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Edge was still feeling like crap later on when he was in the hotel room Christian and Stephanie had reserved.
His tag team partner and best friend ranted and raved as he paced the length of the floor, his girlfriend seated calmly on the edge of the large bed.
"I can't believe those Hardys were dressed as us! I mean, the Conquistadors!" Christian snapped. He stopped pacing momentarily to stare into the taller man's face. "But I'll tell you this - I don't buy into that phony story Foley gave us - it had to be that skank! It had to be!"
Stephanie bit her lip as she nervously noted the slight change in Edge's facial expression. She only hoped the man wouldn't snap and attack her boyfriend. But it was obvious - at least to her, how little Edge appreciated Christian referring to Lita as a 'skank.' And anyway, the redhead wasn't all that bad. After all, after she'd admitted to seeing Christian, Lita had promised to keep it a secret - and seeing as the other diva was in no position to betray her in any way, Stephanie trusted her.
"Christian..." Edge began calmly. "The cameras kept rolling - and Foley showed us the proof, so why are you so bent on believing that Lita had anything to do with this?"
"Simple - 'cause the bitch hates us, Edge! Don't you think she'd want us to suffer?"
It took all of Edge's willpower not to run over to Christian and grab him forcibly by his shirt - or hit him - or, at the very least, tell him to shut up. But his patience was still wearing very thin.
"Christian, come on..." Stephanie cut in, and Edge shot her a grateful look. "He's right - Mick was obviously telling the truth. It was just a simple mistake - the cameras were left on - that's all. Lita didn't have anything whatsoever to do with it..."
The shorter of the two blond Canadians eyed the brunette with surprise.
"Since when did she become such a great buddy of yours, Steph?"
Stephanie blanched but managed to find her voice immediately. "She hasn't..." she said, rising to stand before her boyfriend. "But the facts remain..." She shook her head as she gazed into Christian's blue eyes with concern. "It isn't worth getting yourself sick over this..."
The Canadian glanced at Edge, then quickly back into the brunette's eyes.
"You know, you're right," he said in a softer tone. "It isn't...and meanwhile, I could be spending my time in a much better way..."
The delight was plain on Stephanie's face as Christian wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her to him, his lips seeking hers.
Edge watched the couple for a beat, relieved that the brunette had helped him out, and grateful as well. As Christian let out a soft moan, he took this as his cue.
"Okay, I'm outta here..." he said as he headed for the door. "Have a good night, you two..."
Christian waved at him over Stephanie's shoulder, but the pair didn't stop kissing.
Edge didn't care and in fact felt extremely grateful toward Stephanie. Although they weren't exactly what he would call 'friends,' she was still a good acquaintance.
Now, as he made his way stealthily down the hall to Lita's room, he had to conjure up a way to make it up to the redhead. Too bad he hadn't gotten a bouquet of flowers - but he hadn't wanted to arouse any suspicions from Christian.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. The only problem was that he
would have to enlist Stephanie for help. And that might prove impossible
to accomplish, given the fact that she and his tag team partner were obviously
just about to have sex...