Title~ The Bet (Prologue)

Author~ Cristal

Email~ Talis13@yahoo.com

Rating~ PG13

Disclaimer~ All characters belong to the WWFE. ;)

Spoilers~ None at this point in life…

My mailing list- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cristal-FanFic You really should go and join. ^^

Distribution~ All you gotta do is ask: I like knowing where my stuff goes…thanks! ^^

Notes~ A challenge response: and will proceed to needlessly torture the characters now involved…lol…^^ It was essentially along the lines of Christian and Edge competing for Lita's affections…so, here you go. ;) I also took closer note of where birthdays fall for Edge and Christian…which means, being the astrology buff that I am, they're acting a little more 'normal' if you will. ^^; Christian is a Sagittarius (Woo-Hoo!) and Edge is a Scorpio: trust me, it makes sense. ^^

Recommended Soundtrack~ The Goo Goo Dolls album, 'Dizzy Up The Girl'

            Edge folded the cards together quietly, making eye contact across the table. "Well?"

            "Not happening mi amigo…" Christian muttered as he shifted cards before dropping two. "Okay. Give me two."

            Edge arched an eyebrow, nodding as he doled out cards to all four players around the table: he, Christian, Bradshaw and Farooq. He looked at his cards before silently studying everyone else once more. Bradshaw was sneering at his hand, Farooq was grinning and Christian was wiggling around incessantly like normal. Bradshaw tossed the cards to the table. "I fold….shit…"

            His steely gaze training on the remaining opponents, Edge leaned against the table. "Well? What have you got?"

            Farooq grinned, laying out a full house. "I got it won man."

            Christian rolled his eyes. "He has my two pair beat damn it…"

            Edge nodded before laying out a flush, the slightest of smiles pulling at his lips. "Winner takes all, right?"

            Everyone else started muttering colorfully as Edge grabbed the money on the table with a dusky smile. He was counting out his newly won money as Bradshaw shuffled again. The companionable silence was broken by the sound of shattering glass followed by screaming. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO AGAIN!?"

            Matt Hardy came running around the corner with a grin, followed quickly by his green-haired younger brother. Jeff was laughing as he ducked another thrown object. "Damn…I didn't think she'd actually be that pissed!"

            Matt shrugged as both waved at the table as they passed, squealing quickly around the corner. Lita slid to a stop, scowling at the brothers as they ducked down another hallway. She was panting as she scowled, angrier about not being able to catch up to them than anything else. She paused, swinging around to face the four very silent men, hands planted firmly on her hips. She took one deep breath. "Hi."

            All were silent a moment until Bradshaw offered a tentative wave. "Uh…hey Red."

            Christian was grinning as looked from Bradshaw over to a calmer Lita. He arched an eyebrow. "So…what happened now?"

            Lita sneered down the hallway that the Hardy's went down before turning back before pointing at her hair. "They put something in my shampoo…now my hair smells like, like, I don't know! Horseradish or something!! Its nasty! And those little asses hid their shampoo from me too!"

            Farooq burst into laughter, which garnered him a glare, while Bradshaw and Edge, wisely, remained straight-faced and quiet. Christian propped his head on his fist. "Does that mean you have to take off after them like a banshee though?"

            "YES!"

            He held his hands up in peace before giving her a quirky, charming smile. "Sorry, sorry! Get my shampoo out of my bag down in our dressing room: it's the third on the right down that hall. Just put it back when you're done, all right?"

            She dropped the menacing pose with a look of utter relief. "Oh, thank you so much Christian!! I'll bring it right back, I promise!" she smiled before happily taking off towards he and Edge's locker.

            "And the red headed devil has been calmed." Farooq grinned.

            "For the moment." Bradshaw snorted.

            "Guys, she isn't that bad…" Edge offered as he finished sorting his money.

            "Yeah…she's just…energetic!" Christian offered with a smile.

            "Right." Bradshaw rolled his eyes before suddenly turning towards the two with a devilish gleam in his eyes. "You two seem awfully intent on how wonderful she is."

            "So? She's okay. Why shouldn't we?"

            Farooq was grinning at the look Bradshaw was giving him. Bradshaw shrugged. "I have a proposition for you…"

            "I was unaware you knew such big words."

            "Shut up punk." Bradshaw frowned at Christian who just smiled innocently. "I don't think anyone could tame that woman."

            Edge arched an eyebrow suspiciously. "What are you getting at?"

            Bradshaw shrugged. "We're bored: we want to be entertained. I think one of you should ask out Red."

            "What?" Edge sputtered in disbelief.

            "No, wait…what do we get out of this?"

            "When did this turn into a group project?"

            Christian waved a hand in Edge's direction as Bradshaw smirked slightly. "I don't know…you want money or something? I'd be willing to pay you…what, two hundred dollars if you actually get Red to date you. I mean, like a steady, longer than a week kind of dating."

            "Hold on just a second!" Edge broke in. "You can't just mess with someone like that!! That is NOT right guys!"

            Christian shrugged. "Well, if she ends up falling for one of us, it doesn't mean it wouldn't be returned."

            Edge sat in quiet disbelief as Farooq leaned over the table. "So, you guys in?"

            "Yeah, I'll take you up on that. What happens if it doesn't work though?"

            "You'd get your ass kicked Christian!" Edge replied. "By Lita, Matt and Jeff!!"

            Bradshaw nodded at him. "Probably. So, you in Edge?"

            "I refuse to use someone like that! I'm just going to make sure Christian doesn't just do something really, really stupid." He spat, arms folded across his chest as an intense look crossed his face.

            Christian smiled. "There you go! Starting when?"

            "Starting now." Farooq replied as he glanced up from his watch.

            Christian got up and started walking towards their locker room before he stopped, glancing back at Edge. "You coming?"

            Edge just frowned deeply. He didn't like this at all… "I guess." He got up, following Christian back, wondering what was going on with his sibling. He caught up as Christian smiled slightly. "Listen Christian, I really don't think this is a good idea-"

            "What the hell are you talking about Edge? It's an excellent idea! I can win two hundred bucks and get Lita to fall for me." He reasoned.

            Edge sighed under his breath. "That's part of the problem Christian…you're prioritizing money over her feelings. She's going to find out about this and your ass will be grass my friend. So, not only will you loose her respect you'll lose her friendship too."

            Christian nodded as he finished. "I guess that's a possibility Edge. But, my intention isn't really to get the money. It's a nice bonus I guess. But my intention is to get her to fall for me. I'm just better motivated to work on it now is all."

            Mumbling, Edge followed Christian into their locker, still not entirely convinced of Christian's reasons for doing this…he supposed he would find out soon enough. He was getting that feeling in the pit of his stomach that was telling him to turn back now…that's just not a good sign.

            End Prologue