Abandon Your Defenses

Disclaimer: If I did own it (which honestly, I wouldn't want to).. Well, there would be many changes made.

Main Characters: Lita, Trish, Victoria, John Cena, RVD, Kane, Chris Jericho.. Mentions of many others.

Rating: PG-13 to start.. May change, I'm not sure yet.

Spoilers: Mentions of current storylines, but with my own embellishments.

Summary: He could be a light in the darkness on her path to personal redemption. Will they abandon their defenses to take a chance?

Notes: In my world: instead of Kane interrupting the wedding- it was a returning Trish. The tables being turned, so to speak, hence leaving 'Lita' alone. Keep that in mind, or this will not make a lot of sense. Also, Trish has injured her ankle- not her back. Able to appear on television but not able to wrestle- yet. And for sake of my own sanity, the Diva search has been canceled.

…

Per request of Eric Bischoff and Vince McMahon, she had arrived earlier than usual that night. Amy Dumas swept her hair from her face as she traversed through the parking lot. Here it was, another Monday night- another night of being treated to the lovely sentiments from the RAW crowd. She had half a mind to tell them off, well not really.. No matter how they viewed her now, the fans were what kept her in the business. Yes, certainly- friends had a great deal to do with it too.. What little she did have now anyway. Though, it was becoming slightly better.. Since the whole torrid affair had come to light, those weeks past had been -quite possibly- some of the worst she had to deal with. Could she blame her friends for shunning her? No, not really. What she had done was wrong, it had been unfeeling and it had been immoral. She had made a mistake. A mistake she was trying to correct. She knew she wasn't perfect- no humans are absolutely perfect.

But tonight, perhaps, things would start to change.

She had already made her personal amends with Matt, they were on speaking terms.. But the status of their future was reasonably shot for now. She knew he was dating someone else, she didn't blame him for wanting to date someone else nor did she harbor any ill feelings towards him for doing so. And despite what the people wanted to believe, she and the blonde Canadian were not in a relationship. Their on-screen ties had already been severed thanks to the return of another blonde Canadian- Trish Stratus. That had occurred three weeks ago already. And that had been another step on her personal path to redemption. Redemption in the eyes of her peers, redemption in the eyes of the fans.. Most importantly- redemption in her own eyes. Perhaps it was folly of her to think she could find redemption but others had done worse, hadn't they? Whatever the case, she walked through the double doors, seeking out her appointed locker room for the evening. Mr. McMahon had informed her last week that they had a new angle for her.

Amy could only hope that it would be a turn for the better.

…

The redheaded woman entered the office in silence, offering a nod of her head to RAW G.M. Eric Bischoff and WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon. She didn't notice the other person seated before the desk until she also took a seat. The woman started slightly as her arm brushed against another, hazel orbs passing a glance to her side. The corners of her mouth twitched, not into a smile, nor into a frown. She held his unwavering gaze for what seemed like hours when it was really just a few seconds. No words were exchanged between the two members of the RAW roster. Instead she looked away, her eyes focusing again on the two men before her. So this was apparently the start of her newest storyline? How utterly exciting and how utterly predictable.

"How are you this evening Amy?"

The redhead gave a slight shrug of her shoulders, "I'm well as can be expected, Mr. McMahon.."

The Chairman chuckled lightly, "Amy- how many times have I said.." he trailed off with a shake of his head, his fingers running over the papers and envelopes on the desk. "I trust you two have met."

The two before the desk both offered a nod as Eric handed over two manila envelopes. The two opened the envelopes, taking a moment to read through the contents while the Chairman elaborated.

"It's been three weeks now." He said first, "Perhaps it isn't enough time, but.. We," he gestured between himself and Bischoff, "Feel that it's time to progress." Vince paused, "Your scripts for tonight will explain it more."

Amy bit her tongue to refrain from a sarcastic comment, hazel eyes skimming over the stapled sheets in her hands. "So, I go from playing on screen harlot to playing damsel in distress?"

Bischoff shrugged, glancing between the two in front of the desk. "Not entirely.." he tapped a pen against his leg, "More like a reluctant hero and distrusting damsel type of thing."

She snorted indifferently, "However you put it.." she trailed off with a strained sigh, "Why him?"

John Cena raised an eyebrow, eyeing the temperamental Diva. "An' just what, may I ask? What's so bad about me?"

"I just figured you'd be more interested in forging ahead with your title reign.." Amy drawled evenly, "Not playing 'reluctant hero' to someone who doesn't need to be saved."

"If I may?" Bischoff spoke up before the WWE Champion could say a word, "Amy- with Trish back on the roster, the shift has to be made for someone to turn from heel to face. With Lisa firmly in place as a heel, that leaves one other Diva."

Amy rolled her eyes, "I'm aware of that, Mr. Bischoff. But what I don't understand is- why? I don't care if I'm heel or face at this point. I don't want to be in 'storyline limbo'… honestly, I think I'd be better off on my own."

"Which you have been for the past three weeks," Bischoff reminded her evenly, his tone taking on a slight edge. "As Mr. McMahon pointed out- it's time to move on."

She shook her head, "I get that, alright? But with me aligned with him.. Wouldn't that just be detrimental to his career? I mean, are you listening every week? The fans hate me about as much as they love him."

The RAW G.M. raised an eyebrow, "Being a touch over dramatic, aren't we Ms. Dumas?"

Amy smiled dryly, "I'd prefer to call it being realistic."

The Chairman cleared his throat, glancing between G.M and superstars. "Nothing has been absolutely set in stone at this point. This is merely an experiment to see how well it will be received."

"Whatever," she slumped in her seat, "I still don't think it's a good idea."

John regarded her quizzically, "You got a problem with the world or somethin'? Or do ya just got a problem with me? It's a storyline- not a lifelong commitment."

She scowled, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she stood. "I'm well aware of that, Cena. But, I think it's a bad idea. I'm entitled to an opinion, aren't I?"

"I never said you weren't, just that.. Maybe this won't be so bad." He rolled his shoulders, grabbing his title belt as he also stood. "Lighten up- it ain't the end of the world."

Bischoff cleared his throat before either could move another inch, "You aren't excused yet, so if you could please? Have a seat."

The two remained on their feet a moment longer, eyes locked for a second before they wordlessly resumed their seats.

"Now," Bischoff began when the two were seated, "We'll be meeting in a few with Adam, Trish and Glenn. You two will also need to be present." The GM walked around, leaning against the front of the desk. "Until that time, I suggest you two become familiar with your scripts." Smirking, he added: "And each other."

Amy pushed her chair from the desk, standing shortly. "We already know each other," she shook her head, her script held tightly in her hand as she exited the office.

Eric and Vince exchanged a look as John also exited, the door closing with a soft thud behind him.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Vince?"

The Chairman shrugged his shoulders, "Only time will tell, Eric.." his tone grew serious, "I'm holding you personally responsible should this fail."

…

Amy had just reached her assigned locker room for the evening, her hand grasping the doorknob. Her expression was blank, but inside she was fuming. The redheaded woman wanted to know what had possessed the powers that be to come up with this. And it wasn't that she had anything personal against her co-worker.. Just that she felt that things were fine as they were. Up until tonight, she had been going alone. She had been perfectly fine with that and she would continue to be perfectly fine on her own. But, it was not to be. Instead, they would toss her into another storyline- and with the Dr. of Thuganomics, none the less. The few times she had talked to him, she had reasoned he wasn't that bad. But really, they were polar opposites. She suppressed a sigh, shaking herself from her inner musings as she started to open the door.

"Look," the WWE Champion spoke, his hand grasping her near elbow. "I don' know what crawled up your ass an' died, but I just gotta know.. What is your deal?"

She wrenched her arm free, "Excuse me? Were you or were not paying attention back there? I think this angle is stupid, I think this experimental storyline is stupid. I think it's a bad idea and I don't think it's necessary."

"Why?"

"Why?" Amy huffed, "Why should I have to explain my opinions, huh? Its just how I feel about it."

John rolled his eyes, "Then I'll ask again- what is your deal? It's a storyline- lighten up."

She rolled her eyes right back, "Why are you here anyway?"

He held up the script in his hand, "This. Remember?"

Amy opened the door to her locker room, "Whatever, let me just grab my wallet.. We'll head over to the catering hall or something an' read through this stupid thing."

He lingered in the doorway, waiting until she had collected her wallet before he moved. "I just gotta stop by my locker room, drop this thing off." He held up his title belt, "Is that okay with you?"

She gave a roll of her eyes, jamming her wallet in her pocket. He took her silence as compliance, thus the two set off for his locker room in the next hallway over.

Casually, he began. "So did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or do ya always act this bitchy when ya get here?"

Her jaw clenched briefly, "What's it to you?"

He shrugged, the two pausing outside of his locker room. "I'd just like to know, since we are gonna be working together an' all. I'd kinda like to know what I should expect. Are you always this bitchy or is this just for me?"

Amy smiled thinly, leaning back against the opposite wall. "Just drop off your title belt so we can go, alright? I would like to see the trainer before the pre-show meeting."

John let out a low whistle as he opened his locker room door. "Guess it's just for me then," he smirked, "I feel so lucky."

She snorted in response, not bothering to comment while he disappeared momentarily. She glanced sideways when she heard voices in the distance; the redhead pinning said voices as Christy Hemme, Rob Conway and Candice Michelle. Amy's attention snapped back to the locker room door when it was abruptly shut. Heavy silence fell between them as they turned, heading next to the catering hall.

"Alright, since Glenn, Adam and Trish aren't around.." Amy began as she flopped into a seat, "I guess we just wing it."

John shrugged, settling himself opposite her, straddling the chair he was sitting in. "Right so.." he flipped through his script, "Why don't we start from here.." he pointed to the indicated spot.

She nodded shortly, flipping through her own script until she found the designated starting point. "Ad lib.." she rolled her eyes, "How promising."

The WWE Champ, smiled dryly. "Well, so long as you ain't tryin' to take my head off.. We should be fine, right?"

She returned the dry smile, "I could do that, or if you'd prefer- I can stick my boot where the sun don't shine."

He laughed without humor, "Ya know what.. All I'm tryin' to do here, is to be a little nice to ya. An' yet, all you seem to do is bite my head off when I say somethin'. Have I done somethin' to ya?"

"Look, why don't we just agree to disagree and get this over with." Amy threaded a hand through her hair, "All we need to do right now, is give this a quick run through.."

"Agree to disagree," he muttered under his breath, "So.. You're walkin' around the hallways when Adam and Trish get up in your face.."

She rubbed her temple, "Trish talks some trash, I walk off in a huff only to run into Glenn."

John flipped the page of the stabled script, "Glenn scares the shit outta ya.. You're in pissy mood.." he smirked, "Not a big switch for ya there."

Amy smiled, "And you get to be the lucky recipient of my wrath.. How convenient."

He shook his head, "An' then RAW starts.." he set the script down on the table, "That ain't a lot to go by."

"No," she conceded as she set her script down. "But that's why it's ad lib.. And why we're meeting with Trish, Adam and Glenn later."

John opened his mouth to reply when another voice interrupted.

"Hey gimpy," Lisa Marie greeted with a smirk, "Vince and Eric need to see you two in the office."

The redheads dark mood seemingly dissipated, she offering a smile to the dark haired woman. "Thanks Lis.. We were just finishing up anyway." Amy picked up her script, pushing back from the table as she stood.

Cena shot her a disbelieving look, standing all the same. "Yeah, what she said." He grabbed his script from the table, the three making their way to the office shortly after.

"Amy, John.." Vince greeted as the office door swung open. "Please, have a seat."

The two nodded shortly to the those present, settling on opposite ends of the vacant couch.

Bischoff began once the two were settled. "I hope you've all taken the time to read over your scripts," at the nods of confirmation he continued. "While Amy and Trish here, still aren't cleared to wrestle yet, we decided it would be best if we moved this storyline along."

He held up a master copy of the evening's script, "Tonight on RAW, Chris will make an alliance with you two," he nodded then to the blonde Canadian's, "Also tonight- Glenn will be facing Adam in a no disqualifications match. Chris and Gene will join in at some point, thus sealing the alliance between the four of you."

"So, where do we," Amy gestured between herself and the WWE champion, "factor into this?"

"Glenn will obviously be pissed off at the loss," Bischoff set the script down on the desk, glancing pointedly at the redheaded woman. "And who better to take his frustrations out on then you? You'll manage to give him the slip this time around, but when you're heading back to your locker room.."

"I run into him," she thumbed to Cena, "I got it."

Bischoff nodded shortly, "Pretty much.. He'll ask how you're doing, you'll mouth off to him, he'll get defensive.." The GM made a gesture with his hand, "You get the picture." Eric tapped the pen in his hand on the desk, glancing idly to the WWE champ. "You won't play 'hero' until later.. Amy will be heading out for the night, when Glenn corners her.. You make the save, Amy lives another week without a word of thanks."

"Any questions?"

The gathered superstars shook their heads, scripts rolled up and tucked into pockets as they stood. The two Diva's exited the office first, chatting quietly about the upcoming storylines and other events in their lives. Glenn and Adam followed behind the Diva's, walking in stark silence until the end of the hallway. For his part, John also walked in silence; the West Newbury native wondering just what the redheaded woman's problem was. It was apparent to him that she wasn't always bitter, but did she have to be such a bitch to him? Maybe in time, it would change, but for now.. Well, now all he could do was deal with it.