Carrot ran on the gigantic Bengal wheel while the human of the household ( and the human's human, Carrot had figured out) sat and watched and sipped water between swigs of alcohol.

'You'll never believe that I truly do know the difference between sex and love.'

'I would, but it'll be awhile.'

'Treachery! I admire that.'

'I do know you love me...during our Nexus time, those trays of cookies and milk weren't left at me and Jay Gee's door by elves.'

'It felt correct to do.' Wade shrugged, not the least bit embarrassed. 'You're both childish.'

'I also remember every night you made me give you a bath.'

'I didn't MAKE you, I simply-'

'Demanded.' Heath replied.

'Well you weren't forced at gunpoint. You could've said no.'

'I didn't want to say no.'

A incoming tide of beer sloshed on the fireside rug.

'We did have a spark then, didn't we?' Wade asked when he finally composed himself. 'Could've burned the place down some nights.'

'That entire time you thought you were harrassing me but I actually enjoyed it.'

'At least one of us thought.'

'What of me?'

'You are the exact color of fresh rust, or a penny before it fully darkens.'

'I was talking about what if I had been Leader and...'

'Incorrect idea.'

'In Corre-ect. Seriously would you have scrubbed me from head to foot?'

'Happily.'

'Would you NOW?' The last word being spoke in a typical Ginger yelp 'Nuh-aaaoooowwwwww' the same stupid noise Wade had grown accustomed to and was dreadfully fond of.

Wade stood, forget the drink when his idiot beloved was in his arms.

'I'll bring the soap.'

'Leo doesn't know this place.'

'Yeah it IS unfamiliar.' Roman sat on the top step, staring far down into the empty arena, far down at the partly set up ring.

'I recognize it though.' Seth muttered four steps below them.

'I GUESS this is the right address.' Dean checked his watch. 'But it's bizarre, I haven't seen a jerk-ass yet.'

'Jerk-ass?' Roman grinned down.

'Fans.' Seth said, glancing back. 'He hates fans.'

'I hate fans.' Dean grunted, picked at the dried gum on his boot bottom.

Backstage the rest of the crowd gathered, not a Diva in sight, but most of the males, paired up, Regal and Ryder, Evan with Finlay, Johnny Curtis smiling and feeling giddy next to Jinder, Solomon standing alone with runny eye makeup and a scowl, blank eyed Joey staring ahead at nothing, a twitch on the corner of his mouth.

Some show!' Justin complained. 'Why would Vince make us wait this long?! and where are the fans?!'

'Maybe they are keeping away from your bitching, you whiny snot.' Corey glared.

'Don't start a fight with ME, you trash imitation of Punk.'

'I can break you right here in front of-'

The first explosion startled them into silence.

The second, screams and panic.

The third and each of two dozen after, one by one, and they ran, jumped and fought their ways as the arena caved in, collapsed on top of them.

A soul crushing and bone breaking night of surprise.