A/N: Okay, soo I wrote this on the coach home... first thing I'm doing is posting so if there's any mistakes please forgive me. Check out my twitter account later. I've got a nice shot of Randy Orton from Smackdown last night.

Hope you all enjoy the chapter...

"He was here again last night," the nurse said to him when she was making some notes on his chart.

"AJ, I wish you would stop telling me," Randy said as he pulled himself up in bed.

It had been a week since he'd been admitted, and he had to admit it was the longest of his life. His only company during the day was the nurses, and the occasional visit from his mom. She was still mad at him for not allowing an investigation to go ahead and he knew her maternal instincts told her he was involved in something.

"I'm just telling you who visited. I can't help who it is," she said producing some fresh bandages. "I need to take a look of your wounds."

"Again?" he said, it had only been a couple of days since she'd last done so.

"Yes again; we need to make sure they don't get infected," she said sternly. "Have you called the Special Agent?"

"No," he said exasperated. She was obviously looking out for him, but her persistence was getting a little frustrating.

"Are you going to?"

"No. He doesn't need to speak to me to know what's going on," Randy explained, hoping she would leave the subject alone.

"And what about John? He damn near freaked out when I gave him that chain," she said, continuing to look sternly at him.

"He's better off without me," Randy said, looking away so she couldn't see the tears in his eyes. He didn't know why he was doing it. Over the last week he had opened up more to AJ than he had anyone else. Although he didn't go into detail, he told her enough so she could fill in the blanks. "Ow."

"I'm sorry, did that hurt," she said with a grimace as she lightened up with her movements. "I'm sure it's nothing compared to what your boyfriend is feeling right now."

"He's not my boyfriend," Randy said as though he could make it true by just saying it.

"From the looks of the rings, I was initially thinking husband, but if it was he wouldn't be coming in during the night," she hinted trying to get more information.

"Fiancé," Randy said. "But it was complicated."

"Had you separated? I mean, you had both rings; so-"

"If I'm not telling my sergeant, or the FBI, do you think I'm going to tell you," Randy said with a smirk. He liked AJ, but it didn't mean he was going to tell her everything. He'd already made one huge mistake; he wasn't going to do it again.

"You're going to die a lonely man, Randy," AJ said shaking her head as she went to leave the room.

"I thought I was improving?" Randy said trying to make it a joke, though he knew she was right. There was no one else for him but John. He knew that, but he also knew that they could never be. At least, it didn't feel like they could. Not now. He only wished he'd been able to convince John to leave when they had their chance.

Looking at the clock on the wall he knew AJ's shift would be ending soon so he reached over for the remote control to the TV. His only companion until his mom arrived at lunch. Just as he was settling in to watch yet another episode of Jerry Springer, the phone to Randy's right started ringing.

He was shocked to say the least since he hadn't received a single phone call since waking up in his room.

"Hello," he said answering the phone.

"You never called, Fella," said the annoying Irish agent.

"What was the point?" Randy said downbeat when he realised who was on the other end. The last thing he wanted to do was rehash what had happened. His life had turned upside down. He was beat within an inch of his life, and still a week later he didn't know who had found him and got him to hospital. On top of that, he couldn't tell anyone for fear of the repercussions, not only for his job but also for John's safety.

"You sound like you've given up," Farrelly said sounding as chipper as he always did. "You know my uncle Mick, he always said-"

"I don't much care about your uncle," Randy said interrupting him. "I just want to be left alone. I'm hoping to get out of here in the next couple of days, and providing you haven't reported me, I just want to get back to work."

"Why would I report you, Fella? If anything I think you helped," Farrelly said.

"I'm glad almost losing my life has helped your case. I'm filled with so much glee," Randy said deadpan. "Can't you hear it in my voice?"

Randy didn't want to talk to the agent anymore so he hung up and went back to watching the television. He started laughing maniacally as he watched the antics of the show. Watched people launch themselves across the stage at another guest. He couldn't believe them; they thought their life was bad. They had no clue. He was lying in a hospital bed, because he dared to follow his heart and help the man he loved. Right now, he would give anything to switch roles with any of them.

"I can't possibly believe what you are finding so funny," his mother's stern voice said as she entered the room.

Randy looked over and he wiped the fallen tears from his face, stopping his laughing when she scalded him.

"You're early," he said without emotion.

"And I see you're as happy as ever," she said. "What were you laughing at so hard you were crying?"

"Jerry Springer," he said just as his phone rang again. He switched off the TV and ignored his phone, turning his attention to his mom who was staring at him expectedly.

"Are you going to answer it?" she asked with a look that said she was telling him, not asking. He reached over to the phone, knowing who it would be.

"What?" he said answering the phone.

"Randal," he heard his mom admonish him.

"Sounds like you're in trouble, Fella," the agent said.

"Nothing I can't handle," Randy said not rising to the comment.

"How are you feeling?"

"Nothing I can't handle," Randy answered, using the same reply. He desperately wanted to answer any more questions. Nothing was going to improve his life.

"Like I said before, you've actually helped the investigation," Farrelly said going straight back to their original conversation. "We're pretty sure Alberto's up to something."

"Why are you telling me this?" Randy said shooing his mom away as she tried to straighten his sheets, tidying up his room while he was on the phone.

"I thought you might try to get some information from your boy tonight," Farrelly said letting his comment linger for a moment. Letting Randy know he was still being watched. "Was he worth it?"

"I have to go," Randy said quietly. He hung up the phone and sat quietly for a moment, not taking in anything his mom was saying to him. He didn't know what to do. He picked up the phone again and dialled the number which he had committed to memory. He was never sure why he had remembered the number since he never rang it but on this occasion he was grateful.

"Who are you ringing?" his mom asked.

"John Cena please… when..? Do you know why?" Randy asked. When he got his answer he hung up and went back to sitting in silence. John had quit his job.

"You obviously aren't in the mood for company today," his mom said bringing him out of his thoughts. "Why don't I come back another time?"

"Sure," he said as she kissed him on his cheek causing him to wince. He was healing but he was still sore.

"Sorry, darling. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sorry, mom," he said squeezing her hand. "I guess it's catching up with me."

After lunch Randy's day started to mellow out. He was use to the quiet of the day and most people, if they came by to see him, would do so later in the evening after they had finished their working day. The only down part of the day was the nurse on duty that monitored his condition. He was more than disturbed about her bed side manner and wondered how a nurse managed to become worse than a doctor.

By about three o'clock in the afternoon he started to yearn for the company of AJ who seemed to take it upon herself to keep him company until he fell asleep trying to get him to talk about what happened. He wondered how she was able to do so without neglecting the other patients but apparently she did because she never got in trouble.

As the evening approached he became disappointed that no one was coming to visit and the time started dragging longer than usual. He was even longing for another conversation with Agent Farrelly just to break up the monotony of watching television. Maybe he should ring his mom and ask her to bring in a book just so he would have something else to do. But if he did that then she would have to go to his house and so far he had managed to stop her doing so. He didn't want her to see the basement, although he was sure someone would have when they found him.

"Good evening, Mr Orton," the doctor said coming into his room.

"Doc," he said, grateful for the distraction of his own thoughts.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better, getting a bit antsy though, any chance I get out of here soon?" he asked.

"Let's see," the doctor responded. "We don't want to be sending you home too early."

The doctor examined the deeper cuts and seemed to be pleased, which Randy took as a good sign. He stressed to Randy his concerns about releasing him still since he lived alone and could still pull the stitches since they hadn't healed one hundred per cent. Randy tried to persuade him that while he lived at home he was sure his mom would be around on a daily basis making sure he was taken care of.

Although still sceptical the doctor agreed to release him the next day providing he was okay during the night. Randy assured him he would be since he had been every other night he had been in the hospital.

Abut twenty minutes after the doctor's visit, AJ popped her head in to let him know that she was about if he needed anything and Randy smiled sadly at her. Although more than happy to get out of the hospital, he would miss the nurse. He'd seen a somewhat crazy to her at times, but overall she was fun to be around. If he weren't gay he may even be interested in her.

"Got some good news I hear," she said as she came back after making her rounds. She pulled up a seat next to Randy's bed so they could catch up. "Anything else happen today?"

"Couple of things, nothing much," Randy lied. He didn't want to admit to trying to contact John after speaking with Farrelly. Both topics would set her off on one of her carefully questioned lectures. "How was your day?"

"I slept. I don't do a lot when I'm on nights," she said shrugging her shoulders.

They sat chatting for a little while until AJ's phone chimed. She pulled it out and quickly read the message. She hopped up from her seat telling Randy she would be back after she dealt with something.

A couple of minutes went by and then another couple and Randy was starting to drift back into his thoughts. He wished tomorrow would come quickly; he couldn't take being in the hospital much longer, unable to escape his thoughts. At least once he was at home, he could get the house straight and pack up everything regarding Del-Rio, if Farrelly hadn't already sent in a team of agents to clear up.

"Ran." Randy's head shot round at the sound of his voice. At first neither man said or did anything, they simply looked at one another, taking it in. Randy knew he didn't look good. The last time he caught a glimpse of himself, he was still black and blue. The cut on his lip was healing but it was still visible and the cut on his cheek would likely leave a scar; and that was just his face. The further you went down his body, the more cuts and bruises there were.

"Let me guess, AJ told you to come by earlier," Randy snapped.

"Maybe," he heard her say from behind John. She popped her head around John's frame with a guilty look. "You need to talk."

"No, we d-"

"Do you really want to end things, or do you think you're doing the noble thing of trying to protect me?" John questioned, his lip trembling as he spoke.

Randy was trying to hold in his own emotions. Seeing John was pushing him to the point of letting his guard down. Deep down all he wanted to do was take John into his arms and protect him. Take him away from this place, but if he tried, he knew his life would be over, and John would be right behind him, and only a handful of people would even know about their love for one another. That wasn't how Randy wanted their love to be. He wanted them to grow old together surrounded by their family.

"Ran, will you talk to me, please," John pleaded. "Remember the story you told me. Even when the Prince thought he'd lost his love, he found him again. He rescued him from the dungeons."

"Randy, I never knew you had it in you," AJ teased from behind John. When Randy shot her a glare, she sheepishly retreated. "I'll leave you two alone. Randy I expect you to actually do some talking."

John ventured further into the room and took a seat on the edge of Randy's bed. When he went to take his hand, Randy pulled back. He knew he had to be the strong one. Inside it was killing him, and it probably would for the rest of his life but he couldn't risk getting John hurt. He'd already done that enough.

"Did you ever love me?"

"Yes."

"Just not enough," John murmured looking away from Randy.

"Too much," Randy admitted. "That's why I'm in this state now."

"Do you blame me?"

"No."

"Why did you ask her to give me the ring?"

"To let you know it was over," Randy said turning his emotions off once and for all. The only way he would get John to understand is to be hard with him, and break his heart. Maybe, if he ever found a way to help him, he would. But their time together was over. "This isn't about you. I thought it was, I got caught up in finding you a way out, and this is what happened."

"Randy-"

"No, John. I'm not doing this anymore. I almost lost my life because I happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought when I met you; I met the rest of my life. It almost nearly was. No man is worth my life, including you."

"You don't mean that," John said tears streaming down his face.

"Yes I do," Randy said giving John a hard evil look. "Now leave; and tell AJ she can mind her own business and stay out of my life."

Randy kept his cold stare trained on John as he got up from the bed and made his way across the room. He could tell from the way John held himself he had broken the man. It broke his own heart to do so, and when John was gone from his room and from the hospital, and after he received the inevitable lecture from AJ he would turn out the lights and cry himself to sleep.

As he went to leave the room, John looked back at Randy, taking one last look. Randy was taken off-guard when John shot back across the room and grabbed his head, claiming his lips in a forceful kiss. He held as still as stone, fighting a battle inside not to crumble and kiss John how he wanted to. When he didn't respond to the kiss, he felt John's tears drip onto his cheek before pulling away.

"I'm sorry," John whimpered almost running out the room. Randy heard AJ call after him but to no avail.

"It's a good job you can't go anywhere Randy because you and I are going to have some serious words when I get back," she yelled before going after John.

As soon as AJ was gone Randy brought his knees up and hugged them for all he was worth as the tears which had been building from the moment John walked in the room spilled over. His whole body wracked as the tears took over. He curled up on his side, screwing his eyes shut trying to take deep breaths to calm himself but nothing worked.

He heard AJ enter the room again and take a seat. He couldn't look at her but he felt her take his hand to let him know he wasn't alone. After a few minutes his breathing started to come back to normal, though the tears still flowed as he knew they would all night.

"Why would you do that Randy?" she asked gently. "If you love each other-"

"I was… going to g-get h-him… killed… if I stayed w-with h-him," Randy sobbed. "T-this w-was the… only way."

"You broke his heart and yours in the process," AJ said as though pointing out something he didn't already know. When he didn't respond, she got up and left him alone, switching off the light in his room so he could at least try to get some sleep. Randy knew she would be checking up on him during the night, if he didn't have a good night's sleep then he wouldn't be going home tomorrow.

A/N: Please review... :)