Authors Note:
First of all, I have to thank BlazingGlory for her insight and wwefaneam41 for her time and energy spent on reviewing this story for me, especially when I got a little stuck towards the end. If you haven't already, you should check out their work, it's remarkable.
Second of all, this story is a "song fic" of sorts inspired by "The Rescue" by Tyler Ward. Beautiful song, you can YouTube it if you like.
This is my second fic to publish here and reviews are more than appreciated.
**I don't own John Cena, he belongs to McMahon and co. I own Ellie.**
I'm running backwards in the rain/Got my hand up for a taxi/I finally got her name/Then we slipped into the backseat/I whisper, "are you okay?"/she nods her head with feeling/I could see the pain/and I can not explain how
Nursing something cold and strong in a dim, back corner he watches her. Behind the bar she moves like she's dancing; pouring drinks with beautiful grace and precision. Every time he's in town he spends a night here, watching her. Beyond the sparkle in her ice blue eyes lies something dark and painful. He can't help but notice hesitation in her smile and the exhaustion in her face when she thinks no one is looking. Perhaps her acting is on par enough to fool the drunkards glued to their bar stools but it doesn't escape his focused gaze. Pondering her secrets has become his obsession. How could such a stunningly beautiful girl with the most gorgeous blonde curls he'd ever seen hide so much? Staying past last call and until everyone but the town drunk had retired for the evening he continues his study of the cryptic bartender. One more sip and he gathers his things and slips into the night.. Deciding to walk off a bit of his buzz, he sets off into the cool rain for a stroll around the block.
With the last chair turned up and onto the table she tucks her tips into her back pocket and escapes out the back door, locking up as she goes. In the safety of midnight shadows she takes a deep breath, watching the air exhale from her lungs. He was back again. Sitting in his dark corner, watching her move. She thought about his physical strength easily noticed even in a dark bar. Not sure if she should be frightened by his obvious attention, she let it drift from her mind. Falling back against the wall and through a frustrated sigh, tears begin to fall slowly down her cheek. Bringing her hands to her face for cover her thoughts begin to race. How did she end up here? Where did everything go wrong? How much longer could she go on like this? When was it going to end? A final deep breath and her heels click along the pavement as she makes her way to hail a taxi.
Block after block he couldn't stop thinking about her. She was a drug. Her beauty haunting him in the night, following him, stalking his thoughts. The pain and anguish she hid behind fake smiles and graceful movements was impossible to shake. He knew she deserved something better, yet he didn't even know her name. Perhaps one night he would introduce himself and try to fix what was broken within her. Maybe he was lead to that bar to rescue her from whatever hell she was drowning in, or maybe he should just go back to his hotel and go through this inner dialogue the next time he is in town, just like he has done every time before. The warmth from the alcohol fades from the harsh,wet, rain and he makes his way to call for a taxi. Approaching the poorly lit street, a small shadow crouched low against a street lamp steals his attention.
After watching too many taxi's pass her by, the defeat overcame her. Sliding down the nearest lamppost she buries her face in her hands once again, hair soaking wet from the late night downpour. Her tears almost invisible in this weather her shoulders shudder as the cries rang out from deep inside her.
A voice, strong and sincere, interrupts her sadness, "Are you alright?"
Embarrassed and sniffling, she wipes her mascara stained eyes, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Not surprising she lied. Women tend to lie about these things. Especially women who work so hard to hide the truth. "No offense, you don't look fine."
"I am fine. Just tired. And cold. And can't seem to get a fucking cab to stop!" She hollers as another yellow atrocity passes her by.
He offers a hand to help to her feet. "Here, let me help you up."
Reluctantly, she takes the support and raises to her aching feet. Only now does she recognize him. The man from the bar. Strong. He offers her a smile that reads trust and safety while his eyes show sincerity and concern. "Thanks." she mutters, collecting herself.
"Sure." He pauses, momentarily contemplating the introduction he has thought about for so long. "I'm John, by the way. John Cena."
"It's nice to meet you John, John Cena. You can call me Ellie"
"Where you headed, Ellie?" Asking as he raised his hand out for the next passing cab.
"Uh, up town- do I know you? Were you in my bar tonight? Perhaps sitting in a poorly lit corner?"
Smiling at her honesty and cleverness, he confirms what she already knows. "Yeah, I like the environment there. I always stop by when I'm in town. That corner has the best view around."
For a moment the sadness ceased and all she could feel was his smile. He smiled with his eyes, blue eyes filled with warmth. Wasn't this how serial killer movies started? At this point, she didn't care. Her goal wasn't to survive anymore anyway.
As if the universe hadn't given her the finger loud enough, the very next cab that passes by stops for him. "Do you mind if we share? I'm headed up town as well. I'm staying at the Hilton on 1st."
"Well since I'll probably be out here all night trying to get a cab by myself...Thanks."
Together they settle into the backseat as the car pulls away and into the night.
He watched her rest her head against the window, slipping her hair back behind her ear. In the closeness of the backseat he can see signs of the pain he had sensed in her now. Visible scars of pain past and present in a tight row along her arm, like tally marks or exclamation points to the nightmares of her existence. Unwilling to admit he knew her secret, he asked again. "Are you sure you are okay? Sometimes a random stranger is a good person to vent to if you want to get something off your chest. You can let it all out without the worry of seeing me again, and I'm not one in any position to judge."
More than tempted by his offer, her eyes met his. She had nothing to lose by dumping on him and as soon as she closed the car door once arriving at her apartment she really wouldn't have to see him again, so the embarrassment would be minimal. Although, she debated, talking to this not-quite-stranger, to John, could lead to humiliating pity and unnecessary apologies. She would see him again, the next time he found himself in the dark corner of her bar. Deciding against it, she shook her head wearily, "Like I said, it's been a long night and I'm just tired."
He let the silence take over. Unsure of his next move he watched the rain hit the window, dancing in the wind, sliding down the glass.
The cab slowed down, pulling up to her apartment building. Ellie gathered her thoughts and belongings as she opened her door. "Thank you for the taxi John. I appreciate it."
"Ellie, at least let me walk you to your door?"
She didn't need to think too long before accepting his offer. Perhaps his physical presence would give her nosy neighbor something to gossip about for a week or so and deter the super from hitting on her for at least a day or two. "Alright."
The trek to her 4th floor apartment was quiet. He spent the time wondering about her. Maybe he has made enough of an impression that he could see her for dinner. A week in this town would be far more interesting if he could see it with her. The sound of her key turning the deadbolt brought him back to the moment. "Listen, Ellie, I am only in town for a week but I would really like to take you to dinner, or coffee, or something. I just want to get to know you without sitting in the corner of your bar." He flashed a wide smile, revealing deep dimples as he ducked his head, almost like he was a little shy.
The last thing she needed was a distraction, but you may as well go out with a bang. Perhaps, if he is a serial killer, she wouldn't have to dirty her own hands. Her door gently swings open offering nothing more than a dark entry way to great her. "John, John Cena. Look, in the poor light of midnight and the badly lit bar I am sure I look like someone you want to get to know but I assure you, I'm not worth the trouble and you'll be met with disappointment."
"Maybe you let me decide what's worth my trouble?"
"Thanks for the cab, John." She took a few steps into her apartment.
"Ellie. Look, I have an extra ticket to the event at the arena tomorrow night. Pretty good seats too. Take the ticket and sleep on it. If you change your mind, you can meet me there. 6 o clock. If you don't show up no hard feelings. Whaddya say?" He held the ticket toward her.
Quickly contemplating her next move she takes the ticket, unsure. "I'll think about it."
A smile sneaks on to John's face, blue eyes dancing at his small victory. "Alright. Goodnight Ellie."
"Goodnight John."
He heads towards the waiting cab, satisfied. Maybe she won't let him in, maybe she won't let him love her but maybe she will give him one night. Maybe he can give her one night to erase some of the pain, put a couple of the demons that taunt her to rest.
She shut the door behind her with a sigh. The ticket flipping through her fingers, the decision lingering. Tomorrow was her day off, actually the next few days were hers. There were some loose ends that needed to be tied up. Maybe meeting John wouldn't be such a bad idea. A few hours, maybe to forget, to live again before the end. The ticket came to rest on the counter, along with her purse and keys. Salvation from the day met her under the sheets as her head hit the pillow, her last conscious thought of those kind blue eyes and sweet smile