Chapter 23: The Next Day

The next day, was simply spent holding each other for Batista and Lauren. Batista had finally told Lauren that he had heard everything about what HHH did. "Plus, you guys didn't see me, but I saw HHH hurt you," he told her rubbing her arms.

Lauren just bowed her head. "I wish I could be strong, like you." Batista simply made her look up into his eyes.

"You're perfect the way you are. I don't think you're weak in any way. In fact, some of the Divas could learn a thing or two from you," he smirked.

"Yeah, like how to attract all the weirdos like Snitsky," Lauren scoffed. Before Batista could come up with a smart remark, Lauren's phone went off. "Noooooo! Too early!" she whined hugging Batista around the waist.

"It's 2 o'clock in the afternoon," Batista laughed.

"Whatever," Lauren mumbled and picked up her phone. "Hello?"

"AAHHHHHHH!" was all she heard coming from a very excited Stacy Keibler and Lita.

"Hi," Lauren said trying to get her hearing back. Batista simply stood up and started to make his way into the bathroom to take a shower.

"IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Stacy yelled with delight in her voice.

"Did you guys sleep together last night?" Lita asked with a wicked smile on her face.

"NO! Well, yeah, but we didn't even take off our clothes!" Lauren defended.

"Not yet!" Batista called out from the bathroom.

"Shutup!" Lauren yelled throwing a pillow at the bathroom door, wishing it was Batista's head. "Anyways, so did you guys just call me to tell me 'told you so'?"

"Yes, but that's not all," Lita said. "We wanted to know if you wanted to celebrate today by going...drum roll Stacy..." Lauren could hear Stacy on the line making a fake drum roll. "Shopping!" they both cried out.

Lauren laughed her head off by their great enthusiasm. "Sure, what time? Yeah that sounds good, see you then. Bye. Shutup! Bye!" Lauren closed her phone with a smile on her face. Now to take care of that idiot! Lauren knocked on the door. "Get your butt out here you jerk!" she yelled. No one answered, but she could hear the shower running. She rolled her eyes and opened the door with her hand over her eyes. Her other hand waved through the air to keep her from bumping into anything. "Okay, now where are you?" she called out. The only thing she got as a response was Batista grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the running water. "Ah!" she cried and jumped right back out. Without even thinking she opened her eyes, only to find him standing, still halfway dressed next to the running shower. "You son of a–"

"Ah, ah, better watch that mouth or I'll have to wash it out with soap," Batista mocked. Though, he didn't realize Lauren had gotten the removable showerhead and was holding it in her hands...aiming it at him. "Whoa, hold on now! You know I was just kidding, come on I–" All he got was a big squirt in the face. "Okay that's it!" he growled and grabbed a wash bowl and filled it with water.

"Water War!" Lauren laughed and continued to squirt him. They continued soaking each other until someone's stomach started rumbling. Lauren held her stomach and blushed. "Guess I'm getting kind of hungry," she chuckled nervously.

"Yeah me too. But just one more thing," Batista said and splashed her again with water.

Lauren stood there and looked him in the eye. "You know what? You can be the child around here if you want to. I on the other hand, will be the mature one and not partake in this kind of behavior any further. Now if you'll excuse me, I am quite famished and require nourishment. Good day to you sir," she stated all 'high and mighty' with her chin held high.

"Oh you've gotta be kidding me!" Batista laughed, only to get a mouthful of water again.

"Gotcha! I win!" Lauren declared and ran out of the room.

"Grr. We better change if we're going out to eat!" Batista called after her.

"Okay! I'll meet you down in the lobby in about twenty minutes, seeing as how neither of us need a shower!" Lauren replied and ran back to her room, doing her best to ignore the stares from other people. Once she had closed her door, she leaned her back against it, holding her arms with a large smile on her face. It happened. It actually happened. Batista kissed me, and now...I guess we have to see where this goes. Lauren practically danced as she decided what to pick for going out. She decided to go with the white backless top that looped behind the neck, low-rise jeans, and her black combat boots. She put her hair up in a stylish bun, to give him a better view of her bare back. If this doesn't turn him on, nothing will, she smirked and started heading out the door. Lauren knocked on his door to hear him say 'Come in.' She walked in, seeing him nowhere in sight. "You ready?" she called out.

"Almost!" he replied.

"Oh come on! It took literally only five minutes to get ready, and you don't even–" Lauren was cut off when he finally emerged from his bedroom. He was wearing a black wife-beater with dark blue jeans, his cool shades, and black shoes.

Damn! They both thought at the same time.

"W–we better get going!" Lauren stuttered pointing at the door.

"Y–yeah," he agreed as they both walked out into the hallway and into the elevator. Once they got off, Lauren felt Batista take her hand in his. She smiled up at him and simply walked closer with him and leaned against his huge tattooed arm. Instead of taking one of Evolution's limos (since they couldn't) Batista walked over to the rental and opened the door for Lauren.

Once they were on the road, Lauren began thinking about what had actually happened the night before. Not only did Batista surprise her beyond belief, but he also broke away from Evolution. It continued to stay on her mind as they grabbed some McDonalds and headed down to a park to eat their food. They decided to sit at a picnic table by the lake and eat.

Midway through his meal, Batista noticed across the table that Lauren had barely touched her food. "You okay, Lauren?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, fine!" she smiled and started eating a little faster.

"Something's on your mind, I can tell," Batista said giving her a stern look while leaning on the table.

"I'm fine really! I just–" she couldn't finish her sentence, since she started snickering.

"What?" Batista asked raising a brow.

"You–you've got milkshake on you," she told him.

"Where?" he asked trying to wipe it away.

"Here, I'll get it." Lauren stood up and walked over to his side of the table. She grabbed a napkin and started to wipe it away, when he took her hand in his. Lauren simply smiled until she saw some still on his lower lip. She bent down and kissed that same spot while getting the milkshake off. "I think that's it," she said and started backing away. Until Batista pulled her into his lap.

"I think you missed some," Batista smirked and pulled her in for more. Lauren instantly gave in as he kissed her perfectly, with his arms holding her, and his warm hands sending shivers on her bare back. When they both realized that joggers were heading their way, they decided it'd be better to continue later. "So what would you like to do now?" he asked her. Lauren looked around to see what they could do.

"Why don't we just go sit under a tree and watch the lake?" Lauren suggested. Batista just nodded and helped her get up as they walked hand-in-hand over to a large tree just feet from the edge of the lake. Batista sat down and pulled Lauren into his arms as he wrapped them around her. Lauren relaxed in his hold and leaned back against his chest.

"So when do you plan on telling me what's bothering you?" Batista asked smugly.

"Batista, I told you, I'm–" Lauren was cut off by Batista putting a hand over her mouth.

"If I didn't believe you then, what makes you think I'll believe you now? Come on, you know I've always been able to tell," he smirked. Lauren then gave him a stern look as he removed his hand.

"It's just...are you sure you're happy with your decision?" Lauren asked.

"What are you talking about? Of course I am," Batista chuckled. Lauren simply pushed herself out of his hold and stood at the edge of the water holding her arms.

"Batista, you've known HHH and Ric for almost two years. You were a part of their team, and it just surprised me how easily you could just–I don't know...throw it all away." Lauren told him quietly.

"Lauren–" Batista started.

"Batista I don't want you to regret this decision later. HHH will never forgive you if you do this and take his title from him! I just need to know, that in two or three weeks, you won't turn around and say 'never mind Lauren you're not worth it!'" She started allowing tears to fall down her cheeks. "Because in all honesty, you wouldn't be the first." The last part was whispered, but Batista could hear it.

Batista's eyes were wide at her statement. "Lauren, how could you even think like that?" Batista stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "I never want to lose you. And I will never, turn my back on you, ever. I love you."

Lauren's eyes widened even more as he said the three words she never expected for him to say at that moment. "Batista..." Lauren was at a loss for words as she turned in his arms to face him. "I love you too. And I want you to be happy. So if you want to–" Lauren was cut off by Batista's lips covering hers.

Once he pulled away, he wiped the remaining tears with his thumb and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "Stop thinking of everyone but yourself. I want you to be happy too you know." he smiled. Lauren just smiled back and nodded as they began to kiss each other again.

Batista drove Lauren back to the hotel to meet up with Lita and Stacy. The girls spent a good few hours trying to get Lauren to spill every detail she could about what happened after they had left the arena the night before. "I forget," was all Lauren said. Both Lita and Stacy were ready to start trying to pound it out of her, until she finally gave in. Lita and Stacy ooo'd and ahh'd over everything she told them. "And then he dropped me off at the hotel to meet you guys. But I'll tell you, when he kissed me last night, I swear I thought it was all a dream. There have been so many times where we'd be so close to actually kissing each other, only to be interrupted each time. It was so annoying. But last night, everyone was watching and it didn't make a difference at all. It...I can't even describe it." Lauren smiled widely at both of them. Both Lita and Stacy smiled with her as they thought of their guys, Orton and Kane. "Oh well, enough of that. Let's go shopping!" Lauren cheered and walked with them all over the place.

A/N: I know, you liked the last chapter only to have this chapter come up. I can't but feel that it's disappointing some how. There's so much stuff I have thought about for the near future, but I don't wanna jump straight from one thing to another and leave all you guys confused. So I will admit right now, there may be some randomness, but it's only because it's going to lead up to something either really big, or really good. Hope you stick around for more. And thanks to all who have reviewed, I know you'd like the last chapter, since you've all been waiting for it, lol. Thanks again!

PS-Clever title, huh? And just between you and me, I might be coming out with another wrestling fic once this one is near completion. If you can guess which wrestler it is, you get a chapter dedicated completely to you, and whatever idea you have will be put into this fic one way or another. Or it may just be a special random chapter based on your idea, and separate from the actual story. Sorry if that's confusing, I can't write worth a damn, lol. Anyways, it's just if you're interested or you just wanna guess for fun:)