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: All worked out for plot purposes.
Thanks to everyone who has reveiwed so far. Thank you all for your continual support.
Chapter 6
April 7, 2004- San Antonio, Texas
By the time Victoria and Nidia arrived to the hotel, John was napping and so was Randy. Also by that time, Lita and Dawn had retreated back to Dawn Marie's hotel room, not wanting to disturb either wrestler when they started their gossip fest. At any rate, the four settled themselves amongst the bed and chairs in Dawn's hotel room; Lita taking a moment to organize her thoughts. And at first, she hesitated; not entirely sure if she wanted all of them to know about everything that had transpired since yesterday morning. But then, since it also affected Nidia to some extent, and could effect those around her; Lita found herself spilling nearly every detail. The only parts she left out, were the original reason why she was in San Antonio and why she was with Randy Orton. Dawn of course knew, but before Nidia and Victoria had gotten there, Lita swore the brunette Diva to absolute secrecy. Truthfully, the redhead doubted that Dawn would even be able to keep it to herself, but there was still some chance that she could.
"So, has anything else happened?" Victoria peered up from the floor, expectant eyes fixated on the redhead. "Come on Li, now isn't the time to leave anything out."
Lita rolled her eyes in spite of it all, "Trust me Vi, that's everything."
The raven haired Diva frowned, "This doesn't make sense..I mean, it makes sense, but it doesn't."
"No shit Vikki," Lita sighed, rolling to her stomach on the bed. "I just don't get it. Do I really have some mortal enemy or something? Or do I just scream, 'Stalk Me'."
Victoria could only shrug in response, "Whomever it is..they're pretty damn persistent. Following you to Mexico?"
"Or they just have the right contacts," Nidia offered quietly from beside Dawn. "Think about it, they knew where your locker was in the locker room, they know your schedule..and they've been following your every move." The Tough Enough winner twisted a strand of hair around a finger, nervous eyes locking with Lita's.
"Which could either pinpoint it to someone on the roster, or.." Lita frowned in thought, chewing on her lower lip out of habit. "They know someone on the roster or I could be completely paranoid and it could be a joke."
Dawn pursed her lips, not liking the situation at all. "Just be careful alright?"
"I'm trying my best Dawn," Lita offered a half hearted smile. "Let's just hope it's a joke."
Dawn nodded in agreement, turning expectant eyes to Victoria then. "So, you up for partying with some of the Smackdown! crew?"
The raven haired Diva nodded easily, "Sure why not. I mean, I have nothing else to do anyway."
"Cool," Dawn grinned brightly. "We'll probably just club hop..San Antonio's got a lot to offer."
"Why didn't Stacy come?"
Victoria rolled her eyes, "She got pissed cuz Randy stood her up, can you believe the nerve of him? She was gonna just head back to Baltimore, but..Adam, Benoit and Lillian talked her into hanging out with them for a bit."
Lita raised a brow, "So she's in Toronto?"
The raven haired Diva shrugged, "I'm not sure actually. Chris was dropping them off at the airport when we left. He said he'd meet us here though."
"Oh joy," Lita rolled her eyes, "We'll be with Chris and Eddie."
"Rob's coming too," Dawn mentioned then, "So it'll be us, John, Rey, Rob, Chris, Eddie, Jackie, Charlie and--"
"What time are we meeting everyone?" Lita convienently interrupted the brunette. "Cuz, given how long it takes you to get ready?"
Dawn rolled her eyes, "We're meeting in the lobby at 9:30..unless you all want to grab dinner or something first."
"Well, it's going on 3:30 now..and Chris said he'd call as soon as he gets here," Victoria glanced between the other three. "Why don't we just walk around a bit after he gets here and pick up dinner then? We can always come back to the hotel and change."
Dawn shrugged easily, "That works for me..let me just give John a call."
As Dawn went to place her call, Victoria's cell phone started ringing. The raven haired Diva mentioned that they would meet him in the lobby in about fifteen minutes. Lita meanwhile, moved from the bed to chit chat quietly with Nidia. Given, the redheaded Diva wasn't thrilled that she was the apparent victim of the recent mind games, but at least it wasn't Nidia. The redhead could still clearly see how shaken Nidia had been the night that she roomed with them. And yet, Lita couldn't shake the thought somehow, even if Nidia had only been an indirect target, that it was far from over for the newest RAW Diva. Lita also wondered if perhaps, Nidia wasn't just a random victim or a message to be sent. That further led her to think about how she and Nidia were connected. Aside from the obvious of them both being RAW Diva's, what else tied them together?
xxx
Chris Jericho stood as Dawn, Victoria, Nidia and John approached; the blonde Canadian letting out an over dramatic sigh. While Victoria had stated fifteen minutes, it turned into almost half an hour. Because, while the four Diva's were ready..it took Lita, Dawn and John nearly five minutes to get Randy awake. Chris was just opening his mouth to say something when he noticed Lita and Randy exiting the elevator last. It wasn't that he was surprised to see the redheaded Diva, more like he was overly surprised at seeing Randy Orton with her. At any rate, he shook it off as Victoria animatedly walked over. The raven haired Diva then informed him that, Randy was visiting John. Jericho blinked at that, but instead of questioning it; he and Victoria followed after Nidia, Dawn and John. For her part, the redheaded Diva lingered near the back, Lita informing Randy that Stacy was ticked off about being stood up. She left out the fact that, Stacy had gone with Adam, Benoit and Lillian..figuring that bit of information really wouldn't help Randy's already grumpy mood. At any rate, the seven walked around the area surrounding the hotel; none of them really up for driving anywhere and all of them just wanting to relax. As it stood, Randy was pre-occupied with his match at Backlash, Victoria and Lita started their own conversation about their match, while everyone else chit chatted aimlessly about the city. It wasn't until they returned to the hotel at 8:00 did Lita or Randy get their minds off their respective matches.
"There is no way I am wearing that," Lita scowled at the outfit that Dawn was currently shoving in her face. "Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever."
Dawn raised a brow, peering over the hanger. "What's so bad about it? So it shows a little skin, big deal! You used to wrestle with your thong hanging out."
Lita gave her friend an incredulous look, "Big deal?" The redhead sighed, trying to picture herself in the cropped, backless, halter top and skin tight mini skirt. "Dawn I might as well find some body paint and just paint on an outfit."
Dawn's eyes glinted mischeviously, "That could be arranged..."
Lita groaned, shoving the outfit aside. "I am not wearing it, and that's final."
Victoria, Dawn, Nidia and Jackie let out sighs of disdain. Lita had been arguing with Dawn for the past fifteen minutes already, and in that fifteen minutes; the other three had gotten dressed. Now they were finishing up their makeup and hair..and Lita was still adament about not going anywhere in that outfit.
"Li, we're gonna be late."
The redhead shrugged nonchalantly, re-tying the belt of the bathrobe. "Just go without me."
"Rob, Rey and Eddie will be disappointed," Dawn pouted at the redheaded Diva. "Please?"
Lita shook her head, "I am not going anywhere dressed like a ten cent hooker."
Dawn pursed her lips, "How about the top...but with a pair of pants?"
The redhead raised a brow, "Keep talking."
"Jackie, can you grab that pair of red pants from my bag?" Dawn sent a look to the blonde Diva. "They should be right on top."
Jackie wandered over, picking up the pair of mentioned pants. "These are really cute Dawn.."
Lita sent a look to the pants in question, "Hell no."
"Then wear the skirt," Dawn smirked triumphantly, "I've got a jacket that'll cover it all and you can borrow a pair of Jackie's boots."
Lita scowled in response, but instead of arguing..she dug through her own suitcase in search of her fishnet stockings. "Give me ten minutes to get dressed..but you are not touching my hair."
x
Meanwhile, down in the lobby; Rey, Eddie, Chris and Rob had arranged themselves on one of the couches. Charlie, John and Randy stood off to the sides, all of them awaiting the arrival of the Diva's. Or at the very least, Charlie and Chris were..the rest were just antsy to get out of there and hit the town. Eddie, Chris, Rob and Rey knew well enough that putting Dawn and Lita together, usually meant they would be late. But this late? It was already going on 10:00 and they had said they would be downstairs no later than 9:30. Chris, Charlie and John were just moving to go get the Diva's when the telltale sound of high heels on tile reached their ears.
"Sorry," Victoria began apologetically, "We had a slight wardrobe disagreement."
Rob rolled his eyes, "Let me guess..Dawn and Li arguing about Li's outfit?"
"Of course," Lita grumbled as Dawn quite dragged her along. "You know how she gets."
"Oh cut it," Dawn shook her head at the redheaded Diva. "You didn't even leave the jacket unbuttoned. I told you it'd look really hot if you did."
Lita smirked in reply, tossing loose locks over her shoulder. "Which is exactly why I didn't."
Eddie raised a brow at the redhead, an appreciative whistle escaping him as he circled the two Diva's. "Li? Muy hermoso..." Very beautiful
Rob nodded in agreement, giving the redhead the once over. "Me hace maravilla.." A mischevious smirk formed, Rob wiggling his brows playfully. "Cuál está debajo." Makes me wonder, what is under
Lita rolled her eyes at the two, a hand placed on her hip as she stared down Rob. "¿Cómo alrededor, pego mi talón a través de su ojo?" How about, I stick my heel through your eye?
Rey shook his head at the three, wedging himself between Rob and Lita. "Now now, come on you two. We're here to have fun..no violence."
"Hellloo...Earth to Orton," John Cena raised a brow at the Legend Killer, "Dude, they're leavin' without us."
Randy shook his head, snapping himself out of his temporary state of stupor. "Whatever Cena."
"So..." Jackie looked between Victoria and Dawn, the two apparently appointing themselves as event planners. "Where are we heading first?"
"Somewhere within walking distance," Lita mentioned dryly. "Close if at all possible."
"Well," Dawn pursed her lips in thought, the group at large slowly moving through the lobby. "There's the Swig Martini Bar, Polly Esthers, Fat Tuesdays..or we can just walk along the river and see what's what."
"Let's just do that then," Nidia suggested from behind the two, "Unless all of you are interested in Salsa...cuz there are a few places downtown for that."
"Hey yeah, let's do that!" Eddie chimed in with a grin. "I'd like to see if you all can keep up with Latino Heat."
"Well?" Dawn sent a questioning look over her shoulder, dark eyes falling on the redhead, John and Randy. "Li, what do you say?"
"Whatever," The redhead's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I'm sure there's a bar stool with my name on it in there."
xxx
Dawn rolled her eyes in response, but none the less..the group at large finally exited the hotel. They did in fact, end up Downtown; Lita, Nidia, Victoria and Jackie pausing long enough for a snap happy Dawn to take a picture. As it were; Nidia, Rey, Victoria, Chris, Dawn and Eddie found themselves out on the dancefloor..all of them fitting in fairly well with Nidia and Rey taking the crown. Rob and Randy made friends with a round of Corona's, the two kicking back to watch the scene from the safety of the bar. Jackie and Charlie meanwhile, took on John and Lita in a game of darts. The deal was, if John and Lita lost..Lita would be Eddie's next dance partner in the fast moving salsa crowd. The redhead rolled her eyes at the prospect, never figuring that her 'partner' in the game would lose on purpose. At any rate, the redhead -- who had yet to shed her jacket -- soon found herself swept up into the wave of people. Lita sighed, pausing once by the bar to deposit her jacket in Rob's lap; the Diva tempted to slap the silly look off Rob's face when she did so. And while she did find herself having a good time, it wasn't until Dawn dragged Randy over from the bar did the redhead feel like leaving. Dawn was quick to remind both of them that, they would have to get used to it anyway..so why not start now? To her surprise, Randy wasn't half that bad..granted his dancing skills were nowhere near Eddie or Rey. But then again; Lita was no professional dancer either. All the same, the redhead found herself having a better time than she would've expected; the days earlier incident pushed out of her mind. In fact, the night was going fairly well. Jackie and Charlie eventually joined the others out on the dance floor, Rob keeping his spot at the bar. It wasn't until Lita decided she needed a breather did the night get a little complicated. She slipped out of the club easily enough, leaving her jacket behind despite Rob, Dawn and Victoria's protests. And no sooner had she made it outside, did she feel a presence next to her. The redhead ignored it at first, figuring it was just one of the guys coming to check on her.
"Every breath you take.." He whispered beside her. "Every move you make.."
Lita bristled, but when she moved to face him, he moved behind her. "I wouldn't turn around if I were you."
The redhead stiffened, opening her mouth to say something when she felt a cold blade against her back. "What do you want?"
The man smirked in her ear, relishing in the way she flinched. "I told you..I would be watching you."
Lita ignored the pounding in her ears, desperately trying to place the voice. "I'll ask again, what do you want?"
"Don't make me mad," His tone grew colder, the blade of the knife pressing further into her back.
Lita gulped, fighting with the ever growing fear as he moved the blade to the underside of her upper forearm. "Why are you doing this?"
He pressed the blade into soft flesh, drawing it slowly across. "I told you..don't make me mad. I won't like what I'll have to do."
"Then what do I have to do?" Lita played into his game, biting her lower lip.
"Just remember..everywhere you go? I'll be two steps behind. Even when you're sleeping." He smirked, "Don't bother trying to hide, because I will find you."
Lita forced herself not to think, just letting the words flow from her mouth. "Just leave my friends alone."
He laughed cruelly, stepping away from the redheaded Diva. "I won't make promises.."
Lita's hands clenched, the Diva turning to face him..but by the time she turned; he was gone. She sucked in a sharp breath, closing her hand tightly over the surface wound. Granted, it wouldn't require any stitches..but it stung. The redhead walked back to the club, determined not to cry..even though the tears were threatening to spill with every step she took. She masked her fear as best she could, marching straight over to Rob and Randy. When Rob gave her a questioning look, Lita responded by yanking her jacket from his lap. And when both tried to ask her what was wrong, she waved them off..ordering a tequila from the bartender. It wasn't until Rob dragged Dawn and Victoria over did Lita actually acknowledge anyone but the shot glass in her hand. But, instead of spilling the details right there, the redhead ushered the two into the bathroom. Dawn let out a not so nice string of words, while Victoria could only sigh. Someone was obviously out to get the redhead, but who? At any rate, once the three Diva's left the bathroom; Dawn pointedly requested that Rob and Randy keep an eye on the shaken redhead. Rob questioned why, but Randy on the other hand, complied without a word. And, Lita had only just knocked back her third tequila shot when Randy informed Rob that he was taking the Diva back to the hotel. Rob gave it no question, and once Randy had notified Dawn, Victoria and Nidia; he and Lita took off.