It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

Twelve.

Arriving at the hotel I left the rental car in the carpark before I grabbed my bag from the boot and dragged it to the check in desk in the hotel. "Bennett," I said to the guy on the desk who was looking at me like I was crazy. 

I ran a hand through my hair and pulled a loose pretzel that happened to have been stuck in a knot from my hair as the guy handed me a card. "Room 202, level 2."

I nodded before I placed the pretzel in my mouth and started to chew as I took the key and continued to drag my bag after me to the lift. I called the lift and got into it before pressing the 2 button. As the doors closed I examined my reflection in the mirrors of the lift. I was a mess, my hair was all knotty and needed a good wash, my eyes had bags and my eyeliner was starting to fade since it had been on for so long. 

My knees braced as the lift stopped at the right level before the doors opened and I started my walk to my room. My arms were heavy from dragging the bag which I hoisted up on my shoulder before I found my room. I scanned the card before the door bleeped and I entered the room. 

Shock was all I felt as I saw Paige sitting on the other bed in the room. "What are you doing here?" I asked her. Since leaving the WWE the first time Paige had been surrounded by controversy and hadn't been on telly. 

"I don't know," she admitted. "My room has been paid for and I am to go to the arena tonight like the rest of you."

I couldn't help but raised my eyebrows before I shook my head and dumped my bag on the floor by the empty bed. "I'm sure it's good news." I said before I slipped my shoes off and curled under the blanket of the bed. 

"How are you finding being back?" She asked me cautiously. 

I turned over in the bed so I was facing her and sighed. "I'm not sure. Work is work, but the people are unsure of me, I don't blame them though."

"You are happy to be back though?"

"Of course," I nodded with a smile on my face. "I couldn't imagine being any where else." I checked my phone and text AJ to tell him my room number before I text Dean and asked him for his room number instead of letting him know mine. I looked back up at Paige, "Are you happy to be here?"

She gave me a sad smile, "It would be much better if Alberto was here. I miss him when I'm away from him. I cannot believe they won't take him back."

"I would be with my love," I told her. "You have so much talent, you could literally work any where you wanted to."

"Thanks," she said quietly before she looked down at her phone. "I just don't think he's very happy that I am here and he's not too. He would rather I be any where but here."

"I get this isn't everyone's cup of tea, being here. But it's a job, right?"

She shrugged, "I guess so." She tilted her head, "I guess I could get a job in any company I wanted to though. I don't need to be here."

My phone vibrated in my hand and I opened the message from AJ would was telling me he was in a room with Dean again and he was not happy about it, again. 

The thing was right now there was talk of a Roster mix up. People were talking about the rumours. Truth was no one knew any thing. No one even knew when it was happening. I heard it was happening in the next few days, the two Rosters would come together and we'd swap all together. I wasn't worried, I would be staying here with Smackdown, I had only just arrived. What would I do if I lost AJ though, he was a good friend to me, it was almost a possibility that it would happen if he wasn't on top here. He was a great guy who was in the main stories. 

Tonight he had a match with Dean for the champion ship, I was not sure who to root for. This always happened.

Dean was giving it large in the ring, the main event was here and he was out there spouting off about how he was the best champion and he'd retain his title and go on to be the best Smackdown champion ever, and the longest. 

I was watching on a screen back stage with Luke and Karl, they had been in a match that evening and had become the champions, something that they wanted to go out and celebrate after AJ had finished his match. I was so excited for them, they deserved it, they worked hard every night that they stepped into the ring. 

"Seriously," Luke groaned as he rubbed his bald head, "Who does he think he is kidding?"

"He's only holding that title as he was Mr Money in the bank. He would have never got in the picture the other way." Karl piped up as he laid back into the sofa more. 

I felt a hand on my shoulder, I looked behind me and saw AJ who smiled down at me. "You ready for me to go kick his ass?"

I laughed at him, "Please never say that again." I smiled at him. "Punish him." I winked before AJ 'too sweeted' with the guys before he walked away to go out to his match with Ambrose. 

It was a little tense especially when AJ interrupted Dean and started his walk down to the ring. 

He always put on a good show when he went out there in front of the public. AJ knew how to work it. He climbed into the ring and as the lights started to brighten they were squaring up to each other, trash talking, probably true words. They really didn't like each other and I knew I was playing with fire by the friendship with AJ and my 'relationship' with Dean. Things could go wrong and lose both of them in an instant.

The trouble was I was always playing with fire. My problem was and I knew it, I just couldn't keep away from Dean. He was my kryptonite. He had on a string and I didn't even care. 

The match started up and I was officially lost, I couldn't keep my eyes on the screen. They both got good shots in and I was unsure of who was going to win. 

"I don't think I can watch." I said as I held my hands over my face. 

"Don't be stupid!" Luke laughed. "If AJ wins it will be a triple celebration."

"If AJ wins we're going to the casino." Karl nodded happily with a cheeky grin on his face. 

Luke looked at Karl, they both exchanged the same look. "No." I slapped both of them on the legs they were either side of me on the sofa. "AJ can do this on his own. Let him do this."

Karl shook his head, "If we don't go to the casino tonight I hold you responsible."

I rolled my eyes as I turned my head back to the screen and watched the match a bit more intently. Things were looking up for Dean who was diving all over the shop and knocking AJ down and then suddenly AJ from no where got him and hit him with the Style's Clash. The guys were on their feet as AJ went for the pin. I jumped up at the ref hit three and all seemed to cheer together pulling in for a hug for the three of us. 

AJ was handed the title before he lifted it above his head with a giant grin on his face. This meant the world to him. And at that moment in time I was genuinely happy for AJ.