Forgive My Hesitation

Rating: M for language, violence

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing you recognize.. That should cover it properly.

Spoilers: From RAW, January 2nd.. A few on back and up to RAW, January 16th.

Eventual Pairings: Lita/John Cena, Stacy/Chris Masters, Lillian/Batista, Victoria/Tyson Tomko, Trish/Jeff, Candice?

Summary: When Lita takes a stand, she finds help from friends and from people that she never would have expected.

Notes: First.. Thank you all for the feedback. I have a good idea of where this story will be going. I will be using a few scenarios from RAW, but just altering them a lot for my plot.. Or adding in new stuff. So.. That said, Lita's brother won't be revealed until the end of the next chapter. Sorry to make ya wait, but…I can be evil like that. And, where it concerns last minute additions (like the stuff that happens in this chapter) consider it to be a nice legit injury. I had wanted to keep this a mix of scripted and non scripted, but I think I'm going scripted, yes I know I mentioned the storyline and whatever.. But it was just a mention.. if you have any questions…ask. And remember, I'm placing the Ric Flair arrest parody at the end of the show, after the First Blood match

-x-x-x-

By the time the first blood match had reached it's mid-way point, Lita had an idea of what she was going to do… of course that idea depended on how far Edge actually got where it concerned the conchairto and neck snapping thing.. But, if she was successful, he wouldn't get very far. Or her plan could backfire and Ric would end up getting hurt anyway…possibly herself. Shaking out her arms, Lita knew it was a chance she had to take.. Even if she ended up facing Edge's wrath alone.. She had to get Ric out of there unharmed. It was one thing to make the stupid video, another thing to parody a situation like the arrest.. But, to Lita, it was going too far when Edge was out for blood…or trying to end Ric's career. Idly, the redhead wondered if Vince had any sort of clue about what Edge was planning.. Not that it would do any good at this point, since the Cutting Edge segment was scheduled after the next set of commercial breaks ended. The Diva couldn't help but cringe as she glanced to the small monitor in the locker room… questioning why a match like this was happening with Revolution six days away. But then, it was Vince McMahon.. And things that happened around the WWE didn't always make sense. Not that many things in life really made sense either but… the redhead nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a knock at the door.. A frown coming quickly to her face. Since it wasn't that stupid little code that Masters used, she knew it couldn't be him, Trish and Victoria were more than likely talking about Revolution…which meant that the person at the door could only be Edge.

Lita opened the door a fraction, "The commercial breaks aren't even running yet."

Edge rolled his eyes. "I know that…we're setting up in the ring during the commercial breaks. Don't you remember? Or are you just that stupid." He shoved a shirt through the tiny crack. "Put this on."

Lita made a face as she took the tank-top, cursing at him in Spanish because she knew he didn't understand a word of it.

"I'd like to be out there sometime this week."

"Bastard," she swore under her breath, quickly tossing her discarded t-shirt on a chair. "I still don't see why I couldn't have worn my own damn clothes."

"Were you or were you not listening earlier?" Edge shook his head, slipping on his shades as she entered the hallway. "I told you that you were going to wear that shirt."

Lita rolled her eyes, "If you actually said something that was worth listening to, then maybe I would've paid more attention."

"Shut up." He frowned at her attire, "and take off that stupid sweat shirt. The point of you wearing--"

"I got it," she replied tightly, the zip up sweat shirt removed in a moment. "Is there anything else wrong that you'd like to point out? Knowing you, there probably is.. I mean, you've been able to point out something wrong with my hair, my make up and my clothes for the past three months."

Edge raised a hand, as if to strike her…dropping it quickly when one of the stagehands appeared.

"Tape's queued up in the truck, a carpet has been laid down to cover the blood in the ring and two of those talk show host chairs are in the ring right now."

The tall blonde man dropped an arm over Lita's shoulders, tugging the redhead close to him ."Good.. Let's go, babe."

Lita's face contorted in absolute disgust, her arm wrapping gingerly around his waist. As they walked through the backstage area, she could barely see Chris Masters… the young wrestler talking with Carlito near a stack of cardboard boxes.

"Why the hell are you looking at him for?"

Lita's lips pressed together in a thin line, the redhead nodding imperceptibly at the at the look Chris was sending her.

"Maybe she sees something she likes," Chris suggested, a smug smirk on his face. "I mean, can you do this?" He flexed his pectoral muscles, ignoring the strange look he was receiving from Carlito.

The redhead bit her lip to contain her laughter, hoping that Chris wouldn't interfere with her interference…

"Whatever, loser, you're just another steroid junkie who won't get anywhere." The arm draped across Lita's shoulders tightened. "Besides, she's mine and she knows it…she's not going anywhere unless I say so."

"Just forget about him, baby.." Lita cooed to the blonde man, knowing those false sentiments would satisfy his ego. "We have another loser to humiliate." She sent one last look over to Chris, forcing a smile on her face as she and Edge made their way to the curtains.

Chris frowned deeply when they had left, speaking to himself. "I hope you know what you're doing out there.."

"What was that?"

Chris shook his head, "It was nothing man.. Lets just head back to the locker room.. every time I see that skank, I need a shower."

Carlito shrugged, "I think she would look better if she had apple all over her face." A smirk crossed his face, "what do you think, hmm? Carlito could spit on her…and that…would be cool."

Chris forced a smile on his face, the two then exiting the hallway to head back to their locker room.

"Chris?" Victoria intercepted the two as they turned the corner, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

The young wrestler nodded, glancing first to Carlito. "I'll meet you back in the locker room.." his attention shifted back to the raven haired Diva. "What's up?"

Victoria motioned to a nearby monitor. "What's coming up next.. I know that dickhead has a special surprise for Ric but--"

"But?" Chris raised an eyebrow, not sure if Lita had said anything to her. "What of it?"

The Diva paused, waiting until Lita and Edge were visible on the monitor. "I'm worried … I know how close Ric and Li are and…I just have this sinking feeling that something bad is going to happen. Especially when she has that look in her eyes."

Chris nodded shortly, "I can stick around here…that way if something does happen, I can get down there."

Victoria nodded, her arms crossing over her middle. "Then I'm staying too."

-x-x-x-

Matching her stance, the two stood in the hallway, their eyes glued to the monitor as Edge and Lita entered the ring. It was apparent to them both that Lita was planning something.. But they didn't know what she was planning. Granted, Chris knew what Edge was intending on doing…and he also knew that Lita was determined to stop him. Frowning slightly, Chris wished he had been able to talk her out of it…but that probably would've gone nowhere.. Given how stubborn that redheaded Diva could be. He did know that if something happened to her.. There would be hell to pay. Lita's brother had expressed his hatred for the storyline…and the tall Canadian on more than a few occasions.. Promising that one day, Edge would get what was coming to him…and when least expected it. But that wouldn't do them a bit of good right now, since her brother wasn't in the building. Just before RAW went back on air, the two at the monitor were joined by Shawn Michaels, Candice and Torrie. The San Antonio native shaking his head in disgust at the pair in the ring. Of course, it was mostly directed at what Edge was now spewing…and at the blonde man himself. Shawn left the area when the 'home video' footage started playing; Ric Flair passing by shortly after. When the footage had ended, Edge picked up the microphone once more, insulting Ric repeatedly.. Until the Nature Boy's music hit the sound system. No sooner had Ric entered the ring, did he and Edge start trading blows; the taller man's height and age advantage soon working in his favor.

"Get me a chair," he barked out to Lita, kicking Ric in the ribs to make sure he would stay down. "Now, damn it."

Quickly, so she wouldn't incite his anger further, Lita slid underneath the bottom rope, grabbing the nearest steel chair; frowning slightly when Edge yelled for another. The first chair was slid in, the redhead taking her time to get the second.

"It's time to finish you off, old man.." Edge brought the first chair over his head, bringing it down harshly over Ric's back. "And I don't need a sledgehammer to do the job."

Ric's prone body was struck twice more with the chair before Edge positioned it underneath the Nature Boy's head.

"Give me the other chair."

Clutching the chair with one hand, Lita stepped in between the ropes…hesitating before she handed it over.

"Let go, damn it."

Her chin lifting, the redhead squared her shoulders. "No."

Edge snarled, his eyes narrowing sharply at her. "I said, let go of the chair. It's time to finish him off."

"No," she repeated again, this time a little more forcefully. "I'll be damned if you destroy him."

"You're already damned, stupid bitch.."

Lita's jaw tightened, the redhead growing more determined with each passing second. "You've done enough, asshole.. Leave Ric, alone."

Edge growled, "Not until I finish the job.. .let go of the damn chair or you'll be taking his place."

Full well knowing that he was stronger than her, Lita made up her mind in a split second…letting go of the chair.

"What in the hell is she doing?" Chris hissed at the monitor as Lita covered Ric's body with her own. "Does she honestly think that will stop him?"

Edge brought the chair up, preparing to strike when Lita somehow managed to move Ric's body; her hands grasping the steel chair on the mat. Acting as quickly as she possibly could, she brought the chair up, swinging wildly in hopes that it would hit the tall blonde.

"You good for nothing, whore.." forgoing his original plan to take out Ric; Edge turned his attention to the redhead, whom was now kneeling in front of the still prone Nature Boy.

Chris barely had the time to get the curse words out of his mouth, stupefied as Edge kicked the chair on the mat, out of the way… his intentions soon clear as the chair in his hands connected harshly with Lita's forehead. The chair was brought up again, crashing down over her back; Victoria screaming at Chris to do something. Torrie and Candice watched first in horror as the action in the ring was repeated; Victoria and Chris soon disappearing from sight.

"Son of a bitch," Chris swore under his breath, the young wrestler just hitting the ring as Edge was positioning Lita's neck inside the steel chair.

Victoria sank to her knees as Edge exited the ring, cringing at the blood that was trickling down Lita's face. "Li.." Her hands shaking, Victoria swallowed down her worry, forcing herself to concentrate as she removed the chair. "Where are the damn trainers?"

"Is she.." Chris kneeled down, his eyes roaming over the carnage that Edge had left behind. "Is she breathing?"

"Barely," Victoria whispered, one hand reaching out to grasp Lita's nearest hand. "Why would he.."

"Because he's a heartless, son of a bitch." Chris couldn't stop himself from wincing at the blood on her face. "We need to get her to the hospital, now… why are the trainers--"

"They're coming now," Lillian spoke up softly from behind the two, the petite blonde pointing to the ramp. "Come on… let's get out of the ring or at least give them some space so they can get Ric and Li out of here."

Numbly, Victoria inched back, her hand reluctantly leaving Lita's. "We should've been down here sooner.."

"We got here as soon as we could.." Chris reminded her quietly, trying to convince himself and the shaken Diva. "If we had waited any longer…damn it, her brother is going to kill me."

Victoria glanced over to him, an eyebrow raising slightly. "Wrong… her brother is going to kill Edge. And I can't wait for it."

Chris nodded absently, the two watching on as Ric and Lita were being attended to. "Does that mean you'll call him? I mean, I'm sure he's watching…and if he isn't, he'll find out but--"

"I can call.." Victoria wrapped her arms around her body as she rose to her feet. "He won't be very happy.. But I can't say I'm exactly elated about this either."

Chris smiled darkly, the two finally exiting the ring as the stretchers carted Ric and Lita away. "That bastard will get what's coming to him… both from her brother and from me."

Victoria smirked, "Put me down on the list too…and Benoit, Orton, Trish.. Edge has quite a few enemies out there."

"Oh my God.." Trish met the two as they entered the backstage area. "Is she--"

"We don't know yet, Trish.." Victoria frowned slightly, "all I do know, is that I'm heading over to the hospital… I'm calling her brother so.."

Trish nodded shortly, "Mickie packed up your stuff.. Figured you'd want to head out of here quick.. Candice is already warming up her car, so we can leave with them." Her hazel gaze shifted to Chris. "Do you need a ride over there?"

"Yeah.. I'll meet you in the parking lot, I have to grab my--"

"You can come with me, kid.." Shawn Michaels appeared before them, two gym bags in hand. "Carlito gave me some hell about taking your stuff, but.. I figured you'd want it."

Chris nodded shortly, not bothering to question why Shawn would want to be there…the young wrestler figuring he was going to check on Ric. Whatever the case, the group in the hallway was soon leaving the arena; Victoria and Trish splitting from the guys when they hit the parking lot. They had stopped once to ask for directions to the hospital… or to at least find out which direction the ambulances had gone in. Once they had that information in hand, Shawn agreed to follow behind the Diva's; Candice cursing at the amount of traffic from their departing co-workers and the live crowd. On the way to the hospital, Victoria called Lita's brother… and not to the entire surprise of Trish and Victoria.. He was none to happy about what had happened. But, since he had to be at the Smackdown taping the next night, he wouldn't be able to get to the hospital until later…Victoria promising that someone would call him in the morning to update him on Lita's condition.