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"You took a big risk out there, you know."
Lita met the emerald gaze of Edge and nodded reluctantly, knowing he was right.
"I know," she said, "but Edge, I had to do that. Trish too! We stood up for ourselves, and for all women who have ever suffered humiliation at the hands of men like them."
The tall blond man ran a hand through his long curls and nodded. He understood that the two divas had felt a need to do what they'd done, but what kind of repercussions awaited them? He knew there had to be some. He knew his slimy brother and knew how he operated.
"I understand that, Li," he assured her, standing up to place his hands on her shoulders. "But what about now?"
When the redhead merely shrugged, he continued.
"What if they retaliate?"
She lowered her head, realizing she hadn't really thought of that. All she'd cared about was exposing those two for the jerks that they were, and for letting Christian know that she didn't appreciate his little scheme against her. She suspected Trish, on the other hand, had probably had such worries in her mind, but being timid, she hadn't shared them with her. Lita suddenly felt bad, as she'd sort of 'bullied' the blonde into doing this with her.
The redhead sighed, raising her gaze to that of her friend.
"I guess I hadn't thought of that," she admitted. Yes, she'd acted rashly.
The two friends exchanged odd glances as they suddenly heard shouts out in the arena hallway. Then, Edge's expression grew hard, and he held a hand up to the diva. As she stood there, the blond stalked to the door, opening it a couple of inches.
Chris Jericho and Christian had returned to the backstage area. The two men were yelling, calling for Lita and Trish. Edge felt his ire increase as they neared. He balled his hand into a fist, wanting to pummel his brother for the second time in two days.
"Where are you, bitches?!" Christian hollered, his hands cupped around his mouth, head held high.
Jericho, on the other hand, wasn't as nasty for some reason.
"Trish! Come on, where are you?!" he yelled.
Edge suddenly realized that Lita had sidled up over to him. He felt her touch his shoulder as she attempted to peer out the door and caught the look on her face - one of pure anger.
"I should go find out what the hell he wants now." She tried slipping past the tall blond man, but he held her back with one arm.
"No... Not a good idea."
She shook her head and seemed on the verge of protesting when a new voice hit their ears.
"What the hell is wrong with the two of you?!"
Lita and Edge exchanged glances. That was RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff who was speaking - or rather, yelling.
"Get in my office - now!" they heard him order.
Jericho and Christian's voices suddenly sounded a bit farther away, and Lita knew they were groaning, as they had apparently gotten into trouble. Good!
*
Bischoff glared at the blond men as he nearly slammed the door to his office. He turned back to eye them and came over, around his desk to sit. He pointed at the chairs situated on the other side, directing them to take a seat as well.
"What's wrong with you?" he demanded. "I can't have the two of you running around my hallways yelling at the top of your lungs like maniacs!"
Jericho appeared more cowed as he lowered his blue eyes. He sat pretty still, his hands folded in his lap.
"Sorry, Eric."
Christian gave him a look but quickly shifted his gaze to the General Manager.
"Eric - didn't you see what those two bitches did to us out there?"
Bischoff pursed his lips together in annoyance as he eyed the short-haired Canadian.
"Yes... Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," he snapped. After a beat, his expression abruptly changed, becoming a grin.
Jericho and Christian exchanged glances with one another, each man utterly confused.
"And that's exactly why I'm giving you a tag team match against them at Armageddon."
A slow, malicious grin spread across the short-haired blond's face as it all sank in. Jericho, on the other hand, didn't appear quite as thrilled.
"What?"
Christian patted him in the chest, the smile still plastered on his face.
"We're getting them in the ring!" he practically sang. "This is awesome!" He couldn't wait to teach Lita a lesson!
Y2J raised one hand to his jaw, as it still ached just a tad after Trish had slapped him. The truth was, he didn't like this idea. He may not truly have had that deep of feelings towards the blonde diva, but he still cared enough not to want to face her in the ring.
He simply stared back and forth between the two other man as they planned and strategized.