Chapter 2 – Lights Out

Same career...Different arena.

It had been a few weeks since the Raw/Smackdown brand split and things seemed to be going really well for the Smackdown brand. They were beating Raw by leaps and bounds as far as the ratings went.

AJ had taken to traveling with Dean and his sidekick little sister Dominique. They were quite a pair of characters when they were outside of the WWE. Dominique had grown on AJ and had talked with him extensively about his kids, ex-wife and his marriage. He didn't think talking with someone about it could actually make him feel better about the entire situation, but he was pleasantly surprised.

The more AJ talked with Dominique and Dean; the more he enjoyed the siblings company when he was on the road.

Lately Dominique's friend Jaleesa Prinslo had been brought up from NXT. The two were inseparable and like to annoy the shit out of Dean when he was driving them from town to town. Dean had threatened on more than a few occasions that he was going to tie Jaleesa to the roof and Dominique to the hood so they could ride in style.

Jaleesa; like AJ and Dean had been in the Indy wrestling scene for years before WWE approached her with a developmental contract for NXT. She was only in NXT for 9 months before they called her to the main roster over to Smackdown. Jaleesa also like Dominique was 26. The two had met in grade school when they were younger and Dean had been the one who got wrestling etched into Jaleesa's head.

A person could take one look at the two girls and tell they had a million secrets between the two of them. If AJ was driving he often found himself looking in the rearview mirror and watching the two; to be more specific - he would be watching Dominique. Her laughter infiltrated his senses and the sound of her voice warmed him to his core.

There was definitely something about Dominique Ambrose.

AJ was pulled from his thoughts as he looked down at the ring. He had been sitting in the stands for a better part of the last two hours. He often when up and sat there in the quiet and solitude to get perspective on the match he had that night. It helped clear his head and get him in the wrestling zone.

His pale blue eyes went to the ring as the two girls sitting in the middle of it laughed at whatever they were currently talking about. There was something about the aqua eyed Lunatic Fringe's sister. She got along well with everyone on the Smackdown roster with the exception of Randy Orton. For the last few weeks he had still been messing with her; apparently telling him to 'drop dead' or AJ's personal favorite 'practice safe sex and go fuck yourself' wasn't really getting through to the recently re-married viper.

Dean could see what was going on with the recently returned veteran as well and AJ could tell Dean was only going to let it continue for so long before he stepped in. AJ had no doubt in his mind that Dominique could take care of herself, but still her brother would only allow it to keep going on for so long; just as any older sibling would before stepping in and breaking up the bullshit.

Jaleesa took a sip from her water bottle before she let a smirk slide across her lips. "So - what's going on with you and the Phenomenal One?"

Dominique furrowed her brow. "Nothing." She stated nonchalantly. Because nothing really was going on.

"You've obviously been so side tracked dealing with Orton's bullshit that you are completely oblivious to AJ or you are just damn deluded to that hunk of man." Jaleesa stated with a chuckle.

"What are you even talking about Leesa? AJ and I are just friends. We've done nothing but talk about his kids, his divorce and his ex-wife. There is clearly nothing there." Dominique stated in a tone of finality.

"Deluded - AND oblivious...I knew it." Jaleesa shook her head negatively. "How did you miss the signs?"

"What signs?" Dominique had no clue what the hell her best friend was talking about.

"Hello? I mean no really HELLO! AJ Styles has a thing for you. How can you not see it?" Jaleesa questioned honestly.

Dominique looked at her best friend like she'd just grown three extra heads. "What the hell are you talking about? Did Nattie hit you in the head too hard last night at the house show?" Dominique rubbed her temples. "There is nothing there. I think you are delusional and you should probably see a trainer for the concussion, because obviously SOMETHING is giving you visions of craziness."

Jaleesa chortled. "Oh don't give me that shit. I'm your very best friend in the whole wide world. We have BEEN best friends since 4th grade, when Timmy Kline used to dip the ends of your hair in black ink...until I punched him in the nose and made him pee his pants."

"Okay that statement is true, I just don't get where you are getting the AJ stuff from." Dominique stated softly. She would admit to no one that AJ was a damn fine man and didn't look like he was 39 at ALL.

"Listen here Miss Ambrose. You might be able to fool some of the people most of the time and most of the people all of the time, But I'm your best friend. We used to watch TNA together. You used to DROOL over AJ Styles in those little shorts he used to wrestle in. You used to make me swear to the heavens that I wouldn't tell your brother that you used to think AJ could whip his ass in the ring." Jaleesa exclaimed.

"Oh My God woman!" Jaleesa shrieked before she grabbed Dominique's ankles and pulled her forward and closer to her as she grabbed her cell phone and unlocked it and went directly to her photos. She found the one she wanted and selected it. "Here you look at this and then tell me there's nothing there."

Dominique took the phone as she looked down at the picture on the display. Aqua eyes took in the image. She looked up at Jaleesa who had that 'told ya' look on her face as her eyes went back to the picture.

Apparently sometime during one of their many city to city trips in the middle of the night. Dominique was sitting in the back of the SUV with AJ because Jaleesa couldn't ride in the back without getting nausea and puking. AJ had folded up his jacket and laid it on his lap and Dominique laid her head in his lap and had fallen asleep. His right hand was on her side and her left was crossed up over her stomach covering his hand. AJ was just as dead asleep as she was and apparently Jaleesa saw a photo op moment. A couple of pictures before it AJ was awake and looking down at her while she slept.

Dominique almost couldn't believe her eyes. She had forgotten all about that night. Everyone was so tired, except Dean he drank two Rockstars and was screwing with Jaleesa the entire ride. She could hear Jaleesa smack her brother's arm repeatedly through the drive because he kept annoying her.

AJ was overheated so he'd taken his leather jacket off folded it up and offered his lap to her. Dominique smiled and graciously accepted as she laid down. He smelled so good and his lap was so comfortable. The lull of the vehicle on the freeway put her out in record time and AJ soon followed obviously.

"What now smart ass?" Jaleesa teased.

"I can't believe you have this picture. I can't believe you took this." Dominique mumbled as she continued to stare down at the picture.

Had she really not noticed things changing between her and AJ?

All of them had only been hanging out for a few weeks.

Maybe all it really takes is a few weeks.

"I uh - I need to get going I have a meeting with Shane." Jaleesa watched as Dominique handed her cell back to her as she rolled out of the ring and walked to the back.

Jaleesa smiled. She loved giving people food for thought. Especially Dominique she could never see it; even if it was right in front of her face. Jaleesa left the ring deciding she was going to go run on the treadmill in the gym the arena had set up for them.

Dominique was so screwed; during the whole meeting with Shane and the rest of creative writing team the only person she could suddenly think about was AJ.

Once she left the room and headed to Dean's dressing room; even though she knew AJ would be there. They had taken to being locker room buddies since Roman Reigns was drafted to Raw. Dean missed his Samoan friend and they would still shoot the shit every chance they got but Dean enjoyed Smackdown a whole hell of a lot better than Raw. Shane was definitely the better of the McMahon children to work for.

Dean's blue eyes watched as his sister walked down the hallway towards him. There was definitely something going on with her. She looked completely distracted. Sometimes traveling too much would get to her and she craved her days off; he was the exact opposite. If he was home he drove himself nuts because he couldn't just sit still. He had to be up moving, working out or maybe even gaming a little but most of the time he would go out for a run or some rock climbing.

Dean watched as Dominique started to pass right by him when he reached out and snagged her wrist. Her eyes snapped up and met his as a smile adorned her face, even though it didn't quite reach her eyes. He smiled softly before he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she hugged his torso. He kissed the top of her head; just letting her know he was there for her.

Dominique pulled back and then furrowed her brow as someone groped her ass. Now she could see her brothers hand and knew it wouldn't be her own brother as she looked left and then right she saw Randy Orton and his snaky smirk while he was walking away.

"Did that asshole just do what I think he did?" Dean asked; anger dripping from his voice. Dean was by no means stupid he saw the look on his sisters face change the instant Orton walked behind her.

Dominique shook her head. "It's okay bro; don't worry about it." There was no way she wanted her brother picking a fight with Randy. Fighting among the Superstars and Divas was forbidden; arguments happened all the time, but when it came to fist fights and brawling the WWE had a zero tolerance policy for it.

"No I've had enough of that asshole thinking he can manhandle you. I'm done with his stupid bullshit." Dean stepped back away from his sister as he jogged up to Randy and shoved him into the arena wall. "Sup Viper; you should really watch where you're going. A guy could get hurt walking around back here."

Randy growled as he turned around slowly and glared at the current WWE Champion. "Something I can help you with Ambrose?" Randy puffed out his chest as he crossed his arms in front of him with authority.

"You know funny thing I was just talking to my sister - when you walked by and grabbed her ass." Dean pointed out. "I don't know if you are learning impaired but I'm telling you right now to leave Dominique alone. She is way out of your league and if you keep screwing with her; what I do to you will make what she did to you a walk in the park." Dean threatened.

"Are you really threatening me Ambrose?" Randy snarled. "Do you even realize who the hell you are talking to?"

Dean nodded. "I know exactly who I'm talking to. I'm talking to a DEADMAN if he even THINKS about touching my sister again."

Dominique walked up with her arms crossed over her chest. "Knock it off you two. If Shane finds out you two are arguing he'll have a conniption. Randy go on about your business and keep your hands to yourself. Bro keep your eye on the prize since Randy will never have a shot at it again." Dominique smirked.

Randy Orton had been champion plenty of times, but everyone knew right now he wasn't even a blip on the creative writing teams radar. It was all her brother right now.

"Keep your opinions to yourself sweetheart." Randy snapped as he shoved Dean. "And you muzzle your sister. I'm a legend for this company, I carried it for a damn long time and it would suit you to remember that."

Dean rolled his eyes dramatically. "The only thing you carried in this company were your jockey shorts in your bag to and from the locker room like everyone else in this company. No one is better than anyone else least of all you Orton. You can't go for more than 12 months without getting injured. I'm not sure why they haven't put you out to pasture yet." Dean shoved Randy against the wall with his forearm across his throat. "And if you touch my sister again I'm going to bust your head for you."

"Dean! DEAN! Let go of him. He's not worth your time or effort." Dominique ordered.

AJ was walking down the hallway when he heard a familiar voice shout Dean's name. He rounded the corner and could see Dean had Randy Orton pinned against the wall snarling in his face and Dominique was trying to get her brother to let go. AJ could see the two men starting to struggle with each other as Randy pushed away from the wall and it suddenly became a 'who is stronger than who' match.

Punches started getting thrown and AJ's eyes widened as Dominique was able to duck a few and side step their brawl. But what really scared the shit out of him was when both men collided into Dominique smashing her against the arena wall. AJ took off running the rest of the way down the hall and slid to a stop in front of Dominique. He reached up and grabbed her upper arms as she reached out and grabbed two handfuls of his t-shirt.

"Dominique - Are you okay?" AJ asked worry evident in his voice.

"AJ..." Dominique whimpered head felt like it was going to explode; when her brother and Randy smashed her against the wall she's smacked the back of her head - HARD. She felt like she had been hit in the head with a baseball bat.

He watched as her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she started to drop to the floor; AJ caught her just in time and carefully followed her to the floor - not wanting to jostle her more. He cupped her cheek as he called her name a couple more times. Her lights were definitely out.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!" Shane McMahon's voice boomed as soon as he saw his assistant laying on the floor.