Title: Rubik's Cube

Rating: T for now.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, companies, etc. They belong to the WWE and Vincent Kennedy McMahon. (Should I ever have the privilege though; I would be a billionaire instead of a millionaire like him.)

A/N: I've bogged myself down with all the story ideas moving at warp-speed in my head that I'm just super excited I could sit down and write this. I hope everyone is enjoying this pairing as much as I do. Since there aren't that many Wade/Natalya fics on this site I'm grateful for those who appreciate this work. If you do know of any that I'm clearly not aware of please let me know through PM or in a review. Thank you and enjoy!

Natalya released a heavy sigh as Kaitlyn paced in front of her. There was no getting rid of the jumbled thoughts running around inside her head while she sat perched on a bench in her locker room for the evening. She rested her elbows on her knees and rubbed her palms together in agitation. A match had been scheduled for her for later on that night, and though that should've been her main concern; it wasn't.

She was still reeling from the events of the previous week. Wade had demanded she rethink her answer of refusal to join Nexus as if she would change her mind. Her decision was made the very first time he proposed the idea and she refused to go back on her word. Still, she couldn't shake off the anxiety. The images of a damaged Tyson and David lying there on the ground were plaguing her; but more than that, it was the pain she felt deep down knowing Wade had orchestrated the attack to get to her.

This was her fault. Though both men assured her throughout the week it wasn't, it didn't ease her mind in the least and she continued to blame herself.

"I don't think you should do this."

"Do what?" She asked softly hearing the concern in the new diva's voice.

"Go out there," Kaitlyn said. "I don't think it's a good idea. What if something happens?"

Slowly, she focused her gaze on the diva standing in front of her. "It's my job. I have to compete." Her eyes returned to the ground hoping that signaled the end of the conversation.

"I know that. But wouldn't it be the perfect time for them to trying something."

"Wade knows better than to interrupt my matches." She scowled inwardly recalling a haunting memory of his smug response at a time when things were pleasant between the two of them.

"I could only imagine the adorable frustrated look on your face if I went out there. It would just be so much fun to distract you."

She shook her head of the recollection in time to hear Kailtyn's response.

"Maybe. But-"

"But nothing," she interjected abruptly with a feral growl as she stood. "I'm not going to spend my time looking over my shoulder in fear just because he and his cronies can't get past their male egos and take no for an answer. This whole situation is bullshit. So…" She stopped to turn and grab her ring gear jacket. "I'm going to go out there and kick whatever bitch's ass they've handed to me on a silver platter because now I'm pissed off."

"Natalya-," Kaitlyn called after her. The only response was the slamming door she'd stormed out of.

Defeated, she claimed the seat her friend had occupied only moments ago and exhaled a shaky breath. Poor Natalya, still in love with young British superstar and left hopelessly heartbroken at his recent actions. She was worried for her Canadian friend and the possibilities that could result in her rejecting the Nexus' proposal once again. No good could come of it that was for certain.

A bad feeling had loomed over her since she was informed of the events that unfolded last week with the attack in the locker room. It seemed they were targeting those that Natalya cared for and though she was concerned, she knew David and Tyson could hold their own and defend themselves. They'd never forgive themselves if Natalya handed herself over to the Nexus knowing it was to keep them safe. So she prayed consistently that it wouldn't come to that and all the drama would end so the blonde could move on.

A loud knock disrupted her thoughts and her eyes found the door as it opened. She ceased to breathe the moment the visitors entered the room.

Michael Tarver looked at her with menacing eyes while Daniel Bryan's gaze seemed what she could only describe as remorseful. She felt faint as her mind went blank with the twosome staring at her as if she were prey they were going to capture.

"Sorry sweetheart," Bryan spoke with a mixture of guilt and obligation, "It's just business."

The intimidating masked man released a frightening laugh causing Daniel to shoot him a glare for a moment. Tarver regarded the look and refocused his attention on the blonde-brunette girl sitting in front of them.

With that he nodded his head at the diva, prompting Tarver to advance forward slowly; ready to attack at any moment if she got spooked and decided to make a run for it.

She didn't. She was frozen right on the spot wondering if she could forgive herself if Natalya joined the Nexus to keep her from their clutches.

Tugging at the ropes, she prepped herself while waiting for her opponent to emerge from the curtain so she could engage in a vicious assault. She'd regret her actions later and apologize to whatever diva was on the receiving end, but for now all Natalya could see was red. To make matters worse, her anger was intensifying with each passing second as she waited rather impatiently.

The audience was getting restless as well. It wasn't often that they saw a diva competing anymore and for Natalya to give them some entertainment tonight on behalf of the female population of the WWE they were rather elated. She could hear Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole behind her as she stretched, questioning her tardy opponent.

To say she was frustrated was an understatement. All she could hear were the words the tall Brit spoke last week.

"We can be together again."

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

"You forget I know you better than you know yourself."

"One week to change your mind…and you know there are ways I can do that."

"Nattie."

She restrained herself from releasing a scream. The memories hurt to think about. They'd been tearing her mind apart all week long much like other past events she shared with him hurt for the past month. She would have given anything to make his voice vanish from her thoughts.

Suddenly she became aware of the chorus of boos emulating from the WWE Universe as 'We Are One' echoed about the arena.

In that moment, she'd have given anything to make his presence vanish from her sight.

Wade always had a confident air about him that she enjoyed when she first saw him exit the curtain on NXT. He exuded superiority and hint of cockiness, but he'd earned the right when he competed and literally fought in Europe. That same dominance showed when he emerged from the back, a microphone clutched in his hand, and stood atop the steel stage for a moment watching her in the ring.

She kept her features stoic, but inside she became a mess all over again. Try as she might to cover her heart and the feelings that beat frantically from it, she couldn't help but to start gasping for air and place her hand on her hips as he walked down the ramp alone. In a group he wasn't that hard to face. Alone, that was an entirely different story. Even with the audience, Jerry and Cole, and various ring attendants present she saw nothing but Wade Barrett and it frightened her to death.

Before she knew it he reached the end of the runway and brought the microphone to his lips to speak while holding one hand up in mock surrender as he climbed the steel steps.

"Natalya…Natalya…Natalya," everyone around her was baffled as he stepped through the ropes. They didn't know her history with the former brawler and being a member of Nexus didn't help his reputation as the audience looked on with slight fear that he would attack the niece of Bret 'The Hitman' Hart.

Keeping his gaze and attention fully on her, he ignored the crowd and continued, "You and I have some unfinished business to attend to, so I'm afraid you got all pretty to fight for nothing darling, my apologies."

She watched as he eyed her body, clad in ring gear, with appreciation up and down which made her a little sick inside. She didn't have a microphone and wouldn't reach for one. This was person. The crowd could only read her lips as she spoke, "We have nothing."

She stated it with a conviction she was surprised she still held.

"You see that's where you're wrong," he grinned, "Last week I asked you to rethink your decision in regards to my proposition."

The fans looked on in bewilderment at his statement. "I want you to become a part of the Nexus." A nearly synchronized gasp emerged from the audience as they began to negatively applaud their displeasure.

"So…what's it going to b-"

"No," she shouted. Her rejection showed; causing the audience to cheer at her defiance. "No…no…no…no…and no." She repeated the answer over and over nearly taking the breath out of her.

Wade was silent as he looked at her heatedly. He rolled his eyes, looking to the ceiling and around the arena as he tried to control his annoyance. She couldn't tell if he was playing a damn part or not but she didn't care.

Massaging one side of his temple, he hesitated a moment in bringing the microphone back up to his mouth to speak. "I don't want to do this Nattie," she resisted the urge to slap him, "don't make me do this. Just accept the offer and join us."

She didn't know what he was talking about and she didn't care, "Fuck no!"

The universe buzzed with excitement at her bravery, as well as her profanity. Management would be pissed but Wade was making his personal. The pause weighed heavily on her as he remained silent for a beat.

"Have it your way then darling," he turned on his heal and looked to the ramp, "Nexus!"

She followed his gaze to the stage as they emerged with their captives. Tyson and David. A hand flew to her mouth in horror. She tried to rush past the NXT winner to run to her friends but felt Wade grasp her arm to stop her. She looked to him dazed. "Don't," she commanded, "Please don't."

"You know what you have to say."

"No," she spat, surprised she kept the tears inside.

Wade nodded to his stable and she looked back in time to see them frantically beating the tag team. Punches and kicks flew, and before she knew it they were down clutching at their injured body parts. Soon the terrible group was dragging them to the end of the ramp and shoved them into the surrounding barriers.

"Stop! Stop it!" She screamed. They continued to ignore her and went on with the assault. She turned to scream at Wade. "Stop this. Please stop this Wade."

She didn't care if she looked weak in front of him anymore. She had to make his see reason. "Wade, please!"

He kept repeating to himself that this was for the best. As Skip close lined Tyson, Wade smirked a little, hoping she wouldn't notice. He held a hand up signaling them to cease the attack. "You know what you have to do."

"I can't," she looked between the two men she considered the closest she had to family left and the man she loved. "Please," she tried to plead to his good nature that she knew he still possessed, "Please don't make me do this."

The look he held seemed haunted, as though he might be regretting his actions. He loved her. He needed her with him. He promised he'd never hurt her. He couldn't hurt her like this…but he wasn't strong enough to let her go.

"Tarver. Bryan." There was hint of hesitation in his voice as he said their names. Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion as she looked at the group outside of the ring and finally noticed that the two were missing. She also noticed that Skip, Darren, David, and Justin were equally as confused as she was.

Her gaze traveled up the ramp when they descended. She wasn't prepared for the sight of Tarver with his hand clutching Kaitlyn's hair. Both hands flew to her mouth as she watched her friend struggle in his grasp.

"Hey!" A voice she recognized as Justin's caused her gaze to shift for a moment and looked to the South African. He was glaring at Wade in anger below the ring, shouting "What are you doing? This wasn't part of the plan! Let her go!"

Natalya regarded him with an incredulous facial expression at the alarm in his voice. "Shut up," Wade shouted back. She heard Justin punch the apron as he continued to scream at his leader. His pleas fell on deaf ears however.

"Don't hurt her," she begged once again turning to Wade and grasped his arm and began to tug. He remained in place as she begged and pulled at his arm to make him see reason.

"Say it."

Still clutching his arm, she stopped her actions and remained silent. Her eyes continued to plead with him. Silently telling him he didn't want to do this. He didn't want to hurt another woman just because she refused.

At her pause, he looked to Tarver and nodded. Following his gaze she took in Tarver's nod of understanding back to his leader and lifted Kaitlyn in preparation for his fierce finisher, Tarver's Lightening. Kaitlyn squirmed and Natalya swore she could hear her screams from her spot in the ring. Justin sped past the others, who remained by the apron, and up the ramp. Daniel Bryan stepped in front of him to stop his advance. They began to argue loudly as Justin pointed behind him at the woman Tarver held and how this wasn't right.

Natalya hung her head in defeat. Tyson, David, and Kaitlyn were all caught in this mess because of her and there was no way of stopping it. No way but…

She looked back to Wade with one more silent plea looming behind her eyes. The tears were ready to fall. This time, he inclined his head until it was merely a few inches from hers.

"Say it," he brought the microphone down and held it to her lips. Everyone looked to her in shock and awe. The only way to save everyone was for her to sacrifice herself. To sacrifice everything she believed in and held dear. Either way, she lost. She took one last look to the lights above and reminisced for a beat of when times were better. Would she find better days again?

Her gaze returned to the mic hovering in front of her lips. "Yes."

Instantly, as the equipment dropped to the mat with a thud, Wade grabbed her face between his palms and firmly kissed her.

It was brief, but the feel of them beneath his reminded him that this was for the best. He smiled as he released her and she fell to her knees. He leaned against the ropes and signaled for his members to come into the ring and put Tyson on his shoulders. She didn't have the strength to pay attention to her surroundings.

Justin remained at the top of the stage and tried to comfort Kaitlyn as she clutched her head. Tarver and Bryan had joined the team in the ring and Wade let out the fierce British yell signaling for the end and delivered a perfect Wasteland to Tyson.

She looked to her fallen friend and back to the stable standing over him with smiles and intimidating looks coating their features.

She was now a member of Nexus.

The tears flowed freely down her face and once again Natalya Neidhart cried.