Author's notes: We'd like to thank IMissPadfoot and Takersgurl35for your reviews for chapter eight, and thanks to Vera Roberts for your review of chapter two. We're glad you're all enjoying the story so far and we really appreciate the support.


Chapter Nine: Getting Closer

Dave Batista read the text message from Kate and his jaw dropped to the floor. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid to think Marissa had sent the flirty message to Cena. Besides it being completely out of character for the redhead to do something like that, either John or Kate would have mentioned them hooking up. The wrestler had only wanted to help his two friends get together - and to stop Cena acting weirdly - and now he'd messed up the whole thing. He'd never forgive himself if Marissa missed the chance to get with John because of his interfering. Without thinking of the implications or what he'd do to resolve the situation, Batista replied to Kate's message.

Damn it! I hope my interfering hasn't messed everything up. Yeah, of course I'll meet you. Is at the diner one block from the hotel in half an hour ok?

When Kate replied saying that that was good for her, Dave jumped into the shower and changed. Even though they were meeting to sort out the situation between Cena and Marissa, Batista felt oddly excited about meeting up with the brunette. He also wondered if he should dress more formally for their meeting and then realized he was acting like a fool; this wasn't even an official date, so why was he getting so hung up about it?


After replying to Dave that she'd meet him in the diner, Kate made a lame excuse to Marissa and went to change.

The video tech didn't buy that her friend just needed some fresh air and wondered what was going on. The sound engineer's phone had gone off a few times and Marissa hoped there was more going on between Kate and Dave than the brunette was letting on.

In the washroom as she was getting changed, Kate felt nervous for some reason but put it down to anxiety over wanting to sort things out between Marissa and Cena. However, that didn't stop her pondering what to wear for five minutes before realizing they were only going to a local diner. Even if she dressed to impress him, Marissa would definitely know something was going on. Besides, when did it matter to her what Batista thought? If he didn't like how she looked, then he could just lump it.


John Cena answered the text message on his phone and was completely perplexed at what it said.

I'd love to see you again and I'm free tonight if you're interested. Maryse xx

When had he ever told Maryse he'd see her again? He'd liked the company of the blonde in the club a few nights before; however, she wasn't someone he'd want to date. Going back through his inbox and list of sent messages, the pieces fell into place. He'd gotten a message from Maryse earlier on in the day around the same time he'd been having lunch with Batista and someone had sent her a reply. Cena fumed, realizing it could have only been Dave who has sent her the message. So this is his game is it? Get me with someone else so he can have Marissa to himself, he raged. Deciding enough was enough, the WWE Champion went to find his so-called friend and have it out with him.

When Cena arrived at Batista's room, he knocked and there was no reply. The brown-haired man then tried to phone the other wrestler but it went straight to the message bank. John was now convinced Dave must be with Marissa and this only fuelled his anger more.


Kate clicked her tongue and tapped her foot as she waited for Dave to arrive. The wrestler was only five minutes late, but she was anxious to get everything resolved. When Batista did arrive, he looked flushed and apologised profusely, then they headed into the diner. Neither of them ordered any food and instead both just asked for a coffee.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting. Cena keeps calling me. God knows what he wants," he said.

"Shit, you don't think Maryse has replied to your message, do you?" asked Kate, now beginning to worry even more.

"Damn it! Yeah, I bet that's what it is. But why would Cena call me about that?" reasoned Batista

"Well, maybe he isn't interested in her and wonders what's going on?" replied the sound engineer, as the server brought their drinks over.

"Damn it, damn it! What have I done interfering? I only wanted to help get him together with Marissa and since he wouldn't talk to me about it, I thought I was doing the right thing," justified the wrestler, taking a long sip of his coffee.

"So what are we going to do about it now?" asked Kate, stirring cream into her beverage. "When I asked Marissa about the text and we realized Maryse must have sent it, she seemed to lose all hope."

"I guess it depends how John feels about them both really. The problem is, he clams up whenever I mention Marissa and he didn't even tell me he'd been out with Maryse," said Dave.

"Well, I saw them together in a club, but I didn't think too much of it and I don't think they left together," replied the brunette.

"I guess I'll just have to try and talk to him again then," said the wrestler. His voice had a sound of resignation in it. At first, seeing Kate and trying to set John up with Marissa had been fun. However, now Batista wondered if it was really worth all the hassle.


When Kate still hadn't returned an hour later, Marissa began to wonder where she'd gotten to. Surely getting some air didn't take this long. Unless, the redhead's suspicions were correct and her friend was secretly seeing Batista. The video tech hoped this was the case as she knew they'd make a great couple and maybe it'd help her chances with Cena.

The situation with Cena was beginning to bother Marissa. They'd had a really good time ice skating and he'd promised to take her out for dinner. However, since the wrestler had taken her back to the hotel when she was sick, he had barely spoken to her. In addition, Maryse seemed to be always around the WWE Champion and when Kate had mentioned that the blonde had texted Cena, Marissa wondered if he'd lost interest in her all together. It wasn't unusual for guys to go on a few days with her and then never call again. Even Greg had done it and she'd been expecting his child at the time.

Marissa resigned herself to being alone. Her father was right; if Maddie's own father didn't want to know her, why would any other guy? She just really thought Cena was going to be different. He had seemed unfazed when he'd learnt about Maddie and the redhead had had high hopes for their relationship. Maybe he'd just gotten bored though and found a more attractive woman with less baggage. It was probably the snotty nose and sheep pajamas from last week.


John Cena prowled around the hotel looking for Batista. It was very unusual for the other wrestler not to answer his phone for this long and he wondered what could be keeping him so busy. After calming down, the WWE Champion had realized that the chances of Dave being with Marissa were slim, he was probably just taking a walk. However, this didn't explain his absence for over an hour.

John just wanted to know once and for all if Dave had an interest in Marissa. If he did, Cena would leave them to it. A woman he'd gone on one date with wasn't worth losing his friend over and he'd be happy to see Batista dating again. The person he felt really bad for was Kate. Cena had given the sound engineer the impression Batista was really interested in her, so how upset would she be if he then started to date her best friend?

Deciding that he'd pay Kate a visit on the pretence of asking her about that CD she'd copied for him a few days before, the WWE Champion headed to the brunette's hotel room. Maybe if he spoke to her, he'd be able to figure out if anything was going on with Marissa and Batista and how the sound engineer felt about that. He was really going to have to find a way to make it up to her. Maybe he'd introduce her to Chrome Bumper when they visited the pay-per-view next week. That would be a special treat for the music aficionado that was Kate Alistair.


Back at the diner, Kate and Batista had concluded that they could do nothing more for their friends until Cena opened up about his feelings. If he pestered John again right now, it would piss the wrestler off and they would get nowhere.

However, not wanting to leave so soon as he was actually enjoying being around Kate, Dave decided to find out more about the sound engineer. It was better than watching the crap that was on cable on Saturday night.

"So, did you do anything interesting when you were back at home during the week?" he asked, noticing how she curled her hair around her finger as she thought of a reply.

"Not really, just chilled. I did a bit of shopping and took Maddie to the park with Xerxes so that Marissa could have a break for a few hours," she answered, finding it a little unnerving how Dave's gaze never left hers as she spoke. Most guys she dated were usually more interested in checking out her body than what she had to say. "How about you?"

"About the same really. I just spent some time with my family and relaxed. It was nice catching up with my sister and seeing my niece though," he said, finding it odd that this lively woman would care so much about his mundane life. All of his ex-girlfriends were more interested in hanging off his arm in a nightclub or mixing with his 'cool' wrestling friends.

"How old is your niece?" inquired Kate. She found it quite endearing that his family meant so much to him. Having no real family of her own, she respected that and found it very appealing.

"She'll be seven in July and she's such a little princess," laughed Dave, pulling a stack of photos of the girl from his wallet. "Her name's Dora and she's the apple of her parents' eyes. My sister had a hard time conceiving and Dora was born through IVF, so she really is a little blessing."

"Aww, she's so cute and that's wonderful that your sister managed to have a child. I bet your parents were pleased," cooed the brunette, looking at each of the pictures in turn. Each one featured a dark haired little girl -- some times, she was on her own, but in most of them, she was with family members. The woman Kate assumed to be Dave's sister looked a lot like him. They both had the same chocolate eyes, eyes that Dora had also been lucky to inherit.

"Yeah, my mom was thrilled. But because it's doubtful that Diona will have any more children, she keeps pestering me for grandbabies," the wrestler chuckled, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed at discussing having children with Kate.

The sound engineer blushed too, there was something a little strange about talking about having babies with Dave. The brunette knew she wanted a family of her own eventually, yet it unsettled her discussing it with this man. Is it because he'd make such a great father? she pondered and then wondered where that thought came from since she thought him to be arrogant and quite less than boyfriend material, let alone father material.


When a knock sounded on her hotel room door, Marissa assumed it was just Kate having forgotten her keys and answered it. However, the redhead was shocked to see John Cena standing on the other side. He looked equally surprised to see her too and she wondered why. It was her room after all, so why was it so odd that she'd answered the door.

"Erm… hey Marissa. Is Kate about?" he asked and the video tech's heart fell when she realized the wrestler was actually looking for her friend.

"No, she popped out about an hour ago and hasn't come back yet," replied the redhead, a little dejectedly. "However, I think she'll be back soon, so you can come in and wait if you want?"

Cena was thrown as he'd come to find out from Kate if anything was going on between Batista and Marissa. He certainly hadn't expected the redhead to be there and actually secretly thought she might be with Dave. Now that his suspicions had been proven wrong and Kate wasn't around, he didn't quite know what to do. However, the WWE Champion suddenly found himself very pleased with the situation he'd fallen into. He'd have a chance to chat with Marissa and maybe ask her to dinner -- then he'd know for sure if she was seeing his friend. "Yeah, thanks," he replied stepping into the room.

Marissa wondered why Cena could be after Kate and why he'd agreed to come in if she wasn't even here. For all the wrestler knew, the brunette might not be back for another hour yet. Maybe Cena did like her after all. The redhead sat back on her bed and Cena perched on Kate's, an awkward silence falling between them for a few minutes.

"So, how have you been? Are you over your virus now?" the wrestler asked finally.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks. Spending a few days at home did me a world of good," replied the video tech. "Thanks for bringing me back that night I was really sick, by the way."

"It's no problem at all. I couldn't stand to see you so unwell and I didn't really trust anyone else to bring you back. I'm just glad you're better now," said Cena, surprised at how much he cared about the woman's well being. Suddenly, having not spoken to her for a few days seemed very odd and he wanted to know everything she'd been up to. "So, what did you do when you went home? How's Maddie? She didn't catch your cold, did she?"

Marissa smiled and replied, "No, she didn't thankfully. I think being around so many other kids has built up her immune system. I didn't do much back at home, just rested really and spent time with Maddie. How about you, did you go back to your family?"

"Yeah, I visited my parents and stopped with them for a few days. Oh, and I went fishing with my brother, that was good fun especially when he fell in the river," chuckled Cena and then proceeded to tell her the story about how James had snagged his line and jerked so hard it sent him over the edge and right into the water.

He was feeling a lot more relaxed now. He was glad Marissa had recovered and that her daughter hadn't gotten sick too. In addition, he found the redhead very easy to talk to. Cena caught himself recalling what it had been like spending time with Maryse in the nightclub—the blonde had been so full on and demanding. She couldn't just sit still for a minute and chat with him and she constantly wanted to be on the go and dancing. To be around the video tech now made a refreshing change.

Again, the couple fell silent, not really sure what to say around each other. Marissa was too shy to open up any more about her life; after all, she didn't want to end up crying on Cena's shoulder over how her dad made her feel.

The WWE Champion found himself suddenly lost for words too. Usually he had no problem talking to anyone, yet in Marissa's presence he found himself feeling tongue tied and awkward.

Then, without really thinking why, Cena spoke again, "Hey, Marissa. Seeing as we're both free now, do you fancy going for that meal I promised to take you on?" He didn't know why he said it, it just felt right and he hoped the redhead would say 'yes'.

"Erm… yeah, sure, I'd love to," replied Marissa, a little lost for words. "Can you just give me half an hour to change?"

"Okay, great. How about I come back here in an hour, say?" suggested the wrestler.

"Yeah, that'd be great," returned the video tech.

When Cena left to let Marissa get ready, the redhead instantly grabbed her cell and called Kate. She couldn't believe she'd just agreed to go to dinner with John Cena! Even worse, she had no idea what to wear. The woman sent a hurried text to her friend, before jumping in the shower.

OMG! Cena just asked me out to dinner!! TONIGHT! I have no clue what to wear, call back ASAP!


Sitting in the diner across from Dave Batista, Kate didn't hear her cell go off with the message from Marissa. They were now on their fourth cup of coffee and had been chatting non-stop.

"So, when did you start playing the piano?" Dave asked, after the sound engineer told him about her favourite hobby.

"I started playing when I seven," replied Kate, unsure of how to go on without going into detail about growing up in foster care. "Music has always been a passion of mine. So when I got my hands on an old piano, no one could tear me away from it."

"I'd love to hear you play sometime," said Dave, smiling at how the brunette's eyes lit up when she talked about her hobby. If her playing had half this effect, he really would love to see it.

"Well, maybe the next time we're both back in DC, I'll give you your own showing?" suggested the sound engineer facetiously, although she meant it in a completely innocent way.

"Just as long as I don't have to return the favour by showing you my special talent," joked the wrestler, although he instantly regretted saying that as it sounded so much like an innuendo.

Kate raised a questioning eyebrow and giggled, "Oh, come on, you've gotta tell me what it is now."

"Okay, you've beaten it out of me, but you've got to promise not to laugh," Dave warned before going on. "I'm really into astronomy."

The sound engineer bust out laughing and couldn't speak for all most a minute. It wasn't his interest as much as the thought that popped into her mind that was so funny. Being the loud-mouthed woman she was, the comment jumped right out. "You'll have to show me your telescope one day," she guffawed.

Dave rolled his eyes, but then started chuckling too. "How did I know that comment was coming?"

"Seriously though, do you make star charts and stuff like that?" inquired the brunette.

"No, it's nothing like that. I just enjoy looking at the constellations and monitoring their progress, checking out eclipses and meteor showers. Some times I take pictures of them too," informed the wrestler.

"Wow, that actually sounds quite cool, you'll have to show me sometime," said Kate, "sounds romantic." Big mistake, she thought. Now he's going to really think that I'm interested in him. So much for remaining aloof.


John Cena knocked patiently on Marissa's door. The wrestler had said he would collect the redhead in an hour but, just in case, he didn't return to the hotel room until an hour and a half later.

Marissa was only just ready when the WWE Champion arrived. She'd spent the last sixty minutes - after showering - running around like a headless chicken. She had failed to notice that John was thirty minutes late. If she had, she'd have thought he had stood her up.

Kate had failed to reply to any of the twenty text messages the video tech had left for her and now Marissa was starting to worry about her friend's whereabouts. She'd been gone all afternoon, with no indication of where she was going, who she was with or when she'd be back.

The only thing the redhead could hope was that Kate returned before she left for dinner with Cena. However, that didn't seem like it was going to happen now. Being unable to ignore the wrestler's knocking any longer, the video tech opened the door and was pleasantly surprised when John Cena presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

"These are for you," he said, handing her the deep red roses.

"Oh, thank you, John, they're lovely," she replied, edging back into her room and allowing him to follow. "Just give me a minute to put these in water and leave a note for Kate, then I'll be ready to go."

Cena nodded his head and sat on Kate's bed as Marissa placed the roses in the sink full of water, left a note for her roommate and then grabbed her purse and wrap. Inside, the video tech was a bag of nerves. Cena had really made an effort, dressed in causal cream pants and a navy, short-sleeved shirt. She suddenly felt under-dressed and inferior in merely grey pinstripe pants, an emerald green silk vest and her wrap. However, Cena thought the exact opposite. To him, Marissa looked stunning, with shimmery yet subtle make-up and her hair flicking out at the ends. He really liked how she dressed in a classical way, yet remained sexy too.

The WWE Champion rose from his seat on Kate's bed and offered the redhead his hand. They linked arms in an unusually comfortable fashion and departed.

"So, where are we going?" asked Marissa.

"I managed to book us a table at a little French restaurant two blocks from here, if that's okay with you?" replied Cena.

"Yes, of course it is, it sounds perfect," said the video tech.

"Right, let's go and get a cab then," suggested the wrestler as they entered the elevator.

"If it's only two blocks, we can walk then. It looks so nice outside," she said with a smile.


As Marissa and Cena were heading to the lobby in the elevator, Kate and Batista were going back to the sound engineer's room via the stairs, thereby causing the two couples to miss each other.

"You wanna come in for a bit?" asked Kate, as they reached her room and she slipped in her key card.

"Yeah, sure," replied Dave.

They walked in and took a seat on Kate's bed when the brunette realized Marissa wasn't there.

"I guess she got bored waiting for me and went out for a walk or something," mused the sound engineer aloud. Secretly, she was glad her roommate wasn't there; she'd quite like to spend some more time alone with Batista.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon enough though," said the wrestler, hoping the redhead would take her time getting back from where ever she was. "Do you mind if I use your rest room?"

When Kate nodded her head, Batista walked through the semi-open door next to the closet but came out two seconds later.

"Erm, why is there a bunch of roses in your sink?" he asked.

"I have no idea, they weren't there when I left," replied Kate. "Do they have a card attached?"

"No, it looks as though all the wrappings have been taken off," answered the wrestler, stepping back into the room as Kate stood to look through the trash to find them or the card.

"Well, blow me. You're never gonna believe this, but Cena has taken Marissa out for dinner," said the sound engineer, handing Batista the redhead's note.

"Well, I'll be damned. We spent all that time worrying about them and they sorted things out on their own," laughed Dave.

"Yeah, I guess that proves that if you leave a situation alone, it works itself out eventually," commented the brunette.

Kate and Dave laughed at how they'd spent a whole afternoon trying to work out how to get Marissa and Cena together only for them to do it of their own accord. However, neither person felt the afternoon had been a waste. Both had enjoyed each other's company and liked getting to know one another a little better.

"Do you think one of us should call Maryse and tell her?" Dave mused.

Kate was feeling a little vindictive. "After what she said to me last Monday, let her think John stood her up."


Marissa and Cena reached the restaurant and headed inside, where the wrestler confirmed the reservation for a table for two. The maitre d' led them to a small candle-lit table, which overlooked the local river. He took Marissa and Cena's drink orders before leaving them to browse the menu.

"Oh, everything looks so lovely, I don't know what to have," cooed Marissa.

"Well, have anything you like, dinner is on me," replied Cena.

"No, I can't let you do that, John," protested the redhead.

"Really, it's alright. I promised I'd take you to dinner, so I'm going to make sure I do it properly," insisted the wrestler.

"Okay, if you insist," conceded the video tech.

As their order for a bottle of white wine was brought over, the couple placed their request for starters. As they waited for their food to arrive, the WWE Champion asked the redhead how Maddie was getting on at school.

"Really well, thanks. She really loves it there and she's so bright," cooed Marissa.

"Aww, that's great. I bet she keeps you busy though," he said.

"Oh, yes. Her new obsession is wrestling figures. A few days ago she wanted a Shawn Michaels one so that he could marry Barbie," laughed the redhead.

"I hope you gave her a figure of me instead," joked the wrester.

Marissa giggled and replied, "No, I can't do that. I couldn't bear to see you have you legs ripped off."

"Ouch, that sounds worse than facing The Great Khali. We better not let McMahon hear us talking about that, or my opponent for Wrestlemania will be a giant five-year-old," said Cena facetiously.

"I though it already was," teased the redhead.

"I'll tell Dave you said that about him," warned the WWE Champion. Both people started tittering at the mental image of Batista walking around with his hair in braids holding a huge Barbie doll.

When their starters arrived - Marissa having sautéed goat's cheese wrapped in pancetta and Cena choosing asparagus tarts with thyme and balsamic vinaigrette - the couple fell quiet as they ate and conversation didn't resume until after the plates were cleared away.

"You know, I'd like to meet Maddie. She sounds like such a sweet kid," said Cena, topping both their glasses with more wine.

"Trust me, you don't. She'll have you giving her piggy-back rides around the yard for hours," replied Marissa, unsure she'd want her daughter meeting the WWE Champion when they weren't even dating yet.

"Piggy-back rides I can handle, it's when they try to put make-up on you that I run away. Every time I visit my brother, my niece has to do a make-over on me," chuckled the wrestler.

"Well, Maddie does that too. Her favourite target is usually Kate's dog, Xerxes. The last time I was home, she had the poor animal wearing bows on his ears," laughed the redhead.

Cena smiled, liking how Marissa's green eyes lit up when she laughed. As the redhead re-filled their glasses again, the main course was brought over and talking ceased once more and they tucked in, enjoying the delicious food. Cena's meal was pork skewers marinated with sage and red pepper flakes and Marissa's was beef with garlic, shallot and parsley sauce.

"So, do you only have the one sibling?" the redhead inquired as their plates were taken away.

"No, there's my older brother, but I also have a younger sister too," replied the wrestler. "How about you?"

"I have a younger sister too, but I don't see her much as she's at University in England," informed the video tech.

"Damn, I bet that sucks," commented the brown-haired man.

"Not really, we don't get on when we're together for long stretches of time. Besides, I have Kate, she's like a sister to me," said Marissa.

The main course was cleared away and the dessert brought over as the couple finished off the bottle of wine. Cena and Marissa had decided to share summer berries gratin and both tucked in, enjoying the sweet taste of the fruits.

"Do you want another bottle of wine?" asked the wrestler, as they finished their dessert.

"No thanks, unless you do," replied Marissa.

"I'm not really bothered, so how about we just have coffee?" suggested Cena.

When the video tech agreed, they ordered coffee and continued to chat. "So, where do you think Kate could have gotten to?" inquired the wrestler.

"Honestly, I don't know, but I hope she was with Dave. Those two would be so good for each other," replied the redhead.

"Well, Dave's phone has been off for most of the day and he wasn't in his hotel room," informed the WWE Champion. "So there's a chance they might be together."

When the couple had finished their coffees, Cena paid the bill and they rode in a cab back to the hotel. The wrestler walked Marissa back to her hotel room and they stopped just outside the door to say goodnight.

"Thanks for a lovely evening, John. I had a really great time," said Marissa, placing her hand lightly on his arm.

"It was my pleasure, Marissa, and next time I won't leave it so long before I take you out again," he replied, closing the gap between them.

"Well, I guess I'll see you at work then," said the redhead, feeling butterflies building in her stomach.

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. You sleep well and take care," said the wrestler, placing his hands lightly on the woman's waist.

"You too, John," the video tech whispered.

Cena then leant in a placed a light kiss on Marissa's lips, gradually tightening his embrace on her waist and pulling her petite frame closer to his. The redhead sighed, feeling the warmth coming from the wrestler's lips and shuddered at the feel of his muscular body pressed against her own. Then slowly, the couple broke apart, Cena leaving lingering kisses on Marissa's wine tasting lips. As the wrestler waved and headed back to his own room, the redhead fell against the door, finding herself short of breath. Wow,she sighed.