A/N: Hello! Before we move to the actual chapter, I have a short rant- sorry! I just want to start by saying I really really appreciate each and every one of you who has continued reading this fanfic and those who have left support whether it's through reviews, PMs, by favoriting this story, and sometimes even through my tumblr. You're all amazing and thank you for that. But with that being said, I recently started getting some really negative/rude reviews -mostly demands- regarding getting this story updated. For example: "you better get off that lazy ass of yours and update" "Bitch face I said update the story and you fucking didn't" etc. I just wanted to say that while I get that sometimes I do take a while to update, sending reviews like that isn't going to make the chapter get done any faster. I do have a life outside of fanfic writing, and sometimes I simply just don't have the time/motivation/inspiration. I'm sorry if I take forever to update, but it's never on purpose. I really do appreciate critiques of my writing and welcome them, but I felt like those comments were kind of rude and unnecessary. So please just be patient and you know... maybe try to be somewhat respectful in the way you express your desire for an update? I 100% prefer to focus on positivity and block out negativity so this rant is over. But first, a BIG THANK YOU once again for continuing to read my work :)
~Enjoy!~
Backstage during Raw, Roman had been waiting for Brie to return after her match and segment.
"You think it's a good idea? Or- Reigns, are you even listening to me, man?" Dean asked as he fidgeted by Roman's side as they watched Brie's post match segment with Paige.
Roman reluctantly turned to look at Dean. "I'm listening. You wanna ask Emma to ride with you. If that's what you want, do it."
Dean thought about Roman's advice, or lack of advice, for a moment. "I don't know, we just worked things out last night. You think she'll be alright with traveling and rooming with me so soon?"
Roman chuckled. "Who would've thought my boy, Dean Ambrose, would be able to fall so hard for a woman?"
Dean rolled his eyes at Roman's comment. "Finally, someone who can actually help me out here." Dean said as he watched Paige return backstage.
Roman turned to look where Dean's eyes were and smiled when he saw her. He followed as Dean began approaching the diva.
"Hey, Idiot." Paige smiled at Dean as he came closer. Dean pulled her into a suffocating hug with her face buried in his chest. "Dean, I can't breathe." She mumbled.
Roman raised an eyebrow as he watched Dean squeeze harder before Paige finally began pushing him off.
Dean laughed as he let her go. "That was my way of saying thank you for-"
"I know," Paige smiled. "Emma told me everything that happened last night. See, I told you to just wait for her and she'd come around." Paige told him before playfully punching his shoulder.
"You just had to throw your little 'I told you so' in there?"
"Of course, I thought you knew me better by now."
Roman watched as the two teased each other then began talking about Dean's idea to ask Emma to become his road partner. It annoyed Roman a bit considering the fact that Paige hadn't acknowledged him once yet.
Roman cleared his throat in an attempt to catch her attention. Paige and Dean stopped talking and looked at him. Before Roman could say anything, he noticed Brie and Nikki had also returned backstage.
The twins seemed to be walking in their direction but Roman was confused when Brie began walking right past him. He furrowed his eyebrows as he took hold of her arm just as she passed him. "Hey,"
Dean and Paige shared a look, knowing that something odd was going on between the couple.
Brie remained stoic as she turned to face Roman. Nikki furrowed her eyebrows with a slight smile curling onto her face. She was a little amused and hoped maybe Brie was finally coming to her senses.
"You alright?" Roman asked his girlfriend.
Brie looked into his eyes as everything that happened the night before replayed in her mind. Daniel Bryan confessing his feelings to her, her going through Roman's phone and finding his late night phone call with Paige in his call log, and the fact that she couldn't stop wondering what they could've talking about. But most importantly, the realization that she wasn't happy.
"You've been giving me the cold shoulder all day, did I do something?" Roman asked quietly, knowing Paige, Dean, and Nikki's eyes were on them.
She gently pulled her arm away from Roman's grasp. "Nothing that you're not aware of." She said, almost mumbling before turning away to continue walking.
Roman watched her walk away and felt completely lost. Nikki gave him an amused looked and shook her head at him as if she was disappointed. Roman took a deep breath and looked away from the diva before she turned to leave with her heels clicking each time they hit the ground.
"Trouble in paradise?" Dean asked.
Roman turned back around to face Dean and Paige. "I don't even know what's going on. Why can't the women in my life ever just tell me what's on their mind?"
"That's a good question. Maybe Casper has an answer for you." Dean turned to Paige and gave her a smirk. She gave him a confused look until she realized that he was teasing her about never telling Roman about her feelings. She rolled her eyes before elbowing the side of his ribcage.
"Ow. I mean you do know firsthand about not saying what's on your mind, like I don't know, your feelings for-" Dean chuckled as he teased Paige before she shoved him.
"You're such an asshole, get out of here." She told him clearly unamused.
"Relax, I'm messing with you. But-"
"Go." Paige ordered him sternly with another push. Dean put his hands up in defense as he laughed and backed away from her. She watch with a scowl on her face as he left her presence. When she turned back to Roman he seemed slightly curious.
"What's he talking about?"
Paige forced a smiled and shrugged. "You know Ambrose, he's an idiot." She said trying not to let her voice expose her hidden truths. "So, you and Brie...?" Paige looked at him with solicitude knowing that his relationship was on a bumpy road.
Roman released a deep breath before responding. "Last night you told me I have nothing to worry about. I'm not so sure about that right now."
"She probably just needs some space. You guys have been through a lot, maybe she's just now processing everything." Paige tried to advise him the way she did the night before when they spoke on the phone. Despite how she secretly felt about Roman, she wanted to see him happy, even if that meant helping him through his relationship with Brie.
"Space? Considering all the time she's been spending with that little gnome, I think she's had plenty of space lately."
"Roman." Paige looked at him with reprimanding eyes.
He was noticeably getting irritated by the situation and Paige wanted to keep him calm. The night before, Roman surprisingly called to talk about the strange tension that was present between him and Brie. She was able to clear his mind of his doubts, but obviously that didn't last very long.
"Alright fine, I'll take your advice and let her have her space. You were somehow able to help to Dean, so I guess maybe you're right about this too." Roman gave in before Paige gave him a smile. "Speaking of you helping Dean, you two seem to be a lot closer these days." Roman pointed out, suddenly changing the topic of discussion.
Paige slightly shrugged and nodded simultaneously. "Yeah, I mean he's an idiot, and he's annoying but somehow he makes a good friend." She shrugged again. "We can just talk and understand each other. It's weird."
Roman eyed her for moment, not feeling too fond of Paige and Dean's new bond. "You know you can talk to me, right? Like last night when I called, you can call me too. You don't need to rely on Dean."
Paige furrowed her eyebrows as she listened to Roman's words. "So you don't want me talking to Dean." She stated, trying to sum up what he said.
"I'm just saying… maybe it's not very wise for you two to be so close, considering he's dating your best friend and all." Roman added.
Paige raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms across her chest. "Roman, I don't sleep with every dude I'm friends with. And I don't go around screwing everybody's boyfriend-"
"Whoa, that's not what I meant at all." He could tell by the way Paige was looking at him that she was not impressed. He placed his hands on her arms and uncrossed them, which only made Paige's scowl even more intense. "You're crossing your arms and glaring at me with those big eyes of yours. Obviously I offended you. I'm sorry." He apologized while still holding onto her arms.
Paige's eyes involuntarily softened when he gave her a remorseful smile. "If I want to be friends with Dean, I'm going to be friends with Dean. That has absolutely nothing to do with you." She reminded him.
"I know. I just wanted you to know that Dean doesn't have to be your only friend or the only one you feel comfortable talking to." Roman admitted as he released her arms.
"I have Emma too, and Seth, and even AJ-" Paige reminded him as she looked at him skeptically, trying to figure out what his issue was.
"Paige, I know that. You have all of them, I get it. But what about me? You came to me telling me that you wanted things to be normal and wanted to be friends again, yet it seems like I'm the only one ever making the effort here. I'm starting to feel like this is just a one sided friendship." Roman revealed, letting his frustrations pour out.
Paige dissected his words in her head and started to wonder if this was Roman being jealous, since he clearly had issues with her relationship with Dean. "It's not a one sided friendship. I just can't put myself out there the way you want me to because I don't want to piss off Brie more than I already have. I don't have that problem with Dean or the others."
Roman shook his head, "Brie's fine with us being cool. She's even made an effort to be on good terms with you."
"No, that's just her being nice. And especially now since you two are having issues, I think we should just keep things the way they are." Paige suggested.
"So you're perfectly fine with only seeing each other in the arena, and only talking when I make the call? Sounds pretty one sided to me."
Paige rolled her eyes. "Brie's the one you're having problems with. Why are you turning this on me and making a big deal out nothing?" Her tone of voice was in full defense mode.
"Because I want to spend time with you outside of these halls. Is that so bad?" Roman spoke without thinking but he didn't regret saying it, since it was the truth.
Paige let out a loud sigh and threw her head back feeling defeated. "Ugh," she groaned before looking at him again. "Please just use your brain for once. Brie Bella is your freaking girlfriend and you cheated on her with me. Do you honestly believe that she'd be one hundred percent fine with us spending any more time together? Even if we are just friends?"
Roman looked away from Paige and released a heavy breath. He shook his head, "No, I don't think she'd be one hundred percent fine with it. I'm not one hundred percent fine with all the time she's been spending with Daniel Bryan either, but I've never made it an issue and neither should she."
Paige looked at him and almost wanted to laugh. "Wow, this whole time I've been calling Dean an idiot, but you are the real idiot here." She shook her head at him in disbelief. "I'm just gonna go, I can't listen to you anymore." She said before turning around to leave.
"Paige, wait." He called as he took hold of her hand to stop her. Paige clenched her jaw as she stopped walking and slowly turned to face him again. "Look, I'm sorry. You're right, I'm an idiot sometimes, especially when it comes to you." Paige rolled her eyes as he spoke and she pulled her hand out of his grip.
"Brie and I are in a rough patch right now, and for some reason, you're the one person who can get my mind off of it. So yes, I'd like to spend a little more time with you because right now, I need you. I understand why you're worried about Brie, but I don't want you to. If Brie has an issue with us being friends, that's my problem, not yours."
Paige finally made eye contact with him and could see that his eyes were practically begging. She hated those beautiful eyes of his because they had the massive power of tearing down her walls. "Fine." She finally caved in. "What do you want us to do that we're not already doing?"
A smile made its way on Roman's face. "I don't know. Just hangout like the old days?"
Paige smiled back, "So, binge watching The Walking Dead while drinking beers? Or you forcing me to watch American football while I laugh my ass off at you getting emotional over the games. Or cheesy comedy movie marathons? By the way your taste in movies suck."
Roman jokingly looked at her as if he was offended. "Just because I don't prefer gore and horror doesn't mean I have bad taste. The stuff you're into is borderline disturbing."
"Says the guy who religiously watches The Walking Dead." Paige laughed.
"It's not the same." Roman chuckled. He became serious again and smiled at her. "We can hangout, and we can talk- just the two of us, without you feeling uncomfortable or worried about Brie. Alright?"
Paige took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay." She smiled back at him. "Just text me or something." Roman turned so his eyes could follow her as she stepped around him and continued walking. He smiled when she turned to look at him again while walking backwards. "Oh, and try not to be such a jealous diva the next time you see Ambrose and I talking." She said then flashed him a grin before turning her back to him once again.
Roman shook his head and smiled as he watched her leave. He didn't realize how obvious his jealousy had been, but he wasn't really trying to hide it. It was like Paige had some kind of gravitational pull on him. Even as just friends, he had a hard time staying away from her. He wondered if that would ever change.
As much as Nikki wanted to stick around and dig her nose into Brie and Roman's apparent relationship troubles, she had her own concerns to focus on. She wanted to check in on Seth and make sure he was alright, considering what he had to do by the end of the show. After texting Seth to meet her, she walked the busy halls until she reached her destination.
Nikki scanned the area before knocking on the door of one the backstage rooms. A smile grew on her face when the door opened and she was met with her partly blonde man. He opened the door to let her in before closing it behind him.
"This is nice." Nikki said referring to the room they were in that looked more like a lounge than anything. Seth nodded in agreement without uttering a word. She could see all the stress weighing Seth down and she wished so much that she could do something to help him out of his situation. "I can't imagine how you feel right now, Seth." She said as she stood in front of him.
Seth shrugged before running his fingers through his hair. "It is what it is, I guess. I just hope Reigns and Ambrose understand that if I had it my way, this isn't how things would be going down tonight." He released a deep breath as he again wished that WWE management would change their minds last minute so he wouldn't have to surprise his friends with betrayal.
"I know," Nikki said as she took a step closer to Seth and placed a hand on his cheek. "Everything will be fine. Maybe not at first, but Roman and Dean will understand that this is just business and they'll move on." Nikki tried to assure him. "And until they do get over it, I'm by your side."
Seth sighed as he placed his hands on Nikki's waist. "What would I do without you?"
Nikki grinned as she wrapped both of her arms around his neck. "You'd probably be a mess."
Seth finally allowed a smile to settle on his face as he looked down into Nikki's espresso tinted eyes. He brought his head down until their noses were lightly touching. "I think you're right." He whispered before closing his eyes and then softly met her lips with his.
After being lost in this passion for some time, Seth heard a few sounds from his pocket. He reluctantly pulled away then groaned as he pulled his phone out.
Nikki brought her arms down and watched as his face returned back to its troubled state. She gave him a slight smile. "It's time?"
Seth exhaled deeply, "They're looking for me to get ready to head out there."
Nikki took one of his hands in hers and gave him a reassuring look. "You got this."
Seth nodded before leaning in to land a sweet kiss onto her cheek. He pulled away ready to head out but Nikki, with her fingers still intertwined with his, pulled him back. He looked at her with curiosity.
Nikki grinned as she freed her hand from his then used her thumb to wipe his lips. "I got some lipstick on you." She informed as she worked on removing it. When she got most of it off, they smiled at each other before Seth had to depart.
Nikki had joined Emma, Brie, and a couple of other divas as they watched the match that was going on before The Shield was set for their segment. Emma and Nikki were laughing and chatting away but Brie was lost in her own world as she watched the match between Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt. She felt so angry at Daniel. She began to wonder if the entire friendship they had developed was even genuine. She rolled her eyes in response to her thoughts.
"You alright over there, Brie?" Emma asked as she leaned forward so she could see Brie who was beside Nikki.
Brie broke away from her thoughts and turned to face Emma. "I'm just ready to get out of here."
"She and Roman are fighting." Nikki informed Emma.
Brie glared at Nikki before saying anything. "We're not fighting. We're just- I'm-" Brie stopped not really knowing what words to use to defend herself against Nikki's statement.
"You're having doubts." Nikki answered for her. "Because you know, deep down in that sad heart of yours where his heart is." Nikki wasn't trying to be mean or trying to upset Brie, she just really wanted her to open her eyes and realize that she and Roman didn't belong together anymore.
Brie looked at Nikki then Emma. She could read on Emma's face that she agreed with Nikki but obviously wasn't going to say so. For the first time, Brie didn't defend her relationship to Nikki. She just quietly turned back to the TV as pain filled her chest and watched as Daniel Bryan cheered with the crowd.
Nikki shook her head feeling sympathy for Brie. She turned back to the TV as commercials played. She turned her head to see if she could spot The Shield near the exit curtains. She spotted the guys there as they took some last minute pointers from the backstage crew. Nikki smiled when Seth looked up and caught her eyes. He smiled back before he was directed to exit the backstage area so he, Roman, and Dean could make their entrance through the crowd.
Just as the guys began walking away together, Triple H who had been there with them placed a hand on Seth's shoulder. He squeezed Seth's shoulder and gave him an assuring nod and a look telling Seth not to mess up their plans. Seth swallowed his guilt before turning to look at Roman and Dean who had kept walking. He looked back at Triple H and gave him a respectful nod back before his shoulder was released so he could catch up to his soon to be former Shield brethren.
Nikki turned back to the television screen after Seth had disappeared from her view. She began chatting with Emma and the other divas they were with while they waited for the commercials to come to an end. As the divas laughed in conversation, their voices slowly quieted when Paige had joined and placed herself by Emma's side.
Emma was the only one to greet the raven haired diva in a welcoming manner.
"Hi, Em. Ladies." Paige responded to Emma then looked at the other divas and forced a smile towards them.
Nikki rolled her eyes and looked away from Paige. Part of her actually commended Paige for being able to deal with the treatment she had gotten from the majority of the Divas' locker room since she and Roman were exposed. A lot of women wouldn't be strong enough to deal with the reputation and treatment that Paige had earned, let alone be able to openly be friends with Roman without a care in the world who was judging her. Nikki had to admit to herself that she actually did have slight respect for Paige.
Brie kept her eyes off of Paige. Normally she was cordial with Paige, but part of her was beginning to resent her. Brie was finally beginning to admit to herself that Roman's feelings for Paige probably weren't going anywhere, no matter how much he wanted them to. Especially considering the fact that they were still friends and not to mention shared late night phone calls. She took a deep breath as she tried to remove the thoughts of Roman and Paige from her head because it was only making her even more upset.
The women watched on as The Shield made their way down to the ring. The guys began talking about their loss to The Authority's Evolution at the PPV the night before. Nikki was beginning to feel a little nervous as Seth spoke into the microphone.
Seth turned to look at Roman as he spoke, "One of us didn't have our head in the match last night. We were so close to defeating the Authority at their game-"
"Look, we're not out here to make excuses, alright? Yeah, last night, Evolution, The Authority, whatever you wanna call yourselves- you got one over on us. But The Shield never stays down, baby. We get up, make a new game plan, and we keep fighting. And right now, our new game plan is to take out The Authority-" Dean's grating voice spoke into the microphone before Triple H's theme music cut him off. Seth instantly exited the ring to grab a steel chair, then returned in position as if he was prepared to fend off whatever The Authority would throw their way.
As Brie stood there watching the segment, she noticed a familiar person in the corner of her eye. Brie turned her head without much thought and watched as Daniel spoke with another superstar while casually rehydrating himself after his match. He must've somehow been able to feel her eyes him; he looked in her direction and they locked eyes. Daniel gave her a smile that seemed more apologetic than anything. Brie instantly broke their eye contact and turned away from him. She couldn't even look at him the same anymore. Everything just felt different and she hated it. Her eyes were on the TV but her mind was elsewhere.
"Hey, maybe if your powerhouse over there wasn't so involved in the drama within the Divas' division, just maybe you boys wouldn't have embarrassed yourselves so badly last night." Triple H spoke as he stood at the bottom of the ramp with Randy Orton by his side.
Paige rolled her eyes, still nearly cringing at the thought of that awful storyline she, Brie, and Roman were thrown in.
"Boys, the sooner you get this drilled into your heads, the better life here in the WWE will be for you. The Authority always wins. We are always, and I mean always, five steps ahead of you. Ambrose, you said The Shield never quits, huh? Maybe it's about time you do. Because think about this: What happens when a hound becomes tired of his pack and decides he's ready to be on the winning team?"
Dean and Roman glanced at each other, both realizing that the line Triple H had just spoken didn't correspond with the script they were given. "What are you talking about, huh? The Shield's indestructible." Dean began spewing into the microphone in the manner that represented his lunatic persona.
As Dean spoke, Seth took a few steps back and braced himself for the moment he had been dreading.
Nikki closed an eye so she was now only peaking at the screen; part of her really didn't want to witness what was coming.
Triple H smiled wickedly. "Indestructible? Roman, Dean… are you willing to bet on that?"
As Triple H brought his microphone down to his side the arena was filled with collective gasps as Seth brought the steal chair up over his head and used his strength to connect it to Roman Reigns' back.
Dean's eyes widened as he looked at Seth with bewilderment as Roman fell down to his knees. He began taking a few steps towards Seth to ask him what the hell was going on, but before he knew it, his body also came into contact with the steel chair.
After unleashing multiple relentless chair shots onto Roman and Dean, Triple H and Randy Orton joined Seth in the ring to provide their own punishment onto the two. After completely decimating Dean and Roman with multiple chairs, the show came to close with a completely shocked audience and Triple H, Randy Orton, and Seth Rollins standing tall over the blindsided Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.