She felt safe.

She wasn't exactly sure how it all came about, but she had somehow found herself in his arms, curled against his chest, being comforted by his slow, labored breathing. He had been sleeping for an hour, it seemed. She didn't want to sleep, though, she was afraid if she woke up it would all be some sort of cruel, horrible dream that lead her emotions on. She didn't want to go to sleep because she was afraid she would realize that what was happening was basically insane.

She didn't want reality to set in. Her reality sucked. Her reality had her married to a jackass. Her reality gave her a family that was so dysfunctional that even the leading psychologists probably wouldn't be able to understand them. It was not something she liked or even wanted. What she wanted was to stay like this, stay in his arms, keep being able to hear his heart beat.

But she was fighting a losing battle. Fatigue set in finally, and she was forced to submit to it. She drifted off to sleep, still curled against him.

When she woke up, she felt a wave on panic hit her, because he wasn't there. No, it couldn't have been a dream. She couldn't believe that. She sat up quickly, feeling her heart skip a beat, and she glanced around quickly. Her eyes stopped on him as he sleepily put on his pants. He looked like he was about to fall asleep in mid-pull. She couldn't help but blush when she realized she was staring at his ass.

He turned and saw her watching him. He smiled towards her. "I don't appreciate you checking me out without me knowing."

"Like I had anything to check out." She rolled her eyes, but kept the smile on her face. He walked over to her, leaning over, putting his face right by hers. He kissed her nose, and she couldn't help but want to swoon.

"You'll just have to wait and find out to see, won't you?" he asked, huskily. She knew he was joking, because that same Cheshire cat smile was on his lips.

"Is that a promise?" she asked, raising a brow.

"Could be." He stood up straight, offering a hand. She took it and he pulled her up off the bed so that she was standing.

"Are we going to let your parents know?" she asked, peering at him.

"Let's wait a bit, not give them the satisfaction of knowing." He grinned. She paused.

"You know this is so wrong, right?" she finally asked, the bliss receding for a moment.

"I'm trying not to think about it." He cocked his head to the side. "Is it bothering you?

"I want to divorce Hunter." She whispered. He looked surprised.

"For me?" he asked.

"Partly, but more for myself." She shook her head.

"Are you going to do it?" he asked.

"I don't know if I can." She responded sadly. "I'm scared to do it."

"Well, whatever you chose, I'll help you if you want." He smiled at her. "What are friends for, after all?"

"But after our past and—I still don't get it, Chris, how did this happen?" she asked, looking at him seriously.

"You gave me a chance." He shrugged lightly, looking like he was blushing slightly. "I found out you weren't exactly who I thought you were."

"What do you think now?" she asked, peering at him.

"I think you're beautiful." He responded softly. It was her turn to blush.

"You really think that?" she asked, sounding doubtful.

"You should know by now that I don't give empty compliments." He chuckled. She smiled softly.

"I didn't say it last night." She suddenly said. He peered at her.

"Say what?" he asked, curious.

She paused, then took a breath. "I love you too, Chris." He actually did seem a bit surprised.

"You do?" he asked, though she figured he knew she meant it.

"Yeah, I just seem to have this thing for tall blonde Canadians." She wrinkled her nose and smiled.

"Guess that means you won't date Benoit then after me, huh?" he asked jokingly.

"Oh yeah." She laughed. She smiled as he pulled her into a gentle kiss. I never realized that a kiss could be as innocent as it is now. Hunter never did anything softly—ever.

"We have to start packing. We're leaving at 6 tonight." He explained. She nodded mutely.

"Can we have breakfast first? I'm kinda hungry." She asked. He smiled.

"Fine, let's go downstairs." He nodded, pulling her close with an arm. She grinned and pulled him off her.

"Remember, nothing happened last night, Blondie." She laughed.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. Damn." He sighed. "This day's gonna suck."

"Go cuddle a teddy bear." She smirked. "I'm hungry, let's go."

"Yes ma'am." He nodded, letting her pull him out.

~~

It was really late when they were finally half-way to the next WWF stationed area. Their last day in Canada was actually pretty good, but she couldn't help but just stare at him the entire time. Now that she let that rush of feeling come out, she just felt light-headed, more free. She found herself curled up against his arm, her eyes opening and shutting lazily as she fought sleep.

"Have a good time?" he heard him softly ask. She looked up from his arm.

"Best Christmas I ever had." She whispered. She let a little sigh out and he looked at her, a bit confused.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"I wish my family was normal." She responded. "Now the only family I have is you." She felt him shift his arm so that it was around her. She was leaning against his side now.

"Your family loves you, you guys just have to settle your issues with each other." He responded. "But hey, if you want me to be your only family for awhile—welcome to the Jericho clan!" This got a small giggle out of her.

"I'm sorry I'm such a pain." She shook her head.

"I've been putting up with it for almost two years now, why would it bother me?" he winked at her, pulling her closer. "I tend to like people like me."

"You're not a pain."

"You sure didn't think that a few months ago." He chuckled.

"Yeah, but that was before this all happened. You know, you're very surprising Chris Jericho." She looked up at him as he shrugged.

"I try to be. Keeps everyone on their toes." He nodded proudly. "But why don't you get some rest, Steph? You look tired."

"I just like being near you." She said without thinking. She felt herself blush. She couldn't believe she was able to ignore these feelings, because they were inundating her now.

"Well I'm going to need that side back when we get off the plane." He responded, but then wrapped his arm around her even more firmly, like he wanted her to stay there. "But then again, you make one hell of a warmer. This air conditioning is annoying and it won't shut off."

"Always glad to be of service." She responded lightly, a coy grin on her face. She let herself snuggle deeper against him before closing her eyes. Yes, sleep. She liked sleep. Yawning lightly, she let herself drift asleep.

She had a dream, and it made her shock awake. She woke up to find herself shaking insanely, wide-eyed. The dream—she was being chased, and then she was caught and she turned around and—Hunter. She shuddered at the memory of his face in her mind. What the hell was that about? Was she that afraid? She sighed, looking toward Chris. He had fallen asleep and was currently leaning against her now as well. She realized she was covered, and he wasn't. Had he given up his blanket to her. She carefully looked over, and noticed that yes, she was covered in two blankets.

She softly pushed him so he rested against the plane's window. She sat up, cracking her back, trying to forget the dream. She took the covers and pulled it over him. He instantly stopped shivering as the warmth blanketed him. "Guess I didn't warm him up that much." She whispered, watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful. She reached over and brushed a strand of hair that kept making his nose twitch when he breathed in.

He's so perfect, why didn't I see it before? Before Hunter—before Test. I met him before them, that's for sure. God, what will my parents think? Another wrestler—and one that's been a thorn in both my dad and my brother's side since the beginning. Andrew didn't even do that. Maybe my dad likes him a little more now, since he's been holding up that title so well. She took his hand suddenly, needing some sort of comfort. His hand instantly curled around hers, and she looked at him.

"Huh. Still asleep." She mused. It was like he just knew it was her. She noticed he suddenly was twitching again, and his grasp on her hand tightened. Is he having a nightmare?

"Stephanie—no! Leave her the fuck alone!" he said in a hoarse whisper. She looked at him in shock as he continued to look like he was terrified. "No—don't—Stephanie! Don't hurt her—I promised I—"

She couldn't take seeing him like that anymore. She shook him awake with her free arm. He shot up like a rocket, shaking like she had. He turned to her, a rush of relief flooding over his face. She suddenly found him pulling her into a hug, like he hadn't seen her for years.

"Chris, Chris—it's all right." She whispered. He still had the wild look in his eyes, and she lifted her hand to touch his cheek. He was sweating. "I'm all right." He looked at her, unsure. "You were having a nightmare."

He suddenly seemed embarrassed and he fell back into his seat, looking down, still shaking. She didn't actually know what to do, but she offered her comfort by slowly rubbing his back. "I'm sorry—it was just that—I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"No." she smiled, though looking quite worried.

"You—Hunter took you." He explained. Her eyes widened.

"Wait, how did it happen?" she asked, leaning forward, staring at him.

"I don't know—he jumped you from behind—took you—I tried to get him, but he threatened to—"

"—Hit me with a sledgehammer?" she asked.

"How did you know?"

"I had the same dream." She replied. He looked at her, surprised.

"You did?" he asked.

"Yeah." She nodded.

She didn't realize it until then, but a huge knot in her stomach had formed. Was there to be any truth to that dream? They both fell silent, but she unconsciously held his hand a little tighter.