Erin's stride as they walked to the club was noticeably different from that of the Divas—her hips did not swing, and her pace was methodical and purposeful.

"Marine-girl, you need to start walking with some attitude," Stephanie informed her.

"Yes, boss," Erin replied, though she shook her head. "I don't think I know how to do attitude, though."

"We're Divas, sweetheart," Kelly reminded her. "We don't go anywhere without attitude. You're walking in with us, so you better get some attitude too."

"I don't know how," Erin replied, trying to stand up straighter.

"Erin, when you're with the Marines, you walk like a Marine, talk like a Marine, carry yourself like a Marine, right?" Beth tried. "So for tonight, you're going to carry yourself like a Diva." Erin's eyes lit up with understanding as Kelly and Beth linked their arms through hers, and her posture changed noticeably.

There were multiple wolf-whistles as they walked in, but they headed straight for the tables in the back, where the guys had managed to save them several seats. Somehow, Erin and Beth both ended up without seats. Beth promptly took a seat on Ted DiBiase's lap, and Erin stood awkwardly, arms crossed. John Cena rose quickly, offering his seat, but Erin shook her head, embarrassed.

"We'll share, then," he informed her, tugging her onto his lap. Erin blushed, and Beth winked at her.

"She cleans up good, doesn't she, boys?" Beth teased. Erin rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Sorry I had to leave so quickly before," she apologized.

"No problem," Mark assured her.

"What were you guys doing, anyway?" Beth asked, curious.

"Truth or dare, but it's not all that exciting when there's only one girl. No offense, Erin," Kofi commented.

"None taken," Erin laughed.

"Want to continue the game?" Kelly offered. "We'll all play, right, girls? One condition, though—you duck the dare or don't answer a truth, and we get to pick a punishment." There were nods of assent from the others, and Mark shrugged.

"We're game if you are," he agreed. "Who's asking first?"

"Me!" Cody Rhodes called. "And I pick Beth. Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Beth said tentatively.

"Give Ted a lap dance," Cody dared her, grinning wickedly. Beth rolled her eyes as the guys laughed, and the girls applauded, but performed her dare nonetheless. Ted's face was almost as red as Erin's Shirley Temple, but he clearly enjoyed it.

"Girl, why are you not drinking?" Kelly demanded.

"It's just not really my thing," Erin shrugged. "I don't drink."

"Any particular reason?" John asked, curious.

"My dad was an alcoholic," Erin replied. "I saw what it did to my family. I don't want to put anyone through what I went through."

"My turn!" Beth called, changing the topic quickly. "Kelly, truth or dare?"

"I don't do lap dances until I'm a little more gone, so how about truth?" Kelly replied. Erin stifled a laugh in another sip of her drink, and John smiled up at her.

"What's your secret talent?" Beth asked. "Everybody has to have one, so what's yours?"

"Dancing doesn't count, I guess, since everybody already knows about that," Kelly mused. "I know! I can burp the alphabet."

"As soon as you're drunk enough, guess what you'll be doing?" Eve teased, and Kelly laughed.

"Kofi, truth or dare?" Kelly called.

"Truth," Kofi replied.

"You're no fun," Kelly accused. "Fine. Settle it once and for all—are you from Jamaica, or are you from Ghana?"

"I'm from Ghana," Kofi replied, laughing. "I just have an appreciation of Jamaican culture. Erin, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Erin said. "I'm feeling brave tonight."

"I dare you to go out and play guitar for the crowd before your next match," Kofi called over the noise of the others there. "Specifically, I dare you to play Hey Jude before the entire stadium." Erin looked up at the ceiling pleadingly, shaking her head.

"Fine," she agreed, sighing. "I'll do it. Cody, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Cody answered, taking a drink.

"I really hope your answer is yes, by the way, because I'm a secret nerd," Erin began. "Do you really have the Triforce symbol from Zelda stamped on your match boots?"

"You bet," Cody boasted, though Ted snickered. "It's my favorite game. It's a classic." Erin grinned, high-fiving him across the table. "So you're a secret nerd?"

"I hide it well," Erin replied, winking. "Your turn."

"Shawn, truth or dare?" Cody called.

"Truth," Shawn replied.

"What happened between you and Bret this year?" Cody asked, curious.

"I told him I honestly had nothing to do with the Montreal Screwjob, and that I wish the match would have ended fairly instead," Shawn replied. "I respect him as a wrestler, and he said he respects me too, so it was good that we cleared everything up."

"Boys," Eve commented, rolling her eyes. "You're every bit as sappy as we are."

"Alright, Eve, truth or dare?" Shawn called.

"I'm scared of what you'll dare, but I'll go for it anyway," Eve replied, taking a sip of her drink nervously.

"I dare you to go shot for shot with your boy for the rest of the night," Shawn called back. Eve took a deep breath, and Chris gave her a mischievous grin. "Unless you feel like you're going to pass out."

"Thanks," Eve said sarcastically, though she grinned. "How kind of you. Hunter, truth or dare?"

"Truth," he replied. "I'm not taking dares from Eve when she's in a bad mood."

"That's probably smart," Eve told him. "Because your dare would have been bad. I'll make you be sappy instead. How did you know Stephanie was the one?"

"At first I just wanted to be in a relationship with her because it pissed her father off," he replied. "But she's absolutely brilliant, and she has a really sweet side. I think I fell in love with her when I was so sick that I couldn't get out of bed, and she brought me soup and hot tea until I was better." Hunter glanced lovingly at his wife, seated securely in his arms, and she kissed him sweetly.

"You really are a bunch of saps," Kelly marveled, and Beth stifled a snigger.

"Can it," Hunter growled. "Cena, truth or dare?"

"Dare," John replied. "Since everybody else picked truth."

"I dare you to kiss our newest member," Hunter called, grinning. "And no half-second peck, either. At least ten seconds."

"I have never been gladder that we just signed a girl," John commented. Erin raised her eyebrows, looking distinctly awkward. "If you don't want to, I'll take the punishment," he whispered, for her ears only. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"I think if I can handle a half-hour match with Randy Orton, a kiss shouldn't scare me all that much," she whispered, smiling nervously.

"Then let's do this properly," he announced. Taking her drink and setting it down, he rose, drawing her into his arms. The superstars whistled as he dipped her low, kissing her deeply. Erin blushed, smiling against his mouth. He held her there for far longer than the required ten seconds, but she didn't protest. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" he whispered, pulling her up.

"Quite the opposite," Erin assured him quietly, just loud enough for him to hear. John waggled his eyebrows at her teasingly, pulling her back into his lap as he retook his seat. "And it's your turn."

"Ted, truth or dare?" John asked, taking a pull of his beer as Erin fought alternately not to grin foolishly and to wipe the blush from her cheeks.

"I'll follow the new trend—dare," Ted replied.

"Can I just mention how much Erin is blushing right now?" Beth called loudly.

"Beth, I haven't kissed anyone since high school," Erin retorted, her blush deepening. "And you know how great I'm not with attention."

"I'm just teasing you, Snow White," Beth promised, laughing. "You know I don't mean it."

"Snow White?" John asked, hiding a smile.

"I started calling her Cinderella in high school," Erin explained. "She was the first girl on the varsity wrestling team. She actually won matches, too, so we called it a Cinderella story, and then I started calling her Cinderella. I joined the team the team my freshman year, when she was a junior. She started calling me Snow White, because we were the team princesses—the boys were rather protective of us. That, and she didn't want to be the only one with a Disney princess nickname."

"You do look kind of like Snow White," Eve mused. "If you had shorter hair, I mean."

"I tried that once," Erin admitted. "It gets completely out of control when it's short."

"Can I give my dare now?" John asked patiently. The girls nodded, laughing quietly. "Ted, I dare you to slap Randy Orton the next time you see him, no matter what the circumstances."

"With pleasure," Ted replied, grinning. "And I don't know about you guys, but I think I'd like to dance, and I intend to bring this beautiful girl with me." He grabbed Beth's arm, pulling her out onto the dance floor as she laughed.

"Looks like a good idea to me," Chris agreed, taking Eve's hand. The others followed slowly, joining them on the floor.

"Want to dance?" John asked, looking at Erin.

"All I know how to do is Latin and ballroom," Erin confessed, blushing once more. "And some ballet, but only because it's supposed to help with footwork. You saw how clumsy I can be."

"It's not that hard," Eve called, laughing. "Just move those white girl hips. Loosen up a little."

"You don't have to be a good Catholic girl all the time," Evan called, winking at her before pulling Kelly close.

"I don't think I know how not to be a good Catholic girl," Erin grumbled.

"Try pretending you're someone else," Beth offered, pressed close to Ted's chest. "Pretend you're a Diva."

"We all know how good a Diva I wouldn't make, though," Erin protested.

"So let me lead," John suggested, taking her hand to spin her into him. "I'm no Fred Astaire, but I at least don't have two left feet."

"Alright," Erin agreed hesitantly, allowing him to guide her hips closer until her back rested securely against his chest.

"You're a musician, right?" John reminded her, his voice a low rumble just behind her ear. "Move with the music."

"I don't know this song," Erin protested.

"Girl, how do you not know 'In My Head'?" Maria asked, shaking her head. "Jason Derulo is one of the hottest artists out there."

"I don't get out much," Erin said sarcastically. She could feel John's chuckle against her back, and she smiled reluctantly.

"Just use the rhythm," he told her quietly, sliding his hands over her hips. Erin sighed, but found to her surprise that when she stopped thinking about it, her hips moved fluidly.

"So much for white girl hips," Eve remarked, smiling. Erin smiled in spite of herself, blushing.

"That's the Latin dance paying off," she replied with a nervous laugh.

"It's sexy, that's what it is," Beth informed her. Behind her, John nodded in agreement. Erin couldn't see him, but the others could, and Beth laughed.

"Last call for drinks!" the bartender called.

"It's two o'clock already?" Gail asked. Several of the guys booed, and Erin laughed.

"We got a suite at the hotel," Shawn offered. "Why don't we head back and hang out for a bit?"

"Dance party in the DX suite!" Eve announced, and they all cheered loudly.

"I'll start calling cabs for y'all," the barkeeper said wearily, picking up the phone. "Which hotel?"

"The Hilton," Evan called. "Okay, who's sharing cabs?"

"If somebody doesn't mind riding up front, Beth and I could share with you and Erin," Ted offered. John shrugged in agreement, continuing to dance with Erin.

"We'll split with you and Chris," Kelly told Eve. As the superstars figured out their driving arrangements, the rest of the bar slowly began to empty out.

"I think they're kicking us out," Erin said, turning to glance at John over her shoulder.

"Are you going to come hang out?" he asked.

"I don't think so," Erin replied, shaking her head. "I'm drained. And I think the aspirin are starting to wear off, so I'm hoping to fall asleep before it really starts hurting."

"Well, I can walk you back up, at least," John offered. "You know, make sure you don't trip on the stairs or something, being clumsy and all," he teased. Erin wrinkled her nose at him.

"My guitar!" she gasped, remembering.

"It's in my locker, and perfectly safe," Mark assured her. "You can grab it when we're at the arena for Superstars tomorrow."

"Thanks," Erin replied, relieved. "I've had that one since middle school. I just keep repairing it."

"Your cabs are here," the bartender called.

"So are you being a spoilsport and going to bed early?" Beth demanded as Ted held open the door for them.

"I'm exhausted, Beth," Erin replied, taking the middle seat of the taxi. Beth took the seat on her right, while John took the seat on her left. "And partying isn't really my scene, anyway. Sleep sounds marvelous right now."

"Guys, don't forgot we have workouts at one," Hunter called. "It's a light day, so it won't take long."

"We'll be there," Ted promised, taking the passenger seat. "Let's go."

"That'll be my first workout with the guys!" Erin realized, excited. "Anything special I need to bring?"

"Just whatever you'd work out in," John replied, shrugging. "We'll get you all set up, don't worry."

"Alright," Erin smiled. "Anybody know if we're all on the same floor of the hotel?"

"I think so," Beth replied. "And I know you've got the room next to me—you're 324, right?" Erin checked her hotel pass quickly.

"Yup," she agreed.

"Cody and I have the room across from you," Ted called, turning to look at them. "And John, you have the room next to us, right?"

"That's right," John replied. "Erin, did you come to the hotel earlier and drop off your stuff? I know we didn't see you when we were arriving."

"My flight got in yesterday," Erin explained. "I figured I'd check in early and just get settled."

"Here we are," the cabbie told them, smiling.

"I've got the tab," John said quickly. The others thanked him as they got out of the car, entering the lush hotel's foyer.

"Elevator or stairs?" Ted asked.

"Stairs," Erin replied.

"Elevator," Beth replied simultaneously. The girls looked at each other and laughed.

"Enjoy your elevator ride," Erin whispered, leaning over so that only Beth could hear her. Erin winked mischievously as Beth blushed, and she laughed.

"Good God, would he just ask her out already?" John muttered. Erin turned, raising her eyebrows in agreement.

"You mind taking the stairs?" she asked. "I developed claustrophobia during the war."

"You said you were a POW?" John asked, opening the door to the staircase.

"Yes," Erin replied shortly. John got the hint, and switched topics quickly.

"I don't know if you knew, but our hotel rooms come stocked with heating pads and IcyHot," he said. "If you leave them on while you sleep, you'll actually be able to walk tomorrow."

"Thanks for the tip," Erin replied, her smile returning slowly but surely. "I'm definitely going to need it."

"And I owe you a back massage, in return for the one you gave," John informed her.

"You also owe me a backstage tour," Erin reminded him. "Which I'm calling in tomorrow, by the way."

"Deal," John promised. "I can introduce you to the Smackdown guys at Superstars on Thursday, too."

"Sounds like a plan," Erin agreed, pausing at her door. "Thanks, John."

"Anytime," John smiled. "We'll probably all grab lunch around 11—want me to knock?"

"I never sleep late—I'll be up," Erin promised. "But sure, that's fine."

"Alright," John replied. "Goodnight, Erin."

"Goodnight, John," Erin said, closing her door quietly behind her. She only just managed to change into a camisole and sweatpants before sleep overtook her, and her head hit the pillow.

Fallujah, Iraq was a dry, sandy hellhole. Erin's squad had finished their routine patrol, and everything was normal; their commander had given them the afternoon to rest. Rather than sit around, they had volunteered for a mercy mission—bringing newly-arrived books and medical supplies to a local school. Erin went to the girls' side of the school, and spent the afternoon exchanging jokes and playing songs for them. But when she went to leave, just as she turned the corner, a chlorophyll-soaked cloth covered her mouth. She gasped, choking, and collapsed into unconsciousness.

When she woke up, the only source of light was the barred window over her head, set in a thick cement wall. She was on a metal slab, wrists handcuffed to the wall above her bed. Her uniform was gone, replaced by a white cotton shift. Her door slammed open as three turban-clad men entered, and that was the last moment she remembered without pain.

She was interrogated, she remembered. There was the standard battery of interrogation techniques—electrical shocks, beating, whipping, sleep deprivation, threats. She gave up nothing more than her name, rank, and social security number, thinking wryly in a moment of clarity that she would need to be careful of identity theft if she ever got back. When the standard techniques didn't work, her captors turned to more extreme measures.

Those were the measures she had nightmares about tonight.

They would tie her to the slab, and rape her, one by one. They'd bring in captured soldiers, and force them to rape her. One had refused. Erin had seen him shot in front of her. Once, she had recognized a soldier—a Marine from her company, though not her squad, with two sons and a wife at home. He had known her too, and in a cruel twist of fate, she had begged him to rape her so they didn't shoot him. He had cried the entire time, as had she. She nearly bit through her lip each time, fighting to keep silent, but she inevitably ended up screaming until her throat was raw and her voice refused to come, and even then she couldn't stop, but screamed on silently.

"Erin!" someone bellowed, banging on the door. "Erin, are you alright?" Erin fell to the floor with an echoing thud, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Her curls were soaked, hanging in tired tendrils over her shoulders. She pulled it up into a messy bun as she scrambled for the door, striving to appear normal.

"I'm fine," she rasped, her voice raw, opening the door and looking up. John shook his head, handing over a tissue. "I'm sorry if I woke you."

"You were screaming," he explained. Her face was tear-streaked, but she didn't appear to notice. Erin looked down.

"I—I'm sorry I woke you," she managed. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Are you sure you're alright?" John asked, looking at her, concerned. "You want to talk about it?" For a moment, Erin almost said yes. But she shook her head and swallowed hard.

"I'm fine," she insisted stubbornly, as though saying it one more time might make it true. "I'll—I'll see you at lunch." John shrugged awkwardly, and she closed the door before he could say anything more. Erin sighed, taking a seat on the edge of her bed, knowing that she wouldn't sleep anymore that night.

A/N: And thus arriveth Chapter 4! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I liked writing it. Once again, I started this story back in January (which is half of why Shawn's still around. Plus, I like DX), so keep that in mind whenever you see something that seems out-of-date. Also, I promise not to make Erin too angsty, don't worry. Read and review, please, as always.