Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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The next couple of weeks flew by as the WWE continued to travel and prepare for Survivor Series. Before Kadence was ready, it was the week leading up to her steel cage match with Mickie. For the last couple of weeks there had been a steel cage match at some point so that they could practice. Even though they had nailed most of the moves that were being required in the cage, Kadence was still leery of the final move from the top of the cage since they had only gone over it a couple of times.

After the live broadcast of Monday Night Raw, all the superstars were given off until Friday, when they had to be in Boston for the preparation of Survivor Series. Even though they wouldn't be having any house shows, Vince wanted everyone in Boston so that people could work on last minute matches.

Kadence spent the time off with Mickie James so they could continue working on some of the more tricky moves. When they arrived in Boston, they were met by Hunter, Stephanie, Shawn and Dave.

"Did you ladies have a good time?" Shawn asked as he offered to take Mickie's luggage, while Dave grabbed Kadence's slipping his arm around her, pulling her close to him. Kadence smiled up at him before moving away, leaving Dave confused.

"We sure did." Mickie chirped as they made their way towards the doors.

Dave noticed that throughout the entire ride to the hotel, Kadence was preoccupied. If anyone asked her a question, they would have to repeat it before she would answer. Upon their arrival at the hotel, the girls went to find bell hops to carry up the luggage, while the guys went to check in. Dave started to get really worried when Kadence didn't insist that they take the stairs.

After everyone had dropped of their things, they all met in the lobby and headed over to the arena for the mandatory staff meeting. When they arrived, they noticed that the ring and steel cage had already been set up. Mickie and Kadence moved to one side so that they could talk about their match, leaving the guys to go talk to other superstars. Soon everyone was there and the meeting got underway. Vince let the superstars know what was expected of them that weekend and the different signings that people had to attend. After receiving their signing, practice, and show schedules the group dispersed. Dave and Kadence headed back to the hotel with Mickie, leaving Shawn and Hunter behind to work out with some of the other wrestlers.

On the way back to the hotel, Kadence seemed even more withdrawn than before. Dave glanced in the rearview mirror every once in awhile to check on her, but she wouldn't look at anything other than the schedules she had received at the meeting. Concerned, Dave looked at Mickie who was sitting in the front seat, but she just shook her head and mouthed, "Later". Dave nodded and they continued the drive in silence.

As soon as the car stopped, Kadence got out and headed up to her room. Dave and Mickie followed at a slower pace so they could talk.

"What's up with Kady?" Dave watched her retreating back as he spoke to Mickie.

"I'm not really sure. From what I can gather something happed in her family. Has she ever talked to you about them? Dave shook his head, so Mickie continued. "She hasn't ever said anything about them to me either but on Tuesday she got a call from someone and I heard her mention the word 'mom'. I have no idea if something is wrong with her mom or if that's who she was talking to. Anyway, all I know is that when she got off the phone she wasn't the same. I would find her staring off in space and she seemed really distant. She always kept her cell phone with her and when it rang she was quick to pick it up. Sometimes leaving the room to talk to whoever was on the other end. I wish I knew more but every time I asked if something was wrong she would smile and say that everything was okay." Mickie ended with a shrug.

"I'll try and talk to her and see if she's really okay." Mickie nodded at Dave's words before they went their separate ways. As Dave approached Kadence's door, he heard her talking to someone. He couldn't make out what she was saying but it sounded like Kadence was crying, so he knocked on the door. After a couple of minutes, Kadence opened the door, holding her cell phone to her ear and Dave could immediately tell his concern was founded. He was shocked when Kadence flung her arm around his neck and buried her face in his chest. Placing his arms around her, Dave stood in the doorway and supported her while she cried silently at whatever the person on the other end of the phone was telling her.

"Okay, well thanks for calling me. Call me back if things change." With those words, Kadence hung up her phone and burst into sobs that racked her whole body. Soon she wasn't able to stand, so Dave picked her up and carried her into the room, kicking the door shut behind them. He made his way over to the bed, sitting down carefully; he made himself comfortable against the back board, allowing Kadence to curl up in his lap.

"She's going to die and I can't even be there!" Kadence sobbed softly, her words muffled by Dave's shirt.

"Who's going to die?" Dave asked quietly but Kadence didn't hear him as she was so absorbed in her misery. Dave continued to hold her until the sobs died down to quiet hiccups, and soon Kadence fell asleep, safe in his arms.

Several hours later, a much refreshed Kadence woke to find Dave snoring gently while she lay in his lap. Smiling to herself, she snuggled closer, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. Soon reality returned and her smile disappeared, as she remembered the phone call from her brother.

While she had been at Mickie's, Dillon had called to let her know that Cheryl had contracted a serious infection in her lungs, but they expected her to pull through and he would keep her updated. Every day for the rest of the week, Dillon would call to let her know how things were going. Yesterday they had seemed so optimistic that Cheryl had almost kicked the infection. The phone call she had received from him just before Dave arrived at her door had been to let her know that Cheryl had taken a turn for the worse during the night. As she thought about her family, she wrapped her arms around Dave, continuing to hold on to the one person who remained strong for her, no matter what. Even though he didn't know what was going on, he had been there to hold her. She decided that it was time to tell him about her family and pray that the shit didn't hit the fan. It was the least she could do. Feeling grimy after the plane ride and her crying episode, Kadence climbed off Dave's lap and headed into the bathroom to take a shower.