Title: Winds of Change
Spoilers: RAW; 8/16
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Summary: A new alliance is formed
Notes: Lita not pregnant, everything else goes. And I apologize in advance if you don't like the way Randy is being portrayed in this part, but eh.
Keys: italics = thoughts; bold = emphasis
Thank you to: irishcookie and whataphreek for reviewing
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Chapter One
Lita stiffled a yawn as she and the young champ stood out in the hallway of the hotel. Between her stuff and the added cargo of Randy Orton; the redheaded diva was quite loaded..feeling more like a pack mule than anything. Blindly she reached for her hotel key card, and finally after the third attempt managed to get the key card into the slot.
"You can either stay with me or I can go knocking on Benoit and Jericho's door." Probing hazel orbs turned to the man as she nudged the door open with her foot.
"What'll it be?"
When Randy replied with silence, the redhead took that as a sign that he would be staying with her. She half shrugged, propping the door open for him as she tossed their bags on to the floor.
"Do you usually have a roommate?" He drawled slowly, the sleep and the painkillers obviously having their effects.
"Depends really. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I just like the peace and quiet." She hefted one of her own bags onto the bed nearest the window.
"I need to call Chris..so I'll just head into the bathroom or whatever, give you some privacy."
From the corner of her eye, the red head could see his head bobbing in acknowledgement; the young man hefting his own bag from the floor. The diva nearly frowned at her own carelessness but shook it off as she entered the bathroom, cellphone, toiletries and change of clothes in arms.
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"Chris, look I'm sorry to--"
"I would've expected you to call" The Crippler sternly, but sleepily interrupted. "How's the kid holding up?"
"He hasn't really said much" She honestly replied, perching on the bathroom sink. "Could be painkillers, could be lack of sleep..but I'd be willing to bet it's the shock of it all, you know?"
"Mmm" Chris mumbled his agreement, and the red head could hear the grumblings of the other Chris in the background. "Is he rooming with you?"
"Yeah" The diva absently nodded, twirling strands of hair around one finger. "The ER DR has put him under my watch the next 48 hours."
"I see. Well look, I'll stop by in the morning..or later, or whatever. You just try and get some rest, okay Li?"
"Yeah..just wanted to give ya a quick update, what not.." The diva trailed off, stiffling another yawn as Chris Benoit wrapped up the conversation.
"I appreciate it. And Li? If he does talk, just remember that we've both been in his shoes."
The native Canadian ended the call after that, leaving the red head to blink owlishly at the cell phone. She shrugged it off, tossing the cellphone in the corner to begin her nightly routine.
Why would Hunter do it? Is he that consumed by that damn belt?
Lita frowned thoughtfully at her reflection as she squeezed a bit of toothpaste on her brush.
Or is Hunter jealous?
The red head continued to think on it as she finished up her routine in the bathroom; coming to the conclusion that as of this moment in time. She really was in no position to find out. It wasn't like she could just go waltzing into the Evolution hotel suite and demand to know why they turned on Randy Orton. But at the same time, Lita couldn't help but feel..well helpless. As Chris had so tactfully pointed out, she did know what it was like to be turned on, to be betrayed. And given, that would help somewhat; when and if Orton decided to talk. But until that point? What more could she do?
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Lita messily piled her red locks into a ponytail, as she exited the bathroom; now clad in gym shorts and a tank top. She yawned fully, stretching her arms overhead as she closed the bathroom door. Only when she fully faced the beds, did she notice that Randy was not only fully asleep, but he was also sprawled haphazardly on the bed. When she got closer, she noticed the other thing.
Well, this is interesting. Not only is the World Heavyweight champion sharing a room with me, but he's half dressed.
The diva shook her head, expelling the thought from her mind. Now was definately not the time to start fantazing in any manner. Not that she would anyway. At any rate, Lita padded quietly to his side, gingerly grasping his long limbs to tuck the young champion in.
As the diva finished her motherly work; she noticed just how angelic he looked at that moment. Of course, she reminded herself, that everyone looks angelic when they're sleeping. But it was at that passage of time; that she really saw Randy Orton. The bandage around his head, bruises newly formed on his cheekbone. The diva finally saw the way things really were. Stressed, but still full of confidence. It was then she realized that the youth laying there was the real Randy Orton. Not as a cocky, young man at the top of the world; but as a vulnerable, young boy. The corners of her mouth tugged into a frown as she recalled exactly why he was laying there, and not with his supposed friends. Before she turned to her own bed, Lita reached a hand out; her fingertips just brushing over his temple. But, as she went to pull her hand back, the diva let out a small gasp as weak, but still firm fingers grasped her wrist.
"Thanks" He croaked out sleepily as one blue eye opened to regard the red headed diva.
Lita quirked a tiny, lopsidded smile in response; not entirely sure as to what he was thanking her for. Added to the fact that she knew he was exhausted. She merely nodded, almost frowning when she lost contact with him but she shook it off. The red head sighed as she pulled a thin blanket over herself; what in the world had she gotten herself into?
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The next morning the red head awoke to sharp, persistent knocks at her hotel room door.
"Coming" She mumbled sleepily, hazel orbs fluttering open only to squeeze tightly shut at the sunlight streaming through the window.
The diva stumbled out of the bed, shuffling first to shut the curtians; lest she disturb her still sleeping roomie. She yawned on her way over to the door, peeking through the peephole before the door was opened just a crack.
"Morning" Chris Benoit softly declared. "Did you sleep at all?"
"I could use another few hours" Lita admitted, yawning again as she stepped into the hall; leaving the door slightly ajar. "But, I'll live."
"And he--"
"Still sleeping Chris."
"Good" The Crippler crossed his arms, leaning sideways against the wall. "I'd ask if you want to join Jericho, Lil and me for breakfast, but--"
"Normally, I'd love to. But I really think I should stay here. He's still in my care, remember?" The diva shrugged."I'll probably just order room service."
Benoit nodded, tugging on the ends of the messy ponytail "I'll stop by later on. Whether the kid wants our help or not--"
"We've already done this much, so it's only right to do a little bit more?" The diva offered, rolling her eyes in spite of the early morning visit. "I'll see ya later Chris."
Lita stepped back inside the hotel room, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. As she turned to lean against the wall, a stirring Randy Orton caught her eye. The diva waited until he was at least in some sort of state to acknowledge her and in the meantime busied herself; getting a glass of water and the bottle of painkillers.
"I'll order us some room service" She mumbled quietly, setting the necessities down on the nightstand. "Any preferences?"
Orton winced as he sat up, sleepily blinking his blue eyes. "Not really" He opened the bottle, popping a capsule in his mouth, before he turned his gaze to the diva. "Thank you."
She shrugged it off, releasing her unruly locks from the pony tail. "Not a big deal"
"Whatever" He mumbled before he swallowed down the pill; welcoming the remainder of the cool liquid. "I look like crap, don't I?"
"I'd imagine it. since you do look it" The diva rambled off, mentally kicking herself as soon the words escaped her. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled--"
He admitted easily. "It's the truth. I've felt worse physically but at this point in time? I don't think I've ever felt this.."
"Betrayed?" She offered, perching on the edge of his bed. "That's to be expected."
Orton nodded in agreement, wincing again as he threw the covers back. "I need to.."
"Enough said" Lita hopped up, maintaining some proximity in case she was needed. "I'll order that room service..then Chris'll be around later." She watched the retreating form, half limped his way to the bathroom before she turned her attention to the phone and the laminated menu.
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Two hours later, Randy and Lita sat around the table in their room; the tv quietly emitting the days news and weather in the background. Just as Lita was about to enquire about if Randy was up to doing anything; a sharp knock at the door interrupted. The red head excused herself, noting the way he stiffened at the intrusion.
"Hey Chris" She smiled softly, opening the door to reveal the Canadian Crippler. "We're just finishing breakfast."
"At 11:00 a.m.?" The Wolverine raised a brow, shutting the door behind him. "Jericho's downstairs in the lobby, checking out right now."
"Crap" The red head muttered softly. "I--"
"I'll stay here" Chris offered softly the diva, assesing the champ. over her shoulder. "I'd like to talk to him a moment anyway."
Lita nodded, offering an apologetic smile to Orton before she ducked out of the room.
"Why?" The young champ. asked as soon as the red head had left the room. "Why are you two helping me?"
"Because it's the right thing to do. You may have been an ass before, but no one. No one. Deserves to be treated like they treated you last night." Benoit raked a hand through his short hair, sizing up the man before him. "Look, Li and I both know what it feels like to be stabbed in the back like that. And take my word for it, she and I both have it in for taking Hunter down."
Orton nodded, swallowing down his last bite of food. "And how do I know that you two won't--"
"If we were going to do something like that." The Wolverine grinned unsettingly. "Either we wouldn't have helped you at all, or we would've finished you off." He shrugged casually, inwardly smirking at the look of fear that flashed the blue eyes of the champ. "You'll just have to trust us."
Randy hesitated before abruptly nodding. Figuring that even if she was just a chick; Lita could have easily taken him out during the night. "So what now?"
"Well, according to her; she has to watch over you for the next 48 hours? You two can either come to Atlanta with me and Lil, or I'll go with the two of you to Sanford." He settled on the bed, absently toying with the remote. "Saftey in numbers after all."
"Don't I know that" Orton mumbled into his glass of orange juice. "I guess we'll just have to wait for--"
"We're all set" The red head breezed back into the room, resuming her seat at the table. "Whenever you're ready..we can leave."
Orton nodded, swallowing down the last gulp of his juice. "I just want to shower really quick." He trailed off quietly as he busied himself with gathering a change of clothes and shower supplies.
"I mentioned to him that" Chris began, waiting until the bathroom door was shut to continue. "I could either go with you to Sanford, or you two can come with me to Atlanta." He eyed the red head, hopping up from the bed to steal a piece of fruit from her plate. "Your call."
Lita absently nodded, dabbing at the corners of her mouth. "Why don't you come with us. The less people we put in harms way.."
"Understood" Benoit conceded, "So we'll just leave after he's done then?"
"Mmmhmm" The diva agreed easily. "Then we figure out what to do." She smiled menancingly, her eyes flashing with vengence. "Hunter Hearst Helmsley won't know what hit him."
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End Chapter 1.