Sorry this took so long. I had it completely typed up yesterday but before I could save, my computer decided to shut itself off to update and I lost it. But it's safe and sound today...whoo! This chapter goes out to nattiebroskette, angelsdee327, UntilNeverDawns, kittybarrett and xSamiliciousx because their reviews are the jam! Love y'all!

Oh, another something something: I'm going to be going back through and editing a little. Just because I've noticed some grammar mistakes and those drive me crazy. So you guys will probably be getting notifications that new chapters are up but it's just those.

The song for this chapter Separate Ways by Journey...not really for the message but because it describes something in the chapter and...let's be honest, that song rocks some socks.

*********khan*********

June 2nd, 2014- Indianapolis, IN

Jon woke the next morning happier than he'd ever been in his entire life. He'd even bet on it. He felt like he was, as cheesy as it sounds, the king of the world. He had a great job where he got to perform in front of thousands of adoring people every night and he got paid handsomely for it. He also worked with the two best guys in the company. When he, Joe and Colby had met in FCW, they'd had an instant connection that went deeper than friendship. They were truly his brothers and he loved them more than any of his blood relatives. They were his family, the only one he needed. He also was gaining more friends around the company thanks to his best friends and his girlfriend. Before he'd been kind of a loner, but now, people actually smiled when he walked up.

The best thing in his life by far was the lady next to him. He felt like the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet every time she looked at him, let alone kissed him or held him or fucked his brains out. He still couldn't believe she was his and his only. He wondered if it was all a dream and one day, he'd wake up back to the nightmare that his life was before her. Sure, he was exaggerating but sometimes, when he looked back on it all, with the exception of Joe and Colby, his existence before she came into it seemed so meaningless. He had his friends, his work and girls all over him, but there was no reason and rhyme to it. Just going through the motions. But now, he had this angel who actually cared about him in more than just a superficial way. She cared about everything with him. How he was feeling, if his body was holding up okay, if he liked the storylines they were in, if he was having a good time, etc., etc. She worried more about him in the ring than he did and he knew it wasn't because of any naiveté on her part. She'd been travelling with this company her entire life. She knew what a bad bump or a missed spot looked like. She knew when things were actually serious but everytime he came through the gorilla after a match, she'd kiss him and ask how he felt and he loved it. Loved her, in fact, much more than he ever thought he could. What he'd told her had been true: when he'd first met her, he had fallen for her on the spot. His infatuation was borderline obsessive. Ok, actually there was no borderline to it. He adored everything about her, especially once he started talking to her. He dreamed of the day that he could wrap her in his arms and call her his.

And that day had finally arrived almost a month ago. After their first time together, he'd been so scared that she'd realize that he was just not good enough for her. He was a bum for the poorest section of Cincinnati. His family had abandoned him and he'd to crawl and scrape for everything he had today. She was the exact opposite. Born into wealth and privilege, her past intimidated the fuck out of him. She didn't need him and he certainly couldn't give her everything she deserved out of his own pocket. Hell, she probably could buy him everything he wanted and he couldn't do shit for her.

But yet, here she was, next to him, offering everything she had at his feet. That's what he loved the most about her. She could have anyone and she chose him. She didn't care about where he was from and who his family was or if he had as much money as her. She couldn't give two shits about what kind of house he lived in or what car he drove or if he vacationed in Saint Tropez or what his stock portfolio looked like. She said her favorite thing about him was his dimples. Not because they made him look hot, but because they showed when he was really smiling. When he was truly happy.

He threw back the covers to reveal their naked bodies. Not moving, just admiring, his eyes traveled down the length of her. God, she was beautiful. He loved the way her side dipped in before going into the gentle swell of her hip. She had a gorgeous, flat stomach but wasn't stick straight like most of the other girls. Her legs, always silky smooth, had a slight tan from her walking around in shorts all the time. He would have her without clothing all the time if he could, just so he could devour her with his eyes. He'd never get tired of looking at her. Whether it was today, on her 28th birthday, or fifty years from now, on her 78th.

Since it was her birthday, he wanted to wake her up in the best way possible. Hey, he had promised her multiple presents, after all. He lifted her leg as gently as possible until it lay over his. His hand, which had been absent-mindedly rubbing over her hip, ran from her knee and began a slow descent to her center. He cupped her, feeling the heat radiating, and it made blood shoot straight down to his groin. Shutting his eyes for a moment, he reminded himself that this wasn't for him, only for her. Getting himself under control, he ran his fingers through her folds, letting his two dominant ones start lazily circling her nub. She didn't move but he heard a distinct sigh escape her. Wondering if perhaps she was in a dream, he thought it'd be nice if inside her head, he was pleasuring her just as he was in reality.

Scarlett was indeed having a delightful dream. She was with Jon, naked in the most comfortable bed imaginable, and his mouth was on her, making her toes curl. She was propped on her elbows, watching him nibble and suck on her most sensitive area, and his eyes caught hers, salacious lust in his vision. He whispered to her every now and then, telling her how good she felt and tasted and how he loved her.

Back in the real world, Scarlett's whimpers got louder and she shifted onto her back, her legs naturally falling open. He continued to work her over, watching as her chest heaved and small gasps escaped her. Her whispered words went straight to his dick, his erection poking into her right ass cheek. His name came out of her like a prayer and she said that his tongue felt amazing. Oh, so he was using his tongue in her dream? Well, who was he to deny? He moved down her body laying lazy kisses on her stomach until he reached her center. His tongue replaced his fingers and he slid them into her, pressing against the sweet spot inside her. Her hands ran into his blonde curls, twisting slightly. He hummed against her, watching her body start to seize, and he knew she was close. Her walls fluttered and her moans were replaced by a strangled scream as the orgasm tore threw her. Her eyes flew open as her head rolled back, riding out her ecstasy. When her breaths finally got back to normal, he crawled back up her until he hovered over her face.

"Good morning. Happy birthday, baby!"

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him, "Thanks baby...that was the best wake up ever."

"Just couldn't help myself. You looked so content and fucking beautiful..." He nuzzled into her neck, growling softly, "I have to have you."

A shiver went up her spine, "Then give me my next present."

He captured her lips again before starting a slow exploration of her body, marking and worshiping every inch. He flipped her over, pushing her hair out of the way, and started at her neck, kissing and nipping while his hands slowly traced over her tattoos. That was another thing about her body he loved. Her numerous tattoos were all beautiful, as exquisite in their detail as she was. The waterfall of stars that started on her right shoulder and swept across her back. The flowing script across her left shoulder blade, Just like a star across my sky..., from Corinne Bailey Rae. She had a set of initials- AR, MC, VE- etched across her left hip in dripping, blood-red letters. They were her nieces' initials, the only people in the world who she told him she'd die for willingly. He continued down over her firm ass, down one leg and up the other. She had a vine wrapping around her entire right leg with roses and thorns sticking out of it. Her left leg was completely bare except for a fishbowl on her ankle, honoring her favorite song, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here.

He flipped her back over, her eyes clouded over with lust. When he reached her hip, he stopped to give a long, slow lick to her center, enjoying the wetness that he tasted there. Her body seized momentarily and she locked eyes with him.

"Jon, I need you."

He made his way up her body, kissing and nipping still, licking over the word WARRIOR on her right ribcage. Reaching his hands under her, he brought her up with him to a sitting position, her legs straddling his waist while he sat back on his ankles. He kissed her with a passion and, without much more preamble, impaled her on him. She gasped, still tight from her earlier orgasm, and he watched as her eyes rolled back. He rested his forehead in the crook of her neck, feeling her stretch around him. It was the most glorious feeling in the world and he could've stayed content there forever, with her arms splayed across his expansive back.

He started a slow rhythm, something he'd only ever done with her, and she moaned everytime he hit that spot inside her. He leaned back slightly, grabbing her left hand and kissing it softly. She watched him as his lips trailed over CEANNAIRCEACH, the gaelic for Rebel, in the same flowing script that was on her back. Moving past that, he went up her trail of heroes on her shoulder. There were likenesses of Elvis, Freddie Mercury, Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks, her own Mount Rushmore.

He increased his speed slightly while exploring her right arm, or as she called it, her lyric arm. There were words covering almost inch of it, but his favorite was the one that started on her shoulder and cascaded down. It read I know we'll be just fine when we learn to love the ride. She'd told him it was from the theme song of United States of Tara, one of her favorite shows, and she had gotten it after she'd broken up with her first serious boyfriend. She said there were ups and downs in life and as long as you revelled in the good and persevered through the bad, everything would be fine.

He asked her one time why she didn't have any tattoos for Phil. It was the day after they'd made love- a term he'd only started using to describe sex with her- for the first time and she'd been very quiet before answering him. She said that nothing was permanent except death and tattoos and she'd never get a man's name inked on her. He'd understood that and respected her for it. He was also glad he'd never have to stare at Phil's name while they were together in bed.

Her groans started to pick up and his hands latched onto her hips, pulling her down hard as he thrusted up into her. Her hands were holding the sides of his head, their foreheads against each other and their breaths mingling. Their eyes connected- green and blue- and they held themselves there in an intense duel through the moans and whimpers and whispered words until they both exploded, screaming their releases into each other's mouth. He gently laid her back down, admiring the sheen of sweat that coated her knowing he looked the same. She smiled up at him and reached a hand up, only speaking when he grabbed onto it.

"Baby, I'm so glad you're here with me today."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else."

They had to get up and to the arena after that. When they exited their room and met Joe and Colby for breakfast downstairs, they could barely keep their hands off each other, smiling and kissing the entire walk down. When they sat down, they finally settled into her being curled under his arm with her hand on his thigh. Joe rolled his eyes dramatically, a small smile on his lips.

"You guys are getting disgusting."

Jon smirked, kissing Scarlett on the lips, "I know."

That got a laugh from Scarlett and the big man while Colby looked a little downtrodden. Grabbing his hand, Scarlett looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What's wrong? You know I don't like to see you frowning."

"I just miss Leigh, I guess. Seeing you two makes me want to be with her."

Scarlett had met Colby's girlfriend the previous week when they were travelling through Iowa. She was a sweet, lovely, energetic girl and Scarlett saw why she and Colby were together. They were the exact definition of "a couple crazy kids in love."

"You'll see her soon. You're going home after taping tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. I don't know why, I just have this pit in my stomach, like something bad's about to happen."

"Hey," she leaned down, catching his eye and smiling, "Focus on the good, pup. You have a great girl, a great job and the three of us to indulge in and make fun of your goofy shit all the time."

That finally got a smile out of him and he laughed, "Ok, ok, you're right. I'm still gonna go call her real quick. I just need to hear her voice."

The three of them smiled as he left the table and Joe looked at the other two.

"I think he's gonna propose before too long. He thinks about her all the time and he misses her more and more now when we're on the road."

Scarlett clasped her hands together, "Really?! That'd be so awesome! Could you imagine Colby getting married? He'd be like a kid on christmas morning."

"Exactly. Leigh would have to do everything so he wouldn't go overboard."

Jon smirked, "Oh, if they do get hitched, you best believe Colby's stamp would be all over that wedding. Nerdy shit everywhere and a reception full of boy band music."

Scarlett looked at him, "And you would have a great time."

"Whatever...as long as I had you to sit beside."

Joe made a gagging sound and the couple looked at him.

"Please you guys, just ate. Don't want it coming back up."

They laughed and kissed, enjoying his exaggerated misery. After Colby got back, they left and headed to the arena, ready to get the two days of shows out of the way so they could all go home. When they got there, Scarlett split from the boys to go prep the gorilla while they changed and stretched out. Everything was going on schedule and Travis came up with the script for the evening. Scarlett sat to read through it, making notations in the margins to remember later that night. Her eyes bulged when she saw Dave's part about quitting Evolution and walking out of the E and she was curious to see if Paul had any parts after that. She got to the Shield's promo and was enjoying it, especially when Joe was supposed to talk about them being brothers and how nothing could split them apart. When she saw Paul and Randy were going to interrupt them, she continued on with eager interest.

What she read had the smile falling from her face. What the fuck? Did they really want this to happen? Where had this come from? Everything was fine last night and now...she bolted off her case and rushed to Stephanie's office, yelling over her shoulder to keep setting up and making sure everything was on point. When she got to her sister's door, she didn't even knock. Stephanie and Paul were sitting, quietly talking, and both looked up at her rude invasion. She held the script up and glared at them furiously.

"What the fuck is this?"

Stephanie considered her for a silent moment, "The script."

Scarlett rolled her eyes, "No shit, Steph. Why are they being broken up?"

"Because it's time."

"What do you mean? They come off their most dominant performance yet and you're going to disband them. Why?"

Paul took over from his wife, "Because last night, they proved something, to me and everyone else. Yeah, they're great together, but they will be amazing on their own. We've gotta start looking to Summerslam and with Bryan out for surgery and Dave leaving, we need a story and this is going to be it."

Scarlett was flabbergasted. Sure, she understood that the boys would not be together forever and she knew that they all had the talent and work ethic to potentially be top guys in the company, but it was just so sudden.

"How long have you guys been thinking about this?"

"About a month but we wanted to make sure they were ready, that they had the stuff and last night, they showed me they had it."

Scarlett sighed, "I just wish there would've been some forewarning. Colby has no idea he'll have to switch up his travel arrangements."

Stephanie spoke up, "Well, since it is such short notice, if he needed to travel with you guys until Wednesday, that'd be fine, but you guys could not be seen together...by anyone outside."

"Ok, we can manage that. Do they know yet?"

"Yeah, they were in here about 20 minutes before you got here. Jon was the most pissed about it. They were a little upset about having no warning either."

"Well I can understand that. Ok, I'll get out of your hair. This is going to be a rough night," Scarlett ran a hand through her hair, leaving the office and going to find her boys. When she got to their dressing room, she knocked softly before Joe slowly opened the door. They were all in there, silently sitting, all lost in their own minds. She gave Joe a big hug, telling him it'd be alright. Joe, always the strong, silent one, nodded at her and she knew he'd be just fine. She went to Colby next and got down on her knees in front of him, letting her elbows rest on his thighs and pulling his head up until he was looking her in the eye.

"How ya doing, pup?"

His eyes were misted over and she wrapped her arms around him, his head going onto her shoulder.

"Scarlett, I don't wanna do this. Sure, I know it's best for everybody and all but I've been with these guys for so long...everything's going to change. I won't be able to see you guys all the time now. Who am I going to travel with now? Randy and Glenn? Sure, Glenn's alright but Randy...ugh."

She let out a small chuckle at that, "Yeah I know but once you get to know him, maybe it'll be alright. He's a midwestern boy too so maybe you guys will find some common ground. Stephanie told me you can still travel with us until Wednesday though so at least you've got some time."

His eyes lit up, "Really? She said that?"

"Yeah, we just gotta let no one see us together so maybe once we get to the hotel we can all watch a movie or something and order in food."

"I'd love that. I'm gonna go call Leigh and tell her what's happening. Thanks Scar, I feel better."

"No problem, honey, I just wanna see that smile again."

He got up and walked out to call his girlfriend. Looking at Joe, silently brooding in the corner, she walked up to the last soon-to-be-ex-member of the Shield and silently held out her hand. She knew he was pissed and he needed something that he couldn't have in this room. He eyed her hand and, after a moment, laced his fingers through hers. She smiled softly down at him.

"Come on, let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Outside. Cigarette."

His eyes flew wide and he got up enthusiastically, "Great idea, my little rulebreaker."

She smiled at him, "Only for you, baby."

Looking at Joe and telling him they'd be back in a while, all they got was a slight head nod before he went back to staring at nothing. Keeping their hands entwined, she led him to the garage and around a few corners before pulling her pack out. He leaned back against a wall and took a long inhale, closing his eyes before breathing the smoke out.

"God, baby, that was exactly what I needed."

She stepped up in between his legs, looking him in the eye, smiling gently.

"How're you with all this?"

He shrugged, "It's fine."

She smirked, "Bullshit."

He cocked an eyebrow skyhigh, "What?"

"That's a bullshit answer and you know it so I'll ask one more time: how're you with all this?"

His shoulders dropped, "I don't know. A part of me is pissed because they dropped it on us all of a sudden. I'm sad too cause me and they guys...well, you know. We're brothers on-screen and off and I feel...I feel like I'm losing somebody. Which is weird cause he'll still be here every week and we're gonna be working together just like we used to in NXT and FCW, making amazing matches and promos and all that shit but it's the time on the road with all of us that I love so much. So I'm sad...but a small part of me is so fucking excited. Did you talk to the Empire?"

She laughed at his nickname for her family. Paul was Vader and Stephanie was the Emperor.

"Yeah, they made me realize why they're doing it."

"And that's why I'm so excited. If they see this much potential and they have our backs, then fuck...the sky's the fucking limit, ya know? Especially with Cena and Orton getting older and most likely to retire in a couple of years...they could be setting us up at the next guys. I feel like I should knock on wood or some stupid shit like that for even thinking that, but I can't help it. My mind's full of all these possibilities."

Her smile only grew as he spoke. If he believed in himself, then he could have it all. She'd seen it in so many other guys who flamed out for this reason or that, but her guy would do anything to make it to the top. She knew he always felt like he had something to prove because of his past and it made her proud that he'd never quit until his dream was realized. She finished her cigarette and pulled his head to her, kissing him quickly.

"If it makes any difference, I think you're capable of anything. In fact, I know it."

He grinned at her- a real grin with dimples- and wrapped her in his arms, burying his face in her hair and smelling the familiar vanilla and peaches.

"Hey, you got any plans for Wednesday? Anything important to do?"

"No, not really. Was just going to clean and relax at home."

"You wanna come home with me?"

She leaned back, "To Vegas?"

"Yep," he looked down at her, "I don't want to be by myself."

She giggled, "You just want me naked in your bed for three days."

He gave her an impish grin, "And what's wrong with that?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Seriously though," he leaned his forehead against hers, "I just don't wanna be away from you. I'm sorry for being a wimp and I'm really sorry that the guys and I are sad on your birthday. I feel like we're letting you down."

"You're not, I promise. We're gonna do the show and you guys are going to make breaking up look as badass as ever and then we're going to go to Cincinnati tomorrow. Oh, is there anyone you wanna see while we're there?"

His eyes got hard, "Nobody."

She sighed, "Well alright then, we'll do the show tomorrow and then Wednesday, we'll fly to Vegas and have a great time, in bed and maybe a little outside. And that is all the birthday celebration I need."

"You promise?"

"Yep, throw in a little blackjack at the Bellagio and I'm all set."

His eyes softened back up and he let out a genuine laugh, "I think we can arrange that."

"Awesome."

"You're awesome."

She sighed, rolling her eyes, "I know."

"Is that ego I hear?"

"Only learning from you, baby."

"You're damn straight," he said, pulling her back in, kissing her hard. They turned back towards the arena and the inevitable heartbreak of the Shield's breakup, but they were wrapped in each other's arms and couldn't have been happier.

*********khan*********

Alright, that's all for today. I got really sad writing that scene in the locker room. Gah, what is happening to me? I don't even know these people! Hahaha, whatever...hope you guys enjoyed.