If anyone bothered to look, they might realize that someone was standing in the shadows, in front of a rarely used monitor, just outside the staging position. She was standing in one of her favorite hidey holes, leaning against some equipment as she watched Edge and Lita in the ring. David was just waiting for his queue. Her view was un-obscured but she knew she was hard to see if someone was looking for her. She liked it that way, it was one of the reasons she selected her spot tonight. She was relieved to be back on the road with David, it was so much easier than her home life. Just thinking that made her grimace. She wasn’t used to having any type of home life. At least as far as actually in her own home. She'd been on her own, more or less for many years and she thought she liked it that way. But then life threw her some major curve balls and she was still trying to adjust to all the changes, knowing that much bigger ones were one the horizon.

Thinking about that and her stupidity made her shake her head. If she was anyone else looking in at her life she knew she'd chew her a new ass for being so reckless, but no one was doing that to her. Even though she felt she definitely deserved it. She was certainly old enough to know what caused babies. She was certainly old enough, if not wise enough, to know what happened when you slept with men and trusted stupid ass doctors to know their elbow from their asshole. It just proved to her yet again, that doctors were just practicing. They didn’t know shit.

She focused back on the ring and the crowd. They were loud tonight. Loud and rowdy, she thought. She watched David as he stepped on the ropes and posed for the crowds, knowing that he was grinning from ear to ear. Most of the smoke from the pyro had cleared as the intruders were ready to appear. She knew this was supposed to be the start of a long program between the two brands. She followed the action in ring and watched as the two big boys walked past her with a quick nod to her on their way out to the ring to ruin the night. She watched as they fought back and forth and listened to the fans cheer as each hit from David scored, even though the outcome was inevitable. She jerked away from the equipment that she had been leaning against as she witnessed a punch thrown by David. She blinked and watched him closely. Damn it. He was hurt. She watched as he communicated that to the ref and his two opponents in the ring. She winced as they double choke slammed him in to the canvas and taunted him as he lay motionless except for his twitching for the cameras. Damn it.

The cameras stopped and the two big boys left the ring to the crowd’s boos. Several people, including the head trainer, ran past her to the ring and David. She watched him roll over and sit up and wince. Damn it, she thought again as she clenched her jaw in frustration. Kris is gonna fuckin’ kill me.

“Stretch, we didn’t mean to,” Kane said as he touched her shoulder on the way to the locker room. She nodded in acknowledgement. She had seen what had happened. She stood out of the way as the trainers helped David walk to the back. He paused and waved to the fans and smiled for them to let them know he was alright. She could see his face, he was far from alright. But he wasn’t going to let his fans know or worry.

She stepped away from her hiding place, but out of the main walkway so she could see him as he was half carried, half walked by her. She fell into step behind him and the trainers.

“David,” she said quietly.

He turned at the sound of her voice and took the offered water bottle with a strained smile. She nodded at his look but didn’t offer the towel or phone as was their usual ritual.

“We can take it from here, Carrie,” said Gary, one of the trainers.

Eddie had followed David out and raised his brow at Gary ’s words. He knew Little Mami didn’t like to be told what to do, especially when it had anything to do with her massive brother in law. He fell in to step with her as they followed the others to the locker room. Gary pushed the door open and bellowed for everybody to get out that didn’t need to be there. Carrie followed Eddie in the door without hesitation. Eddie noticed she ignored Gary ’s words and knew more shit was to come, but right now he was more concerned about his buddy. He had watched as he over extended his reach and saw him gasp in pain. He hoped it wasn’t serious, but he had an awful feeling it was.

Carrie stood off to the side and watched and listened as they told David to lay flat on his stomach so they could palpate his shoulder and back since that was where he had told them his pain was. She clamped her lips shut as she heard his loud groan from the extra pain they caused. Stupid assholes, she thought as they poked and prodded him. It was obvious to anyone with eyes what he’d done. He’d strained part of his lat and it was starting to swell and would hurt like a bitch soon, sooner if they kept fucking with him. She glanced at Eddie as he sat near David, trying to get him to laugh at his jokes.

“Hey, Ese, did I tell you the one about the red-necked Orton and the Pope walking in to a bar,” Eddie teased.

David tried to chuckle but she noticed that caused him pain so he just shook his head.

“Eddie,” she looked at the smaller man who was chuckling with his buddy over a well loved punch line.

“Yes, Mami,” he said as he slipped back into serious for her.

“Can you help him in the shower or do I need to get reinforcements,” she asked him. She hadn’t bothered to look at the trainers. She knew they hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“I got it,” Eddie said with a grin at his buddy. She was taking care of him, even if Gary thought that he was. As the last of his words left his mouth, Gary ’s head turned to her.

“Carrie, what part of get out don’t you understand,” Gary said with a glare. Uh oh, here it comes, thought Eddie. He glanced at his buddy and winked.

“I understood your words Gary , regardless of the fact that that I’m a woman,” she declared in reference to his well known chauvinism.

He squinted at her and pointed silently towards the door. She ignored him and looked at David laying on the table, looked at his broad back and knew he should have some fucking ice on it, damn it.

“Instead of worrying about me, shouldn’t you be icing his back,” she asked calmly. The look she directed at Gary let him know her low opinion of him, something akin to shoe scrapings.

He snarled at her and muttered something about women and not knowing their place. The last thing he needed was some woman thinking she knew better than him, he fumed as he stomped away. Eddie kept quiet, but raised his brow again at the trainer’s words. Gary just didn’t know when to shut the hell up, obviously.

David stayed quiet after the poking and prodding but lifted his head to look at Lil’ Sis and asked, “Can you call Kris for me?”

“Of course. But I’ll wait a little while first, in case we have something to tell her. She’ll just worry if we call too soon,” she reminded her brother in law.

He nodded in agreement. She knew she’d wait a few more minutes, but not too long or they really would be hell to pay and she knew who’d get the brunt of it.

“Yeah, why don’t you be a good little lady and make a call,” Gary said without looking at her. He'd returned and was finally laying a large ice pack on David’s back and wrapping it in place. Carrie ignored him.

“Mami,” Eddie warned her as he saw the danger signs of her keeping her temper in check.

“Not to worry, Eddie. This dumb fuck doesn’t know his elbow from his asshole,” she said sweetly.

David chuckled at the comment but Gary was pissed and muttered again under his breath. She'd had a few dealings with Gary in the last few months, and none of them were positive. He had always treated her like an imbecile and she reciprocated. Mutual dislike was fine with her; she wasn’t there to make friends with everyone. Trainers that thought they were doctors were worse than real doctors in her mind. She watched as Gary left to go get something, she didn’t hear what.

“Lil’ Sis, do you have to be so hard on him,” David asked without lifting his head.

“I don’t have to be, but he’s an asshole, so it’s just too easy,” she said shrugging.

David started to sit up and both Eddie and Carrie jumped to stop him.

“I don’t think so, Holmes,” Eddie said quietly.

David let himself be pushed back down and Carrie put his ice pack back in place. She shook her head and smiled.

“Kris is gonna fuckin' kill me,” she said to David. He sighed and stayed quiet.

“What? It’s not your fault Ese hurt himself,” Eddie said as he looked at her.

"Yeah, but,” and she sighed and dragged her fingers through her hair. “I’m supposed to keep him safe. Safe from everything, even himself. She’s gonna be pissed at me, you watch.”

“Maybe not,” David said quietly.

“Bullshit, David. We both know her. She’ll be pissed at you for half a second but pissed at me big time for days. I’m not looking forward to that call,” she stated.

The corner of the room was quiet as they were all lost in their own thoughts for a while. Eddie was turning over the fact that Little Mami was protecting Batista? He never thought of it that way, he just assumed that Big Dave protected her, he never considered the fact that it went both ways. He’d met Dave’s wife several times and couldn’t imagine her being pissed at anybody, but obviously there was a lot more to her than she had showed him. He had a brief thought of teasing the big man about the tiny woman protecting him, but thought better of it as he looked over and saw he was in real pain.

“While Lil’ Mami’s here, I’m gonna jump in the shower so I can help when you’re ready, okay,” Eddie directed to the prone man.

David grunted in acknowledgement and tried not to think about the damage he had done to himself. He was more pissed at himself than anybody else. He also knew Lil’ Sis was right, his wife was going to be pissed.

“I’ll call home while you’re doing that,” she said as she glanced at David on the table.

Eddie strode off towards the showers knowing that his buddy was safe in her small but capable hands. She flipped his phone open and hit one of the speed dial buttons.

“Hi Kris,” she said as her sister answered the phone, thinking her husband was calling after his match.

“What’s happened,” Kris demanded.

She knew the instant she heard Carrie’s voice that something had happened. David always called her right after his matches and she had paced and worried waiting for the call.

“David’s hurt himself. You know what he’s like,” she said trying to sound light hearted.

“What?” Kris’ voice went up an octave with her worry.

“Yeah, seems the man doesn’t know when to take it easy. We’re in the locker room, sweetie. Before you ask, I don't know if we’re going to the hospital. He hasn’t broken anything, no stitches tonight either,” she said in a rush as she hoped her sister would hear what she said.

“Let me talk to him,” Kris said coldly.

Carrie clenched her jaw at her sister’s anger. She knew it would come back on her later. She wordlessly handed the phone to David and sat back down to wait.

“Hi Baby,” David said with forced cheer.

Carrie watched him and listened, knowing that Kris was pissed, but also worried. She always worried. Kris had jokingly said one time that was her job, family worrier. David sighed before he answered the obvious questions that were asked of him.

“Baby, I don’t know….No, I did it to myself, yeah…No, not like last time….hurts more though….yeah. I’m sure she will, yeah….I don’t know….probably an extra day or so….I don’t know…try not to worry…I love you too, Baby…Okay….yeah, here she is,” he said as he handed the phone to her with a wink.

“Hey,” was all she got out before Kris interrupted her.

“So tell me,” Kris said quietly. “Tell me what the fuck happened and how bad is it?”

“I don’t really know, sweetie. It’s not good, that I can tell you. I think he might have strained or pulled something. Something in his back,” she clarified.

“God damn it! How could you let this happen! Where were you,” Kris accused her sister.

Carrie took a deep breath and let it out before she answered. She didn’t take her sister’s anger personally, she knew it was more at the situation than at her, but she had to get it out somehow.

“He was in the ring with the cameras rolling. I’m sure it was caught on tape. If we’re real lucky we’ll all get to see it on Friday.”

Carrie spared a quick glance for her sister’s husband and saw pain on his face. He really must be hurting if he couldn’t hide it, she thought to herself as she continued to listen to her sister rant.

“Damn it! I warned him, I warned him this was going to happen. But did he listen to me? No, mister big shot knows better. He told me not to worry and now look what happens.” Kris took a deep breath and let it out shakily. “Is he? Is it bad?”

“Um, could be. He’s still laying here, waiting for Eddie to come back from the showers so he can have some help,” Carrie explained to her sister. She knew Kris would understand that she was actually telling her she wasn’t going to say anything else until he was out of earshot.

“I’ve got to make some adjustments to our schedules and it will all depend on how quickly he can be seen as to when we can get home.”

“Okay. I understand. Call me later. Sorry for being such a bitch,” Kris finished quietly. She was suddenly exhausted, all the tension had left her and she sat down as she held the phone to her ear.

“If you can’t yell at me, who the hell can you yell at,” Carrie teased. David looked at her sharply and mouthed the word sorry to her. She nodded and continued with her conversation.

“One of us will call as soon as our plans are finalized. We might be flying out tonight if I can swing it. I’m sure David wants to go to the same guy,” she said as she received a nod from the big man still laying on the bench.

“Okay, call me as soon as you know something. You know how I am. Take care and I’ll wait to hear from you. Bye,” Kris said and hung up.

Carrie took a deep breath before she hit the next speed dial button.

“Yeah,” Wease said uncertainly. It was very unusual for Dave to be calling on a taping day.

“It’s me,” she identified herself to her brother.

“Oh,” was all he got out before she interrupted him.

“I know the spoilers will be out any time, so I want to give you a heads up. David got hurt tonight. We don’t know how serious. No blood and guts, just some strain or pull or something. I know his message boards will be hopping soon about it and I want you to be able to post something to let them know to sit tight and wait for more news.”

Carrie waited for her brother to speak, she could hear the keyboard tapping and knew he was updating as they spoke.

“Okay. Is he going to the hospital or what,” he asked.

“Probably. But we're catching a flight and going to his guy in Georgia . We’ll know more once he’s seen the doc and we’ll let every one know. You know the drill,” she said. Wease grunted and continued to tap.

“Shit, Care. You weren’t kidding. It’s already up on some sites and people are already speculating. Good thing you called,” he told her as he finished with his latest update.

“Yeah, I remember. It was bad last time, but now it’ll be ten times worse. Can they take it,” she asked him in reference to the servers, not the fans and he knew it.

“What the fuck you asking me that shit for?” He was highly offended by her question.

“Sorry, just slipped out,” she apologized.

“Of course they can take it. His fans on the other hand, I don’t know. They’ll probably start bombarding me with emails. I’m not sure I’m up for it either,” he laughed.

“Big baby,” she teased. He chuckled and didn’t take offence.

“Okay, I’ll call once we know something and we can decide from there what to do and say, okay,” Carrie asked her big little brother.

“Yeah, sounds good,” he said. She could tell he was reading and was already distracted.

“Talk to ya later and have fun,” she said and hung up on him.

She looked at her brother in law, laying on the table in obvious pain and debated if she should tell him about the net yet.

“Your boards are already hopping,” she told him quietly.

“Already? Damn, that didn’t take long,” he said to no one.

“It’ll keep Wease out of trouble for a while. He was starting to get bored and that’s never good,” she chuckled.

A bored Wease was a dangerous Wease, she knew. He looked for shit to get into just because he could, never good. She flipped open her portable and scanned for flights to Georgia and David’s doctor. It really wasn’t a question of where to go, he had helped with his previous injuries, plus so many others swore by him. He was available day or night, for the right price. She’d be making that call soon enough. David’s phone rang again so she reached for it and glanced at the number in surprise.

“It’s definitely for you. It’s McMahon Senior,” she said as she handed David the phone.

“Dave here,” he said.

She smiled as she listened for a few moments. Carrie heard lots of “yes, sir” and “I will” as David talked to the big boss of the company.

She was thrown for a loop when she heard David say, “Yes, Vince. Yes, she is. Hang on and I’ll let you talk to her,” and handed the phone to her.

She took a quick breath and smiled so Vince could hear it in her voice as she said, “Yes, Vince? What can I do for you?”

“Miss Martin? I want you to keep me posted on our champ. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night, I want to be kept informed. I assume he’ll be going back to Georgia ?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m working on right now,” she said as she plastered the smile back on her face so it came through in her voice. She knew how to make nice on the phone.

“Cost doesn’t matter. Just make sure he gets the best care. We need to make sure he gets well. I have big plans for him, as I’m sure you know.” She heard him pause and take a breath before he said anything else.

“I’ll leave you to making the arraignments. I just wanted to let you know to make sure he gets the best care, send the bills to me. I’ll pay them.”

He paused again and she waited for him to speak, she didn’t want to step into anything while he was obviously wound up and wanting to make sure David was taken care of.

“Miss Martin, I expect to hear from you tomorrow to keep me in the loop,” he said.

“Of course. Once we know anything, we’ll let you know. First, we have to get there and be seen. I’ll call you myself if necessary tomorrow,” she said in preparation for hanging up. Keeping the smile on her face and in her voice was getting trying and she was ready to get busy with the other shit.

“Okay. I’ll look forward to your call tomorrow and take care of our champ this evening. Good night,” he said finally.

She blew her breath out and cast a quick look at her brother in law laying prone on the table. He was shaking his head at her and grinning.

“Lil’ Sis, can you talk to him for me when contract time comes around next time? He was relieved you were with me tonight,” he smirked. She snorted in disbelief.

“No, really. He wanted to know if that little lady was with me,” he told her.

“I don’t know why. He hasn’t said more than two words to me in a year or more,” she admitted.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what the hell is going on. Don’t forget that,” he smirked. Eddie came back to them and ended their conversation. He was ready to help David take some sort of shower.

Carrie stood back and watched as David sat up in obvious pain. She watched Eddie’s disbelief at David’s assurance that he could take a shower without help.

“Okay,” Eddie said quietly. “Just know you can give me shout, I’ll be right there if you need anything.”

David nodded but stayed quiet, concentrating on not breathing deeply, since that hurt like hell. She watched them walk away slowly to the shower area. She used the time to finalize their flight plans, car and hotel changes. She flipped open her own cell and let Kris know of the timing and the changes.

She continued with, “Vince told me that cost was no object. What do you think of that?”

“Sounds good to me,” Kris admitted.

“Sounds like David has McMahon insurance, doesn’t it,” she chuckled.

“Yeah. So tell me,” Kris shifted back to her original worry.

“He’s in a hell of a lot of pain. It looks like a strain or a tear. He can’t cough or laugh without pain. I have no idea how the hell he’s gonna sleep, but he needs to.”

Kris murmured her agreement, but added, “You know how he is. He hates to take any kind of medication for pain. It’s the stupid macho bullshit again. Makes me so damn mad.”

“I know, but he might not have a choice if we go to the hospital tonight. We’ll see what the doc says. If they say take something so he can rest, I’ll kick him in the knees until he takes it,” she teased.

Kris laughed at the image her sister just created. She was grateful that Carrie was there to take care of him, even if he did hurt himself. Someone needed to remind him to take care since she was too far away, Carrie was the next best one for the job. Plus she probably would kick him in the knees, once or twice.

"We're going to the hospital tonight for x-rays, just to be safe. After that, I might get to kick him once or twice. Do you want me to kick him for you too," Carrie giggled at her sister.

"Yes, but let him know that I'll be kicking his ass once he gets home regardless," Kris chuckled.

She was both relieved and worried for her husband. Relieved that he wasn't in a coma or something horrific, but worried about how serious his injury might be. She'd been through some of his injuries before and he was a terrible patient, always pushing himself harder than the doctors wanted, pushing himself because he seemed to enjoy proving the doctors wrong time and again.

A thought prompted Carrie to say, "Call Mike. Call him and tell him to come over for the kids."

"Carrie, it's late. What if I wake him," Kris said. She had an idea the direction her sister's mind was going.

"He's a big boy. He can take it, plus he can go back to sleep at your place," Carrie chuckled at the image that popped into her head of Mike struggling to wake up enough to drive. "Better call him soon, it takes him a while to wake up enough to be safe on the roads."

"You checking flights already," Kris asked.

"Yeah. There's one leaving in a few hours for you. You might just beat us there if you're lucky," Carrie told her.

"Okay. Let me go so I can go try and stir the dead," Kris chuckled as she tried to let some of her tension out.

"Okay. I call you with the info once I know. We're stopping by the hospital for x-rays, just in case but I doubt they see anything." She looked up and saw her brother in law slowly making his way back to her and his bags in nothing but a towel.

"I gotta let you go. Talk to you in a while," she said as she hung up.

Eddie was hovering next to David, wanting to help but not wanting to inflict more pain. Carrie looked at the smaller man with a smile. He was such a good man that it was hard for her to remember some of the things he had shared with her about himself.

"Eddie," she said. He looked up at her briefly. He didn't want to take his eyes off of his buddy because he could see he was in some serious pain. She rummaged through his bag until she found what she was looking for.

"I have a deal for you," she said as she handed Eddie, David's shorts. Eddie took them without comment and waited.

"You get him in those and I'll take care of the rest," she said quietly.

"Lil' Sis, I can dress myself," David protested.

She shook her head but didn't bother with answering him. Instead, she turned herself around on the bench and picked up her portable. She needed to finalize their travel arraignments anyway and it gave them a sense of privacy.

She heard David's curses quickly followed by his apologies to Eddie who in turn apologized to David for hurting him. She gave them a few more minutes before she turned around.

"Are you two done insulting each other," she asked as she turned back to them. She had completed the travel itinerary and confirmed a mid day appointment for tomorrow.

"Yeah," David said quietly as he stood in place in just his shorts. Eddie shook his head at his friend's stubborn refusal to admit he was in pain even though it was obvious to everyone.

Carrie picked up his bag again and found the next item she thought would be needed. She handed Eddie David's toiletry bag. She smiled as Eddie tried to find the other man's deodorant. David grabbed his small bag, finding what he needed quickly. He managed to put in on one side, but needed help for the other. Eddie tried to help, but ended up hurting his friend.

"Let me know when you're ready to let me help," she teased Eddie.

"Mami, I don't think...I don't think there's anything you can do," he said quietly. His glance looked up into his buddy's pain filled eyes. He saw Benoit behind him, just as concerned.

"Bullshit. You're just too damn nice, Eddie," she said as she snatched the toiletry bag out of his hands and tucked it back in his larger bag. Eddie blinked and stepped aside, curious about how she was going to get David fully dressed.

"Don't sit down yet," she warned David.

He nodded silently. He was deeply embarrassed that Lil' Sis was going to have to dress him since he couldn't. Breathing hurt him so he had no idea how he was going to dress himself tonight or for the next few days.

She held up his slacks and walked back to him. Chris stepped forward to help. He had an idea of what she was going to do and knew David might need a bit of balance help. Carrie smiled at him when she saw his actions. She silently bent down and held one leg open for him to step into. He leaned on Chris to keep his balance. She opened the second leg and he stepped into it. She didn't say a word as she slid his pants up. He started to try to help and winced. She slapped his hands away gently without a word.

"You can sit down for now, David," she said quietly. He lowered himself to the bench slowly, wincing as he did so and berating himself again for his stupidity. Who would believe the world heavyweight champion couldn’t even dress himself, he thought angrily. But he was glad that Lil’ Sis was there to help him without any comments, yet. She turned from him and reached back to his bag, searching for the next items. He had an idea now of what she was looking for.

“They’re stuffed in each shoe, Lil’ Sis,” David said quietly. She glanced up quickly at his words and nodded. She stood up with his large dress shoes in her small hands, making the shoes appear almost clown like by comparison. Just before she squatted back down, she stiffened as her eyes looked past his head in to the general locker room area. Her actions weren’t un noticed by any of the men. Both Chris and Eddie looked past David to see what or who had caused that reaction. Eddie was the first to understand.

“Oh Mami, I bet you have great dreams tonight!” She flicked her eyes over to him without comment. Chris chuckled at her discomfort since it was a rarity.

As she reached for David’s right foot, he heard her mutter, “More like fuckin’ nightmares.”

She slid his sock on efficiently while he was still trying to muddle out what she meant. Eddie saw his confusion and laughed louder. David shot him a questioning glance as she slid his foot into his shoe.

“Little Mami now knows why he’s called the world’s strongest man. He obviously wants to get to know her a lot better. She also knows that his tights don’t do him justice,” Eddie howled. Chris chuckled with him.

She kept her head down as she reached for his left foot to encase it in his sock. David was speechless. Both at her actions and the fact that Mark Henry would walk around naked when she was in here. Maybe he didn’t know? She was kind of small and hard to see, he knew. Nah, bullshit, Henry knew she was in here with him and that was exactly why he flashed her or whatever he did. He knew it wasn’t a pretty sight, he'd been sharing a locker room with him for several months and the man had no compunction about parading himself in front of everyone.

She had finished sliding on his second shoe and stood up in front of him. She brushed her slacks off and straightened her blouse before she said anything.

“Eddie, can you go get one of the trainers to re-tape David before he gets a shirt on,” she asked the chuckling man. He was doing a great impression of a large man lumbering past her as he scratched himself.

“He didn’t do that, did he,” David asked Chris. A nod was his only response. “Sorry, Lil’ Sis. Sorry you had to see that,” he muttered.

“So am I,” she smiled back at him.

They watched Eddie go in to the general melee that was the main area of the locker room and disappear. David knew that nakedness didn’t normally bother her as her time with Evolution had shown. He managed to stifle his chuckle at the thought of Henry walking by and grabbing himself as he looked at Lil’ Sis. He was sure that the other man had done it on purpose and if he felt more able, he’d have a long talk with him about it. He sighed as his mind skipped to one of the other things he’d been trying to suppress.

“Kris is gonna kill me,” he said quietly to his diminutive sister in law. She quirked a brow at him and nodded.

“Lucky for you, she’s flying out tonight so she can get a head start on the killing part,” Lil’ Sis informed him.

“Really? She’s flying here or there,” he asked. His mood lightened noticeably at her welcome news.

“We’re meeting her there. Mike’s with the kids or will be shortly.” They both stayed quiet knowing their long day just got a lot longer thanks to his injury and the prospect of a doctor visit tomorrow to say nothing of stopping in for some x-rays at the local hospital tonight.

Eddie brought back one of the other training staff to wrap up David, Carrie was pleased to note. She wasn’t sure she’d have any patience for Gary after being treated to the view of Mark Henry stroking himself as he walked by. It was just too disgusting to even think about so she was glad Eddie had brought one of the quiet competent interns. The young man stumbled over himself trying to be polite and deferential while still trying to get his large patient to move the way that was necessary. Carrie stood back and let him wrap David’s shoulder and chest into immobility. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.

“Thank you, Scott,” David said quietly as the young man finished.

“You’re welcome, Mister Batista. I hope I don’t have to do this again,” Scott said honestly. He smiled and walked away before he opened his mouth and embarrassed himself any more. What a stupid thing to say, he thought as he hurried away.

Carrie smiled at the quickly retreating back of the young intern. She had met him a few times and found him polite and intelligent, something that was rare amongst the training staff. At least with Gary it was, she grumbled. She had a feeling the young man secretly wanted to get in the ring, not just work outside of it. It wasn’t her place to say or do anything, but she’d keep her eyes and ears open for him.

“I’m thinking you get to forgo the tie tonight,” she smirked at David.

“Shit, I hope so,” David said as he shifted his shoulder, testing the mobility already.

“No, don’t stand up yet,” Lil’ Sis said as he started to stand. “I need to be able to reach you, for shit’s sake, if you want to try to wear a shirt,” she teased him.

She didn’t normally give him much shit about his size or make any kind of reference to it other than making sure he had enough room when they traveled. He appreciated it and he appreciated her treating him like an equal, not some side show freak. He’d been through that enough as he grew up. He repaid her courtesy by treating her with the same respect and kindness and not making any issues about her lack of stature. It worked well for them. They both were aware of it, but never spoke of it. It was unnecessary.

He had been day dreaming while she had quietly but efficiently slipped his shirt on him and was buttoning him up best she could. He was startled to realize she had already buttoned his cuffs. He knew that she was not intimidated by him, at all. He didn’t really understand when he first met her, but after having her take him out with one strike, he thought he understood it better. Her sister was the same. She hadn’t been intimidated by him either, thankfully. He wondered briefly if Kris knew how to beat the shit out him too? He knew that they had trained together for years with Lil’ Sis being the better student, but he seemed to recall that Kris still trained with her until sometime in high school. So maybe, he thought with a grin, maybe she could kick my ass after all. God, he missed her. He knew she had been having an even harder time recently but she steadfastly refused to hear any words from him about possibly trimming his schedule back. She also worried about him, he knew. He knew that she was worried about something, but she wasn’t ready to tell him about it yet. Was it her parents? Were they okay? Was she sick? Were the kids okay? Shit, what if one of the kids was sick and she didn’t tell him because she didn’t want him to worry? Shit! He would talk to her about it tomorrow, since they have some time without any interruptions from the kids.

“Earth to David? Anybody home,” Lil’ Sis asked him. He refocused on her and saw she was grinning at him. “Yeah, Eddie, I think you’re right. They must have dropped him on his head tonight.”

“Oh shit. Fuck off, you guys,” David said with a chuckle as he took in both Chris and Eddie grinning at him. His chuckled didn’t last long since it caused pain, but he couldn’t help it.

“Now that’s the guy I know,” Eddie teased.

David shook his head at his friend and smiled at Chris who was standing near to help, if needed again. Lil’ Sis motioned him to stand up so he could finish getting dressed. His pants started to slide down but she grabbed them before they did. David had tried to reach for them, but winced in pain before he got very far.

“Starting to hurt like a bitch, isn’t it,” Chris asked him. David nodded. God, he wasn’t even able to do up his own pants, he thought.

“We’re going to for the un-tucked look tonight, David,” Lil’ Sis said as she pulled his pants closed and slid the zip up. David could not hid his embarrassment or stop his blush at her actions. He didn’t know what else to do so he just stood there and hoped his tan hid it from his friends.

“Carrie, we’re going to follow you to the hospital, okay,” Chris asked. It wasn’t really a question, but she nodded anyway. She knew they were as concerned as her.

“It’s probably gonna be real boring,” she warned them. Before either could say another word, she said quickly, “And no singing, Eddie!” All three of the men laughed over her comment.

“We get everything,” David asked as he did a quick visual survey. Carrie noticed that both Eddie and Chris had picked up David’s bags, so she was only responsible for her own.

“Thank you,” she said quietly to Chris as they started to walk to their cars.

“Ah, we can’t let you have all the fun,” he teased her.

She smiled but stayed quiet. She was still getting to know the workers on Smack Down so she wasn’t sure if she could tease him back or not yet. She thought she probably could, but didn’t want to risk it. He was usually quiet and perceptive. She recalled a few times when he had surprised her with his comments, letting her know there was a lot more going on behind his blue eyes than most people thought. She also knew he was a good friend to David and helped him learn his way when he transferred. Granted Chris was a recent transfer also, but he was a veteran in the business and knew his way around. In a small way, she realized that both Eddie and Chris were filling the role that Hunter and Rick did for David on RAW. Rey too, in his own quiet way. She smiled as she realized that David seemed to have that kind of effect on people. They tended to like him, even if they didn’t want to because he was so unpretentious and eager to learn. Her musings were brought up short when they reached theirs two cars.

“Thanks,” Lil’ Sis said to the two as the deposited David’s bags in the trunk that she’d opened. Eddie grinned and winked at her, as usual. She smiled back at him and shook her head as she opened the car door for David. He frowned but got in, not quiet understanding why she was holding the door open, obviously.

“Thanks guys. I owe ya,” David said to them.

“We know, buddy. Just wait,” Chris teased him. His grin increased as he watched his injured friend try to reach for his seatbelt.

“Here,” Lil’ Sis said softly as she handed it to him so he could latch it himself. She closed the door quickly because he had started to blush again and she wanted to pretend that she didn’t see it.

***

She was trying to recall everything the doctor had said tonight since she knew David wouldn’t be able to and Kris would demand to know. She remembered waiting what seemed like hours to be seen and watching them un wrap David enough to poke and prod him some more. She was requested to go back out and wait while they took him to x-ray.

“Any news,” Eddie asked as she reappeared. She shook her head. She hated fuckin’ hospitals and if she never saw another one it would be too soon. Nothing good had happened in hospitals in her life.

“They’re taking him to x-ray and should be done in a few minutes. Said they’d come get me so I could hear whatever news there was. Kris’ll be pissed at me if I can’t tell her everything.” Chris heard her and nodded, his wife was the same. She wanted to know every little detail and God help him if he couldn’t remember. He knew it was because she worried and felt helpless. He guessed David’s wife was the same.

“Did he look like he felt any better,” Eddie asked. He was worried what her answer would be.

“No, he looked like he hurt more and they pulled and tweaked him some,” Lil’ Sis said disgustedly.

Eddie was grateful that Chris drove because it freed Eddie up so he could concentrate on his buddy and praying for him. He had been silently praying for his recovery in the waiting room, but he couldn’t stop himself as he kissed his cross again and started to say his words out loud. Lil’ Sis glanced over and listened to his words without judgment. Every little bit helped, was her motto. She hadn’t realized Chris was also following along until both men said amen quietly.

She reached over and touched Eddie’s hands and said quietly, “Thank you.” He raised his eyes to her smiling.

Long minutes passed without any of them speaking. She hated waiting, she wasn’t cut out for it, she knew. If she didn’t do something soon, she was going to start to pace and that wasn’t good. Thinking about pacing reminded her of Mike. She wondered if he made it to Kris’s okay. She was glad that Kris would be able to go with David to the doctor’s so they could both hear it at the same time and talk about whatever, together.

“Miss Martin,” some man in scrubs said as he peeked through the door. She stood up and walked towards him with a smile. He beckoned her to follow him…

***

“What was in that shot, David,” She asked him as she drove back to their hotel.

She watched him open and close his mouth a few times before attempting to answer her. He frowned as he struggled to form the words.

“Uh, what,” he asked. He forgot what she had asked him. He had slipped down in his seat and she couldn’t pull him back up since she was driving and he didn’t appear to notice.

“Drugs. What were they,” she tried again.

“Oh, um. Let me see. What did they say was the name? I can’t remember, but it was some long ass word,” he admitted and waved his hand negligently as his chin dipped to his chest.

“What kind were they,” she tried again.

“Oh, um they were muscle relaxing things. That what they said,” he supplied with a goofy grin.

Jesus Christ, she thought to herself. Did they give him enough for a horse or what? Then another thought occurred to her that he might never have used them before and that would explain his spaced out condition. It seemed to be getting worse. It would explain a lot, since she knew from her observations and Kris’ comments that he rarely used any kind of drug, preferring to ignore the pain or use it as a tool for training. Damn macho bullshit anyway, she grumbled as she remembered her sister’s words from earlier. She had been surprised when she went back to the room that he was in and they had just finished giving him a shot. But then they started to explain what they didn’t see on the x-ray and she forgot about the shot until later in the car when he started acting stoned. She remembered one of the nurses giving him some water so he could take something, she assumed it was a simple aspirin or something, but now she had a funny feeling it was more of the damn muscle relaxers.

“How’re you feeling, David,” she asked. She saw his head snap up at her words. He frowned as he tried to recall what she’d just asked.

“Um,“ he stalled as he waited for his brain to replay what she’d said. She was pulling in to the parking garage at the hotel so she had a good view of her very stoned brother in law struggling to answer a simple question.

“Stay here,” she said as she turned the car off and got out. He smiled and nodded at her simple command.

She had grabbed her phone as she stepped out and waited for the two men to show up so she could tell them that their world champion was completely and totally shit faced. They must have parked in a different row because she saw them walking towards her with their bags in hand.

“How’s the patient,” Eddie asked.

“You won’t fuckin’ believe it but he’s stoned. Totally,” she said. At their astonishment, she walked back to the car and opened the passenger door. The sight that greeted them was David still in his seatbelt with his chin touching his chest, his eyes closed and one of his hands on his crotch. A small trickle of drool was escaping from his slack lips.

“Hey, Ese. What’s happening, man,” Eddie asked. David blinked as he opened his eyes and focused on his friend. All three of them could see that there was nobody home behind those brown eyes.

“What the hell,” Chris asked her.

“Damned muscle relaxers. Must have given him enough for a horse, for shit’s sake,” Lil’ Sis said. The two men were still trying to figure out how their very sober and health conscious friend could be so completely zoned out.

“Any ideas about how we’re gonna get him upstairs,” she asked them. Both men were quiet for a moment as they considered their options.

“Um, no. Not without causing more damage, no,” Chris admitted. She nodded, that was her thought too.

“He can’t sleep in the car. Any other ideas,” she asked them. They both shook their heads because he was taller and heavier than either of them and they couldn’t see a way to lift him with out doing more damage. Lil’ Sis slapped her forehead lightly and flipped open her cell.

“You’ve got an idea, Lil’ Mami,” Eddie asked.

She nodded and smiled as she waited for the phone to be answered. Chris looked at his friend and shrugged, he had no idea. David had closed his eyes again in the front seat and didn’t appear too worried about much of anything. They watched and listened to her call in confusion.

“Big Red,” she said quietly.

“Yah, Min,” he answered.

“Were you sleeping? I didn’t wake you, did I,” she asked, suddenly feeling horribly guilty.

“No honey. I just finished talking to home. What’s up,” he asked. Her calling him at the hotel was highly irregular.

“Um, I need your help in the parking garage,” she said quietly.

“Now? Okay. Let me throw on some clothes and I’ll be down. What floor and where,” he asked as he pulled on some warm up pants. She told him and thanked him as she hung up. She had forgotten about her audience until Eddie spoke up.

“Um, Mami? You call for help,” he asked her. She nodded but stayed quiet, she was worried about David. She worried that since he wasn’t used to taking any kind of drug that he might have some adverse side effects or something.

Chris looked away from her for a minute and mouthed the words Big Red to his friend, hoping he’d know who she’d just called. Eddie shook his head and waited. He walked back to the open car door and glanced in at his blissfully sleeping buddy.

“Oh man, you know how much shit I am going to give him,” Eddie asked Chris. Chris nodded, he knew and he knew that Eddie would enjoy every single minute of it. Lil’ Sis was starting to pace as she waited for help to arrive. She stopped as she spotted a lone figure walking her way. She turned and intercepted him. The two men left behind were curious about who the mysterious Big Red was. It wasn’t a nickname either of them knew.

“So, he’s all fucked up in the front seat and I need to drag his ass to bed,” she finished her explanation to her rescuer.

He nodded and continued on to the car she had pointed out. He was surprised to see Eddie and Benoit waiting by the car. He nodded in acknowledgement to the men and walked to the front passenger side without a word. He missed the astonishment of the two men as Eddie mouthed Big Red to his friend.

“You are messed up, aren’t you buddy,” ‘Taker said to the spaced out man in the front seat.

“Oh yeah,” David blinked open his eyes and gleefully answered. Lil’ Sis went around to the driver side and released his seat belt. He started to topple over in the seat. ‘Taker stopped him with a large hand on his chest.

“I’ll get the rest of the stuff from the trunk,” she said quietly.

By the time she’d gathered the rest of the bags, ‘Taker had David out of the front seat and over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. She closed the door behind him and led the way through the lobby and into the elevator. The elevator responded quickly to the call button so they didn’t have to wait long. They stepped into an empty box and waited to be taken to the sixth floor.

“Is he awake,” Chris asked. Eddie shrugged. Lil’ Sis leaned over and looked.

“Yeah, his eyes are open, but there is definitely nobody home,” she grinned. ‘Taker looked over at her and smiled. His burden hadn’t shifted at all since he picked him up. He was pretty much dead weight.

"Lil' Sis," David mumbled.

"Yeah," she said quietly. She was worried that he was hurting or something and there really wasn't anything anyone could do about it until he got to the room.

"Who's ass am I staring at," he asked. His dazed question caused Eddie and Chris to chuckle at him.

"Mine," said 'Taker quietly as he shifted the other man since the elevator had slowed.

"Oh," was all his burden said quietly.

Once the door opened, they piled out and continued on with their strange cavalcade. Thank goodness it was late and they shouldn’t run into to too many people, she thought.

“Sorry, but his room is at the end of the hall,” she explained to the large man carrying the world champion like a sack of grain over his shoulder. He grunted and followed.

Once she reached the room, she had his key card out and ready. She wanted ‘Taker to be able to deposit him as quickly as possible. She knew he would never complain, but hauling around a big stoned guy in the middle of the night was a bit much as far as she was concerned. She opened the room and all four entered. She flipped the lights on so David could be set back down on the bed. ‘Taker bent at the waist, taking all the weight on his back, and gently dropped David on to the first bed.

“There ya go, Min. Safe and sound,” he gave her a small smile. He knew she was worried about her brother in law. It was obvious by her phone call. It was why he didn’t hesitate to help. She didn’t normally ask any favors, even though she knew she could.

“Thanks. Thanks a lot. And you two, thanks for carrying the rest of his stuff. And thanks for everything else," she said as she looked at each man separately.

“Oh, you welcome Lil’ Mami. I’m just sorry I’m not seven feet tall so I could carry him for you,” Eddie teased. ‘Taker chuckled at him but refrained from comment.

“What? Cat got you tongue, Big Red,” Eddie teased him. He was shocked when he saw an angry glare flash at him. He got the message loud and clear. Only one person got to call him that and it wasn’t him. Lil’ Sis got busy with taking David’s socks and shoes off to break some of the tension.

“Any one know anything about muscle relaxers,” she asked them.

Eddie answered, “Yeah. I do. They’re a narcotic drug, at least some of them are, Lil’ Mami. They can kick your ass, like they did with Ese here.”

“How long do they last and will they hurt him,” she wanted to know.

“Depends on how much they gave him. I’d say six hours maybe. They shouldn’t hurt him and he will get some sleep, but he won’t move in his sleep. He’ll just stay passed out like he is now. So you won’t have to worry about him hurting himself more,” Eddie explained.

Lil’ Sis nodded at his words, it was what she was thinking but wanted to know if anyone had any experience.

“Depending on what they gave him, he might feel like dog shit tomorrow morning,” ‘Taker advised. At her confusion, he elaborated. “His mouth will be dry, he’ll have a headache and his body will feel like he’s been in the gym for eight hours straight.”

“So, in other words, a major hang over,” she asked. He chuckled at her and nodded.

“Couldn’t you have come up with something more original than Big Red,” Eddie asked her as he pointed at the large man. “I’m sure he used to get called Red as a kid because of his hair color,” Eddie waved his hands at the large man that had grown silent and menacing at the other’s words. Her lips twitched into a smile.

“I suppose I could have called him something else, but who said I was talking about his hair,” she said primly. A split second later all three men burst out laughing.

“That’s a good one, Carrie,” Chris joked and started towards the door.

“Mami, you’re bad, you know that? It’s why we love you,” Eddie said as he kissed her cheek fondly and followed his friend out the door.

She turned back to her friend and reached her arms up to hug him. He picked her up and returned her hug. Her arms wrapped around his neck and they both enjoyed the familiarity of the feeling. She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips.

As she pulled away she said quietly, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Min. I knew you were worried, you sounded it on the phone. What did they say at the hospital,” he asked as he set back down.

“No skeletal damage, but they recommended an MRI for soft tissue. Lucky for us, we’re flying out tomorrow morning to do just that,” she said quietly. “Sorry for calling you Red in front of others.”

She looked down at the floor, embarrassed at her slip up. It was her private name for him, used only when they were alone and usually only when they were naked.

“I somehow think I’ll survive, Min. You amaze me, you know that? You handled Eddie like a pro. Talking about my hair?” He chuckled loudly as he remembered her answer and the other men’s shock. She was still quick witted he knew, even though he didn't get to see it often anymore.

"Why didn't you guys ever get married," asked the stoned but awake man on the bed. 'Taker raised his brow at the world heavyweight champion and glanced at her with a smile.

"Um, you want to handle that question, Min," he teased.

"It's obvious you still love each other. I don't get it," David continued on. He was unaware of his sister in law's sharp intake of breath or the fact that her color had faded. 'Taker noticed and wanted to rescue her, even though it wasn't his job anymore.

"Um, don't think I didn't try, Dave. But she was smarter than me and knew she'd have to kill me if she married me," 'Taker said with a chuckle. Carrie glanced at him uncertainly, not sure if he was joking or not.

"You did ask her then," David asked. It seemed to be very important to him for some reason. He slid his gaze from the big man to his diminutive sister in law.

"I asked her many times, buddy. Many times. But she always said no. My problem was that I was too stupid to hear it," 'Taker said as he reached for her hand. He noticed that she had gone still and even more pale.

"Does Mike know," David asked. His words were starting to slur and he was struggling to keep his eyes open and focused but he felt the need to carry on this particular line of questions.

'Taker shrugged, he had no idea if she'd told him anything about their time together. He had a feeling she hadn’t; she was still a very private person.

"No," she said quietly. 'Taker squeezed her hand to reassure her in some small way.

"So, what is it, Lil' Sis," David continued on. "Is it you don't want to marry Mike or you don't want to get married at all?" She blinked at his blunt personal question. She started to open her lips to answer and stopped, she didn't really know how to answer that. Plus she didn't know if Big Red knew that Mike had asked her and continued to do so.

"Who else knows," she whispered. David frowned, trying to follow the confusing and complicated discussion. It was easier now that he was laying down, but it was still difficult to finish a sentence and have it still make sense. 'Taker shrugged.

"I know," the Dead Man admitted in his quiet deep drawl. He saw her eyes lock on his in an unspoken question. He knew what she was asking and he nodded slightly, too small for the prone world champion to notice but she saw. She blinked at his acceptance or agreement to her question. It wasn't what she'd expected. Didn't matter anyway, she told herself. She took a steadying breath before she answered.

"I told Hunter and I'll tell you, David. I don't ever want to get married. Ever. It's simple. I don't know why it's so damn hard for everyone to understand. I've even used small words sometimes when I say no," she said as she felt her tears start. Damn it, she thought. These damned hormones were really pissing her off.

David was unaware of her state, he was still focused on his line of thought. "You ever tell him that," he asked. He heard her breath drawn in shakily and finally understood what his probing had done. "Shit, Lil' Sis. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such an asshole. Sorry," he said as he cursed his stupidity.

She nodded at him on the bed. She wasn't sure if he was able to focus on her, but she wasn't willing to attempt to speak and start blubbering. That would just be too much tonight. 'Taker wrapped his large arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He planned to hold her for as long as she needed.

After a few minutes, 'Taker looked back at the bed and saw that the current world champion was totally passed out. His eyes were closed and his head had rolled toward his shoulder.

“You never talk about this kind of stuff, do you,” he asked the woman in his arms. He knew her answer already, but he wanted to ask anyway. He wasn’t sure of her reasons anymore. He wasn’t sure if they were still so damned important either.

“No,” she whispered and tried to pull away.

“Aw, hell,” he said and pulled her back in to his chest. He slipped his left hand down to her lower back, effectively trapping her. She wasn’t ready to be left yet and after his phone call, he sure as hell wasn't in any hurry.

Oh shit!

It crawls down deep inside,
Without a pulse or a will to die
Not knowing the simplifies

Now it takes what it takes,
and lets the feelin' suffocate.
It's nothing new it'll get its way

Another thing that I see is how it gets inside of me
And tears away my life

It's time to love.
It's time to hate.
It's comin' face to face tryin' to desecrate.
No time at all, to break away.
Temptation still got a hold on me.

It's awake even when you sleep.
It breathes without heartbeats,
Makin' me incomplete.
Godsmack – Temptation


top
***

Chapter 42
Part 3


David woke up to a mouth that tasted like what he imagined the floor of any taxi cab did. His head was throbbing, his back was fucking killing him and his body protested at the slightest movement. How the hell was he going to get his ass to the bathroom, he worried. He had to piss like a racehorse and he had no idea how he was going to manage it. He turned his head to the light source and realized the light was coming through the windows. He worried that he might have overslept, but that thought was quickly replaced by surprise when he noticed Lil' Sis sitting on the carpet, with her legs tucked up in some unbelievable angle. She appeared to be sleeping in her strange sitting position. He noted that she was in her typical casual dark running pants and tank top, topped off with pink socks.

As he watched, her eyes opened and she looked directly at him. It spooked him a little, he admitted to himself. She smiled at his confusion but stayed quiet. She wasn't sure how aware he was, thanks to the medications from last night.

"How," he asked with a frown. "How did you know I was awake," he clarified as his voice grew stronger. She smiled at his confusion. It was what most people asked the first time.

"Your breathing changed as you woke up," she spoke clearly, but quietly. She saw his nod at her words, but also saw that he probably needed to visit the restroom soon. More things for him to get embarrassed about, she knew.

“How do you feel,” she asked as she got to her feet gracefully.

He would never have believed it if he hadn’t seen her do it. Her legs magically untangled themselves and she stood up fluidly. He had no idea how in the hell she managed it. He wasn’t sure how he was going to do the same, but he damn sure knew it wasn’t going to be as graceful.

“Like shit,” he grunted as he tried to stretch. She looked at him as she heard him hiss in pain.

“That doesn’t sound good,” she said quietly. She met his eyes. ”David, we have two hours before we have to leave for the airport. Kris knows I bumped our flight. Do I need to call somebody to help you or can we manage?”

“Um, we can probably manage,” he said. He hoped he was right. He hoped he’d be able to manage most of it. She saw he was already in considerable pain and they hadn’t even attempted to move him yet.

“Why don’t you try to sit up while I grab your bathroom kit and a change of clothes that you can put on,” she suggested to the incapacitated world champion. She knew it would give him a little privacy as he struggled to move the first time. The first time was always the hardest. Once you started moving, it got a little easier or at least you knew what hurt and what not to do next time.

She turned to his case and opened it so she could grab a pair of running pants and a big t shirt. She didn’t give a shit about dress codes today, he’d never be able to finagle it anyway. She grabbed his kit and put it in the bathroom. As she did so, she made sure to pull out the stuff he’d need for a shower. She knew he was embarrassed at his inability today, but there was nothing they could do about it so why worry. That was her philosophy anyway. She heard him stirring on the bed and stayed in the bathroom longer to give him a bit more time. It gave her time to reflect on a few things.

She knew soon she wouldn’t be traveling with David, if Mike had anything to say about it. He was such a worry wart. She wouldn’t miss the cramped flights, the atrocious food and the airports that all tended to look the same. What she would miss was the people. She always thought she liked being by herself and didn’t need or want the company of other people to make her happy. But she’d come to realize she was wrong. She’d miss the friendly camaraderie, the easy banter. Thinking back, she chuckled to herself at the joke they played on her while she was in Vancouver . David must have gotten tired of trying to explain where she was and why she wasn’t with him so he’d made up a crazy story that just seemed to grow every day. First she was off visiting some long lost relative, then it went to staying with some people over seas, then it went to staying in a relative’s castle, then it went to staying in a castle surrounding by her pygmy relatives and it just went on and on. The first day back when she was hit with all kinds of crazy question about how she liked her vacation in a castle, she knew something was up. She was confused, but she distinctly remembered Eddie’s face behind Melina’s, smirking and stroking his chin at her confusion. Bastards. She'd miss them just the same.

Her thoughts were cut short as she looked up to David walking in to the large bathroom. She could see he still hurt, but he also had to go to the bathroom, despite his obvious embarrassment about it. He was such a gentle man, she thought to herself again.

"David, do you need help? Can you unzip," she asked and delicately left the rest of the question unfinished. He grunted his yes so she withdrew and waited in the room, just in case. She had showered, packed and checked out of her room hours ago. She'd spent a little time tweaking their travel plans today since Kris would arrive before them. Once he was safely delivered to his wife, she planned on jumping back on a plane and going home. She wasn't needed and she thought that this injury might require some discussion between them and she didn't want to be anywhere near when they did. She knew her sister and realized things could get very interesting before the day was done. She almost pitied the big man in the bathroom, almost.

"Lil' Sis," she heard his quiet request through the door. She wiped the smile off her face and walked back towards the closed door.

"Yes," she answered.

"I need help, damn it. And if I don't get my fuckin' pants unzipped soon there's gonna be a problem," he said, clearly disgusted at himself. She opened the door and kept her face blank at his embarrassment.

"You should have said something sooner," she chastised him. She reached over and unsnapped, then slid his zip down. He reached for the waist of his slacks to keep them up with his free hand. She turned without a word and left, knowing he didn't need or want any help for the rest of his morning ablutions. She checked the time and saw they still had plenty of time to spare, so no worry yet.

Since she couldn't do anything other than wait, she went back to her meditation and relaxation. It was one of the things she was reminded of during the time she ran away to find herself or more accurately, get her shit together. It always helped to clear her head and get ready for the day and since today was going to be particularly boring for her, it was good to start the day relaxed. She concentrated on the quiet of the room, the sound of the bathroom fan, the sound of the traffic many floors below. As she identified each individual sound, she was able to tune it out. She let herself drift on the quiet and imagined herself seated at the bottom of a waterfall. She could almost hear the water and feel the spray. She relaxed and let the motion of the water wash away her tensions.

She heard the bathroom door open and she opened her eyes, knowing that she hadn't been as successful as she hoped since the sound of the shower was probably the genesis of the waterfall image. David walked out, carrying his bathroom kit and t shirt. He was bare chested, but had managed to slip his track bottoms on.

"T shirt too much," she asked him. She could tell he was pissed and hurting. She could guess several reasons for him to be pissed and she was glad she wasn't one of them.

"Hell yes," he whined. He rolled his eyes as he dug through his case, looking for something. He came up with one of his wife beaters and looked to her for some help. Without a word she got up from the floor and walked the few steps towards him. She took the shirt from him and slid his injured arm through first, then pulled it over his head as he bent down to help. Once he had his shirt on, she stepped back and smiled at him. His ring face frown was still evident, but it was fading some what.

"Kris will already be checked into the hotel before we get there," she told him, more to fill the quiet than inform him. He knew she'd have shit handled, she always did.

"I gotta eat something, Lil' Sis," David said as he stuffed his case back together in preparation for zipping it up.

"Room service," she asked.

He nodded silently as he shoved his clothes into his case. It wasn't zipping as easily as it should and he was getting pissed about it. She stepped towards the phone, but a knock at the door stopped her. David looked over at her and shrugged. Neither was expecting any visitors today. She stood on her toes to peek out the spy hole and saw Eddie grinning back at her.

She opened the door to his still smiling face. He winked at her and asked how their patient was doing. She put her hand out, palm down and rocked it back and forth in silence, letting him know that David was in pain, but coping as well as expected. Eddie stepped into the room, hugging her before he said anything else. Any words he was going to say were cut off quickly.

"Damn it," was the only warning they had as David's smaller bag went sailing across the room. Eddie shook his head, but refrained for any teasing. Carrie heard more muttering under his breath as David struggled to repack his bags and zip them closed. She mostly heard the words asshole and dumb motherfucker in between many other incoherent words. Without a word, she walked over to the discarded bag and scooped it up. She set it on the bed and zipped it closed. Eddie watched her calmly pick up the bag and take care of it, ignorant of the fact that she was standing just a few feet from 300 pounds of an imminent eruption. Eddie didn't think Dave would hurt Lil' Mami on purpose, but he did know how strong he was, so he watched both of them warily.

"Did you need to toss anything else," Lil' Sis asked David as she returned his closed bag to him. "I wouldn't want to scare the kid who has to deliver room service." She paused, trying to control her lips from slipping into a smile. "I wouldn't want him to have to dodge flying aftershave and underwear." David shook his head without a word. He knew he was behaving like a spoiled child, but he was so damn pissed at himself he couldn't help it. The more he woke up and continued to move, the more he realized he had done some serious damage to himself. And that pissed him off even more.

"Did you get something to eat already, Eddie," Carrie asked the other man. He nodded and risked a glanced at the pissed off world champion. He was surprised to see that Lil' Mami's teasing had been just as effective at stopping Dave's temper as if he'd been scolded by his mother. Eddie brought his hand up to tamp down his moustache and to hide any grin that might escape. The more he learned of their complicated relationship, the more he understood why it worked so well for them. Eddie watched David repack his 2 remaining bags, but leave them unzipped. As Lil' Mami was on the phone with room service she casually leaned over and zipped them up with two hands, balancing the phone on her shoulder. Eddie lifted his eyes to the world champion and saw embarrassment there. Embarrassment at himself and his outburst, Eddie was sure. Eddie quirked a smile at his friend, letting him know it was okay to be pissed and hurting, he understood.

The knock at the door brought Eddie out of his reverie. He watched Lil' Mami peek first, then open the door to whomever. Eddie couldn't see over David's shoulders to the door. His buddy was an effective door and a very poor window.

If David hadn't just seen it, he would have doubted it, but he saw The Undertaker with a big goofy grin on his face for a split second as the door opened. After he blinked, the normal inscrutable face of The Undertaker was back in place. David frowned, wondering if he'd imagined the puppy like grin he'd just seen. David was unaware of the fact that 'Taker had received a warning glare from the small woman at the door.

"You look like shit," 'Taker said by way of greeting to David.

"Thanks, that's pretty much how I feel," David admitted ruefully. He was still turning over in his head what he'd seen for a split second on the Deadman's face.

"You got here just in time. Dave was gonna start hurling furniture next," Eddie teased. Lil' Sis shook her head at the taunt. 'Taker looked in surprise at Eddie, waiting for an explanation.

"I...I fucking hurt and," was all David said before the other man nodded.

"Better get it out now, before your wife gets a hold of you," 'Taker warned.

"Yeah, no shit," David said quickly. Then he paused at 'Taker's warning. How well did he know Kris, he wondered. More history that he was just now learning about, he realized.

"Min tells me she's mellowed, but I don't blame you if you want to start running now," 'Taker teased the world champion. Eddie and David both raised their brows at that, neither was aware of Dave's wife knowing 'Taker, more than casually.

"Stop messing with him. He's got enough to worry about today and you're not helping," Carrie scolded 'Taker.

"See? It fucking runs in the family," 'Taker said, unrepentant.

The two other men grinned back at the big man. ‘Taker’s light heartedness was a welcome relief from the tensions of the room. David frowned as he continued to puzzle out what he’d seen on his friend’s face for a split second as the door opened. It made ‘Taker look ten years younger and not nearly so enigmatic.

David was full of questions, but wasn’t ready for the answers this morning. He’d wait, they had more important matters to attend to, the first being breakfast and from there they’d really get their day started.

***

Sitting back in the plane’s seat, trying to get comfortable, David let his mind wander again, anything to stray from the thoughts of what the doc might find and how to tell his wife he'd done it to himself. He sighed as he shoved those thoughts away, preferring to reflect on this morning's shit. There had definitely been some underlying shit this morning in his room. He just wasn’t sure what it was. He knew it wasn’t Eddie because he’d caught Eddie’s confused expression a couple of times. If he had to guess, he’d have said ‘Taker was trying to have some sort of conversation with Lil’ Sis and she was doing her best to avoid him. But that didn't make sense. He glanced over at the lady in question, noting that her nose was buried in a book, as usual for her on flights. His thoughts skipped to his embarrassment that he hadn’t been able to take off his suit pants by himself. It was bad enough that he needed help last night, but to have Lil’ Sis unzip his pants this morning with his hard on plainly in site was absolutely the most embarrassing thing so far. Yeah, he had to piss this morning and he hoped that was what she’d attribute his erection to. Not the fact that he woke up hornier than hell, too. Shit, he hadn’t been that bad in years. He made a mental note to never take muscle relaxers again. The side effects were not fun and he didn’t want to have walk around with a huge ache when they wore off. He didn’t know if that was a normal side effect, he’d never taken any before. Either way, it was enough to make him swear off them for good. It wasn’t worth it. Bad enough that he hurt like hell, he didn’t need to add to it. He’d ask Mike once he got home, he’d know. He’d had to take them for months when he’d fucked up his back years ago.

David drifted off to sleep, ignoring his worries, in particular talking to his wife. The plane hit some turbulence and jarred him awake in the seat. Carrie looked up from her book at David’s hiss of pain, with the bumpy ride. She had no idea how he was able to lean back in the small seats anyway, but then to get bumped around must not be fun.

“Almost there,” she said quietly. A silent nod was her only answer. She saw he was clenching his jaw, probably to keep himself from swearing, she mused. She planned to drop him off at the doctor’s office, then drop his bags off at the hotel, and end her visit to Georgia by jumping back on a plane heading home. If all went well, she’d be back home before dinner. She hoped by the time she touched down again, there would be some news from Kris about David and what the next step would be. She’d already reminded Kris that they needed to call McMahon senior once there was any news. Knowing her sister, she’d call, but not until she’d had a chance to let her husband know exactly how worried she’d been. She felt another flash of pity for the big man next to her. He can handle it, she thought to herself. He’s one of the few.

top
***

Kris looked up from reading some useless Hollywood gossip magazine in time to see her husband walk in to the reception area, pain clearly evident by his pale and sweating face. All thoughts of chastisement receded as she jumped up to meet him.

“Honey,” Kris asked tentatively, not knowing if she could hug him or not.

“Baby,” David said as he wrapped an arm around her in relief. She smiled at him just before his lips met hers. Neither cared that they weren’t in private, they were both too relieved to care. David felt a sense of calm as soon as he spotted his wife’s worried face in the room. She was there for him, that was all that mattered right now. He hurt too damn much to think much beyond that.

“Thank God,“ Kris whispered, as she pulled away. “Can I,” was all she said as she snaked her arm around his waist. He nodded with a smile to her. Oh hell yeah, he thought. She could touch him, always. She was careful not to hurt him, he noticed.

“Baby, it’s on the other side and higher,” he told her quietly.

They hadn’t claimed any seats in the reception area and Kris wasn’t sure if he would be comfortable sitting so she stayed glued to his side, standing and waiting with him. Together they’d get through this. Whatever this was, she thought. Her heart still hadn’t calmed down since last night’s phone call. She always worried, but for some reason last night she knew something had happened. She knew before she heard Carrie’s voice on the phone. The phone call last night just added another level to her anxiety. David maneuvered them to a corner to stand in so they weren’t blocking the entrance, but neither was willing to release the other. They were both trying to draw strength from the other.

“Mister Batista? You can come back now,” said a nameless assistant. She held the door open wordlessly as both husband and wife walked through…

Kris was turning over the events of the last fifteen or so minutes. She was still in the patient exam room, but David had been escorted to the MRI lab. That left her with time to think. Think and worry, really.

The look on her husband’s face as the trusted doctor took his arm and extended it in ways that clearly hurt would stay with her for months, she knew. Hearing the doctor remind his stubborn patient that David needed to tell him when he caused pain. From there, David had started making noise, some low and quiet, some loud groans. With each noise, Kris felt herself tense up more. It had been a relief when she was asked to stay behind as they took him for further tests. It gave her a chance to get her worries under control, knowing that her husband would need her to be strong and rational, even though that was exactly what she was not feeling at the moment – rational. Ha, that’s a laugh, she chided herself.

She didn’t know how other wives did it, all the worry, the long separations, the crazy hours and exhausted spouses when they did finally come home. But mostly the worry for their loved one’s safety. She hadn’t felt this alone for years and she didn’t know who to turn to with her worries, someone that would understand and not just pat her hand and try to downplay her worries. She knew she could always turn to her sister, but Carrie had more than enough on her own plate. The last thing Kris wanted to do was add to it. She didn’t want to worry her parents, they were finally relaxed and happy settling in to retirement. She ran through David’s coworkers, trying to think of spouses or significant others that she might be able to call. Most, she didn’t know very well or didn’t particularly like. A few spouses were overwhelmed by their own lives, she knew. As she ran through the list, the only one that jumped out at her was Nan , Hunter’s wife. She knew Nan and trusted her no nonsense attitude, knowing she wouldn’t get empty platitudes from the red head. Maybe, just maybe when she was done today she might call. She didn’t really know what she was going to say, it was more of just talking to someone who’d understand her situation and worries. She shoved all that aside as the door opened, admitting the doctor and David.

“So, you see why I say that,” the doctor said, clearly indicating that a conversation had been in progress without Kris. She frowned at that briefly, but kept quiet and listened, hoping to get up to speed quickly. David shifted his shoulders, rolled his head as he digested the quick diagnosis and the prognosis.

“Yeah, so tomorrow,” David asked the doctor.

“Yes, we need to do it again, just to make sure. But I don’t think it’ll change much, Dave. You know me, I like to be sure.” David nodded in response. The doctor picked up the discarded wrap that his over sized patient had been using with distaste. He’d get one of the techs to immobilize his patient.

Kris blinked as she realized that they were done for now and the doctor was getting ready to leave them.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Kris asked as she held her hand out to the famed doctor.

“Yes, indeed. We need to make sure, but I don’t think we’ll see anything different. I just like to be thorough,” he said as he released Kris’ hand.

David saw her worry and confusion, knowing she was upset that she missed their conversation and diagnosis. He sighed, knowing he better not forget a word the doc had said as he relayed the info to her or she would be pissed. He was clinging to the doc’s words of being able to rehab it, without surgery. That was his one hope, no surgery. It also meant he’d be able to continue working, at least in some capacity.

“Thanks Doc, let’s hope for no surprises,” David said as he shook the other man’s hand. Almost as soon as the doctor left them alone, Kris turned on her husband with a thousand questions in her eyes and on her lips.

“Baby, wait. I’ll tell you everything,” David said as an unnamed med tech came in to wrap him into immobility.

Kris nodded, knowing that they were going to have a discussion as soon as they left and were in the car. She couldn’t wait until the privacy of their hotel room, she needed to know before then. As the doors of the clinic closed behind them, Kris turned to her husband.

"Tell me. Is it as bad as last time," she asked, worry clearly evident. David glanced at her and all his organized thoughts jumbled in the face of her worry and concern.

"No baby, it's not. It's different," he said as they continued to walk to the rental that Carrie had procured for them. As Kris opened her mouth to ask for clarification, he held up his hand, in surrender. "Let's get in the car first baby." At her mutinous look, he added, "I know you're worried. I love you too, baby."

He managed to smile into her anxious eyes. She blinked at him and tried to return his smile. Instead, she grabbed the keys out of her bag and hit the button, hoping that a flash of lights would remind her of the type of car. She'd been so worried that she honestly didn't remember the type of rental, let alone the color of it. A flash of tail lights responded to her prompt and she veered toward it, intent on getting them both back to their room quickly and safely.

Once she'd helped David buckle himself in, she turned to him and said, "Tell me." He nodded as he watched her back the car up and head out onto the main arterial.

"Um, it's not a sprain," he said quietly. Kris nodded, knowing that whatever it was, was something more than just a simple sprain. "It's not a complete separation either."

Kris frowned, it wasn't the worst that he had then, but it also wasn't the easiest. She took a deep breath to let her husband speak in his own way as she focused back on the building traffic.

Several minutes later, Kris asked, "What do you mean, rehab?" She had a sinking feeling she knew already.

"The doc says that we can opt for surgery with about the same recovery time and results as just rehab," David said quietly. He knew she'd be upset if he had to go through surgery, so he didn't understand her slightly hostile attitude towards the possibility of just rehab.

"Okay, so how long for this rehab and did he say when you could go back to work," Kris raised her one objection. David blinked as he realized what she was really asking. She didn't want him to go back out on the road.

"Baby, he said light workouts and slight bumps. Said I'd know when to take it easy," David said in defense of the doctor's prognosis. He'd been so relieved by the man's words that he hadn't stopped to think how Kris would receive it.

"Slight bumps," Kris echoed as he voice climbed several octaves in just two words.

David winced inwardly. Here it comes, he thought.

“Thinks you’ll know when to take it easy?” David watched her temper rise as she started to warm up to the bitching that had been simmering. “Well, this damn doctor doesn’t know you very well if he thinks that! I’ve never met a man more stubborn, more willing to go out and risk injury than you. It’s not like he doesn’t know he could get hurt, oh no! It’s not like he knows his family worries about him, no. He does it because he just thinks of himself,” Kris finished her small tirade in almost a shout.

David sat in silence next to her, keeping his temper in check. He didn’t want to fight with her today, not now and not over this. Kris had parked the car and was climbing out of it in silence. David realized he’d have to get out without assistance so he scrambled to do so.

Kris strode off without a backward glance. She was so irritated with her husband, the doctor and the medical field in general. Know when to take it easy, yeah right. That was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. She knew David wouldn’t take it easy, he couldn’t and wouldn’t. He wasn’t built that way. If there was anything left in the tank, he’d go balls to the wall still, in spite of injury. It’s just how he was.

David caught up with her as she waited for the elevator. He would’ve been screwed if he hadn’t since he didn’t know where their room was. He lifted his shades off and tucked them in his shirt.

“Baby,” he said tentatively as he reached for her.

She turned her shoulder away from him, sending the message loud and clear. Don’t call me baby and I’m pissed at you right now. David was an expert at reading his wife’s moods, even though he didn’t see this one very often. He understood it enough to know she needed time before they could resume their conversation. Shit, he thought. Just what he didn’t need, a pissed off wife. He knew she could simmer for days if he let her. He wasn’t going to let her, that’s all there was to it. He’d give her a little while then try again. That usually worked.

Silence hung over them as they trudged down the hall to their hotel suite. David frowned as he muddled through his wife’s reactions earlier. She always said she didn’t want him to trim his work load back. She always said she was fine being home and taking care of everything. She always said he needed to do what he needed to do and her and the kids understood. And now this? It didn’t make sense to him.

He was lost in thought as he stared at his wife’s very shapely and distracting ass. He shoved all thoughts aside as he watched her ass in her snug sky blue Capri ’s in front of him. He felt a smile start in spite of their earlier disagreement. His wife could always make him smile and just watching her walk was enough sometimes. That reminded him of his morning ache. Maybe they’d talk about that today. Maybe, after things were settled? He didn’t know but if he kept staring at that ass, he was going to jump her, injured back and all. Kris turned to her husband as she opened the door and saw he was a million miles away.

“Dave,” she said quietly to bring his attention back to reality.

She hated fighting with him, but they needed to talk before anything else. And if she was reading her husband right, he was ready for the anything else already. He brought his eyes back up to hers with a goofy smile, unapologetic over his gawking and where his thoughts had turned. Her lips twitched but she bit back her smile at his actions. They needed to talk first. She needed to know exactly what the doctor said and the extent of his injury.

Kris smiled as she took in the room. It was more than a room. It was suite, with a separate room for the bedroom. She saw her case had been brought up, as had David’s. She spotted the fridge and opened it, intent on finding something to drink first. David walked up to her and took her free hand in his gently. He didn’t want to fight. It took too much fucking energy and he hated being at odds with her. They were partners, in everything, and as such they supported and helped each other through challenges. This wasn’t the first injury they’d been through and he was pretty sure it wouldn’t be the last.

“Baby,” he started. He pulled her with him to the large couch in the living area. He waited for her to sit down before he continued. He chose not to sit. He needed to concentrate and if he sat down next to her, he was pretty sure his mind would shut off, letting his animal within out too early. He let his breath out as he gathered his wits and the doctor’s words.

“This is what the doctor said,” he started.

Kris was silent as she listened to the doctor’s prognosis. She smiled in relief at the fact that they wouldn’t have to undergo surgery. She’d counted the seconds when he was out every time and knew she’d do it again. She tried to keep her dismay from showing as he told her that he wanted to continue to work through the injury. His next words proved that she hadn’t been as successful as she’d hoped.

“He said it’s not that bad, baby,” David tried again.

She nodded, but couldn’t meet his eyes. He kneeled down in front of her, wanting to touch her, to reassure her that everything was going to be alright and that they could make it through this together. He touched her chin to bring her eyes up and was startled to see her eyes glassy, with unshed tears. Without thought, he wrapped his arms around her, ignoring the knife of pain that his action caused.

“What’s all these tears for, baby. I’m here. I’m okay,” he whispered into her hair.

“I know. It’s just that next time…I don’t know how other wives do it. The worry, the pain…” was all she said. She closed her eyes against his chest, soaking up the scent of him and his welcome strength.

David finally understood what she had not said with those few words. She worried, he knew. But he didn’t totally understand the toll it took on her until now. Until an injury brought her worries to the forefront. He didn’t know how to alleviate some of her worries other than to let her know he was always careful.

He must have twitched, because Kris said quickly, “Oh Dave, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No Baby, never,” he rumbled as his lips nibbled along her jaw.

“Dave,” Kris asked, not wanting to hurt him more with some of their love play. A growl was his only answer, letting her know he would let her know if she hurt him.

***

Kris was laying with her head on his shoulder, tracing her finger around his nipple lightly, causing it to react to her gentle tease.

“You’re a bad girl and I should punish you for that,” David rumbled without bothering to open his eyes. He sensed his wife’s grin at his words, noticing she didn’t stop her tease. He felt her start to shake as she suppressed her giggles. “What? What’s so damn funny,” he asked, finally opening his eyes to look at his beautiful bride.

“Oh, nothing,” she said in between giggles.

“Bull shit, what’s so damn funny,” he asked again.

“I’m thinking about that analogy of you and a piece of meat. Flank steak does sorta look like your lat, but still,” she managed to say before she dissolved into giggles again. He shook is head at her, relieved that she understood his need to work, in spite of his injury. “Does this mean I get to call you beefcakes,” she asked with a snort.

“Oh now, that is too much, baby,” he said as he shifted her onto his chest.

“Really, Wally,” she teased.

“That’s it. You’re a bad girl and I am so going to punish you…again,” he said as he gripped her ass.

She looked down into his eyes, knowing that she was secure in his heart. She’d have a few moments of worry when she’d watched that skit with Melina, but he had been as uncomfortable watching it as she. She giggled, remembering his comment about the fact that Melina should learn to chew some gum or something. He’d been very nervous and uncomfortable with the whole idea so he’d brushed his teeth again, gargled and was chewing some gum for the skit. But according to him, his co star hadn’t bothered with any of the niceties and had just jumped whole hog into the part, foul tasting and all. Even her children had heard that Miss Perez had a definite funk to her, making them howl in laughter at their dad’s telling of the tale that night. She shoved all that aside, glancing at the clock, knowing they had all night to remind each other many things.

***

Kris slipped out of bed, listening to her husband snore. It wasn’t late, but he was tired, she knew. He’d told her about being completely drugged out last night and the state that he woke up in. She didn’t know if it was the medication, but she definitely approved. She’d already called her sister while David called Vince several hours ago to give an update, so she wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing now.

Snap out of it, she chided herself. She always said she could call, always said she’d help, so why not trust her at her word. In part because it would mean admitting that everything wasn’t always roses and rainbows in her marriage, that’s why. As she debated with herself, she’d found the number and hit it, prompting the cell phone to dial.

“Helmsley residence. How may I help you,” an extremely polite southern female voice asked. It took Kris a second to realize exactly who the speaker must be. She grinned.

“Yes, Miss Lily. It’s Kris Batista calling. I’m hoping Misses Helmsley is available?” There was a shocked silence for a second or two as the other woman thought for a moment, running through family and friends and finally remembering the tall blonde woman.

“Oh, don’t know, let me check for you. Please hold for a moment,” Miss Lily said. Kris listened to silence as she waited for Nan to be located. It wasn’t long before she heard another line click on.

“Kris? It’s Nan . What’s wrong,” Nan asked in a worried voice. Kris calling her at home out of the blue was almost unheard of so she reasoned something must be wrong. “Are you okay? Are the kids okay,” Nan asked in quick succession.

“Yes. Yes, we’re okay, the kids are fine. Thanks for asking. Is now a bad time to talk,” Kris asked. Nan frowned for a brief second, realizing that Kris had called her for a specific reason. That reason was roughly 6’6” and 300 pounds.

“Now’s fine honey. The babies are asleep,” Nan said quietly, crossing her fingers to herself as she prayed that they’d stay that way for a couple hours.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I forgot. With everything…I’m sorry. How are you and the girls,” Kris asked, genuinely embarrassed that she’d completely forgotten about the recently expanded Helmsley brood.

“The girls are fine, Kris. You called at a good time, they’re sleeping. Don’t be surprised if I have to go at a moments notice. They haven’t yet mastered the art of sleeping more than four hours,” Nan said with an indulgent chuckle for her babies. Kris chuckled with her, she remembered her early days with Melissa.

“That being said honey, how can I help,” Nan asked. She didn’t bother with beating around the bush anymore. There might not be enough time and if Kris really was in a jam and she wanted to talk, she better get it rolling.

“Um, have you talked to Hunter today? Did he tell you Dave’s hurt,” Kris asked quickly.

“No, he didn’t say anything. But I haven’t talked to him this morning. Is it bad? Can we help,” Nan asked automatically.

“No, but thank you. It’s not that bad. But…” was all Kris said and stopped, chewing her lips in indecision.

“But what? Is he right there? Do I need to call you back later,“ Nan asked, thinking that Dave might be listening.

“No,” Kris sighed. “He’s sleeping, for now.” Nan nodded at that news, but kept quiet, waiting for Kris to tell her in her own way. “It’s just that…that I don’t know how you do it? How do other wives do it,” Kris almost sobbed into the phone. Nan took a deep breath to keep her immediate response from slipping out.

“Do what? What is it that we do that's so elusive,” Nan asked.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Kris said as she waved her hands at no one. She was so frustrated; she didn’t know how to explain what she was really asking. “Yesterday, I knew something was wrong. I knew it. And then I got the call, I thought my heart would stop. How does everyone else do it?”

“Some of us go crazy. Some of us drink,” Nan admitted as she thought of several that used that method of coping. “Some of us yell and scream at their husband’s as soon as we see them for scaring the shit out of us,” Nan said quietly.

“I did that,” Kris admitted. David had stirred as he heard his wife’s voice. He almost called out to her until he realized she wasn’t talking to him.

“How did he take it,” Nan asked. She was thinking about the many times she had ripped into her own husband because she had been worried.

“Um, okay I think. But I was so mad. So damned pissed at him for getting hurt in the first place. Then I felt guilty for getting pissed at him. Am I a complete bitch,” Kris asked.

“Take it from someone who truly is one. No, you’re not. You love him and care about him. It’s only natural to get upset. If I had to count the number of times Hunter and I have fought about the same kind of things…” Nan ’s voice trailed off without finishing the sentence. Nan let the silence stretch for a few moments, gathering her own wits back.

David lay in bed listening intently to every word. He knew Kris was pissed, but she hadn’t shared all of it. Maybe she worried that he’d get mad at her for it, he didn’t know. He hoped she’d finish up the call soon because he really needed to jump up and use the bathroom, but as soon as he did that, she’d know he was awake.

“How bad is it and what did he do,” Nan asked finally. She heard Kris sigh over the phone.

“Damn doctors, all of them. I understand why Carrie hates them. Fucking quacks,” Kris muttered. Nan kept her mouth shut and chose not to rise to that bait. “They said it was a tear, not too bad.” Kris explained the type and location of the injury, complete with the flank steak analogy. “He had an MRI today and we’re going back for another one tomorrow, just in case it looks different? I don’t know. What does it fucking matter since he’s going right back to work anyway,” Kris said finally. Nan blinked as she realized that was the crux of Kris’ worry.

“The doctors say he won’t hurt himself more, right? You don’t want him to sit at home and drive you crazy, do you? I remember last time, you said he drove you fucking nuts,” Nan reminded her gently.

“I know. It’s just that he doesn’t seem to…” and Kris stopped again, afraid she’d said too much.

“Kris, don’t ever think that Dave doesn’t love you. He does. I’ve seen him go fucking crazy when he can’t call you or he looses another damn phone. That man is still crazy in love with you, honey. It makes some of us kinda sick,” Nan teased. “Who would believe that the big fierce animal is really just a big marshmallow?”

“I know, I know. I just don’t understand,” Kris admitted.

“It’s what he does, honey. He’s a doer, not someone who’s good at sitting and waiting. There will come a time that he’ll be home, and that time will be sooner than he’s ready for. But it won’t come soon enough for you. You love him, all of him and this is what he does,” Nan said. She’d been through the same type of doubts, so she understood all too well.

“Yeah, I know this is what he was meant to do. It’s just so strange to have him be a part of something I can never begin to understand.” Kris stopped speaking suddenly because she heard a noise on the other side of the door, in the bedroom.

“Go with him, honey. Next time you can, leave the kids with your folks and go with him for a few days. See what he sees, let him show you so you understand. The last time you traveled with him was when he was on SmackDown the first time, right?” At the other woman’s quiet agreement, Nan continued. “Things have changed for Dave, his days can be hectic, going from one thing to the next and barely registering the day, let alone the town he’s in. Your sister’s not going to be traveling with him soon anyway, right? So why not go with him, just you and him and see for yourself what he does. Experience it for yourself.”

“You think he’d want me to go with him? I never,” Kris was cut off by the redhead.

“Oh, for shit’s sake! What man doesn’t want their hot looking woman traveling with him? Plus he can show you off to all his cronies. Half of them don’t believe the stories he tells them about you anyway. They think you’re a figment of his overactive imagination.” Nan knew she was laying it on a little thick, but knew she needed to get her point across. Plus there were a few in the company that didn’t believe Dave when he told them he was married. She deliberately left out that most of them were female. Kris would put them in their place soon enough.

“Okay. I think I can do that. In fact I can use it as an excuse for holiday shopping or something,” Kris said.

“Now you’re talking,” Nan said warmly.

“You sure I’m not a huge bitch about this other stuff,” Kris asked.

“I think you love your husband. You love your family and don’t want anything to happen to any of them. But, you also know he needs to do what he does in order to be happy and complete. He doesn’t need to work for money any more. Plus I know he likes to be the best he can be, all the damn time. It’s irritating, I know. I’ve got one of my own.”

“It’s never been about money. That’s never been an issue,” Kris said quietly. Nan frowned, but kept quiet. She knew some people, David in particular, could be a little touchy about money so she didn’t want to step into some shit. Nan decided to shift the topic just a bit.

“Look at his schedule, see what’s coming up, and choose somewhere you’ve never been and would like to go. You’ll have time, he might not, but you’ll definitely have the time for some shopping,” Nan assured the now relieved woman.

“I’d really like to go to Spain but it’s too late for that. Plus, Carrie tells me their free time is so limited that it wouldn’t’ be worth it anyway,” Kris said a little wistfully. Her ease dropping husband filed that piece of information away for later, knowing he would take her to Spain , and anywhere else she wanted to go.

“She’s right. Think of something closer to home so you can spend some time together,” Nan said quietly.

Spending quality time was always a challenge in any marriage, a long distance one was doubly challenging. Nan smiled to herself, thinking that her friend Dave would definitely appreciate spending some time with his wife on the road. The boys were one thing, but it didn’t replace your own family.

“Okay, I’ll look at the schedule and decide. Thanks for the idea. Now I have to hope he’s okay with it,” Kris said. Nan ’s immediate answer was another unladylike snort at her friend. “Thanks, Nan . I know you’ve got a ton of shit right now, but thanks for talking to me. I just needed to know I wasn’t…”

“Alone,” the red head finished for her.

“Yeah. It’s hard sometimes,” Kris said.

“I know, honey. But it’s worth it and we wouldn’t want them any other way,” Nan reminded her. "Kris, have you talked to Vicki Gerrero or Nancy Benoit?" She had a feeling Kris hadn't reached out to those ladies yet and she should. Wrestlers’ wives and girlfriends were an invaluable support system. Nan was guessing that Kris hadn't because she didn't know either of them very well. She was missing important support by not talking to them and Nan reminded her of that fact.

"No. I haven't. I don't know them very well. I didn't want to bother either of them. I...I know they've both got their hands full with their families," Kris said. The fact that she hadn't been sure of her reception was the actual reason she hadn't called, in spite of Dave's assurances that both had told him to have her call if she needed anything.

"They’re family too, Kris. Don't forget. They live this crazy life, too. They know exactly what you're going through. All of us do. It's what we live, every day," Nan said quietly. Her thoughts drifted back to her own home and some of their challenges.

"Really? Dave told me to call them if I ever needed to, it's just..." Kris left off for a moment. A sob escaped before she could stop it. " Nan , I'm just so damned scared for him," she said quietly.

David blinked at hearing his wife's confession. It was more than she had told him. She said she worried, not that she was sacred for him. Her sobs tore at his heart, but her next words stopped him for sliding out of bed and pulling her to him.

"Okay. I will and thanks. I'll call her right now," Kris said, her voice growing stronger.

"You're not alone honey. Ever. Don't think that. We're all in this shit together. We know, we know what it's like," Nan reminded Kris again.

"Okay. Thanks. Thanks for the reminder. I guess I just forgot or needed to hear it or something," Kris said. A quiet wail broke into her train of thoughts. "Sounds like someone is awake," Kris said ruefully to the new mom.

"Yeah, it does. I gotta go. Call her, she'll understand. I promise," Nan said quickly, noting the slight change in the cry, meaning someone was working up to a full blown cry. She needed to hurry and stop that before she woke her sister. Another cry joined the first. Too late, Nan realized. She was distracted by her girls cries so she hadn't heard much of Kris' last words, but she knew her original message had been heard and understood.

"Listen, Kris. I have to go. Call me tomorrow and we'll talk again. Hopefully someone will stay asleep," Nan said.

"Okay, thanks. I will," Kris said quickly, sensing and understanding Nan 's need to hang up. "Bye," Kris said quickly, freeing the other woman to reciprocate and hang up quickly. Kris held the now silent phone in her hand and reflected back on Nan 's words. She debated for half a second before she dialed the other woman’s number. She knew if she thought about it too long, she'd talk herself out of it, again.

A quiet feminine voice answered the ringing phone with, "Hello?"

Kris had a brief flash of shyness as she worried about what to say. She blurted out the first thing that popped into her head.

"Is Nancy available? It's Kris Batista calling," Kris said quietly.

"Kris? Hi, it's Nancy ," the voice said warmly. Kris relaxed at her tone. "Chris told me, how is he?" Nancy took the phone with her to her favorite couch, sensing there was more to this call than a quick social chit chat.

"He's fine. He's sleeping right now. Doctors are telling him he can work, just take it easy," Kris said. Nancy barked a humorless laugh over the phone at the blonde woman.

"That's a laugh, isn't it? I don't know a single one of them that knows what that word means," Nancy said.

"No, and if I could've got my hands on that damn doctor...."

"Trust me, Kris. I know. I think the line starts behind me. That same doctor told Chris he'd never get in the ring again and now look at him!" Nancy shook her head at her husband's tenacity. It was part of him and she loved him to distraction but damn it, she wished she could temper him sometimes.

"God damn assholes," Kris said quietly. Nancy stayed quiet for a second, guessing the reason for Kris' call exactly. Her next words proved she'd guessed right.

"How are you, Kris? How are you holding up?" Nancy heard a quiet shaky breath from the other woman, then silence. "Kris? Are you okay, honey," Nancy asked. Kris felt her eyes burn a second before she broke into sobs, trying unsuccessfully to speak and stem her outburst.

Behind the door, in the bedroom, her husband had fallen asleep unaware of his wife's breakdown over the phone.

***

David took a deep breath and winced in pain as reality intruded on his dream. He'd been dreaming he was sleeping in a big warm bed with Kris snuggled up to him. The pain in his back reminded him that wasn't true.

"Wally," Kris murmured into his chest. "You okay, baby?" Her hand slid down from his chest to creep over to his far hip. David's eyes snapped open as his brain struggled to keep up. He looked down and saw her blonde head resting on his shoulder.

"I am now," he said, voice sounding like he'd been gargling shards of glass. He swallowed a few times and tried again. "I thought I was dreaming," he said. He hissed in pain again as he tried to move his right arm from underneath Kris.

"Oh shit, sorry. I wasn't thinking," Kris said as she started to get up.

"No, don't go baby," David said quietly. He had other plans to make part of his waking dream a reality.

"I don't want to hurt you," Kris insisted.

"You won't," he said as he pulled her back to him.

She crawled onto his chest as she kept her eyes locked in his. He knew she was watching him for any sign of pain and he was determined not to show any. He wanted to take thier time together. This morning was for them without doctors, trainers, fans, and kids. Just them in a hotel room together.

Kris touched her lips to his softly, waiting for him to be ready for her. Her wait lasted less than a second. She smirked at his quick response. Some mornings he was slow to wake up, for any reason. Not today.

Today he was more than ready, even though he kept his right arm down on the bed, his left hand was busy running his fingers down her spine lightly, teasing her...

He rubbed his eyes, focusing on his wife's back as she talked on the phone. He frowned, he didn't remember falling asleep after their gentle but hotter than hell love making. He knew he smiled at the memory. Hell, he'd be smiling for a long time thinking about this morning. His wife was so fucking hot and knew exactly how to give him what he needed and show him what she wanted. He couldn't believe that after all this time, they were still discovering each other. Some of his buddies weren't so lucky, if he could put any stock in their bitching sessions in the gym. They bitched that their wives didn't talk to, touch them or even want to spend time with them anymore, let alone want to have sex with them. He thanked God every day that hadn't happened to them. He didn't know how it happened, but he knew that Kris was more responsible for keeping them talking and together than him. He'd tried to show her that this morning. As he watched, her pony tail bopped up and down with her conversation. Her animation brought his attention to her side of the conversation.

"Yeah, I know. Nice to know, Vickie," and another head bob as she nodded, listening. David was entranced watching his wife. He could never get enough of her and he was willing to admit that to anyone.

"I will. Give the girls and Eddie our love. Thanks, I will. Yeah, I know.....Thanks. Thanks for everything, Vickie. I will, thanks," Kris said just before she closed her cell. She didn't make a movement, she stayed seated in the generic hotel chair. Thinking maybe, David didn't know. He did know he was even more confused than when he woke up.

"You called Vickie," he rumbled. Kris's head turned sharply at his words. She didn't know he was awake.

"Yeah. Sorry, did I wake you," she asked. He shook his head. He was pleased that she'd finally called Vickie. Maybe she'd be able to talk about some of the stuff that had been building up and bugging her. He knew her well enough to know she'd been hesitant to add anything to Carrie's over flowing plate, so she'd kept everything in.

She continued, as she smiled, " Nancy said I needed to call her and she was right," David frowned. Nancy ? Chris' wife?

"Benoit?"

"Yeah, she's funnier than hell. You didn't tell me she was funny," Kris said with a mock frown for her husband.

"Sorry. I didn't know. She's pretty quiet arou