"Searchin' for a hero"
A John/Ashley fanfic

Thanks to johncenaisUHmaZiNg, MissPhilippinesSuperStar, Casey, Cena130 and WordLyfe for reviewing last chapter. You're amazing girls : )
Read, review and enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The title of the chapter belongs to a song of Relient K.


Chapter 53 "Devastation and Reform"

-C'mon Ash! –John encouraged his girlfriend who was in the ring in a middle of a training session. After weeks of only gym work she had finally been authorized to start to properly train again, and so that was the first day of her being in action.

The punk diva was strangely working slower that usual so after a half hour John decided to inquire what the matter was.

-Baby… you okay? –He chuckled catching his breath.

-Yeah, sure… why? –She responded after a clothesline.

-I don't know, -he shrugged- I've never seen you working like that.

-Like that how? –She asked raising an eyebrow.

-Like… it seems that you don't really care. –John softly said trying to let her know that he was there for her if something was wrong.

-But this is no sense, -she managed a smile- of course I care.

-Okay never mind then, let's try again. –He chuckled.

---

-Ash, -John interrupted her after another half hour- you're not trying hard enough.

-Yes, I am.

-No, you're not. –He sweetly replied.

-Yes, I am.

-Babe… there's nothing wrong with that, do you remember when I first started to train you?

She just nodded.

-Well you kept on avoiding to hit me with your leg cause you were afraid of getting injured again… and it's okay, it's normal… but we can work on this together, you know. –He smiled to reassure her.

-It's not this. –She shook her head lowering her gaze.

-And then why aren't you doing any hurricanrana, drop kick, headscissor… any movement that is focused on the use of your legs?

-Because it doesn't matter, maybe they're right.

-They… who? –John asked genuinely puzzled.

-Torrie and everyone else who says that I'm not good enough… that I get injured too easily; after all I'm just here cause I won the diva search. –She sighed.

-Torrie thinks that, and so? Who cares of what Torrie says?

-She's not the only one who thinks this way.

-I don't. –John promptly said.

-But you're my boyfriend!

-I thought the same even when I was only your trainer… and Randy, Trish, Maria… they all think the same.

-But you all love me… -She protested.

-And you should trust the judgment of the ones who love you instead of who is just jealous of you. –John pointed out.

-It's not just Torrie, you know that.

-And so baby, who cares? You see how many people every night boo me, yell that I suck and that I don't deserve to be the champion and so on. But you can't let their opinions bring you down.

She slowly shook her head and wiped a tear away with the back of her hand.

-Baby, come on… -John sighed, concerned for her- I trust your abilities, can't that be enough? You need to be ready to come back… and who cares of Torrie's or anyone else's bullshit? Maria and Candice were in the diva search too and so? Haven't you see how much they're improved lately? They're working hard just like-

-Go and train them then if I'm wasting your time champ. –She cut him off and stormed out of the ring.

-Ashley, what the…? –He naturally called out after her in disbelief but the punk diva went away without adding a single word.

---

A few hours later the champ and the diva hadn't made up yet, cause she was keeping her point by jealousy and he, after trying to normally speak with her and having received no answer, had decided to play the same game that she was playing. So they were riding to the arena of that Monday night Raw in complete silence, much more for the disappointment of the legend killer in the back seat.

-What's the matter with you two? –He finally asked with a puzzled look.

-Nothing. –They both answered before she folded her arms and kept on staring outside the widow and he silently came back to drive.

-How much happiness. –Randy commented rolling his eyes.

-We're here. –John announced 15 minutes later parking the car.

-Thanks, we hadn't noticed by ourselves. –Ashley commented coming out of the car; John gave her a "What-is-your-problem?" look and followed the diva.

-Randy hurry up, -Ashley said grabbing her gym bag- John can't wait to see Candice or Maria, don't make him waste time with us.

-Unbelievable. –John commented shaking his head.

-What the hell is wrong with- Randy started to say looking back and forth from Ashley to John, but he immediately stopped when his gaze noticed a certain someone just standing in front of them- Trish… -He exclaimed almost breathlessly.

-Hey guys, -Trish lightly smiled as both John and Ashley turned to see the blonde.

-Hun, you're back! –The self proclaimed dirty diva happily said running to hug her best friend.

-It seems so. –The Canadian smiled.

-Glad to see you back. –John sincerely chuckled.

-Thanks John. –She lightly smiled then looked at the legend killer and added- Randy, can we talk?

-Sure… -He nodded a little embarrassed.

-You can use our locker room to get some privacy. –John offered- Right Ash?

But she had just passed Trish by on her way out of the parking lot after briefly smiling at the Canadian and ignoring her boyfriend.

-What's wrong with her? –Trish asked with a puzzled look.

-Nothing that I can't fix… or at least I hope so. –He added almost in a whisper before leaving the other two alone.

-Shall we? –Randy offered with a little smile.

-Sure, let's go.

---

-So… -Trish began sighing as she sat on the leather couch in John's locker room.

-So… -Randy echoed nervously standing in front of her- …what do you want? –He asked and immediately added- No, sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that! I wanted-

-Yeah don't worry, I got what you meant. –Trish lightly smiled at the superstar, feeling guilty for the awkward situation.

-'k… -He smiled embarrassed- I meant what did you want to talk about.

-Well… I'm ready to talk about everything… -The Canadian explained- Remember the last time we met? –He nodded- I told you that honestly I didn't know what was going to happen… now I think I have those answers.

-Okay…

-So, first of all… I'm sorry Randy. I want to apologize to you…

-For what? –He asked genuinely puzzled.

-For disappearing like that and leaving you hanging on a hook after the shock of a news like that, it wasn't fair.

-Trish, it doesn't-

-No really, I'm sorry. –She cut him off- You got any right to be upset with me… it's just that I needed to talk this out with Chris and obviously it took more than I expected.

-Trish, -Randy interrupted her, smiling a little at her confused rambling.

-Yes? –She said lifting up her gaze and meeting his eyes.

-I'm not upset, not at all. I understand… I mean yes, it's been a little difficult to try to deal with this without knowing anything, but I understand that you needed time… it's okay.

-Oh, thanks… really… -She said relieved- Thank you.

-Never mind… so, you talked with your husband?

-Yeah but… it's not the point anymore.

-I don't get it. –Randy admitted with a confused look.

-We broke up… or better, Chris broke up with me. He asked for a divorce. –She explained with a sigh, nervously twisting her hands on her lap.

Randy instinctively looked at her now wedding-ring-free hand as to make sure that she was saying the truth before exclaiming in disbelief: –What?

-I told him everything… from our one night stand to the pregnancy and apparently it was too much for him.

-But maybe it's just a first reaction, couldn't it be so? Maybe in a couple of days or weeks or whatever he will understand and will come back! –Randy guessed pacing the room back and forth.

The Canadian looked surprised and impressed at his interested reaction before shaking her head. –Nope, it's over, I know him. –She sighed- We talked of the whole situation for so many days… and he said he could never forgive me, never.

-Idiot. –Randy uttered under his breath.

-Besides, I deserved it… I mean, I can't really blame him, he had any right to do exactly what he did. I cheated on him…

-But that's no sense! –He suddenly exclaimed- You didn't decide to cheat on him, you were drunk… we were drunk! It just happened! Can't he understand it? I mean, there was nothing between us… anybody could tell him so! Ask John and Ash… or even better I'll tell him myself if this could help! That's not your fault, Trish…

She was completely speechless at how he had just defended her and at his offer… he seemed so indignant for her at Chris' reaction that she was at least confused. -Randy I… I really appreciate your offer… I really do… but he's right after all.

-But we were beyond drunk! I was there, I can tell him! –The legend killer promptly replied.

Trish lightly smiled, -Yes Randy I remember that you were there but… it's not as simple as it seems. I mean, I appreciate how you're trying to help me, you can't imagine how much I do, but even though it was the mistake of a night I cheated on him. I know that I was drunk but I remembered that I was married and I didn't decide to stop. –She admitted blushing- I betrayed his trust… and then he said that anyway he can't live with the idea of a baby growing inside me which isn't his. –She concluded wiping her tears away with the back of her hand- Sorry it's just… it's hard to deal with all this.

-It… it doesn't mean that it's going to be all negative; -Randy slowly said trying to recollect himself- I mean I'm sorry that… I'm sorry for the actual situation of your marriage, but even though this all started as a mistake it can bring us something good too. –He said standing in front of her- For how messed up it can be… we're gonna have a baby… you're gonna be a mother… and I'm really sorry that he won't be Chris' as you would have wished, but this baby will be anyway the best thing in your life… you'll mean the world to him or her… -He said with a little smile seeing that hearing this she was smiling as well, so he sat down next to her and continued after a deep breath- You're not alone and you won't be alone, Trish. I'm not saying that it's not a messed up situation or that I'm not freaking out at the idea but I'm here… for you and for the baby. I want to be a part of his life. I don't care how it happened, if it was a mistake or not, I want this baby too. –He finally said feeling relieved after letting these thoughts out but now again embarrassed for having spoken so truthfully to her.

Trish slowly lifted up her gaze locking her hazel eyes with his light blue ones; she was definitely speechless and deeply touched by his words... she had never seen him like that and this was a side of the legend killer that she had never considered to exist. He looked at her in a mix of embarrassment and anxiety; she wanted to say something, she knew that she had to say something… anything, but she was so overwhelmed by everything that she did just what she had instinctively felt to do.

So she suddenly leaned over and softly kissed him. In a second Randy's hands were gently cupping her face as he sweetly responded to the kiss.

-OMG… I'm… I'm so sorry! –She exclaimed when they finally pulled apart and ran out of the locker room leaving a perplexed legend killer behind her.

xxx Meanwhile xxx

Ashley sighed before entering the women's locker room; it had never been her favorite place to stay at and of course it wasn't now. She hadn't met Torrie yet and honestly she wasn't looking forward to. Fortunately, when the punk diva entered the room there were just a few other girls inside and the Boise native wasn't one of them.

-Oh my gosh, Ashley! –Maria squealed running to hug her best friend- I'm so happy to see you!

-So do I sweetie. –She sincerely said after having missed the company of her friend while she wasn't back on the road after the surgery.

-Are you doing well? –Candice genuinely smiled joining them.

-I'm good thanks. –She responded with a little smile, the situation slightly awkward since till a month before Candice was one of her enemies before this sudden change of heart.

-When are you going to come back in the ring hun? –The interviewer asked while she was giving the final touches to her outfit.

-I've just started to train again so I don't really know…

-I hope very soon cause you totally have to kick Torrie's ass, -the Go Daddy diva added- she's a bitch.

-Thanks Candice. –Ashley said laughing a little.

-And we can give her a teaser of what she's gonna pay tonight, right? –Maria nodded.

-Absolutely. –Candice smiled.

-What about tonight? –The dirty diva asked confused.

-There's the battle royal for the title. –Maria explained her.

-Oh, right! Well, I'm gonna cheer for you two girls. –Ashley smiled.

-Do you think one of us could really win? –The interviewer inquired.

-Sure, why not! You've both improved so much lately! –Ash sincerely smiled- I'd be glad to see one of you walking out with the gold tonight.

-Thanks Ash, actually you inspired me to work harder, I admire you for what you've done in these months. –Candice sincerely said.

-…Thanks Candice. –The dirty diva said quite surprised.

-And I'm sorry for what I said or did to you in the past, really –she added- could you forgive me?

-Never mind the past… anybody can be wrong, it's okay. –She smiled and with a quick hug the new friendship officially started.

-Can I agree with Candy? –Someone said from behind Ashley who turned to face Mickie James- I'm sorry for what happened between us, -the perky diva sincerely admitted- I respect and admire you now. –And with that she offered her hand.

-No hard feelings then. –She smiled shaking her hand.

-Cool! –The brunette giggled as Candice and Maria beamed- Now let's go to show Torrie what she gets for messing with the dirty diva!

-Oh gosh! –Ashley laughed.

---

The four girls were walking through the corridor towards the famous curtain when Ashley spotted John sat alone in a corner, messing with his ipod. She sighed realizing that he was right and that she was just nervous, frustrated and scared and had reversed all this on him who, as always, was just trying to help her. And she felt guilty for having jumped on him for a ridiculous jealousy.

-Ash, you okay? –Maria interrupted her thoughts- Something wrong?

-Nothing I can't fix in a minute, if you wanna excuse me. –The punk diva smiled.

-Oh we would but actually I think you just have 10 minutes to change. –Candice pointed out.

-To change for what? –The blonde asked with a puzzled look.

-For the battle royal! You have to be at ringside… haven't you read the card for tonight?

-Oh fuck! –She yelled and rushed to get ready… she had totally forgotten to check the card out between her fight with John and Trish's return. And so now she had to wait to finally make up with him… or maybe not.

-Knock knock. –A well known voice said from behind her.

-John! –She exclaimed- This is the women's locker room! What are you doing here?

-Searching for Candice… or Maria. You know I have a soft spot for brunettes, don't you? –He chuckled.

-Ha ha. –She rolled her eyes and smiled embarrassed- Sorry, I'm an idiot.

-It's okay. –He smiled slightly amused.

-No, it's not… I shouldn't have jumped on you like that for such a ridiculous thing…

-Ash don't-

-No really, you were right John… I'm just scared… of coming back, of getting injured… of not being good enough…

-Not being good enough for whom? –He softly said stepping forward and tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

-For you… -She admitted in almost a whisper.

-Oh baby… is this what it was all about? –She nodded- Ash but I couldn't care less… -he sweetly said- I mean, yeah of course I'm proud of you and I'll be happy for you but I love you and I'd love you anyway. Because I love you and not the women's champion. –He truthfully smiled.

She just nodded and, placing her arms around his neck, kissed him.

-Ashley Massaro, get your pretty ass in the ring right now! And hi John, bye John! –Someone yelled from behind the door.

-What the… -John startled.

-It seems that Candice kindly reminded me that I have to be at ringside for the battle royal. –The dirty diva laughed.

-Ok… but I'm the only one who can say that you have a pretty ass. –He pointed out before giving her a peck on the lips.

-I'll be sure to tell her. –She giggled.

-So punkie, you still wanna come to the ring with me later tonight?

-Only if you still want me to.

-Absolutely. –He chuckled.

-Then sure champ, wait for me. –She smiled opening the door.

-Cause you know I could ask Candice or Maria if you don't. –He said amused after her.

-Shut up. –She laughed running away, eager to know who the next women's champion will be.


Hope you liked it! So who's gonna win the title? And what about Trish and Randy? And John's new opponent? I promise you'll find out soon hehe