(A/N: I own nothing of WCW/WWE/ECW ECT. Reviews, comments, & feedback keep me encouraged. Please keep any feedback coming, even if I don't reply be sure I do read them all.
A/N #2: OK this is Slash. If you don't know it is MxM pairing. Don't like it or it not your thing feel free to go pick another story. Please REVIEW.)
John slept well too not waking until hours later when he felt the train slow. "Baby, I think the train is stopping." John shook Randy lightly.
Randy groaned before trying to move. "Go-going to check babe.?" Randy asked his voice groggy & eyes not even fully open.
A goofy grin filled John's face at hearing Randy call him the endearment even if half asleep. He reluctantly pulled away from Randy to climb from the bed. "Yeah. I'll go check and be back soon." He put on his shoes he had removed before unlocking the door and heading out.
Randy nodded & pulled himself from the bed to try to make his way into the small bathroom. He tried not to cringe gazing at his own reflection. He wasn't even sure he ever recognized himself. "Fuck man...you look like hell..." He gave a weak laugh. "Well John keeps saying you been through it." He went to splash water on his face to try to wake himself up. He would be tempted for a shower, but he was unsure if he could hold himself up or if he could even get the wound wet. He once again cursed the hick hospital as he tried to move back to the bed.
John returned a bit later, seeing Randy sitting on the bed. "They are stopping at a station for a two hour layover, Man. You want me to go look for some food and medical supplies or you want to try to come along? I could ask about a wheelchair."
"I'll stay." Randy answered plainly before he tried to lie back on the bed. In the bright light of the cabin & John's more awake state he could spot what he thought was wetness to the gauze covering the wound on Randy's side.
"Hey, Ran. Wait a minute." John leaned to inspect the area, cringing a little. "I can see you bleeding through the bandage, Man. Fucking hick hospital." He cursed in frustration.
"I guess all the more reason for me to stay here." Randy sighed.
John looked at Randy in worry. "Damn, Baby. You don't even have a phone to call me if I'm gone and you need help."
"I'll be fine...I am sure...that I just moved wrong or something. Does it look bad you think?"
John looked the wound over carefully. "Damn hospital. I guess it should be okay. Let me go buy you some supplies to change your bandage and maybe find us some decent food."
"OK Johnny...ju-just gonna try to close my eyes a little longer."
"You take it easy, Ran." John kissed Randy's forehead before heading out of the room so he could exit the now stopped train. He was uneasy about leaving his boyfriend but saw no other way. Randy almost wondered what else could go wrong, but at this point felt best not to ask. It also made him begin to wonder about the two referrals. If the hospital was that bad, how bad will they be? He just had to relax. John assured him he would check them out.
John took a while although he tried to hurry. He had to cover a lot of ground before finding a place that sold the supplies they needed. The whole time he rushed back with his bags he worried about Randy. How was he going to stomach leaving him at the center and go to work? Randy opened his eyes when he thought he heard an announcement on the train. He wondered how long he was out for. John heard the announcement that his train was pulling out in fifteen minutes and hurried to re board. He stumbled into their private room a few minutes later. "Sorry I took so long, Ran." John panted. "I had a lot of ground to cover."
Randy had a faintly relived look to his eyes. "No problem...just worried if they tried to pull out without you."
"I bought stuff to change your bandage and got us a grilled chicken salad and iced teas. Figured the protein and veggies would do us both good." John said, sitting the bags down. "Sorry, I know not great breakfast food."
"Don't care at this point...healthier then the vending cornucopia we were currently working with." Randy joked. "You think it easier to work with me laying down or sitting up? Of course wait till we are moving."
John bit his lip, thinking. "Probably sitting up."
"OK." Randy sighed faintly as he went to move to sit up. "You think we should just leave the beds set up or switch it back to the benches?"
John sighed, knowing he would have to do the puzzle all over again. "If you're not planning on napping again I guess the benches." He wondered if Randy remembered calling him babe earlier before pushing the thought from his mind.
"I honestly don't know John...I feel wiped, but at the same time worried about nightmares again."
"Maybe we should just leave the beds down then?" John offered. "Because, honestly they're a bitch to mess with, Man."
"Th-that's fine." Randy's legs hung over the edge as he laid back. "Two more days...oh joy."
John tried to lighten the situation by batting his blue eyes at Randy. "Look at it this way, Babe. Two more whole days...with me. Just the two of us." He made his voice sound as feminine as possible. "Or do you only want me for my body?"
"I don't wa-want you for your body John...but...but I am sure your house & beds are more comfortable." Randy commented trying not to feel odd by John's sexual undertones...or at least he thinks that was John's intent. He wasn't fully sure of much anymore.
John huffed a little at a lack of smile from Randy. "I was joking, Ran."
"So-sorry." He cringed trying to sit up again.
John saw the look of pain when Randy moved. "Stop moving, Ran!" He almost snapped, not realizing how harsh he sounded until it was out. He then tried to cover up his mistake by joking. "You're only making it worse. Don't make me keep you tied to the bed for the rest of the trip. I think I have a belt I can use."
Randy's eyes widened in a panic, his voice trembled as he spoke. "So-sorry Sir." His eyes lowered before he even fully realized his actions. His body almost trembled from fear as he just placed his hands on his legs. John's eyes widened in horror at Randy's demeanor. The voice in his head mocked him that he was learning his role well. He looked at Randy a moment, not knowing what to say.
"My, God. I'm sorry, Ran. I wasn't thinking. I was joking." He said at last. "Although I was worried by how much you're moving." Randy just nodded unsure how to respond. "I'm sorry. I don't want to ever treat you like...he did. Please forgive me." John pleaded as he felt his eyes wanting to water. "I had no right to snap. I was worried about you."
"I...am...sorry." Randy voice seemed so small. "I-I know."
John opened his arms as he went to give Randy a hug. "Nothing to be sorry about and I would never restrain you in any way unless you wanted it and was enjoying it too. I'd never do that to you, Babe."
Randy fought not to tense up when John first hugged him. Despite the raised voice a moment again he had to remind himself this man fought with him against Hunter. He lowered his head to John's chest. "OK Johnny...Ok." he sighed.
John mentally kicked himself at the way Randy had reacted to his touch. He determined in his mind to never raise his voice needlessly again. The train began to move slowly and released Randy. "Guess we're moving again." He stood up, going for the medical supplies.
"Yeah seems that way." Randy commented. "Ch-check me fi-first then eat?"
"Already on it, Babe." John pulled out medical supplies and carried them over to sit by Randy on the bed. He carefully removed the medical tape then the gauze to inspect the wound, trying not to flinch. "Damn hospital. Should have let Shawn patch you up himself and forgot it." He mumbled, eyeing the sloppy job of his stitches.
"Well...th-they had to ge-get the bullet out." Randy winced as John touched the area. "He di-didn't wa-want to risk that." Randy sighed. "Th-though may not look pre-pretty...does it at least seem...cl-clean?"
John studied the area for sign of infection. "Yeah." He said at last. "I bought some clean gauze to bandage you with."
Randy nodded. "Can...um...can you...um...forget it."
"What?" John looked over at Randy. "What is it, Man?"
Randy took a deep breath. "Yo-you sure you can deal with...seeing a sc-scar li-like that may leave?" Randy turned his head feeling foolish after the words left his lips. John battled the lump wanting to form as he looked at Randy.
"Ran, if there is a scar...it will be a constant reminder of what you risked to save me. You should be proud, not ashamed of it. Consider it your badge of courage." He busied himself changing Randy's gauze to hide the hitch in his own voice. "A man would be a fool if he thought less of you for that."
Randy nodded. "I was ashamed cause I asked...I-I should know you are be-better man than that."
John smiled at that as he finished working. "There you go, Ran." He stood up, the dirty gauze in his hand to throw away. "You hungry enough to eat yet?"
"Yeah pretty sure I can." Randy exhaled a breath looking towards John. John threw the bandage away and went to get Randy's food. He carried a bottle of sweet tea and a large container of chicken salad along with a fork and a few dressing packets over to Randy.
"I didn't know what dressing you prefer so I grabbed Ranch, Blue Cheese, and Italian." John said.
Randy thought a moment. "Hmm chicken...I guess blue cheese."
John handed Randy the packets before going after his own salad and drink. He opened it, eyeing it to see it even had a boiled egg on top as well as some shredded cheese. "Nice. Lots of protein."
"Good...I need it." Randy told him as he speared a piece of the chicken. John dug into his own salad as he sat down, finding it had a good flavor even if the chicken was cold.
"At least it's something semi healthy." He joked, opening his tea.
"It's good John relax." Randy told him as he sipped his own tea. Most of the day was spend with the guys talking or lost in their own thoughts. There may have been a few times over the next two days that John fought the 'dark voice' nagging at his brain being such close quarters with Randy. Finally the trip reached its destination of Tampa Florida.
John was able to secure a wheelchair for Randy once they arrived and help him get off the train. He called a cab and before either man knew it they had pulled up in front of John's impressive home. John felt relief at seeing the familiar sight as he paid the driver and unloaded their baggage before leaning in to help Randy step out. Randy stepped out giving a low whistle. "Damn man." He kept a hand on John's shoulder for balance. Once they were off the swaying train he was feeling a little more stable than before they began the journey.
John smiled at Randy's admiration. "I'll help you get inside the house then run back out and get our bags." He told Randy as he fished his keys out as they headed toward the front.
"Sure man...so-sounds good." He walked carefully with John. He was trying to figure out what he wanted to do first.
Once they reached John's large front door he shifted to punch in the security code before unlocking and opening the door. He gave a happy sigh as he flipped on the light. "Ah. Feels good to be home."
"I guess just show me where to chill...I-I know we ha-have a lot to check on...but I guess just a breather?"
John looked down at Randy's feet, biting his lip. "Not to sound like a control freak, Man, but you mind taking off your shoes at the door?" John looked at his clean home with pride. "I'm a little particular about my house."
"If you can help me...of course not." Randy was quick to answer. John bent to help Randy get out of his shoes. He sat them neatly by the door before kicking off his own, knowing he would have to put them back on in a minute to grab their bags. He then offered Randy a shoulder for support.
"Come on, Baby. I'll show you a place to chill." John led Randy into his main sitting room, a spacious area with a couch, big screen TV and several chairs. "Help yourself, Man. Where do you want to sit?"
"I guess a chair...ea-easier to try to push myself up to stand later."
John helped Randy to sit before handing him the TV remote. "Make yourself at home. I'll be right back, Man." He headed back out quickly. Randy watched as John took off again. He set the remote down just looking around the large room. It felt so strange just sitting there. His life for most he can remember clearly still was the small bedroom, then a hospital room, then the cabin of the train. This one room alone felt massive to him as he looked around almost in wonder. John wasted no time bringing the bags inside. He closed the front door and took off his shoes again before going back into the room where Randy sat. "I'm going to take your bags upstairs. Okay, Ran? You want to share my room with me or have one all to yourself?"
Randy shook his head from the trance he was almost in looking at John. "Oh...so-sorry what?"
John sighed before repeating himself. "I'm taking your bags upstairs. Would you like your own space or do you want to share my room?"
"Oh...um..." Randy lowered his eyes a little hearing John's exasperated tone. "Whichever you prefer John. I'm sure you are missing your space."
"Ran, I have a California King size bed and a huge Master bath if you want to share. I just thought you might enjoy your own space." John's voice softened as he looked at Randy. "I want you happy, Man."
"Thanks John...bu-but I...I really don't know." He licked his lips before biting the bottom lip. "Yo-you figure most of my life...well clear memory...I was in a small room alone. I'm not used to so...so much space."
John fought the urge to kiss Randy's bottom lip. 'Tease' ran through his mind. "You can share a room with me then. I warn you though." He gave a chuckle. " I can be a little strict with my house rules."
Randy nodded. "Just let me know what they are...I-I'll do my...my best to follow them while I'm here."
John nodded. "It's fine, Ran. Relax." He headed upstairs with their bags to unpack their clothes and get things in order. He figured Randy may enjoy a nice bath or shower later with his help. Randy let out a deep breath after John left, he was trying to calm himself down. He feared letting John down & maybe breaking one of his rules. He wondered what sort of rules was there. He already knew no shoes inside the house, ok he should be able to remember that. The problem was to him rules left room for mistakes & to him mistakes lead to punishment.