A/N - So this just came to me the other day and rather than do nothing, I decided to write it down instead. More Carrie Underwood and the song belongs to her of course. Enjoy...

I'll move on baby just like you…It'll break my heart but I'll get through…Someday when I stop lovin' you…

"It just….hurts, you know?"

Her glossy blue eyes looked up at him with the tiniest flutter of a smile on her lips causing his heart to rip in two. He hadn't expected this. Quite frankly, he hadn't thought it was possible. Looking into his daughter's heartbroken eyes right now however, completely changed that opinion. How was he to know that things had got this serious between them this fast? The little whimper that followed her admission formed a lump at the back of his throat. He caught her gaze and could see that she was fighting back tears and fighting them hard. Jesus. What had he done?

Stephanie took a deep calming breath and tried desperately to avoid the floodgates opening right there in front of her father. She didn't want to cry and she didn't want to make him feel guilty. He had acted for the good of the business, she understood that. But it did nothing to quell the heartache that had all but consumed her the second she was told they had to break it off. Leading up to that point she couldn't ever remember being so happy. Her life was perfect. Now? Now it was a struggle to get through the day without such deep pangs of longing. It hadn't even been a week yet and already she missed him so much. To make matters worse they were forced to work together every day and not only that, they had to pretend they were married for Christ sake. No. She wasn't going to think about this again, think about him. She simply couldn't, not when it still hurt so much. She took another deep breath and briefly wiped at her eyes. Her father's gaze was concerned and she offered a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, dad….I'll be fine."

A moment passed between them, a moment where Vince could see the quiet desperation in her eyes simply begging him to change the subject. He was sorry he had brought it up in the first place now. But he just wanted to check up on her. This past week she simply hadn't been herself. "You sure?"

"I hope so."

Her reply was followed by a nervous chuckle but it was the truth. Right now she just felt emotionally shattered. She told herself that in time she would heal although deep down she knew it was a lie. How could she? She was in love with him.

Paul let out a heavy sigh and simply let the hot water work its magic on his aching muscles. It felt good. So good, in fact, that he had spent the last twenty minutes just standing there under the hot stream. It's not like he had any reason to rush anymore. He fought back the overwhelming feelings that threatened to rush to the surface with that line of thought. It hadn't even been a week yet and he was absolutely miserable. He actually felt like he had no purpose which scared the hell out of him all things considered. God. He had fallen so hard so fast but he couldn't have stopped it if he tried. He was in love with her and being apart was going to kill him, it already was. Shutting off the water, Paul stepped out of the booth and reached for the white towel, wrapping it around his waist. He grabbed a smaller one and quickly ran it over his dripping hair leaving the dark blonde strands damp rather than soaked. He was pretty sure everybody had left by this stage. His match had been on last and he had wasted all this time in here. Truth be told, he knew he hung about so long because he didn't want to bump into her. He just couldn't face her, not after holding her so close in the ring in the knowledge that when the show was over, they wouldn't be sharing a hotel room tonight. They wouldn't be sharing anything anymore other than a professional relationship and a strained friendship.

"Friendship," he muttered to himself. If he wanted friendship he wouldn't have put his career or his balls on the line to be with her. That had been the scariest moment of his life, admitting to Vince that they were seeing each other. For starters he was terrified the man would castrate him but more than that, he was even more terrified that he would tell him no. Turns out the old man got what he wanted in the end since they weren't together anymore. No. They weren't allowed to be together anymore. Big difference. Another defeated sigh escaped him as he dried off and began getting dressed. It wasn't Vince's fault and he understood his decision completely. They had both known that a relationship between them wasn't going to be easy but holy fuck if it didn't hurt like hell. He missed her.

A light rap on the door interrupted his thoughts and he was thankful for the distraction. Buttoning his jeans, Paul walked over and opened the door, his eyes growing wide at the sight of the person on the other side. "Steph?"

"Hey."

Her voice was quiet and unsure as she stood there fighting with everything in her not to let her gaze drop to his bare chest. She was able to deal with him in the ring but he was still Triple H out there. Standing before her now he was just Paul, her Paul and she ached to touch him.

"What….what are you doing here?" he stammered before realizing how rude that sounded and shaking his head slightly. "I mean….it's great to see you, ahhhh, come in."

Stephanie hesitantly stepped into the room and inhaled the fresh clean smell. He had obviously just showered.

"So…" he trailed off as their eyes met and he momentarily forgot how to speak. Jesus, if she wasn't the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She literally took his breath away and it felt like a knife in his chest to be this close to her yet so far apart. "What's up?"

Her shoulders shrugged and she forced herself to break their longing gaze. She looked to his open gym bag sitting on the bench. "I was just wondering if you wanted to go grab some dinner. I know you haven't eaten yet and well, neither have I and I don't want to eat alone so…"

He paused for a few moments, not quite sure how to handle this before deciding to just be truthful with her. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why?"

"You know why."

Stephanie let out a breath in slight annoyance. "Paul, just because we can't…..we can't…..be together doesn't mean we can't still be friends." The closing of his eyes wasn't lost on her and she reached out to take his hand in hers. Those oh so familiar tingles shot throughout her body but she ignored them and instead gave a little tug, forcing his eyes open. "I miss you."

Her whispered confession made his chest grow tight and he entwined their fingers, taking a step closer. "Steph…" He wanted to kiss her. All he had to do was move his head and their lips would mould together just like they always did. But he couldn't. They had both promised her father and he wasn't about to break that promise no matter how much it hurt. He looked to the ceiling before getting lost in her deep blue pools. Jesus, he wanted to kiss her with everything in him and she looked like she was waiting for him to do just that.

"Look, all I'm asking is that we go for dinner, Paul. I don't want to lose you as a friend. I can't. You mean way too much to me for that to happen." Her eyes were pleading with him. For a split second there she was sure he was going to kiss her. She didn't know if she was happy or disappointed that he didn't.

"Dinner, huh?"

She nodded as they both slowly moved back from each other, their hands slipping free.

"I guess I can do dinner."

His small smile warmed her heart and she motioned with her hand to his shirt lying haphazardly over the bench behind him, happy that their conversation seemed to be growing light hearted. "Well go on, put your shirt on and let's go. There are no women in here for you to show off to," she teased.

"Is that right? Because I'm pretty sure this one broad was having trouble keeping her eyes off me just a second ago." He made his pecs bounce for good measure before pulling on his shirt and letting a genuine smile cross his face for the first time in days. Her giggle was infectious. See, this was easy. All they had to do was go back to the friendly, slightly flirtatious place they were before things had got serious. He could do that. With a grin of his own he quickly zipped up his bag and they both made for dinner.

Stephanie closed the door of the bathroom behind her and took the few steps over to the bed in the middle of the room. She simply stood there for a moment, her eyes glancing out the floor to ceiling window of the Hyatt Hotel. Tonight had been fun and she was now glad that she worked up the courage to go see him after all. She simply wouldn't have been able to take it if he said no. To put it simply, she needed him in her life and if it couldn't be as her lover then friends would have to do. The alternative was just unacceptable. Catching the glowing, vibrating jumble of noise on the bed stand to her left, she absently reached for the cell phone and clicked the green button to read the message. It was from Paul.

I think I can handle being friends

The huge smile that lit up her face stayed in place as she climbed into bed and typed out a reply.

Glad to hear it. I'd rather have that than nothing at all

Her reply was truthful and echoed her very thoughts just moments ago.

Same. You got yourself a (non)date after SD 2moro

She laughed at his silly response. A non-date. How appropriate.

A (non)date?

Yes. It's where 2 friends can eat dinner together without any problems

She thought about what to say back and decided to use his words back at him.

I think I can handle that

I guess I'll see you 2moro then. Night x

Night x

She set the phone on the bedside table and snuggled down into the blankets. If only he were here with her now, holding her close enough that she could hear his heartbeat under her ear. This whole friendship thing really was going to kill her but she simply had to see him in some fashion. Lying there she decided she would just have to love him from afar and wish to God he didn't move on. The sudden buzzing and glowing once again pierced the silence of the room and her hand shot out in surprise.

You looked beautiful tonight btw. Sleep well, Steph x

The message was simple but it brought tears to her eyes. Why did this have to be so hard? Her throat grew hot from the tears and she let them fall, unable to escape the wave of emotion taking over her right now. Maybe one day she would be able to move past him, to get over him she thought to herself in vain before letting out a scoff, her eyes staring a hole through the phone. "Maybe someday when I stop loving you," she whispered to the dark before settling back down and losing herself in her tears.