Chapter 28:

August 16, 2004 Monday Night RAW

"Randy!" Jessica McMahon screamed shrilly in horror as what Jericho predicted unfolded on the monitor the following Monday Night RAW.

Chris Benoit had invoked his re-match clause for the very next night. Evolution; however, had come down to the ring midway through the match, providing a distraction enough for Orton to nail a second RKO on the Rabid Wolverine, successfully retaining his new title. However, what had looked like another Evolution celebration immediately turned south on Randy Orton.

"Shit!" Soraya cursed, coming to stand beside her friend as Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair proceeded to dismantle Orton. Going as far as to bloody him with his own belt. "This is bad."

"Why are they doing this?" Alarmed tears sprung into Jessica's eyes. "Hunter cannot be this sadistic."

"He can when he wants that god damn belt." Soraya growled through grit teeth, watching as Triple H held the title over Randy's prone form. "Jericho predicted this would happen."

"We have to do something, this it out of control." Jessica stated vehemently. "They can't get away with this!"

"Why not?" Soraya replied sarcastically. "It's not like Bischoff's been stopping them, for the past year they've done this to various other superstars."

"But this is beyond sick. They just turned on one of their teammates!" Jessica protested. "I have to talk to my father, maybe he can…"

"Jess, your Dad hasn't been able to stop them up to this point. This has to be a rebellion from within." Soraya cut her off. "What do you think Benoit, Jericho, Maven and I have been up to these past few weeks? This is beyond management; this requires a revolt…by the superstars."

"We have to get to the hospital." Jessica reached for her bag. "He can't wake up there alone."

She did not know what even possessed her to think it, much less offer, but suddenly Soraya was digging out her car keys. "I'll drive."


One Hour Later: Parkwood Hospital

"Dad, I can't just leave!" Jessica snapped irritably into her cell phone. "Because, Randy's still lying unconscious in a hospital bed!"

Soraya watched Jess in amusement as she argued with Vince. Although Jess was a force to be reckoned with, Vince McMahon always got his way in the end.

"So cancel the limo and postpone the meeting. I cannot deal with this right now. I can't just leave the hospital when my best friend is in trouble." Jess ground her teeth together. "Of course I didn't come here alone. Soraya O'Toole drove me. Yes, she's still here. No, I'm not going to ask her to stay here while I leave…because they can't stand each other! She's doing this as a favor to me!"

Soraya shook her head and chuckled under her breath. While she was here under the guise of it being a favor for her friend, she too found herself worried about Randy's condition. She may not feel a particular fondness for the man, but the beating he took was horrifying to witness and she found herself yearning to help in any way she could.

The frustrated growl and sharp click of the phone being closed brought Soraya back to reality. Jessica pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, sucking in deep breathes of air to control her temper. Slowly, she turned to look at the Pittsburgh native imploringly.

"I need you to do me another favor." Jess began, unsure how to phrase her request, knowing how her friend felt about Randy and she honestly couldn't blame her if the roles were reversed. "My father is sending a limo to come pick me up because we still have that corporate meeting, as Vice President, it's mandatory that I be there. He won't let me skip out."

"Okay." Soraya murmured giving her friend room to continue.

"I know you don't like Randy, so this is about me, not him. I have to leave, but I can't consciously do that if I know Randy's going to wake up alone." The youngest McMahon looked pained at the thought.

"Don't worry about it, Jess." Soraya assured her. "I'll stay. He won't wake up alone, I'll be there, I promise."

"You're the absolute best, you know that!" Jessica hugged Soraya briefly, but tightly. "Any favor you need, consider it done. I'm your girl."

Soraya laughed. "It's fine, Jess, go play business woman, I'll keep Orton company."

"Text me when he wakes up, I'll try to be back here as soon as possible." Jessica called over her shoulder as she started toward the exit. "Thanks again, Soraya!"

"Bye Jess." Soraya waved her friend off, before turning towards the room where Randy lay, hooked up a heart monitor, IV fluids and a respirator. Although the doctors had cleared him for being healthy, except for a concussion and some serious bruising, he looked like he had gone through hell.

Alone now that Jessica was gone, Soraya entered the room and dropped into the chair beside his bed. "Come on, Orton." She whispered. "Open those baby blues so Jess can stop worrying about you."

The beep of the heart monitor continued to beat at a steady rhythm and his chest rose and fell in an even pattern. But other than that, the Legend Killer didn't stir. He looked peaceful wherever his mind had retreated to. She half hoped he'd stay there, for his reality when he woke would be much worse than dreamland.


Twenty Minutes Later

It was like he had been immersed in deep, black water. He had been far below the surface, unable to think or feel anything. But now, as he seemed to be floating upwards, it grew brighter, harsher and much more painful. His whole body felt like one big punching bag that had been run over by a Mack truck several times in a row.

There was a groggy sense of calm though, as his mind began to process the most recent of memories. And then he wished hadn't. He could remember Hunter's face, first grinning at him in a celebratory way, then twisted into a malicious scowl. Next Dave had slammed him into the canvas with an inverted Electric chair. Then it seemed as if every piece of exposed flesh was being punched or kicked mercilessly. Finally, the last thing he remembered was Hunter ramming his own title into his face, before everything thankfully went black.

As he drowsily blinked his eyes open, he recognized the beeping of the heart monitor, before he noticed the dull beige walls and scuffed floor. He was in the hospital and what was worse since his brothers turned on him; he was alone.

He groaned painfully and glanced around the room to further take in his surroundings, before his eyes shot back to the chair by his bed. Or, maybe not?

"O'Toole?" His voice was scratchy and hoarse to his own ears, as he gaped at the tiny blonde in disbelief.

She had been dozing, one arm propped on the arm of the chair, while her palm supported her head. Her green eyes fluttered open the moment she heard his voice; however, no matter how soft it was.

She looked back at him for a moment, before forcing a smile. "Welcome back to the land of the living." She said quietly.

He blinked slowly, as if she'd disappear once he completed this action, but to his surprise, she merely sat up straighter in the chair. "Water." He managed to croak out. He wouldn't be able to talk much with the rawness in his throat.

She sprung lightly to her feet with a dancer's grace and poured him a glass from the pitcher by his bedside. She even wordlessly held the glass to his dry, cracked lips while he took several grateful gulps of the heavenly cool liquid.

"Thanks." He sighed as she placed the glass back on the bedside table. "What are you doing here?"

She shrugged casually. "I wanted to make sure you were okay, you took one hell of a beating tonight. We thought they'd taken you out of action for the most part, but besides a concussion and a nasty assortment of bruises, you've been given a clean bill of health."

"Okay." He felt relief at that information, but he was still curious as to why Soraya was there in the first place. "But why do you care? I mean, I've been an absolute ass to you since the day we met."

She laughed sardonically, rolling her eyes just slightly. "Oh trust me, I remember quite well thank you. But," Her expression turned serious as she looked at him, really looked at him for the first time, dead in the eyes. "No one deserves what you went through tonight, not ever. Plus, I kind of owe you anyway."

He frowned in confusion, his upper lip scrunching awkwardly against the breathing hose. "What do you mean?" He asked, pulling the contraption off his handsome face.

"You took care of me when I was drunk." She explained. "So, you haven't been a complete ass."

"How did you…?" He stared at her in amazement.

"Jericho's memory isn't as faulty as mine when drunk." She sat back down in the chair. "And once he told me I put the pieces together. Get some rest, Randy." She urged, noticing the shadows under his eyes. "You need it."

"I don't want to be alone in the morning." He shook his head. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Don't think about it now." She reached forward and hesitantly pat his hand. "Just sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Why?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Because you need me to be." She said, as if it explained everything.


A/N: Hmm…could this be the start of a new beginning for Soraya and the Legend Killer?

Up next, Soraya gives Randy a reality check, he finally apologizes and then (gasp) he asks for advice?

Shout-outs! Dreamin'BIG, Asher02, Jewelgirl04, I luv Jeff Hardy Edge Randy (You're fine, don't worry about it. It's all good)