Title~ Texas Grace
Author~ Cristal
Email~ Talis13@yahoo.com
Rating~ PG13
Disclaimer~ All characters belong to the WWE. ^^
Feedback~ Please! I'd like to know what you think about this one!!
My Group- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cristal-FanFic you should go and join: you'll find a LOT more of my stories there than you will here…;)
Notes~ Roster split IS in effect.
Summary~ Lita has an unexpected savior…
Lita took a deep breath as she stopped at the edge of the women's locker room door. She wasn't sure where he was at, but she had to be prepared for anything. Nodding once, Lita pushed open the door after hefting her bag up onto her shoulder. This was one of those really frightening cases of the show melting into a rather twisted reality. Not only was it strange, it was annoying as hell. She sighed as she pushed her hair over her shoulder once more, walking quietly down the hall.
The noises melted around her, turning into a dull roar as the crew was in the process of cleaning up after the show. She stepped over long cords and around cameras that were being taken apart and put into their respective cases. She waved at Molly Holly as they crossed paths and continued, hoping to not run into him…so far she had been lucky.
She heard his whining voice and decided that not only had her luck changed, someone up there was out to get her. She looked around, hoping to spot another hallway so she could avoid the man at all costs. Sighing again, Lita took a deep breath and started down the solitary hallway that led to her parked car. She brushed past him as he turned from the dressing room Brock Lesnar was in: Brock was all right though. Sweet as can be most of the time but a roughneck whenever he thought he was right.
His manager on the other hand, was a bastard. Paul Heyman could rot in the depths of hell and Lita really wouldn't care. As a matter of fact, she'd encourage him to go if she had to. She brushed by but was stopped right after Brock closed his door, leaving her alone in the hallway with Heyman. His thick hand reached around her slim wrist, pulling her to a stop. "Why Lita…what a lovely surprise."
"Let go of me." She ordered.
"Now, now Lita…I just wanted to chat."
"And I don't want to be within a fifty mile radius of you, so that wouldn't work."
He shook his head with a greasy smile. "Ah Lita…I know you have some interest in that…lovely frame of yours."
She frowned as his eyes trailed up and down her body. She snapped her fingers in front of his face, drawing his attention to her eyes. "Listen, I'm not interested in ANYTHING you're offering. Understand that?"
His smiled melted into a frown as his grip tightened on her wrist. "Well maybe I'll just have to change your mind."
"You're an asshole. And if you don't let go of me this instant, you're going to have problems!" she spat as she tugged on her arm, trying to loosen his grasp.
He yanked her so close she could smell his aftershave: that thought turned her stomach. His other hand came up into her hair and she started fighting viciously to free herself from his grasp. She raked her nails over his eyes and he loosened his grip slightly, enough for her to step back, but not enough to get away. "LET ME GO DAMN IT!!!"
She didn't even hear the quick approaching footsteps until they were right on the two. She was half afraid to see who it was; unsure who'd be willing to stick their neck out for her: if for her at all. As suddenly as Heyman was there, he was knocked for a loop by a very strong right hook. Heyman was shoved unceremoniously to the floor, sputtering as he looked up, meeting the annoyed gaze of one pissed off Texan.
Bradshaw stood between Heyman and Lita, acting as a shield and she appreciated that gesture as she rubbed gently around the wrist that he had held so roughly. Bradshaw grabbed Heyman's jacket lapels, hauling him up, eye to eye. "Listen you idiot. She said let go, and that means, 'let go'. I see you near her any time again soon and you'll have one hell of a problem. Now why don't you scurry on off and kiss Ric's ass or something you little son of a bitch."
Lita watched, listening as his warm drawling voice washed over anyone that may have been in the hallway at the time. It obviously wasn't having quite that effect on Heyman who was standing, dusting off his jacket. "I'll come near anyone I please redneck. Mind your own business next time."
"There won't be a next time if I've got anything to say about it." Bradshaw replied, moving towards Heyman who took that moment to scurry off to safety. Bradshaw relaxed, readjusting the backwards baseball cap he habitually wearing as he turned towards Lita once more. She was staring wide-eyed at him and probably with good reason they rarely, if ever, crossed paths. "You all right?"
It took a moment before she nodded. "Uh, yeah. Thanks to you."
He shrugged, tugging nervously on his long black hair. "'Eh, no problem. He was being a dick. But, you're welcome."
She nodded as she watched him, her lips twisting into the lightest of smiles. "Well, thank you nonetheless Bradshaw. I appreciate it."
He nodded before looking down the hallway and then back at her. "You with any of the guys today?"
She shook her head, readjusting the bag on her shoulder. "Nope. At least not right now. Jeff and Matt had to leave early tonight: something with their dad. I was worried but not allowed to go since I wasn't direct family."
"Oh. Well, you want me to walk you out to your car then?" he asked as he tucked his hands into the jeans pockets.
She smiled again as she looked up at him. "That'd be nice. Thanks."
"I just don't want him to try anything again and I think he might…"
She nodded as they walked. "He hasn't left me alone since he's gotten back here. It's really irritating actually. I'm just glad you got him to leave me alone, at least for a little bit."
"No problem Lita…" he trailed off, the silence between them ensuing.
They stepped outside the arena and into the darkness of the parking lots. A few overhead lights showed the cars of those still there. She led the way towards her rental car, stopping to toss her bag into the passenger seat. She smiled up at him once, it barely visible in the dusk of the lot. "Thanks again Bradshaw…" she trailed off as he grabbed her wrist.
He had noticed that she was still holding it protectively and he ran his fingers around her slim wrist, the warmth of her skin obvious in the cool night air. "You sure you're all right? This looks like a bruise is coming up…"
She was silent as he looked at her wrist, turning it under the dim lighting. He looked up when he noticed she still hadn't said anything. He quickly let go of her hand with an apologetic look. "…uh, sorry…I just-"
"It's all right." She smiled again at the distinctive drawl in his voice. "I'll be all right though." He nodded, stepping back as she got in the car. She looked up at him once more. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah…later…" he replied, watching as she started the car and took off once more, leaving him alone in the dark lot.
He shook his head as he shoved his hands back in his jean pockets again to ward off the chill. He turned and started back towards the building to grab his things but was stopped by the sound of his jaw connecting to a solid fist. "What in the he-"
There was another fist and he brought his hands up to guard, blocking another shot. He heard Heyman's chuckling making him frown as he swung out, connecting with someone's head, sending them to the cool pavement below with a thump. He wiped at his bottom lip that was bleeding, seeing three other people around him. "Oh come on Heyman…you ain't gonna play?"
"Honestly, that accent doesn't fool me Bradshaw. Everyone knows exactly how bright you are. Playing stupid may be interesting for you, but your observant opponents know better."
Bradshaw spat just before all three rushed him, burying him under a flurry of fists and vicious kicks. He fought valiantly, but was overwhelmed by numbers and that rousing feeling of pain. Although he registered someone's hand cracking as they hit him once more, it was a passing feeling as he felt consciousness slipping from his tenuous grasp as a glass shattered right at the back of his head. He hit the pavement, face down; the last thing he heard was Heyman's voice.
"Just remember this the next time you feel the overwhelming urge to play knight-in-shining-armor Bradshaw. Except next time, we won't go so easy on you. So, mind your own business from here on out."
Bradshaw was roused to as he felt someone turn him over, looking down at him. "Bradshaw? Hey man, what happened? You don't look so good…and you're bleeding…"
Bradshaw gave a long, drawn out sigh as he sat up, feeling slightly queasy for the effort as he met the concerned gaze of Rob Van Dam. He waved him back slightly. "Jumped. Feel like shit now, thanks."
"We probably oughta get you to the hospital. Your head's busted open pretty bad." Rob commented as he dug around in his bag, producing a towel for Bradshaw.
He took it with a shrug, gently pressing it to the back of his head. "Whatever. I'm just pissed now. Guess it's my own damn fault since I wasn't paying attention I guess…"
Rob helped him up, keeping him steady as they went over to his rental car. "Who was it?"
Bradshaw shrugged. "Heyman leading some rats. Big surprise, I know."
Rob arched an eyebrow as he tossed his stuff into the backseat of his car. "Why did he come after you?"
Pausing, Bradshaw shrugged slightly with a quiet response. "No idea…"
Lita ran the brush through her hair as she sat in front of the mirror of the dressing room she was in. She heard a knock at the door. "Come in…"
She glanced back, smiling slightly at Jeff who ambled in and dropped into the chair behind her. "Hey Li."
"Hey Jeff. What's up?"
He shrugged. "Not a whole lot. Just sharing wrestling gossip: lots of fun."
"I bet." She replied dryly.
He shrugged as he sat up again. "Hey! Did you hear about Bradshaw?"
She turned quickly before resuming brushing her hair. "No…what's going on?"
Jeff leaned forward as he started telling the latest gossip string. "Apparently after last show Bradshaw got jumped by a bunch of guys!!"
"What?! Is he all right?!"
Jeff sat back slightly at that outburst. "From what I heard, yeah."
"Is he here tonight?"
Jeff nodded, eyebrow arched. "Yeah. Apparently he's got a match with Regal tonight…why?"
"Oh…" Lita shrugged, turning back to the mirror. "Just curious is all…"
"Right…" he tilted his head as he watched her a moment before getting up once more. "Well, we have a match tonight too: you coming out with us?"
"Sure, that's fine." She replied distractedly as she put her brush away. "When is it?"
"Fourth on the card. We'll just meet you later, all right?"
She nodded. "That's fine. See you later Jeff."
He nodded and left once more, leaving her in the quiet room. Lita frowned as she thought about what Jeff told her…ordinarily she wouldn't be worried: the man was tough. But…he got hurt because of her… She quickly left, looking for Bradshaw's room as she trailed down the hallway. She finally stopped, asking a stagehand and getting proper directions.
She turned down the crowded hallway and stopped at the third door on the right, Bradshaw's name emblazoned across the front. She took a deep breath before knocking twice. "Come in."
She tentatively opened the door, quietly slipping inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. She watched as he winced as he put his APA ball cap on once more before turning. He looked genuinely surprised at his visitor. "Uh, hey Lita."
"I was told you got hurt after the last show."
He shrugged, trying to decide what to do. How is it he could have a bachelor's degree in ancient history, yet not think a single thing to say to her? Sad really…he shrugged again as he looked up. "Happens all the time. No big deal." Oh yeah: that was certainly smooth…
She tilted her head, propping her hands on her hips. "It is to me. I don't like other people getting hurt because of me."
"It's not like that Lita…besides, I don't want him pestering the hell out of you anymore-"
"Listen, I appreciate the concern, but I don't want you getting hurt, all right? If he comes up again and you notice, just don't worry about it this time, all right? I don't need someone else getting hurt because someone won't leave me alone." She paused. "All right?"
He sighed, hands held to his sides. "No Lita, it's NOT all right. Yes I'm concerned, and no I'm not going to ignore it if it happens again."
"What the hell business is it of YOURS??" she asked with a frown.
He looked down at this young lady who was very bravely standing up to someone easily twice her size. He rolled his eyes slightly. "None really but-"
"Exactly. And if I tell you to stay out of it, I expect you to respect my wishes Bradshaw."
"Fine. Consider them respected."
She nodded, turning quickly and heading out the door, intent on finding Jeff and Matt and keeping her thoughts on something else other than the hurt look in his chocolate brown eyes. Lita shook her head, intent on doing her job and nothing more.
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, she missed the man standing in the doorway across the hall from Bradshaw's room. He stepped over with a sneering smile directed at the big Texan who looked hurt for a split second before recollecting himself. He looked up and over, glaring at the man in the doorway. "What the hell do YOU want? An early ass-kicking?"
"No, not at all Bradshaw. But I couldn't help but overhear the conversation with you and the lovely Lita. My condolences on not getting what you want." He smiled snidely.
Bradshaw grit his teeth, debating on knocking the man's teeth out before the match. He shook his head, pointing out from the room. "Take a fucking hike before I kick your ass here and now Regal."
"You could get into trouble doing that you know-"
"And your point?" he asked, eyebrow arched. "Trouble follows me wherever I go, so it would be like an old friend most likely."
Regal arched an eyebrow before stepping from the door with the slightest of smiles and a parting shot. "Yes, well, I can hardly argue that. But I'm sure Mr. Heyman would be most appreciative of these new developments, wouldn't you agree?"
Regal smiled as he walked off, leaving a troubled looking Bradshaw in his wake, unhappy with the idea of Heyman taking after the redhead without someone there. Hopefully she'd be with the Hardy's though…he shook his head. She didn't want him involved, fine. He wouldn't get involved. He just wasn't sure if he'd be able to convince himself later if the need arose…
End Chapter 1Author's Rambles~ Yes, yes, I've resurfaced *looks at surroundings * Hey! They didn't take down all my stories!! Wow! Anyway…;) yes, I've started another series…with I guess what would be considered an 'unusual pairing', right? ^^ Let me know what you think: the good, the bad and the ugly. ;) Thanks for reading guys!! ^^