Author's Note: I've started to have mixed thoughts about what to do with this Evolution angle, and I've rewritten certain parts of the chapter, so sorry if it seems a little choppy. I watched SD yesterday, and all I had to say is damn Brock for ruining my story! But now I think I just may figure it into the story. Shoot me now; I've planned eight chapters after this. Knowing me, it'll change and it'll be worthless. Anyway, thanks to all of the reviewers! I finally made it to 20 chapters and 50 reviews! Keep reviewing please!
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Dangerous Business
Chapter XXI
RAW
10:35 P.M.
Nobody had missed the mood change in some of the wrestlers. All of the stagehands treaded carefully, never mentioning Evolution or Liz for fear someone overhearing. They made it a point to avoid most of the wrestlers instead of ogling and mingling with them. Most of all, they avoided Evolution. The sight of the frequent looks passed between Randy and Liz, the quick, stolen kisses when Rick turned around were enough to make them sick. Had the Liz that would talk to them every once in a while to make them feel at ease around her always been like this? Had she always been this conniving, contemplating Diva? The first stagehand that had approached them to give them their locker room number had left insulted and humiliated. And it wasn't just the stagehands that were in the mood to wish for the old Liz back. A number of people were angry and confused. Austin… Well, Jeff had gone to see what he made of it, and had walked out of the locker room, stunned by what Austin had said. Austin had complete faith that his daughter wasn't completely aligning herself with Evolution. When Jeff asked why, he replied that she was his daughter. Jeff couldn't force himself to believe Steve through his own confusion. Matt was furious, Lita and Dominique were depressed. Edge, Brock, and Chris were still shocked. But they all held on to the vague hope that it would work out in some way. Liz wouldn't check her voicemail, and her box was full. Some of the wrestlers tried to approach her, but the Evolution locker room door was under lock and key. Even Coach couldn't get a word to her, or any others of Evolution. Her recent 'switching of sides', however, had led to a nasty exchange of words between Matt and Rob before RAW had started. The replay was currently playing on the monitor in the Evolution locker room, where Liz sat, watching the monitor with peculiar interest. Randy and Rick were absent, having gone to get some food.
Matt had been wandering the hallway, on his way to the locker room he and Jeff shared, when he had run into Rob Van Dam. For a second, Matt stared at Van Dam, his eyes boring int9o Rob's, who refused to look away.
"You were right," he had said simply, regarding RVD carefully, "Liz is a bitch." Her upper lip curled at the insult, not expecting much from RVD, much less expecting for him to defend her.
He chose his words carefully, "I never said that she was a bitch," he paused, "Come to think of it, I've never talked to you before… And for a good reason."
Matt sneered, his face twisting into the ugly expression. "But you thought it. And I'm sure you called her worse then that." Rob sighed heavily, annoyed, pushing the sliver of anger off of his face.
"Actually, Matt, I haven't," he cleared, and lifted his eyebrow at Matt, "And why are you so quick to insult her?" Matt gaped at him for a second.
"You saw what happened on Thursday, didn't you?" he huffed, "She betrayed me, she betrayed her family, and she betrayed her friends. She's an underhanded bitch."
Rob fought to keep his hands from moving from his sides and attacking Matt, "Are you so sure that she betrayed you?" he asked calmly, "A few people don't seem to think so."
Matt scoffed, "They're wrong. Did you see her today? She was all over Randy Orton. Her enemy." Rob lazily studied Matt before replying.
"Apparently they aren't enemies now," he corrected dryly, and Matt fumed.
"Well, obviously, you idiot. Why else would she be acting like such a slut to him?" It was lost on him that Rob's fists clenched suddenly, and he took a suggestive step forward. Matt met him halfway, their noses inches away from touching. He sensed the other man's protectiveness about Liz, and almost laughed it off. Instead, he opened his mouth for another insult. "I mean, it's Randy Orton she's begging to jump in the sack with," he let out a low chuckle, "And I thought she had bad taste when she was dating you!" Rob lunged for Matt, not really caring that his actions would later make a few questions arise that could endanger the lie he'd created. Moments later, Matt lay, his hands pressing against his forehead as he blinked at the lights. Rob was no where in sight.
Liz blinked at the monitor for a second, watching as King and J.R. made their comments, but not really listening. Willow's words shot back at her, but she ignored them, the look on Rob's face as Matt threw useless insults at her. The brunette bit her lip carefully as the match between Chris Jericho and Test started. With a pang of guilt, she noticed that the Canadian's attention wavered while the announcers commented on what happened.
As the latch in the door turned and opened, Liz jumped up, facing the door to see Randy and Rick. She forced a smile in return to theirs.
"What took you guys so long?" she asked.
"Ran into your cousin on the way here," Randy sounded amused, "He demanded that we let him talk to you," he let out a small laugh, briefly reminding Liz of Matt, "We reminded him that we're stronger and better then him," he cracked his knuckles with an arrogant smile.
"Serves him right," Liz said half-heartedly, "Run into anyone else?"
He looked at her curiously before answering, "Nope. The rest didn't notice us or just left us alone." Liz nodded, sitting cross-legged on the couch as Randy sat down on the cushion next to her, automatically setting his arm around her shoulders. "But we did run into McMahon." He looked over to register her expression as he added, "He seemed pretty mad that you 'interrupted' daily flow of the company because so many people are distracted, plus the fight that broke out between Rob and Matt. Matt, apparently, has a concussion."
"Interrupted the way things work in the company?" Liz asked unbelievingly, "I mean, come on! That is what we're supposed to do! The little bastard is just trying to do me under."
"I wouldn't call him little…"
"The point is," Rick said, cutting off Randy, "McMahon made us a match. He said it's going to be Evolution versus Matt, Edge and Trish. Your would-be friends," he added unnecessarily.
Liz scoffed, "Matt, I argue with him all of the time. He hates me; he just tries to hide it for the rest of them. Trish, I never really trust her – I mean, I figured Jeff was the next in line."
"At any rate, you better get ready for the match," Rick replied. Liz nodded, heading for her stuff, but Randy firmly gripped her arm. He held up a white bag and set it in her lap.
"We took the liberty of stopping by to pick up a little present for you," he made a face, "Now, we can't have you tramping around in baggy clothes," Liz would've laughed if it'd been anybody but him saying that, referring to her old clothes. "So here's what you're going to wear from now on."
Liz smiled, kissing him on the cheek and giving Rick a hug before heading into the bathroom to change, "Thanks, guys," she said before disappearing into the bathroom. Randy simply tore off the sweat pants he'd worn to the arena, and finished putting the rest of his gear on. Rick, however, had to wait until Liz got out. When she did, both men registered their expressions openly. Randy fought to keep his jaw from falling, and Rick couldn't keep the smug look off of his face. She twirled around to emphasize the outfit. "How do I look?" she asked, which had a completely obvious answer. Rick smiled as he went to change. Randy simply walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"You look gorgeous," he said as they looked to the mirror in front of them. Ignoring his answer, she studied the outfit. It was a skimpy tube top and a pair of short-shorts with a zipper up the front, all in a pine-green color. She tilted her head up, wrapping her arms around Randy's neck and pulling him down for a kiss.
Rick walked out of the bathroom, amused by what he saw, "I just can't leave you two alone for one minute, can I?" Liz laughed as they broke apart, her eyes twinkling shamelessly.
"I think you know the answer to that one," she replied.
"Your match is up next!" a stagehand squeaked through the door. The three smiled, exchanging a handshake as they left and walked down the hall.
"Ready to kick some serious ass?" Randy asked, stretching his arms out. She looked down at her title for a second, and looked up, an evil glint in her eye.
"I was born ready for this," she responded, closing her eyes briefly, shouldering away any thoughts beside the match.
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Liz didn't force an expression as Randy tagged her in, just focused her attention onto Trish, who was lying in their corner of the ring, reaching for Matt or Edge. Randy and Rick had choose to separate Trish once they got the chance. Matt was worn down, but Edge hadn't come into the ring yet. Liz grabbed a handful of Trish's hair, picking her up and delivering a backbreaker. Trish cried out with pain, flopping down to the mat uselessly. Liz didn't stop her assault, tugging Trish to her feet every time, snapping her to the mat with a face-breaker, a German Suplex, and a Downward Spiral. She forced Trish onto her knees. Liz pressed her knee into Trish's back – the place they'd been working on, grabbed her hands, and pulled backward. The Canadian Diva let out a howl of pain. Liz held the move until Matt rushed through the ropes, savagely kicking her in the gut to force her to break the hold. Liz immediately picked up Trish, and performed a Twist of Fate, stopping only to taunt Matt. Placing her boot on Trish's back so she couldn't crawl to Edge, Liz looked to Flair and Randy to realize that Randy had disappeared. She quickly stood Trish up, slamming her into the turnbuckle. Soon Trish stood up, bent over as she regained her breath. Liz hit the ropes, dropkicking Trish in the forehead, sending her skidding across the ring a few feet. With the snap of her boot to Trish's face, the ref didn't hear Randy crack the steel chair over Edge's skull on the outside. Matt, however, tried to splash Randy, but Randy slammed the chair into him mid-air. The ref turned to see what happened, and Randy fell to the ground, playing along. As the ref yelled at them, Liz caught her title that Rick tossed her and bashed Trish over the head with it. As she pinned Trish, the ref counted it.
"1…2…3!" he raised Evolution's arms half-heartedly. Randy and Rick passed a smile, tossing the ref out of the ring. They yelled something to Liz, and she slid out of the ring, grabbing a steel chair. The other two grabbed hold of one of Trish's arms. Liz slipped into the ring quickly. Her eyes traveled to Trish, who was begging for her not to do it. Her grip tightened on the chair, blinking away the sweat that had gathered on her eyelashes. Trish struggled, her eyes never leaving Liz's. A slow smile spread across Liz's face, and Trish dropped her head, accepting the punishment as her stomach did unnecessary flips. She glanced up at the sickening crack of flesh and bone bruising against steel. Suddenly, she was free. Looking to her left, she saw Randy laid out, a thin line of blood trickling down his forehead. Trish crawled backward as Rick charged at Liz. She grinned recklessly, fire burning in her eyes as she sidestepped his punch and crashed the rim of the chair into his upper back. Randy struggled to stand. Keeping her momentum, she swung the chair around to crack into Randy's face. He fell unceremoniously, and both members of Evolution somehow found the strength to roll out of the ring. Liz took a quick glance at Trish before demanding a microphone, the crowd's happy roars pounding against her skull. She lifted the microphone to her mouth.
"Did you really think that I would join you two in Evolution after all that you've done?" she asked, looking amused as Rick and Randy stumbled up the steel ramp, leaving behind splatters of blood. "Hunter tried to ruin my career. I put him out for four months," she added, "You two attack my best friend, my cousin, and my sister last week." She leaned forward, "And if you lay one more hand on any of my friends or family, I'll put you out, just like I did to Hunter." Rick shouted something at her, and she continued smiling, not caring enough to decipher what he just said, just looked triumphantly at Randy Orton, who knelt down on the ramp, clutching at his bloody forehead. She tossed the microphone to the mat, and helped Trish up, raising their hands in victory. Trish gave her a quick hug. Liz turned back to Randy and Rick as they exited.
"I'll get you back for this!" Randy screamed. Liz just smiled, ignoring him as she relished in the cheers of the crowd.
She really should've paid more attention to that comment.
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Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed this! Please review!
LittleKnux2008
In the next chapter…
--Rematch for the Women's Title
--Start of Evolution's Payback
And a few other things…
Dang, I sound like a commercial guy! Anyway, please review and thank you!