Even through the blood covering his face, he could see something was wrong. Not just with his head, but with his friend as well. As the trainers worked to stitch his head closed, Randy looked out of his one clear eye and watched as Dave paced back and forth across the room. He was muttering to himself - a habit he had exhibited much more lately. There were rumors, but no one had the balls to ask him about them.

He winced as he felt the needle slide into his skin and he knew this one would leave a scar. It wasn't the first time Hunter had marred his perfect flesh. Hell, it probably wouldn't even be the last time. But this one was the worst, at least as far as the fans were concerned. He had known something was coming that night, knew the end of Evolution was upon them. But he had no idea it would hurt this much - physically or emotionally.

Randy knew he was going to get his ass kicked. He knew Hunter was going to destroy him on camera. He expected it. But what he hadn't expected was Dave's behavior. Not the drop he gave him, slamming Randy into the hard canvas of the ring. It was the smile when he first stepped into the ring, the look of genuine affection on his face, the way Dave fell back, landing so the impact of the fall hit him first, sparing Randy a little of the pain.

The trainer finished stitching him up, then wiped the blood from his face. Randy heard him say something about keeping the wound dry and clean, medication, bandages - it was all a blur. As soon as they left the room and the door closed, Dave seemed to snap out of his haze and he rushed over to the table as Randy started to sit up.

"Just lay still, sunshine," Dave said to him, surveying the damage to Randy's head. "You probably got a concussion or something." Randy looked at his friend, his face full of concern and tried to smile. "Ouch," he said, grabbing his head and laying back. The pain throbbed through his brain at an alarming rate of speed and he knew that his head would explode if he tried to sit up again just then. Dave just watched him, absently swiping at a streak of blood on his cheek that still remained.

"He didn't hurt you too bad, did he?" Dave asked quietly. Randy shook his head. "No more than I expected," he replied. Dave nodded, then looked away. "I…I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked softly. Randy smiled. "A lot less than I expected," he said. Dave nodded then dropped his head into his hands. "I told him all that wasn't necessary. He didn't have to totally destroy you. But you know Hunt…"

Dave's voice trailed off as Randy started to sit up again. The blood rushed back to his head and it began to throb once again. He groaned a little and Dave turned to him. "Don't worry, baby," Dave said, looking at Randy. "I'll take you back to the hotel and make sure you don't keel over or anything." Randy could tell Dave was putting on a front, but he didn't say anything, just let the older man help him to his feet. He swayed a bit and Dave grabbed his shoulders, steadying him. "You okay, champ?" he asked, noticing the glazed look in Randy's eyes.

Randy nodded as a goofy grin spread across his face. "What's so funny?" Dave asked. "You called me champ," Randy replied. Dave shrugged, chuckling. "I guess I did," he said. "But that is what you are." Randy nodded. It still hadn't completely sunk in yet, but that's what he was - the youngest champion ever. Even younger than Brock had been. He took a couple of steps toward the door and almost collapsed.

Dave caught him, then pushed him back toward the bench. "No way, sunshine," he said, helping Randy back up. "You sit here and I'll go grab your stuff." Randy nodded, not in the mood to argue as he lay back, closing his eyes. He heard the door open, heard Dave call to someone as he stepped outside. A moment later the door opened again and Tyson walked in. Randy opened his eyes and looked at the big man.

Ty shrugged. "Guess I get to babysit you till Dave comes back," he explained. Randy snorted. "Don't need a babysitter." Ty shook his head. "Whatever, man," he said. "Just doin' what Dave said to do." He sat on the other bench, watching Randy. Watching out of the corner of his eye, Randy said, "Do you always do what Dave says?" Tyson rolled his eyes. "He's a good friend," he explained. "If he asks me to do something for him, I try to help him out - as long as it's reasonable."

Randy thought it over, then nodded. "He ever ask you to do anything unreasonable?" he asked. Tyson grunted, shrugging one shoulder. "Couple of times, maybe." Randy turned his head to get a better look at the other man. "Like what?" he asked. Tyson studied Randy, contemplating his answer. "Well, there was the one time he asked me to drive halfway across the state to pick him up cuz he was too drunk to drive himself."

Randy nodded. "Then there was the time he wanted me to meet this chick in a bar and tell her he had an accident because he didn't want to go out with her." Randy chuckled. Sounded like Dave. Big, bad, growly - and afraid of hurting someone's feelings. "And when he asked me to help him move out of the apartment," Tyson said. Randy looked up.

"Moved out of the apartment?" Randy said. "When did Dave move?" Tyson shrugged again. "Couple months ago," he replied. "When him and Sean broke up." Randy gasped, sitting up quickly. The pain was intense, but he worked through it. "They broke up?" he asked incredulously. Tyson's eyebrows knit together as he looked at Randy. "You didn't know that?" he asked. Randy shook his head gently, not wanting to cause himself any more pain than necessary.

"Wow," Tyson said. "I thought everybody knew about that." Randy thought back, trying to remember if Dave had mentioned anything about it. Surely he would remember something like that, but he couldn't recall a single thing. Yeah, Dave had been in a mood for the past few weeks, but Randy had just put it off to Hunter being an asshole. Now he finally understood Dave's silence whenever talk turned to relationships.

Randy swung his legs over the side of the bench and looked over at Tyson. "So," he said, trying to sound casual, "what happened?" Tyson frowned. "You really don't know, do you?" Randy shook his head gently. "He doesn't talk about Sean," he replied. "He hasn't for a long time. I mean, in the beginning, he was always bringin' him up. But he hasn't mentioned him in…" Randy trailed off, thinking back. "A couple of months."

Tyson nodded and began to speak when the door opened. Dave came in, frowning at the sight of Randy sitting on the side of the bench. "I told you to rest," Dave said. Randy just shrugged. "Wanted to sit," he said, pouting. "I ain't dead ya know." Dave shook his head then went over to help Randy stand. Looking over his shoulder at Tyson, Dave said, "You're riding with us. I can't keep an eye on him and the road at the same time." Tyson rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything as he left to get his bags.

Randy let Dave lead him out of the room and down the hallway. He was surprised the big man hadn't tried to carry him, but Randy would've drawn the line there. He wasn't a baby, despite what Dave liked to call him. Randy stole a glance at Dave from the corner of his eye. He couldn't quite identify the emotion - care? Concern? Pity?

Tyson fell into step behind them, following the pair to the parking lot. Dave opened the door and helped Randy into the back seat, buckling his seat belt before gently closing the door. Tyson stood on the other side of the car, watching his friend. When Dave looked up and noticed the scrutiny, he raised his hands up. "What are you starin' at, baldy?" he asked.

"What are you doin', man?" Tyson whispered. Dave shook his head. "I'm takin' care of Randy," he replied. "Somebody needs to." Tyson continued staring at him. Dave opened the door and climbed into the driver's seat, checking the rearview mirror. He caught Randy's eyes and smiled. "You okay back there?" Randy nodded, the pain medication beginning to take effect.

The ride to the hotel was silent. Dave spent half the time checking the mirror. Occasionally, he would catch Tyson staring at him, but he ignored the looks of his friend. Dave pulled into the parking lot and got out quickly, rushing over to open Randy's door. He was helping him out when he looked up and saw Adam and Matt rushing over.

"Is he okay?" Adam asked, surveying the damage to Randy's head. Dave nodded, then saw the look on Matt's face. "What's wrong, Hardy?" he asked. Matt kicked him and Dave yelped, more in surprise than pain. "What the hell was that for?" he asked. "First you tried to knock his head off," Matt said. "Whatcha gonna do now, try to kill him?"

Adam chuckled softly, gently pulling Matt back before looking at Dave. "Sometimes, he forgets," Adam explained. Dave nodded, rubbing his shin. "I'm gonna take care of him, Matt," Dave said. "If that's okay with you." Matt narrowed his eyes at Dave. "And what's your boyfriend gonna say bout that?" he asked, not noticing the uncomfortable look on Dave's face. But Adam noticed, and he pulled Matt to him, whispering something in his ear.

Matt's eyes went wide as he turned to Randy. "If ya need anything, you just call us, ok?" he said as Adam turned Matt toward the hotel. Randy looked at Dave. "Yeah, Dave," he said, his voice slurring slightly from the shots he received earlier that night. "What's Sean gonna say bout you an me bein' in the same room?" Dave swallowed hard. "Don't matter what he says," Dave answered, his voice so soft it was barely heard. "Come on, let's get you inside before you fall over." He took Randy's arm and led him into the hotel as Tyson followed, shaking his head.

Hunter watched from the other side of the parking lot, his face distorted in anger as Dave wrapped a protective arm around Randy. He reached for his cell phone and dialed a number, waiting impatiently as it rang and rang. Finally, on the other end, he heard a gruff voice say hello, and Hunter smiled. "Hey there, Sean," he said, barely concealing the amusement in his voice. "Just thought you'd want to know that your boyfriend is taking the champ to his hotel room as we speak."

"I doubt that very seriously," Sean replied. Hunter chuckled. "Oh, I don't," he said as he got out of the car. "Call him in a few minutes and see for yourself." It was Sean's turn to laugh. "Well, I would," he said. "But, since my boyfriend is right here next to me, I don't think that will be necessary." The sound of confusion in Hunter's voice made Sean laugh out loud. "What??" he said. "But I thought…"

"Which is why they don't pay you to think, you fuckhead," Sean said. "I assume you're talking about Dave. And if you are, we aren't together any more. So he is free to take whoever he wants into his room, or his bed. I think you're just jealous because neither of them wants you, and you know it. I'd watch myself, Hunter. Dave may still be a part of Evolution, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's on your side."

Hunter stared at his cell phone as he heard the call disconnect. Dave and Sean weren't together any more. Dave had been paying an awful lot of attention to Randy lately. Were they? No, they couldn't be. They WOULDN'T be, not right under his nose. He hadn't given them permission to… Hunter slammed his hand down on the hood of his car in frustration before stomping into the hotel. If those two thought they could get together and try to screw up his plan, they were sadly mistaken. He would show them. He always did.