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: together, Latisha C and Terri16 for the reviews!
My apologies for the delay in getting this chapter up..I serve a fickle muse!
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With their first breakfast option null, and with two grumbling stomachs between them; Lita raked her mind for other options. Granted, she wasn't all that familiar with the area; but there had to be some place neutral enough for the both of them to go to. And that perhaps, disturbed the Diva..given that in her years with the WWE she had become accustomed to rude people; but that just took the cake. She glanced upwards at her still silent companion, only then realizing that her hand was still clutching his. 'Twice already, and it's not even noon.' She shook it off, indescreetly easing her grip; starting when it was tightened. She blinked at the action, but shook it off.
"Why don't we just head back to the hotel.." He offered finally, an apologetic glint in his blue eyes. "It's almost 9:00 anyway."
She shrugged, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "We passed by a coffee shop..they might not have all the standard breakfast items, but it's something."
He merely nodded, seemingly in no mood to argue about anything and the redhead frowned slightly as they set off for the intended coffee shop. "So.." She started softly, hoping to break the silence. "We have a few hours free in New York City."
"Yeah," He half shrugged, casting a sidelong glance down at her. "What of it?"
"Umm, hello?" Lita rolled her eyes, "It's New York City..all we have to do is find out exactly where this autograph signing will be and go from there." She grinned up at him, a mischevious gleam in her eyes. "I figure it'll take us about an hour to get settled at the hotel, which then leaves us with.." She paused for effect, and since they had reached the coffee shop. "A little under four hours to do what we please."
He raised a brow, not entirely trusting the glint in her eyes, but nodded none the less. "We can look over that stuff on the plane," He shrugged again, holding the door open for her.
She frowned softly again, but somehow his mood made her happy. Had he been truly like Hunter; what happened back at the diner wouldn't be upsetting him this much. She also figured that now wasn't really the best time to bring all that up, so she gave into the comfortable silence. And when they went to collect their orders, the redhead was surprisingly upset by the fact. 'It's just pity..that's all. I am not upset by the fact that he's not holding my hand. I just feel bad for him.' She repeated the thought firmly in her mind, smiling absently when he picked up the tray carrying their order. The remainder of their time at the coffee shop passed easily as the two made small talk. By the time Lita had popped the last bit of her muffin in her mouth, she had learned that she and Randy had quite a bit in common. Not enough that it disturbed her, but enough that she could off when they were stuck for conversation topics.
Two hours later found the pair waiting in the terminal at the airport. Randy had played the part of perfect gentleman--or maybe it was his true colors showing--and had carried Lita's luggage; even at her frequent protests. He also carried her carry on bag along with his; politely telling her to just shut up and walk when she tried to grab it back from him. Ten minutes of waiting for the pre-boarding of first class and children lead to the two wrestlers engulfed in a comfortable silence.
"I'm guessing, that since we're still with the rest of the roster." Lita began, making sure she had his undivided attention. "That we really have no choice of hotels and whatever for tonight..I see no point in renting a car in New York City, so.."
"We'll split cab fares," He reasoned, hefting the strap of his carry on over his shoulder. "No biggie."
She nodded, snatching her own carry on before he had the chance. "And..I guess we should also plan out a little; as far as hotels and stuff for the next few days."
"Works for me," He shrugged slightly, allowing the diva to pass before him as they entered the short line of people. "I'd say since we're going to New York, make plans for after the house show..but not if we have a flight to San Fran. early the next morning."
"Yeah, normally I like going out after the house shows..but," She shrugged it off as well, handing over the boarding pass to the clerk. "We're probably gonna have to be out of the hotel at a nice, un-godly hour."
He nodded, following suit with his own boarding pass. "And we'll be in San Fran. at some un-godly hour."
"Don't remind me," She muttered slightly under her breath as they walked down the jetway. "You want window or aisle?"
"I'll take aisle, doesn't matter really."
She nodded, and again the two fell into a comfortable silence. When they reached their seats, and thankfully found themselves right behind first class; Lita removed the manilla envelope and handed her bag back to Randy. He slipped into the seat beside her, stretching his long legs gratefully. The two settled in, Lita idly glancing out the window while Randy's blue eyes took in their fellow passengers. The minutes waned by until they found themselves subjected to the mandatory pre-flight preparations. Finally, when the plane was set for take off; the redhead removed their schedule and list of hotels. They decided on hotel room arrangements, figuring that with two hotel rooms to house all four they would be fine. For San Fran. it was just a matter of calling the hotel when they were settled in New York City. They also planned on taking advantage of the corporate credit card, and picked out a few resturants. All in all, neither one could complain; given while this week wasn't exactly what either of them had in mind..at least they were making the most of it now. Lita had talked Randy into doing some sight seeing in the City, but when he tried to garner further information; she remained silent. He took it in stride, wairly trusting the high flying, extreme Diva.
By the time the plane was landing at JFK, Randy had dozed off and Lita woke up with a start; as her pillow was moving. 'This is not happening.' The redhead blinked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she warily sent a sideways glance to her pillow. 'This is happening. I knew I shouldn't have dozed off.' She frowned, upset at herself for letting down her guard and upset at herself for being so upset at the situation. It wasn't like she didn't fall asleep against male friends, but Randy Orton? Well, Lita had to admit that Randy wasn't exactly high on her male friends list. Aquaintance was pushing it, friends they definately were not. As the plane began to touch down on the runway, and Randy still hadn't woken up; Lita absently poked the young man in the shoulder. Blue eyes opened with a start, as the plane jolted sending Lita sideways. She mumbled her apologies into his shirt and abruptle straightened herself. For his part, Randy raised a brow; inwardly questioning her distant nature. 'What do you really expect? For her to be all buddy buddy?'. He shook it off, brushing it aside as still having to deal with a disruption in a 'normal' routine. However, he couldn't help but think that in the span of 24 hours; all he had ever known about Lita was thrown out the window. Then again, the viewpoint he had been force fed was more than a little jaded. And given, it was only the first 24 hours--albeit a very long and interesting 24 hours-- of a long, journey. One that he had been wary to take, even if it had been forced upon him. But so far, if anything, the redhead was proving to be one interesting travel partner. At least she was more interesting than Hunter, though he had to admit she was nowhere near as interesting as Flair. He snapped out of his thoughts, when Lita decided to wave a hand in front of his face, alerting him to the fact that people were starting to exit the airplane. He offered her a sheepish smile, grabbing both of their bags from the overhead compartment before he stood back; allowing her to exit first. The trip to baggage claim, and the subsequent trip to the hotel were silent. A bit on the uncomfortable side, but still silent. When they went to check in, Lita couldn't help but wonder at why her hotel room was right next door to Randy's. Inwardly, she wondered if Evolution was also going to be next to her, and shuddered at the thought. Fortunately for the Diva, Evolution was in another part of the hotel..or at least that's what Stacy, Adam and Chris told her. She narrowly avoided a conflict, practically pushing Randy into his hotel room as her friends approached. When she finally managed to subdue their curiosity, she knocked before letting herself into Randy's hotel room.
"So.." Lita began, surveying the identical interior of Randy's hotel room. "Now that we know where our autograph session will be, where do you wanna go first?"
Randy lifted a brow at the Diva, "Considering you never told me? I'd kinda like to find out my options."
Lita nodded, sweeping her hair back from her face; a mischevious glint in her eyes. "Well..we're doing this session at Virgin Records, right? It's simple to get there from anywhere, as long as you plan out your time properly and I'd really like to go to St. Mark's place. If we spend..say an hour there? We'll have time to go to the other place. And if we time it right, we can get back here with time to change and then down to Virgin Records."
"Riiight," Randy nodded hesitantly. Someone had shown him an old magazine..and in it, were pictures of a trip to St. Mark's. From what he could recall, it really didn't seem like his type of place. "And just what would we do there?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "Duh..we can shop. Window shop, people watch." She smiled innocently, mentally adding. 'Get you in some not so snobby clothing.' "Plus, it'll be fun to just walk around..I like doing things without my friends sometimes and.."
"The chances of us running into Evolution will be less?" He offered kindly, shaking his head a touch. "All right Lita..we'll go to St. Mark's and wherever else it is you want to go. But," He grinned charmingly, his own plan forming. "Only if I get to pick one place to stop before we hit Virgin Records."
A brow raised in suspicion, wondering why he would agree so easily. "Done." The redhead smiled, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she nodded towards the door. "So, let's go! The sooner we leave, the sooner we can shop."
He rolled his eyes, following the Diva out. "So..what was with that little act earlier? If I didn't know better; I'd say you were ashamed to be seen with me."
Lita winced slightly, glancing sideways to gauge his facial expression. "It's just..I know how Stacy, Adam and Chris are. They don't trust you and even I had explained everything right then and there..it would've been an inquisition."
"Funny, I've been under the impression that there wasn't really anything to explain.." An eyebrow rose as they waited for the elevator. "I mean, all this is," He made a motion with his hand. "Is a company sponsored trip."
She hesitantly nodded, a wave of guilt flooding her. "You're right.." Her head ducked, the usually vibrant woman somewhat subdued..humbled perhaps. "..I'm sorry for acting like that."
He shrugged it off as the elevator doors opened, waiting again for her to enter first before he leaned against the back rail. "Just remember, fresh start..okay?"
She nodded, a tentative smile sent in his direction as she too leaned against the back rail. "Let's just hope that this elevator doesn't get stuck."
He smirked, casually resting his arms along the rail. "Oh come on..it wasn't all that bad, was it? I mean, you could've gotten stuck with Hunter."
Lita made a face at that, rolling her eyes as she playfully nudged him. "Are you trying to give me nightmares?"
He grinned, before solemnly replying. "If I really wanted to do that..I'd drag Hunter with us to San Fran."
The diva shuddered, leaning back again; her mid back cushioned by his arm. "Anyway..since we probably don't have much time after the house show, you up for charging room service to the corporate credit card?"
The two fell into small talk, friendly banter of all things, and once again into their routine silence. After all, the day was only half way over and they still had an autograph session, plus the house show to get to. As they climbed into the taxi, Lita could only hope that there would be no repeats of the morning incident at the diner. She also hoped, that if there was anyone out there that loved her? They wouldn't run into Evolution until the house show. And so, with those thoughts in mind; Lita informed the taxi driver of their destination.