Okay, here's another chapter of Moth to a Flame. I only own Shay, and Cori. I apologize for any spelling errors, or grammatical mistakes. I'm only human, lol. Um, I think that's it, aside from the fact that there is some more information on my profile, and that this story will start to pick up shortly. :) There will also be some minor/short time skips. Love, Kiwi.

Read, review, and enjoy :D

Stephen surveyed her, studying her movements from across the table. She was fidgeting, drumming her fingers across the tabletop. A sigh passed her lips, and that's when he just had to ask.

"Are yeh alright?"

"Huh?" Shay looked up at him and nodded, "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

"I was jus' wonderin'. Yeh don't seem to sleep much."

Shay sent him a curious look. Sure they stayed in the same room, but she had always covered up her poor sleeping habits. She was careful, mastering the art of pretending to be asleep. For one, she was worried he'd ask, and then somehow rope her into telling him about the sporadic nightmares, and that was something she wouldn't allow. He, he had this aura, this front that seemed to repel weakness. She couldn't be weak in front of him, it'd simply be fodder for him, "I sleep just fine, thank you."

"I'm not stupid, Shay. When I go to bed, you're still up. When I wake up, you're up. If I wake up in the middle of the night, you're readin', or somethin'," Stephen shrugged. "So, are yeh okay?"

"Yes," she couldn't fight the exasperation in her voice. She was tired, still, from her lack of sleep the night before. He was right, she wasn't sleeping well. But she had a job to do, and so many people that she couldn't disappoint. A yawn ripped from her throat and she rested her head in her hands.

"Yeh haven't eaten much either." Did he really have to point everything out? She didn't feel hungry, she didn't want to eat. She was busy, and with everything that was being pushed together, she was sometimes too nervous to even think about feeding herself. It was stupid, and it'd come back to bite her, that she was sure of.

"Christ's sake, Stephen," she winced as she snapped, "Just leave me alone, alright?" Shay stood and walked towards the backstage area. She found a steel chair to sit on, facing a monitor and ran a hand through her hair. She had been stuck on Raw tonight, mostly due to Stephen. Another "January 2nd" promo flashed across the screen. Who could possibly be returning? It wasn't 'Taker, that she knew for sure. Her mind went over the options, until her train of thought was halted.

"Scarface, say hello to my little friend."

She glanced up, noticing Kelly Kelly and the Bellas. Groaning, she rubbed her temples, "H-hello, Kelly. Nikki, Brie." There wasn't a point in fighting back. She was too tired, and she really didn't care anymore. She remembered something Nattie had told her once, 'kill them with kindness'. Shay laughed inwardly, thinking it was probably one of the more ridiculous things she'd heard.

"C'mon, girls, leave her alone."

She knew that voice, and she heard the clatter of their heels as the three walked away. The seat next to her was occupied now, and the person put a hand on her knee. Shay brushed it off, "W-what do you want, Nick?"

"How much does Sheamus know?"

"Nothing," she laughed, "Does it matter, really? You tried that stupid little trick when I was dating John, alright? You don't care how much he knows, you just like seeing me squirm."

"Alright," he sat back, "Then you won't mind me telling him."

"Why would you want to tell him? I mean, seriously? What good would that do? You and I had a past, and that's that. He just doesn't have to know, nobody really has to know," Shay replied, trying to stop herself from shaking. Nick was about to say something else when Vickie called him over to her. He had a match, and she was free from him.

Some time later, yet another promo interrupted the "Did You Know" clip and the lights went out in the ring. She had had some idea of who it could be, but now, she had absolutely no idea. Her hand reached for her phone, about to call Chris and ask him what he thought when...

Break the walls down!

Yeah, she was going to have a long talk with him later. Her eyes widened as the lights flashed on again and there stood Jericho, in all his glory. She put her phone away, and stood, waiting for him to come backstage. He was out there for a few minutes before he returned, and she beat him to the gorilla.

"Christopher Keith Irvine," she saw him flinch, and frankly, it fueled her, "why didn't you tell me you were coming back? You had me guessing at every damn promo, and you didn't say a word? Ch-Chris," she put her hands on her hips as she shook her head. He grinned at her, holding his arms out and she put her arms around him. "I'm glad you're back," she whispered as he swayed a little.

"Glad I'm back, too."

January 29th, 2012

Chris Jericho approached his fellow Canadian, who was leaning against a table. As he came closer, she stood straighter, "Shay," he nodded.

"Jericho," she replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, "Good luck in the Rumble tonight."

"I don't need luck," he stated, continuing past her and off down the hallway. Shay shook her head, returning her attention to Sheamus, who had walked up as Chris left.

"Hello," she smiled, folding her hands together, "I never got the chance to thank you for helping me out against Swagger. I know it happened a while ago, but better late than never, right?"

He laughed, nodding as she put a hand on his forearm, "True, true. Any time, really. I couldn' leave a woman in distress."

"And, good luck in the Rumble tonight. You have a good chance of winning, if your luck is right," Shay's smile faltered as he pulled her closer.

"They say kissin' the Irish brings good luck."

"We'll see about that," she patted his arm before she walked away, brushing her fingers along his stomach as she went.

As soon as she was out of the way, she sat down. She had felt worse that day, more than she had in a while. She didn't get any sleep the night before, and hadn't really had anything to eat. It was busy, busy, busy. Waking up at five in the morning, when you just fell asleep at two, and having promos, signings, and training slung back to back, she was surprised she was even still functioning. Well, at least she thought she fell asleep... she couldn't really remember.

Gauging her time, she realized she just didn't have enough of it. They'd get to the hotel late tonight, and have to fly out early the next day. It was a domino effect, and she was beginning to really feel the sting. She jumped as Stephen sat next to her. "Stephen."

"Sorry," he muttered, running a hand through his hair, "You don't look well."

"Thanks," she stated, rolling her eyes as she tried to make herself comfortable. Great, now she was dizzy.

"I'm just sayin', you look tired,"

"I know, Cody told me earlier, and Nattie, p-pretty sure Eve did too," Shay shrugged, as if wasn't a big deal. "Do you want me to come out with you?"

Stephen shook his head, "Not if you're feeling like shit." He looked her over, "Yeh could go back to the hotel. I'd get somebody to drive yeh."

"No, Stephen. I'm fine. I just need to sit down for a while, that's all." She nodded, as if that would convince him. He just patted her knee.

"I have to go, the Rumble." She nodded again, mumbling one more good luck as he left.

As the night wore on, she felt crummier and crummier, to say the least. Chris stood to her left, worry painting his face, "Shay? Shay!"

"Huh?" This spacing out was getting out of control... "What?"

He sighed, putting his hands on her shoulders, "When was the last time you slept, or ate?"

She shrugged, yawning, "I slept today, and I ate this morning." Well, she didn't think half a bagel really counted as eating, but it was the truth. His eyebrow was cocked, he didn't believe her. She just hoped he trusted her enough to let it go. Part of her was afraid he'd make a big deal out of it and force her back to the hotel to rest. What was the point, she wouldn't have been able to sleep. She was better off here, "You're up next in the Rumble," she murmured, putting her hands on his forearms, "So, go. Kick ass."

"You're worrying me." There was the guilt trip. He, Adam, and Jay had that one down. The stare, crinkled eyebrows and posture, they were all far too good at it. They knew that she couldn't bear being a burden, or the primary source of worry. They also knew when she was lying, even when she started to believe the lie herself.

"I-I'm sorry, Chris. I'm fine, really. I'll go back to the hotel right after the show and go right to sleep."

"And you'll eat."

"Y-yes, Chris," she replied, "Now go." She waved him off, and he went, although begrudgingly. Resting against the wall, she kept her eyes trained on the monitor, watching as Chris's music struck and he went out there. She kept an eye on Stephen, almost wincing as he was nearly eliminated. The world started to tilt, and she snapped her eyes shut. Slowly opening them again, she braced herself against an equipment box and watched the match.

Black dots danced in her vision, and she felt herself getting lightheaded. Hoping it'd pass, she fiddled with the hem of her cardigan. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the match, and that seemed to work. It continued, Chris nearly eliminating Stephen, and vice versa, and she bit her lip. She wanted Chris to win, even though it seemed unlikely. Stephen deserved this, maybe a little bit more than the others. She could see the push he was getting, and the subsequent push it gave her. This would've been the crowning moment, and he'd be on a sure fire path to champion.

Plus, Stephen had seemed to mellow out. He seemed less ornery and more... she couldn't quite describe it. It just seemed that they hadn't been bantering as much as usual. Shrugging it off, she tried to ignore the dotted vision and moving earth.

And then, Chris was eliminated. Her hand covered her mouth as Stephen exploded into celebration, and Chris slunk backstage. Meeting him at the gorilla, she wrapped her arms around the blond. "You were great, Chris!"

"Yeah," he laughed, "I think Creative has something going for me at Raw, so, it's fine. How are you doing?" The worried tone went back to his voice and she chuckled.

"Fine, really," Alright, that was a lie. She didn't see a problem with lying, particularly if it was something she didn't think he needed to worry about. Truthfully, her world was spinning and it was taking every strand of her concentrated effort not to fall down. Stephen approached, his hand massaging his neck. He had stopped at the locker room, and was dressed with his bag over his shoulder. "Stephen, congratulations." She slid over to him, arms crossed over her chest.

"Thanks," he smiled, but it faltered, "Shay... you're not alright."

"D-don't worry, I'm fine. Really, I'll be fine." She stammered, losing her footing and falling forward. Shay clutched Stephen's shirt, and his arm wrapped around her waist. She looked up at him, saw the worry and confusion in his eyes, and then it all went black.