It Could Be Worse

Disclaimer: We own nothing but the story itself!

Notes: Not much to say. Again, this is a joint story between justagirl8225 and littleknux2008. Hope you enjoy the chapter, and please review!

Thanks to: aussiewrestlingfan and nascar girl for the reviews!

"It really is a small world," Lita commented dryly as Randy walked into the vacant parking lot. His eyes snapped to her, and visibly relaxed when he saw who was there.

"Go figure," was all he said in response, walking toward the edge of the walkway. Lita looked sideways at him, measuring the several feet between them. The redhead frowned, turning her eyes back to the entrance to the lot.

"So, your Evolution buddies ditch you?" she questioned, knowing full well it wasn't any of her business, but it was something she just couldn't resist saying.

"I don't see your friends around anywhere," Randy retorted.

Lita scowled, wishing that Stacy would show up soon. It would be great to throw that in Randy's face, but at that point, she was really close to not caring. It was freezing outside, and she had forgotten to bring her jacket to the arena. She knew Cleveland wasn't exactly Miami, but for cripes sake, it was the middle of August! Lita rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms, debating whether or not to call a taxi company. 'Nah, I'm sure Stacy will be back soon... She probably just stopped at a grocery store to get some milk or something...' she reasoned to herself, but even to her own ears it sounded lame. Shrugging all the same, Lita plopped down on the walkway, setting her chin on her hands.

Randy sighed, turning around and heading to the pay phone a few feet away. As he flipped through the phone book, looking for a taxi service, he wondered how the upcoming week was going to turn out. It was obvious that Lita wasn't exactly thrilled about the prospect, and truth be told, neither was Randy. He'd rather be traveling with Evolution-or better yet, by himself-preparing for the upcoming match. Lita was a distraction that he couldn't afford. Randy sighed, inserting some change into the pay phone and dialing the taxi company.

It took nearly twenty minutes for the taxi to arrive: twenty minutes of awkward silence between the two wrestlers. By that time, Lita was completely positive that Stacy wasn't going to come. Oh, man, was Stacy going to hear it from her. The redhead wrapped her arms around her legs as Randy's taxi rolled to a stop in front of him. Randy walked forward, eager to get in the warm car. The tank top and sweatpants he was did nothing to combat the cold. He quickly opened the door, tossing his duffel bag into the backseat. Randy paused and looked back at Lita just before he got into the taxi. She stared straight back at him, her eyes unwavering.

Randy sighed heavily, eyed the taxi, and then looked back at her. "You coming?" he asked.

Lita shrugged, stretching her feet out in front of her. "Stacy will be here soon."

Orton rolled his eyes in reply. "Lita, you and I both know that Stacy took off without you."

The redhead shifted uncomfortably. "I'll call a taxi."

"Okay, fine. You've got two choices. You can get up and come to the hotel in this taxi with me, or you can sit out here on the cement and freeze for a half an hour before another one comes—and that's assuming they don't close the parking lot to the arena, which would mean—"

"Okay, Randy, I get it!" Lita said, her voice grudging but not angry at him. Silence settled over them.

"Pneumonia or me?" Randy questioned, "Me or pneumonia?"

Lita was quiet. "Well?" Randy demanded.

Lita's eyes locked with his. "I'm thinking."

"Hey, I can't sit around here forever. I've got a life too," the cab driver snapped from his seat. "So hurry up."

Randy gritted his teeth to stop from snapping at the man, and slid in. He peeked his head out of the car, staring at the redhead sitting on the pavement. "You coming or not?" he asked.

Lita thought for a moment longer, and then stood, hefting her bag onto her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm coming."

The ride to the hotel had been quiet, each of them looking out the window and saying nothing in the uncomfortable silence. At the same time Lita had been grateful—she had only reluctantly admitted that to herself—she wasn't sure what to think of it. Randy was a part of Evolution, the group that everybody hated, including Lita. She'd never suspected that any member of the godforsaken group would have an ounce of niceness or generosity in them. Though, she had her doubts. Randy was probably just being nice because they were stuck traveling with each other until Summerslam, after all.

When the taxi stopped, Randy took both of their bags and paid the driver, who took off nearly immediately. Lita murmured an uncomfortable 'thanks' as she took her bag from him. The two walked in silence to the elevator after getting their keys from the front desk.

The redhead sighed as the elevator doors shut, and Randy punched in the 7 button. "You didn't have to do that, you know," she said aloud, "letting me in the cab and paying for it and all."

Randy nodded. "I know."

"Thanks," Lita said.

He looked over at her, and shook his head. "Don't say it unless you mean it," he told her, harshness hidden well in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Lita asked, confused, and a little insulted.

Randy turned to her, looking down at the redhead. "Look, I know what you're thinking. Can't you just get past the fact that I'm with Evolution? Not everything that I do revolves around some great plan or conspiracy. Don't mistake me for Triple H. He may be my teammate and the leader of Evolution, but that doesn't mean we're all images of him." Randy turned back around, his eyes focusing on the doors as the elevator stopped.

The silence that settled over them after Randy spoke was broken. "Why aren't the doors opening?" Lita asked. The red digit above the panel of buttons red '7'. Randy pushed away from the wall and pressed the door open button.

They remained shut.

"We're stuck," Lita said aloud, her voice shocked as she stared at the gold doors. Randy cursed beneath his breath.

Could this day get any worse?