This a red plastic covering. It's to protect your vital organs from any of the radiation in the x-rays.

She places it across his chest and walks out.

Ok, Mr. Cool. I want you to keep your arm perfectly straight, and place your hand down flat on the platform, palm side down.

Joe does this and the machine whirrs and clicks a few time as it takes pictures.

Ok now I want you to turn your hand into a fist, and put it so the knuckes are on the platform.

Joe does this as well and more x-ray photos are taken.

Ok, last one. turn your hand so it's palm side up and lay it on the platform.

Joe does this as well, and the final pictures are taken. He stands up and is handed the clipboard with the writing on it so he can deliver it to the secretary. Once he does so he goes back to the waiting room. He picks up a copy of Time magazine and reads, but tosses it down in utter anger at the fact it's an EXTREMELY boring magazine, plus it's 2 years old. He waits impatiently for a long time before the doctor finally comes in 3 minutes later.

Ok Mr. Cool could you follow me please?

Joe gets up and follows him back to the x-ray room, where they are now up for viewing.

It was a little worse than I suspected yesterday, but otherwise about the same. You have a hairline fracture down this middle bone here, underneath the finger and your knuckes for your index and middle fingers are cracked, so they'll need to approxamately 2-3 weeks to heal and you'll have to wear this hard cast to prevent further breaking, so here is a prescription for that. Minor painkillers like Tylenol or Advil will do the trick just fine.

Ok doctor, thank you...now if you'll excuse me I have to hurry to catch a quick flight to Albany for my show.

Oh, and Mr. Cool?

Yes?

Do a fan a favor and kick Rocket's ass in 2 weeks. I don't like what's been doing to Angel recently.

You and me both, pal.

The scene fades out on Joe leaving the hospital...

Whoever you are, just go away!

Joe starts to say something, but realizes she doesn't know it's him so says something else in a playful tone.

Well fine, Angel, I was going to tell you about my hand but I can see you are busy so I'll just go along my merry way and do paperwork or something.

Angel groans a little and the door opens up. She stands in front of Joe, blood dripping down her cut on her face a little. The look in her eyes is one of regret, yet it isn't enough to mask the pain that is hidden deep inside.

I'm sorry Joe. I didn't know it was you. Please come in.

Angel waves her hand in and then goes back over to the couch, sitting down, with a look up at the clock again. Joe looks as well and frowns.

Have to wait on the clock huh?

Yes...those meds take away the pain really good.

Obviously, you probably didn't feel that cut on your face. Let me get that for you.

Joe takes a tissue from a box nearby box and tries to wipe the blood away but Angel turns her head, groaning.

Ok, Angel, hold still..I don't like seeing blood going down your face, takes away your beauty.

She smiles and moves her head back, and Joe removes the blood, but luckily the cut doesn't bleed anymore, and is actually small. He tosses the tissue away and smiles.

I was busy getting my eye taken care of...did you win your match?

Angel sighs and turns away.

I didn't have a match.

Did Phoenix cancel your match? What did Rocket try to attack my brother to and get it cancelled? Because otherwise you were booked...

No! It wasn't anything like that.

Angel sighs and puts her arm over her stomach, trying to hide her pain.

There was a match. But it was more like a 2 on 1. I wasn't in it.

Joe glances down at her in pain and holds her hand before smiling.

Oh..so you never got tagged in? Well I guess Rocket won fairly quick then right?

Angel looks into his eyes before sighing and lowering her head.

He wouldn't let me get tagged in. He acted like I wasn't there. Literally.

Well if you didn't get tagged in how did you get that cut?

Angel looks away from Joe briefly before turning back to him.

PLH knocked me out with my own belt while Bob was trash-talking with GI.

What? That son of a..

Joe stops himself and breathes before speaking again.

Sorry. He's still got me pissed from this.

Joe points at the stitched up cut above his eye.

So hearing that he did that makes matters worse. I swear he deserves the beating I'm giving him in 2 weeks. I know you probably don't want to hear that but....

Angel holds up a hand to cut him off so she can speak.

You are right, I don't want to hear it.

She gets up of the couch and holds in a wince. She goes over to the wall and leans her head against it. Joe can't see anything but can hear her. She balls her hand up into a fist and hits the wall.

This isn't right. I can't handle this anymore. I can't defend him anymore, I just can't.

Angel lets out a little cry.

Oh, I just don't know what to do anymore.

Joe stands up and puts an arm around her, she leans inward putting her head on his shoulder.

Just let it all out Angel you look like you could use a shoulder to cry on.

Angel lets out a little sob before shaking her head and slightly pushing him away.

No. This isn't right. I shouldn't lean on your shoulder, no matter how much I want to. You have your own problems.

Angel looks into Joe's face, reading his eyes, before letting a tear fall.

Oh why do you have to be so wonderful?

Angel closes her eyes and falls back towards the wall, landing hard on it, her face tensing up. Joe, confused, can't help but want to cheer her up.

Well, I don't know why I'm so wonderful, I mean, ask a fan sometime they might tell you....

This lame attempt doesn't work one bit, so Joe resorts to other tactics.

Well, in all honesty, my problems are unimportant now. I wouldn't ask for you to confide in me if I didn't care, and if I didn't think they were important enough. I do think your problems are important, just as I think you're important. Now if you don't want to tell me anything, that's just fine, Angel. But I am here for you.

After saying that Joe turns to leave, but Angel walks up and grabs his arm so he'll stay. She looks up into his eyes and touches his cheek a little.

It would be so easy for me to fall into your arms Joe. To spend a wonderful night with you. You make me forget all my problems and worry's, inspiring me to lose myself. But sooner or later this will all catch up to me. And I'll still be with Bob.

Joe gets a surprised look on his face.

Angel, as much as that'd be great, and I think it would be...I'm not trying to hit on you or hook up with you. It's not my intention to "steal" you away from Rocket like he thinks it is. I just want to make sure you're happy.

Angel takes a step back, tears are flowing down her face.

But I'm not happy! I'm anything but happy. All I am is hurt. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. How much more am I gonna have to take? How much before I get what I really want and need? How much more am I gonna have to suffer?

Angel burst out into tears and runs past Joe, running through the backstage, ignoring those that stare at her. Joe slumps against the wall momentarily.

Way to go Joe, alienate the Angel of ICW.

Joe leaves the door and searches for her, and sees her at a small area of the arena where fans can sit and drink or eat snacks. She's sitting with a glass of water, we assume, trying to drink and her hands are shaking.

Didn't like what I said?

Angel jumps in her seat and then holds her hand to her heart. After a few breathes she responds.

It wasn't that at all. It's what I'm feeling that I don't like. And there isn't one person around that really cares or gives a crap about it. Bob included. Do you have any idea how many times I've thought of just walking away?? I hate this. I just want it to end.

Joe appears slightly offended at this, and Angel notices it.

Excuse me? There isn't one person huh? I'm sorry Angel, that's where you are wrong. I care very much how you are feeling, and if I didn't, I wouldn't do all the things I have to cheer you up.

Joe sits down next to her and smiles.

I just wanted you to know I'm here for you. You didn't have to be upset about it. You can tell me anything and everything because I feel we're close enough as friends to do that.

Angel lets out a little cry.

But that's the problem. I don't want to be your friend. I want to be so much more than that!

Joe pulls back in shock, but surprisingly it's not a bad shock. He leans forward again.

Angel, I think what you should do, is follow your heart, and do as it says. It doesn't matter what the fans think, what I think, or what Rocket thinks. All that matters is what you feel, and what you think the right thing to do is.

Angel leans forward to him a little.

There is only one thing that feels right to me right now. And it's this.

Angel leans in further and places a small kiss on Joe's lips. She smiles, for what appears to be the first time she's smiled honestly in a few days, and Joe returns the smile, before it changes to a look of concern.

Are you sure this is what you want? I mean I know I said don't worry about Rocket, but...

For the second time today she cuts him off.She looks him in the eyes and touches his cheek. She looks down at her ring on her left finger.

How can I deny my feelings for you? How can I choose Bob over you when he seemingly is so preoccupied with his work that he doesn't watch after me? How can I stay with him when he cares one minute and doesn't the next? How can I stop myself from feeling connected to you??

Angel hangs her head down, more tears falling from her eyes. Joe uses a handkerchief from the inside of his jacket pocket to wipe the tears away and she smiles again.

Angel, if you feel that strongly, than I have one word for you. Don't. Don't deny your feelings, don't choose Bob over me, don't stay with him, and don't stop yourself from feeling connected to me. That's all I feel I can say. We certainly have moved fast in our closeness, but I didn't want to say anything, on account of I wasn't sure what to say. In fact I'm still not sure what to say.

Neither am I. And I don't want to deny anything here.

Angel takes a huge breath and takes off the ring on her finger. She leans forward to him a little and takes his hand in hers.

Joe, please take me away from here? I don't have anywhere to stay tonight, and Bob will be furious with me and I don't want to be alone.

I'll take you away from here, you can stay in the guest room again at my house if you'd like. It's a 40 minute flight though, but it'll be quicker than the time it takes to find a room for me and a room for you of us with everyone else out there..it is a Friday night.

Angel nods her head.

That sounds wonderful. All I had was a duffle anyway. And my title, of course.

Joe laughs a little and then stands and she does. He motions for her to go first and she does, placing her ring in her pocket. She smiles as Joe takes her hand in his. She looks up at him and steps a little closer to him before reaching her locker room. She grabs her duffle and her title before looking back at Joe, who is staring at her.

What?

Joe looks away, grinning, so she questions again.

Come on, what?

Oh, nothing.

Now he's just playing around, she giggles a little and playfully hits him.

Hey watch it!

Can we go please, or are you going to stare at me some more?

That's a hard decision! Since you asked nicely we'll go. We do need to catch that flight anyway.

Angel laughs genuinely for the first time in a long time. She stops suddenly and looks up at him, shocked. She forces a little laugh and then smiles.

Wow. Er�Thank you.

For what, Angel?

For making me really laugh for the first time in a long time.

It's the least I could do. I'm just glad you're not crying anymore. Well..we'd better go..shall we?

Joe smiles and extends his arm to walk towards the exit and she accepts it. Joe smiles and extends his arm to walk towards the exit and she accepts it. She smiles back up at him and they walk out of the arena to an awaiting limo. After a few quiet moments they arrive at the airport, and find that the flight to East Rutherford is boarding. They hurry through the security and get on the plane. Angel has a window seat, Joe sitting by her side. She takes a huge breath as the plane starts to taxi around. Angel secures her seatbelt and grips the seat tightly. Joe notices this and places a hand on hers.

I wouldn't think the Angel of Mercy would be worried about a flight.

It's not the flight that I'm worried about. It's my reaction to it. Last time I wasn't 100% and flew I passed out.

Well I'm here beside you, in case you need me. Should I be worried if you do?

It'd be a bad thing if I did. Losing consciousness is never a good thing.

Well I'll be sure to keep you wide awake for the next 40 minutes then. We could talk to keep your mind off of the flight, would you like that?

Any time I spend with you would be a good thing.

Angel smiles up at Joe and he smiles back at her. The camera fades on the two as the plane takes off.