Not the quickest update, but faster than the last. I want t hank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are pretty awesome.
"Yelena? Yelena can you hear me?"
The light above her immediately made her squint, letting out an annoyed groan. Her ears felt like they had water in them, the voice sounding far away
A shadow appeared over her, blocking the torturous beams "Yelena?" the voice called, a little clearer this time
Her blurry eyes took a minute to adjust and the concerned face of Punk became clear
"Phil?" she rasped out, her mouth dry. She blinked. Once. Twice. Three times before taking the unfamiliar surroundings and the chemically too clean smell.
"Here. Drink this." Phil told her, pressing the rim of a plastic cup to her lips.
She drank the ice water greedily until her mouth felt somewhat normal again. Even in the chilly room, her body felt way too overheated.
"Where am I?" she finally asked
"In the hospital. You turned green and passed out on me. You don't remember?"
It all was slowly coming back to her. They went running. She'd pushed too hard considering she hadn't eaten anything all day. She started choking, that turning into dry heaving and then vomit.
"How bad is it?" she asked
"They said it was dehydration combined with low blood sugar in this heat, but they're running more tests to be sure."
That's when she noticed the tube in her right hand, connected to an IV "Ouch."
"Punishment enough. I've told you about running on an empty stomach."
"Just when I thought I had one up-ed Mike." she joked
"You still did, don't worry. Mike wouldn't have just passed out. He would have passed out, hit his head on a rock, and landed in a coma all in one move."
"Well I'm lucky that you carried me all the way back downhill to the car aren't I?"
"Yup. Mike would be buzzard food if it were him."
She grinned "I guess luck is for losers."
He ruffled her hair "Now you're getting it."
A female doctor walked in, clipboard in hand. She looked to be about forty, blonde with a bit if silver- grey hair with a sweet smiling face.
"Ah, she's awake." she said brightly "I'm Dr. Hawthorn. How are you feeling dear?"
"Much better."
"He's been with you from the moment he brought you in." she said, smiling at Punk "Good men are hard to find. He's your boyfriend, right?"
"Oh no, he's my best friend. More like a brother to me." Yelena clarified.
"And sadly, I dig crazy chicks." Punk joked
Dr. Hawthorn clearly didn't get the joke, but shrugged anyway "To each his own."
"Are those my discharge papers?" Yelena asked, anxious to get out of there "This thing is seriously uncomfortable
"I have them right here." told her, tapping the clipboard "I'll have a nurse take that out for you in a bit. We need to have a chat about some things."
"What about?" Yelena asked, confused
Phil's phone buzzed in his picked and he pulled it out "Excuse me. I'll be waiting right outside." he told her
Yelena nodded "I'll be finished in a bit." she told him, watching him leave before turning back to the woman "What was it we needed to talk about?"
Punk's P.O.V.
"Hey April."
"Hey. Where are you? I thought we were hanging out tonight?"
He palmed his face "Ah man, I totally forgot."
The phone was silent before she muttered "Oh. Okay. Well... Some other time then?" she said, trying to keep it light, but he could clearly hear the disappointment in her voice
"No no no, we can still hangout. I'm just a little caught up. I went running with Yelena and she sort of passed out on me." he said, leaning against the closed door.
"Oh my god, is she alright?" A.J. asked
"Yeah, she's fine. She was just dehydrated. The doctor is talking to her now. She'll be cut loose in a few minutes." he told her.
He pushed off from the door, walking over to the glass window to peak in on the progress
Dr. Hawthorn was speaking softly, writing things down on her board. He couldn't help but notice Yelena's uncomfortable posture, one arm around herself, the other twisting the pendant around her neck.
"Well we can just stay in and watch a movie if you're too tired. Maybe invite a few people if you want..."
"Nah. I'm not in the mood. So you're gonna be stuck with just me." he said, half- joking
"Um, okay. Cool. So I'll see you in a bit then?" she asked
He could practically hear the smile in her voice and it made his grin widen "I'll text you when I'm back at the hotel and get your room number."
"Okay. See ya Phil."
"Bye."
He hung up, tucking his phone away, trying to wipe the goofy grin off of his face before peaking back through the glass again. Yelena's green eyes were wide, her face ashen. She looked petrified and he watched in confusion as the Dr patted her lightly on the shoulder
She covered her mouth, tears spilling down her face.
What the hell had happened in the four minutes he had been on the phone?
He knocked gently on the door before pushing it open, all heads in the room turning to him.
"Everything okay in here?" he asked worriedly
Yelena's P.O.V.
Dr. Hawthorn handed Yelena the clipboard "A nurse should be here any second to remove the I.V. and you're free to go hun."
Yelena took the board, taking the pen out with unsteady hands, scribbled her signature on the paper before handing it back "Thank you." she said with a forced smile
The Dr wrote down her number on a sticky note and handed it to her "Call me if you need anything or have any questions." she said e.
Yelena stared down at it for a second before accepting it.
"Have a nice day Mr. Brooks" she said, leaving quietly
"What was that about?" Punk asked as soon as the door shut "Are you okay?"
She wiped at her eyes again, her face blank "Fine." was all she said
The nurse came in and took out the I.V. for her and she hopped down from the small table
"Lets get out of here." she muttered
Punk wrapped an arm around her "Come on. Lets get you in bed."
The drive back to the hotel was in absolute silence. Phil glanced over at her every five seconds noticing her lost in thought expression, her green eyes staring unseeingly out the passenger window.
He walked her to her room and she hugged him lightly "I'll be okay. Thanks again for taking care of me."
"No problem. Eat something. You need to take care of yourself." he told her
She glanced down at her shoes at his words, feeling awkward "I'll see you later." she said, sliding her key in the door.
"Bye."
She kicked off her shoes as the door closed, headed straight to the shower where she could wash away all the grime of the day from her body
And think in peace without interruption
And cry where no one could hear her.
And wish she hadn't decided to take that run with Punk.
Three Days Later
"What's up with you?" Chris asked
"Huh?" Yelena asked, her train of thought being broken. She was suppose to be working on Eva Marie's roster photos, but she had spaced out well over thirty minutes ago, staring blankly at her laptop.
"Hello to you too, by the way." she muttered
"You've been avoiding me." he stated, folding his arms across his chest
"No I haven't."
Yes she has. Seeing Chris only made her think and thinking made things all too real
Made it all too real
He leaned over her station, shielding them from the buzz going on around them, analyzing her with those baby blue eyes intently
"Have I done something to upset you?" he asked after a few beats
She wanted to laugh and burst into tears all at the same time. Boy, had he. And he didn't even know
"No." she lied, pressing her tongue to her cheek as she shied away from his gaze.
A soft hand turned her face back to his "This isn't about what I said a few days ago is it?"
She had forgotten all about his little "You love me slip up.". Her head had become a dangerous place to be these last few days.
"No. Its fine, I know you didn't... Mean it."
Now things were just getting plain awkward
He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted at the sight of Wade turning the corner.
He straightened up quickly, stepping back to put the appropriate amount of distance between them.
She smiled politely "Hello Wade."
"Hello love. How've you been?" the Brit asked, flashing a friendly lopsided smile.
"Can't complain." she shrugged, inwardly applauding his timing.
"Did you need something Barrett?" Chris asked, his voice clearly laced with irritation at their pleasantries
"Yeah, actually. Stephanie and Hunter want to see you. I told them I would relate the message since I was on my way to get a photo taken." he said, sending a wink in Yelena's direction.
Chris narrowed his eyes at the gesture, turning her way.
Yelena quickly wiped the smile off of her face. She knew that look all too well.
"We'll talk later." he told her before glaring at Wade and stalking off
They watched him go until he disappeared around a corner
Wade glanced down at her, an eyebrow raised
"Don't ask." she said lightly
The England native shrugged "Don't tell."
She chuckled. She knew she liked him for a reason "What can I help you with Mr. Barrett?"
"They need a photo of my scar for a section in the next magazine."
"God, its time already?" she asked, glancing at the time. "Lets get started."
She led the way to the mini photo shoot setup and they chatted on the way
"What are we working with?"
He lifted his right arm
There was a twelve inch scar on his underarm. How had she not noticed it before she wasn't sure
"Ouch. That must have been one hell of a fight."
"A battle wound of a champion." the Bare Knuckle Brawler said proudly, tapping the Intercontinental gold around his waist proudly.
"May I?" she asked, a finger inches away from his flesh
He nodded a yes and she skimmed a finger lightly against the puckered flesh. He let out a loud hiss and she drew back.
Her hand shot away like lightning and he chuckled
"Just messing with ya." he teased
She rolled her eyes playfully, picking up her camera and the effect lighting "Turn this way a little bit more. Great." she said, adjusting the lenses "Great, now lower your head for me a little bit."
"That's what she said."
She snapped the picture, turning around to find none other than Dean Ambrose, decked out in jeans and a black beater
"What do you want asshole?" she greeted
"Aww, what's wrong? Not happy to see daddy? I've been touring with Smackdown all week, I know it killed you not to be in the same breathing space as me." he asked a dimpled smile playing on his lips
"Nope." she said in her best Ambrose impression
He pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor "How about now?"
"Nice boobs." she muttered, getting a snort out of Wade "Now why are you here?"
Dean rolled his eyes, turning around w could get a good look at the scars on his back and shoulder.
"Thanks Wade, you're all done. Frank is waiting right over there to get the story from you."
The Brit picked up his title "Thanks love. See ya around."
"Alright Dean, your turn." she said, noticing a line was beginning to form, which was fine by her. She could turn her brain off and throw herself into her work.
"Where do you want me?" he asked
"Right here." she said positioning him, feeling inspired. This is what she loved. This is what she needed. She had found her muse again with this shoot.
She cherished the feeling of all of her problems and troubles being put on the back burner. Even if it was only for a few hours.
"Bitch, you got some explaining to do." was Rosa's greeting when she picked up the phone
"I know, I know." Yelena sighed, massaging her temple
"What the hell are you doing with Chris again? I thought you were over that?"
"I thought I was too..."
"When did this start again?"
"March... I ran into Randy on the elevator and made a complete ass of myself. I was drunk and vulnerable... The next thing I know, I'm sitting in front of Chris's hotel room door, crying my eyes out. I was in a bad head space, Rosa. I didn't want to be numb anymore. I just wanted to feel something that wasn't at the bottom of a liquor bottle ."
"Honey you could have called me. I would have been there for you. You shouldn't have went to him."
"I know... And I should regret it, I know I should... But I don't."
The other end of the phone went silent "So what are you saying?"
Yelena ran a hand through her hair "Something is different this time. Something has changed. I set the same rules as before: no one knows, no bringing up the past, no feelings. But its him bending the rules this time. He's... Different."
"Or is he just pretending to give you hope so he can keep you to himself?"
"No, that's not it-"
"Isn't it? Yelena you might not see through his bullshit after everything he's done to screw you over but I do. Don't feed into his shit. He's like your puppet master."
"You don't understand." Yelena said, tears welling in her eyes at the Latina's words
"I understand that you're being an idiot over a man who clearly doesn't love you. Tell me something. Do you think this little fling is going to turn into your delusional fairytale relationship? Do you really think for a second that he could actually love you?"
She probably took her words the wrong way, but her blood boiled angrily anyway "You don't have to be a bitch about it Rosa. This is why I didn't tell you about this. You have no idea what I'm going through since you left me high and dry to discover your inner fucking psycho." she fired back
"Well I wish you hadn't. And if telling you the truth sends you into a dramatic tantrum, then I'll keep my mouth shut. From now on, I don't want to hear anything about your bullshit with Chris since I'm such a bad fucking friend. Maybe I'm not the only one who needs help here. Forgive me for trying to better myself as a person."
"I'm hanging up. Thanks for listening." Yelena said nastily
"Fine. Call me back when you get a fucking clue."
The line went dead before Yelena could beat her to the punch and she let out a frustrated growl, feeling defeated. Now Rosa was pissed at her and she had no one to talk to about how screwed she was. Running a shaky hand through her messy hair, she drummed her fingers against the soft covers, her eyes roaming the room, stopping on her turned over purse.
She swallowed, gnawing on her bottom lip as she made out the shape of three rectangular boxes, safely concealed in a brown paper bag.
Tears welled in her eyes. She didn't want to do this alone. This was why she needed her best friend with her, even though she was a thousand miles away. Her voice over the phone would have sufficed. Anything to comfort her in a time of desperate need.
She stood, crossing the room slowly to the Michael Kors tote, her hands trembling as she pulled the sack out.
She had to get this over with. It was now or never. Chris would be due back in a little under an hour from the gym. It was now or never.
The moment of truth had come.
Dabbing at her wet eyes, she turned on her heel and went into the bathroom.
"Yelena?" Chris called, shutting the hotel room door. Setting down his keys, he dropped his gym bag "Yelena?" he called louder
A commotion came from behind the closed bathroom door followed by swearing
He raised an eyebrow before taping on the door "You alright in there?" he asked, trying the knob. It was locked. Strange...
"Yeah! I'm fine, everything is fine!" she called, her voice nervous and antsy.
"You sure? You don't sound okay."
The sound of the toilet being flushed sounded "Damn it!" she cursed
Chris smirked, leaning against the door "Don't fall in."
The toilet was flushed a second and a third time before she swung the door open.
He took in the sight of her flushed face and wild green eyes, kirking an eyebrow at her "You good?" he asked once more
She shifted her eyes to the floor "Yeah... Its all yours. Take your time, you smell like a goat"
"Thanks sweetheart." he chuckled stepping around her into the bathroom
He woke up the next morning alone to persistent knocking, the bed long since cold beside him. He groaned in annoyance when he caught sight of the time. He had to be up in an hour and it looked like he wasn't going to get the rest of his sleep. Pulling a pair of sweats on, he went to the door
"Yeah?" he called crankily,
"Housekeeping!" a woman called
He slid the latch, opening the door
"I clean and take towels?" she said in choppy english
"Yeah, yeah sure." he said as politely as possible for this time of morning.
The little woman went on, vacuuming, much to his irritation. She stripped and changed the sheet.
He couldn't help but to feel weird about her touching those sheets after he and Yelena had committed one too many dirty deeds on them the night before.
When the room was tidy, she went into the bathroom.
Remembering he had left his expensive Rolex on the bathroom counter, he followed. Not that everyone was a thief or anything but you could never be too careful.
He reached in as she was picking up the dirty towels from the floor and plucked it off the counter.
"I take these too?" she asked, gesturing towards the white towels on the shelf that were semi- disturbed and rumpled
"Sure."
She scooped them up with the rest and exited the small bathroom, oblivious when two little white sticks hit the floor on her way out.
"The hell?" he muttered, bending to pick them up. He blinked, his brain not computing until two similar words jumped out at him from the little windows, making his eyes go wide in shock.
"What the fuck..."
"Hey" she said cheerily "I woke up a bit late, so all the good stuff was cleaned out downstairs, put there were a few croissants and fruit left." she said, kicking off her UGGS and setting down the two cups off coffee on the dresser along with the paper bag "There was a muffin too, but I kinda ate it on the way up."
"We need to talk."
His serious tone caught her attention immediately. She looked at him, sitting on the freshly made bed, his arms crossed against his chest, his face all business
"About what?" she asked
He uncrossed his arms, revealing the two pregnancy tests in his hand, eyes never leaving hers "Forgot to tell me something sweetheart?"
Don Don DOOOOOOOOOOOON! Don't forget to review!
Up next, the moment of truth. Questions will be answered... but not every question in Yelena's case. The next update will be up soon!