Title: Broken but not alone

Rating: T

Summary: "Trust me, we know. And as soon as you give the okay for him to leave we'll make sure he starts chemo as soon as fucking possible."

Warnings: none

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no harm is meant.

Beta: None, all mistakes are mine.

A/N: Randy is a bit blunt, but then again...when is he not.

In case anyone wanted to know, an emergency room was completely dead at two in the morning, or at least on this Thursday morning in Phoenix. Just three guys, twenty some odd chairs, a water fountain, some toys off in the corner and a muted t.v.

Cody sat facing the double doors waiting for a doctor or nurse to come through. Anxiously waiting for any news or the okay to go back and see his friend.

His nerves showed badly, the empty styrofoam cup crumpled to half its original size in his hand. Worry clearly written in his features as his emotions seesawed between guilt and anger, relief trying to balance them out.

He was guilty of calling in reinforcements behind Ted's back, pissed off beyond belief for being lied to and relieved that John and Randy felt the same as he did. Maybe the three of them could knock some sense into the southerner and set him on the path to recovery. He just hoped it wasn't too late.

Surprisingly for all the attitude Ted showed as of late, one glare from the viper had been enough for him to throw what was left of his resistance out the window. Pain clouded blue eyes silently leaking while Randy and John effortlessly carried his weight, one arm slung around each of their necks. Quite the picture they made in the halls with Ted still dressed in only his boxers and a fresh t-shirt.

The ride to the hospital was quiet except for the blond's ragged breathing, his head dead weight on Cody's shoulder. By the time they arrived, Ted had fallen asleep, the pain subsiding enough to allow him a few moments rest.

"Cody."

John's voice cut through the haze his current thoughts had built. He tore his eyes away from the doors locking onto a gaze that mirrored his own.

"Stop beating yourself up, kid. You did the right thing."

Cody searched the crystal blue orbs looking for better clarification. Did John mean tonight or two days ago when Randy cornered him demanding to know what was wrong with Ted. Faced with a seething Orton, his chances of survival looked a hell of a lot better if he sang like a canary. He was just glad John had been close by to stop Randy from ripping Ted a new one and to promise they wouldn't say anything. Not that it mattered now.

"In both situations." The older man cleared up for him, reading his mind.

Holding the gaze a second longer he nodded, not trusting his own voice then averted his eyes to the silent man sitting next to John.

Randy's face showed no emotion, giving nothing away as to his true feelings. Well other than anger which Cody knew was boiling just below the surface of his calm facade. His eyes were just as cold and inexpressive as the rest of him. Though their glassy quality placed him far away in his own thoughts. Probably thinking of ways to strangle Ted, which Cody would totally condone right now.

He looked around noticing that they were still alone. The lady behind the counter looked up every couple of minutes but said nothing, Just went about her own business answering a few phone calls and filling out stacks of paper. Not even the paging of that Dr. Morgan did much to disturb the odd silence.

Cody's gaze eventually returned to its post watching the double doors. using what little focus he could manage he tried to will them open and make Ted's doctor appear.

It'd only been twenty minutes since they'd arrived but no one else was there, so he couldn't figure out what was taking so long. The longer the wait only spelled bad news in his mind, causing several questions to come out of left field.

Was there a complication? Did Ted not want to see them? Was he possibly...Not gonna finish that thought.

John stood heading over to the water fountain just as the doors opened. A heavy set raven haired man stepped through them wearing black scrubs, his lab coat long ago discarded.

John stopped in his tacks turning back to watch Cody jump up and visibly brace himself for the worse. Randy only turned his head in the direction of the doctor but made no move to get up. The distance between the present and his thoughts still clear for all who wanted to see.

John flanked the younger man's right staring intently as he tried to read the severity of the situation on the doctor's face. However, years of professional stoicism blocked him out.

"Friends of Mr. DiBiase, I presume?"

"Yes." Cody confirmed nodding his head.

"I'm Dr. Morgan. Your friend here caught a very lucky break tonight."

"Is he okay?" Cody asked almost afraid to hear the answer.

"I wouldn't exactly use the work 'okay'. He's stable but far from out of the woods." His voice carried a slight melody that reminded John of Sheamus. "Are you aware that he has-"

"Cancer, yeah we know" Randy snorted from his chair.

Dr. Morgan eyed the seated man wearily but continued. "The pain coupled with his blood not getting enough oxygen due to anemia was the culprit tonight." He paused, sky blue eyes shifting between the three men. "Luckily a few pills can assuage those two problems but it won't get rid of them or solve the actual problem. He needs to have started treatment-"

"Trust me, we know. And as soon as you give the okay for him to leave we'll make sure he starts chemo as soon as fucking possible."

Randy finally stood. He was already irate to begin with and the doctor telling them shit they already knew wasn't helping his mood.

Cody could just barely swallow past the lump in his throat. He felt John lean into him to support his swaying form and heard the man apologize to the doctor for Randy.

No matter how hard he tried not to think about it, the thought just wouldn't go away. Ted could die, probably would die and the only one to blame was Ted himself.

The stupid stubborn fuck.

He missed the rest of the conversation but allowed John to guide him though the double doors, Randy right behind them.

Ted awoke hooked up to a machine with about a dozen or so I.V.'s stuck in his arm. More like two but in his current state is felt like a dozen. He squinted against the harsh light just barely able to make out three figures standing around him, a t.v. hanging in the corner and two doors. One no doubt leading to the bathroom. The curtains were drawn but the clock informed him it was still early morning.

He reached up clawing at the thing plugging his nose and pulled. Though he was a bit stiff, the pain was completely gone. His chest wasn't a mass a tight knots and he could breathe easily enough. That was until the expression on Orton's face became clear.

Ted gulped.

"Look who's awake." Randy spoke first. His tone was low and dangerous. Irritation pretty evident. "So nice of you not to die on us yet."

"Randal" John hissed but the words had already been said.

As if John never opened his mouth, Randy continued talking flanking the right side of the bed. John stood at his feet with Cody to his left.

"Explain something to me, Teddy. Explain your ass backwards logic in refusing treatment cause I just don't get it."

Oh, if looks could kill...

Ted knew he was alone in this one. Cody stayed silent, large blue eyes offering symphony. He was also willing to bet John would only stop the worse of the viper's wrath, not all.

He looked back at Randy, dropping his gaze after a few seconds. The menacing grey eyes caused his stomach to do a few somersaults.

"I asked you a question, Ted" Randy growled.

"I...I don't...I don't know" Ted stuttered out keeping his eyes trained on the bed railing.

"Not good enough." Randy snarled. He took a step closer to the bed, his pants coming into the blond man's vision. "Try again."

Not sure what to say, Ted stayed quiet never once raising his head. The silent tension grew until Ted suddenly head Orton growling in the back of his throat. He snapped when the older man's hand snatched up his chin.

"Theodore"

"What"

Randy cocked his head glaring at Ted, his eyes slowly narrowing.

"Answer me."

"I did." Ted jerked his head away from Randy's grip. "I don't know. I don't know what made sense that night. I was just...I'm just..." He broke off heaving a deep heavy sigh. The tears threatening to fall but he refused to let them, refused to let Randy see him cry. See him weak.

"You were scared." John's voice was soft, actually a bit soothing. A drastic contrast to his friend's harsh words. "Afraid to acknowledge it. If you ignore it, it'll go away, right?"

"Sorry, but we're not talking about some annoying kid here. We're fucking talking about life and death, actually just death now." Randy deadpanned.

"Your anger isn't helping matters." Cody snapped finally fed up with the rude man.

"And your passive approach had him turning over a new leaf?" Randy argued.

"Randy-"

"SHUT UP"

The three dark haired men stared at the blond as if he'd grown a second head. Shocked to say the least.

"I made a huge fucking mistake, I get it." He looked at all of them making sure they were listening. "And the price will most likely be my life. I'm so, so fucking sorry. There's probably only a year left in me, maybe less. But I want to try and change that. Can you guys...Will you-"

So much for being strong.

He started crying, the tears flowing freely without abandon. He sobbed harder when he felt Cody wrap his arms around his shoulders, guiding Ted's head to his shoulder.

"You lied once Ted" There was no more venom to Randy's tone. It was gentle with a hint of concern. "Why should we trust you now?"

Ted didn't answer right away. He lifted his head and looked at his friends. The only ones who stuck around when his temperament changed. The only other members of his club besides medical personnel.

"Because I'm a broken man." He whispered. "I lost, time to swallow my pride and face the consequences."

Randy handed him a box of tissues then took a seat along with John on the edge of the bed. The railings having been dropped when Cody sat down.

"You'll tell your folks?" John asked. "Cause, though no parent should have to bury their child, they should know before hand when there is no choice."

"Yeah, I know." Ted closed his eyes. His family might just put him six feet under themselves. He was dreading that conversation.

"And McMahon." Cody added.

"And you'll be on the first thing smoking back to Florida as soon as this doctor releases you." Randy finished.

They all laughed. The awkward tension slowly dissipating around them. Even though Ted would give anything for a rewind button in life, ultimately he wasn't going to complain. This was his fault, only his. Now all he could do was be grateful for this moment and what ever time he had, it's all that was left for him.

He smiled though. At least he wouldn't be alone.

A/N2: I'm pretty sure this is the end, sorry if the ending wasn't what you were expecting. I love Codiasi but my muses have left or more like my Centon muses got rid of them, lol. I wanted to do at least two more chapters, maybe Ted's fight through chemo then possibly *hides* after his death. I'll give it a little while and hopefully the muses will come back. Until then, to everyone who took this journey with the boys.