Authors Note : Confrontation time. Randy lays it all out for Trish. Oh its exciting. Hope you guys like the chapter, I really do. Please, please, please...if you read, leave me a review of what you think. We're coming to the end guys and girls...as always I own nothing and no-one.

"Took your time Orton. You get lost on the way out of Grand Kristal Canyon?"

"Shut it Cena. You're fucking lucky I came at all." Randy glared down at John as he slid in the booth opposite the 'Dr of Thuganomics', who was now on his third stack of pancakes coated in syrup.

Chewing at the golden brown circle hanging off the edge of his fork, John regarded Randy with a cold stare. It was not through choice that he wanted to talk to the arrogant 'Legend Killer', but rather he felt seeing Trish happy was more important. Silencing the urge to smash Orton's teeth down his own throat, John settled for stabbing at the pancake stack before him.

"You plan on telling what I'm doing here Cena?" Folding his arms, Randy raised an eyebrow sceptically. Being this close to one to Trish's best friend caused a sense of unease that didn't set well with him.

"Yeah. I want to know what your fucking head trauma is." John narrowed his eyes, slamming the fork down onto the table.

"What are you ranting about? I didn't come here for bullshit lectures from you." Sighing, Randy began to get up from the table, annoyed at John's blatant attack into his personal life.

"You're going to sit your ass down Orton, or I'm gonna put you down." The statement was both threatening and assertive. The glint in Cena's eye was enough to tell Orton that he wasn't fooling around right now. Locking into a staring contest, Randy carefully edged himself back into his seat.

"You got 60 seconds champ." Randy resumed folding his arms, not taking lightly to feeling slightly intimidated.

"What are you doing with Trish." John's voice softened at the mention for his friend.

"How is that any of your business?" Randy retorted.

"What you seem to lack Orton, is the ability to understand people care about those they are close to. Its not all about getting your rocks off in life. Trish happens to be my best friend, and when a fucker like you hurts her, I tend to want break said fucker in half. Why are you playing her man?" John's eyes were searching, wanting to try to understand Randy.

"Playing her?", Randy spat, "I fucking caught her in bed with that weirdo Hardy. Maybe you need to realise that she's not the innocent little blonde you like to think she is before you defend her." John swore there was a trace of hurt in Randy's expression, but he couldn't be certain.

"Nothing happened between them moron. Didn't it strike you as a little improbable that two people who you think are banging behind your back are still fully clothed when you catch them? Use what's left of your grey cells Randall!" John could already feel himself getting exasperated with Randy.

Randy's mouth opened, then snapped shut again as he seemed to process what John had suggested to him.

"Yeah...well...what was he doing in her bed? Don't tell me they were just talking." Randy sounded like an impetuous child, trying to get the better of an argument with a parent.

John couldn't help but laugh. "Seriously man...all you think about is pussy ain't it? Believe it or not, not every guy and girl who are close, are actually screwing. Even if they are in a bed together."

"So what's the point in it then?" Randy looked genuinely confused.

"Fuck me Orton! They're just friends! Granted, friends with a past but that's all it is." John didn't know if Randy believed him, but he could only use the truth as the basis for his argument.

"So...I don't care anyway. She can have anyone she wants in her bed. I'm bored with her already." Randy lied

"Whatever. Don't tell me you aren't pussy whipped." John grinned knowingly.

"Hey...I never get pussy whipped. No woman will ever have that much power over me." Randy protested.

"Bullshit," Randy's eyes shot up, glaring at John across the table, "don't tell me she isn't all you think about. Try and sit there and tell me that Trish doesn't dominate every waking moment of your life? Tell me that you don't remember her smell hours after she's gone...or the warmth of her skin against yours...the way she laughs...the emotions shining from her eyes...the way she can smile at you and suddenly everything in the world doesn't matter cos all you want to do is make that girl happy. And if you see her sad, not to mention crying, it makes you feel like you would do anything to change the entire world…just for her...just so she wouldn't be hurting anymore..."

Randy felt himself lost in the picture that John was painting. For the first time in his life, he was feeling something for someone who wasn't himself. But more than that, he understood what he felt and why he felt it. Licking his lips, Randy focused back on John.

"Do you love her?" Randy suddenly felt as though he had competition.

"Trish? Not like that. She's like my sister. But yeah, there is a girl who I'm head over heels for. So I understand what you're going through here Orton." John confided, finding some common ground with Randy.

"I don't know what to do," Randy admitted quietly, "I don't know how to be a boyfriend, to be everything that Trish needs. That's just not me."

"That's shocking," John sighed sarcastically, "look, you don't need to try and figure out what you need to be for her. Just be there for her. The rest…it'll work itself out."

"What if she rejects me? I'm putting myself out here, and if Trish turns around and tells me no…it ain't worth the risk Cena," The scepticism of the 'Legend Killer' raised its head once more, defeating Randy, "I don't wanna get hurt man."

John appreciated the honesty with which Randy was displaying his feelings. He knew it must be a first.

"Listen man, not to get all sentimental on your ass…but if you don't take the chance on someone like Trish…then what the fuck else is there worthy enough to take a chance on? If girls didn't hurt you every once in a while, what's the point in loving them in the first place?" John's smile was broad and heartfelt.

"Fucking girl," Orton smiled, feeling a playful laugh escaping, "why are you doing this John?"

"Because," John answered, "Trish told me to take the same chance I'm telling you to take. Turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Apart from that, I really don't want to see her with Hardy again. Which is where she'll be if you don't do something right now."

"What? Why?" Randy's brow furrowed as he waited in baited breath.

"Trish…she's gonna get back with Jeff. After your little scene earlier, she figured it was her only option. This is your last chance Orton with her Randy…and it very well may be too late already." John admitted, a grim look on his face.

"What? Why didn't you say something earlier? And why am I still talking to you?" Randy leaped out of the seat, tearing into a run out of the restaurant, crashing through the door to get back to his rented car parked near by.

Hurling himself into the front seat, Randy started the engine over immediately, flooring the gas pedal. The car roared to life, causing a considerable amount of wheel spin as it flung forward onto the road.

Angry, blaring horns screamed at Randy for nearly causing an accident as he sped his way towards Trish's hotel, all his thoughts with that petit blonde Canadian. A cold feeling took hold in Randy's stomach.

What if I'm too late? What if my fucking ego and big mouth has cost me the only girl I've ever wanted? Don't think that shit Orton. Just get your ass to her before you lose her for good.

With a steely determination, Randy slammed his foot down even harder, shifting into a higher gear as he broke almost every speeding law in the county. His heart pounded harder in his chest as he swung onto the street of Trish's hotel.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nervously pacing the length of her hotel room, Trish didn't know why she felt so uneasy. It was only Jeff after all. They had been together before, so he wasn't anything new to her.

So why is my heart pounding so hard?

Trish had spent the best part of the afternoon convincing herself Jeff was the person she wanted to be with. They had been so deeply in love before, Trish couldn't deny that she still had intense feelings for him. Three years apart had done nothing to dim the connection they had. It was just a case of getting used to being with him again, to not being so independent and lonely. It was going to feel really good.

Randy was just a passing fling. There was no real feeling there…not compared to what you had with Jeff. He was just a distraction to keep your heart from crying over Jeff. But you don't need that anymore because Jeff is here. And he wants you back. And you want him.

Trish had actually started believing what she was telling herself, so much so that she had called Jeff, asking him to stop by her hotel room after he got done at the gym.

And here she was, nervous as hell.

The idea of letting him back into her life terrified her in more ways than she could describe. Although she would never admit it to herself, Trish was more frightened that she was making the biggest mistake of her life. Trish was planning on asking Jeff to be with her again, to start their relationship once more.

Am I doing the right thing? Is Jeff who I really want? Or am I…

Trish couldn't complete her thought, the knocking at her door signalling Jeff had arrived. Breathing a huge sigh, Trish ran her hands down her baby tee-shirt, smoothing away wrinkles which weren't there to begin with. Glancing to the left, Trish checked her appearance in the mirror one more time. Plucking up all the courage left in her tiny body, Trish gripped the handle of the door, pulling it open.

"Jeff I…"Trish's breath caught in her throat as she looked up into a cloudy pair of sparkling blue eyes. Her lips parted as her jaw went slack, Trish not being able to process, for the moment, what was going on.

Words weren't important however, as Randy stepping into the doorway, his arms gliding easily around Trish waist, pulling her body next to his own. Suddenly, his lips were on top of hers, burning the tender flesh with frenzied kisses, smothering the very breath out of her lungs.

And Trish gave in, flinging her arms around Randy's neck, crushing their lips together as the kissed harder. All the hurt and anger and frustration that bubbled between them melted away in an instant, giving way to the heat they felt for one another. There was nothing tender or loving about it, their connection was an expression of desire and heart felt emotion. It was everything Randy could never say, and everything Trish didn't want to say.

Feeling giddy from the kiss, Trish realised it was more likely because of the lack of oxygen, and forced herself to break the meld of their lips. Randy groaned slightly in frustration, moving his mouth to hers once more. Trish pulled back a little further, her voice coming in breathy intervals.

"…Randy…"

"Trish, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I said to you. For not believing in you, for treating you badly, for being a dick in general. I'm sorry."

Although his words were meant as an apology for everything he had done wrong, it only succeeded in bringing Trish back to her senses. Her chocolate eyes took in his icy blue gaze, the hurt of the past few days pooling held by both of them.

"I can't do this with you anymore Randy. I'm not this girl. I'm not the kind of person who can have a relationship based on passion alone." Trish regretted every single word as they left her cherry-red lips, but they needed to be said.

"Trish…I love you." Randy didn't even know he meant those words until he said them. Surprised at his own candidness, he knew instantly it was right. This was what he felt for Trish, and she deserved to know it.

It took all of Trish's strength to not break down in his arms there and then. That's all she wanted to hear from him, but she knew it was an even bigger step for Randy on a personal level to admit that to her.

"It's not enough Randy…You just can't…" Trish stopped, taking in the hurt in Randy's eyes.

Why am I saying this? What is wrong with me? Trish felt like clawing her own tongue out. She didn't want to say any of this, but it was an unstoppable flow escaping her lips. Randy gently released his grip on Trish's waist, taking a small step back.

"I know I've fucked this up Trish. I know I've pushed you too far, waited to long to say this stuff. And I know that you probably could never love me back. But I'm hoping I'm wrong. I hope you feel like I do. I can't pretend I'm good with this kind of thing Trish, because I'm not. I can't tell you what I feel, because I just don't know how to put it into words. All I can do is stand here and express to you the best way I can. If it's not enough, I'm sorry. But I can't do any better." Randy let his head droop, expressing his own shame, like he was failing as a human being.

"You're the only one I've felt this way about Trish. It scares the shit out of me…but I want this…I know I want you, and I want to take the risk to feel what I feel…but I can only do that when you're with me…I'm crazy about you Trish. I fought it, and hid from it, told myself it was just sex…but you took me over Trish. You got inside my head…in my blood. You set me on fire. It excites me, it fucking aggravates me too…but no matter what it makes me feel…I can't deny that I love you…"

Trish stood in silence, a state of disbelief. This out pouring of emotion was something she had never expected, least of all from Randy Orton. Her lips opened to respond in some way, but Randy held up his hand.

"You don't need to say anything Trish. I understand. It must be a lot to take in, especially from me. I just need you to know that I Iove you. I want to know what you feel for me, but I can wait for your answer." Reaching into his pocket, Randy offered a small smile.

"I want you to just think about everything I've said. If…if you decide you want me too…then I'm asking you be by my side when I win the WWE Title at Survivor Series. There's no-one else I'd want to share in my victory, and I want you to walk down that ramp with me…to be my girl. If you decide that you don't feel the same for me…then…I guess I'll just get out of your life. I'll do whatever you want, if it makes your life easier."

The words hurt him more than the idea itself did, but Randy didn't want to pressure Trish into anything. From his pocket, Randy provided a key to Trish, dropping it into the palm of her outstretched hand.

"That's the key to my house in St. Louis. I know you've probably got plans…but if you don't…I was hoping…after Survivor Series…maybe you'd want to spend Thanksgiving with me…at my house…?" Randy's eyes looked hopeful as he looked into Trish's confused features.

"I love you Trish." Leaning forward once more, Randy softly brushed his lips against Trish's in a sweet kiss, "I hope I see you Sunday."

With a finale smile, randy stepped out of the doorway, pulling to the door closed behind him.

Trish stood in the same position, her eyes focused on the key resting in her hand. Randy had laid it all on the line before her, and all she could do was stand there in silence. Looking at her own reflection in the mirror, Trish knew she had a decision to make. And it was one she didn't know how to decide.