John sat backstage watching as RAW came on the air and he could hear the crowd of Philadelphia cheering already. But, he was lost in a daze as he recalled what happened between him and Julia earlier. The moment was perfect and he was enjoying every minute of it—the woman of his dreams was finally in his arms and now he didn't know what to think. Julia stormed out on him and left him confused and still looking for answers. She was a mystery wrapped in caramel. He didn't understand her, he just knew that she thought he was just a player. John wasn't sure what she heard about him or thought his intentions were for her, but she was wrong. John was like any man, he saw someone that attracted him at first glance, but then he found more than a pretty face. Julia was spunky—she ran her own live, no one told her what to do and she mastered the game of hard to get like a pro. No matter what he did, she would turn him down. But, that only made him want her more. She wasn't a goal, she was a dream. She wasn't anything like the other divas, she was real. She didn't wear heels, drown her face with makeup, or act like she was God's gift to men. She just acted like herself; a quick mouthed, feisty, small package of everything he wanted in a woman. And now he didn't even know if she wanted him or just got caught up in the moment. Sighing John focused on the television and saw that Bischoff was bitching about what happened last week. He laughed as he tried to put fear in his heart and make him wish he never laid a hand on him. But, John narrowed his eyes at the screen as Bischoff threatened to end his career and he wouldn't make it to Summerslam. Then he announced the Lumberjack match against that nut case Snitsky. John didn't even seem scared he just shook it off and decided to walk around the arena in hopes of running into a friendly face. Just as he opened the door, Shane Helms was passing by and stop to talk to him.

" What's up John?" he asked

" Not much, just relaxing. You?" John asked in return

" Walking around, about the same just relaxing. Not much to do tonight." Shane replied

" Cool," John commented almost with a sigh

" What's up man? You sound down? The match against Snitsky got you down or something?" Shane asked

" Please, that clown is the last thing on my mind. Just personal stuff, I'm cool though" John replied as they started walking down the corridor. He and Shane just talked about anything that came up to pass the time. As they entered another section of the arena, John's eyes widened when he found Julia talking to Stacy. She was wearing a black halter top, a light blue denim skirt, and black stiletto heeled boots. Her hair was gathered neatly over her left shoulder. Julia noticed John and the Hurricane, but just stared at John for a few moments. She didn't know what to do, how was she suppose to act around him? What happened earlier completely changed her feelings for him, she just didn't know what exactly were those feelings for him.

" Do you want to go say hi to them?" Shane asked as John just stared at Julia

" ….No." John replied as he remembered that she was going to be his interviewer tonight anyway. So they couldn't run from each other forever. Julia watched as John and Shane continued down the hall and disappeared from their view.

" Well that was a first…..did you do something to John?" Stacy teased

" What?" Julia asked

" He usually would have come over here and talked to you. Did you threaten to kill him again and he finally took it seriously?" Stacy laughed

" No. Personal stuff." Julia replied as Stacy nodded knowing that she didn't want to talk about it. They decided to see what Christy was up to and found her getting ready for the RAW Diva search elimination. Julia and Stacy remained in her locker room and watched it on the television. They discussed the whole contest and Stacy started laughing as Julia got worked up by the divas comments and the crowd's reaction to Kristal.

" Their booing her! Oh that is some bull….what do they want a beach blonde with big breasts and the IQ of 3? No offense." Julia complained

" It's okay. I understand, I mean a lot of these girls think that the whole thing about being a diva is just to look good. But, there is so much more. You will get hurt out there, you take bumps, and have days were your whole body aches, and you just want to crawl in your bed. But, you can't and you have to have a pretty smile on your face—lip gloss covering that busted lip, eye shadow over that swollen eye. While Paul and the rest can walk around with patches on their eyes and bandages over the heads, a diva has to keep her image. Cause that's what makes money." Stacy replied as Julia looked at her

" Are you a natural blonde?" Julia teased as Stacy laughed, " Your right. I mean divas don't get the credit they deserve. Plus I don't think the WWE is ready for a real black diva. Cause is it were me, oh hell no. If I get a black eye, I'm fine. Who ever doesn't like it can kiss my ass. I wouldn't want to know I studied for years to be a wrestler and then have to do Bra and Panties matches every show. Shit I want to see a Boxers and T-shirt match. I'm talking Batista versus Randy, now that is something that I would want to see."

" Oh yeah! I personally know I wouldn't mind being the referee." Stacy agreed

They both continued to watch the show and Stacy noticed that when Lita and Edge's promo came on Julia grunted.

" I am so happy I don't have to interview them." Julia said

" Not a fan?" Stacy teased

" Never really been a fan for hoes." Julia replied, " I believe it's one thing to act like a hoe on television but it's another thing to be one in real life. I feel really bad for Matt though. He seems like he's a nice guy."

" Matt will be okay, he just has to get over her. And not let it bother him." Stacy stated as it was announced that later tonight John would be in a Lumberjack match against Snitsky. Julia's mouth dropped and surprising herself, she was actually concerned about the whole thing. How could Bischoff do that? She thought. Then Jericho was seen talking with some of the wrestlers backstage. Of course he was encouraging them to hurt John.

" Damn Jericho." Stacy mumbled

" That's not fair—that's not a Lumberjack match, that's a Handicap match." Julia stated

" Well John's on Eric's bad side. And that's what happens when your on his bad side." Stacy replied

" That's bull." Julia sighed as they continued watching the show. After watching the cage match between Edge and Kane, Maria was shown waiting backstage to interview someone. As soon as she mentioned the WWE Champion, John Cena came into the camera view and put his arm around her. Julia felt a tinge of anger flash through her. Am I jealous? She thought, No I can't be. Maria smiled at John and started the interview. Soon the idiotic humor of Maria's intelligence caused Julia and Stacy to lower their heads. John played along and asked Maria to get him a flannel shirt for his match. When she ran off to get it for him, John shook his head and sighed.

" I don't ask for much….all I ask is for a reporter that is a little more than a pretty face. And I know that the people out there want to know more than if I'm scared about fallin' trees and flannel shirts. That's why after this so called excuse to kick my ass, the beautiful…..intelligent…. lovely….gorgeous….charismatic…… Julia Martin." John stopped as the crowd cheered, " I know ya'll want her. And I wanna let Bitchoff know, you aren't hurtin' Cena! The Champ is here and I ain't kissin' your ass, Y2 Cheap's ass, or anyone's ass for that matter. I told you a new RAW was coming. Get ready, cause you haven't seen anything yet."

--JJ--

John was true to his word, he fought like a caged animal as the odds were against him. Stacy had left Julia backstage and went to talk with Shane. If she only knew that Julia was in stitches as she watched the match. She cringed every time John was thrown or pulled out of the ring. All the wrestlers at ring side were beating the life out of him and she worried how much he could take of it. She closed her eyes when they held John down as Jericho repeatedly hit him. She stood up and was about to storm in Bischoff's office and tell him about himself when she got an idea. She quickly ran out of the room and into the men's locker room. She smiled as she found Shelton Benjamin, Big Show, Viscera, and Rosey inside.

" Julia?" Shelton asked

" Please, help him! John's getting his ass beat and he can't take all of this. Come on he would do it for you! Jericho's out there being an asswhole. Carlito, the Heartthrobs, and Chris Masters. Please, help him." she pleaded, Big Show was the first to stand up. He walked over to her and looked down at her 5'4 frame.

" No need to on guys she's right." he stated as they all got up and headed out the door. Julia smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Then it hit her, I just helped John. The same man I wanted dead, I just helped save his ass from a beating. What's wrong with me? Do I really like John? Am I just pretending to hate him to hide the fact that under all my anger I really want him? She asked herself then the answer hit her,

" I'm falling for John Cena…." Julia sighed

--JJ--

Eric Bischoff was fuming as he watched John Cena walk up the ramp holding his title in the air. He made it through the match and was able to walk out with his head high. He slammed his hand on his desk and nearly blew a vein before he realized the night wasn't over. Julia still had to interview him following the match, he smiled as he knew she would verbally tear John's ass apart. She was cruel and told the truth without caring whose feelings got hurt. But, if only he knew that he was going to be in for a surprise. As John walked behind the curtains, he found Julia awaiting him with a camera man. His head was still lingering from being bounced off the steel steps and his back was killing him once again. He just wanted to head back to his hotel room and drop down on the bed. As he reached her, he leaned against some crates before they started to film.

" Are you all right? Do you want to see an…EMT?" Julia asked surprising him

" No. I'm fine." John replied, " Was that real enough for you Ms. Martin? Or am I still just lucky to have this title?" Before Julia could reply Viscera passed by and stopped to pat John on the shoulder,

" You have a good woman here John, she pleaded for us to save your ass out there. Good match though Champ." he commented walking off

" Your responsible for that?" John asked shocked

" You were getting hurt….so I didn't feel like having a beaten and bloody John Cena to interview." Julia replied, John was about say something but the interview started

" Nice job out there Cena, it looks like it pays to have good friends and guys that will have your back when you need it. Eric Bischoff tried to deny the fact that the Champ is here and on RAW! Plus that there is a new RAW on the raising." Julia started

" First I know I'm in a little pain right now, but may I say Ms. Martin." John paused as the crowd cheered. He placed his arm over her shoulder and continued, " You are looking very good tonight."

" Why thank you John. But, are you all right?" Julia asked

" I'm fine Julia, but I do have something I'd like to say to Bitchoff." he replied as he took the microphone from her hand, " You thought you had me there didn't you Eric? Thought tonight would be the undoing of John Cena. But, guess what….I'm still standing and you can bet your ass come Summerslam I'll be standing. Just remember who your dealing with or else I'll stand over your ass next." Julia signaled for the camera to cut off and the show ended. The camera man walked away leaving Julia and John alone. They both just stood there and watched as he walked away, but never looked at each other. It was like on camera they were two different people, John Cena the champion and Julia Martin the reporter could converse with ease. But, off air…there was nothing but silence.

" Thanks for the interview." John said

" Your welcome." Julia replied

" I'll see you around then." John said as he was about to walk away, Julia's mind raced as she tried to figure out what she wanted to do. She didn't want John to leave, but she didn't know what to say to him. Suddenly, she saw her hand reaching out for his arm. As Julia grabbed him, John turned to face her. Their faces met within a few inches of each other. Her throat suddenly went dry as his gaze met hers.

"You were going to say something?" he asked, yet she didn't reply and he didn't say anything after that. He just stared at her, both were frozen in each others eyes. Mindlessly John reached out and touched the side of Julia's face. She wanted to tell him to stop, but she couldn't make the words come out of her mouth. John was so close that she could smell the sweat gleaming off his body. He stroked her face with gentle fingers,

"You're beautiful….inside and out. I wish I had told you that the first time I met you." he whispered. A shiver ran down Julia's spine. His voice was completely different from all the other times he had spoken to her. She opened her mouth to say something, but he put a finger on her lips to silence her, " Don't stop this again," he said. Her heart was pounding a thousand miles a minute now. John leaned over closer until their lips almost touched each other.

" Can I kiss you Julia?" he asked surprising her. Julia didn't know what to think, she didn't even know when she told him yes. She just felt him close the distance between them in a passionate kiss. For a few precious moments, Julia surprised herself by responding boldly to him, exploring his mouth in return. But when the kiss deepened, her conscience started pushing her. What are you doing—kissing John Cena? Don't do this to yourself, what if it doesn't work out? What if he's still just trying to get you in his bed? She asked herself, then abruptly pulled away from him.

" No, we can't do this," Julia said shakily as she moved away from him

" Why not?" John asked

" Because we're rushing everything. Maybe we should be friends." she replied. He walked closer to her, but she stopped him

" I don't think we could ever really just be friends." John said, " I feel something a lot stronger than that for you. Even you can't deny that." Julia knew in her heart she felt something for John, there was so much she didn't understand at the moment. But, what about their jobs? As a person working in the same business but a different field, a relation couldn't work.

" We can't do this," Julia repeated, " John, we're different,"

" Are we?" John asked, " Julia don't use race as an excuse to run from this. Cause, I certainly don't give fuck about race. That's not what attracts me to you, I see more than a beautiful black woman. I see a woman that leaves me speechless every time I see her."

" Your crazy." she replied

" Yeah I am. But, if being friends is want you, I'm fine with it. I don't want you to think I'm some jerk….or player." he stated as she looked at him

" Your sure?" Julia asked

" Not really, but…time is good to those who wait. And for you, I know I can wait." John replied pulling her hands into his and kissing them gently. Julia smiled at him, maybe this could work after all.

--JJ--

Can John and Julia really make being friends work? Or has the games between them just begun? Please R&R :) thanks