_____________________________________________
He was furious.
Edge's jaw was set in his anger, his hands clenched into fists as he thought about what had transpired mere moments ago.
Dean Malenko - the slimebag - had challenged Lita to a match a bit earlier in the night. The Radical had said if she won the match, she would become the new Light Heavyweight champion, and he would leave her alone from then on out. However, on the other side of the coin, if he won, the redhead would have to go on a date with him during the week's SmackDown.
The tall blond man barged out of the locker room, so thoroughly enraged he was afraid of yelling and spilling the beans to Christian. Instead, he decided it was a better idea to let out his anger out in the hallway.
He tore at his long hair, not daring to allow an angry groan from escaping him. He couldn't believe what had transpired only moments earlier.
Lita had competed in the match against Dean Malenko, and she'd really taken it to him. When the redhead had climbed the turnbuckle and delivered the moonsault, Edge had been sure it was all over. But Dean had kicked out at the two-count, and shortly after, he'd locked her in the Texas Cloverleaf.
Lita had tapped out... And now, she had to go on a date with the lecherous creep...
Edge was positively beside himself as he stormed down the corridor, a string of curses leaving his lips. He looked up as he suddenly heard heels clacking on the floor slightly behind him. Great... It sounded like someone was approaching him, and it was no exactly the best time.
"Edge, are you okay?"
The tall blond man turned at the sound of the voice that had discreetly issued the question. Stephanie McMahon eyed him with concern.
The blond man noted that the corridor they were standing in was pretty much deserted. He sighed and raked a hand through his hair as he regarded the young woman.
"No, not really..." he admitted. "You know what happened, right?"
The brunette nodded.
"Christian and I saw the match on the TV monitor - she lost..."
Edge clenched his hands into fists again, an aggravated groan escaping him. He raised his head to glare up at the ceiling for a moment as he tried to suck his anger down. He wanted nothing more than to just punch out a hall in the wall.
"Yeah... and you know what that means..." he finally replied.
"Edge..." Stephanie began, putting one hand out as though to appease the upset Canadian. "You know Lita has no interest in Dean Malenko-"
"I know that," he said irritably. "But I won't let that date happen!"
"But she made a deal," the young woman pointed out. "Look, I know you're angry, but there's really no way she could get out of it." Stephanie met the blond man's angry green eyes, her gaze softening as she continued. "I'm sure the Hardyz will keep an eye out for her. They won't let him get away with anything improper."
Edge didn't even have to think about it for a second.
"And what about when she's alone with that letch, huh? What's to say he won't try something then?"
The brunette blinked, her blue eyes shifting so as to ensure nobody was overhearing them. Then, stepping closer to the man, she placed a hand on his arm, her voice soft as she spoke again.
"Well... maybe we can do something to make sure that doesn't happen."
Edge eyed her with confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"Maybe we can set something up so that Lita is never alone with him on the date," she elaborated. "We could get the Hardyz to track them."
The tall blond man cocked his head, regarding the woman with exasperation.
"And how are we going to accomplish that, Stephanie? You and I don't exactly fall into the category of Matt and Jeff Hardy's friends. They hate me - and the feeling has been quite mutual for a long time," he reminded her.
"So, we'll tell Lita to ask them to tag after the on the date. It'll be okay, I know it."
Edge considered her words and decided she was right. If they could convince the redhead to enlist the help of Matt and Jeff, things would go better. Then again, the diva wouldn't even need to be convinced - she would probably as for their help all on her own accord.
"Come on, Edge," Stephanie said, gesturing at him with a turn of her head and a wave of her hand. "You and Christian have your match against K-Kwik and Road Dogg coming up in a few minutes."
The Canadian nodded. Stephanie had a point - actually, a few good points. Right now, he had to concentrate on the upcoming match. Lieutenant Commish Debra had said she and Mick would be watching closely for the winners in the tag matches, as the victories would pertain to who would get a title shot at the next pay-per-view, Armageddon.
He only hoped he could push all his worries and anger about Lita's predicament to the backburner for now so he'd be
distraction-free.