Disclaimer: I own none of the WWE Superstars or Divas featured in this story. Only the OCs and the storyline belong to me.

A/N: Thank you once again for all your favourites, follows and reviews! It's amazing the amount of people still discovering this story! It means a lot to see that new readers are being drawn in. Here's another long one for you all to enjoy! Let me know what you think :)


20th December, 2012

"Nicole, while I'm also very happy to see you, could you please let go? You're suffocating me."

Whilst Nikki Bella unwound her arms from Zoe's neck, the young Boston native smiled appreciatively at the young woman, her eyes darting around nervously at her surroundings. It had been a few days since she had spoken to Nikki at TLC and she finally worked up the courage to go see her cousin and speak with him. So right now, she was in Florida at his house, the impending talk slowly making her more and more nervous. She didn't know why she was so nervous. She thought she would be more angry. But now that she stood in the large foyer to John's Florida home, she realised that she was so scared that this talk wouldn't go well and she would lose her cousin. Sure, her cousin had done wrong by her, but at the same time, he was family and she didn't want to lose that. Nikki smiled at the young woman, grabbing her hand and guiding her through the foyer to John's self proclaimed 'gentlemen's room'. As they reached the door, Nikki knocked softly, calling out to her boyfriend, "John, babe, Zoe's here."

There was a yell to come in from her cousin and Zoe immediately wished Nikki didn't let go of her hand and push her gently into the room. The brunette sent a glance over her shoulder. Clearly the worry was evident in her eyes as Nikki only shook her head and mouthed that she would be fine. Zoe turned back to face her cousin, who was sitting in an armchair. After what felt like hours, John gestured to a chair opposite him, "Take a seat, Zo'."

She let out a sigh, taking a seat opposite her cousin, her hands tapping away on her legs nervously. Another moment passed before she worked up the nerve to speak to him, "So you wanted to talk?"

John nodded, "It's been a damn long time, Zoe. I haven't spoken to you or seen you since April-"

"You've seen me at work-"

"That's not the same," said John, firmly. He shook his head, brushing a hand over his head, "That day when you took off.. I don't blame you for doing that. I know how we acted. I know that we terrified you and I know that you needed to escape. That I understand. But Zoe, that was in April. I didn't even get to see you until you were being spun around by those NXT guys in November! Those months in between.. I was so scared. I had no idea where you were and your mother didn't sound all too convincing on the phone."

Zoe nodded, her fingers picking at a stray thread on her jeans, "Mom said you called."

"I called everyday."

Her dark eyes blinked at the man sitting opposite her and she raised an eyebrow, "Every day?"

He nodded, "Every day. I hoped Aunt Lisa would crack eventually. She didn't. She's a hard bitch that one." He paused, his eyes widening, "Please don't tell her I said that." Before Zoe could stop herself, a small giggle escaped her, and John smiled at the sound, "See, I miss hearing that."

Zoe chewed her lip, all traces of a smile and laugh gone, "Look, I'm sorry I never called you back. I'm sorry I never answered your messages but you have to understand what it felt like that weekend. Everything just came crashing down and it was like there was a witchhunt for me. I just couldn't do it anymore." She paused, taking a deep breath, her eyes looking anywhere but at her cousin, "I can get that the others would react the way they did. But you, my god John, you looked to me to blame straight away. You're my cousin! I thought you would give me the benefit of the doubt."

John sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Zoe, it was a stressful time for everyone. I'm sorry I acted like that-"

"But you didn't even stop the others. You just let it happen."

"How many times do you want me to say I'm sorry?!"

The exclamation from the former WWE Champion made Zoe freeze in her seat. Her eyes went wide at the words spoken by her cousin and she knew he immediately regretted it by the look on his face. John groaned, rubbing a hand over his tired face, "I don't know what I can do to make you see that I'm sorry. I'm not even apologising for the others. I'm apologising for me because every day I have thought about the fact that I made my baby girl cry. You're my little sister pretty much, Zoe. You mean the world to me and watching your world collapse on you that weekend tore me up. Yes, I was angry at what happened. But afterwards, all I wanted to know was if you were alright. I'm so sorry, Zoe."

After John spoke, he bowed his head, unsure of how Zoe would react. He didn't know what else there was to say. Maybe there had been too much damage from Wrestlemania. Maybe, their relationship couldn't be fixed. But he waited a few agonising moments for her response and his heart sank when he heard her stand up from her chair. He didn't even want to look up if she was leaving. But to his surprise, a hand curled around his shoulder and a small body lowered itself to sit across his lap. He glanced up and a look of shock spread across his face as Zoe sat on him, a small smile on her own face. While it wasn't her biggest smile, it was a start, and Zoe hugged him around his shoulders, her face pressing against his neck, "I'm sorry too, Johnny."

His arms came to wrap around his younger cousin and John smiled, his dimples on show, "You don't need to be sorry, babygirl. I'm going to try and make it up to you, alright?"

Zoe lifted her head up to look at him, "You don't have to-"

"I want to." He brushed a strand of hair from her face and he patted her leg gently, urging her to get up, "Now, there's something else I want to talk to you about."

Zoe watched him, a frown on her face as he seemed to get more nervous. John edged closer to another door of the room and opened it, his head poking out to call someone inside. And as that person walked in, Zoe's heart sank. But no, she wasn't sad. Her anger spiked and she glared hard at her cousin, her next few words almost spat at the Boston native, "Are you fucking serious?"

John stilled at the foul language coming from his cousin. Over the past few weeks, he had noticed the changes in her and right now, that language was one of those changes. He held up his hands, walking towards his young cousin, "Zoe, hear me out. He is the next important person who upset you that weekend and I want you guys to work it out."

"See that's your problem right there," spat Zoe, her eyes still narrowed at her cousin. She didn't even bother to look at the other man in the room, "You want us to work it out. I don't want to work it out and clearly, he doesn't want to work it out."

"No, that's not true-"

"Yeah, it is, Cena."

John turned sharply to his left to shoot a look at his friend, "Punk, are you serious? You really don't want to patch things up with her-"

"I thought that was fairly obvious."

"I hate to agree with him but it's true."

John Cena stared at the former couple. Of course, the two most stubborn people in the world would have a relationship with each other. And now, they were both too stubborn to work it out. He looked heavenward for a second, wondering why he even bothered. There was silence and John stared back and forth between the two. Zoe and Punk remained silent, neither taking their eyes off each other and finally, Zoe threw her arms in the air, an angry growl escaping her, "I don't have time for this."

John reached forward, grabbing her arm, "Zoe, stop. You can't keep running away-"

Zoe ripped her arm out of his hold, "Yes, I damn well can. I don't have to speak to him. He made it very clear how he felt about me."

"He was just angry-"

"He made me out to be a whore and a backstabbing bitch."

There was even more silence and John turned to glare at his friend, "Are you going to say anything?"

CM Punk took in the sight before him. He had no idea what he was in for when John invited him over. He knew it was something bad when John pretty much snuck him into the house so Nikki didn't see him. She hadn't exactly been his biggest fan since Wrestlemania. And right now, as he looked between his former girlfriend and his best friend, he had no idea what to do. She was itching to get away and he was going to let her go. There was enough damage between the two of them that he honestly didn't care anymore what she did. She took off like the guilty one and Punk was left behind. He shook his head, an angry sneer slowly forming on his face, "I don't care. I don't know what you expected to achieve here, Cena. Did you think we'd fall back into each other's arms?"

John threw his hands in the air, "I just want you guys to talk!"

"Well we don't want to talk!" roared Punk, his frustration boiling over. He was so tired of it all. He couldn't care less.

"You mean after everything that you have heard about what happened in April, you still don't want to apologise?"

Punk looked at John like he was an idiot, "I'm going to apologise? For what? Where did you hear all this stuff, Cena? Her?"

John looked incredulously at his friend, "Wait, you still think she did all that?"

"She's not a stupid girl, Cena. She had to know everything that was going on. She knew about the Rock and you're trying to tell me she didn't know anything else?"

"She is standing right here!" exclaimed Zoe, her face red with anger as she watched the exchange between her cousin and exboyfriend, "She is tired of explaining herself to you people. You can choose what you want to believe!" She let out a bitter laugh, "My god Punk, did you ever trust me? Even when we were going out? Did you ever really think I wasn't part of this conspiracy against the talent?" She paused, looking at his face and her own face darkened, "Or did you only go out with me to make sure that you wouldn't be screwed over?"

Punk's jaw clenched and his blood was boiling at the whole situation. He was being made out to be the only one in the wrong. In his eyes, Zoe was also to blame for their falling out and he had just about had enough of the whole blame game, "I still got screwed over. So how's that for a waste of time."

"Enough!" roared John, stepping in front of Zoe before she could lunge at his friend, "What the fuck is wrong with you two?"

"You know what John I've had enough of this shit. You can play Super Cena all you want at work but don't try and pull it in our personal lives. Unless the woman you love screws you over, you have no business getting involved in our shit!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all three people in the room stared at one another and Zoe shook her head, disbelieving the words that had just come out of Punk's mouth. He had used love, not loved, and Zoe closed her eyes, shaking her head back and forth. She reopened them to see Punk staring at her, his own eyes wide with shock at his outburst. He didn't know what possessed him to say something like that and now it was too late. It was out there. For such a short relationship, Zoe had left that effect on him. Zoe stepped back, her eyes darting towards her cousin, "You don't get to do this. You don't get to use me again-"

"You know what?" interrupted Punk, his jaw still clenched, "Believe what you want. You can believe that I used you and I'll continue to believe you screwed me over. Until something occurs to disprove that, I'll let you get back to your pack of mutts. Have a nice life, Zoe." Within seconds, Zoe was out the door, and he sighed heavily, shaking his head at everything that had just happened. His emotions were all over the place. From the corner of his eye, he saw John Cena take a step towards him, his hand outstretched as if to pat him on the back, and Punk flinched from his friend, "Cena, get the fuck away from me."

"I just wanted to help-"

"You've done enough, Cena. Now stay the hell out of my life."

As Punk left quickly through the door, Nikki stepped inside, her eyes wide and confused at the two angry figures leaving the house she shared with John, "What the hell happened? Why is Punk here?" Her eyes widened even more as she put two and two together and she looked incredulously at her boyfriend, "Are you kidding me, John?"

"I just wanted to help-"

"What part of take it slow with your cousin did you not understand?!" cried Nikki, her arms folded across her chest, "Why the hell would you bring Punk as well? My god John, you just went one step forward and two steps back!" She threw her hands in the air, "You know what? I don't even want to know the mess you have caused now. Don't try and get me to fix it. This is your fault."

"Nicole, c'mon-"

"No, John! I got her here to talk to you and now she's not going to want to speak to either of us because she thinks we conspired to get Punk here together!" Nikki ran a hand through her long dark hair, "I'm going to go call her. So help me god John, if she doesn't pick up, I am never helping you again."

John Cena could do nothing but watch as his girlfriend left the room, her mind intent on calling his cousin and fixing the mess he seemed to have made. He buried his head in his hands, "What the hell have I done?"


Zoe Winters stormed into Dean and Seth's apartment, her eyes burning with tears. She furiously swiped at them, willing the tears away. The apartment was quiet and she had noticed Seth's car was gone, so she assumed they were at Crossfit. She checked his room and it was empty, confirming her suspicions. She was slightly glad they weren't there right now. Glancing at the mountain of clothes and books on Seth's bed, she shook her head and tried Dean's room for somewhere to lie down. As she swung open the door, she noticed it was still dark in there and the curtains were closed. Zoe jumped upon hearing Dean's voice as he sat up in bed, "Zoe?"

Zoe chewed her lip, her hand fiddling with the hem of her top, "Sorry, Dean. I thought you were out. I was just going to have a nap."

Dean groaned, his eyes blinking sleepily at her, "Nah, the others are out. I got a bit too trigger happy last night and needed my rest."

"Drank too much?" asked Zoe, a small smile curling her lips. The tapings had ended and they had a week and a bit off for Christmas, so the boys went out to celebrate the previous night with the rest of the roster. At his nod and groan, she laughed, but it sounded slightly strangled due to the growing need to sob, and Dean frowned at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You went to your cousins, didn't you?"

She had been debating it with the boys and they had advised her it was up to her, and they would support whatever she did. She had tried to ask for backup but they said it wasn't their fight and they weren't going to come in between family, "Yeah."

"Everything ok?"

"It was.. Then it wasn't."

"Why?" Dean heard her sniffle and he didn't have to be a genius to work out she wasn't up for explaining just yet. He tossed back the covers, patting the spot next to him, "Baby, come here."

The familiar term of endearment had Zoe bursting into tears, much to Dean's alarm. She stumbled to his bed, and Dean grabbed her, pulling her down into bed, his arms tight around her as he held her close, "Jesus, what the fuck happened over there?"

"Punk."

Dean groaned, pulling the covers over them to keep them warm. One of his arms was wrapped tightly under her shoulders while the other held her waist close to him. Zoe moved closer to the Ohio native, curling her fists into his tshirt, her face pressed against his neck. Dean felt her body shake against his and his anger for the current WWE Champion grew. Ever since they arrived to the main roster, all Zoe had done was cry or be withdrawn. He hated it more than anything. He rubbed her back gently, trying to get her to calm down. With her anxiety attacks already being a frequent occurrence, Dean was trying everything to make sure that that was not going to occur right now. As he felt her sobs subside, he thought it would be safe to try and talk to her, "What happened?"

"John had tricked Punk to be there and he wanted us to work it out."

Dean sighed. Trust John Cena to try and smooth over the situation. He shook his head, his chin brushing against her hair, "He was just trying to help."

"There's nothing to help."

He pulled back, looking down at her, confused, "Huh?"

Despite the tears stuck to her eyelashes and the soreness in her chest, Zoe couldn't help but smile at the confused face on Dean, "There's nothing to help. Punk and I.. I don't think it can be helped. If you don't trust someone, then you're never going to trust them." Her eyes caught sight of the wet patches on Dean's shirt and she tried to shuffle away, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't really drop this all on you. I'll let you nap." She tried to move away but Dean's arms stayed tight around her and he pulled her against his chest, his head buried in her hair, "Uh.. Deano?"

There was a grunt much to her amusement, "Just stay here, Sunshine." Zoe bit back a giggle at the mumble, but she curled closer to him, her mood slowly lifting. There was a pause before Dean spoke again, "Want me to beat him up?"

She snorted, her laughter filling the room and Dean couldn't help the wide smile that split his face, "Dean.."

"I can make it look like an accident."

Her laughter only grew and Dean knew then he and the boys needed to make sure she remained this happy. There was going to be no more crying on her part. They were going to make her happy again.


Zoe didn't realise how long she had been asleep for, or even the fact she'd fallen asleep. She had been woken up by the sudden dip in the bed caused by two bodies making themselves comfortable on top of the covers. She bit back a smile as Roman Reigns curled around the back of her, and Seth Rollins flung himself across her and Dean's legs, his head resting against her thigh. She laughed at the look of annoyance on Dean's face as he too started to slowly wake up due to the unwelcomed weight on his legs.

"Seth, what the fuck?"

"Are we having a slumber party?"

"Get the fuck off me."

Seth refused to budge and he nuzzled his head against Zoe's blanket covered thigh, a small smile on his face, "I'm quite comfortable right here."

Zoe let out a laugh, her body shaking in amusement, "You're special, Seth." The brunette smiled as Roman's arms wrapped tighter around her, "I think we should do this more often."

Dean's eyes flung open before narrowing at the teasing look on Zoe's face, "No, no it should not happen more often." His hands brushed against Roman's arms that were wrapped around Zoe and he sent a look to his team mate, "Ro', I was here first."

Roman smirked, his head lifting up to send a challenging look to Dean, "There's plenty of room and I don't hear her complaining."

Zoe laughed again as both of Dean's arms wrapped tighter around her, while Roman's right arm clung to her tightly over the blankets. She let out a loud giggle and snort when she spied Seth's arm swinging up and landing on her chest, his hand reaching out to grope her.

"Seth, that's my breast!"

"Dude, second base and I wasn't even trying- Okay, OW!" The young Creative writer watched as Seth shook his hand, trying to relieve the sting from the slap Roman gave it for being in an inappropriate position. She sighed, curling tighter in between the two men, her other hand reaching out to clutch Seth's stinging hand. Seth frowned, lifting his head slightly to look at Zoe, and his frown deepened at the dried tear tracks on her face, "Zoe, what happened?"

When she failed to answer due to the overwhelming urge to burst into tears, Dean grunted a response, his hand that was tucked under her head pulling her to bury her head against his neck, "She went to see John and John decided to kill two birds with one stone and brought Punk along as well."

Roman let out a low whistle, his hand rubbing along Zoe's side soothingly in an effort to comfort her, "I take it that it didn't end well." He watched as Zoe shook her head against Dean's neck and he sighed, shaking his head, "What do you want us to do, Zoe?"

Zoe pulled her head back from Dean's warm neck, and tilted her head to glance at Roman, her eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"

"You've been upset ever since we came to Raw," said Roman. It wasn't a false statement. They had all noticed it. Being backstage at Raw was clearly uncomfortable at times for the young girl. They also had noticed that her carefree attitude from NXT was gone and instead, she was always on edge and seemed to be very uncomfortable near some talent. The boys had worked out that this talent must have been part of her former friend group. Roman brushed his hand up and down her arm, "Zoe, we know it's been shit for you on the road. We just want to know how to make you happy again."

"I don't want to drag you guys into it," said Zoe, a hand reaching up to brush a tear away, "You guys are honestly helping me just being the way you are. Sure, I get a bit upset backstage but as soon as we leave and I'm with you guys, I forget everything and I'd just like to keep it that way." She smiled as Seth reached up with his free hand to also wipe a tear away, and almost poke her in the eye. Zoe watched as he crawled off the bed and disappeared for a few minutes, "I can't thank you guys enough for the past few months. You've really made it better for me-"

"But we are going to try and make it even better," said Roman, pinching her hip to hear her giggle, his lips curling into a smile, "Trust us, you'll go back to the crazy Zoe we knew a few months ago."

The young Boston native laughed as Seth re-entered Dean's bedroom with four bowls of icecream, and the Shield rearranged themselves to sit up on the bed, each taking a bowl to eat, "You guys are going to make me fat."

"That's how we like our girls. With some junk in their-"

"Do not finish that sentence, Ambrose. For the love of god, don't."


25th December, 2012

The WWE had organised a twelve day break for the crew to celebrate Christmas with their families, with the intention that they return on the 31st of December to film RAW. They had completed other tapings to tide them over for the break and everyone was excited to return home to their familes.

All except Zoe.

After much debating and arguing, Roman Reigns had pretty much carried Zoe to the boarding gate, after she refused to detach her arms from around Seth Rollin's neck. Despite the purple colour Seth was going, Zoe was adamant she was not going back to Boston for Christmas on the grounds that she didn't want to see her cousin. In her own words, 'He probably wrapped up Punk in a fucking Xmas bag!' which only caused Roman to roll his eyes as he manhandled her to the boarding gate. He planted a kiss on her head and pushed her towards the gate with the sentiment of 'You'll be fine, Princess.'

Zoe was anything but fine.

It was Christmas Day and she was sitting at the island bench in her mother's kitchen, glaring pointedly at the Winters matriarch. Her mother was being way too cheerful for Christmas and Zoe knew that she was hiding the fact that the Cena family were coming. Lisa spun around to place something in the oven before she rolled her eyes at the glare on her daughter's face, "Oh good lord, Zoe. Will you stop with the grinch look?"

"Is John coming?"

Lisa placed her hand on her hip, a dishcloth hanging loosely from her fingers, "Does it matter? You're still going to be mad at him whether he is here or not." Zoe had recounted the story of her interaction with John at his house and how he had sprung Punk on her. Her mother was not amused at the appearance of Punk but she did commend her nephew on trying to apologise to her daughter. Even though he then royally screwed it up. She sighed turning back to get the Christmas lunch ready, "Try and play nice, Zoe. I dont want Christmas to end with you throwing the turkey at John's head."

Zoe smirked at her mother, "I hadn't thought of that till now."

Lisa glared at her daughter, "Zoe, I'm warning you."

Zoe held up her hands in surrender, noticing the Cena glare on her mother's face. She rolled her eyes as the doorbell rang, "Ugh, let it begin!" Her mother swatted her with the dishcloth and Zoe hopped off the stool to go answer the door.

Today was going to be fun.


John Cena knew when he was being ignored. And judging by the smirk and 'I told you so' look on Nikki's face, he knew that she had noticed it as well. He had spent the majority of Christmas lunch at his aunt Lisa's being ignored by his younger cousin, Zoe. After he thought they'd made great progress the other week, obviously she was still holding the fact he had confronted her with Punk against him. He took a sip from his beer watching as Zoe talked with her sister in law Sarah. He failed to notice the man that sidled up next to him.

"So what did you do to Zoe?"

John shot a glance at his cousin standing next to him, "What makes you say that?"

Scott let out a chuckle, "She's been ignoring you pointedly. Also, she disappeared for over 6 months and that boyfriend of hers is missing from today's festivities." He took a sip from his own beer, his eyes looking towards his sister, "She also may have told her 6 year old niece that they were going to have a bonfire with all her CM Punk tshirts."

At that, John had to snort. Trust his cousin to be violent like that. He turned to his cousin Scott and sighed, "Work kinda screwed everything up."

Scott nodded, "Mom told me the basics of it but I still don't get it." After John launched into an almost ten minute spiel about the entire saga, Scott just stood there, his eyes wide, "Why you two couldn't get normal jobs is beyond me."

John rolled his eyes, "No matter how painful it can be, you're always going to do the thing you love."

"So wait, why are you still in the doghouse? Shouldn't you have tried to apologise a million times, Super Cena?"

The former WWE Champion rolled his eyes again at the teasing name from his cousin. He looked momentarily sheepish before explaining to Scott, "I may have staged an intervention at my house between her and Punk, whilst using my own intervention with her as an excuse to get her there."

"So straight after you apologised, you got her exboyfriend who continuously antagonises her to confront her?" At John's nod, Scott let out a low whistle, "Way to go, Dr Phil." He glanced up as Zoe disappeared into the house and he punched John's shoulder, "Now in the spirit of the holidays, I'm not going to punch you in the face. But you are going to go inside and apologise to Zoe. Right now." Zoe's brother pushed against John's shoulder, sending the man slightly stumbling towards the door. He shot a look back over at Scott, but he only raised an eyebrow at John and John sighed. He knew he had to go talk to her sometime soon.

He found her in the kitchen pulling out the desserts that had been prepared. She glanced up when she heard his footsteps and he noticed her shoulders immediately tense at his presence, "Zoe, can I have a word with you?" She didn't answer but instead decided to check all the cupboards and the fridge like she was looking for something. He raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you've hidden Punk anywhere."

He deserved that. John sighed, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, "Zoe, c'mon, I'm sorry for what happened."

Zoe stopped what she was doing and leant back against the kitchen bench opposite John, "Are you sorry because it didn't work out for you?"

"No, I'm sorry that I tried to get too involved in your life." He watched as her face slightly crumpled, obviously her mind was replaying the encounter, "I just wanted to see you happy, that's all. Punk used to make you happy-"

"That's the thing," interrupted Zoe, "He used to make me happy. He doesn't make me happy anymore."

"I know and that's why I wanted you guys to talk. You guys are miserable and irritable without each other and I thought even if you didn't get back together, as long as you came to some understanding, then you'd go back to being alright." He ran a hand over his short hair, "I'm so sorry. I just wanted what I thought was best."

"Sometimes it's not as easy to forgive and forget, John. I get what you were trying to do but you need only concern yourself with your issue with me. That's it. Forget about everyone else-"

"You're my cousin. You're like my sister-"

"But I'm not your sister, John." She shook her head at his startled and upset look, "Don't get me wrong. I am touched by everything you try and do to make my life better and easier but I'm not a kid. I'm an adult and I can work things out for myself in my own time."

John nodded, his foot tapping against the floor, "This isn't me trying to push anything but..He still loves you, you know. And I still think you love him."

"I don't know what I feel, John," said Zoe, shaking her head, "I'm too angry and hurt to even think of him like that. But I think I still care about him. Some small part of me does."

"Will you try and talk to him?"

Zoe shook her head, "Not for a long time. I think it's too soon."

"It's been 8 months."

She shot him a look, "Did you not see World War Three that almost erupted at your house?"

John chuckled, stepping closer to his cousin, "Alright, I'm sorry. I'll let it go." He held out his arms, "Sorry?"

Zoe rolled her eyes at the cheesy grin on his face and she wrapped her arms around his waist, her head buried against his chest, "Love you."

"Love you too, Zo'."


31st December, 2012

Zoe Winters was 100% sure that the kind of high pitched squark she just heard was not supposed to come out of a man. She had just arrived to the arena for the Raw taping. Since it was New Year's Eve, the WWE Management had decided to make the show earlier in the evening so that celebrations could continue afterwards. She had barely stepped foot into the monitor bay before she heard the obscure noise and her head turned just in time to see a blur of blonde and black come flying at her.

Seth Rollins completely tackled her to the ground, an excited grin on his face and Zoe laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around the young man's neck, squeezing him tight as they lay there on the floor, "You're such a child, Seth. God help us when the Shield breaks up. Dean and Roman will have to share custody of you."

He lifted his head to grin at her, before leaning forward to press a kiss to her cheek, his beard tickling her face, "So did you miss me?"

"Did you miss me?"

Her own smile grew at the large grin on his face, "Always."

She rolled her eyes, pushing on his shoulder to get him off of her before another voice entered the conversation, "Jesus, Rollins, what have I told you about manhandling the staff?"

Zoe grinned at Paul Levesque as he stood beside Roman Reigns, who offered her a hand to help her up, "Hey Paul. How was your break?"

"Eventful. I was Santa for a day. And before you ask, no I did not miss you."

She laughed, "I'm sure Stephanie did."

"Yes she did actually. Which is why I came to find you before.. this happened," He shot an exasperated look at Seth, "She needs some help with tonight's scripts. I know it's not your territory anymore, but the girl who replaced you is still on break, so she could really use a hand.. Please."

Zoe smiled, patting his arm gently, "I'll go find her. She's tearing out her hair isn't she?"

"Exactly why I volunteered to find you rather than just call you."

The young Creative writer giggled, pressing a kiss to Roman's cheek as a way of greeting him after the long break. She squeezed his arm, "I'll see you later, alright?" At his nod, she disappeared down the hallway in the direction Paul had pointed her in and she kept a look out for Stephanie's office. As she turned down another corridor, she noticed a figure approaching her and her smile widened, her legs setting off in a run towards the tall man. As her heels clicked across the concrete floor, he looked up from checking his phone to see her come fllying towards him and he opened his arms to catch her against his chest. She smiled, her arms wrapping around his neck as his own arms tightened around her waist, spinning her around. Her voice was muffled against his neck, "I missed you." Zoe didn't know what it was about these Shield boys but she was slowly realising that they were becoming a big part of her life much like her former friends had, but this time, she was sure it would turn out good.

Dean Ambrose grinned, setting her down on the floor. He loosened his arms around her waist and leaned back to look down at her, "Look at you being all sentimental, Sunshine." She swatted his chest and he laughed, "Yeah I missed you too, don't you worry." He frowned as she pulled away from him to continue her way down the corridor, "Hey lady! Where are you going?"

Zoe rolled her eyes, pinching his arm, "Relax your flaps, Ambrose. I know you just want me to hang around to give you the goss from Christmas." The tell tale smile on his face only confirmed her suspicions and she giggled, stepping away from him, "Let me go help Steph and I'll find you guys after, alright?" At Dean's nod, she eventually made her way to Stephanie's office and knocked on the door. The strangled 'come in' only made Zoe laugh as she entered to find Stephanie almost buried under paperwork, "Hey Steph."

"Oh thank god," cried Stephanie, "Clearly my idiot husband found you. He disappeared as soon as I even uttered the word help. Apparently paperwork is what scares Triple H." She pushed a pile towards Zoe, waving her hand to take a seat, "Ok, just go through these and let me know if we need anything else added to it. More promos or whatever I don't care. Thank you so so much-"

Zoe held up a hand, "It's fine Steph. I can see you are stressed and it's the least I can do."

Stephanie smiled at the young writer, "I know you're not ready for it just yet but I am dying to have you back on the team again as a full time writer."

She reached a hand up to brush a stray strand of hair, an embarassed look on her face, "I really wasn't all that great-"

"You were amazing, Zoe. Don't let anyone tell you differently." Steph turned her attention back to another pile of papers, "Oh and also, later after the show, I want to have a run through with you about the next few weeks with the Shield and Punk." At Zoe's slightly startled look, Stephanie held up a hand reassuringly, "I'll do it in the monitor bay so there are other people present. Punk has been put on a warning so I can assure you that he will... try to be on his best behaviour."

"You said that so convincingly," quipped Zoe, drily.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, laughing, "You never know with that one. He's more PMS-y than the rest of us women."

Zoe snorted, "You have no idea."


As the Raw show came to an end, the backstage area was filled with a few people, including the Shield. They were sitting on some chairs in the monitor bay watching the end of the show, whilst Zoe perched herself on Dean's lap, her arm hanging loosely across the top of his shoulders. She was trying very hard to ignore the look that Punk was sending her from where he sat a few metres away. He had also been called to the meeting and Zoe was none too happy about it. She noticed John Cena was lurking around as well and she tried not to laugh at the fact he was trying to look incognito to her. As she chatted with the Shield, she heard some hurried footsteps come closer. She turned her head and noticed Steph standing there looking slightly frazzled. Zoe raised an eyebrow, "Everything alright, Steph?"

"I am so so sorry. I should've told you earlier but he just dropped in and wanted to be involved with everything."

Zoe looked confused as to who Stephanie was talking about and she stood up, her hand resting on the back of Dean's chair, "Uh, Steph? You're not making any sense-" She never got to finish her sentence as a loud drawl occurred behind her, causing Zoe to freeze in place at the recognition of whose voice it was.

"Well, well, well, look who came crawling back or did your cousin do the crawling for you?"


A/N: I'm sure you can all guess who that is! Hope you enjoyed :)