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: skipping over a few things time wise.. This chapter starts with the January 16th edition of RAW…just my way.. With that said, everything that's after this edition of RAW (story wise)… I'm free to do what I want! Bwahahahahaha. Next chapter will cover the main event…and this chapter is somewhat shorter than the previous.

-x-x-x-

Per request of her brother, Lita found herself stuck in one of the locker rooms with Chris Masters and Triple H after they had arrived at the arena. Of course, she knew that was partly because of the doctor's orders from when they had left the hospital…the redhead under strict instructions to steer clear from the ring that night. Granted, that wasn't what the doctor had told Dave, but…he had taken matters into his own hands anyway.. Using those orders as a valid reason to keep Lita away from the ringside during the lumberjack match. Dave, meanwhile, was currently with Team Smackdown…waiting to meet with the creative head of RAW, the McMahon's and the captain for Team RAW. Theodore Long was also there, the Smackdown G.M. wanting to be at ringside for the revival of the inter-brand war…and to serve as a catalyst to get Bischoff to agree to the extension of the aforementioned war. True enough, they already had the approval on the Smackdown side of things, but they needed a consensus where Bischoff and Mr. McMahon were concerned.. Otherwise the plans for the extension of the war would all be for nothing and then.. Well, then they would just be reduced to two weeks of fighting with Team RAW. And speaking of the war, more specifically the match slated for the main event that night.. A handful of Smackdown wrestlers were currently en route to the arena.. To even the odds, so to speak, when the lumberjack match started. Even if they did have a few sympathizers on Team RAW.. Dave wasn't about to take any chances with the main event. The last thing he wanted was for a member of Team Smackdown to get injured enough that they wouldn't be able to compete.. Not that the members of his team couldn't handle themselves in the ring to begin with but…it was a risk that really wasn't willing to take.

Shane McMahon stepped into the hallway, glancing between the Smackdown wrestlers. "We should probably get this meeting started.."

Dave nodded shortly, a questioning look in his eyes.. "I'm aware that Bischoff is the head of the creative team for RAW but… who's the G.M.?"

Shane shrugged ever so slightly, "as of this moment, we have no general manager.. But, until one is appointed, my father is in charge.. I'm just here to advise." He left it that, indicating for them to follow him into the office.

Vince McMahon looked up as the Smackdown wrestlers filed inside. "Gentlemen, please.. Have a seat." Giving a nod of acknowledgement to Theodore, he added: "And Mr. Long, good evening."

The Smackdown G.M. gave a nod of his own, seating himself in one of the chairs. "Good evening Mr. McMahon, Stephanie, Shane.." his gaze settled briefly on Bischoff, "playa.. I must say I'm surprised to see you."

Bitchoff smiled smugly, feeling quite secure at the moment. "They needed someone competent and intelligent to fill the role for creative.. Who better than me?"

Vince cleared his throat before anyone could comment on that. "We're here to discuss the main event for tonight, correct? From what I'm understanding, the inter brand war begins again tonight…continuing until the Royal Rumble."

"That's right," Bischoff stated with a curt nod. "And this time around, RAW will prove that they are the dominant brand."

Randy snorted, his signature cocky smirk soon appearing. "Sure.. After what, two weeks? We proved that we were the better brand, beating your asses over a month, at least."

Edge scoffed, "so? We're going to prove that we are the better brand and we only need two weeks to do it."

Dave cracked his knuckles, a smile slowly finding it's way to his face. "We'll see about that, won't we? I can pretty much guarantee you'll be thinking twice after tonight." Shrugging slightly, he added: "though it really is a shame.. Only two weeks this time around.."

"Like you could handle more than that.."

The Animal raised an eyebrow, a dangerous glint in his dark eyes. "We already proved that we can, remember? You were the one who punked out at Taboo Tuesday and if I recall correctly…you couldn't even handle a simple street fight on your own."

The WWE Champion opened his mouth to reply to that, only to shut it quickly when he found himself at a loss for words.. Recovering soon enough: "yeah well, you just wait until the main event tonight. I'm going to make you my bitch."

Dave merely chuckled at that, "seems like someone really needs an attitude adjustment."

Bitchoff cleared his throat, sending a pointed look to Edge before the blonde man could say something. "If you punks are so confident that you're the dominant brand? Prove it. Two weeks isn't enough.. I mean, the Royal Rumble match might have some sway when one of my wrestlers wins, but.."

"One of your wrestlers?" Randy spoke up then, an amused tone to his voice, "how are you so sure that's going to happen? Your current champion had to wait until the former champion was beaten and bloodied just to win his title belt."

Shane sent a look between Team Smackdown and Bischoff, "if I may make a suggestion? Since both parties seem to think that they have the better brand.. Why not extend the war? After that point, whenever that may be, the winning brand would have the bragging rights and gain the upper hand when the brands merge."

Bischoff's eyes glinted greedily, "brand merger? So you mean to tell me, when RAW proves their dominance.. I can take control of both rosters?"

"Assuming that RAW can outlast Team Smackdown," Theodore reminded with a grin, "and really playa, ya shouldn't be assuming anything here.. We will beat you, again."

Eric gritted his teeth, sending a look back to Vince. "With your approval, Mr. McMahon.. I think an extension to the inter-brand war would be beneficial to both parties.. Culminating with the unifying of all title belts at Wrestle Mania."

Vince seemed to think on the idea for a moment, bridging his hands together as he leaned forwards. "I'll take that into consideration…the unifying the title belts anyway. Consider the extension approved.. And if we could please? The point of this meeting was to discuss the terms for the lumberjack match and to pick the combatants."

"In that case," Eric sent a triumphant look towards the Smackdown G.M., "I think it should be champion vs. champion…Edge vs. Batista."

Vince waited for the nods of approval.. Dave quicker to agree than Edge.. "Now, regarding the lumberjacks. Of course, both teams will take part.. And Mr. Bischoff will appoint the remaining--"

"Mr. McMahon?" Theodore interrupted hesitantly, not really wanting to piss of the Boss.. "if there's no problems.. I do have a few lumberjacks on the way. Just to even things out, make sure there's no.."

"Excuses?" Stephanie offered helpfully, "which…dad, I agree. If you have mostly RAW lumberjacks, wouldn't things be a bit unfair in this war?"

Vince raised an eyebrow in question, "who do you have in mind for lumberjacks?"

The Smackdown G.M. sat back in his seat, "Kurt Angle, JBL and the Boogeyman."

Vince hesitated before nodding, sending a look over to Bischoff, "your have four picks for lumberjacks. Let me know before the pre-show meeting." Settling back in his seat, the Chairman seemed ready to end this meeting.. "if there are no questions regarding tonight's match, I believe we're finished."

-x-x-x-

The office soon started to empty, Bischoff and Edge wisely waiting until the Smackdown superstars had left the hallway before heading elsewhere. And while Theodore went to the parking lot to wait for his three lumberjacks, Team Smackdown made their way to the locker room that Lita was currently in. Granted, they had to be somewhat careful with that since Lashley was with them, the young wrestler still in the dark about the background story…and the ties between Dave and Lita. Still, they knew that he was on their side, the Animal doubting that Lashley was really the type to open his mouth about things, but that didn't mean that he was going to tell him anything just yet. But, when they entered the locker room….Team Smackdown found it empty. Save for the things that they had brought with them, it appeared that the locker room had been entirely un-occupied. And that was both a mystery and a somewhat relieving sight to Dave… a mystery because he didn't know where Hunter, Masters and his sister had gone.. And a relief because he didn't have to answer any questions.. It wasn't until he read the note from the Diva that he let out a small sigh of true relief.. His sister informing him that they had taken up camp in Chris' locker room for the remainder of the night. And that news in itself wasn't entirely true.. Hunter taking his leave of the two for safety precautions. Even if he had appeared at the end of the match last week, the Game didn't want to take chances.. He could easily write off his appearance as attacking the champion, even if he had really gone down there to help Lita.. Still, it wasn't until the pre-show meeting that Dave finally saw his sister again.. The redhead currently sitting with Chris Masters, while Hunter wasn't too far behind them.

Lita bit her lower lip as the meeting started to end, glancing to the man at her side as they filed out of the catering hall. "Chris.. If you're playing lumberjack with the rest of Team RAW.. What in the hell am I going to do? D already told me I couldn't be at ringside.."

"For good reason," Chris reminded her first, "Li.. You're under doctor's orders.. D just twisted a bit to keep you away."

The redhead rolled her eyes, "I know that Chris, but.. You're gonna be out there, Trips will be out there, Ric is gonna be out there." She waited until they had reached an isolated hallway, "how do we know that Edge doesn't have more allies? Or if Bischoff will be at ringside? He doesn't exactly like me, you know."

"I know that, but.." Chris shook his head, "McMahon already came up with an excuse for you not being at ringside tonight, you know you can't go out there. D wouldn't be too happy about it and I can't say I would be either."

The Diva pressed her lips into a thin line, "I'm not asking to be out there. I'm just trying to say, Bischoff hates me. It's pretty much been his goal to make my life miserable when he was in charge and now that he's made the unholy alliance.." Raising an eyebrow, Lita continued: "and look at who he picked for his lumberjacks.. Not to mention the fact that Cena has been given the night off after the contract signing for the Rumble."

Before Chris could reply to that, Triple H spoke.. "So you two noticed that, huh? I hate to say it, but that little ass is smart. While I'm not saying he knows everything that's going on, he obviously has picked up on a few things.. Or that bastard has told him something."

The young man sent a questioning look between the two, "what are you two getting at and how long have you been listening?"

Hunter shrugged, "long enough, but.. I've been following the two of you since you left the catering hall. As for the point? Well, it's simple.. By having me, Ric and Shawn as lumberjacks out there.. Lita is pretty much alone backstage. Sure, she has the girls to help her out, but if Bischoff is backstage and lets assume he has someone else on his side? Who is going to be there to help her?"

"We have Gene and Tyson--"

"Who could be locked in their locker rooms, just like last week.." Hunter pointed out quickly, "the only reason I was able to get out there, was because I wasn't suspected. Despite the fact that he is a bastard, Edge knows who her allies are."

Lita frowned at that, "which means that Trish, Vicki… damn it. Even if I didn't want them to get hurt because of me.. Just by talking to them I--"

"But nothing, Li." Hunter settled a hand on her shoulder, "don't get too ahead of yourself, alright? They might think they have the upper hand, but come on.. I'm the Cerebral Assassin and they will never outsmart me."

The Diva quirked a tiny smile at that, "so.. What are we going to do then?"

The blonde man frowned, "as of this moment? We head to the locker room.. See if we can talk to Dave about this. I know he won't want you at ringside, I don't want you at ringside either because it's too dangerous down there."

Lita rolled her eyes, "so in other words, you have no plan yet. I guess if it all comes down to it, I can hang out with Victoria.. Make sure we have a chair or two with us, just in case."

"We'll figure something out," Hunter stated after a moment, the blonde man leading the way back to Chris' locker room.. and damn if he didn't like this situation.

Randy nodded to the trio as they entered Chris' locker room.. "D will be down in a bit. He's giving a pep-talk to Lashley about the main event for tonight."

Hunter raised an eyebrow in question, "does that kid even know?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Randy replied with a mere shrug. "I kinda doubt D is going to tell him, but.. You never know."

"Right well, we're trying to figure out who Li is going to stay with during the main event. We already know she won't be at ringside but.."

Randy rolled his eyes, "I think Dave has a plan.. He wouldn't say what he had in mind, but it doesn't involve her being at ringside."

Hunter sent an amused smirk towards Randy, "and by the sour look on your face, I'm guessing it has something to do with Cena, huh?"

The Legend Killer laughed without humor, "ha ha.. For the last time, I am not jealous. John's a friend of mine, you know.." the younger man trailed off at that, starting to say more when a sharp knock at the door interrupted his train of thoughts.. "And that's probably Dave."

Chris shrugged, opening the door wide enough so he could see out. "We were just talking about you.."

Dave smirked a bit, "well when you two weren't in the locker room when we got back.. And since the two of you left the meeting pretty quick, I didn't get the chance to tell Li that she has a visitor.. Or rather, there's a visitor to RAW that she might want to see.."

The Diva blinked, hazel eyes widening in surprise as Rob Van Dam stepped in after Dave. "I thought you were still out on injury.."

Rob held up a crutch, "technically yes.. But, I'm almost done training so.. Figured I'd stop by and see how everyone was." Grinning he added: "I've missed ya, Red."

Lita sent a look to her brother, "I take it he's baby sitting me?"

"Correct," Dave gestured to the crutch, "he even brought a weapon with him, just in case."

"This should be fun then," the redhead quipped with a grin, "we have all night to play catch up and all that good stuff." Glancing to Chris, Lita gestured to Rob: "Chris.. This is Rob… Rob? Meet Chris."

Rob touched a hand to his forehead, setting his bag and the crutch down. "I'll be back in a bit, okay Li? I promised Lilian I'd stop by the Diva's locker room, plus I have to meet with McMahon.. Let him know that I'm good to go for the Rumble."

"I'll be here all night," Lita stated with a wry smile, rolling her eyes when Rob reached out a hand to ruffle her hair. "I'm glad he's here… not that I mind present company, just that he's a welcome face."

Dave shook his head, reaching out to give his sister a quick one armed hug. "Well, I hate to break up the party but.. Randy and I should be in our own locker room.."

"And I should probably get to my locker room," Hunter spoke up next, sending a quick nod to Lita. "But, if you want, you can stop by later…or whatever."

At that, both Chris and Lita nodded.. The two settling on the bench for the time being to chit chat about the main event. And really, that was all Lita planned on doing for the rest of the night… not talking about the main event, of course, but.. Pretty much sticking in the locker room unless it was absolutely necessary for her to leave. The two remained content in the locker room until Rob returned.. The three soon turning their collective attention to the monitor as the Heat tapings started to wind down. According to the match listing for that night, the contract signing was slated first…and while Lita had half expected for Edge or Bischoff to demand her presence, she was left out. That bothered her to some extent, since she would be a part of the match…not as an actual participant but that stupid contract would be on the line. Still, being at the contract signing would have meant that she would have to deal with Edge and Bischoff, more or less on her own… and that was something that she really didn't want to do. All she wanted at this point, was for the damn match to be over with so she could put some more distance between herself and the current WWE Champion.. And hopefully get her life back on track.