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 .. Main event and the aftermath covered in this chapter.

-x-x-x-

As the time drew closer for the main event, Lita having returned from shooting the promo that should have occurred after the Divas tag match…the redhead couldn't help the thoughts from running through her head where it concerned the main event. Despite the fact that she was playing referee in a match where she only trusted one person.. Lita still tried to keep some sort of positive outlook about it. She trusted Randy well enough, knowing that the Smackdown wrestler would never put her in harms way.. Even if meant saving his own skin. But, she also knew that Edge wouldn't hesitate to get her involved…and she could probably say the same about Henry and Daivari. And despite the weak promise from Bischoff earlier.. The redhead couldn't shake the feeling that she would be on the receiving end of a spear at some point during the match. It was how they worked, or so she believed anyway…wanting to take her out, using whatever opportunity they could create. And if they couldn't finish her in one fell swoop, it seemed that they were content to just do it over time. Finish what had already been started. Frowning heavily, Lita tugged on her boots.. Making a face as she gave herself the once over in the mirror. At least, she supposed, she was wearing pants instead of short shorts…though the pants weren't much better. Well, even there, she couldn't find too much fault with the pants.. The shirt, on the other hand.. Sighing aloud, Lita shook her head.. Wondering why she was really giving a damn about her appearance now.. Right now she had to worry about the main event…and making it through said main event. Lita holding her chin high as she exited the bathroom area, promising Chris and Rob that she wouldn't try anything too crazy out there…full well knowing it was an empty promise to make. She knew that she couldn't stand by idly while Randy was facing those odds, but she also had to play it smart for her sake.. The Diva so caught up in her own thoughts that she failed to notice the approaching bodies..

Edge sneered as he looked down at her, "you'd better remember who's side your on."

Lita arched an eyebrow, instinctively taking a step back. "I already know who's side I'm on…and that's mine."

The blond man snorted, "they don't give a shit about you, Lita. They don't care if you end up in the hospital again, they won't care when I slam you into those ring steps and--"

John Cena stepped between the two, "or so you'd like to think, asshole. You even think 'bout shoving her into those ring steps like you're planning on doing? I can promise ya, you ain't leaving this arena on your own accord.. Your ass will be leaving on a stretcher."

Mr. McMahon cleared his throat, a camera crew with him. "Well, I see we don't have to wait for anyone.. Let's get this last promo out of the way, shall we?"

With Lita now standing between them, Mr. McMahon called for the promo to start.. Bischoff arriving on the scene a few moments later. And for all of the tension in the air, the promo itself was shot.. Mr. McMahon commending them on a job well done before he left.. John staying until Randy arrived…partly because he didn't trust Edge and partly because the redhead had a death grip on his hand.

"I gotta get outta here alright?" John waited until Lita had acknowledged him, "ya know I'm gonna be out there eventually, but.. Try not to do anything too stupid.. Orton ain't gonna be happy 'bout it an' I know Big D ain't gonna be happy 'bout it."

Lita gave a slight nod, "don't forget about Randy.. He might need your help."

Cena nodded in return, giving her a light squeeze. "Just don't forget what I said earlier.. Ya gotta start looking out for yourself too."

The Diva started to say something, only to stop short when she was suddenly jerked away.. Edge sending her a dirty look as he brought her to his side.. Lita nearly losing her footing before Randy reached out, yanking her to him.

"I need you to do something during that match," Lita told her friend quietly, "when Henry is after you.. Or when Edge is after you, use me as a shield."

Randy shook his head, "no fucking way am I doing that."

She sent him a pleading look, "if you don't .. then one of them will."

Randy ran a hand over his short hair, giving the Diva a tentative nod. "You're killing me…asking me to do that and--"

"If I'm going to be used a shield out there, I'd rather it was for a friend like you then Edge," she informed him shortly. "And yes, I know.. Dave isn't going to like this, but there are a lot of things I do that he doesn't like."

After a moment, Randy sighed, "I still don't like this.."

Edge coughed, grabbing the redhead by the wrist. "I think you've been fraternizing with the enemy enough, Lita.. First Cena and now Orton? I--"

Lita smiled thinly, "you're right.. I have been fraternizing with the enemy… I've been at your side for how long now?"

Edge narrowed his eyes, but before he could say another word.. Lita's music started on the sound system, the Diva squaring her shoulders as she left the area.

Randy sent a look Edge's way, "if you even think about putting her in harms way? So help me, I will send you to the hospital."

Edge scoffed, waiting for Daivari to leave the area so he could take his spot as time keeper. "You really shouldn't concern yourself with someone who's already lost, Orton. She knows what's good for her and that's being at my side. She belongs with me."

Randy rolled his eyes, "you're what's good for her? Someone who talks shit about her, someone who's put her in the hospital twice, without a second thought? You're nothing but a worthless piece of shit. She doesn't need you and she doesn't belong to you, Edge, when are you going to realize that?"

"You can't save her Orton.. She's beyond that point." Edge smirked, hefting the title belt on his shoulder. "All you can do at this point? All that any of you can do now? Is stand back and watch while I finish what I started."

Randy gritted his teeth, his music just hitting the sound system as he spoke: "We'll see about that, now won't we? I won't destroy you too much because on Sunday? You're the one who's going to be finished."

Tossing one look over his shoulder to Henry, the Legend Killer made his way through the curtains.. Momentarily catching Lita's gaze before he started his signature pose.

"You know what to do out there," Edge spoke sharply, "first we take care of that little punk kid and then? We take care of her… just don't hurt her too much.. She still has to be at ringside on Sunday."

-x-x-x-

Main Event

After Edge had his share of preening and taunting the crowd.. Lita called for the bell.. the title belt was now sitting near Lilian, Daivari also in that area while Henry was in Edge's corner. And if not for that factor…having Henry in the corner, well.. Then maybe, Randy would have a better shot at walking away from this unscathed.. But, at least Lita could hope that one of them would walk away without injury…wanting for both of them to be able to walk away from this but.. She didn't know if that was possible. Especially given the way that neither Edge or Randy was holding back.. Lita having to separate them twice in a matter of seconds. . The blond man glaring down at her when the redhead admonished him for not breaking right away.. The two men eventually locking it up in the center of the ring, Randy gaining a quick advantage as he got Edge in a side headlock.. Lita having to bite her lip to keep herself from smiling at the action. But, Edge countered the move eventually, sending Randy towards the ropes.. Henry involving himself in the match for the first time by grabbing the Legend Killer's foot. And when Lita gave him a warning, Henry grabbed the bottom rope…making as if to enter the ring while Lita argued with him.. Giving Randy the chance to get a thumb to the eye before a quick series of uppercuts. When the referee turned her attention back to the match, Randy was delivering a standing dropkick.. Going for the quick pin, only to have Henry drag Lita away in the midst of a two. Lita instantly got up, motioning for Henry to leave the ringside area when Bischoff appeared at the top of the ramp…pacing slightly before he announced that this match was now a no disqualifications match.

It was after that point that things started to go downhill for Lita and Randy..

The action in the ring quickly moving to the outside of the ring as Edge rolled out to conference with Henry. Randy followed after a moment, leaving himself open to an attack…but the attack didn't come just yet.. Edge and Henry waiting until the referee was also on the outside. Randy acknowledging the meaningful look from the redhead as Edge and Henry started to stalk him…the blue eyed wrestler reluctantly grabbing the Diva to use her as a shield.. Edge stopping his pursuit momentarily, a dangerous smile spreading slowly across his face while he motioned for Henry to up the attack.. Cornering Randy and Lita in the process. It was then that the already reluctant Legend Killer shoved Lita away from him and towards Edge, the Diva's momentum enough to send the blond man into the stairs…and keeping him down long enough for her to get into the ring just as Randy was doing the same. It wasn't too long before Henry was also in the ring, bringing a steel chair with him. Edge was also on his feet, Lita starting up the ten count.. The blond man breaking the count on six, sliding under the bottom rope, his intent clear as he stalked Lita into a corner.. The Diva bracing herself for the impact that was about to come.. Edge grabbing her roughly by the shoulders while Henry kept Randy detained in the opposite corner. Lita bit her lip to keep from crying out, the blond man's blunt fingernails digging into the soft flesh of her exposed upper arms, before one hand came up; striking her harshly across the face.. Randy losing it then as the blood started to trickle from her nose, dropping down to one knee to low blow Henry before charging at the blond man.. Edge turning just in time, yanking Lita in front of him.

Before she knew what was happening, Lita was on the outside of the ring again.. Edge tossing her to the side.. Leaving her at Henry's mercy while Edge used the steel chair on Randy.. Hitting him first in the ribcage before swinging the chair upwards, the sound of steel hitting flesh ringing in Lita's ears as Randy went down.. Henry and Edge then turning their attention the Diva. And damn if she didn't feel entirely helpless right now.. Cursing Bischoff for making so many damn last minute changes….and wondering just where in the hell Cena was.. Lita exiting the ring, Edge exiting after her with Henry exiting opposite Edge.. The two men coming after her slowly.. Waiting until they had her more or less trapped between them..

"No where to run.." Edge smirked, reaching out to toy with a loose strand of the Diva's hair. "No one to help you." No sooner had the words left his mouth, did the blond man reach out again…ripping the referee's top from the redhead. "Don't you see Lita?" He whispered harshly to her, his grip harsh. "Despite what they say? No one cares about you."

The sudden eruption of the crowd caused all three to turn their attention to the top of the ramp. .John Cena standing over Bischoff's fallen form…a steel chair in hand as he made his way down to the ring.. Edge turning to face him, using Lita as a shield before tossing her at the former champion.. John catching her with one arm, just starting to put her behind him when Edge came lunging at the two.. Lita falling back into the steel steps.

John gave a glance back to the Diva then to Edge, "now.. Your ass is mine." Glaring, he brought up the steel chair in his hands, swinging at Edge…just narrowly missing the blond man's face.

Fortunately, at that point, Randy was starting to stir again… the Legend Killer slowly making his way out of the ring, reaching under the ring to find something before attacking Henry from behind.. The man turning to face Randy…only to receive a face full of fire extinguisher. Simultaneously, John had dropped the chair in favor of delivering a few punches to the blond man's face.. Rolling him back into the ring when he saw blood…helping Lita to her feet so she could make the three count.. Lita was just raising Randy's hand in victory, one hand keeping her ripped shirt closed, when Henry got back in the ring.. The trio quickly making their exit as Henry watched. Lita had just made it to the ramp, when she nearly collapsed; John at her side, giving her his shirt before he spoke.

Frowning, the former champ banded an arm around her waist. "Can you walk?"

Lita grimaced, waiting until she had tugged the shirt on: "I can try…I'm not hurt I'm just tired and--"

"I didn't ask ya to try, I asked ya if you could walk.. 'cos if you can't I'm carrying you outta here."

Slowly, she shook her head, leaning against him for a moment before he swung her up and into his arms. . The man turning so he was walking backwards.

Lita sighed, her arms wrapping around his neck as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Thank you…for helping us."

John was silent for a long moment, glaring hatefully at the blond man still in the ring. "I told ya I was gonna be out here, right? And 'sides which.. Orton's head is hard enough, he coulda taken more then that."

Randy rolled his eyes, just meeting the two as they appeared through the curtains. "I heard that."

"And? What are you gonna do 'bout it?" Cena shook his head, making his way down the stairs carefully before coming to a stop. "We'll wait for Big D and all them to get here."

Orton sent a concerned look to the redhead, "you alright Li?"

The Diva lifted her head from John's shoulder, "I'm tired…didn't get much sleep last night. Talked to Jeff.."

Randy shook his head, "that wasn't a very smart thing to do, Red."

"We all do stupid things, Randy." She removed her arms from Cena's neck, resting her hands on his shoulders now. "If Dave hasn't shown up by now, he's waiting for us to get back."

John was just setting the redhead on her feet when Dave, Chris Masters, Chris Benoit and Rey appeared.

"Everyone alright?" Benoit asked first, though his gaze was settled specifically on the Diva. "Li?"

Lita gave a shaky nod, still leaning against the former champion. "I'm fine.. Just really tired.. I was up most of the night talking to Jeff."

Chris Masters shook his head, "so that's who you were talking to? Li.. Honestly, tell him to call you at a normal time--"

Lita rolled her eyes, "Jeff is far from normal and he doesn't call me that often so." She shrugged, "I made it through the night with little to no injury, I'd say I'm good."

Randy frowned, "you shouldn't have been hurt at all Li.. I know there's the bloody nose there but.. You did go into the steps--"

"Accidentally," she reminded him. "I was trying to get away and I tripped .. Or Edge may have tripped me, I can't say.. But, I wasn't thrown in to them.. I'm fine."

Dave shook his head, reaching out to gather his sister in his arms. "Not the point.. You still could have gotten hurt a lot worse. And there's still Smackdown, plus the Rumble to get through."

"I know," Lita spoke mostly against his chest, pulling back after a moment. "And I don't know about you, but.. I'd rather be changing right now instead of standing here when Henry and Edge are still out there."

He kissed her forehead, "that sounds like a good idea to me." Wrapping an arm around her waist, Dave sent a look over his shoulder, "lets get the hell out of here before they get any ideas."

Randy tossed a look over to John, "you had damn well better beat his ass on Sunday."

John smirked, the two men walking at the back. "I ain't planning on doing anything but that.. He's gonna pay come this Sunday." Frowning a little, he added: "I just hope that she don't get any crazy ideas 'bout getting into that damn cage."

"I doubt it but, unfortunately, you never know with her." Randy ran a hand over his hair, "I didn't want her getting involved tonight like she did, you know?"

"I know man.. It wasn't the smartest thing to do on her part but.." John shrugged it off, "what else can ya do? It's done and over wit' now."

Randy fell silent for a moment, pausing long enough so they were well behind the main group. "Look.. I know you've told Dave that you'll look out for her and keep her safe…whatever, but.."

"I ain't gonna let anything happen to her." John's forehead furrowed a bit, "I ain't sure what she is to ya, alright? But it's like I told Big D.. I ain't gonna let anything happen to her and I sure as hell won't hurt her. I just want to help her."

"That's all any of us want to do but.. It's hard when she doesn't want help."

John shrugged, "that could change though.. After she's away from that asshole."

"Maybe," Randy conceded with a small nod. "Or maybe not. But, she trusts you…she might open up to you more.."

Chris Masters approached before John could reply. "D wants to know if you two are up for grabbing a bite to eat or getting room service.. Li would rather get room service, but whatever everyone else wants is fine by her."

Randy and John exchanged a look, both shrugging after a moment. "Room service is fine wit' me."

The Legend Killer nodded, "what he said.. So long as someone else is paying."

The young wrestler rolled his eyes, "D figured you'd say that…and he's paying.. Or Edge might be.."

John raised an eyebrow, "how in the hell is that gonna happen?"

Chris smirked, "Lita took his credit card…and sure, he won't be too happy about it, but there won't be a damn thing he can do about it."

Randy shook his head, "it's not smart for her to do that… especially with the Rumble so close. Otherwise I'd say yeah, lets go for it."

Chris shrugged, "whatever.. I doubt D will let her use the credit card, but we can return it to him later."

"Count me in for that," John put in first, "I know I'd like to pay him a visit.. Knock some sense into him."

Randy easily nodded his agreement, "same here.. I'd like to finish what I started in that ring."

With that said, the trio finally caught up with everyone else.. Lita getting changed while Dave gathered their stuff.. The group re-convening in the parking lot, Victoria, Trish, Maria and Lilian going along with them. And as they left the arena, Lita couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief. While she hadn't gotten away entirely unscathed, it could have been so much worse for her. But, thankfully, with Cena and Orton out there.. All she had was a bloody nose. Still, that didn't mean she was going to relax completely. As her brother had pointed out, there was still Smackdown and the Rumble to get through. Lita could only hope that Smackdown would be uneventful, knowing that the Rumble match would be anything but. Even if it was inside of a steel cage, she still had to contend with Henry on the outside. Before she could think any further on the matter, however, Lilian, Victoria and Trish pulled her from her thoughts.. Informing her of the newest set of appearances that the Divas were slated for.. The four talking about that until they reached the hotel. And once they had arrived there, they all ended up in Dave's hotel room.. The Animal across the hallway from Randy, with Chris and Lita to the right. It took them a good while to peruse the menu, but once they had gotten that out of the way.. They relaxed a bit…flicking through the television channels until they decided on a comedy. And as Lita became engaged in banter with Chris Masters and Randy, she couldn't help but smile.. Finally feeling safe, secure and with the sense of family that she had missed.