Friends maybe more..
Authors note: Thanks to everyone whose enjoying my story. Hope you like this next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything WWE related.
Chapter 4
It was nearing 4 a.m. when John and Maria trudged up to their hotel rooms. It had taken forever at the hospital. They had taken blood work, and done every test imaginable. She had second degree burns where Davari had burnt her with the cigarette, bruised and bloody wrists, a couple of broken ribs, and bruises littering her body. She was cleaned and bandaged, and extremely tired.
Maria wasn't looking forward to returning to her room that night, but couldn't bare to ask John if she could stay with him. John somehow scensed her reluctance, and pushed her on toward his room when they came to her doorway. She looked back at him as a silent thanks, smiling for the first time since the incident.
John smiled back down at her as he unlocked the door and lead her inside. He went to the closet and pulled out an extra pillow and blanket. He set the stuff down on the couch, and motioned her to sit on the bed. "Ria, you take the bed. I'm gonna sleep on the couch tonight."
She shook her head. "This is your room, I should be on the couch. So end of story." She made to go lay on the couch.
"Babe, I want you to take the bed. It'll be more comfortable. I don't wanna fight with you."
"Fine then, sleep with me!" When the words left her mouth, she immediatly blushed.
He smiled to himself, and chuckled a bit. "Fine. We'll sleep together tonight."
They both crawled under the covers, Maria snuggling up against him. He pulled her into his arms and let her rest against him. She knew she was safe, and instantly fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
He watched her as she slept. She looked beautiful, even though her face was covered in bruises. He could almost smack himself for not going in her room with her tonight. He knew he couldn't have known what would happen, but still. Sleep came slower to him, but eventually he was out as well. Content with just holding his love the rest of the night.
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A few hours later, they were both awakened to the sound of the alarm clock ringing and flashing 6:30. Glaring at the offending object, John wanted nothing more than to smash the thing against the wall and break it into a million pieces. He knew that they had to get up though, their plane leaving at 9:30. He slowly disengangled himself from Maria, he got up and headed for the shower, stopping to place a light kiss on her forehead.
She yawned as she heard the water from the shower start. She snuggled back under the covers and just listened to the shower run, falling back to sleep.
John stepped out of the shower, and grabbed a towel. Wrapping it around his waist, he walked into the next room to get some clothes for the day.picking out his favorite New England Patriots jersey and a pair of shorts, he walked back into the bathroom to change. He couldn't help but smile as he saw Maria snuggled up asleep again. What was he going to do with her?
Getting dressed quickly, he went back out and sat on the edge of the bed. Sneaking his hands up under the covers, his hands skimed her body tickling her lightly. He laughed softly as her face scrunched up and tried to move away from the offending touch. "Come on baby. Time to get up. We got a plane to catch, and you gotta get dressed. Come on, I'll walk ya back to your room."
Maria kicked at him and ducked her head farther under the covers. She mumbled something offending, but he couldn't make out what she said. He jerked the covers back, and pulled her into his arms. "JOHN! I just wanna sleep!" she burrowed into his shoulder.
"I know honey, but you gotta get dressed. We have to make our plane."
"Ok, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Just as long as you are ready to leave on time."
She climbed off of him, and got to her feet. She winced as she streched the wrong way and pulled on one of her ribs. Holding her side, she stepped into her flip flops, and walked over to the door, staring back at John intentedly.
He got up too, and putting on his sneakers, opened the door and walked her back down to her room. She pulled out her key, and opened the door only to be greated my the sight of her room covered in roses. Her face paled, and her legs started to give way. John caught her about the waist, and held her up.
He noticed a note pinned to her bathroom door, and led her over so he could read it. He snatched it down, scanning it once or twice, and handed it to her to read. She took it in shaky fingers and began to read it aloud.
Maria my dear,
My sweet simple minded little girl. Did you actually think that I would be done with you? Not a chance. The person who carried out your punishment last night was nothing more than a pawn I payed to do the service. Do you honestly think I would have let myself be caught so easily? I think not. I told you before that you would be punished, but I didn't say who would get the honors of giving it to you. Davari won't tell on me eather, he was payed too well do divulge my identity.
I hope you enjoyed your punishment. If you thought that was bad, you can only imagine what your next punishment will be if you screw up.
Enjoy your flight home, and think of me often. I'll be seeing you soon.
"Ria, what's this all about? Have you gotten letters before this?" John looked down at the quivering woman in his arms. Judging by her silence that she had, he just shook his head. "Why didn't you tell me baby? I coulda helped you."
"I...I wanted to. But he threatened to hurt you if I did, and I couldn't bare to see you get hurt on my account." She started to cry.
Leading her over to the couch, they sat down, and he just held her while she cried. "Baby, how long have you been getting these things?"
"A couple of days. At first I thought it was just a joke, but it just got more serious. If you want to see them, they're in my bag." she sighed and rocked back and forth.
He walked over to her bag and found the letters where she said they'd be. He read through each one silently, growing more angry with each line he read. How dare this freak come after his Maria! "Sweety, we need to take these to the cops. They can fingure print them and try to find out who is behind all of this. They've got Davari, maybe they can get him to talk." He walked back to her and gave her a gentle hug. "As of right now though, you need to get changed. Go ahead and start. I'm just going to make a few phone calls."
Maria got up and walked into the bathroom. Stripping off her clothes, she hopped into the shower and just let it take her over. Twenty minutes later, she climbed out feeling refreshed. Slipping on an outfit she had laying on the bathroom sink, she walked back out into the main room. She saw that John and all of the flowers here gone.
Sighing to herself, she flopped down on the couch and flipped on the tv, trying to take her mind off of the latest letter. She felt a little relieved though. At least John knew what was going on now. She heard a knock at the door, and went to answer it. A bellboy stood outside her door with a cart.
"Room service." the boy said.
"I didn't order anything though. Thanks anyway."
"You are Maria Kanellis right?"
"Well yes, but I didn't order anything."
"Someone ordered it for you. They said to enjoy. If you don't want it though, I can take it back."
"No, I guess it's alright, just bring it on in." She handed him a tip, and sent him on his way.
She pulled the lid off the dish, and about puked at the offending odor coming from underneath it. Slamming the lid back down, she pushed it back outside the door, wanting nothing to do with it. She could've kicked herself. She needed to learn to be more careful about things like that. Wondering where John was at, she went about finishing her packing.
It was a quarter til eight when John showed back up on her doorstep, his luggage in hand. He looked at the cart outside Maria's door strangely, asking her about it.
"Some bellboy brought it. I lifted the lid, but whatever it was reaked, so I didn't take a look. I just closed it back up and pushed it out into the hall."
"Ok. Well, I've got the police told, and they're working on getting the info. out of Davari. I also talked to Vince and told him you probably won't be at work for awhile. He wasn't too happy about that, but once he got your doctors note, he had to accept it. Now, we have a plane to catch."
Maria grabbed her stuff, and off they headed for the airport. The car ride to the airport was silent. Maria knew that this would probably be the last time she saw John for awhile. Once they got to the airport, they would be heading in separate directions. Him to West Newbury, MN, and her to Miami, Fl. She sat back in her seat and just stared out the window.
John saw her looking depressed out of the corner of his eye, and reached over to grasp her hand. Squeezing it gently, he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it.
She smiled sadly at him as she held onto his hand. Not wanting to break the connection between them. She was going to miss him so much. A few tears gathered in her eyes at the thought of not being with him.
As they reached the airport, they got out and went to collect their bags from the trunk. Watching as the taxi sped away, they trudged into the airport, greeted with the hustle and bustle from everyone. They walked over to the check in line, and gave the lady their bags. Maria gave John a strange look when he didn't go to the check in desk for Chicago.
"John, aren't you in the wrong line? This one is headed for Miami, Florida." she asked.
"Yeah, I know. I figured I'd go to the beach for awhile. Haven't been there in a long time." he said, giving her a wink.
"You mean you're coming to Miami with me?" she grabbed him and threw her arms around him, a huge smile covering her face.
"Of course I am. You think I'm gonna let you go home by yourself after all the shit that's happened? I don't think so baby. We don't know who your real stalker is yet, and until we do, I'm not gonna leave your side."
Maria leaned up and kissed him, letting out all her frustration over the past few days, and looking forward to the future. John kissed her back, both playing for dominance. Maria finally conceded, and let him win. They slowly broke apart, and just stared into eachothers eyes.
"flight 260 to Miami is now boarding. Flight 260 to Miami is now boarding. Passengers please report to the terminal. Thank you." a voice came over the loud speaker.
"We better get going," she said softly, and reaching down to pick up her carryon, they walked hand in hand to the plane.