"Hey, Red," Chris said, using the nickname with which he'd dubbed her upon their meeting that morning.  He'd started heading toward her a bit as she'd finished playing the Hendrix tune.

"Hi, Chris," the young woman said with a smile.  "I hope you don't mind that I made myself at home, so to speak."

"Oh, not at all," Jericho said with a friendly smile.  "Wow...that was awesome, by the way."

"Thanks," Lita said basfully.  "I've always idolized Jimi Hendrix."

"Well, you sure impressed me - and I can tell, Edge is impressed, too."

The redhead arched an eyebrow, her gaze traveling over to where the annoying blond man was standing, again near the bar.  He was still nursing his drink, but this time, he was talking with the young woman Chris had been with when he'd entered the club.

"Yeah, right," she said sarcastically, rolling her hazel eyes.  Edge wasn't even looking her way.  So, she was skeptical about what Jericho had just said.

"I'm not kidding...He was totally speechless.  Lita, he likes to play Hendrix, too - but your rendition of 'Little Wing' completely puts his to shame," the blond said.  He winked at her, swatting her playfully on the shoulder.  "Just don't tell him I said so - he's got a pretty fragile ego."

"Well, I don't know about it being fragile," the redhead said, crossing her arms under her breasts, "but he sure does have an ego."

Jericho sighed as he noted the slightly annoyed expression that crossed her features, the tone of her voice.  So, the dislike was mutual between the two guitar players.  He was disappointed by that, as he'd been hoping it had only been one-sided.  He was also very unpleasantly surprise, as he'd been certain that Edge and Lita would have hit it off and gotten along famously.

"What exactly happened between you two?"

She rolled her eyes.  "He handed me some bullshit about you hiring a woman to play in the band having to be a mistake...Tell me, Chris - what is that guy's problem?"

Jericho shook his head.  "I really don't know...He's usually not like that.  I'm really sorry he was so rude to you - and please, accept that apology from me on his behalf."

The redhead rolled her eyes again.  "No offense, but I highly doubt he would want you to apologize for him.  The guy is an ass."

Chris shrugged.  "I think he might just be a little bitter about Test leaving the band - not that I'm trying to justify his attitude, mind you," he said, gesturing with one hand.  "I know he's pretty pissed about that, though - they've always been really good friends, and Edge is sort of a creature of habit.  He's never played guitar alongside anyone other than Test."

"Yeah?  Well, that's no reason for him to take it out on me.  The band I just quit was the only one I ever played in, and the only guitarist I ever played alongside happens to be my ex-boyfriend."

Chris arched an eyebrow at her last words, as he hadn't known that last part.  "You're right," he said, "he had no right to be so rude to you.  Listen...I'll talk to him, okay?  I promise - his attitude's got to change."

The redhead made a face.  "Whatever," she said.  "To be honest, I really don't care...I took the job as your new guitarist, and I'm not backing down - no matter how much of an ass my fellow axeman is.  So, if his attitude doesn't change...whatever."

The blond bass player felt awful.  He wished that he'd been around when Edge and Lita had met - and that somehow, he'd have been able to make their meeting smooth.  Damn, he thought, first impressions are everything.

Jericho raked a hand through his long hair.  "Hey," he said, deciding to change the subject.  "I have to introduce you to Stephanie..."  He turned around to where the brunette was still standing and talking with Edge.

"Steph!" he called.  "Come over here for a minute!"

The woman looked up and did as he requested, leaving the tall blond man standing there.

"Hi," she said as she approached.  "You must be Lita."

"Yeah," the redhead said with a smile as she shook hands with the other woman.

"This is Stephanie McMahon," Jericho said.  "She's half-owner here."

"It's nice to meet you," Steph said with a warm smile.

"Likewise," Lita said.  She couldn't shake the sinking suspicion that Edge had been badmouthing her to the woman.

And then, a moment later, she shifted her gaze over to him, and she caught him staring at her - but this time, she was surprised to see that he wasn't eyeing her with annoyance.  On the contrary, he appeared to be checking her out.

She looked away from him with annoyance.