CHAPTER 17:

Even though Roman had formally apologized to AJ, the two had officially stopped talking to one another. Summer slam came and went as well as the end of her and Seth's on-screen relationship had happened. Luckily for her and Roman, Stephanie had canceled the idea of the love triangle, not that AJ and Roman minded. It was now September 1rst and everyone was preparing for the Night of Champions which was to be held in 2 weeks.

Everyone was steadily focusing on themselves and their internal wishes for success and the training rooms were jammed packed with everyone who was conversing amongst themselves.

"I still can't believe that we have a fatal four-way match" said Nattie. "Me either" said Brie. "How's Nicole doing?" asked Trinity. "A whole lot better" said Brie. "She's able to walk on her own again". "So when is she coming back?" asked AJ. All three of the girls' heads turned at that remark. "What?" AJ asked. "Just because Nikki and I aren't the best of friends, doesn't mean that I still don't care, she's still my coworker and we're all a team".

Everyone remained with their mouths agape. "And again I say 'what'" said AJ. "It's nothing" said Brie. "But I'm sure that you'll understand that we're still trying to realize that you…that you actually care about my sister". AJ took a slight step back. "Yeah" said Nattie. "It's just not like you to ever care about Nicole".

She was right, but that didn't mean that AJ was heartless. "So what I can't care about her just because me and her aren't actually on terms, doesn't mean that I'm…uncaring" said AJ. "April, come on that's not what we meant" said Brie. Sounds of machinery and weights were clinging as there was a pause between the women's conversations. "Look" said AJ. "The bottom line is that I'm happy that she's ok. I'm just trying to become the bigger person".

The other girls nodded in agreement as they continued their workout. "Well girl don't just stand there, come join us" said Trinity. AJ smiled as she took the empty elliptical recliner next to Brie. Her smiles however began to fade as she suddenly slowed down as she watched all three members of the shield entered.

"Colby, John, Joe! Hey!" shouted Brie. The three of them walked over. "I'm gonna take a break" said Nattie. "I need to call TJ to ask him how our cat's doing". Nattie walked away as another conversation began. "So are you guys ready for tomorrow?" asked Brie. "Girl you ask the silliest of all questions" said Seth. "How's Nicole doing?" "She's doing just great" said Brie. "The doctor says that she can return soon". "Oh really?" said Dean. "Yeah" said Brie. "Only we don't know yet but I'll make sure you'll be the first one to know, that is after family, John and Stephanie".

Dean smiled as he walked away but not before telling his other two teammates that he'll join them later. "Wow she's really into that bike" said Seth while glancing at Trinity. "Well of course she likes her music. Don't we all?" said Brie. AJ tried to only keep eye contact on Seth but knew very well it was hard not to because of her strong attraction.

"You're very quiet today" said Brie. "Huh?" asked AJ and Roman at the exact same time. Brie giggled. "AJ, I'm pretty sure I meant Joe" she said. "After all we did just have quite the conversation". "Oh" said AJ. "Nah, I'm just not really in the mood for talking all that much" said Roman. Brie nodded as she turned to Seth. "So now that your storyline with April is over, can I have all of the details?" "Um…sure I guess?" Seth said confusingly. "Brie!?" shouted AJ. "What I was only asking" said Brie. "Yeah but that's personal" said AJ.

Just then, all three heads turned to face AJ. She was slowly turning red. "I um…gotta go I've left something in my car" she said nervously as she got up to run off. "But wait, she doesn't have a car…or does she?" said Seth. "Ok, what was that about?" asked Brie. "I dunno but I'm gonna find out" said Seth as he went after AJ. Brie waited sometime before continuing. "What she doesn't have a little crush on him, right?" Roman became quiet. "Oh my God…she does!" said Brie. "She does like him! Oh that is so sweet". "Yeah except he has a girlfriend" said Roman.

Meanwhile out in the parking lot, Seth finally caught up with AJ. "April!" he shouted. "April!" he repeated. He stopped when he found her. "AJ, are you alright?" he asked. "No I'm not" she said as tears began to flow out of her eyes as she began walking back and forth while holding her head with her hands. "I'm not! He thinks that it's ok for him to just come in there and be like that to me!?" "AJ, I don't understand" said Seth. "You didn't really accept his apology". AJ stopped and turned around. "You guys talk about me?" she asked. "Well yeah, he's like a brother to me" said Seth. "You guys talk about me!? So what am I just your daily fucking dose of gossip for you!? And what about John is he in on it too!? IS EVERYBODY!?"

She was shouting now. "AJ…please try to stay calm" said Seth. "You and I may not be the only ones out here and we are very public figures". By this point, AJ's tears began to worsen. "Just why does he hate me so bad?" she asked. "Why does he hate me?" Seth knew that he couldn't tell AJ the truth, that Roman really did like her, but couldn't tell her. He knew that was Roman's decision to make alone. "I really don't know" Seth lied. "But what I do know is that Joe doesn't hate anybody". That he was being truthful with.

"I just wish for once that people didn't see me as the crazy one, you know?" said AJ. "Well I don't think you're crazy" said Seth. "Really?" said AJ. "No, of course not" said Seth. "You're just…misunderstood". He was now using Roman's words. "Thank you" said AJ. "You're welcome" said Seth. AJ was calming down now as the two gave each other a hug. "Come on now, we better get inside before some paparazzo begins snapping photos". The two finished their hug and went to return back inside. AJ broke apart from Seth as she reentered the weight room where he and Roman began to talk.

"Dude is she ok?" he asked. "No, dude she's not" said Seth. "She's all torn up inside". "How so?" asked Roman. Seth took a quick look around over both shoulders before resuming. "Come on Joe" he said. "Now no offense man but are you just as clueless as she is?" "What do you mean?" asked Roman. "Dude she's in love with you" said Seth. Roman took a step back on the wall. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Is that what she told you?" he asked. "No, not exactly word for word but come on from the way that you're acting I'd say that you'd probably feel the same way" said Seth.

"Ok one, I'm not in love with April and two, she's not even in love with me" said Roman. Seth just shook his head in frustration. "You two are seriously meant for each other but if you both keep it up, neither of you will ever be happy" he said. With that he walked way.

Roman didn't care. He was never going to tell AJ his true feelings, one way or another even if it eats him up on the inside.