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! )

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Note: In this chapter, you get to see a LOT of what Marlena's family life is like. The way they're not just your average family next door, and the religious standpoint. See just how BIG it is in her family. Since it's the first time she's been home and it's documented in the story, you get to see how life in Manitoba is for "Lena D."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Thirteen: Home Sweet Home

It was less than a week until the big "Vendetta Rising" pay-per-view, and to say the least, Marlena was a little nervous. This was the first BIG event that she'd be a part of. And a lot was expected of her, considering she was an up-and-comer in the Women's Division, and not to mention, the best face diva the company had at that moment. Considering the event was in Minneapolis at the Target Center, Marlena took the opportunity to go somewhere that she hadn't been in what seemed like, months.

Home.

It had in fact been months. Just about five months. She had never been away from home that long, and never had an opportunity to really get away from Winnipeg for so long before. The only time she was at home was in late March, the 20th, when Patricia gave birth to her niece Charity Amber Rose Dubois. How she missed seeing that little girl already. She'd finally get a chance to stay home and bond with her.

Marlena decided to give Ashleigh and Chris directions to her family's home in Winnipeg, Manitoba - and that's where TNA's Queen Diva went. She didn't tell her family of her ideas of stopping home while she was in the mid-west, in fact, she thought it would be a nice surprise. She knew her father wasn't in New York City anymore, as his position had been replaced, her sister Brooklyn was home going to college in Manitoba, and Patricia was home too, taking care of her baby Charity, which was only pushing a couple months old now.

Allen was going to be going out to Minnesota later in the week, so Marlena took the time to send him a message. She left a voice message on his cell phone, telling him to get ahold of Ashleigh and Chris if he wanted directions, and that she'd be in Manitoba until Friday before the event. She decided to drive from Minnesota to Winnipeg, which wasn't all that far. Maybe six or seven hours drive. She had driven farther for wrestling events before, so it was nothing. Or on the drives to her grandmother's in British Columbia. She loved the scenery, anyway. Nothing said beauty like the mid-west and Manitoba for her.

She drove down the long gravel road leading up to her family's house. There was no denying her family was 'well off' as people would say, but her father was no stranger in law systems in New York State. He had a six or seven digit sum career that he maintained for years. Her sister Patricia too was into law, but now more into taking care of her and her fiancée Bryan's baby girl. The house was almost too big. Even though when she lived in Winnipeg, she lived in a small one bedroom apartment, she had resources outside of her simple job. Her family.

Parking her black Mitsubishi Eclipse rental car, a New York Christian station called "The Wave" was playing from the satellite radio, "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. Marlena wasn't orthodox religious, but she was falling back into faith, Catholic. The Wave always relaxed her, and the words of encouragement, inspiration, and praise made her feel good no matter her mood. Her household, though, was strictly Catholic. She wasn't always so 'into it' but held a lot of Catholic beliefs true.

As she got out of the car and headed up the walkway to the front door, she walked in without knocking - naturally, she had no need. Hearing voices, Marlena followed the sound, and found herself heading toward the back veranda that looked over the vineyard and back yard of her family's estate. There was a barbeque going on by the looks of it, with Marlena's father operating the grill, her mother entertaining her grandmother from BC, her grandfather from Winnipeg, a couple aunts and uncles, cousins, Patricia, Brooklyn, Bryan, Charity, and Brooklyn's boyfriend Mackenzie. Letting the door shut loudly, as she stepped out onto the covered veranda, that caught the attention of a few of them. A gasp from her mother was the first thing she heard.

"Marlena!"

Marlena smiled softly, as the cluttering and clambering all but ceased, but soon surrounded her. She snatched Charity up from Patricia as she walked over, exchanging hugs, kisses, and smiles ALL around. It was perhaps one surprise her mother was excited about - that didn't include her daughter getting hurt during a wrestling match. She STILL hadn't let that go.

"How's everything?" Patricia asked, as Marlena smiled at her. Charity cooed quietly, as she clung to Marlena's shirt.

"Everything's incredible." Marlena replied, "I've missed being home though. I like living in Nashville, but this is home."

"Have you seen Chris?" Brooklyn inquired, as Marlena nodded her head.

"A few times, yeah. I went to Manhattan before I came up here for when Charity was born to see Ash and Jessica too." Marlena told Brooklyn, "You wouldn't believe how cute Ash is. And he's getting big."

"Does he look like Chris?"

"Yeah…" Marlena smiled, "He really does. The only thing that worries me is Jess and Chris are fighting like cats and dogs over the most stupid of things…"

Conversation later shifted to how Marlena was doing away from wrestling, and away from all of the Chris details Brooklyn was dying to know. Marlena's father inquired whether she had a boyfriend or not, and trying to deny it was not the smartest thing. She just laughed a little, as she took a drink from the cup of tea in front of her. It was later that evening in the Dubois home, and the backyard party had broken up, except for Brooklyn, her boyfriend, Patricia, her fiancée, Charity, the parents, and Marlena.

"Yes, daddy." Marlena finally said, "I do. I've had two since I left."

"Hussy!" Brooklyn exclaimed playfully, causing some laughter. "I mean, two ain't bad, right?"

"No." Marlena said with a smile. But her mother interjected.

"If your grandmother would have heard you say that, Brooklyn…"

"I know."

"Don't worry, mom." Marlena said, "It's not like she called me something else."

"I could have had more but I've digressed from that track! Thank you."

"I heard you dated a WWE guy." her mother once again said, as Marlena shrugged.

"Yeah, it wasn't a long thing though, only a few weeks." Marlena didn't think too much of it, really, but Charlie was a big deal to her. Even now. "Charlie Haas. He's a cutie, but our schedules were just too different to work out."

"Ooh, Charlie…" Brooklyn giggled a little, "He IS hot. Did you guys…?"

"No. And you shouldn't even be thinking like that. Remember, we're a nice wholesome household with Catholic morals!" Marlena smirked quietly "Right, Trish?" Patricia nodded her head a little, laughing quietly. Bryan just smirked.

"Ooh, that was a religious thing. At least I'm getting married. A child out of wedlock? Big thing, okay? I get it, that was totally directed at me. Carry on."

"She couldn't resist me." Bryan said, "So I grant you permission to blame me."

"You're blamed." Marlena said with a grin.

"Ditto." Brooklyn chimed in.

"Who's this you're dating now?" her father asked. He was always one to ask something like that, and want to know right then and there.

"His name is Allen Jones. You might know him best a-"

"A.J Styles!" Mackenzie inquired, his eyes the size of Canadian dollars. "No way!"

"You've heard of A.J?" Marlena shook her head a little, "How could you not…actually. Never mind…"

"He's a very good competitor." Bryan said, "I've seen him compete when I lived in Georgia."

"When do we get to meet him?" Protective father. Marlena laughed softly.

"Daddy, relax. Don't get all freaked on me now, okay? With any luck, he'll be coming up here with my friends Ashleigh and Chris. They're both competitors in the fed too. You know, Princess Ashleigh and Chris Sabin?"

"Those horribly spoiled ones?" her mother inquired, wrinkling her nose a little. "You're friends with them?"

"Of course I am!" Marlena smiled, "They're good, respectable people outside of the ring. I promise. Ashleigh comes from a good family, a nice household, and Chris does as well. Ashleigh is from Minnesota. Well, she was born in Oklahoma, raised in Minnesota, and moved back to Oklahoma before bunking with me in Nashville. Chris is from Detroit. Allen is from Georgia. They're all a bunch of nice people. They're not like their on screen character, their persona."

Her family, was the epitome of protective of her. It was probably in the fact her mother and father both grew up in very religious, close knit house holds respectively, and there was never a secret in the mix. Her mother was delighted to hear of how was starting to get back into her religion, and was automatically elected to go to Church the next evening with her family. Maybe she inserted her foot into her mouth! Why did the Catholic church insist on mass in the middle of the week?

Early the next morning, Marlena was woken up by her cell phone ringing. She was sleeping in her room at her family's house, comfortable, content, relaxed. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand, the ringtone was something from 'Invader Zim' called the 'doom doom song'. She stumbled with her phone slightly as she opened it, and put it to her ear, resting her head back on the pillow.

"This better be good."

"I'd hope hearin' from me is a good thing."

There was a familiar laugh, and Marlena slowly smiled. Allen. She turned over, covering her eyes with her arm as she let out a quiet groan, stretching out a little. Allen was up, and out - unbeknownst to her, IN Manitoba. He had driven there from Ashleigh's in Minnesota, after making his own reservations and arrangements. Like Marlena surprised her family, he was out to surprise her.

"Whatcha doin', baby?"

"Sleeping…" Marlena said, laughing softly. "Or I was. It's only 0800 hours..."

"Eight A.M?" he glanced at his watch, that said ten after nine, and realized, the time difference. He shook his head. "Sorry babe, I didn't realize the time."

"Hey, it's okay." She said, "I'm not mad. I'm happy to hear your voice. If it was anyone else, I'd probably forsake my morals and the law to kill them…"

"Comfortin'." he chuckled softly, "I got your voice mail tellin' me to get ahold of Ash and Chris on where you are. I wanted to head on up sometime, but I can't get a straight answer from them…"

"Really?" She sounded a little shocked, but sighed. "Typical. Chris doesn't know his way around, and Ashleigh isn't familiar with Manitoba..."

She ripped off directions once you get into Manitoba to Winnipeg, and then straight to her family's estate. She didn't think he'd show up there now, or within the next hour. Hell, she wasn't expecting him for a couple days!

"That help? You got that all written down?"

"Yep. All stored away." In the on star computer… Allen thought to himself, smirking wickedly. "I at least know I'll have the right directions, and not end up somewhere else…"

"Like Chris Irvine's family's house?" she asked, laughing softly. "They don't live far from us, so it would have been wickedly possible for you to end up at Chris's family's place."

They talked for a few more minutes, before then hanging up. Marlena decided to finally get up out of bed, and got dressed for the day. Considering it was almost May, the temperature was mild and nice for nearing 0900 hours. When she got up, her sister Patricia was on the back veranda, feeding Charity breakfast. Marlena's parents were out playing tennis, and Brooklyn was in the study, going over fashion designs for her final exam at the Manitoba Art Institute, her school.

She sat down with Patricia at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee. Fixing it to her taste, she smiled as she watched Patricia feeding the baby. Marlena had always wondered what it would be like to have a baby, but because of the religion and her belief in a Catholic's desire to wait for the act of making love until being in love, she never had the opportunity to be with someone to have a baby. Patricia was with her fiancée Bryan, and they were getting married that summer. At least there was further intuition to commit now, with Charity being there.

"How's the baby?" Marlena asked, as Patricia smiled, nodding her head.

"She's good."

"You know, seeing her, it makes me want to ask you questions…" Marlena laughed softly, taking a drink from her cup. "What's it like to be a mother?"

"Wow," Patricia seemed a little taken aback by her younger sister's question. "Well, I for one feel overwhelming pride being a mother. I know I should have waited to be married, but it doesn't make me love her any less."

"I never got to ask what mom and dad thought."

"Mom, while she too thinks I should have waited - she's proud of having Charity around. Dad loves her to death. You know how mom and dad are though. Mom's first boyfriend was dad. Mom's first everything was dad. I made some mistakes, you know." Patricia said, "But you see, without the mistakes I'd never have met Bryan, and I wouldn't have Charity."

"Yeah." Marlena nodded her head a little, "I kind of want to be a mother." She quickly added, "Someday. I couldn't handle it now though, with wrestling and all. I'm always physically interactive with another person, so there would be a chance of getting hurt, hurting a baby, all of that."

"You have a good head on your shoulders, kid." Patricia said, as she patted Charity's back, to get the baby to burp. "You see, I know I messed up when I was growing up, but knowing what I know now, I couldn't and wouldn't change it. I have a beautiful little girl, a good man who wants to marry me, and plans to live life the way I was intended to."

"What does Father Marcus think of Charity?"

"Father Marcus…" Patricia smiled as she said his name, chuckling softly. "He said, Charity is a gift from god granted to two people who obviously love each other. He's performing our marriage ceremony, too. He said, it's god's will that Charity was to be born to us, now, so we'd have the strength and courage to commit to one another in front of our family, our peers, our savior… you know. His usual carry on..."

"Yeah," Marlena smiled. "Yeah I get that."

Father Marcus Camby was the family's close personal friend, and religious adviser for years. Even before Patricia was born. He christened Patricia, Marlena, and Brooklyn to the family's church, held their first communions, conformations, every religious landmark they went through. Including, the upcoming marriage of Patricia and Bryan. It was something Marlena was going to have to break away from TNA for, because of what Patricia proceeded to ask her.

"When Bryan and I get married, do you want to be the matron of honor?"

"…What?"

"Will you, be the matron of honor, at Bryan's and my wedding?" Patricia repeated, emphasizing, before laughing. "Why the shock, kid? I'm surprised you didn't ask what took me so long to ask!"

"I just, I figured you'd have had mom for that or something…" Marlena said, before nodding her head. "I'd love to. I'm flattered."

"I can't imagine having someone else do it, brat."

"I'll definitely do it." Marlena said, as she smiled at Patricia. "I'm a little shocked, yes, but I'm really happy you asked me…"

It was about an hour past since when Allen had called her, and woken her from her sleep that Marlena was told by the doorman, Herald, that someone was there to see her. She was figuring, maybe Chris was visiting his family and heard she was there? Maybe Chris and Ashleigh? She didn't think it was Allen, after all - he wasn't anywhere near Manitoba. He was in Georgia, right?

W R O N G.

Marlena walked out to the front door, and as she opened it, she screeched with surprise. Allen just smiled at her, holding out his arms. She jumped into his arms, her own arms wrapped tightly around his neck and his arms were around her waist. He didn't expect that kind of reaction, but hey! He wasn't arguing! It was something that he'd have only dreamed of getting. Score.

"Miss me, did ya?" Allen asked, his Georgia twang a far cry from what she was already back used to being in Manitoba. She giggled softly.

"Of course I did…" She said, "I didn't expect to see you today… I thought you'd come up later this week, but not today…"

"I was already here in Manitoba when I called ya…" he said, "I drove up here from Minnesota, after arrangin' everythin' for the show. Reservations and such." he smirked a bit, "Thought it would be a good surprise an' all."

"It is! It really is…" she smiled and looked up at him, running her hand down his face lightly. "I didn't realize how much I missed you until you called… I mean, being home is great, but I guess I really missed seeing you all the time. Lame, huh?"

"I don't think so." Allen said, "Makes me feel good."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He smiled, and kissed her nose gently. "So we gonna stay out here all day?"

"No… I bet you're cold…" She smirked, "It's beautiful out…"

"Just because I'm from the south doesn't mean I'm a wimp in cooler weather, darlin'."

"You never know…" She flashed an almost wicked smile at him, as she took his hand into hers. "Come on, you - you have to meet the family."

It was noon when the Dubois family reunited for lunch on the veranda. Marlena was slow to come out to it because she was showing Allen around, but when she finally made it out there, Brooklyn, Patricia, their parents, Charity, Bryan, and Mackenzie were all sitting around the large table eating salad and chicken breast from the grill. Typical family lunch, really. Marlena walked out hand-in-hand with Allen, and Mackenzie's face dropped, shocked to see "THE A.J Styles!" in the same house he always was at. Marlena smiled a little.

"Hey guys, I want you to meet someone." she said, as she gestured toward Allen with her freehand. "This is my boyfriend Allen, Allen… this is my mother, my father, sisters Brooklyn and Trish, Trish's fiancée Bryan, their daughter Charity, and Brooklyn's boyfriend Mackenzie."

Everyone made their introductions as far as 'nice to meet you' went, and Marlena and Allen finally sat down. While lunch was great -- it always was at home; it was the after lunch that was so special. Allen and Marlena left her family's house, and went for a long walk. They just talked, as they held hands, walking down the path through the vineyards behind the estate. Allen looked around as Marlena wrapped her arms around his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. For some reason, she felt loved with Allen. She felt, more than just that. Respected, cared for, cherished. She adored that.

Allen wasn't minding the attention. He made it no secret how he felt about her, and wasn't going to start now. Well, it was a change from how Allen HAD acted, before Chris Irvine and Chris Sabin got a hold of him… oh how words can change a man! He found himself feeling stronger about her every time they say each other, and every time that he wasn't right with her, he felt himself missing her. That was what love was, he imagined… that 'need to be with' feeling, that helpless feeling when you weren't with that person… love…

She luckily felt the same way…

"I missed you." Allen said quietly, as she turned her attention to look up at him. She smiled, that same smile that always left Allen feeling breathless.

"I missed you more…"

"I'd say prove it, but I'm a gentleman." Allen flashed her a grin as they stopped walking. They stood in the vineyards, and Marlena wrapped her arms around Allen's neck.

"I will prove it, then." She said quietly, almost in a whisper.

She leaned up, lightly grazing her lips against Allen's. Allen let her do what she wanted to, without objection. The light grazing turned into a full kiss, as she held her arms tightly around him, her lips testing his. Allen was extremely respectful when it came to Marlena, but little did he know how much he was changing her opinions about herself everyday. She could only picture being with him, and while it scared her, it enticed her. It made her think that everything was going to be just fine with them. Being with Allen made her believe in love.

That night, Allen was going to head back to Minnesota, but Marlena wouldn't let him leave. In fact, she bribed him. Typical girl, right? When you don't want your man to go, you break out an offer he can't refuse! Unfortunately for Allen, Marlena was good at what she did in that field. With an almost evil smile, she held both of his hands as he stood by his car. He was honestly going to go!

"Do you have to…?" She puffed up her bottom lip, "I mean…"

"Don't give me that look, girl…" Allen sighed a little as he tried diverting his eyes. Goodyear tires were interesting at that point in time. "This is your family's place…"

"So? It's my home, too. And what's my home is your home… please?" She pulled her hand up, placing it on the side of his face. Turning his face to look at her, she had a sad look in her eyes. "You can sleep in my bed…"

"Marlena…"

"We can sleep in late and cuddle…"

"Damn it…"

"I love you… if you love me you'll stay…"

"Ah hell…" Allen sighed, closing his eyes as he leaned against his car. For a brief moment, Marlena smiled to herself, but quickly dropped the smile.

"Well… if you want to go I can't make you stay…"

"You've already made me stay, girl…"

"Really!" She grinned to herself and giggled. "Good! Come on, let's go inside, then."

"You're an evil little jezebel, Miss Dubois…" He started, shaking his head as he started up the walkway with her. "My momma warned me about girls like you…"

"But you obviously love me, so I think your momma would approve…"

"Shush, evil lady." Allen said as Marlena couldn't help but smile to herself.

"If you want me to, I'll shut up and sleep in the den…"

"If you're sleepin' anywhere, it's gunna be with me." Allen said, as he put his arms around her from behind, walking into the house with her.

Deep down, Marlena knew what she had with Allen. It wasn't just a fling, it wasn't just a 'thing', it was what she defined as love. She knew in her heart once she had the time to be around him, think about it, find out for herself… it was the knock you for a loop, love. The, forever flying feeling, love. The kind of emotion you couldn't fake, even if you were an actress the caliber of Nicole Kidman… an actor the caliber of Robert De Niro… it was for real.
She was comfortable in their love now, no longer was there any uncertain feelings.

Allen stayed with her for the three days remaining until they BOTH had to get to Minnesota for the pay-per-view. Marlena was packing up her things when her sister Brooklyn walked into the bedroom, something in her hand. It was a bag. Allen was in the shower so it gave the sisters a few minutes to talk amongst themselves. They sat down on the bed, and Brooklyn handed Marlena the bag.

"Here, it's something I made for you."

"Really? Why did you go through the trouble?" She asked, as she slowly opened the bag. Inside the bag, was a top. An original design of Brooklyn's. With it was a pair of jeans with Brooklyn's "Lena D" logo she created in gemstones and rhinestones. Marlena looked at it, with a confused look. "Brook…. this is incredible…"

"It's nothin'." Brooklyn said, "I mean, It didn't take me that long. It's actually my final project. I needed to make something and get my product out there. I know you're in the spotlight a lot, so I made this specifically for you. It's more than just for the project, it's because I want you to be as proud of me as I am of you…"

"Oh, honey…" Marlena smiled softly as she wrapped her arms around Brooklyn's neck, hugging her tightly. "I've been proud of you since the day you were born… but I am very proud of you for all you've accomplished. You're on the way, Brooklyn… you're going to make it in this business."

"Thanks…" She slowly stood up. "I'll let you get ready… did Allen already leave?"

"No, not yet. We're leaving together." Marlena said as she stood with Brooklyn. "Why do you ask, hon?"

"I just wanted to say thanks to him."

"For?"

"…For making my sister happy." Brooklyn smiled a little, as she left the bedroom.

Marlena stood there dumbfounded for a moment, not even hearing the bedroom door as Allen walked back in, just wrapped in a towel at that moment. He didn't realize Marlena was still in there, but he didn't care. He just didn't want to make her uncomfortable. Allen thought he was home free as she wasn't paying attention, but as he opened his suitcase, she turned around. He covered up immediately, but Marlena just smirked at him.

"Don't worry," She said, "I didn't see anything." Allen chuckled in spite of himself, as he shook his head.

"Not worried, girl." Allen said, "I mean, I've had worse people seein' what I have to offer. You're different than them, baby."

"I'd hope so…" She tried to shield a smirk. She walked over to him and placed her arms around her neck, pressing her body against his. Allen seemed a little shocked by her actions. "You see… I'd hope you'd think that, otherwise, this is pointless." She smiled as she leaned in, kissing him softly. He wrapped one arm around her, as one still held his towel closed, and kissed her back.

"You ain't playin' fair, girl." Allen said quietly as he kissed her again, and she refused to giggle. She just cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh really?" She said, "How do you want me to play? Wait until you're fully dressed and peck your cheek? That's not cool." She grinned as she nipped at his bottom lip, "I don't like playing nice. It's boring…"

Truth be told she had played nice up until that point. With guys, anyway. As far as they were concerned. But there was something about Allen that made her want to break the rules, something that made her want to go a step further. She would talk to him after the pay-per-view about where their relationship was going, and if she was secure, she was going to secure their relationship. She honestly felt love for him, so she figured it wouldn't kill her…
She'd probably be KILLED though, if her mother found out.
Despite her age, her mother was still over protective over things of that nature.

After Brooklyn had her chat with Allen, and thanked him for making Marlena happy… Allen was a little taken aback. He didn't expect anything of the trip to Manitoba, but a lot had happened. Marlena's father accepted Allen as his little girl's boyfriend, Deirdre accepted Allen as a great man as well as her daughter's future, Patricia liked him, Brooklyn was just extremely receptive to him, and was comfortable with him being around. They all wanted Allen to come back with Marlena, or to be around when they went back to Tennessee for a visit. He vowed he would be.

"You ready?" Marlena asked quietly, as she put her bag into the back of Allen's car. He nodded a little, as he turned toward her.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Should be askin' you that though, darlin'." He smiled, as he put his arm around her shoulder. "You all right?"

"Of course." She said, smiling through her uneasy feeling. She felt awkward for feeling what she was feeling toward him, and he had no idea. She wanted to spit it out right there, but didn't want the entire drive back to Minnesota to be a silent one. "I'm peachy, babe. Let's just get on out of here before I get all emotional. I hate leaving this place."

"I understand why." Allen said as he opened her door for her. "Dontcha worry, B, I'll keep your mind off leavin' home again. I didn't really know you when you first did, but I do now… so I understand what you're feelin'."

"Do you?"

In the car, Marlena turned her attention toward Allen, her face fallen with sadness. He lifted her chin with his index finger and made her look at him. Leaning forward, Allen kissed her lips lightly, and nodded his head. Maybe he did get it. Maybe he did understand.

"O'Course I do, B. Just wait until we get to Ashleigh's though, I'm sure she can make ya feel even better than me. I'm just some guy." He flashed a cheeky grin, and Marlena smiled.

"You make me feel incredible all the time… I don't think Ash can beat you, Allen…"

"Aww, there ya go with the flatterin', girl." Allen smiled at her, as he kissed the side of her mouth gently. "Let's get a move on, or else Ashleigh'll think we got lost on the Canadian Turnpike or somethin'."

"The what?" Marlena laughed a little, "Honey, this isn't New Jersey…"

----------------

A/N: It's been a long time since I've had a new chapter of this story… I really need to get more into it again! The next chapter will be the huge pay-per-view, so stay tuned! R&R and I'll get on with this again. -M.S