As the work day ended Stacey made her way to Stephanie's office having found out what had happened earlier. Knocking on her door she waited to be invited inside.

Just finishing off the last of her work for today Stephanie was so very nearly completely up to date with it all. Hearing the knock at the door Stephanie lifted her head wondering who was there, "yes?"

Opening the door Stacey stuck her head inside, "you ready to get out of here? I was wondering if you wanted to grab a drink?"

Stephanie shook her head, "I sure am, I can't wait to go home and crawl into bed. I'd love a drink but I can't actually consume alcohol, I'm on some painkillers and I'm not supposed to but maybe another day?"

"You can just have some juice or water or something if you want?"

Shaking her head she really shouldn't, "not tonight as I shouldn't push myself but definitely another night."

Smiling softly Stacey could agree to that, "deal, I will hold you to it. Let me walk you out anyway though

"I don't need a babysitter you know."

Nodding her head Stacey was only trying to protect her without her realising it, "I know but John in Accounting gives me the creeps so I'd like company please."

Rolling her eyes Stephanie nodded her head, "give me a minute and I'll walk you out."

"Thanks Steph."

Five minutes later and finally the two women were on their way towards the exit passing John from Accounting who paid them no attention as they went.

Once they were outside Stephanie turned to Stacey, "so now you're free we can separate. I'll see you tomorrow."

Laughing Stacey nodded her head, "you will. Thank you for that Steph. If you need me for anything you know where I am."

Nodding her head she didn't quite get why she was acting like that but then on the other hand it wasn't what was bothering her the most so she was just going to forget about it, "I know and thank you, I appreciate it but I'm fine, really I am."

The scepticism on Stacey's face was hard to disguise but she nodded her head in acknowledgement and they both went on their ways.

It was just after six when Paul left work, his last client of the day had cancelled so he decided to leave early and be productive by doing a load of laundry at home instead.

Walking through the front door he was surprised to see how clean the apartment was but he really shouldn't have been a she figured Rebecca must have cleaned up knowing he was coming home tonight. Following the delicious smell towards the kitchen he stuck his head inside smiling when he saw Rebecca at the stove, "thanks for cleaning this place up."

Turning her head she smiled at him, "how do you know Shawn didn't do it?" Receiving the knowing look from Paul she laughed, "okay okay, it wasn't Shawn. You're welcome though, I figured you wouldn't want to come home to a messy apartment. You're home early though aren't you?"

Nodding his head he smiled softly, "yeah I am. My last client cancelled so I left work like half an hour early as it was pretty dead so figured I'd do some laundry instead."

"Not a problem. I'm nearly done here until Shawn gets home so the kitchen will be all yours."

Smiling he went to dump his bag in his room and sort out the laundry.

Twenty minutes later and the laundry was on and he had also showered and changed. Walking out of his bedroom just as the front door opened he smiled at Shawn, "hey man."

Shawn jumped a little not expecting Paul to be there, "Paul, you remembered where you live."

Rolling his eyes Paul shook his head, "it's okay, I know you missed me."

Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly he wasn't going to admit that, "I wouldn't go that far. So how's Steph?"

"She's doing okay I guess, she went back to work today."

Slapping his friend on the shoulder he was pleased to hear it, "that's good that she's getting back to normal. Any word on when we'll be doing our little double date?"

Paul was amused that Shawn seemed kind of eager to see her again, "actually she said next weekend would be good for her but you can pick the day."

Walking past Paul he entered the lounge and greeted his girlfriend with a kiss, "are you free next Friday for a double date with Stephanie?"

Nodding her head Rebecca smiled, "I most certainly am. What are we going to do?"

Shrugging his shoulders Paul could only say what Stephanie said, "Stephanie doesn't mind as long as it isn't bowling."

"Why don't we just go out to dinner? It'd give us a chance to get to know her better now she isn't so injured and then if we make it a somewhat regular thing we can do all sorts of things."

Shawn and Paul both liked that idea so the decision was made that they were going to go out to dinner next Friday and Paul was instructed to inform Stephanie of what had been decided. Picking up his phone he sent her a quick text:

Shawn & Bec are free next Friday so we're just going to go out to dinner together. I'll text you closer to the time & let you know what time I'll pick you up.

Stephanie had arrived home and was making herself some dinner when her cell phone beeped scaring her half to death and sending her immediately into a panic thinking it was Stuart. As she opened the text she breathed a sigh of relief realising it was just Paul with what had been decided. Sending him a quick text back she then went back to her dinner.

Reading Stephanie's text as soon as she answered he frowned:

That's fine. Don't worry about picking me up, I'll make me own way there.

Paul wanted to answer but then he didn't want to push her too hard and push her away so he settled for waiting until after dinner to find out what Rebecca had been told to know how he should play it. Throwing his cell phone onto the coffee table he felt so helpless.

Turning a little to look at his friend as they waited to be called for dinner he was worried about him, "everything okay Paul?"

Shaking his head things were far from okay, "not really. I am seriously concerned about Stephanie and I hate it."

"What's happened now?"

Knowing this wouldn't go down well with Shawn he decided to say it anyway, "I got a visit from him at work warning me off."

His eyes widened at that news, that was definitely not what he was expecting to hear, "Jesus Christ, this whole thing gets worse by the day."

"Tell me about it. I just hope Rebecca got some information that will actually help me."

Feeling sorry for his friend he looked at him sympathetically, "I'm sure she did, we will soon find out though."