Early the next morning, Seth is preparing to travel to that night's event. He is about to call Celeste when she calls him. "Hey." he answers.
"Hey. What are you up to?" she asks.
"I'm about to come see you for a bit and then drive on to Lubbock."
"Well why don't you just wait about an hour before you come? I'm getting released and John's sending the jet. I've already talked to him about dropping you off in Lubbock before heading to Knoxville."
Seth thinks for a moment before responding, "But Lubbock is in the opposite direction of Knoxville."
"It's a private jet. It goes anywhere you want." Celeste laughs.
Seth smiles. "Sure. It'll definitely beat driving six hours by myself."
Celeste and Seth board the plane. "Sweet ride!" Seth remarks as he settles on to a couch.
Celeste stretches out on the couch opposite him and sighs. "You okay?" he asks.
"Yeah. Still a tad weak.". She smiles softly, then muses, "It's funny how we can work this crazy schedule and then one little illness throws a wrench in our routine."
He returns her smile. "Well things happen that we can't control sometimes."
"It's been that way most of my life." Celeste states.
"So tell me more about yourself Miss Montgomery." Seth requests as he leans back in his seat.
"Well…I always loved wrestling. Watched a lot of P.O.W.W. and G.L.O.W. when I was little. As well as watching all of the men's wrestling of course." She thinks back giggles. "My parents were big fans and joked about me becoming a wrestler. They were surprised when I told them that's what I really wanted to do."
"Were they supportive?" Seth asks.
"My parents divorced and…things happened so I no longer have a relationship with my dad. But my mom supported me as best she could until her health got frail."
Seth, seeing a sad look in her eyes, decides to change the subject. "How did you and John get together exactly?" he asks.
"You know that his dad works with an indie promotion in Boston?" she inquires.
"Yeah." he replies.
"I was working for an indie promotion in Knoxville. John's dad was friends with my boss. There was an upcoming show, and they were short a girl there. So I got sent."
Celeste arrived at the building and began to look for John Cena, Sr. She spotted him over in a corner with his son, John. "Excuse me Mr. Cena." Both men turned toward her, the younger became instantly smitten.
"Are you Celeste?" Mr. Cena asked.
"Yes. Fred sent me." she explained.
Mr. Cena shook her hand. "It's great to meet you. And remember it's "Johnny Fabulous" at the show."
Celeste smiled. "Yes, of course."
John stared intently at the beauty as his father said, "Son, this is Celeste Star from Knoxville. Celeste, I'm sure you know my son…"
"WWE Superstar, John Cena." Celeste finished. She offered her hand. "Nice to meet you." she said.
"Very nice to meet you, Celeste." John said, smiling as he took her tiny hand in his larger one.
"What is your entrance theme so we can have it ready?" Mr. Cena asked.
"Motley Crue's "Looks That Kill"." she answered.
"You certainly have those." John replied.
She glared at him. "Where is the locker room so I can get changed?" she inquired.
Mr. Cena pointed her in the right direction. As she walked away she heard him chuckle and tell his son, "If looks could kill, you'd be in serious trouble right now."
After the show, Celeste was heading for her car. "Hey." She turned to see John approaching her.
"Hello." she replied guardedly.
"You were awesome in that ring!" he insisted.
"Thank you." she answered flatly.
"Have you considered trying out for WWE?" John posed.
"Yes." Celeste responded. "I have actually sent in tapes to them. And if you don't mind, I would prefer earning a spot with my clothes on."
Seth laughs hysterically. "Oh my gosh! Poor John! Did you really think he was trying to get into your pants?"
Celeste frowns. "It's not like I hadn't had other guys in the business try it."
John glowered. "I'm not that kinda guy."
Celeste saw that she had genuinely hurt his feelings. "I'm sorry, it's just that a lot of guys in this business take advantage of females."
"And I am very sorry there are some jerks out there. You shouldn't have to deal with that." he explained.
She blushed. "I really want to earn my way to the top, but…I suppose you suggesting Vince take a look at my work wouldn't be a bad thing."
He smiled. "I'll just suggest he takes a look. If he likes you, great. If not, he's crazy."
She smiled. "Thanks. I better get going." She started to get into the car.
"Hey, can I see you again before you leave?" John asked.
"Um…" she hesitated, trying to think of how to turn him down without hurting his feelings again.
"It'll be dinner, in a public place. No expectations I promise." he insisted.
"Let's make it breakfast. I have to be at the airport at noon." she explained.
"Breakfast was nice. We didn't see each other for several weeks, but talked on the phone every day. I did try to keep it at just friends." She shakes her head and laughs. "Dang, he was persistent."
Seth laughs. "Can't say I blame the guy."
"The no sex bomb didn't even rattle him. He said he'd respect me. I told him if he cheated I'd be gone, just like when my first boyfriend cheated."
"I was taken aback when you first told me about the no sex rule too." Seth says. "But I admire people who have values and stick to them."
"My values are a big part of who I am." Celeste states. "I couldn't have gotten through my life without them. Especially the last few years."
After Celeste arrives in Knoxville, she rests. Monday morning she calls John. "I think I could make it to work tonight if you send the jet."
"You still sound a little weak to me." John replies.
"I am a bit. But I will be there tomorrow night." she insists.
When Celeste sees Dean and Roman she excitedly walks toward them. "Hey! She's alive!" Roman remarks when he sees her. He gives her a hug. "You look a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you."
"I feel a lot better." she explains, with a smile. She looks at Dean. "Hey Dean."
"Hey." he responds while looking her over. "Is this gonna be your new Shield attire?"
"Um, what do you mean?" she asks.
Roman chuckles, "I think he's referring to the fact that we debuted in black turtlenecks."
Celeste looks down at her black turtleneck and blue jeans. "Oh, no I just like turtlenecks."
"You definitely look better in them than we do." Dean proclaims.
She smiles. "Where's Seth?"
"Right here. I actually went looking for you." his voice calls from behind her. She turns and hugs him. "You sure you feel up to going out there tonight?" he asks.
"I have to walk through the crowd, kiss you and cheer you guys on. You're right. I'm tired just thinking about it." she teases.
The show goes great. Afterwards, Celeste, John and the Shield head out for some food and fun. "Karaoke?" Celeste muses.
"I promise I won't sing and embarrass you." John says.
"Thank you." she replies.
"I'm not sure I'm in a singing mood tonight." Dean states.
"I guess you got it all out earlier." Roman says.
"I heard that's part of your pre-match ritual." says John. "Any dueting with Celeste yet?"
Celeste shoots him a dirty look. "What?" he ponders. "These guys haven't heard your great voice?"
"No!" Seth answers. "You can sing and you've been letting us listen to Dean?"
Celeste responds, "Well you're used to him by now. And he's not exactly terrible."
"Thank you." Dean retorts.
Everyone laughs. "What are you nervous about?" John asks. "You can't be afraid to sing in public. You said you used to sing in church."
Celeste sighs. "But I haven't sang publicly for a while. Only around you."
"Come on." Seth says. "We wanna hear."
"Please?" Roman insists.
"Yeah, I wanna know if you're any real competition for me." Dean teases.
Celeste grins. "Fine. I'll do it."
The deejay calls, "Okay, who's up for a little Whitesnake? 'Love Ain't No Stranger'?"
"Oh this you gotta do!" John exclaims.
Celeste takes a deep breath and stands. When the deejay spots her he says, "Well step right up little lady."
She steps behind the mic as the song begins slowly. Seth, Roman and Dean are all stunned to at the sweet sound of her voice. Even more shocked when her voice grows, as does the tempo of the song. John has a big smile plaster on his face.
The whole crowd gives a standing ovation at the end of the song. "Thank you." Celeste says bashfully. She dashes back to the table.
"That was awesome!" Seth exclaims.
Dean smirks. "Okay, maybe we can do some duets before the matches."
"You got any other surprises for us?" Roman asks.
"Not that I can think of." Celeste replies.
"You don't need to keep any secrets." John says. He kisses her temple. "I want them to know you're as wonderful as I know you are."
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. I really did lose my mother early this year so making myself talk about the topic in fiction has been rough. I know the Shield have split now, but I am keeping them together for a while (obviously). Got a lot of ideas for both their work and personal connections. Hope you all enjoy.
