Disclaimer: I own only Kimberly

Chapter 9: Operation – Get Her Back

John won the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania, fulfilling his life's dream. He celebrated in front of the cameras, but behind the scenes his heart was breaking. He went straight back to his hotel room and packed his things. He could still smell her perfume and it made the pain worse. He made a few calls and was on the first flight to Boston in the morning. John debated just driving the distance but knew he was too tired. He had to find her and talk to her. She wasn't answering his calls and he tried his best to explain on her voicemail. He tried to sleep, but it was fitful and he tossed and turned all night.

John flew into Boston and drove straight to her condo. When she wasn't there he tried her at her offices, nothing. He tried calling her assistant, Stephan, but Stephan wouldn't tell him where she was. He drove the three hours to her home in Amesbury and again, nothing. She's not hiding from him because her housekeeper didn't even answer the door. He drove to his dad's house in West Newbury and continued trying to call Kimberly. He told his dad what happened and he broke down and cried. For the second time in his adult life, he cried.

Over the next few weeks, John continued his quest to get her back while going through the motions of life. He continued his public persona but was just a shell of a person behind the scenes. Word quickly spread through the WWE what had happened and John received a lot of sympathy from his friends. The other female involved became an outcast and was shunned by everyone. Despite the treatment, she continued to relentlessly pursue John. One night at a Smackdown taping, she approached John in the cafeteria and in front of everyone began berating him. She called him names and tried to challenge him to a verbal war. She tried everything to get any sort of response from him. He did his best to ignore her and even a few of the wrestlers and Divas said something to her. John finally stood up and yelled as loud as he could. "Enough! I've had enough! Give it up! I don't want you, I never have wanted you. I don't like leftovers and sloppy seconds, get away from me!" The brunette Diva stood there looking at John as he exploded at her. He cleared his dishes and attempted to leave. She blocked him and had nothing but desire in her eyes.

"Look at me, John. Look at this body. You know you want it." John shook his head and walked around her to leave. The brunette yelled to John, "What does she have that I don't have?"

"Me! She has me! She owns me, mind, body and soul. Nothing and nobody will change that!" John yelled back and stormed out of the cafeteria. The roster was momentarily shocked at John's outburst, but quickly clapped and cheered for John. The Diva stormed out and went to the female locker room.

After the taping, John had an idea. The following morning he called the WWE offices and begged Stephanie to give him Hulk Hogan's phone number in Florida. She finally gave in after John told her what happened and why he needed the number. He called and spoke to Brooke, who being a John Cena fan, told him Kimberly was down here. Her Mom, Linda, was at Kimberly's house now. Brooke gave John the directions from the airport and John got on the next flight out of Boston.

He arrived at the gates of the neighborhood and found out Brooke gave clearance for him to enter. He saw a few cars in her driveway and now was struggling with his courage. He decided to go to Hulk's house and try to get info and advice. He spoke with Hulk and Brooke about what to do. He told them what happened before and after Kimberly saw him, and Hulk could tell John was telling the truth. While they were talking Linda walked in and went right after John. Hulk stopped her and said Linda needed to hear the other side of the story. John found it very easy to speak to the Hogans, they listened and even though they were loyal to Kimberly, they gave him the chance to explain. He told his version of the story again to Linda and even got emotional. With tears in his eyes he said, "I need her, Linda. She's my reason for living. She's my whole world. It's been almost a month and I'm a disaster. Please help me. I don't know what to do." John's voice started cracking and he bent his head down and wiped the tears. Brooke and Linda were teary-eyed also and Linda agreed to intervene, but only a little, the rest was up to him. As John regained his composure Linda left the house. She returned 15 minutes later and John stood as she entered. Kimberly saw John and tried to turn and leave. Linda stopped her and said she needed to hear what he had to say. She couldn't even look at John, it hurt too much, and she didn't want him to see her cry. She wouldn't be broken again. John had his chance to say everything he felt she should hear, but was dumbstruck. He couldn't find the words. His heart had leapt at the sight of her and was now breaking again. He could tell he hurt her beyond repair, but he needed to try and fix it. How do I start? I don't want to say the wrong things. John looked at Linda and Hulk. Hulk gave John a thumbs up and Linda pointed to the couch. John cleared his throat and his voice cracked as he spoke. "Would you please sit down with me?" He looked at her imploringly with tears in his eyes. Kimberly kept her head down but walked to the couch. As she passed Hulk and Linda she looked at them with so much emotion it was hard to distinguish between fear, pain and anger. She tried to subtly wipe the tears from her cheeks as she sat down. The Hogans sat in the chairs opposite the couch and silently agreed between themselves to not interfere, but to mediate if needed. They were there for support not as psychologists.

John spent the next hour explaining why he acted the way he did that fateful morning, why he was in that hallway and how he truly felt about the Diva. He continued explaining why his reaction to the kiss was delayed and the circumstances leading up to what she saw. He knew she was hearing him and truly listening when she looked at him while he was talking. He also knew to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth or she'd see right through him and shred his heart where he stood. John did his best to control his emotion and just use the facts. He didn't whine or beg for her to come back to him or carry on about how he's been feeling. After he was finished talking, he looked at her, really looked at her. His chin began to tremble and his eyes welled with tears. "I love you, baby girl with all that I have to give." Kimberly sat there looking at John absorbing all he had said. The room was silent for the next few minutes and Hulk and Linda exchanged looks, not knowing how Kimberly would react. Linda knew she was a tough-as-nails business woman who took shit from nobody. Highly respected socially and hugely successful in everything she did. Linda also knew Kimberly's excruciatingly painful past and knew why she kept it private; she honestly wasn't sure if John had a chance. What Kimberly said, she meant and she never went back on her word. She stood and went to Hulk and Linda. She kissed them both and excused herself, walking right out the door. John stood to run after her and was stopped by Hulk. Linda told John to wait here and walked out after Kimberly. She didn't get far and found Kimberly kneeling in the front yard her arms wrapped around her and rocking. Linda sat next to her and hugged her tight. As Kimberly cried and sobbed and let her emotions crash around her, Linda sat with her just holding her and rocking with her.

"He's not Joe. Fate won't deal the same blow twice. Let him into your world, let him help you heal. You have to tell him everything." The two women sat in silence for the next few hours until the sun began to set. John and Hulk walked outside and found the two women on the lawn. Hulk helped Linda up and they walked in the house. Kimberly looked up at John and he offered his hands. She put her hands in his and he pulled her up. They stood there looking at each other and Kimberly held onto John's hands. She led John around the house and they began walking down the beach toward her house. When they reached her home, she sat down on the sand facing the ocean.

Kimberly took a deep breath, "I need to tell you a few things."