Shout outs to those who reviewed the previous chapter! Thank you for your support my time is now, Cena's baby doll, therealchamps, awesomeone21, 1222mercedes1222, and Pinayprincesa. Enjoy everybody!

Alyssa couldn't believe how tired she was. She could barely keep her eyes open. This minimal task, one that seemingly needed no effort, was proving to be a challenge. It left her with no choice but to finally succumb. Someone might as well have glued her eyes shut; she was in no desire to open them for awhile. She was exhausted.

"Alyssa? Alyssa. Alyssa!"

She heard these grumbles inches away from her ear, but that wasn't enough to gravitate her attention. She wanted her sleep, and no one was going to keep her from it. Still, a commotion seemed to be going on. Not only was there a voice, but someone was touching her. Someone was poking her. She furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance and turned to the other side. She had no measure of time nor place; all she knew was that this was the most comfortable she's felt in days. It felt good to close her eyes. It felt good to quell the tension in her muscles. It felt good to simply be…well, unconscious. But this disturbance was not helping. It wasn't helping at all. Why couldn't the world just leave her alone?

When the world didn't answer, she smiled. There. The voice and the poking stopped. It went away. She smiled into sleep until a pair lips captured hers. Her eyes shot open, and her heart stopped. She wanted to scream but her body was still trying to wake up. She blinked her surroundings into focused and realized she was on a couch. And John was hovering over her. What?

"John! Wha- I- you- you're-" She immediately stopped talking when she realized she could be doing something better. She closed her mouth and threw herself into his arms. The way her body responded to this was alerting. She was tingling all over.

"I've missed you," he whispered, matching her tight embrace.

She closed her eyes, not believing this was happening. "Am I dreaming right now?"

John released her slightly to look at her face. "You might've been. It took me awhile to wake you up."

Alyssa rubbed her eyes and pouted. She was missing parts of this puzzle. What the hell was John doing here? Had she slept a chunk of her life away? Was that why she's feeling so tired?

She stared at John in confusion; but seeing him, it made her not want to question anything. She was just glad to have him here.

John, looking as gentle as ever, was careful not to shake her delicate state. He smoothened out her hair and started to explain. "I'm only here for the night. I got three days off and I decided to see you."

She blinked. Okay, so he's visiting.

"Thankfully, you're simultaneously back from your Europe trip with Randy."

Europe. Right. That seemed like ages ago; the fifteen hour flight, with turbulence, had done more than scare Alyssa. This must be the aftershocks.

"I'm sorry for waking you up, but I just couldn't help myself. We only got a few hours. Besides, I don't know how long you could've stayed safe sleeping on a public chair in a hotel."

Alyssa looked around and realized she'd fallen asleep while looking at the bistro menu. Funny what fatigue could do, it completely dismissed her efforts to feed her hunger. But at least she was caught up with reality now. She had everything pieced together.

John smiled and changed the subject. "The guys on set got three days off too, and they thought I was crazy for wanting to fly back home. But I told them I had two days more than usual, so why the hell not. Besides, like I said, I missed my baby."

Alyssa grinned dreamily into John's eyes. He had to be the best thing on earth. He'd done a good job keeping in touch every day despite the time differences. Now here he was, visiting even with his tight schedule. She stole a few more seconds just to stare at him. Nothing could compare to this man. Nothing had an effect on her like he did. Not even sleep or Europe.

He leaned over and pecked her lips.

"I'm hungry," she told him. Their mouths brushing against each other.

"Me too." He settled himself beside her on the couch and grabbed the menu. "Let's go order something and you could tell me about your trip."

"Deal," Alyssa agreed. "As long as we order first."

The two looked over the menu and ordered more food than they probably wanted. They were in each other's presence again and that surely called for a celebration. They hadn't seen in each in 20 days! That was 20 days too long.

"So, how was Europe?" John asked. His elbows were on his knees with his head turned to Alyssa.

She, on the other hand, was nestled comfortably on the corner of the couch. Her eyes were gleaming. Europe, as expected, went beyond her imagination. Sure, she often thought about John and was wishing he was the one with her. However, that didn't deter her experience in the slightest bit. Randy wasn't kidding when he said he had everything covered. His planning was immaculate. Day to day flowed in smoothly, and there was really nothing to complain about. She saw more of Europe she could've ever asked for.

"It was amazing. Every day was just something new, something interesting. I couldn't stop looking around and just being in complete awe. And the people are so different. It's refreshing."

"And Randy?"

Alyssa shot John a reassuring look and smiled. "Randy was good. It was like we were in college all over again."

"And what does that mean?" John curiously looked at her.

"It means, he was exactly the way I wished him to be. College Randy was my favorite Randy, and that's the one I got."

John thought about this. She got the Randy she wanted. Hm. What was he supposed to say to that?

"Randy wasn't acting crazy or irrational. He was just…normal."

"I see. Sounds like the best friend I used to know," John chuckled. Although, he knew this really wasn't a laughing matter.

Alyssa frowned. John and Randy hadn't been acting like best friends, and she was having trouble remembering when it started. But that was often the case with life. You never realize what's really going on until you look back and see how different things are from what they used to be. John and Randy, for example, are definitely different than how they used to be. The scariest part was that neither of them seemed to mind.

"Anyway," John cleared his throat. "I'm glad you had a good time with your best friend. You deserved that vacation."

His simple words were enough to take her worries away. She changed her train of thought and smiled. "And I'm glad that-" she paused and wrapped both arms protectively around John's neck. "-you're back."

"Me too, baby. Me too." He held her hand that hung over his shoulders and squeezed it.

She reciprocated by kissing his neck then settling her head at the curve of it. Something about his touch and being able to smell his scent was intoxicating. She missed this. She missed his touch.

"Your turn, John. Tell me about Australia."

He began rhythmically massaging her back. "It's been good. I miraculously remember my lines, and the weather isn't too bad. I just get real cold at night."

"Mm, that's funny, I'm pretty cold at night, too," she said softly.

John worked his hands up her arms. "Well, I better do something about that tonight then, huh?"

Before Alyssa could respond, a waiter came by with their food, instantly breaking off the spark. Thankfully, this interruption came with good aroma. It reminded the both of them how hungry they were. So, they spent the next few minutes feeding their empty stomachs, while silently enjoying their reunion. It was one of those moments when no words were needed.

Alyssa briefly closed her eyes after devouring the last contents on her plate. It felt like forever since she'd last eaten something. "That was delicious."

John was more than pleased to see the satisfied look on her face. That's all he ever wanted to see. "I'm glad you still enjoyed that meal even after eating in Europe for three weeks."

"Are you kidding me? Their cuisine was good, don't get me wrong, but American food's my favorite. And your company surely helps."

"Yes. Everything tastes better when I eat with you," John smiled, showcasing his dimples. He leaned back on his seat and stared at the woman beside him.

She moved closer to interlace their hands together. "You must me tired from your flight. Let's get you rested in my room?"

John wasn't going to say no to that. "Lead the way, baby."

He watched her get up and tug on his hand. "Let's go."

And off they went.

John found himself dozing on and off as they made their way up to her floor. There was far more people in the hotel than he'd hoped there would be. All the fuss and distraction did nothing to please his growing desire for sleep. Thankfully, Alyssa was there. And soon enough, she was the only one there. He was more than happy to get into her room and onto the bed. White sheets had never felt so good to lay on.

Alyssa eyed him with amusement. Someone was more tired than her, and he was looking damn cute. She flopped on the bed beside him and smiled. "You should sleep. Your head's been bopping so much, it looks like it's about to fall off."

Against his better judgment, he shook his head and extended his arm out. "No, I didn't come here to sleep. I came here to be with you."

"Well, you can have both."

"You gonna sleep with me then?"

"Nope."

"Exactly. I'm not sleep-" John stopped mid-sentence when he found Alyssa's lips on his. It started light until desire burrowed into her, passion suddenly driving her intentions.

Fighting to stay awake at this point was the least of his worries. He was fighting something else. He wanted her, he needed her, now more than ever, and he knew it was pointless to fight it. He deepened the kiss between them while digging his fingers into her hair. All his senses were coming alive.

Alyssa's heart started thumping as John eased himself on top of her. His mouth was still exploring hers, enchanting even as it seduced. Her body was taking over. Or maybe it was her heart. She was having trouble separating the two as the needs of one so closely echoed the needs of the other.

For the first time, she was ready to surrender herself to the man who was more than ready to make love to her.

Alyssa stared in silence, dazed by what just happened. They'd done it not once, but twice already. She knew this was going to mark her life forever. John, who was calmly nestling his head on top of her chest, had showed her love beyond any measure she thought was possible. She never wanted anything more than him.

"I can't believe you're gonna do that to me then just leave and go back to Australia," she whispered, helpless.

John, physically exhausted yet satisfied, couldn't believe this either. It was just his luck; he had to go back to Australia. Before he was able to formulate a response, she began massing the back of his head, instantly sating him. Her touch was so electrical, it was hard for him to believe someone so powerful could've been inactive for as long as she claimed to be. He didn't know details, nor want to know, but he was aware he was the first man she's been in bed with for years. Her performance tonight didn't make that obvious at all, and boy was that a pleasant surprise. Not that it mattered, of course. Showing her his love was more important than the physical aspect, but they magically managed to fulfill every dire need. Mind, body, and soul.

"I love you," he said. They were words that had been echoing his head all night.

"I love you, too."

Silence claimed the room again. Their mere presence was enough for each other. And they were too busy reviving over the contents of tonight to really do anything else. It wasn't until half an hour passed when Alyssa thought of something else.

"John?"

"Yeah?" He was still draped over her like a vine. Naked.

"I wanna tell Randy about us, now."

The usual dread that washed over John, at the mention of this other man's name, was quick to come and leave. Frankly, he didn't care anymore. What can Randy do? Nothing.

Alyssa explained. "We were so good in Europe and if I don't tell him now, it's gonna threaten that."

John's only reservation was the fact that telling Randy now meant he'd have less alone time with Alyssa. But this had to be done. "Okay."

"Really? You're okay with this?" Alyssa propped up John's head by cupping his cheeks. As soon as his orbs burrowed into hers, she forgot what she was talking about. Everything went out of her head.

He hung onto a few seconds of silence, knowing just what affect he had on her, before nodding his head. He smirked. "Why are you so surprised?"

She still hadn't remembered what they were talking about. She was just staring.

"Come. Let's go to Randy before I change my mind and go for round three." John threatened. He eased off of her, daring not to stare at her bare chest, to grab his clothes off the floor. He was dressed in seconds. Meanwhile, Alyssa was still having trouble snapping out of their bubble. Why did she bring up Randy again?

Before she knew it, John had tossed her clothes to her. She put them on without much thought and followed him out of the room. Everything after this felt ridiculously banal. Thankfully, the walk to Randy's room wasn't too long of a journey. He was on the same floor.

"We're here," Alyssa said.

Here they go. She didn't wait another second to knock. John was standing firmly behind her.

Before either of them could anticipate what was to come next, the door swung open, revealing a somber Randy. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was sticking all over the place, and his clothes looked corrugated. And when he spoke, his voice was ghostly. He was barely audible.

"I caught Sam cheating on me."