Thanks for the reviews everyone. Feel free to leave suggestions for what you might want to see happen…at actually helps me write me. I am not sure how this chapter turned out I hope you like it though.

I knew 4

Blindsided. That is how Paul felt about this whole damn day. First he gets a frantic phone call from Shane saying Stephanie was missing…that was bad enough but it didn't end there. Some mixed signals a trip into the pool and a brother knock down and Paul currently found himself sitting on his best friend's girlfriends couch waiting…for what he wasn't really sure. At least Riss had gotten him some dry clothes so he could sit and contemplate in somewhat comfort.

Contemplating probably wasn't the best thing for Paul right now. There were times in his life when he felt down and out but never had he felt like this…his heart hurt…it felt shattered knowing he hurt Stephanie…knowing she was in pain not only because of him but because of another man she trusted unconditionally. He got most of the story from Riss while he waited for Shane to come back from comforting his sister however the longer it took the deeper Paul sank.

"I should go," Paul said suddenly standing up.

"Paul, wait please don't go…I know this has been one crazy messed up day but your Shane's best friend and Steph…

"She hates me," he said sounding totally defeated.

"She doesn't hate you…it was just a little bad timing and you can't blame yourself for any of it because it is not your fault."

"She pushed me away."

"Paul…try and cut her some slack she's had a rough day….I promise you though she didn't push you away because she doesn't like you….it was bad timing and under circumstances you never could have guessed. When Shane told me what was going on it felt like my world was flipped upside down and they aren't even my parents."

"I care about her Riss….I care about her a lot."

"Then don't go….don't take the easy way out…stay and even if she is mad at you tonight I know once things settle down she will appreciate you being here. If she gets upset know she is only doing it because she can trust you."

"I don't want to hurt her."

"I know that, Shane knows that and most importantly Stephanie knows that…I don't believe for one second you believe you would hurt her. She is hurting right now but not because of you."

Paul just nodded his head knowing Riss was right but also knowing that didn't make him feel much better. It still killed him knowing that all he wanted to do was give Stephanie a hug but knowing she probably wouldn't be seeing him tonight.

It seemed like hours before Shane return downstairs but really it was just over 30 minutes. He really looked at his best friend for the first time that night and he simply looked drained. The guy had been through a lot tonight and he had to be the rock for his little sister even though he was dealing with the same thing.

"Is she ok," Paul asked barely able to verbalize his words?

"All things considered I would say she is hanging in there, but she is far from ok."

Again Paul's head dropped as he nodded his understanding.

"Paul, you have to understand Stephanie's whole world came crashing down tonight…you know her and you know how she feels about our dad…really it is how every girl should feel about her father…but the betrayal, devastation…it's torn her apart. I don't know what happened out there with you two, but I do know you and I know you would never hurt her….give her some time she is just confused right now."

"I didn't know…I didn't know any of this. I wasn't trying to make a move on her either I really just wanted to comfort her and she asked me why I was so good to her when all guys were buttheads and I would just forget about her later. At the time I had no idea what was going on…I didn't know if you two had a fight or what but I guess now it is all making sense."

"Paul I can see things getting crazier before they get better….I mean neither of us has even talked to our parents about any of this yet….but I know Stephanie is going to need you. I am trying to be there for her but I can only do so much as her brother and as her brother who is trying to handle all this as well. You waited this long to try and be with her don't doubt yourself now just know things are a little crazy."

"Do you think I can go up and see her?"

"I think that would be a good idea. She was asking for you wondering if you were still going to be here."

"Are you ok man…like you said you're going through this too?"

"I think I am feeling a little numb right now to be honest. I think about it and I can't believe it actually happened. I have so many questions but I am just so angry at him right now I don't even want to see him."

"Parents can do some pretty messed up things, but remember it wasn't anything you or Stephanie did."

"I know….go see Steph. Riss and I are going to be in her room…don't worry all PG-13 tonight if you need anything. The room next to Steph is set up if you need it."

Paul felt a little more confident after talking with Shane. However, that confidence disappeared when he was standing in front of the door to the room Stephanie was in. All his nerves came back the doubts and fears of rejection almost preventing him from going in. He could take a lot of things but he didn't think rejection from Stephanie was something he could handle.

"Mind some company," he asked standing half behind the partially closed door?

Steph had been lying down curled up in bed when Paul's voice caught her attention.

"Hey Paul come on in….I didn't think you would still be here."

"What you think a little trip into the pool was going to send me home…really it just saved me time taking a shower," he smiled walking more into the room.

Stephanie gave a small smile before falling quiet again. She was glad Paul was still here but her thoughts drifted back to what happened earlier and suddenly wished the world would open at her feet and swallow her whole. Paul grabbed a chair and pulled it closer to the bed.

"Hey what's wrong," he asked seeing her sudden change of mood?

She again offered a small smile trying to put on a brave front but offered no answer.

"I know you have had a rough day…I mean I didn't know earlier…but I know now and I am here for you Steph."

"Why," she suddenly asked? "What have I done that you think I am worth it….I mean I pushed you in the pool."

Paul quickly scooted out of the chair and sat on the edge of the bed gently grabbing her hands.

"Steph I know you had a rough day and your very confused right now about a lot of thing but I want to make one thing perfectly clear….you are worth it….you're a great person….I could spend hours telling you how great you are but well I don't want to inflate that ego of yours too much," he said with a smile.

"I'm serious Paul."

"I am too…well at least about you being a great person. If you don't believe me ask Shane…god knows he has had to put up with me and my never ending debate of when to ask you out…of course stupid me picks the one day where shit hits the fans."

Stephanie sat there stunned. Paul had wanted to ask her out for some time now? She couldn't believe it…if she could ask Shane right now she really would. There was no way Paul had wanted to ask her out…she was just a kid…at least that is what everyone was telling her lately.

"You're just making that up," she said trying to play it off.

"I'm not Steph…and I get it if you don't want to go out with me…but I just wanted you to know that I liked you I just wish it all hadn't come out this way."

"I never said that," she quickly informed him. "I just didn't know you liked me and I didn't think it was possible really…I'm just a kid."

"Steph you're a lot of things but a kid is not one of them. You have to deal with so much on your own because your parents aren't around that much…you can do more for yourself then most seniors can. That is why I was always bitching to Shane because I would keep forgetting how old you were and I knew I had to wait….well I couldn't wait any longer. I saw you in so much distress and I just wanted to make it better."

As if Stephanie hadn't had enough to deal with this was almost putting her in melt down mode. She knew this was something she wanted but right now it was all too much for her. She might have acted older then she was but still some things were beyond her.

"Paul…so much has happened today….I just…

"Hey it's ok I get it," he said trying not to sound to down.

"No…that's not it I do like you," she said softly her cheeks flushed. "It's just god I feel like my head is going to explode," she said tears forming and threatening to fall.

"Shhh its ok we can just stay friends," he said pulling her into a hug. "I don't want to put any pressure on you and I will still be here if you need anything."

"For us I just need a little time," she said with a sniffle. "I like you," she repeated.

"Well, that certainly is good because I like you too but I get it is a little bit of bad timing…but guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm not going anywhere," he said with a smile. "Take your time and figure everything out because when we get together I want it to be right because like I said before you're worth it."

Stephanie wanted to cry some more. Paul was being so sweet and she knew it wasn't just an act….this was Paul it is who he always was.

"Can I ask you for a huge favor and you can say no," she said her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red thinking about what she was going to ask.

"Anything."

"Well, earlier you umm….you kissed me and….well….I guess I was wondering if….

"If what sweetie?"

"Well earlier I was so stressed and confused and you kissed me….it was my first kiss," she said softly.

"That was your first kiss," he asked?

Stephanie nodded her head yes.

"I was wondering if we could have a second chance at that."

Paul smiled at her…she looked so cute and innocent. He gently cupped her face and leaned down to kiss her softly. He kept the kiss gentle and sweet knowing she was still confused about a lot of things but also wanting to give her a good first kiss memory. After a couple of seconds he pulled back offering her another gentle peck and a smile. He sat there waiting for her response. He actually felt a little nervous hoping he was able to live up to everything she expected.

"That was nice," she said with a smile but unable to look up at him.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Paul was glad he was able to give her one good thing tonight. He again gently cupped her cheek with him hand and brought her line of sight to his face. He sat there for a moment taking it all in, she just looked so beautiful.

"I am going to be in the room right next to you if you need me at all tonight ok. I want you to try and get some sleep…forget about the this mess and try and have sweet dreams ok."

"Thank you Paul."

Paul stood up and leaned over to kiss her forehead. He walked to the door and glanced back making sure she was settled before he left.

Stephanie let out a deep sigh settling back into bed. This day certainly was not turning out anything like she thought it would, but it ended better then she could have imagined. She tried very hard to ignore all the hurt she was feeling because of her father's actions and just focus on the fact that Paul liked her. She couldn't believe it he actually liked her….she had a crush on him since she discovered boy's didn't have coodies.

Paul had been dozing in an out of a light sleep for half the night. He had a lot running through his mind and most of it was about the beauty lying in the next room. He felt better having told her he liked her and knowing the feelings were reciprocated. However, with all the other stuff going on in her life he wasn't sure when he would actually get to date her…but like he promised he would wait.

Not being in a deep sleep when the door slowly opened he started to come too again. Not fully alert yet or aware what was going on he slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Steph," he asked really only able to make out her silhouette?

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you."

"No…no it's ok come here," he said now fully awake. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I just…I don't know forget it I will just go back to bed."

"No, steph wait come here…tell me what's wrong," he almost begged brining her over to sit down on the bed with him.

"I had a nightmare."

"What was it about?"

"Just…stuff."

"You it might help to talk about it."

"Basically it was about my whole family falling apart and me never seeing anyone ever again…you weren't even there I was shipped off some place far away."

Paul wrapped her in up in a tight hug never wanting to let her go.

"Steph I know some bad stuff has happened with your family but I also know despite your father's stupid actions both your parents love you very much. I don't know what is going to happen with them in the future but you and Shane will be their number 1 priorities always. They will love you until the end of time and they will never leave you and even then I will always be around too because well I am like the bad rash that will never go away."

"I don't want you to ever go away," he smiled.

"Do you want to say in here with me….I promise I won't bite."

"You won't mind?"

"Anything you need I will never mind."

Paul moved over to allow Stephanie room on the bed. He laid down and allowed Stephanie to get comfortable wherever she wanted. He was a little surprised but happy that she cuddled up next to him. He leaned over and kissed her forehead again before settled down himself. If he thought he had trouble sleeping before he certainly knew he would not be sleeping now. After a couple minutes Paul could tell Stephanie was sleeping and he just watched her for a couple of minutes. This had been one of the most messed up days in his life but when all was said and done Paul wouldn't have changed a thing….after all he was laying in bed with the girl he liked more than anything….he just hoped whenever they did get together it would not be this complicated.