Used No Longer

A/N: It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to approach this chapter and what direction it needed to go in. Super Show-Down and Raw left me reeling in an emotional whirlwind. My other two stories I knew immediately how to have the characters react to those events…but this one…this one was tough and I'm still not sure if it turned out right or not…

Chapter 3 – Is it Time?

Drew, dean, and Renee spent most of the week in Australia just hanging out together, seeing the sights and learning more about each other's lives. Renee had decided that Drew was adorable with Dean in the way he was always checking if Dean was alright and still with them. Dean acted annoyed but both of his partners could tell he actually enjoyed the attention, which was why Drew kept doing it. He had discovered that Dean liked to be cared for and fussed over, but he didn't want to seem weak by asking for it so he put up this front of not needing anyone or anything. Drew was determined to get them both to a point where Dean felt comfortable enough with him to ask for what he wanted, but he knew it would take time…as all good things do.

Dean had largely ignored how Shield brothers during the week except for training and gym sessions, and he was more than a little upset that neither of them seemed to even care or notice his absence. He felt like they had just gotten used to him not being around and it kind of hurt that they didn't seem to really need him around anymore unless they were in the ring. Renee and Drew had seen this from the moment he came back but now Dean was starting to see it for himself.

When they got to the location of the Super Show-Down Drew went off on his own while Dean and Renee tried to spend their precious last few minutes together before she would have to go out to the ringside commentary table…sadly his Shield brothers had other ideas.

"Dean! There you are. Come on man we need to film a promo for tonight."

"Seriously Seth? Right now? Can you not see I'm a bit busy here?"

"You can spend time with your girl later Uce…we need to get this done. Come on."

Dean's face darkened as his eyes narrowed but Renee grabbed his face in her hands and gave him a sweet kiss that helped him center and calm himself.

"Go on Deam, I'll see you after the show. Stay safe ok?"

"You too. If anyone starts clearing the table off get outta the way alright?"

"Will do. Later love."

Seth and Roman had decided to have them film their promo themselves, saying it was a tribute to how they'd started years ago. Dean had to admit, it did look kind of badass since they were doing it in a darkened hallway and Seth had the production team add little glitches and match clips before airing the footage. However, Dean was still pissed off at them for dragging him away from Renee so soon, but neither of them seemed to even notice his anger.

"Ambrose."

"Rollins."

"Reigns…and we're still here."

Dean "We are…the three workhorses…of Monday Night Raw."

Roman "Our Yard."

Seth "We are unbreakable."

Dean "We…are one."

Roman "We are the Shield. Believe that."

Neither of them seemed to notice the hesitation Dean had during his part, which was just as well in Dean's opinion. He and Drew had talked a lot during the week and they were still trying to decide when the best time to break away from their teams would be…Dean figured he'd know it when he saw it.

When it's time for their match the Shield entered down the stairs in their usual gear, with the addition of solid black masks that had once again been Seth's idea. Dean has the hood up on his outer vest and he sees Renee watching him with her mouth slightly opened so he sends her a little wink, then he notices the look in Drew's eyes as he climbs onto the apron and smirks under his mask knowing that Drew can tell exactly what he's doing. He locks eyes with Drew and subtly reaches down to adjust himself in his pants for a moment, watching Drew's eyes drift down and then back up before removing his mask.

As all hell breaks loose in the ring, and eventually spills outside of the ring, Dean starts clearing off the commentary table but the other team rallies. Dolph gets Seth into the ring and starts beating on him as the official finally calls for the bell, then tags in Drew after he and Braun are done beating down Roman and Dean. The three men keep Seth in their corner and make frequent tags in and out to take turns beating him down. Dean is bouncing and seething in the Shield's corner, mainly because he hates losing, while Roman is glaring and wanting desperately to save Seth.

At one point Drew stretches Seth's arm out in the middle of the ring, taunting Dean and Roman with being unable to make the tag and help him and Dean has to bite back a laugh at his nerve. Later on Braun knocks Dean and Roman off the corner to prevent Seth from tagging either of them and Seth is once again isolated in the center of the ring. Drew drives Roman into the steel steps while Dolph drives Dean into the barricade until the ref catches onto them and starts giving them warnings to get back to their side of the ring, Drew casting a subtle glace over to Dean to see if he's ok.

Braun actually climbs up onto the top of the turnbuckle and jumps, aiming to land on Seth but Seth is barely able to roll out of the way in time, however, this gives Seth the time he needs to get to the corner where Dean has finally gotten back up and is able to make the tag just as Dolph tags in as well.

Dean unloads all of his pent-up anger and frustration on Dolph, eventually face planting him into the mat but Dolph kicks out of the pin attempt. At one point the two collide in mid-air while attempting the cross body maneuver on each other and Drew doesn't even try to hide his sympathetic wince because he knew that one had to hurt. Dolph manages to tag in Drew who tries to keep Dean from getting to Roman, but he finally gets Drew down long enough to tag Roman into the match.

Roman seems to dominate drew but Drew does manage to get a boot to Roman's face. Roman counters that by trying to Superman Punch Drew but Drew moves and Roman punches Dean instead, knocking him off the apron and into the barricade. Roman looks upset by this but Drew is enraged…though only he, dean, and Renee know why…and he attacks Roman viciously. Roman manages to power-bomb Drew and goes for the pin but Dolph breaks it up, then Seth gets back into the mix by taking out Dolph and then all hell breaks loose yet again with Seth and Roman taking the other team out momentarily.

As Roman and Seth get back to their feet Braun, Drew, and Dolph surround them on the ring apron just like the Shield has always done to their enemies. Dean climbs up onto the fourth side, looking around at the enemy and his brothers. Roman and Seth look nervous for a moment as Dean just looks around rubbing his beard, locking eyes with Drew who just gave him a subtle head shake to tell him it wasn't time yet, and then Dean charges through the ring to take out Braun. Once again all hell breaks loose with the Shield dominating the other men in the ring until Drew is surrounded by them in the center of the ring with no allies. When they get Drew up for the Triple Power-Bomb Braun spears all three of them at once and takes them all out, forcing them to drop Drew.

Braun knocks Seth out of the ring and then knocks Roman to the outside, leaving Dean on his own as Dolph and Drew slide in like a pair of snakes. Braun leaves the ring and runs full-speed into Roman then does the same to Seth, nearly flipping him a full 360 degrees. Dolph tries to pin Dean but he's aware enough to kick out so Braun screams at Dolph loud enough for the in-ring microphones to hear him loud and clear.

"Throw him out on the floor, I'll run his ass over!"

Drew has to fight to keep a neutral expression on his face as Dolph does exactly that, tossing dean through the ropes and out onto the floor at ringside. As Dean uses the steel steps to get himself up Braun charges at him but Roman comes flying out of nowhere with a massive spear to Braun that takes them both through the barricade. Dolph hits Dean with a super kick and then he and Drew roll Dean back into the ring.

Drew and Dolph get ready to do their combination move of Claymore kick and Zig Zag but Seth kicks Drew out over the ropes and then Dolph super kicks Seth. When Dolph turns around he runs right into a Dirty Deeds by Dean who pins him for the win. Dean rolls out of the ring and as they pass each other he and Drew brush the backs of their hands against each other before Drew and his team head back up the ramp.

Seth manages to use the ropes to pull himself into a seated position on the apron as Dean makes his way past, happily smirking as Dean goes to help Roman stand up, slinging one of Roman's arms over his own shoulders to take some of his weight and Seth comes to the other side of Roman and does the same. When they reach the ring Seth grabs his and Roman's title belts and then Roman leans himself against the ring for a breather. Seth sits on the apron next to Roman and Dean comes over to wrap his arms around Seth's head and plant a kiss to Seth's hair, which gets him a happy grin from Seth. Roman and Seth put their fists out and Dean points to his own fist before joining it with theirs.

After they get back to the hotel Dean ends up pacing while Roman and Seth watch him, wondering what's bothering him this time, but he doesn't say anything to them until Renee shows up and wraps her arms around him.

"You ok? That punch looked pretty painful…"

"I'll be alright…might have a bit of a shiner in the morning but I've taken worse hits."

"Still…"

"This about the Superman Punch? Look, Renee…it was an accident alright? I was aiming for McIntyre and he moved so Dean got hit instead."

"When you saw Drew move you should have stopped or turned or something."

"Can't stop that kind of momentum Renee…"

"Then you should have kept your fist back instead of finishing the move! You could have avoided hitting him if you really wanted to."

Seth tried to come to Roman's defense but Renee's angry glare had him shrinking back like a scolded dog and hiding behind Roman. Dean wrapped an arm around Renee's shoulders and led her down the hall and into their room where Drew was already waiting for them. None of them felt like doing anything more than just relaxing and trying to figure out their next step. The next day they had to fly all the way to Chicago so they could be there by Monday for Raw…to say it was a long flight and everyone was cranky would be a massive understatement.

At one point during the night the Shield watches as Braun, Dolph, and Drew are shown backstage in their own locker room. Dolph is making excuses for the Super Show-Down loss and starts telling Braun and Drew what they need to do to win that night and Drew snaps at him. Drew ends his rant by telling Dolph he's sick of him trying to call the shots and that he lost the match, not them, and that he needs to start worrying about pulling his own weight. Braun snaps at both of them and says he's tired of their bickering and that they need to remember they're only there to help him win the Universal Title because that's what's best for all of them and he doesn't want to hear any more excuses from either of them. Seth was looking smug as all hell seeing their rivals at each other's throats like that, Dean was watching Drew for any sign that he was getting tired of playing the game.

Later on Seth decides the Shield needs to film another little promo video and leads them into a room where a camera is filming on the floor as their black boots come into view. Seth picks up the camera to reveal their faces to the screaming fans.

Seth "They tried to break us."

Dean "We don't break."

Roman "What you need to understand…is we're not an alliance…we're not a friendship…we're a Brotherhood."

Dean "Braun, Ziggler, McIntyre…maybe you think…you're vicious…maybe you think…you've done some ruthless things…well make no mistake about it…you are not the bad guys."

Seth "We…are the bad guys."

Roman "It doesn't matter if we're in Melbourne…or Chicago. When the three of them go against the three of us the story stays the same."

Seth "We don't bend…we don't crack…we don't stop. We are…the one…true…constant."

Dean "We…are the Hounds of Justice."

Roman "We…are the Shield. Believe That."

The camera is thrown to the ground and three sets of boots are seen leaving the room. Dean is antsy…pacing and rolling his shoulders and twitching his head…it makes Seth feel anxious just watching him but Dean isn't listening to his attempts to calm the man down.

When Paul Heyman goes out onto the stage and runs his mouth saying he's here to watch the fight between the Shield and their enemies the boys head to their entrance spot at the top of the stairs. He says he's here to see a fight, to see some legalized thuggery as the Dogs of War and the Shield fight, but he finds it quite ironic that 72 hours ago, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman beat the high holy living crap out of each other in Australia, and flew 20 hours to get here just to beat the high holy living crap out of each other again, because that's what we do in WWE, seven days a week and twice on Sunday. He says that meanwhile, Brock Lesnar is at home eating a home-cooked meal and training at the gym he designed for the specific purpose of becoming the very first two-sport concurrent champion in UFC and WWE. He says Brock is the only individualist who wants to win the title, because both Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman are parts of a team, whereas Lesnar says "me, me, me", and that's why he's going to win the Universal Championship back in Saudi Arabia.

The Shield's music comes across the speakers and the boys hit the stairs, coming down to the ring while Heyman looks like a nervous rabbit on the stage before bolting for the back. The "Dogs of War" come out next, seemingly united again, as the Shield waits in the ring for them to get in.

Seth and Drew start off the match, Seth dropping to the mat to avoid one clothesline and then jumping over Drew to avoid a second one. Dean tags in and he goes after Drew but Drew tags in Braun who steamrolls Dean. Dean ends up in a corner with Seth chanting "watch, watch out, watch out" until Dean dodges Braun's run and tags Roman in. Braun spears Roman and gets him into his team's corner before tagging in Dolph. The Shield comes in as a unit and sends Dolph and Drew over the top rope before facing down Braun. Braun hops off the apron and starts yelling at his team mates to "Get your crap together" which, despite making Drew look like he's seething, seems to get them all back on the same page. Braun choke slams Roman onto the edge of the apron and takes control of the match before tagging Dolph back in but Roman manages to get a good hard uppercut on Dolph who rolls to tag Braun in.

Braun runs at Roman from the opposite corner but Roman moves so he slams full speed into the turnbuckle. Braun is back in the game before Roman can make a tag but Roman lifts him up for a Samoan drop and tags Seth in just as Braun tags in Dolph. Seth is dominating Dolph while Dean is on the floor trying to get Roman back up and running again. Seth pulls a Buckle Bomb on Dolph and goes for the pin but Drew breaks it up only to get speared by Dean who starts punching him anywhere he can reach and then hurls him over the top rope.

Braun grabs Dean by the throat and then gets Seth too, but Roman Superman Punches Braun which forces him to let go of them. Dean runs at him and lands both feet into Braun's chest then Seth comes in with a big kick and knocks him down out of the ring. Dean starts bouncing on his feet and then Seth catches on and does the same before they run to the opposite side of the ring and then fly through the ropes in a Suicide Dive onto Dolph and Drew. Braun grabs Seth and Dean by the backs of their necks so Roman flies over the ropes to take him down, sadly taking his brothers down with him.

Once they're all back in the ring Braun takes control of Seth while Dean paces on the apron like a caged animal, which is making Drew more than a little 'hot under the collar' knowing the energy building up inside of Dean is going to be intense if he doesn't get an outlet for it. Braun drives Seth into his corner and tags in Drew who tries to pin Seth but he kicks out. Seth tries to leap over Drew to get to his team but gets caught in midair, fingertips away from tagging in Dean when Drew drops him hard. Drew tags in Dolph who starts beating on Seth so Seth grabs his legs and hurls him over his own body into the turnbuckle. Seth starts going for the wrong corner and by the time he gets his bearings Dolph has tagged Drew back in. After hitting Drew with a hard kick to the head Seth tries to reach his brothers but Braun runs over Seth to knock Roman and Dean off the apron and isolate Seth in the ring.

Braun throws Dean into the barricade and he actually bounces off of it, then he tosses Roman into the steel steps. Braun drags Seth into his team's corner and gets into Dolph's face yelling at him that this is how you get things done and pull your weight and Dolph starts poking Braun in the chest while yelling back. Braun grabs Dolph by the throat but Drew yanks his around and gets in his face instead so the two start to go at each other but Seth runs into Drew, knocking him into Braun, and then sends Drew over the top rope to land on Braun after the big guy had rolled out of the ring.

Seth finally makes it to his corner and tags in Dean who does a suicide dive out onto Braun and Drew before rolling Drew back into the ring. The two go back and forth until Dolph tries to distract Dean from their corner and dean knocks him off but gets slammed by Drew who covers him only to have Roman break it up. Dolph Super kicks Roman and then Seth goes after Dolph but gets thrown back. Dolph tries to super kick Seth but Dean intercepts the kick by grabbing Dolph's leg and gets himself pushed back into the ropes. Seth flips Dolph and himself out of the ring over the top rope and then Drew and Dean start trading blows until they clothesline each other hard, both of them lying in the ring gasping for breath while looking at each other.

Roman tries to Superman Punch Braun outside the ring but gets caught and when Braun lifts him up for a power slam Dean dives through the ropes and gets caught instead, earning himself a hard DDT that leaves him curled in a ball but as Braun manages to get back to his feet he takes a spear from Roman. Dean manages to get into the ring and beat the Ref's count but Dolph tries to kick him again only to have Seth come in and take Dolph over the top rope with himself yet again. Dean turns around into a Claymore kick and gets pinned by Drew for the win, Drew whispering an apology in his ear before leaving him. As Drew rolls out of the ring Seth rolls back in, Drew gathers up his team and they head up the ramp together while Roman rolls himself into the ring next to Seth.

Roman and Seth are sitting near the edge of the ring trying to catch their breath and looking up at where their rivals are heading towards the backstage area, meanwhile Dean is still in the middle of the ring in obvious pain while his brothers seen oblivious to it. Drew's team realizes he's not following them and turn back to watch him as he stares down at the ring where Dean is still curled up and all on his own while Roman and Seth seem to be having a conversation on their knees. When Dean rolls out of the ring and starts walking towards the ramp Seth finally turns to watch him and ends up turning in a circle to face back the way he'd started. Dean storms up the ramp, not looking back at his 'brothers' even once and stops in front of Drew. Drew holds out his hand to Dean and Dean locks eyes with him before taking it.

The two left in the ring share a look of confused disbelief, but Dolph starts crowing about how he knew Dean would join them. Dean and Drew share a brief look before attacking Dolph and beating him down until he stayed there, then turned to look at Braun who just shook his head and went backstage. Braun didn't care about Dolph, or being part of a team. With only Seth to watch Roman's back he knew he could take him without help now. Drew pulled Dean into a hug and they looked back down at where Seth and Roman were still looking utterly lost and confused. When they are heading out of the arena an interviewer…Kayla, if Dean remembered correctly…stopped them to ask questions.

"What did we just see out there Dean?"

"What did you see, Kayla? What you saw was me finally having enough of Roman and Seth's bullshit. They claim they missed me? They barely even spoke to me while I was gone. They claim they're my brothers still? They didn't even check on me out there. I sacrificed myself to save them and they didn't even ask if I was ok. They claim they need me? Yeah…sure they do…when they can't win a fight…that's when they need me. I spent this entire past week with Drew and Renee…not once did either of my "brothers" text or call to ask how I was feeling or anything."

Drew laid an arm across dean's tense shoulders, smirking slightly when said shoulders actually relaxed under his touch and Dean stopped fidgeting in agitation.

"What you just saw, Miss Kayla…was the end of the Shield, the end of the Dogs of War…and the beginning of a new era. Dean and I will be our own Tag-Team from now on…and we're going to show them all why they should have valued and appreciated us when they had the chance. Come on Dean…let's get you back to the hotel and ice down your side while we wait for Renee to join us huh?"

"Sounds like a plan to me Drew…ah damn that hurts…feels like I got hit by a truck man…"

"Close enough in Braun's case. I'll help ye Dean, just lean on me."

Kayla watches them both walk up the car ramp at the back of the arena and out into the darkness of the night, wondering what this meant for the Raw universe from here on out. All of this was shown on the Titantron after Raw went off the air so Seth and Roman saw the entire exchange. The two were exchanging words in the ring and trying to understand what the hell Dean was playing at now.

Back at the hotel Drew laid Dean on the bed and grabbed an ice pack out of the little freezer, wrapping it in a washcloth before laying it across Dean's aching side. He smiles softly at the hiss of air though Dean's teeth that turns swiftly into a sigh of relief as the cold seeps in and starts numbing the skin a bit.

"That feels better…thanks Drew."

"Anytime Dean. You realize there's no turnin back now right?"

"You realize I don't want to turn back right? I want to be able to hang out with you, I want to be able to touch you…hell I want to be able to kiss you and not give a damn what anyone thinks."

"What's stopping you then?"

"Everyone will think I'm cheating on Renee and they'll hate me for it."

"Unless the three of us make a statement together…go out there and announce to the whole world who and what we all are to each other…and stop their wagging tongues before they even get the chance to start up."

"We'll have to talk to Renee about it…see what she thinks."

"We'll do that when she gets here…for now you just rest and let me look after you alright?"

"Sure thing Drew…"

By the sound of his voice Dean was half asleep already and Drew just watched him with a fond smile while rubbing his head until he could hear soft snores coming from the other man. When Renee came in he put a finger over his lips and pointed at the sleeping man on the bed so she tiptoed her way over, kissing Drew's forehead when she reached his side and keeping her voice down to a whisper.

"How is he?"

"Hurtin…but strong. He'll be fine."

"Good. You two ready for the backlash you're going to get?"

"Dean and I have an idea we want to run by you…see what ye think."

"I'm listening."

Drew explains to her what he and Dean had talked about and Renee agrees that it's a great idea but decides that they should drop hints on Social Media outlets first to get the fans riled up and curious first. When Dean eventually wakes back up they tell him and he agrees. They take a series of photographs with each of their phones…some of Dean and Renee kissing, some of Drew and Renee kissing, and then some with Dean and Drew kissing…and then they each post them to their various Media outlets…Dean's having barely been used at all…like ever really. The comments started pouring in and the three of them were laughing over how ridiculous some of the fans theories were.

When one commenter said that Dean and drew kissing was disgusting Dean smirked and looked at Drew before yanking Drew onto his lap while yanking his head back by his long hair, kissing his throat and palming Drew's cock through his pants while Renee snapped another photo to post in response to that. She posted it on her own accounts with the caption, "Love is beautiful in all forms, and if you find it you hold on. I am happy to share my love." This started a whole new comment storm but the trio decided they were done for the night. At some point Roman and Seth knocked on the door and tried to get Dean to talk to them but they were ignored until they went away. At some point the next day Seth saw the photos and showed them to an equally shocked Roman and the two decided that they absolutely had to talk to Dean before the next show.

A/N: Ok so not much sexy times in this one but I felt there was enough drama and tension…hence why I tried to end with a slightly more fun notes. Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter and like the direction I went with it. From this point on this story will probably not follow much of Raw's actually events as I will start doing my own thing, though if something is really good it might make it into the story…we shall see.