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They'd fought before. They'd fought and Show had fallen because of the power, the might of the Shield combined together. His body wasn't as primed as it had been, and Roman was slumped in that chair in the corner. Dean was snug as a chained up bug. His brother was growing frustrated, and he knew that he would be watching right now, on Paige's laptop. He knew, that Dean would be screaming at the screen, calmed only by Lucia's lullabies.

Four matches.

The first obstacle was a giant. He closed his eyes for the half a second of peace he had, exhaled and only just moved out of the way as the colossus charged. Big Show was growing old, he was slowing down, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. If he caught you with those fights, those massive feet then you could be in trouble very quickly. Seth had power of his own – his speed, his reflexes, everything that made him a sure win were hampered by the injuries that crowded inside him. He felt his ribs shift with the simple manoeuvre of rolling to the left. He was on his feet as Show stopped himself and turned. He swung; Seth ducked down, the hairs on his head swayed by the action. Another swing – he caught it and heaved. There was no way he was getting the giant off his feet using his own strength, but he could use Big Show's against him. If he was fast enough, smart enough, he could get through the first fight without much damage taken. Show stumbled but managed to catch himself at the ropes.

He made to turn but Seth was faster. He rebounded off the opposite side; he ran, threw his body in the air and slammed his feet into the chest of Show. The crowd roared as he disappeared over the apron and onto that black mat floor. Seth's body hit the canvas hard. The wind crushed from his lungs as his hands were flat and his feet were against it. He pushed himself up slower than he should have. He couldn't let them see – the crowd, the Authority, Roman, Paige, anyone in the world...he couldn't let them see just how hurt he was. How he felt his ribs poke into his liver, how the muscles in his arms had to strain just to get him up. He couldn't let them know. He had to fly. Seth hit those ropes once again. His target was in sight, struggling back to his feet. He flung himself with abandon, over the apron, out onto the floor, and he tumbled down, straight onto Show. They hit the floor hard.

The cheers could have rung anyone's bells, but Seth's were already jingling. He shook his head, righted his vision and somehow managed to grip a hold of Show's head. He didn't feel sympathy for the man. Any that flashed were thrown back by the images of what he'd done to Dolph Ziggler, of what he'd done to Paige, to him. He'd teamed with the man so many times since he'd played the villain that he knew he caused pain for fun – there had been so many crocodile tears from the giant people were sick of whether he was good or bad. Seth's knee slammed into Show's jaw, once, twice, three times before two great hands raised and forced him away. He near stumbled but caught himself and charged again – primed for a curb stomp, but he needed higher. He jumped onto the turnbuckle, nearly into the crowd, balanced, ran, jumped, foot ready to slam –

Show's curled fist hit his stomach so hard he thought it had gone straight through.

Seth hit the bare floor. His head smacked back and the whole world spiralled. Two tree trunk legs appeared and he tried to raise a hand to push him away but nothing responded. Big Show had one hell of a treacle smirk on those lips. Just look at him, just look at that smug mug. Oh if Dean were here right now he'd have leaped at him right now, pummeled that face in. But Dean wasn't there. Only Seth was. He was on his own and he'd have to get right to work and stop lying about. He found himself in Big Show's bear hug, the air slowly being crushed from his lungs...and he just hung there, arms and legs limp, head lolled against the shoulder – just having a rest. Nothing on the line at all then and there; he was just having the life squeezed out of him. But killing him wouldn't win the title – he was pretty darn sure that was in the rule book somewhere.

Show charged.

Seth's back slammed into the ring post.

Ouch.

Dazed, but oddly refreshed, he demanded his body to listen to him. Any part of him – he just needed something to respond, to attack. Apparently his head was the only piece actually listening and without any hesitation he opened his mouth and slammed his teeth down on Show's ear. The scream...the giant released him. Seth fell into a crumpled heap on the floor. His arms, his hands, things started moving and he crawled out of the way as a kick was aimed at him. One caught his busted rips. He was on his back, pain cracked his vision, he coughed, he clutched his chest, but he couldn't stop, couldn't stay still. Show came closer – was that a blood trickle from the ear? Seth couldn't taste it, but felt proud of it. He crawled back, back – faster you idiot! His legs finally woke up as his back was against the barricade. Show roared, and launched himself forward.

Seth threw himself out of the way, just as the giant, collided. The barricade collapsed and Seth was vaguely aware of the ref shouting something...numbers. Numbers? Shit – they were being counted out! His legs wobbled as he scrambled to his feet, and threw himself onto the apron, rolled into the ring. Relief flooded him as the count ended. Too close.

Few people could get up from smashing through the barricade, but Show was beginning to stir. He couldn't give him the chance to recover. He couldn't give him the opportunity to land another crippling punch. The Rumble seemed a distant dream as he looked toward the corner and knew what he had to do. Seth started to climb the ropes. He shook as he balanced himself on the top of the turnbuckle. Below him, the announcement team, in the corner, Roman, who watched him with concern. Seth raised a hand; he saluted his injured brother, and jumped. It was a long fucking way. He only just met with Show's bulk, an elbow straight into the small of the back. It hurt. It really fucking hurt; pain blasted through his arm and he gripped it, eyes clenched. Fuck, fuck, fuck...beneath his bent body lay the giant, winded, not defeated. But if he could have him counted out...Seth saw the ring. It seemed very far away.

Hey look, chairs.

No, behave. There was no time for chairs, he couldn't let himself get disquali- wait. The title couldn't change hands with a disqualification. Stephanie had neglected to decide that it could. He could just take one of those steel chairs, and swing away at the fallen body of Show. He could just do it and he'd be one match done. But if he did...how quickly would the rules change and he lose the title because he was desperate?

A piece of the barricade had fallen onto his legs and he forced it away. His arm screamed at him as he stumbled like a drunk back to the ring. He climbed in like it was his first time, and crumpled into a tired heap in one corner. He rubbed his elbow bitterly, watched Show, and dared him to get back up again. The crowd were loving it – and even Roman was on his feet, peering over to the giant. The voice of the WWE Universe chanted numbers, counted to ten with the referee.

Seth's head tilted against the ring post as the explosion of joy rallied the arena. He saw a haze of black and white as a dozen or so referees rushed out to help the Big Show. One down...he felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see Roman.

'How you feeling?'

'Like a bus just slammed me into a wall,' Seth growled. 'My fucking ribs are killing me.'

But his fucking ribs weren't about to get any rest. A mocking clap echoed around and he looked to the stage to find Stephanie standing there. She looked irritated and pleased all at once – how did the human face contort that way? Was she just born evil? He could bet that her real life was a cackle and that the limo that drove her about was just a high powered broomstick. He pushed himself against the ring post, forced himself up to his feet.

'Well done Seth. That's one down. I'm impressed.' She was not impressed. She lied. 'But now for your next match Rollins. And I think we should make this one a little more interesting, don't you?'

'How about no?' Seth shouted, though he knew she couldn't hear him.

'So for this match, I think we should say – no count outs.'

Fucking figured.

'And your next opponent shall be...Kane!'

Shit.

The mood the Big Red Machine was in was not a good one. He'd missed out on beating the crap out of Seth the previous night...he didn't doubt that tonight he'd be given it all tenfold. Though he still couldn't get over seeing Kane in dress pants – this was the brother of the Undertaker, this was a man he feared on television as he was growing up. Once, he'd been a monster...now he was a ginger man with a bit of a belly and shiny shoes...who seemed to have supernatural power over the pyro. Oh they all knew it was timed...he just had this strange knack of making fire appear wherever he was. It wasn't completely unreasonable to fear being burned alive.

Kane strode down that ramp with purpose, eyes fixed on Seth, murder inside.

'Better get back Rome, this'll be ugly.'

Roman seemed reluctant, but Seth looked down at him with a small smile. 'I got this bro.'

Kane ran a shoulder into his stomach a second later. He hadn't even heard the bell. Seth buckled, but another threw him, again and again until the ref shoved Kane back. Seth only had a moment to catch his breath before Kane grabbed his hair and heaved. Pain exploded at the roots and Seth hit the canvas. He could have sworn he heard something tear and felt his head tenderly with his gloved hands. Up above him, Kane smirked, in his hand, a handful of hair. He looked at it in his fingers and then, he sniffed it, ran the clump over the side of his face and all the while smiled. Seth felt sick, but he pushed himself up. There was no way of gluing that back into place. His naturally thick hair would save him a bald patch but that was...horrific. Kane eyed him and stomped forward. Seth dropped to the canvas; his feet twisted around Kane's and brought him down too. He rolled up, kicked down, again and again and again. But Kane was fresh, Kane wasn't hurt and he turned in place, caught Seth's foot.

Shit.

Stranded in place, Seth tried to swipe at Kane's face, but he was out of reach. Bastard just smiled the whole time, didn't let up, didn't stop, like it had been stapled in place. New plan. Seth swung his leg over, felt as it knocked into Kane's neck. He was released and crawled to the ropes to pull himself back up. But no sooner was he on his feet, that a forearm slammed straight into his throat, and he and Kane fell. To his complete surprise, he landed on his feet. He grasped at his throat. He needed some recovery time – some distance. The stage was free – Stephanie had disappeared out back. Hell, he could run through those curtains and disappear; the match would have to continue. But if he left Roman out in the arena alone with Kane...no, he had to stay. His back was against the ring apron, Kane was up, stalked him as they moved around the ring, slowly, predator to prey. Seth had to wait, had to be patient – now!

He ducked out of the way and Kane slammed shoulder first into the steps. Seth clambered up onto the ring apron. He waited, heart pounded as Kane tried to get up, one hand on the remaining ring step. Seth ran and crashed down through the air; feet brought together and slammed his whole weight onto of Kane's fingers. He could almost feel the knuckles pop beneath his boots. He rolled off the impact and came to a standing halt as the Big Red Machine inspected the damage. He was still smiling. The pain was there in his eyes but it was like his face didn't register it. What was going on? Unnerved, Seth backed off a little as Kane came to his feet and started to hunt him once again. Into the ring – he started to climb but hands caught his foot and dragged him back. Fear gripped him – of what was coming.

The impact was unimaginable. Skull to skull – the world went black.

He could hear everything, he could feel everything. He felt his body hit the floor, flashes of light breaking through the shadow. He was lifted into the air. He felt as he was thrown onto the canvas. A heavy body, hot, sweaty landed on top of him, his leg crooked.

Instinct – that's all he could call it. He lifted an arm – and punched Kane straight in the face. The world was nothing, he was fucking blind. He didn't know up from down, his legs staggered.

'Seth! Seth move!'

He did, he threw himself aside with no idea where he would land.

'Left!'

He rolled, heard as something hit the canvas.

'Kick Seth!'

Which leg? Both? He flung them both round. They hit something fleshy. More flashes of vision. His head throbbed, it hurt, like a hatchet had been snapped into the front of his skull.

'Get up Seth! Get up!'

Roman's guiding voice brought him somehow to his feet, he felt blindly for the ropes. His fingers curled around something – a hand. A hand to hold him steady – his brother had his back.

'On your right!'

The fingers let go and Seth swung a fist wildly, but met nothing but air. Shit. Something smashed into his chest. Seth flew back, hit the corner, limp once again. A dream, this was all a nasty dream, he was really still asleep, waiting for Raw to come round. He would turn his body and he'd find Paige naked next to him. He could almost smell the salt on her skin, he could almost feel the softness of her hair. Hands grabbed his shoulders and dragged him forward, onto his front, a foot on his back, fingers knotted in his hair and pulled.

He couldn't stop the cry of pain. He could feel it tear, pulling out of the roots in two great fists.

His hands clawed up at the fingers, he'd broken some. He found them, he squeezed with all his might, all the while the pain erupted from every pore of his body. Kane let go. Seth shook, his head sore and his brain worse for wear, he tried to get up but was met with kick after kick. He tried to crawl his way to his feet, darkness, he was blind and he was alone. A hand found his throat. Air choked out, Seth flailed as he was lifted through the air.

'Seth! Kick him! Come on brother!'

What was that? A strange noise caught his attention, a sort of...scuffling. Roman? Where had Roman gone? The silence activated something in his head, alarm bells. He felt himself plummet down through the air but he turned, caught hold of the trunk like legs of Kane with his own and brought them both crashing down. They lay there, both, heaving great breaths of air. Light started to pool at the edges of Seth's vision. Those sounds – where was Roman? He rolled onto his stomach, started to crawl toward the noise.

'Just shut him up dammit! I don't care how you do it, just stop him helping him!'

Stephanie?

Seth shook his head. The choke slam had done its damage but it seemed to be turning the lights back on. Another shake, every second wasted would give Kane more time to come back after him. His hand reached out for his brother, he found the ring ropes instead. Something smacked him hard round the face. Everything burst into bright color, it fuzzed and moved until it all came into perfect focus. Stephanie, security, J&J...and at the center of it all, Roman. He couldn't quite see what was happening –

'Rome!'

Fingers clamped down, a knee in his back, thrust his throat against the middle rope. Seth clawed, choked for air. Stephanie seemed to notice. She smirked at him, came close, and stroked the side of his face with sharp nails.

'We can't have you cheating Seth, that's just not fair on Kane,' she whispered. 'Don't worry. Reigns will be just fine.'

She kissed him.

Her hands were in his hair and her lips crushed his and his eyes were wild and he tried to shove her away. She broke it with a satisfied gasp. Cold blood ran through him, and he forgot how to breathe as she laughed at him. The rope crushed his windpipe. The ref counted, Kane released. Seth just hung there in shock. The way she smirked at him – the way she knew what she'd done...he closed his eyes, prayed to any god listening that Paige had restraint. He was almost waiting for the music to hit...but she didn't appear. The look of disappointment in Stephanie's eyes was actually delicious, but she didn't let that look on her face slip one second.

'Destroy him!' she snarled.

He was pulled back. But he was awake now. He was live wired. She would not win. He roared in pain as he was flung back by the roots, but he caught his footing, he ran forward, charged and slammed his shoulder straight into Kane. He drove him back, pushed with all his might and energy, back into the corner. He didn't let up, even as the blackness started to blur once again. He climbed, stood above Kane, and started to punch down. The crowd counted for him, told him just how many times he was smashing the sadistic bastard in the face. He was blind to the world until he saw movement out of the corner of his eye – Roman.

Security had parted just a little. What the – had they – yes, they had. Roman's mouth was firmly duct taped shut. To stop him shouting out help; Roman looked angry. His hands pinned together with more of the stuff. Seth couldn't just leave him like that. He stepped up, foot straight into Kane's face and jumped. Security fell like fucking dominoes. Seth was next to Roman who'd been knocked over too, and pulled him to his feet. He unwound the tape from his brother's wrists.

'How you keeping Rome?'

Roman peeled the rest away from his mouth with a flourish, 'Been better,' his brother admitted.

Kane threw himself over the ropes. Seth and Roman stepped smartly aside. The mass hit the mat hard. 'You sure you wanna stay out here?' Seth asked, and kicked the heap irritably. 'They might try and pull that stunt again.'

'What, trying to stop me helping my brother?' Roman shrugged, and looked down. He plucked the roll of tape which had been dropped by security. 'You handle Kane. I'll handle these guys.'

Seth nodded slowly. He bent down, grabbed one of Kane's arms and dragged him to his feet. He was fucking heavy. With a great shove, he somehow managed to get him back into the ring. He kicked hard to roll him to the center. Kane juddered, started to stand. Not this time. Seth rebounded off the ropes, foot raised high and slammed it down onto Kane's skull. The monster slammed face first into the canvas. Seth collapsed on top of him.

'One, two, three!'

Relief; he glanced over to where Roman stood, admiring his new handy work. J&J were sat on the floor, tape wound round them, to keep them...secure. Ha. Oh the two were on their side, he knew that, but the Authority had to think they were enemies. The rest of the security team had scattered now that Roman was free. Stephanie? She was legging it back up that ramp as fast as she could in those stupidly high heels of hers. Seth, blinking away the lights of victory, rolled away from Kane before the demon could assault him further, and slipped back out under the ropes. He staggered to the barrier and leaned on it, chest rose and fell hard. Roman placed a hand on his shoulder.

'I'm not doing good Rome, can barely see.'

'I know, that's why they tried to stop me talking,' his brother muttered quietly.

'Two more Rome, I'm dying. I'm actually dying.'

'You're still breathing Seth. You gotta keep going. You have to keep fighting; otherwise they'll take that title out from underneath you as they beat us both into early graves.'

Seth looked at him, curious, 'You think I can do this, don't you?'

Roman's serious eyes often had a warm quality to them, like he was seeing straight into your soul. His grip on his shoulder tightened, 'I have never had more faith in you, brother.'

He pulled Seth into an embrace which crushed his ribs but gave strength to his fluctuating heart. He pressed his forehead against Seth's sweating one.

Music hit.