Disclaimer: I lay claim to nothing that is recognizable. Period.
Spoilers: Yeah, sure..from me?
Summary: Dawn and Lita get a little bit more than they bargained for when they agree to let a friend play matchmaker.
Pairings: Victoria/Batista, Dawn/John Cena, Trish/Chris Jericho, Lita/Randy Orton
Notes: Longer chapter because well, it's the end! My thanks and utmost gratitude to the reviewers. Thank you all so much for your patience, your feedback and for taking the time to read this little piece of mine.
Thank you to: Latisha C., Shadow Shawnna, Myth 87, em, Funky in Fishnet, Princess Hermione, MissPhillipinesSuperStar, wwefan01 and CNIMBWM for the reviews on the previous chapter!
They say time flies when you're having fun. But that would depend on your definition of fun.
But, if you were to ask Dave and Victoria, they weren't having a lot of fun. They were having some fun, just given the environment they were currently in. They weren't having fun because after three games of pool, they were out of one hundred, sixty five dollars and seventy three cents. Of course, it was really only one hundred and fifty dollars.. But taxes and tips added on the extra dollars and cents. And on the flip side of things, Randy and Lita were reaping the rewards of three consecutive victories in pool. It went without saying that the two were drunk.. But, thankfully, they weren't painfully drunk. They could still stand and they could still remember their names, birthdates and occupations.. They could also recite the alphabet but they could not count to one hundred by fives. Subsequently, that had been the point when the alcohol stopped flowing. Not only for their safety, but also because Dave and Victoria didn't want to risk having two drunkards throwing up in the backseat of their rental car. Added to that, none of the eight present seemed ready to leave anytime soon. Giving the four non-driving alcohol was not in the game plan for those driving.. And as such; Victoria, Dave, Chris and Trish were debating about what to do. So far, almost an hour had passed without alcohol and those who had been drinking were starting to get impatient. To pass the time -- and despite warnings against it-- John and Dawn agreed to a game of pool with Randy and Lita.
"Alright.." Dawn almost slurred, the cue chalk in hand. "I'm broke so.. No money on the line."
Lita eyed her suspiciously, "Who said we were playing for anything?" She waited a beat: "And don't even try and give me the 'you're broke' crap, 'cos I know you aren't."
"It's pool.." Dawn set the chalk down. "We hafta play for something."
"No we don't," the redhead spoke up before Randy could say a word. "My buzz is starting to wear off anyway, so.. Let's just make this a friendly game."
The brunette Diva raised an eyebrow, "Afraid you'll lose?"
Lita snorted indifferently, "Please Dawn.. I'm not afraid of losing to you in a game of pool. But that doesn't mean I trust you where it concerns stakes."
Randy sent her a questioning look, "What's the big deal?"
"It's Dawn.." Lita replied simply, as if that would explain everything. "Just trust me on this.. Knowing her, she'll try and make this some sort of sink and kiss game."
The New Jersey native blinked, "Now whatever gives you that idea?"
"Because you've tried it already," Victoria commented dryly. "Give it up Dawn, if it won't work on drunk people it won't work at all."
"See?" Lita swept her hair from her face, "That is why you do not let Dawn decide the stakes in any game."
John rolled his eyes, cue in hand. "Whateva.. Can we just start the damn game? It don' really matter if we're playin' for somethin' or not."
Randy's eyes glinted mischeivously. "Well, how about we do have stakes.." He held up a hand when Lita opened her mouth to argue against it. "We'll make it simple."
John raised an eyebrow, "Keep talkin'.."
The third generation wrestler nodded, "When we win.. You," he gestured first to John. "Can not play that crap you call 'music' for a month."
"Hell no," John protested instantly. "An' jus' what makes you so sure you're gonna win, huh?"
"Two weeks then.." Randy amended with a shrug, "And take my word for it, John. We are going to win."
The West Newbury native snorted, "That still ain't fair.."
"Okay.. then.. Dawn," Hazel eyes fell on the Diva in question, "You leave me alone where it concerns dating, guys and clothing for three weeks."
The brunette scoffed, "Why three weeks when John only has two?"
"Then John has to go without his 'crap' for three weeks," Randy spoke up before John could utter a word. Glancing between John and Dawn he continued: "Name your stakes."
"Aight.." John rolled his shoulders, "When we win.. You," he glanced pointedly to Randy, "Have to go to a hip hop concert of my choosin'.. An' you hafta dress the part."
"Now that's just stupid.." Randy muttered to himself.
"I ain't finished.." John set down the cue he was holding, "You also gotta listen to the music for three weeks."
Randy waved it off dismissively, "Fine.. Whatever. Are we ready now?"
Dawn glanced to the redheaded Diva, "When we win.. I get to take you shopping and you must wear what I pick for three weeks."
Lita grimaced, "I can deal with that.."
"Not finished," Dawn stated with a grin. "There must be at least one date per week during those three weeks.. And if you can't find a date, I get to choose."
"Whatever," Lita shrugged nonchalantly, "If we have the stakes clear.. Let's play."
Randy and Lita had been confident from the get go, that they would not lose. They were, after all, coming off a three game win streak. What they didn't count on, were subtle interferences by Trish, Victoria and Dave. The combined efforts of the three, lead to one close game.. Dawn and John holding a narrow lead over Lita and Randy. And when Lita and Randy pointed out that their opposition had cheated.. Dawn and John replied that they had never established clear cut rules. Suffice it to say, Randy and Lita were pretty much shit out of luck. The odds were clearly not in their favor, but that didn't sway them from trying to win anyway. Not to their entire surprise, John sunk the winning shot.. Sealing the fates of the next three weeks. Thankfully, both John and Dawn agreed to hold off on 'cashing in' until the next week.. Leaving Randy and Lita with a window of four days before the were left at the respective mercy of John and Dawn. It went without saying that neither Randy or Lita were really looking forward to the three weeks in question, but there was really nothing they could do about it. At any rate, the eight ended up staying at the club for another hour, this time with all parties convening on the dance floor. And while John, Dawn, Chris and Trish remained on the dance floor for the full hour; Dave, Victoria, Randy and Lita retreated back to the booth after twenty minutes.
"This is boring," Victoria stated with a yawn. "I don't know about the two of you, but I'm about ready to leave."
Lita nodded her agreement, "Leaving sounds like a pretty good idea to me. I'm all Dawn and Trish'd out."
Dave slid out of the booth first, "Well it's not like we hafta wait for those four.. So, let's go."
Victoria slid out next, "Just meet me outside, I'll go tell Dawn, Trish, John and Chris that we're leaving."
Randy, Lita and Dave nodded in confirmation, the three making their much needed exit from the club shortly after.
The redhead shifted uncomfortably as they waited on the sidewalk, "I hate high heels.." She tugged in vain at the hem of her dress, "And stupid dresses."
Randy smirked, "I'd say something but.. I have a feeling I'll get hit for it."
Lita smiled thinly, "Either that or I'll try to push you into the path of the next oncoming vehicle."
Dave rolled his eyes at the two, "I don't know why you're complaning.. You aren't the ones who lost money."
Randy shrugged, "Not our fault that we're better at pool."
"Then we'll just have a re-match," Dave reasoned with a grin. "Unless you two are afraid of losing."
"The only reason we lost to John and Dawn is because they cheated," Lita pointed out sardonically. "But, if you and Vikki want to lose again, by all means.. Let's have a re-match."
"Okay.." Victoria began once she joined them, "Dawn wanted to remind you of the stakes.. She said she'll talk to you about the whole three date thing tomorrow."
"Sounds fun," Lita quipped dryly, "Was there anything else my tormentor wanted to add?"
The raven haired Diva shook her head, "Nope.. but, Randy.. John wanted you to know that he'll drop off the C.D's to you on Monday.. Clothes will be taken care of later."
"I'm looking forward to it, really.." Randy rolled his eyes. "Can we go now?"
"I'll get the car," Dave stated first. "Shouldn't take me too long."
"Oh.. Vikki," Hazel eyes turned to the dark haired Diva, "There's been talk of a re-match.. If you and Dave are up to losing again."
Victoria snorted, "We won't lose to you two again.. I can promise you that. As for the re-match? Just name the time."
Lita rolled her eyes in response, her attention focusing next on finding the keycard to her hotel room.
"Look for it in the car or something," Victoria grabbed the redhead's elbow. "Dave's across the street, so lets just get out of here."
The redhead huffed, but complied none the less, the three then dashing quickly across the street to meet the awaiting vehicle. "It wouldn't have taken me that long, Vikki."
Victoria rolled her eyes, waiting until they were all safely in the car. "Who're rooming with tonight anyway?"
"Dawn," Lita replied in the blink of an eye, "Which is why I'm hoping I have my keycard with me."
Victoria nodded, "Well if it all comes down to it, you can crash with me."
Nimble fingers finally grasped the the tell-tale piece of plastic. "Thank God," Lita let out a sigh of relief. "I probably would've needed to stay with you Vikki.. Who knows when those four will be done."
Victoria swept her hair from her face, "They'll probably be there until closing time.. Which is normal."
The redhead nodded, "And with all luck.. Dawn'll forget about the stakes."
"Highly unlikely," Victoria replied with shake of her head. "Where it concerns stuff like that, Dawn won't forget."
"I can always hope," Lita stated with a shrug. "If Dawn wasn't so pushy, I wouldn't mind so much."
"Last stop, hotel sweet hotel." Dave called out as they pulled into the hotel parking garage. "That'll be one hundred bucks each.. Plus tips."
The three passengers rolled their eyes in response, the four exiting the vehicle shortly after to head to the hotel. During the short walk there, they figured that one week from tonight would be a good time for the planned re-match. Lita and Victoria figuring a little dinner before the re-match could also be added. It was also on the short trip, that Dave brought up the fact that he had somehow managed to get four tickets to an upcoming concert. And since Randy and Lita happened to be there, they were invited along for the ride. The prospect of a camping trip was also brought up, the four eventually deciding to leave that for a later discussion. They then parted ways in the lobby, but not after making plans to meet for breakfast the next morning. Dave and Victoria taking one elevator while Lita and Randy took another.
"What floor are you on?"
"Third," Lita glanced sideways, "You don't have to--"
Randy shrugged, "It's not a big deal.. And besides, I'm on the third floor, so it's on my way."
Lita shrugged in turn, the two falling silent until the elevator reached the designated floor. "I'm halfway down the hallway.. Right side."
Randy nodded, falling in step with her. "All the way at the end of the hallway.. Left side."
The Diva fiddled with the strap of the purse in her possession, "So.. Tonight wasn't that bad.."
"No, it wasn't.." Randy smirked, "Even if Dawn and John had to cheat to win that last game of pool."
Lita scoffed, "Well they probably realized it was the only way they'd win.." She blinked, "And when the hell did I get this cocky?"
"It could be a side effect," Randy suggested in a joking manner. "I've been told that my ego is the size of a third world country."
The redhead laughed in response, "There is a fine line between egotistical and confident though.. Confident is just a nicer way of putting it."
"I guess," Randy jammed a hand into a pants pocket. "Halfway down the hallway.. Right side."
She let her arms hang loosely at her sides, "I wasn't exactly expecting to enjoy tonight. Just, the way the day began.. And then well.."
"I get the picture," Randy leaned against the wall, "So, how did it go?"
Lita shrugged, "I had a good time, actually.. You aren't as much of an ass as I thought you were."
"I'll take that as a compliment.." Randy replied almost uneasily, "You aren't as much of a bitch as I've heard."
"I can be a bitch.." Lita reminded him then, "But only when it's necessary."
To that he shrugged, "So.. This is good night then."
Lita nodded, "I can give you my cell phone number. Not that you have to take it or anything.."
"We'll exchange.." he reasoned with a tiny grin, "Over breakfast, tomorrow."
"That works." Lita brought out the keycard from the purse. "Well, I'm exhausted so.."
Randy pushed off from the wall, standing in front of her. "We should do this again."
Lita eyed him dubiously before she eventually nodded. "I'd like that." A slow smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "I didn't think I'd say that by the end of tonight but.."
"Yeah.." He took one of her hands in his, mouth just brushing over her knuckles. "Good night, Lita."
A look of shock filtered through her eyes, she holding on to his hand. One tug and one quick peck to the cheek later: "Good night, Randy."
Almost caught of guard, Randy nodded in response, waiting until she released his hand before he made his way down the hallway. And for her part, Lita entered the hotel room, kicking off her high heels the moment the door was opened. A breath she hadn't realized she was holding was released, the dress soon disposed and traded for a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. She hadn't expected for the date to go well.. Especially after she had found out who her date was. Truth be told, she had started preparing for the worst the moment Randy had set foot in the hotel room. But, to her surprise, she had proven herself wrong. Randy really wasn't that bad.. Or at the very least, he wasn't at all what she had thought he was. For the most part, anyway. Still though, the date had gone well and to her utmost surprise, plans for a second date had been made. Where it would go, Lita wasn't exactly sure.. But, for now, she was perfectly fine with taking it day by day.
-FIN-
Author Note: Now, I'm not sure what else I'll do.. I might do a sequel to the series. And if I do, it'll more than likely be another short series focusing a bit more on Dave/Victoria, Randy/Lita. But, that's a might, not a definite.. So, we'll see what we see. On a final note: Thank you in advance to any reviewers!