Title: Away From Myself
Rating: R- since I don't want to get myself in trouble.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Spoilers: None
Summary: A hidden love can only lead to disaster.
Pairings: Lita/?, Stacy/?, Victoria/?, Dawn/?, Miss Jackie/Charlie
Keys: Italics = thoughts; bold italics = emphasis
Notes: Well, hmm. Lita not pregnant, for posterity's sake this occurs the week of SummerSlam

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Prologue: Kiss In The Shadows

Two hours before RAW was set to go live, and approximately one hour before the Heat tapings; Stacy Keibler and Lita paused in the ring. Thanks to their early arrival, they had managed to secure the ring for so much needed practice time.

Stacy huffed, raking sweaty blonde locks away from her forehead. "I still can't believe I have to face her

"Which is why" The red head let out a breath, closing her eyes a moment. "We are here right now. Jazz isn't easy."

"No shit" The long legged blonde rolled her eyes, settling back against the turnbuckles. "Don't get me wrong, I love the chance. I'm thrilled I'm getting the chance..but--"

"Stace, don't worry" Lita smiled reassuringly at her friend. "With me and Victoria coaching you these past few weeks; you've already proven yourself."

A brow rose in disbelief but the blonde shrugged it off. "If you say so." She reached forward to touch her toes, a curtain of corn colored silk waterfalling over her face. "You are still coming out to the ring with me, right?"

"Duh Stacy" The red head rolled her eyes. "You can count on it."

The two fell into a comfortable silence as they finished up their work out. Thankfully for the blonde, they only had a few minutes left. As they exited the ring and walked back up the ramp, the distinct noise of a cellphone was heard from Lita's gym bag. The red head smiled apologetically at her friend as a hand dipped within.

A brow rose impercitably at the display. "Hey Stace?" The diva tucked the phone back in it's place. "I'll uh, meet you in the catering hall..go over strategy and stuff. I just wanna grab a quick shower."

"Oh okay" The long legged diva shrugged it off. "I'll see you then?"

"Yup" The red head grinned, before she turned down the hallway, seemingly in the direction of their locker room.

=====

God, I hate lying to her.

The corners of her mouth tugged into a frown as she truged down the near empty hall.

But it's what I have to do.She sighed, mentally adding At least for now

The diva shook her head, damp red locks splaying over her shoulders as her hair was released from the confines of it's ponytail.

Now, he said he would be here. But She glanced over her shoulder, certain she had felt some presence there. The question is, where is he?

No sooner had the thought entered the diva's mind, when a hand clamped over her wrist; dragging her into a dark, empty locker room.

"What the--" The words just escaped the diva when a strong pair of lips came crashing down over hers.

After what seemed like forever, but was really only a minute or two; the man ceased his attacks. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, to whisper. "You're late"

"Yeah well" The red head sucked in a much needed breath, arching back instinctively against him. "I couldn't exactly abandon Stacy without an explaination."

He chuckled against her neck, twirling her to face him. "Then next time, why don't you meet me first?" His face moved forwards, his lips again descending upon hers.

The diva relaxed in his arms, banding her own around his neck and shoulders to deepen the kiss. Inwardly she sighed as his tounge came darting out, gently begging for an enterance. But before it was granted, she pulled back.

"The sooner we tell people, the less we have to wait to do this"

"Baby, I want to tell people" He pulled her closer, resting his chin on her head. "But--"

Anger sparked in her hazel eyes as she pulled back to peer up at him. "Don't tell me you're still afraid of them and what they'll think" She frowned against his chest, bringing her hands upwards. "Baby, why?"

The man sighed, bringing his forehead to rest against hers. "Li, baby. I don't want to fight" His lips barely brushed against her forehead, as eyes glazed over with passion locked with hers. "Please"

Her lips pursed slightly before she let out an exhasperated sigh "Then take care of it tonight. I'm tired of lying to my friends, I'm sick of pretending and I--"

A finger gently brushed over lips as his head bent forward, "I will take care of it. I promise" He moved further, hot breath tickling the outer shell of her ear. "We don't have much longer until the pre show meeting.." He paused, before dropping feather light kisses on the rim of her ear, gently sucking on the lobe. "Let's make good use of it."

She moaned softly, trying in vain to frown. "I hate when you do that"

He smirked against her neck, his tounge darting forward, "You certainly don't sound like it"

Her hands raked through his hair, settling at the base of his neck. "Two can play that game" she whispered huskily against his lips before sucking his bottom lip between hers.

It was his turn to supress a moan as the red head stood on tip toe, planting feather light kisses along the side of his neck. "If you keep doing that" He sucked in a breath as her tounge darted out, tracing patterns along the top of his collarbone. "We'll never make it to the meeting"

"You" She kissed her way back up his neck, pausing to un-button his shirt a bit, "Can miss those easier" Her hands splayed across his exposed upper half, while she tipped her face upwards; capturing his lips with hers.

His hands raked through her hair, while his tounge darted forward pleading for enterance. One hand rested on her shoulder as her lips parted; the other trailing gently down her side. His tounge plunged forward, hungrily exploring her mouth as he had done many times before. And while their tounges battled for dominance, he moved them from their spot at the wall; taking the time to lock the door before he moved them to the couch. He finally broke the passionate kiss as his arms banded around her to gently lay her down; his larger form settling just atop hers.

"So" he rested his elbows on either side of her face, leaving mere inches from their wanting bodies. "Tell me why, Stacy was more important than me."

"Well" The red head tilted her head just slightly, her hands reaching down to untuck his shirt. "Stacy has a match tonight and I was helping her train" She shrugged off handedly, running her hands underneath the silk fabric; fingernails grazing up and down his spine.

His body shivered in delight as he brought his face down, his lips brushing gently against hers. "Well, I hope you didn't train too hard."

The diva rolled her eyes, almost stopping in her ministrations to his back. "Baby, you should know by now--"

He cut her off, not by kissing her but by beginning his own ministrations to her neck. Alternating between nips and feather light kisses; before he really began to worry one particular area of the creamy expanse.

"Baby, no marks" The red head removed her hands from his lower back to rest them on the upper half of his chest. "Not until--"

Inwardly he sighed, but pulled back to relent to her requests. "I know Li, and I'll take care of it. I promise" He brushed his lips against hers again as one hand gently cupped her breast; the other trailing down her side to rest at her hip. While his right hand gently kneaded the fleshy mound through her shirt; the other continued it's way down. "I'm sorry" He confessed quietly against her neck, his roaming hand beginning a new trail up the inside of her exposed leg.

The red head sucked in a breath, arching against him as he shifted his attentions to the other breast. "For what baby?"

His hand splayed over the smooth, tanned expanse of her inner thigh as honest eyes locked with hers. "For not taking care of this sooner. For taking so long to talk to them. For holding back on you, for us."

She threaded a hand through his hair, tracing a pattern across the base of his neck. "Baby, don't worry about that right now." She grasped at the fine hairs on his neck, pulling him closer for another kiss.

========

They would have been content to continue on like this, had a sharp knock at the door not interrupted.

"Li?" The concerned voice of the raven haired diva called through the door; just reaching the occupants on the couch. "Li are you in here?"

"Shit" The red head muttered, closing her eyes. "She can't see you in here"

"I kinda figured that" He smirked in spite of the increasingly akward situation. "What should we do?"

"Thinking" Her lips pressed into a thin line, as her fingers gently drummed against his chest. "We'll hit the showers"

One brow rose, a suggestive look in his eyes. "Baby, are you sure that's a good--"

She gently smacked his chest. "It'll keep Victoria distracted long enough for her to get someone else, then for me to exit first." She nipped at his bottom lip. "As we both know, if your late for those stupid meetings; it's not as big of a deal."

He shrugged slightly, capturing her lips with his for another kiss. "Yeah, I guess you're right..although, I still like the thought of the shower" He pouted playfully as he rolled off of her, tucking his shirt in.

"Then if you're good" She smiled seductively as she swung her legs down. "We can do that..later" She grasped his hands in hers, leading the way to the showers.

Thankfully for the incongnito pair; the red head's plan worked. Victoria did in fact, wander off to find someone else and by the time she returned; Lita answered the door. She managed to convince both the raven haired diva and the two blonde companions with her that she was in the shower and she would be at the meeting as soon as she was dressed. Jokingly saying that her showing up a in a towel wasn't exactly her ideal way to raise her approval rating with the boss. After she was certain they had disappeared down the hall, she ducked back into the locker room to inform her companion that she was leaving in five. He should leave in ten, just to be on the safe side. All went according to plan, until he was getting ready to leave. For, while the red head slipped out of the locker room safely; Edge watched from the shadows, at first in shock, then in betrayal.

"What in the hell is someone like Li, doing with him?" He whispered to himself, scratching his chin in disbelief as he removed himself from the shadows; just catching up with the red head at the end of the halls.

=======================

"The following is a tag team match" Lillian Garcia paused, inwardly sighing at the newly scheduled match. "Introducing first, the team of Jazz and the Woman's champion, being accompanied to the ring by Tyson Tomko; Trish Stratus!" She smiled brightly, stepping towards the turnbuckles as one of the more intimidating diva's entered,and as her tag team partner entered; the petite ring announcer nearly frowned. Trish had once been someone she had considered a friend. But now? She plastered on another smile, bringing the microphone to her lips once more. "And their opponents; being accompanied by Lita; they are the tag team of Stacy Keibler and Victoria!"The blonde sent her best smile to the two as they entered before making her exit.

Lita sucked in a breath, pounding her palms against the mat; willing her energy into the tired long legged blonde in the ring. She had to admit, Stacy certainly was holding her own against the other two; but one can only take so many clothelines and double teams. The red head whooped in relief as Stacy elbowed the woman's champ. buying her some time to get to her corner. Thankfully for the red head and the blonde; Stacy's height advantage came in handy as she just made the tag to her refreshed partner.

Victoria stormed into the ring, taking down Trish with a clothesline; delivering another to Jazz when she tried to interfere. Just as the raven haired diva was setting up the blonde champion for the Widow's Peak, Jazz distracted the ref. allowing for Tyson to make the save. But, before Jazz could steal the victory; Lita made herself useful, sneaking around the side of the ring to yank the blonde champ from the apron. While the ref. was distracted trying to restore some order on the outside; Stacy and Victoria got the double team in on Jazz before Stacy picked up the win. The red head pumped her fists in victory; but this victory would be short lived. For, whilst Trish was still laying on the outside, Tyson Tomko was more than ready to perform any dirty work. Victoria and Stacy just dashed through the ropes--long enough for Lita to slap the problem solver and take his attention off of them. Unfortunately it made her the sole target of his destructive intentions.

The red head gulped, Tyson Tomko wasn't exactly high on her list of people to piss off regularly..especially when he had that predatory gleam in his eyes. She backed up, and of course right into the corner; but just as she thought this would be the end; the pounding of boots on the steel ramp alerted her that help was on the way. She peeked through her fingers, but never caught a good look at her rescuer. She was currently being dragged out of the ring by Victoria and Stacy. However, as the diva trio made their way up the ramp; Lita gasped in surprise.

Well, I guess this means he will tell them tonight. She frowned slightly as they turned at the top of the ramp, playing to the crowd a bit. He really has no choice. She flashed her brightest smile to the crowd, despartely trying to ignore the sight in the ring.

"Well" the tallest of the three sighed shakily. "That was ..wierd."

"Definately" Victoria raked a hand through her hair, eyeing the red head between them. "Thanks for making the save for us,." She squeezed her friends shoulders affectionatley; frowning a touch at the distant look on the red headed diva. "You ok Li?"

The red head nodded absently, chewing on her lower lip out of habit. "Yeah fine, Vi" She quirked a lopsided smile, sweeping her hair out of her face.

"I know you all wanted to win" Edge huffed, putting a hand on Stacy and then Victoria's shoulders. "But did you have to do that? Chris and Chris are still cursing."

Stacy shook her head, pinching the tall Canadian's cheek. "And as you can see..we're perfectly fine. Thanks to Li and--"

Edge snorted, "Yeah well, I want to know what he wants."

"Probably the blonde" Victoria giggled, exchanging a look with the long legged diva as the quartet made their way from the curtains to the locker room. "Right Li?"

"Right" The red head quirked another smile, looking back over her shoulder and smiling again--this time deeper-- as he walked through the curtains.

Edge followed his friend's gaze, and frowned a touch; "Hey Li, can I talk to you?"

She blinked, before inclining her head slightly in curiosity. "Sure"

"I'll make sure she gets back to the two you" Edge grinned re-assuringly before gently leading the red head to a secluded area of the arena.

=======

Lita hopped up on a nearby crate, sitting cross legged. "What's up?"

"I should be asking you the same" Edge raked a hand through his blonde locks, removing his shades to regard her. "Look, I know I'm not Stacy, or Victoria..hell I'm not Jerky and I don't come close to being another Jeff..but." He paused, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'm still a friend and I still care."

The red head nodded, "Okay so--"

"What's going on Li?" The blonde frowned, removing his hands to lean on the crate. "Talk to me."

"What's going on with what?" The red head played dumb, absently twisting the hem of her shirt between her fingers. "I mean, I haven't had the title shot I wanted but--"

"I saw" He interrupted, his tone harsher than he had meant for. "You and him. You had just left the locker room..then he did."

The red head blinked in shock, before mouthing 'Oh'

"yeah, so" Edge growled softly, willing his anger and hatred away to calmly address his friend. "Why?"

A brow rose in disbelief. "What do you mean why? Isn't it obvious?" She shook her head. "I like him, he likes me--"

"Bullshit" The blonde snorted, crossing his arms defiantley across his chest. "I don't think he's capable of that."

"And who are you, my father?" The diva rolled her eyes. "Thanks for being so supportive."

"Well, I'm sorry Li, but it's killing me seeing one of my closest friends going around with that" His nostrils flared momentairly before he spit out the last of his sentence."..ass."

"So you're telling me that" The red head crossed her own arms, swinging her legs down. "If I had been honest, and told you up front, about me and him. You would be okay with it?"

"I never said that" The Canadian admitted easily, "But it would have given me time to talk you out of it."

"Oh come off it" She rolled her eyes again before hopping down. "This is exactly why I didn't tell any of you. I knew you would act like this."

Edge sighed, a hand snaking out to gently grasp the red head's wrist before she could escape "Then why Lita?" His eyes implored, his tone softer. "Just answer that."

"I don't know" She shrugged helplessly. "It just happened. I mean, one minute I thought he was the world's biggest jerk..and the next thing I knew..he was like my knight in shining ring attire" She smiled wistfully; not wishing at that point in time to share that precious memory. "And that's all there is to it."

Edge nodded, inwardly cursing the man to his doom. "Well that's good." He forced a smile, casually dropping his arm across her shoulders. "I'm happy for you Li."

The red head smiled softly, banding an arm around her friend's waist as the two walked through the hallways, inadvertantly passing a yelling match in the next hall.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Hunter bellowed at the youth before him. "Were you even thinking?"

"Why does it matter" The man under fire argued back. "Huh? Tell me why you care when, it's my fucking business."

"Don't give me that fucking shit." Hunter fumed, daring the younger man to challenge. "She is nothing and yet you risk your neck to save her?"

"Yeah, so I did" The man admitted easily, and from their stance in the halls; the red head and the Canadian could see someone packing his bags."What of it?"

"She is the enemy" Hunter spat out, clenching and unclenching his hands. "If you walk out that door, I can gaurantee you are through. You got that?"

"Go ahead and try Hunter." The man smirked confidentally, zipping his gym bag. "For one, she's worth it..and for two..I can beat your ass any day."

"You think so, kid?" Hunter squared his shoulders, a broad hand resting on the young man's shoulder before him. "Then you put your money where your mouth is." He smiled grimly. "Me and you, next week."

"Bring it" He smirked again, shouldering his bags as he walked out of the locker room. "You're just another legend on the Legend Killer Tour." He shut the door behind him, leaving a sputtering Hunter and a group of men hell bent on revenge behind.

"Well" The red head exchanged a look with the tall man next to her, "That was certainly interesting." She dropped her arm from his waist, waving over her shoulder before she hurried to catch up with the living legend. She had just reachedRandy's side when she turned her attention forwards, failing to notice the dark look the blonde was giving them.

"Hey" She uttered softly as she fell into step with him. "I uh..saw what happened"

"Yeah?" Randy raised a brow, eyeing the diva beside him. "What of it?"

She shrugged, her hands swinging freely at her sides. "Nothin' really, just that I'm--"

"It's something that needed to be done a long time ago, Li." He took one of her hands in his, marveling for a moment at the difference. "And I'm glad I finally did it. I feel free."

"Good" She smiled softly, threading her fingers with his. "I'm just worried now."

Randy scoffed, tugging her a bit closer. "Please, Hunter's a walk in the park."

The red head raised a brow but said nothing, merely reveling in the fact that it was more or less over. Their chains had been broken, their secret was finally revealed. It was like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders; but neither of them could've prepared for the mess that would begin next.