Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: No
Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.
Pairings-Characters: Dawn-Batista, Victoria-Chris J., Lillian-Chris B., Randy, Lita, Stacy and many others.
Summary: They thought they had all they could want, but what happens when they end up with more?
Notes: The Kane/Lita/Matt angle never happened. Erase that from your memory..and we'll be fine.
...
Chapter Six
Randy returned to the hotel suite a little before 1:00 a.m. And while he wouldn't outright admit it to the redhead, Larry wasn't that bad. Not that the Legend Killer would consider dating Larry, but hotel concierge had been fairly decent company. Although, the pet names had been a bit much.. Still, the 'date' was at the back of his mind -even though he had a feeling Lita would never let him forget about it. He had gone through with the date and now he could straigthen things out with the redheaded Diva. Or at least he hoped. Given her current mood, Randy really didn't know what to expect. Whatever the case, he tried to remain optimistic as he entered the suite, seeking out the redhead's familiar form as he shut the door behind him.
"So, how did your date go?"
The Legend Killer scowled, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "It went just great Li."
Lita rolled her eyes, not bothering to move from the bed. "If that's the case, I can always arrange for a second date."
"No thanks," Randy flopped down into a chair, "So, do you actually feel like talking to me now? Or were you planning on ignoring me some more?"
The redheaded Diva smiled thinly, "Tempting as the second option might be at the moment.. I figured I'd do ya a favor. You have until 1:30 to explain everything."
"Only half an hour?" Randy blinked, running a hand over his hair. "Li-"
"Is there a reason why it should take you longer?" She regarded him suspicously, "I'd think half an hour is more than enough time, Randy."
Very quickly, he shook his head; sitting forward in the chair. "Actually, half an hour is enough." The Legend Killer paused to collect his thoughts, a short breath emitted when he was ready to explain. "Okay.. The other night when you saw me with Maria- yeah, I had made plans to go to dinner with her."
"Just dinner?"
"Just dinner," Randy reassured with a hestitant smile, "I don't mean to sound rude, but can I just talk for right now?"
Lita nodded, turning off the television before she rolled to her side. "Continue."
He nodded shortly, "I know what you're probably thinking.. And no, I didn't sleep with her. I wasn't planning on it, anyway. I was just getting really frustrated because you went out of your way to avoid me. You've ignored all of my phone calls, you brushed me off when I got within five feet of you." Randy rested his elbows on his thighs, propping his face in his hands before he continued. "And I know I've been a jerk. I have a feeling you still think I'm some playboy who's just after one thing. But if that was the case, I wouldn't have given you that ring."
Lita raised an eyebrow, "Can I just say something before you go on?" She didn't wait for a response, "If you have changed, which I'll admit.. I do doubt that you have. Then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
"I get that Li.. and I'm sorry if I hurt you." He sent her a pleading look, "I didn't want to hurt you.. That's the last thing I wanted."
"But you did," she stated quietly, "And it wasn't just the date. I've seen you flirting with Maria, with Candice.. I've seen you flirting with your ex for God's sakes."
Randy shook his head, "But nothing happened."
Lita sighed, "Again.. I doubt that something happened.. And that's just it Randy. I shouldn't have to second guess what you're motives are when you're just 'talking' to one of the Diva's."
"I don't have any motives, I don't need motives because I'm with you." Randy rolled his shoulders, "Why can't you just believe me?"
"Because before we started dating? You were just a smooth talking, playboy." She smiled wryly, "It seems to me that the only thing that changed? Was that you became a smoothing talking playboy with a girlfriend."
"Li, it's not like that." He moved from the chair, leaning back against the television before he continued. "All I did was talk to them.. And maybe it's just my nature-"
She snorted, "Oh and that's just a great excuse there Randy."
He clenched his jaw, "I'm not using it as an excuse, Li. You wanted me to explain and that's all I'm trying to do."
She rolled her eyes, but instead of commenting she gestured for him to continue.
"I'm also sorry for not paying enough attention to you." His arms crossed over his chest, "Believe it or not, I was listening when you'd talk to me."
Hazel eyes glinted skeptically, "Again- I doubt that but.."
"And I'm sorry for canceling a few dates.." He held her gaze, honesty written clearly on his features. "I had no choice because my family needed me."
Hestiantly, she nodded. "Are you done now?"
A moments pause and he nodded. "Yeah.. I've said what I needed to say."
xxx
Lita pressed her lips into a thin line, her gaze turning away from him while she processed his explaination. A part of her was convinced that he was sorry.. And that he had really changed since they had started dating. But, the other part of her wasn't so quick to believe it. That part of her felt it was just an act. Actions spoke louder than words, after all, and the actions she had witnessed- spoke volumes. That lingering doubt was what kept her from completely forgiving him. Perhaps in time it would dissipate, but for the time being.. She just wasn't ready.
"As much as I want to believe you.. I can't." Lita rolled to her stomch, propping her chin in her hands. "I mean, you say you're sorry and before all of this mess, you said you had changed."
"Li.. Why can't you just believe me?"
She sighed, "Because you hurt me.. And who knows? Maybe it was just too soon when we got back together."
He pushed off from the dresser, moving to the bed to sit beside her. "I'm sorry if I hurt you.. I didn't mean to, Li."
The redhead smiled sadly, "You say that you didn't mean to- but you did. You can say one thing, Randy.. but you act differently. What am I supposed to think?" Slowly, she sat up moving back until she reached the headboard. "I mean, like I said.. Maybe we just got back together too quick.. I can't really say now."
"Then let me make it up to you." He shifted so he facing her fully, "Please? Just tell me what I have to do."
She shook her head, "That's just it Randy.. I shouldn't have to tell you."
"Then why don't we just start over? Here and now."
"I can't do that." Her eyes closed momentairly, Lita resting her hands on her torso. "I ignored your phone calls because I wanted some time apart from you. I came here so I could have some space. I still need that time and I still need that space."
"But-"
"No," she interrupted calmly. "Randy.. we need time apart. Time for both of us to just think things through. I mean, honestly, how do you know you're ready to settle down? I know I'm not."
"So, you're saying you want to see other people."
"I'm not," she swept her hair from her face, "I'm just saying that we are not working right now. Maybe we were before, but not now." Lita's shoulders lifted marginally in a shrug, "But if you want to date someone else, don't let me stop you."
Randy raised an eyebrow, "Why? So you can just get pissed off at me and use that as reason for us not getting back together?"
Lita shook her head, "It won't affect us or whatever future is ahead. I mean, if there's someone else out there then go for it. I'm not looking for a soul mate, Randy. I thought that person was Matt.. and after he and I broke up, I had all my fail safe plans.. All of my defense mechanisms, until you came along." A tiny smile formed at the corners of her mouth, "You mean a lot to me Randy.. And most of the time we had a great relationship."
He nodded mechanically, "Yeah.. Li, you mean a lot to me too..And you're right- most of the time we had a great relationship."
"I'm not saying we won't ever get back together.. but, for now?" She let out a low sigh, "I think it's best that we just break up completely. I mean, I want to focus on my career, plus there's stuff outside of the wrestling business and-"
"I understand." He stated quietly, "Just don't shut me out.. I almost hate to admit to it, but it hurt."
"We can still be friends."
Randy snorted, "Yeah.. okay. Come on Li, we both know that never works."
Lita rolled her eyes, "Well we can at least try.. I mean, since we've known each other that's the one thing we never were. Sure, we got to know each other over time.. But we just jumped from being co-workers to being in a relationship."
The Legend Killer smirked, "Well, what can I say? I knew what I wanted, I went after it."
"Look.. I'll make you a promise." She waited until his eyes locked with hers, extending a hand to him. "I won't shut you out, if you don't shut me out."
He took her hand in his, "You've got a deal." His thumb grazed over the back of her hand. "If you don't mind.. Keep the ring."
Her free hand lifted the chain around her neck, "Unless you do something so incredibly stupid and unforgiveable.."
"I don't plan on it."
Lita tucked the necklace back under her shirt, "Then it's staying where it is."
Randy kissed the back of her hand before he released it. "Well.. I guess I'll be sleeping on the floor."
"Or the chair," she stated with a slight smirk. "Or, we can watch a movie or something."
He smirked, "Thanks but.. I'd rather sleep. I have a feeling this suite isn't exactly cheap so, I'd rather not run it up too much."
Lita nodded solemnly, settling back on the pillows. "Good night then."
Randy nodded shortly, settling back in the chair he had been occupying. "Good night."
Neither was sure when sleep finally came that night. Lita wasn't quite sure if she could sleep.. She felt firmly that a clean break was what they needed. And if that meant seeing other people, then maybe that was also what they needed. The redhead wouldn't lie.. It would hurt to see him dating someone else, but .. If it meant he was happy, she'd try and deal with it. For her own sake, they needed to break up and maybe they would get back together. Or maybe they wouldn't. Only time would decide the fate of their relationship.. And until that time, all they could do was wait.