When Cena awoke the next morning he found that Allison was already gone. She had scribbled him note, which he found on the counter in his kitchen stating that she had to hurry home to get dressed for work. He sighed as he crumbled the letter up tossing it aside. He had wanted to see her before she left to make sure she was alright. A part of him was half wishing that she wanted to see him too but judging by her abrupt departure he guessed not. He took another sip of his coffee staring at the wall when his house phone rang. The caller ID showed a number that he didn't recognize. Maybe it's Allison…

"Hello?"

"John? It's me Carmella."

"Oh…uh…hi…how are you?" he stammered. He had forgotten that she was in town and couldn't help but be slightly disappointed. He was hoping for Allison.

"Wow John. You seem thrilled to hear from me," she joked.

"Oh no. It's not…you know I'm always happy to hear from a good friend. I was…just…I wasn't expecting to hear from you."

"Oh well…I guess I can understand. Anyway, I was hoping that I could see you today. I've been…thinking about you a lot lately and I just…" There was a slight pause before she continued. "If you're busy then I completely understand," she said sadly.

"Awe no…I'm not too busy today. In fact, how about we meet in a few and spend the day together?"

"That sounds great! Should I drive over or…?"

"No, I'll come and get you. You're at your mother's right?"

"Yeah. So I'll see you soon?"

"Right. Later sweets."

Cena smiled as he hung up the phone. Carmella was the absolute last person he wanted to see yet it couldn't be helped. He could hear the sadness in her voice and he had always been a sucker for sad women…sad women like Allison. While he really wanted to investigate more about her personal life, he supposed Carmella's calling was just God's way of saying not to interfere. The thought still did not sit too well with him but all the same he decided to give it break for the day. He was about to spend the day with one of the most beautiful women he'd ever known so what could be better than that?

-------------------------

Allison crept back into her father's house and climbed the stairs. She was surprised to see that her father was not sprawled on the living floor in his boxers for a change. He must not have had whiskey then…She opened her room door and wanted to just die.

"Where have you been?" her father asked. He was clutching a belt in his hand and was staring at her with a smirk on his face.

"I…I spent the night at a friend's house," she managed. God please…

"I see," he said softly. "Why didn't you call to tell me where you were? I was worried sick about you."

"I…well it was late…and I just…I figured you were asleep and…"

"Don't play with me little girl! Do you take me for a fool?!? I was your age once and so was your mother. How do you think you got here?" he spat. Allison just stared at the carpet, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm…I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Sorry won't cut it for me," he replied popping his belt. "Now take off your shirt or I will do it for you."

------------------------

Cena's Explorer pulled up in at Carmella's mom's house and was glad to see that she was already standing outside. The driver opened the side door to let Carmella in and she was greeted with a kiss on the cheek.

"Where's your folks?" he asked as they drove off.

"Well, mom's out at a garden club meeting and my father's away on business."

"Oh ok. Well just give them my hellos when you get back."

"I will. I see you're looking better than ever. How's the shoulder?"

"Ahh well, I'm supposed to go back to the doctor in a few weeks. If all goes well I should be able to remove the cast then. I probably won't be cleared to wrestle again anytime soon but just to have the cast off will be a relief."

"That's great! I hope it all works out then."

"Thanks sweets. So um…tell me something."

"What?"

"How have you been since we last spoke?"

"I've been…fairly well. Why do you ask?"

"I dunno. I just got this feeling when you called earlier that something was up."

"Oh…well…it's nothing."

"You know, you can't hide anything from me. You should know that by now missy." He put his arm around her pulling her close.

"Honestly John, I was just missing you…this."

"This?"

"Well…lately, I feel like something's been missing from my life. In fact, ever since you and I went our separate ways I haven't been the same." Cena shook his head suppressing a chuckle.

"Yeah, well you ain't the only one who's been doing some soul searching and to tell you the truth, a part of me hasn't been the same either."

"Really?"

"Well yeah. I mean, after all, we were supposedly a concrete couple who loved each other very much and if I remember correctly we were engaged to be married."

"Yeah…yeah we were," she whispered.

"But you left me," he added softly.

"John I…"

"No…it's ok. There's no need for an explanation. We both know why you left so let's just leave the past in the past."

"No…John listen. I don't think we…I have to get something off my chest." She pulled away from him and looked towards her window.

"I'm listening."

"John…I…while it's true that I may have left you, you have to admit that you were in no hurry to try and get me back."

"Wait…what?!?!"

"John…you never were…you never loved me the way that I loved you."

"Oh no…you are wrong sweetheart. You see, I did love you with all my heart. I was willing to prove it to you by marrying you…"

"But you knew that I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment!" she cried.

"You told me you loved me. I loved you back. I gave you the ring and you bailed on me."

"You make it sound like it was my entire fault."

"It is what it is."

"But you never came back for me."

"You said that you wanted to move on with your career. I assumed that I wasn't needed in your life anymore so I moved on."

"I see," she whispered softly turning to face the window again. Cena sighed grabbing her right hand and cupping it within his own.

"Look, when I say that I've moved on it doesn't necessarily mean that I have another love interest. To tell the truth, I haven't been with anyone since you and I called it quits. I made a decision that day to keep my guard up and not worry about finding love. With my career as big as it is, I haven't the time for love."

"Oh…well…I…think that's…I won't bother you too much then."

"Hey…I didn't mean…I didn't say you couldn't…what's wrong with us hanging out?"

"I just…I don't think we should hang out anymore," she cried. Cena cupped her face and groaned when he saw the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"But you're the one who called me…?"

"What's the use if you don't love me anymore!?" she cried. It took Cena a minute to realize what was happening. She was admitting that she was still in love with him-maybe and he was actually feeling something as well, but what? He listened to her sobs for a while before wrapping his arm around her.

"Don, how about some Baskin Robins?"

---

---

A few hours later Cena was being driven back to his condo. After taking Carmella for some ice cream, things settled down a bit more. Even so, he still couldn't shake off the weird vibe he was getting from her all afternoon. It seemed as if she was trying to reach out to him but what was so damn confusing about it was that he couldn't quite pin point how? Was it that she still loved him and wanted a second chance or was he just over reacting to an oversensitive female? Cena let out a laugh as he hurried inside his condo. He didn't have time to worry about such things. He had a doctor's appointment coming up soon and all he needed to focus on was getting better so that he could get back into the ring. That was all…except…He entered his bedroom and smiled when he saw his jersey folded neatly on the bed.Allison…

"Hey Don! I just remembered that I have to be somewhere…" he hollered through the house. He grabbed the jersey off of the bed before heading towards the front door.

"Yes sir?"

"Yeah…um…the girl Allison…she'll…"

"I understand sir," he said with a grin.

"Uh…right. Wipe that damn smirk off your face you old coot! I just need to give her back her clothing. That is all." And do a little investigating of my own…

"So where does she live?"

"Uh…let's just go by her dorm. I think I can get by without anyone noticing me. Like I said, I'm not gonna be there long. I just need to check some things out right away."

---

---

Cena pulled up outside Allison's dorm about ten minutes later and was pleasantly surprised to see her sitting outside in the courtyard. She was sitting on the ground with her back against a tall cedar tree and she was staring up at the sky. Cena grabbed the jersey and eased out the truck being careful not to let the door slam. Since she was not looking his way, he was able to sneak up on her with ease.

"Mind if I sit next to you?" Allison jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Sh…Shawn! Um…what are you…?"

"So you definitely aren't happy to see me I see."

"No…no it's not that. Have a…uh seat but if you don't wanna sit on the ground we can…" Allison stopped talking and noticed that a couple of people had stopped to stare. "Uh…better yet, let's just go to my room." He helped her to her feet and she led him up the walkway until they reached what looked like mini apartment complexes. She led him around a corner under some stairs until they reached her room. She hurried him inside and closed the door.

"Wow. People sure do love to stare," he laughed.

"Yeah as if you were some kind of celebrity or something." Cena shifted nervously before Allison spoke up again. "Just have a seat on the bed."

"Oh no…I'm cool. I just was bringing you the jersey back. It's yours."

"Huh? But that's…"

"No…I want you have it. I have plenty and besides, it looks better on you anyway," he grinned. He walked over to her and handed her the jersey.

"Wow…This is…first your coat and then your jersey. I don't know how to thank you."

"Naa, I don't need any thanks. I haven't done anything just yet."

"But to me, it's a lot and I thank you. Not many people will give a complete stranger a ride home and let them sleep in his bed."

"Yeah, you're probably right about that one but I don't recall letting strangers sleep in my bed. Only friends…special friends." There was an awkward silence before Allison spoke up her face red with embarrassment.

"Uh…so how's your arm?"

"Oh yeah. It feels pretty good. I haven't felt any pain in weeks and I am supposed to go for a check up soon. If the doc gives me the okay I can get back to working real soon!"

"That's great!"

"Yeah, and I can't wait either. My shoulder…it's been quite the hindrance. I never knew I'd miss my arms so much."

"The hindrance is probably a good thing. You don't need to be lifting heavy objects or doing anything to strain your muscles," she scolded.

"I know, I know, but I can't help but to wonder…" He shook his head and let out a small chuckle.

"Wonder what?" she asked.

"I…really shouldn't go there but it is the truth…"

"Okay…so what? Spill it!" she laughed.

"I can't help but to wonder…" he said softly, moving closer to her so that they were now just inches apart. "Last night…what would have happened if my hands weren't restrained?" He ran a finger up her arm and to her shoulder.

"Well…I…I don't…know," she managed. He put his arm behind her and pulled her into a warm hug.

"I have an idea," he whispered, "but I'll just leave it at that." He ran his hand up and down her back before sliding his hand up her shirt. What he found made him quickly draw back. There are wheps all over her back…Someone is hurting her and I don't like it.

"I…uh…you should probably…go now," she managed, pushing him away.

"Yeah, uh…I gotta go do some stuff but um…are you going to be here tomorrow? I thought I'd drop by and hang for a while."

"Um…no…I have to work so I'm gonna go home."

"Aight. Well, call me if you need anything. I'll be around. Take care yourself baby girl." He leaned over and kissed her forehead before heading out the door.

"Damn," he muttered. I am going to find out what's going on if it's the last thing I do.

AN: I know...I know...It's been a while but I've been busy. Gahhh Cena came back before I could finish this story. That is not sitting well with me at all:P:P Oh well. I'm glad he's feeling better. I've missed him and he's a hot piece of man. Read. Enjoy. Review. Next update will be...who knows?