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*RAW, July 5, 2004*
Adam was wound up about as tightly as a spring as he stepped out of his locker room. He balled both hands into fists, his stomach churning with that all too familiar anger he typically felt these days.
Amy was so unhappy. That was yet another familiar theme lately, and he knew it couldn't be good for the baby. Damn it, a pregnant woman shouldn't have to be so depressed all the time! The redhead was tired a lot of the time, gloomy and just generally not her normal self. And it was all due to two assholes - Eric Bischoff and Matt Hardy.
Since the prior week, they hadn't again discussed the General Manager's threat. The truth was, the blond man couldn't even bring himself to really think about it. When he did, it angered the hell out of him, yet at the same time, it downright scared him as well.
Adam decided to go to catering. He needed a long drink of cold water. Besides, he was also a bit hungry. Maybe some food would calm his nerves a little. Damn it, he was beginning to wish that he and Amy had stayed on SmackDown and never come to RAW.
"Hey, look who's here," a familiar voice spoke.
Adam really wasn't in the mood, but he nodded in the appropriate direction.
"What's up, Junior?" Chris Jericho asked in a friendly tone. He, Trish Stratus and Nora Greenwald were sitting together at a table.
"Not much," the tall Canadian muttered in response.
"Join us for awhile," Nora said, gesturing to the seat next to her.
Reluctantly, Adam held up a hand to retrieve some food and a bottle of water. Afterward, he crossed over to the table at which his friends were and sat down.
"How's Jay?" he asked Nora. His best friend had noticed bad pains in his back following a cage match against Chris little more than a month ago. The tall blond man had been making sure to call Jay several times per week, and the other man was taking it easy for a few months due to bulging discs that had been discovered upon his visit to the doctor. Adam hadn't spoken to him in three days.
"Oh, you know him," the brunette said. "He's a terrible patient - a baby. But he'll be all right."
"Yeah," the tall blond man mumbled. He pushed his plastic fork around in the food on his plate distractedly. It wasn't that he didn't care to hear about Jay, but he just couldn't help it.
Trish bit her lip and exchanged glances with Nora and then Chris before speaking.
"Hey, how is Amy? I know she wasn't feeling well the other day, and..." She gave a slight shrug of one shoulder. "... You know."
"She's been better," he replied bitterly. "It's been really hard for her." In actuality, it had been tough for *both* of them, but he didn't utter a word of that aloud. He didn't want his friends to know that Bischoff had threatened his job depending on how long his wife did her storyline.
"Well, hang in there, Junior," Jericho said, and Adam looked sharply up at him. It was as though the other man knew exactly what he was thinking.
"Yeah."
Nora leaned in closer to him as she posed the question that was on everyone's minds.
"How's the baby?"
Adam fiddled with the cap of his water bottle.
"Well, the last time she saw the doctor, everything was fine." A veil crossed over his eyes as a frown came to his face. "But now... I don't know," he admitted with a sigh. He ran his free hand over his face, gaze downcast. He shook his head and continued. "Amy is so stressed out all the time. She's miserable here at work lately, and I... I just don't know," he added helplessly.
Trish reached out and placed a sympathetic hand on his arm. He met her gaze and saw concern in her brown eyes.
"If there's anything we can do..."
Adam shook his head, though he was grateful for her words and grateful toward all three for their kindness and friendship. Then, abruptly, he stood up, gathering his plate and water.
"Thanks... I've gotta..." His words trailed off as he retreated toward the doorway. "I'll see you all later."
Trish, Chris and Nora all exchanged concerned glances.