Meant To Be: Chapter Eighteen

(8/12/06) – Doctors Office, Stamford

Sat in the waiting room of her doctor's office Ella was counting the tiles on the ceiling. She'd exhausted all their magazines on display and after reliving the Brad, Angelina Triangle in their well out of date magazines she looked for other sources of entertainment. She'd pulled out her cell phone for entertainment only to be told off by the receptionist, she had even gone as far as to read pamphlets on the menopause out of desperation.

To say she was bored to tears was an understatement.

As part of her agreement with Steph when she first came back to work, which at the time was part time hours at the offices before being allowed back on the road. Ella was to visit the doctors once a fortnight where possible. It was the usual routine every time, weight, blood pressure, vitamin intake, exercise routine and Ella's favourite, stress management.

Though nine out of ten times Ella left the surgery more stressed than when she arrived.

Walking across the car park to her car Ella rubbed at her bandaged wrist, all the while cursing the nurse she'd seen after her appointment. The doctor wanted a blood sample and they'd had trouble finding a vein on her forearm, and after two failed attempts, the nurse had started stabbing at her wrist. Which finally, much to Ella's joy, produced a full vial of blood.

She was still feeling sorry for herself when she climbed into her car at the end of the parking lot. Though when the familiar sounds of Stevie Wonder filtered through the car speakers, a small danced across her lips. She'd forgotten that she'd taken her own car to the surgery, these days she was so used to driving around in rentals that she often forgot she had her own waiting at home for her.

Though some days she had to admit she did wonder why she kept the car when it was being used so little. It spent more time in her garage these days than on the road. Her father constantly warned her of depreciation and that she should sell it and be done with a car until she was stable, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

Stifling another yawn she came to a stop at a red light. Glancing at the display in front of her the small LCD clock read seven fifty two. Her flight had got her in just before six and her appointment had been at seven. Which due to her lack of forward planning she'd barely made on time, though she needn't have bothered after her twenty-five minute wait in the waiting room. Her first meeting wasn't until nine thirty, meaning she had plenty of time to get ready.

As she pulled into an all-familiar street, she couldn't help but get excited by her next port of call.

…

If she were to be truthful, she would have to admit she did enjoy the short stop overs, even if they were sometimes only for a couple of hours, like today, or a night here and there. It meant she had the opportunity to visit her often neglected home. Which was her next stop after the visit to the doctor's surgery. As she pulled the car into the driveway she felt extremely proud of the modest three bed-roomed townhouse. It was her first step onto the property ladder, which was only made manageable by a helping hand of a relocation subsidy that the WWE provided upon her signing a permanent contract. Previously she'd been living in a tiny rented apartment the other side of town, which had made her daily commutes at times a nightmare. Now she could drive to work with ease without adding on an extra hour to her journey to ensure she was there on time.

Forgoing the door from the garage to the house, she grabbed her suitcase from the trunk of the car and the rest of her belongings and headed back out to the driveway. Clicking the tiny remote that hung with the rest of her keys she waited until the garage door was firmly closed. Looping back around to the front door she stopped only to collect her mail from the mailbox before unlocking the front door and switching off the alarm.

Slipping her shoes off she dropped her bags at the bottom of the stairs and headed straight for the kitchen. Throwing the mail onto the table she set about the task of boiling the kettle for a well-deserved cup of tea. More often than not she could be found with her perpetual cup of coffee in her hands whilst at the offices or out on the road, but it was a beverage she seldom drank outside of work.

Sitting at the kitchen table she flicked through her unopened mail while waiting for the tea to cool, which despite a large helping of milk had burnt the end of her tongue. Finding nothing of interest between the bills and mail shots promoting a local gym she gathered them all together and tucked them under her arm as she took her tea with her back to the stairs. Grabbing her suitcase she made her way upstairs for her bedroom.

If anything it had been the bedroom that had won her over. It hadn't been the modest ensuite, the spacious room nor the large windows that gave her a lovely view of her little garden, which at that moment she was trying to ignore as it was in desperate need of attention, but it had been the walk in wardrobe. It wasn't up to the standards of MTV's cribs and it barely had room to swing a cat. But with some help from her carpenter father they'd pulled out all the fixtures and rebuilt the wardrobe with more storage space than Ella would ever need, with pull out drawers, shelves and double hanging racks.

Decorating the house had really become a family affair once she'd signed the documents at the bank. It hadn't seen the best of days when she'd moved in, so she'd been more than thankful for the help. Ethan, her oldest brother and closest to her in distance, would often drive down on the weekends with his wife and children from New York to help with the painting. Her parents had stayed for two weeks to organise furniture and hang wallpaper. And even her sister in law Calleigh who lived in Chicago with her brother Ryan travelled up to help, a budding interior decorator whose actual job was a buyer for Abercrombie and Fitch. Ella wasn't short of help, but she'd insisted on decorating her bedroom herself. Flicking the light switch she marvelled at the green and cream interior design, she was proud to say she had done a pretty good job, even if most of it was copied from a magazine she stole from reception at work.

Lifting the suitcase onto the bed she dragged out the washing basket from the wardrobe and began to empty her dirty laundry, keeping out anything she wanted to take back out with her at a pile at the end of her bed. The plan would be to drop them off at the dry cleaners and pick them up on her way out. Stepping out of her wardrobe with a small selection of t-shirts she resisted the urge to throw herself across the bed. Her queen sized oak sleigh bed was the first piece of 'real' furniture she'd ever bought after falling in love with it on first sight. Far too expensive on her budget at the time, but she couldn't resist it.

Dropping down onto the edge of the bed she ran her hand over the cream and green paisley print and sighed, was it all really worth it if she was barely there to enjoy it?

She didn't have long to ponder the thought; the shrill ring of the phone jolted her from her contemplative state. As the ring echoed off the walls of the empty house she tried desperately to think of who it could be that was ringing her. Dropping the shirts in her hands into the suitcase she made her way down the hall to her office, it'd been the third bedroom, which she'd converted for a more appropriate use. As she opened the door she was sure she hadn't told anyone she was stopping by.

"Hello." She answered as she quickly realised she should pick up the cordless handset rather than trying to guess who it could be.

"Ella?"

"Ryan?" She asked apprehensive, not entirely sure if it was in fact her older brother.

"Oh, you're home." Came his blasé response.

"Huh?" Was her stumped reply as she headed back to her bedroom to continue her packing.

"Well I never know where you are, so I ring your house phone first, then your office and finally your cell."

"And tell me why you don't just ring my cell first? You know the cell that's always on at all times?"

"Well," Her brother drawled. "I have a system, don't want to mess with it. It works doesn't it?"

"Of course you couldn't take the easy route. I mean, God forbid if you couldn't reach me on my cell phone."

"That's easy, I just call mom and dad."

Ella slapped her hand against her forehead. Ryan, just like her other brothers, often pushed her patience at the best of times. He was the youngest boy and eight years older than her. By time she came along he was more interested in rolling in dirt and playing commando in the garden with his older brothers. Stopping only long enough to take Ella's dolls hostage, which earnt him more time in his room grounded than anywhere else.

Though these days he was still living in Chicago, the only one of them not to move state, working as a graphic designer in the city with his wife Calleigh and three year old daughter Melody. Ella was in no doubt he was still causing trouble, luckily for her Calleigh was the one who had to deal with him on a daily basis instead.

"You're unbelievable, you know that?" She said as she wandered back into her wardrobe. "And not in a good way either." She quickly added before he could come back with a quip of his own. "Now what can I do for you?"

"Why do you always assume I'm ringing to ask for something?"

"Because inevitably you always do."

"Not all the time." He reasoned.

Ella laughed, "Ryan you're as transparent as both Aidan and Ethan."

"Speaking of which, have you spoken to Ethan lately?" He asked changing the subject to their oldest brother living out in New York.

"Mr. Law and Order?"

"One and the same."

"What about him?"

"He wants us to all pool together on a Christmas present for both mom and dad."

"What grand scheme has he concocted now?" She asked, knowing that her brother was always planning something.

"Well he was thinking of buying them shares in some timeshare property in Florida."

"Why would they want that?" Ella asked bemused as she held up a skirt, debating if she wanted to pack it or not.

"That's what Aidan and I argued when he suggested it to us."

"You mean you all got together?" Dejected she dropped the skirt into the suitcase as she waited on an answer from her brother.

She heard him take a deep breath; she guessed he'd expected her response. "You were away on some overseas tour. It wasn't intentional El, Aidan happened to be passing through and Ethan and Molly had brought the kids down to visit mom."

"Oh." Was all Ella could muster, though it didn't lessen the hurt of finding out her brothers had gotten together and made this decision without her. She hadn't even had a phone call to discuss the matter, it seemed Ryan was only informing her of it now by chance.

"Don't get bent out by this Ella, it's just one of those things."

"I'm okay." She assured him, silently wishing her family didn't live so far apart from one another and that her job allowed her more flexibility in visiting them. "So what did you guys decide to get them?"

"Well if it's okay with you, Aidan thought it would be better if we clubbed together and bought them some travel vouchers. You know, hook them up with some first class seats somewhere exotic. Dad's always going on about an early retirement and mom could really do with a holiday."

"Sounds good, I'm in. Dad was moaning on the phone the other day that the last holiday he took was a couple of hours in the departure lounge when he dropped Aidan at the airport the last time he visited."

"I don't know how much it'll be, Ethan's handling it. I'm sure he'll ring you."

"Though if they go away, what abo–"

Ryan cut her off; knowing what his sister was going to ask before she'd even said it. "Of course Calleigh and I would look after him."

"He's my baby." Ella defended, "I don't want him in some kennels all by himself."

"That poor dog having you as an owner, why on earth would you call a dog Bean anyway?"

Ella doted on the eight year old chocolate Labrador, having adopted him from a shelter as a puppy. They'd told her the person who'd left him there was a first time breeder, after a check up with the vet they discovered the runt of the litter was deaf in one ear. The breeder refused to take him home believing she wouldn't be able to sell the puppy for anything near her asking price.

Ella had been visiting the shelter with a friend who was looking to adopt, under strict instructions from her mother that under no certain terms was she to come home with anything herself. Ella had wandered off and once she saw the tiny puppy, that was no more than a couple of weeks old, snuggled into a cuddly toy twice his size she saw no way she could walk out that shelter without him.

Ella still remembered the row her mother had given her once she'd got home. She'd had to promise she would take care of training him and pay for any damage to her furniture. But it didn't take long for her mother to soften, she knew if she were to go home now and try and take him there would be a fierce fight on her hands from both her parents.

"Because he was so tiny when I got him, he was all curled up. He looked like a bean." Though now he was at least six times bigger than the tiny bundle she'd brought home that afternoon.

"Well I don't know what even happened to him being the runt of the litter, he's huge now. He almost knocked me over last time."

"My baby," Ella cooed again. "You better look after him Ryan."

She'd been devastated when she left home for New York for her first job out of college. She was going to be living with Ethan and his wife Molly temporarily at first before finding a place of her own. She knew it would be unfair to keep him cooped up in a tiny apartment while working long hours with the production company that'd taken her on. So her parents had promised they would take good care of him, Ella knew they both doted on him as much as she did.

"Who do you think looks after him when mom and dad are away now?"

"Calleigh." Ella answered bluntly.

"Ok, so Calleigh is the more responsible one of the two of us."

"That's about right."

"Anyway, Melody loves him. Mom said she caught her wrapping bandages around his legs last week. I asked her why she did it, and she told me if she wanted to be a doggy doctor when she grows up and she needed to practise."

Ella smiled fondly at the thought of her young niece. "She's growing up far too quickly."

"You're telling me! She's four in January and you'd swear she was three going thirty with some of the things she's coming out with."

"I can't wait to see her at Christmas."

"Well, you might see her sooner than that."

"How come?"

"Kinda the reason for this phone call."

"I wondered when we were getting back to that."

"We're visiting Calleigh's parents in about a weeks time in Virginia, and I was wondering…"

Ella could see it a mile off, and it had nothing to do with babysitting. "If you could have tickets." She finished for him, knowing exactly what it was he was after.

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

She sighed, "What for and when?"

"Armageddon? Could you use your super powers to get me two tickets? Please?"

"Two? Who's going with you? I don't see Calleigh sitting through four hours of wrestling when she can't even bare to watch it on TV."

"Aidan."

"Aidan? What's he doing in Virginia?"

"Call it a boys night out."

"So he sends you to beg for tickets? So what happens to visiting the in-laws then?"

"All they want to do is see Melody, chuck the kid at them and they're happy."

"You're awful."

"I know, so can you do it?"

She rolled her eyes, "I'll see what I can do. Last I heard they were sold out."

"I'm sure you can throw on the old Lewis charm."

"Hmm." She eyed the time on the digital clock beside her bed, it was nearing nine and she still had plenty to do. "Look Ryan, I've got to go. I've got meetings this morning and I still haven't sorted out my packing. I'll put in a request this evening and I'll let you know what they say."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Stick a needle in your eye?"

"Can the bullshit Ryan. You're full of it, did you know that?"

There was a pause of silence before she heard the slow whistle down the line. "I know mom raised you better than to speak such vulgar language Ella Lewis."

"Oh please, and where did I learn it from? Oh, I know! My three older brothers maybe?"

"That's defamatory!" Ryan protested.

"Well I know you've been speaking to Ethan, picking up language like that! As soon as I hear something I'll call you Ryan. It'll be on my list of things to do this evening."

"Promise?"

Ella sighed, "Yes, I promise. Pinkie promise and all the rest of that crap."

"Alright, I'll speak to you soon."

"Bye Ryan."

"Take care Ella."

"Always."

…

(08/12/06) Smackdown – Florence, South Carolina

Ella was always happiest when she had a tall latte in her hand, unfortunately for her she knew she would have no time to stop at the Starbucks in the lobby of the arena, nor the coffee station in catering. She was trying to run through the packs of wrestling fans that covered the expansive area leading towards the arena entrance. She cursed the taxi driver when she almost went over in her heels. He'd refused to drop her at the backstage entrance, or anywhere near there. So after slamming the taxi door shut, suitcase, briefcase and purse in hand Ella had started her trek across the parking lot. So far it was a loosing battle.

She was trying to avoid elbows and stray hands as she tried her best to get through the sea of fans, but nothing seemed to be doing the trick. She hoped someone would be out front who'd recognise her, but with the bustle of the crowd she couldn't see anything.

She was about to give up and have a temper tantrum there and then when she heard a familiar voice call her through the crowd.

She could have cried when she spotted Louie pushing through sea of people towards her.

"Hey doll, what you doing out here?" His New York accent calmed her instantly. He lifted her suitcase effortlessly. "You're supposed to enter through the back entrance."

Louie was the head of security and he and Ella were often running into one another backstage, inevitably it was always something to do with Ella mislaying her security pass. He was originally from the Bronx, bouncing at clubs across the city until he was in the right place at the right time. He never went into specifics about it, but he'd started out as a small time member of the WWE's security team until three years ago when he was promoted to chief of staff.

"It's a long story Louie."

"Cutting it a little fine aren't you?"

"Stupid ass taxi driver wouldn't drop me around the back, which didn't help much as the roads are blocked up all over the city. Oh and there was the delayed flight."

He laughed as the pair walked around to the back through the corridors, Louie pulling along Ella's suitcase.

"Not your day today is it Lewis?"

She shook her head, as she did several strands from the twist she'd tied her hair in slipped out. "Day's like this I wish I could turn back time." She quickly tucked the stray hairs behind her ear not wanting to deal with the bad hair day quite yet; she was trying to ignore it.

…

Once backstage Ella thanked Louie and set about trying to find her office set up for the night. But she didn't make it far before being stopped by an all to familiar voice from behind her.

"Oh, look at you." Libbie said, the pitiful look on her face said more than enough.

Ella turned around and looked up hopelessly at her friend; her shoulders slumped in defeat knowing she'd been caught. "I know, I know. I look a mess, please don't remind me Libs."

"Come here." Libbie took her by the elbow and sat her down in her chair. "Let's get you sorted."

"I don't have time for this." Ella moaned, "I'm late enough as it is."

"Hmm, I heard you were cutting it fine." Libbie remarked as she switched the straighteners on. "It'll take five minutes, I promise."

"Steph was right about an assistant." Ella mumbled.

"Sorry?"

"I said Steph was right about this whole assistant business. I could do with one about now."

"You can borrow Thom if you like?"

"I think I'll politely decline that offer, as tempting as it is."

"So, I'm going to ask as the gossip circles are in full force tonight. The latest highlights, in no particular order, are that Randy threw a chair at Tim last night; RKO'd him on a craft table, force-fed him doughnuts while singing Britney Spears. You can guess who came up with that last one."

"John." They both said in unison as Ella rolled her eyes.

"But my favourite so far." Libbie said as she started to run the ceramic straighteners through Ella's hair. "Declared his love for an unnamed make-up artist and headed straight to Tiffany's to buy something that would somehow represent his undisputed love for her."

"You read too many harlequin novels."

She shrugged, "What else do I have to entertain me?"

"Well, none of that actually happened. Well there was a chair that got kicked across the room but I made him pick it up."

"Is it as bad as it sounds?"

Ella sighed, "I doubt it. But it's a formal complaint so it has to be followed through. Even if it did skip the proper channels."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Tim skipped his line manager, who is Steph and frog leaped up to Vince. And you know anything brought to Vince's attention can't be ignored."

"So if I wanted to make a formal complaint about, oh I don't know, say that I suspect Thom's new orange glow is a result of my dwindling foundation supplies and I take it to my line manager it'd be looked into as far as Vince?"

Ella laughed, "Not quite. Any issues like that are usually solved at line manager stage anything that can't be goes the next level up which is on productions side the deputy production assembly manager."

"There's someone higher than Steph? First I heard, thought she was boss lady?"

"She is, but can you imagine every problem and query landing at Vince's door?"

"True."

"They try to be a mediator alongside the line manager and in the rare occasion it can't be dealt with then it goes up a level again."

"But Vince is Mr. Hands On, so why wouldn't he be getting involved at a lower stage. Close your eyes, hairspray."

"I know what you're saying," Ella squeezed her eyes shut tight as Libbie sprayed a liberal amount of hairspray. "But most issues are sorted at line manager stage. Really Tim could have probably handled it himself, but wanting to cause trouble.

"He goes direct to Vince, making sure everyone knows it."

"Meaning it has to be dealt with, no sweeping things under the carpet and dealing with them behind closed doors."

"That sucks."

"Hmm."

"So Randy could be on his way out? What have they told you?"

"Nothing." Ella shrugged, "All I know is that last time was his second strike. With all the extra attention I've been getting I'm starting to wish I'd kept my big fat mouth shut."

"Nonsense, lets just hope common sense prevails!" Opening her took box she dug around for several tubes of lip-gloss. "So where do you want me?"

"Umm." Ella tapped her pen against her chin as she looked at her watch. "Ella should be here soon for his promo, do what you want with him. Then Sharmell is in the room on your right. I think she needs some touching up. Up to you Libs, do what you seem fit."

"Really? Anything?"

Ella narrowed her eyes at her friend, "Within reason Libbie."

"Aww, and to think I had a brand new blush and lipstick that would be the right shade of pink for Ella too." She wrapped her makeup belt around her waist. "See what you're denying the world of?"

Ella shook her head, "One bit of control and it goes straight to your head."

"You know me, I just can't help it."

"It must be great working as your assistant."

"Thom is honoured to be working with me!"

"Hmm." Was Ella's subdued response.

"What was that?" Libbie asked as she gathered together what she needed.

"Oh nothing." Ella grinned, "Just carry on."

…

Finally getting her crew into action Ella was lining up Dave in the correct line of sight for the camera. So busy with the night's events and having twenty different things on her mind at once, her concern for the perception of her relationship with Dave had been pushed way to the back of her mind. Right then all she wanted to do was make it to the end of the night.

Flustered, she stuck the pen between her teeth and tucked her clipboard under her arm as she re-arranged the set and those due to be working it.

"No, I want you here – no go back to where you were." She said ushering Dave around. "Right, stand there and don't go anywhere."

"I don't think there's many places I could go Ella." Dave said as he watched her flick through her notes. He was enjoying the pleasant atmosphere between the two of them; it'd been a long while since the two of them could be stood in a room together without the evident tension.

"Don't try to be smart." She stopped turning the pages and looked down at his empty hands. "Where's the cell phone?"

"Sorry? What cell phone?" Dave asked, but by then Ella had already turned around and was looking around at her crew.

"Where's the phone?" She shouted, but instead of an answer all she just got blank faces. "Forget it." She muttered as she turned back to Dave. "Hold this." She handed him her clipboard as she dug in her pocket for her own cell phone. "Just use mine."

…

Ella stepped from behind the camera and silently opened the door to her right onto the set of her next promo. When she called wrap she didn't expect to find Dave still out on the set outside. He was due for his match against Finley and Ella thought he'd be down in the main area.

She almost walked right into him, "Sorry."

"It's alright." He replied.

Ella hadn't had the time to notice earlier that he was dressed for the ring and tried to look somewhere other than his chest.

"Shouldn't you be down at the entrance ramp?" She asked.

"You forgot this." He handed back her phone she'd given him earlier for his promo.

"Thank you, I hope you didn't make any long distance calls." She replied, hoping some light humour would lighten the tension.

He smiled, "Maybe. Though your mother did call."

She gulped, "Really?" she asked with trepidation as he started to walk in the direction of the main area.

"She's a lovely woman." Was the last she heard him say before he disappeared around the corner.

Ella looked down at the phone in her hand. She debated for a good while before she flipped open the phone and dialled the familiar number from its location on speed dial. It rang several times before it picked up.

"Mom?"

…

Ella ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She was already in a bad mood from that morning's meetings. She couldn't believe she'd flown out on the red eye for it; the meeting had evolved into nothing remotely creative.

News of the incident involving Randy had quickly spread over to Smackdown. Many people having very altered views of what actually happened. Some even going as far as to say Randy had taken a swing at Tim, and Ella was getting seriously wound up by the twenty questions people were throwing at her.

It was wrap time and having long packed up for the night she was hiding out in the dressing rooms with Libbie who, as usual, was clearing away her supplies last minute.

"I think you need to get laid."

Ella looked at her friend wide eyed, "Excuse me?" She exclaimed, not believing what her friend had just suggested.

"You need to get laid." Libbie repeated, as if it were something simple as her needing to go to the dentist for a filling.

Ella wasn't a prude in any sense of the word, but Libbie wasn't exactly quiet about her statement. "I think I'm fine."

"Come on Ella, you're surrounded by all this testosterone! Doesn't part of you want to go out and be a little wild?"

"Libbie." Ella hissed as several wrestlers walked by smirking, "You want to shout that a little louder?"

"What? It's true. Look, we're going out whether you like it or not. You my girl need to let your hair down."

"And what do you suggest? A night with a gigolo perhaps?"

Libbie laughed, "Now that does sound good!"

"Libbie!"

"Ok, ok. I'm just saying that's all, when was the last time you went on a date."

Ella opened her mouth to answer but quickly closed it when she realised she didn't have an answer. She couldn't even remember when her last date was. She'd been so busy that she barely had time for her own family.

"Does dinner with John last night count?" She asked lamely.

"No! We're talking dinner with a movie, followed by drinks with someone you actually like."

"I like John." She protested.

"A lot of people like John Ella, but do you like him?" Ella shook her head, "Exactly."

"Ok, so I have a crappy love life, I think we've established that now."

"So you really think me getting laid is going to change things?"

Libbie cleared her throat and nodded in the direction behind Ella. "Hi Dave."

Ella hid her face behind her clipboard and tried to compose herself before she took the clipboard away and turned around.

"Anything I can help you with?" She asked plastering on the best smile she could muster.

Though Dave on the other hand was having trouble controlling the smirk on his face as he watched Libbie doubled over behind her in silent laughter unbeknown to Ella.

Even though Ella had been in a much noticeable social mood with him this evening, he didn't want to push it.

"Umm, I've been told you wanted to see me."

"Huh?" Ella was drawing a blank. "Says who?"

"I got the message from the white board. Actually it was pretty hard to miss, it took up half the board."

Ella slowly turned around just in time to see Libbie wiping the tears of laughter away from her eyes.

"Libbie, when I said do me a favour and post the note on the board, what did you do?"

She shrugged, "Well Thom told me no one would see the note I left, so I got a little artistic."

"So you do know then?" Dave asked.

Ella turned back, but not before shooting Libbie another glare. This time she was thankful he had a shirt on. "Yeah I remember, umm I'm after the creative sign offs. Yours is the only one I'm missing."

"I can get them for you now. I think they're in my bag, either there or the hotel."

"There's no rush. Drop it by whenever."

"You sure?"

Ella waved him off, "Completely, don't worry about it. Now if you excuse me, I've got some business to take care of with a certain make-up artist."

…

Ella was signing off production releases as the dark match's went on out in the ring. The backstage area was quiet enough to allow her to concentrate on the work at hand. She flipped over the pages and skimmed through the text highlighting certain paragraphs with the highlighter that she had held between her teeth. Her peace and quiet was broken by the shrill sound of her cell phone, she sat still as she scoured the table she was leant on for her phone – she could hear it but couldn't see it. Lifting various stacks of paper up she finally found it on the floor in her jacket pocket.

"Ooof! Hello." She answered as she spat out highlighter lid from between her teeth.

"My darling baby sister."

"Aidan?" Ella wearily asked.

"One and only."

"If it isn't my darling brother, who hasn't rung me in how long? I was forgetting you even existed."

"Aww, that wasn't in the slightest way sarcastic at all! I'm not interrupting am I?"

"Not really. That is unless you're going to try and sell me something?" She managed to slip the phone to her other ear, tilting her head so it rested on her shoulder. Leaving her free to carry on shuffling through the papers in her hands. "Then the conversation is over."

Aidan laughed, "No, but you wouldn't be interested in buying some real estate in Boston by chance would you?"

"I'll take a pass. Aren't you supposed to be doing something?"

"Like what?"

"Not bothering me at work."

"Not my fault you work unsociable hours."

"What can I do for you Aidan?"

"You got the tickets?"

"What? Aidan, give me a chance! Ryan only called me this morning! For God's sake!"

"Well I thought I'd check in."

"What, you didn't believe Ryan?"

"Well, not really."

"Great faith you have there in your siblings."

"So do you think you can get us the good seats?"

"If you're planning on trying to sell them again I'll–"

"No I'm not going to sell them." He laughed, "You're so easy to wind up, like we'd ever do something like that."

"Hmm."

"Oh come on Ella."

"You know I only have so many tickets a year and you're just wiping me out! I'm still owing for last years Wrestlemania."

"Now come on Ella, how often does Wrestlemania come to Chicago? It's our home town!"

Ella looked up at the end of the corridor where one of the crewmembers was trying to get her attention.

"Look Aidan, I've gotta go."

"You won't forget about the tickets will you?"

"No, how can I forget when I'm sure you're not going to leave me alone for the next week. When I find something out I will let you and Ryan know."

"You're my favourite sister."

Ella rolled her eyes, "I'm your only sister."

…

Ella hadn't felt this stressed in a long time. The reason she'd been pulled away from her work was that someone from the production offices had left a message for her to call back. Ella thought it'd be about the releases she needed signing off that she'd left there the week before. But instead it was bad news concerning another project; the location requests she put in over a fortnight ago that had been a sure thing had been declined. Now she had to resource a location in the space of a week and hope it got accepted. If not then she had a lot of explaining to do.

She kicked the trashcan in front of her in temper and relished the sound it made against the brick walls. But without warning she felt the hot tears rolling down her cheeks. She never felt sorry for herself, nor did she cry. Even on her time away from the road did she allow herself to wallow, it just wasn't something she did. But things were creeping up on her and fast. Not only did she have to worry about Smackdown and Raw, but also her projects outside the show's promos now were demanding more of her attention. She'd stretched herself thin without even realising it; old habits were indeed proving hard to break.

…

Dave had heard the almighty crash from the locker room. Noticing no one else in the locker room seemed to be bothered about what may have caused it he shrugged on his jacket and headed out to the hallway to investigate. Turning down the corridor he was sure he heard the noise come from he almost turned back thinking it empty, but just as he turned there was another crash followed by a trashcan lid that spun straight past him.

"Ella?" Dave stepped nearer as he realised who it was. "Are you ok?"

Ella hastily rubbed at her eyes, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. "I'm fine, I'm fine." She said as she waved him off, hoping it'd be enough for him to leave. She couldn't believe that of all the people backstage he had to be the only one who heard the racket she'd made.

"You don't look fine." She'd wiped her eyes clear of tears but the signs that she'd shed them were still clear for anyone to see.

"Really I'm fine Dave." She plastered on a smile that was beyond obvious that it was fake.

"Is there anyone you want me to get?"

"For God's sake Dave! Did you not hear me? I'm fine!" She thundered.

"Excuse me for caring." He growled, but didn't make any move to leave.

She grit her teeth to stop herself from saying something in temper. It wasn't him; it was the situation she'd landed herself in she was angry with. She didn't need to cause any more tension between them.

"I'm sorry," She stopped herself from snapping out her apology. She took a deep breath. "It's just a little stressful at the moment."

"Anything I can help with?" Dave knew it was a stupid question, he knew there was nothing he could realistically do. Ella smiled sadly at sincerity of his offer.

"You got any skills in production?" She laughed, "Wish you could, but I'll handle it."

"I heard about what happened with Randy." He paused, "Is it as bad as the gossips are making it out to be?"

Ella shook her head, "Not really, though he is on his third strike. Steph is handling it."

"I know he did some bad things, but he's a good guy."

Ella nodded, "I know that. You know that, but a lot of other people aren't convinced he's changed."

"I know he appreciates what it is you're doing for him."

"Hmm."

"How did you get here this evening?"

She sighed, "I took a cab."

"Let me take you back to the hotel."

"No, I'm fine Dave. Seriously, I'll be ok."

"I'm sure you don't want to be hanging around here all night waiting for a cab."

"Dave."

"I know you think you've got no reason to trust me, just let me drop you back. Just so I know you're ok."

Ella sighed, it wouldn't hurt to give in and take a lift back to the hotel. It definitely would beat waiting around for a cab out front. Before she could open her mouth to respond and give in was when they were joined by a third person in the corridor.

"Dave." He turned around to see one of the trainers, Chris, with his ringing cell phone in his hand. "Your cell keeps ringing."

Dave rubbed at his forehead, "I'll be there now Chris, thank you." He said giving Chris a reassuring nod. "Ella I–"

"Hey Ella." Libbie had joined Chris at the head of the corridor. "Sorry, am I interrupting anything?"

Ella didn't miss the look of annoyance cross Dave's face.

She shook her head, "No Libs, just finished. You ok?"

"Yeah, I was heading out. Wondered if you needed a ride."

Ella nodded, "Yeah. I'll grab my stuff."

Before she could leave Dave grabbed her arm. "Ella."

"Look, I'm ok." She shrugged forcing a smile; "I'll see you around next week maybe."

Dave watched Ella walk away with Libbie, a familiar sinking feeling set in, like he'd been kicked in the stomach.

"What was that all about?" Chris asked once Ella had disappeared out of sight trailed by Libbie, who'd shot Dave one last look before leaving.

"Nothing, just nothing." Dave accepted the still ringing phone from Chris. "Thanks man."

"No problem, the ringtone was driving me mad. Catch you later Dave."

"Thanks Chris." Dave said as he flipped the phone open. He took a deep breath before answering. "What have I done this time Angie?"