I sound like a broken record when I say, that I'm sorry for the wait. I blame school. It gets in the way of everything! Lol But there have been som developments on Raw that I would like to discuss. First off, kudos for Randy retaining his title at HITC! That was a brutal battle and the "golden god" (name curtosey of The King) came out on top. Like literally, he climbed to the top of the cage in celebration.

And second, my heart has been shattered into 486738467543806740867389 pieces. John Cena. Enough said. I've always hated the Nexus, and I still do. But that means, John's apart of that now. I don't have the heart to hate him, I can't. But his ring performance on this past Raw, protecting Barrett… I wanted to cry.

Anyways, you've waited enough, on with the chapter!

Chapter 25- End of an Era

Lora

I slammed the car door shut, and rushed into the sliding double doors of the hospital behind Randy. The lobby and waiting room of the emergency area was shockingly empty. The only occupants were people I knew. John and Casie sat cuddled together in chairs against the wall, beside Adam and Melina; who were quietly talking amongst themselves. Edoin paced the room, still in her in-ring gear. Her match had been next after Matt's. I watched her as Randy led me towards a seat. I felt so bad for her. She had just witnessed her husband's injury. I knew how she must be feeling. I knew that she wanted to be with him so bad right now. Because that was how I felt when Randy had been injured so many months ago. Though, I admit, Randy's injury wasn't nearly as severe as Matt's was now. Leaning over towards Casie, I whispered a question that hopefully only she would hear.

"Has she been like that since she got here?"

Casie nodded and removed herself from John's embrace to lean in closer to me. "Ever since that forced her to remain out here while they patch him up."

Casie and I shared a look that said we would be in no better shape if we were in her shoes and weren't allowed to see John or Randy. But my attention was caught by the sound of the sliding doors opening. I turned my head and saw Becky hurrying into the room. And in her hand was the handle of Keith's seat. I jumped from my seat before anyone could react and was at her side in an instant. I carefully peaked inside to see my son's face, void of any emotion as he slept. The occasional smile flitting across his mouth. And just being able to lay my eyes on him, calmed my frayed nerves. I took the handle from Becky.

"I can't stay long, Ryan is home watching the girls. When I left, he was giving them both bathes. I hope there's still dry floors when I return. But Randy called and told me what happened, and asked me to bring him here," she explained, brushing her wind-blown hair out of her face.

"Thank you for watching him," I said, hugging her neck. She laughed softly and returned the hug. I trusted Becky with Keith, even though I didn't show it. It's hard to trust someone else with your child's life. And even though it was a boldface lie, I felt like I needed to prove that I was okay with leaving Keith in, not just her company, but anyone's. "It was a little nice to have some time to myself.

"Oh, if you were anything like me, you had to stop yourself from calling me every thirty minutes, and didn't get one moments peace because you worried so much," Becky retorted, nailing my nights' actions on the head. My cheeks turned red and a small smile crossed my face. That was exactly what had happened. I even snapped at Randy for being so calm. And now I felt horrible for doing so. I was spazzing out enough for the both of us. Keith didn't need to emotionally crazy parents. One was enough. Becky nodded in understanding. "The first time is always the hardest, but it does get easier."

"I'll have to work on that," I confessed. Another chuckle slipped from Becky as I hugged my sister-in-law one more time. She waved at our group and hurried from the building. I turned on the spot and toted my sleeping baby back over to his father. Sitting down next to Randy, I placed Keith in the floor between us. Randy's arm slipped around my back to hold me about the waist. And even in the middle of a hectic hospital, I felt at home with my family. And that included everyone in the lobby. My real family and extended as I gazed down at Keith, I wanted nothing more than to hold him in my arms. To let him know that Mommy and Daddy did not leave him. However, that would surely wake him up, and everyone's nerves here were already frazzled enough. So, I just settled for Randy holding me and both of us watching our son.

"I don't think Keith is going to like John's new storyline," Randy said into my ear. And I turned my head to stare at him. What new storyline? I wasn't aware of his character changing. I looked from Randy, to Casie and to John for some answers. John sighed as he moved to sit on my other side. And right then I knew it wasn't going to be good.

"Vince thinks it'll be good for business if," he started, but couldn't finish it in one breath. Whatever this new line was, John was not happy with it. I could see the torn feelings on his face. He closed his eyes with another breath, and continued. "If I was forced to join Nexus."

I felt my head tilt to the side, and my brows knitted in confusion. What in the hell was Vince thinking? But, that wasn't all. Casie moved down to sit on Randy's other side, and I saw the contempt on her face about this new story. She was definitely not happy with it either. "And by 'forced', they mean that if John doesn't do what Nexus leader, Wade Barrett, tells him, he's fired. And you want to know what his first action is as newest member of Nexus?"

"Besides single-handedly helping Barrett winning the twenty-man battle royal for the number one contender spot?" Randy interjected. Casie shook her head, indicating that there was something else on top of that. My brain was spinning with all of this unsightly news. And the more I heard, the worse I felt.

"A mixed tag match with John and me, against Otunga and Alicia Fox. And while that doesn't sound so bad, it's the ending that'll get you. Barrett orders John to abandon me in my match, and Otunga and Fox gang up on me. Mark Henry and Melina are supposed to come to my aid. But John is forced to walk away and watch as I get the crap beat out of me; ending our on-screen relationship." I stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at her, not believing what I was hearing. None of this sounded like John's character, or him personally. I can't imagine seeing this dramatic exchange.

"And not to mention, if this story line goes the way they are hoping, Randy and I will might be in another feud," John said, and I heard the tension and strain in his voice. I knew how much this was torturing him. Randy's arm tightened around my waist. I turned to look at him as he spoke up.

"Only this time, the heel will not be me. The creative team think that another feud between John and I, only reversed will kill in the ratings," and Randy's voice seemed uncertain.

I clamped my mouth shut as I processed everything I had just been told. First John Cena, pretty much the face of the company, was being forced to go against his morals and character in something that obviously pains him; being a member of Nexus. Then having to betray Tamara on screen; publicly ending their romantic story line. Then turning his back on the whole Raw roster that's helped him this entire time with Nexus. The incing on the cake was Randy and John's potential storyline feud. With Randy being on top, and John being the bad heel. I could safely say that I never saw the day when Randy would trump John with potential fan support. I still couldn't see why the Nexus were still around. They didn't do anything funny or cool like other heel stables of this kind have done. I huffed and crossed my arms haughtily over my chest.

"This is stupid! It's not like anyone really enjoys the Nexus segments! The whole group is just a want-a-be New World Order! Only this time they are trying to force Hogan and Sting into joining, instead of them doing it on their own free will. As if! As if they will ever be the magnitude of the NWO!" I ranted, and tried to vent out my frustrations. Randy's body shook against mine and I turned to see him fighting his laughter; even Casie and John's mood had lifted a little at my outburst. The only one that didn't seem to enjoy it was Keith. He whimpered and I looked down to see him opening his eyes. I bit my lip, instantly regretting lashing out, because he heard me, and had woken up. I bent over in the seat as he started to cry. A few moments later, after I got him unsnapped out of his seat, I coddled him to my chest, whispered comforting words. "Mommy didn't mean to be so loud. She's sorry. She just thinks that Vince McMahon is going senile in his old age and doesn't know how to write a script anymore."

Randy couldn't hold his laughter anymore, and it flowed freely from his throat as he handed me a pacifier from Keith's diaper bag. I rolled my eyes softly at Randy, with a smirk on my face, and gave Keith his pacifier; he calmed immediately and I watched as his lids slowly close as he was fighting off the sleep. The sleep won however, and he was gone within moments.I carefully slipped him back into his seat, and snapped his little body securely in the straps. As I sat up, I heard the sound of doors swinging open, and looked to see a doctor, I would assume by his attire, headed our way. Edoin quit pacing and eyed him warily.

"Are you Mrs. Korklan?" he asked as his eyes grazed over her and then to the rest of our group. Edoin nodded, and let the doctor lead her to an empty seat, and he joined her in the waiting room chairs. "Mr. Korklan has suffered a fractured ankle. And I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, that it was a very clean break and won't have any problems healing. The bad news is, he'll be out of action from his job for three months. I'm sure you want, as well as I, a speedy recover for him, but we always want an accurate recover for him. So that when he's ready to go back to work, there's no doubt about the stability of his leg. Do you have any questions so far?"

"Can I take him home tonight?" Edoin asked as she ran her fingers through her medium length bright red Irish hair. I felt bad for her. She looked so worn out and so disappointed. Disappointed that Matt was having to go home for house-rest, when I knew she was still under contract and in a storyline with two Divas from Smackdown, that called themselves "LayCool". There was no possibility that she would be able to stay with him.

"We are getting him ready to be discharged as we speak. He opted for a foot boot, not a cast, because it is a lot easier to get around with a boot. Here, let me go see if he's ready to go, shall I?" And with that, he stood up and disappeared behind the doors of which he entered.

oo

Three days later, and St. Louis already felt different. The Raw tour had just departed for the next city, taking my friends with them. Edoin stayed back with Matt for a few days, to get him settled into their house, which wasn't all that far from ours. And it wasn't until Raw left town, without Edoin, that I remembered her telling me that they lived in St. Louis as well. Which I found uplifting that Randy and I could be so near to help Matt out if need be. And I made sure that both Edoin and Matt knew that this option was open for them. I knew it was rough, on both of them, for her to leave without him. And I knew how Matt felt, to be left behind. And sooner, rather than later, it was going to happen to me again. I knew Randy's time with his family and me was coming to an end. I didn't keep up with how much, but I knew that it wasn't enough. A thought that made my stomach churn dangerously.

I grabbed a couch pillow from behind my head, and pulled over my face. Anything to try to suffocate the unbidden thoughts in my head. I didn't want to ruin the time I did have left, worrying about when he left. Sighing, I sat up from the couch went to stand. I didn't exactly know where Randy was in the house, but I wanted to find him. It was a waste of time together to lay on the couch by myself. I peeked into the kitchen, seeing nothing but Sting chewing on his bone treat. I smiled and headed up the stairs and it was then that I heard the soft rumble of Randy's voice. Tip-toeing down the hall, I found Randy in Keith's room. He was sitting on the floor, and I assumed that Keith was in front of him, lying on his play mat. At first, I thought Randy was talking to Keith, but with his next sentence, I knew I was mistaken.

"Vince, is there any possibility that I could have more time?" My fingers curled over the door frame, trying to remain as silent as I could. I hated to eavesdrop on his conversation, knowing it was private, but I also knew that it was about my son and me. Keith cooed softly from the floor, and I saw Randy's arm reach out for him. "I know, it's just that I don't feel right leaving her all alone by herself in this. I don't want to feel like I'm taking the easy route." Emotion lumped in my throat as Randy just told Vince that he didn't want to leave me. Leaning closer, I strained my ears listening for his next words. "But, he's so little." Moisture in my eyes joined the lump in my throat. I had to glance towards the ceiling and blink several times to dissipate the tears. It wasn't just me that he didn't want to leave. My hand involuntarily covered my mouth. "Yes, I understand."

And with that, he let his phone drop to the floor. It was then that I decided to make my presence known. Walking slowly into the room, Randy must've heard my footsteps, because is head turned in my direction. A small smile fluttered across his lips before he turned back to watch our son playing with the ocean toys on the mat. I lowered myself next to him and sat Indian style on his right. And instead of pretending I hadn't heard anything, and meddling the truth from him, I decided to be blunt. "So, how much time do you have left?"

"You heard that, huh?" he said, raising an eyebrow at me. I didn't even try to look guilty; I was more worried by the speeding ticks made by the hands of time. He sighed softly and laced his fingers with mine. "Three weeks. I have to leave in three weeks. Now that Matt's out, and they still haven't finalized Paul's return, I'm needed back. With John being forced into a heel slot, Jericho out, I'm really the only remaining character in the face position."

I watched as his thumb traced and caressed the skin on the back of my hand. Three weeks? Well, that's longer than what I thought we had. It's nearly a month. I leaned my head against his shoulder, watching our son gum the tail of an octopus. This wasn't an ideal situation, but we've been through worse. And even as I spoke, my voice held more confidence behind my words than I actually believed. "Twenty-one days, then? Well, we better make them the best damn twenty-one days that we can. And then after that, we'll do the best we can. This is the twenty-first century here. Computers, phones, webcams; we have so many things to keep us close."

"I know, but I don't want to have to use those things. I want to be with you two, and be able to work at the same time. Things wouldn't be like this if I had a normal job and could give you a normal husband and Keith a normal father," I had to fight my smirk when I detected a hint of a whine in his voice. He could be such a baby sometimes; and I loved it. I nudged his shoulder gently with mine.

"We have to work with what we are handed, Randy. If you had a normal job, you would go mentally insane, and you know it. Wrestling is your foundation. And can you honestly sit there and tell me that you really wished that your father would have quit the business? No, you can't. And as for me, well, I wouldn't have you any other way. I love you and your job, and you don't have to change that for me," I said, trying to instill into him that this was how it was going to be, and that I was fine with it. "And besides, I don't see any other way around this, short of hitching the house up to a trailer and taking it with us!"

Randy laughed softly, removing his hand from mine, only to wrap his arm around my waist. He pulled me close, and nestled my head in the crook of his neck. Randy watched Keith as lay on his stomach, kicking his feet hard into the ground. Something in my brain told me what Keith was trying to do, and I moved closer to him on the floor. I chanced a glance at Randy, who was still watching the baby's every move. His little legs kicked furiously at the mat, trying to push. Finally, with one last kick, he swiftly rolled over onto his back. And as if I had never seen a baby roll over before, I was ecstatic. I got to my knees, leaned over Keith, and praised him for his amazing work. He smiled his famous toothless smile at me and I picked up into my arms and moved back to sit next to Randy. After a few more minutes of celebrating a milestone for Keith, I noticed that Randy got very quiet. And he only watched his son with a far away look in his eye. I didn't have to ask what was bothering him, because the time the thought crossed my mind, he was speaking.

"This, this right here, is what I'm going to miss. His first laugh, his first words, the first time he sits up my hisself, his first steps. I know my Dad regrets not being there for all of those things for me and my brother and sister," I tried to say something, but no words came out of my mouth. I didn't know what to say, because he was right. I would be there for all of these things, and Randy would miss out, because he was off making it capable for our family to prosper. "I guess my Dad is a tougher man than I am, because how he managed to get through three lives he had to miss out on is beyond me. I can't stand the idea of leaving you two behind."

A/N

This wasn't a very happy chapter. And I added my own twists to the Nexus plot, concerning Tamara. Hope you don't mind! Please review!

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