Author's Note: Thanks to Latisha C, Taka-Ichi-Sisters, moonchaser1, AniLuLu, huntersgirl, The Zazu, nic alex and qtea-angel (and more thanks to you for inspiring another story part for later in this story!) This is another short chapter; I'm sorry, but the part that comes next will fill an entire chapter, and I'd rather not bore you all to death. Anyway, I hope you guys like and please review!

Everything you say to me

Takes me one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe

'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

I find the answers aren't so clear

Wish I could find a way to disappear

All these thoughts they make no sense

I find bliss in ignorance

Nothing seems to go away

Over and over again

-One Step Closer by Linkin Park

Inside of Me

Chapter 8

"Lita!" Randy Orton stepped around the corner, seeing Lita exit her hotel room. She turned, staring at him with surprise. A moment later, a shield went over her face, concealing her emotions like a mask. Randy, however, wasn't fooled…nor was he sympathetic. In a few easy, purposeful strides he was next to Lita, nearly towering over her because of their difference in height. "Look, Randy, I don't have time for this," Lita murmured.

"What, you don't have time for your own daughter?" Randy asked, his raw anger getting the best of him.

The mask fell, and anger replaced it. "What the hell do you mean by that?" Lita snapped.

"Oh, what?" Randy threw up his hands in the air. "Why didn't you tell her about Kane?" he asked, his voice intense.

"At the moment it seemed like the best thing to do," Lita said through gritted teeth.

Randy shook his head, exhaling sharply. "If that isn't the lamest thing I've ever heard…"

"And what would you have done?" Lita said loudly. "Tell her that her true father is a monster? Tell her that Matt isn't really her dad? Tell her that she was a mistake?"

"Oh, like lying to her for her entire life is much better," Randy snorted.

"You are in no place to tell me how to raise my daughter."

"I guess you're right. I mean, I'm only her confident after she found out her parents betrayed her," he glared down at Lita, his presence overpowering. Lita, however, glared right back, her hazel eyes blazing with fury.

"Are you suggesting that you know more about parenting than I do?" she asked, "Because last time I checked, you didn't even have a wife, let alone a kid." Randy went dead silent, his eyes turning into cold stones. Lita clamped her mouth shut, realizing that she had crossed a line not meant to be crossed—but all the same she would not take it back.

Randy grabbed Lita's forearm forcibly. He gripped it tightly; but not tightly enough that it would hurt her. "You know what pisses me off, Lita?" he asked breathlessly.

"What?" Lita asked, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"I've spent my life looking for the right girl—I still am. I want to have a kid; I want to have a family. And lately, I keep crossing paths with people like you and Matt," his breath was warm on her face. "You found the perfect person, you had a child, you had it all…and then you fucking screwed it up," he hissed.

"Let go of her," the feminine voice startled them, and both of them turned to see Mina walking toward them, her eyes hard.

"Mina," Lita started, but her daughter ignored her, turning toward Randy immediately, prying his hand away.

"Let's go," she told him, her voice low.

"But-"

"Now," she hissed, stepping away. Mina grabbed his wrist and walked toward the elevators, trying hard to keep her hand steady. No. She would not think of what had happened. 'One emotional breakdown per day,' she thought cynically to herself. Randy walked slowly behind her. Mina turned, and for one tense second her eyes met Lita's.

And then Mina turned away. It was too much to deal with at once. She was so sick of it all, but her personality would not let her back down.

It was a damn good thing she had a match tonight, because she really need an outlet for her emotions.

"Mina, did you…" Randy trailed off as they stepped into the elevator.

"I saw it all," she replied stonily to his unasked question. Randy ran a hand over his hair.

"I didn't mean for you to see that, you know," he told her honestly. Mina looked over at him, her eyes softening, something in her heart pricking at her feelings. Randy had stood up for her. It was something entirely new to her. 'He stood up for me… He singled Lita out just to do it.' Her throat clenched, and at the same time she told herself not to make a big deal about it, she was still choked up. Not bothering with words, she learned over and hugged Randy. 'Is this what it feels?' she wondered, 'To have a true friend?'

Of course, she had thought Sarah Lara was a true friend.

Mina shook her head. From here on out, she had a new philosophy. It was her against the world. And maybe, just maybe, Randy and Kane were on her side. Her only question was this:

Whose side were Matt and Lita on?