Hello, lovely readers!

Hope you're all well. I have finally finished my Christmas shopping so there's a huge weight lifted off my shoulders now. I literally adore Christmas, so I'm glad to say I can finally enjoy the festive fun-ness of it rather than the annoying shopping now.

Raquel the writer – Yes, he does!

Rileyjade – He has, and it will come in good time.

FearlessBecca – Thank you so much, that's so lovely of you to say. Sheamus will be returning soon, and he'll be bringing a truck-load of drama with him.

Beautifultragedyxxx – It has! Holly has a lot to think about now and another guy to deal with.

Seth rollins babe – Thank you!

Taytaymullins – Aww thank you! So glad you are enjoying this little story.

Calwitch – Don't worry, we all know this is a Dean/Holly fic, but after how he's been acting, Randy needed to come forward with his feelings. I think Holly is just knocked for six and utterly blown away by the suddenness of his declaration, especially since she thought they were simply friends. She does see him as a brother and a best friend, and this will be further shown in this chapter.

Tantoune – Dean is a darling at heart. And as much as he wants to beat the living daylights out of Randy, he knows how much it would hurt Hooly, and she always comes first. Thank you for the continued support.

Guest – It will soon.

Dutchangel1979 – I rarely check my PMs but I did receive yours. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope things are much better for you now. There is absolutely no need to apologise for not reviewing, I'm just sorry you've had to go through losing someone, especially at Christmas time. At least you're all caught up now and enjoying the story still.

This chapter is named after 'Truth' by Bloc Party

Holly Helmsley's Point Of View

I was heading back to my hotel room that night after the Smackdown taping when I spotted Randy fishing through his pocket for the key card to his room. He was stood outside his door, searching both pockets of his jacket for the card.

"Try your jeans," I interjected. "That's where you usually keep it, isn't it?"

He jumped at my words, not expecting me to be walking down the corridor towards him. His head darted in my direction as I casually walked over to him. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights, but I wasn't going to let his surprised look deter me. This was a conversation that was needed and we were having it whether he liked it or not.

He'd managed to avoid me for the whole of the Smackdown taping. He wasn't in his locker room, he hadn't been in the cafeteria, and whenever I'd spotted him at some point in the corridor he'd managed to get away before I was able to approach him. I wasn't sure if it was coincidence or whether Randy was actively avoiding me, but either way, we hadn't spoken since the kissing incident the night before and I was determined to sort it out now.

"Uh, yeah. Good call," he murmured, sliding his hand into his pocket and pulling out the key card, flashing it at me. "Found it."

"Can we talk?" I asked as I reached him, his body instantly stiffening up at my words. I noticed his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallowed, his eyes cautiously looking down at me.

"Right now?"

"No better time than the present," I shrugged, making sure he wasn't getting out of it this time.

He rubbed the back of his neck before he slid the key card into the reader on the door, the motion unlocking it. "Sure," he said. "Come on in."

He pushed the door open and entered the room, switching on the lights. I followed him quickly, letting the door close behind us.

I took a seat on the bed as Randy began emptying his pockets, taking off his jacket and sorting through his bag. He had his back to me as he messed around and I knew it was a delay tactic. I knew it was his way of keeping busy and avoiding the conversation we would inevitably have, a silence enveloping us.

But I wasn't here to sit there and watch him sort out his bag or tidy up, I was here to discuss the situation he'd put us in last night. I was here to put things right between us.

I was here to get my friend back.

"Randy…" I tried but he didn't listen to me. He continued to sort out the clothes in his bag. "Randy… Randy… Randy!"

I was more stern in tone with my last attempt, my voice a lot louder and clearer. His shoulders dropped and he sighed, turning to face me.

"Sorry…" he said as he left his bag and dropped onto the bed beside me. I turned to face him, ready to talk.

"I think you can guess why I'm here," I said, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.

He laughed once to himself. "Yeah, I've got a good idea why."

"I just think it's the big elephant in the room and I seriously think we need to talk it over," I suggested. "It's clear from today that things aren't right between us after what happened and I want to get us back on track."

"Makes sense," he said, hardly looking at me, his answers short.

I ran a hand through my hair. "I'm not sure where to start," I said. "I suppose the best question to ask first is why?"

"I thought it was pretty obvious why," he said. "Why else do you kiss someone?"

I looked at him, not exactly a big fan of his sarcasm. That wasn't going to get us anywhere. "Well normally it's because you like them."

"Well there's your answer," he said.

"Sarcasm isn't helping, Randy," I said in annoyance.

"Sorry," he said apologetically. "Just a bit nervous, I guess."

"It's okay. I'm just trying to wrap my head around this. You've never ever given me the hint that you like me. I've known you for years, Randy. You've never suggested it once."

"I guess things only got worse in the last few weeks," he said. "Things just built up to the point where I felt the need to tell you."

"Why? If you've never felt the need to tell me before, why now?"

"Ambrose," he said, finally looking at me. "Dean fucking Ambrose."

I sighed, hoping this wasn't the answer. I was hoping when he'd mentioned Dean last night that he was using him as an excuse, a route to get out of the true reason he'd kissed me. But now it seemed like Dean was the truth, the real reason for it all. And a feeling of dread filled my heart. These two hated each other enough, I didn't need anymore fuel added to the fire.

"Dean is my friend," I said.

"So you've said," he said. "But you seem rather close for just friends, Holly."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

I hoped he didn't know about Dean's visit to Connecticut… or the almost kiss.

"Even a blind man can see his feelings for what they are. The way he storms the ring for you, the way he watches you, the way he beat the living shit out of Sheamus."

"He's an Authority bodyguard, Randy," I argued. "He's just doing his job."

"So what about the week you were away? You didn't see how miserable he was without you here. He did nothing but mope around and isolate himself. And earlier at the restaurant. You excused yourself to go to the bathroom and within seconds he was out of his seat following you, checking you were okay. Seems more than friendship to me."

"So?" I argued. "You're my friend and you'd have done the same."

"Yeah I would… because as we've discovered, I fucking like you, Holly. And so I think he does too."

I sighed. "Randy… Dean aren't in a relationship if that's what you're insinuating."

"But it's heading that way," he said. "It's fucking obvious to see. So I knew I had to put my name into the mix too. I had to kiss you and let you know that I'm here too, that there are other options out there apart from Ambrose."

I looked at Randy for a short while, neither of us speaking, my mind curious. He seemed so passionate about the subject, so determined to not let Dean squirm his way into my life. So I had to wonder how all this began, how these feelings had even formulated.

"How long have you felt this way about me, Randy?" I asked him.

He looked away again, his eyes looking off into the distance. The question seemed totally out of the blue for him, but it was one he obviously knew was coming.

"A while…" he answered.

"Since I was a kid?" I asked.

"God, no!" he quickly said, looking at me again. "I'm not some dirty pervert, Holly. Jeez!"

"Then when?" I asked. "I've known you for so long, so when did it begin?"

He looked at the floor thoughtfully. "Since you came home from college and joined WWE," he said. "So about four years."

I knew my mouth was hanging open, but it was down to the pure astonishment and shock I felt in that moment. Four fucking years. He'd liked me for that long! How the fuck had he kept it quiet for four years and I'd literally picked up on nothing?

I quickly closed my mouth, swallowing nervously as I placed a piece of hair behind my ear.

"But… I don't… I can't… W-Why didn't you say anything?" I stammered.

He shrugged. "Several reasons, I guess. I didn't wanna ruin our friendship firstly. I was also scared you'd think it was weird. Of course there's the age difference, which I know is only ten years but it's still there. Plus the fact that Hunter would probably kill me…"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I couldn't believe it had been going on for this long and I'd been none the wiser. Everything that I'd mistaken for friendship had in fact been affection and love. No wonder he stayed so close to me, no wonder he never left my side, no wonder we forged such a strong and powerful friendship… because for Randy it had always been something more.

This was crazy.

"H-Have you ever told anyone?" I asked.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "And to be honest, if Ambrose hadn't shown up when he did, it would still probably be a secret now."

"This is insane…" I murmured to myself.

"But Ambrose did show up, and suddenly I was threatened," he said. "Suddenly someone else was vying for your affections."

"But I've had boyfriends in these four years," I said in confusion. "You never said anything then."

"Because I could tell they wouldn't last," he said. "I could tell whether they were casual, I could tell when you were that interested in the guy, I could tell if the relationship would be one that sticks. But with Ambrose… it's different."

"The only way it's different is because I'm not actually with Dean," I said. "You're over reacting to nothing, Randy. We aren't together."

"Yet," he said. "You aren't together yet. And that's what made me react. I can see where it's going, Holly. His feelings are obvious to see, and I can see yours are heading the same way."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Randy, stop."

This was getting ridiculous. He was creating a relationship that didn't even exist. Yes I cared for Dean and he cared for me, but it was friendship. And we'd had our moments; hell, the guy had almost kissed me. But nothing had happened since then. I definitely felt something for Dean, after everything we'd been through how could I not? But I wasn't sure what his were for me or if I would ever act on whatever feelings I had. I was still discovering my own feelings for Dean, but Randy was acting as if we were full blown lovers. He was being stupid.

"But at least you know now that I want you too, that I care for you and want to be with you as much as he does." My heart pounded at his words as he admitted how he felt. It was so alien to hear such words fall from his mouth, but they were whether I liked it or not. He suddenly took my hand in his. "And I know it's a lot to take in. I'm sorry the kiss came so out of the blue but I had to let you know."

"Randy…"

He began to rub the back of my hand with his thumb.

"I don't know how you feel about me, but I seriously want you to think about what I've told you. I want to give you time to take this information in. I really want you to consider me as an option, Holly."

"But you aren't just an option, Randy," I tried, keeping the tears at bay. "You're my best friend… my best friend of four years… a guy I've known since I was 13 fucking years old…"

My head was beginning to hurt again.

"Just think about it, okay?" he pleaded. "I'm willing to wait for your answer. I've already waited four years, a little longer won't hurt."

I looked at him, hating the situation we were now in. He was my friend, my best fucking friend, and now he'd put a massive spanner in the works and totally fucked things up.

Could I see him in a new light? Could I see him as something more?

Truthfully, no. I couldn't. Randy was my best friend and that's all it would ever be for me.

But as I looked at his determined face, I knew I couldn't hurt him in that moment by letting him down and telling him no. He looked so unwavering, so adamant, so hopeful that I just could not tell him no.

I felt shit, and I knew it was wrong of me, but I knew now was not the time to turn him away. He'd just poured his heart and soul out to me, so I decided to give him a chance tonight and let him down once the dust had settled more. Now wasn't the right time to break his heart.

I wanted to cry, I really did, the guilt of the situation hitting me hard, but I knew it would wound me more to see the hurt and distraught look on Randy's face if I told him he had no chance with me.

"I'll… I'll think about it," I said, not believing my own words. "Can I just have my friend back in the meantime?"

He chuckled lightly as he stood up. "Yeah, I think I can manage that."

I followed suit and stood up, knowing the conversation was essentially done for now. It was late and I knew it was time for bed. Our talk had given me a hell of a lot to think about, my mind emotionally exhausted, a good night's sleep was exactly what was needed. So he led me to the door and opened it. I stepped out into the corridor, turning to face him as he stood in the doorway.

"Thanks for talking to me," I said. "I'm glad we managed to sort things out, even if it's just a little."

"Thanks for listening," he said. "I know it was a lot to take in, but at least you know the truth now."

"I guess…" I said, my head and heart still feeling uneasy about this new information.

"Just promise me you'll think about it, okay?" he said. "I know I can make you happy."

I took a deep and nervous breath. "I, uh, I'll think about it."

And then he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around me and embracing me in a warm and tender hug, resting his head on top of mine. I buried my face in his chest as I slipped my arms around his waist, wondering when all of this got so complicated, wondering why things couldn't have stayed as they were. Things between us were great. We were the greatest of friends and you couldn't find two people who were more close. Little did I know how he was feeling the entire time.

We pulled away and he softly brushed a piece of hair away from my face. "That's all I ask."

He tenderly pressed a kiss to my forehead, his head quickly whipping round as something sounded down the corridor.

I turned to look, my body freezing, my eyes widening and my heart dropping at the sight before us. I wanted to be sick, my mouth running dry as we saw Dean down the corridor, his eyes staring intently at us. I couldn't read the emotions on his face, but I knew whatever he was feeling inside, it wouldn't be good.

He looked between both Randy and I, his eyes cold and his limbs stiff, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. He didn't blink once as he looked between us. He was froze to the spot and my automatic reaction was to step out of Randy's arms.

I waited for Dean to say something but he remained calm and silent. Instead he simply averted his eyes and carried on down the corridor, walking past us as he headed to his room.

Any guilt I felt over Randy was doubled when I thought about Dean and what he had just seen. A hug was a purely innocent action, but from the look on Dean's face, he hardly saw it as something innocent.

I hoped he wasn't mad, I really did. There was nothing behind the hug and he knew I was planning to fix things between Randy. So I prayed with all my heart that he figured this was a way of fixing our friendship. I hoped that he'd believe me when I told him it was a friendly gesture.

Why do you care so much? Like you said to Randy, it's not like you and Dean are together.

But I did care...

This was all so fucked up and I wished with all my heart a black hole would swallow me up and suck me away from this complicated life of mine, a life that had been amazing only 24 hours ago…

xXx

Raw soon came round and in turn that meant it was time for the ladder match to find a new holder of the Money In The Bank briefcase. It was amazing how quick the match had arrived, but now was the time for the seven entrants to fight it out in the ring and climb the ladder to win the ultimate prize – a shot at the WWE World Heavy Weight Championship.

I knew it was going to be a tense match, several of my friends entered for it, but the fact that the match was even happening was because Sheamus was no longer around. He'd been gone for a few weeks now and I couldn't say I missed him. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say! But his absence meant the briefcase didn't have an owner. So I was curious to see who would climb to the top of the ladder and claim the prize.

Kane? Big Show? Roman? Seth? Dean? Daniel Bryan? Or Dolph Ziggler?

I was impatiently waiting backstage, watching as my brother greeted each fighter before they made their way out to the ring. He was chatting to Kane when I quickly noticed the Shield warming up the fight. I hadn't really seen much of Dean since he awkwardly passed Randy and I in the hotel corridor almost a week before. So I was eager to see him, I was eager to check things between us were fine.

So I made my way over.

He was stretching his arms as I approached him, his hair already wet. Hunter would be bringing all three Shield members out so for the first time ever they would be making their entrance via the stage rather than from the stairs. Dean quickly noticed my approach, stopping his stretches so he could greet me. I relaxed a little when he offered me a smile.

"You excited for the match?" I asked once I'd reached him.

"Sure am," he said with a determined smile. "It's been a while since I've been involved in a good ladder match. I used to fight them all the time back in the day."

"Bet its strange knowing you'll be fighting your brothers," I said, looking over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of Seth and Roman warming up for the fight.

"It is, but we know its all fun and games," he said. "Anything that happens in the ring stays in the ring."

"It's a good mentality to have," I said as I diverted my eyes to look back at him.

"So did you manage to patch things up with Orton?" he eventually asked me, addressing the obvious elephant in the room.

"As well as I can," I said.

"You both seemed rather… happy when I saw you last week," he said, mentioning our hug outside Randy's room. His tone seemed a little cold, his eyes looking away.

"After everything that's happened, he's agreed to still be my friend," I explained. "I couldn't ask for more from him so of course I'm happy."

He quickly looked back at me. "Wait… so you're just friends?" His voice seemed brighter, almost hopeful.

I nodded. "For now. He agreed to give me time and to be my best friend again."

"Did he now?" he said thoughtfully, a smirk on his lips. "Good to know."

I noticed the glint in his eye, the brightness that filled them again. He stood taller, his body language positive upon hearing my words. I didn't want to think too much into his positivity after hearing Randy and I weren't an item, but it was kind of empowering to know that I could get him to react that way with a few simple words. Plus it was good for him to show a confidence before the match.

It was then that Hunter was ready to walk out with the boys.

"Good luck out there, okay?" I said, taking Dean's hand in mine and squeezing it. "Don't tell anyone but I'm routing for you the most."

He chuckled. "I guess I have no choice but to go out there and win it for you then."

"Be careful," I quickly added as he turned to join Hunter and his brothers.

"Always am, kid," he said before he left me alone.

I wasn't afraid to admit I was nervous. I'd seen many ladder matches in my time, some of them even involving Randy and my brother. So I knew how truly dangerous they could be. I knew Dean had a strong background with these types of violent matches, but it still didn't stop the nerves from creeping into my body. The Shield's music began to play and Hunter and the guys emerged onto the stage. So I quickly rushed backstage, entering the room where monitors were set up so the Superstars and Divas could watch the fight. I saw an empty seat beside Paige and Sasha so I hurried over, taking my seat.

"You excited for the match?" said an energised Paige. It seemed she couldn't wait for it.

"Nope," I said honestly, folding my arms.

"Why?" asked Sasha.

"They make me nervous," I said. "I've seen Hunter and Randy get enough injuries from ladder matches. My anxiety is unreal right now."

"Dean is gonna be fine, Holly," Sasha said softly, my friends knowing immediately whose direction my worry was aimed at.

"I know," I said as all 7 men stood in the ring. "And I know how much he loves ladder matches. But I still worry."

We watched as the bell sounded and the match began.

"Then have faith in him," she said as they all began to fight. Dolph was the first to move, running out of the ring and throwing in a couple of ladders. Dean went straight for Daniel Bryan as Kane followed Ziggler. Roman began setting up a ladder as Seth passed one to Kane, the co-Director of Operations moving to ram it straight at Ziggler. The blonde fell to the floor as Kane began beating on him.

Roman took the opportunity for an early shot at the hanging briefcase, climbing the ladder he'd set up. Unluckily for him Bryan spotted this. So he threw Dean from him and ran to Roman, pulling the Samoan from the ladder. Whilst all this had been going on, no one had spotted Big Show pulling out even more ladders from under the ring.

I sank into my seat, watching as they were pulled out one by one until over 10 ladders were in or around the ring.

"Is there really any need for this many?" I said. "They only need one to grab the briefcase."

"Are you kidding?" said Paige, bouncing in her seat. "Bring out more!"

The match continued on for what seemed like a lifetime. I watched most of it through a gap in my fingers, far too nervous to witness it without hiding my face behind my hands. Everyone was exhausted, ladders spread out everywhere. Big Show had planted one like a bridge, folding it up and laying one half on top of the black barriers whilst the other lay against the ropes of the ring. He'd managed to push Daniel Bryan into it, the man lying on the floor, a ref at his side checking he was okay.

Seth too was lying tiredly on the floor whilst Kane and Roman were too busy fighting each other to care about the briefcase.

And that's when Dean saw his opportunity.

My friend looked exhausted as he set up a ladder underneath the hanging case. He was sweating, several cuts and bruises along his skin from where he had been hit by the ladders. I watched nervously as he took a deep breath and began climbing the ladder, the crowd cheering wildly as they followed him to victory.

He climbed higher and higher, my heart pounding with each step he took until he was at the top.

"Holy shit, he's gonna do it!" said Sasha as Dean lifted his arms to grab for the suitcase. It was within his grasp, his fingers touching it…

Until Dolph Ziggler put a stop to it.

He stood at the foot of the ladder, grabbing both sides with his hands and pushing it sideways until it toppled over, taking Dean with it. He fell from the height, an all mighty crash sounding as Dean fell and his body landed on the bridge-like ladder below it, almost breaking the metal in two.

The crowd went wild at the spectacle, loving every minute, This Is Awesome chants filling the arena…

The reaction in the back was totally different, gasps and murmurs of worry filling the room from everyone watching.

I froze up, my breathing stopping as I whimpered, my hand shooting to cover my mouth. The impact of his body onto the ladder below was hard and harsh. He fell, letting out a loud cry as his back hit the metal.

Oh god… No…!

He writhed in pain before he lay there, lifeless, unmoving, a look of absolute agony on his face as every terrible thought and emotion hit me at once. My hands began to tremble, a cold chill running up my spine.

He's hurt… Dean… Fuck…

I didn't think twice. I shot from my seat, fighting away the tears, running to get to him, needing to know he was alright.

He had to be… He just had to be…

Again, a huge thanks to Raquel the writer, rileyjade, FearlessBecca, beautifultragedyxxx, Seth rollins babe, Taytaymullins, calwitch, Tantoune, Dutchangel1979 and my guest reviewer for their reviews.