The music blared throughout The Parlor, a trendy new club and lounge located in San Francisco. With the Smackdown brand performing in the city and the Raw Superstars just over the bay in Oakland, the majority of the WWE talent had gathered to party together. Hanging out with Nattie and Serena, Mallori had spent the day shopping after working out at the gym. Though she had gotten along well with most of the roster in FCW male and female, Serena was one of the few close girlfriends Mallori had had since her high school days. It felt good to have that kind of bond again and it was even better as the other Divas were beginning to warm up to her.

"You look hot, girl," Serena smiled at her friend as they entered The Library, a private VIP area complete with HD flat screens and plush sofas.

Mallori blushed. She was a pretty girl and had been reminded of that all of her life but it was something she didn't necessarily see when she looked in the mirror. Self-image had always been an issue. Ever since she had gotten into running track and lifting weights, the more athletic her body had become, the less feminine she had felt at times. In college she had heard snickers in the gym of the word "freak". She'd pretend not to hear them, pretend it didn't bother her but deep down inside it did. There had been one man who had come along and made her feel beautiful no matter what. He had changed everything for her.

"Thanks, S," she said, even though she had kept it simple with tight fitting jeans and a sexy black tank.

Walking into the club the girls waved and smiled to their colleagues. Mallori stuck close to Serena and Nattie who was flying solo for the next few days as her boyfriend and wrestling partner, TJ Wilson aka Tyson Kidd, had yet to fly in due to family matters. The girls slid into the booth and Nattie summoned over the waitress.

"First round is on me. I'll have an Appletini and Serena will have a Midori Sour and what about you, Mallori?"

"Shot of Jaeger and a Crown and Coke, please."

Nattie and Serena exchanged glances.

"I feel like an amateur. Hope you can handle all that, girl."

"I'll be fine."

Serena kept mum. Both had seen Mallori drink a whole lot more.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies," a grinning Anthony Carelli, better known as Santino Marella, joined their table.

Serena rolled her eyes.

"God, I wish she would hurry up with that drink."

He had a personality much like his on screen persona but he was lovable and hilarious and well liked by his co-workers. The flirting and ribbing was harmless.

"When are you going to run away with me?"

"How about five seconds past never?" she faked a smile.

"Ouch," he turned to Nattie. "I never dug her anyway. You were always my favorite, my little luscious blonde bambino. When are you going to dump that loser TJ and realize your true destiny?"

"Tony, you can't handle all this. I'll put you in the Sharpshooter, eat you for lunch, and spit you out."

"I love it when you talk dirty," he growled, causing the girls to giggle before turning his attention to Mallori. "Hel-lo gorgeous."

"Still hitting on the ladies, I see," another person joined them.

"Sounds like you still have no game. Man, how many times do I have to tell you to drop by The Palace of Wisdom for a little tutorial from the Honcho of Hotness? I'll even give you a discount."

John had arrived along with Kofi, Mike, Cody Rhodes, Ron, and Shad Gaspard. Everyone laughed as the hugs, high fives, fist bumps and drinks began to flow freely. John slid into the booth next to Mallori.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Hey yourself. What's going on?"

Nothing much. You?"

"Just hanging out," he looked her up and down. "By the way, you look great."

"Thanks," she answered, trying not to sound as giggly as she felt on the inside.

The group mingled and talked for the next hour as more and more alcohol was served. To Serena's joy, Mallori had cut herself off after a few rounds and appeared to be completely in control. Laughing and just enjoying the time with his friends, John, kept the rounds of beer coming.

"Can I get you something else?" he asked Mallori.

She shook her head.

"I'm good just surprised at you."

"Surprised that I can hold my alcohol?"

"That and the fact that you even drink at all."

John was a health nut and keeping that perfect physique in shape didn't come without a price. The man hadn't consumed an empty calorie in years.

"Hey I know how to let loose and have fun. Besides, you should have seen me in college," he fondly remembered. "I drank a lot in college."

"I can only imagine."

"You having a good time?"

"Yeah it's fun. The deejay is awesome."

The Parlor was known for its music.

"Yeah."

Mallori looked over at the dance floor.

"Tell me, does the self proclaimed Master of Manliness dance?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

John laughed.

"The Shaman of Sexy knows but one move and it's the uh classic stand in one spot and grind and put your hands up in the air like you know what you're doing."

"You're hilarious," Mallori laughed.

"What? I'm really good at it."

"So," she said, building up her nerve and not quite understanding why it was feeling like a big deal. "Care to prove it?"

"What?"

"You want to try it now? Dance with me, I mean."

"Well…"

He was hesitating and her heart fluttered.

"It's okay. If you don't want to, it's cool."

"No, I do. I do."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

He smiled at her and they walked through the VIP onto the dance floor past more than a few sets of curious eyes. The floor was crowded as the deejay played a popular set of hip-hop beats. Jayson Paul, the half of Cryme Tyme known as JTG was already on the floor with an unknown female from the VIP section. Laughing and having a good time, John and Mallori danced for nearly an hour. Their hips grinded to the music and she was pleasantly surprised that he was able to stay on beat.

She shuddered feeling his strong arms wrapped around her. A couple of times as her shirt rose with the movement of her body, she could feel his hands pressed against her bare skin. Their eyes met until one of them would look away and smile, trying desperately to remember that it was just dancing and they were just friends. Hooking his fingers in the loops of her jeans he pulled her close and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Each couldn't get over just how good the other person smelled.

"You dance just as good as you wrestle," he said.

"Is that a compliment?" she asked, head cocked up to look at him.

"I think so."

"You're not so bad yourself."

With their faces close together they were interrupted by Mike and Maryse. The two had been paired together briefly on screen and rumors of a real life relationship had run rampant for years. Friends with lots of benefits was the perfect term to describe them and their friends and fellow members of the locker room often wondered why the two just didn't make it official.

"What's up?" a tipsy Mike bellowed as he held Maryse's hand close.

"What's up, guys?" John asked, noticing them for the first time.

Maryse greeted the two with her usual scowl of disapproval.

Mike laughed loudly and drunkenly.

"What's all this?" he demanded. "Are you two…"

"Don't be an ass, dude," John tried to cut him off before he got started.

A grin spread across his face and he looked like he had more comments where that one had come from but Maryse guided him away leaving both John and Mallori grateful.

"Thank God for small miracles. Looks like he tied on a few."

"He's my friend and all but being drunk is the last thing that guy needs to be even more obnoxious."

"You okay?" Mallori asked.

John rubbed his forehead.

"I'm cool. I guess my tolerance isn't what it used to be."

"Lightweight," she teased. "Come on. I think that's enough motion for you tonight. It's kind of hot out here anyway. Why don't you go to the bathroom and get a cool towel?"

"I'm fine," he said as they began walking side by side. "Besides, I don't want you to walk around thinking that you out drank me or anything because the Guru of Greatness can hold his own."

"Really? Well, I think this guru has a date with the porcelain god," she giggled. "Move it, Hennigan."

His face was flushed and tiny beads of sweat had started to form on his forehead. Mallori guided him to the men's room and as soon as the door closed behind him, she could hear him throwing up in the stall. Mallori couldn't help but laugh to herself. A few minutes he emerged as handsome and put together as always.

"I swear that hasn't happened in like ten years and it took way more beers back then," he looked sheepishly at her.

"Yeah, yeah," she ribbed him.

"Did I just lose all my cool points?" he asked.

"I'll dock you a few," she winked.

"Tweet about it and you'll never march down that ramp in slow motion with me again."

"Curses. Your punishments are swift and severe, sir."

They both laughed but the good times stopped when emerging from the restroom they found themselves face to face with Melina and Dave Batista. Due to their hectic and busy work schedule the two men found themselves face to face on a continual basis. Despite personal opinions about his character and arrogance, John had never harbored any ill feelings towards Dave. The older Superstar had always received a lot of heat backstage and wasn't the most liked wrestler in the locker room. Many people had frowned upon the fact that the still married man was openly parading his mistress around but for John the situation was what it was. Melina had made her choice. She and Dave and made their beds and they had to lie in them even though the thought of what they actually might be doing in a bed made him sick to his stomach.

"Melina," he looked right at them. "Hey Dave."

"Hennigan," Dave nodded with a smirk.

Mallori fought the urge to burst out laughing. Who the hell wore sunglasses at midnight to an indoor club?

"You remember Mallori Reed."

"I don't think we've met," she spoke to Dave and looked right at Melina. "Nice to see you again."

Melina out her best smile forward.

"Mallori, right. Hi. It's so good to see you."

Mallori frowned.

"It is?"

"Yeah. I've been meaning to come talk to you. Sorry I get so busy sometimes. Anyway, I never got the chance to officially welcome you to the WWE. I've seen some of your recent matches and you look really great out there."

"Thanks. Wow. I, I appreciate that."

"Maybe we can get together and have lunch or work out at the gym next time the brands come together. I'd like that."

"Okay…sure. Sounds good."

"Wonderful. Um, I hate to be rude but Dave and I were just leaving. It was good seeing you both."

With that, they left. Mallori was stunned.

"Well, talk about an about face."

John's entire demeanor had changed.

"Yeah…"

"You want to go dance some more? I think you need water, I'm cutting you off from the beer tonight buddy."

"Mallori, on second thought, I'm just gonna go back to the hotel…"

"You sure? I'll go with you. We could share a cab."

"That's cool. I'd rather walk and I think I want to be alone. I know you're having a good time. I don't want you to have to leave Nattie and Serena so I'll see you around."

He didn't wait for her response.

"You and a certain rock star look-alike seem pretty chummy," Serena noted, coming out of nowhere as Mallori watched him walk away.

"Yeah…" she muttered, concerned.

"Everything okay?"

"It's fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Serena wasn't buying it.

"Mal, look, can I give you a piece of advice?"

Mallori narrowed her eyes, her way of saying no.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really. Listen, just be careful…"

"S. I appreciate what you're trying to do but save it, okay? Nothing is going on."

"That's what you say but you know what happened last time and…"

"Serena!" Mallori's voice became firmer. "Drop it. Please."

The buzz cut beauty knew when she was defeated and Mallori was as stubborn as they came.

"Alright. Okay. Sorry. Dropping it. Don't be pissed off. Let's go back and have a good time."

Mallori managed a smile and hugged her good friend. She knew Serena was just looking out for her and she loved her for it. They returned to the table hand in hand.

"I know what I'm doing, S," she gave Serena's hand a squeeze.

Serena nodded. She hoped so.