Author's Note: bursts into tears Jeff signed a contract with TNA! sniffle Sorry, had to let that out. sigh Anyway, here's another update! Please review!
Thicker Than Blood
Chapter 5
John Cena sighed to himself as he sat down on the single bed in the hotel room, his arm protectively encasing his injured ribs. His forehead had stopped bleeding for the most part, and with the aid of Tylenol, didn't hurt so much. He slid under the covers, watching the television intently, but not focusing on the rerun of Law and Order. Instead, his thoughts turned to the Great American Bash. He had four full days until the day of the Pay-per-View. From his spot on the bed, he eyed his title belt, placed proudly on top of his duffel bag. As he listened to the continuous noise of the shower running, he thought about the upcoming fatal four-way for his U.S. Championship.
His thoughts were interrupted by the bathroom door opening. Kathryn stepped out, looking uncertain. "I have to say," John spoke up, mostly to try and break the ice, "You do look a lot better without the blood all over your face." She blushed timidly, and walked slowly toward the bed. John watched her out of the corner of his eye. She looked undeniably small in the large, baggy jersey and boxers that he had given her to wear, seeing as how she didn't have any other clothes. Her red hair was plastered to her face, making her complexion seem even paler. Without a word, she sat on the bed and laid down beneath the covers.
"Hey, John?" she said as he reached over to turn off the light beside him.
"Yeah?" he replied, turning the switch, leaving only the T.V. to light the room.
"Thanks," she said, and she meant it.
"Hey, I said I would take care of you, and I'm a man of my word," he replied, turning the television to a channel with continuous music videos, and set the remote down on the end table. He put his head down on the pillow, facing her. "Goodnight," he murmured. As soon as his eyes were closed, he opened them again. "Oh, I didn't remember…" he trailed off, reaching for the remote to turn the T.V off.
"Don't bother," Kathryn told him, "its okay." Shrugging, he returned back to his spot, watching the T.V best he could from that position. Just as his eyelids were drooping, he felt something touch his forehead. He snapped his eyes up, and locked them onto Kathryn. Her arm was extended, her fingers brushing across the gash across his forehead, her touch soft and gentle. He blinked, not moving his eyes from her. Her mouth was slightly agape, the T.V casting a bluish glow onto her face. Kathryn's voice was light as she whispered, "He did this to you, didn't he?"
John immediately knew who she was talking about when she said 'he'. "Yes," was his simple response. Kathryn pursed her lips tightly.
"I'm sorry," she said after a moment.
"It's not your fault," he replied instantly.
"I could've stopped him," the redhead insisted, biting down on her lip.
"You did all you could, and you didn't even have to try," John told her, but she just shook her head, averting her eyes. John grasped her hand, and moved it to his naked chest, placing it palm-first over his heart. "You hear that, Kathryn? I'm still alive; I'm fine. There's nothing to be blaming yourself about." He sighed deeply, seeing that his words were still not hitting her. "Why do you keep blaming yourself?"
"I don't know," she whispered softly, her hand curling into a fist. John didn't let go of her hand, keeping his grip. "It was supposed to be so simple… In and out… Talk to Dad after the show and tell him…" her throat closed, and she pressed her lips together suddenly.
"Tell him what?" John coaxed gently.
She pulled her hand back sharply, rolling over so that her back faced him. "I don't want to talk about it," she responded, her voice hoarse, sounding as if she was holding back tears. John ran a hand over his hair, and groaned inwardly. 'Good job, Cena,' he scolded himself, 'Keep going and she'll just keep clamming up.' He rolled over on his side, and closed his eyes. In the dark silence, thoughts assaulted him. 'Why am I doing this for her?' he asked himself. 'It's probably the right thing to do… But I can't imagine myself going out of my way just to help some girl… She saved my ass in the ring, but I saved hers, too. That's not what compelled me to assign myself to take care of her…' Groaning, John put a pillow over his head as if it would silence his thoughts.
A few minutes later, sleep claimed him.
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Author's Note: This will be the last, or second to last, update before I leave for San Francisco. Sorry about the dumb ending! Anyway, please review!