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PART 11

TWO WEEKS LATER

Jeff Hardy tossed his gym bag into the corner of his locker room, turned around, and headed out the door to wander.  He did that at every arena the WWE traveled to, aimlessly walking around the halls until he found something better to do.  With a mind as complex as his, he needed these walks to keep him somewhat sane.  After roaming for at least 15 minutes, he spotted Adam.  He was sitting on top of a crate, staring into space.  Jeff approached him and, upon noticing the headphones covering his ears, pulled the plastic off of his head.

"Hey man," the rainbow-haired man said.  "What are you listening to?"

Shrugging, Adam replied, "Nothing really.  Chili Peppers."  Jeff sighed at his friend's distracted expression, much like his distracted reply.

"Alright, since you don't want to talk about music, I'll ask you what I really want to know.  What is up with you lately?" he asked curiously.

Jeff, as well as everyone else, had noticed that Adam had been so quiet and withdrawn the past few weeks, and no one could put their finger on why.  Not even Britney knew, and you could tell that not knowing what was wrong with her roommate was taking its toll on her.  It was Adam's turn to sigh.  He knew this moment was going to come eventually, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"I… I can't explain, really," he said reluctantly.  Everything Shane had told him two weeks earlier had not left his mind for a moment.  He wanted to talk to someone, preferably Britney herself, but anyone would have done.  But he had promised Shane that he would keep the details of their conversation to himself, and he planned on keeping that promise.

"Oh," Jeff said disappointedly, "are you sure?  You know I got your back if something's up."

Adam nodded, "Yeah, I know Jeff.  And I'm really grateful, but, this thing, I'm just… I kinda promised the other party that I wouldn't say anything."

Jeff nodded as well as he replied, "Ah, I get it.  That's cool.  Look, man, I gotta go.  If you wanna talk, just come find me."

"Thanks Jeff," Adam replied as he watched the younger man saunter down the hallway.

Adam was glad that it was Jeff who had approached him, and not any of the other guys.  While Adam knew Jeff was curious, he also knew that the rainbow-haired man was very understanding, and wouldn't pressure him to talk if he didn't want to.  The blonde man rested his head up against the wall again.  He went to put his headphones back on, but he froze when he saw a stalking figure in his peripheral vision.  He turned slowly, and his eyes confirmed what his mind knew was there----- Brock Lesnar.  Feeling the anger slowly beginning to rise in his stomach, Adam took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down.  He SO wished that Jeff was still with him, as he knew his friend would keep him from doing anything stupid.  As he noticed the huge man walking in his direction, Adam clenched his fists tightly, knowing that he would completely lose it if he and Brock came face to face.  For the past two weeks, Adam had been going out of his way to avoid Lesnar.  Knowing that Brock had pretty much raped the woman he was in love with, the Canadian knew that he would only get himself in trouble by starting shit. Still, he possessed a rage he knew would only go away after he got his hands around Brock Lesnar's muscular neck.  As the Next Big Thing made his way toward him, Adam's heart began to pump faster and faster.  It stopped dead when their eyes met and Brock froze in his tracks.  Adam was almost frightened by the look the other man wore as he glared at him from down the hall.  No longer did he wear that cocky, nonchalant grin on his face.  It was replaced by a cold stare, and the evil clearly gleamed through his eyes more than ever before.  Brock wasn't playing buddy-buddy with Adam anymore, and his true hatred for the Canadian was shining through.  Because of Adam, Brock was losing at a game that he was so used to winning, and he wasn't going to go down without a fight.  Go ahead, asshole.  I don't need to beat you shitless right now, but nothing would please me more, Adam thought, not allowing Brock's looks to intimidate him.  Adam was definitely not the type to go around starting fights, though, so as much as he WANTED Brock to approach him, he would've rather him stay away.  Brock continued to give Adam that icy glare, and Adam's breath caught in his throat as he took his first step.  Oh God, here he comes.  Okay, Adam, whatever you do, DON'T hit him.  Just let him-

"BROCK!" a voice called from down a hall Adam couldn't see.  "I need to talk to you!" the voice called again, and Adam immediately recognized the screeching voice as Paul Heyman's.

As Brock shook his head and walked away in the direction of Heyman, Adam breathed a sigh of relief.  I never thought I'd be so glad to hear Heyman squeal.  He was glad to have avoided confrontation, at least for the time being.  Still, he knew one was bound to happen, especially after that stare down.  In Brock's eyes, Adam stole something that belonged to him, and he was going to seek revenge.  Adam was torn about whether or not he even wanted to fight Lesnar.  On one hand, fighting with a co-worker was very junior-high and could get Adam in serious trouble.  On the other hand, the hell Brock put Britney through was motivation enough for Adam to pound the bastard senseless.  In all seriousness, Adam would fight him to the death for her, as she was well worth it.  But he couldn't worry about that now, all he could do was put his headphones back on, and thank God that Paul Heyman had intervened, delaying what both Adam and Brock knew was inevitable.

WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM

"Brit, you in here?" Amy called as she pushed open the door to the locker room.

"She's not here Amy!" Trish's voice called from inside, causing Amy to sigh with worry.  I

f Adam finds out that I lost sight of her, he will absolutely kill me.  Especially with the way he's been acting lately.  Oh man, where in hell could she be? Amy thought as she sat down, nodding hello to the divas sitting with Trish.

"What's up Amy?" Trish asked, and Amy shrugged.  "Nothing really," Amy said as she eyed the other divas sitting with Trish---- Terri, Stacy, Jackie, and Carlene Moore---- and she couldn't help but be a little uneasy.  About an hour and twenty minutes ago, Adam had come up to her, asked for a favor.  He told her he needed to get away from everyone for a little while to think, and that he wanted her to look after Britney for him.  Somehow, Britney managed to slip out of her view after her match with Carlene, and Amy hadn't seen her for almost an hour.  She sensed that something wasn't right about the way she disappeared like that.

"What's wrong honey?" Jacqueline asked, as she noticed the younger woman fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat.

"Nothing.  I just, uh… I have something on my mind is all," the redhead said.

"Is it about Matt?" Terri questioned, joining the conversation.

Amy shook her head, "Oh no, Matt's fine.  It's just… I kind of lost track of something…"

"That something wouldn't happen to be a little blonde girl named Britney would it?" a man's voice called, and the women turned to see Chris Irvine standing in the doorway.

Amy laughed nervously, "Actually, um… yeah.  Did you find her?"

Chris sighed, "You could say that.  Amy, can I, uh… speak to you privately, please?"  The seriousness in his tone and on his face made Amy, as well as the other divas, fill with worry.

"Uh… sure," she said, slowly standing and following him out the door, leaving the other women behind to wonder what was going on.

"I… I came to you because I saw something I did NOT want to see, and I honestly don't know who else to go to," Jericho explained.

Amy's stomach began to form knots as she spoke, "W-what… oh, God.  What happened to Britney?"  Chris leaned on the wall for support as he led Amy down the halls.

"I… I want you to talk to her, try and find out WHY she did it," he requested.

Amy raised a brow, "Did what?!"  Stopping in front of a door, he grabbed the redhead by the wrists, slowly whispering to her.

"I… I was looking for a place to take a leak a few minutes ago."  She nodded, urging him to go on.  He swallowed hard, not even believing his own words as he retold what he had witnessed.

It's impossible to find a bathroom in these damn arenas, Chris thought as he searched for a restroom.  Finally, he approached a door with a sign that said "Restroom."  It didn't specify whether it was a men or women's facility, so he just assumed it was coed.  He gently rapped on the door and when he got no response, pushed the door open.  He jumped when he saw a tiny blonde in baggy black sweatpants and a black tank top standing over the sing.  He knew it was Britney, and it was obvious to Chris that she hadn't heard him open the door, as she hadn't acknowledged his presence.  He turned to leave her alone, but something about the way she was standing caught his attention and he stayed where he was.  She was leaning over the sink, and she appeared to be looking closely at something.  He began to wonder if she felt sick or throw up or something.

"Brit, are you okay?" he asked, causing the young McMahon to shriek and jump.

"Chris!" she yelled as she turned to face him, knocking over what Jericho saw to be a hand mirror.  Her eyes widened as he slowly made his way to her.

"What are you doing?" Chris asked curiously as he stepped up to her.

"I, uh…" Britney stammered nervously.  As Chris stepped up to the sink, he saw the diva jump in attempt to cover the sink, but it was too late.

"What the…" Chris mumbled incoherently as he gazed in shock at his discovery---- traces of white powder splattered in the sink, with some remains on the mirror.  "Oh my God," he said, looking down into her widened eyes, which were quickly filling with tears.  "Britney, you're doing cocaine."

"Oh my God… are you serious?!" Amy gasped as the two stood outside the door.

Chris nodded, "I'm afraid so.  I… I can't believe she'd do it, but it's what I saw."  Amy couldn't help but notice the slight waver in Chris's voice.  Damn it, she had been doing so well, too!

"Ames, please go in and talk to her," Chris pleaded.  "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

The redhead sighed, "I… I don't know what I'll say, but all right.  Come with me, please."  The man nodded and allowed her to lead him into the room.  As soon as Britney and Amy made eye contact, Britney's eyes filled with tears as her friend gazed sympathetically at her.

"H-hey," Amy said softly, not knowing how else to start as she sat down on a nearby couch.  Chris took a seat beside Britney on the opposite couch.

Britney's gaze focused on the floor as Amy spoke again, "Brit, I… I want you to know that I'm not mad at you for this.  So, if I sound like I'm yelling at all, I'm sorry.  But I just don't understand.  How, how could you do this?  I thought you were doing so well, and… why would you go and risk everything like that?  What would have happened if an official found you, or anyone but Chris for that matter?  We're not gonna tell on you, but Britney… this is not good."  Amy continued her speech for about five more minutes, tears freely flowing down both girls' cheeks.  "Britney, I just want you to know that no matter what, I love you.  Chris loves you, and Adam and Jay and Jeff and everyone else love you.  I just don't understand why you feel the need to do drugs, and…"

"I'm sorry!  I'm so sorry! I just, I… I can't do this anymore!" Britney suddenly cried, speaking for the first time.  Chris grabbed hold of her and hugged her, desperately trying to calm her down as she shook uncontrollably with sobs.

"Shh, it's okay, honey.  We understand… don't worry about it.  Calm down, please, calm down," Chris said soothingly as he stroked her blonde locks.  After a few moments, Britney still hadn't calmed down, and Amy began to worry about people hearing and being drawn to the room.  Unfortunately, however, that was just what happened.

Both Amy and Chris looked up as the door slowly creaked open and a voice asked, "Is everything okay in here?"

Amy's eyes widened as she recognized the voice, Oh shit… that's Adam.  She winced as the tall blonde man entered the room and took in the sight.  Adam was crazy enough withOUT knowing any of what had just occurred.  Amy suspected that he was only a short time away from completely losing his sanity, and this would definitely be one of the last straws.  Adam was, as Amy expected, very unnerved by the sight.  Amy's eyes were red and puffy and Chris was sitting on the opposite couch, eyes wide and face pale, like he'd seen a ghost.  In his arms was a tiny woman with a blonde hair---- a woman he immediately recognized as Britney.

"What happened?!" he asked, alarmed.  Britney didn't look up, but her sobs grew louder as she knew Adam was in the room.  She continued to keep her face buried against Chris's collarbone.  Adam kneeled down in front of the couch, gently stroking her lower back as he mouthed to Chris, "What the hell's going on?"  When his fellow Canadian didn't reply, instead switching his gaze to Amy, Adam grew even more worried.

"Hey Chris?  Why don't you go out there with Adam?  I'll stay here with Brit," Amy suggested quietly, gesturing to Chris to let go of Britney.

"No!" Britney said, clinging tightly to him, and Amy knew it had nothing to do with her not wanting the men to leave the room.

"Brit, he's going to find out eventually," the redhead said knowingly.  "Chris, go."

"A-alright," Chris said reluctantly as Amy sat down in his place.  As Adam followed Chris out the door, he gazed back at the two women.  His heart cringed as his eyes met those of the youngest McMahon.   She looked so little and lost… and so young… it made Adam realize that at 21 years old, she had still never really lived her teenage years.  He felt so terrible for her, and knew that what Chris had to tell him couldn't possibly be good.  As he sent her a questioning look, Britney quickly looked away, turning to Amy as Chris closed the door behind them.

Britney and Amy sat in silence for a few moments, the redhead eyeing her friend as she fumbled with her hands that were resting in her lap.  New tears refilled Britney and Amy's eyes as the blonde tried to speak, "I… I'm sorry Amy.  I don't know w-what came over me.  I-I… I thought I needed a… a pick me up.  I c-can't believe myself.  I, if… oh, God, you must think I'm horrible!"

"No!  I don't think anything like that!  It was wrong to do it… very wrong, but… I just could never think of you as horrible.  I'm just… disappointed, is all," Amy said sadly, but truthfully.  She just couldn't comprehend what could have possibly happened… what went wrong… to push Britney into doing drugs.

"Can I ask a question?"  Amy asked, and when Britney nodded, she continued.

"Did… did something happen to make you want to this?  And… while I'm at it, how did you… buy it, anyway?" she asked.  The hazel-eyed diva was still in shock at her friend.  Had Chris not found her, she would have snorted cocaine, and Amy couldn't even bring herself to say the word.

She listened closely as Britney replied, "I… it wasn't one specific thing, if that's what you mean.  It was just… I don't know, really.  Stress, I guess.  I haven't exactly had the time of my life over the last few months, and I kept shoving my emotions to the back burner.  I guess it's finally catching up to me.  I mean, I always had Adam right there, and he was so set on making me forget that, well… it worked."

Amy raised her eyebrow curiously, "What do you mean 'had Adam?'  You still have him now."

Shaking her head, Britney answered, "I know, but… lately, he's been so… so distant.  It kind of… I don't know, hurt."

Amy nodded, "So… where did you get it?"

Britney laughed dryly, "It's incredibly easy to buy drugs in today's world, Ames."  Britney didn't want Amy to know that she bought drugs from her old dealer----- mainly because she didn't want her to know she ever HAD a dealer in the first place.  Amy gazed at Britney incredulously.  She was in no way experienced with drugs, but she knew that you just didn't pick up a habit, especially one like cocaine, out of the blue.  She suspected there was more to the story, but for the moment, though, she decided that Britney had had enough.  All she could do now was open her arms to her best friend.

Hugging her tightly, she quietly whispered, "I love you, Brit.  You are my best friend, don't EVER forget that."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"She had WHAT?!" Adam cried, desperately hoping that he'd misheard his friend.

"You heard me, Adam.  She had… she had cocaine," Chris said almost inaudibly, not wanting anyone else to hear.

"No… you must have been mistaken," Adam said, voice wavering.

Jericho sadly shook his head, "I don't think so Adam.  I saw it.  I'm no drug guru, but I know what cocaine looks like."

"No, no, no, no…" Adam moaned, almost in a chant as he leaned up against the wall.

"Adam, man, I'm sorry.  She didn't do it, I can tell you that.  But I know what I saw, and what I saw was Britney leaning over a sink about to snort coke," Chris said sadly.

"But, I thought she was… she was doing so… oh, God, no!" Adam cried, kicking the wall forcefully with the heel of his wrestling boot, hurting his foot while doing so.  Chris slowly laid a hand on his friend's arm.

"I… I'm sorry," he said, studying Adam with a concerned eye.  The taller of the two men looked like he was about to snap.  Adam ran a distraught hand through his long hair.  How did this happen?  What went wrong?  If I wasn't off being a selfish ass, and being so caught up in how I felt, none of this would have happened.  I would have seen it… I SHOULD have seen it.

"This is all my fault," Adam thought aloud, causing Chris to tighten the grip on his arm.

"No it's not.  Don't say that," he told him.  Suddenly, something inside Adam snapped.  All the mixed emotions Adam had been feeling for the last two weeks came flooding out, erupting after the bomb Chris dropped on him, and he exploded.

"Don't tell me it's not my fucking fault!  I was SUPPOSED to take care of her, protect her so that shit like this didn't happen!  I've been so caught up in my own feelings to even realize what the hell was going on with her!  I… I should have known, I should have known," Adam said, tears finally escaping his eyes as he slid down the wall, crouching on the ground.

As he buried his face in his knees, Chris kneeled down next to him, not sure of what to do.  He had never seen Adam like this, and even though he knew it was coming, he was not mentally prepared for it.  Finally, he gave up searching for a solution, and pulled his friend into a hug.

"Shit, Adam, come here," he said, trying to control Adam as he broke down in the middle of the hallway.  Chris absolutely hated the way Adam was putting all of this on himself.  As much as he loved Britney, this was all her choice, and there was nothing Adam could do about it.

"Damn it, Adam.  You're doing all you can.  You're TRYING… that's all you can do.  If… if you can't help her, than maybe… maybe no one can," Chris said honestly, even though he regretted admitting it.  As much as he hated to think about it, it could very well be true----- Adam could have gotten to Britney too late in her life to change her view.  Adam, however, thought very differently.  He lifted his head, staring at Chris with his emerald, tear-filled eyes.

"No.  I refuse to give up on her.  I'll fight to get through to her till the day I die if I have to.  I love her Chris, and I will get through to her.  I'm not sure how, but I'll get through to her."