A/N: Update time to start the week on a great note! Hope you enjoy!
John slumped in the chair, his eyes focused downward on the screen of his phone and his ears barely catching a word of Randy and Ted's animated conversation beside him. The WWE makeshift cafeteria was full of noise and activity as superstars wandered in and out for food, drinks and conversation. John pushed it all aside and focused on the words he was reading. He tried to ignore the tingling sensation creeping up his spine but it persisted. His foot began an anxious tap on the floor and he set the phone down in annoyance.
Randy looked over at John once he heard the clatter of his beloved blackberry fall on the table they sat behind. He took another sip of his soda and raised an eyebrow when he noticed the older man's eyes stayed down and looked far away.
"John? All OK?"
John looked up, startled by Randy's voice breaking into his inner thoughts. He smiled and nodded, the lie on his lips about to fall out so easily but he suddenly found himself freezing. Randy stared at him, concern in his eyes now. John pressed his lips together and shook his head, remembering his and Randy's promise to be honest with each other. "I don't know. I'm wondering about something."
Randy nodded, a small frown on his face. "I can tell something is making that head of yours spin. Wanna share?"
"It's about Dwayne," answered John with a nod. He pulled his chair in closer to Randy's and looked around. Ted noticed the look between the men and moved his chair back. "I'll let you two talk in private…"
John quickly shook his head and held up a hand. "No, Ted, you don't have to leave! There's no secret of ours you don't already know anyway!" He laughed and pointed at the chair.
Ted smiled but shook his head. "No, really, I have to go anyway. I have to get ready for my match." His voice turned stern and he wagged a finger at the men. "If you feel an argument starting, though, stop and walk away. I don't want any more problems with you two kids, understood?"
John rolled his eyes nodded. "Yes, Dad."
Randy watched the pair interact, smiling slowly. He was pleased with the progress John and Ted had made during the past couple of weeks since they'd declared their truce. The men were being honest with each other and making a sincere effort to work on developing a true friendship, even acknowledging that there would still be arguments and disagreements in their future due to the two natures of the men alone.
"So," He turned back over to John after watching Ted depart. "Wanna tell me what's going on?"
John sighed and pushed his phone towards Randy. "I got an email from Dwayne. He goes on and on for a while about all the stuff Vince told me but then he kinda starts kissing my ass a little…I don't know. Maybe I'm reading it wrong?" He bit his lip and smiled slowly. "I don't know if this weird feeling is real or if it's me reacting to what you think of Dwayne."
"How do you mean?" asked Randy with a frown.
John shrugged. "I would've never thought twice about this email but after listening to you talk so much about Dwayne…" He looked down at the phone in Randy's hand now. "I think I've become a little more paranoid when it comes to Dwayne. I really thought about everything you said about him and I really listened, Ran. You made good points and I shouldn't have brushed them off before. The bad thing is that now all those good points you made have me really freaked out about working with this man again."
John pulled the phone from Randy's hand and opened it to Dwayne's email. "I mean, read it! He's going on and on about how much he's looking forward to working with me and how valuable I am to WWE and all this other shit but when I was here working the same arena with him years ago, he barely acknowledged me. It just seems like he's trying too hard to be my friend now…right?"
Randy smiled and shook his head. "I can't answer that for you, Johnny. You have to make your own decision about Dwayne. Isn't that what we agree on? I won't tell you what to do and I'll accept what you choose because I trust your heart. You already know my opinion on the matter, anyway."
John sighed. "I don't want to make this decision because I don't trust myself right now. Do I really doubt him or do I doubt him just because I know you doubt him?" He groaned and sat back on the chair. "Can I go home?"
Randy's smile widened and he tugged John back towards him. "No, you can't. You're gonna face this and you're gonna make the decision you know is right. Trust yourself, John. You guys are gonna meet again next week on Raw, right? Well, grab a burger together and feel him out. You've always been great at getting a vibe off someone and knowing who's real and who isn't. Use that on Dwayne."
John sighed once more, resting his forehead against Randy's. "I know you don't want me to be alone with him too much. I know you don't like us spending too much time together…"
"Stop." Randy pulled back and looked at John intently. "I trust you, John. I know the only reason you're gonna spend time with him is for work." He shrugged and smiled slowly. "Besides, we have to work through this issue, right? I have to find a way to be ok with you and Dwayne spending time together just like you're learning to be ok with me and Cody working together."
John nodded, his eyes moving to Randy's right. "And speak of the little shitstained devil…"
Randy turned over to see Cody approaching them, his face twisted in a scowl. "Alright, Orton. Stop with the lovey dovey shit and get up. We have work to do and time isn't going to stop for you and Cena."
Randy felt John's grip on their still joined hands tighten and he knew the older man was fighting with all his might to hold back a nasty retort. He frowned and Cody and replied sternly, "You will wait until I'm done, Cody and you do so because you have no choice in the matter. Now, go be a good little wrestler and wait for me at gorilla."
Cody's mouth dropped open and he narrowed his eyes angrily at Randy. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to, Orton? This isn't 5 years ago! I'm not your little lapdog anymore!"
"Jesus Christ, will you just get the fuck away from us already!" exploded John. He pulled one hand free from Randy's grasp and pointed it towards the hallway. "Just go!"
Randy quickly stood when he noticed Cody's face turn to John. "Enough! This won't help anything. Just go, Cody and I promise I'll be right there."
"Fine," Cody glared at John but nodded, slowly turning to walk away. John watched him go and sighed, shaking his head slightly. "God, I just can't help myself around that kid. No matter how hard I try to just not give in or react to him, I just can't help myself."
"He's good at pissing people off," replied Randy as he sank back down into his chair. "It's gonna take some time to build your immunity against him, Johnny. You're doing much better, believe it or not."
John smiled and reached for Randy's hand. "I still hate that you're in a feud with him. I hate him having his hands all over you. I think you're amazing for being able to put up with it because I know you hate it, too."
Randy nodded. "I do but this is business. Cody knows that's all it is and if he's letting himself get a thrill out of it then that's his problem. He knows I don't feel anything for him…especially when he's so fucking bipolar. It's like one minute I look at him and he looks remorseful of what he's done but then other times he acts like he just did. It's ridiculous and I don't have time to deal with it until I believe he's really serious." He sighed and stood up. "I'd better go before he comes back over here and throws another bitch fit."
"OK," John let go of Randy's hand and smiled. "Go be amazing tonight,"
Randy rolled his eyes. "As opposed to any other night?"
John smiled and nodded. "Very true," He stood up and hugged Randy close to him, pressing a quick kiss on the side of his neck before Randy could protest and pull away. "I'll see you later."
Randy moved away and headed down the hallway, disappearing from John's view. He sighed and debated whether to go back in the locker room and watch Randy's match or to stay in the catering hall and distract his mind by talking to the other wrestlers scattered around. As he contemplated what to do, his cell phone rang loudly and moved around the table surface. John frowned and reached for it quickly, wondering who would call him on a Monday night during Raw.
"Hello?"
"Hey, John. It's Dwayne,"
John's eyes widened. "Uh, hey. What's up?"
"I just wanted to check and see if you got my email from earlier. You usually write back right away," Dwayne laughed in his ear. "I figured I'd get your voicemail since its Monday and all."
"Yeah, well you would've gotten it in about an hour. My match isn't till the end…" started John.
"Of course Super Cena is closing the show." Interrupted Dwayne with another chuckle. John frowned, unable to place the tone in the older man's voice. "Yeah, so…anyway, I was just talking to Randy. I got your email, by the way."
"Was the hubby distracting you? I figured it had to be something with him stopping you from emailing me back."
John's frown deepened and he shook his head. "Well, it didn't seem urgent enough to need a response right away. I mean, I already knew everything you said I it. Vince sends me the same schedule, you know."
"Yeah, but…"
"Either way, though," interrupted John, his voice stern. "Talking to Randy is more important than returning emails; anyone's emails. You remember what it's like to be married, right? I'm sure you put your wife before emails."
Dwayne laughed. "Sometimes. She was kinda the one pushing me to answer them right away most of the time. Remember, she was my manager too so it was kind of a weird marriage. The divorce was the greatest thing that happened. We're better off as friends. Some people just are, you know?"
"I guess but Randy and I don't have that kind of marriage so…" John glanced at the clock and figured he'd try to hurry the conversation to an end. It was bordering on a weird topic right now and he wanted out. Talking about relationships was not what he wanted to do with Dwayne.
"Right, you and Randy have a totally different marriage."
John raised an eyebrow at the tone in Dwayne's voice. The creeping sensation in his back had returned and he didn't like it. "Look, D, I gotta go get ready. I'll see you next week, OK."
"Sure, sure, I understand. You gotta get back to the ring and the hubby and all the people who demand your attention. At least I'll have you all to myself next week. See you then, Johnny,"
Dwayne ended the call and John quickly pulled the phone away from his ear. He grimaced and dropped it on the tabletop with a loud clatter.
"Hey, what did that poor phone do to deserve that kind of treatment?"
John looked up to see Ted standing beside him still in his ring gear, a bottle of water in his hand. The younger man looked at him with a mixture of confusion and amusement.
"Just a bad phone conversation,"
"Not with Randy, right?" asked Ted quickly. John shook his head, a small smile on his face. "Isn't Randy in the ring right now?"
Ted shrugged and sat down. "Sorry. It just seems whenever you have that look of annoyance it's usually because of an argument with Randy. I didn't mean to annoy you further. I know things between you and Randy have gotten much better but sometimes I still wonder…"
"You didn't annoy me and I know," answered John. He smiled slowly, aware that despite all the progress he and Ted had made with their friendship, some things would never change. "The phone conversation annoyed me. It didn't help I was already annoyed by the email on it."
"It's not the poor phone's fault." Ted laughed and chugged down the remainder of his water. "I'm done for the night if you wanna talk. I know by the time Randy is done you'll probably be on your way out to the ring."
John looked down at his legs and shook his head. "Aren't you sick of dealing with me and Randy yet? I swear one day you're gonna run screaming away from us into a mental institution." He looked back up and smiled. "Why don't you give me some of your drama instead?"
Ted laughed and shrugged. "I wish I could but I don't have any!"
John rolled his eyes and turned away. "Fuck off then,"
Ted held up his hand. "Hey, trust me; I had plenty of drama there a few years ago when I was chasing after Cody. Luckily, Randy was there for me, every day and every night while I blubbered like an idiot over that little snot nose who treated me like shit. It's why I don't mind being there for him now. I found my peace in life and I want to help you and Randy find yours." He reached forward and patted John's knee. "Now, come on and start talking before I get up and find someone more interesting to talk to."
John sighed and looked over at the phone. "Dwayne called and he just freaked me out. Everything he says freaks me out now. The problem is I don't know if it's real or if it's just me reacting to how I know Randy feels about the situation." He shrugged and let his eyes close. "Randy wants me to go to lunch with him or just spend the day with him. He says I'm a good judge of character and I should be able to tell if he's really just being a friend or if he's interested in more. I don't feel like a good judge of character right now, though. My head is spinning with all these doubts…I'm going over all these points Randy made months ago that I brushed off so easily but now they're starting to make sense. Or are they starting to make sense? I want to fix things with Ran so bad that could it just be my subconscious or something; that's its reacting this way because I know it's what he wants?"
"There's only one way to find out," replied Ted softly. "Do what Randy suggests and just spend some time with Dwayne. Randy trusts you and your judgment so now it's up to you to do the same, John."
John lifted his gaze to meet Ted's. He slowly nodded and said, "I guess you're right."
"I always am," responded Ted with a smile.
"Randy, the least you could've done was focus out there! I mean, damn! I know you don't want to be in this storyline with me but tough shit; we are! For some reason you have agreed to do this so fucking do it right!" ranted Cody as he walked behind Randy towards the locker room.
"What the fuck are you talking about, Cody? That was a perfectly good match out there!" Randy stopped on his heels and spun around. "And you know damn well why I agreed to this storyline."
Cody sighed and shook his head. "Look, Randy, it may have been a good match but I don't do good matches. I do great matches! I'm trying to make a name for myself here and eventually have a title run and its not gonna happen with you holding me back!" He lowered his voice and shrugged. "I know you don't want any part of this storyline and I have to imagine the only reason this was even suggested in a creative meeting is because Hunter has no idea what happened between us. At this point, though, isn't it better if you just tell him so we could end this shit? It's not working!"
"I won't be telling Hunter a goddamned thing and neither will you, understood?" growled Randy, moving closer to Cody's face.
"If I didn't tell Hunter what happened after John beat the shit out of me and almost fucking killed me, I wont do it now, Randy." Cody rolled his eyes and shrugged. "What the fuck does it matter if he knows anyway? We got drunk and high and fucked! Big deal! Millions of people do it every night."
Cody crossed his arms over his chest. "Besides, you can't be embarrassed about it since you told Ted. So, in reality, it's not like no one knows."
"Just because some time has passed doesn't mean I'm spreading it around. Ted is my friend and he's the only one that knows besides all of us." Randy raised an eyebrow. "Right?"
Cody shrugged and went to move away. "Look, I have friends, too, OK…"
Randy's arm snapped forward and he grabbed Cody's, preventing him from moving further. His fingers dug into the younger man's skin as he pulled him back. "What the fuck have you done? If you've been blabbing what happened between us, Cody…"
Cody pulled his arm away and raised his head defiantly. "I have the right to tell my friends what happened. You think you were the only affected that night? Well, you weren't! So, by all means, you can continue telling your friends your version of the pity story you think happened and I'll tell my friends my version; otherwise known as the truth!" He smiled and shook his head. "You know what, forget it. I refuse to have this conversation with you again. You're always gonna think I did something wrong…"
"Because you did do something wrong, asshole!" interrupted Randy loudly.
"Despite the fact you don't even remember what happened that night!" continued Cody, ignoring Randy's protest. "You were so high that you don't even remember. I'll let you live in your fantasy land, though, where you think I damn near raped you. I'll let you keep your virtue or whatever the hell you wanna call it. All I ask is that you get your mind out of the gutter and focus it on this storyline. I won't let my career turn to the shit Ted's has turned to because of you."
Randy shook his head, an incredulous laugh escaping his lips. "Wow. Wow, man. You truly amaze me. I wish I could walk around and live in your fantasy world, Cody. It's really not an act, either. You truly believe all the shit coming out of your mouth, too! It's amazing!" He took a step back and nodded. "You know what; you're right. I'm gonna focus all my attention on our storyline because its business. I'm not gonna spend one single minute trying to figure you out because it's clear to me now that the look of remorse I think I see on your face sometimes is only in my head. You don't feel an ounce of remorse over what you've done and you never will and that's fine. We're co-workers and that's all we'll ever be."
Cody shrugged. "Pretty much." He turned on his heel and walked away.
Randy clenched his jaw and let his eyes close. He found himself bringing back an old anger management technique and counted to ten in his head before heading back to the locker room. He burst into the room, anxious to shower and dress and wait out the rest of the show in his and John's bus. From the corner of his eye he could see Cody enter the showers with a towel slung over his shoulder. Not wanting to run into the younger man, Randy collapsed onto the bench in front of his locker and started pulling out some clean clothes to wear.
"Hey, I'm glad I caught you before I had to go out there."
Randy looked up to meet John's gaze, the older man bouncing on the soles of his feet in preparation for his match. He found himself smiling at John's ever present enthusiasm. "So am I. I hope you have a better match than I did."
John bit his lip and stopped bouncing. "Don't be mad but I didn't watch. I got caught up talking to Ted."
"Hey, if there's any match you can miss, tonight's was the one." Randy sighed and laid the clean clothes on his lap. "I'm gonna shower and wait for you on the bus, OK."
John nodded and leaned down. "I know this goes against all kinds of therapy but…can I get a good luck kiss?"
Randy smiled and tugged John all the way down pulling the older man's face to his and kissing him softly. John moaned softly as Randy's tongue slid into his mouth. He took control of the kiss, swallowing Randy's low moan until the younger man pulled away.
"OK, I think that's enough luck."
John smiled and nodded. "See you in awhile, baby."
Randy watched as John sprinted out of the locker room, a small smile on his face, too. The sensation of being watched made him frown and he turned over, his eyes locking with Cody's. The smile faded from his face as he watched Cody smirk and shake his head as in disbelief. Randy's forehead creased into a frown and he turned away, an unwanted memory suddenly returning.
"How did this happen, Cody?" asked Randy, repeating his earlier question. He began to pace around the room, his head throbbing with each step he took. "Last thing I remember is going off on Brock and you coming out into the patio. How did we get from there to here?"
Cody finally found his jeans and slid them on slowly. He met Randy's intense glare and slowly smiled. "He gave you something and it messed you up, Ran. I took care of you. I bought you up here and called John. I told him we had moved the party up to my room and you had passed out so he should go to sleep and not worry. After that, you said you wanted to repay my kindness. You were throwing yourself at me, Ran. You came up to me and started taking my clothes off…I mean, I wasn't going to stop you or turn you down. You know I've wanted this for a while now so…"
"Oh my God, stop. You're making me sick." Randy moved one arm around his waist, hugging his midsection tightly. "How could you let this have happened, Cody? You're supposed to be my friend!"
"Hey, like I said, you were throwing yourself at me!" Cody's voice rose in anger but confusion clouded his features. "You started taking your clothes off and coming at me!"
"I was drunk and high! I have never cheated on John and I never would. You know I would never do that when sober! You took advantage of the fact I wasn't!" Randy's voice also rose, booming throughout the room.
"Oh, don't give me that shit. You told me you were fine! I asked you if you were sure; if you understood what we were doing! You said you were; that you wanted it just as bad as I did. The last thing on your mind last night was John. You weren't thinking about him or anyone but me and you made it clear. Don't tell me I took advantage of you." Cody rolled his eyes, his voice full of conviction. "I know you're worried about John's reaction. I can promise you I'll be keeping my mouth shut. I didn't delude myself into thinking you actually cared about me."
"That's not the point, Cody." Randy's voice lowered slightly but the anger remained. "The point is that you knew I would never have done what we did last night. I know how you feel for me, Cody and I would never take advantage of that. Not only because I'm married but because you're one of my closest friends. I can't believe you let this happen. I thought you were better than this."
"Stop blaming me for this! You wanted it, you asked me for it! I tried to stop you but you didn't listen. What part of that don't you understand?" Cody raised his hands in frustration.
Randy shook his head, pushing away the horrible memory of his morning after with Cody but he couldn't get his former friend's words from earlier out of his head.
"…you don't even remember what happened that night! You were so high that you don't even remember. I'll let you live in your fantasy land, though, where you think I damn near raped you. I'll let you keep your virtue or whatever the hell you wanna call it."
Randy quickly stood, dropping the clothes from his hands and running out of the locker room. He jogged down the arena hallway, gasping by the time he ran up the stairs to the gorilla position. His loud footsteps caused John to spin around, the older man's eyes widening when he saw him.
"Ran, what are you doing? What's wrong?"
Randy grabbed John's arms, pulling him in for a tight hug. "I love you. I love you more than anyone, despite what I've done, John. I love you. Tell me you know that."
John pulled back slightly, a concerned look on his face. His entrance song suddenly blared through the arena and he glanced at the curtain separating them from the audience nervously. "Of course I know that, Ran. I love you, too, more than anyone."
Randy nodded and stepped back. "OK…OK. I just wanted to tell you that."
John nodded, a frown still on his face. "Are you sure everything's OK?"
"Fine, it's fine." Randy pushed him gently towards the curtain. "Go."
John glanced at him once more before moving forward, through the curtains and into the main arena. The cheers and boos filled the arena as he appeared and Randy slumped onto a crate backstage. He took a deep breath and tried to push aside any doubts Cody may have stirred up inside him. It seemed he still had a long way to go in building his own immunity against Cody…and in having faith in himself once more. He had no doubt that with John's support, though, he would get there sooner than later.
A/N: Have a great week, all! REVIEW, please!
A/N 2: I changed my Twitter name again! It's now at FF_AuntJackie
