Title~ This Tangled Web We Weave…
Author~ Cristal
Disclaimer~ All characters belong to the WWFE.
Rating~…hmm…PG13 (I like colorful vocab when I write. ^^ lol)
Spoilers~ Events dealing with Smackdown 2-07-02 and Raw 2-11-02
Notes~ First WWF-related fic: of course it ends up being rather mushy in bits: I don't write anything else. ^^;; I'd love feedback by the by. Although since it is my first WWF fic, you'll have to excuse the (probably) funky characterization. Edge curses: rather frequently. Because that's how the character strikes me. ^^ Jeff is artsy: he's based more on art-related-folks I know (including myself;) Lita's personality is still being developed. Christian is the pillar here. And anyone that reads this will swear up and down that I don't like Chris Jericho at all: which is as far from the truth as you can get G He's actually one of my 'Fab 4' favorites. ;) (Edge, Jericho, Hurricane, Undertaker for those curious souls)
Summary~ This actually drops you right into the middle of the action. I have no intention of writing a precursor to his just yet unless people actually want me to *shrugs *. That, and it's just how I write. You want more, gotta lemme know. ^^ Chris Jericho happily causes turmoil. ^^
Edge stretched his back as he hung up his jeans and t-shirt up in his locker. His stretch ended in a cringe as it reached his midsection rather rudely: he was still really hurting from that shot he took from Regal on Smackdown the other night. He shook his head as he changed into his trunks and slipped on his pads and boots. He proceeded to lace up the boots still thinking nasty thoughts about Regal and his less-than-winning ways around the rules. The man had the belt that should have still belonged to him. Wait, wait: that's not right. Just storyline of course: but getting blindsided by the bastard afterwards didn't help. "He's such a son of a bitch, I swear…" He turned as he heard chuckling from the next row of lockers over. "Who the hell's over there? I want privacy while I rant."
A brightly colored head of hair peaked around the corner, green eyes looking out with a grin. "Duly noted Edge. Gotta express that colorful sailor's vocabulary, right?"
"Damn straight Hardy." Edge replied as he taped up his lower ribcage. "I'm gonna tear that asshole's head off and hand it to him you know."
Jeff held his hands up in peace as he smiled. "I actually refuse to argue with you at this point: otherwise you're gonna take it out of me, I know."
Edge just nodded as he finished bandaging before beginning to stretch. As he did so, Jeff finished setting his things in a locker before coming nearby and beginning to stretch as well. Both were quiet before Edge made an attempt at a peace offering. "Didn't know you'd be back tonight."
Jeff shrugged as he rolled his shoulder back. "Not gonna be out in the ring tonight. Just taking it pretty easy still."
"Why you stretching then?" Edge arched an eyebrow.
Jeff shrugged once more. "Just in case. Swanton's don't come cheap you know…"
Edge chuckled as he shook his head. "Yeah, I'd guess not."
"So, what match do you have?"
Jeff took note of the small frown that creased the other man's face as he listened. "Non-title match against Jericho."
Suddenly it became clear as to the frown. "Well, should you really be out there with your ribs wrecked up?"
"I'm going out."
"I know. I'm just wondering if you should. I mean, you know Jericho's gonna use every dirty trick he can think of: and most of them are going to be aimed at your previous injury."
"I know." Edge paused as he finished up.
Jeff sat on the nearby seat, looking up at the taller blonde man. "What's Lita think of this?"
He heard a distinct sigh as Edge slipped on his long black trench coat. "I think she's pissed actually. Well, I don't know if it's at me per say or-"
"Jericho." Jeff finished knowingly. He knew she was upset about his recent personality turn.
Edge just nodded as he reached into his locker, pulling out the dark sunglasses and propping them on top of his head. "Yeah. Hard to tell at this point. Probably both seeing as how we're facing each other."
"Yeah, but still. I wish she'd just understand he isn't the same man."
Edge shrugged as he rolled his head on his shoulders. "Yeah, he isn't but I don't think she wants to accept that."
"Yeah, but still!" came Jeff's bright exclamation. "He went from like…I don't know, upper-crust-Canadian to like…I don't know, trailer-park-tart or something…" Edge burst into laughter at that rather colorful, definitely odd explanation. Jeff laughed as he shook his head. "I don't know where that explanation just came from by the way."
"That's probably best for everyone anyway." Edge conceded with his customary grin.
Hands thrown up, Jeff just grinned, a reply on his lips before a knock came at the door of the mini-locker room. "Everybody decent in there?"
Jeff turned with a smile. "Edge isn't!"
"Good enough for me!" Lita came threw with a bright grin at both men. She gave Jeff a hug before stepping over to Edge, carefully wrapping her arms around his neck. "Damn it, you're dressed."
He just laughed before leaning down capturing her lips in a short kiss. "How you doing?"
She shrugged. "Fine. I've had two weeks to rest. But I'm worried about you. You shouldn't be out there tonight Edge…"
He sighed releasing her waist from his grasp as he held her hands. "I know. But I'm going Li. I get one up on Jericho with those belts I'll be better placed."
Lita just sighed as she closed her eyes. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you can't beat him without catching him Edge. You're an incredibly talented wrestler and so is he-"
"Even though you wouldn't know it lately." Jeff quietly broke in with a cough, hand covering his mouth, doing his best to look innocent.
Lita looked at him before turning back to Edge. "But, he keeps those belts because he cheats. You can't afford to get busted open again this soon. If he gets a hold of you with anything heavy-duty, it could cause more internal bleeding if he hits you right."
He sighed again as he pulled her closer, fingers playing with the tank top strap she wore. "I know. But I need to do this Li. Right now, I want to be out there. Maybe he'll think of that information you just gave me too and have a change of heart."
"Yeah when hell freezes over! Come on be realistic!!"
Both looked up at Jeff's loud outburst, eyeing him a moment before he turned, hands thrown into the air. "Okay, whatever, sorry guys, please, continue talking about a man that has no respect for anything, like he does. Don't mind me, the sane one over here!"
Edge snorted. "You!? The sane one?! Did I hear that correctly Hardy?"
Jeff did his best to look insulted, but the effect was ruined as Lita burst into a hysterical fit of laughter. Her giggles calmed slightly after a couple of minutes, although she was still grinning as she held onto Edge. She waved a hand at his melodramatically pained expression. "Sorry! I really am! I'm sorry Jeff." She looked contrite a moment before laughing again, burying her face into Edge's jacket.
He just held her with a grin as Jeff sat on the bench once more and sulked, arms crossed over his chest. Edge shook his head as he released Lita, her laughter stilling slightly as he looked down at her a moment. "I need to get out there. We're up first tonight."
Her smile faded quickly as she squeezed his hand. "…I know. Can I walk with you to the curtain?"
He nodded consent. "Sure. Hardy?"
"No thanks." He waited a beat. "Traitors."
Both grinned as they left the room, Jeff flipping on the monitor to watch the match from the locker. Lita kept up easily with his long strides, her fingers gently twined with his. He watched her a moment as she walked quietly, not her usual redheaded whirlwind self. "I missed your couple of weeks not being on the road. Glad you came back this week."
She looked up, barely catching that statement. She smiled slightly as she met his eyes. "I missed you too…but I'm back now."
He smiled slightly, not his usual grin but rather a toned-down, sexier version of the same. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back. He saw her blush slightly as they neared the curtain, hands still wrapped securely together. "Aww, isn't this cute?"
Edge felt Lita tense as the voice came behind them and he resisted the urge to start hurling loud obscene comments towards his opponent of the evening. Instead, taking a deep breath, he gave Jericho a barely interested glance. "And our roles in life are certainly to entertain you. You think it's cute so it must be, right?"
"Exactly." Came the rather cocky sounding reply. Jericho tilted his head, watching the two in front of him before turning a smirk towards them. "You know, I was happy when I saw you were my opponent Edge. I get a really easy win tonight. Especially after Smackdown, right?"
Lita didn't feel him tense until Jericho mentioned Smackdown…of course. She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb as she turned to look at someone she had considered a friend: for some reason that felt like another life. "Well, that's only when you bring in either a chair, a belt, the ring bell or some other piece of metal because that seems to be the only way you know how to win lately Chris."
He paused at her using his first name: she hadn't done that in what felt like ages. He shook out of his musings as he flung his head back, the light catching on his long blonde hair that was braided as well as the twin belts over his shoulders. "Listen you little skank, I do what I have to, to win: whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant."
"Yeah, because you obviously can't win by your wrestling skill alone, right?" she shot back, eyes flashing at his slander.
His blue eyes darkened as he frowned at her. He opened his mouth to reply before being cut off by a cue man. Edge's music began and he chanced a quick kiss before heading out the curtain. She watched as the end of his jacket went through the door at last. She tilted her head before beginning towards a nearby monitor. Jericho grabbed her arm with a scowl. "This isn't over."
She looked down at his hand with distinct distaste before looking back up, meeting his eyes. "Stop touching we 'little people': we don't like it." She went over to the monitor, watching Edge's entrance as he stalked around the ring: nope, he's not happy at all. Jericho watched her a moment before turning towards the curtain, hearing the countdown begin. He stepped through towards his match, every intention to win in a cool blue gaze.
Lita was watching the monitor nervously as she watched Edge being helped from the ring after the beating Jericho gave him. She bit her lip before hurrying over to the curtain at his side almost as soon as he inched through. He really looked like he was in pain. One arm was wrapped protectively over his midsection as he grit his teeth, the referee holding him steady. Lita came over silently as she walked behind them, concern evident in her hazel gaze as they headed towards the doctors in the back room. He went into the room and the door was shut, leaving her outside. She sighed, staring at the door a few moments before leaning against the wall and sliding to a sitting position.
Looking up at the sound of approaching footsteps, Lita looked over, meeting another blonde who was obviously not in a good mood now. He stopped suddenly, noticing he almost walked all over the redhead. "Oh. Hey Lita. Didn't mean to run over you." He paused, looking at the door with a frown before looking back at her. "He already in there?"
"Yeah." She paused, watching as he sat next to her on the floor, wrapping an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. This was one of those instances where she was happy that the television persona was nothing like the real man. She leaned against him with another sigh. "I told him not to go out tonight…of course he ignored me. Obviously."
She felt him nod as he leaned back against the wall. "I knew he would. He's a dumb ass on occasion. Takes 'blonde' to a whole new level."
Lita rolled her eyes with a slight smile. "So do you Christian." He made a face at that comment and she just smiled. "I was just thinking."
"Careful Red."
"Hush." She laughed as he smiled back at her. "I was just thinking about…well, about how people here act, you know? Like, in front of the television crowd and then just back here, around everyone they work with, you know?" he nodded and she continued. "It's…I don't know. Like, you for example. On screen, you play your character: a spoiled brat of a blonde, and you play it well."
"Thanks." Came rather deadpan.
She laughed softly at his pout. "Well you do blondie. But, then you come back here and the façade drops, you know. You act like…well, you. Not the actor. But rather, the nice sweetheart brother of my boyfriend. Like, right now. You're concerned, otherwise you wouldn't be here, you know? Another good one is Austin. Onscreen he's the beer guzzling badass that kicks ass and doesn't bother with the names, you know? Then, back here he turns into occasional beer guzzling father figure or whatever. He actually has a soul, you know. Still maintains the charming vocabulary, but he's sane. And concerned about what he does in the long run. Unlike others…"
Christian heard her tone drop as he ran a hand up and down her arm. "I assume you have someone in mind…"
She sighed as she stared at the wall in front of them. "Jericho. I don't understand what happened Christian…do you?"
He felt bad at the suddenly unsure sound in her voice as he tightened his comforting grip around her shoulders. "I don't know for a fact Lita. I wish I did, and then it'd be easier. But…I don't know. Maybe suddenly being right in the spotlight at the top of the heap went straight to his head. You know it's been his goal for as long as he's been in this business. Maybe he was just a good actor until it happened."
"I keep hoping that isn't the case…but I don't know. I know he really hurt Edge tonight. It bothered me how hard he was kicking him…and so many times. It's bad enough Regal's a bastard, but now Chris, who was such a great friend up until recently, suddenly is the biggest asshole ever."
"So you're disappointed." Came the quiet reply.
She shrugged slightly as she snuggled closer. "Yeah, I guess I am. Disappointed in myself for falling for the act." They sat in silence a few moments, both just thinking about those revelations.
Chris leaned against the wall as he heard her finish up her final statement. Deep inside that really did hurt: even if he felt it shouldn't. He never really thought of it as turning on someone but that's how she made it sound. He thought about it a moment, trying to understand. Sure, they hung around together when she started hanging around with the Hardy's. But still…that was just a casual acquaintance. Right? Okay, now he pathetically sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
His thoughts trailed to the time they had spent together: she was always a lot of fun. Loved to go out and see what was there. Loved to travel. Loved her job. And really loved her friends. That point made him cringe slightly: what was he feeling guilty for?! It was just Lita…the fiery redhead that lit up almost everyone's face when she approached in her typical energetic state. There was a poll on that being the reason she and Jeff got along so well: they were both on the verge of crazy/ hyperactive.
Of course, it was Jeff who had pointed out to him that was why people thought she put up with him so well and good-naturedly: they were both crazy. She just seemed to take any verbal spars he threw and tossed them back plus some. It was always fun when he thought closer about it…he almost missed it. But, right now, he had what he wanted: the biggest titles of them all. And that was all he needed.
Slinging the titles over his shoulder, he was almost sorry he had to go down to his locker at the end of this hallway. Both were still thinking as he passed before sparing a backwards glance at them. "Waiting for your losing man Lita?"
She barely spared him a glance as she snuggled closer to Christian who was looking up with a remarkable level of disdain for not being on camera. "Take a hike jackass. Nobody wants you over here."
Jericho turned, looking down at both, a shadow of concern passing over his eyes as he looked at Lita who was still purposefully ignoring him. Christian arched an eyebrow at that incredibly brief display of emotion. But, as soon as it was there it disappeared, that cool blue gaze trained once more. "And I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to her."
"And she obviously doesn't want to talk to you right this instant. So, I recommend you leave." Christian pointed down the hallway with a frown as he maintained his grip on around Lita's shoulders.
Jericho turned, throwing another smirk over his shoulder as he began down the hallway. "Of course, of course. Geez, Lita, you get passed around to all the tag teams as a toy or what?"
Christian rose quickly, but not quick enough. Lita let out a squeak of surprise at the blur coming from the room next to them and barreling into Jericho who promptly landed on his face. Edge turned him over with a glower. Jericho looked up, wiping the blood from his lip as he met wild and angry hazel eyes sparking dangerously back at him. "Don't ever come near her again. Because if you do, there will be hell to pay. And I know there's plenty of people waiting to get your ass back for turning yellow to get those fucking titles and then to 'keep' them too." He spat before standing, kicking the belts halfway down the hallway and standing over his fallen coworker. "I suggest you watch your back you son of a bitch."
He promptly turned and walked over, helping Lita up. She pushed a lock of blonde hair from his eyes with a sad smile. Christian just continued to watch Jericho for any tricks. Jericho on the other hand, felt like he just broke in half from that spear. He struggled up, watching the three as they left. He got the distinct impression Edge had every intention of keeping his word in this case.
Christian walked slightly behind Lita and his brother, although no one was saying anything after that episode. They stopped when a cue man found Christian, telling him to get ready he was on soon. He turned towards the pair, meeting his brother's pained eyes. "You okay bro?"
Edge nodded. "I'm good. You?"
He looked down with a shrug. "Fine so far, you did all the work. But I have my match in a few. So, what did the doctor's tell you?"
Edge took his turn to shrug. "Not much. Lay off the ring work for a few days. Although it feels like dickhead kicked my intestines into my chest."
Christian just nodded slightly. "Might not be a bad idea. Heal up a little before you start laying into someone else."
Edge just smirked. "Right doc."
"Just some brotherly advice." He paused, hands raised in peace. "I gotta go change. Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone."
Lita smiled slightly. "You know we don't do that on purpose…"
Christian just arched an eyebrow. "Riiiight."
Both just smiled before Edge waved him on. "Go change: we'll watch from the locker area. We can head out to eat afterwards if you want."
He smiled, waving slightly as he walked down towards his own locker area. He sighed, running a hand through his long blonde hair that was still pulled back into a tight ponytail. He did kind of miss the tag team matches he and Edge participated in: they were always exciting. But, the singles competition was amazing and an incredible rush: even if he was booed more often than not. He shook his head as he entered the room, shutting the door and opening his locker.
Christian unbuttoned the green shirt he wore and shrugged out of it, hanging it up. He proceeded to slip out of the jeans and into his trunks. Sitting on the nearby bench, he slipped on the pads and the black mesh shirt he favored in the ring. He then proceeded to do stretches in the center of the open floor. Pale blue eyes darkened in thought. After seeing Jericho after he and Lita spoke, he wasn't positive he was still right about the man…he seemed almost concerned with Lita. Although that was the first show of it since right before he won the title belts…almost a precursor of 'things-to-come'. He shook his head once more. He was rather disappointed in Chris…those slabs of gold did go straight to his head. He practically acted invincible. Which was so far from the truth it wasn't even close to funny. And now his brother gave Jericho the friendly threat of bodily harm.
Pulling himself back up to the bench, Christian just looked at the ceiling. Well, let's see…tonight so far…came to find his brother, discovered he was in a match with Jericho. Promptly got beat in that match unfortunately. Managed to get hurt worse on top of that. Stopped to comfort Lita. Did so for about three minutes before Jericho showed up, also managing to mangle that moment as well. But then promptly taken down with a hell of a spear from his dear sibling. Hmm…definitely interesting. And he wasn't even in a match yet.
Of course, in that, he gets to fight RVD…that's always cool. The man's so laid back it's frightening. He chuckled slightly at that thought: nothing perturbed the guy. At all. Of course, it's on schedule for him to lose with his, as of late, typical charm. Christian shook his head before standing once more at the knock. "Four minutes Christian!"
"Thanks." He returned before pulling the rubber band from his hair as he shook his hair out. He began towards the door once more. "It's like I'm a kid again… time to go lose like a six year old…"
Edge looked at the monitor with morbid curiosity, his jaw slightly agape at the sight. "He's acting like a six year old…"
Lita smiled slightly from her perch on his lap. "It's what the powers that be wanted you know."
"Still…" Edge began, paused and then tried again. "Come on though! That really has to kill one's ego."
She giggled lightly in return as his grasp tightened slightly around her waist as she leaned against his chest, playing with the collar of his button down shirt. "We were talking about how good he plays it though."
He shrugged slightly. "True…but still!"
Lita just shook her head as the door opened once more, showing in a rather relaxed Jeff Hardy. "Hey gang. S'up?"
Edge pointed with that look of disbelief at the monitor and Jeff arched an eyebrow, turning to watch as well, not able to stop the chuckle at Christian throwing a fit dead center of the ring. "What'd you expect? The man's good at his job of playing brat."
Rob delivering the five-star frog splash from across the ring followed this. Jeff grit his teeth in sympathy. "Ouch. Damn. I bet they're both feeling that one. Good distance for Rob though: what was that, across three quarters of the ring?"
Lita just nodded as she watched. She cringed as Rob stood up, playing off the pain like normal. Christian on the other hand, had a hand protectively over his midsection. They watched the ensuing segment with Goldust and Rob before Jeff hopped back up. "We still heading out tonight guys?"
Edge nodded. "Yeah, probably as soon as Christian, Jackie and Test are ready to go. Test will probably be a little later: he's just meeting us there."
Jeff nodded. "Cool. I'll be back as soon as I grab my stuff."
Both just nodded as the bright young man exited once more. Lita sat quietly a moment as she played with a soft strand of his blonde hair. "I was thinking about what everyone's said today: you and Christian. About Chris."
"And?"
She was silent until she met his eyes. "Maybe I should just give up on getting my old friend back. Because it seems like he isn't there anymore."
"Only if you're sure."
She nodded. "I'm not one to just 'give up', but this isn't going to work. I have to decide what's best for me and the people I care about. So…that's it I guess."
"At least until you come up with a better solution." He laid a light kiss along her lips. "You'll be alright."
"I know. Believe me as much as it hurts, I know Edge…"
The End of Chapter 1