For the last two of three nights Randy had taken to staying in John's room. After their chat, he didn't want to be alone for fear of thinking too much and doing something he'd regret, like telling Sam everything that had happened. He knew that would be the sure fire way of ending both his relationship with Sam which would make him resent his relationship with John.

John had been a rock since earlier in the week and although Randy was staying with him, John hadn't pushed the issue, seemingly reveling in the fact that he could take care of Randy. He didn't seem to bother him either that they hadn't had sex while they had been sharing a room.

What Randy hadn't told John was that he had woken up every night, in a cold sweat having his thoughts follow him into his dreams. Randy knew he was in a dilemma, which wouldn't be resolved quickly. He found himself falling hard for John wanting to spend every waking hour with him, which would then make him feel guilty because he didn't find himself thinking of his wife.

Alana, yes, he would jump at the chance to brag about his beautiful daughter, which of course everyone let him do, knowing how much he loved being a father. However, those moments made him feel guiltier again over Sam.

He looked over at his lover as he slept peacefully at his side; he knew John was being extra attentive to compensate for Randy being in this situation, and if Randy knew John as well he thought he did, then he knew that John was blaming himself. Randy wanted to show John how strongly he felt; to how him he wasn't just a fling.

Randy knew at this moment he didn't know how to deal with the Sam element of his problems but he knew that no matter what he was going to be with John.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to think of a way to show John at this hour, he shifted his position in bed so he could cuddle up behind John, placing a kiss on John's shoulder.

"Mmm, Randy," John murmured starting to stir.

"Go back to sleep," Randy instructed, before drifting off himself.

"Em," Randy shouted as he spotted her walking by his car.

"Yeah?" she said turning around but not looking up from her paperwork.

"I need to see you about something," he said vaguely. He knew Emma would be able to help him come up with something that would appeal to John. He turned to John who was retrieving their bags from the trunk.

"I'll see you later, right?" Randy asked, not sure on John's plans.

"Yeah, sure. Why don't you see if Em wants to do lunch." John suggested. "It'll give us a chance to spend time together and force her to have a break."

"Sounds good," Randy said, looking around before leaning in and kissing John. "Later."

"You can't just kiss me quick like that and go; I want something more."

"What like this?" Randy said before pulling on John's shirt to move him close enough to capture his lips roughly. John moaned against his mouth, giving Randy the access he was asking for.

"Hey lover boys, did you just call me over to watch, 'cause it's really not my thing," Emma said, a little too loudly for Randy's liking.

"Em, can you be a little more discreet."

"Relax, besides the crew setting up, you two are the first here," she explained. "And in all seriousness, did you actually need me?"

"Yeah, is now a good time?" Randy asked.

"Sure, but I have a meeting in half hour that I need to be ready for, so you need to make it quick."

"Okay," he said turning back to John. "Later."

"Not so quick; if we're alone… I can do this," he said grabbing Randy's head and pulling him in for another kiss.

"Get a room," Emma said under her breath.

"Sorry, I'm a little obsessed with his lips," John said smirking toward Emma, before turning his attention back to Randy.

Randy however found himself being pulled away from John by Emma, reluctantly following Emma back to the office she had claimed for the day.

"So what's up?" Emma asked as Randy shut the door.

"I need your help with something," Randy started explaining why he wanted to do something for John. "I don't want him to think he's just a fling during a late experimental phase."

"He thinks that?" Emma asked stunned and confused that John would think that.

"I don't know; I don't think so, but I don't want to risk it. I want him to be sure of me, of us."

Randy watched as she thought, nodding her head acknowledging his comments.

"What were you thinking?" she asked. "Bearing in mind you can't do any outrageous public announcements."

"I better call the billboard company back then," he said sarcastically. "I was actually thinking about a romantic meal somewhere."

"Anywhere in mind?"

"I don't know the area very well so that's where I was hoping you could help; you've been here more than me so… any ideas?" Randy asked.

"I can tell you that the food at my hotel is nice, and the food at the arena is top notch as well, if you want something on the go anyway," she said rising at eyebrow at Randy telling him he should know better by now.

Randy shook his head, concerned over his friend's lack of life.

"Em, you know that we all love you but you've got to get a life outside of the business."

As soon as Randy said the words, he regretted them. The look of pain in Emma's eyes told him she had tried but ultimately was hurt.

"I did; remember. I got hurt," she said. "I'm not ready to give it another go just yet."

He wanted to her to be happy. She was always focused on everyone else's happiness these days that she didn't give herself the chance to find anyone. Maybe her only way was to find someone already in the business; but then she had that stupid, no wrestler rule. Maybe he and John could help her out. Lunch today would be a start.

"I'm sorry… so any ideas?" he said turning the conversation back to its original topic.

"Why don't you book a suite at the next hotel and set it up for a meal there," she said. "You could send John a note to come by at a certain time and have a night together; somewhere where you don't need to be worried about driving and you wouldn't need to be guarded with your actions."

Randy knew it made sense; part of him didn't want to stay in the hotel though. It made him feel like John was a dirty secret he had to keep to himself. He wanted to be able to show his affection wherever they were, regardless of who was around.

"Makes sense, I guess," he said a little unsure.

"Regardless of what you choose to do, let me know what the dress code is," she said smirking. "Otherwise he'll turn up wearing his wrestling gear."

"Will do," he said smiling. He got to leave, turning back as he remembered John's suggestion and his earlier thoughts. "Oh, and lunch today, John and I are buying."

Randy could see she was about to object to the idea, so he interjected.

"No choice!" he said walking out the door before she could argue.

"I thought you said you guys were buying?" Emma asked as she took a seat in the catering area.

"If I said we were having lunch at the arena, would you have turned up?" Randy countered.

"No," she replied. "But only cause I can get this at anytime of the day."

Randy watched as John looked at her giving her a quizzical look. He knew that she rarely stopped to eat and on more than one occasion, he had known John take a plate of food along to her office to ensure she actually ate something that day.

"Don't give me that look, Cena."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said continuing to stare at her.

"You two sort the match out for tonight?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"Yeah," Randy confirmed. "I just need to catch Cody and Ted when they get here. I'm surprised they're late though."

Randy gave John his own quizzical look when John started laughing as though he knew something that Randy didn't. He didn't know what it could be. Randy had spent more time with Cody and Ted since they started than John had so what could John know that he didn't.

"I got the impression they were having a late one last night," Emma said looking over at John barely able to contain her amusement, a smirk coming across her face.

"What did they go out drinking or something last night?" Randy said puzzled from their reactions.

"Randy, you know we all love you," she said using Randy's words against him. "But you can be extremely blind at times."

John glared over at Emma with an affectionate amusement.

"Leave my man alone," he said as he slid his hand up Randy's leg under the table; Randy tried not to react to the touch, happy that John was confident enough to make such gestures. "He's just been focused on me lately."

"Okay, obviously I've missed something," Randy said getting frustrated at not knowing the joke. "Would someone care to clue me in?"

He sat back with his arms folded over his chest. He wanted to push John's hand off his leg to make a point but secretly he was enjoying the feel of his touch, especially considering it was moving round to feel the muscles in his leg.

"Let's put it this way," Emma said breaking his concentration. "You're not the only couple around here."

Randy looked over at John for confirmation, who nodded while smiling himself. How could he have missed that, they had been working together for a just over a year.

"They actually make a really good couple. They've been together for a year, yesterday, that's why the late night," John said explaining to Randy. Randy still found it difficult to take in.

"How can I be that blind?" Randy asked.

"You weren't; they've just been discreet. If you ask them, they'll confirm it. They haven't told their families though. Cody especially is a little concerned over the reaction they'll get."

Randy nodded as John got up from his seat to stretch out. He watched as his shirt rode up slightly revealing the bottom of his stomach. He saw John look around before he ran his hand down Randy's neck, kissing the top of his head.

"You okay?" John asked quietly to Randy.

"Yeah, just a little shocked."

Randy knew that John could see the shock in his eyes. He still wasn't sure how he didn't notice something. Had they really played it that close to their chests? Twice now, he'd been oblivious to people's feelings. First John, who he'd known for eight years now and then Cody and Ted.

"I have to go do some signing," he said to Randy. "Miss Blanchard, how about we do this again tomorrow?

"Maybe," she replied.

Randy felt John's hand run across his shoulder from where he now stood behind, before it ran down to his chest. Randy relaxed into John's touch and rested his head back against his body. He closed his eyes momentarily, as John's other hand moved to rest on his chest as well, he knew John loved the feel of his pectoral muscles.

Randy knew that John didn't want to push him too quickly since he was still dealing with his issues but Randy wanted him to, and he knew that John knew as well. Both of them had been more open with each other when they had the chance.

He opened his eyes to see John lost in the moment of just being openly affectionate. He ran his hand up John's arms; smirking as he brought John out of his thoughts.

"You zoned out," he said chuckling at John.

John leant down, capturing Randy's lips for a brief kiss before trailing them over to his ear.

"I'm pushing back the signing," he whispered. "Come find me in my locker room when you get out of here."

Randy looked into John's eyes questioning, "don't you need to get them signed."

"I'll push it back an hour or so, I'll still have time," he said. "Besides, we still need to work out your punishment."

Randy gulped, too loudly; he knew John had heard, not to mention Emma. Randy wasn't sure what John was going to have him do. Part of him what worried but a larger part of him was excited at the thought. He felt John's fingers trail across his shoulders as he walked away.

"I thought you'd forgotten," Randy shouted across the room at John just as some of the other wrestlers entered the room.

"Four lots wasn't it?" John said turning back to Randy and winking.

"Three, I knocked one off, remember."

"I didn't agree to that," John shouted over his shoulder as he left. Randy smiled, the other wrestlers thought they were laughing around as best friends, no one other than Emma knew there was a sexual undertone to the conversation. He turned his head and caught a look from her.

"Do I want to know?"

"Probably not," Randy chuckled.

He and Emma sat there, continuing to talk as they both finished eating. They discussed plans for the following week; Randy had rung the hotel and booked the penthouse suite, so he and John could have their meal. Emma said she'd organize to take John out shopping without him suspecting anything.

"Hey Randy, Emma," Cody said as he walked up to the table. "Sorry we're late, we were-"

"-doing one another," Randy said interrupting.

Randy struggled to keep a straight face as he saw Emma almost choke on her drink at the bluntness of Randy's comment.

"What are you talking about?" Cody asked shocked at Randy's comment.

"Why didn't you tell me you guys were together? A year's a big deal," Randy said getting up and slapping Cody on the back before heading off.

"You're okay with it?" Cody asked still in shock from Randy's acknowledgement.

"Why wouldn't I be? We need to catch up later about the match, give me an hour or so," he said smiling.

"Wait, where are going to be?" Cody asked.

"I'll tell you what, let me find you, I might me more than an hour," he said.

"Randy, wait, what's going on?" Cody asked, confused by Randy's ever-excited mood.

"Nothing, nothing. If you'll excuse me though, I have someplace to be," he said practically running out the room.

6