This story is dedicated to FormerlyKnownasJackie who motivated me to return to writing wrestling fiction after a two year absence. This storyline is her idea, I just fleshed it out and inserted some extra players to the game.

I just hope it lives up to her expectations! Jackie, I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.

Still carrying a bit of ring rust.

I own nothing you may recognise. The lyrics below belong to Reliant K.

I am a hostage to my own humanity

Self detained and forced to live in this mess I've made

And all I'm asking is for You to do what You can with me

But I can't ask You to give what You already gave

Melina Perez had just finished unpacking her bag for the evening when her phone began to vibrate.

"Coffee?"

Before she could stop herself, an excited squeal ripped through the locker room. Shoving her feet into her shoes, she shoved the keys to her rental into her locker, pocketed her phone and her wallet and dashed to the door. She had one hand on the doorknob and a foot out the door before she was stopped in her tracks.

"Going somewhere?"

Spinning around, Melina nearly tripped over her own feet. "Shit! John, you scared me."

He smirked, a look of mock disapproval written on his face. "You forgot I was even here, didn't you?"

Melina flushed bright red as her boyfriend John Hennigan teased her jokingly. "No, I knew you were there. I just received this super important text message …" she trailed off. "What on earth are you doing down there?"

"Stretching," he informed her with a roll of his eyes. "I thought I would get a work out in before tonight's match." Climbing to his feet he moved across the room to take Melina in his arms. "Hi."

"Hi," she replied with a grin, laying her head against his chest. "Nervous?"

"About tonight? Nah." Tilting her head upward he cupped her cheek, calloused fingers brushing over soft skin. "We've been here before. Well, Johnny Nitro has. Smackdown isn't going to know what hit it when John Morrison enters that ring."

"Someone's cocky," Melina teased.

"Not cocky," he corrected her. "Just confident."

He kissed her forehead before leaning down to press his lips to hers. She responded with fervour, eager to connect with him. John's hands wound their way into her hair as she stood on tip toe to gain better access. Even though they had been apart for almost two years before getting back together, the same passion that had been present the very first time they had kissed remained. Unlocking her arms from around his waist she took a tiny step back, brushing his hair off of his face.

God, she loved him.

"I'll let you get back to stretching."

"It can wait … No, it can't," he sighed checking his watch for the time. The former Women's Champion laughed as John pouted, imitating Melina's signature puppy dog eyes that always appeared when she wanted something. "I take it that was Glen on the phone?"

Melina nodded, a wide smile spreading across her face. "It was."

"And I suppose the two of you are sneaking off to catering to drink disgusting coffee and gossip like old women?"

"Hey!" She protested with a stomp of her foot. "We do not gossip like old women!"

"No?" John raised an eyebrow, folding his arms smugly. "Well what would you call it?"

Melina scowled, knowing she was beaten. "Catching up?"

"Nice try," the former ECW Champion grinned. "Will I see you before my match?"

"I'll be here," she promised. Bouncing on the balls of her feet she kissed John on the cheek before flying out the door. 'Love you!"

The door slammed behind her, dulling the sound of John's goodbye. "Love you too."

Pulling her phone from her pocket Melina quickly tapped out a message. Her fingers flew across the keys as she hustled down the corridor and into the banquet hall, knocking over a crew member in the process. Scanning the room quickly she made a beeline for the far corner. "Glen!"

Glen Jacobs towered over the young Diva as he rose in his seat. "Melina."

The WWE's resident monster and self-professed A-List Diva attracted plenty of attention as she launched herself into the arms of one of her best friends. Glen was already in character, his Kane make-up intimidating to most - but not to the young woman who saw through his brutish appearance to the warm reserved personality inside. Chuckling, he released her gingerly to re-take his seat.

"God, it is so good to see you!" She exclaimed. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you," he responded fondly. "It's been months."

"Yeah, well, you know," Melina waved her hand airily. "I've been busy. Working, sleeping, being injured," she frowned. "And when I was around, you never were. How's your wife? The girls?"

"They're good. The girls miss you, of course." Glen added, rolling his eyes. "I swear, they meet you one time and then suddenly you're all they can talk about."

Melina took a sip of the latte Glen had waiting for her before setting it down with a smile. "I tend to have that effect on people," she joked. "That's why you're still here isn't it?"

Glen laughed, his voice seemingly booming throughout the room. "That, and you tend to know anything and everything about anyone and everyone."

An hour later, Melina was on her second latte as Glen gave a detailed description of the car he and his step-daughter were restoring so that she could drive it once she got her licence. What he hadn't failed to mention was the seventeen year old Junior who has trying to court her. He clearly didn't approve.

"You have to let her go eventually," Melina interjected. "She's fifteen Glen. I know that she isn't grown up by any means, but she's a beautiful young lady and she is mature enough to make her own decisions."

Glen groaned. "You sound like her mother."

"I had the same problem with my mother when I was younger, believe me. The sooner she let me make decisions for myself the better in my opinion," she explained dryly. "I mean, I made plenty of mistakes with relationships and look where I am now. Dave and I clearly weren't compatible but I know now that John-"

The Diva was cut off by an announcement over the loud speaker, effectively silencing them both. Glen sighed heavily. There was something that had been weighing on his mind recently and he while he knew that he should keep his opinions to himself on this particular subject ... He just couldn't help himself.

"So the rumours are true then."

Melina cringed inwardly, raising an eyebrow. "Rumours?"

"You and John?" He pressed. "Together again?"

Squirming in her seat, Melina bit back a sharp retort. Yes, Glen was one of her best friends. Yes, he had been there for her when John and she had first split. Yes, she appreciated everything he had done for her then and she still did now. She was grateful for the countless hours he had spent in the ring with her, working on her technique. Yet Glen had never approved of her relationship with John and it had always been a sore spot between them. She understood he was just being protective, she did. In many ways, he was the big brother she had never had.

The annoying over-protective brother that never let her have a moments peace.

"John loves me." She answered simply.

"I love you," Glen interrupted her.

Tilting her head to the side Melina rolled her eyes. Yeah, because the love he had for her was definitely comparable to the love John had for her. "He's IN love with me. Just like I am in love with him," she replied calmly as Glen scowled. "I can't help who I fall in love with you know."

"He's a womaniser Mel. I saw the amount of girls he attempted to score with during his days at ECW. His hotel room might as well have had a revolving door," Glen answered flatly. "Ring rats, Diva Search wannabes, you name it."

Gritting her teeth Melina tried desperately to control her temper. "Glen, please. John and I weren't even together then. What he did was none of my business."

"But you were still friends during that time. You were completely honest with him regarding Batista weren't you?" Glen challenged. "Why didn't he afford you the same courtesy?"

"I never asked," she snapped. "It was none of my business and I didn't want to know about any former conquests he might have had! Just drop it! It's none of your business either Glen."

"It IS my business Melina. I don't like him. Better yet, I don't like him when he's with you. I don't trust him around you."

Her vision blurred as she struggled to keep the tears at bay. "Luckily, it's not your decision to make. You shouldn't have to worry about trusting him!" She growled. "You should be able to trust me! Trust me enough to know that I trust John and love him and that that should be all that matters!"

"Look, Mel, I'm not questioning your love for each other-"

Grabbing her phone and her wallet she jumped angrily to her feet. Her chair flew backwards and landed with a bang as she bawled her fists into her eyes. "Then what is this about?! John isn't that guy anymore. He's never been anything but faithful to me!"

Glen winced as Melina's screech reverberated around the catering hall. "-it's just that I've seen the way he acts when you're not around and-"

"Shut. Up." Melina seethed. "Don't you dare say another word. I love you like a brother and I respect you and everything you've ever done for me. But don't think for a second that you can control any aspect of my life or my relationship. If it came down to you or John, you should know I would choose him in a heartbeat. I refuse to listen to this any longer. Goodbye Glen."

"Melina," Glen held up his hands in surrender. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything-"

"I said, GOODBYE Glen."

Spinning on her heel, the WWE's Most Dominant Diva took a deep breath and stormed out of catering. It was only when she had turned a corner that she allowed her tears to flow freely. She couldn't help but think that to an extent, Glen had been right. She didn't know about any of John's romantic interludes while they had been apart. As far as she was concerned, they were non-existent. What mattered to her, is that they were back together now; and in her opinion, that was the way things were going to stay. She couldn't believe Glen had questioned her judgement.

Closing her eyes, Melina leaned against a wall and slid to sit on the floor.

This wasn't exactly how she had envisioned her big return to Smackdown to go.

"Melina. Are you okay?"

Melina opened her eyes to see Shane McMahon standing above her, looking concerned. Immediately she began to scramble to her feet, wary of appearing unprofessional in front of her new boss. He waved away her effort with a smile, inching closer ."Hi Shane," Melina mustered a forced smile, hurriedly wiping away her tears. "I'm just feeling a little bit overwhelmed. Everything's fine."

"Can I do anything?" The Chairman's son asked as crouched down before her. "I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable for any reason, especially on your first night here."

She instantly felt at unease with someone in her personal space. "No!"

Shane raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"I mean, no, thank you Shane," Melina recovered her manners quickly. "I'm sorry if I seem abrupt. It's been a long afternoon and I'm just excited for the show tonight."

"That's right," he mused. "I heard you caused quite a stir in catering not ten minutes ago."

Her skin flushed a brilliant red. "I had a difference of opinion with an old friend. I never meant to make a scene. Again, I apologise."

Shane shot her a sympathetic look before proceeding to grab her hand and place it tightly between both of his. "Melina. Honey, look at me." The former Woman's Champion blanched and attempted to wrench back her hand. Nonplussed, Shane took the opportunity to tighten his grip and send her a charming smile. Honey? "I don't want you to feel like you're not allowed to express your opinion here. You are a rising star in this company and I want you to know that if you need anything, anything at all - that you can approach me at any time."

"Anything?" She echoed doubtfully, unsure of why he was being so … nice. It didn't help that his reputation as somewhat of a womanizer preceded him.

"Anything," Shane repeated. "Say ... Say for example you believe you deserve some more screen time. Perhaps you have an idea for a storyline or you think you deserve a title shot," he winked. "I'm sure that I can find a way to make that happen for you."

Melina smiled politely at Shane as she finally managed to remove her hand from his. And there it is. She had been in this business long enough to know when someone was being insincere and Shane was setting her radar off. I'm sure we could figure something out, she thought sardonically. I see how it is. I've always wondered how Michelle kept the belt for so long. And now it all makes sense. "Thank you," she choked out. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Fantastic!" Shane clapped his hands as he rose to his feet. Without asking, he again took Melina's hand and pulled her into a standing hug. As quickly as she was able she withdrew she pulled back and unconsciously straightened her shirt, wiping her hands as she went. A chill ran down her spine as she mumbled a quick good bye and she turned to stalk off for the second time that day. She was halfway down the hall when Shane spoke again. "Oh Melina?"

Melina rolled her eyes as she turned to face him. "Yes, Shane?"

"I hear you and Mr Hennigan are once again involved." Shane's cheerful demeanour was suddenly replaced with a stony expression., the Chairman's son practically spitting out his statement. "I trust this relationship won't have a negative effect on your work or your level of professionalism while you are on the clock," he commented darkly. "Is this correct?"

Melina bristled at the insinuation that she would allow her personal life to infringe upon her career. "I assure you Shane, that I will leave my personal life at the door when I arrive at the building. Not that I believe it's any of your business."

"Good." Shane replied, his eyes ablaze. "Please ensure John does the same."

Her face soured. "I'll be sure to do that."

"I'd appreciate it," Shane said flatly. "You might have had the run of the locker room on Raw, but we do things differently on Smackdown. Everything is run through me. This is my show."

Melina was incensed by this point. "Look, Shane, I don't know what you think you've heard-"

Shane ignored her, seemingly fixated on something behind her. "Michelle!" He called out as Melina stopped mid-sentence. She half-turned, seeing Michelle McCool and Layla turning around the corner. "Honey, how are you?"

"The hell?" Melina's jaw dropped. In the space of a minute, Shane's personality had once again done a complete one eighty. Concern, sympathy, complete aggravation … happiness. "Shane, I was talking to you."

"Sorry," he remarked offhandedly as he breezed past her. "You know how it is, places to see and people to do!"

She looked on in open mouthed astonishment as he came up behind the two girls and flung an arm around each of their shoulders. Layla giggled, Shane's hand slipping down to rest on the small of her back. "I am so hoping that was a Freudian slip. Gross."

"What's gross?"

"Huh?" Melina glanced sideways. "Oh. Hey Chris."

"Perez," Chris Jericho, or rather, Chris Irvine nodded in greeting from behind his sunglasses. "How's it going?" The scowl on her face answered his question. "What crawled up your arse and died?"

Melina hesitated, unsure if she could trust him not to run his mouth the second she turned around. "You know the McMahon's pretty well, right?"

"Sure," he agreed easily. "Stephanie, Vince and Linda anyway. Never have gotten along with Shane."

"If only I had that problem." she muttered under her breath. "Never mind."

"… Has something happened Melina?" Chris asked surreptitiously. "Did Shane try something?"

"What? No," she lied through her teeth. The last thing she needed was word getting out that she had been here five minutes and was complaining already. "It's nothing," she added. "Just my imagination."

Studying her intently, Chris didn't believe her story for a second. "Okay," he shrugged, making a mental note to keep an eye on the issue. "Whatever. Your boy was looking for you by the way. He's about to head out."

The second those words left Chris's mouth, John's entrance music began to blast throughout the building. "Shit," she swore. "I didn't realise it was so late."

"Come on,." Chris sighed, acting as if he was doing her a big favour. "I'm heading out next. You can watch from the monitors in the Gorilla."

"Great," she sighed, rubbing her temples. "I mean, that'd be great Chris. Thanks."

"Are you sure you're okay?" He looked at her oddly. "You're usually so … calm."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Today was a complete write-off. Moving to Smackdown was meant to have been a fresh start for her. Correction, both her and John.

So far, it had been nothing but trouble.

She had promised herself that this time things would be different.

She had sworn to herself that she would do everything in her power to make her relationship work, to make her career a priority and to make the right decisions.

She wanted to be happy.

Clenching her fists she tried vehemently to keep her tears at bay.

Why did these things always have to happen to her?!

Please Review.

The person who recognises which line I've pulled from an old MNM promo and inserted randomly into this chapter gets a virtual cupcake.

My treat!