"You're still my person,
even if I'm not yours."
Grey's Anatomy

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MONEY IN THE BANK 2016

I ran towards Seth to deliver my spear but instead he had managed to reverse it into a pedigree.

With a count of three I heard his music blasting through the arena signalling his win but all too soon as I rolled out the crowd shifted and I knew why.

I pulled myself up against the announce table and watched Dean secure a victory over Seth.

I could feel the pain radiating through my body but that didn't change the fact that I was proud of him. While he had been by my side once I became champion, it wasn't my role to do that now. That role had been last year when he was in the running for the title while this victory was a plot twist for most, I knew it and he knew it.

I gave him a brief nod before making my way up the ramp as he celebrated. I was greeted by the one half of the Bella Twins, of course not the one I needed most. But considering less than a week ago I had driven away from her declaring that I basically couldn't be with her she wouldn't be.

"Its okay Ro." Brie whispered as she pulled me into a hug but I knew it wasn't. Because I screwed up but because of my contract I wasn't allowed to indulge anything until they saw it fit.

I simply nodded, waited beside her at the gorilla for Dean and he walked in within a few minutes. I could see that he was searching my face as he did but I simply chuckled and pulled him into a hug before letting Brie do the honours.

Seth hadn't walked through yet so he was most likely still out there. I turned on my heel knowing Dean would be pulled in several directions as being champion came with quite a lot of promoting. And even though I was happy I had played a part in my brotha finally holding the prestigious title, I didn't want him to notice the look on my face that wouldn't be hidden for long.

I sighed as I opened my locker room door and immediately leaned back against it and closed my eyes before I stared up at the ceiling.

I felt someone's arms around me and tensed until I stared down and only saw her light shade of brown hair. I gave a small smile, more to myself, and wrapped my arms around her as I had lost the only thing I had that somehow stopped me from thinking about not having her.

And as she held me tightly in return I knew The Guy would be falling in front of his Fearless Saviour soon...

"People make mistakes Joe and I understand the reigns are a bit tight on wrestlers. No pun intended. But we cannot take risks with all the many past incidents which have occurred with our talent, I understand that you didn't intend for this to happen but we have to use you as an example. Especially with you being champion, people can't believe that certain people are being overlooked because of their status within the company."

"I know I would just like to know where this leaves me with my title." I simply stated not seeing any need to argue when I had made a mistake in seeking help to keep up with everything going on in my work and personal life.

"Where do you think it leaves you Joe?" He sighed and I shrugged, mostly being afraid to put any ideas into his head.

"I have been speaking with the creative team and we will have to redo our plans for you, so unfortunately you will be losing the title tonight. The show will then go on and we'll set Lopez up with someone while you're out." He shrugged seeming to say it was out of his hands and I guess it was.

"And then I come back seeking vengeance to claim what is mine?"

"Well thing is.."

"Let me guess. Rollins is taking my title again. Seriously Vince? Again?" I shook my head as not only would I be losing my gold to him tonight but I had no way to obtain it once I came back if they decided it was The Man's Era.

"Joe, we don't have anything other option. You have basically pushed us into a corner here."

"Why him?"

"You are fighting against him." He pointed out and I sighed as I glanced at my title in the seat beside me, the only thing I had while on the road. He was truly taking away the last thing I had and I had paved the way for him.

"I just, its always him" I whispered as I shook my head. He had Nicole and now he would have the title as well.

"Look Joe, I know the writers' decisions and my go ahead have caused some riffs between you two in the last three years. But in the end, its business and while I can't tell you to put it behind you because I know you feel like you have been betrayed. He just wants to make his name known, I am simply the boss who runs this place and I need you to co-operate with me please." I glanced around the office as I heard him calmly speak to me, I knew I had let him down. He wanted greatness for me and I fucked up by not keeping my head in the game, I knew he wouldn't want to take my title away but it was what was best for business...

"Apart from my personal issues with Colby. He had a long run as champion and now first PPV back he will be continuing the run again, don't you think that's a bit much?" I questioned, I had been surprised before and I honestly just wanted some control of something in my life.

"I'm listening."

I scratched my stubble a bit while I knew I couldn't be champion due to what I had done I wasn't going to have Colby sweep in and just take it. All the times before I had no choice but to watch everything being ripped away from me and now I was currently seated with the Chairman of the company.

"I just.. He is an arrogant champion and right now the crowd clearly loves him. So having The Authority back to handling him may ruin a good opportunity at turning him into someone like Randy Orton. A guy who doesn't claim to be good or anything, he is just a prick but somehow gets favoured by the crowd. Having him in the palm of The Authority's hands would be a bad decision I think.."

"What?"

I leaned forward as I wasn't really sure where I was going with it. One side of me was doing it simply because I didn't want to completely lose another thing to Seth while the other actually realized that what I was saying made sense and Vince seemed to agree. I had one opportunity to mention a name, a name that deserved it. A name who hadn't sold out or tried to be someone he was not or was forced to be someone he was not. A name the crowd genuinely loved...

"Dean is currently walking back here with the briefcase so.." I heard him sigh and I stopped.

He sighed as he leaned back in his chair processing the name, "Cashing in on the same night is a bit much?"

"Jon is known for being a lunatic. He is known for doing the unexpected and there is no one better to do this, especially with how the dynamics are on screen. Not only that but the way Raw went down? I think this is perfect. Vince, I do not want to have to deal with him stealing from me again, if I have to go out there and lay down for a loss then at least let me walk up that ramp knowing I played a part in it"

He nodded as he thought for a bit.

"Okay, Joe. I'll get Ambrose in here during your match and let him know what's happening. The only reason I am even considering this is because despite your errors I still have faith that you are the future"

"Thanks Sir"

"Did you know?" She whispered after being in my arms for what seemed like forever. All these months when I needed her she hadn't been there, through my highs and lows she was gone.

I had told her how I felt and left her because she didn't bother saying anything. Now when she knew I would need her again, she was here, being the Nicole I needed. Apart of me knew it wouldn't last long but Joe needed her before she flew out tonight and he had a match on Raw before flying out on his own as well.

"Yeah. I'm er.. I'm leaving, Nicole" I whispered or croaked I couldn't tell as I shook my head and let her go before sitting down on the bench.

"I'll go back to the hotel with you. We can get some donuts.."

I shook my head briefly closing my eyes not wanting to look at her and see the disappointment once I told her.

"Joe, I know what you said and I know what I didn't say but this is more than us. I know I haven't been there for you but you were there when I lost my title, even when I hated you for playing a role in it. So I don't care if you don't want to spend a night with me but I will be there." She gripped my hand and I knew it was so that she could have my attention.

I was meant to wait until Tuesday for the news to be announced but since Nicole wouldn't even be here I didn't see the point in not letting her know.

"I'm suspended.." I whispered as what always happened, happened again. My emotions got the better of me and I soon saw her move between my legs as I wrapped my arms around her and felt myself breaking.

Maybe if I hadn't been careless, if I had just been careful I would still be on top and I would have a reason as to why I didn't need Nicole. An excuse for not repairing things.

"I let Jojo down, I'm suspended Nicole. I made a mistake. I don't even know how, its a fucking mess" I whispered as she sat onto my lap and held onto me. I knew she had no idea what to say because even though Nicole had always been the one to help me. It was when she had an answer to things but me screwing up she couldn't fix.

I leaned back and stared at her as the concern filled them reminding me that I still meant something to her. This is what I needed for so long whether I came backstage angry, hurt, victorious. I just needed her waiting and reminding me that I had her, that I wasn't alone.

My hand moved to her face and before more tears flowed my lips roughly met hers. I waited for her to push me away because if she did I would move back despite needing it so badly. But she didn't, even as I pushed my tongue past her lips, she didn't. I felt her fingers graze over my skin as she returned it, allowing me to feel everything that she couldn't say because she had no words.

I shifted and moved so that she was beneath me on the couch. My hand not pulling her face towards mine pulled her against me. I gripped her thighs with both hands and placed her onto my lap completely. While Nicole was no stranger to sitting on my lap it was never like this and I had never felt like this.

My fingertips slipped beneath her top but before I could think of doing anything more she pulled away. I leaned forward, her lips being something I now needed to get me out of the mood I was in but this time she placed her hands on me, preventing it.

"I can't do this, this is not who you are Joe" She shook her head as she breath out the words.

I knew she meant the fact that she had Seth but I just needed her so much and without the title there was nothing I could use as an excuse as to why I wasn't going after what I wanted. I had tried convincing myself it was for the best over the last couple of weeks and tried to push the anger back but deep down I knew it was lies and that I could never stop wanting her.

"Then leave him please" I begged knowing what I felt in the kiss meant something even if she hadn't admitted what I had.

I leaned my forehead against hers as I held her face. I just needed her, I knew I had to face my disappointed family once the news broke within the week. As well as my angel and Galina for me making a mistake and I couldn't bear to do it alone, like I had been doing everything else for so long.

I was a weak man and the only one who could give me strength when the world turned its back on me or was looking down on me was Nicole.

"Please, you felt it Nicole. You feel what I feel for you, don't push it away cause you're stubborn and we believed we wronged each other" My lips grazed over hers, needing what I had moments before, craving it.

"Joe, I have Colby.."

I shook my head and moved slightly back, "Come home with me, you can spend time with me and Jojo. You saw how happy she was to see you and..."

She shook her head and ran her hands over her face as she sat back, creating more distance between us.

"I can't Joe. It was fine when we were unaware, when I didn't realize you were trying to make this something else. " She breath basically stating once more that what I felt was all one sided, that there was no way she saw more.

I ran my hands over my face erasing all evidence of my tears and stared at her blankly while she tried searching my eyes, "get off"

"What?" Confusion now mixed with her concern.

"Get off me, Nicole." Was all I said showing no emotion despite so many flowing around after having kissed my best friend.

"Joe."

I glanced away as she tried reaching for my cheek and she moved next to me. As soon as she did I stood up allowing my need to disappear and my anger to replace it.

"Just fucking leave me alone. I'm sick of this fucking game of having to be the better man and accept that you have Colby or John or fucking anyone. You say you love me, but you fucking don't so just leave me the fuck alone cause its clear to me where I stand. Each time I forget ,you remind me, so I don't know why the fuck you are here when I told you to stay away from me last week!" I called back restraining myself from smashing the monitor on the wall or punching the wall.

"I do love you!" She screamed behind me causing my eyes to fall on her as she stood up from the couch we had been kissing on moments before.

"But not how I want you to love me Nicole and I can't fucking sit here or hang out with you. Knowing that he gets every fucking part of you that I want. While I am fucking delusional in believing that kiss was more than you not fighting it because you know its what I needed. With Nick I knew, with John I knew everything. With him I don't know anything and I know you would never tell me anything. So that means we don't have everything laid out on a table anymore Nicole. He knows you and I don't, I just have to accept that I'm not your guy anymore.."

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They kissssssssed!! 💋💋💋
Sigh but of course things couldn't be all sunshine and rainbows 😞
Hopefully you liked how I went with the story behind MITB .
Thoughts?