Chapter 21:

"We're looking at a four month minimum recovery time." Peter Jamison, one of the trainers backstage, informed Haley. "When he fell, he let his shoulder take the brunt of the fall and fractured his clavicle."

Haley sighed and ran an agitated hand through her hair. "I'm guessing it was a pretty bad fracture then."

"Not so much bad, but the clavicle is a very hard bone to heal. It's hard to keep your shoulder completely still all the time." Peter shook his head. "He's all set if you'd like to go in and see him."

"Thank you." She nodded and skirted around the trainer into the medical room.

Randy sat on one of the medical benches, his shoulder secured in a sling and a sour expression on his face. During his Last Man Standing match with Hunter, he had been thrown out of the ring and unable to correct his fall in time. The result had fractured his shoulder and would now put him out of action for four months.

"How are you feeling, Killer?" She tried to ask as cheerfully as possible. Inside, she sympathized with him and was upset that he wouldn't be around. They may have their differences, but for the most part, she depended on Randy and their friendship. Granted, there was often sexual tension, but they made it work.

"How do you think I feel?" He retorted the question back to her.

"Pissed off, disappointed, vengeful with a side of self-deprecation for falling the way you did." She listed off casually before becoming serious. "I'm really sorry, Randy."

The murderous expression on his face softened. "Yeah, me too. That's four months of my career on the shelf."

She decided not to remind him that this was probably how Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam and John Cena felt when they had been victim to one of Randy's vicious attacks. Randy was upset enough as it was and she didn't need to fuel his anger by reminding him about his former indiscretions.

"You're a resilient guy, Randy. If John Cena can heal himself up in four months, so can you. I have faith that you can do it faster." She spoke with a tone of confidence to help lift his spirits.

Emotions swirled in his eyes. "You're right, I will. I'm the best Haley, I deserve to be on top. This is only a minor set back, when I come back, Hunter better pray he's lost the title by then, because I'm coming after it with a vengeance this time!"

"That's the spirit." Haley replied uneasily, as the man before her bordered on the psychotic version of his personality.

Just as quickly as it had blazed, the fire was banked. "I'll miss you, Haley." Randy reached for her with his good arm. "Are you going to be okay on your own?"

She returned his hug. "Of course, besides, I'm never alone. Between my friends and my boyfriend, I'm covered. I'm more worried about you. I'm going to miss you too."

"I'll be back." He murmured into her hair. "Sooner rather than later."

"I'll believe it." She pulled back and kissed his cheek. "I've got to go meet Dave and head back to the hotel. Come see me tomorrow before you leave."

"I will." He watched her disappear out the door and sighed. Just when their friendship really seemed to be getting back on track, something like this had to happen. Granted, Randy wanted more than friendship out of Haley and for the first time, he was patient enough to wait. He had to let this thing she had with Batista play out. He had made the mistake of immersing himself in her relationship with John and it backfired. He planned to play it differently this time around and now he was out for who knows how long.

Haley left the locker room she had shared with her boyfriend with her gym bag slung over her shoulder. Dave had left her a note telling her he'd meet her at the car when she was done checking on Randy. She was exhausted and hoped Dave was in the mood for some serious snuggling when they got back to the hotel.

"Hey." A familiar voice called out to her as she turned the corner.

"Chris?" Haley blinked at the Intercontinental Champion who stood before her looking almost sheepish.

"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his head, a sure sign of his discomfort. "So, I've been a real jerk to you lately."

She smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Tell me something I don't know."

"Does I miss you work?" He sighed. "I got jealous. You're my best friend and I'm used to you being on my side no matter what, but I should have known that you'd take Batista's side when I started pulling stupid shit."

She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I still am your best friend and I'm still going to be on your side no matter what. But what you did that night was stupid and I had to stand for what's right. I'm sorry that it hurt your feelings, but you know me and you know how I work."

"I know." He nodded. "So are you going to move out of Orton's locker room and back into mine?"

"Since he's injured, I guess you'll do." She teased.

"Oh please, you know you like me better than that Assclown." Chris slid his arm playfully around her shoulders. "I really did miss you, you know."

"I missed you too, you jackass." She elbowed his ribs. "You're lucky I like you."

"Yeah well, you're lucky to be in the presence of such a sexy Beast!" He grinned cheekily at her. "I love ya, Hales."

"I love you too." She reached up and ruffled his hair.

"Ah!" He shouted indignantly. "Not the hair! Now you must die!"

With a shriek and a giggle, Haley took off down the hallway, happy that things with Chris were now back on track. She had missed him more than she realized. She couldn't kick back with anyone else the way she did with him.

"You better run, Hales!" His voice carried after her. "When I'm done with you; you'll never ever be the again!"

Her laughter echoed off the mostly empty corridors. She was almost at the exit. She'd beat him there. And if not, her boyfriend would most likely hear the commotion and wonder what was going on. Nothing like a six foot five shield.

"It's the Walls of Jericho for you!" Jericho continued to jokingly threaten.

"You've got to catch me first!" She called back over her shoulder. "Sorry Hunter!" She giggled as she flew past the Game who was on his way to the parking lot as well.

"Out of my way Big Nose, Haley messed with the hair, now she will pay!" Jericho was only steps behind the Women's Champion.

Hunter chuckled to himself as he watched the two head out into the parking lot. "Despite the insult, that's nice to see." He commented on the antics of his girl and her best friend.