Hey guys

This is it ... thanks for the awesome reviews along the way, your paitence and persistance ... without it, this story would be nothing

i own nothing

This chapter goes out to Sian, Dorinda and especially Kiora Storm and P. Dizzle - your reviews were truly a work of art, and I can't wait until you update your stories

If anyone wants to read some more john/maria/cm punk check out 'Queen of Hearts' by Kiora Storm and 'Corruption,Deception,Insurrexion' by P. Dizzle, these guys are exceptionally talented

cenamarialover aka Dorinda has a good john/maria story coming along too, so check it out - "I'm not crazy!"

Anyway thanks guys ... enjoy!

From .. "Don't cross the BOSS!"

"CM PUNK is no longer associated with World Wrestling Entertainment," Linda cut in. "Further more, I will be pressing charges personally in regards to the actions Phil Brooks took upon himself to subject upon our employees. That is, if the rest of the people in ring don't get to him first." A few of the guys nodded; Shelton, the Spirit Squad, and Viscera among them - it was Adam and Phil's fault that they were being suspended. They were going to pay. "Now, to make it official, I have two words for CM PUNK - and I'm sure that the audience would love to join me in saying them."

A second later, over 15 000 voices rang out in unison - "Punk - YOUUUUU'RRREEEE FIRRRRREEEDDD!

"Shelton Benjamin, Viscera, Gene Snitsky, Chris Masters, Nicky, Johnny, Mitch, Mikey and Kenny, I now ask that you leave the ring, and the arena immediately. Failure to do so, will see all of you automatically ejected from the premises. I suggest you get moving." The wrestlers started to head up the ramp forlornly. Thrilled at the prospect of seeing them leave, Jericho grabbed a microphone and began to sing, several voices joining him in chorus.

"Nah nah nah nah ... nah nah nah nah ... hey hey hey ... GOOD BYE! "Nah nah nah nah ... nah nah nah nah ... hey hey hey ... " The voices petered out as the defectors disappeared through the curtains, the crowd waving them goodbye and good riddance.

"Um ... yes Jericho ... that's one thing we've definitely missed on RAW ... your singing," Linda commented, wincing. "So much that I'd like to meet with you and Mr Gruner tomorrow, is that appropriate? It seems that we'll be needing some new talent ..."

Torrie squealed and hugged her husband. A meeting with Linda was great news - Pete could join RAW and they could travel together again! Could this night get any better? Vince had disappeared behind the curtain with the others, now all that was left in the ring were John and his compatriots. But what was happening with RAW next week? Were they suspended, or what?

"So, that holiday Paul, " Glen joked into the microphone. "Are you and Steph paying?"

"Oh I figure it's a tax write-off for sure," Paul responded, laughing. "But you don't seriously think we'll get a holiday will you?"

"Not likely Paul," Linda smiled. The pair jumped, they'd figured Linda had gone by now. "I'm afraid, that I'll be seeing all of you, our Champ John Cena included, next week on RAW. How does that sound?" Linda asked the fans. Cheering in delight, the fans jumped to their feet. "And I think we can throw in some title matches too - now please, Pittsburgh, help me out in applauding your favourite WWE Superstars!"

The fans screamed as their favourite wrestlers took turns jumping up on the turnbuckles to celebrate with them, Shawn and Charlie throwing t-shirts and assorted items into the crowd as they others circulated around the security barrier, talking to the kids and signing autographs. The crowd started to dissolve, packing up their belongings and heading out. There was a sense of electricity in the air, and they knew that what they had witnessed tonight had been the stuff of legend. Only Maria and John stayed in the ring, the Champ wrapping his arms around Maria's waist and holding her tight. She placed her hands loosely around his neck, and looked into his eyes.

"Sooooo Maria ... are you ready to spend the rest of your life with me pampering you like the queen you are?" John asked in all seriousness.

"The rest of my life?" she asked in mock horror. "You are going to shower first, right?" she giggled, wrinkling up her nose.

"Oh you're real funny girl," he replied sarcastically.

Gazing up at him she smiled. "How about we see how tonight pans out and take it from there?" she teased lightly. "I mean, you already know I love you, but we don't want to rush into things ..."

"Tonight is fine, princess. Whatever you want."

And now .. the final chapter?

The scene was perfect.

The sun stretched through the window, spreading soft rays of light across the bottom of the queen-sized bed. The covers were tangled; pulled loose from the foot of the bed they were wrapped around a young couple nestled together near the bed head. A broad pair of shoulders and a chest of rippled muscle were the resting place of a tousled head of honey blond/brown hair, strong arms enveloping the form of the smaller person. Facing each other, the couple was still asleep, but both wore smiles of absolute delight. They had made it. In each others arms, this was home.

The gentleman that he was, John had insisted that he'd sleep on the couch .. but that hadn't worked out so well. Cramped into the tiny couch with his injuries wasn't the best idea he'd ever had. Sure, he and Maria had slept in the same bed before ... but this was different. To be able to hold her under the covers .. that was something that he didn't want to push just yet, no matter how much he wanted it. Two or maybe even three hours after he'd turned off the light, he was still lying there, just staring at the ceiling. And then, Maria started to toss and turn, crying out in her sleep. Like a shot, John was over by the bed.

"Ri? Honey, it's me, it's John sweetheart, what's wrong?" Cradling her in his arms, John was more than a little freaked. Maria was shaking uncontrollably, her eyes as big as saucers as John tried to comfort her. He had no idea of how long he'd sat there, rubbing her back, but she was soon asleep again. Sighing sadly, he'd tried to release her from his arms, but she hadn't been willing to let him go.

"No," she murmured sleepily. "Stay."

"Maria," he'd said, a little awkwardly. "I might not be able to hold myself accountable for anything that happens while I'm in this bed." He suddenly flashed back to the morning they'd left for Las Vegas. A particular dream ... about a certain diva ... this could turn out the wrong way.

Her eyes opened again." No," she replied forcefully." You said you wouldn't leave me, ever. Stay." Unable to argue that point, John had simply settled down on the bed, Maria curling up next to him, her arm across his chest and the blankets over them both. It's going to be a long night, John thought, drifting off to sleep. Now, as the sun rose, it was time for the pair to start a new day ... without the shadow of Phil Brooks hanging over their heads ... hopefully.

Maria started to stir lightly, shifting in John's arms. The Champ unconsciously tightened his grip on her and she grinned. There was no need for him to worry; she wasn't going anywhere any time soon. Gazing at the man before her, she took in the cuts ... the swelling ... the bruising, all from the night before. She traced his left eye, careful to be gentle. It was a wonderful arrangement of black and blue, tinges of yellow and purple. Phil had really made good work of Cena last night. Mind you, he hadn't given half as much as he'd received.

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Upon leaving the arena last night, Benoit had insisted that John drop by the local hospital to get checked out. Less than two weeks ago he'd had a blood transfusion, and last night had been rather brutal. Against his wishes, Maria and their friends had forced John to go to the emergency room, and who had they run into? None other than Phil Brooks. Accompanied by WWE trainers, the wrestler had been strapped onto a hospital bed, surrounded by wires and machines. Hours later, when John had been discharged, they'd walked past a distraught Mrs. Brooks. Sniveling into a tissue, the older woman had launched herself at John, screaming.

"What have you done to my baby?" she cried hysterically. Paul, Stephanie, Torrie and Pete had stepped forward immediately to prise her away from John, who had faltered slightly under the attack. Maria, still clutching his hand, was trying vainly to bolster him so he could stand on his own. Shawn and Charlie had accompanied Trish and the others back to their cars at the arena, with Jericho and Benoit continuing on with them to find them all a hotel. Dan had headed to the airport, taking Becki with him.

Not wanting to upset the other woman anymore Paul and Pete had stood back awkwardly as Stephanie barked at her. "Mrs. Brooks, unhand my Champion now! He is property of World Wrestling Entertainment, and I must ask you to release HIM!"

The elderly woman had stepped back, quite ashamed of herself, as Maria had stepped closer to John and wrapped an arm around his waist to support him.

"I'm sorry," she had whimpered. "He's .. he's all I have..."

Unable to ignore anyone in pain, Maria had moved toward her, dropping John's hand to placate her. "It's okay Mrs. Brooks. He'll be okay, I promise."

Mrs. Brooks had squinted at her blindly. "Maria? Maria, is that you?" She took in the bruises and the cuts adorning Maria's face, arms and legs. "Dear, what happened!" She'd asked of the young diva, absolutely horrified. Maria had frozen on the spot, like a deer trapped in the headlights. Thankfully, Paul had stepped forward.

"Mrs Brooks, I'm afraid you'll have to ask Phil that question," Paul said smoothly."Why don't you take a seat, and Stephanie and I will get you some coffee?" Stephanie had taken the old lady by the hand and led her down the hall. John stepped up behind Maria, dropping his arms around her shoulders, drawing her in close. She'd turned and buried her head in his chest. She wasn't ready to deal with that just yet.

Paul frowned in their direction."John, why don't you take her to get some rest? I'm sure Torrie and Pete will drive you guys back to the hotel." He looked at the pair for confirmation, and they nodded. "Steph and I will stay with Mrs. Brooks. Go back to the hotel, I'm sure the others are starting to worry."

Torrie had pulled Maria away from John gently and wrapped an arm around her, leading her in the direction of the car park. The guys looked at Paul, knowing that he had something else to say. The ten time Heavyweight Champion cleared his throat.

"I understand if you don't want to deal with this right now John, but ... uh ... if Maria wants to press charges, you're going to have too ..."

John nodded slowly. "I know. I just can't push her ... but yeah, I know."

Pete had stepped forward. "Paul, can we leave this til the morning?"

"Yeah, that's fine." The other pair had turned to follow the girls, heading out into the night. "John?" John turned to face Paul, a wary look in his eyes. "Good job tonight man, I'm glad I could help."

Nodding, John replied shortly. "Thanks." His shoulders slumped, and he walked out the door into the darkness. "Thank god," he'd whispered. "Thank god I won."

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Now, the relief was evident across his face. He smiled in his sleep, and Maria giggled softly. John lazily opened his right eye, wincing as he tried to open his left and couldn't; it was swollen shut.

"Hey beautiful," he said throatily, his voice thick with sleep."How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a long time," she replied wistfully. She dropped a light kiss on John's lips, which he deepened, pulling her closer.

"Better, hey?" John grinned."Hmm, must be the result of something new that you haven't tried before."

"Yeah," she replied slyly, drawing away from him. "Must have been these fantastic pillows!" John groaned, and tried to pull himself into a sitting position.

"Hey! No way mister!" Maria smirked, wagging a finger in the direction of her man. "The doctor said no extreme physical exertion today! You're supposed to be resting." She burst out laughing at the look on John's face. "No puppy dog eyes! You know that they work on me every time!" He pulled her back to him, resting his chin on her head. Sitting between his legs, she was careful not to lean on him too much; she didn't want to hurt him.

There they sat, watching as the sun danced across the room. It was a strange sight; with everything that had happened in the last month, it was odd to see them so relaxed, yet there they were, content to just sit and be in each others company.

"I could get used to this."

"Used to what?" Maria asked, turning to face him.

John grew serious. "Waking up with you in my arms. You can't imagine how long I've been waiting for the chance to just sit with you like this."

"Awwww," Maria cooed. "Someone's gone soft..."

"Riaaaaaa." He shifted his body so she could turn to him properly. "I'm being all serious here, trying to tell you ..."

"That I'm gorgeous ... that I'm the only thing you need in this life ... " she batted her eyelashes at him, trying to lighten the mood.

"Mariaaaa," John smiled sadly. "Let me speak, okay? I'm trying to do the whole 'emotional' thing here and you're not helping!"

"I know, I know," she replied, instantly sobering."It's just ... this is all ... kind of new to me. I don't know how to respond so I change the subject." She fidgeted, looking down at her hands."You're ..."

John bit his lip. They needed to have this conversation, he just didn't know if he was ready for it yet. It was quickly becoming apparent that the pair both had issues in regards to relationships ... his engagement to Liz ... well, look how that went down. Would they be able to make it through this? It was going to take a lot for them to get back to just being themselves; Maria had to learn to love herself before she could fully love anyone else ...

"I'm what, girl?" he coaxed, running his hands up and down her arms to comfort her. By now Maria was sitting on his lap, facing him. Her nose was crinkled, and she looked a little uncertain. "Maria. This is me here. It's just you and me, let it out."

A million thoughts running through her mind Maria opened her mouth to speak, realising she was going to have to tread carefully here. "You're ... the first one, in a long time to make me see ... that ... I am ..." She turned her head, not wanting to finish her sentence.

"That you're lovable?" John finished quietly, a fire burning up inside him. At her nod he swore softly under his breath. How dare someone make her feel that way! No one had the right to do that to anyone as far as he was concerned. Least of all his Ri. "Maria, I don't know what is going on in that pretty little head of yours babe, but understand this. It's time to put all of that behind you. I'm not going to promise you that I can kiss it all better, or make those thoughts go away, but I am going to do my damn best to try. It's okay if you feel a little uneasy with this sometimes. It's alright if you need to sit down and have a cry too. Just remember this. At least three people in this world love you so much they would die for you. And let me tell you, there are at least fifteen other people on this floor who probably feel the same way." He turned her head so she was facing him.

"We're doing this together. If there is something you want to say to me, but you can't, write it down. If you feel uneasy, come talk to me. I'm not exactly the best at this relationship stuff either okay? We're going to do it together. I'm going to treat you like a queen, and show you the way you deserve to be treated. Right shorty?" She nodded, still a little unsure but feeling better now. Catching her hesitancy he stopped her."Sweetheart, if you ever need to feel reassured, about anything, I'm here."

"Even if I still feel like I owe Phil something?" She automatically saw the hurt in his eyes. Dammit she thought, now he thinks I'm rejecting him all over again. Stumbling, she hurried to explain. "John ... it's just ..."

Without meaning too, or even realising whatever what he was doing, he forcefully pushed her off of him, and slid out of the bed. Phil? She had to go and bring him up. Charging into the en suite bathroom that connected their room to Torries and Petes he slammed the door, leaving behind a throughly distressed diva. Banging his fists on the mirror he slid to the floor, feeling the cool tiles under his bare feet. Outside he could hear a light sobbing. Damn. He hadn't meant to upset her. He knew that speaking about Phil was going to be rough, but he definitely shouldn't have reacted the way he did.

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Next door, Torrie and Pete were awakened to the sound of a door slamming nearby. "Wha wass thatt?" Torrie asked her husband drowsily. This was the first time in days that they could sleep easy and now someone was waking her up? Torrie was not happy.

Pete mumbled something into his pillow. "I think it was John."

Torrie rolled over to face her husband, now fully awake. "What?" She listened closely, and thought she could hear someone crying. "Pete, can you hear that?" She poked her husband in the side, trying to get him up. "Someone's crying."

Groaning, Pete pulled himself into a sitting position. "Tor, I don't think ..."

"Sssssh!" Torrie shuffled over to the door. There was someone crying, and there was someone inside the bathroom. "Pete, get up!" she hissed. "Put a shirt on! I think something's wrong."

Torrie opened the door slowly, seeing the still form of John Cena crouched on the other side. "Morning Tor, " he said quietly, eyes burning as he tried to hold back tears of his own.

You could almost see the wheels beginning to turn in Torries head, everything was falling into place. Her husband coming up to stand behind her, she sighed. "What did you say?"

"Well I only said ... hey, how come this is automatically my fault!"

Torrie tapped her foot impatiently. "That'd be because you're in here looking guilty and looking like you're about to hit yourself for being so stupid and I can hear a young woman crying in the other room. I assuming it's Maria" She stepped over top of John, before turning and glaring in his direction. "And if you don't mind, I'm going to go and see if my friend is alright."

John listlessly waved a hand in her direction. "Sure, whatever you think will work."

Torrie knocked lightly on the bedroom door before opening it. "Maria? Honey, it's me Torrie, I'm coming in." She turned to the guys again."John, you know I love you ... but please, if you and Maria are going to have your first lovers tiff, can't you at least wait til you get out of the hotel and go home!"

Pete waited until his wife was gone before saying anything. "Alright man, what happened?"

John sighed. "It's my fault. I did something stupid, and just threw away whatever trust Maria may have had in me."

"Care to explain?" Pete asked. Fair go, it was early in the morning. He was just a little puzzled. "I don't follow."

"She said she still felt like she owed something Phil something. I got angry."

"John, if Torrie said that she still felt obligated towards the man who had been abusing her, I'd be angry too. But it's not her fault, she just needs to build up some self-esteem. He made it clear that he had ownership on her ... you can't make those feelings disappear all at once..."

"I know Pete ... "

Pete groaned. "This is about to get worse isn't it? What'd you do Cena?"

"I ... I touched her. I got angry ... and I pushed her. How stupid am I?" he cried. "I'm trying to show her that she's better than that and then what do I do? I go and do exactly the same thing he did."

Pete just shook his head as John cried tears of frustration. This is what they called going all the way back to step one.

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Torrie walked into the room to see a forlorn diva staring out the window.

"Maria?" She walked over to the younger women who turned at the sound of her name. "What happened?"

"Everything was going so well ... " Maria murmured."He was being wonderful ... I'd almost forgotten what a true gentleman was like..."

"And then what Maria?" Torrie pressed. Tears started to drip down her cheeks once again. "Maria?"

Maria stepped toward Torrie and replied before falling into Torrie's arms in a river of tears.

"He pushed me ... after everything ... he touched me just the way Phil did. "

Torrie blanched. How could John be so damn stupid!

"It's ok Maria, let it all out honey," she soothed, smoothing the young divas hair. Cradling Maria, the two rocked back and forward, Torrie trying her best to calm her down.

"How could he do it Tor," she sobbed. "I trusted him..."

"Maria ... I know this might sound a little cliched, but he didn't mean it."

"Torrie, he pushed me ... I just ... he promised he would never hurt me!" Torrie released Maria from her embrace and held her at arms length.

"Maria, I know this is going to be difficult for you. But John is a victim of this too. What were you talking about?"

Maria sniffled, trying to compose herself. "He said ... he said he would always be here for me, and that if I ever needed something, if I ever needed to be reassured, anything, he would be here."

"And do you believe that?"

"I do ... I guess ... I want to believe him."

"What did you say to him?" Torrie asked gently. She rubbed the young girls hands together in her own. It wasn't hard to see what had happened here.

"I asked him ... even if I felt like I still owed Phil something." Maria swallowed. "I didn't mean it the way it came out, I swear. I want to be with John."

Torrie smiled slightly. "Then why are you sitting here in tears missy? Inside that bathroom is one great guy beating himself up over what just happened. This is hard for him too Maria, you have to understand that. He hates that he wasn't there to protect you when you needed him the most. He feels like he failed you. He's in there crying because he thinks hes lost you, over one stupid little thing. He doesn't understand why you feel this way, and you have to make him see that. He has to be a lot more patient with you, that's a given, but together you can beat this. He's sorry for what he just did, believe me."

"So what do I do?" Maria asked, wiping away remnants of tears.

"Well, number one, you can yourself dressed, and make sure you wipe away those tears angel! Head out to that balcony, and I'm going to have a little talk with John. I'll send him in when I'm finished, and then while you two get yourselves together, Pete and I will head down for breakfast, and you can two can join us when you're ready. Okay?"

Maria nodded slowly, a smile lighting up her face. "Okay. Thanks Tor." She hugged her friend once more, and Torrie headed toward the bathroom.

"No worries honey. Just don't wake me up next time!" As Maria busied herself getting ready, Torrie stepped back into the en suite. John was still sitting on the floor near the sink, whilst Pete was leaning in the door frame opposite. Swinging her long legs up behind her, Torrie perched on the sink.

"How is she Torrie?" Pete asked.

"She's fine," Torrie smiled. "I think it's going to be okay."

John looked up at the pair, his bloodshot eye evident, the other still swollen closed. "She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you!" Torrie cried. "John, you have to realise this is going to take a bit of work that's all. I know how much it pains you to hear that she still feels she owes Phil something, but it is all apart of the healing process for her. You've got to be patient with her ... you can't allow yourself to get carried away when she needs you to be strong for her. You need to get her some help John."

"She's right John," Pete spoke up."She needs someone to talk to, to try and understand how it feels. All you have to do is listen."

"Does she still want to talk to me?" John asked, rather ashamed.

"Yeah." Torrie grinned."She's waiting for you, you big lug. Just let her go at her own pace okay?"

John jumped to his feet, grimacing as his back twinged. He kissed Torrie's cheek and bounded toward the door. "Thanks guys," he gasped gratefully. The door flew open and he was gone. Pete came up to the vanity sink and placed his hands on his wifes hips.

"You're incredible Victoria Anne, you know that?" Pete murmured.

Torrie touched her forehead to her husbands. "I don't deserve all the credit, I say we make a pretty good team, don't you?"

'The best."

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John panicked as he returned to the hotel room he shared with Maria and she was no where to be found. He headed into the bathroom, swinging the door open. Nothing. Turning to leave, he caught a glimpse of his relection in the mirror. Woah ... he had definitely seen better days! He sighed, resting his hands on the sink. Maria shouldn't have to see him like this. Hell, he hated seeing himself this way, but knowing that she was around somewhere sporting identical accessories ... as well as the additional pyschological trauma she had under gone in recent months ... he couldn't help but feel situation this was really beyond his control. Don't worry, there was no way he was going to let Maria just walk out of his life ... he just didn't know what he could possibly do that would allow him to understand even a small part of what she was going through.

"Suck it up Cena!" he said to himself harshly as he stared back at himself. I can do this. He drew in a deep breath and opened the door. I can do this .. I can talk about this ... for Ri.

Maria rested her arms on the railing of the balcony. A soft smiled danced across her face as she heard a door slam inside, knowing that it had to be John. Torrie was right. He hadn't intentionally pushed her, she knew that. He knew better. He just needed time to adjust to the situation, that was all. She sighed as her gaze rested on the private hospital a couple of blocks away. Hopefully, Phil was getting some help. For his physical injuries at least. For whatever was going inside his mind ... wincing, she rubbed her shoulder. There was no way she wanted Phil to get away with what he'd done, but she didn't know if she was strong enough to press charges against him ...

A soft cough was heard behind her. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"They're probably not worth a lot more than that."

"They are you know. How much do I need to offer you to hear them?"

"Hmm ... let's see," she said slyly."All of your credit cards ... the SUV ... all future sales of your album and DVDs ... "

John's jaw dropped in pretend disbelief."What, you don't want my throwbacks as well? They're probably worth more than most of that stuff altogether." He came up to Maria, and held out his arms in question. She nodded, and he encircled his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Baby girl, I'm sorry. I know what I did was wrong, but please, you have to forgive me! I wasn't thinking, and now I know that I have to ..."

Maria smiled as John rambled. "It's okay," she said, interrupting his tirade. "I know. You don't have to explain."

"It's not okay!" he protested.

"No, it is. You don't need to apologise." Her voice dropped a few octaves. "After all I said to you on the way to Las Vegas ... "

"That's different, you didn't exactly know what you were doing ..."

"I did, and I did it anyway," she said shamefully, hanging her head."I guess I thought that no matter what you'd be there for me. I kind of took you for granted..." Maria was beginning to get distressed, wringing her hands together."

"Hey hey hey ... I've got an idea," John finished hurriedly. He raised his hand to caress Maria's cheek. "There's no point in us dwelling on this okay? I have no problems in helping you with anything you need, you know that right?" At her nod he continued. "Good. But I also want us to start with on equal ground sweetheart. From here on in, we forget everything that we said. Starting now."

"Really?" she asked dubiously.

"Really," he affirmed."You know it. From the beginning." He released Maria and stuck out his hand. "Hi. My name is John Felix Anthony Cena. It's nice to meet you."

Maria giggled, rolling her eyes."Likewise. I'm Maria Kanellis, it's nice to meet you John."

"Say Maria," John said, slinging an arm around her shoulder."How would you feel about breakfast?"

Slipping an arm around his waist she smiled, pretending to be shocked. "But John! We only just met!"

Together they headed inside, picking up their things and getting ready to head downstairs. "Oh I think it'll be okay ... I get the feeling you're going to enjoy my company."

"Cocky aren't we Cena?" she remarked, raising an eyebrow. They were now heading down the hall, having left their room to go down for breakfast.

"You know it." he shot back. "You can't live without me." He leaned in to place a searing kiss on her lips, running a hand through her hair. Dragging her inside the elevator, he pushed her up against the wall as the doors closed. He pulled back, gasping for air. The passion between the pair kept intensifying, and Maria growled softly, complaining about being separated from his lips. "And I wouldn't have it any other way," he breathed heavily, before leaning in for more. "C'mere you."

They were still going when the elevator stopped two floors below. The doors opened, and the pair were met with simultaneous groans. Benoit and Jericho stepped into the lift, Jericho making retching noises while Benoit simply rolled his eyes. "Get a room, would you?"

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Torrie and Pete slid into the booth beside Stephanie and Paul. Steph and Paul had just returned from the hospital, and had just finished updating the group on Phil's condition. John sat silently beside Maria, her small hands shaking in his own. She had been happy a few moments earlier, yet now with the mention of Phil she had gone quiet again. Trish sat next to Maria, Shawn and Charlie finishing off the row. Benoit was sitting alongside Paul, and Jericho had pulled a chair up at the end of the table.

"He's in Intensive Care, but only as a precaution. He's being sent home into the care of his family today." Stephanie said.

"Can you all make sure I give Shelton his address before he goes?" Charlie asked darkly.

"Charlie ..." Torrie blurted out. "That's really harsh."

He shrugged. "I don't care. He deserves it."

"Anyway," Shawn said quickly, hurrying to change the subject. "What's going to be happening at RAW over the next couple of weeks?"

"There's going to have to be a lot of changes," Trish agreed. "Including title changes!" she said excitedly, rubbing her hands together. The group laughed, it was clear that Trish was the main contender to gain the Women's Championship again.

"Title changes for one," Paul said seriously. "A change in power ... "

"A change in direction," Stephanie cut in. "There's going to be an overhaul of the whole show. Along with the reformation of DX ... well John still has the belt, so we either head with the angle of John joning them and as a result they get even more powerful and piss off my father even more, which is what I think should happen, or John stays on his own, and we build a faction around him to oppose DX. Torrie and Maria, we need to get you in the ring as wrestlers as soon as possible, we might have to buy up some new talent by the looks. A few new girls, since the plan is to send Ashley to Smackdown, and with your meeting with my mother today, Jericho and Pete, well I'm looking at making one of you IC Champion and getting the other to head our tag team division which has been severely lacking of late."

"Jess is going to love having me on the road again," Jericho groaned.

"Oh boo hoo," smirked Benoit. "Like your going to object to having your cheesy mug all over tv every week."

"Well when you put it that way ... " Jericho wiggled his eyebrows. "My handsome face was the main reason that the show got off the ground, right?" Warded up napkins and toast crust suddenly went flying in his direction."Hey! What'd I say?"

"Jericho, somethings about you will never change." Pete laughed, shaking his head.

"And that's why I'm the King of the World!" Jericho proclaimed proudly to a chorus of groans.

The table fell silent, realising that there was no point in trying to tell Chris otherwise. Continuing to eat their breakfast in silence, they simply sat there, no one daring to give life to the questions they all wanted to know the answer too. What was Maria going to do about Phil? They were all wondering the same thing. Torrie was glancing at Charlie and Shawn, her eyes pleading with them to be the ones to say something. Trish looked to be in the middle of a silent argument with Jericho and Benoit over the same thing. Yet Maria just sat there, resting her head on Johns shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her, careful not to cause either one of them further injury. John finally noticed that something was up. Trish was about to burst her face was so red, and Stephanie was hastily whispering something in her husbands ear, while Paul was doing his best to make sure his eyes were averted far away from RAW's newest couple.

"Guys, what's going on?" John asked curiously.

"Nothing." Pete said, nonchalantly.

"Guysssss" John said again, a little more sternly. "What's going on?" He narrowed his eyes, staring at every person in turn, daring them to defy his question. But every Superstar returned his gaze blankly, no one meeting his eyes. That is, until his gaze fell on Trish. "Trish. Tell me."

"Well ah ... John ... Okay," she blurted out, trying to ignore the murderous stares of her friends. She never was any good at keeping secrets. "John, we want

to know ... need to know ... are the two of you going to press charges against Phil?"

Maria tensed up again, before settling down again as John murmured something into her ear. She nodded, and John began to speak. "Guys ... the thing is, we don't know yet."

"What do you mean you don't know yet!" Charlie, Shawn and Torrie all asked aghast.

"We don't know," Maria spoke up. "Because we haven't really had time to think about it ... I don't want him getting away with what he did ... " she trailed off quietly, before clearing her throat and speaking again."And I don't want him being able to do to someone else what he did to me .. and to John ..."

"Then have him charged and locked up." Paul deadpanned.

"It's not that easy ... " she whispered quietly. "I'd have to make a statement, and go to court , I just don't think I'm strong enough."

Stephanie reached across the table to place a hand on the young divas arm. "Maria, we would be with you every step of the way. All of us," she clarified, looking around at the Superstars before her who were all nodding their heads in agreement. "We want him to pay for what he did to you .. to John ... to all of us. Something has to be done."

"And quickly, Maria." Benoit spoke up. "I'm sorry Miss M., but it will help your case a lot more if we can show people proof of what he's done ..."

"I know," she said softly. "But ... if we place charges, he's going to get put in jail if he's found guilty right?"

"WHEN," Jericho interrupted. "When he is found guilty, not if, Maria."

"But he isn't necessarily a bad guy! Sure, I know what he did ... but why he did it ... he needs help guys, we can't just get him put in a cell to rot ..."

John smiled down at his girlfriend. "Always the compassionate one, Maria," he mused, his face hardening. "We'll help him. I don't know how .. but we'll do something."

They all looked at John like he was crazy. "John, why do you want to help him? After what he did to you! Let him rot! You've got to be kidding!" They all cried at once.

"What do you want me to say guys?" The Champ demanded. "That I'm going to find him, bust him open and give him the ass kicking he deserves?"

"Well yeah," chuckled Shawn. "That was the original plan wasn't it?"

"Sorry guys. The plan has changed. We dealt with that last night. I don't need to put Phil in hospital again to make me feel better. It won't achieve anything. He's got enough problems with Shelton and half the company on his tail." He looked down at Maria, and kissed her hair. "My focus is right here." he stated firmly.

"No, really." Pete asked incredulously. "John, look at what he did! You're going to let him get away with it?" Torrie placed a hand on her husbands arm, the guys really were getting carried away.

'Hey now guys, this is John and Marias' decision... And it's up to them ... " Torrie felt like a school teacher, lecturing naughty children. Almost as an after thought, she processed what she'd just said, her head whipping around as she digested the situation."Wait, why are we going easy on him again?"

"Guys, what do you expect me to do?" John asked, rather frustrated. "I refuse to do anything else to put any of you girls in danger, even though I know that we would have plenty of back up if something were to happen. Number two, this type of revenge just isn't my style .. we nailed him and his cronies; as much as I would love to see Phil get what he deserves, if Maria doesn't want to do this ... " His voice faded away, his heart torn between doing what he wanted and what was best by Maria.

"We can hold our own you know John," Trish shot back stubbornly.

"I know that Trish! But we got what we wanted didn't we? Phil got the holy hell beaten out of him! Adam and Amy are GONE from RAW, and the show might actually start making some sense!" John glanced sheepishly at Steph. 'No offence Steph."

She waved off his apology. "Don't worry about it, none taken."

"But," interjected Paul. "This isn't revenge. It's justice."

Charlie and Shawn nodded. "He's right," Shawn concluded. "If you press charges against Phil guys, you can prevent other girls from suffering the same fate."

"Or guys suffering from his lunacy." Charlie chimed in.

"Maria and John may be right though," Torrie pointed out. "There has got to be something going on in his head that doesn't just add up ..."

"Can we all stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Maria burst out. "Look, I know that something has to be done about Phil! I know that no one else should have to experience what Phil put us through! But if we press charges, and he's found not guilty, what if he comes after John again? We know that he needs some serious help! He can't get that if he gets put away! And what if he sends the OVW boys after us? I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through with it. He's so intimidating ... look what he's done to me already," she finished, a little teary.

"Maria, everyone here with us is on your side," Pete smiled as everyone nodded in agreement.

"No matter what, we're going to get to the bottom of this," Jericho said seriously. "If you decide to press charges, then we'll be with you every step of the way. If you don't, for whatever reason, we're going to help you out too."

"And Steph and Linda will help you in whatever way they can, I'm sure," Benoit said quietly.

"You got it," Steph enthused. "Lawyers, psychologists, anything, it's yours."

"All you need to do is make your mind up Sweetheart," John asserted. He didn't want to see Maria go through any additional stress, but is this was what she wanted, then it'd happen. "We've all got your back no matter what. Especially me," he whispered in her ear.

Maria smiled weakly. She felt like she was carrying the expectations of the world on her shoulders. What would she do?

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Okay okay ... so I lied, this can't possibly be the last chapter ... but, i think it's the longest chapter yet .. so, there will be an epilogue lol

I can't promise it will be very long, but I think you'll like it!

Please review and let me know what you thought, any feedback is fantastic and the reviews really make my day, as you guys know

thanks for reading!