Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing mentioned. Title inspired by the song of the same name by Pat Benatar.
Spoilers: Nothing that isn't mentioned in the calender at WWE.com
Brief Chapter Summary: Lita's Birthday
Notes: Diva trade to happen eventually, and yes one of these updates will cover SmackDown. Just bear with me and as always, thank you to the reviewers :)
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Tsunami Resturant 6:05 p.m.
"Happy Birthday!"
The red head slapped a hand to her forehead, peering through her fingers at the arranged group in front of her. "I'm going to hurt whoever put this together"
Rey grinned stepping forward to kiss her cheek. "Feliz cumpleaños hermoso"
Lita flushed slightly, embracing her friend. "Good to see you here"
"Well?" Dawn grinned, gesturing to the head table. "Aren't you going to sit down?"
"Dawn" Lita smirked, shrugging out of her leather jacket as she stepped forward. "I could kill you right now"
Dawn held up her hands. "I didn't put the party together..I just helped."
"Happy Birthday" Hunter smiled politely, pulling a chair out for the diva.
Lita nodded her thanks, handing off her jacket to one of her friends as she sat down.
Hunter stepped forward, meeting Chris halfway. "You were right about that outfit." His sunglasses sheilded his eyes, but the playful smirk on his lips gave some clue to his thoughts.
Chris smirked, clapping a hand on Hunter's shoulder as he made his way to the table. "Well..Red." He grinned to the diva in question. "Since you didn't want a big deal made..only your closest friends from RAW and SmackDown are here"
Lita lifted a brow in question, as she looked around at the other tables. From the RAW roster: the collective of Evolution, sans Ric Flair who had business in Europe, Shane, Chris, Ivory, Tommy and Edge. From the SmackDown side: Shannon, Devon, Bubba, Spike, Rey, Eddie, John, Dawn and Rob. "You're all going to get it then..not saying a word to me." She sat back in her chair and was about to say more when someone interrupted her.
"Now now" Jeff stepped forward, with Lita's mom. "Is that really a way to kick off this shin-dig?"
"Jeff!" Lita jumped up, embracing her friend, before planting a kiss on her mom's cheek. "And yes it is" She wrinkled her nose. "It's my party"
"And no crying allowed" Tommy smirked from his spot. "This is supposed to be a happy, non violent fest."
Devon smirked. "You? Non violent?"
"If everyone is ready to eat" The head chef appeared in the door way. "Appetizers are served." He stepped aside allowing some of the busboys enterance. Carts rolled in, filled with gyoza, bowls of miso soup and assorted sushi and sashimi.
Lita's eyes lit up as the food was set before her, and with a grin she turned to the man sitting next to her. "Now this is a good birthday" She turned back to her food, but still addressed Jeff. "And when did you get here?"
Small talk continued through dinner and the gathered ate to their hearts content. Hunter had arranged for the cake and present part to happen here, one hour to sight see by limo and the big party to happen afterwards. Meeting them at the Dragon Room would be the rest of the party goers, which happened to be most of the RAW and SmackDown rosters. And with her cake now in front of her, Lita pushed back slightly from the table. The candles casting an angelic looking glow over the red heads face as she mulled over her wish. She met the gaze of Dawn before she closed her eyes, and with some assistance from Jeff and her mom all 29 candles were successfully extinguished. With that out of the way, and plates of German Chocolate cake in front of everyone, the fun part of presents began. With her last present opened..a gag gift from Tommy and Spike, the red head walked around the tables, embracing her friends and tossing a few friendly punches. When that had all been taken care of, the presents were gathered and the guests stood to make their exit. Under the pretense that they would just do a little club hopping to top of the night, they filed out of the resturant. However, before they left Lita's mom mentioned she needed to leave. She just couldn't miss another day of work but she had to be there for her daughter's birthday.
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"I just want you to be happy" Her mother cupped the diva's face in her hands. "Wrestling or not..I just want to see my happy Amy back."
She grinned in response. "I am happy momma. Very happy"
Her mother smiled, embracing her daughter before she stepped back, holding her at arms length. "Then stay that way and always follow your heart Amy"
She nodded, hugging her mom quickly before Jeff stepped up. "I can take her back to the airport..and drop off all your gifts"
"Thanks" Lita grinned to her friend, heading to the coat check. "I have a bag under Dumas."
"Wait up" Torrie, Stacy, Dawn and Ivory made their way over, with Torrie grinning to the red head "You have got to show off this outfit to the girls first"
Lita rolled her eyes playfully as the girls trooped into the bathroom. And when Lita emerged, dolled up in her tight and lowcut, leather pants and a cropped, lacy halter top, Dawn let out an appreciative whistle. "Steeling from my closet are you?"
"Blame her" Lita nodded to Torrie, turning around so they could see the detailing on the top. "Do I look okay?"
"Okay?" Stacy smirked, stepping forward. "You look amazing Li"
Torrie nodded her agreement. "You do..I told you it'd look hot"
Dawn stepped forward again, scrutinizing her friend. "You should get your naval pierced..you have the body for it."
"Jeff has been trying to talk me into it..but I don't know" Lita looked down at her stomach, resting her hands on her hips. "Anyway..let's get going. If we're club hopping I want to start now" She grinned, slipping on her shades before tugging her jacket back on.
Dawn linked arms with the red head as they walked out of the bathroom. "So tell me Li" She leaned in close to whisper with her friend. "I noticed someone couldn't keep his eyes off of you..care to explain?"
"I have no idea as to what you are talking about" Lita shrugged it off, looking around from behind her shades. "And even if I did? You aren't very specific as to who has the wandering eyes."
"Hmph" Dawn huffed, tossing her hair as they slipped into the limo they were sharing with the other diva's. "I meant Dave..Stacy tells me the two of you have spent quite a bit of time together."
Lita rolled her eyes, sinking in to the cushions. "Well duh we have Dawn. You know..Hunter asked me to join Evolution, so yeah it would make sense for me to spend a lot of time with them."
"I meant the two of you..as in no one else around."
Dawn raised a brow, slipping off her own shades. "San Antonio comes to mind and if you don't believe me, I have all of the pictures from the trip."
Lita made a face. "Friends Dawn..just friends" She leaned her head back as the limo took off. "So just leave it alone..alright?"
Dawn folded her hands in her lap, watching the red head as they continued on to the Dragon Room.
If her suspicions were correct..where did that put Hunter? Dawn was convinced Hunter had something for Lita, but apparently so did someone else. She frowned in thought, running over any possible situations or likely outcomes. Whatever the case, someone was going to answer questions by the end of this birthday night.
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Dragon Room. V.I.P. Lounge, 10:00 p.m.
Lita bit her lip, biting back her laughter as they entered the Dragon Room's V.I.P Lounge. From the tacky palm fronds, the pineapples lining the bar..she felt like she was in a scene from Cocktail. Just as she started humming the opening bars of Kokomo, the very song in question filtered through the room.
"For goodness sakes.." She shrugged out of her jacket, tossing it on the pile in the corner. "Now I know Dawn didn't plan this." With a wry smile, she picked up one of the coconut cocktail cups, sniffing the contents.
"Happy Birthday" Eugune smiled shyly from his spot with William Regal.
Lita grinned, making her way over to the two. "Thank you..and thank you for coming." She hugged Eugene gently, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Pretty" He ducked his head as she walked away, waving to her before he turned his attention to the palm fronds nearby.
Lita sat down on one of the cushy couches, coconut cocktail cup in hand overlooking the festive party decor. But, as she just started to drift away to her own thoughts, Hunter joined her.
He removed an envelope from an inner pocket in his suit jacket. "Happy Birthday"
"Isn't the party enough?" Lita lifted a brow in question, accepting the offering anyway.
He shrugged. "Just open it."
With a wry smirk, she lifted the flap on the envelope, removing a small printed sheet. "Hawaii? My birthday gift is a ticket to Hawaii?"
"Not just you" He leaned back resting an arm across the back of the couch. "Evolution..but if you feel uncomfortable with that arrangement..I can re-arrange this as a private trip for two."
She shuddered involuntairly. "Sorry, just a little cold in here." She quirked a polite smile. "Really though, I look forward to a trip with Evolution."
"Good" He looked her up and down, the corners of his mouth turning up in a sinister looking smile. "Your presence would be missed."
She nodded, sipping at her cocktail and watched the party goers. In one corner..a limbo game was already starting. "If you would excuse me." She set down her cocktail and walked over, joining the growing throng.
Tommy eyed her as she walked over, "You okay Li?"
"Just peachy" She smirked in response and pinched his cheek before she moved to the wall, leaning back to address the others. "When did the game start?"
"Few minutes ago" Rey stretched his arms over his head. "So if you want to join..let's see how low you can go"
She rolled her eyes, stepping in line with the remaining limbo players. And from the opposite side of the room, Hunter has now been joined by Randy, Stacy and Dave.
"Nice party" Stacy looked to Hunter. "I haven't seen Li this happy in a while."
"She deserves to be happy..and so does Dawn" Hunter plastered a smug smile on. "And I intend to make sure the both of them are well taken care of."
Dave raised a brow in question. "What does Dawn have to do with anything? Aside from the fact that she's one of Lita's friends."
"That is my business, not Evolution business" Hunter kept his gaze trained on the limbo game, where Dawn and Lita were currently cheering on Rey. "I'm going to leave it at that."
Dave shot a look of confusion at the man, but before he could question it further.
"Smashing party and all"
William Regal looked between the Evolution crew. "But, I'm afraid Eugene and I really must dash."
Hunter nodded, standing to shake the Brit's hand. "Thank you for attending Mr. Regal, Eugene..do give my best to your uncle."
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With the limbo game coming to a conclusion, the party goers mingled in the lounge, sipping cocktails and observing the downstairs dance floor. That was until, Lita decided she had enough of just standing around. Without a word to anyone, the red head slipped through the doors, grabbing her jacket and was off. She had just made her way through the doors, when she was joined by a few others.
"You really should say something before you go running off like that" Randy addressed her, taking Stacy's hand in his. "Or at least let someone know that you wanted to leave."
Lita glanced back as soon as she was outside of the Dragon Room, shrugging in response. "Just wanted some fresh air that's all."
"You at least could have said something." Dave walked beside her. "Believe it or not, people do worry about you."
Lita shook her head, walking down the sidewalk. "People like Hunter?"
"People like us" He slipped his hands in pockets, glancing sideways at the red head. "Randy, Stacy, Rey, Dawn, John" He gestured behind Randy and Stacy, where Rey, John and Dawn could be seen.
"You?" She looked back, then to him. "Or are you worried about me for Hunter's sake."
"Why do you always think that? Hunter didn't notice you left" He shrugged as they turned the corner in to the parking lot. "So what does that tell you?"
"I really don't know" She shrugged, tipping her head back to look up at the sky. "Aside from the fact that he's a creep?"
"Then tell him to back off, you've never had a problem doing that before." He looked down at the red head. "Or just tell him you don't want to be in Evolution."
"That would be pretty stupid" She smirked, staring straight ahead. "Saying no to an invite to your elite group? I'd be a fool"
"But if he still intimdates you" He kept his gaze trained on the diva as the others mingled behind. "Tell me honestly, how safe would you feel?"
She bit her lip in thought, before stating rather bluntly "Wouldn't be any different than now. Hunter and I have never exactly been the best of friends, and nothing has changed. Besides which, I don't trust many people."
"Which explains why you're walking with someone you barely know, in a large city." He smirked. "At night."
"Who ever said I trusted you?" She smirked, turning on heel to walk backwards and back to the Dragon Room. "I didn't ask for you to come out here."
"Well for one, I had to give you this" He removed a small, wrapped box from his pocket. "So, if we get this out of the way..I'll leave you alone."
She stopped in her tracks, accepting the offered package. "You didn't have to get me anything." She picked at the wrapping paper a bit, before opening it.
He leaned against one of the limos, watching her facial expressions as she opened the gift.
"Jewlry?" She raised a brow, looking at him in confusion.
"Naval rings." He shrugged, removing an envelope from his pocket. "Here's the card that goes with the gift."
She smirked, opening the flap. "Body piercing..interesting gift."
"If you don't want it, I can take it back." He watched as she stood next to him. "I don't think I'd look right with a butterfly naval ring."
She laughed, tucking the envelope in her pocket. "It might look cute."
He made a face, "I think it'd look better on you"
"Really now?" She turned, leaning sideways against the limo. "And if butterflies aren't my thing.?"
"There's a dragon one in there too." He nodded to the case still in her hands. "I consulted a few people."
"I'm impressed" She smirked, fiddling with the box in her hands. "Thank you"
"Not a big deal" He shrugged it off, "Friends..remember?"
She nodded, looking down at the case again before perching slightly on her tip toes to leave a lipstick mark on his cheek. "Guess we are" She smirked, running her thumb lightly over the mark, to remove the lipstick. "It doesn't match your clothes"
He blinked slightly, but shook it off and offered his arm. "Ready to get back to your party?"
"Ready to dance is more like it." She grinned, linking arms with him as they pushed off the limo. "But, I want to put this someplace safe first."
"I'll hold on to it." He held out a hand, accepting the case. "Just remind me later."
She nodded and the two re-joined the others as they walked back to the Dragon Room. "Rey was right you know" He nudged her gently with his shoulder. "Usted parece hermoso"
She raised a brow as the two made their way to the dance floor. "You think so? Or are you just saying that because you think it's something-"
He cut her off by bringing his lips to hers, drawing her lower lip between his as he pulled away. "That answer your question?"
The ghost of a smile graced her face as she looped her arms over his shoulders. "I'd say so."
He carressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Good, now maybe you can enjoy the rest of this party."
She brought a finger tip to the corners of his mouth. "I already told you, that lipstick doesn't match your clothes."
He shrugged, tipping his face down to kiss her once more. "Does it look like I care?"
Dawn shared a smirk with John as they watched Dave and Lita on the dance floor. But, looking on from the upstairs, Hunter had a look of disdain. When the rest of the party goers made their way downstairs, Hunter kept his distance, observing the pair from the bar. With his gaze flicking between Dave and Lita, and Dawn and John..Hunter remained quiet and contemplative for the rest of the night. Someone was going to pay, but not tonight. All in good time, they would get what was coming to them.
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Author speaking: I had intended on making this all one chapter, but I wanted to split it.. make it a tad easier. As for the behavior of a few, I needed to take some artistic liberty.
Translations,just simple things this time.
Rey: Feliz cumpleaños hermoso/Happy Birthday beautiful
Dave: Usted parece hermoso/You do look beautiful.