"This has got to be one of the worst kept secrets of the WWE," Emma heard Randy say, obviously still fretting over being caught.
"Relax, it's only Ted and Codes," John said. "They're in the same situation as we are."
Emma could tell by the short silence that followed that they were looking at one another, John trying to calm Randy down but without much luck. She knew that Ted and Codes had already started asking questions of Randy, mainly, why hadn't he told them.
"They're already saying stuff. As soon as we're back in the locker room they start with the questions."
"Are other people around?" John asked.
"No, but," Randy started.
Emma could tell that John had used logic to alleviate Randy's worries, so she chose now to enter so she wasn't interrupting their conversation. She wished she had stayed on the other side of the door.
"Jesus, Cena, don't you ever stop?" she said, as she found him with his arms around Randy's neck, pulling him down on top of him whilst they sat on her office couch.
Randy bolted upright, going into panic mode.
"Hey, this was all him," John chuckled.
"I've got to go," Randy said as a blush crept onto his cheeks.
Emma grabbed his arm, not letting him leave.
"Sit," she said indicating the chair in front of her desk. "And you stay there."
John chuckled again, as she tried to keep them apart long enough for her to say her piece before they dragged her off to lunch again.
"Okay, I know you two are still in the lovey-dovey stage of your relationship but can you please just bare one thing in mind," she said giving them her serious face. "This is my office. I want to be able to walk in without you two going at it on my furniture."
Randy looked at her sheepishly, hating the fact they had got caught again.
"Em, I'm…"
"Oh, relax, Orton," she said. "I'm messing you. I just know one day I'm going to walk in and one of you will be bent over the desk."
Randy couldn't look at either of them from the embarrassment. Emma knew he would hate being caught in such as predicament with John, especially if the wrong person caught them. They could both lose so much.
"Randy, why don't you go on ahead. I need to speak to John about something."
Emma and John watched as Randy got up and left. Emma could see that John just wanted to make Randy smile but she was concerned he was going about it the wrong way.
"Go easy on him," she said once Randy was far enough away from the door.
"What do you mean?" John asked still smiling slightly.
"I mean, Randy's scared."
John's smile faded altogether then. Emma knew that John couldn't see why he was scared. As far he was concerned, he hadn't done anything but show his feelings. Emma also knew how strong John's feelings were. He'd been harboring them since he's arrived in the WWE.
"What can he be scared of?" he asked of her.
"John, he's never been with another guy before you. That's a scary prospect in itself," she said softly. She didn't want to hurt his feelings but he needed to know. "Plus, he's got lost in the lust. You two go at it any chance you get. Not to mention, he's petrified of what happens when and if Sam finds out. He's got a lot more to lose than you."
She knew that John wouldn't like her saying that but she had to use the shock factor on him to make him see.
"I don't get how you can say that. I've got a wife as well," he said a little angry at her.
"You're openly bi. Liz is happy for you to find someone as long as she still gets a family," Emma said bluntly. "As far as the world knows, Randy is straight. If he tells his wife, he loses her; if she becomes vindictive, then very possibly he could lose Alana, and if it leaks to the press then both careers are affected. That's not something that weighs lightly on someone's conscience."
"I just want to make him happy," John said as tears welled in his eyes. "He always seems mortified when people see us, even if we aren't up to anything. I thought we were passed that last week and we all had lunch together."
"You do make him happy," she said. "Look, I didn't want to upset you but you needed to know."
John nodded his head, unable to reply with words.
"Come on, let's get something to eat before Randy thinks we've ditched him," she said pulling John up from his seat on the couch.
They made their way to the canteen, stopping only to talk to Vince about his plans for Pay-Per-View match the following week. When they walked into the canteen, Randy signaled to them and within a couple of minutes, their food was there and they sat back relaxing, talking about anything and everything. John went to use the bathroom, leaving Randy and Emma by themselves.
"Are you all set for this afternoon?" Randy asked.
"Yep, you still sure you want to go ahead? You were a little ashamed before."
"We keep telling one another that we have to keep it secret but I'm always the one that does something to get us caught" Randy explained. "I hate that I must be confusing him."
"He's not confused," Emma said taking his hand. "He just wants to make you happy…and relaxed enough to be around others, like Cody and Ted."
"Then tonight is even more important now. It'll be perfect to let him see that," Randy said.
"A night in a private hotel room, just the two of you?" Emma said rising an eyebrow at Randy's logic.
"Cody and Ted were here before; so I invited them to go for a drink after the show later. It's an early performance, as you know so we'll be done by six. That way we can meet for drinks whilst the room's set up."
"I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but, who's setting the room up?"
Randy gave her a little puppy dog look.
"You owe me twice now, Orton," she said pulling a face.
"Okay, should you ever get a life; I'll repay the favor," he said jokingly.
Emma wished she could call in the favor but right now, she needed time by herself. Her last relationship was bitty, continuously starting and stopping and after a while, they both started resenting one another. She didn't know how the wrestlers or divas managed to find that kind of happiness while touring the country.
"What favors that?" John asked returning to his seat.
"Em's just organizing my hotels for the next week. I've been too busy to do it myself," he said shooting a knowing look at John.
"You're blaming me for that?" John said with mock anger.
"Okay, I'm not gonna sit here and get ignored again like every other time we've had lunch. John are you ready we've got to get you suited up."
"What's this for again? I still haven't had information from head office," John asked puzzled.
"Some TV interview, I'll get you a copy of the briefing tomorrow," Emma said lying.
"Fine, fine," John said dragging himself up.
"Oh, hey, I was talking to Cody and Ted; they wanna get drinks after the show. Maybe you can wear your new duds," Randy said, giving John an excuse to wear the clothes before they get back to the hotel.
"Really, can't I just wear a t-shirt and jeans?"
"No," Randy said tugging him closer by his shirt. "It's slightly more up market."
John rolled his eyes before kissing Randy.
"Anything for you, Babe."
"In that case…" Randy said hinting.
"I'm gonna stop having lunch with you two; I can only just keep my food down," Emma said pretending to gag.
"Well, there's one simple solution," Randy said, giving her a knowing look.
"Yeah, yeah, I know… get a life," she said with a sad smile.
"Why don't you finish up while I get my stuff together," John said not taking his eyes from Randy.
Emma couldn't resist throwing a fry from her plate at John's face.
"Doesn't that mean you actually need to go?" she said to John's besmirched face.
"Meet me at the car," he said to Emma before turning back to Randy. "I'll see you later, Babe."
"Don't be late," Randy said.
John jogged out of the canteen so he could grab his stuff from the locker room.
"Why kind of clothing are we getting?" Emma asked making sure she had the criteria correct.
"Shirt and dress pants will be fine."
"I take it you want 'Suave John' and not 'Red Carpet John'?"
Randy got up from the table having finished his food and Emma followed suit waiting for an answer Randy ditched his tray at the side and stepped back so Emma could do the same. As she did, Emma felt Randy come up close behind her and place his hands gently on her sides.
"Actually, do you know what I really want?" he said softly.
"What?"
"'Sexed-Up John'," he said walking away from her.
"Too much information Randal," she said smirking at his giddy behavior.
She made her way to the car where she met John. They made their way to a designer store where she was trying to find something that fit the criteria. Emma wanted to find an outfit that was both 'suave', not overly dressy that he would suspect, while fulfilling Randy's criteria of 'sexed-up', just to push Randy's buttons.
Being a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl herself Emma knew less about fashion than John claimed to know so the first thing she did was collar a shop assistant to help; advising them discreetly of the third criteria.
They went around the shop picking out a few pieces of attire, three shirts, two dress pants, and for some reason four different jackets.
"Okay, Mr Cena, why don't you try those on," the assistant said. "Your wife can wait in the changing area as well."
"We're not married," they both said in unison.
"Oh," she said with a look in her eye.
"I'm his boss," Emma clarified.
"Tour Manager," John corrected.
"Same difference."
John went into the changing room and started trying on the first combination, a deep purple shirt with gray slacks. He came out to get Emma's opinion.
"What about black pants, the purple doesn't look right with those," she said.
After a couple more changes they decided on keeping it simple, a white shirt with black jacket and pants. They also purchased a black skinny tie to go with; though John wasn't sure on it, Emma said that he could get it and decide later.
"Personally, I think you suit the 'undone' style," Emma said as they headed back to the car.
"You could have said that before I bought the tie," John chuckled.
"Yeah, cause you haven't exactly got bucket loads of money to spend…oh wait, you have!" she said sarcastically. "Besides, just because I prefer the 'undone' look doesn't mean Randy wouldn't prefer you in a tie tonight. He did wanna see you in the new duds after all."
"Do you really think I'm pushing him too quickly?" John asked out of nowhere as he slung his arm around her shoulders.
"I think," he said taking a deep breath and wrapping her arm around his waist. "You've wanted this for so long… you're reveling in it; and who can blame you."
He pulled her close as they walked along.
"You never know, you might be next," John said. "I wanna see you happy as well. You, Randy, and Liz, you're the only ones that matter in my life."
He slid his arm from around her shoulders as they reached the car and he went to the passenger's side.
"Well, you guys and the rest of my family… and the fans of course," he said getting in the car.
Emma buckled up and started the car.
"This close, Cena," she said indicating with her fingers. "This close to a nice gesture."
"What?" he said puzzled as they pulled into the traffic.
6