Disclaimer: Anything you recognize? Doesn't belong to me.
Spoilers: Eh, no.
Pairings: All worked out for plot purposes.
Summary: Are you prepared to face all of the consequences for the choices that you've made?
Notes: Nothing that hasn't been said already, but if people seem OOC in this fic, I'm factoring in some maturity..call it artistic liberty...enjoy. I am sorry for taking so long, just trying to work through my writers block.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and for everyone who has reviewed this story. I appreciate you all.
Chapter 34: A Deal with the Devil
It was the proverbial calm before the storm. The air around the breakfast table was thick with tension, the food before Stacy and John remained untouched. Dawn, on the other hand, sat back with a light air about her. In fact, the brunette was currently buttering a piece of toast. Dawn smiled crisply to her breakfast companions, requesting the strawberry jam from Stacy with a delicate tone. John and Stacy proceeded to watch, as the brunette Diva, liberally spread the red substance over her toast. And, no sooner had that task been completed did the brunette Diva turn inquisitive eyes to her breakfast companions. Stacy was now engaged in a stare down with the cup of coffee before her, while John was looking equally distant at the piece of toast on the plate in front of him. At that, Dawn Marie raised a brow, her intent hadn't been to put them at unease...or at least not one of them. Dark eyes settled on the blonde directly across from her, an elbow propping on the table; her chin cupped neatly in her palm. A coy smirk played across her ruby tinted lips, the brunette wrestler beside her inching closer to the window with each passing second. Dawn Marie waited until Stacy was at least looking in her general direction, a sculpted eyebrow raising when the leggy blonde's eyes finally locked with hers. But, rather than say anything now, Dawn waited. Noting happily that Stacy was growing uncomfortable with each passing second. The brunette was aware that John was equally uncomfortable, but he wasn't the one in trouble right now. At least not yet, and until Dawn determined that he was...well she would deal with it then. Whatever the case, Dawn waited and continued to wait; the proverbial game of cat and mouse playing out like a train wreck in slow motion. Stacy was effectively cornered, the usually confident blonde near cowering in the booth. John wasn't faring much better, but rather than making the mistake of direct eye contact; he kept his gaze trained on the stained glass window. Dawn brought her free arm up to the table, draping it languidly before her propped appendege. Manicured nails toyed with the stray strands of fabric on her sweater, the brunette Diva's eyes never faltering from their scrutinizing task. And as oblivious as he seemed at that moment, John was all too aware of the game that Dawn was currently playing. To put it in the simplest terms; it was an intimdation tactic. One that usually worked to the brunette Diva's advantage, and was clearly working now. Though Dawn was shorter than Stacy in stature, her overpowering demeanor more than sufficed for whatever she might be lacking. Finally it got to the point where one of the three had to break the silence, and John Cena was adament that it would not be him.
Awkwardly, Stacy cleared her throat, her eyes lowering to the cup of coffee before her. "Umm.."
Dawn tucked a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear, "You know..it's considered rude not to look at the person you're speaking to."
The leggy blonde's eyes snapped up to lock with Dawn's. "Sorry.." she murmered quietly, "I just.."
The New Jersey native raised an eyebrow, "Yes? Come now Stacy, just say whatever you want to say."
Again, Stacy cleared her throat. "Why are we here? I mean..you could be somewhere else right now, I could be somewhere else right now and-"
"You're right," Dawn conceded curtly, "All of us could have prior obligations, but..after what happened last night.." dark eyes shifted between Stacy and John before they returned to the female. "I thought it would be best if we all sat down and cleared the air a bit."
Stacy's brow furrowed, "What do you mean we? There is no we Dawn. At least not where you're concerned."
"I beg to differ," Dawn countered then, the New Jersey native finally leaning back. "There's as much we involved in this as anything. Like I informed you last night, it involves my best friend."
Stacy shook her head out of instinct, "Look..I don't know what happened between you and Lita, but that has nothing to do with-"
"With what?" Dawn cut her off, her eyes sparking with malicious intent. "It doesn't have to do with what Stacy?"
The blonde Diva bristled instantly, "Nevermind."
Dawn allowed a triumphant smirk, but it faded behind her usual facade soon enough. "Just understand one thing Stacy." The brunette waited until Stacy was looking at her again, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "The minute you decided to fuck with my best friend's relationship was the minute you asked for a death wish. I can, and believe me when I say, I will make your life a living hell if you decide to go through with that half assed scheme of yours. Blackmailing John will only come back to haunt you."
Stacy held the New Jersey native's hardened stare, "Then answer me this Dawn Marie...what's in it for you? Just what, exactly, do you gain from telling Lita?"
Dawn sat back with a huff, "And just why would I tell you?"
"Because the other person in Li's relationship is sitting right next to you." John offered shortly, "An' he would really like to know. Especially since I asked you last night and you refused to tell me."
Dawn waited a moment, calculated movements pushing her plate of untouched toast aside. "Like I said to her, Li's happiness is what I'm looking out for. That and, she deserves to know."
John shook his head, "I don't buy that for a minute Dawn. If Li's happiness means so much to ya, why can't you just wait an' let me tell her?"
"Would you?" Dawn turned her full attention to the wrestler sitting beside her. "Would you really tell her John?"
"You're damn right I would." John raked a hand over his hair, shifting so he was facing the New Jersey native. "You say Li's happiness is all that you're lookin' out for, what makes you think that I ain't, huh? She an' Katie mean the world to me. I love her."
The brunette snorted indifferently, "You could've thought about that before you-"
"Back up," John interrupted smoothly, "Do you or do you not, recall the person you talked to that night? Did you or did you not realize who's house you were standin' in?"
"Of course I remember," Dawn glared shortly, "But that's still no excuse to-"
"An' do you remember what you told me after you got back?"
Dawn shifted uncomfortably, "Yes.."
"Then think Dawn, how the hell was I supposed to take it? Knowin' that he was there, with her. Knowin' that he still wanted her."
The brunette Diva shook her head, "That's not an excuse John."
He gritted his teeth, "I'm not tryin' to use it as an excuse Dawn, but think about it. You coulda just told me where she was, hell, she coulda told me where she was. She coulda taken her cell phone with her, but she didn't."
Dawn's eyes narrowed instantly, "Don't you dare try and put the blame on Lita."
"I'm not." John exhaled slowly, his hands clenching and unclenching at his side. "But back to the question: What do you have to gain from tellin' Li?"
"I just.." Dawn faltered for a moment, before determination set in her face. "Lita deserves to know."
"An' I ain't arguin' that Dawn." John shook his head then, leaning back against the paneled wall. "I told you, I will tell her. I have all intent of tellin' her."
"And if she breaks up with you?" Dawn questioned quietly, gauging John's facial expressions. "What then?"
"Then she breaks up with me.." John shrugged his shoulders a touch, "I can't blame her if she does."
The New Jersey native nodded, opening her mouth as if to say more, before she shut it quickly. It was the truth, all she wanted was Lita's happiness. And honestly, she did think that John could do a far better job at making and keeping Lita happy than Randy ever had. That much was obvious to the brunette Diva, from her observations and interactions over the past years. When Lita was with Randy, even at their best of times, the redheaded Diva still held up her mask. Dawn had outright questioned at many points if the relationship was even worth the false apperance. And as she recalled, Lita's answer nearly had her fainting from shock. The former Diva had informed her that, she really did care for Randy...but she could never envision a future with him. Not that she was looking for it at that time, but if it all came down to it; Lita wasn't sure if it would work. Granted yes, with time they could make it work, but Lita didn't want to spend time making something work if she could find someone else. So instead, she dealt with it and hoped it would work out for the best with Randy. Shortly after, Dawn had re-introduced the redheaded Diva to John, noting rather smugly that the sparks flew from the get go. Granted, Lita practically ripped John's head off, but..it was the liveliest Dawn had seen the redhead in quite some time. The New Jersey native made it a point after that, to always include John when she made her trips to see the redhead. And not to her surprise, Lita and John had formed a fast friendship shortly after.
xxx
Minutes passed, the silence growing thick with tension again as Dawn held John's steel gaze. For her part, Stacy glanced between the two, taking tentative sips of her lukewarm coffee. It was then, that the blonde Diva realized she was only an outsider looking in. So why then, had Dawn asked for her to be there? Was it merely to torment and humiliate her? Or was the New Jersey native toting a hidden agenda? Stacy was well aware of the ramifications of both her plan and John's. If she could convince John to accept her deal, things would be somewhat easier..perhaps not for him but at least they would be for her. Was it underhanded and conniving? Of course it was, but in order for the long legged blonde to keep her sanity and relationship in tact; it was the only way to deal with things. At least thats what she had convinced herself of. Like Dawn didn't give a shit about her relationship with Randy, Stacy didn't give a shit about Lita's relationship with John. If they broke up, she didn't really care. John wasn't the objective here, her relationship was. But, if they went through with John's idea, the leggy blonde risked her already rocky relationship with Randy. Of course, John was on equally shaky ground, but again..that didn't matter. In addition to the two plans, there was the wild card in Dawn Marie. Stacy couldn't convince herself that Dawn didn't have an alterior motive. Yes, the brunette claimed she was only looking out for Lita's best interests, but when it came down to the bare facts; it really wasn't Dawn's concern. It had been Stacy and John's mistake and it was their problem to rectify. Dawn didn't factor into the equation anywhere, so realistically, she shouldn't even be sitting there across from her. But, Stacy also knew .. both from personal experiance and from Torrie's horror stories .. that Dawn Marie was a bitch. A manipluative, conniving and calculating bitch. However, just as Stacy was about to question as to why Dawn was there; the brunette Diva's cell phone beckoned.
How convenient.
"Excuse me," Dawn offered an apologetic smile to her breakfast companions..even if one was frosty.
Stacy waited until Dawn had left the table before she turned her attention to John. "Look, I understand that Randy and Lita need to know the truth but-"
"Then you don't understand." John cut her off shortly, "There is no way around it Stacy, they both need to know..an' the sooner the better."
"Why?" Stacy scoffed, "So they can toss us to the curb that much quicker? Are you really that eager to see Randy and Lita back together again?"
"An' what makes you so sure they'll get back together?" John countered instantly, "You that insecure in your relationship or somethin'? If Li breaks up with me, she breaks up with me. I'm ready for it. Shit, it'll hurt like a bitch, but .."
"Then hear me out, please." Stacy all but begged, "I want to work things out with Randy but I can't do that with Lita in the picture."
John let out a dry laugh, "She ain't in the picture Stacy...Katie's the one in the picture."
"Which, by default, puts Lita in the picture." Stacy folded her hands before her, resting them primly on the table. "Whenever Randy goes off to spend time with Katie, Lita will always be there."
"So, you expect me to lie to a four year old?"
"Why not?" Stacy began sweetly, "You and Lita have obviously been comfortable enough doing that since she was born."
John's eyes narrowed, "I don't hit women...I wasn't raised like that, but if you say somethin' like that again."
"And what about when Lita finally tells Katie the truth, hm?" Stacy's lips pressed together into a thin smile. "Where does that leave you?"
"Why the fuck do you care?" John spat out instantly, ignoring the looks they were receiving. "That is my life, not yours."
"But if Katie's view of her real father is tainted.." Stacy raised an eyebrow then, "It would make it that much easier for you...wouldn't it?"
John shook his head defiantly, "I ain't doin' it. I ain't gonna do that to Katie."
"So, one little four year old girl means that much to you? A little girl who isn't even yours."
"She's more my daughter than his." John stated coldly, "He had to have had some idea about her, he had to have some idea about where Li ran off to. That little fucker coulda asked me at any time."
"Or you could've told him."
"Or you coulda told him." John countered, "You were at the baby shower, weren't you?"
Stacy faltered, opening her mouth to respond when Dawn made a brief re-appearance.
"John?" The New Jersey native all but ignored the blonde Diva. "Li's on the phone."
John's face seemingly brightened, the wrestler eagerly welcoming the escape. "Hello?"
Dawn and Stacy looked on, the blonde Diva quickly averting her gaze as Dawn's eyes pinned her to the spot.
"Hey.." Lita greeted quietly, hazel orbs trained on the passing landscape. "How're you?"
He shrugged at the phone, making his way towards the exit. "I'm alright...how'd the campin' trip go? I thought-"
"I wasn't feeling well." Lita explained quickly, the former Diva shifting in the passengers seat. "Katie and I are headed back to Cameron with Jeff."
"I see.." John frowned, that meant Randy would back a day early as well. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I will be.." Lita stated on a whisper, "I miss you.."
A smile appeared at that, "I miss you too Li."
"Katie's sleeping.." the redhead mentioned before he could ask. "Otherwise, I would pass the phone over."
That warranted a chuckle, "Tell her I miss her.."
"I'll do that." Lita promised with a soft smile, though he couldn't see it. "Are you on RAW or Smackdown this week?"
"Neither actually.." John rubbed the back of his neck in thought, "Stephanie wouldn't tell me why, but she gave me the nights off."
Lita nodded, "So..after the house show tomorrow.."
"My ass'll be on the first plane back."
"Good." Her face faltered, and in that moment she was thankful he wasn't there. "Well..we should be in Cameron soon and I don't want to run up Jeff's phone bill..or Dawn's for that matter."
"Understood.." John trailed off as he re-entered the resturant. "I love you."
The former Diva winced, "I'll see you when you get home."
John waited until the dial tone met his ears, flicking the cell phone shut with a fluid motion. "Thanks Dawn.." he mentioned as he tossed the object over.
Dawn shrugged it off nonchalantly; inwardly pleased. "Don't mention it...you were the first person she asked about when I picked up."
John nodded, standing instead of sitting. "Dawn, can I talk to ya?"
The New Jersey native blinked, "Umm..sure I guess."
John waited until she had moved, tossing a look to Stacy. "We'll be back."
Stacy nodded, but glared openly at the two retreating figures. Things just weren't working in her favor. First, John was still against her idea, now it appeared that Dawn and Lita were patching up their friendship. Was their some conspieracy against her relationship with Randy? Or was she the only one who saw the threat that loomed? She had told John that Randy still loved Lita, and even if she didn't know if Lita returned those affections..that fact alone should've been enough for John to be on edge. So why was he so comfortable with his relationship on the line? Stacy knew that Lita didn't grant forgiveness that quickly .. or maybe she did now that she thought about it. After all, when she had her encounter with Randy all those years past, Lita had taken him back. The long legged blonde nearly growled in frustration at the unfairness of it all. She would possibly end up with nothing, while Lita had her options open.
xxx
Meanwhile, John and Dawn exited the resturaunt quietly, the two adjourning to the sidewalk. John was quiet from his recent conversation with his girlfriend, inwardly questioning the distance underlaced in her usually warm voice. He had a hunch that it had to do with the camping trip, and couldn't shake the feeling that it specifically had to do with one of the participants on the aformentioned trip. Usually when Katie and Lita went off for the weekend, they stayed the full weekend. And John had figured that Randy would've wanted to spend as much time as possible with the four year old girl. So, why the hell were they coming back a day early? For her part, Dawn was equally silent. Though, her temporary state was more due to the fact that Lita had called her...and the ensuing conversation. While the redheaded woman didn't tell her much, she did explain that she had come to a conclusion. One that she should've come to awhile ago, and that after all was said and done..she could only hope that John understood. Dawn realized then that, although Lita wasn't in love with John, perhaps with Randy out of the picture she would fall in love with him. Not that the New Jersey native wanted Randy to die or anything, he too deserved a chance to start his life over. But, Dawn determined, that his chance would be with Katie, not with Lita. Whatever the case, the two stood in their contemplative states of silence, the Diva leaning back against a nearby lamp post.
"Before you say anything.." the New Jersey native began, "I owe you an apology.."
John blinked, "Huh?"
Dawn rolled her eyes good naturedly, "For what I said last night..I.." she gulped uneasily, her eyes averting to her shoes for a moment. Apologies were not her forte. "You do make Li happy and I'd be blind not to see that. She's never been happier..since she and Matt were together anyway."
John nodded slowly, "Then why did you say it?"
"Because.." Dawn shrugged, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Stacy was right there and-"
John snickered, "So you're tellin' me, you said all that shit to piss off Stacy?"
"Kinda," The New Jersey native admitted reluctantly, "That and I was still hurt over-"
"Over whateva happened between you an' Li." John finished with a knowing smile. "Just..don't do that again."
Dawn all but beamed, "You have my word."
John nodded shortly, raking a hand over his hair. "Look..I just wanna know the truth here Dawn..what happened back home?"
The brunette Diva raised an eyebrow, "What happened when?"
"When you were watchin' Katie."
"Oh.." Dawn shrugged her shoulders, "Well..I'm sure Katie told you about the day we had..shopping and what not." She paused when John nodded in the affirmative, "And after that, Lita had to get ready for that stupid parent's night thing."
John cracked a wry smile, "I take it you don't like 'em either then?"
"Hell no." Dawn stated instantly, "When someone's that much more of a bitch than I am? Please, you've know me long enough."
"True that.." John shook his head, the good natured look falling quickly. "Did anythin' happen between Randy an' Li?"
The Diva blinked, should she tell him? "What makes you think something happened?"
John raised an eyebrow, "Aside from the fact that he was sittin' in my house?"
The New Jersey native nodded sullenly. "It's really not my place to say."
That registered quickly with John. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I don't know." Dawn lied quickly, "If something did happen ... then Li should be the one to tell you."
The West Newbury native nodded apprehensively, "Yeah..I guess."
Dawn bit her lower lip, wanting to say something but. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
The brunette Diva waited long enough to collect her thoughts. "What are you going to do?"
"About?"
Dawn fought back the urge to roll her eyes. "About Stacy? That bitch is still dead set on blackmailing you."
John shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't know..I mean, I hafta tell Li soon but other than that, I don't know."
The brunette Diva smiled, "Good..that's all I needed to know."
"Why do you ask?" John sent a curious glance to the Diva. "I mean, you said you didn't give a shit about Randy an' Stacy-"
"Which I don't."
"So, why do you ask?"
This time Dawn did roll her eyes. "Because, I figured you'd rather have the nice me to deal with than the vindictive me.."
John's eyebrows rose at that, "An' just what is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it means.." Dawn smirked then, licking her lips in thought. "I meant it when I said that all I want is Lita's happiness..she's been through so much shit, she deserves at least this chance."
"Go on."
"I also meant it when I said that, the moment Stacy fucked with Lita's relationship..was the moment she had a death wish."
John backed away, eyeing the brunette Diva wairly, "An' just what are you plannin' to do?"
"Nothing major.." Dawn replied breezily, at his still apprehensive look she added: "I promise it won't do anything to harm your relationship with Li."
"I don't doubt that," John stated in an instant. "But, you have that look .. that there's hell to pay look."
"That's because there is." Dawn smiled sweetly, "Stacy needs to learn who not to fuck with.."
At that declaration, John chose to stay silent. Really it worked out to his advantage, with Dawn handeling Stacy so to speak..the blonde Diva would have her hands full. Not that he readily wished that on the blonde, but it would help things..if only marginally. He knew that, there was a long and rocky road ahead where his relationship with Lita was concerned, and having Stacy distracted would help things a little. Of course, John was completely oblivious to whatever Lita had to say, but since he didn't know; all he could worry about was what she would say. More like how she would react to the news and John had a feeling that the former Diva wouldn't take the revelation lightly. Still, the guilt plagued him and he knew he had to tell her. Besides, there was always the slight possibility it would bring them closer. After all, he was being truthful and upfront with her. That had to play into somehow, right? Whatever the case, he and Dawn returned to the booth after their agreement. And as they returned, John couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for the long legged blonde. If he knew Dawn, and he did, there certainly would be hell to pay.