Chapter 15:
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the WWE, TNA, HWA or CZW. I only own the OCs.
It was about four weeks later, and The Shield were well on their way to superstardom, while anxiously anticipating the up and coming title matches. Allie's nose was healing nicely. The pain had diminished and the bruising had faded to almost non-existent, allowing her to be cleared by Doc to begin light in ring training again. Basics, basics, and nothing but basics, were his demands.
Allie was struggling daily with her feelings for Jon. Some days were harder than others, especially on days when Jon seemed to pull away from her. Those days were the hardest and trying to delude herself into believing that he really cared for her became almost impossible. However, she maintained her composure, even though, deep down, all she wanted to do was cry. Steph was there to lend a shoulder or an ear when needed, but Allie felt guilty taking up any of her time that could be spent with Joe.
After the kiss they had shared in the trainers room, the two had come to terms with their mutual attraction and had entered a low pressure relationship. They dated casually, but exclusively. Even though they weren't putting a label on their relationship, they had both seemed to silently agree to only date each other. It was cute to watch them in that 'brand new relationship' phase, as they seemed to really like each other in every way, not just sexually.
Watching the new couple's happiness was difficult for Allie. She was ecstatic for her two friends, but was beginning to feel that sting and longing for love, something she hadn't wanted or needed in the last seven years. It confused her, keeping her up at night, thus bringing back the agony of insomnia, something else she hadn't struggled with in years. Allie didn't know why Jon brought these feelings about, when no one else, in the last seven years, had struck her fancy in anyway, but she knew, for her sake, she had to work through it and figure it out.
Meanwhile, during one of her many late nights, Allie had come up with the idea of a Superstar charity softball game and everyone had been really enthusiastic about it. Not only was it a great opportunity to collect donations for Be A Star and Make-a-wish, but it was a chance for the superstars and divas to have some fun.
Allie and Steph had been designated captains and the teams had been made by a lottery drawing. Steph's team consisted of Joe, Colby, Josh Fatu, Stu Bennett, Punk, Nick Nemeth, Orton, Kofi, and Nattie. While, Allie's consisted of Jon, Ste, Cena, Bryan, Claudio, Jon Fatu, Jake, Anthony Carelli, and Tamina.
They had rented out a local college's softball field in Tampa and were currently on the field warming up before the event began. Allie hadn't been thrilled when she was told Cena and Orton had signed up to play and was even less impressed when John had been drafted to her team. However, she kept reminding herself that this was for children and she had to keep a cool head.
She was currently standing inside the batter's box, with Jon behind her, in a pair of black athletic shorts, their team's red jersey, and a black ball cap on backwards, trying to 'give her some pointers' on batting. She and Steph, who was watching from the dugout opposite them, were both trying to hold in their laughter. Jon had automatically assumed Allie had no idea what she was doing and Allie was taking great joy in his attempt to guide her.
"Ok, so keep your back foot planted," Jon said, moving his black sunglasses up onto the top of his head and holding onto her hips, while shifting them so all of her weight was on her back leg. "Keep all you weight on that back foot and step into the swing with the front foot." Wrapping his hands over hers on the bat, he showed her how to swing. "When you step into it, swing the bat and shift your weight forward, putting the momentum into your swing, but make sure you keep the bat level." After a couple of practice swings with her, Jon stepped back to watch her do it on her own.
"Like this?" Allie then picked up her front foot, stomping it back in place, before swinging the bat wildly in a downward axing motion. They had now gained the attention of the rest of the group, everyone turning to watch the tutorial. Almost everyone chuckling at the uncoordinated display.
Jon moved forward to show Allie what she had forgotten and Allie had to hand it to him, he was really patient when it came to teaching. His voice remained calm and supportive, as he repositioned her hips and adjusted her hands.
Steph was watching on with great amusement as Punk made his way towards her, looking at Jon and Allie confused. "What's she doing?"
"Learning how to bat," Steph stated simply with a huge smile on her face, keeping her eyes on her two friends. It was actually really cute watching Jon teach Allie how to bat. She just hoped he wouldn't be too pissed later.
"But, she-," Punk began, thumbing in Allie's direction, but was quickly cut off by Steph.
"Shush, let him go. He assumed she didn't know how," Steph chuckled, glancing at Punk.
Punk snickered a little glancing back at the duo at the plate, "Well he's in for quite the surprise." Steph's smile broadened, as she nodded in agreement.
A little while later, Allie's team had taken the field. Steph was their lead off hitter and Joe was currently down the base line coaching third base. Allie, who was playing catcher due to Jon's insistence that she would be more comfortable in a lower pressure position, watched as a devious smirk crossed the brunette's face as she stood just outside the batter's box waiting for the team in the field to warm up. She was wearing her team's blue shirt and a pair of short black athletic shorts. Her thick brown hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, keeping it out of her face.
She turned to Allie giving her the same devious look, "Are you hot?" Allie simply shook her head, while biting her bottom lip to hold him her laughter. "Well I'm hot." Steph handed Allie her bat, while she grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it up and began twistin it. Once it was twisted enough, she tied it off, tucking the knot inside the bottom of her shirt, the shirt now resting right below her breasts. Allie glanced down the third base line, stealing a look at Joe.
She saw Jon, who was her teams third baseman, nudge him and smile. Joe's eyes that were hidden behind his dark sunglasses, remained locked in Steph's direction. Allie chuckled as she watched him quickly lick his lips, after Steph took the bat back from her and called, "Batter up," getting into her batting stance, sticking her ass out just a little more than necessary in Joe's direction.
Steph had a nice solid hit and with her speed was able to stretch it into a double. Earning a hoot and holler from her team and the crowd. She heard Joe call out his praise to her and she sent him a sassy wink. Allie just knew that this was going to be an interesting game.
A couple innings later, Allie was finally getting her turn to bat, after being put at the bottom of the order. The bases were loaded and the score was currently tied, 1-1. "Bring it in," she heard Colby yell out to the outfield, waving his arms in a 'come in' motion. Allie grumbled under her breath as she watched everyone move in. She saw Steph shake her head and smirk, making her frustration settle a little, deciding to have some fun.
She heard Jon yell from the bench, "Take your time, Al. Set yourself up and take your time." Allie smiled to herself almost feeling bad for what she was about to do. Almost. She got into the most ridiculous batting stance and waited for the pitch. Steph was trying so hard not to laugh, while she sent in the first pitch.
Allie swung early and wildly, swinging the bat down again in an axing motion. "Strike one." She heard everyone around her laugh at her epic failure, while she smirked to herself. She set herself up again, heaving the bat over her shoulder and waiting for Steph to pitch to her. When the pitch came it ended in the same result as the previous. "Strike two."
Smiling devilishly when the crowd erupted into laughter, Allie looked to the ump and called out, "Time." He held his hands up and looked towards her in question. "This just doesn't feel right." She said motioning to the bat and walking towards the dug out. She walked up to her bag and unzipped the hidden zipper on the bottom. Everyone watched in confusion as she pulled out a solid black bat with, Black Magic, etched on the side in bold gold letters.
Turning to walk back to the cage, Allie pulled a pair of black batting gloves from the pocket of her short athletic shorts. Tucking the bat under one arm, she quickly pulled on the gloves. Everyone around her was silent as she walked up to the plate. A look of confidence and concentration graced her face as she stepped up to the plate, taking a few practice swings that smacked loudly off the back of her shoulder during the follow through, nodding to the umpire that she was ready. "Play ball!"
Gripping the bat firmly in her hands, she dug her feet into the dirt and set herself into a stance that portrayed a sense of familiarity and vast experience. Her attention focused on Steph, sending her a short nod, signaling she was ready. Steph sent her a genuine smile and a wink, before sending her a perfect pitch.
Allie smiled as she stepped into the pitch and swung the bat with an amazing grace and force. 'Crack' Allie sent the ball sailing into the outfield, well over the heads of the fielders and took off towards first base. She heard the ball park erupt and knew instantly the ball had cleared the fence. She kept her eyes forward and ran the bases. As she rounded second her eyes met Jon Fatu's, who was smiling and waving her confidently home from third base.
She was met by a good chunk of her team as she crossed home plate. She high fived everyone, before turning to the pitcher's mound and tapping the end of her nose, then pointing at Steph. Steph smiled, returning the gesture with a wink.
Allie walked into the dug out and was met by Jon, who had his arms crossed and a stern look on his face. She walked up to him slowly, scratching the back of her head. "Hey!" She said excitedly trying to detour him, "I hit a home run!" She stuck her hand up for a high five, but he just continued to stare at her. "No?" She asked, shaking her head and lowering her hand, "Just gonna leave me hangin?"
"Well," Jon finally spoke, shrugging and rolling his eyes, "funny thing is, I have this strange feeling it's not the first time you've hit one."
"That... maaaayyy be true," Allie looked at him sheepishly. Jon just gave her a look as if he was waiting for her to continue. "7 time All-Star third baseman, 5 time state home-run leader, state home-run record holder, 5 time MVP, 4 state championships, and Rookie of the Year," Allie rambled out quickly.
Jon looked at her exasperated, "And you didn't think of mentioning that?"
"Hey!" She shot back playfully. "In all fairness, you made up your mind about my ball playing abilities without even asking me. That's not my fault."
"You should've told me," Jon huffed back, knowing she was right.
"Yea, maybe," Allie smiled, "but it was kinda fun messing with you while you were instructing. You're a great teacher, by the way. You've got a lot of patience in you that I wasn't aware of."
Jon lowered his head, trying to hide the blush that bloomed from the compliment. It's was a little known secret that he really enjoyed teaching and took a lot of pride in watching someone he taught succeed in whatever they had been tutored in. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Allie smiled at him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the rest of the team. "Come on, Good. We've got a game to win."
Jon smiled and followed along, both excited to be playing the game, enjoying the much needed downtime. Neither noticed the angry and disgusted look being shot in their direction.
Later, after the game Allie watched on as the WWE talent was interviewed by different reporters and journalists, getting their opinions and feedback on the event. Both teams had played a great game and everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The boys had really impressed her with their softball abilities. She hadn't really been expecting that, although they were natural athletes and it shouldn't have surprised her. Jon had been a quick and strong armed third baseman, making throws without any visible strain to first base. His fielding abilities left her breathless more than once from her position behind home plate. He also had a strong bat, earning their team several doubles and RBIs, from his position of third in the line-up.
Colby's speed and agility made him an awesome choice for a short stop and she found herself watching him intently from the bench on occasion, amazed at the stops and throws he was able to pull off. He was a typical lead off man, but since he wasn't quite as fast as Steph, he was placed in the number two spot in the line-up. His quickness earning his team many extra bases through the game.
Joe was a brute out in left field and at the plate. He was uncharacteristically fast for such a big man and was able to cover every end of his section of outfield in such a pristine way, it was shocking. Batting clean up for Steph's team suited him just fine, as he was definitely a power house with a bat in his hands, cranking the ball on more than one occasion.
The two teams had played hard and enjoyed every minute of it, but in the end there could only be one winner. Allie's team had beaten them by one run, when Jon had hit a single to right field, allowing Allie to score the winning run from third, after managing to hit a triple. She had been scooped up quickly by Jon in a celebratory hug, as soon as he made it back in from first base. The thought brought a bright smile to Allie's face, while her attention was currently turned watching him being interviewed by a local radio station.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement towards the opposing team's dugout and glanced over just in time to see Joe, with Steph lifted in his arms, disappear around the back of the building with lips locked firmly together.
"Someone needs to hose those two down," came the playful snark of Punk, who had just stepped up beside her. "The eye fucking on the bench was driving me nuts. I was surprised they were able to stand being away from each other for so long with him playing the outfield."
Allie laughed at his teasing of the couple. "It's new. It's to be expected," she smiled at him.
"Seemed to ruffle Orton's tail feathers, that's for sure," Punk pointed out a steaming Orton, who was glaring in the direction the couple had just disappeared. Punk and Allie watched as he walked towards Cena, whispered something to him, then stormed off. "That wasn't sketchy at all," Punk drawled sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"They're both not to be trusted," Allie glared in Cena's direction, remembering the conversation between herself and Jon and what Cena had said to Jon. Punk gave her a sympathetic look, but she simply shook her head, not wanting to go down that road.
"Well, I just thought you should know I overheard Cena on the phone earlier," Punk said, turning to face her fully. "He was talking to someone about an unscheduled trip to Pittsburgh this week." Allie's eyes instantly widened, then she subconsciously began darting her eyes around in search of Jon. "I don't know the details, Al, but I know you and Cena have been having some issues since you've been back and I know your history. I don't trust him or Orton. Steph is planning to stay in Pensacola this week with lover boy and I don't want you being there alone. Come stay with me in Chicago for a few days."
"Thanks, Phil," Allie gave him a small smile, while deep inside she felt terrified, "but I'll be ok. I'm not planning to be in Pittsburgh this week anyway."
"Big man will want to know you're safe. You know I have to tell him," Punk stated, Allie knowing instantly that 'big man' meant Mark. "Where are you planning on staying?" Punk asked her curiously.
Allie looked around, searching her mind desperately for an answer. She loved Punk and she loved Chicago, but going there meant constant eyes on her and constant badgering, while getting constant phone calls from Mark. Glancing towards the third base line, she saw Colby and Jon standing there, joined in a casual discussion. Jon looked up, meeting his eyes with hers and sending her a comforting smile. Giving him a small smile back, she sighed heavily, before looking back at Punk. "Vegas. I'll be in Vegas."
A/N: This was mostly a 'just for fun' chapter. Jon and Allie getting to find out a little more about each other. Let me know what you think! I love the reviews guys! It's wonderful to hear how much you're enjoying this fic. Next chapter: Vegas... with Jon! What will develop in Vegas between Allie and Jon? ;) Let me know your thoughts! Reviews will help me update faster!