Title: Rubik's Cube

Rating: T for now.

Disclaimer: The only thing I own is what's inside my head.

A/N: Chapter 2 just for you!

People always thought of Wade Barrett as unpredictable and in many aspects they would be right. If his debut was any indication of the out-of-left-field tactics that ran through his mind then you'd have to wonder how Wade Barrett dealt with personal relationships. The Capetown Werewolf's friendship for example, he knew Justin was never sure whether or not Wade would help him up from a fall or punch him in the face. If he would be there when he needed him or stab him in the back.

In all honestly, Wade didn't know himself, but so far Justin didn't give him any indication that he was weak or capable of betrayal and that suited him just fine. The other members of Nexus, not so much, he trusted them from a distance but never showed them his back. They were men hungry for power after all and that always led to outlandish behavior. Justin wasn't hungry for power. He was hungry for attention, a way to get his name out there.

Probably why Wade trusted him more than the others was because Justin was capable of human emotion. You knew a good natured man existed when he was in love and whether Justin wanted to admit it or not, he was.

Wade watched him pining after a blonde woman with black under-tones in her hair for weeks. She had recently made friends with Natalya, which was the only reason Wade knew of her existence, and as of late, when pursuing the Canadian in dark corners he'd found Justin there ahead of him a couple of times. It was amusing to say the least but he needed Justin focused on tonight and what had been planned, so he asked the South Africa native to take a walk with him around the arena.

"What exactly is this all about Wade?" he questioned, skeptical of why they needed to walk about in the dark shadows of the arena.

"You'll see in a moment," Wade grinned approaching the final corner before holding out an arm to stop Justin from moving further. Peeking around he spied just the person he wanted to see before he spoke to Justin in a hushed tone.

"You ever been in love?"

The question caught the high-flyer so off guard all he could do what give the Nexus leader and incredulous look. Wade rolled his eyes; obviously Justin needed him to spell it out for him, so he placed a finger in front of his lips to warn him to be quiet then pointed around the corner for him to look. His eyes went wide when he peered around the corner and saw the blonde he'd been admiring from afar for the past month. She was fiddling with her hair as usual when he saw her looking in a mirror. Always trying to make sure everything was perfectly placed, a quality he admired about her but would never let her know she didn't have to worry about such a thing.

Smiling to herself, unaware of their presence, she placed one more curl behind her shoulders and walked away. This left Justin admiring the way her hips swayed as she sauntered off, but his mind and gaze wandered back to a grinning Wade. His face turned to sheer skepticism as he looked at his leader.

"Just what the hell are you implying?" He spat the question on the verge of anger. He wasn't sure if this was a test of loyalty or something so he needed to remain on his toes.

Wade waved off his anger and shook his head. "I'm not asking you as a Nexus member. I'm asking you as your friend."

Justin remained unsure, furrowing his brows his mouth gaped at Wade's referral to him as his 'friend.' He liked Wade's determination, his charismatic demeanor, but more than all of that he respected him as the winner of NXT and his ability to strategize and come up with the brilliant plan of forming the Nexus not only for his benefit but for the other rookies as well.

Seeing Justin's struggle in contemplating his question he decided to press on. "I've seen the way you look at her. I've caught you more often than not when I creep through the shadows to catch a glimpse of Natalya."

"I wasn't-"Wade held a hand to silence him.

"Don't feign ignorance with me Justin. You're better than that, plus I don't blame you."

"You don't?" He arched a brow suspiciously.

"Of course not, you knew my relationship with her better than the rest," indicating the other members, and in truth he did. He watched Wade nearly fall apart when Natalya drove away that night. He wouldn't speak to anyone about it, merely continued to strategize their attacks on the Raw roster. He'd been there when Natalya and he first met and saw their relationship develop over time while on NXT.

"So what do you know about her?"

Shaking his head of the memories of the former couple Justin shrugged, "Her names Kaitlyn. She's from Houston, Texas. I met her once through her best friend AJ from FCW. She used to be a fitness model and she's still learning her craft when it comes to in-ring ability but she's not so unfortunate when it comes to spouting off at the mouth."

One other thing Wade appreciated about Justin, his ability to gather intel on anyone. "Nor in looks either I imagine," glancing back at where Kaitlyn previously stood before continuing, "So what are your plans?"

"What do you mean?"

Looking back to the South African in slight shock he elaborated, "Well, are you going to actually say two words to her or just stalk her?"

"I'm not stalking her," he said defensively.

Peering down at the black-haired man, a smirk coming to settle on his features, he remained at a loss for words. Only for the moment though, "Do you want her to join us?"

"No," he said immediately shaking his head, "I don't want this for her." Wade nodded at that in understanding before Justin added, "and you shouldn't want this for her."

He couldn't help but glare at that statement. It was his silent way of telling anyone who brought her up not to go there, but Justin always found a way to weasel it into conversation, "I know you loved her-"

"Love!" he interjected forcefully. He would never use that verb in past tense when it came to her.

"But what you plan on doing…you can't do this to her. It will destroy her."

"She'll find a way to forgive me," he argued, "I know she still loves me."

"Maybe," Justin agreed, "but maybe it's best that you let her go."

In the next moment he found himself slammed against the wall with Wade's forearm over his throat. Sputtering what little air remained he watched as the British man's features darkened. He knew better but he didn't care. He would always voice his opinion when it came to the blonde Canadian Wade cared for.

Bringing his face a mere inch from Justin's, he punctuated every word "I'll. Never. Let. Her. Go."

Justin coughed as Wade released him and collapsed to the floor clutching his throat and glaring daggers at his 'friend' as he walked back to their locker room. He needed to make Wade see reason but once again failed. When he first informed him of his plans for Natalya he immediately objected to the idea and ever since he'd earned a few bruises. That had been his last chance. Tonight shit would hit the fan.

A frightened gasp drew his attention away from Wade's retreating form and looking back he saw Kaitlyn had returned to retrieve something she'd left behind on the crate. His eyes widened at her scared gaze and he slowly got to his feet never letting his eyes leave hers. She stared at him cautiously knowing the reputation he'd gained since aligning himself with the dangerous group.

"Justin," she breathed and took a daring step toward him.

He ran refusing to look back as she called after him.

When Tyson Kidd found out Natalya, his childhood friend, was in a relationship with Wade Barrett he was immediately concerned. The way he'd look at her when they would come by and watch NXT just didn't sit well with him. David and Bret told him what Natalya did was her business and hers alone, but he just couldn't shake the feeling that Wade had something up his sleeve. Clearly he'd been right. Barrett was nothing but a bad seed and Natalya had found that out the hard way a month ago.

He'd hoped and prayed she'd get over this as soon as the attack occurred. He didn't understand it. A month had passed since she left him.

She. Left. Him.

And still…she couldn't get over it. He'd hear her sob to herself sometimes, probably reminiscing on happier times with the Brit, but she'd never talk about it when he confronted her. She barely talked to him or the others period since it ended.

What made Wade Barrett so fucking special? He thought to himself. He was soon jolted from his thoughts as David Hart Smith cleared his throat.

"You're doing it again," he commented.

Tyson rolled his eyes at his tag team partner and lifelong friend, "Doing what?"

"You get this angry as fuck look on your face when you're thinking about him and it's creepy as shit so knock it off."

Tyson ignored him, "Shut up."

"Look," he turned to him once he finished taping his wrists, "I know you harbor a bit of jealousy and resentment toward him-"

Tyson scoffed, "I'm not jealous," he spat the interruption.

"But," he continued, "sooner or later you're going to have to accept the fact that she chose him instead of you. She will always choose him."

"It's not fair man," he scowled, "we've known each other since we were born. I've been there with her through everything. School, the dungeon," he trailed off, knowing he could think of a million things and moments they'd shared but in the end…her heart belonged to someone else.

"Nothing in life is fair Tyson," he offered, trying to comfort him a least a little, "maybe one day she will see you as the man she truly deserves. Maybe not. But if you're constantly holding him over her head…that's all she'll think about."

"So what do I do?"

"Give it time," he shrugged, "That's all we really can do. She'll get over him eventually, what else could he do to try and win her back?"

"So he just took off?"

Kaitlyn nodded looking at Natalya confused by her old…acquaintances actions. "I don't know why he'd just run away from me. I haven't seen him since he left FCW."

"Maybe he was afraid you'd give away his position," the blonde offered trying to help her friend make sense of the moment. The men were known for keeping themselves discrete and away from the other superstars.

"To who," the model replied, "We were alone in the back corridor of the arena. The only person who knew I would be there was you. Plus, he looked really upset."

The Canadian could only shake her head. Thinking back, Justin Gabriel had always been an oddball to her. Always polite, nice, and respectable…when Wade introduced them for the first time she found him to be charming. It surprised her that he was a part of Nexus…then again so was her ex-boyfriend.

"I don't know Kait," she shrugged, "Nothing they do makes sense."

She knew Natalya was still struggling with the whole thing. She knew she still had feelings for Wade. Not that she'd ever admit that, but Kaitlyn wasn't a fool. Still, she didn't know anyone here well enough besides the third generation superstar. Therefore it only made sense to talk to her about the South African member of Nexus.

"Look…why don't we go back to the locker room and check on Tyson and David? They've got a match right?" She asked, hoping it would take her mind off of the unpleasantness of things.

Natalya nodded and offered her a small smile. Kaitlyn wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they began their journey, a small effort of comfort that she could offer to her silent friend. She knew words weren't enough when it came to her ex.

Rounding the last bend the girls stopped dead in their tracks. Heath Slater was standing outside the Hart Dynasty locker room with his back resting against the door. Natalya realized he was guarding it, but for what she didn't know. Hearing Kaitlyn emit a gasp the red head glanced in their direction and instantly stood straight.

"Kaitlyn, run." Natalya commanded.

"But-"the Texas native back away slowly.

"Run!" She screamed.

Natalya didn't bother to look back to her friend as she launched herself forward towards the scrawny Nexus member. Heath kept his feet firmly planted ready to stop her. He didn't expect her to shove him with all her might causing him to stumble. Using the distraction to her advantage she wasted no time and twisted the door handle to burst into the locker room.

The first thing she became aware of was Tyson and David sprawled on the floor groaning in pain. David was holding his head and Tyson was clutching at his ribs. She would have normally run straight to their sides to offer aid but she was frozen on the spot when she saw the rest of Nexus standing over them. Her eyes immediately sought the bare-knuckle brawler's, she would regret it when their gazes locked and she was reduced to gasping breaths as she tried to keep the tears at bay.

In the next moment, Heath Slater took a hold of her by the elbows from behind. She didn't offer resistance when he held her arms in place; her body just shook in his hands.

Wade stepped forward confidently, a crooked smile taking residence on his face and she quickly ducked her head. He'd have none of that however and raised her chin with a single finger.

The tears finally fell when their eyes reconnected. She thought she had none left to cry after the last month…after everything. She was wrong.

She could hear Tyson moan in pain on the floor, reaching for Wade's boot, "Don't you touch her."

He had no time to brace himself as Wade hitched his foot backwards to slam into his forehead. He did it all without ever removing his eyes from hers or his body from her personal space.

"Please," she gasped hearing her friends scream at the contact.

He let out a low chuckle at her plea. Her relationship with Tyson had always been the one thing to get under his skin. He knew the man had feelings for her even if she denied knowledge of it. He'd stare at her the same way he did. He'd do anything for her just the same that he would. Only he was sure Tyson would never go this far.

"You know what you have to say to make all this go away."

She could only whimper.

"Say it Natalya," he whispered desperately, "say you'll become a part of this."

He gestured behind to the other five members. She glanced at each of them and the stern looks they held. Michael Tarver. Skip Sheffield. Daniel Bryan. Darren Young. And lastly, Justin Gabriel, the only one she thought had morals and the only one she knew her friend Kaitlyn held any type of feelings for.

"Release her," Wade commanded Heath and released her chin, albeit reluctantly. Justin gave her a curt nod, a silent plea that she should agree.

"It won't change anything," she reasoned, "You'll still be the enemy of every superstar in the locker room-"

"But I'll have you," he interrupted, "We can be together again. Just say yes and we can move forward…together."

"Never!" She screamed.

A deafening silence filled the room and Wade's body began to shake in anger. He could hear the rest of Nexus mumbling behind him and resisted the urge to slap them all. Instead he held up a fist at shoulder level signaling them to zit it. He had to calm himself; he'd never wanted to slap Natalya before and kiss her at the same time.

"I realize this is a lot to take in at the moment," he said evenly, trying to control his temper, "so I'm giving you a week to rethink your answer."

"It won't change," she snapped.

"You forget I know you better than you know yourself and you've always been indecisive Nattie," she cringed at the nickname he loved to call her when they were close.

"Not about this."

"One week," he repeated holding up a finger like a parent scolding their child, "one week to change your mind…and you know there are ways I can do that." He took a step to move around her nodding his head so the others would follow his leaving. One by one they exited the room like soldiers following their general into battle.

Justin lingered for a moment, staring at Natalya's back. His shoulders slumped at what he'd done to the woman he once counted as a close friend. He lost that when he joined Wade in his mission and he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss it.

"I'm sorry Natalya," he said with heartbreaking honesty, "I never wished this on you but…he loves you too much."

Natalya fell to her knees and cried as she gazed at the two men lying broken on the floor.

With that he turned to go, glancing around the hallway a moment he noticed Kaitlyn peeking around the corner at their retreating backs. He stared at her beautiful face for a few moments before hanging his head and following behind the others.