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Trish and Lita returned to the backstage area, neither all that worried about a backlash for their actions. The redhead even had a slight bounce in her step. Damn, but it had felt good to let that creep have it!
"You really should be proud of yourself, you know," she said as she faced her blonde friend. "I know how difficult that must have been for you."
Trish's smile faded as reality came sailing back at her. It had been easier to confront Chris as she'd been out there, listening to his lines. But now she had to deal with the aftermath of it. What would happen now? What if he attacked her? Or, perhaps, even worse, what if he tried to talk to her one-on-one and got inside her head and heart again?
"Thank you, Lita." She nodded. "And you're right. It was difficult. At first."
The redhead cocked her head to listen, as she sensed her friend had more to say.
"But listening to him out there... It was like he was feeding me all these lines, like he was reciting a play he memorized. I... I didn't believe him."
Lita smiled and gently clapped a hand onto her shoulder. She patted it.
"Good."
"And how about you? How do you feel now that you've confronted that slimeball?" the little blonde practically spat. Just thinking about Christian made her feel dirty.
"Me? I feel marvelous," the taller diva answered. It was only partly the truth. While she did feel good about letting Christian know, unmistakably, how she felt about being manipulated, made into a fool and used, she felt pretty low about what had almost happened between them. Yet, at the same time, she knew she should feel good that it hadn't happened. And that thought reminded her of Edge.
"Oh, you know what?" she began, glancing around the hallway. "I'm gonna go find Edge." She hooked a thumb over her shoulder.
"Okay," Trish said. "See you later." She turned and was about to go into the divas' locker room when the sound of clapping nearby stopped her. Somewhat startled, she cast a glance over her shoulder.
"Bravo... Way to go!"
The blonde couldn't help herself and found a smile make its way back to her lips. Go figure that he would be the first male superstar to applaud her for what she'd just done. She bit her lip and shyly approached Rob Van Dam.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He was getting a strange flashback of the previous night, only they'd been in front of a soda machine. He allowed his eyes to scan over the beautiful blonde in as subtle a way as he could manage. "So, how do you feel now?" he asked.
Trish smiled as she looked into Rob's light brown eyes. He had about the most pleasant face she'd ever seen on a guy. Even when he wasn't smiling, it looked like he should be.
"Pretty good, actually," she replied. This time, it was the truth. She felt so validated, especially now that Van Dam had said such nice, encouraging things to her.
"You know, I'm surprised," he said. "I kinda figured those two idiots were going to grab you and Lita."
The diva's smile vanished at that thought. What if Jericho and Christian tried that at another occasion? And what if it happened in private and not out in the ring or something? Jeez... Now she was worried. She wouldn't put it past those two to do that - especially the creepy little bastard.
"I was afraid I was gonna have to run out there and put a hurting on them," Rob concluded.
Trish's bright and beautiful smile returned. Van Dam gave her a wink. He took gentle hold of her wrist, causing her to look down at the contact.
"I mean that, Trish. I really do."
The tiny blonde gazed at the man with wonder.
"Thank you, Rob."
"Don't mention it."
She smiled. It seemed that was his trademark quote whenever they spoke. Suddenly, she was feeling even more miles better.
Rob nudged her on the shoulder, clearing his throat as an idea came to him.
"Hey, if you ever decide you want a little more payback on Jericho, I'd be happy to tag with you in an intergender match."
Trish arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. That was a thought. Of course, she hoped it would never come down to her actually having to step into the ring with Chris... but if it came down to that, she would love for Rob to be her partner. She nodded with appreciation.
"Sounds great."
Van Dam smiled, his gaze lingering on the beautiful diva a beat longer. Then, he came back to his senses, realizing a very important fact.
"Well," he said, "I'd better get a move-on." He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "Got a match to prepare for. Catch you later, Trish."
The little blonde's smile waned just a bit. She waved at him as he started retreating away down the other end of the hallway.
"Later, Rob."