Title: Ultimatum (1/?)

Rating: M

Content (in this and future chapters): sex, violence, swearing, misogyny

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters mentioned herein and no infringement or offence intended.

Distribution: my livejournal, FFN – anywhere else please ask

Summary: Laura had it all, but an ultimatum made her realise it could so easily be lost. Would she be able to get past her biggest challenge?

She walked the corridors, looking for somewhere quiet, somewhere she could contemplate what had just happened. Towards the back of the arena, she found a deserted little area and perched herself on a production crate, sitting cross legged atop the large box and closing her eyes, taking deep breaths. Once her heart rate had slowed enough that she felt calm, she took her mind back to mere minutes earlier, to a conversation with John Laurinaitis that had chilled her to the bone.

Laura didn't like ultimatums. She didn't like threats either, but it wouldn't be the first time she had faced either in her wrestling career. The threat had never been quite so vile, so humiliating, as the General Manager had just put to her. She shuddered at the thought. Yet the alternative, that was something that she couldn't consider contemplating either.

Laura was a fighter. Yes, she was a WWE Diva, but she wasn't one to let a broken nail or some smudged eye-liner get in her way. She'd trained with girls and guys, she'd done the indie circuits, sleeping in her car when she had no money for a hotel room, used cans of soda as weights when she couldn't afford a gym membership. She knew hardship, and wasn't about to rest on her laurels just because she had made it to the big time. However, she wasn't sure that she could give up the one thing she had held on to, just to keep her spot.

She picked at a scratch on her arm, the product of Layla's false nails being a vicious weapon in their recent match. Picking at the slight wound gave her a rush of relief and she dug a little deeper until fresh blood appeared, which was quickly wiped away. She focused on the feeling for a few seconds: blocking out every distraction for a few moments peaceful bliss.

It didn't last: it never did.

"L, what you hiding out here for?" John Cena threw her a warm smile and she shrugged in acknowledgement, even John's infectious enthusiasm couldn't provide a distraction.

"Hey John, just getting a bit of peace and quiet, you ok?" She forced a smile, the small brunette shuffling to one side so that John could sit down next to her.

"I'm good," for once the smile didn't reach Cena's eyes, but Laura didn't push. She pulled one of John's hands into her lap, turning his palm upwards and tracing his lifelines with gentle brushes of her fingers. She knew he'd speak when he was ready, and although she didn't wish trouble on her friend, his problems were a welcome distraction from her own.

He eventually broke the silence with a resigned sigh, "I filed for divorce."

Laura nodded, unsurprised at this news. She carefully continued to brush invisible patterns on John's hand.

"I actually feel relieved," he continued, "in one way at least, I guess I can move on. But I can't help thinking it's going to get ugly."

Laura stopped, and squeezed John's large hand in her own. She knew Liz, and she didn't doubt for one moment that any dirty laundry would be aired, aired and aired again before the situation was resolved. "I'm sorry. Want me to kick her ass to make her go quietly?"

John laughed, "oh I know you'd love me to say yes," Laura had never been backward in coming forward when it came to her opinion on Liz, and to say the two women didn't see eye to eye would be an understatement.

"Just say the word and it's done," she would have welcomed the distraction if she was perfectly honest.

"What would I do without you?" John smiled and pulled her close, his embrace providing comfort despite his own problems. He'd known Laura for about a year, since she'd joined WWE, and they'd clicked straight away. Laura would listen to John's woes, hopes and dreams, and John would cheer Laura up when things got too much for her. They worked well together, and John was the closest thing to a best friend that Laura had in the wrestling business.

She closed her eyes and relaxed in the safety of that best friend's arms. For a few moments, she could forget the ultimatum and pretend everything was fine. She certainly couldn't tell John about what she had been threatened with: he would end up getting fired for going after Laurinaitis for sure. No, there was no one who could know: this dilemma would be one she'd have to face on her own.

"So what are you doing sat out here on your own sweet? Where's Punk?" John asked shakily, as if he was trying to hide the fact that he was upset.

"Just getting some peace and quiet," she replied, her eyes not meeting his. He'd know in a second that she was lying. "Punk's back at the hotel, he's been at Comic Con doing a signing all day." She was, in one way, grateful her boyfriend wasn't around. If she thought John would kick Laurinaitis' ass, she knew CM Punk would be up for attempted murder if he knew what the General Manager had threatened.

"You know you can talk to me, right?" As always, he saw right through her.

"Not about this, John. Believe me, it's better you don't know," she bit her lip, knowing he wouldn't force her to speak – her legendary stubbornness would render that a futile action, but equally knowing he would dog her until he believed her to be back to her usual self.

"Promise me you'll talk to me if you need me. You're the strongest girl I know but everyone has their limits, even you."

"I promise." The words struck a chord – everyone has their limits. She had a horrible feeling she'd reached hers.

"So you wanna tell me why Cena's worried about you?" There was an amused smirk on CM Punk's face, but behind that was a level of concern. Yes, John was well known for overreacting and worrying about everyone and everything, but John was also a good friend of Laura's and if Laura wouldn't talk to him about it, there must be a problem.

Laura faced her boyfriend and rolled her eyes, she might have known that John would speak to Punk, "Laurinaitis is being a dick."

"Well that's nothing new, what's he done?"

"It's nothing," she shrugged, "he's just being a dick as usual. Don't worry about it. How was Comic Con?"

"It was awesome, don't change the subject."

"I'm not, I'm just saying don't worry about it. And I don't want to talk about the General Idiot so get your ass over here and tell me about Comic Con."

"You'll tell me eventually," he said with certainty, but acquiesced to her request and walked over to the bed, laying down next to her and reaching over for a kiss. "I missed you."

"Missed you too." Laura pulled her boyfriend on top of her, deepening their kiss, her hands skimming down his back to push up his t shirt slightly, wanting skin on skin contact. He rested his elbows either side of her shoulders, hands brushing her cheeks as they kissed. She was intoxicating, a natural high that he could never get enough of. Pushing himself up onto his knees, he pulled his t shirt over his head and sat back, admiring the beautiful woman lying below him. He deftly unhooked each button on her black tea dress, revealing her pale skin, her simple black lingerie. It was a sight he could feast on for days.

She sat up a little and shook the dress from her shoulders, leaning forward to trace a line down his chest with her nails. Some days, she could spend hours just tracing every single inch of ink on that strong chest, but right now she needed more. Opening her legs she wrapped them around his waist, pulling him back down on top of her. He fumbled with the button and zipper on his jeans, pushing them down just far enough that his now fully erect cock was freed. She sighed in anticipation, unhooking her legs from around his waist long enough to wriggle her panties down her legs, throwing them across the room and again pulling the tattooed wrestler close.

"Eager tonight aren't we?" The smirk didn't leave his face as he slowly, tortuously pushed into her, struggling to hold back as her inner muscles squeezed him tightly. She moaned in response, eyes fluttering closed as he held himself inside her for a moment, pushing down to kiss her, hands roaming her chest, pushing her bra upwards to give himself full access to her body.

The thing Laura loved most about being with Punk was the way he took what he wanted, forcefully but never without consent – it was like he instinctively knew what she wanted as well. Right now, he knew she needed hard and fast, hands groping and squeezing her breasts, tongue claiming her mouth as he pushed into her over and over, bringing her to the edge of completion so many times before finally allowing her to scream as pleasure washed over her. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he groaned in pleasure, thrusting hard into her as his orgasm overtook him. He loved the way she gave herself fully to him, how she was so responsive to him. Holding himself in side of her, Punk kissed her again, smiling into the kiss as they both calmed their breathing.

"I should go to promotional events more often if that's the response I get," he grinned, reluctantly pulling out of her and rolling onto his back.

"Maybe I should start wearing less clothes if you're gonna do that," she laughed, sitting up to properly take off her dress and bra before curling her body at his side.

"I like that idea, my woman naked and waiting in my hotel room after I come back from a hard day signing autographs."

"So that's why you need me, your hand's useless after all that signing," she grinned up at him, and any smartass response disappeared from his lips as her hand stroked up and down his chest.

"Carry that on and you'll see what my hand can do," he kept the conversation light, knowing now was not the time to ask her what was wrong – she would tell him when she was ready.

"Promises promises." Laura could feel him desperate to ask what was wrong, but was was grateful that he didn't. It was safer for everyone if she dealt with this on her own. The only problem was, she wasn't sure she could.