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The man couldn't help the slight grin that crossed his features as he entered the arena.

He had a feeling as though he had just come home...

It had been nine long months... The doctor had originally told him he wouldn't be able to return until after an entire year, but he'd defied the odds. He'd been doing exceptionally well - so well, in fact, that, upon his last checkup, Dr. Andrews had given him the good news - he was cleared to return three months earlier than expected...

Edge was thrilled. Wrestling was his life, his passion, and him bum neck had been the reason for his absence from it. Those nine months had been pure hell - but as time had progressed, it had become easier, and Edge had found something to look forward to.

The roster split had come to an end while he'd been away. For that too, he was thrilled. He'd always found the split ridiculous. It was his contention that all the WWE superstars worked best when on both shows.

As he continued on his way down the hallway, several superstars who were hanging around greeted him. He exchanged brief niceties with them.

A locker room door opened just as the tall Canadian was nearing General Manager Stephanie McMahon's office, stopping him.

"Hey! Look who's finally back..."

Edge turned at the sound of his friend's voice, a smile coming to his face again.

"Rob! How are you?" he asked. The two friends gave each other a friendly, masculine hug.

Rob Van Dam chuckled as he eyed his friend.

"Great...Just great, man. So, it's official? You're finally fully cleared?"

"Fully cleared..." the blond man replied. He gave the other man a thumbs up. "And let me tell you, pal - I can't wait to get back in the ring...I did a little OVW, but it's not the same - not by a landslide..."

"All right! Cool, man..." RVD said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to kicking your ass again," he joked.

"Be prepared to get your own ass kicked!" Edge replied with a laugh. "I'm back, better and badder than ever..."

"Awesome..."

"Look, Rob - I have to go to a meeting with Stephanie...I'll see you later, okay?"

"Sure thing - great to have you back, once again..." RVD gave his friend one last friendly nudge on the shoulder before trotting away down the hall.

Moments later, Edge was at the door to the General Manager's office. He knocked, and Stephanie's voice called from within.

"It's open!"

The blond man pushed the door open, slinging his bag higher up on his shoulder as he entered.

The brunette was behind her large oak desk, and she offered him a bright smile.

"Edge - it's so great to have you back! Sit down, sit down..." She gestured toward one of the twin chairs that was situated before her desk.

"Thanks, Stephanie..." he replied, giving her a smile of his own. He was glad that Vince McMahon had somehow decided to allow his daughter to continue on as General Manager. Stone Cold Steve Austin had resigned shortly before the roster split had ended, opting to instead return to in-ring action, and Linda McMahon had demoted Eric Bischoff due to his inappropriate behavior.

"I'd like to discuss your new storyline - now that you're back, we want to put you in one immediately," Stephanie said. "After all, you've been a crowd favorite for some time now...Even while you were out, fans would proudly display their signs saying how much they missed you."

"Groovy..." Edge said with a smile, and he wondered what the brunette had in store for him.

"Here's what we're going to do..."