Author's Note: Thank you so much for all of your kind reviews. Your feedback means the world to me. Special thanks to those who were sweet enough to leave me their thoughts; my time is now, lilywhite25, awesomeone21, Lady Isadorra, Mocha, and of course Taker Always – you guys ROCK!

Author's Note / Warning: There is some "smut" in this chapter. If that offends you please skip below that section and continue reading. This is my first time writing this kind of work so please be honest but be fair – let me know how I'm doing – thanks again everyone

Chapter 13

(Friday Afternoon)

Standing in the oversized doorway of the cafeteria, I scanned the crowded room looking for Celeste. Glancing at my watch I realized, as usual, I was nearly ten minutes late. Seemed everywhere I went these days I was late. Scanning the crowd, I smiled, when I saw her waving from a small table at the back of the room.

Pulling out the chair across from her I plopped down. "Sorry I'm late. Things upstairs today are hectic; what with Extreme Rules just over two weeks away everyone is in crunch mode."

"It's all good!" Celeste smiled sliding a tray in my direction. Gesturing with a slight tilt of her head, the long line at the register "I went ahead and got us both the chicken salad."

"Thanks" I murmured with appreciation, not realizing just how hungry I was becoming until I sat down across from her – watching her tuck into her own sandwich.

We sat for several moments in comfortable silence; both of us taking a moment to catch our breath and to enjoy our lunch. "So" Celeste began breaking the silence "we really haven't had the chance to sit and talk since John's birthday. What's new? How's work going?" A devilish smile broke wide across her features reaching her eyes. "How are things between you and John? I told you he would love that dress didn't I? Did you see the look on his face that night? I swear that man nearly swallowed his own tongue. I wish I could have seen the look on Nikki's face when you interrupted them and asked John to dance. I just know it was priceless."

Since John's birthday, Celeste and I had become fast friends. She was right though, we really hadn't the chance to sit and talk like this since that night. We had been exchanging texts like crazy. We even managed to talk on the phone a couple for times, but never about anything to important. I was grateful to Celeste it felt good to have another woman, aside from Aunt Steph, to talk to. A woman who could understand the challenges that came with accepting any position with the WWE.

Tucking into my chicken salad, I smiled. "Work is going really well. I'm finally settling into a little bit of a routine. I think I've met just about everyone on the rosters for both Raw and Smack-down. Aside from a couple minor bumps in the road – everyone has been fantastic to work with. Just in the short time I've been working with H – I've learned so much already."

Celeste looked at me expectantly. I knew what she was waiting for – I just didn't know what to say. "And?" she questioned – drawing the single syllable word.

"And" I replied "What's going on with? How's the new story line working out?"

"Oh no you don't missy! You don't get to just the subject like that. I want details woman! How are things with you and John?"

Concentrating on my plate, I spoke softly "John and me haven't really had a chance to talk in almost a week."

"What!" Celeste exclaimed. Toning it down a notch or two only after the tables both to our left and right looked our way. "What happened?" She asked with equal parts concern and curiosity. "You two seemed so perfect together that night."

"Sure were perfect Celeste, perfect friends, nothing more." I told her, trying to keep my words light and friendly.

"Friends huh?" She seemed to mull that thought over in her head. Taking a sip of her diet cola, I could see she was choosing her next words very carefully. "So this 'perfect friends' was that your idea or his?"

"What does it matter whose idea it was? It's obviously the best decision."
"The best decision…" she challenged "the best decision for whom? Because if you ask me the best decision wouldn't end with the two you not speaking much in a week; after all we are talking about the same man who sent all of those texts just to cheer you up right?"

I groaned inwardly. I was so tickled by John and his silly singing text messages that I'd bragged a little to Celeste about how sweet he had been. That decision was obviously going to come back and bite me. "It's no big deal Celeste. He's busy – I'm busy I'm sure once things slow down a little for both of us we will catch up again."

Celeste smiled very brief and a little sad. "I won't badger or push – not my style. I mean it is your life after all. All I'm saying is this – if friendship was your decision make sure it's what you really want before you walk away from what could potentially be the best thing that ever happened to both of you ok?"

I appreciated Celeste's concern I really did but I wasn't ready to explain myself to her – to anyone not yet. Reaching across the table I squeezed her hand – silently thanking her for her concern. "I'll think about it." I assured her. Hell outside of work thinking about John was all I had done since leaving his bus damned near a week ago. Even my nightmares had subsided. My sub-conscience deciding instead of focusing on the past it would focus on John instead. At this point, I figured a good night's sleep was a moot point.

WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA

(John's P.O.V.)

(Late Sunday Evening)

The past week had been a real pain in the ass. Except for one or two occasional text messages I hadn't talked to Mercedes since she left my bus Tuesday morning headed for the Smack-down taping. I knew from the one or two texts we exchanged that she was ok. Knowing she was ok was one thing – actually having a real conversation with her was another. Mack had asked for a couple of days off so rather that rattle around that big old bus by myself; I rented a large black Chevy Denali and headed out. Figured I would check into the hotel, maybe get in a work-out, decent meal, maybe hook with Randy later.

Well I did get checked into the hotel; stowed my bags in my room, changed and headed down to the hotel gym. My intentions were good. I figured I would work out for hour or so, grab a quick shower, some room service, and end the evening hanging out with some of the other guys from the roster already in town for tomorrow night. It was a good plan – that is until I saw Annalise walking on the damned treadmill just inside the hotel gym.

Annalise and I had known each other for years before anything had happened between us. Her older brother and I had been friends in school back in West Newbury. Then one night about two years ago we ran into each other at a bar where me and some of the guys were hanging out after a live show. I guess four or five years had passed since we'd seen each other. We spent a good solid couple of hours catching up on the old times. We spent the rest of evening with her literally tied to my hotel bed – spread wide like a starving man's buffet. Annalise was a wonderful woman. She understood the score. She knew what I wanted and she had qualms about giving in and giving it up.

I think she was as surprised to see me as I was her. Turns out she was in town only for a couple of days for an old friend's wedding. Without a second thought I invited her up to my room for a late and/or early supper depending on how you looked at. She headed to her room for a quick shower and change. I headed up to my room to order room service and wait.

I ordered us a couple of steaks with baked potato, salads, and two slices of cheesecake for desert. Room service arrived maybe a whole two minutes before Annalise did. The bell-man had just dropped off our food when I heard her knock at the door. Opening the door, I gestured for her to come inside. Wearing a short strapless black and pink silk sundress she had definitely captured my attention. I allowed my gaze to wander her body – knowing damned well that with a dress like that there was no chance for a bra or panties on underneath. She wore her hair long, curly, and loose flowing down her back. With her back to me, I found my mind thinking about Mercedes bone straight dark hair in comparison to Annalise's curly locks. Turning to face me she smiled as she slowly lowered the tightly gathered top of her dress exposing her perky bare thirty four B breasts. Her smooth caramel skin, her deep rose colored nipples had my body reacting almost instantly. The back of mind raced with the thought that while her breasts were perfect for the palm of my large hands - she was definitely smaller than Mercedes. Unwantedly my mind began to wonder about the color of Mercedes nipples. Were her nipples dark, or were they a soft rosy color. Given her reactions to our kiss, I figured it was safe to assume that they were very sensitive.

Shaking my head, I tried to clear my thoughts. "Fuck Mercedes," I thought with a twisted gut; "I'm not letting another damned woman put me in emotional knots. We got no claim on each other – outside of friendship." There was that damned word again 'friendship.' My stomach nearly rolled and pitched just thinking about it. Watching as Annalise slipped off her dress – standing before me naked I shoved all thoughts of Mercedes and her damned friendship right out of my head.

With an easy sway of her thin slender hips, she was standing directly in front of me within seconds. Without a word between us, I placed both hands on her shoulders and rather abruptly guided her to her knees. There was no need for words she knew what I wanted. Within seconds I was planted deep in her mouth. Standing very still I watched her work my cock with her luscious mouth. Pulling her hair back away from her face - I could watch her – see every movement her mouth made up and down my hard cock.

Within seconds it wasn't enough. Fisting my hand in her hair I pulled hard as I begin to forcefully almost brutally fuck her warm wet willing mouth. Closing my eyes I let the sensations wash over me; I shut out everything except what I was feeling – everything except the pull of Mercedes… fuck 'Annalise's mouth on my hard cock.

"Dammit Cena," I thought nearly disgusted with myself "get your fucking head in this game now." Pulling away from her highly talented mouth I stripped off the remainder of my clothing and led us both to the bed. I watched as she lay down on her back spread wide open for me to take. "Wrap your hands around the slatted headboard behind you and don't let go until I tell you to. Do we understand each other?"

Nodding she quickly did as I asked. Lying down on the bed beside, I begin to lick, bite, and suck my way down her body until I reached her delicate bare pussy. Without thought I quickly shoved two long fingers deep inside her – working them hard in and out. Her moans and mewling almost painful to my ears as I thought about the soft mewling I'd heard from Mercedes a week ago. I wanted to punish Annalise – I wanted her to shut up. I didn't want any damned reminders of Mercedes not now.

I didn't realize she had let go of the headboard until I felt her hands against the back of my head. I immediately sat up moving away from her delicious wet pussy. "What did I say Annalise? Ummm baby didn't we talk about this? I think someone needs a reminder of who's in charge here don't you?" With that I forcefully rolled her on to her stomach. Smiling as she immediately presented her tight little ass for a swift paddling.

"One…Two…Three… "She counted out loud as I smacked her tight willing ass. I was just about to smack her a fourth time when I heard the damned phone ring. "Fuck it" I thought "that's what voice mail is for." Then as I listened I actually heard the ring tone – some silly ass nursery rhyme sounding shit that reminded of Mercedes. As quickly as the phone started ringing it stopped. Friendship was all she wanted. I was in the middle of something – so to speak. I didn't have to drop everything and answer the damned phone just because I knew it was her.

Annalise looked up at me questioningly "John" she whispered.

"Fucking hell!" I cursed aloud anger and frustration bubbling from me in waves. "Dammit baby, I'm sorry but I got to get that!" Grabbing the phone from the night stand I hit re-dial and waited for her to answer. Annalise looked pissed but she didn't question it.

Sitting on the edge of the bed I waited. After the second ring, I heard a soft, sad, and if I were a betting man tear filled hello.

"Mercedes, its John – talk to me baby girl tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry John, it's late I shouldn't have bothered you. I just needed…needed to…" her words trailed off.

"Needed to what?" I pushed – my words a little harsher than I would have normally intended.

"I just needed to...needed to hear your voice."

I sighed. I knew without her saying anything more that the nightmares had returned. "Talk to me baby-girl – tell me what's wrong?"

For several moments the line was filled with mutual silence. Then she spoke, "it was bad tonight John." She may not be crying but I was fairly certain she wanted to. Already knowing the answer I asked anyway "Do you want to tell me about it."

As I sat on the edge of the bed, I could feel AnnaLise's long nails trailing softly seductively up and down my bare back. I knew she was trying to be as patience as she knew how considering what we doing before we were interrupted. That coupled with the fact that I was obviously talking to another woman; yeah Annalise was taking it real well – for all of about five minutes. I guess I should count my blessing for the five damned minutes I did get right? Her whining at first was pretty manageable; just pouting and teasing little gestures. When I still didn't hang up she grew agitated. I understand her feelings but it damn sure didn't help my situation. "Mmmm Lover, tell me what I have to do to get you come back to bed?"

Mercedes' silence was instant. Son-ofa-bitch she heard Annalise. "Oh God! I'm such an idiot you're not alone are you? Of course you're not….I gotta go – I'm sorry John," and with that she was gone.

WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA

(Mercedes P.O.V.)

Any night you awake up and you're not screaming – well count your blessings, because that's a good night. Dreaming about me and Jake was one thing. Tonight my sub-conscience decided that John needed to be trapped in that damned pick-up with us. I may not have screamed, but that didn't stop the tears from coming. Seeing Jake lying beside the truck broken and unmoving was one thing. My stomach lurched threatening mutiny at seeing John in the same condition and not being able to do a damned think about it. I repeated over and over its just a dream – it's not real. John is perfectly ok. Scrubbing my hands down my face I growled "Get over this" I muttered out loud – frustrated and losing patience with myself. Reaching for my phone, I played back the text message he'd sent me a while ago. I thought listening to him sing horribly off key might do the trick – it didn't.

I gave in – I called him. The phone only rang two or three times – not long enough for voice mail, before I chickened out and hung up. Dropping the phone on the bed beside me I snuggled under the covers – clutching my pillow. I prayed to just go back to sleep quickly. When the phone rang back almost instantly I was a little surprised. I answered immediately; all the while praying that he couldn't hear the tears in my voice.

"Mercedes, its John – talk to me baby girl tell me what's wrong?" He sounded so calm and reassuring when he spoke. I couldn't break down on him. Hells – bells I never should have even called. I wasn't being fair to either of us.

"I'm sorry John, it's late I shouldn't have bothered you. I just needed…needed to…" My words trailed off. I needed to what? To hear his voice, to beg him to come 'rescue' me from my own damned screwed up mind – what exactly did I need?

There was a pause and then two before he spoke again. "Needed to what?" he pushed. I noticed that his words seemed deeper almost huskier than I'd heard before. I absently wondered what that meant.

"I just needed to. Needed to hear your voice." I replied in a soft still voice

"Talk to me baby-girl – tell me what's wrong?"

We were both quiet for several long moments. There was no need to hide we both knew it was the nightmares that drove me to call him. The question was – was I woman enough to admit that to him now? The answer to that question was no. I still couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth about my past. Instead I spoke in a soft, still voice "It was bad tonight John."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

I sat in the still darkness of my bed debating what I should say – if I should say anything at all. After several moments of silence I heard it – a woman in the background.

"Mmmm Lover, tell me what I have to do to get you come back to bed?"

I felt my stomach go crashing to the floor. John wasn't alone. "Oh God! I'm such an idiot you're not alone are you? Of course you're not….I gotta go – I'm sorry John," I couldn't hang up the phone fast enough. Leaning over the edge of the bed, I shut my phone off, carefully dropping it onto the carpeted floor beside the bed. Snuggling with my pillow, I felt the damn break inside as the tears silently slipped down my face.

WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA

(John's P.O.V.)

Tossing the phone towards the night stand table, I stood from the bed. I was pissed. Here I was a grown ass man – alone with a beautiful woman. A woman who wanted it – the same way I did. And what was I doing – well it sure as hell wasn't fucking said woman. No instead I'm standing in the middle of my hotel room – bare ass naked – worried about a girl with more baggage then the entire diva's roster combined. I heard Annalise when she climbed from the bed, but I didn't turn around. She may not know it yet but tonight; well tonight was over – guess a mental cold shower will do that to a man.

Moving around the bed Annalise moved to stand right in front of me. I felt her warm soft hands caressing my chest and abs. "Come back to bed baby, let me please you tonight."

I couldn't bear the idea of being touched again tonight. I quickly and politely removed her hands from my bare chest. "I'm sorry Annalise – this isn't going to happen tonight. It's probably best if you just go back to your room."

The look she gave me – you would have sworn that I'd suddenly grown two heads. "Are you serious" she questioned?

Bending to pick up her dress off the floor I handed it to her. "Yeah I'm sure – it's for the best if you just leave now." Without another word I turned and made my way towards the bathroom. In a matter of seconds she realized that she was more or less being dismissed. I know I should have felt like a lousy bastard and part of me did. A bigger part of me worried how I was going to make this up to Mercedes.

WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA

(Mercedes P.O.V.)

(Backstage – Monday Night Raw)

Today had been a total and complete freaking nightmare. I think I'd managed a grand total of four hours sleep last night. I woke up with my head pounding and my face a swollen blotchy mess. Thank God for the miracle that is make-up. With the help of two new best friends L'Oreal and Cover girl I was able to cover up the worst of the damage. Dressing quickly, I grabbed breakfast on the way to meet Paul. I think it was nearing nine a.m. when I finally met up with him and it has been non-stop go – go – go ever since.

Although I would never admit it – I was doing my best to avoid John all night. I just couldn't see him right now. I had no idea what the hell to say. All I knew for sure was that if he tried to apologize I would most likely hurl. I just couldn't take that not right now.

Everything about the night was perfect right up to the last five minutes of the show. Paul wanted to see Team Hell No before he left the arena tonight. He'd asked me to go to the gorilla position and wait for them to come back from the ring. The only problem with that – Team Hell No was currently involved in a six man tag match with John against the Shield.

Standing off in the shadows, I waited for the Shield to pass before looking for Kane and Bryan. The two of them came through the curtain laughing with John. I spoke quickly "Glen (Kane) Bryan (Daniel Brian) Paul needs to see the two of you in his office before you leave the arena. He should be waiting for you down there now. Both men thanked me and exchanged final words with John before turning and walking towards Paul's office. John and I just stood there gawking at each other. He finally broke the awkward silence "Listen Mercedes…I didn't mean for you to hear…I'm"

I stopped him right there "Listen John I appreciate what your trying to say I really do; but I can't – not tonight I'm sorry," I mumbled before turning and walking at a near run back down towards Paul's office.

WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA WWE CENA

(John's P.O.V.)

"Son-ofa-bitch" I muttered as I turned and slammed my fist into the first wall within reach. Muttering I cursed as I looked unseeingly at my now throbbing right hand. Heading back to the men's locker room – I didn't realize that I had picked up a shadow – a well over six foot two hundred thirty pound shadow.

Entering the now nearly empty locker room I plopped tiredly down onto the bench in front of my current locker. "Hey kid!" called out Mark still half dressed in his usual Undertaker ring wear. "Something you want to talk about" he asked patiently – in a tone reserved for men talking to their much younger brothers. Any other time, I would appreciated what he was trying to do; tonight I couldn't - tonight was different

"Not really much to talk about Mark – it is what it is." I answered curtly,

"This have anything to do with Paul's new dark haired assistant?"

"So what if it does?" Looking the dead-man in the eyes I knew he wasn't ready to leave it be. I appreciated that he cared, but I couldn't go there, not yet. "Look Dead-man, here it is in a nut-shell. She pissed me off – I hurt her. I guess that makes us even – don't you think." I knew I was probably being a sarcastic ass, but the whole night had been shitty why stop now.

"But you're in the mood to screw around and punch the shit out of walls is that?" He asked with his usual calm.

"I tell you what Taker; we can talk all night long about H's new admin – just as soon as you tell me all about Ashley and your recent trip to St. Louis. Whattya say?"

I got the trademark smirk which on a better day might have made me a little leery. Tonight it just pissed me off. "Fuck- you Cena!" his only reply.

"Yeah dead-man that's kind of what I thought" I said as I continued to hustle around the locker room.

Author's Note: Not where I really saw this ending but my muse has decided to take a break on me or something so here it is - hope you all enjoy xoxoxox OZ