"Hey, hey, the wanderer returns," Cody exclaimed as he saw Emma enter the café. "We saved you a seat."

"You mean between the silent twins over there, no thanks," she said before pulling a chair up to the end of the table. Emma shifted her gaze to John and then to Randy who both sat playing with their food rather than joining the conversation.

Emma signaled for the waiter to come over and she ordered her breakfast. She could tell the tension between John and Randy was having an impact on the group and she didn't want to eat her breakfast in silence. This was the first time she'd seen them all since she met up with Josh.

"So, Codes, you and Ted were saying that you decided to move in together," she said as Cody nodded emphatically. "I never did say congratulations."

"No, you seemed stressed the last time we saw you, you okay now?" Ted asked joining in the conversation.

"All good; sorry about the other day," she said as the waiter returned with her breakfast. "Wow, quick, thank you. Anyway, you guys decided on where you're moving to?"

Ted let the fact that she didn't really answer his question slip, he knew his boyfriend was chomping at the bit to talk about the house search.

"We've decided on Tampa," Cody said grinning from ear to ear. "Teddy likes his fishing so that way he can go out whenever he likes. We've made some phone calls and lined up a couple of viewings for when we got a few days off. There's one I'm particularly fond of in the New Tampa area, 4 bedroom, though not huge, its looks nice and cozy, plus swimming pool, games room, office, already has an exercise room so we can work out whenever we like, I could go on, but you're starting to laugh at me."

Emma and Ted couldn't help but chuckle at Cody's ramblings about the new house.

"I'm not laughing at you Cody, just glad to see you happy. Things haven't exactly been a smooth ride for you lately," Emma explained.

"I concur, I think this is going to be a fresh start for us," Ted said resting his hand on Cody's back.

Emma tucked in to her food as Cody continued talking about the houses they were planning on viewing. Though Emma could tell his heart was set on the New Tampa home as he kept comparing the others to the property.

"Did I mention it's in a gated community, so we wouldn't need to be worried about being on the road so much," Cody continued. "John would be in heaven, there's a three car garage. Which I guess may be over the top considering we only have one car each, I'm planning on having mine shipped over from Marietta and Teddy's from Madison, but then I was thinking we could use the space for something else."

"It's good it's a gated community. I advised John when he moved out to Tampa from West Newbury," she said, repeating Cody's attempt to get him to join in the conversation.

John looked up but didn't realize they were talking to him let alone know what the conversation was about. At the other end of the table, Randy pushed his food away from him and got up.

"Will you excuse me, I have to be somewhere," Randy said, speaking for the first time since Emma arrived.

"You okay, man?" Ted asked.

"Yeah, just need to be somewhere," he said in return.

Emma watched as he left the café, making a mental note to catch up with him later in the day. She knew John's actions or lack thereof upset him. After their chat, she was hoping Randy would try talking to John again, or maybe John would have grown up and realized he was being stupid. Apparently neither happened.

"I need to go as well," John said following Randy out of the café.

"Did I say something?" Emma asked sarcastically.

"No," Ted said shaking his head. "After Raw last week, Randy went home to Missouri, John went to Florida, as far as we can tell that haven't talked spoken since John left Missouri the week before."

"This is crazy," Emma said. "Just because someone says 'I love you'."

"What?" Cody asked shocked at what he thought he heard.

"Nothing, don't worry," she said hoping Cody wouldn't pursue her comment.

The three of them sat and talked some more about the houses in Tampa as they had another cup of coffee. They also spoke about the discussion the boys had following their chats with Emma. She was glad they listened to her advice but it only made her feel guiltier for the way she spoke to them after. It didn't bother them, they knew something was up with her that day and so they were happy to leave her to it. Now, a week later, all three were in a better place. Cody had flown in with Ted but later that day he was moving on to the Halifax where he would join the rest of the Smackdown tour. Cody had comes to terms with being away from Ted and was enjoying the push he was getting on Smackdown as well as the work he was going to be doing on the next season of NXT.

"So, Em, you never actually said what was bothering you last week, care to clue us in?" Ted asked, hoping she would open up.

"I think it was a mixture of things. I was busy, everyone needed to talk about their problems, I get a message from Mr. Happy-go-lucky, here, summoning me to my office," she said smirking at Cody. "I finally get to work, and find John, who pissed me off. He made me so mad. Having to listen to everyone else's problems made me realize what mine was… I have no life to be upset or worried over."

Ted smirked slightly as Emma's realization. All four men had been trying to tell her for some time that she needed to find something outside of work. On too many occasions, she would either travel to the next city or head to the nearest WWE offices rather than go home.

"What's changed? You seem okay today, did you finally head home?" Ted asked.

"No," Emma said looking down at her now empty coffee cup. "I stayed at the hotel."

"Are you telling me to de-stress from work, you worked?" Cody asked puzzled.

Emma didn't look up to begin with. She wasn't ashamed of her actions but she knew Ted and Cody wouldn't understand. She also knew they would go and tell John and Randy who, regardless of their own situation, would step in and the four of them would take it upon themselves to perform an intervention. Even if one wasn't needed.

She took a deep breath and then made eye contact with Ted; his would be the least shocked expression.

"I spent the time with Josh," she explained.

She could see from the corner of her eye that Cody's jaw had dropped. Smirking she couldn't resist closing his mouth for him.

"Something might fly in," she said joking.

"Em, are you serious?" Ted asked. "After what happened to you?"

"You make it sound like he was the worst boyfriend ever, he wasn't," Em tried to reason. "There were good moments."

"Em, he beat you," Ted said simply.

"Yes, Ted, I remember," Emma said annoyed at his comment. "But I was lucky."

"How?" Cody asked, bemused at Emma's choice of words.

"He ended things before any real harm could be done," she tried to defend him. "Besides, he apologized. He knew it was wrong, what he did. I'm not back with him though, so don't panic. It was just a way to relieve the tension."

Ted and Cody just sat there looking at her, not knowing what to say. They'd both knew what happened to her and how she would defend his actions, making excuses about the bruises if anyone saw them. Now they were hearing them firsthand.

"Come on, we need to think about getting to the arena, I've got a lot to get through today," she said.

As she stood, her phone vibrated in her bag and she pulled it out. She had a message from Josh.

SEE YOU LATER, SWEETHEART, YOU'LL BE MINE AGAIN TONIGHT.

Randy left the café and headed in the opposite direction of the hotel. He needed time to clear his head. He was sick of hearing Cody go on about his perfect life when his was falling to pieces. After heading back to St Louis, for the first time since moving there as a child, he didn't feel at home. He checked into a hotel for his three-day stay.

On arrival, he called Samantha and arranged a good time to see Alanna. She'd offered for him to stay at the house, but he didn't want to be there. It held too many memories of his marriage and he was over feeling guilty. Sam didn't mean to, she was still coming to terms with the change herself, but just being there was bad enough.

After speaking with Sam, he used the telephone directory in his hotel room to make a few calls and see what properties were available in his price range. That same day he viewed four different houses and made an offer on one. He was grateful when the offer was accepted and because the owners had already moved, the process of signing the property over was much quicker than usual. That same week he spoke with an interior designer who was going to look at furnishings.

The property had a large four-car garage so Randy arranged for John's car to be moved from the storage unit it was currently held at to the new house.

He wanted to go by and see his parents, but since they hadn't been in contact since their previous encounter he knew it wouldn't be wise. Instead, he filled his free time with his daughter, and took her to his new home so she would start to get used to the house. She was happy when she saw a swimming pool in the backyard and he knew then she was going to be spending most of her time in there as she grew up.

"Randy, wait up," someone shouted from behind bringing him out of his thoughts.

Randy turned around to the sound of his name and his eyes landed on John. He didn't know if he could take hearing what John had to say but Emma was right last week when she said they needed to talk. He stood and waited for John to catch up and when he did Randy turned and started walking again, not wanting to take the lead.

"Can we talk?" John asked tentatively. Randy shrugged his shoulders in return, continuing to walk along. "I need you to let me explain."

Randy stopped in his tracks and turned to face John about to comment on the fact he'd been waiting nearly three weeks for John to explain. Shaking his head, he turned away again and resumed his walking.

"Randy, please, let me explain," John pleaded. "You need to know how I feel."

Randy didn't look back at John though, he just kept walking. He could feel John keeping pace with him and wished the man would just leave him alone. He had too many things on his mind, as much as he wanted to take Em's advice; he knew he wasn't going to be able to, not today. He suddenly stopped and turned to John.

"Don't try to tell me how you feel, I might swing for you," Randy said without any feeling in his voice. "I needed to hear how you were feeling three weeks ago, even if you didn't feel the same way."

John took Randy's arm and led him to a nearby bench.

"You need to know," John said calmly.

"Three weeks ago," Randy repeated. "And it's not about what I need to know. It's about what you need to say."

"What do you mean?"

"You finally need to talk about this, so here you are. What about when I needed to talk?" Randy asked pleading to John. "Didn't it matter, John? Doesn't it matter that I don't want to talk about it now?"

"Of course it did, I just," John faltered over his words.

"Just what, didn't want to talk about it?" Randy kept on at him. "I just spent another hellacious three days back home, where I could've used my boyfriend with me for support, but instead I spent those days trying to find a new home by myself."

John looked away from Randy he didn't know what to say or do to make it better. If he told Randy how he felt, he wouldn't believe him, not now, but he had to try.

"Randy, I'm sorry," he said reaching a hand out to cup his face. "I love you, I should have been there."

Randy just looked at him, blankly, he heard the words, they registered in his brain, he could feel John's hand cupping his face but he couldn't react. He wouldn't react.

"I know you don't believe me, or you don't want to believe me, but it's true. And I'll do everything I can to prove it to you," John said.

John continued to cup Randy's face; he took it as a good sign that he hadn't pushed him away. He let his thumb trace Randy's lips and let out a sigh of relief when Randy kissed the tip of his thumb. He wasn't sure if it was an automatic response but he took it as a good sign.

He lowered his hand from Randy's face and let it fall and take hold of Randy's.

"Will you walk with me?" John asked.

"We have to get to the arena," Randy stated simply.

John pulled Randy up from the bench, not letting him pull out of his hold, and started slowly walking back in the direction they came.

"You can tell me about the new house as we walk," John said softly.

"Don't try and make it so we're back to normal," Randy said coming to a halt. "You're right, I don't believe you."

John took a deep breath before continuing, he deserved what Randy said.

"Then like I said, I'll have to prove it to you, and I won't stop until you do," John said pulling Randy along once again. "Come on, tell me about the house."

"It's in the Kirkwood area, so only about 20 minutes from where I was," Randy explained. "There's not much else to say. I've arrange for an interior designer to go in and look at furnishings."

John smirked at Randy's comment. He knew his man liked t clothes shop, but try to get him to decorate a house and you might as well send him away for a week and get someone else to help. John remembered when he'd asked for help decorating his first home in Tampa, Randy was bored stiff.

"Never did like decorating if I remember correctly," John teased. Randy simply shrugged at the comment.

"Other than that, all I've did was have your car moved there from storage, there's a four car garage. I figure that way I can have my bike, car, that monstrosity-"

"That's my lady you're talking about remember," John joked.

"-and I'll still have space for a guest car if anyone stays," Randy continued not rising to John's childish comments.

John wished that Randy would react in some way to his comments. He wanted to see a smile or some snide comment, always meant with affection, but Randy wasn't forthcoming. The only thing he knew was regardless of his words, Randy wanted to be around John, he knew simply because Randy hadn't pulled his hand away from him. It gave John hope that he could repair the damage.

He was about to ask Randy if things had improved with his parents, but before he could Randy's phone rang.

"Hey Ted… what are you talking about?... WHAT?... How could she be so stupid?... I'll get a taxi and be there in five minutes, don't let her out of your sight… I don't care if she wants you there or not, just keep an eye on her."

"What's going on?"

"Em met up with Josh this week," Randy explained, hailing a cab.

"So; they're going to give it another go. She's needs a life away from work, we've all been trying to tell her that," John said not understanding Randy's concern.

"John, don't you remember when they were together?" Randy asked shocked at John's blasé attitude.

They climbed into the cab and asked for it take them to the arena.

"I was injured, I know the break-up was rough though," John said. "Something about a phone call from him ending things."

"That's what she told you?" Randy asked shocked again at John's lack of knowledge on the subject. "He didn't phone her. He beat her up and left her a bloody mess."

"What?" John couldn't believe what Randy was telling him. He couldn't believe that Emma had lied to him as well. All this time he thought they were friends and she hadn't told him about what happened to her.

Randy could see the confusion going through John's mind. He looked toward the driver making sure he wasn't listening, or at least that he didn't recognize them. Last thing they needed was for the situation to get to the press.

"It wasn't noticeable for a while, she'd come back to the tour after her days off and there'd be a bruise. Something anyone could get walking into something," Randy explained. "Then they became more frequent. As one bruise disappeared, another bruise would show up. Then one day she was having a shower at the arena and Maryse saw her, she had bruises all over her."

"What happened? She told me she received a call and just started walking, Shawn found by a lake," John said as the taxi pulled into the arena parking lot.

"One night I got a call from her phone, but when I answered there was nobody on the other end. I went by her room and it was clear there'd been a struggle. I called a few people and before I knew it the whole roster was looking for her; eventually Shawn found her, by the lake you mentioned. I went to the hospital to stay with her, I had to walk back out to begin with, I didn't recognize her she'd been beaten so badly."

"How is he not in prison?"

They climbed out of the taxi and headed into the arena to find Ted and Cody.

"No one saw it and she wouldn't press charges, she's a blind when it comes to this guy, anyway the police couldn't do anything," Randy said as they entered the arena. "Listen, no else knows this bit so you can't repeat it; she wouldn't let them perform a sexual assault exam. I don't know for sure, but I think she may have been raped."

"Randy, why didn't anyone tell me? I would've been there for her; she's one of my best friends."

Randy looked away from John's eyes.

"I wanted to Johnny, but Vince wouldn't let me, he wanted you focused on your recovery and didn't want what happened to become gossip. I focused on Emma, figured I'd make sure she was okay, she wouldn't take any time off once she was released from the hospital."

Randy found Cody sat on the floor outside Emma's office. He could hear voices in the room but couldn't make out what was being said.

"Who's in there?" Randy asked.

"Ted and Emma, he's trying to get her to come to her senses," Cody explained.

"Why are you out here?" John asked.

"Ted wanted me to make sure no one else goes in."

Randy ignored the comment and went into the room with John following. When Emma laid eyes on him, Randy could see the defiant look in her eye falter.

"I'm going to make this simple," Randy stated quietly. "If you don't have a restraining order put out on this guy, I'm going to find him, and kill him."

"As will I," John confirmed.

"Me too," Ted stated.

"Count me in," Cody said, the usual liveliness gone from his eyes.

"And I'm sure the rest of the tour will be right behind us as well," Randy stated folding his arms across his chest.

Emma sat her desk and watched as the four men rallied around her, even though she didn't need their support. Since getting back to the arena, she'd only had ten minutes peace before Ted and Cody arrived in protection mode.

"As much as I appreciate your support, you should know something," Emma started to say.

"If you try to defen-" Randy tried to interrupt.

"Shut up and listen, Randal," she shouted. "Before Ted and Cody's protection detail started, I spoke with Vince. The message I got shook me into my senses. Vince has arranged for security to watch over me while we're here in Canada. Then when we get back to the America, I'll be speaking to the police to arrange a restraining order."

"Oh," Randy said dumbfounded.

"I like how cute he looks when his brain stops working," John said chuckling at Randy's expression.

Randy exited the shower to find his bag packed and ready to go, hanging up in the front of the locker was a t-shirt, pants and a jacket. He went over and found a note attached from John.

Told you I was going to prove it. You need to wrap up warm tonight. Meet me in the parking lot when you're ready. J x

Randy was apprehensive about meeting John. Regardless of what John felt, or didn't feel, Randy knew it didn't matter. He still wanted John in his life. Right now, he needed him. Especially if things were going to kick off with Emma, they needed to resolve their issues. That was the other reason Randy was apprehensive, he wasn't sure if it were safe to go out leaving Emma alone. Even with security, he wanted to be around to keep an eye on things.

Reluctantly, Randy made his way through to the parking lot and found John leant against the car. He had to admit that John looked good. With the added addition of a jacket, which they bought on a previous shopping trip, John was wearing 'that' outfit.

"You're going all out," Randy commented as he reached the older man.

"What do you mean?" John asked not following his train of thought.

"You, that outfit, trying to dress me," Randy chuckled.

"I thought it was a good outfit," John defended.

"It would have been if the trousers were mine," Randy said lacing his fingers with John. "They were yours; you left them in St Louis. I would've let you have them if you weren't avoiding me."

Randy watched as John looked down. He hadn't meant it as a dig, just an unavoidable comment on recent events.

"Come on, I'm guessing you have something planned," Randy said pulling John out of his thoughts.

Randy smiled as he saw the light come back into John's eyes. He liked looking into the deep blue of John's eyes. They were alive with excitement, even when things were bad John could always bring Randy out of his flunk just by looking at him.

"That I do. And to put your mind at ease, I have made sure Ted is keeping Emma company. Nothing will go wrong, I promise," John said calming Randy's unspoken fears.

Randy let John lead him round the car where he opened the door. Before Randy could get in the car, John placed a light kiss to his cheek.

"What was that for?" Randy smiled.

"To say thank you, for giving me this chance," John explained.

Randy smiled at the sentiment and then slid into the car. Once he was in John closed the door and made his way round to the driver's side. Randy smirked at the way John was acting. He was making sure this was a proper date, even going as far as holding the door for him. That was a first for Randy; normally he'd be the one holding the door.

"What you smirking at?" John asked as he climbed in and started the car.

"Nothing, just a passing thought," Randy said smiling some more.

"Tell me," John requested softly.

"It's weird, being on the other end of all this," Randy said. "Being led to the car, you holding the door."

"I went too far," John shook his head, silently admonishing himself.

"No, I liked it. Just made me think, it's all a first for me."

They made their way from the arena and headed out of the town. They talked about football, baseball, anything but their relationship. They discussed how happy they were for Ted and Cody to be moving in together and how it would strengthen their relationship and would help Ted's family see how happy he was.

Randy was just about to ask where they were going when John pulled into the parking lot of a conservation park. He switched the engine off and made his way round the car to open Randy's door, holding out his for Randy to take.

"Weird still?" John asked.

"Getting used to it," Randy said keeping hold of John's hand.

Randy found himself being led around the car again. John stopped at the trunk and opened it, revealing a picnic basket.

"I've been informed there are tables here so you don't need to worry about getting a wet ass," John joked.

"Where are these tables?"

"Again I was informed that we just need to follow the path and we'll find them," John shrugged his shoulders.

"In other words, you're winging it and we're going to get lost," Randy joked in reply. "You've got GPS on your phone haven't you?"

The couple walked hand in hand down the path that led along the shoreline. Thankfully, the weather held out over the course of the day and just slightly overcast. No rain and mercifully no snow.

As they walked, Randy told John more about the house, how he thought Alanna would like it as she grew up, especially since there was a pool in the backyard. He tried his best to explain the layout but said he could show John the plans later.

The more they walked, the more Randy relaxed. He felt they could move on from their recent issue but he still needed to know a couple of things before he could.

"John, I want to ask you something, and I'm going to try not to sound like a complete woman when I do, but I need to know, one way or another," Randy said as he continued to walk not looking at John. "Do you love me? Or did you say it just because you thought that's what I wanted to hear?"

"I love you," John said without any flourish.

"Then why didn't you return the words when I said them?" Randy asked.

"I don't know," John answered truthfully. "I know that doesn't answer your question. You probably want me to say that I didn't feel that way or something along those lines, but truth be told, I don't know."

Randy came to a halt and turned to John.

"Here's my concern, I don't know whether I believe you when you say the words," he said honestly.

"That's fair. I messed you about," John said looking away from Randy's gaze. "I guess now it's about proving it to you. Hopefully tonight will help with that."

They started walking again and within another five minutes, they reached the picnic table. John pulled out a blanket and spread it out over the table.

"Can I ask you something?" John repeated Randy's words from earlier.

Randy nodded in reply as he leant back on his elbows looking out over the shore in front of them.

"Is it okay to kiss you?"

Before Randy could answer his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out and pressed the answer button.

"Ted what is it? We'll be there as soon as we can… make sure you call Vince," Randy said ending the call. "We have to go, Em's been attacked."

11