As always, I own nothing but Vanessa. I wasn't going to do two chapter back to back like this. However, I was sitting at work and the words for this chapter just kept nagging at me. So I hope you all enjoy.


She felt the need to bang her head up against the wall. True to their word, as soon as they could, Lisa, Trish and Stephanie were plopped down on the couch in Vanessa's condo. The three of them stared at her with wide eyes and disbelief as she retold the recent events that had occurred in her life. She finished and waited for a response.

"Well, I'm nice and sticky now. Thanks, Ness."

Vanessa stared at Steph with a look of disgust. "Thanks for the visual, Steph. I always needed that in my life."

"All bullshitting aside, what are you going to do?" Trish asked as she took a swig of her beer. Lisa was on the opposite end of the couch wondering the same thing.

"I'm not going to do anything. Dave and I are not together. I am free to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I do need anyone's permission either. I left my daddy back in Pennsylvania."

"Look all I know is, you need to be careful. You are talking about sleeping with one friend while wanting another. Don't get me wrong, I am all for you getting yours, but Randy says they take that "bros before hoes" saying very seriously and I just don't want you to be another causality."

Lisa nodded in agreement. "I remember when I was dating Jay. He said that he, Chris and Adam took that to heart on all levels."

"You guys, it was just one night. I don't even know what's going to happen next. I just know that it happened, I can't change it and I don't know if I even want to. John's single, Dave's not. John has shown interest in me, Dave hasn't. John seems to be winning the race."

Lisa frowned. "John's a great guy and he has a lot of good things going for him. But the fact is, no matter how good John looks on paper; you can't control your heart. Not to put John down, but are you going to ever be ok with the fact that he's not Dave?"

The girls sat in silence giving some thought to what Lisa had just said.

Stephanie let the icy mojito slide down her throat before she spoke. "Enough with the sad shit; we will deal with that as the days go by. Let's get to the more important stuff."

Trish shook her head. "What could be more important than Vanessa being way in over her head?"

"How big of a package Cena is carrying around."

Lisa inched a little close to Vanessa. "Steph has a point. Do tell."

The four girls laughed and talked the rest of the night. Even in all her fun, Vanessa couldn't help but take what the girls said to heart. To make matters worse, she was stuck going to lunch tomorrow with the same man that seemed to have complete control over her life.


Vanessa woke up at ten the next morning. She did her normal routine of exercising and eating breakfast before heading to the shower. As she let the water soothe her body, she thought about what she was going to wear to this lunch. In a way, she felt like she was obligated to show Dave what he missed out on. She wanted to make sure that he knew that she was a sensual woman and that he was the world's biggest fucking idiot for not looking at her in a way other than friendship.

She stood in front of her closet for what seemed like hours before finally deciding on a red halter top, which showed off her golden tan and a pair of her favorite jeans that hugged all of her curves. She ended the outfit with a pair of red sandals, and matching bag. She blew out her hair and curled the ends giving her plenty of bounce. Even Vanessa had to admit that she was definitely having a good day.

She looked over at the clock by her bed and noticed that she only had about fifteen minutes or so before Dave came over. She picked up the phone and dialed out.

"Home of the miserable and crippled. How can I help you?"

"Paul?"

"Nessa?"

"Yeah. I guess you are still not any happier, huh?"

"You try be stuck at home for four months with nothing to do but watch TV and rehab. By the way, I am really starting to question the sanity of our country. If I have to watch one more whore go on the Maury to test the tenth man that she claims is her "baby daddy", I might just gauge my eyeballs out. And people have the nerve to say wrestling is a bad influence."

Vanessa had tears in her eyes from laughing so much. "At least you have Aurora to keep you company." Vanessa could practically feel Paul's face light up at the sound of his daughter.

"She certainly is gorgeous, just like her old man."

"Nice to see that you are still modest as ever."

"I try. Now what's going on, cause I know you didn't call to just shoot the shit with an old cripple man, did ya?"

"Actually, I called to talk to Steph, but you know it's always a treat when I get to talk to my second favorite DX member ever."

"You know Ness; it's not very nice to kick me when I'm down."

"But it's so much fun that way."

"Anyway, you just missed Steph. She went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication and buy some things for the house. I have to admit; I am very shocked to see how domesticated my billion dollar princess has become."

After talking some more, Vanessa promised that she would be over to visit shortly and they both hung up. Just as she was about to check her makeup, she heard someone turn the lock at her front door. Dave walked in and offered a small smile.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking you to lunch. Did you forget already?"

"No. Why do you still have my key?"

"Because you never took it back."

Vanessa paused as she realized he was right. "Well, I need it back. I can't have you barging in whenever you feel like it."

"That was never a problem before."

Vanessa looked at Dave with big eyes. "You were never a problem before. Funny how things change. Can we go eat now? I have work to do."

Dave realized that Vanessa was not going to make things easy. She had built up her walls, she was ready for battle and her target of choice was none other than Dave himself.

"Sure thing, Nes…I mean, Vanessa."

The little slip up didn't go unnoticed by Vanessa. She turned around to see Dave starting down at her with the same smirk that always brings her to her knees. She fought to control her emotions and she smirked back.

It's on now, motherfucker.