After RAW

Nicole, Duncan, and Caleb walk to their rental car, bags in hand, ready to get to the hotel. They get to the car and Caleb starts loading the bags.

Caleb: How much shit do you have, Blake?

Duncan: Most of it's Nicole's.

Caleb: Whatever you say, man.

The two friends smile as they load the rest of the bags up. Since Duncan had the match tonight, Caleb volunteers to drive, leaving the Juggernaut and the Bella Twin in the backseat. As they climb in, Nicole strikes up a conversation with the Juggernauts.

Nicole: You two are really close. I know how you guys met, but how did you get so close?

Duncan: We're both extremely competitive, so when we were assigned to ride together years after we met, we kept each other busy by having competitions in the gym or daring each other to do stupid shit.

The Bella's phone rings while Duncan is talking. She looks at who is calling her and brings it up to her ear after answering it.

Nicole: Hey Maryse, is everything okay?...Okay, okay, slow down. Hang on, we're on our way.

Caleb: Somethin' wrong?

Nicole: I'm not sure. Maryse called and she sounded like she was crying.

Caleb, looking around the garage: I see her.

The Southern Juggernaut shuts the car off and exits the car. Duncan follows almost instantly. Nicole goes after the two men as her curiosity gets the better of her. Once she gets out of the car, she sees the scene unfolding. Mike and Maryse are standing across from each other, both visibly upset, and Caleb is standing between them with Duncan behind him. The sound of Mike and Maryse's arguing is deafening as it echoes throughout the garage area.

Caleb: Guys. Guys. Guys!

The It Couple continue to argue so loud that they can't hear the Southern Juggernaut. Blake rolls his eyes, knowing what's coming next as Winters uses his Marine voice.

Caleb: Lock it up!!!

Mike and Maryse jump and look over at the two Juggernauts. The French Canadian puts her hand over her chest in an attempt to calm her racing heart. Meanwhile, Duncan chuckles a little. After spending years with Winters as his travel partner, he's gotten used to the loud voice.

Caleb: What the hell is goin' on here!?

Maryse: It's nothing, we were just arguing again.

Caleb: And how long has this been goin' on?

Mike: Almost every day for the past couple months.

Duncan: Sounds like y'all could use a little time away from each other.

Mike: Y-yeah. That sounds good.

Caleb: Look, Mike, it isn't permanent. Just until SmackDown. Maryse, do you have a ride to the hotel?

Maryse, shaking her head: No...but I'm sure I can find one.

Nicole: Don't worry about finding one, Maryse. You can ride with us.

The Awesome One and the French Canadian say their goodbyes and, as they go to leave, Mike has a favor to ask.

Mike: Hey, Caleb.

Caleb: Yeah?

Mike: Take care of her. Please.

Caleb, nodding once: You have my word.

Mike: Thank you.

Duncan and Nicole climb back into their seats in back while Caleb helps Maryse with her bags. The two then climb into the front and begin the drive to the hotel a few cities over.

As they drive, Winters can see Maryse isn't quite comfortable, and for good reason. She just had a huge fight with the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with and now, she has to ride with her friend and two people she's not really familiar with. In an effort to block out the sounds of Nicole and Duncan making out, Maryse decides to strike up a conversation with Caleb.

Maryse: So...what were you guys doing before you helped me?

Caleb: We were just talkin' about how me and Duncan got to be so close after we met.

Maryse: How did you two meet?

Caleb: My uncle introduced us to one another. When I got home from being overseas, I went to visit my uncle. I went to the gym he has and there he was. The biggest pain in the ass on earth.

The two hear Nicole giggle a little while still kissing Duncan. Meanwhile, Duncan shoots Caleb the bird, smirking into his and Nicole's kiss. The Southern Juggernaut chuckles and shakes his head.

Maryse: Do they ever come up for air?

Caleb, smiling: Sometimes.

The Southern Juggernaut leans over to Maryse and whispers.

Caleb: Bet I can make them stop.

Maryse: Please do.

Winters smiles and leans back in his seat. With a sly grin on his face, he begins speaking.

Caleb: Did I ever tell you about the time I out-lifted Duncan?

Duncan, quickly breaking the kiss: You have never out-lifted me!

The French Canadian beauty and the Southern Juggernaut laugh as Duncan looks at both of them confused.

Nicole: What's so funny?

Caleb, ignoring her: Told you.

Duncan: Told her what?

Nicole: Did we miss something? Dammit. We missed something because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself.

Duncan: You kissed me first!

Caleb and Maryse's laughter intensifies as the couple in the backseat have a small argument.

Maryse: You three get along well.

Caleb: Yeah, we do.

After he finishes talking, he looks over at Maryse, who had her head against the window, as a small tear slowly falls from her eye. Winters reaches his hand over and places it softly on her shoulder.

Caleb: Hey, things'll get better.

Maryse: How do you know?

Caleb: Call it a gut feeling. Everything'll turn around for you.

Maryse: Thank you, Caleb. Can I ask you a question?

Caleb: Shoot.

Maryse: Why are you being so nice to me?

Caleb: Contrary to popular belief, I'm a nice guy. Just don't tell anyone.

Maryse looks at him in confusion. Her confusion turns into a smile as she sees him smirk once again.

Caleb: It'll ruin my rep.

Timeskip

The group arrive to their first stop of the week and go to the counter to check in to the hotel. Nicole and Duncan get their room, but another conversation is struck up by Maryse.

Maryse: My room was with Mike. Is there any way I can stay with you guys?

Caleb: Believe me, you don't wanna share a room with them. The sounds you'll hear are the shit nightmares are made of.

Duncan: One, that was uncalled for. Two, where's she gonna stay? With you?

Nicole: That is a great idea, babe. They should share a room.

Caleb: You seem oddly excited about this idea.

Nicole: I think it works out nicely, that's all.

Caleb, not believing her: It sure does.

He clears his throat. Then, he speaks again.

Caleb: Anyway, Maryse, it's up to you. If you wanna stay with me, that's fine.

The French Canadian takes a few moments to think. When she comes to a conclusion, she looks up at Caleb and answers him.

Maryse: I don't want to intrude.

Nicole: But Maryse, you're in a bad spot right now. I don't think you should be alone. Besides, if you need a shoulder to cry on, Caleb is a great listener.

Duncan: What're you doing, Nik?

Nicole, quietly: I'll tell you later.

Maryse: I guess that's true. Caleb, are you sure you don't mind?

Caleb: I'm sure.

Winters walks up to the desk, gets the room key, and hands it to Maryse.

Caleb: Mind holding this for me?

Maryse nods as she takes the key.

Caleb: Thanks.

The group take the elevator up to their floor. Nicole and Duncan arrive to their room first. They say their goodbyes and quickly enter their room. After a long walk down the hall, Maryse and Caleb arrive to their room.

Maryse: Why is our room all the way down here?

Caleb: I asked for a room that was as far away from them as possible.

Maryse: Why?

Caleb: When they share a room, they tend to get very loud. Trust me, this is for the best.

Maryse, while opening the door: It's that bad?

Caleb: Some things you just can't un-hear. The sound of a shell going off...an A-10 flying overhead...a grenade exploding...your best friend and his girlfriend goin' at it.

Maryse laughs as they enter the room. Caleb sets their bags down and goes to sit down on one of the couches in the room.

Caleb: Get some sleep. We're gonna leave pretty earl-

Before he can finish or sit down, he is interrupted by the sound of sobbing. He looks over and sees Maryse trying to hide her tears from him. The Southern Juggernaut walks over to her and helps her over to the couch.

Caleb: Here, come sit down.

The French Canadian nods and sits down. Winters sits next to her and looks at her concerned.

Caleb: Alright, spill. What's goin' on?

Maryse: It-it's nothing.

Caleb: The mind is a dangerous place to be, Maryse. Believe me. I know all too well. The best thing to do is to talk it out with someone. Now, what's got you all worked up?

Maryse: I just...I just wonder if this is all my fault. Maybe if I didn't push him about some of the planning, we wouldn't had that big fight.

As she talks, she begins crying once more. Just like in the car, Caleb places a hand on her shoulder.

Caleb: Maryse, this isn't your fault. Or anyone's for that matter. Weddings are stressful, but if anyone can get past this, it's you and Mike.

Maryse: You really think so?

Caleb: Of course. You're both too hardheaded to give up.

Maryse, smiling: I'm not hardheaded.

Caleb: That remains to be seen.

The Marine's comment causes Maryse to laugh a little. Once the laughter dies down, she leans over and traps Caleb in a hug. Though the beautiful woman clinging to him initially catches him off guard, Winters eventually returns the embrace.

During their hug, they both get a strange feeling in their chests. Neither really knows how to describe it, but they know it's different. Maryse decides to ignore it for now, but Caleb can't help but try to figure out what the feeling is. He makes a mental note to ask Nicole or Duncan about it when he gets the chance. Before he can think about it any more, another strange feeling causes him to speak up.

Caleb, quietly: Hey, Maryse?

The only response he gets is her soft, steady breathing, her chest raising against his before falling away again with each breath. She's asleep. He had felt her grip loosen on him earlier, which is why he spoke to her quietly.

WWE's Man in Black lifts the French Canadian beauty in a bridal carry and takes her to one of the two beds in the room. He gently lays her down and covers her up with one of the blankets before carefully escaping from her clutches. Caleb then goes about his nightly routine before laying down in the other bed. As he closes his eyes, he whispers "goodnight, Maryse" and wishes for a peaceful night of sleep.

A/N: Thank y'all so much for reading. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. Thanks again for reading. I'll talk to y'all later.