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… just not like you might expect.

Eventual Pairings: Lita/John Cena, Stacy/Chris Masters, Lilian/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: Making the age difference between Dave and Lita a little bit less, don't know if I'll have Billy in this though, mentioned maybe but.. Umm…and no younger sister for Dave.. 'cept Lita of course.

-x-x-x-

True to his word from last night.. Lita, Dave, Chris, Rey and Randy were on a late afternoon flight to Albany so they could be at New Year's Revolution. And while it had taken the four men a good while to actually fall asleep, the Diva had gotten a full night's rest. Despite that fact, the guys seemed to be in good spirits…whether it was from seeing the redhead actually smiling or from knowing that they would soon be in the same arena as one blonde bastard…they didn't really know. In Dave's case, at least, it was the former…though a good mix of the latter certainly contributed to his good mood. But, truth be told, he was just relieved to see more of his sister coming back. She wasn't as moody as she usually was, didn't seem as distant as she had been. And that moodiness, that distance.. That had worried him and frightened him. To see his sister, his baby sister, slowly slipping away from him. Growing up, they had always been close.. From the very beginning, Dave had taken it upon himself to be his sisters protector. And at first, she hadn't minded that too much, but as they had gotten older.. She started to resent his good intentions. Of course, she knew that he was only trying to look out for her but.. She was getting into the mindset that she could do it all on her own. Sometimes, Dave had backed off…but other times, like when she brought home a new boyfriend…well, old habits died hard. And really, Dave couldn't help the fact that most of her stupid little boyfriends were intimated by him.. Nor could he help the fact that he might have contributed to it. Threatening bodily harm, following through on some of those threats….going so far as to make an example of one sorry little sap. Absolutely no one hurt his sister.. Dave had made sure of that. Up until recently, anyway. A frown marred his features, the Animal glancing over to his side.. The redhead currently occupying herself with staring out the window. Lita had been hurting for a while.. Granted, Dave wasn't sure as to how long she had been hurting, but.. If he had been there more..

"Lil's meeting us at the airport, right?"

Dave nodded shortly, "yeah.. Vicki and Ty might be there as well, just to make sure that you got here in one piece. Stephanie is meeting us at the arena to show us to our locker room."

Lita bit her lower lip, "what about Chris? I mean, will he be at the airport or is he meeting us at the arena?"

"At the arena, baby girl.. Chris had to be there early for the Chamber match.. Vince's orders." An eyebrow raised slightly, "Li? What's wrong?"

The redhead frowned, "it's just.. Ric is gonna be there and.. What if he's--"

Dave smiled slightly, "I'm sure Chris will keep an eye out for the walking piece of crap. And, if it would make you feel better, I'll see if I can't get Ric to stay in our locker room for a bit."

Lita nodded slowly, "I'd like that.." a smile curled at the corners of her mouth, "and Chris too?"

Dave grinned, reaching out to ruffle his sister's hair. "If you want Chris there, I'll drag him there.. He should be there anyway, remember?"

"Right.. Babysitters or whatever.." Lita almost frowned at that, but at the same time…

"It's what's best right now, alright?" Dave raised an eyebrow, gently forcing the Diva to look at him. "I know you don't like people hovering over you like you're helpless.. I know you're not helpless, you know you're not helpless.. But, for right now with that--"

This time she did frown, the redhead chewing idly at her lower lip. "I can't say I mind too much.. I don't feel scared…I just…it'll be nice having some friends around."

Dave nodded across the aisle, where Chris and Rey were currently seated. "They care a lot about you, Li.. It's just with us on Smackdown, it makes things a little bit harder." Rolling his eyes, he thumbed behind them, "and believe me.. If numb nuts there could get traded back to RAW? I don't doubt that he'd do it in an instant."

"Or you?" She questioned softly, "D.. we always said, us being on the same roster is risky and when we were… only a few people found out, but…"

The Animal smiled warmly, "I'd still be there in a heartbeat, Li.. There's no saying I can't go after the title on RAW, right?"

Lita quirked a smile, one that finally reached her eyes again. "I'm glad you're here…for once, I don't mind you being a big, bad bully."

Dave smirked at that, "you know that was for your own good.. And come on now, Li.. Some of those guys were just.."

"Terrible?" She suggested with a smirk of her own, "but that still doesn't mean you had to go driving them off like you did."

He rolled his eyes, "I wasn't about to let just anyone date my baby sister… and that still holds true now." Dave frowned suddenly, "but I guess I wasn't doing my job well enough, huh?"

Lita wrinkled her nose, resting her head lightly on her brother's shoulder. "You did what you could D…that's all there is to it.."

"I realize that Little Red, but--"

"But nothing," she interrupted him softly, "D.. even if you had tried to intervene, interfere…whatever you want to call it.. You know me better than anyone, except mom of course, but.. It probably would've encouraged me." Lita lifted her head from his shoulder, an eyebrow raising then. "You're here now."

Dave still frowned, "but I should have been there before.."

Lita rolled her eyes at her brother, "there's only so much you can do, only so much one person can do…with you being champion on Smackdown, I know how busy you are.. D, I know if haven't done the best job in the world, but I am capable of taking care of myself."

"Somewhat," he conceded with a wry smile. "You need to work on that, Li.. Before mom starts questioning me again."

The Diva's lips pressed into a thin line for a moment, the redhead debating with herself. "I… there's still a lot that you don't know… that no one else really knows. I talk to Chris or Vicki now and then….sometimes Lil, but--"

He held up a hand, "you tell us on your terms, baby girl.. That's all we're asking."

Awkwardly, she reached out to hug him. "Love you, D.."

Dave opened his mouth to reply to that, only to be cut off by the captain speaking.. Shaking his head, he glanced back between the seats. "Hey…Orton… wake up."

The Legend Killer blinked sleepily, "are we almost there?"

Dave smirked, "nah.. We've just been taxiing for the past hour.. And then we were magically teleported to Albany."

-x-x-x-

Randy mimicked him, but made no further comments as the plane landed on the runway. It took them a good ten minutes longer before they were finally pulling into the terminal, Dave collecting both his and Lita's bags as soon as they could move. A few minutes of waiting later and they were finally walking down the jet way, Lilian and Victoria waiting to meet them. The dark haired Diva informing them that Tyson was taking care of rental cars.. And that Chris Masters would meet them at the arena. Lilian also mentioned that Ric and Stephanie would be there waiting for them and that so far, there had been no signs or traces of one blonde Canadian man. Of course, at the mere mention of that particular individual, Dave couldn't help but smile…rather darkly, but it was a smile none the less. Randy and Chris seemed to be on the same wavelength.. The group of superstars taking their time to head to the baggage claim. Between them, they had six suitcases…Randy and Dave taking care of gathering luggage while Tyson handed over a set of car keys to Chris. Lita, Dave and Randy opted to head to the arena with Lilian, Rey heading over with Chris. All they really had to figure out now was hotel room arrangements, and that was if they were going to stay overnight. While Randy and Dave did want to stay until RAW, that all depended on Stephanie's approval. But, they reasoned that they could figure all of that out when they got the arena.. Conversation kept to a minimum as they made their way to the Pepsi Arena for New Years Revolution. Idly, Lita wondered if Edge had already arrived or if he was waiting until the last minute…not that she wanted to see him or have any contact with him, but.. If he was there, she would do her best to avoid him…and if he wasn't there, well, all that really meant was that she had to stay in the locker room until whenever. Stephanie had already told her that she didn't have to walk out with Edge… though, something told her she might want to at some point that night.

Dave raised an eyebrow as they exited the rental car, "Chris wasn't kidding when he said he'd meet us.." The Animal nodded to the doors leading to the arena. "Ric's with him too."

Randy waited until Lilian had popped the trunk, grabbing his stuff, Dave's and Lita's. "And still no signs of the walking piece of shit… I'm not sure if I should be happy that he's not around or--"

"Save it," Dave stated with a pointed look. "Lets just get into the arena." An eyebrow raised then, "oh sure.. You grab my stuff, Li's and yours…but you can't get Lil's?"

Just as Randy was about to reply, Chris Masters and Ric made their way over…the pair greeting Dave and Randy first.

Blinking, Lita allowed herself to be pulled into a hug, and when she was released a curious look was sent to the young wrestler. "What was that for?"

Chris shrugged his shoulders marginally, "I was worried about you. Sure, I know you were in good hands or whatever, but.. That doesn't mean I won't worry."

Grinning a little, the redhead pinched his cheek. "You really are a big softie underneath that tough exterior aren't you?" She stepped away from him then, meeting Ric halfway for another hug.

"Darlin'," Ric held her at arms length, a slight frown marring his features as his eyes took in the sight of the bandage on her forehead. "How're you feeling?"

Lita quirked a tiny smile, she and Ric leading the way back to the arena. "A little bit better….and a little bit more like myself."

Chris sent a look between Dave, Randy, Chris Benoit and Rey. "Stephanie said she'll be in the main hallway in five minutes or so… I'll show you all to your locker room for the night."

Randy nodded easily, "whereabouts are we? I mean are we near any of the RAW superstars or what?"

"I think me and Carlito are near you, Show and Kane are across the hallway.." The young man frowned in thought, "the Diva's are on the other side of the arena. Ric's in the same hallway as me and Carlito, Shawn's with Ric…"

Dave made a gesture with his hand, "and…what about--"

"I'm not sure," Chris admitted with a frown. "I haven't seen him around the arena yet, but that doesn't mean he hasn't gotten here.. For all I know, he could be hiding."

The Crippler smiled grimly, "he should be hiding.. I can't say I'm too inclined to greet him politely when I do see him."

"Hey guys!" Stephanie greeted with a broad smile as they made their way further into the arena. "Has Chris told you where your locker room is?"

Randy nodded, "yeah.. He said we're near Show, Kane, Ric, Shawn, him and Carlito."

"Correct," Stephanie smoothed back a few strands of hair. "I think there are two more locker rooms near you, as well… Shelton and Kurt."

Dave and Randy exchanged a look, the older of the two asking: "Could you tell us where a certain blonde man is?"

The natural brunette arched an eyebrow, "and why would you need to know where he is?"

Dave feigned innocence, "curiosity, really.. I just want to see where he is in relation to us."

Randy cleared his throat before Stephanie could say a word. "Is it alright for us to be at RAW tomorrow? I mean, to advance the rivalry…follow up, so to speak, from tonight's events."

Stephanie bit her lower lip in thought, "I'll have to clear that through Dad first, but I don't think it should be a problem." Sliding a glance over to Dave, she continued: "As for your request? Why don't we get you all settled in your locker room first."

The redhead's stomach started to growl. "Where are the vending machines?"

Chris Benoit raised an eyebrow, "you aren't going alone, are you?"

Lita rolled her eyes, "Chris.. From what we know, he's not here…and if he is, he's not making his presence known.. I doubt a simple trip to the vending machines is going to hurt."

Dave frowned slightly, knowing that she didn't want people hovering over her twenty four hours a day, but.. "why don't we get settled first… you can find the vending machines later."

Heaving an overdramatic sigh, the redhead agreed. "Fine, fine.. I'll just go when I have my babysitters with me."

Lilian and Victoria sent her a questioning look at that, the blonde woman voicing: "You have a babysitter?"

"Two," Lita thumbed to Chris Masters and then to Randy. "They're in charge of keeping me safe."

Victoria smirked slightly at that, "I don't know who I should say good luck to… you or those two."

"I'm sure we'll manage," Lita stated solemnly, the group of superstars soon finding themselves at the designated locker room. "Ahh.. My prison for the evening awaits."

Dave shook his head, grabbing his stuff and Lita's from Randy as he entered the locker room. He set his stuff in front of one locker, while Lita's was set on the couch. Randy, Chris and Rey chose lockers for themselves.. Chris Masters settling on one of the folding chairs while Ric seated himself on the couch with the redheaded Diva. Victoria and Lilian also ended up staying for a bit.. Until the dark haired woman excused herself to warm up a bit. Ric was next to leave the locker room… followed by Lilian. Dave, Rey and Chris Benoit made their exit shortly after.. The three going for a little walk so they could find one blonde Canadian man. And with everyone else gone, Lita decided that now was the best time for her to go find the vending machines. And when Chris and Randy asked if she wanted some company…she politely declined. She reminded the two that, since her brother, Chris Benoit and Rey were heading to Edge's locker room, the chances of her running into the blonde man were reduced. Simply because, if he was in the arena, he wouldn't be getting far.. If he was wandering the hallways, chances were likely that he'd run into Dave, Chris and Rey first. Granted, both men did question the redhead's logic.. But like Dave, they knew that Lita didn't want people hovering over twenty four hours a day. Quite hesitantly, they agreed to her request.. The redhead making her exit in an instant. And as the door shut behind her, both Chris and Randy could only hope that they had made the right decision by letting her go alone. There was still a chance that Edge could be in another part of the arena…one where someone else couldn't get to Lita in time. The two men knew full well, that if something did happen to the redheaded Diva.. Dave would be likely to take out his frustrations on them.. And that was a prospect that neither man wanted to deal with.