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 – I can't believe how easily this chapter came to me. I hope you all enjoy this side of Randy. This is Part 2 of 3. Please let me know what you think. ***

Randy's P.O.V. – Much later that night

I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I feel sick. I keep seeing the same thing over and over. I sure as hell never expected to save Claire from a physical attack. No man ever wants to have to deal with shit like that. Seeing your girl being attacked is harsh but knowing a part of her innocence is gone is the worst. Once that trust has been violated, you can never get it back. The only consolation I have is knowing I at least got to return the favor. Jake had wanted to get physical and I took pleasure in making sure he got what he wanted. Too bad I didn't get to finish. Sitting up slowly, I look around the room. Ted is sprawled out in the bed, his face buried in the pillow. I can hear him doing this sorta wheeze/snore thing. Cody fell asleep on the floor, curled into the fetal position. I can't help myself, I look at the door connecting our room to Claire's. She hadn't even put up an argument when I had asked the front desk to change her room. Poor baby.

Keeping an eye on Ted and Cody, I slowly push back the blankets and stand. My knuckles sting like a motherfucker but it's so worth it. Moving slowly across the room, I try not to make a sound. Once again, Marine Corps training is my friend. The doorknob is cold under my hand as I slowly turn it. Claire's room is dark, except for a small triangle of moonlight coming in from the window and the sliver of light coming from the partially closed door. Taking a step into the room, my eyes adjusting to the dark even more. For the first time in my life I'm glad for all those night training missions. Now, I can clearly make out every detail of the room. She's laying on her side, facing me. My breath catches in my throat. I can't get over how beautiful she is. Even with tear-streaked cheeks and a slightly red nose, she's simply breathtaking. I've always admired women; their scent, their softness, how different they are than me. But Claire, she's in a class all by herself. I take another step toward Claire and pause, watching the rise and fall of her chest. My breathing finds her rhythm. It's too fast for her to be asleep.

My eyes move up the length of her body until I reach her face. She's awake, her blue eyes looking back at me. I hate what I see there. The sadness in them makes the awful ache in my chest come back with a vengeance. Almost unconsciously, my hand goes back to rubbing the spot, just like it did earlier. Nobody realizes it, but that is a dead giveaway something is bothering me. I always rub the same spot on my chest when I get upset. What the hell am I supposed to do now? She's awake. I almost expect her to start screaming at me to get out. I stay where I am, counting the seconds as they pass. After 6 seconds, I realize she's not going to demand that I leave. Taking a step closer to the bed, I can see her moving just a little.

"Why aren't you asleep?" My voice is low, making sure nobody else can hear me.

"Why aren't you?" That's my Claire; she's never without a snappy comeback.

Shrugging slightly, I move to stand beside the bed, "Couldn't sleep."

"Me either." Claire props herself up on an elbow, making the blankets pool at her waist. She is barely dressed, wearing a thin-strapped tank top and probably not much else. It's hard as hell to keep eye contact with her.

Suddenly, neither of us knows what to say. She sighs softly as she sits up, "Thank you."

Her words surprise me. Of all the things she could say, thank you was not what I expect.

All I can do is nod. Just like always, Claire leaves me speechless. I wish I had the right words; something charming or witty that will take away some of the tension.

"I don't know what I would have done. . . if you hadn't been there." Her voice breaks. Hearing the tears in her voice just about breaks my heart. Before I let myself stop to think, I sit on the bed next to her. Lacing our fingers together, I rest our joined hands on my thigh. Looking down at our hands is kinda amazing. Her hand is so much smaller than mine; so pale with long graceful fingers. She's almost lost in my grasp. I can't help but feel protective.

"I'm glad I was there when you needed me." Sometimes it was just better to lead with the truth. And that was definitely the truth. I had been in the right place at the right time for a reason.

"I'm so sorry I let it happen." Claire wipes away tears with her other hand.

What the fuck? How can she blame herself. No woman, no matter what, lets something like that happen. It's all a power struggle. Plain and simple. I pull her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

"Don't say that. It's not your fault. It could never be your fault." Reaching up, I run my fingers through her hair. It's so soft, softer than silk. She leans her cheek against my hand, I can feel the dampness of her tears. Claire sighs as she rests her head against my bare shoulder. It's amazing how well she fits against me. Almost as if she was made to be there.

"I was so scared." The words are muffled as she rubs her cheek against me. God. Those words are like a knife in my heart. My beautiful, fearless Claire. The one who stood up to me from the start, is confessing her fears. I know it's not any easy thing to do.

"I was too." Surprised, she looks at up me. "It was like something from a nightmare. I was scared I wasn't going to get to you in time, scared he would. . . " I couldn't bring myself to say the words.

"But you did." She says the words so softly that I almost miss them. Again, the tears start. I know how she feels. I feel the same way. The little voice in the back of my head tells me to be honest with her, to tell her everything. I wish that voice would shut the fuck up. Too much is at stake here. All it would take is me opening my big mouth and it all goes straight to hell.

"I wish there was a way I could thank you."

I can certainly think of a way I'd like to be thanked. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I look down at Claire. Her beautiful blue eyes are wide and watchful. But there's no fear. Only hopeful expectation. She wants this too, I can feel it. I pull her closer, bringing our joined hands up to rest on my chest. I want her to touch me. She glances at her hand, resting just above my heart, then she looks up at me. Her eyes are so full of emotion that it takes my breath away. She meets me half way, her lips brushing against mine, soft as whisper. Her lips are silky sweet beneath mine. They part for me, allowing me to dip inside and really taste her. Oh fuck, she's so sweet. She tastes like honey. I can't get enough. And neither can she. Her tongue tangles with mine. This is what I want; both of us totally in the moment, no doubts. It takes every ounce of strength I have to pull away from her. I don't want to take it too far too soon. She's been thru a lot.

"Can I tell you something?" The words fall from my lips before I realize they've been said. Shit! My brain opened a door that I sure as hell didn't want opened. I know I'm about to make an ass of myself by saying something incredibly stupid. I think she's surprised. She pulls away slightly to look me in the eyes. I swallow hard, trying to force the words out. Damn. Just like always, I know what I want to say but I don't know how to say it.

"I really . . ." Shit. The words just won't come. Claire is watching me so intently, I can feel her gaze burning into me.

"I think . . ." Fuck! Try again, asshole. Focus. Tell her the truth.

"I want you. . ." Way to go, Orton. She gets molested by one asshole and verbally assaulted by you? Hasn't she suffered enough? Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. I slowly exhale, taking the second to collect my thoughts and focus.

"I think you're amazing and I really want to get to know you, on a personal level." There. I finally said it. Part of me feels relief, part of me feels instantly fearful. What if she says no?

Just looking at her face, I can tell she doesn't believe me. She thinks I'm bullshitting her; trying to manipulate her.

"You do?"

All I can is nod. I know if I open my mouth, I'll ruin the moment.

"Seriously?" Another nod.

"I know I'm not an easy man. I'm bossy and arrogant and demanding but I . . ."

She stops me mid-sentence by placing her finger against my lips. Her blue eyes move over my face,coming to stop on my lips. "I'd like that."

"Seriously?" I can't help but give her words back to her.

"Seriously." She nods, giving emphasis to her words. I can only watch in helpless amazement as she slides her finger across my bottom lip. Suddenly, I feel like I'm on fire. Her touch is so gentle yet so exciting. She leans close, pressing her lips to mine again. I let her kiss me. If that's what she wants, she is more than welcome to it. Her teasing kiss leaves me wanting so much more. But first things first. I've got to show her that she can trust me. Women like Claire have to know that they can trust the guy she's with. That's the only way she'll let herself open up to me.

"Do you want me to stay a while?" She merely nods and curls against my side, her cheek resting on my shoulder. I could get so used to this, so quickly. I wrap my arms around her, surrounding her in my warmth. We fit so well together. She's a perfect compliment to me.

It's hard for me not to squirm as she traces the tattoos on my left arm with her fingertip. I never realized how hot it was to have a woman pay attention to the ink. Maybe it's her touch that's so exciting, so different.

"They're really beautiful." She murmurs as she traces over the tribal markings above my wrist. My tats have been called a lot of things, but hearing Claire call them beautiful means the world to me. As long as she approves, I'm a happy man.

"Thank you." God, that sounds so fucking lame.

"Did it hurt?" Her finger moves up my arm, tracing the shaded areas.

"Like a bitch."

"Why did you do it?" It wasn't the first time somebody had voiced Claire's question.

"Just felt like the right thing to do. For so long I wasn't comfortable in my skin. I didn't really have a sense of who I was. Now I do. I got it done so the outside matches the inside."

All I could do is hope that the truth doesn't make me sound like a serial killer.

"Apparently it's not all bad." Her finger traces the rose tattoo. It's the only color in all that black ink. I wanted it that way for a reason; a reason I've never told anyone. I did it as a reminder that sometimes beauty is hidden among the darkness. Sometimes you have to search to find the good when it's all confused with the bad.

"I'm too chicken to get one done." Claire's finger moved back down to my wrist. My beautiful, brave, Claire. If only she knew how strong she really is.

"You'll know when the time is right." In a way it would be a shame to mark that exquisite, creamy skin of hers. But on the other hand, a secret tattoo could be totally freakin' hot.

Maybe that will be something we can look into together. Claire sighs heavily, her breath fanning against my chest. She covers a yawn as she leans back against me.

"Lay down, baby." She buries her face in my chest, trying to hide the smile that suddenly tugs at her lips. I think she likes it when I call her baby. I'll have to remember that. I push against her gently, easing her back down. Using our still linked hands, she pulls me with her. Snuggling on her side, she wraps my arm around her. What harm is there in staying just a little longer? If she needs me, I have no place else to be. Sighing softly, I lay back against the bed, my body curling around hers. Just a little longer, I tell myself. As soon as she's asleep I'll go back to my own bed.

***A/N–Please review! I love you guys for all of the wonderful support! Y'all are best! ***