Author Note: I'd like to thank XoxoShon12, Guest, Krys Jericho, and Leasha Orton for the awesome reviews. I'd also like to thank bigtimefan08, alliebear85, and rhodesXmorrisonXorton for becoming a follower to this story. I've got a lot of new ideas for this story and I'm personally glad that a lot of you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it all for you.

Chapter 10: Nothing but the Truth

Roman watched out of the corner of his eye Aria warming up for her match later on that evening. He could tell something was really bothering her. She instantly plugged in her earbuds to her phone to block out the outside noise. Alayna's sudden appearance probably hadn't done wonders for her state of mind. He could tell that she was pushing everyone away. She hadn't spoken a word to him since the night in the club. Paige and Randy were also on the list of being ignored.

"You know, watching her isn't going to make her talk to you." Dean stated approaching his friend.

"Something is wrong. I just have this feeling like she's pulling herself behind that large wall of ice again."

"Just talk to her instead of stalking her."

Dean patted Roman on the shoulder before walking away in the opposite direction. Roman watched as Aria moved her legs into a full split, moving her upper body around in a circle. He was mesmerized by her movements; but subconsciously made his way towards her. She looked up from her position and gazed up into his face.

"Hey..." He greeted hesitantly.

"Hi..." She replied taking out the small devices from her ears.

"Are you okay? You don't seem like yourself."

His question took her by surprise. She figured that it came as no surprise. She had been avoiding everyone including Paige. After briefly giving in to her wants with Randy, she thought it best to stay from all of them. Now wasn't the time to cause more problems than there already were backstage. "I've just had a lot on my mind. That's all. I'm not mad at anyone, if that's what were getting at."

"Understandable. You know I'm here for you if you need anything."

"I know...thank you..."

Roman nodded his head, disappointed that she wasn't more talkative. He was positive that there was something wrong and he wondered if it had something to do with Randy. Was her feelings for him growing? Would she choose him in the end? Both men had a mutual understanding when it came to her and would still be friends with her no matter what the outcome was. Seth was a common enemy and neither wanted to see him harm her in anyway.

Aria stood up from the floor content with the amount of warming up she had gotten done. She reached out to take hold of his arm. His skin was soft and warm to the touch. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so distant; but with my sister being here, following me everywhere I go, I've just got so many questions." She admitted.

"I get it. Have you just sat down and talked to her one on one?" He asked.

"No. I honestly don't want to. There is no doubt in my mind that she's here for a reason. What that reason is...I have no idea."

He smiled, leaning in to place his lips on her cheek. She blinked several times, trying to grasp the reason for the sweet gesture. "Don't worry so much about it. She will let you know why she's here sooner or later. Until then, just concentrate on your match. It's been a while since you've had one." He encouraged.

"No thanks to creative's stupid idea to put me with the biggest dick in the company."

"Trust me...none of us like it."

Aria lowered her head to think back on Randy's words. He was so worried about creative. He was worried about her role in their feud. Roman cocked his head to the side, wondering why she suddenly cowering away from him. "Roman...do you think...they will have Randy harm me onscreen?" She asked fumbling over her own words.

"It's a possibility. Are you worried?"

"I know he is and I guess I am to..."

He tugged against her hand, pulling her into his arms. His warmth encased her entirely. She knew that he was trying to be comforting; but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was enjoying the turmoil that surrounded her and Randy, because it was befitting him. Pulling out of his arms, she continued on down the hall towards the woman's locker-room. "I talk to you later..." She stated.

Paige turned the corner, heading for the locker-room to change into her ring gear. She was still pretty upset with the fact that creative was making her go up against Aria in a little over an hour. She just didn't expect it to be so soon after her debut. Lifting her head up from looking at the floor, her eyes met those of Dolph Ziggler. A breath of air was caught in her throat as he pushed himself back into a standing position from the wall he had been leaning against.

"Dolph, hey, what's up?" She greeted rushing her words a little.

"Just came to see if you were ready." He replied with a smile.

Dolph knew that she was nervous. He could hear it in her voice. It actually surprised him that she would even feel nervous. Her presence in the locker-room and even outside of work gave him the impression that she wasn't afraid of anything; but here she was all nervous over a simple mixed tag match, and that's when it hit him. It wasn't about the match itself. It was about Aria.

"I know she's your friend; but I honestly think you two will put on a show. You both are extremely talented." He encouraged.

"Thank you; but it isn't just about Aria. I don't want to mess up and make you look bad either."

He smiled. She loved his smile. It sent her stomach into flip flops. She really hoped that he saw that there was more to her than just another pretty face. Judging by the way he talked, she doubted that he did. That was until she felt his hand touch the side of her face. The simple gesture accelerated her heart to pound against her chest. She figured that was how Aria felt every time Randy or Roman touched her. No wonder she had a hard time choosing one of them.

"Don't worry about it so much. You will be just fine."

She smiled, raising the piercing on her mouth a little higher. Dolph wondered if the woman before him had an interest in him. The look her dark eyes was full of admiration. His dismissed the accusation and retracted his hand from her face. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before walking around her.

Swiftly turning her head around to watch him walk away, she let a softened sigh escape her lips. She wished that she had the nerve to say something to him, ask him for a drink, anything; but she was not like most of the other divas in the business. She was the anti-diva. The one that didn't spend five hours in front of a mirror making herself the perfect model.

Raw, Mixed Tag Match

The bell chimed as Lilian Garcia stood in the middle of the ring. She wore a short black dress that was slightly longer in the back than the front. The boots she wore came to her kneecap. The crowd that filled the building started to quiet down as she rose the microphone to her lips. "The following contest is a mixed tag match scheduled for one fall..." She introduced.

'The Second Coming' started up, giving the crowd reason to start their consistent boos. They knew who was about to step foot onto the ramp. Seth Rollins walked out with his damaged Money In The Bank briefcase. His two-toned hair was dripping with water. The droplets rolled down his leather tank-top. Behind him, Aria walked out dressed in a similar attire, vinyl halter-top and short vinyl shorts that hugged her curves perfectly.

Aria smile came immediately after looking Seth in the eyes. He leaned in a pressed his lips onto hers briefly before sliding into the ring. Aria slid into the ring between his legs, rolling to her feet with a twist of her body. "Introducing first...the team of Mr. Money in the bank, Seth Rollins and The Irish Sensation, Aria Connors."

Aria hated being introduced that way; but creative insisted that it be done that way to create more heat on her and Seth. Another thing she added to the already growing list of things she didn't like with this storyline. When she heard the familiar scream of the first second of Paige entrance theme, her body went rigid. If the reality of their match hadn't sunk in yet, it sure as hell did then. "And their opponents. First, from Norwich England...Paige."

Paige walked down the ramp with a sly smile upon her face; but deep down she hated every minute of seeing Seth holding onto Aria's hand. The image sickened her. The second Dolph's music started up, the people started to cheer ever so loudly. "And her partner...from Hollywood, Florida...weighing in at 213 pounds...Dolph Ziggler."

Aria watched as her best friend got into the ring with the man she had been crushing on for the last few weeks. Seth turned to her and insisted that he start the match, which surprised her considering how much of a coward he really was. Aria stepped through the ropes and took hold of the tag rope hanging from the turnbuckle.

Dolph shook his hands at his sides, reading them for a lockup. The referee signaled for the bell, allowing the match to start. Both men locked up; but it was Dolph who took the early advantage, twisting Seth's arm behind his back. Seth quickly jabbed Dolph across the jaw a few times until the hold was released.

It came as no surprise that Seth tagged in Aria. He wanted nothing to do with Dolph. She stepped through the ropes, standing firm in her place. She looked Dolph in the eyes. Going into her onscreen character, she yelled at Paige to get into the ring. Paige held out her hand, begging for her own tag.

Once it came, both divas looked at each other. Circling each other, waiting for the right moment to strike. Aria was quick, she kicked the younger diva in the abdomen following up with a swinging neckbreaker. Seth clapped and cheered for his girlfriend. He loved every minute watching her dominate the former two-time divas champion.

"That's my girl!" Seth yelled towards the people behind him.

Swallowing the bile in her throat, Aria lifted Paige up by her hair; but her hands were shoved away and a fast right hand connected with her face, making her stumble back a couple steps. Dolph clapped, getting his partner back into the match. Paige delivered a standing dropkick. Aria rolled onto her side. The stunned look on her face surprised Seth.

Seth jumped down from the apron and started to talk to Aria from the outside. Paige reached up and pull Aria back to the center of the ring by her ankle. Seth sneered at the dark haired diva. Aria tried to scramble away; but her opponent was relentless. The kick to her stomach was stiff, knocking the wind right out of her.

Paige wrapped Aria's legs around her own and leaned down to pull up on her arms, locking her into the 'PTO' submission. Aria screamed out in pain. Seth ran to the other side of the ring and pulled Dolph Ziggler down off the apron. It distracted Paige enough to let Aria out of the submission on her own. She watched as the two men brawled on the outside.

Aria rolled on her side, favoring her right knee. Paige rolled out to the outside and slapped Seth across the face. His head jerked to the side from the impact the woman made against his face. No one noticed Aria climbing to the top rope until it was too late. She leapt off the top rope and crash landed on top of the three bodies below her.

The crowd began chanting 'Holy Shit' as Aria started to get back to her feet. The referee was already at a count of four before using the apron to get back to a vertical base. She leaned down and pulled Paige up by her hair, rolling her into the ring. Paige lay flat on her back. Aria climbed to the top rope once more, intending to finish the match on her own. Twisting her body, she performed a perfect 450 splash. The referee counted the three, allowing her to pick up the victory for her team. She held onto her stomach with her arm. Seth wrapped his arms around her tightly. She rested her head onto his shoulder. His gloved hands petted the top of her head. He could feel her trembling against him. Inside his own mind, it worried him. It made him think that maybe she got hurt at some point during the match.

Backstage (Not Filmed)

Aria could see the swelling forming on her left side. When she heard footsteps coming up from behind her, she quickly lowered her top to cover it up. Turning around, she came face to face with Seth. The look on his face was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It displayed concern, something she thought he wasn't capable of feeling.

"Your hurt aren't you?" He stated.

"I'm fine." She snapped back.

He took another step closer to her until her back was up against the wall. The feeling of her trembling in his arms no more than ten minutes prior made him think otherwise. She squinted her eyes closed when she saw his hand reach out towards her; but there was no strike against her. In fact, there was no touch at all.

Seth decided against trying to be comforting to her. He realized that she was still afraid of him. The way she cowered away from him was proof of that. Aria opened her eyes to see him retracting his hand back to his side. "I wasn't going to hurt you; but I think you need to get checked out by the doctor, because your side is swollen." He stated before walking away.

Narrowing her eyes, she had no idea what games he was playing with her; but she didn't like them one bit. She remembered his warning at the charity event. There was no way in hell that he was being genuinely concerned for her well being. Turning heel, she continued on down the hall towards the woman's locker-room.

Paige walked slowly down the hall. Her mind went back to the match. Watching Aria fly off the top rope onto her and the two men was simply breathtaking to watch; but seeing Aria cringe in pain after the match ended, it gave her a sense of worry. Did something happen to her? Was she the reason? "I told you that you would be just fine out there." Dolph's voice echoed from the opposite side of the hallway.

"I did; but I'm not so sure Aria is fine."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw her cringe in pain as she was giving me the 450. She might be hurt after all that tonight."

Dolph understood her concern; but it was a risk they all took day in and day out. There was nothing that changed the amount of injuries that happened, even the minor ones; but he could see Paige's empathic gaze. The look tugged at something deep within his own heart. Was he becoming attracted to her? Was she to him? It was hard to figure out when the feelings were so new to both of them.

"I think I'm going to go check on her." She whispered.

"Right, okay. I'll ah...see you tomorrow." He replied backing away from her.

She stepped out around him and continued on towards the locker-room, where she hoped Aria would be. Pushing the door open, she could see a topless Aria strapping on a black bra with white trim around the edges. There was no doubt in her mind then that she was indeed hurt. The swelling on her left side was immense. It was already starting to bruise. "Please tell me that you got that checked out." She stated closing the door behind her.

"I'm fine. It's just a little bruise."

"That! Is is not a little bruise."

Aria ignored her friend's concern. There was nothing majorly wrong with her and she wouldn't have a match again for a long while, so it would have time heal. She pulled her top down over her torso, covering the said injury in question. "I'm fine. There is no reason to be concerned."

"Do you really think I believe that?"

"Believe what you want."

Aria shrugged and headed straight for the door, pulling her bag along behind her. Opening the door, she ran right into Roman's large frame. Hissing in pain, she took a step back to look him dead in the eye. Roman noticed immediately the look of pain on her face. He opened the door the whole to reveal another person standing beside him. Aria's whole body went rigid upon seeing her sister.

It didn't take long for her temper to show through her usual calm demeanor. Ignoring the pain, she pushed her forearm into the throat of the slightly smaller woman. Her back hit against the concrete wall behind her. "What the fuck are you doing here?" She yelled.

Alayna struggled to get a breath. Roman pulled at Aria's waist to separate them. His stern gaze prevented her for lunging at her again. "Calm down. She's here to tell you why she came to the states." He assured the angered woman in his arms.

"You better not lie to me, Alayna. I swear things won't end for you on a good note."

The estranged siblings understood what it meant. Roman allowed her out of his grasp. Alayna could see that her sister was clearly hurting. The pain on her face was plain as day. She was in physical pain; but after what she said, it would cause her emotional pain as well. The worst combination, especially for Aria.

"Mom has cancer..." The words flowed out before she herself was ready to speak them.

"What...no! Your lying!" Aria yelled.

"Aria! I'm not lying. Mom got the news over a month ago. Its hard to say whether or not she will beat it or not."

Aria had no idea what to say. She felt completely numb. How was she going to focus on work knowing her mother was going through hell? Now she understood why her mother's voice mail message was so cryptic. She was waiting for Alayna to bring the news. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked softly.

"I tried to; but I just couldn't figure out how to tell you. I'm sorry."

"So instead...you ignored the subject and followed me around for a week. You even managed to insult me on more than one occasion."

Roman knew that it was time to put space between the siblings. Aria was starting to go straight for the jugular in making Alayna feel awful about herself. He reached out to touch Aria's shoulder, pulling her back towards him; but the woman opposite of him took hold of Aria, embracing her tightly. A single tear rolled down her pale cheek. "I am so sorry for everything I've done." Alayna apologized.

Aria looked into Roman's eyes from the shoulder of her sister. The look in them worried him. Her usual warmth was gone, replaced by despair. The news of her mother was not sitting well with her at all. He had a feeling that she would eventually lash out, even do things she wouldn't normally do. He watched as the sister's separated and Aria retreated away from the small group.

"Aria..." Roman called.

"No! Let her be alone. Trust me, it's better that way." Alayna stated placing her hand on Roman's arm.

"What did you expect when you drop a bombshell like that a week after you got into the states? You're lucky I didn't let her tear you apart."

Alayna didn't say anything else. She knew that she wasn't well liked with any of Aria's friends. Roman just wanted to be the one comforting her. Holding her, showering her with the attention she deserved. Instead, he was stuck with the sister from hell and Paige.

Aria leaned against her rental, shedding tears that were for her mother. She wanted someone to hold her, to tell her that everything would be okay. Even if it wasn't. All she wanted was to feel wanted and cared about during this rough period of time. She knew that it was time to make a trip home for a few days.

Every time she cried, the pain in her ribs sent waves of agony straight through her. Knowing Roman hadn't followed her, meant that he felt that she needed to deal with it alone. That just wasn't the case at all. The pain was almost too much for her to bare. Collapsing to the ground beside her vehicle, she pulled her knees up against her chest.

"Aria..." His comforting voice sounded.

Randy knelt down next to her, not understanding her wave of anguish. He didn't understand why Roman would text him, telling him to make sure she wasn't alone. Why wasn't he there for her himself? None of it made sense. Aria slowly lifted her head from her knees, her makeup ran down her cheek in black streaks.

"My mom has cancer..." She admitted when she was calm enough to form the words.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry..." He replied wrapping his arms around her.

Aria snuggled her head into his chest, wanting to feel every ounce of comfort he could give her. Randy didn't know if he should say anything else to her in the fragile state of mind she was currently in. He was content with just holding her, placing his lips on the top of her head and being there for her when she needed him most.