Chapter 11 – Hide and Seek (Part 2)

"Ye'll tire yerself too much if ye'll keep running at that pace." Drew sighed, leaning his forearms on the treadmill Chesca was running on; the half-Italian, had earphones in blasting Black Label Society's Stillborn, snorted through her fast breaths and picked up the small bottle of water resting on the console. She took a long sip and threw the plastic to her pro, who didn't expect it and failed in catching it.

"You better get ready to step into the ring," she said, taking deep breaths as she started to slow down her rhythm. "Someone promised me I'd get to practise dropkicks." Drew picked the bottle up and looked at her for a couple of seconds. She was done with her cardio session, the gym shorts' fabric stretching with her legs as she extended them on the bench; the Scotsman turned his eyes away from her as she caught him. "Are you done staring?"

"Hmm?"

"Never mind." The young rookie replied with a small smirk on her lips. She walked up the steps of the training ring, and ran the ropes in the meanwhile that her pro was taking off his shirt; she imposed herself not to look at his muscles flexing as he did so, and ordered her mind to remember about Hawkins. After all, the New Yorker had been her escape from liking Drew and letting her indulge in the pleasures of even thinking that something between them could have ever happened.

"Something had me thinking you were buried in this gym."

As both pro and rookie heard that female voice, they turned their heads and discovered that it was Taryn to have joined them. The blonde smiled widely at them, her heels clicking on the parquet of the gym as she walked towards the training facility; Chesca forced herself into lifting her hand to wave at her. Drew seemed surprised enough to see his wife; he held her in his arms for a second as soon as she had approached him, while she left a quick kiss on his thin lips.

"What are ye doin' here?" He asked, much to the woman's disappointment.

"Just thought I'd pass by and see how my husband is doing." She replied, pushing a strand of hair away from the Scotsman's face. "What are you guys up to?" Chesca rolled her eyes as the Southern girl spoke. It wasn't jealousy – at least she didn't believe so - it was just that the blonde was the furthest from being similar to her. She was all focused into starting her wrestling training with the Scottish wrestler, and because of that not-too-smart Barbie lookalike, she had to delay it.

"Dropkick day," Galloway said, freeing himself from Taryn. "And we're running late on the schedule, lass. Stu needs to get in the ring with Katie still."

"How about I help her with the training?"

"Sorry?" Chesca interrupted, pretending that she hadn't heard anything.

"I mean," Taryn continued, pulling her hair up in a loose bun, "I don't think you can practice body slams with Drew." The Scotsman could totally see in Chesca's eyes that if she could have done it, she'd have kicked his wife out of the gym. It was time for him to stand in the middle.

"Love," the pro spoke, looking at the blonde. "Doun't worry, we're good."

"Chesca?" Taryn talked directly to the female wrestler in the ring. "What do you say?"

The temptation starting to grow in Chesca would have wanted her to say yes, and to let her step inside the ropes with her. Maybe, something could have casually gone wrong and the blonde would have ended up breaking one of her fingers, or being submitted in a leg lock so hard that she couldn't have been able to walk for a month.

Drew crossed the half-Italian's look; he was begging her. He was literally praying for her not to release her anger and frustration over his wife. And thankfully, Chesca was smart enough to know that 'eliminating' the only thing dividing her from the Scotsman wouldn't have been the right thing to do. Once again, she kicked the memories of the night spent with Drew and of the love she thought to have felt away. She relaxed her face in a smile and shook her head.

"I must do what my pro says, Taryn."

"Oh well then," the blonde shrugged her shoulders, and sat on one of the benches facing the ring. "I'll just keep you guys company then. Be careful not to hit him too hard in the head, huh?"

From behind his wife's back, as he got ready to wrestle with Chesca, Drew sighed and sent a grateful look to his rookie. In response, she inhaled deeply and nodded once. Their secret had to be kept safe, and the best way to do it was to behave like nothing more than simple colleagues; everything was safe, for the moment.

Stu had been in the training facility for just under fifteen minutes with Katie, discussing things not exactly on the topic of wrestling. Eventually he pushed her towards the weights and gestured for her to pick up a set. "Get lifting then." She turned to him, clearly not impressed that after all this time he was still ordering her about.

"Don't you think I've worked out enough today?"

"We never finished what we were doing, remember?" She rolled her eyes, just wanting to forget what had happened that morning. "You want guns like mine. Perfectly sculpted. Look at them. Admire them." He flexed his muscles, bunching and tightening under his taut tanned skin. She watched his biceps contract and couldn't help but stare. Her chocolate-brown eyes darted to his cocky smirk as he leant forward and held out his arm to her. "Touch them." Immediately, Katie backed away. What he was doing was completely obvious in her mind. She had to take a defiant stance or else the ball would be in his court; and she wasn't having that for even one second.

"No."

"Go on, I don't bite." She folded her arms over her chest, letting out a deep sigh.

"If I recall correctly, you do."

"Well, I don't bite anymore; I'm not allowed." Stu placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed lightly. "In one week I can." She shrugged him off, trying to concentrate on lifting the dumbbells which were gripped tightly in her hands. Her tongue swiped over her dry lips as she looked over her shoulder.

"You won't be able to hold out...But you're going to have to." He watched her for a long moment, secretly admiring her training her already-toned arms further. This wasn't good; he wanted to get under her skin. He wanted to challenge her.

"Need help with that?" Katie almost dropped the weight from the closeness; his hot breath fanned across the back of her neck, making her shiver.

"I know how to lift weights, Stu."

"Really? Do you really?"

"Okay, I know what you're doing." She stepped forward, placing the dumbbells back in their place on the weight rack. "You're trying to get to me. Let me tell you something, big boy, it's not going to work." He lodged his tongue into his cheek, trying not the give away the fact that she was right. This training session wasn't about working out in the slightest; it was about trying to get his rookie to cave in.

"You know what? You can do weight training in your own time. Get in the ring."

"Ooh, authoritarian. You really know how to treat a lady." Katie rolled her eyes when he stared at her, his expression serious and stern. She rolled into the training ring in a less than dignified way; Stu climbed the steps and ducked under the second rope, his feet planted firmly on the loose canvas. He backed into the springy ropes, pointing to the opposite side where she stood.

"Run the ropes." She placed her hands on her hips, feeling defiant as usual.

"I ain't leap-frogging over you."

"You don't have a choice. We're the only two in here." He reminded her with extra emphasis; like he had something planned for the two of them. "You shouldn't be scared to do simple stuff like this." Katie screwed up her face, offended that he would think that she was afraid to do something so straightforward in a ring that she had been working in for well over a year.

"I'm not scared, you idiot. You're just really tall. When am I ever going to be against some girl that's your size?"

"Clearly you don't remember Aloisia..." The Englishman drifted off, not really wanting to remember that monster of a woman himself. She could have probably lifted him over her shoulder and torture-racked him with ease. He shook his head, leaning back into the ropes with a solemn expression on his face. "Come on, I haven't got all day."

"But, I haven't stretched yet."

"Fine, do that then."

"You don't really have your head in the game today." She spoke with a condescending tone. "Something bothering you, Bennett?" He watched her bend over in front of him, stretching her legs and touching her toes slowly. She could've sworn that she heard him gulp from behind her.

"...Absolutely not."

"Mmm, stretching feels so good." Stu tried to hide the growl which escaped his thin lips, fast losing his patience. He tugged on her arm, twisting her around and inadvertently pulling her against him.

"Enough of that."

"See something you like?" Katie giggled, brushing her hand over his shorts and sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. "Getting excited, are we?" His eyes followed her hands, gently stroking him through the dark material. He couldn't crack; he just couldn't. She feigned a mournful sigh when he forcefully grabbed a hold of her wrists and turned her around so she was against the ropes.

"Ropes. Run them. Now."

For once, she did as she was told. Katie bounced off the ropes on opposite sides of the ring as Stu watched her with hawk precision. He clutched her hand when she strode to the middle of the canvas, placing his other hand at the small of her back and whipping her into the ropes with sheer force. She ricocheted off them, running under him as he leapt over her petite frame and landed expertly back on his feet. He nodded towards her to have her go and she obliged, wanting to get the training out of the way so she didn't have to endure anymore of his snide remarks and shifty movements. As she whipped him into the ropes, Stu stretched them back a fair distance before springing forwards, much quicker than either of them anticipated. They crashed into each other in the centre of the ring, Katie landing on his hard body with a loud yelp.

"I told you!" She snarled, punching him firmly in the chest with no thought for his welfare. "I can't leap-frog you." He growled back at her, the back of his head throbbing from smacking hard into the canvas.

"You didn't even try!"

"I fucking did."

"If you think that you can't do it, then you're going to get it in your head that you can't." Katie scoffed; tempted to place her hands around him and wring his neck.

"You really piss me off."

"I know." He flashed a smile at her, almost proud of himself for getting to her. She stared at him as he edged closer, pulling her on top of him further and brushing his lips against hers teasingly. Kissing wasn't cheating; he was completely willing to hedge his bets. Katie ran her tongue across the tips of her teeth before climbing off of him and rolling out of the ring.

"You're insufferable." She whined, opting to throw a few hooks to the hanging punching bag in the corner of the room. Stu watched her with a simper, knowing that he had gotten under her skin; the punching bag taking the brunt of her frustration. He mumbled to himself as he felt the thrumming tingle in his shorts, if anything, becoming even more prominent.

"This is going to be a bloody long week..."

The half-Italian sat backstage, lacing her boots up over the leather tights she was already wearing; she needed to gain all the concentration she could have because the upcoming match was against a tough opponent like Madison. Also, she was going up in the NXT rankings, and a victory over Maryse's rookie would totally do her good.

Chesca stood up and looked at herself in the mirror; she adjusted her elbow pads and tightened her wristbands, at least until she heard someone clearing his throat behind her back. McIntyre was right there; he was standing with folded arms in a blue dress shirt and dark grey dress pants, his hair in a pony tail as usual. The rookie admitted to herself that not only her pro was good looking; there were times in which he was gorgeous to look at.

"Hi pro."

"Oh, ye talk tae me nou'?" Drew sarcastically said, sending her a smirk.

"Since you're at ringside with me," she replied with an annoyed sigh. "I say we better behave like we're the best of friends, right?"

"Ye do say smart things at times." He continued, raising his eyebrows at her. Chesca rolled her eyes; it was one of those times in which she'd have liked to kick him in the head. She couldn't blame him after all; he was acting the same way she had been acting towards him. Like a complete asshole.

The bell ringing from the arena and the small crowd exploding signalled the end of the previous match; it was almost time for them to make their entrance.

"After ye." The Scotsman nodded to the curtains, adding a small bow to it. Chesca didn't have to hear it twice; she shook her head at him and started to walk towards the gorilla position, cracking the knuckles of her left hand on her right's palm. The young woman's eyes enlightened as soon as she got there; a familiar blond guy, in a pair of black leather pants and just a dress jacket over his bare torso was talking to the security guards.

"Hawkins!" Drew heard his rookie exclaim as soon as she had seen the New Yorker; the former Edgehead turned just in time to see her run to him, and wrap her arms around his thick neck. The Scotsman busied himself in rolling up the shirt over his elbows; he totally wasn't in the mood to see those two behave like teenagers.

"Hey you," Curt said, eyeing her up. "I heard you have a match in a few minutes."

"Exactly." The Scottish wrestler's growling voice sounded. He totally didn't seem too uneasy with his presence.

"How about I join you guys at ringside?" Hawkins suggested, shrugging his shoulders. "Think about how crazy the fangirls would go."

"Ah doun' think that-"

"Shut up Drew," Chesca silenced her pro. "It's going to be fun." Without wasting time, the half-Italian positioned herself in front of the stage entrance; Curt went on her right, offering her an arm which she gladly took. Seeing as Drew wasn't doing anything, the rookie turned her head at him and whistled.

"Only fer this time." Galloway walked up to her left, lending her an arm just like Hawkins had done. He had to pretend that he didn't like the touch of her hand on him; the young woman caught his eyes for a second, and smiled. For once during that day, it had been a sincere smile.

As the trio entered, the people in the FCW arena greeted them with a mixture of surprise and excitement. Hawkins seemed to be the one in his natural habitat; he took Chesca's hand and showed her off, lifting up her arm so she could turn on her heels. Drew walked a couple of steps away from them, fully in character; he clapped his hands and pointed at his rookie, from time to time choosing a random first row fan to shout at, saying that the brunette under his guidance was the best out of the whole bunch of participants.

The blond took her up to the steps, a self confident smirk plastered on his features as he pushed the lower rope down with his foot, making it easier for her to enter in the squared circle. Drew walked up to the corner, trying to stay calm; his first instinct would have been to stop the New Yorker from acting like a cheerleader to his own rookie by punching his pronounced jaw. Yet, Chesca seemed to appreciate the constant cheering that her current fuck buddy was providing her with, firing up the crowd and convincing them into preferring her to Madison.

Katie's ultimate enemy entered from behind the curtains, followed by an ever so stunning Maryse; the leading woman on the rankings shook her head in a disgusted way as she looked at the Glen Cove native, which was now massaging Chesca's deltoids with his hands and whispering words into her ear. The French-Canadian pro's music kept on blasting as Madison jumped on the second rope, turning her head and then sending a challenging look to the half-Italian.

Drew however, was at a breaking point. He went inside the ring, shooting a glare to the man that was taking his place into mentoring Chesca; Hawkins rolled his eyes as soon as he saw him getting closer.

"Get back tae yer place nou'."

"Kick her ass," were the last words Curt said to the young woman, before he rolled out from under the lowest rope. The rookie looked at her pro, not without a snort.

"We need this victory, just tae carry on yer newborn winning streak," Drew said to her, leaning down to talk into her ear. "So doun't let me dou'n." Chesca couldn't believe how he could find it in himself to behave like a normal pro, especially after what she'd done to him. For a second, she looked up into his wonderful eyes, wondering how he could have the patience to deal with someone that was clearly pushing him away like she was doing. "Ches?"

"Y-yes." She finally said, brushing her hands through her hair and acting as if nothing had happened.

The bell rang, and Drew went out the ring and leant with his hands on the apron. Almost like a female Festus, the half-Italian let a scream out her lungs to completely get into the zone; she sent worries and problems away, and shot a self confident look to her opponent.

The two women locked up in the middle of the ring, but after a few seconds Chesca had been stronger enough to kick the girl from Raleigh in her abdominals and make sure she'd be the successful one in tempting a headlock, taking her under her arm. Madison pushed the half-Italian forward, sending her against the ropes; on her way back, the girl stopped in the middle and performed a leap frog, but McIntyre's rookie took the boost that she got from running the ropes on the other side to take the chance and strike a spear on her opponent, causing the small crowd to go wild. Madison ended up with her back on the mat, and the half-Italian hooked her leg; but she obtained just a two count.

"That's it, baby!" The blond wrestler at ringside shouted, slamming his hands on the apron; Galloway rolled his eyes, shaking his head at the former Edgehead's enthusiasm.

Smacking her hand on her thighs, Chesca demanded support from her supporters. She waited for Madison to stand up before kicking her again, pulling her head between her own legs and using all her strength to lift her up on her shoulders, preparing her for a power bomb; but Madison literally dived herself down on the other side, sliding between her legs and performed a roll up. The referee counted, but the Chesca's opponent only got a count of two. Both Curt and Drew sighed, while Maryse screamed at Madison to do a better job and be meaner.

McIntyre stomped his fists on the apron rhythmically, trying to help Chesca in standing up from the armbar that she had been submitted to. Hawkins shot a rapid look to the Scotsman, and ended up running on the stairs, stepping with his feet on the ropes and clapping his hands over his head; Drew didn't like how his rookie seemed to like that kind of support. As soon as the blond had started with his stadium-like cheering, Chesca had looked at him with a smirk on her lips and struggled with all the force she could muster, finally freeing herself from Madison's grip.

Chesca threw a punch to her face, and her opponent replied; they went on for a couple of minutes, the boos and cheers from the people sitting in the FCW arena, but this time it was Maryse's rookie to win that confrontation. She rapidly performed an uppercut on Chesca, turning on her heels, leaving her slightly stunned in the middle of the ring. Madison ran the ropes thinking that it'd have been her chance to strike a clothesline on her opponent, but as she was almost a feet away from her, her opponent lifted her knee up.

It connected with Madison's abdominals; the woman from North Carolina fell forward, rolling over Chesca's leg and ending up on the mat, groaning in pain. Drew widened his blue eyes and unconsciously smiled; the young woman was really doing her best. Hawkins had jumped off the steps, looking in amazement at Chesca; the wrestler in him was falling more in love with her by the minute. An idea flashed through the half-Italian's head; she licked the sweat on her lips and smirked, then pointed her finger at the Scotsman. Drew raised an eyebrow, curious.

Chesca took advantage of an extremely tired and sore Madison, bending over so she could lift her up from under her arms. She pushed her head slightly on her side, and looked around; McIntyre folded his arms on his chest, and pulled his lower lip in his mouth. A genuine smile slowly appeared on his features; Chesca had loaded Madison into the Future Shock DDT, his finishing move.

She performed it perfectly, and the people exploded in a cheer; the half-Italian finally obtained a count of three, and the bell sealed the match's ending. Hawkins jumped on the spot, and brushed his hands through his blond hair; Drew slowly walked inside the ring, the satisfied smirk never leaving his lips.

As soon as Chesca saw him, she turned to face him with her hands on her hips. He probably didn't know that the fact that she had used his finisher was a way to show him how, despite all the bad blood that had started to flow between them, she loved how he wasn't giving up on her, behaving like and even maybe better than Hunter. She smiled, and bent her knees while bowing her head at him. The Scotsman kept on applauding her and the amazing job she had done; he wanted to pick her up in his arms and hold her right in the middle of the ring.

The only one who could do it in that moment was the blond man that had just stepped in the ring. Immediately going to greet Chesca, Curt threw his arms around her and lifted her up from the mat, turning around. For a moment, Drew feared that he could end up kissing her soft lips in front of everyone; but he just left a noisy and humid kiss on her sweaty cheek, raising her arm up in victory, again.

Almost like a joke, the words of McIntyre's theme song echoed in the arena in that very moment: 'What is yours now is mine'.

Ah hate coincidences, Drew sighed to himself.

Walking through the curtain, Lou had her arm looped through Brett's. She had been out at ringside, first introducing the match then cheering Brett on. Her eyes landed on Stephen, thick arms crossed across his wide chest. His stare burned straight through her and it made her heart race. Slowly, she released the grip she had on Brett's arm.

"Lou, are you coming for some drinks with us?" She stopped in her tracks, her gaze darting between Brett and Stephen. She couldn't help but compare the two men. Both incredibly attractive, but Stephen did something to her she couldn't quite put her finger on. Just being around him made her happy; she could guarantee he would be able to put a smile on her face. Brett and Stephen were now staring at each other; a battle of dominance. No doubt some territorial behaviour was about to begin.

"I already have plans, but thank you for inviting me."

"Maybe another time." Brett wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him. He pressed his lips to her cheek then winked at her before sauntering off past Stephen. With a deep breath, Lou managed to look at Stephen. He looked less than impressed; his eyes still focused on the path Brett had just taken past him. Although guilt racked her body, she tried to tell herself she had nothing to feel guilty about. She and Stephen weren't exclusive and an innocent kiss on the cheek was nothing to start drama over. But the urge to profusely apologise to Stephen was too strong.

"What did Ah tell yeh?" Stephen spoke up eventually. Lou didn't move from her spot; Stephen's gaze held her there.

"He's a friend." An incredible sense of déjà vu washed over her. She wondered if Stephen would ever get that she and Brett were friends and nothing more.

"Ah know. That won't stop him from tryin'."

"So?" Shrugging her shoulders, Lou set off down the corridor and away from Stephen. She needed to get changed into something a little more suitable than the tiny black strapless dress she currently had on.

Stephen was quick to follow her, softly taking her arm in his hand and halting her movements. "What do yeh mean, so?"

"I'm single." Lou stated, making Stephen sigh. Her point was loud and clear. Turning her around to face him, he let his hands slip to the back of her neck, tilting her head back. His lips were fast on hers, massaging them gently and claiming her as his own. Having to grip onto Stephen's arms for support, she felt her knees weaken. Just one of the many effects he had on her.

Pulling away from her breathless, Stephen murmured against her lips. "Mine." His arms slipped around her lithe body, pulling her flush against him. Lou felt her whole body shiver in response to his words and actions.

"You're claiming me now?" Lou asked breathlessly; her tone joking but her question serious.

"Ah did that last night." Stephen spoke, his voice husky then his lips were fast on hers again. She felt the passion in their kiss through every inch of her body. "Get changed an' Ah'll meet yeh at the ring."

The pair were unsure where to go, but Lou knew deep down that she wanted something very indulgent and unhealthy. A lot of the FCW roster ventured across to Eats American Grill between training and after shows. Now settled in a small both, Lou was snuggled up against him. Ever since the heated kiss backstage she wanted nothing more than to get her hands on him again, but for now chocolate would have to do. "I'll have a chocolate milkshake. Large." Stephen glanced down at the menu then back up again. He mulled over his next words but eventually spoke up.

"As yeh pro, Ah'm suggestin' yeh don't get that."

"Jealous?" Lou smirked, knowing his battle with sugary goodness.

"No."

"I've heard that you were once a little podgy." Lou poked Stephen in his stomach, lingering slightly and stroking her fingers down his abdominals.

"Ah may have lost some fat during me time at FCW." Stephen draped his arm across the back of the booth, watching Lou intently as she read over the menu.

"They use your before and after pictures." She looked up at him, her face serious before breaking into a smile. They both ordered, Lou opting for a cheeseburger and Stephen getting as much grilled chicken as possible onto one plate.

Lou's eyes widened as her chocolate milkshake was placed before her. She wrapped her lips around the straw, eyes slipping shut and lightly moaning as the first drop of chocolate touched her tongue. "Mmm...This is so good." Her eyes flicked open, immediately meeting Stephen's blazing gaze. Her tongue swiped over her lips before she sent him a smile. "Do you want a taste?"

Oh, he wanted a taste alright. His hand slipped to hers, pulling it away from the cold glass. "Lou?"

"Hmm?" She prodded the milkshake with her straw before turning her attention back to Stephen.

"Will yeh stay at mine tonight again?" Her movements stopped and his thumb brushed across her knuckles. "Ah want to show yeh somethin'."

"But I've seen everything." Stephen couldn't help but grin at her words as she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Ah'm no' talking about that, lass. Ah've got some old wrestling tapes to show yeh."

"Tapes? I know you're old but-"

"Watch it. Ah'm still in me prime." He squeezed her shoulder lightly and she immediately felt her cheeks flush.

"I would love to, thank you. You're the best pro." Kissing Stephen's cheek quickly, she couldn't help but smile. Being paired with him on NXT seemed like fate.

A/N – Thank you MrsBarrett, miamitravel, moxxie23, Jojo Barrett, cenachick1981, peeps8705, ThatGirl54, wwemagpie and xHalosandwings for the lovely reviews. Teaser for the next chapter: what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Lou, Katie and Chesca. x