Title: Winds of Change
Disclaimer: Standard; I own nothing.
Spoilers: Minor, follows some RAW storylines from the timeframe 8/16/04 and beyond.
Summary: A new alliance is formed
Notes: Pretty much everything from the regular RAW show, except I'm ignoring the pregnancy/wedding angle. And, if you've read any of my other stuff; the chapters for this piece will be shorter but that'll change in time. Just let me lay down my plot seeds.
Keys: italics = thoughts; bold = emphasis
Thanks to: Latisha C, irishcookie, Lucy and together for the reviews
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Chapter Three
From his spot in the back seat of the rented SUV, Randy Orton came to some sort of conclusion. Over the last 72 hours he had gained closer allies in Benoit and Lita, than he ever had in Hunter and Flair. Of course, it was only the beginning, a honeymoon phase if you will; but still. With Hunter and Flair it was all about business and as Lita had pointed out, all about Hunter. At least with Benoit and Lita he was free to talk about other things. Of course, that wasn't to say that they didn't discuss business; but at least they weren't as consumed by it. The young champ, inwardly shuddered; his mind pondering the possibility of himself becoming another Ric Flair or Hunter Hearst Helmsley. He learned, in the spanse of time spent with present company, that while they did go after the gold for all they were worth, they at least had the good sense to seperate it from life. It was part of life, but it wasn't life itself. And Randy couldn't have been more thankful for that. Traveling with this trio also meant a few changes. He did have to admit, that in some way he'd miss the limo, the posh hotel suites and all the other perks that came along with riding the coat-tails of two of the biggest names in the business. But at the same time, it was a welcome change. A push further away from the ties that bind.
He stiffled a yawn, stretching out his long limbs along the the length of the back seat; tucking his arms behind his head to observe the other passengers. In the front, Chris Benoit was at the wheel while Lillian was partly navigating and negotiating radio stations. And in front of him, the redheaded diva was sprawled in a similar manner as himself. Only, while Randy had a pile of magazines strewn on the floor beneath him; the diva had video tapes, cd's and binders. Blue eyes observed casually as the diva switched her atttention between the items; replacing a cd and marking off a few pages in a binder. Truth be told, he was content for things to stay that way. But, such would not be the case
"In the words of Pee Wee Herman" The diva began, her gaze never faltering from the papers before her. "If you take a picture, it'll last longer."
Randy raised a brow in reponse, almost embarrased to have been caught staring. But he just shrugged it off. "Just wondering what you find so interesting."
Her nose scrunched slightly as hazel eyes turned towards him ."It's statistics. History of matches, all that wonderful boring stuff that people have a tendency to just overlook." Idly she closed the binder draped on her lap, a pen to hold her place. "And the videos are more of the same--"
From the driver's seat, the Crippler snorted. "I'd hardly say that Pee Wee's Big Adventure qualifies as boring, wrestling statistics Li."
The diva stuck out her tounge at the back of the seat, "Well, I can't help that. It beats being dragged out to some stupid club, when all I really want to do is relax."
"So you're trying to tell me, that all you're going to do tonight is hash over old wrestling footage and stats? Please, Lita. I don't buy that for a minute." Benoit rolled his eyes at the rearview mirror, visibly shaking his head.
"There's plenty of time do to that on days off Red, try and relax a little outside of your hotel room."
A bemused smirk played on Orton's face as he listened to the brief exchange, before he addressed the redhead. "Is that what you normally do?"
Lita's shoulders shrugged casually, her head tilting at the man. "Yes, but normally not to this extent. It all depends on the opponents."
She paused as questions passed through Orton's eyes, the redhead chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip before she continued. "This is relatively normal preparation for someone like Hunter. The only reason there's more prep. is that Evolution has changed. Hence, we have to take into consideration that their strategy will change." She waited again, gauging the reaction on Randy's face before she said another word. When he didn't she summed it all up.
"We use tonight and possibly next week to observe, gather whatever we can on whatever allies they might have or might try to gain. We also use this time to gain our own allies." As she finished, the redhead questioned herself as to why she was freely sharing this tidbit of information, but then she realized. If she didn't explain her actions, where could Orton really start putting his trust?
For his part, Randy merely nodded. Acknowledging the obvious and re-evaluating his previous conclusions on the redheaded diva.
"Chris, I'm starving. We have hours before we need to be at the arena and I know there's a rest stop or somethin' up ahead" The diva turned a pouting face to the rearview mirror. "And if you don't stop I'll--"
"Enough said" Chris sent a mock glare in Lita's direction before he did in fact move to the turn off lane.
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By the time they checked into the hotel and then made the trip to the arena; Lillian was napping in the middle seat whilst Benoit was lost in his thoughts in the last. And with Randy heading up the role of navigator; Lita pulled the rental into the parking lot.
"All ashore who's going ashore" The redhead announced, unbuckling her seatbealt.
"Do you have the card for tonight?" Benoit sat up, scratching the back of his neck. "I know I'm not on, but are either of you?"
Randy produced a folded piece of paper from his pocket, scanning it once before he passed it back to Chris. "I'm not and I don't think she is either"
"I don't like the sounds of that" Lita frowned, turning in her seat, her eyes locking with Benoit's. "Bischoff's up to something..or Hunter"
"Which means" Chris also frowned as he passed the piece of paper back up to Randy. "We need to be on guard tonight. More so than usual. And it also means that the two of you need to stay out of trouble."
"That goes for you too Chris" Lita raised a brow, stuffing a few of her binders in to her gym bag. "I won't make promises, but I'll do my best."
"I won't go looking for trouble, but if trouble finds me?" Randy smirked confidentally, stuffing a magazine or two into his gym bag. "I'll deal with it, my way."
Benoit snorted in response, a bemused smirk sent towards the front. "Let's just get through this night without any bloodshed and no hospital trips. Alright?"
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Lita straddled the bench in the locker room she had been assigned to, noting that it was right across the hall from Randy and Benoit and next door to Chris Jericho. Lillian had already gone on ahead to the catering hall for the pre-RAW meeting and Chris had yet to arrive. She also knew that Benoit was at the catering hall, since he had just popped his head in five minutes prior. He let the diva know that he was on his way there and that Randy was still in the locker room. But, just as Lita was leaving her locker room; she caught sight of an intimidating form leavin the locker room opposite hers. She bit her lip, straining to catch the remainder of the conversation but to no avail. Instead, she waited until Randy was alone again before she fully stepped into the hallway; casually sweeping her hair out of her face.
"Guess we should go meet the others, hm?" She began, offering a half hearted smile to the young champ. "Chris and--"
"Do me a favor tonight, okay?" Randy cut her off shortly, blue eyes flashing with anger. "I need you to stay away from that ring."
The redhead regarded him skeptically as they finally set off towards the meeting. "Why?"
"Hunter's calling me out" He stated quietly, "And where Hunter is--"
"I'm well aware of all of that, but why should I just stand back and do nothing?"
Randy raked a hand through his own hair, before he stated sternly "Because Lita, this is something I have to do."
Solemn hazel eyes locked with determined blue for a moment, before the diva merely nodded. "Just let Chris know."
He nodded in turn as the two continued on their way to the meeting. As they entered the catering hall; Lita caught sight of Hunter, Batista and Flair huddled in the corner. And on the opposite side she saw Benoit, Jericho and Lillian. For a brief moment the redhead wondered where Orton would be going; that was until a hand rested lightly at the small of her back. The diva turned hazel orbs in surprise to the owner of said hand before she regained her senses. And as she and Randy joined the group in the corner; Lita swore she could feel daggers being glared..and not just from the group opposite them; but from other sources. Whatever the case, she shook it off settling in a spot between Benoit and Orton just as Bischoff entered the catering hall to begin the meeting.
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Lita rolled her eyes as the meeting was wrapped up, eager to leave that place in favor of her chosen sanctuary. However, before the redhead could make her retreat; hands clamped over her eyes.
"Now I know you weren't about to walk out of here without saying hello. Oh no no no no, that just won't do"
An annoyed huff escaped the redhead before she shook her head. "Rock, just let go okay? I have some important business to attend to."
The Rock let out a dramatic sigh, complying with the diva's request. "So, let me walk you back to your locker room. You can talk to me on the way there, I'll nod my head and pretend I'm listening and then you can come out and partay with me later."
"I'm afraid I'll have to take a raincheck on that last one Rocky." Lita shook her head, linking arms casually with her friend. "As I said, important business."
The Rock raised a brow, sending a look back to Benoit before he grinned. "The Rock understands.." He wiggled his eyebrows mischievously, but before he could get the witty remark in.
"Not like that asshole" The diva rolled her eyes, an agigtated sigh escaping her. "But if it means that much to you--"
"You can't turn down an invitation to party with the Rock, can you? I'll even let you bring along your little boyfriend."
The Rock grinned at the twin withering glares he received but just waved it off.
"So, later okay? We'll meet in the lobby of the hotel." He clapped a hand on Lita's shoulder, then on Benoit's before he turned on heel heading to other parts of the arena.
The redhead just shook her head at the retreating form before she stopped near their locker rooms. "I'm gonna go back to my strategizing. Start ruling out any possibilities." She quirked a lopsided grin before she ducked back into the locker room. For their parts, Randy and Chris retreated inside their locker room. And in the time before Heat was started; Orton and Benoit discussed strategy. Tonight would be the inital phase of their plan. All they needed now was for Hunter's ego to take control, like it always did. And, as the two discussed the possible outcomes; Benoit couldn't help but wonder. Would Randy's own ego be the loophole in this plan? For their sake's he certainly hoped not.
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End Chapter Three