Title: Haunting Me
Rating: M.. for some harsh language, violence and content in later chapters.
Disclaimer: Anything that is recognizable, does not belong to me. I borrow. Any OC's that appear, are of course, mere figments of my imagination.
Summary: When one of the RAW Diva's is attacked, it brings the unlikeliest group of people together.
Pairings: See the previous chapter for notes about this. When I've decided, I'll let y'all know.
I want to say that yes, I would be ignoring Edge's injury at this time. I believe he had a broken hand.. but for my story, nope that didn't happen. Should've said that earlier, but oops.

-x-x-x-

Chapter 30

April 18, 2004

The taxi drivers seperately informed the group that the New York Downtown Hospital was the nearest hospital that operated a 24 hour emergency room. And since they really didn't know the extent of the injuries to Lita and Nidia, they found themselves heading that way. Nidia was still nestled safely in Dave's arms, Rey sharing the seat with the two while Randy sat up front with the driver. The young Diva was breathing uneasily, wincing visibly whenever she inhaled and exhaled. That was enough for Dave and Rey to order that the taxi driver go faster.. Not giving a damn if they got stopped by the famed N.Y.P.D. The sleeves of John's dress shirt had been ripped apart to make temporary bandages for the wounds on Lita's cheek and arm.. And to wipe up the blood that remained on Eddie and John's respective hands. The redhead was currently settled between John and Dawn in the backseat of the other taxi with Eddie up front. Lita, at least, was able to inform the three that her right wrist was throbbing, but she didn't think anything was broken. The index and middle finger on her left hand and the base of her hand right where it met the wrist, however, every time the taxi went over a bump.. she winced in pain. That resulted in Dawn going between ordering the driver to go faster or to slow down, depending. In addition to the more obvious injuries, Lita was complaining of pain in her shoulder from having her arm yanked behind her back. Granted, it wasn't much different from an arm bar or similar move, but that always happened in the ring where she knew what was happening. In this instance, she hadn't been prepared and the attacker really hadn't been gentle about it. Whether this pain was also with Nidia, the redhead was unsure.. but the possiblity was there. Both Diva's were also sporting brusies on their arms from when their attackers had grabbed their arms none to kindly. It was apparent to all passengers that both Diva's would be going in for an x-ray and possibly stitches for the cuts that Lita had received. They were also aware that they would more then likely have to deal with the police, but that was really the last of their combined worries. With the events from the museum still weighing fresh in their minds, the wrestlers and Diva's could only wonder about what else would happen. Because at this point, it wasn't a matter of what could happen.. Only a matter of what would happen. But, obviously, none of them were on a first name basis with the attackers so they really couldn't ask any questions. All they could do at this point, was get Lita and Nidia the help that they needed.

The taxi with Dave, Rey, Nidia and Randy arrived first to the hospital, Evolution's enforcer cradling the brunette to his chest. "We're at the hospital 'Dia.. I'm carrying you in there."

Randy remained on the sidewalk, "I'll wait out here for the other taxi. I could've sworn they were right behind us though."

Rey shrugged in response, not giving any verbal reply as he followed behind Dave and Nidia.

"Damn it," Dave sighed inwardly at the short line ahead of them. "I can't say I'm surprised that the E.R. is kinda full, but of all nights.."

The woman behind the glass eyed the three as when they finally approached the booth, indicating for Dave or Rey to pick up the phone. "How can we help you?"

Rey glanced to Nidia, "'Dia.. ¿Qué sucedió? Esta señora necesita saber así que pueden comenzar el cheque adentro. (What happened? This lady needs to know so they can start the check in.)

Gingerly, Nidia lifted her head. "I.." her face contorted in pain, "we.."

Dave frowned, "We'll wait for Lita to get here.. I'm not about to force 'Dia to talk."

Rey nodded his agreement, the two stepping back slightly from the booth. Thankfully they wouldn't have to wait long; Lita, John, Eddie, Dawn and Randy entering the waiting area soon after.

"What's going on?" Dawn asked as they joined the three, the brunette looking pale. "Dave.. Rey?"

Rey nodded to the young Diva. "She can't talk without it hurting her.. We were hoping that--"

"I got it," Lita held her left arm to her chest, trying to ignore the throbbing in both arms. "Can someone get the phone thingy?"

The body nearest to her held the phone up to her ear, standing patiently by while Lita explained the situation.

The receptionist at the booth was soon on her feet, "Tell him," she motioned to Dave, "to bring her around to the triage area." Nodding directly to Lita, she continued: "You can come around as well. I'm afraid everyone else will have to wait for now. The waiting area is just around that corner."

Dawn hung up the phone, expectant eyes turning to Lita. "Well?"

Lita glanced over to Dave, "You can come back because you have to bring Nidia to triage. I'm not sure if they'll let you stay, but you're the only one who can come back right now." Locking eyes with Dawn again, she added: "The waiting area is just around the corner.. I'm sure someone will be out eventually."

Dawn looked flustered, "But when? How busy is it back there?"

"I'll find out," Dave spoke as he made his way to the doors, "because I'm guessing that I'll get kicked out of there after I drop 'Dia off."

The Woodbridge native nodded, clutching Lita's jacket in her hands while the redhead, Nidia and Dave made their temporary departure. "Damn it," the brunette sighed as she slumped into a seat. "We should have waited in the line."

"You didn't know what was going to happen, mamacita." Eddie draped an arm over her shoulders. "Let's just be thankful that we found them." An eyebrow raised at the still standing Rey, "holmes.. you'd be better off sitting down. We don't know how long this is going to take."

The luchador shook his head, "No hasta que descubrimos algo. Necesito saber que sean aceptables." (Not until we find out, I need to know they're okay.)

"Hermano, cada uno se preocupa de ellos. Pero no sabemos cuánto tiempo tomará antes de que se vean." Eddie shook his head when Rey still refused to sit down, "siente abajo, tome una respiración profunda." (Bro, everyone is worried about them. But we don't know how long it'll take before they're seen. Sit down, take a deep breath.)

Dawn sighed, sweeping her hair back from her face. "Rey.. Why don't we go find the vending machines or something. Even if we don't know how long we'll be here, I'm sure both 'Dia and Li will appreciate a snack." When he looked ready to argue, she raised an eyebrow. "I'm just as worried about those two as you are, Rey. I love them both like family and all I could do was stand there and watch. Come on."

"Pero, qué si él se vuelve mientras que nos van.." (but what if he comes back while we're gone..)

Eddie shifted so he was sitting a bit more comfortably. "Then I'll come find you, Rey. Don't worry, essa, I'm sure they'll both be fine." Winking, he continued: "And speak in English Rey.. It'll be easier for Dawn."

Dawn and Rey had just started to move when Dave entered the waiting room, without Nidia, but they had expected that.

Eddie raised an eyebrow, "Well? What's going on?"

Dave frowned, "They were taking 'Dia to get an x-ray for her ribs, the nurse doesn't think they're broken but it's to be on the safe side or whatever.. They took Lita over to prompt care, something about a fracture."

Dawn nodded slowly, "Rey and I were just going to find vending machines if you want to come with us."

Abruptly, Evolution's Enforcer nodded, the three making a slow exit from the waiting area. While it didn't look like either Diva would be staying over night, the group in the waiting area and looking for the vending machines, had the feeling that they'd be there for awhile. Even if Nidia only had bruised ribs at the worse, Dave had mentioned a fracture where the redhead was concerned. Dawn assumed it was her wrist or her fingers, hoping that it wasn't both. But, just with a broken wrist, Lita would be on the shelf again.. though not as long as she had been before. Still, the brunette knew that the news wouldn't sit too well with the redhead.. But there really wasn't anything that they could do about it. It didn't help matters any that Dawn was still mulling over the situation on a whole.. Wondering if it could have been prevented. Naturally, she knew that it could have been avoided if they had stayed inside the Copacabana.. But that didn't mean that they couldn't have gotten stopped when they were leaving. Of course, if it had happened that way, then they probably wouldn't be at the hospital right now. So, just as Eddie had said in the waiting room, Dawn was just thankful that they had found Nidia and Lita before things had gotten any worse.

-x-x-x-

An hour had already passed.. Rey, Dave and Dawn long since returning to the waiting area with sodas and snacks in their possession. Near reluctantly, John informed the three that they hadn't heard anything from any of the ER staff about the respective conditions of the two Diva's. At that bit of news; Rey, Dave and Dawn seated themselves while Randy and Eddie returned from their search for a bathroom. At one point, Randy questioned why the police hadn't arrived.. Dave soon pointing out that they had to file a police report since they had been the only witnesses to the incident. Added to that, the victims of the incident were currently being treated in the ER. But, since Lita was able to give a more detailed report about how they sustained their respective injuries.. Dave guessed that the NYPD could be on their way.. Or that they'd have to pay them a visit in the morning. Whatever the case, two more trips to the vending machines and one more trip to the bathroom were made.. Another hour passing by slowly. Randy was already asleep, while John and Eddie looked to be drifting off, the clock in the waiting room reading 1:30 on the dot. Out of anticipation and worry; Rey, Dawn and Dave were awake.. their attention focused on the hallway leading to the waiting room. The three were soon on their feet as one of the nurses entered, Nidia currently seated in a wheel chair. Of course, the first thing he did was ask for a family member, Dave stepping forward shortly after.

The nurse squinted at one of the slips of paper in his hand. "The doctor has perscribed a pain killer and a rib belt." He handed over another slip of paper, "instructions for care.. Three bruised ribs on the right side."

"Excuse me sir," Dawn spoke up when the nurse started to leave. "Can you tell us anything about Amy Dumas?"

The nurse shook his head, "I'm afraid that information is reserved for family members only."

Thinking quickly, Dawn gestured between Randy and John. "What about almost family members.. Like a future brother in law and her fiancé." At John's baffled look, Dawn narrowed her eyes, hoping he'd shut up so she could weasle those two in there. "Surely they can see her.. Right?"

The nurse eyed the two suspiciously, "Why wasn't she wearing a ring?"

"Well, sir.." John spoke up before Dawn could say another word. "She was mugged.. Surely, a thief would take an engagement ring."

"You can come back," the nurse spoke specifically to John, "your brother needs to wait."

The West Newbury native nodded, sending a 'you're explaining this' look to Dawn before he followed behind the nurse.

Eddie shook his head at the brunette Diva, "Li-Li isn't going to be happy about that, Dawn."

"So?" Dawn re-settled herself in the seat. "I want to know how she's doing and if he can find out before they bring her out here.."

"Speaking of telling people," Dave rubbed his forearm, the big man visibly strained. "Shouldn't someone call one of the McMahon's or Bischoff? If Lita has broken her wrist, she won't be able to wrestle at Backlash."

Dawn shrugged, "We can call them in the morning. I'll call Stephanie first though.. and if you can call Bischoff.. Or we might just need to call Vince or Stephanie. Work something out I guess."

While the group in the waiting room was trying to figure out who to call first, John was making his way back. He heard the vocal protests of the redhead before he saw her, an eyebrow raising on both parties as he approached.

"How's Nidia and why are you here?"

He rolled his eyes as he settled next to her, "Nidia has three brusied ribs.. As for why I'm here? You can thank Dawn for this.. She told the nurse that I'm your fiancé.. the ring got stolen and Randy is gonna be your brother-in-law." An eyebrow raised, "have they told ya anything?"

"Lord help me, I'm going to hurt that woman." Lita shook her head, her left arm propped on on a pillow. She was also sporting two bandages, covering most of her right cheek while the other covered a good portion of her right forearm. "They might kick you out of here when they get back so.." Nodding to her injured apendage she sighed. "I have two broken carpal bones in my wrist and five in my hand. The reason my middle and index fingers were hurting, is because two of the bones that got broken are near the base.. Or something like that. They don't think I'll have any scars from the cuts though."

"How the hell did ya break that many bones?"

Lita smiled wryly, "Apparently combat boots do that to hands when they're worn by big heavy brutes. The guy who did my x-ray said I was lucky I didn't break any bones on the right side."

John let out a low whistle, "You are lucky that nothin' else got broken. An' that nothin' else happened."

Lita nodded slowly, "I know we were lucky. I just wish it hadn't happened in the first place ya know? The triage nurse said she'd call the police for us, but I'd rather handle that on my own."

"You can take care of that in the mornin' or whateva.. An' I'm guessin' they're puttin' a cast on ya." John rolled his shoulders, "how long will that be on?"

The redhead shrugged, "For the wrist they said it'll be three months to ensure the bones have healed properly. If it was just the hand, though, it only would've been a month."

He couldn't help but flinch at that. "Damn.. So even if you were stayin' on RAW.."

"I wouldn't be able to compete until the cast was off and I had completed my PT." Lita finished with a soft sigh. "I should just have Stephanie keep me on Smackdown until I'm ready to wrestle again."

At that, John shrugged. "Ya can always valet.. maybe participate a little, right?"

"Yeah.. manage or whatever until I'm ready." Lita tried to look optimistic but she was seething. "Dawn's probably wondering what's taking so long.."

John rose from his spot, "It won't be so bad, ya know? Ya got friends on Smackdown an' me as your fiancé. Granted, pretty boy is gonna be your 'brother in law' but ya got me."

Lita rolled her eyes, quipping sarcastically: "I feel so much better for that, Cena.. Thanks."

John rolled his eyes right back, exiting the room just as two nurses entered. He had just entered the waiting room when Dawn got in his face, immediately asking about Lita's condition. First, he informed the brunette Diva that Lita was none to happy about the story that she had made up. And it just so happened that Randy woke up at that moment, Dawn taking a minute to explain the situation to the confused third generation wrestler. Eventually, however, John got around to telling them all that Lita had two broken bones in her wrist and five in her hand. With the cast she was currently having put on, the redhead was likely to be out for three months, possibly longer while she had her physical therapy. They all knew that Lita wouldn't be very happy about the prospect.. But at least Nidia only had a month at the most. Of course, that didn't mean that she would be able to compete right away either.. But at least it wasn't for three months like the redhead. Dawn also mentioned that she would call Stephanie in the morning, John mentioning that Lita intended to speak with the police in the morning. The Woodbridge native also figured that they should call Jeff and a few of the RAW superstars. Granted, Dawn really didn't intend on telling them everything, just that Lita and Nidia were hurt. Everything else, she would leave up to the redhead.

-x-x-x-

The group in the waiting room ended up waiting another half hour before Lita emerged from the emergency room. Her left arm was now sporting a black cast, going from the base of her fingers and stopping just before her elbow. Of course, they didn't find that out until she moved the sling, the nurse reprimending her for doing so. Clutched in her right hand, she had a perscription for a pain killer, one for an antiseptic for the cuts on her arm and face, and two sheets of after care instructions outlining what she should and shouldn't do. After promising the nurse that she would follow those instructions, the group left the hospital.. Nidia being carried out of there by Dave. With the time now approaching 3:00, the weary group finally made their way back to the hotel. Lita was quick to point out that they didn't have to stay the entire time.. Rey, Eddie, Dawn, John and Dave arguing that they couldn't leave them there. The subsequent rides back to the hotel were mostly in silence, Randy falling asleep while Nidia spent most of the trip trying to get comfortable. Eventually, she ended up in Dave's lap, her legs resting on Rey's lap. Lita, meanwhile, ended up using Dawn's lap to rest her legs, while John's shoulder provided a makeshift pillow. And despite her protests, Lita found herself being carried for the trip to the hotel rooms, the group splitting in the hallway when they reached their floor. No sooner did they enter the hotel room, did Lita realize she would have some problems.

John raised an eyebrow as the redhead fought with her suitcase. "No pun intended here, but do you need a hand?"

Lita made a face, "If you could get Dawn for me I'd appreciate it. I really don't feel like sleeping in this thing and I need to use the bathroom."

"Uh huh," John shrugged out of his jacket, the ripped dress shirt and tie discared shortly after. "Just give me a minute an' I'll go get her for ya."

Lita rolled her eyes, sighing heavily as she sat down on her bed. "If you could make this quick please?"

John rolled his eyes right back, narrowly avoiding being hit in the head with her hairbrush. "Damn woman, chill out.. I'm a goin'."

Forutnately for them both, John returned with a sleepy Dawn in tow.. the two Diva's occupying the bathroom for awhile so Lita could get changed and use the facilities. The brunette Diva proceeded to tuck Lita in, John entering that bathroom while she did so.

Carefully so, Dave tucked another towel full of ice in plastic baggies on Nidia's ribs. "This should hold you over until the morning, alright 'Dia? Do you want some asprin or something?"

Gingerly, Nidia shook her head. "I had.. some.. at the.. ER."

He kissed her forehead, "Try to get some rest." Glancing over to Dawn, Eddie and Rey, Dave raised an eyebrow. "If you need me, I'm across the hall. I want to know if anything happens to her."

Eddie raised an eyebrow in turn, "Para no ser grosero o cualquier cosa. Pero porqué.." (Not to be rude or anything, but why--)

"Porque ella es mi hermana del bebé." Dave replied softly, his gaze shifting back to the now sleeping Nidia. "The ice should be alright until the morning." (Because she's my baby sister.)

Eddie blinked at the now closed door, "I guess you learn something new every day." Coughing slightly, he turned his attention to Dawn. "How's Li?"

"Hopefully sleeping," Dawn yanked the covers back, a wide yawn escaping her. "I made sure she has asprin and water by her bed.. Tucked her in before I left."

At that Eddie nodded, stretching his arms over head. "Good night Rey, 'Dia.. Dawn."

Half true to Dawn's prediction, Lita had been asleep when she left. There was an extra pillow under the cast, leaving one pillow on John's bed. But, before Lita could completely fall asleep, her mind started racing. Replaying the events from the night.

John sat straight up as the redhead screamed, the covers tossed back as he half fell out of the bed. "Damn it.." The sheets were twisted around her lower half, her eyes screwed tightly shut. "Lita.." he frowned when she didn't answer him, "Lita.. Come on, ya gotta wake up." Blue eyes shifted to the door when he heard someone knocking, "in a minute."

Hazel eyes flew open, shining bright with fear and unshed tears. "'Dia--"

"Is sleeping across the hall," John informed her, smoothing back her hair from her sweat soaked forehead. "You're safe, Lita.. It was only a dream."

The redhead started shaking, "They're still out there.. going to get us again.. still out there.."

He opened his mouth to speak, but cut himself off to answer the persistent knocking at the door.

Dawn tried to look past him, "Is she okay? Do you want me to stay with her?"

The US Champion shook his head, "No worries, alright? I got it. Go get some sleep Dawn.. 'cos we still got some drivin' to do so we can get to the house show on Monday."

The brunette nodded hesitantly, "Come get me if you change your mind." She managed a smile, sending one last look back before she returned to her hotel room.

When he returned to the frazzled Diva's side, she was still muttering under her breath. He could hear snippets of 'not safe', 'still there' and 'why'. "Shit.. Maybe I shoulda taken Dawn up on that offer."

Her good hand fisted in the wife beater he was wearing. "I don't want to sleep.."

"They can't get you now.. they're 'prolly long gone, Lita."

Defiantly, she shook her head. "I can't sleep.."

Mindful of the injured arm and because she still had an iron grip on his shirt, the brown haired wrestler moved so he was laying next to her. It still took a good while before her eyes finally closed, the soft rise and fall of her chest soon indicating that she was sleeping. Idly, John hoped that she wouldn't move too much in her sleep.. Specifically that he wouldn't get hit in the face with that cast. And only after he had assured himself that she was sleeping somewhat peacefully, did he close his eyes. And as he started to fall asleep, he admitted.. That not counting today, the trip to the City hadn't been all that bad. Really, he could've done without a few things from today, but up until then.. It hadn't been that bad. Now he could only wonder about what was ahead.. And how many more of these close encounters they'd have with the attackers. Of course, he also wanted to know who the hell was out to get Nidia and Lita.. But, like many questions they all had, that would have to wait. For how long, they really didn't know.. But hopefully it would be sooner, rather then later.