Getting to the arena in Washington Madison felt her exhaustion start to kick in she had been trying to find time in the day to work out and with April taking it upon herself to start traveling with them it was the only thing keeping her sane. Walking to the locker room she stayed behind with her headphones still in, as much as she loved being with Phil it had started to become routine and boring. She tried to play it off as holiday blues, she missed Christmas with her family and now New Years was coming and she had no one once again, as much as she loved her job she hated how long she was away from her family even though she sent her sister and brother presents she felt like she was deserting them.

"Madison did you hear me?" Mia asked waving her hand in her face.

"What?"

"Are you ok, you keep zoning out"

"Yea can you bring my bag to the room I gotta do something?" Madison asked handing her bag to Mia and walking off. Walking back outside she let the cold air hit her pulling a cigarette pack out of her pocket she looked around making sure no one was watching her if Mia found out she was having a cigarette she'd kill her. Lighting it she took a deep drag in and exhaled.

"I didn't know you smoked" Madison was startled causing her to choke on the smoke.

"Dean, you scared the shit out of me"

"You got another one?" Raising an eyebrow she handed him her pack.

"You look tired" Madison nodded slowly watching the smoke escape her lips.

"Yea, exhausted, so how do you like being here so far?" Madison asked.

"It's great, lots of work but it's worth it" Madison and Dean fell into a comfortable silence, she felt herself start to relax before her phone went off breaking the serenity, groaning she answered.

"Yes Mia"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on my way back now" Mia hung up abruptly causing Madison to smile.

"Mia's here?" Madison looked at Dean and nodded she didn't miss the way his eyes shot to her when she said Mia's name.

"Yup I'm sure you'll see her around soon" Madison gave him a knowing smile as she stood up.

"Ooh yea no that's fine"

"Uh huh, well when you do see her leave our little smoking session out of the conversation she'll kill me" Dean laughed and nodded excited about the idea of seeing Mia. As they said goodbye Madison stuck the pack back in her pocket and made her way back in the building. Opening the door to the locker room she was met by laughter which just made her frown even more.

"Hey Maddie" Kofi said coming over and giving her a hug, she missed Kofi traveling with them they always had so much fun, they would stay up all hours of the night playing video games and just talking. She missed that.

"What's up Kof?"

"Came to invite grandpa here to the New Years party tonight but of course he'd rather stay in" Madison smiled, that certainly sounds like him.

"I'm sorry I'd rather have some alone time with my girl" Phil said looking right at Madison but keeping his arm around April which she noticed but she was taking it upon herself to move forward she was no longer going to dwell in the past.

"Ill go"

"Ha Ha that's my girl, knew I could count on you to have some fun, after Raw we go out" Kofi said laughing, leaving the room to get dressed Madison smiled she was ready to have a good time and getting drunk might help.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Did You hear about this party tonight, almost the whole roster is going" Dean asked Roman.

"Yea, I'm gunna stay in watch the ball drop with my daughter"

"Aww he's such a good daddy" Seth ribbed, he knew for a fact Roman was a good dad and that he took pride in that.

"Are you going?" Dean asked Seth.

"I don't know, Leighla is going out with some friends so I'm sure she'll be drunk by the time we get out of here"

"So come out"

"Who else is going?"

"Ill find out if she's going" Dean smirked at him.

"Who's she I just asked who else was going"

"Uh huh Well I'll find out either way" Dean said smiling and leaving his teammates alone.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Walking down the ramp Madison and Punk were taking it slow, with Phil still on crutches he was getting help from her, Paul and his own physician who he brought along to illustrate the severity of his injury. Despite Punks assertion he would be ready to compete against Ryback, the doctor would have none of it. Upon further review, he declared CM Punk would be unable to defend his title on the Jan. 7 Raw. Usually Madison would be feeling the excitement of the crowd but she was feeling none of that, she just wanted the segment to be over. While Punk was visibly irked by what the doctor was saying about his condition and his ability to compete there was one individual who took even greater issue with the doctor's decision: Mr. McMahon. Madison rolled her eyes as she heard the Chairmans music and not just because she was playing a role but because she was being pushed out of the story line. As Paul and Vince went back and forth Madison played her heel valet role rolling her eyes and defending her client, the only thing that was just a tiny bit exciting was that this was another small step to the big reveal. As she listened to Punk defend himself again about The Shield and Brad she stood by his side. As Paul started to get agitated Madison felt annoyed this was supposed to be her promo this was supposed to be her turn to piss the boss off. As Vince named Paul as Rybacks opponent if Punk wasn't medically cleared next week she let her eyes grow wide and she shook her head. Thanking god as the segment ended and they made their way to the back Madison was ready to go to this party and get a drink.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Hey Mia" Dean greeted her as he found her in catering, he was determined to be as smooth as possible but all of that went out the window when she turned and looked at him.

"Dean hi"

"Hey" Mia smiled up at him and turned her head back to the monitor watching Madison and Punk.

"She looks so bored" Dean followed her gaze and quietly took a seat next to her. Taking a few seconds to watch Madison he saw what Mia was talking about Madison looked uncomfortable and annoyed.

"She does"

"Usually when she's out there she has this certain face on, like this real bitchy face it makes you want to hate her, but she does it so well"

"And she's not doing it?"

"No she's just standing there, I know she was upset about Phil keeping her out of the storyline but she just looks done"

"Yea I saw her earlier she looked tired" Mia nodded she was worried about her friend.

"Well hopefully tonight will cheer her up"

"So you guys are going to the party tonight?"

"Yea are you and the guys going?"

"Roman is staying at the hotel but me and Seth might show up"

"Well I think you should come it'll be fun" As Mia saw Raw go off the air she stood up going to met Madison so they could get dressed.

"So maybe ill see you there"

"I hope so" Mia gave him one last smile before turning and leaving him with his heart in his hand. God she really was something else.