Ted stood nervously outside Cody's hotel room. They had phone calls that lasted for hours, and he was sure that his phone bill would be massive. He didn't care. How could he? He was going to make things right with the one person who meant more to him than anything else in the world. Because that person was Cody. And he was going to prove it tonight.

His thoughts were cut off by the sound of the door opening. He wanted to grab Cody in his arms and kiss him for all that he was worth. And with all the love on his face he leaped forward...only to come face to face with Dustin.

"Well, glad to see you, too," Dustin sneered, seeing the smile drop from Ted's face. "Cody has been waiting for you. Don't fuck it up."

"I won't," Ted said, determined not to look like an idiot in front of the older man. He had screwed up enough as it was.

"Good luck," And with that Dustin walked off. Ted watched him leave for a moment to gather his nerves and then he walked inside. Cody sat on the bed, his back facing him. He took a moment to study the lean frame that he had fallen in love with. His dark brown hair, his olive colored skin, his blue eyes, he loved it all.

Cody suddenly realized he was not alone. He looked up and they gazed at each other for a moment. Cody cocked his head to the side as he studied his best friend of all these years. The man who had been with him through everything, the good and the bad. He was the first and only one he made love with, shared all his dreams, slept with him through the night.

"Sorry about Dustin," he said after a few moments' silence. "I was trying to explain to him why Aqua Man sucks, and he just wasn't getting it. I think I was starting to tire him out."

"Really?" Ted said. He shook his head slowly. "He is such a nerd."

Another moment of silence followed. And then a small smile started to form on Cody's face. And he chuckled ever so slightly, but it was natural with no sign of it being forced. Ted allowed himself to smile, and soon they were both laughing over the sheer ludicrousness of the situation. In one swift motion, Cody wrapped his arms around Ted and held him close to his body.

They stayed like that for what seemed like a sweet eternity. Cody's head rested on Ted's shoulder. Ted held the younger man in his arms, not daring to say anything that could ruin this one moment he had and could have lost forever. "Never again," he swore to himself.

They pulled away from each and Ted could feel the tears fall on his face. His throat tightened, and he tried to say something, but Cody cupped his face, and wiped the tears from his eyes. And in an instant, they were locked in a sweet kiss. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but it held all the love and affection that the two held for the other.

"You don't have to say it, Teddy," he whispered sweetly even though his eyes were damp. "I know."

"I love you so much," Ted said. Their lips met again, and it was as if they felt cleansed inside. They were soul mates reunited, and they clung to one another as if afraid the other would vanish if he were to let go. They didn't have sex that night. They talked and kissed briefly just glad to be together. They slept as close as possible, and it was the best night's sleep for they both had in weeks.

Josh opened the door wondering who could be knocking so late. His eyes widened when he saw who was on the other side. The defeated look on his face was almost unnerving.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Can I stay for the night?" The question was barely audible.

"Um...sure, I guess. It's just me, and there is only one bed-"

"That's fine. Thanks. I need it."

"What about Ra-"'

"Please. I don't want to think about it."

The next day, Ted and Cody hit the gym, went to separate media appearances, and eventually ended up at the Raw taping where they both were making an appearance. Maryse was visibly relieved.

"You should have heard this one, Cody," she insisted. "I was going to have to sick Natty on him, if he didn't shut the hell up and make up with you."

"That would have been entertaining to watch," Cody said. He smiled sweetly at the look of sheer horror on Ted's face.

"He's freaking out, cause he knows I would have kicked his ass," Natalia said as she approached and hugged her girlfriend from behind.

"I will not argue with what you just said at all," Ted said, smiling, but still looking nervous. The others laughed at him.

"Don't worry, Ted," Cody said kissing his cheek. "I'll make sure you won't get hurt. Or at least kiss your boo boos. Cause I'm not actually jumping in front of Natalia for you. That's suicide, babe."

"And don't you bitches forget it," Natty laughed. "Oh, hey, John."

John walked towards the group looking worried.

"Have any of you guys seen Randy?" He asked. "He's been acting strange all day."

"No, we haven't," Ted said looking concerned. "What do you mean, strange?"

"He's just been in this really dark mood. He asked me if I had seen Mike anywhere, and when I said I didn't know, he got really pissed off. I hope that their OK."

"Hey, I saw Mike just about an hour ago," Natty said. "Now that I think about it, he looked kind of depressed."

"I wonder what's going on," Ted mused.

"We're going to have to talk about this, you know."

"You think I don't know that?"

"Then stop avoiding me! Where were you last night?" There is a long pause.

"That is none of your business!" Longer pause.

"You know, I'm really starting to think you don't care what happens to us anymore."

"I was with Josh, OK?" A small sigh. "Don't look at me like that. Nothing happened, OK? I just needed some time to think."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Do you want to still be with me or not?"

"Yes! Of course I do! I love you. Let's try to work this out, please?"

"I'm sure that it's nothing that they can't work out themselves," John said. "It's just that it's weird with Randy being all quiet. Ah well, I still need to talk to a couple of people before the show. I'll see you guys later."

"OK," Cody said as he began to change into his ring gear behind a partition in the locker room. "I can't wait for tonight to be over so we can-" His jaw dropped. "Theodore Marvin, is that what I think it is?"

"What's going on back there?" Maryse asked. "Are you OK, Ted?"

"I'mabsolutelyfinethereisnoreas ontocomebackhere," Ted spluttered. But it was too late. Natalia peeked her head in to see what Cody was gawking at. And there it was.

"Is...is that Captain America's shield on your left ass cheek?"

"I..I love you Teddy. Is that why you were talking to Randy so much?"

"A tattoo? This has all been over a tattoo?"

"He was nervous, and I knew a guy who was really good. What's the big deal?"

"That's the strangest thing I have ever heard. I hope they made up now."

A gentle laugh.

"But why all the secrecy? I thought you told me everything. He's my friend, too."

"He told me to keep it between me and him, and that's that. You don't see me pressing you about what happened last night."

"Nothing happened last night! He slept on one side of the bed, and I slept on the other."

"Fine," Realization dawns. "You slept in the same bed?"

"Wait, that came out wrong-"

"How could you?"

"Wait, I can explain! It's not what you think! Randy!" The door slams. A soft whimper. "Oh, God, no."

John H. walked through the building feeling bored. His spot was already over, so he decided to just hang out backstage. Hearing the sound of obnoxious laughter, he followed it to the locker room the younger children had taken over. The door burst open.

"You said it was what you wanted!" Ted insisted sounding indignant.

"You said that I was the one you loved!"

"You are! Nothing happened!"

"I saw you kiss his cheek the other day! And now you're saying you slept with him?"

"Just in the same bed, I swear to God, that is all that happened!"

"I'm not sure if I believe you."

"Baby,"

"I'm not even sure if I trust you."

"Oh, Teddy Bear!" Cody said, wiping a tear from his eye. "I can't believe I made you do that. But it looks amazing, it really does."

"I'll do anything for you," Ted said. His face was still bright red. Cody kissed his lover soundly on the lips.

"We're going to be alright, Ted." he said.

"Get a room," John said smiling. "No, seriously, it's good to see you two are back on good terms. The thought of you guys apart is just weird."

"Thanks for offering a shoulder, John. If it weren't for you and Randy, I wouldn't have made it."

"Speaking of whom, have you seen him?" John asked. I was supposed to hang out with him, but he's not answering his cell phone."

"Hi, John."

The group turned to see Randy approaching them with a blank look on his face. He managed a small smile when he saw Ted and Cody standing so close. Then he looked back to John.

"Hey, can I stay with you tonight?" he asked. "Something has come up, and I can't find anywhere else to stay."

"Yeah, sure." John said looking concerned. "What happened? Are you and Mike-"

"I'll tell you about it later," his voice turned dark. "Come on with me."

"OK," John said shrugging. "Later, guys."

"Call me later, Randy," Ted called out after them.

"What the hell is going on?" Cody asked.

The only sound in response was a small sob. They turned to an adjoining hallway. There was Mike, sliding down the wall with his face scrunched into a grimace.

"Mike," Maryse said as she slowly walked towards her friend. "What happened."

He said nothing. He just looked up at the assembled friends and began to cry.

THE END?

Ted Muse: This is how this is ending?

Me: Yes.

Miz muse: What the hell?

Me: Well, Miz, this is my way of saying...

Miz: Yeah?

Me:You're adopted.

Randy Muse: Now that's just wrong!

Cody Muse: A whole lot of questions haven't been answered!

Ted Muse: Who has it in for me and Cody? What's John M up to? Are Randy and Mike going to be OK? Is my tattoo not kick ass?

Me: All these questions will be answered in Paradise Stolen. Coming within the next week. (at least two chapters.) So...Read and review!