TITLE: Alluded Distress

AUTHOR NAME: Marlena R. Snape

EMAIL: BloodFlameRose@verizon.net

CATEGORY: Drama

SUB CATEGORY: Romance

RATING: PG-13 for language and such.

CAST: Marlena Dubois, Ashleigh Morgan, Chris Sabin, A.J Styles, as well as mentions and appearance of others throughout. ( Tons of cameos! )

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DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything, y'heard? I only own Marlena Dubois, as minus the last name and picture base? She IS me. ^_^ Ashleigh is credited to one of my best friends, Candace. Brooklyn Dubois ( the few parts she's in I should say ) is credited to my friend Angel, while Marlena's parents, and her sister Patricia are my real family. Chris Sabin, A.J Styles, and the rest of the NWA:TNA superstars in this story, are to my best rendition of their real selves, but I don't know them, or own them. ( However a girl CAN wish! ) Chris Irvine ( 'Jericho' in the WWE scene ) is not mine either…oh how I wish. He makes a few appearances as well, as do a few other WWE superstars. I own jack shite, okay? So don't sue me for letting my imagination run wild! :-P Enjoy the story.

And for this chapter more specifically than all the others, all songs, titles, artist, likenesses etc are credit to their creators, record labels, and performers. Schnat. Read!

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Chapter Four: Spending the Night, Right?

Sitting backstage, Marlena was packing up her bag. She had changed into a pair of Vera Wang Black Silk Georgette Pants that were tarted with silver glitter, a white Shelli Segal lace corset top, with a pair of black and silver strap spike heeled sandals. As she was packing things up, she had a smile on her face; after the great event where everything went together perfectly, how could she not smile? There was a knock on the door, and she glanced up.

"Come on in," She said, and the door soon opened. There standing on the other side, was Sonny Siaki with a smile on his face, dressed in black cargo pants and a white muscle shirt.

"Hey, am I interrupting you?" He asked, as Marlena shook her head, zipping up her bag.


"No not at all, what can I do for you?"

He gave a nod. "Cool. I just wanted to talk to you about the storyline we're going to be working together."

"Sure, I think that this is going to be cool." She said, and Sonny smirked.

"You're not the only one. I can't wait to get underway. Do you know when we come back from the two week hiatus, we have a confrontation backstage and you slap the shit out of me?" Marlena laughed softly.

"Do I? Awesome." Sonny smiled.

"I wouldn't think you'd like that, after all, it has to be hard to hit a stud like myself…"

"Believe me, honey…it's not hard at all." She giggled, patting his shoulder lightly as she picked up her bag. "I'll just think of you as someone I don't like, and slap the taste out of your mouth. That sweet?"

"Whatever floats your boat, hottie." Sonny said with a smile. "I'll catch up with you after break, if you need anything or have any questions over it, gimme a call okay?"

"Will do Sonny, thanks."

Sonny left her locker room, and she wasn't far behind him. She grabbed her black Giorgio Armani shimmering blazer, then put the bag over her shoulder. She walked out into the parking lot, keys in hand to unarm her car, as she heard voices behind her. Ashleigh and Chris had just walked out of the Asylum as well, and they were talking about something. She smiled, clicking the button on her key ring to take off the alarm, and then she heard Ashleigh's voice calling to her.

"Hey Marlena! You heading home?"

"Nah, not yet I'm not." Marlena said with a smile, putting her bag in the back of the car. "I'm heading to my friend's hotel. You?"

"Heading to my apartment." Ashleigh smiled, "I'll talk to you later hun! Have a good break!"

"You too Ash!"

Marlena got into her car, and started it up. She looked at the time, and nodded to herself, she had 10 minutes to get to Chris' hotel and not be late. She turned on the radio, the sound of "Numb" by Linkin Park blaring from the speakers as she rolled down the windows. As she was pulling out, she saw Allen coming from the Asylum with Sonny, a smile on his face as he nodded toward her direction. She gave a small wave, as she pulled out of the parking lot. Sonny and Allen were walking out to Allen's car, and Sonny smirked.

"So what do you think of the new chick?"

"She's real cool." Allen said, unlocking the driver's side door to his car. Sonny raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Cool huh? You mean to tell me you haven't checked out TNA's Christmas Present to us, man?" Allen rolled his eyes as Sonny smiled. "Seriously, she is a cool gal. I didn't think you knew her."

"She went to dinner with me before the show." Allen said; but quickly corrected himself. "She came with Sabin, Ashleigh and I to Nick and Rudy's."

"Sweet…maybe after break she'll go out with me." Sonny said thoughtfully, stroking his chin. Noticing the look Allen shot at him, he grinned. "I meant to dinner, paranoia. Don't get your panties in a twist…"

"My panties aren't in a twist…thank you." Allen grumbled quietly getting into his car. Sonny laughed, following into the car; and they were off.

*****************

It took her almost the full 10 minutes she had to spare, due to the mass amount of traffic, but she finally arrived at the hotel Chris, Jason, Charlie, and the rest of the WWE was residing in until tomorrow. She stepped out of the car after parking it, and shutting it off. Locking up the doors, she put on the alarm, and started into the hotel with a smile on her face. As she walked in; Randy Orton was standing in the lobby, dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white button up shirt, glancing at his watch. She walked up behind him, patting his butt with a laugh. In a moment of shock, Randy spun around, only to meet the vindictive smile on face of Marlena.

"Who are you waiting for hot stuff?" She asked in a playful voice, and he just smirked at her.

"Actually, you. Chris asked me if I'd come down here and wait for you. To, escort you if you will, up to the suite. Since Charlie is too busy primping his hair…" He held out his arm for her to take. "Shall we?"

"What's with the formality, Randy? You're freaking me out." Marlena said with a small chuckle, linking her arm with Randy's. He smiled a bit.

"Well, even a man like myself gets the urge to be a gentleman, you know." The coy grin on his face told the story, as they walked into the elevator, Marlena rolling her eyes with a smile.

The elevator made it's way up to the 10th floor, where Jason was waiting outside of it, dressed in a pair of loose fitting blue jeans and a red tee-shirt.

"It's about TIME you made it!" He said with a smile, directed toward Marlena - who looked confused.

"Since when am I the center of all of y'all's attention?" She asked, but stopped quickly. Did she just say…y'all? She blinked a bit, exhaling. "So what's the big deal? Chris miss me that much?"

"I guess so, but you so need to do something with Charlie…"

"What's the problem?" She asked, scratching the back of her neck lightly as she looked at Jason. Jason took her hand, and was leading her down to Chris' suite.

"He's more prima donna than usual…" Jason said with a laugh, as Randy was walking on Marlena's opposite side snickering.

"When I left, he couldn't get his hair right…" Randy said, and Jason shook his head.

"It got worse. He couldn't figure out what to wear…he started asking Chris for fashion tips…"

"He's insane, right?" Marlena asked, laughing lightly as they approached the door. "Asking Chris? Please…"

Jason opened the door, snickering at her comment. How right she was! Charlie could have been asking him advice! Jason did have the 'Mac Style', in his opinion. Charlie was standing in front of the floor length mirror near the bathroom, while Chris was relaxing, laying on the sofa. Chris put his right index finger against his lips as he saw Marlena, Randy, and Jason enter the room, and Jason grinned. He told Marlena to stand behind Randy, and as she did, he coughed.

"Sorry to break it to you dudes, but Marlena didn't show up…" He said, his voice sounding somber, serious, almost sad.

"Are you shitting me?" Chris asked, sighing, he shook his head. "Damn, I was looking forward to seeing her before we left…"

"What do you mean she didn't show!?" Charlie exclaimed, looking at himself in the mirror. He brushed his left hand through his hair, frowning. "Did she call?"

"Sorry man, maybe she's just freaked out by your interest?" Randy inquired, before jumping with Marlena elbowing him in the back. He squinted with a smirk, but never said anything out loud. "Hate to say it, man, but maybe if you were a little more like me y-"

"If he was a little more like you I'd shoot him…" Marlena said, stepping out from behind Randy with a smile. "Hey Chrissy…Charlie…where is everyone?"

"I thought - he said - you weren't -" Charlie stammered, and Chris was slowly sitting up with a chuckle.

"Stuttering…that's real sexy, man." Chris said, sitting upright on the sofa. He patted the spot next to him, and Marlena walked over. But rather than sitting in the spot, she hopped into his lap with a smirk.

"You're more comfy…" She said and Chris arched his eyebrow with a grin.

"You know it."

There was a knock at the door, and Randy opened it, only to smile. Trish Stratus was standing on the outside of the hotel room door with a 24 pack of Labatts blue beer in her hand, and a smile on her face.

"Hey Trish, come on in."

"Thanks, Randy." Trish said, walking into the room. Randy's eyes traveled down the blonde's body, inadvertently, which caused Jason and Chris' eyes to roll, and Charlie just sat down next to Chris.

"Nice touch, Trish." Jason said with a smile, taking the beer from her. He placed it down on the table that was next to Chris' bed, and then sat down. Trish sat in front of Charlie, Chris, and Marlena - who was still on Chris' lap.

"I know how you guys think, so…I guess it is a pretty nice touch isn't it?" She said with a half smile, as the hotel room door opened again. John ( Cena ) walked in, 2 brown paper bags in his hands and he raised them up.

"The docta has come through!" he exclaimed with a grin, glancing around. He looked a little confused, as to why in the world Marlena was sitting on Chris' lap. Chris smirked a bit, and motioned for John to close to hotel room door.

"We're getting ready to have WILD monkey sex, okay? That's why she's sitting on my lap." Chris said, sounding serious, which caused John to raise an eyebrow.

"Dude."

That's all John said, as he looked at Randy, who was chuckling away. He sat down, shaking his head.

"Well that's charming, Chris." Trish said softly, smirking a bit from her seat. "Should we wait for Shelton and Brock? Or should we just go out, then come back here and party?"

"We should wait." Marlena said, glancing around. The collective groan through the hotel room and she slowly smirked. "I said should, I didn't say we're going to!"

"I like the way she thinks." John said with a chuckle, as he put the two bottles in the mini-refrigerator. "Let's get out of here!"

Chris, Jason, Marlena, Trish, John and Charlie all ventured toward the hotel room door, as Randy was already over there. They made their way out, grabbing various things, such as purses, and jackets, and keys. As they were headed downstairs, Chris left a note on the door that read; "Gone to Tabu - meet us there, jackasses", which was clearly directed at Shelton, Brock, and who ever they had with them.

*****************

Arriving at the club, they group was lead into the VIP section upstairs. Marlena walked in with one arm linked with John's, one with Chris', Trish was with Randy, while Charlie and Jason were talking. They took two tables, and put them together, they were looking over the club from the VIP catwalk. A waitress came up to take their orders.

"I'll have a Jericho blue," Chris said, as everyone looked at him strangely. "I swear, it's a real drink!"

"I'll take a Canadian breeze…" Marlena said with a smile, shaking her head at Chris' defensive nature. "We believe you, Chris…"

"Could I get a slow gin fizz?" Trish asked, and the waitress gave a nod and smile.

"Hurricane Jane," Charlie said, sitting down next to Randy, who was trying to decide what he wanted.

"Velvet hammer…yeah, that'll do me right." Randy said, grinning at the waitress who wrote his order down.

"T-N-T," John said, as he leaned back in his seat next to Marlena, who was sitting between him and Chris.

"Highland fling," Jason said, and the waitress slowly went off to fill their orders. They all took their seats, but Marlena looked antsy. Whether it have been because she was in the middle, or because of the song that was playing.

"What's wrong?" John asked, as Marlena shook her head with a smile.

"Nothing really…I want to dance though…"

"You like Chingaling?" John asked, his eyebrows arched, a half smile on his face. He held out his hand as he stood up. "C'mon."

"What?" She asked, a small smile on her face as "Right Thurr" by Chingy was had just came on. She took John's hand, as he lead her over to the dance floor that was on the upper level. John placed one arm around her, pulling her close to him with a smirk.

"I take it you're a good girl dancer?"

"Think again…" She said with a small giggle.

As they danced, Charlie watched on - his eyes flickering with jealousy. He wasn't one to speak up though, and Chris noticed his growing anger. He couldn't help but smirk, after all, he had never seen Charlie as the jealous type. As John and Marlena danced, their bodies melded as one with the beat of the music, the drinks were served to the table. Also, Brock, Shelton, Stacy Keibler, Matt Hardy, Amy Dumas, Kurt Angle, Nidia Guenard, and Dawn Marie Psaltis, had finally showed up.

"Hey guys, damn took you long enough." Chris said with a smirk, as another table was pushed together.

"Well we had to convince Kurt to have some fun." Brock said with a smile as he sat down. Brock gestured to the floor where John and Marlena were dancing. "Who's the girl?"

"John's new playmate." Chris said, but pursed his lips not to laugh as Charlie gave him a sharp glare. "That's Marlena, my friend from back home."

"Daaaamn…" Shelton said, taking off his sunglasses to get a better look. "And you waited this long to bring her around? Foo' I should slap you!"

"Shelton." Charlie said, calmly, and Shelton looked toward him.

"What's up, man?"

"Eyes…OFF!"

"What's his problem?" Shelton asked, as Jason leaned over.

"Charlie has a crush…"

"It's not a crush!" Charlie exclaimed defensively.

"Then you don't mind what I'm seeing?"


It was Jason who poised the question from behind his glass, grinning. What they were seeing, was Marlena and John dancing seductively to "Lapdance" by N.E.R.D. Charlie's eyes diverted to his drink, he was clearly rowed up. When John's hand slipped around Marlena's waist, pulling her closer to him, was when Chris shook his head.

"Alright, okay…break it up, you sex crazed monkies."

Marlena actually laughed, as John just smirked, glancing toward her. She gave him a nod, as they finally stopped dancing. Marlena walked over, sitting next to Chris and Charlie. She took a drink from the glass in front of her, as John sat down, lounging next to Brock and Shelton.

"I don't see what was wrong. I was just showin' the girl my skills…"

"Not the only thing you were wanting to show her…" Charlie grumbled, which caused Marlena to smirk a little.

"Are you just a bit jealous Charlie?"

"Me?!" He exclaimed quickly, but frowned. "No…I promise."

"Oh." Marlena replied solemnly, maybe she wanted him to be. John scratched his head.

"Dude you gotta try harder than that…"

"Um…" Charlie looked a little nervous as he glanced apprehensively at Marlena. "Do…do you want to dance?"

"I'd love to." Marlena said with a smile, as she gave a quick wink to John, who had a smirk on his face.

"Burn" by Usher was in the process of playing, as the pair got up on the dance floor. Marlena stepped closer to Charlie, as she put her arms around him, and he did the same. They swayed to the sound of the music, as Marlena rested her head on Charlie's shoulder. Everyone in the group for a moment in time, stopped to watch. The chemistry was there, it was the makings of something beautiful - and right. If Charlie could stop being so shy! Marlena was the extroverted type, Chris had informed them all of that. If she had something to say, by god she said it. Charlie on the other hand, was so introverted it was annoying.

It was as if the song never ended, as it went right into another one - Charlie and Marlena continued dancing. Marlena's head was rested comfortably on his shoulder, and his arms were rested around her waist, his head leaned against the top of hers. "Take my breath away" by Jessica Simpson was playing, which actually had Brock and Dawn Marie on the floor together, as well as Chris and Trish.

After the dancing, and night of drinking, the group began splitting up. All of them, save for Marlena, had to be up in the morning at 9 to catch their plane to San Francisco ( for Raw ) and San Diego ( for Smackdown ) Knowing she had to drive, Marlena only had her first Canadian Breeze and a Labatts beer, which wore off an hour before she left. Exchanging hugs, kisses, and see you soon's, with the superstars, except for Charlie.

"Do you want a ride home?" Charlie asked thoughtfully, as she slowly smiled.

"I have my car. Do you want a ride?"

"Please?" He asked hopefully. "I don't really want to be stuck with a drunken Orton and Cena…" Marlena laughed softly as she held out her hand for Charlie to take.

"Of course. Come on, you can either stay with me, or you can go back to your hotel and suffer the wrath of Orton-zilla and the Cen-anator. In their drunken trance."

Charlie looked squeamish at her mentioning the nicknames, followed by the drunken trance, thing. He gave a nod as he took her hand.

"I'll go to your place…your couch comfy?"

Marlena laughed softly as she leaned her head against Charlie's shoulder, the pair walking out. It didn't take long, considering the Nashville traffic, to get back to Marlena's apartment from the club. Upon arriving, Marlena and Charlie got out of her car, heading upstairs. Getting to the door, Marlena unlocked the door and stepped inside, turning on the hallway light. She went through, turning on the lights in the apartment, turning back to smile at Charlie as she walked into the kitchen.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Pop would be great if you have it." He said softly, as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"Of course I do." She said, picking up a bottle of Pepsi from the refrigerator, sitting it down in front of him. "So you don't mind staying here then?"

"Nah, you seem real nice." Charlie said, cracking the top open. Taking a drink, he smiled shyly, glancing to her. "Now don't get me wrong, and don't take me for the playin' type, I'm not that kind of guy."

"I don't think you're that way, Charlie." Marlena said softly, as she smiled at him. "I think you're a really respectable guy. Definitely someone I would bring home to my mother."

"You mean that?" Charlie asked, a little hope budding in his eyes. Marlena giggled softly, as she placed a hand on his, which rested on the table.

"Of course I do. Why else would I invite you back to my place if I didn't trust you?"

"Just bein' nice probably?" Charlie asked, but slowly shook his head. "Sorry, I get nervous when I'm put on the spot…"

"You get nervous whenever a woman gives you the eye, Charlie." Marlena retaliated with a chuckle, but Charlie looked up.

"Oh no, it's not like that. Only…only around women I find attractive…"

"You find me attractive?" Marlena asked, smiling softly as Charlie gave a withdrawn nod. "Well that's good, because I think you are too."

She stood up from her spot at the table, patting his hands lightly. But Charlie stood up with her, holding her hands. He gulped quietly, as he looked down at her.

"Look. I know you and I just met…but it's like, I don't know. You've done somethin' to me…"

Marlena tried not to smile, but it was a devastating failure. She smiled softly, as she looked up at Charlie. He still looked nervous, as a little sweat was forming above his tense brow. She ran her right handed fingertips against the side of his cheek as she lost her smile, looking a little more serious.

"You're cute when you're nervous, Charlie Haas." She said, her manner taunting. Charlie on the other hand took a shallow breath. "Do I really make you that jittery?" She asked with a small giggle, but it was cut off when Charlie put his hands in her hair.

Marlena stopped as he leaned down, placing a small kiss on her lips. She looked a little taken aback, but Charlie no longer looked nervous. It was as if bringing himself into the kiss, took away his fear. He slowly smiled, his fingertips entwined with a strand of curls that accented her naturally straight platinum locks. After a moment, she leaned back toward him, pressing her lips back against his, another kiss shared. Time seemed to slow down for them, or it just seemed to stop all together.

"I…I'm sorry." Charlie stammered, but Marlena shook her head.

"God, please don't be." She said, looking up at him. "Because then I'd have to be sorry too, and I'm not…"

There was a moment of awkward silence between them, as Charlie timidly rubbed the back of his neck. He had a small boyish smile on his face as he took the time to look at her, releasing a heavy breath.

"Not sorry…then…" He said, after a long moment, which actually caused Marlena to chuckle lightly. "So…I um, think, maybe…we should get some sleep…"

"Definitely…you have to catch that plane at 9."

"I'll, er-- go set up the couch…" he said, but Marlena took his hand, turning him toward her.

"Come with me. I promise I won't bite…"

She lead him into her room, where he saw a large bed, almost too large for a single person to have. It left some questions opened. But she smiled softly as he stood beside her bed.

"Come on, you can sleep in here. I promise it'll be just that, sleeping. Besides, I'm exhausted. If you look in that bottom drawer…you'll find a jersey. Chris left it with my things at my old apartment, and I brought it here. It's humungous. And there's a pair of shorts in there. You can change, and come lay down."

"If you're sure…" Charlie said softly, a smile on his face as he reached into the drawer, pulling out the items.

"I am. I'm going to get dressed as well."

Charlie went into the bathroom to change, while Marlena was quick to get her cotton princess boxers, and a white camisole from her top drawer. Charlie called out to her before he was to open the door, which allowed her to finish dressing.

"Okay. I'm decent."

Waiting until he got the go-ahead, Charlie then emerged from the bathroom in black shorts and an oversized New York Rangers jersey, which caused Marlena to smile.

"You look better than Chris in that old thing…"

"That's not hard." Charlie said with a cheeky grin, which caused Marlena to laugh.

"There's a good start to an ego, Haas. I like that in a man. C'mon." She patted the bed as she crawled under the covers. "I won't bite unless you ask."

"Tempting." Charlie said with a smirk, as he walked around the bed, slipping in underneath the covers. As he laid down, Marlena looked at him.

"Don't get wigged out if I cuddle up to you…I just, do that, when I share a bed with someone."

"Don't worry about it, I don't mind. You can do that now if you're so worried…"

She slowly smiled, moving over next to him. Placing her head on his chest, she put her arm around him. She was a little surprised, to feel Charlie's arms wrap around her in return, which caused her to look up at him.

"Thanks."

"I'm not the one sided type…" Charlie said, running his hand through her hair. "Go to sleep. I'm right behind ya…"

"Alright…you better be going to sleep, too…"

"I am, don't worry."

As Marlena shut her eyes, he smiled, holding her close to him. So he didn't imagine his night would end like this, but he wasn't minding it. She drifted to sleep, as he watched her rest, her eyes fluttering like small butterflies, equally as beautiful. He stroked her hair as he was trying to relax her, the soft sound of "Falls on me" by Fuel playing from her bedside radio. He was mouthing the words, in a soft whisper, as he assisted in her falling asleep so fast. Soon though, Charlie felt himself drifting. He closed his eyes, falling asleep with her, as the song faded out.


Am I that strong
To carry on?
I might change your life
I might save my world
Could you save me?

And all of your weight
All you dream
Falls on me it falls on me
And your beautiful sky
The light you bring
Falls on me it falls on me

Falls on me…

…Falls on me…

[Author note: It took me literally forever to post this. I had the worst writers block, you don't even know! But I have plans for the next few chapters, so hopefully I can focus on those a bit. Hope this chapter was enjoyable, and I'll try to put some more out soon!]