2001

Randy Orton grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his brow. It had been a month since he had arrived in Louisville and in just four short weeks, he had taken OVW by storm. He had changed his eating and workout habits and had begun to bulk up in all the right places thanks to all the weight gainer and protein he had been recently consuming. He was still green and had lots to learn about the business that had now become his profession but his raw in ring talent was simply undeniable. From the first time he had entered the ring during the workout sessions, he had impressed all the powers that be and his peers. He moved like a natural, smooth and powerful. The WWE had taken a chance on the third generation wrestler and after 30 short days, it was already being proved that their gamble was starting to pay off. He was the training camp's newest hope for the next big Superstar.

If he had made a favorable impression because of his physical ability, he had made an equally unfavorable impression due to his attitude. With each day, he became more arrogant and cocky. He had abandoned the notion of trying to make friends after the first few days. He was a man on a mission and he had his eye on the prize. As the confidence built, he became more and more convinced that he could be that guy, that Main Eventer he had seen when his dad had taken him backstage to a live event just a few short months before. He didn't care what people thought of him because he knew he was good. In fact, there was only one opinion in that OVW locker room that mattered and it had absolutely nothing to do with what she thought of his wrestling talent.

With his gym bag slung over his shoulder, John Cena made his way to the weight room. The 24 year old former body builder had worked the Indy fed UPW out in California before a traveling talent scout had discovered his promise and inked a developmental contract with the WWE. John had done well and wrestled as The Prototype. In a few short months, he had become the OVW Heavyweight Champion. He was young and hardworking, relying more on training than natural born skill. But he loved to laugh, loved to party and was one of the most well liked and well respected leaders in that locker room. Checking his watch, he rounded the corner hoping he wasn't late.

"Hey Cena."

John stopped in his tracks when he heard someone call out his name. He turned and folded his arms. It was Randy Orton, son of Cowboy Bob Orton, grandson of Bob Orton, Sr., two living wrestling legends. There had been talk and jealousy in the locker room when the guys and gals had heard that the third generation entertainer had been given a contract and a big push without paying his dues. John was secure enough in himself to handle that but what he was having a hard time swallowing was Randy's attitude. Sure he had a lot of ability but that gave him no right to waltz around like he owned the locker room and was better than everyone else.

"Yeah, man?" he sighed.

"You headed to work out?"

"Looks that way."

Randy just smirked at him.

"Hey, I notice that you work out a lot with that Dawn chick. What's up with that?"

John shrugged.

"We hit the weights together every Tuesday and Thursday night for a couple hours usually around seven at night. It is what it is. Why?"

Randy nodded.

"You hitting that?"

"What?" John frowned in disbelief.

"You heard me."

"No. Not that it's any of your business but no. We're just friends. She asked me for some extra help with weight training because I used to be a professional body builder. But there is nothing going on between us."

"Good to know. At least now I don't have to be worried about you being pissed off at me when I take her away," he half joked. "Not that I would really care if you were pissed off anyway."

John chuckled.

"Wow. You really are a piece of work, you know that, dude? What the hell is your problem?"

"Don't have one," Randy chewed his gum like he didn't have a single care in the world.

"I don't get it. You come here with a major chip on your shoulder and you're a dick to everyone."

"So?"

"So it's really not necessary, is all I'm saying."

Randy wiped his hand against the side of his track pants, then extended his hand.

"It seems like we got off on the wrong foot then. Wouldn't want any hard feelings there, Boston. Besides, during your workout session I might need you to put in a good word for me with Old Girl."

"Like that would ever happen. You're a tool," John refused to shake his hand before walking away. "And she's a nice girl. Stay the hell away from her."

"Or what?" Randy called out. "What are you gonna do about it?"

John stopped, his jawline clenching. He knew when he was being bated and unlike Randy Orton, he had the maturity and the good sense to use his head and walk away from a potentially volatile situation. He wasn't going to walk into Orton's waiting trap and he had every intention of keeping Dawn from doing so as well. He walked into the weight room where she was already warming up.

"Hey you," she smiled warmly. "You're late. I was beginning to think you had bailed on me."

"Nah," he put his stuff down. "Sorry about that. I got…held up, shall we say."

"Everything alright?"

"Everything's great. You ready to get started? We've got legs and abs today. I wanted to change up the order."

Dawn groaned out loud.

"Seriously? Can't we do arms? Pretty please?"

"We did arms last time. We have to rotate."

"I know, I know and God knows I need to build my lower body strength but you kill my thighs on the squats and lunges for real. It is nearly impossible getting out of bed on Wednesdays and Fridays. Between that and bumping in the ring it feels like my whole body is falling apart."

John leaned back and took a look at her shapely legs. They were curvy in a feminine way with just the right amount of muscle starting to take shape in the calves and thighs.

"It's paying off, Dawn. You look great and not just physically. You're improving so much in the ring, too. It's pretty cool to watch."

"Thank you," she blushed.

"Come on. We'll get started with the up and downs. On my count…"

The two began their workout, slow and steady putting forth all their concentration for the next hour or so. She was a good student, eager to learn and more than physically capable. Often times the women were hired just because of pretty faces and a nice pair of tits and ass. That was originally why Dawn had been brought on board in the first place but she had proved to be different. She had become a true student of the game, soaking in the knowledge of the business like a sponge. Because of her beauty, most of the guys had been attracted to her and had hit on her at one time or another but she had always politely turned them down. She was there to work and she wanted respect for her hard work, not attention for being the locker room mattress back. The men had come to accept that and once they did, they had come to look at her like a little sister. John had lusted after her from day one but he knew nothing would ever come of it. They had developed a friendship and he felt protective of her, especially when it came to creeps like Orton.

"Water break, please," Dawn grinned, controlling her breathing. "John, you are killing me."

"Three minutes," he warned as he stretched his arms.

The door opened and in walked Randy. John frowned. He knew he had already worked out for the day. The only reason he had come back was because Dawn was there. Playing it out perfectly, he gave her a subtle nod and ignored John completely before he went to the weight bench and prepared to bench press. He loaded up with weight and John just shook his head.

"Wow, that guy is a real beast, huh?" Dawn commented as she walked back over to John.

"He's a show off and an idiot is what he is."

"Don't be mean, John."

"I'm just being honest. Look at all that weight with no spotter. Being stupid and egotistical and wanting to look like a hot shot in front of the pretty ladies is exactly how you get a one way express ticket to the injured list. But he's so green and dumb and full of himself that he just don't get it."

"And just who do you think he is showing off for?" Dawn teased, a twinkle in her eyes, hands on her hips.

"You already know the answer to that one. You're the hottest chick here at OVW and probably the only one that's not a slut. He's new and everything is a game to him, a conquest. Trust me, he's gonna do everything possible to get in your pants."

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Unfortunately it wouldn't be the first time but whatever. You know how I am, how I feel. I'm not interested in starting a relationship right now with anyone I work with. I want to focus on my career and hopefully getting called up to the main roster. Plus, dating someone I work so closely with just seems like a bad idea. And I've never been one for random hook ups so if that is what is on his mind, it's not going to happen."

John could only hope so. He and Dawn finished their routine as Randy made sure to make his presence known. When they were done, they gathered their belongings to head out.

"You know what the real shame is?" John asked. "The guy is talented as fuck. I mean it. With a little bit of time and practice and if he would actually take the time to listen to somebody, he has a legit chance of making it."

Dawn stared at him, with his dark hair and blue eyes.

"I feel sorry for him," she said softly.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. He has it hard. He was kind of thrust into this scene and I can definitely identify with that one. It's not easy, John. He has a lot to prove, a lot more to live up to than the rest of us do. The pressure is on being third generation. So he feels like he has to work twice as hard and instead of opening up, reaching out to people, he puts a wall up and acts like a jerk. I don't know, I just don't think that's the real him. He has a lot of talent, a lot of promise but I think underneath that rough exterior, there is a really good human being there."

She said it with sincerity and John knew she meant it. Dawn was one of the sweetest people he had ever met. She could find the good in Satan himself. It was just her way. She was too easy with people and already he could tell she was giving Randy Orton too much credit. A guy like that was a predator and he would be able to smell vulnerability and kindness a mile away. As John saw Randy smirk and stare at Dawn like he wanted her for dinner, he knew that would be the demise. He hoped he was wrong but it would probably be a matter of time before Dawn ended up in Randy's bed.