I don't consider this to be an actual chapter but more of a quick "filler" so there would be some sort of update while I prepare my Royal Rumble chapter. So don't expect much development or drama. LOL!

"What are you doing?" Lily heard Finn groggily ask from the comfort of her pillow Wednesday morning.

She was browsing Twitter and came across the Mandy Rose hotel segment. "So, I'm watching this Smackdown clip from last night. I know they wouldn't put me in that position because my dad would never allow it but what if I was just a random girl on the roster. How would you feel if they asked me to be filmed wearing lingerie in a hotel room with a Superstar?"

"Is the Superstar me?"

"No, that's the point."

"Well, I wouldn't hinder what could be a big break for you because of my own jealousy but if you weren't comfortable doing it, I would advise you to tell them. With the climate we're in today they can't really force you to do it unless you're okay with it," he stated. "However, if you agreed to it, just know that I'd be standing directly behind the cameraman watching like a hawk."

"I expect nothing less otherwise I'd be sorely disappointed because I was sure watching Bayley's hands every single time they can within an inch of you during the Mixed Match Challenge," she laughed.

"How long have you been up?" Finn asked, suppressing a yawn as he sat up shirtless against the headboard of Lily's bed.

"I don't know. Long enough to make breakfast, shower, watch you sleep, play with your penis in it's rare flaccid form and see what the fans were talking about online so maybe a little over an hour," she replied.

"Watching me sleep and molesting me...and they say men are the creeps," he joked.

"Exactly how many times since we've gotten back together have I woken to grayish-blueish eyes staring in my face and I woke up this morning with your hand clasped to my boob so let's not get into a who out-creeps who contest…"

"Because it would end in a tie," he added.

"Lies!"

"Anyway, what are the fans talking about?" he inquired.

"Same old, same old. I'm only here because of my dad. The AEW hype is real so I hope they deliver or there will be some very upset smarks. Your promo and win have been very well received. It definitely shut those, 'all he does is smile and pose' people up," Lily was very happy about this opportunity her boyfriend was receiving but her mind couldn't help but revert to his last big Universal Championship PPV singles match. It was against Seth Rollins and it ended with an injury that derailed his career for 6 months. "Can I say something?"

"Of course."

"I'm scared to death thinking about you stepping into a ring with Brock," she admitted.

"Babe, I've been wrestling since 2000, the same year you were born and during these last 19 years I've faced opponents just as big and strong as Brock," he said.

"Well, I wasn't your girlfriend backstage watching the monitors during those matches but I am now. I'll probably sit this match out because the anxiety of watching his stiff shots and suplexes is going to kill me!"

"Lilith, I'll be fine," he attempted to assure her.

"So you say…" Lily mumbled.

"Sounds like you have no faith in me."

"I have plenty of faith in you. It's Brock I don't trust. He can be a bit reckless in the ring sometimes."

"Yeah, you have a point there," he agreed.

"I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt and I had to be on the road for months without you while you're home in either Ireland or Brooklyn. Speaking of that, move in with me," she proposed suddenly.

"Wow, straight to the point, aren't you?" his brows rose.

"We're dating and we practically spend every waking moment with each other anyway. You haven't spent one single night at your place since the new year because you've been here with me when we're off the road," she pointed out.

"To be honest, I haven't felt at home at my place in Brooklyn for a while. Cathy picked it, Cathy decorated it, we had memories there, we broke up there, she almost ruined my relationship with you there so I don't really have a problem leaving it behind…"

"Why do I feel a but coming on?" she asked suspiciously.

"Probably because I came on yours last night," he snorted. "But, I don't want to give up my place only for Shawn to flip when he finds out that I'm here. Boom, now I'm homeless."

"My dad can't kick you out of my apartment," she declared.

"I'm just trying to keep the peace that we've finally established with Shawn," he said.

"I don't think he'll mind though since he's over us now."

"Yeah, he's over us dating. Moving in together is taking things to another level. I'm fine with it because your pink pillows and sheets are way more comfortable than mine but I doubt he'll cosign us taking this step."

"Let's see," Lily scrolled in her contacts until she found Dad.

"Hello?"

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"Lily, it's 7:45 AM, I'm sleeping…" Shawn grumbled.

"Oh, right. I forgot that Texas is an hour behind Florida. Sorry."

"Well, I'm present now. What's going on that couldn't wait?"

"Okay, Fergal and I have been thinking about moving in together."

"How long have you been thinking about this because he and I were both at the opening of the UK Performance Center last Friday and when I asked how things were going he didn't mention anything about trying to shack up with you," Lily could tell by his tone that he didn't agree. "Why buy the cow when he can get the milk for free? Hell, he was living with that Cathy girl for years and I never saw an engagement ring of any sorts on either of their fingers. Moving in together too soon is a relationship killer, Lily. Wait, on second thought, maybe you two should."

"Bye," Lily replied, ending the call.

"See…" Finn started.

"Well, he never comes here anyway so he won't know. You can still move in as long as we keep your stuff out of sight," she suggested.

"You didn't get enough the first time we snuck around behind his back?" he chuckled. "How about I shower and then go downstairs to talk to the front office about vacancies. I'll get my own where I'll keep all of my stuff but I'll sleep here so technically, I won't be moving in with you at all," he winked.

"Ah, loopholes and that'll be great because you'll have your own space to do male things in," she nodded. "I think I'm going to go down to the Performance Center to train for an hour or two."

"Do you need me to come with you?" Finn asked, his tone conveyed concern.

"Why?" Lily raised a brow.

He tilted his head. "You know why."

"Oh, I've actually forgotten all about her. We're still together and you publicly claim me so the winner has been decided in that battle," she reached over to stroke his beard.

"I love you," he smiled.

"I love you, too, Gorgeous and now I have to go," she kissed him before climbing out of bed.

When Lily entered the NXT locker room, she found it abandoned so she figured that they were out in the practice rings. She got dressed and joined them. It seemed like they were working on conditioning which felt more intense today probably because she was out of practice. It definitely got her heart rate up. Then after that, they broke off into t groups of twos and did basic in-ring sequences and routines. Io Shirai being Lily's partner. They went through a routine of locking up, Lily strikes Io in the gut before throwing her over the ropes, Io attempted to come back in only for Lily to drop kick her through the next sequence consisted of Lily being Irish Whipped into the corner, giving an elbow to Io and then running back at her from the opposite corner only to take a boot to the face.

They went back into conditioning exercises and it'd been well over 2 hours when their trainer, Sara Amato spoke up to give them a 20 minute break.

"Is it bad that I'm totally wiped out right now?" Lily's shirt was completely soaked as she asked Sara the question ringside while everyone else scattered. "Seriously, I don't remember things being this intense when I was here."

"No, it probably wasn't intense to you at that point. You're on the road 4 days a week, 2 weeks straight when you guys are touring and that takes a toll on your body and 3 days isn't enough time to really recharge. Meanwhile, these girls are fresh," Sara explained. "If you want to leave, that's fine. I respect that you came down here. Some of the girls make the main roster and we never see them again."

"Yeah, I can't afford to get lax in my training especially since they throw me out there every week...in meaningless matches," she muttered.

"I think they're just trying to show that you actually have skills first before they strap the rocket to your back for the push."

"I don't even care about a big push right now but can I at least have a complete feud with something on the line even if it's not the title?"

"Is she really complaining? Her last name already made her skip the line to the main roster," someone attempted to whisper. Lily looked around a saw a group huddled a few feet away and she recognized the voice to be Aliyah.

"Uhm, you've been here since 2015. Asuka, Ember Moon, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, both Iconiics, Mandy, Sonya, Zelina and now Lacey Evans make up 10 women who signed after you who've gone up to the main roster before you. I'm pretty sure I can name a few here now who are going to beat you there, as well. Let's not even talk about the girls from NXT UK who are going to get the call within a year. None of the girls on that list have famous last names so the problem must be you," Lily finished, turning her attention back to Sara. "Anyway…"

"Have you ever thought about turning heel?" Sara chuckled.

"I don't think that was heelish at all. I see comments like that online every single day, every hour to be honest. I don't need to hear it a few feet away. Don't blame me because I'm sure if I stayed down here she wouldn't have gone up any sooner," Lily replied. "But no, to answer your question I haven't I haven't thought about turning heel."

"Well, it did wonders for Becky's career," Sara said.

"It was time for Becky to do something after getting the short end of the stick for 2 years. It wouldn't make sense for me right now. I don't know," Lily shrugged. "I was going to stay for another hour but I think it's time for me to shower, get changed and go."

After Lily was changed into fresh clothing, she entered the hall and found Cathy leaning against the wall on the phone. She found that weird considering Cathy had an office of her own so she wondered if Cathy was there on purpose. Of course she was.

"...yeah, we went on our third date last night and it was my surprise he picked me up for breakfast this morning. This guy is a REAL man and I haven't had that in a looooong time," Cathy touted and Lily wondered if anyone was on the other line at all.

Lily slowed as she passed her and they locked eyes. Cathy seemed to be waiting for a reaction but Lily only smiled which seemed to catch Cathy by surprise.

When she was getting ready to walk out of the door she met Finn.

He smiled awkwardly. "Hi…"

"What are you doing here?"

He seemed to be thinking of an excuse. "I came to work out."

"Where's your bag?"

"Fine, I was coming to check on you," he admitted.

"Good thing you did. I left a trail of tears on the inside…" she snorted and he looked alarmed. "But it wasn't Cathy, this time."

"I know you said you weren't going to do anything and it probably wasn't in your plans but I know how she can get under someone's skin and while you were gone my mind kept reverting back to H threatening to suspend you if something happened between you two," he replied.

"I think she did try to get under my skin while raving about her alleged date last night. I'm pretty sure the call ended as soon as I was out of earshot though but if you walk in right now I bet she'll get another."

Finn draped his arm around her shoulder. "I think I'll pass. Come on, let me take you out to lunch so you can tell me how training went."