Chapter Fourteen

Dean has managed somehow to avoid continuing the conversation they'd started in the van. It's not something he wants to talk about. He's never been one to talk about his feelings, but Emma has certainly found a way to get him to open up more than anyone else has. He just hopes she won't corner him and question him further. He's not sure what he would even say. He's still thankful that Roman had chosen that moment to wake up.

"Five minutes," a crew member calls from outside the locker room.

Dean looks up from where he's sitting. He nods at Roman and Seth as he stands up. "Let's do this," he says.

Roman squeezes his shoulder as they walk out of the room. They head down the hall toward where they need to go to head up to the top of the arena. Emma smiles as she waves at them from where she's standing. Dean gives her a wave as they walk by. He glances back at her and winks.

"Oh good," Stephanie says as she approaches the guys. "I'm glad I caught you three before you headed up. Slight change. We think it would be better if you just came from the back tonight."

Dean nods. "Okay," he says. "From the ramp or backstage?"

"Just backstage. The more we thought about it the more it made sense."

"Knew you McMahon's had to know how to think," Roman says with a slight laugh.

"I'll be sure to tell my husband to hit you one extra tonight." She smiles before walking away.

"Hey," Emma says from behind them.

Dean jumps as he turns around. "Fuck, don't do that," he growls.

Roman snorts as he looks at Seth. "We'll meet you over there, Dean."

Emma smiles up at Dean after the other two walk away. "Just wanted to let you know I will be getting power bombed tonight."

Dean frowns down at her. "Why?"

She raises an eyebrow. Is he really asking this? She thought for sure he would want to know beforehand. "I thought you would want to know. I mean…"

"No, not that." He rubs the back of his neck. "Why are you getting power bombed? Why is it always you?"

She opens her mouth to say something, but closes it when she can't come up with anything to say. She watches him carefully. "Dean…"

"Forget it." He sighs. "I'll see you out there." He walks away before she can say anything else.

Emma frowns as she walks back over to the gorilla position. She glances back but doesn't see Dean anymore. Charlotte looks over and raises an eyebrow.

"You okay?" she asks.

Emma shrugs. "I don't know. Are guys always so confusing?"

"I'm afraid so. Something happen?"

"I told him that I'm getting power bombed and he freaked out."

Charlotte nods. "You do know he likes you, right?"

Emma frowns at the other woman. "Doubt it. I kind of thought so myself. But…" She stops when she remembers their conversation on the way here over night. "I don't know. There are times I think so but then nothing happens."

"You know him better than I do, so I'm just going off what I can see. He's not exactly the kind of person to open up. Yeah, you've obviously gotten him to open up more than others have. But then something happens and it's back to square one, right?"

"Exactly." She sighs. "I just wish he would continue to do something instead of close back up."

"Make him." Charlotte sees Dave Finlay motioning for them to get ready. "I see the way he looks at you, Emma. He's just too stubborn to make that move. You may have to do that part."

Dean watches the monitor waiting for their cue to head out. He rolls his shoulders and lets out a heavy breath. He sees Evolution stalk down the ramp and surround the ring. Emma looks around at them before going back to focusing on Charlotte, but the three men had caused enough of a distraction for Charlotte to make her comeback.

"You better do something soon," Roman says.

"What?" Dean asks looking over.

"Tell her how you feel."

Dean turns his attention back to the monitor when he hears Emma's shriek. Batista has her by the hair. She grips his wrists trying to pull away. Dean practically growls as he moves into position.

"Seems to me we have a little something that has been helping the Shield to their victories," Hunter says. "Come on out, boys. We know you're back there."

Dean glances over to see them get their cue. He walks out and makes his way around the ramp with Seth and Roman right behind him. Batista smirks at them, still holding Emma by the hair.

"That's far enough, boys," Hunter says. "Seems to me we have a problem." He leans on the ropes. "So how about we end this?"

Dean growls as he steps toward the ring. He stops quickly though when Emma shrieks. "Damn it." He rubs at his collarbone. "Let her go! We're out here. You got what you want."

Hunter laughs. "See that's where you're wrong, Ambrose. What we want is a rematch."

Dean looks at Roman and Seth who are still in line with him. They both nod before they all step closer to the ring. Dean grabs the microphone that's on the steps and takes a step back to keep an eye on everyone. "You want a rematch? So you can be humiliated again?" He smirks up at Hunter.

Hunter nods over at Batista. The man drags Emma to the center of the ring and sets her up for the power bomb. Dean growls. Roman grabs the microphone from him.

"Name the time and place, Hunter, and we'll be there," Roman says.

"Payback. No holds barred, elimination match." Hunter smirks down at them. "It's too bad your other little side kick couldn't be out here with you. Then she could see what would happen to her if she continues to stand beside you." He looks back at Batista and nods.

Dean watches as Batista lifts Emma up. "No!" He flinches as Emma hits the mat. He slides into the ring with Roman and Seth just as the others slide out. "Fuck."

"Yours is coming," Seth yells.

Dean jumps down out of the ring. He reaches back in to pull Emma over. He lifts her over his shoulder with ease and follows the other two up the ramp. When they get to the back, he shifts to set her down. He keeps his hands on her arms to make sure she's okay. Emma pushes her hair back and looks up at Dean.

"I'm okay," she says softly. She backs away from him. "Thanks." She turns and walks away.

Dean frowns after her. "Emma." He walks after her. He grabs her arm, stopping her from walking any further.

She turns and looks up at him. "I think you need to figure out what you want, Dean. Because I can't take much more of this."

"Much more of what? Emma, talk to me."

"You keep telling me that I confuse you. How? Why? One second you willingly tell something but the next I can barely get you to say anything to me. Make up your mind on what you want, Dean. Because I can't do this anymore. So until you figure out what you want, stay away from me. What happens at the arena is different. We're working together, so obviously we'll need to be together. But outside of this…" She gestures around them. "…we don't talk."

Dean stares at her. "Emma, come on."

"No. Figure out what you want." She turns and walks away again.

"Emma!"