Title: One More Show
Author: Kori/justagirl8225
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s)/Characters: Lita, Christian, A.J. Styles/Trish, Tomko, Edge; mentions of and appearances by many others.
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to any person, place or thing that you may recognise.
Spoilers: None really...
Summary: He just wasn't ready to let go...
Warnings: angst, possible language and possible (but not likely) main character death.
Notes: All applicable notes are in previous parts of the story. And I also have to say, thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this piece of fiction. I don't think I will ever find the words to really express my gratitude, so a simple thank you is the best I can do.
Tampa, Florida
At first she had thought waiting for the ambulance to get there was hard, but now … as she sat in the waiting room, Amy realised that this was far worse. For one, she didn't know what was going on and for two … more importantly … it was Jay. Certainly yes, the former diva had suspected that something was wrong with the blonde man; but she had never expected for him to just collapse like he had. And while she really wasn't expecting for any of the doctors at the hospital to tell her exactly what was going on since she wasn't related or otherwise … she hoped that she could at least get some clues. Wringing her hands together, Amy stood and started to pace; the redhead hoping that Jay would have at least clued his immediate family in on whatever was going on … Amy going over a mental list of who to call later. Normally she would have called someone by now, but the redhead was more concerned with the current condition of Jay to really consider calling anyone… Amy stopping in mid stride when the double doors leading to the main part of the E.R slid open; a middle aged doctor approaching her shortly.
He removed his bifocals first, a clipboard tucked underneath his arm as he held out his free hand to her. "Ms. Dumas? I'm Dr. Cymek, Mr. Reso's specialist. I understand that you were with him at the time of—"
Amy wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, "is he going to be okay?"
"Mr. Reso will be as well as he can when one considers his current condition," Dr. Cymek gestured for her to take a seat, and then seated himself across from her. "He was under strict instructions, post surgery, to remain stress free and to relax. His blood pressure can't take it right now and whatever occurred to raise it, simply can not happen again."
"Surgery?" Amy echoed incredulously, "what surgery are you talking about?"
Dr. Cymek eyed her disbelievingly, "I had seen you at least once at the centre, and certainly you would be aware to the fact that your boyfriend has cancer?"
Amy ran her hands over her face, "we don't live together," was all she managed after a long moment. "And I've been travelling a lot recently for work, so I wasn't able to be here for his surgery…. Could you possibly explain more of this to me? So that way, I know what not to do?"
Dr. Cymek nodded shortly, his clipboard set on his lap; "He was diagnosed with stage two, soft tissue sarcoma. It doesn't occur often in adults and is in fact, one of the more rare cancers to form in adults. Mr. Reso is quite fortunate that it was caught when it was, otherwise it would have spread further and well, without having to delve into the full statistics…"
She nodded mechanically, mentally trying to place the time in her head, the former diva barely processing anything else when Dr. Cymek started to lecture her … "But stage two ... that still doesn't sound all that great. I just wonder how something like that could have gone un-noticed."
"Symptoms can be mistaken for something else, something more common like the flu or mono." Dr. Cymek straightened the sleeves of his jacket, "symptoms like weight loss, loss of appetite, soreness in the muscles, fatigue … things of that nature."
"I see," Amy clasped her hands together and then sighed. "Can I go see him now?"
Dr. Cymek nodded, "of course … after you've seen him, it wouldn't be any trouble at all to give you some more information regarding the remaining stages of treatment."
The former diva managed a smile, "thanks … I'd appreciate that." Amy watched as the doctor walked away to speak with one of the nurses on duty, the redhead wiping her suddenly sweaty palms on her jeans as she stood.
A part of her felt relieved now that she knew, a part of her was angry with herself for not putting things together, a part of her was angry at Jay for lying to them in the first place … and a part of her was incredibly worried. Still, at the very least, she wasn't in the dark anymore about what was really going on; Amy trying to prepare herself as best she could when she finally reached him.
"Ms. Dumas, a reminder…" the nurse on duty intercepted her before she could take another step. "Mr. Reso is under a lot of stress at the moment, stress which was not needed with his delicate condition."
"I'm aware," Amy replied meekly, "and I'll try to keep my visit short, I'm sure he needs his rest."
Satisfied with her response, the nurse nodded briskly and then checked the I.V line in Jay's arm before leaving the two alone.
Amy bit down on her lower lip, remaining near the door for a long moment. "I want to be angry at you, I am angry at you, but … I …"
"You know," Jay said hoarsely, "Ames …"
"Dr. Cymek explained a little bit to me and honestly, I wanted to hear it from you." She seated herself in one of the chairs near the bed, "why didn't you say anything before? Why didn't you at least give us some sort of clue?"
He closed his eyes, "I didn't want to be a burden to you, any of you."
Amy shook her head, "you could never be a burden, Jay." Hesitantly, she took one of his hands in both of hers. "You scared me, a lot … I don't know what I would do if …"
The blonde man squeezed her hand, "that's another reason why … I didn't want you to worry about me that much."
She smiled wryly, "I'd worry about you anyway, idiot." Amy let out a tired sigh, relenting one hand to wipe away some of the tears that had started to flow. "Is that why you said it?"
Confusion settled in his blue eyes, "why I said what and when?"
"Well, for one, when I talked to Dr. Cymek, he referred to me as your girlfriend … but that's not what I was talking about."
"A hint might help here Ames, I'm not supposed to stress myself out remember?"
Amy rolled her eyes, "that one time … when Adam, Trish and I had stopped by your house."
Jay managed a nod, "I had to tell Dr. Cymek something or you would have been sitting in the waiting room forever. It made sense to me;" he reasoned aloud and then continued; "as for what I said? I do love you."
"Because I'm one of your closest friends—"
"No, it's because you're Amy," he said as if that explained it all … and it did. "I'm sorry for lying to you Ames, but—"
"You should be resting and we'll talk about this later if you want to, okay?" She leaned forwards to kiss his forehead and then rolled her eyes when he arched an eyebrow. "I already got the warning from Dr. Cymek about what to and what not to do."
"They aren't watching," he replied plainly, "and besides which, I don't think they're going to yell at you for something like that. And? It's Valentine's Day."
Amy smirked, "nice try, Mr. Reso, but it's not Valentine's Day today, it's tomorrow … and I have to speak with Dr. Cymek, about your post-surgery care and what not."
Jay yawned, "The visiting nurse will help you out too, and she's nice. She reminds me of my mother…"
"I look forward to meeting her … I was going to call Adam, Trish, and Chris … but if you'd rather I wait, I'll do that."
"I don't want to deal with them right now," he admitted easily, "I'm tired … and I want to go home."
Amy half nodded, "I'm guessing they're keeping you here for a few hours and if that's the case, I should go speak with Dr. Cymek now. You are supposed to be resting, Jay." She stared to move, but paused before she completely stood and brushed her lips against his; returning the sentiment to him as she did so.
Two days later …
Amy had returned to Atlanta once, and that was to get more clothing and a few personal items; the redhead more or less moving in with the blonde man for as long as necessary. Today, Jay had requested that all of their mutual friends be there; or at least those closest so he could explain himself and his recent actions. Of course, Amy hadn't said a word to them and she hadn't explained why she was staying with Jay … today in particular, she was there for moral support. The visiting nurse had already made her morning visit and wasn't scheduled to come back until tomorrow; providing Jay with the window of time he needed to explain. Of course, when it all came down to it that was easier said than done.
Chris crossed his arms, he blonde man seated on the couch with Adam and Dawn. "Jay … buddy, seriously, whatever it is that you have to say? Can you hurry it up a little? I'm going grey over here, Junior."
Dawn glared at him, "Christopher, shut up."
"Dawn, we've been sitting here for an hour and he hasn't said a word. Do you know how often that happens?" Without waiting for a reply, Chris continued, "it doesn't happen. Ever. Jay doesn't shut up, he's never been the type to shut up and—"
Adam gritted his teeth, "Chris … do us all a favour and shut the hell up."
Chris held up his hands in mock defence, "just trying to lighten the mood … sorry."
Jay cleared his throat, "I haven't been completely honest with you all and for that, I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you the truth and I'm still not sure how to tell you."
Adam arched an eyebrow, "why don't you just tell us and get it over with … not to be rude there, Jay, but the longer you wait; the more it makes us wonder and think the worst here."
Amy, who was seated on the arm of the chair that Jay was sitting in, rested a hand on his shoulder. "Just tell them Jay … you can do this."
Reaching back to settle one hand over hers, he exchanged a look with the redhead and then turned his attention back to his friends. "I don't have another back injury … I have cancer. I'm not sure when or if I'll be able to wrestle again, it all depends on if it goes into remission."
Adam eyed him in clear cut disbelief, "excuse me? Did you just say you have cancer?"
"I found out after Bound for Glory, Dixie and Jeff told me to go to the doctor, so I did … and they ran some tests, did a biopsy and they told me—"
"Hold on a second," Adam interrupted, "you've known since October and it's just occurring to you to tell us now? What the hell Jay, why keep it from all of us until now?"
"Ads—"
"Don't Ads me, Amy." The tall blonde man arched an eyebrow, "why are you so calm, huh? Have you known since then and have you been lying to us as well?"
Amy pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand, "If you really need to know? I found out by accident earlier this week when I stopped by. One minute I was yelling at him and the next minute he collapsed and we were at the hospital."
Chris made a face, "and you couldn't think to call us then? You had to wait until now?"
"That was my choice," Jay spoke up in her defence, "she asked me at the hospital, I made the decision to wait."
"But your back," A.J finally spoke, "you told us … all of us that you hurt your back, Amy told us you hurt your back."
"I couldn't tell you all the truth yet and I am sorry about that."
A.J.'s blue eyes turned to his sister, "you lied to us for him. You lied to me, your own brother, for him."
Amy flinched at the hurt look she was receiving, "I promised him, Allen."
Trish cleared her throat, "when will you know if it's gone into remission?"
"Dr. Cymek doesn't know for sure, because it depends on the patient." Jay was silent for a moment, "look … I can't say anything else beyond I'm sorry, I didn't even tell my own family until two weeks ago. I didn't know how to tell you all and I didn't want to tell you all."
"Why?"
"Because this wasn't supposed to happen to me, because I didn't want to deal with it…" Jay trailed off with a shrug, "I just didn't want to admit to myself that something was going to stop me."
Dawn exhaled sharply, "so that would explain why Amy has pretty much moved in … is there anything we can do?"
"I need a drink," Adam moved from his spot before Jay could say a word, "excuse me please."
Amy watched as he went into the kitchen, a frown on her face … "I'm just going to go talk to Ads, I'll be back."
While Jay continued to field questions from A.J, Trish, Chris and Dawn; Amy did her best to console Adam. Obviously, she knew he was upset and he had every right to be … possibly more so than any of them. Adam, after all, had known Jay the longest. Still, even after speaking with him … or attempting to speak with him, Amy returned alone; Jay eventually making his way over to speak with his friend.
TBC