Title:  Snake Eyes (2/?)

Disclaimer:  I own nobody.  The shareholders of WWE, Inc. and Joss Whedon own the rights to anything you recognize in this fic.  To the General Counsels of WWE and Mutant Enemy Productions:  If you so desire, sue me.  It will just give me a chance to sink my teeth into a fun case for a change.    

Spoilers: None.  Takes place immediately following the 7/8/02 RAW.  I don't always get a chance to keep up with BtVS/Angel so I will be taking liberties as necessary to fit the story.

Summary:  Someone can't catch a break…..

Notes:  I apologize for not meeting my publicized timetable for this chapter.  Work intruded on creative writing time…grrr.  The crossover is coming, but I need to lay the proper foundation so bear with me.  Feedback (including constructive criticism) is not only appreciated, but necessary.  It will determine whether I continue this story, so thanks in advance. 

Chapter 2         

The eyes of every last person in the room were on her.  Most wondered at the sudden powerful outburst of emotion, but there were a few who understood that this was more than simple distress over Kevin's injury.  She covered her face with her hands and shook her head, mortified that she let her emotions bubble to the surface.  It wasn't like her, not while she was at work.  She didn't belong in this room, not right now.  Desperately wishing the floor would swallow her whole, she moved to leave before she embarrassed herself further.  As she placed her hand on the doorknob, a voice called to her.

"Don't leave!  You have every right to be here…I need all of my friends right now Sophie.  You just voiced what I was feeling anyway.  It's OK."

"Are you sure Kevin?  I don't want to get in the way," she said wiping at her tear-stained face.

He chuckled.  "In the way?  Never.  Look at it this way, you can get all the information you need for the preliminary press release first-hand.  We gotta keep the wolves at bay," he smirked, rolling his eyes.

Sophie had regained control of herself by this point.  He was right.  There were probably rumors already floating around the internet.  Sometimes it amazed her just how quickly things got out but it made work interesting.  To be honest, she loved it.  Her job as Public Relations Manager for World Wrestling Entertainment was most definitely unpredictable, though it was the good kind of unpredictable.  She sighed.  It was going to be a long night both professionally and personally.   She turned around and walked over to stand next to Paul.  He understood exactly what Kevin was going through better than anyone else. 

Now sitting up, Kevin looked at Sophie, a smile coming to his face.  He could see that she was putting herself back together mentally and it was manifesting itself physically.  The feistiness slowly returned to her eyes and she squared her shoulders, making herself appear taller although she was dwarfed by every man in the room.  He grinned to himself.  What was he thinking? Sophie "tall"?  She was positively tiny.   The painkillers the doctor gave him must be working.  He was starting to feel a little loopy.

Michael, Paul, Sean and the Big Show himself, Paul Wight, looked at Kevin, then at each other and threw out the smiles that set hearts aflutter all over the world.  Michael finally was the one to speak, his eyes crinkling with barely suppressed laughter.

"What's with the goofy grin bro?  I didn't think busting your leg was high on your list of 'top ten things that are amusing'.  Unless of course you like this kinda pain…hmmm?"

"Shut up.  It must be the pain medication kicking in.  It only feels like a thousand hot needles are running through my thigh instead of the million or so earlier," replied Kev, sarcasm dripping from every word. 

Paul opened his mouth to add his two cents, noticing the slight blush that appeared on his friend's face but The Game was interrupted by the doctor, who had just hung up the phone.

"That was Dr. Andrews.  You are scheduled for an MRI tomorrow at 12:30.  Once that's done and he knows the extent of the injury, he'll talk to you about your options for rehab and then you'll be taken in for surgery.  Expect to be in the hospital at least overnight, barring any complications.  There's nothing more I can do for you except to wrap it up.  For tonight, keep it iced to keep the swelling down and under no circumstances are you to even attempt to put any weight on your left leg.  If you're not in a wheelchair then you're in a bed.  This isn't the time to be macho."

The momentary levity seemed to fade a bit with the news.  Kevin grunted his assent, his eyes clouding over as the enormity of the situation bore down upon him once again.  A number of wrestlers from the RAW roster had filtered in throughout the night, wanting to offer their support.  They now noticed the change of mood and decided it would be a good time to take their leave.  With a few claps on the back and many wishes for a quick recovery they left him alone with his best friends.  The only people left in the room were Kevin, the doctor, the nWo, Paul, and Sophie. 

"Guys, can someone get my stuff?  And can someone update Vince and the writers?  Tell him I'll call tomorrow so we can figure out what we're going to do with the angle.  I have a feeling this is going to change everything.  Damn it all to hell, I might have just sent the nWo to the death chamber…."

"Kevin, it's not your fault.  It was a freak accident.  No one could have predicted this.  There's no need to beat yourself up over it," Sophie stated emphatically, grabbing his hand to offer what meager comfort she could.

"She's right.  We'll figure out a way to work around it," agreed Paul.

With that, everyone fell silent, immersed in their own private thoughts.

"It's getting late and you have to catch a flight to Birmingham in the morning.  We need to get back to the hotel.  Sean, you and 'Show go grab his gear.  I'll track down Vince and give him the latest.  Doc, do you want to come with me?" said Michael, taking charge of the situation and diffusing the awkward moment.

The doctor nodded in affirmation.  'Show and Sean left to gather Kevin's belongings, and shortly thereafter Michael and the doctor left to brief the boss.

Sophie was left with the only two people in the world who completely understood what happened to her tonight.

"Kevin, Paul—I'm sorry for getting overemotional earlier.  I thought I was past this, but I guess I'm not.  I spent so long telling myself I didn't need friends anymore, then I came here and you made me realize it wasn't a sign of weakness to care about people again."  Looking at Kevin she continued, "Now you're going to be out for half a year, and who knows when you'll be able to travel.  It's not fair, damn it.  I'm a jinx; everyone around me ends up hurt."

"Sweetie, I just came back from an injury, remember?  And you are not a jinx."

"But that was different.  It was your arm.  You still were part of the show.  You won't be able to do that this time.  Paul couldn't until almost the very end."  She turned away from both of them, not wanting them to see the tears that threatened to spill down her face once more. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again.  "Ah, good grief!  Look at me.  I'm the epitome of selfishness.  You're the one that's hurt and here I am thinking only of myself, babbling on about my issues….."

Paul couldn't take it anymore.  He hadn't seen her like this in ages.  The fire in her was going out.  He looked at Kev, who shrugged his shoulders as if to say "I don't have any idea either."  Something else was going on with her; something neither of them knew about.

"Soph, if I can interrupt your stream of consciousness litany here, I've got something I want to say.  You are definitely not selfish, so get that out of your head.  You also don't have to apologize.  It's been an upsetting evening.  None of us are at our best.  It's OK, you can't always be in control because sooner or later you'll snap," lectured Paul.

She faced him, gave him a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and hugged him.  It was good to have friends who cared.

"Thanks Paulie.  I guess you are 'that damn good'."

She felt his chest rumble as he laughed out loud.

"And don't you forget it, little one.  Now I'm going to pull the car around so we don't have to wheel this big lug four miles across the parking lot."

Kevin grinned again.  He knew exactly where to strike for maximum damage.

"Hey, watch it there asshole.  I'll have you know that just your nose weighs more than I do, so don't be calling me a big lug, Beak."

Paul lunged towards Kevin, but before he could do anything Sophie grabbed his arm.

"Now boys, can't we please play nice?  I really don't want to have to explain any more injuries tonight."

They both flashed the million dollar smiles. 

"Gotcha!" they said in unison.

Sophie just shook her head, laughing. 

"Go get the car Paul.  I'm sure Kevin is exhausted by now."

"Yes, ma'am!  Your wish is my command," chuckled Paul as he left the room.

"Come here Sophie."

She moved closer to the stretcher and before she realized what she was doing, her hand reached out and brushed the hair back off of his face.  She pulled away quickly from the unintended intimacy.  She'd already been too emotional tonight.  Then she realized something.  It was after midnight.

"Happy birthday Kev!"

"What?  Holy shit, you're right.  It is my birthday.  One I'm going to want to forget.  But, if you give me a hug I think I'll be able to suffer through it," he leered.

She leaned over and hugged him, and gave in to impulse once again.  She kissed him, not on the cheek, but very innocently on the lips.  Neither one of them expected the current of electricity that passed between them.  They looked at each other for what seemed to be an eternity, but was actually a few seconds.  He started to say something, but was interrupted by Sean and Michael bounding back in the room.  Their missions were completed and Paul had the car waiting.  It was time to leave. 

Ten minutes later, Kevin was now in the wheelchair, ready to go. Sophie leaned down and hugged him again.

"Will I see you before I leave tomorrow?" he asked.

"I hope so.  I still have to work on the press release tonight and I'm sure there will be a flood of calls tomorrow.  If I finish here within the next hour, I'll stop by your room."  She didn't want to contemplate not seeing him so she didn't bring up the alternative.

Kevin was disappointed but schooled his face not to show it.  Instead he joked with her, as he always did.

"Fair enough.  I've just made your job that much more difficult.  I suppose I'll let you do it," winking at her as Sean pushed him towards the exit.

Sophie tried to laugh, but found she couldn't.  Watching him as he was wheeled to the parking lot she whispered the one thing she could never tell him.

"I think I'm in love with you Kevin Nash."

And she went back to her job.

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