Good Intentions

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Spoilers: Nothing that you can't read about on the 'net

Rating: T for language

Pairings: Well, I could tell you…but I won't.

Summary: She knew her friends only had good intentions, but why here? Why now.. And why him?

Notes: if my time frame is off (where it concerns real life events) play along.. It's for the story. I'm anticipating one more chapter after this one before this little series wraps up.. Of course, I could just leave it off with this one, but.. I don't think I will.

-x-

Standing outside, with the light breeze, city lights and tall buildings as her company…that was where Lita wanted to be at the moment. Had she been alone, she would almost describe the setting as ideal. It could not be perfect, because humans… by their very nature…were not perfect. Perfect was over-rated anyway.. And when the redhead thought about it, perfect was something she never wanted to be. Perhaps having some skills reaching the pinnacle of perfection would do.. But, she did not want to be perfect. She wanted to make mistakes, but only within reason.

To make a mistake, when she could clearly remember making it, when her mind wasn't so hazy.

Then, perhaps, she wouldn't make the mistake in the first place. But then, Lita thought, the point of making a mistake was so that one could learn from it. In hopes that they wouldn't make the same mistake twice. That was how it was supposed to work, anyway. But what about the mistakes that were the right kind of mistakes? Was there even a category for those? Lita supposed there must be a category, but, recent mistakes she had made did not fall into it. Come to think of it, she wasn't sure if many of the mistakes she had made fell into the 'right' category.

But what was right and what was wrong, were not always the same and sometimes they were the same.

Sometimes the right thing was the wrong thing and vice versa. And unfortunately, the line that separated and divided the two was not always clear. Sometimes it was clear and the conscious just chose to ignore it. In cases such as that, where the conscious decision was made.. It was a wrong mistake. Lita knew this. And perhaps, everyone inside and the person standing a few feet away, also knew this. Which was why, perhaps, it was a good thing she was standing outside and not inside where the alcohol flowed like a river.

Tonight, like that one particular night, was not a night for making conscious decisions.

Friends with their good intentions, easy access to numerous bottles of amber and clear liquor and the overall feel good atmosphere, did not necessarily equate to a promising situation.

Under circumstances where the interests weren't conflicted, perhaps it could be a promising situation.

But that was only one way of looking at it.. One way of many, at that.

It was not, however, the way that Lita chose to look at it.

Maybe that was the case with the person now standing three feet away.. Far enough to keep comfortable distance between them, but close enough to be watched and too watch. The redheaded woman wasn't quite sure how he saw things. Nor did she feel like asking, because that would break the spell surrounding them. A spell that allowed them to be a part of the world, without wholly being a part of it. A frame of time that provided them the opportunity to look at the world, without looking at themselves in it.

And besides which, silence wasn't such a bad thing.

Lita wondered, if perhaps, this is what it was like.. To view the world through rose colored glasses. Or perhaps, it was just the closest she would come. Or at least at this point in time. Things were still too fresh, wounds not yet scared. And despite her best efforts, Lita still hadn't achieved the state of numb that she desired. But this time around, it was not her friends who kept her from reaching that goal. Instead it was the person whom was now standing two feet away.

Lita wondered when the hell he had moved and more importantly- why was he out there?

What had possessed him to retreat from the more comfortable surroundings of the V.I.P room behind them?

His face was impassive, eyes staring straight ahead.. But focusing on what, Lita was not certain. She knew, at least, that she was not his focal point. And that fact, brought her some comfort. She was tired of being under a microscope, tired of having her every move watched. Maybe he knew that and maybe that was why he wasn't watching her…this time anyway. One of the times she had bothered to look, she had caught his unreadable gaze just as he was looking away. This game was getting frustrating, damn it.

But neither seemed ready to end it just yet.

Rather they continued to stand there, forearms resting on the concrete railing. Shoulders slouching slightly, eyes staring straight ahead at the city that surrounded them. A slim hand lifted upwards, Lita cupping her chin in the calloused palm, fingertips of the other hand drumming idly on the concrete. The redheaded Diva almost expected for her still silent companion to mimic her actions.. But he didn't. Instead he turned, resting his elbows on the railing, eyes now staring at the ceiling to floor glass windows of the V.I.P room.

Another minute passed, a sigh escaping one of them. And with another minute, a sigh escaped both.

She wondered why he hadn't said anything.. Why he hadn't attempted conversation. Not that she wanted to talk to anyone at the moment, but why else would he be standing out there? She wondered, if perhaps, he understood. Understood her need for silence and her need for solitude. But if he did understand, he wouldn't be standing out there. He would've left well enough alone, remained inside with the rest of the party goers. But he hadn't.. and Lita couldn't figure out why.

-x-

"It's nice out here," he said finally, his form slouching further to lean more fully against the concrete. "It's quiet.."

The Diva snorted, "It was quiet until you started speaking.."

Christian rolled his eyes, "Well excuse me for living then.. I was just trying to start a conversation."

"I'm sure that's all you were trying to do," hazel eyes regarded him dubiously. "Why are you out here anyway?"

"Because you looked lonely," his simple reply left on a near whisper. "You are lonely."

"Have you ever thought, that maybe I like it this way?" Shoulders lifted in a light shrug, "And I'm not entirely alone, you know.."

The blonde man raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? Enlighten me then, Li.. Because every time I see you, you're alone."

"I'm always surrounded by someone or something," the redhead closed her eyes. "I always have my memories."

Christian shook his head, shifting so he was facing her. "It doesn't have to be that way."

"I know, but.. I like it this way." She smiled half heartedly, "Most of the time anyway."

He shrugged, "But it still doesn't have to be this way. What's going on in that head of yours?"

"A lot," Lita replied vaguely. "Enough to keep me up until all hours of the night, keep me wondering about the what if's and what could have been's."

Christian frowned, "I'm not a brick wall, so if you could please? Talk to me."

"I am talking to you," she eyed him evenly. "It's been awhile since we've talked, hasn't it."

He nodded shortly, "Right before.. Well, before everything happened."

"I know," she wrapped her arms around herself, "A lot of people stopped talking to me after that, you know."

A hand threaded through his short hair, "But not everyone.. And it's not like people aren't talking to you now."

She smiled sadly, "Even if I needed it then? I'll admit, I knew people would be mad.. That they wouldn't want to associate with me, but--"

"I almost didn't want to." He interrupted her quietly. "I didn't want to believe it either."

"So what made you change your mind?" Guarded hazel eyes tuned to him, "Why are you standing there?"

He paused, blue eyes holding her gaze before he shrugged. "Because you're my friend.. Yeah, what you did was pretty shitty, but I'm sure you know that." He almost smiled, "And if Matt can forgive you, I should be able to."

Lita laughed without humor, "I lost a lot of friends, you know.. Not that I had many to begin with, but the one's that mattered.. Who know me inside out."

He frowned slightly, "You never lost us completely. I can't speak for anyone else, but you never lost me completely."

She shrugged indifferently, "It sure seemed that way.. Not that I can blame any of you for keeping your distance or whatever."

He inched closer, until there was a foot separating them. "We just needed time." A thoughtful pause, "Time heals all wounds."

"So I've heard," she quipped wryly. "Though I'm not so sure I believe it, at this point."

"Things will never be the same." A hand crept out to rest on her shoulder, "But that doesn't mean you can't start over.."

Her head ducked, red locks curtaining her face but a moment. "I don't know where to start."

He smiled fully, "The beginning is always an option, but.. If you don't want to go back that far.." Christian shrugged, "How about now?"

Lita's nose scrunched as she echoed doubtfully, "Now?"

Christian rolled his eyes, "Start a new beginning by moving from this spot and walking back inside with me.. A friend from the first beginning.. And at the new beginning."

-x-

An astonished Trish and Dawn watched as Christian and Lita moved from the railing. The two women eyeing Christian as though he was a miracle worker. And to their further surprise, the redheaded Diva approached them first, offering an apology in greeting. A slightly teary group hug followed; Stacy, Lillian, Victoria and Nidia soon joining the three. At that point they knew that the fiery redhead would return someday, but more than likely not that night. That night, however, did mark the turning point for Lita. Her quest to achieve a state of numb temporarily put on hold.

"Ya know.." John began, two shot glasses in his possession. "We never had that drink."

Lita rolled her eyes, flopping back on the couch. "As long as there are no cheesy toasts involved.." she patted the cushion next to her, "Have a seat."

He rolled his eyes right back, seating himself on the appointed cushion. "I ain't had enough to drink to get all cheesy." One of the shot glasses was handed over. "So--"

"I'd like to propose a toast," Chris Jericho began from his spot at the bar, "So if you all would grab yourselves a beverage.."

Dave rolled his eyes, perching on the arm of the couch opposite the redhead. "He just has to ruin a perfectly good drinking moment."

Victoria shook her head as she stood next to him. "Chris is pretty tipsy himself right now, so I doubt his speech will be long."

Christian snorted as he sat himself opposite the couch. "I wouldn't bet on that, Vikki.. Some of Chris' most longwinded speeches have been a result of one too many visits with Mr. Daniels."

"And some of the more intelligent ones if you can believe it," Trish stated wryly, the blonde Diva taking the couch cushion nearest Dave. "I wouldn't be too surprised if he's written songs while drunk."

"The world may never know, mamacita." Eddie shook his head, standing on the other side of Victoria. "Just like we may never know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop."

"Three if you bite," Dawn deadpanned evenly, the pregnant brunette and Stacy seating themselves on either side of Christian. "At least according to Mr. Owl."

John shot her a curious glance, "I don' know if I should be worried or scared that you take advice from a cartoon."

Dawn rolled her eyes, "I didn't say I took advice from a cartoon, I'm just stating what the owl says." She raised an eyebrow, "And besides, what right do you have to judge me if I do? Hmm? Your favorite actress is Marge Simpson."

"So?" The dark haired wrestler snorted, preparing to argue further when Chris coughed.

"I'd like to propose a toast," the blonde man repeated. "Everyone take a seat and find a seat.." A pause, "Find a beverage."

Randy rolled his eyes as he perched on the free arm of the couch, "This is starting off promising."

"A toast.." Chris sent a look to the cluster of bodies, "To friends and to life." He lifted the shot glass in his hand, "Cheers!"

Trish downed her shot, setting the glass on the table with a blink. "That has got to be a new record.."

Christian grimaced as he set down his empty shot glass. "I think it is.. For Chris anyway."

"That's what I meant, dumb ass." The Canadian Diva rolled her eyes, tossing her locks with a flourish. "I feel like dancing.."

Lita crossed her arms over her chest, settling further into the couch. "Count me out.. This still isn't my scene, this still isn't my type of music." She paused, "Just let me get a few more drinks in my system, and I'll think about it."

Victoria raised an eyebrow, "Don't drink too much, Li.. Especially since you already started drinking at the club before."

"I'll do my best, mom.." Lita stuck out her tongue, reaching for the nearest bottle of spirits. An eyebrow raising when the hand holding said bottle wouldn't let go. "Do you mind?"

Randy passed the bottle over to John, the third generation wrestler sliding down from the arm of the couch. "Do you mind?"

"We'll keep an eye on this one," John promised with a casual nod. "So go on.. Have fun."

Dawn eyed the three doubtfully, "And we can trust you two?"

"Of course you can.." John grinned, setting the bottle on the table with the shot glasses. "Now, go on.. Git."

Dawn made a face, "I'm holding the two of you personally responsible if she drinks too much."

The West Newbury native waited until the couch area was cleared and once it was, he uncapped the bottle. "So.. Now that mother Dawn is gone.." he poured out three shots, "We is gonna make friends with Cap'n Morgan. An' if we're up to it.. We can make friends with Senor Cuervo."

Lita smirked as she reached for one of the shot glasses. "I've always wanted to make a few new friends."

John winked, "An' now is just a good a day as any." He held up his shot glass, "Bottoms up."

Dawn sighed as three shot glasses emptied, remarking dryly to Trish: "I don't know if I should be thankful for that or not.."

Trish merely shrugged in response, "We'll just keep an eye on them.. Make sure they don't go too crazy or something."

Victoria sent the two a questioning look, "Keep an eye on who? I know Lil has pretty much banned Chris from the bar."

"The three on the couch," Dawn nodded to the trio in question, before a mischievous smile crossed her face. "I do know of one way we can possibly keep their drinking under control.."

Trish eyed her curiously, "And just how are you going to do that?"

Dawn smirked, "Have you ever seen Lita's reaction to the words: spin the bottle? It's worse when it's the phrase: truth or dare." She flicked her hair over her shoulder, "We just need to get everyone else involved and I promise you.. It'll at least stop her from drinking."

Victoria shrugged, "Well you better make it quick then.." the raven haired Diva nodded to the trio, "It looks like they're heading to the bar."

Fortunately for the trio on the dance floor and perhaps unfortunately for the trio moving to the bar, Dawn managed to intercept the chosen bottle of tequila. One hand on her hip, she informed the three of a slight change in plans. Said plans, as Dawn predicted, did not sit well with the redheaded Diva.. Nor did it really sit well with any of the other party goers. But.. Do the level amount of alcohol consumed by most of them already, there weren't many vocal protests. As such, the sober, the less drunk and the painfully drunk assembled themselves for Dawn's chosen game. And instead of opting for a more traditional and simple game of truth or dare, the brunette added the double dare and drink options. That gave the less reluctant some more incentive to play, the game starting just before the clock struck midnight.

Author Note: Hey I'm playing pairing limbo right now, I can't pick! Once I've made up my mind though, I'll post the last part.. Thank you in advance to any reviewers!