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.
Claire glanced at her watch again. She'd been sitting in the far corner of the diner for over an hour waiting for Hannah. They stayed at Gabe's studio for the better part of the day. After what seemed like an eternity, Hannah declared that she had photographed them from every possible angle. Claire could only hope that she was right, she didn't think any of them were willing to go for round two. Especially Cody. He had been rude and grumpy the entire time Hannah tried to photograph Legacy. It had taken a soft threat from Randy before Cody shut his mouth long enough to let Hannah do her job. Claire smiled as she thought about how similar his reaction to Hannah was to Randy's reaction to her. At first, Randy had been completely unimpressed, and at times a total ass. He'd taken a long time to warm up to her, but once he had, things had progressed at lightening speed. She was beginning to think that Cody might be trying to fight what he was feeling.
"You really shouldn't frown that hard. It'll give you wrinkles." Claire glanced up at Hannah as she tossed her backpack into the booth and sat down.
"You're late."
Hannah bit back a smile as she looked at Claire from under her eyelashes, "Sorry. I just couldn't make myself leave."
"It was nice of Gabe to let us use his space."
Hannah waved over the waitress as she pulled her backpack onto the table. "Gabe is awesome."
"So how did you two meet?" Claire's curiosity was getting the better of her, especially after Randy said he wondered if Hannah and Gabe were more than friends.
Hannah smiled as she placed her backpack on the seat next to her. She pushed a folder over to Claire. "I want you to check out the proof sheets. I'm not sure how many you want but we've got tons."
Claire arched a brow as she stared at Hannah. The girl had carefully dodged her question. What is she hiding? Eyes narrowed, Claire studied Hannah's delicate features, "Why don't you want to talk about Gabe?"
Hannah shook her head slowly as the waitress set a glass of Coke in front of her, "No offense, Claire, but it's personal."
Claire felt a flash of pride. Hannah may be young but she wasn't going to be pushed into anything she wasn't willing to do. Good for her. Taking the red grease pencil Hannah offered, Claire turned her attention to the photo proof sheet. She quickly skimmed over the ones of herself. Those she totally didn't need to see, she knew she looked like a wicked witch. No way in hell was Randy going to get a look at them, either.
"I really like this one." Hannah leaned over the table and pointed to the one in the bottom corner of the page.
Claire stared in wonder as Randy's face looked back at her. There was something about it that made her breath catch. Hannah captured the intensity in those amazing blue eyes so well. His gaze burned into the camera, making Claire feel like he was staring directly at her, looking into the depths of her soul. That single picture of Randy spoke volumes. It's the same look he gets when we make love. A heated flush crept over Claire. She swallowed hard and reached for her glass.
"Pretty good, huh?" Realizing Hannah was watching her stare at the photo, Claire forced her eyes to move away.
"I don't know what to say." Claire shook her head slowly as she looked at Hannah.
Hannah laughed softly as she tilted her head to side, "That's more than enough! I always judge my work by how speechless it leaves someone. If you don't know what to say, then I'm pushing all the right buttons."
Claire arched a brow. She had no idea what buttons that one particular picture could push.
Hannah slid another proof sheet across the table and pointed, "I really like this one too."
Claire's gaze moved to the photo just below Hannah's finger, "Wow."
Hannah sat back against the booth and smiled, "Wow is right."
Claire looked at the photo again. Cody and Randy were almost nose to nose, staring intently at each other. Cody's mouth was open as if he were in the middle of saying something. If she remembered correctly, Hannah had taken that one when Cody told Randy he was going back to the hotel, even if he had to walk. It was surprising to see Cody this way. He was usually the laid back, easy going Legacy member. It wasn't very often she forgot how young he was and saw the real man underneath.
"I've never seen him like that before." Tapping the photo with a finger she looked up at Hannah.
"The camera loves him."
Claire hid a smile behind her glass. She took a long drink of water before setting it aside, "It sounds like the camera isn't the only thing that has a crush on Cody."
Hannah's mouth shut with an audible click of her teeth. Her skin took on a decidedly pink tinge.
"You do, don't you?" Claire couldn't stop herself from laughing.
Hannah took a deep breath. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make herself meet Claire's steady gaze, "He's . . . nice."
Claire's laughter increased as she leaned back in her seat, "Nice? He was like a lion with a thorn in his paw today."
Hannah's flush increased.
"Well, if you do have a crush on him, I totally understand."
Hannah's gaze moved up to meet Claire's, "You do?"
Claire nodded as she toyed with the straw in her glass, "Hell yeah. Cody is cute and smart and funny. A real dream."
"If he's such a great catch, why aren't you with him?"
The laughter died in Claire's throat. She certainly is perceptive. Claire took a deep breath as she studied the woman across from her. How could she explain it without having to go into all the bloody details? "Cody is too young for me. He's way closer to your age."
"Are you saying he's not your type?" Hannah watched Claire's face as she thought over the answer.
Claire shook her head slowly, "I'm a more serious type of person. Cody's still young, full of life, like somebody else I know."
Hannah didn't miss the suggestive wiggle to Claire's eyebrows. "Me? Are you kidding?"
Nodding, Claire pushed the photo sheet back into the folder, "Yes, you. You two would be perfect for each other!"
Hannah's face scrunched up as she stole another quick glance at Cody's photos, "You really think so?"
"Sometimes two people who don't seem like they should be together turn out to be pretty damned incredible."
Hannah returned the folder of photos to her backpack and picked up her drink, "Like you and Randy?
Claire's smile was answer enough.
Later that night
"So what happened with Hannah?"
Claire sighed heavily as she collapsed onto the bed beside Randy. She half-sat, half-reclined against him, her head resting on his chest. "That is one strange chick."
Randy's soft laugh made her smile, "Tell me about it. How did the photos come out?"
Claire yawned and tucked a hand under cheek. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, "Some of them are really good. You can tell she's new at this but she's got loads of potential."
Randy made a sound in the back of his throat. His hand drifted down to tangle in the strands of her hair.
"Aren't you even curious to see the ones we picked out?" Claire couldn't resist asking.
Randy's hand moved deeper into her hair, his nails lightly scratching along her scalp, "I trust you."
Claire smiled as she glanced up at him, "Dangerous words."
Randy glanced down at Claire, "I'm not worried."
Claire resisted the urge to pinch him, "Wanna hear something interesting?"
"What's that?"
Claire sat up enough to be able to look directly at him, "Hannah's got the hots for Cody."
Randy groaned as he ran a hand over his face. He muttered something that sounded remarkably like "Not again."
"What does not again mean?" Claire sat up straight so she could see him better.
Randy stacked his hands under his head as he studied Claire. "Do you need to be reminded what happened the last time a McMahon sent somebody on the road?"
Claire crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at Randy, "I didn't realize I put such a cramp in your style."
Randy couldn't resist smiling. Claire was trying to be mad at him and failing miserably. She was just too adorable, "I wouldn't exactly call it a cramp."
Claire's outraged gasp made Randy laugh, "Do you ever think about anything else but THAT?"
He arched a brow suggestively, "What's wrong with thinking about THAT? At least I'm thinking about doing THAT with you."
Claire's attempt at anger was short lived. In a smooth motion Randy sat up and pulled her into the cradle of his lap. He wrapped an arm around her back to support her. "Are you telling me that you never think about me that way?"
How he managed to sound offended and turned on all at the same time, Claire didn't know. "How do I know you're not thinking about somebody else?"
Randy pulled back slightly as he looked at her. He traced a finger down her forehead, over the slope of her nose and across her lips, "Because there is nobody else. Not for me, at least. You're all the woman I need."
Claire shivered as she looked into his eyes. "How do I know you're not just telling me something to get me into bed with you?''
Randy's laugh was one of pure delight, "Two reasons. One, I already have you in bed with me."
Claire laughed, "Oh, right."
Randy's laughter drifted away as he suddenly became serious. He studied Claire's face as he watched her reaction. "Two, I wouldn't ask you to come home to St. Louis with me if I was thinking about somebody else."
Claire was shocked beyond words. Was he serious? He wanted her to go home with him?
"Really?"
Randy nodded in response, "Really." He felt his breath lock in his throat as he waited for her answer.
Claire was unsure what to say. This would definitely be a major step in their relationship. Randy didn't strike her as the kind of man that would bring a woman home. He was the kind of man that wouldn't let himself get that involved. It was difficult not to believe he had changed if he was willing to ask this of her.
Suddenly unsure, Claire looked away from Randy, "When?"
Randy held his breath, hoping Claire would answer the way he wanted her to, "After 'Mania. I've got a few days off and I want you be with you. Alone."
Claire felt a shiver dance across her, "Are you sure?"
Randy had never been more sure of anything in his life, "Yes."
Taking a deep breath, Claire forced herself to look at Randy, "St. Louis it is."
*** A/N --- If you thought things were heating up before, just wait!! Nothing compares to the road to Wrestlemania. ***
