Author's Note: -deep breath- I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so sorry for not updating sooner! I've been mentally debating about the votes and stuff, but I've finally decided! Thanks to everyone who voted and reviewed! Some of the comments gave me some thought about what pairings to choose; brought some things to attention, and I really appreciate that! -twinge- I really don't want to do this! If there was a way I could use all of the pairings, I would. In advance, I'm sorry to the people who had hoped for a different pairing! And don't worry, I'm going to put my reasons afterward. –hides in ditch- Here are the results (and keep in mind, that doesn't mean that I'm using the highest vote...):

Randy/Lilian: Four votes

Randy/Trish: Five votes

Randy/Stacy: Seven votes

Randy/Stephanie: Five votes

Randy/Gail: One vote

Randy/Victoria: Two votes

Randy/Torrie: One vote

John/Torrie: Six votes

John/Stacy: Four votes

John/Victoria: Three votes

John/Trish: Two votes

John/Stephanie: One vote

As for the voting... I took every vote I got, including the ones from the third chapter. So these are the accumulation of all of the votes. I've decided to eliminate Torrie from both men, and I'm really sorry about that. My writing skills are completely slack on Torrie, seeing as how I only watch SD when John is on ( :) Can you really blame me?) and... I don't know how to explain it other than I just can't write her. So, anyway, onto Randy's votes. Randy/Stacy obviously got the most votes. However...I'm not going to use it. –cowers- Please don't hurt me! I am having a problem of some of my stories blending together (for those of you who've read "Torment of Tantalus" and "Halo Over the Devil's Head"), and I don't want that to happen in this one. All Randy/Stacy fans, I recently posted a high school story (Yes, I was consumed by the muses...) with that pairing. I'm sorry, but I hope you'll check out the other story (It's "Inside School Walls".) With that said, I've decided on Randy/Stephanie. As several of you caught, Stephanie would make a logical choice in both hers and Randy's wants, and well... You get the point. As for Randy/Gail... I have a story coming out at some point in time entitled "To Get the Gold" that will be a Randy/Gail story, and a tentative story called "Star Struck". I believe I have a pending start to a Randy/Victoria story, but I'd have to look in my notebook upstairs. Well, I haven't gotten shot yet, so we'll continue on with John. Much, much simpler. Like I said, no Torrie, so, the next in line gets it! Yup, this story is going to be John/Stacy. Somehow, someway. Don't ask me how. I have no idea. Anyway, that's all for now! Please, please continue to review guys, and sorry again!

PPV Note: Yeah, I realize I made a huge mistake with what PPV it is, but oh well! Unforgiven, Backlash, whatever! : ) Sorry again, but I won't confused you by changing it. Throughout the story, it's going to remain Backlash. I also know that technically, this would be the last RAW before the show, but I'm changing it. Deal with it.

A Solution to Evolution

Chapter 4

9-6-04

Triple H versus John Cena. How had he not seen that coming?

Randy Orton shook his head at the match roster in his hands, handing it to John as he walked into the joint locker room that they'd been assigned. He sighed, sitting down on the leather couch, suddenly one more reason grateful he was the WWE Heavyweight Champion. Randy sighed as he thought.

'September 19th. Only a day less than two weeks from now. John and I versus Evolution,' the fragments of sentences ran through his head like a mantra. Tonight, Vince McMahon would announce his decision on the upcoming match. Randy suppressed a yawn, propping his feet up on the armrest as he did so. He knew that Vince thought he was making an immature decision, 'I want to get him back, so I'll just choose the biggest match...' Randy mimicked to himself, and then shook his head. 'No, I'm not that stupid. I know very well that this match, if Vince agrees to let it be Hell in a Cell, could end my career. Hell, knowing Hunter, it could end my life.'

The thought that someone he had considered a friend three weeks ago had so quickly become his enemy was a little chilling. Of course, Hunter wasn't exactly the type of man you'd ever consider your friend. Randy shifted on the couch, sitting up to allow John to sit down.

"Thanks," John said, as more of a reflex than anything else. He looked down at the roster in his hands, and then crumpled it up, tossing it aside. "Great match tonight, eh?" he asked, and Randy remained silent for a moment, deep in thought. John face him, frowning. "Yo, man, what's the matter?"

"I've just been thinking..." he hesitated, unsure of how John would take it. "Triple H betrayed me for my belt," he stole a glance down at the title belt that was currently laying across his lap, "but what's to say that..." Randy paused once more.

"That I won't betray you?" John prompted, and Randy nodded. Cena leaned back into the couch, his fingers grazing across the rim of his hat. "That's one thing you don't need to worry about. I got into this thing, and I ain't backing out until Evolution gets the ass-whoopin' of a lifetime. "And as for that belt of yours... Well, I know it and you know it. I'm gonna be after that belt as soon as I can, but I'm not a gutless shit like Triple H. Ima tell you when I want a shot at that title, a'ight?"

Randy smiled a little. "Sorry, I just thought..."

"No worries, man..."

Orton sighed, running a hand over his hair. "So what's the deal for tonight? You've got a match versus Big Nose himself, and God knows that Flair and Batista are going to be there, because that man hasn't won a clean match in a decade."

John snorted. "No kiddin'... But I've been thinking about that, too, how it's two versus three out there, and I know we can handle 'em. But when they jump us with steel chairs like they did last week..." he trailed off.

"We need someone to watch our backs," Randy confirmed reluctantly. He knew both he and John were against bringing someone else into this, but when it was so blatantly obvious that it was needed, neither man was bound to deny it.

"Do you know anyone who would?" John questioned.

Randy thought hard for a moment. 'Benoit? No... He's after the title, too. I won it from him, and he no doubt thinks it's a fluke. Batista? No, he's got no hopes of walking from Evolution. Hunter's nearly declared him the new me, it's laughable. There's no way that ape of a man is the future of this business. Shelton Benjamin? Maybe... But I doubt he'd be willing to help.' "Edge!" he exclaimed suddenly.

"Edge?" John asked with curiosity.

"He said it himself. He wants to take each member of Evolution down," Randy said, a smile growing on his face.

"So... Let's go have a chat with Edge."

Fifteen minutes later, with both men inside of Edge's locker room, they had made a deal with the Canadian. Edge got to decimate Evolution, and Randy and John got an advantage over Evolution. Of course, most would say it had been 'leveled'; three versus three, now, but Randy Orton was adamant that it wasn't true. "Tonight, we're gonna kick their asses... I mean, honestly, it's more of two on three: us three versus Batista and Triple H. They say Flair is a legend, but all he does, really, is kiss up to H," he stated, knocking fists with Edge and Cena.

"Damn straight," John supplied, "these boys are going to get a beating they'll never forget."

Edge smirked as John and Randy left the room. "See you guys in the ring," he told them, and began to tape up his hands, eyes still on the door.

Tonight would be an interesting night.

"God, how stupid is this? When I win, I get a title shot, but why the hell did Vince have to put a suspension on the line if I lose? Which won't happen, but if those two ignorant assholes cheat their way through the match..." Triple H continued his rant, pacing a rut in the floor. Slightly amused, Stephanie McMahon-Hemsley sat on the couch, watching him with one eyebrow raised. Batista was jumping from foot to foot in silence, and Ric Flair was listening to Triple H. 'And most likely waiting for a break so he can re-attach his lips to Hunter's ass,' Stephanie thought to herself, and shifted her legs, not really listening as her husband droned onward.

"Stephanie!" Hunter suddenly exclaimed. Stephanie blinked as he rounded on her. "You're editing the contracts for the match, right?" she nodded slowly. "This isn't fair, and you know it... If you could just change a sentence or two..." he trailed off, his purpose clearly implied.

Stephanie pushed a smile onto her face. "Don't worry, Hunter, it's all taken care of."

He smiled. "I knew there was a reason I married you," he joked, only Stephanie knew it wasn't a joke. As Flair began to speak, she rolled her eyes. 'The hell I'm going to take away the suspension,' she thought, exhaling deeply. 'I'm going to edit the contract, though...just...not the way you want it,' she smiled maliciously, and her thoughts moved forward to her plans.

Tonight, she would shock the hell out of everyone.

But it wouldn't be until next week that they realized just how surprised they could be.

Author's Note: I've been working on this for like forever, but the last line still doesn't sound right... Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and please review!