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: Latisha C, Sassy, together, Losing Grip, Funky in Fishnet and Janeysawu for the reviews!
Chapter 9
April 9, 2004- Sanford, North Carolina.
Lita let out a sigh, thanking the driver as the cab pulled in to the driveway of her Sanford home. It had taken some sweet talking on her part, but with some miracle, she had gotten out of the house show. And even if it didn't save her from the other house shows, at the very least she had one night free. She knew for a fact that, Dawn was staying behind in San Antonio and so was Rey. But, like herself; Rob, Chris, Victoria and Randy were also heading home. And while Chris and Victoria had offered to stay with the redheaded Diva, Lita had informed them she would be absolutely fine. But, even that fact didn't stop Randy from giving the redhead his phone number..just in case she needed someone else to talk to. Whatever the case, no sooner had the cab driver pulled away did Lita feel somewhat relieved. Being around overprotective Chris combined with equally overprotective and nosy Dawn for more than a day had started to take it's toll. However, no sooner had she stepped inside did she wish she had taken the offer from Chris or Victoria. Her gym bag fell to the floor with a thud, the redheaded Diva's mouth opening in shock as she took in the sight of her living room. Someone had apparently taken it upon themselves to scatter rose petals everywhere. Very hesitantly, she walked further into the house, her throat going dry as she took in the broken glass that was one of the back windows. She raked her hands through her hair, hazel orbs glancing to the stairs before the swept over the room. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides, the redhead sucking in a sharp breath as she made her way upstairs..hoping that whomever was behind this didn't stick around.
Quickly, she checked the bathroom and the spare bedroom...a sigh of relief escaping her when she noticed they were untouched. However, the fact that her bedroom door was wide open, only heightened her worry. Her shoulders shaking, and her heart beating so loudly she could hear it; the Diva took another step down the hall. It was then, that soft strains of a song reached her ears. And while Lita could fully recall she never left the stereo on, it didn't take her too long to realize that whomever was responsible for the mess downstairs; was also behind this. As she stepped in the bedroom, the song became more familiar.
The redhead shuddered, turning off the stereo with a purpose. Hazel orbs fluttered shut, the Diva burying her face in her hands. She let out a shaky breath, removing her hands slowly from her face only to see the framed picture on her bed. And it wasn't just a picture, there was blood red rose and a note to accompany it. She could feel the fear rising up from her toes, stopping in her throat with every step she took. Her attention turned first to the picture; and in it..she saw the dance floor from the club in San Antonio. She was standing at the bar, with Randy and Rob..while in the distance she saw Nidia dancing with Rey. Lita pressed her lips into a thin line, shaky hands reaching next for the note. Tentatively, she opened the envelope; the redhead licking her lips as she withdrew the notecard.
xxx
The notecard dropped from her hand, the redhead yanking the picture up from her bed to throw it against the wall. She slumped down against the bed, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. She did not like living in fear, and with every tear that threatened to spill, she found herself thinking she should just leave. It would make things easier for everyone if she just left..after all they wouldn't be put in harms way because of her.
"Lita?"
The redhead stiffened, moving carefully from the spot on the floor to avoid the broken glass.
"Lita?"
That voice, so familiar..but the redheaded Diva was too shaken to put two and two together.
"Li?"
She could hear the voice coming closer, the redhead moving from the bedroom.
"Li.." Jeff Hardy let out a sigh of relief, "Dear Lord woman, answer me next time."
Lita could only shake her head, the tears spilling freely from her eyes as she slumped down to the floor.
Jeff raised a brow, but gathered the woman in his arms. "Shh..Li, it's okay..I'm here."
She shook her head, "No it's not Jeff.."
He gently stroked her hair, "Li, honey..tell me what happened."
She sniffled, "I can't right now."
Jeff frowned, holding her closer. "Li honey.."
"No Jeff.." Lita shook her head defiantely, "You shouldn't even be here..what if they come back?"
"Who? Li..we're the only one's in this house."
Lita just shook her head, "You need to leave."
"I am not leavin' until you call the police.."
"No!"
Jeff blinked, holding her at arms length. "Lita, please..Chris called me and said I should come check on you..what's goin' on?"
Lita let out a distressed sigh, "Jeff..just promise me you won't say anything to Matt."
"But--"
"Jeff."
The younger Hardy frowned, "Fine.."
A shaky sigh was emitted, the redhead gathering her thoughts before she spilled every detail to the man who knew her so well.
Jeff's eyes darkened as her story came to a close. "Li, you hafta do somethin', call the police and--"
"That won't do anything Jeff.." Lita shrugged helplessly. "Don't you think I've thought of that?"
"Then come stay with me or Matt..Li," Jeff shook his head, "What if somethin' happens to you again?"
"Then I just hope that something doesn't."
"At least call the police and report this."
"Jeff I--"
Jeff shook his head, "If you don't..I will."
Lita let out a defeated sigh, "Fine."
Jeff rolled his eyes, the two moving from the floor then. "Come stay with me, alright?"
"Jeff I think I can manage--"
"I'm not doubtin' that but," He kissed her forehead gently. "It'd help me sleep easier."
Lita smiled shakily, "You're so damn stubborn."
Jeff snorted, "I picked that up from you."
Lita rolled her eyes, the two making their way downstairs. And once they had resettled in the kitchen, Jeff picked up the phone to call the police. Once he had done that, he handed the phone back over to the redhead; informing her that if she didn't call Chris? The blonde man would be likely to show up at the front door. So, instead of arguing it, the redhead called Chris..and like she expected, Chris managed to act surprised when she informed him that Jeff was there. The blonde Canadian also encouraged Lita to give Victoria a call, and only after the redhead agreed did Chris hang up. Needless to say, as Lita was preparing to call Victoria; the police showed up at the front door. Jeff sat with her, clutching her hand for support when Lita relayed the events from the moment she got home. But, even the presence of her long time best friend did little to ease the fear that lay within her. At any rate, by the time the police left, Lita was more than ready to leave her home behind. And as soon as she gathered a few more things from her bedroom; she and Jeff were on their way to Cameron.
xxx
April 10, 2004
After a semi-relaxing night with Jeff, which really turned into an all night gossip session; Lita reluctantly re-joined the RAW roster for the weekend house shows. As it were, she nearly drove off the road on the way from the airport to the hotel, and again when she was driving from the hotel to the arena. And now, she found herself nearly falling asleep on her feet. The redhead had come to the conclusion that three hours of sleep over the past two days really wasn't healthy for the human body. Lita rubbed her eyes tiredly, the redhead currently staring down the vending machine backstage. When she had arrived at the house show that night, Bischoff had actually given her the night off. But, whether it was due to the fact that he was being considerate..or that she had almost fallen asleep in his temporary office that night; she didn't really know. Of course, she still stuck around..but at this moment, Victoria was out in the ring and Stacy was chatting with Edge, Chris and Chris. All the same, when a hand clamped over her shoulder; Lita nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Jesus Christ, don't do that." Lita glared as she turned to face the owner of said hand. "What are you doing here?"
Randy Orton raised a brow, "Umm..reporting to work?"
Lita rolled her eyes in spite of it all, "I meant..why aren't you with your buddies?"
Randy rolled his eyes right back, "I needed a breather.."
"Yeah..sure." Lita shook her head, raking a hand through her hair as she turned her attention back to the vending machine. "So..now that you've managed to scare the living daylights out of me.."
Randy held up his hands in defense. "Just..wanted to see how you're doing..sorry."
Lita pursed her lips, jamming her hands in her pockets. "Sorry for snapping at you, it's just.." She shook her head, bringing out her wallet. "Nevermind.."
Randy raised a brow, a hand clamping gently over her wrist. "What's wrong?"
Lita shook her head, yanking her wrist free. "It's nothing, alright? Besides..I'm sure Hunter'll blow a gasket or something if he see's you talking to me."
Randy rolled his eyes, "Hunter's too consumed about his match to notice I'm not there. Batista and Flair are discussing strategy.. so if you just want me to go away then just say so."
Lita's shoulders lifted just slightly, "And what makes you think there's something wrong?"
Randy shook his head, "How about the fact that you look like you haven't slept in the past week?"
A wry smirk crossed her face, "More like three hours in the past forty eight."
"Alright..so what's wrong?"
Lita frowned, removing a bill from her wallet. "Randy..it's nothing."
He shook his head, "I don't buy that."
"Why do you care?" She pressed a button on the machine, reaching down for her change. "Look, I'm not trying to sound like an ungrateful bitch, but why do you care?"
"So..because I'm in Evolution, I'm not supposed to care."
"I never said that."
"That's what you meant." Randy shook his head, "I know I'm not Chris, or Rob, or Rey or any of them..but if we're gonna be working together then--"
"About that." Lita held up a hand, tucking her bag of chips inside the pocket of her hooded sweatshirt. "I'll take to Vikki or Dawn..you should find someone else to work with."
"We'll talk about that.." Randy raised a brow then, grabbing her forearm. "If you talk to me about what's bothering you."
Lita rolled her eyes, "Orton you don't get it, do you? If we work together you're gonna be in harms way..I'm not doing that to anyone if I can help it."
"But, since I've been around you..I've been in harms way already." Randy shrugged, "You think I can't take more?"
Lita pursed her lips, removing his hand from her forearm. "I'm not doubting that but--"
"Look, you owe me dinner anyway..so.." Randy shrugged, "We'll talk over dinner."
Lita scowled, "Fine..we'll talk about this later then. Can I go?"
Randy made an open gesture with his hands. "Go right ahead."
"Meet me in the lobby of the hotel, no later than 7:00." Lita sent a glance over her shoulder. "If you're not there? I'm leaving."
Randy rolled his eyes, watching her until she disappeared around the corner. He completely understood that by working with her, he would be putting himself in harms way...but what she didn't know as that he would be doing that anyway. He had been informed --between Hunter's bitching session about-- that Lita was going to become a part of Evolution. And while Randy wanted to question it, Hunter wasn't in the mood to discuss it further. Still though, Randy had to wonder why Hunter wanted Lita in Evolution. He could understand that if they wanted to get all the gold, they would bring in a woman..but why Lita? From the very beginning, he had always sensed this hatred between the two..so why now? All the same, he gave it no further thought, instead heading back to the Evolution locker room for that evening. And just as he expected, Hunter didn't bother to acknowledge his return and Flair and Batista were still involved in their strategy. The locker room remained like that until Hunter had to leave for his match, and once he left; Batista and Flair moved on to discussing strategy for RAW. That left Randy to his own thoughts for the remainder of the house show.