Note: Here's the next chapter! I just want to take this moment to thank those who's taking the time to read and review; even those who don't review but still take time to read. Thank you!

One week later.

Randy arrived at the arena a little later than he used too. It was already abuzz backstage, with only an hour until the show begins. He made his way to the locker room, finding most of the superstars either talking with each other or warming up. He went to the far corner of the room, set his things and got ready for the night.

Finishing up, he couldn't help but hear the conversation between Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder. Those two: perhaps the biggest gossipers in the locker room. Randy didn't hate them, sure, but by god he swore they were females trapped in a man's body!

"I can't believe she's back! And she looks way hotter now. Did you see how smokin' she is? Damn!" Dolph snickered.

"I know! She looks siiiiccckkk, bro! And that red hair. I swear, Eva has nothing on her!" Zack drooled.

Randy decided to tune out the rest of their conversation and continued to prepare. Evolution has another bout against The Shield that night and any kind of distraction was the least of the things he needed.

But that didn't stop curiosity from stirring.

-MANDYXLOVE-

3 hours earlier…

Maria has been standing in front of the double doors that led to the inside of the arena for a good 30 minutes since she arrived. As excited as she had been the night before, she couldn't help the anxiety that she felt.

"Get it together, Maria. You've waited for this moment forever and now it's here. Just think of the old friends you're gonna see again; and new ones you're gonna make. But then, a lot has changed. What if I'm not welcomed here anymore? What if my old friends don't even acknowledge me or something? What if…" Her internal battle was interrupted by a deep voice; a voice that she knew all too well.

"Excuse me, miss. Are you lost or something? Do you need help?" the voice inquired.

Still with her back to him, she couldn't help but smirk. He hasn't changed one bit; always the good guy. Slowly turning to face the man, a small smile on her face, she said

"No, I'm not lost but yes, I could use a favor. Do the honors of being the first to welcome me back?" her small smile turning into a wide, bright one.

The man was too surprised for a coherent response. He hadn't seen her since she left the company, maybe even before that.

"Maria? Oh my god, it's been so long! I've missed you" engulfing her in a tight hug

She used to be one of the few divas he could really talk to and hang out with. Unfortunately, working with different schedules and in different brands put a strain on their friendship. They didn't have any sort communication since, which explains his utter surprise seeing her now.

"I've missed you too, John! Gosh I forgot how strong you are" Maria laughed in response as her friend tightened his hug.

"Sorry just surprised that's all. How have you been?"

"I'm doing good, great in fact. I can't wait to see the rest though, I've missed them too" referring to the old friends she missed when she left.

"Alright, c'mon! I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see you too! Wait… what's with all the travel bags? Surely you don't need that much clothes just for visiting your friends. It looks like you're going…" John trailed off, realization finally hitting him

Maria laughed at her friend finally solving the very obvious puzzle

"Yes, John! I'm going on the road now. I'm back!"

"Really? That's great! We can never have too many divas around here. C'mon, I'll help you to the locker room, I was heading that way anyway" offering her another smile while helping her with her bags

Maria faked a gasp and a surprised look, messing with her friend

"Could it be?! John Cena has gone too soft that he has moved over to the divas division?!"

"Ha ha, very funny. I was actually on my way there to see Nikki"

"Oh right, how are you guys? By the way, I love you guys on Total Divas"

Despite butting heads with The Bella twins a few years back, Maria and the girls have actually reconciled. Of course it didn't happen overnight but after Maria reached out to them to apologize and admitting that she was wrong and things just went way out of hand, things were gradually fixed between them.

"We're doing great! I was a little skeptical about doing Total Divas at first, but hey! I love my woman and if doing that makes her happy then I'm all for it"

"Aww, you're too sweet! Well, since you lover her so much, and god knows how much she adores you, why don't you just put a ring on it?" nudging her friend on the stomach, chuckling.

John gave a chuckle of his own.

"You know why."

"Well, if you're gonna tell me that it's because of your failed marriage before, I'm not buying it. It's been a long time, John. Now, I can't tell you that you'll have that perfect married life with her but what I can tell you is that she's perfect for you. Soul mates, as Nikki would put it." smiling at the thought of her friend and Nikki settling down.

"Ok, since when did you become a 'couples expert'? But kidding aside, you're right. It's been a long time since that failure of a marriage happened and it's been a long time since I've felt something this strong for a woman. But I don't know. I guess I want to be absolutely sure about everything before I lay down all the cards. I don't want to travel down divorce lane again."

Maria nodded in agreement.

"Right, don't jump right in unless you're absolutely sure. I understand you, but don't wait too long. Anyways, just know that I'm always here for you. It may have been a while since we've last talked but you know you can always confide in me"

"And that is why you're my favorite girl best friend!"

Upon reaching the women's locker room, John knocked and was greeted with a kiss by his girlfriend

"Hi, my love! What are you doing here?"

"Oh nothing, I wanted to see you before I head off and do some work"

"Aww, that's sweet. But we just saw each other half an hour ago when we left the bus"

"Well, I can't get enough of you so I just had too" reaching in and giving Nikki another kiss.

"I love you, babe." "I love you too"

Maria stood aside, marveled by the sight of the lovebirds. She was happy for both of them; feeling the love that both had for the other. Sometimes, she wished she had her own share of such moment. But that could wait. Right now it was all about her getting to the top of the game and with the divas championship in mind. So, as much as she hated to interrupt the adorable love fest, she needed to get ready.

Clearing her throat, she said "Um, hey guys sorry to interrupt and all but I was wondering if I could get in the room?"

Getting back to realty, Nikki and John turned to face her; John was the first to speak

"Oh, jeez. Sorry, Maria. Hey babe, you remember Maria right? Guess what! She's back!"

"Oh my gosh, really? That's great! Welcome back, girl!" Nikki launched herself at Maria and enveloped her in a tight hug. Yup, everything between them is definitely ok. She hugged her back

"Thanks, Nikki! It's good to be back."

John decided to join the hug, squeezing both girls to his side

"My girls. Well, I hate to kiss and go but I really need to go, you girls bond and catch up. I'll see you later. And Maria, it's really good to have you back." And with one last kiss to Nikki, John was gone.

"Well, let's get you settled in! Brie should be here any minute"

The girls continued to chat away while getting Maria settled in. Soon, the other divas began to pile in, surprised and happy in seeing the returning diva.

-MANDYXLOVE-

To say Randy was mad was an understatement. He was fuming! Raw just ended a few minutes ago and he wasn't happy to say the least as to how it ended; The Shield having one up against Evolution again. As much as he respected the trio outside the ring, he hated being humiliated and taken advantage of. Their Shield beat down was doing well until Dean decided to add a steel chair into the mix.

"Give it up, Randy! The show's over" said Triple H, holding an ice pack to where the chair hit him

"Give it up?! Give it up?! Are you kidding me, Hunter! They made us look ridiculous back there! Ambrose shouldn't have had that chair in the first place!" Randy spat. But Hunter was having none of it. Not after tonight.

"Listen, Orton! What's done is done. I'm not sure how or why the damn hell Ambrose even thought of getting that steel chair but apparently it worked for the crowd, got them all riled up. So as I see it, you got two options here: either continue to bitch about one small thing or use what happened tonight to fuel up those voices of yours and do more damage the next time we meet."

Randy didn't respond but held Hunter's hard gaze.

"Whatever, I'm out of here." And with that, Randy left.