Title: Solving Problems (8?)
Rating: We'll go for a nice safe R, M in 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?
A/N: Thanks for the reviews once again. Coors1977, especially thanks to you, your reviews always give me food for thought, and I'm finding myself learning from this fic some interesting things about my writing. You are right, there wasn't as much tension/build up to the relationship as there should have been, pure oversight on my part. I do have many, many plans for this, there will be much sappiness but it isn't all going to be sweetness and light!

"I guess I should go talk to Chris and Hunter."

Randy looked up and saw what might have been fear cross Laura's face. "Babe, you don't have to be scared of them, you know that, right?"

"I know. I'm not, really." She came to sit down next to him, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her. This felt really good, it felt right. "It's just, they worry about me. They've been good to me… I can't really explain why I'm so apprehensive about telling them."

Randy's face fell. "If they have any reason to be angry, it's because of me. After everything I've done, I wouldn't blame them for not trusting me, especially with someone as precious as you."

"Aw you say the sweetest things." She kissed him shyly, "and I guess I'll just tell them to trust my judgement. I know you're going to be good for me."

"Thank you." He looked at his watch, "I should be going to the gym really. I hardly feel like it though."

"How about you do an hour or so, and I'll meet you back here later."

"Sounds good to me."

"I'd best go and face the two terrors then."

"Good luck sweetheart." They kissed, and reluctantly Laura left his arms. This most probably wouldn't be pretty.

"You did what?" Jericho stared at Laura in disbelief, "babe, please tell me you're kidding."

She shook her head. "We have real feelings for each other Chris. I know, after everything, that I should be running away, but I can't."

"Where the fuck did this come from? Since when did you have feelings for him?"

"I've always been able to hide stuff from you Chris, you should know that by now."

Chris conceded that point. He wasn't going to let this lie though. "After everything he did to the other girls…"

"You said yourself that he's trying to atone for that," she interrupted. " I trust him Chris, I hope that you will too. For me."

"What about yesterday? He was freaking out, he was aggressive, if he can get like that I don't want him near you."

"He was upset. Maria more or less accused him of trying to put a date-rape drug in her drink."

Chris looked surprised, "shit that's harsh."

"It really upset him. He's been making such a big effort… he even wrote to Amy Weber to apologise."

He nodded reluctantly, "have you told Hunter yet?"

She shook her head, "I couldn't find him. I will do though. I guess everyone will know soon."

"The other girls won't be happy."

"I know. It makes my position difficult. I'm unsure of what to do there."

"Talk to Steph, she's the boss."

Laura nodded, sighing. She felt like she should be on top of the world right now, but everything was an obstacle to be overcome, a struggle, a difficulty.

"Be happy for me Chris, please? He makes me feel special."

Her tone was almost desolate, and it melted Chris' resolve, "If he makes you happy babe, then I'm OK with it. If he hurts you, I'll kill him. I won't sit by and see you hurt again."

Surprisingly, Steph was delighted to hear about Laura and Randy. Maybe her pregnancy had mellowed her, but she just accepted it without a worry. She knew one thing for sure: it had been a long time since she'd seen Laura look so happy, and if Randy was the cause of that, then she would gladly accept that.

Hunter was also surprisingly happy. For Randy's part, he knew that Laura would be good for him. As he'd worked with the young man a lot since he'd come into the WWE, he knew that he was fundamentally a good guy. He was rash, impulsive and emotional, but his heart was mostly in the right place. He hoped that Randy would care for Laura as much as she needed: he guessed that he would, if the way they were with each other was any indication.

Laura was concerned about how this would affect her position. She explained her feelings to Steph, as the older woman didn't see the problem.

"I'm supposed to be neutral, to help people see their problems clearly, and how can people have any trust in me to do that fairly when I'm involved with someone. You know that this company runs on factions and friendships, so whatever the problem, I'll be involved in some way, and that's not fair."

Steph nodded thoughtfully, she could see where Laura was coming from. Workplace politics were always complicated, especially in a business with as many egos and backstabbers as this one.

Laura continued, "I'd like to continue travelling with you, at least for now. I have two months before publication. Once the book's out I'll have to do promotions and stuff, but until then I'd like to remain here. The trouble is, I wouldn't feel right allowing you to pay for me, if I couldn't really do what I set out to do."

"I want you to stay around too." Steph patted her stomach, "we're gonna tell everyone about the baby next week, I want you around for that. I would feel bad if you paid for everything yourself. Not least because there will still be people here who will need your help. Christy has really benefited from your help, and Lita has been coping with all the shit Edge has thrown at her only because of you. Can we come to some sort of compromise?"

"OK." It seemed fair enough. "So, three months already?"

Steph nodded, a beautiful smile on her face. "I can't believe it finally happened. I've shopped for so much stuff already, but then I feel like I might be jinxing it, you know? We're just so excited."

"I'm excited for you both. I know people think Hunter's a big tough guy, but he's gonna make such a fantastic dad."

"I know," Steph sighed in contentment, "I see how good he is with Shawn's kids, and Chris', and Benoit's and it just melts my heart."

"Appearances can be deceiving and all that."

Steph looked at Laura carefully, she was happy, there was no doubt about that, but there was something else, something that worried the older woman. "What are you scared of Laura?"

The young brunette looked up, surprised at her friend being able to read her so well. Trouble was, she didn't really know the answer to the question herself. She tried to explain it as best she could. "Why's he really with me, Steph? He could have any of the girls here, any supermodel or actress he wanted. Why me?"

"Because you're you." Steph knew that her friend had low self esteem, and had guessed that Jeff had been hurting her mentally long before he'd tried to hurt her physically. She hated to see her look down on herself like she did. "You're gorgeous sweetie, and sexy, and kind, and generous. I know that Jeff told you a lot of stuff about yourself that wasn't true." When Laura looked up, shocked, Steph just smiled sympathetically, "I guessed… you used to be so confident, and then became less so. When he tried to hurt you I realised that he'd already been upsetting you for a long time before that. Sweetie, Randy wouldn't be with you unless he thought you were the most amazing girl in the world."

"I just keep thinking that he'll wake up one morning and realise that he could do better."

"He couldn't. I know you're not perfect babe, none of us are. I do think that you're perfect for Randy though."

"Thanks." Laura broke into a genuine smile at last. "I needed to hear that."

Chris Jericho walked into Randy's locker room without knocking. He wanted to talk to the younger man and he wanted to make a few things clear.

"Chris, hi." Randy knew why he was there, it was obvious. He'd been preparing himself for it all day.

"I thought I told you to stay away from Laura."

"Yeah, I know and I tried. Then I realised how special she was. When she was helping me with everything, trying to make amends, I just ended up falling for her. I know you're protective of her and everything but I can't help how I feel. She's incredible, I think we can be really good for each other, and I want to make her happy. I know she went through a lot of shit and I have no intention of hurting her in any way. I also know that I've fucked up in the past, but if Laura can see past that I hope you can too." Randy's words touched Chris, the young man rarely articulated his feelings so clearly.

"Randy, I'm gonna keep this very short and very simple. If you hurt Laura in any way, I will hurt you. You treat her badly, and your career will be over. Do I make myself clear?"

Randy nodded mildly, he had no wish to raise the Canadian's ire.

"Good." Chris' face broke into a big grin. Well now the threats are out of the way, let me say congratulations. Fresh start for both of you, yeah?"

Randy nodded, relief evident in his demeanour, "thanks man, that means a lot coming from you."