a/n so, I've been writing this for forever and I only just finished it. School is a bitch – that's not that first time you've heard that from me – and I'm on 'study break' right now, with homework up to my eyeballs, so don't be expecting updates too soon. And the lack of reviews aren't helping, either. Thanks to Neurotic-Idealist & tvrox12 for being awesome.

-June 9, 2010-

"Uh, salut..." I said hesitantly as I emerged from my suite's bedroom to see Kevin Kiley sitting on the couch watching the morning news.

"Hey," he said with a 'sup nod'.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I pulled my robe tighter around my body, "You have your own room... I remember booking it for you." I watched him carefully as he stood up and realised he was wearing nothing but boxers, "And you also have clothes because you were wearing them last night."

"I can't sleep with jeans on and it got hot last night," he explained, "As for the room thing, I don't know why I'm here. I lost my room key, I know that much."

"Mike must have let you sleep here." I concluded, picking up the menu next to the phone, "Are you hungry?" he nodded his head.

"I am," Mike said as he came into the room, "And drunk Claire let him sleep on the couch, I wanted him out in the hall." I hit his arm as he spoke, "What? I had to sleep in the hall when I first joined, he should have to as well."

"Mike," I scolded my boyfriend, "Be nice, for Christ's sake. What do you want for breakfast?"

"- and did you say I was drunk?" I asked Mike as what he said finally registered in my brain, "That explains why I feel so bad this morning."

"Yeah, you were pretty out of it. I don't know who was worse off, though, you or Kevin." I rolled my eyes and let my head fall on his shoulder, "You were pretty bad, but he vomited."

"We're eating, Mike, really." I sighed as I looked down at my omelette, "Kevin, I hate you so much." I mumbled.

"What did I do?"

"I wouldn't have even gone if it wasn't for you forcing me. I don't drink for this very reason."

"You seem pretty fine, what's the big deal?"

"I'm coherent, yeah, but I feel like shit." I said casually, lifting my head from Mike's shoulder. I closed my eyes and felt like going back to sleep.

"Lesson to be learnt: don't let Claire drink. Now you know for the future." Mike said and I knew Kevin was sincerely confused, "Seriously, dude, just go with it, she's a light weight."

"Thank you, Mike." My sarcasm was not lost on either man. "What are you guys doing today?"

"I have a signing to go to," Mike told me and I raised an eyebrow, "It's with Eve at Target, I was thinking about taking Kevin with me."

"Yeah, I doubt he's experienced anything like a WWE signing before." I said as I looked at the rookie, "I have to speak to Vince."

"You should give Kipp a break, Claire." Mike said, causing me to glare at him, "I'm sure it won't happen again, he's new to this."

"You guys said last week that he's always late, didn't you Kevin? I can't have him being late every week, Mike... He needs to know that I'm serious."

"You made him change in a bathroom stall; I think he knows you're serious. Seriously, Claire, just give the guy another chance." I sat up and moved away from Mike, crossing my arms.

"Why? He really doesn't deserve one. He's a grown man and should know how to judge traffic and other shit like that. I don't care what his excuse his, Mike. He's going to make me lose my job or get myself so stressed I end up in hospital. Why do you care, anyway? He's not even your rookie. John's his pro and even he understands."

"I got so much shit when I started in this company, Claire," Mike started and I shook my head viciously.

"This isn't like that, Mike, and you know it. I'm not going to give him shit because I don't think he deserves to be here, I'm doing this because he's been in the business long enough to know better." I saw Alex stand up and grab his shirt, quickly pulling it on, not bothering to do up the buttons.

"I am going to go." He said bluntly, walking towards the door. "Thanks for breakfast; I'll pay you back when I get some cash out, yeah? Cool. See ya!" He was quick to leave and I was quick to glare at Mike.

"Great, we just scared the guy." I said as I sat back down on the couch, staring at the television. "You're supposed to keep him happy."

"He's 29 years old, Claire, not a child. Can you not treat grown men like they're little children? It's weird, honestly." My eyes dropped to my hands which were resting against my knees.

"I see," I said quietly, my voice barely audible.

"Claire," Mike sighed, moving closer to me on the couch. I pulled away as he went to place his hand on my arm.

"I know what I do." I told him "I know that it can be really embarrassing, do you really think Cody hasn't said anything? He's been the victim of it for nearly 20 years... I just don't want to see them get hurt. I don't even know that I'm doing it until I've done it. Why are you only talking about it now?"

"I didn't want to start anything, Claire, I was really just saying." I scratched the side of my neck, but didn't look back up at him. "I have to go to the signing, but we'll have dinner tonight, okay?" I gave him a half hearted smile. His hand dropped onto my knee before he stood up and began to get ready.

"I won't go see Vince." I mumbled to myself and I wasn't even sure if he heard me.