Love, Lust and Lunacy

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine…never will be.

Spoilers: la la la la, I can't hear you… it's Alternate Universe

Rating: T for language.. Will go up in later chapters.

Characters: Trish, Dawn, Victoria, Lillian, Lita, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Tyson Tomko, Batista, Christian, Jeff Hardy and John Cena…appearances by many others.

Summary: Bad plumbing, a need for room-mates and a mutual friends wedding brings them all together.

Notes: See previous chapters for any applicable notes

xoxox

Thanks to her overnight shift at work, Lita's day officially started sometime in the afternoon. And once she had finished showering…both Trish and Victoria wanted to get going. The blonde woman only had one class that week.. And that was an orientation for all first year medical students. Victoria's internship was scheduled to start on Wednesday while Chris would be starting his internship on Thursday…not that his internship factored into their plans for the day.. But it was still something worth noting. The three women also knew that Jeff would be job hunting that week.. The green eyed man hopeful that something would be available for someone who held a bachelors degree in fine arts. Whatever the case with Jeff, their plans for that day didn't involve him either.. Rather, their plans involved getting a list together of who would be bringing what to the house and what they would need to buy. Aside from bedroom furniture, the three women would be able to contribute some kitchen essentials, cleaning supplies and perhaps the beat up couch in the living room. Lita knew that her brother had all new furniture in his apartment, including a big screen television. But whether that television would go in his room or in the living room…the redhead wasn't exactly sure. Dawn had already agreed to give them some of her old furniture…which was really brand new furniture…since she was getting ready to buy new furniture. That at least took care of some problems, but the rest of the house…well they still weren't sure.

Trish bit her lower lip in thought, "Well.. The three of us have cars, Tyson, Jeff and Chris have cars.. I'm guessing Dave would too.. That means we're going to be using all four spots in the garage plus the carport."

Victoria raised an eyebrow in question, "So what does that have to do with furniture? I thought we were going to go look for stuff today."

"It doesn't have anything to do with furniture," the blonde woman stated with a shrug. "I'm just trying to figure out if we'll have more storage space.. And that's only if we'll need it."

Lita frowned, "I think my mom left me and Ty some stuff in storage.. And if we end up using whatever it is she left…we'll have that storage space." Rolling her eyes she added: "Tyson claims to remember some living room furniture, a dining room set and two bedroom sets."

Trish sent her a look, "Can we see what's what in this storage locker? Who knows.. We might find something that all of us can use."

"Sure, he's got the day off from work today so.." the redhead replied easily, "we just have to head over to Ty's because he has the keys to the storage lockers. I'm pretty sure he has some extra boxes too, so we can pick those up for whenever we decide to start packing."

Victoria nodded, keys already in hand. "What's your schedule like this week? If we can start packing during the week.. That'll free up some weekend time to go shopping."

"Overnights until Wednesday with Thursday and Friday off," Lita replied without missing a beat. "And of course, weekends on call… but I might have to go in on Thursday or Friday to do an orientation."

Trish blinked, "Are there any chances of you getting a regular schedule? Like a 9 to 5 or something?"

Lita shook her head, waiting until they were in the hallway before she answered. "Everyone at the shelter works one of the following schedules.. You're either a 3 to 11, 11 to 7 or 7 to 3.. I could do a twelve hour instead or do a back to back like last month."

"Harsh," the blonde woman said first. "But that's how it's going to be for me once I get a job.." She quirked an eyebrow, "how are you guys managing with such few staff?"

"Just barely," Lita admitted with a frown, "but we're going to be hiring again so.. Hopefully it won't be too bad.. Plus we're expanding the services offered."

Victoria blinked as they gathered on the sidewalk, "I remember you saying something about a promotion.. Is that still going to happen and will that mean more work for you or what?"

Lita shook her head, "I won't get the promotion unless I have my masters degree.. But it would mean more work, because I'd have more paperwork to do at the shelter.. Or I could just have more responsibilities." She waited for Victoria to unlock the car, sliding inside as soon as the door was opened. "I'd love to get my masters but.. I'm just not sure if I'll have the time.. And even if I did have the time, I'm not sure if I could handle the workload."

"Well," Trish began thoughtfully as she slipped into the passengers seat, "if part of your coursework is field work.. You've already got that part covered because of your job.. You might want to talk to the advisors for the program and see if you can't get credit or something for your job experience."

"That's what Ivory said.. And according to her, I'd technically have all of my fieldwork requirements out of the way." The redhead shrugged, a hand threading through her hair. "I do know that I'd have to wait until the Fall semester to start any coursework so.."

Trish frowned, "It's too bad you can't appeal for a late application to this semester.. At least that way you wouldn't have to wait another year."

Lita shrugged, "I know Ivory already has some training classes scheduled for all of us.. Plus I have my re-certification for C.P.R and First Aid coming up…and even without that, I'd still be really busy."

"Speaking of that," Victoria sent her a look via the rear view mirror, "are you taking the kids to the final pre-game?"

The redhead grinned, "That's all Devon and Ryan have been talking about for the past two weeks.. Plus the baseball games and they wanted to make sure that we're going to a few basketball games…not to mention the college games."

"No hockey this year?" Trish queried as Victoria pulled out of the parking spot, "or do they think San Jose is too far to drive to?"

Lita shrugged, "I'm not sure.. I have to talk to Ivory about the Fall and Winter activity schedule…see what I'm handling this time around. I'm pretty sure I will be taking the kids to the sports games and all that but I'm not sure what else."

Trish grimaced, "I don't know how you can handle five rambunctious boys.. I know you said that McKenzie goes too but .. Five of them, by yourself?"

"It's not that bad," Lita rolled her shoulders, sitting back in her seat. "Though I do prefer just taking three or four at a time.." She winced suddenly, "the worst is when we take all of them to see Santa.. Or just when we have all of the kids with us. But most of my outings are either with the group of boys and McKenzie or with McKenzie, Matthew and Devon."

xoxox

The three fell silent soon afterwards… each woman pre-occupied with their own thoughts. For Trish, it was a matter of if she could handle the upcoming academic year…what with it being her first year as a pre-med student. And while the pretty blonde was confident in her abilities.. It was the amount of coursework that was intimidating her. But, she had gotten into a very competitive program.. Trish figuring that had to count for something. Victoria, meanwhile, was also contemplating the year ahead.. It would be her first internship and from what little she knew about the office they were a private practice specializing in civil rights issues. She also knew that the office was located in Richmond…but beyond that, she knew nothing. Lita was also thinking about the rest of the year.. Though for different reasons than her two room-mates. For one, it was mid-August.. That meant roughly four and a half months before the new year…and the new year meant Dawn and Christian's wedding in June. In between that, the shelter would be moving and expanding the services offered.. And of course, they would be moving into a house with three people they knew very well, one they didn't know much about and another person that they really didn't know at all. Aside from the moving, the redhead was also wondering how the activity schedule would shape up for the shelter. She knew that Devon wanted to have as many outings and day trips as humanly possible.. Lita promising him that she would do her best to accommodate his wishes. But, the redhead wouldn't have much longer to think on things… seeing as how Victoria had just pulled up to the apartment complex where her brother lived.

"I'll be back," Lita stated as she unbuckled her seatbelt, "this shouldn't take long .. Unless of course Ty wants to come along with us."

Trish nodded, "We'll just wait in here. I mean, there's really no point in all of us going up there just to get a set of keys, right?"

"Right," the redhead agreed with a nod. "Unless of course someone wants to come with me.."

Victoria stuck out her tongue, "I'll pass thanks.. Now why don't you just go get the keys."

Lita rolled her eyes good naturedly, shutting the door to make her way to the gates of the complex. It took her a moment to find her brother's apartment number on the panel.. The redhead pressing a few buttons on the intercom system to let Tyson know she was here.

"Why do you need the keys?" The bald man asked as he let his sister inside. "And why don't you have a copy?"

She raised an eyebrow, "Because.. Someone told mom that as the older and therefore more 'responsible' one.. He should have the keys." Lita waited a beat: "And I need them because Trish and Vikki want to see what's in the storage lockers."

"Oh yeah.." he smirked, crossing the length of the living room to reach the end table. "I almost forgot about that."

"Whatever," she said with a roll of her eyes, "can you just hurry it up? Trish and Vikki are waiting in the car."

In turn, Tyson took his time to find the keys.. Even though he knew exactly where they were…it was fun pissing her off. "So what are you three up to anyway?"

"Aside from checking the storage lockers.." Lita shrugged, jamming her hands in the back pockets of her jean shorts. "We're trying to figure out who will be bringing what to the house… that way we can start a list of what we need to buy."

"Right," he said while tossing the keys to her. "Mom's got some of Billy's stuff in there too.. But I think it's marked."

She pocketed the keys, "I'll keep that in mind then.. And I'd say I'd see you later, but the way our schedules cross.. I doubt it's possible."

He smirked, "And thank goodness for that.. I don't know if I can put up with you."

Lita stuck out her tongue in response, the redhead waving over her shoulder as she exited the apartment.

"Hey Li.." Victoria queried when the redhead was back in the car, "where are these storage lockers?"

"Alameda," the redhead buckled her seatbelt, "and since it's mid-afternoon.. We probably won't get caught in traffic going there.. But we might get caught in rush hour traffic coming back."

The dark haired woman groaned, quipping sarcastically: "Which is the absolute best time to get stuck in traffic.. Can we make this trip quick then?"

"Whatever," Lita replied with a shrug, "I'm not sure how much stuff is in these storage lockers though.. I just know that some of it's stuff that my grandma left in her will to me and Ty. And some other stuff that mom bought in case we ever got a place of our own."

"I wonder if Dawn's heard from Lil yet.." Trish spoke up suddenly, "or Chris and Jeff for that matter."

Victoria frowned in thought, "Well her dad is pretty sick.. And I don't think Lil or her mom want to put him a nursing home…especially since Lil's a registered nurse."

"I know," Trish said casually, "I'm just worried.. She usually checks in with at least one of us…just to let us all know what's going on."

"Then we'll call her when we get home," Lita reasoned from the backseat, "maybe see if she can join us for lunch or something."

"Speaking of joining people," Trish sent a look back, "with my orientation this week plus Vikki's starting her internship--"

"Who am I meeting and why?" Lita interrupted, curiosity shining in her hazel eyes, "because like I've already told you.. I might have to do an orientation on Thursday or Friday."

Trish rolled her eyes, "I know Li.. It would be for a couple hours at most anyway.. We just need you to meet up with Chris, Jeff, Dave, John and your brother so you can get a list together of what they'll be bringing to the house." She made a gesture with her hand, "that way we have a final idea of what we need to get."

"Right," the redhead sighed softly, "I'll just check my schedule… I can't make any guarantees but I'll see what I can do."

"That's all we're asking," Victoria re-assured the redhead. "It's just…between the three of us…you're probably the only one who'll be able to meet with them before the weekend."

"I know," Lita shrugged.. A small smirk appearing soon after, "and if I can't find the free time.. I'll just go bug Ty and Dave at work."

Trish shook her head, "Don't you remember what happened last time you did that? I seem to recall you saying something about how you ended playing waitress….and about how your brother, Dave and Chris had break up a bar fight that you started."

Lita rolled her eyes, "I didn't start a bar fight… it might have started because of me, but I didn't start it."

Trish rolled her eyes right back, "Same difference Li.. You still had something to do with it.. You're really luck you didn't get hurt."

"You know Ty wouldn't let anything happen to me.." Lita shook her head, "or Chris for that matter."

Victoria snickered, "That's because he has a crush on you." She grinned when Lita snorted in disbelief, "Think what you want, Li, but it's true.. Mr. Masters has a crush."

Lita shook her head, "Wrong.. He has a crush on Lillian.. He's just too shy to say anything."

"Right.." Trish glanced back at the redhead, "and how do you know that he isn't just saying things, huh? Chris is far from shy." She raised an eyebrow when Lita glared, "face it honey.. He likes you."

"So?" Lita waved it off, "that doesn't really mean anything, does it? And that's if it is true.. Which it isn't." Shaking her head she added: "And besides.. I don't have the time to date right now and both of you know it."

Trish held up her hands in defense, "Calm down… we were just joking.. No one said you had to date him. We were just pointing out the fact that he does like you." The pretty blonde shrugged, "he is cute.."

"Then why don't you date him," Lita suggested with a smirk, "or do you not have the time, hmm?" Her smirk broadened when Trish blushed, "all you have to do is talk to him, Trish.. He's a really nice guy."

The blonde woman shrugged, "I'll think about it…I'm not saying I will and I'm not saying I won't.. just that I have to think about it first."

xoxox

The occupants of the car fell silent once more.. The three women eventually finding themselves in Alameda. Now, it was just a matter of finding the storage lockers that Lita's mom rented to see exactly what was in them. From a quick glance to the key ring that Tyson had given her, the redhead gathered that there were three storage lockers in her mother's name.. The exact size, however, she wasn't sure…since this storage center had large lockers and small lockers. But, after she had consulted with the attendant at the desk.. The three women found themselves staring down three large lockers. It was then they realized that the lockers before them were about the same size as the lockers they were renting in South San Francisco.. And while it hadn't been too long since they had rented those lockers.. It had been long enough for them to forget most of the contents there. They tried the middle locker first, Lita stepping in to examine a few of the labels in plain view.. And as she stepped back, she informed Trish and Victoria that the contents of this locker belonged to Billy. Going from that bit of information, the three figured that the outer two lockers were designated to Tyson and Lita.. The redhead handing off one key to Victoria while she and Trish explored the locker to the left.

"Alright.." Lita began as they opened the door, "there should be a light switch around somewhere.."

"Hey Li.." Victoria beckoned from the locker she was standing in, "all of this is for Tyson.. And I really don't feel comfortable browsing through someone else's stuff so.. I think I'll just--"

"We found Li's stuff," Trish interrupted quickly, "so why don't you just head over here and give us a hand.."

Victoria nodded, stepping back to slide the door down. And after she had locked it, she joined Lita and Trish in the third storage locker.

"Hey.." Trish glanced up from a table, "I remember this table.. It was in your grandmother's living room.." Her fingertips touched the surface, "we made a fort underneath this the first time we slept over."

The redhead nodded, "Like I said… most of the stuff in the lockers is from grandma's old house.. Mom didn't want to sell any of it, so she kept for me, Ty and Billy."

Victoria eyed up a set of curio cabinets, "Well.. If you can't use this somewhere else in the house.. You or Tyson might be able to use some of it in your rooms."

"Huh.." Lita paused in front of a framed portrait, "she kept this.."

Trish raised an eyebrow, "Kept what, Li?"

"This.." she held up the large portrait for her friend, "it was the last family portrait we had done.." hazel eyes darkened. "Right before me and Ty's seventh birthday.. And right before he decided that he didn't want to be a father anymore."

The blonde woman placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "We don't have to take everything.."

Lita nodded, her voice distant when she replied. "It's the first and only time I remember Ty crying.." she smiled wryly, "Tyson claims he doesn't know how to cry now.."

Victoria and Trish exchanged a helpless look.. Neither woman sure of what to say or what they could say.

The redhead set down the portrait, turning it so she didn't have to see the smiling faces. "Anyway.. Why don't we see what else is in here.. Then we'll check Ty's locker." She glanced to Victoria, "you might have a problem looking through his stuff.. But I don't.. I grew up doing that."

The dark haired woman nodded, "I see the rest of the dining room set over here.. And I think there's an entertainment center.. Bedroom furniture.. And some really ancient looking appliances."

Lita rolled her eyes in spite of it all, "Well it's not like we'll need any of them.. The house has a microwave, oven, dishwasher and a refrigerator already."

"Plus the breakfast nook," Trish reminded them both as they ventured further into the storage locker. "Though I do wonder.. We have a home theatre in there…what are we going to do with that one spare room?"

Victoria smirked, "I overheard Tyson and Dave saying it would be perfect for a pool table or something.. And I think Chris and Jeff said it would be perfect for an air hockey table."

Lita snorted, "That's funny… John was saying it would be perfect for a foosball table.. But it's not like we won't have just one spare room.. Sure, there's that one room and then the family room. I think Dawn's mom told us that the previous owners used that for a playroom and since none of us have kids…"

Trish shook her head, "We are not turning one of the rooms into an arcade. I know for a fact that both Chris and Jeff want to bring their stupid video game systems with them."

"I know Ty is bringing his…" Lita sighed, "but we don't know what the rooms will be used for until we all talk about it.. I say we have final say, since it is technically our house."

Victoria nodded, "I agree.. But, I wouldn't mind having an air hockey table or even a pool table in the house.." She sent a curious look to the redhead, "I just wonder how all of us are going to manage with sharing bathrooms."

Lita shrugged, "I grew up sharing a bathroom with my brothers.. I doubt this will be any different."

Trish raised an eyebrow at that, "Are you already forgetting what happened when Jeff accidentally walked in on you? It was the most recent ski trip to Lake Tahoe.. You threatened to kick his ass all the way back to San Francisco."

"What's the point blondie.."

Trish rolled her eyes, "What if something like that happens?"

The redhead shrugged, "Then we look for a new house mate…because if it happens, I'll kill him… or I'll scream bloody murder and have Tyson kill him."

Victoria smirked, "And you know.. That's probably one reason why Chris hasn't asked you out.. One night, I swear to you both, I overheard Tyson giving him the 'fear of God' speech." And when Lita shot her a questioning look, the dark haired woman elaborated: "Ya know.. The 'you hurt my sister and I'll kill you' speech that he gave just about every guy you dated in high school?"

Lita huffed, "Vikki.. For the last time.. .he doesn't like me. We're friends.. Ya know…a completely platonic relationship between two people?" She smirked suddenly, "But.. In the event that he does ask me out…I'll go on one date with him.." An eyebrow raised in challenge, "provided that it's a double date with you and Ty."

"Fine," Victoria agreed easily, "you're on.." she extended a hand, the two shaking on the terms before the dark haired woman crossed her arms. "And you'll soon find out that you're wrong, Li.."

"Whatever," the redhead muttered, "let's just finish up here so we can go home.. I'm getting hungry."

To that, Trish and Victoria nodded their agreement… the three heading further back into the locker to inspect the remaining contents. They figured they'd leave the other locker for another day.. Or that Lita could just ask Tyson to take a look for himself. But, their search of the locker had left them with good results.. The three realizing that they probably wouldn't need to buy too much furniture…if they had to at all. Between the contents of the storage locker, Dawn's generous donations and whatever else everyone was bringing.. They were pretty much set. That was one relief for the three.. But that didn't mean that they wouldn't need other stuff for the house.. Neither Trish, Lita or Victoria were very confident in one of the guys having a working vacuum cleaner…or a washer and dryer for that matter. But, where it concerned furnishings, they were set…and that was good enough for now.