Chapter 4

xXx

Alice woke unusually early the next morning. It was just after five and after only two hours of sleep she wanted to crawl back under the covers and cry. Her eyes looked a little dark but she felt fine. After grabbing a quick shower, she lay on her bed, drifting in and out of a light sleep until just after six when she decided that it may be a better idea to find something to do.

Deciding on a trip to get more coffee, since they had wiped out her only jar full yesterday, she headed out, a pair of leggings and an oversized hoodie being her fashionable choice for the morning. Alice hadn't even brushed her hair, instead just piling it on top of her head and securing it with some ties. She hadn't heard anyone up before her so she assumed they were all still flat out after their late night.

As she walked the aisles in her local store, picking up a few bits and bobs, she suddenly came to the conclusion that she had to go to the live show tonight. A taping. Hopefully, they wouldn't ask her to be involved tonight but the chance was always there. Then she started to panic when it came to deciding what to wear. She hoped the three girls would help her out again, it had been much appreciated the night before. As much as she loved dressing up, her comfort zone was her Pyjamas.

After paying for her things, she popped her earphones back in, not even listening to the music. It was more of a comfort instead of the silence, which made her nervous and uncomfortable. Her playlists seemed to go from modern rock to 70's pop them a dash of indie. Not to mention a light sprinkle of some real cheesy 90's. Alice was always the kind of person that focused on the negative things in life, she believed they made her stronger. And one of her negative qualities was being afraid of silence. She hated knowing someone or something could watch you and be silent without you knowing hey were there. Which is why she chose to have her iPod on at all times when out and about. It made the time pass quicker and she never felt alone and vulnerable.

Her mind drifted back to the night before and how comfortable she felt having a house full of people. Friends. But as she was walking along the road, minutes from her home, she struggled to think of any other friends. It had been a long time since she was able to say that she had people in her life that she cared for and that cared for her. Ok, she hadn't known them long but strangers wouldn't have been able to sit with her like they had like that the night before. They wouldn't have been so excited about her contract if they didn't like her. The thought made her grin a stupid grin.

Alice's smile suddenly dropped as she felt a presence behind her. A child ran down her spine and her body tensed instantly. It made her uncomfortable but she carried on, trying to control her breathing. Alice had never liked being alone but often, she never thought about her fear until it crept up on her. She decided to cross the street but that chilling feeling followed. Meaning the person followed. The person got closer and her heartbeat rose. Then they touched her.

Alice let out a startled scream and jumped a mile in the air, dropping her bags and jumping round to face her attacker, arms coming up to shield her body and face.

"Holy shit, I really didn't to scare you." Roman panicked, suddenly unsure of what to do and feeling immensely guilty. Alice coughed and spluttered, hands on knees and trying her best not to hyperventilate. There was nothing in her past that had brung on this fear, it was just instilled in her head band it made it worse knowing there wasn't a root of her problem.

"God, I'm really sorry, are you okay?" He put a hand on her back and rubbed, trying to calm her down. Alice tried to talk but nothing came out, just gasping breaths and bent down beside her, taking her hands in his, both of them almost laughing at the size difference.

"I'm fine... I just thought you were a stranger..." She used her hands to match her breathing and calm herself down. Roman smiled, helping her up, his hand still in hers.

"Sorry, I did try to call on you but you had head phones in." Alice took her hand back smiling. Such a simple gesture but had helped her return to earth hell of a lot quicker.

"Sorry. I'm a total wimp, but at least you can take a bag now, unless you're just on your way somewhere?" Hoping he would say they were going in the same direction. Roman shook his head, taking both bags off the ground and starting to walk. She watched him, then took after him.

"I heard you getup so I just headed out. I locked the door and took a spare set with me, I hope that's okay." Alice nodded and walked beside him, covering her hands with the ends of her sleeves and crossing her arms to keep out the cold. She wrapped her headphones around her iPod and slipped them into a shopping bag without him noticing.

"What were you doing up so early anyways? Dean told me you were not a morning person." Dean had that fear instilled inhibitor head from a very young age. Alice had a rule, before five and you got knocked out. Before 9 and you got kicked. Any other time everyone got the brunt of her terrible moods wings.

"I don't know, my head is being stubborn and telling my body to get up and do something. Were you out running?" Alice did not enjoy said activity, something she didn't miss from her days of constant fitness training to be the best at what she did, something she thought she could work towards.

"Yeah, I was the same so I decided to run it off. You feeling okay? I understand yesterday must have been a bit overwhelming." He kept his eyes firmly on the road in front of him, only turning to face her when she started to talk. Alice nodded. She might as well be honest with him.

"Signing a contract, a legally binding one means I can't run away from anything. I didn't take the job because I really wanted to, I was curious don't get me wrong and I think I'll enjoy it. I just haven't committed to anything since I stopped wrestling. And god damn it it fucking scary."

"You will be fine. You are going to be surrounded by amazing girls who will guide you through it all, and us guys will kick anyone's ass if they so much as make you grumpy." Alice grinned. That sounded like a good deal. But as she had told him before, she could hold her own. Or at least she thought she still could. Being with Dean on the road meant going with him to bars and clubs. Which meant drinking. Which meant fighting. Which meant Alice was often a bodyguard for her older cousin.

"Hey, I could totally handle my own..." Roman questioned her by raising his eyebrow, much to her amusement but she kept the giggles to a minimum.

"So, care to tell me what was on your mind that you found the need to get up at the crack of dawn and go running?" Roman sighed and went to speak but he stopped himself. Closing his mouth and wanting to carry on walking.

"I understand you haven't known me for too long but your secret would always be safe with me." He looked at her surprisingly, smiling at her instead when her sweet smile guided the feeling that he could trust her already.

"What made you think I wouldn't tell you? I totally would, I just don't want to drag you into the drama of this group. I would prefer it if you made up your own mind about us weirdos."

"I already know Dean's an ass, Karlee is a devil in disguise, Kaitlyn's...a mommy? And Seth's just Seth." Roman laughed, silently agreeing with all her views.

"And me and Layla?"

"I think you're a great guy, your girlfriend, I don't know... She's nice?" Alice seemed unsure of what to say but felt she had to be nice considering Roman was her boyfriend and he looked like a rather dedicated one at that. Of the hours they had spent getting to know each other, Layla had missed out on them.

"Nice is how you describe a bad dinner in front of someone you like. Not a person. I wouldn't worry about trying to be nice about her right now. She ain't in my good books right now." Alice squinted her face and thought of what to say. It was certainly an awkward one.

"Oh... Do you want to talk about it?" She thought she had better offer seeing as they were talking about it but at the same time she wanted him to say no. The last thing she wanted was a tinted vision of Layla but there was no more of an honest person to get it from than her boyfriend.

"Put it like this, I feel a little left out. She's gone from the doting girlfriend to my friend. And not even that good of a friend."

"Have you been together long?" She asked, just as they walked up to her porch. 'Too long' was Roman's answer but he kept it to himself, letting the question go unanswered. Roman readjusted the bags with ease as she unlocked the door, striding in and chucking the keys in the bowl by the front door, Roman copying her actions with the set he had smell of coffee was over powering but it also meant someone else was awake. Alice craned her neck at the bottom of the stairs but all she could hear was the shower running.

"Someone's up. You want me to make breakfast, I would feel better about you letting us crash." Roman asked and She nodded, showing him where everything was whilst she got them both a glass of orange juice. For the first time in forever, she felt hungry for breakfast. One meal she always skipped on.

"You guys will be on a pretty strict diet?" She asked, internally groaning at the thought of getting back into shape. She hadn't really changed her body since retiring. She used to be all muscle but had toned it down since leaving, her legs, stomach and arms more toned than muscle. She liked looking like a girl but she didn't miss the hours in the gym.

"I build muscle better by burning fat so I eat like a horse, just all the good things. I can pig out more than the others though. Seth went through a vegan phase. God you have no idea how annoying that was!" Alice knew for a fact Dean's diet was a cover up for the fact him and Karlee would happily have a McDonalds or five. And they got away with it. Dean had slimmed down and shaped up since joining WWE and you could literally grate cheese on Karlee's abs.

"So there's no chance of some chocolate on my pancakes then?" She asked, fluttering her eyelashes like a child in a mocking manner. Roman looked up at her and smiled, spotting the approaching figure and then suddenly frowning.

"Nope, we are all eating healthy if I'm cooking!" Alice's smile drooped and she mocked a pout.

"Your beds are so damn comfy!" Dean roared behind her, making her jump. She turned and all four of them had trailed downstairs. Kaitlyn, Seth and Karlee had made the effort to get dressed. Dean hadn't. He was quite comfortable in his cousins home. Maybe a little too comfortable. His boxers used to be a black. Karlee grimaced at the sight of them too.

"Help yourself to food and breakfast. We were both up at five and I'm only just starting to function." Dean grabbed an apple and slapped Roman on the back.

"What she do, slap you or just claw you in the face?" He chuckled and shook his head, making him look at Alice in disbelief.

"Wow, early morning and you haven't maimed anyone yet. Record." Alice punched him in the arm, hard and he winced as he sat on her sofa whilst Roman plated up pancakes.

"Stupid Monday morning ritual but could we watch last weeks RAW? I always like going to the show with a clear head."

"Sure! Would be good for me to do my homework and get caught up with things. It's literally been years since I saw a show." Dean rolled his eyes and switched the TV on that was situated in the kitchen, with everyone crowding around the table to watch the show. Kaitlyn and Karlee were at the front, closest to the TV with their partners beside or behind them. Alice sat at the back, head of the table whilst Roman leaned against the sink, like he belonged in her kitchen. She forked about at her plain pancakes, not used to eating in the morning and certainly not plain pancakes. Roman watched her and walked over, not disturbing the other four and speared her top pancake, lifting it up and revealing the huge dollop of Nutella, leaving to go back to his own while Alice dug in, a huge appreciative smile on her face.

xXx

Things got so confusing, Alice was making notes. She had figured out that they were in a feud with the authority, with each each member of each group feuding with another member of the opposition. She currently had them paired out. Dean and Karlee were against Paul and Stephanie, whilst Roman and Seth were tag teaming against Randy and Kane.

"They have Batista on their side but they're trying to get him to actually sign a long term contract and not be an asshole about it. Until then, he isn't cleared to wrestle or even appear on television. Seth added. Karlee gulped. She hadn't even been in the company 48 hours and was convinced she had made an enemy in him."

"We're hoping to break away soon but I doubt they will want to cease the storyline, it's bringing great ratings." Alice sighed, so there was no chance of getting rid of Batista then. She would have to suck it up and deal with it. Plus, He could be a great person, just an asshole on screen.

They ended their breakfast and Kaitlyn offered to do the dishes. Alice just told her she could put them in the dishwasher instead. They had moved to the lounge and were watching the rest of the show when Alice felt her phone ring, a rare occurrence since Dean was the only one that called her any more.

"Hello? Alice DeLori speaking?" Alice hadn't recognised the number but the thought of company officials having her number made her think twice about declining a call.

"Hi, Alice, honey! It's Mark from Model CO. Are you able to fill in for a fashion shoot tonight? We have a stylist that's gone into labour, coincidently and Sylvie told me you would be able to cover." Alice felt her voice crack as she tried to reply. She hadn't had the chance to call her manager slash permanent pain in the ass, Sylvie since signing the contract. She was a friend of her mothers and they had always hated each other but Alice knew she would get her the jobs because of who she knew. It ended up being the case that Alice was offered jobs plainly based on how good she was.

"Uh, I can't actually, I've-"

"What do you mean you cant! You have too! Sylvie promised me and I've already paid for you!" Dean was hearing the conversation and explaining it to the others but growing more and more agitated by the second.

"I signed a new deal yesterday so, no, I wont be taking any more work from Sylvie. I'll call her now and make sure you get your money back. Thanks for calling." And with that, she hung up, not caring what kind of impression she had left.

"Oh shit, I'm going to be half dead by the time I get on the phone with Sylvie. She's going to skin me alive." She looked around the room and received sympathetic looks. The girls were a little more helpful in their responses but the guys seemed to think she could pick up the phone, tell her she has left and that was it. Alice took a deep breath and phoned her manager, her nails digging into the seat she was sitting on.

"Alice. You need to be at Warehouse 13 tonight for 7..."

"I'm not going, sorry." She could just picture the look on Sylvie's face. She felt a lump in her throat form as she awaited the response.

"You WILL be at warehouse 13 tonight. Do not make me call your mother. This is a big shoot!" She was grinding her teeth together, Alice could tell. And it made shivers run up her shoulder as she felt like a child being scolded for coming home too late.

"I cannot be there, I've taken on another job. A change in career, or rather a change back to an old career. And I am not 12, you can call my mother all you want but that isn't going to change anything. Thank you for your hard work over the years, but this is officially my resignation from the fashion world and me telling you to find someone else. Goodbye." Alice hung up the phone and slammed it on the table, suddenly aware of the people around her. Dean stood up and grabbed her, dragging her outside via the door in the kitchen, leaving everyone dumbfounded in the living room.

"I'm calling your mother? Have you heard from her and your not telling me?" He sounded as if he was about to snap. Alice didn't want to have this conversation. She shook his grip off her arm and scowled at him.

"No, I'm sure if she bothered to call, you would be the first to hear about it. Its just a threat so don't worry. And even if she does call my Mother, what's she going to do, ground me and not give me money for the ice cream van? I'm twenty two years old, she can mind her own fucking business!" Now Alice sounded like she was about to snap.

"Hey, heey. Just cool it. Any-more problems with Sylvie and Vince can sort her out for you, just let me know, okay?" Alice nodded and shrugged.

"You okay to come back inside?" Alice looked at him.

"Make something up, say I've just got an overbearing Mother. I'm staying here for two minutes." Dean gave her an odd look.

"As long as it isn't for a smoke, I thought you stopped when I did." She dropped her head to the side.

"I did, jeez, your as bad as an overbearing mother. Give me two minutes to get my head around this." Dean smiled and gave her a hug, squeezing her tight the++n leaving her to go back inside and answer some questions.

xXx

The guys had gone to hit up the gym before they came back to pack for the arena. The girls on the other hand had decided to treat Alice and get their nails done together. Karlee and Kailtyn had tried to organise something but had no idea what their new friend was into and couldn't ask as to make it too obvious.

"You do this often? I avoid it as much as I can" Alice asked as they drove to the parlour in her white Audi, her self proclaimed baby and proudest purchase. Kaitlyn and Karlee exchanged glances.

"We assumed you would like to do it and we feel guilty about you letting us stay." All three women let out a laugh. Alice was not a girly woman who liked to primp and preen. She liked feeling good but that usually went as far as heels, hair and make-up. Her clothes came naturally.

"We might as go anyway. Might as well make an effort for my new job. And stop feeling guilt for gods sake. I love having you lot there." She parked in a shaded spot and grabbed her handbag by Karlee's feet, exiting her beloved car and locking it.

"You excited for tonight? Kaitlyn asked Alice, leading the way into the building. They passed numerous shops before Alice answered. It made her dread her outfit choices for that night.

"I don't know. Excited because I liked the atmosphere of last night but I know tonight is going to be absurd. I know the work that goes into a televised show..." She quickly stopped, not wanting to get onto the topic.

"I mean, a fashion show isn't a live show where anything could happen. It runs a pretty tight and idiot proof schedule. I am excited though, just really nervous." Karlee agreed with her as they entered the shop. It was then her phone rang and she answered just as the girls were lead to seats, all contained within a booth for some privacy. They all seated and introduced themselves whilst Alice flicked through pages of designs.

"Its Layla, do we invite her over?" Karlee whispered, covering the bottom half of her phone. Alice nodded, she wanted to get to know the british native. Kaitlyn rolled her eyes and Karlee groaned. They had a conversation via their eyes and seemed to come to a solution pretty damn quickly. Kaitlyn muttered something and shook her head.

"Of course honey, we are getting our nails done at that little boutique in the mall, ground floor. Be here quick though because we aren't staying long." They exchanged a few more words and then hung up, with Kaitlyn throwing her head back and moaning.

"Can you guys explain what's going on? I thought you were all really close?" Alice didn't want to say anything wrong or put her foot in a shallow grave but she had to know they dynamic before she said something or did something she shouldn't, Karlee sighed, picking out a design and then turning to face Alice who was in the middle of the two.

"We love Layla, we really do but the way she's been ditching us recently and then coming back as if nothing changed is really starting to piss me off. I understand she can have other friends but everything's so secretive about them and I grudge telling her anything in case she tells them. Plus she gets so snappy I feel as though I'm walking on eggshells." Alice understood, it wasn't nice to be excluded from someone else's life like that. She knew all to well about getting isolated and not knowing why.

"Have you tried talking to her about it, she might not even realise she's doing it." It sounded like a stupid suggestion but Alice found it was often what was wrong. Nobody talked about their feelings.

"We have, trust me. Roman is feeling so low about it and he feels as though she doesn't trust him too." Alice felt suspicious, and not in a good way but she kept the thoughts to herself and shifted her concentration to the brunette suddenly walking in the door. Alice shifted her head in Layla's direction to get them to turn and they all turned to look.

"That was quick." Karlee quipped with a dry tone. She sounded exhausted from the topic. Layla put her handbag down and gave them an awkward half hug, including Alice which took her a little by surprise. She plonked herself down at the edge on Karlee's left.

"I was in the mall and I knew exactly where this is, me and AJ come here when were in town." Karlee nodded, showing she understood but giving her no time. Now for Alice to try.

"Do you spend a lot of time with AJ? I used to be friends with Punk so I'm hoping to spend some time getting to know her. I was actually speaking to her yesterday. She seems like such a sweetheart. Layla smiled. Karlee agreed with her, also claiming she had so much on her plate she never spoke to her as much as she would have wanted too.

"Yeah, we do. She's a nice girl. So what did you guys do last night?" Karlee turned and gave Alice a look which seemed to say 'See?' Alice smiled sympathetically while Kailtyn answered her questions.

"Drank lots of wine and ate pizza. Well this lot did. I was stuck with orange juice." Layla was busy picking out designs, nodding and half listening. Kaitlyn curled her top lip at her friend. Karlee noticed and her face clouded over.

"Alice even got up early and went with Roman for his five am run." Layla's head snapped round. Alice gulped. No she hadn't but she guessed Karlee was trying to prove something so she went along with it.

"Really? Must have begged him then, even I'm not allowed to go on his early morning runs anymore." Alice smiled. Her tone was sweet with a hint of menace.

"No, he asked actually." Layla laughed but there was something in her tone that made everyone wonder what she was so uneasy about. Kaitlyn quickly jumped in a defused the situation, turning the conversation to what everyone was wearing that night.

xXx

The guys had already packed for themselves and for the girls by the time the four women got back. Except for Layla and Alice.

"I didn't pack your bag because I didn't know if you were going to be here. I've left some space in my bag though." Layla cocked her head and smiled, toddling up to him and giving him a kiss.

"Thank you baby, how sweet! Are we staying here again tonight or are we going to the hotel?" She asked Roman. He flicked his eyes to Alice, seemingly to get an answer. Layla stayed facing Roman.

"Your very much welcome too. It's the least I can do for you guys making me feel so welcome. I'm going to go take a shower and then pack my bag. How long do we have?" The guys all exchanged glances and chatted for a few seconds.

"Me, Kait, Karlee and Dean will head off now. That gives Layla time to pack and then Roman can drive you both to the arena. Layla doesn't have a booked match and Roman and me are the co main event so no rush." Alice smiled gratefully and almost skipped up the stairs, mentally deciding what to wear.

xXx

This was definately something she would have to get used to. Something she didn't have patience for. As Alice tried to reach her back with her tanning glove, she grumbled and groaned and was seconds away from smashing her head off the sink. And as her temper flared, she began to get more and more on edge.

"Layla!" She shouted, desperate to get someone to get her back for her. She really didn't want patches. She was in her underwear with a towel wrapped around her chest and a topknot keeping her hair out of her face.

"Laaaaayla!" She shouted louder but after waiting a few more minutes, there was no response. She knew Roman was watching TV which meant Layla was in her room alone. She debated taking a run to see if she was busy. She had no other choice. Alice stuck her head out of her bathroom and ran across her bedroom floor and out onto the landing and to her right to the bedroom next door to hers. The door was open so she stepped in, calling out to see if she was going out.

"Everything okay?" Alice yelped and jumped the height of herself as she heard Romans voice behind her. Her face turned Scarlett as she turned around and faced him, wearing nothing but a towel.

"Is Layla going about? I need her to do my back. I can't reach." Roman tried not to laugh at her plea and Alice shot him a look that told him to to even bother laughing.

"I would offer my help but she's just drying off and she'll be out in a minute." Alice was about to speak when the bathroom door opened as Layla came out, already dressed and her hair all dried.

"Umm... Alice? Can we help you?" Layla crossed her arms and sat on the bed.

"Sorry, I thought He was downstairs. Could you tan my back for me. I totally can't reach and my outfit requires me to not look like a milk bottle." She handed Layla the glove but her hands flew up in the air.

"Honey! I just got my nails done, and they're white!" They'll get ruined!" Alice looked at the glove she had handed the brunette, the thing designed to keep it off your hands so they didn't get stained? Alice didn't have the time to stand and wait.

She left the room and went back to her bedroom, shutting the door. Slumping down on the bed, she sighed. She had picked out a strappy playsuit with lace detail at the legs for the RAW show and instead of carrying her heels, she was wearing a pair of chucks. As she brushed and dried her hair, she missed the knock on her door. It opened to her left as she was styling her hair and she barely noticed Roman stepping in until she saw his reflection in her mirror. She switched the hair dryer off and turned to face him.

"Wow, nice outfit choice." She glanced down and noticed she was all dressed up, hair done and make up on with a lovely pair of Micky mouse slippers. The same ones she had when she was a teenager.

"Not the final decision. How can I help you?" She asked, still feeling slightly awkward about walking in in her towel. Although the fact she had just had a cappuccino meant she was on a bit of a buzz so she didn't care.

"Layla's gone. Claimed she was going to the store for some water and new mascara. Do you still need a hand?" She debated his offer, which could be taken the wrong way and slightly awkward.

"I honestly just need someone to get between my shoulder blades. Are you sure? I don't think Layla would be too happy." Roman laughed and grabbed the bottle of lotion she had earlier.

"Really? Why not just sit in the sun for a few hours, get a natural tan." He opted to take the focus of his parter and she gladly accepted his swerve. Alice gave him a funny look.

"Okay Mr Samoan. Not everyone gets a complexion like yours. Are you sure?"

"Stop asking before I rethink. It's just a tan. Geez." Alice laughed as she handed him the glove and he smeared it over her back. They talked a while, and she never realised he had stopped and was fanning her back with his hand.

"You ready for tonight. Word of warning, Dean has a heavy match tonight don't be shocked when he comes back with blood all over his hands." Alice turned and shot him a glare.

"2007, Sami Callihan vs Jon Moxley. Barbed wire on the ropes and any objects allowed. Sami used a chainsaw. I'm used to stitching him up. Trust me." Roman laughed and sat on her bed, sighing.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked as she put on a necklace and slipped on her shoes, tying them tight

"Talk about what?" He asked, trying to act oblivious and he clasped his hands together and looked at her intently.

"You sat on my bed and sighed. It's girl code for 'something's wrong. Ask me about it' and you've just put my fake tan on. If that doesn't show we trust each other, I don't know what does."

"I'm exhausted Alice. What's girl code for 'pay attention to me'." Alice sighed and turned her chair to face him. They didn't need Einstein to figure out who he was talking about.

"Slightly uncomfortable situation. I don't know you and Layla but I can see your feeling left out. Have you simply tried talking to her. Maybe she feels as though she isn't getting the right attention from you?" Roman growled and held his head in his hands.

"I...I just don't know. We were on huge verge of getting engaged and then she suddenly says she doesn't know if we were ready for that. I don't understand." For a man billed as strong as he was and for the little time Alice had known him, less than two days. He was searching for something to cling onto. He was a man in search of hope.

"Honey, I can only suggest talking. But she dotes on you, I saw that tonight." She was referencing how thankful she seemed to be when he mentioned her bag. The pet names and the kisses.

"That's only because you lot told her you came on a run with me." He smirked and Alice blushed.

"Okay, well let's go find your woman and get to this show! I'm raring to go!"

Xxxxxxxxx

Apologies for late chapter! I've been so busy! So what do you guys think?

Because I started this series when Kaitlyn was at her prime in the company, she was always an important feature. But since she's left, she's taken a background role. So since there isn't going to be much Seth/Kaitlyn, which other couple would you like to see feature? I have AJ/Punk in mind so far, but ideas and suggestions are very welcome. Love you all and don't forget to review! Xo