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 nodded her thanks to the waitress as she poured another cup of coffee. Last night had been one of the longest, most painful nights she could remember. Randy hadn't said a whole lot. He'd sat in the chair next to the window as he channel surfed. Finally, Claire had given up any hope of talking to him and crawled into bed. She was surprised to wake and find Randy exactly in the same position. He stayed up all night, just in case Hannah needed him. Claire felt a wave of guilt. This wasn't the first time Randy had to pull an all-nighter because someone had been dumped on their skull. Slowly stirring sugar into her coffee, Claire looked at Randy. She didn't know what to say to get him to open up to her. Reaching across the table, Claire laced her fingers through his.

He glanced up from his breakfast, his eyes locking with hers, "I'm sorry."

Tilting her head to the side, she studied him. She could see the stress in his face as well as the way carried himself. His shoulders were tightly scrunched, his jaw clenched. Claire squeezed his hand slightly and forced a smile, "It's okay. I understand."

Randy heaved a deep sigh and put his fork down. After pushing scrambled eggs around on the plate for the better part of 20 minutes, he couldn't bring himself to eat.

"No, it's not okay. It's not fair to you." Randy leaned back in his chair and tried to work out the tightness between his shoulder blades.

"Believe me, I understand." Claire smile encouragingly as she motioned toward his breakfast.

"You really should try to eat."

Randy shook his head as he looked around the restaurant, "Not hungry."

Claire batted her eyelashes at him. She wasn't beyond manipulating him if she had to, "Please? For me?"

Arching a brow, Randy just looked at her. He silently picked up his fork and picked up a bite of fluffy eggs. It was amazing how all it took was a flutter of eyelashes and he'd do whatever she wanted. Claire watched as Randy carefully chewed. She knew he was only doing it because it would make her quit nagging him. If that's what it took to motivate him, then so be it.

"Try not to be upset with her." Claire spoke softly as she drew her finger along the back of his hand. He glanced up at her, fork paused halfway to his mouth.

"I'm trying, Claire."

She nodded slightly, "She's just trying to prove that she belongs here."

"She doesn't. She's too . . . " Randy shook his head, unable to find the right words.

Claire waited for Randy to figure out what he was trying to say. "She's too small."

Slightly taken aback by Randy's comment, Claire stared at him. "That's not a nice thing to say."

"It's true. Come on, Claire, look at her. She's hardly any bigger than Dylan." Claire swallowed a chuckle. While it was true that Hannah was on the petite side, she was almost a foot taller than the beloved Hornswoggle. It wasn't Hannah's fault that she was a small-framed woman trying to make a name for herself in a land of giants.

"Haven't you heard that good things come in small packages?"

"I can say one thing for sure, she has a mind of her own."

Claire nodded in agreement, "And she stood up to you."

"That's not always a good thing."

Glancing around the room, Claire dropped her voice to a low, intimate tone, "I thought someone standing up to you was a turn on."

Randy's smile was just short of wicked, "It does when you're the one standing up to me."

"Now you're just talking particulars. She stood up for what she wanted. You have to respect her for that."

Randy tossed his napkin on the table and carefully studied Claire as he leaned back in his chair. He propped an elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his chin on his fingers. As much as he hated to admit it, he had to agree with Claire. Hannah didn't let someone's opinions and desires stand in her way. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. If he found those same qualities in one of the guys on the roster, he definitely would respect it. So why in hell was he having such a hard time respecting Hannah for it? He didn't understand. Maybe because deep down inside he thought women were supposed to be cherished and protected. They were supposed to be safely ensconced at home, surrounded by babies. He just didn't understand why some women, especially women like Claire and Hannah, wanted to make an impression in such a male dominated world. If he really sat back and thought about it, he should be damn glad Claire was the kind of woman that went after what she believed in. If she had been one of those "other" women, they never would have met. They would never have found the ties that bound them. For that he should stop being such a biased prick and just be grateful.

"You're right. I should." The problem with Hannah was that she used the wrong methods to make her desires a reality. Now if he could only find a way to tame the little hellion. If he could figure out what made her tick, it would be easier to bring under at least partially under control.

Claire couldn't believe her ears. Did the mighty Randy Orton just admit that he might not be correct this time? She never thought she would live to see the day. She smiled encouragingly at Randy, "Maybe we can think of a way to make everybody happy."

Leave it to Claire to be the diplomat. Randy knew she would do whatever it took to finish her assignment on time. She didn't have a whole hell of a lot of time left. He felt bad for that. Every time they turned around, there was some dramatic flare up that would bring her progress to a screeching halt. Before they knew it, Claire's time would be up. Randy couldn't let himself think about what was going to happen when it was. That was part of the reason he wanted her to go back to St. Louis with him. He wanted to have her all to himself, even if it were just for a few days. He couldn't even begin to express how grateful he was to know that she was willing to grant him that one request.

After breakfast, they went back upstairs. Claire sat on the edge of the bed as she waited for Randy to pack the last of his belongings. They were scheduled to be in Columbus and he wanted to get there in plenty of time. She wasn't sure why he was in such a hurry but then again, she wasn't willing to argue. Claire watched as Randy picked up the last of his clothes and shoved them into the duffel bag. She still wasn't used to seeing Randy doing domestic things, like picking up after himself. She always thought he kept a harem to do such menial things. Thankfully, she had been pleasantly surprised to find out that Randy was pretty much a do-it-himself kind of guy. A knock on the door made them exchange glances. Randy paused a moment before moving to the door. He answered it without a word. He stepped back, allowing their visitor to enter.

"Can I talk to you?" Hannah entered the room. Even though she looked pale and tired, she seemed to be intact.

Claire sat up straight as Hannah sat next to her.

Hannah's gaze moved between Claire and Randy, "I just wanted to apologize. For everything. It was a really stupid thing to do."

Randy nodded. He totally agreed that what she did was both careless and dangerous. She had made a shitty decision that ended badly. "I understand why you did it."

Surprised, Hannah looked at Randy. She never expected her apology to get that kind of reaction. "I shouldn't have done it."

Randy sighed heavily as he squatted down in front of Hannah. He looked her over with a critical eye, noting that the bandage on her forehead showed just a little bit of blood. He was damn grateful she hadn't been hurt worse. She was strong, definitely a survivor. "I didn't tell you no just to be an asshole. I was trying to prevent exactly what happened."

Hannah nodded as she swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. She hadn't stopped to think about it from Randy's perspective. He had the foresight to see something like this happening.

"I know that now. And I'm really sorry I did something so stupid."

Randy was impressed by Hannah's willingness to take responsibility for her decisions. There weren't very many people he crossed paths with that would do that. It was a trait he deeply admired. "Claire thinks we should find a way to compromise."

Hannah's hazel gaze moved over to Claire. Shocked, Claire looked at Randy. He had decided to agree with her but hadn't said a word.

"I think we might be able to make everyone happy." Claire chose her words carefully. She had no idea what Randy's plan was but she was still going to back him 100 percent. Hannah felt a sudden flash of hope. She was deeply worried that Randy would demand she return to the home office post haste. She deserved that and more. Looking between Claire and Randy, she waited for one of them to speak.

"You can stay on the road with us under two conditions."

Hannah perked up instantly. She was getting way more than she had allowed herself to hope for. "Anything."

"Number one, you listen to me from now on. I won't let you do anything that will get you hurt." Randy was proud that he left off the 'again' part. "And number two, you keep either Ted or Cody with you at all times."

Hannah opened her mouth to protest and immediately shut it. She wasn't willing to push Randy. She didn't want to give him the slightest cause to change his mind. Hannah looked at Claire to gauge her reaction. Claire smiled encouragingly as she reached up to smooth back a stray hair. If that was Randy's decision, she would stick by him. Before Randy could react, Hannah launched herself at him. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck as she hugged him fiercely. Suddenly terrified, Randy's gaze locked with Claire's. What the hell was he supposed to do now? The little imp had plastered herself to him and was hanging on for dear life. Awkwardly, Randy reached up and patted her gently on the back. He somehow managed to untangle her arms from around his neck as he looked up at her.

"As long as you stick to the rules, we won't have anything to worry about. Right?" Randy slowly stood and looked down at Hannah. He could see the sheer happiness shining in her brilliant eyes.

"I swear. I won't do anything you tell me not to." Hannah placed her hand over her heart in a solemn pledge.

"I mean it, Hannah. If you even think about doing something so stupid again, I'm putting your ass on the first plane back."

Hannah excitedly hopped up and down in place. She was expecting things to be much worse. She honestly expected there to be a lot of tearful begging and pleading. Randy had totally surprised her. She was tempted to fling herself at him for another hug.

Randy must have sensed her intent, he took a step toward the door. "Grab you're stuff. We're leaving in half an hour."

Hannah squealed in excitement and quickly wrapped her arms around Claire. She hugged her tight and whispered 'I owe you' before darting out of the room. Randy closed the door and leaned against it. What just happened? Randy shook his head. He had no idea why he was suddenly so generous. Claire must be at fault. He knew that Claire's work would suffer without Hannah. She would miss deadline again if Hannah didn't get the chance to do her job. He didn't have the heart to send her back, even if that is what every instinct was screaming for him to do. Making Claire suffer was not something he could ever allow. Now he just had one problem, he had to break the news to the boys. And after the disaster of a photo shoot, he was not looking forward to it.


"Not no, but hell no." Cody's resistance was unyielding.

There was nothing in the world to bribe him to do what Randy was asking. Looking over Ted's shoulder, he looked at the object of his resistance. Hannah stood next to Claire at the rear of the SUV. Since Hannah joined them, Randy decided a vehicle upgrade was in order. Ted sighed heavily as he waited for Randy and Cody to finish their argument. Personally, he had absolutely no problem keeping an eye on Hannah. Obviously the girl couldn't be trusted on her own. If they could keep Hannah on track, things would be infinitely easier on all of them. Glancing at Cody, Ted could only shake his head. He wasn't really sure what his deal was. Cody was so absolutely dead set against Hannah being with them. He sure as hell didn't want the babysitting gig.

"I'm not asking." Randy kept his voice low. He didn't want the girls to overhear them. He didn't want either of them to know what lengths he went to in order to keep them both safe and happy.

"And I'm still saying no." Cody shook his head as his arms crossed over his chest.

Randy groaned in frustration as he looked at his friend. Maybe if bullying him wouldn't work, bribery would, "Alright, then. Let's make a deal."

Cody spared a quick glance at Ted, "Keep talking."

Randy sucked in a deep breath. He hated not having the upper hand, "Name your price."

A soft laugh escaped from Cody, "Send her back. Now."

Shaking his head slowly, Randy looked at him, "I can't. I already promised she could stay."

Ted's narrowed eyes darted between Hannah and Randy and back again. What the hell could Hannah possibly have done to get a promise like that from Randy? More than likely, the promise had been made to Claire and now he was just trying to manipulate them into helping him make good on his word.

"Too bad." Cody's response was flat.

"What do you want, Cody? Money?"

Cody shook his head as he considered Randy's offer. Money really didn't mean a whole lot to him. His paycheck from the company was more than enough to keep him happy. What he wanted from Randy should have some sort personal value, "I want your watch."

Slightly surprised, Randy looked down at his wrist and the almost $6,000 Cartier time piece. He bought it with the first check he'd gotten after he signed with the WWE. He thought it made a statement – he had finally made his way to where he was supposed to be. He'd rarely taken it off since. It was a reminder that the past didn't matter any more. Trailing his fingers over the gold band, Randy felt an overwhelming sense of loss. In the long run, he hoped it would be a small price to pay. Slowly, he removed the watch and handed it to Cody.

"Do we have a deal?" Randy forced the words past the lump in his throat.

Cody flashed a smile as he fastened the watch on his wrist, "I'm yours to command."

***A/N – I know a lot of you are having a hard time with Hannah. I know she comes across very young and immature, but believe me, Hannah is way more than what she seems. If you can be patient and hang in there, you'll see that there is so much about her to love. Please review. ***