Disclaimer: I own no person, place or thing that you recognise. People own themselves, personas are owned by TNA and the WWE respectively.
Note: Chris Benoit will eventually be written out of the story. I'm sorry if you don't agree with my choice, but I'm the author here and I need to go with what's comfortable for me.
Since they planned on leaving early in the morning; Lita, Mickie, Chris, Chris and Lance had intended on calling it an early night. Or at least Lance would be since he was the one driving. Lita, Mickie, Chris and Chris on the other hand, found themselves awake when they should have been sleeping. That was partly their own fault.. or at least Chris Jericho's since he'd insisted on having a Jeff Hardy amount of sugar... And partly because Adam, Victoria, John and Randy had decided to crash Lita and Mickie's hotel room. They knew well enough that they would have to keep the volume down slightly since Chris Benoit and Lance were in the room next to Lita's.. Chris Benoit having joined the sugar high and hyper wrestlers shortly before midnight. Of course, that was inadvertant on their parts.. Randy having the not so bright idea to start a game of tackle football in the hotel room... Sending John sprawling into the connecting door. The Crippler had appeared seconds later, kindly requesting that they cease and desist with their 'offbeat shenanigans'.
Chris Jericho held up his hands in defense, "I don't know why you always assume it's me. This time, it was him," he pointed to Randy, "so I'm innocent."
Chris Benoit made a sound of disbelief, "one out of how many times?" He seated himself on one of the beds. "Just to make sure, I'm staying here until you all calm down."
Adam rolled his eyes, "dude.. We weren't making that much noise.. And it's not like we're jumping out of a window into snowbanks."
Chris Jericho nodded solemnly, "or drawing on people's faces.."
The taller man snickered, "all good times, eh?"
"Quite. Some of the best actually with all of our offbeat shenaigans." Jericho ran a hand over his short hair, "I remember the day I met you, just like it was yesterday."
Randy rolled his eyes, "and here we go.. I thought you all would've gotten over all of this by now."
Chris, in a rather mature gesture, stuck out his tongue. "You're just jealous because you weren't there, Junior. Although, Lance and myself were watching one of his old matches the other night."
The third generation wrestler arched an eyebrow, "and what does that have to do with me?"
"You had just recently been brought to the main rosters.. Moved to RAW, to be specific.. Is this ringing bells yet? Beating two Un-Americans, back to back?" Jericho smiled, "if need be, I have the visual evidence. Or Lance does, anyway."
Lita shook her head, "just like I somehow ended up with a brand new old promo picture in my bag?"
Chris waved it off nonchalantly, "I know someone, who knows someone who's good at that sort of thing. I had already said you were an honorary Canadian. That just made it official."
Adam snorted, "uh huh.. Crazy Leets with the Dynasty? No offense babe, but.. Saying 'Get the Lita' just wouldn't have sounded right."
"Maybe not, but the acronym.. Team ECL? Team LEC? Team--"
"We get the picture," Adam plucked the aforementioned promo picture that never was from the dresser. "Literally, in fact. And have I thanked you for this? It almost brought back good memories."
Lita eyed him carefully, "Ads.."
The tall Canadian shook his head, "I'm not going there. I made you a promise and I'm sticking with it."
The redhead nodded slowly, hazel eyes then turning to Chris Jericho. "Speaking of promises.. My brother already wants you to make one."
Chris blinked, "what did I already not do?"
Lita rolled her eyes good naturedly, "well. It involves the seven hour car trip tomorrow. You are not allowed to touch the radio, the windows will not be touched. And.. the last part of the trip? Eighty miles. You don't speak."
John arched an eyebrow at that, "what in the hell did you do to have those kind of rules?"
Chris shrugged, "I honestly can not recall the situation at hand.."
Adam smirked, "then do.. Allow me to jog that old memory of yours.. Really Christoher, you must be going senial in your old age--"
"I am not--"
"No interruptions," the taller man moved Chris Benoit's legs aside so he could sit down. "I bring you back to a time, not too long ago.. Approximately two years ago. Myself, Christopher, Lance, Crazy Leets, Trish... The usual crew... We had rented a mini-van for one of the house show trips. Lance, myself, Li and Trish were trading driving duties since two people are absolutely banned from driving."
"Why?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "in Adam's words.. They have failed to master the concept of 'brake' and ignore the cries of 'pull over' and 'stop the car'."
"That and their driving ability totally scrapes the bowels of suckitude. I'm not sure how either one of them managed to get their drivers license, but.. Moving on." Adam cleared his throat, "since they were banned from driving, they decided to be 'helpful' and play navigator.. Which might have worked, had they mastered the basic ability to read and follow directions."
Lita nodded slowly, "Chris got Lance really, really lost.. Christian managed to get us stranded on the side of the road because he was positive we had enough gas in the car."
"And it was snowing," Adam put in sagely, "did I mention that part? Heavily snowing. We were stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no heat whatsoever in the car--"
"But we obviously made it through unscathed--"
"Didn't I say no interruptions?" Adam smirked when Chris glared, "moving on. We called the friendly people at Triple A, got the car towed to the nearest gas station and after one of the drivers had regained feeling in their fingers.. We were off once again... But not so peacefully since someone.." He paused to send a pointed look to Chris, "had forgotten to use the bathroom. 80 straight miles of whining like a four year old."
"Asshole," Chris muttered under his breath, adding louder: "And for the record, it wasn't just me. Terry was complaining too."
Adam snorted, "that's funny because I seem to recall you being the loudest of the whiny bunch."
Chris smiled dryly, "that's because you have the most selective memory in the world. Or have you already forgotten--"
"According to my calculations? Those occasions never occurred." Adam sent a look to the digital alarm clock, "but.. If you two and the sleeping Wolverine are planning on leaving early? We should take the party elsewhere."
Mickie stretched her arms overhead, the woman being woken up by Victoria. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
Lita pinched the bridge of her nose, "because my brother is driving? We're leaving at 7:00. It takes about seven hours to get to Tampa, but that's only if we drive non-stop. Since we'll need to make a stop here and there... We should get there sometime in the early evening. Honestly, I'm getting to old for all of this."
Chris grinned, "you could always run away and join a rock tour. Fozzy maybe?"
Victoria sent Mickie a sympathetic smile, "just some advice? Sleep while you can and don't sit next to Jerky. He'll talk your ear off."
Chris looked offended, "what is with all of the bashing Chris, huh? It's not my fault--"
Adam shook his head, "don't even try it buddy. You have a non-stop motor mouth. Almost as bad as--"
"You?" Lita suggested with a playful smirk, "but that's okay.. It's part of what makes you so totally adorkable."
Randy blinked, "adorkable?"
"Adorable dork," Victoria explained quickly. "Applicable to many blond Canadians that I know... You and John."
John huffed, "I ain't no dork and I ain't adorable either.. That's a puppy. I'm unbelievably sexy."
Adam smirked, "like too sexy for this hotel room?"
Mickie shook her head, send a look over to Lita. "I'll see you in the lobby then."
Adam wrapped up the redhead for a quick hug, "call me, all right? I'm not expecting to see you, but.. Just call. Let me know you arrived safe and all of that."
"Well bless your heart, I always knew you cared."
"Look, you sanctimonious son of a bitch, I thought we agreed on no more gimmick infringement."
Chris snorted, "you never used bless your heart as a catchphrase. It's fair game."
"Whatever. And just for that? I'm going to register it... Or something. It's mine and you can't use it."
Victoria rolled her eyes, "anyway.. Leets, I'll see you when I see you. Jerky? Good seeing you again and Micks? Good luck."
Having said that, the dark haired diva gave Adam a shove towards the door.. Randy and John already having left the hotel room.. Chris Jericho poking Chris Benoit in the side until he woke up... Mickie and Lita letting out twin sighs of relief as their hotel room finally emptied; the two divas finally able to call it a night.
The next morning, just as they'd planned.. Lita, Mickie, Chris, Chris and Lance were on their way to Tampa. Granted.. Lita, Mickie and Chris Jericho had stumbled out of their respective hotel rooms.. Nearly sleep walking to the lobby and to the car. But, everyone was now comfortably situated in Lance's vehicle; Chris Benoit taking the passengers seat while Chris Jericho was seated between Mickie and Lita. The car radio was currently turned off, the blond man already asleep, as were the two divas. Fortunately for Chris Benoit and Lance that meant for some peace and quiet... Or at least until everyone started to wake up or get hungry. Two hours into the trip, and after they'd made the necessary stop for breakfast found Lita passengers seat, Chris Benoit driving.. The redhead currently on the phone since she'd forgotten to call Christian last night... The TNA wrestler wanting to know when they would be getting there and if Chris Jericho was still intending on picking up Dawn and Trish from the airport. And even though they would be there later that day, Lita still ended up talking to the blond Canadian for quite awhile..
Chris Jericho reached forward to tap the redhead on the shoulder. "We're going to be there in two hours and yet, you still talked to him?"
Lita shrugged, "he wanted to know if you were going to pick up Dawn and Trish and when we would be getting there. What's the big deal?"
"It's not a big deal really just, wondering why you're always talking to him."
"Did Adam put you up to this?"
Chris rolled his eyes at the back of her seat, "no Adam didn't put me up to this. I'm just curious. Sure, we all pretty much know he doesn't shut up but--"
Chris Benoit smirked, "speaking of shutting up. Jericho? We've got 80 miles until we get to Tampa."
"But--"
"You promised."
Mickie blinked, "is it always like this?"
The redhead nodded shortly, "more or less. Though, when Christian, Terry and Ty are around, it's that much more interesting. And you've met Dawn, right?"
"At that last get together that Trish had, yeah." Mickie tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "We're all staying at the same hotel as your brother, aren't we?"
"Yeah, we have one room.. Trish and Dawn have another. Chris Benoit and my brother will be across the hall from us or down the hall from us."
Mickie nodded, "and it's okay that I'm not bringing a gift?"
Lita rolled her eyes, "if Christian makes a big deal out of it, just ignore him. He's a lot like Adam, so.. Just deal with him that way."
"I'll keep that in mind then," she glanced out of the window, "how much longer until we get there?"
Lance yawned broadly, "it shouldn't be too much longer. Unless we stop at the hotel first and then head over to Jason's house."
Lita shrugged, "well it is close to check-in time, so it's not like we can't stop at the hotel first.. But, Jerky has to be dropped off at his house since he's picking up Dawn and Trish from the airport and--"
Lance shook his head. "If that's the case, it would make more sense for us to head to Jason's first. We can head to the hotel once Chris has returned with Dawn and Trish."
Lita rolled her eyes but, nodded anyway. "That's the plan then. We'll head over to Christian's, then do whatever I guess while we wait for Chris to get back from the airport."
Mickie was silent for a brief moment, then.. "What should I call him?"
The redhead half shrugged, "Jay, Christian.." she thumbed back to the silent blond man. "Or you can call him what he calls him.. Creepy Little Bastard. It's basically like the rest of us, ya know?"
Mickie arched an eyebrow, "so I can call you Ames?"
"I never said you couldn't. The only who really calls me by my real name or full name is Lance or my mom."
"Right." A beat passed, "I like Lita better so, I'll just stick with that."
A short lived silence fell between the two divas for the remainder of the trip to Christian's.. Chris Jericho occupying himself with making faces at the back of Chris Benoit's seat... The man rolling his eyes when they finally reached their destination.
"It would figure, you'd wait outside for her, but not for me?"
Christian rolled his eyes, "dude.. You live right down the street. I see enough of your ugly mug as is."
Chris rolled his eyes right back, "whatever. I have to go pick up Dawn and Trish from the airport.. Leets? Are you coming with me?"
Tyson arched an eyebrow as he exited the house, "you do realise their flights landed an hour ago, right?"
Chris blinked, "well shit. Why didn't someone tell me that?"
Lita smirked, "I tried to tell you earlier, but you just waved it off and said: yeah, yeah, whatever."
"So we could head over to the hotel now," Lance spoke up then, "since Dawn and Trish are here already."
Lita frowned, "but we just got here and we've been in the car for seven hours already. I don't want to get back in."
Chris Benoit shook his head, "why don't Lance, myself and I head over there with Trish or Dawn? That way we can take care of check in. Red, Mickie and Jericho can stay here."
Christian nodded shortly, a sheepish smile sent over to the two divas. "If there's a breathing lump on the couch? That's Terry.. And someone decided to leave his big ass bag right in the middle of the front hallway."
Tyson held up his hands in mock defense, "just doing as the Romans do. Your living room floor barely has any walking space."
The redhead arched an eyebrow, "and you wonder why I didn't want to stay with you?"
"Oops?" Christian shrugged, then grinned. "I was just about to do some grocery shopping.."
Lita shook her head, "let's go then. If Trish stays here then Mickie should be safe."
"If Trish what?" The blond woman in question asked, "and when did you get here?"
Lita grinned, "just got here a few minutes ago and I'll be back soon since someone seems to lack the ability to go grocery shopping by himself."
Tyson smirked, "nah.. He's just afraid of the grocery store and needs someone to hold his hand. Big bad wrestler afraid of the produce?"
Christian mimicked the bald man, then gestured towards the driveway.. Lita and Christian heading off shortly.. Chris Benoit and Lance heading back to the car, Chris Jericho heading inside with Trish, Mickie and Tyson.. Dawn making up her mind to head over to the hotel with Chris Benoit and Lance to take care of checking in.
"So," Christian began as they were heading back to the house. "How long are you all staying?"
"Mickie, Benoit and I need to be back on the road by Friday of course. So.. only until tomorrow night." She arched an eyebrow, "and don't even start pouting at me. Busy schedule and all."
He rolled his eyes, "actually I was going to see if you were up for some company next week. Instead of you coming down here, I could always drive up to Atlanta."
Lita smirked, "and would that be because you don't feel like grocery shopping again?"
"You wound me Li, really. But if you don't want me to visit, fine. I won't."
"I never said that, dork. If you want to come up, that's cool. I just need to check my appearance schedule."
"Right." A beat passed, "so.. My birthday present.."
"Give it up, I'm not telling you."
"Oh come on, this is just unfair."
Lita shook her head, exiting the car once they'd reached the house. "No way. Your birthday is tomorrow, it won't kill you to wait."
Christian opened the trunk to retrieve grocery bags, "all I'm asking for is one little hint. You can't even give me that?"
The diva remained firm, "no. Because I give you one little hint, you'll just keep pestering me until I tell you and--"
"Please?"
"No." Lita grabbed a few of the bags, "I'm not telling you and that's final. You'll just have to wait until tomorrow."
Christian shook his head, idly checking his watch.. "It's already tomorrow in England."
Lita stuck out her tongue, "and we aren't in England so it doesn't count. Come on, there are probably starving people in that house."
The blond man rolled his eyes a bit, but followed anyway.. The pair entering the house to see Tyson, Terry and Chris Jericho searching through the kitchen cupboards. Dawn and Trish were currently seated on the couch with Mickie; Lance and Chris Benoit watching television.. Lance informing his sister that Dawn had the spare key card to her hotel room. And with that bit of information filed away, Lita proceeded to head to the kitchen.. Helping Christian with the groceries while fending off the trio already there.. Tyson, Terry and Chris eventually leaving the kitchen with a large bag of chips and soda... and complaining about starvation.
