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: this is the January 23rd edition of RAW but my way so.. Pretty much ignoring most of what happened on the actual show that night. Having said that, RAW is spread out over the next two chapters.

-x-x-x-

RAW had even begun taping yet and already.. Lita wanted to get out of there. But, she wasn't the only one.. Chris Masters ready to join the redhead after they had gotten a look at the card for that night. The beginning wasn't all that bad, Bischoff announcing the environment for the title match at the Rumble, and reminding the participants of the stipulation in the process. And really, the rest of the card wasn't all that bad.. Team RAW would still be taking on Team Smackdown just in a series of singles matches, the gauntlet saved for Smackdown..And speaking of those singles matches, it would start with Rey vs. Carlito, then Chris vs. Lashley, Batista vs. Kane, JBL vs. Big Show with Randy having the honors of facing off against Edge. Amidst the packed card, there was also a Divas tag match.. Lita teaming that night with Victoria, Candice in their corner to take on the team of Trish and Maria with no one in their corner. But, that wasn't a problem either…at least until they saw the part about an outside interference. That interference would then lead to a four on four tag team match.. Though, they weren't sure who the other participants would be. Added to that, the Divas participating in the match pretty much made up the majority of the Divas on RAW to begin with…there were four Divas on the Smackdown side of things, but…the big war wasn't supposed to start until after the Rumble. Keeping that in mind, Lita hoped that Bischoff would shed some more light on the situation at the pre-show meeting.. He couldn't be that heartless, could he? Frowning, the Diva reminded herself just who she was dealing with…and the fact that Bischoff happened to hate her.. Lita started to wonder if this match was some sort of punishment to Maria and Candice.. The two women had, after all, helped her last week when Henry had come after her.. But that still didn't help matters any where it concerned figuring out who their opponents would be…and if anyone would be able to get to the ring in time to help them.

Victoria met the pair in the hallway, "any clues about the interference later?"

Lita shook her head, "none what so ever.. I mean yeah, there are Divas on Smackdown, but we still outnumber them. And unless they went on a recent hiring spree.."

The older woman frowned, "this really sucks. Good that you're getting back in the ring in a real match, but.. It would be nice if we knew what was going on."

Chris rolled his shoulders, the trio navigating the hallways slowly. "Yeah well, the card for tonight is pretty packed.. Judging by that, it's safe to say that the interference won't be from anyone on Team RAW or Team Smackdown."

Lita's nose wrinkled, "you'd think anyway.. But that also leaves just about everyone else on the rosters as suspects."

"We'll find out soon enough," Victoria gestured the catering hall further ahead, "but if you're in a match tonight, maybe you won't have to valet."

Lita snorted, snapping her fingers in a show of disappointment. "Pity.. I wanted to see Randy kick Edge's ass tonight."

Chris smirked beside her, "we'll watch everything from the locker room, Li. Sure, it won't be the same but.. At least you can safely cheer on Randy."

Lita merely shrugged in response, the trio heading further inside the catering hall to seek out empty seats.

Bischoff cleared his throat as he looked over the room, "if I could have everyone's attention please." He held up a sheet of paper, "I'm certain that most of you have read over the match listing for tonight. If you have not, do so. We won't have many promo spots tonight since we have a lot of matches scheduled. But, if you are needed for a promo, I'll let you know after we discuss the match listing."

Trish rolled her eyes from behind the trio, "I get the feeling that he really likes to hear himself talk."

"More or less," Lita conceded with a smirk…sobering when the apparent boss shot her a look.

"Our first match for the evening, will be Carlito vs. Rey, followed by Masters vs. Lashley." Bischoff set down the piece of paper, "the third match for the night will be a Divas tag match. Now, I'd tell you all what the interference will be, but.. I like to keep a few surprises."

Victoria let out a sigh, "that sounds really promising.."

Another look was sent to the four, "do I need to separate you?"

Lita rolled her eyes, kicking back a bit in her seat. "If this is kindergarten.. I want my snack and my daily nap."

Bischoff twitched, "there's an empty seat near Flair and Michaels, I suggest you move."

Trish shook her finger in a mock admonishing manner, "once a troublemaker.. Always a troublemaker."

John Cena kicked out the chair next to his, "I don't know what he's thinking.. Putting you over 'ere."

"Apparently he's not," Lita informed him as she took a seat. "And it's not like those two are much better… they just hide it well."

The Boss cleared his throat, eyeing the four in the corner of the room. "The last match for the first half of RAW will be Batista vs. Kane.. That match will take us to the second half of the show, leaving JBL vs. Big Show and the main event to finish off the evening." He placed his hands on the table in front of him, "for promos tonight, I'll need Edge, Henry, Cena, Masters and Lita.. The rest of you are dismissed."

John rolled his eyes, stretching his arms overhead. "This ought to be good. We got the walking Jack Ass and Grape Ape to deal wit'."

Bischoff glanced first to Chris, "you'll have one spot with Orton for the Rumble.. And for your match at Smackdown." He waved a hand then, "it's simple really.. Two of the youngest superstars, both cocky and full of themselves.. You get the picture."

"Can I go then? I'd like to prep for my match."

"You are dismissed," the man in charge gestured next between the remaining four. "All of you will need to be present for the opening segment. The stipulations of the title match on Sunday will be gone over, along with the type of match."

John raised an eyebrow, "but the contracts have been signed to make it a street fight."

"Contract," Bischoff corrected smugly, "you were the only one who signed last week, Cena. And in case you didn't read the fine print? The type of match was never determined." He nodded idly to Lita, "your outburst during this process will set up the Divas tag match for later. Now.. Where it concerns the next promo, that will take place after the Divas tag match. John will be one of three people who come to their aid.. And when you all are heading backstage, Edge will confront you."

Lita crossed her arms over her chest, "how many more promos will there be?"

"One more after the main event takes place." Bischoff made an open gesture with his hands, "Lita, you will not be at ringside for this match, because you will be the special guest referee. Daivari will be the timekeeper while Henry will be in Edge's corner."

Edge shot a triumphant look to the redhead, "don't worry Lita, I won't maim Orton.. I'm leaving that to Henry when the referee 'accidentally' gets speared into the turnbuckle. It was either that or you get tossed into the ring steps."

Bischoff nodded, "Cena.. Your interference will happen while the referee is down. First, you take out Henry and Daivari, then you give the FU to Edge.. At that point, Lita here will be all nice and refreshed, counting the victory for Team Smackdown. Of course, Edge will be unhappy about this but, since Cena stuck around.. He'll make sure that Lita gets out of there safely."

Lita gritted her teeth, "you know Mr. Bischoff, I'd really hate to have to bring a lawsuit against you.. Well actually I wouldn't but.. I am still recovering from bruised ribs. Funny, that injury occurred because of a spear."

Bischoff grimaced, "yes well.. Perhaps we'll just have Henry grab your foot then? You'll need to be healthy for your match next week anyway.. Against MNM."

-x-x-x-

Mercifully for John and Lita, the meeting finally ended.. The former champion walking with her until she reached the locker room she was sharing with Chris. And not to her entire surprise, Dave, Randy and Chris Benoit were waiting with the young wrestler.. Lita filling them in on everything that would be taking place that evening. Cena had left the locker room long enough to change, the man soon returning so he and Lita could head out for the opening segment for RAW. Granted, Lita had questioned if it was really necessary for him to do that.. The Diva soon finding herself grateful for him being there when they ran into Henry, Edge and Bischoff in the hallway. And despite Edge's not so nice request, Lita remained with John until they had to head down to the ring…the redhead following reluctantly with Edge and Henry. The promo for the title defense on Sunday was next, Cena finding out that the match had now been turned into an 'I Quit' match. Not that it bothered the former champion any.. The man reminding his opponent that he had successfully defended his title belt before in that very match.. Edge changing his mind to make it a cage match instead. At that point, Lita really had to wonder just what the Canadian was planning…especially since the Rumble match would be the last match of the night. But, then she reminded herself that it did involve Edge and Bischoff.. And those two weren't likely to make things easy on anyone.. She knew that from personal experience and going by that.. The diva couldn't help but worry about the match on Sunday. Still, her brother trusted Cena's abilities well enough…the redhead deciding to just trust her brother's instincts and hope that he was right about it.. Lita forcing her thoughts to her own match for that night. The Diva knew full well that she and Victoria could handle themselves in a ring, even if she hadn't been in the ring much in a match, Victoria was one of the best wrestlers in the Divas division. The redhead wasn't worried about Trish either, she and the blond woman had faced each other enough and tagged with each other enough…well, it was pretty safe to say that they knew each other in that ring better than anyone else.

Lita's gaze snapped to the door as a knock sounded, Victoria entering after a moment. "What's up?"

Victoria ran a hand through her hair, "it's Maria.. She's freaking out about the match."

The redhead sighed, grabbing her gear from her bag. "Well I can't say I really blame her, Vicki.. I mean, she'll be in that ring against the two of us. I'm not saying that we're going to target her on purpose or anything but--"

"I know Li," Victoria seated herself on the bench, the woman already dressed for the match. "Trish is trying to convince her it'll be okay.. And Maria at least knows that we won't hurt her…but, she's worried about the surprise interference."

Lita nodded, seating herself on the same bench as she kicked off her street shoes. "I can't say I'm too thrilled about that either. Look at who made this match, keep in mind that we pretty much are the women's division…or at least you, Trish and Maria--"

"Lita," Victoria raised an eyebrow, "you're in this match, right? That's got to count for something."

The younger woman snorted, "it'll count for something when I have a title shot again. I mean, come on Vicki.. I've been cleared for six months now and I haven't had many matches, if any. This isn't exactly how I envisioned my return from knee surgery." Frowning deeply, Lita grabbed her knee pads. "Would you mind if I just had some time to get dressed?"

Victoria nodded easily, giving her friend's shoulder a re-assuring squeeze. "I'll see you in the hallway, alright?"

Divas Tag Match

Trish, Lita and Victoria exchanged a look before their combined gaze settled on the very nerve wrecked Maria. Even with the re-assurance of the three experienced Divas.. Maria was a walking basket case. Once Candice arrived, the young blond woman had calmed somewhat.. Lita, Victoria and Candice exiting the area so they could make their entrance. And just as they expected, they were met with an onslaught of boo's mixed with cat-calls and whistles for Candice.. The dark haired Diva doing her Go Daddy dance once they had gotten into the ring. Then it was just a matter of waiting for Trish and Maria to get there… the crowd erupting in cheers as the Women's Champion and the interviewer made their way down the ramp. And just as they had planned before going through the curtains.. Lita and Victoria would double team Maria for a bit, until the referee broke them apart.. Victoria starting things out with Maria so Lita could take on Trish. And while the crowd booed them heavily for their actions, both Lita and Victoria took it a little bit easier on the less experienced Diva. They didn't want to hurt her, after all, but they still needed to make it look believable…lest Bischoff should complain about it later. Their strategy was going fine.. Maria breaking away from Victoria long enough to make the tag into Trish.. Lita then hopping on the bottom rope, demanding to be tagged in.

Lita couldn't help but smile a little as she stepped into the ring to face Trish.. The last time she had been in a match with the Canadian Diva.. She had been a face and Trish had been the heel. But now, things were different. Trish was holding the Women's title belt and Lita…well she was probably the most hated Diva on the rosters. But, she wasn't entirely without her fans…the redhead barely able to hear some 'Lita' chants amongst the throng of 'slut' chants. Despite that, Lita held her chin high.. Locking it up in the center of the ring with her on-screen nemesis and long time friend.. Trish pushing Lita back to the corner, the referee breaking them apart.. Lita using that to her advantage to shove Trish away from her.. And then they were back in the center of the ring. The two women planning their next couple of spots during this lock up.. Trish breaking first, reaching out to slap the redhead. In turn, Lita encouraged for the blond woman to do it again.. Grabbing her wrist mid-air, to deliver a forearm to the face. This time it was Trish's turn to push her back, the two women exchanging forearms to the face before Trish got the redhead in a side head lock. Once more, as planned, Lita shoved the blond woman off of her and towards the ropes, Victoria bringing up her knee into Trish's back.

It was right before the next planned exchange that Bischoff made his presence known.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies.. As interesting as this match is? I'm afraid you have….three minutes to finish up."

"Fuck," Lita glanced over to Maria, then to Candice and finally to Lilian. "Trish we have to get them out of here."

Trish nodded her agreement, backing into the her corner to tell Maria to make a run for it through the crowd. Victoria catching the pointed look from Lita, the dark haired Diva doing motioning for Candice to do the same. And no sooner had Maria and Candice left the area, Lilian leaving on her own accord, did Three Minute Warning appear on the stage, flanking Bischoff before they started to slowly make their way down to the ring.

"They can't come after all three of us--"

"Li," Victoria hissed under her breath, "now is not the time to consider martyrdom. I am not leaving you alone in this ring."

Lita bit her lower lip, "well one of us has to be bait.. I'm the one their probably after.. And Bitchoff did say we'd have help. But right now? We need a weapon…or two."

"Well think of something quick, because they're almost here."

Unbeknownst to the two in the ring, Trish had slipped out to grab her title belt, tossing two steel chairs into the ring before she got back in.. the three women soon standing together as Rosey and Jamal circled the ring.. Victoria arming herself with one steel chair while Lita took the other, the Divas weighing their options as the two men entered from opposite sides of the ring. Their primary target was clear as Rosey started to close in Lita, the redhead backing up, the chair partially obstructing her view. And while she played her game of cat and mouse, Victoria and Trish went after Jamal. Managing to get a few hits in on the man before he grabbed the chair from the dark haired Diva. It was at that point that Lita decided to something stupid.. Or perhaps just to buy a bit of time for them.. She dropped the chair in her hands, dropping to her knees to deliver a low blow to the man in front of her. Victoria getting a low blow of her own to Jamal with Trish kicking him sharply in the knees. And while those moves did buy Trish and Victoria a little time to get the hell out of there, it also pissed off the two men even more. Thankfully, at that point, Rob came through the crowd.. John and Shawn coming down the ramp.. Shawn getting Trish and Victoria out of there while Rob went after one of the men in the ring…the steel chair that Victoria had been using now in his grasp.

Lita was just about to help out Rob when, an arm wrapped around her waist.. John pushing her behind him while he got the other steel chair.. The ring eventually clearing of Three Minute Warning.

John shook his head at the Diva, "you.. I don't know what in the hell you was thinking."

Lita rolled her eyes as she exited the ring.. John following behind her. "I was buying some time. I know they're after me so why should I put Vicki and Trish in harms way when they really don't have to be?"

"It was still a crazy thing to do, Red." Rob informed her, the man still toting the steel chair to be on the safe side. "You should've gotten out of there when you had the chance."

The redhead waved it off without a care, "I don't back down, Rob and you know that. I don't care if they're bigger than me, I am not about to let them hurt--"

"What in the hell were you thinking?" Dave demanded to know as soon as they had reached the backstage area. "Were you even thinking? Damn it Lita, you don't need to be a martyr."

Lita huffed, "like I was just telling Robert here, I could not let Trish or Vicki get hurt. They're after me and they're going to keep coming after me. I don't want my friends getting hurt because of me. They don't need that."

"And you do?" John questioned before Dave could say the same, "Lita.. Look, I can understand that ya got your friends backs or whateva, but you really gotta start giving a damn about yourself. I ain't saying this to be an asshole, but.. You wanna get out of that contract? You gotta survive until Sunday. There's still one more spot where you're gonna be in some kinda danger an' when ya think 'bout it? Only two of us really give a shit about what happens to ya out there."

Lita bit her lower lip, avoiding the man's steady gaze…not wanting to acknowledge his words but she knew.. "I'll do my best."

Batista shot his sister a stern look, "Masters is waiting and I don't want you to leave that locker room until it's absolutely necessary, understand?" Rolling his eyes he added, "which means.. If you're planning on a vending machine run, do it now."

"We'll go with her," Rob promised, the chair still in hand. "And we'll make sure that she gets to the locker room and stays there.. I'll stand guard if I have to."

Dave nodded in response, watching as the three split for another part of the backstage area. And true to his word, John and Rob stayed with Lita while she went to the vending machines.. Rob offering up the necessary change so Lita could get what she wanted.. The two then walking back to the locker room, where Chris was in fact waiting for her to return. John left at that point, Rob heading inside the locker room to hang out with Chris and Lita until she was needed again. Of course, Lita wasn't overly happy about having two 'baby sitters' but, she also knew when to argue and when not to argue.. And when her brother was in his extremely over-protective mode…it was definitely not a time to argue. Added to that, she didn't mind this company at all.. The three talking about the Rumble before the conversation switched the upcoming war between the two brands. And Lita would have liked to have stayed in the locker room with the two men, but.. That just wasn't to be.. A stagehand knocking at the door just as the second to last match was starting to air.. Lita leaving the safety of the locker room to shoot the promo….and then it was time for the main event.