It was weird being at RAW that night without Colby, she had gotten really used to him being around to do stuff with. But she got to hang out with Pamela and Mercedes at catering and rode to and from the show with Joe. The next day she dropped in at a gym with Claudio.

"Come on, girlie, let's go!" Claudio was racing by her, literally. Their metcon today involved a four hundred meter run and she simply couldn't compete with his long strides. He beat her, handily.

Afterwards they were sitting on the sidewalk by the gym pouring down sweat and catching their breath.

"You're getting better," Claudio said with a grin.

"Says the man who just killed me in that workout," Lee laughed as she began to stretch.

"Maybe so, but you kept it a lot closer than you would have two months ago," he smiled over at her and reached out for his toe as well.

"Well thanks, working with you guys will sure get a girl moving faster," she replied dryly. "Not to mention you just haven't seen my progress because you keep moving from city to city quicker with Stephen!" she stuck her tongue out at him and laughed.

"Oh now, don't be jealous, Lee! I don't get jealous of you and Colby," he said arching his eyebrows at her.

"Because there is nothing to get jealous of!" Lee shot back while moving into a downward dog pose.

He laughed, "Sure sure. Well I am sorry I haven't spent as much time with you guys. I feel like I miss things. For instance, are you still having any trouble with Windham?"

Lee sighed as she moved into a pigeon stretch, "He still sends me flowers and a card every week. The cards always talk about our fate and the alignment of the stars or some rubbish. Sometimes he sends gifts, too. Jewelry or chocolates. I always give them to the front desk of wherever I'm staying."

"You know Survivor Series is coming up, we're going to be around them a lot more…" Claudio said watching her.

"I know, but I don't see what I can do now. I feel like I just have to wait and see if anything changes," Lee said moving out of her stretch and looking up at him.

"Well, I think you should stay close to Colby or I when we're close to Smackdown," he said seriously while standing up. He offered his hand and helped her to her feet.

Lee rolled her eyes, "You sound just like Colby," she drawaled.

"Because we are both your friends and we are worried," Claudio said as they walked.

Lee stopped and turned and put her hand on his arm, "I know. Thank you. I promise I will be careful. I have absolutely no desire to be by myself with him, I assure you." She leaned in and gave the Swiss Superman a quick hug. He returned it before they began walking again.

"Good, because you'll make Colby jealous," he said and skipped out of her arm range to avoid the punch she sent toward his midsection

Colby joined them by their next stop, meeting them in LA. Lee went to pick him up from the airport since she was already in the city. He had text her that his flight was running late so she decided to get some coffee and told him she would be waiting by baggage. Which is exactly where he found her, sipping coffee and reading a book. He saw her from the top of the stairs and smiled to himself. He couldn't believe how happy he was to see her. She looked completely relaxed and just 100% herself; coffee, a book, and an attitude that said the world could crash around her and she'd still be reading. He started to walk toward her, surprised with himself at how much he had missed her in just a week.

When he got close she looked up from her book and noticed him. When their eyes met she smiled and put her book down, standing to greet him. He immediately reached out and enveloped her in a hug, catching her off guard a little, but after a moment surprise she returned the hug. He pulled back.

"Hey," he smiled down at her, "thanks for picking me up."

"It's not big deal," she said blushing a little after the unexpected attention.

He leaned down and picked up his bag again, "Man, it feels good to be back. I was having flashbacks!"

"I bet," she chuckled, "but no worries, you're back and still in the Championship hunt for Hell in Cell. All is right with the world." She grinned at him.

Raw that night went off without a hitch, Colby storming down to the ring and attacking Kevin Owens without further injury. Then they got to spend a few days in LA seeing the sights before heading on to Oakland. Stephen, who had recently been filming the new Ninja Turtles movie here knew several of the best places to eat and party at so he became their tour guide for the week.

Then it was time to make the drive to Oakland. Colby and Lee found themselves in their own rental car for the the five hour drive. They were leaving by seven am to make it in time for a meet and greet Colby had at two. To say Colby wasn't a morning person was an understatement. So Lee started the drive while Colby slept. A couple hours into the drive she couldn't help it, she had to stop for some coffee. Which brought Colby around.

When they got back in the car he took over driving.

"Would you pick a song? Stop flitting around," Colby said exasperated.

"I'm not in the mood for any of these songs," she said scrolling down the list on her ipod.

"It's your ipod shouldn't you like something on it," he was still a little grumpy.

She scowled at him, "You know what, fine!" she hit play the voice of Chris Lane came over the speakers. "Just because you're being all grumpy we're going to listen to any country love song I feel like."

He made a face, "Whatever, as long as we listen to whole songs at a time!"

So they did, they listened to every love song she had on her ipod as Lee sang along.

"It's different for girls, when their hearts get broke. Can't tape it back together with a whiskey and coke. They don't take someone home and act like it's nothing, they can't just switch it off every time they feel something.."

"I don't think that's really fair," Colby said thoughtfully. He was more awake now and not as snippy.

"What's not fair?" Lee asked distracted.

"This song. Talking about how guys turn off feelings when they get hurt" he elaborated.

Lee thought for a moment, "I'm sure you're right, just like I'm sure that there are girls that do that. But you have to admit guys are more often emotionally distant."

"Well we're supposed to be," he said. "We're all raised to be 'tough guys' and that if you show feelings too much it's feminine."

"That's probably true," Lee agreed. "But that creates an endless cycle. Guys are raised to be unfeeling, so they perpetuate the stereotype, so then women have that idea of them which is why this song can say that and not really be lying, and then we all teach our young boys to be the same way. In fact, if they show too much feeling even at a young age they can start to be labeled feminine or gay. I'm not saying it shouldn't be changed but we all continue that stereotype and literally create men who are emotionally detached in relationships."

"Exactly, and I think it takes a lot of us a long time to grow out of the idea that they have to be that guy who doesn't really care in a relationship. I mean, not that I'm blaming anything for my own stupidity in 2015, but maybe if stereotypes were different than I wouldn't have done what I did to Leigh."

"And Zahara for that matter," Lee added.

"Zahara? People don't usually feel bad for the girl I cheated with…" Colby said a little confused.

"No, and they shouldn't, I'm sure it was as much her fault as yours. I'm sure she deserved whatever happened," Lee said stone faced. She drew her knees up into the seat with her.

Colby glanced at her, "You've been cheated on haven't you?"

"No," she said softly, "I've been the other woman. Once, only once. I won't be again." she answered, her expression hard.

"What happened?" he looked at her again, she still wasn't looking at him. Lee remained quiet for a moment. "You don't have to tell me, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine, it was a long time ago. I was in college. I had just started to lose weight and he was the first guy that made me feel pretty. But he was dating a friend of mine. They had been dating a while when she had to go home for a time. So he and I became friends while she was gone. We spent a lot of time together, too much time together. We sort of became more and then he broke up with her while she was still at home dealing with family stuff. When she came back he went back to her and I realized he had just been lonely. I was just a placeholder. I hurt my friend just because a guy had told me I was pretty. It took me a long time to learn to live with that. It's still the only thing I've ever regretted," she said it all quietly and never looked at him.

"I'm sorry, Lee," he reached over and took her hand so that she finally looked at him, "We all have moments like that, it doesn't make you a bad person."

"I'm guess," she said. "I'm doesn't make me a good one either, though. But like I said I learned to live with that weakness in myself a long time ago" she smiled and squeezed his hand. "So where are we?" she pulled her hand away and looked around.

"I think we still have about an hour left. Can we please listen to something other than country?" he pleaded.

Lee giggled, "Ok, I've got a song we should both like." She turned on You Had Me at Hello by A Day to Remember and they both smiled.

The rest of the week Lee barely saw Colby. She had been scheduled for her own conference. After Raw she spent the next three full days at meetings and listening to speakers. The conference was for sports doctors specifically. Lee got to listen in while several of the country's top Sport medicine providers gave her new information. She was like a kid in a candy store! She made friends among some of NFL's top Physical Therapists spending the evenings out at different pubs joking with the men and few women at the conference with her. On the last night she was sitting at the end of the table with the trainer for the Indianapolis Colts, Dave.

"So, Lee, you like working in the WWE? It seems like awful lot of travel," he asked as the meal was winding down.

She smiled, "Yeah, I do. It is a lot of travel but right now that's more fun than it isn't. I like getting to see all these new places and I don't really have anything tying me down yet."

"Maybe," he replied slowly, "but you might not find something to 'tie you down' if you don't first stand still," he chuckled.

Lee took a drink from her glass, "So what's your point if you don't mind me asking outright here…"

He took a second stacking his silverware and napkin on his plate before looking up at her, "Lee, you are an excellent PT, anyone can see that. You're bright, you're young, you're thirsty for knowledge, you get along well with athletes, and can handle yourself under scrutiny. I'm not as young as I once was. I'm looking for someone to bring in that I think could take over the program when I'm ready to leave," he watched her reaction. "Tell me, is it really all sunshine and roses working there?"

Lee first thought was of Windham. But then she thought of Colby. She looked up and smiled, "No job is all sunshine and roses, Dave."

"Maybe, but just think about the offer. Ok, Lee?" he slid her a business card and then got up with his check to pay. Lee took the card and looked at it for a moment before slipping it into her phone case.

"You don't have to wait for me, you can take the earlier flight with all the guys, " Lee was arguing with Colby. They were at the airport and their flight had been overbooked, so Lee, being one of the last to check in was going to have to take a later flight...a one a.m. flight in order to make it to the next town on time.

"Then you would be stuck in this airport by yourself for the next few hours," Colby scoffed.

"I'm a-"

"big girl and you can take care of yourself," he finished. "I know, but how about for a change you have some company while you do?"

Claudio, Stephen, Austin, and Ettore were all standing to the side smirking at the two.

"But then you're going to have to do the show on little sleep tomorrow night. That's not good for you!" she argued.

"Who says? I can sleep on the plane and I should have time to sleep four or five hours at the hotel, the same as you," he countered.

"Yeah but that's not good sleep, and I don't have to go throw people around I'm front of thousands of fans on live TV," she crossed her arms.

"I've done it in worse condition. Dammit, Lee, I'm staying to keep you company, you can't stop me, I'm a grown man!" and with that he turned to the counter to exchange the ticket.

Lee threw her hands up in the air, "Fine, but when you miss a bump tomorrow and get hurt because you were exhausted don't come crying to me." She walked away over to the guys, "Well I guess you guys are on your own. Don't get into too much trouble without me."

"Aww give us a break we survived a long time without you," Stephen grinned.

"And I have no idea how," she shot back.

"No worries, we will see you tomorrow. In fact, we will make sure whoever has the latest meet and greet tomorrow comes and picks you guys up," Claudio leaned in and hugged her. She laughed and agreed. Then they headed onto the plane with a wave, she turned back to find Colby walking toward her.

"Oh I see, they say goodbye to you."

"Please, you know they like me better," she said and picked up her bag. "Come on you mule-headed male. Let's go get coffee if I'm gonna have to stay up at least four more hours."

They spent the next couple of hours wandering through the various shops at the airport, remarking on the prices and some of the more ridiculous items the stores sold. They had fun trying on the different hats in one shop, taking various silly pictures together in their cowboy hats, fedoras, and flat bills. Finally, the made their way back to their terminal lounge and took over one of the benches. Lee began to read while Colby tried to find a comfortable position to sleep.

"This bench just needs to be a foot longer for me to be able to lay down on it!" he said giving up and sitting upright.

"I could move to a different one? Or too the floor? Then you would probably have enough room," Lee said. "Here-" she started to get up but Colby pulled her back down, "No, I've got a better idea." With that he leaned over and laid down with his head in her lap, looking up at her, "Ahh," he sighed with a smile, "Much better, even a built in pillow."

Lee looked down and laughed, "Oh well, as long as you're comfortable then!" she teased.

"I am, thank you."

"Anything else you need, little boy? Did you want me to sing you to sleep, too?" she laughed and shook her head.

"Yeah, thanks that'd be great," he answered with his eyes closed.

"You're on your own," she said and pulled her book back out. They sat comfortably silent for a few minutes before Colby spoke, "My mom used to sing You are My Sunshine to me." he looked thoughtful as he remembered. "She was no great singer, but I still loved when she sang to me."

"I'm sure she sings just fine," Lee smiled at him over her book.

"Did your mom sing to you?" he asked looking up at her.

Lee placed her book down, "Yes, nearly every night she would sing my brothers and I to sleep when we were little."

"What did she sing?" he asked curiously.

Lee looked far off thinking, "Well I remember a couple hymns she used to sing, but mostly I remember her singing this old song, Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart," Lee replied looking down.

"I don't know that one," he said.

"No, it wasn't overly popular, I don't think, and it's from the 20's or something." Lee said off handedly.

"How does it go?" Colby asked.

"I'm not going to sing to you in the middle of an airport, Colby," she said looking bemused.

"You don't have to sing the whole thing, I just want to know how it goes. Besides, there is no one around," he replied leaning up and looking around pointedly.

Lee looked around too and then licked her lips a little nervously," Ok, I'll sing part of it," she said.

She closed her eyes and took a breath before looking back at him;

"Goodnight, sweet dreams,

Tomorrow's another day.

'Til then, goodnight, sweetheart."

As she had sang he had closed his eyes and she smiled. He was falling asleep, she gently moved his phone from off his stomach so it wouldn't fall before returning to her book.

"That was beautiful, Lee," he muttered.

"Thank you, Colby. Get some rest, I'll wake you when we are about to board."

"Ok," and with that he turned his head and drifted off.

About an hour later it was time to board. Lee woke Colby and they made their way onto the plane. Once seated both of them fell asleep for the duration of the flight. Only waking to the sensation of touching down on the ground.

Colby being slightly more rested took charge and helped the half-awake Lee navigate through the airport and down to where Austin was waiting for them. Lee fell back asleep in the car and had to be re-awoken at the hotel. Slowly, with Colby's arm around her they made it inside to check in. Austin left them at the lobby and headed out. Colby thanked him and he and Lee entered the elevator to make it up to the third floor, where they were both staying.

"Come on, Lee, let's go," he picked up both of their bags as they elevator let them off on their floor. She followed sleepily, once at her door she pulled out her key to open it before turning back to Colby.

"Thanks for taking care of me, Colby," she said with a sleepy smile.

He grinned in return, "I think we took care of each other."

She shook her head, "No but thanks for staying, even when I told you not to," she looked him in the eyes and smiled again.

"You're welcome," he replied looking back at her. They stood like that for a moment just looking at each other. Then slowly Colby leaned in. He pressed his lips gently to Lee's. After a second of hesitation she jumped like she had been shocked. They pulled back and Colby looked down embarrassed, "Sorry, Lee, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, Colby," Lee said looking down flustered. "We're both just tired, that's all." She looked up again, a little sad.

He looked at her for a second before looking down, "Yeah, I guess. Well, goodnight, Lee." He looked back up.

She smiled and stepped up to him and kissed him on the cheek, "Goodnight, Colby."

She turned walked into her room, closing the door behind her. Inside she sank down against the door and put her head in her hands.

Lee sat against the door for a while. When Colby had been looking at her she had felt so good. That familiar melting sensation had started in her belly again. It was happening so much more often when Colby looked at her. Dammit, why did he have to do that? It wasn't fair. She knew she liked him, she wasn't stupid, but he couldn't like her. He was just tired and lonely. More than anything she had wanted to kiss him back, but she couldn't have handled it if something more serious had happened between them and then he realized later it was a mistake. What if something happened and then things were weird between them? He was her best friend! No, she had done the right thing. She would just have to pretend nothing had changed. No, nothing had changed. She had been trying not to feel things for him since virtually the beginning. She would continue to do so.