"I've been thinking," Stephanie told Jericho the next night as they waited for Jeff to bring a pizza to the room.

"God help us," Jericho groaned.

"Oh shut up," Stephanie said.

"Oh I'm wounded," Jericho said, clutching over his heart.

"Good," Stephanie said, feigning extreme happiness.

"And I was beginning to think we were friends," Jericho said as he smiled up at Stephanie.

"Anyways," Stephanie said. "I was thinking-"

"You already said that," Jericho interrupted.

"Would you please let me talk?" Stephanie asked.

"Please carry on Princess," Jericho said.

"Thanks," Stephanie said. "I wouldn't want Trish to think that I was just pretending to be interested in you to throw her off the path."

Jericho looked at her with an arch brow, "And how to you intend to make her think otherwise?"

"I think we should go on a date," Stephanie said with confidence, just asking Jericho to question her reasoning.

"You have got to be crazy," Jericho said.

"Why?" Stephanie asked.

"We can't stand each other," Jericho pointed out.

"We've gotten along pretty well at least one night a week for about the last month," Stephanie said.

"What if word got out?" Jericho asked.

"I didn't think you cared about what people said about you Jericho," Stephanie said.

"Of course I don't," Jericho retorted. "But going on a date with the owner of ECW could get me on Vince's bad side."

"You've always been on Vince's bad side," Stephanie said.

"A lot of the people I work with hate you," Jericho said.

"I believe up until a month ago you were one of the people who hated me," Stephanie said. "You probably hated me most of all."

"How do you know that's changed?" Jericho asked.

"Because you've gotten to know me," Stephanie said.

"Maybe I've been pretending to like you," Jericho said.

"You're not fooling anyone here Jericho," Stephanie said. "Maybe yourself."

"Fine," Jericho said. "I like you a little."

"So why can't we go on a date?" Stephanie asked.

"Because people would never believe I decided to be attracted to you that quickly," Jericho said.

"You're the one who told Trish that boys like to tease the girls they like mercilessly," Stephanie pointed out. "By the way, is that true?"

"Yeah," Jericho said. "In elementary school."

"It's not like it would be a real date Jericho," Stephanie said. "We go out on a double date with Jeff and Trish. It would accomplish two things. Trish could stop worrying about me and Jeff and it would get Jeff and Trish on a date."

"Why are you so concerned about Jeff and Trish?" Jericho asked.

"Because Jeff's my friend and I want to see him happy," Stephanie said. "It just so happens that Trish, of all people, makes him happy."

"Okay," Jericho said. "I'll think about it."

"Thanks Jericho," Stephanie said.

"What are you two talking about in here?" Jeff asked as he came into the room he was sharing with Jericho.

"About what we were going to do on Friday," Jericho said.

"Friday?" Jeff asked.

"We were thinking of maybe trying to set up a double date," Jericho said a bit hesitantly.

"What the hell?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah," Jericho said, "you know...make sure Trish trusts Steph's motives and all."

"You guys are willing to go out on a date for me?" Jeff asked.

"Isn't that what friends are for?" Jericho asked.

"You too Steph?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah, sure," Stephanie answered.

"Cool," Jeff said. "Which city?"

"Well, Trish and I both live in New York," Stephanie said.

"That's fine with me," Jeff said. "I'll ask Trish tomorrow."

"Fine," Jericho said, wondering what he was getting himself into.

*

Stephanie looked at her reflection in the mirror, content that she looked good. She had a pair of black leather pants and a form fitting red tank top. She decided to put on a silver medal link belt. She figured that the outfit would appeal to the rock star inside Jericho. She gave her long, straight hair one last brush before she went to her kitchen to wait for Jericho.

She wondered if she was going about making Jericho fall for her in the right way. He seemed to genuinely like her now. That was definitely a step in the right direction. She liked who she was becoming. She still was willing to be as manipulative as she needed to be in business, but she was able to separate her business life and her personal life now.

There was a knock on the door. Stephanie grabbed her purse and a black leather jacket on her way to the door. "Hey Chris," Stephanie said, smiling up at him.

"You look nice," Jericho commented.

"You too," Stephanie said. "We match."

Jericho looked down at his own black leather pants and black button down shirt. "That's a little scary," he said. "Well, maybe it will help convince Trish."

"It could," Stephanie said. "So where are we meeting Jeff and Trish?"

"At Yankee Stadium," Jericho said.

"Baseball?" Stephanie asked. "I hate the Yankees."

"It's a playoff game," Jericho said. "Jeff scored tickets, Trish likes baseball, we're going."

"Man!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"This whole date thing was your idea," Jericho pointed out. "I would prefer hockey myself. I don't see how Trish, if she's really Canadian could prefer baseball to hockey."

"Well," Stephanie said. "Who are they playing?"

"The Mariners," Jericho said.

"I guess I'm rooting for Seattle then," Stephanie said.

"You know where the Mariners are from?" Jericho asked.

"Yes," Stephanie said. "I only said I hate the Yankees, I didn't say I hate baseball. I'm American and it is America's pastime after all."

"You never cease to amaze me," Jericho said.

"Lets get going," Stephanie said.

Nearly an hour later they were in their seats at Yankee Stadium. "Hey Jeff, hey Trish," Stephanie greeted them.

"Hi," they said together.

"Where's Chris?" Jeff asked.

"He's getting hot dogs," Stephanie said. "I told him you have to have hot dogs at a ball game."

"What did he say?" Trish asked.

"Just another reason hockey is better than baseball I believe," Stephanie said. "How did you manage to score field level tickets Jeff?"

"I know Derek Jeeter," Jeff said.

"I forgot you were at his birthday party," Stephanie said.

"We became friends," Jeff said.

"Well, he got you some great seats," Stephanie said. "How are you guys doing tonight?"

"I actually am having a hard time believing I'm on a double date with you and Jericho," Trish said.

Jeff grinned at Stephanie. "I'm not having a hard time believing it."

"Make way!" Jericho exclaimed. "I have hot dogs and beer for all."

"You are the man," Jeff said.

"Thanks," Trish said.

Stephanie stood up to help him hand out the food and beer. Jericho smiled at her. "I hope you like Bud."

"Of course," Stephanie said.

"She will just nurse one the whole game," Jeff said.

"Huh?" Jericho asked.

"Nothing," Jeff said. "It's an inside joke."

"I see," Jericho said.

"Just watch the game," Jeff said.

"It hasn't even started," Jericho replied.

"You are a pain in the ass," Jeff said.

Jericho sat down and started to eat his hot dog. "It's actually not too bad."

"I knew you'd like it," Stephanie said, a smile beaming on her face.

"You seem to know a lot," Jericho said, thinking he was beginning to like her smile just a little bit more than he was comfortable with.

Stephanie looked over at Chris and was stunned by his smile. It was the one she had seen James smile so many times. She leaned over to him and gently brushed her lips over his. She felt the wave of shock go through Jericho. Stephanie snapped back. She couldn't believe she had thought Jericho was James. But for a few wonderful seconds she was back with him.

"I'm sorry," Stephanie said, looking down at her own hot dog. "I just got caught up in the moment I guess."

Jericho lifted Stephanie's chin with his finger. He leaned over and brushed a kiss on her lips. "I guess you just saw that we were falling for each other first," Jericho whispered, not believing the words that were coming out of his mouth.