… Do you think what we're asking is too much?
27/11/06 Raw – Manchester, England.
Ella had been bouncing off the walls since the moment the tour touched down in Europe. Now that they were on the final stretch through the UK, Ella was quickly winding down. She hadn't seen much of Europe between her hotel rooms and the arenas. But the thrill of being around a new culture was enough for her. As the production crew rolled out the first set of the night, she was quite content to sit and watch with coffee in hand.
"You seem a lot calmer this evening." Paul commented pulling up a seat next to Ella.
She laughed while taking a sip of her coffee; "I think I may have exerted myself just a little during the course of this tour."
Paul patted her knee, "Well I guess you already know you've got a busy night in front of you?"
She yawned, "Yep."
"Know what would make it easier?"
"Hmm." Ella replied humouring him. He'd already pulled this line many a time since her first night back. She knew which direction the conversation was going in.
"Someone to organise your night, help set up your promos." He shrugged. "An assistant maybe?" He suggested as if it were a new idea.
Ella picked up the files from the seat beside her, "I don't want to hear about it." She protested tiredly.
"Ella."
"I promise I'm not avoiding the subject."
"Just skirting around it then."
"It's always there Paul. Steph keeps reminding me on a daily basis. She's even learnt how to send reminders to my cell phone, there really is no escaping it."
Paul grinned, he'd been the one to teach her how.
"So you're thinking about it?"
"Even if I did say yes, you still wouldn't believe me."
Paul nodded his head, "True."
"My point exactly." She said scooping up her files as she stood.
He joined Ella in standing, "But consider this, you get the pleasure of my company for the whole evening!"
"Eurgh." She hit her forehead with the files in her hands. Her rundown for the night's production was definitely DX heavy. She had no chance of shaking him from her side. She ushered him down the corridor. "Come on, move yourself. You've got to be in the ring in five minutes. He opened his mouth to speak, "Don't even say it."
"It would make life easy." He sang much to her annoyance.
"Paul." She warned as he smirked. "I'm thinking about it."
He said nothing as he bounded towards the entrance ramp, turning to give Ella a mischievous wink before disappearing.
Ella sighed leaning against the wall. Glad Paul was finally out of her sight she ran through her promos once more. She wasn't completely dead set against the idea of having an assistant; it might have been a slight stretch on the actual truth. But the idea of having an assistant did hold its benefits. Someone to help organise her diary, she would never book herself inadvertently on both sides of the country again. Nor would she suffer anymore burnt fingers on the coffee machine.
They were simple joys, but being the perfectionist that she was Ella had the quiet suspicion it wouldn't be all that magnificent. She already spent half her time worrying about the quality of her own work. If left in the hands of an assistant she would spend all her time worrying if they were doing as good a job as she would. There would always be the negative to out weigh the positive.
Her phone beeped from her pocket, signalling that she had a message. Pushing herself away from the wall she pulled the phone from her pocket. Looking at the small screen as she accepted the message. She laughed reading the text from Steph; it was a proposal to borrow the services of her father's assistant on a trial basis. Flashes of John's tales of Edith echoed through her head and couldn't bring herself to respond. Resisting the urge to throw her phone to the confines of her purse, she marched on to the first set of the evening.
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John poked his head round the door of that night's makeshift office for Ella. He had no promos to film that evening and plenty of time on his hands. Which was usually spent tormenting Ella. Disappointed not to find her he continued his trek. Passing wardrobe and make-up's make shift station, he stuck his head over one of the trunks that were turned upright, in hope of finding someone on the other side.
"Hey Libs!" He grinned at the sight of a familiar face.
On the other side of the trunk the blonde was crouched down rifling through boxes of make-up. She paused to look up at John before continuing with her rummage.
"What can I do for you Cena? Looking for a bit of blush?"
"I should say what you doing here? Thought you were on holiday?" He remarked, but then again he could have sworn she also didn't work Raw.
She sighed tossing a make-up brush back into one of the boxes, "I was. I was also only supposed to work Smackdown. But I guess nothing is set in stone anymore."
"Oh." Not really wanting to dwell on the subject, knowing all too well she would keep him there longer than he wanted. He quickly changed the subject. "You haven't seen Ella about have you?"
Libbie stood, brushing her hands down the front of her trousers. Taking a look up and down the hallway she turned back to John. "Last time I saw her she was around the back waiting on the promo to be set up outside."
"Thanks Libs!"
"No problem. Oh by the way, if you happen to spy a stray Diva in the shape of Lita send her down this way."
John saluted her, "Yes ma'am."
He soon found Ella from Libbie's directions. She was sat reading a rather large file, tapping at the table as she read. The reason she hadn't answered any of his calls were for the headphones in her ears. Her temporary solution for the five minutes quiet she was looking for. Stepping over the equipment boxes strewn across the floor, John reached over and plucked one of the headphones from her ear.
"Hey!" She protested trying to grab the headphones back. He'd managed to take them along with her iPod too.
John bobbed his head along with the music that played in his ears, much to the annoyance of Ella. He scrolled through the iPod as he continued nodding in time to the music. Not finding what it appeared he was looking for he pulled the headphones out of his ears.
"Where's my music?" He asked exasperated at his unproductive search.
Ella turned in her seat to look at him. "What music?" She asked feigning ignorance.
"My CD I gave you."
Ella laughed as she shuffled her papers together, "I wiped it before I left. I haven't got round to uploading it with everything again."
"But John Mayer?" John asked in disbelief waving the iPod in Ella's face. "There I am thinking you were cool."
Ella snatched the iPod and headphones out of his hands. Quickly packing it away in her purse, well out of his reach.
"I happen to think John Mayer is very good thank you."
"Pfft," John replied. "You're on your own." When Ella shot him a look, his response was a smirk. "You know, I shouldn't even be talking to you."
Ella rolled her eyes, "And why's that?" She asked, knowing all too well she was walking into whatever it was John was luring her into.
"You don't have my music. I don't associate with people who don't listen to my music."
"Oh, ok Mr. Movie star. Someone's ego needs to be deflated." She pushed the door open and walked out into the corridor. "And anyway – I have a copy, somewhere."
John smiled as he followed Ella out of the room, "I suppose you're redeemed… Somewhat."
"Thank God for that! I never wanted to be un-cool with John Cena!" Stepping out into the corridor and through the fire exit for the start of the DX promo, Ella noticed he was still behind her. "You following me?" She asked holding the door open for him.
"Need to entertain myself some how."
Again Ella rolled her eyes, "Make yourself useful then. Hold this." She handed him her clipboard as she pulled her coat on.
"Are we ready?" She asked calling out to the crew that had gathered outside. She was answered with a series of grunts and nodding heads. "I take that as a yes then."
Ella hid behind her clipboard as she tried her best to contain her laughter. The sight of Shaun putting on the 'gangsta' persona was cracking her up; even Shaun was finding it hard to hide his smile. When they called cut Ella let out the fit of giggles she'd been holding in, and so did the crew. John had long gone after being pulled back in by one of the agents; he'd been trying to duck out of a meeting. He had been very disappointed to be found, thinking no one would stop to look for him outside.
"We're going to have to do this one again I'm afraid." Shaun had been unable to hide the smile across his face throughout the promo.
"Fo' shizzle?" Shaun replied draping an arm over Ella's shoulder.
"Do you even know what you said then?" She asked curiously.
"Nope," He shrugged. "No idea mah' rizzle."
"You're making it up now."
Shaun gave her a wide grin before patting her shoulder, "So when do you want us?"
Ella flipped through the sheets attached to her clipboard. Running her finger down the schedule she looked for a suitable gap between promos. "We'll wrap it up while the last match is running. I'll move some things around. No need to keep you hanging around after your dark match."
"Where are we going to find you?" Paul asked following Ella and Shaun back inside.
"I'll be waiting aside the gorilla pit. Hopefully it won't take long to get onto tape.
Ella turned to Raw's new acquisition, tag team Cryme Tyme. "Is that ok for you two?"
The pair nodded and turned off in the direction of the locker rooms. Looking to Paul and Shaun she stepped behind them and steered them in the direction of the merchandise stands.
"Come on my darlings, you're needed for the next promo."
Ella was absentmindedly staring at her nails as she sat tucked to the side of the commentator's table. She was officially there to cover the events leading up to DX's removal from the building. There really wasn't any valid reason for her being there, but the field director insisted on it.
Picking a stray piece of lint from her trousers, she was thankful she'd opted for them over the skirt she'd originally laid out. Reason being that once the match was over she would have to climb over the barricade to lead DX out of the arena. Something she wasn't overly thrilled with.
The atmosphere was enticing, Ella would have normally found herself enthralled at the prospect of being ringside. But jetlag was still getting the best of her despite being in Europe for at least a week. DX's interference was going down a storm with the crowd and they worked it further with the taunts they jeered in the direction of the Divas in the ring. They didn't go a miss with Ella either, it was hard not to when several were directed at her.
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Turning up the collar of her charcoal woollen coat, Ella attempted to stop the cold wind whipped at her face. The British weather the last time the tour came through the UK had been pleasant, actually bearable. Ella had even got away with wearing one of her short-sleeved shirts. But now it had rained since the moment they landed and the chill the wind brought was cutting at her cheeks.
Making her way across the parking lot Ella was thankful that the rain had stopped. But it didn't stop her panicking at the thought of slipping across the tarmac in her heels. She jumped a puddle and almost went flying when she heard her name shouted from the arena behind her.
"Ella!"
Steadying herself on her feet, she cursed when one heel landed in the freezing cold puddle, the one she'd just tried to avoid. Trying to ignore the numbing chill running up her trouser leg she turned around with a scowl on her face.
"Ella wait up!"
When she saw Libbie running towards her, which in the heels she wore seemed to be proving a hard task, Ella's face brightened.
"Hey Libs! Didn't know you were here!"
Libbie leant against one of the parked trucks for support as she tried to catch her breath.
"Pulling in some overtime." She giggled straightening up.
Elizabeth Neil was Smackdown's head make-up and hair stylist. Who on the odd occasion would be trusted to run wardrobe, despite her honest admission she knew nothing about fashion. She had been working with the WWE for their Smackdown productions and photo shoots for the past six years. At twenty-three she had been assisting her then boss, fresh faced out of college, on a Diva shoot. It was her first and last day with her, by the end of the day she had been presented with a contract by the WWE as an assistant. Several years later she could never have predicted the place she was in now. She was still thrilled by the excitement of travelling and working across the country as she had been on her first day.
"I still forget how cold it gets here." She shivered pulling her thin denim jacket around her tightly.
"Well it doesn't help that you're dressed for summer." Ella noted, pointing at the woman's silk skirt.
"I didn't have the chance to get any winter clothes before we left. Anyway," she continued un-tucking her hair from her collar to button up her jacket. "Where are you heading off to?"
Ella pointed in the direction of the line of taxis, "I'm going back to the hotel."
"And?"
"And?" Ella laughed, "I'm going to go kick back, chill and get some sleep."
"Any room in that schedule for a glass of wine with your favourite travel buddy?"
With such a tight schedule Ella rarely got to know anyone other than those she worked with on set. But one night after an exhausting Smackdown production, the crew and wrestlers had found themselves stranded. With all flights cancelled Ella could have sworn it'd be an eternity before she saw a bed. But the higher ups promptly arranged two coaches to take them to their next venue. So between the tetchy superstars and cranky crew aides, Ella had made sure she was on one of those coaches.
Asleep on her feet she planned to spend the drive sleeping. So she would have enough energy to deal with the panic that would meet her at the other end as a result of the delays. It was how she'd wound up sat next to Libbie. They knew enough about one another to say hello in passing and make small talk at the coffee machine, but neither found the time to do anything more than polite conversation. Finding their seats uncomfortable and with several superstars snoring at the back of the bus, both women found sleep a hard task. So to pass the time on their three-hour journey they spent the time learning more about one another. Both surprised to find they had a lot in common.
"Suppose I can make some room for you." Ella smiled.
"Good, I'm going to go grab my stuff."
"I think I'll come with you, it's far too cold to wait for you out here."
"I'll only be five minutes." Libbie protested.
Ella ushered Libbie back to the building, "I know your five minutes. Last time you said that I was waiting outside Macy's for an hour."
"No you didn't."
"Ok, so I ended up buying a new purse. But I was still waiting for you."
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Ella picked at the left overs of her caesar salad. "I didn't see you at last weeks Smackdown." She commented before putting a forkful of lettuce in her mouth.
The pair had settled on the hotels restaurant rather than attempting to find somewhere outside. At such a late hour they were sure they'd find it a hard time trying to find somewhere suitable. Plus both were so tiered they wanted to be as close to their rooms as possible.
"Ah, a holiday! A rare treat bestowed upon me by Andy."
"Do much?"
"Caught up with Oscar," She shrugged as she mentioned her boyfriend, suggesting it wasn't such a pleasant reunion. "Did my laundry. The boring stuff."
"How is Oscar?"
"He's good. So," Libbie quickly changed the subject, smiling brightly she lifted her glass to Ella. "What has been going on with you Miss. Lewis?"
"Me? Nothing exciting why?" She eyed her friend suspiciously, taking a sip from her own glass of wine. "Should there be?"
"Well Johnny boy for a start." Libbie commented, quick to broach the subject of Ella's personal life.
"What about John?"
"Only that he spent half the night looking for you."
"He did?" Ella casually replied, popping a piece of chicken in her mouth.
"Uh huh, word is he likes you."
"We're just friends." Ella shrugged, "Nothing more."
Libbie nodded as she finished a mouth full of her pasta. She didn't know how well the next observation would go down. It'd been playing on her mind for quite a while but never knew how to place it into conversation. "You were friends with Dave."
Ella was quick to jump to the defence, which surprised Libbie and Ella herself. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you and Dave were friends, and that I wasn't the only one who noticed you two got along. You travelled back and forth from the arena near enough after every Smackdown."
"Nothing ever happened!" Ella dropped her fork on her plate, "He's married!" She snapped.
Libbie wiped her face with her napkin before holding her hands up in apology, "Chill El, I know. Geeze, I was only saying you two used to get along."
"Oh." Embarrassed by her outburst, Ella concentrated on pouring more wine into her glass, "Sorry."
"Touchy subject I see." An awkward silence fell between the two women. "What did he do to piss you off so much?"
"Nothing." Ella sighed knowing it was the truth she was finally speaking. "Nothing what so ever."
"So why go to the trouble of avoiding him?"
"I don't avoid him."
"Purlease! I've seen you change direction when she see him coming. I've seen you around him backstage. You stand three feet away from him at all times. Make polite conversation about either the weather or his daughters. Then make your excuses then leave." Ella was silent, "Something must have happened Ella."
"Nothing Libbie," She replied sipping at her wine. "Can we just leave it please?"
"If I stop, it's not going to make it go away you know."
"Can we just talk about something else please?"
"So you didn't answer my question about John. What is going on?"
Ella rolled her eyes, "No John either!"
"I don't understand how someone like you is single."
"Because I want to be maybe?"
"But with all these men backstage? If it weren't for Oscar I'd be throwing myself at them all. Randy walked past me the other day and I almost fainted."
Ella grinned; Randy had always been Libbie's favourite crush. "Please don't, it'll only make his ego worse than it already is."
"Hey! When it comes down to it I wouldn't let that ego get in the way." Libbie smirked from behind her wine glass giving Ella a saucy wink. "Anyway, if anything else on him is as big as that ego I wouldn't be complaining."
"You're awful." Ella laughed, "Does Oscar know you talk like this?"
"Pfft, I've caught him drooling over enough Divas to earn the right to ogle the men I work with. Anyway, what is a girl to do when there's half naked men running around backstage?" Libbie pointed her fork at Ella, "I am certainly not going to work wearing blinders."
The two women said their goodnights and arranged to meet up the following morning, neither was conscious enough to plan anything more than to meet at nine in the lobby. Ella welcomed the sight of her bed with glee. She stripped off her clothes and slipped the large football jersey she kept for sleeping in over her head, she was running over something Libbie had said earlier. It'd played on her mind from the moment the words had left her friends lips.
She'd said she hadn't been the only one to notice that her friendship with Dave had shifted. Her mind cloudy with sleep and alcohol she pulled back the covers of the bed and slid in. Reaching over she switched lamp off with a yawn. It meant there had been more people discussing her personal life, a realisation that made her groan in annoyance. Turning to lay on her side it wasn't hard to force her eyes closed. Heavy with sleep she tried to dismiss the thought that there were still people talking about her backstage, despite her efforts to distance herself from Dave. But that she decided could be worried about another time, now all she wanted to do was sleep. It wouldn't be long for her to realise that it was something she couldn't control and would happen even against her best efforts.
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28/11/06 Smackdown – Manchester, England.
Ella woke that morning with the familiar dull sensation of a subdued hangover. Basking in the luxury of a rare morning off, Ella took her time climbing out of bed. After being sold on the virtues of shopping in Manchester by several Divas the day before. Ella had rounded up Libbie and embarked on a morning of self-indulgence and spending. Since her significant pay increase as a result of her new job, she hadn't had the time to enjoy it for being so busy with unconventional hours.
By time Smackdown rolled around, her purse was significantly lighter and her hands heavier with purchases. Upon stepping foot into the arena several script revisions were thrust into her hands. The neon post it notes stuck to the front explained that it was important Ella read them through. She was to submit any changes by time she landed in back in New York the following day. With that in mind Ella had spent the evening directing promos with her nose buried in the neatly bound scripts.
"That's a wrap guys. Thank you." Ella called as Lashley's promo with Teddy Long about his impending move to ECW drew to an end.
Ella couldn't help but overhear the conversation Bobby was having with one of the senior crew. Lately he was happy to let anyone within earshot his views on the current state of affairs, no matter who they were.
"Yeah tell me about it. The guy really shouldn't even be here. Dave's just gonna show himself up eventually."
Ella brushed past him to retrieve her script; she didn't want to hang around any longer than she had to. "Excuse me."
"Watch it!" He remarked turning to face her, annoyed to find someone still around listening in on his conversation despite his loud exclamations.
"I said excuse me. Now if you'd excuse me please, you're in my way."
"What? You can't walk around me?" Bobby replied with a shrug.
Ella hitched her bag onto her shoulder, "Well I'm not about to climb over that desk nor those packing crates. So yes you're going to have to move."
He grunted moving out of her way, "I can't wait to get away from all this crap."
"Backstage bitching really isn't going to get you far." Ella instantly berated herself mentally for opening her mouth. She knew she should have just bitten her tongue like she'd planned earlier. It had been going so well until then.
"Excuse me?"
Ella shrugged as she opened the door; "I've been here long enough to know talking shit about others doesn't levy for much around here." She couldn't switch it off, her mouth was moving while her head told her to shut up and leave.
In the few short weeks she'd been back she had missed his backstage tirades to anyone who would listen. They would either be about him being held back, state of the other wrestlers or his favorite at the moment, Dave Batista's push. He was a pleasant enough guy to work with, but seemed to walk around with a permanent chip on his shoulder. Despite what her distance from Dave looked like to others, it hadn't meant she disliked him. Hearing these things being said backstage was enough to rile her. She wasn't a fan of people running their mouths backstage when they had a problem. She was from the school of thinking you deal with your problems, rather than moan about them.
"I'm not the only one who thinks it." He argued, a weak defense as he realized what Ella was saying.
The first thing she learnt on her first day at Stamford was that respect would get you far. Vince had said it to her; respect those around you even if you don't like what they're saying. Respect the fact they had the nerve to stand up and say it. It would get you further than the guy who bitched about it.
Ella shrugged giving him an unimpressed stare, "You may not be the only one. But you're the only one running his mouth though. You should be careful, you never know who's listening."
It wasn't like Ella to comment on issues backstage, usually choosing to keep her mouth closed and head down. But when she heard him question what Dave should and shouldn't deserve irritated her. It wasn't as if it was because it was Dave either. There were a lot of new faces backstage that'd been with the company only for a short period of time and already thought they should be pushed to the top.
They all seemed to forget quite quickly that the likes of John Cena, Dave Batista and many more had been around long before they were the top superstars they were now. They'd all worked their way up from the bottom. She remembered John's debut, looking nothing like he did now in his trademark denim shorts and pumps. He'd come a long way, so had Dave. She even remembered Dave too appearing on Smackdown well before he became anything close to 'Batista'.
Not wanting to get caught up any further in backstage politics, she quickly moved onto the next task on her list, dismissing Lashley to the back of her mind. It was the last promo of the night and Ella had made herself comfortable on top a stack of packing crates. Swinging her legs side to side she held King Booker's crown in one hand, while in the other a copy of the revised schedule for the following weeks Smackdown. Which had been bundled in as part of the script revisions given to her earlier much to her annoyance.
"Hmm." She murmured, too engrossed in the itinerary to follow the conversation she was currently having. So busy she didn't know whom it actually was she was speaking to. If the nods and murmurs she responded with could be called conversation. Truth be told she wasn't even aware she was having a conversation.
"Where do you want me?" Came the voice again.
"Hmm." She mumbled chewing at her lip; her eyes never left the paper.
"Ella," Came the impatient response, "where do you want me?"
"Huh?" She replied finally shaken from her haze. She looked up into the impatient glare of one Dave Batista, not realizing he'd been stood there for a good five minutes. "Dave, oh." She slid down from her perch not entirely sure what it was she was supposed to be doing.
As if someone had flicked a switch she jumped from her distant state to a panicked rush. Immediately she handed the crown in her hands to Booker. "Umm, Booker crown. Sharmell." She looked over at Sharmell sat in her director's seat, not knowing exactly what it was she was looking for.
"Perfect! Dave err…" She faltered when she looked up into Dave's bare chest. A lump formed in her throat as she watched the sweat at his throat trickle down to his chest. "You, umm –" She cleared her throat, kicking herself for staring. "Sorry tickly throat, you just need to stand off camera."
He turned on his heel to walk back behind camera, leaving Ella to concentrate on what it was she was supposed to be doing. Picking up the discarded scripts, she carried them off camera and dropped them into her satchel.
"Don't worry honey." Sharmell soothed placing a hand on Ella's arm in hope of calming the producer. "There's still plenty of time."
"Really?" Ella looked at her watch and inwardly groaned, "I'm in a world of my own."
"It happens to us all." Sharmell smiled.
"Thanks." Ella replied with a weak smile sinking into her chair. She rubbed at her eyes tiredly, thankful she'd chosen to go the evening without mascara.
Dave watched her from his spot off camera opposite; it was becoming quite a habit.
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On one hand Ella was sad to be leaving the UK. She'd enjoyed her time there, albeit a short time. Though on the other hand she was looking forward to the normality of working the shows back at home. Because they visited places like the UK for such a short period of time, it was a struggle to fit everything in on one trip. Meaning Ella was worked twice as hard to complete promos in and outside of the ring.
Flashing her boarding pass she walked through the departure gate to the airplane. The flight out to Europe had been in the early hours of the morning. Their flight now back to the States was at the opposite end of the spectrum, late night. It was nearing eleven o'clock when Ella took her seat. Because of the late hour the majority of those flying back had insisted on enjoying one last night out in England. A few of the crew had tried to persuade Ella to join them. She'd declined on the basis she didn't fancy pushing her luck, trying to check in and board the plane with five minutes to spare.
Again she was appreciative for the first class seat that had been booked for her again. She was looking forward to curling up with her book for an hour and sleeping her way through the remainder of the flight. Searching her bag for her book, she stopped when she heard the overhead locker being opened. Pulling her book from her bag she looked up at the unmistakable broad shoulders of Dave Batista. Ella took a deep breath as she sat back in her seat. Hoping he would be sitting in either the seats in front or behind. She opened her book and hoped she'd go unnoticed.
"Hey."
Ella inwardly cursed. She lowered her book putting on her best smile despite recent events between the two. "Hi Dave."
Dave nodded in reply. If they were to be sat together on the flight then he knew he should at least try and be somewhat sociable. Even just to make it through the nine-hour flight without any hassle. He just hoped he'd sleep through most of it.
After a pause of silence, and also against his better judgement Dave spoke, "Did you have a good time?"
He was surprised when she answered. After their confrontation at the hotel the week before things had started out frosty between them. But Ella had bigger things to worry about ahead of her than Dave.
Ella lowered her book, "Yeah, it was good. Even the weather didn't spoil it for me."
"You got any time off now?"
Ella took a deep breath, trying to remind herself that her parents brought her up better than to ignore people. Though she'd gone out of her way to avoid Dave at times she still tried to remain polite and professional. The thought of ignoring him outright pained her too much.
"I wish." She smiled sadly. While almost everyone would have the next two days off to recover from their trip, she would be shuttled straight back to the Stamford offices. It did mean she'd be able to sleep in her own bed for two nights straight, something she was thankful for. But it also meant two consecutive board meetings and endless production schedules.
Dave twiddled his thumbs unsure of what he should say or do next. Seeing that Ella had gone back to her book he picked up his own from his bag. Opening it he didn't notice the piece of paper that fluttered out. Ella had and reached down to pick it up.
"This fell from your book." She handed him the folded paper.
"Huh?" Dave rested the book on his lap as he opened the note. There on the inside was a large heart, from what Ella could make from the drawing was supposed to be Dave with the championship belt. Dave smiled as he inspected the picture. "It must have been Mia."
"Your daughter." Ella said remembering his daughters visit backstage.
"Yeah. My fridge is covered with her pictures. She can't stop."
Ella peered over to have a look at the picture again, "She's pretty good, I like the handbag in your hands." She remarked knowing all too well what it was supposed to be.
Dave laughed; for that brief moment it felt like nothing had happened between them. Reminding him of the car rides they shared after the shows. It'd started from when Ella had hurt her wrist and been unable to drive. Soon it became a regular thing for them to share a car back to the hotel. Before he could put his book down to ask her what had happened to make her dislike him so, the intercom kicked in above them.
"This is your captain speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts and return your seats to an upright position. We are ready for take off…"
Once the plane had taken off Ella had been out like a light. Dave watched her enviously as he struggled to keep his eyes closed. Giving up on sleep he returned to his book. He tried to concentrate on the pages, but after twenty minutes he soon realised he hadn't gone any further than the first paragraph. He sniggered when he heard Ella snore quietly next to him. She gave quite the ladylike appearance backstage, but the sight of her asleep open mouthed next to him snoring was quite a contrast.
When Ella woke with a start twenty minutes before landing, Dave was pulling his sweater from the other head locker. Ella had been leant against the window, unaware that only moments ago she'd been asleep on Dave's shoulder. Before she'd woken up he'd gently nudged her off of his shoulder. If only to spare her the embarrassment of finding out she'd drooled over his shirt. There had been no time for polite conversation once the plane came into land. Everyone aboard was desperate to get to their connecting flights. Dave and Ella had managed a quick goodbye before leaving for opposite sides of the airport.
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Ella watched the luggage spinning round on the conveyer belt. She held back a yawn as she played with the zip of her hoodie. A crowd had soon gathered at baggage claim, a large majority being the wrestlers and crew. While the minority were fans that'd made their way over to come get a closer look at the celebrities. Spying her suitcase, which she wrapped with a luminous pink bow at the handle, she readied herself to grab it when it came past. Before she could reach out to catch it someone had beat her to it.
"Eurgh, what have you got in here Ella?"
"I went a little mad on my day off." She shrugged pressing the release button to draw out the pull along handle. "Thanks Adam."
"No problem." He nodded in the direction of the growing crowd of fans. "Wish I could duck out like you. I duck out and I'm labelled a bad sport. When all I really want to do is crawl into my bed."
Ella looked from the 'Rated R' superstar to the growing group of fans who had already cornered several Divas' and wrestlers for autographs. Despite it being far too early in the morning when they landed, they'd still managed to court some interest.
Ella yawned, "You love it really." She replied nudging him with her elbow.
He grinned, "I do, but at six in the morning? Where the hell did they even come from?"
"Beats me."
"Look out." Adam said pointing behind them. Ella turned around to see John walking across baggage claim with his bag in tow without any attempt to look inconspicuous. Wearing his own signature branded hoodie, he was a little hard not to miss. "Maybe we should throw Cena in there and the rest of us can sneak away without any bother?"
Ella laughed, "He enjoys it that's for sure." She remarked as the small crowd bombarded John.
It was true; whenever she saw him with his fans he embraced them all. Even if he was tiered, cranky and had just rolled off a red eye flight he gave them the performance they wanted. He knew the reason he was in the position that he was today came down to the fans support.
Ella's phone started ringing, "Excuse me Adam. Hello, Ella Lewis speaking."
"Morning Ella, not too early I hope."
Ella yawned, "Miss. Levesque wake you up?"
"She's an early starter for sure."
"What can I do for you Steph?"
"I'm going to be in Philadelphia for Survivor Series. I want to go over some paperwork."
"Anything you need me to prep?"
"Just yourself and your diary."
"Anything else?"
"No that's it. We'll go through it all when I see you."
"Oh, okay." Ella was dismayed at the lack of information Steph had supplied. She wasn't sure what it was she was supposed to be preparing herself for. She was also wondering when she was going to drop into conversation the 'A' word.
"So how was Europe?"
"Oh you know, cold."
"Paul wind you up?"
"I was his entertainment between bouts of boredom and phone calls to you. Whichever came first really."
"I hope he didn't pester you too much. I asked him to keep an eye on things."
"Don't worry, he looked after me." Ella yawned.
"You sound like you could do with getting reacquainted with your bed?"
Ella nodded, despite Steph being the other end of the phone, "I plan of spending the rest of the day there."
"I envy you, I think Aurora has this sixth sense. The moment our heads hit the pillow she knows it."
"She just loves your company." Ella laughed.
"I just think she's following her father. Can't go a minute without making sure people know he's there."
"Like father like daughter." Ell heard the soft cries in the background, "Looks like she knows when she's being talked about too. I'll let you go Steph, don't want to keep you any longer." Ella yawned as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Steph tried to hold back her own yawn, "I wont' be in Stamford this week. I'm out of town, but I'll see you next Sunday."
"Ok Steph, take care. Give that baby a big kiss for me!"
"I will, you take care too Ella, bye."
Ella pressed buttons randomly until she hit the end call button. So tiered she was unsure as to how she was going to make it home. She wasn't entirely sure what it was Steph had planned either. Distracted by the shouts of the growing crowd, Ella dropped her cell into her purse. She wanted nothing more than to make her way home. Grabbing her suitcase she headed in the direction of the nearest taxi rank. If she was going to be working within a six-mile radius of her own bed for the next two days, then she was going to make the most of it.