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!
Notes: The next few chapters will be a bit of a reprieve (filler) from 'normal' events. On a qausi-related note, I finally have the rest of this story set! I actually saw the last few chapters in my mind (I'm wierd, I know) and I have written an outline that I am determined to stick to. That being said, I believe the halfway point of this story will hit somewhere along Chapter 35. Depending on how things go, I plan on at least an epilogue for this story. If there's a demand for it, I'll consider a sequel but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Also, to make things a little clear- I will start mixing more scripted and non (obviously), hence if you see a few real names used, don't be surprised. See previous chapters for any additional notes.
Chapter 21
April 14, 2004
Morning descended on the peaceful house, all too quickly. And although the occupants were still in various stages of sleep- the suns rays were unrelenting. Those in the bedrooms, turned their faces away from the morning light; curtains were drawn by half awake bodies before the bedrooms were cloaked in darkness once more. Those in the living room were not so fortunate, since the space was limited and for all intensive purposes- cramped. Somehow they mangaged though, and while the curtains were being drawn in the bedrooms those in the living room fought against the morning light. Bubba turned on the couch, Spike stretched out his legs while the redhead rolled to her stomach. Jeff had taken up a spot near the couch, strands of multi colored hair contrasting sharply with the beige colored carpet beneath him. His feet were beneath the low coffee table, laying parallel to Rob's. The Battle Creek native had taken up a spot opposite to the couch, turning on his side as the morning light crept into the living room. D-von was situated between his two sleeping 'brothers', a stolen pillow propped beneath his head as he shifted to avoid the sun. Finally, there was John- sleeping in an uncomfortable looking reclining posture; his back propped awkwardly against the couch. The corner of a couch cushion provided for his pillow, the West Newbury native's arms crossed over his chest as he continued to sleep. But, someone would have to wake eventually.. after all the morning brew of coffee would be necessary and since they were closer to the kitchen. The ambiance was peaceful.. almost too peaceful given what had happened over the last two weeks- but peaceful none the less.
"Mornin'," Jeff yawned, an eye opening slowly as he gingerly sat up. "An' happy birthday, Li-Li."
In response, Lita turned her face into the pillow. "Too early."
He rolled his eyes, crouching near her. "Come on sunshine, time to get up."
She snorted, turning so she was facing him. "Says who? Jeff- it is way too early."
Jeff perched on the arm of the couch, "But it's your birthday."
"Which gives me every right to sleep in," she shook her head, rubbing at the back of her neck. "An' since when did you become a morning person? Mr. I could sleep the day away?"
The Cameron native shrugged, "So today's different.." he ruffled the red locks splaying over the couch. "Aww, come on Li.. wakey, wakey."
"Jeeefff.." Lita whined, burying her face in the couch cushion, "It is too early for any sane person to be waking up."
Jeff raised an eyebrow, "An' since when have ya known me to be sane, huh?"
The redheaded woman chuckled softly, "Oh since about never.. but seriously Jeff? It's too early.. I mean, we have got to be the only two fools awake right now."
"Actually," John Cena opened an eye, "Y'all woke me up.."
"Okay, so we're three fools who're awake," the redhead amended quickly. "But still, I'd rather be sleepin' right now."
The West Newbury native stretched his arms overhead, "I'd like to that too, but seein' as how all the good sleepin' spots were already takin'? I got a knot in my neck."
The redhead regarded him skeptically, "What does that hafta do with going back to sleep?"
Cena shrugged, "Nothin' really, just thought I'd share."
Jeff raised an eyebrow, "So? Whadya want us to do 'bout it?"
"Nothin'," John rolled his shoulders, "Just sayin' that's all.. this floor is real uncomfortable to sleep on.. an' this couch don't provide much cushion."
"It does when you're sleepin' on the couch," Lita informed him wryly, "An' even then? It's still uncomfortable."
The brown haired wrestler held up a hand, "But you at least got to sleep on the couch. I slept on the floor against the couch."
"So?" Jeff scoffed, running his hands through his disheleved hair. "I slept on the floor.. You think that was comfy?" Wairly, he rubbed his cheeks, "I probably got a DuPont logo imprinted on my face."
Lita's face waxed serious, though her eyes twinkled playfully as she regarded the Cameron native. "Well, now that you mention it.."
The natural blonde haired man pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Not helpin'."
The redhead rolled her eyes, "Whatever.. Complainin' 'bout where we slept an' how uncomfortable we were won't do us any bit of good right now. But, since I'm nearly half awake-"
She cut herself off when a sharp thud was heard nearby. The three turning sleepy sets of eyes to the source of the noise.
"Maldígalo." Rob cursed under his breath, the blonde man sitting up slowly. The corners of his mouth twisted into a frown, he rubbing gingerly at his shins. "That really hurt." Damn it.
Jeff winced in sympathy, "Mornin' dude.. An' welcome to the 'I slept on the floor with my legs beneath the coffee table, so I hit my shins' club."
The Battle Creek native yawned, waving off Jeff absently. "Cancel my membership."
"Awww.." Lita cooed in mock sympathy, "Did poor wittle Robbie hurt his legs?"
Rob scowled at the redhead, "See if I ever do anything for you again."
She snorted, reaching an arm up to rub at a sore spot on her shoulder. "When have you?"
Rob rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to retort only to yawn again. He ran his hands through his hair, "Oh yeah.. Feliz Cumpleaños, Red."
Lita rolled her eyes, swinging her legs outwards only to hit both John and Jeff in the process. She wedged her feet between the two, stretching her arms overhead.
"Damn it woman," Jeff glared at the redhead, "As if sleepin' on that floor wasn't enough.. You just hit me!"
"Grow up, it was an accident."
John gingerly rubbed his shoulder, "Yeah? That's at least the third time you've kicked me."
Confusion swirled in her hazel eyes, "What the hell are you talkin' 'bout?"
He smiled dryly, "You twitch in your sleep.. I was sleepin' here," he paused to gesture to the third couch cushion. "Your feet were there," a nod back to the aformentioned cushion. "You twitched, you moved.. You kicked."
She snorted in disbelief, "I do not-"
"Oh yes, you do." Jeff glared half heartedly, "'Cos you've kicked me too."
She swept her hair from her face, flopping back against the couch cushions. "Well, it's not like I do that on purpose or anything.. geeze."
The Cameron native huffed, "Well you should still make it up to me.." he sent a playful grin to the redheaded woman, "Give me a back massage."
She huffed, "An' just why should I do that? If anything, you should give me a back massage.. it's my birthday, after all."
"Hello?" John tossed a scowl at the redhead, "What 'bout me? I prolly have bruises on my shoulder from where ya kicked me."
Lita stuck out her tongue, crossing her legs indian style on the couch. "You'll live."
John rolled his eyes, "This is the thanks I get.. I got ya outta that stupid plan an' that joint birthday party, and this is how you-"
The redhead whacked him in the back with a throw pillow. "Thank you.. Happy now?"
Cena raised an eyebrow, grasping another throw pillow on the couch. "Oh no you didn't.. Woman, this is war."
Lita merely arched an eyebrow in response, preparing herself for the impending pillow fight when Jeff entered the fray. "You jerk!"
The Cameron native grinned cheekily, tossing the pillow in his hands to John in favor of tickling the redhead's feet. "Give me that back massage an' I'll stop."
"Ha!" She stuck out her tongue at her best friend, trying in vain to wrench her sensitive feet away. "I don't think so."
Jeff smirked, "You asked for it then."
The ensuing 'war' consisted of Jeff tickling the redhead without mercy. The redhead in question trying to fight off a pillow barrage from both John and Rob. Miraculously through it all- Spike, D-von and Bubba continued to sleep through it all. That was until a pillow was tossed from the opposite side of the living room; Bubba opening an eye to glare at the four. They paused simultaneously in their antics, the redhead taking in a much needed breath of air. He informed them, rather crossly, that if they were going to behave like three year olds- to please take it elsewhere. They rolled their eyes in response, but complied none the less; tossing the pillow back to Bubba as an afterthought. Rob, Jeff and John subsequently joined the redheaded Diva on the couch; Rob perching on the arm as they debated on what to do. Going back to sleep was out of the question as the childish antics had inadvertantly woken them up. Eventually, however, they decided on something. But rather than head to the kitchen to start the coffee; Jeff turned the Diva so her back was facing to him. He proceeded to massage the tense muscles of her neck, shoulders and back- Lita mumbling a thank you in gratitude. John and Rob watched the small scene for a moment, until the redhead motioned for one of them to take the spot directly in front of her. And since John was closer, wairly he did so, eyeing the redhead skeptically all the while.
xxx
And that was how Dawn Marie found the occupants of the couch when she stumbled sleepily into the living room. Jeff was sitting on one couch cushion, massaging Lita's shoulders. Lita was sitting on the middle couch cushion, massaging the shoulders in front of her. The brunette Diva blinked at the three, uttering a 'Happy Birthday' to the redhead before she moved on into the kitchen. She was just searching through the cupboards when, she heard a 'switch' from the couch. With a bemused look she watched as the three rotated, Jeff now on the recieving end of a back massage instead of John. The New Jersey native merely shook her head, sweeping her locks from her face as she turned back to her search. Dawn had just managed to locate the necessary coffee grounds when Rob padded into the kitchen. The brunette Diva informed him that, everyone else was still obviously asleep. The two chatted amiably as they got the coffee started, the pair remaining in the kitchen for a moment to observe the three still on the couch. Dawn couldn't stop the smile from forming at the sight.. It had been awhile since she had seen Lita acting as free as she claimed she was. Stirring from the couch opposite caught her attention shortly, the brunette offering a smile to the now waking Bubba. He joined the two in the kitchen after a moment, the three waiting on for the rest of the occupants of the house to stir.
"So," Lita began as she, John and Jeff made their way over, "What are the plans for today?"
Dawn Marie shrugged in response, "Well that all depends on when everyone else wakes up.. But, whatever, I guess."
Rob ran a hand through his hair, "Magic Mountain's open at 10:00 if ya want to head over there."
Jeff and Lita exchanged a look, the Cameron native grinning broadly. "I could definately go for that."
The redhead nodded in turn, "Same here."
"Well, we still hafta see what everyone else wants to do." Dawn put in then, "And besides.. We'll be here all day tomorrow too." Her eyes glinted playfully at the redhead, "And, by the way, Stephanie said I could have the day off on Friday.."
Lita made a face at her long time friend, "And? Just what does that mean?"
Dawn rolled her eyes, "Well it means we can stay in L.A. another day, or we can head to New York City or-"
"Or, I can just head back home an' rest." The redhead finished with a smile. "We'll see what we'll see."
The New Jersey native nodded, "Fair enough.. Just thought I should let you know."
"Before you start draginn' me, here an' there?" Lita rolled her eyes, reaching across the kitchen island to pat her friend's arm. "I appreciate it."
"So, what 'bout today then?" John queried from his spot, the brown haired man resting his forearms on the island counter. "I mean, it don't really matter to me."
"Me either," Rob stretched his arms over head, leaning back against the counter, "I live around here anyway, so.."
"Buenos días.." Rey greeted softly as he made his over to the group. "Y feliz cumpleaños, mi amiga." He added, hugging the redheaded woman from behind. (Good morning, and happy birthday my friend.)
"Gracias, Rey-Rey." Lita turned in her friends arms to return the gesture. "How'd you sleep?"
The cruiserweight grimaced, placing himself between Jeff and the redhead. "Cramped.. Eddie and I shared the floor."
Dawn nodded then, "I know how you feel.. Me and 'Dia took the floor."
D-von raised an eyebrow as he joined the group, standing on the same side with Dawn and Rob. "You want cramped? Try sleeping in the living room." He gestured between himself, Rob and Jeff. "Three people, one carpet."
"Four people," Jeff corrected with a nod to John.
John nodded solemnly, threading his fingers through his short hair. "I didn' even have a spot on the floor to sleep on.. At least them three got to stretch out."
Rob grumbled, "Well at least you didn't hit your shins on the coffee table."
"Naw, bro.. I just got kicked in the shoulder by this one, I don't know how many times." Cena thumbed to the redhead, a wry smile on his face. "I lost count after three."
"Okay, so we were all cramped." Dawn amended as she swept her hair from her face. "If it makes you all feel better, we'll trade sleeping areas."
"Good." Bubba joined the group in the kitchen, taking a spot with his 'brother. "'Cos that couch just wasn't made for people like me."
"Good morning everyone," Stacy greeted as she and Victoria entered the kitchen. "And happy birthday Li."
Victoria yawned widely, mumbling a greeting in a language that half resembled English.
"Morning," Dawn greeted with a smile. "Coffee should be ready by now."
"We're jus' tryin' to figure out what to do." Jeff informed the two Diva's then. "So far the only suggestion put up is Magic Mountain."
The raven haired Diva swept her hair back from her face, nodding absently. "There's also Disneyland.. And Knott's Berry Farm, plus Hollywood, lotsa fun touristy stuff."
The brunette Diva shrugged, "Well whatever we do during the day.. I have to make a dinner reservation for tonight. I also wanted to check out the L.A. nightlife so.."
"Whatever," Lita interrupted as she meandered to the cupboards. "We'll talk about it more when everyone else is awake. Plus, we still haven't had breakfast."
"I'll give ya a hand with the dinner reservations," Rob offered as he joined the redhead by the cupboards. "There's plenty of places around here that should work for all of us."
Stacy nodded absently, stretching her arms overhead. "Just make sure they have room for all of us.. We've got seventeen people."
Dawn nodded in turn as she made her way over to the fridge; the brunette grasping the creamer and the carton of half and half. Jeff joined Lita and Rob at the cupboards, the three grabbing coffee cups for those in the kitchen. The assembly line was set up then; Rob and Jeff taking spots by the coffee maker while Lita and Victoria passed the coffee cups to Dawn and Stacy. By the time all was said and done, another pot of coffee was soon brewing while those in the kitchen assembled themselves around the table. Small talk about the rest of the day, breakfast and times spent on the road filtered amongst them as they waited for the rest of the house to wake up. And by the time that happened, they reasoned that they could hit Disneyland later in the day if they really wanted to. But for that day, they'd schedule in Magic Mountain, plus the birthday dinner and nightlife. By the time Edge, Chris, Chris, Lillian and Eddie joined the group in the kitchen; they were already planning the next days activities. That resulted in a split, Stacy and Dawn wanting to go shopping while Lita and Jeff wanted to sight see. or just hit Disneyland. And by the time Spike and Nidia joined the group, the next day was scheduled. Lillian, Chris Benoit, Eddie and Edge agreed to go shopping and sightseeing with Stacy and Dawn while the others set off for Disneyland. All that was left after that was securing rental cars. And despite the slightly chaotic mood; both Lita and Nidia bantered and laughed good naturedly.. the past events forgotten for the time being.