Chapter 32

xXx

Karlee woke up rather abruptly in the morning and her legs and arms shot out to steady herself in the bed as she woke up from her dream where she was free falling. Dean grabbed her and pulled her close. She winced a little form the sudden movement but it just his instincts kicking in. A glance to the clock in front of them showed it was just passed ten in the morning. Karlee gave a little stretch and sat up. She leant against the leather headboard and hugged her knees to her chest.

"You okay now?" Dean asked, his hands now touching an empty space. He loved just sleeping next to her the past night. He just hated the circumstances in which he had to do so. She nodded and sniffed a little. She felt like a silly little girl yet she wouldn't dare tell him why she was in such a state. Her chest hurt from crying and her eyes were puffy. Dean knew fine she would talk in her own time and he didn't want to push her.

"Do you want me to leave or do you want me to stay a while?" She wanted him to stay. Oh so badly. But she couldn't form the right words without sounding desperate. Dean took her no response as a sign he should leave. He sighed and swung his legs out of the bed, cradling his head in his palms for a few seconds. Karlee's whole body tenses as he stood up. They bed looked huge without him in it, Karlee only taking up a small corner.

"You know where I am if you need me." He almost whispered, a hurt tone to his voice. Karlee wanted him to come back. She felt her chest tighten and she thought she would take another panic attach but instead, her body started to shake with the soft sobbing that ensued.

xXx

Alice and Roman were sitting in the kitchen together and Karlee caught sight of them as she left her room. They were definitely in the honeymoon stage. They were so sweet together and it made Karlee's heart twinge with sadness. She missed that. Karlee stood in the doorway, her hair knotted up in a bun and a pair of leggings on with an old varsity shirt. She was making absolutely no effort.

"Oh hi, You're up late." Alice commented. Roman noticed her eyes scan the kitchen for any sign of Dean and he assumed she was still trying to stay clear. He never said anything put kicked out a chair on the opposite side of the table for her.

"Eva called while you were still sleeping. I took a message for you if that's okay." Karlee nodded, motioning for her to go on.

"She wanted to know if you would let her cook us all dinner as a thank you for you giving her advice on her career." Karlee groaned. Eva only stayed half an hour away but that meant leaving the house and she didn't really want to.

"Um, okay. I'll go call her back." Karlee felt sick at the thought but she had found a way to forgive the girl for being rude. Surely he could manage dinner. She walked through to her bedroom and grabbed her cell, looking through her work contacts until she found her number. She must have been waiting as she picked up immediately.

"Hello? Eva Marie speaking." She was so prim and proper.

"Hey Eva, Its Karlee. Alice has just informed me you called." She sat on her bed and rubbed her forehead and a little part of her hoed Eva had changed her mind.

"Oh god! Yeah. Look Karlee, I hope you understand but I double booked you with a training session I have with Brian. I'll pop round with some goodies instead. You still stay at the bottom of the canyon bit right?" Karlee found herself nodding before realizing she was on the phone.

"Yeah honey. You don't have to though, I've plenty of food here." Eva finally convinced her and told er she would be there within the hour. Karlee threw the phone on the bed and found herself mindlessly getting up and walking out of her room, up the hall and standing in front of Deans room, or the spare room before they split. She knocked once and opened the door slowly. He was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He didn't even flinch when she shut the door. Karlee walked over to where he was lying and instead of just sitting down, she flung her legs up and lay right next to him. They stayed like that for a few minutes before any of them spoke.

"Thank you for that last night. I'm so sorry I woke you." She whispered, still staring at the ceiling.

"You know I'd do it every night if I had to. If you would just let me." Karlee sighed and they both rolled onto their sides.

"I really want to let you in Dean, I really do. But to be honest, I'm even more damaged than I was before. We've had to deal with so much between friends and our relationship not to mention the fact we couldn't trust each other. I want us to get back together. I really do." Dean wanted to talk but he didn't know what to say. It was clear she had made her mind up.

"Even through all that, Kaitlyn and Seth are getting married in less than a month and they expect us to be civil. Maybe even get our photos taken together." Karlee was half joking. She knew her and Dean were good and she truly was scared to loose him but at the same time, she didn't want to keep getting hurt or letting him down. Dean nodded, looking straight into her. She quivered slightly.

"Eva offered to make us dinner." She let out. She needed a subject change. Dean nodded and moved onto his back again. And there he went. Karlee could feel him literally slipping away and it was the most painful thing she had suffered yet.

xXx

Eva had been and gone with a mixture of home bakes and a huge jug of her 'herbal water' which had her name on the side of it. Alice, Roman and Dean had all turned their faces up at it but Karlee had already chugged three full glasses and been for a run. She came back, all sweaty and tired to et another phone call. She grabbed her phone just in time.

"Hey? Steph?" Karlee asked. Her immediate thought was she had done something wrong. What she heard next pleasantly surprised her.

"Quick phone call. I need you all in for a show tomorrow. And we were so impressed with your triple performance the other night that Sofia has offered you a number one contender-ship. That is if you want it." Karlee could barely form a sentence due to the stupid grin on her face.

"Uh... Thanks Steph but who am I going to have to screw over to get this shot. And if you say Alice I won't take it." Karlee knew well enough there would be a catch in this.

"Layla. But she doesn't know she's facing you. Sofia has every confidence you would win against her so that's why she chose Layla." There was something that wasn't sitting right. Sofia was champion and she was giving her best friend and Karlee an opportunity to fight it out. Surely Layla was going to be rigged to win.

"Is it just me or does that sound a little dodgy, I mean come on Steph, she's been trying to bring me down for almost two years.

"Honestly, I think she's changed Karlee. Just trust her on this one. I certainly wouldn't be taking the chance of you winning if she was plotting against you again." Karlee sighed. Her boss was right.

"Fine. I'm guessing this is a Smackdown match. When's my match against Sofia?"

"Yeah. that's right. This Monday on Raw. I need you here for the Smackdown tomorrow night. Are you guys travelling to the next city by car or flying?" Karlee chewed on her lip as she decided on the spot.

"I'll probably drive. It ain't worth coming home for a few days so I'll take the truck. Thanks again for the opportunity Steph."

"Don't thank me Karlee, Thank Sofia. I'm really glad you two have managed to put everything behind you." Karlee rolled her eyes. Steph was so funny with her sometimes. One day she was a good friend and the next she talked to Karlee as if she was shit on the bottom of her shoe. Karlee hung up, leaning against the wall and grinning. She might finally have the chance to be a champion and prove herself. Finally.

Karlee bounced through the living are where they were all watching old wrestling tapes and plunked herself on the chair next to Roman.

"Steph wants us at the Smackdown taping tomorrow guys." They all groaned but her grin made them stare at her a little longer, knowing she was keeping a secret from them.

"Go on then Karlee... What is it?" Alice sighed, pausing the TV but secretly feeling quite excited herself.

"Sofia's giving me a title shot!" Karlee beamed and Alice jumped up to give her a huge hug. Dean smiled whilst Roman hugged her too. She kept her eyes on Dean and it was tearing away at her. Why wasn't he congratulating her? He urge to get up and scream at him was overwhelming but she controlled herself. She had to.

"Look, I need to get packing but I told Steph we were driving to the next town so I'm taking my truck." She shot Dean a look and he rolled his eyes. He hated her truck. Told her it was too crammed despite the bench style seats that they all fit in comfortably.

"Road trip!" Alice yelped before jumping over the back of the chair and taking off after Karlee.

xXx

"You deserve it Karlee. I'm so happy for you!" Eva exclaimed as they all sat at catering. They were waiting for food and the red head newbie had taken it upon herself to act as waitress. Karlee knew she was considered a vet in the company considering she had worked in the Indies, ECW and now the WWE for more than ten years but she was no royalty and Eva had to learn that. She was waiting on her hand and foot and was making Karlee feeling slightly uneasy. She had done nothing to deserve to be treated like the queen. Eva had just come and sat down with their food when they heard an almighty shriek throughout the arena. Karlee's eyes connected with Alice's, who had just come into the clearing with Roman, hand in hand. Karlee shrugged as she stabbed her funky looking bit of chicken with a plastic fork.

They soon found the source of the shriek when Layla came stomping into the catering area. Eva gasped and Alice ran to get Dean as Roman made a dash to where Layla was heading. Karlee. Karlee slid her plate away and stood up, determined not to be a sitting duck.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" She screamed, walking right up to Karlee and giving her a shove. Karlee smirked, using both hands and pushing her hard enough to send her onto her ass. Roman placed a hand on her arm which she completely ignored.

"I'm guessing you've just found out who your opponent is for tonight. And trust me sweetheart, that was a bad move considering you have to step in the ring with me later." Layla stood up, coming right up to her again. She looked genuinely upset that her friend would betray her like that.

"You have no idea what is about to happen." Layla sneered. Karlee scoffed. Her threat meant nothing, she had dealt with worse.

"Trust me honey, this will be a fucking picnic. I'll let you throw the first punch." Karlee stepped back and allowed Layla to retreat. Sofia came into the clearing and stood watching them both with her arms crossed. Layla tried to talk to her when she walked past but Layla barged past her, knocking into her deliberately. Karlee took her seat and finished eating her food. Eva sat beside her, jaw still on the ground.

"How do you deal with crap like that. Some of the diva's do that to me in NXT but Bill told me to let it roll and it would get better." Karlee shook her head, waving her fork whilst shaking her head.

"Never let anyone get the better of you, unless they are of higher authority. Every superstar and diva in this company are on the same level. If John Cena was to come in right now and try to talk shit, I'd bring him down a peg or two." Eva grinned. Roman and Alice sat down beside them, grabbing a bottle of water each.

"If Layla come out with Megan tonight, I'm coming with you." Alice stated. Karlee gave her a raised eyebrow. That was asking for trouble.

"I'll have Dean. You are staying with Roman. And don't even try to dare argue with me." Alice went to open her mouth but Roman placed a hand on her back and whispered something into her ear, possibly suggesting that arguing with Karlee would get her nowhere.

"Fine. But I'll be ready and waiting for shit to hit the fan." Alice was serious and Karlee appreciated it. It was crazy that she had stepped through the ranks and onto the main roster so quickly but it was easy to see why. She was full of fire and passion to get out there, no matter the excuse.

"Well ladies, and Roman, I have a match to get ready for and a bodyguard to find." Karlee grabbed her plate and stuck it on top of the rubbish bin. She wiped her mouth and asked Eva to throw her bottle over.

"Good luck Karlee!" She called as she returned to her food. Alice and Roman said goodbye as well and followed Karlee back to the locker room.

"She still doesn't see right to me." Roman muttered. Alice flicked him in the gut, being careful not to hurt him but gently remind him that Karlee was happy with where they stood and that was the main thing.

xXx

Karlee sat in front of the mirror and clasped her hands together, working out the knots she had in her back. Alice had swept her hair into a faux-hawk and done her make up for her, saving her the hassle of being her own stylist.

"Your look bad-ass." Roman commented. Karlee had gone for all black, as she normally did but her bra-let was full of studs and spikes.

"If Layla gets too close on a body slam, you'll take her eye out." Alice added, making Karlee laugh. Dean was still MIA but knowing him, he would likely show up at the latest he could. Alice put some music on and was dancing around, keeping the atmosphere relaxed. Layla wasn't to hard of an opponent, but her actions and interferences could potentially cost Karlee the match if she didn't focus enough. that's why she needed Dean out there, to keep her aware of that was going on.

Karlee ended up walking to the gorilla position on her own, suddenly going into panic mode when she didn't see Dean waiting for her. She sat on one of the steel chairs, talking one of the producers about what was happening. Layla would cut a promo and challenge a mystery opponent. Sofia would step in via intercom and promote the match to decide a number one contender spot. It gave Karlee a little while to find Dean but not long enough he could organise a search party. She passed her phone to one of the production staff and started pacing back and fourth.

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Dean ran towards her, stopping in front of her and balancing his upper body on his knees. She threw her arms up in the air as er heartbeat returned to normal and her brain stopped working overtime on a backup plan.

"Where the hell were you!" She grumbled, keeping her voice down to a low level as to not cause a scene.

"They were drugs testing, I skipped in front to make sure I didn't have to do it on Monday. I want to get smashed off my face drunk this weekend." Karlee rolled her eyes and regained her composure.

"We got a game plan for this match?" Dean asked, like he did before any of their respective matches. She shook her head.

"No games, just keep an eye out. I want to win this in a fair fight so don't get involved." She warned. Dean watched as she took a few deep breaths and focused on the match at hand. He loved watching her when she was in the zone, and he would do anything for them to be doing it together, he just knew that wasn't possible. She was still confused, and now, so was he.

He oh so badly wanted to burst her bubble and tell her what was so important about the next day. She would probably say it was the anniversary of her joining ECW, which was right, but it would also be ten years since they first met. A day forever ingrained on Dean's memory. One of his most favourite days since his wrestling career began.

"Dean? Hello? You just zoned out and missed Layla's promo!" She was waving her manicured hands in front of him with a slight smile on her face as he stared at her. He nodded and watched the TV stand as Sofia came across the screen and announced that whoever cam out to face Layla would now be wresting for a chance at the title. Dean grinned and they both wrapped their hands together.

He wanted to remind her of how they started, how much they wanted to like each other but were both too stubborn to admit it. Karlee relaxed her grip on his hand as her music hit and the crowd erupted. They knew this meant war. Dean stepped forward and Karlee followed suit. He pulled her through the curtain and they both stepped onto the stage, allowing the crowds applause to make them forget. Layla was currently throwing a hissy fit in the ring, probably a real one as well and as Karlee got closer, she noticed Megan on commentary. Karlee whispered in Dean's ear, letting him know. He wouldn't hit her, but he could block her from trying to get into the ring.

Karlee entered and she hadn't even come through the ropes when Layla jumped forward and delivered a mind blowing drop-kick to the side. Karlee fell onto the hard mat of the floor, clutching her head and rolling onto her knees. Dean was by her side instantly, checking for bumps or blood.

"Are you okay?" He held her hand and pulled her up, letting her go when she was steady on her feet. He noticed the murderous glare in her eyes and that was his cue to let her get on with it. Layla registered it too and backed up to the opposite side of the ring. Karlee slithered through the bottom rope, her eyes never leaving Layla.

"That, sweetheart, was a huge mistake." The bell rang and they both stood still. Layla relaxed from her position in the corner and took some baby steps forward. Layla had nerve, Karlee admitted that. Because to stand face to face with someone who wanted to slap the shit out of you took a lot of guts. Karlee retracted her hand at the speed of light and slapped her, hard, across the face, sending her backwards. The referee shouted something but she ignored him, leaping forwards and picking her up by the hair. She kept a hold of her hair, running across the ring and slamming her face into the ring mat. Karlee let out a war cry, letting the entire arena know who's ring it was.

The women in the ring went back and fourth for almost half an hour. Karlee was getting tired, as was Layla and their muscles ached as much as their heads did. Layla used her last bit of strength to climb to the top rope, her hands holding onto the top rope as she crouched down, slowly waiting for Karlee to rise to her feet. Dean was standing directly in front of her, his hands on the mat. Karlee watched him as she rose to her feet. Everything suddenly slowed down and as Karlee concentrated on getting her breathing to return to normal, she made eye contact with Dean. He caught her eye and looked down to his hands. Karlee followed his line of vision and suddenly she saw what he was going with his fingers. One was pointing up and the other one was signalling for her to turn around and grab something. She put two and two together and knew that Layla was waiting to cross-body her from the top rope. Karlee steadied herself, in a sprint like position and turned, quickly. Layla soared through the air but Karlee was ready. Karlee caught her, her arms feeling heavy as she held Layla. She dropped her to her feet, kneeing her in the stomach and slammed her head in between her arm and waist. Karlee slammed her head onto the mat, knocking Layla dizzy. She scrambled to get the pin and the referee fell to his knees and almost put his hand through the mat as he counted.

Karlee fell off of Layla as she heard him say 'three' and the bell finally rang. She was exhausted. Dean swooped into the ring and fell beside her, his hands checking to see if she was hurt. Karlee moaned as she leant into him. Everything hurt. Her legs felt like they were going to fall off ad every time she tried to stand up, she fell against Dean. He sighed as he placed a hand under her knees and pushed her body to the end of the ring. He jumped down, onto the mat and pulled her out, lifting her so she was against his chest. He walked to the back with cheers and jeers from the crowd.