Title: Ultimatum (3/?)

Rating: M

Content (in this and future chapters): sex, violence, swearing, misogyny

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters mentioned herein and no infringement or offence intended.

Distribution: my livejournal, FFN – anywhere else please ask

Summary: Laura had it all, but an ultimatum made her realise it could so easily be lost. Would she be able to get past her biggest challenge?

A/N: This is filler, really, before we get on to the meaty bits. Thanks for the reviews, faves and story alerts.

Laura could see that John was struggling. The moment they'd all hit Chicago and he'd got to her apartment his shoulders had sagged and he looked as if the weight of the world had hit him in the chest. There was only so long that even the mighty John Cena could keep up a facade of happiness.

Pushing him to sit down on the couch, she walked over to the kitchen, grabbing a beer which she threw at John. He caught the bottle and flipped off the lid, downing the amber liquid in one go. Laura laughed and picked up another bottle and a pepsi. She handed him the second drink and sat next to him.

"Talk," she ordered.

He sighed and rubbed a large hand over his face. "I don't know what I'm gonna do L. I... I don't love her any more but I don't know how I'm gonna handle being alone."

"You're not alone," she protested, but she knew what he meant. Friends were one thing, but when you were on the road you wanted to know you were going home to more than an empty house. "John, you were barely talking when you were home and when you did talk you were arguing. It's got to be better than that surely."

"I know. I know I'm doing the right thing, but it's still hard. And I feel bad for intruding on your downtime with Punk."

"We spend every day together, I'm sure we can cope," Laura laughed, "honestly, I love spending time with you. You're my best friend and nothing will ever change that. And I know I'm kinda biased because I never liked Liz but you know I will always support your decisions, right?"

"I know that, and to be honest I don't know what I'd do without you right now. If I'd gone back to Florida I think I'd have either gone home and argued with her or sat in a hotel room drinking myself silly."

"Well you can sit here with your best friend and drink yourself silly instead. Let loose and relax while you're here, please?"

"If you insist," John knew there was no point arguing with her, but he saw his chance to quiz Laura on her own problems, "so anyway, if I'm your best friend, you'll tell me what's going on with Laurinaitis then?"

She sighed, "did Punk ask you to talk to me about it?"

"Yeah, but I'd have asked anyway sweet. He's worried about you, and so am I."

Laura curled her feet up beneath her on the sofa and leaned against John's shoulder, smiling as he put his arm around her, "he's basically said he's gonna make my life hell, he wants to make me quit."

"What's he done so far?"

"Nothing, yet. I'm waiting for the shitstorm." She shrugged, "I don't know what to expect, that's the worst thing."

"Why's he doing this to you honey?"

"I wish I knew." She wasn't going to tell John about the ultimatum, but he could tell there was something hanging over her. "I'm guessing, whatever he's planning on doing, will start on the next circuit. I'm just gonna keep my wits about me, keep you and Punk close, and I'll be fine." If she told herself that enough she might believe it.

"You know we've got your back, right?"

"Absolutely. Now how about we order a take out, you get some more of those beers, and we'll veg out in front of the TV for the rest of the night."

To John, that sounded like bliss.

The three days off went far too quickly, as they always did. Life on the road tended to take over, and while no one would complain about the career they had chosen, it was hard and there was an undeniable pressure. When they all received their media, promo and match duties for that particular tour, Laura wasn't that surprised to see hers was significantly longer and more difficult than anyone else's. It would mean that she wouldn't see either Punk or John for days at a time, and it was a schedule that would be tough on anyone.

Punk grabbed the sheet of paper out of her hands and read through it, shaking his head as he realised exactly who had put this together. "L, this is ridiculous, you need to go and see the bookers, you can't be expected to do all this."

She rolled her eyes, "yeah, because I want a reputation as a whiner. I'm just gonna have to suck it up and deal with it."

"You really don't. Let me say something."

"Don't you dare. I'm just gonna have to accept the fact that I'm not gonna see much of you or John over the next few weeks." Laura put her head in her hands and sat down next to Punk, not wanting to further the discussion.

"This is because of this shit going on with Laurinaitis, isn't it. Laura, tell me what's going on, please." Punk was fiercely protective of those he cared about and he knew in his heart of hearts he'd do anything to help her. He'd promised not to ask but he didn't want to see things fall apart, not if there was something he could do to stop it.

"Yes, it's no doubt to do with that dickhead. It's there, I've got to do it, end of. It's not like I haven't done worse on the indie circuit, is it? Can we please not talk about him anyway? If I'm not going to see much of you I want to make the most of having you here." In Laura's head, she was telling herself that if this was the worst that Laurinaitis could throw at her, she'd be ok. She'd worked her way up through the indies, living on no sleep and pulling double and even treble duty where necessary. She was no stranger to hard work, and he'd be sorely disappointed if he thought this would drive her away.

Punk knew Laura was more than capable of handling the work she'd been given, but he was still pissed off about it. She'd paid her dues, she deserved better. She didn't deserve an idiot like Laurinaitis trying to ruin things.

He pulled her close, silently letting her know he had her back no matter what. She clung onto the embrace. At least Punk wasn't getting pulled into this mess. He was annoyed but he'd respect her independence and not interfere. As much as it pained him, all he could do right now was hold her She'd deal with it on her own. She'd made that decision and was sticking to it.