Chapter Thirty-Seven

Dean looks up from taping his wrists when he hears someone approaching him. He grins at the sight of Emma walking toward him. "Hey," he says.

Emma beams up at him. "Hey back," she responds. She leans up and kisses him. "So, are you ready for the match?"

He nods. "As ready as I'm going to be." He tosses the roll of tape onto the table next to them. "It's gonna be a nice change as of late."

She slides her arms around his waist. "You are an amazing wrestler and entertainer. I don't care what's been happening lately, you better remember that. I see how fans react to you, Dean." She smiles when he drops his forehead to hers. "Always remember that the fans love you."

"Yeah? What about you?" He lets his fingertips move softly over her lower back.

"Always remember that I love you." She kisses him. "You could never win another match and I would love you. Because I love you for who you are, Dean, not for your wrestling." She kisses him once again, this time letting him have control of it.

He curls his fingers around the straps of her ring gear as he deepens the kiss. It still surprises him how much Emma makes him feel. It amazes him that she loves him. He hasn't been able to figure that one out. He's just glad she does. He pulls back after another moment but doesn't let her go. "Tell me again."

"I love you. I love you so much."

He smiles as he finally pulls back, but only enough to look down at her. "I love you too."

"I'm going to leave you now. I have to go get ready for my match which is next. But I'll be watching and I'll see you after your match." She leans up and kisses him one last time. "Have fun out there."

"You too. And you better still be wearing your ring gear when I see you. You know how much I like holding onto the strappy thingies." He grins when she turns around and stares at him. He couldn't imagine his life without her now. It's amazing how things can change so quickly when love is involved.

Dean keeps himself moving as he watches Emma's match against Paige. The two work amazingly well together. He watches the blonde get Paige into her Emmalock and can't hide his smile.

"Tap!" Emma yells.

Dean gives a little nod when Paige finally taps, ending the match. "That's my girl," he whispers.

"Your winner and still Diva's champion, Emma," Lillian announces.

"Damn right." Dean walks away from the monitor to do his last minute preparations for his own match which is next.

Emma chews on her thumb as she watches Dean walk down to the ring. She's certain that she's more nervous than he is. Of course, she's learned he doesn't get nervous. Sure he has that excited energy when he's going out but never actually nervous. She can't stop the smile that forms when Dean starts pacing the ring as he waits for Axel to make his way out to the ring.

Emma flinches when Axel slams Dean into the barrier. She bites down on her bottom lip, harder than she'd meant to, at the sound of Dean's yell. In the matter of moments, she can taste the blood from where she'd bit her lip.

"Way to go, Emma," she mutters. She pulls the towel off her shoulder and wipes her mouth.

When Dean is tossed back into the ring, Emma makes sure to watch closely. She loves seeing the two sides of Dean. And to know that she has the soft side to herself makes her feel special. She never thought it would be possible to feel this way, especially with someone like Dean. But he's not like everyone thinks he is. No, he's actually a sweet guy and Emma gets to see it.

Emma bounces on the balls of her feet as she watches Dean clothesline Axel. "Come on, Dean," she whispers. She rubs her hands together nervously as Axel sets Dean up for the Perfect Plex. "No…" Did something change? She jumps up and down a little when Dean counters it quickly, landing his Dirty Deeds. She beams when the bell rings.

"Your winner and new Intercontinental Champion, Dean Ambrose," Lillian announces.

Emma claps as she bounces in place. She isn't surprised by some of the looks she get, but she can't bring herself to actually care. She watches Dean celebrate in the ring. It isn't until he slides out of the ring that she moves from her spot and makes her way toward the gorilla position to meet him. When she rounds the corner, she isn't surprised by how many people are waiting for Dean. She stays to the back, smiling widely when she sees Dean step through the curtains.

Dean makes his way over to Emma after getting through the crowd of others. He grins as he holds up the belt. "Not as cute as you are with yours, but it's mine."

Emma giggles at that. "You're pretty cute yourself." She rests her hands on his sides. "I'm so proud of you."

He grins as he rests his forehead on hers. "If it weren't for you, I probably would have been fired by now."

"You would not have been fired."

"No, I'm being serious. I was getting so damn frustrated with everything. But you…" He rests a hand on her hip. "You never let me lose myself." He licks his lips. "You always kept me on track. And the way you always told me…" He sighs. "…you always make me feel like I'm worth something."

"You are." She slides her hands up and curls her fingers into his sweaty hair. "Dean…"

"Don't give up on me, okay?" He sets the title on the table beside them before wrapping his fingers around the straps over Emma's stomach.

"Never." She pulls his down and kisses him. "I love you, Dean. Remember that."

He smiles before kissing her again. "I love you too, Emma."

She giggles when he tightens his grip on her straps and pulls her closer. He kisses her against. She knows they should probably move away from this area, but she can't bring herself to stop Dean.

"Emma?" Dean pulls back just enough to meet her blue eyes. He licks his lips nervously. He's never felt like this before and he knows he can't lose her.

"What?"

"Don't leave me."

She smiles at him. "I won't." She hugs him at that point, wanting him to be able to feel that she isn't going anywhere. "I'm so proud of you, Dean."

He lifts her off her feet, not wanting to let her go. He kisses the side of her neck. If it weren't for Emma, Dean wouldn't be where he's standing right now. While he's still the same man he's always been, Emma's pulled out a side of him that he hadn't known he had. He never expected to fall in love, especially with someone like her, but he wouldn't change any of that now. No, instead he'll continue trying to be the man she deserves.

The End

And that's a wrap! I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I promise there will be more Dean/Emma from me in the future. And be sure to be on the look out for the Roman/Bayley fic to go along with this one!