Event Horizon

Seth wasn't exactly what you'd call a sentimental person. But it was pitch dark in the hotel room, and the only sounds were the steady hum of the AC and the rustling of sheets as Dean shifted in his sleep in the other bed, and Seth was getting… nostalgic? Pathetic was more like it. Point is, he was very, very aware that tomorrow was the last time he'd fight alongside Dean and Roman.

And that shouldn't get to him. He knew this day was gonna come eventually. He'd known from the start. Problem was, he let himself grow accustomed to all… this. He'd spent nearly two years now being the brother, the good guy. Well, the relatively good guy. And he was sitting in the place he always had been: between the calm steadiness of Roman and the restless energy of Dean.

The past month had been- well, it'd been something else. Batista wasn't exactly subtle about making it known that he didn't like Seth, didn't trust him, and didn't want him around, period. He wanted to personally make an example of the kid who dared to… replace him, or something? Seth didn't really know what Batista's problem was. Aside from being cheated out of the singles title match he'd earned fair and square, losing the title in that triple-threat match, and then being forced to fight Triple H's battles when he really couldn't care less.

Okay, so Batista had a lot of problems, and maybe Seth was just a convenient outlet for them. The weird part came in when Batista suddenly decided that Roman was now his personal punching bag. And given that Triple H vowed to "make an example" of Roman, Seth was pretty damn sure that changing targets like that wasn't Batista's idea.

It was interesting that Triple H was going to great lengths to single out Roman, and Seth had a few theories as to why. Ostensibly, it was probably to keep people's attention away from Seth. Trips had been pretty obliging about not outing the soon-to-be-traitor. But Seth guessed that there was more to it than that, whether Triple H himself was aware of it or not. Just like he had with Daniel Bryan, Triple H recognized the potential for greatness in Roman – the kind of greatness that couldn't be brought under his control. So Trips was gonna do everything in his power to crush Roman before he ever got a chance.

Unfortunately, all that nonsense started to make somebody feel left out. Because only Dean Ambrose would get jealous over being the only one not to get his ass personally kicked by Evolution. It was a sudden relapse of his inferiority complex, and Seth couldn't really blame Roman for getting on Dean's case about it, because it was stupid. Only somebody with the survival instincts of a moth would pull a stunt like challenging Triple H.

But Dean managed not to get himself killed, he and Roman brawled to an understanding (like they always did) and for once, Seth had some company while he waited it out. He was honestly kinda surprised that Carly stayed with him instead of running after Dean or Roman. For some reason, she seemed to be worried about him the most.

Okay, maybe she had good reason to be. Seth's initial attempt to act "normal" after being all kinda distant resulted in him overcompensating spectacularly and being a complete brat to her. He'd given up after that because, hey, if Dean and Roman weren't questioning his behavior, Carly would have no reason to either.

Really, though, Seth was glad to have her company. It was a welcome distraction from everything, even if he did keep feeling this stupid twinge of guilt about her being all thoughtful. It was kinda funny, actually. If this – going out to dinner, just him and Carly – had happened a couple months back, it would've meant something very different to Seth. He was only human, right? It'd be hard not to have something like a crush on the person who came running to your rescue. But in the end, it was just that – an initial crush. Good thing, too. The last thing the Shield needed was that kind of internal competition.

Anyway, Dean may've gotten his act together after that, but their troubles weren't over. Every now and then, Triple H would call Seth in to meet with him. It was strange. As confident as Trips was that Evolution would come out on top at Payback, it seemed like he was operating under the assumption that Seth breaking away from the Shield was a sure thing. He wanted to discuss getting Seth a new solo entrance, and to get his input on the lights and music, and (on this occasion in particular) to get Seth's final okay on his new ring gear.

Oh, and Triple H also wanted to casually mention that he'd decided their rematch at Payback was going to be a no holds barred elimination match. Just so Seth was aware. Seth just smiled and said that he looked forward to it.

Yep, really looked forward to the kind of match that gave Evolution every opportunity to cheat and put the hurt on the Shield in new and inventive ways. But then again, the Shield's strength was exactly where it'd always been – in their ability to function as a unit. Seth would just have to re-tool his strategy a little, that's all.

When Seth finally was able to head back to where he was supposed to be, he was pretty damn alarmed to find Roman beaten and bloodied, courtesy of Randy Orton.

And that was just cheating. Yeah, sure, underhanded tricks were Evolution's M.O., but come on! Jumping members of the Shield in the hallway to put them out of commission? Seth wasn't about to stand for that. It was about time he reminded Triple H who he was messing with, here.

That match against Batista was one for the ages. The amount of enjoyment Seth got from watching that smug look on Trips' face turning into outrage had to be illegal. He mighta got his ass kicked for most of the actual match, but it was worth it just to outwit the so-called Cerebral Assassin once again.

Never let it be said that Triple H was one to accept defeat graciously, though. He decided to take it out on Carly this time, feeding her to his newest protégé, Paige. But it looked like Trips underestimated just how vengeful a person could be when they got their hands on a traitorous ex-friend. Seth was gonna have to be careful to avoid making that same mistake.

It all culminated in a public contract signing, which was never a good thing in this business. And by that point, the Shield had had enough of the posturing and politics, and they weren't gonna play this game anymore. So Roman and Dean did a little redecorating, Evolution finally decided to come down to ringside, and the Shield waited for them to make their move.

Batista's sullen glare and Orton's knowing smirk focused on Seth. He listened as Triple H went on and on about how this was the last anyone would see of the Shield, and even though Trips was looking at all three of them in turn, Seth could feel the Game's gaze boring into him, daring him to back down or give himself away.

Well, they'd just have to wait, now wouldn't they? They'd get what was coming to them at Payback and afterwards. Thanks to Roman and his lack of patience for monologuing, the brawl they'd been anticipating was on.

It just, y'know, didn't quite go how the Shield would've liked. They started out strong. But Seth caught sight of Carly running towards the ring, and he knew that meant trouble. Randy intercepted her, though, and she took a pretty brutal elevated DDT right onto the floor. Seth didn't get the chance to check on her, but he did find out the reason she tried to get involved.

Trips had gone for his sledgehammer, and it was pretty much all over for them after that. Roman got taken down first. Seth and Dean teamed up on Triple H, but by that time, Randy and Batista had recovered. Then, from outta nowhere – hell, did he even have to say it?

Dazed and only half-conscious after that RKO, Seth heard the crowd's shocked reaction and the sound of someone's body dropping to the floor. He wasn't out of this yet, damn it. He had to keep fighting. He struggled to his feet, only to take a sledgehammer to the skull. His head ringing, Seth was dimly aware that Dean instantly met the same fate.

Seth could only lay on the ground as Evolution moved around the ring, towering over him. Maybe he was imagining it – his head was pretty scrambled at the moment – but the focused, triumphant looks on their faces were just so twisted, somehow. Like they were enjoying this for all the wrong reasons. The thought crossed Seth's muddled brain that Triple H wasn't in this for the fights, or for the victories or accolades. Triple H just liked to hurt people.

Seth got the feeling that he was looking into some kinda warped mirror. It was like he was seeing that the Shield could've turned into, if the night after the "Shield summit" had gone the other way. Because they'd been like that, too. All three of them had enjoyed using their numbers to their advantage, beating the daylights out of anyone who opposed them, and justifying it all with their inflated sense of superiority. And why shouldn't they think they were superior, huh? They were untouchable.

Still were. Always would be. More or less.

Because they weren't like Evolution, not really. The Shield had done some great things, and a few good things, too. Ever since that night Dean broke into Seth's car in the FCW parking lot, and started going on about starting a team –

Not now. Not now. What was he doing? This was the exact worst time for Seth to start thinking about this stuff. He needed to be focused, not all nostalgic and emotional.

Seth clenched his hands into fists, taking a few deep breaths. The AC kept the air in the hotel room cool, but there was still a mugginess in it that settled heavily in his lungs. His eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness. He could just make out the indistinct silhouette of Roman's face, of Dean's hair above that tangled mess of sheets. It was funny. People always seemed so far away when they were asleep.

Stop it.

He could stop it. He knew he could. He didn't have to think about any of this. Seth could shut everything down and just go to sleep. But then again…

Oh, what the hell. He'd give himself one last time to reminisce, before boxing all those thoughts up and filing them away.

Seth thought about when they first started out, practicing at odd hours to avoid being noticed. Usually ended up being late nights or early mornings, the latter of which Dean and Roman hated.

He remembered their first actual argument. They'd been working on expanding Roman's move-set, and Seth thought they could make use of his agility by teaching him some more aerial moves. Roman kept making excuses why he didn't want to try it that particular day, until Seth finally demanded that Roman give him a straight answer. After a moment's hesitation, Roman gruffly replied that he hated heights. Going anywhere near the top rope freaked him out.

And Dean had to go and start laughing. Roman immediately punched him in the mouth, knocking him flat on his ass, and it was all downhill from there. Yelling for them to knock it off didn't work any, so Seth tried to get between them and break it up. That turned out to be a mistake. He caught an elbow to the chin and took a finger to the eye.

No idea which one of them did it, but it didn't matter. Seth was pissed. He got a hand behind both of their heads and slammed their foreheads together. While they were dazed, Seth told them in no uncertain terms exactly what they could do with that kind of behavior, and then stormed off.

But they got over their fights just as fast as they started them. They were all sorta alpha males in their own ways. They just had to learn to coexist, that's all. Had to learn what jokes were fair game, and which ones would earn you a punch in the face. In the end, they made it work. Pretty damned impressive, if Seth said so himself.

And somehow – so gradually that they didn't even notice it – that tolerant working relationship turned into genuine friendship, into trust, into something that made them feel like they'd known each other far longer than a few years.

He remembered their panic when they found out they'd attracted Paul Heyman's notice, and their incredulous excitement when Heyman offered them a chance to make their WWE debut one for the ages, if they'd agree to work for him.

He remembered taking the WWE by storm at Survivor Series. Running roughshod over the entire roster that next month, drunk on their own power. Their first pay-per-view at TLC - what a brutal, spectacular match it was. A four-month undefeated streak.

Dean – that lucky bastard – getting a singles match against the Undertaker. Extreme Rules – the beginning of their run as champions. Roman was the best tag-team partner Seth could hope for, and the US title silenced Dean's insecurities (maybe a little too well). Working for Triple H and the Authority, feeding their addiction to power.

The moment when it almost all fell apart, when their egos got the better of them. The night after the "Shield summit," when they sat down together and realized they'd turned into the very thing they hated. When they rethought their strategy, remembered what they came there for in the first place, returned as a force of rebellion.

The sudden appearance of an obstacle named Carly, and the strange sequence of events that ended up turning them into allies. How they'd helped each other. How they'd joined forces to focus their mission into everything Dean first sold them on and more.

Seth remembered everything.

Dean heaved a loud sigh, rolling over heavily to sprawl into a different position. Seth shook his head. Dean Ambrose was the only person he knew for whom tossing and turning in his sleep was a good sign. And then there was Roman – laying flat on his back, motionless as a soldier. When they first started traveling together, Seth thought that Roman's stillness was downright unnerving. After a while, though, Seth started to find his presence next to him reassuring, like a nightlight or something. But thank God neither of them snored. Seth probably would've smothered them with a pillow if he had to share a room with that.

A wry grin died on Seth's mouth. After this, he wouldn't have to share anything with these two. Tomorrow night at Payback, he'd fight with them one last time. They would beat Evolution; there was no doubt in his mind about that. And after that – Seth would do what had to be done.

He'd be cut off, practically living in another world. Seth began picturing this hotel room without him. Their road-trips, workouts, late suppers, rare vacation days, Dean and Roman – without him.

God, this was depressing. The last thing Seth needed was to get all sappy over the past. This wasn't like him at all. Maybe if he got something to eat, that empty feeling in his stomach would go away.

Seth stood up as quietly as possible and blindly made his way to the dresser, where he felt around for his wallet. Shoving it in his pocket, he headed for the door, being careful to avoid the pile of boots he knew was waiting to trip him up. The door handle clicked loudly, in spite of his best efforts. Seth slipped into the hallway and eased the door shut behind him.

Celebratory pizzas and alcohol aside, Seth had always tried to eat healthy. Well, as healthy as he could when he was on the road all the time. But tonight he didn't care. The food was a distraction, nothing more. He stared hard at the hotel vending machine.

Not chips. Those'd be way too loud, so any other crunchy things were out. Nothing chocolate either. Seth really didn't like the stuff. Maybe fruit snacks?

"Shouldn't you be in bed already?"

The sudden question made Seth flinch. It took a second for him to recognize the familiar voice. Carly. Either she was a ninja, or he was way more distracted than he thought. He hadn't noticed her approaching at all. But there she was, leaning against the wall, her eyebrows lifted in a look of mild reproach. So much for having time alone. Seth summoned up a smile before she had a chance to get suspicious.

"I could ask you the same thing," he said.

"But I don't have a match tomorrow," said Carly.

Like he could possibly forget about that. Carly pushed herself away from the wall and took a step closer. Seth sorta didn't like the way she was looking at him. It reminded him too much of Roman.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I... yeah, I'm fine," Seth faltered, "Just couldn't sleep."

Geez, what the hell was the matter with him? He'd always been such a good liar. But after the way he'd been acting this past month, it was a goddamn miracle he'd managed to keep his plan a secret.

He saw the briefest flicker of worry in Carly's expression before she buried it under a smile.

"Then would you care to join me for some terrible hotel coffee? Decaf, of course," she offered thoughtfully.

"How could I pass up an offer like that?" said Seth.

He answered before he had a chance to think better of it, and now it was too late. Seth followed Carly back to her room, trying to think of the best exit strategy. He'd stay just long enough to convince her that he was fine. Maybe ten minutes after the coffee was ready.

He wanted to be alone, didn't he? He needed to get his thoughts in order while he still had the time. It's what he'd been trying to do for the past freakin' month.

But then there was this other stupid voice in his head begging him to find somebody he could trust and hold onto them for dear life. And Dean and Roman were asleep, and it'd be too dangerous to talk to them in his condition. And Carly was there, just like always, right when Seth needed someone.

There wasn't anything she could do for him. He didn't need her to do anything. He was fine. But he was clinging to her company like it could protect him. From what, he wasn't sure. Maybe from himself.

Because if he was gonna be honest with himself, Seth didn't want to be alone right then.

He crushed those thoughts under his heel the second they occurred to him.

Seth knew he couldn't trust himself not to say something stupid, so he sat down on the bed that looked un-slept-in and kept his mouth shut. Carly must've thought it was too quiet, because she turned the TV on quietly to the weather channel while the coffee brewed.

The scent of the coffee worked on Seth's nerves, making him feel a little more at ease. It smelled like mornings, and that was the best time of day for him. Mornings were clear, and orderly, and logical. They were the foundation of structure and strategy. Not all this emotional, philosophical, have-an-existential-crisis-at-two-AM crap. Nights were the worst.

Not that Seth had anything against being emotional, exactly. He wouldn't have been able to befriend Dean and Roman if he did. He just hated the feeling of his emotions being in control of him, instead of the other way around, like it was supposed to be.

Carly cleared her throat quietly, and Seth looked up. He had no idea how long she'd been standing there, holding out the steaming Styrofoam cup. Guess he'd gotten lost again. That'd been happening more frequently than he was quite comfortable with. Seth thanked her and took the coffee.

He drank it mechanically while they sat in silence for a few minutes. Seth was certain Carly still wanted answers, but she didn't say anything. Maybe she was trying to do what Roman always did – wait long enough and he'd speak up on his own. It always worked for Roman. Who knew if Carly had the same superpowers? Better not risk it. Better say something quick, before he spilled his guts and ruined the whole plan or something.

"Why can't you sleep?" he asked.

The words felt funny in Seth's mouth, and he realized that he'd somehow burned the hell out of his tongue without noticing. Damn it, it hurt. How did that even happen? He needed to stop letting his thoughts get all distracted like that. He was starting to become a danger to himself. Luckily, Carly didn't see him grimacing. She was looking down, a rueful smile on her face.

"I'm worried about tomorrow," she said, "How are you and Dean and Roman holding up?"

Funny. Tomorrow was the absolute last thing Seth was worried about.

"Roman isn't worried. He's a rock. I don't know how he does it," said Seth, "And Dean, well, he sleeps like a rock no matter what's going on."

More like a rolling stone, actually. Thank God he didn't sleepwalk, too.

"And what about you?" asked Carly, a little more insistently this time.

Okay, so evasiveness wasn't gonna fly with her. Seth went to take another sip of coffee, to buy himself time to think of an answer, but the cup was already empty. When had that happened? He reached down to set it on the floor, trying to cobble together a reply. Carly wouldn't accept an outright lie, he knew that. Stupid nighttime. It always made him feel so slow. Seth looked away, rubbing at his eyes.

"There are so many variables," he said finally, "My mind keeps trying to run through all of them to make sure I have contingency plans for every possible situation. But I keep running into scenarios where everything just goes horribly awry."

There. That statement was completely, one-hundred-percent true. He and Carly just weren't, y'know, talking about the same thing.

"You've beaten Evolution once," she said, "You can do it again."

That was the plan, wasn't it? That'd always been the plan. He had to come up with another careful answer. Think of it like a challenge, Rollins. Have a completely different conversation with her than the one she's having with you, without her noticing.

"Highly probable, but still…" said Seth, "Everybody keeps saying that this is all going to end at Payback, but I'm not so sure. Even if we do win, I don't think Triple H is going to let it go that easily."

Truth be told, Seth did not like plans that were this freakin' delicate. If one little thing went sideways, he'd have to scrap every following step and come up with a new strategy. Sure, he could make it work no matter what happened, but he didn't like it. If there was any other way…

No, there wasn't.

"I believe in the Shield," Carly said suddenly.

Seth had to smile. That was simultaneously kinda encouraging and the absolute last thing he wanted to hear. Because this wasn't about the Shield at all, and at the same time, it'd only ever been about the Shield. But, hey, at least it was a safer topic of conversation than him and his feelings.

"I remember when we first met you," he said, "You were so afraid of us."

It'd taken Seth a while to recognize that the girl who'd suddenly appeared onstage begging their pardon on behalf of "Mr. Maddox" was the same mousy, unremarkable intern he'd caught staring at them backstage earlier that night. Now, he almost found it hard to believe that corporate doormat Carly McMahon and rebel princess Carly Caden were the same person. But she had to be. After all, it was the corporate doormat who leveled a man three times her size with a folding chair, just to protect the enemy from injustice.

Maybe it was that something happens to people when they lose their fear. A little trust and care had taken Dean Ambrose from a half-feral loner to the most stalwartly loyal friend a guy could ask for , not to mention the fact that it turned out Dean was downright snuggly. The Roman Reigns that Seth first met at FCW was polite and distant, so desperate to prove himself that the desperation almost turned into rage. But putting some faith in him – letting him know that you saw him, not a bunch of question marks and expectations – changed him into the kind of confident, good-natured guy who put complete faith in his friends.

And as for Seth, well, he'd gone from being the practical, calculating strategist/chess-master to being this unguarded, conflicted, emotional… oh God, he was getting philosophical, wasn't he?

"Well, you guys don't exactly seem all warm and cuddly at first glance," said Carly, mercifully interrupting his reverie, "I have to tell you, I've never been more happy to be proven wrong."

The way she smiled when she said that – all warmth and sincerity and trust. It wasn't any different from any other time she smiled. But in that split second, it almost broke Seth's resolve.

It was just one more "one last," that's all. And he needed it more than anything. Seth needed somebody's faith, somebody's love one last time – before he was completely and utterly on his own.

"But you know us now," he said, not even bothering to mask the urgency in his voice, "You know me. Tell me you'll always believe in me the way I am right now, no matter what happens. Please, Carly, I need to hear somebody say it."

The words came tumbling out of him in a panicked rush. Seth's heart was thudding anxiously as he watched Carly's face. She looked legitimately startled by that outburst, and he could feel his stomach dropping.

He'd said too much. He knew it. He knew that this was gonna happen. Why the hell had he stayed this long? Why hadn't he just gone back to his own room where it was safe when he had the chance?

Seth was just gearing up to make a break for it when Carly suddenly moved to the other bed and sat down next to him. She put both of her hands in his, and Seth's fingers automatically closed around them. For some reason, he was almost afraid she was gonna let go. Carly held his gaze while she spoke.

"Seth Rollins," she said, "I will always believe in you, no matter what."

There was a sorta half-smile in her voice when she said that, like it was something she wholeheartedly meant but thought she shouldn't need to say. Seth took everything about that moment – the fondness in her eyes, the confident sincerity of her voice, the feeling of her hands firmly holding his – and he memorized every detail. But he didn't file it away like the other memories. This was one he was gonna need close at hand.

But he couldn't look her in the eyes anymore. Not when he was this close to cracking. Seth abruptly reached out and hugged her, leaning his head onto her shoulder. His breathing was starting to get shaky, so he sure as hell couldn't trust his voice enough to reply. In an instant, her arms were around him, too.

"It's alright, Seth," Carly said gently, "It's gonna be alright."

And that was exactly what he needed to hear.

"Thanks, Carly," he managed to say.

Seth didn't let go, and Carly didn't so much as make a move to pull away. She didn't ask any more questions. She didn't say anything at all. She just held him, rubbing his back soothingly.

Under normal circumstances, Seth wasn't one to linger. But he wanted to stay in this moment as long as possible. He almost felt relaxed for the first time that night. He felt like he could fall asleep on Carly's shoulder. Hell, she'd probably let him do it.

Seth knew he couldn't, though. He had to collect himself, let her see that he was alright again, and get back to his own room.

Right. He could manage that, couldn't he? Of course he could.

Seth finally sat back, twisting his mouth into a meekly apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that," he said, "Just a system failure. You know how people get late at night."

"I know," said Carly, "Don't worry, I won't tell anybody. Scout's honor."

She held up three fingers in the Scout sign, a mock-solemn expression on her face. Seth nodded gratefully. Carly always had had his back. Dean and Roman and, more recently, Carly had been all he'd needed. It was gonna be… different, not having any of that anymore.

Seth slammed a door against that dangerous line of thinking. Couldn't afford more of that nonsense tonight. Not now that he'd just gotten himself put back together.

"I should probably go, though," he said, "We both need some sleep."

He pushed himself to his feet and headed for the door, and Carly followed.

"Are you sure you'll be alright? Need me to walk you home?" she offered, half-joking.

"I think I can manage," Seth laughed, "But… thanks."

"Anytime," Carly smiled again, "Goodnight, Seth."

Seth wrapped her reassurances around his shoulders like a blanket as he walked back to his room. He was doing the right thing. He knew he was. No more being all irresolute. His plan was going to work.

He managed to let himself back into the Shield's hotel room and shut the door very quietly, right before tripping over somebody's stupid combat boots. Half a curse burst from his lips before he could smother it.

Seth heard a startled exclamation and a frantic rustling of sheets as Dean sat bolt upright. Damn it all, why did that of all things have to wake him up?

"Seth?"

"What?" Seth hissed.

He could tell by the slurred way Dean was talking that he wasn't quite awake. Now, if only he'd keep quiet so Roman didn't wake up, too. Seth hobbled over to his side of the bed, hoping to God he wouldn't accidentally kick the dresser.

"You left," Dean mumbled, half question and half accusation.

"You're dreaming," said Seth, "Go back to sleep."

After a second, Dean flopped back down onto the bed, dead asleep again. Seth breathed a sigh of relief as he slid under the covers. Crisis averted.

The pain still radiating through his entire foot was enough to distract him from any deeper thoughts. Seth closed his eyes, easily willing himself to stop feeling, stop thinking, and sleep.

He hadn't left. Not yet.

(Note: I just want to tell you all thank you for being patient and for not giving up on this story even though it takes me forever to update. This perspective shift section was part of the plan from the very beginning, but the story has gotten a lot longer than I'd ever anticipated. I promise I'm gonna make it work, though. Scout's honor. I'll try to keep putting progress reports on my profile page every so often, just to keep you guys updated. And once again, thanks to the lovely people who left reviews! )