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As Karen watched AJ's match against Booker T from the locker room, her mind kept wandering. She was angry and recalled what Kurt had said during their confrontation. Which 'friends' had gone and talked?
"Come on, AJ!" she said in a loud whisper. The Prince of Phenomenal had gained the upper hand on the former five-time WCW Champion. She made boxing motions along with all of his rights and lefts. And then, she suddenly realized she was no longer alone as the distinctive feeling of being watched crept up on her. Slowly, she turned her head to look up.
Christy Hemme and Jimmy Rave were standing in the doorway and watching her, both wearing sly grins on their faces. The redhead sighed and shook her head.
Karen narrowed her eyes. There was something sinister about the tiny Knockout.
"You know, you really should have given Kurt the right answer," Christy said. She shrugged. "Oh well... I guess you'd rather leave your boyfriend's fate in your own hands." She smiled and exchanged knowing glances with her boyfriend, whose arm was around her.
The brunette stood up and faced the much shorter woman.
"What I tell my husband is none of your business," she hissed. "And not that this is any of your business, either, but AJ is not my boyfriend."
The redhead threw her head back and laughed.
"Can you believe this, Jimmy?" she asked, turning briefly to the young blond man.
Rave smirked and shook his head.
Karen was filled with fury by now. If she'd had any kind of wrestling or fighting experience, she would have attacked the little bitch at this point. But Hemme was tough and had a lot more experience than she did. In spite of her petite size, the redhead would be sure to come up the victor in any fight they had.
"There's no use lying to me, Karen," Christy spat. She eyed the brunette up and down with disgust. "I saw the two of you with my own eyes."
Karen's blood suddenly ran cold. What on earth was she talking about? Yes, there had been literally a couple of times when she and AJ had shared a kiss... but they were waiting until things officially ended between herself and Kurt before engaging in a relationship. Still, the brunette was suddenly struck speechless as she simply stared at Hemme.
"Well, what do you know," the younger woman said, a pleased grin returning to her face, "looks like the beating's begun." She crossed her arms over her chest and watched.
With horror, Karen followed Christy's line of vision back to the TV monitor. Sure enough, AJ was getting beat down by Booker, Team 3D and Tomko, who'd apparently snuck over to ringside. The match was over, and referee Earl Hebner seemed desperate as he tried to get control of the situation.
Dear God! Karen though. She was absolutely distraught over this turn of events. Ignoring Christy and Rave, she wasn't quite thinking of anything aside from AJ as she fled the room. Somehow, she managed not to trip as she ran down the hallway.
"I'm coming, AJ!" she said as she stared for the ramp. Terror filled her as she ran down to the ring, but she could only focus on the man she loved as she slid in there. Tomko had been waling on AJ, and Karen took his momentary distraction to drape her own body over the young man's in a protective manner. Her eyes wide, she stared down into his face, finding him near unconsciousness.
"AJ, AJ! Can you hear me?" she cried.
He nodded, and relief flooded through her. She cupped his face in her hands, trying her best to sooth him. But when she chanced a glance up, she saw Brother Ray heading straight for her.
"No!" she screamed, still holding onto the fallen man as though for dear life. "Enough is enough... Leave him alone!"
The portly Team 3D member laughed at her pleas and reached for her hair.
Karen held back a scream as the man hoisted her to her feet. She glared into his face as he merely grinned with glee. Well, she would show him! Reaching back, she slapped him across the face with all the strength she could muster.
He glared at her with wide eyes, as though disbelieving that she'd actually hit him. And now, Brother Devon had sidled up, and both men began to creep steadily toward her.
Just in the nick of time, Karen dropped, rolling out of the ring. She cast a look of part-despair, part-anger over her shoulder. They were clearly intent on destroying AJ. Help... She had to get help. But who could she enlist?
At that point, the brunette was no longer thinking clearly. She was a mess after witnessing the man she loved being so brutalized. And so, she approached probably the last person who would want to assist AJ right now...
Kurt.
Her soon to be ex-husband grabbed a steel chair and followed her out to the ring. In seconds, he cleaned house as the four attackers fled to the safety of the outside.
Karen turned and knelt back to AJ, her hands light and gentle as she tried her best to attend to him. She failed to notice the malicious expression that suddenly overtook Kurt's features as he watched. Rage shot through the Olympian as he witnessed the extent of his wife's concern for the downed man. And he allowed that emotion to completely take over him.
The brunette was shocked as she was suddenly yanked up by the arm. Confused, she felt fear returning as Kurt yelled right in her face. He was so angry as he shouted that spit flew from his mouth.
The other four men were suddenly back in the ring, and Karen cowered a bit. Then, she felt Brother Ray grab her from behind as Tomko hefted AJ to his feet.
"No!" she screamed, but it was too late as Kurt smashed the steel chair onto the beaten man's head.