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. A thank you to all reviewers and to drago-emeraude: Hunter'll have someone..just be patient ;)
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10:00 p.m., Wailea, Maui.
Lita, Stacy and Dawn settled in the living room, with John, Randy, Dave and Hunter sleeping peacefully in the bedrooms; the ladies treated themselves to sundaes and in-room movies. And now, with the First Wive's Club playing, Stacy retold of her day.
"Well" Stacy took a bite from her sundae, looking between her fellow diva's. "We left the hotel around 9:00..with Lucille the strict photographer." She made a face, setting her spoon down before she continued.
***********
"I thought we'd only have the photographer with us today" Stacy exchanged a look with Randy. "So what gives with the video camera?"
"Well it seems that Hunter goofed a little in scheduling" Randy smirked. "Or Vince..whomever is responsible goofed. We were supposed to be off on our own tomorrow, but since tomorrow is John's birthday" He shrugged draping an arm over her shoulders. "We'll be on our own today."
"Ahhh" She sat back, resting a hand over his. "But we still have the same agenda? Casual stuff?"
"Correct" He kissed her cheek, grinning like the cheshire cat. "But we won't be on camera all the time, so we have some privacy"
She raised a brow, flashing a seductive smile. "Who cares if there's a camera around?"
He placed a trail of kisses along the side of her neck. "I like how you think"
She winked, shrugging out of her windbreaker. "See something else you like?"
"Ahem" The photographer knocked on the window of the limo. "We're here."
Randy grumbled in to her neck. "We'll just pick this up later." He nipped gently below her ear, grabbing her hand. "Let's go be the picture perfect couple"
***********
First on the agenda for the couple, Stacy and Randy posing on the ferry. A few shots along the rail..and then one smart remark from Randy and the two were standing at the bow of the ferry.
"This is so stupid" Randy rolled his eyes, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I was joking."
"Well guess you'll learn to watch what you say now" She rested a hand on his cheek.
"But even if I did like the movie..this shot is just not meant for a ferry, cruise ship yes, one of those tall mast ships yes" She pursed her lips slightly, leaning forward an inch at the photographers request . "But a ferry? I don't see this thing sinking."
"If it did, at least you'd be the last thing I'd see"
"Quiet over there please!" Their photographer pursed her lips. "I'll need the two of you to hold that current pose until we are on the island."
Stacy and Randy ceased their conversation until they had landed on the island. And, with an amused look they watched as the photographer unpacked the bags she had brought along with her. Stacy bit back a giggle as the photographer (we'll call her Lucille) negotiated with a few of the residents of the island. Finally, when Lucille was set she called the two over.
"Now" Lucille brought out a few rolls of film. "First up, we'll be using the setting over there" She gestured to a small grove of trees where a hammock was waiting. "Next, we'll move it to the beach, then to the Halawa Falls." She set the rolls of film in her vest pockets. "You'll have some time for lunch en route to Lanai. When we are there, we'll visit the Garden of the Gods and you two will do some snorkeling." She shouldered her camera, then picked up the spare video camera. "So..now that you two know what we're doing; a few last minute instructions. For your still shots, I need absolute silence. For your time on camera, unless you are not having a close up..absolute silence. In other words, no talking for most of this shoot." She lifted a brow, scrutinzing the young pair. "Any questions?"
They exchanged a look, tempted as they were to salute..they did not. Both merely nodded and followed Lucille to the hammock.
"One more thing" Lucille set down the video camera. "Hand over the cellphones. You'll get them back at the end of the day."
Stacy handed over hers first, remarking under her breath to Randy. "I feel like I'm back in grade school."
***********
11:30 a.m. En route to Lanai
With Lucille directing the poses and no chances to talk, Stacy and Randy picked up their conversation on the yacht to Lanai.
"One good thing about this vacation that really isn't a vacation." Stacy made a face. "I get some extra sun time in..gets me looking even better for the next Diva's shoot."
"It's still a vacation." Randy sat back on the deck chair. "And you don't need to look any better, you're perfect."
She shot him a look "Do you have a book or something of lines to use?"
He popped a strawberry slice in his mouth. "You don't believe me?"
"I don't know..it's just" She shrugged, taking a bite from her salad. "You've seen how my relationships have gone."
He sipped his water, his brows furrowing in thought as he eyed the diva. "I can assure you, I feed you no lines. I've watched you..from a distance" He smirked slightly. "A really safe distance after Freakzilla and Testicles really went over."
She shuddered at the memory. "But you worked with Scott..remember?"
"I did, but that doesn't mean I wanted to" He set his water down, stretching out on the chair. "No man has any right to treat a woman like that."
"So you're telling me, what you did to Mae Young?" She sat back, lifting a brow in disbelief. "That was along the same lines."
"That was under orders from Eric..and unless you're telling me that Eric ordered Scott and Test to treat you like that" He pressed his lips into a firm line. "There's difference Stace, maybe a slight difference; but it's still a difference."
She nodded, taking another bite from her salad. "I guess so. I don't know, it's just that..things with Test started out great, ended up like hell..things with Scott started out relatively good, then ended up like hell." She let out a breath, toying with the bottle cap. "Even David, I screwed him over..and that relationship was great."
"David Flair right?" He turned on his side, propping his head with his hand. "Have you talked to him since then?"
"We've settled our differences" She shrugged setting the salad aside. "It's kinda akward now though..working right alongside his dad, but it's part of life."
He nodded, "Ric's a great guy..between him, my dad, H, hell even Shawn and Mick" He scratched his forehead. "I've learned a lot from all of them."
"Li, Trish and Molly..Victoria, Jazz, Ivory" Stacy bit her lip in thought. "I've worked with them out of the ring, Li mostly though."
"If you hadn't started in WCW, what would you be doing?" He sat up, resting his forearms on his thighs. "I know you're going to college and all that, but what do you see yourself doing."
"Well..after I get my degree., I'll probably stick around in the WWE as long as they want me" She shrugged, sipping her water. "But one of these days, I'd like to have a 'normal' job" She made the quote gestures with her fingers. "And I'd like to get married, have kids. But, if I hadn't gone to WCW, I would more than likely still be a Raven's cheerleader" She smiled slightly, running a hand through her hair. "What about you?"
"College is definately in my plans..but this business is in my blood." He cupped his face in his hands, staring straight ahead. "I'll go until I have to use a walker to get my ass to the ring."
"Wouldn't doubt that" She smirked, sweeping her hair back from her face. "I wonder where we would all end up..if there was no more WWE, or TNA or Japan Wrestling or"
"You mean if we would keep in touch?" He stood, sitting next to her. "Or if we'd just go our seperate ways? Not giving a second thought to anyone or anything."
"Yeah..I mean, I've kept in touch with a few people from WCW, and the others.." She shrugged "For the most part we're all here. I just wonder what would happen. Like even if one of us in Evolution was sent to SmackDown. Or if someone gets injured, or even if Li gets another t.v. show deal"
"Evolution won't be split" He took one of her hands in his. "They already tried that..and they failed. And if someone gets injured, they still have a spot with us. As for Lita? I can't speak for her, but I'd support her in whatever she does."
"True" She tsk'd softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "Just something I think about..that's all. Li and I were talking before Backlash, about having a sense of family in the business. The way I see it and the way she does; sure there are people who are blood relatives but there's also people that spend so much time together they are each other's family."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Would you consider Evolution your family?"
"At this point? No..but some of the diva's yes." She cupped his cheek with her hand. "Eventually..maybe Evolution will be my family, but only time will tell."
He nodded in response, bringing his lips to hers for a tender kiss. The corners of her mouth opened just slightly, and just as she started to deepen the kiss
"We're at Lanai. So let's get a move on" Lucille hovered over the pair. "Now please"
***********
Stacy and Randy left the comfort of the yacht for the crystal clear waters surrounding Lanai. First on their agenda, snorkeling with the tropical fish and then a swim hopefully with the dolphins. Following that, a short hike through the Garden of the Gods for some poses and a short filming segment. And finally, off to the beach for casual shots and their final filming segment of the day. With Stacy and Randy now in the waves, Lucille off in the distance..video camera in hand; Randy picked up their earlier conversation.
"Even if Evolution isn't your family..what about us?" He scooped her up in his arms, wading a little bit deeper. "I'm not talking marriage or anything, but if Evolution did split, would you still want to be with me?"
She half shrugged. "Umm..let me think about that" She brought a fingertip to her chin. "Duh, yes I would. Even if there is no Evolution, even if you weren't in Evolution..yeah I'd want to be with you."
"Good" He nuzzled the side of her neck, stopping in his tracks when he was waist deep. "Otherwise I'd have no choice but to drop you."
She flung her arms around his shoulders. "You do that..and I'm taking you down with me."
He smirked, "I'd like to see you try."
"Go ahead and drop me then" She crossed her arms, "Or are you too scared?"
"Scared?" He rolled his eyes. "Look at me babe, I beat Mick Foley at his own game..and you're asking me if I'm scared?" He held her out slightly and just as he was about to drop her, she squirmed sending him down.
"Ha!" She splashed water in his face, posing triumphantly. "I win."
"Heh" He frowned slightly, picking himself up. "I let you win."
She rolled her eyes, bringing her arms around his waist. "Keep telling yourself that"
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"So that was our day" Stacy spooned the last bit of her sundae into her mouth. "After we finished up at the beach, we got back on the yacht..then met up with Dawn, John and Hunter."
Dawn set her sundae dish aside, leaning back against the couch. "All we did, was fish and golf. If that's what it means to be one of the guys" She rolled her eyes, "I've had enough."
Lita smirked, leaning back against the chair. "I wonder if we'll end up like them." She nodded to the television screen..which was currently on the last scene from the movie.
"I'd want to be the Goldie Hawn chick." Dawn crossed her legs, resting her hands on her lap. "Successful and at the top where I belong."
"I wouldn't mind being the Diane Keaton type" Stacy bit her lip thoughtfully, stretching out along the couch. "Although..Bette Midler's turned out better."
"I'd just want to get married once, and be over with it" Lita looked between the two. "Or just skip the marriage part altogether."
Dawn sent a look to the red head. "What about kids?"
"Paper and name changes don't make a family" Lita shrugged. "Love makes a family."
Dawn shrugged "I suppose that's true" She stretched her arms forwards. "I wonder if we should sing this to our ex's"
"Why not? Or better yet..send it to Vince, Eric and whomever is running SmackDown" Lita glanced to the other two. "It would be pretty funny..send it as a Christmas present"
"Well let's see if we can get this choregraphy down." Dawn picked herself up "Stace you take Goldie's part there"
"You can take Diane's" Lita sent a look to Dawn as she stood. "I'll take Bette"
The diva's mimicked the movements on the screen, collapsing in a heap of giggles as they finished.
***********
"We'll have to add a segment to this DVD" Hunter smirked from the doorway to his room. "We can call it Hidden Talents"
"How long were you standing there?" Lita swept her hair out of her face, glancing up from the floor. "And we are not doing that for the DVD."
"Long enough to see your act" He shrugged, moving into the living room. "And Stace, Li..don't make any plans for tomorrow."
Stacy leaned back against the couch. "Why? I thought we had a free day."
"John and Dawn have a free day" He moved to the chair, settling on the arm. "Evolution has part of it's enterance video to re-shoot and a few other things that we need to do."
Lita rolled her eyes "Do we have to?"
"Did I stutter?" He smirked. "Sorry Li, but part of the reason for taking this trip, was to get new footage for our enterance video."
"Fine fine..what about Saturday?" Lita joined Stacy, tossing a pillow out of the way.
"Saturday we go to Kauai as planned, a few activities in the morning, afternoon free. And there's the 90th Anniversary Royal Ball in the evening." He crossed his arms. "You, Stace and Dawn need to get your dresses fitted sometime tommorrow."
"Why me?" Dawn sent him a look.
"Because" He shrugged. "It's a ball, Evolution is on the guest list, Dave and Randy have dates. John'll be there too..but I can't be shown there without someone on my arm."
"And tomorrow?" Stacy leaned over slightly, "What exactly are we doing..and do Li and I have to stand in any more waterfalls?"
"Tomorrow, we spend some time at the pool, some time at the beach, but most of the day" He slipped down into the chair. "We're on a yacht."
"Lovely" Lita made a face, bringing a pillow into her lap. "Just what I need..cooped up with you on a yacht." She tossed the pillow in Hunter's direction.
He tossed the pillow back. "Like I'm looking forward to it"
"Children" Dawn tossed a pillow at Lita. "Since it seems that you three have a big day tomorrow..why don't we get some sleep."
Stacy tossed a pillow at Dawn. "Yes mommy"
Lita stuck out her tounge as she stood. "Good night" She tossed the pillow back at Dawn before ducking into one of the bedrooms.
Stacy yawned, looking between the two. "As she said..night" She waved over her shoulder before heading into one of the other bedrooms.
"Sorry about the mess" Dawn stood, gathering the sundae dishes. "But..we felt the need for a little late night snack."
"Not a problem..so long as it doesn't involve a makeover at the end." Hunter shook his head, gathering the pillows. "Ever since then, I lock my room door."
"I can't blame you" She bit back a laugh, stacking the dishes on an end table.
"Sorry about putting you on the spot like that" He tossed the pillows back to their proper places. "As I said..John will be there, so it's not like you really will be my date."
She shrugged, heading for her bedroom. "It's not a big deal..and I'm sure John won't mind."
He nodded, heading for his room. "Well..just wanted to let you know anyway." The corners of his mouth, turned up into a small smile. "Sleep well"
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Author speaking: I'll have the next three parts uploaded by Monday. Taking a slight rest from this story to work on a few short pieces and some one shots. Anyhow, much love to the reviewers and have a nice day.