Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing mentioned. Title inspired by the song of the same name by Pat Benatar.
Brief Summary: When Eric and Kurt pull another trade..this time a diva for a diva..it affects many. Not just those who are close to the respective diva's but also to those who are out to settle scores with the respective diva's. Starts with RAW after the Diva's Battle Royal. Both diva's mentioned in this chapter, clarified by Monday's update.
Notes: I can really think of none.
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High on a pure adrenaline rush, Lita walked through the curtains to the backstage area. She was thrilled..at Backlash, she would finally have her chance to get the woman's championship belt back around her waist. Not that she didn't think Victoria made a great champ, just that the red-head felt it was her time once again. With a wide smile she passed by Chris Jericho in the halls, squeezing his shoulders in greeting.
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"This is so awesome!" The red head bounced on her heels.
"I agree" Chris eyed the diva in front of him, "Would make a great late birthday present too"
She nodded her agreement. "Definitely...and top it off with a post-victory concert" She winked in reference to the scheduled Fozzy appearance
His eyes twinkled. "And I'm sure that Mongoose wouldn't mind a birthday serenade."
"I'm flattered" She tossed her head back, peals of carefree laughter filling the area.
"Well isn't this just cute." Trish Stratus stalked over from the corner, narrowing her eyes at the pair. "Having fun with my leftovers..Lita?"
Lita lifted a brow, placing her hands on her hips. "You having fun with mine..again?"
"Is that so?" Trish scoffed, crossing her arms as she squared off against her former best friend. "Jeff was never yours to begin with."
"Proves how stupid you really are" Lita looked down at the petite blonde. "I was referring to the other Hardy brother..or are there too many men that have passed through the revolving door that is your bed."
Trish's nostrils flared as her mouth contorted into a snarl of contempt.
"Wouldn't you like to know? After all, it was usually me that they ran to anyway..why do you think so many guys flocked after me..instead of you?"
Lita rolled her eyes. "Sorry but the one night stand just isn't my scene..or to borrow part of a line from U2" She smirked, looking Trish up and down. "Hold me, thrill me, kiss me..then leave me the hell alone"
"Bitch" Trish dropped her arms to her sides, clenching and unclenching her hands. "That title shot should be mine"
"Is that so?" Lita waved a hand at Trish. "Well unless I missed something..or if your name is Lita. I'm the one going to Backlash."
Trish stepped forward, her face mere inches from Lita "If it hadn't been for Chris..I would've won. I had you beat and you know it."
Lita stood her ground, shifting her weight forward. "Don't talk the talk, unless you can walk the walk." She narrowed her eyes, looking down at Trish. "You really think you had me beat? Prove it..right here, right now."
"Hell no" Trish tossed her head. "Christian has a match later..so I need to look my best"
"Or you're just afraid" Chris put in quietly, a few feet away from the diva's. "Which..after the ass kicking you just took..I really don't blame you." He smirked at the former love interest. "I guess I can add coward to your current..tagline"
"Fucking asshole" Trish rolled her eyes at Chris before looking back to Lita. "I know I can beat you..any time, any place."
"Then prove it" Lita stepped forward, clenching her hands at her sides.
"I will" Trish raised a brow as she stepped back. "But on my terms..not yours"
Lita rolled her eyes. "Whatever Trish. Just be prepared to get your ass kicked..again."
Trish rolled her shoulders as she turned on heel, making her way back to the locker room she was sharing with Christian.
"Hey Chris" Lita kept her eyes trained on the retreating blonde, but addressed her companion. "I think chicken would fit better."
"Hmmm" Chris rubbed his chin in thought. "Filthy, dirty, disgusting, brutal, dastard, bottom feeding, trash bag ho"
"Dastard?" Lita moved her gaze to Chris, "What did you do? Memorize a thesaurus?"
Chris half shrugged. "Kinda, sorta..I was in need of some fresh insults for the Billion Dollar Princess..so"
Lita nodded knowingly. "No further explanations..but dastard." She put a finger to her cheek in thought. "Rolls off pretty nicely"
"Fucking bitch!" Trish stormed back to the two, gunning for Lita and pushed the red head back into a cart. "You fucking bitch"
Lita grunted as her back connected with the cart, narrowing her eyes at the blond as she fought for control. "You asked for it now" She dug her heels in, locking hands with her former friend.
Trish sneered as the two struggled in the halls, going back and forth until Lita had Trish pinned against the wall.
"Hey" The commanding voice of Triple H broke in. "You two want to fight? Do it somewhere else. Evolution has important business to attend to."
Lita rolled her eyes, snapping out "Fuck off" before she turned her attention back to the blonde, untangling their hands to bring her fist up.
Just as Lita was about to connect, Trish blocked with her forearm, bringing her other hand to backslap Lita. "We have business that we need to attend to" Trish sneered at Hunter. "So you can go elsewhere."
Lita's nostrils flared as she raked a hand across Trish's face. "You backstabbing, coniving, two timing" She gripped Trish's shoulders, pushing her back against the wall. "Underhanded, filthy, cheap, whore"
Hunter let out a breath, pulling the red head back. His arms firmly encircling her waist. "Let it go Lita." He commanded quietly to her, still with a firm tone. "Come on, just let it go. Save it for later."
"Bullshit" Lita struggled against the firm grip around her waist. "That bitch deserves everything that she has coming to her."
Hunter sighed, tossing the red head over his shoulders, "I really hate to do this" He spoke to no one in particular as he turned stepping two doors down to the Evolution locker room. "But as I said..Evolution has business to attend to." He kicked the door open, stepping inside with the red head.
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In the locker room
"Put me down!" Lita pounded her fists against Hunter's back. "I can walk..and I don't want to be in here"
"Oh shut up" Hunter frowned, setting the red head down in a chair. "We have business we need to take care of." He placed a hand on her shoulder, looking her square in the eyes. "And you my dear, are an integral part of it."
She raised a brow at him, then looked around warily. "What the fuck is she doing in here?"
"Someone was a little concerned for her." Hunter shrugged "She did hit the ground pretty hard out there."
"Evolution..actually caring about someone else?" Lita smirked. "Is it's still April Fools day?"
"Champ" Ric Flair walked over to the two. "Are you sure this is a such a great idea?"
"You question me?" Hunter raised a brow at the elder man. "This is a brilliant idea."
"I'm not so sure either champ." Batista joined the three, placing a hand on Lita's other shoulder. "She's not like us."
Hunter shrugged. "People can change..or they can evolve."
"Umm..excuse me" Lita looked between the three, eyeing Batista and Hunter warily. "Can I ask..why am I here?"
"Certainly" Hunter smirked proudly, kneeling slightly so he was eye level with the red head. "You see..we just want to congratulate you on your victory this evening. Very well done."
"Uh huh" Lita half shrugged, resting a hand over Hunter's in an attempt to peel his hand off her shoulder. "Then can I go?"
"No" Hunter tightened his grip slightly. "You see..now that you're next in line for the Woman's Championship..we have an offer for you"
She raised a brow incredulously. "If it involves more dancing for dollars. Forget it"
"I thought we would've moved past that by now" Hunter looked her up and down. "But, this offer I believe, will be one that you will not regret."
"So get to the point" She gestured with her hands. "So I can shower"
"You can use the shower in here." Hunter nodded towards the back. "You'll have to get used to it anyway."
She blinked at the man, then looked to Batista and Flair. "What exactly are you tring to say?"
"You see..at Backlash, I intend on regaining what is mine" Hunter pressed his lips into a grim smile. "And with you being the next women's champion, Evolution will have all the gold."
She scoffed, struggingling to get her arms free. "So why not ask Victoria..or Trish." She gestured to the other woman in the room. "Hell..why not ask Stacy for that matter?"
"Because we've already asked Stacy" Randy Orton finally spoke up, addressing the red head from his spot near the tall blonde diva. "And Stacy has already agreed."
"But Stacy isn't up for the title..and we already asked Victoria" Hunter filled in the details for the red head. "And she turned us down."
"So..why not ask Trish?" Lita raised a brow in question. "Or any of the other diva's?"
"Because we want you" Hunter hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to look him in the face. "Think about it Lita, you'd have all the protection you'd need. That title would never leave your waist as long as you're with Evolution." He smirked proudly. "We are the crème de la crème, the tip of the iceberg, the kings of the mountain..and we need a queen."
"Then what is she?" Lita nodded to Stacy, shaking her head slightly. "The dutchess? The princess?"
"For that..you'd need to ask someone else" Hunter shrugged, relenting his grip on her shoulder. "But, are you in..or are you not?"
"I'll think about it" She addressed him evenly. "Now, if you could please..let me go?"
"We want an answer by next Monday." Hunter nodded to Batista, who also relented his grip. "Dave can you please? See the lady back to her locker room."
Lita stood, raising a brow at the men. "For one..I really ain't no lady. For two..I don't need protecting."
"But you will" Hunter crossed his arms, sizing her up. "After you win that title back, you'll be a marked woman. And you'll need all the help you can get. Who better..than us?"
She met his gaze, but did not say a word, merely turning towards the door. "I'll let you know on Monday..no sooner, no later"
Batista joined her by the door as Hunter addressed her once more. "That's all we ask..but before you go."
"What now?" Lita crossed her arms impatiently, eyeing the tall man next to her
"What are your plans..from now until Saginaw?"
"I was probably going to meet Dawn..they're taping in San Antonio tomorrow. We have a few plans, sight see, and what not." She shrugged, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I would love to meet her" Hunter smirked to the red head. "We'll have the limo pick you up..arrive to San Antonio in style."
She put up her hands, looking between the three nearest her. "That's really not necessary."
"But we insist" Hunter made his way over, resting a hand gently on her shoulder. "Besides..we're only looking out for our best interests."
She lifted a brow. "And if I said no chance in hell?"
"You won't have a choice." He dropped his hand, opening the door for the pair. "We'll have the limo waiting in front of the hotel tomorrow morning. Until then, have a good night Lita."
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She quirked a polite smile waving to Hunter, Flair, Randy and Stacy before stepping past Batista as she entered the halls.
"This really isn't necessary you know" She addressed him as he shut the door.
"Despite what you may think" He shrugged, as the two trekked the halls. "Yes it is."
"And why is that?" She questioned as they turned the corner, heading for her assigned locker room. "Because you all are so sure I'm going to say yes?" She smirked, slapping her fists on the wall as they walked. "What are you..psychic?"
"Because you have the same mindset as all of us" Batista looked straight ahead, then to the sides for any possible threats. "You want to be the best..and you want to stay the best."
Her brows furrowed in thought, as they turned another corner, the diva almost walking into an opening door.
"Whoa there red" Edge stepped out of the locker room, shutting the door behind him. "I thought you would be more alert than that"
"You should be more aware of your surroundings" Batista addressed the tall blonde.
"There you are" Chris set a hand on Lita's shoulder as he joined the trio. "Are you alright?"
Batista turned his attention to Chris. "Why wouldn't she be? You think Hunter would just pull her out of there so we could hurt her?"
"Well you did kinda lock her in the dressing room" Chris crossed his arms. "And last I checked..you all weren't exactly on friendly terms with her."
"And as you can see" Lita huffed. "I'm fine..Dave was just walking me to my locker room."
Edge exchanged a look with Chris. "I think you're perfectly capable of walking there yourself."
"And besides which..since I'm already done for the night" Chris stepped between Lita and Dave. "Allow me."
"Your assitance is not necessary" Batista eyed him evenly. "We've made it this far, what's another few turns of the halls?"
"Chris..really, if you want to walk..let's go" Lita tugged on his shirt. "Dave..if you need to go, you're relieved of your duties, I'll explain to Hunter if you want."
"Right well" Edge looked between the three, then held up his arm. "I've gotta go. See ya later" He grinned to them all, ruffling the red heads hair before he took off for guerilla position.
"So are we just going to stand here?" She looked between the two before starting off again.
"Let's go" Batista followed behind, Chris walking beside her.
"What's up with Evolution?" Chris glanced sideways to the red head
"Nothing at all" Lita shrugged as they turned the corner, finally reaching the halls where her locker room was.
"Just rememember..I may have been a jackass these past few months." Chris looked ahead, quietly addressing the red head. "But I'm still there for you..and so is Edge."
She nodded as they reached her locker room. "Well..thanks for the escort boys" She looked between the two, placing a hand on the door knob. "But this is my stop..so you're free to leave now"
"See you in the morning" Batista nodded his farewell before turning to take off for the Evolution locker room once more.
"You going out tonight?" Chris leaned against the wall. "With me and Edge? Celebrate the victory?"
"Sure I guess" Lita nodded, as she opened the locker room door. "I'll meet you guys in the parking lot" She grinned before ducking inside.
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Chris raked a hand through his hair as he turned, heading for his own locker room. What in the hell did Evolution want with Lita? They had never been on friendly terms with her. Ever. And Hunter? What was up with him? The blonde sighed in frustration as he turned the corner, nodding to the Hurricane and Rosey in the halls. Whatever it was that Evolution was planning, Chris didn't like it.
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