Rainbow Edge
A/N: Ok so…Raw had a lot of tension between my boys and I was an anxious little wreck the whole time. That's the most Dean's talked since he came back so I was thrilled about that. Poor Seth and Roman were so confused though.
DarkDragonessFlies: Dolph doesn't always come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer lol…and people are always underestimating Dean.
Brookeworm3: I agree 100% lol. I would definitely choose Dean over most of the roster…except Finn…that choice would be hard as hell lol.
Sitalia: Ever since Dean came back from his injury he's been meaner and more aggressive…and less talkative. It feels like they're gearing him up for a heel turn but I can't be certain. I'm 50/50 about it b/c on one hand I adore the Shield…but on the other…his entire Indie career was as a heel and he was a damn good one…so yeah…I'm torn.
Panther-10: I don't use actresses for my OC characters. I describe them the way I see them in my head and the Cover pic for each story usually shows their general look. Lately I've been using a collage program to do that.
Vampirezdarkgurl: I'm glad you love it. I enjoy writing and I have about 11 WWE story ideas running around my brain atm begging to be written lol. I actually want to see Dean turn heel b/c he'd be amazing at it. He spent his entire Indie career as a heel that everyone loved to hate lol. If they spin it as being the whole time he was out on injury his brothers never checked in on him and he just stewed in anger and resentment…they could easily do a believable heel turn.
Chapter 9 – Tension, Panic, and Drama
"No."
"Aww, come on Darlin…it'll be fun."
"Haha…no."
"Why not?"
"I am NOT…I repeat NOT…going to let you have sex with me on the side of the damn interstate."
Roman and Seth were in the front of the SUV with Roman driving while Seth was watching the mini-argument in the backseat like a tennis spectator. This had been going on for a good fifteen minutes at this point and Roman kept glancing in the rear view mirror to make sure Iris didn't try to kill Dean for being a complete pervert back there. When Dean's hand tried to slide up her thigh under the shirt skirt she was wearing she smacked it and he pulled back like she'd burned him.
"What was that for?"
"We are not having sex with Roman and Seth in the front seat."
"Wasn't gonna fuck ya Princess…"
"Well you're certainly not doing THAT either Mox."
"Damnit…come on Princess…that short little skirt you decided to wear today has me constantly hard over here."
"Then maybe you need to learn a little more self-control Mox."
Seth started choking on a laugh at the disgruntled and disappointed look on Mox's face which earned him a glare from the slightly unstable man he called his brother. Mox was actually pouting at Iris, as if that would somehow make her change her mind, but she was just scrolling through her Social Media accounts and ignoring him entirely. She managed to snap a photo of his pouting face and posted it on her Instagram account with the caption "Someone is sulking because I won't let him play in the car while poor Roman is driving. #literallyjustdiditanhourago." And within mere minutes she had some hilarious comments popping up.
"Seth…check my Instagram…this is hysterical."
Seth pulled it up on his phone and started cracking up in the front seat as he and Iris started alternating as they read some of the comments.
"Look at this one…Maybe Dean Ambrose needs a good spanking like a pouting kid."
"Or this one Seth…Dean Ambrose needs to just pin his woman down and get some."
"Pretty sure that would result in violence back there Sweetheart…oh this is a good one…If Dean Ambrose can't even manage to go an hour without sex how the hell does he survive the show? Unless ya'll get freaky backstage?"
"Should we tell them what happened last week Darlin?"
"I think that might break the internet Dean."
"You can break the internet?"
Dean was giving Seth a weird look after he said that and it had Seth and Iris both laughing. Roman was muttering under his breath about children in grown bodies and that only set them off even more with Dean joining in this time. They were on the road and heading to the next city and Dean was, as usual, antsy and unable to sit still for very long. Everyone was relieved when they finally reached their hotel, especially Dean who grabbed his and Iris's bags before dragging her up to their room without a word to Seth or Roman…the two of them just shook their heads laughing as Iris waved back at them.
"I don't really want to listen to that through the wall right now…wanna go do something else Roman?"
"Yeah…sounds like a plan."
The two ended up finding a little old fashioned ice cream shop and hung out there for a little while, making sure to buy some ice cream to take back to Dean and Iris…mainly Iris. They put the stuff in the freezer in their room for later and quickly found out that Iris still refused to let him actually do anything with her and had told him to wait until after dinner, so Dean was still grumpy. The boys gave the treats to Iris, and Dean, after dinner was finished which earned them a beaming smile from her as she curled up in Dean's lap with the pint of ice cream in one hand and her spoon in the other. She actually growled at Dean when he tried to steal a bit of hers, a concoction of multiple types of chocolate ice cream swirled together with chunks and chips of chocolate mixed into it, and Dean raised an eyebrow at her before rolling his shoulder.
"Careful Princess…"
"I am NOT sharing my chocolate…you have your own stuff…leave mine alone…I will stab you with my spoon."
The three men just blinked at her in shock for a minute until Mox started laughing, a low dark laugh that curled her toes since it was right in her ear.
"Princess…I stabbed a guy with a fork once…not afraid of a little spoon."
"You will be if I get it in the right spot…now back off my chocolate."
Mox just watched her, a semi-dark smirk on his lips, as he waited for her to finish her little treat. Roman and Seth took one look at his face and decided a tactical retreat was in perfect order so they hightailed it back to their own room. Iris could have sworn they left a cartoon-like dust trail in their wake.
"The hell was that about?"
"Hmm? Oh I think they saw my face Princess…I think they got an idea of what I plan to do to you shortly…and decided to run away…smart decision."
Iris realized her chocolate was gone and whined in the back of her throat over it. The sound made Mox's dick stand at attention and he tossed the container into the trashcan halfway across the room before pinning her down on the sofa and stealing the spoon from her to toss that over his shoulder somewhere.
"You…my little Princess…are a very naughty girl…growling at us like that…not a good idea Princess…makes me want to pin you down and make you submit…"
"Then why haven't you?"
A low snarl from Mox was her only warning before he yanked her camisole top down and his mouth began an all-out assault on her throat, her chest, her breasts, and everywhere else he could reach. Iris had chosen a camisole top with spaghetti straps and a built-in little bra thing in a pale blue color with a matching skirt that came to mid-thigh when standing…all with the intention of driving Mox up the wall. When his hand slid between her legs he froze and looked at her with a dark, hungry look and felt her entire body shiver under him.
"Oh…you naughty, naughty little Princess…you been sitting next to me all fuckin day…walkin around at every rest stop…with no fuckin panties on…you tryin to be a slutty little Princess? You want Mox to punish you for bein so fucking naughty?"
"You're talking a pretty big game there Mox…but you haven't done anything yet…losing your touch?"
Mox flipped her over and pulled her hips up into the air, flipping her skirt up over her back so he could have unimpeded access to her ass. His hand started coming down on her ass cheeks, harder and faster each time as he alternated from one to the other with each it until she was a writhing moaning mess beneath him and he could literally see the wetness dripping down her thighs.
"Maybe I should tie you to the bed and then leave you like this for the rest of the night…leave you all wet and needy with no relief…punish you for teasin me all day and being a little slut…"
"Mox…please…you can't do that…"
"Oh, but I can Princess…"
"No…Mox…just no…you can't…Please?"
"Begging me won't save you Princess…you get two choices here…either I tie you up and leave you wanting just like this…or you can keep testing me and I'll shove a plug in your tight little ass before leaving you tied to the bed all night…your choice Princess...choose wisely."
"Mox…Mox please…don't do this…you can't…"
"Alright Princess…clearly you made your choice…"
Mox picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down and holding her there with one hand while pulling several sets of furry handcuffs out of his bag.
"When the hell did you get those Mox?!"
"Got bored during your photo shoot and wandered around a bit…found a little sex shop…these aren't the only toys I bought Princess…"
"Oh fuck…Mox…"
"Don't even try it Princess…I'm not gonna show you any mercy this time…"
He cuffed each wrist to opposite sides of the headboard and then bent her legs up towards her chin so he had unimpeded access to her asshole. He used a small amount of lubricant to ease the way as he slowly, painfully slowly, pushed a glass plug into Iris's ass as she groaned and whined and squirmed. Once it was finally inside of her he cuffed her ankles to opposite sides of the footboard and left her in a spread-eagle position. Her face was flushed and she was panting heavily, looking at Mox with half-lidded pleading eyes. He ran a finger along the seam of her pussy before sucking the wetness off his finger and giving her a wickedly dark smirk.
"I'm going to go spend some time with Roman and Seth…you be a good girl and stay put Princess."
"Mox…Mox don't you dare…Mox…get back here…Damn You Moxley!"
Mox just gave another dark laugh as he walked through the door between the rooms and flopped onto the sofa between Seth and Roman.
"So…what are you boys up to over here?"
They could here Iris screaming and cursing at Mox through the wall and gave him raised eyebrows while waiting for an explanation. When Mox said nothing Roman decided to ask the question they were both thinking.
"The hell did you do Dean?"
"Mox…not Dean…and Princess is being punished for being a very naughty girl today."
"I do NOT want to know any details…but…aren't you kind of cock-blocking yourself right now Dean?"
"Not really Seth…she'll settle down in a little while and then I'll go finish what I started…I threatened to leave her tied up and wanting all night but I ain't that stupid man."
"Damn you two have a weird-ass sex life Uce…"
"Works for us Ro."
It took a good hour before they finally stopped hearing anything out of Iris so dean decided to go back over and check on her only to find that she had managed to exhauster herself into falling asleep. He carefully uncuffed her wrists and ankles, gently rubbing at the red skin from where she'd been pulling against her bonds to soothe it a bit. As he was doing this she woke up and looked at him with such a saddened look that he was immediately pulling her against his chest and holding her tightly.
"Don't look at me like that Princess…it wouldn't be a punishment if you enjoyed it…I don't like the thought of you walkin around in public with no panties under a skirt…if any man had seen it he could have hurt you Princess…then I'd end up in prison for murder."
"She snorted softly and nuzzled into his chest as he ran a hand down her back and slid a finger between the cheeks of her ass to wiggle the plug which made her arch against him with a low moan.
"You like that Princess? How does this feel?"
He gripped the base of the plug and gently pulled back on it a bit, making it pull and stretch her asshole. The high-pitched whine that this earned him had him hard in a heartbeat so he kept doing it until the plug could slide freely in and out, over and over.
"Mox…please…enough teasing…just…fuck me…please?"
Mox gave her a mischievous look and pushed the plug back in quick, making her gasp and cling to his arm, then he did it again for good measure.
"Which hole do you want it in Princess? Or maybe you want me to fuck em both…first one and then the other?"
"I don't care Mox just get on with it!"
Mox laid her on the bed and slid his dick into her soaked pussy with ease, feeling the plug still in her ass as he fucked her hard and fast. When she was just about to cum he pulled out and flipped her over, waiting until she came down from the edge a bit before pulling the plug out and replacing it with his dick…lubing his dick up and slowly sliding it into her ass as they both moaned at the feeling.
"Fuck Princess…you've got a tight little ass…"
He slapped her ass cheeks a few times for the fun of it and once she was pushing back against him with every slow thrust he decided she was ready and picked up speed. He pulled her hips back against his as he slammed into her hard and fast until they were both screaming. After they collapsed onto the bed he caught his breath for a moment before going to get a wet cloth to clean them both up a bit. He looked at her face and realized she was completely out of it from the pleasure and felt a swell of pure male pride at having caused her to look so blissed out. Once they were cleaned up he climbed into bed and let her curl into her usual spit as they fell asleep together.
During the week Iris flew home to visit Edge for a couple of days and went to see her long-time doctor while she was there. She'd been seeing the same doctor since she was a teenager and she trusted him more than any doctor within the WWE. He checked her head first to make sure she was actually fully healed from her concussion…which she was, and then gave her a full check-up.
When she rejoined the boys it felt like it was far too soon for it to be time for Raw again…but it was…and Iris was trying to decide if she really needed to be there or if she could stay at the hotel and sleep. Sadly Dean made the decision for her when he picked her up and carried her out to the SUV, ignoring her protests that she could walk just fine thank you very much Dean Ambrose. Roman and Seth followed behind them laughing at her disgruntled protests, and laughing even harder when she flipped them both off and Dean swatted her ass.
"How the hell did you even see that?!"
"Didn't have to see it Darlin…their laughing told me enough to know you did something naughty back there."
"Asshole."
"Yeah…but I'm your asshole Darlin."
Seth made a gagging motion that earned him a head slap from Roman and a smirk from Iris before Dean set her down and nudged her into the SUV so they could head to the arena. As they entered the arena Iris got a phone call and walked back outside to answer it, when she came back in she looked…off. Before the guys could try to find out what was wrong a tech came up to Dean and told him he was needed in the ring for an in-ring interview. One glance at Iris told Dean she'd be following him as per usual but when Seth and Roman started to follow he shook his head at them and they hung back.
Dean's music came on first and he strolled out onto the stage to a huge pop from the fans and then Iris's new solo music came on and she joined him on the stage being pulled into a kiss. Dean put an arm around her shoulder and just casually strolled down the ramp with his usual swagger. He got into the ring first and then held the ropes for Iris to follow. Backstage interviewer Charly was waiting for him and she just got right into the heart of the matter, something Iris could admire.
"Alright Dean, let's just get right into it. Last week Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre suggested that you're…unhappy in the Shield…that you're being used…that they need you more than you need them. Any truth to these claims?"
"Sorry, you asked me if there's any truth to the things those guys said last week…sure…yeah…there's a lot of truth to what those guys said…I mean…look at it…Seth and Roman are both champions…I have nothing."
"You have me, love…"
"Yes…I do have the most beautiful woman in the world at my side. Look, I was a champion all on my own before, and come to think of it…when I went down with an injury…when I lost a year of my life and career…Seth Rollins replaced me pretty quickly with Jason Jordan now didn't he?"
"That being said…have you ever thought about…leaving the Shield?"
Fans were divided with Yes chants and No chants and Iris just snorted at their inability to make a unanimous decision.
"Sure…I think about a lot of things. I mean, maybe I already did…maybe I already gave my notice…maybe I already turned in my black uniform…"
Iris huffed a bit at him and rolled her eyes, earning her a light tap to her rear. Dean held up his Shield dog tags that were hanging around his neck.
"Maybe I don't need these anymore…"
Dean takes the tags off and holds them in his hand while Iris tries to keep her face black and not reveal that she's only halfway certain where he's going with all of this.
"Maybe these don't mean as much to me anymore as they used to…hey, maybe on the way here I ran Roman's car off the road and he's not even gonna be here tonight. There's a lot of possibilities."
"Dean! That wasn't funny…"
Dean just pulled Iris into his side as she got a little indignant over him joking about crashing Roman's car. To her that wasn't something to joke about but Charly spoke up again at that point.
"Dean, I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not…but people are asking a lot of questions about certain things…"
"What questions?"
Dean interrupts Charly who looks nervous, everyone knowing how volatile Dean's temper could be, so Iris gives the other woman a reassuring smile.
"It's ok Charly…he won't hurt you…"
"What kind of questions are people askin…are people askin questions like…why, after all this time, am I still in the Shield? Am I gonna abandon them? Turn my back on them? Are people wonderin, are they askin questions like, when is he finally just gonna snap? When's he gonna get fed up and snap cuz he's a lunatic? Cuz ya'll don't know what I'm gonna do next? Maybe…maybe people are thinkin…that I'm just waitin…for the…perfect…time…nobody's lookin…nobody's watchin…the perfect time…for me to slip…the knife…right in their back. Questions like that right?"
"Uh…actually I was going to say that people were asking a lot of questions about…this moment…"
A clip is shown on the Titantron from last week's Raw where Dean hesitated between the two groups, with Iris kneeling in front of him, before making the choice to return to his brothers in the ring. As he answers Charly's next question his shoulder rolls and Mox takes over as he gets a little heated up and crazy looking while Iris tries to get him to settle a bit.
"What was going through your mind there?"
"What are you lookin for here? You want me to say something like…let's see I bet you were thinkin…that I was thinkin…why did I even come back to Raw in the first place? I could be on Smackdown right now doin my own thing. I could be somewhere else entirely. Cuz, from the moment I've come back I've done nothing but clean up my brother's messes. I bet you were wonderin…was I thinkin something like…I'm a little bit sick…and a little bit tired…and a little bit just plain over the Shield."
Iris's eyes had widened slightly because at this point even she wasn't sure what was going on in his head. Mox rolled his should and then Dean looked right at Charly as he spoke, his hands doing their own thing making gestures and he seemed to start calming back down a bit.
"You can stop trying to understand…and the whole world can stop tryin to analyze me, figure me out, and get inside my head. Why don't you just judge me by my actions? I did what I always do…step up, stand by my brothers, and stand by my family."
Charly opened her mouth to try and talk but Dean wasn't finished yet. Iris let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"The Shield, is not a business…the Shield, is not a brand…the Shield is a brotherhood…and we will ALWAYS ride into battle…together."
Dean went over to the front of the ring and then gave Charly a cheeky little Japanese-style half-bow before climbing out onto the apron, but before he could hop down and head up the ramp Baron Corbin's music started to play and Dean stared up at the stage while playing with his dog tags in one hand and holding his mic in the other. As Iris came to stand behind Dean, still inside the ring, Corbin walked onto the stage and lifted his mic to mock Dean.
"Wow, Dean. That was a really good story about brotherhood…but all I really hear is a bunch of whining. What's the matter? Something gnawing at that little lunatic brain of yours? Maybe…just maybe…you're worried about something."
Dean had his feet planted wide apart as eh gave Corbin a look of confusion, still playing with the tags in his hand as he spoke up.
"So you like some kind of therapist now…on top of your other day job as the world's largest substitute teacher? Or…are you just a little bit salty because for the last few weeks you've been tryin to put the Shield down…and big 'ol constable…you just can't do it."
"Alright…I'll admit…you guys are tough and my team fell short…but you know what? The Shield wasn't runnin around tearin the place apart, causin chaos, and no cops were called…so I consider that a win…but enough about me, Dean…this is about your opportunity. You wanna be judged by your actions? Well, let's see where you really stand. Tonight I'm gonna give you three options for a match. One, you face Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship…Two, you face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship…or Three, you go one-on-one…with Braun Strowman."
Dean made a face before turning around to lean with his arms on the top rope and look at Iris whose face had taken on a look of absolute horror. He climbed back into the ring, crowding Iris and stopping in the middle before glancing to the side a bit with an odd expression. He could see that Iris didn't want him to pick any of those three options, each for different reasons, but he had a feeling Corbin already had his little plot all planned out.
"What's it gonna be Dean…your brothers…or your career?"
Dean strolled back to the ropes and pointed up at Corbin with a look of disbelief at the guy's audacity, making a little dangling motion with one hand during part of his little speech, complete with a cute little jig that managed to get a short giggle out of Iris.
"If you think…you're gonna come out here…and dangle some shiny carrot in front of me, and I'm just gonna sing and dance for ya…well you don't know me very well. How about secret option number four? Me…versus you…right…now!"
"You almost got me…it's not that easy…but I'll make the choice for you. It's gonna be you versus Braun Strowman…right now."
Dean rolled his mic out of the ring and immediately turned to a now wide-eyed Iris to try and reassure her that he'd be ok. He could tell it wasn't working though and she was just this side of having a panic attack at the mere thought of him facing Braun alone. He carefully ushered her out of the ring before he started hopping around to get himself limber for the match while Braun started stalking down the ramp towards him. Dean started off doing good by targeting Braun's knee but a nasty head butt had him down and then a big boot to the face made it worse. Braun grabbed Dean's head and started twisting his neck at an odd angle that had Iris screaming at him to let go of him while Dean tried to cause pain to Braun's thumb to get him to let go. Braun held Dean's head with one hand and then laid hard hits to his chest with the other, he tried to twist Dean's head again but Dean managed to pry his fingers off only to get knocked back down to the mat. Braun propped Dean up in the corner and then ran at him full speed from the opposite corner, 385 pounds collided with Dean's body and left him collapsed on the mat like a rag doll. Iris was basically freaking out at ringside and pacing the length of the ring while trying not to run in to help Dean. When Braun once again started twisting Dean's head he reached up and started pulling on the larger man's beard hard but it didn't help. Braun was just manhandling Dean with his strength, twisting his head and neck into a painful angle that was making Iris's neck hurt in sympathy, and slamming him to the mat repeatedly.
"Stop it! Stop twisting his neck like that!"
The expression on Braun's face looked as though he didn't really want to be causing Dean so much pain, especially in front of Iris as he kept giving her these little apologetic looks, but Iris figured that Corbin had probably ordered him to do as much damage as possible. Braun used his hands, one on top of Dean's head and the other under his chin, to make Dean look up at him as he yelled in his face.
"When are you gonna learn?! The Shield is never gonna help you!"
He then slapped Dean hard across the face with his full strength and Dean hit the ground before scrambling into the corner.
"Dean!"
Iris was screaming at Dean to get up…to move…to just get out of the damn way. When Braun stepped into his space again Dean slapped him back and was then tossed into the middle of the ring like a sack of potatoes…he actually bounced a couple of times after landing.
"Shit…Come on love…please…"
Braun lifted Dean by his throat and went to go for another power-slam but Dean held on with a death grip and locked in a choke-hold around Braun's neck while Iris cheered him on…until Braun threw Dean over his own body backwards and he hit the mat again. Dean went for Braun's leg again and then got him into the corner to hit him with some hard forearms only to get knocked down when he tried to run at Braun…and then Braun jumped down and landed his big booted foot in the middle of Dean's back. Iris ran to that side of the ring and tried to get Dean to look at her but he was lost in his own little world of pain and fight responses.
"Dean? Are you ok love? Please talk to me here…tell me you're ok…"
Braun grabbed Dean's head and twisted it to the side again before lifting him by his throat to sit on top of the turnbuckle but when he went for another power-slam Dean stuck his thumb in the big man's eye to give himself a breather. When Braun came running at him he pulled the top rope down so Braun went flying out of the ring and into the barricade. Braun almost immediately climbs back in and runs at Dean again only for Dean to move so Braun slams into the turnbuckle instead. Dean ran at Braun with a forearm blow and then a running dropkick, building some momentum up…and then he got caught again and a big fist slammed into his chest to drive him to the mat once more. Dean barely managed to pull off a Dirty Deeds and went for the cover but Braun kicked out at a count of two. Braun rolled out of the ring to rest against the barricade so Dean pulled a suicide dive to hit him in the face. Dean launched himself at Braun with fists flying and then when Braun tried to run him into the side of the ring he moved and shoved Braun into the steel steps. Iris moved in a little closer to try and check on Dean but the two men made it back into the ring before she could and then Braun slammed Dean into the mat hard, but Dean managed to roll himself out of the ring entirely…only to have Braun follow him. Iris watched in absolute horror as he slammed into Dean like a freight train and then threw him into the barricade before tossing him back into the ring and giving him another power-slam.
"Enough! Just stop it! He can't even stand up! Leave him the hell alone!"
Suddenly Roman's music is blasting through the arena as he comes storming down the ramp, giving Iris a sharp nod to tell her he's got this now. Dean manages to get himself into the corner but he can't manage to pull himself up just yet so he lays there while Roman climbs onto the apron and into the ring where he gives Braun a superman punch which then has the ref calling the match in favor of Braun as a DQ on behalf of Dean.
Iris crawls into the ring and leans over Dean, trying to check him for injuries, her hands gently running across his skin and noting every hiss of breath, every wince that followed her touch.
"It'll be ok Dean…I'll take care of you…oh god…ok…stay calm…we'll be ok…"
Roman went for a second Superman punch only to get caught but he slipped out of the power-slam attempt and then gave Braun a boot to the face. Braun then turned right into a flying knee to the face from Seth and the two men shared a look before they drove Braun out of the ring entirely through the ropes. The two stared Braun down as he backed up the ramp but Seth kept looking back to check on Dean and Iris who was trying to help Dean struggle to his feet. Dean had one hand clutching his back in pain and the other holding Iris close to his chest as if to reassure himself that she hadn't been hurt. As Braun made it to the stage Drew and Dolph came out with Corbin hot on their heels…and he had words to share as always.
"No, no, no, this isn't happening. This is not the Shield's show…this is my show…"
While Corbin was talking Dean managed to stumble over to Seth who wrapped an arm around his waist to help him stay upright. Dean threw his good arm across Seth's shoulders and Roman had a hand gripping Dean's other arm around his bicep to lend his own strength. Iris was in front of Dean with her back to the stage, her hands shaking where she had them on either side of Dean's face. Roman and Seth could see the tears flowing down her cheeks as all of the fear and emotion from watching him be destroyed in the ring finally hit her all at once.
"…And since you two…can't let Dean fight his battles on his own…you're gonna get your chance."
Roman let go of Dean's arm so Iris could press herself into his side a bit and gave Corbin an unhappy look that was mirrored by Seth and Dean, though Dean's face was far angrier than either of his brothers at that point since he had noticed how upset Iris was thanks to all of this.
"Later tonight it's Seth Rollins…versus Drew McIntyre…and Roman Reigns…you're gonna face Dolph Ziggler right now!"
Roman looked decidedly unimpressed and turned to check on Dean who was finally able to stand without leaning on Seth, but Dean was not in a great mood at this point. He stumbled back down to his knees again and Seth bent over to talk to him and make sure he was ok, but Dean wasn't really paying much attention. Seth and Iris managed to work together to help Dean out of the ring and Dean stumbled his way backstage to the medical room with Iris so he could get checked out while Roman went up against Drew. By the time Seth caught up to them Dean had an ice pack on his upper arm and had just scared the guy away that was trying to check on him. Dean was mostly muttering that he was fine, it was fine, in response to Seth's questions until he just snapped a bit in his frustration.
"You alright man?"
"I'm fine."
"That was a fight out there, you ok?"
"I'm fine."
"Look, I know its fine…you were doing great out there…"
Seth paused as Dean threw the bag of ice against the wall where it burst and sent the cubes flying all over the place. Iris jumped back, wide-eyed at the outburst from who she now knew was Mox.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey…relax dude. Look, it's about the war not the battle ok? Roman came out when he had to."
"Yeah…yeah, he sure did."
Dean's face was not one of happiness or gratitude at Roman having come out to rescue him and Seth was looking at him in disbelief and confusion. Seth watched Dean rub his hands over his face and he could practically feel the frustration rolling off of his brother. When Seth spoke again his voice was low and soft and he sounded a bit hurt that Dean was so angry with them for saving him.
"I just wanted to check and make sure you were ok…"
"You know, it's funny…I could be Intercontinental Champion right now."
Dean walked away from a very confused Seth who looked at the still upset female in the room, neither of them realizing the whole scene had been played out on the Titantron for the entire arena to see. Roman looked just as confused as Seth did but Dolph was looking rather smug. Roman tried to make it a title match but Corbin shot that down and told Roman he would not be having ANY title matches until the Crown Jewel event. After Roman won he went up on the corner ropes to show off his title and noticed a little girl in the audience waving at him so he blew her a kiss before heading backstage. Once backstage Roman found Seth and Iris, who was curled into Seth's chest and crying.
"Babygirl…look at me…he's gonna be ok. Dean's a tough little shit…this won't break him Babygirl."
"I was so afraid for him Roman…he could barely stand up…and the way he kept twisting Dean's head and neck like that…I just…I was afraid he'd get hurt and sent home again…and then I'd be stuck here without him…"
"Sweetheart…breathe…come on now…you've gotta calm down…you're hyperventilating…"
"She'd having a panic attack Seth…I'm gonna go find Dean…just keep talking to her and try to get her to calm down and breathe before she passes out."
Roman spends the entire next match, Rhonda Rousey versus Ruby Riott, looking for Dean. The Riott Squad comes backstage and sees the state Iris is in and Liv goes over to her, holding out one of the Jolly Ranchers she keeps in her pockets and offering Iris a friendly smile.
"Whatever it is…just know that it will pass and it will all be ok again. You'll see."
Seth noticed Liv's bubblegum pink hair and somehow it looked really good on her. When he said as much she gave him a decidedly flirtatious look as she flipped it over her shoulder and walked off with her friends.
Roman finally finds Dean leaning on a crate of metal chairs and holding his lower back, wincing and hissing in pain with every move he makes. Roman walks up behind him but Dean seems to be oblivious to his presence.
"Look man, last week was…it was funny but…this week we don't know if you're serious or not man. I just wanna know if you're alright?"
Dean seemed to be ignoring Roman entirely, pinching the bridge of his nose and looking both in pain and irritated now.
"Ambrose! Are you alright man?"
Roman placed his hand on Dean's chest but Dean hissed in a breath so he removed it as Dean finally turned to him.
"I'm fine. We're good, we're all good…it's fine. I had him out there. I could have put him away."
"You might have…but you could've also gotten hurt. What are we gonna do in Australia without you huh?"
Dean's face took on an expression of disbelief and a sort of dark amusement and Roman had a sudden thought that maybe that hadn't been the right way to word things. He might be saying everything was fine but it was pretty clear that everything was NOT fine.
"You know…if I wasn't such a nice guy…I might…be Universal Champion right now."
Once again Dean started away to leave a confused and concerned team mate in his wake but Roman wasn't done yet.
"Dean! It ain't just me and Seth ya know? When you walked away from Seth earlier you left Iris behind and she's currently having a damn panic attack while Seth is trying his best to reassure her that you're crazy ass is ok."
Dean hadn't turned around when Roman spoke and after he was done Dean kept walking…but not towards where Roman had come from or where Iris was. Roman just watched Dean walk away and then hung his head down to look at the floor while trying to figure out what was going on in his brother's head and what this meant for the rest of them. He was also worried about Iris so he decided to go back to where he'd left her with Seth only to find Seth by himself.
"Where the hell is Iris?"
"She said she had to do something and just ran off…Roman…I'm worried man…about both of them. Whatever's going on with him is affecting her too…she's an emotional wreck Roman…"
"I know…I know…I just don't know how to help…"
Out in the ring Charly mentioned October being Breast Cancer Awareness month and a clip was played on the Titantron to announce the partnership of the WWE with the Susan G. Komen foundation to try and raise money with the goal of halving the number of breast cancer deaths in the US by 2026. Charly introduced a few special guests which included a ten year survivor who was cheered loudly by the fans.
Braun, Drew, and Dolph are shown on the Titantron backstage…Dolph pacing in the background while Drew just stared blankly ahead, not moving a muscle.
"I'm telling you guys…I'm telling you I can feel it…you saw the look, in Dean Ambrose's eyes…you saw it tonight! This is gonna be the very last night…the very last time you see the Shield as one. I can feel it."
Braun spoke up next but he wasn't looking at either of his 'team mates' but at something behind Drew, though neither man was really looking at Braun so they didn't notice his stare.
"You know I think Ambrose would fit in perfectly here. Despite the fact that I destroyed him earlier…he's a tough bastard…when he's not facin me…well he's a winner…and that's what we need here…we need winners. I need you to go out and WIN against Seth Rollins tonight…and we DON'T need any weak links."
Braun stopped talking as Iris stepped out of the shadows behind Drew and stood in front of the three men, all three of their eyes widening at how distraught she still looked. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and she still had the tracks down her face from her tears. They could all tell that she was very clearly still upset as her breathing was still uneven and when she spoke her voice was shaking as badly as her hands.
"Why? What the hell did Dean do to you three that was so horrible? Why are you trying to screw with his head like this? Why did YOU try to destroy him? What the hell did I DO to deserve having to watch that?! Do you have any idea what that was like? Have you ever had to watch someone you love get hurt like that right in front of you…knowing you couldn't do a DAMN THING?! I don't get it…I just can't…I can't…can't breathe…"
Her chest was heaving, gasping for air that wasn't coming to her as her throat closed up and her body started to sway. Drew recognized the symptoms of a massive panic attack and managed to get his arms under her just in time to keep her from hitting the concrete floor as she passed out.
"What the hell?"
"Panic attack…Dolph…go get a medic…now…I'm not carryin her through the arena after she's passed out like that. Tell 'em ta bring oxygen for her. Braun…go find Corbin…tel 'im she's in no state to compete tonight."
The two men left Iris with Drew and set out to do as he said since he clearly had experience with this. Drew gently laid Iris on the floor and rolled his jacket up to put it under her head a makeshift pillow. He looked at her with concern as the cameraman finally walked away. As soon as Dolph returned with the medic Drew headed out to the ring where Seth was already waiting for him. He got up in Seth's face and spoke in a low tone to tell him what had happened to Iris…all because the Shield couldn't look after her properly.
"I told her before she deserves better than the three of you Rollins."
When it looked like Seth was about to "Burn it Down" and hit his big kick move Dolph came racing out and ran through the ring, but he never touched Seth…the distraction, however, was enough for Drew to hit his Claymore kick and knock Seth out to get the pin and win the match. Drew didn't look entirely pleased with the assist but when Dolph started attacking Seth he joined in and helped…and then Roman was running down into the ring to come to Seth's aide. When Braun came out it distracted Roman enough for Drew to knock him down and just when it appeared to be a three on two fight Dean came racing out with an axe handle in hand, taking out Braun and then Drew before chasing Dolph out of the ring only to get railroaded into the barricade by Braun. Braun rolled him into the ring and then Seth stacked Braun only to get a kick to the face from Dolph who then got leapt on by Dean…and then Dean got taken down by the other two. Dolph held Dean up and hit a ZigZag at the same time Drew did his Claymore kick to leave Dean out on the mat as they went after Roman and offered him up to Braun for a massive power-slam. The three men then stood over where Dean and Seth's heads were close to each other, looking down at them and then mocking the Shield with a fist bump over Dean and Seth's bodies.
The three victorious men returned backstage and stopped by the medic's room to see Iris lying on one of the padded tables with an oxygen mask over her face. Dolph seemed pretty shaken by how weak she looked just lying there like that when she was normally a little firecracker.
"She looks so much smaller…more fragile…"
"She's too pale…this was more than just a panic attack…somethin else is wrong with her."
Corbin came to talk to them so they left the area, Drew vowing silently to himself to check in on her again before the end of the show. After they left Finn and Bayley went inside and Bayley almost started crying while Finn was wondering where in the hell the Shield was and why they weren't by her side already.
"Jesus Lass…what the hell happened to ye?"
"Finn? Is she gonna be ok? She looks so…pale and weak…"
"I hope so…but where in the hell are Dean and his brothers? Shouldn't they be with her by now?"
"I would think…we have to go…my match is next."
"We'll come check on her again after you win."
As they headed to the entrance a little video package was shown on the Titantron of Finn and Bayley telling Alicia and Jinder that they're going to lose in their Mixed Match Challenge match. Alicia and Jinder had their own video right behind that one of Jinder trying to tone down Alicia's craziness…unsuccessfully.
Finn came to the stage first and did his arms in the air thing before Bayley came out to join him, Finn even did her little dance with her which was adorable. Next Jinder came out with his little side-kick before Alicia came out behind them…Jinder trying to get Alicia to calm down and "Shanti" but her crazy was on full display as usual. Towards the end of the match Jinder tried to grab Bayley's leg and then she kicked him through the ropes, then Finn came over and took him down with a sling blade move. Bayley turned into an attack from Alicia but turned it into a Bayley-to-belly and pinned Alicia for the win. Finn was in the ring before Bayley even stood up and she stood up right into a hug. Finn raised Bayley's hand and Bayley could be seen making the "crazy" finger twirl in reference to Alicia before celebrating a bit more with Finn.
The two made it backstage and then ran to the medical room, nearly tripping over each other on the way there. Iris still hadn't moved and Bayley started to actually feel fear for her friend as she asked the doctor what was wrong.
"Doctor? Why is she like this? What happened to her?"
"She had multiple panic attacks…rather severe panic attacks. She wasn't getting enough air into her body which caused her to lose consciousness…but she has another underlying condition that I need to discuss with her, and her alone. I can assure you she will be just fine given a little time and the proper care."
"I'll be taking care of her Doc. She's in no state to travel to Australia just yet so she'll stay with me and my brother for a night or two before we take her over there."
Bayley was staring at the Undertaker with a mix of fear and awe that had Finn snorting and poking her in the side, not that she even seemed to notice.
"Shouldn't someone tell Dean and the other two what's going on?"
It was Drew McIntyre who answered Bayley's question, much to her and Finn's surprise. He seemed genuinely concerned over Iris's well-being and Bayley wondered why he seemed to suddenly care.
"He's not even here…he hasn't even come to check on her once since walking away from her and Seth earlier. I found out from one of the techs that she's had four bloody panic attacks tonight, each one progressively worse than the one before it…and he hasn't tried to find her once."
HBK, Shawn Michaels, went out to the ring to run his mouth about the showdown between Triple H and the Undertaker…saying Taker made it personal even though he technically started it by going out to talk about it at all. When he starts telling Kane that if he interferes he'll get some sweet chin music Kane's music blasts out but he doesn't come out…and then he's in the ring behind Shawn. As soon as Shawn turned around he got a right hand to the face and then the bell toll came and the arena went dark. The Undertaker was here. Triple H came out to save Shawn and they ended up getting a double choke slam courtesy of the Brothers of Destruction. Taker was getting out of the ring but Triple H tried to get back up and got a Tombstone Pile-driver instead. Taker and Kane walked up the ramp together and stopped at the top to look back at the ring over their shoulders and then raise a fist each in their signature. Taker was in a foul mood thanks to what had been going on backstage with Iris so he was swift and brutal in his attack. As soon as they were backstage they went back to the medical room where the three Shield members had finally shown up. Taker grabbed Dean by the collar and pinned him to the wall, seething at him in his anger.
"I don't know what your problem is tonight Ambrose but you need to figure out what's really important before you lose her. You walked away from her when she was clearly upset and she ended up having multiple panic attacks…"
"Four…if yer wondering Ambrose."
"She passed out and would have hit the concrete if not for one of YOUR enemies catching her and getting her the help she needed. Where the hell were YOU when she needed you? Feeling sorry for yourself? I don't know what the hell she sees in you to make her love you so deeply…but you don't deserve her. She won't be able to travel for a couple of days so she's staying with me until then…and you…"
"Back the fuck off Undertaker. I am NOT afraid of you old man. Get the fuck outta my face, and outta my way."
Dean shoved past Taker and slammed the medical room door behind him, just in time to see Iris's eyes finally flutter open. Her hand reached out to him and he slumped into a chair next to her, taking her hand in both of his and starting up a stream of apologies for not being there, for not helping her. Her hand slipped out of his and cupped his cheek as she tried to take the mask off her face.
"Darlin…leave that on till the Doc says it's ok…"
"I'm fine…at least…I will be…eventually…I just…I need you…I needed you and…and you weren't there…"
"I know Darlin…and I'm so sorry…I should have been by your side…I shouldn't have stormed off in anger and left you…not when I knew you were upset."
"Miss Copeland?"
"Yeah Doc?"
"I need to speak with you regarding the root cause of your passing out and panic attacks tonight."
"No…no you do not…I already know. My own doctor called me before the show started…I already know…"
Iris started crying again and Dean looked at the doctor for a clue as to what the hell was going on with his girl but the man shook his head at him.
"I can't tell you anything Mr. Ambrose…only she can. Miss Copeland? If you give me your doctor's name I can coordinate with him to make sure you get the care and meds you need."
"Thank you…here's his…card."
Iris handed a business card to the doctor and the man nodded before going to call her doctor immediately. While he was gone Dean looked at Iris and held her face in his hands.
"Darlin? What's going on? Are you sick? Are you dying? What is it Darlin?"
"I can't…Dean it hurts too much…"
Dean's shoulder rolled and Moxley took over since Dean couldn't handle seeing her so distraught and unable to fix it. Mox was a little better at dealing with it and getting her to talk to them.
"Princess…look at me. Tell us what's wrong Princess…we can't fix it if we don't know what it is."
"You can't fix it Mox…no one can fix this…I'm fucking broken!"
"What do you mean Princess? How are you broken? I don't understand?"
I'm afraid to tell you…you'll want to leave me…"
"Never Princess…we will never want to leave you. We were angry and stupid tonight but we would never…NEVER…leave you…no matter what…I promise."
"Mox…I'm…oh god…I can't…I can't ever…Doc!"
The doctor had come back over after finishing the conversation with her doctor back home and gathering the meds and supplies she'd need to recover.
"Miss Copeland…you need to try and keep your stress down so as not to have another panic attack."
"I know…I can't…he needs…needs to know…I can't…can't say it…please…tell him…tell him for me…"
The doctor sighed and led Dean away from her a few feet so she wouldn't have to hear it all again, fearing it might trigger another attack.
"What the hell is going on Doc? Is she dying?"
"No…she's not dying. When she went home for a bit last week she went to her regular doctor for a checkup…apparently he called her before the show and told her what I found out in her medical record. Mr. Ambrose…she was just told tonight that she can never have a child of her own. Her womb is what the medical world refers to as "hostile"…which means that perm can't survive long enough to make it to where they need to go…at all. She'd understandably very upset by this news and I'm honestly surprised it wasn't discovered until now."
"She said this was the first time she'd seen her doctor in years due to travelling a lot with a busy schedule…fuck…no wonder she was upset after the phone call…what do I need to do to take care of her?"
"She'll need to rest tonight and most of tomorrow to make sure she doesn't have another panic attack. Her regular doctor and I worked out some meds to help her. These are anti-anxiety pills that will not counteract her other medication."
"The stuff for her IED…good…so what do they do?"
"They help keep her anxiety levels down to try and prevent the panic from even starting. She'll need to take on every night at the same time, I'll be giving her the first one before you leave here tonight. She can fly to Australia for the Super Showdown but I strongly suggest she take it easy and not wrestle for a few days at least. This inhaler is in case she actually has a panic attack and can't stop it on her own, just make her inhale while squeezing the pump and it will send a muscle relaxant mist to her throat to keep her airway open and allow her to breathe."
"Anything else?"
"Just try to keep her calm and relaxed as much as possible for the next few days at least. Nothing strenuous, nothing that can cause stress or anxiety. It won't take much, especially over the next 24 hours, to trigger another attack."
"Got it Doc…thanks. So…can I take her back to the hotel now?"
"She can go. If she has an attack or you two have any questions just call me."
"Sure thing Doc. Come on Princess…let's get you back to the hotel and into bed alright?"
"You…you still want me Mox?"
"Of course I do Princess…I told you before that you're my whole world now…you're my home and I love you. I'm not going to leave over something like this Princess. So you and I will never have our own rug rats…that's ok. Can you imagine a little version of my crazy ass runnin around here? Yeah…I thought so Princess…besides…if we decide down the road that we want kids we can always adopt one that needs a home."
"Mox…"
Iris started crying softly as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. He picked her up as gently as possible and let the Doc loop a small plastic bag over his wrist with the pills the inhaler, and a pamphlet about how to assist someone with a panic attack. He carried her out of the room to face the circle of concerned friends waiting outside but a harsh glare from him silenced any questions befpre they could start up.
"Not a word…any of you. Any more stress could start another attack. If she decides to tell any of you what else is goin on that's HER choice…and only hers. If she doesn't wanna tell you that's her choice too. All you need to know is that she's not sick, she's not hurt, and she's not dyin…she'll be fine. I'm takin my Princess back to the hotel so she can take her meds and get some much needed sleep now. Roman…Seth…you two idiots comin or are you walkin back to the hotel?"
"Right behind you Uce."
"Pretty sure Mox is out Roman."
"I know he is Seth…he's the only one that calls her Princess."
Roman and Seth followed Dean to the car, grabbing all of their bags on the way out. Taker was concerned but he knew he had to respect her choices, even if he disagreed with them. He and Kane left and then Finn and Bayley went to their car as well to go back to the hotel. Drew watched as Iris left with the Shield and still thought she deserved better. Dolph and Braun came up behind him and both looked concerned about her as well.
"How is she Drew?"
"Not entirely sure…all I've managed to figure out so far is that the panic attacks were triggered by stress…the stress was caused by something she found out before the show and compounded by Dean getting hurt. Let's come to an agreement right here and now…even though we're feuding with the Shield…we keep an eye on her during the match on Saturday. If she looks like she's shaking or swaying again one of us will steady her if one of them isn't close enough. Deal?"
"Deal."
The other two spoke their agreement in unison, none of them wanting to see anything really bad happen to her.
"She's too good for them Drew."
"Agreed…but we cannot force her to walk away."
Meanwhile the Shield had made it to the hotel and gotten Iris into her and Dean's bed. Jon had come to the front as soon as they walked into the room, laying her gently on the bed. He looked at Roman and Seth who both looked about as bad as he felt…but it was Seth who spoke up first.
"I failed her tonight…I should have made her stay with me instead of letting her run off…she wouldn't have gone near them…she would have been safe with me…"
"Seth…we all fucked up little brother…but we can take care of her now and make it up to her. Right Uce?"
"Yeah…"
"What did the Doc say Dean? What else is going on that you aren't telling anyone?"
"Dean?"
"It's me, Baby."
"Jon…hi love…its ok…you can tell them…I trust them…"
"I do to Baby. Get some sleep now."
Jon looked at Seth and Roman and made a sharp head motion towards the door to their room, so the three of them went over there to talk.
"What the hell is going on Jon?"
"Don't…don't snap at me…I'm not…I'm not like Dean and Mox…I can't handle that."
"Sorry Jon…I'm just worried about her…and you three too…but especially her right now."
"It's ok Seth…I get it. She uh…remember when she went home for a bit and said she went and got a check-up with her Doc?"
"Yeah…what about it. He found out something and called her before the show to tell her about it…that's why she was upset when she came back inside…she can't…she can't ever have kids…"
"What? Why? How?"
Seth? Words little brother…but I'm kind of curious too Uce…that's kind of a big deal for a woman."
"I know…she was so afraid we would leave her because of it…I think Mox managed to fix that fear though…I hope…Doc said her uh…womb is hostile…sperm can't get far before dying…"
"Damn Uce…poor Babygirl…"
"That explains why she lost it so bad at ringside…why she had the panic attacks…she was already upset before even going out there."
"I'm uh…I'm gonna get back to her now…"
Jon returned to Iris's side to find her fast asleep so he crawled into the bed with her, smiling softly when she curled into her usual spot against his side and chest. Roman and Seth sat in their room in shock, trying to process the information they'd been trusted with.
"She's going to need all our love and support Seth…something like this is a huge blow for a woman. It can cause severe depression and worse. I don't wanna see that happen to her."
"Neither do I Roman…she's special man…besides, if anything ever happens to her our brother will go fucking mental."
"Probably true…"
"If she decides to tell Finn and Bayley they'll help…hell they'll probably help even without knowing any details."
"Let's get some sleep for now and we'll see what needs to be done in the morning alright?"
"Yeah…good plan Roman…goodnight man."
"Goodnight Seth."
The next day the first thing Iris did was call her big brother and tell him everything. He'd seen her panic attack on the TV and tried calling her but her phone had been off all night so she never got the call. He promised her that if she needed him he could be on the next flight out at any time which managed to get her to smile a bit.
"I'll be ok Addie…I have Dean, and Seth, and Roman…and Finn, and Bayley…and Taker, and even Kane. I have a lot of friends here that will help me Addie…I just…I always dreamed of getting married and having kids…and now that can't happen."
"Says who Darlin? Just b/c you can't give birth to any kids doesn't mean you can't raise any. I told you yesterday…well…Mox told you yesterday…if we decide we want kids at some point down the road we can just adopt a couple of them that need a good home. We're not walking away from you over this Darlin…not for anything in the world. They could offer me the championship right this second…but if it meant choosing between you or the belt I'd choose you every time Darlin."
"Dean…you see love? This right here is why I don't listen to anyone trying to tell me I should have someone better. I don't want anyone else but you my crazy love."
The two shared a sweet kiss until they heard Adam protesting through the phone that he didn't want to hear his little baby sister making out over the phone. Iris giggled at her brother and told him she'd call him back later before hanging up the phone on his protesting.
"Now…where were we love?"
"Nope…no sex today Darlin?"
"Why the hell not?"
"Doc said nothing strenuous today."
"Well then fuck him."
"I'd rather not Darlin…not my type."
She blinked at him in shock and then burst into a fit of giggles at his silliness. This was how Roman and Seth found the two when they came through the joint door and Seth smiled at hearing her giggles.
"Hey little sister. How you feeling today?"
"Better Seth…still a bit upset but…Dean reminded me of something Mox said last night so…not all bad."
"What did Mox say last night Uce?"
"Mox told her that if we decide to have kids later on that we can just adopt a couple of them."
His brothers stared at him in open-mouthed shock, though Seth's mouth was more like a landed fish really. Neither of them had ever heard Dean even consider kids before.
"What? Why are you two lookin at me like that?"
"You…you actually want kids man?"
"I never said I was opposed to having them…I just didn't want to have any surprise kids I hadn't planned on is all."
"Wait a sec…you gotta be married to adopt kids Dean."
"I know that Seth...and we'll get there eventually…when the time is right for us."
"Dean? You mean that? You…you would actually want to marry me?"
"Of course Darlin…you think I'm gonna let any other man come in and try to take you away from me? Nope…not gonna happen."
"Well damn Uce…look at you all grown up and mature."
"Fuck you Roman."
"Well…it was nice while it lasted Roman."
"Fuck you too Seth."
Iris got a mischievous look on her face as Dean turned to curse at his brothers and slapped his ass twice, making him yelp and jump into the air before looking at her with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"The hell was that for darlin?"
"You said the word I'm not supposed to use…turnabout is fair play Dean."
Dean just stared at her, eyes wide and mouth open, while Roman and Seth were leaning against each other to keep from falling over due to laughing so hard they could barely stand.
"You…where the hell were you all my life?"
"In Canada…"
"Come here you…"
"Uh-uh…you said no sex b/c the Doc said I can't do anything "strenuous" today so you're just going to have to become friends with your hand again for today."
Between her words and the incredulous look Dean gave her…Roman and Seth were sitting on the floor clutching their stomachs.
"It ain't that funny you two hyenas."
"Yes…it is…man…you…cock-blocked…yourself."
Roman wasn't even trying to form words while Seth was trying to get his out between his laughing. Iris giggled right along with them until Dean gave up and joined in. It wasn't all smooth sailing and laughter…Iris ended up in tears several times during the day when she saw parents with their kids at the hotel, but Dean would distract her with kisses and dry her tears. To Seth it was almost sickeningly adorable how sweet Dean was with her…but he was happy for them to have each other.
The day after that they had to fly over to Australia to start preparing for the Super Showdown event. Iris had to face the roster again and she was nervous after several of them had seen her have several panic attacks and pass out, but when they got to the gym everyone was using she was greeted warmly and many of the others asked how she was doing. Bayley hugged her like an octopus and was nearly crying she was so happy to see her and Iris hugged her back.
"Thanks Bayley…you give the second best hugs."
"Second best? Who gives better hugs than me?"
Iris looked over to where Dean was using the bench press with Roman as his spotter and Bayley giggled. Finn joined them and wondered what all the giggling was about.
"Oh…now I see. I can allow that one. Hi Finn."
"Hello Bayley. How are you two lovely ladies on this fine sunny day?"
"I'm alright Finn…just dealing with a personal issue that caused me a lot of stress…and then Dean was being hurt and they've been screwing with his head and I just…kind of lost it a bit."
"It's understandable Lass…everyone has a limit…and when you hit it bad things happen. At least this time you didn't throw furniture around."
Iris had the grace to blush as the other two laughed. She decided she could trust these two and led them into a corner away from everyone else.
"I wanted to tell you guys this but you need to keep it between us for now…only myself and the Shield…and my brother of course…know any of this. The thing that trigger the spike in anxiety and triggered that whole mess the other night…well…I found out from my doctor back home…I can't have kids…the odds of even getting pregnant are astronomical because my body will basically kill the sperm before they ever make it inside. It just…honestly, it really sucks…"
"Oh my gosh…Iris…"
Bayley pulled Iris into a tight hug and they just held each other for a bit, Finn wrapping his arms around both women who were now openly crying. Dean glanced over after he finished his set and took in the scene before realizing that she must have told them, otherwise Bayley wouldn't be crying like that most likely.
"How did Dean take it Lass?"
"Really well…I'd been so afraid he'd want to leave me but he shot that fear down really fast. He said that…even if we can't have our own…we can always adopt later on…and he even said that someday he wants us to be married…when we're ready for that step."
"Aww…that's great news…see? It wasn't all horrible. So…yeah…it sucks to not be able to have your own…but think of it this way…there are a lot of kids out there that have no home…no family…they need a place to call their own and people to love and care for them…and you can do that."
"Thanks Bayley…you're the best. You're not half bad either Finn."
"Thanks Lass…I'm touched…really…"
His sarcasm had Iris giggling as Drew walked past their little corner and stopped in his tracks, looking at her with concern.
"How are ye lass? No more attacks?"
"Nope…I'm good. Doc put me on some anti-anxiety meds to keep the levels manageable so I'm ok. Thank you for helping me, I could have been hurt if you hadn't caught me."
"I told ye before lass, I didn't intend to hurt ye…I just have a wee bit of a temper problem."
"I get it…believe me. I have one of my own…ask Finn here."
"Aye…she throws furniture when she's angry."
"It was ONE time Finn."
"It was twice in the same night lass…and ya nearly nailed me in the arse with a damned axe handle."
This had Bayley doubled over in laughter at the mental image that gave her while Iris just shrugged, completely unrepentant.
"I warned you to stay outside the room…not my fault you chose not to listen."
Drew snorted softly and went to join Dolph and Braun who asked how Iris was doing so he told them what he'd seen and heard while over there. He was glad she seemed to be no worse for wear after Monday's insanity, and he noticed Dean was keeping a much closer eye on her now than he had on Monday night…as were Seth and Roman.
"At least they seem to be watching over her again."
"Aye…Dean seems particularly watchful over her."
They watched as Dean let Roman spot Seth so he could sweep Iris into a kiss, earning a happy little laugh from her as she kissed him back. The two sat on the floor and Dean assumed a sit ups position with Iris sitting on his feet and every time he came up he kissed her and she giggled. Drew snorted at the sight while Dolph huffed out a little laugh.
"That's almost nauseating…"
"It's kind of cute Drew…at least he's making her happy."
"He fucked up on Monday and he's tryin to make it up to her."
"Well from the look of things Braun…he's doing a good job of it…right Drew?"
"Yeah…"
Roman glanced over at Dean and Iris in time to see one of the kisses and he just barked out a laugh that startled Seth and almost made him drop the bar.
"The hell Roman?"
"Sorry Seth…look."
Seth looked where roman was pointing and then made an "aww" kind of sound because honestly that was pretty damn cute. Dean and Iris seemed to be in their own little world, completely oblivious to the rest of the gym and only paying attention to each other. When dean finished his sit ups Iris asked him to help her with some pull ups next so he agreed. They ended up using the same pull up bar with his hands on the outsides of hers. Every time they pulled up Dean would kiss her and he didn't care what anyone thought as long as she kept smiling and giggling and being happy.
"You know…this is pretty good motivation…all these sweet little kisses you're giving me."
"Kind of the point Darlin…that and hearing that little giggle of yours every time."
"I can't help it…you're being adorably sweet."
"That's because I'm so very much in love with you Darlin."
They spent the next couple of morning with the same routine, motivating each other through their workouts while their friends watched on in amusement. All the while the Super Showdown was looming in the background like a dark cloud.
A/N: And there's chapter 9…so much drama…I actually just had a friend from college tell me a few days ago that she has this…hostile uterus thing…there are ways to fix it but Iris went into panic first and ask questions later mode…much like I do lol. I spent the entire episode on the edge of my seat with Dean and his volatile little temper. I actually jumped when he threw that ice bag at the wall…poor Seth looked like a confused little puppy who couldn't understand why the other puppy was angry lol.
