"I'm always the one who loves more,
that's my thing"

- Jess Day, New girl

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"We don't talk much Nicole, but you are my sister-in-law and I do care about you. And Randy is my brother.."

I felt my heart beat due to Brie having told me that she let it spill to him. I had been seated with a glass of wine while Randy did laps in the pool.

"John" I began figuring me just being defensive would work better, I had heard the constant disappointing chants from Brie and didn't want to have to hear it from him. Because they couldn't help me, no one could. All they did was make me hate myself more even though I doubt that's what they intended...

"And you care about him that I know. I can't judge you for mistakes when we all have done our fair share of them but I have never seen my friend so consumed by someone. Its scary and weird because when I look at him now, I guess I can see how I was when falling for Brie. He is willing to do anything to protect you, he'd kick my ass if he had to and I'm not sure what he tells you but he loves you. He might seem vague about it but I know him, known him for most of his life and that man loves you and something tells me he fell in love with you two years ago already..."

"CUT!" I heard in the distance as I stood amongst the many crew members. It was quite dark and even though I had smiled at a few I doubt they even knew who I was.

"That's it for tonight guys." I saw him greet a few people and I waved to get his attention.

Apart of me had convinced myself I shouldn't have come to see him, it had been about a month since I last saw him and I knew my stupid head needed more time. But I also knew he was out here alone and I had some time off the road, so figured why not.

It was weird, its like my body was finding it harder to stay away from him.

Brie was still on the road, her contract was ending soon. I would be re-signing while she would not, unless they wanted a pregnant Bella accompanying me to the ring. For now she was, accompanying me that is, her pregnancy was still for the most part a secret. She was so petite so I doubt she would be showing any time soon and she was barely two months. The only people who knew were the divas considering they needed to not attack her during the matches.

Randy's surprised face caused my thoughts to divert away from the fact that I would be left solo soon and that Brie was officially starting her own family, being all grown up while I felt like a teenager lost in love.

"I might have had some egg nog before the last take but Garcia is that you?" He smirked before smiling.

"No its just the woman you haven't been stalking for the last year." I folded my arms as he reached me, his eyes not leaving mine.

"Seems like she's the stalker now"

"Hey man we still heading out for that beer? Oh hey there..."

"Ryan, this is Nicole my... Prey"

I rolled my eyes as Randy's arm went around me, I had enough guys confusing me I didn't need to add a cute actor to that list but shook his hand.

"I'm guessing we're not heading out for that beer." He glanced between us but I let Randy take the lead on that one considering I had flown out to see him.

"Nope, I'll be heading to find a mistletoe with this one."

◆◆◆

"I just came to hang out, not sit in a restaurant" I whispered before sipping my wine as we finished off dinner.

"Came to hang out with the Viper huh? Road is that hard without me?" He smirked, I could tell he was tired. They had probably been shooting for hours because he wasn't as aggressive as I expected or maybe wanted.

"I told you its weird not having you in my life. And with you being in the middle of nowhere, my schedule. You're not there..." I shrugged not wanting to admit how empty my life felt without him.

"But yet you're here and you still haven't given me a chance to test if you are real or not." He narrowed his eyes, of course each time I doubted his Predator being present he revealed himself.

"You saw my hotel room." I pointed out.

"That's not you, you know what love does to people. Drives some to madness, and while I'm already halfway there I have these thoughts that seem to magnify in your presence that will probably push me to the edge so if you are not real then I may be in need of..."

I cut him off and kissed him knowing he was rambling to obtain just that but I could only last so long. I felt his hand hold my face as my hand pressed on his thigh as I had leaned over to deepen the kiss. Despite the fatigue on his face, I felt his need in the kiss, the want, the love...

The last month had been good, I was still champion and I was heel so I could be back to being me. Being Fearless and feeling confident, I wasn't beaten down on screen I was the leader of the locker room tearing down the ones who had thought they could get me down before. But it was certainly lonely at the top, yes I hung out with a few girls but once Brie went to her room with John I was alone.

While Joseph was meant to prevent that, my schedule hadn't been easy so I decided it was best to leave him with my mom for a bit. Maybe missing him brought me to the Viper's door. He nudged his nose over mine causing me to open my eyes to find his on mine, "its different.."

"What?" I frowned as his thumb traced over my cheek while his eyebrows were slightly arched.

"Feelings..." He mumbled searching my eyes and my hand left his thigh as I leaned back into my seat.

"What? You don't love me anymore, Orton?" I tried to tease but it came out awfully sad which he seemed to notice.

"No, unfortunately that is not changing, Garcia. And you showing up hasn't made it easier, you just seem to be giving up the fight."

His words lingered in the air while I couldn't find the words to respond to it. He didn't seem amused or boastful about it, just observing the truth that I was allowing myself to sink into him despite being afraid of his intentions and afraid of what my heart truly felt. With his absence he had become a sort of guilty pleasure, guilty pleasure.. Maybe I was using him again, missing the thrill of sneaking around with Hunter maybe?

"When are you coming back?" I blurted out hoping it wasn't that because then we were back to square one, me using him.

"You missing me that much?" He stretched before lazily staring at me.

"Yes, Orton" I confessed and he smiled.

"Maybe you're just frustrated Bella, this was my plan all along; disappear in the desert and leave you frustrated, so frustrated you would end up taking a longer flight to spend Christmas with me instead of your family. I would say you're addicted to me but we have established I'm incapable of being loved by you so we'll have to settle on the fact that you're addicted to the Viper" he briefly eyed his crotch before staring at me causing me to shake my head with a giggle.

"What about you?"

"I have learnt patience is best when it comes to the woman I want" He shrugged reaching for my hand on the table, entangling our hands.

"You're not wearing Alanna's hair band.." I frowned slightly.

"Took it off during shooting, don't worry Bella not slipping it off to get any ladies. I only have two females in this heart.." He tapped his chest.

"Good" I smiled and my eyes widened not realizing that I had feared that.

"So Brie is pregnant, I honestly wouldn't have thought John would be getting married let alone be expecting a kid two years later." He said thoughtfully.

"I didn't think I would become the person I am now."

"What's wrong with who Nicole Garcia is now? I happen to like her. While I am no Ken, the Barbie is appealing to me." He smiled.

"I know you didn't look twice at me before." I briefly glanced at my 'twins' which happened to be covered up for the night.

"Just because I didn't speak to you doesn't mean you didn't make me look twice. Despite my reputation I happen to be quite loyal, married man and all..."

Yeah because marriage is so honest these days...

"I think its better that I only 'noticed' you that week, Bella. That was the time I slowly began growing up you know."

"So when did you realize you loved me."

He smirked, "If I were to tell you that that would mean I actually knew, Nicole."

"I was googling pictures of us and stumbled upon two and I don't even remember them. They were definitely before Brie and John's time. " I showed him the clear fan pictures taken at a distance as Jericho held Brie in a friendly embrace while I stood with Khali and Randy appeared to be smiling with me.

"Well see, wedding ring on display. Er.. so John knows about you and Hunter huh?"

"How do you know?"

"He confronted me about it. As far as I am concerned its none of their business, I let them have their say but I don't want them saying things to you to make you feel pressured into flying to see me to prove a point. They caught up, fucked, got engaged, married and now they're starting a family. That's for the saints, now the sinners have it more complicated Garcia. But the end result will be worth it " He said leaning forward as if he were telling a story.

"How do you see it ending, Orton?" I entertained the snake who rested his arm over the back of my chair to move his face closer to mine.

"The same way you do" He stated.

"And how is that?"

"Stephanie Nicole Orton or maybe Stephanie Nicole Colace-Orton or Orton-Colace" He shrugged seeming to actually think which sounded better.

"You're still trying to make me fall in love with you and we're already walking down the aisle?" I shook my head with a small giggle.

Orton-Colace?

"Its weird isn't it?" He interrupted my thoughts entertaining his prediction of our future.

"What?"

"Finding someone who loves you first. That's the problem here, future wife, you're used to fighting for affection. Fighting for love from guys who you expect to hand it on a silver platter. Dolph, the immature idiot, Hunter the married man who could never give you all of his love when he loves another Stephanie. And here I a serpent go on my knees and profess it, all my love for you Nicole Garcia. You're so fucking stubborn..." He sighed with a small chuckle while I moved slightly away from him.

"Excuse me?"

"If you give into your feelings for me. The love that you know you have then I win, I'm the one who captures your heart. And you, Nikki Bella hate it because it means you aren't in control. I should have seen it all along.."

"I.. Shut up Orton" I groaned which led to him smirking.

"Make me..." He leaned closer nudging his nose over mine.

"I'm not sleeping with you, Orton" I shook my head tracing over his stubble.

"I know because then I'd win so by denying me a night with you, you are in fact proving my point" He said seeming pleased with himself.

"I never thought I'd miss the Randy I knew two years ago. The Viper who loves me is just annoying" I shook my head with a smile leaning forward and burying my face into his neck hearing slight laughter from him. I didn't mean it when despite the confliction he was the only one who could make me smile more than I did when holding my title.

"If that's what keeps you coming back baby then I'll be your greatest annoyance in pursuit of being your greatest love..."

♥♥♥♥

Sorry if this was boring: /
But Nikki surprised him yaay haha!
If I don't update before Sunday then a goodluck to our Viper at MITB!
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