Title: Destroyed (4/?)

Rating: M

Content: slash, violence, unpleasant things that will be revealed throughout

Characters: Raw Roster, main characters Randy Orton, Evan Bourne, John Cena

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue

Distribution: ffn, lj, anywhere else ask first

Summary: Evan has a terrible secret, Randy and John are determined to help him, but Evan knows what's at stake should anyone find out. Set around current Raw storylines (loosely).

Thank you for the reviews, they're very welcome and very appreciated

Evan packed as quickly as he could and made his way to the airport. He didn't want anyone to see him, he just wanted to be as far away from everything as possible. His mouth was still sore and he felt like Randy would just know what he had done if he saw him, and he couldn't let that happen.

John and Randy therefore found their attempts to find Evan futile, and Randy's growls of frustration were increasingly setting John on edge. The Viper sent several texts to Evan, getting even more annoyed when there was no reply.

"Ortz, he's probably in the air by now."

Randy nodded, sighing loudly, "I just..." his voice trailed off.

"Yeah," Randy's feelings didn't need to be spoken, John knew his friend as well as he knew himself. "So what are we gonna do about Barrett?"

"I don't know. I think we need to watch and wait. And go after the bastard in the ring. Evan clearly thinks he's going to come after us in some form, so we need to stay on our guard."

John nodded, knowing that things were inevitably going to get ugly. He wasn't going to back down from anything, at any time. Especially when it came to supporting and defending his friends. Hopefully his innate stubbornness wouldn't get him into too much trouble.

Barrett said nothing to Cena, nothing to Orton. Outside of the ring, it was as if he had no interest in them whatsoever. In the ring was a different matter, he had his sights firmly set on Randy's world title and was not averse to playing dirty to get himself into main events with the two superstars.

In the ring he goaded, pushing and pushing with snide comments each time John locked up with him; little looks at Orton that most people would have missed. When Randy hit him extra hard Barrett just smirked, and when Cena verbally tore strips off Nexus Barrett just grinned and shook his head.

Randy was getting increasingly frustrated and subsequently was getting careless, allowing the Englishman to hit a few more shots than might usually be expected. As always, Barrett just flashed a smug smile and shook his head. Randy couldn't help it, he knew he shouldn't let the man get to him but Evan wasn't answering his calls and he was more worried than ever.

Barrett had been getting to John too, pushing his buttons until John had agreed to a stipulation match. If Barrett won, Cena would have to join Nexus. If Cena won, Nexus would disband. As soon as the agreement to the match left John's lips he cursed himself, realising that was exactly what Barrett had wanted. He had faith in himself though, and knew he could win. The potential consequences weren't worth thinking about.

Evan watched with trepidation as Raw started. He had a horrible feeling about that night's show. Shifting on his couch so that his arm could rest on the side, he looked at his phone. Three missed calls from Randy today. He'd called every day, but Evan couldn't bring himself to speak to him; partly through shame, partly through fear.

Evan watched in increasing horror as he saw John not only agree to a match with Barrett but with the stipulation that if he lost he would have to join Nexus and do whatever Barrett said. This was exactly what he'd tried to warn them against. He knew it was exactly what Barrett had wanted. John had fallen into his trap.

As the referee's hand came down to count three, Evan screamed in frustration, jumping up and screaming again in agony as his shoulder reminded him of his recent surgery. He stared at the screen in dejected fear as John became bound to Evan's worse nightmare. He'd fallen right into Wade's trap, despite Evan's warnings.

The high flyer immediately got on the phone to Randy, not even thinking about the consequences this time.

Randy answered his phone quickly as he stood backstage, watching John on the monitor with a feeling of dread. This wasn't supposed to happen this way. "Evan, you ok?"

"Randy why did he take the challenge? God knows what he'll do to him now, why didn't you stop him?"

"Ev, he can handle himself, he's gonna be ok, yes Barrett got one over on him this time but he'll be ok."

"No!" Evan almost shouted, "John doesn't know what he's like, what he's capable of..." Evan's voice trailed off as he realised the implication of his words, "god Randy you can't, you don't understand. I told you Randy, don't let him get one over you and that's exactly what he's done."

"Ev, John can handle him," the doubt in Randy's voice seeped through and struck fear into Evan's heart. Randy suddenly realised that he couldn't let John become as broken as Evan seemed to be, but he had no idea how to stop it.

"I thought I could handle him," Evan whispered.

"John has me right by his side, I'll make sure he's ok, I promise," Randy knew that John wouldn't keep secrets from him, and that together maybe they could find out what the hell Barrett had done to Evan and then fight this evil that was seeping into their lives.

"Tell him I'm sorry," Evan sighed, hanging up.

Randy turned and waited for Cena, unsure about what would come next. Barrett arrived through the curtains first, and his smirk made Orton want to punch him in the face there and then, but his anger drained from him as Cena followed, his eyes seeking out the champion and nodding briefly.

"Cena, follow me." Barrett's order was brief but forceful. Cena nodded again and followed the Englishman, his posture confident.

Randy cursed and turned away. He had a horrible feeling they'd got themselves way too deep into something that they didn't even understand.

John eventually returned to Randy's room later on that evening, a look of surprise on his face.

"He didn't do anything, Ortz it was weird, he just introduced me properly to the other Nexus members, then told me I had to meet up with them next Monday for Raw."

Randy leaned back on the bed and nodded, "it's next Monday we have to worry about. John. This wasn't supposed to happen, I just feel like we're playing right into his hands."

"Well there's nothing I can do about it now, I'm in this situation. I can't believe I lost the match," Cena shook his head. "Maybe we can destroy them from within. We need to know he wants though, I just wish Evan would talk to us."

"I'm even more worried now," Randy admitted, "Evan called me while you were in the ring, god he was so upset, I just..."

"What the hell has he done to him Ortz? Evan's a fighter, he's got so far on his own, what the hell did Barrett do? Did he say anything else?"

"He was just saying that we didn't know what he was capable of, that we didn't understand." Randy frowned. "I need to call him, tell him you're ok."

John smiled, he knew Randy's reasoning for wanting to talk to the young high flyer wasn't only because of the current situation, "Cool, well I'm going to chill with a couple of beers, we'll catch up tomorrow yeah?" Randy nodded, "tell the kid I'm fine and not to worry about me."

Randy shook his head, thinking that was easier said than done when it came to worrying. Now it wasn't just Evan he had to worry about, it was John too.

Steeling himself, he grabbed his phone and clicked Evan's number on speeddial, waiting impatiently for the younger man to pick up.

"Is John ok?" were the first words that left Evan's lips. He'd sat, since speaking to Randy and watching Raw, terrified about what might happen, about what Barrett might do.

"He's fine," Randy reassured him. "Barrett just introduced him to the other members of Nexus and then told him to meet them next week for Raw."

Evan closed his eyes, for one moment relieved, but then realising that Barrett would be more subtle, smarter, more cunning. It was not going to be easy. "This is going to be hell," he whispered.

"John can handle himself, and he knows I've got his back Ev," Randy tried to reassure him, "just like I'd be there for you if you'd let me."

Evan cringed, "that's exactly what he wants. If you're worried about us you're easier for him to destroy."

"Is that what this is about?" Randy stopped for a moment. It made some sense: Barrett was chasing his title, but there must be something more. No title was worth all this scheming.

"He's after you. I don't know why." Evan sighed, "I can't do anything, I feel so useless."

"It'll be ok Ev, me and John will get to the bottom of this, I promise."

"I wish I could believe you."

"I could help if you'd tell me what he's done to you Ev. What's he holding over you?"

Evan just closed his eyes and said a silent prayer, he wanted to believe that Randy would understand, but Evan felt like he wouldn't, and couldn't.

"You know how much you mean to me," Randy whispered, wishing that there was some way of truly showing his feelings.

Evan did know. He was aware of the attraction between them: the heat, the looks, the physical contact and emotional connection. He believed that once upon a time there might have been a chance for them to have something special, but knew that time had gone. He knew that Randy wouldn't want him now. Not if he knew.

"that's why I can't tell you."

"Ok," Randy knew it was futile to push him any further. "I miss you Ev." He didn't expect a response but he needed the younger man to know. He waited, almost holding his breath, before a shaky whisper was heard.

"I miss you too."