PLANS

SUNDAY NIGHT HEAT, JANUARY 28TH, 2001

By the time Sunday rolled around Lita and the Hardyz were informed that they had the night off, so they spent the morning at the hotel gym before returning to the comfort of their rooms. Matt and Jeff decided to go sightseeing while Angel and Lita watched movies, before switching over to MTV for Heat.

"This is the show you busted in on," Lita explained.

Angel nodded. "I remember that guy. He kept getting my name wrong."

Lita smiled. "Yeah, that’s Tazz."

"Hey, Li, can I ask you a question?" Angel wondered as the first match (between ‘The One’ Billy Gunn and Albert) started.

"Sure."

"How long have you been seeing Matt?"

Lita turned to look at her cousin. "Did Jeff…?"

"No. Let’s just say you guys were partying pretty hard after Smackdown."

Lita’s eyes widened as she remembered. "We’ve been together a while now – nearly as long as I’ve been hanging with the guys. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you straight out, but you’ve got to realize that when you’re in this business relationships aren’t easy. If you date someone outside there’s the risk of groupies, plus long stints on the road, apart." She sighed. "But in some ways that’s preferable to dating someone in the business. That’s a whole different set of problems. You could be pitted against each other in a mixed tag or worse, if the wrong people find out they can use it against you. You know, attack me to get to Matt. That’s why we keep it quiet." She gave a little laugh. "So, if anyone asks, Matt is my best friend, as is Jeff. Okay?"

Angel nodded and smiled. "That works for me."

Lita rolled over and sat up. "Speaking of my boys, what happened between you and Jeff the other night?"

"What? Nothing happened."

Lita grinned. "Come on, Ange. I don’t buy that. I asked Jeff the same question but he wasn’t talking. That’s got to mean something."

"Lita, I don’t think Jeff would even remember, he was so drunk."

"Okay, so where did you end up? When me and Matt looked you were gone and we didn’t see either of you until late afternoon on Friday."

"We went party-hopping with the Hollys. Eventually we ended up at Hardcore’s place and Jeff passed out on the couch while the rest of us played pool. Well, until Hardcore and Crash started arguing over whose shot it was. It got pretty ugly – pool cues, trophies, a lamp…"

"So, nothing happened at all?" Lita cut her off.

"Lita, Jeff was totally pissed. I kind of like my men to remember me in the morning."

"That’s too bad," Lita said, eyes shining. "’Cause Jeff’s really into you."

Angel didn’t think much of it. Lita had always been like that. Just before Angel’s family had left Florida, Lita had tried to set her up with Johnny Sanchez. He was Angel’s age, ten, and actually did not think Angel was cute, as fifteen-year-old Lita had said. In fact, he still thought girls had cooties. It hadn’t been pretty.

"I’m not looking for romance, Lita. I’m supposed to be on vacation."

Lita turned serious. "Not that I want to get rid of you, Angel, it’s great having you here, but do you have any idea when you’ll be going home?"

"After I put that bitch Steven Richards in hospital," Angel replied seriously. "Speak of the devil," she scowled as he appeared on TV and launched a tirade against senseless violence. "Oh, shut up. Like you don’t hit people with ring bells given half a chance."

Lita put a comforting hand on her cousin’s shoulder. "Angel, you chose the wrong person to pick a fight with. He’s almost untouchable."

"I don’t care. Someday, Lita…"

They watched quietly as Steven was interrupted midstream by a man wielding a kendo stick. Steven asked for the stick and the man handed it over, only to attack him moments later with two smaller sticks.

Angel cheered. "I wish I could’ve done that. Who is that guy?"

Lita was also amused. "Steve Blackman. Speaking of people you don’t want to fight with."

Angel couldn’t wipe the smile of her face. "That was awesome. I wish I could do that."

But Lita was back in reflective mode. "Angel, how’s your money situation?"

"Pretty drastic, I’m afraid. But I don’t care. I’ll get a job waitressing or something."

"I could put a good word in for you with the McMahons," Lita offered. "Not that it’d do much good. As far as I know there are only two ways to get a contract. The first is to sleep with the boss but since Trish Stratus seems to have that covered we’ll have to move on to Plan B."

"And that is?"

"Find someone to train you and get in the hard way – through talent."

"Lita, I can’t do that. The things you do. I could never…"

"Oh, great. It’s my ex." Lita’s attention was focused back on the TV.

"The guy with the doll head?"

"No, that’s Al Snow. The other guy, the redhead. His name’s Essa Rios. Kick his ass, Al."

Angel watched as Essa Rios performed a series of acrobatic moves in the ring. "I see he gave you some of his moves."

"Yeah, that’s not all he gave me," Lita murmured bitterly. "I’ll tell you about it someday. Right now we have to think of someone who can train you. That’s it! Al Snow!"

"The head guy?" Angel asked dubiously.

"You said you wanted to be like Blackman, right? Well, Al Snow trained Blackman. Granted, he already knew all that martial arts stuff, but Snow taught him to be a wrestler."

"Well, if you think it’ll work, tomorrow I’ll go find that Snow guy and get him to teach me everything he knows."

Lita grinned. "This is so exciting!"

They cheered together as Al Snow scored the pinfall on Essa.

"It’s going to take me a while to get good enough for a contract, isn’t it?" Angel asked, suddenly worried.

Lita nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, probably."

"Then I’m still almost out of money."

Lita just kept nodding. "I could loan you some, that’s okay, Ange."

"No, no, Lita. I think I have a better idea. I’ll rent myself out as a valet."

"Bad idea."

"Bad?" Angel cried. "Bad, how? It’s perfect, Li. I’ll have money, I’ll still be able to stick around you, and Al Snow if he’ll teach me."

"Angel, it’s not a safe environment. There are people around who’ll hurt you just because of who you are. You might not even see it coming."

"I can take care of myself, Lita. And I can count on you, Matt and Jeff to have my back, right?"

"Of course, but…"

"Then, it’s settled," Angel said firmly. "It’s the only way."

Lita sighed. "You really want to hurt Steven Richards, don’t you?"

"More than anything. He hurt me, Lita. He made me spend four days in hospital on my damn vacation. He showed no remorse at all. By the time I’m done with him you can bet he’ll be remorseful. He’ll be the most sorry he’s ever been in his worthless, hypocritical life."

Lita stared at her and a smile slowly spread across her face. "I knew you were my favorite cousin for a reason."