Chapter 10: Getting To Know You

It had been almost eight hours that Harleigha and Athena had been stuck in that room. The Smackdown tapings were about to start and they were still slaving over drawing after excruciating drawing. Some were easier than others but the time that it took to draw each one out was starting to wear on them. They hadn't eaten at all that day either so Harleigha decided it was time to go get them some food. After they both decided on pizza, she left Athena and went to go get it. On her way out she ran into the man that was really starting to become one helluva annoying rival.

"Where you going?"

"What's it to you Ambrose?"

"What? I can't ask you a simple question?"

"No you can't without having some hidden agenda behind it no matter how simple the question may be."

"Fair enough. I just want to know what your issue is with me talking to your sister."

"Bam exactly my point. Your original question had nothing to do with what you really wanted to know. And if you must know, I don't trust you as far as I can see you. So what I would kindly like you to do is stay the hell away from Athena. Comprende?"

"Athena is a big girl and she can handle herself and who she likes."

"Hmm…this conversation sounds really familiar. I vaguely remember me telling you that about Roman."

"And I've noticed you didn't listen to my warning."

"What. Just like I'm sure you're not about to listen to mine. Look, it's clear that we're not about to listen to each other. What I am going to tell you though, is that I swear on my life and my job that if you break her heart I will thoroughly kick your ass. She's impressionable and gets smitten very easily. That's what this is right now and I'm telling you that so you don't walk all over her and take advantage. Dean don't play with me I swear. Say what you want about me, Roman and whatever we have going on but messing with my sister to get at me is off limits. You're either for real or you're not."

"You done yet, sweetheart?"

"Don't patronize me."

"I'm not." He said with a smirk on his face. With those words he turned around and left her to wonder what he meant by that. It was blatantly obvious he was up to something and she had no control over what happened next. The only hope that she had was talking to her sister again but knowing her in the way that she did it wasn't likely to work. Her sister was so hot and cold. Much like with Dean, she could put a person in their place one minute and be chatting with them the next. She had a thing for giving people second, third, and fourth chances. Harleigha was good a pointing out the people who had ulterior motives with Athena but she never listened until after she got hurt. However, with Dean she couldn't understand nor peg what he was up to and it was bothering her to no end.

Deciding to stop dwelling on what Dean was up too, she went and got the pizza for her and Athena. It didn't long since it was around the corner, so about fifteen minutes later she was pulling back into the arena garage and heading to the room. When she got there, she ran into a sight that she wasn't expecting to see.

Clearing her throat she said, "I can come back later."

Putting the two large pizza boxes on the table, she watched as Dean and Athena tried to collect themselves. When she walked in they were both huddled over a drawing pad, extremely close to each other and Dean was rubbing circles with his thumb over her sister's thigh.

"Persistent aren't you Dean?" she snarled at him

"Lei, it's not that…."

"Whatever you were about to say I don't want to hear it now and not ever. Understood?"

"God you can be such a bitch sometimes you know that?"

"Could've fooled me." Dean said

Ignoring him she turned to Athena and said, "It wouldn't be the first or the last time someone has called me a bitch. Now care to tell me what he's doing here?"

"No I don't care to tell you why he's here. He's a grown man he can go anywhere he wants and talk to anyone he wants to. It just so happened he came to see me? Problem?"

"I don't understand you. You literally just handed him his ass on a silver platter this morning. Now all of a sudden he's Saint Dean Ambrose. What the hell fam?"

"Unlike you I don't hold unnecessary grudges. Like I said whatever issue you two have is that of your own. Not much I can do about that. You'll have to work that out on your own terms."

"So you're going to let him disrespect your sister because he didn't personally say anything against you. Some sister you are. And I'm the bitch for trying to protect you. Okay?" she said sarcastically

"Ladies, ladies at the risk of y'all losing your relationship…"

"Not that you'd care." Harleigha said

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, at the risk of losing your relationship I'll leave." Dean said

"No, it's clear I'm the odd one out so I'll leave. You two have a grand old time together."

Grabbing a box of pizza and her drawing equipment she left her sister and Dean to their own devices. Going on a hunt for a secluded spot inside the backstage area, she couldn't find one that was suitable for her so she went to the small spot she found in the garage earlier. When she got there she noticed a spacious bench that she hadn't noticed earlier. Sitting down, she put her headphones on and listened to some music while she drew. It wasn't work related drawing but she took it back to her roots and drew what was right in front of her. Looking out at the scenery in front of her she began to draw the sunset hovering over San Antonio's city. She hadn't realized how much time had passed until a tall body blocked her view and she couldn't see anymore.

"SHIT!" Ripping out her headphones she clutched at her chest trying to stop her heart from falling out.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" asked Roman as he sat down beside her and lifted her long, toned legs onto his lap.

"My sister and your best friend didn't explain it?"

"No. They just said you stormed off mad and didn't know where you went."

"Oh figures. How'd you find me and what time is it?"

"It's about 8:30 and I just took a guess."

"Damn. I didn't realize how late it was. I really shouldn't have come up here alone."

"No you really shouldn't have but I'm here now so you don't have to go anywhere."

"What are you gonna be my big, bad, intimidating bodyguard." She laughed

"If I have to be then yes."

"I can protect myself ya know?"

"I'm sure you can but I'm not going anywhere regardless."

All she did was roll her eyes at him.

"So let's play a game of 20 questions." said Roman

"Huh why?" she pouted

"Because I want to know what I'm getting myself into with Harleigha Monroe."

"Me telling you that it'll be hell isn't enough?"

"Nope certainly not good enough. So first question, what's your favorite color?"

"Well it was red."

"Was?"

"Yeah was."

"Are you going to make me ask you what that favorite color would be now?"

"Yes. And just so you know that counted as a question. So right now you're at 3."

"How am I at 3?"

"You might want to be careful with these simple questions or you'll be at 20 before ya know it." she laughed

While he was thinking of the next question, she pulled out a new sheet of drawing paper and started working on him. She tried not to stare but it was damn hard not to. He really was a work of art and God certainly took his time when creating him.

"So aside from Athena any other about siblings? A brother I have to worry about?"

"Hmm two questions in one. Um an older brother yes. Worry about him no. I also have a younger sister." She answered without looking up from her drawing.

"Why shouldn't I worry about your brother?"

"Because he's nonexistent in my life…our lives. We were once really close we're only a year apart but when my senior year of high school rolled around he distanced himself from all of us. Last I heard he was training for the upcoming Olympics. He's neither here nor there to be honest with you."

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? It's not your fault. He has his reasons for doing what he did and if he ever decides to explain them then fine. If he never does then that's fine too. I don't care either way. Like I said he's non-existent."

"Still I'm sorry. A sister should have a brother that protects them not leaves them."

After that the questions became less serious and they were able to relax a bit more. He asked about both her sisters and he finally got the answer to her favorite color. The time she spent with him she learned that he really wanted to find substance in their "relationship," instead of being like the seemingly average dude who was out for a good fuck. She was starting to feel comfortable around him which was good. He still made her a bit nervous for various reasons but hopefully overtime that would change. They had a long way to go but after tonight they certainly had a good start ahead of them.