A/N: Here we go the next chapter is up. Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. We're on the home stretch from here on out.

"You're hitting voicemail, therefore I'm busy, leave a message and if I know you, I'll get back to you," Randy heard as he listened to John's voicemail.

"Johnny, it's Randy, I just wanted to let you know I'm in St Louis if you want to talk. I'm still holding out on us. I love you," he said as he made his way out of the airport to his car. "Anyway, I wanted to come on the road, try and spend some time with you; talking nothing else, but, well, something came up which I needed to take care of here in St Louis. I'll explain when I see you in Louisville. Darling, can you let me know if you looked in the bag. I want to know you got the small packet; it's something important. I guess I should go or I'm going to start rambling and be cut off."

Randy ended the call and threw the phone on the passenger seat as he climbed in the car. Much like on so many occasions recently, his first trip was still to his old home. If he wasn't picking Alanna up he would be dropping her off with her mom. Today was for a different reason though; he was going to be confronting Sam on her recent actions.

He already spoke to his lawyer to discuss the divorce papers. He didn't want to miss his time with Alanna. He'd already proven he could handle having her on tour with him and it didn't affect Alanna's wellbeing either. He'd asked his lawyer to draw up new papers, which specified Alanna would spend two weeks a month with him and two with Sam. It would be easier on Alanna in the long term as well as there would be less switching between houses. He was hoping Sam had already received the new papers, although he was starting to doubt it since he'd yet to hear from her.

As he pulled into the drive, his stomach hit the floor when he recognized his father's car sat outside the house. He switched the engine off and was about to get out when his phone buzzed.

I GOT THE DOG TAGS. THANK YOU X

Randy read the short message a couple of times and pondered on what John put on the end. Was it automatic or was it because he cared. Taking a gulp, he made a leap of faith and rang John. As he waited for it to start ringing, he told himself it was just going to go into voicemail again.

"Hey," John answered. Randy was shocked, he wasn't expecting an answer. "Randy?"

"Yeah, sorry, I was expecting you to pick up," he admitted before silence took over. He heard John sign on the other end of the phone. Randy immediately knew it was an automatic kiss at the end of the message.

"Randy you called me remember, what did you want?"

"I um, I just got to Sam's," he said. He chuckled to himself when he heard John stiffen on the other end of the phone.

"Good for you."

"Johnny, I told you I'm holding out on us. I'm not going back to her, but I do need to speak to her about something. It's just, when I got here-"

"Randy, it's okay to admit you still have feelings for her," John said a distinct frosty tone bustling through the line. "You just don't have to tell me about it."

Randy sank into the car seat and listened to John's voice. Even though they were words of frustration and hate, he could still listen to him talk for hours. There was something comforting about him even in his anger.

"Randy will you quit going silent on me. You rang me, so talk," John bit.

"Sorry, I guess I miss hearing your voice. My dad's here," Randy continued before John could snap at his comment. "It's the first time I'm going to see him since he caught us together."

"And…"

"Johnny don't shut me out. You were there the last time I saw him."

"I don't know what you want me to do about it," John argued.

Randy didn't know what to say in return. He was just looking or some compassion from his partner. He thought they'd made headway a few days ago. Maybe it was just Randy misreading the situation.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called. I'll see you Monday."

Randy hung up and leant his head against the steering wheel. He wasn't sure he could confront Sam with his dad there as well. Not when John was against him as well. He was lost in his misery when there was a tap on the car window. He steeled himself for who it was going to be, before pulling back and looking out the window. Stood there with Alanna in her arms was his mom, who was looking concerned.

He opened the door and took his daughter into his arms giving her his usual greeting and her giggles put a small smile on his face. At least there was one person in his life who would support him, two including his mom.

"Please tell me you borrowed his car today," Randy said indicating the car parked outside the house.

"He's inside talking with Sam. I saw you pull up and when you didn't come in I thought you'd like it to have a couple of minutes with Alanna."

"Thanks mom," he said placing a kiss on her head and pulling her in for a hug. He wished he could spend more time with her to make up for the time they lost over the last six months. Maybe he could suggest her coming on tour for a week. With things between him and John going south, he may need help with Alanna.

"Speaking of, I need some time to speak to her, is there any chance you can take this beauty for a ride."

"What about your father?"

"I need you to take him as well," Randy huffed.

"You need to sort things out Randal," she ordered as they went inside.

Randy threw his arm around her shoulders as he carried Alanna in his other arm. Thankful again for at least two people who would support him. They walked through to the family room where Sam and his father were sat chatting, they both looked serious and Randy wondered what they were discussing.

"Mommy, daddy here," Alanna shouted making they're presence known.

Both Sam and his father turned their heads to see what Alanna meant and were shocked to see Randy there holding her.

"Bob, Randy wants us to take Alanna out, he wants some time with Sam," Elaine said giving her husband a stern look.

"You finally come to your senses, then," Bob remarked. "You're not spending time with that ponce anymore."

"I've come to my senses, probably not in the way you're hoping though," Randy snipped at his father as he stood up and made his way over to his wife and grandchild. "By the way, his name is John. I suggest you learn it."

"Johnny?" Alanna asked hopefully.

"Sorry, sweetie, Johnny's not here. Hopefully next time I'm home you can see him," Randy said, hoping he wasn't lying to his daughter.

"Okay," she replied, snuggling against him as he held her. "Are we going home?"

Randy smiled. He wished he could take her home and have a couple of extra days with her; that was something he could discuss with Sam once he'd found out why she set him up.

"Mom," Randy said, handing Alanna over to his mom so she could take her out.

Randy leant against the kitchen unit waiting for his parents to leave. Elaine put Alanna's coat on, lead her to the front door and out to the car but Bob was being stubborn. After a minute or so, Elaine came back in and ordered Bob to leave them to it. Sam chuckled, commentating that she knew who wore the pants in that relationship.

Randy just stood there. He wasn't in the mood to joke with her. He was about to turn around and confront her when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out he was shocked to see a message from John.

SORRY I WAS HEARTLESS. BAD DAY I GUESS. I HOPE THINGS IMPROVE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DAD. IF YOU NEED TO TALK (ABOUT ANYTHING) PLEASE CALL. FORGOT TO TELL YOU THE NAME I'M USING NOW. JUAN DO YOU THINK? IT WENT THROUGH MY MIND TO CHANGE IT PERMANENTLY.

CALL ME XX

Randy smiled at the message. He was definitely going to be calling him later. He quickly fired back a message so John didn't think he was ignoring him.

JUAN, I'LL CALL YOU AS SOON AS I CAN XX

As soon as the message was sent, he pocketed the phone and spun around to face Sam who was staring at him, mad that he was ignoring her. He didn't care. He was done falling for her tricks. He never thought he would say something like that about Sam. Liz, yes, but not Sam.

"I told John about what happened," Randy said remaining calm. "We broke up."

"Randy, I'm sorry," she said coming around the counter and placing her hand on his stomach muscles in the way she used to do when they were together. It was always a loving touch but he now just saw it as a tactical maneuver.

"I went to Tampa to try and sort things out," he said, still calm. He shouldn't play this game really but he wanted her to know what it felt like.

"How did it go?"

"I don't know, mixed I guess. He was emptying the house; Liz was there. It was an emotional day for him. He needed support and I tried to be there for him," he explained. He found it easier to keep a straight face since what he was saying was true as well. He looked into her eyes and cupped her cheek. "He thinks we should get back together."

Randy leant in as though he was going to kiss her and he could tell she was expecting him to seal the deal and they could go back to their marriage. He stopped an inch from her lips and his own turned into his 'Viper' smirk. Just as he was about to break it to her that a reunion was never going to happen, the doorbell rang.

Sam's shoulders sank a little in disappointment and she recovered herself before going to answer the door. Randy leant against the counter, wishing he wasn't interrupted, until he heard the person at the door ask her to sign for some papers. He laughed inwardly when he realized what was being delivered, the timing of which couldn't be any more perfect. He perched himself on one of the chairs which surrounded the counter and tried to keep a straight face when Sam came back into the room.

"I guess I should have told you," Randy spoke bringing Sam out of her daze as she took in the documents she just received. "I also spoke with Liz when I was down there. She accidentally let slip that you and her had a conversation. Said how, now let me get this right, she had to give it to you, you played me perfectly."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sam said as she came back into the kitchen.

"Do not lie to me," Randy fumed, trying to keep his anger in check.

"Fine. I spoke to her. I was concerned for her. Liz and I have always got on. We supported each other when our husbands were on the road doing their jobs, not caring who got left behind," Sam said her anger coming out in waves. "She never told me about you and John though, she promised John to keep it a secret and she did. Thing is Randy, she loves him, just like I love you."

He was about to fire back at her when he heard a cough sound from behind them. Randy looked over his shoulder and rolled his eyes when he saw his father stood there, why was he back so soon.

"Sorry, Alanna wanted to come back; she wanted to spend time with her parents," Bob explained.

"Where is she?" Randy asked not turning around.

"Your mother has her in the car, wanted to make sure you were finished talking before we brought her in," Randy's dad said.

"We're not through yet," he said through gritted teeth. Randy could tell Bob wanted to stay and listen to what was being said but Randy wasn't going to continue with him still there.

"It's fine, pop. Bring her in," Sam said countering Randy's comment.

"I said not yet," Randy yelled at her and his father.

Bob stepped further in the room and stood by Sam putting a protective arm around her.

"Don't speak to her like that," he barked at his son. "You should be treating her with respect after what you've put her through. This woman is willing to take you back, and you're too stubborn to see passed your own filthy desires."

Randy was slowly losing his temper with both of them. Sam had not only played him but also is father as well. He couldn't see how evil she had become. He thought back to the woman he married and looked at her now. Sure, he probably was to blame for the change in her. It's not easy to hear your husband is gay but most women would be too embarrassed to even admit it, let alone become as vindictive as she had.

"She played me. Played on a moment of weakness, when I was going through an awkward patch with John."

"Awkward patch? You haven't had a time when it wasn't awkward. You told me yourself," she bellowed at him. "No relationship has ever been as rocky as yours is with him. It's built on sex; sex you've mistaken for love."

Sam walked out from Bob's protection and stood in Randy's face.

"It was sex Randy. He was the one who played you, not me. I'm just willing to take you back because I still love you," she said hitting his chest repeatedly, she was almost breaking down from the anger and Randy tried to catch her wrists to stop her hitting him.

"Even if that were true, which it isn't; I'd be fine with it. Cause the sex we've had, was the best god dammed sex I've ever had," Randy said as he finally caught her wrists and held her still. "There's nothing that man can't do to get me off."

"I don't want to hear any more. Randy I suggest you leave; you've hurt this woman enough and I won't hear you making those kinds of comments," Bob shouted. "Get out."

"I've got news for you dad; you can't chuck me out of my own home," Randy chuckled. "My name is still on the paperwork. I've just been good enough to let Sam stay here."

Bob pulled Sam back from where she stood and took her over to the sofa to sit down. Randy could see she was falling apart and he no longer cared. Between her and Liz, his relationship with John was falling to pieces. He knew he was responsible for his own actions and he was doing what it took to get his boyfriend back. The first step was getting the divorce papers signed. He grabbed the documents from the counter and hunted a pen out from one of the drawers in the counter. Going over to the living space, he sat down in the chair opposite the sofa and held the documents out.

"Don't you think you've done enough?" Bob barked at him.

"I had one small item amended from the contract your lawyer drew up. I want Alanna half the time, once every three weeks isn't enough," Randy stated clearly. "If you sign these, I'll leave."

"Ran-"

Before Bob could even speak, Sam grabbed the paperwork and signed the documents. She wanted this over with just as much as Randy did. Although he didn't let it show he let out a sigh of relief. He was free to be with John without any worries. He just had to convince John he was worth it.

"Take Alanna with you. I need some time to myself… please?" Sam asked, looking one final time at Randy.

"No problem. How long do you want me to have her? I'm in Louisville on Monday," Randy said his polite caring manner returning.

"Take her for the week," Sam said shoeing him away.

Randy took the documents back and signed where he needed. He could drop the documents back in to the law firm on his way home with Alanna. He went out to the car and explained to his mom what was happening. Although she was shocked at the divorce becoming official, she was more annoyed with her husband for acting the way he had. Randy asked if she wanted to come back to his and help him decorate for Christmas since he didn't have the chance at Thanksgiving. Elaine was more than happy to and went in to speak with Bob before they left.

Randy transferred Alanna over to his car, telling her she was going to get an extra week with daddy. He figured that when he brought her back he could speak with Sam about having her on Christmas Day. When they waited for his mom, he pulled out his phone and rang John.

"Hey, how'd it go?" he asked as he answered.

"I can't really say at the moment," Randy responded looking back at Alanna who was listening to him. "But I have someone here who would like to say hello. I'm about to take her home."

"Who?"

"Hang on," Randy said as he handed his phone back to Alanna. "Say hello to Johnny."

Alanna grabbed his phone and pressed some buttons as she spoke.

"Johnny!" she yelled at the phone. Randy smiled a little but it faded when she started frowning. "Johnny gone."

Randy quickly hopped out his seat and went to the back door. He took the phone from her and realized she had hit the end key. Before he could make the call again, his phone rang.

"She hung up on you darling, hang on," he said as he moved the phone to Alanna's ear and taught her how to hold it properly.

"Johnny?" Alanna asked.

"Hey cutie, you having fun with daddy?"

"Daddy do the tree today," she giggled.

Randy stood up next to the car and listened as Alanna had a conversation with John. He was glad they had a good relationship; he knew Alanna loved spending time with John and he hoped the bond would grow deeper over time.

As he looked into the car to check Alanna wasn't pressing buttons again, he heard footsteps coming across the drive. He looked up expecting to see his mom but was met with his father.

"Are you happy now?" he snapped.

Randy just smiled.

A/N: Please keep the reviews coming. I'm dying to hit 300 by the time the story is finished and I only need 15 more to get there. Cheers x

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