AJ is sitting on the patio of the house, staring out into the darkness. She hasn't seen or heard from Miz in weeks now, her worry overwhelming everything else. If not for Taya and Maryse helping to keep Sara and George busy, helping them to school and everything else, she's not sure how far she would've made it the last ten days. She closes her eyes and hugs herself, breathing deeply. "Mike," she sighs. "Where are you?"
She's still staring into the darkness when she hears something rustling in the yard, sitting up. Her anxiety grows as she thinks about the Wyatts coming after Mike, after Maryse and her children. "Who's there?" she calls, standing up and reaching for the doorhandle, eager to get back inside and lock the door behind her, try to stay safe.
"Sweetheart?" a familiar voice calls out and she freezes.
"Mike?" she asks, tears welling up in her eyes at the familar voice. Her legs crumble under her as Mike steps into the light and she gapes up at him, vision blurring with fresh tears. "Mike..."
He walks up onto the patio next to her and she whimpers as he reaches down and lifts her up, pulling her in tight. "I'm home," he tells her. "I'm right here."
"Where were you?" she demands. "What happened?"
He shakes his head. "I don't really remember, it's all kind of blurry." He eases back and cradles her face in his hands. "I have to be at Raw tomorrow. I can't stay for long, but I promise as soon as I get through a few things with Fina Testament, I'll be back. I promise."
"What? Mike-" she looks over upon seeing something moving in the shadows and swallows hard, coming eye to eye with Karrion Kross. "What..."
"I have to go," Mike repeats, kissing her. "I'm sorry. I'll be home as soon as I can. I promise." He rests his forehead against hers and breathes for a moment. "Take care of yourself. I'll get hte Wyat Sicks to leave us alone. I promise." He kisses her one more time before pulling away, following Karrion reluctantly.
She watches until he disappears once more into the gloom, blinking helplessly as she's left alone. "Mike... no..."