Paul opened the back door and both of the kids ran outside to get the ball to play leaving the two adults trailing behind them.

As Paul walked out of the door with Shawn following behind him Shawn pushed the other man hard on the shoulder, "what the hell did you do to her?"

Paul stumbled as Shawn pushed him, "what the hell was that for?"

Shutting the door behind him Shawn crossed his arms over his chest as he checked on Cameron and Alex who were throwing the ball between them, "because you're an idiot and clearly did something to upset Stephanie and I want to know what it is so I can kill you for it."

"I didn't do anything . . . kind of."

"Kind of? Come on Paul there is more to it than you 'kind of' doing something because she wouldn't have reacted like she did and come into the room in such a down mood if something only 'kind of' happened."

Wearily Paul rubbed his face, "she kissed me."

Shawn's eyes widened in surprise as that was the last thing he expected to hear coming out of Paul's mouth, "why did she look so sad then?"

Paul shrugged, "your guess would be as good as mine. All I know is she kissed me then I kissed her back and when we broke apart I said we needed to talk and she didn't want to and that's about all I know because then she walked off."

"Did you push the kiss?"

"What the hell? Do I look stupid? The pushiest thing I did was put my hands on her waist and I didn't think that would be too bad as it was on top of her clothes and just a gentle touch not a grip."

Frowning Shawn shrugged, "are you sure that is all you did?"

Paul was getting frustrated now, "Shawn! I know her history, I know the deal with Luke, I know how she has been towards me this weekend and I am not stupid enough to actually force myself on her. I really like her Shawn, like really like her and the last thing I would knowingly do is push her boundaries too far just because it is something I want."

Shawn knew what Paul was saying right and he honestly didn't think he had done anything but he was a little overprotective sometimes, "I hope Becca can get the truth out of Stephanie then because unless she does and you can find out what you did wrong you're pretty much fucked."

Shoving him hard in the shoulder Paul rolled his eyes, "thanks for that buddy old pal, you're such a source of confidence in my life."

Shawn smirked, "my pleasure. Come on and let's beat these kids so hard they go crying to their Mommy's."

Paul rolled his eyes, "not happening, Steph is already mad at me over something so I'm not giving her another reason to be pissed and giving Rebecca one too as she's scary when she's mad. It's me and Alex against you and Cam and we will win."

Shawn laughed as the two men went over to the boys who were still playing nicely together waiting for the adults to join them.

Back in the lounge Rebecca had sat patiently and waited for Stephanie to open up to her now they were alone but instead she was still sat there silently, "come on Steph you're killing me here, what's going on?"

Stephanie looked over at her friend confused, "what's going on? Nothing is going on?"

"Mmmhmm, I suppose you expect me to still believe in Santa Claus too huh? I wasn't born yesterday, I know something happened between you and Paul in the kitchen because when you walked back into the room you looked like you were about to cry and although you were pissed when you left the room you were far from the about to cry stage."

"I kissed him."

Rebecca squealed at the admission, "you kissed him? . . . Wait, why did you look so upset if you kissed him? Did he not kiss you back?"

"Oh no he kissed me back . . . twice."

Rebecca was even more confused now than before, "then what happened to make you so upset?"

Stephanie sighed heavily, "he wanted to talk about it."

"And that is a bad thing how exactly?"

As she was holding her arms out towards her she lifted Lucy from Rebecca's lap placing her in her own Stephanie closed her eyes briefly before she replied, "what if he wants to talk and say how much of a mistake it was and how he just wants to be friends."

Shaking her head Rebecca couldn't believe how her friend was reacting, "you know I love you and I'm trying to respect your feelings and everything but are you out of your ever loving mind? There is no way on this planet he is going to tell you it was a mistake."

"You don't know that."

"Actually I do, I know Paul and he is head over heels for you so talk to him and actually listen to what he says to you, don't hear what you want to hear."

Stephanie was offended by her words, "I do not do that."

Rebecca snorted, "you so do do that. Steph I love you like a sister but when you're scared you shut down and don't actually listen to what is being said."

She knew she was being hard on Stephanie and repeating herself by saying she loved her but she wanted to make sure she knew she was saying this because she cared and not because she wanted to be a bitch towards her.

Stephanie sighed as she played with Lucy's hands, "maybe."

Wanting to try one last time to make sure Stephanie saw sense before she took Cameron and Shawn home and left her alone with Paul Rebecca turned fully to face Stephanie, "look at me please."

Almost reluctantly Stephanie lifted her head and looked Rebecca in the eyes and as soon as she did Rebecca continued, "please don't put Paul in the same category as Luke, he is completely different and every single thing Luke did to you Paul wouldn't dream of doing. The words that come out of Paul's mouth are what he means and you can believe him when he says things and he won't hurt you because if he did he'd have me and Shawn to answer to and he knows it."

Stephanie couldn't help but laugh, "as thankful as I am to you for saying all of that the truth is I'm still scared to put my heart out there in case it gets trampled on."

"If he tramples on it I'll kill him."

Stephanie slapped Rebecca's leg gently, "no you won't, I need my PA."

Rebecca wrapped her arm around Stephanie's shoulder and leant her head against Stephanie's, "it'll be okay, it will all work out for the best but you have to give him a chance first."

Stephanie closed her eyes and sighed softly, "I hope you're right, I really really hope you are."