Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.
Rating: R
Spoilers: None
Summary: It was only a mistake, she never intended on growing attached.
Notes: For city reference purposes, I'm sitcking them in Chicago. Thank you for being patient with my altercations. Enjoy the chapter and please review! Also, this will more than likely be the last update until after the holidays, but we'll see.
Thanks to: legend thriller, Zanna Avons, aussiewrestlingfan, tiears, iaera, Latisha C., bkerbunny, kandiland and Myth for the reviews on the last chapter.
Dawn, Stacy and Victoria walked into the ER waiting room, to find Torrie at the vending machines; while John and Eddie were nowhere in sight. Lita, was perched comfortably in one of the lounge chairs, her lower leg resting in Rey's lap. And beside her, Randy Orton was holding a magazine open to a crossword puzzle..so that the three of them could pass the time.
"So," Dawn raised a brow, standing in front of the three. "What happened?"
Lita made a face, looking away from the current clue. "We went ice skating."
"Uh huh," Dawn pulled a chair over, looking expectantly between them. "And?"
"Haven't found that part out yet," Rey put in then, "We've been waiting almost an hour already."
Dawn sighed, "Lovely..so where's John and Eddie?"
"John went to find the gift shop and Eddie?" Lita shrugged, sweeping her hair from her face. "We're not sure."
The brunette Diva nodded, smirking wryly at her friend. "It figures that you..the one out of us that can execute near flawless Moonsaults from the top turnbuckle? Is the one who injures herself on ice saktes."
Lita scowled, "Being in the ring and on the ice are two different things. Besides, I never claimed to have a natural grace."
Dawn opened her mouth to comment, but she was cut off as the ER receptionist beckoned the redhead. "You'll get there faster if you accept some help." The brunette stated easily, an amused smirk on her face as Lita tried to move.
Lita only shrugged, swinging her leg down only to hiss through her teeth. "I'll be fine."
Dawn just shook her head, exchanging a look with Rey. "Well, that's one thing that won't change..so come on gimpy. Get a move on."
Lita frowned at her friend, opening her mouth to retort when an arm was slipped around her waist. "I don't need--"
"Shut up, please?" John Cena rolled his eyes at the redhead, draping one of her arms over his neck. "Unless you'd like someone else's help, just shut up an' let's go. The sooner you get over there, the sooner we can get outta here."
Lita pouted, but instead of protesting, she accepted the outspoken wrestler's help. John sat with her through registration, and then helped her to the back so she could begin mandatory ER procedure.
"So, is someone going to tell me what happened?" Dawn put a hand on her hip, looking between Rey, Torrie and Randy. "Or do I need to go back there and listen to everything?"
"Well..." Torrie shrugged, handing off sodas to Rey and Randy. "We were getting set to leave, but not before one last trip around the ice."
Rey nodded then, "All was going fine until some kid ran into Torrie and she was right behind Li..that set off a chain reaction."
"Ahh.." Dawn nodded then, "Rey..or Torrie," the brunette Diva smiled primly to the two in question. "Can one of you call Booker? Have him meet us here?"
Torrie blinked, "Why?"
Dawn rolled her eyes, but before she could snap..Victoria spoke up. "We just don't want him showing up to the resturaunt to find none of us there."
"I'll call Chris," Stacy mentioned then as she brought out her cell phone. "Um..does anyone have Tyson's cell?"
Victoria raised a brow, "Would any of us want to?"
Stacy pursed her lips at the raven haired Diva. "Well, it would be kinda rude to leave him out of the Secret Santa, don't you think?"
Dawn shook her head at the two, "Just call the front desk at the hotel and ask for his room number."
Stacy nodded then, taking Torrie by the elbow. "Well, Tor and I will be right back then." The two blondes, cellphones in hand, exited through the double doors leading out; Dawn flopping into one of the chairs as soon as they did so.
Victoria perched on the other side of Dawn. "So..."
"Is anybody up for a game of cards?" Eddie Guerrero waltzed onto the scene then, wiggling his eyebrows at the group. "Cuz, we'll probably be here for awhile."
"Thanks, but no." Cena raised a brow at Latino Heat. "I'm gonna walk around a bit."
"Yeah," Rey put in then, standing to join his fellow Smackdown star. "No offense Eddie..but--"
"It's alright homes," Eddie shrugged it off, shuffling a deck of cards in his hands. "I can understand that you two don't wanna get beat by Latino Heat."
Cena only shook his head, "Yo, Orton..you comin' or stayin'?"
Randy raised a brow in response, and while he hadn't spent much time around Latino Heat..he knew of his antics. "I'll go with you two."
Eddie waved the three of them off, turning his attention to the two Diva's. "Okay ladies, the name of the game is five card stud..."
x
That was the last thing that John, Rey and Randy heard as they exited the lobby. And given, while Rey and John knew why they weren't participating; Randy had caught on quick enough. Added to that, when Torrie and Stacy returned to the area, John and Rey knew that it would take everything in Victoria, Stacy and Eddie to keep the peace. While the two Diva's had settled down a little bit, the underlying tension was always there and would always play a factor.
Cena sent a look back over his shoulder, then smirking wryly to the wrestlers on either side of him. "I hope they ain't playin' for money."
Rey chuckled quietly, "Dawn's pretty wise about Eddie's dirty tricks..it's Victoria who should worry."
"Naw," Cena shrugged it off, "Victoria looks like the type to kick his ass if he tried anything."
Randy nodded thoughtfully at that, "So...where are we going?"
Cena shrugged, "Dunno, how many places are there to go in a hospital?"
Randy rolled his eyes, "Well, did you find the gift shop? Or are your senses not that sharp?"
Cena scoffed, "Screw you preppy boy. I found it."
"Alright, reject thug.." Randy tossed back evenly, "Where is it?"
Cena rolled his eyes, "I am not a reject thug, I am the docta."
Rey shook his head at the two, "Then where's the gift shop..if that's where we're heading."
John puffed out his chest, "Up them stairs, around the corner." He gestured to a flight of stairs a few feet away. "I think the cafeteria's around there somewhere too."
Randy raised a brow at Cena, "And don't even think that counts for buying lunch."
Cena raised a brow in turn, "You cheated."
"No we didn't," Randy smirked cockily, "We didn't break any rules, and it's not my fault I'm taller than you."
"That was foul play, man."
Randy rolled his eyes, "Well neither of the judges ruled otherwise, so get over it. We won."
Cena shot the Legend Killer a disbelieving look. "Then I'm exercisin' the right to use a rematch clause."
"I don't think so," Randy stated with finality as the three entered the gift shop, "Besides..you'd hafta wait until my partner is ready."
"Partner," Cena snickered at that, his eyes roaming over the selection of stuffed animals. "So, tell me somethin' pretty boy, who's idea was it?"
Randy blinked, "What idea?"
Cena rolled his eyes, setting down a teddy bear. "You know...you're little stunt that y'all pulled outta Eddie's book? Cheat to win?"
Randy shook his head, perusing the magazines. "I don't know actually."
"Well ain't that sweet," John batted his lashes overdramatically. "Y'all ain't even together, and you're already sharing thoughts."
"Screw you Cena," Randy muttered under his breath, "Anyone with a brain would've figured out that plan."
"Yo, Rey.." John nudged the cruiserweight in the side; the two looking away from the display of balloons. "I think he's blushin'."
Rey remained silent, "Do you think Li would get mad if we got her something?"
"You know that redhead betta than us," Cena mentioned in reply, "So why don' you pick somethin'?"
Rey shrugged in response, looking through the rack of deflated balloons. "She'll take flowers, but only if they're daisies...and even that's a risk."
"What about this?" Randy held up a bear in his hands, "The t-shirt says.. 'here against my will'. The bear's got his arms crossed and everything."
Cena chuckled, "From what I know of Red? That'd work fine."
"And we'll get her a balloon too," Rey decided then, "That way she'll have something else to punch."
Randy smirked at that, "I wonder if they're done yet."
Cena raised a brow, a glint in his eyes. "Why? You miss your girl or somethin?"
Randy didn't bother to dignify the comment, knowing that no matter what he said..it would get twisted. Instead he set the bear on the counter; removing his wallet to pay. "Hey Rey..you think Lita will go for this Santa idea?"
Rey snorted, "No she won't. But..unfortunately for her, she'll be outnumbered."
"Great," Randy muttered then, setting a bill on the counter. "So, not only will she get pissed, but she'll more than likely have crutches to use against someone."
Rey smirked, "Just stay out of her line of fire, man..and you'll be fine."
xxx
By the time Randy, Rey and John returned; Dawn, Stacy, Torrie, Victoria and Eddie were still playing cards. And at the exact moment that they did set foot in the waiting room; Eddie was on the receiving end of a triple smack from the Diva's near him. Dawn looked over from the game, stating that Booker, Chris and even Tyson were on their way to the hospital. She also mentioned that they had received no word on the redhead's condition. At any rate, by the time Booker and Chris arrived; Stacy, Torrie and Victoria had been joined by Rey in the game of cards. While, Dawn took the opportunity to join Cena in some good natured ribbing of the Legend Killer. And finally, by the time Tyson joined the scene; the doors to the ER were swung open; Lita being pushed out in a wheelchair by one of the nurses. Another nurse handed the redhead a set of crutches, Lita scowling in spite of it all.
"Just take it easy over the next few days, alright?" The ER nurse smiled kindly, handing over a sheet of paper to the redheaded Diva. "And stay off those ice skates."
Lita forced a smile, balancing herself precariously before she got her bearings. "Well.." She trailed off, the Diva blinking in shock at the expanded group. "Um..hello?"
"Oh, they were meeting us all for lunch." Dawn stated matter of factly, "So, we just had them meet us here for the time being."
Lita raised a brow at the brunette, "And why were they meeting you?"
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Us..as in all of us?" She gestured to the group at large. "We were gonna have lunch before you, Stacy and Victoria had to leave."
Lita only shook her head, "So if we're all here.."
"Li?" Torrie stepped forward then, "What happened?"
The redheaded Diva rolled her eyes, "Mild ankle sprain..I hafta wear that stupid thing for a week." She nodded down to her sock covered, bulky right ankle. "They gave me a soft cast or something; plus, I've gotta use the crutches, ice it..blah, blah, blah."
Chris Jericho shook his head at the redhead, "Well at least it happened on break."
"True," Lita stated sullenly, "It should be better by the time RAW starts up again."
"Alright hop a long," Dawn sent her friend an impish grin. "Where do you want to go for lunch..and when is your flight home?"
"Flight information is my hotel room, mom." Lita rolled her eyes at the brunette Diva. "And I really don't care where we go, I'm starving."
Victoria raised a brow then, "So if we send you home..are you gonna follow the doctor's instructions?"
Lita blinked at the raven haired Diva, "Of course I will."
Victoria exchanged a look with Dawn, "I don't believe it."
"Me either," Chris snorted, "You've never listened before.."
"Yes I have," Lita protested instantly, "I followed all the instructions when I was out with my neck injury."
"That's because you had Jeff and Matt on your case," Chris stated, raising a brow at the redhead. "Without those two hovering over you.."
"I'm a big girl, I think I can manage Chris." Lita sighed, attempting to move forward. "Can we just go now?"
"Why don't you head back with someone else..or have someone go with you?" Stacy mentioned kindly, "I know it'd make me feel better."
Lita rolled her eyes, muttering about overbearing people. "Fine, fine..if it gets y'all to shut up."
"I'll go with you, or you can always come stay with me." Torrie offered first, the redhead's jacket draped over her arm. "I wouldn't mind at all."
Lita smiled appreciatively, "Thanks Tor." The redhead swung her crutches forwards then, "If you could all back up a bit, that would be helpful. Unless of course, you want me to hit you."
The sea parted, and Lita moved forwards..albeit at a slow pace. "This is gonna take forever," Chris Jericho groaned then, "Someone grab the crutches and someone grab the redhead."
Eddie stepped forwards first, gently grasping the crutches from under the Diva, and to no one's surprise she went falling backwards.
Cena smirked wryly to the rescuer. "I guess you'll be taking her then?"
For his efforts, Cena received withering death glares. "Take this please," Randy shoved the hospital gift bag in the Smackdown star's face. "Or we can trade."
"Naw, who am I to deprive you?" Cena teased easily as he accepted the gift bag, snickering as Randy adjusted the redhead so she could be comfortable.
Behind him, Booker T., shook his head. "Is it always like this?"
Dawn shrugged in reply, "Well, this is the first time that all of us have really been together, so..."
"Great," Booker muttered under his breath, "Is it too late to un-sign up?"
"Well..it would give us an odd number for the Se--" Stacy was cut off as Dawn elbowed her sharply in the side. "I mean, if you really don't want to..we'll understand."
"No offense, an' I'm sorry to hafta bail on y'all like this but.."
"No, it's okay." Stacy smiled sheepishly, "Besides, you were kinda half awake when you signed up."
Booker rolled his eyes, "Happy Holidayz." He waved over his shoulder at the group then, promptly exiting the hospital.
They all waved in turn, or at least most of them did. And after Booker had left, Dawn and Stacy dropped back. "You didn't hafta elbow me."
"Well, you almost blew it." Dawn hissed tightly, the brunette pausing to send Tyson a dazzling smile when he looked back curiously. "We can't spring this on her until later."
Stacy nodded in reply, gingerly rubbing her side. "Well still, now my ribs hurt."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "You'll live."
"Any requests for lunch?" Chris Jericho called back from his spot with Eddie and Victoria. "Gimpy doesn't care."
Dawn shrugged, "John, Rey, Randy, Tyson? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
"Wherever," Randy replied, leaning back against a lamp post. "Hotel might be easiset though, just get pizza or something."
"That's cool with me," John mentioned then, setting the gift bag in the redhead's arms.
"Whatever," Rey shrugged, "I'm just hungry."
Dawn turned expectant eyes to Tyson, "Well?"
Tyson shrugged in response, Dawn taking that as a sign that he was in general consensus with everyone else.
"We'll head back to your hotel then," Dawn mentioned to Chris, bringing out her cellphone to call cabs. "And order pizza or room service from there."
"Right, so what about our flights?"
"Call and exchange," Dawn stated nonchalantly, "Or if you still have your rental, just drive back or.."
"We can always start planning for the event," Stacy spoke up then, looking between everyone. "If anyone wants to head back with me, I've got two spare beds..plus the couch."
Lita nodded at that, "Speaking of which Stace, just how are you gonna accomodate everyone?"
"Um..we'll figure it out," Stacy trailed off with a shrug, "If it all comes down to it, people can sleep on the floor or double up."
x
At that, they all fell silent. Although, Lita wasn't crazy about the thought of sharing bed space or floor space with people, it could be done. At any rate; Victoria, Torrie, Eddie and Chris chit chatted amongst themselves, while Rey, Dawn and Stacy struck up their own conversation. Tyson meanwhile, all but resembled a statue at the back. And for their parts, John, Randy and Lita remained near the lamp post.
Lita rolled her eyes, peering down at the gift bag, "What is it?" She shot a look to Cena then, a suspicious brow raising.
Cena thumbed to Orton, "Ask him."
Lita blinked, "You didn't hafta get me anything.."
Randy shrugged in reply, "What can I say? I saw it and had to get it."
Lita raised a brow at that, but none the less a hand dipped within. "Cute," She smirked at the bear..and chuckled softly at the shirt. "It fits me...thanks."
Randy replied with a smile, while John chuckled softly into his hand. "The balloons are for you too." The Legend Killer nodded towards Rey and the bright bunch.
"Really?" Lita began dryly, "And here I thought they were just there for decoration."
Randy rolled his eyes at the Diva, not bothering to comment. And as the group waited for the cabs to arrive, Lita yawned; her head coming to rest lightly on Randy's shoulder. That in turn, caused John to drop away from the group; alerting Dawn, Victoria and Stacy to the latest development. Dawn could only shake her head, the four watching on as Randy discreetly watched the sleeping redhead. And by the time the cabs arrived, Lita was still asleep, and it was decided that those two take their own cab. Meanwhile, Stacy, Victoria and Dawn piled into one cab to plot; while Rey, Chris and Eddie took another. That left Torrie, John and a still silent Tyson with the final cab; the group on their way back to the hotel.
