Titles: Sometimes it's Easier (1?)
Rating: PG-13, or K+
Content: Angsting
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
Summary: Sequel to Unrequited. Can Randy help Lita get her life back?
Author notes: I've got a pretty good idea of where this is going, but I'd love your comments and suggestions, especially for the minutiae of life for the couple.

"Can you stay?" Lita was reluctant to move from her comfortable position in Randy's arms, it was the safest she'd felt in a long time and she didn't want it to end, but the practical side of her brain wanted to know how long Randy would be able to stay with her.

"I have to be there for the Smackdown taping tomorrow night angel, so I need to fly out tomorrow morning at the latest," he wanted to stay for longer, but knew what the repercussions would be if he missed the show.

She nodded, satisfied, and closed her eyes again. She hadn't been sleeping well recently, and was absolutely exhausted. The tears and thoughts of the last few hours had taken it out of her too. It had seemed like the cumulation of everything that had happened over the last few months. She still couldn't quite believe that Randy wanted her, that he forgave her for her behaviour, that he was willing to be there for her and would love her as she had been craving for so long.

Randy sighed. The girl in his arms right now meant more to him than anyone else, and to hold her and comfort her gave him a feeling inside that he'd never had before. He wasn't sure if it was love, or protectiveness, or something else, but it was a feeling impelling him to take this girl away from everything and never let anyone hurt her again, and to never let her hurt herself or hate herself ever again. It was a feeling that he knew he must fight though. He couldn't protect her, as much as he wanted to. Support her, yes, but to protect her would take responsibility and independence from her, and that would be wrong.

Her independent spirit had been one of the things that had first attracted him to her. He'd watched her for a few months before approaching her and offering friendship. They'd both been out as part of a big group, and it was the usual loud, raucous night. This was before she'd split up with Matt, before she'd been with Edge. She'd been quieter than usual that night, shrugging off all of Trish's attempts to get her up and dancing, and all of Stacy's attempts to get her involved in conversation. Instead, she'd sat there, matching the guys drink for drink yet not saying a word. Randy had been intrigued at her behaviour, and instead of trying to talk to her, he got her attention by getting a bottle of tequila from the bar and suggesting she take a walk down to the beach with him. They'd been in California as far as he could remember, but cities seemed to merge into one after a while, and he couldn't be sure of that. She'd smiled up at him and nodded, and they'd left, unnoticed by anyone. They'd sat on the beach and talked for hours, until the sun came up, and Randy had walked her back to the hotel. That was how their friendship had started, and it had continued in that vein ever since.

He'd always seen himself as protective towards her, picking up the pieces as she slowly destroyed herself. The contradiction of her being so independent, yet needing him so badly, had confused and frustrated him, yet ultimately comforted him, because as long as she needed him he could be there for her. He loved that she would argue with him, yet moments later desire his help. He loved that contradiction in her.

He loved her. That had become clear to him early in the friendship. It was when she'd called him up and told him what she'd started with Edge, and his first emotion had been raging jealousy. He hadn't realised how deeply his feelings ran until that point. He'd indulged her a lot in that period, conforming with her desire to not be told that she was wrong, that people would get hurt. In a way, they were both in denial. By denying his feelings, it was easier to stay close to her. He'd known that Matt would eventually have discovered the secret, and in one way felt guilty for not doing more to prevent the outcome. She'd known that too, and had denied the reality that would eventually come. Until it came, and then she'd needed Randy more than ever.

He didn't expect her to fall apart the way she did though. As she'd always been independent, and strong, he'd assumed that she'd get through it. He'd misjudged her though, and learned from that. From then on he'd paid special attention to how she spoke as well as what she said, and had started to understand her motivations and fears. He learned that her sadness and self-destructive streak came from somewhere way back, and that the situation with Matt and Edge was the proverbial straw that had broken the camel's back. He learned that the independence he'd loved was a shield.

It didn't change his feelings though. In fact, it magnified them. Her independence was a part of her, but it wasn't. It was integral to what she was but it also hid everything she was. He understood her, finally; loved her, completely.

He may have understood her completely, but he didn't quite understand himself. Lita was complicated, confusing, and needy. The sort of person Randy would have run away from not too long ago. He was a young guy, only twenty-five, and he was not the sort of person who usually looked for deep and meaningfuls. That was the Randy Orton of previous times. He had been a bit of an idiot back then, doing some stupid stuff, being too cocky for his own good, and to all intents and purposes, not a very nice person. He wasn't sure where the wake up call had come from, but it had come. Maybe from the time he'd known Lita, he wasn't sure. All he knew was that in his friendship with her, she hadn't judged him by the rumours, or by his previous behaviour. It had been like he'd been given a clean slate, a second chance to make something of himself. With Lita, he'd taken that chance with both hands.

Her breathing had evened now, and he realised she was fast asleep. Loath as he was to wake her, he was exhausted too after travelling all night and also figured it was likely he'd lose all feeling in his arm after a while if he stayed in this position. Gently he moved, trying not to wake her, but her eyes fluttered open.

"You're…not going Randy?"

"No angel, I'm not going yet. I was gonna take you back to your bed though."

She nodded, barely half awake, allowing him to pick her up and carry her to her bed. When he covered her and made to leave she awoke a little more, "where are you going?"

"I didn't know if you wanted…" Randy wanted to be with her, but he didn't want to presume or push too far.

"Stay," she moved to one side of the bed and pulled the covers back a little, "want you to."

He nodded and quickly stripped off. She smiled sleepily as he joined her and wrapped his arms around her too thin frame, "thank you Randy."

He kissed her forehead, mind whirling but at the same time screaming for sleep, "don't thank me Li. I love you babe."

She was asleep again within a few minutes. He fought the tiredness to watch the peace and tranquillity on her face, marvelling that he could be here, and be this close to her. Eventually, exhaustion took over and he joined her in rest.