Title: Just This Once, Part 4

Author: Kora

E-mail: KrazyKora@aol.com or WinterViolet24@aol.com

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The following characters belong to WWE and all the people and companies who deal with all that legal stuff. I am simply using the characters for my own twisted enjoyment.

Author's Note: This is my first WWE fan fiction and I feel I should point some stuff out so I can avoid flames-

This is a fan fiction based on characters from the WWE. This story does not represent the real Stephanie McMahon or Shawn Michaels, etc. It is based on their fictional characters not the actual people themselves. I am fully aware Shawn Michaels is married and that it has even been announced on the show that he has a wife and child. However, seeing as this is fiction, I am pretending he does not. No offense is meant to any Triple H/Stephanie fans nor Stephanie/Jericho, Stephanie/Kurt Angle fans. I wrote this story because those particular couples have about twenty or so great stories all ready dedicated to them and I wanted to do something different. I like Stephanie. I like Shawn. So I figured, why not? Please do not e-mail me with disappointment that I chose this couple and ask me to write something else, I like to write things that I am interested in. If you would like to send me feedback with constructive criticism I would be pleased as punch to receive it! I love to hear from people who actually read my piddling little pieces of work. There is no set time frame in this story. A lot of it is set around the events that took place before and after Summerslam 2002. I don't want to receive comments like, 'This couldn't have happened in this short amount of time' because all in all, the comment is kinda silly. This is just a fan fiction, relax and have fun reading it-don't over analyze! :) I don't want people to think I'm a jerk 'cause I have all these opening comments. I only place them here because I don't want to get burned by reader's responses.

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Stephanie rushed into the hospital, pushing past nurses, doctors, and anyone else who stood in her way. She'd kill anyone who tried to stop her from seeing Shawn, she swore that. Eventually she grabbed a young, nerdy-looking intern, shaking him fiercely, "Where's the wrestler? Where's Shawn Michaels?!"

"Whoa! Calm down, lady!" the young geek squeaked, holding his clipboard between them for protection, "He's on the second floor, Room 12B but..."

"Thank you." Stephanie tossed the boy aside and marched over to the nearest elevator. She pushed for the second floor but before the doors could close the same dorky intern entered.

"Ma'am, he's in intensive care, only family..."

"Get to the point pipsqueak!" Stephanie ground out.

"Um, I watch T.V, ma'am. Especially RAW and Smackdown and I know you're not..."

"THE POINT!"

"Hundred bucks and a pair of Torrie Wilson's underwear and I can get you in to see him." The boy stated bravely.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, "Jesus..."

She dug in her purse and fished out a hundred, smacking it roughly into the boy's sweaty palm. He grinned, pushing up his thick black glasses, "Underwear?"

"Give me your address, I'll see what I can do."

"AWESOME!" the Intern squeaked and quickly escorted Stephanie to Shawn's room. A group of older, more responsible doctors stood around talking, their faces solemn. The Intern approached, placing a hand on Stephanie's arm, "This is Mr. Michaels' sister..."

Stephanie shoved off the Intern's hand, glaring at him savagely as she turned to the doctors, "How is my brother? Is he..."

"He'll live. It's a good thing he has a thick skull or it could have been worse." One of the Doctors said.

"Yeah, that's my brother, real thickheaded." She offered, giving them a wavering smile, "Can I see him? Pretty please?"

"Well...I suppose. He should be sleeping. One of the nurses all ready gave him some medication. He's had a busy night, what with security and police running in and out. They are very interested in finding out who the culprit responsible is."

"Aren't we all." Stephanie growled with absolute rancor.

"At any rate, if you would like a fully, more professional diagnosis, while your brother will be all right there was massive trauma to the head and neck, not to mention that his back suffered. I understand that he was a former pro-wrestler and suffered a rather severe injury. This evening's activities did not help matters any. In fact, I am surprised at the state his back is in to begin with. He should really take better care of himself."

"I-I don't understand."

Several of the doctors had fluttered off, leaving Stephanie with the only doctor who had been speaking with her, "Your brother's back is close to being...unusable. If he keeps things up, he could end up in a wheelchair."

"Oh my god..."

"But at least he's given up on the ring. I think so long as he doesn't wrestle and doesn't suffer anymore serious blows to his spine, he should be fine. I am, however, impressed. He has an amazing ability to heal. Anyone else by now would be in a wheelchair, drudging through serious physical therapy. You're brother is a strong fighter, miss. You should, in that retrospect, be proud."

"I guess," she replied softly, "Can I see him now?"

"Of course, follow me."

The doctor led her into a dark, quiet room, the only sound the occasional beep of machines. Shawn lay asleep in the hospital bed. He wore a hospital gown and several white bandages on his head. Stephanie thanked the doctor and he told her to take her time. She caught him taking a quick once-over of her ass and knew, had she been anyone else, she probably would have been told to make it quick. Still, whatever kept her with Shawn worked.

She found a chair and dragged it to his bedside, taking a seat next to him, her hand reached out to tentatively touch his, "Hi Shawn, it's me...Steph."

He didn't respond, deep in sleep. Stephanie gave another quivering smile, a tear escaping, "I heard about what happened and...ohhh, Shawn. I hope you're all right. When I heard I felt so awful. The things I said to you...I was so terrible. I shouldn't have put so much on you. So many expectations. It's okay if you don't feel the way I do. I mean, I'm very idealistic, too much of a dreamer. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Shouldn't have been so naive. That's what I did with Hunter and Andrew and...it was wrong of me to do it with you. I lost Hunter and Andrew and tonight I could have almost really lost you and...I'm glad you're not awake 'cause I'm not making any sense. I'm rambling."

She sniffed, her hands twisting over top of his as more tears squeezed out, "It's just...I like you, Shawn. Really like you and even though I can't have you the way I want, I still want to be friends. I need a friend...I really need..."

She wiped at her eyes, "Anyway, I hope when you're awake and well I can tell you this again and make more sense. I hope you will forgive me and become my friend again. I miss you so much. I was so wrong and stupid..."

She leaned up and kissed his forehead, ready to turn and go.

"Hey, don't leave now, princess. Keep it up, I love flattery." Shawn's tired voice croaked.

"SHAWN!" Stephanie rushed back over, wrapping her arms around him to giving him a crushing bear hug, "Shawn, I was so worried!"

"OW! Steph! Easy, baby, easy. Jeez...I'm kinda sore, you know!" he laughed.

"Oh! Oh, sorry!" Stephanie released him and quickly delivered another kiss to his forehead, sitting back in her seat, "How are you? How are you feeling?"

"Like I got run over. Except of the car hitting me, I hit the car." He mumbled dryly, a hand pressing lightly on his bandage.

"I know about it, all of it and I swear I will find out who did it and when I do..."

"Calm down, princess, I'm sure the police are doing everything they can. Trust me, I want to find the guy too. And when I do he's gonna get some sweet chin music you wouldn't believe."

"Yeah," she laughed, uncomfortable as she asked, "So...did you hear everything I said."

"Yup."

"So...what do you think?"

Shawn looked down at her and reached out his hand, beckoning her to take it. Once she did he gave it a strong squeeze, "Oh Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie...you weren't the only one who was terrible that night. I was an A Class jerk to you. And I've been regretting it ever sense. Heck, it drove me to such a rage I was blood thirsty to face Triple H on RAW and look where I ended up. I've had a lot going on lately, a lot of problems with you and Hunter and I've been so preoccupied...it figures this would happen. I've been making a lot of enemies lately and it's basically because of you. Because I'm angry at myself for...wanting more."

Her eyes widened, "You mean..."

"Come closer," Shawn whispered and she rose, leaning close to him. His hands rose up to cup her face, his eyes locking with hers, "Stephanie...I want more. Just like you. I know it was supposed to be a one night thing but...I don't want it to be. I want more, I want...I want to go out with you."

"Oh Shawn..." Stephanie whispered. It was all too good to be true. New tears began to form.

"I know this could be a mistake. Not many successful relationships start off like this-sex first, dating second. Not to mention there's the whole mess with Hunter but if you're willing to try then..."

"Shawn, yes!" Stephanie breathed and kissed him. He kissed her back, fingers toying with the ends of her hair. When she pulled away he wiped at her tears, "Now, now, none of that, princess. We've got a lot of problems but...who knows? Maybe this'll work out to a happy ending."

"Maybe." Stephanie gushed. They kissed again and in those few moments everything was fine. Just perfect. Later, after Stephanie had gone, Shawn found himself alone and deep in thought. He had told Stephanie once that he couldn't chose her over Hunter but it seemed that that had been a lie. He had chosen Stephanie over Hunter, that was a fact now. Moreover, Hunter was the only problem standing between him and her, between their chance at a successful relationship.

How could he begin to explain this to his best friend? Stephanie may be his ex but that still didn't mean he was going to be happy about it. Then again, Hunter had been treating him pretty lousy lately. He wondered what had cause Hunter to turn as he fell into a listless sleep, his dreams filled with Stephanie's face.

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Stephanie carried a batch of flowers up to Shawn's room. He had given her flowers, it was only fair she return in kind. She'd even stuck in a little felt-cowboy hat. She could hardly still believe last night. She and Shawn were going to date. They were going to start dating. She felt like she was in high school all over again.

For some reason this prospect made her more joyful and nervous than when they had decided to make love that night. She was anxious to learn all about him, maybe even build a good, strong loving relationship with him. Maybe finally she could win at love. As she approached his room, flowers thrust out in front of her, she felt a hand shoot out and snatch the flowers from her, a deep-tenor voice remarking, "Flowers? For Shawn? From you? How...interesting."

Stephanie's eyes widened as she saw Hunter, his grip on the flower vase tight. She swallowed and gave him a sparkling fake smile, "Hello Hunter, how are you?"

"Great. And you, Steph?"

"Just peachy."

"Okay, enough bullshit, why are you here exactly?"

"I could ask the same." Stephanie said clearing her throat. She reached out to snatch back the flowers but Hunter prevented it, pulling them out of her grasp as he gave her a narrowed stare, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh I don't know. After all, it wasn't like you pedigreed Shawn a few days ago or anything. You have every right to be here as his best friend."

"Don't give me that cynical shit, Stephanie. Your buddies at Smackdown may swallow that down with a knife and fork but not me. I won't take your crap! I'll have you know I was just as concerned, if not more concerned, than anyone else about what happened to Shawn. He IS my best friend. I explained on RAW why I did what I did. It was for Shawn's own good."

Stephanie scoffed, "Oh! As if I haven't heard that one before! 'This is for your own good, Stephanie. We're growing apart as people, yada, yada..."

"Steph, you know it was right."

"Right to what?! To give up! To not even try to save our marriage! I wanted to fix things Hunter but you were so desperate to drop me and be free because it's all about the Game and all that bull..."

"DON'T! Don't even, sweetheart! You were just as antsy as I was to get out of our marriage. You wanted to be free, wanted to make a name for yourself and get out of my shadow. You wanted the McMahon-Helmsley era dead and it is! Just as dead as our marriage. If anyone put the final nail in the coffin it was all you!"

"Look, I don't want to talk about this, all right?! You're right, this issue, this whole thing is dead and should remain so. No more on the subject. Now give me my flowers so I can give them to Shawn."

Stephanie went for the flowers again but Hunter still managed to dodge her, "You didn't answer my question, sweetpea. Why the flowers?"

"Shawn was hurt, I was concerned. It's a nice thing to do."

"How did you know? You don't even watch RAW. You and Bischoff hate each other."

"Dawn was watching, she told me."

"You assistant watches your rival's show?"

"Business research, nothing more. Now give me back those damn flowers!"

"Not until you tell me why you got them."

"I did!"

"You and Shawn were never close..."

"Please, I saw him just about as much as you did. He was always going out with us, coming over, as you said, he was your best friend."

"IS! IS!" Hunter fumed.

"Whatever! You're such a child! He is your best friend and I knew him well enough to be concerned and buy him flowers, all right? Now quit with the third degree and give me my damn flowers!"

Hunter thrust the vase at Stephanie and she caught it, fixing any usurped flowers. They stood together in a tight, angry silence until Hunter let out a deep breath. He ran a hand over his head, scratching the back. When next he spoke, his voice was civil, "Stephanie, I'm...sorry. My temper has been on edge since what happened to Shawn. I AM serious when I say I'm just as worried as anyone else. I'm going to start an investigation on RAW, try to find who attacked him."

"I'm sure you will." Stephanie returned.

"Steph, look...I..."

Stephanie let out her own sigh, "Hunter, I understand. I'm sure Shawn will appreciate your help. I hope you do find whoever did it and make them pay. If anyone has the power to torture the person responsible, its you. I mean, look what you did to Austin."

Hunter chuckled, his eyes falling to the floor, "Yeah."

They stood together a moment longer then Stephanie said softly, "I should get going. I want to drop these off and be on my way."

Hunter replied with a mumbled 'yeah'. As Stephanie began to walk by him he shot out a hand and tenderly touched her elbow, "Hey Steph...look...maybe you and I could...talk sometime."

Stephanie sighed and met his eyes, "Hunter, I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why?"

"Hunter, I...I've moved on. You need to too. You know it won't work between us. We tried but...it's over." Stephanie gave him a sad smile, "At least we had some good times and made each other happy while we could. A part of me will always love you, Hunter. But I think it's better if we don't see each other anymore. You have your new life and I have mine."

Hunter nodded solemnly as Stephanie turned to walk away. She stood momentarily and turned to say quietly, "Good bye, Hunter."

"Good bye, Stephanie."

His good-bye made her stop for a moment. It was almost as if she could hear the book close on that chapter on her life. As she began to walk into her new future she felt a smile take her. At least things had ended well.

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Shawn rested in the hospital for several days. Going over any notes the police were willing to give him. Stephanie stopped by often and they spent time talking and laughing. As each day passed he decided more and more that his decision to be with her had not been a mistake. He would still have to deal with Hunter but over all he was happy with his new relationship.

Once he was out of the hospital he and Stephanie went on their first official date. It was kind of funny how nervous they both were. They had all ready seen each other naked and yet they were nervous about being out in public together. The date was very successful though. A romantic evening dining out and taking a walk around the local park. Shawn even found his relationship with Hunter to be healing.

Hunter stopped by his hospital often and seemed eager to help his friend find his attacker. They never spoke of the pedigree or the fake reunion of DX but instead acted like it had never happened. It felt good, like old times where they had just been the best of friends. However, every time Shawn felt up to talking about his interest in Stephanie Hunter interrupted or left or did something that prevented him from getting it out. Shawn knew he couldn't keep playing both sides of the fence. Eventually Hunter had to know.

As Shawn sat in his living room, trying for the hundredth time to frame exactly how he wanted to tell Hunter about himself and Stephanie there was a knock at his front door. He answered to find a young deputy there, "Mr. Michaels?"

"Yes?"

"I brought a security tape for you to view, sir. We've been working over it for days, trying to make the resolution clearer and we think we have a clear shot of your attacker. May I come in?"

"Of course." Shawn said and let the deputy enter, "Now this is a security tape?"

"Yes, a security tape from the garage where you were attacked. We were told to keep it private until such and such time as the tape was ready for your viewing. Considering one of your co-workers may have initiated the attack we didn't want anyone knowing of its existence. Now it's ready and we're hoping you can ID the culprit."

Shawn nodded and put the tape in his VCR, pushing play. He watched with rabid intensity. He saw himself in the garage, saw his attack, the face of his attacker. Shawn's hand covered his mouth, "Oh my God...it was him. It was him all this time."