"You look awfully chipper this morning," Dean observed. Seth was sitting on the edge of Serena's bed, dressed in a black T-shirt and faded blue jeans, his black and blond hair pulled away from his face in a low ponytail. Roman was sitting beside Seth, dressed in a white muscle shirt and black slacks, his hair down around his face. He was absently flipping through channels. Dean was leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom, watching Serena get ready for her morning, He was dressed casual in a burgundy zip-up hoodie and blue jeans. His eyes were fixed intently on Serena, who was brushing her hair. The contents of her makeup bag were scattered along the beige countertop of her bathroom. She wore a black turtleneck sleeveless dress, belted at the waist with a rhinestone belt.

"I had a really good night last night," Serena told him, beaming. "It's too bad you guys didn't come out."

"I'm glad you had fun," Dean told her with a smile. As she brushed her hair, he noticed a small red splotch behind her earlobe. He was pretty sure it was a scar, but it was early in the morning and she was in a good mood. He didn't want to push the issue with her and ruin her day. He watched as she grabbed the foundation off the counter and began to apply it to her face. He didn't think she needed makeup. "So you're meeting Wade for breakfast." It wasn't a question, but just a general statement. Serena nodded, rubbing her cheeks to even out the foundation.

"Brunch, but yeah, I'm supposed to meet him at eleven."

"Are you two dating or something…?" he asked lamely. Serena stopped what she was doing.

"No," she answered. "We're friends."

"I see." She shot him a look. Dean always looked so sullen, even when he smiled. She reached over and brushed a stray strand of hair out of his face. It fell right back into place. The sudden, sweet movement caught Dean off guard. She went back to her makeup, picking up the liquid eyeliner and applying it. Serena wondered if Dean felt like he was being pushed to the side. She applied a clear coat of lip gloss to her lips and packed up the bag. She slid past Dean and into the room. The clock on the nightstand said it was ten twenty-eight.

"I need to get going," Seth told them. "I have to be at the airport in fifteen minutes."

"Have a safe flight, Seth. Text me when you get home," Serena told him. It was a ritual between the four of them. They always texted each other to let the others know they made it home safely. It put Serena's mind at ease to know everyone was safe. She hugged him. He hugged her back, giving her a tight squeeze.

"I have to go, too," Roman said, turning off the TV. "I want to pick up a coffee before my flight"

"I'll see you Monday, Roman," she told him, hugging him. He gave her an extra tight squeeze. They left. She turned to Dean. "What time does your flight leave today?"

"Two-forty five," Dean responded. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. Serena sat down on one of the beds. There was an awkward beat between the two of them. Dean cleared his throat. "I was thinking about coming out to see you in the next day or so, if that's all right."

"You know you guys are welcome at my house anytime," she told him with a smile.

"It would just be me."

"You know you're always welcome at my house. My home is your home," she told him with a smile. Dean sat down on the other bed. "To be honest, it would be good to have the company."

"So what's going on between you and Wade Barrett?" Dean asked.

"We're just friends, Dean. Are you jealous or something?" she teased.

"What? No!" He shook his head vehemently. "You should get going, though. You're going to be late for your date." Serena rolled her eyes and threw a mint green throw pillow at Dean. He caught it.

"It's not a date. Oh, my God," Serena laughed. "It's friends meeting up for a bite!"

"Are you dating someone?" Dean asked. Serena shook her head.

"No. I don't think I can right now," she confessed. She cocked an eyebrow. "What's with all these questions this morning?"

"Just been thinking," Dean informed her. She laughed.

"You're always thinking," she teased.

"More than usual, I guess," he told her.

"I'll tell you what," she said, looking at the clock. She had to leave pretty quick, check out and then go to the café. "When you come over in the next day or two, I'll make a nice big dinner and we'll veg and you can tell me what you're thinking. Does that sound okay?"

He smiled. "I think that sounds fantastic."

Serena got off the bed and slid on her shoes. Dean grabbed her bags for her. "You don't have to do that…" she started, but he cut her off, telling her that it was fine. She gave him a hug. He hugged her tightly with his free arm. She held the door open for him and followed him to her rental car. She opened the trunk and he dropped the bag inside for her.

"For a woman, you sure do pack light," he teased.

"Maybe you're just really strong," she replied. He hugged her again. She was caught off guard by the sudden movement, but she laughed, hugging him back. "I'll see you when you get to the house."

"I'll see you then, Serena. Have a safe flight."

"You, too," she offered. He went back to his hotel room while Serena checked out at the front desk. With ten minutes to spare, she was back in her car and driving to the café. It was a little rundown building, but it had charm.

Serena was surprised to find Wade was already there, sitting at the back booth, sticking out head and shoulders above everybody. He was dressed in a grey hoodie and blue jeans. Their eyes connected and he smiled, waving her over. He stood and hugged her as she approached. He noticed she stiffened in his arms.

"Good morning, love," he offered gently.

"Does anything look good around here?" she asked him, sliding into the booth across from him. She picked up the menu. A waitress approached. She was short and stout, with blond ringlets and heavily made up eyes in the colors of pink and blue. She was eyeing Wade in a way that made Serena feel dirty. Serena ordered and orange juice while she topped up Wade's coffee. She walked away, turning back to wink and smile at Wade.

"Oh, my God," Serena said quietly, laughing.

"I feel a little dirty after that exchange," Wade said with a laugh. Serena felt herself turning red. "Did you have fun last night?"

"I did," she told him. "Thanks for inviting me out."

There was an awkward silence between the two of them as the waitress returned with her orange juice. She disappeared, not before getting another look at Wade. "I think she wants to hook up with you," Serena said. Wade made a noise and Serena covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

"What are you up to on your days off?" Wade asked. Serena opened the menu and started scanning through the breakfast options. Her eyes darted up when Wade asked her.

"Dean's coming out. I don't know how long he intends on staying, but it'll be nice to have him around. I still have a hard time by myself sometimes."

"Is it just Dean?"

"Yeah, he said it's just going to be him."

"That should be fun."

"What about you?"

"Just going to relax before I have to get back on the road," Wade answered. "Just do the usual. I might go shopping for some new music or a new book, but otherwise, it's just going to be a quiet week at home."

"Quiet is always nice. That's why I left New York," she answered with a laugh. "The city that never sleeps, you know?" Wade knew there was more to her leaving, but he admired the way she was always trying to make herself seem normal, despite the abnormalities in her past. The waitress returned and they ordered. Wade wasn't surprised that she didn't order much. He noticed that she wasn't really eating lately. He opened his mouth to bring it up, but clamped it shut, realizing the words weren't going to come out in the right way. He didn't want to seem like her father.

They were both at a loss for conversation. Serena didn't know him well enough to come right out and confide in him and Wade was afraid to push. The waitress returned with their breakfast and topped up Wade's coffee again. "How many cups of coffee have you had this morning?" Serena asked.

"Too many, love," he answered. "I'm going to be bouncing around on the plane."

"Do you have any plans on returning to the UK?"

"The next time WWE does a tour. Besides that, I'll probably move back there when I retire." He smiled, shovelling a forkful of pancake into his mouth. "That's years yet, though."

"I've never been. I guess that's the good thing about working for WWE, huh? I never really traveled growing up…" Wade smiled. There was still a child-like innocence about her that he admired. "I've always wanted to go to Japan. It looks so amazing. I've only ever been to Canada, and that was after I got hired here."

"I think the traveling is one of the most grueling, but one of the coolest parts about being here," Wade told her. "I've been everywhere. Maybe the next time WWE goes to Manchester, I'll give you a tour of the area."

"I think that sounds like a great idea," she said with a smile. He noticed she was picking at her toast. "I'm sorry. I've really been trying to eat lately, but I'm having just the worst time."

"I've noticed."

"I'm sorry. It happens, I guess. I don't know," she confessed sheepishly. Wade reached over and put his hand over hers. It was a simple gesture, a sweet gesture. He offered her a comforting smile.

"If you need an ear, love, you know I'm around."

"I do. Thank you," she said. He removed his hand from hers and they went back to talking about the places Wade had been.