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

Sixteen.

The lights were flashing, the crowd was cheering, everything was so loud. I was sweaty as I sat in my ring gear in the men's locker room with AJ, Luke, Karl and a few others. I wiped my hands along my thighs but they were also sweaty and didn't provide much relief to my sweaty palms.

I swiped my left hand on AJ's tee shirt as he sat next to me in his ring gear. "Stop worrying." He whispered to me as he turned his head to me and smiled. "Everything is going to be okay." He undid his gloves and took them off before he handed them to me. "Your hands are so sweaty, put these on."

"Thanks," I laughed as I took them and slipped my left hand into the glove before doing it up. "These are massive."

He held his hands out in front of himself and rolled his eyes, "Well I don't have small hands sweetheart."

I nudged him as I pulled the other glove on and held my hands together. "No wonder you have so many kids." 

"Come down Tasha," Luke nudged me from the other side and shook his head. 

My eyes looked to Luke and smiled. "Sorry would you like me to look at your hands too?" 

He looked confused before I stuck my tongue out at him. 

Soon everyone's attention turned to the telly in the locker room, more men had come into the room by now. "What is going to happen?" I asked as I leaned back on the jacket that hung up behind me in AJ's little space. I quickly sat back up as my back hit some of the wall. I grabbed his leather jacket and pulled it around my shoulders. 

"Oi you!" AJ teased as he rolled his eyes. "Just don't get it dirty."

"It's starting!" Xavier called from the front of the room getting everyone's attention. In this locker room sat only Smackdown stars, I was the only woman in the room and yet no one batted an eyelid. Only one person did look over at me at one point as they entered the room, Dean Ambrose. 

"Lets go then guys!" AJ announced as he got to his feet. The rest of the locker room followed suite and got their feet and started to leave the room. 

I rolled my eyes as everyone did what AJ said without thinking. I guess this was because someone had to take the lead in getting the team to the gorilla. I stood up and followed the rest of the locker room walking alongside AJ who put an arm around my shoulders as we walked. 

"Nervous?" He spoke as he leaned his head close to mine so we were just speaking between ourselves as we walked. 

"Bricking it," I groaned as I snuggled in closer to him and put my arm around him in return. "You are too good to me."

AJ kissed my hair and gave me a little squeeze. "Just make sure you give me my jacket back." 

We arrived at the gorilla as we watched the large telly screen waiting to see what was going to happen. 

"Tonight some changes are going to be made," Shane spoke to the crowds here and at home. 

I felt a hand slip into mine and I looked up from the hand and to AJ who smiled down at me. "Thank you." 

"Lets get it started then," Stephanie announced as she smiled at her brother. 

My ears listened as a music started to play, it was not my music at the time. 

A few people later had swapped to the RAW brand, then I listened as my music started to play. I slipped off the jacket and handed it to AJ before pulling the gloves off too. I handed them to him before we nodded at each other. I turned round from him took a deep breath before I headed out through the curtain and out onto the ramp.

The crowd had a mixed reaction as I headed down the ramp. I climbed into the ring, I looked at Shane and nodded at him before Stephanie shook my hand. "Welcome to RAW Natasha." 

"Thank you," I smiled at her. 

She pulled me into an embrace for the whole of the wrestling world to see. 

I knew right then that moving to RAW was going to be a good thing. Nice to get away, nice to spend some time on my own. I needed this.

Back stage was buzzing as they welcomed me to the other side. I felt good, a tee shirt was given to me and I was officially RAW's property. 

"Isn't this nice?" Seth spoke as he put an arm around me as we stood together backstage.

I nodded, "Dandy." 

"You know Tasha, you could go far on this show if you mix with the right people," he reminded me as Roman walked over to us. 

"Natasha," his voice obviously full of distaste for me being here.

"Roman," I spoke back, no effort made to hide my annoyance. 

"Seth," Roman looked at Seth before they gave each other an awkward high five. I guessed their friendship wasn't too great right now. 

As I sat awkwardly in the hall way with the RAW brand, I kept my eyes on the screen ready for the surprises the same time as everyone else. I heard some small conversations between the superstars, I didn't zone in on any particular conversation before Stephanie and Shane seemed to be calling for silence. 

"These are the last two," I heard Stephanie speak making it well known. 

I watched as Shane smiled, then Kevin Owens' started to play, the superstar sauntering out the ring with his belt. Shane shook his hand as he welcomed him in the flock of Smackdown! superstars. 

A few minutes passed, no one here seemed too bothered that they were losing him. I guessed he wasn't well liked. 

Shane then spoke, addressing the audience. "This last one, is a big one." 

I rolled my eyes as I thought about the big players, in all honestly most of them on the RAW brand already. 

Stephanie then spoke, "I'm excited about this one."

My heart was pumping, maybe AJ was coming to Smackdown! with me, even if no one else was. Then my heart sank, maybe even stopped beating for a second as I heard Dean's music. 

My eyes glued to the screen as he walked out onto the ramp, everyone was cheering in the audience, a few people hear started whispers. 

"Oh sweetie," Roman leaned into my ear. "Isn't that just a shame?"

I didn't look at him, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing my face. After all I had been through with Dean, after everything he was coming here, on the road with us all and just to top it all off I would be without AJ. 

A few minutes later Dean walked through the door of the hall, his hands open wide before he smirked to everyone. "I guess I am home!" 

Roman headed to him, sharing a man hug. "Bro, it's nice to see you!" Roman greeted him. 

I watched on, seething. Dean's eyes caught mine, neither of our expressions changed from the neutral ones we held before Seth stood in our ways, impeding our view of each other. Taking a deep breath I couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't going to get any better.