Tuesday 4th December
''The camera's shaking.''
''Well, you try to hold it then! It's really hard trying to get us all in the shot!''
''It's not that difficult, Lopez.''
''Well, you fucking try, then!''
Alexa rolled her eyes as she watched the three men bicker in front of her as they tried to pre-record their segment for the show. They were at the Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina for the Smackdown taping; which would be taking place in a few hours.
''Are they always like this?''
She turned to shoot an amused smile at Paul Levesque, who was overseeing the promo. ''Pretty much.''
They eventually worked out how to fit them all in the shot and keep the camera steady; Alexa, Paul and the small group of writers watching the monitor as they started recording.
''I'm Seth Rollins.''
''Roman Reigns.''
''I'm Dean Ambrose...What do we know about injustice?''
''We don't just know injustice!''
''We've lived it.''
''Last Monday, CM Punk, Champion for over a year, was disrespected with a lie detector test... by the Miz. Well, welcome to consequences, Miz!''
''Randy Orton! You took advantage of a young, defenseless Brad Maddox. Well, welcome to payback, Randy!''
''We shield the WWE from injustice.''
''Team Hell No?''
''Nobody says 'no' to The Shield.''
''Ryback! You've been handed success on a silver platter. You've been handed fame and fortune, you've been put on a pedestal! Well, we knocked you off that pedestal! We stopped you, cold. Welcome back to reality, Ryback!''
''We don't work for anybody! Not Paul Heyman, not the WWE Champion. We work for each other.''
''I'm Dean Ambrose.''
''I'm Seth Rollins.''
''I'm Roman Reigns... Welcome to The Shield of justice.''
''At the TLC pay-per-view; bring tables, bring ladders, bring chairs! The Shield brings the sword.''
Alexa sat in a secluded corner of the catering room, scrolling through her phone as she picked at her salad.
After watching the three men filming their promo, she had left them to go over the plans for the rest of the show with Paul. She didn't have anything to do in the show that night, she had just decided to tag along with the guys for an extra day before flying back home.
She glanced up when a lone figure suddenly loomed over her table, her eyebrows raising in surprise when she found Randy standing there. ''Uh... hey.''
''Hey.'' He gave her a tight smile, gesturing to the empty seat opposite her. ''Can I?''
''Sure.''
Randy slid into the chair, shifting it forward so he could lean his elbows on the table. ''I know it's been a while, you know, since we talked...''
Alexa nodded, chewing her lip. The last time they had spoke had been back in May, when she had finally come clean about everything. ''Yeah.''
''I was going to come and speak to you after I got back from my suspension, but my therapist said I should wait a while.''
''Therpaist?''
''Vince made me get one, part of the conditions of me coming back. I, uh, I've had a lot of time to think about everything and I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for reacting the way I did when you told me. It's no excuse, but I was high as a fucking kite at the time... and I was pissed that you'd kept it from me for so long. But, honestly, I don't blame you for not wanting to tell me, especially after what I did. I just... I'm sorry. For everything I put you through, for the way I've acted since you came back, all of it. I'm sorry.''
She glanced up, letting out a heavy sigh as her violet eyes darted between his blue ones. ''It's okay.''
''Yeah?'' He asked dubiously.
''Look, I think we can both admit we fucked up. One of us, on an epic scale.'' She shot him a small smirk before continuing. ''What's that saying, that you need to forgive and forget? It's pretty good advice, but not very practical. You really hurt me, Randy... and all I've wanted, for the longest time, is to hurt you back.''
Randy nodded, a solemn expression appearing on his face. ''I don't blame you. What I did, it was unforgivable, but I don't regret it. It gave me my daughter... the only thing I would go back and change would be the way I treated you.''
''I've always wondered, why did you do it?'' She asked softly, her curiousity getting the bestter of her. ''Was I not enough for you?''
''That's not it all all.'' He said quickly. ''I was only with Sam the one time while me and you were together. I was out with the guys, completely off my face and I don't know, it just happened. When I woke up the next day I felt like shit, told her it was a mistake and that was that. I was going to tell you, but I guess I was scared.''
''Of what?''
''Losing you. I mean, you'd already stuck by me, with my drug problems and everything... I knew that would be the last straw. So, I kept quiet. Then, a few months later, I got a phone call from Sam and she told me she was pregnant. I ended up confiding in John, he told me that I needed to man-up and come clean.''
''He was right, you should have.''
''I know.'' He replied. ''But, it's all in the past. I can't change anything, all I can do is apologize.''
''You're right.'' She admitted softly. ''What's done is done, there's nothing we can do about it. I've finally moved on, I'm happy... and to be honest with you, I think I let it go a long time ago but I was just too stubborn to see it. I'm not excusing any of the things you've done, but I forgive you, Randy.''
''I-'' He swallowed hard and averted his gaze. ''Thank you.''
''I'm not saying we're going to be friends or anything, but I can't spend the rest of my life holding onto all this anger and hatred.''
''I get it.'' He said, clearing his throat as he met her eyes once more. ''I'm, uh... I'm really glad everything worked out for you, Lex. You deserve to be happy.''
She smiled across at him. ''You know, I think this is the first civil conversation we've had in years.''
''Yeah, I think it is.'' His gaze moved to focus on something over her shoulder and he shifted uncomfortably before rising. ''I'll, uh, leave you to your lunch. I guess I'll see you around?''
''Bye, Randy.''
A few seconds later, the chair beside her was pulled back and Jon dropped into it with a grunt, glaring at the man who was walking across the room. ''What did he want?''
She shrugged. ''Nothing much.''
''Well, he must have wanted something.'' He insisted, his tone giving away his annoyance. ''Was he bothering you again?''
''No, no, he wasn't. We just talked, that's all.''
His jaw tightened. ''What did he say?''
After giving him a brief rundown of their conversation, she cocked an eyebrow at the expression on his face. ''What's that look for?''
''I know you're not that naïve, Lex.'' He raised an eyebrow back at her. ''He's just manipulating you into feeling sorry for him, it's all a bunch of crap.''
''Yeah, maybe...''
He sighed before shaking his head. ''He's just split up with his wife and now he's sniffing around you, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what he's after.''
She frowned, he hadn't mentioned that to her. ''Well, even if that were true, do you honestly think so little of me that I'd actually fall for it? Or so little of yourself that I'd actually do that to you?''
''Well...'' He trailed off, not meeting her gaze.
His silence spoke volumes.
Alexa let of a snort of disbelief before rising angrily, the chair scraping harshly along the floor as she got to her feet. ''I'm heading back to the hotel.''
His hand quickly darted out to latch on her wrist before she could take a step. ''Lex, come on-''
''No, Jon.'' She pulled her arm from his loose grasp. ''This trust thing works both ways, maybe you should think about that.''
He ran a hand through his hair as he watched her walk away, mumbling to himself. ''Shit...''
''I think you need to apologize.''
Jon scowled over at Joe as they walked through the lobby towards the elevator. ''Yeah, bro, I know that.''
''You should get some flowers.'' Colby piped up from behind them. ''Chicks like flowers.''
They had just arrived back at the hotel from the Smackdown taping and, after hearing Jon relay what had happened, the pair were both quick to offer up some advice.
''And chocolates.'' Joe added. ''Don't forget the chocolates.''
Jon rolled his eyes but nodded, falling back and jabbing a finger behind him. ''I think I saw a shop on the way in.''
''Good luck.''
''Yeah, we'll see you tomorrow.''
Twenty minutes later, Jon slid the key in the door and walked inside the hotel room; a frown forming on his lips at the silence that greeted him. The door closed with a click behind him and he shuffled further into the room, eyes moving over to the bathroom where he could see light coming from under the door.
He walked over and knocked softly on the wood. ''Lex?''
''Yeah?''
''Can I come in?''
''Sure.''
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, finding Alexa sitting in the huge tub filled with hot water and bubbles. Her eyes immediately went to the bunch of flowers that he was holding and she cocked an eyebrow. ''Aren't there supposed to be chocolates too?''
Shooting her a sheepish smile; he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a packet of Oreos. ''I thought you'd appreciate these more.''
She smiled. ''You know me too well.''
''I do, which is why I know was out-of-line to insinuate what I did earlier.'' He deposited the items beside the sink before moving across the room and taking a seat behind her on the edge of the tub; his hands lifting to knead the tender flesh of her shoulders. ''I'm sorry for being a tool.''
''You were a tool.'' She murmured. ''Of epic proportions.''
''I know.'' He agreed softly, his fingers continuing their work.
''After everything Randy put me through, do you honestly think I'd even consider going there again?'' She asked, turning her head to glance at him. ''Are you… are you worried? That I'm going to leave you or something?''
''I- I don't know... maybe...'' Jon paused, looking down at her earnestly. ''I can't stand the thought of losing you.''
Alexa bit the inside of her lip, not used to him being so forthcoming with his emotions. Since they had said those three little words to each other, he had been rather reserved in repeating them. She knew he had a rough childhood and would bet money on the assumption that his parents never really told him they loved him.
The few times she had said it again, he just flashed her one of his knee-weakening grins before kissing her. But, she didn't care; he constantly showed her how he felt, even if he didn't say it.
''I'm not going anywhere.'' She promised, turning around to face him. ''I don't know when you're going to get it into your head that I love you. I don't want anyone else, just you.''
''Why?''
Alexa let out a quiet snort, assuming he was fishing for compliments and a quick ego boost. She frowned when he averted his eyes to avoid her gaze; the woman realizing that he genuinely couldn't understand why she loved him.
''Honestly? I don't know... I love you... because you fixed me, without even realizing it. On my worst days, when all I wanted to do was give up on everything, you were there, cheering me on. I love that you won't take any of my bullshit, and you put up with my weird quirks. I love that you put everything you have into everything you do, and the way your face lights up like a four-year old on Christmas morning when you tell me stories from the road. You just... you make everything better. I knew the moment I met you there was something about you that I needed. Turns out, it wasn't something about you at all. It was just you.''
Jon was positive that if he was of a weaker disposition, he would have started crying. Instead, he leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips, before mumbling. ''I love you.''
''I know.'' She smiled up at him, biting her lip before grinning and suddenly sliding backwards; yanking him into the water with her.
He landed with a splash, spluttering curses as he emerged covered in bubbles.
Alexa laughed, reaching a hand over to swipe his hair out of his eyes. ''Man, I wish I had a camera...''
Jon just rolled his eyes, his retort cut short when she covered his lips with hers for another lingering kiss.
''Where are you going?'' She asked, watching as he climbed out of the tub.
''I'm going to get out of these wet clothes.'' He informed her, already starting to peel his shirt off. ''Then, I'm going to go and lay on the bed, naked, and wait for you.''
''You know, you can't just buy me flowers and expect sex.''
He smirked. ''That's why all men buy flowers... to get sex. I could just give you the fifteen bucks, but then you'd be offended.''
She sunk back into the water with a groan. ''You're such an ass.''