It had been 2 days since he had his incident with The Raven. Two days of Dean and Roman teasing the hell out of him. When Roman came to pick him up from the restaurant Dean was in the passenger seat, they both had huge smiles on their faces, but burst out laughing when they took in his appearance. He looked like a wet cat, his hair was frizzy and wild, unlike in the morning when he had it pulled back in a sleeked ponytail. His beige shirt still clinging to his body with a soda stain that covered the entire front. When he got into the back seat of the car, Dean turned in his seat and threw the clean shirt they had brought him. He teasingly asked "So lover boy, I take it she didn't go for your charming ways?" Dean started to laugh. At least, Roman tried to hide his laughter but his shoulders were still shaking from his effort. Seth rolled his eyes and mockingly laughed back at Dean, as he changed into the dry, clean shirt. Once Roman got himself under control, he asked sympathetically, "Seriously what happened, man? I thought she was like girl of your dreams. I mean you said you had a connection with her when you first met her."
"I did, I mean I do. She was upset because when we met, Elizabeth was my girlfriend. She accused me of being a player. She wouldn't let me speak or explain myself. I got really frustrated and mad when she accused me of trying to "get into her pants". I said something I shouldn't have said." Seth whispered the last part as he looked out the window unable to meet their eyes. "Dude, what did you say?", Dean asked intriguingly, what could Seth have possibly told her to make him feel this bad. "I told her that's not what Randy said."
"Ooo man that really is low. So that's why you were bathed in soda?", Roman said as he starred at Seth through the rearview mirror.
"Yea, she got really mad and dumped her drink over my head and stormed out of the restaurant."
"What are you going to do?", asked Roman.
"I think I need to let her cool down before I try to approach her again."
"You are a better man than me, I wouldn't go near the bitch again if she had done that to me.", said Dean. "Ouch! What the hell was that for?"
Seth had punched Dean in the arm, "Don't say shit like that about her." After The Raven had left the restaurant he was livid but then he reflected on what she had said. She was basically upset because he was going to kiss her and he had a girlfriend at the time, he could understand that. She had to have felt something that day if not, why would she had gotten so mad? Why, why did he have to get so pissed at her and say what he did. Never had he spoken to someone like that, only Danielle when he had caught her cheating. The Raven had already gotten under his skin, he was behaving in ways he otherwise wouldn't have.
He came to the arena early to escape the constant teasing of Dean and Roman and he hoped to find The Raven before Monday Night Raw started.
The Raven had arrived to the arena early with Kane hoping to find Randy and Seth, to speak to them before Monday Night Raw started. She need to have things settled between them for the shake of their work environment. She and Randy were part of the Authority and soon Seth and his Shield buddies would be working with the Authority. The last thing she needed was for management to see tension between them.
The Raven was walking down an empty corridor to go meet Kane in the arena to practice a little before the show, when all of a sudden she was grabbed by her arm and slammed against the wall. She was about to scream when she felt a hand over her mouth and Randy Orton's body pushing up against hers. He had her lower body pinned to the wall with his and an arm across her chest at the same time holding down one of her arms. She tried to struggle to break free from his hold but Randy was bigger and stronger than her not to mention pissed off at her to let her go. When he was satisfied she was not going to scream, he took his hand away from her mouth. "What the hell, Randy?", The Raven was so angry at being manhandled. She could see the anger in Randy's eyes and his body shaking with rage. The Raven started to feel fear but she did not let it show. "Is that all you have to say to me? You leave without saying anything and 3 months later you are back and you avoid me."
"I wasn't aware I owed you an explanation for my whereabouts." The Raven said furiously.
"Damn it, Raven", Randy yelled in frustration as he slammed his free hand against the wall. "We were going out, we had a good thing between us."
"NO! Randy were we not going out." The Raven hated to say it but it needed to be done, she never mislead him but he obviously read more into their arrangement than she had. "We were just FUCK BUDDIES, when I needed you, you were there and when you needed me I was there." She yelled in his face. "We never went out or talked about what a great love we had. All that was between us was sex. When you tried to make more of it, I broke it off and I told you, I did not want nor was I ready for anything serious." She could feel his hold on her body tighten as his anger at her words increased. When she was done he stared at her first with fury and then with hurt in his eyes as her words sunk in.
"I cared about you and I thought you cared about Me.", he said with sadness in his voice.
"I am sorry Randy, I never meant to hurt you. I was just going through some stuff and I wasn't thinking straight. I apologize for ignoring your voice mails and texts, I was being selfish and I just needed time to myself.", she pleaded softly for his understanding. The Raven felt terrible for hurting Randy, he was there for her when she was at her lowest. With her free hand, she caressed her former lover's cheek softly, remembering the times she had gone to him. He was always good to her. Randy closed his eyes at her tender touch. "Please, Randy let me go.", she implored him.
Randy opened his eyes again and ignored her words, "I still do want you Raven and I know you want me. You can't tell me that all those times we were together you felt nothing because I did." "Randy, pl-" before she could say another word, Randy captured her lips in a desperate kiss. He poured all of his need and want for her into the kiss demanding that she respond. The Raven struggled against his body trying to break away from him but again she was no match for his strength. He forced her mouth opened to deepen the kiss. She made her body relax against his and little by little his grip on her body loosened, she took the opportunity and kneed him between the legs. He instantly released her, as he stumbled back groaning in pain and holding his member. "You bitch!", he said breathlessly. The Raven started to run but he was quicker and grabbed her arm in a bone crushing grip. "Randy let me go, you are hurting me." She cried out. Before Randy could say anything, suddenly Seth appeared, "Let her go!", he said in a commanding but calm voice. The Raven was relieved that someone had come to her aid but did it have to be Seth. "This is none of your business Rollins", Randy said painfully between clutched teeth, trying to over come the pain he felt between his legs. "Well I am making it my business. Let Raven go or I will report this to management." He said as he closed the gap between him and Randy. They were only a couple of feet apart, both staring at each other intensely. The Raven looked from one to the other, neither seemed like they were going to back down. Suddenly, Kane's voice rang out in the empty hallway, "That is enough, Randy! Let Raven go. NOW!", he said menacingly. All eyes were on Kane as he slowly came toward them.
Suddenly, Randy shoved her into Seth, his arms going around her, catching her before she fell to the ground. Kane grabbed the front of Randy's shirt and brought his face closer to his and said each word slowly and deliberately to the smaller man. "She said no to you before she left and I am sure she just said no to you again. Get it through your head, she is not interested." Kane released his hold on Randy and continued, "You, me and her have to work together and pretty soon with him too." He pointed to Seth. "We!", he motioned to all of them. "don't need this shit. Get over it. Move on already. Do I make myself clear?" Kane said, as he moved dangerously close to Randy. To his credit, Randy stood his ground not moving an inch as he looked up at Kane with defiance and a some fear in his eyes. "I hear you.", he said sulkily.
"Good now get your ass out to the ring. We have some things to go over before tonight's show." They watched as Randy walked out to the arena. Kane turned his attention back to Seth and The Raven. With the same menacing voice he used with Randy, he said. "You two, sort out your shit. We are professionals for god sake, lets act like it. You have 10 minutes, then I want YOU out there.", he pointed at The Raven. It was rare that Kane got mad but when he did, you listened. "Yes, Kane.", she whispered. Seth simply nodded his head in agreement. Kane turned around and walked the same path Randy had moments ago.
The Raven looked at Seth shyly, he still had his arms protectively around her waist. "Thank you, Seth." She said looking up at him through her lashes. "You're welcome", he said softly. He realized he still had his arms around her and immediately released her. The Raven wanted his arms to stay around her, she felt a great deal of comfort but most importantly she felt safe. "I take it that you were trying to clear up the misunderstanding you had with Randy" Seth said matter a fact. "Yes.", she replied.
"He looked pretty pissed. Do you think he will come after you again?", he said with concern.
"I don't think so, Kane was very clear. Plus, I think he got the message this time.", she said as she walked toward some empty crates and sat down on one. She patted the crate next to her for Seth to sit beside her. Once he did The Raven turned her body toward him and looked into his big brown eyes, " I actually came to the arena, so I could speak to you before the show started." Seth laughed a little. "Why do you find that so funny?", she asked as she started to loose her courage. "Because, I also came early to find you and to apologies about the other day.", he said. The Raven smiled. "Well, let me go first." "Of course, ladies first.", Seth replied good heartily.
"I wanted to apologies for what happened in the restaurant, for not letting you speak or explain yourself. I am sorry for dumping my drink on you. I am also sorry for calling you an asshole and just leaving you there. I am sorry for overreacting.", she said, as she looked down at her legs, swing them back and forth against the crate.
Seth grinned as he looked at her, she looked so cute and adorable with her head down, like some naughty little child waiting to be punished. He put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face up so he could look into her beautiful hazel eyes. "I am sorry to Raven, for what I said about Randy. I was upset and I let my temper get the best of me.", he said as he released her chin and ran his fingers through his hair. "I was a different person back then and I made some mistakes and I am sorry if I offend you in away back then." It was the best he could do to explain about having a girlfriend. The Raven smiled at him accepting his apology. Seth jumped off the crates and stood in front of The Raven. "Lets start over.", he said. He held his hand out to her and introduced himself, "Hi, my name is Seth Rollins." She jumped off her crate and placed her hand in his, "Nice to meet you, my name is Raven Duran or The Raven." "I like your tattoos", he said, as he turned her hand around so he could get a better view of her interior forearm. "Thanks.", she said as she felt goose bumps suddenly start to form on her arms and back, from Seth's touch. "Are you cold?", Seth asked as he saw her goose bumps. "Yes there is a draft in here.", she lied, feeling embarrassed. "I better get going. I don't want to keep the giant waiting."
"No, you better not, I hear he has a wicked temper.", he said with wink. She giggled, as she started to walk toward the arena. "Hey wait, we should at least exchange numbers. We need to seriously start working on a routine for Hunter.", said Seth. They exchanged phone numbers and then The Raven run out to the ring. Seth watched her go, maybe there was hope for him and The Raven after all, he thought as he whistled down the hallway back to his shared locker room.