Title: Ultimatum (5/?)

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: Once again thanks for the faves, etc. Much appreciated.

John reacted in much the same way as Punk did when he saw Laura's schedule, and she rolled her eyes and set to persuading him not to interfere.

"John I have never asked you for anything when it comes to my career but right now I am begging you not to say anything," she tore down the corridor after him, trying to stop him barging straight into Laurinaitis' office.

He turned around, clutching the paperwork in his large hand, "why are you letting him do this L?"

"Because if this is the worst he can throw at me then he'll see he can't beat me."

He couldn't help but smile, "I know he can't beat you sweetie, but it doesn't mean you have to do everything on your own. I know you never ask me anything, but I promise you if you did I would move heaven and earth for you. And so would Punk."

"Will you do something for me then?" Laura's shoulders slumped and John could have sworn for a moment that her eyes filled with tears.

"Name it," he nodded quickly.

"A hug?" She was quickly enveloped in his large arms and buried her face in his chest, willing herself not to cry. She didn't want to betray weakness, although it was weakness that she felt. All at once things felt out of control and that scared her. John's security was a much needed blanket covering her fear, his embrace strong and firm. Once she was calm she looked up at him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."

"Talk to us L, don't let the bastard grind you down."

"I will," the two men in her life were her best hope of keeping things together. She needed to remember that.

Laura tried to avoid Laurinaitis backstage, sticking closely to Punk and John whenever possible. Stood at the ring curtain while Cena and Punk were out in the ring, she felt a cold breath on her shoulder and a hand caress her skin, before a more firm grip stopped her turning round and punching the man in the face.

"Did you like my little gift?" Laurinaitis whispered in her ear.

"You're fucked in the head if you think that's gonna break me," she spat, shrugging his hand from her shoulder fiercely.

"I don't for a second think you'll have any problem with the schedule," he laughed, "but just think, you out there in the big wide world all on your own, with no Punk or Cena to run to. Just think what could happen... what accidents could befall you."

She turned around, sheer horror in her eyes, "you wouldn't." Laura froze as he coughed and shook his head.

"You think I have that power? Oh Laura, what do you think of me?" He patted her shoulder gently and walked off whistling, a smirk crossing his features as he didn't even need to look back to know she was shaking and nervous as hell.

Laura fell back to lean against the wall, her whole body shaking. Punk and Cena would be back any second, and she didn't want them to see her like this but she couldn't help her mind going to dark, dark places. She'd seen 'accidents' in the ring before, and the aftermath. Some people were ruthless, wrestling attracted the best and worst of people. Laura knew which camp Laurinaitis fell into. She tried to rationalise, tried to remember that he'd not actually said anything would happen to her, that he was just trying to scare her. All the rationalisation in the world couldn't take that little bit of doubt and fear out of her heart.

Punk pushed his way through the curtain, adrenaline high still evident. He took in Laura's presentation quickly and pulled her arm so that she followed him to his locker room. He could feel tremors as he held her wrist, and quickly pulled her close as he slammed the door behind them.

"Ewww you're all sweaty," Laura tried to joke but Punk saw right through it.

"What's gone on L?" he asked gently, allowing her to pull away slightly but still keeping his arms around her. She started to protest that she was fine but he shook his head, "not this time darlin', you're terrified, tell me what happened."

"Laurinaitis," she whispered, "he said that when I'm on my own... there could be an accident, it was like he was saying something was going to happen to me while I'm on this crazy loop, and I know he wouldn't... and he said as much, it was like he was just threatening me and trying to freak me out but... it fucking worked, Punk, it fucking worked."

He tried to remain calm, knowing that she needed him right now, but every fibre in his being wanted to go and beat the hell out of the General Manager. Punk took deep, calming breaths, pulling her close again as her body continued to tremble. He whispered words of comfort, not knowing if they would work, but he felt her calming down slowly, and figured he was doing something right.

"Please don't go after him," she looked up suddenly, realising exactly what level of anger and fury was currently inside her lover, "please. Don't give him what he wants."

"You can't seriously expect me to just sit and watch him do this to you L."

"Yes I can and I do. Don't play into his hands. What good is gonna come of you getting suspended? I need you here, now more than ever," she reached up to pull him in for a sweet, soft kiss, hoping to distract him, to remind him where he was really needed.

"If I can get him in the ring, I'll destroy him," Punk wasn't convinced that he shouldn't just go and beat the hell out of Laurinaitis right at that very moment, but he did know he needed to be on his toes around the General Manager or Laura was right, he would be suspended, and then what use would he be to her. He knew at that moment he'd give up everything for the girl in his arms, but in order to be able to do that, he needed to listen to reason and not the anger inside.

"I wouldn't expect anything less, but please, you and John need to let me handle this," she sighed, "can we get out of here?"

"No problem, let me throw on some clothes, I'll shower back at the hotel."

She nodded, her mind numb, "I'll text John, let him know where we're going."

This would be her last night with Punk for two weeks. Laura needed him, now more than ever. If anyone could give her the strength to battle through, it was him. She focused on the here and now. Thinking about the next two weeks was a nightmare she just wasn't ready for yet.