There's always a sensation of a target on your back when you carry anything in the WWE. A title, a goal, a bragadocious claim, the Money in the Bank briefcase. There have periods in Mike's career where he's done all of the above, and always felt this weight on his shoulder like anything could come along at any minute and take it all away from him. Right now, it's a little easier, because John's by his side, determined to see this through, help Mike once more cross that bridge, use the briefcase to win back his world title, but still. It haunts him, leaves him staring up into the darkness as he considers the reality that maybe he won't be able to recreate that moment, all of those years ago.
No matter how quiet he tries to be, or subtle in the fact that he's awake, AJ seems to have a second sense when it comes to these things and, while he's lost in thought, she rolls over and snuggles up close to him, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Mike," she murmurs, voice thick with sleep. "Relax. Overthinking the briefcase thing can wait until morning." Her fingers are cool and gentle as she sneaks them into his hand and squeezes lightly, and he sighs.
"I'll try," he whispers to her, and she lets out a sleepy little huff that makes him smile, her body pressing even closer to his, warm and comforting, and... his eyes begin to flutter as he wraps an arm around her. "Sneaky," he murmurs to her and she smiles, pressing another kiss to his shoulder before settling down next to him.
They're both fast asleep within moments, comforted by each other's presence.
John's presence might make all of this easier, but it is not a comfort watching him get beat up on Mike's behalf continuously. Orton clearly doesn't trust them, and Mike thinks it's valid, because the first opportunity he gets, John's gonna kick that snake's head in and Mike's gonna finish him off with a skullcrushing finale, but for now they have a six man to prepare for later and Mike tries to encourage Randy that they mean him no harm. Orton is still suspicious, and it only grows when Drew makes an appearance, scattering Miz and Morrison before going straight for Orton. Mike thinks quickly, grabs his briefcase and slams it across Drew's back, freeing Orton from his rampage and allowing the three of them to escape to safety.
This doesn't endear them to Orton, however, and later on, after hours of trying to get him to talk strategy, Orton seems content to just stand on the apron and watch, stepping down and away any time they want or need a tag. Considering, Miz and Morrison hold their own well against New Day, but Drew is their weakness, and the instant he gets tagged in, they both know it's over, especially when Orton demands his belt and starts to leave. Mike rages, because they could have won, if Orton had just tried for five minutes. The damned thing is Mike knows he can work well enough with people if he puts his mind to it, he's been in various tag matches, and multiman matches over his lengthy career to prove that, but it's them, it's tonight, it's the situation, and he's content to leave Mike and John to get demolished by the angry Scot.
He lays on the mat, unable to move or help John, anything, and just watches as Orton walks away, the rage within growing as he thinks. And he plans. That belt will not be yours for long, he decides.