Meant To Be: Chapter Twelve

I am in repair.

It was early in the afternoon; Ella knew there was no need to worry about being bothered by anyone. She'd arrived for the Raw tapings an hour ago, she'd spent her time wandering around backstage getting reacquainted with her surroundings – basking in the quiet before the storm. For some reason she'd been drawn to the ramp, being one of the few around she'd wandered down to the ring. Against her better judgment she had climbed into the ring. Sat in the middle of the mat she was staring up into the rafters of the arena. She was in one of those rare reflective moods. Having spent the better part of the first week back at work in Stamford rushed off her feet, she thought she was quite deserving of this thoughtful moment.

It was official; she'd got past her first year on the road. Albeit somewhat scathed in the process, she'd managed to come out on the other side relatively well. To say it'd been eventful would have been a major understatement. She'd encountered many a bump on her way. But today was a fresh start. She'd been off the road for just over two months, her own fault though, not out of choice. But as she sighed looking up to the rafters she wondered if she could have done anything to change the events of the year gone by. Though as soon as the thought entered her mind she already knew the answer.

She mulled over the run down of the evenings events, between memories of the last year gone by. A sudden blast of music from the speakers brought her back to reality with a sharp shock. If by some ironic twist of fate, simply put upon her to remind her. The arena came to life with the sound of 'I Walk Alone' – Dave's entrance music, despite Smackdown being the following night in another town. Ella rolled her eyes; somebody up there was having a good laugh at her expense.

Dave Batista, where could she start?

To begin with it was simply some harmless flirting – Ella had been flattered by the attention. She didn't consider herself to be what she though herself as a 'look twice' girl. That coupled with the lifts from the arena to the hotel she didn't think anything of it. He was married, and like a lot of the guys backstage got by with the odd flirtatious quip. There was also the fact he was so much older than her, so Ella didn't feel as guilty because in her head nothing could come of it. But as things progressed Ella soon started to feel out of her depth. That coupled by the whispers backstage and wanting to protect her professional integrity, she'd distanced herself from Dave. She could remember the night that triggered it all.

She'd been about to turn around and head back to check up on the status of her next promo when she heard her name being mentioned in conversation. She quickly stuck her head around the corner and saw two female crewmembers packing up equipment. She quickly stepped back and listened curious to know why her name was being mentioned.

"Did you see him the other day?" The first one asked.

"I know, he waited around until she was finished just so he could take her back to the hotel."

"Isn't he married?"

"Yeah, but he doesn't wear his ring."

"Doesn't stop her though."

"What do you mean?"

"She knows he's married, I saw him introduce her to his wife at one of the pay per views."

The second woman mulled this over, "Hmm, though I can't say I blame her. Have you seen that guys chest?"

Ella stood horrified as the two women continued their discussion on Ella's supposed love life. Unsure of what to do next she slipped back around the corner, thankful that her eavesdropping had gone unnoticed. Still with the talk of whispers of her and Dave going around in her head she tried to get in the mind frame for the promo ahead of her. Which just so happened to involve Dave. She wanted it over with; the less time she had with him the less chance of people talking.

But there was no avoiding him. He was sat in her chair.

Dave looked up from the newspaper in his hands at the sound of her name, "Ella." He greeted giving her a lazy grin that suggested that there was more to it than a simple greeting.

Ella managed to plaster a smile to her face, "Hi." Was her simple yet curt reply as she brushed past him.

Noticing the sudden change in her behavior, and knowing all too well she wasn't like this in their earlier promo he stopped her before she could walk away.

"Ella, are you ok?"

Being in such close proximity to him, knowing that those around them could misconstrue the situation caused the smile on her face the falter.

"No, no. I'm fine Dave." She replied unable to look him in the eye.

Dave wasn't buying it.

"Have I done something to offend you?" He asked frustrated with Ella's behavior.

"Ye- No. No you haven't Dave." She panicked trying to cover her somewhat truthful omission. "You've done nothing."

But it was too late; he'd heard it in her voice. Nothing she was going to say was going to change it.

"You know what Ella, suit yourself."

"Dave." She pleaded.

"Forget it."

With one wave of his hand he'd dismissed her and was sat in position for the start of the promo. Ella being in charge had no choice but to go back to her position and try and get the promo rolling on time.

After that it was somewhat easy to encourage the distance between them. She declined lifts to the hotel in favor of telling him she had paperwork to do. When in truth there weren't any impending deadlines like she told him. She had meetings whenever he asked if she was free for lunch. And she ordered room service when she knew he would be downstairs for breakfast. Waiting for her like he would be most mornings the night after Smackdown tapings.

Finally he stopped asking all together and though it wracked her with guilt for purposely ignoring him it'd silenced the whispers backstage. For a while it quelled her conscious to know she wasn't doing anything inappropriate with a married man. But only fuelled her guilty conscience more for knowing she could have avoided the whole thing if she'd behaved appropriately from the beginning.

Not wanting to explain to Dave as to why she was avoiding him she'd chosen to remain distant. Even when he pushed things she remained steadfast. She only faltered twice, the first was the night he injured himself. She'd been hanging around backstage, after wrapping Smackdown to go over the production schedule for the following weeks show. It was then all hell broke lose.

"CLEAR THE BACK ROOM!" Came the cry. Ella was swept aside to make room for the team that had just burst through the door to the room she was working in.

She hadn't been prepared for the sight of Dave being bundled into the room and perched on her desk. He looked helpless as people milled around him shouting medical terms. While others called for phone calls to be made to the higher ups in Stamford. But she wasn't paying attention to any of that as she clutched the folder in her arms. The pooled tears around his eyes threatening to fall didn't go amiss by Ella.

She stepped through the crowd to stand next to him.

"What happened?" She all but whispered.

He smiled at the sight of her despite their recent conflict. It was better than the crewmembers and medics building up a storm around him.

"A move went wrong."

"Your arm?" Ella asked pointing to his shoulder, which was covered by his large hand.

He nodded, "It's not official but by the sounds of things, and the feel of things." He winced holding onto his shoulder tighter. "I think I've torn something."

"Does it hurt?" The innocence of the question and the concern on her face made him wonder what it was he'd done that had caused her to back away from him so often. They spoke, though not often enough for his liking.

The pain in his shoulder was enough to stop his train of thought. He was too tiered to go over it again. Though he would remember this moment, it had been the closest she'd allowed herself to be to him in a long while.

"Don't worry," Dave replied with a smile a wink. "I'm a brave boy."

Before Ella could respond she was ushered out of the room with her belongings to make way for the doctor. She cringed when she heard him scream in agony.

Two days later it was announced he would have to rehab his shoulder. It meant a complete change of storyline, but luckily they had plenty of time to work it out. Giving them enough time to forward plan future shows. Until Dave would come off the road for rehab they gave him a lighter load to carry.

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No one could have prepared themselves for the events that followed, let alone predict them. She, like many of the senior crewmembers early that morning had received the phone from Steph.

Eddie Guerrero had passed away.

Within the space of two short hours Ella had arranged a set for testimonials to be recorded and helped Stephanie organize a run down for the evening.

At first she'd felt selfish mourning a man she'd known for a little under a year. Especially while there were others around her that had known him both professionally and personally for much longer. She may have only known him only a little under a year, but he'd managed to make her feel like she'd known him her whole life. When he would talk to you he would like you were the only person in the room. He'd make you feel at ease no matter how difficult the situation.

She would always look forward to his promos; he'd make work fun. She would often find him sat in her directors seat taking a stab at her job. Directing both crew and wrestlers, often leading to comical events. Due to the high profile storylines he was in it'd meant more promos with Ella. It was how she got to know a lot about him.

She'd always remember him running up to her in the corridor one afternoon before Smackdown. The excitement in his eyes was electric. He'd guided her back to catering with the information he'd be asked to pass along, which as he had said was of the 'utter most importance'; she couldn't help but think there was something untoward going on.

She'd been right; there in the middle of catering was a selection from both brands of crew and superstars with a birthday cake for her. She didn't know how they managed to pull it together, or who tipped them off it was her birthday. But she was so honored that they would go to this trouble for her that she didn't have time to think it over.

She wanted perfection. She wanted nothing below the best. Her last gift to a man who'd touched the heart of thousands without even knowing it. And how much he meant to people, and that with just his smile he could brighten so many lives. In Ella's eyes Eddie Guerrero deserved no less than perfection.

The testimonials were to be filmed in a private room backstage at the arena. She was readying the set when John shuffled in, a sharp contrast to his normal energetic entrances. He would always ask Ella how she knew he was coming, to which she would reply that anyone in a mile radius could hear him coming in their direction.

Ella dropped the stack of boxes in her hands she was moving when she saw him enter the room. Dusting off her hands she crossed the room to meet him. John placed his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. He was thankful for the baseball cap he wore. It was pulled down enough so Ella wouldn't be able to see his tear rimmed eyes.

"You ok John?"

"Yeah," He replied, "You? Are you ok?"

"I'm ok thank you."

"Good." They stood in silence until John spoke again, "I heard they're going to start the video testimonials soon."

"Yeah," Ella choked, "I'm overseeing them."

"They made a good choice."

"Sorry?" Ella asked not sure she understood what he was saying.

"Back in the locker-room, we heard the discussion over who would handle the filming. When we heard it was you we knew that they'd chosen then right person."

"Thank you." She replied. "You think you're ready to go first?" She tentatively asked.

He nodded as he sat in the seat in front of Ella, who sat just out of shot. It was only Ella and the cameraman in the room. Despite this to John it still felt over crowded.

"When you're ready John." She quietly assured him, "Ok?"

He mumbled a response. Ella saw him take a deep breath before he removed his hat. She watched as he tried to summarize what he could, about a man that had been a huge influence and support for him since starting with the WWE.

Once finished, he stood to leave. Not wanting to hang around he pulled his cap back on and turned to leave. Ella quickly stood, and stepped in front of him stopping him from leaving. He allowed her to remove the cap that covered half his face, revealing the tears that were already staring to fall.

"Don't." John replied, "I'm not–"

She knew what he was trying to say; he was supposed to be the 'champ'. Be a representation of the company, a demonstration of solidarity for others. But it was merely a screen of bravado meant to stop him from crumbling.

"It's okay you know John. You don't have to hide it."

His hands dug into the fabric of her shirt. The force of the hug left her winded, but Ella wasn't going to make no sign that she was uncomfortable. She soothed him with whispers and when they'd pulled away she resisted the urge to kiss his cheek. Though he didn't show as much restraint, leaning forward he placed a kiss on her temple.

"Thank you Ella." She smiled sweetly as he brushed the tears away with the sleeves of his hoodie. "You better not go telling people I was bawling." He laughed trying to make light of the situation.

"Cross my heart." Was her simple, but meaningful reply as she watched him leave the room.

She thought she'd be able to cope with the following recordings. But each testimonial there after was heartbreaking for Ella. She listened to the prayers and thanks people gave Eddie. The sight of these larger than life characters breaking down broke her heart. She wanted nothing more than to sweep them all into a tight hug and never let go.

Chris Benoits' testimonial had been hard to sit through. She felt the tears stream down her cheeks as he detailed their history together. It tore at her to know she would have to edit it down for the show. She wished she could play them all, and show how much he would be missed by those who knew him the best.

Dave had walked in while Steph finished her memorial. Once finished she'd hugged Ella finishing a story of Eddie from her childhood. He waited until the two women pulled apart and softly cleared his throat to announce his presence.

Once Steph had left, he sat on the chair in front of Ella. He dropped the belt in his hands to the floor, without so much as a glance or care as to where it had landed. Looking up from her clipboard she saw the heavy sigh on his shoulders. She clutched the clipboard to her chest; it was a means to stop her reaching out to him. She sat down in her own seat.

"When you're ready, ok Dave?"

When it was over she silently signaled to the cameraman to cut and he quickly went about gathering new film. Dave was still sat slumped in the chair; the heartbreaking testimonial to a friend lost had taken it out of him. Watching his shoulders drop again with another heavy sigh, Ella took the brazen move to step over the tangle of wires and crouched down in front of him. Silently she reached up and removed the sunglasses from his eyes.

Ella, for that moment didn't care what people backstage thought, or the gossip that had left her avoiding him at all costs. It was the second time she allowed her resolve to weaken.

"I'm sorry." She surprised herself by the omission. What shocked her even more was the fact she leant up and brushed a stray tear from his face.

Dave gave her a sad smile as he covered her hand with his stopping her momentarily from taking it away. He said nothing. Just choosing to simply nod before he stood from the chair leaving Ella still crouched on the floor.

After packing up Ella was at a loss as to what she was supposed to do that evening. Steph hadn't asked for her nor had Shane. So she was surprised when Vince rushed past ushering her with him to the entrance ramp.

She panicked as she hurried alongside him, "What? Vince I'm not handling the outside shots."

"I want you out there."

"Sorry?"

He stopped mid stride, Ella could picture the fiery look that would be on his face once he turned around. But instead it was a soft and somber expression that met her.

"He cared a lot to everyone, not just those he paired off with in the ring Ella. I want people to see how much we care for him too. I want you out on the ramp with us. No exceptions. I want everyone out there."

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Just when things were getting back on track something else had come and spun her off course. For the past couple of weeks she had been discussing in great length with Stephanie about cutting her workload. They had been drawing up drafts for Ella to be situated with one brand and bringing someone in to cover the other.

So when an unscheduled meeting with Stephanie in Stamford came up, which she'd marked in the memo to Ella as being of the utter most importance. She couldn't help but wonder if something would be changing in those plans.

A panicked Ella had only time to stop by her apartment to pick up her mail before arriving at WWE headquarters where a grinning Paul met her.

"What are you so happy about?" Ella asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"Oh nothing." He'd replied and Ella turned back to look at the elevator doors as they closed.

"Hang on." She said moment's later, realization hitting her. "You're supposed to be at a Raw event today!" She said as the doors opened on the fifth and top floor.

"Change of plans." He responded allowing her to walk out the elevator first.

"Are you following me?" She asked as he stopped behind her at Steph's office and again he responded with a smile. Which instead of comforting Ella unsettled her even more.

When Ella left Steph and Paul and when she knew she was out of sight, she let the smile she'd been holding drop as she called for the elevator. She was happy for them, of course she was; they were expecting their first child. But the opening words to Steph's announcement still rang in her head.

"I know I promised you that you'd be getting a lighter work load." Steph said stepping around her desk. "And we would place you solely onto one brand. But something's come up. We're going to have to ask a little more of you for a while longer I'm afraid."

Ella would have been worried sick if it weren't for the huge beaming smile across both Steph's and Paul's faces. Maybe Ella should have seen it coming, looking back all the signs were there. It was just that she was too busy to put two and two together. But here Steph was telling Ella that she needed her more now than ever, and couldn't imagine anyone else stepping into her shoes other than Ella herself.

What else could she say apart from yes?

It was hard for Ella to wrap her head around. For the past weeks she'd reveled in the promised luxury of free weekends and no more red eye flights. Ella was going to take over some of Steph's duties at ringside and backstage. On top of her own work whenever Steph wouldn't be able to attend. And when the moment came Ella would be helping Shane, who would be heading up creative meetings and over seeing storylines in lieu of Steph.

Ella just hoped she could survive it, and she had, so far. It'd been easy to juggle everything to begin with because Steph was doing pretty much everything she usually did. But then it quickly became obvious Steph couldn't cope. And despite her protests, which weren't a pretty sight. Steph had handed over most of her daily duties to Ella at the request of both her parents and Paul. Ella then had to spend a good two hours promising Steph she would still come to her for help knowing it was a downright lie. Knowing all too well she wouldn't ask for help no matter how many times she assured Steph.

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Meanwhile Dave had pushed himself in the wake of Eddie's death. Vince had given him the option of leaving for rehab, but he'd declined in favor of carrying the belt for that bit longer. It wasn't about pride – to Dave it was about doing what was right. Everyone had soon learnt that the belt would have gone to Eddie. Knowing this only further confirmed Dave's choice to stay. But he'd pushed himself too far and was at the risk of permanent injury. There was no longer a second option to choose from.

Her heart broke as he watched him step from behind the curtains, his shoulders heavy despite leaving the belt in the ring. She managed to catch his eye as many of the crew shook hands with him and wished him the best of luck with his recovery. He'd paused momentarily – so many questions he wanted to ask her but at the same time too tiered to go through with it. Instead he smiled sadly and hoisted his bag onto his shoulder to take the time off to rehab his shoulder.

It was an extended leave of absence that lasted just over six months.

Normally an upheaval such as that wouldn't have bothered Ella in the slightest as it wouldn't concern her. But now she had some of Steph's added responsibilities on her plate, it meant the workload and the stress load started to pick up pace and she was struggling behind to catch up.

Ella would have been lying if she'd said her time on the road hadn't started to get to her. Things were getting further strained week by week and she'd snapped at several people in the weeks before her impromptu leave, which was in its self was uncharacteristic of her. It should have been a sign that she should start to slow down; she'd had plenty of them already. But things were already starting to go down hill, and fast.

It was a pity she didn't see the signs until she was stopped dead in her tracks and hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed.

It was not long after Wrestlemania twenty-two had passed. Ella, as usual was pushing her self past her limit backstage at Raw. She'd pushed herself so far in the run up to the pay per view. So much so that now her body was starting to cave needing to recoup from the late nights, early starts and the endless steam of factors that contributed to her sickness.

Ella thought it was simply the flu and would shake it off in a couple of days. So instead of bothering herself with the doctor she loaded herself up with some vitamin C tablets, made sure to take her supplements daily and attempted to eat more vegetables.

"Ella you should slow down, you're going to make yourself sick." Trish chided. She like a lot of people backstage had noticed she was under the weather. She was rarely seen without her cell phone stuck to her ear. And always on to something else before the last task was even finished.

"I'm fine." She replied brushing away Trish's comment with a wave of her hand.

"You don't look fine, and you certainly don't sound fine." She retorted as she watched Ella maneuver around her, pushing and pulling things out of shot.

"Trish I'm fine." Though the hacking cough that emitted soon after didn't do much to back up her statement.

"Just be careful! You should get someone else to do this." She watched Ella stumble to one of the chairs propped against the wall. "Are you going to be ok? I can hang around for a while. "

"No, no." Ella said waving her off, "I'll be fine."

Trish bit her lip; she knew better and knew she should stay. But she could see that her lingering presence was starting to rile her. Her promo finished half an hour ago but she'd stuck around to keep a watchful eye on Ella.

"Ok. Give me a shout before you leave ok?"

Ella nodded as she watched Trish walk off thankful that she had five minutes to herself. She'd sat herself down to try to catch her breath before she had to get the next promo prepared. She was now finding the smallest things draining. Moving the set around had wiped her out.

Trish had stopped on her way back to the locker room to talk to John. He was on his way to film his next promo with Ella. It was then they both heard the cries for a medic. It had come from where Trish had left and where John was heading. Both exchanged worried glances before running in the direction of the chaos.

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Ella had woken with a groan, which was further enhanced by the sight of Steph at her bedside. She lifted her hand to her face and was surprised to find an IV strapped to her.

"Eurgh, what's this for?" She asked inspecting the tube. The scratchy texture of her voice surprised her. "What am I doing here?"

Steph cleared her throat, "They said you were dehydrated. Ella," She sniffed. She'd composed herself by now. Paul hadn't allowed her into the room until she'd stopped crying. "You should have told me."

Ella was silent as she looked up to the ceiling, "I'm sorry."

"I should have known!" Steph said chastising herself.

It was then she had to admit to Steph, and mostly to herself. That she wasn't coping with the dual workload.

"No, you shouldn't. It's my fault. I'm too stubborn"

"They're pushing for you to take some time off. I want you to take some time off." Ella nodded disappointedly, it wasn't what she wanted but the decision wasn't hers to make anymore. "I signed you off for sick leave as of this morning, indefinitely. Until you're 100 and you can cope physically and mentally with being on the road."

Ella's leave had left a gaping hole in production. But Vince had solved the problem flawlessly with a click of his fingers. He'd been looking for a way to get involved even more so than he already was. So instead of replacing Ella, both he and Shane had stepped in and covered her duties on both shows.

So in her time off she went home and dusted down the rooms she'd not seen in weeks. Made a long overdue visit to her parents, visited her brothers and babysat her nieces and nephews. And tried desperately to switch off and focus on herself. And to hope there would still be a job for her upon her return.

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As she sat watching those around her run from set to stage and back again a comforting feeling washed over her. She was home, and it was good to be back. She climbed through the ropes and stepped down onto the steel steps making sure to be careful for the heels she wore. The whole point of her time away, as explained to her by Vince, at her first meeting back at Stamford. Was to use the events of the past year as a learning curve. He hadn't been happy to find out she'd ducked out of accepting help. But he understood her reasons; well at least he told her he'd tried to.

When she'd returned that morning nothing had been changed – she was still in charge of both Smackdown and Raw's creative productions. In fact one of her first jobs was to make a rundown of advertising promos for the next pay per view. But Steph assured her she was working on a solution. Only the trouble was she couldn't find anyone as good to fill the space Ella would leave when she joined one brand solely.

Stepping down onto solid ground she brushed down the front of her trousers before walking up the runway. Reaching the top she stopped and turned back to look down at the ring. It looked so much smaller, even from a small distance away. She wondered what it was like for the men and women backstage to step out there every night. Was it as thrilling as the first time? It still amazed her what went on in that ring night after night.

"There's a sight for sore eyes." Ella knew there'd be a grin on the face of the voice that came from behind her.

"Hey Mr. Champ!"

Just as she knew it, John stood behind her with a grin from ear to ear.

"I thought we'd never see you again! Come here!"

Ella allowed him to pull her into a hug, but wasn't expecting to be lifted off her feet as he spun her around.

"Wow, the room's definitely spinning." She laughed as John pulled her into another hug only seconds after the first. "Whoa, hang on a minute, I'm waiting for the room to stop spinning. Wow, I was only gone a couple of weeks."

"A couple of weeks? More like months! Too many! You better have been looking after yourself! No one told me you'd be back today!" They'd kept in touch during her leave but it made all the difference being there talking to him rather than over the phone.

"No one knew." Ella said as she walked with John back through the curtains and down the steps to the main area. "So what you doing hanging around here?"

"I heard a rumor there was someone very much like our favorite creative producer was hanging around the ring. Thought I'd see if the rumors were true."

"Here in the flesh."

"So what have they been doing with you for the past month that required your services else where than here with the wrestling monkeys?" He said, implying he knew that her sick leave had finished a few weeks back and had been working at the Stamford offices from her desk.

"Wrestling monkeys?" Ella raised an eyebrow as John led her into catering. He knew her well enough to know she'd need her caffeine fix before show time.

"Wrestling monkeys." John repeated again for her as they made their way to the coffee machine.

"I swear you made a lot more sense before I left."

John shrugged as he picked up a cup for Ella's coffee, "See, that's what happens when you leave Miss. Lewis, we all went a little crazy."

Her friendship with John had grown at a steady pace. But in the midst of helping Steph and filming outside productions and promos, she'd barely had time to see him. His popularity with the fans reflected in the projects the WWE were throwing him into. She'd yet to see the fruits of his labor in the shape of 'The Marine'. But John promised her he would treat her to a special Ella only premiere of his film, after she was unable to attend the original first nights showing.

"Am I still cool if I admit I missed you guys too?"

"It'll be our secret." John said pocketing the last of the sweeteners from the tray and two stirrers. Picking up the two cups of coffee he'd just filled he gestured for Ella to follow him, "Come on."

They both sat at one of the tables opposite one another. Ella watched as John removed the lid of her coffee and added the cream and sweeteners, before giving it a stir and pushing it over to her.

"Thank you."

"Cream and sweeteners? You haven't changed your coffee since you've gone have you?" John asked as Ella took a tentative sip. "Because I'm not getting you another."

Ella laughed placing her cup down on the table, deciding it was too hot to chance drinking. "No, still the same. I wasn't gone that long."

"Yes it was! You've been gone ages!" He stressed. "What were they doing to you up in Stamford?"

"Not much, running over future promos. Steph wants me to have an assistant."

"An assistant?"

"Hmm." She replied stirring her coffee despite John already doing so. It was still a sore subject since Steph started pestering her about it weeks back.

"Didn't like Vince's assistant much." He admitted after a silent pause.

"How so?"

"Where do I start?"

"The beginning maybe?"

"Smart. I didn't miss the sarcasm."

"Carry on John, I'll be quiet."

"So we're there, first day and there's a promo."

"As there usually is."

"I thought you said you were going to be quiet?"

Ella smirked as she held her hands up in defense. "I couldn't help it. Sorry."

"Hmm, as I was saying. It was the week after you left and we get little Miss. Edith coming in to oversee my promo in place of Vince. I come over and I'm all like 'Hey Edie, I'm John Cena. Blah blah, nice to meet you, rah rah, so on and so forth'. She turns to me and scowls. Get this," He leant across the table wide eyed and arms up in the air. "She calls me Mr. Cena."

Ella cocked an eyebrow, taking another attempt at her coffee. "What's wrong with that? I call you Mr. Cena."

"Yeah but you don't say it in a weird authoritarian way like she did."

Ella let out a low whistle, "Big word."

"Will you let me finish my story?" Ella leant her head on her hand as she propped her elbow on the table. She'd missed this. The joy of finding out that it felt like she'd never left made her feel like she was meant to be there. She was surprisingly feeling more at home backstage than she'd been anywhere else for a long time.

"Carry on, by all means."

"So she's like Mr. Cena, if you care to address me it's Edith. Or if you wish Miss. Thomas, I don't care for abbreviations of my name. So I was like, well Miss. Thomas our Miss. Lewis sure doesn't walk around with a stick up her ass."

"You didn't?"

"Oh I so did! Did my promo and left. Turns out she'd been the same with a lot of the guys. Then you should hear what she did to the Divas!"

Ella by now was wide eyed in anticipation, "What? What did she do?"

John looked at his watch; "They'll be needing me soon."

"John stuff the time! What did she do? I've been away so long! Though I find it hard to believe I'm gossiping with you!"

"Thought you didn't favor the gossip circles?" John asked eyeing her with a grin of suspicion. He'd heard her rant many a time about gossip circles. He too had heard Ella's name mentioned previously. Though he would never tell her in which capacity.

"Well…" Ella drawled, "I just like to know what's going on that's all." She replied trying not to sound too much like a hypocrite.

John laughed leaning back in his chair. He tried to find the words to articulate his worry at her absence. "Miss. Lewis, don't ever leave us again." Was all he could manage.

Ella cocked her head to the side curiously, "Why's that?"

John stood from the table bringing his coffee with him and smiled at the confused smile on Ella's face. Resisting the urge to brush away the stray strands of hair from her eyes John held on tighter to his cup of coffee.

"Just don't ever change." He said and Ella pursed her lips in thought, which again John couldn't resist smiling at.

She really had no idea.

"Well I have to be off now Miss. Lewis, but I'm sure I shall be gracing you with my presence later this evening."

Before Ella could reply he'd winked at her but not before patting her head as he left. Ella twisted in her seat to watch him turn out of catering. But it was a while before she could no longer hear him as he hollered down the corridor to various people. Ella shook her head as she picked up her now cooled coffee and held it to her lips.

Not minutes later his voice chorused through catering again.

"Hey Ella!" She was surprised to find him jogging back to the table.

"Thought you were going somewhere?" Ella laughed.

"Come out with me tonight?"

"Huh?"

"Dinner? A movie? Hell even a drink in the bar would be good!"

"I've got work." She protested.

"Ella." He propped his hand on his hip and waved a nagging finger in her direction. "You don't have to travel anywhere, don't use that excuse. Smackdown is in the same town tomorrow – you don't have to go anywhere."

"John–"

"Say yes."

She rolled her eyes, "Yes." She drawled trying to suppress a smile.

"It's been a pleasure Miss. Lewis." He bowed before bolting back out of the room in the opposite direction of where he'd originally been on his way to.

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John had left Ella an hour ago muttering he needed his beauty sleep. Ella thought it might have had something to do with the fact she was drinking him under the table and wasn't feeling the effects either. Tomorrow night would be her first night back at Smackdown. Considering how well the night's events had gone at Raw Ella was looking forward to it. Plus it meant that the following morning they would all be flying out to Europe, which she was ecstatic over. Despite Steph trying to get her to stay, fearing it might be too much for her.

Sipping the last of her drink she replied to the last text message she'd received on her phone. It was from her brother Ryan, another message begging for tickets for the next pay per view, followed by a somewhat sincere enquiry to her health. After promising she would look into it she stifled a yawn and hopped down from the stool.

Despite only being in the hotel lobby she pulled her cardigan over her shirt after feeling the cold breeze from the main doors. It was while she was walking to the elevators when Dave stumbled past with a blonde attached to his arm. It was hard not to know it was Dave. The six foot something frame and the larger than life physique gave it away. There was something else she couldn't mistake either, the drunken swagger. The stories of his drunken escapades had been circling the locker rooms and Ella was all too familiar with them, as they'd traveled by mouth to the offices. Though she didn't believe them until now.

They not so elegantly brushed past her, the blonde's elbow hitting her in the side before letting out a screech of laughter. Ella recognized her as one of the Diva's from ECW. Which for the sake of sanity she'd thanked Steph for making her father bring in someone else, rather than make Ella cover the production. Which had initially been the original plan much to Ella's horror.

"Excuse me." Ella muttered under her breath.

Dave managed to turn around; surprised to find it was Ella they'd knocked into.

"Ella." He spoke before the sober part of his mind registered that he'd spoken. Even in his drunk stupor he knew he should have just carried on.

"Dave." Ella nervously replied tucking her hair behind her ear. She wasn't sure why nerves suddenly struck her. Though she summarized it may have had something to do with the striking blonde swinging off his arm.

"You're back." Again he still couldn't understand why his mouth was moving, but yet his feet wouldn't carry him to his room.

"Hmm," Ella replied, herself wondering also why she was engaging in conversation. She swung her purse onto her shoulder chewing at her bottom lip. "So are you. Your arm ok?"

Dave opened his mouth to reply, the simplicity of her question for some reason ignited the flame inside him and his eyes darkened.

"What does it matter?" Dave slurred as he tried to balance the woman beside him, "You've made it clear you don't want to know me." The bitterness of the words off of his tongue only served as a reminder to Ella that this situation had been her doing.

"Dave, please don't make things more difficult than they already are." She knew she had no right to ask this of him. But found herself doing so in order to try and prevent a scene.

He leant down to look her in the eye, "Darling you did that all yourself, for whatever godforsaken idea, it was all you."

Ella stood steady as she stared back at Dave despite the fact he still had on his sunglasses. She knew better than to argue with a drunk person and reached around him for the call button of the elevator. This was a conversation for another time and another place.

Stepping around him and into the lift she issued her farewell before the doors shut on her, "Goodnight Dave."

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The last thing she wanted to do before going to bed was think about Dave Batista. Instead she focused on getting herself to bed. Before she could pull her shoes off the shrill ringing of her cell phone interrupted her.

"I just want to take my shoes off." She muttered reaching for the phone. "Hello Ella Lewis." She answered not bothering to look at caller ID.

"Hey Ella."

"Hi Steph." Ella replied slipping the phone under her chin so she could take off her shoes. "What's happening?" Ella knew she was ringing to check up on her but wouldn't make it known.

"I'm just ringing to see if you're all set up for the flight to Europe tomorrow."

"Steph you shouldn't have gone to the trouble, you've got a baby to look after."

"Well the baby is a piece of cake next to Paul." Ella couldn't help but smile at Steph's infectious laughter. "But anyway – I don't want you to end up getting ill again pushing yourself too far. I didn't help matters much before so I want to do something now to prevent another meltdown."

"Steph–"

"Ella, I know things aren't as rosy as they used to be but we'll fix it I promise."

"Thank you."

"I just want you to stay healthy. You scared us quite a bit before." Steph said referring to her bout of exhaustion.

"I know."

"The plane's booked, driver to the airport is sorted and itinerary will be waiting for you at the airport. Oh and the hotel is all sorted too!"

"I really mean it Steph, thank you."

"Just tell me you're ok."

Ella took a deep breath, how could she sum up a whole year in one sentence? So much had happened that there was no way of condensing it into anything remotely tangible. Not wanting to keep Steph any longer she finally thought of an answer that summed up her current state of mind.

"I'm not together but I'll get there."

Hanging up the phone she sighed as she threw herself back onto the bed. She had to start learning how to accept help. She was going to be getting it now whether she liked it or not.