They both looked around and found brown eyes gazing at them. Evan gave a faint smile moaning, "Sorry to interrupt but I really need a drink"

"No problem." soothed Randy gently easing Cody off his lap. Snatching the glass off the bedside table, Randy knelt on the edge of the bed. Reaching over he slid a hand under the sweat soaked hair helping Evan sit up a little as he held the glass to his lips. He let Evan have a few sips before moving the glass back rumbling, "Easy small sips don't want you throwing up again."

Evan nodded whimpering as the movement made his head ache.

Cody moved around the other side of the bed and sinking onto the mattress he smiled at Evan reaching over to brush his hand over Evan's exposed shoulder. He frowned – Evan's skin had that clammy feel that only ever came with a serious fever. Snapping his head up Cody looked at Randy but the older man shook his head indicating for Cody to keep his concerns quiet for the moment. Letting Evan have a few more sips Randy shifted position and sank down beside the smaller man. Catching Evan's hand he linked their fingers together giving him a soft smile. Without realising what he was doing Randy reached over with his other hand catching Cody's linking their hands together. The three of them sat silently Cody and Randy both watching Evan intently as he settled back to sleep. All of them so absorbed in the moment none of them had noticed that they were being watched from the now open doorway, a doorway that was filled with the sad lonely figure of John.

John looked on the three of them looking so perfect, so whole. Sighing he felt like a fool for believing there would ever be room for him on that bed. He knew Randy needed him in a way the other two didn't understand but maybe he was wrong. Maybe Randy would choose one of them to be the one to dominate him instead of him.

Slipping into the shadows, John went down to the kitchen and open the fridge there were vegetables half a chicken left from the one they roasted the other day. Taking all the things out he needed he decided to make himself feel useful.

Pouring chicken stock into a pot John began cutting vegetables for a homemade chicken soup. AS he started to make the soup, he hoped his actions would be taken as they were meant as an act of kindness and care, but not seen as a means to steal the spot light. Hearing the creak of the stairs John turned his head and saw Randy holding an empty glass.

"John what are you doing up and what are you cooking?" Randy walked over to John's side then peering into the pot, he rumbled, "Soup? Smells better than the packaged stuff I made."

"Thanks," John smiled softly. "Squirt needs more water?"

"Yeah," Randy nuzzled his head into John's shoulder. "I'm worried."

They were silent for a moment then leaning his head back John rubbed his cheek against Randy's shorn head murmuring, "This isn't working, Randy."

"Huh?" asked Randy absently shifting closer his arms snaking around John's waist pulling the bigger man back into his embrace, "The soup smells gorgeous."

"Not the soup, you goof!" snapped John fondly but then the laughter faded and he murmured, "I mean this. Its...I'm..."

"It will work," growled Randy.

He closed his eyes he knew John was hurting. He knew that Cody's constant sniping and petulant behaviour was hurting John and that made him sad. Tightening his grip around John's body, he turned his face and pressing a soft kiss against John's neck he breathed, "Please just give it a little more time. I had a talk with Cody earlier, he's a scared little boy right now and he's lashing out. And I hate that you're the one he's lashing out but please..." Randy shifted position so he could see John's eyes before he rumbled;" ...please if not for me then for Evan."

"Evan?" frowned John, "What do you mean for Evan?"

Randy gave a soft secretive smile before leaning in and brushing his lips against John's ear as he whispered, "Give it time and you'll see what I mean."

"For you I'll give it time," John replied looking over at the bubbling soup. "But I would rather leave than destroy the bond you have with those two."

"I know but in time you'll understand waiting is for the best," the tattooed man tilted his head and kissed John's jawline. "Is that ready yet because I'm hungry and it smells so good."

"Few more minutes," John stirred a spoon through a broth. "You should get Squirt his water, I'll bring all of us a bowl when its ready," he stated putting emphasis on all meaning he was going to bring Cody a bowl.

"Ok," Randy reluctantly pulled away from the warm embrace. Randy poured a tall glass of water for the sick man upstairs, turning to John he gave a quick nod mouthing the words "love you" before disappearing back upstairs.

John tasted the soup one last time and dubbed it fit to served and set about getting bowls from the cupboard. Ladling the soup into each bowl he hoped this would be seen as a peace offering and not a way to pull Evan and Randy away from Cody.

Evan was half asleep by the time John nudged the door open and carried the full tray into the bedroom. Randy smiled at him but Cody shot him a look that could have frozen weaker men's blood.

"What's that?" snapped the younger man glowering at John.

"Soup," replied John setting the tray down and holding a bowl out towards Cody. He waited and when Cody made no move to take the bowl he added wearily, "I thought we could all do with something and I..."

"Are you trying to make him throw up again?" snapped Cody, his earlier conversion with Randy clearly forgotten, "You never think, do you, John? You're so stupid sometimes!"

"Cody!" breathed Evan frowning at the venom in the younger man's voice, "Stop it..." his voice was lost in a violent coughing fit.

"Well he is!" added Cody trying to defend himself against the frown that was now creasing Evan's pale face, "He never...

"For fuck sake, Cody," yelled Randy, "Shut up!" He balled his fists trying very hard not to lose his temper but Cody was pushing every single one of his buttons.

Not caring about the hurt look now plastered over Cody's face, he simply stood up and strode across to where John was still holding out the bowl. Taking the offered bowl he set it on the side then before anyone could react he turned grabbed John's face and pressed his lips to the older man's trying desperately to erase the pained look on his best friend's face.

Cody fumed and his blood boiled as he watched the kiss it was clear to Cody that Randy, whether he realized it, had made his choice. The older man would always take John's side over his and he wasn't about to become a doormat for the Viper.

Cody stood ready to go give Randy a piece of his mind as he saw John and Randy finish kissing however Evan started coughing again but there was a frantic gasping to the coughing as well. Struggling to sit up Evan clutched at his chest his mouth twitching as he casped for air.

"G….guys," he stammered starting to get out of bed.

"Evan stay in bed," Cody snapped not really paying attention to the sick man.

"Can…can't…brea…," rasped Evan, his face slowly going red as he continued to cough. But as he got to his feet he wobbled then without warning he collapsed onto the floor.

The other three men were stunned momentarily before John's head started working. "I'm gonna call an ambulance you two make sure he's breathing," ordered the chain gang solider as he bolted from the room.

Cody dropped to his knees and pressed his ear down to Evan's open mouth. "He's breathing just not well," Cody looked up at Randy his prior angry pushed aside by his love for Evan.

"Thank god," Randy bent down too. "Um, should we take him down to the couch for the EMTs?" Randy was uncertain on what to do in this situation.

"Best not to move him," Cody advised.

Randy nodded absently his eyes glued to Evan's pale face. Reaching over he stroked Evan's face rumbling, "Hold on Puppy, please, just hold on."

Cody watched the tenderness with which Randy touched Evan and gave a low snort. Catching the glare Randy shot him Cody snapped, "Guess I know where I stand."

"What?"

"Its obvious," continued Cody sitting back on his heels, looking thoroughly pissed off, "That kiss with John, the way you're stroking Evan's face I.."

"I kissed John," growled Randy his face hardening, "Because you were stomping all over his heart and I was not about to watch my best fiend being destroy by an ungrateful little brat. And as for Evan..." he paused glancing down his thumb grazing over Evan's lower lip, "Don't ever question how I feel about him." Randy held Cody's gaze the grey eyes narrowing slightly as he hissed, "And as for you..."

"The ambulance will be here as soon as possible!" yelled John running back into the bedroom at full speed. He skidded to a halt noticing the staring contest going on between the other two men. Gulping slightly at the sheer tension in the room he cleared his throat calling, "Umm guys..." when no one looked at him, he tried again his voice a little louder, "Guys?" again no response, giving a huff of annoyance he suddenly shouted loudly, "HEY!" it was only then that the stare was broken. Turning slowly Randy fixed John with a hard glare and snarled, "What?"

"I said the ambulance will be here..." he paused then as a distant siren broke the silence outside he grinned, "...in about two minutes."