Chapter 30: Batista's Opponent Is Who?

Lauren and Batista were riding over to the show, anxious to see HHH tap out to Benoit again, when Lauren looked up to see a real smile on Batista's face. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were pretty excited about this match," Lauren chuckled. Batista had been pretty quiet most of the limo ride to the arena.

"Damn straight," he replied now smiling down at her. Lauren smiled back and laid her head against his arm. Once they arrived, they found a smiling Eric Bischoff waiting for them in the garage. "What's going on Bischoff?" Batista asked.

"Well Batista, HHH brought up an interesting point just recently that, you weren't scheduled for a match tonight. But that's all right, it's all been taken care of," Bischoff smirked.

"Who?" Batista asked with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

Instead of actually looking at Batista, Bischoff looked over at Lauren with a smirk. "Gene Snitstky. Better get ready," he chuckled and walked off.

Batista could feel Lauren's hand shaking in his. He looked down at her to see her head down. He pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered, "He's not going anywhere near you again. I'll make sure of that." Lauren simply nodded. "Come on, let's go." Batista wrapped his arm around her and led them both to their dressing room. Lauren immediately turned on the tv to watch the show. She watched Jericho's Highlight Reel with Randy Orton and Jake Roberts.

"Hey Batista?" Lauren asked as he was changing behind her. (Oh god! Turn around Lauren, turn around! lol)

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Is it just me, or has Randy been acting differently lately?" Lauren asked him. Batista finished and watched the monitor as Randy RKO'd Jake Roberts.

"I don't think it's just you," Batista stated.

"Ever since he made that challenge to the Undertaker, Stacy's been telling me that he's been so distant and always concentrated on beating him. She's really worried about him," Lauren told him. Batista just nodded, looking at the expression on the young man's face.

"Well, he's always been one to somewhat, 'over-do' things." Batista stated with a sigh. After the commercial break, Christian and Tomko were going to fight Kane. "Kane is going to kill those two losers," Batista chuckled while sitting next to Lauren on the couch with his arm draped around her. Once Kane had completely destroyed both Tomko and Christian, the cameras went backstage to show Ric Flair and Snitsky talking. Batista looked down at Lauren to see her hands shaking again.

Snitsky was going on to say how whatever he did to Batista would be 'all his fault'. Batista just narrowed his eyes at the screen, whileLauren laid back completely against the couch. "I hate him," she stated quietly.

"I know. Don't worry about him, I'll make sure he doesn't bother you again." Batista stated while giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead. Lauren just cuddled herself as close as she could to the man she loved. Batista didn't realize that Snitsky upset her that much. I better set him straight about messing with her. "Lauren, I'll be back in a few minutes okay? Keep the door locked and don't open it for anyone. Got it?" he told her as he cupped her cheek in his hand. Lauren nodded and kissed him gently on the cheek. Batista kissed her hand and gave her a wink as he closed the door.

Lauren simply continued to watch the show when she saw Lita training Christy along with William Regal and Tajiri. She smiled and gasped as Christy accidentally kicked Regal in the balls. "Ouch!" Lauren laughed. Lauren then decided to take a shower while Edge and Shelton Benjamin had their little match. As soon as she came out again, she saw Trish talking to Maria about Christy. Lauren glared at the tv, especially as Trish started beating Maria mercilessly. That was me not too long ago. But I'll make sure that it doesn't happen again. Lauren sat down on the couch again as she waited for Batista to return to watch the match between HHH and Benoit. However she started to shiver as she saw Ric Flair hyping up Snitsky for his match with Batista.

"All right Gene, you're going to go out there, and you are going to hurt Batista! You are going to destroy Batista! You are going to–" Flair noticed that Snitsky wasn't paying attention. Lauren wondered what he could have possibly been looking at. "Hey Snitsky! What are you–Nature Boy to Snitsky! Hello!" Flair yelled.

"Hey Ric, hey Gene" Batista greeted casually from behind Flair. Lauren practically jumped up out of her seat.

What is he doing? He could get hurt! She thought frantically. Flair simply started freaking out and told Batista to show him some respect. Batista then scoffed and walked off the screen. Lauren plopped back down onto the couch with her hand on her chest. I swear, that man will kill me before I turn 30, she thought as she fanned her face with her hand. Just then someone knocked on her door. "Who is it?" she called out.

"It's Lita! Can I come in?" Lita yelled through the door. Lauren got up and let her in as she plopped on the couch beside her.

"Kane did an awesome job in his match tonight," Lauren smiled.

"Oh I know it. Just seeing him destroy those creeps just makes me all...yeah," Lita said knowing that she had gotten just a little carried away. Lauren just laughed. "He's still in our locker room, so I figured I'd just come and chill with you while you watch Batista's match."

"Thanks but I'll probably be going out there with him. I mean you know Flair and HHH are going to pull something out there. I've gotta be there to help him," Lauren told her.

"Lauren, I know you want to help him. But think of it, if Batista gets distracted by HHH or Flair, Snitsky could come after you and...you know," Lita stated. Lauren bowed her head and heaved a long sigh.

"I guess you're right. I think Batista will actually be happy that I'm not out there," Lauren smiled weakly. Lita put an arm around her friend. Then someone else knocked on the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me Lauren!" Batista called out. Lauren jumped up and let him in as she crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. "What did I do now?" he asked in surprise.

"You actually tried to provoke Flair and Snitsky? At the same time?" Lauren asked eerily calm.

Before Batista could respond, Lita came up from behind Lauren. "Hey! HHH vs. Benoit is on now! Let's all watch it shall we?" she asked and dragged Lauren over to the couch. They all watched the match as Batista stood behind the couch with his eyes narrow.

After HHH cheated to win the match, Batista pounded a fists against the wall. "Damnit!" he cursed loudly. "That son of a bitch!"

"Calm down, Batista!" Lauren said walking up to him. "Don't worry, you're going to give him what he deserves at WM21." Batista simply nodded as he tried to calm himself. He looked at the tv and then at Lauren.

"My match starts now," he told her quietly. Lauren nodded and bowed her head. Batista held her arms and rubbed them. "Lauren, I know you want to go out there, but..."

"I know. I'll stay here." Lauren told him. She then wrapped her arms around his waist. "Please be careful." she whispered. Batista placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to claim her lips. Without another word, Batista walked out of the locker room. Lauren stood there with her arms hugging herself, until Lita placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Come on. Let's watch it and see him kick ass," she said. Lauren letLita lead her back to the couch and sat as close as she could to the tv.

Please be okay. Please be okay. She repeated in her mind over and over. By the end of the match, Lauren had already repeatedly tried to run out of the locker room to Batista's aid. It was now three to one, with HHH, Flair and Snitsky all against Batista. Lita held her back, telling her it'd all be okay.

"Trust me. I had a plan if this happened!" Lita yelled over Lauren's demands to let her go help Batista. Lauren stopped abruptly and turned to face her. Before she could even ask, Lita smirked and pulled out her cell phone. "Let's just say I called for reinforcements in case this happened." Lauren could suddenly hear the cheers of the fans as Kane ran out to the ring. Lauren smiled widely as she hugged Lita with all her might. "Hey! Stop hugging me and watch the action!" Lita laughed. They both watched as Batista and Kane cleaned house. "That's what I'm talking about!" Lita chuckled and high-fived Lauren who chuckled in return.

Of course, HHH had to ruin everyone's little celebration by running to the top of the ramp with a mic. "Well I hope you enjoy this little so called victory while you can. Because next week, your opponent...is standing right behind you." Lauren and Lita gasped as they realized it would be Kane vs. Batista.

A/N: Ahhh? HHH is such an ass. Oh well. Thank you to all who has reviewed, but I don't seem to be getting as many as I used to. I don't know if it's a technical difficulty, or you guys have given up on me, hehe. Anyways, I have a tiny bit of bad news for Halo27: I'm sorry, but the next fan fic won't be about Stone Cold Steve Austin. But I must say, that was a very good guess, I honestly never would've thought of that. I hope to see more reviews from you anyways! (Please?) hehe. Thanks again to all who have reviewed, it's what keeps me going. :)