Apr 27, 2013

I close the door softly behind me as I re-enter my shared hotel room holding my breath that the small noise doesn't wake Colby. "I'll never hear the end of it," I chuckle inwardly. "He can at least give me a couple hours sleep before hand. Lord knows JJ didn't."

Listening carefully, I'm met by the sounds of water running from the bathroom beside me.

"Someone's up early," I chuckle.

"He's hitting the gym with Joe this morning since his roommate was MIA since last night," a female voice calls from Colby's bed as I flop face first onto mine.

"Please tell me you are dressed over there, Celeste," I mumble against the pillow.

"I'm dressed enough to not be concerned that you're here."

"Meaning," I ask, turning my head towards the other bed.

"I have one of Colby's shirts on. All the good bits are covered," she smiles, disentangling her upper half from the mound of bedding. "So what are your intentions with my friend? I mean was last night a onetime deal or was it the start of a relationship?"

"Not that it's any of your business but we talked about a repeat of last night. But it's not a relationship. I'm not a relationship kind of guy, Celeste."

"Colby keeps telling me that. I don't know though."

"You don't know anything about me," I chuckle.

"I do know JJ though. Well as much as JJ allows anyone to know JJ. She is a relationship kind of girl. She jumps from one to the other it seems. And then she let Stephen hide her away like she was some sort of disgrace."

"I think we both know now why he did that," I sigh. "You know he's been fucking Danielle for at least two months now right?"

"No, I didn't," she sighs. "But then again I didn't know that he was with JJ until last night either. Just that she had one of you guys visiting her on a regular basis that she was calling her boyfriend."

I don't respond.

"I think it was more than trying to hide his two timing ways though," she murmurs breaking the silence. "I think he was trying to hide something else."

"Hmmm?"

"She was jumpy and more withdrawn than usual last month. She would make excuses whenever she was invited out. I would put my hand on her shoulder to get her attention and she would almost came out of her skin trying to get away from me. There were some pretty nasty looking bruises along her arms I noticed a couple times. Her back too."

I swallow back a growl at that statement as my heart hammers against my chest. "That stupid son of a bitch had the nerve to lay his hands on her."

"I asked her about it and she just said she and her boyfriend were fighting. You heard how the last fight she had with a boyfriend went. I am hoping she doesn't have a type. You know men that hurt her."

"What are you trying to say to me, Celeste? I'm too sleep deprived right now."

"Don't hurt JJ."

"I really do like JJ," I object. "We had a discussion this morning. She knows this is a casual thing. Honestly, I don't want to hurt her. Hence why I told her where I stand on the whole relationship thing. I had a great time last night. I'm not using her as a booty call, something else we discussed, but a physical friendship was brought up," I smile.

"One, you're just getting back at four in the morning. What guy wouldn't think that is great?"

"I'm not talking about amazing sex. I'm talking about while we were waiting for you and the other two-tone to finish grinding in the car. She's easy to talk to, even for me," I admit. "Believe me, it's a rarity to find." Opening my eyes I find her studying me warily. "If you're so worried about it, I'll back off," I sigh rolling to face the wall and I hear her lay back against the headboard of the opposite bed.

"I think you underestimate yourself, Jon," she finally states behind me. "You're a better guy than you give yourself credit for."

"I did tell her we would stay friends though. I'll stay away but I do want to continue talking to her. If that's ok with you, Mother Hen."

"Yeah, Jon. It's fine. I'm sorry if I insinuated that you weren't good enough for her. I just worry about her. She's so strong willed to cover up that fact that she so unsure of herself sometimes."

I grunt in response.

"Before I fall completely unconscious, can I ask you something about last night," I ask after a few minutes of silence.

"Sure," she mumbles sleepily.

"What did you tell Colby?"

"About what?"

"You said 'I told you so' after me and JJ had our little back and forth at the table. What did you tell him?"

"That JJ was the only woman backstage capable of handling your crap," Colby's voice answers.

"Actually all I remember saying is JJ doesn't take crap off anyone she doesn't choose to."

"Same thing," Colby chuckles. "Meet me downstairs for breakfast?"

"Sure," Celeste answers.

"Jon?"

"Jon has checked out mentally. Please check back in a few hours," I mumble, pulling a pillow over my head. "Around nine would be great."

XXX

My phone pinging in my pocket brings me from my daydreaming, most of which includes reliving the night before.

"I don't think I've ever heard that thing go off before today," Colby chuckles. "Did you finally make a friend?"

I roll my eyes at the younger man as I pull the device from my pocket. JJ.

Ok. Now you gotta entertain me.

Boring morning, Babe?

Does fantasizing about throwing Sharpies at Randy's head all morning count?

Spend the night with a girl and she spends the next morning fantasizing about her brother. Gotta say that's a bit of a blow to the ego.

You'll survive. Continue our game from earlier? I'm sure you can get me to embarrass myself some more.

I fight the smile pulling at my lips. Sure.

I believe it is my turn. Unless you're going to use me questioning whether you wanted to continue against me.

I think I'll let it slide this one time.

How gracious of you.

Just go already, Smartass.

Oh, still thinking about my ass I see. Is Colby as good a guy as he seems?

Clarify.

I didn't get to know him much last night. He seems like a great guy and really into Celeste but being that my recent interactions with men has proven my judgment is crap, I would like some reassurance here.

Thank you for that.

Recent interactions excluding last night.

Better.

Then answer the question.

Why would you trust anything I have to say? I'm his friend.

Answer my question and I'll answer yours.

Yes. He is. He is annoyingly crazy about Celeste too. Don't worry.

Thank you. Leste spends so much time and energy trying to keep me in a good mood, all I want is for her to have a little happiness. To answer your question, you're very straight forward from what I've observed. If you didn't believe something, you wouldn't sugar coat it regardless of who it involves. Now I'll even let you have your turn even though you asked a question before you answered mine. I'm just nice like that.

"What the hell," I think typing out the question that has been running around my head since her short bad mood last night. What's with the Jaybird nickname?

Clarify.

Why is it a sore subject?

It's a nickname my grandparents gave me and Mom continued. You would get a different story about the origin of the name. Grandma would say it was because I would chirp like a little bird when I was a baby. Grandpa would say it was because I wouldn't keep my clothes on as a toddler. I would just run around as naked as a jaybird. After Mom died, the nickname almost died with her. Then one day Randy just started using it. It represents love to me hence why Randy is the only one allowed to call me Jaybird ever. Will you tell me more about your mom?

That would be my sore spot.

I understand but sometimes you need your sore spots poked at every now and then to make sure you can still feel.

I swallow thickly before answering. Can I get a rain check on that one? It's really more of a conversation that needs to be had face to face.

Sure thing, Babe. Whenever you're ready. Sorry I pressed. Good news is you can still feel.

XXX

My eyes are drawn to JJ as her laughter fills the gorilla area. She stands next to Celeste as the other woman stretches for her match but her attention is on her brother in the ring on the monitor, occasionally turning to giggle at her friend. Their conversation is drown out by the hustle and bustle of backstage.

"Didn't you get enough of her last night," Colby chuckles beside me.

"Who," Joe asks from my other side.

"Nobody."

"Orton's sister, JJ," Colby answers. "Our boy spent all night in her room and most of the day texting her."

"You don't know who I've been talking to all day," I smirk. "Maybe I've been talking to your girl all day."

"Right," he smirks. "At least you put her in a better mood."

"That I did do," I chuckle.

"I'm more impressed with the mood she put him in," Joe chuckles.

"Too bad you promised Celeste that you would stay away from her for a while."

"Yeah, yeah," I sigh, watching Randy lean down to talk to his sister before disappearing down the hallway towards the locker rooms. "I remember. Your girl is worried about her friend. I don't blame her, honestly."

"So you're telling me if you had a chance to repeat last night, you wouldn't take it?"

"Oh, I would. In a heartbeat. Hence why I'm going to distance myself for a while, work on my friendship skills."

"Lord knows you need to," Colby smirks before turning to the monitor behind us. I glance over at the Diva's match in time to see Celeste's entrance, her title belt slung over her shoulder.

"Looks like you got some competition, man," Joe smirks, motioning across the large space.

I follow his eyes to a pacing Stephen, his eyes staring holes into JJ's back as he moves closer with each pass. "Long story. He can try but I suspect that he would end up hurt if he does."

"Taking out the competition, Jonny Boy," Colby chuckles, his eyes on the monitor.

"Wasn't talking about me. JJ may be in a better mood but what happened between them is still fresh on her mind." Glancing over at the woman in question to find her smiling up at Stephen. "Or I could be wrong." I watch the smile on JJ's face morph into a smug smirk as she nods to the opposite corner of the room, Stephen grins hesitantly before answering. "Mother fucker," I growl as Stephen pounces on the woman next to him, shoving her into the wall. "I'll kill him."

"Wha-Fuck," Colby growls. "Joe, hold him. We don't need him getting his ass fired tonight," he calls as he threads his way over to the couple. Joe moves to stand in front of me, pressing me back into the wall with one hand.

"Move Joe," I growl.

"Colby is handling it."

"I don't want Colby to handle it. I want to bash the Irish fucker's head in."

"And lose your job in the process."

"It's worth it."

"That has got to be a pretty impressive night together if you're willing to throw everything you worked for away."

"Call me a romantic but I don't believe in abusing the women around me."

"Neither do I, man, but you have to keep a level head though. Just let Colby handle it."

"He's really handling it well," I snap, lunging forward as JJ's head bounces off the concrete wall behind her.

"Stay here," Joe orders, the hand pressing harder against my chest.

"Don't tell me what to fucking do."

"Touch her again!"

We both turn to find Randy standing over a kneeling Irishman. My gaze sweeps over to JJ to find her smiling shakily at Colby as she squeezes his shoulder. Her shoulders drop slightly as Colby turns his back to her and she turns to her brother. Randy takes his sister's face in his hands as he examines her for injury.

"She said she's fine and to calm down," Colby states. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah, she said she's fine and calm down," I repeat as JJ pulls away from her brother. They have a short exchange before she stalks off. I fight the urge to follow her.

"Orton. Farrelly," someone barks beside me causing me to jump slightly. I turn to find Stephanie McMahon. "Here. Now."

"Stephanie," Randy nods, arriving to the boss first.

"What was that?"

"He attacked my sister," Randy growls.

"She started it," Stephen snarls finally joining the conversation.

"I haven't heard that excuse since I last talked to my four-year-old," Randy smirks.

"Do you think right now is the best time to be a smart ass, Randy? You're on thin ice right now."

"He's telling the truth," I interject.

"Stay out of this," Stephen growls.

"Which one," Stephanie asks, turning to look my group.

"Randy."

"Stephen slammed Ms. Orton into the wall," Colby supplies. "Randy and I came to her aid, Ms. McMahon."

"It's a personal matter between me and Janet."

"Then you should have taken care of it in private and not in my backstage area," she snaps. "This is your only warning. If anything like this happens again, you're both fired."

"Yes, ma'am," Randy states as Stephanie turns to leave. "You keep your fucking hands off my sister or you won't have to worry about being fired. I'll kill you."

"Promises, promises, Orton," Stephen smirks.

"You two," Randy continues, ignoring the Irishman, "thank you."

"All we did was tell the truth."

"I'm glad someone else back here was looking out for my sister," he smiles, moving towards the exit. "Now I've got to go check her for a concussion because she's too damn stubborn to go to a doctor."

"Stephen," I growl, moving to follow the pale man.

"Jon, don't."

"I'll keep my hands to myself…this time but I will have my say about this."

"What is it," Stephen growls.

"I just want to say if you want to hit someone be a fucking man and hit a man, not a woman half your size because you can't handle rejection. Not that I think you have the balls but I'm just putting it out there; I see you abusing that woman again and you won't have to worry about Randy because I will take you out."

"If you think you can," Stephen sneers, "you know where to find me."

"Have you talked to JJ since your match?"

Celeste turns to eye me. "No. Randy said she took a cab back to the hotel. Her phone is off."

"You know what happened to her?"

"Colby told me. Stephen attacked her."

"He slammed her into a fucking wall."

She takes a shaky breath before turning to face me fully. "I never would have thought Stephen was capable…I should have known. I should have forced her to tell me who she was dating after she got so jumpy. I shouldn't have let her brush it off. I shouldn't…"

"Celeste, breathe," I interrupt. "I'm pretty sure no one knew. She sure as hell didn't tell me about anything like that last night. I would have killed him on the spot."

"You honestly would," she smiles.

"You seem surprised by that fact," I smirk.

"Just wondering why? I mean, I know Colby said you've been a bit preoccupied with staring at her for the past couple months but you don't really know JJ enough to be this pissed off."

"I would be just as pissed if it was you, or any other fucking Diva, against that wall tonight," I growl. "A man doesn't lay his fucking hands on a woman. Outside of self-defense, there is not a single excuse for it. I never want to see that again. The only reason that stupid motherfucker is still standing is because Colby had Joe restrain me. And the fact that your boyfriend allowed her head to be bounced off the damn wall is not particularly sitting well with me right now."

"Yeah, he feels like shit about that," she sighs, turning back to her bag. "He said she said something to Stephen and the man reacted before he could get between them."

"That's no excuse."

"He stayed and made sure she was ok, from what I'm told."

"Yeah," I sigh. "He did. JJ sent a message back with him too."

"Let me guess: I'm fine, stop worrying."

"Actually it was 'I'm fine. Calm down'," I smile.

"She always does that. Annoying as hell, isn't it?"

"Definitely."

"You want to check on her yourself, don't you," she asks, glancing over her shoulder at me.

"I said I would stay away for a while and that's what I'm doing."

"That is not what I asked."

"Yes, I do," I admit. "I'm not but I do want to."

"I'm sure she has a splitting headache."

"Yeah."

"There's an all-night pharmacy down from our hotel."

"Okay," I state wondering where she's going with this.

"Buy her some aspirin."

"What? I thought…"

"Buy her some aspirin and go check on her," she states. "Just keep it short and stay out of her room. You're just going to get more and more agitated until you do check on her. You're still here?"

"Not for long."

I lean against the doorway leading to the stairway a few yards from JJ's room, a small bottle of aspirin wrapped up in clean towel with the ice pack I picked up from the trainers before leaving the arena in my hand as I watch the door to the woman's room. I arrived in time to see her brother slip in and decided to wait for the older man to exit.

"What are you doing, Ambrose," a wary voice asks.

Turning my head I find the WWE's poster boy, John Cena."

"None of your damn business, Cena."

"Answer the question."

"I don't answer to you."

"Maybe I'll find someone you do answer to."

"And tell them what. You found me standing in the hallway and wouldn't answer your fucking questions. I'm not doing a damn thing wrong so go ahead," I smirk, turning my attention back to JJ's door.

"Don't even think about it."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Stay away from Orton's sister," he growls.

"Is there something Randy and Nikki need to know? You got a thing for the little Orton?"

"Randy is my friend. I'm going to look out for Janet. And the Shield is definitely people she should look out for. Seeing as you're the second member to be spotted lurking around, I'm telling you to stay away."

"Then where were you when Stephen was slamming her into the damn wall, Superman? Who was it that was looking out for her then? Oh yeah, it was her brother and the Shield. It was the Shield that Randy thanked for looking after his sister. Or is that your real problem? You weren't the center of attention. No one was basking in the greatness that is John Cena. Wait, didn't Orton tell you to stay away from her? Now move the fuck along because I'm not really in the mood for the fucking John Cena show right now," I growl, moving to seat myself on the stairs. "Fucking idiot," I mutter as the other man disappears.

"I wouldn't worry about him," a female voice smiles. I turn to find the woman the wrestling world knows as AJ Lee, I never bothered to learn her actual name, leaning against the railing beside me. "He is still a little pissed off JJ turned him down after his wife left. He's not use to women turning him down. Randy in there with JJ?"

"Yeah."

"Can you make sure she gets these then," she asks holding up a bottle of pills. "Don't want to annoy her with too many visitors tonight."

"Got it covered," I smile holding up my own bottle. "Celeste thought she might need these."

"And the ice pack?"

"Figured the Irish fucker put a pretty good knot on her head."

"Probably right," she smiles. "So… ummm…I'm kinda on my way up and my legs aren't quite long enough to step over you."

"Right, sorry," I smirk sliding to one side. "Hey AJ."

"It's just April outside the arenas."

"You want me to tell Jay, you came by to check on her?"

"Nah. I'll see her at some point tomorrow, I'm sure."

I knock softly on the hotel door having waited a full minute after Randy left to approach.

"I said I'm fine Randy," she calls, the annoyance evident in her voice.

Knocking again harder, I wait, wiping my damp palms on my jeans. "Someone is not happy. Of course she's not happy. Her ex just assaulted her. Well, I finally get to see what the wrath of JJ is like firsthand now." The sounds of her padding across the room brings my attention back to the door in front of me.

"Wha-," she snarls before recognizing me, the anger sliding from her. "Jon, what are you doing here?"

I study the woman in front of me. Weariness is etched across her face but there is no sign of damage. My eyes drop to her throat as the image of Stephen's arm pressing there replays through my head but other than the fading marks I knew were from me there is nothing there either. Slowly I reach up to slide my finger through her hair, watching for any indication I'm pushing my luck. My fingers skim across a golf ball size knot along the back of her skull, pulling a muted hiss as she flinches away slightly. Swallowing back the string of curses, I remove my hand from her as slowly as I put it there, telling myself it's just so my fingers don't get tangled in the strands. Holding out the small bundle to her, I watch her take it cautiously before speaking. "Next time I get that Irish bastard in the ring, he will pay," I growl forcing myself to turn and leave. "And the time after that. And the next time until I felt like he's paid enough or I kill him."

My phone pings in my pocket. JJ. Thank you.

I feel my anger fade slightly at the simple message. Don't mention it. Goodnight babe.