"Adam, Adam wake up. I made breakfast." Claudia gently shook his shoulder as he lay on the couch.
"Mmm, you didn't have to do that." Adam groaned as he stretched out.
"You saved my life, the least I could do is flip you a few pancakes."
"Hey, don't ever brush off what happened last night, you could've been hurt." Adam said.
"Did you really think you and Randy would be able to protect me from this forever?" Claudia asked.
"That's the plan." Adam said as he stood up.
"You know that's impossible, or have you forgotten where I come from?"
"You are nothing like your father."
"Claudia." The two turned and saw Randy walked though the door. He dropped his bag and clutched Claudia in his arms. "I came as soon as Adam called me."
"I'm fine, ok? It was nothing."
"Nothing compared to what could've happened." Randy said.
"I tried telling her that." Adam said.
"Could we leave it alone for five minutes?" Claudia asked as she walked to the kitchen. "Breakfast is done and I'd appreciate it if you two wouldn't plan an 'accident' at the table.
"I forgot how good the salads were here." Claudia said. She hadn't been to her favorite outdoor bistro since Randy's trial had started.
"How are you, really?" Randy asked.
"I told you I'm fine."
"I really wish you'd take this more seriously." Randy sighed.
"For what?"
"For what, you could-you could've been killed." Randy remembered they were out in public and lowered his voice.
"But I wasn't, so please just let it go." Claudia said. Randy was about to say something when they were approached by a young man.
"I need to have a word with you."
"As you can see John, I'm having lunch with my wife, and I really don't appreciate you interrupting it." Randy said.
"Two of your goons tore my place apart last night, tell them they're not welcome back." With a more than fit body, shoulder-length dark hair and a handsome face, John Morrison was essentially perfect.
"Your bar is low-standard to begin with, how much damage could they have caused?" Randy asked through clenched teeth.
"More than you pay those little lapdogs in a month."
"That's it!" Randy pounded a fist on the table.
"Don't!" Claudia leaned over the table and pressed his hands against it.
"Just relay the message." John's eyes shifted from Randy to Claudia before he walked off.
"This place really is low-standard." Cody looked as though he smelled something unpleasant as he scanned the bar that was emptying.
"I happen to like it." Claudia argued.
"Been comin' here as long as I can remember." Ted said, finishing the last of his beer.
"Closing time." The three turned around when they heard John behind the bar.
"Keep the change..." Cody tossed a bill on the glass bar.
"And the boys just feel awful about the other night." Ted said.
"I bet they do." John tilted his head and let a fake smile spread across his face.
"Later loser." Cody said as he followed Claudia and Ted to the door. When they got outside, Claudia stopped outside the door.
"You guys go on ahead, I got somethin' to take care of with John." She said.
"No way, boss'd kill us if he found out." Cody said.
"I don't feel comfortable leavin' you alone this late..." Ted wasn't concerned about upsetting Randy, Claudia was like a baby sister to him.
"I'll catch a cab, it'll be fine. Look, would it make you feel any better if I called you when I got home?"
"As soon as you get home." Ted said.
"I promise." Claudia assured. Ted sighed and looked at Claudia before he and Cody walked to their car.
John wiped down the tables and straightened the chairs of the empty bar. It was time likes these he considered hiring some help.
"You got some nerve, disrespecting my husband like that..." John looked up and saw Claudia standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Well since we're all relaying messages..." John stared at her pouty lips before he pulled her hips to him and kissed her. Their mouths clung together as he backed her against the wall behind them. He hoisted her up and let her wrapped her legs around his hips. She let one hand free from his hair and searched for his zipper. He pulled away for a second to look in her eyes before they completely lost it.
John leaned against a barstool and smiled as he watched Claudia redress.
"You know I'd be lost without you?"
"...I'm right here." Claudia said as she put on her biker jacket. She ran her hands through her hair a couple times before she headed for the door.
"Hey." John caught by the side and pulled her into a hug.
"I'll see ya soon, ok?" She whispered.
"Bye." He slowly let go of her and held her hand till she completely pulled away. She watched him as she walked backwards to the door until she was completely out of his sight.