Chapter 73:

"You're looking a little thin, Baby Girl." John Cena told Haley when she sat opposite him at a table in the very same Bistro he'd met Hunter in a month ago. It had become a twice-weekly ritual for Haley to have lunch with him now after he convinced her his intentions were nothing but friendly.

Which these days, they were. John Cena loved Haley Mariano very much, but since being on injured leave, his love had faded to something platonic and because of this, the two of them had been able to bond again over the past month. He understood now that they were meant to be with other people and while he was still searching for his, he also believed that Dave was it for Haley. Not that he'd tell her that these days, just the mere mention of his name would send the brunette into either a fit of rage, or a deep depression. Still, Hunter was working on proving Dave's innocence, and knowing the Game the way he did, it was only a matter of time.

"Michelle said the same thing." Haley unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. "She doesn't think I'm eating enough. I heard her order Randy to make sure I eat more before she left this morning."

"She loves you, Haley and she's worried. And before you say you're fine, this is me you're talking to here, we both know you're not." John shook his head. "You're zombie-Haley these days, unless Randy's around."

"Randy's been my best friend, I've needed him." She shrugged, taking a sip of water as the waiter approached to take their order.

"Let's get two of the seafood fettuccine specials." John ordered for them. "Extra bread too, and a beer for me, mineral water with a wedge of lime for her." He smirked at Haley. "No arguments. And you're going to eat every bite on your plate and like it."

"All right, Dad." She rolled her eyes and added a touch of sarcasm that had John grinning.

"Ah, there's a bit of the old Haley." He chuckled as the waiter headed back to the kitchen. "I've missed her."

Her expression pinched in discomfort for a moment before she relaxed again. "I don't feel good, John. I wake up in the morning; I don't feel good. I eat my meals; I don't feel good. I spend time with my friends, and I don't feel good. I go to bed and I don't feel good. I'm sitting here with you and I just don't feel good. I feel lost, and alone even though there's like four people living my house these days. My chest hurts all the time, because the heart inside is broken and I don't know how to fix it."

"That's because you're shutting out the man who can help you." John said gently. "It's bad enough that you've cut Dave out of your life," He waited, relieved when there was no explosion. "But Haley, you without Hunter, that's fucked up in the most basic sense."

"Dave cheated on me." Haley's eyes welled, but did not spill over. "He cheated on me, and Hunter took his side! He made stupid excuses for him. I need Hunter and he let me down."

Whatever you do, John, don't argue the case with her. You'll stress her out and possibly make things worse. I'll get the proof she needs, somehow and then she can't deny it. Just keep her calm and keep her safe. Hunter's voice echoed in his head.

John reached over and gripped one of her tiny hands in his, giving them a comforting squeeze. "I'm sorry, Baby Girl. I wish I could fix it for you."

"You can't." Haley shook her head, blinking her eyes dry. "No one can, that's why everything's all wrong."

~Legacy~

"I don't understand why it's not working!" Eve Torres paced angrily back and forth in her hotel room. "It's been a month damn it, and she's not speaking to him. I've all but stripped naked in front of him and he won't even look at me!"

Mickie James, who had been listening to Eve's rant, exchanged a look with Katie Lea who sat beside her. "Maybe he's just too focused on winning the title. I mean, he's facing Chris Jericho in four days."

"Yeah, he's got a lot on his plate." Katie agreed, trying to sound reassuring.

"That better be it." Eve muttered. "Meanwhile, Randy's walking around with this big stupid grin on his face, constantly on the phone with his precious Haley. It's enough to make me sick. Is there ever a time when guys aren't falling all over her?"

"Well," Mickie shrugged thoughtfully. "Haley wanted John when she first entered the company, but due to a lot of confusion and misunderstanding that fell apart. We all thought that maybe…" Again, she looked thoughtful.

"We all thought with Cena out of the way, she and Randy would just shag and get together finally." Katie answered for her. "I mean, the bloke carried a yen for her from the first day they met."

"She kind of surprised us all when she fell for Dave and vice versa." Mickie said. "And then when they were together well, they just fit. And Randy and Haley did 'shag', Katie, before she fell for Dave. But Randy was too psycho for her back then. Remember, I used to be friends with her."

"Well maybe this time they'll shag again and live happily ever bloody after." Katie said dryly.

"I'd rather she wind up miserable and alone." Eve's tone was bitter. "She's not even speaking to him and she's still got Dave whipped!"

"Well, they were in love." Mickie sighed. "I'm not trying to be against you here, Eve, but even I thought those two were going to wind up married. It's got to take longer than a month to get over something like that."

"Aye, Mick's got a point." Katie nodded. "Like her or not, she and Dave were serious. It'll take more than a couple weeks, a determined Latina and relentless Legend Killer to put all that history behind them so fast."

"Sorry Eve, looks like you're either going to have to give up on Dave, or be patient." Mickie said. "Because I don't see either of them moving on for months yet, if not another year."

Eve's face paled at the thought. Could she really have thought Dave would get over Haley so quickly and be with her? Mickie and Katie who couldn't stand Haley even agreed that it would take them awhile to get over each other. Could she wait that long? Could she be patient enough to stand in the shadows while Dave put Haley behind him? What was she going to do now?

~Legacy~

Five Days Later

Randy found Haley outside on the front porch, seated on the old creaky swing with her legs tucked up beneath her. Winter was coming and it's chill already danced on the air around them, so he draped the blanket he brought out with him over her shoulders from behind.

"It's cold out here." He told her, sitting beside her and pulling her against him for added warmth. "You all right?"

"A little torn." She admitted, her head dropping on his arm. "I can't help the part of me that's happy for him, now that he's World Heavyweight Champion again. He's earned it."

"He's earned nothing but a straight up ass kicking." Randy's grip on her tightened, then loosened. "The good news is that now I can take that title from him."

Haley sighed but didn't say anything. Her head was still on the results of Cyber Sunday, where with Stone Cold Steve Austin as special guest referee, Batista had defeated Chris Jericho and became the new World Heavyweight Champion. And though she mildly despised herself for it, internally, she was proud of him. And slightly surprised when he shrugged Eve off so he could celebrate in the ring alone. She would have thought they'd be together by now, though Candice reported Dave was all business at the arena and if you valued your safety to stay out of his way.

"You know it's going to get easier in time right?" Randy's voice was gentle and soothing. "You're going to be able to live your life without him, to live that life with me."

"Randy," It was a point they'd kept disagreeing on for the past week. "I'm broken inside, somewhat irreparable. Do I feel something for you? Yes. I felt that before Dave and I were over."

"Then why are you fighting it, Haley? I'm here and I love you, you know that. Just as deep down you love me too." Randy protested.

"Maybe I do, Randy, but it's not enough." She lowered her feet to the floorboards of the porch. "I'm broken inside." She repeated. "And that might be all I'll ever be." She said while standing. "I'm going to bed."

Randy stayed out when she went in, trying to figure out how to make Haley see that she belonged with him. She depended on him for sure. He was her biggest source of comfort here, but something was holding her back from healing all the way and being with him. He wasn't going to give up though, not now, not ever. He'd already gotten rid of the biggest obstacle in Dave.

Now he just had to beat her depression. And he'd find a way. He'd promised himself and Dwayne that much and he would not fail. Not for this. He would not fail Haley, no way in hell.