Chapter 17:
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the WWE, TNA, HWA or CZW. I only own the OCs.
The next morning, Allie groaned, rolling onto her back and glancing over at the clock on the nightstand, she saw that it was closing in on nine am. She really hadn't slept all that long, or well for that matter. She and Jon hadn't returned to the condo until a little after two and she had tossed and turned in a restless sleep all night.
The memories of last night hit her like a tidal wave.
Her head was throbbing, as she sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. A muffled buzzing sound drew her attention towards the head of the bed. She leaned over and began digging around through the pillows until she manage to find the source, her phone.
She quickly answered it, not botherin to look and see who was calling. "Hello?" Her voice sounded groggy and raspy, still filled with sleep.
"What the hell?!" She heard the all to familiar voice of Steph, yelling at her through the phone, making Allie pull the phone away from her ear. "I've been trying to call you and text you since early this morning! What the shit happened last night?!"
"Sweet baby Jesus! First of all," groaned Allie, pinching the bridge of her nose gently and placing the phone closer to her ear and mouth again. "I'm gonna need you to dial it down a bit. I'm hung over as fuck and I just woke up."
"That's your own damn fault for drinking that much," Steph snapped back, but had significantly lowered her tone. "Do you want to explain to me why you sent me a really cryptic text, them didn't respond when I tried to talk to you about it?"
"I must have passed out right after I sent it," Allie murmured, standing up and began walking around the room.
"What do you mean 'he knows'?" Steph asked. Allie sighed heavily, before telling Steph all about the events that happened after they had left Steph at the hotel. Allie rambled and ranted, laughed and finally cried.
"I just couldn't sit there and listen to him tell me that he wanted me, while I knew that I wasn't what he truly wanted," Allie cried softly to Steph. "I just couldn't handle being a regret and being tossed aside."
"Honey, that could happen in any relationship," Steph tried to reason with her. "Some relationships just don't last and there is nothing you can do about, but you can't live your life in fear of falling in love, because you couldn't handle if it fell apart."
"But this is different," Allie harshly wiped at her eyes. "I know that there's someone else out there. I would constantly be worried about it. I feel like that I would be setting myself up to fail."
Steph sighed on the other end of the phone. "Allie, I know you stopped believing in fairy tales and happily ever afters a long time ago. White knights are just villains in disguise and Prince Charming and chivalry died once upon a time," Steph remembered the Allie she knew in childhood and how she had been the greatest believer in fate and true love. That had all be stolen away by two men, who Steph only wished one day to get alone, to show them what happens when you mess with the closest thing she has ever had to a sister. "But I still believe in it. You made me believe in it. True love exists. I've seen it too many times for it to not be real and I refuse to doubt it. Don't hide yourself away from it because of the what ifs. Just because Jon has this thing for some mystery woman, doesn't mean she's the love of his life. He may find out that she isn't what he's been waiting for."
"But what if she is?" Allie sniffed out, hoping Jon hadn't heard any of the conversation. She had tried to keep her voice low, but his room was only across the hall.
"You just have to trust in love, Allie," Steph replied calmly. "Trust that it won't just abandon you. I don't know if things will work out with Joe, but I'm not willing to risk not knowing for the sake of protecting my heart. Hearts heal."
"I know it's stupid, but I'm just scared," Allie sighed. "I wish I could be as carefree with love as I was back then. They fucked me up badly, Steph, but I promise I'll try."
"Just enjoy your time with Jon," Steph smiling voice could be heard by Allie. "It's sounds like, aside from how the evening ended, you guys had a great time yesterday."
"We did," Allie smiled. "We're suppose to go plant shopping and site-seeing today.
"Then go enjoy it," Steph beamed. "Have fun being friends and wreaking havoc on Vegas. Oh, and take pics of this bachelor pad for me. I have to see it! Sounds amazing!" Allie giggled and agreed. "Now, you've stolen me away from my man long enough..."
"Your man?" Allie perked up at that.
"Uh, yea," Steph said somewhat meekly. "We kind of agreed to make it official, last night."
"Wow, congratulations!" Allie said excitedly.
"Thank you!"
"Have you passed the test yet?" Allie teased.
Steph laughed, "Yes, I met everyone yesterday. His family is amazing! I felt like a member of the family within five minutes of being there."
"Even the little one?" Allie questioned still smiling.
"She's absolutely the sweetest, most beautiful little girl, Allie," Steph gushed telling her about Joe's six year old daughter, Joelle. "I adore her and she seems to like me. That's kind of why we decided to make it official."
"That's great news, Steph," Allie beamed, extremely happy for her two friends. "You guys are great together." The two girls finished up their conversation before saying their goodbyes until they reunited the following afternoon.
After hanging up, Steph made her way back inside the house from Joe's large backyard deck. She made her way into the family room, where she found Joe sitting on the couch watching ESPN. He looked up when he saw her enter the room and smiled at her as she approached.
"Everything ok, baby?" Joe asked her, showing his concern for Allie. He had been just as antsy for Steph to get ahold of her and make sure she was ok.
Steph gave him a small smile, before plopping down onto his lap, his arms immediately wrapping around her. Steph gave Joe the run through of what had happened between their two friends the previous day and she could see the concern deepen on his face and what appeared to be a hint of frustration.
Steph continued to look at him curiously while he seemed to be having an internal struggle with himself. Steph leaned into him and gave a light kiss to his lips, bringing him back to her. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Joe sighed heavily, looking up into Steph beautiful emerald green eyes, "There's something I think I should tell you."
Meanwhile, after hanging up with Steph, Allie decided to grab a shower to wash away the grunge feeling that the bars and the alcohol had left on her hair and skin. Collecting her things, she walked quietly down the hallway, not hearing any noise and assumed Jon was still asleep.
Feeling much better after her shower, now that the grunge feeling was gone, Allie slipped back into her room to look for something wear. Deciding on a pair of faded jean shorts and a dark purple tank top, she got dressed.
After getting dressed, she stood in her rooming staring at the door. She was so unsure of what to expect from Jon today after the events of last night. She hated rejecting him, but she just couldn't bare the thought of him breaking her heart.
Taking a deep breath, she decided it was time to bite the bullet and see how things played out in the aftermath. She pulled the door open and made her way out of the room.
Walking into the living room, she heard shuffling around coming from the kitchen. Turning into the kitchen, she felt her heart race at the site of Jon. His back was to her as he gathered plates from a cupboard and placed them on the counter in front of him, before he turned and saw her standing in the room.
They both just looked at each other for a moment before Allie offered him a small smile and she felt relieved when he returned it and walked slowly towards her.
"Hey," he said calmly, as he stopped a few paces from her. "I didn't know what you'd want for breakfast, so I just grabbed a little of everything." He motioned towards a couple bags sitting on the counter from a local diner.
"Thank you," she answered, smiling at him again. She made her way up to him and embraced him in a tight hug, that he returned instantly. Pulling back, they both turned towards the bags and began digging through them to organize their breakfasts.
"Still wanna go site-seeing and shopping today?" Jon asked, handing her a cup of freshly brewed coffee, when they had finished plating their food. Taking the cup, she gave it a heavenly gaze before taking several deep swallows of it.
"Liquid of the gods," Allie hummed with a blissful face, lowering the cup, making Jon chuckle. Returning her gaze to his, she smiled at him. "I definitely still wanna go site-seeing and shopping. When do you wanna leave?"
"After we eat?" Jon suggested as they picked up their plates and moved into the living room and turned on the tv.
"Sounds good," Allie nodded, taking a seat next to Jon. They both dug into their food, while they watched an old episode of CSI in a comfortable silence. Allie's head continued to throb, the food and coffee not having the affect on her hangover that she had hoped. She turned to Jon, rubbing the back of her neck. "Do you have any ibuprofen?"
Jon looked over to her, before nodding and pointing towards the kitchen. "Yea, it's in the drawer closest to the fridge. Want me to get it?"
"No, that's ok," she said standing slowly. "Eat your breakfast." She made her way into the kitchen, found the bottle quickly and popping it open. Dispensing a couple into her hand, she then closed the bottle and returned it to the drawer.
Walking back into the living room, Allie saw Jon flipping through the magazine. As she approached, she got a better look at it and smiled, seeing that it was a gardening magazine. Jon glanced up at her and smiled, "Did you find it?"
"Uh, yea," she smirked, holding them up, before moving around the couch to sit back beside him. She swallowed the pills, chasing them down with her coffee, as Jon spoke to her.
"So, can I, like, plant anything I want?" Jon asked, trying stay nonchalant about it, making Allie fight to hide a smile.
"Yea, pretty much," Allie answered setting her coffee mug on the table. "We'll just have to make sure we get a drip irrigation system."
"That sounds complicated," Jon said, giving a funny face, making Allie giggle.
"It's really not, I promise," she said reaching towards the magazine and taking it from him. "Any thoughts to what you may want?"
"Well I was kind of thinking about vegetables and herbs," Jon shrugged. "I buy them to keep here, but they go bad before I can use them half the time. So, I thought maybe if I just buy the plants and harvest off them that it might be more beneficial to me."
"That's a good idea," Allie nodded, "and very doable. Herbs actually thrive in a climate like this and so do tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and other veggies like that. Any thoughts to what types?"
"Those would be cool," Jon nodded in agreement to the vegetables she named. "What about root vegetables?"
"We can do those too. We just have to make sure we get pots deep enough," Allie answered, thoroughly enjoying Jon's sudden interest in this. "Let's finish eating, then we can head out and see what we can find."
"Cool," Jon nodded, before returning to his breakfast.
A little while later, Allie and Jon were slowly wandering through a local garden center. Allie was pointing out plants, while Jon pushed the cart, listening to her plant advice. They had already acquired several large pots for the vegetables Jon had decided on growing. Even though he was doing his best to hide it, Jon was eager and excited to be creating his own mini garden.
Allie picked up an item and placed it in the cart, "what the hell is that?" Jon asked giving the item a weird look.
"That's the irrigation system," Allie laughed at his expression. "Actually we may need two," she said grabbing another, and placing it in the cart.
Jon's face went from confusion to alarm, "Two?! What do we need two for? I don't know if I can do one."
"Relax, Jon," Allie laughed, as she began backing up. "That's why you have me." Not paying attention, Allie backed into someone, quickly spinning around to the person. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Meeting the strangers face, she watched his eyes run the length of her before giving her a sly smile. The smile gave her a sick kind of chill as did his eyes that continued to stare at her body. It was nowhere near the effect Jon's looks and smiles gave her. He was decent looking, with a nice face and build, dark hair and brown eyes. His bottled tan was obvious, as were his intentions. "No problem, beautiful. You can bump into me anytime."
Allie swallowed the bile that had risen with his innuendo, as anger filled her. Before she could respond however she heard a low growl behind her, as an arm wrapped protectively around her midsection and drawing her back into a hard chest. Jon. She calmed instantly subconsciously pressing further into him, feeling him surround her.
"I'm good," she gave him a smirk, as the man's eyes moved to Jon's. He tried to keep a confident look, but it faltered in his eyes. "Again, I apologize."
"Come on, baby," Jon said, keeping a hard glare on the other man. "I think we're done here." The two men, kept their eyes on each other as Allie nodded and maneuvered around Jon and taking hold of the cart. She spun the cart around and began walking towards the checkout with Jon close behind.
Once they had gotten far enough away from the creepy man, Allie glanced at Jon, "What is it with the guys around here? Do I give off a slutty vibe or something?"
Jon smirked and looked at her, wrapping a friendly arm around her shoulders as they approached the checkout, "No. You're a beautiful woman, Allie. They just think they have a shot and try and take it."
Allie's heart fluttered at the compliment from Jon, feeling the obvious difference between Jon's words and the creep's.
After paying for the items, they loaded everything into Jon's car and headed out to see a few things, before stopping for a quick lunch.
They were walking along a store front, heading towards the restaurant they had decided on for lunch, when they came across a pet shop.
Allie swooned seeing the puppies in the shop window. "How cute!" She gushed, making Jon smile as he stepped up beside her. They laughed and played with the puppies through the glass for a few minutes. "I haven't had a dog since our family dog died when I was 18. I should really get one, but I just don't have the time with all the traveling."
"You could always get one that's small enough to bring with you," Jon suggested as they continued on their way along the store fronts.
"I could I guess," Allie answered, thoughtfully. "I just never thought about it."
They reached the restaurant and had a quick bite to eat. After lunch they decided to head to the grocery store and then back to Jon's to get the planting done.
They were currently on the patio, Jon filling the pots with potting mix, while Allie put the plants in them and began arranging them around the patio, to work with the irrigation system. Once everything was potted, Allie began assembling the system and organizing it with the pots.
"So basically," Allie said, after putting the last drip into a pot, "the way this works is, it will keep the plants hydrated for you without over watering them. The potting mix we put in is mixed with plant food, so they're getting the nutrition they need. You just have to check on them every now and then to make sure everything is going smoothly and the system is working properly, but it pretty much takes care of everything for you. The sun light back here is great, so the plants will be getting all the elements they need to thrive."
"I have to admit," Jon smile at her, brushing the dirt from his hands. "This is pretty cool. I kind of excited to be growing my own stuff."
Allie smiled at him, before they made their way back into the house. They both quickly tidied up, so Allie could begin dinner, while Jon picked out a few movies for them to watch.
"So, what are you making tonight?" Jon yelled from the living room, where he was digging through movies, to Allie in the kitchen.
"Grilled chicken parm," Allie said, stepping into the living room with a platter in her hands. "Are the grilling tools outside?"
"Yea," Jon said, looking up at her. "They're in the cabinet underneath it." Allie nodded and made her way outside to the patio to start up the grill.
After getting the grill fired up, she gave it a few minutes before putting the chicken on. She looked around at the patio, proud of the job she and Jon had done. She turned towards the door when she heard it open and saw Jon emerge with a couple glasses of wine.
" I thought I'd break open a bottle," he said, handing her a glass.
"I have to admit I'm surprised you have wine," Allie smiled, before taking a sip. "You don't seem like a wine guy."
"I don't mind it," he answered, with a smile. "I keep it around for special occasions."
"Oh yea," Allie smirked at him. "And how many special occasions have you had?"
"To be honest," Jon said, looking down at his glass and swirling it around. "This is the first." Allie didn't respond, but smiled and turned towards the grill before Jon could see the blush fill her face. Setting her glass down, she began placing the chicken on the grill and felt Jon step up beside her. "I think this is the first time the grill has been used too."
"Well, I'm honored to be the one to break it in for you," she said, closing the lid on the grill, before picking her glass back up and turning towards Jon.
While the chicken cooked, Allie and Jon sat on the patio on the comfortable lounge furniture, talking.
Allie was glad that things between them hadn't been awkward. She was truly enjoying her time with Jon and would have felt terrible if they hadn't been able to get past last night. It still hurt, knowing that she wanted Jon, but she would settle for friendship if that was the only way to keep him in her life.
When the chicken was done they moved back into the condo, so Allie could fix everything else to go with dinner. Placing the chicken in the oven on a low heat to keep it warm, Allie then began moving around the kitchen getting things ready.
A little while later she called for Jon to come into the kitchen. He appeared a moment later, moving over to her. She held a wooden spoon in one hand, that appeared to have a red sauce on it, while the other cupped under the spoon. "Here, try this and tell me what you think."
Lifting the spoon, Allie placed it close to his mouth while Jon leaned forward to taste it. Allie watched Jon's face light up as soon as the sauce touch his taste buds. "Damn, that's good! What brand is that?"
Allie giggled, before trying some for herself. Seeming pleased she gave the sauce another stir, before placing a lid over it and turning it on low. "It's Allie's secret sauce."
"Damn, babe! You made that?" Jon asked surprised. Allie's cheeks tinge pink and nodded, smiling. "I think Sami's nickname of Betty Crocker suits you." Allie giggled, before shooing him back out of the kitchen, so she could finish dinner.
When dinner was finished, Allie plated up the food, while she heard Jon moving around in the dining room. He walked into the kitchen when she was done and was lifting the plates to carry them out. Before she could take a step forward, Jon reached out and took the plates from her. "I thought we could eat in the dining room. Can you grab the bottle of wine and I'll meet you out there?"
"Sure," she answered, as Jon turned to leave the room. Picking up the bottle, Allie followed him out of the room, stopping in her tracks when she entered the dining room. She felt her heartbeat speed up, watching Jon set the plates down on the table. The curtains had been drawn and the room was dimly lit. The table had been covered in a red linen table cloth with black lace place mats sitting on top. He had placed lit white tapered candles in the middle, that sat in crystal candlesticks.
Allie's eyes moved to Jon's, who was watching her carefully. "I hope this is ok. I just thought a candlelit dinner would be a nice thank you for the help with the patio and making dinner."
Allie managed a small smile, still stunned that Jon had done this for her. She walked towards him and set the wine bottle on the table by they candles, before turning to Jon. "Thanks isn't necessary, Jon. It was my pleasure, really. The table looks beautiful." Jon smiled in appreciation and what looked like relief, as they sat down to enjoy their meal.
"Oh my god," Jon said with a content sigh, setting his fork down and leaning back in his chair, once he had finished. "That was really amazing. You can cook for me anytime, Al."
Allie chuckled, taking the last bite of her dinner and setting her fork down. She moved to take the plates, but Jon gently brushed her hands aside and took them himself and walked into the kitchen with them. Allie stood up from the table, after blowing out the candles, then grabbed the bottle of wine and their two glasses and walked to the living room. After depositing the items on the table, she walked to the kitchen to help Jon.
"Can I help?" She asked stepping up beside him at the sink.
"I can handle it," he smiled at her. "You cooked."
"I really don't mind," she nudged him, then grabbed the dish towel that was slung over his shoulder. "You'll get done faster."
Relenting Jon, handed her dishes to load in the dishwasher, while he scrubbed at the pots and pans. Allie couldn't help but smile at the image of Jon performing such a domestic task as dish washing. She thought of how, actually, most of their time in Vegas had been spent doing what would be considered rather domestic things. She couldn't help feeling the sense of comfort and content she had with playing house with Jon. It just felt right.
Shaking off the feelings, Allie continued working with Jon to get the dishes done, so they could move to the living room and watch the movies Jon had picked. She dried the last pan Jon had handed to her and put away, when Jon spoke up, "So, I was thinking. You pretty much know everything about me and I thought it'd be cool to get to know you a little bit better. Your bio's always been a little thin when it comes to finding info out."
"Ok," Allie smiled, turning to face him. "What do you want to know?"
"How bout we play twenty questions?" Jon answered with a smile. "I pick twenty questions and you answer them to what ever length you feel comfortable with."
Allie hesitated a moment, before answering. "Ok."
"Really?" Jon asked surprised. "I can ask anything I want?" Allie smiled and nodded, before Jon grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the living room. "Let's get started."
Sitting down on the couch, Jon and Allie watched each other for a moment while Jon decided what to ask.
"Ok, let's start basic," he said excitedly. "When's your birthday?"
"July 30, 1986."
"Wow, your younger than me. I always thought you were a couple years older, maybe," Jon said surprised.
"Only by, like, eight months," Allie laughed.
"Where were you born?"
"Oahu, Hawaii."
"No way!"
"Way."
"That's awesome! Wait, I thought Pittsburgh was your hometown."
"It is. We moved there when I was seven."
"Why?"
"Military Brat. My dad grew up in Pittsburgh and when he originally left the military he moved us there. Pittsburgh is my home."
"Where are your parents now?"
"Both still live around Pittsburgh. They're divorced now though. I try and see them as often as I can."
"Siblings?"
"One sister. She's a year younger than me. She still lives there, but is moving to Florida soon for a job."
"How do you know Steph?"
"Best friends since third grade. We literally lived behind each other growing up. She was pretty much my childhood."
"Favorite sport?"
"Thought you would have guessed that," Allie chuckled. "Softball/baseball."
"Second favorite?"
"Football."
"Sweet! We're gonna hate each other during football season."
"Nothing to hate. My team kicks ass. Your team sucks ass."
"Keep dreaming, princess," Jon laughed loudly. "Steelers aren't gonna beat the Bengals."
"We'll see, sunshine," Allie winked at him.
"Ok, favorite baseball teams?"
"Pirates and Red Sox."
"Red Sox? Does that have anything to do-"
"No," Allie answered shaking her head. "I'm a lifelong Sox fan."
Jon nodded as he thought for a moment, "Favorite movie?"
"That's a tough question," Allie thought for a moment. "Can we narrow it down to genre?"
Jon laughed, "Ok, but it's all one question." Allie smiled and nodded.
"Horror?"
"Halloween."
"Sports?"
"A League of Their Own."
"Adventure?"
"The Goonies."
"Thriller?"
"The Untouchables."
"Action?"
"Batman."
"Comedy?"
"Diary of a Mad Black Woman."
"Fantasy?"
"Harry Potter."
"Romance?"
"The Notebook."
"Decent selections," Jon nodded, smiling, making Allie chuckle.
"You should see my movie collection. I could open my own video store."
"Music?"
"I'll listen to anything. If I like it, I'll listen to it, but I've always been a big classic rock fan."
"Favorite wrestler?"
"The Undertaker."
"That actually doesn't surprise me. Did you know Mark before you came to the WWE or did you meet him here?"
"I met Mark when I was working the Indy circuit," Allie smiled thinking of her mentor. "He's actually why I'm here, I guess. Mark came to a show I was main eventing when I was around twenty years old. I had been pretty well talked about in the wrestling community, because I played hardball with the boys. That just didn't, and still doesn't, really happen. So, hearing about me and being in the area, he stopped by for the show. He caught up with me after and told me that he hadn't seen female talent like me before and wanted to get me a meeting with Vince. I couldn't believe that not only was I meeting my idol, but that he wanted to help get me in. He kept in touch, I had my meeting with Vince, and not long after I was walking in the shadow of The Undertaker."
"That's awesome," Jon smiled genuinely at her. "There were so many stories about you and him that you never know what true."
"I always said the only important story about Mark and myself is that of mentor and pupil," Allie chuckled.
"Favorite match?
"Ooooo... Tough one," Allie responded, thinking for a moment. "My favorite match... was between Melina and Alicia Fox." Jon bursted into a fit of laughter, making Allie smile. When he calmed enough for her to continue, she said, "I've always been a fan of the TLC and ladder matches. Even though it's grueling on the body, they're always really exciting. I'd have to say my favorite was Rocky vs Triple H."
"Good choice. Favorite faction?"
"I'm a little biased on that one," Allie said giving him a wink.
"Well you either mean The Ministry or The Corporate Ministry."
"I loved any stable that Mark was in, but no, it's not one of those."
"I'm stumped."
"The Shield is my favorite faction," Allie smiled at him, as surprised filled his face.
"Wow." Was all Jon could say as he smiled. "Can I reserve the other questions for later? We haven't watch our movies yet." Allie nodded, getting comfortable on the couch, while Jon started the first movie.
The rest of their evening was spent watching movies and chatting about random things. They had both enjoyed their time together and were disappointed that they would be heading back to work the next morning.
The following morning, Jon and Allie had packed their bags and after a quick breakfast, headed to the airport to join up with the roster for the next round of travel. Once they were seated on their flight, Jon turned to Allie.
"Thank you for spending the last couple days with me. It was fun," he said, giving her a smile that are her heart flutter.
"Thank you, Jon," she smiled back. "I had a great time and I'd love to come back and visit, if you'll have me."
"Anytime, babe," Jon said, taking her hand and kissing it. "I need someone to watch after my plants, so I don't kill them." Allie laughed, waiting for Jon to release her hand, but he didn't. He continued to hold it through out the flight, only releasing it once the plane had landed.
A few hours later, Steph walked briskly through the backstage corridors in search of one person. She had kissed Joe quickly, shortly after they arrived and had begun her journey through the arena.
Walking into catering she saw her intended target and was relieved to see he was alone. She moved her way across the room and approached him with determination. He gave her a small smile as he watched her approach.
"Hey, Steph," Jon said as she finally reached him. "How was Pensacola?"
"Informative," Steph said simply, attempting to be calm. Jon gave her a confused look, raising his eyebrow in question. "Can we talk?"
"Uh, sure," Jon answered, still confused as he followed Steph from the room and down a secluded hall. She turned to face him and folded her arms across her chest. "What's going on Steph?"
"I'm just gonna come right out and say it," Steph looked at Jon with a seriousness he had only ever seen once and it was when Allie had been attacked. "Joe told me about your mystery woman."
Jon blanched, an ill look came over his face, "He had no right to do that," Jon choked out. He couldn't believe that Joe had betrayed him like that.
"Don't blame, Joe," Steph snapped slightly. "He told me out of concern for you and Allie. What you're doing isn't fair to either of you."
"Look, I'll tell you, what I told them," Jon answered, his voice getting a little stronger now that the initial shock had worn off. "I'm not the dating type and it isn't fair to either of us to pretend to be."
"The problem isn't the bullshit reasoning of you not being the dating type. The problem is that you can't handle the fact that she is everything you've ever wanted and thought you'd never find. It terrifies you," Steph lashed out, but attempted to keep her voice low. "You can hide behind your false pretenses and delusions about what kind of guy you pretend to be, but the fact is you're scared that she just might be the one you've been waiting your whole life for. That she might be the glue that could put the broken pieces of your heart back together, while she could also be the only person on this earth that could destroy it forever. You are so terrified of loving her, that all the bad things that could happen are stopping you from experiencing all the good. She isn't part of your past, but she's being punished for it, because while you're denying what you've been afraid of finding your whole life, you're also stopping her from getting what she's dreamt of finding the entirety of hers. Jon, stop fighting it and be the man she's been holding out for. While she may not realize it, the man she's been dreaming up and waiting for all these years, is you. She's still waiting for you Jon. Don't make her wait anymore."
"I tried to talk to her Steph," Jon argued in his defense. "She wouldn't let me. She told me she didn't want to ruin our friendship and I don't either, but I at least tried."
"You didn't try hard enough," Steph fought back, clearly agitated by these two hard-headed individuals she calls friends. "You gave up. If you really cared about her you wouldn't have given up so easily."
"I do care about her!" Jon snapped, anger beginning to fill him. "I care more about her than any woman I have ever known and that includes my own mother! I owe her more than I could ever dream of paying back. No one can touch Allie in my mind and in my heart! So don't tell me I don't care about her."
"What are you saying, Jon?" Steph asked in confusion, her voice beginning to calm.
"I'm in love with her!" Jon lashed out, but Steph could see the sincerity in his eyes, as they filled with a passion she had never seen before. He spoke more calmly this time, "I'm in love with her, Steph. I've never felt like this before and it scares the hell out of me."
"You need to tell her, Jon," Steph said calmly, keeping her eyes locked on Jon's. "She's just as lost and confused as you are. It ultimately doesn't matter what Joe or Colby or I say. Only you two can fix each other. You just have to be brave enough to take the chance."
With that Steph left Jon to his thoughts, turning and making her way down the corridor, heading towards the locker room where she had left Joe. She silently prayed that Jon and Allie would be able to find their way to each other.
A/N: Uh-oh! how do you feel about Jon's admission? And... Steph knows! Reviews please! Hope you enjoyed Vegas with Allie and Jon!