Hey guys! I'm back again with another installment of Always The Best Friend. I would like to thank my friend Ashley for her help with this chapter.

Y'all better thank her and Bree for busting my ass about an update.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC, Vince owns everything else.

Song credits:

- Radar by Britney Spears

-- The Special Two by Missy Higgins

--- Everything But Mine by The Backstreet Boys

ON WITH THE SHOWWWWW... er... fic.. ENJOY!

-Confidence is a must, cockiness is a plus. Edginess is a rush, edges I like 'em rough-

He had an unusually giddy smile on his face, humming as he walked down the hall. This was something Randy Orton did not do. Randy Orton was a cocky, suave and often overly persuasive man, who with only a smirk could make just about any red blooded female weak in the knees. He was a man who liked to be in control of everything, including the women he chose. He always had a calm confident demeanor around the ladies, using his charm to draw them in then playing off his bad boy persona to keep them wanting more. No woman had ever been able to turn the tables and make him submit; make his mind crazy, his heart pound or his body ache. No woman could ever make him insecure, weak or vulnerable. He didn't fall hard and fast like most guys did when they claimed to be in love. But then again, he didn't fall in love so easily. Lust maybe, but love? Love was for the weak in his mind.

And then he met Laleia.

Five foot eight with long chocolate brown hair down past her chest. Poised in posture but not as graceful one might think. Her pressed business attire and annoyingly proper grammar made her seem like she was all about her job. But when she smiled, it betrayed her whole appearance as the busy body writer who thought everyone was an obstruction. It was bright and playful and lit up the entire room she inhabited. Or, at least that's what Randy thought. But her most prominent and beautiful feature in Randy's mind, were her eyes. He couldn't quite put into words the shade of blue they were, but they were unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Bright, big and surrounded by full, thick lashes. Her gaze was warm and comforting and was her way of drawing people to her. And that fateful afternoon, it took a hold of Randy and refused to let go.

Randy stuffed his hands in his pockets. Laleia had made such an impression on him in such a short amount of time, it blew his mind. Sure, he's been with many attractive women in his young life, but only a select few were referred to as beautiful. Laleia definitely topped this list. He continued his stride down the hall and turned into his locker room.

"Well doesn't someone look like the cat who ate the canary.." A voice mutter from his right. Randy chuckled at the Rated R superstar softly.

"So what if I do?" He inquired to the blonde canadian next to him. Adam shook his head. "Man, don't tell me it's a chick."

"Alright I won't tell you.." Randy replied with a shrug. Adam rolled his eyes. Every time he saw Randy, he always seemed to have a new woman.

"Who is she?" Adam relented.

"Thought you didn't want to hear about her.." Randy smirked softly. Adam crossed his arms over his chest. Randy knew ways to get his temper to flare.

"Just spit it out."

"Well," Randy began, "There's this girl.."

"You want to fuck.."

"What? No that's not it.. I mean she's gorgeous."

"So you want to fuck her even more?"

Randy rolled his eyes, "Would you listen to yourself?" Adam was always one to dwell on sex. If there were a picture next to the phrase one track mind in the history books, it would be his.

Adam scoffed, "C'mon man, when do you not think about boinking a chick after meeting them." He said softly. He had a point. Randy's charm was usually a ploy to get a woman in his bed. But not this time.

At least, that's what he claimed.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

--And we will only need each other, we'll breathe together our hands will not be taught to hold another's, when we're the special two-

She rocked back and forth in her office chair, chewing on the pen in her mouth. She had a terrible habit of chewing on things when she was thinking. Whether it be a pen, pencil, her lip or even her keys sometimes, she'd just chomp away, not a care in the world. She pulled the pen from her mouth. If she chewed it anymore, she'd surely bust it.

"What was that look.." Laleia questioned herself softly. That smile, his touch, his charm. She couldn't get him out of her mind. She tapped her freshly chewed pen on her desk. It just didn't make sense.

She shifted in her chair slightly, crossing her legs. She propped up her head on a hand, contemplating what to do about it. To pursue, or not to pursue. That was the question.

There was no doubt in Laleia's mind that Randy was coming on to her. His reasoning is what was getting to her. She'd heard all about his player reputation, so she was a little wary. But he seemed so sincere, so nice. She couldn't help but have a small soft spot for him. After all, she was a sucker for chivalry, and he did help her pick up her papers.

She looked at her hand. She could still feel his lips grazing over them, so soft and gentle.

Laleia shook her head, "What am I doing.." She'd met the man once, and she was already getting in too deep. She rose from her chair and began to pace the floor. Her hands went to her stomach as the butterflies danced around. She sighed softly, raking a hand back through her hair. Yup, she was hooked. He was tall, handsome and charming. There was no going back now.

Pursue it is.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

---You don't have to be afraid, of somebody else's touch, just gimme a chance to prove just how you should be loved-

He slammed his door violently, making his way down the hall. How dare Orton try to charm his best friend? It wasn't his position to do anything but look. Hell, it wasn't any man's position but his own.

John chewed on the inside of his cheek. How could she be so enthralled by this play boy? Randy was just going to toy with her emotions and then toss her like yesterday's trash, just like every other woman John's seen Randy get his hands on. John couldn't let that happen. He swore no one would hurt her again. A sad smile tugged at his lips when he thought about it. She was an amazing girl, but got into things fast. She fell hard real quick. He'll never forget the night he swore to her he'd be the guy who was different.

-Flashback-

John climbed the ladder to their tree house. She called him in tears, begging to see him. He'd never say no to her, tears or not. But he knew that she needed him now more than ever. He pulled back the curtain slightly and his heart sunk into his stomach. There she sat, huddled in the corner of the tree house. Her sobs soft, but heart wrenching. The collar of her shirt was stretched almost to the point of tearing.

"Ley... Ley what happened?" He said softly crawling to her. She just sobbed and dove into his awaiting arms. John pulled her close to him, sitting against the cold, wooden wall. Tiny hands gripped his shirt in their clutches.

"Shhh... Ley.." he said, stroking her hair soothingly. This was the first time he'd really seen her cry. She was the kind of person who didn't want to seem weak in front of others. She never cried, she'd never give herself the chance. She sniffled and looked up into his eyes, eyes red and puffy. John brought his hands to her face and brushes the tears away with the pads of his thumbs.

"Talk to me.." He whispered, gently urging her on. She hiccuped.

"He... he.. he tried to.." She couldn't even finish her sentence before breaking into a fresh batch of sobs. She buried her face into the crease of his neck. Tears rolled down his collarbone and began to soak into his shirt. John pulled her closer to him. Laleia had been dating this guy, Tremaine. He was the typical jock, loud, egotistical and of course, built. John didn't like this guy from the start. He knew his kind, he'd been around them long enough. But Ley was his best friend and she seemed to like him. So, he let them be. But he always watched them. He didn't want him to break her heart. But it seemed that he hadn't watched him enough.

"His ass is mine. Don't you worry." He began to rock her softly. She nodded softly into his neck and looked up at him.

"You're the best J.." she said, trying to smile a little. John kissed her forehead.

"I try.." he chuckled softly. She smiled then sighed. "Why didn't I listen to you."

"Because you're stubborn?"

"That would be it." She said with a small laugh. She really knew how to pick 'em, didn't she? Her lips pressed to his neck lightly, and she snuggled into him.

"Why can't all guys be like you.. " she whispered. John's heart began to beat faster. It always did when she said things like that. But he knew, no matter what he did, he'd always be just her best friend.

"Because I'm awesome, and no one can be me." he stated matter-of-factly. She sat up in his lap and smiled. "You're cute when you're cheesy." She said softly.

"Ley?"

"Yeah?"

"I want to say something to you." He said, wrapping his arms around her small waist. She rested her hands on his arms, "Go for it." She said.

"I promise, that no matter what happens. I'll never ever hurt you. You're my best friend. I'll always protect you. I swear on my life Ley," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'll be the one who's different."

Laleia smiled, "J, you're awesome." she snaked her arms around his neck. "Thanks for being my best friend." She said, hugging his neck gently. John smiled sadly over her shoulder. He was happy that he was her best friend.

But devastated that's all she'd ever see him as.

-End Flashback-

John wandered through the halls. He chuckled to himself softly, thinking about the beating he gave Laleia's little boyfriend the next day. His nose was never the same.

"And Orton's will be the same if he hurts her.." he muttered under his breath. John craned his neck from side to side, stretching it out. He froze mid crack and ducked behind a corner. He snarled as he listened to the conversation going on beyond the wall.

"You can't honestly tell me that you haven't thought about tearing that ass up.."

"Who says tearing that ass up anymore?"

"I do! Now are you trying to fuck her, or not?"

A small smirk played on the Legend Killer's lips. John's hands clenched at his side. His knuckles turned white as he heard Orton answer.

"Not just yet..."

R&R peeps! Lemme know what you thought.