Part 2

Maria spent the next day locked in her hotel room with a carton of ice cream. She hadn’t even bothered showering, preferring to sulk in the unmade bed in an old pair of brown sweat pants and one of Dolph’s shirts that he hadn’t bothered reclaiming.

So she was rather upset when she heard knocking on the door; scowling and hurled the TV remote at it. She wasn’t too bothered when it came apart, the batteries had been dead anyway. “Go AWAY, Melina!”

The knocking persisted.

Now she was angry. Letting out a string of curses that would have made a sailor blush and the people who knew her give her odd looks, she clambered out of the bed and stomped to the door; pillow in hand. “I said, leave me the hell alone!” She shrieked as she opened it, beginning to bash the pillow.

“Maria!”

The pillow dropped from her hands, shock on her face make-up free face. “John?!”

He held his hands up in a surrendering gesture. “What the hell was that for?”

“I thought you were…” She trailed off, reaching up to tug on the sloppy ponytail she had tossed her hair in, frowning. “Why are you here?”

“I seen what happened with Ziggler.” He said quietly, lowering his hands down and stuck them in the front pockets of his blue jeans. “I wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m fantastic, John.”

“You don’t look fantastic.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Maria, don’t, you know I don’t mean it like that. You look like shit.” He said bluntly, gently backing her into the room. “And you’re wearing…”

“I’m out of clean clothes.” She said defensively, folding her arms over the front of the shirt. “Look, I really just want to be left alone, John.”

He arched an eyebrow, his gaze moving from her to the room; finally landing on the half eaten carton of ice cream. “Sulking isn’t healthy.”

“Hello! My boyfriend broke up with me on TV last night! I think I’m entitled to a bit of sulking!”

“I come all this way-“

“I didn’t ask you too!”

“Just to see you, and first you beat me half to death with a pillow-“

“You’ll live.”

“And then scream at me-“

“You’re going to die.”

“And now threaten me?” His blue eyes were crinkled at the corners even though his lips were turned down, hiding his amusement.

Maria seen that, her hands curving into claws at her sides, not amused in the least.

John wasn’t prepared for her shriek of rage, or when she leapt at him. Surprised, he caught her waist and turned his head, avoiding a smack as they went falling backwards. Thank God for the bed, he thought, beginning to laugh when she started slapping his face and chest. “Go ahead, vent on me.”

Maria vented all right. She began cursing all over again, raining words and blows down on him; tears beginning to stream down her face. Every kiss, hug, tender moment, their nights together had meant NOTHING to Dolph. She had meant NOTHING.

John wrapped his arms around Maria when she finally slumped on him, letting her now cry on his sorely abused chest; running his fingers up and down her back and neck soothingly. He could feel her body move with each heart wrenching sob, his own heart breaking for her.

When it seemed she had no more tears to cry, Maria let out a long; shuddering sigh and turned her head so she could breathe. Somewhat, her nose was clogged so she breathed through her mouth; dimly aware the front of his shirt was soaked in tears and possibly snot.

“Here…” John reached onto the night stand and passed her a tissue, slowly helping her to sit up. He took in her red and splotchy face; how puffy her eyes were and yes, the hint of slime beneath her nose.

Maria was more than aware he was staring at her, knowing she looked like Hell but honestly, she didn’t care. Why should she? Obviously she was an undesirable person, look at what had happened. Dolph had broken up with her only to take up with the first blond who had more tits than brains.

“He’s a moron.” John said quietly as if somehow reading her mind. “And he’s going to realize what he let get away was worth more than that gold belt.”

“No, no I’m-“ Maria’s eyes widened when his finger pressed against her lips; her eyes crossing in order to stare down at the digit.

***

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better actually.”

Melina studied Maria critically, wondering if she was on drugs or something. She looked… insanely happy. She was dressed, hair and make-up done and no hint of ice cream. “Are you… tripping?” She asked finally.

“Nope, just in a good mood.” Maria chirped, browsing the selection of muffins before opting for a mixed berry, adding that to her bag. She caught Melina staring at her and shook her head, trying not to smile.

How did she explain that John was the reason she was so damn happy?

That he had gone completely out of his way just to come see her and make sure she was alright? That he had spent all day and night with her, listening to her alternate between crying and cursing until there was nothing left to cry or curse about.

Then he had cheered her up.

“Okay, what the HELL has you in such a good mood?” Melina demanded. “I mean, I’m glad you’re in a good mood and all but only two days ago you were…”

“A mess.”

“Yeah, that. So what gives?”

“Oh, nothing.”

***

“You flew there just to make sure she was alright and DIDN’T bother telling her you’ve been crushing on her for a year now?”

John almost groaned, the look Mickie was giving him wasn’t helping any. “Yes?”

“John Cena you are the DUMBEST man I have EVER known! And I’ve known a lot of dumb men in my time!” Mickie threw her hands up exasperatedly. “Why didn’t you just TELL her?”

“Because she was moping about Mr. Ziggles and I don’t want to be a rebound?” John said with a hint of acid. “Look, even… even if she wasn’t just out of a relationship, I don’t think I’m in her league.”

Mickie arched an eyebrow.

John missed it, now staring at the toe of his sneaker.

***

“He thinks what?”

“That he’s not in your ‘league’.” Mickie was probably breaking some unwritten friendship law with this phone call but after a week of watching John mooning around, she had HAD it. “I know you’re still getting over-“

“Oh no, Mr. Ziggles isn’t worth anymore of my tears.” Maria giggled. “I’m over him. The jackass wound up with syrup all over his head and had to shave his hair off.”

“Huh?!”

“Melina and JoMo.”

“Who the hell is JoMo?”

“John Morrison, it’s something Melina and I seen online.”

“Alrighty then…” Mickie cleared her throat. “Anyways, I know you’ve always had a thing for John, and…”

“And now he has a thing for me?” Maria sounded almost amused.

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Mickie stared at her cell phone when she got the dial tone, frowning. “Well that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

***

He was going to go crazy at this rate. She was single again. Granted, they were on opposite shows but that didn’t matter, if she’d give him a chance, he’d make sure they worked. Sighing, John stood up; his muscles flexing as he reached for his shirt. He was tired, he hadn’t done so good out in the ring tonight. He was fairly certain he had botched a very easy move.

Maria was going to be the figurative death of him and she wasn’t even here!

“Hey honey, what happened out there?”

Or maybe not.

Masking his surprise, John just shrugged, turning to face the wall as he pulled the shirt on. “Bad night.”

Maria pushed away from the doorframe, stepping into the room. “John, can we talk?” She asked quietly, having a moment of déjà vous as a memory of doing something similar to this presented itself. Only things were a bit different, for example, she knew if she didn’t say something then John probably wouldn’t.

They both had shyness issues or something.

“Sure.” He turned around, hesitating at the determined expression on her face. “Maria?”

She hesitated, the bravery beginning to flee.

“Maria?”

“Oh this is just stupid!”

Blue eyes widened when she actually stamped her foot, watching as her face set with an almost determined expression. Before John could say anything, he felt her small hands grabbing the back of his head; pulling him down to her.

How long the kiss lasted, he didn’t know. He had snapped out of his shock and wrapped an arm around her waist; drawing her against his body, the other hand burying itself in her hair as he returned the kiss; deepening it.

When they finally parted for air, Maria’s swollen lips were curved into a smile. She stared at him, trying not to giggle. He was wearing a dreamy expression reminiscent to the one she had sported for that segment all those months ago.

“You are not out of my league, John Cena.” She told him sternly. “And if you think you can just be totally sweet and awesome to me and then NOT ask me out, you’re insane.”

He blinked, coming out of the daze.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Are you going to ask me out or not?”

He smiled, chuckling quietly. “Maria, would you like to go out with me?”

Maria appeared to consider it, rolling her eyes upward before kissing him again.

Mickie had been passing by and halted long enough to see the two all wrapped up with each other. About time, she thought as she pulled the door quietly shut, giving them some privacy.

THE END

I was listening to Jordin Spark's "Next To You" when I worked on both parts of this, hence the title and the 'out of your league' reference!