Happy Halloween! I hope you enjoy your update and keep an eye out on the prequel because that will be updated soon also!

Enjoy all your tricks and treating and thank you reading!

Carter was standing off to the side at Quad City Fitness, cooling down from her own workout and quietly watching Seth and Marek talk to their students. Dean and Renee had come with them to watch and participate.

Renee was off to the side talking to Marek's wife and playing with their son.

Dean had disappeared to the locker room for a few minutes but Carter felt him walk up next to her before he spoke.

"You gonna show me what you got at some point?" He asked.

Carter eyed him, partially smiling. "I might. You'll have to talk to my trainer about that."

"Oh well that's easy," he shrugged. "This is nice. He's got a good thing going here."

"It's his baby," Carter replied.

They stood quietly for a few minutes. Seth wandered over to the side of the ring they were standing on and leaned on the ropes, looking down at them.

"You good?" He asked, looking at Carter.

"I'm great, sweetheart, thanks for asking," Dean countered him.

"I was talking to the pretty one, not you bro," Seth shot his friend a look and then directed his eyes back to Carter.

"I'm fine babe," Carter smiled.

"Whatever he's telling you, don't listen to him."

Carter chuckled and rolled her eyes. "He's saying nice things."

"Yeah, Rollins. Carter and I are having a private conversation so go teach and leave us be."

"You've been around Renee too long," Seth shrugged.

He gave Carter a quick wink and turned back to the ring.

Dean and Carter shared a look.

"Yeah I know," Carter laughed.

"You're good for him."

"You know, I hear that a lot. It makes me wonder what exactly he was like before he started dating me. I don't think he's that bad..."

"Well it's true. He's always had a super serious laser tunnel vision focus. God he used to drive us crazy on the road," Dean shook his head and folded his arms. "Before I started like seriously dating Renee me, Roman and him would travel together. If he didn't like how the match went or he had a bad day with Leigh, Jesus he could get into the worst moods and he would just pout and be a complete dick. You've relaxed him."

"Oh he still gets into moods and pouts; I don't put up with it, I just leave him alone. And he still has tunnel vision focus sometimes, too. I have to snap him out of it. Fifteen or twenty minutes and he'll usually recover from it and be back to normal."

"Are we still talking about wrestling?"

"Stop," Carter gave him a wide eyed look. "I get enough of that from your lady friend."

"So is everything good? All your drama and stuff? I mean it seems good but things aren't always what they appear to be..."

Carter had folded her arms across her chest and she turned towards Dean slightly, tilting her head at his question.

"Renee tells you everything huh?"

"Do you tell him everything?"

"Fair enough," she conceded. She turned her attention back to the ring, watching as she spoke. "Things are good, I guess. I'm not going to say they're perfect but it's not a reflection of me and him- that part, the Carter and Colby part, is great. We're on the same page and we're happy. It's just everything else."

"Zahra?"

"Mmm, she lurks, but there isn't much I can do about it." Carter gave a hefty sigh, "trying to confront her just makes it worse, it's what she wants, so I just leave it be. I don't like having to leave it be but I dislike making her happy even more. Leaving him, apparently, is her biggest regret on the long list of things she's done that she should regret and that's my fault."

"Because you stole him," Dean teased.

"That's me; maneater."

They fell into a silence again, observing.

Carter sighed and shrugged. "Honestly, it's not a big deal. It happens. Hell I still have Dolph throwing little comments at me occasionally. It sucks that it invades my work space, with Sasha and with Paige and whatever but sometimes you just have to let people believe what they believe. I think it's just hard to watch other people be happy when you aren't happy. Like you have to steal theirs away to fill up what you're missing. It bothers me because I'm sensitive but that's just the part of me I have to put some walls back up with. He's a lot better at managing it than I am."

"It bugs him," Dean said. "Don't let yourself think that it doesn't. He just shows it differently- all his worry and protectiveness."

"I know," Carter smiled softly.

"If it helps any, Renee and I are in your corner, too."

"Thank God I have the titty master on my side."

Dean scowled at her. "You've been hanging around him too much."

Carter laughed and sighed happily. "I miss you guys. I miss doing shows with you and being on the road. RAW isn't the same. It's very…I don't know, I guess it's kind of tense. It's not as fun as it used to be. Sometimes I feel like he and I get sucked in to our own little world and I try not to do that. I feel like I isolate people. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not giving people a chance or because the people suck. I definitely prefer all the boys more than the girls, though. Except Lana, she's a doll. There's just a divide between me and them, I feel like."

"Yeah Renee feels like that sometimes. It got better once you and the Bellas were always around. When we all split she had a little moment but Nikki came back and they started Talking Smack and everything. As much as I hate to say it, Divas helped."

Carter smiled at his eye roll.

"Yeah I'm excited about that. And I'm going to start going to Orlando more after Survivor Series. I have things to do and focus on…"

"I heard about the new job role."

"I'm going to be so much more of a hardass than Carano."

"That's not possible," Dean laughed. "He's such an asshole. You should pitch an idea- you and Renee- for Survivor Series. Since it's a combined show and they're going to have versus matches, you and Steph or Foley should come invade. Come be on Talking Smack and yell at Bryan. It'll give you a chance to hang out with us."

Carter turned to him, eyeing him. "That's not a bad idea at all."

"Renee said the same thing. I've been around for awhile you know, I know this business."

"Thank you," Carter smiled.

Dean returned her smile and stepped over to pull her into a hug.

"You're doing great, Car. I'm happy for you."

"Are we having a moment?"

"Yes, let's not make it a habit. Your fiancé might get jealous."

Carter laughed and stepped back from the hug. "He claims he doesn't get jealous."

"Well that's total bullshit."

Renee called for Dean, ending his and Carter's moment, and he gave her another look before he headed over to his beckoning girlfriend.

Carter smiled softly to herself as she watched them and then wandered over to Seth. He was leaning against the ring apron, watching intently.

Carter trailed her hand along his back and then leaned against the apron next to him.

"What was that all about?" He asked quietly.

"Big brother, little sister talk," she replied.

"Are you going to tell me about it or is it a private matter?"

"Of course I am but later. You're working right now."

He gave her a side eye look and she mirrored him, smiling at him.

"You wanna get in there?" he nodded towards the ring.

"I do, actually. I think I have enough energy left in me."

"Go make me proud, sunshine." He leaned over to kiss her and then smiled at her, smacking her butt as she climbed up on the apron.

The foursome had wrapped up their evening post workout and training with late night pizzas, joined by Brandon. Carter had gotten more joy than she should have out of watching Renee and Brandon team up against Seth. She had reached for his leg under the table and given him a supportive squeeze and a sympathetic smile. He had frowned at her and then gave her a small smirk.

Carter smiled to herself now in the mirror, thinking over the night and the past couple of days, as she braided her hair in a loose braid over her shoulder and waited to wash her face from the mask she was doing.

"I really don't understand how you girls have so many different products," Seth said, appearing in the doorway and leaning against the door frame of the bathroom. "Seriously, Carps, there are cabinets full of them."

"Well…some of us are on TV and have to look beautiful and fresh faced after wearing pounds of oily, dirty makeup. We don't get by on scruffy, thick, woodsmen beards."

"Yeah but do you really use all of it?"

"Do you use everything you have for shaving? I would say 'no' judging by your neck beard," she smirked at him.

"Fair enough but I still think you do too much work. You're always beautiful and fresh faced."

"Because I do this every other night."

Seth frowned, "I can't win. I'd kiss you right now but…all of that."

She laughed and pointed at her head as he pressed a kiss to her hair.

"Hey look at the boots on the bed; the green ones. What do you think?"

He glanced back at the bed, both of their bags mostly packed for their weekend travels.

"Why am I giving my opinions on these?" he asked, walking into the room.

"I think I'm going to wear them on Monday for RAW, with a cream dress, but I don't know if they're 'too much'."

"How far up do they go?"

"A little past my knee and they have a ribbon that laces up the back and ties at the top."

Carter dipped her face to wash it off with cool water.

"Wear them now," he teased her. Carter stepped into their room and cut her eyes at him. "I like them. Not that anyone really sees your feet, though, so I don't think they're too much."

"Well I like to get your opinions."

"I know," he smiled as she slipped her arm around his waist and maneuvered her way in front of him. He caressed her cheek and ran his finger along her lips. "You'll look yummy."

Carter laughed.

"Or is it delicious? Which one do you call me?"

"Both actually, it's weird to hear you say that. Don't do that anymore."

He dipped his head to kiss her and moments after their lips met, Nash started barking at the door.

"I hate your dog," he mumbled, giving her another quick kiss and turning towards the door. "Come on you loud mouth, let's go. I don't know why you couldn't have done this an hour ago. Why can't you just sleep all the time like Kevin?"

Carter smirked as she watch Seth disappear and listened to him fuss at the dog, Nash following on his heels. Kevin was happily situated in the corner in his dog bed, laying on his back and slightly snoring.

Seth trekked in to a mostly dark kitchen. Renee was leaning against the island, scrolling through her phone and finishing off a beer.

"Hi, Rollins," Renee smiled as he crossed to the door. "Daddy doggy duty?"

"I swear this dog takes after you," Seth mumbled.

"Why were you trying to get Carter in bed and he interrupted?"

"Yes."

Renee laughed and turned to face him as he stood at the door, waiting on the dog.

"What are you going to do when it's actual daddy duty and not the dog? Are you going to pout about that, too?"

"I doubt that I'll be pouting...that's kind of a different situation," he shrugged. "I don't know, there's a pretty good chance I will pout, honestly. Don't tell Carter that."

"Go back to your room and I'll take care of him. He can hang out with us tonight."

"It's fine. She's packing anyways. Did you two decide on Nashville or Chicago?"

"Nashville; I get to see how her dress is coming along and we're going to the football game on Sunday."

"Well I'm going to take her to breakfast in the morning if you two don't mind. Just…trying to have some time with her before we leave."

"She's going to Florida next week isn't she?"

"Yeah and then Europe and she doesn't know if she's going on that tour or not."

"Why wouldn't she? Raw is part of the Europe tour."

"Ask Hunter that question."

Renee made a face and pouted, "seriously? He wants her in Orlando? Damn I was looking forward to all of us being around each other..."

"Tell me about it," he muttered.

Renee gave him a sympathetic look, "that's the nature of our world, I guess. But breakfast in the morning is fine, enjoy it. It'll give Dean and I a chance to have sex all over your house and you'll never know where…"

"I hate you. You know that don't you?"

"I'm just kidding!"

He shook his head, turning his attention to the small scratch at the door. He let Nash in and gave Renee one last, exasperated look.

"Good night, Renee."

"Good night, Seth."

Carter came out of the bathroom as Seth was laying back on the bed, pushing his bag away with his foot. Nash was crawling in to the same bed as Kevin and Carter smiled at them.

"So…what were you and Dean conspiring about tonight?" He asked, watching her finish her packing.

"We weren't conspiring he was just asking how things were and making sure I was good."

"Are you good?" he asked, scooting up on the pillows to look at her.

"Of course I'm good. I wouldn't…hide that from you," she gave him a curious look as she zipped up her bag.

"You don't have fancy luggage," he commented, fingering her luggage tag.

"No there's no use in putting money into something that's going to be thrown around on airplanes and shoved in a closet. I got this at Target," she smiled.

"Just shoes," he said.

"Everyone has a vice," she replied.

"You're really good though, Carps? You're sure?"

"Yes."

"I just, I know that I haven't been the best listener recently and I don't…I don't want you to still feel like you can't talk to me about things. About anything. It just seemed really…serious. So if something is going on…"

Carter moved her bag to the floor at the foot of the bed and turned to him, her hands on her hips.

"Are you jealous I was having a heart to heart with Dean?"

"Maybe a little bit," he shrugged.

"Oh but Colby Lopez doesn't get jealous," she teased.

"Hmph," he made a noise, watching her as she crawled on to the bed and crawled up to him. She rested on her knees and leaned against him, smiling as he tucked some of her loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"Are you really worrying about things in that handsome head of yours?"

"Do you know who I am?"

"Everything is good. There's nothing that I'm not talking to you about. I just don't see him very much and we were catching up. He gets all his info from Renee but we've always had a sibling like bond so he checks on me."

"What were you catching up about?"

"He asked if the drama with Sasha and all that mess had settled and I told him it just was what it was. I don't know that it will ever really settle and that we just push it out of the way and carry on but that we were great. And we talked about work a little. That I miss all of them and that backstage is tense and I worry sometimes that I isolate myself from people. This is all stuff you know and we talk about. It's nothing to worry about."

"I always worry, ma'am."

"I know. Dean says that's your way of dealing with the drama and nonsense; you project it on me by worrying and being all protective."

"He's so damn insightful," Seth sighed, "I guess you could explain it like that. I don't project it on you I just try to be sure you're always happy. I don't want anyone to hurt you or for you to be upset and I would do anything..."

"I'm very happy, baby," she interrupted him. "Very very happy."

"I don't think you isolate yourself; stop worrying about that. I think you buzz around like a little social butterfly. Sasha is the only person that doesn't like you. Everybody else loves you; even Vince loves you. I isolate myself more than you."

"I'm working on the whole toughening up thing. Little by little," she held up her fingers, squinting at him through the space between them.

Seth slipped a hand around Carter's waist to pull her closer to him, her chest pressing against his. She made a soft noise as he kissed her cheek.

"What is it?"

"I have a bruise," she pouted.

"From tonight?" He asked, reaching to lift up her tank top.

"Yeah I guess. It's not bad it's just sore. You grabbed it dead on…"

"You're gonna be tough as hell, sunshine. Ouch…" he brushed his fingers along the purple and blue mark on her side. "You're ok?"

"I'm fine."

Seth smiled and cupped her face, kissing her lips and used his other hand to shift her hips forward.

"By the way I'm taking you to breakfast in the morning; just us."

"Are you? What's the occasion?"

"We didn't get a date night this week so we're having a date morning before I leave. Breakfast and fancy coffee and puppacinos for the kids and a great view of the river and all the changing leaves."

"Oh that sounds delightful, let's go to sleep right now." Carter moved to shimmy under the covers, a smile on her face. "Turn off the lights. I'm exhausted…"

She felt Seth move from the bed, heard him chuckling lightly, and a few seconds later the lights were off. She felt the bed move with his weight as he returned and then his lips had found her shoulder and neck.

"I'm asleep," she giggled.

"Oh," he replied, sarcastic,"ok then, well good night I guess."

Carter sat up with him as he moved to the edge of the bed. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his back. "Thank you for being so great the last couple of days. It's been really nice having them here. I know it drives you a little crazy and you don't like being around people too much and you like your privacy."

"I don't mind it, stop. You needed it. Renee isn't that bad."

"I won't tell her you said that."

"You have to get the twins up here now."

"Let's not get crazy…Nikki would be too much but I know she would love for us to come down to Tampa."

"I should probably get used to the socializing. You always say John is a fan of me."

Carter rested her hands on his shoulders and began to squeeze and knead, eliciting a low groan from him.

"Really, Colbs? You want to go spend a few days in Tampa with Nena?"

"Why not? You have to go down there for work anyways. It'll be good to get away for a few days."

Carter wrapped her arms around him again and pressed a kiss to his shoulder before biting it gently. He placed his hands over hers.

"You're kind of amazing you know that?" She asked.

"So are you," he replied.

He turned his head to the side to kiss her. He started to move and Carter pulled away from him abruptly.

"What?" He asked her, startled.

Carter made a face and shook her head, holding up her finger to hush him.

"Car-"

"Shhh," she covered his mouth, "listen."

Carter watched as he concentrated and then she saw the recognition in his eyes. He pulled her hand away, "are you fucking kidding me? Is that…?"

"Yeah that's Renee and Dean," she replied, biting her lower lip to stifle her laugh.

"Oh Jesus….no. That is not happening. Fucking hell…" he laid back on the bed, covering his face.

"Well you got one part of that right," Carter shrugged. "Doesn't sound like its hell though."

"Can you not?" He started laughing and moved his hands, looking at her.

Carter gave him a sympathetic look and moved over to pat his face and give him a quick kiss.

"I've experienced this before. Block it out and in ten minutes it'll be good to go."

"Are we that loud?"

"Probably."

"Shit…"

Carter grinned and moved to situate herself back under the covers. For all her joking, she really was tired. They had hit the ground running since Renee and Dean had gotten there and she wanted so some good, solid sleep and some cuddles before they were apart for a couple of days.

Seth had moved, too, getting out of the bed to change out of his jeans. Carter felt him get back into the bed and snake his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him.

"I'm rethinking the whole 'socializing' and hanging out with our friends, thing. Let's just be hermits; us and the dogs."

Carter chuckled and linked her hand in his, wiggling to get herself closer to him. "I will gladly be a hermit with you."

"I'm not even sure I could kiss you right now, my mood is just completely wrecked."

Carter chuckled, rolling over in his arms and resituating herself. She caressed his face with one hand and rested the other on his chest. "I have a feeling your mood will recover, probably by the morning. My little drama queen..."

"I'm not being dramatic," he replied. Carter could tell he was pouting without even seeing his face. "I thought you were tired."

"I am, so stop talking and let me sleep."

He chuckled and kissed her head, "love you."

"Look at that, your mood is better already..." She teased. She kissed his chest and smiled, "love you too."