Part Two
"Chris?"
He turned to see Linda McMahon standing next him. She was dressed in her normal business attire, but to him she was more than CEO of the World Wrestling Federation or Mrs. Vince McMahon. She had been his confidant, his beacon of light in an otherwise dark existence. "Hey," he said, weakly. "You sure got here fast." It was the next morning, less than twelve hours since he had arrived at the hospital. They were standing next to the vending machine in the waiting room.
"I hopped on one of the company jets as soon as Dr. Stone phoned me."
"Yeah... I probably should've thought of that... I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time. I guess she called to tell you about Kane's condition."
"Actually, she and I are old friends. We were actually roommates in college. And yes, I did come to check on Kane... and you, too. She told me that you've barely left his side since the whole thing happened."
"I should have stopped him... I should have seen it..." He fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. He'd cried so much during the past few hours that his eyes were red and he was beginning to run out of tissues.
"No one knew," she said, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "He kept mostly to himself and hardly talked to anyone. That's the way he and everyone else seemed to like it. But I suppose it wasn't too healthy."
"But I saw him a few hours before he did this. And I think I remember seeing something in his hand... Something silver..."
"Like a razor blade?"
"Yeah... How did you know?"
"Doctor Stone said that that might have been what he used." She saw the sad look in his eyes. "But don't put all this blame on yourself. We all contributed to this. Hardly anyone treats him like a person. The poor boy just snapped."
"Yeah.. But I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."
"And how have you been holding up?"
"Okay.. considering the circumstances. As well as anyone who's been living off coffee and vending machine food for the past 10 hours."
"And I bet you haven't slept at all."
He shook his head.
"Well, that isn't healthy either. The last thing I need is TWO of my best stars in a hospital bed."
"Does... everyone know why he's here?" He really hoped not. It wouldn't do anything for Kane's condition if everyone thought he was some suicidal nutcase.
"I told them it was food poisoning. If they find out the truth, it won't be from me."
Doctor Stone rounded the corner and greeted the two. She and Linda exchanged a hug and she gave Chris a sympathetic look. "He's resting peacefully now. He should be out for a few more hours. I'll send for you the minute he wakes up. Maybe you should try to get some rest in the meantime."
"Thank you, Doctor," he said. "But I'd rather stick around."
"Well, there's an extra bed in his room. I suppose we can fix it up for you. That way I can keep an eye on both of you." She smiled.
"How long will he have to stay in the hospital?" Linda asked.
"A few days at least for observation. After that, he should get plenty of rest at home."
"I don't think he really has a home," Chris said. "He basically lives on the road with the rest of us. The only family he has is his brother and his father."
"No one knows where the Undertaker is right now," Linda added. "And his father certainly isn't fit to take care of him."
"This does pose a bit of a problem," the doctor sighed. "I doubt the other wrestlers know of his condition right now... And it might not be a good idea to have him around them. They seem to cause him a great deal of pain if he'd go this far."
"He'll stay with me," Chris said, firmly. "I've got a cabin we can stay in without any intrusions."
Linda frowned. "I don't know, Chris. Vince might have a bit of a problem with that."
"Either he lets me off for a few weeks, or I walk. And take my Jerichoholics with me."
"Hear, hear!"
The three turned to find Matt and Jeff Hardy standing behind them. Jeff was holding a teddy bear and Matt had a 'Get Well' card. They had obviously been listening in on the conversation. "What are you two doing here?" Chris asked.
"We heard Kane was sick," Jeff said. "We thought we could cheer him up."
"That's very nice of you boys," Linda said, smiling.
"But this is sounds more serious than food poisoning?" Matt said. "What's going on?"
Feeling that the two could be trusted to keep a secret, Chris relayed the whole story to them. Afterwards, Jeff was frowning and clutching the bear. Matt looked like he could punch his fist through a brick wall. "I bet it's that damn D-Generation X!" the elder Hardy said, fuming. "They love screwing with people."
"Don't worry," Jeff said. "Your secret's safe with us. We wouldn't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing the truth."
"Thanks, guys. I'm gonna go call Vince." Chris pulled out his cell phone and walked away.
"Give em hell, Lionheart!" Matt yelled.
"We're with ya, Chris!" Jeff called. "All the way!"