Something Missing

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Lita knocked on the door of the locker room she knew Edge was sharing with the Dudley Boyz for the night. She bit her lip with combined nervousness and anticipation as she waited to be let in.

"Hey, Red," Bubba Ray said when he opened the door to see her there.

"Hey, Bubba...You and D'Von all set for your title defense tonight against La Resistance?"

"To quote Stone Cold Steve Austin, oh hell yeah! We're gonna make mincemeat out of those French fries!" the big man replied.

Lita laughed, then craned her neck a bit to get a better look as to the interior of the room.

"Edge here?"

"Right over there..." Bubba opened the door more widely, gesturing for her to come in.

The tall blond man was sitting on the other side of the room, lacing up his wrestling boots. He looked up as she entered the room, his handsome face brightening with a smile.

"Hey," she said with a smile of her own. All of a sudden, she was feeling somewhat shy. She cocked her head to one side as she gazed at him. "You're back in action already, huh?"

"Yup...Hard to believe I haven't stepped inside a wrestling ring in over seven months - well, other than judging a bikini contest between the SmackDown divas..."

"That's nothing," Lita said as she crossed her arms over her chest, giving him a tiny pout, "try being out of action for close to a year and a half!"

"Aww, Li...But at least you're back now - you're the first woman to do that after breaking your neck," Edge reminded her, his emerald green eyes sparkling as he gazed at her. "You're really amazing, you know?"

Lita gazed directly into his incredible eyes, a warm blush seeping its way into her cheeks at his compliments. A tiny smile played at her lips. The feeling she got at receiving such praise from this man was indescribable.

"Thank you..." she said sheepishly.

Edge grinned and winked. Damn, but she was adorable - not to mention breathtakingly beautiful.

"Listen, Li - good luck in your match tonight." He ran a hand through his long golden hair, a gesture which, unknown to him, made the redhead weak in the knees. "You're teaming up with Trish, right?"

"Right - against Molly and Gail. Just like at Unforgiven the other night."

"Well, be careful out there, you hear? I cringe at the just the thought of you doing a moonsault after what you - what we've both been through." Edge reached out and nudged her gently on the shoulder, then affectionately on her chin.

"Good luck to you, too," she said, her hazel eyes sparkling as she continued to gaze at him, a flush still in her cheeks by the feel of it. "And you be careful out there, too! You haven't had as much time out to heal as I had...Hey, who are you facing tonight, anyway?"

Edge chuckled, feeling good about himself at how she obviously worried about him as he did her.

"I'm teaming with Maven to face 'The World's Greatest Tag Team.'"

"Oh, 'Team Suck Squad,' huh?" the diva remarked. "Well, they'd better watch out - because if they hurt you, I'll be forced to kick their asses..."

The tall blond man chuckled again, touched. He stood up and surprised Lita by wrapping her into his embrace and gave her a warm, lingering hug.

After a moment, Edge released the redhead, who gazed up at him shyly. He didn't fail to notice the slight redness in her cheeks. God, she was cute. He just wanted to pick her up and hold her all night long.

"I'd better get back..." She gestured with both hands.

The Canadian nodded.

"I'll see you later."

"Yeah..." Lita gave him a half-crooked smile and hurried out of his locker room. As she stepped out into the hall, she spotted Trish standing several feet away, talking with, of all people, Torrie Wilson.

The redhead was surprised. The tall platinum blonde had really never been what Trish had ever called a 'friend.' In fact, the Canadian diva had expressed disdain toward Torrie for having possed nude for Playboy a few months back.

The little blonde suddenly looked up, meeting her gaze. For the very briefest second, Lita could have sworn she could read something like disapproval or annoyance in her friend's brown eyes. But when she blinked, that look was gone.

The redhead shrugged to herself. She must have imagined it...






Part 5

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