Woohoo! Another chapter of Moth to a Flame! Wooot! How's everybody doing today? Anywho, I only own Shay and I apologize for any spelling/grammatical errors that may be found. And, in this chapter, there is some Shay/Cody. Psst, between you and me, there will be some drama coming up pretty soon. I'm finally caught up here and it's all good! Please leave a review, I absolutely love them and they make me happy and inspired. Please read, review, and enjoy.

Kiwi

Shay pursed her lips and tapped her fingers on the smooth tabletop. Punk had whisked her away to a diner, not that she minded. The last thing she wanted was to be crammed into a dark club with thumping music and gyrating bodies of people she didn't know. Besides, this diner was nice, quiet, and she could think. Her mind flickered back to the words he spoke to her.

You look like you need to talk

And so, she followed him to his rental, and he drove to a diner. Why she went with him was beyond her, she didn't really know him, much less talked to him. Yet, she didn't hesitate with leaving with him. Without much thought, she had pretty much blabbered her life story to people she hardly knew, left with a man she hardly knew, and was actually considering attending John's wedding. She shook her head, wondering just what was getting into her recently.

Punk gave a small smile. He didn't look nearly as rough as he did in the ring. Really, he looked nearly friendly, and had this been two years ago, she would've been questioning his every motive. And she was, sorta. She hadn't said a word yet, aside from muttering a small 'thank you' when he held the door open for her. The waitress came by, and she ordered. As the waitress walked away, he clicked his tongue.

"So, what's been going on?" Punk asked.

"Ph-Phil, with all due res-"

"Nah," he held up his hand to stop her, "call me Punk. I insist."

"Alright, Punk, why did you bring me here?"

"Why did you come with me?" He returned and she sighed, "You're asking why I brought you here? One, we're alone here. You're not being tailed by one of your lackeys. Two, you looked stressed, worried even. I dunno," Punk shrugged, smiling as he looked at her, "alone?" She glanced out the window, watching cars zoom by. It didn't make sense, he hadn't wanted anything to do with her before.

"I just had some things on my mind."

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't believe you slept with Chris," he lowered his voice and leaned in.

"Thanks," she was still dressed up, and she wished she had changed. Pulling her jacket tighter around her, she nodded.

"Tell me what's on your mind."

There it was. It was her chance. "I just need an opinion, that's all."

Punk laughed, "Opinions? Yeah, I got tons of them. What for?"

Her hands clasped together in her lap and twisted as she bit her lip, "I'm in a situation where I have no earthly idea wh-what I should do. I mean, if I tell the truth everything could fall apart. If I keep ignoring it, things fall apart."

"Well, if things are going to fall apart either way, what does it matter?" He paused, "This is a lot deeper than the whole Chris thing, isn't it? You're afraid? It's alright, just don't push things under the rug."

"Everyone's picking up on that stupid rumor, and it's not true. It just isn't. Nick's been giving me a hard time, nothing ever changes."

"This vague shit isn't helping either of us," he cut in. "I know you don't exactly trust me. I never gave you a reason to, but how can you expect people to give a damn, or be able to help you if you don't stop being so goddamn stubborn? Call it solving your own problems, you're so damn stubborn sometimes."

"You don't know a damn thing," Shay frowned, "If I drag people into it, it'll make everything worse."

"Note, there's a difference between people being dragged into a situation, and people who volunteer to help out. Yeah, there are some things that need to be dealt with alone, but I don't think what you're going through is one of them. I'm just being honest, Shay. There are people who want to help you, and don't think you're dragging them into shit. I don't know you and I have no idea what goes on in that little head of yours," he stopped as she yawned. Sleep was still scarce for her, the nightmares were getting worse and they just wouldn't stop. She gripped the tabletop and the windowsill. Punk's eyebrows knit forward.

He noticed, she realized, "Relax, I'm just dizzy. It happens to everyone."

"But to a girl who collapsed earlier this month, you can see how some would be worried. Are you even taking care of yourself?" He asked, about to go on. Instead, he shook his head, "I'm sorry. So, are you going to the wedding?"

"Huh? John's wedding? Do I really have a choice? If I don't go, what will he, or anyone, think of me?"

"Who cares? That's the beauty in it. Go and show him you're better without him, or you can stay home, curl up on the couch and watch movies all day. You can do whatever you want, now that's my optimistic response. You want these rumors to stop? They'll either die out without you doing anything, or you can do something about it. You just can't be afraid of the outcome." She smiled a little, he did have a point. Her smile faltered, still unsure of what to do. "And whatever the outcome is, you'll still have people who care about you. Who gives a damn what everyone else thinks?"

Shay was about to reply when her phone rang. Excusing herself, she answered it. "Jay, I'm fine. Don't worry. I was having some hot chocolate, with Punk. R-relax, I'll be right over." She slid her phone back into her pocket and returned to the table. "I-I am so sorry, Punk. Jay called, and he needs to see me..." Punk held up a hand to silence her.

"It's fine. Shay?"

"Y-yes?"

"I'm going, to the wedding. The decision is yours, but I'd probably kill to see the look on John's face if you were to be there."

Shay smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."

March 12th, 2012

[On-screen]

Shay gripped the ring ropes, trying to steady herself. It was right in the middle of a match against one of the Bellas, Nikki, she remembered. A headache has struck her, sharp pains stabbing at her skull and the same dizziness caught her off-guard. The light stun her, and nausea was settling itno her stomach. They could see her stumbling, tripping as Nikki Irish-whipped her into the corner. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sheamus at the announcer's table.

"Is Shay alright? She doesn't seem like herself tonight," Lawler stated, fiddling with a pen. "She's your girlfriend, isn't she, Sheamus?"

"She's a friend," he replied, "A good friend of mine." He focused back in on the match.

"It doesn't look good, though. She hasn't gotten much of a counter against Nikki," Cole cut in. "If Shay has any hope of winning this, she needs to get her head in the game."

"I'm pretty sure she does, yeh jus' need ta shut yer mouth," Sheamus gave Cole a pointed look. "She's a phenomenal performer, and she's faced tougher opponents than Nikki Bella."

As Nikki ran towards her, Shay drove her knee into the brunette's stomach. With Nikki on her knees, she rebounded off the ropes and hit a scissor kick. Gripping Nikki's hair, she dragged her to her feet. She set her up for a gutwrench powerbomb and was about to lift her up. The ground swayed and she cleared her throat. Her shoulders tensed and her head pounded. Nikki slipped from her hold, shoving Shay back. Using the ropes as leverage, Nikkie clotheslined Shay. Shay looked up at her opponent, who was looking worried.

Kipping up, Shay lunged forward, locking in with Nikki.

"What the hell, Shay?" Nikki seethed, panting.

"I-I just...I'm dizzy," Shay gasped, blinking a few times as Nikki overpowered her. Snaking her hands into the blonde locks, Nikkie smirked and executed a sitout facebuster.

"And there's the move the Bellas are known for!" Cole grinned, "Still think she's going to win?"

"Shut up, Cole. She looks hurt, disoriented," Lawler winced with each time the ref's hand slapped the mat. With a sigh, Lawler shook his head, "And it's over."

Nikki's hand was raised and Nikki looked around, confused. Glancing down at Shay, who was being checked on by Sheamus, her eyes widened. Wiping the look from her face, she replaced it with a grin as her sister joined her in celebration.

[Off-Screen]

"Goddammit," Shay leaned her forehead against the cool metal door. Stephen and Cody stood behind her. She was frantic, stuttering as she tried to catch her breath. He could sense her worry. She was supposed to have won. She was supposed to kick out, and she hadn't. "I-I have never done that poorly in a match." Shay winced, trying to shield her eyes from the hallway light.

"People have bad days all the time, it's alright," Cody said quietly, putting a hand on her lower back.

"It wasn't even a decimating match, I-I... what will Vince say? There's no way he'll let this slide," her voice quickened with pace and cursed under her breath. Shay was about to add on to that when Chris interrupted.

"Uh, Shay?"

"Yes?"

"Vince wants you in his office," he said slowly, shaking his head. Chris nodded towards Stephen, "You too." He stepped out of the way as Stephen passed, and put a hand on Shay's shoulder, "It'll be alright." She nodded, hoping he was right. Breaking off, she caught up with the redhead.

"Won't yeh jus' tell me what's wrong? It's obviously affectin' yer work now."

"Not. Now," she replied, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. They reached Vince's door, and she knocked on it. His greeting was strained, and as she opened the door, she could see his discontent. She took a seat, and Stephen sat next to her.

"I'm issuing a change in your storyline. Minor, but it'll take effect immediately. More her," he nodded at Shay, "than you. Shay-"

"I-I know, sir. I messed up."

"I know that. The question is why?"

"I-I was dizzy, and a headache. It isn't an excuse, I-I'm not trying to make excuses. It'll never happen again," she bit the inside of her lip as her fingers traced shapes into her wrestling gear. Shay glanced over at Stephen, who shrugged.

"I damn well hope so. You won't be wrestling for a while." His words cut the air and she snapped her eyes shut. "I'm sure you both knew what the plan was. Sheamus would win the WHC title at WrestleMania, and Shay would win the Diva's. You would've been an ultimate power couple. You're clearly unfit to wrestle, Shay." He folded his hands together. Stephen's jaw dropped, and she could feel his gaze on her.

It felt like she had been kicked in the stomach. Her shoulders tensed and she ran a hand through her hair, "I'm fine."

"If you were fine, you wouldn't have collapsed. Explain to me how I didn't know about that until two weeks ago? You were so disoriented, Shay, that you lost a match you were set to win. Do you understand what that sounds like? Instead, we'll have a Diva's tag match. You, you will be a valet, for Sheamus. You will also partake in ringside commentary. I'm sorry, Shay. I really am," Vince stated. "The romance, that'll continue. Probably be kicked up a notch. Shay, I want you to go back to the hotel, and rest."

"I-Is that all, Vince?" She had succeeded in keeping her voice stable and she tried to ignore the still raging pain inside her skull.

"Yes. But Shay, I know it's deeper than insomnia. You really need to pull yourself together. You'll be back in the ring when you're absolutely 100%, mentally and physically. You lied to me. When you can look yourself in the mirror, and honestly say that you're fine, we'll figure something out. Just focus on you for now. Hopefully removing you from matches will decrease your stress, maybe it'll help, I don't know. I hate having to take my top Superstars out of action, so just be lucky I'm going easy on you this time. Both of you are dismissed," he sighed, shaking his head as they left.

"Shay," Stephen turned to face her, "I'm so sorry."

"Why?" she scoffed, "Yo-you're not the one being shunted aside. Besides, maybe...maybe Vince has a point. I-I'm just going to go and get changed. I'll meet you in the gorilla for your match, alright?" She spoke quickly, trying to give herself some extra time. "I'm fine."

"I really don' want yeh out there, Shay," he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Too bad," she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll see you later."

"Dammit, Shay. You need all the rest you can get. Go back to the hotel, read a book, watch a movie, do something. Bein' here righ' now won' do yeh any good. Yeh heard what Vince said," Stephen countered.

Shay shook her head and frowned. "Fine," she muttered, bidding him farewell as she made her way back to the Diva's Locker Room. Getting redressed, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and put her gear back into her bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she exited the locker room, and walked out to the parking lot.

"Shay!" She turned at the sound of her name, a smile breaching her face as Cody approached her. "What's up?"

"I, um, got sent back to the hotel tonight," she bit her lip, "And Vince is taking me out of matches."

"I'm sorry, really. Damn, that sucks. Why?" Cody asked, walking with her. He had his hands in his pockets, and stood close beside her as they walked.

"Eh, I haven't been doing too well lately, physically and mentally. He thinks I should focus on my health, so I'm a valet and commentator," she shrugged, "It's fine. Really, it sucks though. But, I'll get over it."

Cody murmured something under his lips as a grin spread across his face, "Go out with me," his smile faltered at the horrified look on her face. "Well, not a date. Not yet, anyway. I know, I know. You've been burned, but give me the benefit of a doubt." Cody shrugged, "Hell, you look hungry."

"Uh, I...um," she wasn't exactly sure how to respond. "Uh, yeah. I kind of am."

"Whattaya say we grab a bite to eat and go to the park? It's not a date, I promise." He grinned at her, a nearly pleading look in his eyes. Well, it wasn't a date. And he had been so kind to her, she reasoned as she contemplated it. Her stomach rumbled, and she looked at the ground before meeting his eyes.

"Sure."

Half an hour later, she sat on top of a picnic table, legs crossed and a sub wrapper in hand. Cody sat next to her, and from where they sat, they had a clear view of the moon hovering over the lake. "I'm not sure what's left to ask you, you pretty much blurted it all in a bar a couple of months ago," he laughed dryly, and she smiled.

"Yeah, I don't know why I did that. Impulse, really," she stated. It really was a beautiful night. The stars were twinkling, shining as if they didn't have a care in the world. Glancing over at him, she saw him slide closer to her. "I barely knew you then."

"Well, it's a good thing you don't barely know me anymore," he whispered, "Shay, can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"I won't force you to do anything. I mean," he said as his eyes met hers. Smiling, he reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "We don't even have to talk right now, if you don't want to. We can just stay silent, if that's what you want."

Shay smiled, "Cody, you're a chatterbox."

He shrugged, "If it's what you wanted, I'd figure out a way to make it happen." There were a few beats of silence, "And Shay, I know you're not ready for a relationship, but I feel this insane attraction to you. I think we'd be pretty damn perfect together, so, whenever you're ready, keep me in mind." Shay gnawed her lip, raking a hand through her hair. He smiled at her again, and she could feel her willpower unraveling. Something in his voice was alluring, promising, as if it was strictly made for getting people to do what he wanted.

Cody was attractive, that she would admit. A part of her was delighted by the idea of romance, the other part was more realistic though. And, she had made a promise that she wouldn't date a co-worker. Parts of her were certain it'd flop, and that she'd either be unable to add to the relationship, thus hurting him; or, she'd be the one getting burned... again. She studied him for a moment, searching for the slightest trace of hidden emotion in his eyes. He was either very good at hiding it, or he was being sincere. Sucking in a breath, she tried to calm her mind.

"Alright."