Title: Love is a Battlefield
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, snippets of matches from the timeframe of 4-5-04 to present.
Brief Chapter Summary: Downtime for plot elements.
Notes: First, my thanks to everyone who has reviewed thus far, indivdual responses at the very end.
Keys: {}=song lyircs; bold = emphasis; italics = thoughts
........................................................................
8:00 a.m. Thursday, May 5th, New Orleans, Louisiana
Stacy stretched her arms over her head, a soft yawn escaping her as the plane was just touching down at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. While they had missed out on a red eye flight, they figured that this would be just as good. They'd arrive in New Orleans early enough to get a rental car, eat, sight see and finally check in to their hotel. At least that's what they hoped would happen.
Across the aisle from her, the larger form of Dave was shielding Lita from the bumps and bruises that came along with sitting in the outside seat. At this particular moment, it appeared that the red head was still fast asleep with Dave quietly watching her. Behind the two, John and Dawn..one starring out the half open window and the other starring at the back of the seat. Stacy frowned at that sight, something was definitely going wrong. But since neither one of them was saying anything it was hard to pin point what. Finally, next to her, Randy was just waking up from the short in-flight nap. She smiled softly, brushing her fingertips across his forehead as blue eyes blinked slowly at her. Just as the plane was pulling into the terminal, Lita finally woke up.
............................
Random Restaurant, 9:45 a.m.
"So" Lita set her menu down, folding her arms on the table. "What's on the agenda today..aside from catching up on sleep?"
Stacy pursed her lips slightly, a hand dipping into her purse to remove a brochure and an envelope. "Well, we have these tickets to see the swamps" She handed the items over for the red heads inspection. "And later, there's a haunted tour of the city"
The high flying diva nodded, looking over the brochure. "Looks like fun." She handed the items to her right, leaning back against Dave. "Does anyone know the card for tomorrow's show?"
Dave half shrugged, slipping an arm around the red heads waist. "We're all scheduled..the exception being Stacy."
"Which doesn't surprise me too much" The blonde shrugged. "I don't really wrestle much anyway."
"You could" Lita assessed the long legged diva in a different light. "It's all a matter of really wanting to."
"Oh I'd like to" Stacy tucked the envelope and brochure back in her purse. "But would Bischoff really take me seriously? I mean come on, the most action I see in ring..is for a lingerie match."
"And that won't change unless you make it change" Dawn finally turned her attention away from the potted plant, eyeing the blonde diva in a sympathetic manner. "Honestly, Stace..you're part of the strongest force on RAW, if not the entire WWE. Use it to your advantage."
"I guess" Stacy shrugged nonchalantly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's just..with Li, we already have a female wrestler-"
Lita lifted a brow, "And that doesn't mean that you can't be a wrestler too..it just means we need more opportunities in the women's division."
Stacy and Dawn both opened their mouths to respond, but they were cut off when the waitress re-appeared. Finally, with their orders placed, the conversation was resumed.
"What do you mean more opportunities?" Dawn sipped her water, sending a look at the red head. "Like having a women's title for both rosters or.."
Lita pursed her lips in thought. "Not that persay..but I mean look. The guys have how many title belts to compete for? We have one. Kind of unfair, dontcha think ?" She sighed slightly, raking a hand through her red locks ."Sure, it might mean we need more women in the world of WWE, and it might mean we'd all have to train harder, but at least it would be better than one title belt. Think about it, we could have tag team titles or even inter-gender tag team titles. Maybe even have two seperate women's champions like they do for the men. But more importantly, a real women's division would mean real matches instead of bikini contests and all that other bs that they put us through."
Stacy watched the exhaustion and frustration running so clearly across the red head's face, wondering if her wishes for a real women's division weren't a little selfish. Not that Lita was a selfish person, but if they had a real women's division..it would mean less chance that Lita would permanently be a part of the SmackDown roster. She mulled over the right words to reply with, but finding none, merely nodded.
Dawn on the other hand, took the red head's words to heart. This could be the proposal she needed to get things in her favor. Perhaps, with a little more work, this idea would work wonderfully to her advantage..and not only would she and John be traveling on the same roster again; Dawn could finally wrestle. She smiled in kind to the red head,
"But the only question would be..would the G.M.'s go for it? It would mean the rosters would have to unify for this to work."
"Not necessarily" Lita shrugged, bringing her hands out of her lap to rest on the table. "I mean, it would make things more convenient, but I don't think it's a necessity." She paused for thought, opening her mouth to continue, but before she could.
Dave kissed her temple, "Li, honey..we're on vacation. Away from the ring, so let's just put all those thoughts aside." He held up a hand when her mouth opened to protest. "You were the one complaining about not having enough time away from the ring."
She nodded in agreement, threading her fingers with his. "Anyway..where's that waitress? I'm starvin'"
...........................................................
That afternoon the group found themselves on a swamp tour. Not exactly Dawn's or Stacy's ideal way to spend part of the afternoon, but for Lita's sake and for everyone elses they put their brave faces on. All throughout the day, John and Randy held their own conversations..their respective girlfriends seemingly pre-occupied. And so that was where they found themselves now. On a walking portion of their tour. Lita and Dave had trekked further along with the guide, Stacy and Dawn were mid-way and John and Randy straggled behind.
"So" Randy eyed the man next to him, trying to determine a good starting point. "What do you think of the from earlier?"
John raised a brow in confusion, "Huh?"
Randy almost frowned, was he that out of it? "You know..women's division. A real women's division." He made a gesture with his hand, in an attempt to jog his friend's memory.
"Oh yeah..that" John shrugged it off, his steel blue orbs focusing on something in the distance. "It sounds good on air, and it'd make the girls happy."
"Yeah..I know Stace wants to do more" Randy smiled faintly, watching his girlfriends retreating form. "Li already does a lot, but from the sounds of it I know she wants to do more."
John nodded absently. "Yeah..Dawn's mentioned it a few times. She gets frustrated..since the women's division is mostly on RAW and she couldn't be a part of it." The corners of his mouth turned just slightly, recalling one heated discussion they had. "She was hopin' that with the trades and all, she'd end up on RAW."
"And instead you did..and she's still stuck on SmackDown" Randy gathered the rest of it, sticking his hands in his pockets. "But at least she's got Li"
"Yeah but Li can only be so much to so many people" John frowned deeper this time, at the thought of his friend under so much pressure. "And she might not say it, but it gets to her that she can't do nothin'. Or that she can't be there"
Randy nodded in agreement at this assesment. Truth be told, John couldn't have been more on the money. A recent conversation with Dave backed up this thought that the red head tried to be everything to everyone, forgetting herself in the process. And now, as the two turned the corner, they caught up with their girlfriends.
"Ugh" Stacy groaned, picking a twig out of her long locks. "I am going to kill Torrie."
"Not if I get to her first" Dawn frowned, picking leaves out her tresses. "No wonder she didn't want to come."
Randy smirked, looking between the two. "It's leaves..and twigs. Not like it's gonna bite you or anything."
Dawn rolled her eyes, snapping back. "Oh shut up. Do you know how much it costs to get my hair done?" She groaned, picking at more objects. "And my nails..look at my nails!"
"Dawn, quit you're whining..I can hear you all the way up here" The red head looked over her shoulder, sticking her tounge out at the brunette. "You're disturbin' the peace."
"Well excuse me, Miss gung ho, nature lover" Dawn stuck out her tounge, pulling her locks into a messy ponytail. "But this? This isn't my ideal way to spend a day off."
"Then what is?" Lita rolled her eyes, leaning into the taller form next to her. "Shopping?"
"Ha ha..very funny" Dawn brushed past Stacy and Randy, settling on a bench in front of Dave and Lita. "It's just..we're in an exciting city like New Orleans..we could be doing something far more interesting. And yet, we're trekking through swampland."
Lita shook her head, exchanging a look with Dave. "Well, then next time we make vacation plans, don't let Torrie handle the scheduling."
"I will" Dawn stated matter of factly, as if that were her intentions all along. "When are we leaving here anyway?"
"Hotel check in is at.." Stacy pulled the brochure from her purse. "3:00 and it's" She grabbed Randy's hand to peer at his wrist watch. "2:30 now, so we can leave here anytime."
"Let's go before Princess Grace over here finds something else to complain about" Lita smiled sweetly to her friend, before she laced her hand with Dave's; the two leading the way back to the parking lot.
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, snippets of matches from the timeframe of 4-5-04 to present.
Brief Chapter Summary: Downtime for plot elements.
Notes: First, my thanks to everyone who has reviewed thus far, indivdual responses at the very end.
Keys: {}=song lyircs; bold = emphasis; italics = thoughts
........................................................................
8:00 a.m. Thursday, May 5th, New Orleans, Louisiana
Stacy stretched her arms over her head, a soft yawn escaping her as the plane was just touching down at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. While they had missed out on a red eye flight, they figured that this would be just as good. They'd arrive in New Orleans early enough to get a rental car, eat, sight see and finally check in to their hotel. At least that's what they hoped would happen.
Across the aisle from her, the larger form of Dave was shielding Lita from the bumps and bruises that came along with sitting in the outside seat. At this particular moment, it appeared that the red head was still fast asleep with Dave quietly watching her. Behind the two, John and Dawn..one starring out the half open window and the other starring at the back of the seat. Stacy frowned at that sight, something was definitely going wrong. But since neither one of them was saying anything it was hard to pin point what. Finally, next to her, Randy was just waking up from the short in-flight nap. She smiled softly, brushing her fingertips across his forehead as blue eyes blinked slowly at her. Just as the plane was pulling into the terminal, Lita finally woke up.
............................
Random Restaurant, 9:45 a.m.
"So" Lita set her menu down, folding her arms on the table. "What's on the agenda today..aside from catching up on sleep?"
Stacy pursed her lips slightly, a hand dipping into her purse to remove a brochure and an envelope. "Well, we have these tickets to see the swamps" She handed the items over for the red heads inspection. "And later, there's a haunted tour of the city"
The high flying diva nodded, looking over the brochure. "Looks like fun." She handed the items to her right, leaning back against Dave. "Does anyone know the card for tomorrow's show?"
Dave half shrugged, slipping an arm around the red heads waist. "We're all scheduled..the exception being Stacy."
"Which doesn't surprise me too much" The blonde shrugged. "I don't really wrestle much anyway."
"You could" Lita assessed the long legged diva in a different light. "It's all a matter of really wanting to."
"Oh I'd like to" Stacy tucked the envelope and brochure back in her purse. "But would Bischoff really take me seriously? I mean come on, the most action I see in ring..is for a lingerie match."
"And that won't change unless you make it change" Dawn finally turned her attention away from the potted plant, eyeing the blonde diva in a sympathetic manner. "Honestly, Stace..you're part of the strongest force on RAW, if not the entire WWE. Use it to your advantage."
"I guess" Stacy shrugged nonchalantly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's just..with Li, we already have a female wrestler-"
Lita lifted a brow, "And that doesn't mean that you can't be a wrestler too..it just means we need more opportunities in the women's division."
Stacy and Dawn both opened their mouths to respond, but they were cut off when the waitress re-appeared. Finally, with their orders placed, the conversation was resumed.
"What do you mean more opportunities?" Dawn sipped her water, sending a look at the red head. "Like having a women's title for both rosters or.."
Lita pursed her lips in thought. "Not that persay..but I mean look. The guys have how many title belts to compete for? We have one. Kind of unfair, dontcha think ?" She sighed slightly, raking a hand through her red locks ."Sure, it might mean we need more women in the world of WWE, and it might mean we'd all have to train harder, but at least it would be better than one title belt. Think about it, we could have tag team titles or even inter-gender tag team titles. Maybe even have two seperate women's champions like they do for the men. But more importantly, a real women's division would mean real matches instead of bikini contests and all that other bs that they put us through."
Stacy watched the exhaustion and frustration running so clearly across the red head's face, wondering if her wishes for a real women's division weren't a little selfish. Not that Lita was a selfish person, but if they had a real women's division..it would mean less chance that Lita would permanently be a part of the SmackDown roster. She mulled over the right words to reply with, but finding none, merely nodded.
Dawn on the other hand, took the red head's words to heart. This could be the proposal she needed to get things in her favor. Perhaps, with a little more work, this idea would work wonderfully to her advantage..and not only would she and John be traveling on the same roster again; Dawn could finally wrestle. She smiled in kind to the red head,
"But the only question would be..would the G.M.'s go for it? It would mean the rosters would have to unify for this to work."
"Not necessarily" Lita shrugged, bringing her hands out of her lap to rest on the table. "I mean, it would make things more convenient, but I don't think it's a necessity." She paused for thought, opening her mouth to continue, but before she could.
Dave kissed her temple, "Li, honey..we're on vacation. Away from the ring, so let's just put all those thoughts aside." He held up a hand when her mouth opened to protest. "You were the one complaining about not having enough time away from the ring."
She nodded in agreement, threading her fingers with his. "Anyway..where's that waitress? I'm starvin'"
...........................................................
That afternoon the group found themselves on a swamp tour. Not exactly Dawn's or Stacy's ideal way to spend part of the afternoon, but for Lita's sake and for everyone elses they put their brave faces on. All throughout the day, John and Randy held their own conversations..their respective girlfriends seemingly pre-occupied. And so that was where they found themselves now. On a walking portion of their tour. Lita and Dave had trekked further along with the guide, Stacy and Dawn were mid-way and John and Randy straggled behind.
"So" Randy eyed the man next to him, trying to determine a good starting point. "What do you think of the from earlier?"
John raised a brow in confusion, "Huh?"
Randy almost frowned, was he that out of it? "You know..women's division. A real women's division." He made a gesture with his hand, in an attempt to jog his friend's memory.
"Oh yeah..that" John shrugged it off, his steel blue orbs focusing on something in the distance. "It sounds good on air, and it'd make the girls happy."
"Yeah..I know Stace wants to do more" Randy smiled faintly, watching his girlfriends retreating form. "Li already does a lot, but from the sounds of it I know she wants to do more."
John nodded absently. "Yeah..Dawn's mentioned it a few times. She gets frustrated..since the women's division is mostly on RAW and she couldn't be a part of it." The corners of his mouth turned just slightly, recalling one heated discussion they had. "She was hopin' that with the trades and all, she'd end up on RAW."
"And instead you did..and she's still stuck on SmackDown" Randy gathered the rest of it, sticking his hands in his pockets. "But at least she's got Li"
"Yeah but Li can only be so much to so many people" John frowned deeper this time, at the thought of his friend under so much pressure. "And she might not say it, but it gets to her that she can't do nothin'. Or that she can't be there"
Randy nodded in agreement at this assesment. Truth be told, John couldn't have been more on the money. A recent conversation with Dave backed up this thought that the red head tried to be everything to everyone, forgetting herself in the process. And now, as the two turned the corner, they caught up with their girlfriends.
"Ugh" Stacy groaned, picking a twig out of her long locks. "I am going to kill Torrie."
"Not if I get to her first" Dawn frowned, picking leaves out her tresses. "No wonder she didn't want to come."
Randy smirked, looking between the two. "It's leaves..and twigs. Not like it's gonna bite you or anything."
Dawn rolled her eyes, snapping back. "Oh shut up. Do you know how much it costs to get my hair done?" She groaned, picking at more objects. "And my nails..look at my nails!"
"Dawn, quit you're whining..I can hear you all the way up here" The red head looked over her shoulder, sticking her tounge out at the brunette. "You're disturbin' the peace."
"Well excuse me, Miss gung ho, nature lover" Dawn stuck out her tounge, pulling her locks into a messy ponytail. "But this? This isn't my ideal way to spend a day off."
"Then what is?" Lita rolled her eyes, leaning into the taller form next to her. "Shopping?"
"Ha ha..very funny" Dawn brushed past Stacy and Randy, settling on a bench in front of Dave and Lita. "It's just..we're in an exciting city like New Orleans..we could be doing something far more interesting. And yet, we're trekking through swampland."
Lita shook her head, exchanging a look with Dave. "Well, then next time we make vacation plans, don't let Torrie handle the scheduling."
"I will" Dawn stated matter of factly, as if that were her intentions all along. "When are we leaving here anyway?"
"Hotel check in is at.." Stacy pulled the brochure from her purse. "3:00 and it's" She grabbed Randy's hand to peer at his wrist watch. "2:30 now, so we can leave here anytime."
"Let's go before Princess Grace over here finds something else to complain about" Lita smiled sweetly to her friend, before she laced her hand with Dave's; the two leading the way back to the parking lot.
.....................................
Meanwhile, John and Randy had wisely stayed out of the remainder of the conversation. For one, they had hung around Lita long enough to know that she wouldn't hesitate to kick their asses if they said something. For two, Dave was right there with her, and if she attacked..he would. But more note worthy, John had not uttered a word sinceh is conversation with Randy. Truth be told, he hadn't really said anything since they had arrived in New Orleans, save for the yes in agreement or no in negative.And, as the group made their way back down the nature trail; Lita glanced back from her spot with Dave. Her calm hazel gaze, locking with the stormy blue eyes of one John Cena. In that one split second, Lita frowned before turning her attention forward again. A feather light touch on her boyfriend's arm, before she began.
Meanwhile, John and Randy had wisely stayed out of the remainder of the conversation. For one, they had hung around Lita long enough to know that she wouldn't hesitate to kick their asses if they said something. For two, Dave was right there with her, and if she attacked..he would. But more note worthy, John had not uttered a word sinceh is conversation with Randy. Truth be told, he hadn't really said anything since they had arrived in New Orleans, save for the yes in agreement or no in negative.And, as the group made their way back down the nature trail; Lita glanced back from her spot with Dave. Her calm hazel gaze, locking with the stormy blue eyes of one John Cena. In that one split second, Lita frowned before turning her attention forward again. A feather light touch on her boyfriend's arm, before she began.
"Have you had the chance to speak with John at all?" She glanced sideways, gauging Dave's facial expressions. "I mean..has anything been bothering him?"
Dave shrugged slightly, one imperceptiable glance back to the man in question before he addressed the red head's concerns. "..He hasn't said anything to me..or Randy really. But." The corners of his mouth turned slightly, as he gathered his thoughts. "Well, from what I can gather..he's a bit; frustrated with Dawn being on SmackDown."
"Hmm" Lita bit her lip in thought, her eyes going from calm and clear to cloudy and troubled. "Are you sure that's all?"
"Li," his hand gripped hers a little bit tighter, drawing her closer to him. "Honey, what's going through that pretty little head of yours?"
"It's just..there's something going on." She frowned again, her stormy hazel orbs locking with Dave's calm and clear. "And I don't know what to do."
One eyebrow raised at the change in demeanor, and just as he was about to inquire..he recalled the mood at the breakfast table. John had most certainly seemed ..different. And while there wasn't any conversation to eavesdrop on, the tension was so thick that morning. Of course, he was just as guilty for contributing to the tension. "John hasn't mentioned anything to me." He nearly frowned when the red head's look darkened a touch. "But that doesn't mean he hasn't said anything to Randy. Or that he won't say anything to you."
Lita nodded, sending another look back before she let out a soft sigh. "I just hate feeling so helpless. They're both my friends and they both mean the world to me." She shook her head, her hazel eyes now sad as they locked with Dave's. "All I want to do is help them..and I don't know how."
Dave sighed inwardly, dropping her hand in favor of looping his arm around the red head's waist. "Li..you have enough to worry about right now. And I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about the title, being on both shows. Plus, whatever else you have going on at home." He paused, to watch her expressions, a small smile gracing his face when some sense of peace finally settled on her features. "For once, just don't worry about anything. Relax."
She nodded, another sigh escaping her as she raked a hand through her hair. "I just want to help..that's all"
He stopped when they reached the rental cars, drawing the red head into his chest, "And that's what makes you- you. You care and you worry. But for once" He hooked a finger under her chin, waiting until her gaze was locked with his. "Don't worry about anything. Enjoy the time away from the road, enjoy being with your friends-"
Her lips meeting his cut him off from finishing his sentence, a contented sigh escaping her before she pulled back. "You know." Her face took on all seriousness, but her hazel eyes twinkled with mirth. "You talk too much"
.............................................................
Later that night, random club, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dave, Lita, John and Dawn found themselves out on the dance floor, while Randy and Stacy occupied themselves with a game of pool. Or rather, Randy was attempting to teach the long legged diva how to play pool.
"Now" Randy stood behind the blonde, putting his hands over hers as a guide. "Aim like this, then" He brought her through the movements, hitting the desired target with some accuracy. He moved back, beaming with pride. "There ya go."
Stacy frowned thoughtfully, recalling the movements. "I don't think this is for me Randy."
He waved a hand in front of his face, "Come on..you've got me as your teacher." He grinned in self confidence, standing behind her again. "Let's try again"
A soft groan of frustration escaped the blonde, but she knew better than to say anything. Instead, she went along with the lesson in proper pool shooting.
Meanwhile, over at the dance floor, Dawn and John are in the midst of a conversation with the other pair.
Lita exchanged an amused look with Dawn, "How long do you think it'll take before Stacy tries to whack him with the cue?"
Dawn bit back a laugh, half shrugging "From the looks of it? Not too long"
The vibrant red head, just shook it off; leaning further back into her boyfriend's strong grasp. Dawn on the other hand, kept the casual stance she had going with her boyfriend. While they were acting considerably better; the over all aura surrounding the two was somber. The tiniest of frowns marred the placid features of the red head, as she made a note to confront John as soon as possible. But for the moment, all thoughts of uncertainty on the relationship between her two friends were pushed aside.
A jubilant laugh and a rather annoyed sounding young male reached the ears of the pairs on the dance floor. When they turned their attention towards the source of the noise, Lita and Dawn nearly doubled over in laughter. Stacy had in fact used the cue stick as a weapon, the clue being Randy rubbing his shoulder. When Randy finally recovered from his bruised ego, the young couple joined the others out on the dance floor. After all, it was still a vacation, even if they had to be at a house show the next day. However, as the six danced the night away; they failed to notice a pair of hazel eyes observing the display from a corner booth.
........................................................................................
Authorly notes: Not too many plot elements dropped here, but there was a major one. I'm still trying to write this out in my head so..just bear with me if things get a bit choppy.
Review Responses:
Evilution: {beams} Thank you for your kind words! I end up using Hunter/Paul a lot as my antagonist, he's quite possibly the one I love to hate the most. As for the Dawn/Hunter thing..lets just say Hunter is going to learn a very valuable lesson by the time this fic. is through.
And Dave and Lita, {sigh} my newest obsession as far as pairings go. This is actually the first piece I've written about them, but I have a few more in mind..just waiting for the inspiriation to hit so I can post them here.
wataphreek : The pregnacy thing..as much as I dis-like how they're using it in the WWE (not the people involved but I guess the basis of it), will be used here. But not for a bit later
I don't mean to be rude by not replying in every chapter, just that I usually forget to add it..it takes a bit out of me to write and there are times when I just write and add chapter. Anywho, I thank everyone who has reviewed this piece. Since it's creation, I've been kinda wary about continuing. I felt that way since chapter 14 or so. But, with the reviews and the surges of creative spark this piece has become my favorite (at least so far) of the stories that I've written. And while I have been doing a less than fab. job of updating, I will remedy that.