Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Anything that is recognizable, does not belong to me.
Summary: When one of the RAW diva's is attacked, it brings the unlikeliest group of people together.
Pairings: Mostly worked out, when I know for sure..I'll let you know.
AN 1: I know, it's taken awhile to get this all together..but I've finally found some direction for this piece. It still will be a few chapters before the next big plot element is dropped; so until then..alliances I suppose will be formed and/or defined.
Thank You: des1, huntersgirl, randysgirl, Shorty171984, aussiewrestlingfan, Fozzy-Floozy, paprica (rkoandlegs), Kay, Sassy, irishcookie & LatishaC for reviewing.
.........................................................................
Chapter 3
April 5, 2004.
Before the Heat tapings, Stacy, Lita, Nidia and Victoria sat around compainably in the catering hall waiting for something to do. Since they had already been informed of the Diva's battle royal for that night, and since the designated locker room for the Diva's was already occupied; that left them with limited choices.
"So, how was Monterrey?" Victoria eyed the redhead as she kicked up her feet, resting them to the left of Stacy's elbows. "Hmm?"
Lita shrugged, "Wasn't half that 've been better I guess."
Victoria rolled her eyes, "That doesn't tell me much. What did you do?"
"You mean aside from wrestling?" Lita bit her lower lip thoughtfully, toying with the ends of her hair. "We didn't really have too much time to sight see..but we did get stuck at customs." She shook her head, a touch of a smile playing on her lips. "All in all, I can't complain though. It would've been nicer if Trish hadn't gone."
"So am I right?" Stacy sent a look to the redhead. "Is Randy really that bad?"
"Depending on the circumstances and who he's around," Lita conceded to the blonde. "No, he's not half that bad. Would I willingly sacrifice time to be around him? No. But has my opinion changed?" The redheaded diva shrugged, "Marginally."
"Good," The long legged diva beamed. "Then you won't mind--"
"Hold that thought blondie," Lita grinned charmingly. "Don't book me for any double dates, quality time or otherwise. I already have plans."
"With who?" Stacy and Victoria asked in unison, both divas leaning in slightly.
"With friends, that's who." The redhead replied cryptically. "Nidia? Your company has also been requested."
"Oh come on," Stacy leaned forward more, her eyes pleading with the redhead. "You can't just leave us hanging like that."
"I can..and I will." Lita sat back in her chair, winking to Nidia. "If you're nice, I'll tell you about it on Thursday."
"Ahh, see you can't get out of my plans then." Stacy sent a triumphant look to Lita. "Because, I need you on Tuesday."
Lita groaned, "With who, where, how long and why?"
"Probably just dinner and dancing, so all night..we're in Houston so I doubt we're short of places to go." Stacy twirled a strand of hair around one finger in thought, "And with RandyHunterandBatista."
A brow rose sharply at the blonde diva. "Repeat that a little bit slower this time. I could've sworn you just said Hunter and Batista."
"Well..." Stacy glanced nervously between Lita and Nidia, her obvious victims clear. "I--"
"Stace," Lita whined, raking her hands through her hair. "I agreed to be civil to them, I agreed to tolerate their prescence when absolutely necessary. I never agreed to go on some ridiculous triple date."
"Please," Stacy begged to the divas. "I am begging you, just this once."
....
Before the redhead or Nidia could open their mouths to retort, who should enter the catering hall?
"There you all are," Randy Orton smiled just slightly as he stepped inside. "I was wondering if I could talk to you?" He approached the table of diva's, nodding in acknowledgement to the four.
"Sure!" Stacy began brightly, "Just give me--"
"Actually, Lita..I need you for a minute," Randy rubbed the back of his neck, "Please."
Lita raised a brow in response, sending a look first to Stacy then back to the I.C. champ. "What do you need me for?"
Randy made a gesture with his hand, indicating a corner further in the catering hall. "Follow me."
When Stacy shrugged at Lita's quizical look, the redhead warily got up from her chair. "What is all of this about.." She swung her arms freely at her sides, eyeing Randy suspiciously. "And why couldn't you--"
"I need your help," He explained quickly, sending a glance back to the table of divas. "Look, believe me or not..but I like Stacy."
The redhead slowly nodded, "Which explains why you're telling me this..and not her."
Orton rolled his eyes, "Do you honestly think she'd believe me?"
"I can't even say that I completely believe you," Lita stated rather bluntly, her lips pressing together in a firm line. "But for my friend's sake you better be telling the truth. The last thing she needs is--"
"I get that, okay? I know that she's been through hell before." Randy inwardly sighed, raking a hand through his short brown hair. "And I know that..I'm not the easiest person to believe in a situation like this but, I mean it. I like her."
Lita nodded, "Right, which still doesn't explain why--"
"Can you help me? Help her see past..whatever it is you all seem to see?"
The redhead blinked in disbelief. "Let me get this straight..you want me to help you get Stacy? Are you blind?"
"It's not just that," Randy let out a breath, leaning back against the wall. "I mean..I know everyone has this set idea of me..and it would be foolish of me not to realize it. I know that, I'll hafta change eventually and--"
"Slow down a minute," The redhead glanced quickly back to the blonde diva, before a bemused smirk settled on her lips. "Are you thinking long term with Stacy?"
"That's exactly what I mean Lita," Randy shook his head. "You assume I'm this playboy who's only after one thing."
Lita nodded, "So what you really need, is for someone to help you shed that image. And in the process, help you get on Stacy's good side..and hopefully on all of ours?"
"Yes," Randy confirmed, a hopeful smile sent down at the redhead. "So, will you do it?"
The redhead raked a hand through her hair, sending a look quickly to Stacy before she locked eyes with Randy. "On one condition," She crossed her arms defiantly, "I reserve the right, from this moment forward to decline all invitations on double dates or triple dates."
Randy raised a brow, supressing the urge to laugh at that statement. "Agreed."
"Alright then," Lita shifted her weight, "Was there anything else?"
Randy shook his head, "That was it..except one more thing...can you tell Stace, I won't be able to make it tomorrow?"
"And, why can't you do it?" Lita lifted a brow, "I mean, you want to start changing this image..start by being upfront with her."
"And tell her, that I'm cancelling so I can spend time with one of her friends?" Randy raised a brow in challenge, "That'd go over well I'm sure."
"Who said I was free Tuesday," Lita placed a hand on her hip. "When I agreed to help you, that didn't mean I was going to drop everything--"
"Do you have plans Tuesday?"
"Well no, I don't but--"
"Then meet me here," He removed a piece of paper from his pocket. "I'll tell Stacy I can't make it..which also gets you out of--"
"Fine, fine." Lita rolled her eyes, stuffing said piece of paper into her pocket. "You owe me for this."
"And I'll make it up to you," He re-assured with a grin. "Thank you."
"The things I do for a friend," Lita muttered, shaking her head at the I.C Champ. "Mind you, I'm doing this for Stacy."
He gestured towards the table, where two sets of eyes were currently watching. "Right..well I guess I should go explain myself then?"
Lita merely nodded in response, heading over there before him. As soon as Randy explained the situation to Stacy..or at least came up with a believable excuse; he left their company. For her part, the redhead just absently nodded when Stacy informed her she wouldn't be needed on Tuesday. And once they were through discussing whatever else they needed to discuss; they realized the Heat tapings were nearly over.
.................
Lita inwardly shuddered at the sight of Mick Foley on the monitor. Not that Mick disturbed her in any form; if anything she admired him. Just what Mick was promising to do..and would more than likely deliver for Backlash. Across from her, Stacy was chewing on her lower lip, wringing her hands together. And next to her, Nidia..who hadn't said much since the catering hall..was stretching and preparing for the upcoming battle royal.
"Hey..Nidia," Lita began quietly, as she pulled her elbow pads on. "You are free Wednesday..right?"
The brunette diva absently nodded, "I don't see why I wouldn't be.."
"Cool," The redhead grinned, "Because, your company has been requested. I'm meeting Rey, Dawn, Jackie, Rico and whomever else they can drag along."
A smile lit up Nidia's face, "That'd be great, I've never really hung out with Jackie..but Dawn and Rey are great people."
Lita nodded in agreement, smiling easily. "Jackie's pretty cool too..and Dawn, well Dawn is just Dawn."
Nidia giggled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I wonder if they'll bring Eddie or John."
"Crap," The redhead muttered softly, peering inside her duffel bag. "My knee pads must've fallen out of my bag." She hopped up from the bench, wrenching her elbow pads free. "I'll be right back."
Stacy and Nidia watched as the redhead slipped out the door, a comfortable silence falling over the two who remained.
...
Meanwhile, the redhead jogged quickly through the hallways; passing by the open locker room of Evolution on the way. She just caught Ric Flair's pep talk to a rather disturbed Randy Orton as she passed. Just as the redhead pushed through the double doors leading to the parking lot, she stopped in her tracks. Given the fact that it was a parking lot, the mere sight of an unmarked car leaving wouldn't be cause for alarm. But the direction the car was leaving from..well that shook the diva's nerves. Cautiously, she walked over to her rental car for the evening; noting the tire tracks in the vincinty and coming to the conclusion that the other car had just vacated that area. Added to the fact, that they still had no clue as to who left the C.D. outside their hotel room; the redheaded diva was on a higher alert. Carefully, she checked the exterior of the vehicle, expelling a sigh of relief when there were no visible scratch marks or shattered windows. Paranoia also lead her to check beneath the car for signs of tampering. And, once the redhead was satisfied that neither had occured she let out a bigger sigh of relief.
That was until she finally looked at the windshield..and at the note tucked underneath the wiper. Visibly annoyed, the redhead grabbed the piece of paper but did not read it yet. Instead, she set about her original task and popped the trunk of the car to retrieve her knee pads. Once she had them in hand, the car was alarmed before she made her way back to the arena; only to find a small package sitting just to the left of the doors. That fact, was certainly disturbing..as the redhead was the only person within the last five minutes to enter the parking lot. Nervously, she glanced around looking for any other signs of human life, and when she realized there were none..she quickened her pace back to the safety of the arena. The package would have remained on the ground, had the redhead not noticed whom it was addressed to. Scrawled on top of the box, in generic cursive; was her name. And against her better judgement...and after observing the box to make sure it wasn't moving on it's own accord; the redhead gingerly picked it up. She shook it once for good measure, put it to her ear..half expecting something to fly out of it at any second. But, when nothing did, she relaxed only slightly; grasping the door knob to re-enter the building.
From behind a stack of boxes, a pair of eyes watched the redheads every move. A malicious smile crossing the man's face as the diva picked up the box. He knew full well, that nothing that would cause immediate harm was in it; but that didn't mean that there weren't other surprises in store. He waited until the door had shut behind the diva; biding his time to enter the building himself. He was expected to be here after all..at least by one individual..and that was all the cover that he really needed to mask his true intent.
......................
Just after the battle royal..
Lita sent a grin down to her blonde friend, sneering in victory at the petite blonde still in the ring. It felt great to win..but beating Trish Stratus in the process? Well that was just the icing on the cake. She pumped her fists above her head, playing to the crowd before she slipped out of the ring. She, Stacy and Nidia had all agreed before hand..it didn't matter who won..just as long as Trish Stratus didn't. Lita paused at the top of the ramp, waving to the crowd before she slipped through the curtains.
"Congratulations!" Nidia smiled brightly to the redhead. "I'm glad you won."
Lita shrugged it off, "Like we all said earlier..as long as it wasn't Trish."
"Well still," Stacy bumped hips with the redhead. "Although I wonder..does Chris have more vested interest in this now?"
Lita giggled, "Who knows. He and Vicki haven't been dating for too long..so I'm gonna go with he just wanted some revenge on the two bit slut."
Stacy nodded solemnly, "So, what did Randy want earlier?"
The redhead blinked at the shift in conversation, swinging her arms freely while they traversed back to their locker room. "To..get double prints of the pictures I took." She replied finally, nearly stammering over her own words. "You should be proud Stace, some of the sight seeing I managed to squeeze in; was with Randy and Hunter." Of course, the redhead failed to mention that all of the superstars..from both RAW and SmackDown had done sight seeing together..but what Stacy didn't know at this point wouldn't hurt her.
The blonde diva simply nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as they turned the corner. "You'll show me those, right?"
"Duh Stacy," Lita rolled her eyes at her friend. "Of course I will."
...
The three fell into a comfortable silence as they rounded the next corner; reaching the hallway where their locker room was for the evening. The silence would continue, the comfort level however; would soon disappear. Stacy grasped the door knob to the locker room, pushing it open with an exhausted sigh. But, just as the blonde diva was preparing to enter; she stopped short in her tracks. Impatient and anxious to hit the showers; Lita pushed between the blonde and the doorway.
"Who the hell.." Her jaw dropped in shock, as hazel eyes took in the sight before her.
"This is wierd.." Nidia stated the obvious as she too entered, "Apparently we -- or one of us -- has an admirer."
"I guess," Stacy conceded uneasily as she finally entered; shutting the door behind her with a soft click.
There before the trio, decorating Lita's locker and the locker next to hers..were tissue paper bouquets of dahlias, zinnias and marigolds. Nestled in between the bunch, a small snowglobe..a replica of the Gran Plaza in Monterrey within. The redhead squared her shoulders as she walked closer, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. Absently, a hand reached out to brush over the paper flowers; hestiantly grasping the snowglobe. She chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip; knowing she had seen this place recently..just that she couldn't place from where. Whatever the case, she set it back down; moving the items aside so she could access her locker. However, just as she reached inside she pulled her hand back. There inside her locker, was a morning glory tree. Her eyes fluttered shut as she recalled what their tour guide had said about that particular plant.
"Palo del muerto," She repeated softly to herself; the guides words ringing through her ears. She gritted her teeth, hazel orbs locking first on the offending plant within her locker. "I'm going to hit the showers," She stated cooly to Stacy and Nidia. "Do what you will with all...this."
Stacy and Nidia exchanged a look, before both merely shrugged in response. Whatever this plant was..it was disturbing the redhead. Nida chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she watched the redhead disappear into the shower area. While the brunette diva wasn't sure if Stacy understood the soft utterance; she most certainly did.
"Palo del muerto," She echoed softly to herself, "Tree of death.."
........................................................................
End Chapter.
A/N 2: Okay..so, my pairings are starting to come together..and after initially deciding to not use the SmackDown roster..I will be using some of them. I may or may not toss the rosters together, but particular storylines will be used in later chapters.