Hey there kids ...
yes i've finally updated .. yay ... did you all watch Raw this week? What on earth is with the Maria/Carlito thing?
anyway, you all know the drill - I own nothing except for my computer, Becki and a rather weird perverted mind ... it's scary
Special thanks to my regular reviewers Sian and Dani, you two are tops and also to MissPhilipinesSuperStar for your review
Thanks for reading guys ..
From an angel in front of me ...
"Maria, don't go," he pleaded. "I need you."
"No one needs me," she said quietly, not meeting his eyes." I put you in here John."
"No, you didn't," he said adamantly."I knew exactly what I was doing when I got myself into this mess, and I wouldn't change my involvement in any of it, except if I could have gotten you to talk to me sooner."
"You didn't want to talk to me," she pointed out. Maria was running purely on emotion at this point, the smallest thing could set her off. "You wouldn't answer your phone!" she sobbed. "I tried calling you, so many times, and you left me!" She looked straight at him now, and saw that he was torn. He had left her, but he hadn't had a choice in the matter. He'd wanted so much to be able to reach out to her but she'd shut him out. Tears gathered in his own eyes as he gritted his teeth and tried to continue.
"I didn't leave you Ria!" he choked."Not by choice! You have to believe me! What I said in the ring last week was true!"
By this stage he was half out of bed and trying to stand. "Look in my eyes and know that I would never lie to you, I would never make a promise to you that I couldn't keep! I've told you how much I care about you, how much I need you. Who has been with me every week after Paul smashes me with his sledge hammer? Who has put herself at risk by willingly coming into a match with me with minimal training? You could have been seriously hurt, and still you stepped up for me. You're my Princess Ri, don't you get it?"
He was beginning to wobble unsteadily. Maria took a step towards the Champ and placed her hands on his hips to steady him. His skin began to burn at her touch, he could feel the smooth skin of her fingertips through the brief hospital gown he was wearing. Didn't she understand the effect she had on him? His voice dropped.
"Who was there for me when Liz and I broke off our engagement? You were. And now it's my turn, to be there for you Maria. I need you to open up to me." He lifted a finger under her chin. "I'm not going anywhere, and you have nothing to sorry for with me, no apology necessary. I know what Phils been doing to you, the same thing that Brent did, and Michael before him. You can tell me now, or whenever you're ready to talk about it. Just know Ri that I'm not leaving you, and nothing anyone could say will change my mind. I'm in this for the long haul if you'll let me be. Whatever it takes, as long as it takes. I love you ... and I'll never let you go."
And the story continues .. I'm thinking of turning it into a tv-movie ...
Phil was nowhere to be seen as Torrie and Trish hurried Maria down the hall to the Diva's Dressing Room. They didn't want to rush Maria but they realised that if they were seen in the hall they were certain to attract the attention of Phil and Vince. As it was, no one knew that Maria had been missing and if anybody found out ...
The girls stopped just outside the door of the dressing room, with Torrie and Trish exchanging a worried glance. What if someone was in there? They knew that a large majority of the locker room would be on their side; everyone loved Maria, there was no question about that. But with Candice Michelle getting cosy with Vince, no one could be sure if it was simply a storyline or reality, and they weren't sure they wanted to find out. Candices mouth wasn't the only thing that was always open ...
Trish stepped forward to push the door open and gestured to the others to wait.
"I'm going to go check out what's happening. If there is anyone in there I'll get rid of them okay?" Torrie nodded and Maria just kept looking at the floor. She couldn't believe she had to face Phil and pretend that everything was alright; she was scared, scared to be back at RAW and scared to be without John .. what if something happened to him? And all while he was trying to protect her? She knew that he loved her, and that he'd do anything for her. She knew that she loved him for doing it,for saving him and being there for her when she needed him the most. But now that it looked like this could finally come to an end ... was she really IN love with the Champ?
Trish banged through the door into the locker room, seeing Ashley and a couple of make-up artists. "Ash, you finally got here!" Trish simply nodded a hello to the make-up artists before realising that Ashley was talking to someone. She looked familiar, but Trish couldn't place her face. Where had she seen her before? The chocolate coloured skin, and those big brown eyes framed by glossy black hair. "I'm sorry, have we met? You look so familiar."
Ashley stood up and walked toward Trish, motioning for the girl to come with her. "I got a phone call this morning from a Smackdown wrestler..."
"Who, that Matt Hardy guy?" Interrupted Trish with a sly grin. Ashley blushed about four shades of red as everyone in the room laughed. Ashley and Matt had been spending a lot of time together recently and people were starting to talk. She cleared her throat and tried to glare at Trish, failing miserably.
"Yes, that Matt Hardy guy," she smirked. "But only because one rabid wolverine didn't have my mobile number."
"Benoit? What does Chris want with you?" Trish was puzzled; she didn't even think the pair has spoken before, they certainly weren't friends. The only people Chris was friends with on RAW were Shawn, Charlie, Torrie, John ... Maria ... Suddenly, this was all beginning to fall into place.
"He needed her to pick us up from the airport," a voice piped up from beside Ashley. "He'd spoken to Pete and he knew that everyone, well everyone he was friends with here would be far to busy to come and pick us up, considering the circumstances. So he asked Matt to ask Ash, and that's why she got to the arena late."
The wheels in Trishs head were starting to turn. She rushed forward and enveloped the girl into a big hug. "Oh Becki! I'm so sorry I didn't recognise you! How have you been?"
Becki returned the hug as she answered Trish. "I've been good. I must admit, I wish this has happening under better circumstances." She suddenly grew very serious. "Where are John and Maria at?"
Trish disentangled herself from Becki as she moved toward the door. "She's right out there. I know that she'd love to see a friendly face, she's pretty shaken up." Before opening the door Trish looked at Ash and Becki and lowered her voice."Have the guys filled you in?" Shaking their heads, Trish sat them down and explained the events of the last few hours. They needed as much firepower around Maria as they could get with the state she was in, and these girls were prepared to step up and do whatever it takes to get their girl back.
Outside the locker room Maria sat down on a bench, exhausted. Although she'd slept for a good part of the day, she was over tired and she just wanted to go to bed. Torrie knelt down to her height and placed a comforting hand on Maria's. "Hey Maria, we'll get through this. It's only a few more hours and it'll all be over." Maria looked up at Torrie and smiled gratefully." And then you can sit down with John and work this all out. Just promise me I'll be a bridesmaid at the wedding okay?" she teased.
The face of RAW's youngest diva began to crumble. Torrie noticed immediately and mentally slapped herself for being so careless .. what had she said? "Or I don''t have to be a bridesmaid..." she drifted off.
Maria looked at her friend and shook her head. "No that's not it. If there was a wedding then for sure you would be my bridesmaid! It's just ..."
Torrie waited patiently for Maria to continue. "It's just what, honey?"
Maria's looked at Torrie and sighed. "Even if he asked me, I couldn't marry him."
The way Torrie's jaw dropped showed what she thought about this. "But ... but why ... he's .. You don't love him do you?"
"Of course I love him!" she burst out. "As a brother, as a friend - my very best friend. But as a lover?" She continued, her voice barely reaching above a whisper. "Phil never told me he loved me, and neither did Brent or Michael... I'm afraid Tor. What if I don't know if I can return his love? How do I know if it is love? I've think I've forgotten what love is." She smiled forlornly. "But I guess that's not the issue right now."
Torrie comforted her friend. Standing at the door, Trish and Becki had hear every word Maria had said. Becki knew she couldn't be upset with what she had heard, the young diva had been through so much. But was it wrong to think about Johns needs first? He'd loved her for so long, he didn't need this. She turned and re-entered the room where Ashley was pulling out make-up kits and the like. They'd dismissed the make-up artists under the pretense that they needed some privacy to catch up with their old friend, yet in reality they wanted Maria to spill what had happened with Phil and John. Becki was curious, had they finally hooked up? From what she'd heard, she didn't think so.
Maria looked at the doorway and spotted Trish trying hard not to listen, but wanting to all the same. "You heard that, didn't you?"
Trish simply stepped forward and offered Maria a hug before ushering her into the room after Torrie. "I did" she whispered into the air."And I don't know who I should feel more sorry for - John, who's about to get his heart broken again, or for you Maria, and what you've been going through." She shook her head and entered the dressing room. She hoped the guys were having more luck then they were.
Paul, Shawn, Pete, Charlie and Dan were standing around the desk while Steph laid out the plan one more time. "And that's it." She said triumphantly. She turned to kiss her husband before heading out the door."We need to be ready," she cautioned over her shoulder."As soon as he hits the ring, we've got to be there." The door slammed, and Charlie flinched with the force of it. The guys all turned to face each other before glancing at John who was lying on a couch nearby. He'd been staring at the same patch of ceiling for the last half and hour, and hadn't been listening to a word Stephanie had said.
"John?" asked Charlie a bit hesitantly. "What's so appealling about the ceiling?" His response was a smack in the head by Shawn and a snort from Dan."Oww!" He looked at the pair indignantly. "What was that for? At least I'm not standing here afraid to say something."
The guys rolled their eyes and headed over to the couch. Dan, Pete and Shawn flopped down on the floor as Paul fell into an armchair. Charlie stood behind the chair and leaned over the back expectantly. John was still lying down on the couch, not even realising they were there. Finally, he pulled himself into a sitting position and glared at them. "Y'know I don't need a babysitter guys."
"No, but you just might need your head read at the end of this mess." Shawn retorted. "As far as I know you haven't said anything to anyone about this mess, and god knows you need to talk about it all sometime."
John glared at his friend. "I'm coping just fine."
Paul looked at the group curiously. He was kind of the newcomer here. He didn't get around with the superstars all that often; he was usually far too busy with the business and to be honest the last group of people he'd expected to find himself with was Cena and his friends. He hated the little punk. Somehow though, he felt like he belonged here with these guys right now. This wasn't so bad after all, he thought. I could get used to it I suppose. It beats kissing Vinces ass he thought. "C'mon Cena, Shawn's right. Even I think this is pretty harsh; if it was happening to me I'd want someone to talk too."
John looked at the former Heavyweight World Champ. How did he get involved with this again? Inwardly he shrugged . He still respected the guy, and it was pretty stupid of him not to say anything. Well, not really, but too be honest he'd rather talk to Tor and Becs about it; they had more of an idea of what going on in Rias head than any of the guys did. They were right to some extent, but he didn't want to betray Marias trust. What was he going to say? That in a way he was glad Maria had suffered because it had increased his chance with her? That he couldn't live without her but at the same time he knew that she was in no position to allow him to demonstrate his feelings for her? "Guys, what can I say?"
Dan looked at his brother. This was one of the few times he'd ever seen his brother short of words. "How about how you're feeling? Or how about what you're planning on doing after this?"
John sighed heavily and shrugged. "Time off for sure. Maria needs to get away from here. I guess if she needs me I'll go with her." He dropped his gaze to the ground. "Drop the belt even."
Paul arched an eyebrow. Cena cared about her so much that he was willing to give up his title? The kid was deeper than he thought. "That's harsh man. You love her that much?"
"More than anything." he murmered."But she's ... it's difficult to explain. I don't want to push her, considering what she's gone through."
"Well maybe you need this time then. Maybe you'll have to drop the belt and take some time out for a while," Shawn said gently. "You can't do anything but be there for her."
The others murmured their agreement. John looked at them all, trying to read their faces, trying to find the answers he was so desparately looking for." I don't know if I can ..."
The door burst open and almost came off the wall with the added force. The guys all looked up, and seeing who was there, Shawn, Pete, Dan, Charlie and Paul all jumped to their feet. John remained seated, knowing that getting up wasn't going to do him any good.
"Well well look who we have here Chris?" Phil said speaking to his companion. Benoit strode into the room behind PUNK and stood to his left. "Cena, don't you know when to quit?"
John looked at the man."Still here ain't I?"
"So I see. But where the hell is Maria? I'm assuming you know. "The guys had all assumed fighting positions, ready to go on Johns signal. Benoit was chewing on a toothpick, looking every bit the wolverine of toothless aggression. He stood there, looking bored as Phil ordered him around. "C'mon Cena, don't take me for a chump. Where is that bitch?"
The tension in the room was palpable. John stood up and moved toward Phil, the guys reluctantly stepping back. "Have you chacked the locker room? Catering? All those places?" He might not be able to tear the guy to shreads right now, but damn if he could piss him off some he would.
"Yes," Phil said curtly as he gritted his teeth. "Don't treat me like an imbicile Cena."
"Wouldn't dream of it. Isn't this how you talk to Ri? Belittling her and treating her like she's about three years old?"
"That's enough,"cut in Benoit. "This isn't about some dumb diva. This is about getting what belongs to Phil back." He pointed to the belt John had sat on the couch."That title." He glared at John. "And hurting you." Phil smirked. How fortunate he'd been to get Benoit on his side. A former 'best friend' of Cenas, this just made the deal that much sweeter.
"And he'll do it," boasted Phil. "Benoit is the newest person to join my 24/7 Crusade. Cena, you've got no chance." He nodded to Chris. "Do it."
Chris took a step forward towards the Champ and closed his eyes, before opening them again to the sound of Phil taunting "what are you waiting for Benoit?" He cracked his knuckles and swung at the Champ. His fist barely grazed Johns face, but in an attempt to prevent any further beatings he fell back against the couch, pretending to be hurt.
Phil clapped a hand on Benoits shoulder. "And that's just a sign of what's to come."
Benoit spun and left the room, with Phil following. "See you soon boys ..."
Unbeknownst to everyone in the room, the blinking security camera in the corner is hooked up in a direct feed to the Titantron in the arena. The fans were in shock; the Champ was back, Triple H was on his side and Chris Benoit, who they all knew was one of Johns best friends, had turned against him! What was going on? A buzz began to run through the crowd. JR and the King didn't know what to say, this definitely wasn't on their schedule. What was going on? Was this a storyline? Or was it real?
Trish, Torrie and Ashley were all standing in the Gorilla Position watching a television monitor, when Becki showed up. "Where's Maria?" asked the three girls at once.
"She's got a visitor," smiled Becki.
"But John is supposed to stay away from her," Trish whispered urgently.
Becki smiled. "I never said it was John."
Maria had just finished putting her make-up on when there was a soft knock at the door. Nervously, she gulped, trying to swallow the know in her throat. What if it was him? "Come in, "she called hoarsly.
The door opened a peak, and a blonde head popped inside." Now I know I haven't been around for a while, but do you want to see me anyway?"
Maria whirled around. "Y2J!"Chris!" she yelled, hurtling into his arms."What are you doing here?" she asked excitedly as he picked her up.
"I can't come and visit my favourite diva?" he asked smiling.
Maria giggled for the first time in about a week. "Trish is going to be out in the ring in a second then, you should go see her! She's your favourite."
Chris frowned. "Well, can I come and visit my favourite backstage interviewer?"
"I don't know why you'd want too."
"Hey!" he protested. "Don't go there - we both know what happened here. Phil is doing the same thing to you that Brent and Michael did, isn't he?" His eyes met hers as she nodded."And how did you get out of that situation? Benoit and I tried our best but we couldn't get you out of it, that isn't going to happen this time. I can see it blondie - you're ready for help, you know you don't want to go through with this any longer. I know what's going on, I'm here to help. I'm going to get Cena for not taking care of you like he promised," he teased. He placed a finger on her lips when he saw she was about to object."I know, he did good. Just don't tell him he did- you'll just boost his ego even more." His voice softened."He's perfect for you Miss M."
She nodded shyly. He was good for her. Chris slung an arm around her shoulders. "Now, do you think you're up to this? Phil should be running down here in about 2 minutes .. after that what happens is anyones guess. Just stick to the plan and you'll be fine ok?"
Squeezing her hand he left to go. "Chris?" He turned around at the sound of her voice.
"Yeah Miss M.?"
"Can I see you after the show?"
"You need to talk?" he offered. She nodded in reply. "About John?" Chris smiled as she nodded yes again. "Hey, I thought Benoit was your go-to guy on these things. I'm moving up in the world!"
"Can you bring him too?" She asked slyly.
"What! You get my hopes up ... yeah sure I'll bring him." He threw his hands up in exasperation before shooting her a final smile. "You got it, we'll be here."
Chris Jericho has just left Maria when Phil came barrelling around the corner. Not bothering to even knock, Phil barged into the divas locker room and emerged several minutes later dragging Maria by the wrist, yelling in her face the entire time. Shaking his head, Chris turned as Maria and Phil disappeared out of sight. Five more minutes and he'd help Cena kill that little shit, no questions asked.
heading back out to the ring ...
"Where have you been all day?" hissed Phil. His eyes bore into Marias with fury.
"I've been here!" He still had a solid grip on her arm, and was now twisting it hard behind her back.
"Where? I haven't seen you once! You were with him, weren't you?"
Maria was hurting. She was sick of being pulled around, having to cover the bruises, and all the tears. She was sick of not knowing what she wanted, and not being able to be her own person. Having to look at him any longer would definitly make her sick.
"With who?" she cried between gasps of pain. "Glen? Paul? Shawn?" He twisted her arm further with every name she mentioned. You can do this, she told herself. Don't let him see it's getting to you." I get it. You think I was with John." He swept her leg out from underneath her so she landed heavily on the floor.
Phils face was almost turning purple he was so angry. "You were with him! You little slut!" He kicked her sharply in the side and she fell on her stomach, rolling up in a ball so she wasn't so vulnerable. He circled her, continuing to taunt her, kicking her in the lower back and the backs of her knees.
"Yes, I was with him." she said boldly. Deciding to try and catch him off guard, Maria took the offensive. Phil stepped back momentarily and Maria took the opportunity to get up on her knees. "I was with him," she spat. "And he held me and told that he loved me." She regarded him cooly. "Something I don't think you've ever done."
Shocked at her betrayal Phil slapped her face, hard. Maria fell, but she got back up and stared at him. "He promised me he'd never leave me." Another slap, but Maria got right back up. Her face was red raw and her lip was bleeding. "And that he needed me." This time, a closed fist to her nose. She closed her eyes and prayed that this was all worth it. She was making him angry, he was incensed. She had to get out to ring nad get herself some help before she gave in. God let me get through this, she prayed. Make me believe I'm worth something, show me how to beat this.
Maria stood shakily, and moved towards Phil who inadvertently took a step back. She moved closer, and gathered all her strength. "And you know what the best part was? When he told me I didn't need you. And that I could do a hell of a lot better." At this, Phil took a step toward her, but she was ready. Raising her knee she got him clean, and he fell to the floor his legs closed, his mouth frozen as a loud groan poured out.
"And he was right." Stepping over him, she rushed down the hall to the Gorilla. Her dress was ripped, the already small piece of clothing barely covering her now. Blood poured from her nose and a handprint could be seen on her face. Out of breath, she rushed over to Richard the Techie who took one look at her and gasped.
"Miss Kanellis, are you alright?" She looked at him in disgust. He was joking right?
"I need to get out to the ring. Can you play my music?"
He shook his head. "Sorry, I have John Cena scheduled to come out next, his music is already loaded, I can't change it." A flurry of swear words could be heard flooding down the passage, and Maria wasn't about to find out who they were coming from, she had a pretty good idea already.
"That's fine, just hit it." Richard was about to diagree when Maria interrupted him. "Look at me ... I'm telling you the other guy came off worse." Johns music hit and the fans jumped to their feet. They were ready for their Champ.
In Pauls dressing room Shawn, Charlie, Pete, Dan, Torrie, Becki, Trish, Ashley and John crowded around the tv monitor. John was nervous, he couldn't stop shaking. He'd been so glad to see Becki, he'd missed her so much, and now she was here it felt like he was home again. All of his 'road' family, Dan, Ria ... this is where he wanted to be. He just wished that right now his girl was by his side, instead of ... wait, was that Maria?
On screen Maria was hobbling blindly down to the ring, covered in bruises, her clothes smothered with blood. Her hair was everywhere as she tried to climb into the ring. Lost and confused she was hysterical, the fans looking at each other before a young girl who couldn't have been more than nine started a 'Cena, Cena' chant and the arena erupted. 'Cena, Cena' could be heard echoing through the building as a scrawny Phil came out from behind the curtain and cornered the young diva. Four masked characters jumped the audience barrier and stood surrounding the ring. The ripped their masks off and the fans howled in disgust at the OVW invasion. Before them stood the Boogeyman, Danny Inferno, Chris Cage and Brent Albright, all lurking around the ring, seemingly preventing anyone from getting into the ring and Maria getting out.
John paled, his skin turning a pasty white. He bolted out of his seat and down the hall. Shawn looked at the others, and in unison the group leapt to their feet and followed Cena through the halls. Paul lead the charge, the superstars bounding through the halls until they caught up with John. The group skidded to a halt behind him, and swore as one under their breathes. Halfway to the Gorilla they had met a road block - Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
"Johnathon, I see you've decided to finally come back and join us." Vince glared at him. "Have a nice vacation?"
John looked at Vince in disbelief. "Ahh yeah it was great," he shot back."I don't know what bit was my favourite; when I was getting a blood transfusion or when your son tried to beat my ass in."
"Did he?" Vince tried to look surprised."Oh well, now you're back, you can wrestle tonight. I want to see you in the main event - John Cena vs CM..."
"Woahhhh," Paul held his hands up. "Vince, no way. Just let us pass ... and I'll do a main event with Shawn and John instead ..." He trailed off at the dirty looks he was receiving. Paul still had a lot to learn about fitting in with this crowd. "And ... John can have a match with CM next week." Vince finally acknowledged all of the people standing behind John.
"Torrie? Billy Kidman is that you I see?" he squinted. His eyes fell upon Becki. "And who are you?" he almost purred.
"I'm here from the Anti-discriminatory Workers Union, here to investigate claims of sexual discrimination." Err, this old man creeped her out. She could understand why the divas hated going to work some days. Vince straighted up immediately, strangely enough believing her story.
"Well ... I'll let you be on your way then everyone .. keep up the good work." Vince strode down the hall hurriedly. Sexual Discrimination? Where on earth was Candice Michelle?
Out in the ring ..
CM PUNK now had a microphone and was heading down the ramp to the ring. Climbing the stairs, he slid through the ropes and strutted over to Maria. Maria turned her head in horror as he grabbed her and pulled her in for a kiss, trying to slip his tongue into her mouth. Repulsed, she pushed him backwards and went to leave the ring, only to find the Boogeyman leering up at her, his mouth full of worms. She screamed and tumbled back into the ring where Phil picked her up by her hair and made her stand, capturing her pain on the microphone. Chants of "We want CENA" were reverberating around the arena, getting louder as the fans began to get scared for Maria. The whole time this was happening, JR and King were valiently trying get close to the ring to distract CM so Maria could escape, but Paul Burchill, Chris Kay and Aaron Stevens had them trapped. PUNK pursed his lips and spat in the microphone."Yuck, who knows what I just caught? Guys, here's a hint if you want to kiss a WWE diva - choose a classy one - Maria is simply a dirty tramp! He gestured to the audience . "We all know how she got her job." The audience was now silent, wanting to hear what CM had to say. Where was John?
"Right about now," CM said, strolling back and forward across the ring. "I guess you're expecting you're Champ to hit the ring. Save the girl. Take her backstage. Knock her up ... wait no, that's Lita we're talking about! You're waiting for your Champ to come and rescue Maria - possibly the dumbest indivdual on this planet. He comes ringside, brings his friends, and we have an all out brawl. Do you wanna see that?"
The crowd responded with a "HELL YEAH!"
"Do you want to see Maria get rescued and the WWE Superstars kill off the pride that is OVW?"
"HELL YEAH!"
"Well ... it ain't going to happen. Wanna know why? Watch this." With his free hand he pointed towards the Titantron. The crowd erupted when they saw John running though the halls, seemingly to come and rescue his girl. Suddenly, out of nowhere, OVW's Da Beast stepped in front of John and laid him out with a massive clothesline. Jason and John Riggs stood watching as John tried to stand up, grabbing on to the wall and pulling himself to a vertical base. Frowning, Da Beast blasted a chop into Johns abdomen. Still nothing. John got back up. "Nothing," he gasped "Is stopping me from getting out there."
From the ring CM began to shout"C'MON RIGGS! Do something!" The three OVW wrestlers stepped toward John menacingly, but he stood his ground. And why shouldn't he? The camera momentarily panned the faces of the OVW boys, showing their determination and excitement turning into utter dismay. When the camera turned around again, the fans saw why the wrestlers looked so shocked. Before them stood four WWE superstars and three divas, along with Cenas brother and Becki.
The WWEs' very own wrecking crew.
wowwwww this is a long one ... for efforts like this in future I'm going to ask for a minimum of 10 reviews - c'mon I've never asked for them before! I just want to know what you guys think!
(hit the little purple/lilac button down below hahaha ... u know u want too)
thanks for reading guys!
