The Warmth

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"Oh, my brother!" D'Von Dudley exclaimed as he and Bubba Ray sat watching a TV monitor in their locker room. "This is just not right... No matter how much I enjoy looking at these lovely ladies, it's not right!"

Bubba's gaze was fixed to the scene of Lita and Trish Stratus in a tub of mud, both divas stripped down to their bras and panties. They were wrestling, as the General Manager had so ordered, but their efforts definitely seemed half-hearted at best. He realized that D'Von was right - the two women were being humiliated, and all for the sake of Eric Bischoff's satisfaction and over-abuse of power - not unlike what had been done to them for the last couple of months.

"Bubba," his brother spoke again, drawing his attention momentarily away from the TV screen, "I think we should join The Clique."

Bubba Ray arched a brow at D'Von's words, although he wasn't really surprised by them. His brother had definitely been warm and welcoming toward Lita when the redhead had come to see them the other day - not at all like himself. And damn if he didn't feel like the world's biggest jerk for being so cold toward the diva. Lita was their friend, and she'd gone so far as to get herself into trouble by sticking up for them that night when she'd come upon them in the midst of their argument with Bischoff and Morley. And how had he repaid her for that? He'd nearly put her through a table and then snapped at her when she'd later asked him and D'Von to join their faction... That's how he'd repaid her. He loathed himself for that.

"Look at this!"

Bubba Ray's line of vision followed his brother's pointing finger toward the television monitor. At this point, Lita and Trish had stopped brawling, although apparently neither had won the so-called 'match.' The referee was arguing to them that they had to finish and there had to be a winner, but neither the redhead nor the little blonde seemed to care. In fact, the two women looked to be departing the area - until suddenly, Eric Bischoff himself appeared, the GM's music blaring throughout the arena.

"Bischoff doesn't look too happy, does he?" the big man asked rhetorically, his gaze never wavering from the screen.

"No, he doesn't, my brother," D'Von replied.

In a flash, the General Manager approached the two divas, who, by now, had begun making their way up the entry ramp.

"What the hell do you two think you're doing?" Eric shouted, his face furious as he held a microphone up to his lips. "You didn't finish the match - now get back down there!" In his anger, the GM grabbed Lita by the arm, but that proved to be a mistake, as the redhead pulled back and slapped him without fear.

The General Manager's head reeled with the impact of the blow, but it only served to make him more angry.

"You bitch! You'll pay for that! You and you!" This time, Bischoff pointed at Trish. He began to force the two divas back to the vat full of mud, attempting to intimidate them as he continued to yell into the mic.

The Dudleys watched as the two women reluctantly crept back to their tub of humiliation, Bischoff still shouting at them.

"Now - get in there! I'm not leaving until there's a winner - and neither are you!" The General Manager gestured to the referee, who called for the bell from the timekeeper.

Lita and Trish exchanged glances, then the Canadian diva stepped into the vat. Meanwhile, the redhead seemed to be lingering, and Bubba Ray couldn't help but wonder why.

Then, as Eric continued to verbally berate the fiery high-flying diva, the Dudley Boy realized his suspicions had some ground - because, in a flash, Lita shoved Bischoff right into the mud, the man quickly getting soiled, clothes, hair, microphone and all.

And then, Trish Stratus delivered a Chick Kick to the GM, the little blonde letting out an audible snarl as she dropped to her knees to shove the boss' face under the mud. Lita joined her friend in the tub and punched the bastard.

"Atta girls!" D'Von shouted as though the two feisty divas could hear him. He glanced over at Bubba, surprised to note the smile on the big man's face.

He nodded, laughing. The fact that his brother was smiling with approval and Lita and Trish's actions could only be a good thing...






Part 22

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