Hope you all enjoy :)

"Hey," John greeted him as he walked in the house with Alanna.

"Hi, how's your day been?"

"Oh, you know, dealing with the gym," John said shrugging as though it didn't matter. "I was thinking, Ally is at her boyfriend's for dinner so why don't we go out for something to eat."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, just the two of us, save you cooking or me grilling," John said. "It'll give us a chance to talk about things."

"Sounds good," Randy said, a huge grin spreading across his face. "I'll just need to head back and get changed.

"Okay, well I'll send you details of the restaurant and meet you there."

Randy had ducked out to the restroom before John got there; he wanted to make sure he looked his best. He felt like they were going out on a first date again. Okay, sure, it would have been nice if one had picked the other up, but in the end, it didn't matter. It was John. John wanted to pick things up again.

He straightened his tie and checked his breath. He didn't want to be presumptuous but if they were going on a date, it could easily lead to kissing. As he left the restroom and went back to their table, he saw John being led through from the entrance. He was carrying a folder which looked similar to the contract Paul had left him, but Randy shook it off, I expect he just wanted to show him something later and wasn't audacious enough to believe Randy would head home with him. Although, if he were asked, Randy would be there in a heartbeat, even if it were just for coffee.

"Hi," Randy said leaning in to brush a kiss to John's cheek. When he pulled back, John looked a little flushed and Randy was pleased he still got a reaction from him.

"Hi," John said shyly as he sat down. "Thanks for coming."

"I would never miss a chance to have dinner with you," Randy said taking John's hand lightly.

They were interrupted briefly when the waiter came over to take drink's order and Randy ordered a bottle of red wine for them to have with their meal. Randy couldn't help but notice that John was particularly quiet since arriving. For someone who had invited Randy out, he didn't seem to be comfortable.

Randy held on to John's hand loosely, not wishing to lose the contact but not pressing John too much. It felt like all new territory for Randy, they weren't this uncomfortable on their first date. All of a sudden, John pulled his hand away and coughed in that way people did when they weren't sure what to do.

"I, uh, I brought some documents you might want to take a look at. It's some stuff that I got together when I was opening JC's. It was all knew to me. Rob kind of looked Hard Nock's when it first opened since I was on the road, but I was doing this one by myself," John said, barely taking a breath between sentences.

"Fantastic, thanks darling," Randy said taking the documents. "The Business Manager at the bank was helpful, laid out what I needed to do, how much capital I'd need to cover the cost of setting the business up. I was thinking of giving Danny a call, see if he can give me a few pointers."

"You might want to think about speaking to someone from WWE. Last thing you need to do is upset management. OVW is TNA training ground, has been for a long time," John said sounding more confident.

"You're right; can you imagine Paul's face he if found out," Randy said smirking.

The waiter came back with their bottle of wine and poured them both a drink, leaving the bottle on their table. They placed their orders before Randy took his glass, "How about a toast?"

"To what?"

"Moving forward and making amends," Randy said. He thought John looked a little puzzled but John nodded and they toasted before taking a sip. Randy kept his gaze on John as they did; knowing John could see the desire clear in his eyes. "I was thinking. How about after we've eaten, we take a walk, give us a chance to have a chat."

"Yeah, I guess," John said. "Randy, um..."

"I was also thinking, how about tomorrow night, you, me and Ally all sit down for a family meal. We haven't done that in a long time," Randy said.

"Randy..."

"Sunday is the Pay Per View as well, so we could do the whole takeaway thing and all sit down to watch the event. Just to show we're making the effort as well, we could invite Brad. I think Ally would like that."

As he spoke, he let his hand rest again John's again, fingertips running along John's, wishing so much to lace their fingers together, bring his hand up, and brush his lips softly on the back of his hand.

"Randy, this isn't a date," John said bluntly pulling his hand back.

"What?" Randy asked confused. "But you asked me out?"

"Yes, to have a business dinner. I thought we could discuss what your plans are for the wrestling school, rehash plans with regards to the use of Hard Nock's, because let's face it, that's not going to happen," John said shaking his head. "This was never meant to be a date."

"Oh," Randy said letting his head fall. He squeezed his eyes shut trying to hold his emotions back yet again. He didn't want John to see him so weak, or embarrassed. "Excuse me."

He pushed his chair back and took his jacket, "I should go."

John didn't make any move to stop him, no calling after him, and that almost hurt more. He wanted to look back and see how John looked, whether he was looking his way or not. However, he couldn't take anymore. How could he be so stupid to think John wanted to go on a date?

"Sir, your meal?" the waiter asked as he saw him go by.

"Something came up," Randy said without making eye contact, he just wanted to get out of there. He was a fool to think he and John still stood a chance. He left he restaurant and walked a few blocks before hailing a cab. He didn't want to have the chance of meeting John outside.

"I didn't see John this morning, are we still doing the whole family meal thing?" Alanna asked, noticing her dad stiffen in his seat as drove up the road.

"I don't think so," Randy said. "John has a lot on."

"We can check when we get in. He might need a break if he was busy today," Alanna said.

"I'm not coming in, I have somewhere I need to be," Randy said.

"But, you promised him and me, when you left," Ally said worried that the two men were falling apart.

"I know, but I need to be somewhere, he'll understand," Randy said. "Besides, this will give you two the chance to spend some time together."

"But-"

"Ally, please, I don't have time to discuss this," he said pulling onto the driveway.

"I thought things were getting better. You've been spending so much time together. You went out on a date last night-"

"It wasn't a date, Ally," Randy bit, still feeling the sting of the revelation from the previous night.

"Fine, give up them, whatever," she snapped, storming out of the car and into the house. Randy didn't want to leave things like that and wanted to follow her in, but the thought of seeing John stopped him.

Inside, Alanna put her school bag down at the bottom of the stairs and went through to the kitchen. She was hungry and after the conversation with her dad she felt like eating some ice cream. She went in the freezer and dug out John's Ben & Jerry's, grabbing two spoons. If he wasn't here, then John would be in his office.

He never use to spend much time in there, instead he would spread out in the kitchen or on the coffee table in front of the television, but ever since he got news of the development, Alanna reckoned he spent the majority of his day in the office.

She went upstairs but couldn't find him in the office. She knew all of his cars were there when she got back, so he had to be here somewhere. She went the short distance to the master bedroom and knocked.

"Yeah," she heard through the door. He didn't sound happy either.

"Hi," she called popping her head round the door. "Is it okay to come in?"

"I'm on the balcony," John said. Alanna went through the room and out onto the balcony where a couple of chairs were along with a small table.

"Want to share?" she asked putting the tub on the table.

John gave her a small smirk but shook his head, "What's got you to the point of needing ice cream?"

"Hungry, dad's annoying me," she said with a shrug.

"Where is he?"

"He didn't come in," she said quietly. "Did you guys fight last night?"

"No."

"Then what? He's all miserable, you're miserable, there must have been something happen," Alanna said. "You've been getting better I thought, since the party."

"Ally, drop it," John said barely audible.

"Why won't either of you talk to me about what's going on?" Ally said huffing slightly.

"Ally-"

"You keep treating me like a little kid, I'm not. I am sixteen years old. I have a boyfriend, and I know about the ways of the world," Ally said letting her frustrations show.

"If you know so god damn much, then you should know to keep the hell out," John snapped at her. "What's going on is between your father and I. Not you."

Ally was about to say something back, but the emotion got the better of her. She slowly got up and left John sat there. She went downstairs and took her bag pulling out her phone. There was one person who would make it better, she hoped.

"Hey Brad... would your mom mind if I came round for dinner? I've had an argument with dad and John... Okay, i'll be there in twenty minutes."

She ended the call and went upstairs to change before leaving a brief note to the fridge.

I'VE GONE OUT. IF YOU CARE.

With that she was out the door, making sure to slam it hard, and on her way to Brad's. Hopefully her boyfriend would care about her feelings. She only wanted what was best for her dad and his boyfriend. Why was that such a crime?

"Ted, wait up," Cody yelled as he ran along the corridor of the New Orleans Arena.

"Just the man," Ted said with a smile. "I was going to your locker room to catch you."

"What's up?" Cody asked falling in line with the man he had admitted to himself he liked.

"Some of the guys are going out for drinks, I didn't know if you might want to go along with them."

"Oh, um, I was-"

"You can say no if you want, actually I'd probably prefer if you did," Ted admitted going a little red.

"You were?"

"Yeah. It gives me an excuse not to go," Ted said. "I was thinking about getting an early night since we have a free day before the pay per view."

"Right, cool, um, no then... in actual fact, I was, um going to ask if you wanted to get something to eat," Cody said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, sure, we can get pizza and crash at the hotel," Ted suggested.

"Wow, you know how to show someone a good time," Cody joked shoving Ted slightly. Oh god, did I just do the womanly push. Oh man, if Randy saw me he'd be taking the piss.

"You alright man?" Ted asked giving him a quizzical look.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was, um, well I was actually thinking about going out to eat later, like to a restaurant," Cody said, hoping Ted would pick on what he was asking.

"Oh, right, yeah man, sounds good," Ted said. "You picking the restaurant?"

"Yeah no problem, how about Italian? You still have your pizza," Cody said with a big smile, he couldn't believe Ted was agreeing to it.

"Sounds good, listen, I gotta run," Ted said. "Stop by the locker room when you're ready to get going."

"Okay, yeah, no problem, do you have something to change into?" Cody asked.

"Yeah, yeah, later man," Ted said patting him on the chest. Cody was ecstatic; he and Ted were going out on a date. This was turning out easier than he thought.

After the show

Cody knocked on Ted's locker room door and waited for the call. Instead, Ted opened up with his bag slung over his shoulder wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants.

"Whoa, someone's dressed up," Ted commented at the way Cody was dressed in a smart shirt and pants.

"Umm, yeah, someone isn't," Cody said confused. "I thought you had a change of clothes?"

Ted headed down the corridor and indicated his t-shirt and pants, "Clothes."

"Right, but restaurant..."

"Damn, Cody did you book some fancy ass place; it's you and me getting food," Ted said over his shoulder with a smirk.

Cody's shoulders slumped, maybe next time he should mention the word date.

"Don't worry about it, I'll ring and cancel, we can grab a pizza on the way back," Cody said trying to remain upbeat. He was still having time with Ted, alone. It just wouldn't be a date. There's always another time. Of course, Ted could have realised what he meant and was playing diversion tactics.

Then again, maybe it IS as difficult as it seems.

A/N: I have some good news for you... after many chapters, the next update will have some Centon actions... the question which stills hangs in the balance... will it help or hinder?

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and ask you to keep the reviews coming to let me know you're enjoying. Thanks :)