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., CNIMBWM, litachk9, together, Losing Grip, RKOThug21, Myth, huntersgirl, iaera, aussiewrestlingfan, Lady Luv, Carol & Lycanthropia for the reviews! I'll have review responses for the next chapter, I just wanted to get this one up .
Important note: I'm altering a few things concerning RAW, 4-19-04..and beyond. It'll still follow some stuff, but things will start changing to fit my plot.
Chapter 15
April 12, 2004
To say that Lita was ticked off, was putting it mildly. Granted yes, she had been semi-prepared to hear the news that she would be a part of Evolution; but hearing about it and hearing it were two different matters. As far as she was concerned, just having to work with Hunter on a weekly basis at RAW was more than enough. But actually becoming a part of Evolution? They represented everything that she hated. Given, part of their supposed existence was to be the most dominant force on RAW and that justification also provided for a sure way to gain and hold a major title belt. But, was she willing to compromise her own identity to become one of them? Not likely. Realistically, Lita understood her options at this point. Either accept this invitation and become a part of Evolution, or jump rosters and go to Smackdown. But, as Bischoff had curtly informed her, the women's division on Smackdown was more or less a joke. Still, that didn't negate the outstanding factor in the equation. If the redheaded Diva were to take the offer and become a part of them, she would be at the mercy of Hunter. And that was not a prospect she was looking forward to in any light. All the same, she pushed the thoughts to the furthest recesses of her mind; instead focusing on that nights RAW. Lita let out a sigh, her fingertips grasping the door knob to her assigned locker room.
"Happy Birthday!"
The redhead rolled her eyes as she stepped into her locker room, "Isn't it kinda early?"
Lillian merely smiled, grasping the redhead's hands in hers. "Well..since all of us may or may not be together on the actual day, we thought we'd celebrate now."
Lita just nodded, "So I see.."
Victoria raised a brow, setting aside one of the balloons. "Li? What's wrong?"
The redhead waved it off dismisively. "Eh, it's nothing Vi..don't sweat it, okay?"
Chris Jericho eyed the redhead a moment, before he stepped forward to wrap her up for a hug. "Turn that frown upside down Little Lady, Y2J is here."
Lita rolled her eyes, "That's so comforting Chris..really." She ruffled his hair, stepping past him to take a seat on the bench.
Lillian raised a brow, the blonde ring announcer taking a seat next to the redhead. "Li? Honey, are you sure nothing's wrong?"
The redheaded Diva's shoulders lifted a fraction. "I wouldn't exactly say that."
The petite blonde exchanged a look with Victoria, Stacy, Ivory and Nidia. "Li, sweetie..what happened?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "It's nothing Lil, honest..just the whole birthday thing."
Ivory gave the redhead a skeptical look. "I don't buy that for a minute, Red..what happened back in Bischoff's office?"
Lita made a face, replying smoothly. "You'll find out next week."
Chris Benoit stepped up next, taking a seat on the other side of the redhead. "Lita, what did Bischoff do?" The Crippler smiled, cracking his knuckles. "We need to know these things so we can decide his punishment."
"Chris, honestly it's no big deal." The redhead's shoulders lifted in another nonchalant shrug. "Bischoff thinks I would be a good addition to Evolution, that's all."
Edge blinked, sweeping his hair from his face. "That's all? Li, what drugs are you on? That's a pretty big deal to me."
Chris Jericho frowned in turn, "What he said Red, that's a pretty big deal there."
Lita waved it off nonchalantly, "I'm telling you..it's not a big deal. Bischoff needs the go ahead nod from Vince before anything is set in stone."
"Riiight.." Chris Jericho nodded, rolling his eyes at the situation. "And we all know how much that won't go in your favor."
"Li, darlin'.." Shawn Michaels stepped up then, kneeling in front of the redhead. "Why don't you put in a call to Linda or somethin'..I'm sure she won't agree to this."
Lita expelled a patient sigh. "Shawn, just trust me alright? I don't need you guys to interfere..I'll be able to handle this on my own."
Chris Jericho scowled, "And? If you do end up joining The Big Goof and the Three Stooges? Then what?"
Lita shrugged, "Then I just deal with it."
Edge shook his head, "That's not good enough Red, we all know how much of an ass Helmsely is."
"And we all know how well I've dealt with it."
Chris Jericho scoffed in disbelief, "Yeah right, Li."
Lita rolled her eyes, moving from the bench then. "Look, I don't know why y'all are so worried about it. If I do end up becoming one of them, then I just go with it. I'd rather be stuck with that pack of chauvanistic jerks than be in a division that's just about T&A."
"But at what price?" Edge countered then, "Huh Li? You'll lose yourself to them."
Lita rolled her eyes, swinging her arms by her sides. "I will not. That will be the last thing I do, I can assure you of that now."
Victoria frowned, "Couldn't Bischoff get another Diva?"
The redhead scowled, standing near the door. "To sum up the words of our beady eyed boss, all of the other Diva's have taken a heel turn, where as..I haven't. Bischoff thinks it's time that situation was rectified."
Chris Jericho frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, you couldn't have done this on your own? You just have to become a member of Evolution? That's straight from the horses ass."
Lita merely shrugged, a hand grasping the door knob. "Apparently dear ole' Trips has his heart set on it...and you all know how that operates."
Shawn raised a brow as the door swung open. "An' just where are you goin' darlin'?"
Lita swept her hair from her face, setting a foot in the hallway. "Just for a little walk, dad..I'll be back before RAW kicks off."
Stacy's brows furrowed, "Are you sure you don't wanna stay and have some cake?"
Lita shrugged, "I'll have some cake later, alright? I just need to clear my head a bit."
Nidia pushed off from her spot at the wall, "You want some company?"
The redhead hesitated for a moment, before she just nodded. "Sure..but that's it..I don't need a posse accompanying me for a little walk."
The rest nodded in turn, some rolling their eyes as Nidia and Lita exited the locker room. In all truth; Benoit, Edge, Shawn and Jericho were more than ready to follow the Diva pair. But they all knew how much Lita wouldn't appreciate the gesture, so instead they all hung around the locker room. They had decided to deal with presents later, after all, they still had all of the RAW tapings to sit through..plus with the upcoming weekend free of house shows; they figured they could handle that when Dawn was around. All the same, the mood in the locker room went from festive to apprehensive. The air growing thick with concern for the redhead..and festering hatred and disdain towards Hunter and Bischoff.
xxx
Meanwhile, no sooner had they stepped out of the locker room, did Lita and Nidia begin to wander aimlessly through the labyrinth of hallways. Granted yes, it wasn't the wisest idea on their parts, but all Lita wanted at that point was some time to think about things. Although they had been responsible for their rescue on Sunday night, the fact that both Batista and Orton showed up in the hallway puzzled the redheaded Diva. Of course, Lita was just quick to write it off to nothing; after all Evolution did have a match later that night. Still though, the redhead found it somewhat odd that they had shown up..thankful as she was, because if they hadn't. Lita frowned visibly, not wanting to put further thought to that scenario.
Nidia broke the silence as they rounded a corner, "Li, tu no tiene que fingir con mí.." You don't have to pretend with me.
Lita smirked, jamming her hands in her back pockets. "¿Quién dice que estoy fingiendo?" Who says I'm pretending?
The brunette tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Sé que no le he conocido mientras algunos de los otros.." She trailed off, offering a small smile to the redhead. "Pero quisiera pensar en tu como amiga." I know I haven't known you as long as some of the others, but I'd like to think of you as a friend.
The redhead chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip, "En vista de cuáles hemos sido con junto ya.." Considering what we've been through together..
Nidia nodded, leaning back against a wall. "So? What's really bothering you?"
Lita frowned for a moment, hopping up on a nearby crate. "I know it'll probably sound wierd..but I'm actually kinda relieved that they want me in Evolution."
Nidia's brows furrowed in confusion, "Why's that?"
Lita half shrugged, swinging her legs idly. "Well, it's like Randy put it the other day..with all of this crazy shit that's been happening. I should be looking into getting a bodyguard or something."
The brunette nodded, "And you see Evolution in that role?"
Lita's nose wrinkled, "Not all of them, mind you..to be perfectly honest I always pegged Randy and Dave as these two..mindless drones who were at Hunter's every beck and call."
Nidia nodded, brushing her hair from her face. "And now?"
"I still question how loyal they are to Hunter, just given the way they act sometimes, you know?" Lita shrugged a touch, resting her palms flat on the crate. "But, they're not all that bad I guess."
Nidia merely nodded, "Dave tells me that you and Randy are working on one of Dawn's crazy ideas."
Lita rolled her eyes, "He told you that, did he? And I thought Randy wanted to keep this whole idea under wraps."
The brunette rolled her eyes, "Well I won't say a word about it, so don't worry okay?"
"I'm not.." Lita admitted easily, "To tell ya the truth? That's all pretty secondary right now."
Nidia nodded, moving so she was leaning against the crate. "For what it's worth..and I know you and Dave don't exactly see eye to eye right now..I'll ask him to look out for you."
A small smile lifted at the corners of the redhead's mouth. "I appreciate that actually..I just don't want him to feel obligated or anything."
Nidia smirked, "It won't be anything like that..trust me. I'm his baby sister after all."
The redhead laughed, preparing to say more when two men..clad in black, the same perhaps from the alley appeared at the enterance to the hallway. Again, they wore ski masks to conceal their facial features, their eyes and mouths the only things visible on either man.
Lita hopped down from the crate, taking a protective stance in front of Nidia. "Well, I think it's high time we got back, don't you?"
One of the men stepped forward, a menancing smile visible. "We just wanted to deliver a little gift to you."
The redhead gritted her teeth, "I really don't think that's necessary..we haven't even been properly introduced."
The second man stepped forwards, passing by the first man..a gift bag in hand. "But we insist."
Lita stood her ground, her shoulders squaring then. "I appreciate the generosity and all, but really..it's not necessary. Besides which I wouldn't even know who to write the thank you card to."
They remained indifferent, both stepping forwards, backing the two Diva's up against the crate. The first one spoke this time, "Just think of it as a gift from your secret admirer."
Lita smiled dryly, "My mother always told me, never to accept candy from strangers."
The first man just shook his head, a gloved hand reaching out to grasp the redhead's chin. "But, we already know each other so well..dearest.."
Lita's eyes narrowed, "Listen you sick freak, I don't know who the hell you are nor do I know what you want. But just leave me and my friends alone. Are we clear?"
He dropped his hand from her chin, the same hand striking her across the cheek. "I don't like that tone of voice."
Lita's hands clenched at her sides. "Then if it's just me who's getting this little present..why can't you just let my friend go?"
He snorted, "Why? So she can send out the S.O.S. signal?"
"Is there something wrong here, Lita?" A new voice chimed in, Hunter soon appearing.
"Nothing at all Helmsely, our little guests were just leaving."
Hunter rolled his shoulders, stepping further into the hallway, Batista and Orton not far behind. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Lita remained firm, though her knees were threatening to give way. "We were just leaving."
The second man, whom hadn't said a word since mentioning the gift bag, shoved said bag at the redhead. "Not without this."
Lita's eyes narrowed, first at the bag..then at the man. "Thanks." She muttered under her breath, yanking the bag from him. "Now, can we be excused please?"
Hunter inclined his chin, straightening the sleeves of his suit jacket. "Gentlemen..do you need an escort out? Or should we just toss you out of the building?"
The two men merely smiled, bowing first to Nidia and Lita before they slipped past Batista and Orton.
Lita passed a greatful look to Batista and Orton before her attention turned to Hunter. "As thankful as I am..I'd really like to get back to my locker room now."
Hunter merely smiled, "Then please..let these two accompany you back. I'd feel horribly if something were to happen to you."
The redhead rolled her eyes, the bag clutched tightly in one hand. "I'm sure you would.."
Hunter stepped aside so Lita and Nidia could move. "Have a pleasent evening Lita..I'll see you later when Vince passes on the good news."
Lita smiled crisply, linking arms with Nidia as they stepped past Batista and Orton. "Later."
The four walked on in silence, though Batista kept a wary eye around them. In all truth, the three Evolution members had just been walking through the hallways. They had already gone over their strategy for the eight man tag that night. Which was simple really, he was the human wrecking machine, Flair handled the dirty work and the distractions..Orton softened them up while Hunter would pick up the victory. All the same, when they had passed by that hallway, it had been Randy and himself who had seen the ominous scene. Hunter had his attention set straight ahead, and likely would've passed by the area if he and Randy hadn't stopped. Granted, they hadn't witnessed the whole ordeal, but judging by Lita and Nidia's sober mood..it hadn't been a most pleasent encounter. Still, Batista and Orton walked with the two to the beginning of the hallway where Lita's locker room was; all four silently figuring that it would be for the best. And so, with a mere nod in farewell, Randy and Dave departed; leaving the two Diva's to make the last trek alone. Fortunately for them both, they made it back to the locker room unscathed. However, when they returned, Lita retreated to the bench while Nidia wasn't far behind. The two remaining silent when Stacy, Ivory, Victoria and Lillian tried to question things. The redhead could only hope that their would be no repeat encounters with the two men in black.