Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Wow, sorry everyone. I definitely didn't want to leave you all without an update for this long, but I really do love this chapter, and it's sad. Poor Alex. Sabin is awesome in this chapter, lol. Enjoy!

Alex couldn't remember when he last picked up a cigarette. A few years, probably, but it must have felt even longer because when he inhaled and the smoke sunk into his lungs, he couldn't stop coughing. After a long, painful night with Chris annoying him every few minutes, he needed some time alone. He found a co worker who smoked, found a lighter and felt the rush of what smoking always did to him. It calmed him.

While he knew Chris only wanted to make sure he was okay, he was driving him insane. If it wasn't a look his way that said poor Alex, it was a sigh. "You're better, Alex, you are," Chris would say.

He didn't like pity, and Chris knew that.

Claire never pitied him. She might envy him, especially envy him, but he always felt like she was there as company, not really a friend.

"Alex?"

He sighed. Chris found him.

"I thought you stopped smoking a few years ago."

Alex dropped his cigarette and watched as it burned, finally putting his foot on top so it wouldn't burn the place. "I did."

Chris stared.

"Look, just leave me alone, Chris. Please."

"I just want to help."

Alex stood and stared into the concerned eyes of his friend. "You can't. I'm sorry."

"Alex…"

"What?"

Chris sighed. "I don't know. I'm just worried about you. You disappeared for a few weeks and now you won't even talk to me."

"And?"

"You're my friend," Chris insisted.

He looked almost as if he was in pain. While he didn't want to hurt his friend, he knew he already did.

"I'm sorry," Alex said.

"Alex!"

Chris's concerned was now an irritated expression. He stared.

Once Chris finally let him leave the hotel, he walked for a while. He ran into fans, and he was rude to them. He didn't care. He thought about Claire, and the phone call he left her, wondering why Claire never replied. It seemed ridiculous for Claire to give him her number if she didn't want him to use it.

After a while, he walked into one of the Florida bars, and sat. He drank a few beers, just enough so he didn't feel any pain, and looked around him. It was what he always saw. It didn't matter what town or state he was in; it was the same scene, the same kind of people. People who were drunk or drinking around him with a few girls ready for a guy to come up to them. A bartender who was used to this and just rolled their eyes. He sighed. Alex was used to this.

He knew Claire wouldn't approve. She would insist he move on with his life and remember he was great at what he did. He was a champion; just had some of the best matches of his wrestling career and it didn't seem to matter. It didn't matter he was a champion, actually getting what he deserved in a company where he worked hard and put on amazing matches. He was still Alex. Still alone, still hurt and wishing to know why Michelle left him.

"Wow, I didn't think I would ever run into you here," a voice said.

He didn't recognize the voice. He looked around and saw a girl walk up to him with a smile. "Do I know you?" he asked.

"I'm a fan." She continued smiling at him.

A creepy one.

"If you want me to sign you an autograph, you really might want to walk away right now."

"I don't want an autograph, Alex."

He rolled his eyes and asked for another beer. "Good."

She sat down next to him and he looked into her eyes. Some kind of drugs and too much make up, even for him. Fake hair, fake boobs. And very unattractive. He could see whoever she was thought she was attractive just the way she leaned against the bar and smiled.

He stared. "What do you want?"

She shrugged. "I'm Avery."

"Hi."

"You're a lot more attractive on the TV," she said.

He scoffed. "Thanks. How much did you pay for them?"

Avery laughed. "If you want to see for yourself, you can."

"Sorry, I would never touch you."

"Don't resist me," she warned.

"Is that a threat?"

Avery put a hand on the bar, revealing her arm to him. He saw many scars along it, as if she was either some kind of drug addict, or just liked putting herself through unnecessary pain. When he continued to stare, she moved her hand to his face and to his lips. For some reason, he didn't stop her even though she was disgusting to him.

"Why would I threaten you?" she asked.

"You're a creepy ass bitch," he answered.

"I'm just in your mind."

He stopped. "What?"

Avery smiled. "I'm just a very bad version of what Claire used to be. She isn't your perfect remedy, Alex. She isn't a remedy at all."

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Relax," she laughed. "You'll wake up soon."

"Did you drug me?" he asked, looking at his drink. He stood up and the room started to spin. "What did you do?"

As the room continued to spin, Avery laughed.

Alex woke up with a headache that said he drank too much the night before. He sat up and felt dizzy the second he did. "Easy," a voice said, easing him back on the bed. Slowly, Alex realized he was in a hospital room. Chris Sabin stood in front of him, trying to hide the concern on his face with a weak smile. After looking at him for a few seconds, Chris sat on the next bed. "I found you last night."

"You did?" Alex rubbed his face. He couldn't remember last night; he didn't remember what he did after he left Chris.

"I followed you," he admitted. "I was worried, and I knew you were upset. So, I watched you drink for a while and after about your … well, I lost count, but after you drank a good amount of the bar's beer, you left. You stumbled for a while, and suddenly, you collapsed. And you ended up smacking your big ass head on the ground."

"And that explains my headache," he muttered. He stared at all the IVs in his arm and sighed. Ending up in a hospital wasn't his idea for fun. And if it wasn't for Chris, he probably would have died. "Concussion, right?"

Chris nodded and followed Alex's eyes. "I know you're really hurting, Alex. I just wish you'd talk and let me know what's going on."

"Michelle left me," he spat. "And that's what's going on."

His friend didn't answer.

"Sorry," he whispered. "Just… thank you. At least someone still cared enough about me to follow me around."

"You're my friend." He put a hand on Alex's shoulder. "You know I'll always be around."

Alex nodded. He needed more pain medication. A cough escaped his lips and he swallowed a burning feeling in his throat, result of way too much beer.

"It was scary," he continued, making Alex look up. "Your eyes were still open, and you were moving, but you didn't say anything to me. I kept calling your name, and you wouldn't answer. I didn't know what to do."

Alex didn't answer.

"I'm sorry," he said finally. "Really, man. I'm sorry."

"Do you want anything?" Chris said.

He wanted Claire. "My phone," he whispered. "Where is my phone?"

"I have it," Chris answered, pulling it from his pocket.

Alex looked at it. Still no missed calls.

"Alex, can I ask you something?" Chris said in a soft voice.

Alex looked away for a second, and nodded.

"A little while ago, when you were still asleep, you were mumbling about a Claire. I don't know anyone named Claire, so I was wondering if you did, or you just hit your head really hard or something, but I figured you'd want to know."

"Claire," he muttered. Chris nodded. "I don't know a Claire."

Poor Alex, lol. REVIEW.