TITLE: Alluded Distress

AUTHOR NAME: Marlena R. Snape

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.
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Chapter Eleven: It's Not That Complicated

The next morning, Allen rose a little later than he usually did when he stayed at Marlena, Chris, and Ashleigh's apartment. He didn't get out of bed until almost 11 A.M, which would have probably meant he missed breakfast. He didn't worry, though, as he pulled on a pair of blue jeans, and a white tee-shirt, heading out of the room. What he found, was Marlena sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a glass of cranberry juice, and reading the morning sports page. It was typical, and almost routine to him by now.

"I saved you some breakfast, it's in the microwave." She said with a smile, not taking her eyes off the paper. "Hope you like blueberry waffles and sausage."

"That sounds real nice." Allen said with a small, corner mouth smile in response, walking over the microwave. Pulling out the plate, he sat down, picking up a fork. Marlena got up from her seat, and poured Allen a glass of milk, and sat it down. He looked up at her, "Thank you."

"Not a problem. Enjoy."

There was a long silence again, as Marlena was reading the paper. Allen just ate his breakfast, a small smile still on his face. Marlena looked at him from over the paper, and he noticed, looking back at her.

"Your Braves won."

Marlena said, in reference to the Atlanta Braves. Allen just smiled. He didn't think she'd remember something like that, that he followed the Braves when he had time. He gave a small nod, after taking a drink from his milk.

"Thanks for that."

"Anytime, really." She said, as he was inquired to pick on her a bit. He had no choice.

"Did they go against your Mets?" He asked, knowing well that she had been to New York, and followed the Yankees. She just shook her head, smiling.

"No. But I'm happy because they lost to the Giants…" She said with a coy smirk as she looked at him. "That all works for me, because I have a thing for their catcher."

"Who's their catcher exactly?" Allen asked.

"Anthony John Pierzynski." She said, "They just call him A.J. He's one fine man, let me tell you that." She grinned to herself, putting the paper down. "And my Yankees won, so it looks like both our teams did something good."

"Who'd they face?"

"The Blue Jays." She said, before giggling. "Whipped up on 'em 18 to 6. Classic, classic bout."

She put the paper away, as Allen finished up his meal. He put the plate and glass in the dishwasher, that had the morning dishes in it. He was no inquired to ask, he hadn't heard or saw from Chris and or Ashleigh, since he got up. Marlena had went to get changed, and put on a pair of white cargo pants and a pink tank top.

"Hey…what ever happened to Ash and Chris?"

"They went out early this early this morning. Chris wanted to take Ashleigh shopping." Marlena explained, as she sat back down with Allen at the kitchen table. "Don't worry. They didn't run off to Las Vegas and get married." She said, chuckling quietly. "However, that may just happen yet."

"That would be weird…" Allen said, smirking a bit as he looked at her. She seemed really calm this morning, maybe she had slept well. Maybe something else oblivious to him was going on. "I gotta ask, how ya feelin' this morning?"

"Me?" She inquired, shrugging. "Well, I feel good. I mean I got to sleep around 3:30 or so, but when I went to sleep, is was just bam… I feel like I slept all night."

Allen thought to himself when she said what time she went to sleep. 3:30 or so? He nodded a bit, but was trying to think what time he went to bed. Rather, what time he left her room to go to bed. It was around 3:10...3:20... Allen almost froze. There was no WAY she could have been awake while he was literally, pouring his heart out. She looked at him offly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin', just thinking." Allen retorted quickly.

"Look. I think before you do anymore thinking, we need to talk." Marlena said, as Allen was the one to shoot her an odd look. "About what was said last night. I said we'd talk this morning…"

"I read the letter…" Allen said shortly.

"I would imagine you did."

Marlena was quiet for a moment, as she was trying to think of where she really was going with that comment. Allen was quiet, too, almost as if he didn't know WHAT to even think - let alone say - at a time like this. She looked over at him, breaking the silence.

"I feel bad for faking it, but I'm glad I did. I heard what you said last night in my room…all of it."

Allen looked at her. Just, a look of shock plastered across his face. He could have swore, SWORE she was sleeping when he was talking. She wasn't showing any signs of being awake. At all. That's why he poured his heart out. He immediately blushed, looking down. God, how could he have been so naïve?

"You helped me…" Marlena said, as Allen still refused to look up. She actually sighed, standing up. "I guess that doesn't matter though, does it?"

"I'm sorry…" Allen said, barely above a whisper, his head still down.

Marlena walked out of the kitchen, and headed to her bedroom. She walked in, shutting the door behind her, and flipped the switch on her radio. "Tangled Up In Me" by Skye Sweetnam was playing on the radio when she opened up her blinds and curtains, looking out over the view she had from her room. She had her arms crossed, and a torn up expression on her face when Allen walked into her room. She didn't even pay attention to him, in fact, she was almost ignoring him.

"Marlena." Allen said, but got no response. He shook his head a bit, he wasn't angry, but he hated more than anything to be ignored.

Allen gently grabbed Marlena's arm, turning her to face him. She just looked up at him, her eyes a little glassy. Whether she was on the verge of tears, or had already let some fall, was anyone's guess. Without really thinking, he leaned down, pushing his lips against hers in a impassioned kiss, but, for some reason she didn't fight. After almost a solid three minutes, Allen pulled away from her, and she just looked up at him again. There were no words to describe how either of them felt.

"I… I'm sorry…" Allen said, and turned to walk away. Marlena grabbed his arm this time, stopping him.

"Why do you constantly apologize?" She asked, an annoyed tone in her voice. "Don't you get it?! I don't want you to be sorry for having feelings for me!"

"I just don't want you mad at me for having feelings for you!" Allen retaliated, as Marlena just shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"You know what? If that's how it is… just… just, leave me alone, Allen…"

Marlena walked out of her bedroom, and into her bathroom. She shut the door, and locked it behind her. Allen was completely lost for words now. He had never had so many problems with one woman in his entire life. He thought the kiss would help, but it just dug him into a deeper rut than he had already been living in with her. He felt like it was just, hopeless. Allen walked out of the bedroom, and left a note on Chris and Ashleigh's bedroom door that he was heading back to his house. He left the apartment, and it was a few minutes until Marlena walked out of her bathroom. When she did, "Vindicated" by Dashboard Confessional was playing on the radio. She sighed, sitting down on her bed. She hated feeling like this.

When Chris and Ashleigh got back to the apartment, Chris grabbed the note from the door of his and Ashleigh's room.

Chris,
Gone back to my place. Shit got rough. If you wanna know, give me a call… I'll see you later…
-Allen

Short, sweet, and to the point. But what got rough? Chris told Ashleigh he'd be back in a little while, and put his jacket back on, heading out. He got into his car, and headed over to Allen's house. Chris just walked in, as Allen was sitting on the couch in the living room, drinking a cold beer. Chris looked at him, a confused look on his face.

"What are you doing?"

Allen was a little surprised, he hadn't even heard Chris come in. He put his beer on the side table next to the sofa, and looked over at where Chris was standing. Chris walked in, sitting down, and Allen just shook his head a bit. He really didn't know how to explain, in real words, what the hell was going on.

"She's gotta hate me." Allen said, as Chris looked even more confused.

"Who?"

"Marlena." Allen replied shortly, as Chris just, laughed at him.

"You're fucking kidding me, right?" Chris asked, as Allen shook his head. "You really are… I mean, you actually believe that?"

"I kissed her…" he said, putting his head down, "Then I said I was sorry…"

"What? Why? IDIOT." Chris said, shaking his head. "When you kiss a girl, you don't say 'damn baby I'm sorry!' afterwards. It makes them feel like you're apologizing for loving them."

"Stop sounding like her…" Allen grumbled.

"Well she's a smart chick, why not?" Chris said, shaking his head again. "You need to understand something dude, she's not going to take a pussy whipped boy. She wants a man. If you keep saying you're sorry for liking her, or loving her, she's not going to even give you the time of day."

"There's others out there…"

"Others YOU want?" Chris asked, as Allen rolled his eyes. "You need to stop and listen to yourself. You're acting like a spoiled rotten little bitch, Allen. Besides, we have a show to get to. Ashleigh and Marlena were getting ready when I left. You need to find her when you get to the arena, and the only apology you should be making, is the 'I'm sorry I was a fucking retard', apology."

"I guess… I guess you're right…" Allen said, shaking his head. "I just, I don't know where the hell I rate with her. She doesn't give ANY signs what so ever!"

"That's why you FIND them, jackass." Chris said, rolling his eyes. "Honestly. I did it with Ashleigh. You can do it with Marlena. They're not ALL that different you know."

Chris had finally made Allen realize something. It was true. At the arena, about an hour later, Marlena and Ashleigh were hanging out with the WWE superstars that had showed up. Irvine knew something was wrong with Marlena, and she finally explained to him what had been going on with Allen. Irvine was all ready to give this kid pointers, but Marlena told him to just ignore it. She went to the gym, and got a work out in before the big show. But when Allen and Sabin arrived? Irvine was right there.

"Hey, Allen? Can I speak to you a minute man?" Irvine asked, as Allen just shrugged.

"Sure."

Sabin walked into the arena, in aim to find Ashleigh and Marlena. Come to find out they were hanging at the gym with the other WWE stars that were coming by to see what was up with TNA. There were even some reunions, considering some old WWE stars were working in TNA. Meanwhile, Irvine had pulled Allen aside, and was talking with him.

"Do you like Marlena?" he asked, bluntly, as Allen just looked at him.

"Yes, I do."

"How much?" Irvine inquired, and Allen raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that important?" Allen asked, as Irvine just shook his head.

"If you can't answer a simple question like that, Allen, you don't deserve her…" Before Allen could say anything, he was cut off. Chris wasn't finished. "I've known that girl for years, I know how she operates. I've had the biggest crush on her since we were younger, and since she was trying to kick my ass back in Winnipeg. I respect her more than anything, more than anyone and if I wasn't married? You wouldn't have a shot, junior. I'd be taking her from TNA, bringing her to the WWE, and get with her myself. She would be the future Mrs. Irvine, you hear that? Don't you get it? I'm not the only one with a crush on her. John would snatch her up in a heartbeat, Charlie, would probably dump his current girlfriend for another shot with her, Randy is just, well, fuck if I know. I won't get into Jay's guilty, loveable idiot comments, either. But she's willing to give you the time of day. Does that mean ANYTHING to you?"

"Is she really?" Allen asked, "She hasn't shown me anything."

"Well, maybe if you tried, you'd get the picture. It's not hard to open your eyes and see how she looks at you. It's not hard to take a step back from your ego, and get to know how she is. Ask people, fuck you could have asked me. I've known her nearly all her life. I want her happy… that's all I ever wanted… and if you can do it, then I'm fine."

"What do you want me to do?" Allen asked, looking at Chris. "I mean, a little help would be nice…"

"Go in there, take her aside, and prove to her how you feel." He said, "And don't do anything stupid…"

"Like apologize…" Allen said quietly, nodding. "Thanks… Chris…"

For the second time that day, a "Chris" gave him some good advice. When Allen was going into the asylum, she was heading toward the women's locker room, a smile on her face. Ashleigh and her were talking, as the WWE stars were out in the arena, looking things over, and just getting a tour. It was over all a good atmosphere. Allen coughed quietly from behind them, and Ashleigh turned. She smiled brightly.

"Hey, Allen!"

"Hey, Ash." Allen replied, looking toward Marlena, who had turned. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"I really shoul-"

"Go on!" Ashleigh interrupted with a smile. "I'll just be in the locker room."

Ashleigh quietly, quickly walked away. Marlena didn't say anything, looking down at her white pumps, trying to avoid eye contact with Allen. That didn't last very long, as his actions were more dominate, more confident. He put his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His eyes locked with hers, and she just, sighed, but the sighing was cut off by Allen once again, kissing her. This time, though, he didn't hesitate. He put his hand on the back of her head, running his hand through her hair, as he kissed her passionately. It lasted again, for quite a while. After he broke the kiss, she expected the apology, and could feel the tears oncoming.

"I'm not sorry about that, either." Allen spoke, his tone earnest. "You're gonna tell me right now, how you feel about me. I'm not leaving until you do."

It took her by surprise. A good surprise. He was no longer acting shy, or like a little boy who had been caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. That annoyed the HELL out of her. She went to open her mouth, but the shock kind of, prevented her from saying anything. Allen waited, and finally, something came out.

"Didn't you hear me this morning?" She asked, "I said you helped me… helped me understand how I felt about you. When you were talking, and telling me how you felt, honestly, it helped me realize I care about you. But when you constantly apologize for things, it makes me feel like you're saying 'I'm sorry for liking you, maybe it's a mistake', and that hurts."

"So I was stupid." Allen said, "I'm sorry for that. But nothing else."

"What is this going to mean, anyway? I mean, we work together. Nothing can come about from this, can it?" She asked, as Allen looked at her offly.

"People can work together, and have feelings for each other. Don't you understand? I don't have some petty little crush on you, I'm IN LOVE with you."

Allen just, spit it out. Finally. He had waited, literally, months, to tell her to her face that he was in love with her. She just, genuinely looked stunned, as if she didn't know. Then again, Allen realized how he covered it. He took a breath, resisting the urge to apologize again for the way he said it.

"It's not so new, really. I've liked you since I met you, it was a crush then. But over the past few months, it grew, and I knew I loved you. I can't believe I waited so long to say anything… I just, I knew you were with Charlie, and I knew you had just broken up with him, I didn't want to come off as trying to snatch you on the rebound. Does that make sense…?"

"Yeah…" Marlena said quietly. "It does."

"What are you thinking?" He asked, as he looked at her. He was searching her face for some type of sign. He never found it, but didn't back down.

"Just, what you're saying. I wish you would have told me sooner, but, I understand." She started, taking a breath. "I guess, what I'm thinking is - I really do like you… I mean, it might even be more than that, but I just figure our jobs…"

"With work aside, how do you feel about me?" Allen asked, as Marlena looked thoughtful. She had never expected Allen to be so frank with her. It was actually… good. It was what she wanted…

"Some might say it's love."

"What about you? What do you say?" Allen inquired.

"I think I say the same thing… I just need to figure that out. Can you help me?"

"I believe I can." Allen said, feeling as if an entire weight had been lifted off him. He figured, it was the closest he was going to get. She had technically, just said she loved him, but needed to figure it out fully. "Actually, I know I can. People in the business date all the time." He said, "I mean, I never thought I would… but after I met you, I was going to make an exception if you'd let me."

"Really?" she asked, as Allen nodded.

"Yes, really." He took her hand, looking down at her. "You make me happy… without ever trying… that means something to me." He said, as she actually smiled. "I can't explain how you do it but you do. You make me feel like I can just be me, without having to put on some front. You've made me realize that everything in this life doesn't have to be hard. Love isn't that complicated… at least that's how I feel when I'm with you."

"You're almost poetic…" She said with a smirk, as Allen smiled.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Allen leaned down, kissing her forehead gently. But Marlena put her hand on the side of his face, looking up at him. Her sapphire eyes always seemed to take something away from Allen. He figured, it was her way of dragging all breath from his lungs, because that's how she made him feel. Breathless. "What?" He asked, slowly smiling at her as she just looked at him.

"Is it stupid to say you're beautiful?" Marlena asked, as Allen chuckled softly.

"I would think handsome would work…"

"No… you're beautiful to me…" She said, as she rested her forehead against his chin. She smiled softly, feeling him kiss her forehead again. She held his hand, and looked back up at him. "Come on, we have a show to get ready for…"

"You got it."

Allen walked with her to the locker room area, and he put his arm around her. She didn't seem to mind, in fact, she moved closer to him, putting her arms around his waist. He felt relieved, more than anything, that he had finally been able to say what he felt without feeling the need to be sympathetic. And it got out of her how she felt, too. He made a mental note: "Thank Chris Squared Later…"

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A/N: The next chapter will be the TNA PPV… this took forever to write, but there you go, guys! -M.S