Chapter 22

Surprisingly, John sat there quietly, for the most part, minus that one time where she silenced him. As much as he hated to admit it, it all made sense, in a very sick sort of way. When she had started talking about the flowers, his blue eyes widened, then narrowed at the JUST DAYS AWAY and became nothing but slits at the SOON.

"So..." John said finally, catching her hands in his and holding them between their chests. "Is he handling it tonight? Because I really don't like the idea of Kane doing whatever it is he's planning." If Taker didn't handle it within a reasonable timeframe, like say, the next hour, John might just do it himself, consequences or not. "Stephanie has to know by now I didn't touch Beth...I'm on probation for Phil..." He said, considering that and then groaned. "Mother...Kane took him out too..." When she gave him a funny look, he sighed. "You removed me from that match, and there was talk of Kane going in, but you put Phil in it instead. Kane wanted MY spot, he wanted to piss me off by stepping into my shoes. It's his damn style, he likes to taunt..."

"I don't know, but knowing Taker, he's not going to waste time. He has to time it perfectly though to where Kane has nowhere to run away. And I agree with you about the attack on Phil. I already know he attacked Beth." When John's eyes narrowed, Rajani sighed as she sat up, but still kept her hands pressed against his chest. "Eve came to me hysterical the same night Beth was attacked and told me who did it. She said it was Kane. I didn't understand why he would attack Beth...until now. Beth is my best friend, as well as Eve's, so he more than likely attacked her because of...me." Rajani looked down, completely guilt ridden. "It would make sense that he would attack Phil just to get everyone to turn against you and make them think you're the one who did it. Phil doesn't remember because he was attacked from behind, if you didn't know."

"No, I know he doesn't, but I take that back. I'm not on probation over Phil, it's because everyone thinks I bashed Taker in the head on account of that pipe being found in my bag." John groaned, knowing that in his detective moment he had completely overlooked and forgotten critical facts. Sherlock Holmes he was not. "Which I didn't by the way, as I've told you before. Does Taker think I did it?" He knew he hadn't done it, so would...Kane? Eh...he had a hard time seeing that one. While possible, he didn't see it as plausible.

"We really haven't talked about that. I don't think he's worried about who attacked him as much as stopping Kane right now." That was the honest truth. "Though whoever did attack him is going to wish they were never born once he does find out who it was." Rajani had no doubt about that. "I really don't think it was Kane to be honest, there would be no reason why he would attack his friend. That would just be...career suicide on his part." Rajani sighed, not wanting to talk about any of this anymore. "I don't want to talk about this anymore, we're not supposed to be worrying about what's going on around us. You mentioned you were driving, what were your plans for tonight?" She had to get their minds off of business, wanting to enjoy her time with John instead of worrying about Kane, like she had lately.

"Dinner definitely, I'm starving." He said, knowing she didn't want to focus on this situation with Kane anymore and honestly didn't blame her. There really wasn't much he could do about any of it at the moment anyway; knowing Stephanie wouldn't lift the probation until they knew for a fact who had tried scrambling the Undertaker's brains. "I could probably...eat 2 of you." John added, looking her up and down with a sly smirk, catching her hand before it could hit his shoulder and kissed her palm. "Do you like to dance?"

"The last time I went dancing was at my senior prom." She wasn't kidding, laughing when John merely stared at her. "I've always been work orientated, never really was the type to go out clubbing or partying or anything like that."

Rajani kissed his lips very softly and slid from his lap to stand on her feet, knowing he had to finish getting ready so they could go get something to eat. Rajani didn't care where they went as long as she could spend time with John. Though, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help wondering if this really was the right thing to do. She hadn't danced since her senior prom and that was just wrong on so many levels, probably illegal in at least five states. John loved to dance, he didn't find much time for it but when he did, he was out pounding floor like nobody's business. It was settled, he was going to show Rajani a night she would never forget.

"Dinner and then dancing." John said, standing up, grinning happily. "Give me a few minutes to finish changing."

Fortunately for him, John had already showered and his hair required no work at all, perks of it being so short. He dropped another kiss on her lips before disappearing back into the bathroom, grinning like a love struck idiot. Rajani just watched him go and shook her head, finding it adorable that he was grinning like a cat that just ate several canaries. They ended up going to a club that had both dinner and dancing, the two separated enough to where they could have proper conversation during eating and then dance the night away in the club part of it. It was a lot of fun, Rajani couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so alive. John Cena was definitely someone she could see herself falling in love with very easily, but damned if she was trying to fight it off.

She didn't want to just fall at his feet, but somehow it was already happening. Her body was coated in sweat from dancing so much and Rajani had a few drinks while John stuck with beer, both of them laughing and pushing each other to their limits. By the time Rajani arrived back at the hotel, it was past 3 AM and she was ready to fall into bed. Along with dancing, John had ravaged her lips with his while touching every part of her body besides below the belt and her breasts. He was a gentleman, she'd give him that. Sighing happily, Rajani slid her keycard into the slot and pushed open the door, quietly creeping in, not wanting to wake Taker.

Taker was awake, lying in bed with the lights off. The door to his room was wide open and he heard her creeping in, reinforcing the teenager thing in his mind, like she was sneaking home. One glance at the nightstand clock told him the hour and he knew she was going to regret that when he woke her up in a few hours to catch their flight. He had gotten in, washed off some...sweat and possible blood before climbing in bed.

"Darlin', quit sneakin' I'm up." Taker called when he heard her tripping over the stupid carpet, he had done the same thing earlier.

"Damn it." She cursed, really not wanting to disturb him and slowly walked over to lean in his doorway, cracking a hesitant smile. "Hey, I didn't want to wake you up. I didn't right?" When he shook his head, Rajani walked over to sit on the bed. Taking her shoes off, her hair looked a little haphazard because she'd let it down during dancing, so it had a wild look to it right now. "How are you?" She asked, frowning when she noticed some bruising on his chest, eyebrows drawing together slowly. "Did you get into a fight or something?"

"Somethin'." He agreed softly, knowing she could only see it because he had the curtains of his windows drawn open, letting in the outside light. Taker caught her fingers before she could touch the spot. "It's a bit tender darlin'. Don't worry about it. Did you have a good time with your...friend?"

He could smell sweat, smoke and booze on her though he was pretty certain she wasn't drunk. In the dim lighting he could make out her hair, which was looking rather untamed and wild, it was actually a nice look for her. Smiling slightly, Taker reached up to play with a lock.

"I like this wild child look you got goin' on darlin'."

"I'm glad one of us does. Didn't realize how crazy it would be when I took it down."

Rajani was concerned with his chest, having a sinking feeling it was from Kane. He'd taken care of Kane...or maybe she was wrong. Taker wasn't going to tell her, Rajani already knew it, but in a way she did have a right to know.

"Yes I had fun tonight, more than I've had in years actually. Did you put something on it?" She gestured to his chest again, frowning slightly. "Are you okay, can you at least tell me that?"

"I'm fine woman, now quit nitpickin' about it." Taker growled warningly, really not needing her to mother hen him. If she wanted to help, she could rub more ointment on it...without asking if it hurt. "I put some cream on it, ice and a hot pack... It's just tender is all."

Slowly, Taker pulled himself upright into a sitting position, keeping his back to the headboard. He was glad she couldn't see his left side because that was bruised also, where he had taken a punch. Kane was in worse condition and that brought a smile to his face, a very evil smile curling his lips. Unaware that the sheet was pooling around his very naked hips, if she kept being observant, that would be next on Rajani's viewing agenda.

"Get into my bag and hand me the tube of ointment off the top, please." He requested softly.

"Sure." She stood up and walked over to where his bag was, the light from the window the only way she could see around his room. Rajani searched, found it and walked back over, kneeling on the bed before him. "Lean back, I'll apply it for you." Rajani offered softly, already putting some cream on her fingers and scooted closer to get a better look.

It was because of her that he was hurt, Rajani tried not to let it bother her or feel guilty, but damn it she couldn't help it. This man had helped her, given her advice, he was growing on her fast. Being careful, Rajani began rubbing the ointment on his bruised chest, wincing when he hissed out a little and knew she'd pressed on a really tender area.

"You know I did this for Dwayne a time or two, especially when he'd come home from the road beat up from one of the pay-per-views. Wrestling today is nothing compared to what it used to be." She was making idle chatter to try to get her mind off of what could've possibly happened with Taker tonight while she was out with John.

"Trust me darlin', I know. I wrestled with broken bones, bruised ribs...we all did, it was normal back then and I'm sure most of us regret it."

Some of the time...Taker knew for a fact he'd definitely have changed that Hell in a Cell match with Foley. He had wrestled on a broken foot and a few other slight injuries, also knowing the stunts he had done to Mick hadn't helped that crazy fool out any. Reaching down to pull the sheet back up, Rajani did it just enough to cover the vitals. When she had climbed onto the bed, her knee had caught it and pulled it further down. Taker was pretty sure she didn't want to see him naked, or if she did, she was hiding it pretty well. Knowing that was just ridiculous, he began laughing and immediately regretted it.

"Son of a bitch..." He groaned, closing his eyes briefly.

Rajani bit her lip to keep from apologizing, finishing with his chest. Then she pulled back and wiped the remaining cream on her neck, since there was a little bit. She'd taken her choker off right after walking inside the suite and tossed it somewhere, not concerned about it right now.

"Where else does it hurt?" Rajani knew it wasn't just his chest and nodded when he reluctantly rolled over, a gasp escaping her. "Oh god, Taker…" Not able to stop them, Rajani blinked as a few tears slid down her face, swallowing hard, not caring if she made a complete spectacle of herself right now.

"Hey, none of that." Taker ordered when he spotted the tears, sitting right back up, not caring about the sheet and reached out to gently cup her chin in his hand. His free hand moved to wipe away the tears. "It's not that damn bad, it'll heal and there'll be no lastin' damage. It looks worse than what it is. He looks and probably feels a lot worse than I do." Taker bent his head down, staring into her chocolate eyes. "Don't cry and don't feel guilty, I said I would handle it. You didn't ask me too and you sure as hell didn't tell me to get into a fist fight with him either. That's all on me, Jani."

"But it's because of me that you had to get into a fist fight with him." Rajani whispered, not able to stop the tears as they kept falling, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Careful not to press against his chest, Rajani buried her face in his hair while he rubbed her back. Rajani already knew she cared a great deal with this man and hated that he'd gotten hurt because of her. It didn't matter if she didn't ask him too, he still did it and it looked as though Kane didn't go down without a fight. Of course Kane hadn't gone down without a fight and Taker had fully expected that. He would also admit, just not to her since she already felt bad enough and would probably think he was sick in the head, that he had actually enjoyed the fight. Taker had enjoyed hunting that piece of shit who dared call himself his best friend down and just swinging at him. They had gotten the particulars of why he had swung out of the way while fighting and Kane had simply laughed repeatedly. He didn't deny or confirm anything, not in the traditional sense, but that laughter...Taker would never forget it.

"Stop it Jani, it's not your fault." He rumbled in a deep drawl, resting his head on top of hers. "I didn't HAVE to get into a fight, I chose to."

"That still doesn't make me feel any better." Rajani mumbled, sniffling a little and very carefully pulled away from him, staring into his green eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to start crying. I just didn't expect it to look...like that." She took the ointment and put more on her fingers, waiting for him to roll over again so she could get his side. "I just hope you got it checked out." She sighed when he shot her a look. "Fine I'll stop it." Rubbing the ointment on his side, Rajani tried not to start crying again, deciding she would do it once she was alone in her own room.

"Swear to god Rajani, if I hear you cryin' when you leave this room, I'mma paddle your ass and give you somethin' to cry about." Taker threatened, only half-kidding. "Unless you're the kinda gal that likes being whooped, then we'll have to come up with somethin' more suitable..." He winced when she prodded the bruise in a not-so-subtle knock it off way.

"You just can't resist, can you?" Rajani shook her head, a smile tilting her lips and finished up before Taker rolled over on his back again. "And I'll do what I want in my own room." Dodging before he could grab her, Rajani wiped the rest of her tears away and walked over on the opposite side of the bed to drop the ointment back in his bag. "On that note, I am heading to bed. See you in a few hours, get some sleep."

Walking out, Rajani headed to her room and shut the door behind her, heading for the bathroom. She needed a shower to wash away the night's events and decided to let her tears fall, knowing Taker wouldn't hear her. By the time Rajani got out of the shower, she was so exhausted that she collapsed on the bed in just a towel, passing out.