Thanks to MariaCenaFan, WWECenaFan, JClvr, Kennedy2006, xKillerstyle.Blvd., gurl42069, xAttitudex, JackieC98, super G, XxMakexXitorbreakitXx, dj-ssdd and MorningstarofLothlorien for the reviews. They are very much appreciated. :o) I would like to mention Kennedy2006 for helping me have an idea on how to continue the story when I wasn't so sure myself. Well here's the next chapter. Happy reading.

Chapter 17 – To Deal With A Problem

Linking arms with the brunette diva, Shane held his grin for the crowd as they walked up the ramp on their way to the backstage area where they were greeting by the crew and other Raw Superstars who had just heard the news that was being announced. To Maria's dismay, some congratulated them while the others just stared at them as if they were aliens that just popped of nowhere.

"Shane, how could--"

"Ssshhh not now sweetheart," said Shane in a low tone and a small smirk came on his face. "Not until we get out of this crazy joint."

When they got back into his office, Maria immediately threw his arm off hers forcibly and Shane locked the door behind him. He turned around to face Maria who was obviously upset by what had happened just a while ago in the ring.

"May I ask why you're upset?"

Maria scoffed and laughed. "You honestly don't know? How stupid do you think I am?"

"You're not stupid Maria," said Shane. "I know exactly why you're upset. But you should be thanking me."

"Thanking you? For what? Telling of Melina or announcing yourself as the father?"

Shane folded his arms and said non chalantly. "Both."

Maria looked at him with disbelief. "How could I thank you for that?! Especially you calling yourself a dad when you know damn well you're not!"

"Okay now listen to what…"

"I can't believe you did that!" Maria argued. "What the hell is wrong with you?!

"Can I please give my reason why before you hell my head off?"

"Oh what this reason do you have?"

"I did it because…."

"Let me guess," Maria cut in. "You wanted to get under Randy's skin. Am I right?"

Shane said nothing. That was the reason why he announced himself as the father of Maria's unborn child and he knew it. But he still didn't want to admit it.

"No you're not."

Maria scoffed. "You really think that I'm that dumb do you?"

"Now hold on a minute. I didn't say that. You did. I don't know what you think so low of me and quite frankly, I'm a little hurt by this assault."

"Excuse me? Since when you start to consider your feelings when you don't do the same for others? Like me for instance?"

Shane sighed and looked at her. "Maria I'm sorry for putting you through this okay? I know how you are feeling right now. But believe me when I said this, why I did out there is out of concern for you."

"For me?"

"Yes," Shane said and nodded. "Now tell me this Maria and be honest here. Do you actually believe that Orton could take in this news? That you're carrying his baby?"

Maria thought he could. It would be difficult for sure but he would have to accept the fact that he was going to be a parent.

But now that Shane asked her this, she wasn't sure if what she was doing was the right thing anymore. Silence came in between them and Shane took this as a chance to speak up again.

"I thought so," said Shane as he looked at the expression of fear drawn on her face. "You're still having doubts. Am I right?"

Maria turned to look away from him and she stayed quiet for a while. Not only did she hate him for trusting him in the first place but she had to admit that he was right. She was still having doubts about Randy taking a big swallow of the truth. If Torrie hadn't called her when she did, (and Maria was grateful for that) then Randy would have known about the baby already.

But then there would be consequences linking to that situation. Randy's relationship with Isabelle could end before it could start. Her friendship had just started to get back on track but that one secret could destroy that as well.

"It's going to be okay," Shane murmured as he got close behind her. "Trust me. I can help you raise this child. I can give you whatever you need. Just say the word and your wish will be granted."

"I don't need your money," said Maria. "In fact I don't need anything from you."

"So what are you saying? Are you going to carry this baby on your own?"

Maria stayed quiet for a moment and then made a response without thinking twice.

"I can try to."

"You need help Maria," Shane insisted. "You can't go through this alone."

As stubborn as she was now, she knew that he was right. But she would never accept any help from a man like Shane. She wouldn't even consider taking a hundred dollar bill regardless of the fact that she needed the money to support herself and the baby.

"You must be exhausted. Shall I call the limo to take you to the hotel?"

Maria turned around to see Shane holding a cell phone in hand, waiting to get an answer.

"You know what? Go right on ahead. I need to get away from this place."

"Okay. You need help to take out the bags?"

"No I'm fine with that."

As Maria turned to leave, she turned to take her last look at him.

"And by the way, don't think that this means anything. I'm still not accepting any help from you. I mean it."

"So what about Orton?"

"What about him?"

"Are you going to tell him the truth?"

She thought for a moment. She could still tell him but what good would come out of it? The problems would still arise anyway.

Maria turned to the door, and said the last few words before she left Shane's office.

"I think that it would be best if he doesn't know at all."

With that being said, a smirk slowly appeared on his face. He was satisfied by her answer.

---------------

Lance and Trevor were grinning. The wwe champion was now helpless in the middle of the ring. But they weren't done just yet. The referee was knocked out so that would give them the opportunity to cheat.

"Let's bring the chair," said Lance.

Trevor nodded. He slid out of the ring and stole the steel chair from the ring announcer. He got back into the ring with the chair in hand.

"The tag team gold will be ours!" said Lance with a sneer. "Just one hit and then come next week we'll be champions!"

"Oh yeah," said Trevor with a grin. "Get him up."

Lance looked down at the fallen champion and picked him up by the head.

"Get ready."

Trevor nodded. He got himself into position.

Lance got the champion up to his feet.

"You're going down Orton!" Lance spat. "We will prevail!"

He gave Randy a harsh slap in the face which caused him to turn around dizzily towards Trevor.

"NOW!" Lance yelled.

Trevor raised the chair above his head and began to charge toward him. But the wwe champion quickly ducked out of the way, causing Trevor to slam the chair into the head of his tag team partner instead of him.

Trevor was shocked by this but he didn't get the chance to recover when an RKO was delivered to him. Randy went for the cover and the referee literally crawled over from the corner to make the pin.

The bell signaled and Randy was announced as the winner. He made a glare at his opponents before leaving the ring with the championship belt.

------------

Torrie and Candice got out of John's locker room with the assistance of the Hardy brothers. The two divas got into the women's locker room at last, only to have disappointed looks on their faces. Maria left the arena and she wasn't at all in a good mood, especially what had happened moments ago.

"I really thought that she was going to tell him," said Torrie. "If Melina hadn't known about the secret, then Randy would have known by now."

Mickie let out a frustrated groan. "I hate that bitch right now, especially after what she did to me! I couldn't help out Maria 'cause of the stupid handcuffs!"

Candice sighed. "Now the situation is getting even worse. Shane announced himself as the father when he's actually not."

"I know it's sickening!" said Torrie. "I can't believe he did that."

Then there was a knock on the door. Torrie got up from the couch to answer it. She was a bit startled to see Randy behind the door.

"Oh Randy," said Torrie. "Hey."

"Torrie, is Maria in there?" Randy asked. "I need to talk to her."

"Oh…umm…"

The blonde Boise turned to look at Mickie and Candice, who had the same worried look on their faces.

"Is she there?" Randy asked. "I need to see her now. It's important."

"The thing is…Randy…she's not…here."

"Well where is she? She's not with Shane is she?"

"No she's not."

"So where is she then? Come on tell me."

Torrie sighed. "She left."

"What?"

"She left just a while ago," said Mickie.

"Where did she go?" Randy asked.

Mickie, Torrie and Candice exchanged looks before turning back to Randy.

"Well?" Randy asked. He was getting annoyed by their lack of response. "Where is she?!"

"She went back to her hotel," said Candice.

"Why?"

"Because she wants time for herself," said Torrie. "That's what she told us."

"So what Shane said earlier is true then? She's pregnant?"

The divas said nothing, making Randy even more annoyed.

"Answer me!"

"Yes," Mickie retorted. "Yes what Shane said is true. She's pregnant."

Randy looked at Mickie in disbelief as he tried to take in what she had just heard.

"And the father of the baby…is Shane?"

The divas knew very well that he wasn't. But Maria had insisted them to let people believe it. As much as they hated to lie, they didn't have much of a choice.

"Unbelievable isn't it?" Torrie asked.

Randy shook his head. "No this can't be true. It can't be."

"She tried to tell you, right?" Torrie asked.

"Well yeah…I guess she did. It sound like something that she knew that I would be upset about…" Randy stopped as he thought about it again. Could this be true?

"But I still can't believe this," Randy continued. "I just can't."

"I know what you mean," said Candice. "We were as shocked as you are."

"Hey," said a voice from behind. It was John.

"John I'm not a happy person right now," said Randy.

"Yeah I can tell. It's Shane's announcement isn't it?"

Randy frowned. "Yeah and I still refuse to believe any of it."

"But it's…."

"I will not believe of it!" Randy said indignantly. "I'm sorry but this is not something I can chew down that easily. I rather hear this from Maria herself…. even if it is true.

John nodded. "So you have two more matches to go."

Randy sighed. "Yep. The Battle to Survive continues on...great. I can't escape from this as long as Shane is the general manager. It sucks but I can't complain about it, can I? All I have to do now is to keep fighting."

"Even if you have to face Umaga?" Torrie asked.

Randy chuckled. "Even so. Umaga's tough, I can admit that. But it doesn't mean that I can't beat him 'cause I can and I will. If Shane thinks otherwise, well he'll find himself being surprised in the end."

"Good luck and watch your back," said Mickie.

"Thanks I appreciate you guys supporting me," said Randy. Then he sighed. "If only…"

"If only what?" John asked.

Randy was about to say something about Maria but then he hesitated and shook his head. "Nothing, just forget it. I'll see you guys later."

He turned and walked away. As he thought of Maria, he was starting to worry about her. He wished that she was still in the arena so he could get the facts straightened out.

"Hey Orton! You're all pumped up and ready to go, huh?"

Randy stopped abruptly and turned to the person who was putting him through hell on that night. The sulk on Shane's face made his blood boil. He felt like he was going to erupt at any moment.

And he did.

Randy grabbed him by the collar and thrust him against the wall.

"Don't try and act cool with me. You've just picked the wrong guy to mess up and you know damn well that I'm not the kind of person you don't want to piss. And you know what pisses me off most? It's the fact that you're involved with my best friend!"

"So you heard the news then?" Shane asked with a smirk. "We have a bun baking in the oven as we speak. Sounds great isn't it?"

Randy scoffed. "Well guess what? I don't believe that you're the father."

"You should because I announced it to the whole world! So there's no reason to doubt over something that---"

"Shut the hell up!" Randy said hotly. "Just shut up! I don't think you've realized that this ego of yours could land you into trouble."

"Even if something I said is true?" Shane asked with a smirk.

"If I find out that you hurt Maria in any way…"

"Do you really think I would hurt a diva? Come on."

"Well quite frankly I think you're capable of doing it. But I'm going to find out everything I need to know from Maria herself and until then, you better prepare to lookout for me 'cause if anything bad happen to her, your ass will be mine. Got that?"

Shane laughed. "Orton, Orton. You really are stupid than I thought."

With that comment being said, Randy shoved him down to the floor with full force. He stared down at him with the fiery eyes of anger.

"I DON'T MAKE JOKES SHANE!" Randy yelled. "I MEAN IT. IF YOU HURT HER, I WILL TAKE YOU OUT!"

Shane got up to his feet and glared back at him. "No one and I mean NO ONE is going to take me out! The only person who is going to be taken out is YOU!"

"Is that so?" Randy asked sarcastically.

"Yeah you heard me," said Shane. "And as of now, you'll be taken out right at this moment before you could get to the ring."

"Oh yeah? Who is going to take me down, you?"

Shane chuckled. "Oh no. I'm not going to take you down. He is."

"And who the hell is---"

At a split second, Randy caught a glance of someone's face when he turned around, but he was too late to make a comeback as he received a harsh kick to the face and then about half a second later, Randy tumbled down to the cold concrete floor.

Shane looked down at Randy and sneered. That was part of his plan all along. He couldn't stand to see him win match after match. After seeing that Ken Kennedy and Lance and Trevor weren't successful in taking the wwe champion out, Shane decided it was time to take matters in his own hands.

He looked up to the person who was responsible for giving Randy a kick to the face.

"Good work Umaga."

The 'Samoan Bulldozer' glared down at his opponent and Shane looked back down as well, with a smirk of satisfaction on his face.

Randy's eyes were gazing at the white ceiling above him. His vision was getting blurry now and then the darkness crept in slowly….

And then it all went black.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter doesn't turn out good, I have a headache. I know you're excited for the next chapter so here it is! Thanks for reading and please review.