Hello, lovely readers!

Another day, another chapter. It's been a while since we saw Randy, so he makes an unwelcome return in this chapter. But I suppose Ellie needs to talk to him so we have to see him unfortunately.

Guest (sisterabby) – You'll get your answer for sure in this chapter. If anything has been said, we know it wouldn't be Seth as he knows what Randy is capable of. We shall soon see.

Beautifultragedyxxx – We all wish that! But the course of true love never did run smooth, and as readers we all love a bit of drama. We know things will right themselves in the end, but it's a bumpy road along the way.

Dutchangel1979 – Thank you. And Ellie has a vague idea as to what she's doing. She's as confused as we are right now!

Tantoune – It's a good drug to choose haha! This story is under the drama category so we know it won't go smoothly lol. You'll have to read on in order to find out how it all goes.

XXbrinkofinsanityx – Aww thank you! That is so lovely of you to say and I'm glad you are enjoying the story. As long as I can make my readers happy then I know I'm doing my job well.

MsConCon – It was so exciting when she admitted the L word. But as a couple, they both know nothing can happen as long as Randy is around. And as we have witnessed in the past, Randy is not a very calm or sensitive guy. We know this won't go down well. But at least we can go forward knowing Ellie loves Seth and she will fight to see what happens with him.

This chapter is named after 'Choices' by The Hoosiers

Elizabeth Chapman's Point Of View

I was surprised upon my return to the hotel after my shopping trip to see Seth in the hotel bar, sitting alone at a table, his body hunched over his drink. He looked deflated, low, broken, and I knew it was me who had made him that way.

After everything that had transpired between us the night before, I knew it was unwise of me to have mentioned my phone-call to Randy this morning. He'd thought he had a chance, he'd thought things would end between my boyfriend and I, but now he thought we were stronger than ever, especially since I was flying out to visit him on such a whim.

I knew I needed to sort this and set the record straight. For both our sakes we needed to talk and we needed it now.

"Listen, why don't you carry on up to the room," I suggested to Renee as we walked to the elevator. "I need to go to the front desk and fetch my room key anyway."

This wasn't exactly a lie; I did need to get a key for my room. But I also knew it was the perfect excuse to get rid of Renee and go to Seth without any questions being asked.

"Sure," she smiled, taking my shopping bags from me and taking the bait. "I'll see you up there shortly."

She left and I quickly noticed the concierge sorting some files out. So I rushed over and grabbed my room key from the reception desk before cautiously heading into the bar. It was mid afternoon so it seemed rather empty. The barman was wiping down the bar, a few punters watching some football match on a small TV. Seth was at a table by the window, sipping on a bottle of beer, looking aimlessly out the window.

I didn't say anything as I approached him, taking a seat at the table. My heart was threatening to jump out of my chest, my mouth insanely dry to the point where I wished I'd brought a drink from the bar first. His eyes darted straight to me as I sat down, a quiet joy and happiness appearing in his eyes upon seeing me, the emotions disappearing as quickly as they'd appeared. I offered him my warmest smile, knowing this conversation was going to be a tough one.

I wasn't even sure where to start if I was honest. I mean, I loved him, of this I was completely and utterly certain. But I loved Randy too, and I had to decide which route was best for me.

The boyfriend I'd been with for a year, or the man who had completely stolen my heart.

He quickly looked away again, his eyes returning to whatever was happening outside the window, his mouth taking a swig of beer. I watched him for a short while, my eyes taking in his profile as he avoided looking at me. I looked at his face, his deep brown eyes, the way his beard covered his chin, the way his nose had a slight bump in it, how luscious and pink his lips were. He was so insanely handsome and I wanted to commit him to memory.

I bit my lip, clasping my hands together nervously in my lap knowing I'd be the one to make the first move here. It was clear Seth wasn't about to open the conversation. So I swallowed down the anxious lump that had formed in my throat.

"I'm surprised to find you down here," I said. "It's only mid-afternoon."

"I needed a drink," he said, his eyes still remaining on the window. "I wanted somewhere to think."

"What's on your mind?" I asked, not totally sure if I wanted to know his answer.

"You… me… us," he shrugged. "It's been a busy 24 hours."

"I can understand that," I said. "It's been a little crazy for all of us."

"Why are you going to him?" he asked suddenly, his head finally turning to look at me. "Why have you agreed to fly out to see him?"

"He's my boyfriend, Seth," I said. "I couldn't say no."

"Why not?" he asked. "He's treated you like shit enough in the past. Why can't he have a taste of his own medicine? He fucking deserves it."

I sighed. "Please don't talk like that. I don't want to have this conversation again."

"He calls and you go running," he commented. "And here I sit completely forgotten about."

"You know it's not like that, Seth," I said a little forcefully. "You are not forgotten about. And you know you're not."

"So I kiss you, I pour my heart and soul out to you, yet it's him you go running to," he said, his eyes cold and hurt. "Did last night mean nothing to you or something?"

"Don't you dare say that," I said sternly. "Last night was fucking amazing, Seth. That kiss was without a doubt the single greatest moment of my life." He seemed taken aback by my sudden confession, but I didn't let the surprised expression on his face stop me from continuing. "It's all I've thought about since it happened and it kills me to know it might never happen again. I didn't want it to stop, it meant the entire world to me. So don't you tell me in meant nothing to me, because that kiss meant fucking everything."

"I didn't realise," he said softly.

"I'm going to him because he's my boyfriend and I need to talk to him. That kiss last night changed everything and I need to talk to him about our relationship. I'm so confused and lost over what to do so I need to discuss the way forward."

"I just…" he sighed, idly tearing the paper label off his beer bottle. "I admitted everything to you last night. I showed you how I really felt, I told you of every last feeling I have for you. I guess it just hurt to know you're already planning to see him after what we did."

"We shouldn't have done it," I said. "Especially since I have a boyfriend. But I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I'd never deny how it made me think or feel."

"And what exactly did it make you feel?" he asked curiously.

"Love," I admitted. "It made me feel love, Seth."

He stared at me blankly. "L-Love?"

I nodded. "I love you, Seth. I fucking love you, okay? And-"

But I was quickly cut off as his lips pressed to mine. The kiss was much softer than the one we had shared last night. It was tender, more loving, more gentle. It was toe-curling and sweet, and I could not help the muffled sigh that left my lips as he gently cupped my cheek with his hands. His finger softly stroked my temple as he kissed me with every fiber of his being.

My lips moved with his as I lent towards him, my body instinctively moving closer, loving the surprise kiss he'd offered me. Our lips just fitted together, moving naturally in sync, almost like his mouth was made for mine.

Slowly he pulled away, brushing his nose against mine before pulling back, looking into my eyes.

"You have no fucking idea how long I have waited to hear those words leave your mouth," he confessed. "I have kept it inside for so long, never able to admit my true feelings for you. But last night I couldn't hold back anymore, I had to let you know. And to hear you feel the same makes me know it was all worth it. I fucking love you too."

I looked up at him sadly.

"That's why I have to go to Randy. He's my boyfriend, and as much as I love you, I love him too," I said, something which he seemed to understand as he nodded at my words.

"As unbelievable as that sounds after what he's done to you, and as much as I hate hearing it, it's understandable," he said.

"So I need to go to him," I explained. "Talk things through and see what's happening. I don't want to string both of you along, and I understand if you want to see other girls or do other things whilst-"

"No," he said, suddenly clasping his hand in mind. "No other girls. It's just you, Ellie. Believe me."

I sighed. This man was utterly fucking perfect. He was a dream, a wonder, someone who I should be grabbing with both hands and running off with into the sunset. But for some fucking reason I couldn't do that to Randy. I needed time to think, to know where I wanted to go.

"Then you have to give me time to get my head straight," I said. "Time to talk to Randy, see what I want and whether I need to let him down gently."

"Just… do what you have to, okay?" he said. "I'll be here, I'll be waiting regardless of what you choose."

I stared at him, looking at him in disbelief. "What the hell did I do to deserve someone as amazing as you?"

He smirked. "Yeah, I'm pretty awesome."

I nudged him playfully. "Don't get too cocky."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he chuckled. "Just do some good thinking whilst you're with Randy, okay? Do what you have to."

"Thank you," I said, leaning forward and kissing his forehead.

"I love you," he told me.

"I love you too," I replied, wishing this was a whole lot fucking easier.

xXx

I wheeled my suitcase along Randy's driveway, walking up to the door nervously, not exactly sure what to expect from this entire trip. It had been a few weeks since I'd seen my boyfriend, and even though we spoke over the phone everyday, this would be the first face to face contact we'd had in a while.

So much had happened in the weeks that we'd been apart, the biggest thing being the closeness and eventual kiss between Seth and I. I knew I'd have to tell Randy at some point, I had kissed another man after all, but I knew now was not the right time. I needed to get it off my chest, but I sort of wanted people to be around when I admitted the truth.

Randy had not always taken the news of me going against his wishes well in the past, and I knew he had always been very… hands on with his punishments. Randy was an angry man, a man that did not take kindly to any kind of disobeying behaviour. It got him mad, it got him angry, and even though he was working towards change, I knew something this big might put a stop to that immediately and he'd revert to the violent man he'd been before.

Long story short, I was petrified of his reaction. I was scared at how he'd take the news, and I knew he would get physical when the truth came out. He hated the fact that I'd spent time with Seth, so to know I'd kissed him would push him entirely over the edge. I didn't want to be choked again, I didn't want to be hurt or beaten like I had been before. It had happened too many times and I didn't want to risk it again.

So when I told Randy everything that had happened, I wanted someone close by, someone who I could call for help, someone who could stop Randy and hold him back should he get violent. And I wouldn't get that kind of help here. It was just him and I; I had no back-up.

Nothing could be said during this trip. It was simply about spending time with him, catching up with him, and deciding once and for all whether this relationship was worth keeping or whether I should give up and go with the man who had stolen my heart.

So I knocked on the door, letting out a deep breath. Finally it swung open.

"There's my girl," smirked Randy as he stood there, his blue eyes focusing solely on me. He was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, his arm still in a cast. He looked so handsome and I was beginning to remember why I fell in love with him in the first place.

"Hi, sweetheart," I smiled, rushing into his open arms, kissing him sweetly as I held him to me.

"God, I've missed you," he said, kissing every inch of my face his lips could reach.

I giggled, closing my eyes, unable to stop smiling. "I've missed you too."

Eventually he pulled away. "Come on in," he said as I grabbed my case, wheeling it in behind me. "I've got a lovely bottle of wine chilling."

Randy's house was lovely. It was very grand and rich and I knew if we eventually moved in together, we'd sell my home in Seattle and move in here. It was gorgeous and I knew it'd be a wonderful house to run.

"How's work been?" he asked as we walked into the kitchen to fetch our drinks.

"Tiring," I admitted. "But nothing I can't handle. How's the arm?"

"Cast comes off in 2 days," he grinned as he took the bottle out of the chilled ice bucket and poured me a glass of wine. "Which means I can be back to training by next week."

"Randy, that's fantastic," I grinned as I took the glass from him, the two of us walking into the living area and seating ourselves on his large plush sofa. "It's come round so quickly."

"It'll be a while before I get back on TV, but I want to get back to training and maybe attend a few episodes of Raw. Hunter reckons I could still do some interviews and some vocal pieces even if I can't fight."

"If it keeps you in the fan's memories, then I say go for it," I smiled as I rested back into the large cushions upon the sofas. "You were always great on the mic."

"Hunter taught me well over the years," he said. "I've missed being in that ring."

"I've missed seeing you," I admitted. "It's not been the same since you've been gone."

"Shall we raise our glasses?" he asked.

"Of course," I replied.

"To my hurried return to that ring," he suggested.

"To your exciting and wonderful return," I added.

He smiled at me, the two of us clinking our glasses together and taking a sip.

"So I hear you've been hanging around with Rollins whilst I've been gone," he said, his words totally coming out of nowhere. "I'm a little curious to talk about that."

Whoa… What…?

My body stiffened, my breathing stopping, my eyes becoming big and wide. My stomach began to twist painfully, the cruel wave of fear crashing against my body.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

I slowly turned to look at him. He looked calm, his eyes giving nothing away.

"D-Don't be silly," I said, laughing his words off. "Of course I-"

"Yes you have, don't lie to me," he said. But he didn't raise his voice once. It was… creepy.

"Randy…"

"You should have learnt last time, sweetheart. I have eyes everywhere." He slowly raised his hand, softly running his fingers tips lovingly over my face. "I know exactly who you've been seeing and when you've been seeing them.

I sat on my hands to stop them from trembling. If someone had seen me hanging around with Seth, what else had they seen us do…?

"I… I… Randy, I didn't… I don't…" My voice was shaking and broken, my mind unable to form the words to say.

"It's fine, sweetheart," he said calmly, brushing my hair away from my face. "It's fine that you see him."

I frowned, Randy acting totally out of character. He was never like this. He always got angry, he always got mad, he always thrashed around, usually using his fists to solve any problems. And after all the shit that had happened between us over Seth before, I had to wonder why this time was so different. Something wasn't right.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"Let him have his time with you," he continued, taking my hand in his. "Let him enjoy his self. Because I plan to return to Raw on Monday once my cast is off. And when I do, he won't have a single second of you. He won't look at you, he won't go near you, he won't even be able to speak your name."

This was unnerving, it was strange, it put me ill at ease. A part of me wanted the anger because at least then I knew where I stood. This calmness and serenity was creepy, it was dark, it was more threatening then the anger could have ever been.

Randy was never like this and I knew exactly what was happening. He was angry for sure, but he was reining it in and saving it for the right moment. He was storing it and keeping it for the right person. Randy was no longer Randy. Long gone was my loving boyfriend. Now he was being venomous, toxic and deadly, not only in his words but in his approach.

Randy was being the Viper.

His hand squeezed mine tighter and tighter, the feeling becoming a lot more uncomfortable and painful.

"Randy…" I whispered timidly. "You're hurting me."

"There's one thing he has to understand, and to be honest, sweetheart, you have to understand it too. You. Are. Mine. No one else's. You belong to me and only me. And the sooner the two of you get that through your heads the better." My mouth fell dry, my blood running cold. "So I hope any company you enjoyed with him was fun, because it won't happen again."

"You can't say that," I tried.

"Well I just fucking did," he said, his jaw tense. "You are done with him, do you understand? Done! You are fucking mine and I'm not about to that let dirty fucking prick get his teeth into my woman."

Seth's words had rung true. Randy was never going to change. He was always going to be dark, brooding and evil. But most of all he would always be possessive. He was never going to let me go.

The viper had got his fangs in me, and I don't even think the power of the architect could ever get them out.

Again, a huge thanks to beautifultragedyxxx, dutchangel1979, Tantoune, XXbrinkofinsanityxx, MsConCon and my guest reviewer for their words about the last chapter.