Dark and Brutal

Promise

Vic is walking through the hotel lobby, her room keycard in hand, when she spots Buddy out of the corner of her eye. Waiting. Watching. She doesn't look at him and instead continues towards the elevators.

"Vic," she hears behind her.

She doesn't stop walking until she gets to the elevators. Pressing the 'up' button and, unfortunately, waiting for a door to open.

"Victoria," another familiar voice.

Vic freezes, her breath catching in her throat. The tears that have been threatening her eyes welling up. She doesn't turn, instead watching the light on the floor numbers.

5...

Come on.

4...

"Victoria," Rhea persists.

2...

Damn it hurry up.

1...

The elevator dings and the doors open, Vic is just about to step inside when she feels a soft hand wrap around her wrist.

"Wait," Rhea says.

Vic pulls her wrist away and enters the elevator. She turns, her eyes cast downward as she avoids Rhea's gaze. Sighing, Rhea and Buddy both step into the elevator and Vic reaches around Rhea to press the button to her floor.

Only Rhea presses the stop button and the elevator jerks to a halt. Gasping, Vic looks up finally and frowns.

"Turn it back on," she whispers.

"Not until you talk to us," Rhea says.

Vic reaches around her again to press the button but Rhea grabs her hand, intertwining their fingers. She looks down at their hands and rubs the back of Vic's with her thumb.

Pulling her hand away, Vic rubs her arm and sighs.

"Look at me," Rhea says as her hand drops.

Vic folds her arms and looks away.

"Look at me, please? Let me see my favorite part of you."

Scoffing, Vic shakes her head and makes eye contact with Rhea.

"Don't do that. You don't get to treat me like shit then compliment me and expect me to crawl back into bed with you. Again," Vic snaps.

"That's not what I want."

"Oh good. Because you're not getting it. Can you please start the elevator?"

"You're not expendable. You're not replaceable. You're the only woman I want. The only woman I have ever craved. Yes, there's been others. But not a single one of them was anything comparable to you. They didn't touch me because I didn't want them to. I wanted you. I still want you," Rhea says, looking right into Vic's now blurry eyes.

"Did you leave me for her?" Vic asks.

Rhea's mouth snaps shut and her eyes grow solemn. She slides her hands into her pockets and bites her lip, trying to come up with a good response. If there is such a thing for a question like that. She glances over at Buddy, then back at Vic.

"The woman you cheated on me with. If you never wanted to let any other woman touch you, why did you cheat?" Vic speaks softly, her eyes darting back and forth between Rhea's.

"I...Vic..."

Nodding, Vic swipes a tear from her cheek and presses the button to get the elevator moving again. None of them speak until the doors open on the sixth floor. Vic pushes her way out of the elevator and turns to look at Rhea just as it opens.

"Until you can answer that question, Rhea, I don't think me being around you two is a good idea."

The doors close and when Vic is sure they can't hear, she finally breaks down. Her tears coming so strong and thick that she can barely see to unlock the door of her room.

Scratch that, she can't see to unlock the door of her room. An angry cry of frustration sounds from her lips as she bangs on the door and drops her head against it.

Half a second later, she feels someone slowly and softly slipping the keycard from her hand. She continues to cry against the door and shuts her eyes as she hears the beep of it unlocking.

"Come here baby," Rhea whispers softly as she pulls Vic into her side before opening the door.

Vic shakes her head and pushes Rhea off before walking into the room. She drops her things by the bed and sits on the edge. Her head down as she rubs her hands together.

"I was an idiot. That woman she..she was my high school girlfriend. I hadn't seen her since I came to the states for WWE. So when I saw her...old feelings came back up. Or, at least, I thought they did," Rhea rants as she paces the room. Vic looks up as she continues. "Yes, I cheated. I slept with her but I regretted it as soon as it happened, Vic. Because as soon as it happened I realized she was no longer the one that I wanted. She was never really the one that I wanted."

Vic bites her lip and frowns before speaking.

"Then why did you leave me?" She asks.

Rhea stops and drops to her knees in front of Vic, putting her hands on Vic's thighs.

"Because you deserved, you deserve, someone who will be faithful to you no matter what. Always and forever. Not someone like me who fumbled the best thing she ever had," she says.

Tears spill down Vic's cheeks again as she looks in Rhea's eyes. They're full of sincerity, love, hope.

"Promise me one thing," Vic says.

"Anything, baby," Rhea replies.

"Promise you'll never leave me like that again. If you leave, fine, but tell me. Don't let me wake up alone," Vic's voice cracks as she speaks.

Rhea stand then sits next to her on the bed and pulls Vic onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her and planting kisses all over her neck and up her cheek.

"I'll do you one better. I promise you I'll never leave you. Never, ever again. You'll never wake up alone again. I'll always be there. We will always be there," Rhea whispers in her ear.

Vic nods and drops her forehead on Rhea's shoulder.

"I love you," Vic whispers.

"I love you more."