With a sharp jolt of pain Ashley was jerked awake.
"Dave"!
"Ashley! Oh thank God your awake".
"Lita? Wh- what happened"?
"You don't remember"?
"I remember getting hit from behind, but then it all went black".
"You were attacked. We found you on the hood of a car".
"Attacked? By who"?
"We don't know yet. Bischoff's having an investigation done".
"Oh, I feel like shit".
"You don't look so hot either".
Ashley glanced up and saw Kane standing at Lita's side.
"Thanks Kane, your so helpful".
"Even in urgent care she's sarcastic".
Lita reached over and slapped her husband on the arm.
"Behave".
"All right, sorry".
"Ha. So, I apparently pissed someone off".
"I'd say that again".
"What time is it"?
"11:15".
"I guess I missed Raw".
"Yeah, Dave just called. He said he was on his way".
"Right, him and Trip had that match".
"Yeah, but I doubt Dave cared much".
"Huh"?
"Bischoff had to threaten to fire him to keep him from leaving with you".
"Oh".
Kane, who wasn't the best at these kinds of things, cleared his throat.
"Listen, I'm going to go grab me and Lita some coffee. Do you want anything"?
"A very large Tylenol. Ha, no I'm fine. Thank you though".
"No problem".
Kane left leaving the door cracked.
"I can't believe he sat here".
"He cares more than he lets on. He almost beat Eric's ass".
"You're kidding".
"Nope".
"Damn".
"So, do you remember the last person you saw"?
"Yeah, it was…"
Ashley was interrupted by a slight commotion outside. It sounded like two men arguing. Then the door opened and in walked Randy and Dave.
"See, this is what I warned you about Dave".
"Randy get off my back before I knock you on yours".
"OH Good Lord"!
Both men fell silent and turned shocked that Ashley was able to talk.
"For once as a huge favor to me. Could you two not argue? Please. My head already hurts enough".
Dave walked over, knelt over the bed, and grabbed Ashley's hand.
"Ashley are you okay"?
"Yes, I'm fine. Now you two behave or I'll kick both your butts. Don't think I wont".
Randy smiled, and came over to and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Alright, truce"?
Randy stuck his hand out to Dave.
"Truce".
Dave shook Randy's hand.
"Okay, good. So, how'd your match go"?
"We won, but I was on the outside with Shawn. Trip and Ric double teamed Randy".
"Oh well… Congrats to you, and sorry Randy".
"Its okay, I'll get them next time".
"Wow, the tension is suffocating. Um… I'm going to go find Kane while you three talk".
"Okay Lita, cya".
Please tell me you saw this guy".
"Sorry B, he caught me from behind".
"Who was the last person you saw"?
"Yeah, what were you doing in the parking lot"?
"Well, Bischoff told me to find Christian, and Trish said he was in the parking lot. Then…"
"What"?
"Then… I saw Triple H. We got into an argument over you. Then I pushed him out of my way, and walked outside. The next thing I knew somebody clocked me and it all went black".
"Had to be Triple H. Dave I told…"
"No, Randy. I don't think it was Trip".
"How can you be sure"?
"I… I heard a laugh before I went out. It didn't sound like him".
"Either way, that's it. I'm done. I'll kill him for arguing with you".
"Dave, its okay. I've been wanting to give him a piece of my mind anyway".
"That still doesn't mean Hunter didn't have anything to do with it. He could have hired someone".
"True, but for now, Ashley, you need to get some rest. I'm going to stay here tonight. Then tomorrow we can worry about which ass I get to beat the hell out of".
"Dave you need your rest too. I'll be fine…"
"Ashley, I'm staying with you. What if somebody comes in here and tries to finish the job? No, I'll just use one of those guest cots, it'll be good".
"Maybe I should stay…"
"Randy no! No way, you have to get up at four to fly out for an autograph signing remember"?
"This is more…"
"I know your being a friend, but I'm being a friend too. You're going to go sleep in your hotel. If there's a problem, we'll call".
"Don't worry man, I'll take care of her. I promise".
"You better, if you let any…"
"If anything happens to her, I'll pay you to beat me to death".
For once there seemed to be an understanding between them. One that Ashley didn't have to bribe for. Who knows, maybe they'll be friends again one day. It was getting late so after several good byes Randy, Kane, and Lita left. Dave was getting his cot set up for the night.
"B bear"?
"Yeah"?
"Thank you".
"For what"?
"Just because, for being a friend, for being with me".
"Oh sweetie, you know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else".
"I know, I just wanted you to know how much it all means to me".
"I know".
Dave and Ashley looked at each other for a long moment. Then Dave shook his head and went back to his cot.
"Are you sure your going to be okay"?
"Yeah, come on I'm the Animal. I'm tough remember"?
Dave plopped down on the mattress and shifted to get comfy. Ashley could see him wince every time the metal bar stuck him in the back.
"This is ridiculous. Dave get up".
"What… why? I'm fine".
"No your not. Here, you can curl up with me".
"What? Ashley no I…"
"I'll never sleep knowing you're not comfortable. Anyways, this bed is way to big for just me. There's plenty of room. Unless, you like bars sticking you in the back, and knowing I won't sleep".
"Fine".
Dave hopped onto the hospital bed. Trying to arrange himself as far away from Ashley as possible.
"Oh please, I won't bite".
"I don't want to hurt you".
"Trust me, I'm on enough meds to make an elephant numb".
Slowly Dave relaxed and moved a little closer. Ashley curled up to him and laid her head on his shoulder.
"B"?
"Hmm"?
"Is this alright with you"?
"Yeah, its fine".
"Okay".
"Why"?
"I was just making sure, I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable".
"Sweetie, come on. We've had burping contests that were more awkward".
"Ha, true".
"I'm just sorry we're in a hospital".
"Oh well, can't change the past".
"No, but I can beat ass for the past".
Ashley couldn't help but feel safe in Dave's arms. As Ashley slipped off to sleep Dave watched her, and promised himself he would get whoever did this no matter what. Soon he fell asleep to, and for once they both slept soundly.
Ashley woke the next morning to find that Dave had already gotten up. She could hear him in the shower. Ashley blushed at the thought, and tried to think of something to distract her. To her relief the nurse came in.
"Oh, your awake".
"Yes, good morning".
"Good morning. I had to wake your boyfriend up this morning. Your not supposed to share beds".
"Sorry, but he's just a really close friend".
"All the same. Well, everything looks all right. The doctor says you can be released whenever you want. He just wanted to keep you over night and make sure things were normal".
"Thank you".
"Are you sure he's not your boyfriend? He was so worried about you when he got here last night. He's a cutie though".
After unhooking Ashley's IV the nurse left and told her to buzz the nurse button when she was ready to leave. Ashley was extremely sore now that the painkillers had worn off. She got up and walked over to her gym bag to grab her street clothes. As she did so her make-up mirror feel out, and Ashley couldn't resist the temptation. She looked at her reflection and stared at it in shock. She had a huge bandage across her forehead, a bruise across her law line, and her lip was busted and swollen. No wonder B freaked out like he did. I look like a murder victim. Ashley felt the back of her head where a huge knot had formed. She wouldn't be surprised if the rest of her body was as bruised and battered as her face. Ashley hadn't heard the water cut off so she was surprised when Dave came out of the bathroom.
"Well, good morning".
"Oh hey Dave. So, did you sleep okay"?
"Yeah, did you? How are you feeling"?
"A little sore, but nothing major. My face looks worse then it feels".
"So you saw it huh"?
"Yeah. Damn, no wonder yall were panicking".
"Yall"?
"Hush".
"Ha. Well, you gave us quite a scare Ash. You're damn lucky you don't have a concussion. Hell, your damn lucky you didn't break anything".
"Yeah, well it feels the opposite. No, I'm fine, don't worry".
"Not possible".
Ashley and Dave looked at each other for a minute.
"Well, I going to get in the shower, and then I'll check out of here".
"Alright, are you going to be okay in there"?
"Yes! Oh, you just want to see me naked".
Dave smiled and mumbled something like, 'how'd she know'. So after throwing a pillow at him Ashley hopped in the shower. Afterwards, she found Dave had packed their bags and had set them on the bed.
"How was the shower"?
"Fine. Ready to get out of here"?
"Absolutely".
About 20 minutes later they had reached the car. The entire way Ashley had been complaining about the wheel chair. The nurse had insisted that she had to be wheeled down to the garage. As they got in the car Ashley continued the discussion.
"Really though. Why do they insist on wheeling you"?
"Ashley! Are you still on that"?
"Yes. I mean I was way more dizzy in that chair than I would have been walking".
"Really now"?
"Yes. Would you willingly be wheeled out of a hospital, or would you rather walk"?
"I see your point".
"About time. If you'd realize I'm always right life would be much simpler".
"Ha, I'll try to remember that".
"Finally".
They had a good laugh, and headed for the airport. Ashley's cell phone rang, but she already had a good idea of who it was.
"Hey Randy".
"Hey! How'd you know it was me"?
"Um… let me think. The term caller ID comes to mind".
"Ha. So, how are you feeling"?
"Grrreat"!
"Wow, either that must be some hospital or you had a little too much coffee".
"Um… no coffee, bad food".
"Then you really bumped your head".
"Well, what gave you that idea"?
"Hey, is Dave there"?
"Uh… yeah. Why"?
"Can I talk to him for a sec"?
"I guess so. Hang on. He wants to talk to you".
Dave took the phone.
"Randy… yeah, it went fine… no one tried anything… did he now… well, I'll have to call him thanks… don't worry about it man, you would've done the same… all right cya".
Dave handed the phone back to Ashley who took it and gave Dave a questioning look, but received no answer.
"Randy"?
"Hey, um… Ashley I got to go, but I'll call you later okay"?
"Okay, bye".
"Bye".
Ashley hung up and turned back to Dave who was still staring intently at the road.
"B"?
"Yeah".
"What was that about"?
"Oh, Randy just wanted to warn me about Hunter".
"Warn you"?
"Yeah, apparently he's looking for me".
"Oh".
"I'll call him when we get off the plane".
The rest of the drive was quiet until they reached the airport. After checking their luggage and picking up their tickets, they sat down and waited for the plane. Ashley's medicine had completely worn off, and the bruises on her back were starting to throb. Sitting against the seat was starting to bother her. She couldn't find a position that was comfortable.
"You okay"?
"Yeah, I'm fine".
"Ashley".
"What? My back's just sore, that's all".
"You sure your alright"?
"Yes, I'm sure".
Finally, the plane started loading, and Ashley hoped the seats were a little more comfortable. They weren't. Take off was miserable because the force of it pushed Ashley against the seat, and she had to bite her lip to keep quiet. Once the plane leveled out she was able to curl up on her side in the seat so that her back didn't have any pressure on it.
"Comfy"?
"Yes".
"Good, I know that take off had to hurt".
"No, not really".
"You are such a liar".
"How do you know"?
"I saw you bite your lip".
"Well, I'm fine now, so stop worrying".
"I told you, that's not possible".
"Why not"?
Because I care too much about you".
The butterflies that had started before in catering came back full blast.
"Really"?
"Yeah, you the one person I can trust. If anything happened to you… well, watch the Raw recap and you'll see what I'd do".
"Threaten Bischoff".
"Ha. I do that on a daily basis".
"Yeah, he just kind of asks for it".
"Its so easy. With his buzzed head, big attitude, and nothing to back it up. He's the biggest chicken on Raw".
"I don't know about the biggest. What about Simon Dean"?
They continued to discuss the chickens and idiots of Raw, but Ashley was beginning to feel exhausted again. She was trying to stay awake, but her head was starting to droop.
"Ashley"?
"Yeah"?
"Here".
Dave spread a blanket over her.
"Oh, thank you, but I'm not tired".
"Right, and I'm the pope. You need the rest. There weren't any pillows up there so you can use my shoulder if you want".
Ashley wasn't sure if it was the high altitude and exhaustion that made her say it, or if it just slipped.
"Your shoulder is better then any pillow".
Before she could think of something to say to negate her comment sleep took her. Dave looked down at the now sleeping Ashley and whispered.
"Its there whenever you need it".
Then leaned back and fell asleep himself.