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*February 2004*
He winced as he moved over just enough from where he sat in the locker room to reach into his bag. The simple act was quite painful, and he cursed himself for having been such a damn klutz. All of the months and months of rehab and training to get back to doing what he loved most, and *this* had to happen. Irony was a real bitch.
Adam Copeland managed to keep one hand on the icepack on his right foot, while the other clutched the cell phone. He pressed one on the speed dial and held it up to his ear, hoping she would be there and answer.
"Hi, baby."
The tall blond man could hear the beautiful smile in the woman's voice. Unfortunately, he was in too excrutiating pain to enjoy it.
"Hi," he hissed out. "Ames, I need you."
The redhead laughed on the other end.
"'Fraid you're gonna have to wait until the weekend, big boy," she teased. "Of course, we can always do the phone thing again."
This time, Adam managed a small chuckle, but it was short-lived as he explained.
"No, you don't understand... I really *need* you, Amy. I..." He sighed as he continued. "... I got my foot caught in the damn bottom rope and fucked it up real good. I'm dying here-"
"Oh, no!" There was alarm in Amy Dumas' voice at this news. "Are you okay, Adam?"
"Actually, the trainer looked me over a few minutes ago and said it's sprained. I can hardly walk... You're going to have to drive up here and bring my lame ass home."
"Oh, Adam..." The redhead shook her head, though he obviously couldn't see the gesture. "... Okay... Good thing I have a day off - sit tight and I'll be on my way in ten minutes."
"Okay," the Canadian replied. "Thanks, babe... You're a lifesaver."
Despite the situation, Amy managed to smile.
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Bye."
"I'll be waiting... Bye, honey," he replied.
*
Amy Dumas shook her head at the irony of what had befallen Adam. Her tall, blond fiance had been expecting to make his return to the ring in the WWE in early March, or even later *this* month - and this, of course, was after suffering a broken neck and having surgery. Fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on him, however, just as he'd been on the verge of a comeback.
Adam had been sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling, or OVW, to hone his in-ring skills a couple of weeks earlier. The WWE sent new talent there as well as established wrestlers who were returning after lengthy injuries.
Amy counted her lucky stars that it had just so happened to be a day off for her. She'd returned to the WWE in an in-ring capacity herself a mere five months earlier, as she too had been recovering from a broken neck and subsequent surgery for sixteen long months. She felt terrible for the man she loved - she knew how frustrating it was to be on the sidelines and not able to get in there. And she could only imagine how horrible he felt now, after injuring his poor foot. It was yet another setback.
The beautiful redhead was relieved when she finally reached the establishment. It had taken a good four hours to drive here, but it was worth it if her man needed her. She smiled slightly sadly as she mentally acknowledged that she would travel to the ends of the earth for Adam Copeland.
She parked her car just outside, then rushed into the building. In her haste to reach the locker room area, she nearly collided with a young female developmental wrestler. Quickly, she apologized but then asked where she could find her fiance.
The redhead rushed off and glanced into open locker room doorways, her heart racing as she thought about how much pain Adam must be in. Finally, she found him... He was sitting fully clothed with an icepack on his right foot, looking miserable - and her heart went out to him. He didn't even seem to notice her at first, and she slipped past the doorway and just stood silently watching him. After a beat, his green gaze rose to drink her in.
"Amy... You came." The tall blond managed a smile. He'd been stuck here for the last few days, so he hadn't seen her, and he hated that. He hated being away from her.
"Aww, of course I did," she said, inching closer to him. Her hazel eyes were filled with concern and sympathy as she looked down at his injured appendage. "Oh, no... Let me see."
He moved the plastic bag of ice away so she could get a look at the lovely shades of purple and red of his now swollen-twice-its-size foot. The diva hissed through her teeth, tenderness sweeping through her.
"You poor baby!" she cried. "Aww, don't you worry... I'm going to take *really* good care of you." She leaned down to capture his lips, and he kissed her back, relieved.
Afterward, the redhead helped him up, and Adam winced as he stood, leaning heavily on her. He couldn't even put his foot back in his shoe. Amy bent over to retrieve it and picked up his bag as well.
The Canadian grumbled at that, but Amy waved him off. He hobbled as she led him out of the building.
"Thanks for coming to bring my gimpy ass back home," he said.
Amy smiled up at him. She was pleased that he could still find humor in the situation.
"My pleasure," she replied. Her hazel eyes sparkled with a combination of love and mischief.
"Besides, what are loving fiancees for?"