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"Oh, God, Lilian! Are you okay?" Trish's face was a mask of concern as she hurried over to her friend. The ring announcer was in the trainer's room, her leg elevated as the man examined her. Her ankle was swollen, and the blonde hissed between her teeth in sympathy at the sight.
"I will be," the other blonde replied as her friend came into her room. "Thank goodness for Shawn here."
Trish's gaze followed that of the other diva's to the Heartbreak Kid, who stood on one side of the table.
"Thank goodness for Shawn indeed."
The Canadian was grateful that the man had been so kind and caring. Who knew what else might have happened to Lilian had he not tended to her and rushed her out of the ringside area when he had? She shuddered, not wanting to think about it.
"Shucks, ladies," Michaels said in a self-effacing manner. He ducked his head for a split second. Then, "I had to do it... I wanted to. I see a lady in distress and have to act." Shawn shrugged. "It's the way I was raised."
Lilian smiled and met his kind blue eyes.
Trish watched the two for a moment in silence. If she didn't know better, she could swear she saw a bit more than just appreciation there. She sensed a bit of a spark. If her hunch was indeed correct, this could only be a good thing for Lilian - a very good thing.
Coming out of her wondering moment, the little blonde turned to the trainer.
"Jim, how is she? Will she be all right?"
"Yes, she'll be fine," the man replied. At this point, he was wrapping gauze around the ring announcer's ankle. "It's just a sprain. She'll have to take it easy the next week or longer, depending on how long it hurts." Jim then turned his focus completely on Lilian. "And be sure to administer an ice pack at least three times a day for the swelling. That's the quickest way to get over this type of injury."
"I'll be sure to do that." Lilian somehow managed to tear her gaze away from HBK just long enough to meet the trainer's eyes. "Thank you, Jim."
As Trish continued to eye her friend along with Shawn, the other diva winced as she was helped off the examining table. She leaned on the Showstopper as she suddenly recalled an announcement made by Eric Bischoff before she'd been injured.
"Oh, my gosh, Trish... I nearly forgot."
The Canadian diva waited for her friend to continue.
"Is it true that you and Lita are going to be in a match against Chris Jericho and Christian?" she concluded. Her blue eyes were widened with horror as she awaited the answer.
As the trio made their way back out into the hallway, with Lilian hobbling, Trish nearly flinched. She cast her gaze onto the floor, swallowing hard as she nodded.
"Unfortunately, yes... It's true."
"My God, Trish!" She felt her friend's slender hand suddenly on her shoulder. "How awful! Eric really is a no-good snake..." Lilian shook her head in contempt, but then concern came back into her features. "What... What are you going to do?"
The Canadian blonde took a deep breath and sighed. Her gaze went from the ring announcer to Shawn, who clearly looked concerned in spite of his silence. She shifted her gaze back to Lilian and said, "I don't know... I guess I'm going to get in that ring at Armageddon. I'm not a coward or a quitter," she went on. "So, I'm going to give it my all and fight." She shrugged hopelessly.
The other two eyed her with sympathy. Finally, Lilian raised a hand and placed it on her arm.
"Hang in there, girl. You're not alone. Just remember that."
Trish smiled weakly.
*
Eric Bischoff rolled his eyes in exasperation. This was about the last thing he'd wanted or expected.
"You're not gonna get away with this, Bischoff! Mark my words." Rob Van Dam gave him the dirtiest look he could manage.
Standing at the "Whole Dam Show"'s left was Edge. The tall Canadian had started this entire thing, yelling and carrying on just as they had come, unannounced and uninvited, into his office.
"Is that so, gentlement?" the General Manager countered. "Well, we'll just see about that, won't we?"
"Is it that you want to end up in traction in the hospital, Eric?" Edge asked. A quick glance his way showed ow angry the blond man looked at that moment. "Who the hell do you think you are, putting two defenseless women in there with two guys?"
Bischoff crossed his arms and smirked.
"I'd love to hear you say that in front of your precious Lita... because I highly doubt she would enjoy you calling her 'defenseless.'" The GM grew angry again and let the two men see it. "And I think - no, I know - that I am your boss!"
"You're really a piece of work," Edge countered. "Yeah, Lita and Trish are tough, but they're still women."
"You know what?" Eric shouted. "This discussion of over! Now, I suggest you get your asses out of here..." The cruel smile returned to his face. "... Unless you gentlemen want to find yourselves out of a job."
Glaring, both men didn't say another word as they marched for the door.
Once out in the hallway, Van Dam groaned and addressed Edge in a hushed voice.
"Damn him! We have to do something, no matter what he says."
"Agreed," the Canadian said. "And we will... Come on, let's get back to the locker room. I have an idea."