Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and the plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 33

Scarlett sat in her room later that night, the TV was on but her thoughts were elsewhere. A pillow was clutched to her chest and she was staring at the picture frame in her hand that she'd packed up before leaving the B&B with Roman. It was a picture of her family. Five year old Scarlett was held tightly in her father's arms while her mother was leaning against him, the tree of them smiling at the camera happily.

It was the last photo that was taken of them as a family and the only photo she had of her parents. It was the only one that could've been saved from the fire with the rest burning up and leaving no trace of her or her family behind. Her parents had divorced shortly after that and her father moved away leaving Scarlett with her mother. She'd heard the fights from where her room and heard the doors slamming shut as he'd leave in the middle of the night telling her mother she was as useless as ever. Her mother was strong though. She put up with him and when he left her, Scarlett saw her mother transform from being a woman pining after her husband to a woman whose world was centered around her daughter.

Kathryn Rayer had worked day and night and built a business empire that had altered their lives and given the luxury to Scarlett that not many children had. It was probably the reason why Scarlett grew up with an attitude of an all-deserving girl. She'd been nasty to everyone around her and had gotten what she wanted because hearing "no" was not an option. After leaving high school, Scarlett's attitude had gotten worse to the point she'd lash out against her own mother but her mother remained calm. Just like she'd been when her husband had treated her so pathetically.

Regardless of what her father had done, Scarlett had never stopped loving him. He'd cut all ties with them but Scarlett had always felt he'd been the best father when he was with her. When she'd hear about his death from her their lawyer, she'd been deeply saddened while her mother had entirely ignored the death. They'd fought over that with Scarlett telling her mother that she never really loved her husband if she didn't feel upset with his passing. Scarlett had gone as far as questioning whether Kathryn loved her and had resulted in another ugly war of words. Needless to say, Scarlett wished she'd never fought with her mother because had she not loved Scarlett, Kathryn Rayer would very much be alive.

Scarlett looked at the picture, wondering if the five year old Scarlett that was smiling so happily at the camera knew her life would take a turn for the worst? The innocence had been captured even by the camera lenses and Scarlett knew that she'd lost that innocence years ago. Her eyes now held the ghost of her past and she tried to mask it as much as she could.

A knock sounded on her door and she slid out of bed, grabbing her scarf on the way. She peeked through the eyehole and when she saw Dean on the other side, she slung the scarf around her neck and opened the door.

"I thought you'd be asleep," she said, moving aside to let him enter.

"I could say the same for you," he said. She shut the door and turned around to face him.

"Finally," he said before stepping towards her. Before she had a chance to ask him what he was doing, Dean swept his head down and slanted his mouth over hers. A sigh of content escaped him and Scarlett tensed slightly before relaxing into his embrace. This was safe. This was happiness.

"I don't think I'll ever stop craving your kisses," he mumbled against her lips before kissing her once more. His kisses had the ability to steal all the air from her lungs and the basic function of her body. When he let go, Scarlett leaned against him, staring up at his sparkling eyes.

"You're going to be the death of me," was all she could muster up. He grinned and then walked with her further into her room. He spotted the picture on her bed and turned to her inquisitively. Scarlett grabbed it and looked down at it then up at him. Was it too early to divulge her life story to him? He waited patiently for her and Scarlett sighed before she turned and placed the pictures in her bag, missing the way his shoulder slumped and dismay flashed across his face.

"Did you need something?" She asked turning back to face him. He answered by climbing into her bed. Vitani meowed happily and jumped onto his stomach, finding a comfortable spot on his stomach and curling into a ball, her eyes falling shut. Dean scratched her behind the ear and then patted the spot next to him.

Scarlett eyed her cat almost warily. Was it even possible for her to be jealous of a cat?

Jealous? The emotion surprised her and she pushed it away wondering what was wrong with her. She slid into bed next to Dean and Vitani. He turned his blue eyes towards her and reached out an arm to tug her closer to him.

"Sleep," was all he said. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest and allowing the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat to lull her into sleep. Her parents visited her in her dream and Scarlett tried to reach for them, but they only smiled at her and walked away. She wanted to call out to them, but her voice was gone. Her mouth only opened and closed like a fish. But then he was there, she felt him take a hold of her hand in her dream and she turned to find him smiling at her.

"We're together aren't we?" He asked. She stared at him then glanced at where her parents disappeared.

"I'm here," he said to her. Scarlett turned her attention to him and she found even in her dream his eyes remained as blue as the ocean. She smiled at him and hugged him. He was here. This was where she belonged. With him.

~oOo~

Dean brushed her face and kissed her eyelids when she began to whimper in her sleep. His fingers twined with hers and he continued trailing kisses across her face. After a couple of minutes, the whimpers died down and she calmed as her breathing evened out once more. Dean smiled down at her and gently freed himself from her grasp. Picking up Vitani, he placed her on the pillow next to Scarlett and slowly crept out of the room.

The bright letters on the hotel clock told him it was just after 3AM and Dean hurried to his room to get some sleep. He'd spent too long watching her fall asleep, not that he was complaining, but Stephanie had informed him she'd booked him for an impromptu meet and greet. Settling down in his bed, Dean turned to look at the empty side of the bed. An image of Scarlett laying there next to him bloomed in his mind's eye and he couldn't help the grin that settled on his lips.

Things were starting to get better.

~oOo~

Roman was the one who woke her up the next morning and she stared at him. His big frame towering over her in the morning had been all too much for her and Scarlett let out a shriek.

"How do you keep sneaking into my room?" She asked. He grinned and flashed her a hotel key card.

"I did book your room, remember?" He asked.

"Rome, I could've been naked for all you know," she said sharply. The words seemed to have the desired effect for his face was wiped of any humor and he looked away from her.

"I…I didn't think of that," he said sheepishly.

"Clearly."

Scarlett turned her attention towards the door and found Dean standing there with an amused expression on his face. He was freshly showered and dressed in blue jeans and a t-shirt with a skull drawn over the front.

"I swear I just wanted to wake her up," Roman said holding his hands up in defense. Scarlett gawked at the big man who was now looking between Dean and her worriedly. Dean chuckled and stepped into the room while Scarlett continued to stare at Roman unabashedly.

"Is he…is he scared?" Scarlett asked perplexed. Roman glared at her sharply and she saw him return to his old self.

"I don't get scared," he responded, then glanced at Dean to make sure there was no hard feelings between the two with him waking up Scarlett. Dean shrugged and nodded at him.

"We would've had a problem if she was naked," Dean said nonchalantly. Roman and Scarlett could only look at each other as Dean nuzzled his face into Scarlett's neck.

~oOo~

Dean left a couple of minutes later, informing Scarlett of his meet and greet. That left her to spend the morning with Seth and Roman. Roman had gone off with him after telling her to meet Seth and him downstairs in the lobby so they could grab breakfast. Once Scarlett was dressed and ready, she stepped out into the hallway.

"I don't care why you don't want to go have breakfast together, all I want to know is why the fuck did you marry me if you didn't even want to act like a husband?" AJ yelled into the room couple of doors down before she slammed the door shut and whirled around to find Scarlett rooted to her spot outside of her own room, staring at her in shock.

"Hey!" AJ said smiling brightly. But Scarlett saw how forced the smile was and she cautiously approached AJ.

"Are you okay?" She asked. AJ's face hardened but she continued smiling.

"Perfect. Going downstairs? Me too. Let's go," and with that she linked her arm with Scarlett's and headed to the elevator. All the way down, AJ chatted about everything and nothing, while Scarlett only surveyed her in silence. The other woman was very upset and she was doing a fabulous job of hiding it. Had Scarlett not heard her yelling, she would've assumed everything was normal.

"And then they totally dished out the-Why are you looking at me like that?" AJ asked sharply. Scarlett shook her head and turned her attention to the glowing numbers that were counting the floors as AJ resumed her chattering. They were met with Summer and Renee as the doors of the elevator opened and the other two froze before sending a heated look towards Scarlett.

"Oh I am so not in the mood for this," AJ snapped grabbing her hand and shoving past Summer and Renee. Scarlett sighed in relief and allowed AJ to lead her towards the breakfast area.

"AJ, I'm supposed to meet Roman and Seth in the lobby. We're heading out for breakfast," Scarlett said, stopping in her tracks. AJ turned to look at her then made a face

"Fine. Leave me. That's what everyone seems to want to do anyway," AJ snapped.

"But Randy is here so why don't you two have breakfast together?" Scarlett chirped up when she noticed the man walking towards the breakfast area from the corner of her eye, his attention fixed on his phone.

"Randy?" AJ asked, turning to look for him. When she spotted him, Scarlett was surprised when she saw a full smile bloom onto AJ's face.

"Ran!" AJ yelled. The future hall of famer stopped in his tracks and looked up at her. She noticed his eyes sparkly and his face mirrored the smile on AJ's. The two walked towards each other and Scarlett crossed her arms in front of her chest as she watched them, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

AJ threw her arms around Randy and hugged him tightly before she pulled him towards breakfast. Scarlett huffed a laugh when she saw the adoration clear as day on Randy's face as he allowed the smaller woman to tug him. Scarlett knew of AJ's marital problems and she couldn't help but want Randy and AJ to somehow end up together. They were good for each other and Randy deserved his happiness just as much as AJ. The only problem was AJ's husband, CM Punk.

"Dollface getting too attached to Randy, isn't she?" Roman asked coming up next to her. She glanced at him and gave him a look.

"What?"

"I thought I was the only one that got the nickname," Scarlett said tapping her fingers against her lips over her scarf. Roman grinned at her and looped an arm around her waist.

"You get the most special one, babygirl," he said to her.

"Hey! No flirting with Dean's girl, Rome. You know she's off limits now," Seth said as he approached them. Except he wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly, swinging her around. She let out a squeal and swatted at him.

"Cut it out!" Scarlett said as she laughed. He put her down and grinned at her boyishly.

"I don't know about you two, but I'm hungry," Roman said. They made their way out the hotel and to a small diner not too far. Settling into a booth at the far corner, Seth reached forward and tugged the scarf off her face and Scarlett gave him a wary look but had to let it go when Roman folded the scarf and tucked it behind him on the other side of the booth.

"You two," she muttered.

"Don't go complaining to Dean now," Seth said grinning when her cheeks flamed.

"Pancakes?" Roman asked. Scarlett nodded and waited for the waitress to jot down their orders and disappear before turning her attention back to Roman and Seth.

"So how long has AJ been married for?" She inquired.

"About a year and a half now," Seth replied.

"How long did the two date before getting married?"

"Two years. Hell, Punk adored the girl," Roman said. Scarlett nodded and thought of what she'd heard in the morning.

"What happened after that?" Scarlett inquired. Seth and Roman looked at each other and she saw the silent conversation pass between them.

"Punk started acting weird. Less coming home and staying out, then when his injury sidelined him, he began to completely ignore AJ," Seth said.

"He ignore his wife?" Scarlett asked surprised.

"Yep. Wouldn't take her calls except when he'd see fit. Sometimes they wouldn't talk to each other for weeks and then AJ would go home only to find him out with friends or something," Seth continued.

"The marriage is almost non-existent now," Roman said sighing deeply. Scarlett pondered the newfound information and could only come up with one conclusion.

"She doesn't deserve him," she said simply. Seth and Roman looked at her sharply and Scarlett raised an eyebrow at them.

"You know she doesn't. What kind of woman needs a man that ignores her after putting a ring on her finger?" Scarlett asked, thinking back to her own parents. Seth slung an arm around her shoulder and squeezed.

"Don't say that in front of Dean. He thinks AJ isn't doing her best to spend time with her husband," he told her. Scarlett looked at him and then shook her head. There was no way anyone could think that that relationship had any means of fixing itself. She'd seen and heard the shouting earlier and it didn't sound like a healthy relationship whatsoever.

"Dean…can be blind to emotions. You two know that better than I do," she said, wincing as she remembered her own situation with Dean before anything had finally happened between them.

"And he cares for her like she's his little sister," Scarlett said. Another look passed between Seth and Roman and she chose to ignore it. They were doing that a lot lately. Looking at each other like they didn't want her to know something. Something that concerned AJ and Dea-.

"AJ and Dean had a thing didn't they?" Scarlett asked. Panic gripped her heart at the thought and she stared at Seth and Roman. Had she read the concern wrong? Was it not sibling-like affection? Was it something more? Dean had told her he'd been with many women before her, was AJ one of them? Was Scarlett coming in bet-.

"Don't even go there, babygirl. Dean cares for AJ like he would, as you said, for his little sister. There was never any romance between them," Roman spoke up, catching her hand and holding it firmly. Their breakfast arrived and he waited for the waitress to leave, glaring at Seth when he winked at the waitress who smirked at him in return.

"Then why…," she trailed off not knowing what she wanted to ask exactly.

"There are some things that are best left for Dean to tell you," Seth said to her, squeezing her shoulders before he let go and started on his stack of pancakes. Scarlett sat in silence, pondering his words.

"I think she should be with Randy."

The admission got her similar reaction from both men and that was them choking on their food. After coughing and wheezing for a few minutes and Scarlett rubbing their backs soothingly, they turned their attention to her.

"Definitely do not say that in front of Dean," Seth said, his face red from coughing so much. Scarlett frowned at him and took a bite of her own pancake. Sighing at the fluffiness and the taste, she took another bite and chewed.

"He makes her happy and she makes him happy," Scarlett said simply after swallowing the morsel of food.

"But he's Randy. The notorious womanizer," Roman said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"And how many women has he dated in the last two-three years?" She asked. They opened their mouths to reply then looked at each other before shutting them.

"My point exactly," she said, then tucked into her breakfast. Remaining silent the entire time they ate. It was only once the bill had been paid and they sat drinking their coffees did Roman speak up.

"Scar, Randy…he's not good for her. I mean, he still has feelings for her when she's married to someone else," he said, thinking carefully as he spoke. She watched him then took a sip of her coffee.

"Would you ever be able to get over someone you fell in love with regardless of their relationship status?" She inquired. When she got no answer from either men, Scarlett his her smile behind her cup and glanced around the diner. She recognized a few other superstars but they paid no attention to them, too focused on their own meals and conversations.

"Dean's on his way back," Roman said as he looked down at his phone. Scarlett nodded and they remained in the diner. She felt him before she saw him for there was a spark in energy and her heart stumbled slightly. Scarlett smiled and looked at him as he approached where they were sitting, nodding a hello at the other superstars. Seth slid out from next to her and took a seat beside Roman as Dean took his spot next to her.

"I missed you," he said simply and tugged her to him to steal a kiss from her. Deciding once was not enough, he tilted her head back and pressed his lips to her more harshly.

"We just had breakfast, man," Seth's voice said. Dean pulled away from her and glared at him before returning his lips to hers once more.

"Dean. Stop. Kissing. Me," Scarlett said between the kisses he pressed repeatedly against her lips. He let her go with a final kiss and then looked at his two best friends who looked slightly uncomfortable.

"What's good here?" He asked.

"Try the pancakes," Scarlett offered and Dean, satisfied, called the waitress over and placed an order. He turned his attention back to the trio and Scarlett noticed Roman and Seth's spine straightening.

"Dean, I was thinki-."

"How was your meet and greet?" Seth asked cutting across her. She looked at him surprised but he ignored her. Dean told them of the kids he got to meet and what not with a simple shrug of his shoulder. He grinned happily when his food arrived and Scarlett tried to speak up again.

"So I was thi-."

"The meet and greet came out of nowhere, no?" Roman asked, effectively silencing her once more. Dean chewed and looked between the three before swallowing his food and shrugging.

"Stephanie told me it was impromptu as I wasn't supposed to be back for another week," he replied.

"Dean, I-."

"Was she okay with you coming back to early?" Seth asked.

"Okay that's enough," Scarlett said, a hard edge to her voice, before she snatched her scarf from behind Roman and wrapped it around herself. Her tone was one that neither of the three had heard before and had caused them to stop whatever they were doing and stare at her in bewilderment.

"I'm going back to the hotel," she said before sliding out of the booth and heading out the diner. She ignored Dean's calls and continued ahead. They kept cutting across her when all she wanted to ask Dean was if he'd wanted to spend the day with her if he had nothing planned. But the other two had been downright rude and Scarlett had had enough.

"Watch it!" A hand grabbed her arm as she lost her footing when her foot caught in a crack in the concrete. She grabbed onto whoever held her and looked up only to come face to face with someone whose posters were always plastered around Chicago if the company was in town.

"You alright?" John Cena asked, concern filling his gaze.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good," she responded, letting go of him and setting herself right.

"You're Ambrose's girl aren't you?" John inquired. Her cheeks warmed and she cleared her throat.

"I know him," she replied. The thought of being "Ambrose's girl" was somewhat terrifying and equally pleasing. What the hell did they share with each other?

"He's a good kid. I'm John, by the way," he said, giving her his signature dimpled smile.

"I know who you are," she replied. "I mean, it's hard not to. There are pictures of you everywhere in Chicago whenever you guys are in town."

He grinned sheepishly at her and Scarlett looked down at her shoes. If there was anyone in the company that didn't need an introduction, it was John Cena. The man was literally the face of the company.

"Stealing my guy, are you?" A voice said. Scarlett and John turned to find Nikki and her twin sister Brie walking towards them.

"Hey b-."

"Shut up! I'm not talking to you. You!" She snapped, pointing at Scarlett and glaring at her as she shut John out. Scarlett stared at John when he seemed to deflate.

"Find yourself another guy to leech off of. This one's taken," Nikki scowled at her.

"Nikki, what are you saying? You know she can't find a guy looking like that," Brie said, a disgusted look on her face.

"Hey now, there's no nee-."

"I said, shut up!" Nikki yelled at John. Scarlett felt bad at seeing the man shut his mouth and stare at Nikki. Why would anyone want such a dominating girlfriend? Hell, why would the face of the company let his girlfriend push him around like that?

"Excuse me," Scarlett said, side stepping the three of them and continuing on.

"I'm not done with you! If you think you can just snatch Dean from the woman who deserves him then you're wrong!" Nikki called out to her. Scarlett wrapped her arms around herself tightly and continued forward. She saw AJ and Randy in the lobby of the hotel and seeing the two laughing so open heartedly, Scarlett couldn't find it in her heart to disturb them. Instead, she headed towards the elevators situated across the lobby.

"I told you I don't ca-."

Scarlett stopped dead in her tracks as she came face to face with the one person she least expected to see.

"Phil?"

*insert dramatic music*

Randy's a sucker for AJ, isn't he? Do you think Seth and Roman treated Scarlett right by interrupting her? To top it off, Nikki's sure treating John like crap, huh? And no, Phil is not there as a wrestler. He's based on an asshole my friend almost got into a relationship with, so I will try not to bash him as much as I already have. As always, leave me a review to let me know your thoughts! P.S. I think this is the fourth or fifth time I'm watching Sons of Anarchy all over again since it ended. Anyone else love that show?

- K.

To Marina: Aaaand that was why I was so excited for everyone to read the chapter. The reactions are completely worth it, lol. No labels, because honestly there is no need of one with these two. Roman and Seth will never leave the duo alone and that is why those two are so perfect. Obviously Roman isn't going to let anyone know that he had been surprised out of his wits, he has his pride in being the "all-knowing" Roman Reigns, lolol. We're just getting started and it's going to be a bumpy ride ahead. Thanks for reading and making me so happy by leaving me your thoughts. Cheers! xo