I woke up a tangle of sheets and limbs, turning around and seeing Robs sleepy face looking at me. "Morning Bambi, how's the head?" his hand reached forward to tuck a bit of wayward hair behind my ear. I closed my eyes a second, nuzzling my cheek into his palm. I could get used to this, this closeness. "Wait, why are you calling me Bambi!?" cocking my head to the side and slanting my eyes. He smirked back opening his mouth to answer. #I don't blame you for being you, but you can't blame me for hating it# damn who the hell was ringing me this early…or was it early I didn't really know. When I'd rented this apartment, I hadn't bothered putting a clock in the bedroom. I reached over him, my hand gliding across his sculpted chest sending shivers up my spine. I picked it up glancing at the caller ID, Unknown. Who the hell was that? "Hello?" I said gingerly into the receiver. "Don't hang up I need to hear your voice. I miss you Elle." Shane was garbling his words clearly, he'd been out too last night but hadn't quite stopped drinking. "Shane, I made myself clear. Goodbye." My heart ached a little hanging the phone up, he needed me. I tried not to catch Robs concerned gaze, I didn't want him seeing that I was troubled. Before I could lie back down he had his hands on my upper arms, keeping me in place. "Talk to me." I shook my head in response, a weak smile on my face. "Elle don't give me that look it doesn't work. I know you."
Releasing his grip, he slid up to a sitting position. "We're not leaving this bed until you talk to me." Smiling encouragingly, he took my hand and lacing our fingers together palm to palm. "I'm fine honestly. It's just he was drunk and sounded pathetic is all. I dunno Rob it just upsets me that he's not happy. I know it shouldn't; I know I should be fine with it per say. I'm just not." I glanced down, expecting him to pull his hand away from mine, I wouldn't have blamed him if he did. I mean who the hell tells their current partner, well partner was the wrong phrase we hadn't really put a label on it I don't think we really needed to. Who the hell tells them they've essentially still got feelings for their ex because let's face it, at the end of the day that was the case. I still cared about Shane of course I did. I had been so irrevocably in love with him; those feelings didn't just disappear, they took years to die. His fingers grazed my chin, lifting my face up to meet his eyes. Instead of anger on his face I saw nothing but affection "That's one of many reasons I adore you. Your heart is bigger than anyone I've ever known's. He messed you about Elle and it's totally unfair that he's doing this to you." Bringing my hand up, he brushed a kiss against it. God this boy was too sweet, too understanding. I though back to the first time I'd met him, years ago when I was a teenager trying to get into the industry. We had straight away become friends and only grown closer over time. I hadn't intended to go any further than that, he was my person. I was so happy when I found out he'd been cast as Jay; Alec had promised me it would be someone I'd get on great with. We spent days on set, going over lines, filming scenes and our evenings chilling in my apartment or hanging out with the crew. Then one night as he was walking me home he'd gone to give me my standard hug and kiss on the cheek goodnight when he stopped and stared in my eyes, biting his lip as though wrestling with some internal dilemma. Then he'd kissed me a slow, passionate kiss that had made me feel like I was the only other person on earth. From then we'd just sort of rolled with it.
"Mmm something like that." I half whispered in reply. "Right enough thinking about my shitty past, why the hell did you call me Bambi?" he laughed then, a sound that seemed to take all crappy feeling out of the room and replace it. "You really don't remember last night, do you?" there was a devilish smile upon his face now. "I remember Alec buying way too many bottles of prosecco and shots, oh god did we do tequila. That would explain so much." I placed the heel of my hand to my forehead. "Yeah there was a lot of tequila – you bought the first, and last rounds…oh and everyone in between, we finished 3 bottles - add in your skull heels and your future name will be Bambi – deal with it." I grabbed a pillow from beside me and launched It at him. "You complete arse Robert Buckley" I was laughing then too, the worries of earlier fading away. "Now now Bambi no need for violence." He wrestled the next pillow from my hands before sliding fingers round my wrists and pinning me backwards on the bed and placing a delicate kiss on my forehead. "Get dressed we're going for breakfast." And with that he was on his feet and through the door to the bathroom.
"Ah Vikki I hoped it would be you, how are you?" Dixie asked with a smile. Well at least she's in a good mood Vikki thought to herself not that it would matter in a minute. "Good thanks Dixie and you?" "Very good. I wanted to discuss something with you." She gestured for me to take a seat, I obliged placing the folder of documents on my lap. "So, your contract is due to expire in a few days and I just wanted to discuss your salary for the next few years." Vikki cocked her head to the side, not believing what she was hearing. Dixie just assumed that she'd be staying with TNA, assumed she'd have no ambition or desire to go further. "About that, my contract expires on Wednesday, I'm afraid I won't be renewing at all. I have been given an opportunity I don't want to turn down and feel that it's the best choice for my life and career going forward." Vikki hoped her voice had remained steady. "W-what? You can't do this. Whatever their offer is we'll double it. If you need a new team we'll get them for you. Whatever you need is yours." Dixie sounded pathetic, it was hard for Vikki not to shake her head. "I apologise but you misunderstand. It's not just myself that's leaving, my team comes with me, all our contracts are due on the same day and they are my people, not yours. They will remain in my employment." Vikki responded calmly and mater of factly. "You can't do this!" she shouted. "I can, and one more thing, the following people will also be coming with me." Vikki opened the folder on her lap and placed the sheets of papers containing the photos of members of TNA's locker-room one at a time in front of Dixie. The Hardyz, Galloway, Gail Kim and Godderz were just a few of the faces. "YOU CANNOT DO THIS!" She screamed this time. "Actually, legally I can. Have a look at the following. All instances where you have breached these employees' contracts, or asked them to work outside both legal and ethical hours." Vikki smiled at her sweetly. "It's over Dixie, I'm leaving and so are they. There's nothing you can do about it." Carter laughed then, a twisted cruel laugh. "What are you going to do? Start a new promotion of your own? You haven't a clue about running a wrestling company. All you do is write a few story lines. Big deal. You're replaceable." She snarled the last part. "Who said anything about running my own promotion. I just said that I'd been given a better opportunity. Now kindly back off." Vikki stood, scooping up her papers. "I'd like to say it was a pleasure talking to and working with you; but that would be complete and utter lies. Good day to you Dixie." Vikki turned on her heel and walked out.
"Shane, it was amazing. Her face just dropped. I don't think she realised what was going on till p closed the door behind me." Vikki positively beamed at him. "Vik that's amazing! I can't wait to go to Dad with all of this. He's going to be delighted that we've so much talent coming back!" he paused for a second "You're amazing!" "I couldn't have done it without you Shaneo! It felt so good getting one over on her. She deserves it. These men and women deserve to be treated better." Vikki smiled. "They definitely do! Let's celebrate. Dinners on me!" he leaned forward and hugged Vikki tight. He'd have been utterly lost without her this past year, and this was just one more tick in the 'reasons Vikki was brilliant' checklist. "Sounds good, then tomorrow we can start on operation get Elle back!" she grinned at him and left the room. 'Yes, they could he thought to himself.' That was the only thing that would have made this night perfect if he'd been able to celebrate with his girl too.
*a few days later*
"Rob are you ready? The cars outside." I waited for a reply, when I got none I added "I swear you're worse than a woman when it comes to packing move your ass!" "Fuck Bambi I'm coming! You're being dramatic!" he pulled me into a tight hug. "Let's get going, I wanna get through security as quickly as possible so we can just relax." "sounds good to me, you sure you've got everything Bambi?" he smirked. "Fuck off with the Bambi you jerk." Playfully slapping his chest, I put my free hand in his and lead him out the door. Arriving at the airport forty-five minutes later we were in and through to the departure lounge sharpish. I couldn't really complain, I hated waiting around. "Smile." Rob had his phone pointed towards me, immediately I stuck my tongue out and flipped up my middle finger. "Charming." "Yes, I am actually. C'mere." I flicked my head towards the seat beside me. "just a sec." He continued fussing with his phone. "Dude come here." I said with a huff. *Robert Buckley tagged you in a photo* I clicked the notification that had just appeared on my phone and let out a snorting laugh. 'They say wild animals are hard to photograph, but look here I managed to capture Bambi and a bird. #Win' I tried to put on a mad face but the tears of laughter streaming down my cheeks gave me away. The words "you're a twat." Were all I could muster. He grinned, and finally sat beside me his arm finding it's place around my shoulders. "Smile and no stupid faces this time." I leaned into him as close as I could, feeling his chin rest on the top of my head and smiled towards his phone. "Happy?!" I asked, not bothering to move, I was comfy. "Very, I'm with you." He squeezed me a little then added "Does Vikki know I'm coming too?" "Nah I haven't spoken to her since the other night. Anyway, it's not a big deal, she won't mind."
We arrived at Nashville airport and made our way back to the apartment Vikki and I shared. I couldn't wait to see my bestie! Coming up in the lift I knelt to take off my shoes as my feet were killing me. "Here jump on I'll give you a piggy back" he said turning his back on me and outstretching his arms to the sides. I obliged giggling like a school girl just as the lift doors opened. Shanes face was full of fury when his fist connected with Robs jaw.