Kristen and I are back! This story is a little bit darker than the usual fluff we generate, but hey, we can't stay soft forever. We've had this planned for a while now, so it should go along smoothly. We disclaim and I hope everyone likes it. Enjoy!
She stood in front of a mirror, make up in hand, trying her best to cover the bruise that had formed since last night. From behind her, the door opened and the footsteps of another diva filled the room.
"Lilian?" She turned around to see Trish walking over to her. The smile on her face quickly faded away when she saw the ring of purple and blue on Lilian's cheek. "Did Kurt do this to you?"
"Of course not Trish, I simply ran into a door, that's all."
"That's the fourth time this month you've ran into a door. What is going on?"
The ring announcer bit her lower lip and looked down, her fingers playing with the case of concealer. "Nothing, okay? I'm fine, I'm just clumsy."
Trish shook her head, not buying a word of it. "Why won't you tell me what's going on? I hate seeing you like this."
Satisfied with her make up job, she sat the stuff down and turned to look at her friend. "I'm not going to drag you into this. I'm a big girl, I can handle it." Even she didn't believe her own words. Tears started to fill her eyes and she walked into Trish's outstretched arms. Trish enclosed her with a hug and tried to comfort her as best she could. Lilian finally pulled back and sat down on a chair. "He got mad at me last night, he was drunk."
Lilian laid in bed, scared out of her mind to even think about closing her eyes. She was just waiting to hear the hotel door slam open and then shut, trapping her inside with him. She stayed awake, thinking of all the different ways she could leave him. By the time sleep finally overcame her tired body, the sound she'd been dreading all night banged through the room like a gunshot. She jumped out of the bed to find him staring at her with a sick grin on his face.
"Oh now Lilian, I know you weren't trying to go to sleep without me, were you?" He said his words in a slur.
"No, I was just waiting for you, I promise."
He raised his hand and she prepared herself for the blow that sent her back down on the bed. She was trying not to cry, he hated it when she cried. Her face stung and she knew she'd have a huge bruise to cover up tomorrow.
Trish Stratus watched the screen in front of her intently though her focus was on the woman sitting ring side, rather than the men in the ring. She noticed how she'd wince each time she stepped through the ropes and that distinct look of fear in her eyes. Would others notice it? Probably not. Lilian was good at hiding it, too good if you asked Trish.
"Trish you okay over there?"
Not lifting her head, she spoke softly. "He hit her last night."
Maria tilted her head, looking at the blonde wrestler in confusion. "Who hit...I'm lost."
"Kurt...hit…Lilian." She replied through clenched teeth that. "That stupid son of a bit-"
"Whoa, back up. How do you know this?"
"I caught her covering up the bruise." She sighed and turned the television set off. "I'm her best friend, I should have noticed it!"
"We all should have, but you know how Lil is. She's a strong independent woman who-"
"Who lets her boyfriend knock her around apparently!" Trish threw her hands up in frustration. "Why is she letting him do this?"
Maria sighed and bit her lip. "Because she loves him."
"Love? You think there is any ounce of love in that relationship? Maria, I know you're a dumbass on TV, but please, can we keep this at a mature level here?" Trish looked down and shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said in a soft voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. That was out of line."
"It's fine." Maria bit her manicured nail, thinking. "So that's what the other bruises and cuts have been from also?" Trish nodded. "She didn't fall or slip with a knife like she said?"
"Nope," she said, gritting her teeth. "And why she would lie for that no good bastard, I'll never know. If there wouldn't be repercussions, I would go and kick his sorry ass right now." Trish was fuming. She'd gone from upset, mad, angry and now she was borderline irate.
"Could she stay with one of us tonight?" Maria asked.
Closing her eyes, Trish sighed and shook her head. "There's no way. I'd be willing to bet my life that as soon as she walks through that curtain, he'll be waiting."
"Can't we call the police?"
"We could, but if Lilian sticks to her lies we'll look like fools."
"Can we at least tell one of the guys? They'd be of more help than just us. I mean what about Shawn, they're still close right?"
Trish sighed, nodding her head. "Not as clue as they could be thanks to Kurt. You know, it's times like this that things start to make sense. Like why she can never come out with us to the club, let alone come if the guys were going to be there."
"I don't understand, Lilian is the perfect girlfriend to him. She's always there, would never think of cheating on him, hell she's so damn supportive it's almost sickening."
"Maria, honestly if Lil won't let us help her, I don't know if we can do anything."
"Don't say that, she's given up already, we can't do that too. Come on, let's go find Shawn."
Nodding her head, the blonde Diva climbed to her feet and followed Maria out of the locker room and down the hall. They found Shawn talking to Paul and a few of the other guys.
"Shawn, can we talk to you real quick? It's real important." She started to add 'it's about Lilian' but knew that would get the attention of the other guys, something Trish knew they didn't need.
Shawn looked away from his conversation. "Yeah, I'll be right there." He smiled kindly and took a moment to part ways with his friends before joining Maria and Trish in a secluded area. "What's going on?"
"It's about Lilian," Maria said.
"Is she hurt?" Shawn asked, growing concerned.
Trish thought of a way to word things. "Yes, actually, she is hurt. And we're getting tired of seeing her like this."
Shawn shook his head, signaling he didn't understand where she was coming from.
"Kurt hit her last night," the brunette said softly. "Apparently, he's made a habit out of it."
"She finally just broke down," Trish said. "I saw her covering up her new bruise and she spilled everything. All those times she said she'd fell, or ran into a door, it was Kurt."
As the two girls continued to talk, Shawn began to grow angrier and angrier, to the point where he wasn't even listening anymore. "He hit her?" he growled through clenched teeth. "That slimy, good for nothing, sorry son of a…"
"We know," they both agreed.
"I've tried talking to her, but she won't listen to me. You guys have this bond, would you be able to try?"
"Trish, you know I'd do anything for Lilian. But how are we going to get her away from Kurt so I can talk to her?"
"After the show, wait in the Divas' locker room." Maria paused and bit her lip. "That still leaves Kurt though."
"I'll distract him, I don't know how but I'll figure something out."
"What if he hurts you too?"
"I'll make sure we're around people, honestly Ria' our main concern is Lil's safety, nothing else."
Shawn looked between the two Divas, his voice soft. "I'll do it, I'll see you a little bit later."
"Thanks, and Shawn?" Trish called out as he started walking away.
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell anyone else, not yet."
"My lips are sealed darlin'."
"Okay here she comes!" Trish called from down the hall. Maria poked her head in the locker room, giving the signal to Shawn.
Lilian walked through the curtain with her head down. Her mind was conjuring up ways that Kurt would try and inflict pain on her for that night. She almost screamed when Trish took her arm and led her down to where Maria was waiting. Maria pushed her into the locker room, just as Kurt rounded the corner.
Putting on her best smile, Trish went up to him. "Hey Kurt, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Actually Trish, Lilian and I really need to get going," the Olympic Gold Medalist said with a smile. "We have big plans tonight."
"I'm sure you do, but this is really important," she pressed.
Meanwhile, Shawn had Lilian wrapped up in his arms. She was fighting back the tears threatening to fall and tried to enjoy the moment. When he finally pulled away, she felt a loss inside her.
"Lil, what is going on?" Using his thumb, he wiped away a tear. "Is he really doing that to you?"
She swallowed and nodded. "I didn't mean for you to find out. I don't want to drag you, or anybody else, into this. It's my problem, I can deal with it."
"I have no doubt in my mind that you can handle this, but you shouldn't have to." Shawn sighed, reaching his hand out, he ran his fingers lightly over her cheek. "This isn't like you Lily, you never lied to the ones that you loved you before."
"People change Shawn, you have to at certain points in life. But I'm fine, honest. I should get going, he hates to be kept waiting." She sighed, pulling herself away from him.
"No, I'm not letting you go." He reached out, lightly grasping her hand, he pulled her back against his chest, his hand moving soothingly along her back. "You're not the same anymore, what happened to that smile that could light up a room?"
"Please don't do this Shawn. Don't worry about what happens to me, I don't deserve it."
Shawn's concern was replaced with anger as he looked down at her. "Is that what he told you?" When he got no reply, he pressed on. "I know you love him, but this isn't right. The way he treats you, the way he talks to you, you deserve so much better."
"What if I don't, what if this is the best I can get?"
"Are you saying I'm not better than he is?" he asked softly.
Lilian stood up. "I miss you Shawn, I do. I know our reasons for ending what we had was because we are better as friends, but that doesn't mean I don't miss you. But I'm with Kurt now, and he loves me."
Shawn scoffed. "I loved you Lilian, I still love you."
She sighed, picking up her bags. "I know, I love you too Shawn."
He stood up and gave her another hug. "We're going to help you, okay? We'll get you out of this mess."
"Don't," she said, stiffening in his arms. "Don't get involved in this."
"It's too late."
She pulled away and headed for the door. "I need to go, I'm sure he's waiting for me. I'll see you later, Shawn." She looked at him one last time and then left.
Just as she stepped out of the locker room, Kurt appeared in front of her. Without a word, he took her hand and nearly dragged her out of the building and to the car. "What the hell was that all about?"
She stiffened, wishing they weren't alone already. "What was what about?"
"Look, I know you're blonde but you're not that stupid. Trish talking to me, you know I don't like the girl, she annoys me."
"She happens to be my best friend," she murmured softly.
He glared at her, starting the car and backing out of the lot. "And I'm your boyfriend, who matters more?"
"You do." She sighed quietly and leaned her head back, feeling the tears already starting to gather.
"Don't cry, I told you it makes you look weak."
She chewed on her lip, stopping herself from saying anything. Instead, she took a deep, shaky breath and willed the tears away. Silently praying he wouldn't hit her tonight.
Once they arrived at the hotel, Lilian grabbed her bag and headed to the bathroom, intending on getting ready for bed.
"What are you doing? We're going out tonight."
"Kurt, I just want to sleep, please." Her eyes locked with his, pleading green eyes met angry blue ones. She winced, sucking in her breath as his hands grabbed her roughly by the arms.
"Do I look like I care? You're my girlfriend, you do what I tell you."
"Okay, okay," she whimpered. "Can I just change, please?"
"Yeah, I don't need you looking like a slut in front of the entire world."
She grabbed her bag and started to walk into the bathroom. He grabbed her by the wrist, swinging her back to him. He crushed his lips down onto hers, making her cry out a little, allowing his tongue to sweep inside her mouth. Lilian stiffened until he shoved her away, and then hurried into the bathroom. She turned the faucet on to muffle the sounds of her sobs.
