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.
Claire added the last of her clothes to the pile in her suitcase and zipped it closed. She was dreading the thought of having to get up in the morning and begin the painful trip to Connecticut. She would rather do anything else on the planet as long as it didn't involve having to get on a plane. Sighing softly, Claire ran a hand thru her hair. The knot in her stomach grew worse with each passing minute. Pretty soon she wouldn't be able to hold anything down. Wouldn't it be just perfect if she walked into Stephanie's office only to heave her breakfast all over the cream-colored carpet? She'd never be able to live it down. Yet again, she began to seriously consider canceling the meeting. What's the worst that could happen? She'd already been sentenced to a few weeks with Randy. Surprisingly, it had worked out well. The only thing Stephanie could do was fire her. For a moment, she was tempted to let it happen. At least then she would know for sure what her next step would be. A heavy knock on the door brought Claire from her thoughts. She slowly crossed the room and opened the door.
"Get dressed. We're going out." Claire arched a brow and looked up at Randy, who was leaning against the door frame.
"Excuse me?"
Randy smiled slightly and entered the room. Claire closed the door and leaned against it. Her eyes moved over Randy, taking in the way his dark jeans hugged his lean hips. "It's so nice to see you again, why don't you come in?"
Randy laughed softly as he returned Claire's heated gaze, "Let's try this again. Would you like to have dinner with me?"
Claire laughed softly and shook her head slowly, "As nice as the offer is, I think I'll pass."
Randy shook his head slowly, "I want to take you out. You've been hiding in here all day."
Claire shook her head again as she perched on the edge of the bed, "I haven't been hiding. I've just haven't felt like leaving."
"Same difference." Randy moved around to the foot of the bed and sat beside her, "Talk to me."
Claire shot Randy an icy glance, "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?" Randy pasted an innocent look on his face and smile ever so sweetly at Claire.
Claire laughed and leaned her shoulder against his. Randy wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. He laced his warm fingers through hers, "Want to tell me about it?"
Claire took a deep breath and shook her head, "I don't want to go to Stamford."
Randy remained silent, letting Claire take all the time she needed to collect herself, "Just thinking about having to go makes me sick."
"It's going to be fine. Steph's just blowing a lot of hot air. She likes to do that. I think she learned it from Paul."
"How can you be so sure?" Claire mumbled.
"I've been around long enough to know when a McMahon is pulling a load of bullshit. Stephanie is just trying to send a reminder that she's still in charge. So you'll go to the meeting, impress the shit out of her and come right back." At least Randy was hoping she would decide to come back. He wouldn't let himself think about what would happen if she didn't come back from Stamford.
Claire took a deep breath and nodded, "If you're sure. . ."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Claire pulled away from Randy to look him in the eye. She wasn't expecting to see the concern etched into the lines of his face. He honestly cared that she was upset. How could she say no to him? As much as they tortured each other, having him with her in Stamford would make her feel better. On the other hand, she didn't want Randy to get any more involved in her professional life than he already was. She had to make sure she kept the line between personal and professional very clear.
"I think it would be better if you didn't. It's going to be hard enough without you breathing down my neck."
"I thought you like it when I breathe down your neck." Randy's voice was a soft purr against her ear. Leave it to Randy to turn everything she said into an innuendo. Claire swatted him on the arm and bit back a smile.
"Okay, fine. Break my heart. You can make it up to me by letting me take you out to dinner."
Claire was poised to refuse again but something in his eyes stopped her. The gentle warmth she saw reflected there made her resistance melt. How could she tell him no when he was just trying to help her not be so upset, "Where are we going?" Forcing herself to stand Claire looked down at him.
"Nowhere fancy. You don't have to get all dolled up." Randy wasn't quite ready to tell her that her preferred her without all the make up and the haze of perfume.
Claire opened her suitcase and pulled out a clean pair of slacks and a navy colored shirt. It wasn't too fancy but she wouldn't feel out of place if Randy wanted to go somewhere nice.
Glancing between the bathroom and Randy, Claire felt a moment of indecision. Somehow this seemed more personal than what had happened a few nights ago. This time she couldn't say she got caught up in the heat of the moment. This time she was making a clear decision that she wanted to be with Randy. Granted, it wasn't to the same degree, but it was still a decision to let Randy be close to her. Claire stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
Randy paced the room impatiently as he waited for Claire to emerge from the bathroom. Guilt gnawed at him. He knew the reason Claire had been called back to Stamford. Stephanie wanted to pump her for information. He knew the gossip about their relationship had made it all the way up the food chain. Stephanie wanted to hear for herself what was going on. He was curious to find out just how much Claire was willing to tell her. Claire could barely admit to herself that she felt anything for him at all. Having to admit to someone else would make it much more real than she could cope with. If only he had been able to resist Claire. Heaven knew he had tried and failed miserably. The only thing he could do now was try to make it right.
Claire's P.O.V. – A few hours later
When Randy asked me to go out to dinner with him, I wasn't sure what to expect. Imagine my surprise to find out that Randy can be one of the most laid-back, easy-going men I have ever met. We ended up at a quaint family-owned Italian restaurant. How did he know Italian is my favorite? Randy just seems to have a sixth-sense about these kinds of things. He always seems to know just a little bit more than I'm comfortable with. I don't know how he does it; I just know that it makes me a little nervous. Excusing myself to go the ladies' room, I make a beeline to the back of the restaurant. I just need a few minutes to collect myself. Being with Randy is making me feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff. It's only a matter of time before I fall head-first into something I can't stop. The part that scares me the most is not knowing that I want to stop whatever is happening between us.
Once the door closes behind me, I can finally breathe. Moving to the sink, I take in my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are full of soft pink color, my eyes are bright and clear. I can't remember a time when I've looked so much like a woman in love. Shaking my head slightly, I turn the cold water on full blast. No way in hell can I be a woman in love. I barely know Randy. Okay, yeah, granted, there seems to be some kind of heat, a chemistry between us. But that happens sometimes, right? Two people who really aren't good for each other can have amazing chemistry. Hot, wild, animal passion that leads nowhere. I wonder if that's what's happening between us.
Splashing cold water on my face, I force myself to take a deep breath. It doesn't do much to calm the rising wave of panic. I feel trapped. From the minute Stephanie sent me on this god-forsaken mission, I've felt trapped. I'm stuck in a situation that I can't control. I've had to force myself to step back and watch it all happen. Never in my life have I had to do that. I've always been the take charge kind of girl. I have a pretty good idea of who I am and what I want. I can usually find a way to make it happen. That's something Randy and I have in common. We don't take no for an answer. I'd like to think that is where the similarities end. It kills me to admit it, but Randy has become more important to me than I thought any man would. He makes me feel safe. I know that with him, I don't have to worry. He's straight-forward and honest, even when it's not in his best interest. I can't help but admire him for that. These days, it's extremely rare to find a man that keeps his word. As much as I don't want to admit it, I am starting to feel something for Randy. And it scares the shit out of me.
I turn off the water just as the bathroom door swings open. It takes all of my will power not to run out of the room as fast as I can. The last person I want to see is Natalie "Natalya" Neidhart. Since day one, she's had a reputation of being a real bitch. She's mouthy and opinionated and just an all-round pain in the ass. The few times I worked on a script for her left a bad taste in my mouth. No matter what the creative team does for her, she is never satisfied. I wipe my face with a rough paper towel and toss it into the trash. Glancing in the mirror one last time, I try to slide past Natalie to the door.
"Look who's here. Nice to see you again, Corie." Natalie plasters on one of her fake smiles and looks at me with those shrewd dark eyes.
"Claire." I correct quickly.
"What are you doing around these parts? Aren't you usually stuck kissing ass in Connecticut?"
Okay, now that is just uncalled for. It isn't a big secret that Stephanie and I are friends. But to imply that I got where am I by kissing ass is an insult, "I'm on assignment."
"Really? That's nice. So you're writing some nice little fluff piece?"
This girl is really starting to push my buttons, "Not exactly." I'm not giving her one bit of information that I don't absolutely have to.
"So is it true? You and Randy are an item?" Natalie smoothed her fingers over the pink stripe at the front of her hair.
Why don't I have the sense to just walk out the damned door? Why am I just standing here, listening to this crap? I try to force my feet toward the door but they won't move.
"You know, it's really cute that you think Randy's into you." Natalie turns back to the mirror and starts to slowly apply a thin coat of lipstick. She smiles at me thru the mirror as she slowly replaces the cap on the lipstick, "It's so nice to see someone like you get a little attention. It's good for you."
Someone like me? What the hell does that mean?
A look of fake surprise crosses Natalie's perfectly composed features, "Honey, I didn't mean it like that! It's just that you're not the type Randy usually chases. He usually don't go for chunky girls."
Did she just call me chunky? I can barely resist the urge to slap the smirk from her face. I'm having a hard enough time thinking Randy's intentions are honest without her trying to play devil's advocate. Taking a deep breath, I reach for the door. If I had any sense at all I would march out of the bathroom. I would go straight to the table and ask Randy to take me back to the hotel. But I can't; something deep inside of me breaks. I think it's the last few shreds of my self control. I've been through hell the last few weeks; I've had to battle Randy and Cody, I've been molested in a parking lot, now I've got Stephanie breathing down my neck. Having to stand here and be degraded by a pink-haired twit is more than I can stand. My hand falls away from the door and it shuts with a soft click. Turning back to Natalie, I feel a wave of calm wash over me.
"I really appreciate your concern. It's so nice to know that someone like you is looking out for someone like me." I take a step toward her. I'm not sure what to do next but I know I'm finished with being a doormat.
"What the hell does that mean?" Suddenly, all of Natalie's fake charm and concern drop. Now she's being her true self; a mean-spirited cow.
"Well, you know how it goes. A girl like me should be glad that I'm allowed to be in the same room as someone like you." I see a moment of confusion cross her face as I continue, "And I know that I should thank my lucky stars that a man like Randy would even give me the time of day. At least I'm pretty sure that's what you're thinking."
Natalie's laugh is low, "You really are crazy." She tries to push past me. She pauses with her hand on the door as she turns back to me, "No wonder Randy bet Jake he could get you into bed first."
All at once the world falls away. I hear a sharp buzzing sound ringing in my ears and the room takes on a slight red haze. I just can't believe it! Of all the horrible things that had gone thru my mind that night, this had not been on the list. Could it even be possible? Could that whole night have been a set up? I just can't believe Randy would really do something so vile, so unimaginable. How dare she try to make a bad situation even worse? She has no idea how horrible that entire experience was. I'm amazed at how easy it is to grab a fistful of hair. She's more surprised than I am, it's almost easy to back her against the wall next to the door. The sound of my hand connecting with her cheek echos in the sudden silence. Seeing the stunned look on her face is worth every bit of the beating she's probably about to give me. She may beat me senseless but at least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I got in the first lick. It's almost disappointing that she doesn't really try to fight back. She just keeps trying to push me away. Each time she pushes me, I come right back, taking satisfaction each time my blows connect with her. I hear a commotion behind me. People are starting to file into the ladies room. Natalie takes advantage of my distraction and catches me in the mouth with a fist. Stars explode behind my eyes. Finally! It's almost a relief that she finally decided to defend herself. Wrapping her hair around my fist, I slam her head against the mirror hanging behind her head. For a second I'm thankful it didn't break. I sure as hell don't need seven years back luck following me around.
Before I can introduce Natalie's head to the mirror a second time, I'm lifted from my feet. Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. I don't have to look to know who it is. Randy's warmth seeps into me, slowly stopping my struggles. I'm stunned to find Randy so calm in the midst of all the chaos. Glancing into the mirror, our eyes lock. Randy's face is a mask of calm, his features betray nothing. Randy nails Natalie with a look and inclines his head toward the door. Without a word she slinks past me, her eyes glaring daggers at me. I try to kick her as she moves past. Randy's arms tighten around me, causing my breathe to leave in a rush.
"Don't even think about it." Randy's voice is deceptively calm. Just the sound of his voice makes the tension drain out of me. Collapsing weakly against him, I feel tears stinging my eyes.
Randy's arms loosen slightly, allowing me to turn. Burying my face in his shoulder, I can't hold back. All of the tension, grief and anger bubble up from deep inside. I'm sick and tired of being stuck in this hell. I just want to go home. Much to Randy's credit, he just holds me, his warm hand stroking my back as the tears soak his shirt. He stands there, holding me, letting me cry. After a few minutes the sobbing turns into hiccups. God, I'll never be able to look him in the eyes again. I've never fallen apart like this before. At least not in front of witnesses. The thing that scares me is not knowing how Randy will react. He's made a name for himself by finding weakness and exploiting it to the fullest. It's what he's good at. Randy stands nearly motionless, waiting for me to make the first move. Taking a deep breath and gathering myself, I pull away from Randy. There's only a couple of inches between us now but it might as well be an ocean. Randy's eyes are flat, showing absolutely no emotion. I've seen that look before. It's the look that says game over. It takes every ounce of strength I have to step away from Randy. Wiping my eyes with the back of a hand, I walk out of the ladies' room. I'm not even sure if Randy is following. As soon as I walk into the dining room, I feel every pair of eyes burning into me. I force myself to keep my eyes focused straight ahead as I move through the room. The moment I step into the cool, dark night, I feel the tears start again. I can't remember a time when I have felt more alone. It hurts. More than anything else in my life ever has, this hurts.
***A/N – Does anybody else get the feeling that things are about to explode? Please review ***