Sunday 27th January
''This is fucking stupid!''
''Phil!''
The room fell silent once more before he spoke again. ''Well, it is.''
''Look, it's not like they want me to have a full-on fucking match with the guy. It's just a couple of moves, it'll be fine.''
It was the night of the Royal Rumble and they had just received their scripts for that night, as well as for the next few shows. After reading through them, they had found out that during Raw the following night, she was booked to take a few big bumps from the returning Brock Lesnar.
''You've lost your mind...''
''Why have you got such a big issue with this but were completely fine when I was in the ladder match with Ryan?''
''That was different.''
''How? He's not exactly the safest of people to work with either, people on the internet have even started calling him Rybotch!''
''Look, you-''
''I'm an adult, Phil, I can make my own decisions.''
''Yeah, well, it's a stupid decision!''
''Look, I know you're pissed that you're dropping the title to Dwayne tonight, but don't take it out on me.''
''That has noth-''
''You know, I really though you of all people would understand.'' She shook her head before rising from her chair. ''It's about damn time that the women got to be part of a big, main event storyline. Don't you get how lucky I am to be involved in all this? I'd be crazy to turn it down and you shouldn't expect me to just because I've got a pair of boobs and a vagina.''
''Fucking asshole.''
Mumbling angry under her breath, Alexa stormed through the hallways of the arena, heading towards catering. She was so distracted by her thoughts that she turned a corner and walked face first into a hard chest, knocking her off her feet.
Her eyes widened when looked up, finding a familiar man reaching down with his hand out, blue eyes filled with amusement. Taking his hand, she let him help her up before slugging him in the shoulder.
''Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?!''
''I wanted it to be a surprise!'' Chris laughed, pulling the young woman into a tight hug.
Her arms tightened around his waist and she let out a happy sigh. ''It's good to see you, old man.''
''Hey!'' He cried, pulling away from her with a pout. ''Less of the old, thank you very much.''
''Truth hurts, huh?'' She snorted, dodging a playful swipe aimed at her arm.
''Where were you going in such a hurry, anyway?'
''Just trying to get away from Phil, he's being an ass.'' She rolled her eyes. ''More so than usual, anyway.''
He slung an arm around her shoulder and started to lead her down the hallway. ''What's he done this time?''
''Well-''
''Lex!''
The pair turned around, discovering the three members of The Shield walking towards them, closely followed by a smug-looking Phil. To her surprise, it was Colby who had called out angrily; the man had a frown etched on his face as he clutched a wad of papers in his hand.
''Hey, wha-''
''What the hell is this?'' He interrupted, waving the paper in front of him.
She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time that day. ''Jesus, not you too...''
''What is wrong with you?!'' He snapped, shaking his head at her. ''Do you want another broken neck? Everyone knows he's a stiff worker, he's not going to take it easy just because you're a girl!''
''Hey!'' Chris stepped forward, fixing the other man with a stern look. ''Back off, alright. I don't know what this is about, but-''
''She's getting a beat down from Lesnar tomorrow night.'' Phil informed him over Joe's shoulder.
The Canadian's eyes shot up into his hairline as he turned to the woman beside him. ''Is that true?''
She glared across at Phil, before glancing at the blonde. ''Well, I wouldn't really call it a beat down...''
Chris watched the scene unfold before him, wisely deciding to keep his opinions to himself. Phil, however, never could keep his mouth shut.
''You need to go to Vince and tell him you're not doing it.''
Colby nodded in agreement. ''Yeah, he'll understand if you don't want to do it.''
Alexa's eyes flicked back and forth between the two men before her stony gaze fell on Jon and Joe; she folded her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow, daring them both to say something. ''And what do you two think?''
Joe held his hands up defensively. ''I'm not getting involved...''
All eyes fell on Jon.
''Well, not that I think you need my approval or anything... but if you really want to do it, then it's fine with me.''
She sent him a small smile before narrowing her eyes at the two men beside him. ''Okay, I get that you're concerned or whatever but you're acting like complete a-holes. Neither of you have any right to try and tell me that I can't do something. I'm perfectly capable of taking a few bumps, you seem to forget that I've been doing this longer than both of you.''
''Lex, we're just-''
''Can it, Brooks... you know, I really should be used to people underestimating me by now. The Divas get it everyday from the fans, from the dirt sheets- fuck- we even get it from the agents! I never thought I'd have to hear this kind of shit from my friends, too. You can both go fuck yourselves.''
Alexa wheeled her luggage out to the dark and emptied parking lot, a small smile on her face as she listened to Nick, Ettore, April and Celeste talking animatedly ahead of her.
Instead of waiting for Jon, Joe and Colby, she had decided to join the quartet for the journey to Las Vegas. She was still pretty pissed with Colby and really didn't want to be stuck in a car with him for over four hours.
''Okay, who wants to drive?'' Nick asked, unlocking the rental as they approached.
''I will.'' Alexa offered, slinging her bag into the trunk before stepping back to let everyone else pack their cases in.
The blonde raised an eyebrow, his gaze moving to the two women behind her who were shaking their heads frantically. ''Uh...''
''No.'' Ettore told her bluntly.
''What? I'm a good driver!''
April and Celeste didn't even try to cover their snorts of laughter.
Ettore smirked down at her. ''I seem to recall a time down in Tampa, where you were giving us a ride to a show-''
April cut in. ''-and you drove us off the road because you were too busy lip-synching to 'Baby Got Back'.''
''Well, yeah...'' Alexa turned to Nick with a smug grin. ''But I totally nailed it.''
''I can't believe they're asleep already.''
''Rookies nowadays... no stamina.''
Alexa snorted, shifting in her seat to look at the three sleeping faces in the back. Celeste was behind the driver's seat, her head leaning against the window as she snored softly. Ettore was behind the passenger seat, the man in a similar position against the glass. And April was squashed between them, her head lolling on the big man's shoulder as she slept.
Quickly pulling her phone out, she snapped a photo of the trio and showed it to Nick, who let out a loud guffaw.
''That needs to go on Twitter.''
''Already on it.'' She replied, pulling open the app and uploading the image. ''So, how's things going with April and E... you guys all getting on?''
''Yeah, they're great.''
''I'm sensing a but in there somewhere.''
He sighed, sparing a quick glance to his right to meet her gaze. ''I don't know, it's just frustrating, you know? I spent two years with Vickie and I thought I'd finally proved myself and they were going to give me the chance to break out and do things on my own. I know I can do big things in the company, but they're not letting me.''
''I get it, trust me.'' She nodded, shooting him a sympathetic smile. ''I know it's a bit different but they do the same with the Divas; I've been bounced around between Chris, Punk, Cena, D-X briefly... and now, The Shield... they never let us just be wrestlers.''
''Must be hard.''
''Sometimes. But, at the end of the day, I'm really lucky to be doing what I love. So, I can't really complain.'' She smiled over at him. ''Besides, you're Mr. Money in the Bank... that must mean they see something in you.''
''Yeah, maybe.'' He replied, not sounding too sure.
''You're a super talented guy, Nick, they'll see that eventually.'' She quirked an eyebrow, a smirk curling her lips. ''Although, one drawback is that I hear that you can be a bit too athletic...''
Nick laughed. ''I'm never going to hear the end of that, am I?''
''Nope.'' She drawled. ''But, I suppose, it could have been worse.''
''Oh, totally.'' He agreed, turning to glance at her. ''Speaking of exes... is Orton still being a grade A douche?''
She snorted lightly. ''I think he'll always be a douche. But, we're cool, we've made our peace.''
''I heard you were dating one of the new guys?''
''Uh-huh, Jon.'' She rolled her eyes at his blank look, before adding; ''Ambrose.''
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. ''Really?''
''What's that supposed to mean?''
''Nothing, he just doesn't seem like your type, that's all.'' He sent her a teasing look. ''I assumed you just went for the pretty boys.''
''Yeah, look where that got me.'' She mumbled, pulling her phone out after it buzzed, signalling a notification. Her face screwed up in distaste as she came across a photo a fan had tweeted her. ''Okay, eww...''
''What?''
Alexa angled the phone towards him, showing the man naked, with the caption; Maybe you can save this for a rainy day ;)
''Nice.'' He rolled his eyes, noticing her replying in his peripheral vision. ''What are you saying?''
''I wrote; What for? To keep my dry? Because that's what it's doing right now...''
Nick let out a loud guffaw, which drew movement from the backseat.
''Can you two keep it down.'' Ettore grumbled.
''A girl can't even get a decent nap back here...'' Celeste whined, rubbing at her eyes.
Nick glanced in the mirror, raising an eyebrow at them. ''You've been asleep for three hours, that wasn't a nap, that's a coma.''
