a/n *clears throat* *runs away in embarrassment*

-August 30, 2010-

What have I done?

The only thing I thought for weeks after that whole catastrophe.

Mike and I were over.

Alex and I are apparently together. Apparently. Emphasis on that.

Gwen and Cody were over.

Orla and Cody were over.

Four points to Claire Bonnet, relationship ruiner extraordinaire.

"I know that I've said I can't handle being away from the business, Vince…"

"This is where you ask to be released from your contract, is it not?" I smiled meekly. "I can't say I didn't see this coming."

"I have a feeling it's not going to hurt if I leave here on my own terms."

"And this has nothing to do with…" he trailed off but I knew what he was referring to.

"My doctor never liked the idea of me returning but this is entirely my decision."

"But you aren't sick again, are you?" he asked slowly.

"I go to see him for the results next week, so I hope not." I smiled hopefully and he returned it slowly.

"I can release you at the end of the month." He told me, looking at his computer for a split second before nodding.

"Thank you Vince."

That was the simplicity of the conversation. Short and sweet, not beating around the bush. I quit. Just like that.

In part it was due to my personal life yet there was a part of me saying that I wasn't healthy, that I needed to write a bucket list and complete it – even if I wasn't going anywhere. Just in case.

I need to finish that stupid novel, too. I didn't need to be focusing on the WWE when I wasn't even allowed to compete.

"You spoke to him, then?" Ted asked, joining me in catering. I'd walked there after my meeting, sitting at an empty seat and sipping on my coffee.

"I'm gone at the end of next month." I looked up to see him smiling. "It feels good to know that this time it's on my terms."

"I'm proud of you, you know? For doing all of this."

"I haven't done anything, Ted. I've just live my life." I laughed meekly. What a life it has been.

"It's been a rough one."

"Yeah," I agreed with a solemn nod, "I've spent most of it with you." he put his hand to his chest and feigned being hurt.

"I really am proud."

"Thanks, Teddy. I'm proud of you, too."

"What are you proud of him, for?" Randy asked as he sat down beside me, throwing his arm over the back of my chair. "What's he ever done?"

"Evening, champ." Randy smirked arrogantly, moving his title belt so it was laid out on my lap. "I just quit." I said quickly. Like a bandaid.

"Are you okay?" he asked me quietly, turning to face me and analysing every feature of my face.

"As far as I know I'm perfect. I just need out of here. It used to be my favourite place on this earth… Mais, maintenent, c'est fucking terrible." I put my coffee on the table and turned to face him. "Mike was the only thing really keeping me here. The idea that we might one day get back together… But that's not going to happen. And Cody actually hates me." I sighed.

"We've been through this before, the kid loves you." Randy told me sternly.

"I fucked over his relationship with that Orla chick and with Gwen." I revealed and Randy raised an eyebrow.

"How did you do that?"

"I told Gwen about Orla. So, they both think they were being cheated on."

"Was Orla the purple panties, chick?" Ted asked and I shut my eyes tightly, shaking my head.

"That was me." I whispered. Randy heard me and I knew that because he tightened his fist. "Yeah." I looked up to see Ted staring at me blankly. "I was lonely, I was drunk, he was there. I regret it and he knows that." Silence consumed the three of us before Randy released a deep, disappointed sigh and spoke.

"Fuck it, Claire."

"I know, right. Poor Cody," I said sarcastically, "He's been through too much to have you use him as meaningless sex. Well, I'll have you fucking know that he was sober, or relatively anyways. He knew what he was doing. Don't blame me, blame that young fucker." I snapped at Randy loudly, my chair scraping loudly against the tiles as I pushed it backwards and stood up. The title fell violently to the floor "I'm leaving in a month. That's four weeks of you judging me for something I don't even remember doing. Please, Randy. I need some friends." I half pleaded with him, hating myself for doing so.

"You're always my friend," he said, standing up with me. "Ted and I always have your back, okay? Always." I turned around to see Ted nodding at me with a small smile.

"Fuck you guys," I said jokingly, "Get me all worked up for nothing." Randy pulled me into a tight hug and I squeezed him back as best I could. Ted joined behind me and suddenly I was the middle of a meathead sandwich.

"You need to go tell Mike."

"Why?" I spat at my best friend, elbowing him in the gut. "Because that's going to lead me to all sorts of wonderful places."

"He deserves to know." Randy agreed and I balled my hand into a fist and punched his abs. Yeah, ouch. "See if he gets his act into gear."

"He's back with Maryse, last I heard."

"Well," Ted said pointedly, "We all know that you are the one he's supposed to be with."

"What do Claire and Maryse have in common?" Randy asked and held up his hand. "Number one; they are French."

"Number two; they are blonde."

"Number three; they wrestle."

"I don't anymore." I pointed out but they ignored me.

"They live in LA." Ted spoke over me.

"They have both been in a past relationship with Mr Miz."

I punched Ted in the stomach, thanking god that he still had his baby fat going on. Randy, on the other hand, I whacked him with an open palm as many times as I could before he grabbed me and physically stopped me.

"Things that they do not." He said to me forcefully and I rolled my eyes.

"Claire has the best friends in the world." Ted smiled at me and I stuck out my tongue.

"Claire has an awesome brother."

"Maryse's parents actually like Mike!" I interrupted. Again, I was ignored.

"Claire's spent way too much time in hospital."

"Claire's a fighter."

"She doesn't give up."

"Newsflash! This Claire is not the Claire you grew up with!" I shouted loudly, "This Claire can't take shit anymore! This Claire wishes she could just roll into ball and die." Randy still had a tight hold on my wrists and I was thrashing around trying to make him let go.

"Guess what?" he growled at me.

"Fuck off." I snarled back at him. "Don't tell me that I'm wrong. You are not me."

"No, listen."

"YOU LISTEN!"I screamed and suddenly everything went silent. "Stop babying me! I know who I am! You know shit! You stopped knowing me when you left me. YOU LEFT ME!" I took a deep breath and actually ripped my arms out of Randy's gasp.

"That's Claire right there." He told me, "Sure, you used to look absolutely innocent. You aren't, you never have been. You always get your way. Maryse has nothing on you."

"Now, go tell Mizanin that you're out of here in a month." Ted ordered me. "He needs some time to get his ass into gear. Now."

"Fuck the both of you."