Disclaimer: As always I own nothing officially associated with the WWE. I am simply a huge John Cena fan-girl who likes to visit their playground once in a while.

Author's Note: Thank you to Taker Always, My time is Now, Awesomeone21, and ILoveAnime89 for your great reviews. I am thrilled that you're all reading and reviewing. Thank you guys so much for making my day a little brighter with your words.

Without further ado, I give you

Chapter 4

I watched as Randy continued glancing over my left shoulder. "What?" I asked casting a brief glance myself. Noting John and my Uncle standing just outside the office door I quipped "Guess my time as a spy is over."

"There up to something," Randy replied very matter of fact.

"Randy," I admonished "you're talking about your two best friends in the business."

"Exactly" he murmured as the two men approached.

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The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Once the show was under way, my uncle was a different man. In front of thousands of fans he was HHH, The Game, The Cerebral Assassin the man they all adored. Backstage he was a strange mix of Paul the boss and Paul the father figure. As the evening drew to a close, I found myself longing for a few minutes peace and quiet. I had thoroughly enjoyed my first night on the job, but I was feeling a little overwhelmed by it all.

Standing backstage, I watched as various superstars and divas made their exits from the arena; some headed out to party, some back to the hotel, and still others already hitting the road – heading to the next venue. Seeing my little window of opportunity – I took my chance to slip off seeking a few minutes alone. Sneaking through the waning crowd was easy. Soon I found myself sitting in an empty arena, halfway between the nosebleed seats and the floor. There was something nice about watching the crew take down the ring; packing everything up for the next show. My plan was to 'escape' only five minutes maybe ten; by then I figured that Stephanie or Paul – possibly both would be looking for me. Paul was always a little anxious to get on the road and headed to the next venue. But, you know what they say about best laid plans. Nearly twenty minutes later, I was still sitting in the arena only half watching the crew complete their work. I found my mind drifting – my thoughts a hazy blend of my past, present, and future. Tonight felt wonderful. Getting back on my feet and back to work was just what the doctor ordered. I was eternally grateful to my family for giving me a chance. I needed and wanted to be whole again. Shaking my head, I smirked. Muttering to myself (self-pep-talk) "the past will soon be dead and buried leave it there – don't let it spoil your future." My mind kept repeating those words over and over like a broken record; desperately trying to convince me not to worry. I was worried none the less.

Lost in thought, I never heard him approach or even sit down next to me. Looking around I realized the ring crew was getting closer and closer to being done. "Damn time to go," I muttered standing; it was then that I realized I was not alone. "….John" I murmured "you startled me – how long have you been sitting there?"

"Not long…" he replied with easy calm.

"I just needed a few minutes alone….to think…you know wind down." 'Oh just shut-up Mercedes your babbling like an idiot school girl.' I thought with an irritated rush. I didn't need to explain myself to a man I just met a few hours ago. So why did I have the urge to keep talking?

Standing John smiled, that same confident smile he gave me back at the office hours ago – the same smile yet some-how more. More what my mind demanded; mysterious, intriguing, or possibly cryptic? No that would be too easy – to cliché. Watching his smile slowly slipped, as he turned to watch the last of the ring work. I was a little embarrassed to be caught studying him so openly. Judging from his abrupt turn I wasn't the only one with secrets they didn't want to share.

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(John's P.O.V.)

For several long moments I stood at the end of the aisle simply watching. I was pretty sure that I was the only one who enjoyed the semi quiet after the show. There was something about the intensity with which she watched the ring crew that spoke volumes. Was she really that interested in their work or was it just a pleasant distraction from something darker? Studying her a moment longer, I watched her continued stare out over the arena. I knew that look – secrets. This woman was hiding something. Moving down the aisle I took the seat one down from her. Propping my feet up against the back of the seat directly in front of me I waited. I waited for her to realize she wasn't alone. I didn't have to wait long.

"Damn time to go," I heard her mutter as she stood; it was then that she realized she was not alone. "….John" she murmured. My name acquiring a soft delicate feeling as it stumbled past her lips. "You startled me – how long have you been sitting there," she questioned curiously?

"Not long…" I answered watching, expecting – what exactly I'm not sure.

"I just needed a few minutes alone….to think…you know wind down." She rambled, her cheeks painted with a healthy rose blush. She was a grown woman. Truth was we just met a few hours ago. I didn't need or want an explanation. Since my divorce, there have been a lot of things I simply tune out. I was surprised that her random chatter wasn't one of them. Something about her wouldn't let me. That alone disturbed me.

Standing I smiled, I found myself watching her. Her dark eyes filled with more life, pain and honest emotion than I was used too. She had definitely experienced something in this life; something that left her with a pain and an innocence that both disturbed and intrigued me.

Even before things ended between Liz and me; I'd learned to watch a woman's eyes. Whoever said that the eyes were a window to the soul they were right. I was John Cena and in the eyes of most women they knew it. For lack of a better word they were ring-rats; as such their eyes held all the lust and desire to fuck around with a superstar. Sure there were exceptions to that rule. Mercedes however, right now, well she was the exception to the exception. Her eyes were filled with emotions that had nothing to do with me. Another strange tidbit that I would surely over analyze later. As I studied her a moment to long, I realized I wasn't the only one doing the studying. 'What the hell!' my mind demanded. It was more than the feel of her dark eyes watching me. It was what I saw in those dark eyes. For a brief instance it was as if she could see through to my soul. More obviously sharp than I intended I turned away, my gaze focusing unseeing on the last of the ring breakdown. What did those dark knowing eyes see? The last year or so had left its mark on me. What sort of twisted darkness did she glimpse into? I never expected the innocence and pain of a woman I barely knew to catch me so off guard – 'What the fuck' I debated internally. If I was going to be around her any longer and I definitely wanted to be around her then I would need to be on my toes. Cause I definitely wasn't the only one with secrets they didn't want to share.

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(Mercedes P.O.V.)

Glancing at my watch I realized it was later than I realized. "Oh shit!" I gasped. "I should go," I explained as I started to move. "Un….Paul has to be looking for me by now."

John laughed rich and deep. Reaching out he grabbed my wrist "Whoa slow down – relax would you?"

At my exasperated sigh he chuckled once more. "Paul was looking for you earlier. He mentioned that he was your ride to the next venue. I told him not to worry about it." It was then he gestured down the aisle to the hot pink suitcase sitting there. "I told him I would make sure you got there on time. So whattya say Ms. Mercedes you ready to hit the road with me tonight?"

Author's Note: I am never much for real cliffhangers. Most of the time I'm not sure I have it right, but this feels like a good one to me. I am trying something new with this little tale – really trying to push myself outside my comfort zone – so please please please love it or hate it leave it in the box below. Thanks again as always xoxoxxoxox OZ