Not working certainly helps me a lot. Now I know why I had writers-block for a month. Damn work. So, yeah, here it is. The next chapter already.

I want to say thanks again to all the great suggestions from you guys. I'll definitely keep them in mind (if I haven't used them in this chapter yet).

PS: I'd like to read some reviews by people who haven't raised there voice yet. Come on, people. You must have an opinion on what I write?

Chapter: And so it goes...

Warning: Uhmmm... Slash, Fluff and... *thinks* Yeah, that's it. Oh wait, Cursing.

Disclaimer: Roar. I own nothing!

December 26th/27th

The rest of their holidays went by uneventful, quite boring even. The visits at their parents were quiet, without stress and without any hectic, just what they had needed and wished for. The happiness in their eyes was genuine for the first time in a while, their romantic gestures and lingering touches sincere, giving a taste of safety and content as the days went by.

That stayed until the noon they picked Alana up from her mother again to take her on tour. Cody had felt his lover's tenseness all morning long already, even the night before, could see it in his eyes and body-language. Though he'd tried to calm him, reassure him that the situation wouldn't be awkward, wouldn't escalate, he knew that Randy was on the verge of hyperventilating once they pulled into the drive-way. Not only would they face Sam for the first time since the older had told his lover -Christmas morning she'd been picked up by Sam's sister-, but also for the first time since she'd threatened Randy to take the girl completely away from him.

When said woman opened the door and he saw the sneer on her face, he was close to send Randy back to the car, but didn't. Instead, he squeezed his lover's hand and put on his best fake-smile, deciding that whatever would happen, they wouldn't sink down to her level. Not today. Not after the very nice holidays they'd spend.

"Alana isn't ready yet."

Her voice alone was snappy and cold, matching the expression on her face, and once again Cody wondered how the once so warm, beautiful and kind woman had changed into such a complete bitch. Probably his fault. Or so she'd argue.

"No problem. We'll just wait."

When Sam didn't even ask them in, but only nodded and left to go inside again, he heard the faint sound of a snort, turning to his lover only to find out... that it hadn't been the older but him who'd made the sound. Randy was arching a brow at him, a slight smirk tucking on his lips as he squeezed Cody's hand.

No words were spoken as they waited patiently for the little sunshine to be done, Randy moving over to the wall next to the door only to lean back against it, while Cody decided to stay put, hands behind his head as he watched the sky. It felt like forever until he heard the tattering of small shoes on the floor, coming down the stairs in a hurry as it sounded, the squeal of excitement music to his ears.

"Daddy Cody!"

Ugh. Not helping the situation. Not at all.

Before he could say anything though, Alana was already in his arms and Randy back by his side, placing a kiss to his daughter's temple. And then there was she again. Glaring at him with a look that could kill. Maybe exactly what she wanted right then. For him to drop dead.

"We'll bring her back in time for New Year's Eve. Guess around noon."

Randy's voice was surprisingly calm as he turned to his ex-wife, though his eyes did say a lot more than his mouth right then. It was a silent warning he gave to her, not to mess with him or his younger lover, not to make a scene in front of their sunshine, but he was wrong if he thought she'd care.

"Cherish the time. It will probably be the last you see of her."

The comment made Cody stiffen immediately, his gaze traveling from the little squirrel in his arms to Sam and then to his lover, seeing the vein in his forehead pulsing and his jaw working as if to snap at any given moment. But thankfully enough, Cody was quick enough to react. Brushing a comforting hand over his lover's arm, he nodded his head towards Alana, handing the girl over to him without so much of a word. To his relief, Randy caught on to what he wanted and took her, his complete body-language changing the second the blond sunshine got comfortable in his strong arms.

"How about you buckle her on already?"

Without any resistance, Randy nodded his head and bounced Alana up in his arms again, the little one quite silent ever since Sam had joined them outside again, either not knowing what to say or too shocked by the words that had come out of her mother's mouth. Cody knew, he could make this even worse by what he wanted to do right then, but he also knew that he needed to get it off his chest before he'd explode. Maybe not now, but definitely at a later meeting. He waited for Randy and Al to be out of ear-shot before he turned towards his lover's ex-wife who's look bore straight into him, her arms crossed over her chest as her lips were pressed together.

"You know, Samantha. I've no idea what has happened to you those past months..."

He saw her open her mouth, brows still arched as she probably wanted to interrupt him, but he put up a hand and stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Let me talk, please... I've no idea what has happened to the wonderful, kind and lovely woman that I've once gotten to know. You'll probably say I have happened, but we all know that is bull. I know it is tough losing your man to someone else and I can only just imagine how it is to loose him to another man, but what you are doing over the past months is not only completely ridiculous, but it is also low. We both know that Randy IS Alana's biological dad and we both know that you lying about it will only cause you more trouble than it's gonna help you in your case. I wish we could come to an agreement that suits us all, but knowing the path you've chosen, I also know that that is impossible. So, I just wanted to let you know that, even though I'll hate it, I'm gonna stop at nothing short to make sure Randy gets custody for that little sunshine, even if it means that you will loose her completely."

There, it was out. He watched Sam's expressions closely during his ramblings, most words not making sense even to himself, but he hoped he'd expressed all the feelings he had wanted to express, had said everything he'd wanted her to know. Though the look she was sending him told him 'I don't give a fuck what you think'.

"S'that it?"

Shrugging his shoulders and trying hard not to let his cool, stern facade slip, Cody nodded.

"You know what, Cody. I don't give a crap about what you think. especially not about what you think is best for Alana. I'm her mother. Not you, even though she might think you are part of the family. You're nothing but a no-good-man-stealing-whore who's now obviously also trying to steal my kid from me. I really considered you a friend over the first few months of my marriage, but it turned out to be a complete farce, just like my marriage with that piece of scum. If you think he's the father, fine. I know he's not and I won't beg down in this fight. Not because of you. Not because of Alana. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think your bitch is waiting for you and I've more important things to do than to listen to the whore who's stolen him from me."

Luckily for him AND her, she slammed the door into his face as soon as she was done, leaving him no other choice than to swallow down the rather nasty comment he wanted to make. Clenching and unclenching his fists a few times and taking many deep, calming breaths, he managed to somewhat find his composure again and to not snap. He just turned on the doorsteps and walked slowly back to their car, getting into the driver's seat without so much of a glance back.

Randy knew instantly by the look on Cody's face not to talk or ask any questions, simply leaning back in his seat and taking a quick look back at his little daughter, a smile gracing his lips as he saw her playing with one of her dolls, completely oblivious to everything happening around her.

The drive to their destination was unnervingly quiet, besides the few times Alana tried to start a chat with them and the one time she squealed in delight when Randy promised her ice-cream once they arrived in Nashville. Cody was too deep in his own thoughts, though he often tried to shake them away in order to concentrate on the road. After only thirty minutes, his older lover had had enough and ordered him to stop the car, switching positions in hope to make it safely to their destination. It only gave Cody more time to think, however. Not the best of ideas.

By the time they arrived at their hotel, Cody's mood was lower than Sam's behavior before, the young man barely managing a smile at Alana when she quickly jumped out of the car, full of energy and life, asking if they could go buy some ice-cream right now. Luckily, Randy managed to calm her again, somewhat at least, ushering her into the hotel first to check into their rooms. His bus wouldn't arrive before the next morning and he'd guessed it didn't hurt to share a hotel with the other guys the first day after the holidays, knowing that Alana would want to meet all her 'big friends' -as she called them- to tell them all about her Christmas-gifts.

Thankfully, that gave them some time alone, as -as soon as they had checked in- none other than John walked up to them and the young girl engaged him into a thrilled conversation. Pushing Cody aside a bit, towards a slightly quieter area, Randy took him into his arms and placed a kiss to his forehead, knowing that any words might only make the younger snap right then, but that a simple action would calm him down.

"Sorry."

Pulling away to take a look at his younger lover, Randy arched a brow in slight confusion, silently asking for an explanation and Cody was quick to catch on.

"I'm the reason you're in this situation with Sam and now I might've made it only worse by opening my big, stupid mouth."

He smiled. Randy smiled at those words, holding back a chuckle he knew would only make Cody snap.

"Baby. For one, I don't think anything you might've said could make this situation any worse. Believe me, Sam won't take Al away from me... from us. And secondly, I'd broken up with her before I found you, forgot? And even if not, that wouldn't have changed a thing. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I'd choose you over and over again."

The older felt Cody shake his head against his chest, heard him mutter something but didn't quite understand it, before he watched him raising his head... a small smile on his lips.

"But..."

"No 'but'. And now, come on, before Alana invites John to join us for ice-cream, too. God knows, I don't wanna pay for the 20 balls of ice-cream I know he'd order."

The topic wasn't addressed anymore after that, Randy being quite sure that he'd hear what Cody had said to Samantha anyways, either by her or her lawyer. So he avoided it for Cody's sake. He was busy lightening up the younger's mood anyways, and -teaming up with his little sunshine- he thankfully managed so in the evening, the three of them watching 'Alice in wonderland' together. While they shared a bed, still dressed in their clothes of the day, Alana sat at the end of the bed clad in her PJ's, completely focused on the happenings on screen.

The show had been pretty uneventful, just like Raw often was for them, but tomorrow they'd have Smackdown and a bunch of interviews before, the silence now only the 'silence before the storm'. And all the signings and interviews the day after would take the last of their power away.

When the movie was over, Randy went to tuck Alana in, but got stopped dead in his tracks by the little girl before he could even get off the bed.

"Can Cody read me a story, tonight, daddy?"

It surprised him somewhat, but he did not see why not, glancing at his lover and smiling. The younger man had his brows furrowed and his lip tucked in, looking like a deer caught in the headlight as Alana spoke again.

"Please?"

Getting out of the initial shock, Cody swallowed and then nodded before crawling off the bed only to gain a chuckle from his older lover. Turning, he -not so maturely- stuck his tongue out at Randy before giving Alana all his attention again, taking her hand and leading her over into her separate -joined- room. That was a first. Not the reading part, but that she had asked for Cody to do it, always pleading, sense the slight surprise on both men's faces.

Fifteen minutes later, Cody reappeared from her room again, carefully closing the door behind him and silently padding back over to their bed. Randy was already stripped down to a shirt and his boxershorts, snuggled underneath the covers with his eyes glued to the TV, but he did look up when he heard shuffling on the ground.

"Is she sleeping?"

Cody nodded his head shortly before he stripped off his jeans and joined his lover underneath the covers, sighing as his back hit the soft mattress and his head hit the pillow. Instantly, Randy's arm went around his lover's waist and he laid his head in the crook of the younger's neck, smiling as his fresh scent hit his nostrils.

"You know... I really think you're gonna make a great dad one day."

Looking up from where his head had gotten comfortable, Cody raised a brow at his older lover, one hand on Randy's chest tracing small patterns all over his shivering skin, completely unaware of the action.

"You think so?"

"Hmm... I've never had her in bed and asleep under 15 minutes of time. You're great with Al. She's never once cried with you or complained."

Smile tucking on his lips, Cody let his head drop back down to Randy's arm.

"Yeah, that's because I'm always the good one. I never forbid her anything, she always gets everything from me. I allow her everything while you're always the big bad bear that has to say 'No', cause... well, that's your job."

"Big bad bear?"

Of course, Randy only heard what that part, chuckling as he glanced down at Cody's head. The younger huffed before swatting his lover's arm, shifting a bit until he found a good sleeping-position for himself.

"You know what I mean. I'm not her dad, I'm allowed to spoil her rotten. And you always have to put a stop to it. So, yeah, of course she loves me."

Randy's whole body shook as he let go of a hearty laugh, squeezing Cody tighter against his body before pressing his lips to his lover's temple.

"I bet that's why. Maybe we should switch roles for the next week she's visiting then. See how she'll like you then?"

Puckering up his lips into a pout, Cody shook his head against Randy's shoulder and pinched the elder's abs. He didn't intend to move an inch again this night, completely comfortable the way they lay now, only slightly turning his head to the older as he murmured.

"Never."

"Damn it, Randal, why didn't you tell me what the plan was? You fucking scared me to death!"

He'd awaited that reaction from his lover. As soon as he had given the okay for the quite risky spot, he'd known Cody would bite his head off for it. Sense why he didn't say a word before. But now that he was sitting at the medics, getting his neck tended to, he had nowhere to escape.

"You could've fucking broken your neck!"

Though they hadn't come out backstage yet, there was no real risk in Cody talking like that because for one, there was none of their co-workers around -only medics-, and two, even a best friend was sometimes allowed to worry like that.

"Bad enough that you agreed to such sort of match when you've already trouble with your neck. AND your shoulders, but... THAT SPOT..."

Throwing his hands up in frustration and quitting his ramblings with a loud growl, Cody continued to pace the room, letting the medics do their job while Randy stayed silent. Not really helping his case. Then again, no matter what he would say, it would only make Cody angrier. Instead he let him pace until the anger slowly wore off, the medics one-by-one leaving the room as they finished their work, the arena already quite empty as the match had been the last on the card.

It took almost 30 minutes and the last of the trainers leaving the room for Cody to finally stop pacing and settle with a heavy sigh. Randy's eyes had been fixed on him the whole time, his own anger at himself bubbling underneath the surface while watching his lover's range of emotions. Hell, he was mad at himself for taking the risk and screwing up. He just knew this injury would sideline him for a few weeks again. And it's the last he wanted right now. Even though... it would mean more time with Al and a lot more time to focus on the custody-shit.

"Fuck, I'm just glad nothing worse happened."

He was startled as he heard Cody's voice so close to his ear, only now realizing that the younger stood right in front of him and had his arms wrapped around his waist. Yeah, that deep in his thoughts Randy had been. Sighing, Randy returned the embrace, suppressing a wince as his neck protested the movement. But Cody was right, it was nothing severe. Nothing some rest and a painkiller each day wouldn't cure.

"'m sorry, really."

"You should be."

He smiled a little at the played anger in Cody's voice, knowing it was more out of concern than anything else that the young man had voiced his opinion so loud earlier. Not that he minded. He loved it when Cody stood up to him. Not many had the guts to do so.

"I'll have to get an MRT as soon as we're back home again. But I don't think it's anything big. Maybe a week or two of rest. And, you know... I think this might not even be the worst of ideas. Gives me time to sit down with my lawyer again, have one or two sessions with my therapist. Spend time with Al."

"Yeah, and without me."

"Hmmm... Yeah..."

Randy tried to play it cool, wanting to tease his lover a little, to play with him and lighten the mood, but he failed massively when a rather shaky sigh escaped him soon after. That was really something to consider. After all, they'd just gotten back on track as a couple and now they would barely see each other for a few weeks.

"Hey, we'll have two days each week. Nothing we can't handle. We managed it at the beginning of our relationship, we'll DEFINITELY manage it now."

Now it was -surprisingly- Cody who consoled him, though he was pretty sure it should have been the other way around. The younger had pulled back from the embrace to send him a sincere, bright smile before leaning in to place a quick kiss to Randy's lips.

"It's only a few weeks."

I'm gonna concentrate on my German OC/OC story for the next days, but don't worry, I already have a game-plan for our sweethearts :)

Review, pretty please!