I Deserve It

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"Are you okay, sweetie?" Amy asked, full of tender concern as she eyed the blond man.

Adam glanced over at her, acutely aware not only of the pain that was constantly plaguing him, but also of the emotion on the redhead's face. She was trying to be so very strong for him, and damn it, he loved her even more than ever for that.

"Yeah, I'm holding up," he replied.

They had just entered the arena where the houseshow would be taking place tonight. Adam hadn't yet gotten to see his doctor, though he'd made an appointment. Unfortunately, the physician was booked up for the next few days, so he would have to wait. Meanwhile, for tonight, he would have to go to Stephanie's office to give her the dire news about his condition - whatever that might be. One thing he knew for certain was that he was in no shape to step in the ring and take bumps.

They stopped at the room labeled "Stephanie McMahon - General Manager," the blond man letting out a sigh. He turned to the redhead and gestured with one hand.

"You go on to the women's locker room. I'll just talk to Steph and see you in a bit."

Amy chewed on her lower lip, anxiety overtaking her. For some reason, she didn't want to let him out of her sight. It was as though some irrational part of her felt that if she was always with him, then his injury couldn't possibly be as bad as she feared. She lowered her gaze thoughtfully for a beat before meeting his beautiful emerald eyes again. She nodded.

"Okay." Then, before he could turn back to the GM's door, she reached out for his free hand, tugging him slightly toward her. She stood up on her tiptoes, her arms gently encircling him as she tried her best not to come into any contact with his neck. His lips felt soft as she placed her mouth on his, kissing him gently. It nearly broke her heart when he kissed her back, so very tenderly. Scared... He was scared. She could clearly tell.

Reluctantly, she released him, their gazes locked and holding, and then she turned and resumed the walk down the hallway to the women's locker room, pulling her wheeled suitcase behind her. She cast one last, lingering glance back at him from over her shoulder just as he was stepping into the General Manager's office.

The redheaded diva's heart felt heavy as she meandered on, horrible thoughts running through her mind. Although it obviously hadn't happened in her own case, she envisioned Adam's situation as being far more serious, and with him ending up in a wheelchair... No longer able to wrestle - to say nothing of the simple acts of walking, running, exercising, ordinary, every day things so many people took for granted.

She sighed as she pushed her way into the divas' locker room, willing herself not to cry as she stepped over the threshold.

"Hey, hon," Dawn Marie greeted her. The brunette was standing before the vanity mirror, fixing her hair, and smiled at her. Nidia issued a greeting as well, the petite woman looking up from her task of tying the laces on her wrestling boots.

"H-hi..." Amy replied. She felt so numb - so horribly and completely numb, and yet... The pain deep inside of her was so unbearable.

"Honey, what's the matter?" Dawn frowned with concern at she detected the strange expression on her friend's face.

Amy's face crumpled, and all of the emotion and worry she'd been holding back over the last several days got the best of her. She broke down and wept.

"Amy?" Dawn Marie was at her side in an instant, the older woman wrapping the redhead in an embrace. Amy sank against her and cried and cried.

Finally, she looked up, shaking her head, the tears still flooding her eyes. Both brunettes were eyeing her with great concern.

"It's Adam," she moaned miserably. "He's been experiencing pain in his neck, but no matter what we do, it isn't going away or... even getting better!" She wiped at the tears on her cheeks, sniffling as she came to a startling realization. "Oh, God... I-I gave him a massage a couple of weeks back! If I made anything worse than it already was..." Lord, she would never forgive herself.

"Has he seen a doctor?" Nidia asked.

The redhead shook her head.

"Not yet, but he has an appointment in a few more days..." Fresh tears filled her eyes, and she tried to fight the sob she felt building. "His neck is broken... I *know* it." She collapsed against Dawn again, sobbing. The brunette held fast to her and exchanged sad glances with Nidia. For once, Dawn Marie felt completely and utterly helpless - because this time, nothing she could say or do would ease Amy's misery.





Part 67

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