Jon is not only relapsing on painkillers, he relapses on alcohol as well. I know that in real life it would probably be a course of days or weeks (even though one drink can make you relapse). For story telling purposes I had to push this a little and I hope you don't mind. This is a story after all. But rest assured, I am aware that it probably would take longer in the real world out there. Or not, depends on the person I guess.

Chapter 38

Sams POV

Two days later we landed in Las Vegas. I was glad to be home with Jon, because now his healing process could really start. Florida had been nice these past two days, the climate was really nice, and Vegas was like hell on earth this time of year. But this is where we lived, so here we are.

By now I was familiar with our big ass Escalade and the streets of Vegas. The drive from the airport was quick, and finally we were back home.

"I am glad we are home. We never were home here longer than 4 or 5 days at once." I said, getting my suitcase in our bedroom.

"You make it sound like you are happy I got injured." "No Jon. I hate it. But I like to take something positive out of it. We have time to ourselves. We could go up to Tahoe, spent some time there when you can take some time out of rehab."

"That's exactly it. This is no holiday Sam. I have to get better and fast." "No, you have to get better and it will take as much time as it takes. And you are an athlete. When you get a training schedule you can train in Tahoe as well. We never had a honeymoon Jon."

Okay, that was something I didn't want to bring up. Because I was fine with that. I didn't need a honeymoon. But why did I tell him that just now?

"Oh that is rich Sam. I told you that we can't squeeze a honeymoon in at the moment and your words were, and I quote: I don't need a honeymoon Jon, when I can spent each day with you."

Falling down on the bed I sighed. "And I am fine, I was just thinking that we can take some time out of this mess for US."

"I say this again, this is no holiday Sam. So stop nagging. Maybe you should get back on the road with Colby and Joe and leave my the hell alone trying to get better, so I can earn us some more money for you to spend."

I got up now looking at him. "I can provide for myself Jonathan. Thank you very much. I hardly ask you for anything. You keep shoving money I don't want down my throat when all I need is you. And when I leave you here by yourself we both now how this ends!"

He got in my face, pretty much pissed off. "Really? Do tell me again. Tell me again how you count my fucking painkillers behind my back Sam. Tell me, how you think, that at day five after the surgery I shouldn't take 4 pills a day anymore. Tell me again, that you have so much fucking faith in me that you already plan for the worst. And fuck your radio silence internet thing, you did that because you thought that shit would hit the fan with me taking painkillers and you don't want me to embarrasses you in public. Look, the wife couldn't keep him in check. He will never change. You know what, I am out of here."

He left me standing in the middle of the bedroom, grabbed the car keys and slammed the apartment door shut behind him.

"That went well. Before two weeks are over we will have killed each other."

How the hell did he find out that I really did count his pills? I was worried about him, I admit that, but only because I didn't want to see him throw everything away. And this isn't about money. I couldn't care less about the fucking money. It is his dream, which somehow became my dream as well. I wanted to see him succeed. I wanted to see him becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion one day. I wanted him to be recognized as the face of the WWE. The boy from Cincinnati who came from nothing to become something. And maybe I looked at it a little bit black and white with meds and drugs and alcohol. I just hated that stuff and knew what it could do to a person. Alcohol made Jon a really funny guy, meds and pain killers turned him into the asshole who just left our home. So yeah I was worried. Damn it. Only he could make it sound wrong.

I decided that waiting for him here would send the wrong impression. I had friends in town. Well one. So I grabbed my bag and left as well. Two could play this game.

I entered Elena's Wedding shop which was empty again.

"How can you earn a living Elena?" I asked and hugged the older woman who had become a great friend to me.

"I get by." she laughed and pushed me a bit away to look at me.

"Not good Sam. Not good. What are you doing here when you should take care of your husband?"

"Said husband stormed out of the apartment after telling me that I should stop nagging him, that the time home is no holiday and why the hell do I dare to count his pills."

"I see. So he is on medication? How many pills does he take?"

"5 or 6 each day. I wouldn't have called him out on it. He is in pain, I can see that. I counted on him being responsible."

"Your husband is many things Sam, first and foremost deeply in love with you. And he felt caught and betrayed that you went behind his back to monitor him. But he has also a habit of substance abuse. Doesn't make him a bad man, or weak as some would say. He just needs a kick in the butt every now and again. You will have to do that in the near future honey. You have to be strong. He needs you now, even if he hates himself for needing you so much. It will be okay. Now come, don't cry. It will be okay Sam." Elena pulled me into a hug. I had been strong these past couple of days, mostly ignoring Jon's harsh comments, his rants and his bitching, but even I had a point where I couldn't take it anymore.

"Can I stay here for a while?"

Elena looked at me and finally nodded.

Fate had wanted me to go home, wait on Jon and stop him from doing something stupid. Me deciding to stay changed whatever fate Elena had seen and it would change the future. But not enough to make Elena worried. Just a bend in the road, but I didn't knew that back then. And I just wanted to be stubborn and come home later then my husband.

Jon's POV

Okay, he thought driving with one arm would be easier but after a while he figured it out and ended up at the local drug store. He pulled out his new pain killer subscription and went in to get the damn pills. Stupid wife. Going behind his back counting his pills and thinking he wouldn't notice.

She had a problem with it she should tell him. Not look like a kicked puppy with each pill he popped in front of her.

He was hurting for God's sake. Give him a break. He could stop any day. Sure he would miss the fuzzy feeling, the numb brain and the fact that he didn't feel a thing right now, but he could stop. He just didn't want to stop. Especially not now when it would mean his wife won. Nope.

He would not start drinking again as well just because he bought a six pack and a bottle of JD at the grocery store next door because he was being stubborn, and stupid and most of all he wanted to get in Sam's face. Just to feel something, because on the inside he was already numb and he gave a damn about everything. So he could stop with the pills and with alcohol any given day. Jon was almost looking forward to her seeing the beer. It was just beer damn it. And he would have his shot of JD right here.

He opened the bottle and smelled the strong beverage. Heaven.

Just a sip to make him forget the fight he had with his wife. Just a sip to make him forget the nasty things he said to her. He loved her with all of his heart but sometimes she was such a sissy. Always nagging. What the hell was her problem? And why did she want to go to Tahoe? They had spent there 3 or 4 of their off days. It was just woods and water and mosquitoes and nothing else. And it was quiet. So damn quiet that he could hear his crazy thoughts that much louder.

But she enjoyed it so much he told himself. She gave up so much for him, even living in Las Vegas with him which she hated, but she never complained. Damn it. Now he felt even more guilty.

Jon took a sip of JD and coughed really hard. Okay, maybe he should go home and start with the beer. He would walk right by her, flop down on the couch and drink his beer. And pop maybe two pills while she would get one of her hissy fits. Maybe, just maybe if he played it just right, he could get her naked in the process because he liked it when she was angry and having sex with him. When she scratched his back and left her claw marks there. After such nights he was glad that he wore his shirt in the ring.

Imagine Jon's surprise when he got home and his wife was not there.

"Even better, less nagging." he told himself and went as planned to the couch, popped two pills, maybe three, who counted and had two beers.