Title: Solving Problems (2?)
Rating: We'll go for a nice safe R, M in ffn parlance
Content: mentions of domestic violence, drug use, swearing, sex
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters mentioned herein, except for Laura, no offence meant.
Summary: Laura hasn't been around the wrestlers of the WWE for a while. When she returns, things have changed, schisms have formed, and all is not well. Can she sort things out?
Author's note: Ah I'm enjoying writing this. It's fun, and I don't have to take it too seriously. Concrit, as ever, is welcome though. Specific nitpicks are especially welcome, as they're easier to fix than the bigger things. And easier to transfer over to my more serious writing. I've decided that 'Taking Chances' is getting a sequel or two (definitely one, the rest depends on what happens with the rest of the draft), as I really enjoyed writing it, and the two main characters have got a lot of potential for development. Hey, you don't really care though, right? You're here for the sueage!

Laura used the next few hours to catch up with the other wrestlers she knew, and with Chris as her escort was introduced to some of the newer guys. She watched the show in Steph's company, and the two women gossiped as if they'd not spent any time apart.

"So tell me about you and Hunt. What's the deal?"

Steph sighed, it was something that she'd been arguing with her husband about, and it wasn't like she could talk to anyone else about it. Laura however, she'd always been brilliant with other people's problems. "We're trying for kids."

Laura smiled, and then realised that there was no joy in this information. "It's not going well?"

"It's been six months now. I've been tested and I'm fine… he won't."

"Doesn't think anything could possibly be wrong?"

"I keep asking… but we just get so stressed and end up arguing."

Laura shook her head, two stubborn personalities like that, she wouldn't want to witness one of their fights. "That won't really help things, you need to sit down and talk about all the possibilities."

"Easier said than done with Hunter." Steph was so tired of it all. She wanted kids more than anything, and with Shane having recently become a father she felt like everyone had expectations of her that she just couldn't live up to.

"Want me to talk to him?" Laura offered.

"Would you?" Steph was a little worried that Hunter would be angry that she'd been talking about their problems to someone else, but she also knew that if anyone could get through to him, Laura could.

"Sure. Can't promise anything, but it's worth a try."

Steph nodded pensively and stared at the monitor.

"So what else is going on around here? I sensed a bit of an atmosphere." Laura knew that the wrestling business ran on egos and gossip, but there was something not quite right about the way things were. Benoit and Michaels had alluded to something going on, and Jericho was quite concerned about something, although he'd tried hard to hide it.

"Egos. Bitchiness. The usual." Steph had grown up with wrestlers, and there was very little any of them could do that would surprise her. "The whole Matt Hardy thing split the locker room, and some guys have been misbehaving… they're nice guys, but young, and some of the older wrestlers can see these people going on a self destruct mission and they can't do anything to stop it."

Laura made a mental note to ask Chris how Matt was getting on, and to go and find Lita later on. She was close to the red head and knew that there was much more to the situation than met the eye. "So what's the answer to dealing with this?"

"You. Travel with us for a few months, as a counsellor, friend, problem solver, whatever. But please, travel with us, I'm sure you can sort things out. We'd pay all of your expenses and everything."

Laura was unsure. It had been a few years since she'd travelled with the guys, and thinking about that time brought back bad memories. It wasn't something she felt like revisiting, but she did miss the camaraderie, the jokes, the good friends she'd made. Writing could be a lonely business, and it would be good to get away, to forget about the stress of the publication of her new book. She looked up at Steph, and saw the half smile and hope. "OK. Why not?"

"Fantastic!" Steph hugged her friend joyfully. "Oh Laura, I'm so glad you're here."

"As am I." The voice from behind them made them both turn round.

"Daddy!"

"Vince, hi. Nice to see you again." Laura smiled, the man never changed. He strutted over to her and kissed her cheek.

"Laura, welcome back. It's good to see you. You're doing well by the looks of things."

She nodded shyly. Steph couldn't wait to share the good news, "Daddy, Laura's agreed to travel with us for a few months. She's published a book and she's about to release another and until then she's gonna travel with us. She's gonna sort everything out."

"Hey, you called me a problem solver not a miracle worker," Laura joked.

"Whatever, that's good news," Vince smiled, "I don't care how it's done, but I'd like to get this ship back on an even keel. There's been too much trouble recently, and it's not good for business."

"I'll do what I can," Laura was curious as to what she'd got herself into. "No promises mind."

"So do you want me to tell you about what's been going on?" Steph was keeping one eye on the TV monitor, but was more than ready to spill the beans.

Laura shook her head, "I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. You know me Steph, I don't like judging people by what others say. I know it's got me into trouble before, but…"

"Yeah, I know. And I know what you're implying but you weren't to know that he would turn out like that babe, none of us expected it." Steph had caught the waver in Laura's voice, and knew what she was referring to.

"I guess," Laura forced a brightness into her voice. "Listen, I want to go and talk to Lita. We still going for a drink later? Shall I invite all the girls?"

"Yeah, meet you after the show?"

Laura nodded and walked off, asking a few guys for directions to the women's locker room. Eventually finding the place - she'd never had the greatest sense of direction - she rapped on the door and popped her head round.

"Everyone decent?"

There was a ripple of laughter, and a Canadian voice rang out, "hey, I recognise that voice."

Laura walked in and was immediately grabbed by Trish and hugged vigorously. "Girl, damn we've missed you."

"Missed you too Trish. You're looking good."

"Don't I always?"

"As modest as ever I see." Laura was aware of the curious stares that had greeted her arrival, so turned to the other girls, "are you not gonna introduce me Trish?"

"Sorry, how rude of me." Although she was a smart girl, Trish did have her blonde moments, "Girls, this is Laura, an old friend of everyone. Laura, this is Christy, Maria, Stacy and Victoria."

"Nice to meet you all," the newcomer smiled. She didn't get a chance for conversation as her name was shouted out in a tearful voice.

"Laura?" Lita almost ran over to her. "Laura, oh god I'm so glad you're here, I've been so stupid."

She pulled the redhead into her arms and allowed her to cry into her shoulder, whispering comforting words into her hair. Once she thought that Lita was calm, she gently led her over to a bench and sat down at her side. "It's ok sweetheart."

"It's never gonna be ok, I hurt him, I've lost everything," Lita sniffled. "I'm such a fool."

"We all do stupid things love, but some people learn from them, others don't." Gently, Laura stroked Lita's hair. "You can't beat yourself up over things forever. You made a mistake, you're not the first and you won't be the last. I know it's hard but you're strong. You'll get through this."

"I know… it's just, I feel so alone… everyone looks at me like I'm a slut… I guess I am."

"And don't put yourself down. There are two sides to every story and people don't know everything. You are not a slut, and you are certainly not alone. I'm here, whenever you need me. People will get over it. They'll soon find something else to talk about. I know you're a good person, so does Trish," Laura looked over to the Canadian who nodded her affirmation, "you'll get through this. You're strong, and smart, and beautiful, and you're a survivor."

Lita forced a smile and nodded. "You always were good at pep talks, weren't you?"

"I guess. I only say what's true though." Laura figured that now would be as good a time as any to change the subject. "So, me and Steph are going out for a drink later, you girls coming?"

Trish looked round at the others and nodded, "sounds great."

Laura kissed Lita on the cheek, "you too babe, you need cheering up, and who better than all us girls to do it, right?" Laura could sense a bit of an atmosphere that suggested that all was not sweetness and light in the ladies locker room, but she thought that with a night out she could assess the situation, and cheer Lita up at the same time.

"Thanks Laura."

There was a knock on the door and another Canadian voice rang out, "you girls best get ready, there's a sexy beast coming in."

Jericho was greeted with laughter, even from Lita. He walked in, smiling. "Ladies, I need to steal Laura off you for a while. You can have her back later."

Laura was intrigued and stood up, "I'm meeting Steph in…" she checked her watch, "about an hour. We'll come and find you, ok?"

Once outside the locker room Laura looked at Chris curiously, "so, Jerky, spill it."

"Hunt heard you were back and he wanted to say hello."

"And?" She knew there must be more to it than that.

"And there are a couple of guys I want you to meet." Chris' tone was guarded, which immediately put Laura on edge. He was usually jovial and carefree.

"Don't tell me anything," she warned, "I'll work stuff out for myself."

"I know. I just want you to see how things are."

"Right."

They walked along in silence. Laura was a little worried; it seemed that everyone was expecting her to solve all of these problems, and she wasn't quite sure why. She'd always been the one that people had gone to with their problems, but that didn't mean that she could solve every issue they brought to her. Whatever was going on at the moment sounded like it was dividing the locker room.

And with as many volatile personalities as the WWE had, that would never be a good thing.