Chapter 28: Aftermath

Once they finally got up to their room, Lauren ordered them both some room service for dinner. Batista simply sat on the couch and relaxed a little, trying to forget about the match earlier and focus on more important things. Such as the title match at WM21, and Lauren. He looked over at her as she leaned against the wall talking to the hotel kitchen ordering dinner for the both of them. Just thinking of her in danger made his blood boil. "Okay, thank you so much. Bye." Lauren said into the phone as she hung up. Then she turned to Batista, "I just ordered us both some pizza and soda. That okay?" she asked him. Batista didn't make a move to respond. Lauren looked at him curiously. "What is it?" Lauren walked over and stood in front of him as she placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked. Batista simply stood up and loomed over her. Before she could even ask another question, Batista wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately on the lips. Lauren was a little too speechless to respond in anyway. Except maybe to close her eyes and let him kiss her. Her arms fell limp to her sides as he continued. Once he pulled away, it took a moment for her to actually open her eyes. "Wow..." she panted. "What brought that on?" she smiled.

Batista just smiled back and stroked her cheek with his hand. "Just thinking about what happened earlier tonight." He lifted her wrist in his hand and soothed it with his thumb. "And the thought of him...touching you...hurting you. It just–" He couldn't continue as he kissed her wrapped wrist once again.

"Batista...it's nothing for you to be so worried about. I told you, I just tripped before. And during the match, I...he hardly...Batista please don't worry so much about me," she tried covering up with a nervous laugh. Batista didn't buy it, and gave her a stern look.

"Lauren, you know you can't lie to me," he told her. "I know it was HHH that hurt you ever since we left our hotel room for the show." Lauren couldn't think of anything to say to convince him otherwise, so she simply bowed her head and stared at the floor. Batista lifted her chin with his finger to have her look him in the eyes. "Why are you always so afraid to tell me if someone's hurt you?" he asked her.

Lauren felt tears building in her eyes. "Batista, you have so much on your shoulders right now. HHH and Flair fighting you, your title match at WM21, and the last thing you need is me making it worse for you by making you worry and lose focus on what will make you happy," she cried as the tears finally spilled. Batista simply cupped her face in both his hands and used his thumbs to wipe them away.

"Shh, it's okay," he whispered as he brought her to his chest. Lauren continued to cry as he held her closely to him tightly. "Lauren, I want you to listen and listen good," Batista started. "Don't you ever, EVER, think of yourself as a burden. You're more important to me than anything else. Title shots will come and go, but I want you to be here with me forever. All right?" he said looking down at her crying form. Lauren hesitantly nodded but didn't say anything. At that moment their food had arrived as Batista answered it himself while Lauren cleaned up her face. They set the table and ate in silence as Batista continuously watched Lauren eat her pizza quietly. "Lauren?" he asked.

"Yes?" she replied while simply looking down at her plate. Batista took her hand in his as she slowly started to look up at him.

"How would you feel about starting your training tomorrow?" he asked with a smile on his face. Lauren's face completely widened with shock.

"Are you serious?" she stuttered. Batista simply nodded while giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Training? But...your knee..." she started to say.

"We'll start with light exercises. Like stretches and stuff. So...you up for it?" Batista's response from her was her jumping from her seat and claiming his lips with hers. "I'm gonna take that as a yes," he smirked as he continued with his own 'response'. Once they pulled away, he noticed the light back in her eyes.

"I can't wait to get started. Do you really think I could do it though?" she asked with a little bit of insecurity.

Batista then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Kid, you stick with me and you'll be Women's Champion in less than a month," he said. Lauren just lightly hit him in the shoulder. "Ow! See? You're dangerous!" he laughed as Lauren joined him.

"Oh shutup! We'd better get to bed soon. I can tell you're really beat from that match, and you need to rest that knee" Lauren said as if she were a mother. She stood up and cleared the dishes while Batista watched her. Once she was finished she helped him into the bedroom. She changed in the bathroom again to allow him privacy, and so she could take a shower before him.

Batista heard the shower water running and smacked his own forehead. "How did I not see that one coming?" he cursed himself. After Lauren was done she walked out in a simple army colored tank top and shorts set of pajamas. Her wet hair flowed over her shoulders as she walked over to her side of the bed.

"You can go take a shower now," she said extra sweetly. Batista just stood up and limped into the bathroom. While he was in there, she couldn't help but start thinking of what would happen if she did get training. I could actually be in matches. Maybe even...Women's Champion. Yeah, that's it. This is going to be fun. She turned to see Batista walking out in his pajama pants and limping over to the bed. They both got under the covers and held each other, with Lauren's last thoughts about actually winning the Women's Championship. Batista's thoughts were all over the place as he continued to think about the events of the past few weeks, WM21, and becoming World Heavyweight Champion. He looked down at the sleeping Lauren and stroked her wet hair.

With all this crap involving HHH and Flair, she really needs to learn how to defend herself and get some confidence. Just like Evolution unleashed the Animal, I'm going to unleash the Vixen. Batista smirked as he fell asleep, knowing that tomorrow was going to be a good day, for both of them.

A/N: Howdy! Well, here's chapter 28! Still got many more to come. Now for those of you waiting for them to actually have sex, you're going to have to wait a few chapters. If you liked how I had their first kiss take place, then you can trust me with this. Okay? I promise not to disappoint you. (not on purpose anyways, lol.) Please read and review. I think I'm going to let the guessing game last up until chapter 30. Then I will declare if there is a winner or not. Sorry Sugarshanesgirl, it's not Kane. Great guess though, maybe I will have one of him in the future. I already have somewhat of an idea for a story about him. Thanks for the review :)