Author's Note: Whoooo! It's over! Go read Warning now, :p! Eleven Roses.

~~~~~

Three thousand, seven hundred, and twenty three. Danielle sighed and looked at her hotel room ceiling. Three thousand, seven hundred, and twenty four. This is so boring, seconds go so much slower when you actually count them. Three thousand, seven hundred, and... oh great. You think about something, and then you forget it. Perfect, now what am I going to do?

Danielle rolled over on her bed and looked at the alarm clock. Only 7:41PM. I wonder if I could somehow make the walk to Shane's door last nineteen minutes... Another sigh, and she started to hum to herself. Don't get nervous, don't get nervous. It's only Shane, she reminded herself. It's not like your entire life is about to change. Oh, wait, yes it might.

There was a new list in her pocket- she had no idea where this sudden neatness had come from, but it was quite useful. Danielle had make a list of things she had to tell him, had to talk to him about. Some of them had been realized that afternoon in Central Park, and some she had always known. It was intimidating to think about them in a way, and she wondered about Shane's reaction. A million things could happen, and he could say just as many.

This thinking bothered her, and she didn't want to get nervous or hyped up yet. Not with time to wait. She had to find something to do. Watch tv, read something, call room service, there were so many alternatives. She ignored one possibility, and it was the one that happened. Danielle fell asleep.

She knew something was wrong as soon as she woke up. Her mind was fuzzy, but one thought got through clearly. Damn, oh damn, I fell asleep. It wasn't the best, but it reminded her. She had to talk to Shane, it must be eight by now. She looked over at the clock, 10:17pm. Damn again, a little off. Smiling dryly, Danielle sat up. Well, at least I know he'll be out of that meeting.

The walk down the dim hallway took forever, and she just wanted to turn back. He might be asleep, she told herself. You wouldn't want to wake him up. But she didn't give in. Danielle kept walking, and she felt her heart race when she stopped in front of Shane's door. Now or never.

She knocked, and no one answered. Her heart fell, and she tried once more before turning away. No, she thought. Of all the things to happen...

The door creaked as it opened, and Danielle turned again suddenly. He was there, facing her in complete shock, his hand almost touching her shoulder to stop her. There was a shine of pleasure in his eyes, but it was quickly covered by nothingness. That damn emotionless stare, dark and cold brown.

"Danielle," he said softly. "Long time, no see." His comment stung, and she looked away quickly, unable to stand his collected image when she felt like she was in shambles. "Is there something you want?" he added.

Everything that she had planned to say chose that moment to leave. She was left with no plan, no idea how to start, standing in front of Shane while he got more aggravated. "I... uh... hi Shane." She smiled weakly, and he rolled his eyes.

"Is this some kind of joke? I really don't need this right now," he said. There was a strange look in his eyes, and Danielle recognized it as disappointment. He was expecting an apology, and she couldn't find the words to start it.

Coming back to reality when he started to close the door, she jumped close and threw it open. "Don't! Do not close this door on me, that's what everyone else wanted to do, but I didn't let them." She met his eyes then, and shrugged. "I'm not good with words, and I really can't think of how to start this."

"How to start what?" he replied, after a pause. "Just say what you're thinking."

She smiled slightly, at least he wasn't as openly hostile as the others had been. He was angry, sure, but still calm and collected. It was funny that she'd hated that a minute ago. "I want to say I'm sorry," she said softly. "I was so... angry about having to leave my job, and I took it out on you. I didn't mean a word of it, anything insulting that I said wasn't true."

A slow smile spread across his face, and he nodded. "Thank you," he replied. "Apology accepted." He turned to leave, and Danielle grabbed his arm.

"I'm not done yet!" she said, pausing to glance down both ends of the hallway. "Can I... talk to you inside, maybe?" He stepped out of the way, and Danielle passed by him. "I did a lot of thinking today, while I was..."

"Running away?" he offered, raising his eyebrows. He motioned toward the couch, and she sat- he had no clue how nervous he was making her. "Keep talking," he added, sitting at the other end of the light couch and watching her.

She shrugged again. "While I was out. I apologized to Stephanie earlier, and I talked to Sean." Shane's eyes darkened- much like Stephanie's had done- and she stumbled for words. "I told him that there is nothing between me and him. He needs to stop drinking, and I offered my help- as a friend." She paused and met his eyes seriously. "I have no feelings for Sean," she said. "I thought you might want to know that."

Shane had to smile again. "Any other things that you thought about? I'm starting to think they aren't that bad." He looked so much more relaxed, and his eyes were lightening to a more thoughtful colour, and Danielle grinned.

"Plenty," she admitted. "About... the dinner we had before my birthday, first of all. I'm sorry for playing with your mind and heart- with the whole romantic setup but no date thing."

"Yeah," Shane replied. "Did you come to any conclusions about that?"

She held his eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize what I did to you, and what more I've done." Shane started to speak, and she raised one hand to stop him. "I know you're going to tell me to stop apologizing."

"And you should," he stated. "I've already forgiven you." He smiled again, and Danielle felt more nervousness start to build up in her. Time for the big stuff now.

"That's what's so great about you," Danielle said gently. She swallowed thickly, her hands were trembling again, and smiled weakly. "You're so good to me, Shane. Do you know that you're the person I trust the most, and I'd give up everything I have... just to show how important you are to me and how much I do appreciate it?"

He looked at her curiously, tilting his head and half-smiling. "You would? The WWF, the fans, the money, are you sure you want to say that?"

Nodding, she grinned slightly. "You believe in me, you trust me, you forgive me, what more could I ask for?" She paused and took desperately needed breaths. "I... I... oh God." She cringed and put her face in her hands. Just say it, she told herself. Say it. She looked back up, straightened her shoulders and met concerned eyes, and sighed. "I realized.... I'm in love with you. I was so... afraid that I'd get hurt, or that I'd hurt you, and that made me not want to admit it."

Shane was staring at her in disbelief, and he reached over to brush her one cheek. There were tears in her eyes, and he realized the amount of trust it took for her to say that. "Oh, Dani," he muttered. "Are you sure you want to say that?" He could feel her tense immediately when he said that, and she pulled away from his hand.

"You... don't..." She turned away from him, and the tears started to fall. He doesn't believe me... he doesn't think I love him. "I'm... I thought you'd believe me. I'm sorry, I thought you... might like..." She started to stand up, and Shane grabbed her around the shoulders quickly.

Danielle looked so lost, so confused, so hurt, and he kissed her forehead gently. "Listen to me, Danielle. I didn't mean it like that." She met his eyes, and he shook his head. "I've been wanting to hear you say that for so long, I can't believe I'm so lucky- to have someone as amazing as you in love with me."

She allowed him to pull her closer, holding her shaking body and stroking her hair, and she couldn't breathe. "You don't..." she began softly. "I should've known..." Her face turned away from his, and he brought it back immediately.

"Don't say that, don't think it either. Can't you see it, Dani? I love you... so much that it hurts. I have for so long, I'd give anything to make you stop crying." Shane kissed her cheek and buried his head in her hair, taking her in. "Don't cry," he whispered. "I love you. You hear that? I've loved you for so long, I was just waiting for you to feel it back."

She loved him, it was all he could think over and over. She'd never been admittedly in love before, and now she'd taken the risk and told him without understanding his true feelings. "You're so amazing," he mumbled. "Please tell me that you meant it."

"I love you," she replied, letting his rock her. Her tears were starting to subside, and she held onto him tightly- still thinking how much she hated crying. He loved her- this whole day was worth it. No more not knowing, she knew everything now. "I'm so scared," she said softly, barely knowing the words that passed through her lips.

"Don't be," he replied soothingly. She smiled slightly, he was good at that sort of thing. "I'll never hurt you, Dani, not intentionally. You'll never regret this." Shane pulled back and looked at her, smiling and daring to kiss her on those lips that had teased him everyday. "Are you okay now? You're still shaking."

She smiled a little. "I'm still pretty much in shock. I didn't think you'd forgive me, and let me say I loved you, and you did that and so much more." She kept her arms around his neck, and he pulled her to lay on the couch with him. His body was warm against hers, and Danielle intertwined their legs- putting as little space between them as possible. Shane smiled and kissed her forehead, and he held her until she fell asleep with him.

~~~~~

The moment was tranquil, the only sound being soft breathing. Still in her sleep, face turned with a few silken hairs laying across her face, Danielle shifted her shoulders to find more warmth and a softer place to lay her head. She sighed and stirred Shane, the light sleeper whom she used as a pillow.

He awoke slowly, blinking things into focus, and her presence wasn't known until he tried to sit up. Hands tightened around his neck, and Shane slowly grinned. How could he forget? Looking at her as he lay back down, it was surprising how serene she looked. Eyes closed like an angel, and her lips together in a hint of a smile, nothing like her devilish awake self. Brushing the hair away from her face, he leaned down to kiss her forehead again.

The last night had been the best shock he'd ever gotten. Danielle apologizing was great on its own, and every word after that had gotten progressively better. She loved him- he'd never believed she would ever sat it- and she didn't have feelings for Sean. Icing on the cake, he thought with a smirk. And now she was laying with him, her head buried into the fabric of his shirt. She was so warm, so inviting, so beautiful... this couldn't get any better.

Someone knocked on the door. Great, Shane thought, falling back into the couch. How am I supposed to answer it? Hmm, Dani or the door? Easy choice.

"Shane? You awake yet?" His eyes widened at the familiar voice. Wouldn't Stephanie have a field day with this- the two of them laying together. "Hello? I know you're in there?!" she added, giving the door a knock.

Sighing, he hoped Danielle wouldn't wake up, Shane looked at the door. "Just a minute!" He paused and then frowned, do I really have to talk to her right now? "Actually, is it anything important? Could I talk to you... maybe this afternoon?" Waiting, he smiled at Danielle and wrapped his arms around her back. For once, he was glad that she was a heavy sleeper.

"Uh, okay," Stephanie replied. "I'll see you later, I guess." She didn't say anymore, and Shane could hear her walk away. He'd have some explaining to do, but it was worth it.

He looked down at Danielle, smiled, and gently pushed her shoulder. "Dani... wake up!" She groaned and rolled away from his hand, forgetting they were on a couch. One more turn, and she was laying on the floor in a heap. Shane laughed. "That's one way to wake you up!"

Danielle sat up slowly and turned to look at him, her hair in a tangled mess around her shoulders and her mascara smeared. "And don't you ever do it again!" She sighed when he laughed, and Shane rolled onto his side so he could lean down and kiss her.

This morning keeps going good, he thought. I wonder if I should leave her and go in for my shower? Finally pulling away from her, he grinned wickedly. "Dani," he said teasingly. "I have to take a shower..." He sat up and raised his eyebrows, and she gave him a playful push.

"Get real, Shane. Haven't you heard? No sex 'til after marriage." His mouth fell, and Danielle gave him an evil grin. "Now, get outta here and clean that dirty mind." Stealing another kiss, he walked off toward the bathroom. She smiled and stood up slowly, stretching her arms above her head. The offer was tempting, but she remembered what she had said to him before.

They had their dinner together, and Danielle had told him the blunt truth. She had believed it then, but now it was different. She said she loved him- and she meant it, and she wouldn't let things ruin it. The fear was overwhelming when she thought he wouldn't love her, and it felt like she was drowning in an ocean. And then he had said it. That was the moment she would remember forever, Shane holding her, rocking her, mumbling sweet nothings until she fell asleep. I never thought I'd actually like that mushy stuff, Danielle thought with a sigh.

The sound of the shower was loud in the quiet room, and she almost didn't hear the second knock on the door... almost, but not quite. Danielle got up and answered it without thinking, and met Vince McMahon's shocked eyes. Her smile faded, and she realized two things. This was Shane's hotel room, and she looked like she'd had a rough night. Vince could add two and two, so Danielle knew what he was thinking.

"Good morning, Danielle," he said slowly. "Is Shane up yet?" She glanced toward the bathroom- again forgetting to think- and Vince could hear the shower. "Ah, he's busy. I was wondering why he wouldn't talk to Stephanie earlier."

What is he talking about? Danielle raised her eyebrows, and stared at him. "Stephanie was here? When?"

He laughed slightly. "Not too long ago, I guess you must've been asleep." She narrowed her eyes, he was purposely saying that, and Vince shook his head. "Tell him to see me when he's... not busy. It's not incredibly important. Have a nice day, Danielle." He turned and left, and she burst out laughing after she turned from the closed door. She would never answer the door again.

Shane emerged from the shower a few minutes later, and he walked into the main room to see Danielle laying on the couch, snickering. He didn't know if it was the tv she was watching, of just something in her head, and he laughed. "You are so weird!" She turned and was about to give him a remark, but froze instead.

It was a huge ego boost to see her staring- he wore only a towel on purpose- and he did a few flexes. Danielle started to laugh, and he stopped. "You look..." she began, having to pause for giggles. "Like Casper! Damn Shane, get a tan!"

"You're telling ME to get a tan? I'm talking to Snow White here!" He grinned and walked over to her, falling on the couch. "Seriously, what were you laughing at? Last time I checked, Wheel of Fortune wasn't that funny."

She turned to him and teased his hair with a grin. "Vince was here, and I answered the door. You have to see him when you're "not busy"." Shane's face went serious, and she kissed his cheek quickly. "He thought it was funny, I was pretty much speechless." Danielle turned off the tv and looked at him, realizing how much things had change in twelve short hours.

They were closer now, truly friends without that awkward barrier of uncertainty. They could be open now, comfortable with each other. A few days ago- before her realizations and those few simple words- she would've pulled away from his touch or kiss, now she welcomed it. It felt so good to be that close to someone, especially Shane, and have those feelings behind it. Danielle wished it hadn't taken her so long to realize it, but things had ended good and that was all that mattered. She loved him, she needed him, and he wanted the same.

Danielle smiled and leaned against his shoulder. She was lucky than she'd ever thought before, and this was going to work. She was going to make sure of it, and she knew the determined glint in his eyes would help. Looking up at Shane, she felt better than before.

"Shane?" she asked softly, getting his attention. "I have three words for you." His eyes went to hers pleasantly, and she laughed. "Love, luck, and..." She trailed off and leaned closer. "Tan!"

~~~~~ The End. ~~~~~