Hey guys!

Here we go with Chapter Nine

This chapter sees the return of a character, an appearance by a character i've mentioned about 10 times but we've never seen, a lot drama, a bit of tension and for most people probably a really bad ending

have i mentioned lately how much i appreciate you guys sticking with me lol

Please note that if i owned john cena ... maria kanellis ... Torrie Wilson ...CM Punk or any of the other WWE superstars i wouldn't be writing this ... doing it for fun, making no profit whatsoever etc etc.. if I owned the WWE .sian ,johncenasgurl, kiora storm & P. Dizzle tha Prime Legend Champion would be hired as writers and the current bunch sacked and fed to Big Show haha - piece by piece for the torment they make us endure

Thanks to all who reivewed, you all know who you are .. and if you are reading this and haven't reviewed it it's time to start feeling guilty ... very guilty ... lol nah im jkn

From 'With legs like that' ...

"You did what?" She asked slowly.

He turned to her and asked "Did I ask you to speak?"

But Maria wasn't listening. "I said, YOU did what? You told me that John had left ... " Maria stood up and walked toward him. "What did you do to him!"

Back in the ring ..

"Early this morning, I was traveling to Las Vegas with Maria and CM PUNK, that lunatic you guys just saw talking a lot of trash. As my fans would know, and Rias fans would know, we've been traveling together for a while. You guys know it, we're friends, best friends. I'll admit, some of what PUNK said was true. Yes, he is dating Ria. Yes, he did work for OVW and now he is here in the WWE. But there was one other thing he said that was also true." John stood in the middle of the ring, flanked by Torrie and Pete.

The fans began whispering eagerly in anticipation. Was John going to say what they wanted him too? A standing ovation had been heard when he'd come down to the ring earlier. Even with the fan reaction he'd been receiving lately, there was something that hadn't seemed right about CM PUNK , and the fans had demonstrated their loyalty to the WWE superstar. But what was he about to say?

"I'm sorry that you guys have to see me like this. But I'm not sorry for what I'm about to say. Ria, I do love you. I know this isn't the way I should be telling you either, you deserve a lot better than this. But if this is the only way I can get your attention, then I have to do this. I don't know what he told you, but I didn't leave you by choice this morning. PUNK got me, smacked me down and left me on the side of the highway. If it wasn't for a college student named Dave, and Torrie and Billy Kidman here, I would probably still be lying there. But I didn't break my promise Ri - I told you I would never leave you, and I'm not going too."

The fans were puzzled now. Was this a storyline, or was John speaking the truth here? Seeing their confusion, John decided to help them out. "This isn't a part of a storyline - this is real. But I'm telling you, PUNK give me everything you've got. Bring it now, tomorrow, next week. I won't let you touch her anymore. You want me? You got me. You want my title. You can have a shot at that too. If you want some CM .. COME GET SOME!"

John dropped and rolled out of the ring, followed by Torrie and Pete. The fan reaction was huge as the trio headed backstage and John was physically shaking. Behind the safety of the curtain backstage he looked at Torrie, and Pete, and Torie again. "Did I just tell the world I loved Maria Kanellis?" Upon their amused nods a small smile spread across the Champs face. "Becs is going to kill me."

"She's not the only one" a foreboding voice spoke up."If I had my way, you would have been dead already."

And now Chapter 10 .. yew double digits

Wow. Upon Johns confession she had almost choked on the muesli bar she was eating. Turning to the person beside her, her jaw was virtually dragging on the carpet." Did I just dream that? I can't believe that just happened! You heard that too, right? I wasn't just imagining it!"

A toothless grin was her response. "No, you sure weren't imagining it. Unless we were having the same daydream .. and that's just to scary to comprehend." That comment earned him a deft slap to the shoulder. "Oww. Settle down, we both heard it! I just can believe that the first time he said it was in front of millions of people." Benoit frowned. "Something must really be up."

"You don't think it's a storyline?" she asked her companion. He shook his head in response. "Damn. If they're in danger ..." She trailed off as she became lost on thought."I told him not to get into any trouble!"

"And usually he listens to you. But think about it; he wouldn't get himself into trouble without good reason. So, he's telling the entire truth, PUNKS got Maria, and to get her attention, or to let her know that he's going to do whatever he can to save her he confessed to loving her."

"We have to do something!" she cried, jumping up. "If anything happens ..."

"Sit down would you?" he said, pulling her back into a sitting position so he could look her in the eyes."Look at me. If something major is happening, which is what it looks like, then clearly it's far from over. I know you want to protect John, and you don't want him or Maria getting hurt. We have to wait it out. If they call saying they need our help we have to be there for them. That's what our job is right now." He took one look at her crumbling face and her big brown eyes that were quickly filling with tears. He opened his arms to her. "Come here." She accepted his invitation and the tears began to fall. He sighed, he didn't like this anymore than she did. "It's ok, it'll be ok. Sssh don't cry, it'll be ok Becki, I promise."

Back at the arena ..

"Say what now?"

"She's not the only one. If I had my way, you would have been dead already."

"Yeah, see I heard that bit. I just don't believe it. You don't want me dead. You'd rather keep me around as a play thing. And you need me. I am this business. I'm the Champ, I bring the ratings - would I still have the belt if it wasn't working out? No. And when Vince hears about this I doubt he'll be to happy. So drop it, because I have better things to do."

"Oh I forgot." The figure simpered."You have to go and find Maria, because you loveeeee her. Please, she's happy where she is, Cena you're so pathetic."

Torrie and Pete stepped up behind John providing some much needed unspoken support. Medically speaking, John should have passed out back at the house. Driven by pure determination he was still standing, but it wouldn't last forever. "Maybe I am pathetic, but I don't go around hiding behind other people either. I can't believe you're doing this, you used to be okay sort of guy. How do you benefit by getting involved with him?"

With that the attacker lunged at John, who sidestepped, leaving him to the mercy of Pete. He may not have wrestled for the WWE in a while, but he still had all the equipment needed to beat someone up. With his would be assilant passed out on the floor, John looked at him in disgust. "How the mighty have fallen." he remarked, before stepping over Shane McMahon and continuing down the hallway.

Only a few minutes earlier ..

"What did you do to him?" Maria demanded. Her voice shaky she was trying to show Phil that she wasn't the pushover he thought she was. Crossing the room to confront him, Maria stopped still when she heard her entrance finish and John start talking.

"Early this morning, I was traveling to Las Vegas with Maria and CM PUNK, that lunatic you guys just saw talking a lot of trash. As my fans would know, and Rias fans would know, we've been traveling together for a while. You guys know it, we're friends, best friends. I'll admit, some of what PUNK said was true. Yes, he is dating Ria. Yes, he did work for OVW and now he is here in the WWE. But there was one other thing he said that was also true."

""I'm sorry that you guys have to see me like this. But I'm not sorry for what I'm about to say. Ria, I love you. I know this isn't the way I should be telling you either, you deserve a lot better than this. But if this is the only way I can get your attention, then I have to do this. I don't know what he told you, but I didn't leave you by choice this morning. PUNK got me, smacked me down and left me on the side of the highway. If it wasn't for a college student named Dave, and Torrie and Billy Kidman, I would probably still be lying there. But I didn't break my promise Ri - I told you I would never leave you, and I'm not going too."

"This isn't a part of a storyline - this is real. But I'm telling you, PUNK give me everything you've got. Bring it now, tomorrow, next week. I won't let you touch her anymore. You want me? You got me. You want my title. You can have a shot at that too. If you want some CM .. COME GET SOME!"

Faltering for only a minute at Johns confession Maria swept a hand towards the television, indicating what she was about to refer to. " Is what he's saying true?"

Phil simply stared at the television before gazing forlornly at Maria. "Well?" she asked frostily."Is it true?. Phil! Answer my question!" He didn't answer, only blinked twice, trying to make himself cry. Damnit. Cena professing his love for Maria hadn't been a part of his plan. Phil started to frown, hoping to convey sadness and distress to Maria.Turning away from her, he smirked, knowing that she'd take the bait for sure. Such a caring girl she was. Quite pathetic really. That girl couldn't stand to see anyone upset, not even her own worst enemy. "Phil?' True to form, her voice had softened, the anger totally gone from her question. Bingo, he thought. This girl is easier to play than a kazoo.

"I'm sorry Maria," he said quietly, pretending to cry." I wish you didn't have to see me like this. I'm supposed to be strong for you, and here I am crying like a girl." By now, this little act had to be tearing at the little bitches heart strings. He rolled his eyes as he heard her move closer towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Got ya!

"It's okay," she soothed awkardly."You're allowed to be upset and to cry. Do you want to talk about it?"

Biting down on the urge to gag. Phil muttered "Not to you, you useless whore."

Maria frowned. "What did you say?"

"Oh baby, I'm sorry. I said I don't want to think about it anymore, it hurts too much! It's just ..."

"It's just what?" she asked gently."You can tell me." In response Phil threw himself into her arms. Shocked, she put her arms around him. What was so bad that he couldn't tell her?

"I can't lose you" he muttered into her shoulder blade. "I can't lose you to John, you want to be with him I know it!" Maria pulled back from Phil and stared at him blankly.

"Excuse me Phil? What are you saying? she asked, puzzled. Every so often Maria did seem a lot like the character she portrayed on television. Obviously, Phil thought, this was one of those times.

"You're going to leave me for HIM!" He burst out hysterically. "You want John Cena! I'm so afraid that because he said he loved you, you're going to leave me for him. Then, because you want to go to him I'm going to lose my job, because Vince isn't going to want a no hoper who told him about this great storyline and then can't go through with it! I'll be nothing .." he sobbed.

"You told Vince about a storyline including us .. ?" she asked, lifting his chin with her finger, and cupping his cheek with her palm.

Phil literally had tears in his eyes now. He just didn't know what the cause of them was; was it the fact that Maria was just so dumb for falling for his mind games or the fact that keeping up this charade was making him feel sick. 'Like I said in the ring baby. About you becoming Mrs CM PUNK. I'm so scared that you'll leave me for John and I'll have nobody, I'd be nothing without you." Marias heart soared; Phil was actually admitting her needed her? He was finally opening up to her!

"Awww hon, " Maria crooned, thinking that he was being entirely truthful with her. " That's so sweet!"

No, Phil thought. It's a total lie. "I don't want you to end up with him! If you do, he'll hurt you! And I'll never see you again!"

Maria frowned. Shit, Phil thought, wrong line. "He's never hurt me. John would never do anything to put me in danger. Why did you say that Phil?" She asked slowly.

Why the hell does she pick the wrong frigin' moments to be smart."I'll never see you again!" he repeated. 'John won't let me see you, and it would hurt so much! All he wants to do is to try and get you all to himself!And if you ask me, quite frankly, he can have you," Phil muttered under his breath.

"John isn't like that. He can be a little over protective sometimes .. " She continued, oblivious to his last comment. "And only beacuse he loves me like .."

"Don't finish that sentence! It hurts to much to hear you say he loves you! It means that you're going to chose him! You're so self-centred Maria! Just because two guys love you doesn't mean you can rub it in to the one you're about to break up with!" Like taking candy from a baby, Phil sniggered inside his head. A range of emotions were crossing Marias' face;elation then anger, sadness, disbelief and then worry. "You think you're to good for me now is that it? I was only around to fill the gap til Cena woke up?Just wait til he finds out what you're really like! Then you'll feel sorry you treated me so badly." Standing now, the couple were facing off.

"No!" She gasped, hot tears flooding her eyes again." Phil, I love you! I want to be with you! I don't think I'm to good for you! I've been telling you all along that you're to good to me! John is just my friend, I'm not about to break up with you to go to him! I promise!"

Phils eyes flashed. Halfway through her little speech he'd moved toward the door and started to leave. "Then you'll stop being friends with him? You can only have one of us! Chose! Me, who loves you(yeah right, that's a load of bullshit, he thought) or him! I can't be the other man Maria, I just can't!" Man, she is falling for this so easily. I only ever wanted to destroy Cena, but doing it this way is so much more fun. He marched out the door and into the hall. One, two, three ... he counted in his head. I give her til the count of four to come running out. Four..

"Phil, wait!" She swallowed. She was going to regret this she thought. "I chose ..." he turned expectantly and waited for her answer. "I chose ...

So what did you guys think of that chapter? another cliffhanger hahaha ... read and review! I'm going to start holding chapters at a ransom of at least 10 reviews i think ..

okay so I'm a bad liar - the story continues below, I just thought I'd create some dramatic tension!

"I chose you." She said with resignation. Phil needed her. He'd said so himself. John didn't need her, he'd rescued her at a time when she had needed someone now she could do the same to someone else. Forgive me JC, she thought, using her pet name for him. JC and Ria - no one was allowed to use the names, or at least no one else did that often. It was like their special code, a term of endearment, without actually having to admit what one or the other felt. She felt obligated to chose Phil, he'd done a lot for her to, and he was right; good guys were hard to find, she was lucky to have him. Being with John was just a dream, one that he could share with a million other girls who wanted him. Phil said that Maria didn't really have that choice. And she knew he had to be right, he'd never lie to her.

"Baby." He said simply opening his arms. She walked toward him, and he embraced her. That was probably her last chance, and she'd just given it away.

Shawn Michaels, Trish and Charlie had heard and witnessed virtually the entire scene. Hell, it was hard not to hear, the entire building had at least caught a small bit of it. Now they watched from the shadows as this disgusting scene unfolded. Unable to watch anymore, Shawn stepped into the lit hall. "Baby?" he sneered. " Maria, I thought you liked it when John called you his 'baby girl'. Now any loser gets to call you baby? Sheesh, I thought that meant something to you. I thought JOHN meant something to you."

Phil whipped his head around. "Shove off Michaels, this isn't your fight."

He released Maria harshly and she fell to one side. Unnoticed by the guys who were about to go at it, Trish stepped forward and offered the diva a hand up."Girl, are you all right?" Trish whispered.

Maria nodded. "You guys have to get out of here, I don't want you getting hurt because of me," she whispered fearfully. "Take John with you and just GO!"

"This isn't my fight? If you're picking on Maria here like I thought you were, then this is definitely my fight. I take care of my friends, I wouldn't let down one of my own."

"And neither would I," said Charlie strongly, stepping up beside Shawn. He couldn't believe this was going on. Nothing good was to come of this, he was sure. But hey, if Maria was in danger, then something had to be done. "What does CM stand for anyway? Crazed mutant? Certified Maniac ? Complete Moron? "

"Oh yeah, you're real funny Hass." Time to start the mind games."You know, I knew your wife Jackie when she was at OVW. Man she was fineeeeeee. Wasn't bad in bed either." Charlies' face turned an interesting shade of red, and he balled his fists together. Shawn shot him a look that said 'You know better than to fall for it, so don't."

"Don't know how you figure that Phil," Charlie shot back. "If I remember what Jackie said about the rumour mill correctly, the remark they made about your appendage was that trying to find it would be about as easy as playing hide and seek with a needle in a haystack in the dark." Shawn silently cheered. Good one Charlie, you've actually been listening to John for once.

Trish and Maria were still whispering in the corner. "We are not leaving you with this .. this .. cretin! And if we leave there is no chance in hell John is coming with us. Anywhere you'd go Maria, he'd be there."

"I don't want any of you, especially John getting involved with this!"

"Involved? Oh please Maria, we're all in this neck deep. Now either you come to your senses and leave this jerk or we all suffer the consequences."

"He is not a jerk!" Maria hissed. "He loves me!"

"Yeah? Well news flash to you girl. So did John Cena. And last time I checked, John hadn't put your life in danger. He'd pretty much saved it a couple of times though I figure."

And on the other side of the Arena ...

"Can you guys hear that yelling?" Torrie asked."It sounds kind of like ... Phil." They stopped to listen to the sounds that were coming from an air vent. The shouting had obviously echoed through Marias locker room

and was now being blasted throughout the entire building. More of the argument spilled out, and stopped the Champ and his friends in their place.

"Phil, I love you! I want to be with you! I don't think I'm to good for you! I've been telling you all along that you're to good to me! John is just my friend, I'm not about to break up with you to go to him! I promise!"

Johns' heart broke into roughly a thousand pieces at that instant.

"And that was Maria," Pete broke in unnecessarily." We should go find them," he muttered to Torrie. She nodded warily. God she just wanted to strangle Maria right now. Whispering something in Johns ear, Torrie indicated they should move. But John was frozen.

"Baby? Maria, I thought you liked it when John called you his 'baby girl'. Now any loser gets to call you baby? Sheesh, I thought that meant something to you. I thought JOHN meant something to you"

"Shove off Michaels, this isn't your fight."

"If you're picking on Maria here like I thought you were, then this is definitely my fight. I take care of my friends, I wouldn't let down one of my own."

"And neither would I. What does CM stand for anyway? Crazed mutant? Complete Maniac ? Ceritfied Moron? "

Despite the seriousness of the situation at hand, Torrie had to stifle a giggle. Certified Moron? That had to be Charlie. She grabbed Johns elbow again. "John, we need to go to them."

He could hear her, but he couldn't step out of his daze. She loved HIM. That.. the guy who kept hurting her! The one who didn't even love her! Before he knew it, Torrie had taken the situation into her own hands. Steering John through the corridors, Torrie thought of all the times Maria had needed him, and him her. All of the photos of the pair that she had on her phone, doing stupid stuff, just being together. The letters between them, whenever they were apart, plus the constant text messaging and phone calls. She didn't understand it. No matter what, she decided that it wasn't over for them and she'd do what ever it taked to get them together.

Pete, who was walking ahead of the pair, came to a complete standstill. Torrie, lost in thought and dragging John had rammed straight into him." Why have we stopped?" she hissed.

"SSSSSHHH!" Pete replied.

Suddenly, Trish came barrelling around the corner with Maria in tow. Trishs' eyes widened as she realised what she'd done. She didn't know how much John had heard, but judging by the look on his face it wasn't good.

Maria stopped and stared at John, her eyes suddenly bright and hopeful. John stared striaght through her, focusing on a point beyond her, trying to distract himself from the hurt and pain that was eating him up inside. 'Ria..." he choked.They inadvertently took a step toward each other, closing the gap between them. John looked at her bruises, tear stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes. God, even now after what she'd just said and how she looked, she still looked like an angel.

"JC..." she breathed.

And that was when John collapsed.

I know, I know bad ending. But ... it's 12.13am and if i'm judging some of the time zones right, along with chapter 9 when i post this you will have actually gotten two chapters in one day - granted, ones better than the other

anyway, thanks for reading guys!