A:N/ Thank you for all your reviews for the last chapter. I thought you'd all abandon me after that long wait. I think this will go to about chapter 32, 33, somewhere there. I'd have posted the new fic by then, I think that's what has me so distracted.

Randy struggled with the key card, Rae's hand tightly grasped in his as he angrily muttered under his breath.

"What's wrong, baby?"

What was wrong? Where the fuck was he supposed to begin? First, she'd avoided him all week, hadn't even wanted him to touch her. Second, she had been down there looking to get laid, now of all times. How could she even think of that with everything that was going on? So she wanted them to enjoy themselves for one night, she wanted them to forget; but fucking hell, she could be dying. How the fuck was he supposed to forget about that? And third, how the hell could she have kissed that freak? It was over. Finished. Time for that weirdo to fucking move on.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" he snapped, swearing a little bit more when the damn key still wouldn't go in.

"What? Kiss Jeff?"

"You can't be doing that right now! We have too much to worry about without having him hanging around you," he shouted, twirling around to face her.

He saw the way her brows lifted in confusion and swore some more as he turned back to the door. What the hell was he saying? She had every right to kiss whoever she wanted. Why had he dragged her up here? This was a bad idea. Very bad.

"What the hell is the matter with you? It was just a kiss."

"Are you back together? Is that it?" he asked as he turned to her again.

"I don't think so...."

"What kind of shit crazy answer is that? You either are or you aren't. Simple."

Her mouth snapped shut and he swore again as he turned away before he was tempted to say any more. It occurred to him that this was the first time he had raised his voice to her since she had told him about the cancer. Hell, it was the first time he had shown any sort of emotion other than the pain.

"Why?" he heard her ask softly. "Why is it bothering you this much?"

He had no idea. All he knew was he couldn't let her be with someone else. It should have been just him and her, fighting the world together... fighting the damn cancer together.

"Fucking piece of shit!" he swore when the card failed again, and this time he kicked the door for good measure.

He felt her gentle hand cover his own before taking the offending object from him. Then she calmly swiped the card through and the door clicked open easily.

"I must have fixed it when I kicked it," he grumbled as the door swung fully open.

"Okay," Rae said before walking into their shared room.

He stood for a moment in the same spot, trying to calm himself down. The last thing he wanted was to start a fight. He hadn't pulled her away from Hardy just to fight with her. He wanted.... He wanted her. He wanted for her lips to be on his, not that painted freak's. He wanted to lock her away in this room forever, just the two of them, and forget about the world, about their problems.

His eyes followed her as she walked further into the room. At some point in the night, she had lost that shift of hers and now her naked back taunted him. Even the way the silk clung to her curves was driving him crazy, just as she had drove him crazy the past week.

"Well?" she asked as she turned to face him.

Slowly, he walked into the room, his eyes not once leaving her face. What was he going to do now? He'd meant to talk to her, to tell her how he felt, but he had all these doubts floating in his head. What if Mark and John had been talking out of their asses? How the hell did they know that she was in love with him? If she was, he would know about it; he knew her better than anyone else, for fuck's sake! And how could they be sure this burning need in him was love? He was feeling a lot of things in a lot of places; how the hell had they summed it all up already and classed it as love?

So rather than to talk and face rejection, rather than waiting to hear that she didn't feel the same way, he decided he had no need for words. Not yet. He'd show her first..

"Come here," he said, his voice a hoarse whisper.

A confused look still on her face, she did as he'd asked. His eyes still didn't leave hers, even when he reached down for her hand and pulled her against his body.

The second her body touched his, the second his hand snaked round her back and felt her bare flesh, he lost control. His body was letting him know in no uncertain terms how much it craved this touch. It had been too damn long! Ten years too long.

"Randy?" she questioned shakily. "What are you doing?"

"What I should have done a long time ago," he whispered as he brought his head down to hers.

That first touch of her lips.... God, how the hell had he gone without it for so long? He'd kissed her a million times since their relationship, but this time.... this was even better than the night he had got her drunk. The shivers up his spine and the jolt of electricity that shot through every nerve ending in his body fuelled the fire that burned in his loins. Her lips were so soft and inviting. After only a second of contemplation, they opened up to allow him to fully taste her. He deepened the kiss as he held her tighter, his body reacting to hers like he'd never known before. He was sure everyone in the city could hear his heart beating, hear his blood racing through his body. The rush was unbelievable, like he'd tasted a potent drug and become immediately addicted. She tasted so damn good....

Her arms found their way around his neck and he let out a low moan when he realised she would offer no resistance at all. She was giving herself to him. She had to know what this was leading to and yet she let him.... Could that mean Mark had been right, after all? Or was this because she was just so damn horny? Only a few minutes ago she had been ready to let Hardy do her right there in front of everybody.

Slowly, he pulled his lips from hers and looked into her face. Her gorgeous blue eyes were closed but he remembered how they had once looked at him like he was the most perfect man in the whole world, and how he'd been too immature to realise what she'd offered him. If only they could look at him like that again.

Slowly, she opened them and he let out a little, low gasp as he saw that look again. Had it always been there? Had he been too blind to notice it?

"Randy?"

He knew he was confusing her, but he had to be sure. If, for some reason, she called out Jeff's name tonight, he didn't think he'd be able to handle it. He wanted her too much.

"I've been going crazy, Rae.... wanting to kiss you, to touch you in ways I shouldn't," he whispered. "I've never wanted anything so badly, ever. I can't eat, I can't sleep.... I've been remembering how you used to scream my name... how beautiful you looked when you came for me..."

"How you told me you loved me?" she whispered back.

Yes, when he'd promised her the world.... When she'd told him there could never be anyone else for her. Did she remember that, too?

He nodded his head before he took her lips in another scorching kiss.

"I want to make love to you, Rae," he whispered.

Would that freak her out? Would she want to talk first? That was probably what they needed to do, but he couldn't do that, not with the way he was feeling. He just needed to be inside her. Urgently.

He saw a little bit of doubt enter her eyes and decided he'd done enough talking. The last thing he needed right now was to have her think of all the reasons why this couldn't happen. And there were a lot of those.

He found her lips again and this time, his hand travelled up her back to the little hooks that held her dress up around her neck. He undid them expertly in seconds then moved away slightly so the silky material could fall around her feet.

A moan escaped his lips as his eyes took all of her in. She had worn no bra and only a tiny scrap of silk covered her modesty. She was perfect. Of all the women he had fucked, none of them had ever looked as good as Rae did. He had known this as fact for so long, known that no other woman would ever even compare. Noone could be as perfect as his Rae and as she stood in front of him, he finally understood why. It was because he would never feel for any other woman what he felt for Rae.

John was right. He was in love with his best friend.

Of all the things to happen... Why would the Fates make him feel like this now with the cancer hanging over their heads? It would only complicate things. What if she didn't feel the same way, what if his head was just playing tricks on him? And what if she was in love with that freak? Would she sleep with him then run back to make up with Jeff? He didn't think he'd be able to handle that. He couldn't be just another fuck to her. He wanted to mean something....

With a little frown, his eyes mirroring his doubt, he lifted his head to look into her eyes. She bit her bottom lip, not saying anything.... just waiting. Did they really want to go down this road? They weren't teenagers anymore. If they did this, they could never take it back, not this time.

Then Mark's words drifted into his head.

"If anything happens.... will you be able to live with yourself if you don't tell her?"

No. No he wouldn't. There was no telling what tomorrow would bring. What they had was tonight... right now. And, even though he felt he couldn't tell her how he felt, not now, he could certainly show her.

His breathing became laboured as the urgency to possess her increased. He would make love to her tonight like no one else, not even Hardy. It would be his name she would scream out, it would be him she would want to be with.

Yes, he would do her so good that she wouldn't even think of another man. She was his. From here on out. Hardy could just go screw himself. Noone was taking her away from him, not while he still had a breath in his body.

Gently, he picked her up and walked bed. He still held her eyes. The look he had known so many years ago was back in her eyes, the same look she had given him when she had told him how much she loved him. He would ask her about it later; ask her if there was any truth in what he saw. They would talk properly and clear the air. But not right now.

Carefully placing her on the bed, he urgently took his own clothes off before laying his body next to hers. The fire was instant and all consuming. All those other times, back when they were only teenagers, immediately paled in comparison. He had never ever felt this way before.

"I'm John mother fuckin' Cena. You don't dictate to me."

"Sir, I'm not trying to dictate to you. I'm merely pointing out that we cannot offer you those services here."

"I paid good money to be here tonight!"

"I'm afraid the fee you paid did not include a private jet to Vegas and some females to accompany you."

He swore as he turned from the balding old man, sipping his beer as he did so. If that bastard wouldn't help him, he'd find someone who could. He felt like he was drowning, sinking in his own sorrow and the only person who could help him had basically told him to fuck off. The way he saw it, his only option now was to find some random broad and go to some place his thoughts wouldn't follow him. It wasn't something he normally did, but he was desperate here.... Shit like that always worked for Randy and Rae, he might as well try it himself.

Someone snickered to his left and he angrily twirled round to face him. What the fuck was so funny?

"You could try catching a taxi to the nearest hole in the wall, maybe you'll save yourself a few bucks," Morrison snickered.

"If you got somethin' to say, say it to my face," he slurred.

"I believe he did actually say it to your face," Miz laughed. "What's the matter with you, John?"

"That man is refusing to comply with a paying customer's wishes," he said angrily. "I should just grab his wrinkly ass and FU him."

"Easy, there, big boy," Morrison said. "You don't want to get sued or nothing like that."

"They can just sue these nuts!" he said loudly, making sure the man behind the counter heard him.

"Dude... you should just go lie down," Miz said as he came to his side.

Lie down? Was this guy crazy? How could he sleep which the thoughts that where whirling in his head?

"Nah, man. I'm good," he mumbled as he snatched his arm from Miz's hold. "I'll just head back and grab a few more beers."

"I think you've had enough, John. Just go up to your room," Morrison put in.

He sneered at that. Did they have any idea what was happening in that room? Randy was probably shooting his second or third load right about now. An interruption would certainly not be welcome.

"I'm going for another drink," he stated firmly, pushing the two men aside as he walked across the lobby.

"John...." Miz started.

"It's okay, guys. He'll be with me."

He froze at the sound of Ria's voice and turned with the other two men to watch as she walked across the floor. What the hell was she doing back here? He'd begged her to help him, poured his heart out, and she'd just left. She'd made it perfectly clear that he would pay for a very long time for the mistake he had made. And in the process, he would face the pain of watching Rae fight her battle all by himself.

"You sure, sweetheart? I mean, I think I'd be more useful to you right now than this lump of flesh," Morrison teased when she finally stood beside them.

"Grow up, Hennigan. Come on, John, we can go to my room," Ria said softly as she took his hand.

He followed her without argument as a little bit of hope flared in his heart. Why was she doing this? He'd had the rest of the week to think over Rae's words and realise she had been right. He did need Ria to help him through this. But half an hour ago she had told him she couldn't be that person. Had she changed her mind?

"I thought you didn't want to see me again," he whispered as he looked down at the little hand that fit so perfectly in his large one.

"I've had a bit of time to think about it," she said quietly. "I understand why you did it but I'm still hurt. I'm going to be here for you because we were good friends before and I don't want to see you hurting. I'll help you, John. I'll help you get through Rae's treatment."

"Thank you," he said quietly as they came to the elevator.

"I have a double room," she continued. "We'll turn the bed into singles and you can go back to your room in the morning."

He smiled sadly as she ushered him into the elevator. Ria was a good person. Even after what he had done, she was still willing to be there for him. He didn't deserve her at all. He knew it was hurting her to be around him but hopefully, they would talk properly and start getting around what he had done. Until then, he was just grateful he had someone to lean on. Rae had been right. Ria would be his strength while he watched his good friend fight for her life.

"You alright, Mark?"

He looked up from the beer he was nursing to the man who employed him.

"As well as can be expected, I guess," he answered.

He hadn't moved from his spot all night and everyone else had steered clear of him except for Ric and Glen.

"Where is she?" Vince asked quietly as he sat down opposite him.

"She's with Randy."

The three of them had been to see Vince as soon as their plane had landed to formalise their time off. Since Randy hadn't let go of her hand for what seemed like the whole week, she had gone into the office with them and Vince had, had the chance to finally meet Rachael face to face.

"They're really close, aren't they?" Vince said, making more of a statement than asking a question. "I've never seen Randy like this before."

"He probably feels like his heart is being ripped out. He loves her more than his own life. And she loves him more than anyone else... even me," he said sadly.

Vince looked at him like he suddenly had a million more questions to ask. After all, up to a week ago, none of these people even known he had a daughter. But it wasn't his place, and he knew it.

"You can take Compassionate Leave straight away, you know, rather than taking lighter duties until the next Pay Per View."

He chuckled a bit at that.

"Didn't you hear Rachael this afternoon?" he smiled sadly.

She had argued for an entire half hour why he, John and Randy couldn't have all that time off. Her reasons had been sound, mainly the fact that when Rebecca had gone through the same thing, she had found it easier to handle when she didn't have too much free time to think about it. John had given in first because he didn't want to argue with her; then he had agreed to do a couple of shows only because he wanted to play along with whatever she wanted until he found out what she was planning. Because he knew she was planning something; something that would help her avoid getting treatment. She'd been happy enough to let him work the next couple of weeks so that had given him a timeframe. He had, at the most, two weeks to push her into treatment. What she planned after that was still beyond him, even though he had a few disturbing ideas. God help her little behind if what he was thinking was true! But he wouldn't dwell on that right now.

Randy had flat out refused. Even her insistant arguing hadn't swayed him. He hadn't argued; he hadn't raised his voice. Just that one word, "No," had been enough for Vince to take out the Leave papers for him while he and John agreed to work only the main shows until Backlash, which was only two weeks away. He had no idea how she expected him to keep his head in the game while her future was so uncertain.

"Are you flying down to your family from here?" Vince asked after a period of silence when they'd both been observing the people at the party.

"I was thinking of flying them to Rachael's for a little while," he murmured.

Maybe having her little brothers around her would also push her into treatment. She couldn't really want to give up. She was just scared, just as they all were. If she just let them help her, just believe that they could beat this thing.....

"I wish you all the best, Mark," Vince said as he finally got up from his seat. "If you need anything, or if you decide to take the Leave now, just let me know."

"Thank you."

For a while, he watched the men and women who'd gathered around to celebrate the career of a legend and ultimately, to mourn it. He couldn't help wondering if this was a sign. Was his baby going to make it? Would Fate be cruel and only give him these two weeks to be a proper father to his child? Why hadn't he been more forceful over the years and refused to be cast aside? Even though he'd watched over her, had her back, it had only been from a distance.

It had been Randy who had been all the things he should have been; protector, confidant, friend, family; and because of that, it was Randy she needed the most at this time. He had never been more grateful for that little punk's influence in her life as he was now. If anyone could make her get treatment, Randy could. He would make his baby fight. He would be the strength she needed to beat this thing.

Draining his beer, he got up from the table and briefly wondered where John had got to as he gave Ric a little wave and headed out of the room.

Two days. They had two days before Randy took her to her doctor's appointment. He had a feeling a lot of their questions would be answered then, and not just those about the treatment she would get and how bad the tumour was.

Yes, in two days they would all finally know the truth. She couldn't hide it from them much longer.

Take a guess. What do you think Rae intends to do? And will it make a difference Mark knowing the truth or not? And will what she has just done with Randy make her want to fight it? Next chapter coming as soon as you let me know what u think.

Later.