He stood up and glared over at the nurse's station.

"Oh, this is getting ridiculous!" he exclaimed as he started the walk to the window.

"Adam, wait!"  Stephanie nearly leapt out of the chair in which she'd been sitting between him and Kurt and followed him.

The Canadian stopped to turn back to meet her blue eyes.

"Let me go...you're so wound up right now, you're liable to say or do something that might get you thrown out of this place..."

Adam's face looked a tiny bit more angry at the brunette's statement, but he knew she was right.  Stephanie knew him so well, and she knew his temper would get the best of him, especially given the circumstances.

"Okay, Steph..." he finally replied, his features softening as he took in the concern etched on the young woman's face.  "...and thanks."

The brunette gave his hand a gentle squeeze before stepping over to the nurse's station.

Adam returned to his seat beside Jay and sighed heavily, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his thighs as he again rose his hands to his face.

"Are you okay?" he heard his best friend ask in a soft voice.  He glanced into the other man's face and shook his head.

"My God, it's after eight already," Jay noted.  "Why the hell hasn't anyone come out here to let us know how she is?"

"Maybe they're incompetent."  Although furious, Adam's face hadn't changed in expression one iota.

Kurt looked over and them and spoke up.  "I think we all need some dinner," he said.

The tall blond man whipped his head in the Olympian's direction to glare daggers into him.  "How the hell can you talk about eating when my girlfriend might be seconds away from dying?!"

"Adam..." Angle said calmly, in an even voice, not swayed in the least by his friend's angry outburst.  "...she's not dying.  Don't worry - she'll be okay."

"And you know this because...?!"  Adam quickly got to his feet, his emerald eyes glittering with rage as he stared at the man.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Jay had risen as well.  "So, tell me, Kurt...what makes you such an expert on this subject?  Knowing when people are going to live or die - it must be a fascinating talent to possess..."

"Come on, man - cool it," the shorter blond said behind him.  Jay put a hand on his shoulder.  "He's just trying to keep optimistic - like the rest of us..."

Adam turned sharply and gazed into his best friend's blue eyes, which were filled with concern.  What was he doing?  He'd been about two seconds away from beating the hell out of one of his friends - and right here in a hospital, of all places.  He had to get hold of himself.

"God...I'm sorry, Kurt," the blond man said.  "I'm not mad at you...it's just..."

"Hey, I know, Adam...I know..." the Olympian said, nodding with understanding.  "It's okay...I would probably be the same way if I were in your shoes."  He placed a friendly hand on the Canadian's arm.

At that moment, Stephanie returned, and to Adam's great surprise, there was a physician with her.

"Are you the boyfriend of Amy Dumas, the woman that was shot at the county fair?"

The tall blond looked into the man's warm brown eyes.  "Yes...how is she?"

"She's stable..." the doctor said.  Adam noted the name tag on the man's white coat read 'N. Roberts.'

"She's a very lucky young woman," Dr. Roberts continued.  "The bullet lodged itself just above the pectoral muscle.  Fortunately, it didn't nick any major artery...she doesn't require a transfusion."

"Oh, God..."  Adam raked his hand through his hair, his face morose but a feeling of relief sweeping through him at the knowledge that Amy would make it.  "Can I...see her?"

"She's not out of surgery just yet," the physician said.  "But as soon as she is, and when we move her to a room, you may see her.  Why don't you and your friends get some dinner at the cafeteria?  It's on the second floor."

The tall Canadian nodded.  "Thank you, doctor...please," he said, "please let me know the moment I can see her..."

"Someone will come to let you know..." Roberts assured him.

"The doctor has the right idea," Kurt said as he stood up.  Stephanie rose along with him as the Olympian continued.  "I think it would do us some good to get some food."

Shane McMahon, sitting beside Torrie, who was asleep, gently shook the blonde woman by the shoulder.

As she gazed up at him sleepily, he said, "We're going to get some dinner."

She nodded and allowed Shane to help her stand.  The entire group walked down the hall to the small bank of elevators.

*

A half-hour later, after leaving the cafeteria, the group headed back to the floor of the surgery unit.  As the others made their way to the elevators, Shane took his sister aside.

"Come outside with me?" he asked as he held up his cell phone.

Stephanie eyed her sibling with comprehension and nodded.  She knew Shane so well, could read him so easily that she didn't need to question him.  Intuitively, she knew what her brother wanted to do...

...It was time to arrange a face-to-face meeting with their father.