Sheamus and John finished up an extensive workout early Monday morning at a private gym in London. They had gotten in early the week before, WWE's European tour having kicked off.
After a couple of days in London they were heading to Ireland and then Wales. Then it would back to the U.S.
The two wrestlers made their way back towards the hotel. As they walked John kept looking over at his friend.
Sheamus had been very quiet and detached since their arrival the week before. Cena knew the Irishman had a lot going on and he figured the big guy just needed time to sort everything out.
The pair walked into the lobby of the hotel and suddenly Sheamus came to a stop. John turned back to him in confusion. He was about to ask him what was wrong when he noticed the expression on the Celtic Warrior's face.
Sheamus was looking ahead, features inscrutable. His blue eyes were narrowed slightly but John couldn't read his emotions.
He followed his gaze and exhaled. It all made sense now.
Kimber was at the front desk, checking in. She received her key and when she turned to gather her bags she spotted the pair. She instantly came to a halt, her eyes meeting the Irishman's. Her own expression was one of hesitance.
They slowly made their way towards one another, each reacting to the other with uncertainty.
John was the first to greet her. He gave her a big smile and hugged her, "Hey, kiddo. Good to see you."
Kimber closed her eyes and returned his embrace, grateful for his consideration.
As she pulled back her gaze once again flittered to the redhead's face. She felt nervous and even a little afraid. She couldn't read him, had no idea what he was thinking. She just wished she knew where she stood with him.
"Thank you." she murmured, turning her attention back to Cena, "Um, it's great to be back."
"How's yer Da?" Sheamus asked, voice low but full of concern.
She looked at him and offered a sincere, though tired, smile, "He's doing great. He, um, he woke up on Christmas."
"You're kidding!" John laughed joyfully, "Kimber, that's great!"
"Yeah. It was the best Christmas present we could have gotten." she nodded, "And though it's going to take a lot of work, the doctors said he'll be one hundred percent in a few months."
"That's good to know." Sheamus wanted to take her in his arms and hug her.
He wanted to do more than that. He wanted to kiss her, tell her again that he loved her. He wanted to know why she hadn't called him since that one time before Christmas.
But he didn't do any of that. It was hard for him, being a natural fighter. He wanted to fight for her. But he knew he couldn't do it anymore, not by himself. She had to meet him halfway.
"Ah'll see you both later." he stated as he picked up his gym bag, "Ah got media to get ready for."
And with that he was gone.
Kimber followed after him with sad eyes. She couldn't believe how badly she had screwed everything up.
"Hey."
She blinked and turned back to find John watching her in sympathy.
"Hang in there, okay." he gave her a smile and a pat on the back.
"Yeah.." Kimber nodded, returning his smile with a small one of her own.
"I'd love to stay and chat but I promised AJ I'd go sightseeing with her." he grinned, "I better go up and change."
"You two have fun." she told him with a grin.
She collected her bags and started to head over to the elevators. She didn't have to wait long as the bell dinged and the doors slid open.
"Kimber!" Layla cried as she rushed from the elevator to envelope her friend in a big hug.
"Hi!" Kimber laughed happily as the two embraced, "It's so good to see you!"
"How are you?" the Diva asked as she pulled back, "How is your dad doing? Still good?"
"Still good." Kimber assured her, smiling, "The doctors say that if he keeps this up he'll be back to his old self in no time."
"Wonderful!" Layla sighed, "That's great news."
She got a wicked glint in her eye and stated, "Well I was on my way out to do some shopping, but I think you need to come along. I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate."
Kimber laughed and nodded, "Sure. Let me just put my bags in my room and we can go."
"Fabulous! I'll go with."
They deposited Kimber's bags and stepped out onto the London streets a short time later. As they walked the pair continued to chatter.
"So. . ." Layla glanced nervously at her friend, "Have you seen Sheamus yet?"
"I ran into him as I was checking in." Kimber murmured, eyes straight ahead.
"And?" the Diva prompted. The suspense was killing her.
Misery began to pool in the reporter's eyes, "And I blew it. It's clear that Sheamus doesn't want anything to do with me now."
They came to a stop, Layla reaching out to slip an arm around her friend's shoulders. Kimber sighed and shook her head.
"Not that I blame him." she stated, "I was confused and scared and I believed the worst. I didn't believe in him. I actually thought he had cheated on me."
"Kimber, it's not your fault." Layla tried to tell her, "From what you told me, the evidence was pretty damning. And besides, after what you've been through, it's only natural that you might feel hesitant towards him.
"You loved and trusted a man once before and-"
"But Sheamus isn't Andrew." Kimber replied with conviction, "He's nothing like Andrew."
She turned away, angry with herself.
"I let an amazing man slip through my fingers." she said sadly, "All because I was afraid."
Layla came forward and turned her around, the Diva confident, "It's not too late."
"I think it is." Kimber offered a sad smile, "I completely blew it, Layla."
"Don't be too sure." the Diva stated, her tone mysterious.
Kimber wanted to question her about that but at that moment she noticed Natalya, Rosa and Alicia walking across the street. Eyes narrowed, she watched as the trio made their way into a high end clothing boutique.
"Natalya's won." the reporter muttered bitterly.
"Don't be too sure about that, either." Layla confided, smirking.
"What are you talking about?" Kimber arched eyebrow.
Layla would only say, tone mysterious, "Wait until tonight."
Kimber gave her a confused look but the Diva refused to speak. Layla began to grin as she took her friend's arm and led her down the street.
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Sheamus walked out of the radio station later that afternoon. The second he was back in the rental car, and his driver was heading back to the hotel, he pulled out his phone and punched in a number.
"Oi." he greeted the person on the other end, "It's me. Is everything set up?"
He listened for a few moments before nodding, "So the package got in all right? Great, fella."
He paused as the person on the other end spoke before a slow grin began to form on his lips, "Perfect. Everythin' is going perfectly. Ah can' wait for tonight."
He listened for a few more moments before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. As he slipped it into his pocket his eyes went to the London streets, watching as they zipped by.
A mischievous light came to his eyes and he licked his lips in anticipation. He could almost taste it now.
He couldn't wait for tonight. . .
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"Kofi Kingston, tonight on SmackDown you'll be facing Wade Barrett for his Intercontinental Championship." Kimber turned the mic towards the wrestler, "What are your thoughts going into the match?"
Kofi gave her a charming smile, "I think my chances are good. The last two times I faced Barrett I was able to beat him. I think tonight will be no different. I think this is going to be my night!"
"We're clear." Joel announced.
Kimber thanked the wrestler and turned, coming to a stop. Sheamus was standing a few feet away, leaning back against a wall. His eyes were cloudy, the Irishman deep in thought. He had a match earlier that night and was now back in jeans, a blue dress shirt and gray vest.
She began to make her way over to him, mentally building up her armor. She needed to apologize., first and foremost. She needed to tell him how sorry she was for not believing in him, in them.
"Sheamus?" her voice sounded timid to her ears and she hated it.
The Celtic Warrior blinked, coming out of his thoughts. He turned to look down on her, eyes unreadable.
"Kember." he murmured with a nod as he straightened.
"I, um. . ." Kimber began to fidget with her hands, "I was hoping I could talk to you."
"Ah think we should." he took a step away from her, "But can it wait? There's something Ah have to do."
"Oh." the reporter blinked in surprise, "Oh, yeah, of course."
"Thanks." and with that he turned and walked towards the entrance to the ring.
Kimber looked after him in confusion. What was that about. . .?
She paused, realization hitting her. Was this what Layla had alluded to earlier?
She turned and quickly made her way back to the monitors. She had a feeling she needed to see this.
"It's a shame that they lost there head!
A careless man who could wind up dead!
Ya wear you sin like it's some kind of prize!
Too many lies! Too many lies!"
The arena erupted as the Celtic Warrior made his way out onto the stage. His expression was still unreadable as he walked down the ramp and to the ring.
Usually he was one to smile and slap hands with the crowd, but there was none of that going on now. At that moment, it was clear that the Irishman only had business on his mind.
He climbed into the ring and walked to the center as his theme song died out. A few of the fans chanted his name and he nodded his thanks, but waited for the cheering to die down before he spoke.
"Ah, uh." his eyes were cast to the canvas as he rubbed his beard, "Ah didn't want to do this here but since Natalya made all of this public, Ah figured Ah should finish it here."
The crowd began to cheer at that. Kimber could only watch on silently, wondering what he had up his sleeve.
He glanced towards the entrance and began to grin, "So, Natalya, would you come down here, darlin'? Ah need to talk to you."
Darling. . .?
Kimber blinked, stunned.
So that was it then. Sheamus had made a choice and he had chosen Natalya.
She could feel the tears start to burn behind her eyes but she ruthlessly held them off. She wouldn't do this. Not there. No, she'd wait until she was alone to cry out her grief.
Natalya's theme music began to play and the blonde Diva appeared on the stage. Smirking with triumph and hand on her hip, she sashayed down to the ring.
As she climbed onto the apron the redheaded man instantly came forward and held the ropes open for her. Taking her hand, he led her into the ring and back to the center. He kept his hand in hers and Natalya just grinned all the more.
"I'm so glad you called me out here." the blonde practically purred, "I just knew it wouldn't be long until you realized that we belong together."
Sheamus began to chuckle at that, "And you did everythin' you could to make that happen. Ah'll give you that one, lass. You were persistent."
"I fight for what I want." Natalya agreed with a coy smile, "And I want you."
"And you always get what you want." Sheamus surmised, voice dropping to a sexy drawl as he pulled her closer.
"Of course." Natalya was unabashedly proud and she trailed her fingers over his chest.
Sheamus gazed down at them before turning back to her, chuckling.
Kimber blinked and leaned in closer. Her eyes widened as realization hit her.
He was smiling but the smile didn't reach his eyes. She could tell. It was a subtle difference, but after seeing him smile at her so many times before, she knew when his smile was genuine and when it was all for show.
She slowly began to grin, hope rising up in her chest.
Sheamus reached out and brushed his hand against Natalya's cheek. Inside he felt disgusted, wanting nothing more than to wipe his hand on his pants.
Come on, fella, he told himself, Just a few more minutes and then everythin' will be out in the open.
"Yeah, you were a real smart one, all right." Sheamus looked her over with another chuckle, taking her hand in his, "Of course Ah can' give you all the credit. You did have some help, after all."
Natalya stared up at him confusion, "What?"
Sheamus turned is attention towards the stage and called out, "All right, Johnny. Bring out me little surprise."
Suddenly there was Cena, dragging a smaller man out onto the stage. His beady brown eyes darted around nervously and he ran shaky hands through his short brown hair.
He flashed John a nervous grin and tried to hightail it back behind the stage but John got there first, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and forcing him to turn back around.
Natalya's eyes widened as realization set in. She tried to exit the ring but found herself being yanked back. Sheamus still had a hold of her hand.
She swallowed and cautiously turned back to the Irishman. Her anxiety grew by three fold as she took in the fearsome expression he now wore.
"Ah think you know Carl." he stated and slowly began to grin.
She grew even more afraid at the sight of it. He was one of the few people she knew who could make a grin look frightening.
"You see," the Celtic Warrior turned his attention back the fans and explained, "Carl there was the bartender serving me drinks the night Natalya decided to drug me. In fact, he's the one who put the drug into me pint."
"That's not my fault!" Natalya suddenly yelled, the wheels in her mind turning, "That's not my fault that that guy-who I've never seen before in my life-decided to drug you."
"Come off it, Natalya." John spoke up, forcefully clapping Carl on the back, "Your friend here already sold you out."
He nudged the man and nodded, "Tell 'em. Or I'm taking you down there to see that big, mean Irishman."
Carl's eyes flitted to Sheamus' face and he backed up a step.
His head suddenly resembled a bobble head doll, vigorously nodding as he stammered, "I-I-It's true. Na-Natalya paid me t-two thousand dollars to slip something into Sh-Sheamus' drink that night."
"No!" Natalya shrieked as the fans voiced their outraged.
"She even wrote me a check!" Carl announced, "I-I still have it!"
Natalya raked a hand through her hair. She again started to leave the ring but Sheamus still had a hold of her wrist.
She turned and looked up at him, pleading, "Please, Sheamus. Please, I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry! I just wanted you back so much! I-I just got crazy seeing you and Kimber together!"
Sheamus regarded her with disgust, "You're right about something, Natalya. You are sorry. Or ya will be."
Suddenly Layla was on the stage. Trailing behind her were four very large, very intimidating bobbies. She led them down to ringside.
"Natalya, these fine gentlemen would like to speak with you." the Diva announced with a sly smile, "You see, what you did-drugging Sheamus and then taking advantage of him-well that's basically the equivalent of date rape."
"What?!" Natalya went practically pale at the news.
"Oh yeah." Layla nodded, watching on in triumph as the bobbies came into the ring and made their way over to the Canadian Diva.
"No!" Natalya tried to back away, but ran into Sheamus' massive chest.
She turned and looked up at him, begging, "Sheamus, please! Please!"
She turned back to the bobbies, crying now, "Nothing happened! I swear, nothing happened! We didn't even sleep together!"
"But that's not what you told me the next morning." Sheamus muttered, his words turning colder as he added, "That's not what you told Kember."
"No!" Natalya was horrified, "No, I lied! I lied, okay! You were too drugged to do anything! No matter what I tried I couldn't get you to wake up!"
"Quit lyin'." the Irishman snarled.
"I'm not!" Natalya stomped her feet, throwing a tantrum, "We didn't sleep together! Look, ask Rosa and Alicia! They had to help me get you back into your hotel room and to bed!"
Suddenly the aforementioned Divas hurried out onto the stage.
"It's true." Alicia announced with a sad sigh, "Natalya is telling the truth. You passed out in the cab ride back and Nattie text us, needing our help you get you back into your room."
"The three of us dragged you into your room and stripped you down." Rosa gave him a wink, adding, "You are one beautiful man, Sheamus."
Alicia elbowed her and the Latina yelped, adding grudgingly, "But then nothing else happened. We got you into bed and then left. Natalya told us she was going to set it up to make it look like you two had slept together to try and break you and Kimber up."
"See!" Natalya turned back the Celtic Warrior and begged, "See! I didn't take advantage of you. Sheamus, please, don't let them arrest me! Please! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
She turned to the bobbies and got down on her knees, weeping and beseeching, "Please don't arrest me! Please! Please, I am so sorry! Please!"
Sheamus looked down at her and shook his head, sighing, "Get up, yer makin' a fool of yerself."
He hauled Natalya to her feet and released her, wiping his hand on his pants, "These fellas can' arrest you anyway."
He looked over at them and grinned, "Natalya, Ah want you to meet some of me old friends from Irish Whip Wrestling. Thanks for yer help, lads. First round's on me later."
The "bobbies" began to laugh as they bid Sheamus goodbye and left the ring.
Natalya watched after them for a moment before turning back to the Irishman in confusion.
"You set me up?" she wasn't quite sure she had gotten it, "They're not the police? I'm not going to jail?"
"No, yer not goin' to jail." he features hardened as he leaned in, "But yer gonna go someplace even worse if you ever pull a stunt like this again. Ah mean it, Natalya. Stay away from me. Ah don' want you. Ah don' want anythin' to do wit' you. Come after me again and all bets are off."
And with that, he left the ring and stalked towards the back.
Kimber was floored. Absolutely astounded. She couldn't believe Sheamus had set Natalya up so brilliantly.
But really, why was she so surprised? The man was a marvel. Not to mention a bit of an evil genius.
More than anything, though, she was relieved that everything was out in the open. And that Natalya was finally being seen as the devious, vindictive, psychotic little witch that she was.
She needed to talk to Sheamus. She needed to tell him how sorry she was.
And how much she loved him.
She hurried down the halls and towards his locker room. Her heart was pounding in her chest. It was a little hard for her to breathe. And her thoughts were running at about a million miles in her head.
As she approached the door her pace began to slow. It was wide open.
Cautiously she came to the doorway and peered in. Her brows began to knit as she realized it was vacant. Sheamus' stuff was even gone.
She heard footsteps and turned around, spying Bobby as he made his way down the corridor.
"Um, Bobby?" she called out to the crewmember, "Have you seen Sheamus?"
"Oh, yeah, about two minutes ago." the man nodded, "He already left."
Kimber blinked, stunned. Left already? But they hadn't even talked yet.
"Thanks." she murmured absently.
She wanted to leave right then and there. Go back to the hotel and race up to his room. But the show still had another hour to go and she was still needed there.
Sighing, Kimber hurried back to her things and pulled out her cell phone. She quickly dialed the Irishman's number, praying he would answer.
Worrying about what she would say.
Distressed over what he'd say.
But she received no answer.
The reporter hung up as it went to voicemail and she found herself staring at the phone.
Her spirits began to plummet. She couldn't understand why he would leave before talking to her. He had agreed that they needed to. So why leave?
The rest of the show went by in a blur and Kimber had to admit that her heart really wasn't into the job that night.
The second SmackDown had ended she had hurriedly packed her things and took off for the hotel.
Racing up to Sheamus' room, she knocked on the door and waited with baited breath.
There was no answer.
Frowning, she tried again.
Please, she thought, Please be here.
She could hear movement from inside and she bit her lip in anticipation. But that eagerness quickly sank when the door opened and it wasn't Sheamus to greet her but one of the hotel maids.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Hi." Kimber offered a small smile, "I was actually hoping to see Mr. O'Shaunessy."
"I'm sorry, miss." the maid informed her, "But the gentleman occupying this room checked out earlier this evening."
"Oh." Kimber blinked, caught off guard by her words, "Th-thank you."
Absentmindedly she turned and began to make her way down the hall.
He had left? Why? And where had he gone?
She eventually came out of her thoughts, instantly needing to go to her room. More than anything, she just wanted to be alone right now.
She hadn't gone far down the hall when the elevator opened and John stepped out.
"Hey." he grinned as he approached her, "You sure left the show in a hurry. And speaking of shows, how did you like the one we pulled on old Nattie?"
"Where's Sheamus?" Kimber got right to the point.
John tilted his head to the side, confused, "Last I heard, the big guy was talking about going to see his family. Didn't you know about that?"
"No." Kimber shook her head, her voice soft, "No, I didn't. Thanks. I guess I should have realized that for myself."
She turned and headed back to her room before giving John a chance to speak.
She was at a complete loss. She had no idea what to do now.
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Kimber dragged herself out of bed early the next morning. She shuffled into the bathroom and instantly spied her reflection in the mirror.
The woman staring back at her looked lost. Her green eyes, usually so vibrant, were dull and there were dark circles under them. Her face was pale and drawn.
The reporter let out a sigh and turned, digging through her makeup bag. Just because she was a mess on the inside didn't mean she had to look like one on the outside.
After forty minutes she felt confident enough to step out and take on the day. As she made her way downstairs, meaning to head into the dinning hall, she spotted Layla, Kaitlyn and AJ standing a few feet away.
The trio of Divas noticed her and quickly hurried over, each one appearing the picture of concern.
"Hey." Layla was the first to reach her, giving her a hug, "No word from Sheamus?"
Kimber shook her head, her eyes going to the ground as she admitted, "I didn't call him. I-I couldn't. I wouldn't know what to say."
The four began to make their way into the dinning room, grabbing a secluded table near the picture window.
"I've blown it." Kimber murmured as she sank into her chair, her eyes going to the busy London streets outside.
The Divas look at one another with uncertainty.
"Don't give up." AJ told her, "You and Sheamus are so good together. I know you can make it through this."
"Go after him." Kaitlyn piped up, "Go find that hunk of Irish and tell him how you feel."
"Ooh." AJ suddenly got a wicked glint in her eye, "We could kidnap him! Maybe tie him to a chair. Lock the two of you in a room together."
"AJ," Layla sighed, "Now isn't the time for your bondage fantasies. Work all that out with John on your own time, okay?"
The petite Diva was crestfallen, "It was just a thought."
Her eyes glazed over, though, and she murmured to Kaitlyn, "Kay, would you help me with a little. . .project later on?"
The other Diva just rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the reporter.
Kimber glanced down at the table as she began to fiddle with her silverware. Her voice was quiet as she stated, "Maybe he doesn't want me anymore."
She looked up at them and offered a bittersweet smile, "Not that I blame him."
She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, sighing, "Why didn't I believe in him? If I just would have trusted him from the get-go none of this would have happened."
"Go tell him that." Kaitlyn pressed.
"Kait's right." Layla agreed, "Go to him and tell him everything you've told us. I know he'll listen. And I'm sure you guys will work this out."
Kimber looked at each of them in turn before admitting, "The truth is. . .I'm scared. I mean, he didn't talk to me last night. He didn't even wait around after the show to talk. I just. . .I just think it's too late."
"You're wrong."
The four women turned to see John standing by their table.
"You're wrong." he repeated as he knelt down before the table, forearms braced on the surface, "The guy's still interested, believe me."
"Did he say that?" Kimber questioned him.
John began to grin, "He didn't have to. He's still carrying around your Christmas present for cripe's sake. That ought to tell you something."
Kimber turned to each of them. All four of them regarded her with encouraging smiles. At their support she found herself feeling hopeful.
Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she could talk to him and they could work this out. And then maybe. . .well, she didn't want to think beyond that. She just knew she needed to talk to him.
"Okay." she announced as she rose to her feet, "Okay, I'll do it. I'll go track him down and try and talk to him."
"Yes!" AJ raised her fingers in the air and cheered.
The others looked at her and she shrugged, unashamed, "What? The moment called for it."
"Wish me luck." Kimber smiled at them before hurrying from the room.
"Good luck!" John called after her.
He then turned to the petite Diva and arched an eyebrow, "And as for you. Kidnapping? Bondage fantasies?"
AJ swallowed and shrugged, eyes cast to the table, "I was just. . .I mean. . ."
John walked around the side of the table to kneel down beside her. He reached out and grasped her chin, tilting her face up so that she had to look at him. AJ gazed over at him with trepidation.
Cena suddenly began to grin, "I like the way you think. Let's go talk a little more about those fantasies of yours."
AJ began to beam as he stood and took her hand, leading her from the dinning room.
Unable to help herself, she began to point towards the ceiling and cheer, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Layla and Kaitlyn looked at one another and rolled their eyes before they began to laugh.