DISCLAIMER: As much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I do not own anyone or anything connected to Vince McMahon and his awesomeness. I can only claim property rights of OC.
***A/N – To keep this chapter from being WAY too freakin' long, I've broken it up into smaller chapters. Here is Part 1. Enjoy. ***
It was one of those rare days off. The roster had been given 24 hours to relax before the schedule got slammed. Claire and Jaz made their way down to the pool just after lunch. The sun was shining in a clear, blue sky. Just walking into the heat made Claire glad the pool was their only destination. Claire draped her towel over a pool chair and kicked off her sandals. She was relieved that Randy was no where in sight. She'd had her fill of his misguided behavior to last her a life time. She still couldn't get his words out of her head 'Your fear controls you.' What the hell had he meant? Yeah, Randy was physically impressive. He commanded attention the minute he entered a room. He was used to barking orders and having the obeyed. In the hierarchy of life, he definitely rated as a leader. Other than that, what was there to be afraid of? After another sleepless night pacing her room, she was just stumped. Claire inwardly sighed as she waded into the pool, loving the feel of the water as it surrounded her. Taking a deep breath, she dove beneath the surface. She instantly felt peace. Just for a minute, Randy didn't exist, Cody didn't exist. She could forget everything. The stillness underwater soothed her. Claire broke the surface of the water then moved to the edge of the pool. She pushed the hair from her eyes and rested her arms on the pool's edge. Jaz came to sit beside the edge of the pool.
"Let me guess, you don't swim?"
Jaz nodded and adjusted her shades, "I'm just here to catch a tan."
Claire looked over at Jaz, taking in her light-caramel colored skin. She couldn't help but feel a little envious. Jaz had that rich, golden color that was so in vogue. Her mother was French born, her father still lived in a small village in South America. Jaz was so exotic compared to Claire. No wonder men found her attractive.
"How did dinner with Cody go?" Jaz leaned back, resting her weight on her elbows.
Blushing, Claire looked toward the opposite end of the pool. "Very well. We really . . . connected."
Jaz pulled her shades down an inch to look at Claire. "Connected?"
Claire nodded, trying to decide how much detail Jaz really needed. "He's so sweet." And a great kisser.
Claire took a deep breath and looked at Jaz. "Wanna hear the really strange part?"
"Please tell me he didn't ask you to pay for half." Jaz's expression was one of disbelief.
"No. Worse. After I got back to my room, Randy came by."
Jaz pulled her shades off and sat up. "For what?"
Claire shrugged a shoulder before pulling herself from the water. "It was weird."
"Weird, how?" Jaz watched as Claire wrapped a towel around herself. Getting details out of the girl was like pulling teeth.
"He wanted to know why I'm scared. Of him. And said something about having too much fear." Claire took a deep breath before continuing, "Then he kissed me."
Claire took in Jaz's look of horror. Her mouth worked for a moment, reminding Claire of a goldfish. "He what?"
"Kissed me." Claire said again.
"Are you serious? Was it all gross and . . ." Jaz couldn't stop the shudder that ran thru her.
Claire shook her head and waited for Jaz to collect herself. "Yes, I'm serious. He kissed me."
"You mean like a little kiss? On the cheek, right?" Jaz couldn't let herself think about the possibilities.
"I mean a kiss. K-I-S-S. "
"With tongue and everything?" Jaz's jaw dropped at Claire's nod.
"That's just wrong! I mean, how can you just let that man . . . " Jaz's voice trailed off at the sound of voices coming closer. Jaz's mouth started the fish imitation again as Cody and Ted stepped into the sunshine. Claire's moment of relief was short lived as the door opened again and Randy emerged. The girls exchanged a brief glance as Cody came to stand beside Claire.
"Let who do what?" Cody couldn't take his eyes off Claire, wrapped in the soft cotton of the over-sized towel. Her hair hung in damp waves down her back, her limbs tantalizingly bare. He couldn't help but wonder what she looked like without the towel.
Jaz looked around the pool, searching for a fast answer, "Let Ted wear that. It doesn't match." Jaz inclined her head to where Ted and Randy stood.
"That's Mr. Fashion for you. I told him it looked like shi... I mean crap." Cody caught himself before the S-word slipped out.
Jaz forced a smile and glanced at Claire. She didn't miss how Cody kept inching closer to Claire. What's this all about? Jaz looked between Cody and Claire, wondering what her friend wasn't telling her.
Randy sat down on a lounge chair and stretched his legs. He really wasn't in the mood to talk. He had been too restless to sleep last night. He had tossed and turned all night. Being with Claire had left him too keyed up. He kept playing the scene in his mind over and over. Especially the kiss. He just couldn't stop thinking about it. It had affected him so much more than he wanted to admit. Part of him felt guilty. He truly hadn't intended to scare Claire. He had been overly aggressive with her. For that, he felt bad. Another part of him felt strangely relieved that he had kissed her. The desire just had overwhelmed him. He kept telling himself that it really had nothing to do with what he had seen by the pool. But in a small way, he felt as if he had claimed a tiny little part of her. Randy adjusted his shades as he leaned his head back against the chair. He couldn't stand to see the way Cody had already attached himself to Claire's side. As if last night wasn't enough. Randy resisted the urge to start grinding his teeth. Claire was an adult. She was allowed to make all the mistakes she wanted. No crime in it. Randy sighed and tried to drown out all the laughter.
Ted stood slightly off to the side, taking in the scene. Randy hadn't spoken a word to anyone since the production meeting yesterday. He had returned to their room late last night, in a foul mood. He had taken a shower then gone to bed without a single word. This morning hadn't been any different. Cody had tried to talk to him. Randy wouldn't even look at the man. Randy had refused to say a word to anyone. That didn't bode well at all. On a good day, Randy was intense. On a bad day, Randy was lethal. Today was shaping up to be a bad day. Ted wasn't much of a psychic, but he had a feeling it had something to do with Cody's sudden attachment to Claire. He wasn't sure exactly what about the Cody/Claire situation that bothered Randy so damned much. His attention was grabbed by the sudden burst of laughter from pool side. Claire had Jaz by the wrists and was slowly pulling her towards the pool. Jaz was resisting with all her might. She squealed in outrage as Cody grabbed her from behind and lifted her off the ground. Cody took a few steps toward the pool then set a hysterical Jaz down. Jaz responded by punching Cody on the shoulder. Claire was laughing, a hand pressed to her side. Apparently she found her friend's outrage funny. Jaz didn't share the sentiment. She grabbed her towel and turned to go back into the building. Claire took a step after her, only to be caught from behind by Cody.
Claire's shriek of surprise drew Randy's attention. He looked at the far end of the pool and instantly wished he hadn't. Cody had his arms wrapped around Claire and was dragging her toward the pool. He couldn't stand the sight of Claire being so close to someone else. He watched as Ted moved in for the rescue. At least Ted's a real friend Randy thought. Ted elbowed Cody in the ribs, causing him to lose his grip on Claire long enough for Ted to scoop her into his arms.
Ted turned, with Claire in his arms, and moved away from the edge of the pool. He knew Randy would be even more pissed if Cody threw her into the pool. Ted had only managed a couple of steps before he sensed Cody at his back. Ted stopped and leaned forward to release Claire. At the same time Cody made a grab for her, causing Ted to lose his grip. Ted froze in horror, knowing he wasn't going to be able to break her fall. Claire's yelp of surprise turned into a shriek of pain as she fell. Randy bolted forward the instant he realized Claire was no longer secured in Ted's arms. He watched in disbelief as she fell, her head striking the concrete. The sound of her head making contact with the ground seemed to echo. Fuck, she's not moving. Randy made it over to Claire in less than a heartbeat. He flashed back to another lifetime – his Marine training kicked in. Everything he had learned in Combat Life Saving came back to him in a hurry. Radio for help. Establish airways. Check for life-threatening injuries. Treat what you can and pray for the rest.
Kneeling beside her, Randy placed a hand on her back. He was grateful when he felt her take a breath. Airway intact. "Claire? Can you hear me? Claire?"
She stirred slightly and groaned. "My head." With a shaking hand, Claire placed a hand against her head.
"Don't move." Randy said softly as he ran his hands over her arms, checking for any obvious injuries. His hands moved lower, checking her ribs. He moved lower still, examining her legs. His eyes closed for a moment. Nothing broken.
"What hurts?" Randy captured Claire's hand in his own, stopping her movements.
"My head."
"Where else?" Randy pushed a lock of hair away from her face and leaned down to look into her eyes.
"Just my head."
"How many of me do you see?" Randy pulled back slightly, watching as Claire tried to focus on him.
He was relieved by her answer. "One."
"Can you feel this?" Randy pinched the side of her neck just enough to cause a sting of pressure.
"Yes."
No neck injuries. Randy pushed gently against her shoulder, slowly turning her over onto her back. Randy bit down a flash of outrage as he took in the purplish bump already forming. He was going to kill the two of them. As soon as he made sure Claire was okay.
"Can you sit up?" Randy waited a moment, letting Claire decide.
"I think so." Randy gently took her arm and steadied her while she slowly sat up.
"Are you dizzy? Nauseous? What's your name?"
Claire blinked slowly and looked at Randy. "No, not dizzy. I'm Claire."
Randy sighed in relief. He didn't think she had a concussion. She just had one hell of a goose-egg starting. Randy wrapped an arm around Claire as she slowly pulled herself to her feet. She swayed slightly then caught her balance.
"Can you walk?"
Claire nodded and reached for his arm to steady herself. "I think so."
Randy wrapped an arm around Claire's waist. "You need to go to the hospital."
Claire shook her head and immediately wished she hadn't, "No. I'm okay."
"You need to go to the hospital." Randy repeated.
Claire glanced up at Randy, taking in the worry in his eyes. He was truly concerned for her. She never expected to see the gentleness she saw in those normally icy eyes. "No hospitals."
Randy looked over his shoulder and nailed Ted with a glare. "Call Dennis. Tell him to get his ass over here now." Greg Dennis was the trainer traveling with them thru L.A. He couldn't force Claire to go to the hospital, but he could make sure she had medical care. Ted nodded and grabbed his cell. He punched in Greg's number and waited for the man to answer.
Cody stood silently beside Ted as he relayed the details. He couldn't believe what happened. He hadn't meant for Claire to get hurt. They were just playing around. Just innocent fun. Cody took a step toward Claire.
"Let me help." Cody reached for Claire.
Randy paused, his steely gaze moving to Cody, "You've already done enough. When Dennis gets here, bring him up."
With that, Randy turned his back and led Claire back inside. Her movements were slow but she seemed to be uninjured. He kept an arm wrapped around her waist as he slowly guided her back inside.
***A/N – What do you think will happen now? Check back soon for Part 2. Please review! ***
