DISCLAIMER: As much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I do not own anyone or anything connected to Vince McMahon and his awesomeness. I can only claim property rights of OC.
When Claire finally woke up it was early evening. She wasn't sure what was worse, the nausea or the pounding in her head. Her eyes opened then closed. The waning sunlight filtering into the room made the pounding worse. Claire stretched slightly, taking in her surroundings. How had she gotten here? Everything after the second club was a hazy fog. At least she had made it home in one piece.
Claire slowly sat up, feeling the waves of nausea worsen at the movement. Her mouth felt full of cotton. Her throat was so dry it hurt. Water. She needed water. Looking around the room, Claire realized the bathroom seemed a million miles away. Putting her feet on the floor, Claire reached for the nightstand to steady herself. She shuffled across the floor and into the bathroom. She groaned as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her makeup was smeared in dark lines down her cheeks. Her hair looked like a bird's nest. Her clothes were rumpled, clinging damply to her skin.
The desire for a shower overwhelmed her. She undressed, dropping her clothes into a pile. She turned the water on as hot as she could stand it then stepped carefully into the shower. She had no idea how she was going to get thru the evening. She knew Cody was expecting her to go with him to the venue. He was going to be worried if she didn't. But the idea of being around all that noise and motion made the nausea come back stronger than before.
After drying off with a thick towel, Claire dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. She sat on the edge of her bed to brush her hair. Somehow the repetitive motion of the brush moving thru her hair made her feel a little better. She'd always loved having her hair touched. Claire glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Cody would be coming in a few minutes to get her. Just as the thought completely crossed her mind, there was a knock on the door. Wincing at the noise, Claire picked up her cell and room key. She opened the door to find Legacy standing there. What a surprise. Since when did she get the honor of a three-man escort?
Cody started to say something to Claire when she opened the door but the sight of her stopped him. She looked terrible. Her skin was unnaturally pale. Dark shadows marred the delicate skin under her eyes. "Are you all right?"
Claire nodded slightly as she stepped into the hall. "Yeah, just tired." She didn't want to tell Cody she was hungover. She didn't think he needed to know that she still didn't remember how she'd gotten back to her room.
"You sure? It's okay if you don't want to go." Cody's worried gaze swept over her again.
"I'm good. It's just jet lag." Claire forced a smile, looking at each man in turn.
Cody seemed relieved, Ted seemed to accept her answer. Randy, however, didn't look convinced. Good thing she was still too hung over to care. Claire moved slowly toward the elevator, each step harder to take than the last. The trip to the venue took longer than Claire wanted. The stop-and-go motion of the car made her see stars. She stepped from the car, praying she wasn't going to heave all over the sidewalk. Cody watched Claire as her skin turned even whiter.
Concerned, he wrapped an arm around her. "Let me take you back."
Claire shook her head and took a deep breath. "No. I'm good. I just need something to eat and some coffee."
Cody turned her to face him, "Please? You're practically out on your feet."
Claire laughed on the inside. If only you knew.
Randy looked at Cody standing with his arm around Claire and bit down the urge to take that arm and shove it directly up his ass. The sight of Cody touching Claire pissed him off. Royally.
"If you two are finished making out, move your asses."
Randy gave Cody a hard look as he walked into the building. He couldn't stand out there, watching Cody drool over Claire like a juicy steak. The sooner he got away from Claire, the better off he'd be. Claire opened her mouth to tell Randy to shove it but the door closed behind him. Cody's eyes flashed with anger as he watched Randy leave. What was his problem? Since when was showing concern for a friend "making out"? Not that he would mind making out with Claire. Not at all. In fact, it sounded like a mighty fine idea. But not when she was so obviously exhausted.
Cody pulled Claire to his side for a hug, then reluctantly stepped away from her. "I'll take you to catering."
Claire followed Cody down the long hall to where catering had set up. So much for food making her feel better. The mingled scents made her want to hurl. Cody steered her toward a table and pulled out a chair. "Want me to get you something?"
Claire could only nod. She didn't trust herself to speak. Claire rested her forehead on her hand and tried to breathe deeply. She prayed the sickness would pass quickly. Cody returned a minute later with a tray. Claire opened her eyes and wished she hadn't. The sight of their dinner turned her stomach. I must have gotten really fucking drunk Claire thought as Cody sat a steaming cup of coffee in front of her.
"Mind if I join you?" Claire glanced up at the sound of the voice as John Morrison took a seat next to Cody.
Claire leaned back in her chair and glanced over at John. He was dressed in a white button-down shirt that really set off his tan. Even hungover, Claire had to admire all that tanned skin so well displayed.
"You ready for the rematch with Evan?" John took a big bite of his sandwich.
Cody nodded. He suddenly wished he wasn't on the card tonight. He'd rather be back at the hotel, making sure nobody disturbed Claire. He was worried, she looked like she was ready to collapse.
"What about you? Are you ready to see the awesomeness that is me?" John flashed a charming smile at Claire. She couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up. Morrison thought highly of himself.
"She's not feeling good. She needs to go back to the hotel but she's being stubborn." Cody gave John a hard look as he reached over and pressed a hand to her forehead.
"No fever. Maybe it's just my hotness getting to her."
Cody wanted to reach across the table and knock the smirk off his friend's face. If Claire wasn't well, it sure as hell had nothing to do with ANY man making her hot.
Claire took a long sip of her coffee to cover a smile. "I keep telling him, it's jet lag. I'll be fine."
John wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Good thing my match is one of the first ones."
"Why is that?" Cody asked.
"I'll be available to take care of our little Claire."
Cody snorted in laughter. If anybody was going to be taking care of Claire, it sure as hell wasn't going to be him. Morrison was a lady's man. He could charm the panties off of a nun.
Cody started to tell him as much but Claire spoke first, "I appreciate the offer but Cody's taking good care of me."
HA! Take that! Cody though smugly, chest swelling in pride at her compliment.
"Are you sure you don't need the Doctor of Love to make you all better?"
Claire leaned forward in her chair and smiled at Morrison. "Positive."
John placed a hand over his heart as his eyes widened in mock surprise. "Your loss, angel." With that, John gathered the remains of his lunch and left.
Cody was glad to see him go. The man was too full of himself. Clearly Morrison was not the kind of man Claire needed. Claire needed a man that was caring, loving, loyal. She needed one that would worship her the way she deserved. I'm the kind of man Claire needs Cody thought. Claire finished her coffee and starting picking at her sandwich. Cody watched as Claire carefully pulled all the bread apart. "Please try to eat."
Claire paused mid-pull and glanced over at Cody. She saw the worry etched into the lines of his face. He was truly concerned. Claire sighed and popped the piece of bread into her mouth. It tasted terrible, like thousand year old sawdust. Claire wondered if it were possible to drink so much that you killed your taste buds. Cody watched as Claire pulled a few more bites from her sandwich and slowly chewed. He wanted to prompt her to eat more. She'd only eaten about 1/3 of her sandwich, he knew that wasn't enough to keep a bird alive. Cody handed her the Granny Smith apple from the tray,
"For later."
Claire reached for the apple, her fingers gently brushing over Cody's. Cody shivered as Claire's fingers slid against his. Her touch was so soft. He could easily get used to the feel of her skin on his. Much too easily. With great effort, Cody pushed himself away from the table. He needed to get back to the dressing room. He didn't want to leave Claire alone. He wished he had someone he trusted to leave Claire with. Claire followed Cody down the hall to the main staging area.
"Are you going to be okay?" Cody asked again. "I can try to find someone to . . . "
Claire put her hand on his arm and squeezed gently, "I'll be fine. I promise."
Cody looked down at his arm, taking in Claire's fingers wrapped gently around his bicep. For a moment the world fell away and it was just them. He wanted to pull Claire close, claim her lips in their first kiss. He wanted to claim her as his own in front of God and everybody. Without realizing it, Cody leaned down to Claire. His breath caught in his chest as she looked up with those incredible blue eyes. Nervously, he licked his lips. His eyes closed slightly as he moved closer to her. THIS IS IT! Cody's heart thudded in anticipation as his head lowered to her. Just another inch.
"RHODES!! Move your ass!" Out of the depths of hell Cody heard Randy's voice. He sounded like he was a million miles away. It took every ounce of strength he had to look away from Claire. Randy stood a few feet away, glaring at him. Fuck you! Cody wanted to scream. Randy had some fucking nerve to stand there, staring at him as if he were about to set Claire on fire. It was none of his business if he and Claire were growing closer.
Claire flinched at the sound of Randy's voice yelling down the hall. Unknowingly, her nails dug into Cody's arm. The pounding in her skull increased. The sharp sting of Claire's nails digging into his arm brought Cody's attention back to her. Cody wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed. She's scared. Cody felt a surge of protectiveness. Randy was scaring her!! Rage filled him.
Cody turned back to Claire, "I'll handle this." Cody gently pulled Claire's grip away from his arm. He dropped a quick kiss on the back of her hand before moving away from her. With a purpose in his stride, Cody moved down the hall.
*** A/N – Please read and review. Where do you think the story will go from here? ***
