Chapter 7-Still in Love?

Shawn and Maria luckily didn't do anything farther than kissing last night. Maria woke up the next morning in good spirits, yet still in her room. She barely got in a stretch when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she said as she flipped it open.

"Hey babe," said Shawn. "Are you awake?"

"Just woke up," Maria told him as she sat up. "What's up?"

"I'm waiting for you outside the room," Shawn said. "So get dressed and freshen up, we gotta head over to the studio."

"Right, I'll see you in a few then." Maria hung up the phone and was speedy in getting ready. As soon as she stepped outside the hospital, Maria met Shawn outside the hospital, and he was waiting for her next to the door to a cab.

"So baby, how you doing'?" he planted a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm doing just fine," Maria said, gesturing over at her feet, covered in slippers. "The doctor said not to wear heels for about two weeks or so, because of my toe. I'm fine with that."

"That's good," said Shawn. He pulled her in and they kissed again, more passionately than the last. A good few seconds later they pulled away, smiling at each other. Shawn opened the cab door for her. "After you."

With his help, Maria made her way inside. Shawn closed her door and as he headed to the other side. All the built up pressure of keeping his feelings for Maria under wraps no longer had to be contained. After last night, HBK had called Hunter, who told Rey, and now, pretty much everyone knew that Maria and Shawn were dating.

"Are you up for a house show?" Shawn asked as the driver started to roll away from the medic center. "You and John got a lot of key scenes tonight."

"Sure," said Maria, gazing out the window at all the cars passing by. "Where are we going?"

"Airport," Shawn said with a smile. "We just might catch the plane."

"Remember that one time we almost missed it?" Maria asked with a chuckle.

"What, and your breasts were all out?" Shawn questioned, raising his eyes and glancing in that certain direction. "They like attention, because its happened again."

Maria looked down and realized the tank top she was wearing was a cleavage showing one. She giggled and said, "You know you like it, Shawn."

They both laughed this time, enjoying the time they were spending, not knowing about another fellow wrestler, miserable and lonely and in the cab with a girl he didn't even love.

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After John realized his feelings last night, he had sulked into his hotel room, listening to Maria's mixed CD as his only reminder of his ex. He hadn't broken down and cried yet; he'd prevented himself from doing so by letting a few come out. Nothing seemed to help him. He couldn't even try to get over his feelings. He didn't want to get over his feelings. He wanted Maria back, he wanted to go up to her, tell her how he felt and walk away with her in his arms. But she was in love with Shawn. She'd moved on. He hadn't.

"Johnny?"

John realized that he was riding in the cab in silence, without talking to Mickie. He turned to her blankly. "What?"

"Are you okay?" Mickie asked him, not looking the least bit concerned but rather upset. "You didn't seem to hear the rest of my story."

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to hear it," John said with a sigh, turning back to the window.

He couldn't stand being around her anymore. Last night, when she was in the mood for a little action, he had turned over and pretended to be very tired.

"John, we need to talk about our relationship," Mickie said sharply, "and how you've been so hostile to me the past four days."

"What's there to talk about?" John said, his temper rising.

"Well obviously you're hiding something," Mickie snapped.

John glared at her. "You know what Mickie? I'll tell you straight up. I don't love you. I never loved you. It was all a gimmick. I just said I loved you and forced myself to believe it because deep inside I was hurtin' about Maria being out of my life. This whole time I was just in it because you looked good."

Mickie, who's mouth was slightly open at his words, sharply questioned, "What's wrong with looks?"

"THAT'S ALL YOU CARE ABOUT!" John bellowed, making Mickie flinch at his voice. "ALWAYS CHECKING YOURSELF LIKE ZITS KEEP POPPIN' UP EVERY SECOND. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT MY FEELINGS! YOU JUST CARE ABOUT YOUR LOOKS AND YOUR GIRLFRIENDS!"

John took the time to get his breath back, still glaring at Mickie, who was looking horrified at the moment. When he spoke again, it was more calmly than the last time. "you're too busy trying' to flirt with Shawn and make Maria jealous. You're a slut, Mickie."

"SO?" Mickie's face was red from anger and hurt, tears brimming her eyes. "Didn't you flirt with Maria back?"

"I-just-made-up-with-her," John said through gritted teeth, pronunciating each word so carefully that Mickie slightly flinched in fright. "I took Adam and Amy's advice, and made up with her to get rid of all the tension because we going be working together, but you, jumping the gun, should've asked me about it first before locking' her in a room unconscious! Yes, I know," he added when her mouth dropped open in surprise. "So when were you gonna tell me about that secret engagement to Kennedy?"

Mickie closed her mouth, speechless.

"It's over Mickie," John said simply.

He turned over to face his window just as the cab driver, who was bewildered by the heated conversation going on, stopped at the airport. He got out as the trunk popped open, got his suitcase and rolled it away swiftly, aware that Mickie had burst into tears as he walked.

Who gives a damn He thought angrily. He didn't care that she was crying. He wanted Maria. That's all he needed, and he'd be happy again. But he couldn't have her. Angry tears rose to his eyes. Why did life have to turn its back on him? Everything was going wrong at that moment. He was so blinded by pain, he didn't see himself bump into a woman who was handicapped, until he heard her gasp.

"I'm sorry," He said as he glanced to make sure the woman was okay. Instead, his eyes widened in surprise and froze on the spot.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Maria and Shawn finally arrived to the airport upon meeting a friend of Shawn's who would take care of his truck until he wanted to get it back. Then they went inside. Maria's toe throbbed painfully but she didn't care. She wanted to hurry up and sleep in her seat.

"Hey, we're a few minutes early," Shawn reported as he checked his watch. "Let's relax a while. Be back, going to go get some water from the fountain over there." With that he leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then walked to the fountain.

Maria smiled and began to head to a seat to rest her toe. She continued to her seat until she saw a blur of grey suddenly ram her hard on her arm. She gasped as she wobbled off balance, but caught it with her good foot.

"Sorry," The person said sincerely, turning to look at her.

"I'm good. Thank you." Maria looked up, and she smiled. "Hey John! thanks again for comforting me last night." With that, she moved her crutches aside, and on her good leg she leaned forward to hug him tightly. She felt John's arms immediately return the embrace, his head leaning against hers. As she pulled away moments later, she was surprised to see his eyes looking watery.

"Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I guess," John said bitterly as he wiped his eyes. "I just broke up with Mickie, few seconds ago."

"Oh John..." Maria's mouth dropped open in surprise. The girl he cheated on me with? "I'm sorry," she told him sadly.

"I'm not," John said, "She was being' a pain in the ass, and quite frankly, I'm glad to get rid of her."

"Well, whatever you choose, I'm here for you," Maria assured.

John smiled at her, and she smiled back, noticing his cute dimples. It was the look he was giving her that made her even more suspicious of her own beliefs for the breakup. She saw John look briefly over her shoulder, and Maria knew Shawn had came back.

"Cena." Shawn nodded with recognition. "Hey man, thanks for helping finding Maria." He stretched out his hand. "It was nice of you to do."

John shook his hand. "No problem."

"Lets go Maria, if we want to catch the plane." With that said, Shawn put an arm around her and led her away from the WWE Champion. Maria followed carefully on her crutches, and craned her head to glance back at John. He stood there, staring after her, a very hurt look on his face. Maria turned back around and felt a twitch in her stomach. She screwed her eyes tight not to think about it, but it was too late to take it back.

I still love you John said the voice that had been bottled inside her for so long. Maria refused to believe it. Though, as she looked up at Shawn, she wasn't really so sure if she was telling the truth.

You don't have to review, I understand. This is my second fav. chapter cuz then Maria realizes she likes John too. Hehe. And if you are in the mood for more Jaria, check out some of my other stories. Thanks!