June 1, 2014
The Raven was pacing back and forth in the hotel room waiting for Seth to return from his meeting with Hunter. The Shield had again defeated Evolution, so plan B as Hunter called it would take place tomorrow during Monday Night Raw.
The guys had really given it their all, at one point she thought they were going to lose but they were able to pull it together and win. All three took a beating, especially Roman. Evolution had stripped Roman of his vest and then each member took their turn beating his bare back with kendo stick. She didn't know how Roman had the strength to continue but he did. The turning point came when Seth dove off the wall and fell on all three members of Evolution and he then crawled back into the ring. The Shield was able to pin all three members of Evolution without any of them being pinned. It was an exciting match.
The Raven could hear Seth putting the key card in the slot to open the door. She ran to the door as he open it, she stood in front of him as he came into the room and closed the door behind him. He put his bag down on the ground. She could see him moving tentatively, obviously from the beating he took earlier. She followed him to the bed as he lowered himself slowly to sit on the edge. She could see him cringing in pain. She kneed in front of him and removed his shoes and socks. When she was done she looked at Seth, he had a grin on his face but she could see the pain in his eyes. She shook her head.
"You know some of the shit you do takes my breath way. You could have really hurt yourself leaping off the wall like that. Didn't you learn from the last time leaping off that damn baloney?", she was trying to sound irritated with him but she was proud of his boldness.
"Just some bruises Rave, no big deal.", he said as he ruffled her hair, knowing she was not really upset with him.
"Lets get you ready for bed.", she said as she stood up and helped him remove his jacket and shirt. Seth hissed as the material of his shirt skimmed over some of his bruises. She could see the large red angry bruises, the outer edges already starting to turn purple, on his right side. The side he used to land on Hunter, Randy and Batista, when he leaped off the wall. He also had some smaller dark purple bruises on his ribs and arms, at least he didn't have any cuts, she thought. She helped him out of his pants, he was left with his blue boxers on. She then pulled back the covers and he slowly moved his body to the middle of the bed and laid down on his back. She fluffed the pillows behind his head to make him more comfortable. She then got off the bed.
"Where are you going?", he asked as he saw her walk away from him.
"I am going to the closet to get some ointment and cold compresses from my bag for your bumps and bruises." When she returned to the bed, she paused and stared down at Seth. He looked so exhausted. His beautiful skin marred with bruises. She sat on the bed next to him and began to apply the ointment to his right side. The Raven could see him wincing in pain and inhaling sharply from her touch. She tried to be as gentle as she could rubbing the ointment over his bruises. When she was done, she snapped the cold compresses and placed them on his right side.
"So what did Hunter have to say?", she asked as she worked on his ribs and arms.
"He said when Dean, Roman and I are doing our promo in the ring. He will come out with the members of Evolution and interrupt us. While Hunter has Dean and Roman distracted, I will use a chair to first take out Roman and then Dean." Seth paused for a moment. "I am not looking forward to tomorrow. I am sad that the Shield is coming to an end but it was going to happen eventually. I am excited though to see how far each of us will go in our individual careers. Rave each of us has a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Since I am to become a heel, I image Roman and Dean will be fighting me for the title."
"How can you trust Hunter to live up to his part?", she asked as she finished applying the ointment and gave him a cold compress for his ribs.
"I thought about that, so before I left his office it was agreed that I would win at Money in the Bank.", he said with a grin.
"Wow, Seth that guarantees you a title match for the entire year."
"Yes, and that is all I need, a chance. I know when the opportunity comes to cash it in I will be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion."
"I am so happy for you." She leaned forward and kissed him, thrilled that he was that much closer to fulfilling his childhood dream. When she pulled away he held her by the side of her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb. His big chocolate brown eyes tenderly gazed into her hazel ones. "I want you to stay beside me tomorrow, Raven, especially after it all goes down. They will be angry and I don't want them taking it out on you.", he said protectively.
She smiled at him, she thought he was being kinda silly, "They won't Seth."
"You never know. People do things they otherwise wouldn't when they are angry and feel betrayed. Just promise me you will stay by my side." He wanted her to take what he was saying seriously. "Promise me.", he said again but more sternly, when she hadn't answered him.
"I promise.", she whispered.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers and then kissed her on the nose and forehead. She closed her eyes taking pleasure in his show of affection. When he was done he released her and laid back against the pillows.
"Do you want some pain medication?", she asked with concern.
"No, I took some at the arena. I think that is why I am so tired now.", he said drowsily. She got off the bed to turn off the lights and then went to the left side of the bed and laid down next to him, careful not to touch him. She then covered them both with a blanket.
"Raven come closer.", he implored her, he always slept better feeling her body pressed beside him.
"I don't want to hurt you."
"This side is not as bad, come on, come closer."
She did as he asked and laid her head against his shoulder and pressed her body against his side. He put an arm around her waist and brought her close to him. His nearness and body heat always made her feel safe and something else she was just not ready to admit to.
"Goodnight Rave."
"Goodnight Seth."
June 2, 2014
The Raven was standing in the Authority locker room watching the TV monitor. Hunter and Randy went out to the ring, minus Batista who had quit earlier that night. Hunter had a sledge hammer in his hand as he said "There is always a plan B."
Seth then hit Roman in the back with a chair, causing Roman to sink to the ground and onto the bottom ropes of the ring. His back was already damaged from last night, so the one hit was more than enough to bring down the powerful Samoan. The crowd was shocked and didn't know how to respond to Seth's action, including Dean, who stood shocked. Dean looked at Roman on the ground and then at Seth with the chair in his hand. He then tried to attack Seth but with the chair Seth hit Dean in his midsection. Seth continued to hit again and again.
The Raven turned away from the monitor unable to see anymore. It made her sick to see the brutally, in which Seth attached his former partners. She could hear the fans start to boo and then chant "You sold out." When she turned back to the monitor it was now Randy beating on Roman and Dean with a chair.
When Randy was done, Hunter and Seth entered the ring and stood over Dean and Roman. She would see the look on Seth's face. He was not smiling, he holding back the pain and regret he felt for his actions, his eyes never leaving Roman and Dean. The crowd started to boo them.
Suddenly, The Raven heard her phone go off. She had received a text.
Hi Raven your outfits are ready to be picked up. Also Seth's new outfit is ready too.
It was a message from the Wardrobe Department. She looked back at the TV monitor and could see them still out in the ring. She decide to go and quickly get their outfits, so when Seth returned to the locker room they could leave.
Seth walked into the locker room, he still had a rush of adrenal running through his body. He just wanted to get The Raven and leave the building. He felt bad for what he had done, but he knew it was the next phase in his career. He did not come here to be part of a group to be a third wheel, no he came here to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and if it meant he had to be the villain then so be it. He looked around the locker room and realized it was empty. Where was she?, he thought.
"You did a great job out there Seth.", Kane said with a smile as he walked into the locker room with Hunter and Randy behind him. Kane padded the younger man on the back.
"Thanks Kane, but where's The Raven?", he asked with concern. He told her to stay in the locker room until he got back.
"I saw her leave a few minutes ago.", Kane replied.
"Where did she go?" Seth could feel the level of anxiety rise in his body.
Hunter walked up to Seth and put his arm around his shoulder. "Hey don't worry about your girlfriend, I am sure she will be back any minute. But you really did great out their Rollins. I am proud of you, I look forward working with you.", Hunter said cheerfully. The fans were so shocked, they didn't know how to respond at first, he knew the ratings probably shot through the roof tonight and undoubtedly social media was buzzing with the events that took place moments ago.
Hunter went on telling Seth about his bright future in the WWE. Seth was only half hearing him, he was worried because The Raven still had not returned to the locker room. When Hunter was done he shook Seth's hand and left.
Seth saw The Raven's phone by the TV monitor and pick it up, hoping for a clue as to where she went. When he was done reading the last text she received, his heart started to beat faster. The time stamp on the message showed 25 minutes ago, she should have been back already.
"Seth are you ok?", Kane asked with unease, he could see him holding The Raven's phone.
The Raven was trying to be quick about getting hers and Seth's outfits but Becky insisted she try them on first. Becky was a middle aged woman, with fair skin and blond hair she currently had in a bun. She was always so motherly and nice to her, The Raven did not want to offend her so she did as Becky asked and tried one on. When Becky was satisfied by her handy work The Raven changed back into her normal clothes. Becky then started to make small talk.
"Becky, I am sorry but you remember why you made that new suit for Seth?", she asked anxiously. She knew Seth had probably returned to the locker room to find it empty and was probably worried when he did not find her there.
"Of course, honey.", Becky said sweetly.
"Well it happened tonight."
"Oh is that why the fans were booing." Becky never watched the show she didn't like to see how some of the superstars got hurt.
"Yes and I have to get back to Seth."
"Ok, say hi to him for me. You two make such a cute couple."
"I will, thank you Becky.", she said as she grabbed her things and kissed the older woman on the cheek and walked rapidly back to the locker room.
The Raven was relieved she was almost there, she rounded the corner and came face to face with Dean and Roman. She could see the anger in their faces, especially in Roman's, his eyes and face were red and his jaw was clamped tightly together. Their fist were balled at their sides.
"Where is he?", Dean asked through gritted teeth, his face and ears red with rage.
The Raven took a couple of steps back, the air caught in her throat making her unable to speak as she looked from one man to the other. There were very few situations that intimated The Raven but this was definitely one of them. Both men were towered over her, were quicker than her and were trained fighters, for once she wish she had listened to Seth and stayed in the locker room until he came back.
She tried to turn and run but Roman grabbed her arm in a vice grip and dragged her toward him. She dropped the clothes in her hand as she was slammed against Roman's powerful chest. She struggled against him. He now had her by both arms and shook her violently. "Where is he?!", he demand as he yelled in her face with the rage and hurt at being betrayed by a person he considered his friend and brother.
The Raven could feel the waves of rage radiating off Roman's body. For once she felt true fear toward Roman, "I don't know! Let go of me damn you!", she yelled back with anger, refusing to show him just how afraid she was at the moment. This only earned her a slam against the wall as Roman pinned her.
"Don't you fucken lie to us Raven! Stop trying to protect your fucken back stabbing boyfriend!" Dean yelled as he stood beside Roman. But the truth was she didn't know where Seth was, the last time she saw him, he was out in the ring with them.
Through the cloud of anger, Roman realized that she didn't seem surprised by what had happened out in the ring. His eyes narrowed and his grip on her arms tightened. "You knew.", he stated in a low steely voice. The Raven yelped in pain at his tightening grip. "Yes.", she said breathlessly, trying to conceal the fear she felt but fail miserably.
"You knew and said nothing." Roman raged.
"He is my boyfriend. Did you honestly believe I would betray him like that?" The Raven closed her eyes realizing it was the wrong thing to say.
Roman laughed bitterly. "That day at the bar, it was not Naomi you were referring to it was me and Dean, wasn't!"
"Yes." There was no point lying to him, it would only make things worse. "And you said that even though we had to be one way in the ring it didn't mean we could still be friends."
Dean didn't know what they were talking about but he still interjected. "You fucken think we are going to be friends with him after this. He did this so he could be closer to you, DIDN"T HE?"
"No! He said you guys did everything there was to do as a group and it was time to move on."
"Ever since he met you he as spend less and less time with us. I bet it was you that convinced him to join the Authority.", Dean said with disgust.
The Raven did not like the direction of this conversation, she was trembling with fear but she had to pull herself together and get away from them. She did the only thing she could think of and kneed Roman in the groin. It was enough for him to loosen his hold on her. He put one hand over his groin and with the other her seized her by the throat and held her in place. The Raven clawed at his hand but it only made him squeeze harder. She was starting to see stars when suddenly...
Maybe Seth was making a big deal out of nothing but he needed to find her, he needed to make sure she was ok. He left the locker room without saying a word to Kane, to go find her. Kane was concerned by Seth's behavior and decided to go with him.
Seth was turning the corner when he came face to face with his worse fear. Roman had The Raven by the throat against the wall and Dean standing beside him. In total beast mode, Seth charged Roman. He hit Roman a couple of times in his side ribs and then grabbed him by the neck and did a neckbreaker. At first Dean was surprised by Seth's sudden appearance but then attacked him. The two wrestled each other to the ground.
Kane went to The Raven, who was on the ground trying to caught her breathe with one hand protecting her throat. He held his hand out to her and helped her to her feet. "Are you ok?", he asked.
"Yes.", she said once on her feet. "Stop them Kane.", she said weakly as she pointed to Seth and Dean.
They were rolling around on the ground. They stopped with Dean on top. "You back stabbing son of a bitch!", he yelled as he punched Seth in the face. They started rolling around again and this time Seth was on top. "You leave her the hell alone you bastard. Your fight is with me.", he yelled back and punched Dean.
Kane then grabbed Seth by the waist and pulled him off Dean.
"Let me the fuck go Kane!", Seth said filled with rage at seeing The Raven being choke by Roman.
He pinned Seth to the wall. Dean bounced up to his feet and was going to attack Seth but Kane punch Dean in the chest. Dean took a couple of steps back but was ready to pounce. "You back the hell off Ambrose or I will report this to management how you and Roman attached The Raven. So if you don't want to get suspended or fired, I suggest you get Roman and get the hell out of here. You guys will have plenty of opportunities to get revenge out in the ring.", Kane said firmly.
Dean stood their huffing and puffing, eying Seth with anger and hate. He calmed a little at Kane's words. He was not going to let this little prick end their careers, he would get him back for his betrayal, maybe not now but soon. He went to Roman who was in a sitting position still dazed from the neckbreaker and helped him to his feet to leave.
When they were almost gone Kane released Seth. He immediately went to The Raven who was leaning against the wall opposite of him. "I told you not to leave the locker room.", he was trying to be mad but was relieved she was ok.
"I am sorry, Seth.", she said as she hugged him and buried her face in his chest and started to sob. Seth closed his eyes trying to get the image of Roman choking her out of his mind. He hugged her back and looked down at her, he could see red handprints on her tricep and bicep muscles. He clenched his jaw, angry he did not get to her sooner. He put an arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground and carried her back to their locker room.
Kane pick up the clothes off the floor and followed them back to the locker room.