Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. I am just borrowing them for a little fun.

Part One

Darkness.

That's the first thing she noticed. Everything is dark. That must be because her eyes were still closed. No energy to open them yet.

Sounds.

Muffled at first, but becoming more distinct. There were soft voices, the sound of people's footsteps, and equipment beeping. Gradually, the voices became more clear to her, familiar even.

Pain.

"Ugh", she thought. As her senses cleared even more, the pain hit her all at once. Her head filled with a burning sensation, tingling all over and throbbing. Her back ached. Gingerly, she lifted her hands up to her temples in a weak attempt to thwart the pain.

"Lita?" a worried voice asked. She heard the footsteps close in and she felt a hand caress her cheek.

"Humph," was her weak reply, before she found her voice. "Matt, is that you? Where am I?" she said groggily. She attempted to sit up but a sharp pain shot through her middle. Bad move.

"Whoa, there", came Jeff's soft southern accent. "Bad move. I don't think you're ready for that yet".

"Lita, you're in a hospital," Matt stated. "Just lie back and relax. They're taking good care of you".

Just then she realized she still hadn't opened her eyes. And she knew why. There were two large bandages over them. She couldn't open her eyes. "What happened to me?" she asked.

"Palumbo and O'Haire", came Jeff's terse response. "They clocked you in the backstage area after your match with Torrie Wilson."

Lita felt the fear rise in her chest. Her eyesight. Why she couldn't see. Instinctively, she raised her hands to her eyes, but Matt caught her hands and clasped them in his.

"Lita," Matt continued. "Do you remember anything about what happened?"

"Yes... I do. I won my match with Torrie. I wondered where you guys were and why you didn't come out to celebrate with me. But I figured you must have gotten distracted preparing for your upcoming match".

"We got distracted, all right." Jeff explained. "More like locked in our dressing room. Those jerks blocked our door with the sound equipment so we couldn't get out".

Lita continued, "I was walking back through the backstage area to return to the dressing room when they stopped me. They were taunting me, circling me like vultures" she said, remembering the details
now vividly. "They were jealous that you two won the tag belts away from them. Sean said that it wasn't right and that they would just have to send you two a message that they want their titles back. They said I would be the delivery girl". Her voice was shaky as she relayed what happened.

Lita heard Matt swear softly under his breath while Jeff just sighed.

"Why can't I see? Please tell me it's going to be ok!" she said suddenly, her voice rising.

"Sshh, Lita it will be fine", Matt said releasing her hands and cupping her cheeks in his hands.

"Lita, they attacked you with chairs. Do you remember that?" Jeff asked.

"Yes"

"You were in the hallway headed back towards our locker room. They were hitting you and you were fighting back the best you could. You were pushed into the janitor's cart. One of them picked up a bottle
and hit you across the forehead with it. The doctor said it must have been an ammonia based cleaner and it has irritated your eyes pretty bad." Jeff reached out and patted her leg as he sat down at the foot of her bed.

"...And her doctor is very happy to see his patient awake" came the sound of a new voice in the room. Matt and Jeff turned to address the doctor. "Lita, I'm Dr. Patton. How are you feeling?"

"Like I was ambushed by two overgrown, no-talent apes" came the reply.

"Well, the boys were right. You certainly do have spunk", said Dr. Patton matter of factly. "Lita, you have two cracked ribs, a few lacerations and what I would imagine to be a horrible headache. All of which will heal just fine in time. Now..."

"What about my eyes?" Lita interrupted, the fear rising once again.

"You did have an industrial strength cleaner splashed into your eyes. When you were brought in we flushed your eyes well, and I put the bandages on to give your eyes plenty of time to heal without the light interfering. I want you to keep those on for a week and we'll see how you are next Friday morning."

"See how she is?" Matt inquired. "Her eyes are going to be 100, right Doc?"

"I can't make you a promise, Lita. That wouldn't be the right thing to say. There is a chance that the chemicals have caused some damage to your vision."

"So I could be blind?" she said, her voice cracking slightly.

"No, not necessarily. But it's hard to say right now. Your body, including your eyes, needs to heal. That's why we need you to rest and recuperate".

The room got quiet. After a second, Lita simply said softly, "I want to go home."

Jeff chuckled, "Lita, come on. Didn't you just hear what Dr. Patton said?"

"Actually", said Dr. Patton, "I think we can arrange that Lita."

to be continued.......