LIKE WE NEVER LOVED AT ALL ~CH.21~ THE FINAL CHAPTER

Joanna woke up alone on her couch the next morning. She was sore and achey, but happy. She felt as though she had done the right thing the night before, and knowing that eased her mind. She would still miss Glenn terribly, but as she said to him hours earlier, ending their relationship was the right thing to do for all parties involved.

She spent the next few hours at the police station, filling out paperwork for the restraining order against Chris. She felt slightly bad doing it, yet she wasn't really sure why. She figured it was just memories of their good times getting the best of her.

Before she knew it, it was time for her last night with WWE. Word, as usual, traveled fast and everyone seemed to know what had happened the night before. Vince McMahon left her a message stating that due to the circumstances, her service would not be required and that she was free to go home after she had time to say her goodbyes. This gave Joanna some relief, because she wasn't in the mood to work in the condition she was in.

Within the next few hours she had said goodbye to almost everyone she had worked with. She told Hunter she would catch up with him the next time she wanted to get turned on by watching a big hulking man sweat it out in the ring, and told Stephanie to keep an eye on him. She told Lita to keep in touch, and Adam to learn to use his judgement a little better when it came to what was appropriate to say. She made sure Carlito would be visiting her soon, and thanked Randy Orton for always being a "Perfct gentleman".

She made her way out of the arena around 8pm, but not before being stopped dead in her tracks. Standing only a few feet from the doors outside was Mark Callaway. Joanna laughed to herself and shook her head. She should have known she wouldn't be able to leave without telling him how right he was.

"Hello Mark." Joanna said as she approached.

Mark looked up at her. "Hey. You leavin' now?"

"Yes. Time for good ol' Joanna to hit the road."

Mark knodded. "Suppose it is."

"Listen, Mark." Joanna started. "I just wanted to let you know that when it came right down to it, when I really sat there and thought about what you said, you were right. As of last night Glenn and I have called it quits."

"Told ya." Mark smirked.

Joanna rolled her eyes and stole a hug from him. "I'll see you around ok?"

"Take care of yourself, darlin'." Mark answered.

Joanna knodded and walked out of the arena. She made her way out to her car, tossing her things in. She was just about to get in when she noticed the small field with the familiar paint chipped benches she had visited her first night on the job. She also noticed Glenn, who was sitting on one of the benches staring out into the darkness. Deciding that leaving could wait a minute or two, she closed her car door and made her way over to the field.

"This is one of my favorite arenas to visit." Joanna said as she stood behind him, mimmicking the first sentence he had ever said to her.

Glenn turned and smiled. He was already in his wrestling gear, mismatched eye and all. Joanna smiled back at him and walked to the bench, sitting next to him. The two stared into the field together in silence for a long time.

"Leavin'?" Glenn asked suddenly.

Joanna knodded. "Yep, all set to go."

"Going to miss ya." Glenn replied.

"I know. Me too." Joanna answered. "How's things with the wife and baby going? Did you talk to her last night?"

"Yes. Everything seems like it's going ok for now. Get that restraining order squared away?"

"Yeah." Joanna answered. "Good to know I have some sort of safety going for me."

More silence made it's way between them. Finally Joanna stood up. "I better get going."

Glenn looked up at her and knodded. Standing, he pulled her in for a hug. Both he and Joanna felt sadness in their hearts as they realized this would be the last time they would see each other in a long while, maybe even forever.

"Don't be a stranger now. I expect to hear somethin' about you every now and then." Glenn said.

"You will. Lita's got a big mouth, remember?" Joanna answered, laughing.

Glenn laughed with her as he pulled away. He stood staring at her for a moment and sighed. "Love you...take care."

Joanna knodded. "Love you too." She answered, wiping a small tear from the corner of her eye. "Goodbye Glenn."

Joanna turned and walked towards her car slowly as Glenn made his way back inside the arena. Getting in the vehicle, she turned it on and sat in the parking lot for a while, watching the building where all her friends were already getting on with their lives and doing what they did best...entertaining the fans. She looked in the rearview mirror at her reflection and smiled.

"You've done good kid." She said to herself as she backed the car out of it's space and pulled out of the parking lot, trecking into the darkness of the chilly Minnesota night.

THE END