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Amy wasn't quite sure what had woken her up. She bolted up in the bed, terror gripping her as she glanced around the hotel room.
She ached all over... God, it hurt. But she was confused. Where was she? This wasn't her hotel room. And then, after a few seconds of recollecting, she remembered...
... Adam. He'd brought her to the hospital after their mixed tag match against Jay and Lisa - and then back to his hotel room. She was safe.
'Safe...' The word echoed hollowly through her head. It was a concept she barely comprehended anymore. She glanced around the room again, spotting barely any of her own things but seeing a lot of Adam's. And then she remembered she'd run to Stacy's room the past night - the rest of her stuff was probably still with the leggy blonde. But... where was Adam? He wasn't here.
The redhead began to settle back in the bed again, her heart thumping hard at the fear of being left all alone when she suddenly heard a noise. It was coming from the hallway, on the other side of the door. A small, almost tentative knocking. She would have thought she was imagining it, but then it grew slightly louder. And then...
"Amy?" the voice nearly whispered. "Are you in there?"
She shot up in the bed in a sitting position, crawling backward at the sound. How had he found out she was here?! And where the hell was Adam? A quick glance at the hotel bathroom door told her he wasn't in *there*, as the door was wide open and nothing but darkness spilled from that room. Oh, God, he'd gone out, and it had been at that precise moment that Chris had decided to come for her! She would be a sitting duck if he somehow managed to get into this room!
"I want to talk to you, sweetness..." Jericho's voice issued from the other side of the door.
The fine hairs on the back of Amy's neck stood erect as she felt chilled to the bone. His voice was dripping with tenderness, but it was all a facade. Chris Jericho didn't hold one iota of tenderness for her - not anymore, and never again. She knew that if he got his hands on her again, it could very well be the last time - and *her* last breath.
"Come on, Amy - open the door," Chris called. "I know you're in there, and I know you're alone." The redhead could practically hear the sarcastic grin on the blond man's face as he continued. "Do I have to let *myself* in? Because I *will*."
No... No, he couldn't possibly do that! He didn't have a key, that much she knew. But what if he'd attacked Adam in the hallway or something, and stolen his key? Oh, God!
She heard a very audible sigh issue from her boyfriend, and then an odd noise she couldn't quite place for a beat. Then, her eyes grew wide as she realized he was somehow unlocking the door! She felt a burst of adrenaline surging through her body and leapt off the bed, her heart hammering so fast in her chest, she felt as though she might pass out. She had to get to the bathroom and hide!
The door clicked open...
Amy let out a short scream as she bolted for the doorway of the bathroom, but she didn't quite make it. A quick glance over her shoulder at Jericho caused her to trip over something - Adam's open suitcase. She tumbled to the floor, pain shooting through her right side. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and saw stars.
"Thought you could get away from me, huh?" Chris demanded, his blue eyes icy cold as he stood bent over her. His hands were on his hips, but Amy noticed something with horror - his right one was covered with blood.
She cringed and tried to back away from him. Small whimpers were emerging from her as she realized he held a credit card in his left hand. That was how he'd done it - he'd broken into the room with a damn credit card!
Jericho smiled cruelly down at her, chilling her blood.
"You can't do it, baby," he said mockingly, his head shaking. Quickly, the smile vanished and was replaced by a look of disgust on his handsome face. "Don't *ever* think you can escape from me..." He finally reached out for her with his right hand, and she shut her eyes tightly again as she felt his bloody palm strike her across the face in a fierce slap. A small scream that was more of a squeak escaped her.
Chris let out an inhuman snarl and lunged for her again, but suddenly something stopped him. She was expecting the worst, prepared for it, when she suddenly heard another male voice shouting. And then, Jericho was hurled up and away from her. When she opened her eyes, she saw Adam shoving him forcefully back against the wall, his hands gripping the other man's shirt collar.
"You fucking son of a bitch!" the taller blond man shouted. He pulled Chris away from the wall for a split second, only to bash him back into it a second time. Adam's face was filled with fury as he moved it closer to the other man's. "You come near her again, and I will *kill* you," he said in a deeply menacing whisper - but to Amy's ears, she'd never heard a line more lyrical and beautiful in her entire life.
Jericho winced for the briefest of seconds but then forced his gaze to lock on the taller man's green eyes. A scowl crossed his face, but no verbal response came.
Adam yanked him away from the wall and hurled him toward the door.
"Get the fuck out of my room!" He threw the door open and kicked the shorter man with his size 14. "And remember what I said, you son of a bitch... You come near her again, and I'll make good on my promise..."
Chris glared wordlessly back at Adam from where he now stood just out in the hall. He glanced quickly at his bloody right hand, which he'd clenched into a fist before shifting those icy blue eyes back to the tall blond man. Although a million responses came to mind, he simply shook his head and stormed off.
Adam forcibly shut and then locked the door behind the asshole, a string of curses muttering between his lips. He couldn't believe this, couldn't believe that piece of shit had gotten into his room and gotten at Amy while he'd been just across the hallway in Stacy's room! It told him he had to be by the redhead's side every minute - and by God, if that was what he had to do to keep her safe, that's what he would do. His features softened immeasurably as he turned to see the diva crouched on the floor, terror clearly written on her face, in her hazel eyes. In a haste, he rushed over to her, kneeling by her.
"Oh, God... Baby, are you all right?" he asked, his hands gentle as he rubbed one on her upper back, the other going to her left cheek. There was blood there. Shit...
Amy's breathing was still coming in fast gasps, her eyes finally closing in relief. It felt as though she'd momentarily lost her voice as she grabbed onto the tall blond man's arm with one small hand. She held onto him as though for dear life. If he hadn't shown up when he had... She didn't even want to think about what might have happened.
"Come on, sweetie," Adam said softly. "Let's get you cleaned up..."