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 reviewed the last chapter! I am sorry that it's taken this long for the update. .
Important note: I'm altering a few things concerning RAW, 4-12-04..and beyond. It'll still follow some stuff, but things will start changing to fit my plot.
Chapter 16
April 12, 2004
It was midway through the Heat tapings that Lita was informed that she was needed in Bischoff's office. The redhead could only presume that it was about her 'status' with Evolution; and subsequently turned down any offers of an escort over. Much to her chagrin when she entered the office, she found her instincts true. Not only was Eric not alone, but the entire team of Evolution was assembled in the office. Granted, her relations with Ric Flair had been generally friendly, but her relations with Hunter had never be nice. It was only recently that she had really started speaking to the other two members..and what she did know of them from that..she could tolerate them. But, that didn't mean she was looking forward to the prospect of working with Evolution. Whatever the case, Hunter was occupying a plush chair nearest to the desk, Flair sitting opposite while Dave and Randy were occupying the couch. The redhead opted to lean back against the wall opposite the couch, her attention focused solely on the General Manager. Bischoff stood, placing his palms flat on the wooden surface, he paused for a moment to scrutinize each occupant of the room. Finally, he cleared his throat, his attention zoning in on the redhead.
"I've just gotten off the phone with Vince.."
Lita nodded mechanically, "I figured that's why I was needed."
Bischoff nodded in confirmation. "Starting next Monday, you will travel with Evolution. Any apperances they do, you will be added. Any appearances you have, one of them will be accompanying you, the sole exception being Diva's photo shoots. In addition to your duties as a Diva on the RAW roster, if they require your services as a valet, you will do it..we'll have someone contact you to schedule a time to re-do promo shots, enterance videos..things of that nature."
Lita cleared her throat, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And exactly, what's the build up for all of this? It just wouldn't make a lot of sense for me to-"
"Tonight on the Highlight Reel.." Bischoff sat back in his chair, kicking his feet up on the desk. "We'll have Mr. Helmsley here interrupting..for the simple fact that he is competing for the World Heavyweight Championship this Sunday."
The Diva raised an eyebrow in question, "What about Christian and Trish?"
"I was getting to that." Bischoff re-assured with a grin. "They'll interrupt after Mr. Helmsely has had his time to speak. That will set up the match between yourself and Trish as planned..after the match, we'll shoot a small promo."
The Diva nodded, "Let me guess..I run into Hunter and-"
"You run into Randy actually, while you're conversing with Shawn Michaels." Bischoff interrupted smoothly. "From there, that'll bring Chris Benoit and Batista on the scene..helps play up the eight man tag match for tonight."
"Right right.." Lita nodded, gesturing with a hand for Bischoff to continue. "Are you expecting me to valet tonight as well?"
"You're sharp." Bischoff grinned, "You'll valet for Chris Benoit, Mick Foley, Shelton Benjamin and Shawn Michaels of course..can't let too much out of the bag yet."
"You won't be interfering on our behalf though." Hunter spoke up then, his hands resting on his thighs.
"I feel so much better," Lita retorted smoothly. "Have Chris, Mick, Shelton and Shawn been informed of this?"
"They are as we speak." Bischoff stated then, folding his hands across his chest. "Now, that brings us to Backlash..all will go as planned until after your match with Victoria. Following that match, you'll have another run in with Randy."
"Can I ask-"
"Vince feels that Randy best fits the role." Bischoff explained quickly, "Now, after that little run-in, you'll pretty much be left alone. Until the Edge vs Kane match anyway. That's when you'll run into Hunter."
"I'll pretty much make the offer for you to join us, you'll turn me down..standard procedure." Hunter mentioned then, a cocky smile on his face. "But, after we talk..you'll at least be thinking about it."
"Whatever."
Bischoff cleared his throat, glancing between the two. "Now, that brings us to next Monday night. We'll have to scheduled re-matches, one will be you vs. Victoria and the other will be for the World Heavyweight Championship. Following your match with Victoria, you'll have a run-in with Evolution..that of course will be interrupted, Hunter and Flair departing."
"And then what? I suddenly change my mind because Hunter and Ric aren't around?"
"Those two will basically sweeten the deal..that's also when you'll be interrupted by Christian and Trish."
Lita raised a brow, "And?"
"They'll leave you alone after they realize who else you're talking to..Trish will make a comment on how you're moving up in life." Bischoff shrugged, "Elaborate, be spontaneous."
Lita rolled her eyes, "So, why am I traveling with them if I'm not part of them yet?"
"So you can all get used to it." Bischoff stated nonchalantly, "Two weeks from tonight is the official join date for you..we'll go over that more next week."
Lita squared her shoulders, pushing off from the wall. "Can I go now? I think I've got all the information I need."
Bischoff waved a dismissive hand. "You're free to leave..just don't forget. Starting with RAW after Backlash, you travel with Evolution."
"I'll do my best to remember." Lita quipped sarcastically, the redhead glancing between the four Evolution members then. "See y'all later."
Hunter stood as soon as the door was shut. "Bischoff, I have some questions for you."
The RAW GM raised a brow in question, "Regarding? Hunter it's all been approved and-"
"When you say she's with Evolution, that means she listens to what I say..right?"
"If that's how things are really run," Bischoff stated, a questioning look sent to the other three members. "Then I don't see why not. Vince wasn't very specific..just that he gave his approval."
Hunter nodded, jamming a hand into a pants pocket. "Yes well, Evolution is a well oiled unit. I'll admit, I can see some problems with Lita being one of us but-"
"Then why ask for her?"
Hunter sent a look to the youngest member. "Excuse me?"
Randy's shoulders lifted in a shrug, "If you see problems with Lita joining Evolution, then why didn't you ask for another Diva?"
"I didn't ask." Hunter stated smoothly, "I suggested."
"Then why-"
"You said you had other questions Hunter?" Bischoff raised a brow, standing then. "If so, ask them now because RAW is due to kick off in a few minutes."
Hunter shrugged, "It can wait.." He moved from his spot then, nodding to his fellow team-mates. "Thanks for your time, Boss."
Bischoff merely nodded, waving to the four exiting Evolution members before his attention turned to the paperwork on his desk. Granted yes, he too wondered why Hunter would ask for Lita..but he was also aware that he wasn't nicknamed the Cerbral Assasin for a reason. Still, Bischoff wasn't as heartless as most people believed, and the RAW GM couldn't help but wonder if the right decision had been made regarding the redheaded Diva.
xxx
As planned, Hunter and company interrupted the Highlight Reel. And then as planned, Christian and Trish interrupted Hunter. Lita and Chris Jericho were both aware of that, and as such, that part of the evening went off without a hitch. She won the match on the behalf of an interference from Christian, and as she was making her way through the curtains; the redhead ran into Shawn Michaels. Shawn had questioned the changes when he was informed of them, but went along with all the same. Not that either one of them had a choice in the matter, but still they had just made it to one of the tables set up in the hallway when Randy Orton appeared on the scene. Randy of course, played the perfect part of company asshole. Playing up his role in Evolution and his current, Get a Look at Greatness motto. All of that, in spite of the fact that it had been added last minute, also went off without a hitch. Benoit and Batista both arrived, the five ending the confrontation as the show went to commercials. Even the eight man tag went off fine. It wasn't until later that night, back at the hotel between the show and going out, that things started to unravel. Just as she had been for the past week or so, Lita was rooming with Nidia. They were currently sorting gifts and cards from her friends when Lita noticed the gift bag from earlier.
"I'm tempted to just throw this out." Lita admitted easily as she plopped onto one of the beds. "Who knows what those creeps are up to now."
Nidia nodded, settling on the bed opposite her. "You can you know."
The redhead nodded, reaching hesitantly in the bag all the same. "There's a card.."
The brunette tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Is that all?"
Lita frowned, removing three neatly wrapped packages. "That looks like all of it."
"You can still throw it out." Nidia reminded gently. "You don't have to open it."
"I've gone this far.." Lita stated then, "Might as well see what my gifts are."
Nidia watched on as the redhead's nose scrunched in disgust. "What is it?"
Lita's lips pressed into a thin line. "This." She tossed two of the opened packages onto the bed. "We were being followed..when we left with Randy and Dave."
Nidia nodded apprehensively, "And the other?"
"From the hallway," Lita mentioned quietly, "When they brought the keycard back."
"Why does that stuff matter though?"
The redhead's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Maybe they're trying to pick out who to target."
The brunette's eyes grew wide with concern. "You don't think they'd attack Randy and Dave, do you?"
The redhead shrugged absently, "Who's to say, you know? I doubt it though, just because they're part of Evolution..and attacking them would be attacking all of them."
Nidia nodded, "And what about the card?"
Lita's forehead creased as she opened the card. "It's an invitation.."
Nidia turned questioning eyes to the redhead, "For what?"
"Box seats to a performance of some opera at the Met in New York City." Lita stated sullenly, "Why in the world would.."
Nidia's brows knitted together. "Did you ever find out what that other note meant? That one from the liner notes?"
"No." Lita admitted then, "What does that have to do with anything though?"
"It could be connected." The brunette suggested as she set the pictures back on the bed. "You never know Li, I mean..who knows what type of psychopath you're dealing with."
The redheaded Diva nodded slowly. "Yeah I guess you're right..I'll look into it on the break or something."
Nidia opened her mouth to respond when there was a sharp knock at the door. Both Diva's jumped out of instinct, Lita shakily addressing the caller.
"Li, Dia? Everyone's waiting in the lobby." Lillian beckoned from the hallway. "You're still joining us, right?"
The redhead expelled a sigh of relief, "Yeah Lil, we'll be down in a few."
"Okay!" Lillian replied brightly, "We'll be waiting then!"
"See you in a bit!"
Lita sighed, "I don't want to go anywhere tonight."
Nidia settled beside the redhead. "We can always just stay in.."
Lita offered a half hearted smile. "As nice as that sounds, it's probably not the best thing to do."
The brunette Diva smiled. "Then I guess we should get going, yeah?"
Lita nodded, a shaky smile sent in turn as she rose from the bed. "I just wish this all would end."
Nidia nodded in turn, squeezing the redhead's shoulders. "It has to end sometime, let's just hope its soon."
Lita nodded in agreement, the two Diva's making their way out of the hotel room shortly after. It went without saying that the redhead found herself checking over her shoulder every five seconds, but that soon ceased when she realized she was only tormenting herself further. However, the redheaded Diva couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she felt, even if she was with her friends..wouldn't that just be an opportune moment for her stalkers to make an appearance? Lita had to wonder at that, since this whole thing began..at least where she was the apparent victim..she had never been alone. There had always been someone or in this case someones, with her. Why wasn't she attacked or confronted alone? The redhead figured she would be an easier target that way..but soon decided that she was glad she wasn't alone. Not that she wanted her friends to be harmed, but still. Whatever the case, the redhead found herself distanced from the festivities. Granted yes, she appreciated the well meaning gestures, but she just wasn't in the state of mind to really enjoy anything. Still, her friends didn't push it, rather than staying out late, they returned to the hotel relatively early. Part of that, was due to the fact that when Victoria had contacted Dawn, the Smackdown Diva confirmed she was planning something. And so, as Lita and Nidia settled in for the night, the redhead let out a sigh of relief. For all of her worry, nothing had happened. At least not that night..because tomorrow after all, was another day.