This chapter takes place in February, during and after the RAW where Punk trolled Jericho and they had that six man match to decide who would go into the Elimination Chamber last.

I'm Totally in Lust with You

"So, did you get anywhere?"

Randy only glanced up at Ziggler but he saw the expression on the man's face and knew, just from that, Ziggler already knew the answer to his question.

"Did you?" Randy countered with a smirk of his own because John may have run from him but at least John hadn't bloodied his nose. He'd heard about that one.

"I'm working on it," Ziggler answered and, although he still had his confident expression, Randy noticed that his voice had turned a little defensive.

Randy finished lacing up his boots sat back on the bench, glancing around the room. He hadn't spotted John yet.

"You just need to remember our wager," Ziggler reminded with a smirk of his own. Randy suppressed a wince at that. He still couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to agree to Ziggler's terms.

"I remember," Randy replied, standing to his full height. "But I'm not worried. Let me guess? He told you to fuck off?"

Ziggler grimaced. "He'll come around." He paused and the grimace turned into an arrogant grin. "Everyone does."

"Right. You're not as good as you think you are and I'm pretty sure you have the bigger challenge."

"Maybe. But that just means that I'll prove just how good I am when I win this."

Xxxxxxxxxx

Punk was still smirking from his encounter with Jericho when he ran into Ziggler again backstage. He was in a rather good mood as he'd managed to piss Jericho off without even saying anything. He spotted Ziggler in the hallway, looking agitated and like he was waiting for someone. His smirk widening, Punk snuck up on him the same way Ziggler had in the locker room the other day.

"Looking for me?" He asked loudly, right in Ziggler's ear and then he ducked and backed away when Ziggler spun around in surprise, expecting it.

"What the hell?" Ziggler asked, glaring at him.

Punk only grinned. "Thought you wanted me in your personal space."

"I do." Ziggler took a breath and recovered. "So why don't you come back in it?"

"What makes you think I want there?"

"Because, trust me, I can rock your world."

Punk fought off a grimace at the lameness of that line. He was expecting so much better from Ziggler. His good mood, however, had not faded and he did step closer to the man, right back into his personal space. He leaned close, until their lips were almost touching.

"Oh, damn. I really need to get ready for my match." He pulled away abruptly, before Ziggler could close the distance between them and turned his back, walked away.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Dolph watched Punk leave, his mouth open in surprise. But a slow grin did spread across his face and he shook his head. Even putting his bet with Orton aside, he did love a good challenge and Orton was right, it seemed. Punk was a challenge.

He wasn't pissed about what had just happened. Oh, no. It just added to his resolve and, at least, he knew that this was going to be fun, that Punk was definitely going to make it fun.

Xxxxxxxxx

"John!"

He froze at the familiar voice calling his name and had to fight the urge to flee once again. He wasn't looking forward to this conversation, had been dreading it since he'd run from Randy in the parking lot of that bar but he turned anyway, and gave the best smile he could muster.

"Hey."

"Hey, we should talk." Randy stopped in front of him, close to him and John sighed.

"Yeah, look Randy...I don't want to sound mean or anything but I had no idea that you were actually asking me out-"

"Its fine," Randy said, waving that away. "I get it."

"You do?" John asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah." Randy placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned closer to him. "You don't have to say it. You don't like me, I get it."

"It's not that I don't," John protested immediately. "It's just-" He cut himself off, unsure of how he should say it. He didn't want to come right out and tell Randy that he didn't trust the guy that that was the main reason he wouldn't consider what Randy was offering.

"Its fine," Randy repeated.

John nodded but he was also very aware of how closely Randy was standing to him, of the hand still on his shoulder. Randy's gray eyes were staring into his and John could say that Randy's looks had nothing to do with his rejection. Nearly everyone in the locker room could admit that Randy was probably one of the hottest guys back there. John had never really given it much thought, however, mostly because he'd hated Randy for most of the time he'd known the man.

"I just thought I'd let you know that I'm not giving up," Randy said, bringing John out of his thoughts.

"Randy…I'm not…I just don't think I could trust you like that," John finally admitted.

"Because of what I've done in the past? I get that but I'm going to show you that you can, that I'm not the same guy." Randy smiled and his thumb brushed John's collarbone. "I'll see you later, John."

Xxxxxxxxx

Punk raised an eyebrow when he made he stopped in the hallway. His match was on last, the six man battle scheduled as the main event. John was standing in the hall, his gaze trained on the monitor, on the match just before his own.

Orton was on the screen and Punk couldn't help but to be amused when he managed to walk over and stand right beside John without the other noticing him. John seemed engrossed in Orton's match. After a minute, Punk lifted a hand snapped his fingers in front of John's face, startling him.

"Tell me again how much you don't like Orton," Punk said.

"I don't," John said, but he didn't sound as confident as he had the other night in Punk's hotel room.

"Sure." He was highly amused by this. "You think he's hot."

John chewed his lip. "He said he's not giving up."

"I would guess not with the way he's been staring at your ass." Punk's tone turned mocking. "He's totally in lust with you, Cena."

John glared at him briefly. "What about Ziggler?"

"He's getting kind of fun to mess with," Punk answered with a shrug.

"Again, you're a dick." John turned his attention back to the screen. "So, at the end of this, are you going to let Ziggler have what he wants?"

"I told you I don't do one night stands."

John nodded. He'd already known that before. It went against his straight edge code or whatever. "What if he's not just looking for a one night stand?"

Punk shrugged. "Then, we'll see."

"I can't believe you're considering it." He never would himself. He didn't see Ziggler's appeal at all.

"Like you're not considering it with Orton." Punk grinned at him briefly before starting past him.

John turned his gaze back towards the screen, unable to help himself. Maybe Punk was right…