"Lift up your leg. Now hold it." The physical therapist advised. "One, two, three, four, five…that's it…six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Easy now, lower it slowly."

Hunter hated physical therapy. Hate wasn't the appropriate word, he loathed it. He knew it was better for him and the results would be nothing short of spectacular. But that didn't stop him from loathing every waking second of therapy.

He had to practice lifting his leg up and holding it for a few seconds. Normally, it's not hard for a healthy person—even a child could do it. But with a quad tear, it was excruciating. But it was a crucial exercise for the healing process. If Hunter wanted to get back into the ring and wrestle ten-minute matches, he needed to lift his leg.

Hunter took deep breaths. He closed his eyes in attempt to steady his breathing. His face was flushed with red color. After a few moments, it eased back into its normal tanned shade.

"How are you feeling? Feeling better?" The therapist asked.

Hunter gulped down his water bottle and slowly nodded his head. The exercises were the same as before but the pain was no different. He noticed tremendous improvement from the day of the surgery to several weeks later, when he was moved from the wheelchair to crutches. The doctors were so impressed by Hunter's recovery, they were talking about adjusting him down to one crutch sooner than expected.

"I can go for one more." Hunter gritted.

"Oh, I know you can go for one more, Paul. I'm sure you can go for more twenty more but we're done for the day. Take tomorrow off and see how long you can comfortably stand on the leg. Don't overdo it." The therapist warned.

Hunter was frustrated. He knew he can do one more set, even ten more sets. But he also knew patience was his biggest ally. "Alright."

"I'll see you again on Wednesday." The therapist said before he walked out of the training room.

Hunter began gathering his personal items, checking to see if he was going to leave anything behind. And there he saw them. The two things he needed to get used to for at least the next several weeks.

The crutches.

Hunter blew out a hissing breath and stared at the crutches. Every day it was the same routine: get out of bed, grab the crutches, and proceed with the day. No matter how many different ways he moved his view, the crutches still looked the same. Nice. Maybe if I'm really good, I get to have a sexy cane next.

Grabbing the crutches, he moved effortlessly through the doors of the rehab facility to his awaiting car. Unlocking the door and easing himself inside, Hunter took a moment to reflect on his recovery. Several weeks ago, driving wasn't an afterthought now he was able to at least drive around town. He didn't require any more assistance and was beginning to gain his independence back.

The next thing on Hunter's agenda was gaining his self-confidence back.

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

"You know what I hate?"

Shawn Michaels was afraid to respond. After knowing Hunter for almost 10 years, he was prone to end a question with a vulgar response. "Should I even wonder?"

"These." Hunter referred to his crutches as he steadily moved. "I hate 'em, but I have to use 'em."

Shawn visited his best friend to offer support and see how his DX partner in crime was doing. Ever since Hunter's injury, there have been loud whispers regarding the status of DX and what will happen with only one member standing. Shawn and Hunter scoffed at the talk, with the internet talking about the veterans as if they were rookies.

The men were going for a very brief walk around the rehab center. The day was surprisingly warm in Birmingham, a crisp 50 degrees. "I don't know, Paul." Shawn replied in his usual husky tone. "I think the crutches make you look sexy."

"Whatever, Shawn." Hunter rolled his eyes. "I was sexy before."

"Uh-huh. Sure." Shawn grinned. "So Mr. Bringing Sexy Back, how's rehab?"

"Well, the good news is that I'll return at SummerSlam. My progress is healing a lot quicker than everyone expected."

"And the bad news?"

Hunter stopped walking and paused for a brief moment. He glanced up to the overcast sky, hoping the grayish color would somehow calm his thinking and not make his voice crack. "You know every year that I've been in this company, I've gone to Wrestlemania. Every damn year." He let out a frustrating sigh and rested his hands on the crutches. "Yeah, I'll be there but I won't be there. It's one thing to watch it from the production truck and be behind the scenes. It's another thing to be involved in it."

Shawn understood what Hunter was saying. Wrestlemania was considered to be the "Granddaddy of Them All" in terms of sports entertainment. Every wrestling fan and even non-fans were hyped about watching the show. Even when Shawn wasn't a part of the company for a short time, he missed the excitement of being at Wrestlemania.

"Normally, I would be that cheeseball that would say, 'Hey man, you'll be there next year!' or 'Hey, at least your tear isn't that bad!'" Shawn snickered at his own cheerful pick-me-ups he has used on others in the past. "But you know what? There isn't a thing anyone can say to you that will possibly lighten up the situation. So I'll just say this: I understand."

Hunter stopped walking for a brief minute. "I'm glad someone does."

Shawn decided to switch the subject. "How's Steph and Aurora?"

"Steph's been getting on my nerves but what wife doesn't do that to her husband?" Hunter said as Shawn chuckled. "But everything is good. She's been the support I needed."

"That's good." Shawn replied.

"And Aurora is getting her good looks from her daddy." Hunter smiled proudly.

"Not the nose, right?" Shawn asked.

Hunter tapped his crutches. "You know, injured or not I can still kick your ass."

"Oh yeah?" Shawn quickly grabbed Hunter's crutches and paced 20 steps. "Do it."

Hunter stared at Shawn. "You're cold."

Shawn walked to Hunter and gave him back the crutches. "I am. It's a little chilly out here."

"Mmm hmm….sure, Shawn." Hunter countered as he quickly grabbed his crutches from his best friend. "Get your kicks in to a poor and defenseless human being here."

Shawn looked around. "Who?"

Hunter laughed. "And just to let you know, I didn't bring sexy back."

"Of course you didn't."

"I made it popular."