***THANKS you guys!***

Randy awoke to the sound of something beeping. He opened his eyes and saw Miranda get out of bed and head over to the microwave. He rubbed his eyes, "Carebear, what are you doing?"

She jumped at the sound of his voice, "You needed to ice and heat your back, so I've been working on it all night. 20 minutes with the heating pad, 20 minutes without, then 20 minutes of ice and then 20 minutes without."

"You've been doing this all night long?" He asked surprised.

Miranda nodded as she brought the heating pad over and laid it on the towel on his back. "Yeah, I know how much it would help."

He patted the spot next to him. When she gently laid down, he put his arm around her and held her close, "That means a lot to me Carebear, thank you."

She nodded, "You're welcome. I knew you'd appreciate it."

"Have you taken a break to sleep?" He asked.

"After every sixty minutes I take an hour to sleep." She replied.

"Close your eyes, it's my turn to take care of you." Randy replied as he held her close.

As Miranda rolled to her stomach to get comfortable, Randy rubbed her back over her shirt so she didn't get the wrong idea. "Am I ok?" He asked.

She nodded as she yawned. "Yeah, that's nice." And not very long after she was fast asleep.

Randy laid there staring at her. "Could this be a good sign? Was she just being nice, or was she giving serious thought to giving him a second chance?" He asked himself. God how he loved to watch her sleep. She looked so relaxed and so peaceful. He closed his eyes and smiled and soon he was back asleep as well.

Miranda woke up to Randy's phone ringing. "Randy, your phone is ringing."

Randy's eyes opened and he reached over and grabbed his phone, "Hello?"

"Randy, it's mom." His mom Elaine replied. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I messed up my back again. They don't know if it's herniated or broken. So I'm flying home tonight."

"Oh my God. Do you need us to pick you up?" She asked.

"No, I have a ride." He said hugging Miranda.

"Ok. I'm just making sure. How are you feeling?"

"Sore as hell." Randy said gruffly. "But, I'll survive."

"Alright, well try and take it easy. Don't over-exert yourself and call me when you get home. I love you."

"Love you too mom." Randy replied as he hung up.

"What time is it?" Miranda asked.

"It's quarter to eleven." Randy replied.

"Let's get up and get ready. We should leave for the airport at noon. Have you checked in with John and Vince?" She asked.

"Ok and no and no." Randy replied as he let go of her. "But I will now."

"I'm going to take a shower." She said as she got out of bed. She turned and kissed his cheek, "Thanks for the snuggles."

He smiled as he watched her walk into the bathroom. Then he made all of his phone calls. He slowly stood up and carefully stretched. He felt like hell. His lower back was killiing him.

Miranda walked out of the bathroom and found Randy stretching. "Feeling any better?"

Randy shook his head no, "Actually...my back feels like shit to be honest. And my left leg is tingling."

Miranda made a face, "That's not good."

"Hey, can I ask you a really big favor? And if you say no, I totally understand." Randy asked as he stood up to look at her. "When we get back to St. Louis, do you think you could take me to the grocery store? Before you drive me home?"

She looked at him and laughed, "Yeah, I can take you to the grocery store. No problem."

"Thanks Carebear. I'm going to take a hot shower. Then we'll get going." Randy replied kissing her on the cheek.

She nodded as he slowly walked into the bathroom.

Miranda got dressed and sent a text to Christopher letting him know that she'd be home late and would be at work tomorrow. She never did get a response. Miranda shook her head and rolled her eyes. She did a once over and made sure that she had everything packed.

Randy made his way out of the bathroom and bent over to reach his bag and his back spasmed. He let go of his towel and grabbed his lower back as he cried out in pain.

Miranda jumped and turned around, "What happened? Are you ok?"

"No, my back is spasming. Fuck."

"Ok, calm down. Let me help." She said walking over to him. That's when it occurred to her he didn't have a towel on anymore. She took a deep breath and reached out and helped him drop to his knees. Then she stood behind him and began to rub his lower back. She rubbed and kneaded him.

Randy moaned and slowly started to relax a little which helped to relieve the spasming a bit. He let his hips sink a little more and relaxed the muscles as much as he could. "You're lucky I've changed. Right now I'd be popping a few pills and drifting off to lala land if I hadn't turned over a new leaf."

Miranda chuckled, "Oh thank God. Instead you're screaming in pain on your knees and naked as I am standing behind you rubbing on your lower back."

"Well, if you want, you could take off your clothes and get on your knees?" He said with a laugh.

"Good, you're feeling better. Smartass. Now let's get you dressed so we don't miss our flight." She replied as she almost playfully spanked him but stopped herself just in time.

Randy slowly lifted his bag and set it on the bed he pulled out his clothes. "See, seeing me naked isn't so bad is it?"

"Are you dressed yet?" Miranda replied completely ignoring his comment.

"Seriously, can you help me with my pants? Bending over kills me."

She turned around to face him. He was sitting on the bed and she could see in his face he was being serious this time. "Yeah, I can help."

Miranda walked over and grabbed his briefs and his track pants. She slid them on and then had him stand and once they were above his knees he grabbed them and pulled them up. "Thanks Carebear."

She nodded as she walked into the bathroom. She came out with all of his stuff and began to pack his bag. "Miranda, I swear I didn't call you out here to take care of me."

Miranda smiled, "I sure as hell hope not. Who gets injured going into an important pay-per-view and his best friend's wedding?"

"Ha ha ha...funny." Randy replied as he tried to stand up straight. "Let's get out of here."

Miranda grabbed his bag and her bag. "Alright, let's go."

Randy was definitely moving slow. He was trying to grin and bear it through the pain. As they walked through the lobby, he was approached by a few fans for autographs. He posed for a few pictures and then he handed his wallet to Miranda, "Wanna go take care of it?"

She nodded and took his wallet and headed over to the desk.

"So...is he going to be ok?" A familiar male voice asked quietly.

She turned and smiled a bit as she saw Joe standing there. "I don't know...he's really hurting."

"It's good to see you by his side again. Trust me on this one, stay away from Chris. I can't break the vow of brotherhood but I can't watch you go down with him. He's a ship getting ready to sink and he's going to drag everyone with him. You and Randy were meant to be together." Joe said sincerely to her. "I'm here to talk to Randy for a minute. I know you have a plane to catch. But I'll talk to you later."

And without another word or time for Miranda to respond, he walked over and began chatting with Randy. She watched him peculiarly. What was his deal? Why was he so busy trying to get her away from his own brother? Did he actually know something she didn't? Or was it the fact that he was closer to Randy then to his own brother?

Randy shook his hand and then walked over to Miranda, "Did you get everything squared away?"

She nodded and handed him back his wallet, "Yup, and I got your receipts."

"Thanks Carebear." He said with a smile and he took his wallet and put it into his fanny pack.

"Alright, let's head out."

And they left. By the time they landed in St. Louis, Randy's back was completely tense and spasming horribly. Miranda was trying everything she could to help, but the plane ride was too tough on his back.

As they walked through the airport, Miranda fell a few steps behind Randy. She still had yet to hear back from Christopher so she was a bit nervous about whom they would run into.

They made it to the ramp and found Miranda's car. Once they were inside, Miranda looked over at him. "Do you need to take one of your pills? You look like you're hurting really bad."

Randy shook his head, "Yes I do, but I'm not going to. I can't till I'm at home where I can take one, sit in the hot tub and pass out."

"Randy, you can't take one and sit in the hot tub. You'll fall asleep and drown."

"But I need the hot tub to loosen my back muscles. Right now I have to loosen the muscles before the ice will do anything. And the pill will help ease the pain so I quit tensing the rest of my back to compensate."

"Ok Mr. Analytical, but those pills make you drowsy. And if you get drowsy, you'll fall asleep and drown." Miranda replied concerned.

Randy rolled his eyes, "Yes ma'am. I'll be careful. I'll sit in the hot tub, then take a pill and then pass out."

Miranda smiled and shook her head, "God you're such a smartass."

"Better to be a smartass then a dumbass." Randy replied non-chalantly.

She turned the car on and they headed for the grocery store. Miranda always listened to country music which usually drove Randy up the wall. But this time, Randy was humming along with the Dierks Bentley song on the radio. She looked over at him, "How do you know this song?"

Randy looked like a kid that got his hand caught in the cookie jar. "Well…uh…I started listening to country a bit while I was in rehab. Some of it's not too bad."

Miranda smiled, "See…it's not all bad. Plus you liked our wedding song, and that was country."

Randy stuck his tongue out at her and laid his head back against the headrest.

They got to the grocery store closest to Randy's house and got out. They walked inside and grabbed a cart. Miranda and Randy began to grocery shop and stroll down memory lane. Soon they were laughing and carrying on. Randy would put something in the cart and Miranda would shake her head and put it back. They were carrying on as if they were two schoolkids in love.

Miranda went back to grab Randy's favorite juice and Randy headed to the meat section. Soon he heard a very familiar voice. "Mr. Orton, longtime no see."

Randy smiled and turned, "Mr. Jewell, how've you been." And the two shook hands.

"Cut the formals. How the hell are ya?" Greg Jewell replied. Randy couldn't believe Miranda's dad was at the grocery store. Soon Miranda's mom was also standing with the guys.

Miranda's mom Carol gave Randy a big hug, "It's really good to see you. What have you been up to?"

So the three of them were standing by the hamburger chatting. Miranda wasn't paying attention and rounded the corner and then stopped.

"Miranda! What a surprise! Guess who we ran into?" Her mom said excitedly.

Miranda turned seven shades of red. "Actually I know. I'm here helping him grocery shop."

Both parents stopped and looked at her. Randy bit his lip to try and not laugh. He knew that Miranda's parents loved him.

"Well, we ran into each other and he invited me to go and see a show, and it happened to be the same house show that Liz was at. So I finished up some wedding stuff while seeing him. Then he got hurt last night and so now here we are." Miranda replied quickly and nervously.

"You two have to come for dinner tonight. Greg can grill some steaks, Miranda you could make that salad that Randy likes so much. I'll make a dessert. That way you don't have to worry about anything but getting better and catching up." Carol interjected.

"Mom, I don't know. Randy's pretty sore…" She started to protest, but Randy quickly cut in.

"I think I'll be ok. I can bring a cushion." Randy said with a smile.

Miranda shot him a look, but he acted like he didn't notice.

"Hell, I'll break out the cards and we can play a few hands of five-hundred Rummy and maybe some Yahtzee." Greg replied.

"Alright! Game night at the Jewell household." Randy said happily. He reached over and squeezed Miranda's shoulder.

Miranda faked a smile, "Great, I guess we'll see you guys tonight. What time?"

"Let's say 5:30pm. I can make up a couple appetizers." Carol said happily.

Greg shook Randy's hand again, "See you tonight pal." And him and Carol walked off happily whispering to each other.

Miranda looked at Randy, "What the hell was that?" She hissed at him.

"Well, your parents invited us to dinner, and I thought it would be impolite to turn them down." Randy replied innocently.

"Don't give me that. You have to remember that we are NOT together and that I am currently seeing somebody who is due home anytime tonight. Remember? That's why I was flying home today…What do I say to him now?" Miranda replied frantically.

Randy leaned down and looked her in the eyes, "Babe, you worry too much. Relax…this will be fun. We're just two friends who happen to be divorced from each other having dinner and game night at your parents' house."

Miranda hated the fact that she was secretly wishing he'd kiss her. She closed her eyes and nodded, "Yeah, you're right. God knows my parents love you like a son."

They finished grocery shopping and she brought him to his house.

Walking into the house they used to share was very overwhelming. A lot of it still looked the same even though it had been a couple years. She could still see where their wedding pictures used to be. Miranda shook her head to make the memories float away as she carried the bags inside.

In the kitchen she began to put things away. It was odd to her that she still remembered where everything went and just how he liked them. In a sense it was almost as if she had only been on vacation. Randy didn't say too much because he could tell by the look on her face her mind was racing. What he didn't realize was that her heart was pounding and the tears were burning her eyes. The reality of the truth was hitting her like a ton of bricks…even though she had tried to deny it for so long. She still loved Randy and she missed being with him.

Randy walked into the kitchen just as she was putting the last couple things away. "Hey, are you mad about me telling your parents yes about dinner?"

Miranda didn't turn around, she was afraid he'd see her tears. "No, no, it's ok. Don't worry about it."

Randy walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Carebear…I really, really appreciate you doing all of this for me. It means a lot to me. I know this weekend was crazy and overwhelming and I know I toed the line with some of my joking. But I really appreciate this. Thank you."

Miranda nodded as she turned to face him, "You're welcome Randy. I have to also tell you thank you. I lost a part of me awhile ago. A part of me that I didn't think existed anymore. And over the weekend, I found it again. And it was really nice. So no, I'm not upset about dinner. I'm kind of excited to have dinner and game night over there. With you. But I've gotta go. This is a lot. I'll pick you up around 5pm. You should probably soak in the hot tub and then use the ice packs on your lower back. And definitely bring a pillow for support over at their house."

Before Randy could respond, Miranda had grabbed her purse and headed to the front door. She quickly got into her car and left. As she drove her mind was running wild…"What do I do now?"

**How will game night go? What's going to happen between her and Christopher? What was Joe alluding too when he told Miranda she needed to get away from him before he took her down too? Please read and review!***