A/N: To those of you who felt Shane-O got off easy, you may enjoy this chapter. To those of you looking for that John/Lita hook-up…patience is a virtue!

Chapter 19

Lita hung up her cell phone almost laughing to herself. She was somewhat relieved that John didn't actually pick up. She had no idea what it was she was going to say or how she would say it, she only knew she needed to talk to him. Maybe it was better he didn't pick up, she reasoned. Hopefully just one more night would help her clear her thoughts.

As Lita turned to the bathroom and stared at the warm water that awaited her in the tub, she slowly began to undress herself. Then suddenly she heard a knock at the door.

Checking the clock, she wandered who in the hell would be stopping by at midnight?

Searching through the peephole, she checked the hallway and saw a man standing at the door. Cracking it open slightly with the chain still hinged, she looked at the man through the doorway. Her shirt now held up against her body to cover herself up.

"You should leave now Shane before I call the cops." She said.

Shane smiled.

"Come on Lita, I've seen you naked before. Open the door." He responded, somewhat amused at how defensive she was being.

"I don't trust you Shane now just leave. I'm serious, I will call the cops." Lita warned.

"I'm not leaving until you open the door baby doll. " Shane said and waited for the door to open. When it didn't he continued. "This is ridiculous. You really think I would try anything? I've already tested the merchandise. You're used goods now Lita, that's not really my style." Shane responded. Again, turning up the smugness factor to an annoyingly high degree.

Lita wanted to puke. As far as Shane was concerned he had two requirements when it came to sleeping with women: boobs and a vagina. Personality and degree of promiscuity didn't play into the picture. Candice was proof of that.

Unfortunately for Lita, she also knew that if she didn't open the door, Shane would not go away. He was stubborn as hell, and quite frankly, was enjoying Lita's obvious discomfort. So instead of standing there at the door all night, she decided to unlock it. She still had her cell phone in her hand, so she figured worse case scenario she could easily call for help, or better yet, use it to beat the crap out of Shane should he try anything unwelcomed.

"Okay, Shane, what do you want?" Lita asked as she unlocked the door and opened it just a tad further.

"Well, because I care so much about you, I wanted to warn you about John." Shane said, puppy dog eyes bearing down on her.

Lita rolled her eyes. She knew Shane was playing his little games and whatever he had to say was probably full of nothing but bull shit. On the other hand, she couldn't help but to wander what she would possibly need to be warned about as it pertained to John.

"John's playing you Lita, he's out with Candice as we speak." Shane continued trying to act seriously concerned for Lita's well being.

Lita tried desperately to act unfazed by the announcement. Even the slightest possibility of John being with Candice would tear her apart. It had to be a lie, Lita reasoned to herself. Shane was just trying to stir things up again, and there was no way John would have anything to do with Candice. That is unless he was just trying to even the score with Lita. As much as Lita didn't want to believe that was true, she knew deep down inside it was a possibility.

"Shane, can you please just go fuck yourself?" Lita responded. She wanted the games to stop and hated the fact that Shane had now planted a seed in her mind that would drive her insane.

Shane smiled back at Lita as he reached out and touched a strand of her hair.

"I'd rather fuck you Lita." He said smiling.

Lita tightened the grip on her cell phone. She couldn't decide if she would rather give Shane a nice hard shot between the legs or another quick right hand to the face. Thankfully, she would not have to decide between either one.

"Yo, Shane-O, I think you need to go back to wherever you came from." John said as he approached Lita's door.

Shane turned quickly, surprised as hell to see John making his way down the hall. For all he knew John would be with Candice for the rest of the night. Lita was also shocked to see John, but unlike Shane, welcomed the unexpected visit.

Shane raised his hands in innocence as he watched John walk directly toward him.

"Cool it John, I didn't touch her." Shane said pleading his case.

John smiled at the Heir Apparent.

"I don't give a damn." He said and then took his right hand, caste and all, and punched Shane so hard that he fell firmly to the ground and was rendered close to unconsciousness.

Lita watched in astonishment. She really didn't expect to see John go off on Shane as quickly as he did. On the other hand, she was happy with the results. It had been long overdue in her mind.

As Shane now lay on the ground, Lita stared at John. She wasn't sure at this point what he was thinking. All she knew was that she owed him an explanation. Not just for the fact that she had even bothered to open her door to Shane, but for everything that had happened in the last few weeks.

"John, it's not what you think, Shane invited himself over. I didn't know he was going to be here." Lita said frantically. The last thing she wanted John believing was that she had invited Shane to her room.

After staring down at Shane, John turned to Lita. He placed a hand behind her neck, just under her long, red hair.

"I know Lita, its okay." He said.

Lita still felt the need to explain. There was so much she yearned to tell him. All she wanted was for him to know why things happened the way they did. She desperately wanted John to understand.

"John. The thing with Shane, it was a mistake, I was upset, I was drunk, I…" Lita tried to finish but John cut her off by placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Meanwhile Shane struggled to his feet. As soon as John caught sight of his movements, his attention was drawn back over to him. He instantly grabbed Shane by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

"Listen man, I don't give a damn what you do to me, but I want you to leave Lita out of it." John demanded. His whole face showing sturdiness and deathly sincerity.

Shane checked his jaw to make sure it had not been dislocated. Although he was still somewhat out of it, the words that came from John's mouth rang loud and clear. Before Shane could reply, John gave him one final shove against the wall and released him

Shane straightened his shirt and hair and backed away slowly. He was angry as hell, but knew he had been defeated.

"Don't worry John, I don't want to have anything to do with that little whore. Neither you or her are worth my time." Shane responded and then turned and walked away.

John watched Shane leave shaking his head. The simple fact that someone could be such a prick was beyond him. None of that mattered now though. The only thing that mattered to John was the woman he knew for sure he was in love with.

"John, your hand, is it okay?" Lita asked concerned.

"I'll be out of action for a few weeks, but that's not why I'm here." John replied.

Lita rubbed her arm as a breeze from the hallway gave her chills, or so she assumed.

"Can I come in?" John asked as he stared at her face and never let his focus go.