Flames

Near and Far, part 1

"I can stay."

Seth glanced over at his wife. Their bedroom was a study in contrasts: he was on the bed, injured leg extended and cradled in ice, while she was going between their closet and her bag, packing for the upcoming UK tour. Normally they packed together, often switching things from one's bag to the other if it fit better elsewhere. Watching her with just the one piece of luggage hurt almost as much as his knee. "What are you talking about?" He leaned back against the headboard and rubbed at his eyes. He hadn't slept well the night before and was trying to keep his irritability in check.

"I can stay," Becky repeated, setting down her charging cord and sitting on the bed beside him. "The UK tour isn't even a full week and there's other people who can take my place...."

"Becks, don't." He lifted his arm so she could cuddle up to his side. "It's been a while since you've been home and I know you're looking forward to seeing your mom and your brother. Plus you've got that big talk show scheduled. Is there anything with your book too?" With her book release almost coinciding with WrestleMania, Seth had started to lose track of all her different appearances.

Becky rested her head on his shoulder. "There's nothing I can't reschedule. I should be here for your surgery," she said. "When they suggest rehab, I'm pretty sure they don't mean 'running around after a three-year-old whirlwind' for cardio."

Seth had to smile. Roux was taking his injury about as well could be expected. She was frustrated that he couldn't play and goof around with her like he normally did, but once she grasped that it wasn't permanent, she also discovered there were ways she could help. Now he almost couldn't shake her from his side, as she insisted on trying to carry anything he needed so he had his hands free for balance and support. "My mom's here. She's already offered to help out. Bob too." Since Roux was currently over at her grandparents anyway, he didn't have to lower his voice or choose his words carefully. "Mom said they'd take her while I'm in the hospital and that if I need help when I get home, one of them could stay here with us."

He felt Becky squirm a bit when he said us. They were so used to being a little trio—the Roux Crew, as they were affectionately called—that it always felt strange when one of them wasn't there for any length of time. "I could take her with me too," Becky offered. "It shouldn't be that hard to get an extra ticket, and Mom and Richy would probably be able to watch her when I'm busy...."

"Becks, it's fine. We'll be fine." Seth kissed the top of her head and sighed. "I just wish I could go with you, that's all. Being injured sucks any time, but right around WrestleMania, with everything that's going on? I just miss being in the mix."

Becky reached up and stroked his beard, fingertips lingering on his chin. "I know. But you pushed yourself so hard this year. You need to heal up properly and then when you come back, you'll be right in the thick of things again." She beamed up at him and added, "When you come back, the pop is going to be so loud I'll have to get some noise-cancelling headphones like Roux's."

"Maybe. Now that Cody's going to SmackDown." The draft hadn't happened yet, but since Cody had dethroned Roman at WrestleMania, it only made sense to have him switch shows. Since Seth was injured with no clear timeline for a return, he didn't even know if he'd be included in the draft. For someone who had always been picked early, it stung more than he'd like to admit.

"Hey. Look at me." Becky cupped his face in her hands and held his gaze. "What's wrong? I know it's not just your knee and your back. Are you nervous about the surgery? I can stay. I'll stay. I'll call Booking and tell them I can't go," she insisted. "If they want me to be in the battle royal, I need time to prepare." She had recovered from her strep throat, but her rigorous schedule had left her tired.