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 (possible change to Victoria/Hunter), Trish/Jeff, Maria/Randy, Candice/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 at this time…direct continuation of previous chapter so first paragraph is a wee bit shorter.. Chapter is a bit shorter than previous….and leaving it a bit of a cliffhanger….sorry.

-x-x-x-

As soon as Lita's eyes locked with her brother's, the diva was trying to move…worry mirrored in her own gaze. The redhead soon found herself standing on very shaky legs, one arm clutched to her chest as she made her way over to Dave.. Lita seating herself next to him while Hunter, John and Chris stood near the seated trio, Victoria and Maria hanging off to the side for the time being.

The diva pushed back an errant strand of hair from her face, "H said it wasn't too bad.."

Dave sent her a smile, "it's not baby girl.. Vince wanted me to come here, just to be on the safe side.. It was mostly for show…no pun intended." He smirked a bit, "plus he wanted to get Henry away from you.. Show's helping us out a little."

"That's good," Lita replied, starting to say more when she winced suddenly. "Henry stayed away from me.."

"But that asshole didn't," Randy stated rather darkly, "or I doubt you'd be sitting here with your arm swelling like that."

The redhead smiled weakly, "I was putting my hands out to break the fall…ended up hitting the mats around the ring, my cheek nicked the steps."

Dave smirked slightly, "almost funny how you manage to do that.. But at least it wasn't your head."

Victoria frowned a bit, "it shouldn't have been anything.. He just needs to back off and leave you alone."

The redhead twitched at that, her expression starting to change, her shoulders getting tense…

Hunter smirked, "wishful thinking unfortunately.." He crossed his arms, glancing quickly around the area, "you should probably check in Li.. The sooner you do that, the sooner you can get out of here."

Lita nodded her agreement, starting to get to her feet before she was slumping back down into the chair.

Her brother arched an eyebrow, "Li? What's wrong? Do you need to throw up or--"

"I'm okay… I just got a little dizzy."

Hunter reached out a hand to her when she tried to stand again, the diva nearly falling. "No Li.. I don't think you're okay."

"I'm fine.. I just.." She took a step back, thankfully finding the chair before she could fall. "I need to sit down and--"

Victoria knelt before her friend, "no Lita.. You need to see the doctor now. Don't tell me this hasn't happened before because I know it has." The older woman's eyes grew wide with fright, "someone go get a doctor now, she's hyperventilating!"

Lita tried to stand again, Victoria catching her friend just as the redhead giving her a shaky smile. "I don't feel so good.."

Victoria glanced up to see Hunter approaching with two doctors in tow.. One stopping to call back for a gurney. And as she was being taken away, another doctor called for Dave…the man looking visibly torn until Chris also stepped forwards, informing the new doctor that he was the redhead's younger brother, the young man then hurrying after the gurney. John soon decided that now was as good a time as any to get the cut on his face checked out, Maria and Victoria seating themselves with Hunter and Randy…all eyes trained on the spot where Lita had disappeared from sight.

Hunter sent a questioning look to Victoria, "you've seen this happen before.."

"Not this bad.." Victoria cupped her face in her hands, elbows propped on her knees. "Never this bad.. She … always got through whatever this was."

The blond man nodded absently, "has Chris seen it happen?"

"I think so," the dark haired woman replied almost distantly. "I might've talked to him about at some point but.. I don't really know."

"What are you getting at Hunter?" Randy spoke up quietly, blue eyes still trained on the doors leading to the main E.R. area. "So what if Vicki and Chris have seen this."

The blond man ran his hands over his hair, "those doctors are going to be asking her a lot of questions. Li didn't really like she was in any sort of condition to answer them so if someone at least knows what's going on.."

"She looked so pale," Maria whispered, the young diva's hands clutched tightly together. "And scared.."

Hunter nodded, "she looked scared of me…when I tried to touch her."

Victoria cleared her throat, wiping her palms on her jeans. "I think I'm going to find a vending machine…or something. I just.. I need to--"

Maria was on her feet before the dark haired woman, "I'll go with you."

Hunter also stood, sending a glance back to Randy. "Kid.. We don't know how long this is going to take, we might as well take a walk, maybe hit the gift shop.."

Randy nodded absently, "yeah.. Hospitals aren't really known for their quick service anyway.. Not that I'd want them to be.."

The blonde man rolled his eyes, "I'd be worried if a hospital ever put in a drive-through window."

That comment at least got a weak laugh from Victoria and Maria, Randy rolling his eyes in response as the four went in search of vending machines and the gift shop.

"Will she be okay?" Maria questioned as they exited an elevator, another hospital visitor having told them that the gift shop was this way. "I mean she just looked so…pale."

Randy shrugged, "I guess we'll find out when Chris gets back. Li's pretty tough though."

Hunter frowned at that, "but that could also mean that she's been putting up with this for awhile. She's tough yes, but we also know how stubborn she can be."

The younger man nodded easily, "if that's the case, and I think we all know who the cause of this is, it's just another reason to kick his ass."

Hunter smiled tightly, "I'd like to re-arrange that bastard's face…maybe rip off his arms, then his legs.. Disembowel him and stick his head on a pole."

Randy held up a hand, "dude.. You're starting to scare me." He nodded discreetly to the divas walking between them, "and--"

"I got it," the blond man replied, a look sent over to Victoria, "so.. How's Tyson?"

Victoria shook her head, "he got released.. Left the arena before the Heat tapings started or he'd be here now."

Hunter blinked, the four finally finding the gift shop. "Well that just sucks." He held the door open for Maria and Victoria, changing the subject once they were all inside. "We don't know how long she'll be staying.."

Randy shrugged a bit, "we could get her a teddy bear…in case she tries to choke one of the doctors."

Victoria smiled faintly, "we'll get her one of these in case the doctor is male." She held up a gingerbread cookie, "see? It's a gingerbread man that she can bite the head off of."

"Or she can pretend it's Edge," Maria said simply, grabbing a gingerbread man for herself.

The older woman grinned, "I rather like that idea myself."

Hunter cleared his throat, "right well.. You two grab those cookies, then we'll get out of here…get back to the waiting area."

-x-x-x-

Victoria and Maria exchanged a look, the two women shrugging before moving to another part of the gift shop, grabbing a teddy bear as they made their way over to the cashier. And once they had paid for their items, Randy and Hunter getting the diva some chocolate, they made their way back to the waiting area. Not to their entire surprise, John was the first to exit from the main part of the E.R, the man sporting a small bandage on his forehead. Chris and Dave exited fifteen minutes later, the Animal's expression clearly concerned, mixed with confusion about his sister's condition. The two made their way over to the grouping of chairs, Hunter relinquishing his seat so Dave could sit down. Once everyone was re-situated, Chris cleared his throat, the young wrestler looking a little worse for the wear than when he had arrived to the hospital.

"She's going in for an x-ray later…her wrist and all." His expression was unsettled as he sat back, "when I left, they were starting an exam.. When we were going back there, the nurse said something about Li's heart racing and she was shaking a bit….still felt dizzy. I overheard them talking about an ECG test but--"

"Do they know what's wrong or do the at least have a guess?" Victoria wanted to know, a nervous glance tossed towards the E.R. doors. "I've gotten her to calm down from something like this before but.. It never got this bad."

Chris nodded slowly, "I know Vicki. I've seen it before, but not this bad. Usually she just…she gets this look in her eyes and then before I know it, she's breathing fast and--"

Dave glanced between the two, "when did this start?"

Victoria frowned in thought, "month ago, I think.."

Chris nodded, "that sounds about right.. First time I saw it was the first time she roomed with me."

Dave ran his hands over his hair, "if she'd just say something to anyone. We could have taken care of this."

"Well, at least she's getting help now," Victoria said softly, "not that she has much of a choice but.."

"I know Vicki, I just wish she wasn't so damned stubborn." Dave swore softly when he moved forwards, "that fucking prick--"

Randy cleared his throat, sending a look over to Cena. "So, what happened to you?"

John motioned to his face, "got clocked with a chair, that's what. Had to get a few stitches to close it up."

Victoria wrinkled her nose slightly, "that's one nasty black eye.."

"Yeah well, shit happens.. Get back up, keep on fightin'."

"It wasn't your fault, John," Victoria sent him a pointed look, "I was watching from the back, you were trying to help her and tried to keep her out of harms way so don't even think it's your fault."

The WWE Champion opened his mouth to say otherwise, shutting it quickly when one of the doctors whom had been with Lita exited…heading straight for Dave and Chris, motioning for the two to step forwards.

The doctor -- Dr. Owens according to her nametag -- cleared her throat, "I'm Dr. Owens, one of the two doctors treating your sister this evening. We're running an ECG test at the moment, but, I presumed you would want an update on her status." She motioned for the two men to sit in another grouping of chairs nearby, "her physical exam checked out fine, for the most part, when you take into consideration that she's already reporting tonight with injuries to her wrist and face." Pursing her lips, she continued: "from our initial assessment and from what your sister told us, we have every reason to believe that she suffered a panic attack in the waiting area."

Dave's forehead etched further in confusion, "a panic attack?"

Dr. Owens nodded briskly, "her symptoms give a good indication of one and she informed us that she has experienced something like this before."

Chris raised an eyebrow, "so…what causes these things?"

Dr. Owens set down the clipboard in her hands, resting the object on her lap. "If your sister has recently been under stress, emotional trauma.. They can both lead to a panic attack."

Dave nodded slowly, inwardly cursing Edge to his doom. "And what about her wrist?"

Dr. Owens smiled just a bit, "we'll know when we get her x-ray done.. You'll be able to see her after that."

Dave and Chris nodded, Dr. Owens shaking their hands before she returned to the main .E.R area.

"Well?" Victoria questioned as soon as Dave and Chris had reached them, "how is she? What's going on?"

Dave sighed, settling heavily into one of the chairs. "She had a panic attack. And this isn't the first one, apparently."

Victoria bit her lower lip, "can we see her yet?"

Chris shook his head, "she's getting that ECG right now, then she has to have her wrist x-rayed. We'll be able to see her after that."

"A panic attack," Randy stated, an unsure expression on the Legend Killer's face. "Why--"

"Emotional trauma, stress.." Chris interrupted quietly, "Dr. Owens said those could be possible causes."

Hunter smiled wryly, "Lord knows she's had enough of that recently…fucking asshole."

Chris ran his hands through his hair, "well he'll pay for it…he did pay for it tonight, somewhat anyway. When I left the ring he wasn't moving and I think his nose was broken."

Randy cracked his knuckles, "if he's cleared for Smackdown, I'll pick up where you two left off.. If not, then it just means he's fresh meat again."

Maria cleared her throat, the young diva clearly looking uncomfortable. "Does she have to stay overnight?"

Dave half shrugged, "Dr. Owens didn't say but, I guess it all depends on what they want to do."

"She ain't gonna be happy 'bout that if that does happen," John said first, glancing then to Dave as he continued, "but I got this feeling you'd make her stay 'ere."

The Animal shrugged again, "I just want what's best for her.. And if that means she has to stay overnight, then she's staying overnight."

Victoria let out a sigh, the woman clearly upset about the situation.. "so all we can do now is wait."

"Pretty much," Dave replied absently, "if any of you have anyone you need to call, I'd say now is the time to do it."

Victoria, Maria and Chris were soon on their feet, the dark haired woman offering to call Lilian when it seemed that Dave wasn't moving.. Dr. Owens appearing not long after they had dispersed.

Dave was on his feet, approaching the doctor before she even motioned for him, a frown appearing on his face when he noticed the expression on the doctor's. "Dr. Owens?"

"Dr. Griffin had some concerns about your sister's ECG, he would like to run another test and start an I.V." Dr. Owens removed her glasses, rubbing the side of her head, "your sister hasn't been very co-operative but, she has consented to further treatment."

"When can she leave?"

Dr. Owens glanced down to her clipboard, "Dr. Griffin would like to keep her overnight for observation.. Not related to the panic attack, but, with your sister's history of concussions.." She sent Dave a small smile when his face fell, "it's for precautionary reasons only, I assure you of that. She's in x-ray right now and then she'll be transferred to another room. Once I have that information, I will notify you so you can see her."

Dave nodded numbly, "thank you doctor.." He thumbed back to the odd looking bunch, "can they see her too?"

Dr. Owens hesitated before giving a small nod. "As long as the patient is awake and up to receiving visitors.. Though the nurses on staff may insist that you wait until morning." Having said that, she returned to the E.R.. Dave running a hand through his short hair before he turned.

"She's staying overnight, having another test done…getting an I.V. in. they're moving her after she gets back from having the x-ray done on her wrist." Dave sat down, his eyes focusing on the ceiling tiles. "We'll be able to see her after she's been moved."

Hunter sent a look over to his friend, "she's probably giving them hell, huh?"

Dave almost smiled, "you know it, H."

The blond man stood, "well.. I'm going to see if the gift shop is still open, I know I saw daises in there. I can tell Vicki, Maria and Chris about what's going on."

The Animal sat back, frustration appearing briefly in his eyes. "You two might have to wait until morning to see her."

"I ain't got nowhere else to be," John said, blue eyes staring out into space. "I'll sleep in one of these chairs if I need be."

Randy smirked a little, "you already know I'm staying."

Dave nodded slowly, "I wouldn't expect anything less, Randy."

The three fell silent then, each of them worried about the redhead.. Dave on his feet again when Dr. Owens re-appeared.. Randy, Dave and John waiting for the others to get back before they re-located to another part of the hospital. And while they wanted to see her tonight, they were also prepared to wait…knowing that it really wasn't in their control. But, at the very least, Dave and Chris could see her since they were family…at least one of them anyway.. Chris taking the gingerbread men and the flowers just in case visitation was restricted to family only. Fortunately, the nurses on duty were persuaded by Hunter to let them all visit.. Chris and Dave going first, followed by Victoria and Hunter, then Randy and Maria. John was about to question if he should go in since Lita probably needed to sleep.. Hunter, Dave, Randy and Victoria informing him that the redhead was asking to see him. At that bit of news, the WWE Champion made his way into the hospital room, blue eyes locking with hazel.