Chapter Five: Training 101

Mackenzie stepped into the gym nervously. She could see a few of the Smackdown wrestlers lifting weights and joking around. 'You can do this, Mac. They're mature adults just like you,' her eyes trailed over to Paul White, 'For the most part anyway…'

She looked around for John, but couldn't see him. She was about to turn around and leave when she heard him call out her name. Mackenzie turned to see John emerging from the guy's locker room. 'He must have just gotten here too,' she figured.

"So, trying to run away already, huh?" he approached her with a grin as he took her in. She had come ready to work-that much was apparent. She had come in a pair of black sweats, black t-shirt, and black and white Adidas tennis shoes. Her brown hair was tied back into a lazy half pony tail and her face was all business with a hint of fear and nervousness. Yup, this was going to be fun.

"I thought that maybe you had forgotten, that's all. I wasn't running," she defended herself. "I didn't know they were going to be here," she motioned toward the little group of superstars.

"Oh…uh, a lot of us travel together, so it's pretty natural to catch us hanging out in small groups. Especially when it comes to training," he shrugged. "Want to get started?"

Mackenzie moved her eyes back to his, "Uh…sure. What do we do first?"

"I was thinking we'd go over the routine then talk about a diet when we're done here," he motioned for her to follow him as he led her down a flight of stairs and into a less crowded area of the facility.

Mackenzie looked around the room. Three treadmills facing an outside window, a stand full of large and small barbells against the far wall, four large, blue pads in the corner to the right of stand, and several different machines with weights, wires, and seats occupied the center of the room. Mackenzie found herself being led through the machines and over to the treadmills.

"We'll start out with a ten minute cardio warm-up before every work out. You want to warm up all your muscles before you stretch them. Never stretch a cold muscle," John said as he hopped onto a treadmill then instructed her to do the same. "You know how to work it, right?"

"I've managed to use a few treadmills in my time, John." Mackenzie pointed out with an insincere smile.

"I'm glad to see you didn't leave your attitude at home," He smiled.

Mac rolled her eyes in response and set her treadmill to a jogging pace. John smiled his approval. Most people started out at a walk, but not her. She was determined, and it showed. He looked at the timer on his treadmill as he thought about the routine he had planned. He didn't want to push her too hard, but at the same time he wanted to use an effective method. He'd just have to see how she handled everything he threw at her. Hopefully it would turn out alright. She seemed to be doing fine so far.

One hour later

"C'mon, Mackenzie push it! Only ten more to go! That's it!" John urged Mac to do another push up.

Mackenzie forced out another one as she spoke between his counts, "I-"

"Thirteen!"

"REALLY-"

"Fourteen! You're doing great, Mac!"

"Hate!-"

"Fifteen!"

"PUSH UPS!!"

"Sixteen! I know, but you need them!"

"Do I?"

"Seventeen! Of Course you do!"

"GRRRR…"

"Eighteen! I'm here to push you, remember? Trust me when I say push ups are good. Nineteen!! C'mon! Only one more!"

"TWENTY!" They both yelled in sync before Mac collapsed to the floor.

John extended his hand to help her up, "C'mon now. You know there's no rest for the weary!"

"I'm not weary, John. I'm fat. There's a difference."

John shook his head and tried to hold in his chuckle. She was a smart ass, alright. It was one of the many things he'd learned about her today. She was too negative though. This thought darkened his mood. He didn't like her being so down on herself. He didn't show any of it though as he pulled her up, "C'mon, let's go discuss your diet. We're done for the day."

"Really? That's it? It's only been an hour!"

"That's a long time! I usually only work out for half an hour, three to four times a week! You're killing me, woman!"

Mac rolled her eyes, "I would think, after all those big-ass wrestler you FU every week, and hour in the gym would be a breeze."

"That's not the point," John insisted.

"Really? Then what is the point, John. I'd love to know," she teased, knowing he didn't have one.

"The point is, that we need to talk about your diet-not my work out routine. Now, let's get down to it."

"Mm-humph," she narrowed her eyes at him for avoiding her question.

John smiled before he motioned for her to have a seat on the windowsill, "I'm thinking we'll do something like a low-carb, low-fat diet."

"Which means…"

He took in a deep breath, "Lean meats, calorie counting, little to no refined sugars, and smaller portions of bread or foods made from wheat and grain."

"I take it that means I'm not having spaghetti for dinner, huh?"

"You can have it, but only in a small portion."

Mackenzie let out a sigh, "So what can I eat?"

"Hmm…" John thought reflectively. "Alright, I've got an idea. Tonight and tomorrow just eat some lean meats and a lot of vegetables-not too many potatoes though, and no fast food-and on Friday we'll go grocery shopping for you."

"Gee, but what am I going to do with groceries? We travel, John, remember?"

"Oh…yah…" John chuckled at himself. "How about we go out to eat somewhere and I'll show you some things on the menus that are okay. Most restaurants that aren't fast food serve some pretty healthy meals."

"Couldn't you just tell me?"

John crinkled his nose, "I could, but a hands on experience is always better than a lecture."

"I guess you have a point there," Mackenzie conceded.

"Yup. We're done here. So why don't you go on to your hotel room and I'll pick you up…uh…in an hour?"

"Alright. See ya then," Mac smiled as she got up and grabbed her things. "You know where I'm staying?"

"Yah. You told me earlier, remember?"

"Oh yah. Well, see you later," Mackenzie waved before climbing up the stairs and making her way through the upper level and out the door. She had to admit she felt pretty good about this whole workout routine. She felt comfortable around John and he was good at pushing her. Well, he was good at pushing her buttons too, she thought with a smile. She wanted to strangle him during those push ups, but she had lacked the strength to do so at the time. 'Lucky bastard,' she mentally laughed, 'I'll get him next time.'

When she got to her hotel room, Mackenzie ran herself a bath. When she got out she didn't worry about what she would wear. It was the first time in a long while that Mackenzie Moore didn't give two shits about her outfit. She didn't care if it was slimming or not, although in the back of her mind it was nagging her, she was just too damn tired to worry about it.

She pulled out a pair of kakis, a light green tee, and threw on some tennis shoes. It was still kind of early when she finished getting ready. She grabbed her water bottle to take a drink and found that it was unpleasantly warm. Looking around the room and finding what she needed, Mackenzie got up and grabbed the ice bucket. When she opened the door, she found herself facing a stunned John Cena holding up a fist filled with the intent to knock. The initial startle sent the ice bucket flying as Mackenzie jumped. "You're early," she managed to say, not noticing him checking her out.

"Wow," he simply stated, his eyebrows raised.

"What?" Mackenzie shrugged as she picked up the bucket she threw.

"No black."

"Oh," she could feel herself blushing, and she quickly turned away, "I was just too tired to care, I guess." She began to straighten up a few things absently before adding, "I probably should change shirts though. I mean, green really isn't my col-"

She hadn't noticed John follow her in, and she was a bit flustered when she felt him grip her arm and spin her around. She found herself looking into intense blue eyes, "I like green. It looks good on you, too," he checked her out with emphasis, "You're one hot mama!"

Mackenzie shook her head as she laughed, "Yah, I'm a regular Madonna."

John gave an incredulous look, "Girl, Madonna ain't got shit on you!"

"Speaking of shit, you're full of it-"

"Shh…I'm a player, girl. I don't have time for these words of endearment. We got to get going if I'm going to make it to my next ho. Now let's go, biotch."

Mackenzie was laughing too hard to make a come back. Once he got into character, any chances of her getting the best of him were all lost. Besides, Mackenzie had to think about how she was going to get all of this paper work done. It was only one o'clock though, and she figured it would work itself out.

Later that night

Mackenzie answered the ringing phone from where she sat on her bed, going over her papers. "Hello?"

"Hey, sweetie. It's mom."

"Hey, mom. What's up?"

"Does there always have to be a reason for me to call my daughter?"

"Yes."

"Ugh…why did you have to learn to talk? You were so much cuter as a toddler."

"Mom, do you have a point?"

"Honestly, honey, I'm only calling to check in with you. You hardly ever call and I haven't heard from you in weeks. I really wish you'd call more often. I get so worried about you. With all that traveling and flying across the country you have to do-it's enough to drive any mother insane with worry-"

"Chill out, mom! Geez, you're such a drama queen."

"I know, but I can't help it. I miss you-I'm a mother it's what I do, damn it!"

"I know, ma. I miss you too."

"You know…I'm not the only one that misses you."

"Oh really? Have you spoken to dad or something?"

"Hell no! You ought to know better than that. Besides, ever since he met that little floozy, Janette, he's been too busy for my 'neurotic tendencies.'"

Mackenzie had to stifle a laugh. She had to admit-sometimes her father knew what he was talking about. Her thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice, "I was talking about Donald Treidmont."

"Ugh! Mom, I told you last time we talked that I don't want anything to do with that-that sphincter!"

She heard her mom laugh, "I'm only teasing. He did say hi though. You know, I've found that he's quite the pervert."

"Duh, mom. Hence the term sphincter. It fits him well, does it not?"

"I suppose. I'll have to keep an eye out for some different prospects for you-"

"NO! N-O! I'm not going to 'meet' anyone you pick out for me!"

"Why not?"

"What do you mean why not! I'm a responsible adult and I don't need-"

"Who is he?"

"WHAT!"

"Aw, c'mon. I know you've never liked me setting you up, but you've never been this adamant about it before. It makes me think that maybe you've already got your eyes on some-"

"Not another word! There isn't anyone, I promise. I'm just tired of you meddling where you don't belong, mother."

"Me? Meddle? Listen, girlie, I am your mother. Just because I know everything, it doesn't mean I meddle. It simply means that I am psychic and that I have a sixth sense about these sort of things."

"Really? You just somehow felt that I have feelings for someone you haven't met yet-which I don't! You've obviously lost your touch."

Her mother let out a sigh, "Oh, alright fine. I bumped into your friend, Jenny at the mall the other day. You know, after a few martinis she gets awfully chatty."

"Oh my gosh, mother. I can't believe you did that! You got my friend drunk so could pump her for information? You're one sick puppy, you know that?"

"C'mon, Mackenzie! I haven't heard from you in weeks! I've called and called, and you never call me back. I had to do something!"

"What did she tell you!"

"Oh nothing really. Just that you had dinner with John Cena! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you'd jump to conclusions! Much like you're doing right now!"

"What? So you like the guy, what's so wrong with telling me that?"

"I don't feel that way about him! We're just friends. We had dinner to get to know each other. It's nothing, and we still hardly know one another!"

Her mother rolled her eyes as she gripped the phone closer to her ear. Natalie Moore was many things, but naïve was not one of them. She knew exactly what these 'friendships' led to. 'Silly kids,' she smirked to herself, 'She doesn't even know.' She took a breath, "Listen, Mac. You say that now, but you never know. You might end up liking this guy. I mean, he asked you to dinner and if I understood Jenny correctly, he's going to be your trainer?"

Mackenzie groaned, "Oh God. Just believe me when I tell you that it's nothing. There is absolutely no possible way that John and I could ever be more than friends."

Natalie sighed, "Are you sure? He hasn't shown any kind of romantic interest in you?"

"No. Absolutely not. We are just friends." Mackenzie left out the dialogue of that first dinner and the accidental kiss. She knew her mother would counter with something like, 'You know what they say-there are no accidents.' Mackenzie could see her mother's wicked grin that usually accompanied that phrase. She mentally shuddered at the thought of how terrible it would have been if she had told Jenny about the kiss. She'd be getting grilled right now for sure.

"Aw, nuts," her mother sighed. "Well, at least tell me about your day. What did you do today? Have you had dinner yet?"

"Uh…" Mackenzie swallowed hard. She did not want to tell her mother that she had gone out with John for the second time. Mac knew she'd never hear the end of it or get off the phone any time tonight if she did. She had to word this just right, "I went to Olive Garden for dinner," Mackenzie yawned. She was getting tired.

"Olive Garden? Isn't that a little much for single dining?"

"Well, I suppose, but John wanted to show me an example of the kind of foods I can eat on this new diet. We went to-" Mackenzie stopped mid-sentence. 'SHIT! What did I just do??'

"You and John went out again?" Her mother sounded way too amused.

"It's not what you think!"

"I don't know. It's starting to sound exactly like what I think-"

"Mother! I have to go. I have a mountain of paper work to do, and this isn't helping me any."

"Fine, fine. Evade my lecture this time, child. I guarantee I'll get ya next time though."

"Whatever."

"Don't you 'whatever' me!"

"Bye mom! I love you!"

"I love you too, you rotten little sh-"

"BYE!"

"Bye, Mackenzie. Call me sometime, will ya?"

"Okay, I will."

"Okay."

Mackenzie was happy that the conversation was over. Dear Lord. That was too much. Her mother did not need to be meddling like this. She dreaded the day when Smackdown came to her home town. Her mother would have a field day. 'No use pondering on it. I need to think positive or I might just jump out the window.' She took a breath and then went back to her proposals.

John leaned back against the sofa in his room as he thought about his day with Mackenzie. She was a nice girl, but she was too hard on herself. Sure, she didn't have a supermodel's body, but she wasn't nearly as big as she thought she was. He honestly couldn't believe she was 195. 'Must be the height.'

He thought back to her words from earlier that day. 'I'm not weary, John. I'm fat. There's a difference.' She had said it with such easy self-loathing. He had wanted to say something, but he had stopped himself. Mackenzie probably wouldn't want someone she befriended only a couple weeks ago to tell her she was wrong. John sighed, but she was wrong-very, very wrong.

In John's eyes, Mackenzie was…she was-John shook his head. "What am I thinking?" He wasn't allowed to think of her that way. They had agreed to be friends. 'But why?'

That was the question he had been asking himself ever since that damned kiss. He had found her attractive when he first met her. She was pissed, but she was still cute, he remembered. Hell, that had only been a few weeks ago. Yet, in that short amount of time, they had become good friends. He shook his head again and tried to think of something else.

His mind didn't wander too far though, as he found himself thinking about her performance in the gym that morning. Mackenzie was a determined female. She was filled with negativity, but she used it to her advantage. The only thing John worried about, was that even after meeting her goal weight, if Mackenzie couldn't like herself first, she still wouldn't like her reflection afterward.

John let out a little sigh as his mind moved over to the events of that afternoon. When she had opened the door of her hotel room right when he was about to knock. John had been dumbfounded at finding her looking so laid back. The light green shirt she wore really brought out her eyes and complexion. Her hair was wet and loose and there wasn't one bit of black on her.

For once, she hadn't looked like death. She had looked really pretty. John let out a groan again…she had looked very pretty. When she tried to say she didn't, he wanted to physically show her otherwise, but he refrained. Instead of going into funny mode, John had wanted to kiss some sense into her…or out of her…either way.

She had been fun during lunch, too. They had been goofing off as usual. John showed her all the things on the menu that she could eat. He told her that those things were what to look for when at a restaurant like this one. Well, there weren't a lot of restaurants like Olive Garden, but Italian was one of Mackenzie's favorite foods, so he knew that the experience came in handy.

There were several times during the meal when John found himself checking her out. Especially when she got up to use the bathroom. He couldn't help himself. She really did have a nice ass, and after getting a few good looks at it, he wasn't sure if he wanted to help her lose it.

John bit his tongue as he got off the couch and headed into the shower. He unwrapped some of the hotel soap and grabbed a washrag. He would take a shower and then go to bed. No more thoughts about Mackenzie. They were friends-he had promised that friendship was all he desired. Granted it had been a lie, but he had to uphold his word. He didn't want to make Mackenzie feel weird about being around him, and if she knew what he was thinking, there was no doubt that she cut all contact with him.

Her paranoia, although there for good reason, really was going to be a problem. Not only for him, but for any man who dared to think about pursuing her. If he were to show any interest in her, she'd probably think someone put him up to it. No, he'd have to do one of two things. He'd either have to wait until the timing was right, or he'd just have to ignore the growing attraction.

With a sigh of indecision, John turned on the shower and got in. He'd just have to ride it out.

By all means-continue on to the next chapter :)