______________________________________________________
*RAW, April 19, 2004*
Adam paced the length of the locker room uncomfortably, his mind focused on one thing only. He couldn't work off the anger and frustration and utter helplessness plaguing him. Nothing could make him feel better - that was, nothing short of taking apart that little prick Eric Bischoff and that worthless asshole Matt Hardy.
Somehow, he knew Matt had wormed his way into Amy's new storyline. How, he didn't know - but he knew how much the General Manager favored the dark-haired man.
The tall blond man glanced down at the watch he was still wearing. He was dressed in street clothes - a pair of worn blue jeans and a white sleeveless undershirt, his outfit for his first segment with Randy Orton. He would be coming out during the self-proclaimed Legend Killer's promo after last night's hardcore match with Mick Foley. That was coming up pretty soon, but first, he had to take care of something - or else it would gnaw away at him all night.
His mind made up, Adam hurried out of his locker room and headed briskly toward another. He hoped the other man was there.
Once at the appropriate locker room, the Canadian steeled himself, then raised his good hand to knock. As the door opened, he tried his best to reign in his temper, but it wasn't easy.
"Hey, man." Glen Jacobs greeted him genially as he stepped back.
The blond man muttered a hello back to the big man and entered.
"I need you to do me a huge favor, Glen - and I hope you'll do it."
The other man eyed his co-worker knowingly and nodded.
"I think I know what's on your mind."
Adam raked a hand through his hair, fisting it as he spoke again.
"I need you to keep an eye on my wife... I don't trust that fucking Matt Hardy as far as I can throw him, and I just... Keep her safe, Glen. *Please*."
Jacobs nodded easily. He'd thought it odd, to say the least, when he'd learned just the previous night that Hardy would be involved in their new storyline. So far as he'd known prior, the angle would be between himself, Amy and Adam.
"No problem, Adam," he said firmly. "I'll watch out for her. She's a good kid."
"Thank you," the blond man said with relief. He trusted this man and knew he would do everything he could to keep the redhead safe. Unfortunately, he also knew there would be times in the storyline where it would just be Amy and Matt - but Adam knew Glen would do all he could. He offered the larger man his hand.
"I can't thank you enough."
*
Amy wrung her hands nervously. She was in the women's locker room, her stomach bunched up in knots. She could hardly believe her predicament tonight.
"Are you okay?"
She looked up into the kind, warm brown eyes of Gail Kim. The Korean-Canadian diva looked concerned as she put an arm around her. "Don't worry... You won't get hurt out there."
Amy bit her lip. Gail was really nice, but she hadn't been around long enough to know what was really going on. Having only debuted last summer, she knew little or nothing of her history with Matt Hardy. She offered the other woman a weak smile.
And this was how it would be starting tonight - she and Val Venis were scheduled in a mixed tag team match against Gail and Matt. Kane would then come out and go after Val, beating him up to go for Lita. While cornering her in the ring, Kane would soon after be surprised by Matt Hardy, having a change of heart toward his former girlfriend.
She totally hated this and didn't want to go through with it. She let out a resigned sigh as she stepped out of the locker room to go to gorilla. She wanted to wait for her husband, whom she knew had a segment coming up in a few minutes.
Keeping her head down as she walked, the redhead didn't even notice the figure approaching her. She finally looked up as a strong hand reached out and grabbed her. She jumped but then visibly relaxed.
"Adam... You startled me."
"Sorry, honey," the Canadian said. He cocked his head as he gazed down at her with concern. He could clearly read all the nerves and anxiety in his wife's beautiful face. She didn't want to go through with this - and he didn't want her to, either. "Listen, I just got back from talking with Glen." When she raised her gaze to his, he went on. "He's going to make sure that bastard doesn't try anything funny... He'll keep you safe." Adam placed his right hand on her left cheek and lowered his head to hers, kissing her tenderly and taking her breath away.
After a moment, someone alerted the blond man that it was time for him to go out there. Randy Orton was currently in the ring, spouting off about his match the previous night at Backlash. There wasn't anything more Adam could do for Amy at the moment, and he hated that helpless feeling.
"I'll see you in a little while," he said softly. His heart was in his eyes as he backed away toward the curtain and watched her.
The redheaded diva raised a hand to wave to her husband, blowing him a kiss for luck. The moment he
was out of her sight, her stomach once again felt all tied in knots.