a/n this one's a bit longer than what I usually write... But you should all be very thankful for that =] XODaniiOX, Julzi, Neurotic-Idealist, Sonib89, AspiringMythbuster, Just A Bit Natty, RatedrKjErIcHo, Can't Get Any Better and CBLovness are all AMAZING for reviewing =] I love getting nine reviews =] I'd really, really appreciate it if I could get that many again =]

-Saturday, February 28-

I was sort of surprised when Michael actually showed up on my doorstep, I thought he'd make up an excuse, or he'd just plain forget.

"You look very smart." I commented with a sincere smile, looking him up and down. He had taken to wearing a dress shirt and tie with his jeans lately, taking after his on screen character.

"It's okay? For where we're going?" he asked and I nodded, directing him inside.

"I'm not quite ready yet," I said as I motioned to my sweatpants and then back up at my still wet hair, "You can follow me around the house, or regards le télévision, it's up to you."

"Is anyone else here?" he asked and I shook my head.

"Randy stayed with John, they're actually really good friends, did you know that? Ted's gone to get milk and Cody took Gwen for a walk around the area. She's from Boston and Georgia and has never been to LA before." Michael nodded as he trailed behind me when I walked up the stairs, "Following me, then?"

"Yeah, if that's okay. There's nothing on the TV." I shrugged and walked straight over to my desk, shutting my laptop and taking it into my room. I placed it in my Louis Vuitton travel bag, making Michael raise his eyebrow. "I got it for Christmas, leave me alone."

"Ted get it for you?" he asked as he leant against the door frame.

"He's the only one who can afford to buy me Louis Vuitton."

"I thought your parents have it pretty good." Michael said as I zipped up the bag and put it beside his feet at the door.

"Not good enough to buy me stuff like this. I buy it for them." I shrugged and flipped through the clean folded clothes on my bed, searching for a pair of jeans and a nice top. Then a though struck me, I rushed to my cupboard and pulled open a draw, taking out a small, nicely wrapped present. "This is for you!" I said with a smile as I handed it to the man in my door, "Merry Christmas." I kissed his cheek out of habit and went back to finding something to wear.

"What's this?" he asked sceptically and turned it over in his hands.

"Open it and find out." I smiled encouragingly, "It's a Christmas present. I know that I was over two months ago... But I guess I forgot about it until now."

"I don't want it." He stepped over to me and put it next to the clothes I was sorting through, "You weren't here, I don't want it." He resumed his place against the door and I looked at him like he was a Martian.

"Why don't you want it? It's a present. For your birthday if you don't want it to be for Christmas." I pushed it back at him, daring him to take it. He looked at it and stepped back. "Don't be a pain in the ass, just take it." I somewhat yelled at him and watched him look at it, "Please, take it. Just... please." I begged him and he finally took it out of my hands,

"Why?" he asked as he fiddled with the corner.

"Unfortunately that's the best apology I can give you right now." I said quietly. He looked at me with wide eyes, wondering if I was telling the truth. I nodded desperately, even if I didn't necessarily want him to open the present.

"It's a watch, Claire." He said in exasperation, "Why can't you just tell me? Get it over and done with?"

"It's not that easy! If it was, then I would have told you already." I disappeared into my en suite to get changed.

It was hard to keep it a secret. But not hard enough that I would come out and tell Michael.

Michael was sitting on my bed, setting his new watch, when I re-entered my bedroom. "It's nice." He said quietly. I nodded quietly as I sat down beside him. "What are we doing today? You never told me." He turned his body to look at me. He had that look on his face, I don't even know if I can explain. He's slightly confused, but he's trying to hide it. That doesn't even do it justice. I just love it.

"I can't tell you. That is a surprise, but we should get going. Like, now." I smiled as I pulled him to his feet. "Did you bring your titles?"

I put the car in park and turned to see Michael looking very much confused, not trying to hide it this time.

"Uh, Claire, this is a hospital..." I nodded as I got out of the car and walked to the front doors, holding my scar to my body as the wind blew. "Claire, why are we at the hospital?"

"We're visiting someone."

"Is Benji in here? Claire? Your mum or dad?"

"No, she's a fan."

"Is this for Make A Wish?" he asked, the worry less evident in his voice.

"No, she's a friend of mine." I told him as I walked to the lady at reception, she knew who I was and greeted me kindly.

"Are you here visiting Miranda?" I nodded with a smile,

"Is she up to a couple of visitors?" I asked hopefully.

"I'm sure she'd be up to see you any day of the week. Same room as last time." I ushered Michael in the direction I knew all too well. He was still confused, but all would be explained.

"Just stay out here for a minute." I walked into the room and saw Miranda sitting up in the hospital looking at her laptop screen. "Delivery for Miranda Herly." The smile that lit up her face was enough to make anyone forget that she was sitting in a hospital bed, looking like she had been visited by death himself.

"Claire!" she yelled excitedly as she pushed her laptop to the side and swung her legs over the bed, "What are you doing here?" despite the energetic way in which she got out of the bed, she moved slowly to me, so I met her halfway.

"I promised you that I'd come and visit whenever I had the chance and I have the chance." I smiled at her, "How do you feel about anyone else seeing you in what you're wearing?" she looked at her pink, flannelette, poodle pyjamas and turned bright red. "We'll get you changed... I have someone I'd love you to meet."

We hurriedly got her dressed and pulled her messy hair into a ponytail before I sat her back in the bed and went back for Michael. "Be nice and try not to freak her out to much."

"Claire, what are you doing? She doesn't want to see me." He said as he planted his feet to the ground.

"Oh, no, believe me. She wants to see you plenty. In." I pushed him with all my might and finally got him through the door, "Da, meet The Miz."

Miranda froze instantly and stared up at the man in front of her, who uttered a small 'surprise?'. He felt awkward, but he only had to wait seconds for Miranda's real reaction to come forward. He dropped his expensive titles to the ground and froze when he saw the tears in her eyes. "She's just happy, Michael." I said despairingly as I picked up the three titles he had brought, my arms almost buckling under the weight. "Please, say hi or something. Speak to her." I gave him a nudge in her direction and smiled slightly as he sat awkwardly at the edge of her bed, willing her to stop crying.

She pulled him into a hug and he seemed relieved. She just wanted to meet The Miz.

Miranda was thirty five years old, the mother of two gorgeous kids, the wife of a man who worked at Walmart and a breast cancer patient. She had been diagnosed a year before I took Michael to meet her and at that time the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

I handed the title belts to Michael and watched as he interacted with his fan. I had met Miranda during my time out and she had been quick to inform me that The Miz was her favourite wrestler, after Ric Flair – whom I would have a very hard time bringing to her. I had promised her that she would meet The Miz.

"I'm sorry he's a bit later than I told you. We had a bit of a rough patch." I said as I sat on the other side of the bed, holding her right hand as she ran her left one over the United States Championship. She just smiled at me widely and turned back to Michael, starting a conversation about the Real World.

We stayed at her side for hours, just talking. Michael and I even put on an impromptu wrestling match for her. He had quickly relaxed and engaged with her just like he would any other human.

On my way out, I had made June at reception promise to tell me if anything were to happen to Miranda. She had been hesitant at first, claiming that only family would be alerted, but she soon relented.

As we walked out – me carrying the US title and my own Divas title – Mike put his arm around my shoulder.

"Thank you." I said quietly, "thank you so much." I had cried when we were leaving and I knew that the tears wouldn't stop for awhile.

"Anytime, Claire. Whenever." He squeezed my shoulder, "I'll drive."