Somewhere between one Raw and the next, Maryse calms down a bit. Won't completely turn away when he tries to kiss her for the camera, at least. Mike's not sure where the change came from, or why, but he's relieved for it. Feels like things are back to normal that week when he goes out for MizTV, Maryse, Axel and Bo by his side. He insults the Ball family for making a mockery of his show, shaking his head over how so many headlines and chatter were wasted on their actions. He's really getting going when-

Dean Ambrose's music hits. Mike glares down the ramp as Dean runs his mouth about a rematch for the Intercontinental title and-

Heath's music hits. Mike's eyebrows lift as Heath talks about his kids and lays claim to an opportunity at the title as well, Dean looking as nonplussed as Mike feels, Rhyno standing at his partner's back, wearing a ludicrous I'm With Heath shirt that's so off-center Mike feels cross-eyed whenever he looks at it too closely. He refutes both of their claims- just to stop short when Angle's music hits. He thinks he knows where this is going, but it's still annoying when Dean is given his rematch at Great Balls of Fire- and Heath is given his title shot tonight.

Mike can't believe this, he's dressed in one of his favorite suits and now he has to wrestle unexpectedly. Against Heath, no less. Sure, Heath's good, but he won because of Dean dressed as a bear and... He shakes his head, tries to get his mind in the game, shaking his wrists out as Heath circles him. It's a rough match, rougher than Mike had expected. Heath's on his game, landing some solid blows that rocks Mike, leaves him gasping for oxygen quite a few times. The slam off of the top rope completely blindsides him, leaves him staring up at the lights longer than he'd want to admit. He hears Maryse distantly and huffs at the thought that she's probably calling out for Heath, not him.

Rolling over, he gets up and slowly gains some motivation against Heath, Bo, Axel and Maryse helping on the outside when Rhyno gets caught on the wrong side of town, immediately beating him down and distracting Heath just long enough for Mike to hit Skull Crushing Finale and claim the win. He throws Heath from the ring just before Dean enters, runs him and the others off. He laughs brutally and holds onto his title belt, glaring down the ramp into the ring. No one can have this, he thinks. No one will have this.

His pants are split. It's just another thing to add to his list of grievances with tonight, and he huffs as Maryse leans over the couch armrest, picking at what's left of his pants, lips twitched up into something close to a smirk. "I liked this suit," he snaps, tossing the pants into the nearest trash can before storming into the bathroom to change into his spare suit.

When he comes back out, she still has that smug look on her face and he stares at her for a moment, suspicions lurking in the back of his mind. But he decides to let it go, not interested in making her mad at him all over again. "Let's get out of here," he mumbles.

Home feels better than usual this week. Mike only has a couple of days to spend with his girls before the PPV, but it's better than none. He kisses AJ and plays with Sara and the time passes all too quickly, especially when John and Taya come over and they spend the 4th together, Sara whimpering and burying her face into Mike's shoulder during the loudest parts of the fireworks. He kisses her and strokes her back until she peeks out, enthralled by the bright lights even if the noises still makes her flinch. "See, they're nothing to be scared of," he tells her softly, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Just stay at this distance from them and you're fine. I won't let anything hurt you, Sara Lou."

He bounces her on his knee and she immediately cheers up once silence reigns back over the beach, John chuckling and reaching out for her, pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head. "How did you two get a daughter who likes things quiet and calm?" he wonders, watching her with fond eyes when she yawns and snuggles into his chest, John making soft cooing noises until she falls asleep in his arms, sucking her thumb quietly.

"Another mystery of nature, I guess," AJ says, Taya and her laying on beach towels and watching the stars twinkle through the smoke left drifting around because of the fireworks. AJ gets an impish grin on her face and rolls over, facing John. "You know, John, some day, you're gonna make a great dad." She laughs and nudges Taya, who looks about as flushed and wide eyed as John. "Don't you think so, Mike?"

Mike swallows down some beer and looks at his best friend, how Sara so clearly trusts and adores him. "Yeah," he says simply, not joining in in AJ's teasing, but meaning it sincerely. "He will."

John's face clears. He stares at Taya for a moment before turning back to his best friend, lips twitching into a soft smile. "Thanks, Mike."

Taya swallows and shifts over, resting a hand on Sara's back, staring into her face as she sleeps on peacefully. Probably imagining if they're here with their own child, her lips parting quietly as John stares down at her affectionately.

Mike chuckles, remembering those awe-inspiring days, how it felt to have the entire world in front of you, anything feeling possible. AJ leans against him, kissing his shoulder, her eyes soft as they take in their best friends.

-x

A few blocks away, Maryse leans against her house, Heath's hands curled around her waist as she watches some residential areas nearby shooting off fireworks despite the official ones having just ended. She leans into him and smiles, stroking his wrist. A lot is happening- his opening his school back home in Georgia, everything with Mike, and she's not sure where it's all going. But she's thankful to have this time with him, just to stand here and enjoy this holiday, his arms around her, his lips on her skin. "Heath?" she murmurs.

"Mm hmm?" he asks, voice reverberating against her flesh in a way that makes her shiver.

She turns slowly and drapes her arms over his shoulders, feeling as his grip on her tightens, their bodies pressed flush together. She watches as more fireworks blast behind them, reds and greens reflecting in his dark eyes as he stares down at her. She smiles and shifts up, kissing him gently. "I love you." It's a warm truth, curling up deep within her and rising up like a gentle wave of emotions, comfortable and sure. She brushes her nose against his as he breathes her in, eyes bright and wide as he shifts his hands against her, as if trying to press her even closer.

"I love you too," he breathes out, finally kissing her, her accent deepening as she moans into his mouth, his hands tracing up and down her spine before resting on her hip, drawing her up into him.

Maryse is wandering the arena, trying to work up the nerve. She owes Mike a lot. He supported her when she was broke, desperate for money, had gotten her this job, the extra money from being on Total Divas, and everything since then. But her feelings for Heath is growing week by week, and she knows he deserves a title opportunity. Especially after pinning Mike. She hesitates outside of Kurt Angle's office and stares at her hand, frozen in mid-air as she ponders knocking or just walking off and leaving things to advance on their own. Heath deserves this, she reminds herself. He's given so much for this company, and he's such a good guy. Mike will forgive you, if he ever finds out.

So she knocks. Waits for Angle to urge her to come in, which she does with a quick glance around. Thankfully the arena is quiet this early in the afternoon and no one sees her. Angle quirks an eyebrow at her before falling back to professional ease. "Hello, Maryse. How may I help you today?"

She shifts. Looks around the room with some disdain before swallowing and looking back at him. "You need to give Heath a title opportunity."

Angle looks unimpressed. "I do, huh? And what has Mi-..." He stops, replaying what she'd said and then says, "Could you repeat that?"

She shakes her head. Swallows hard. "Heath deserves a title opportunity. Mike won't grant him one on his own, so you need to step in. He's been here for how long with nothing but tag title opportunities? Please-"

Angle frowns at her. "Why exactly do you care, though? You're alligned with Mike, and Heath's been-" What gives her away, she's not sure, but his mouth drops a little. "Oh," he mumbles. "Well. This business never really stops with the surprises, does it?" She's starting to bristle, always a little over-sensitive at the thought of people saying Heath's not good enough for her, not handsome enough, not intelligent enough- not, not, not- but he lifts his hands and she wonders again how expressive her face must be for this man to read her so damn easily. "It's fine," he says hurriedly. "I'll... handle it. Don't worry. He'll get his title opportunity."

He seems as relieved to shoo her out of his office as she is to leave and she exhales as soon as she's back on her way, walking with a confidence and a mystique that makes everyone look at her as she walks past. I know something you don't, every inch of her body language screams.

She smiles a little as she remembers the night before, her lips parting as Heath touches her reverently, his eyes fixed on her. No one will probably ever know that she had a hand in his finally getting a single's title opportunity, and it really is sad how it'd ended up for him, but she had done her best and he's good enough- this perhaps could open the flood gates of success for him and he will hopefully have other chances, and maybe someday he will have a list of title wins as long as Mike's, but even if he doesn't, she's proud of him no matter what, stroking his cheek and watching as he leans into her touch, eyes fluttering closed.

Fireworks continue to pop and light up the night sky behind them, but neither of them notice except in the abstract, eyes only for each other.