Chapter 26

xXx

"So it's purely friends?" Nikki asked as she sipped her pina colada whilst Karlee poured herself another vodka and coke, her drink of choice. The pair were sitting by the pool as Alice, Brie and AJ sat in the pool, sharing something that was making them throw their heads back with laughter. Brie had arrange a girly day together with strictly no mobile phones or any internet access. They hadn't had a good time together in months and whilst the twins had been there for Karlee, Alice was developing a friendship with AJ.

"Yup." Nikki wasn't convinced and her suspicions were confirmed by Karlee's nature.

"Yeah, friends with benefits!" Karlee sapped her friend on the arm, scolding her to keep quiet. She couldn't deny anything, not when she was found out because Karlee was the worst for lying. Everyone knew that. She sighed as she rubbed her hands over her make-up free face and Nikki grinned.

"Don't feel bad about it. Me and John started off like that for goodness sakes and its healthy sometimes to have a break from all the emotions and stuff. Maybe it's the break you need without it actually breaking you." Karlee ran her finger over her glass rim, listening intently to the soft whistling noises. Nikki was right but she had bigger problems to think about. Problems in the shape of three bitches.

"Well Nikki, you help with everything else, so tell me, what on earth do I do to stop those three?" Nikki shrugged stumped. Karlee slapped both her hands on the sides of her lounger and sat up, placing her glass under the shaded part of their table.

"You need to keep a step ahead of them. That's all and if you ever need any help, just give me a call."

"Thanks Nik. I appreciate it. They're just stressing me out..." Nikki leapt over her lounger and placed her arm around the red-head.

"You're above them. They just want everything you have! Now ignore them and enjoy your day!"

xXx

A knock on the door startled Dean from his sleep. As in 'Oh shit I fell asleep half way through putting my clothes on' kind of sleep. He leapt up from his bed, discarding his now crumpled shirt and answered the door without thinking. In front of him stood a bright red bombshell. Only it wasn't his red-head.

"Eva... What can I do for you?" He was still a little confused at how she reacted the other day in the hospital but he couldn't not ask her if she were okay. Now here she was again, looking slightly more made-up than last time they had come into contact.

"Sorry, I just thought I would come and ask if Karlee was alright..." Dean cut her off quickly.

"Yeah, her cuts are almost healed, apart from the bigger ones and her staples came out yesterday." Eva looked confused.

"Yeah, I know she's feeling better but what about online, is she okay with all that?" Dean squinted his head. He literally had no idea what she was on about. Eva walked briskly into the room, pulling her phone out of her tiny little denim shorts. She tapped away from a few seconds before she handed it over to the man standing beside her.

At first, all Dean could see was the headline name of a popular dirt sheet. It wasn't until he saw the battered face of Karlee that his whole body froze and tears brimmed at her eyes.

"I don't know what's happened, but everything to do with Karlee and her Ex boyfriend is out in the open. They even managed to get a hold of police reports and the pictures of her after the attack." Dean looked on in horror as she scrolled through the page. The words were blurred but the pictures were sharp and clear. His beautiful woman, broken, bloodied and bruised. The injuries to her body were horrible and the wound on her side was documented as well, several pictures appearing. Everything that only the two of them had ever seen were now available for everyone in the world to see. Everything they had both tried so hard to keep was now public knowledge.

"What's the source?" Dean almost shouted. Eva scrolled and clicked faster, unsure if telling him was the right thing to do.

"Unknown source. Once a snippet got out they probably did the rest of the work themselves. It's a big story for them to get a hold of first." Dean yelled profanities, scraping his hands through his hair. Now he had to try and explain this whole mess to Karlee and she had already been through enough.

"FUCK! What am I meant to tell her?" Eva placed her hand on his arm, guiding him onto the bed and sitting next to him.

"Wait until she gets back, et her enjoy the calm before the storm. Leave it as long as possible but make sure it's before RAW tomorrow night. Do you need me to stay with you?" Dean shook his head as he held it in his hands. He had no idea what to do.

xXx

It was painful. Nothing was harder than seeing the one you love being hurt or broken and now Dean was doing just that. He had read every article he could get his hands on. He had cleared and stopped all notifications going to Karlee's phone so at least if she came back from it, she would have to search her name to see anything. To the credit of whoever wrote the articles, they didn't publish gossip. They told the facts, no matter how little their were and it meant they were appreciative of how sensitive a subject it was. He had been staring at the screen of his computer for hours now and he could see it getting dark outside, meaning Karlee would be back soon and then he would have to tell her. He preferred it came from him and not some stranger on Twitter wishing her well.

The door clicked then and in came Karlee, crying with laughter as Nikki followed her, also crying with tears streaming down their faces. Karlee had changed from her red bikini and was now sporting a very sexy little red dress with her cleavage ready to pop. Dean almost forgot about everything as she stood in front of him, applying her red lipstick in front of the mirror, her body slightly bent.

"Nikki let me borrow a dress, I just need to grab my heels and we're going out." She was calm, suggesting she didn't yet know. He watched her as she shimmied around the room, grabbing her clutch and everything she needed. Except her phone. He knew they were having a media free day but did that meant the night too? He never said anything as she slipped on the silver-black spike skyscrapers. She looked stunning but with Nikki in the room, his compliment might have to stay where they were.

"Don't kid yourself Ambrose, I figured out what you two were up to when she came downstairs with a Cheshire cat sized grin." Dean grinned as he pulled Karlee onto his lap and planted a big kiss right onto her freshly made up lips.

"Don't come back too late..." He grumbled, totally lost in the moment. He felt Karlee shift and saw her blush, loving the effect her had on her.

"Maybe I might stay at Nikki's tonight-"

"John would personally kick your ass Miss. Drunk Nikki is wild Nikki..." The pair on the bed both covered their ears and squeezed their eyes shut. They did not need to hear details. Nikki threw her head back laughing as she crept forward and grabbed Karlee by the arm, pulling her from Dean's grasp and dragging her to the door. He smirked as she left the door, winking back to him as she left.

xXx

"If you fucking touch my face one more time I will rip your lungs out through your nose." Dean retracted his hands quickly.

"Fuck me, speak about not poking the bear..." A slap was heard and Dean now held his stinging thigh with the flat of his hand.

"Why do you drink again? You are the most violent moodiest bitch when your hungover." Karlee sat up, looking him right in the face, her messy bun that she had done when she arrived it at 3am was slowly slipping off the side of her head.

"What did you call me?" She took the pillow from out underneath her and smashed him round the face with it, resulting in Mr Ambrose falling off the side of the bed. She jumped up and took advantage of his position, bolting for the bathroom. They had been living separately but since her attack, nothing more had been said about where they slept. There were no feelings mentioned and that's just the way they liked it.

"Karlee! It's nearly time to leave! You better hurry that fine ass up!" She flipped him the bird as she disappeared into the shower. Dean laughed as she disappeared from sight. He started throwing his clothes and everything into a bag. He ran a hand through his suitcase and picket out a vest and his shield tactical vest. He sat and flicked through his phone whilst he listened to Karlee sing badly in the shower, annunciating all the drum beats and guitar solos like she was on stage. He secretly hit record on his phone, knowing it may come in handy for later bribes. He kept listening, getting ready to sing along when she suddenly stopped. The was no sound from the bathroom. Dean spun around and looked at the night stand. His stomach dropped.

"Motherfuckers!" Karlee yelled, kicking the door open and striding out in her towel, hair wrapped up in another one. Dean stood, going to her side, not knowing what to do.

"So much for keeping it all a secret." Karlee whimpered, falling against the wall, tears free falling from her eyes. Dean grabbed her and sat her down with him, gripping her body in a huge hug whilst her body racked with sobs. She didn't deserve this.

"I did everything to protect myself. Why would they do this?" She sat up, throwing her body back on the bed and wiping away her tears with the end of the towel. Dean knew Karlee too well though, and he could mentally countdown to when her sadness would turn to...

"I will seriously fuck those girls up. They have no idea what they have started." She sprung up from the bed and threw open her suitcase, trailing a number of clothes out.

"They want to play dirty, they started a war with the right woman."

xXx

Karlee wasn't booked to appear but after pulling a few strings, she managed to book herself a small slot on the show. She had went straight to Vince and explained what had happened and Dean helped her prepare a statement to release to the public. It would also be investigated to see who reported it and where they got the records from. She didn't really care that the incident had been exposed but the fact those pictures of her were circulating made her feel sick. She knew people would find out sooner rather than later. Dean had been by her side all day but she wanted her girls. Karlee knew everyone felt awkward about what had happened and they had every right to be. That was the reason she didn't want anyone knowing what had happened.

As she stormed through the halls of the arena, she prayed that none of the three woman were there. She would happily get arrested for battery tonight. AJ was actually the first one she came across and the petite diva wasted no time in stopping her. She was the first one to even talk to her.

"I'm not going to apologise or feel sorry for you because you got through all that on your own. What I am going to say though, is that you are an inspiration to young girls everywhere. You have shown every woman that you get back up when a man knocks you down and I am so happy you did. Plus I really hope you kick their asses soon enough. They cut all the straps off my bras."

"You don't hear me complaining." Trust Punk to introduce himself with such a witty remark. He wrapped her arms around Karlee and squeezed. She let her old friend squeeze her tightly, missing seeing him as often as she used too.

"I am so proud of you. Good for you for taking shit from no-one." Karlee smiled slightly as more and more wrestlers were now looking in her direction, most of them smiling at her. She didn't want to make things awkward at work but she also didn't want to announce that it didn't matter. That would only attract attention.

"Thank you guys, I really mean it. We should have a catch up soon but I really need to go. I have some 'business' to attend to." She left with a sly smirk. AJ had a funny feeling that whatever she had planned would get them back worse than what they had got her, although it was near impossible.

Karlee strutted through the halls with her head held high. She could feel anger bubbling up inside her but all that could wait. She was in her favourite black ripped skinny jeans with a red tartan printed cami vest. She had pulled on her tailored blazer, loving how it fitted her waist perfectly. She had on her red chucks for the meantime and she would change into nicer shoes after she had had her check-up. First she had to find Dean and the rest of the gang. She needed a little help with her plan.

xXx

Karlee wouldn't have been herself without a pair of kick ass heels and a gorgeous face of make-up courtesy of Nikki. She had some girly time with the twins whilst Alice, Roman and Dean helped her with her little plan. She just prayed Alice kept her mouth shut if they were to come into contact with the three goons. The last thing she needed to be doing was splitting up Alice from Sofia.

"What did the doc say?" Brie asked as Nikki curled her hair, setting her hairband into the right place. Karlee sat on the counter, swinging her legs off the end. She loved her heeled boots and loved the way she could still fight in them if the time came.

"I am officially cleared to wrestle but the staples were a bitch to come out so I think I'll leave the body slams till next week." Nikki chuckled.

"I think me and Brie are going to pitch a match against Megan and Layla. We will leave Sofia to you." Karlee sighed.

"I'm really disappointed in Layla. She was always so good to me and I felt so guilty having to tell Roman that she was with someone else and for her to turn around and tell Alice that she took him away from her?" She gave a mock growl.

"We can help, Nikki more so as I have the whole thing with Steph but rope in AJ, Nattie and Trin any time you need a hand. We were talking about it the pool today Karlee and we want you to know we are behind you 100%. But judging by the way you are right now, you have handled it pretty well." Karlee didn't know what to say. She hadn't come to the WWE to make friends and the only ones she really had when she started was Lita and Kaitlyn. Now they were both gone.

"I love you girls. I really do but I don't know if I can deal with this on my own. I always knew the truth about my ex would get out and into the open at some point. I just didn't think Layla and the other two would do it to try and drive me out. It actually makes me doubt my job, no matter how much I love it." Tongs were dropped and both twins were at the side instantly.

"Never EVER let me here you say that again. You helped this diva's division regain its confidence ad showed us that we could bounce back from anything. You have done wonders for this division."

"Much more than Sofia, Megan or Layla ever did." Karlee smiled and pulled them both in for a hug.

"Thank you two." She felt slightly emotional. Nikki and Brie were to of the Diva's that Karlee did not think she would gel with as she thought all they cared about was looks and although they did, they loved their men and were dedicated to their job. Karlee gave them a little peck on the cheek before walking towards the door.

"Hey, red-head? You ain't gonna tell us what you have planned?" Karlee spun around, tapping her nose with a slight smirk on her face.

xXx

Karlee jumped from foot to foot, more nervous than what she was for her title match. Dean, Alice and Roman were walking her way, laughing and joking with exactly what she wanted in tow. Karlee grinned as they stopped by her side, laughing their way through the story of how Alice nearly walked into a bin.

"She wasn't looking and I swear to god she's so short she nearly went in head first!" Roman laughed, holding his chest whilst throwing his head back. Alice backhanded him on the chest, wincing when the padding came into contact with her little hands.

"I like how this two laughed instead of helped me. If I'd have gone I'd be here for hours tying to get out." Karlee rolled her eyes as she pushed her hair behind her shoulder.

"Right you guys, get it together. I have some revenge to dish out." Dean rubbed his hands together. He was enjoying Karlee's rivalry more than his own. Wasn't that a sad admit of defeat.

"Dean, You wait here and when he comes out, that's your two's cue to throw. Got it?" All three nodded and she was glad they had actually listened to her for once. She took a deep breath.

"Thanks for helping me. Can we go out after this. I think I may need a drink." Alice smiled and moved forwards to give her a hug. The young diva was a real sweetheart and Karlee was enjoying her company and in no way saw her as a replacement to either Layla or Kaitlyn. She was her own person and was there as almost a little sister. She would definitely have to warn Roman off her.

"Be careful out there please. I'm not one for clambering through the crowds but if you really need me... signal Roman." She gave her boyfriend a cheesy grin. Wait, were they even official? There was no time to debate or even ask as a stage-hand came and told her it was her time. But not before she heard a familiar voice in the ring.

"Ladies and gentleman, the woman I am about to introduce next had a very private part of her life unfold on social media in the past week and I ask that you are all understanding in whatever she has to say. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome-" Jerry never even had a chance to finish. Her music started and she stormed out onto the stage. She didn't make eye contact with nobody. She used the steps, an unfamiliar thing to Karlee as she usually slid into the ring under the first rope. She swung her body under and flicked her hair as she stood. She took the offered microphone from Jerry and gave him a smile.

"Thank you for the introduction Jerry, but this is something I need to do on my own." She whispered something in his ear. He didn't argue. He new better than to argue. She watched as he left the ring only then to slide a chair into the ring for her.

"Thanks Lawler." She set it up and took a seat, crossing one leg over the other, facing the stage.

"I guess half of you are wondering what I'm going to say about the news that's just emerged about me?" The crowd said something inaudible but she was sure the camera's would pick it up." She pretended to think about it for a few seconds.

"Well firstly, no it was something that wasn't meant to be public knowledge but I do thank you for all your well wishes. I am lots better now and it is now in my past. I would be very grateful if you could forget about it because I sure have." Karlee was awarded with a massive round of applause, along with a chant. She listened intently as they chanted her name, clapping. She wanted to cry and hug every one of them. But she couldn't.

"Thank you, I really do mean it. But I have some other business to attend to..." Now the crowd turned, screaming wildly at the thought of a match. She allowed the footage of the attack to play. She even winced when the title hit her head.

"Yeah okay. They got me. But do you notice how it took three of them and MY championship belt to knock me out. And before you jump your guns and come out for another round, I have more eyes on this place than you could handle so I wouldn't try anything." Nobody appeared so she stood up.

"Now, I never had a problem with Sofia until she had a problem with me. I thought that was done and dusted. I also never had a problem with Megan until she kicked me round the back of the head and made me lose my title. Layla on the other hand, she's just a number. I'm sure Alice would love hear about how you cheated on her boyfriend and that I was the one who ratted you out. See, I can dish the dirt on you too sweetheart." The crowd was going wild and their reactions got even louder when Sofia and her two minions walked out onto stage. Sofia was decked out in quite a nice, nude dress and heels where as Megan was sporting an ugly denim jumpsuit with white converse. Layla had on a jumpsuit with a mesh panel down the front. Karlee's jumpsuit! She had on red suede heeled boots. Karlee was now extremely pissed. She loved that jumpsuit.

"Well, Sofia, Megan and Layla, I do know it was you who decided to circulate my private business and that's fine. So if you want to air my dirty laundry, I guess I best do the same to you..." She smirked and leant on the ropes, a confused look on the women's faces. They nearly crapped themselves when Dean jumped past them, rolling two suitcases down the ramp with him, the goofiest look ever on his face. Dean threw them into the ring and gave Karlee a sharp kiss on the cheek, also handing her a par of scissors.

"OOH! Scissors! Dean's favourite." Sofia and Megan looked on horrified as Dean cut through her suitcase and started throwing clothes around, randomly snipping here and there and throwing pieces into the audience.

"And if you think I'm finished this dirty laundry business, You can think again because if you look up to the top of the arena, there is your ex boyfriend and his new hot piece of stuff with, what is that? Oh! What a surprise, that's your suitcase!" She swore she could hear the pair laughing as Alice opened one and Roman held it up, the clothes floating through the air as Layla screamed at them. Karlee looked on grinning, back to leaning on the ropes as Dean went crazy behind her.

"How funny, you seem a little more hesitant to come to the ring now I have Dean here... He would have been here last week too if you hadn't based up his lock." They didn't know how to react. They looked speechless. As the last of the clothes fell, Karlee regained her position in the middle of the now clear ring. Wow, Dean really had gone crazy.

"You want to play dirty? You came to the right person because this is now an all out war!"

xXx

Thank you for the response to the last chapter! I loved it! :)

What do you think of this one? I find that the Karlee she is now is the same one as when she was with Dean in ECW all those years ago.

Also, for some reason, my Brie Bella story has vanished off the face of this website and I am not happy about it! I am looking into it, promise!

Review, love you all lots Xo