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: huntersgirl, Latisha C., aussiewrestlingfan, CenasNakedInMyBedWithMe and Losing Grip for the reviews!
Chapter 7
April 7, 2004- Greenwich, Conneticut
Around the same time that Lita, Randy, Dawn, John, Victoria, Chris and Nidia hit San Antonio to sight see; Hunter, Batista and Ric were just arriving in Greenwich. Originally, the Evolution team had planned on meeting up with Randy and heading to St. Louis. But, since he hadn't been in the hotel since yesterday..they went ahead without him. Albeit, Hunter was more than pissed off that the youngest member wasn't there; but all the same they had business to take care of. And at this moment, Hunter was preparing to make a phone call to one Eric Bischoff. But, unlike several calls he had placed earlier that week, this one had nothing to do with the world heavyweight title. Instead, Hunter was dead set on putting one redheaded, extreme Diva in her place. And being the Cerebral Assasin, Hunter knew exactly how to do that. Now it was only a matter of getting the approval from Eric. Just as he expected, Eric wasn't overly thrilled about the idea of Lita making a sudden heel turn. In fact, the RAW manager was quick to argue that Lita had always been a face..and that she would stay one. That turned out to be Hunter's trump card. The Game taunted Eric, tempting him with the offer that, if he did this? He would go down as the most memorable figure on RAW. Or at the very least, one of the top five most memorable. Apparently, that had been enough to finalize the redhead's fate, but when Bischoff pressed for details..Hunter remained silent. He only reassured the RAW GM that he had the perfect plan. Just to trust him and things would fall into their proper place.
"Well, now that that's out of the way," Hunter turned to his associates, checking his watch. "We just need to track down Orton."
Batista shrugged it off, leafing through a magazine. "Don't sweat it H, I'm sure he's just enjoying the time off."
"Bullshit," Hunter snapped back, "Orton wouldn't leave like that without saying anything."
Batista shrugged again, "Just saying that's all. I mean he did have that pretty hot date. Who knows? Maybe he got lucky again."
Hunter rolled his eyes, "Are you blind? We saw that dumb blonde leaving with those other losers."
Ric held up his hands, looking between the two men. "I'm sure that wherever Orton is, he's got a logical explaination. H, don't sweat it. We'll catch up with Orton at the next house show."
Hunter shook his head, "Then explain why his cellphone has been off."
To that, Ric shrugged. "I'm sure he has his reasons..why don't you call him now."
Hunter scoffed, "You call him..I'm hitting the shower."
"Ric?" Batista looked up from his magazine after Hunter had left. "Where do you think Orton is?"
Ric half shrugged, settling back on the couch. "We're not his keepers. I'm sure that wherever Orton is, he has a good reason."
Batista nodded in agreement. They weren't Randy's baby sitters and Randy was fully capable of taking care of himself. Still, it did bother him to some extent. Since he had known the cocky, Intercontinental Champion, Randy had always let them know where he was or at the very least, where he was going. It wasn't like him to just up and disappear. And while Batista had some suspicions, he wasn't about to voice them.
xxx
Meanwhile, back in San Antonio...
Lita really hadn't expected for Randy Orton to stick around after they returned to the hotel. In all truth, she was hoping that he would just head for his hotel room a few doors down. But, such was not the case, and Lita had herself to blame. For reasons that she couldn't quite put her finger on, the redhead had spilled nearly every detail of the past three weeks to Randy. Of course, Lita had left out a few things, the redhead figuring that Randy really didn't need to know about what had happened to Nidia. But all the same, what she had revealed disturbed him enough. And although Lita questioned why he would care at all, she didn't question it too much. All the same, when the redhead tried to bid him goodnight in the hallway, Randy insisted on staying with her until Dawn, Victoria or Nidia got back. Lita in turn, insisted that she wasn't a baby and she would be just fine. At any rate, the redhead currently found herself lounging on the bed in her hotel room. Randy had parked himself at the table, and he was currently flipping through the channels.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Lita began, trying to ignore the fact that her arm was throbbing. "But, won't Trips be mad that you haven't called or anything?"
Randy rolled his eyes, "I really don't care..H knows I want to prepare for my match at Backlash."
Lita raised a brow, the redhead propping her chin in her hands. "Yeah but..just seems to me that neither you or Batista can do anything without the official seal of approval from Trips."
Randy shook his head, settling on a random movie. "I might seem like that, but it's not. I'm my own person..same with Dave."
Lita rolled her eyes, "Yeah okay. You keep telling yourself that."
Randy made a face, but instead of retorting..he watched the redhead's carefully masked expression. "You should probably bandage that or something."
"It'll be fine," Lita stated loftily, "I've taken worse."
"I'm not doubting that," Randy moved from the chair then, flopping on the other bed. "But, still..you can't pull that 'I'm okay shit' with me."
Lita raised a brow, "And since when did you care about what happens to others?"
"Why do you have to be such a bitch?"
Lita blinked, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
The redhead scowled, "You don't know me at all Orton, so don't even presume to judge me."
Randy smirked, "Why don't you try taking your own advice."
Lita pressed her lips into a firm line, the Diva ignoring his precence for the time being. It wasn't until she felt the bed shift beneath her did she finally acknowledge him again. "What do you think you're doing?"
Randy rolled his eyes, "If this gets infected or something, Bischoff will flip cuz you can't wrestle."
Lita made a face, but rolled her sleeve up none the less. "See? It's already bandaged."
"Yeah? But did you put anything else on it?"
"Why bother?"
Randy rolled his eyes, reaching into the first aid kit he had found stashed in the bathroom. "Just hold still."
xxx
Lita made a face, but all the same..she complied. The redhead was just opening her mouth to respond when there was a knock at the door. "That should be Dawn or someone." She stated, the Diva swinging her legs down from the bed.
Randy just nodded, replacing the ointment. "Guess this means I'll just see ya the house show?"
He was met by silence, the door still open and Lita still standing there.
"Lita?"
Lita didn't respond, instead the redhead knelt down to pick up the manilla envelope that was outside her door. "Not a word to Dawn or Victoria, understand?" She commanded shakily, the redheaded Diva slamming the door shut.
"What is it?"
"Look for yourself," Lita tossed the unopened envelope at him, curling back up on the bed.
Randy shook his head, settling back on the other bed to open the envelope. "Damn it."
"What is it now?" Lita asked quietly, the redhead focusing on the television.
"Pictures from yesterday," Randy replied dryly. "The auto shop, the resturaunt..we were being followed the entire time."
Lita sighed, resting her cheek on her knee. "Maybe you should find someone else to work with..for Dawn's plan and all."
Randy blinked, shoving the pictures back in the envelope. "Why?"
"Duh, you idiot. By hanging around me..you put yourself at risk." Lita half shrugged, "I don't want to be responsible for anyone but me."
Randy remained silent for a moment, "Point..but who else?"
Lita shrugged again, the Diva leaning back against the headboard. "I'll ask Vikki or maybe Dawn'll change her mind."
The two fell into silence then, both zoning out to watch the movie. And they would've stayed like that if Lita's cellphone hadn't started ringing. The redhead nearly jumped out of her skin, but eventually she picked it up. Lita frowned, moving from the bed to search for her keycard and her shoes. It wasn't until she was preparing to leave the hotel room did Randy finally question where she was going.
"Something happened to Nidia," Lita scowled as Randy also moved. "They're down at the hospital now."
"Well you aren't gonna get there very fast if you're walking," Randy raised a brow, holding up his keyring. "Remember? I drove us to San Antonio in the first place."
Lita rolled her eyes, tugging on her jacket. "Yeah whatever Randy, let's just go. The sooner we get there, the better."
After making sure there were no signs of other people in the hallway, and specifically to see if they were being watched; Lita and Randy made their way down the hall to the elevator. For her part, Lita was silent the entire way to the hospital. And for his part, Randy was equally silent. While part of him was readily agreeing to find another partner for Dawn's crazy scheme..part of him was wary. Given, he would be willingly putting himself in harms way; but no one deserved to go through this type of stuff alone.
xxx
By the time Lita and Randy arrived to the hospital; Dawn, Rey, Rob, Chris, Eddie and Victoria were still awaiting news. Jackie and Charlie had left the club not long after Randy and Lita. And John had been out front to meet the two, and when they got there; he also gave them some more information. Apparently, Nidia had been outside, in need of some fresh air. Only while Lita's 'visitor' had left her alone for the most part; Nidia wasn't as fortunate. It was Dawn and Rey who found the newest RAW Diva..Nidia's face bruising and the Diva reduced to a bundle of tears. And just like the first night it had occured, the Diva hadn't gotten a good look at the attacker. Dawn mentioned that as soon as they got some news on Nidia's condition, she had to go down to the police station and answer some questions. Rey stated the same as Randy and Lita joined the group in the waiting room. And while they waited, Lita thought back to what had happened at the hotel. She wondered if it was the same person who had approached her earlier..and if it was the same person who had left the envelope. The time frame was adding up, but that didn't mean it couldn't be three different people. Whatever the case, the redhead didn't have much time to think on it as the ER doctor returned with news on Nidia's condition. And after they had all been informed that they could see her one at a time, for five minutes each; Dawn and Rey decided to go first. Randy declined, stating that he wasn't sure if he should be here anyway. Chris also declined, his excuse being that he didn't want to keep Nidia awake. And while Victoria, Lita and John walked off to find the vending machines; Randy found himself under the interrogation of Chris Jericho.
"Don't take this the wrong way," The blonde Canadian began, raking a hand over his hair. "But why are you here?"
Randy rolled his eyes, shifting in the waiting room chair. "Because Lita needed a ride."
Chris raised a brow, "I meant on a whole jackass, not why are you here now."
Randy raised a brow in return, "Why does it matter? I'm here visiting John."
Chris exchanged an incredulous look with Rob. "Yeah right," The blonde Canadian snorted. "I don't buy that for a second."
"Since when do you care?"
"Since you haven't been able to keep your eyes off my friend." Chris replied testily. "And since you've been hovering around her.."
"So, it's a crime that I'm talking to Lita?" Randy rolled his eyes, "What's the point Jericho?"
Chris cracked his knuckles, "The point is that, we all thought you made your intent pretty clear. And that was to get with Stacy. What I don't get is, why are you all over Lita like a second hand suit?"
Randy rolled his eyes, "Since when have I been all over Lita? We danced once."
Chris raised a brow, "All I'm saying is that, you want Stacy? Fine, go after Stacy. But I swear, you hurt Lita in any way? I'll find out and I will hurt you."
Randy scoffed, opening his mouth to retort when Victoria, John and Lita returned. "Lita? If it's alright with you..I'm out of here."
Lita blinked, a suspicious look sent to Chris and Rob. "What did they do?"
Rob raised his hands in defense, "I didn't do a damn thing."
"Just forget it okay?" Randy shook his head, rising from the chair. "I'll see you at the house show."
"No, wait a minute." Lita frowned, looking between Chris and Randy. "What's going on?"
"Ask him." Randy stated, crossing his arms then.
Chris shrugged, "I just wanted to know what his intentions are."
Lita rolled her eyes, "Oh for crying out loud, Chris...I needed a ride to the hospital, and Randy was around."
"I meant--"
"Chris, it's not a big deal alright? So just don't worry about it." Lita shook her head at the blonde Canadian. "You're not my father, and I don't need a big brother..just chill."
xxx
The five fell silent at that, Lita and Victoria waiting their turn to visit Nidia, while Chris sent Randy a few dirty looks. At any rate, by the time Victoria was done; they were all more than ready to just head back to the hotel and call it a night. And when they returned to the hotel, Dawn called to inform Randy and Lita that the police wanted to speak with them. Apparently, Dawn had taken it upon herself to inform the police of the night's earlier incident..much to the redhead's dismay. So instead of heading in for the night, Lita and Randy made their way down to the police station. They sat around patiently, the redhead answering the questions to the best of her ability. For his part, Randy filled out a report; the police man informing him that if he was needed again, they would call. And as soon as the redhead was released from questioning; the four made their way back to the hotel. Lita could only hope now, that there would be no further surprises awaiting her when she got back. The thought didn't strike her then, but Lita realized soon enough that..she and Nidia were supposed to be rooming together that night. And if this person was following her like he said, that meant he knew that information. That disturbed the redheaded Diva, but not enough to room with Dawn and Victoria. Instead, the redhead stayed put in her hotel room; assuring them all she would be perfectly fine. She was quick to point out that, Dawn was on one side of her, Chris and Victoria on the other, while Rey and Rob were right across the hall. However, no sooner did she close the door behind her did the redhead start wishing otherwise.
"What happened?" Randy and Rob pushed the door open, the two standing shoulder to shoulder in the doorway.
Lita's shoulders were shaking. "It's nothing..I just thought I saw someone."
"Li?" Chris pushed past the two, "Li what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Lita persisted, shrugging off Chris's arm. "Like I just told those two, I thought I saw someone in here..but it was just my mind playing tricks on me."
Rob blinked from the doorway, "Are you sure you're okay? That scream could've woken the dead."
Lita turned as she flopped on the bed, a forced smile on her face. "Positive Rob, just go.."
Rob frowned, but he knew full well how stubborn she could be. "Just remember, me and Rey are right across the hall."
"And me and Vikki are right next door," Chris reminded the redhead, kissing her forehead in a brotherly manner. "Yell if you need anything."
Randy remained in the doorway, the redhead not noticing for a moment. "That applied to you too Orton..I'll be fine."
Randy nodded easily, "Just making sure."
"I'll be alright, okay?" Lita's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I doubt I'll get much sleep, but I'll be fine."
"If you change your mind..and you need someone else to talk to?" Randy shrugged, backing out of the doorway. "I'm here, alright?"
Lita offered a shaky smile, "I appreciate that thanks..night."
The Legend Killer nodded shortly, waving before he closed the door behind him. And as he made his way back down the hall, Randy wondered why he had been at the door in the first place. It wasn't like he was absolutely needed, but part of him had compelled him to be there anyway. All the same, he wrote it off to big brother instincts kicking in. Even if Lita was more than capable of taking care of herself.