Uneasy, he stood at the edge of the gorilla position; watching. Every now and again, he would glance over his shoulder, cast weary eyes at his surroundings just to make sure everything was calm. That he was safe. The chances of retribution coming quickly were small. The Game was a man who needed time to plan, and the longer he took to make his move, the more time Seth had to counter. There was no way of staying one step ahead anymore; the ball was in the enemy's court. The Rumble would be a perfect opportunity to strike, but he doubted that Triple H would chance himself and his depleted forces among so many. But then, some were still loyal to the man he'd betrayed. He couldn't forget that. It would be stupid to just assume that everyone would crawl on over to his side; would follow him from the Game's shadow.

The room was packed. Wrestlers waiting for their turn; most were stretching, some bouncing on the spot. But there was something, inexplicably peaceful about it all. They chatted to each other without being too loud, there were signs of friendship. Those who hated one another just stayed further away. There was no confrontation, no tension, and that in itself, served to set him on edge. The minutes ticked by and out went more and more bodies.

Dean and Roman stood together nearby, quiet, cracking bones and preparing their bodies. They'd drawn later numbers, good odds, but they weren't complacent. Dean lost his footing during a stretch and knocked into Roman who barely even flinched. With a crooked grin he shoved his unstable friend to the side.

'Might throw you over if you do that in ring,'

Dean shrugged, 'Ah but will you catch me?' he darted round to Roman's other side, pulled a face and then moved back again. 'See? Too fast for you; all that muscle slows you down Rome, you should think of becoming more like me.' He presented himself, hands up and down in front of his body. 'See this body? This, this is what you want.'

'Held together by scars, gum and spit? I'll pass.'

'I'm insulted.' Dean feigned shock, but punched Roman's arm playfully. 'I thought you knew me better Rome. I'm not a complete fool. Besides, duct tape works better than gum. I learned that in the can.' He nodded matter-of-factly and glanced toward Seth. 'You're quiet.' He moved closer, chin on Seth's shoulder from behind, stared outwardly at the black curtain. 'I know what you're thinking. I can feel it through your pulse.' He tapped the top of his brothers' head with a finger. 'Will something happen? That's right isn't it?' he pulled away, and turned Seth manually to face him. 'We can handle it. If something happens, Rome and I will stick together. At the end, it'll be me and him, and one of us, will stand victorious.' He discreetly pointed at himself and mouthed me. Seth chuckled. Dean had that ability – it was something he never out loud ranted about, but it was there – like a loyal dog, he could tell what you were thinking, what you were feeling.

For a man most considered a lunatic, he was empathic to the ninth degree.

Roman crunched his fist. 'If they even try, what happens will be their fault.' He nodded slowly. The room was emptying and refilling fast. They could hear entrance themes begin and end.

'Bray's been out there a while now.' Seth muttered to himself; half not to anger Dean. Their Hell In A Cell match was supposed to end with him winning, a whole spot dedicated to his friend climbing the side of the cage to attempt a finishing diving elbow...but then, of course, Bray had appeared. Seth had found himself pulled out of that ring all hush hush. Of course what happened after that...Dean didn't like to talk about it. The whole thing had stirred too many ghosts. There was a small monitor nearby to watch what was happening, and he found his eyes widening as the shock of the crowd vibrated to the back.

Daniel Bryan had been eliminated. His eyes moved to Roman and Dean. They just stared at that screen. Moments later, a clearly frustrated Bryan stormed through the black curtain. He came an abrupt halt next to Seth.

'Something is wrong out there.' He pointed back toward the arena. 'I felt it as soon as I got in that ring. You may not be a part of this,' he turned to look at the others; the two men who in recent weeks had become his allies. 'But you are. Be careful.' He moved away. His tone had been angry, and Seth followed his movements. He didn't seem hurt, but his pride was injured, the way he hung his head. Everyone had expected so much more, he'd barely been out there two minutes.

'If he's out already guys...they're definitely going to be gunning for you two.'

'We've got this Seth, don't you worry that pretty little head of yours.'

'Who's got what?'

Moving through the rabble which consisted of a dozen or more rosebuds, decked out in their finest feather boas, massive hates and blinding clothing, came Paige. She shuffled past someone who tried to grab her hands to pull her into the dancing throng, but she managed to tumble out in one piece. Freshly showered and dressed, she smelled good from metres away. Decked out in black skinny jeans, a purple blouse and her favourite leather jacket, she slinked on over and stood next to them, hands on hips.

As she did, off went the rosebuds, lead by fearless leader Adam Rose. Seth shook his head, he remembered their NXT days together. Such a fucking waste.

'So I just saw Daniel Bryan storm off...what happened?'

'He lost. Early.'

'Oh Brie's going to be bitchy in the morning...'Paige screwed up her nose. 'So they're really gunning for the big dogs...'

'Ain't no bigger dog than me.' Roman muttered. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. He was up next. 'Places to be, see you ring side.' He nodded to Dean and pointed to Seth and Paige. 'Keep an eye on him girl, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.'

'Sir, yes sir,' Paige said, kicked the ground and saluted at him. It caught a grin from him, but soon he was gone to take his place up in the stand entrance – he'd never stop. It was his little tribute to the old days. Oh how he missed the old days. 'He's going to die.' Paige shook her head, arms folded. 'They're going to go straight for him, you know that right?'

'Eh, Rome can handle himself. It's me he's gotta worry about.' Dean said, jumping up and down on the spot. 'Anyone else, we can take out together.'

Seth had to admire Dean's confidence, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something just wasn't right. His face had settled into a frown, arms crossed so tightly it was like he was trying to keep himself together. Trying to stop himself over-reacting, doing something stupid. He'd played his part already, now it was down to his brothers. If one of them could win the Rumble, then their future was secured – there was no one he'd rather go up against at Wrestlemania than his two best friends; if he made it that far. The title was still hanging over his shoulder; he wasn't about to let it out of his sight for one second. Though, Paige made that very difficult indeed. She was right next to him, slinky frame next to his. She walked two gloved fingers up his bare chest, twirled them into his beard, tugged and brought his head down, her lips next to his ear. Her very breath made him shiver with anticipation.

'Tonight, I'm going to show you how to treat a champion...' she bit down on his ear lobe devilishly, making him draw breath. 'You're going to love every single second of it. Believe that.' The same hand slid down his front, hovered at the top of his wrestling pants. Seth felt himself tense; her hand shot out, squeezed his crotch before she had his face in her fingers and kissed him deeply.

'Get a room!' Dean shouted; all in jest. He'd seen it a hundred times before; had even offered to join in once or twice, seemingly not learning that fuck off meant no chance in hell.

And how she kissed; it was like honey and whiskey being poured down your throat. She explored every particle of his mouth, a duel of tongue and passion. She bit his lip, kissed his soul; showed him that what she promised, would have happened there and then if it weren't for prying eyes. Not that she would have minded – a mid-sex conversation had once been what their fantasies were, and Paige had declared: fuck me outside, inside, I want people to see what we have. I want them to watch, and know they'll never feel like we do, never know what we have. I want them to see, that this love is what they crave, is what they hunger for. No one could ever feel like I do when we're together, it seems selfish to keep it away from the world. When it had come to Seth's turn, he'd felt moderately inadequate when he'd told her his ultimate goal was to make her scream every time; so far, so achieved.

He kissed the end of her nose. 'Cruel wench; making me want you at a time like this.'

'You always want me.' She chided.

'True.'

'Rome's up guys.' Dean was back watching the monitor. It seemed they'd missed their friend's entrance, but true to what Paige had predicted, he was already being put under pressure. Stardust and Golddust were on him, but true to form he powered out and got to work, quickly eliminating the two. It was difficult, watching it all happen. The year before they'd all been in it together; plans had fallen apart but they'd gotten themselves back on track not long after. Wrestlers came and went through that black curtain, leaving with high hopes, returning with broken dreams.

'Move.'

Dean was shoved so hard against the table holding the screen that he collapsed to the floor, clutching his mid-section, winded. The hulking mass of demon flesh paused next to Seth, head cocked to one side. A hand reached out and caught one of Paige's black curls; let it slip through his fingers.

'You've accumulated a great number of pretty things Rollins. It'll be such a pleasure to smash them in front of you.'

Paige jerked back from his touch, his smirk. He shot a short glance over his shoulder to Dean who had managed to get to his knees.

'And I'll start with him.'

He turned, swung a great foot and smashed straight into Dean's ribcage; he knocked back against the table, clutched his ribs and hissed, swallowed down the pain. Kane snorted, and moved through the blackness. As soon as he was gone, Seth released Paige and was on his knees next to Dean, one hand on his side.

'You ok?'

'Kicks...like a...girl.'

'Hey!' Paige smacked him on the arm. 'Don't insult the girls.'

Dean's mouth creased into a grin. She grabbed a wrist whilst Seth took the other and together, they heaved him to his feet, he leaned onto Seth for support.

'Walk it off buddy.' It took a moment, but Dean eventually sat on the edge of the table, which by some miracle hadn't fallen, and rubbed his ribs.

'Looks like he's in a shit mood, as usual,' Paige muttered.

'Or trying to get rid of the competition early,' Seth peered around, there wasn't many left now. If his brothers could just last out the final few, they were in with a chance. 'Dean and Rome are going to be the main competition...and if the Game has any influence, they're going to be the ones who get targeted. You were right Paige.' He shook his head. 'I wish I could do something.'

'You...can stay out the way.'

'Dean -,'

'Shut it. This is in our hands, not yours. You've got to watch her pretty ass and yours, let us big men deal with the rest.'

'Big men talk big with busted ribs.' Paige noted.

He flicked his middle finger at her as he doubled over a little, massaging his chest. The crowd sounded bored; you could almost hear booing. What was going on out there? Hard to know, the television monitor had a crack in its screen and static for a face. Seth moved closer to the black curtain tweaked it a little. It looked like Kane was determined to destroy everyone – not just Roman. Good. Suddenly there was a roll of an engine, Seth ducked back, Dean was on his feet, cranking his whole body up.

'Show time.'

Paige went on her tip toes next to him, planted a soft kiss on his stubble lined jaw.

'Good luck big man, give 'em hell.'

He nodded, wiped his mouth on the back of his wrapped hand and strode through the curtain with purpose. Paige stood, holding her hands and bit her lip; her eyes on Seth.

'They'll be alright won't they?'

He chanced a slow nod. 'As long as they're together and as long as we're given no nasty surprises, yes.'

Only a handful of wrestlers were left now. You could see they were getting agitated. It happened, the higher your number, the longer you had to wait, the more pent up you got. His battle was over, for the guys of the Rumble, it was all an uphill climb. But as he looked at who was left, he felt himself frown.

'What's wrong?'

'I swear Ziggler was here a minute ago.' The blond wrestler was nowhere to be seen. No sign of the Big Show either. Something was wrong with this picture. Dolph had only just had his job restored on the previous show, he wouldn't miss this chance. There was something in his gut, a feeling he couldn't quite stamp out. 'Paige, wait here. I need to check something.'

'Where are you going?'

'I'm not sure.'

'Well I'm not lurking if you're heading nose first into trouble.' She took his head, squeezed it tight. 'We're in this together, remember?' Together, if only they'd all stayed together; if only he'd followed them down to the ring, perhaps he could have avoided what was coming. Perhaps he could have done something more. Seth knew something was coming, that it was aiming for his brothers in the ring and for him. But what was happening was beyond his vision, he had to know, and he would soon find out.