Chapter 27

xXx

After a stern talking to after the night of the flying lingerie, nothing more was said on the topic of Karlee and the dirty laundry incedent. Steph had banned all of them from the Smackdown tapings the following night, but to be honest, she was glad of the break. Karlee went and stayed with Nikki whilst John did some promo work and Dean, Roman and Alice went to the house for the rest of the week. Karlee had spent her week completely Dean-free. Which meant stress free and emotion free.

"What are you going to do tonight then?" Nikki asked Karlee as they sat folding up clothes to pack into their suitcases. Since she hadn't been home, she had to wash all the stuff she had from the week before and borrow a few of Nikki's shirts.

"See if I'm being really honest? I would rather try and get rid of her now than try and even consider working alongside her. She makes my every waking moment a constant worry." Nikki sat down with a sigh. Nikki was great for advice. She had overcome so much to prove that her and John's relationship was genuine and that she wasn't just trying to sleep her way to the top. Nikki was an old friend and one of the best people to go to for advice. She had been through so much and was older so she had more experience in life.

"As I've said before, you have half a Diva's division on your side. Don't let her get to you. I would rather you focused on your relationship and get it back on track." Karlee smiled. She hadn't spoken to Dean since Tuesday morning and with it now being Monday morning, she was feeling a little deprived of him. It felt weird not being with him, even if they weren't together.

"We agreed I would solve our own problems first. That means Sofia, Megan and Layla."

"Well, you'd best stop yacking about it and move that pretty little ass of yours!"

xXx

What Karlee would do without The Bella's and their amazing hair styling and make-up artistry, she would never know. Karlee arrived, along with The Bella's and Alice, feeling like a million dollars. And she was wearing jeans. The rest of the Diva's always made an effort to look gorgeous for RAW but Karlee learned that it very rarely got the chance to be showcased. Dean was waiting in their shared locker room whilst Alice was going to meet Roman in catering, despite spending the whole week together. As Karlee walked down the hallway, she felt as though she was at home. Everyone was friendly and was happy to speak to her. There was no awkwardness considering a week before, her deepest secrets were revealed to the general public.

She was coping, as well as she could. She had become the target of every tabloid magazine over the course of a week and had to get Stephanie to release a statement explaining everything. She gave Nikki a quick hug and peck on the cheek before heading off to their separate locker rooms. Karlee felt her stomach pool with excitement and she almost let out a breathy sigh. She opened the door and sure enough, there was Dean in all his gorgeousness.

"Hey? You alright?" She asked, concerned that he didn't even look up at her, instead, he glared down at his phone with a furious look on his face. She was half expecting him to jump her as soon as she walked in. She was gravely dissapointed.

"Some dirt sheet is convinced your pregnant. Some stupid rumour and guess how they're selling the story?" She shrugged, shutting the door behind her and walking over to him, taking her sunglasses off. She took the phone from his hand and focused on the screen. A rip of laughter worked it's way up her body and blurted out her mouth as she fell onto the sofa.

"Who's the daddy?" She held her stomach as Dean snatched the phone back. The words made her laugh, not because of what they were trying to say about her, but because of the fact they doubted her and Dean's relationship.

"How the fuck do you find this so funny? It's no laughing matter." She stopped, wiping the tars of laughter that fell. She could see he was annoyed but to her it was laughable.

"Babe, why does this bother you so much? They're implying I'm the one who sleeps around." She could see it was really bothering him.

"They are doubting my ability to keep you for a start. And they are saying I lost you to some random person?" Karlee could clearly see this was an ego thing. She placed a hand on his thigh. That caught his attention.

"We prove every week on TV that we are strong people. They don't know what goes on behind closed doors and for everyone knows, we are happily loved up." She spoke softly, knowing something was working away at Dean and he looked as though he could explode any second.

"But we aren't. Are we?" Damn. Karlee felt the wind rush out of her lungs. That was a blow to heart. They portrayed this loving, passionate couple on television but in reality, they were two people who were more messed up than ever. She swept her hair over her shoulder and pushed Dean back onto the couch. She lay her head on his chest and wrapped an arm over his waist.

"We don't have anything to prove to anyone apart from ourselves. My head will sort itself out but in the meantime, I need you to keep being the strong one. Your the one stopping me from packing my bags and leaving all this behind. I couldn't find myself without you by my side." His arm found her and squeezed her close. He missed this, just holding her and he knew it was because she was feeling happy. It was something that rarely happened so he would enjoy it while he could.

"I'm always here for you. And as for the strong one, your the one who has been to hell and back, I merely accompanied you on your journey." She smiled. It was nice to be acknowledged for all the shit she had had to put up with. She gripped him a little closer, reeling in his body heat before peeling herself away and standing up. They both missed it immediately.

"So, do we have matches tonight?" She asked trying to come out of the sensitive topic. She hated having to deal with that, especially when they were at work.

"I have a match with someone, don't know who yet. We both have a promo though at the start of RAW, Steph says we would know when so I'm guessing someone will be out there first." Karlee clapped her hand together to show her excitement.

"Paul's back in charge though." Karlee stopped, her shoulders slumping.

"Fucking great. These next few weeks could be interesting then." Karlee wanted to be able to come to work and do what she loved without having to worry about where the next attack was coming from. She had been in the company for ages and hadn't even had a chance to feud with anyone else because she couldn't get rid of Sofia. As for Paul, he loved watching her squirm by putting her in weird fights like bikini matches.

"You'll be fine." Dean handed said, handing her a small package.

"Your post came through and I'm guessing it's more clothes." She stuck her middle finger up. Knowing how much Dean hated yet tolerated her shopping habits really made her think about how lucky she was. And sure enough, she had her new 'Love your Poison' tank top. She pulled off the one she had on and slipped the new garment on, admiring it in the mirror.

"You are unreal woman. What shit kickers are you wearing tonight" Karlee shot him a funny glance only to see him gnawing on his nails. He never usually bothered about what she wore. And h only bit his nails when he was nervous.

"Why? I'm still living out of last weeks suitcase so probably my boots from last week. I'm not wearing my wrestling boots to the ring." Dean was up to something. Shifty bastard.

"What have you done?" Karlee asked, crossing her arms and cocking her head. Dean pointed to a box on the floor.

"I had to replace the ones I broke." Karlee's head shot up to him. He had broken a pair of her shoes. How the hell?...

"Were you trying them on?" She asked sarcastically while she ripped the box open to reveal a beautiful pair of plat-formed ankle boots with a stiletto and studs around the back.

"No, very funny. I came back drunk and fell over them so they got the brunt of my anger and got thrown out the window. I only remembered about them in the morning but the long bit broke off so I binned them." By long bit, she was guessing he meant the heel.

"Did you spend your whole week on the whisky?" She asked, worrying he would slip into his drinking habits if she wasn't around. He had always been one to be known for liking a drink but after going to WWE, he cut it out almost completely. Karlee knew it was a defence thing and if he was struggling or felt threatened, he turned to the Jack Daniels. It was like a comfort blanket. In liquid form.

"No. I didn't on Wednesday because I had to go shopping with Alice on Thursday morning because Roman had physio. I thought you were bad. I feel sorry for Reigns man." Karlee smiled as she slipped the shoes on.

"Thank you, I love them." She smiled and got up, waltzing over to the mirror. Dean liked to think he could fix things with shoes and while it often worked, she needed a little more than shoes at the moment. She applied some more mascara to her already dark eyes and fluttered them in the mirror.

"I have a funny feeling I'm gonna get jumped tonight. Keep an eye out for me will ya?" She asked, slipping her blazer on. Dean grinned.

"Of course you're gonna get jumped. Have you seen how smoking you look?" She slapped him on the chest.

"By the girls asshole. Think with your head and not with your dick, okay?" She smiled and squeezed his cheeks like a baby. He did the same back to her. They laughed and he opened the door for her, his gaze settling on her Jean covered backside. They both walked up to catering together, in silence and Karlee grabbed a coffee and water for Dean. They sat down at one of the benches talking to Punk and AJ as they waited on Roman and Alice.

"You are handling this so well. I certainly couldn't." AJ added in about the rivalry she was currently involved in. Karlee shrugged.

"You get used to constantly having to watch your back but I'm beginning to get fed up with the same fights with the same person." She loved her job but since she started, she could probably count her opponents on one hand. She wanted to be able to get out and fight the whole roster, even her friends. She wanted a thrill of variety.

"That's wrestling for you honey. They'll move onto someone else, don't worry." Punk chimed in.

"But I don't want them to. That's the thing. I couldn't imagine any of the girls going through the shit I have to put up with. I'd rather just drive them out, problem is, there is one of me and two of them." Karlee sighed just as Alice took a seat beside her. She had a job to protect the young Diva too. She couldn't have her getting hurt or involved in this twisted story any more than she already was. Roman had to keep her close so that she didn't get hurt. The screen was turned on just as Jerry Lawler was introducing the show and explaining what had occurred last week. They replayed the laundry incident and everyone whooped and cheered in catering, making Karlee feel darn proud of herself. It was more than obvious that Sofia and her little group weren't liked within the roster but they had their own careers to worry about never mind getting involved.

The sound off cheap bass filled the room as Sofia made her way out with Layla and Megan, all three looking rather pissed off. The attention turned to Karlee, everyone eager to see what she would say, or do. She did nothing. It was obvious this was where Steph wanted her to appear.

"So you've all had your laugh. We get it, this is funny to you Karlee. We are obviously the adults in this situation." Megan spoke into the microphone. That earned a scoff from Karlee and a few discreet words from the rest of the table. Sofia snatched the microphone off of Megan and leant on the top rope, her belt resting on her shoulder.

"It is as simple as this. You took what was mine and I will not give up until you are out of the picture, one way or the other. Grow some common sense and leave, I will win this in the end." She sniggered, walking around in the ring whilst flipping her hair behind her shoulder.

"You fucking think so?" Karlee spat through gritted teeth. She slammed her empty coffee cup on the table and took off, Dean hot on her heels. He tried to hold onto her hand but she snatched it away. She signalled someone to start her music and the beat of the drums got her blood pumping. She had waited a whole week to fight. With who was the question.

As she stepped onto the stage, the crowd welcomed her like they normally did, although both her and Dean were meant to be heels. At least Dean was to his opponents. It was hard to be the bad girl when you were up against Sofia.

"You are the adults in this? I have never heard more crap in my life, and I have heard some trash escape your mouth. Adults don't act like children sweetheart and they certainly don't go spreading rumours, true or not. Unlike you, I can beat you fair and square and I certainly don't need tabloids and police reports on my side."

"Beat me? Honey you aren't even close to getting a shot at MY title."

"Bitch, please. I will go through every woman on this roster if I have too. Don't think I won't." Sofia threw her head back, laughing.

"Even your precious Alice? Although if I remember correctly, she didn't even make it to her début match..." Karlee snarled into the microphone. Sofia revelled in the moment, loving how easily she could get to Karlee. Her smile quickly faded when another piece of music hit and out came Alice. Accompanied by Roman.

"You think that fazed me? Oh please. I've dealt with a lot worse and trust me when I say I will get payback. You had better believe that." Sofia clutched her heart.

"Oh, how sweet, she's using her boyfriends catchphrase! It must be love. Well, If you want your payback so badly, why don't you step into the ring little girl." Alice's face contorted with pure aggression.

"As much as I would love to beat your scrawny ass in the middle of that ring, Thanks to you and your goons, I still am not medically cleared after the concussion you gave me." Alice was not happy and her grip on the microphone showed that. Layla grinned and took hold of the microphone.

"Aw, what a shame, looks like you can't face me tonight then-" Layla pranced around the ring with one arm in the air, a huge grin on her face.

"She can't. But I can." Karlee growled. Layla's smile dropped as Karlee's widened. Layla threw down her microphone as they all started arguing. Karlee and Alice started laughing at them and Alice thanked her for having her back.

"FINE! You get Layla tonight, but we will be at ringside!" Sofia screamed. Karlee nodded. She had a whole host of Diva's that would happily be there at her side and it wouldn't take long to reign in a few favours. Karlee saw the ad-break signal come on behind her and knew it was time to walk out and go get ready for her match.

xXx

Karlee was fired up and ready to go. She had her hair redone and her gear was on, keeping it simple with a long sleeved black crop top and washed out denim jeans. The ones with the little tartan patches. Dean was in the middle of doing her boots up when he stopped, putting his two hands on her knees.

"You know I've always got you back, right?" She squinted at him, taking a hand over his hair.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" He shrugged, getting back to lacing her boots back up.

"Although you don't realise it, at the end of your matches, you always glance around you, as if your waiting for something bad to happen." Karlee smiled.

"That's because it usually does. But I don't ever doubt you, I hope you realize that." The shared a genuine smile at that moment. Karlee had every confidence that Dean would protect her and there wasn't an ounce of thought that made her think otherwise. He finished her boots and pulled himself up.

"Huh, I haven't even found out my opponent for tonight." Karlee shot him a quizzical look. So he hadn't.

xXx

Karlee threw her arms around her, stretching her muscles out before she went on. Sofia, Megan and Layla had just walked out and even though it was Layla's match, she had used Sofia's theme music. Karlee bounced from foot to foot. Dean had decided he was going to commentate this particular match as he knew the girls had her back if things went south. The drums started and Karlee grinned. Her turn. The welcome she got from the crowd always took her breath away and to know they had her back made her get all emotional. You either had a crowd on your side or you didn't. Karlee was one of the lucky ones.

She entered the ring with confidence, refusing to even look at Sofia and Megan. They had ridiculous heels on so attacking her would be bloody hard. That made her smile. Layla had obviously had a Sofia makeover. Karlee almost didn't recognise the British Beauty she knew before. She was more tanned than ever and was wearing white. It didn't exactly suit her. The bell chimed and they locked up. It could be an interesting match considering the two of them used to train together, meaning they should know which move counters what for each others moveset.

Layla cheapshotted Karlee with an elbow to the ribs. It hurt but she retaliated with a kick to the lower back, putting Layla on her knees. She ran back, gathered speed and hit Layla with a running bulldog, splatting her face onto the mat. Karlee got back up, climbing to the top rope and squatting down. Layla was in the midst of getting up and was in the perfect position for a cross body. Megan clambered up, screaming obscene words at Karlee, obviously trying to put her off. Karlee rolled her eyes and kicked her off the ring apron, leaving her to fall onto the floor. The distraction worked as Layla pulled Karlee by the hair, forward flipping her off the turn-buckle and onto the mat. Karlee groaned as she held her back. Layla set her up in the corner and took a running start before landing her boot into her face. It missed by inches and by the time Layla unstuck her foot, Karlee was up and the two were landing punches, Karlee getting the upper hand with a surprise drop-kick that totally threw Layla out of contact with the world. She rolled out of the ring, into the arms of Sofia and Megan, who was still cradling her face.

"Wow Dean, Karlee sure is full of surprises. Is she like that at home?" JBL asked and Dean grinned.

"Keep it clean Mr Ambrose." Lawler warned before he could give an answer.

"Yeah, she is constantly surprising me. I mean, I worked with her before and I thought she was good then. Now she's unbelievable. She comes out with some amazing stuff when we train together."

Karlee waited, watching to see what they would do. Layla shot her a glare and stood up, walking around to the far side of the ring. Sofia and Megan did the same, waltzing around to a side of the ring. Karlee was surrounded. She shot Dean a glance, telling him to stay where he was. She could handle this. She knew where each of them were. She could do this. All three women jumped up onto the ring apron, and it was then Karlee saw the kendo stick in Megan's hand.

'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.' Was all Karlee could think. She was definitely in for another ass whooping. Yet she showed no signs of being uncomfortable or scared.

"What are you waiting for?" She yelled, watching the sick smirk Sofia had on her face. Karlee's attention shifted as the crowd suddenly went wild and then Megan's feet went from underneath her. Karlee looked on in shock as Alice appeared, delivering blow after blow after punch and kick. Sofia jumped down and started laying into Alice when all of a sudden, a very familiar sound filled the arena.

"Lets light it up!" Karlee's eyes widened as AJ came tearing out, running down the stage and leaping to Alice's defence. Layla ever so slowly looked from her friends and around to Karlee who had the biggest grin on her face. Karlee grabbed her by the hair and flipped her into the ring. She bent down and was about to grab her again when Layla reached up and kicked her square in the head, sending her to the ground. Karlee fell flat on her back, her head swimming with swirly objects and floating shapes. She tried to stand up, shaking her head to get rid of the dizzy sensation. Layla was nowhere to be seen and for a second, Karlee panicked. Then she clicked. Layla was behind her, on the top rope, waiting for her to turn around and then land a cross body. Karlee grinned. The girl was so predictable. Karlee turned quickly just in time to see Layla leap off the top rope. Karlee took a deep breath and grabbed her, body slamming her into the mat. A collective intake of breath sounded from the arena as Karlee went for the pin.

1...

2...

3.

Karlee pushed her away and stood with her hand raised by the ref. Sofia and Megan screamed yet never bothered to help her out of the ring. Alice and AJ climbed into the ring, both the diva's hugging their mentor and congratulating her on her win.

"Thank you girls so much. I really mean it!" She pulled them close and squeezed them tight. Dean was the next one in and once the girls had departed the ring, He picked her up and kissed her. It took her breath away for a second but she clung to him like it was her last breath.

"That was amazing." He muttered as he put her two feet back on the ground. She smiled at him as they basked in the moment. It was a short match but it was effective in showing the roster what she was capable of, as if she hadn't done that enough. Karlee had to get back and talk to Alice about this whole situation. Dean left the ring and stood waiting for her at the bottom of the ramp

She was on her way out when she felt someone tap on her back. She turned to see Layla and was met with a huge slap. Her whole face was left burning.

"My problem wasn't with you Karlee, you're just standing in the way of who I'm really trying to get a hold of. Alice." Karlee grabbed the microphone, holding it so she was able to speak into it.

"Why? Because you couldn't keep your legs together and now she has your man? She's better than you in more ways than one and its clear they are both happy. Just walk away while you still have your dignity." Karlee was being honest. She didn't want Layla to be dragged down this road because as much as she had fucked up with Roman, it wasn't worth ruining her career for. Layla sneered at her.

"Oh honey, I don't want him back, She can have my sloppy seconds. You see, I've moved on and if she can have her little bodyguard, then so can I." Karlee stood up, going toe to toe with her. Layla grinned and looked behind Karlee, up at the entrance. She turned and saw nothing. Dean was shouting, telling Karlee to get out of the ring. They both had a feeling something was going to happen. Seconds later, someone came running out, down the ramp and slammed into Dean. He went flying, his shoulder going straight into the steel steps. Karlee yelped, jumping out to go and get to him, not giving his attacker another look.

He was swearing under his breath when she got to him and it was clear his shoulder was in great pain as he was holding it.

"You need to go and see the doc. Let's get out of here." Dean rested his unhurt arm over her shoulder and she heaved him up, both of them walking up the ramp whilst trying to keep an eye out for anything or anyone else.

"Hey Dean! Guess who your facing tonight, My new boyfriend...Batista!" Dean and Karlee stopped and turned slowly. Karlee's face dropped when she saw the ass that was Dave Bautista standing in the ring. Great.

xXx

"You cannot compete tonight Dean!" The doctor was almost screaming at him yet it was going in one ear and out the other. Karlee squeezed his hand throughout the injection he got to prevent the pain and squeezed even tighter while the bandaged him up. The doc thought it was a shoulder separation so he had to stay out of the ring for at least a week and keep packing ice on it. Steph arrived moments later.

"I'm sorry about what happened, and don't worry. Roman has agreed to have your match. Which is great actually. If I can have Alice and Roman feuding with Layla and Batista, that leaves you with one less problem in the form of Layla." Karlee nodded, showing her appreciation. Dean wasn't so happy.

"I am not dealing with that freak again. He injures everyone he steps in the ring with. Do you really want to do that with your freshest talent?" He spat. Dean wasn't happy and everyone knew he didn't like to be blind sided. He thought it made him look weak. Karlee still held his hand.

"Dean, we have no use for you here now, especially since you can't compete. You two might as well go home. You are damn lucky this Friday's Smackdown is live. Karlee you, Alice and AJ are facing the other three so come prepared." Dean scoffed at her attempt to sound nice. Saying he was 'no use' made him want to explode and Karlee saw that very easily. She took a look at them both once again before turning on her expensive heels and walking out. Karlee rubbed his shoulder, the one which wasn't hurt.

"You heard the boss. Lets get you home." Dean snapped his head up. Home? With her? The first time since they came to their little arrangement. And Roman and Alice were on the road. This could be interesting.

xXx

I'm baaaack!

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