Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing mentioned. Title inspired by the song of the same name by Pat Benatar.
Spoilers: RAW, 4-26-04, otherwise; nothing that isn't mentioned in the calender at WWE.com
Chapter Summary: RAW, my way.
Notes: see the Story Recap for applicable notes..such as current champs. on RAW. Parts in italics are thoughts.
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5:45 p.m., April 26, Kansas Expocentre, Topeka Kansas
A jet lagged, but still ready to wrestle, Hunter exited first after the Evolution limo pulled into the parking lot. Following Hunter, the equally jet lagged..but still ready to wrestle..Randy, Stacy, Dave and Lita. Finally, making his exit from the limo, the Nature Boy Ric Flair. And, in the hands of the living legend (Flair-not Orton) the current card for that night's RAW. Even though most of the members has just returned from an exciting vacation, Eric had booked almost all of them. In fact, the only one's not scheduled to wrestle were Randy and Stacy. Kicking off the night, Lita would be teaming with Victoria for a match against Gail and Molly. Mid-way through RAW, Hunter was slated..but his opponent as of yet, was unknown. Needless to say, that didn't sit too well with the current heavyweight champ. And finally, the main event that night; Ric and Dave would be putting the tag team gold on the line against the number one contenders - Edge and Chris Benoit. So, with all of their gold in tact now..and hopefully with all of their gold still in tact by the time the night was over; Evolution made the trek across the parking lot. Hunter slipped off his shades as they entered the building, casting a look around to make sure there were no possible threats to any member. With one last look around the corner, the dominating group made it's way to their assigned locker room. Once in the locker room, and with most of their things packed away..Lita attempted to slip out.
"I have to find Victoria..run through a few things" The red head stood by the door, her ring attire and belt sitting neatly on a chair in the corner. "And then, I need to find Matt. I wanna talk to him before the show kicks off. Maybe get some straight answers about last week."
Hunter turned from his locker, raising a brow at the diva. "Are you sure that's such a good idea? Or do you forget so easily?" He crossed his arms after tossing a few things in his locker. "Do you recall why Matt had to put his body on the line?"
Lita rolled her eyes, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "Yes I remember father and I'm well aware of what kind of damage Kane can cause. But" She held up a hand in her defense. "I think I am perfectly capable of walking through the halls, talking to two people and getting my ass back here in time to change."
"Let's go then" Dave stood, straightening out his shirt collar. "There's about an hour before RAW starts, so if you want to take care of all of the things on your agenda..we should get a move on."
"As much as I appreciate it" Lita placed a hand on the door knob. "I really think I should talk to Matt alone." She quirked a smile and with a wave, she was out the door.
"I don't like this" Dave shook his head, exchaning a look with Hunter. "I'm following her."
"Better do that from a distance" Stacy put in quietly, looking away from the mirror. "If Li didn't ask for anyone to go with her, and then with you following her? Boyfriend or not, she's not going to like it."
Dave nodded his response, placing a hand on the door. "I'm aware of that..and I was going to wait." He shrugged it off, opening the door slightly. "Just worried about her."
***********
Lita trekked through the halls, her hands stuffed in her pockets and a carefree smile on her face. Life couldn't be better for the red head..well it could but let's not get too technical. All in all, she really couldn't complain. She was the woman's champion again, she was amongst the best in Evolution, she and Matt were finally getting back to the road of friends and..there was Dave. She shook her head, recalling the days they had spent together in Hawaii and the time they had spent with each other before then. Granted, if you had told her in Mid-November that she would be with him? She would've laughed in your face..but now? Well now was an entirely different story. Whatever the case, the red head stopped her thoughts..tossing her pre-game face on as she reached Victoria's locker room. A quick consultation with her and a promise to go party sometime next week..and Lita was off for her next destination. As she passed by the weight room..there he was. She should've known, always in the gym at the arena before the shows..typical Matt Hardy. A pause in the doorway, to at the very least collect her thoughts, before she made her way over.
"Matt?" Lita leaned against the rack of dumb-bells. "Do you have a minute?"
"Oh hey Li" Matt set his weights down, tossing a towel over his shoulders. "Sure...what's up?"
Lita raked a hand through her hair, taking a breath before she squeaked out "Umm. About last week?" The red head bit her lip, when did her voice get that unsure? "I just wanted to thank you."
He nodded, wiping away the beads of sweat on his forehead. "No biggie"
No biggie? The red head blinked in disbelief at the man in front of her. "What do you mean no biggie? Kane is FAR from no biggie" She twisted the hem of her shirt between her fingers, collecting her thoughts again. "I mean, it's just.." She frowned, staring at the weight bench. "Why did you do it?"
"Why do I need a reason?" He set the weights back on the rack, leaning against the wall.
"Umm, maybe because when you got to RAW, you made my life a living hell" She smirked slightly regaining her composure as she smoothed her hair back from her face. "In fact, you tried to end my damn career..both in the ring and by trying to get me fired." She cocked her head, eyeing him evenly. "So that's why I need a reason..and in fact? I don't just need a reason. I want a reason."
"I'll give you a reason." He crossed his arms, eyeing her in the same manner. "When I saw you up there..and I saw Kane up there. I thought back to a day when Team X-Treme was at it's peak. Back when we had to deal with Taker." He raked a hand through his hair, releasing the black locks from the loose ponytail. "And maybe it was Jeff's bein' there that really made me do it. For a split second, I just thought..just like Team X-Treme." He shrugged, slouching down. "That's all I could think about. It didn't matter that Jeff's not in the business, it didn't matter that we aren't together. It mattered that you needed help."
She snorted. "So you're telling me a wave of nostalgia drove you to put your life on the line?" She shook her head, walking back to the door. "Whatever the reason..if what you said is the truth or not..I'm still not sure I can believe that." She let out a sigh, flinging the door open. "I'll see you around Hardy."
"Believe what you want Li." He kept his gaze trained on his shoes, but the tone of his voice commanded her attention. "I did it because I felt I had to, and I don't regret it. I know you don't need or want me to be your knight in shining armor. But you want another reason why I did it?" He smirked as she turned her head to face him. "People change Li, for whatever reasons they have. I know you sure as hell have changed. So have I" He pushed off the wall and as he walked past her, "There's your reason." He rested his hand briefly on her shoulder before he brushed past her, disappearing in to the halls.
"Ugh" Lita sighed in frustration as she walked out of the gym. "That go me nowhere" She shook her head, thinking over what Matt had said. "I need junk food..and now. I just hope they have some of those Little Debbie snack cakes in the vending machines here."
***********
As Lita was making her way back to the Evolution locker room, she passed by the open locker room of one of her fellow wrestlers. For whatever reason, their warm up music of choice was the overplayed but still good hit by Hoobastank. She paused a moment, tucking her hands in her pockets to listen to the tune. A quick glance down to the watch on her wrist, let her know she had a few minutes before the show kicked off. Frustrated, she pushed off the wall..jogging quickly to the locker room. But, as she entered the locker room, it all started to make sense. The words of the song brought meaning to Matt's sporadic act of heroism.
{I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you}
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Just after the first match
Lita could feel her heart in her throat as she raced through the halls, desperate to get away from the ring. She had insisted, right to the last second before she left the locker room, that she would not need anyone's help. She told Dave, just stay in the locker room..she would be fine. Of course..she was wrong. As she raced through the back, she took one moment to look over her shoulders; just to make sure she wasn't being followed. And in that one moment, she ran head on in to a soft wall. The red head yelped in surprise, then found herself mumbling apologies.
"Hey" Matt whispered to her, holding her gently by the shoulders. "Calm down. Lita..just calm down." He squeezed her shoulders for re-assurance. "You're backstage, Kane's still out in the ring. Knowing how you run, you got a good headstart on him. Your're safe."
She half nodded, her shoulders trembling as Matt tried to calm her down. "I'm just so" She gulped, trying to soothe her nerves. "I just don't"
"It'll be alright Lita" He sighed patiently, waiting until she was looking him in the face before he continued. "Look..because of what happened last week. Eric booked me in a match with Kane later tonight. I'll take care of it."
"But-" She blinked, Matt..take care of Kane? "Are you sure?"
"He's gonna pay Lita" He set his jaw, rubbing a hand over her back. "He can't just go around like that. He's gonna pay."
She shook it off, knowing that if she uttered a word disagreeing with him, his confidence would sink faster than the Titanic. So instead, she just nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thanks" She mumbled into his shoulder. She lifted her head as he wrapped his arms around her. And just as she was about to say she did believe him, she let out a blood curdling scream.
Lita looked on with horror as Kane appeared on the scene, and as much as she wanted to run away..all she could do was stand there. Her knee's were weak and she could barely muster the strength to yell for help. She flung her head to the side, trying to block out the images, her hands covering her ears to block the sounds of Matt's body hitting the steel door. Just as she started to inch her way down the wall, a hand clamped down on her wrist dragging her to safety.
***********
"Why do you just stand there?" Hunter grumbled as he pulled the red head back to the locker room. "Matt is getting the hell beat out of him by the pyscho path that's stalking you, Dave is going insane," His voice rose with each passing step. "Stacy's shaking with fear, Ric's losing his mind trying to calm Dave down." He shot her a look as they turned the corner. "And you're just standing there! Do you want to die?"
She snapped back, "Since when do you care? Or are you just looking out for the interests of Evolution's treasure chest?" She yanked her wrist loose. "I am well aware of what's going on. And I'm sorry alright!"
"Hunter." Randy assesed the two in the halls. "Yelling and making a scene is only going to piss people in that locker room off more." He pointed to the Evolution locker room. "And she's alright. So stop yelling at her."
"Oh shut up" Hunter frowned to the younger man before he turned his attention back Lita, yanking the door open. "You are not leaving this locker room until we leave" He shoved the red head in the locker room. "Are we clear?"
Lita rubbed at her arm, staring back at Hunter. "I will leave this locker room when I feel like it." She rolled her shoulders, balling her hands into fists. "Matt is STILL out there and had it not been for Matt. Who the HELL knows what would have happened!"
"Why should you care?" Hunter sneered, stepping forward. "Just because he's your little ex boyfriend? Just because he showed some shred of compassion? Get with the program Lita, your in Evolution. You don't need anyone else now."
"How dare you question my actions" She narrowed her eyes, closing the little distance between them. "I was waiting for this- for the REAL side of you to show up." She closed her eyes a moment, gathering her thoughts. "How much longer before the rest of you decides to rear it's ugly head? Huh?"
"You think that was all an act?" He narrowed his eyes, staring down at the diva. "I do care about what happens to you. Believe it or not, I do give a damn if you live another day. Believe it or not, I care about what happens to EVERYONE in this damn locker room." He squared his shoulders, looking her up and down. "All anyone backstage needs is a weak link in our chain to gain the slightest bit of advantage. And I will do my damndest to make sure that they don't find one."
"She's not a weak link. Nobody in here is a weak link. But fighting like this? That makes us all weak links." Dave spoke up from behind Hunter. "So why don't you take a walk and calm down."
Hunter ignored Dave, keeping his gaze evenly on the red head. "You just think about what I said. You're in Evolution. We ARE the best and we don't need anyone else helping. You can thank Matt all you want on your own time. But right now? You're on OUR time." He stepped back, brushing past Dave on his way to the door. "I've got a promo to do." He shook his head, slamming the door shut behind him as he left.
"I want to go home" Lita let out a breath, unclenching her hands. "Screw the Bahamas, I want to go home."
"Why don't you take a shower" Dave rested his hands on her shoulders. "Then we'll take a walk, something..anything. But please, for my sake. Stay here until the tag-match."
"You still want me walking you to the ring?" She smirked in amusement. "Even though I'm the weak link?"
He kissed her forehead. "You're not the weak link..and damn right I want you walking me out." With a small smirk, he cupped her cheek with his hand. "Shower'll do you some good. And if you still want to go home after RAW is over, just say so. But remember..Hunter may be rough, but he does care."
She rolled her eyes, grabbing some stuff from her locker. "Then he sure does have an interesting way of showing it." She blew him a kiss before she ducked into the back.
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Later that night, after Hunter's match with Taijiri and with Randy and Stacy in the ring for a promo; Hunter and Lita had a little chat. They both came to the understanding that, yes since she was in Evolution..she would be even more of a target. They also came to the understanding that they all looked out for each other no matter what. Of course, it was just a given that with their tempers..small fights like that were bound to happen. Whatever the case, they set their differences aside..agreeing to disagree when they needed to. And, Hunter also managed to talk the red head into coming along for the Bahamas. He promised not to blow up like that, if she promised to have someone walking around with her at all times. With all of that said, Hunter left the red head to her own means, just as Kane's music hit the arena. Lita lingered in the halls, long enough to see Matt making his way down to the ring. With a shake of her head, she started to turn back to the locker room. But, after she peered into the open locker room of Chris Jericho; she turned on heel racing back to the ring. Even though she had been scared out of her mind earlier..not to mention last week; this time the red head would not back down. She slid underneath the bottom rope, pleading with Kane..begging for him to show some mercy. She watched on in gratitude as Kane left Matt alone, but seconds later..she was shaking with fear. She trembled in the corner, as Kane loomed over her. Willing herself not to cry, the red head set her jaw..staring him in the eyes.
"You were afraid of me earlier" The big red machine spoke loud enough for her to hear..his voice rough and cold. "Why are you here now?"
"I have my reasons" She stammered off coolly. "That's all you need to know."
He smirked. "I know enough that you're scared. And that you're trembling with fear." He leaned in closer, stroking her hair. "And I love it."
She squared her shoulders, supporting her trembling body on the turnbuckles. "So? Bigshot's getting off on the fact that he can scare a woman?"
"Wouldn't you like to know" His lips turned up into a sinister smile. "Tell me something" He leaned in closer, so close that she could feel the heat from his breath on her neck. "How does it feel to be reduced to nothing but prey?"
She cringed just slightly, shaking it off enough to retort. "You can't hurt me"
"Oh but I can" His lips just brushed the surface of her skin. "But I won't..not tonight Lita." He pulled back, stroking her hair once more. "You'll get what's coming to you..and just remember" He grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing her face closer to his. "There are times, when there will be no one around. No one but us" He smirked again before he closed the distance, kissing her roughly. "No one to hear you scream, no one to save you" He released her, stepping back. "Just rememeber that"
***********
Lita closed her eyes, waiting until she was sure he was out of the ring before she moved to the mat, where Matt was still down. With wide eyes, she looked between him and the referee..waiting until the trainers had arrived before she made her exit. Her shoulders were still shaking, but the tears that were brimming would not fall. She dug her nails into her palm as she entered the locker room, heading straight for Dave. She didn't speak, just walked to him, burying her face in his chest. Everything that had happened that night was finally getting to the red head as the tears started to leak from the corners of her eyes. She let out a low sigh, bringing her arms around him, as he rubbed her back. Just as she started to calm, he pulled back..holding her at arms length.
"Ric and I have to do a promo..but I want you to stay here during the match" He swept her hair away from her face, kissing her temple. "Please..just stay here. Stacy needs someone else to talk to"
She nodded, "I can do that"
"Good..but before I leave" He turned slightly, reaching into his gym bag. "I picked this up before we left Oahu." He set a small bag in her hands. "Wanted to give that to you after we left the arena, but" He shrugged, bringing his lips to hers for a quick kiss. "Things' don't always go as we plan."
"That's the damn truth" She smiled ruefully. "Thanks"
"No problem" He kissed her again, before he pulled away completely. "Just hope you like it"
"Good luck out there" She waved slightly, moving to the bench to sit with Stacy and Randy.
Ric and Dave nodded their farewells to the rest of the locker room, Hunter accompanying them lest Shawn should make his presence known. Stacy, Randy and Lita settled in for the last night of the match, discussing the upcoming trip to the Bahamas..and the film that they had to pick up before they left for the Bahamas. A quick glance to the monitor let them know it was so far so good for the defending tag team champs. All was good in the Evolution locker room as the three continued to talk about the last day they had spent in Hawaii. Oahu had been nothing short of amazing..and the photos would prove it. Also of note, Randy had managed to sweet talk Lucille into giving them a copy of all of the footage for the DVD. And, just as Ric and Dave were having their hands raised for a sucessful title defense, Lita turned her attention to the small bag in her hand. She moved closer to her locker, leaning back against the cool surface as she removed not one, but two small boxes. The first box brought a small smile to the diva's eyes; a new naval ring..this one a dolphin. The second box omitted a small gasp of surprise; a gold chain with a dragon charm, the eyes consisting of two black pearls. Carefully, she removed the necklace just as Dave, Hunter and Ric entered the locker room. And with a small smile she made her way over to them. First a hug in congratulations to the oldest of the three..then a kiss in thanks to Dave. For, although the night had started out well and then gone downhill..the night ended great. And with this night now behind them, Evolution left the arena..destination: Bahamas.
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Author speaking: I know this chapter may not be my best writing..but I tried. Anyhow, WOW 50 reviews. I'm in awe. I love you all!