Chapter 15
June 1st, 2014
Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena
Payback PPV
"I know it's time; I know the split is coming and I am a nervous wreck about it," Syd ranted, pacing their locker room while nervously fisting her hands, "but the fact that you three won't give me tonight's script is driving me fucking mental! I need to know what I'm looking at here," she stopped and glared at the three of them, sitting quietly while their wide eyes followed her every movement. "I need to know what to look out for so I can be there for you!" she looked over the silent men, stopping on each of their worried faces. "Are any of you going to say anything?"
"No," Jon answered simply, sighing deeply before standing to take her shoulders in his hands. "You won't agree with some of it if you know beforehand and I know you; you'll pitch a fit and break bones to stop it. Now I need you to sit and listen," he directed her on to the bench between Joe and Colby, kneeling before her with her hands firmly in his. "You know us and how we work enough to see what's coming. You know your brother's every move, so all you'll have to worry about is Dave and Paul. We trust you to be where you need to be, Kitten. We always have," he cupped her cheek in one palm; a smile bringing his dimples out.
"And you're still not going to tell me how the split is going down?" she asked a few minutes later.
"Nope," Jon shook his head; biting his bottom lip.
"You know I can go read Randy's script for tonight and ask him about the split," she cocked an eyebrow, darting her eyes to Colby when he chuckled.
"You just try moving from this spot with that in mind and I'll tie you to that bench and leave you here until we're done," Jon leaned in with a low growl.
"You wouldn't dare," Syd crossed her arms over her chest; an indignant glare in her eyes.
"Try me, Kitten," Jon fired back.
"Kinky; I just may add that to my list," she gave him a sultry smirk.
"Fuck, you two are incorrigible," Joe groaned, running his hands through his hair at his temples. "Thanks to you, Syd, I got to spend five wonderful days with my lady and my JoJo; and thank you and Phil and April for keeping my princess so that I could get my loving on, but damn it, you make normal humans feel like they're on a dry spell," Joe tugged at the front of his pants, making Syd slide closer to Colby.
"What the fuck did you just say?" Jon squinted his eyes at Joe, looking to Colby for an explanation.
"Well he is thanking you guys for the birthday week. I would like to thank you too, by the way," Colby kissed Syd on the cheek before waving off Jon's growl. "The big man was thrilled to get five days with Gal and JoJo, and the penthouse floor of the hotel kicks ass. I know you didn't say that, man, but it is necessary, and point that thing somewhere else," he told Joe, holding a hand on the side of Syd's face so that she couldn't see the Samoan's erection. "He is also thanking you, Syd, Phil and April for babysitting so he could get plenty of fucking in, but he's also bitching that despite the fact he got laid this morning, being around you two tends to make people horny like they haven't had any in ages. You're so open and loud about all your kinks. Does that about cover the hard-on explanation, big man?"
"You better go handle that situation in the bathroom before the match, Papa Bear. I don't think Jon will let me treat dick injuries," Syd chuckled, keeping her eyes averted.
"No, she isn't handling any dick injuries except mine. And Colbs is right; point that thing somewhere else, man," Jon reached out, taking Syd's hand and pulled her into his chest. "Speaking of dick injuries, I don't want one so let's go take care of my problem," he chuckled, leading Syd to the door.
"Fuck, you two suck," Joe growled.
"She will be shortly and you should go pull Gal from the audience to get on her knees too. See you in a few," Jon waved with a grin, escorting his lady out of the locker room.
~Flashback~
Jon and Sydney rented out the penthouse level of their hotel for Joe and Colby's birthday. Each of the couples had luxury suites with a sitting area, a spare bathroom, a king-sized bed in a private bedroom with an en suite bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi tub. On each of the balconies, they had their own hot tub. Joe and Gal's room had a connecting room for JoJo.
They booked out the whole floor, letting Jonny, Trinity, Josh, Randy and Cena know that they had rooms waiting for them when they arrived in town for the PPV.
Aside from the gifts they bought both men, Syd and Jon got the two couples a spa day, which received raised brows from the men and excited squeals from the women. "You two are going to have to trust me. This isn't facials, manis and pedis. Your ladies get that special treatment. You two get full massages after time in a sauna and mineral bath. You'll love it," Syd smiled at her birthday boys.
"But we have hot tubs here and you give us massages," Colby pouted, batting his eyelashes at her.
"Well I'm off until Sunday, Pup, so deal with it," she ruffled his hair before turning to Joe. "While the four of you enjoy your private day, the four of us will take JoJo to Great America and have our own fun."
"Thank you, baby girl," Joe gave her a big hug; laughing a moment later when JoJo tugged on his pant leg.
"You and Mommy need to go, Daddy. Auntie Syd, Uncle Jon and I are going on rides," she nodded at him, holding her arms out to Jon.
"No rollercoasters, Jon," Joe arched a brow once his brother settled his daughter on his hip.
"I swear, bro," Jon smirked.
Syd took her spot next to JBL awaiting the entrance of both stables; already feeling her heart in her throat. She worried about all three of her boys but Jon, most of all. Work was weighing heavily on her mind but not as much as some of her insecurities. Their relationship was moving along at a quick pace but that isn't what worried Syd. She loved Jon; she knew it and accepted it, but she felt so emotionally-stunted and knew she overreacted to a lot of things that normal people wouldn't. Her fear was fucking it up and losing the first man she's ever loved.
~Flashback~
"So I've heard the L word dropped quite a few times from both of you since we've been here," Phil said leadingly while he and Syd trailed behind Jon, April and JoJo. "Did you get your head around it? Are you okay?" he pulled her into his side with an arm draped across her shoulders.
"I got my head around it and he's teaching me that it's okay. He's been exceptionally patient and hasn't pushed me, Phil, so don't go there," she cut him off when she saw the hesitation in his eyes. "That man has been perfect for me in every way. You'd be proud of how understanding he's been of my hang-ups. He isn't what anyone thinks he is. He's patient, tender and loving, and I couldn't be happier," she sighed, leaning her head against his chest while she watched Jon win JoJo a stuffed animal at the arcade.
"As long as you're happy and he takes care of you, Highness, then I'm on Team Jon," he smiled at the little girl's enthusiasm, leading Jon and April around to another booth. "He's awfully good with kids," Phil grinned, holding her tight to keep her elbow from moving. "Come on, I could definitely see little Jon and little Syd running around the house. Maybe a little Phil too," he chuckled when she rolled her eyes with a blush staining her cheeks.
~Flashback~
On an impulsive whim, she asked him to move in with her while they were celebrating Joe and Colby's birthdays with their friends. He seemed shocked at first but agreed to it; saying that they've spent every moment together since their first time so they might as well. It wasn't exactly the reaction she expected but she went with it. She felt like she took a huge leap forward as an adult in a functioning relationship until he casually mentioned that he'd keep his condo 'just in case'. Syd didn't know what 'just in case' meant and asked Phil about it later when they were alone at the table.
Her brother looked in her hurt eyes, took her hand in his and gave her his trademark smile. "Highness, 'just in case' means a lot of things. You've had your own space for a long time; so has he, and one of you might feel the need for some alone time. Hush, Syd," he pulled her into his side and tightened his grip on her hand. "That is Jon being considerate of your possible needs, and from what I know of Good, that isn't a common practice of his. You've changed him as much as he's changed you, sweetheart. Keep in mind that 'just in case' could also mean something as simple as needing extra space for when your herd of new family visits. Don't panic, Highness; that man loves you," he kissed the side of her head before holding her until Jon returned to the table.
The nagging feeling of overstepping her boundaries, or moving too quick for Jon remained burrowed into her brain like a bloodthirsty tick all night. Syd felt self-conscious and jittery at the bar for hours before Phil couldn't contain her nerves a minute longer.
"How about you just stay whenever you feel like it?" she blurted out during a lull in conversation at the table. "That's probably better for you, right?" her head nodded quickly while she stared into his confused eyes; jumping slightly when Phil placed a steadying hand on her forearm.
"What are you talking about, Kitten?" Jon turned towards her in the booth; his hand resting on her back and felt her body shaking beneath his palm.
"I don't want to push and I feel like I'm choking on my foot right now. So you know, just stay when you feel like it and go home when you want," she gave him a short smile before pushing her brother out of the booth. "It is my turn to relieve April so she can come hang out with you guys. I'll see you upstairs, Joe," she waved at the table and all but ran out of the hotel bar.
"Shit," Phil ran a hand over his scalp, standing beside their table.
"What the fuck just happened?" Jon slid out of the booth, completely at a loss on why his lady just ran from him.
"She didn't take your reaction to moving in very well and thinks she fucked up by asking you to," Phil sighed, trying to figure out how to salvage this hiccup in their relationship. "Don't," he caught Jon by the arm when he went to follow her. "If you go, she'll feel cornered and anything you say will just come across as you placating her. I'll go so I can escort April back," he shook his head and exited the bar without a backwards glance.
"I knew that answer would come back and bite you in the ass," Joe grumbled, taking a sip of his drink when his distraught friend all but collapsed on to the end of their seat. "She's too delicate for a 'sure, I'll move in since we've been fucking every day since day one but I'll keep my place just in case shit doesn't work out or I feel like fucking anyone else'. That is how it sounded, you know," he scowled; his mood spoiled now that his sister was hurting.
"I didn't mean it like that; you know I didn't, Joe," Jon said softly, staring at the table.
"I know you didn't, Jon, but she wasn't privy to you strutting like a proud peacock at the bar; bragging that you get to sleep next to your Kitten every night and wake up next to her in the morning for the rest of your life," Joe downed the rest of his drink and slid the empty glass to the center of the table.
"I don't know her real well yet, Jon, but from what Joe's told me, she's extremely delicate when it comes to matters of the heart, just like you," Gal continued where her fiancé left off. "You have grown by leaps and bounds because of this woman but she needs a gentle hand from you to keep her from getting spooked," she said softly, reaching across Joe to pat Jon's clasped hands.
"In other words, think before you casually toss out an answer to something as important as living with her, idiot," Colby snapped with dark eyes. "She's been independent for a long time and decided to open her home to you to share with her. Take her feelings into consideration and don't always assume that being coy or funny is the way to handle all situations with her despite how you two normally are," he narrowed his eyes on his stable mate; who refused to look at any of them.
He didn't lift his gaze off the tablecloth once until Phil and April returned. Hopeful blue eyes shifted to olive green only to slide closed when Phil sadly shook his head no.
"I hate to be a total dick but this is pretty much a bust now that she's gone and the mood has hit an all-time low. Leighla and I are turning in," Colby scooted out the other end of the booth, taking his lady's hand to help her up.
"I think we're going too. We can relieve Syd of babysitting duty so she can get back to your suite and you can fix this," Joe followed Galina out, noticing Phil and April remained standing before he turned to Jon. "Get to your room, fool! I'll make sure she gets back to you," Joe snatched his friend out of the booth by his collar and the seven of them made their way to the elevator in the lobby.
Upon returning to his suite, Jon planted himself on the sofa in the sitting room, hands clasped between his spread legs and eyes fixated on the door. His heart was pounding in his chest and he'd never been closer to hyperventilating as he was now while he awaited her return.
"What's wrong, Auntie Syd?" JoJo asked, scooting closer to the upset woman lying next to her in bed.
"Nothing, munchkin, don't worry about me," Syd sniffled, wearily opening her eyes when JoJo wiped her tears off her cheeks.
"Then why are you crying?" the little girl asked, turning towards her door when she heard a soft knock. A look at her Aunt told her that she had drifted off to sleep and didn't hear the knock. She scurried out of bed and opened the door, finding her father standing there, looking down at her. "Auntie Syd is crying, Daddy, so she's spending the night with me," she told him with her small fists planted on her hips.
"Uncle Jon is crying too, Princess, and he needs Aunt Syd to feel better. You don't want Uncle Jon to cry all night, do you?" Joe crouched down, staring into his daughter's determined eyes.
"No, I don't want Uncle Jon crying all night without his Princess. I guess I'll let you take her," she pouted, glancing back at the bed before letting her father into her room.
"Thank you, baby girl," Joe patted his daughter's head and moved towards the bed. He eased an arm under her back and knees, gently lifting her up into his arms. "Easy, sweetheart, it's me," he whispered when she whined softly; unhappy that her sleep was disturbed. "I'm just taking you back to Jon," he told her when Gal opened the outer door of their suite, and he carried her down the hall.
"Why?" she mumbled miserably.
"Because he can't breathe his next breath if you aren't with him," Joe said softly, kissing the top of her head while he bumped his hip against the door Jon left ajar, and carried her inside their suite. His best friend's head snapped up; his eyes fixing on Syd while he moved to stand before him, and gently transferred her over to Jon's arms. "Good night, bro," he kissed the top of Jon's head and let himself out of their room.
"I love you," Jon whispered against her hair, taking her into their bedroom. He stripped them both down and cradled her against his body all night.
Syd swiveled her seat around to look up at her SkyBox; smiling at Phil and April. 'The McMahons would shit if they knew he was here,' she chuckled, blowing a quick kiss to them before glancing towards the entrance her boys would be coming through. It was nice having her brother and future sister-in-law here tonight. She had a feeling she'd need a brotherly hug before this night was over. Her phone vibrated in her back pocket and a soft smile tugged at her mouth when she read the text.
Stop looking so scared. They'll be fine. They have you! – Phil
Phil knew her mind well but in this case, his words did little to alleviate her unrest. Sitting here, surrounded by thousands of people, the realization hit her like a freight train. She was fucking terrified for her boys but especially Jon.
She loved every damn thing about the man from his silky, uncontrollable curls, to his beautiful blue eyes, chubby cheeks and adorable dimples, his smile that could be dazzling one moment and mischievous the next, his bitable neck, gorgeous chest, tapered waist, firm ass, strong thighs, muscular calves and perfect feet, and the best arms a woman could want wrapped around her. She loved that his imperfections were even perfect; every single scar on his body made him the man she fell for and she wouldn't change a thing about him.
'Except maybe the pain he felt then and what he'll feel now,' she thought, glancing up from her lap when JBL placed a hand on her forearm.
"Slide over here, sweetheart, and use my monitor," he smiled at her, taking in her short nod and pulled her chair back beside him.
Evolution's theme music hit and Syd swallowed heavily, watching them walk down the ramp and claim the ring. "Why does this fucking asshole always end up posing in front of me?" she mumbled, rolling her eyes when Dave flexed.
"You were the one that got away, Ms. Sydney."
"That is a nasty thing to say, John. I might have even thrown up a little in my mouth," she pulled a sour look and added a shudder, making JBL laugh while his mic was switched off. Syd averted her eyes to her brother; smiling when he winked and blew a kiss in return. The moment the Shield's theme started, a jackhammer started in on her heart. Her eyes followed them down the stairs, watching each one cross over the barricade; her pleading gaze begging them to be careful before they entered the ring.
All six men faced off against each other and once the bell rang, Roman mixed it up with Dave, Seth took on Hunter, and Dean unleashed on Randy. It was hell already. Roman and Dave were outside the ring right off, Randy got Dean out in front of the commentators' table and took him into the crowd, while Seth delivered an enziguri to Hunter and sent him out between the ropes.
'For fuck's sake,' Syd groaned when all six men ended up in the crowd in different areas. She stood, glancing at the monitor to see who she should follow; her heart tugging her towards her man and her brother before they ended up at ringside again. Randy gave her a glance, telling her he and Dean were fine but before she could choose between the others, they all made their way to ringside.
Roman threw Dave into the rampside stairs and followed it up with a headbutt. Randy turned his attention to Seth while Hunter threw Dean into the timekeeper's area. "Are you okay, my Prince?" she said softly once she reached his side.
"I'm good, Kitten," he smiled up at her.
"They're finally in the damn ring," she shook her head, peeking out from the side at Roman working on Dave's left arm before he tagged in Seth. "Go, baby," she backed up, letting him by so he could join Roman on the apron. Syd watched them mix it up, first with Dave then with Randy and finally Dave again. "Yes…oh shit, I'm not in the crowd, am I?" she laughed at another trainer when she almost cheered too loudly when Roman clotheslined Dave upon entering the ring.
A certain sense of trepidation entered her when Dean tagged in. She didn't want anyone in the ring with Dave but most especially not him. She released the breath she was holding when an already spaghetti-legged Dave tagged in Hunter. Dean slyly rolled to tag in Roman and the fans erupted. They circled each other; the Samoan going as far as to wink at his boss, which only pissed him off more but it mattered not. The young stud took it to the legend easily before tagging out.
The three men handled their boss for a while; Seth even hitting the Three Amigos in honor of the late great Eddie Guerrero before tagging Dean in again. Syd had those moments to smile before the tide turned when Hunter managed to halt his assault and tag Dave. The Animal pulled the Lunatic Fringe out of the ring and hurled him into a barricade. Randy distracted the ref while his two teammates pounded on Ambrose before he was tagged in and he went to work, dissecting Dean.
Chaos ensued again when Roman went for a cover on Bluetista; Randy entering to break the count. The other three men entered; Dean taking Randy out in front of Syd while Seth and Hunter ended up on the outside left of the ring. 'Fucking hell,' she groaned when the four men ended up in the crowd again. Randy and Dean were close to her but she scanned the monitors for Seth and Hunter; rising to her feet when one went out. She heard Cole say that Hunter hit Seth with a piece of equipment which probably caused their outage.
She abandoned her seat when Roman began to dismantle the Spanish Announcers' table and headed towards her pup. Randy pounced on Roman from out of nowhere but she continued, passing Hunter on her way. He jerked his head in the direction to go before he joined Randy in the attack on the big man.
Syd paused once she leapt over the barricade, glancing back to see a gassed Dave need Hunter and Randy to shoulder most of Roman's weight to triple powerbomb him through the table. 'That motherfucker,' she gritted her teeth before rushing to Seth's side. "Hey, Pup, are you okay?" she spoke close to his ear.
"Yeah, mama," he nodded, trying to catch his breath. "Where do I need to be?"
"How the fuck am I supposed to know when you didn't let me see the script," she snapped back; standing to see Evolution holding their three fists over Roman's prone body. 'I love that fucker,' she sighed when Dean literally flew into the scene, knocking all three members to the ground. "Get up and run," she patted his shoulder, watching him do just that. He jumped the barricade, entered the ring and flipped over the top rope; taking down Hunter and Randy again.
The five of them moved up the ramp to the stage while Syd returned to check on Roman. "Hey, Papa Bear," she knelt beside the Samoan, cupping his cheek to look in his eyes. "I saw you holding on for dear life," she frowned; arching a brow when he reached a hand up to pull out her hair tie.
"Now I can talk behind the curtain of your hair," he gasped, giving her a wink. "He's gassed; the fucking tool," he rolled his gray eyes.
"John, give me an earpiece," she whispered, taking it with a silent thank you and placed it in her ear to listen in on their commentary. "Hunter is taking a chair to Dean and Seth," she furrowed her brow, letting the sound of the metal rattle her bones. "Bastard pedigreed Seth on it too," she mumbled, taking the big man's hand when he reached for her.
"It's my turn; help me up," he sighed; knowing she was going to hate this. He squeezed her arm once he was on his feet before he rolled into the ring.
Syd felt JBL's hand on her shoulder, pulling her back to stand beside him while Evolution made their way back to the ring…and Roman. Hunter stood on the apron at rampside while Dave entered from the left and Randy stood between her and Roman. The big man was alone in the center, staring at his opponents. Dave planted him with a spinebuster while Randy stomped on his chest; leaving the Samoan on his back.
Syd's eyes followed Dave outside of the ring and slowly blinked when he carried one of the ring steps back in while Hunter and Randy stripped Roman of his vest and Under Armour. Her jaw was clenched tight; tears already welling in her eyes when her brother paused before her with Kendo sticks in his hand. He had the decency to let his character drop for an instant when he saw his sister's face.
"Hold still, Sydney," JBL whispered in her ear, pulling her closer to his side.
She hung her head, letting her hair cover her tear-streaked face and mentally cursed Roman for the real reason of removing her hair tie. It had always been this way for her. The sound of a Kendo stick striking one of her clients made her physically jerk as if she were receiving the blows.
"Don't look, sweetheart," he whispered again when Roman cried out and he heard her sniffling.
When he screamed, she lost her shit and lifted her wet eyes to see the concerned look on her brother's face before glancing at the welts on Roman's back and the chair in Randy's hand.
Randy saw the look of sadness and despair leave his sister's black eyes to be replaced by unbridled anger, and hoped she held it together long enough for them to finish the match. He didn't get a chance to use the chair. Roman pulled enough strength together to Superman punch him when he re-entered the ring but his teammates took him out with more Kendo shots, and Hunter took the chair to him…all the way up the ramp.
Ambrose dove into the three of them, knocking them away from Roman only to have the numbers game work against him too. Randy took him down with a DDT off of a barricade on the stage before they turned their attention back to Roman.
"Oh fuck," she gasped when she saw Seth on top of the stage rigging. She facepalmed when he dove off on to Roman and Evolution. He crawled his way back to the ring with Dave on his heels. The Animal speared Seth when he jumped from the second turnbuckle but caught a better spear from Roman; who rolled out of the way and let Seth cover Dave for a three-count and their first elimination.
Randy rolled into the ring and RKO'd Seth but Roman broke the count. The Viper was preparing to DDT Roman from the second rope until Dean broke it up with a chair shot to his back. He dropped the chair on the mat and slapped the Dirty Deeds on Randy for the next elimination.
Hunter low-blowed Dean and set him up for a Pedigree before Roman Superman punched him. Dave laid out Roman with a spear before he finally left the ring and Randy slid Hunter his sledgehammer. Dean spotted it and went to intervene, taking the hammer to his forehead. Seth flew in with a knee from the top rope, setting Hunter up for a spear and the three-count delivered by the hands of Roman.
'A clean sweep but at a cost,' she sighed, moving to collect Roman's vest. She watched Roman grip hands with Seth before he moved to do the same with Dean. Walking over to ringside, she handed Roman his vest; dropping her eyes when he gingerly pulled it on and partially zipped it up before helping his brothers to their feet. She let them have their moment, turning to her brother on the floor behind her, leaning against the barricade.
"Are you alright?" they asked each other at the same time.
"No," she shook her head and palmed his cheek, "but I love you and I want you to know you were amazing tonight."
"I don't think you've ever told me you loved me before," he gave her a small smile, trying to sell his pain to the cameras while conveying his delight.
"It's because of him that I can say that now," she tilted her head back towards Dean. "Hell, Ran, it's because of him that I can feel it," she lowered her eyes to a bleeding welt on his arm, licked her thumb and wiped the blood off.
"I don't know where that tongue has been lately so please don't," he chuckled softly.
"Yeah, I'm sure that's best considering…" she drifted off, laughing when he swatted her leg.
"I'm sorry I made you cry," he said suddenly when he noticed her eyes were still glistening. "I tried to minimize the damage," he subtly wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
"I know and thank you for making sure he didn't drop him," she nodded.
"You're going to beat the shit out of him, aren't you?" he cocked a brow, focusing his steely eyes on her obsidian.
"Who me?" she batted her eyelashes at him; her expression darkening once she saw how slowly Roman was moving.
Phil had watched his little sister closely throughout the entire match. She seemed torn about where to be and a step behind when she was needed. All of that translated into one thing – she didn't get a script. Not once had she ever missed a spot or was late to be by his; or anyone else she called a client, side. He spotted the moment she was close to killing Dave – when he gassed and he could barely hold Joe up on his shaky legs. The instant Joe released her hair was the moment Phil knew his Highness was going to be heartbroken. He held April close to his side when she sniffled; knowing his sister was crying too with the way John was keeping her by his side. He knew it was real bad when Randy broke character while fetching the chair.
"April, you need to get me backstage."
The mood backstage was edgy and the reason for it was Syd and how she loudly and forcefully commandeered one of the trainers' rooms. It was virtually unheard of for her to use any of the company's equipment or supplies to treat her clients, unless it was serious. In this case, she needed the space, ice and antiseptic by the truckload.
The guys knew she was furious. They knew she was upset. She still had watery eyes when she treated them but they flowed freely when she tended to Joe's back. They were met with "shut up" and "don't touch me" comments every time they tried to speak with her or attempt to comfort her. "You three left me completely ineffective out there. I was basically fucking useless," she snapped while placing ice packs on Joe. "You negated my job, my purpose just to spare me worry that was a million times worse because you left me blind," she ranted out amidst her broken sobs. "Don't fucking do it to me again if you want me to keep you as clients!" she picked up all the used gauze and empty bottles, tossing them in the trash. "Frank is grabbing our shit from the locker room. Stay here until we're ready to go!" she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
"How are they doing?" Paul asked; pushing off of the wall and clutching his midsection while he approached her.
Randy saw his sister turn her back to him; hiding the fact that she was crying, and placed a hand on the COO's shoulder. "Paul, I don't think now is a good time for this," he said gently but in warning.
"What's wrong, little Princess?" Dave came up from behind her with a smug grin in place. "Can the pretty boy not hang with the big dogs?" he reached a hand out to pat her back but it never reached its mark.
Syd struck out with her right leg; a perfect Sweet Chin Music to Dave's jaw that laid him out on the floor before she spun around to glare down at him. "I told you I'd kick your fucking head off. You are the biggest fuck up I've ever had the misfortune to know! How many AOPs have you hit my guys with since you returned, Dave? I know the exact number! Do you know how many times you failed to sell a bump? I know that number too! Probably the most pathetic thing I've seen since you walked in the door is how many times your legs turned to rubber while trying to do a powerbomb," she grated out of clenched teeth; her voice rising in volume with every spoken word. "Add in the sexual harassment and I've had enough of your fucking ass!" she shouted; a crowd gathering from the sound of one of the Ortons losing their infamous temper. "You even think about getting up and I'll put you down again, motherfucker!"
"What is going on here?" Vince shouted from a few doors down; having heard every word that Syd said.
"Daddy…" The fight left Sydney in a rush upon seeing the man she considers a father. Her tears continued to fall out of anger, pain and sheer exhaustion.
"Come here, sweetheart," he held his arms open, taking his daughter-in-heart into an embrace.
"Syd?" Steph placed a hand on her shuddering back, turning questioning eyes on her husband. "Paul, what the hell is this?" She saw her husband glance down at Dave before she narrowed a furious glare on him. "AOPs? Sexual harassment?" she bellowed at the downed man.
The boys had emerged from the trainers' room despite Syd's warning to wait, standing in the doorway and listened to everything said. They felt like shit over her distress from the night. Watching her cry in her father's arms drove it home; they fucked up badly.
"Randy?" Frank whispered, not wanting to interrupt the chaos in the hall. "She told me to get them to the bus once it was loaded," he ran an awkward hand over the back of his head.
"Go; she'll be out in a little bit," he jutted his chin out, watching the man skirt around Dave, Steph, Vince and Syd, to help the visibly shaken Shield members down the hall.
"Your boys are heading out, sweetheart. Do you want me to walk you to your bus?" Vince spoke softly into her hair, rubbing a soothing hand over her back.
"I've got her, Vince."
The whole of the hallway observers turned to the familiar voice and mouths dropped to see Phil Brooks standing there with a look that said "I dare any of you to say a fucking word." He walked up with April behind him; his eyes darting between Vince, Stephanie and Paul before he focused on his little sister and sighed.
"Phil," Vince nodded his head; acknowledging his presence. He could feel the air thicken around them and; despite their messy ending; he knew his daughter considered him a brother. "Phil's going to take you to the bus, sweetheart. I've got some business to handle here but I'll call you in the morning to check on you and the boys," he kissed the top of her head and allowed Phil to pick her up and carry her towards the exit before he turned furious eyes on his still downed superstar. "Dave, tomorrow you're going to quit…again on air…again so that we can write you out of our lives. You will leave the building immediately after that segment and if anything hits the dirt sheets, the internet or the news, I will see to it that you are publicly dismissed due to sexual harassment charges and we'll see how many roles you pick up after that. You picked the wrong woman! I've let a lot of misconduct slide over the years but one of my girls?" Vince shook his head angrily, taking Stephanie's arm and storming into their temporary office.
"You really fucked up this time, buddy," Paul shook his head, casually walking by Dave to the office door with Randy on his heels. "I told you not to mess with one of the old man's golden trio, and to top it off you messed with my golden trio. I'm not remotely inclined to try to talk him out of this when I want it just as bad. Remember you're contractually obligated to show up and quit tomorrow," he said in passing before he closed the door after he and Randy entered.
"Phil's carrying her," Colby told the others while looking through the blinds. "She looks so small and…fragile," he said softly, feeling a tug on his heart.
"Frank, I'll owe you one if you'd give Ape and I a ride home," Phil told his old friend once he climbed the steps with Syd cradled in his arms.
"You don't owe me anything, Phil. I'll get us moving once you get her settled," he inclined his head towards his new boss and friend.
"I'm on it now," he looked towards the large sofa, seeing all three men sitting there and turned to his fiancée. "Baby, will you turn down the bed so I can tuck her in?"
"Of course," April reached out a hand, petting Syd's hair and back before heading into the master bedroom.
"I need to get Joe situated, bro," Syd mumbled against his neck while he carried her down the aisle, following April.
"I think I've been under your care long enough to know how to crack open ice packs, Highness. I can handle it. You're exhausted and emotionally wrecked. I'm putting you in bed to sleep," he spoke in no uncertain terms so she'd understand clearly that he wouldn't take no for an answer nor entertain any arguments over it. "April is going to help you change for bed while I ice up Joe's back and then I'll be back to tuck you in, okay?" he asked once he set her down on the edge of the bed.
"Okay," she nodded wearily.
"I'll be right back," he brushed her hair back off of her forehead, placing a kiss on her temple before stepping out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him. "Ready to roll, Frank," he called out, stopping to dig ice packs out of the cabinet labeled for them. "Get situated on your stomach, Joe, and make sure you're comfortable enough to stay put so I can pack you down," he took a look at the Samoan's back and pulled a few more bags out.
"How is she?" Jon asked in a sullen tone, fidgeting uncomfortably when a set of hazel eyes narrowed on him for an instant.
"She's all fucked up in the head. You see, Jon, you've taken her outside of her comfort zone in more ways than you can possibly imagine. You taught a woman that closed her heart off from love how to love, and she's feeling it, man, more than you know. Sit still, Joe," he cracked the packs and began to place them on his worst welts. "You swept through her like a tornado, man, and she's head over heels for you; enough to ask you to move in with her but now she's feeling like its more like you're just staying at her place because it suits you for now," he kept his tone sharp but took care with his movements; knowing Syd would have a coronary if Joe felt anymore discomfort than he already did.
"Why would she think that?" Jon asked with a furrowed brow. "I didn't mean it like that at all."
"She doesn't know what 'just in case' means," Phil cast a knowing glance over his shoulder at her boyfriend before returning his attention to the task at hand. "I explained it so you didn't come off as keeping an out so don't worry but keep in mind that you're the emotional adult in this relationship, Jon. I know that is a stretch for you but its true. You're leading her through the emotions you've awakened in her and you have to be careful. Her life was extremely structured before you waltzed into her heart and part of that structure was control over her professional life. You three stripped her of that control when you decided to keep the script from her for tonight's match. I get you were trying to protect her but all you did was leave her feeling completely lost and helpless. Do you want to know when Syd last felt lost and helpless? Can you guess?"
"Growing up in her parents' house," Joe sighed, running a hand over the side of his face.
"Let her throw her tantrums when she doesn't agree with the scripts. It is her way of protecting you and showing she cares. Don't leave her feeling like a mark in the crowd instead of the person who loves you enough to fight for you. Remember that she's responsible for your wellbeing and takes that responsibility seriously. And for fuck's sake, leave her alone to sleep tonight unless you're about to die. I've never seen her so drained before," he mumbled irritably, crawling off the end of the bed and disappeared into the bedroom.
"Hey you," April smiled when he closed the door and turned to see his girls cuddled together in bed.
"Hey, how are my girls?" Phil smiled, slipping into bed behind Syd and rested his hand on top of April's on his sister's waist.
"Is Joe okay?" Syd mumbled sleepily.
"He's sore and uncomfortable but he'll be fine. Go to sleep, Highness," he kissed the back of her head and smiled at his fiancée over her head.
"I love you, both of you," she sighed, drifting off between her family.