CHAPTER TWENTY

We're all under a gag order. Stephanie and Paul pulled have Nattie from all house shows for the week, allowing her to grieve and to hide away with her uncle. They told us no one is allowed to talk to the media. If we say anything, we will be suspended indefinitely. Unfortunately, Dean's already been suspended. He's in jail, so it's not like he can appear anyway, but I guess they don't want to leave any doubt that murdering another Superstar is not encouraged by the WWE.

On RAW, they have no choice but to address us. They call an all-talent meeting and we stand there, staring at each other, no one saying anything as we wait. Joe and Colby are on either side of me and everyone is staring at them. Their Shield brother is in jail for killing a member of the Hart Dynasty, and since we're under the gag order, no one's really sure what happened except those of us who were there that night.

Tenille and Taylor come to stand with us. She squeezes my hand. Taylor breaks the silence by awkwardly asking Colby, "How are you guys holding up?"

"Not so great," Colby admits. "He's under a tight watch. We aren't allowed to see or contact him. They're treating him like a serial killer because he's a wrestler and they're afraid he's going to go on some steroid-induced rampage or something."

"It's bullshit," Joe says softly. He hasn't said much these last few days. He can't deal with Dean being in jail and the fact that he's not able to do anything about it, so he's just been keeping to himself. He's really only seeing his cousins and Colby, and me by default because I haven't left Colby's side once since that night. "He's Dean. He's just Dean. He's not Chris Benoit. He confessed to saving a woman's life. How the hell is that wrong?"

"He's a hero," Taylor says gently. He looks at Joe and says, "He'll get out of this, Joe. He's Dean Ambrose. He gets into trouble and then he comes out of it just fine. It's what he does."

Joe nods, but falls back into his silence. A minute later, Stephanie and Paul come into the room. "Hello, everyone," Stephanie says in her best Boss Voice. "We gathered you all here to discuss the unfortunate matter of how to handle this situation with Natalie. As you all know, we requested none of you speak to the press. Paul and I have been debating how best to handle this problem. We've decided we aren't going to publically address the issue at all. It's bad press, and there's not much we can say. Dean will remain suspended pending the outcome of his trial. Beyond that, there's nothing we can do. This doesn't belong on our programming and we will not discuss him, Tyson Kidd, or anything having to do with this at all."

"Introducing… Chris Benoit," I hear someone mumble bitterly. It's Randy Orton, who's standing several feet away from me, which means he mumbled that kind of loudly. He's probably the only Superstar who could get away with doing that and not be fired on the spot. A couple of the others nod their heads in agreement, but no one else speaks up, at least not at first.

Brock Lesnar is unable to keep from laughing at Randy's comment, but he is trying to be as subtle as possible about it. The guy's about as subtle as getting hit by a truck, so he's really bad at it. I'm surprised Lesnar is even there, but I guess when they call an all-talent meeting, that includes the part timers.

Suddenly, it's Saraya who runs her mouth and loudly objects, "This is crap, Stephanie. Complete and total crap."

"I beg your pardon?" Stephanie asks sharply.

"You heard me. Crap. Bullshit. Bloody fuckery, even."

"Saraya, that's enough."

"She's right," someone else says. To my complete shock, it's Taylor who agreed with her. Taylor keeps his head down and tries not to cause trouble. He never objects to the crappy gimmick he's stuck with or to getting beat up by everyone and anyone who needs a jobber. He never says anything against the company. Most of all, he never, ever contradicts a McMahon.

Bray shoots his little brother a look that warns him to be quiet, but Taylor's objection has shocked everyone into silence, so Taylor takes the opportunity to say his piece. "Dean Ambrose is not Chris Benoit! It was wrong when you guys tried to erase Benoit from history because he was a person, a real person with a real family, and you pretend he never existed, but I get that. That situation was different, though. Dean didn't murder anyone innocent. He killed a guy who was beating up his wife, his wife, a member of this company! If anyone should be erased, it's TJ, but you know what? Even that's wrong, for the same reason it was wrong to erase Benoit. TJ was a person, a bad person but still a person, and his wife and his family are grieving. They're mourning his loss, and you guys want to pretend nothing happened! How is that okay? What message does that send? And erasing Dean? He's a hero! You can't erase heroes from history!"

I've never seen Taylor this worked up. The kid holds a lot inside. I wonder what goes on in his head sometimes. Tenille releases my hand and takes his. No one speaks. Stephanie looks like she's been slapped. Taylor, sweet little Taylor, just put her in her place and she has no idea how to react to that.

It's Paul who finally responds. "Taylor, I get what you're saying. I do, really. The problem is, we can't afford to be associated with things like this. If Dean really was trying to protect Nattie, then what he did is commendable, and we'll bring him back, but until we know for sure, we just can't let our company's name be dragged through the mud along with his."

"The company's image in the media… That's all that matters to you, isn't it?" Taylor asks. "Paul, you should be defending him. You should be doing everything in your power to clear his name."

"Taylor, that's enough," Bray says.

"No, let the boy speak his mind," Paul says. "We called this meeting to address the issue, and that's exactly what we're doing. It's better he says all of this to me than to some reporter. If you all don't like the way we're doing business, I can respect that, but you have to accept it anyway. We're in charge."

"Dean is one of your top superstars. The fans love him. They go insane every time he comes out," Taylor says. "What's best for business is not pretending he doesn't exist, cutting your losses, and acting like there's no way to save him. If you stand behind the man who saved one of your Divas from an abusive husband, the media will eat it up. The fans will love you. Everyone will start to believe that WWE actually does care about its employees. This could undo some of the damage that was done by Punk and by Del Rio and all of those scandals. Dean can't save himself, but you guys can."

"Please," Colby says quietly. "He isn't some homicidal maniac. He's not on steroids. He didn't do this just because he got pissed off or had too much to drink. He saved a woman's life." His tone is much gentler than Taylor's uncharacteristically strong one. He's just pleading for them to see reason.

Paul hesitates. I think he hears the logic in Taylor's argument, and not only is he surprised by it, I think he agrees. I can also tell he hates hearing how broken and hopeless Colby sounds. He is about to speak when Stephanie does.

"We'll have to see what the outcome of the trial is," Stephanie says. "Legally, we just can't get involved with this. It could sink us." Paul doesn't contradict her. She continues, "I'm sorry. I really am. I hope he pulls through this, and as long as he's proven innocent, we will reinstate him immediately and help rebuild his reputation."

Joe is tense beside me. He looks like he might slap her. Johnny and Josh each grab one of his shoulders like they know he's five seconds away from attacking someone. "It's not worth it, Uce," Johnny tells him.

"Pick your battles," Josh adds.

Joe stands down, but I can feel how upset he is. Colby can tell, too, and he inches closer to him. Just by standing near him, Colby can calm him. Joe relaxes a bit.

"The order not to speak to the press stands. Do not address this issue no matter what," Stephanie says. "Everyone, put on one hell of a show tonight, because that is what our fans deserve. Colby, come here, we need to speak with you. Everyone else may go."

People file out of the room. I stay with Colby. "April, we'd like to speak to Colby alone," Stephanie tells me.

"Please don't make her go," Colby says. "She's been keeping me sane with all of this."

"This is a Creative issue, and we don't want it to get out."

"I won't tell anyone, Stephanie," I say.

"Just let her stay," Paul says. "It's quite evident that April can keep a secret."

That feels like a dig. I had to tell them the truth about TJ attacking me because with some of the trouble happening at company-run locations, the police needed to speak to them. Stephanie didn't say much of anything to me, but Paul tried to play the supportive role. He even offered to get me a shrink if I need one. I don't know why I feel like he's insulting me or judging me for keeping it a secret for so long. Maybe it's because I'm judging myself.

Stephanie nods. "Fine. We have plans to take everyone's mind off of things tonight, Colby. Let me know if you're up for this. I really hope that you are…"

*Skip, Skip, Skip… LATER*

I don't have a match tonight. Instead, it's Nikki versus Saraya. They're fighting for the Number One Contender spot for the Divas Championship. No one mentions the title holder. Nattie may not be getting Benoited, as everyone is putting it, but no one's discussing her, either. At least she's being allowed to mourn in private. I wonder if she's grieving or if she's relieved that it's finally over. I know I am, and I kind of feel like a bad person for feeling that way.

Saraya wins the match and I'm thrilled because I'd much rather see Paige as a champion than Nikki Bella. Saraya is the future of the Divas division, the best hope we have of seeing things go in a better direction. I'm so proud of how far she's come. She's still so young and she's probably the best Diva in the company besides Nattie. (My character would have said besides me, but I'm not quite as arrogant as I appear on screen.)

At the end of the night, Lesnar is out talking shit about how he's going to destroy so-and-so and do such-and-such. It's rare for Lesnar to do his own promos because he squawks and sometimes he just sounds stupid, but he's gotten better lately. Anyway, as he's talking, music starts to play.

The fans aren't going too insane at first. Colby comes out with his usual attitude, but then he starts running. He's alone. J & J Security and the Authority are nowhere in sight. He dives into the ring and to everyone's absolute shock, he hands his briefcase over to the referee. He takes the microphone from Lesnar, tearing it from his hands. "I'm cashing in!" He declares. "Ring the damn bell!" He throws the microphone out of the ring.

The bell rings. The fans are shocked. Seth Rollins is fighting a fair fight for his title shot? Is this really happening?

Colby was nervous when Stephanie told him her plans, but he agreed. He knows the fans need something to distract them, and he needs someone to beat up. Lesnar's not happy about it, but he agreed because the McMahons gave him something he couldn't refuse. I don't know what that was, and I don't want to know, but it means Colby has to actually fight the scary monster known as Brock Lesnar to get his title shot. And as we all know, cashing in Money in the Bank doesn't guarantee you'll actually get the title. Stephanie refused to tell me the outcome of the match, telling Colby right before it started when she could catch him alone. I'm watching backstage with Joe, wondering just as much as everyone else if he'll perform a miracle and get the title or if he'll crash and burn.

As Colby's girlfriend, it's a very rough match to watch. As a fan, it's freaking awesome. There are F5s and German Suplexes. Colby is introduced to what Lesnar has dubbed Suplex City and it looks like it really hurts. Lesnar dominates. I'm cringing every time Colby gets hit with one of the two moves. Finally, Lesnar tries to suplex him again and Colby lands on his feet. I have no idea how he does it. He ducks out of the way as Lesnar tries to attack him and Lesnar loses his balance and hits the ropes.

Colby turns it around then. He climbs up on the ropes. I'm not even sure how he can stand after so many suplexes, let alone stand on the ropes, but he does it. He dives down onto Lesnar and knocks him to the mat. He gets back up, climbing the ropes again, and does a phoenix splash. Lesnar doesn't move, so he pins him. Lesnar kicks out at two. He stands and it's a suplex, an F5, a suplex, an F5, a suplex, another suplex, and just for good measure, a suplex!

I'm dying. Colby's got to be in so much pain right now. Somehow, and I don't know how, he kicks out at two when Lesnar pins him. Then he rolls and gets out of the way of Lesnar, leaping up onto the ropes and doing a moonsault onto Lesnar. I am seriously impressed now. My God, Colby just became a million times cooler than he already was to me.

Lesnar stands back up and grabs Colby, doing another suplex. Man, I could do commentary on this match in my sleep as far as Lesnar goes! "What's that? Another suplex! I did not see that coming! Did you, Cole?"

Colby is quick, which is his main advantage against Lesnar. He slips away from him and climbs the ropes one more time. I watch him do a corkscrew through the air and fly halfway across the ring at Lesnar, who looks stunned and hits the mat hard. Colby is barely moving, but he pins Lesnar. I watch, holding my breath as the ref counts one, two… three! Lesnar kicks out immediately after the referee hits three and Colby is flung halfway across the ring, back to where he came from with that last move.

The crowd is going insane. For the first time a long time, Colby won a fair fight. (If you can call fighting a guy Lesnar's size by himself fair.) He won the biggest title in the WWE and he didn't even cheat to do it! I couldn't be more proud.

Lesnar is screaming and squawking and throwing a temper tantrum. Colby is barely able to roll out of the ring. He takes the title and clutches it to his chest, limping up the ramp and away from the ring. When he gets backstage, he's crying.

"Good tears or tears of extreme physical agony?" I ask him nervously.

"Both?" He says with a laugh. "I can't believe that just happened!"

"Colby, I am so proud of you!"

"Me, too," Joe says. "You deserved this, man."

"No, I didn't. It was supposed to be your shot first," Colby says. "I didn't want to take it, but…"

"Are you kidding me? You kicked his damn ass! No one can question you anymore. You just proved you earned that title. I'll get it off your ass in a couple of months." He's smiling for the first time since Dean got arrested.

"Dean would be proud of you," I tell Colby.

"You think so?" He asks.

"Definitely. You were amazing." I kiss him. He pulls me into his arms, only whimpering slightly from pain as I press against him. "I love you. Now go see a trainer and make sure you're not about to die."

"I love you, too." He walks toward the trainers, who begin checking him out immediately. Joe and I stay by his side during the exam.

"You'll be alright," the head trainer tells him. "Bruised and in pain for a bit, but fine. Take it easy for a few days, okay?"

"Sure thing," Colby promises.

"Come on, Champ," I say. "Let's get you home so I can nurse you back to health."

"I like the sound of that."

Joe helps me get Colby back to our "home" for the night, the cozy hotel room we're staying in. He leaves us alone and I help Colby change into his pajamas. I don't leave him even to change. I've started changing in the same room with him. As long as he doesn't watch me, I'm okay. It's progress I didn't think I'd make, but with TJ dead, I'm less terrified. I crawl into bed next to him and kiss his chest, careful not to put too much pressure on him.

It's been an emotional day and we're both exhausted. Colby falls asleep quickly. I watch him sleep, unable to stop staring at him. He's kind of beautiful when he's sleeping. It's nice to see him look so peaceful. I realize how lucky I am to have him. I wonder if it's possible for us to find some sort of normal state of happiness. We've had it pretty rough, but right now, in this moment, things feel good. Yes, Dean is in jail and it sucks, but Colby's just achieved his childhood dream of becoming a WWE champion, and we're together, and there are no more secrets. I finally feel like I can breathe. Focusing on keeping my breaths even with his, I fall into a deep sleep.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story so far. I really appreciate the support! The story is starting to head toward the end and I'm glad so many of you have stuck with me this long. I'm not sure how many chapters are left, but I know it will be finished soon. On a related note, I'm toying with writing a companion fic to this one that takes place at the same time as this fic but is told from the points of view of Dean, Nattie, Rosa, Drew, and possibly Taylor and Tenille. I feel like the supporting characters in this fic have really interesting things going on in their lives that are completely left out of this story or just mentioned in passing and they deserve more attention than that. If you'd be interested in reading that, let me know and I'll write it.