Title: Unrequited (7?)Rating: at the moment PG, or whatever ffn's equivalent is
Content: sap, angst
Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters mentioned herein, and no disrespect meant
Summary: Lita is falling. Will someone catch her?
A/N: So, here's some Christmas cheer. Yeah, right, this is me we're talking about. It's quite episodic, this one. Thank you for the lovely reviews, I really do appreciate them. Enjoy!

She didn't want to leave the safety of her hotel room. She would have to though, and in one way she did want to, because every time she looked at the bed she remembered what happened. And, with each memory that returned, she felt a little more dirty and a little piece of what was left of her self belief died.

She showered, but that didn't take away the feeling. She packed and left the room, a cheery smile plastered on her face, but pretending that everything was fine didn't take away the feeling either. Chris Masters blanking her didn't help either. Nothing would help, except the one thing that she just couldn't have right now.

It hurt, when Chris ignored her. She knew that she'd hurt him, that what she'd said was unforgivable, but she wanted to talk to him, to apologise, to explain how she felt. He wouldn't even acknowledge her though. She felt like she deserved it, she felt like any way he could punish her wouldn't be enough, and wouldn't even come close to how she was punishing himself.

Randy felt torn, and a little upset. Lita had texted him to say that she wouldn't be coming to Armageddon, but hadn't explained why. While he could understand that she had no desire to be near Matt, it still hurt that she wouldn't put that to one side and come to support him. He wasn't exactly looking forward to his match.

Dave Batista had noticed that Randy wasn't his usual self, and decided that what the young man needed was a night out and a good woman. He was surprised that Randy had gone for so long without having a girlfriend, as the young man was good looking, charming most of the time, and generally a gentleman. He knew that Randy had some form of a relationship with Lita, but had no idea that Randy's feelings ran so deep.

"Randy, you're coming for a drink with us tonight, right?"

Randy looked over at the older man. He didn't particularly want to go out, but figured that another night in awaiting a call from Lita wouldn't do him any good. "Who's us?"

"Me, Chris Benoit, Rey, John, Melina, Stacy… and anyone else who wants to tag along."

"Yeah, why not?"

"Good man," Batista slapped his back. "Meet at eight in the lobby."

"Sure thing." Randy still wasn't entirely sure, but it was probably for the best.

He found himself having a good time. It had been a while since he'd been on a night out like this, and, he had to admit, it was good fun. He did think about Lita a fair bit, checking his cell phone at regular intervals, but she didn't occupy his mind to the same extent as normal.

He was fairly drunk, and found himself chatting to Melina. She was unusually quiet, and Randy was curious, especially as he'd heard she'd had a fling with Batista. Randy knew his friend's reputation when it came to women, and he hoped that she hadn't fallen too deeply for him.

"What's up Mel? You're quiet tonight."

"Can I ask you something Randy?" She looked at him, wondering if he'd betray her confidence or not.

"Sure." He could guess the subject, "fire away."

"I know… I know Dave only ever has flings. I know his rep." She closed her eyes and gripped her drink a little tighter, "I knew that when I got involved with him. But… I didn't realise how much he'd get under my skin."

Randy nodded, he'd seen it before, "you can't just walk away."

"I want to. It's just difficult."

"It's hard Mel, but you've got to. Don't tie yourself up in knots over someone you're never going to have."

"You don't think he'll ever change?"

"Honestly, no,"

"I hurt Johnny. Although… he knew why I did it, he told me afterwards I shouldn't have."

"He likes you," the whole locker room knew that, the boy hadn't exactly been subtle about his feelings for Melina.

"I know… Randy, would it sound really strange if I said that Dave was under my skin, but Johnny was somewhere deeper?" Melina slugged back her drink and flattened her hands on the table, staring at them intently in an attempt to calm herself.

"No," the young man smiled sadly, "nothing about love seems strange to me."

Melina looked surprised at how Randy's demeanour had changed, it seemed like she'd hit a raw nerve there, although she had no idea how or why. She looked over at Dave, who was flirting with Stacy, and shook her head. Things became clearer. She would never have that man, and wasn't sure that in the long run she'd want him. She thought briefly about Randy: he was a nice guy, but obviously hung up on someone. Her heart and head always took her back to one person. A person she'd hurt once, but wouldn't again. A person she'd love, if he'd let her.

She brightened her smile, stood up and held out a hand. "Dance?"

"Love to," Randy appreciated the change in subject, and followed Melina out on to the dance floor. For a few moments, he forgot about everything.

Lita was a wreck. In another hotel room in another faceless city, she sat alone. She wanted to hear Randy's voice, but wouldn't let herself call him. She didn't feel like she deserved his comfort, although it was the only thing she could think of right now that would sooth her heart.

In the end, her heart ruled over her head and she dialled his number. When he took longer than normal to answer, she closed her eyes; all she could see was Randy with someone else. Because she'd left it too long, he'd given his heart to someone else. He'd offered her his love, and she'd rejected it, and now it was too late. When his voicemail kicked in she took a deep breath and tried not to allow tears into her voice.

"Hey Randy, it's only me. Call me when you get this message, whatever time it is… please." As her voice began to crack she hung up. She didn't want him to hear her cry, not again.

She curled up on the bed and waited. She was too tired to do anything else.

Randy was having a good time with Melina. She was sweet, relaxed and fun. Some of the others had joined them on the dance floor, and things were starting to get a little wild.

"Randy?" She leaned over and shouted into his ear, "I'm gonna get going, I've got a PA in the morning."

"I'll walk you back," he wouldn't dream of her walking through the city on her own. Plus, he was getting a little tired too and couldn't wait to get to bed. They made their goodbyes as brief as possible, and quickly left.

Melina put her arm through his as they walked down the street. She was a little drunk, and was wearing heels that Randy was surprised she could even stand in, so his support was vital in remaining standing.

They chatted as they walked, about their co-workers, future matches and hot gossip, always a favourite topic of Melina's. Once back at the hotel, Randy accompanied her up to her room, and hugged her.

"Thanks for a good night Mel, I hope things go ok with Nitro."

"Thanks Randy. Listen sweetheart, whoever it is that's eating at your heart, if they don't want you, forget them. You deserve better." She turned and went into her room, leaving Randy with a lot of food for thought.

It was easy to say forget her, but harder to do.

Back in his room, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and cursed. He'd missed Lita's call. Guilt coursed through his veins, and then Melina's words came back to him. Did Lita want him, or did she need him? Was there a difference, and if there was, was he willing to accept need over want, in order to have her?

A while ago, he'd have said yes, no question. Now, he wasn't so sure.

He couldn't face calling her. Not when he was unsure like this. It wasn't fair on either of them. She deserved commitment and love, even if she couldn't return it. And in this frame of mind, he wasn't sure he could give it.

Lita finally drifted off to sleep, tears barely dry on her cheek. Randy still hadn't called. She wondered if he was angry with her, if maybe Chris had said something to him, if he was with someone else. And with each of those thoughts, she hated herself more and more, believing that it was her own behaviour that had driven him away, and that she was the only person to blame.

She didn't think there was anything left, any further to fall. She'd lost the one thing she wanted, the one thing she'd never had, the one thing she'd run away from. There was nothing left to lose.