Author's Note: Second time I've written this one *sigh* and I'm sorry for the delay. But, here it is, and there's only one more chapter to go! On an actual note for this chapter, Dani finally breaks down (I had to laugh when I wrote her little "insane thing") and I hope it doesn't seem too weird. Eleven Roses.

~~~~~

It was mid-Tuesday morning, and Danielle sat with Stephanie, a renewed smile on her face. Her questions had yet to be answered, but something about actually thinking about them made her feel better. It didn't feel as... nerve-wrecking as it had the last time, and she'd even thought more this time. This strange almost-acceptance did bother her slightly, she had been walking around with that familiar lump in her throat all morning. And she hadn't even seen Shane yet.

She could feel Stephanie looking at her, and she met her eyes with a grin. "What? I'm waiting for a smart-ass comment, don't disappoint me." She laughed and continued eating her breakfast- scrambled eggs and toast- and stretched her legs under the table. Danielle wasn't used to mornings this good, and she could easily get used to it.

Stephanie laughed and shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe this, I honestly cannot believe this. You're in a good mood- and it's still the morning. And you've been acting terrible for weeks!" Danielle narrowed her eyes, and Stephanie raised her hands protectively. "I'm just saying- you haven't been exactly cheerful."

"Well," Danielle replied with a confident smirk. "Did you ever stop to think that this 'bitch reputation' doesn't maintain itself?" Stephanie burst out laughing, and Danielle raised her eyebrows. "I didn't think that was funny... but, was it?"

"That attitude doesn't maintain itself? Ha!" Finally shaking her head, Stephanie grinned. "That's as true as Britney Spears' breasts." Danielle had to laugh, and they sat in silence for a few moments. "You know," Stephanie said suddenly. "I don't think there's anyone who needs the WWF as much as you do. I mean, you practically went insane when you couldn't be in the ring."

"Can you imagine if it had been two months?" Danielle replied. "I think I'd be a serial killer by the time it was over."

Stephanie nodded, and she gave Danielle a serious look. "I know you managed to do a lot of damage in two weeks," she said bluntly. "I'm surprised that I'm still talking to you."

"What do you mean? The only real damage is between me and Sean, and that wasn't because of those two weeks." She got 'a look' and Danielle shrugged her shoulders. "What? Did I do something?"

Just like a kid, Stephanie thought. "Well, I think you might want to think about your little fight with Shane. To say it simply- what the hell was your problem?"

"You're still hung-up on that?" Danielle muttered. "He told me I had to leave my job. No say, no change, just do it. You said no one loves this like me- can't you see why I was mad? It's my life, this is what I do, and I wasn't happy about 'taking a break.'" Danielle's voice was soft but unbelievable cold, and she sighed. "Way to ruin the good mood," she muttered again, and Stephanie glared at her.

"I ruined your mood?" Stephanie put on hand over her face, and she shook her head. "I just think you should apologize to Shane, that's all. Don't shoot the messenger, Dani. Do you think he wanted to be the one to tell you?"

Danielle looked up quickly. "You actually had a discussion about who had to tell me?" Stephanie looked at her seriously, and she hit her hands on the table in frustration. "Damn it, I'm not a kid. Tell me, do you have group sessions about how to piss me off too? It sounds like you're professionals."

Fire met fire, and Stephanie narrowed her eyes. "Look at me, think of how you're acting, and tell me- honestly- that you're not a kid." Danielle stood up, and Stephanie shook her head. "No, no. You won't be the victim- the innocent one- and get up and leave. I'm going to walk out of here before I say something I'll regret, and you will sit here and figure out why everyone happens to be mad, Dani. At you!"

She walked away quickly, Danielle could feel people staring at them, and she fell back down into her seat. What the hell is wrong with everyone?, she thought angrily. Like this is my fault. Her hands were trembling, and she shoved them into her pockets with a vengeance. The voice inside her head was screaming at her, and she longed to silence it completely.

She's right, it told her. You're blaming everyone else for your faults. Grow up, why don't you take responsibility for that damn quick temper? Hot and cold, that's you Dani. You should feel so lucky, how many bitches like you can say that they make an awesome salary, love their job, and have people who would do anything for them? You finally started to tell yourself the truth, why stop now when you're got so many more things to tell? Go on, I dare you to tell Sean that you're starting to hate him. Tell him that he's going to kill himself, tell him that you don't want him anymore. And, while you're at it, why don't you tell Shane a few things? Like I'm sorry I'm such a dense brat, and I'm afraid of what will happen to me if I fall in love with you.

It escalated to a scream in her head, and Danielle stood up roughly. Fuck you, she yelled back, as she walked back to the lobby. Away from those people who were looking at her like she was insane. Away from anyone who might know her. She just wanted and needed and had to get away. But, she couldn't escape the taunting of her own mind, and it drove her out into the parking lot- and into Central Park.

The beauty around her went unnoticed as her mind spun and exploded, drowning and choking her at the same time. It wouldn't leave her alone, and soon Danielle walked with tears flowing freely down her cheeks. She found a picnic table somewhere, she didn't car where it was now, and she sat with her face hidden in her hands.

Had enough, little redhead? Ready to admit it all yet? It was back, and Danielle couldn't deny the force of her guilt for another minute. Maybe then it would go away. Fine, she thought through the tears. I'll do it. Truth by the bowlful, all around. She sighed and looked out between trembling fingers. "I hope it doesn't kill me," she whispered.

~~~~~

Shane's day couldn't get any worse- he'd tried to think of a way but it didn't cheer him up. Nothing cheered him up, the one person that usually could was still mad at him for something that happened over two weeks ago. Yeah, he thought tiredly, this is going to be another good week.

He'd watched Danielle's match the night before, and now he couldn't get it out of his head. Two things really stood out in his mind: how happy Danielle was to be back, and those tight pants. What could you expect? There was an apology that he needed to hear, and Shane would have to be content with watching her matches until she came to her senses.

There hadn't been a kind glance or word between them in two weeks. It wasn't like they had been at different hotels, he knew there were times when she'd seen him- and just didn't say anything. But Shane had done the same. He had come back to the hotel and seen her talking to the new employee, Ms. Johnson, and he could think of a million reasons to go in the café and bother them. His mind warned against it, don't crawl up to her and be so damn weak. Danielle was at fault, and she was going to make the first move- whether she liked it or not.

Seeing Danielle so happy had hurt. How could she act like that after being a bitch for two weeks? It was bitterness talking, but he wanted her to be lost, confused, angry, unhappy, anything but smiling. And she still hadn't answered his question. He knew the answer, so why didn't she?

His cell phone rang, and Shane answered it distractedly. Every other word missed him, but he caught what was being said when Danielle's name was mentioned. Stephanie was talking to him, telling him that they'd fought, and now no one knew where Danielle was. Perfect, he thought, now she thinks I can find her.

"I don't know where she could've gone," Shane replied. "What makes you think she'd tell me?" He had hoped Stephanie would give him a million reasons why he should know, things Dani had said, but she didn't say a word. "Did she take her car?" he asked, wondering how far she could be by now. Shane wasn't sure if he hoped she would be close... or very far away.

~~~~~

Every word was rehearsed to perfection, and every burning tear had been long gone. Danielle wasn't going to cry, not again, and especially not in front of Sean. She'd decided to talk to him first, because he could end up dead if something didn't change. Stephanie was next- if Danielle could handle Sean then she could handle her- and she planned to talk to Shane last. She knew she would cry again, and she wasn't looking forward to it.

Danielle stood outside his door, nervously trying to knock. The urge to turn and run was so strong, but she refused to give in again. Footsteps came closer to the door, and she sighed. Here goes nothing.

Sean opened the door and looked down at her. His hand was still on the door- ready to slam it in a moment's notice if he wanted to. "What do you want?" he said quickly, his voice cutting like a razor blade.

"I have to talk to you, please," she answered. Sean rolled his eyes, but she stopped the door before it closed. "Even if you're still mad at her, you've got to at least hear me out!" Danielle looked at him pleadingly, trying to hide the sinking feeling she was getting. He didn't want to listen to her, but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Giving her a cold look, Sean opened the door again. He didn't let her in, but he was listening. "And, why should I do that?" he said after a pause. Maybe he didn't want to listen after all... "Tell me why I have to waste my time listening to someone who couldn't be bothered to even look at me in weeks."

She looked at the floor, raising her arms in exasperation. "I didn't purposely ignore you, Sean. I just... I'm worried about you. Lately, things have been so different, and you've been out getting drunk too often..." She trailed off and met his disinterested eyes.

"So, what are you all of a sudden?" he blurted out. "My god damn mother? Don't try and guilt trip me because you've become a bitch!"

Danielle swallowed thickly, pushing her pride out of the way. She had to do this- she didn't need another confrontation with him right now. "Well," she said softly. "Maybe I have, but at least I'm trying to change it." Pausing to meet his eyes, she sighed. "You'll end up killing yourself. I'm still your friend- I don't want that to happen to you. Please, can you tell me that you actually enjoy feeling horrible every morning?"

Sean laughed slightly, dismissing her concern. "Since when do you care? You're too concerned with one person- and that's Danielle. What are you doing now, huh? Trying to fix the mess you've made? Who made you do this, are you getting paid?"

His voice was so bitter, and she twisted her hands. This was not going like she had planned. "Don't do this," she replied gently. "I want to help you, it kills me and I hate watching you hurt yourself. I'll help you, Sean, I just want you to stop doing this. I know you want to be the old you, what ever happened to the fun Sean who could cheer everyone up?"

"He changed, Danielle." Meeting her eyes, he smiled sadly. "He fell for every one of your charms... and then realized you get a kick out of messing with people's minds." He paused, and then snapped at her suddenly. "I never thought I'd find someone who I could enjoy being around 24/7!"

"But, you didn't find someone!" Danielle replied quickly. "You're here, and you despise me so much right now- that says it all! We're not meant to be together- I don't want to be together, but I still want to see you around, and I don't want you to get hurt!" She blinked, please tell me I'm not going to cry, and smiled at him. "You have to understand that, or we'll never get along."

He didn't respond, and she hoped that it had worked. She needed him to be there for her, healthy and happy, and she had to help him see what he was doing to himself. His eyes were different, lighter, sadder now, and he looked less likely to slam the door on her.

"You sound so different tonight," he said finally. "Did something happen to you?"

Danielle smiled now, and she visibly relaxed. It worked- he wasn't angry anymore. "I realized who I was, and all the stupid stuff I've done needs to be fixed." Laughing slightly, she looked at him and put on a serious expression. "I'll make you a deal: You try and stop drinking, and I'll help you in any way I can. You have to agree... I'm worried what might happen if you don't."

Watching her with a rare, thoughtful expression, Sean nodded. "It's a deal." Danielle grinned happily, and he pointed a finger at her. "Now, I've got a deal for you. I'll forgive you, if you forgive me, and we stop this mushy stuff. Okay?"

"Okay," she replied. Things had turned out better than she'd expected. Now, one down and two to go.

~~~~~

Shane couldn't push the thought out of his mind. They hadn't seen Danielle- not that he had driven around looking for her- and then, he had seen her. Beautiful, smiling... and standing down the hallway from his room. In front of Sean's door, talking to him. As if his mood wasn't dark enough to begin with, seeing that had made it a thousand times worse.

Danielle and Sean had fought, and how they were talking and smiling like before. Then, Shane thought, why did she ignore me? He had went back to his room unnoticed, and had left shortly after. They were gone by then, and Shane continued out of the hotel. He'd never admit to looking for her still, on the way to his car.

~~~~~

Another closed door, darkly painted in contrast to the hallway. "Talk about deja vu," Danielle muttered. She hoped things with Stephanie would go easier than with Sean, but the results should hopefully turn out the same. The promise she made to herself had to be kept, and it had felt so good when things with Sean had been fixed. Grinning slightly, Danielle knocked on Stephanie's door.

It opened moments later, and pale blue eyes met anxious ones. Stephanie frowned. "Well, hello Danielle," she said, a bored tone to her voice. "I'm surprised to see you, so what do you want?"

"I listened to your advice, believe it or not." Danielle smiled hopefully, and that caught the brunette's interest. "I came by to say that I'm sorry for... well, everything I've done. My attitude mostly."

Raising her eyebrows, Stephanie gave her a curious gaze. "Really? Have you talked to Shane yet? Because that's when I'll believe you."

Now Danielle frowned, and she shrugged nervously. "Give me a break, Steph. I'm... I'm working up to it." her voice was soft, and she heard Stephanie sigh. At least she's not very angry, Danielle thought. I should be able to get to Shane's room before seven... and then I'll have to talk to him.

"Have you talked to anyone else yet?" Stephanie said, leaning against the doorframe. "Sean," Danielle replied. "Because, I figured if I could get him to stop hating me- you'd be no problem."

"Did it work? Does he still hate you?" There was disbelief in Stephanie's voice, but hope in her eyes, and Danielle smiled slightly.

"It worked, we made up and he agreed to quit drinking. I offered my help too, because he might need it." Danielle shrugged, not noticing the sudden angry expression across the young McMahon's features.

Stephanie frowned, and she gave Danielle a dirty look. "You and Sean 'made up?' You slept with him, just so he wouldn't-"

"No!" Danielle interrupted, mouth open in shock. "How could you think that?! I didn't touch him, and he certainly didn't touch me!" She paused and calmed herself down, staring at the floor. "We talked, that's it."

Nodding, Stephanie blushed. Her temper was still more active than usual, and she wished she hadn't said it so bluntly. "I believe you," she said softly. There was a tense silence, and then she looked up with a hopeful smile. "When are you going to see Shane?"

"I don't know," Danielle admitted. "Is he in his room now? Do you think he'll even let me in and talk to him?" Her face was tense, worried. She didn't know what she would do if Shane refused to talk to her, to listen, and possibly forgive her. She didn't know what she would do if he did.

There was a sadness in Stephanie's eyes, and Danielle felt her heart sink. "He's in a meeting," Stephanie answered softly. "But, I think he's supposed to be back around eight." She avoided Danielle's eyes, and started to tap her fingers on the wall nervously. "I don't think he wants to see you- but he will let you talk to him. You'd better have something good to say."

"Pretty good, yeah," Danielle nodded slightly, subdued.

"Just, what are you going to tell him?" Stephanie asked cautiously. "Are you just going to apologize?"

Danielle smiled at the corners of her mouth. "It's... really none of your business right now. I'm going to apologize, of course, but I still need to talk to him." About so many things, Danielle added silently.

"Good luck," Stephanie understood and wasn't bothered by it, and she squeezed Danielle's shoulder. "You might need it."

Turning to glance down the hallway- at a certain room- Danielle exhaled slowly. "Thanks. Hopefully I'll come back in one piece that's still breathing." And hopefully I can keep breathing and not back out until then. One hour to waste never sounded so long...

~~~~~