.
She came to a stop when she realized who was walking her way. He was walking straight for her. She frowned. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Corey, I was hoping to run into you, when you were alone. I need to talk to you."
She stared at him for a moment, before she spoke to him.
"You're lucky I'm alone Seth, if Roman or Dean were with me right now, they would kick your ass. After what you did to us, I don't blame them, in fact, I want to do the same. So, tell me, how you can come up to me, telling me that you need to talk to me?! You betrayed your brothers Seth!" She told him.
He frowned.
"Not you too." He said.
"You expect me not to be upset by what you did? After everything? I can't believe you." She told him.
He stepped closer to her.
"Corey, please, I thought you would understand why I had to do this! Dean and Roman are my co workers that worked with me in the Shield. I needed to start thinking about my future in this company. I was hoping that you would do the same. Think about your career." Seth said.
She shook her head.
"What about me? You didn't just betray Dean and Roman, I was there too. You have no idea how deep you hurt me Seth. What am I talking about? You probably don't even care. I'm just wasting my breath talking to you." She spat at him.
She felt tears sting her eyes. She didn't want to let him see her cry, so she went to leave. Seth grabbed her arm, and spun her around to face him. She looked at him, and couldn't hold the tears back. How could he do this to them? To her? She was close to all three of them, but it had been different with Seth. She had told him many private things about herself. Things that no one else knew.
"Let me go Seth." She told him.
"Corey, I didn't do this to hurt you. It's the last thing I ever wanted to do. You should know that. You know exactly how I feel about you." He told her.
"I thought I did, but it's obvious that I don't. I'm not sure if I really ever did." She said.
He shook his head. He tucked her hair behind her ear, and she looked away from him. His fingertips traced her jaw line, and down her neck. She managed to control her emotions, well enough.
"I'm still me Corey. I haven't changed." Seth told her.
She looked into his eyes.
"I don't believe you. Now, let me go before I call Dean and Roman. Trust me when I tell you that it would be bad for you." She told him coldly.
She pulled out of his grasp.
"Think about your future Corey." Seth told her.
She stopped in her tracks.
"Stay away from me Seth. Don't come looking for me. If we have to interact for work, then I will suffer through it, but other than that, don't speak to me. I will never forgive you for what you did to us." She told him.
Without waiting for a response fro him, she took off, to find Dean and Roman. Tears started falling from her eyes. She tried calming down before Dean and Roman saw her. If they saw that she had been crying, they would want to know what happened. She'd have to tell them that she had run into Seth. They would be out for his blood.
She'd come very close to doing something that she would have regretted, with Seth. Dean and Roman knew this, and were worried about her.
*X*
Apparently, the boys had been waiting for her to knock. Dean opened the door almost before she could finish knocking. Almost immediately, Dean could tell something was wrong with her.
"What happened?" Dean demanded.
She shook her head.
"It's nothing, don't worry. Everything is fine. I'm fine." She told him.
He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I don't believe you." Dean said.
"I took care of it, so you wouldn't have to." She said.
"What happened Corey?" Dean demanded.
She exhaled loudly, and looked at him.
"Was it Orton again?" Dean asked.
She shook her head.
"No." She said.
"Then who?" He asked.
"Seth." She said quietly.
Her eyes filled with tears again. He put his hands on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes.
"What did he do?" Dean asked.
She wiped away the tears that had fallen. She shook her head.
"He had the audacity to tell me that he needed to talk to me. He doesn't seem to understand why I would feel betrayed by him." She said.
Dean pulled her into his arms.
"What did he need to talk to you about?" Dean asked.
"He told me to think of my future. He wants me to join him." She said.
She felt his grip on her tighten around her. She knew exactly what had just gone through his mind. She didn't blame him though.
"What did you say?" Dean asked.
She held onto him tightly.
"That he betrayed his brothers, and that I never wanted to speak to him again. I also said that he was lucky. If you and Roman were with me, then it would have been bad for him." She said.
She felt him relax.
"Good." He muttered.
She pulled away slightly, looking up at him.
"Don't ever doubt my allegiance, Dean. It never has, and never will, waver from you and Roman." She told him.
He studied her for a moment, then gave a smile.
"Good. I would have had to teach you a lesson, if you had given any other answer." Dean told her.
She gave a laugh.
"You don't scare me Dean Ambrose." She teased him.
He laughed, and gave a nod.
"Of course not." Dean said, as Roman walked up to them.
"What happened?" Roman asked.
"Seth is a douche." Corey said.
Roman gave a nod.
"We all found that out the painful way." Roman said.
Corey gave a nod.
"Unfortunately." Corey muttered.
"Come on Princess, you look exhausted, let's get you to the hotel." Dean told her.
She gave a nod.
They headed for the Roman's Tahoe.
