Gone

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Amy was silent and feeling a bit sorrowful as she stood in the ring beside Adam. She couldn't rid their conversation from during breakfast from her mind.

His words reverberated in her head over and over again, making her feel simply awful.

'My father was never in my life, either... In fact, I never even *knew* him...'

She gazed up at him, into his brilliant emerald-green eyes and felt so horribly guilty. And she guessed that, given his own history with his father, he would never forgive her if she told him the truth now. It was horrible - he had a *right* to know, and so did Mandy. But, now that Adam was once again a part of her life, she couldn't bear the thought of losing him again.

"So, that's the basic rule to remember in the ring, and... Hey, are you okay?"

The redhead blinked, her eyes meeting his again. She had been so distracted by her upsetting realizations and thoughts that she hadn't even heard a word he'd said.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

The tall blond man looked unconvinced, and an expression of concern crossed his handsome features. He cocked his head as he examined her face.

"Hey..." He reached out with his right hand, tipping up her suddenly downcast head so that she had no choice but to look up into his eyes. She visibly shivered under his touch and scrutinizing gaze. And ever so slightly, he seemed to be moving closer to her, his face especially near. She held her breath at such closeness, wondered how it was she'd ever managed these last six years without him in her life.

Quickly, fleetingly, she wondered what it would be like if she just kissed him. Just one more kiss, one last kiss that would stay with her for the rest of her days.

Adam was gazing down into her deep hazel eyes, and he was actually aware of the fact that his hand was still touching her face. He held his breath for a beat as he moved his hand just inches higher, the pad of his thumb gently brushing over her cheek. And then...

What the hell was he thinking? He wanted to kiss her and she was his friend's girlfriend. Regardless of the fact that Amy and Matt had had a fight, the redhead was still *with* Matt. What the hell was wrong with him?

"So..." he said, pulling back reluctantly. Despite himself, the Canadian still wanted, in the worst way, to kiss her. "Show me some of the moves you want to use in your match tonight."

Amy felt as though she'd been punched in the stomach. It hurt, and she didn't know why. She hadn't exactly expected him to kiss her, but she'd wanted him to. Why hadn't she just taken the chance and kissed *him*?

"Um... okay," she said softly, praying she wouldn't completely fall apart. If he only knew the effect he was having on her...

She resumed her training, Adam serving as a willing body to take any maneuver she wished to throw at him.

He was impressed by her arsenal of high-flying moves. She perched on the top turnbuckle, and he stood there for her, taking the hurricanrana she delivered. He took a DDT and laid there in preparation for her finishing maneuver - a moonsault.

"Wow..." the tall blond man said, nearly out of breath as he got to his feet after it was over. "I'm really impressed. We never had any women who could wrestle like you!"

The redhead laughed softly, her heart fluttering at the compliment. He really meant it, too - he wasn't just humoring her. And she valued *his* opinion more than anyone else's.  
 
 

Part 13

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