"…I can't believe you did that to Finn." Charlotte melodious laughter filling the cabin.
"If he ever acts like an ass to you it's a proper way to make him go insane. Just buy him a Lego set; carefully take out a few pieces, wrap it back up with some pretty paper and watch him go insane."
"Remind me never to get on your bad side." The blonde teased with a smile that Rebecca could swear was somehow even brighter in real life than on television.
Rebecca stared back at the other woman with a similarly dopey smile on her face and a new goal on her mind. Making sure Charlotte never had a reason to not smile while she was around. "I don't think you have to worry about that."
The blond met her eyes and blushed at the truth she saw reflected there. "So… You never did tell me why you stopped wrestling."
"Injury." Was all Rebecca said. Swallowing around the lump in her throat. "Still get to travel around the world though." Smiling through the stagnant regret and burying it beneath humor.
Charlotte smiled back out of courtesy. Catching a glimpse of something behind the lighthearted words that sent her hand in search of its match. Curling around warm skin and internally remarking how, despite the callouses along Rebecca's palms her hands still felt soft and smooth under her own. "Ever been to North Carolina?"
"Nope." Was the truthful response. "Not really at least. Unless you count spending an hour in an airport trying to get ready for the next flight."
"I think you'd like it."
"Long as you were there with me, I'm sure I would lass." Rebecca grinned and smiled broadly. Her smile only growing as Charlotte rolled her eyes and tried to act like the corny lines weren't working.
"Such a charmer. How'd you manage to stay single so long?" A clear attempt at fishing for information.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "Subtle Flair. Very subtle…" Taking a moment to ponder her answer. "I think I just got sick of being disappointed. Decided it would be easier to just wait and see what the universe had for me."
"And?" Charlotte prodded.
"I'm glad I waited." The Irish woman admitted. Shyly looking up towards the other woman and smiling softly. Squeezing back against Charlotte's hand. Saying everything she couldn't verbally in that tiny moment.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. The plane's subtle movement and noise fading into the background as the blonde lamented the fact that this plane ride would end. "How long before you have to leave after we touch down?"
Rebecca's smile fell just a bit at the reminder that both had jobs to do that required them to be all around the world. If Charlotte was serious about trying this out, that might become a problem eventually. "Twelve hours. Then I'm back to Europe."
Charlotte couldn't stop the frown from showing before she smiled through with determination. "That's not much, but I'm sure we can make the most of it."
"Alright Queen of subtlety. I'm up for it. But first—" Rebecca began searching around for her phone. "Let's exchange numbers before I forget. I don't want to call Finn begging for it because I was too distracted."
Charlotte blushed at the words and looked down at their hands. "Smart."
As Rebecca put her number in the other woman's phone, she noticed the blonde trying to cover up a yawn. "Alright Queeny. Time for you to get some actual sleep. I don't want you to be snoring during whatever events you have tomorrow."
"But I'd rather spend more time with you." Charlotte whined with a pout. Even though she was tired and in use of a good sleep, Charlotte hated losing any of her and Rebecca's small window of time.
Rebecca almost conceded and gave in right there but another stifled yawn from the blonde convinced her that it would be selfish to indulge her. "As sweet as that is, you need your rest. You will thank me when we touch down and you aren't a zombie."
"Being a zombie can't be that bad."
The look Rebecca sent Charlotte's way made it clear she wasn't going to let this slide. "I'm going to go talk to the pilot real quick. When I get back you better be ready to sleep."
Charlotte smirked. "And if I'm not?"
"Then I call Finn and he gets Sasha or Bayley to make you."
"You wouldn't."
"Do you want to find out? Remember what I did to Finn?"
Charlotte pouted and pushed out her lower lip. Rebecca's eyes immediately drawn to it with an intense desire to press her own against the blonde's and nip at the offering. "Fine. You win."
Fighting back the urge to laugh at the blonde's attitude Rebecca got up and gathered the empty glasses in one hand. Popping a cork back in the nearly empty bottle of wine and walking towards the front.
"Wait!"
Rebecca stopped in mid stride and turned around. Charlotte's lips instantaneously pressing against hers for just a moment. Pulling away before she had time to think about what was happening.
"Now you can go."
As the door closed behind her the redhead took a deep breath and tried in vain to process the last few hours. It still felt surreal that Charlotte was actually interested in her and she still wondered what it was that made her worthy of it. She had nothing to offer the daughter of Ric Flair. She had a decent amount of money in her savings but nothing close to what Charlotte must have. Her job would make it difficult for them to talk, let alone meet in person.
But she was determined to make up for any of it, if it meant she got to spend more time with the other woman.
She dropped off the dirty glasses and began to search through the cupboards. Brown eyes lighting up with amusement when the redhead found something that would work for the little surprise she had in mind.
Charlotte hated to admit that she really did need to get whatever sleep she could. She would much prefer being able to spend more time with Rebecca but after landing there was only an hour before the first event she was needed at.
She walked over to the bed and let herself fall face first onto the mattress. Laying there and cursing time for simply existing and continuing to move forward at a constant rate.
The noise of the door opening made Charlotte smile into the soft mattress. Soft footsteps making their way ever close while she slowly turned to her side and aimed the smile at the approaching vision of beauty. Her eyebrows rising as the redhead kept both hands behind her back. "What are you up to?"
Rebecca walked closer with a sly smile on her face. "It was the best I could do on short notice." Pulling her hands from behind her back and proudly displaying a platter with a peanut butter and banana muffin sitting in the middle. A toothpick sticking out the top with a tiny piece of orange paper speared on the top. "Real candles are kind of a no-go up here."
Charlotte was touched to the point of being unable to speak. Slowly sitting up and staring with wide open eyes at the woman who seemed far too good to be true. "Rebecca I…"
"I made them myself for a healthy treat while I'm working." She explained. The words rolling out her mouth so fast it was hard to keep up. "Even used some protein powder and reduced the sugar. Do you like peanut butter? If not, I think we might have some cookies. Or maybe—"
Charlotte silenced her ramble by wrapping her arm around the other woman's elbow and pulling her closer. Taking care to not accidentally smush the thoughtful and unexpected gift. "I don't want anything else."
The blonde smiled at Rebecca and leant down towards the platter. Playfully blowing out the 'candle' and picking off the tiny piece of what Charlotte could now tell was a sticky note.
Using her fingers, she picked off a piece of the muffin and popped it in her mouth. Chewing it over and letting the delightful flavors dance on her taste buds. "It tastes amazing and its somewhat healthy… I might have use for you after all." Charlotte teased.
Rebecca didn't have to act all that much to pretend she was relieved. "Perfect. I was worried you'd eat it and realize I copied the recipe from a friend."
Charlotte patted the bed next to her and pulled Rebecca to sit next to her. "Come on. I can't eat this all myself."
After a few minutes of playful banter while they picked apart the muffin till nothing remained, Charlotte couldn't help another yawn from stretching her jaw open wide.
"I know. I know." The blonde said. Not even needing to look to know brown eyes would be giving her a glare. Ready to push her into bed by threat of Sasha and Bayley at a moment's notice. "Sleep." She groaned out in annoyance.
Rebecca laughed at the blonde's reluctance to get the sleep she clearly needed. "Don't worry I will still be here in the morning. I'm not at all prepared to jump out of a plane."
Charlotte shuffled beneath the covers and laid her head down on the pillow. Her eyes disobeying almost immediately and drifting downwards.
"You need the rest so you can go beat up Asuka and keep your title." Grinning down at the exhausted wrestler.
"I expect a call after I win."
"If you win."
Charlotte tried to look offended. "I'll remember that Becks." Her mind automatically suppling the shortened nickname as even speaking began to feel difficult. Body slowly shutting down as it prepared for sleep.
Rebecca only smiled. The blonde inadvertently hit at a source of anxiety. Being forgotten. "I hope you will Charlie. That way you can brag about proving me wrong." Standing up and leaning over towards a small touch screen imbedded in the wall to dim the lights till the cabin was dark enough to not bother someone trying to sleep. "Just rest up. I'll wake you up before we land."
"Any chance I can convince you that I have a rare condition where I can't sleep without a pretty girl next to me?"
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to go with that line? Now all I'm thinking about is how you managed to get sleep before me."
"Who says I ever managed to get sleep?" A small smile on her face despite the kernel of truth hidden inside.
"And you called me the charmer." Rebecca said. Shaking her head and standing up. "Go to sleep Charlie. I don't care what time it is in New Orleans, I will call Finn if you keep trying to distract me."
"Fine." Charlotte spat out. Pulling just a light sheet over her body and closing her eyes. "You happy now?" She asked even as she felt the lure of sleep becoming too much for her body to overcome.
"Ecstatic." Rebecca leaned down and pressed a light kiss onto Charlotte's forehead out of reflex, which startled her just a bit before just giving in. "Good night sweet Queen."
"Night Becca." She mumbled as the sweet embrace of sleep took hold.
Rebecca stayed and just watched the blonde's breathing even out for what she felt like an appropriate time before it became creepy. Turning around and moving into the staff cabin so that she wouldn't disturb Charlotte's rest.
She pulled out her phone and typed out a message to Finn. Not caring what time it was in New Orleans right now, and far too tired to check. Charlotte wasn't the only one feeling the urge to rest. 'Hey. I have a plan for Char, and I need some help and your connections to pull it off. You in?'
The response came quickly, but not from Finn. Another unknown number texting her simply. 'We're in.' Her phone vibrating when another text came in right after from the same number, 'Sorry. This is Bayley by the way. Hi! Finn told us we can trust you.' Another brief pause before yet another text came in. 'Still, you better not hurt her. She's been through enough.'
Rebecca quickly typed out a text through her shock over yet another wrestler interacting with her. This entire day having gone in such a different direction than she could have ever imagined. 'I have no plans to and Sasha already gave me this speech.'
'Please. Sasha is a pushover compared to me.'
With a smile Rebecca typed back. 'Well than I will just need to show you I have no intention of screwing this up. At least not on purpose.'
Another response came after a couple minutes. 'So what is this plan of yours and what can we help with?'
Rebecca felt her good mood grow as they finalized her plan. Bayley's involvement making this go far smoother than she had expected.
She put away her phone and made to settle in on the tiny bed -although cot would be more appropriate- that was provided for the staff and prepared to try and get some sleep herself when a tiny noise from back in Charlotte's cabin made her ears perk up.
After a few moments of silence from the rear compartment she dismissed it and laid her head gently down only for it to jump back up. Another noise coming from the back that she knew now was no figment of her imagination.
With light steps so as not to awaken the hopefully sleeping blonde Rebecca made her way quickly through the door. Closing it silently and swiftly so none of the light would sneak in and disrupt the wrestler.
Creeping slowly into the room Rebecca kept her ears open for another noise. Trying to figure out where it was coming from before it woke the sleeping woman.
However, it became clear after the next noise that it was coming from the woman herself. A tiny moan that Rebecca couldn't decipher. Curiosity drawing her closer to the bed. Peering down at the blonde who was curled up into a ball on the large bed.
Now that she was close enough in the low-light she could see the tension across Charlotte's brow as she shivered beneath the covers. Rebecca's features display the worry she felt inside. Wondering what the cause for blonde's turmoil was and hating that she had no immediate answer.
She moved closer and now that she was close enough the next time Charlotte moaned in her sleep Rebecca could make it out clearly. Her own heart feeling like it was being constricted by a rope pulled taught. The distress in the blonde's moan hitting her harder than she could have imagined. Calling out to her and drawing her in till she was leaning over the side of the bed.
One of her hands reaching out with a mind of its own and brushing some stray blonde hairs away from Charlotte's forehead. The tips of her fingers just barely grazing the golden skin and noting how cool it was. Her worry only growing when Charlotte's body suddenly twisted violently beneath the sheets.
The sudden movement startling her. Initially assuming that the blonde was waking.
Once she realized that Charlotte was still fast asleep Rebecca let out a breath, she didn't know she was holding.
Finding her body magnetically moving closer to the other woman. One of her knees now propped up on the bed so she could stabilize herself and hover over Charlotte to try and help her out of whatever bad thoughts were running around. Thinking back on her earlier promise to herself.
With blonde on her side facing Rebecca it was easy for her to reach around with one hand and lazily draw her hand up and down the stiff muscles tightly corded around Charlotte's spine. The tense muscle underneath the skin slowly but surely loosening their grip. Pleasant tingles following every pass and chasing away the stress.
Softly whispering random Gaelic words into the blonde's ear in as light a tone as she could manage. Hoping that she could drive away whatever darkness had snuck inside to terrorize such a beautiful woman. Her strength when awake so evident, while in her slumber it seemed to fail her.
After what could have been several minutes, or an hour Charlotte seemed to finally be calming down and Rebecca could breathe a sigh of relief. Not just for helping the blonde escape whatever had been haunting her dreams but also that she hadn't been caught watching Charlotte sleep. Sure, that had that been the case embarrassment may very well cause her to melt into a puddle of awkwardness on the spot.
Just as she was about to leave after a job well done Rebecca had only a brief moment to recognize the hand curled around her wrist before she was pulled down onto the bed with the blonde's body curling around her in an instant. One slender and remarkably smooth leg thrown over both of the redhead's like a hook catching her prey while her hand latched onto the back of Rebecca's uniform shirt and didn't let go. Charlotte's head scooting down and resting at the bottom of her new pillow's neck as they lay chest to chest.
Rebecca had been caught off guard by the blonde's clinginess and just allowed it to happen. Not wanting to risk waking Charlotte.
Charlotte easily settled in and became still. Her breathing evened out once again, and her breath came out in short intermittent puffs of air that tickled the skin around Rebecca's collarbone. Not sure whether she was upset or deeply thankful that she had unbuttoned her shirt about halfway before she had laid down up front.
After ten minutes of so Rebecca resigned herself to just waiting for Charlotte to loosen her grip before making her escape and avoiding the potential embarrassment when the blonde woke up.
Ten minutes turned into twenty, and twenty into thirty with no change.
Rebecca was finding it hard to keep her own eyes open. Feeling more comfortable and at ease than she should given the situation.
'Just five more minutes and then I will just try and get away without her help.'
Three minutes later Rebecca's eyes dropped and did not open up again until the alarm on the phone in her pocket went off.