Smackdown the next day was in Vermont. I packed my things together to get ready and opened my door carrying my two bags. As I turned to walk to Paul's room, I bumped into someone.
"I'm so clumsy I'm sorry." I said.
"My fault." The familiar southern drawl said. It was Jeff. I looked at him and he looked at me. "Destiny." He said.
"Jeff. Sorry, didn't mean to."
"I know, like a lot of things." He said and walked away.
I sighed and continued to walk. I knocked on Paul's door and Steph answered. She smiled and let me in.
"You look like hell." She told me.
"Yeah, well the day would have started off better if I didn't bump into Jeff a few seconds ago."
"Did you?" She said. "Do tell."
"Tell what? I bumped into him and said I was sorry that I didn't mean to. And he said, 'I know, like a lot of things'."
"Ouch." She said. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, well, shit happens." I said. "I'm not giving up."
"I like the attitude." She put her arms around me.
"Lets get the show on the road, we have about a two, three hour drive ahead of us. We lead the train to Vermont."
"We do?" I asked.
"Yup, Adam, Jay and Chris are following us. Matt, Jeff, and your son is following us."
"Oh, I get it." I said grabbing my things.
We threw our things in the car and Adam, Paul, and Matt met up to talk about which way they would go, since they were the three drives. I looked at saw Jeff holding my son in my arms and it broke my heart. He still is so good with that baby. I had to look away or I would cry.
"Ready?" Paul asked as we got into the car.
"Yes, lets get the show on the road." Stephanie answered. As we pulled out, I saw Jeff holding Matthew high and a smile on his face, and a tear fell down my cheek. I brushed it away quickly and sat back. I grabbed a diary I had been keeping since my son was born. I opened to the next clean page and started to write. Write about how nothing was going to stop me now. Once I got Amy out of the way, every excuse was gone. The one hurdle I had to face.
"Anyone want to stop for food?" Paul asked about 45 minutes into our trip.
"Sure." Stephanie answered.
"Des?"
"Yeah, sure." I answered. I closed my book and the three car train pulled into a rest stop. I got out and stretched and walked inside. We all got a big table to eat at. I sat with Matt and my son and gave him some cereal while I picked at a sandwich. I glanced a the end of the table, and there he was, joking with Jay and Chris. I sighed and looked at my son. His laughter seemed louder than anyone else. All I could hear was his voice, his cute southern accent. I could see his smile in my mind, his beautiful green eyes. I closed my eyes and I saw the times he smiled for me, his eyes glistened.
"Des, can I see Matt?" Adam asked me.
"Sure." I picked him up and carried him to Adam. "You don't have to ask."
I walked back to my seat and continued to pick at the sandwich. I wasn't hungry. I was leaning on my right hand picking at the sandwich with my left. I glanced over at Adam with Matt and saw that Jeff was playing with him too. I took a deep breath.
"Before we hit the road I wanna pee." I said getting up.
I walked into the bathroom to get a hold of myself. It was all in front of me. I had to formulate a plan. How I was going to talk to him. The door opened and I figured it was Steph coming in. It wasn't, it was Jay.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked. "This is the girls bathroom."
"Yeah, I know. I figured I'd look for some chicks here." He smiled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I answered.
"Destiny, look who you're talking to." He said. "Too much Jeff for you to handle right now?"
"Maybe."
"Hey, it's weird for him too. He keeps looking at you and looking away. It's weird, it's the closest the two of you have been since, you know. We talk to him and he laughs with us, but I don't think he really knows what we're saying."
"Seeing him with Matt hurts. He's so good to that baby."
"He loves that kid. It's his nephew. I don't think he had any intention on punishing that kid for anything. You know how Jeff is with family. He's going to spoil that baby."
"I know, all of you are. My child is going to be the spoiled brat."
"Nah, he won't be like that. He's got two good parents to keep his ass in line." Jay told me. "You know what's right, Des, do it."
He left. And, like always, he was right. I went back out and everyone was in their cars. I walked with Stephanie to ours and got in the backseat. I put my feet up on the seat and leaned against the door. I continued writing in my little diary for most of the ride. Then, I got tired and fell asleep.
"Des! Up and at em, where here!" Paul yelled to me. I opened my eyes and looked at him staring me right in the face.
"Woah, hello, Paul." I said. "Too close for comfort." I pushed his face back. We arrived at the arena. We weren't staying overnight in Vermont. After the Smackdown taping, some superstars were headed on a fight to Iowa to do a house show there and two more in states around it. I was on that list of superstars.
We walked inside the arena and one of Vince's associates pulled me aside. He lead me down a hall to where Vince was setting up the final details for Smackdown. He saw me walking to him and excused himself from the men he was talking with and walked with me back down the hallway and out onto the ramp of the Smackdown set.
"In that ring, we house the best of the very best. Lives are put on the line every night. There is no question what we do is stressful, you know first hand. Day in and day out, there is no explanation for what we do, what we go through, and what we put our bodies through."
"It's all true, Vince, but what are you getting at?" I asked. I was shocked that he wasn't about to yell at me.
"I thought about your idea, the one you told me yesterday. I read the match lay up over and over again, and I find it flawless. You have constructed a great match, even better than many of our writers. I haven't slept much, I've written down so many ideas of how I want to play this out. It's perfect. It will be better for the both of you. It starts tonight. You and Chris are in a tag match, Amy and Kurt are going to interfere. I am having Chris face Kurt at the next pay per view. RAW you will set the challenge, and basically ruin each other's matches. Then, after the pay-per-view, I will personally make sure this matter is taken care of."
I was stunned. Vince vowed to work with me and make sure this was all going to be taken care of. He said he was working out of my best interests. He agreed that, for the most part, I was pushed into the things I had done. He said he'd discuss with Amy what needed to be discussed and would check in with me from time to time.
Vince walked back up the ramp and went backstage to the men he was talking to before. I stayed on the ramp looking into the ring. It was built now, and the padded security walls were being placed up. I took a deep breath and smiled, then walked up the ramp myself.
"What was that about?" Paul asked me as I walked into the locker room.
"Someone had a change of heart." I answered. "Things are going to be just fine."
"That's good to hear." Stephanie answered. "Ready for tonight?"
"Yeah, it all goes down tonight." I answered. "The road to No Mercy begins tonight."
"Be careful." Paul told me. "Stay calm, keep your cool. You're doing great so far."
I nodded. I suited up and Chris and I were wanted for a promo. We didn't have anything really prepared, just let flow.
"I'm standing here with Chris Jericho and Destiny, the reigning Tag Team Champions." Coach said. "Once again you defend your titles against 7 time Tag Team Champions, Edge and Christian."
"Edge and Christian? Am I supposed to be afraid of these two ass clowns? Are we supposed to run and hide? We're the Tag Team Champions! Not a bunch of has beens!" Chris said.
"Lets face it, Edge and Christian have done a lot, and in the past we all used to be on the same page, but that was then. Now, these reekazoids, or whatever it is they say, have to realize that the times have changed. They might have been the most dominate tag team around, but take a look at this force." I added.
"So, I take it has you're not worried about losing your belts?" Coach asked.
"Never." I answered.
"You have the best damn wrestler in history and the best damn Diva in history. When you put that together, you get the best damn tag team in history." Chris said, and we left. Next, the camera showed Edge and Christian watching our promo.
"What is that?" Adam asked. "Who the hell do they think they are? We're the best tag team around here."
"You're right, Edge. We'll show these chumpstains what tag team wrestling is all about."
"You said it, bro."
Then, their music hit and they walked out. We wished each other luck before the match. I slapped Adam and Jay's butts before they went through the curtain. I giggled to myself and got ready for Chris and I. The music started with his countdown and that segment before the pyrotechnics started. Our video had this countdown and his pyro. When the pyro hit in cut into a different song, "Strength" preformed by Disturbed. And, a new tag team video for us. I was excited about it.
Our music hit and we walked out. The fans loved us. We had the perfect chemistry. We got in the ring and walked into a stare down with Adam and Jay. They punched us and threw us into the ropes, I hit first, when Chris hit, he missed the rope and went over it, landing outside. Adam got me in a backdrop. Jay got out of the ring and went to Chris while Adam and I started the match.
I landed hard on my back and felt some soreness. I got right back up and walked into a few punches. After, Adam threw me into the ropes and I came back with a headsisscore take down. I got some momentum going and threw Adam to the corner and did a handspring elbow to him, and then got him in a bulldog as he walked out. I picked him up and threw him into our corner to make the tag to Chris.
"My back, I can't not yet." He said to us.
"Monkey flip." Adam told me.
I nodded. I jumped and put my feet on his chest and fell back sending him flying. Jay ran in and I knocked him out telling him the deal. Our plan sort of went out the window and we had to adlib some of the moves. It wasn't that bad, we had all been in the ring enough to make a match go. After Adam tagged Jay in, Adam went to Chris and started beating on him just to make it look good. He didn't do anything harsh.
Adam and Jay took turns wearing me down. They would throw me in the corner but Chris still wasn't ready. Finally, Chris put his arm out, and I tagged out. I could see he was hurting, but he knew he had to go in. Each time he took a back bump I could see the pain well up in his eyes. He tried his hardest not to let it show on camera. I was so tired from what I had done, that I should have stayed out, but I wanted so badly to tag back in. Chris was too proud, he wouldn't tag out, not this early.
Adam got Chris in the Edge-a-cution, his submissions hold that targets the lower back and the knee area. I got angry, why was Adam doing this? He looked at me, and I knew why. It was part of the original plan, and Chris wouldn't have it any other way. But, it didn't make me feel any better. I couldn't take it and ran in and broke it up. Jay ran to me and we had it out for a while.
I got back up on the apron and Adam threw Chris into the corner and I tagged myself in. I ran after Adam with his own move, the spear. I got him down and started punching him. Jay got in and it was a two on one, that Chris broke up himself. He knocked Jay out of the ring and we put a double team on Adam for the win.
After we won, Chris collapsed. I knelt beside him, rubbing his back. I could see tears in his eyes as he laid there. He rolled over and looked up at me.
"Are you ok?" I asked him.
"I don't know." He answered. "I think I'll be fine."
"Do you want EMTs?" I asked. He shook his head. "Ok, let me help you out then."
"I felt it when I hit my back on the apron and hit the floor." He told me as we walked up the ramp. "I didn't have any time to prepare for it. I didn't know I was going over. And, when I went over, I was dead wait hitting my back right on it."
"Please, get yourself checked out." I told him. "It's for the best."
We got backstage, and an EMT crew was there waiting for Chris. He didn't want it, but went on the stretcher to the first aid room for a check up. Adam and Jay came back next and we watched as Chris was rolled away.
"It was when he went over." Adam said. "I saw it."
"He told me when I went out there." Jay said. "I hope he's ok."
I went to the first aid to check on Chris. I knew there wasn't much they could do here, and he would have to go to the hospital for further check ups. And, when I got there, that's what they were doing to him. He was being taken away by the local hospital EMTs for x-rays.
"I'm following you." I told him.
"No, stay here." He replied. "Have fun. You just got back, you don't need more stress."
"I want to see if you're ok." I said.
"I'll be fine, stay here." He told me as the doors closed on the ambulance. I sighed as I watched it drive away.
"He'll be fine." Jay said coming up behind me. He handed me a peach Snapple.
"I hope so." I replied opening it and taking a sip.
"I knew he was hurt. He told me when I went to fight him." He replied. "He'll be fine."
He walked back inside, I stayed outside for a little bit. I took a few sips of my Snapple before turning to go back inside and change. I was very worried about Chris. I knew back injuries well. I had one, a serious one. I didn't understand how serious until way after the fact. My career was in serious jeopardy, but, I somehow managed to pull it off. Someone told me it wasn't my time yet to give it all up.
I walked into the locker room and sat on the bench. Stephanie came up to me and put her arms around me. I just wanted to know if Chris was all right. I then hear a familiar voice on the PA.
"Well, Destiny, I'm sorry to hear about your match. Poor Chris." Amy said as she stepped out of the curtain. "Such a shame. Enough about him, lets talk about the true has been, you. What have you done with yourself on your months suspension? Sleep around? Get pregnant again? It's common for you. If you want to know, I spent mine working hard, training, getting ready to kick your ass, show you what dominance is. You think taking the cover of a magazine means you're the best. Holding the titles you held? Please, anyone can when they show T n A around here. I'm not going to waist my breath going on, I'll show you with actions. When you least expect it, there I'll be." And she left.
I was pissed. But, I wasn't going to go out there and mess with her. I was going to be the better person. Everyone looked at me, as if I would do something. I just went to cool myself off in the showers. I showered and changed my clothes, putting my dirty ring gear in my bag and walked out of the arena. I chose to ignore the situation best I could. No one brought it up.
"I know what can happen with back injuries." I said once in the car.
"That was one of the scariest days of my life." Paul said. "Seeing how it happened, and what happened, and what it looked like after it happened. I was so scared. One suplex. That's all it took."
"The suplex seen around the world." I replied, remembering exactly what happened.
"And it was only a suplex, and all that damage. Chris only fell off the apron." Paul said.
"Please, don't point that out." I told him.
"I'm not worried, he's fine. Just a strain or something, ya know." Paul replied. "I was just pointing out how much can come from something so small."
He was right. My suplex was just a suplex, but done on a bad spot. And Chris just went over the top rope, but did so in a bad way. I wasn't really interested in Paul's theories. I just wanted to know about Chris. I felt I should have been there for him. I felt that as soon as I got to the hotel, I should just drop everything and find him.
"I know what you're thinking." Paul said. "You're going back to the hotel and getting some rest. You and I are going to Maine to do a house show, and then to New Hampshire. Then we have some days off before RAW."
"I know." I said with a sigh. I looked out the window, thinking about what Amy said. "She was supposed to do a run in."
"Who?" Stephanie asked.
"Amy. But, I guess she never found her window of opportunity."
"That or she got scared to face you." Stephanie replied. I smiled.
During the ride to the hotel, I got a call on my cell phone. I jumped as it rung. I frantically said, "hello".
"Ah, Des." Chris said on the other line.
"Chris, how are you? Are you ok? What's wrong?" I asked.
"Calm down killer." He joked. "A sprain here, strain there. Doc said stay off it for a few weeks."
"Damn, you're wife won't be happy."
"No, she can go on her back." He laughed.
"But seriously, I'm glad it's not anything too serious." I said.
"Yup." He answered.
"I'll come get you when we get to the hotel." And we hung up.
"He's ok then?" Paul asked.
"Strains and sprains." I answered with a smile.
"Good to hear." Paul replied.
When we got back to the hotel, I quickly got into my car and drove off to get Chris. My spirits were lifted knowing Chris was ok. I drove the twenty minute drive to the hospital to get him. When I got there, I have him a light hug and he checked out and we were on our way to the hotel.
"Looks like the team is side lined for a little." Chris said.
"It doesn't matter, all that matter's is you're ok." I replied.
"Yes, I believe that's a good thing." He looked at me. "Jeff was talking about you."
"What? What did he say?" I asked eagerly, almost running off the road.
"Calm down!" Chris yelled. "Nothing bad. He said he was happy to see you back. He said he knows how important this business is for you, and being away from it kills you. He also mentioned he saw you walking in Cameron. I didn't know you saw him."
"I did. I was taking Matthew for a walk."
"Yup, that's what he said. He said he saw you there, and couldn't help but look, then got nervous and sped away."
Jeff didn't suspect anything when he saw me in Cameron. It brought a smile to my face to know that my name came from his mouth. He was thinking about me.
"I'm so clumsy I'm sorry." I said.
"My fault." The familiar southern drawl said. It was Jeff. I looked at him and he looked at me. "Destiny." He said.
"Jeff. Sorry, didn't mean to."
"I know, like a lot of things." He said and walked away.
I sighed and continued to walk. I knocked on Paul's door and Steph answered. She smiled and let me in.
"You look like hell." She told me.
"Yeah, well the day would have started off better if I didn't bump into Jeff a few seconds ago."
"Did you?" She said. "Do tell."
"Tell what? I bumped into him and said I was sorry that I didn't mean to. And he said, 'I know, like a lot of things'."
"Ouch." She said. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, well, shit happens." I said. "I'm not giving up."
"I like the attitude." She put her arms around me.
"Lets get the show on the road, we have about a two, three hour drive ahead of us. We lead the train to Vermont."
"We do?" I asked.
"Yup, Adam, Jay and Chris are following us. Matt, Jeff, and your son is following us."
"Oh, I get it." I said grabbing my things.
We threw our things in the car and Adam, Paul, and Matt met up to talk about which way they would go, since they were the three drives. I looked at saw Jeff holding my son in my arms and it broke my heart. He still is so good with that baby. I had to look away or I would cry.
"Ready?" Paul asked as we got into the car.
"Yes, lets get the show on the road." Stephanie answered. As we pulled out, I saw Jeff holding Matthew high and a smile on his face, and a tear fell down my cheek. I brushed it away quickly and sat back. I grabbed a diary I had been keeping since my son was born. I opened to the next clean page and started to write. Write about how nothing was going to stop me now. Once I got Amy out of the way, every excuse was gone. The one hurdle I had to face.
"Anyone want to stop for food?" Paul asked about 45 minutes into our trip.
"Sure." Stephanie answered.
"Des?"
"Yeah, sure." I answered. I closed my book and the three car train pulled into a rest stop. I got out and stretched and walked inside. We all got a big table to eat at. I sat with Matt and my son and gave him some cereal while I picked at a sandwich. I glanced a the end of the table, and there he was, joking with Jay and Chris. I sighed and looked at my son. His laughter seemed louder than anyone else. All I could hear was his voice, his cute southern accent. I could see his smile in my mind, his beautiful green eyes. I closed my eyes and I saw the times he smiled for me, his eyes glistened.
"Des, can I see Matt?" Adam asked me.
"Sure." I picked him up and carried him to Adam. "You don't have to ask."
I walked back to my seat and continued to pick at the sandwich. I wasn't hungry. I was leaning on my right hand picking at the sandwich with my left. I glanced over at Adam with Matt and saw that Jeff was playing with him too. I took a deep breath.
"Before we hit the road I wanna pee." I said getting up.
I walked into the bathroom to get a hold of myself. It was all in front of me. I had to formulate a plan. How I was going to talk to him. The door opened and I figured it was Steph coming in. It wasn't, it was Jay.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked. "This is the girls bathroom."
"Yeah, I know. I figured I'd look for some chicks here." He smiled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I answered.
"Destiny, look who you're talking to." He said. "Too much Jeff for you to handle right now?"
"Maybe."
"Hey, it's weird for him too. He keeps looking at you and looking away. It's weird, it's the closest the two of you have been since, you know. We talk to him and he laughs with us, but I don't think he really knows what we're saying."
"Seeing him with Matt hurts. He's so good to that baby."
"He loves that kid. It's his nephew. I don't think he had any intention on punishing that kid for anything. You know how Jeff is with family. He's going to spoil that baby."
"I know, all of you are. My child is going to be the spoiled brat."
"Nah, he won't be like that. He's got two good parents to keep his ass in line." Jay told me. "You know what's right, Des, do it."
He left. And, like always, he was right. I went back out and everyone was in their cars. I walked with Stephanie to ours and got in the backseat. I put my feet up on the seat and leaned against the door. I continued writing in my little diary for most of the ride. Then, I got tired and fell asleep.
"Des! Up and at em, where here!" Paul yelled to me. I opened my eyes and looked at him staring me right in the face.
"Woah, hello, Paul." I said. "Too close for comfort." I pushed his face back. We arrived at the arena. We weren't staying overnight in Vermont. After the Smackdown taping, some superstars were headed on a fight to Iowa to do a house show there and two more in states around it. I was on that list of superstars.
We walked inside the arena and one of Vince's associates pulled me aside. He lead me down a hall to where Vince was setting up the final details for Smackdown. He saw me walking to him and excused himself from the men he was talking with and walked with me back down the hallway and out onto the ramp of the Smackdown set.
"In that ring, we house the best of the very best. Lives are put on the line every night. There is no question what we do is stressful, you know first hand. Day in and day out, there is no explanation for what we do, what we go through, and what we put our bodies through."
"It's all true, Vince, but what are you getting at?" I asked. I was shocked that he wasn't about to yell at me.
"I thought about your idea, the one you told me yesterday. I read the match lay up over and over again, and I find it flawless. You have constructed a great match, even better than many of our writers. I haven't slept much, I've written down so many ideas of how I want to play this out. It's perfect. It will be better for the both of you. It starts tonight. You and Chris are in a tag match, Amy and Kurt are going to interfere. I am having Chris face Kurt at the next pay per view. RAW you will set the challenge, and basically ruin each other's matches. Then, after the pay-per-view, I will personally make sure this matter is taken care of."
I was stunned. Vince vowed to work with me and make sure this was all going to be taken care of. He said he was working out of my best interests. He agreed that, for the most part, I was pushed into the things I had done. He said he'd discuss with Amy what needed to be discussed and would check in with me from time to time.
Vince walked back up the ramp and went backstage to the men he was talking to before. I stayed on the ramp looking into the ring. It was built now, and the padded security walls were being placed up. I took a deep breath and smiled, then walked up the ramp myself.
"What was that about?" Paul asked me as I walked into the locker room.
"Someone had a change of heart." I answered. "Things are going to be just fine."
"That's good to hear." Stephanie answered. "Ready for tonight?"
"Yeah, it all goes down tonight." I answered. "The road to No Mercy begins tonight."
"Be careful." Paul told me. "Stay calm, keep your cool. You're doing great so far."
I nodded. I suited up and Chris and I were wanted for a promo. We didn't have anything really prepared, just let flow.
"I'm standing here with Chris Jericho and Destiny, the reigning Tag Team Champions." Coach said. "Once again you defend your titles against 7 time Tag Team Champions, Edge and Christian."
"Edge and Christian? Am I supposed to be afraid of these two ass clowns? Are we supposed to run and hide? We're the Tag Team Champions! Not a bunch of has beens!" Chris said.
"Lets face it, Edge and Christian have done a lot, and in the past we all used to be on the same page, but that was then. Now, these reekazoids, or whatever it is they say, have to realize that the times have changed. They might have been the most dominate tag team around, but take a look at this force." I added.
"So, I take it has you're not worried about losing your belts?" Coach asked.
"Never." I answered.
"You have the best damn wrestler in history and the best damn Diva in history. When you put that together, you get the best damn tag team in history." Chris said, and we left. Next, the camera showed Edge and Christian watching our promo.
"What is that?" Adam asked. "Who the hell do they think they are? We're the best tag team around here."
"You're right, Edge. We'll show these chumpstains what tag team wrestling is all about."
"You said it, bro."
Then, their music hit and they walked out. We wished each other luck before the match. I slapped Adam and Jay's butts before they went through the curtain. I giggled to myself and got ready for Chris and I. The music started with his countdown and that segment before the pyrotechnics started. Our video had this countdown and his pyro. When the pyro hit in cut into a different song, "Strength" preformed by Disturbed. And, a new tag team video for us. I was excited about it.
Our music hit and we walked out. The fans loved us. We had the perfect chemistry. We got in the ring and walked into a stare down with Adam and Jay. They punched us and threw us into the ropes, I hit first, when Chris hit, he missed the rope and went over it, landing outside. Adam got me in a backdrop. Jay got out of the ring and went to Chris while Adam and I started the match.
I landed hard on my back and felt some soreness. I got right back up and walked into a few punches. After, Adam threw me into the ropes and I came back with a headsisscore take down. I got some momentum going and threw Adam to the corner and did a handspring elbow to him, and then got him in a bulldog as he walked out. I picked him up and threw him into our corner to make the tag to Chris.
"My back, I can't not yet." He said to us.
"Monkey flip." Adam told me.
I nodded. I jumped and put my feet on his chest and fell back sending him flying. Jay ran in and I knocked him out telling him the deal. Our plan sort of went out the window and we had to adlib some of the moves. It wasn't that bad, we had all been in the ring enough to make a match go. After Adam tagged Jay in, Adam went to Chris and started beating on him just to make it look good. He didn't do anything harsh.
Adam and Jay took turns wearing me down. They would throw me in the corner but Chris still wasn't ready. Finally, Chris put his arm out, and I tagged out. I could see he was hurting, but he knew he had to go in. Each time he took a back bump I could see the pain well up in his eyes. He tried his hardest not to let it show on camera. I was so tired from what I had done, that I should have stayed out, but I wanted so badly to tag back in. Chris was too proud, he wouldn't tag out, not this early.
Adam got Chris in the Edge-a-cution, his submissions hold that targets the lower back and the knee area. I got angry, why was Adam doing this? He looked at me, and I knew why. It was part of the original plan, and Chris wouldn't have it any other way. But, it didn't make me feel any better. I couldn't take it and ran in and broke it up. Jay ran to me and we had it out for a while.
I got back up on the apron and Adam threw Chris into the corner and I tagged myself in. I ran after Adam with his own move, the spear. I got him down and started punching him. Jay got in and it was a two on one, that Chris broke up himself. He knocked Jay out of the ring and we put a double team on Adam for the win.
After we won, Chris collapsed. I knelt beside him, rubbing his back. I could see tears in his eyes as he laid there. He rolled over and looked up at me.
"Are you ok?" I asked him.
"I don't know." He answered. "I think I'll be fine."
"Do you want EMTs?" I asked. He shook his head. "Ok, let me help you out then."
"I felt it when I hit my back on the apron and hit the floor." He told me as we walked up the ramp. "I didn't have any time to prepare for it. I didn't know I was going over. And, when I went over, I was dead wait hitting my back right on it."
"Please, get yourself checked out." I told him. "It's for the best."
We got backstage, and an EMT crew was there waiting for Chris. He didn't want it, but went on the stretcher to the first aid room for a check up. Adam and Jay came back next and we watched as Chris was rolled away.
"It was when he went over." Adam said. "I saw it."
"He told me when I went out there." Jay said. "I hope he's ok."
I went to the first aid to check on Chris. I knew there wasn't much they could do here, and he would have to go to the hospital for further check ups. And, when I got there, that's what they were doing to him. He was being taken away by the local hospital EMTs for x-rays.
"I'm following you." I told him.
"No, stay here." He replied. "Have fun. You just got back, you don't need more stress."
"I want to see if you're ok." I said.
"I'll be fine, stay here." He told me as the doors closed on the ambulance. I sighed as I watched it drive away.
"He'll be fine." Jay said coming up behind me. He handed me a peach Snapple.
"I hope so." I replied opening it and taking a sip.
"I knew he was hurt. He told me when I went to fight him." He replied. "He'll be fine."
He walked back inside, I stayed outside for a little bit. I took a few sips of my Snapple before turning to go back inside and change. I was very worried about Chris. I knew back injuries well. I had one, a serious one. I didn't understand how serious until way after the fact. My career was in serious jeopardy, but, I somehow managed to pull it off. Someone told me it wasn't my time yet to give it all up.
I walked into the locker room and sat on the bench. Stephanie came up to me and put her arms around me. I just wanted to know if Chris was all right. I then hear a familiar voice on the PA.
"Well, Destiny, I'm sorry to hear about your match. Poor Chris." Amy said as she stepped out of the curtain. "Such a shame. Enough about him, lets talk about the true has been, you. What have you done with yourself on your months suspension? Sleep around? Get pregnant again? It's common for you. If you want to know, I spent mine working hard, training, getting ready to kick your ass, show you what dominance is. You think taking the cover of a magazine means you're the best. Holding the titles you held? Please, anyone can when they show T n A around here. I'm not going to waist my breath going on, I'll show you with actions. When you least expect it, there I'll be." And she left.
I was pissed. But, I wasn't going to go out there and mess with her. I was going to be the better person. Everyone looked at me, as if I would do something. I just went to cool myself off in the showers. I showered and changed my clothes, putting my dirty ring gear in my bag and walked out of the arena. I chose to ignore the situation best I could. No one brought it up.
"I know what can happen with back injuries." I said once in the car.
"That was one of the scariest days of my life." Paul said. "Seeing how it happened, and what happened, and what it looked like after it happened. I was so scared. One suplex. That's all it took."
"The suplex seen around the world." I replied, remembering exactly what happened.
"And it was only a suplex, and all that damage. Chris only fell off the apron." Paul said.
"Please, don't point that out." I told him.
"I'm not worried, he's fine. Just a strain or something, ya know." Paul replied. "I was just pointing out how much can come from something so small."
He was right. My suplex was just a suplex, but done on a bad spot. And Chris just went over the top rope, but did so in a bad way. I wasn't really interested in Paul's theories. I just wanted to know about Chris. I felt I should have been there for him. I felt that as soon as I got to the hotel, I should just drop everything and find him.
"I know what you're thinking." Paul said. "You're going back to the hotel and getting some rest. You and I are going to Maine to do a house show, and then to New Hampshire. Then we have some days off before RAW."
"I know." I said with a sigh. I looked out the window, thinking about what Amy said. "She was supposed to do a run in."
"Who?" Stephanie asked.
"Amy. But, I guess she never found her window of opportunity."
"That or she got scared to face you." Stephanie replied. I smiled.
During the ride to the hotel, I got a call on my cell phone. I jumped as it rung. I frantically said, "hello".
"Ah, Des." Chris said on the other line.
"Chris, how are you? Are you ok? What's wrong?" I asked.
"Calm down killer." He joked. "A sprain here, strain there. Doc said stay off it for a few weeks."
"Damn, you're wife won't be happy."
"No, she can go on her back." He laughed.
"But seriously, I'm glad it's not anything too serious." I said.
"Yup." He answered.
"I'll come get you when we get to the hotel." And we hung up.
"He's ok then?" Paul asked.
"Strains and sprains." I answered with a smile.
"Good to hear." Paul replied.
When we got back to the hotel, I quickly got into my car and drove off to get Chris. My spirits were lifted knowing Chris was ok. I drove the twenty minute drive to the hospital to get him. When I got there, I have him a light hug and he checked out and we were on our way to the hotel.
"Looks like the team is side lined for a little." Chris said.
"It doesn't matter, all that matter's is you're ok." I replied.
"Yes, I believe that's a good thing." He looked at me. "Jeff was talking about you."
"What? What did he say?" I asked eagerly, almost running off the road.
"Calm down!" Chris yelled. "Nothing bad. He said he was happy to see you back. He said he knows how important this business is for you, and being away from it kills you. He also mentioned he saw you walking in Cameron. I didn't know you saw him."
"I did. I was taking Matthew for a walk."
"Yup, that's what he said. He said he saw you there, and couldn't help but look, then got nervous and sped away."
Jeff didn't suspect anything when he saw me in Cameron. It brought a smile to my face to know that my name came from his mouth. He was thinking about me.