Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but my OC's. All characters and any mention of WWE belong to the genius of V.K. McMahon. I am but a mere fan – who loves to visit the WWE playground now and then.

I have to give a huge special thank you to Shannon the Awesome One. Your great review / suggestion forced my muse off spinning in yet another direction. (Please see Author's Note before reading the following chapter – thanks for all the read/reviews)

Without further ado – I give you Chapter 3

Here and Now

As his larger hand encompassed her smaller more delicate wrist, he encountered more than silky skin….he fingers brushed over the multiple thin scars lining the inside of her wrist. Curious he held her wrist just a little closer, he could feel her pulse as it kicked it up a notch. Slowly releasing her hand, he placed both of his hands along her cheeks – as he held her face he found himself intrigued by the depth of eyes. Watching her eyes he was reminded of warm melted milk chocolate. The raw honest emotions he saw flashing in her eyes caught him a little off guard. 'Seems so genuine,' thought Stephen fleetingly. His curiosity about the scars was there and in time he would ask; but standing in this cool damp parking lot staring into her beautiful brown eyes all he saw was the woman before not her past or the future just the here and now.

(Fifteen minutes earlier – outside of Sheamus' locker room) Randy and John were standing just down from "Sheamus'" locker room when they saw him exit carrying a small child – quickly followed by the woman he was introducing around earlier. As they made their way toward back toward the front of the arena John asked "Isn't that the 'Be a Star' kid and her teacher with Stephen?"

Looking in their general direction Randy shrugged "I guess so – probably why?"

"Since when does our little Stevie go all out? – carrying a sleeping kid to the car and shit."

Randy laughed "The guy's being a gentleman – so what? Maybe he's interested in teach there. In any case it's none of our business."

Smirking big and wide "None of our business…None of our business? How can you say that Randy it's our job…no our duty to look out for our co-worker – more importantly our friend. We know virtually nothing about this girl. For all we know she could be a…a…"

Randy cut John off with a role of the eyes "A what John – you think she's a serial ax murder or something – What?"

"See that's exactly what I'm saying we don't know anything about her. I say we follow them make sure that Stephen is ok." Replied John as he started off in the same direction as Stephen and Peyton only moments before him.

"I'm probably going to regret this!" mumbled Randy as he moved from leaning against the wall to follow his best friend. Quickly catching up to John – Randy laughed "You know John just because you're not getting any doesn't mean you gotta go cock-blocking everyone else."

"You really think the Irishman is interested in the teacher that way?" questioned a more than curious John.

"Why not?" Randy replied "She's a beautiful woman; and he's been single a damn long time now."

"Naw – that can't be it! She's not a tall leggy busty blonde," retorted John as he mimed his hands in front of chest demonstrating his definition of busty.

"You know what they say John variety is the spice of life…maybe that's what this is."

As they exited the building, both men instantly spotted Stephen and Peyton across the now partially empty lot. "There they are," squealed John as he raced over towards them. Once again Randy shook his head knowing that he was going to regret this later as he took off after John.

As Stephen heard John approach he reluctantly pulled away from Peyton. As John drew even with them Stephen reached out and took her hand drawing her close to his side as they both leaned against the hood of her car. "John what are yeh doin' out here?" questioned a curious if not somewhat annoyed Stephen. Stephen caught the viper's eye as he stood just over John's shoulder to the left. Randy smiled weakly and shrugged mouthing the words "I tried to stop him!" Stephen just shook his head slightly rolling his eyes in response.

John never missed a beat; not the possessive way Stephen held the young teachers hand or the silent exchange between Stephen and Randy. "So teach…did you and your star pupil enjoy the show?"

Peyton laughed and started to speak when Stephen interrupted "It's Peyton" he said simply to John. Peyton smiled at the possessive way Stephen was holding her hand to the authoritative way he corrected his friend "Yes," she smiled glancing back towards the car and Shannon asleep inside "we had a great time – thank you for asking." John smiled the woman before him would most likely never be considered classically beautiful but she had what seemed to be a genuine smile. He could almost see what was attracting Stephen to her.

Peyton looked between the three men and laughed. "What is it luv?" asked a curious Stephen. Peyton shook her head giggling girlishly "At the risk of sounding like a real fan-girl – my students will never believe that I spent the evening with three of their biggest heroes"

"Well I think we can fix that," smiled John as he rubbed a through his hair. "Did you bring a camera with you?"

"Of course" answered Peyton wondering what the superstar was thinking. As she slid the camera from her pocket; John motioned for a security guard to join them. As he handed the camera to the guard, he motioned for his companions to huddle closer to together. Stephen was a little irritated at the interruption but Peyton seemed to be rolling along with things just fine – so he tried to shut out his mild irritation and enjoy the moment. Randy moved to stand the left of Peyton while John knelt down in front of the threesome. As the security guard raised the camera instructing the foursome to smile, Stephen quickly let go of her hand only to slide his arm around her waist and pull her just that much closer. As the guard snapped two or three photos in quick succession – Stephen enjoyed the feel of her warm weight pressed against his side. Returning the camera the guard wished him a good evening and continued on his rounds of the lot.

Peyton thanked the guard and turned her attention back the gentleman beside. She hated the idea of her evening with Stephen coming to an end, but she really needed to get Shannon home. "Well thank-you gentleman for a wonderful evening, but I really should get Shannon home to her mother. We both have school in the morning," she finished with a small smile.

Randy knew that was their cue to leave; whether John did or not. "Well Peyton, it's been a pleasure meeting you – glad to hear that you both had such a good time." Turning to John he felt as he were dragging a kicking and screaming child away from Santa Claus.

Peyton grinned "Are they always like that?" she questioned. As she watched his face, she found herself intrigued by the genuine look of admiration and affection spreading across his face. "Ah'm sorry luv sometimes life around here is more frat house than professional sports entertainment."

Placing her right hand against his chest she drew his undivided attention. "It's ok…their just looking out for their friend…I would do the same if I were them."

Stephen instantly felt the warmth of her hand pressed against his chest. He knew it was too soon – hell he barely knew this woman; yet he found himself wishing that he could feel her touch across his bare skin. Placing his hand atop hers he whispered "Yeh should be getting home luv. Yeh both have school in the mornin'"

Moving her hand Peyton leaned into him brushing a bare whisper of a kiss across his cheek "Thank-you" she murmured climb into the car. Stephen moved back from the car and silently watched her pull away. As she drove across the lot, he found himself staring at the phone number she had scrawled across his hand. He would definitely be putting that information to good use – maybe even sooner than either of them expected.