The group was quiet when they returned to Melissa's house. Sam packed her things into her car and said goodbye to everyone. Melissa gave her a hug and promised to keep in contact while she was on the road and Sam promised to keep an eye on her house.

Joe and Jon nodded at Colby and stayed outside under the pretense of rinsing and putting the kayaks away. Colby and Melissa walked inside together, sitting down opposite each other at the dining room table. Her hands were folded primly in her lap. He leaned on the table heavily. "Melissa. I messed up. Again. I get that."

Before he could say anything else, Melissa said "And I shouldn't have stormed off. I understand that." She reached over and took hold of his hands. "Colby, I love you. I love you and I want us to work. I have been on my own, self-sufficient for so long, I don't know how to lean on someone. Being told what to do strikes me wrong. I have to work on talking to you, though. I can't write you or walk away."

"I haven't been in that many relationships, either. What I have experienced has been long-distance so texting and phone calls have been the main mode of communication. I have fixed my screw-ups with flowers, chocolate, and fruit." He flipped their hands and held hers tightly. "That's why I want us together, in the same place. No chance to run away, we have to work it out face-to-face. I love you. This is going to be hard. We have to figure this out. Jon asked me if it was worth the effort and work. I think we are worth it. And I think we can do this without continually hurting each other."

Melissa let out a soft laugh. "Joe asked me the same thing. Did I think we could figure out how to work through our 'shit' and stop tearing each other apart? He made it an ultimatum though. Work it out or walk away. Your friends care about you a lot."

"They care about both of us. They are our friends." Colby corrected. "They haven't let up on me in the time we were apart." He didn't let go of her hands as he moved around the table to her side. "So we are going to hang on to each other and get through the rough patches together?"

"Together." Melissa nodded.

the following Monday

"Good, I caught you!" A stagehand rushed up to Colby and thrust a script into his hands. "Late changes. Sorry. Head writer is going wild today."

Intrigued, Colby flipped through the pages that he was handed as Jon walked over laughing loudly. "Only one person writes this kinda shit! She's going wild tonight!"

Colby as started reading, he couldn't contain his smile. "She did it. She took control of my storyline."

"Your storyline? Hell, she's taking yours, mine, Joe's, Claudio's, and the Uso's to the top! Just watch her!" Jon chortled. "She won't touch Cena's or Orton's. It's funny."

"How's she dealing with you and your movie?" Colby inquired.

Jon made a zipper motion across his mouth. "We've bounced a few ideas back and forth. She's got some really…I am confident that the idea she decides on will be fine. She's got some great ones. If you and I sell this storyline, then what she has in store will give me a great feud to come back in with as well. She is that damn good. She has ideas that will leave people talking the entire time I am filming."

Colby's chest swelled with pride. "So, let's go make my girl proud."

As Dean Ambrose wrestled his match, Seth Rollins raced out and pummeled him. He threw popcorn at him and followed that up by pouring a fan's soda over Dean's head and face. He screamed and ranted the entire time. The microphones picked up every word. The crowd roared. JR and JBL struggled to keep their faces straight as the men taunted each other in the ring. Finally, the ref was able to separate the sticky, food-covered men.

When Colby finally made his way backstage, Melissa was waiting for him with an outstretched towel. She wrapped it around him as he scooped her up in his sweaty arms. "THAT WAS AWESOME!" he crowed, spinning her around in a circle. Jon smiled as he arrived backstage, catching sight of the happy couple.

Melissa tossed a towel in his direction. "Thanks, Doll."

Colby let her slide down his body. "Just freakin' perfect." he whispered, capturing her lips in a kiss. "My writer. My lover. My rose. Mine."

Melissa pulled back and touched his sweaty face. "Okay, my possessive man. You are in dire need of a shower."

Colby's hand slid to her ass. "Care to join me?" Jon cleared his throat.

Melissa laughed and wiggled her eyebrows. "I'll race you to the hotel."

Colby took off for the locker room. "What have you done?" Jon asked. Melissa shrugged. "Mel…"

"I'm a writer, Jon. I can think of many scenarios." she said with an evil laugh. Melissa gathered her purse, laptop, and scripts for the week. "You might want to see if you can help your friend."

"MELISSA!" Colby's voice was heard echoing down the halls as she took off running.

She made it all the way to the exterior door before he caught her. "How many locks are on that door? Barricaded? Really?"

"Shower and see you there, sweetheart." Melissa turned and cupped him firmly. "Remember, it's been weeks and you have a lot to thank me for. Any time now…"

She spun and headed out the door. "Damn woman. When I get to that hotel…"

Melissa checked into the hotel in the next city. She showered and crawled into bed, knowing that Colby wasn't far behind her. Sure enough, just as she was drifting off to sleep she heard him slipping quietly into the room. She cracked her eyelids open and watched him toe off his shoes, strip to his underwear and quickly brush his teeth. Then he soundlessly moved through the room and slipped into bed behind her, spooning her tightly. He kissed the side of her neck and whispered "I love you, Mel."

Melissa rolled over and tucked her head against his shoulder. She laid her hand over his heart. "I love you, Colby." she whispered, sliding her leg up to his waist.

"I thought you were asleep." he said, trailing his hand across the back of her arm.

"A little sleepy, but I wanted to be awake when you got here." she admitted. "We've slept together for the last few nights but we haven't…and I really want…" She rubbed her leg across him. He was hard.

"Mel…"

"Colby, I need you. I need to feel you."

Colby turned to look her in the face. He raised one eyebrow and said, "Don't argue with your woman, Colby. Your horny, pregnant woman wants sex. This is a win-win situation. Shut up and do what she wants."

"Smart man." Melissa said with a smile. "You are learning."

Colby moved over her. "Positive reinforcement. Keep it up and I'll be a good boy."

"Not too good, I hope." Melissa groaned, wrapping her legs around him.

Ten minutes later, Melissa and Colby were panting and trying to smother their laughter with pillows as they heard Jon beating on the wall. "Will you two please keep it down over there?!"