Title: Ultimatum

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.

Laura sat backstage, on top of a storage cart, trying to gather her thoughts together. She was one week into the loop, and so far hadn't been in the same city for more than 12 hours, had barely had 12 hours sleep the whole week, and had been involved in longer matches than usual. Coffee had become her best friend, and she grimaced at the thought of another two weeks of similar paced work.

She didn't close her eyes: she knew that if she gave in and relaxed for even a moment she'd be asleep. A few precious hours rest would be caught that night back at the hotel. Her mind was watchful and alert, Laurinaitis' words echoing through her head, a little nudge at the back of her mind to never let her guard down.

Raw was being taped tomorrow, which meant at least she would see Punk and John, could at least drop her paranoia a little and let someone else take responsibility. It had been harder than she'd thought, being without Punk, and regular texts and phone calls just weren't cutting it. It was hard to act like everything was ok so that Punk and Cena didn't worry about her, but that was what she knew she had to do.

As if on cue, Laura's phone rang, and her heart lifted a little as she saw Punk's name on the display.

"Hey gorgeous," she forced some energy into her voice.

"Hey L, how're you doing?"

"I'm good," she stated, "missing you like crazy, but you know that already."

"I miss you too darlin', Kofi might be a good roadwife but he's not you."

"I would hope not," she couldn't help but laugh.

"What time are you getting to the arena tomorrow?"

"It's only a three hour drive so I'll be there for midday," she was grateful for small mercies. Not that a three hour drive when you were exhausted was fun, but it could have been far, far worse.

"I'll be there from about eleven, John's got a Make a Wish commitment until about three."

"That's cool, I'll catch up with John after. We don't have any plans after the show do we?"

"I have plans for you," the tone in Punk's voice made Laura groan with need.

"Now I miss you even more."

CM Punk was worried about his girlfriend. Although she'd tried to hide it, he could tell that she was struggling. She sounded exhausted every time he spoke to her, close to tears at times. She was the strongest girl he knew, and he wasn't sure that he'd be able to put her back together if Laurinaitis broke her. He wished there was something he could do to help her, but he knew that she wouldn't accept that help and that the general manager would manipulate things to make them worse anyway.

Cena walked into the locker room, looking happier than he had in a while. His face fell when he saw the worry on his friend's face, as he knew without asking the cause.

"How'd she sound?"

"Weary," Punk rubbed his eyes in frustration, "I can't protect her when she's not here. She's exhausted and that makes her vulnerable, and there's nothing I can do about that."

"Want me to talk to her? Surely there's something one of us can do."

"She's too stubborn for her own good," Punk smiled slightly as John raised his eyebrows at that, "but yes, please talk to her. You might get through to her where I can't. Anyway, you're looking awfully happy."

"Everything's been agreed in the divorce proceedings. It'll be through within a few weeks."

"I'm glad for you man, gotta be a weight off your shoulders."

"Yeah, I'm just glad it'll all be over." John shrugged slightly, although the stress of the unknown had gone, he was still clearly struggling with the emotional impact of the ending of his marriage.

"You should give L a call, I reckon she could use cheering up."

"Yeah, I will, catch you later," John nodded, and pulled his phone from his pocket, walking out of the room and along the corridor to somewhere more private.

He quickly dialled her number and grinned at how fast she was to answer.

"Cena, where the hell have you been, I haven't heard from you in at least 12 hours," she laughed down the line.

"Hello to you too," he smiled despite himself, "I do have other things that need my attention."

"Something needs more attention than me?" she teased.

"On occasion. Like my good news I was going to share with you if you'll let me get a word in."

"Oh my god tell me," she rolled her eyes impatiently.

"Liz has accepted all parts of the divorce settlement, it'll be through within a month or so."

She heard the relief flood through his voice, "oh John, that's great. No bitterness, no arguments, that's the best outcome you could have hoped for."

"I know. I'm so grateful. I feel like I can move on now."

"You can. I can't wait to see you to give you a big hug in person. I know this is what you wanted but also know it's still hard for you. You loved her once."

"I did. In my way, I guess I always will." Cena knew that Laura would understand how he felt. It wasn't as easy as just moving on. There had been heartache and pain, and that wasn't just going to go away.

"You have the time and space you need now sweetheart."

"Yeah, and it means that all I have to worry about is you now."

"You don't have to worry about me John," he could hear her trying to force strength into her voice, and shook his head.

"I'm your best friend. What kind of crap best friend would I be if I didn't worry about you?"

"You know me Cena, tough as nails."

"Yeah, I know you. Far too independent for your own good. Be honest with me L. Punk ain't here, it's just you and me, how're you doing?"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

She sighed, "I'm so tired I can barely see straight. I'm jumpy, like I don't know what's coming, I'm wary of everyone because I don't know if I can trust them, I miss Punk like crazy, I miss you... I feel like I'm losing it." She hadn't intended on spilling her woes to John so easily, but there it was, all out in the open.

"L, I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"That you're having to put up with this."

"It's not your fault John."

"If I could do something..."

"You can't. And I wouldn't ask you to. Laurinaitis has got it in for me and I'm just gonna have to ride out the storm."

"At what cost, Laura?"

She didn't answer. The answer to that question was what she was most afraid of.