TITLE: Ballroom Dancing.
AUTHOR: Cathie McMath.
EMAIL: penrithpanther03yahoo.com.au
RATING: PG 15 .
CONTENT: Heavy language.
SUMMARY: Lita makes Jeff a promise, and soon regrets it. Can she keep her promise and stay sane at the same time? Lita, Jeff, Christian, Chris Jericho, Trish and more.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing mentioned in this fic is mine. Damn, how I wish Jeff was mine, and I wouldn't mind Jericho and Edge and Christian either.. but unfortunately.. no. So.. don't sue.
DISTRIBUTION: Just email me first and let me know if you want it.
FEEDBACK: Always welcome. Except for flames. As long as you want to send lots of love and praise, then it's always welcome!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been far too long since my last update, I know. And I apologise immensely for that. Mostly, the reason for my lack of focus was due to an accident last month that stole away a very close friend of mine. A car accident where the driver walks away, but the passenger dies. It's taken me a while to start thinking properly again... and writing anything remotely coherent took even longer. I just want to thank everyone for their words of encouragement.. if not for them, I probably still wouldn't have finished this chapter.
Now onto the story! Enjoy, and be sure to leave me some feedback! I've forgotten what it looks like after all this time!
.........................
Throwing the heavy duffell bag, full of his wrestling gear, onto the wooden bench in the arena locker room, Jeff Hardy raised his leg, reaching down to tie the shoelaces on his runners. As he bent down, a few strands of hair fell forward into his eyes, still dripping water from the shower he had ten minutes ago. As he finished tying up his shoes, he swiped at the stray hair, brushing it back.
He took a quick glance around the empty locker room. Most of the other guys had already gone home by now. The show had finished a little over an hour ago. The only reason why Jeff was still at the arena was because his match was one of the last on the cards, just before the main event, and he'd pretty much taken his showering and getting ready after the match. Just needed some time to think, really. Tonight was going to be a big night...
"So, you're finally going out on a date with Miss Stratus, huh? Bet you're one happy little boy. I know I would be if I was in your shoes!"
Glancing over his shoulder at the voice behind him, Jeff saw the figure of Shawn Micheals smiling down at him. He turned around completely, facing the older man, an eyebrow cocked as he questioned him. "You know about my date with Trish tonight?"
Shawn was a guy that Jeff considered a friend in the locker room, but they weren't all that close at all once they stepped outside of the arena. When they talked, all they ever talked about was wrestling - what was going on at the moment, what some of their favourites matches were, what they would like to accomplish in the future. They never really talked about anything personal at all. It wasn't that they didn't like each other enough or anything... that was just the way the friendship was.
Shawn gave a playful shrug, his hair bouncing with the movement. Still grinning, he gave a slight laugh. "Hey, what can I say? Word gets around a locker room pretty quickly. There's no bigger gossipers than a bunch of wrestlers."
Nodding, Jeff gave a small chuckle. "True. Half of the guys here are worse than all the divas put together."
"You got that right." Shawn stepped back, taking a seat on a nearby bench. "So, tell me Hardy. You looking forward to tonight, or what?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I'd be crazy if I wasn't, right?" Jeff eyed the other wrestler, scratching at the back of his neck absently. "I've liked Trish for so long now..."
Shawn's grin widened. "And who could blame ya."
Jeff nodded, folding his arms across his chest. "She is stunning, isn't she?" He continued, "I've wanted to take her out since the day I laid eyes on her. So this is a really, really good thing. Dinner, dancing... a real date. With Trish Stratus. Yeah, it's a good thing."
Shawn's brows turned up in question. "Dancing?" Then, remembering details he had heard, he nodded at Jeff. "That's right... Red was teaching you how to dance in preparation for the big date, wasn't she?"
"Aw man, don't tell me that Lita giving me dancing lessons is going around the locker room too!" Jeff groaned, ducking his head. "That is definitely not something that I wanted all the guys talking about."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Jeff. Half the guys are lining up to ask Lita to teach them how to dance next!" Shawn let out a warm laugh, his deep voice ringing through the otherwise empty locker room. "They figure it's something they can learn to impress the ladies with, and hell, with a teacher like Red... who wouldn't want to sign up for a lesson or two!"
Jeff felt a strange sensation swirl around the pit of his stomach at Shawn's words. Images of Lita pressed up against guys like Chris Jericho, Edge, and Randy Orton, teaching them how to waltz, and foxtrot and... tango. He shook his head, clearing the flashing images from underneath his eyelids. "Ah, really? Well, don't you think that learning how to dance just for the sake of spending time with the teacher is a bit, you know, pathetic?"
Shawn began to reply, but was cut off by Jeff's terse voice. "Anyway, they'll probably end up being disappointed, because I'm pretty sure this was just a one time deal. You know, Lita doing me a favour and everything because she's my best friend. I don't think she has the time to teach anyone else, or would want to for that matter..."
His eyes narrowing slightly, Shawn studied the youngest Hardy brother and shook his head, puzzled by Jeff's almost defensive reaction. "That's just something I've heard, Jeff. I'm sure Lita would say no if she didn't want to teach anybody else." Still feeling the need to calm down the younger man, Shawn continued. "Plus, I'm sure half the guys weren't actually serious about it."
Jeff noticed Shawn's change in demeanour, from a playful manner to his now serious one. He realised that his reaction was slightly more aggressive than he meant it to be.
"Yeah, man, I'm sorry. I just.. I don't know," he picked up his gym bag, throwing the strap over his shoulder. "I must be letting the nerves about tonight get to me. I didn't mean to snap."
"Don't worry about it."
Smiling appreciatively, Jeff made his way towards the door, stopping at the sound of Shawn's voice.
"Seriously though kiddo - have fun tonight." Shawn's smile grew soft, and his eyes shone gently. "Not every guy gets to spend a nice, romantic night out with the woman of your dreams. Make sure you enjoy it."
The younger man nodded slightly as he stepped out of the locker room. Walking down the arena corridors, Jeff raked a hand through his hair, letting out a soft sigh. Shawn's last words had a strange effect on him. He felt... kind of wrong. He couldn't define it, or put a finger on it, but he just felt wrong. His stomach was turning and twisting in a way that he'd never really felt before... as he made his way towards the arena parking lot, Jeff guessed it had to be due to nerves.
After all, he was getting ready to go on a date with the woman of his dreams, right? The woman he had been chasing endlessly for months and months. They were going to a fancy restaurant for dinner, and then he'd impress her with his amazing dancing skills. He could see it now - he'd hold her in his arms, close and tight so that he could feel her heart beating against his own. He'd want to kiss her perfect lips so much, but he'd hold back. He'd spin her around the dance floor, moving so gracefully and smoothly, her fiery red hair twirling behind her...
Wait a minute.
Fiery?
RED?
Jeff paused in the cold parking lot, struck by the image that had formed in his head. Him dancing with Lita. Holding HER close, spinning HER around the dance floor, wanting to kiss HER lips... and he couldn't help but feel a warmth grow within him and consume his body as his heart began to beat faster, and slowly, an almost disbelieving smile appeared on his lips.
All he could think about was Lita. How gorgeous she was, how smart she was, how talented she was, how loyal she was... his mind was filled with thoughts of her. Suddenly, he could think of nothing else besides the redhead. And as strange as this abrupt realisation was, it made him feel good. And happy.
Resuming his pace, he stepped lively towards the car. His smile growing with each thought of her, he couldn't wait to get home and see her. To see her smile and her sparkling hazel eyes...
A vibration in the pocket of his jeans stopped him from entering his rental car. He dug into the pocket, pulling out his mobile phone. He looked at the screen, and there was a text message waiting for him.
Clicking on the button pad quickly, Jeff opened up the message.
LOOKING FORWARD TO TONIGHT, SEXY.
XOXO TRISH
Placing the mobile back in his pocket, Jeff let out a groan. In the midst of his thoughts of Lita, he had completely forgotten that his date tonight was with Trish, not the redheaded diva. Opening the car door, he threw his bag on the passenger side seat. It was just his freaking luck, wasn't it?
He finally gets what he's wanted for months... and then he realises he doesn't want it anymore.
Tonight was going to be interesting. He knew that much.
............................
Stacy Keibler ran her fingers through her hair, stretching out on the couch. She kicked her long legs up in the air, yawning with content. A slight smile played of her soft lips as she thought about the relaxing night she'd had... not having to work or even be at the arena. A rare night off. And not only did she have the night off, but she got to spend it with a friend. Speaking of that friend..."Lita?" Stacy called out into the kitchen, peering around the hallway corner. "Did you need any help in there?"
The redhead emerged from the room, two glasses in her hands. "Just grabbing us some refreshments." She handed one to Stacy, and sat beside her on the couch as the petite blonde shuffled over to make room.
"Thanks for inviting me over for dinner tonight, Li. It's been great, just chilling out here with you all night. Not something we get to do very often."
Lita shrugged, smiling at her friend. "Hey, both you and I got the night off. I couldn't just let that go to waste, now could I?"
She sipped at her drink, while Stacy flipped the channels on the television. Staring into her glass, Lita's smile fell. She didn't have the heart to tell Stacy that the real reason she invited her over was merely as a tool for distraction. Lita needed somebody here with her tonight, and that somebody just happened to be Stacy. As long as she had another living, breathing human being to keep her company and forget that tonight was Jeff's date with Trish...
It was no use. She couldn't forget. She would never be able to forget. Not when it came to Jeff.
Stacy turned to her friend, her eyes bright. "Hey! Jeff and Trish are going out on their date tonight, aren't they?"
Lita nearly threw up.
She took in a breath, and returned a soft smile. "Yeah, I think that's tonight."
"Oh, that's so adorable! Those two would make the sweetest couple, don't you think?" Stacy squealed girlishly. "Seriously though, it is nice to see. Jeff has been in love with Trish for so long now. Just chasing after her like a little lost puppy dog. It's great to see that now Trish has finally opened her eyes and seen what an amazing guy Jeff actually is."
Chewing her lip intently, Lita cast her eyes down to the floor. She didn't want to stop Stacy, in fear that she would ask her what was wrong. But she couldn't listen to this much longer. She prayed she would stop gushing about the 'adorable couple' soon.
"You know what? I think this has come at the perfect time for them both, too. Jeff's been after her for so long, so it's like he appreciates Trish completely. And I really think that Trish has reached that point in her life where she's had enough of all the pointless mind games that she plays with men, and just wants to settle down with a nice guy and -"
Lita clenched her teeth, trying to control herself. "Trish is a player. She always has been, and she always will be. Don't try to kid yourself into thinking she's anything else, Stace."
Eyebrows furrowing, Stacy sat back, shocked at her friend's harsh words. "Sorry, Lita. I just think maybe that Trish has changed, and with Jeff by her side -"
"I don't want to hear anymore about how good Trish and Jeff are together. Please."
Nodding, Stacy looked at Lita with narrow eyes. "Sure, sure." A slight pause. "I never knew you hated Trish so much."
Lita sighed at Stacy's words. She didn't hate Trish. Really, she didn't. The only thing she had against the blonde diva was the fact that she held Jeff's heart in the palm of her hand, and didn't really seem to care that she did. It was something that Lita had always wanted, and Trish had it. She had it, and that's why Lita resented Trish. But she couldn't bring herself to tell Stacy that. So she kept her mouth shut, silently willing the conversation to move on.
Sensing her uncomfortability, Stacy cleared her throat. "So, I bet you're at least happy now that you've finished teaching Jeff how to dance? I bet that was alot of easy fun." Her tone was playful, a smile on her face.
A small smirk, and Lita's entire face grew lighter. "It was frustrating, sometimes. During the first couple of lessons, he pretty much crushed my toes by stepping on them all the time."
Stacy let out a giggle at the image.
"And he was very self concious about how he was doing. I kept trying to tell him that he was doing fine, and that he was improving but.. he was very hard on himself." Lita sighed, her eyes focusing on a blank spot on the far wall of the room. "But the last couple of lessons, he was wonderful. He moved like silk, so smooth and graceful, yet powerful when needed. He moved with the beat of the music, connecting with it so much that it was like the music was alive when he danced."
Her gaze became unfocused, as her eyelids fluttered shut. Lita was lost in her own world as she spoke. "And he'd start to sing along with the songs we danced to, just little whispers falling from his lips as we moved. His arms were so strong, holding me close and I felt so safe and warm in his arms. I never wanted him to let me go. His fingers would trail over my skin and my breath would catch in my throat as I looked into his eyes and -"
Suddenly, Lita became aware of what she was saying. She took in a sharp breath, and her eyes flew to Stacy. The small blonde diva was watching her intently, her eyes full of compassion, realisation, and sympathy.
"Oh Lita."
Lita threw her head into her hands, knowing that Stacy now knew why she didn't want to talk about Jeff and Trish together. She looked up at her, her hazel eyes pleading. "Oh God, Stace.. I don't know what to do! I can't stop thinking about him. A week ago, he was here, and we were practising. We were dancing, you know, whatever... and I was trying to tell him that he was doing really, really well. But he just wouldn't listen. So I forced him to dip me, and I don't know what it was, but when we came back together there was just SOMETHING there."
"So maybe there is something more between you and Jeff?" Stacy questioned, her interest peaked.
"I thought so.. maybe. But then he got that call from Trish, and he said yes right away." Dropping her head, Lita let out a harsh sigh. "It was stupid of me to think that he'd ever want to be with me, when he could be with her."
Stacy rubbed her hand comfortingly down the redhead's back. "Lita... come on sweetie. Don't say that. Maybe, maybe Jeff just got scared about this new thing between the two of you."
"Or maybe Trish is just all that he can see." Lita glanced up at Stacy, her eyes shining with sadness. "And that's that."
A heavy silence hung over the room for a few minutes, until Stacy glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's almost six o'clock. I should be getting going soon."
A sigh. "Six. Jeff will be picking Trish up in about an hour." She swiped away some hair that fell into her eyes. "Well, I hope they have a good time..."
Stacy patted her friend's hand gently. "Did you want me to stay here a little longer? I can keep you company, if you want."
Lita shook her head. "No, no. It's fine, really. You go. I know Test will be waiting for you."
At the sound of her boyfriend's name, Stacy broke into a beaming grin. "Yeah. But I'll only go if I know you're going to be okay. I don't want you to be sitting here, wallowing in self pity."
"I promise I -"
Lita was interrupted by the shriek cry of the telephone. She reached over and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Hi Li. How are you?"
Her eyes flew to Stacy. She licked her lips anxiously, speaking into the phone. "I'm alright, Jeff. How are you?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Actually, I was, uh, I was wondering if I could drop 'round for a little while."
Frowning, Lita replied. "Don't you have to get ready? Aren't you picking Trish up soon?"
"I am, I am. And I'm all ready to go, really." A pause, and the sound of Jeff clearing his throat. "I just wanted to know if I could come have one more last minute lesson. I'm, um, kind of nervous still. And I just wanted to brush up on a few things before it's too late."
"Well, I don't know. Stacy's here at the moment and..."
"Oh, well, if you're busy.. then don't worry about it..."
"No, no. Sorry, it's fine. Of course you can come over. I'll be here."
"Thanks Li. You're an angel."
A soft smile crept onto her lips at the compliment. "I'll see you soon, Jeff."
"Be there soon."
She hung up the phone, and stared at it for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement coming from where Stacy was sitting. She turned to her friend slowly. "What?"
"HELLO! A bit of detail sure would be nice! What's going on? Is he coming over?"
Nodding, Lita ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah, he is. For one final lesson before the date."
Stacy's eyes shone as she smiled at Lita, her hands open in excitement. "Lita! It's perfect!"
"What is?"
"This! It's your chance to say something to him!" She danced around the lounge room in front of her friend, squealing highly. "You can tell him that you felt something between you two, and that you adore him, and that you're the one he should be with! It's perfect!"
"I can't say anything like that!" Lita said quickly, shaking her head. "I can't!"
Stacy nodded at her frantically. "Yes you can!"
Lita paused, in thought. Then she locked eyes with Stacy, her mouth agape at her sudden realisation. "Oh God!"
"What?"
A horrified look swept onto the redheaded diva's face. "That means he's going to be all dressed up and looking good when he gets here, doesn't it?"