"I can live without you.
But I don't want to.
I don't ever want to."
●Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy●

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RAW- BEFORE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS 2015

"You like my sister don't you?" Brie smiled knowingly while we sat in the hotel room.

"Don't worry, she's not here. She went down for another work out, you know how she is before a big match." She shrugged waiting for me to respond to her subtle accusation.

I hadn't wanted to question where she was the moment I walked in, despite noticing her absence. The last thing I needed was them thinking I didn't appreciate anyone's company besides my Fearless one. Luckily for me Dean was currently still sleeping of course so it was all up to me to reveal how I truly felt.

"Maybe" I shrugged before sipping my coffee and staring out at the city. I was sure I would be able to be a definite answer as my feelings around Nicole seemed to grow but doing that would make it a fact and once Brie knew I was sure it would be hard for her not to let it slip to Nicole and the last thing I needed was what we had destroyed.

"I figured as soon as John and her decided to call it quits after the Rumble that you would be ready and waiting to swoop in?" She smiled and I shook my head.

I wasn't sure what exactly happened but I knew Nicole and even though she had been upset when she came into my room the night after the Rumble. After almost three years together she didn't seem as upset as she should have been. I guess I could relate, when you see it coming it hurts but its a bit of a relief once you realize you're strong enough to let go.

I hadn't expected it though, I knew I had been on her case about certain things regarding him but I knew she loved him so I had learnt to shut my mouth about them. Instead of going against her like Brie and her brother tended to do I stuck by her side and showed my support for their relationship.

Yeah back in December things might have gotten out of hand and things were sort of tense between John and I because of it but after that night I hadn't bothered questioning her on anything. I hated seeing her in pain and knew that without him she wouldn't be happy even though I had lost all respect for him when he chose to bring Galina and Jojo into a stupid argument. I should have suspected something when she was waiting at the gorilla after the disappointed crowd knocked me down after the Rumble, ready to comfort me instead of John who hadn't been victorious that night.

"Despite what you might think I hoped they would last" I said instead of commenting on the actual break-up.

"Why? So you could keep being the noble man?"

I frowned at her words and turned to look at her again but she simply sighed.

"You two liked to tease Jon and I about obviously being in love with each other when we teamed up against you two. But you two are so blind that you didn't even realize you should have been laughing at yourselves" She seemed amused as she stated what she deemed the truth and possibly was although I wasn't sure it was that strong, yet.

"That's what Galina said" I blurted out and realized I had meant to be thinking it.

"What?" She focused on me.

"You know calling off the engagement was mutual and after we were just hanging out because it didn't feel uncomfortable. She's my friend, you guys came out for a segment and she questioned me about whether the decision had anything to do with finally realizing where my heart belonged. I figured she was upset but she wasn't."

What I loved about Galina is that she always considered everyone else. We were both ready to let go and she let me know she just wanted to know I was ready to make the next step. While I hadn't even really thought of a reason from my side I had agreed because there wasn't the spark we had many years before. And I knew once I got onto the road again the distance would be growing and it would be unfair to her to just drag it along.

She was currently engaged to a good man, he had a son of his own around Jojo's age so they got along well and he made sure we spent time together. If I had decided to be the noble man and try and fix things to prevent the disappointment that would possibly fill my family, chances are we wouldn't be able to be the good friends that we currently were.

"I mean I never did anything inappropriate with Nicole so I wasn't sure how she got that idea"

"I know what happened" I heard Dean and glanced at the door as he stumbled out of the bedroom.

"What?" I hesitantly asked wishing he had decided to sleep a bit longer.

"You two tend to talk about each other when you aren't together. And think about it, you were at home watching the matches maybe she just saw it. I see it, Brie sees it. John saw it."

"She doesn't though" I sighed as even though we both lacked significant others nothing had changed between us. Yes, everyone's words might have been true that Nicole and I could be more but I wasn't sure if it was what I felt or maybe them just pointing out something because they deemed something that was a normal friendship to us, more simply because theirs turned into more.

"Nicole won't go admitting things, she needs things pointed out for her to realize" Brie rolled her eyes as she stood up and kissed Dean's cheek even though I knew she was most likely the reason he had slept late. I had had to listen to his rambling about Brie Mode making her crazier in bed and while it weirded me out as she was like a sister to me, he saw it fit to torture me.

Most of the time that was the case with me as well hence my confusion with them laying it all out for me.

"I can't go into thinking of Nicole as more, changing what we have had for so long. It will complicate things and especially not now, she'll be mad at me once she knows what I did" I whispered recalling my meeting with Vince.

I had been watching my best friend in pain for the last few months. Being champion had drained her emotionally and physically and I had to be an anchor for her. I would continue to be but also needed to look after her well being and the title meant everything to her. Not only did it mean the world to her but deep down I knew she was trying to hold onto it as long as she could until I could be alongside her. But with me currently not even being in the title seen I didn't see the need for her to put her health at risk or deny that there was a problem.

"What did you do?" Dean questioned joining Brie on the couch while they waited.

Of course before I could say anything I was saved by Nicole, "Joe! You're here!"

I smiled as I stood up having their eyes on me as they were curious but I pulled her into a hug deciding some things were best left for me to know. It would only hurt Nicole more if she knew I had told everyone else except her.

"I told you we could drive over together. Seems we have reversed roles with the sweating" I teased.

"I know urgh don't touch me. I'll ruin the Samoan perfection"

I smiled and squeezed her tighter into my arms as she giggled before letting her go shower.

I turned and frowned due to their looks.

"Seriously don't notice it?" Brie smirked

I rolled my eyes and left for my room.

***

"I mean its simple. Brie is getting her hair done, twin magic and I win and make history. I know its going to happen, Vince promised me this. He promised me betraying you guys at Summerslam last year would work out, but what if it was all for nothing?"

I sighed as she had been pacing in front of me for the past half hour voicing her uncertainty. I would jump in soon but too soon and it would prevent her from getting rid of all her doubts. So I simply sat by and waited for the moment where she would stop in front of me. Searching my eyes and waiting for my voice to make all the doubts she had allowed to fill the air disappear.

We had a tag team match at Summerslam. Me and her vs Dean and Brie vs Stephanie and Seth. In the end it was Brie and Stephanie up against each other and then Nicole despite us feuding just surprised us all by allowing Stephanie and Seth to secure a victory.

I had been sitting at the gorilla confused but I couldn't be angry even though I wanted to be as she came walking through. As soon as she had seen me her tears fell and she said she wished she hadn't done it. I didn't say anything then but simply held her as Brie stormed past us and Dean ran after her.

"It wasn't Nicole. You're letting everything go to your head again." I briefly said hoping to guide her towards me as it was close to her match time.

"What if my back gives out and she just pins me before we can even do the swap? I know I took the injections but I don't know if they will hold and what if I ruin the entire thing. Vince will be so mad he had ever put so much faith in me and I will be letting my mom down in the crowd. Joe we have come so far, what if I screw this all up for us and we don't get to be on top together?" She paced up and down frantically shaking her head.

I finally stood up and moved in front of her causing her to stop as she noticed. I let my hands cup her face, she held my wrists and closed her eyes as I rested my chin on her head.

"You'll go out there and make history tonight because that's the only way you'll be on top. I'm racing to be there with you slowly but surely then we can rule together" I whispered despite not being sure when she would be leaving, the more time she spent in the ring the worse her back would become.

I knew she wasn't doing well but I knew she could make history and hopefully that would be enough once she was forced to give it all up.

"Together" she repeated.

I nodded and kissed her forehead hearing the door open.

I moved away from her as Brie and Alicia entered and she gave me one more hug before they left the room and I sat down and took a seat to watch.

***

"I really did it.." She whispered as I laid on my side, she stared up at me as she laid on her stomach and stared at the title set on the pillow.

"Yes you did" I smiled proudly, she had rushed to me after celebrating with the rest of the divas. I had held her in my arms and spun her around because it didn't matter what happened within the next couple of months she was the Longest Reigning Diva's Champion and no one could take that away from her.

"I think I'm in a donut coma" she giggled and I knew she was close to drifting off. I took the title and set it on the bedside table before allowing her to move closer to me as I laid back.

We celebrated her winning the only way we knew how. Brie had offered for us all to go to dinner but I knew with all the nerves she had most likely been up most of the previous night. So I offered to take her back to the hotel and here we were...

"I think so too.." I chuckled before lying back and watching a random show as she rested her head on my chest and held onto me.

"Thank you" She whispered into my neck before placing a brief kiss into it which made me smile and kiss her forehead.

"For?" I questioned.

"Being my anchor" she mumbled as she drifted.

I frowned and stared at her as she slowly fell asleep. She had always mentioned how Galina was my anchor at home waiting for me.

But only mine hadn't been that far...

"Thank you for being mine" I smiled and gently kissed her lips.

♥♥♥♥

ANOTHER TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE TO GET AWAY FROM THE CHAOS: )
Hopefully you liked!!!

So sad Roman didn't win at RR but seeing a Undertaker vs Roman feud in the making, hopefully 😁😁😁

Hoping Seth's recovery goes well too. So heartbroken he has another hitch in his journey😘😘