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Dawn Marie was shaking as she left the diner for her 'dinner' break. She had to get out of there and couldn't leave any faster.
She'd noticed the look of hatred Lita had directed at her when the redhead had gone into the kitchen, when she'd been getting ready to leave. The brunette had been removing her apron, and Lita had entered to let Chris know of an order. Their eyes had met, although Dawn had wanted nothing more than to avoid. Catching a glimpse of the scorn in those hazel orbs really bothered her, even hurt.
Once in her car, the door locked, she fumbled in her purse for a cigarette and her lighter, her hands shaking the entire time. God, this was such a mess... And this was going to end up being the death of her. But she couldn't help having taken up smoking again - not after all of this.
With the now lit cigarette in her left hand, the brunette reached back into her purse for her cell phone. She pressed one on her speed dial and held the device to her ear, praying she wouldn't break down. After two rings, he answered.
"Hello, Dawn?"
Dawn Marie nearly collapsed at the sound of her husband's voice.
"Christian, everything is falling apart," she blurted. She was near hysteria as she elaborated. "Lita knows - I think she and Adam have been getting really close lately, and she knows... She attacked me!"
"Whoa..." the man replied on the other end. "... Slow down, honey."
Dawn Marie took a drag from her cigarette, her hand shaking as she let out some ashes in the ashtray.
"What are you talking about, *attacked* you?"
"Just as I said, Christian! She seemed to be avoiding me since I got here, and when I approached her about it, she hit me." Dawn winced at the memory, not to mention the stinging soreness she still felt in her jaw. "She mentioned him, too."
"She mentioned Edge's name?" her husband asked.
"Well, I... um, I don't remember if she actually said his *name*. But she *did* ask, 'How could you do that to him?' Who else could she have meant?" Dawn Marie cried, her voice by now frantic. "She *knows*!"
"Shit..." Christian muttered on the other end. "... Okay, okay - let's not panic. Let me figure something out. In the meantime, let's stay tough."
"Easier said than done!"
"Aww, come on, honey - you're a tough lady," the man said. "We're in this thing together till the end. Just sit tight, okay? We'll figure something out, I promise."
There was a brief pause as the brunette exhaled deeply. Then, Christian spoke again. "We'll take care of this - *together*. Even if we have to take *both* of them out."
*
Edge parked his car in the driveway, then quickly left the vehicle and made his way to the door.
She was sitting just outside, on the top step of the three small stairs leading to the front door. He smiled and sat down beside her.
"Hi."
"Hi yourself."
The redhead turned to fully face him, her arms going up to encircle his neck as he pulled her against him, his own arms tightening around her waist. He captured her lips with his own, and she kissed him back so ardently that a small, muffled moan escaped him.
Lita's hands went into his long blond hair, gently, tenderly stroking and caressing. It felt so very good to be kissing him, and in his arms again after the long day and night she'd had.
Afterward, the blond man raised his head and gazed into her hazel orbs in the darkness. He kept his arm wrapped securely around her waist as he spoke.
"You should've let me meet you at the diner... I would've picked you up."
She shook her head in protest, silencing him with one finger to his lips.
"I didn't want any trouble," she explained. "Stephanie was pretty peeved this afternoon. I don't want her to banish you from The Stop." She smiled softly. "I like having you there too much."
Adam smiled as well, his face nearing hers again. Her breath felt so deliciously warm against his face. God, he was falling so very hard for her - falling in love hard and quickly as well.
He closed the tiny distance between them and again sealed his lips over hers.