Sasha knew she should keep her eyes on the road but couldn't help stealing glances in the rearview mirror.

Every glance lingered a little longer. Knuckles turning white as a ghost against the steering wheel. Leather creaking beneath her grip. She had been driving for a couple minutes and Bayley had just managed to help bring the other woman's breathing back to a more normal rate. Becky allowed herself to be pulled into a reflexive hug from the brunette. Hands gripping at Bayley's shirt like she just needed something physical to tether herself to the earth.

Sasha had no idea what had preceded the two racing into her car. The small clues she could visibly see scattered across the Irish woman's body made her blood boil. The picture she created in her mind wasn't helping calm her down. Tiny bruises were already blossoming around the redhead's throat. A necklace of black and blue splotches that had Sasha fighting to not blow her cool and freak out.

Sasha had to shake her head and refocus on the road. She just had to be patient. But it was really hard being patient when all she wanted to do was pull the car over, slip into the backseat, pull the Irish woman out of Bayley's arms and into her own to never let go.

It took her only a few minutes that felt far longer before she was pulling into her apartment complex. She hadn't asked either of the two women in her back seat where they should go, but it seemed like as good a place to figure out what to do next in peace as any.

Sasha parked and got out of her seat before anyone else had moved. Quickly moving to open up the back door of her car before without even thinking twice.

Becky had noted that she was in Sasha's car some time ago but hadn't reacted to it. When Sasha opened the door, the redhead felt like a sponge that had long since soaked up more than it could handle. Incapable of taking on anything more right now. It almost felt like all this was happening to someone else at this point. She knew what she should be feeling but could only summon up echoes of the originals.

When Sasha offered a hand to help her out of the car Becky just stared at the appendage before getting out and ignoring the other woman while she walked towards the building.

Bayley offered Sasha a glimpse of sympathy but couldn't help giving her a look that said, 'What did you expect?'.

The two walked towards the apartment where Becky was already waiting. The redhead was leaning next to the door and holding one of her arms close to her chest. Vacantly staring down at the ground until their steps snapped her out of it and caused her to look up. Giving Sasha a wary look and subtly shifting away when she went to open the door.

Sasha opened the door without reacting. She didn't have a right to be upset. Knowing that didn't stop it from hurting though.

She ushered the two women inside and held herself back from letting her fingers 'accidentally' brush against Becky as she passed.

Once inside Bayley wordlessly went towards the kitchen and rummaged around the freezer for some ice. Becky took a direct route to the right side of the couch without a second thought. Sitting down and curling her feet underneath like she had done so often over the last few weeks.

Sasha sat down at the other side of the couch. Giving room for Bayley to come over with an ice pack and gently guiding it towards Becky's throat and the already purpling necklace of bruises.

"Can you hold it?" Bayley asked the redhead. Transferring the ice pack to Becky after her nod before asking what she and Sasha both wanted to ask. "What happened Becky?"

Sasha waited with bated breath for the answer. Arms crossed across her chest tightly, holding in the nervous energy that wanted to have known everything five minutes ago.

"I was just lyin' down, gettin' ready fer bed." Becky said with an unnerving calmness. Unfocused eyes making it clear to the other women that she wasn't quite all there right now. "He attacked me… He- I kicked him and…" Her pulse rose with every word. Vivid images of beady eyes staring down at her. The putrid scent of heavy body odor and cheap alcohol filling her nostrils once again.

Sasha inched closer. Keeping her distance was only getting harder.

"…I got away. Rushed to the door. Tried to open it…" Becky continued as her distress grew. The full reality of what had happened finally setting in.

"That's good enough." Bayley jumped in right before Sasha would have.

The pink haired woman wasn't sure if she was happy Bayley had jumped in first or, is she was mad at herself for not saying anything before her friend. Her confusion quickly shifted after having a few moments to think over the Irish woman's words.

"He?" Sasha asked in a hushed voice. Dragging the other women's attention her way.

Becky looked up at where Sasha stood for a moment before she moved her gaze away towards an empty corner of the room. "My landlord."

The headstrong Bostonian had quickly excused herself after the confirmation. Walking outside of her own apartment to pace beneath the orange glow of a tall lamppost.

After a minute or two she heard the door open up and Bayley came out. "She fucking LIED to me Bayley! That piece of shit said she would be safe." Sasha was fuming and hardly cared for how loud she was being. Her neighbors were always loud anyways so why should she care right now. "I'm gonna kill her."

"Sasha I totally get why you're pissed. I would be too." Bayley calmly spoke.

"No, you wouldn't. Cause you wouldn't have got yourself into this fucked up scenario in the first place."

Internally Bayley agreed with that but didn't verbalize it. Instead simply stating, "We need to go to the cops." Countering any arguments before they started. "You can't just sit back, and hope Steph keeps her word."

Sasha thought it over for a minute and hesitantly nodded along. "You're right." Just as she spoke those words a vibration came from her pocket that had her frozen in rage. It wasn't her own personal phone that was vibrating. It was the one Stephanie had given her.

Bayley noticed the way Sasha tensed up but mistook its origin. "We can talk to the cops in the morning. Lay low tonight and try to get some rest."

Sasha just nodded. "Alright. I need another minute. Can you go back inside? I don't like Becky being alone." It wasn't a lie but it wasn't the full truth.

The brunette looked like she wanted to say more but ultimately decided that now wasn't the right time. "Ok. She's tough… She'll be fine."

"I know." Sasha just managed to choke out. Finally pulling the phone out once Bayley had moved back inside.

A simple message, 'Call me' waited there for her.

She pressed the only contact on the phone and pulled the device to her ear as it rung. It rung so long Sasha was ninety percent sure this was a simple power play by the McMahon to assert dominance.

When it was finally picked up the McMahon's words escalated that ninety to a hundred percent. "I'm so sorry for making you wait Sasha. You know how busy being a boss is."

"You gave me your word." Sasha growled into the phone.

"I can only assume Mr. Snitsky failed… How unfortunate. No wonder he hasn't returned my calls."

"Unfortunate?!" She was just able to stop herself from shouting. "You aren't even going to try and deny it?"

"Would you believe me if I did? I'd like to think we could simply be honest with each other by now Sasha."

Sasha was fuming but tried to put a lid on it and think straight. Stephanie had used this tactic before, and she was starting to figure out when the McMahon was purposefully trying to wind her up. "Let's be honest then. I'm fucking done being your bitch. I'm done having you hold Becky over my head. I'm done playing by your rules."

"…We'll speak again soon. Have a good night Sasha."

Before Sasha could respond she was met with the sound of the call ending and silence.

Back inside Bayley had came back to a Becky who was frantically pacing across the floor. The ice pack that had been held to her neck before, now crushed in her fist. "What's up Becky?"

The redhead had felt fine when Bayley had left, even telling the brunette so much before. But after a minute or so she started to feel paranoid. The skin on the back of her neck tingled and she actually turned around to look behind herself.

For a few seconds that was enough. But then the feeling returned and simply looking around her surroundings wasn't enough to make it leave. Hence, why she was actively pacing the across the floor.

"I'm fine."

Bayley frowned. "I didn't ask if you were." She knew there was no way Becky was fine right now.

Becky closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try and calm down. Though it didn't help as much as it normally did. Her eyes opened up and she glanced sideways at Bayley to respond but was quickly distracted when Sasha came back inside with a dour look.

Even after what had happened earlier there was still a part of her that yearned to be near Sasha. A part of her that wanted to sink back into that old comfort and damn her self-respect. It would be easy to fall apart right now. Safe to say this had easily been the worst night of her life and it wasn't even close. In the space of a few hours her entire world began to spin the opposite way. Becky knew that no one would blame her if she did fall apart. After all that would be the easy thing. In that moment the Irish woman knew she had been straying towards that path and needed to gather herself.

She steadied herself and crossed her arms. Projecting a confidence she didn't feel even as her eyes automatically strayed towards Sasha. "As much fun as this night's been, I'd really like to try and get some sleep." Becky had no intention of actually sleeping tonight but she was looking for any excuse to avoid talking about anything with the woman who had stomped on her heart earlier.

Sasha was stuck in her own head after Stephanie's call but the curt, borderline angry tone in Becky's voice pulled her right back into the here and now. A quick glance at Bayley confirmed she hadn't been the only one to be taken aback.

"Of course." Bayley responded first. Looking over to Sasha for confirmation, "I'm sure Sash's got some sheets for the couch."

"You can have the bed if you want." Sasha offered out before she could think better of it.

To say Becky was surprised by the offer would be putting it lightly. She hadn't expected Sasha to say anything. She didn't know if she wanted to even hear her voice. It somehow both comforted her and made her feel sick all at once. "Couch is fine."

The monotone way she said it and the fact that she didn't even bother looking at Sasha when she said it felt like a dagger to her ribcage. Granted, a dagger she had earned and one that would have been bearable if Stephanie had held up her end of the bargain.

Bayley felt like speaking up to break the awkward silence but was saved from that when Becky walked off towards the other side of the apartment to rummage through a closet with a quickness that only could come from familiarity with the surroundings.

The brunette shifted a little closer to Sasha and nudged her in the side with an elbow. Silently urging her to try and say something.

Sasha cleared her throat as she tried to think of anything to say to Becky right now, and the best she could come up with was, "Can I get you anything else?" Which she quickly realized was not the best choice.

Becky was glad she was on the other side of the room facing away from the other two so they wouldn't see how tense she got.

There was a lot of things Becky wanted; To not be attacked in her own home. For Paige to fall into a volcano. To not watch a dream opportunity slip through her fingers. For the girl she had been falling for to not have ripped her heart out and stomped on it, but what she wanted didn't seem to matter today. "Look I'm thankful for you bein' there an all, but I really… and I mean really need you to back off."

The warning fell on deaf ears. Guilt and self-loathing drove Sasha's overcompensation after earlier. "If that's what you want."

"THAT'S WHAT I WANT!" Becky yelled out. Eyes closed, entire body shaking to try and restrain all the emotions that had been bottling up inside of her. It wasn't what she wanted at all but there was no way she was going to let Sasha act as if she actually cared.

The redhead felt extremely bitter after defending Sasha. No one liked being made to look like a fool and Becky felt like world's biggest clown. Maybe she was.

Bayley could feel the tension in the room and wasn't at all ready to deal with it. That didn't mean she wouldn't try. She just wasn't sure what to do. Eyes darting back and forth between Becky and Sasha like some ill fated tennis match, just waiting for the next move.

Sasha got the message, but she wasn't happy about it. She just wasn't sure who she was most unhappy with.

"Sasha maybe you should just-" Bayley started in an attempt to defuse anything before it blew up.

"I've got it Bay." Sasha cut her off.

"Do you really?"

Sasha raised an eyebrow at the woman next to her. "Now isn't the time." She knew that she was misplacing some of her anger onto Bayley, but it was hard not to.

"Then when is?" Bayley's patience was waning. She had watched this insanity unfold and after tonight there was no way she was going to stay quiet any longer.

"I don't know." Sasha hissed back.

"Damnit Sasha! Just tell her. She deserves to know." Bayley spoke with authority and a hint of exasperation. Crossing her arms in defiance when the woman in question stayed tight lipped. "Either you tell her, or I will."

The redheaded woman had been quiet during the small back and forth, but she decided to speak up now. "Tell me what?"

Sasha floundered at the truth she heard in Bayley's voice. She had no doubt the other woman was serious, but she couldn't get her lips to start moving.

Becky wished she didn't care and could just walk away. It would certainly be easier than spending more time around Sasha but something in the way she spoke and held herself captured her curiosity despite the difficulty. "Tell me what?" She repeated with a bit more conviction behind the words.

The air in the room became thicker and Sasha felt it with every heavy breath she took in. She had let herself fall into a web and all it had taken was saying yes one time. If only she had the foresight to have seen the debt she took on. Knowing the cost of accepting Stephanie's shortcut made it easy to see how each step Sasha took only took her further into the web. She thought she was in control but that was just an illusion the McMahon allowed her to believe.

Sasha knew there was no point in lying any longer. She had deluded herself into believing she was keeping Becky safe, but she had been incredibly naïve to trust someone like Stephanie. It would have been one thing if it was only her that earned the consequences of her decisions but that wasn't the case.

There was only one thing left to do and Sasha's brown eyes met the dark eyes that were now filled with doubt and wariness when before there was only trust. "Please just promise to let me finish. After that you can do whatever you want. Please?"

Becky wished she could just turn away, but she couldn't. Even after Sasha's words earlier there was still a part of her in denial about it all. A part that still loved Sasha which the redhead couldn't simply shut off. It just wasn't in her nature. Even after Paige had left her it had taken a while before she had really accepted it and stopped beating herself up about it. "Fine."

"I know why you were attacked tonight." Sasha started. She could see that Becky already wanted to ask for more clarification. "You said you'd let me finish." The redhead looked a little annoyed but closed her mouth with a motion to continue. It was hard to start but once she did it was like the dam broke and everything came streaming out.

Every word that made its way into her ears had Becky's head spinning. Faster and faster until she was almost sick. When the words finally stopped coming, she just had to ask, "Is that it?" The nod she got from Sasha as an answer making her wonder, "Is this some kind of joke?"

Becky looked over at Bayley but all she did was shake her head and confirm Sasha's story.

She cocked her head slightly. Knowing the reasoning behind Sasha's behavior didn't help all that much. A small bandage placed over a gaping stab wound. Becky thought of herself as a mentally strong person, but tonight's events were seriously putting her resilience to the test.

Denial would be easier, but everything seemed to fall into place the longer she thought about it. The odd way Sasha would act occasionally, Paige's involvement in her matches, Sasha's insistence on them staying at her place rather than Becky's. At the time the Irish woman had chalked it up to Sasha just not wanting to spend as much time in her comparably dumpy apartment.

When her eyes finally moved to look at Sasha, she had no idea what to do or say. The face she used to think she knew was looking back at her. Still beautifully striking as ever which only made it harder. Becky wanted to say the woman she knew wouldn't have gotten herself into this, but she was under no illusions that Sasha was a paragon of virtue. In the time they had been together Becky had watched as Sasha's hard edges had slowly rounded out, but she also knew how driven the other woman was to succeed.

Becky knew that no good would come from discussing this further right now. She was far too raw and off centered after everything to be effective and rational, but she still found herself asking, "Would you have ever told me if I didn't get attacked?"

Sasha didn't say anything right away. Could she have borne the burden of knowing what could have been? If it meant Becky was safe could she have sat back and watched the redhead inevitably move on? "I don't know."

"You don't know." Becky scoffed. She wasn't even sure if she was upset. She had no idea what she even wanted Sasha's answer to be. Exhaustion had long since taken hold of her and by now Becky was unsure how she even held the strength to continue standing.

"I think that's enough for tonight. We all could use some rest." Bayley had been quiet throughout most of this. It didn't really feel like something she should be intruding on, but she knew could see that nothing good would come from this conversation continuing.

Becky eyeballed her former girlfriend, but her head just couldn't come to a conclusion. Did she hate Sasha now? She could honestly say the answer was no but that only made her angry at herself for being unable to.

One second she wanted to strangle the other woman, and the next she wanted nothing more than to fall into Sasha's arms.

"Fine" Becky spat out. Officially done with trying to have any meaningful conversation tonight.

It took some time but eventually the three settled in for the night. Becky and Bayley out in the living room while Sasha laid down in a bed that felt uncomfortably large without her redheaded goddess lying beside her. Mattress cold when she had let herself get used to the warmth that emanated from Becky like a fire.

The morning came quickly. Early morning rays of sunshine sneaking in through cracks in the blinds and illuminating the apartment in an otherworldly glow.

Sasha was just waking up. Her body slowly rolling over on her bed as a familiar warmth seeped in and calmed the thoughts that already buzzed through her head.

It only took a moment for Sasha's tired, freshly awoken mind to start working. Eyes shooting open in surprise while one of her hands splayed out on the other side of the mattress and absorbed the residual warmth that lingered. The thin sheet that had been lying on that side pulled back and out of place. For a moment Sasha wondered if her senses were playing tricks on her but the strong scent of peaches and Becky's subtle brand of deodorant confirmed the others.

A flicker of hope that she hadn't destroyed everything between herself and Becky burned a little brighter, but she was quickly brought from her thoughts when the door to her room burst open and Bayley burst in. Her eyes wide and ponytail slightly askew as she looked around the room.

Sasha raised an eyebrow at the odd behavior. "What is it Bay?"

"Becky's gone. I can't find her and she's not answering her phone."

Sasha wasn't sure if the world had gone silent or if it was just her.

A knock against the wooden door of her office snapped Stephanie's attention up from her work. She didn't have any meetings today.

"Come in."

The door burst open quickly and before the McMahon had a chance to think they were speaking. "We need to talk."

A devilish grin spread across Stephanie's face like she had just seen the most decadent, delicious looking dessert in the entire world, and it was all hers. "What can I do for you Ms. Lynch?"

Becky stared across at the seemingly unbothered McMahon, fists tight at her sides. "No bullshit. Was what Sasha said true?"

Stephanie's face never changed. Pleasant smile plastered to her lips, every bit the perfect corporate image she portrayed. "Well I'd have to know what Ms. Banks told you in order to properly address your question." Hands folded together on top of her desk casually. A carefully crafted look of worry replacing the corporate image in a flash, calculated and smooth like switching from one slideshow to the next. "Would you like to visit one of our trainers? That's a lot of bruising around your neck."

Becky breathed in through her nose as she stared down at the powerful woman sitting across from her. "I really don't want to ask again. Was what Sasha said about you pullin' her strings true?"

A heavy sigh escaped the McMahon and for a moment the façade dropped and Becky's blood chilled. "Ms. Lynch… Rebecca…" Stephanie stared as she slowly pushed herself up and out of the imposing, leather chair. "I don't appreciate what you seem to be implying. Ms. Banks is my employee… As are you. If either of you are unsatisfied with the current state of your contracts, I'm sure we could have a more in depth discussion."

Becky was already at the end of her rope. She hadn't been able to sleep at all last night on Sasha's couch. By the time she'd gathered the courage to crawl in next to her Boss - or lost enough self-respect, depending on which side of her mind was winning at the moment – the night was mostly gone. Only able to finally close her eyes and feel safe for an hour or so before what pride she had left made her sneak back out. On another day she might have been a bit more tact when dealing with someone as dangerous as Stephanie. "Stop avoiding and answer the damn question already!" Banging one of her fists on the desk and causing a few stray pens to leap up off the surface.

"Rebecca, I'm not avoiding anything."

"Then why have I still not got an answer?" Becky's eyes burning with a manic intensity.

Stephanie stared down her nose across the desk. "Rebecca… I don't take kindly to being told what to do. Your little friend Ms. Banks should have told you that."

Becky's eye twitched as she fought to contain a snarl. "I don't give a shit what you like. Answer my damn question already." Even if part of her understood that the other woman's deflection was tantamount to a confession at this point.

For a moment Stephanie's icy eyes remained unmoving. Staring ahead at the redhead across from her before she slowly stepped around the desk. Standing at her full height and looking down at the shorter woman who refused to back down even after Stephanie got uncomfortably close, invading any notion of personal space. "I suggest you think carefully when speaking to me like this. If what your little Sasha told you was true, then it would be a mistake to anger me." A small smirk appearing on the McMahon's face. "But I'll let it slide if you do one thing for me. When you address me, refer to me only as Boss from now on."

The room was filled with the loud cracking thump of knuckles against flesh and the next thing Becky knew she was standing over the McMahon as blood streamed out of Stephanie's nose onto the formerly pristine black dress. "Stay the hell away from her and stay away from me."

Stephanie chuckled and used the back of her hand to wipe away the blood. "You know I could easily have you fired for that."

"Try it. I'm sure the police would love to hear about all your bullshit."

Stephanie smiled and stood up. A hint of red still beneath her nose. "Go right ahead." She said, offering the phone on her desk to the redhead. "Make sure to tell the chief I said hi. His wife made the most delicious dressing at the last barbeque and I've been trying to get the recipe from her ever since."

Becky's hand stalled in mid movement and she looked at the McMahon to see if there was even an ounce of evidence that she was bluffing. She saw none. Only a confidence that belonged to someone who believed they had everything figured out and were untouchable.

"What's the matter Rebecca?" Fake sincerity obvious in Stephanie's voice. "You look upset."

A growl of frustration grew in Becky's throat. She didn't know anymore where the ground was. Everything she thought she knew had been uncaringly upturned in the last twenty-four hours. She was tired, her body was sore, any semblance of safety had been shattered and the only person she felt truly safe with had embarrassed her last night, throwing everything she had put out back in her face like it had meant nothing. Then she finds out that Sasha had been pressed into doing it. It didn't make it feel any better and the context only served to confuse her even more.

Becky felt the uncomfortable weight of Stephanie's hand on her shoulder as the other woman stepped closer. "I suggest you go see one of our trainers. Wouldn't want you to be anything less than one hundred percent for your next match."

"What match? I'm already out of the tournament." Becky said dejectedly. Too tired to shake off the other woman's hand. Emotionally drained to the point where she just wanted to lay down and sleep, even if she knew that sleep wouldn't come.

"You think that was the end?" The hand on Becky's shoulder squeezing just a little tighter. "Far from it. I was actually impressed by your match with Ms. Flair despite the outcome." Stephanie reached down for her phone and typed in a quick message. "I thought you'd like the opponent I chose for you. Seemed poetic after everything."

Immediately Becky didn't like the brunette's tone. Far too congenial for the conversation they've been having so far. "And who might that be? I'd love a chance to slap your face off in the ring."

Stephanie laughed like she had expected the answer. "As much fun as that would be for me, I had other plans." A knock on the door brought Becky's attention towards the noise and Steph simply smiled. "I believe that would be them right now. Come in."

As the door opened and revealed the person behind, Becky's blood began to boil once again.

"Thanks for coming on such short notice Paige."

"Always a pleasure Stephanie." The dark haired woman's eyes briefly turning to look at Becky before she sneered and looked back to the McMahon. "Becky… You look like shit. Must be a normal day then."

"Play nice Paige. Rebecca has had a busy night."

"Fuck the both of you." Becky spat out. "You've actually done me a favor. I can't wait to beat that smirk off your face." Staring at the Brit with abject hatred. Someone that she could finally let all the festering emotions off on without care.

"Oh, before I forget to mention there is a couple small… we'll call them addendums to your match." Stephanie spoke up.

"Why am I not surprised." Becky muttered.

"I think it's appropriate that this is a no disqualification match given your history."

"Fine." Becky agreed without a care in the world.

"For Paige."

"Excuse me?"

Stephanie grinned and shot a soft smile towards the Brit. "It's a no disqualification match for Paige… For you, all the regular rules still apply."

Becky was a second away from yelling but honestly, she didn't much care what bullshit Stephanie threw in her way as long as she could get her hands on Paige. "Whatever. I could care less." The rules didn't matter. If Paige wanted to do things this way it didn't change a thing. A win or a loss didn't matter here. They could be fighting in front of no one and Becky would happily beat Paige till she was unrecognizable.

"There is still one more thing." Becky rolled her eyes, of course there was. "If you lose there will be consequences."

"…Such as?"

"Oh, I'd rather not worry your pretty little head over that. Just win and neither of us will have to deal with what happens if you don't." Stephanie's positive tone only made Becky want to hit her again, but she held back. "Now get the hell out of my office and never barge in like that again. Understood?"

Becky bit her tongue and gave a terse nod.

Behind the redhead Stephanie sat back down in her leather chair. Unbothered by the small remainder of blood beneath her nose. "It's polite to respond verbally when your boss asks you a question Rebecca."

A snarl overtook Becky's features and the redhead was a few seconds from losing what little cool she had left. "I got it." Quickly turning to leave and push her way past Paige without even acknowledging her presence.

Becky's hand just had curled around the doorknob when Stephanie spoke up from behind her. "That's not the proper way to address your boss."

It wasn't possible for Becky's grip to tighten any more. Knuckles white from the pressure.

"Say 'Thank you, boss'."

Becky hid the way her hands shook. Biting her tongue and closing her eyes. Picturing all the horrible things she wanted to do to the McMahon for this fresh mental attack. Stephanie obviously wanted to drag a reaction out of her, and Becky hated that it was working.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been silent, more focused on not blowing up. Stephanie's voice started once again. "I'm waiting… Be a good girl Rebecca and thank your real boss."

Becky's breathing shallowed out. The frustrating feeling of being powerless finding a home in her once again. She had to swallow the massive lump in her throat to force out the words, "Thanks… Boss." Each syllable making her want to vomit. The final word tasting like poison on her tongue, sliding down her throat and sitting like lava in her stomach. Burning her with regret immediately.

She left quickly. She couldn't look back and see the grin on Stephanie's face. She couldn't face the feeling that she'd betrayed Sasha or the jumble of emotions that caused.

The door closing behind her didn't stop the conflict. Each step she took away from the office only made the lava in her stomach scorch her insides till she felt it begin to rise.

Charlotte walked into the performance center with a heavy mind. Part of her was far happier than she'd like to just accept the victory that had been handed to her on a silver platter. Another part of her hated that fact and wished more than anything that her and Becky could have finished their match without any interference.

An audible sigh escaped her as she strode towards the locker room. The bag she had over her shoulder holding everything needed for a long day of training and preparing for the next round of the tournament.

She still felt horrible about blowing up on the redhead after learning about her and Sasha. It stung on a couple levels. When she'd asked the Irish woman out it had been a big moment for her. She'd never gone out with another woman and hadn't even really thought about it till she and Sasha had gotten closer, but that obviously hadn't turned out that well.

The way things had ended so abruptly and awkwardly with Sasha still bothered her. To say she'd been unprepared for the younger woman coming to her home that night was an understatement, but even when she'd attempted to make up for her callous actions Sasha had stonewalled her at every turn and avoided any scenarios where they could actually speak.

When Sasha had thrown her and Becky's dalliance in her face, she had reacted without thinking. She still wasn't sure what aspect about the two being together hurt more but tried to not think about it. Then after she'd heard the backstage chatter about Sasha's words to the Irish woman her heart had broken.

She didn't want to be right when she told Becky that Sasha was using her. Even after everything Charlotte didn't really want to believe that Sasha was as heartless as she let people believe.

Her thoughts were abruptly cut off when a familiar flash of red hair caught her eye. The other woman walking towards Charlotte with her head tilted downwards.

"Becky! Hey." She called out hoping that the redhead would be in a better mood to accept her apology today. She hadn't gotten a chance to speak to Becky after their match and the interreference that tarnished it.

At the sound of her voice the redhead jolted from her thoughts and looked up at the approaching Flair.

Charlotte's attempt at neutrality quickly morphed into pure concern, rushing up to the redhead and taking care to be slower after Becky flinched. "What the hell happened?" Slowly reaching out towards the bruising around the Irish woman's neck. Looking into the brown eyes for any sign that she should stop and continuing to gently press her fingertips against the purple and black marks marring the fair skin beneath. "Becky?"

"It's nothing. Just a training accident."

The taller blonde couldn't help but note how Becky wouldn't meet her eyes. She could sense the all too familiar shame and frustration inside the other woman and it made her frown deeply. "Someone tried to choke you in a training accident?"

Becky still wouldn't meet her eyes and took a step back so that Charlotte's fingertips were no longer carefully pressed against her neck. "Just drop it ok. You already won. Let me go to the trainers in peace already."

Charlotte's mouth set itself into a tight line. She knew avoidance when she saw it. "I didn't want to win like that." The fact that Becky hadn't bolted yet emboldened the blonde to press a little more. "You deserved better."

"Fat lot o' good that does me now."

"Listen, I'm sorry for everything." Charlotte started and continued without giving Becky a chance to cut her off again. "For the match, for what I said about Sasha, for what I said about you. I was jealous and felt betrayed even though I had no right. It's just been hard for me. After Sasha said she loved me and then ignored all my attempts to make it up to her I've been messed up. I admit that. Then you came along and… I liked you. So, when she told me about you guys hooking up, I just started lashing out and I was wrong to do that. I can't say I'm sorry enough, but I'm sorry Becky."

Charlotte held her breathe as she waited for a response. Unsure of herself as she watched the redhead's brow furrow and her mouth open and close several times, as if she struggling to find the words. "Oh… Uh, apology accepted." Weight subtly shifting between her restless feet.

The second generation wrestler bit into her lip as she tried to decipher what was going on with Becky. She didn't want to lose another friend because of her inability to be emotionally honest. "If you ever need anything you have my number." Reaching out slowly with her hand and giving Becky plenty of time to move away before grabbing onto a deceptively soft hand. "Someone to talk to who won't judge you. A place to stay. Anything."

Becky was obviously conflicted but the fact that she hadn't pulled her hand away gave Charlotte hope that they could eventually get back to the they were before.

The silence from the Irish wrestler started to feel awkward and Charlotte had to fill the void. "I'll see you later I guess… Hope you feel better." She finished with no small amount of uncertainty. Giving the redhead a tiny smile and turning on her heel. Slowly walking away from the woman who clearly didn't want here there right now.

It was a few seconds later when she heard the soft accented voice from behind her that brought her to an abrupt stop. "Charlotte… Thanks. I-I'll keep it in mind."

It wasn't much but Charlotte knew how hard it could be to reach out and she hadn't exactly been on her best behavior recently. Becky deserved to be a little skeptical of her. She couldn't fault her for being apprehensive. "Take care of yourself Becky."

Outside of the Performance Center Bayley was struggling to keep up with Sasha's pace. The magenta haired woman pressing through the front doors, barely even breaking stride.

"Wait up Sash. You don't even know for sure she's here."

Sasha didn't waste anytime looking back, quickly scoffing at the brunette's doubt. "Where else would she go? I knew I shouldn't have told her about Steph."

Bayley had enough. She'd been dealing with an angry, moody Sasha since she woke her up. Catching up to the other woman, grabbing hold of her shoulder and muscling her against the wall so she'd stop for just a moment. "Don't. Just don't." Forcibly holding the smaller woman till she stopped struggling and actually focused on her. "You did the right thing telling her. You've made a lot of mistakes but that isn't one of them. Alright?"

Bayley waited till Sasha visibly calmed down and gave her a nod before letting off on the pressure.

"Come on now. Let's go find your girl already." Bayley lightly teased. Hoping that Sasha would take the bait and relax just a bit more. She knew her friend's decision making wasn't helped by stress.

"She's not mine." Sasha's voice filled with clear regret.

"Not with that attitude."

Sasha raised her eyebrow at that and let herself be pulled along, back on track for what they'd came here for.

"One of us has to be positive at least."

Several minutes of walking through the halls ended with nothing to show for it. They'd checked the obvious places like the locker room or the main gym, but Becky was nowhere to be found. Maybe Sasha had been wrong in her assumption. But if she was, then where was the redhead?

Luckily their paths ended up crossing with Alexa and Bayley beamed at the tiny blonde.

Sasha felt a bit awkward after her and Alexa's last talk before their match. She seemed to be involved with Stephanie as well, but she didn't want to accuse the other woman and risk losing one of the only people she hadn't pushed away. If she was going to ruin Bayley's new relationship, she needed to be sure.

"Lexi! Hey, have you seen Becky this morning?" Bayley almost immediately bringing in the tiny blonde to a tight hug.

The two women looked eyes over unbeknownst to the brunette. A brief battle before Alexa's face softened and she broke away from the hug. "Nope. Should I have?"

"Nah. We're grasping at straws right now looking for her."

"Oh, well I could help you look." Alexa supplied quickly.

"I'm sure we'll find her just fine ourselves." Sasha answered.

"But we definitely wouldn't turn down the help." Bayley countered. Giving Sasha a brief look that said they'd speak about her attitude later.

The trio walked through the Performance Center but after a few minutes had still come up with nothing.

"Have you tried calling her?" Alexa asked.

"Of course. Called her three times on the way over but she didn't answer." Sasha snapped back. Offended that the blonde would think she hadn't tried something so obvious.

"Well maybe you should try again."

Before Sasha could turn on Alexa, Bayley intervened. "How about we split up? And you could call Becky again." Holding her hand up to stop Sasha interrupting her and adding. "Even if she doesn't want to pick up, we might able to hear it ringing if she's here."

Sasha agreed, if for nothing else than to buy her some time to try and calm down. Despite her misgivings about Alexa, blowing up on her right now wouldn't accomplish anything.

She was glad Bayley had insisted on splitting up. As she cooled down a bit Sasha started to realize she could have misconstrued the situation. Maybe Alexa was in a similar position to her. All she knew was that the tiny blonde had a connection to Stephanie, not the exact nature of that connection.

When she called Becky again, she honestly expected more of the same. And she was partially correct. There was no answer and Sasha had almost given up when the faint familiar piano sounding ringtone reached her ears. Heart pounding as fast as her feet could move towards the sound.

Sasha spotted her redhead and she hadn't realized how much just seeing Becky would affect her. She couldn't even think straight. She felt so much; anger, relief, protective, it was almost too much.

"If you didn't want me calling, you could just text me and I'd have stopped." Sasha knew the instant Becky heard her words. The Irishwoman freezing in place with her back to Sasha. "Damnit Becky, if you don't want to talk to me, at least tell Bayley or leave her a note. Don't let us wake up and you're just not there."

"I had to." Becky answered honestly. Truth be told she'd been avoiding the calls because she knew she wasn't ready for this conversation. She was still coming to terms with the reality that since she'd stepped foot in NXT there had been someone pulling the strings. It was disconcerting to say the least and it was all she could do to not react emotionally. She had to be strong and make smart choices. Speaking to Sasha right now was most assuredly not a smart choice. "It doesn't matt-"

"Don't you fucking say it doesn't matter Becky!" Sasha commanded as the lid she kept on her emotions began to loosen it hold.

It was second nature for Becky to minimize her own problems. The bigger they were the more she denied them. "Hard to believe that coming from you."

Sasha's eyes narrowed and she stepped closer. The swirl of emotions settling on annoyance right now. "What are you doing? Trying to get me angry?"

"No. I'm trying to figure out when the hell my life became a shit show." Becky exclaimed. Running a shaky hand through her hair and sighing. This was exactly why she didn't want to have this conversation. She didn't know how she felt about Sasha right now. Teetering between extremes; angry at the way she'd been manipulated and lied to, and unable to help her heart from willing her closer.

"I get that you need time but that doesn't mean you can't let me know you're safe. For fucks sake Becky, you could have died last night."

"But I didn't."

"So what? I shouldn't be worried? I shouldn't be scared about the fact that if Bayley and I hadn't been there you wouldn't be here right now?"

Becky closed her eyes and blinked back a few tears she desperately wished wouldn't come. "Damnit Sasha. You don't get to do this."

"Do what?"

"CARE!" Becky's scream carried through the halls and she sheepishly tried to calm herself down. If there was one thing she didn't want, it was to create a scene. "You don't get to rip my heart out and make me feel like some feckin whore, then tell me you did it for me own good. It-It-It just doesn't work that way."

Sasha knew she should try and be the calm one here but her emotions were starting to overrule her brain. "Listen, I made a mistake. I get that. I made a dumb decision."

"Which one?"

"Fine! I deserve that but I'm trying to fix it."

"Would have been a lot easier if you hadn't gotten involved with her in the first place." Becky hissed back. A tornado of emotions touching down with no care for what it hit.

Sasha sighed and tried to hold herself together. "If I'd known all this would happen I wouldn't."

Becky shook her head and ran a shaky hand through her hair. Instant regret filling her the moment she said, "Really?" In all their time together she'd never seen Sasha look so hurt.

For Sasha, having Becky question her on that stung deep. Everything had been moving so fast and all she heard in that one word was that she'd lost the other woman's trust. It hurt to even think about, but now faced with the reality it was even worse. "Bex you need to understand I-"

"Stop!" Becky nearly shouted once more. Fingers finding her temples and rubbing tiny, soothing circles. "Please just stop." She was worried about what Sasha would say but she was equally worried about her saying nothing. Living in her own head was maddening. Like an amusement park bumper car ring, thoughts and ideas bouncing around chaotically with no purpose.

Sasha took the words as a dismissal of her feelings. Her own thought process streamlined to nothing but making Becky understand. "No! I'm not letting you just walk away."

"Yes, you are." Becky countered. In her mind the words weren't a permanent statement of walking away, but Sasha didn't know that.

All Sasha saw and felt in that moment was pure panic. One of her hands reaching out to snatch hold of the wrinkly white shirt Becky hadn't cared to change out of in all the insanity.

"What are y-" were the only words Becky could get out before Sasha was kissing her for everything she was worth. The passion and tender force made her knees melt and for a few seconds she hadn't been attacked; Sasha hadn't said those horrid things, Stephanie didn't exist. For a few seconds Becky was reminded of a world that made sense.

Sasha poured everything she felt into the kiss. She had to get Becky to see. The fact that Becky hadn't pushed her away gave her hope. "Becky…" Waiting till the redhead's eyes fluttered open before slowly moving in for a shorter kiss and giving her all the time in the world to move away. A short pillow soft kiss to the other woman's plump lips was all she needed to gather up her courage. "When we first met-"

"And you hit me with a door." Becky pointed out.

"I acted like an ass. I know… I didn't give a shit about you, even when I asked you out. I thought you'd be some easy fun and…"

"This is making me feel so much better." Dry sarcasm blatantly obvious.

Sasha sighed. "Look I get it. This isn't making me sound any better."

"You just said you thought I'd be easy and just open my legs. How else am I supposed to take that?"

"Please, just listen to what I have to say." Sasha said loudly. "Whatever you want after I'll do, but I'm not going to stop till you hear me out."

Becky gave her a silent nod to continue and chastised herself for interrupting. Her thoughts didn't seem to have much of a filter right now and were bypassing straight out her lips.

"My point is that I didn't care about you. You meant nothing to me. I saw that Charlotte liked you and I just wanted to take you away from her." Sasha swallowed down her pride and continued, "I uh… But then I got to actually spend some time with you and see you. Not just some prize to steal from her. I know that I sound like an absolutely ass right now but I need you to know that I wasn't faking how much I cared for you. I already hate myself for what I said, but I can't take it back." It still burned deep that Sasha had done what Stephanie wanted and the McMahon had gone back on her end of the bargain.

Becky was torn between warring sides. Her heart and brain fighting to define how she reacted.

"I'm not expecting you to forgive me right away but I need you to know that everything I did in the last month was to try and keep you safe. I made a lot of mistakes but the biggest was not being honest with you."

"How am I supposed to trust you right now?" Becky's small voice managed to push out. The words hurting her to even say. She hadn't realized how attached she'd became to the younger woman till she wasn't there. "I get what you're saying but…"

"Becky I love you… I'm head over heels for you. I've been going crazy this morning. When I woke up and you weren't there… I don't know. You need to know how much I care Bex."

Becky squeezed her eyes tight. It was everything she could have wanted to hear from Sasha, but it didn't magically erase yesterday. The hurtful words still burned in her soul, every small worry about herself had been confirmed in that moment. The physical pain she'd experienced during the attack didn't hurt as much as Sasha telling her off had.

"Even if you don't want to see me again. I never had to pretend that I was happy being with you. Don't ever doubt that."

"I didn't want to."

Sasha closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm sorry for making you doubt how much I care."

"… I need some time."

"Of course."

"But… I want to trust you… I'm just, not there right now. I know you were doing what you thought was best, but I wish you had just talked to me." Becky explained as best she could. She wasn't even sure if she was making sense anymore. She let her eyes focus on Sasha and saw the real emotion that the other woman couldn't hide. Even after everything, the sight of Sasha distressed made her traitorous heart reach out. Physically grabbing one warm hand in her own and meeting the caramel eyes looking back at her with hope. "Just let me have some time… Boss." The word feeling at home on her lips now as opposed to when Stephanie had made her say it.

For Sasha, the single word was a testament that maybe Becky wasn't as far away as it felt. "Take what you need. I'll be here…"

"I'll keep that in mind…" Against her better judgement Becky's heart won the battle once more and she gave Sasha a tiny, bittersweet peck on the cheek. It wasn't forgiveness, but it was a promise for someday.

It was later that night and Charlotte was finally settling down into her bed to sleep when a hesitant knock from her front door captured her attention.

She sighed at the horrible timing and pushed herself back up. Smoothing down the shorts she wore to bed and walking slowly the door. Not in any rush.

Her eyes opened wide and suddenly she wasn't as annoyed when the door opened to reveal who was on the other side.

"Becky? What are you doing here? What happened?"

Becky shifted nervously on her feet. A backpack slung over her shoulder haphazardly. "Sorry for not giving any notice… You said I had a place to stay if I needed it."

Charlotte didn't even hesitate stepping aside and ushering Becky inside.