This story is a work of fiction. I only own the characters that are non- WWE. Vince McMahon owns the WWE and characters. Do not distribute, do not sell, and do not sue. THANKS!!!

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Lance was surprised when a few moments later, Scott reemerged from the park.

"Hey Storm," Scott called as he started running away. "Chris had a little accident; you'd better go check what's keeping him."

Lance paused a moment to let the words sink in and then was over the fence and at his friend's side in a flash.

"Oh man," Lance commented as he took in the sight of all the blood.

"Lance...*cough*," Chris struggled to talk, "Am-bu--lance."

And for the second time in as many days, a wrestler showed up in the emergency ward of the local hospital.

Back at the hotel room…

"I wonder what's keeping them," Shane mused as he noting it was nearing sunup.

As if in an answer to his question, his cell phone rang.

"Hello?" Shane greeted the caller. "Oh no! ….Yeah…we'll be right there," Shane finished and hung up the phone.

Lori looked at Shane and knew in an instant her worst fears had come true, "It's Chris isn't it? He was hurt badly, like Jason?"

"Yeah girl," Shane didn't want to lie to her; "Steiner had a knife, it was bad. Come on, we've got to get there."

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"Chris?" Lori called entering his room in the hospital.

The figure on the hospital bed moaned faintly in response to her call. The nurse in the room came across and guided Lori to a chair beside him. After Lori was seated the nurse smiled warmly and then offered some information.

"He's lost a lot of blood, but he'll be OK," She told her. "He's just going to be a little weak for awhile and he'll need time to recover. We've given him some heavy-duty drugs to help with the pain, so he's going to be a little out of it. He'll probably be pretty incoherent if he wakes up at all during your visit but he can hear you. It's good for him to hear your voice and know that you are here."

Lori nodded in understanding while she regarded his still form.

"I'll leave you two alone," The nurse told her before leaving; "If you need anything, the desk is right across the hall."

"Yes ma'am," Lori nodded once more; "Thank you."

Lori grabbed his near hand in her own and kissed it gently. His eyes fluttered faintly in response but remained closed. It was awful to see him there with tubes going in his nose and wires hooked up to him. Lori broke down and cried at the sight of him, 'How could I have been so stupid? I shouldn't have told him and then none of this would have happened.'

She was sobbing violently now, face down against the mattress when she felt his hand brush against her hair.

"Do—n't ….cry," He whispered.

Lori sat bolt upright and realized that he'd spoken.

"Oh Chris, I'm so sorry," Lori babbled. "This is all my fault."

"No," He told her weakly and tried to smile. "I…tried to….be…hero….my…fault," he managed then started coughing violently.

"Don't try to talk," Lori patted his hand; "and you already are my hero."

He squeezed hers in response before falling back into a deep state of slumber once more. A knock sounded at the door and Lori wiped her tears away quickly.

"Hello there Lori," Eric Bischoff smiled broadly. "I came as soon as I heard. How is he?"

Lori gave him a quick update as much as she knew.

"I see," Eric responded; "Well I guess he'll need to be taken off the roster for a few weeks then. Again, so sorry this happened. I can't believe the violence that muggers will resort to."

"It wasn't a mugging," Lori blinked in disbelief.

"Yes my dear," Eric glared; "It was a mugging and if he wants to remain gainfully employed; it will remain a 'mugging'. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, perfectly," Lori felt a chill go down her spine at his words.

"Good, then do be kind enough to share that with Mr. Irvine when he wakes up," Eric smirked and then turned around and exited quickly.