No Such Thing As Revenge

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Adam snickered to himself as he read that week's SmackDown script. Some of the storylines currently taking place were really quite hokey. He had to question the Creative Team, especially as of late. Not that he thought his absence had a thing to do with it, but the writers really seemed to be running low on ideas - at least good ones - since his neck injury.

Shuffling through the myriad of papers he'd received via FedEx now that he was a consultant, he found something of particular interest. He held up that sheet in question, his gaze scanning over as he read it. It was actually an idea pertaining to his character of Edge, and related to what had happened the last time he'd been on TV, attacked at No Way Out.

They were going ahead with having it so that Chris Benoit was actually the one who had attacked him at that pay-per-view. He had to laugh aloud at that... It was so stupid! Benoit had been nowhere near him when the "attack" had occurred, and the logic dictated for Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas, Team Angle, being the perpetrators. He shook his head, as he was now able to do that, since he was finally rid of both the hard and soft collars he'd been required to wear following his surgery.

His cell phone suddenly rang, and the blond man rose to retrieve it.

"Hello?"

"Hi there, you."

Adam grinned at the sound of the voice on the other end. That sweet feminine lilting tone was always enough to get his body tingling.

"Hey, Ames," he said, unable to stop smiling.

"What are you up to?" she asked.

"Nothing much... Just going through some papers Stephanie sent me."

"Ahh, the temp consulting position?" she inquired.

"Yup. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've been reading here, Amy," he said with a chuckle.

"Oh, yeah... Try me."

He proceeded to tell her about a storyline that involved Nidia going blind after inadvertently getting sprayed in the eyes with Tajiri's green mist.

The redhead was overcome by a fit of laughter. When she regained her voice, she said, "Okay, yeah... That's pretty bad."

"Told ya. Oh, and they're having Benoit be the person who attacked me at No Way Out."

"No kidding?" Amy cracked. "That makes sense."

Adam laughed.

"You don't have to tell me twice."

She laughed softly. Then, "So... about why I called. You want to grab lunch together?"

"Damn, I wish I could, Ames, but I'm supposed to meet with Stephanie," he replied.

The redhead felt her heart sink a bit.

"Aww, man."

"Yeah... She wants to discuss everything she sent me, get my input and all that."

"Oh."

"Hey," he said, brightening up to the idea he'd suddenly gotten, "but if you want to meet up for dinner?" He could hear the smile in Amy's voice as she promptly answered.

"I would love that."

They ended the call minutes later, as he had to get ready to go and meet Stephanie. The youngest McMahon had suggested a lunch meeting, and it was scheduled to take place at a nice Italian restaurant in the area. Bella's wasn't too fancy, but it wasn't your average pizza and platters place, either.

Adam was dressed in a pair of khakis and a black button-down shirt as he left. He drove his silver Lexus to the restaurant, the packet of papers in a folder along with him. He wanted to be fully prepared to refer to anything contained in the script, should something particular come up for discussion.

The place was about a half-hour's drive away from his house. He quickly found a parking space and left the car. He went inside the restaurant and told a host he was expected, giving him Stephanie's name, as she'd assured him she would make the reservation.

"Right this way, sir."

He was led into the main dining area, and he instantly spotted her. The brunette was sitting at a small table near the back, a menu open in her hands. Her gaze raised as he neared.

"Hello, Edge," she greeted without standing up. Her gaze scanned over him for the tiniest fraction, and she managed to somehow be subtle about it.

"Hey, Stephanie," he said with a smile as he took a seat across from her.

She glanced at the folder, which he placed directly to his left. Then, raising her water glass, she said, "Looks like we've got a lot to discuss this afternoon, hmm?"

"Yeah, definitely," Adam said. He picked up the second menu and began perusing it. While he did that, he failed to notice Stephanie ogling him and actually lick her lips in a seductive manner.

"Hmm, shrimp parmigiana... That sounds delicious."

"Delicious," the brunette echoed the last word. She was still checking him out, cocking her head as she visually appreciated his form. She was going to enjoy this lunch meeting, all right.





Part 8

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