Abuse can come in many different forms. Emotional abuse can be when someone you love belittles you and holds you back from doing something you love, such as writing.

Don't let yourself be a victim like I did.

Rolling over in bed Journey looked at the clock for the hundredth time that night. Groaning as she saw that it was still only 1 am, she climbed out from under the multitude of covers and wondered into the tiny kitchen/living room that made up most of her small apartment. Looking around at her shabby carpet and secondhand furnishing she felt the gloom pushing down on her. Shaking her head she made a cup of coffee and walked the three steps it took to cross the room. Waiting for her dinosaur of a computer to start up she stared off into the darkness thinking.

John's mother had been right when she had said her life was worth nothing. She did not have one thing to show for her twenty one years on this earth other than yard sale picks and old scars. Before when it had just been John it hadn't been that important. She still had time to make her mark, to become someone he could admire.

But now he had Ari and by association she was partly responsible for the upbringing of a seven year old little girl. What kind of role model was she? How was she supposed to encourage the girl to study hard and get good grades when she had hardly finished high school herself?

Sighing Journey dropped her head on the desk, banging her forehead on the key board.

"This is impossible. How am I supposed to make a life with John and his daughter when I can not even make a life for myself?"

Startled out of her dark thoughts by the welcome message on her computer she turned and opened her email. The first message, from an old high school friend, lifted her spirits and stirred the first seeds of a plan. Opening the second message she stared in wonder at the advertisement for online college degrees.

"This cannot be a coincidence." She muttered before her eyes lit up with excitement. Grabbing a pen and paper she began scribbling everything she would need to do to put her plan in action.

7 AM

Paul walked out of his home gym to find Delaney waiting on him. Screwing the cap back on his bottle of water he glanced at her warily.

"What did you do?" He asked suspiciously.

"What makes you think I did something?" She asked, looking up at him innocently.

"Hmm, let me see. You are a teenage girl and you're out of bed before noon." Paul said sarcastically as he led the way into the kitchen.

"Maybe I couldn't sleep." The young girl defended herself.

"Unhuh, so what can I do for you?" He asked.

"Well duh, I am waiting for you to tell me about John. I 'm tired of being left in the dark." She demanded.

"Yes your highness. What can I do for you?" Paul asked as he leaned on the counter.

"What in the world is going on? Is he ok? Is he going to be tried for murder?" She asked quickly.

"I thought your dad didn't want you to have anything to do with him anymore?" The older man asked.

"That is like totally unfair. He can't just make decisions like that. John's my friend and I'm very worried about him." The teenager exclaimed.

"Well don't worry so much. He has al lot of people supporting him. He's doing great and he knows that you care." Paul said gently.

"But what can we do to get him out of jail? We can't just leave him there."

"We don't need to do anything. John should be walking out the door in about two hours." The older man explained.

"What?" Laney shouted jumping off the stool she had been sitting on. "You knew this yesterday and you are just now telling me?"

"Don't you think if I had had this information yesterday that I would have been in a much better mood when I got home?"

"But then how did you know?" She asked confused.

"Because unlike ninety percent of teenagers in the world today I watch the news." He said pulling on her ponytail.

"Ha ha. What did it say?" She asked eagerly.

"Exactly what I said. John Cena had been wrongly accused and was being released this morning." Paul informed her.

"So it's all over right? Everything's done?" Laney asked hopefully.

"There are still some loose ends to tie up." Paul hedged.

"Such as?" The young girl asked suspiciously.

"If John wants you to know he will have to be the one to tell you." Paul said straightening up and tweaking her nose. "Now do you want some breakfast?"

"Ewww no. It is way too early to eat." She pretended to make gagging noises.

"Of course," Paul answered grinning. "So how long do you plan on staying?"

"Ready to get rid of me already?" Laney asked lifting an eyebrow.

"No, in fact I never want you to leave. Steph is so much calmer with you around. I'm not getting yelled at every five minutes."

Laughing she replied. "I can stay for awhile. Or at least until she starts in yelling at me."

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that." Paul stated sweeping her up into a bear hug and squeezing the life out of her.

"Well right now I am going to bed. It's like still the middle of the night."

8 Am

Journey took a deep breath and punched in the number to Dave's cell phone.

"Dave, hi." She said when he answered. "I hope I didn't wake you up."

"No , not at all. Is something wrong? You sound kind of funny." The big man asked.

"Not really. I've just been up all night worrying about some stuff." She hedged.

"Anything I can help you with?" Dave asked concerned.

"Actually there might be. I just really hate having to ask you this." She said quietly.

"Journey you know I'm here for you whatever you need." Dave stated firmly.

"I know, I just feel like a screw up having to ask you for something all the time."

"That's what I'm here for brat. You 're not a screw up. You have had a bad couple of years, which has not been your fault. Your family, me included, is here to help you through the rough times." Dave growled. "What do you need?" He asked in a softer tone.

"Some money I guess. With everything that's been going on I got a little behind on my bills. The cost of moving and getting set up took all my savings. I …" She trailed off.

"Journey I don't need explanations. Anytime you need money all you have to do is ask." He instructed her.

"Thanks Dave." She said, sounding more sad than relieved.

"Do you want me to send it to you, wire it, or do you want me to come up after Raw on Monday?" He asked.

"Umm, no. You're going to be in New Jersey tonight right?" Getting his affirmative she continued. "How about I meet you there, watch the show."

"Sure, but John's getting out today isn't he? Don't you want to be there for him?" The big man asked confused.

"He needs to be with Ari today. I would just be in the way. This way makes it easier for everyone." She explained softly.

"Did he say something to hurt you?" Dave asked, sitting up form the chair he had been lounging in.

"No Dave. I just want to give him some space. Ari is more important at the moment." She told him, her features lightening for a moment at the thought of his protectiveness.

"If you're sure, I'll see you tonight. Drive safe okay."

After hanging up the phone Journey laid her head on the table feeling miserable about what she had just done. After a couple of minutes she pushed aside those feelings for later. Getting up from the table she took a deep breath and picked up the phone for her second call of the day.

"Mr. Cena, hi, I know we haven't met yet but my name is Journey Dawson. I 'm John's girlfriend. I just wanted to call and make sure you would be able to pick up John this morning."

"Well, yes. That will not be a problem. But I know John is going to be expecting you. What do I tell him when I show up instead?" The older man asked.

"Just tell him I had some things that needed to be worked out." Journey said sadly. She replaced the phone back on its hook, not wanting to hear what else the elder Cena had to say.