It was the normal hustle and bustle backstage during a live WWE show. After a production meeting, John learned he and Jinx were going to be paired with Ron, teasing an impending feud with Legacy's Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. For John it wouldn't be a stretch to feign anger and hostility towards the junior DiBiase but that's how the wrestling world was. It was all about the angle and keeping the storyline fresh. That meant many unexpected changes that the Superstars had no choice but to adapt to.

"Yo, John, you got your mind right, brother?" Ron asked, walking up putting his hand on his friend's shoulder.

John turned around and smiled.

"What's up, man?"

"Nothing much," they slapped hands. "Just making sure you're cool and everything. We gotta be in the ring with you know who tonight. Just want to make sure you can get through the promo without ripping somebody to shreds."

"DiBiase is a piece of shit but I'm over that. I'm cool, trust me."

"Is Mal gonna be cool?"

"Yeah. She's not worried about that dude. I just talked to her a few minutes ago."

"Y'all alright again? Looks like everything is getting back to normal around here."

"We're good. We talked things out and we're friends again. It's pretty cool."

"You sure you can handle that?"

"What do you mean, Ron?"

"Look, man, I know how much you like her. The friends thing has got to be rough on you."

"It is but what can you do? Mal and I like each other a lot but I know she's not comfortable with a relationship right now. It blows but I deal with it. Besides, she's an awesome person and an awesome friend. I'd rather have her in my life as a friend than not at all."

"Man, that's a good attitude and all but sometimes you just have to go after what you want. You know this life don't just hand nobody nothing. You want something, you got to go get it and we both know you want Mallori."

"She knows it too but she's not having it, bro."

"Because you ain't doing it right. Where's your A game, man? Come on, you supposed to be the Shaman of Sexy, the Guru of Greatness, the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Night Delight."

"Get out of here, man," John laughed.

"I'm serious. In this situation you can either get punked out and be a chump or go for what you want and get it."

"And how do you propose I do that, genius?"

"Look, I can't think of everything but I know you got to blow her mind. Anyway, we're on in a few minutes. I'll meet y'all up front."

John nodded, smile on his face as his friend left. Ron was only trying to help but he didn't understand. John had made his feelings known and had tried everything to get Mallori to give them a try but she wasn't budging. He was beginning to think she never would. Leaning against the wall, he smoothed back his long hair. Music played over a loud speaker. Usually it was rock or rap but John suddenly heard the familiar tune of a song from his adolescence. The lyrics seemed to be speaking directly to him. And all the roads we have to walk are winding, And all the lights that lead us there are blinding. There are many things that I would like to say to you but I don't know how. Because maybe you're gonna be the one that saves me.

It hit John like a ton of bricks. A grin spread across his face. Who knew he'd find such inspiration in Ron's ramblings? That along with the music. But that was the good thing about a song. Its words had the power to touch people, to change lives. And John had a feeling his was about to.

"Cody!"

Cody Runnels turned around.

"John, what's up, dude?"

"I need a favor."

"You got it."

"I got something planned a little different for the promo tonight. I just need you to go with it. Stall, keep Ted at bay."

Cody frowned.

"Okay but what's this about? What's going on?"

"I can't tell you now but you'll know later. Just trust me, man. I'll talk to you after I'm done, that is if I'm not fired."

"Okay, this sounds…interesting. I'll do my best, man."

"Appreciate it," John bumped his first as he hurried to the ring entrance where Ron and Mallori were waiting.

All were in street clothes as their camera time would be limited to just talking in the ring. Mallori looked great in a long sleeved fitted black shirt, heels and jeans with the Women's title draped over her slender shoulder.

"I was wondering where you ran off to," she smiled. "You ready?"

"Yeah," he said as he let her walk ahead.

"Everything alright?" Ron asked.

"Everything's fine but promise me, man, not matter what happens out there, you'll just go with it," he whispered.

"Come again?"

John flashed him a grin.

"Can't fault me for taking your lead."

Before he could explain, the music began. First John and Mallori walked out to the crowd's delight. They engaged the fans as they walked down the ramp and John climbed up on the apron. He put his foot on the bottom rope and pulled up on the second rope so Mallori could enter. She shot him a surprised smile but nevertheless stayed in character as Ron rapped his way towards them.

"Las Vegas!" he yelled. "What's up?"

The WWE Universe responded appropriately and John took the mic.

"Guys, me and my boy, Truth, here and my girl, Jinx, we came out tonight to settle a score, so to speak. You see, and WWE Universe, I don't know if you've heard but these two punks who have the audacity to call themselves Legacy have been running their mouths…"

The fans booed loudly.

"…Yeah, our sentiments exactly. Tonight, we have something to say to those two jackasses but before we do, I have something to say to Jinx."

Mallori's eyes grew widened. That definitely was not part of the script.

"John!" she whispered tersely, narrowing her eyes.

"Sorry for the interruption everybody, and Truth, man, if you can, just bear with me for a minute because this is pretty important. You know every night you fans see us come out and entertain you. In this business there are heels and faces and storylines and angles but through it all, we know that you're not stupid. I mean, you guys know what's up. So with that said, before we get down to business with Rhodes and DiBiase, I have to ask Jinx or as we know her outside the ring, Mallori, a question."

Mallori looked over at Ron who just grinned at her and back to John. She was mortified.

"What in the world are you doing?" she asked under her breath.

"Mallori?"

She gave a nervous smile before taking a microphone from a production assistant.

"Yes, John?" she croaked.

"You know how much I like you and how I've been dying to go out with you. I've asked it seems like a million and one times already. A million and one times you've said no. So I was wondering what a guy like me has to do to get a girl like you?"

Mallori cleared her throat.

"John, Legacy obviously has a problem, They've been talking a lot of trash and it's time you and R Truth solved it."

John shook his head.

"We'll worry about Cody and Ted in a minute. For now, I just want an answer to my question."

"John, this is live TV," she reminded him, covering the mic. "These people came here to see wrestling matches not whatever ridiculous stunt you're trying to pull. God, you're gonna get us all fired."

"I don't care about that right now. All I care about is you and your answer. I am not moving from this spot, the show is not going to continue until you tell me that you're gonna give us a chance."

"John, please," she begged. "This is not funny. You've got to stop it."

She placed her mic down, tears in her eyes. John moved his away from his mouth and spoke directly to her.

"We both messed up. When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong. You mean so much to me, Mal that I am letting the world know how I feel about you. I'm risking my job, hell, my career to tell you this and right now I don't even give a damn. I don't care about your past or all those other guys. All I care about is you and us and how we feel about each other. I know you're scared. Hell, I'm scared too but I'm even more scared of walking out of this ring knowing that we never gave it a real shot."

"I don't want to get hurt again, John. I don't want to be your rebound or your second choice."

"You're not just a rebound. I made my choice a long time ago and I chose you. Look, I know that I hurt you and I'm sorry for that but I promise to never do that again. I just want to be with you, Mal. I want to be that guy who gets to look after you."

"You know we can't do this."

"Ten random questions."

"John…"

"Just ten, come on. Humor me, it's not like anyone can hear us anyway. Now have you ever been on a bad first date?"

She smiled, blinking back tears. He was absolutely insane but it was clear he wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Yes. You?"

"More times than I can count. Do you believe that true love really exists?"

"I'd like to think so."

"Me too. Have you ever sent someone a dirty text?"

"No, weirdo," she laughed out loud. "Have you?"

"No but there's a first time for everything. Check your phone later, by the way. Now have you ever kissed on a first date?"

"Yes."

"Ditto. If you played Spin The Bottle and it landed on a nerd, would you kiss him?"

"Sure. Would you?"

"If the nerd were a she, why not? Now what would be your ideal Valentine's Day gift?"

"I don't know. Chocolates and roses, peach though. I don't like red roses. They're so cliché."

"So noted. Mine would be sex, a romantic dinner, more sex, a nice card and then…sex."

"So noted," she giggled. "Keep going. I thought you never ran out of lame things to ask?"

"Of course not. Are you obsessed with romance?"

"No."

"Me neither. Now what's the first thing you're gonna do when we get backstage?"

"Pummel you for pulling this shit. You?"

"Ask directions for the unemployment office. Are you wearing underwear right now?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? You?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he repeated. "Have you ever had the most mind blowing sex of your life in the gym of one of the swankiest hotels in Philadelphia?"

"As a matter of fact, I may recall one night when the Earth moved," she winked. "Ever happened to you?"

He shrugged.

"I saw Heaven which brings me to a final question."

"Time's up. This may sound like déjà vu but you already asked your ten. Technically I don't have to answer number 11."

"You don't but I'm just curious what your answer would be. Would you give me a chance to prove that I could be a good guy for you? Would you go out with me?"

"That's 12."

"I'll ask 12 more until you answer me."

She looked around. The fans watched with curiosity even though they could not hear what the two were saying. Ron was in earshot but he only shook his head. He had no idea what the two were talking about but it was sweet just the same.

"I don't want to lose my best friend."'

"You won't. That's the one thing I can promise. I want you, Mallori. I want to be with you."

She looked deeply in his eyes and exhaled.

"I want you, too," she replied softly.

"Is that a yes?"

She nodded.

"That's a hell yes."

John took her hand in his. He couldn't believe it. His dream was coming true and this time it was anything but a disappointment. He brought the microphone back up to his lips.

"Did you hear that Las Vegas? My luck kicked in before I even made it to the Blackjack table. She said yes."

Everyone stood to their feet and clapped, Ron leading the cheers.

"Now y'all hurry up and kiss so we can kick Legacy's ass," he commanded, turning to the fans. "Don't y'all want to see these two kiss?"

The loud screams were all the encouragement they needed. He grabbed her by her tiny waist and lifted her in the air. She rested her hands on his shoulders as first their eyes met then their lips. John savored the sweetness of her mouth.

"God, I could fall in love with you," he whispered.

Mallori's heart swelled with pure joy. After so much heartache, she had finally found happiness. She had proved to everyone, herself included, that she belonged in the WWE. And she had managed to let go of her demons, all the ghosts in her closet. The future looked bright and she had so much to look forward to. An aura of peace surrounded her. In life Aiden had always promised he would take care of her and when he died, Mallori had felt forsaken and all alone. But she knew in her heart that he had never abandoned her. He was her very own guardian angel and would always be there with her in spirit. And he had proven that once again. He had sent someone to look after her.

The End

Author's Note: I do not own WWE, FCW or any of their characters or logos, nor do I own any real life songs or movies mentioned in this story.

Thanks to everyone who read this and especially to those who reviewed. Bubblyjayy, i luv hardy, and Maddie for your consistent support and feedback; it really meant a lot. And of course to my girl Carissa whose own talent has truly inspired me. Thanks again everyone and stay tuned for more wrestling fics from me to be posted soon…