Chapter 8: Rain, Don't Ever Go Away

Batista and Lauren were the only people running through the streets in the rain, while everyone else was looking for cover. Batista was still 'it' after ten minutes of running. Lauren was getting tired, but she refused to stop. She found a little park nearby that would be perfect to run around in. Batista was rounding a corner fast, so she knew she had to get a move on it. So Lauren ran across the street into the park with all the trees, playground equipment, benches, etc. It didn't take long for Batista to catch up with her. But he still had to actually catch her, since she was using the different playground pieces like the swings, slide and jungle gym as shields.

"Okay come on Lauren! I'm soaked here!" Batista whined while still chasing her around the playground.

"Oh come on! Stop being such a baby! You know, for being the 'animal', who knew you'd whine so much!" Lauren laughed as she stepped up the ladder for the big tube slide. Before she went down, she saw Batista about to climb the ladder after her. "Ah!" she screamed as he tried to grab her. She flew down the slide, only to feel massive arms wrap around her from behind.

"Gotcha!" Batista yelled triumphantly. "Now we're gonna get out of the rain, and think of a place to dry off. No more tag!" he laughed as he flung Lauren over his shoulder and ran for the cover of a tree. Even though they were safe from the rain, Batista still hadn't put Lauren down. After a few minutes, it got to Lauren.

"You can out me down now," she mumbled. "Stupid Batista with his stupid big arms and carrying me on his stupid shoulder," Lauren ranted on in her head. She literally sat there wondering how she was going to get him to put her down. A sly smile crossed her lips as she took a deep breath. "I hope this works," she thought. "Ow! My stomach hurts! Ow!" Lauren cried. She felt Batista tense and panic as he gently set her on her feet.

"Are you all right?" he asked her. He was answered with a fit of laughter as she clutched her stomach, even if she wasn't in pain.

"I tricked you!" she sang idiotically and stuck her tongue out at him. "But since you were a good sport during tag, sort of, I promise not to run off," Lauren sighed. Batista just glared at her and watched her as she turned her back to him to watch the rain.

Batista watched as Lauren smiled up at the rain falling down. "Why do you like the rain so much?" he asked her.

"When I was little, I would always run out into the rain. It was always so, cleansing for me. I mean it just seemed like the only thing that couldn't be broken, or tainted. It's just so...pure" Lauren replied intently.

"Guess you have a point." Batista smirked and watched it with her. His attention was drawn away from the rain when he heard Lauren humming to herself. "What song is that?"

"Hmm? Oops. Sorry, I always seem to forget that you're there," she chuckled nervously.

"That seems to be a bad habit of yours," Batista said smirking. "That song sounds familiar. Where have I heard it from?"

"When we were in the car last night. Just watching the rain reminds me of 'Mi Morena'. The song is so nice, and slow, and beautiful," Lauren sighed in content. Pretty soon her humming became the actual words.

And so my love,

From my window I can see.

A beautiful vision.

And when the music plays,

Your body rises like a bird of praise.

Mi morena,

I saw you dancing in the rain.

Holy water, shining like a silver flame.

Come like a ghost,

I will watch you dance alone.

Mi morena, you're the light within my soul.

Batista didn't realize it, but Lauren had closed her eyes and actually started dancing in the rain. Her body twirled with her hands raised to the sky. He watched her reveal her grace, and love for the rain.

Lauren simply kept humming the song to herself and kept dancing in the rain. Until she felt someone take both her hands from behind. She opened her eyes to see a soaked Batista smiling down at her. He turned her around and wrapped one of his massive arms around her waist, while he held her hand in his.

"A beautiful girl shouldn't be dancing by herself," he smirked. Batista started to sway them back and forth. Lauren kept singing the song, as Batista began to spin her inward and outward. He twirled her as her hair splashed the excess water from the ends.

Mi morena,

Hold your hands out to the night.

Be my lover, I will fall into your eyes

Sweet fire of love.

For you, I'd steal the stars.

'Cause I adore you

O my morena.

Lauren spun one more time into Batista's arms, and felt her body against his chest. She looked up slowly to see him smiling down at her with his intense eyes. "Who knew the animal would be so light on his feet?" Lauren chuckled nervously to try and avoid his gaze. Suddenly she felt his fingers place her wet strands of hair behind her ear. Lauren couldn't help but simply lay her head against his chest tiredly, as he kept his arms firmly around her.

"Come on. Let's go home," Batista suggested. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they both simply walked back to the hotel. Of course, as soon as they reached the front doors, the rain had stopped.

"It figures," they both said at the same time, and walked inside to change into dry clothes. Even though it took Lauren a little longer, since she was waiting for her heart to stop beating like crazy.

When she realized it wouldn't, she simply smiled and continued to sing 'Mi Morena' to herself.

A/N: Once again, kind of a random chapter. But better ones will come soon. I just need important events surrounding Batista and/or Evolution, preferably before New Year's Revolution. Actually i'd appreciate it if someone reminded me what actually happened at New Year's Revolution. Instead of putting it in a review, feel free to email me or ask for my IM. Thanks for your awesome reviews guys. PS-The lyrics used in this chapter belong to Josh Groban, not me. I LOOOVE that song though :)