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
Thank you to: gnomelover, aussiewrestlingfan, Latisha C. and wataphreek for the reviews on the last chapter.

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Chapter Four

Following the last match of the Heat tapings; Lita lounged in the shared locker room of Chris Benoit and Randy Orton. As the diva took a look around, the complexity of the situton came to her. Here they were, current champion and former champion. One man who had waited almost his entire career to get his hands on the title and the other who was just at the peak of his career. Honestly, you couldn't have found a more mis-matched pair. But then again, that's just how life turned out. At any rate, the diva was currently propped against the wall; a binder on her lap. Across from her the current champ was stretching while Benoit was off in the showers. Chris Jericho had just made his exit a few moments before and the had been joined by the great one--the Rock. Thanks to Jericho; the redhead had mostly escaped the torture sessions that she fondly called club hopping. Mostly because she had promised Rocky they would at least go out to shoot one game of pool. She shook her head, returning her thoughts to the matter at hand. Learning as much as possible at as many superstars on the current RAW roster.

She let out a soft sigh, scrutinizing one page before her gaze lifted upwards.

"Hey Randy" The diva began softly, clearing her throat to make sure she got his attention. "I just have a quick question for you."

A brow raised as the young champ paused in his stretching, shifting his weight back; palms resting flat on the floor. "Go on"

She bit her lip thoughtfully, choosing her words before she began "If Evolution was about being on top of the world. And about having all the gold on RAW. Why didn't they--"

"They do Lita. They just never asked." Orton raked a hand through his short hair, collecting his own thoughts. "That and we were always divided."

Lita raised a brow, cocking her head in question. "About who to choose or .."

"Not really" He carefully replied before his gaze settled on the wall. "We always agreed on who to ask, it was just when it was put forth that we should ask her? Someone was always in dis-agreement. Called her a liability."

"And it wasn't because she wasn't qualified for it. That was far from it. It's just. If a chick had joined Evolution, on some level we all would've felt obligated to protect her. And that, would've had us all off our game to some degree."

The redhead nodded slowly, "That has got to be one of the most chauvanistic things I have ever heard. But" She held up a hand when Randy opened his mouth to retort.

"Also one of the more selfless acts I can think of. Cuz, whoever was the one to protest it? Subconsciously, they were looking out for this chosen diva."

Orton snorted in response. "Yeah well, don't go making this guy out to be a saint. Because he is far from it. He--"

"Well whoever it is, he at least has one redeeming quality" The redhead cut him off abruptly. "Anyway, I've gotta find Victoria..and Nidia." The binder was closed, tucked back into the gym bag at her side as the diva stood.

"I'll see y'all later, okay?"

Just as Lita put her hand on the doorknob, an abrupt cough from behind caught her attention. Red locks splayed across her face as she turned.

"And where are you going?" Chris Benoit lightly enquired, a towel draped across his shoulders. "And why are you going alone?"

"Well daddy" The redhead huffed, placing a hand on her hip. "I'm going to see Victoria and Nidia. They wanted to meet with me at some point. So I figured, now is as good a time as any."

The Crippler raised a brow, leaning casually against the lockers. "Are you forgetting who I just faced? Those two slimeballs could be lurking in the halls."

"And that's just a risk I take Chris" Lita pursed her lips tightly together. "I'll be fine."

Before Chris could utter another word, Lita smiled brightly and ducked out of the locker room.

"I need to find Popcorn Fart anyway" Rock stood from his spot near the lockers. "I'll stop by Victoria's locker room though, make sure Li's safe."

"But, Orton" The Rock raised a brow. "Me, you. Hallway" He tilted his head towards the door, indicating for the young champ to follow.

Randy raised a brow at the Great One, but followed anyway.

"Look, I don't know why Lita and Chris helped you. I'll probably never figure out why the would help you. But" The Rock slipped of his shades; serious brown eyes holding the champ in place. "I know them well enough to trust their judgement. But, I will say this. If anything happens to that redhead or to my friend Lillian? You are in for an ass whooping of a lifetime."

Rock gave him a grin, clapping a hand on Orton's shoulder before he took off for other parts of the arena.

=======

Lita paced in the locker room, a sheer look of disgust on her face as Triple H made his way down to the ring.

"Disgusting creep" She muttered, hazel orbs narrowing in anger as he brought the microphone to his mouth.

"He'll get what's coming to him Li" Benoit re-assured from his spot on the bench. "Just give it some time."

"Lita" Randy spoke up quietly from his spot near the door, title belt draped over his shoulder. "Remember what I asked earlier, alright?"

The diva nodded, her eyes flashing with reassurance. "Just..be careful."

Randy raised a brow in response, but nodded abruptly before he ducked out of the locker room. His intent clear.

Chris tore his gaze from the monitor to regard the diva. "What did he ask you?"

Her shoulders shrugged slightly as a hand raked through her hair. "To stay away from the ring."

The Crippler raised a brow, "And are you actually going to listen?"

Lita rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the monitor. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, awaiting the arrival of the young champ. "You know, we should look into some new enterance music for him."

Chris chuckled at his friend, shaking his head as they both waited for Randy to make his move.

===

A few moments later, Lita was pacing again. This time her hands wringing together nervously as they awaited the return of the young champ.

"It shouldn't be taking this long" The diva turned worried eyes to the door. "Why did he have to do something so stupid."

"Lita--"

"I mean granted, he said he would deal with trouble his own way. But why?"

"Li--"

"I don't get it. I mean, does he have a death wish?"

"Lita!" Chris commanded firmly. "Please. Stop. First, you aren't doing yourself any good worrying about him."

"I'm not worr--"

Benoit raised a brow, cutting the diva off. "This was something that Orton needed to do. And look at it this way; if he believes in himself that much. To have the guts to spit in the face of the Game? Don't you believe in him?"

"Or is what you said about his potential just a lie?"

The redhead frowned, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip before she sank to the floor. "I'm just--"

"Worried?" Benoit offered, slumping down against the wall next to her. "And that's okay. He needs all the support he can get and if at least one person cares about what happens to him.."

"Did you two see that!" Randy Orton burst into the locker room, a look of pure jubilation on his face. "I have never felt better!"

Lita couldn't help but smile at the look on the champ's face. "I don't know if I would've done something like that, but congratulations."

"You have an interesting way of dealing with things" Benoit admitted as he stood, extending a hand towards Orton. "Just do me a favor? Stay in this locker room until we leave."

Orton raised a brow, but bit back his response none the less, merely nodding in compliance.

"So, what do you normally do after RAW?"

Lita turned curious hazel eyes to the champ, scrunching her nose slightly. "Go see Fozzy if they're playing. And usually we'll head out to one of the clubs afterwards." She shrugged, before adding as an afterthought. "But only if they have at least a pool table or air hockey."

"I haven't seen Fozzy live" Orton easily admitted. "That should be fun."

"It really is" Lita smiled easily, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Chris is just so full of energy. And he just gets so into it, sometimes he'll bring some of us onto the stage with him."

"I look forward to it then" Randy zipped up his gym bag after tucking the belt carefully inside. "But now? I really should change."

The diva nodded, hopping up quickly. "I have to get the rest of my stuff anyway. And check to see if Victoria is coming with us tonight."

She quirked a smile before ducking out of the locker room.

====

Later, during the show; Lita found herself in almost similar position. Only this time she wasn't pacing and instead of waiting with Benoit it was with Orton.

"So why is Benoit going out there?" Orton turned inquisitive blue eyes to the diva.

"To gain another ally..or two" She shrugged, twisting a strand of hair around a finger. "That's all really."

"And you trust Regal?"

"I trust Benoit and I trust his judgement" The redhead leaned against the cool metal surface of the locker; hazel orbs focusing intently on the monitor. "I don't really know either of them, but apparently..Eugene is really easy to brainwash."

Orton nearly winced at the underlying implication in her tone. "I didn't like that you know"

"If you didn't, you had an odd way of showing it." She replied evenly, her gaze still fixated on the monitor. "By joining them and beating the crap out of him?"

"It was either that or get my ass handed to me Lita." Randy let out a low sigh, raking a hand through his hair. "Of course, if I had known--"

"Hindsight is 20/20 Randy" The diva shrugged, turning her gaze towards him for a moment before she looked back to the monitor. "We've all done some pretty crappy things in our lives. No use dwelling on them now."

Randy opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off when a knock was heard at the door.

"Li? It's me" Chris Jericho called from the hallway, waiting until the diva appeared at the doorway to continue. "Can you give me a ride later? Rock has taken it upon himself to borrow my rental."

"I guess" The diva shifted her weight back. "We're already giving Vi a lift anyway..what time do you need--"

"The sooner we can leave, the better" Chris grinned broadly, squeezing the diva's shoulders. "I owe you one."

She mentioned as Chris made his exit. "Meet us in the parking lot"

The native Canadian nodded, lifting his hand in farewell.

Lita turned her gaze back to the monitor, then sent a look to Randy. "After Benoit gets here--"

"It would be in the best interest for us all to leave?"

"Mmm" Lita nodded her agreement. "Exactly. The sooner we get out of here, the more distance we put between ourselves and Evolution."

===

Lita and Randy waited a few moments longer, before Benoit did appear. Following him, Lillian Garcia. Once the four were all together and had all of their belongings; they made their way out into the parking lot. Benoit happily informing them that they could now call on Euguene and Regal as their allies. The diva sighed in relief as they piled their belongings into the SUV, awaiting the arrival of their other travel partners. And, as the rental pulled out of the lot; everyone failed to notice the car trailing behind them.

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End Chapter Four