"Syracuse? That's pretty far from Vegas, CJ." Dean mumbled as they sat together backstage. After Kane had let it slip that Triple H was responsible for the hit on The Shield, the guys had to go think things though separately for a few minutes. Dean instantly sought out CJ and politely pulled the former champion aside so he could talk to her privately in the back corner of catering. That was when she decided to drop the moving bomb on him.
"Adam wants me close while I'm rehabbing. Besides, I have nothing for me in Tampa. All I've got there is a twenty four hour gym and a small apartment that I have barely anything in. Nobody but you and Adam know so I'll be safer there, too."
"If that's what you want. We can make whatever we have work."
"You know that whatever we have doesn't have to be exclusive, right?" She asked stirring her iced coffee with the straw before Dean took her cup and took a drink.
"Are you saying that you don't want to be my exclusive fuck buddy?" Dean asked, looking slightly offended, and CJ shook her head.
"That's not what I'm saying. You've never struck me as somebody who wanted to be exclusively anything with a woman. I'm just trying to-"
"CJ, you tell me what you want. I know you don't want a relationship, but if you want to be the only woman I sleep with then I can make it happen."
"Dean, I'm going to be sitting at home for the next year or so. I'm not in a position to make any decisions like this." CJ argued, taking her cup back before Dean drank more of her coffee.
"I don't want to make this decision." Dean stated, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. As much as CJ liked the relaxed look, she wanted definite answers out of him. But she could tell that he really didn't want to talk about it.
"It's like you thrive on being difficult as all hell." She teased, lightly kicking his shin in an attempt to get the playful Dean back. She wasn't expecting him to trap her leg between his legs, but the way he smirked at her made her forget about it while he checked his phone.
"Difficult is my middle name, sweetheart. Y'know, Roman calls you Princess?"
"Where did that come from?"
"He texted me to let me know that we're coming up with a game plan and he wants me to bring you because we can't leave you alone." Dean explained, noticing the face of uncertainty that crossed her face. "What's that face?"
"I really don't want to be around Seth right now. That broken comment is still a really fresh wound and I have to address the love thing one of these days but I-"
"CJ, face it head on. If Seth even wants to try talking to you, because he was beating himself up about it last night when I left the arena to get to you."
"I was really harsh on him, Dean."
"You guys were equally harsh on each other, and you don't have to talk to him if you don't want to." Dean stated as he helped CJ to her feet and she nodded her acknowledgement as he helped her hobble along without putting too much weight on her knee. Dean couldn't help but notice the way her hand gripped his vest as they walked to The Shield's locker room, he also noticed the way her grip tightened when the passed by Erick Rowan on the way. He knew that being away from all the madness would be best for CJ, even if something in his heart told him that he didn't want her to leave. She was terrified of The Wyatts, and he knew that even if he and the guys managed to beat them on Main Event, she probably always would be. Being far away from them where they wouldn't know where to find her would be best. "The Wyatts can't get to you if you're with me."
"Don't lie to yourself, Dean."
"I'm not lying. I'd die before I let them get to you."
CJ wasn't sure how to take his statement. She understood that he wanted to protect her, but putting her life before his was a bit far. She didn't even know that Dean cared that much. But, as much as it sparked a concern for his mental state, his words gave her a feeling of warmth and security. Coupled with the tight grip his hand had on her hip as they walked made her feel like Dean was her security blanket. Her highly attractive security blanket.
It was one thing to hear the plan, while seeing it in action was a totally different thing. CJ knew this, just like she knew their plan, yet she found herself in awe that Roman had speared Triple H. The COO, the Director of Operations, and two of the biggest names in the WWE were taken down by three of their wrestlers on behalf of a mistreated champion. The King of Kings and his flying monkeys were taken out by the soldiers that were once in the back pocket of said King, and they were defending a gilded goat in the process. The same gilded goat whose ass was kicked by these soldiers on a weekly basis in the August/September period of last year on behalf of the King.
Life just had a funny way of working out.
She knew that the guys were going to end up paying for this severely, and she was almost grateful that she wouldn't have to watch from backstage while it happened. But part of her wished that she would be there to at least provide moral support for their crusade since she was injured, while a small portion of her wanted to fight alongside them. A very small fraction of her wanted to fight. She was prideful, but not completely out of her mind like everybody thought after her WrestleMania match.
When the guys got back to the locker room their energy was off the charts. To be expected, since they just called for war against The Authority and were proud of their plan. CJ could only smile as she watched them practically float around the room to get their stuff ready for a shower, all three giving her some kind of tap on their way in. But Dean stopped short and turned around, went right back over and kissed her. Almost like an impulse kiss that you'd see in the movies, but CJ loved every second of it.
"That was for you, honeybee."
"Obviously. You kissed me." She reasoned as he stepped back and he shook his head.
"Not the kiss, dumbass, the attack. The Authority has wronged you just as much." Dean explained with a smirk, watching the smile creep onto her face.
"Oh. Thank you."
"Don't mention it, your highness."
Dean couldn't help but look over at CJ while he drove her to the airport. She kept running her hand through her hair and tapping her feet to the beat of the song playing softly on the radio. He knew that she didn't want to go, especially not home to Tampa, but she had to. He definitely didn't want her to go, but he knew that she had to. Not just because of her knee, but because of the war they started with The Authority. The last thing she needed to worry about on top of The Wyatts was The Authority.
"I don't want to be alone, Dean." CJ spoke softly, not looking away from her window.
"I know you don't. But it's only a couple days and then you'll be in Syracuse and with your family." Dean tried to reason, grabbing her hand to draw her attention to him and not the passing scenery. "I don't want you to go, either, CJ."
"I'm a burden, Dean. That's all-"
"You're not a burden, CJ. You're the coolest chick I've ever met and I'm going to miss having you around." His admission brought a smile to her face, and the way he gave her hand a gentle squeeze made her stomach do flips. Of course, she didn't understand why she was reacting this way to what he said. It was just Dean, and it wasn't like she had those kinds of feelings for him, right?
"You're going to miss this trouble magnet?"
"I've been tailing your ass for a year today. Of course I'm going to miss my favorite trouble magnet." Dean assured, squeezing her hand again. He truly was going to miss her, almost certain he'd go insane without her, but he'd make sure to drop into Syracuse to check on her and make sure that her sexual frustration didn't become too much for her to handle. "You're mine, CJ."
"What do you mean?"
"Your question from earlier. You're mine." Mouth suddenly dry, CJ could only nod her understanding as he licked his lips. The possessive side of Dean was something CJ had only seen come out very rarely, and it was always quite the turn on for her.
Happy Easter to those who celebrate! If not, then happy Sunday!
Thank yous go out to TaijiaK, ChelleLew, AshleighxAwsome, UntilNeverDawns, angelsdee327, Sarcastic Nightmare, CharismasXe, and ArtisticLullaby for reviewing the last chapter!