Author's Note: This story is inspired by Randy Orton's Evolution Of A Predator DVD. This will be an original fiction using some of the information the Orton's shared with us in the DVD. I will tell this entire story in both present and future tense, with one chapter from 2011 and the next chapter from years ago, giving insight into Randy and the OC's relationship and troubled past and so forth and so forth. I do not own Randy Orton, the WWE or any of its entities but I do own the original character, fictional Diva, Dawn Pulliam. This is written for entertainment purposes only.

Dawn Pulliam sighed as she stood backstage in the Oracle arena. Outside many of the WWE's dedicated fans had already lined the sidewalks that led to the entranceways. Their excitement was tangible as it was the last big pay view before Wrestlemania. For ten years she had proudly been a part of sport's entertainments most infamous entity. She was one of the most popular Divas, a formidable female in ring opponent, much more than a pretty face. Wrestling had become her life but it hadn't always been her dream.

She had landed in the WWE by chance. They had been in her hometown of Waco, Texas and a few of the travelers had stopped by the local bar in which she waitressed. Struck by her stunning beauty and unusually sunny personality, a head camera man had been so impressed that he had immediately alerted WWE legend, hall of famer and now senior producer, Arn Anderson that he had found the next "It" Diva. The company had been pounding the pavement starting up Diva Search competitions looking to bring sexy women into the company who could actually be trained to wrestle. The moment Arn Anderson laid eyes on Dawn, he knew he had struck gold.

She had paid her dues like everyone else and worked her way from the ground up. Never relying on looks, she always gave it a hundred and ten percent training hard with the guys and eventually perfecting her craft. It hadn't taken long for her to be called up to the Main Roster where she had enjoyed a lucrative career full of success and longevity. The female face of the company as far as posters, videos and calendars, she had also made her mark in the Women's division. But her character, recognizable to millions by her ring name, Treasure, was best known for her long affiliation with WWE Superstar Adam "Edge" Copeland. She was his ever loyal sidekick, onscreen love interest and real life great friend. They had been through a lot together and their bond was unbreakable.

Stretching her long arms, out of the corner of her eye she saw a lone figure saunter down the corridors dragging his luggage behind him. He looked tired but resolved. It was a grueling schedule and a hectic life but he was used to it. Like Dawn, he had put in a decade with the company and had achieved larger than life superstardom. She smiled when she saw him. She knew him and knew him well. They had history together and went way back. As he turned the corner, he couldn't help but smile as well. When the lights and cameras on she was fierce and sexy but in regular life, sans makeup, hair pulled up and glasses on, she looked like a little kid. Still she was gorgeous, a sentiment shared by almost all who saw her.

"It's about time you got here," she peeked her head into the locker room.

Randy Orton parked his bags.

"Ed was late," he explained, referring to his personal driver.

"Oh yeah, I get it now. I almost forgot, you know, those of us at the bottom of the totem pole who don't have our own private tour buses."

Judging by the way her eyes lit up, he knew she was teasing him. They made small talk as he began to unpack. He pulled out his socks and boots and knee pads. He looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders and Dawn completely understood why. He was competing in an Elimination Chamber match, one of WWE's most brutal. It wasn't his first rodeo and she had been there from the beginning to see the toll they had taken on his mind and body.

"I got red, green and blue," he said, pulling out three pairs of personalized wrestling trunks. It never failed…he always pondered over what to wear like it was the most important decision in the world. "What do you think?"

Dawn scrunched up her face as she relaxed in the swivel chair just a few feet away.

"Go with the red tonight," she advised.

Randy looked down and nodded.

"Definitely the blue."

She balled up a piece of paper and threw it at him.

"You are such a little punk. You never listen to me anyway, why did you even ask?"

He grinned.

"You know it makes you feel special."

"Whatever. How are you feeling about tonight?"

He shrugged his massive shoulders.

"Anything can happen in there but it is what is," he sighed. "You gonna be watching?"

Of course she would be even as brutal as it got. She remembered the first time she saw Randy get thrown against the side of the Chamber. His body crumpled like a rag doll. The ropes, which bounced you back, were far more forgiving. But fear and the potential for injury aside, he would go out there and give it his all just like he did every night.

"I have to get ready for my own match but yeah, I'll be watching," she stood. "Just be careful out there."

She wandered over to the female locker room and began the transformation from Dawn to Treasure. Her heart pounded with worry as she couldn't get Randy out of her mind. In ten years she had worried about him enough to grow a head full of grey hairs and it was no wonder she hadn't. She probably wouldn't see him a lot before the match. He had to get ready and mental preparation was just as important physical. Besides, that was his sanctuary, his time, stolen moments to reflect.

An hour and a half later, Randy Orton was on a table being stretched out by the WWE head trainer. He closed his eyes. He had a match to get ready for and in a few minutes, the show would be starting. A monitor had been placed in the training room to give whoever was inside full view of the action going on inside the ring. The Diva matchup was first and Treasure, a crowd favorite set the tone off right. He watched as she locked up with Beth Phoenix and it made him proud to see two women who could actually wrestle. He was a fan of a nice pair or tits and ass just like the next guy but the sport he loved meant too much to him for that. Just like the woman in the ring did.

They had met in Louisville, Kentucky while both trained at Ohio Valley Wrestling, the then developmental territory for the WWE. Every male wrestler in that locker room had wanted Dawn Pulliam and Randy Orton was no different. In the end the cocky former Marine had been successful in claiming her mind, body, heart, and soul. It had led to an intense and serious long term relationship. Their drama behind the scenes far surpassed any television storyline. Four years before Dawn had ended the relationship for good. They had gone nearly a whole year without interaction but somehow they had filtered their way back into each other's lives just like always. He considered her a friend, extremely loyal and loving. She had proved to always have his back and he trusted her with his life. He had made a lot of mistakes, done a lot of bad things, some virtually unforgivable. For that he knew the chances of a reconciliation were slim to none. But she was still a part of his life, the biggest part and for now that was all that mattered. A sober more mature Randy Orton had learned to take what he could get and just be appreciative of it all.

With his stretching session over, he made his way towards the Gorilla position. Adrenaline flowed through his thick veins as he got into Viper zone. It was time to put on a show, time to do what he did best. When he was in the moment, nothing and no one else mattered. It was only he and his opponent…and anywhere from 20 ,000 to 80,000 rabid fans all cheering his name. It was a hell of a rush and no sex or drug had ever brought him even close to that brink. It was the few seconds every Superstar lived for. His theme "Voices" began and he slithered down the ramp to a thunderous introduction. The WWE Universe went wild as the man known as the Apex Predator entered the fourth Elimination Chamber of his illustrious career. The doors closed and watching from backstage, Dawn felt chill bumps envelope both her arms.

"Popcorn and Sprite, your two faves," came a deep and familiar voice from behind her.

Dawn had found a private room in the arena to view the action but there was always one man that could find her anywhere. Next to Randy, he was the one person in the company she had been closest to. They were best friends and treated each other as brother and sister. Adam Copeland knew her like a book.

"Thanks babe but I'll have to pass tonight," she glanced up at him. "I am so nervous I could puke."

"I've seen you puke…don't do that. Definitely not a pretty sight" he plopped down beside her and dug into the popcorn. "Did I miss anything?"

It was going to be a hell of a match, challenging for all involved.

"Nah, but Ran is fired up for sure," she studied the screen.

He had a sinister look in his icy blue eyes, one she had seen time and time again. He wasted no time going after the competition. Going after Sheamus and John Morrison, the two men were met with clotheslines and Scoop Slams. He hit Sheamus with a powerful DDT that was felt all over the arena.

"Fired up is an understatement," Adam looked on. "This is definitely gonna be one for the records, D."

Randy had just embarked on a feud with CM Punk, an on air battle fueled by the two men's real life dislike for one another. Both were technically solid, excellent naturals at their craft. After being accidentally "stuck" in his Chamber, a newly freed Punk was greeted by a commanding RKO, Randy's signature finisher. The Viper got the pin but storyline allowed the villainous Punk to re-enter his pod based on the earlier equipment malfunction. There had been some unfriendly banter between the two foes throughout the match and it was no secret that Randy was less than thrilled to lay down for Punk's finishing maneuver, Go To Sleep, also known as GTS. The Straight Edged one executed it perfectly, thus eliminating Randy. The frustration was written all over Randy's face as Dawn stood.

"He looks pissed."

"He'll get over it," Adam surmised.

He had been with the company for a long time as well. For the most part he and Randy got along very well but Adam had long been an outspoken critic of the Randy had once treated Dawn when she was his girlfriend. Tension had almost brought the two men to blows several times over.

"I have to find him."

"Dawn…"

"Come on."

She was stubborn and determined and over the years Adam had learned not to argue with her. He trailed her to the Green Room, munching on popcorn the entire time. A frustrated, sweaty Orton was sitting breathless on the couch.

"D, just leave him alone for now," Adam warned. "It was a hard loss, he might need a minute."

Dawn was undeterred. She approached him carefully.

"Hey," she tried to smile. "You okay?"

He didn't look her in the eye.

"No," he answered.

Dawn took a deep breath.

"Want to talk about it?"

"No," he repeated.

She bit her lip.

"Randy…"

His eyes finally met her and his mood was even fouler than she previously suspected.

"Not right now," he said in a firm tone. "Not right now. Please."

She knew he wanted to be alone so she respected his wishes. That had happened many times over the years and hadn't changed but his way of telling her to back off certainly had. Randy Orton, complex, serious. And unspeakably talented had changed a lot.

"You alright?" Adam asked as she emerged from the room.

"He, um, he wants to be alone."

"Are you…"

"I'm gonna go pack my stuff and load up the rental. I'll meet you out back."

With that she walked away as Adam let out a heavy sigh. No matter how much time passed and no matter what Randy Orton did, it would never ever change how much Dawn would always care for him.