Randy slammed his mouth shut in response and just glared before he allowed his concerned for Evan return full force. "Ok," he mumbled removing himself from John's lap. John also rose from being seated and straightened his shirt that had got rumpled when he was holding Randy.

"I hope this will be good news," John moved to stand between Randy and Cody, all of them facing the door. The moments that were passing felt like hours but all of them held their breath as the doors swung open and the doctor entered.

"Hello gentlemen," began the doctor who was quite short with a round body, thick rimmed glasses and a moustache that looked like it belonged in the seventies. "You're all here for Mr. Bourne."

"Yes," the all answered in unison before all rambling their own versions of what can you tell us.

"Uh," the doctor was stunned slightly at the outburst. "Yes his condition, well..."

"Out with it," snapped Randy.

"No need to be rude about it," The doctor glared at Randy who was not intimidated in the least. "He's improving but he has a severe strain of influenza. We're going to have to keep him here for a day or two."

"But he'll be okay, right?" asked John when neither of the other two spoke.

"As far as I can tell yes," replied the doctor, "You do have to understand this is a very serious illness. Influenza can cause all sorts of secondary respiratory problems. Problems that could be exasperated by the fact he only recently broke his nose, which is why I want to keep him in for observation."

"Can I see him?" growled Randy, his voice sounding more strained than John or Cody could ever remember. He had also lost colour the mention that Evan's broken nose could be affecting his chances of recovering terrifying him more than anything.

"He's resting right now and..."

"I have to see him," growled Randy. He looked up slowly and levelled the doctor with a glare that would reduce most men to quivering wrecks.

Sensing Randy's patience was wearing thin, John stepped closer to the Doctor and flashing his most winning smile, he asked, "Please doc, just Randy. Cody and I will stay here," he ignored the petulant huff from the other side of Randy, adding, "Just for a moment. Please?"

The doctor seemed to think about then slowly he nodded snapping, "You have five minutes."

Randy nodded and glancing at John he opened his mouth to speak but John order, "Go! Tell him we say hi." He gave him a brave smile then all but pushed the hesitant viper towards the door with a commanding nod, ordering, "Tell him we love him."

As Randy hurried away following the doctor towards Evan's room John let out the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Hearing a loud huff, he glanced over and seeing the pout forming on Cody's face he closed his eyes. Running a hand over his face and sounding as tired as he felt he snapped, "Don't' start, Cody. I'm really not in the mood to butt heads with you any more tonight."

"Fine, I have nothing to say to you anyway," Cody turned and flopped down in a chair.

X x x x x x x x x x x

Randy entered in Evan's room and immediately felt like crying when he say the IVs attached to Evan. Walking over to the side of the bed he knelt down and held Evan's hand.

"Randy?" came a raspy sound.

"Yes Puppy I'm here," Randy moved the hand so he could kiss it.

"They won't let you stay, will they?" Evan turned his head to look at Randy. He looked pale and his voice was disturbingly thin and raspy.

"They wouldn't even have let me come see you if I hadn't growled at the doctor," Randy smiled as Evan giggled weakly. "I've paid for you to have a private room though and I promise I will be here bright and early in the morning to stay with you."

"Will they let you stay then?"

"So long as it's in the designated visiting hours they will," Randy nuzzled Evan's hand.

"I hate it here, I want to go home," Evan tried to sit up.

"Rest," ordered Randy pushing him back down, "We'll be here when you wake up," Randy rose to his feet.

"Ok. Randy one thing," Evan looked up into the grey blue eyes. "You can't make him stay, I know once I'm well he'll leave us. Just please do everything in your power to make it a friendly departure so we all can be friends in the end. "

"Departure?" murmured Randy, "Evan what are you taking about?"

"Please!" begged Evan coughing violently as he tried to sit up, desperate to tell Randy something, "Please just make sure he goes for the right reasons and not..."

"You'll have to leave!" ordered a nurse running in. She pried Randy away from Evan, ordering, "Sir please you're stressing him out."

Randy stumbled back then looking at the nurse he rumbled, "Please let me stay."

"I'm sorry," soothed the nurse looking at Randy with a maternal smiled, "He need to rest. Now visiting starts again at 8am tomorrow."

Randy nodded then diving past her, he pressed a kiss to Evan's clammy forehead promising, "I'll be back as soon as possible, Puppy."

Evan nodded, clinging to Randy's until the last possible moment. As the nurse closed the door effectively shutting Randy out, he turned and saw Cody watching him with a petulant scowl. He held the younger man's gaze then turned back and stared through the small window watching as the nurse fused over the smaller of his lovers and felt his heart start to crack as he realised what Evan had been trying to tell him.

He realized that this was inventible. That all he could do was what Evan said which was keeping things peaceful and let him go in a manner that would keep them friends. Making eye contact again Randy spoke in a sombre voice, "Let's go home."

The three of them made their way silently to the car, not a word spoken because something said might spark a fight and they just couldn't handle any more drama tonight. Once seated in the car John started the engine and they made the long journey to the place the three of them were calling home but would it stay three.

Randy gazed out at the stars now visible due to the storm subsiding. His mind swirling with thoughts of what to say or what he should do. His thoughts broken by the first word spoken since the hospital.

"Randy."

"Yes, Cody?" he turned in his see to see the younger man sitting in the back seat.

"Is it alright if I sleep in the guest room tonight?" Cody was noticeable less angry than earlier.

"Yes but you can have the master I'll sleep on the couch," Randy offered not really in the mood himself to share a bed with someone tonight understanding Cody's request.

"If it's alright right with you I would prefer the guest room," Cody looked into Randy's eyes.

"Okay."

John watched the interplay via the rear view mirror. It broke his heart to see the gulf opening between Randy and the youngest of his lovers and once again he blamed himself. He bit down into his lower lip his knuckles turning white as he gripped the string wheel trying desperately to keep control of his emotions.

Randy shifted back around in his seat resting his head against the doorframe. He went to close his eyes but as he did he caught sight of John's hands and frowned. Sitting up slowly he blinked a few times then glancing in the mirror he saw Cody's eyes were shut. Reaching over he rested his hand on John's thigh and murmured, "Relax."

John shot him a look and offered him a faint smile before turning his eyes back to the road.

Leaving his hand on John's thigh, Randy settled back against the door frame and closed his eyes wanting the journey to be over.

X x x x x x x x

As they reached the house, Cody was out of the car first. He crossed to the door and unlocking it he glanced back over his shoulder. He sighed as he watched Randy get out. The older man looked exhausted, the fine features were drawn and he looked pale. For a moment they locked eyes and the rest of the world melted away. Cody had to fight the urge not to throw himself into Randy's arms and beg him to make everything right. With a little huff of sad annoyance he mumbled, "I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning." And with that he disappeared into the house.

Randy and John entered the living room and sat on the couch. "You ok?" John asked concerned with how exhausted Randy looked.

"I will be, I think," Randy looked down at his hands as he felt John rub his back.

"I'm sorry Randy this really is my…"

"Stop saying that," Randy sat up and looked John dead in the eye. "Even Evan sees what happening and it probably would have happened regardless of you being here."

"You really think that?" John furrowed his brow.

"Yes I do. He's growing up he's becoming more of a man," Randy leaned back and looked off into space. "He's learning that he wants to be the dominate one or at least have a turn to be the top and I…" he trailed off and took a deep breath. "I only bottom for you."

"But that makes it my fault."

"No it doesn't because without you here I still wouldn't bottom and I'm a greed bastard," Randy leant his head on John's shoulder, adding sadly, "Because unless it's for double penetration, I don't even share Evan with him properly."

"I see," John nodded. "You want me to sleep with you or on the couch?"

"Couch please Johnny," Randy looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "If Cody needs to talk to me I want him to feel like he can without you being in the room."

John tried not to look hurt, he knew Randy needed time and he knew he needed but space but hearing him say couch hurt him. It hurt him a lot. Pulling away he got to his feet muttering, "I'm going to go get a drink you...you want anything?"

Randy didn't respond. He wasn't even aware of John leaving the room, he was too lost in his thoughts, thinking about how things had change. From the near perfection when they had purchased the house to the slowly disintegrating relationship that was facing him now.

"Here,"

He jumped when a glass of water appeared in front of him. Taking it with a fond smile he looked up at his oldest friend and murmured, "Thanks."

"No probs," replied John. He sank down next to Randy but left a noticeable space between them. For a moment neither man said anything then with a sad sigh John asked, "Would...would it help if I left for a while you know went back to Florida and let you guys..."

"No!" exclaimed Randy firmly, "Damn it, John, no. It's bad enough I'm going to lose Cody I refuse to lose you as well." He searched John's face rumbling softly, "Please…as selfish as it sounds I need you now more than ever and I..."

"Hey, hey," turned John his hand resting on Randy's shoulder, "You got me, oaky? For as long as you need me I'm here..." They stared at each other for a moment then risking Randy's wrath he leant over and brushing a kiss over Randy's lips he whispered, "I plan on never leaving you again, I promise."

Randy let out a yawn and put his head on John's shoulder. "I'm so tired but I just don't want to go up stairs yet."

"You can lean on me has long as you want if you fall asleep I can always take you up stairs to your room," John offered.

"If I wasn't worried about Cody coming to talk to me I would ask you to come sleep with me," Randy took a hold of John's hand.

"I know. Aren't you worried about him see us down here like this?" John tilted his cheek so it would press against the top of Randy's head, hopping Randy wouldn't break the more than enjoyable embrace.

"Right now I really don't care," Randy huffed. "I really would like you to come to bed with me but I already said I would be alone so I've got to sleep alone."

"I understand," sighed John smiling to himself as Randy actually snuggled into his embrace some more. "I know I'm stressed by all this," he confessed, "I can only imagine what you are going through."

All he got from Randy was a stifled yawn in reply.

After a few moments, John shifted his body trying to get comfortable and watching with faint amusement as Randy slowly slid into his lap, the viper starting to give off little snuffles that were bordering on snores. John gently stroked the shorn head, fighting to stay awake even though he could feel himself getting sleepier by the minutes.

Finally when he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer John knew he had to keep his word. He gathered Randy carefully in his arms and took him to his room. Laying Randy on the bed he took a blanket that was draped over the bottom the bed and used it to cover Randy's sleeping body. As he finished tucking the normally formidable viper in, he paused with his hand lingering on Randy's shoulders.

"Sleep well, Randy," whispered John before leaning down to kiss Randy's temple, adding softly, "I love you."