So Close

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"You sick bastard!" Chris yelled as he delivered one last punch to Mr. McMahon's face. There was a distinct sound of a bone crunching, and, despite her gratitude toward the blond man for rescuing her, Lilian cringed.

Vince shrieked as his nose was broken, blood spewing forth. In seconds, the lower portion of his face was drenched with it. Despite the boss' obvious pain, he didn't fail to admonish his attacker.

"You fucker, Irvine! How dare you barge in here during one of my private meetings. How-"

"Shut up, asshole!" the blond man shouted, his face reddening in his rage. He reached an arm out in Lilian's direction, gesturing toward her, and she scurried directly to him, hiding, and nearly cowering behind him.

"You'd better count your lucky stars that all I did was break your ugly nose," Irvine said in a low, menacing voice. "Because if I ever catch you near Lilian again, I will break every bone in your body..."

The petite ring announcer's brown eyes widened at her savior's words, and she knew instinctively that he wasn't kidding around - he really would do their boss serious physical harm if he were to accost her again.

"You little prick..." Vince spat, his eyes wide. He looked maniacal as he glared at the younger man, his face covered with blood. "You'll pay for this!"

Irvine stared daggers back into Mr. McMahon, but didn't bother uttering a word more in response. Instead, he took hold of the blonde woman's hand, leading her out of the office and into the hallway. Once there, he slammed the door in the shouting man's face.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concern flooding his clear blue eyes as he looked the petite woman over. His face was now wearing a soft, gentle expression - nothing like that of the fierce anger with which he'd displayed to Vince.

Lilian flushed at the sensation and knowledge of the fact that he still held fast to her hand. She had to admit, she really didn't mind that feeling - not at all.

"Yes - I am now... Thank you, Chris. You... you really saved my neck." She blushed as she thought he'd actually saved a lot more than just that bodypart...

They ignored the speculative eyes of most everyone in the hallway, not wanting to delve into what was going on. For Lilian, it was all much too humiliating - not to mention that everyone would know what she was having to endure soon enough.

"What the hell happened?"

Irvine and the ring announcer both looked up at the sound of Adam Copeland's voice, the tall Canadian's green eyes looking quite concerned. At his side stood Amy Dumas, the redhead looking equally worried.

"Lilian, are you all right?" the diva asked, rushing to the little blonde's side.

"I'm okay," came the reply, the ring announcer's face pale. Her eyes shifted toward Chris. "Thanks to my new hero..." Her brown eyes went down shyly, a blush against touching her cheeks as she gave the blond man a small smile.

"So, what happened?" Adam asked again, gesturing with a shrug. "Amy and I were just passing by when we heard a ruckus coming from Mr. McMahon's office." He spat the boss' name in disgust, wanting more than anything to pound the man senseless for sexually harassing the redhead.

"Oh, nothing much..." Chris mumbled to his friend, a look of aggravation returning to his face. "I just caught the Genetic Jackass pawing at Lilian against her will and punched his lights out - quite literally, at that."

Amy gaped at the blond man, her jaw dropped in shock. Not that she hadn't wanted to do the exact same thing to the billionaire herself.

"You did?"

"I'm pretty sure I broke his fucking nose," Irvine admitted, nodding. The four of them turned into the blond man's locker room.

"Well..." Lilian said softly, her gaze meeting his blue eyes but then falling sadly. "I do appreciate what you did for me, Chris..." She stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on the man's cheek, surprising him in the process. Damn if he didn't even look somewhat bashful as well. "...however, I still have to face Torrie in the ring tonight. I know there won't be any getting out of that one." The little blonde appeared seconds away from crying, though she was bravely dry-eyed.

"You too?" Amy asked, a wry, sarcastic smile coming to her face. "I'm slated to lose a legit wrestling match against her - tonight."

"Well, isn't that ironic?" Chris Irvine muttered, his hands clenching into fists. "Adam," he said, turning to face the other man, "what do you say we throw our weight around here - and try to help out lady friends out a bit?"

The taller man nodded, seeing his friend's meaning.

"I think that may just be an idea you've got there, Chris..."








Part 8

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