Chapter 36:

Sunshine poured in from the enormous bay windows illuminating the six foot four inch frame of the man sitting at one of the café's tables. He wore a light blue cotton button down shirt, with khaki colored dress slacks. Its matching sport coat hung neatly on the back of his chair. Brown eyes the shade of espresso were perusing the menu before him, taking no notice of the curious and awed stares he was receiving.

The man was an icon, a legend. Every man, woman and child in the vicinity could feel his presence, even if it wasn't publicly displayed. His handsome face stuck in the mind's eye; whether it displayed an expression of intensity, a flash of white teeth in a heart melting smile or his signature raised eyebrow.

He was the Rock, and for most of her youth, he had been the love of Haley's life.

Not in a romantic sense of course, but as she watched him for a moment, she couldn't help the feelings of love that filled her for him. He was more than just her trainer, her coach. He was her friend, her confidant and her family. There wasn't a hurt he hadn't soothed or defended, a glorious moment he hadn't been apart of, a storm he hadn't been an anchor for and a vent he hadn't provided for her anger.

He was the first of the great men in Haley's life, and though he wasn't the only, it always came back to him in the end. Everything she did in her life, in her career was a reflection of the man sitting a couple yards away, unaware of her presence. Even now, the inner turmoil she had been suffering from seemed to ease just by looking at him.

Striding across the restaurant in white stilettos and white and lilac patterned sundress, the smile that stretched across her face was genuine and full of child-like joy. "Dwayne." She called to him softly as she drew closer.

The half Samoan looked up from the menu in recognition of that particular voice. He was on his feet in an instant; his arms open for her to walk into. Once she did, he wrapped them around her tightly. Both sought comfort for separate hardships, but couldn't refute the pleasure at finally seeing one another again.

"Haley baby." He eased her back just enough to place a kiss on her forehead. "You're a sight for sore eyes. I'm not just saying that because of how beautiful you look, but because I've missed you."

"Believe me." She looked up at him with eyes swirling with emotion. "I know the feeling. Just looking at you makes everything a little better."

"I can agree with that." He reluctantly released her to pull the chair out for her to sit down. "You hanging in there?" He took his own seat and reached across the table for her hand. "I've been worried about you since Night of Champions."

"I'll live." She shrugged uninterestedly. "I can get my title back, I'm sure of it. I'm more worried about you and how you're holding up."

His eyes darkened to a midnight color as he thought about his impending divorce from his wife Dani. "Well, I'm spending a lot of time away from the house, which helps. But, eventually I'm going to have to go back there and really face it."

"I'm sorry Dwayne." She squeezed his hands sympathetically. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You can beat Mickie's candyass and get your championship back, mama." He reverted to his Rock-like nature.

"That's a given." She brushed it off. "I scared the crap out of her on Monday."

"A start anyway." He sipped his water. "Did you use your rematch clause?"

She nodded. "For the Great American Bash, I just have to find a new partner to watch my back out there."

"Don't you have a gigantic boyfriend running around backstage now?" He joked, waving a waiter over.

She laughed appreciatively. "Dave's gunning for a title shot at the Bash, I want that for him. He's been screwed out of that title for six months now. Besides, I fought my battles without him thus far, so I think I can manage."

"Yes but that was when you had Jericho, Triple H and Jeff Hardy in your corner. Two of those three have since been moved to SmackDown, you are on a thin line with Cena, Jericho's gone psychotic and Orton's out on injury." Dwayne pointed out after placing his order. "You need to stick with Dave right now, Haley Baby, especially with RAW so up in the air."

"You sound exactly like Hunter, you know that." She flashed a dazzling smile at the waiter and placed her own order.

"That's because we both want what's best for you." Dwayne replied to her comment once the teenage boy stumbled away to the kitchens, completely star struck.

"And I appreciate both of you for the advice, really I do." She held up her hand to silence what was sure to be a minor lecture on how she should handle her affairs. "But, Dave deserves a title shot and next Monday, he's going to campaign for one. I want him to. I made a promise to myself and to Hunter a long time ago, that I wouldn't let my career take a backseat to my boyfriend's and that goes both ways."

He sighed. "I can understand that, Haley baby and respect it."

She smiled. "Good. Now that doesn't mean I'm going to run out to face Mickie and the Burchills by myself. Mickie and Katie I can handle, Paul not so much; I'll figure something out. The problem is that Kennedy got traded to SmackDown and he was partner in my war with them."

"Then you'll need to find yourself a replacement and fast." He advised. "No half-assed mid-carders either. I want someone I know will watch out for you, not like the Highlanders or something like that."

"My first thought was to ask Cody Rhodes you know, since Mickie turned on him too, but he's turned into a quite a jerk since aligning himself with that pompous ass, Ted Dibiase Jr." She made a disgusted face. "It's one thing to be a tad arrogant, when you can back it up. These two punks need to be reminded their not as 'priceless' as they think they are."

Dwayne chuckled. "And who would you want to do that?"

"Randy." She shrugged simply. "I mean they're kind of taking after him in a way, but the difference is that Orton knows how to back up what he says and who he says it to. He'll teach them what it really means to be 'priceless'. Hell, if Hunter were still on RAW I'd like to see him nip that shit right in the bud."

He snorted. "Did you just cuss?"

She grinned. "Not used to me swearing yet?"

"Not at all." He chuckled again. "But back on our original topic, who are you going to align yourself with out there?"

"Well, for this coming Monday night," She smirked. "I'm thinking Paul Burchill needs to meet that master of the 619."

Dwayne roared with laughter. "Rey Mysterio? Oh, that's good Haley, that's real good."

"I thought so." She shot him a meaningful look. "That is of course; unless you want to take your boots down and put them back on."

He shot her a serious look of his own. "You know I can't do that, Haley."

She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "I know, but it doesn't mean a girl can't dream."

A/N: Finally, the Rock has come back...to my story in person! Up next, Haley finds an ally when she least expects it.