Title: The highly educational demonstration of how to drive guys off
Written by Professional Scatterbrain.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Rating: Pg – 13 to R
Summary: See challenge set by Karen U
#3 – Karen U
-Lita/Edge, Lita/Jeff, Lita/Christian, or Lita/Jericho.
-A bet between Lita and the divas in which Lita says that she know sure fire ways to drive guys off (Lita is, of course, down about her love life).
-Instead of being driven off, the guy falls for her, and Lita, of course, falls for him as well.
-Happy endings.
-No roster split.
-Other divas should be chosen from the following (at least three other divas): Stacy, Stephanie, Lillian, Torrie, Dawn Marie, Victoria, Ivory, Trish:I chose Stephanie, Torrie and Dawn Marie.
Chp2: The 'Demonstration'
Jeff Hardy
Dawn should have known Stephanie would choose him.
The other brunette had never liked Lita's 'best friend', especially given the recent events. As Stephanie placed a glass of sparkling mineral water before the listless redhead, Dawn couldn't help but fear the worst. Stephanie wasn't a bad person; she was Lita's friend, and Stephanie adored Lita in her own way. However when the brunette got something into her head she didn't let it go until she was good and ready. Dawn feared this 'demonstration' was just another example of that, and because she knew Stephanie, and Dawn unlike the typical blonde Torrie could fully comprehended exactly what the youngest McMahon child was capable of.
Especially when it came to Jeff Hardy.
Seated in a small out of the way café Stephanie didn't even waste a moment on small talk, instead choosing to enter right into the conversation that she had started the night before. But Dawn wasn't surprised, and she could tell that Lita had already picked up on that and the overwhelming nervousness in their blonde friend. Even half asleep Lita could still read her friends easier than they liked.
"So, Lita, continuing our discussion from last night I was wondering when you're going to commence the demonstration."
Bleary eyes looked up from her glass of water, and she struggled to focus on Stephanie, "What?"
"Beg your pardon. Not 'what'." Stephanie corrected, then with her usual utilitarian flair she redirected the conversation back to the original topic, "Last night you decided to give us an example."
Tension filled the air, and Lita felt like she was the only one who didn't understand why. Backtracking, she tried to remember what had happened the night before. Something was pressing at the back of her aching mind, but she couldn't remember what. All she did remember was going out and having a truly horrid time. Her head now throbbed in alcohol induced pain but that was nothing compared to the events of the past night. But despite all that, Lita still had the feeling that they weren't talking about the spectacularly awful happenings that had occurred in the club.
Darting her large hazel eyes from Torrie's guilty face to Dawn's angry one, Lita worriedly pushed back her drink before tentatively asking, "What sort of example?"
Shifting in their seats, Dawn and Torrie looked wildly uncomfortable. Torrie was pulling on her neat hair, ruining the curls that Lita knew the blonde probably spent her entire morning fixing perfectly. Dawn was no better as she glared at Stephanie darkly. Finally, Dawn broke her glare, and hesitantly meet Lita's gaze.
"To show us how to lose a guy." Dawn mumbled.
Shocked eyes.
"What? Is this some kind of warped bet?" Lita snapped, her temper flaring, "Because I don't think I agree to any bet last night-"
"It's not a bet per say," Stephanie interrupted, "It's just . . . a challenging demonstration. This of it as educational. Not only will it give you best friends a chance to learn from your actions, but it'll stop you from wallowing."
But Lita didn't seem to have heard any of Stephanie's euphemisms. The redhead's careful mind had instantly zeroed in on the brunettes choice of words. Best friends. Best friend. Lita's face paled, and her hands shook for an instant before she grabbed hold of her now flat glass of mineral water and took a large gulp.
She just knew it.
With that look of Stephanie's face, Lita just knew.
How could she not?
Stephanie always got that look on her face when it came to him.
"It's Jeff isn't."
It wasn't a question.
"You chose Jeff didn't you Stephie?"
Lita was getting angry now. Her eyes were flashing and her voice uncharacteristically cold. She was angry, and Stephanie should have known better. Stephanie seemed to almost look guilty for a moment, but then it was gone, replaced by a polished look Lita was certain the brunette had used many times before in order to get what she wanted.
"How is Jeff Hardy doing?" Stephanie asked with a hint of charm, "I've been hearing rumou-"
Lita rolled her eyes, "You of all people know not to put any weight into rumours. Besides, you're trying to distract me."
Stephanie could concede that, and she did, setting down her glass and fixing her eyes firmly onto Lita. Linking her fingers together, she looked exactly like a business woman about to make a deal. In a way that could be true. Stephanie always liked a good deal, and she was certain this one would more than exceed her expectations especially with Jeff Hardy in the starring role.
"Look, I've been hearing that Jeffy isn't doing so well. With his second suspension without pay I know you've been lending him money to keep afloat."
Lita bristled in anger as Stephanie referred to Jeff using Lita's pet name, quickly responded, "Jeff paid me back. Everyone gets into a tough stop now and then, even you."
Stephanie was silenced by that. Torrie and Dawn glanced at each other confused about the sudden shift in the conversation. Billion dollar princess Stephanie ever needing Lita financial help? Impossible. Stealing a look at the two women in question, Torrie and Dawn were simply mystified by the situation. Lita was looking directly at Stephanie, not even flinching. Meanwhile Stephanie was blushing a little; her cheeks tinged red in embarrassment. But then the moment was over, and any insight that could have been gained was lost.
Intimidating once more, Stephanie smiled a flippant smile, "Well as much as I'm sure Jeff loves calling you each time another check bounces, I have an offer which could change all of that. . . Unless you like having Jeff begging for your money every time he gets the monthly bills."
Low blow.
Her family was famous for them.
Now Lita was the one blushing in embarrassment.
"When Jeff left my father's employment the percentage of the profits from his merchandise and the like which would have normally gone to him if he still worked for the WWE, was discontinued. If you agree to give your dear friends a demonstration of how to drive a guy away, I'll reinstate all of the profits and I'll make sure he's paid retroactively. Think about that Li. That's quite a lot of money; money he could sorely use. All you have to do is agree to the demonstration."
"Bet you mean." Lita challenged.
Stephanie shrugged, "Bet's a rather crude word."
"But fitting." Dawn snapped.
Stephanie laughed, "Come on Dawn, don't be so precious about the Hardy boy. He won't get hurt, and at the end of it, I'll go take all the blame so he and Lita can be best buddies again."
Dawn narrowed her eyes at her friends claim, not in the slightest convinced that Stephanie didn't want to hurt Jeff. What was this bet if not a chance to destabilize the only stable relationship that Lita had ever had? Jeff was her best friend, but even then as Dawn was watching Lita, it was obvious that the redheads resolve was weakening. Lita had been worrying about him over the past few months. She'd been fretting quite a lot actually. For there was quite a bit of truth in the rumors. He really wasn't doing that well.
"Don't do this Lita, don't even think about agreeing to this." Dawn ordered sharply, "It's not worth it."
Lita looked down into her hands.
"Li, please don't," Torrie whispered quietly.
But Lita couldn't help considering it. She knew how hard it was for Jeff. He hated having to put people in the position to look after him. His whole life he'd been the younger brother, the baby that needed extra care and concern. Each time he'd called her asking for a lend of some money Lita had known it was racking him with guilt. Even though to her it was just money, she understood that for Jeff it was more than that. It was about him not being independent. It was about him once again being forced to depend on others to look after him.
Finally Lita spoke, this time in a small voice, "I'm not going do anything horrid. I'll push him away, but I won't hurt him while doing it. Clear?"
" Crystal." Stephanie crooned joyously.
"Lita! Don't you dare go through with this!" Dawn cried out aghast, "It's not worth it."
But it was.
Jeff had been so good to her.
The least she could do was try to take care of him.
Dawn pulled on Lita's arm, trying to gain her attention, but yet again, Stephanie had another ace up her sleeve. She was smiling widely, and had already summoned a waiter to pay the check. Meanwhile, even Torrie spoke forcefully, attempting to convince her friend to undo the agreement. But to no avail.
"Hey, there's Jeff now." Stephanie announced, her cornflower eyes immediately spotting him, "I guess he's here to pick you up for the duck feeding session you two planned. He's even holding a loaf of bread, isn't that cute. Now you have fun Lita, we'll talk later."
Turning, Lita spotted Jeff. He waved at her, and after a beat she waved back. Torrie was quiet now, her pretty face pensive as she watched Jeff. Dawn too had quieted, but instead of sticking around, she swore at Stephanie and stormed out of the café only pausing to say a quick greeting to Jeff. Oblivious to what he had walked into, Jeff grinned widely and practically jumped from foot to foot in excitement. He hadn't spent much time with Lita in the last few months and even Stephanie could see that he was more than happy to be with her now.
"Hey what's with those long faces?" Jeff questioned as he bounded up to the table, "You listening to McMahon talk about her sex life with Trips again, cause that's enough to make even a grown man cry."
Stephanie eyed Jeff off icily, "When did you become a man?"
With a cocky wink, Jeff stated, "I've always been a man Princess,"
"Yeah, you've been a real 'man' ever since Trish popped your cherry," Stephanie sneered sarcastically, "But even now that you're wearing big boys pants your claim to manhood is tenuous at best."
"I would say the same thing about your womanhood, but as J.R says, you can speak seven languages but can't say no in any of them,"
Stephanie blatantly eyed him up, not in the least amused like Dawn would have been had she stuck around, "Big words for such as . . . wait, how did Trish put it? . . . such a very 'little man'."
Stephanie blinked innocently. Jeff gave her the finger, halting any further retort mainly because of Lita's presence. She didn't like it when they fought nor did she like it when Trish was brought up into the conversation or in Jeff and Stephanie's case, their bickering. Nudging the redhead over, Jeff pulled her onto his lap, and with a forgiving smile she let him. Kissing her temple, he then took her half eaten breakfast and started eating at a maddening pace. Stephanie glared triumphantly at him for a moment pleased with his apparent retreat from the line of fire.
"So Bella Lita," he crooned gleefully, "Are you ready for some quality Jeff time?"
Stephanie snorted into her napkin at that stunning declaration. Lita suddenly seemed unsure, and even Jeff seemed to pick up the tension between the three friends. Though nothing was said aloud, Jeff was sure as Torrie fiddled with her glittery purse, and while Stephanie determinedly met Lita's eyes, that each of the three were communicating something big without words. Patting Lita's shoulder, he helped her up, stealing looks at the other two women while he did so.
Awkward silence.
It lingered, and Jeff itched to move.
Surprisingly it was Torrie who disrupted the silence, "You better go Li. You don't want to keep Jeff waiting for you."
No, Lita didn't want that.
Didn't want that at all . . .
She couldn't seem to breathe.
It was like her heart had stopped beating and she was . . .
She was suffocating.
Lita couldn't believe she had agreed to this. Damn Stephanie for manipulating her into accepting the bet. Lita knew Jeff needed what Stephanie was offering, but still, it felt wrong and Lita didn't know what to do. Another necessary evil perhaps. Lita didn't know. All she did know was it was too late to back out. The deal had been made, and Stephanie always kept her word. She also consistently made certain that the other party kept their word too. But she couldn't meet Jeff's eyes. Sitting in the park next to Jeff with a loaf of stale bread in her hands she tried to concentrate on feeding the ducks swimming about in front of them but she couldn't.
She felt so awkward, and she hardly ever felt awkward around Jeff.
But she was. She couldn't help it. She had never felt more uncomfortable or more embarrassed in her life. Twitching a little, she bit her lip, forcing herself to act natural. It didn't work. By her side Jeff kept shooting her concerned looks, and he nudged her hip wordlessly asking what was wrong. She blushed.
Sighing, Jeff finally caught her gaze, "You shouldn't be embarrassed."
"What?" she squeaked.
She didn't think the bet was that obvious.
Patting her hand, he took the loaf of bread from her, and broke off a chunk for the gaggle of geese that had appeared, "I've seen you drunk before. Remember last New Years Eve? You threw up all over my front lawn and my new shoes."
She scowled at the memory he had brought up, and blushed a darker red.
His eyes widened when he realized what he had done, "Sorry, I shouldn't have reminded you of that again."
"It's not that," she mumbled, shifting to draw her coat around her even tighter.
Understanding filtered through his eyes, "Matt knows we're best mates. Just because you and him aren't together anymore doesn't mean anything has changed between us. I've told you that before, and I mean it Li. You're my best friend, nothing could alter that."
Her heart almost broke at his earnest expression, and she almost let go of the breath she had been holding; it wasn't about the bet. He hadn't caught on. God, the bet had only existed for a couple of hours and already she was going insane. As if he could have known? She only found out about it earlier that morning.
He was looking at her expectantly.
She then felt horrid. A stab of guilt attacked her when she realized the first thing she'd thought of was the bet and not him. Here he was, loyal Jeff, reassuring her of his friendship, and all she could think about was the bet. She didn't deserve him. She never had. He was far too good for her, and the recent months after her train wreck break up with both Matt and Edge had proven that. Jeff had never once let her down, and never once backed away from their friendship even with the conflict and pain she had caused him because of her actions.
"I don't know what I did to deserve you," she found herself whispering.
His face was etched with concern, "Did something happen Li? Is there anything wrong?"
She looked down at the hand he now was holding. His long fingers, with paint still under his nails comforted her, but she couldn't forgive herself for getting herself into this position. She couldn't ever forgive herself for compromising Jeff because of some stupid bet Stephanie had somehow sweet talked her into participating in. No, the more accurate term, was blackmail. She was blackmailed into this position, caught between a rock and a hard place with no way of getting out. Stephanie knew exactly what she was doing back there in the café, and she had used the means to get what she wanted.
And it was Jeff.
Jeff.
Her best friend.
Huge, glittering green eyes watched her with concern that made her shiver. He was so good to her. Too good for her, and now because of a stupid bet she was going to have to drag him through the dirt. He was her best friend; he had been for so many years. She looked away, and she felt his grip on her hand tighten.
"It's just something Steph said-"
"I don't see why you put up with her," Jeff interrupted with a frown on his face, "No one else does, and especially when she's such a bitch to you."
"Don't swear,"
Ignoring her reprimand, Jeff continued, "She always upsets you."
"She's my friend," Lita told him sharply.
And Stephanie was Lita's friend.
They were friends, and she knew as soon as she spoke, Jeff heard her silent warning. He backed off . . . for now at least. He'd never particularly forgiven Stephanie. Lita didn't know the details, but years ago, before she came into the picture they had run in the same circles, then they didn't, and the effects of the fall out were still felt to that very day.
He nudged her shoulders meekly.
"Cheer up Charlie, give me a smile," he told her.
She groaned, feigning annoyance.
"What happened to the smile I used to know? Don't you know your grin has always been my sunshine," He continued to croon, now grinning widely as she blushed and ducked her head into his shoulder.
It was impossible to stay angry with Jeff, especially when he began to serenade her with songs from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Struggling not to laugh, she bit her lip, but even then Jeff felt the small smile pressed against his neck. He laughed loudly, and threw an arm around her shoulders joyfully. Slapping him in the ribs, she wrenched herself away, but he only giggled uncontrollably at her attempt to silence him.
"Better now?" he questioned with a beamingly happy look on his face, once he had finally quieted down.
"Don't be a prat." She tried to stubbornly tell him, but he didn't believe her for a second.
His kissed her cheek again, and hugged her tight.
Then with a mischievous smile, he grabbed a large chunk of bread and slammed it into the pond, splashing her with water. Shrieking, she pulled away from him and raced away. Chasing after her, Jeff easily caught up, picking her up and spinning her around until she was dizzy.
"Better now?" he asked again, this time quietly.
"Much," she told him.
But for some reason he didn't quite believe her.
