Distance And Time – Part One

Teasha tapped her foot against the hard floor, trying to wait as patiently as she could, but after an hour of keeping her hopes up it was seemingly becoming futile. Missing him terribly was an understatement. She longed to have him close to her every second of every day, but she daren't voice her needs. Fear of rejection for one thing, scared of losing him for another. She had arrived at the hotel in Melbourne that morning, settling in and taking in a few sights with the spare time she had. Though the city was now her home, she would never get tired of the beautiful surroundings.

His plane had landed, she knew that for sure. The text he had sent her earlier made her heart flutter and her smile spread across her face. Although they had known each other for only a few years, the connection they made was indescribable. To be honest, Teasha couldn't imagine her life without him now.

Glancing around the room, she had run out of things to do. Although the hotel had a pool, she would rather sit and wait, not wanting to miss him arrive. The room was quiet; she had put the TV on earlier it seemed to annoy her more than anything. With a heavy sigh she stood up, brushing a few strands of long black hair over her shoulder. She strode across to the vanity table, checking her appearance once again. The khaki shorts and loose fitting tank top she had decided to wear were comfortable, plus they were appropriate since the sun was shining bright. The knock on the door sent her hurtling from her daydream. Slowly she walked over to the large wooden door, standing on her tip toes to peek through the peephole. Smiling widely she pulled the door open, unable to control her next actions. Before he could utter a word, she jumped on him. Arms wrapped around his neck and legs tight around his hips, she wasn't letting go. He engulfed her in his large arms, squeezing tightly before letting her go so she could stand before him. Glancing up she took the time to study him. Seeing him on TV did no justice to how he looked in person. His white milky skin was smooth, looking delicate to touch. Contrasting stark red hair stood out, making him all the more alluring to her. Neatly trimmed facial hair, being a distinctive feature of his, hadn't changed a bit. He was the same old Stephen, and that was just how she wanted him.

"I didn't think you would make it!"

"Ah'm not that late lass. How yeh doing?" Stephen finally let her go, raking his eyes over her body.

"Amazing now that you're finally here. How long do you have?"

"A few hours before ah have to do some interviews at the arena. Can ah come in?" He nodded towards the room, which made her back up and let him in.

"I can't believe you're here. I mean I can, but I've missed you so much."

"Ah've missed yeh too." Stephen smiled, but he always did when he was around her. Though they had always kept in contact through emails and phone calls since they first met almost two years ago, it wasn't the same.

Since Teasha had moved to Australia with her best friend, she had spent less and less time in Tasmania, but she would make sure to visit at least four times a year; her family meant the world to her and they were nothing but supportive of her career move. Her PR firm in Melbourne was booming, and although she was busier than ever, she was happy. Happy with how she managed to succeed on her own.

"I saw this little coffee shop a few doors down. You want to go there?"

"Sounds great, ah need some after that flight." Teasha grinned and grabbed her purse before leaving the hotel room with Stephen.

Walking down to the coffee shop, Teasha had to pinch herself a few times. She had been waiting to see Stephen again, after their last encounter three months ago during her trip to America she had pretty much counted down the days until she would see him again.

"How's Dawn?" Teasha asked, a hint of malice in her voice. She liked the woman before she had heard her talking behind her back, since then she didn't want to, and hadn't given her the time of day.

"Ah don't know."

"You don't know how your own girlfriend is?" Teasha laughed before turning to Stephen. She stopped in her tracks once she saw his smile had dropped and his expression was serious. "What?"

"That's over, lass." Teasha had to bite her check to stop herself from smiling.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ste." Reaching out she rubbed his arm softly, wanting to offer him some comfort.

"No yeh not, ah know yeh never liked her." Stephen started walking again, glancing back for a moment to make sure she was following him.

"She was horrible to me and she used you, Ste. What was there to like?"

"Ah know, lass and ah'm sorry for that. Stu and Monica finally made me realise."

"Thank god." Teasha smiled, she knew she was being harsh but she knew Stephen deserved so much better. "How are Stu and Monica? Are they here?"

"Yeah they are." Stephen smirked upon seeing the giddy look on Teasha's face. "Yeh can go say hi later."

"And thank you." Teasha gripped onto Stephens forearm lightly as they stepping into the small coffee shop. Stephen was immediately recognised but a few people in there, quickly being surrounded by those wanting picture and autographs. "I'll grab us a table." Teasha sent him a heartfelt smile before leaving his side. Quickly she placed an order for the both of them and found a small table that was partly hidden from the rest of the room. She loved the attention that Stephen got, she was proud of his success and she was lucky to have him as a friend. He was still the down to earth guy she had always known.

When Monica, Stu Bennett's then girlfriend and now fiancé, introduced her to Stephen during a promotional event for the WWE in Melbourne, they had clicked straight away. Spending what free time they had at the event together and even coffee the next morning.

"Sorry about that, lass." Kicked out of her day dream, Teasha snapped her head up to meet Stephens shining eyes and beaming smile. She couldn't help but smile back. Her heart jumped and she knew she was a goner.

"That's okay."

"Everything still alright at work?" Stephen asked casually whilst blowing on his coffee to cool the hot liquid down a few degrees.

"I can't complain, really busy. Wish I could get some more time off but I doubt that will happen any time soon."

"Work hard, play hard." Stephen winked and Teasha could do nothing to hide the soft pink blush creeping to her cheeks.

"I intend to play hard these few days I have off." Teasha spoke without realising her voice was laced with tease and innuendo, to which Stephen picked up on. His lips curled into a feral smirk, and he raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Nothing, lass." Teasha grinned and the pair soon caught up on everything they had been up to. Stephen told stories of his time on the road and what he had been up to during his time off.

With a soft sigh, Stephen looked at his watch, disappointed that time had gone so quick. "Ah've got to get going to the arena."

"Oh." Teasha's smile faded a little. It was true that time flew by when you were enjoying yourself.

"Do yeh want to come with me? Ah know Monica would love to see yeh." Stephen offered before taking one last gulp of his drink.

"No it's fine, you have stuff to do and I'll just be getting in your way." Teasha waved her hands in a flurry. She wanted to say yes, but interfering in Stephens job was something she never planned to do.

"Yeh need to be at the arena for the show later anyway, right?." Teasha nodded, knowing full well that Stephen didn't really have to convince her anymore. "Then come along."

"Okay, okay." Stephen stood up, waiting for Teasha to follow him. As soon as she did, they were out of the cafe and walking back to the hotel. Teasha was only just beginning to realise how hard this would be. Her true feelings were bubbling to the surface, and now with Dawn out of the picture, she was tempted to make a move.