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*RAW, September 6, 2004*
Amy felt awful every time she noticed Adam wince - and he did so every moment or so as they entered the arena, him still on crutches.
As for herself, the redhead had just gone for another appointment for a routine checkup yesterday. The doctor had assured her that everything with the baby was progressing great. She could hardly believe she was already in her fifth month. She couldn't wait to give birth!
Of course, in spite of his injury, Adam had insisted on traveling with her to her appointment. Poor thing... He really should have been home, taking it easy, but here he was at the arena with her, as he was actually scheduled to appear on RAW.
The couple exchanged hellos with a few fellow wrestlers they passed as they continued on into the arena and down the hallway. Eventually, Shane Helms delivered a message as they greeted each other.
"By the way, man," the North Carolinian said, "Bischoff wants to see you in his office pronto."
"Why?" the tall blond man asked, frowning.
"I dunno," Shane said with a shrug. "I'm only the messenger."
Adam and Amy exchanged glances as the green-haired man said he'd see them later and hurried off. Somehow, they both knew this could not be good.
"Hey, listen," the Canadian said. "I might as well go see him. I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
Amy nodded.
"Okay."
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and hobbled away. She stood there for a beat, watching after him with concern, her heart in her eyes. Then, letting out a sigh, she made the rest of her way to the women's locker room.
Adam's guard was up as he located Eric Bischoff's office for the evening. The door was open, and the GM was seated behind his desk. He looked up as the blond man entered the room gingerly on his crutches.
"Adam... Just the man I wanted to see." Bischoff smiled broadly, glee consuming him. This should prove to be great fun.
"What was it you wanted to see me about?"
Eric stood up and crossed over to the door, shutting it. Then, turning back toward the younger man, he smiled even larger.
"It seems we have a problem, Adam."
The tall blond man blinked and merely stared at the GM in silence. His heart thumped as he realized what the purpose of this meeting had to entail.
"I wanted to personally inform you," Bischoff went on, "that as of tonight, you are no longer the Intercontinental Champion." He relished in the look of shock and anger that came to the Canadian's face. "With your injury, there's no other choice. So, the title will be vacant until we crown a new champion at Unforgiven."
"That's bull!" Adam spat. "A champion is only supposed to be stripped of their title if they're out with injury for over a month! I've only been injured a week!"
Bischoff laughed. What the angry young man was saying was true, but he wasn't one to care.
"It doesn't matter," the General Manager said. "I had this idea about vacating the title and having a ladder match at the pay-per-view... I went to Vince about it, and as it turns out, he *loves* my idea." Eric clapped his hands together, rubbing them in satisfaction.
The Canadian shook his head in disbelief, turning it up to stare at the ceiling. It was unbelievable. Somehow, the little prick had gotten Vince on his side and was getting *his* way. And as Adam lowered his head to glare at the weasly little gnome, he wanted more than anything to take one of his crutches and smash him with it.
"Anyway," Eric said, "you had better relinquish the championship belt to me ASAP, because in the first segment tonight, Vince will be making the announcement of it being vacant."
Adam said nothing as he continued to glare at the small man, his green eyes glittering with rage and hatred. Someday, he was going to get Bischoff and beat the fucking hell out of him. He didn't know where or when this would take place, but he did know it would indeed happen.
Without a word of response, the tall blond man turned on his crutches and made his way out of the office.
*
There was a TV monitor situated in the Women's locker room, so some of the divas turned their attention on it as RAW started. Amy, Nora and Trish were only paying partial attention, as they were talking, but then Mr. McMahon's words suddenly caught the redhead's full and undivided attention.
"As of tonight, the Intercontinental Championship is now vacant."
"No," Amy said, shaking her head in disbelief. It couldn't be possible - Adam had been injured for only a week so far.
"How can they do that?" Nora asked, reading her friend's thoughts perfectly. "He hasn't been out of action for a month yet."
"That's *totally* unfair," Trish agreed.
The pregnant redhead felt a combo of indignation, regret, sympathy and sorrow wash over her. She *had* to see her husband and comfort him. She knew Adam must be feeling depressed right at this moment.
"Excuse me." She rose and started for the door when the laughter of one of the other women in the room caused her to stop and turn around.
Torrie Wilson was eyeing the TV screen, listening, a big smile on her face. She certainly was enjoying this.
"Shut up!" Amy yelled, her gaze fierce as she glared at the blonde. "It's not like *your* man is doing anything useful!"
The grin slowly vanished from the other woman's face. She shook her head, muttering under her breath.
Amy dared to approach her by where she sat. She ignored Trish and Nora, who were issuing protests and both telling her to ignore Torrie.
"Screw you," the platinum blonde said in a low tone, not masking her intense dislike for the redhead at all.
"Shut up," the other woman merely repeated. She had no patience for this bitch, never had.
"Make me!" Torrie challenged, glee seeming to dance in her blue eyes.
Without warning or a verbal response, the pregnant redhead slapped the blonde across the face - *hard*. As Torrie made a squealed sound of shock, Amy turned and stormed from the room.
Trish and Nora glared at the blonde woman.