I Deserve It

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"Are you sure you're okay?" John Cena asked for the second time in two minutes. Stephanie definitely looked angry, yet at the same time, she appeared to be a bit shaken up. Damn Matt Hardy...

"Yes, I'm fine, John - just a little aggravated." The brunette ran a hand through her long hair as she came out from behind her desk. She knelt over to pick up the papers Matt had swept to the floor only to be surprised by Cena - who'd done the exact same thing. Their fingers touched as they reached for the same piece of paper.

Stephanie couldn't help the pleasant tingling feeling that came over her as John smiled at her. Their faces were close, and she gazed into his eyes as though her own were magnetized to them. Her eyes closed as she felt her lips being drawn to his, and Cena's lips on hers felt... so nice. She felt as though she were melting.

Suddenly, a knock at the door startled both of them, and they jumped to standing positions, an odd awkwardness coming over the General Manager as she straightened her short skirt.

"Come in!"

The door opened, and Adam stepped into the room, closely followed by Amy. Stephanie noticed a distinct look of fear on the redhead's face.

"I just heard Matt Hardy bragging to Shannon Moore that he's getting a Street Fight against me?"

The brunette nodded.

"That's right," she said. "Adam, look - I hope you don't mind me making such a match, but Matt barged in here a few minutes ago, making demands." She shook her head, her gaze going to John for a beat. "Who am I kidding? He went completely ballistic and tried to trash my office! I only made the match because I know you'll kick his ass like he deserves..."

The tall blond man's eyes glittered with almost maniacal glee.

"Oh, believe me - I will. I just wanted to confirm with you, that's all," he said.

"Adam..." The redhead frowned, as she reached for her boyfriend's arm. "I don't like this - I think it's a setup."

"Ames-"

"I don't think it is," Stephanie said, interrupting him. "I think what this is all about is some stupid macho head trip thing to Matt - he wants to one-up you, Adam." The brunette gestured to the redhead, who was now at his side. "After all, you have his former girlfriend, and he feels highly competitive toward you."

"But he was cheating on me with the human blowup doll!" Amy pointed out.

"Doesn't matter... All that does is that he thinks Adam took his leftovers - and he's bitter about that, most probably because you managed to pick up the pieces of your life so quickly - and with Adam, no less."

John Cena chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement and adoration as he gazed at her.

"Stephanie McMahon, amateur psychologist..." he quipped.

"You know," Adam said thoughtfully, one hand shoving back some of his long blond hair, "it makes perfect sense. So, you don't think it's a setup like Ames said?"

"Personally," Stephanie began, "I doubt it."

"So, I guess I'm going into this Street Fight with no holds barred," the Canadian said. "This right's not just for me and Amy - it's for Rey, too."

"I'm coming out there with you."

"What? No!" The blond man's green eyes widened as he faced his girlfriend. "No," he repeated. "That's out of the question." He knew he was asking for it by putting it that way, as the redhead was such a spunky, hard-headed person that she would never take that from anyone - including him. But to his surprise, she didn't protest.

"I just want you to be safe. Who knows what Matt would try to do to you if you were out there with me?"

The diva nodded, knowing Adam was right. If she went out to ringside during his match, she would be fair game.

"Besides," Stephanie reminded her, "you have that bikini contest against Torrie."

She wrinkled her nose in distaste and annoyance. It had been with resignation that she'd ever agreed to such a lame thing, but Torrie had issued the challenge. And, much like Adam with Matt, she was not one to back down at the chance to show the other woman up.

Cena looked pointedly at Adam, gesturing to him.

"Hey, man - you run into trouble out there, I got your back."

"Thanks, John."





Part 50

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