Can you tell I'm back to work? Here's just a small chapter to keep you going. I'm going to try and write a little more, but no promises, life gets in the way too much. Hope you enjoy :)

As they sat at their table, chairs as close together as they could manage, Ted reached over and took Cody's hand. The butterflies in his stomach were still trying to tell him he wasn't over the initial crush. Cody was his, in almost every way, yet when he held his hand; it still felt not quite real, maybe even, not right. He was too use to Cody being his best friend, the person he could always rely on.

Maybe that should have given him a clue. Even when they argued, by the end of the day they were best friends again. Normal friends would take a day or two to get over some of the arguments they'd had, yet one of them would always find the way to end the fight.

It didn't matter now. Now he could close the distance between the two of them and kiss him. Even here in the restaurant, he didn't care who saw them, he could kiss Cody, his Cody. The combination of the two caused his head to spin, a kiss from HIS Cody. Nothing could get better than this.

"Mmm, Ted," Cody murmured against his lips. "If you keep this up I'm not sure I could stop."

Of course there was always something that could make him to pause. He and Cody still hadn't discussed anything that came next... the big next as well. If they kept going they were starting to get to the intimate level, and Ted wasn't sure he was ready for that. They hadn't discussed it and Ted was concerned over which way Cody was looking to play things. Did Cody expect him to be the one, to-

"Ted?" Cody asked breaking into his thoughts. "I said the wrong thing, I'm sorry; it's just, last night..."

"I know, I was there," Ted said not catching Cody's eye line. "Things got heated."

"Do you regret where things are going between us?"

That comment did make Ted's head snap up and connect with Cody's eyes. He didn't regret it. One hundred percent, no. He wanted this relationship, he wanted Cody, he just wasn't sure how Cody wanted it, literally.

"No, not at all. I want you completely, in every sense of the words," Ted said kissing Cody hard on the lips. "I... I guess I don't know..."

"Ted?"

"Looks, let's not talk about this here. Even in this day and age there are certain conversations that should be held in private," Ted said with a faint smile. He ran his fingers through Cody's short hair, scraping his nails slightly on his neck. "Though I do want some more of those lips right now."

He pulled Cody to him and they took their time enjoying the newfound taste of one another, tongues tangling as Ted cupped Cody's face.

"Enjoying yourselves?" a gruff voiced interrupted them. Ted turned his head, sending devil eyes on the speaker as Cody buried his head in the crook of Ted's neck.

"Back together I see," Ted replied, tipping his head at the sight of Randy's hand holding John's tight. John of course was wearing a massive grin on his face as he took a seat opposite Ted.

"Finally got together," John said answering for Randy who sat next to him. "Cody, you going to rise up out of the sand you buried your head in?"

"Fuck you, Randy."

"Why am I getting the blame for something John said?" Randy asked looking offended.

"Can we order, I'm starved," Cody said moving from Ted's neck to behind his menu.

Ted watched amused as the red colour started to fade from Cody's cheeks. "So are you back at the house?"

"I am, just in time for Christmas," Randy said before stealing a kiss from John. Ted watched as the pair smiled sweetly at each other; he hoped he and Cody were still as into each other in ten years.

"Babe, what did you get for question three?" Brad whispered trying to look over at Alanna's question paper.

"I don't remember, I'm on number twenty," she whispered back. She looked up discreetly to see where her teacher was, not wishing to get caught, or Brad either. She wasn't sure how he was still on question three, they'd been doing the test for half an hour, surely he was further than that.

"What am I dating Brainy Smurf?" Brad said sarcastically. "Check and let me know."

She shook her head slightly, trying to communicate she wasn't happy cheating, all the while attempting to concentrate on the rest of the pop quiz. Algebra wasn't her favourite area of mathematics however she still understood it enough for her to get through the questions.

"Babe, please," Brad said reaching over for her paper.

She moved it out the way just in time, but reluctantly flipped it over to check her answer, "Five," she told him with a scowl.

"Cheers babe, you're the best."

She looked up again to check on the teacher. He was sat at the front of the class, his nose in a pile of papers. He clearly needed time to mark some work and didn't care much for what was happening in the class today.

She concentrated on the test, paying no attention to what anyone else was doing. She was going to finish as quickly as possible so she could go back to reading the book she purchased at the history centre.

"Okay, babe, what about question four, I don't get it."

"I feel like it's bad timing," Ted said. "As soon as Codes and I... start something, I'm getting calls from my ex-wife."

"Do you think she knows?"

"No, it's probably coincidence, but it doesn't make sense. She doesn't leave a message, if I answer she hangs up, and when I call back she doesn't pick up," he shrugged. "I don't know what's going on."

"Button, maybe you could go round and see her when we're back there next," Cody said.

John and Randy looked at each other mouthing Button to one another. Where had that come from? Then again, John was sure neither he nor Randy actually wanted to know. It obviously meant something to the two of them.

He didn't even need to think about things, he knew the timing was a coincidence, how would she know Ted and Cody had decided to become more at that time. No one would know. Although, with the way the two were behaving when he and Randy walked in there was a good chance people knew, maybe not their families, but certainly anyone on tour... or the general public. He smiled to himself as he thought of their carefree attitude; he and Randy had taken a while to get to that stage solely because it was still a changing time when they fell in love.

Ted and Cody had the advantage over them.

"Penny for your thoughts," Randy whispered leaning close to his ear.

"Nothing important," John smiled looping him arm around Randy's waist and moving in close. "Just... happy thoughts. Life is actually good at the moment, minus the whole gym thing."

"Ran, what's happening with your wrestling school?" Ted asked interrupting.

"I keep going over the business plan, Paul heard about the plans and conveniently enough called, wants to take a look," Randy shrugged.

"Really?" John asked, shocked at the piece of information. "When did he get in contact?"

"About two days ago," Randy said shrugging again. "I told you didn't I?"

"No."

"Sorry, babe, must have slipped my mind," Randy apologised. "That has a tendency to happen when you walk in the room."

"Gross."

"Hey, we walked in to a restaurant to find you making out with your boyfriend. I'm allowed to make sappy comments to MY boyfriend."

"Whatever," Cody chuckled. "Did you like the latest twist in the storyline between Ted and I?"

"Miss Orton, a word please," the teacher called as the class packed up their bags.

Alanna gulped at the thought, there had been a few instances in the last couple of weeks where the teachers wanted a word with her after class. She hoped it wasn't as bad as the other occasions.

"Yes, sir?" Alanna asked as she stepped up to his desk.

"Brad, you can go on," the teacher said looking back at him.

"Whatever, I'll meet you in the quad."

The teacher, Mr Humphrey's, waited until he heard the door close before indicating a nearby chair.

"Alanna, can you tell me what you were discussing with Brad during the test?" Mr Humphreys asked.

"Ummm, we were-"

"Alanna, I'm going to be straight with you. Your grades have slipped considerably since the start of term," Mr Humphreys explained. "Now some might think it was because you're finding the subject harder, but I believe there's something else causing the decline."

"There's been a lot going on at home," Alanna said looking at her hands folded in her lap. "My father and his partner were separated for a few weeks. It was stressful at home."

"Okay, I accept that. However, the decline has been months, not weeks," he countered. "I can't help but wonder if there is something else affecting your grades. The same thing causing you to share your answers with Mr Faulkner."

Alanna's head snapped up in shock. She thought she had been discreet; apparently, Mr Humphrey was being cagey. She couldn't blame him though, she was caught out fair and square, and she was grateful he dealt with it in private.

The decision, which had been weighing on her mind for the last couple of days, weeks if she were honest with herself, was now moving to the forefront of her mind, and she couldn't let it linger any longer.

"I'm sorry," she said looking away from the disappointment in her teacher's eyes. "Can I go?"

"I ate too much," Randy complained holding his stomach as John drove down the road to their home.

"I tried to tell you," John chuckled reaching his hand over to rub Randy's belly. "I'll get you some antacid when we get in the house."

"I love you, darling."

Within minutes, John had pulled into the garage and the pair made their way into the house. John left Randy laid out on the sofa while he went in search of the antacid to calm his stomach.

It was a nice change for them to go out during the day, but Randy always had a habit of overindulging when they did. At least John helped him with his dessert though he preferred it when they brought it home and ate that particular course in private.

He found the antacid in their en suite bathroom downstairs and on his way back through the hallway he noticed the answer machine flashing. He hit the play button and instantly tensed when he heard Paul's voice. He was just checking to see if Randy wanted help and told him to call him at the head office in Stamford to arrange a meeting.

John didn't know why it niggled at him so much. So what if Paul wanted to help his old protégé out, it didn't mean anything. But after Paul's offer to buy him out of Hard Knocks and 'make the tough decision' for him, John didn't trust him as much. Maybe that was why Randy hadn't told him about the offer of help.

"Paul left a message on the phone, wants you to make an appointment via head office if you want some help," John commented a little too gruffly as he handed Randy the bottle.

"Darling come here and relax, I don't want his help," Randy said holding his hand out to John.

"Did you simply forget about his offer, or were you trying to be noble and protect me?"

"Protect you from what? Darling, Paul seems to think we don't have a whole brain between the two of us. You and I both know that's not true. I may not have the business acumen that you do, but I can learn, and I have always planned on involving you in some way," Randy said slipping his arms around John's shoulders as he lay on Randy, resting his head on Randy's chest. "Not to mention when Ally has left school, I may very well be calling on her help with the numbers, she has a head for maths. Are you sure there isn't another reason for this grumpiness?"

"Like what?"

"Maybe you're a little jealous. You thought I was approaching Paul for help rather than you."

"No."

"Really?"

"No," John said, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "And I'm not grumpy."

"I only want your help on this project. I am so proud of everything you have achieved as a businessman. Turning Hard Knocks from a place for the wrestlers to go to the kind of place others may wish to join as well. Opening JC's and making it successful and now with the pool there as well. Not to mention you're still involved with the 10 Week BodyChange program. Okay you've handed the reigns over, but it's still your program," Randy squeezed him tight as he spoke. "You're the reason I can be make the school a success."

"You don't want Paul's help at all?"

"I might speak to him once we have some prospects. I want it to be somewhere people can come to learn the ropes, the basics, get their in-ring fitness levels up before moving on to somewhere like the Performance Center. For those that don't feel ready, I can run more advanced classes while they work the independent circuits."

"You have it all planned out, you just need to get it on paper," John said.

"WE, we just need to get it on paper. I want you involved in this John," Randy said brushing his lips against John's head. "I also think we need to switch positions because my stomach isn't any better."

As she walked into the cafeteria, Alanna spotted Brad sat with some of the cheerleaders, more specifically Yasmin, the head cheerleader. Shouldn't she be off making moony eyes at the captain of the basketball team? She shook her head as she made her way to the back of the queue for her lunch, hopefully the New York Deli was still available, she'd been looking forward to it all day.

As she waited in line, she couldn't help but keep looking over to Brad and the cheerleaders. She needed to move on. It was clear now; he wasn't interested in her like he should be. Alanna knew her dad would be pleased, he'd never liked Brad, but then, when does any father like his daughter's choice of boyfriend. Alanna couldn't understand why, it wasn't as if things were going very far. She wasn't ready for that and she didn't think she would be for a while. She was happy to wait for Mr Right to come along.

"Hey, what did Humphreys want?" Chloe asked, meeting her as she paid for lunch.

"Moaning about my grades," Alanna explained.

"I thought you were averaging a C?"

"I was higher at the beginning of the year," Alanna explained her eyes still focused on Brad. "Doesn't get I just not be good at the subject."

"Is writing to your dad?"

"No, but if they don't improve, he will have no choice," Alanna said trying to mimic a disgruntled teacher. "Hey, hold this a minute."

Alanna handed her tray to Chloe and walked over to Brad. She was stood there for nearly a minute before he turned around to look at her, and that was only when one of the girls sneered at her.

"Hey, babe, did he have a go?" Brad asked.

"I thought we were meeting in the quad?"

"I got delayed with the girls," he shrugged. "No biggie."

"Guess not," she said turning to walk away. "Oh and Brad, it's over."

"What are you on about?" he called after her.

Alanna took her tray from Chloe who stood dumbfounded at what she heard. Alanna let the smile split her face in two. She and Brad were over.

Hope you all enjoyed :) Please review and let me know :)