I have reached a milestone, Always The Best Friend has past 200 reviews!! =)

Thank you so much guys, you don't know how much it means to me to get all of your positive feedback!

I got 13 wonderful reviews for Chapter 20; thanks to those who reviewed! I really appreciate it, keep it up everyone! And as always, if you guys really like this story, feedback is the best way to let me know. The more you give, the sooner I update!

There's a special shoutout this update. Xandman216 and grafx allure have both done the amazing and reviewed each of my 20 chapters in this story since I last posted. I'm eternally greatful. That bumps it up to 51 reviews since I last posted.

Holy. Reviews. Batman.

Disclaimer: I do not own John Cena or Randy Orton (Damnit) Or anything affiliated with the WWE. Vince owns all, superstars own themselves. I own the OC's and the ideas. Sue me and you will get negative dollar amounts in the form of a Student Line of Credit.

Song Credits: -What We Have Become by Daughtry and -- Ice by Lights

ENJOY!

-All those years, one day changes everything and.. Gone and your life and the passion fades away-

It had been six long, strenuous months since John and Laleia's falling out. It was the first time in five years that they had lost nearly all forms of communication with each other. It was also the first time that both of them were in satisfying relationships, ever. Randy and Laleia were approaching the ten month mark, while John and Ashley were soon surpassing the half year mark.

But as much as she loved Randy, and as happy as she was the summer months were dragging on endlessly for Laleia. A piece of her was growing weaker and breaking down slowly. She put on a happy face for everyone, but she would catch herself staring into space for hours, thinking. It killed Randy to see her as sad as she was. As difficult as it sounds, Laleia worked Randy until he was wrapped around her finger. He loved her dearly and hated how she began to change.

It was the night of Summerslam and a balmy August evening in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Laleia was in the production truck with other members of the staff watching the show, 2 hours into the 20th annual edition of this pay-per-view and there were three matches. One of those matches Laleia was not looking forward to. As much seniority she had in the creative process, she was over ruled by an authority she could not overcome; this storyline cultivated in a main event that she did not like at all.

John Cena versus Randy Orton for the WWE championship.

While Laleia was unhappily anticipating this match up, Ashley was backstage in a locker room that did not belong to a blue-eyed WWE champion. In fact, she'd been in locker rooms, gyms, and physical therapy clinics with a certain whiskey eyed King of Kings fairly often in the past six months. Being the main proponent in helping him return to the ring, Ashley became closer to Hunter than she had ever been in the years she'd known him. Albeit the fact she was dating John, there was something about spending time with Hunter that excited her, made her happy.

"I've just got one question for you." Ashley looked up from the leather couch she was sprawled on.

Hunter continued to tape his fingers, intermittently looking from his fingers to the full length mirror in front of him.

"And what's that-" he jumped as she placed her hands on his shoulders and gripped firmly. She caught his gaze with hers in the mirror.

"Are you ready?" she growled in his ear, mimicking his deep tone. A laugh blasted from Hunter's mouth as he shook his head.

"You're crazy." He pulled from her and the mirror. Ashley grinned and jumped in front of him.

"No, Hunter, I said: ARE YOU READY!?" She flexed and grabbed a water bottle. She opened it, took in a mouthful swishing it around dramatically. Just as Hunter braced himself, she swallowed it, giggling.

"You're lucky," he poked her side, "copyright infringement right there," Hunter laughed.

Ashley shook her head, "Could never do it like you anyway." She winked and walked up to him.

"In all seriousness, your match is a mere 5 minutes away."

"It is," he nodded. Ashley eyed his leg. This was her first time aiding in rehabilitating a major injury. Part of her was still anxious that he was going to reinjure it.

"Red, I'm ready, don't worry." Ashley smiled at the nickname she had acquired in the last few months. Simple and to the point, and she loved it. A sigh slid past her lips.

"But-"

"You know I wouldn't sacrifice my entire career if I knew I wasn't ready, right?"

"I know," Ashley's shoulders fell, "I just hope I didn't screw up."

"Oh kiddo, you didn't." Hunter wrapped his arms around her. Ashley slumped into his chest and ran her fingers up his back.

"I'm just nervous." She murmured into his chest. Hunter rubbed her back, attempting to alleviate her anxiety.

"You're great at what you do, Ashley," he pulled back and smiled.

"But-"

Just as Ashley was about to respond, Hunter pulled her into another embrace. This time, however, was different than the last. Ashley's heart began to race as her ear hit the left side of his chest; she could hear his heart doing the same. As relaxed as the embrace was, she could feel tension rising in both of them as they drew even closer than they had been before.

Ashley lifted her head slowly, brown eyes meeting those of whiskey; both clouded with something neither of them could describe. Just as Ashley's knees were beginning to crumble, a stage manager burst through the door.

"Hunter, they need you at Gorilla now."

"Coming," Hunter replied in a gruff voice, without breaking their intense gaze. The stage manager backed out quietly, shutting the door behind him.

"Match time," He murmured. Ashley nodded wordlessly, his nose brushing past hers as he pulled away. She turned and watched him pick up his water bottle, then turn to look at her with a smile.

"I'm 100% because of you Red," he walked to the door and looked back at her one more time with a wink, "remember that."

As Hunter left for his first match in almost eight months, Ashley no longer worried about the state of his right quadriceps.

She worried about the butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

o0o0o0o0o0o

--Stood like a stone as you stood quietly, you're making it hard for me; And all I can do is freeze--

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is for the WWE championship!"

John stared at the monitor from his seated position on the far side of Gorilla position. In his hands, his dog tags, which he had been fidgeting with for the past half hour.

"Cena," John looked up. He nodded wordlessly at the stage manager and walked towards his entrance position. As of late, he'd lost his fire backstage. Sure, for the crowd it was easy, but things had changed so much that he could barely muster conversation to anyone.

Running his thumb over one of the tiny silver plates, a sigh flew past his lips. As he was falling in love with Ashley, he couldn't help but stare at this tag; his chest tightening each time.

Forever me,
Forever you,
Forever us.
Ley xo

John cleared his throat and slipped the dogtags into his shirt. As he bounded down the ramp, he was consumed with thoughts of their past. Once he stood up after diving in the ring, he paused. Catching the steel gaze from his opponent, he clenched his fists. The sight of this man still made his blood boil

As the bell ringing echoed through the arena, the two locked up in the middle.

"Get me in a headlock," John whispered to his opponent.

"You have to talk to her."

John pushed Randy away, flabbergasted. He looked him up and down with disgust, disbelief even he could go so low to do this in a professional setting. Randy lunged in for another lock up.

"Listen to me-"

"We're in a fucking match!" John threw him into the ropes. Aggravated, Randy hit him with a hard clothes line; bending down as if to trash talk to him.

"You think I fucking care about this when I see her becoming a shell of her former self?"

John's heart stopped.

He pushed Randy away and didn't speak for the duration of the match. After over twenty grueling minutes, John finally pinned Randy to retain his title. Emotionless, John stalked backstage, throwing a few poses for the obscenely loud crowd.

The 20th annual Summerslam, was the day John Cena finally shut down.

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