AN: I haven't updated in a while! Sorry guys. I'm working on chapter 9; I have parts of it written full outand the basic idea on paper. I haven't gotten a chance to revise this; school has me buried under way too much work wow, I hate AP classes. Hope to have the next chapter up as soon as possible. Until then, read and review!

Chapter 8: I Have the Duty to Reject Despair

March 13, 2006

Vincent K. McMahon, ever the opportunist, seized the chance to create a rivalry for John Cena. Invoking the reason that Val Venis was attempting to steal Cena's girl, McMahon made a match for that night, a "For Her Hand" hardcore match. He appealed to the two superstars' quest for competition and attraction to the girl. Both men would be fighting for exclusive rights to her attention, much like a medieval joust or courting in the Victorian Era. And, Vince included, Maria would be presiding over the match as a guest commentator.

That was where Maria Kanellis found herself early that night on RAW. She was stuck between The One and one who cared. She didn't know what to do.

Even worse, she had to interview both of them before their match at the end of the night. She thought she'd get one over with as early as possible, interviewing Val Venis near the beginning of RAW.

"I'm standing here with Val Venis. Val, what do you think of Mr. McMahon's "For Her Hand" match set for tonight?" Maria inquired, putting on a cheerful façade for the fans.

"Well, Maria," Val crooned, "I think it's a great concept. I mean, only one deserving man should have exclusive rights to one beautiful, beautiful girl." He traced the line of her chin and pushed her hair behind her ear. Instead of making her succumb to his will like he intended, she was instead reminded of John Cena doing the same thing a few months back. Val's touch did not offer the electricity found whenever she and Cena came into contact.

"Heh," Maria said nervously and backed away a little. "That's nice. So what are your chances for winning this?"

"With the way you're responding, they're really good, baby." Oblivious to her dislike, he continued to make unwanted advances.

Maria looked away in disgust. Her demeanor brightened when she saw Cena walking not too far from the interview area. "John!" she called out. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your match against Val Venis tonight?"

Grudgingly, Cena walked over. He gave Val a menacing glare, yet remained indifferent toward Maria. He did not indicate having any previous relations with her, despite her obvious eagerness to have him make a move on her. She looked a little sad as she began questioning him.

Cena continued to ignore her flirtatiousness and continued to answer her questions like a professional. Soon, he became fed up with her incessant questioning as he did with her persistent worry and rambling. Instead of making her cease through another kiss, Cena cut her off with a caustic remark.

"Are we done here? Can you just stop asking me your stupid questions and go back to your little boyfriend?" He looked like he couldn't stand to be in her presence any longer.

Maria hurried to correct his misunderstanding, "But John, he's not—"

Val shocked her into silence by pulling her close to him possessively. Maria looked at Venis strangely and attempted to release herself from his grasp, squirming uncomfortably. Cena looked at Maria's fidgeting and chuckled inwardly. Outwardly, he maintained an impassive composure and raised his eyebrows in question.

"I'll see you in the ring," Cena growled warningly before leaving the area.

Venis laughed and gestured suggestively at Maria, who tried to hide her repulsion.

Maria came down to the ring, blowing kisses to the crowd amidst moderate cheers. While she held up a cheerful façade for the fans, she was struggling inwardly, hoping that Cena would win. She greatly disliked the affection from Venis, despite his care for her.

She made her way around the ring, shaking hands with fans at ringside, avoiding eye contact with either competitor, and sat at the announcers' table next to Jerry "The King" Lawler, much to his delight.

The bell rang, and immediately Cena and Venis began exchanging right hands. King opted to begin the commentary with Maria's views on the match.

"Maria, what are you thinking about this match? Having two guys fight over you must be interesting."

Though she wanted Cena to win, Maria seemed more worried about the welfare of the two as opposed to the outcome of the match. "Um, I just hope both of them come out okay. I haven't seen a hardcore match firsthand before. Is there a lot of blood?"

Jonathan Coachman scoffed at her stupidity, "Of course there's a lot of blood. They get to use whatever means necessary to win. Like now."

Joey Styles yowled, "Look at the impact Cena caused for Val Venis with that trash can."

Maria's eyes grew wide in disbelief. "Wow, I haven't seen that side of him before."

"Oh, but Maria," King pried, "What side of him have you seen?"

Maria blushed at his suggestive tone. "Something I wouldn't tell you about, King."

King howled. It wasn't every day that a WWE Diva insinuated that she was intimate with the Champ, John Cena. It also wasn't every day that said Champ was brutally attacked with a two-by-four, which Val Venis was currently doing with ferocity.

After a good fifteen minutes in the ring, both superstars were lying in the middle of the ring, bleeding profusely. Cena was slowly gaining consciousness and lifted Venis enough to throw him against the ropes. With his opponent moving with enough momentum for Cena's signature move, Cena hoisted the other on his shoulders for the F-U, slamming him down for the pin.

Maria was ecstatic. She no longer had to worry about Val Venis following her around against her wishes. She squealed into the microphone, happy that Cena had won. She took off the offending headpiece and rushed into the ring. Congratulations were in order, and Maria wanted to kiss Cena with as much passion as he did that one fateful February night.

She eagerly entered the ring, stretching her arms out to Cena for a hug. Instead of the warm welcome she expected, Cena stopped celebrating and shook his head. He walked away, causing Maria's bubbly demeanor to soon fizzle out, leaving her alone and rejected in the center of the squared circle. Her face crumpled in confusion, tears threatening to spill over. Falling to her knees, she whispered, "But, John…" and began to cry freely.