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Lita felt a thrill rush through her as she executed a Twist of Fate on Victoria, then climbed the top turnbuckle to hit a moonsault on the other diva. One, two, three - it was over.

God, she hadn't experienced that in over a year and closer to a year and a half. It felt good, and so satisfying, to have the ability to wrestle again. It was her life, her passion. She'd trained so diligently to step through those ropes and do this for a living. The adrenaline she felt from doing so and from the roar of the crowd was unbelievable.

Of course, she was also ecstatic about being able to see her friends again. She had missed them so much, even though she'd been out of commission with her neck injury.

The redhead felt an extra bounce in her step as she returned to the back, smiling as she greeted co-workers.

"Well, well... What have we here?" a smug voice said almost tauntingly from behind her.

The diva turned around reluctantly, forcing a smile for the man's benefit.

"Hello, Hunter..." She felt her guard, as well as the fine hairs on the back of her neck go up, as Triple H was not exactly someone she would call a 'friend' - or an acquaintence, for that matter. Lita had never been all that friendly with him, but it wasn't because she hadn't been nice. In fact, when she'd first joined the WWE back in early 2000, she'd approached the man and introduced herself. Although she'd been nervous, she'd been extremely cordial - but all he'd done was merely grin and proceed to check her out obscenely. Afterward, the new diva had felt the overwhelming urge to take a long, hot shower.

"It sure is nice to see your back," he continued, then let out a chuckle. "And your front." Triple H allowed his beady amberish-brown eyes to linger longingly over Lita's breasts.

"My eyes are up here," she snapped, thoroughly annoyed and disgusted. She waved one hand in front of him while the other pointed toward her eyes.

The bulky, muscular man laughed.

"Yeah - I know that, but those aren't what I'm interested in, honey."

The redhead scowled.

"You really are a pig, you know that?" she said bluntly. She knew she was probably asking for trouble speaking to him that way - after all, the bastard was pushed all the way to the sky in the company and was Vince McMahon's favorite despite the fact that he and the boss' daughter, Stephanie, had divorced more than a year ago - but she couldn't help it. She was not the type of girl to put up with such crap.

"You know," he began, a small smile still on his arrogant face, "you really shouldn't talk to me that way." He moved closer to her until she was pressing her back up against the wall, wishing to shrink through it. "It really isn't beneficial for you to be such a bitch toward me." His sly grin vanished, only to be replaced by an annoyed scowl. "I can break you - just remember that..."

"What the hell is going on here? Hey!" a new, albeit familiar and most welcome male voice suddenly called. Lita and Triple H both looked up to see Edge heading straight toward them, the tall blond man's handsome face not pleased as he came to stand toe-to-toe with the redhead's burly harasser.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Helmsley?" the Canadian spat, glaring directly into the other man's eyes. He was just slightly taller than Hunter, maybe by as little as an inch, and although he was by no means bigger or stronger than the World Champion, Triple H backed off by a couple of steps. Lita was grateful for that and for the blond man for coming to her rescue when no one else would. She moved away from the wall to stand at Edge's side, slightly behind him.

"I think I'm having a talk with the lady, Edge," the large-nosed man said, emphasizing the other man's name obnoxiously. "And it's none of your business..."

"Like hell," the Canadian said, his green eyes glittering with fury. "You were hitting on her and persisting when it was more than obvious she wants nothing to do with you... And I am making it my business."

Hunter glared back at the younger man but chuckled with amusement.

"Okay, tough guy... You win - this time." Gone went the smirk. "But if you stick your nose in my personal affairs again, you'll pay for it... Consider yourself warned." With that, Triple H walked away, leaving Edge and Lita alone.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue, Edge!" the redhead exclaimed with relief. She threw herself into the tall, handsome blond man's arms, hugging him tightly.

The Canadian hugged her back, noticing how very good she felt in his arms.

"Well... I couldn't let the creep bother you like that..."

Lita pulled back, a small smile on her face as she appeared to be considering something. Then, to Edge's surprise, she suddenly stood up on her tiptoes to place a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks again..."