Title~ This Tangled Web We Weave…
Part 6
Author~ Cristal
Email~ SeraphThrenody@aol.com
Rating~ PG13
Disclaimer~ All characters belong to the WWFE: thank you. *bows and leaves stage *
Spoilers~ Of course…Monday RAW, 02-25-02
Notes~ Have I mentioned recently that this whole NWO angle just royally sucks in my oh so humble opinion…? Oh! Not since last chapter, right? ;) Anyway, it does. Now I'm going out of my way when I'm writing chapters to purposely look for ways to hurt the NWO…that's not what my writings supposed to be about!! LOL…^^ Siggghhhh~
Summary~ Nash delivers a friendly threat and 'the group' discusses tactics. Also, watch for the inserting of (probably) tacky humor here and there…lol…^^
She watched as Edge shook his blonde head, mimicking the words of the speaker onscreen. He shook his head a final time with a snort. "Damn! When the hell are they going to stop whining?! Nobody cares Hall!!"
"Edge….geez…"
"What?!" He turned facing her. "Lita! As soon as I get the chance I'm kicking Nash's ass! Hall and Hogan can get the shit beat out of them by someone else that now has a grudge against them!"
She shook her head with a slight smile before turning back to the mirror and brushing her long hair. "You really need to go on a vacation Edge…first the problems with Regal and now this mess…you're going to be so messed up by the time Wrestlemania gets here."
She heard him sigh before standing and stepping behind her seat, gently taking the brush from her hands. He began running the brush through her hair as her eyes closed. This man was a case of extremes constantly…he projected a lot of heat towards almost everyone else except close friends…and then things like this. He was so gentle, careful and kind…it made her want to melt into a little puddle usually. He smiled leaning down and kissing the side of her neck. "Are you purring?"
"Almost…"
He just chuckled as he finished, handing the brush back to her. He sat back into his chair, watching as she finished getting ready for the evening…she was walking out the Hardy's shortly. Edge crossed his hands over his waist as he leaned back, watching her apply lipstick and eye shadow. She was beautiful in his opinion: a person would have to blind not to see that…but she was also intelligent, brave and talented…he certainly couldn't complain. "So what's with that shirt Li?"
"Hmm?" she turned, her hair falling over her eye before she smiled again. "What do you mean?"
"It's neon yellow!!" he stated. .
Lita just laughed as she spun, modeling the shirt. "We were told it would glow under the lamps when we came out! Isn't that cool!!"
Edge arched an eyebrow. "Explains why Jeff wanted the same color."
She winked as the door flew open and Matt stuck his head in the door. "Hey Li! We need to go! We're on in like, five if that!!"
"I'll be right there Matt!" she replied smiling down at Edge before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Be good while I'm gone."
"Be careful while I'm not there." He replied, eyeing her a moment.
She waved a hand as she went out he door. "I can take care of myself Edge! You know that!!"
Edge just watched the match up between the Hardy's and Billy and Chuck: it was a good match he had to admit. Seeing Billy land on his head from a 'Lita-canrana' made him cheer for her even though he was in the room by himself. Of course, the tag champs remained such despite the Hardy's effort: he sighed. Sometimes the scripts just sort of sucked…this was one of those times.
A few minutes later, all three came into the room, Matt and Lita laughing as they did so. Edge arched an eyebrow. "What happened?"
"It works! I swore it would work!!" Jeff exclaimed brightly as he flailed his hat around.
"Right Jeff…"
"Oh, maybe it'll work next time!! Besides, you shouldn't have tried to nail him with the Swanton!"
Jeff sat heavily down on a bench as he played with the hat. Lita just smiled as stood behind him, playing with the now streaky orange-blonde hair in now disarrayed pigtails. He just sighed as Lita continued to smile slightly before breaking into a grin. "Magic pigtails?"
"Well it's true! It's damn true!" Jeff shot back as Matt just laughed at the absurdity of that statement coming from Jeff Hardy's mouth. Edge just rolled his eyes.
"Wow…they're doing some major ass kissing tonight…"
Jeff snorted his drink at that comment. He was viciously rubbing his nose as the group around him laughed hysterically. "I'll be breathing pop for a week! Never do that again damn you!"
Edge just continued to laugh at his friend's expense. "Well, its true rainbow bright."
Lita nodded vaguely as she watched Jericho twirling Stephanie around and barking orders like normal…her thoughts trailing to last Smackdown, almost inadvertently. Jericho and his timely, and more than welcome rescue against Nash. That was one of those unexpected, pleasant surprises. She was brought from her thoughts by the raunchy conversation going on around her. "I wonder what's on that tape?" Matt asked, eyebrow arched with a grin.
"Ah, don't even go where I think you're going with that!" Jeff smirked as he took another drink of his pop.
Edge just laughed. "I guess that's one way to get your enemy where it hurts: live on national TV, your worst enemy having sex with your almost ex-wife!"
Matt just nodded agreement. "And knowing Jericho's rather pompous behavior shall we say, that would be interesting, 'eh?"
"Shit dude!" Edge just laughed. "Jeff's right, stop where you're at! Damn!"
Lita rolled her eyes at that final comment as Christian's spot came on with DDP. She could almost tell he was having a hard time not breaking into laughter at Arn and Page. But, he faked his 'smile' rather badly and they left. She just thought DDP scaring poor Christian was funny: but at least it got him out of that 'I Quit!' thing. "Finally…" she breathed.
The three guys turned towards the monitor, seeing Steve Austin. "All right! Go Austin! Kick his sorry pansy ass!! Hell, kick all their asses!!" Edge hollered at the screen. Lita wrapped her arms around his neck as he hunched over his chair, watching Austin trash-talk Hall.
Lita felt Edge's arms tense around her as the Intercontinental Champion, Regal came down the walkway to comment on the top contender match. She heard Rob had it, but any of the men would put on a great show. As they showed Regal on screen, Edge just flipped off the television with a double salute and sneer.
"What's that? A bad Austin imitation?" Jeff asked, eyebrow arched.
"No, it's me wishing him luck, the bastard!!" Edge spat as he slouched back into his chair, Lita still in his lap. "I hope Rob just beats the hell out of him!" he paused. "What did you mean, bad imitation?!"
Jeff ignored him. "Why aren't you in there again?"
Edge rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Something about my temper or some other bullshit like that…"
"Yeah, whatever could they be talking about?" Matt asked with a drawl, clearly not getting why Edge was missing that point. "You do have a temper man! A bad one!" Grumbling reached their ears as Edge settled down into his seat again with a sigh.
Lita hummed as she packed her bag as Christian and Edge talked outside the doorway. She finished packing and stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door with a smile. "Guys ready to go?"
"Yeah. I think we're riding with the Hardy's aren't we?"
Christian nodded. "Yeah. Matt needs someone else to help drive. He doesn't trust Jeff and I don't trust you."
"Ha ha, funny."
Christian just smiled at his brother as they began towards the exit. Lita paused a second. "Guys? Do you mind if I stop and find Steve real quick? I won't be long."
"Sure, go ahead. We'll go find Jeff and Matt, okay?"
She nodded with a smile in thanks as she hurried down the hall towards where Austin was taken after his injury. She stopped at the 'infirmary' of sorts before quietly entering. Debra was with Steve, holding onto his hand as the doctor looked at his knee. She looked up with a slight smile. "Hey."
"Hey Debra. Steve: are you all right?" she paused with a shake of her head. "That was stupid, of course not. Are you okay as you can be I guess?"
Steve managed a slight smirk. "You've always had a way with words Lita-girl. My knee's messed up bigger than shit now of course…little punk bastards are going to pay…"
"Will you be able to compete in Wrestlemania?"
He nodded. "I plan on it whether I'm supposed to or not. That little ass isn't going to take me out that damn quick." He paused with a wince before facing Lita again. "I heard Nash made a move for you!! Is that true?!"
She looked to the side with a shrug. "Guess you could say that…it didn't work though."
"One of those boys you hang out with help you?"
She paused momentarily. "Yeah, you could say that."
He nodded. "Good. Those bastards come near you again, let one of us know though: we don't want you or any other woman getting hurt, okay?"
She nodded with a slight smile. "All right Steve! I came to check on you, not get lectured!"
Debra flashed a small smile. "Oh, you know how he gets Lita. That he's fired up from earlier doesn't help obviously."
Lita just smiled with a nod. She reached over, hugging Debra before reaching down and hugging Steve as well. "Well, I need to go: the guys are waiting for me. Hey! Let me know how you're doing tomorrow!"
He nodded. "I will. Now go on: those boys probably want to leave."
She smiled before turning out the door with a wave back at the couple. "She's going to have her hands full with Edge, the Hardy's and then the NWO boys after her too."
"I know." Steve growled as they wrapped up his leg. "Hopefully not for long though." Debra just nodded as the doctors finished.
Lita hung onto her duffel bag as she went through the halls looking for her group, passing greeting to Stephanie and Molly as she went. Triple H stopped her a moment, having a quick chat: she complimented him on the raunchy jokes earlier. He just laughed and went on his way with a wave. "Well, well, well."
She paused, closing her eyes momentarily before looking back and up. "What now?"
He smiled slightly. "Just wanted your thoughts on poor Austin: the asshole."
Her gaze narrowed as she poked him in the chest, not in the least frightened as he verbally attacked one of her friends. "Listen you son of a bitch, I don't know who you think you are, but Steve will take down Hall any day. Just like Rocky will get Hogan. I personally am waiting to see who you provoke: then I can accompany them down to the ring and watch them beat your sorry ass into the ground!"
"Hey, I can only hope, right?" he stopped with a smirk. "I heard you like to use that flying hurricanrana on opponents: they call it a 'Lita-canrana' here right? I wouldn't mind that positi-"
A fist shoved unceremoniously into his face cut off his tirade. He took a step back, hand to his lip that was now bleeding. He wiped the blood away before taking a stance. "Who the hell are you boy?"
"Stay the hell away from Lita you son of a bitch! She obviously doesn't want a fucking thing to do with you! What don't you understand about that?! Being in WCW dull your senses that much Nash? Damn!" Edge spat as Lita took half a step to his left. She glanced back, seeing Christian watching behind and Matt and Jeff coming around the corner almost at a dead run. They slid to a stop as Nash held his hands up, smirk firmly in place.
"I think I get the idea boys. No need for violence."
"Everyone will remember that the next time you try and end someone's career asshole!" Lita sighed as that came from her boyfriend's big mouth: he just never learned really…
Nash leaned in close with a cat-like smile. "Yeah…and you never know who'll be next: right Edge? A big name…a hot up and coming singles star, right? That's you, isn't it? Your brother maybe? Those Hardy kids behind you? You just never know, do you…?"
He smiled before turning and walking off, Edge never backing down or breaking his tense posture at those parting words. Lita reached a hand over, grabbing his hand as he resisted the urge to just take him down now and beat him within an inch of his life. She felt how tense he was as she rubbed his hand. "Edge…Edge? Hey, snap out of it sugar."
He looked down as she drawled out the last word, managing to catch his attention. He took one breath before lifting her hand to his lips, kissing the back. "I think we need to talk to Jericho."
Lita nodded. "Yeah. I can talk to Stephanie when we get to the next city. I don't think she's aware of everything going on lately…"
He nodded as they all went out the doors of the arena. "That'd probably be a good idea since she's hanging around Chris onstage right now. Make sure she's ready for the shit to hit the fan…"
Matt was up early, as per usual for him as he sipped coffee in the room he was sharing with Jeff. Jeff was still passed out in his bed underneath a stack of blankets of course. Matt sighed as he grabbed the keycard and headed to the neighboring door and stopped at 311. He knocked quietly, unsure if she would be awake. He waited a moment before hearing shuffling behind the closed door. It was quiet before the locks unbolted and she sent him a sleepy smile. "I'm sorry Lita…I didn't wake you did I?"
She shrugged. "Kind of. But, it's all right. Do you want to come in?"
He nodded, stepping in as she shut and locked the door once more. She fixed herself a cup of tea as Matt sighed quietly again. Edge was still asleep, spilled over the whole bed as he hugged Lita's pillow in rest. He shook his head with the slightest of smiles. Lita smiled as they headed over to the balcony, stepping out, leaving the door slightly ajar. Both sat at the small table as they sipped their respective drinks. She turned her head. "So. What's wrong Matt?"
He shrugged slightly, rolling the cup between his fingers. "I guess I'm just worried."
She nodded. "What about?"
"Everything I guess…" he paused. "I don't know. Nash basically threatened everyone yesterday: guess I'm worried about who exactly he had in mind, you know?"
"I'm almost positive they have their next person picked out." She shrugged slightly. "We were talking about it before, remember?"
He nodded. "Yeah. So you think it's Hunter?"
Lita paused. "Well…I did."
"But not anymore?"
"No." she shook her head. "Hunter's in the main event of Wrestlemania. Anything happens to him and Vince will be absolutely livid. He's already pissed according to most: they're taking this angle way too far. So, they'll stay away from him: at least until afterwards."
Matt was silent as he nodded. "That makes sense…but who do you think's next?"
Lita shook her head again before taking a sip of tea. "There are so many people that could be targeted right now. I know that you, Jeff, Christian and especially Edge are on Nash's personal hit list now. But, the one I'm mainly worried about right now is Chris…"
Matt was quiet as he sipped his now cool coffee in thought. "…true. He has the big title. But I think he's making himself an easy target right now too."
Lita nodded. "That's part of the problem: his behavior has been terrible lately: he's pushed pretty much everyone away. No one's there to watch his back, you know?"
"They'd just paint a target on the him if there was." Matt snorted.
"Matt…" Lita shot him a frown before settling back. "Even if you're probably right though…I don't know. I hope we can talk to him today before the show. Stephanie and I are going out for lunch today, so I can talk to her then…but Chris…"
"Ordinarily I wouldn't bother saying this, but Lita, I think you should be the one to talk to him. I know he said some really nasty, stupid things to you, but he trusts you most. Even now."
She hesitated a moment before nodding tentatively. "…I know Matt. Edge and I were already talking about it…he said the same thing as you. But I don't know… Christian said he'd try but if that didn't work then I would try."
"That would probably work if that's what you want. Christian's the most levelheaded besides you of this group anyway." Matt smiled as Lita giggled softly.
"That wasn't very nice…" Both looked over to the next balcony at Jeff who was yawning.
"Why Jeff Hardy, you're up early." Lita smiled at him as she tipped her mug in his direction.
He just waved a hand, scratching the back of his head. He then proceeded to step onto the balcony edge and Lita almost dropped her glass. "Jeff!? What the hell are you doing!?"
He smiled before jumping to their balcony, landing next to his brother who wisely decided to move a moment before. He grabbed Matt's cup, draining it. "Bleah. Cold. Need hot caffeine beverage…"
Lita managed to pry her jaw off the ground before wrapping an arm roughly around Jeff's neck. "Never do that again. Ever."
Jeff coughed before she let go. He nodded, rubbing his neck. "Fine! I won't long as you're not watching."
"Would you shut that Hardy up Lita?!" came from in the room and Lita smiled at Edge who now had his head under her pillow. Some more indistinguishable, most likely very colorful muttering came from under the pillow clamped down over his head.
Lita smiled as she led the brother's into the room and poured Jeff some tea. "Matt? Would you like some?"
"Nah. I had plenty coffee."
She nodded as she and Matt sat at the small table in the room, Jeff sitting on the end of the bed near them. Jeff yawned again. "So. What are we doing?"
"Well…I'm going out with Steph today at lunch so I can talk to her then. And I think Christian's going to try and talk some sense into Jericho today." She shrugged, taking another sip of her drink.
Jeff snorted. "Not that he'll pay any attention. Hopefully he doesn't get himself killed being an ass."
"And how did Christian end up getting the task of talking to Jerky again?" Matt asked.
Lita shrugged sheepishly as Jeff just chuckled. "He probably wanted to keep Edge from ramming his fist down somebody else's throat-" he was cut off by being unceremoniously kicked off the end of the bed, landing with a thump. "HEY!"
Matt and Lita laughed as Jeff had to keep from spilling his tea everywhere and landed on his rear end on the floor. He glared over the edge of the bed at Edge who was grinning, eyes closed. "Whoops."
"Asshole."
Edge just chuckled in response as he stretched. "So, we have a plan for today? Li's talking to Steph and Christian is talking to Jericho?"
"Right." Lita confirmed before looking a little downcast. "I just hope Chris listens. It's so dangerous for him right now…"
"Well, look at it this way Li," Edge sat up, looking over at her. "He brought it on himself. You know that."
Lita just nodded in response. "I know Edge. I just hope we can help him."
"Even if he doesn't really deserve it." Jeff replied quietly from where he leaned against the bed, rolling the cup thoughtfully between his hands.
The End of Chapter 6Author's Rambles~ Well…the only reason I cut it here was because it was getting longer than the other chapters and I was told my chapters are already longer than 'normal' (uh…whatever that may mean…even though I agree. ^^;). I'll be writing the next, related to this one: probably just the conversations. So, that'll be done soon I hope. I still don't like the NWO…it's really annoying me. However, they will get what is coming to them *insert evil laughter here *. ;) I want to also pass on a thank you note to those that leave me feedback for this series: I do appreciate it VERY much!! ^^ Thanks! ^^ …hm…maybe I can start the next chapter of 'Friends & Lovers' now…or I could work on that 8 page art history paper due next Friday…choices, choices…lol…^^
More Author's Rambles~ Sigh… well, one of my prof's told me that he didn't like my writing today. I just can't win…damn…so that was rather depressing this afternoon. He doesn't like my style and I'm too wordy (which is true admittedly), but still!! XP Just can't win…okay, enough ranting…lol…^^;;;