"Hey mom." Stephanie stopped. Chris was talking to his mom on the phone. Should I eavesdrop? Ah, why the hell not? He's not looking this way—

She moved closer to the wall she was hiding by. He still thought she was out getting coffee. It was early morning, the morning of their plane trip. He had bought her ticket even earlier. He refused to let her pay for it. Basically, he was still as stubborn as the first time they ever talked.

"The plane leaves at 2 PM here." He heard him explain. "By the way, I can bring someone along with me, right?" A pause. "Yes, it's a girl. No, she's not my girlfriend." Another pause. "Why not? Umm—because we aren't going out?" he laughed. Stephanie leaned in, trying to hear him better. "Yeah, Ma, it's the girl I told you about before."

He's talked about me before? Stephanie couldn't help but smile at that thought. "What do you mean 'Why haven't I asked her out yet?', I told you it's not like that." She heard him respond. "Anyway, even if I did like her—I'm severely doubting the feeling is mutual. Sorry to disappoint you, Ma. It's purely platonic." Stephanie bit her lip. Whoa, why the hell did that just make it sound like he likes me? Whoa, now I'm becoming delusional. I think he has it backwards, though—

"She's been having a hard time with her family." Stephanie realized he was explaining why she was coming. "It's gotten so bad that her family just wants nothing to do with each other. She'd be alone for the holidays if she doesn't come with me." Another pause. "Yeah, I know, I thought that too."

Thought what? She wished she could hear both sides of the phone. "All right, mom, I have to go. I have to finish the last of the packing." A pause. "No, Ma, I won't ask her out before we come." He laughed. "I love you too. Bye."

Stephanie realized it was her time to make an appearance, so she opened and shut the door to make it look like she just came in. He looked at her, and then smiled. "Hey Steph, welcome back. Get good coffee?"

"Cheap shit." She grinned. "So, did you call your parents?"

"I just got off the phone with my mom, actually." He nodded.

"What did she say?" she asked casually, sitting on the bed. Have to pretend I didn't hear it—

"Nothing really." He shrugged. "She can't wait to meet you, though."

"Even if I'm not your girlfriend?" she asked, grinning slightly.

"She was a little disappointed about that, but yes, even if you're not my girlfriend." He laughed. "I will warn you though, she'll be trying to hook us up the entire 4 days we'll be there."

"Oh, I wouldn't expect anything less." She shook her head. "When I brought a friend of mine home once, my mom just sat there and almost scared my friend into asking me out—actually, that was sort of funny, now that I think about it."

"Well, my mom won't scare you." He grinned. "Annoy you, but not scare you."

"I just hope she actually likes me, either way." She sighed.

"What's not to like?" he asked, patting her shoulder reassuringly.

"Everything." She responded, shaking her head.

"If they can like me, of all people, trust me, they can like you." He laughed.

Stephanie felt comforted by that; after all, he WAS right. She had packed up pretty quickly. This is an insane mistake. But I guess it's better then doing nothing. Right? By the time they were in the plane, she felt under confident again, and was sitting nervously, trying to relax, but not really able to. She fidgeted a lot, trying to get comfortable. He suddenly placed his hand on hers, and she felt a small jolt run up her spine. Why does he always have this effect on me? It's happening often –sort of freaky.

She smiled at him, after shaking off her thoughts. "You OK?" he asked softly.

"What's Canada like?" she inquired. He chuckled lightly.

"It's like America. Only—well, it's not called America. And it has a part of it that only speaks French really. They're too good for riff raffs like me—like anyone that isn't from there." He shrugged.

"Different world?" she asked, finally giving a real smile.

"Yeah. I mean, I speak French great, but they just have this sensor—that's nowhere near us, though. Where I live, it's all nice and calm and homey-like. We're right by a big hill, it's awesome to go sledding down or anything like that. Live near a place we can ski, too."

"Is it the big icicle people make it to be?" she inquired. He grinned.

"Not really. Well, where I live, it's really like northern America winter weather. A lot like where you're from. You're from Connecticut, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, it gets pretty cold during the winters." She nodded.

"That's basically Winnipeg. Cold, but not exceedingly so." He laughed. "Still, it's probably pretty white at this point. Don't think we don't get snow—"

"Of course I know that." She smirked. "Come on, it's December. It snowed in MY state for God's sake!"

"But our snow is different." He informed proudly. "Ours is Canadian snow."

"Is it white?" she asked.

"Yes—"

"Is it wet?"

"Yep—"

"Then its just snow." She smirked.

"You're no fun." He chuckled. "All the snow you got came from us."

"And that's a good thing? You know I hate snow." She rolled her eyes.

"And I still don't understand that. How do you not like white puffy stuff that breaks your fall?" he questioned.

"If I want something white and puffy I'll get a pillow. I won't catch a cold from that—" she replied.

"Actually—"

"Don't even say it." She said, but a laugh escaped her. He grinned widely.

"See? I made you laugh." He beamed, like it was the biggest accomplishment in the world. Actually, it probably is. I don't remember the last time I laughed—not since December started, most likely—

"Have I thanked you yet for inviting me along?" she asked, suddenly.

"Think nothing of it." He shook his head. "You'll prove to my mom that I'm actually at least talking to girls. I think she thinks I'm gay sometimes—"

"You? Gay?" she asked, this time really giggling. "Your mom doesn't know you very well, does she?"

"Apparen—hey! What's that suppose to mean?!" he asked, letting out a fake pout.

"Chris, I think you like girls more then half of the guys we hang out with do.." She pointed out. Except me. Not that that bothers me—I don't think at least.

"I think I'll take that as a compliment, but I'm sensing a small diss in there somewhere—" he glared at her.

"Me? Diss? Never." She made herself sound innocent. "But seriously—this might sound crazy, but really—thanks for letting me come. I wasn't looking forward to being alone."

"And again, it's really nothing. You'll probably want to come home by tonight." He chuckled. "My family is scary. Might sacrifice you to the evil Ice God."

"Ice God? I wouldn't be entirely surprised, considering this family made you—" she joked. He beamed.

"I know. I mean, the one fact that I came out of this family makes them cool." He nodded proudly.

"You're a sad, sad person Chris." She shook her head. He nodded again.

"Yep, and damn proud of it." He replied, before starting to sing 'Oh Canada' while people stared at him oddly. Stephanie sunk deeper into her seat, shaking her head slowly, pretending not to know him.

I don't think he should have drank that coffee today—ugh—he's more hyper then usual—this better not have been a bad idea. Actually, it probably wasn't, but still—gotta always wonder. Oh my god, are people singing with him? She blinked, noticing a few people had joined in. Yeah, I think I'm in the twilight zone—that has to be it—one where Canadians sing on planes—I think this is all a plot, I bet he wants to like—make me a Canadian. Brainwash me or something. Or—he might be being the dork he usually is.

"Hey everyone!" Chris stood up, and people stared at him. W-what the hell is he doing? I swear to god— "We have a first timer to Canada here—" –No, he's not doing this—wait a second, what the hell am I thinking? Of course he is. "So please welcome the lovely Stephanie McMahon to our great country—"

"Chris!" she hissed as people clapped for her. She shook her head. He sat down, winking at her.

"Welcome to Canada." He grinned broadly as she gave him a dangerous glare.

"I'm going to kill you—" she mumbled. "Won't find your body—"

"Let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor—" he sung lightly to himself, and chuckled lightly. "Lighten up, Steph, get into the holiday spirit!"

"Chris, I'm never letting you drink any sort of caffeine-filled drinks again, especially during long trips—all right?"

"Yep." He nodded brightly.

Thank god we're landing soon--