Sasha sat in a corner of the backstage area as a match went along on the monitor. She typed on her phone, trying to contain her excitement.

"Who're you texting with that smile?" Seth was above her suddenly, a knowing smirk on his face.

"What? Oh, no one."

"Saaasha."

"It's another man-"

"It's Becky isn't it?"

"Nope just…asking for dirty pictures."

"Oh yeah? What's his name, this side-dick of yours?"

"Uh-" Sasha blushed and burst out laughing.

"You promised me you wouldn't tell her!"

"I didn't tell her anything, I just asked if she was watching tonight,"

"You'll be the end of me, Banks," He laughed and sat down next to her.

"I don't want her to miss it."

"Yeah I know. Just be careful, alright? That's my ass on the line."

"I promise."

"Good," he kissed her quickly on the cheek. "By the way, your little scheme worked."

"Which one?"

He chuckled and scrolled through his phone before handing it to her. It was a stub of an article on some dirt-sheet. She read it aloud.

"Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks were spotted this morning going for a run in Central Park, Banks wearing Rollin's newest merchandise," she laughed. "The pair are well-documented friends, but with reports of them traveling together, it could be an indication that they're involved. "

"You wanted to give them something to talk about, they're talking."

"That they are."

"Still don't care?"

"Still don't care."

"Good," he smiled, "I gotta go change, but uh," he dropped his voice low, "if you're after dirty pictures…" he smirked

"Oh, Seth baby," she shook her head, cringing.

XXX

She had Summer Rae in the Bank Statement and took a look out to the crowd. It was always amazing to her, the feeling of all those people cheering. Summer slammed her hands into the mat, tapping out, and Sasha let her go. She took a mic and looked out again.

"Let's be real guys, that's exactly what should've happened to Emma last month. I should've had her tapping." She sighed, "but that's not what happened, and Emma beat me clean. That means Bayley will be facing Emma alone at WrestleMania. And that means I am gonna need an opponent because no way is the Boss sitting out WrestleMania. Which is why tonight, I am issuing an open challenge, if anyone back there thinks they can hang with a former Women's Champion and a future Hall of Famer, bring it."

Nia's music hit and there was a collective gasp and the boos began.

"Oh sweetheart," Nia said, walking down to the ring, "didn't anyone tell you to be careful what you wish for?"

"You wanna fight me at Mania, Nia?"

"No, Sasha, I wanna destroy you at Mania."

Her eyes narrowed, but she held out a hand to Nia. Suddenly she was being lifted up like it was nothing and slammed right to the floor. She reeled in pain as Nia continued the attack. The last hit was a big Leg Drop. The crowd was on their feet booing, and Nia took the mic back again.

"See you in Orlando, babe."

Sasha came through the curtain and found Seth waiting for her. He smiled at her.

"Good match,"

"Thanks," she let him pull her into a hug. "It's kind of a consolation prize."

He kissed the top of her head. "Don't you worry about that," he looked up at the monitor, they were playing a video package for him and Kevin. "I'm on in a sec. You behave yourself."

"No promises. Have a good match," she smiled as she walked off and he rolled his eyes.

Chris and Kevin passed her as she exited the area, they nodded to her as she smiled and walked passed.

"You tell her?" Chris asked immediately.

Seth sighed, "everyone will know it about 10 minutes anyway."

Chris shook his head, "and I thought I was weak when it came to women."

"Alright, alright."

"So things are worked out between you?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah they're getting there."

He nodded his head, "good. Maybe now you'll quit bitching."

"Unlikely," interjected Chris.

"Am I the butt of every joke?"

"Most of them," Chris laughed. "Look alive,"

Seth's music hit and he nodded to them, walking out to a crowd of cheers. He looked around the arena and grinned. As he stood up on the ropes, he thought about what was about to happen and took a deep breath. It was bittersweet. This was supposed to be his WrestleMania, and in a way it was, but in another way, it wasn't.

Chris and Kevin made their way back down the ramp and Seth taunted him. Chris ducked under the ropes and the two locked up. He always enjoyed working with Chris, he was a veteran, a future Hall of Famer, and a good worker on the whole. It went on for a few minutes, back and forth, before Kevin stuck his nose in. Chris locked in the Walls of Jericho, and as Seth scratched for the ropes, Kevin pulled them back. After a moment of Kevin's behavior, the lights started pulsing, and Finn's heartbeat sounds began. Kevin let go of the ropes and looked nervously towards the top of the ramp as the crowd went wild. Seth took advantage to get the rope-break, and then hit Seth with the Pedigree while he was distracted. He smiled as the bell rang. Standing up, he to looked over at the ramp, where Finn never appeared, and nodded.

XXX

The two of them boarded the bus that night, it would be a longer ride to Cincinnati and she was eager to get some sleep on it. She had snuggled in on his bed, texting Becky again, when Seth came in from his shower.

"Do I need to take your phone away?" he teased.

"I'm not telling her anything!"

"I'm not sure I believe you," he climbed onto the bed with her.

Leaning in for a kiss, she enjoyed the feeling of his lips for a moment. That ended as soon as she felt him sneak her phone from her hand.

"SETH!"

"I told you not to tell her."

"Give it back."

"Come and get it," he grinned holding it above her reach.

She smiled slyly and climbed onto his lap. Her lips grazed his neck while she grasped for the phone. He managed to keep it away from her and she kept trying to distract him.

"Alright if we're doing this then," he smirked. In an instant, she was under his body. A hand held hers together above his head, the other teasing her phone above her face.

"Promise me you won't tell her anything."

"I promise."

"Are you sure?" he asked, teasing his lips over hers.

"Yes,"

He kissed her deeply and she moaned into his mouth.

"Fair enough," he whispered, his voice thick and husky. He put the phone on the bedside table.

Sneaking his free hand under her tank top, he snapped her bra clasp. She let a murmur escape as his hand wandered. He pushed up the material and let his tongue trail over her body.

She giggled, "give me my hands back,"

"Why?"

"Because you love it when I hold onto your hair."

"Unconvinced," he moved to the other side and she gasped. "Beg for it."

"Ha, no."

"Fine by me," he smirked at her and let his free hand down to slip under her leggings.

Pushing in a singular finger lightly, he met her eyes with a daring look. She moaned as he started pumping in and out, wanting so badly to touch him. He knew exactly what she liked, picking his pace up as soon as she gave him the green light.

"Alright alright! Please?" she asked breathily.

"Please what?" he taunted, sneaking in another finger to her.

She groaned. "Please give me my hands back. I wanna touch you."

"That's more like it," he let go of her hands and returned them to her chest. Her hands tangled in his hair and it felt so good. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "you want more, baby?"

"Yeah but I'm not begging."

He chuckled, pulling his shirt over his head. "No need."

Their clothes were left in puddles on the floor of the bus as they crawled under the covers, giggling like teenagers. He pressed his lips to hers and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They could hear the rain pounding on the roof, and she sighed, loving the relaxing feeling of his body on hers. He pushed in slowly, like he was reading her mind, knowing exactly what she needed right now.

"Mmm, this is nice," she whispered as he gave her slow, long thrusts.

"Change of pace is good sometimes," he groaned.

"You're exhausted."

"I'm exhausted," he nodded and then laughed. "But not too exhausted to give you it nice, slow, loving," he kissed her cheek, "wonderful."

"Wonderful?"

He nuzzled on her soft spot on her neck and held his thrust where she was most sensitive. She let out a moan, collapsing back into the bed. Holding onto his hair, she met his movements. The two of them went for as long as they could manage, using up every ounce of energy they had left. Eventually, he collapsed onto her and kissed her ear.

"I think that's it for me, baby. You okay?"

"I'm satisfied," she ran a hand through his hair. "But I might want it rough and overwhelming next time."

He laughed, kissing her lightly, "I might just be jonesing for it like that too."

Rolling over he pulled the comforter up to his chest and smiled at her. She reached over to the phone where he had left it. There was a message from Becky, almost an hour ago, saying Finn wouldn't tell her anything but she was hoping it meant Mania. Sasha laughed, texting back.

Sorry, got caught up. Yeah hopefully!

Her phone buzzed as Becky responded.

Caught up? ;-)

She laughed again.

"Baby?" he laughed and looked at her suspiciously.

"Nothing, nothing!" She looked over and blushed, "Bex is always onto us. I don't know how she does it sometimes."

"Well probably just cause we're constantly," he nuzzled against her neck, "constantly having sex."

"It is not constantly," she laughed.

"It's pretty close to constantly," he smirked. "Hey before you fall asleep I wanted to ask you about something."

"Yeah?"

"We're in Chicago Wednesday to Thursday,"

"Uh huh."

"I know you have that signing in the morning, but I was gonna have dinner with the Brooks. Wanna come with?"

"The Brooks as in-"

"AJ and Punk. Thought you'd like that."

"Yeah, I haven't seen her in forever, that'd be great."

"Good, Thursday night. 7:30."

XXX

"I'm back," she called, walking through the door of their hotel room in Chicago. "You almost ready?"

"Almost," he was leaning into the mirror in the hotel room, a towel around his waist, putting in a contact.

She leaned up against the doorway. "Not even dressed, that's almost?"

"I don't take ten years to get dressed," he said blinking, "unlike…you." He stopped as he saw her and grinned.

"You've got ten minutes, there might be traffic," she smirked, standing there in her tight skinny jeans and an oversized sweater that draped casually off of her bare shoulder while her hair fell on the other side.

"Well I don't wanna go now."

She rolled her eyes, "this is your dinner. We're leaving in ten."

"Yes ma'am," he said throwing his towel down to the floor and walking past her with a smirk. Her eyes followed him.

A while later, the cab let them out in front of the restaurant AJ had picked out, a BBQ place downtown. Sasha rolled her eyes at him as he smiled at her.

"Told you we'd be late."

"And who's fault is that?" he smirked. "C'mon try to keep it in your pants, Banks."

He took her hand and walked her over to the table where their friends sat. "Hey guys!"

"Seth!" AJ stood up to hug him, "If you were gonna try to butter me up you should've gone with Bayley."

Seth laughed, "she wasn't available. You guys remember Sasha?"

"Hey girl," AJ hugged her as Seth shook her husband's hand.

"What are people calling you these days?" he asked.

"Eh, Phil is good," he nodded, "hey Sasha. I don't think we properly met,"

"It's good to," she smiled and they all sat down, "I've always been a fan."

"Thanks," he gave her a half smile.

"So what's good here?" Sasha opened her menu.

"Everything," AJ laughed, "but if you're on a cheat day and want some carbs, the chicken and waffles are pretty fantastic."

"Done."

They ordered and handed their menus to the waiter. AJ leaned in on her elbows and looked Seth in the eyes.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"What?" he laughed, "right to the chase then?"

"Yeah c'mon, give me the pitch."

"The pitch?" Sasha looked between them, confused.

He sighed, "Alright. I know Moline isn't exactly around the block."

"It's not, and I gave up my days of being on the road." AJ responded.

"But it's not far, and I'd only ask for a once a week, or even bi-weekly if that's all you can do. Look the women who we train at Black and Brave, they need a trainer who understands the challenges they're facing. I try, but I don't know what that's like. You're a good teacher, I saw you down in the Performance Center back when it opened, anyone who works with you benefits from it. Don't they, Sash?"

"Oh uh, yeah, yeah I loved our session."

"See. These women need someone who really gets it. You're the best in the business. I'm asking you to lend just a little bit of that talent and that skill to the next generation. They have so much potential but I'm not the right one to crack it."

AJ sighed and smiled. "My WWE contract-"

"Only prohibits you from performing, not from training. It's the same non-compete we all have. Please, AJ. Just think about it."

"Okay, I'll think about it."

"Thank you. Really, you have no idea,"

Phil looked from Seth to Sasha, "he's persuasive isn't he?"

"I'll say."

XXX

In the elevator of the hotel, he looked over at Sasha.

"You alright? You've been awful quiet."

"Uh, yeah."

"Saasha…" he groaned. He hated it when she held back.

"You kind of ambushed me there!" She pushed passed him into the hotel room and headed for the bathroom.

"I didn't mean to. I'm sorry," he followed her, tying her hair up in the mirror. "Sash, seriously I just thought you'd like to see them."

"And you couldn't have told me it was a business dinner before?"

He sighed, "I just thought a friendly face would help-"

"Great. Glad to be of service," she grumbled.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I wanted you there because I thought it would get her to say yes, seeing someone she helped."

"I didn't even know you were asking her to become a trainer for you."

"I know. I should've told you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. "I'm sorry. My ambition gets the best of me sometimes."

"Damn right," she laughed. "Why are you asking AJ though?"

"Those girls really need a role model, I can't provide what they need."

"And she's the best?"

"She's up there, she's something resembling local, and she's more available than the current roster. So yeah, she was my first thought."

"Your first thought? Not…not me?" her eyes flickered up to his in the mirror.

He sighed, "Saaasha,"

"Okay I get, it I can't always be your first call," she pulled out of his grasp and opened up her makeup remover.

"It's not that I don't want to, or that I don't think you'd be great at it. But you and I, we mix business and pleasure plenty as it is."

She rolled her eyes as she wiped the eyeliner off, "you had to phrase it like that?"

"It's true, isn't it? You'd really wanna work for me? Cause I sure as hell wouldn't want you to be my boss."

"You wouldn't be my boss," she laughed, "would you?"

"I sign the paychecks. The other guys handle operations, but I'm the major financial partner there. Which means everything,"

"Comes back to you," she finished for him.

"Exactly, and I know if things were reversed, I'd hate that."

"I'm a great leader," she giggled.

He nuzzled into her neck again, and spoke with a husky candor, "I'd be worried you'd ride me too hard."

"Oh my god," she laughed and pulled away, walking out of the bathroom. "You are insatiable."

"Hey," he followed her. "Enough joking. If you really want to, why don't you come in with me next time?"

"To the academy?" she pulled the sweater over her head.

"Yeah, now that I think about it," he smiled lightly, "there's a student who could really use your help. She's a lot like you."

"A lot like me?"

"Bold, crafty, tiny."

"TINY?"

"We have a few days off after Mania, no live shows until Sunday. Come home with me," he crawled into bed next to her and kissed her cheek, "have dinner with my parents, give my students a little lesson, snuggle up with my puppy in front of the fireplace,"

She giggled, "that's your idea of a romantic night is it?"

"It's heaven."

"It is."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yeah. I'll be there."