Disclaimer: I don't own a thing you recognize. Title was shamelessly stolen from No Doubt.
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Lita/Randy (eventual), Edge/Mickie, Cena/Melina, Jeff/Maria (possible), others appearing.
Rating: PG-13 for now
Warnings: language, mild violence
Spoilers: Nothing current as I'm taking this back a few months.
Summary: He was on a downward spiral with no light at the end of the tunnel.. Until she came back, anyway.
Notes: Challenge reply. Setting this back to around late March of this year, but putting the hotel room incident in March to go with my adjusted time-line, Current storylines will eventually come into play. Adjusting Lita's age so she's the same age as John and Jeff (born in 1977), triangle (real life never happened). Anything else and I shall let you know.

John Cena ran his hands over his tired face, the West Newbury native the unfortunate soul assigned to 'Orton Watch' for that night. And it was a shame really, Randy was nearing his 27th birthday, he really shouldn't need a baby-sitter and yet, like clockwork-- Someone was watching over the druken form that lay so innocently on the bed. But, John knew otherwise, that Randy was far from innocent, and if he wasn't passed out from drinking... Well, he didn't even want else could happen. Bottom line was, over the past few months Randy Orton had gone from being somewhat responsible to being that out of control frat boy. And there were no signs on the horizon that his behaviour would improve anytime soon.. John really starting to wonder if it would ever improve. Shaking his head, the older man slumped back further into the armchair, blue eyes occasionally drifting to the younger man still sleeping on the bed... It was no lie, Randy Orton was gifted, he had talent, character, charisma.. Everything that he would need to succeed in the wrestling business. Apparently, the third generation wrestler lacked a few key things that were vital to retaining his position in the company-- namely common sense and a brain. But, Randy hadn't always been that way and Cena knew that for a fact.. A sharp knock at the connecting door to the hotel room shaking him from his thoughts..

"What?"

Edge crossed his arms over his chest, "is he still sleeping?"

John gestured back to the bed, "he's been passed out since we found him in the lobby. Ain't moved much, 'cept to drool a little on the pillow."

The taller man made a face, "too much information, John."

"Whateva'," the blue eyed wrestler replied first, "you takin' over or what?"

"I had Orton Watch last night, so, no." Edge walked into the room, observing his friend from the foot of the bed. "I don't know what in the hell has gotten into him but.."

"It's only gotten worse," John said as he resumed his spot in the armchair. "His ass is lucky he didn't get suspended for all that shit last week."

Edge snorted, "he's lucky he didn't get fired for the amount of damage he caused." The native Canadian frowned suddenly, "but he wasn't always like this. When he tagged with me, for awhile anyway, I didn't have to worry about him like he's--"

"Some sort of child?" John supplied, then shrugged. "He ain't always been like this. Come ta think of it, this is the worst he's ever been."

"He's changed," Edge continued with an inward sigh, "really changed. And not just his recent behaviour, but his attitude has changed."

"Is this conversation really appropriate here?"

Edge rolled his eyes, "John.. He hasn't moved since we dragged his ass up here, hasn't said a word except incoherent rambling to the potted plants in the lobby. I highly doubt he can hear us, let alone understand what we're saying." Waving it off without a care, the blonde man seated himself on armchair opposite the West Newbury native. "We need a plan, a better one that doesn't involve us having to baby-sit. I don't know about yours, but this was never in my contract."

John crossed his arms, "can't say it ever was. But what more can we do? We keep his ass out of trouble, watch over him to make sure he ain't gonna cause anymore trouble but what else can we really do?"

"Well, we need to figure out why this all started.. But, to do that, we'd probably have to wake him up and then wait until he's sober enough to have a decent conversation." Edge glanced to the digital alarm clock on the night-stand. "And, knowing him, he'll be passed out until morning. I really don't feel like waiting for that long."

"So we piece together whateva' facts we might already have an' go from there," Cena reasoned logically. "So.. What facts do ya have?"

Edge released a sigh, "as I said-- he wasn't always like this. After Rated RKO formed up, he was alright... His ego may have inflated a little bit more after we won the titles, but--"

Cena sighed, "I already know this Edge, tell me somethin' I don't know."

"Well that would be a lot, wouldn't it?" Edge mused, smirking at the glare his friend was now sending him. "Relax. As I was saying, when we teamed together, he was mostly okay to be around. Worst he ever got during that time was right after Survivor Series.."

"Lita's retirement party," John said quietly, "all of us got pretty fucked up that night."

"Orton took it the worst," Edge reminded him first, "he was in denial I guess, wouldn't say a word to her until he was so shitfaced he couldn't even remember his own name. Li understood, of course, but.. She was still pretty hurt by it."

John frowned slightly, "you make it sound like they was really close or some shit like that."

Edge shrugged, "they were. Not exactly the best of friends, but they certainly didn't hate each other. She was there for him, when he needed someone to talk to. I think he valued her opinion."

The younger man snorted, "that ain't all he valued.. Couldn't keep his eyes off of her half the time."

"Neither could you," Edge pointed out with another smirk, "but they were close before Rated RKO.. When I came back to RAW, after the draft? She was always hanging around him or he was always hanging around her. At first, I thought it had something to do with Evolution, but, that wasn't the case.. They were friends... He wanted to look out for her, she let him."

"So, they've always been pretty close."

"Until he got shipped to Smackdown. They still kept in touch, but, it was usually because he had gotten into trouble. Li was usually there to bail him out, watch over him like we do now." Edge raked his hands through his hair, "and then he got shipped back to RAW. His attitude changed, he shaped up more and--"

"We need her back," Cena interrupted, "keep his ass in line. We need her back."

Edge shook his head, "it's not that simple John. Lita retired for a reason-- she needed a break. And in case you've forgotten the conversations you've had with her? She's happy with how her life is right now."

John made a pointed gesture to the bed, "an' have you mentioned him at all? Does she know what he's been doin'?"

"She keeps up with the news," the blonde man replied carefully, "so she knows a little."

"There's a lot going on here, in case you haven't noticed."

"Thank you Captain Obvious for pointing that out," Edge sat back in the chair, running his hands over his face this time. "I get what you're trying to say, but, it won't be that easy. I can tell her all I want, you can tell her.. Hell, we could even ask Mickie or Lina to talk to her but.. She--"

"We could show her," John suggested then, "come up wit' an excuse for him to party--"

"Like he really needs one."

"Invite Red, but don't tell him 'bout it.. She can see it for herself."

Edge remained skeptical, "that's still no guarantee John."

John shrugged, "maybe, maybe not.. But, uh, I don't know about you? I'm gettin' really sick an' tired of having to baby-sit his ass every week. So, unless you can think of something else? We've got a party to plan." A beat passed, Edge arching an eyebrow.. "Okay, so Mickie and Melina have a party to plan, but we at least got a plan.. Right?"

The blonde man frowned, "I guess so.."

"Good." John stood, stretching his arms overhead, rolling his eyes when Edge glared. "Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm going to the bathroom. I ain't like some people, walkin' out when it's their turn."

"I didn't walk out, I got called away." Edge stretched his legs out, "now go on. I want to sleep sometime tonight."

"Yeah, yeah.. Whateva'."

Edge shook his head as John did in fact enter the bathroom, a thoughtful frown on the blonde man's face. In theory, this little plan could work. If Lita could see what was happening, maybe it would appeal to her good natured side, convince her that she should at least stick around to help them straighten Orton out. On the other hand, it could just remind her of why she left in the first place... All of the stress that came along with the profession. Of course, the former diva would never say that Randy was a cause for her stress, but, Edge knew better. Whether intentional or not, keeping an eye on Randy Orton was stressful. Having to be responsible for the third generation wrestler seemed to be a second job.. And if it took the combined efforts of himself, John, Melina and Mickie... It was no wonder that Lita had been stressed if she had been doing that by herself. Still, having her back, if only for that one night, would be a welcomed change. It was certainly different not having the redhead around. Her presence in the locker room, in the car, at the hotel.. Everywhere, it was missed. She had left a hole in their lives, one that they hadn't been able to fill until this point.. And one that Edge doubted they would ever be able to fill. But, if her absence was truly affecting anyone... The blonde man's green eyes glanced back to the bed, Randy still sleeping un-awares, one of the pillows clutched tightly to his body. Orton wasn't a lost cause, not entirely anyway, and maybe having Lita back for just that night would help set him straight. Or so Edge could hope, the blonde man at a loss for any logical solution.