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 Summaries: Next few chapters..from Wed. 4/21 to Sun. 4/25 will cover Hawaii.
Notes: see the Story Recap for anything that is withstanding. And..even if it is raining where they are..perfect weather dagnabit. Re-arranging things slightly. Thanks to my lack of time sense, Stacy/Randy segment for time purposes happens today; split chapter to cover both couples.
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5:45 a.m., Thursday, April 22. Wailea, Maui.
"I am not moving from this bed, unless someone is on their deathbed" Lita opened an eye. "So go away"
"Hunter'll put us on our death beds." Dave tugged at her arm. "Come on."
She buried her face in the pillow. "What time is it?"
"5:45" He sat on the edge of the bed. "We meet with our instructor at 6:15"
"And you're waking me up now?" She turned her head to the side. "I have a good fifteen minutes to sleep before I even think about the process of waking up. And who's bright idea was it to schedule lessons at 6:15 in the morning?"
"The instructor's..according to the note tacked to the door ten minutes ago, this time of day is best." He stretched out at the foot of the bed. "We'll be with this person until about 10:00, surfing and maybe windsurfing. Then we have a break to finally eat, before we're off for the other side of the island."
"Lovely" She mumbled some not so nice words under her breath "And who's bright idea was it to wake me up at 5:45?"
He shrugged, glancing over to her. "Sunrise is due in fifteen minutes."
"Wake me up in fifteen minutes then." She turned her face back to the pillow. ".. and not a
minute before that."
***********
He shook his head, quietly agreeing with her request, and while she was capturing what minutes of sleep that she could, he watched. Not in the sense that a predator would it's prey, but in the sense that an artist would it's muse. With a low sigh, he sat up, keeping his gaze trained on the sheet of red, spilling over the pillow case. He watched the small of her back, rise ever so slightly with each breath, the way her muscles would tense when she felt the least disturbed. For, even though they had known of each other for three years, it was just now that he was finally getting to know her. He had met her before, but back then they weren't really the best of friends. Worst of enemies would be the best way to describe it. And of course, back then she was with the Hardyz. But then, when they were both back on the roster..late Fall of last year; it almost seemed as if nothing had changed. However instead of the light hatred they had parted ways with previously; there was just a sense of indifference. A slight smirk crossed his face as he recalled one of the encounters between Lita and Hunter; he had stood right there next to her..listening on as Hunter taunted, teased and went about in his usual manner. Even then, the two were nothing more than just co-workers. She had her circle of friends and he of course had Evolution and all the perks that came along with it. He tore his gaze long enough to flick a glance to the digital clock next to the bed..5:55 it said. When she shifted, her head turning to the side..he stood and moved to the chair facing the bed. With his hands bridged on his knees, he watched as the corners of her mouth turned slightly to a frown. He closed his eyes momentairly, recalling one of the better encounters they had. Well, it hadn't really started out better for her..but in the end they had at least buried the proverbial hatchet. It was the day that Matt came to RAW, ,.she was a mess, only a shell of the vibrant force that had been in the ring the week before. And later, they had run into her in the back. But, instead of degrading her as Hunter had done..he said nothing. At least nothing that could be heard, instead he had let his eyes do the communicating. And despite the fact, that she looked nothing like the fiesty red-head that graced the pages of the Diva's magazines; she managed to smile. When he opened his eyes, and checked the clock which was now reading 5:58..there was that same smile. It was really just a ghost of a smile, one you wouldn't notice unless you watched the person very closesly. But it was still there, just as it had been five months prior.
***********
10:00 a.m. en route to Lahaina
"Aside from the crash and burn" Lita smirked, reaching back to braid her hair. "Surfing was pretty fun."
"Speak for yourself" He frowned slightly, removing his wraparound sunglasses. "I lost my favorite pair of sunglasses in that ocean."
"Well maybe you'll learn" She teased, securing her hair. "And it's just sunglasses..buy another pair"
He brought his voice up a few pitches. "Maybe you'll learn" He rolled his eyes, pulling lightly on her braid. "You ready to para-sail..Pipi Longstocking?"
She stuck out her tounge, pinching his nose. "You keep that up and you're parasailing on your own."
"Yeah yeah" He sat back in his seat, slipping his sunglasses on. "I can't wait to see the rainforests."
"That should be fun" She shrugged, stretching out on the seat. "But I've heard there are better rainforests in Central America..I'd love to see Costa Rica or Belize"
"I'd like to go to Peru myself" He eyed her from behind the sunglasses. "What's your favorite place to visit?"
She let out a breath, "Oh gosh..I love Praugue, New Orleans is okay..Manhattan for it's shopping" She shrugged, looking back at him. "And there are plenty of others..you?"
"Home..D.C. really" He crossed his arms, staring straight ahead. "Athens is nice too, and Monterrey was fun."
By the time they reached Lahaina, they had covered favorite foods, pets, siblings and other odds and ends. Now, with both safely strapped in for the paragliding bit, they had three more stops before meeting up with the others.
***********
11:30 a.m. Hana
"What are we doing here?" She tugged her tank top over her head. "And how long will we be here?"
"We're going to explore the cave with our guide" He nodded to the guide in question, "And then we'll be taking a short hike through a rainforest, lunch at the waterfall..maybe some cliff diving."
"Then we go snorkeling? Or kayaking..right?" She tossed the tank top back into the van, re-adjusting her bikini top.
He nodded, tugging a backpack on. "Are you wearing that to go hiking?"
She raised a brow "What's wrong with my bikini?"
With his shades sheilding his eyes, he played it off easily. "Absolutely nothing..but you might want to save that look for the waterfall."
"Well" She stuffed her hands in her pockets, moving behind him. "I have another tank top in here" A quick zip and a few seconds later, a fresh tank top was in fact in hand. "Which means..you have my bag."
He smirked. "Does it have your name on it? Or should we ask Vince to get us bags that say his and hers?"
"Dork" She punched him playfully. "You can carry that..for now"
"I feel honored" With a shake of his head, he started off; her hand grasped loosely in his. "And why are you wearing my watch?"
She shrugged before stating rather matter of factly "Because you didn't put it on"
***********
With the cameraman following and the guide conveintly out of the picture; Dave and Lita trekked through the cave. A few smart remarks later, a word of warning not to lose the watch and they were safely out of the cave and on their way to the rainforest. Both were assigned to trek through the trees and through the bush, Lita making a face when she was told to act 'helpless'. And finally, with that out of the way; they found themselves enjoying lunch at the waterfall.
"I am so not going in that water" She nibbled at the sandwich in her hands. "Waterfalls, bikini's and I do not belong in the same sentence."
He grinned, taking a sip from his water. "What about skinny dipping?"
She slid her wraparound shades up, raising a brow. "With you? Puhlease" She smirked, resting her palms flat on the rocks. "Besides which..there's a camera around and I am not baring all for the fans of WWE."
"That so?" He popped a chip in his mouth. "So..if there were no camera's around..would you?"
"Is this taking a relationship slow?" Her lips pressed into a firm line, though the twinkle in her eyes hinted otherwise. "I am not at liberty to answer your question..pervert."
He wiggled his eyebrows, gesturing with the sandwich in his hand. "I'm holding you to that"
Her face reflected innocence. "Holding me to what?"
"Oh..nothing" He took a bite from the sandwich. "We are going to the Bahama's in a week you know."
She rolled her eyes, sitting forwards to reach for a strawberry. "Yeah yeah..keep dreamin'"
He coughed into his hand, snatching the strawberry she was reaching for. "Anyway..since we don't have to be on camera tomorrow, what are your plans?"
"Not sure actually" She shrugged, sipping her water. "Why?"
"We could spend all day in Moloka'i..just take the ferry or whatever" He set the strawberry in her hand. "What do you say? Just the two of us"
She nibbled the strawberry thoughtfully. "I'd like that actually..give's me another excuse to get away from Yenta"
He cocked his head raising a brow in question as he moved closer to her "Yenta?"
"Dawn" She shook her head, leaning into him. "Every minute I'm around her.." She mimicked Dawn's voice and facial expressions. "How are things with Dave? Have you had your second date? I told you this would work out" She tsk'd slightly. "Every guy, doesn't matter if we were dating or not, but every guy that I've spent a fraction of time with..there goes the Spanish Inquisition from her."
He laughed, bringing her gently on his lap. "How long have you known her? And more imporantly." He brought his arms around her waist, "What do you say?"
"I met her when I started in ECW..which was in '99." She chewed on her lower lip, running a hand up and down his arm. "As for the other part? Why should I tell you"
"Why?" He rested his chin on her shoulder. "Curious..I guess." He released one arm, keeping her firmly in place. "So? What do you say? Are things good?"
She smirked, examining her nails "You haven't given me a good reason"
"That's what you think" He grinned, tickling her side with his free hand. "Come on..what's the big deal?"
"Well" She bit her lip to fight the growing laughter in her belly. "If you'd stop" She pinched at his arm. "Then I'd tell you" With a fidget and a jerk, she managed to gain some control. "So stop" When he stopped, she huffed. "I see you've been talking to Jeff"
He wrapped his arms around her again. "So tell."
"You are such a woman" She giggled, "But in my exact words to her..no we have not had our second date, shut up about things working out." She shrugged non-chalantly picking off a blade of grass. "Happy now?"
"No..you left out the first one." He picked her up in his arms, shifting her so they were face to face. "Honestly..are you happy?"
She let out a breath, toying with the blade of grass. "Am I happy.." Her eyes closed as she collected her thoughts. "Honestly? I think it's still too early to say..I mean yeah, we've spent a lot of time together but we still don't know each other that well. But..so far" Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his concerned gaze. "Yeah..I'm happy."
He let out a breath, resting his forehead against hers. "You had me scared for a minute there.."
She let out a slightly blitter laugh. "This coming from someone who could have anyone or anything he wants"
"Until now.." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I can still have anything..but I don't want just anyone." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And yeah..maybe it is still early, but for what it's worth, I don't want to lose what we might have."
She smirked, rubbing her thumb along his jawline. "You make this sound like one of us is dying..but I agree with you." She tipped her face forwards, bringing her lips to his. "We should probably get going."
He nodded slightly, bringing his face back. "On one condition..will you walk me out to the ring?"
She made a face, attempting to move but his grip around her waist prevented her movements. "If you'd like..sure"
With a light grunt, he re-arranged her in his arms, standing up. "You aren't walking anywhere until I hear a definite yes or no." He grabbed the backpack, heading for the van.
"You big beluga" She squirmed. "Fine..yes I'll walk you down to the ring, now put me down."
"You really bring new meaning to the term pet names" He smirked, keeping her in his arms as they reached the van. "Monster..bear, gorilla, now beluga?"
She tossed her head, looking away. "Pack mule"
"We won't get anywhere if you don't stop" He leaned against the van, dropping the backpack on the ground. "And it'll take us awhile to walk from here to Haleakala."
She rolled her eyes, "I loathe you"
"Of course you do" He smirked, setting her down. "Now let's go"
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5:00 p.m. Ka'anapali
After they re-joined everyone else, Lita now found herself staring down at a grass skirt. As they had been told yesterday, she and Stacy would be getting hula lessons. And now, as the two pulled the grass garb on, Lita was re-told the boring day that Dawn, John and Hunter had been subjected to. Well..at least Lita thought it was boring. While she and Dave had tried watersports, parasailing, hiking and seen the rainforests; the others had gone golfing and fishing.
"I know you had to leave early" Stacy scratched at her hip. "But at 6:00 a.m.?"
Lita shrugged, tugging on one of the floral anklets. "Well lessons weren't until 6:15..but Dave wanted to watch the sunrise at 6:00."
Stacy smirked, looking across the small changing room to Dawn. "Told you"
Dawn rolled her eyes, adjusting her floral bracelets. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes mother" Lita made a face, slipping one of the leis over her head. "I wonder if Hunter'll be in full get up?"
"Would you leave Evolution if I wasn't?" Hunter frowned, rubbing the grass skirt between his fingertips. "After all, this was one of your terms."
"No I wouldn't..but I'd make sure every minute was detestable for you" Lita stuck out her tounge, shaking her hips from side to side. "You ready to hula?"
"Do you want to learn traditonal Hula or the Tahitian variation?" Their instructor stood at the entry way. "The traditional is more languid, peaceful..and perhaps easier for you" She sent a pointed look to Hunter. "But the Tahitian..is very fast paced, more hip movement. The most skilled dancers can keep their shoulders still during the dance, relying on just the torso area."
"I'll try the Tahitian" Lita stepped forward, "It sounds more challenging."
"Then you will also need this" The instructor stepped forward, removing a shell lei from the rack. "And you can go with her, she'll get you a different skirt." She gestured to another instructor.
"Which leaves the rest of us to learn traditional" Stacy grinned to Dawn. "And that means you too Mister" She shook a finger at Hunter. "So let's go"
Hunter grumbled, "This had better not be on camera"
***********
One hour later Hunter, Stacy and Dawn now stood just outside of the camera's view. Lita was still receiving her instructions and so, the whole lot of them had to wait. And, while the camera picking up footage for the DVD didn't get a shot; Dawn's digital and Stacy's poloraoid did. Just as the red head joined them all, the shell lei signaling her arrival; the camera that mattered (the one filming for the DVD) panned over. With a grunt, Hunter complied with the camerman's wishes, perfoming a simple and basic dance right alongside Dawn and Stacy. And after a death threat to not put that on the DVD, Lita was filmed performing her dance. She let out a breath, bowing and curtseying when the fast hip movements slowed, grinning from ear to ear at the camera. When the cameraman gave the signal, all four trooped back to the changing rooms. With Hunter now back in his regular clothes, and the girls dressed for the next filming segment; they made their way to the next destination..an actual luau where, much to everyone's relief, they would not be part of the entertainment.
"It's too bad we can't take these back with us" Stacy sniffed at the lei in her hands, leaning back in the limo. "These are so beautiful."
"We can't take those back..but" Dawn nodded over to Lita. "She gets to keep the shell ones. So we'll just get those kinds of leis."
Randy bit back a laugh, "I'd say something..but after spending time with the two of you" He glanced between Stacy and Dawn. "And after watching you two long enough, I know that if I say it..I'll get slapped."
"You are so whipped dog" John snickered. "Afraid of two little girls?"
"Excuse me?" Randy shot a look at John before he launched into the re-collection that Hunter had told him of the day. "Who was the one who carried everything for his girl, who was the one that made sure his girl had the best fishing spot on the boat-"
Randy was about to continue on when he was interrupted by the sound of flesh smacking flesh. He blinked at first in surprise then in slight pain, as Dawn's hand connected first with John's shoulder than with his own. "Ow!" Randy rubbed at this shoulder. "What was that for?"
Dawn shook her finger at Randy. "That was for thinking it" She narrowed her eyes slightly at John. "And little girls? We are all woman thank you very much."
"Rowr" Stacy laughed, looking up at the moon-roof. "Now I'm afraid of Dawn."
"Well children" Hunter smirked. "We're at the luau now..is everyone ready to behave?"
"You might want to wake those two up first" Randy gestured between Lita and Dave. "Unless you don't need them for this segment"
"Give me a few minutes" Lita responded, but did not open an eye. "I am tired, and I finally have a good resting spot."
"What she said" Dave rubbed his eyes. "We'll join you all in a few."
***********
After the others had let Dave and Lita rest for a moment, they all trekked out of the limo and to the luau. And with all of them safely seated, Hunter went over the next day's agenda, a special day since it was John's birthday. And by the time they all arrived back at the hotel, Lita was fast asleep in Dave's arms, Stacy was falling asleep on Randy's shoulder and Dawn was falling asleep in John's arms. With this lovely scene before him, Hunter grabbed the cameraman. He ensured that not only would the footage of himself not be on the DVD, but this would be in it's place. But, just as they walked into the suite, the girls found themselves wide awake. And with the guys snoring away; Stacy re-told the day she had spent with Randy. While Dave and Lita had been off experiancing the 'wild side' of Maui, she and Randy had experianced the quiet and peaceful sides of Moloka'i and L'anai.