Disclaimer: As always I own nothing except my OC's and the story.
Chapter 7
(Mercedes P.O.V.)
Standing just beyond the gorilla position, I listened half-heartedly to my uncle and Mark Calaway (better known to his fans as the Undertaker.) I assumed they were talking about Taker's role in the latest storyline involving The Shield. Watching the two of them – you never saw the company C.O.O. with an employee; you say two men with a deep mutual respect for each other and this business. Although I will probably never be a die-hard wrestling fan; it's nearly impossible to stand next to, two such giants in the business and not feel a little awe. Looking around the backstage area, I took in all the hustle and bustle; everything running like a well-oiled machine. Both shows run with high intensity but, there is definitely a different energy on Raw than on Smack-down. Thank goodness the show was drawing to a close. Undertaker and the Shield were Smack-down's main event. Don't get me wrong; I am thoroughly enjoying my work. I couldn't help but notice that while both shows run with high intensity – there is definitely a different energy on Raw than on Smack-down.
Undertaker and the Shield were scheduled to be Smack-down's main event tonight. I watched in strange fascination as Mark took his position – waiting for his music to cue. The shift was subtle. You had to be paying attention. One minute it's Mark Calaway standing in front of me and the next I'm face to face with the Undertaker. "Incredible," I thought to myself, I wondered if other superstars and divas went through something similar during those final seconds before entering the arena to the cheers or boos of thousands of screaming fans.
I knew without asking that my uncle would stay nearby and watch the final match. He would want to speak to both Mark and the Shield afterwards; tie up the loose ends and be ready to hit the road once more. Needing a few minutes alone, I figured I would get a jump start on tonight's office. Turning I headed back down the long corridor towards Paul's office. Taking a deep breath, I tried to tune out some of the activity around me. I knew I needed to sleep, but if I didn't manage to control some of this noise in my head – I never would. Two official nights on the job and I loved it! I was a little worried that my uncle was only offering the job to keep an eye on me; make sure I wasn't going to do anything stupid. I have to say that he has been great; he's been Paul my boss not Paul my over protective, but well-meaning uncle.
Stepping inside the office, I quietly shut the door, tossed my cell phone onto the desk and took a seat – propping my feet up. While my boots were fabulous to look at by the end of the night they were just hell on my feet. Leaning back in the chair I briefly closed my eyes and let my thoughts wonder to the night before. My first night on Raw had been electrifying. I'd heard my aunt and uncle talk about the energy of it all, but until last night I never fully understood. Restless my mind immediately shifted to John Cena. Over the years, I'd laughed at this big boy-scout reputation. Who would have thought that last night a big boy-scout was just what I needed. He offered a ride to a new co-worker, not a screaming nearly hysterical co-worker. He didn't have to do what he did for me. I wouldn't have blamed him had he done nothing. Instead he made a big bowl of popcorn complete with ice cold soda and sat up watching the Three Stooges with me until after four in the morning. If I was tired tonight, I could only imagine how he felt.
The John Cena I watched leave the bus this morning was not the same man millions of people watch every week on television. Lost in thought, I could see the events of the morning playing out like an old movie in my mind. I don't know what time we both fell asleep, but I remember hearing John when he woke up. He was so quiet as he made his way to the shower. I needed to get up and get motivated myself; I had to meet up with my uncle at some point this morning. I startled some when I heard the shower cut off, realizing I must have dozed off. I had just convinced myself that I couldn't stay in this nice warm bed all day; when John finally exited the bathroom. OH MY GOD! There has always been something infinitely sexy to me about a man bare foot fresh from the shower – John Cena was no exception. He was HOT! He stood with his back to me bare foot, no shirt, dark charcoal gray trousers, and a white towel slung around his shoulders. I watched silently as he finished drying off before tossing the towel in a small laundry hamper to his left. Bare footed he made his way silently to the closet in search of a shirt, tie, and matching jacket. I watched as he slipped into the shirt and jacket – before focusing on the tie. I just assumed he thought I was still asleep. Well you know what they say about assuming right? "Hey sleeping beauty, come give me a hand with this damned tie."
Slipping from bed I padded quietly over to stand in front of him. Smiling at him I whispered "good morning," before taking up both ends of the tie.
WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA
(John's P.O.V.)
Stripping off my suit coat and tie, I headed towards the back of the bus. Long didn't begin to describe the day I'd had. After leaving Mercedes and Mack this morning, I'd made it to three different interviews, had lunch with an old friend, ran a couple of personal errands that took longer than expected, had an impromptu meeting with the WWE creative team, and managed to show my face backstage at Smack-down, before heading back to my bus.
Although I didn't appear live on Smack-down much these days, I stilled love to hang backstage whenever I had the chance – tonight was no different. Stephen (Sheamus) and Randy Orton had a match with the Paul (Big Show). So I hung out in the locker room with them until they left for the gorilla position. I could have hung around back stage and waited, but I figured I would catch up with them later.
Stretching out on the sofa, it felt like a hundred years since I'd left the bus this morning. I was ready for a quiet evening doing absolutely nothing. Closing my eyes, I sighed as my thoughts wondered to Mercedes. My mind was still trying to wrap around the idea that I'd shared my bed – my bus with a woman I barely knew. I chuckled to myself as I thought about the mini Stooges marathon last night. I mean come on, I thought with a laugh, what can be so bad that it can't be cured with a little Larry, Moe, and Curly therapy. In the stillness I felt my mind drifting off thoughts of Mercedes crowding every corner.
I knew she was awake the minute I left the bathroom. I don't know how I knew – I just did. I could have kept my mouth shut. I mean it isn't like I was bare ass naked or anything. I was wearing my best charcoal trousers. I could have simply found my shirt, tie, and jacket – leaving the room without a word to her. That would have been the smart thing to do – yep mouth shut very good idea. Instead I call out "Hey sleeping beauty, come give me a hand with this damned tie." Why? Why couldn't I just leave well enough alone? Because, I wanted her to touch me; I wanted her hands on me, even if it was just long enough to help with a damned tie. I've known some really beautiful women in my life. I've seen them dressed to the nines. I've seen them in holy torn jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. Right now a deep pink tank top and matching shorts was hands down the sexiest thing I have ever seen on a woman.
Completely absorbed with my thoughts I was a little startled when Mack boarded the bus. "Hey John" he shouted by way of greeting. "What time do you want to be on the road?"
I thought about it a minute or two and decided that we could leave whenever he was ready. A person would have to be deaf and blind to miss the giant smirk creeping across Mack's face. "Ok Mack I asked – out with it!"
"John" Mack began trying to sound offended. As if I hadn't known him for a while now. He acted as if I couldn't tell when he was up to something – yeah right.
"Don't play innocent with me Mack – just spit it out!"
"I was just wondering….wondering if the young lady would be joining us tonight?" Mack asked a little more sheepishly than I expected from the usually gruff older man.
"No" I responded quickly – a little more quickly than was necessary. "No" I began again a little calmer this time "I'm sure the young lady's traveling with H tonight."
"That's too bad," Mack mused "seemed like a real sweet girl,"
"Real sweet…" I agreed before snatching my cell phone from the floor beside the sofa. Pulling up her number, I debated whether texting her was a good idea. Smart money said she was a very good girl battling a lot of demons. She deserved normalcy. A girl like her wants and needs the typical "vanilla" life; the big house in the 'burbs', with the little white picket fence, and two point five kids playing catch in the back yard. Damn H and his "Do this for me John – I know I can trust you!"
"Selfish bastard," I muttered with a self-depreciating frown as I decided on what to say. "Hey sleeping beauty how's it going?" My finger hovering over the send key; as if I were some scared fourteen year old about to piss his pants talking with a girl for the first time. 'Send' and it's over.
WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA
(Mercedes P.O.V.)
I shook my head, sitting here day dreaming wasn't going to get anything done. If I wanted to leave as soon as the show ended I needed to get my butt in gear. Picking up the folder than Uncle Paul gave me earlier, I set about sorting through it. 'Beep-Beep' chimed my cell phone a minute later. Absently, my attention still focused on the job at hand, I opened my text messages. "Hey sleeping beauty how's it going?"
"John" my mind screamed! Without thought I instantly replied "John? How'd u get this no#?"
I didn't have to wait long for my answer. "I'm a boy-scout remember! Always prepared – is it a problem?"
"A problem?" How did I answer that? I'm a fucked up freak show mess and he's asking me if there's a problem. Do I be completely honest with him; possibly scare away him away for good. What happens if I do answer him and never say anything – sort a fake it till you make it kind of deal? Watching my phone, I suddenly felt as if I were thirteen years old all over again. "What the hell" I muttered thinking I would just fake it till I figured shit out.
"No…no problem – just surprised!"
"Do u like surprises?" came his reply.
"Do I like surprises?" I groaned resting my head against the worn surface of the desk. As a kid I loved surprises – these days not so much. So I opted for safe "Depends" I replied cautiously.
"On what?" was his almost instant reply?
"Which side of the surprise I'm on -giving or receiving?" was the only answer I had for him?
WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA
(John's P.O.V.)
Digging around in the refrigerator, I heard the tell-tale beep-beep of my cell phone. "Damn the girl is quick." I thought as I set down my sandwich fixings – reaching for the phone. "Which side of the surprise I'm on -giving or receiving?" I nearly choked at her choice of words. "Giving or receiving!" My urge for completely forgotten. I almost didn't understand my total bodily reaction to her words. Moving away from the counter I held the phone tightly in my grip. Slowly I made my way towards the bedroom; my mind swimming with new fresh fantasies. My cock hardening at the thought of all of the things I would like to give young Mercedes and receive from her in return. Realistically I knew she wasn't that much younger than me, but in this 'game' she was a mere babe in the woods. The decent thing to do would be to cut her loose right damned now. I could tell H I'm sorry but you have to find someone else. "NO" my mind screamed violently. The mere idea made my stomach lurch cruelly. In my mind I could Randy or Stephen attempting to comfort her when she woke up screaming. My mind was plagued with thoughts of her finding comfort in someone else's arms. One thought led to another and I remembered seeing her and Randy outside of H's office the night before. I couldn't help but wonder about the nature of their relationship. Beep-Beep chimed my phone.
"John? Where'd u go?"
"Where did I go indeed?" Good question Mercedes. The question is how I answer you, I wondered. Again I was consumed with the war between cutting her loose and pursuing her until I have her in my bed. Knowing she probably wouldn't understand it was the only answer that seemed to make sense. "I'm here little one. R U sure talking 2 me is wise?"
WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA
(Mercedes P.O.V.)
"I'm here little one. R U sure talking 2 me is wise?" I read and re-read his last text three times. Strange I thought, why would he ask me that question. I was probably being silly. He was probably worried about getting my job done while talking to him at the same time. That has to be it I told myself; what else could it be? What else indeed I wondered. I read somewhere once that when you had two answers, the simplest one was usually the right one. Him showing concern over my job was the simplest answer; so why didn't I buy it?
I was holding my phone in my hand – just about to reply when in walked my uncle. "What a great show!" He exclaimed, "The audience was really into the superstars and divas tonight." So much for my conversation with John, back to reality I thought rather sourly. "Sorry John – duty calls. Talk later?"
Laying my phone on the desk, I set about cleaning up before heading out for the evening. Beep-Beep came his reply instantly. "Yes! Promise me something?"
"Promise?" curious I thought – what could I possibly promise him?
"?" my only reply.
WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA
(John's P.O.V.)
Without over thinking anything I answered her immediately "If/when U can't sleep/nightmares come – call me first – OK?" Without debating the wisdom of what I was walking into I hit send. Thirty seconds came the reply "Ok,"
"Ok…Ok…" Ok should have been good enough – it should have lessened the cruel knots in my stomach it didn't. I needed more "Say it sleeping beauty – promise me!" I knew I sounded demanding as hell; I just didn't give a shit. If anyone was going to comfort her it was damn well going to be me. I passed the confines of my bedroom. Waiting for her reply the longest thirty seconds – a minute of my life; 'beep-beep' "I promise John…goodnite!"
Author's Note: Writing this chapter was both an easy joy and a painful pain in the back side. When I started it, I had one vision/outline in mind. As usual that all flew out the window; as soon as John and Mercedes got involved. I hope that you all are enjoying and continuing to read and review. Special thanks to Canadice, Awesomeone21, My time is now, and Taker Always. Your reviews make me smile like a kid on Christmas morning. So please please please good bad or indifferent leave it in the box below.
