A/N - I finally updated! ;) Thanks to everybody who has followed and reviewed this story! I'll admit, this chapter is more of tying up loose ends and setting things up for the future. That's if you're wondering why Punk is practically absent in this chapter. Speaking along the lines of the future, I wish everybody a blessed new year. I see 2013 as the year of No Excuses. No apologies.. Go out there and just do what you have to do! R&R and Enjoy!

Chapter 7 – Sunnier in San Diego

Nikki hopped into the front of her friend's car. Everything was packed and both divas were ready to head on over to the airport. She saluted the hotel in the rear view mirror quickly shrinking as Gail drove out of the car park and on to the main road.

"So, you wanna talk about it?" Gail asked, keeping her eyes firmly on the road.

The brunette diva remained silent. She looked out the window at the various skyscrapers passing by. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about it. She just wanted everybody to forget what happened, just as she had found it easily to forget what happened the previous night.

"Not really" she finally answered.

Both divas fell silent for a moment.

"Thanks anyway" Nikki said.

Gail offered her friend a reassuring smile. Its intention to give Nikki hope that she knew better to be false. Things weren't going to improve just by hoping that it would. You had to take it upon yourself to see everything through right to the end. That's what Nikki believed and that's what she would do. Despite the previous days events, she was going to make sure this storyline would be well received by the fans and that Stephanie McMahon didn't make the wrong decision in considering The Bellas turning heel after tomorrow night's show.

Gail turned the radio on to relieve the awkward tension growing between the two co-workers. Albeit they were good friends, but the situation surrounding Nikki and Daniel had made it a little more complex for Gail Kim who is just joining the storyline tomorrow night. She took that into deep consideration and for the most part of the ride, Nikki kept to herself. Temporarily retreating back to her old ways of shutting everyone out, but she honestly wanted to change and get back to her old self. So she broke the silence. They started sharing and swapping stories of their times when they were in the indy's. It put their friendship right back on track, feeling more at ease in each other's presence. Nikki felt good.

When they finally pulled up to the airport, everyone else had also started arriving as well. Nikki quickly jumped out of the car, her suitcase out before Gail could even take the key out of the ignition.

"Wanna slow down before you hurt yourself?" Gail mocked

"Sorry!" Nikki smiled, ticket and passport in hand. Her suitcase ready to go in the other, she couldn't wait to board the plane.

They were heading to San Diego; where Nikki currently resides and calls home. She brought a brand new villa not far from the sunny coast; there was always something majestic about the place that made Nikki relax more. Perhaps it was the weather? Or maybe it was the temporary freedom? Whatever it was, she just couldn't wait to sleep in her own bed.

Both divas had checked in and were now waiting for the call to start boarding their plane. Gail slumped in her chair, trying to catch a few more z's before their flight whilst Nikki kept her eye open for her twin. Then she spotted the happy couple conversing and laughing. She smiled at her sister's happiness; she was glad that finally something was going all right for one of them. Brie looked over and Nikki quickly diverted her attention else where, mainly at her shoes.

"Hey"

"hey- Hey!" Nikki said looking up, pretending she hadn't noticed Brie walking over.

Brie took a seat beside her sister.

"First of all, I want to know if you're okay" she spoke softly.

Not knowing that the kindness and concern in her tone was breaking Nikki's heart. She didn't deserve her kindness. She didn't deserve a caring sister like Brie. She didn't deserve any of it, the brunette diva thought.

Nikki faked a smile and nodded her head.

"I'm doing a lot better. Thanks"

Brie patted Nikki on the knee.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear. I wasn't sure how to be there for you without disobeying…"

Nikki raised an eyebrow at her sister, wondering where this conversation was going.

"I talked to Daniel last night"

Both eyebrows now lifted. Nikki couldn't believe what her sister had done. She was quite stunned.

"You talked to Daniel?" she asked.

"Yes. He told me everything"

Nikki twitched a little, shifting awkwardly, avoiding all eye contact with her sister purposely and within reason. She was ashamed that her secret rendezvous at midnight with Daniel Bryan were found out. Not only that, but that her sister had to find out from the superstar of whom she slept with many times.

Brie lowered her voice so that no one out of earshot could hear

"Listen, what you and Daniel did outside of work hours has nothing to do with anybody in this business, so long as we can remain professional."

Nikki had no choice but to face her sister.

"I didn't mean for it to turn out this way. It just did"

Brie side hugged her sister.

"I know you didn't."

Nikki wanted to ask her sister if he had told anybody else but felt it would be inappropriate. Her sister was comforting her and she was happy not being the rock in their sistership for a while.

[PLANE]

When they were finally called to their seats. Nikki was seated next to the Million Dollar Man's Son. Ted Dibiase Jr. He had the coveted window seat but she didn't seem to mind. She was going home and nothing, not even the fiasco with Daniel Bryan could destroy that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

"San Diego huh? Hey, you live around there right?"

"Not around, I live there," she corrected.

"Great, Party at Nikki's" he joked.

"No way! Last time you initiated a party and someone went along with it, their apartment got trashed! It took three weeks to clean the entire place up"

Ted's gaze now looking up at ceiling, trying to regain his memory of that party but he had no luck.

"Who's apartment did that belong to again?"

"It was my sister's apartment!" she exclaimed.

"Oohh yeah, that's right." He rubbed his chin as the memories came flooding back. "That reminds me, I owe her a new lamp" he laughed.

"And a dvd player, tv, blender, god knows why? But you also owe her an ironing board?"

"Ah, we used the ironing board as a sled when we went down the stairs" he beamed as if it was the most intelligent idea he had come up with at the time.

Nikki shook her head.

"I may be half my sister but at the same time I am not my sister. No party at this Bella's residence" she firmly stated

She rested her head back against the headrest as the plane was taking off. When the plane had settled in the air and they were cruising well a head of time thanks to the pick up in strong winds lately. She got a good look at everybody in their seats. She saw her sister fast asleep next to Rosa Mendez. Surprised that it wasn't Randy she was seated next to. Then again, here she was seated next to Ted out of all people. Not that she hated Ted, he was a good guy, charming and very handsome but it wasn't like they were hanging out on a regular basis. That was probably her fault for not going to his many parties he hosted which were mostly held at other superstar or diva's places depending on where the next show was. As she was looking around from her seat, she couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes on her, when she turned all she could see was a ginger-haired smug rookie smirking at her. Heath Slater. Nikki rolled her eyes at him, and then focused her attention back in front of the aircraft choosing not to roam the plane and sleep for the remainder of the flight.

[Hometown of Nikki Bella aka San Diego]

Stepping out of the airport and feeling the warmth hit her face, it was as if San Diego knew their Bella was home. It's true what they say, nothing beats coming home and she truly understood and agreed with that statement whole-heartedly. The excitement that coursed through her entire body felt as if she was right at the edge of a cliff with her arms open wide. She had a taste of being free.

That's what coming home does to her and today was the day when the feeling of being free and the feeling of change were going to combine for Nikki Bella.

Once leaving the airport, Nikki, Brie, as well as Gail Kim and Daniel Bryan all had to go to the arena straight away to have their production meeting with one of the agents. This was to properly discuss the changes with their current storyline as well as the match prior to that with Ted Dibiase, Alicia Fox and Maryse.

Now Nikki and Brie, despite being twins and loving each other to death. Sometimes, having to work with your sister everyday, dressing alike most nights and getting everything from head to toe looking identical could drive either Bella up the wall. So, both Bellas agreed when they got the call to come up to the main roster, they were never going to go on the road together. Either diva would travel with someone else… except for this day.

They both left the airport together in Brie's rental since Nikki's car was parked in her driveway at home waiting for her. The only saving grace to keep them to their agreement was that their best friend Maryse, otherwise Bella-deemed 'Momo' was in the car as well.

"Oh my, it almost feels like the old times except we're in San Diego and you two aren't fighting" the French-Canadian diva spoke.

"Don't speak too soon on the fighting part" Brie laughed.

"Speak for yourself Brie, you're the one who always start the fights!" Nikki teased

"I Do Not. It's You!" Brie mocked back.

Maryse sighed and shook her head.

"See? Exactly like old times"

"No guessing as to who is going to be on my couch tonight then?" Nikki smirked.

The former 2-time Divas Champion flicked her luscious platinum curls to the side and re-did her lip gloss. She looked in the side mirror and blew a kiss to Nikki sitting in the back never missing a thing.

"You loved the six months I was rooming with you." Maryse smirked

"I did" she cooed at Maryse

"Ha! But No, my boyfriend misses me too much and I'll be staying with him"

"Awww.. I guess it's just you and me sis." She smiled, patting Brie on the shoulder

"Nope"

"What?"

Brie looked at her twin through the review mirror.

"I got my boyfriend to worry about as well?" with an added shrug of the shoulders.

"Whatever? You're still giving me a lift home afterwards"

Brie rolled her eyes.

"I saw that"

[Arena]

Once there, they went straight into the meeting room and waited inside. Better to be early than be late to a production meeting. Being late showed that you weren't committed and that's the last impression Nikki would ever want to make to the agent tasked to oversee this storyline tomorrow night. When Daniel walked through the door alongside Ted, Nikki tried to remain composed, remembering Brie's words. Remain professional Nikki kept repeating in her head.

"So what's everyone up to tonight?" Ted asked as he sat down.

"Date Night" Maryse and Brie answered. Nikki noticed Daniel's silence as he sat next to Ted.

Gail and Alicia finally walked in greeting everyone.

"Hey gang!" Alicia beamed

"Hey!" they all replied.

"As I just said before, what are the plans tonight… Gail?"

She sat next to Daniel and roughed up his hair

"Didn't you tell them it's date night for the 'fake couple'?" she mocked.

"Same here" Alicia said

"Man, everyone is on date night" Ted complained

"And that's really awesome but how about we get down to business and discuss how we're closing this match?" Nikki quickly interjected

Brie gave Nikki's arm a squeeze.

"Chill Bella, the agent isn't even here yet" Brie spoke quietly.

Nikki nodded and everyone went back to his or her small conversations. When the agent walked in, they were surprised to find that it was R. Anderson accompanied by the WWE Executive Vice President of the Creative Team Stephanie McMahon.

"I'm glad to see you're all here…" she paused for a moment as she sat down at the head of the table. "…On time. I hope you don't mind me joining you but it's important that I personally address the changes being made to both your storylines. Of course, details of how the match will run down lies with your normal counterpart R. Anderson."

Anderson nodded at the mention of his name while Stephanie made sure she held everybody's attention and caught every eye. Nikki didn't care who you were or what kind of status you held in the company, there was not a single female in this business as intimidating as the one that sat before them. Of course, she would never say that aloud.

"It's no shock, your two storylines are going to go through a few changes. Ted and Maryse, we got a great pop from the crowd when you two turned against each other and we're definitely going to start exploiting that tomorrow night"

"So will we be losing again?" Ted asked

This is where Anderson's expertise comes in.

"No, you will actually be winning thanks to the lovely Maryse over here and we'll go over how it all ends later on."

"I feel it's best for you and Maryse to win this match. In particular for Maryse to get the pin over one of the Bellas… I think it's Nikki that's in the script for Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary. It will set up the foundations for The Bellas' storyline perfectly." Stephanie added.

The Bellas nodded and liked the idea. Nikki couldn't agree more, losing the match will be a perfect set-up for their backstage segment and the discovery of Gail Kim as the main woman of Daniel Bryan's life.

"Any questions so far? Before I move on to the next topic?"

"Yes, You said that Ted and I would turn against each other?" Maryse questioned

"I did. Basically Maryse, you're proving in your brilliant cocky manner that Ted is the dead weight in this alliance. Don't go overboard. The end is far from near. It's an agonizing road"

The Sexiest of Sexy smirked at Ted.

"Is that all?" Stephanie questioned.

Both Ted and Maryse nodded. Alicia never really cared but was glad that she was in a match tomorrow night. Stephanie then turned her attention towards everybody else and went through the backstage segment in huge detail. Starting from the Bellas arguing over the fact they lost, then to arguing about which Bella Daniel would choose and then finally leading to the shocking discovery of Gail and Daniel in a steamy make out session. Everyone seemed to agree and was fine with it however Nikki couldn't help but feel that it could be much better.

"Anything else?" Stephanie questioned.

Nikki raised her hand then spoke. She hoped her voice was steadier than she felt.

"I know that this segment is suppose to only give a hint of us turning heel but having it just end as Gail getting a one up on us verbally isn't going to win over the crowd. I really think that if it ended physically that it would be more effective."

"Like?"

"Like Gail slapping one of us Bellas and then we attack her? Daniel pulls Gail away… ref and officials pull us out of the room?"

Stephanie pondered over the suggestion. Then looked over at Anderson who seemed to take a liking to the idea but was still a little hesitant. Backstage brawls are oddly enough where superstars and divas get injured the most. Not actually in the ring.

"How much of a difference would that make?" Stephanie questioned.

"Think about it? Next Pay Per View is Royal Rumble, The Bellas could try to apologize and Gail doesn't have it and Bellas attack… leads to a match against Gail?"

"Gail, what's your thoughts on this?"

"I back Nikki 100% on this."

"We all do" Daniel reaffirmed. Nikki looked over at him to see a small smile. She smiled back.

"Then it's settled. Now if you would all excuse me, I have important business matters to attend to and I will leave you with Anderson. Best of luck".

Stephanie made eye contact with Nikki. She knew what the look had meant and therefore knew it was sink or swim for The Bellas turning bad.

After the meeting, Nikki felt the need to pull Daniel aside and talk to him. He had a puzzled expression on his face when she asked if he would accompany her out of the arena. Of course the brunette diva didn't blame him, she was the last person he probably expected to talk to him.

Nevertheless, a small smile came across his face. She knew exactly why. It was what led them to become occasional lovers.

"As long as it doesn't end up like last time" he smirked

"Of course.. no. It's exactly just that and I was hoping we could talk for a bit?"

"Alright, just talking?"

"Just talking" she repeated.

He nodded in her direction to join him as they moved towards the exit of the arena. The walked in silence for a while until Nikki built up enough courage to speak first.

"So, you and Gail huh?"

"Seriously?"

"What!? I'm just making small talk."

He laughed. "If we want to make this story as realistic as possible, we have to look like a real couple. It really is a fake date. I hope you're not jealous now" he joked.

Now it was Nikki's turn to laugh. "Jealous? No. Curious? I'll admit that"

He looked at her and she caught a little sadness in his blue eyes.

"And… I also admit that I was out of line yesterday. I apologize for the hurtful things that I said and for hurting you. It wasn't my intention at all"

"Honestly, you have nothing to apologize for. It was my fault, I misread the signs but I don't regret it. For the most part it was fun. I'm a lucky guy"

They both stopped and stared at each other. For once, Nikki saw a man standing in front of her; Daniel was no longer that sheepish boy she found cute. He was a man with a tremendous heart.

"I'm sorry… again. I'm just not ready for a relationship-"

"And I get that. I do" he interrupted.

He then placed his hands on her shoulders like a friend would. He looked deep into her eyes one last time, hoping Nikki would change her mind. She parted her lips to say something but then she abandoned the action.

The hesitation said so much to the superstar. It spoke the truth. He looked down, gathering the words in his mind before looking up into her eyes again.

"But when you are… just promise me that he'll be worth it"

In that moment, the words sunk into her skin. She couldn't help but feel guilty. He knew that he wasn't the one she wanted to be with. She wished she could return his feelings but she couldn't. It wasn't the same.

She nodded her head and with a rueful smile upon her face.

She uttered "I promise"

"Well, alright then." He patted her on the back. "Happy losing tomorrow" he said leaving to go catch up with Gail.

"Happy losing" she said. She turned the other way to walk towards where Brie had parked. Then she turned around and called out to Daniel.

"Yeah?" he spun around.

"Thanks… for everything"

He waved and turned back around.