Part Three…
"All right," Roman chuckled, taking a sip of his beer before gesturing to her with the bottle. "An embarrassing childhood memory?"
Allison sat back against her chair and thought for a moment before answering him. They were currently seated at a table in a local Irish bar, sharing a beer and getting to know each other. And so far, Ally was liking most of what she learned.
"Okay," She smiled impishly at him. "My Godfather is Scott Levy, you know-"
"Raven." Roman nodded.
"Right." She chuckled. "Well, when Tommy had stuff to do and my Grandparents couldn't watch me, he wound up babysititng more often than not."
"Oh boy," He snorted, taking another sip of beer. "I can see where this is going."
"I was five, mind you." She warned. "Anyway, he convinced me that if I tried hard enough, I could fly just like he did in the ring."
Roman choked on his next sip. "So what the hell did you wind up jumping off of?"
"The roof of our garden shed." She giggled, when he just burst out laughing. "I broke my arm in three places on the landing. But he told me I got points for effort when we went to the hospital."
"Did your Dad kick his ass?"
"There was a lot of threatening involved," Ally replied. "But, they're the best of friends. And I healed up like a Champ, so all was eventually forgiven and he kept his babysitting duties."
"They were still on the Indie circuit then, weren't they? Didn't you grow up on the road when your Dad signed with ECW?" He asked curiously.
"Yes." She drained the last of her beer and set the empty bottle aside for the waitress to pick up on her next pass. "I didn't want to stay with my Grandparents and Dad didn't want to spend all that time away from me. So he hired tutors and I was home-schooled on the road. That's why Randy is so protective. We met when I was twelve, and he was seventeen. He was closest to my age, and we grew close, like siblings."
"Hence him threatening to punt us all the other day when we threatened you." Roman set aside his own empty bottle and held his hand up to signal their waitress for a second round. "Can't blame the guy. Though, I never would have let Dean touch you, so you know."
"You don't strike me as the kind of guy who roughs up women." She assured him. "Randy just-, between him and Christian, I don't know who's more overprotective. I guess it's from watching me grow up. When Adam was still on the tour, you know Edge, he kind of balanced it out and kept them from getting too nuts."
"You miss him." Roman commented.
"A lot." Ally nodded. "Christian too. He's been off more than on this year. They were the ones who got me through when my Dad first retired. It's weird now, without them."
"And Cody?" He asked. "Where does he fit into all of this?"
Ally looked at him thoughtfully. "Isn't it too soon to touch on the Exes part of getting to know each other?"
Roman didn't respond right away since the waitress came by with two fresh beers and removed the empty bottles. "Well," He said once they were alone again. "I guess I just want to know what I'm dealing with. Your names are still synonymous together in backstage gossip."
"You have to understand that Cody and I met when we were very young." She began. "We were kids. Although he's a year almost two older than I am. He was my first crush, though he didn't notice me at first. He was too obsessed with Zelda and comic books, as boys are at that age."
"We don't really notice girls until we're thirteen." Roman chuckled.
"Cody didn't notice me until I was sixteen." Ally grinned back at him. "I pined over him for years, but I had always been little Ally, Randy's tag-a-long. Until that summer anyway, it was like I had finally grown into myself and turned pretty."
"Pretty seems to tame a word." Roman corrected. "Looking at you now, I'd go for beautiful."
"Flatterer." Ally blushed prettily at his words. "Anyway, we fell in love that summer and stayed together for another year or so before Cody went off for wrestling training and OVW."
"I was heartbroken when he left of course. Then when I graduated High School about a year later, I threw myself into my own wrestling training. I had a few dates here and there, but nothing serious. I did some work on an Indie circuit in Japan, then my father called and said Vince wanted me for ECW." Ally grinned at the memory. "It was the most amazing feeling, coming back to ECW as a member of the roster, my Dad, Christian, Adam, all there waiting for me with these huge smiles when I joined them on the SmackDown/ECW tour. And then, my first pay-per-view came around and we joined up with the Raw roster."
"Now mind you, Cody and I had been apart for almost six years at this point. I'd only seen him sparingly in that time because I was in Japan for awhile." She continued. "So, I was originally going to see Randy when I went to the Legacy locker room. Ted too, since I grew up with him a bit as well. Then Cody opened the door and kablammy!"
"Kablammy?" Roman repeated, a smile in his voice.
"You know, that shock to the system that makes you a blind, deaf, mute for all of ten seconds?" Ally chuckled. "Then the past came rushing back and the feelings of my teenage self returned with a fierceness that hadn't been there the first time around. His reaction had been the same. We were back together not even a week later and were deeper in love this time around."
"So what happened? You make it sound like some kind of Fairytale, so I don't understand why you're single. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, it's great for me." Roman grinned.
"Brandi happened." Ally shrugged. "He took one look at her, new, exotic and wonderful and I guess I came up lacking. Next thing I knew, he was breaking up with me and announcing his engagement to her."
"Sorry." Roman told her sincerely, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand gently. "But his loss, looks like my gain."
"Play your cards right, and it just might be."
"I don't get it." Randy shook his head, a confused expression on his ruggedly handsome features. "You go from wanting to kill all three of them, to going out on a date with one?"
"I'm in the same boat as you, Fella." Sheamus agreed. "Ally Love, what's the crack here?"
Ally sighed, from where she sat across from the two men in catering. "I still don't like Seth or Dean very much." She admitted. "I probably never will. But Roman's different. He actually apologized for his part in what happened to my father and we had a nice time getting drinks last night. We talked a lot, covered a lot of ground."
"You mean he knows about Cody." Randy surmised knowingly.
"Well he already had some idea. My previous relationship and how it ended wasn't exactly a big secret." Ally rolled her eyes. "But yes, I gave him full disclosure."
"You know," Sheamus mused, using his thumb and forefinger to thoughtfully stroke the edges of his beard. "I still want to kick that little shit's head off."
"Join the club." Randy snorted. "The only thing that stopped me was Ally, and the fact that the punk is technically my friend."
"And see we all know how devastated Baby Dreamer was when the break-up happened, she must be really interested in this new guy to actually go out on a date with him." A new voice commented lightly.
"Christian!" Ally was already on her feet and in his arms the moment the first words were out of his mouth. "Oh, I missed you!"
"Hi Baby Dreamer," Christian Cage held her tightly against him with one arm and gave a brief wave to the other two men with his other.
"Finally got my message did you?" Sheamus said sarcastically. "You're a little late, Fella."
"Where the hell have you been anyway?" Randy added.
Christian released Ally from his arms and took the seat beside hers. "Why Randal? Miss me?"
"You're the only one who can keep this feisty lass from doing something stupid," Sheamus gestured to Ally. "What do you think?"
"Bite me, Sheamus."
"Just tell me when and where Love." He winked at her.
"Sheamus, don't make me hurt you." Christian told him mildly. "So what's this I hear about Ally and the Shield?"
"Ally's dating one of them apparently." Randy informed him.
"Yeah, that much I know." Christian rolled his eyes. "Someone want to fill me in 'cause last I checked, you weren't over Rhodes yet?" He glanced at Ally.
She frowned at him. "Am I supposed to pine over Cody forever?"
"Hell no." Randy shook his head. "I've been waiting for you to move on for months now. I'm just confused on the who you're moving on with."
"It was one date, so far." Ally pointed out. "And we haven't even kissed yet. He was really polite, walked me back to my room and kissed my cheek. He's aware that I have a lot of emotional baggage."
"Well so far he's given us no reason to kick his ass." Sheamus sighed. "Bollocks, I was hoping for a fight."
"Sheamus!"
Christian chuckled. "Just be careful okay, Ally? He's still a member of the Shield and they're not exactly playing for our team."
"Yeah, look what they did to me?" Randy nodded.
"Maybe that's because you're an asshole." Ally smirked at the Viper.
"Watch it, Allison or I'll put you in a headlock."
"Anyway!" Christian cut in before they could begin bickering. "What are your plans for Christmas, Ally? You going home to New York?"
"Sheamus and I are scheduled for the Christmas Eve show." Ally shook her head. "So I won't be home until noon time on Christmas if I'm lucky."
"We'll do something fun after the show." Sheamus promised. "Make up for being away from the family on Christmas."
"So?" Seth fell in step beside Roman as they headed down the corridor. "How'd your date go last night?
"Great." Roman grinned as thoughts of Allison filled his head. "She's something else."
"You know Dean is going to be pissed when he finds out your chasing her right?" Seth warned. "He still heated over her bitching at him the other night."
"She had a right to bitch at him, at us. We beat up her father and put him in the hospital." Roman's grinned faded into a frown. "I'll deal with Dean when the time comes. But we're not going after Allison, Seth. That I will not stand for."
"Man, I don't want to go after her either." Seth made a disgusted face. "I don't rough up women. Dean doesn't either. He's just mad."
"Well, he better start watching his step with her. If he ever calls her a bitch again, he and I are going to have words." Roman replied coolly.
"Damn. You really like this chick don't you?" Seth gave Roman an incredulous look. "I didn't see that one coming."
"I got to know her last night, Dude." Roman admitted. "She's sweet and she's had it rough this past year. I like her and hey, I think she likes me too."
"I'm happy for you, Dude." Seth grinned at him. "She's hot. And hey, I'll even have your back with Dean."
"Knew I could count on you, Seth." Roman told him. "Come on, Dean's waiting for us."
"Yippee." Seth's response was heavily sarcastic.
"Hey you!"
Ally looked up and found herself wrapped up in a warm hug courtesy of Ted Dibiase Jr. "Ted, hey!" She returned his embrace.
"I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas before I head home." He kissed the side of her head. "Sorry you'll be home late."
"I've got Sheamus, I won't be alone." She beamed up at him. "Merry Christmas Ted. Give Tate a kiss for me." She said, referring to his infant son.
"I will." He adjusted his bag that hung off his shoulder. "Hey listen, I'm not trying to start drama or anything, but Cody came to see me yesterday."
"Oh?" Ally gave him a curious look.
"He's concerned about you." He informed her. "Wanted me to talk sense into you. He's a little freaked about you going out with Roman Reigns."
"That's not really his-"
"Business, I know." Ted nodded in agreement. "But I called him on all his shit, Ally. I told him he was jealous and that he needed to think real hard about what he wanted. Because as far as I'm concerned, you and Cody should still be together."
"You're sweet, Ted. But,-"
"He's thinking, Ally." He cut her off. "He was really thinking when I left him. I think he might have realized Brandi isn't the be all, end all for him. Because it all comes back to you. So don't be surprised if he comes to see you in the next couple days."
"Thanks Ted. I know you were our biggest supporter." Ally hugged him again. "I love you very much for always looking out for me. I want you to enjoy your Holiday break, okay?"
"You too, I know you have to work, but I want you to enjoy yourself." Ted squeezed her tight. "And don't be mad at Randy, okay? He loves you and is looking out for you, just like always."
"I know." She chuckled. "Randy and I are cool. Besides, I'll be with Sheamus after the Christmas Eve show. So don't worry about me. I'll see you at the next SmackDown show."
"I love you, Kid. Merry Christmas."
"I love you too, Ted. Merry Christmas."
To be continued...