Chapter 4 is up!
SONG - BROKEN
ARTIST - LIFEHOUSE
Hope you're enjoying So Familiar II.

4
'Broken'

"There's gotta be something around here somewhere." Rachel muttered to herself, sorting through Ted's suitcase for his cheque book.

She was looking for more evidence of a proposal, and after sneaking his room key out of his pocket the previous night, she managed to get into his hotel room to rifle around. Anything would do... a cheque, a bank statement... a ring.

Suddenly, she heard a key turning in the lock, and someone coming into the room. Perhaps it was housekeeping.

Perhaps it was Cody. Rachel quickly leapt to her feet and tried to act casually.

"What're you doing here?" It was Cody. He looked totally suspicious of her.

"I couldn't find my jacket this morning so I wondered if I left it here the other night." Rachel lied seamlessly.

She began making her way out of the room; however there was a knock at the door.

"Shall I get that?" She laughed nervously, realising he was suspicious of her.

She pulled open the door, and Ted stood in front of her.

"Rach, what're you doing here?"

"She lost her jacket and wanted to see if it was here." Cody filled in helpfully.

"Oh, well, did you find it?" Ted asked his girlfriend.

"No, I'll go find Maryse and see if she's got it." Rachel gave her boyfriend a kiss. "See you later, baby. Bye, Cody." She waved at Cody before leaving.

- - -

"That was weird." Cody said, once Rachel had left. "Did you let her in?"

"No, I assumed you did." Ted replied. "I think I've lost my room key. Can you help me find it?"

"Sure." Cody agreed.

The two men began going through the room, looking for the key.

"Here!" Ted held up the key.

"Where was it?" Cody asked.

"It was inside my suitcase." Ted said. "I must've dropped it."

Interesting, Cody thought to himself.

"So, what did you do last night?" Ted asked, settling down on his bed.

"Barbie & I went out to this Spanish restaurant." Cody said, sitting down on his own bed.

"That one on St Mark's Street?"

Cody nodded.

"What's it like? I was gonna take Rachel there."

"Good food." Cody grinned.

The small talk was painful. He knew he had to ask Ted the big question.

"Listen man, I've got to ask you something." Cody finally said. "It's been eating away at me all night..."

"Sorry, Code, but you know I don't swing that way." Ted laughed.

Cody rolled his eyes. "Okay, I'm just gonna come right out and say it."

"Seriously, man, what is it?"

"Are you proposing to Rachel?"

- - -

"What?" Ted looked shocked; genuinely shocked.

"Are you proposing to Rachel?" Cody repeated.

"Cody, what the hell are you talking about?" Ted stood up, and looked at his friend in disbelief. "Why are you asking me if I'm proposing to Rachel?"

"You really don't know what I'm talking about?"

Ted shook his head.

"Barbie told me at the wedding, she overheard Rachel telling Maryse about a jeweller's receipt she found..."

"Oh." Ted paused.

"So you are you proposing?"

"There was no ring. I got a bracelet, and it wasn't even for Rachel. It was for my mom's birthday." Ted explained.

"Oh."

"And frankly, I don't think it's any of your business anyway, nor any of Barbie's."

"Dude, it's not Barbie's fault. Rachel was the one that was saying all that stuff."

"Don't try and turn this around on Rachel." Ted snapped.

"Whatever, man." Cody sighed. "I just wanted to know what was going on. I'm your best friend, I just assumed if you were getting married..."

"If I were getting married I'd tell you? Well I'm not getting married, so there's nothing to assume." Ted replied angrily. "Just tell your girlfriend to stay out of my business."

"Why don't you cool off for a bit Ted? You're overreacting completely. I'm gonna go to the gym and let you simmer down." Cody held up his hands and left the room.

- - -

Walking towards the gorilla position, Barbie had a Divas Title match against Maryse.

She knew this would be the biggest match of her career and she had to focus on it, however there was something at the back of her mind stopping her, but she wasn't quite sure what it was.

"Good luck, B!" One of the superstars shouted after her. She didn't turn around to see who it was, but it sounded like MVP.

"Thanks!" She called back, continuing her walking.

Before she could walk any further, she felt an arm wrap around her waist, and pull her into a corner of the hallway.

"What the..."

She found herself pushed against a wall, and Ted in front of her, looking straight into her eyes.

"Ted, what are you doing?" She squeaked. It had been a long time since they'd been this close, and Barbie couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated.

"What is it about you, Barbie? Can't stay out of other people's business?" His hot, minty breath felt like it was burning through her cheek.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Her voice came out as a whisper. She didn't know what else to say.

"We're not together, Barbie. You can't stick your nose into my life anymore." He continued. "Stop interfering into mine and Rachel's relationship and getting your boyfriend play the messenger."

He pushed her back slightly - despite the fact she was against a wall and there was nowhere else to go - and walked off down the hall.

Barbie was shaking like a leaf. How the hell was she supposed to win the Divas Title if she was in this state?

- - -

Rachel watched Barbie wringing her hands together, breathing heavily as she walked away from the dark corner of the hall.

She hadn't been able to hear what Ted and Barbie had been saying, but she'd seen enough.

All she knew was that Barbie needed to stay away from her man, or she'd have to pay the price.