Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing mentioned. Title inspired by the song of the same name by Pat Benatar.
Spoilers: Minor, if you didn't watch RAW, 4-12.
Brief Chapter Summary: Monday Night RAW before, during and after.
Notes: With the injuries etc, etc. Usually I'd just take these things scripted as follows: face value, non scripted full value, however out of ring injuries well, how about half value ;) I know I said I'd reveal who was being traded by the Monday update, but eh..not yet. Just bear with me and as always, thank you to the reviewers :)
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5:30 p.m. Backstage, Allstate Arena, Chicago Illinois.
Lita had arrived to the arena, early..like she usually did. But today, there was more going through the red head's mind than usual. Tonight was the night she was supposed to give her answer to Hunter. He hadn't brought it up at all since last Monday, no pressure whatsoever from him or any of the other guys in Evolution. Even just an hour earlier over a late lunch, there was no mention of the offer. Since she wasn't scheduled for any appearance on Heat, the gym at the arena had provided for her hideaway for a bit. But, now with the Heat matches nearly over, it was time for her to make her way to her locker room. She shook her head as she trekked the quiet halls, seeking out her locker room. Once securely inside and with really nothing to do, the red head tugged on her track pants and running shoes. And with her discman safely tucked in the front pocket of her hooded sweatshirt, she made her way through the halls. She nodded in greeting as she jogged past the open locker rooms of some of the other superstars. Stacy was still with the guys, yet to arrive and Lita had already run into Edge and Chris in the parking lot. A small frown crossed her lips because tonight she was the special guest on the highlight reel. With a shake of her head, she turned the corner recalling the last time she was Chris' special guest. But, at least this time she didn't have any major surprises to worry about. It was just Chris, no Matt and no Christian..a simple interview with an old friend. With another quick turn of the halls, the red head found the catering hall. With her hands now in the front pocket and the music loud enough to mask the noise of any other occupants, she made her way to the baskets of fresh fruit and tubs of bottled water. After her own bottled water had been pulled out from the front pocket, she selected a muffin and made her way to one of the tables. A quick check to her watch let her know that people should be arriving shortly. Or at least Hunter would be..he had requested that she meet him before RAW, exactly half an hour before RAW. Problem was, he never specified where.
***********
6:00 p.m. parking lot, Allstate Arena
Meanwhile, a black stretch limo has just pulled into the parking lot. Exit, one 16 time heavy weight champion and currently one half of the world tag team champions, the Nature Boy..Ric Flair. Following the Nature Boy, protege and power house Dave Batista, the other half of the world tag team champions. Also making their exit, one Intercontintental champion Randy Orton and current leading lady, Stacy Keibler. And finally..and on his cellphone, the former world heavyweight champion, Triple H.
"Yes, I'm taking care of the arrangements." Hunter tucked the cellphone between his ear and shoulder as he pulled his gym bag from the trunk. "Just trust me alright?"
He passed the bag over to Dave as he straightened his suit jacket sleeve. "I realize that her birthday is in two days, but come on now..I am the Game, I'll get everything taken care of." He lifted a brow, tucking his free hand in his pants pocket. "Yes Dawn, everything..the cake, the venue..everything." He nodded as the collective of Evolution made their way across the parking lot. "How many are you expecting on attending from Smackdown?" A wave of his hand to the security guard as he frowned at her response. "Must you invite Eddie?" He shook his head, leading the way to the assigned Evolution locker room. "Fine fine, so roughly 14..I'll ask Chris who else is coming from RAW and then confirm everything first thing tomorrow morning." He opened the door for the fellow members, pausing long enough to wrap up his conversation with Dawn. "Right, so you all will be arriving on Wednesday morning, do you want me to have the limo pick you up?" He leaned against the wall, fiddling with the cuff on his shirt. "Fine fine, I'll see you on Wednesday then, and don't worry, she'll be busy until the party." He closed the cellphone as he walked inside tucking it safely in his gym bag.
"Everything set Champ?" Dave addressed him as he put some of his own things away.
Hunter nodded, removing his ring attire before un-packing a few of his own things. "I've got to talk to a few people..then I've got a small promo. to shoot." He slipped his shades on, heading for the door. "I'll see you all when RAW goes live."
***********
Ric, Randy, Stacy and Dave nodded to him as he exited. And when the door was shut safely behind him, Hunter made his way through the halls. While he was seeking out Lita, he ran into Chris first. A quick consultation as to who would be coming from RAW for the big party and who would be keeping Lita occupied for most of the day and he was off.
"Lita" Hunter nodded in greeting as he passed by the catering hall. "Do you have a moment?"
The red head nodded, slipping her headphones off. "If you've come to talk about what my choice is."
He waved a hand, slipping his shades off as he made his way over. "Not really the first thing on my mind, but yes that was part of the reason I wanted to speak with you."
She nodded, raking a hand through her hair, shaking her hair loose from the confines of it's ponytail. "Well..then let's at least get that out of the way." She let out a breath. "I don't know if I can give you an answer, I mean..what if I don't win on Sunday. What good will I be to Evolution?"
He raised a brow, taking the seat across from her. "What does that matter? Not everyone in Evolution has gold..yet" He grimaced slightly, keeping an even gaze with her. "And look at my role"
"That's different and you know it" She sat back, picking off a piece of the muffin. "You're established in Evolution..I'm not. I've never been on good terms with Evolution until now..and you" She smirked slightly. "Well you are what Evolution stands for."
He frowned slightly, leaning forward but kept an even gaze with the red head. "What's in the past, is in the past. But if you're so unsure in your abilities to win the title..do you want an extension? Say, next Monday?"
She popped the muffin piece in her mouth, looking down at the table a moment. "If that's okay with you..I thought you would've wanted an answer today, no matter what."
"If it wasn't okay, I wouldn't have offered." He sat back again, draping his arm over the back of his chair. "But with that attitude? You won't win."
She shrugged. "Lose or win, would Evolution still want me"
"I can't speak for everyone" He shrugged, pushing back from the table. "But for what's it worth, yes Evolution would still want you." He slipped his shades back on, tucking a hand in his pants pocket. "I've got a promo. to shoot, but the Evolution locker room is open to you. Don't forget that."
She nodded in response, pushing back from the table as well. "Thanks..see you later Hunter."
***********
Midway through RAW
Lita exited the Evolution locker room, heading for guerilla position. After the Backlash promo. it was her time on the highlight reel. But, the sound of footsteps on the pavement let the red head know, her walk would not be alone.
"Hunter just wanted to know" Dave caught up to her. "What are your plans after the show?"
"Well," Lita tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Chris is playing tonight right after the show ends, so I was planning to stick around for that. And then?" She bit her lower lip in thought. "I'm not sure actually."
"You up for a little club hopping?" He glanced sideways as they walked towards guerilla position,
She shrugged, "As long as there are no pool games involved..sure."
"Good" He nodded to Chris as they reached the guerilla position.
"You all set?" Chris grinned to the red head.
"Looking forward to it actually" She stretched her arms over her head. "And at least this time, I don't have to worry about any ex-boyfriends."
"Is he coming to ringside with you?" Chris eyed Dave, addressing Lita.
"No, we were just talking about tonight's plans" She clasped her hands behind her back. "After the Fozzy concert of course."
"Right" Chris crossed his arms, turning his attention back to the red head. "Well..I hear the clock ticking, time for me to give the Chi-town crowd a dose of Y2J." He squeezed one of her shoulders, before ducking through the curtains.
"I'll be here" Dave leaned against the posts. "Just in case"
"Did Hunter tell you to do this?" Lita crossed her arms, raising a brow in question.
He shook his head. "No, just looking out for a friends well being."
She blinked slightly, but shook it off. "Thanks.." She quirked a tiny smile and was about to say more, when her music hit the speakers. "Well..my public awaits."
He watched her retreating form, sitting back on the stairs. And in that brief moment where his guard was down, he failed to notice the exit of Trish Stratus through the curtains. Just as he was standing to head out there himself, Eric Bischoff pushed past. A low sigh of frustration as he listned to the boss informing the diva's of their match. He cursed Trish under his breath, but sat back down..after all, Lita had said to Chris he wasn't going to be at ringside. He waited through the commercial break, moving from his spot on the stairs to observe the goings on from a nearby monitor. Silently he cheered the red head on, wincing slightly when she hit the mat. Again, caught off guard, he failed to notice the exit of Christian through the curtains. He watched from his spot at the monitor as Christian made his way to ringside. With his hands clenched, Dave shifted his weight from foot to foot..keeping his focus on the match. But, he would not be there much longer. He watched on as Lita stepped up to Christian, muttering to himself that she wouldn't do anything stupid. With a small sigh, he watched as she got in Christian's face, then let out a string of curse words in Tagalog and Spanish. With a purpose, he went through the curtains. Christian was now in the ring with Chris and Trish while Lita was against the security barrier. He knelt down, shaking his head at the fallen diva.
***********
"Come on..let's get you out of here" He helped her to her feet.
She nodded in response, clutching at his wrist. "Thank you"
He watched her wince in pain as she struggled to her feet, looping an arm gently around her waist. "Lean on me and we'll get back to the locker room sooner."
With a grimace, she complied and the two made their way to the back. As they walked, she addressed him again. "Good thing you stuck around"
"Like I said before, just looking out for a friends well being" He half shrugged, keeping the loose grip on her waist. "Even if we aren't really friends"
"We're getting there" She half shrugged. "Or at least we'll find out Sunday"
He glanced to the sides, making sure there were no more threats. "Win or lose, you're still welcome in Evolution"
"This coming from someone who said I wasn't like you?" She smirked as they walked to the Evolution locker room.
"I'm not entirely wrong on that..am I?" He glanced sideways at her as they turned the corner. "You aren't like Evolution..but that doesn't mean you're not welcomed."
"Guess not" She bit her lip in thought, glancing sideways as the reached the locker room. "Nice tattoos by the way."
"You too" He smirked slightly as he opened the door.
"For freakin" Hunter raked his hands through his hair as they entered the locker room. "Are you alright?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "I'm walking, I'm talking and I can still kick someone's ass..so if you don't give me space, your ass is next"
"She'll probably need some ice" Dave relented the loose grip on her waist. "But other than that, she's fine Hunter."
"Besides" Lita tossed her hair. "Y'all have bigger fish to fry than worry about little ole' me."
Hunter grimaced. "You are staying in here with Stacy, the rest of the night."
"What about my stuff?" Lita lifted a brow. "Or do you expect me to teleport that over here?"
"I can get it for you" Stacy stood, smoothing out her dress pants. "I haven't been out of this locker room since we got here."
"Well, with Shelton attacking Ric." Hunter crossed his arms. "And that lunatic Foley running around? It's not safe for anyone associated with Evolution to be out in the halls."
Lita placed her hands on her hips. "Since when am I officially associated with Evolution?"
"Since he" Hunter nodded to Dave. "walked you back from the ring and to the Evolution locker room."
Lita opened her mouth to protest, only to shut it, biting her lip in thought. "Well, if Stacy's going to get my stuff, is it wise for her to go alone?"
"She's not going alone" Randy stood, joining Stacy at the door. "Just like from now on?" He looked squarely at the red head. "You are not going anywhere alone."
Lita rolled her eyes. "Yes father" She swung her arms at her sides, flopping down on the bench. "Well? Get a move on then. The sooner y'all get back, the sooner I can shower and get changed."
Dave leaned against the wall, addressing the red head. "¿Es tan incorrecto tener preocupación de la gente sobre usted?"
She blinked, propping her chin in her hands. "No, apenas no algo me utilizan a"
He nodded, eyeing her as she attempted to mask whatever pain she was in. "¿Usted ahora desea un paquete del hielo?"
She shook her head. "I should just go to the trainer..or hire a personal massage therapist."
He pushed off the wall, sitting next to her. "That can be arranged."
"It's not necessary" She glanced sideways at him. "Would be nice, but it's really not necessary."
He nodded, "If you change your mind, just say so."
She nodded, stretching her arms above her head before she attempted to rub at a sore spot on her shoulder. "Will do..thanks"
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Later that night, Narcisse
The collective of Stacy, Randy, Dave, Hunter and Lita found themselves tucked back in a booth at the trendy and upscale Narcisse lounge and club. With the eight man tag not ending in their favor, and the earlier events of the evening, RAW this night had not turned out well for them. However, they remained optimistic..after all, Evolution was it's it peak. They just had to secure the World Heavyweight championship, get Randy to shake off the fear and of course, ensure that the Woman's championship would be in their stronghold. With these objectives in mind, the group toasted to the hopefull success at Backlash on Sunday.
"Interesting name" Stacy looked around the club, eyeing the plush booth.
"It's based on someone from Greek mythology" Lita sat back from her spot between Hunter and Dave. "Narcissus was a young male, a very good looking young man at that. But he did not live a very long life."
"According to one myth, a young nymph..a girl named Echo was in love with him" Dave sat back, resting his arm across the top of the booth. "But Narcissus rejected her, just as he had everyone else. One of the goddesses heard of Echo's story..and caused Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection. He died that way."
Stacy nodded. "That's an interesting way to die" She sipped her martini. "And kinda sad..obsessed with the superficial things."
"It's unfortunate, but it also serves a purpose" Lita shrugged. "And it just proves to me, that beauty is only skin deep. Real beauty is within."
"Or that you don't reject love" Dave reasoned. "Or at least not the right kind of love."
"Love is a trivial issue" Hunter leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Right love, or wrong love. You can't define it, even when you think it might be right..that's usually when it turns out to be wrong."
"Not always" Lita lifted a brow, sipping her martini. "But yeah, I can see your point."
"Anyway" Randy looked between them all. "What are the plans from now until Backlash?"
"I'm hanging around Chicago until Thursday, then going home for a day or so..re-pack and then coming back here." Lita traced the rim of her martini glass with her finger tip. "There are so many art museums, so many things I want to see."
Hunter nodded. "And your plans for tomorrow? Wednesday?"
"Not sure yet" Lita shrugged. "Wednesday, I already promised Chris and Shane I'd spend the day with them, but tomorrow I have no plans."
"The Cubs are playing Wednesday and Thursday." Hunter sat back, addressing the red head. "If you wanted to attend either day..you're more than welcome to join us."
"I can do that" Lita looked to the man, assesing him slightly. "I'll just head back home tomorrow then..even though baseball really isn't my type of sport."
"Then what is?" Hunter took a sip of his wine. "Ice skating?"
Lita smirked. "Close..I'm a big hockey fan. The other sports are okay, but big time hockey fan."
"Interesting" Hunter set his wine glass down. "But you'll come with us to the baseball game? Even if it is..boring."
"I said I would didn't I?" Lita shook her head, pushing her glass towards the center of the table. "But, if y'all would excuse me" She nudged the man sitting to her right and therefore blocking her exit. "I'm itchin' to dance."
Dave moved out of the booth, standing to the side "You need a dance partner?"
"Only if you can keep up with me" Lita winked as she made her way to the dance floor.
"You two coming?" Hunter addressed the remaining pair, as he slid out.
Randy grasped Stacy's hands in his. "We'll join you all..in a minute."
Hunter nodded, seeking out Dave and Lita, who were already on the floor.
***********
The remainder of the night, Lita paired off with either Dave or Hunter. Randy and Stacy did make their way out to the dance floor, and the group enjoyed the rest of the evening..Backlash finally off of everyone's minds. And now, as Lita was dancing with Dave, she finally felt something she hadn't felt in awhile. A sense of belonging. Not with the man in question, just with the group of people she was with. Though it was still to early for her to really be sure, she felt a sense of safety and comfort with Evolution. And at that point in time, instead of making sense, it only confused the red head. But then again, Lita reasoned that anywhere with friends..was a place where she belonged. And that thought also confused her. Evolution had been more of an enemy to her, than a friend, but in the past week..she had spent more time with them than she had with Chris or Edge. Whatever the reasons behind her and Evolution, or more specifically all of their time together, Lita was determined to deduce some sort of clear cut answer from Hunter. And if not from Hunter, than at the very least from Dave.
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Author speaking: I read somewhere that Batista is Filipino/Greek. Just making the presumption he speaks Spanish and Tagalog.
Dave: ¿Es tan incorrecto tener preocupación de la gente sobre usted?/
Is it so wrong to have people worry about you?
Lita: No, apenas no algo me utilizan a/
No, just not something I am used to
Dave: ¿Usted ahora desea un paquete del hielo?/
Do you want an ice pack now?