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 possibly up to RAW, January 16th… just not like you might expect.

Eventual Pairings: Lita/John Cena, Stacy/Chris Masters, Lillian/Batista, Victoria/Tyson Tomko, Trish/Jeff, Candice/Not telling, Maria/Not Telling

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

Notes: nothing new to add yet

-x-x-x-

Just as they had planned, Lita ended up spending one night with Victoria.. Tyson coming along for the stay for some added security. Since they didn't know if Edge knew where the raven haired Diva lived…they figured it was better to be on the safe side of things. And while Victoria was hoping for a peaceful day, things weren't entirely peaceful. Certainly, they didn't have to deal with Edge at all, but Victoria's phone seemed to be ringing non stop. That was partly due to Lita leaving her cell phone off.. Dave somehow thinking it was necessary for him to call every two hours. But, even when the caller ID read as Dave Batista, it wasn't always Dave who was calling. Twice, it had been Randy, while Rey, Chris Benoit and Melina had all managed to hijack the object one time each. And the phone calls weren't just limited to the Smackdown superstars.. Both Trish and Lillian had called twice, Rob Van Dam had called once and Chris had called three times already. And while they had mostly talked to Victoria, one caller had managed to speak with the redhead…that one person being Stacy Keibler. Like so many others, she had seen RAW… seen what had happened to her friend.. And like a few others, she had felt helpless and angry and utterly frustrated with the situation. When she had spoken with Lita, the leggy blonde had left out the events from RAW.. Partly because Lita's mind was still fuzzy about it and partly because Stacy wanted to avoid that all together. So, instead, they talked about the blonde woman's stint on Dancing with the Stars, Lita also mentioning that Jeff had stopped by yesterday. And after Stacy had promised that she would visit as soon as possible, the two hung up…only for the phone to start ringing again in Lita's hand. Victoria plucked the object from the redhead's grasp, tucking the phone between her shoulder and ear as she took a seat on the counter.

Clearing her throat a little, the older woman rested one palm flat on the tiled surface. "You've reached Grand Central Station, how can I help you?"

Stephanie shook her head at the wall, "it's me Vicki.. What do you mean am I a good me or a bad me? It's me.. Stephanie McMahon."

"I was just checking," Victoria swung her legs out a little, "what's up?"

The brunette shrugged, "I just wanted to check on Li.. And see how you and Tyson are holding up."

"I'd say we're all doing fine now. Aside from the non stop phone ringing, it's quiet." Victoria craned her neck slightly to peer into the living room, "Li's watching television right now and Ty's been at the gym for the past hour or so."

Stephanie bit her lower lip, "has Li said anything about going to Revolution?"

Victoria shook her head, "no she hasn't but.. Knowing her, she'll probably want to be there. I don't know if it's safe for her to be there, especially since that asshole is taking on Ric."

"I know," the brunette let out a soft sigh, "I wouldn't put it past her to try and interfere… but, I have a feeling that Ric is going to see if he can get her banned from ringside or something."

The raven haired Diva smirked, "you might want to see if you can lock Lita in the locker room.. Because, banned from ringside or not, you know how she is."

Stephanie smiled, smoothing back a few errant tendrils from her face. "I'm not too worried about that.. You see, Dave won't be the only Smackdown guest in attendance at Revolution. Chris Benoit, Randy and Rey will also be there."

Victoria blinked, hopping down from the counter. "Why are they going to be there? Dave, sure, I can understand that, but--"

"Because, we're reviving the RAW vs. Smackdown rivalry." Stephanie leaned back fully against the headboard of the hotel bed. "Just trust me Vicki, it's necessary if Dave wants to get his hands on Edge in a legit match or two…possibly three."

Victoria nodded, "I kinda figured that much, but why stop there? Ya know…you could have the rosters rejoin and then Edge can get his ass kicked over and over instead of just one night."

Stephanie laughed softly, "it's something we have been considering, but mostly for purposes of strengthening the women's division. We're also considering a few inter-gender matches, but nothing really beyond that. If we join the rosters together again, and as I said, it will be for competition purposes in the women's division."

"I understand that, but it is a possibility right? That Edge could get his ass kicked just a little bit more?"

Stephanie shook her head, "I'm surprised you aren't passing around a sign-up sheet."

Victoria arched an eyebrow, "who says we won't? You have to admit, Steph, it would be a great sight…and I doubt it would be a short list. Li might not have a whole lot of friends, but she's never been in it for popularity."

"I know.. Dave is already giving the pep talks to Chris, Rey and Randy… not that they really needed it or anything but, I guess it couldn't hurt." Stephanie let out a quick breath, "and speaking of them… or at least Rey, Dave and Randy.. Once the tapings are done, they're heading your way to get Li."

Victoria waved that bit of information off easily, "oh well that's not a big deal.. I'm not surprised, you know? So long as they aren't staying the night, that's fine with me.. The last time they were here….and this was just Dave and Randy mind you, they cleaned out the cupboards and the fridge."

Stephanie opened her mouth to respond to that, when there was a knock at the door. "I've got to get going.. Dave wants to talk strategy for Revolution."

The raven haired Diva blinked, "strategy? Are you all planning a war or something?"

"Something like that," the brunette replied vaguely, "I'll fill you in later.. Or you can ask Dave when he gets to your place.. Because, if I don't answer the door, he's likely to break it down."

"Okay.." Victoria frowned, wanting to know more about the plans, but… "I'll talk to you later Steph."

She waited until she heard the dial tone echoing in her ear, the phone set back on the cradle.. Victoria sending the object a warning look before she made herself comfortable in the living room.

"Who was that?"

Victoria slid a glance over, "Stephanie…just wanted to see how you're doing and to let us know that Randy, Dave and Rey will be here after the tapings are done."

Lita half nodded at that, "thank you Vicki…for letting me stay here."

Victoria shook her head, giving her friend's knee a very gentle squeeze. "Li.. You're one of my best friends.. It's the least I could do."

The redhead yawned, stretching her arms very gingerly overhead. "I think I'm gonna take a nap.."

-x-x-x-

Victoria watched for a moment as Lita curled up, the redheaded woman barely taking up one couch cushion as she started to doze off. Absently, the older woman wondered if that was really the smartest thing for Lita to do, given the fact that her upper body was in obvious pain. But, she also knew better than to argue with Lita about it.. .and that the redhead was probably exhausted. Taking into consideration that Lita really didn't like hospitals, Victoria doubted that her friend had gotten much sleep during the overnight stay. If she had managed to sleep, it probably hadn't been very good. At any rate, after assuring herself that Lita was okay, Victoria allowed her thoughts to wander.. The older woman wondering just how much Lita had been keeping from them, how long things had been….well, honestly, she didn't know how things were. The redhead had assured her friends that things were fine. But, if Monday night was any indication, things hadn't been kosher. And surely, Victoria knew that Lita was tough…that she preferred to handle things her way. But, her way wasn't always the right way.. Her current state of being, clear proof of that. And by her presumptions, the wounds that Lita bore, went beyond physical.. The redhead curled up on the couch, this wasn't the Lita that she knew.. This woman was so close to being broken and she looked lost. Oddly enough, that bothered Victoria more than the physical attack from Monday. Lita's physical wounds would heal, but the ones they couldn't see.. Well, she didn't really know how long that would take. Throughout the remainder of the day, Victoria continued to think about what was going on and about how much they possibly didn't know. That continued well into the night and to the next morning.

Tyson yawned broadly, glaring at the persistent knocking at the front door. "Who in the hell, shows up at someone's front door at 8:30 in the morning?"

The knocking ceased momentarily, Randy replying in his best falsetto. "Avon calling.."

The bald man snapped his fingers, taking a moment to undo the deadbolt. "And here I was hoping it was girl scouts…I just ran out of those thin mints."

Dave shook his head as the door was swung open, "good morning to you too, Tyson."

Tyson raised an eyebrow as he glanced over Dave's shoulder. "Why are there four of you when Vicki said it was only going to be three of you?"

Chris Benoit shrugged imperceptibly, "I overheard them talking about Lita. And since I saw what that bastard did to her, I wanted to see her for myself."

Randy nodded, "that and we figured it'd be easier having four people driving here instead of just three."

"Whatever," Tyson shut the door once Rey had entered the house. "Li and Vicki are still sleeping so.. " He tossed the blanket and pillow to one corner of the couch, "and before you ask, Dave… she's doing fine…she was taking a nap when I got back from the gym, she ate most of her dinner, took a shower.. Still a little groggy, and well, her back and her shoulders hurt but she's okay."

An amused smirk tugged at the corners of Dave's mouth. "Have you ever considered a career as a nanny? You could be the next Vin Tyson."

"Very funny," Tyson replied without humor. "Did you fools at least bring coffee?"

"Better," Randy held up a plastic bag, "we went grocery shopping…sort of anyway. Vicki wasn't too happy with us the last time we were here."

Tyson smiled wryly, "ever think that was because you ate my food? Or maybe it was because of the mess you two left in the kitchen?"

Dave nodded over to the Legend Killer. "That was all his doing.. We had a deal. I cooked, he cleaned."

"I don't care what deal you two made," Victoria crossed her arms over her middle as she padded downstairs. "Y'all used just about every damn bowl, pot and pan in my cabinets."

"We'll make it up to you," Randy nodded down to the plastic bag in his arms. "We bought everything that we need to make breakfast."

Victoria smirked, "correction.. You bought everything you'll need for Dave and possibly Rey to make breakfast.." An eyebrow raised at the third generation wrestler, "you are banned from my kitchen."

Dave chuckled, "that's probably a good idea.. Considering that he's managed to burn scrambled eggs."

The Diva shook her head, "I can't say I'm too surprised.. Just don't burn down the house, and please…don't make too much of a mess." Victoria waited a beat before adding: "Li should be down in a bit.. I'm pretty sure I heard her stirring, when I was coming downstairs."

At that, Dave and Rey made their way into the kitchen, while Chris and Randy settled themselves in the living room.

Chris turned slightly, his attention focusing on the stairs at the lightest sound; the native Canadian frowning heavily at the bandage that was covering half of the Diva's forehead. "Good morning, Lita."

A tiny smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, the redhead eventually settling herself between the two on the couch. "You're here."

Chris smiled fully, gently giving her a one armed hug. "I would have been there Tuesday, but…they took off before I had the chance to go with them." He took a moment to fully scrutinize her face, "how are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck…a yellow truck with a really heavy steel front."

He shook his head, squeezing her hand lightly as she rested her head on his shoulder. "What you did.. I don't know if I should say I'm proud that you stood up to him or that--"

"You did a very stupid thing," Dave supplied from the kitchen. "Which you did, baby girl.. But, you also did the right thing."

Chris' expression grew stern, "just don't do that again without one of us around.. Or unless you have a weapon of your own."

Victoria set a glass of water on the coffee table, followed by two pills. "Don't even think about arguing with me Li.. You have to take these."

Randy sent the raven haired Diva a questioning look, "what are those for? I would guess it's for the pain but--"

Victoria nodded, "one for the pain and one for the cut on her forehead… the forms that the doctor handed over, mentioned something about the stitches…making sure they didn't get infected or something." She exchanged a look with Chris over Lita's head…the older Diva biting her tongue to keep herself from saying more. "She takes the one for the cut, twice a day.. Pain pill…six hours or so."

"Breakfast is almost ready," Rey informed them all, "and good morning Li-Li."

"Morning Rey.." Lita allowed her form to be pulled gently back to a body. "And good morning Randy."

He tucked a pillow behind her head, "we're going to be there at Revolution, you know.. Rey, Chris, Dave and me."

Lita glanced up at him through her lashes, "why? I thought it was just Dave."

"Yeah.. Steph ended her phone call by saying you all needed to plan your strategy?" Victoria sent the two in the living room a questioning look, "what gives with that?"

Randy shrugged marginally, "lets just say that… Dave's anger management program is starting early. On Sunday, to be specific."

Victoria smiled, "well that's certainly good news.. And you all can fill me in on more details over breakfast." She waited a beat: "Plus, we need to start the sign up list."

Chris raised an eyebrow at that, "sign up list for what?"

The raven haired woman grinned, "to kick Edge's ass. Stephanie mentioned it in a joking manner, but.. I don't see why we can't start one."

Dave set down a plate of eggs, "if I can sign up twice.. I'm in. I plan on kicking his ass anyway, but I wouldn't mind doing it again…and again….and again."

Lita shook her head a touch, "if you weren't my brother.. I would be scared to go anywhere with you."

He placed a tender kiss to her cheek, "you love me and you know it.. Now sit down and eat. Rey and I worked very hard on this and we even kept Randy out of the kitchen."

Victoria snorted softly, "wrong.. Randy has been banned, permanently, from my kitchen."

Lita sent an amused look in Randy's direction. "So that's three kitchens you've been banned from now? First Lillian, then Trish and now Victoria?"

Randy rolled his eyes, "cooking isn't my strong point, alright? Eating, however, I am a pro."

It was on that note that they started in on breakfast, a comfortable silence falling over them for a good fifteen minutes. That silence was broken when Victoria started asking for details on the whole invasion thing.. Chris explaining that after the main event at Revolution.. The Smackdown wrestlers in attendance were scheduled to confront the WWE Champion. Of course, Stephanie had stated that they were only going to confront him, not necessarily put a hand on him.. But, Dave figured he could make an exception just this once. And while they knew that John Cena wouldn't be overly happy at the outcome of the match after the main event.. It was better the new champion than the former. Especially when the war between the two brands would be going until the Rumble, possibly after it. The main focus, so to speak, would be the WWE Champion.. A few other superstars tossed in to make it seem a little less vindictive, but, the primary target was Edge. And that was just how the Smackdown wrestlers and Stephanie wanted it. That Sunday, at New Year's Revolution, would be the beginning of Dave's anger management program. A program that he intended on sticking with for as long as he deemed necessary.