Only Skin Deep

Disclaimer: I own the WWE like I own a small country.

Summary/Spoilers/Notes: see the first chapter.

New Notes: Style of the chapter may change with this one and the ones following.

Thank You! to the reviewers, you guys are amazing! The continual feedback means so much to me and I honestly can't thank you enough for it. Azrael-013: I like that idea.. :insert evil grin: I definitely like that idea, and I can certainly foresee something like that in the near future.

……………

Hotel Lobby

Christian, Chris, Tyson and Eddie sat around in the lobby of the hotel, waiting as usual, for the others to make their presence known. They expected a wait, it would be foolish thinking on their parts if they hadn't. The Divas weren't exactly known for their punctuality when it concerned post-show activities- and this time was no exception. They knew that Dave was still upstairs -somewhere- and that John was also upstairs. Dave had called to inform them that he, Lillian, Victoria, Stacy and Torrie would be on their way down in a few. The guys in the lobby took that information with a grain of salt- even if Dave was with them, it didn't automatically imply they'd get to the lobby quicker. But just as Eddie was flipping another page from a nearby magazine, steps echoed on the tiled floor.

"Where's-"

Dave thumbed to the elevators, "They'll be down in a few."

Chris rolled his eyes, "So they say." the blonde man shook his head, flopping back into a chair. "What are they doing that's taking them this long?"

Dave shrugged, opting to lean against a nearby column. "No clue actually," he crossed his arms over his chest. "All I know is that, when we left the hallway- Trish was putting on her shoes, Dawn was grabbing her purse and Lita was nowhere in sight."

Christian raised an eyebrow, "Huh?" His chin inclined, his face etched with curiosity, "Where was she then?"

"We're not exactly sure.." Victoria trailed off with a shrug, the raven haired Diva squishing between Eddie and Tyson. "But before she disappeared- my eye shadow, Stacy's foundation, Torrie's concealer and Dawn's eyelash curler also disappeared."

Eddie blinked, "Where's John?"

Stacy shrugged then, "We're not sure.. Last we knew, he was talking to Rob."

"Uh huh," Chris nodded slowly, a baffled expression on his face. "That explains a lot."

"I'm sure they won't be much longer," Lillian offered apologetically, the blonde woman tucking a strand of hair behind her ear then. "We're just club hopping right?"

Christian shrugged, sitting back slightly in the chair he was occupying. "Not sure actually, all Li told us was that- this was a celebratory night."

"Hey guys." Trish offered with a bright smile as she exited the elevator. "Li'll be down in a bit."

Dawn nodded in turn as she appeared behind the blonde woman, "Jackie stopped by before we left, to tell us that she wouldn't be able to make it tonight.. Something about previous plans with Charlie."

"So, where's John?" Tyson sent a questioning look to the two Diva's. "And where's Rob?"

"Dude- you blind?" Rob rolled his eyes as he walked towards the growing group. "I would've been down here sooner if someone hadn't shut the elevator door on me."

The New Jersey native rolled her eyes, "Get over it.. Besides, the exercise is good for you."

"The exercise is good for you," Rob mimicked dryly as he flopped down into a nearby chair. "Anyway.. Li-"

"Will be down in a minute," Chris finished with a shake of his head, "So we've been informed already."

"So, where exactly is she?" Christian sent a look to the Battle Creek native, "All we've been told is that she disappeared."

Rob smirked, "Nah, not really.. She's in the bathroom."

Eddie blinked, "Why?"

Meanwhile- Trish and Lita's hotel room

While the whereabouts of the WWE's Queen of Extreme and the Dr. of Thuganomics remained a mystery to those in the lobby; the two in question were still in the midst of preparations for the night out. Or at least John was.. The redhead had already dressed, keeping her attire simple for sake of the knee brace she sported. John, on the other hand was receiving some last minute adjustments.. Courtesy of the payoff. He had already tried to talk his way out of it, already offered to pay her off in another manner (and not in that way)- shopping, dinner, concert tickets.. Anything. But she was insistent on this…having already borrowed various items from the other Diva's to supplement the contents of her own makeup bag. And thus they stood in the bathroom, his face sporting a light application of foundation, his eyelashes curled just a tad.

"Ya know, if you held still.." Lita pressed her lips into a thin line, hazel eyes narrowing in concentration. "We could've been down there by now… and it won't look that bad when I'm done."

John snorted, the West Newbury native backed against the bathroom counter. "I already told ya- no way in hell are ya puttin' all that junk on my face."

She rolled her eyes, brandishing an eyeliner pencil in her left hand. "Would you relax? I told ya, no one will notice unless they're right up in your face."

"So?" He turned his face purposely away from her, "I'll know it's there and you'll know it's there-"

"Of course I will, idiot." She crossed her arms, using the eyeliner as a gesturing tool. "You're gonna hafta get use to this anyways, so just suck it up and deal with it."

"Woman," he huffed, gesturing to the foundation on the counter. "You already put that crap on my face- an' might I add? You almost blinded me with that stupid curling thing."

She rolled her eyes, "Stop being such a baby. If you had held still, I wouldn't have had any problems. Just shut up and let me finish. All that's left is the eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, lip liner and lip gloss."

John shook his head, "No way am I goin' out there looking like a freak."

An eyebrow arched, "Are you callin' Jeff a freak?"

"Me an' Jeff are two different people," he raked a hand over his hair, "Isn't this enough?"

Lita shook her head, "Nope.. You wanted to know, I told you.. And informed you of the price you would pay-"

"You told me of no such thing."

"Whatever," she let out an agitated sigh, "If you'd bother to look at your face- you'd barely notice it. I promise you- you aren't gonna like some street walker."

An eyebrow raised a fraction, "Promise?"

She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, placing her right hand over her heart. "I promise."

One defeated sigh -and one wicked grin- later, the redhead had finished the light applications of eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner and lip liner.

"Now, I'll give you a choice-"

"That makes me feel so much better."

Lita ignored him, bringing out a lip gloss pot and a tube of lipstick. "Lip gloss or lipstick?"

"Which is more noticeable?"

"Lipstick."

He nodded towards the pot, "I'll take that then."

She nodded, setting the lipstick aside in favor of a q-tip. "I borrowed this one from Maria so, I hope you don't mind-" she paused, to glance at the lid of the lip gloss pot, "Mango flavored gloss."

A hand flew up to halt the wrist that was nearest to his face. "Flavored? What the hell is this?"

"I already told you that no one would notice the make up without being in your face, right?" She pried his hand loose from her wrist, "No one will notice the flavored gloss unless-"

"I got it," he glared at the redhead, "I still don't appreciate this."

"So?" She snorted indifferently, applying a light coat of the lip gloss. "Like I said earlier- you'll hafta get used to this eventually.." she smirked, adding another light coat. "Might as well start now."

The redhead stepped back slightly to admire her handiwork, "Well?"

He turned, glaring at her reflection in the mirror, "What you expect a thank you? Hell no, woman. You just put makeup on me."

Lita rolled her eyes, "Just be glad I'm not makin' you carry a purse." She stuffed her own pot of lip gloss, along with a compact in her pockets. "Let's go, I'm sure everyone's been waitin' long enough."

……..

John hesitated a moment, but eventually followed after the redhead…but only after he had gotten a good look in the mirror. Granted, it wasn't half that bad- but he still knew it was there. And that was enough for him to feel a little wary as they walked out of the hotel room. True, she wasn't making him carry a purse, or wear heels or anything like that.. But as far as he was concerned- the makeup was enough. Part of him was just thankful that the redheaded Diva was more of a minimalist with the makeup outside of the ring. Not that she caked her face, just that he didn't think he would be able to handle the amount of eye shadow. Whatever the case, by the time the elevator reached the lobby; John was still wary about the idea. Wary enough that, Lita grabbed his wrist- half dragging him out of his temporary sanctuary.

"Finally," Christian tossed down the magazine he had been reading, "Geeze you two, if we wanted to go out tomorrow night-"

"Yeah yeah," Lita rolled her eyes as she and John finally joined the group. "Blame him."

John raised an eyebrow, "Blame me? Woman, this is all your fault."

"Children, children.." Dawn chastised as she stood next to the redhead, "Let's just go."

Tyson stood, stretching his arms outwards. "Yeah- we've been sitting here, waiting on you two long enough. You can argue on the way to the club."

Lita stuck out her tongue, "Like I said- his fault, not mine."

The West Newbury native opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off when Dawn raised an eyebrow.

"Are you wearing eyeliner?"

"No one would notice, she says." John grumbled under his breath, scowling at the redheaded Diva. "I'll get you for this."

"Relax, it's hardly noticeable." Lita waved it off nonchalantly, "So .. Why are we standing around here for? Let's go."

The brunette Diva pursed her lips, taking a step closer. "Nice choice on the eye shadow Li, it brings out his eyes."

"Not helping."

"Awww," Eddie batted his lashes, "Who ever knew you'd be our next Tootsie, holmes."

"Anyway," John rolled his shoulders, "Are we ready?"

Trish arched an eyebrow, "Are your lashes naturally that long?"

"Actually, that's the eyelash curler and a touch of mascara." Lita sent the West Newbury native a smug look. "See? I told you it wouldn't look that bad."

"Now, now girls." Chris shook his finger admonishingly. "Lets leave the little lady alone."

John rolled his eyes, more than eager to leave the lobby. "Are y'all done now? I would like to get outta here, instead of just standin' around."

"Sure," Dave smirked as he pushed off from the column, "Do you have your purse?"

Stacy giggled; Torrie, Chris, Rob and herself taking the middle of the group. "I guess this is just a slight preview."

Torrie nodded in turn, "Uh huh, except.. I think she let him off to easy."

Rob made a face, "Please- don't say that."

"Oh it won't be that bad," Dawn sent a look over her shoulder, the brunette at the front of the group with Eddie, Dave and Lillian. "Honestly Rob, you have nothing to fear."

Trish cleared her throat, the Canadian Diva bringing up the rear of the group with Christian, Tyson, Victoria, Lita and John. "She's right Rob.. You don't have a thing to worry about.. Besides, I'm sure Victoria here will take it easy on ya."

The Battle Creek native raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"

Victoria grinned, "You'll find out tomorrow.. At the informational session."

Tyson sent a sideways look to the redhead. "I am getting paid- right?"

"Yes, you're getting paid." Lita rolled her eyes, "We've already worked that into the budget, so don't sweat it."

The Problem Solver nodded, "You won't make me shave my goatee, will you?"

Lita raised an eyebrow, eyeing the Problem Solver a moment. "Well.."

Trish pursed her lips in thought, "He would look better for the 'programming' without it.."

Victoria scrunched up her nose in thought, "But it would add some variety, wouldn't it? I mean, not all of the guys have facial hair.."

"Well, at least one person will be facial hairless." Dawn tossed her hair over her shoulder, "That's the first thing that Hunter's doing for this thing.. Shaving that nest on his face."

…….

The group fell silent as then, the lot of the making their way out of the hotel and down the street. Since they didn't know how much they'd end up doing that night- they reasoned walking it would be best. If need be, they could always take cabs back later.. But since they did have to be up somewhat early for the informational session they didn't want to be out too late. Whatever the case, they continued walking away from the hotel; the Diva's chatting amiably about the upcoming 'special programming' while some of the guys listened on in fear. Of course, they were careful not to give too much information away.. But what little they did leak out- the guys questioned.

Christian eyed the redhead skeptically as they waited in line. "You aren't gonna make me wear makeup are you?"

Lita shrugged her shoulders, an impish grin playing on her features. "Maybe, maybe not.."

"Oh come on Li," Chris interjected himself into the conversation. "You said me and Christian wouldn't have it that bad."

"And you won't," Trish promised with a smile. "But only if-"

"Shh." Dawn shook her head at the four, "They can find out tomorrow morning.. Just like everyone else."

Chris sighed, "Please? Just something.. Anything?"

Trish, Dawn and Lita exchanged a look. The brunette stating first: "You want to know? You pay the price."

"Price?" Christian echoed skeptically, "There is no way you're putting that junk on my face."

"Oh come on," Victoria pinched John's cheek. "He looks cute like this." Her nose scrunched, "Are you wearing flavored lip gloss?"

"Maria's," Lita stated with a smirk, "The mango one.. It's the less visible out of the pile that I had to choose from."

Torrie shook her head, "I don't know.. I think Stacy has that one.. The vanilla? That's less visible than the mango."

"Well, it was on short notice." Lita shrugged, sweeping her hair from her face. "And besides, when I checked Stacy's makeup kit, it wasn't in there."

Stacy raised an eyebrow at the redhead, "So why didn't you just use yours?"

"Because," Lita brought out the supposedly near empty pot of lip gloss. "I'm almost out and I really didn't have the time to run to the store."

Dawn swiped the pot of lip gloss from the redhead, "You liar.. There's plenty in here." She rolled her eyes as she handed it back, "You just don't want to share yours."

"Anyway," Christian sent a look to the Diva's in general. "Some information, please?"

Victoria crossed her arms over her chest, "Like Dawn said already- you want to know? You pay the price."

"Whatever," Chris rolled his eyes, "You ladies want to do this so badly? Fine, we'll pay the stupid 'price'- but only after you've told us what we want to know."

Trish arched an eyebrow, "Listen honey.. We ask the questions, not you. We'll tell you as much as we think you should know."

Christian and Chris exchanged a look; Dave, Lillian, Eddie, Torrie and Stacy making their way into the club.

"Fine." Christian stated finally, "We'll do it."

"Good." Dawn beamed, grasping her purse- her I.D. held out in her free hand as they passed the bouncer. "Let's get started."

"Can we at least sit down first?" Chris sent a wary look to Trish, the blonde woman digging through her own purse. "Please?"

John shook his head, "Lemme just say- I feel your pain."

Christian scoffed, "It can't be all that bad," the blonde man rolled his eyes; Dawn dragging him off to a nearby booth. "I mean really, how much harm can they do?"

John snorted as he, Victoria, Tyson and Lita settled at a table opposite them. "How much harm? Bro, these ain't no angels."

Christian and Chris waved it off confidently, Trish sliding in to sit next to Christian while Dawn took the seat opposite her. But before they completely settled in, the two Diva's collected items from Stacy, Torrie and Victoria. Finally, once their arsenal had been stocked; the two Diva's went to work. Of course, by the time they were done; Chris and Christian had long since forgotten the other part of the deal. Rather, they were more concerned with getting the waterproof makeup off of their eyes and the bright shades of lipstick from their mouths. But, aside from that, the celebratory night out had been surprisingly chaos free. And while the Diva's toasted their upcoming reign over the next ten weeks- while those who would be participating toasted their upcoming pain.