Title: In The End
Disclaimer: I own not a thing..
Rating: R- for harsh language and suggestive dialogue
Spoilers: RAW storyline involving Matt/Lita/Kane, but my way
Pairings: Pshh
Summary: When Lita confronts the father of her unborn child; a new nightmare begins.
Notes: See the previous chapters and..I'm debating whether to finish this in two more parts or make it a series..you tell me.
Part Four: In Over My Head
A semi-relieved Lita exited the steamy bathroom, a distant gaze still haunting her face; but for the most part she seemed to feel better. At least, that's what her best friend could hope. Something big was going on..something that had Stacy, Edge, Chris..perhaps others..but had them all waiting in the wings with baited breath. All he did know at that point, was that she wasn't telling any of them a damn thing. Which of course, was why he was there...and he knew that full well. A quick chat with Shane Helms had gotten him no where in this mystery.He could only hope that by the end of this night; that at least he would get somewhere closer to the bottom of this. He knew well enough not to push her and he also knew that they weren't pushing her. However, he could only wonder just how complicated this situation could possibly be. Chris and Stacy had thankfully filled him on a bit of things..things that he wouldn't have picked up just by watching RAW. He knew the red head was pregnant, part of him thinking it was Matt's but knowing somewhere in him..it wasn't. Thanks to the blonde bombshells..blonde ambition as Lita had so aptly named them.. he also knew that the red head hadn't given any hints as to who the father could be.
'But why? Is she ashamed?'
He shook his head at that thought..that girl was anything but ashamed about herself. Normally, she exuded self confidence; this glow just emintating off of her and touching everyone she knew. But, when green eyes had met hazel, the lack luster gleam..the life seemingly sucked out of her. This was not the Lita he knew. The woman before him was hiding something..something that plauged her..haunted her. Something that troubled the very depths of her soul and yet, instead of seeking some sort of solace..she kept it inside.
'Then why isn't she saying anything? What could be so bad about it all that she wouldn't tell us?'
Green eyes laced with concern, followed the red head's dazed movements from the bathroom to the bed. A frown marring his features as she flopped down; lost in her thoughts.
"I feel a world better" The red head grinned half heartedly to her new roomie. "I'm glad your here Jeff."
He nodded, watching her eyes and her facial expressions carefully. "Hm."
"Whadya mean, hm?" Lita tossed the towel off from around her shoulders; draping it carefully on the pillows.
"Why am I here?"
The diva bit her lip, feigning confusion. "Because.."
Jeff sat back, watching as the red head's face displayed her emotions for the world. Her heart and mind actors in a twisted tale.
"Lita...earth to Lita" A flustered Jeff waved his hands in front of his friend's face. "Are you in there?"
"Huh?" The red head snapped to attention, blinking away the confusion so clearly written across her face. "What were you saying?"
Jeff rolled his eyes, a patient sigh escaping him before he re-settled himself in front of her. "More like, you were about to say..you know?"
A slip of clarity washed over her troubled brow, only to be replaced by one of hesitance. Hazel eyes darted around the hotel room, landing anywhere but his probing green orbs. "I'm not really sure where to begin" She shrugged slightly, twisting damp strands of hair between her fingertips. "I mean..how much do you know?"
Jeff sat back on the bed opposite her, studying her shaken and defeated form carefully. "I know what I can Li, and that's not saying much."
The red head nodded, sitting up to lean back against the headboard. "Well..I don't really know where to start.." She let out a breath, fisting the hem of her tank top in her hand. "I just-"
"Li.." He mirrored her movements, laying on his side to watch her. "Just start from the beginning and remember who you're with. It's Jeff..no pretending."
A few pointed moments of silence later and Lita finally began. Spinning the tale from memory.
"It started out completely innocent..he was just there for me when I needed someone to be there." She shrugged, twisting the ends of her hair around a finger. "And then..it just grew I guess. We would run into each other in the halls, backstage, at the clubs..wherever and..that went on for about two weeks or so." She shook her head, red locks running freely over her face. "And then..well I'm sure you saw when Matt jumped from SmackDown to RAW.." Her voice trailed off once more as the red head locked eyes with her reflection, images in her mind playing before her soul. "I won't go into any details..I really don't think they matter..but..after that night. It was just like a flood gate opened."
"So you slept with him?" His southern drawl gently coaxed, green eyes encouraging.
She nodded, drawing her legs forward. "And after that night..we agreed never to do it again. I hate myself sometimes for it. One night stands have never been my thing and I never thought I'd do something like it..but there's just something about him" Hands flailed before her, desperately trying convey the turmoil within. "And I know it must sound like a weak excuse, but it's the truth."
Jeff nodded, resisting the urge to join the red head, soothe her fears. "Go on.."
"After that..we still had small encounters if you will; backstage, in the locker rooms..wherever. But we didn't sleep together. I was too busy trying to shake off Christian, console Trish" The red head frowned from behind her silken curtain, at the very thought of the two. "Anyway, before too long we just forgot about the whole thing. Or at least I think that's what we tried to do. I mean, I can't speak for him..but I couldn't forget it. I couldn't forget him." She let out a breath, clenching and unclenching her hands. "So, instead of dwelling on it..I went after the title again. Focused on my career."
"Okay so-"
"If Chris or Shane..hell even if Matt hasn't told you; I'm sure you know about the little run-ins I've had with Kane" One hand reached forward, brushing her face back from her hair. Bloodshot eyes brimming with unshed tears. "And..that's when it happened again." Inwardly she shuddered, steeling her nerves before she revealed the events from the last night. "Kane had me cornered..hostage really. I was his sacrifice and only his sacrifice at first. Then I finally learned the truth of it all." She shook her head, curling into herself; her forehead resting atop her knees.
Jeff looked on helplessly, knowing that if he were to interfere in any way, she'd just close up again. So instead, he just waited for her to continue.
Her voice was muffled, but still strong..if not shaky. "Kane wanted and Kane still wants an heir. A new demon to carry on his carnage. And apparently, I fit the job description." Her shoulders heaved as she let out another breath, the red head taking the time to collect herself before she went on. "But..fortunately for me..or now unfortunately, I really don't know; he was there. It was almost like he had never left my side. He offered to protect me, keep me safe. No questions asked. I agreed, cuz well..I really had no other logical options. It was either leave myself open like the lamb to the slaughter or leave myself and Matt open like the lamb to the slaughter."
"You can stop you know." Jeff scooted closer to the edge of the bed; the tips of his toes resting on the floor. "I won't push you"
She half shrugged, her head barely shaking no. "He held up his end of the bargain..kept me safe in the parking lot, kept me safe in the locker rooms..everywhere imaginable. And he always managed to stay out of Matt's eagle eyes." Her head lifted, a damp cheek resting on her knees. "And of course, he protected me on the one night I needed it the most. The night I was supposed to deliver my end of the deal to Kane."
He lifted a brow, carefully wording his next phrase but failing anyway. "So did you sleep with him, in hopes you'd get pregnant?"
"It was nothing like that Jeff. He wouldn't do something like that and neither would I." The red head let out a tired sigh, keeping her gaze trained on the window. "He got me out of there, got as much distance between myself and Kane as possible. We just kept driving out of that city, into some town. I can't even remember now. We felt it was only right that we should celebrate..so we did." Another tired sigh escaped her, the red head recalling both the joy she felt at that moment..then the utter regret and dispair the next morning. "Things just went from there..and.."
"That's where you are now" He nodded knowingly, scooting fully off the bed to sit next to her. "So, what happens next baby girl?"
"What do you mean what's next? Isn't it obvious?" Hazel eyes filled with grief, guilt, pain and anger snapped to her friend. "I can't give up this baby..but at the same time; I don't know if I can do this on my own."
"What about Matt?"
"Matt and I.." The red head flopped back, her eyes focusing now on the ceiling. "Matt and I are over. My choice, not his..so don't even think of giving him any grief right now."
The younger Hardy held up his hands in defeat, leaning back with the diva. "So..what about the father?"
"He wants a chance..and part of me feels he should have that chance. In fact, that part of me knows he should have that chance. But" She shook her head, burying her face in her hands. "I don't know Jeff. I'm scared."
"What does your heart say Li-Li?" Strong hands, gently brushed her hair from her face; coaxing her hands away. "Cuz, you and I both know..your heart know's what's best. Even if up here" He tapped the side of her head with his index finger. "You disagree. Heart over mind Li."
"I know Jeff, but easier said than done. At this point, I'm not sure if he's being sincere or if I'm just going to be strung along for a ride to hell and back." The diva sighed, raking her hands through her hair. "I mean, I don't even know how I'm going to break it to people that he is the father. Let alone the fact that.." She buried her face in her hands, a muffled "Ugh" escaping her.
A soft, near inaudible sigh escaped the man beside her. "You just have to trust your instincts. Somewhere inside of you..beneath all of this mess and this iron façade..you know what you want and you know the truth."
She nodded just barely, turning her form to lean against him fully. "Yeah but..I-"
"Li honey, just take it one step at a time. Stace, Adam..Chris they're all worried about you and I know damned well that they'll help you." He hooked a finger underneath her chin, tilting her head upwards. "Just take it one step at a time..and start by talking to them."
Hazel eyes rapidly blinked back tears as the red head gave him a nod. "I'm still trying to figure out how to tell them..well I shouldn't say that." The corners of her mouth turned down just slightly, her brows knitting together. "I worry about what they'll say..when I tell them who."
Jeff raised a brow green eyes twinkling with unvoiced curiosity. "By the by...who is the father? I must admit that's eatin' away at me."
The red head opened her mouth to respond, but when the words escaped her..she merely offered a weak smile. For his part, Jeff was about to go on, when a knock at the door interrupted him. He slipped off the bed, but not before squeezing the red heads shoulder.
"That should be our room service."
Jeff froze in mid step, the hotel room door half open to the person before him..instinctivly shielding the red head from view.
"Can I help you?"
The man at the door raised a brow incredulously, but recovered enough to state rather matter of factly "..I'm here to see Lita"
Jeff snorted, crossing his arms in front of him. "Like hell you are..what do you want with her?"
"That's my business and Lita's concern." He scoffed, eyeing the man before him. "That's all you really need to know."
"When it concerns my best friend?" Jeff refused to back down, stepping forward a touch. "It is my business. So I'll ask again, what do you want with her?"
A brow rose, one hand clenching and unclenching at his side..but he still maintained his composure. "If she's your best friend, why hasn't she told you?"
"She was just getting to that before we were so rudely interrupted."
"I'm sure" The man shook his head, eyes darting over the shorter man's head; seeking out the red head. "Look, I just need to talk to Lita for a minute. Then I'll be on my way."
"Yeah, okay sure" Jeff rolled his eyes, attempting to close the door before a hand halted his actions.
"Jeff.." The red head spoke up quietly, refusing to meet the intense gazes from either man. "I am in no mood to explain to my co-workers occupying this particular floor. Both the fact that you are here." She sent a pointed glance to her best friend. "Or why he is here" Her head nodded in acknowledgement to the other presence. "So, if you would both cut the childish bullshit, I'd appreciate it." She stepped back, her arms crossed authoritatevly..silently challenging either one of them to argue.
For his part, Jeff shot a look to the red head, demanding an explaination, but complied with her wishes. He sent one last warning glare to their guest before he resumed his position on the diva's bed.
Lita in turn, sent her attention to their visitor. A brow raising, despite her current state of turmoil. "Why are you here?"
He offered a nonchalant shrug in response, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. "You said we could talk later.."
The diva shook her head in disbelief, slumping down in the chair. "Next time I'll be more specific then. How did you-"
"I make it my business to know your where abouts." He confirmed her suspicions, settling in the chair across from her.
"Reason being, this thing with Kane? Despite what you may tell yourself, it's far from over."
"I'm aware of that..thanks" The red head pressed her lips into a thin line, flicking her gaze between the two men. "Well..you two know each other, right? So no introductions are-"
"Hold on right there" This time, Jeff interrupted the diva. "We may have met..I can't recall. But, formalities ain't my strong point." He ignored the glare from the other man, setting his green eyes on the red head. "Why is he here?"
Lita winced, chewing lightly on her lower lip. "I think the answer should be obvious Jeff."
"You have got to be kidding." He blinked at his friend, glancing between the two before his probing gaze settled once more on the red head. "HE'S THE FATHER?"
The red head inwardly sighed, praying that the man at the table with her wouldn't loose his temper. "Tone it down just a tad..and yes."
Hazel eyes watched as her best friend went through her normal calming routines. "Alright." The youngest of the three let out a breath. "Lita, may I have a word with you?"
"Jeff..I really think that whatever you need to say, can be said here" Lita flinched at her friend, his stance..his facial features reminding her of Matt. "Please"
"Do you trust him?" Pleading green eyes locked with hers, "Lita, honestly..look me in the face and tell me you trust him."
The diva in turn, curled up in the chair, hugging her knees to her chest. "Given my current situations..I really can't afford not to. I mean I-"
"That's not what I asked Li" A soft Southern voice broke into her outward thoughts. "I don't want you to say what you think we should hear. I want to know what you feel. Start living, heart over mind. Right here. Right now."
'Do I trust him'
Hazel eyes emitting a storm of emotions flicked between the two others in the room. The two of them, representing a different part of her. One her past, the other possibly her future. The two of them, whom she knew would never be on the same page..drawn together by her. Because of their connection with her..one connection that ran so deep and the other just beginning. One who knew her so well..he could read her like an open book. The other, who didn't know her at all.
'Well...that's not entirely true. They both know you..just in different ways.'
"Do I trust him.." Her voice murmered the question aloud, mostly to herself but loud enough to alert the other two that she was still with them. She absently slipped out of the chair, ignoring the probing sets of eyes following her every move. She paused by the window, leaning against the frame to collect her thoughts.
'If I didn't trust him, he wouldn't be in here right now. If I didn't trust him, I wouldn't have felt safe going into the Highlight Reel with Kane. And, if I didn't trust him..I wouldn't have said a damn thing to begin with.'
She turned from the window, still resting against it. Her eyes first meeting the questioning green before moving to the other. Their gazes locked as she opened her mouth, yet still hesitant..as if waiting for a signal. Her hazel orbs casting her own questions to the man. Knowing that her answer, would determine the direction of the rest of her life.
"Yes, I trust him."
End Part Four