Chapter 38: Just Like Old Times

"Lauren are you crazy? Orton could've jumped right back up and beat you to a bloody pulp!" Batista said with his voice full of concern. Lauren simply bowed her head and stared at the floor.

She then looked right back up at him. "He needed to know that he doesn't do something like that and expect to get away with it. Stacy's one of my best friends, and she deserves better than that!" she told him. Batista didn't know what to say. "So why are you here?" she asked.

Batista looked her straight in the eyes. "Lauren, you didn't give me a chance to explain anything. You know I'd never do anything like that to you. You see what really happened was–" Batista was interrupted by Bischoff again.

"Batista it's time for the face-off, and remember what I told you; no physicality! Hello Vixen, it's nice to see you. I haven't seen you two together in what, almost 4 weeks? You know what? Let's make this interesting, how about you escort Batista to the ring? That way I'll know that he'll keep himself under control," Bischoff smiled idiotically.

"Bischoff I don't want Lauren going out to that ring. H will pull some crap and I don't want her there to–" Batista was cut off by Bischoff again.

"I said for her to escort you to the ring. Now I don't know if you know this Batista, but ever since you left Evolution, I've been doing you a favor." Bischoff stated. Batista just glared at him, wondering what he meant. "You see, when Vixen here came to RAW, she signed a contract which put her with, Evolution. Now instead of being cold and heartless and making her stay with Evolution, I let her stay with you. You know, since it's obvious you two have an interest with each other. But you see I could always enforce that contract and have it so she has to stay with Evolution for the rest of her career. Wouldn't that be fun, Vixen? Always getting to hang out with HHH and Ric Flair? Just like the good old times, huh?" Bischoff was right in front of Lauren who had a frightened look on her face. Batista stepped in between them with a deadly glare apparent in his eyes. He then turned back towards Lauren and took her hand in his as they headed toward the curtain.

Once they were away from Bischoff, Batista started cursing to himself. "That son of a bitch is going to get it one of these days," he said.

"Just forget about him, it's HHH you should be worried about," Lauren told him bluntly. Batista looked down at her to see her staring straight ahead, but felt her hand shaking. "I don't want to go back with them" she stated quietly.

"You won't. I'll make sure of it. If that bastard tries to put you back in Evolution, I'll make him regret that decision five seconds afterwards," Batista told her. Lauren looked back up at him with a very weak smile. Batista smiled back, as he gently took her arm and linked it with his, like they used to. Once they got to the curtain, Lauren held his arm more tightly, while Batista gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. They walked down the ramp with Batista smirking, and Lauren smiling, loving the memories of the many times they've walked to the ring together. Batista held the ropes for her as she slipped in, but kept her distance from the table, and HHH. This is going to be interesting they thought at the same time.

"Well, it looks like we have both ingrates here at once," HHH stated. "All I ever did was help the both of you, and this is how you repay me." Batista offered Lauren the chair, pretending to ignore him, as Lauren declined and sat on the arm of the chair instead. Batista wrapped his arm around her waist as he then started listening.HHH went on about how ungrateful Batista was, and how he was nothing without him. Then he looked at Lauren, and pointed at her, "and as for you!" he said stepping closer. Batista shot up out of the chair and glared at HHH. "You're the one that turned him against me! Everything was fine until you showed up, and manipulated him!" he yelled. Lauren just rolled her eyes, not caring. HHH was ready to go at her, until he noticed Batista standing in front of him, glaring. "At WM, you won't beat me, you won't take my title, and you won't have a little girlfriend once I'm through with you and her." It was now Batista's turn to look like he was ready to explode, but Lauren took hold of his arm and kept him calm.

Batista then calmly took the microphone, and said, "You talkin' to me?" as everyone including Lauren started laughing. She had to admit, she absolutely loved that commercial. They had filmed it about two days before the night they separated. Lauren remembered being there and watching him in his costume, open and revealing his chiseled chest. He had never looked hotter, and she let him know that whenever he wasn't on the set. At one point, Batista pulled her onto the screen with him and gave her a nice kiss. Until a director said that they had to keep filming, and they both turned and said, "You talkin' to me?" Lauren kept laughing at the memory, and looked at the man she loved give HHH a piece of his mind. He thanked HHH for helping him and teaching him everything they did. He showed respect for Flair, and said two things to HHH. Both of them, Batista had wanted to say for a long time. "Number one, I'm going to take that title from you. Number two, you're a complete and absolute asshole!" HHH then threw the table over, and smacked Batista in the face. Lauren stood up, and knew there was no stopping him now. Not that she wanted to, HHH brought this upon himself. Batista simply turned to him and said, "Thank you." As he threw down the mic and started beating HHH. Security tried to tear them apart, but Batista threw them all off and went after HHH again. Lauren had gotten out of the ring and was watching everything. Even as HHH tried to get out of the ring, Batista simply pulled him back in. But just before he could, Lauren gave HHH a low blow. Batista then smiled at her as he continued to try and fight HHH. HHH finally got out and ran up the ramp, along with Flair. Lauren looked up to see security restraining Batista, and got in the ring to tell them to let him go. Lauren took Batista by the arm, and led him up the ramp with the crowd cheering loudly for the Animal. Once they were backstage, Lauren let go of his arm and started walking off on her own. "Where are you going?" he asked running up to her.

"I need to get my things, check on Stacy and help her get back to the hotel." she replied bluntly and kept on walking.

"Lauren I thought that..." Batista said taking her arm and stopping her.

"You thought what? That just because I supported you in hating HHH means that everything's okay? Batista you broke my heart when I saw you kissing Trish! Then you decide not to tell me what's been going on down at the gym when you two are alone? Batista you had four weeks to try and tell me what happened, but you didn't. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go," she said and walked into the Diva locker room.

A/N: How long are they going to stay separated? I know you all want them back together, and they will be...at some point. I'm one for happy endings, so don't worry! Thank you all again for the awesome reviews. I'm almost up to 50 chapters. Never in my LIFE did I expect to write something this long. I'm so glad you all like this story, and believe me, this story is far from being over. I might even make a sequel, but one thing at a time right? I've already started on the Chris Benoit story I promised, so all you Chris Benoit fans be on the look out. Thanks again, I love you all:)