Title: Solving Problems (17?)
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?

Laura was tired by the time she got back to her apartment with Randy. It had been a long day, but it seemed like it would be worth it. Lita seemed to be coming back to herself, and Laura had talked to Trish to get her to keep an eye out for their friend.

Randy liked staying at Laura's apartment whenever he was in New York. The place told him an awful lot about Laura, whether it be the piles of books all over the place indicating her choice of subject matter, or the cds that revealed her interesting, or as Laura would have it, 'appalling' taste in music. It was even better when Laura was there with him. She knew the best restaurants to visit, the best parks to walk round, it was evident that she loved the neighbourhood. Randy sometimes felt guilty for persuading her to move to St. Louis, but she reassured him that she loved her new home just as much.

For Randy it was a fantastic surprise to have Laura here. He'd got used to empty hotel rooms and empty beds, so to hold her close was a treat and a pleasure. He sat on the couch with Laura in front of him, his hands protectively over her stomach. At times like this, when it was just the two of them together, he liked to daydream about how things would be once the baby was born. The idea of a family unit was becoming less alien to him now, he was actually looking forward to it. It still didn't seem quite real though. His mind couldn't really comprehend that it was only a few months until that vision would actually materialise. It was as if it was still months away. In a way, Randy wishes things could stay like this forever: just he, Laura and the promise of a child.

Laura loved this time too. She enjoyed the peace, and the security of having Randy's arms around her. It was times like this she felt safe. A few years ago, she'd never thought she'd have this again. Thinking back to that time made her tense, and Randy immediately noticed.

"What's wrong babe?"

"Nothing." She smiled at him sweetly, not wanting to worry him, "just thinking."

"About Jeff?"

She was surprised, but at the same time not at all surprised. Randy knew her better than she thought. "Yeah."

"Wanna tell me about it?"

She did and she didn't. Every time she spoke to Matt she was reminded of Jeff, and he always preyed on her mind for a few days after. She'd developed her own way of dealing with the feelings that aroused, but it never got any easier to do.

"It's ok if you don't want to talk. I can just hold you if you want. I won't push if you don't want to talk about him."

With that she knew that he understood, that he would understand. "I've tried to just put it out of my mind, you know? Pretend it never happened, that I never let it happen. It's just, every time I talk to Matt, or every time anyone mentions him, I start thinking about it all over again and it gets to me."

He nodded, caressing her cheek gently, simple touches that let her know that she was safe.

"I can't believe I stayed for so long… with what he did. I guess I thought I could handle it, I could change him. I could help with everyone else's problems, why couldn't I deal with my own? And everyone thought I was strong, I couldn't go to anyone for help. It was really hard, you know, the change was so gradual, maybe I realised too late…"

Randy didn't want to hear her blame herself. He pulled her close and whispered soft words of love into her hair. He realised that she needed to get this out, she needed to tell him about this part of her life so that she could put it past her.

"I just started not believing in myself, you know? This man, who was supposed to love me, kept putting my down, and I started believing him. When that turned physical, where did I have to go? I had to stay, I had no choice. If it hadn't been for Hunter and Chris, I might not be here now. When they saw what he did that night, there was no way they were gonna let me go back.

"I still loved him, even after that. I realised he needed help though, and I realised I needed some space. I came here, and I poured my heart into writing, it was the only release I had. I had counselling, which helped me to understand why I stayed, and why I felt the way I did. After that, I guess I was ok. I just never felt safe. I was scared, I guess. And I think I stayed scared until I met you. I know that sounds irrational, but I knew I had to put my faith in someone. The feelings I had for you were too strong, I had to trust in you or I'd never trust in anyone again."

"I'll never hurt you Laura, I promise you." Randy kissed the top of her head. His emotions were all mixed up, but he knew that one thing was true. At one side, his heart was breaking that Laura should have been through all that, but at the other he felt like the king of the world that she should choose him to be with him, and trust him.

"I know. I always knew. That's why I fell in love with you."

Laura slept soundly that night, for the first time in a long time she had nothing to be afraid of. She had the two most important people in her world with her, and that was what mattered.

Steph was constantly on the phone to Laura. She was due to give birth any day now, and with every twinge she would phone Laura to ask her advice and to panic about what was about to happen.

Laura enjoyed the calls. She had three months to go yet, so it was a relief to have someone else to talk to, and someone to go through the whole thing before her. Laura considered herself lucky, as she had Randy's mom just a few minutes away. Steph had her mom, but Linda was not the sort of person who would be a hands-on grandma. Laura had the feeling that she was Steph's link with reality, and with the wrestling world. Hunter was far too worried about his wife and the baby to be able to tell her much about what was going on with all the wrestlers, so Laura, through Randy, was able to keep her up to date. It also kept Steph's mind off the impending birth.

Hunter was amusing Randy greatly, although Randy figured that he'd probably be the same when Laura was close to giving birth. Hunter was pacing whatever room he was in, unable to sit down and relax at all. His cellphone never left his side, apart from the times when he had to wrestle. At those times, Randy was entrusted with the phone. Laura found Randy's tales of Hunter most amusing, and she enjoyed the fact that he was showing his caring side at last. She knew full well that Steph and the baby were the most important things in the world to him, and it was good to see him expressing that.

Of course, it finally happened, and Steph went into labour for real. Hunter was running around like a headless chicken until Randy calmed him down enough to get him to pack all his stuff. He drove him to the airport and waited until the flight had left. He'd never seen the older man in such a state. He was actually doubting himself.

"Shit Randy, I can't do this."

"What, man?" Randy looked at his friend in sympathy, suddenly a little scared himself. This would be him in three months time.

"I'm gonna be a dad."

"Yeah man, you've known that for months."

"I know, but it's actually happening now. I'm fucking scared man."

Randy thought back to the time outside the hospital, when he'd found out he was going to be a dad, and the advice that Hunter had given him then. "Hunt, you're gonna be a great dad. Steph's gonna need you to be strong, she needs you now. She's a strong girl, but she's gonna need all the help she can get. Linda's not exactly the maternal type, is she?"

"I know." Hunter grinned, coming back to himself somewhat. "Thanks man, I needed that pep talk. I've got the easy part in all this, don't I? You don't know how lucky you are, having parents who really want to get involved. Vince and Linda just want a grandson. They just expect us to hire a nanny, and come straight back to work. Steph doesn't want that."

"I know I'm lucky, you don't need to tell me." Randy wasn't finished counting his blessings. "Just do what you have to Hunt. You're gonna be a great dad."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Laura definitely thinks so, and I do too. Don't worry, just do what comes natural." With that, Randy snorted, "listen to me giving out advice like I know what I'm doing. Another three months and I'll be in the same position."

On the way back from the airport, Randy called up Laura to let her know the news. She'd already spoken to Steph at least five times, so was well aware of what was going on. She sensed the nerves in her boyfriend's voice, and was a little worried about it.

"Is it all starting to hit home now babe?"

Randy smiled, he should have known that she'd pick up on his feelings, "Hunter was so nervous, I tried to reassure him, but it's hard when I know I'll be in the same boat in a few months time. He was worried about whether he'll be a good dad."

"He'll be a great dad."

"I told him that. I'm just worried about whether I will be."

"You'll be a fantastic dad sweetheart. I know you will." Somehow, that made him feel better, hearing that.

"Thank you. When you tell me that, I really believe it."

Laura laughed, "Randy, I'm gonna go love, Steph said Hunter's gonna call you as soon as he can, so call me straight after, I'm dying to know."

"OK darling. Love you."

"Love you too babe."