Back at the hotel, they were sitting at the table eating in silence. Candy watched as Slade rubbed his chin.

“I’m sorry I got you into this, Slade.” Candy played with her food trying to break the silence.

“We both did. I should have known better. After we eat we can open this envelope.”

She agreed, “I don’t want to have to leave Retribution and go back to the way it was. I know you don’t like me but I love being part of your group. It’s the only thing we don’t fight about.”

“Candy, that’s not going to happen. I like having you part of the faction too. You’re doing really great. At first, I hated the idea but you’ve proven to be a good fit. It’s just behind the scenes that become a problem.”

“I don’t think you have ever told me that I’m any good, until today.” Candy fidgeted with the handcuffs. “This is heavy. My hand hurts.”

“It is? I didn’t notice. We’ll get used to it, I guess. Don’t have many choices anyway do we? At least some charity will get something out of this shit storm.” Slade ate his burger.

“Wraith scares me,” Candy said softly.

“Huh? Why?”

“He just seems scary.”

Slade chuckled. “I guess he’s doing his job right then. He’s a good guy. Everyone looks up to him. He wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t think we could do it. I trust his judgment.”

“Do you believe we can make it work? We hate each other.”

“You really do hate me, don’t you?” Slade looked up wiping his mouth.

Candy shrugged, “Not really. I just wish you were nicer to me.”

“Well, you get on my nerves but I sure as hell don’t hate you. Well, honestly for a while I might have. Especially after you speared into me in the gut and sucker-punched Dustin. You think I really hate you, don’t you?”

She looked at him sadly, “Yes. I really think you do. Even though you don’t want to admit it. I just don’t know what I did to make it that way. The first day we met you weren’t very nice to me except when I was hurt.”

“Maybe it’s the fact that you are always so high strung and can’t take a joke.” He frowned raising his voice a little.

“Well, being made fun of isn’t exactly fun for me, jackass. I can take a joke. I can’t take someone making me feel like I am the joke.” Candy snarled her nose at him.

“You think I see you as a joke?” Slade was taken aback by that comment and calmed down.

“You do. So do your friends. You guys really don’t realize how hurtful you can be.” Candy pushed her food aside. “Can we just look at the envelope so I can go to bed?”

“Sure,” he opened it. “It’s a list of questions. I guess they want us to talk about our likes and dislikes.”

“That’s not so hard. You first.” She perked up taking the paper. “Favorite food... I already know that. You like pancakes but don’t eat them much because of your healthy eating schedule and workouts.”

“Yes. You are addicted to candy and sushi.” He chuckled.

“You know that?” She smiled with surprise.

“Sure I do. I think you can live off of pink Starbursts,” he smirked. “I was surprised it wasn’t candy sprinkles, Sprinkles.”

“Why do you call me that? It seems to be your go-to nickname.”

“Because, when we met, you looked like you tasted like those little candy rainbow sprinkles on top of ice cream.” He licked his lips looking her over.

“Tasted?” She raised her eyebrow blushing.

“I thought your lips probably taste sweet. You were dressed like a candy shop.”

She stared at him questioningly with a sly smile.

Slade chuckled. “What? You did. Don’t look at me like that.”

“You are the one who wondered what I taste like. Freak.” She giggled.

“Okay, smart ass. Next question. Keep it rolling. Favorite color?”

They continued on for a while and even started asking their own questions. They actually had fun and we’re relaxed.

A knock came and Slade started to go to the door. Before he realized he was tethered to Candy he ran out of slack. He walked to the door and accidentally yanked her out of the chair. They both started laughing and he helped her up.

“This might take some getting used to.”

They went to the door laughing and Sahara and Colt looked surprised. “You haven’t killed each other yet?" Sahara walked past.

“No. Slade forgot we were attached and pulled me out of the chair like a rag doll. I’m little and he tosses me around like I am weightless.” Candy laughed.

Colt chuckled. “This is going to either be hilarious or end in bloodshed. Too early to tell which. Did you do the first exercise?”

Slade sat down on the bed. “Yes. It went well but pointless. What does knowing she likes vanilla ice cream and the color pink have to do with anything?”

Sahara unlocked the cuffs. “Because if you have something in common, maybe you can come to common ground.”

Candy rubbed her now free wrist. “Well, Slade and I agree on one thing. This whole thing sucks.”

Sahara sighed looking at her friend. “Ok, go get ready for bed. Colt, Isis, and I will be taking turns when you need to change clothes and shower.”

“What’s the camera for?” Slade rolled his eyes already knowing.

“Media stuff. We’re going to take pictures of the two of you from time to time for social media.” Sahara unlocked him. “Go change. I want to go to bed.”

Once they were changed into their nightclothes Sahara took a picture of them. They were both frowning and looked like inmates on a chain gang. As Sahara and Colt left, Candy stood looking at the bed like it would bite her. Slade was pulling down blankets and noticed her silence. He looked over to see the fear in her eyes.

“Never slept with a man before?” He chuckled.

“It’s just...”

“Not like we’re asked to have sex. It’s just sleeping.”

Candy sat down on the bed fidgeting with the handcuffs. “I haven’t in a long time,” she sighed.

“Haven’t what?” He looked over realizing what she meant. “Oh that. I can sleep on the floor if you want."

“No. It’s ok. I just didn’t think the first time I was in a bed with a man again would be with someone who is repulsed by me. Last time I was alone in bed with a guy we were supposed to get married. He dumped me because he told me being a wrestler was stupid. He treated me worse than you do. I’m glad he’s gone. I sort of expected if I was in a bed with a man again, it would be someone who actually cared for me. Not like this. Even if it is just sleeping, it’s something I don’t take lightly.”

“I get that. But, trust me I’m not repulsed by you. You just get on my nerves. You’re beautiful, Candy. I promise it won’t be weird. I respect that you see it that way. It’s refreshing from the girls I know. You know how many ring rats just want to jump in my bed. It’s not what I’m about either. I’m pretty modest too actually. I’m not a total jackass. Come on, Sprinkles. Let’s get some rest.”

She climbed into bed and they struggled to get comfortable from the tether. She flopped back onto the pillow pouting. “This is not going to work. My hand hurts wearing this thing.”

“You’re telling me. It’s starting to bug me too. Tomorrow we need to find some padding for it. I’m afraid you’re going to choke me in my sleep yanking on it like that. Stop moving around.” Slade sat up trying to figure out how to get comfortable. “The only way either of us is going to get sleep is if we’re closer. Come here.”

He slid his hand around her waist pulling her back to him. Slade adjusted the cord and wrapped his arms around Candy. He reached up and turned off the light on the nightstand and snuggled up to her back.

Candy snuggled back into him and laid silent for a while. “I thought this wasn’t supposed to get weird."

“Shh! This whole thing is weird. Why should this be any different?”

They snuggled into each other finally in a comfortable spot. It was silent in the room but both of them were not sleeping. It was too awkward.

“Are you awake?” Candy’s soft voice filled the room.

“Yes.”

“We really screwed up, didn’t we?”

Slade let out a deep breath. “Yes, we did. You smell like candy.” He said softly rubbing her arm.

She smiled, “I have some Starbursts in my pocket. Want one?”

Slade chuckled. “I like sprinkles.” He tickled her playfully biting her shoulder.

She wiggled away giggling. “Shut up and go to sleep.”