December 21st, 2011
Stamford, Connecticut
WWE Headquarters
Dean packs a duffel bag, preparing for his next trip. He's been quiet since yesterday's ordeal. After snapping on Paige, he was silently a hated man at work. Most would turn their heads as Dean walked by, not giving him the time of day. It didn't bother him at all, as he was used to being ignored. Although, a small part of him felt bad about how everything went down. Only a small part. He slings the bag over his shoulder and heads to the elevator. Before pressing the ground floor button, he decides to head to Regal's office to see Paige.
"Hey dude, hold the elevator!" Yells Christian running over, carrying a few boxes.
Dean slides his foot, reopening the doors as Christian jumps in. He drops the boxes and leans against the wall, catching his breath.
"Thanks dude. Fifth floor if you don't mind."
Dean hits the button, looking at Christian's lab coat. Covered in dirt and oil from whatever he was doing.
"I'm shocked you're even talking to me." Says Dean.
"What? Oh, from what happened with Paige. No problems dude. I've seen worse between two employees. At least nobody got stabbed this time."
"Stabbed!?" Said Dean looking surprised.
"That was two years ago. Anyway, I'm sure you guys will kiss and make up. Paige is a cool girl."
"I don't know man, I feel like I fucked up."
The elevator hits the fifth floor. Christian picks his boxes and inches out the elevator.
"You'll be fine. If all else fails, get her a gift. Chicks love gifts. Later dude." Says Christian as the door closes.
Dean shoots the elevator back up, heading to the tenth floor. He gets off and stops just in front of Regal's office.
"Paige I normally don't do this. Nah. Paige, I'm sorry for being a dick. Eh, I'll wing it." He says to himself.
Before knocking on the door, Regal opens it and steps out, closing it behind him. Regal always dressed in suits, and today was no exception.
"What do you want tosser?" Asked Regal in disgust.
Dean squints his eyes, having no idea what he was just called.
"I just came to apologize to Paige." Dean said sincerely (sort of).
"Ms. Bevas wants nothing to do with you at the moment. You hurt her feelings tremendously."
"That's why I'm here to apologize Mr. Bean! Now can you move?"
Regal gives Dean a stern look, folding his arms and tilting his head. Dean rolls his eyes.
"Please?" Dean asks throwing his hands up.
Regal walks off, allowing Dean to walk in. Paige sits at her desk, typing away at a computer. Dean sits on her desk, leaning over. Paige softly pushes his face back, not taking her eyes off the screen.
"Hey buddy, looking good today. You smell nice, new perfume?" Dean asks, with a cringe smile.
Paige stays quiet, not acknowledging him at all. Dean kicks his feet, thinking of the right words.
"Hey, I'll pay for your pad...thing. Sorry about the other day. No secret, I'm an asshole."
Dean could see the sour expression on her face. He fucked up big time. Paige gets up from the desk, grabbing her phone and leaving the office. She slams the door behind her, causing Dean to flinch.
December 21st, 2011
Tampa Bay, Florida
Lansdale Motel
Seth wakes up, feeling woozy. This aching migraine that appeared since his flight bothered him way too much. That wasn't going to stop him though. He came here to get his friend back, and he was seeing it through. It was pretty warm in Florida, so Seth was lucky he packed some shorts. He grabs his hoodie on the way out, and hops in his rental car. Riding down the street, Seth soaks in the scenery. It wasn't exactly Miami, but it was nice in its own right. He drove past Roman's house the other day, but no cars were outside and the lights were off. So time to try again today. Hitting a red light, a naked man jumps on Seth's hood and starts air thrusting.
"Guess what day it is bitches! Hump day!" The naked man yelled.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
Seth sees two cops running over. The naked man takes off as the cops give chase. Seth laughs and shakes his head. Only in Florida. Seth was able to memorize the directions to Roman's house, considering he was only there yesterday. While pulling up, he sees a woman and little girl walk into the house.
"Must be his wife and daughter." Seth says to himself.
Seth parks across the street and cleans himself up. Even tieing his hair in a ponytail to look extra nice. He jogs up to the front door, jumping on their wooden porch and giving a hard knock. He goes over what to say in his head as the door opens up.
"Hi, my name is-"
Seth sees no one, but looks down to see the little girl in her school uniform. Her tan skin and curly hair was so adorable. Even being the talk of the teachers at school. Seth kneels down to get to her level.
"Hi." She greets, showing her crooked teeth.
"Hello little one, my name is Seth. What's yours?"
"Amelia."
"Hi Amelia, I'm looking for your Dad. I'm a friend of his from work."
"Amelia who are you talking to?" Asks her mom from the kitchen.
"Daddy's friend."
Tasha makes her way to the door. Dressed in traditional female Muslim garb. Tan skin like her daughter and sporting a fresh bob haircut. Seth raises back up to talk to Mrs. Reigns.
"Who are you?" She asks.
"I'm Seth Rollins. I'm Roman's friend from work. Well, his former job anyway."
"Oh yes, the army job. He's told me about a lot of you."
"Good things I hope. Oh, and its actually a private military, but that's not important. I just came to talk to Roman. Do you mind if I come in?"
"No we can stand here and talk. Amelia go do your homework."
Amelia runs off as Tasha folds her arms, giving Seth a face of doubt.
"So uh, I was told Roman quit a few days ago, and he didn't tell any of us. He wasn't answering any of our phone calls, so I came down to talk to him myself." Seth explains.
"Roman told me about what happened. You people sent my husband into a situation where he had to kill a child! I don't know what kind of "private military" you work for, but I don't like it."
What he heard rocked his head even more. Roman wouldn't do something like that. He took a deep breath, choosing his next words carefully. Tasha's face was one of mostly anger, but frustration as well.
"Mrs. Reigns, we at the WWE would ABSOLUTELY NOT advocate the killing of a child. I'm not sure what happened, but the work we do is sacred. I promise you that we are out there fighting the good fight." Seth explains.
"I hear the same words from people that work for the government. Trying to justify senseless killing! I was skeptical of this job at first, but now I can assure you Roman won't be coming back."
"Miss, you don't understa-"
"NO. I don't want to hear it. If you would kindly, stay away from my husband and us."
"Could you just tell me where Rom-"
Tasha slams the door in Seth's face, causing his migraine to split his head in two. He wasn't angry at Tasha, cause anyone in her shoes would feel the same way. Regardless, he still didn't have the full story, and what little he heard from Tasha didn't sound pleasant. Seth slowly makes his way from the porch, as something falls and hits his head. He looks down to see a name tag for Mega Food Market with Roman's name on it. Seth looks up to see Amelia smiling and waving from the window. Seth smiles back, mouthing "thank you" before running back to his car.
"One pound of American cheese. There you go sir, have a nice day." Roman says to a customer.
Roman goes back to work behind the deli counter. Wearing his green polo work shirt and an apron, he finishes up a sandwich order. An awkward looking bald man approaches the counter, wearing a similar shirt to Roman.
"Is my sandwich ready?" Asks the bald man.
"Sure thing Derek."
Roman hands his co-worker the sandwich and calls for the next customer.
"Dude, there you are!" Shouts Seth leaning against the counter.
Roman stands quiet, looking at Seth like a complete stranger. He walks over to a female co-worker and tells her something. He removes his apron and motions Seth to follow him. They sit down at the eating area, near Derek.
"What do you want?" Roman asks, sounding annoyed.
"What do I want? I'm here to find out what happened to you. You up and leave without saying anything, reject any form of communication, and then I hear from your wife that you killed a kid!"
Both men look over to see Derek staring at them, hearing everything Seth just said.
"Its cool Derek, my friend is just crazy." Says Roman laughing.
Derek goes back to his food. Roman's face goes from joke to serious as he leans towards Seth, talking a little quieter.
"First of all, what were you doing talking to my wife? Two, I didn't kill a kid. I killed her dad."
"Huh?"
Roman spends the next 8 minutes explaining his trip to Philadelphia. From meeting Heyman to executing Joey Styles. Seth leans on the table, hands over his mouth, trying to process everything that was told. It all sounded pretty standard until he met Styles.
"That must of been rough dude."
"Yeah. I still think about it. That's why I can't go back man." Confesses Roman.
"But we need you there. There is no Black Cerberus without you!"
"Listen Seth. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm happy here." Says Roman smiling.
"At Mega Food Mart? Bullshit!" Seth replied, smacking the table.
"Its Mega Food Market." Derek whispers out loud.
"Shut up Derek!" Shouts Seth.
Roman puts his hand on Seth' shoulder, telling him to calm down. Derek picks up the rest of his sandwich and awkwardly walks off.
"It's great here man. People are friendly. I make $13 an hour. And I get health benefits."
"You got all of that and more at your old job. Instead of an ugly shirt and fucking Derek!"
"Hey, leave Derek alone man." Roman said calmly.
Seth buries his face in his hands. Unsure of what to say at this point. Roman gets up, ready to go back to work. The tension was felt without anything else being said. But this was something more to Roman. It was about his character. The events of that night are going to stick with him his entire life, and he needed time to move on.
"Seth, I'm not going back. Final answer. Tell everybody I'm sorry and I'll miss them."
Seth rises up from his seat, a sinking feeling dropping in his chest. He and Roman hug and embrace each other.
"Don't lose my number bro. You ever need something, you call me anytime." Says Seth before he lets go.
Roman nods his head and goes back to work, throwing on his apron. Seth stands still for a minute, scratching his face not knowing what to do. He puts his hands in his pockets, looking at the floor for a couple of seconds. He slowly walks to the front door, passing Derek who's drinking a soda. Seth smacks the soda from Derek's hand before leaving the store.