Spoilers/Summary: All in the previous chapters Notes: Let me start by saying- wow! My gosh, y'all sure know how to make someone feel good. I can honestly tell y'all that, I never expected for this story to take off like it did.. It started as a simple idea, something to jump start an experimental muse. And now, if you've seen my stories authored, that muse has taken on a life of its own.. Along with this story. What I'm trying to say is, thank you.. From the bottom of my heart. I can't thank you all enough… just don't hurt me after you read the chapter and remember- three more chapters after this before the ending!
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When the group finally returned to the hotel, all six were wide awake. But, Dawn being the gossip monger that she was, quickly grabbed Lita by the elbow as soon as they reached the hallway. The baffled Sanford resident barely had the time to utter a word before she was shoved into the hotel room; Victoria yanked in shortly after. And just as Jeff was opening his mouth to ask if he could join them, the door was slammed shut. John looked on in mild surprise, while Chris and Jeff shook their heads.. The guys subsequently filing into their hotel room; Jeff doing his best to eavesdrop via the connecting door. Meanwhile, Victoria flopped down on one of the beds, Dawn forcing the redheaded Diva to take a seat on the other. Once Lita was settled, Dawn dragged a chair over, placing herself in front of the bed to interrogate the redhead.
Lita sighed, "Dawn.. I really don't see why this is necessary, especially since I know you followed us." She raised an eyebrow, "An' don't even try to deny it."
The brunette held up her hands in defense, "I didn't follow immediately…it's just, you two were taking so long and-"
"Did it ever occur to you that we may have wanted some privacy?" The redhead rolled her eyes, laying back on the bed. "Dawn.. Why is it so important that you have every single damn detail of my personal life?"
"Because you're one of my best friends." Dawn leaned forwards in the chair, resting her elbows on her knees. "Come on Li, please?"
Lita raked her hands through her hair. "Dawn.. There's really nothing to tell. We walked, we talked, we kissed.. That's all."
Dawn emitted a frustrated sigh. "Are you dating? Or was it just an experimental, for the hell of it kiss?"
"Dawn," Lita began with a warning tone. "This really isn't any of your business."
"Li please…" Dawn pleaded, "If you won't tell me, I'll go bug John."
The Sanford resident snorted, "Then you just go ahead an' do that then.. Cos' I am not talkin' to you 'bout this."
The brunette huffed, "Li.. I just want to know one thing.. That's all! I'm not asking for detailed details, I just-"
"You want to know if all of your efforts have been worth it?" Lita interrupted sardonically. "Cos' if anything.. You haven't exactly been subtle."
Dawn snorted, "Yeah well.. One of you had to make a move. And at the rate you two were going, it would've taken forever." She sat back in the chair, shrugging her shoulders as she settled. "I just helped."
"Uh huh," Lita shook her head, rolling to her stomach after a moments pause. "You helped.. By leaving all of these hints.." The redhead took another moment to maneuver herself so she was facing her friend. "Before I answer your one question.. I want some answers from you."
The New Jersey native nodded, "Fair enough.."
The redhead propped her chin in her hands. "Alright.. First I'd like to know, just what in the hell made you think that he and I would be good for each other? I mean look at him an' look at me.. We're opposites."
"Not entirely," Dawn corrected first. "You two do have a bit in common and I know this. As for the two of you being good for each other well.. I didn't really know." She raised an eyebrow, "And so what if your opposites? Opposites attract.."
Lita rolled her eyes, "Have you been taking relationship advice from 90's music or something? Dawn.. Just because-"
"Well it worked, didn't it?" Dawn crossed her arms over her chest, "I mean.. you traveled all the way here with him. Alone. You stayed overnight with him, alone."
"Moving on," Lita began after a silent pass. "Even though I'll probably regret asking this one.. What drugs were you on when you decided to dump me on Richard?"
"Well, duh." Dawn tossed her hair over her shoulder. "The two of you by that point, I'll admit.. I was about ready to knock your heads together or lock you in a room. I was getting frustrated so, I took things into my own hands."
Lita sighed heavily, "I should've known.." she buried her face in her hands. "Dawn, look.. I know you mean well, but why couldn't you just butt out?"
"Because I would've killed myself from anxiety that's why." The brunette's hands flailed before her. "Li, I don't see why this is such a big deal.. You admitted that you like him-"
"I said no such thing."
"Okay, so you admitted that you find him attractive." Dawn amended with a roll of her eyes. "But the point is, Li.. It was obvious to me that there was something between you two. Now, if I had just let you handle it…nothing would've happened."
Lita smiled wryly, "You don't know that for sure Dawn. Geeze, cut me some freakin' slack here. The day that this all started, I saw my ex boyfriend and one of my ex best friends all over each other at an engagement party."
The brunette nodded, "I'm well aware of that because I was there. I've also seen how miserable you've been and-"
"Then why did this all start three or four months ago?" The redhead raised an eyebrow. "Because that's about when I started finding all of these little hints."
Dawn raised an eyebrow in turn, "Need I really answer that or do you not remember?"
Lita made a face, "What the hell are you talking about?"
The New Jersey native smirked, "Let me refresh your memory, Lita dear. Birthday party, yours in fact, at my house.. With me so far?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "Get to the point.."
Dawn stuck out her tongue, "Anyway.." she straightened her skirt. "You were -surprise surprise- just about miserable at your own party. At one point you decided it would be a great idea to go run around in a thunderstorm." She inclined her chin, "Remember who went out to get you?"
"So?"
"So?" The brunette echoed incredulously. "Li, after that.. The two of you disappeared and we finally found you two sitting on a swing set at the elementary school playground."
Lita scrunched up her nose, "Big deal Dawn.. I just felt like getting out of there, he happened to follow."
An exasperated sigh escaped the brunette, "Are you blind? That's when I saw it.. This little spark between you two and-"
"Spark?" The Sanford resident repeated dubiously, "Dawn.. We were sitting in the rain, on a swing set. I find it hard to believe that you saw a 'spark' unless it was from the lightening."
"And this is why I took matters into my own hands." Dawn stated with a sweeping gesture of her hands. "The two of you.. Now, don't get me wrong.. I love you both like you were my family, but you're clueless."
Lita smiled dryly, "Thanks bunches Dawn.. Really."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "So.. Now that I've answered your questions…"
Lita huffed, "We're not dating.. And no, I don't know what that kiss was or what it meant. It just happened."
…….
From the other hotel room, Jeff pulled away from the door. He glanced between John and Chris then, a confused expression etched clearly on his features. The Cameron native relayed what he had been able to decipher from the somewhat heated conversation in the hotel room next door. Chris only shook his head, warning the green eyed man that if either Diva found out.. It would be his hide. To that, Jeff had rolled his eyes, waving it off without a care. John, meanwhile, had settled on one of the beds, the television turned on shortly after. And while John and Chris turned their attention to the made for t.v. movie; Jeff turned his attention back to eavesdropping. No sooner had he settled himself at the connecting door did a sharp knock beckon from the main door. The Cameron native informed the caller that the door was open; Victoria filing in shortly after.
"Alright.." Dawn began, "I'll ask you what I asked you before.. Would you date him? Don't even try and give me the excuse you don't know him well enough, Li. Because if you know him well enough to play tonsil hockey on a sidewalk then-"
"I wasn't going to." Lita cut her off flatly. "Dawn.. You, of all people should know why I'm so reluctant to be in anything remotely resembling a relationship."
The brunette regarded her critically, "So you're telling me that the kiss on the beach and every kiss thereafter meant absolutely nothing?"
"I didn't say that, now did I?" The redhead chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. "He's a great guy and I've had a really good time getting to know him and spending this brief period of time with him..."
"But?" Dawn began when the redhead trailed off. "Li, come on.. You know you can talk to me about anything."
The redheaded Diva sat up slowly, bringing her legs to her chest. "I'm scared.. Dawn, seeing Matt with Trish really messed with my mind. I didn't think it would.." at the brunette's incredulous snort, she rolled her eyes. "Okay, so I knew it would but not that extent and-"
Dawn sighed patiently, "I'm not saying you should just up and marry him or anything.. But would it kill you to just give him a chance?" A near sad smile formed on the brunette's face. "You're good for each other, I know that and you have to know that somehow."
Lita shook her head, resting her chin on her knees. "I don't know if I'm ready to be in a relationship again."
The New Jersey native frowned, "Then why did you kiss him? Unless you're just trying to mess with his mind -and give me a headache in the process- why did you kiss him? I know you and you don't just up and kiss anyone."
The redhead's shoulders lifted slightly. "It felt right, that's why. I won't lie and say that I don't feel something for him.. Because I do. I felt like myself tonight and-"
"Then just take a chance." Dawn prodded gently. "I haven't seen you like this in a long time and that's all I wanted to see. Honestly. Sure, my attempts may have gone a bit overboard at times, but.. All I wanted to see was my best friend back."
Lita mustered a smile, "I was getting there eventually, he just helped."
Dawn nodded, "Despite my instincts.. I'm not going to say you absolutely have to date him.. Even though I think you should, because well, the two of you are good for each other."
The Florida native eyed her skeptically, "Then what are you going to say?"
Dawn smiled, "Just that I'm happy to see my best friend back, my real best friend and not just some shell." She raised an eyebrow while adding: "But, don't think that gets you off the hook completely."
Lita rolled her eyes good naturedly, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Yenta. And despite how pushy you can be, most of the time I appreciate your efforts. I appreciate it more when you just step back and let me handle things on my own.. So, thanks for that."
The brunette Diva nodded. "Just don't take too long making up your mind, alright? I put a lot of hard work and time into this and I'd hate to see it all go to waste."
The redhead tossed the nearest pillow, before she sunk back into the bed. A short sigh escaped her before she moved, her legs swinging down soon enough. "I'm gonna head down to the pool."
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "You want some company?"
Lita shrugged, moving to find her bag. "If you want.. I mean, I can't sleep and I sure as hell don't feel like watching some sappy, made for television movie so.."
Dawn chuckled, moving from the chair to dig through her bag for her bikini. "I hear you on that one…I'll just go let Vikki know, then maybe the three of us can head down together?"
"Sure," Lita grinned, pulling out a bikini as she stood. "I'll just get changed."
The brunette nodded, knocking once on the connecting door before Jeff let her in. "Now, I know you were listening in.. and don't even try to deny it Jeffrey. You've spent far too much time around me."
Jeff held up his hands in mock defense, "I didn' hear all of it.. Jus' some of it."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "I'm sure." She flicked her attention to John and Chris before she caught Victoria's attention. "Li and I are gonna head down to the pool.. Since, neither of us feel like watching the sappy, made for television movie."
The raven haired Diva moved from her spot on the carpet. "Anything sounds better than watching this crap." She thumbed to the television. "And what a novel idea, I'll actually be able to use the bikini I brought with me."
Dawn stuck out her tongue in response, the two Divas heading back to their hotel room shortly after.
…….
Ten minutes later found the three Divas occupying the whirlpool. Granted yes, Lita had said she wanted to head to the pool.. But, once they saw the whirlpool that was it. Of course, that didn't mean they would forgo the indoor pool altogether.. Or at least Lita wouldn't but for now, the whirlpool was more than alright. Another five minutes had passed before one body entered the water, Dawn opening her eyes to lock with curious green. A quick glance over Jeff's shoulder let her know that Chris and John were also there. But, instead of joining them in the whirlpool, the two were actually in the pool.
"So, tell me somethin' cos' this inquiring mind has got to know." Jeff glanced pointedly between the three women. "Why did y'all say you was headin' to the pool to sit in the whirlpool?"
"Because we felt like it?" Victoria quipped with a smirk. "Why does it really matter?"
The Cameron native shrugged. "Well it really don' matter.. An' I ain't gonna complain, cos' I get to sit in the whirlpool with the three of y'all while those two idiots freeze.."
Chris snorted indignantly, "Who are you calling an idiot?"
Jeff tossed back an impish grin, "Well I only see two bodies in that pool, so unless ya got an invisible friend with ya.. Those idiots would be you two." He turned his attention back to the Divas. "Now, sittin' here in this whirlpool is nice an' all that.. But, if you decide you are gonna head to the pool? Y'all are gonna shock your bodies.. It'd make more sense to-"
"Jeff?" Lita interrupted before he could continue. "Shut up."
He raised an eyebrow at the redhead, "I know you didn' jus' tell me to shut up." Jeff stood then, making a show of stretching his limbs. "You know I still owe you for stealin' my car."
Lita raised an eyebrow, "I didn't steal.. I borrowed with your permission."
The green eyed man snorted, "Yeah.. Ya borrowed it to take it to the store, not across the state line."
"It's still in one piece, isn't it?" The redheaded woman waved it off nonchalantly. "Jeff I really don't see-"
"Not the point," he stated as he lifted her out of the water. "You still took my car across the state line without my permission." The Cameron native's eyes twinkled mischievously. "For that, ya need to be punished."
She swatted at his arm, "Jeffrey Nero Hardy, you put me down right this instant!"
"Oh, I'll put you down alright." Jeff grinned broadly, walking around the pool side until he reached the deep end. "Ready for that swim, darlin'?"
Before she could utter a word in protest, Lita was unceremoniously dropped into the pool. An indignant squeak escaping her. "You are a dead man." She sputtered, while treading water. "Do you hear me?"
Jeff stuck out his tongue, "You gonna hafta catch me first before you can do anything.." He sat down at the edge of the pool, kicking a stream of water over her. "Come on? What's stoppin' ya?"
"I feel merciful," she muttered dryly, the redhead ducking underneath the water to swim to shallower territory. "Consider yourself lucky," she glared at her friend when she surfaced.
The Cameron native rolled his eyes in response, busying himself with getting Dawn and Victoria from the whirlpool and into the pool. For her part, Lita made her way to the steps; slumping down until she was half submerged. Dawn watched on in dismay as Lita avoided eye contact with the brown haired wrestler. A frown crossing the New Jersey native's face at the sight. For all of the progress they had made.. And the beautiful progress in Dawn's book, it was seemingly all for nothing. But despite that, the brunette vowed not to interfere and to not give up hope. Perhaps, if she didn't interfere, things would work out on their own.. If not, then two people were sharing a hotel room whether they liked or not.