Title: Floating Up

Chapter 6: Scenery

Author: Kora

E-mail: KrazyKora@aol.com or WinterViolet24@aol.com

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The following characters belong to WWE and all the people and companies who deal with all that legal stuff. I am simply using the characters for my own twisted enjoyment. All warnings featured on Part 1.

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Last time I talked to you

You were lonely and out of place

You were looking down on me

Lost out in space

Laid underneath the stars

Strung out and feeling brave

Watch the riddles glow

Watch them float away

You're falling back to me

The star that I can't see

I know you're out there

Somewhere out there

You're falling out of reach

Defying gravity

I know you're out there

Somewhere out there

-Our Lady Peace, 'Somewhere Out There'

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Stephanie sighed and ran a hand through her hair, as she looked at Shawn thoughtfully. She had told him about all her dates and bachelors but had saved Jericho for last, finding his date to be the most significant and important. She wondered how he'd react to it as she started slowly.

JERICHO

"So…Steph," Jericho drew out her name before continuing, "What do you want to do now?"

They stood on the boardwalk on Myrtle Beach, Stephanie holding a bear Jericho had won her as well as a cone of cotton candy. He had chosen to meet her here as it was closest to where they had last shot RAW. The location was ironic enough in it's own right as Hunter had offered to take her to the same place tomorrow when they met for their second date.

Stephanie had chosen to come here with Jericho as opposed to Hunter though because she had felt the boardwalk might be a nice distraction from anything Jericho drummed up. She didn't know why, but she expected nasty words from the 'King of the World'. Instead she had received a bizarre neutrality, as if he was placating her. It was nice enough but also unbearably frustrating. She wanted some kind of response from him. Something more than this mild mutual regard.

She picked at the ears of the bear before turning to look at him, saying softly, "Why do you keep doing that?"

Jericho's eyes narrowed, "Doing what?"

"Jericho…you keep dragging out my name before you say it. As if you want to say something else but have to restrain yourself. Put a leash on or something. What? You want to call me a whore? A trash-bag ho? A hardcore slut? A bottom-feeding-"

"JEE-zus, Steph, would ya shut up!" Jericho snapped, his face turning red, a vein tightening visibly in his jaw, "Don't say stuff like that, all right? I feel bad enough as it is without you reminding me of the shit I said to you in the past. What? You don't think it's run through my head all ready? That I haven't thought about it day in and day out since I got that goddamn flyer on my locker? Jesus!"

She had wanted an outburst from him but still, hearing it knocked her over a bit. Slowly her eyes went back to their normal size and she closed her gapping mouth, swallowing before shaking her head to ask dumbly, "What are you talking about?"

Jericho dragged a hand through his hair and sighed, looking out over the ocean before facing her. She looked undeniably beautiful with the tiny toy clutched one hand, pink cotton candy smudges on her lips. He almost wanted to reach out and rub it off with the pad of his thumb but resisted, knowing now was not the time, if ever.

He sighed and cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck before continuing, "When I saw the flyer…I felt so awful. I was surprised I didn't cry or deck someone or-or something. Instead I just looked at it for what felt like forever. Christian had to nudge me a coupla times before I snapped out of it. I mean, Stephanie, Jesus, I kept thinking of all that shit I said to you in the past. The names I called you and I felt so horrible. I mean, you have to know I would never, ever, EVVVVVVEER, wish that on anyone. Not even on my worst enemy and especially not on you."

"I know that, Chris," Stephanie whispered.

"And the fact you didn't tell anyone. I mean, obviously I know why, but still what it must have been like. All those months of silence…"

Stephanie shrugged, her face blank, "Some people knew."

Jericho's eyes drilled into hers, "Then-then it's true? About Michaels?"

She felt one corner of her lips rise, "A lotta people know about that now, huh? Kurt had brought it up to me first but if you've heard it too then I guess it's only a matter of time before everyone…"

"Michaels, that son of a bitch," Jericho hissed and stepped towards one of the boardwalk railings, thumping his fists on it, "Jesus lovin' Christ!"

"What's the big deal?" Stephanie asked with a frown, "So Shawn found me? So what?"

"So what?" Jericho snapped, "So what! The man is just a friggin' saint, ain't he!"

"Whoa, whoa, what's your problem with Shawn?" Stephanie retorted back just as hotly, quick to defend Shawn.

"Oh nothing, nothing except that bastard gets all the goddamn glory in every little thing he does! Always getting the one up! I'm the better man! Me! I bet since he's the one who found you, you're all starry-eyed over him now! I bet you're all set to fall in love with-" Jericho didn't get out another word as Stephanie's hand flew out and slapped him, her eyes hot with tears.

"You don't know a DAMN thing about my relationship with Shawn!" Stephanie screeched and tossed the bear at him, throwing her cotton candy to the side as well as she pointed an accusing finger at him, "He is one of the most important people in my life! And I am NOT näive and I don't like being accused of such!

"Okay, I'll admit, Shawn probably may have never become anything important in my life if it wasn't for that night but that's not the point! He was there for me, he helped me so yeah, I'm his friend! God forgive me for that! But I won't have you stand here and whine about you and your needs you self-centered…"

Stephanie didn't get out another word as Jericho's hands snatched out to grab her wrists, pulling her close to him. She struggled fervently as he shook her roughly, "Would you stop screaming and listen to me!"

But it was Jericho who stopped as he caught sight of her eyes. They were large and wide, a clear crystal blue and the emotion he saw there struck him to the core. Fear. She was terrified. He could feel her shake in his grip and suddenly he realized the huge mistake he had just made. He released her, his stomach rolling, "Oh god…I'm going to be sick."

He clutched a hand to his stomach and wavered over to the nearest trashcan, promptly bending over to vomit in it. He felt Stephanie's hand reach out and pull back his hair, stroke his back gently and when he rose erect to look in her eyes again there was such pain there her heart ached for him. She patted his cheek, "Wait here."

She dashed off for a few minutes and when she returned she had a large bottle of water and a pack of mint gum, she handed both to him, "Here. Wash your mouth out and then chew the gum. It'll make you feel better."

Jericho took the items from her, his eyes red-rimmed. He looked at her and his bottom lip quivered. After having suffered through Kurt crying she didn't think she could bear to have Jericho cry too so she tugged him close to give him a tight hug, "Come on, come on. Let's walk along the boardwalk and once you've relaxed and feel better we'll talk."

She led him down the boardwalk. He drank his water and chewed three sticks of gum and looked over at her now and then. When he finally spoke his voice was hoarse, "Oh god, Stephanie…I would never hurt you. I didn't mean to yell at you…grab you like that. Oh god, I'm no better than him am I?"

Stephanie shook her head. "No Chris, it's okay. You're just a passionate man. But I know you'd never hurt me. Never take advantage of me like he did."

She took hold of his wrist and stopped him; she led him to the railing of the boardwalk, resting her back against it before turning to face him. She cupped his face to reassure him but he shook his head. His eyes squeezed shut tightly and she could tell he was trying not to cry. One tear managed to escape and he wiped it away quickly. He took in a deep breath to try and calm himself but when he spoke his voice came out in a sob, "When I saw the look on your face…I realized what I had done…how-how you must have looked that night when that monster attacked you and I just…I felt so disgusted with myself, I just-I lost it."

"Shh, I know," Stephanie whispered and drew him into a hug, "It's okay. You're not the first to…to be upset. Angle was too when I saw him."

"Oh yeah?" Jericho muttered thickly as his arms wove around her, squeezing her body to his, "What'd he do?"

"Cried hysterically. In a public resturant, no less."

"Yeah but at least he didn't puke."

"He didn't eat three hot dogs, a funnel cake, and cotton candy before having to face what happened," Stephanie said, trying to reassure him. Still, Jericho shook his head, "I'm sorry, Steph. I didn't mean to go all ape-shit crazy. I've just been stewing over what happened to you for so long and then Michaels…I'm just jealous. I wish it could have been me to save you."

"You're not the first to wish that either," Stephanie whispered and drew away, cupping his face in her hands again, "It was hard, Jericho, it was. And I won't lie. It would have been nice if you or Angle or Hunter had been there that night but...it just didn't happen. It was Shawn there and he did a good job, I assure you. Just because you weren't the one doesn't mean I think less of you and it certainly doesn't mean you should think less of yourself."

"I know, I know but…jeez, Stephanie, I keep thinking of all the horrible stuff I've said to you and…I know he-he raped you and sometimes that's worse than death but-but if he had killed you and I'd never apologized or got the chance to see you one last time I think I would have gone crazy, you just don't understand," he drew her even closer, resting his forehead against hers as he whispered softly, "You just don't understand what you mean to me."

Stephanie looked at him with confused but gentle blue eyes, "And what do I mean?"

"Aw, Steph," Jericho sighed and leaned in, kissing her lips tenderly, he drew back and shook his head, "You mean more than you'll ever know."

When he noted the surprised look on her face, he shook his head, "Don't get too bent out of shape. I didn't give you a full-blown out Chris Jericho kiss that would have knocked your socks off. I could have but a) I didn't think I should force one on you all things considered and b) I did just finish ralphing two seconds ago."

"Th-that's not why I'm …Jericho, how-how do you feel? I mean how much-how much am I to you?"

Jericho sighed and blushed slightly as he fully released her. He took a quick jog down the boardwalk and found the bear she'd tossed at him earlier. He bent down and picked it up, then ran back to her, brushing it off, "Stephanie, this may come as a shock, but me and you? We have a lot in common. We compliment each other, you know? Despite all my jibes, I've always thought of you as a good woman. The kind of woman I'd like to have.

"Hunter, Angle, Test-they were lucky. They had their chance. Me and you? Never enough time. A few moments here and there but really not enough. Given all the time and everything that's happened my…feelings for you have diminished some but, they'll never be dead. Shit, I mean…I had something of a grade-school crush on you."

Stephanie shook her head, gasping, "Unbelievable."

"What?"

"It's just," Stephanie tossed up her hands, a tiny smile on her face, "You're not the first to say something like that this week either. It's like…since everyone found out everyone's realized at some point in their life they were in love with me. I always innately knew it about some people but hearing it…it's just so mind blowing. Overwhelming really."

"Can you blame them? Stephanie…you could have died. And sure, everyone loved you deeply at some point. Still love you. How can they not? Even when you're bad you're…you're you. You're lovable. Annoying and screechy but lovable still the same. We're all just reeling because someone hurt you and we can't believe they would ever do that.

"Ever dare to touch 'our' Stephanie. I can believe I wasn't the first to tell you something like that. I doubt I'll be the last. But now maybe you can see why we're all so fucked up. You're…you're one in a million, Stephanie McMahon. And to think about someone doing that to you just tears us apart. I know I for one am glad I have the lucky fortune to know you. And I also know, I'm lucky I didn't lose you."

He handed her the bear and she felt one tear escape as she drew him close once again and hugged him tightly, whispering in a hush, "Thank you."

_*_

"So he got the highest points, I'm guessing?" Shawn asked, noting the dreamy look on Stephanie's face.

Hearing his voice she snapped out of it, shaking her head, "No. Despite what he said and did, Jericho didn't hit any higher or any lower than any of the others really. Okay, well, higher than Heyman naturally but…see, Jericho and I, we could be something. I could even see us as a couple but…I just think it'd rely too heavily on passion. Jericho was right, we do compliment each other but only because we're so alike. Too alike, I'd say. I think in the end we'd end up destroy each other.

"Even if we truly loved each other I just think there'd be too many bones of contention. And Jericho, much like Angle, lands in that list of men I've outgrown. Men I've moved past. No, I need someone else. Someone more…I don't know. Different. Someone grounded. Someone who can spark my passion but also be balanced. It's like, if I could toss the men from my life into a blender, and pick out their best qualities, then I'd get the perfect man."

"I'll keep my eye out for that blender," Shawn chuckled. Stephanie beamed at the joke when suddenly a loud roar erupted overhead. She edged closer to Shawn, smacking his shoulder with an excited hand, "Oh! Oh, it's a diesel! Listen to it!"

The roar grew louder, like the howling wind in a hurricane and the air felt charged with energy. Stephanie grabbed Shawn's hand. He couldn't hear her but he watched her lips move, making out that she said, 'feel this' as she pressed his hand to one of the bridge's concrete supports. As the diesel thundered overhead, the support gently vibrated with power, similar to how blood pulsing through a vein felt. Shawn could feel it under the palm of his hand and grinned, amazed by it.

He turned to Stephanie, about to say something but froze. Her face was closer to his own than he realized and he found himself mere inches from her. She too, seemed to realize their sudden proximity as her smile faded, a more serious look taking its place.

Suddenly Shawn realized her hand was on top of his, pressing it to the concrete. He could feel the cold texture of her skin and he swallowed thickly. Once the diesel was gone she drew it away, running the hand through her hair as they pulled apart and she let out a tiny, uncomfortable cough. Once she got over the awkward moment she smiled again, "There's another place around here I can show you. It's only a short walk away."

She turned and scampered off down the beach and Shawn walked slowly behind her, his whole being still heavy under the weight of their last close moment together. He took in a big swig of the cold night air, trying to get a hold of himself as he followed after her.

They walked down the beach a ways until they reached a tree that was tipped over on its side. The tree was large and massive, its' long branches leaning out over the water, some tips even encased in the ice below. It had obviously been struck down by lightening or some other natural catastrophe, the end of the tree still partially attached to its' base.

Stephanie turned to Shawn, a mischievous grin on her face, "I don't know if Shane told you...I mean, considering how much you two have been talking lately and whatever it is you talk about but, he and I used to be notorious tree climbers when we were kids. Mom used to have a fit. We'd come back bruised and dirty, sometimes with scrapped knees and she'd just lose it."

"Sounds familiar, I used to be quite the climber myself in my hay day. Same mother reaction to it to. She used to tell me I'd break my neck. You should have seen the look on her face when I told her what profession I was going into to," Shawn chuckled as he stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned up against the tree.

Stephanie took a firm hold of the branches closest to her and hoisted herself up until she rested on top of the downed tree. She looked down at Shawn and held out a hand, "Well come on then, I want to show you something."

Shawn looked at her hand then at the tree, an eyebrow raised, "You're serious?"

Stephanie shrugged, "Why not?"

Shawn couldn't help but laugh as he took her hand and she helped him up. Once he was on top he looked at her with a peculiar expression, "I can't believe we're doing this. I'm too old for this kind of thing."

"Psh-you're never too old for anything. And coming from you, that statement is just ridiculous. Or have you forgotten that you recently went trough a couple of tables? Not to mention jumping off a ladder to deliver an elbow drop?" Stephanie asked dryly, a cocky look taking her face as she caught his abashed expression, adding in, "My thoughts exactly."

Stephanie slowly began to walk upwards toward the end of the tree, closer to where the branches grew more dense and began to bend over the water. Shawn followed behind her, remarking, "Okay, that may be true, but still, can't believe I'm doing this. Especially with you. I never pegged you as the outdoorsy type. You seem too…sophisticated."

"Oh please, I love to get my hands dirty. Like I said, I did it when I was a kid and I never outgrew it. Climbing trees, riding horses-I'm into all kinds of physical stuff you don't even have a clue about."

"I'd love to learn," Shawn added under his breath, a wicked grin taking his face. They edged closer and closer and as they did so the tree's trunk seemed to scale higher upward. Once they reached a good stopping point Stephanie sighed and pointed a finger out, "Look at it."

Shawn did. It was breath taking. From where they stood on the tree, they could see well out over the river, the strip of land across from them doted with the colorful lights of the towns and cities on the other shore. The sky above was even more widespread and glorious from this elevated viewpoint. Its' lights seemed to shine down on the frozen waters more brilliantly than ever before. The entire visual was more than romantically picturesque.

Stephanie stood before Shawn, her back to him as she looked out and titled her head back slightly, wallowing in the splendor before her, "Isn't it one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?"

Shawn looked at Stephanie. He could see the moonlight dance across her skin, making her seem almost ethereal. The wind combed through her brown tresses, making the mane billow and blow around her. His fingers itched to reach out to capture a few of the strands, to be able to be the moonlight that bathed her so perfectly but instead he looked at her with hooded eyes and whispered, "Yes. It is."

She took in another full breath of air and he tried to control himself yet again. His thoughts lurking on Angle and Jericho as he commented idly, "So, you got a couple kisses on those dates."

Stephanie blushed, glad she wasn't facing him, "Yeah but…they weren't serious or anything. I was the one to kiss Angle and it was meant as a comforting gesture and Jericho, he got the drop on me but he didn't try to deepen it or anything. He said he wanted to but, I wouldn't have let him. I-I don't think I'm ready for that. At least, not from him anyway. I mean, I'm…kind of skittish when it comes to men touching me. Ever since…"

She trailed off and waved a hand. Shawn knew he should drop it, knew he should let her enjoy the scenery but he found he couldn't as he pressed, "What about Hunter? You didn't mention him and your second date. How did that go?"

"It was-"

He cut her off, "Do you think he's the one. I mean…that you're ready for?"

"I-I don't know what you mean."

"Come on, Steph," Shawn said, his voice coming out surprisingly tired, "I mean, do you think you could kiss him? Be involved with him again?"

"No. I don't," She looked over her shoulder at him for a moment, "I didn't kiss him on our second date. And it was a good date-a great date and I won't lie. I AM going to see him again. He asked and…and he's been so sweet to me lately."

Shawn let out a breath and Stephanie took it for irritation, she turned her head away, angrily muttering, "You know, it's my life. I can see whoever I want. See, this is why I didn't bring Hunter up, much less tell you about our second date. I knew you'd just get upset again like you did the first time and I didn't want to drive you away so I figured-I mean I know you've been hanging out with my brother recently so you probably have his opinion of Hunter but, you guys just don't understand. You don't know Hunter when he's around me and you're not in our relationship. You can't understand what it's…"

"Shh," Shawn whispered, his breath close to her ear. Stephanie shivered, not realizing he had come so close to her as he whispered, "Let's not talk about that. Let's just…enjoy the scenery."

Stephanie nodded and grew silent again. content to look out over the water. They stood this way for a while in silence until a funny thought entered her head and she couldn't help but tease, "You should hold on to my hips and I can raise my arms and say 'I'm flying! I'm flying, Jack'! Just like in 'Titanic'."

"It would have to be 'I'm flying, Shawn'." Shawn corrected.

"Oh fine, get technical," Stephanie giggled and held out her arms like she was flying, "I'm the Queen of the World!"

"I bet Jericho would like to hear you say that."

"Oh shut up!" Stephanie laughed and was about to thrust back her elbow to lightly hit him when she felt his hands on her hips, holding on gently. She felt a heated shot shoot up her spine at his touch as he drew closer to her. His body heat radiated against her back and she tried not to shudder as he drew his mouth near her ear again, whispering, "So was it like this?"

"L-Like what?"

"In the movie."

"You never saw Titanic?"

"Nah, didn't much care for it. Not my kinda movie."

"Mmm, yeah, it-it was kind of like this."

"I like your outfit."

Stephanie frowned, confused now as she looked down at her ensemble. She was wearing a white t-shirt and black jogging pants with a matching hoodie, pretty basic to her and she told him so, even adding, "I look like I just rolled out of bed. I mean, I'm so underdressed that I probably shouldn't have even left the house. Much less let you see me like this but…"

"I like it," Shawn assured her, his voice throaty, "You wore something very similar to it that time I came to visit you at the family estate."

She was really lost now until it struck her. That night in her bedroom when she'd tried to seduce him in the red gym outfit. She felt her skin grow hot and she turned her head to one side. She could see him perfectly, their eyes locking as she whispered back, "I-I wasn't myself that night. When I look back I get so embarrassed…"

Shawn blinked and let out a breath, drawing away. She cold feel the loss of his body heat as the night air suddenly hit her, his proximity no longer close enough to enclose her in his warmth. He looked at her and tried to give her what he hoped was a friendly smile, "That's okay. I knew that night you weren't…quite yourself."

Stephanie turned to face him, her throat moving as she swallowed and said on a quiet breath, "I'm myself now."

Shawn looked at her with smoky eyes as she drew closer to him, bridging the gap he had put between them. She looked up into his eyes and he felt his breath catch as she rocked on her heels, getting up almost on tip toe, their faces closer. He could feel her breath on his skin as they stared each other down, searching each other's eyes for something, the moment tight with intensity.

Shawn took a step back and let out a shaky breath, his eyes looking away from hers, "We have to get going."

Stephanie frowned and lowered herself back onto her heels as she said in a hushed tone, "Yes, you're right. We'd better go."

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Shawn was polite on the way home and even managed to get a few jokes now and then. He thanked her for telling him about her dates and showing him those amazing sights then sent her on her way. Once she was gone he leaned his back against his hotel room door and put his face in his hands.

Jesus, what had almost happened? What had he almost done? She'd been overlooking the river on that tree and he'd dove in, made her feel obligated to…or maybe she'd actually wanted…

Shawn let out a ragged sound of irritation and felt the urge to throw something. He had had to stand there and listen to every single date and it's details with a smile. He had asked her to tell him, of course. He had played the role of the friend with a sympathetic ear because that's what she wanted. That's what she needed. A friend. Not another…what would the word for guys like Jericho and Angle be? Especially in her eyes.

She had said they weren't the ones and they probably weren't. But Hunter? Oh he could be the one. Hell, she hadn't even told Shawn what had happened between them. She hadn't wanted to. She had said she hadn't wanted to get him upset or angry. She figured he'd have the same reaction her brother Shane would. He'd get protective. Brotherly. Or maybe she thought he'd just be ticked because anything with Hunter made him ticked. Or maybe still, she had figured out the truth of how he felt.

And once again he questioned, how did he feel?

Shawn let out another groan as he clicked off the lights in his room and flung himself down on his bed. He knew how he felt. But he wasn't man enough to say it aloud, to even dare think it in his head. So he gave into his easiest form of escape. He fell asleep.

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Shawn lay in bed, under the covers when the door to his hotel room opened soundlessly and closed the same. The bed dipped under someone's weight and Shawn felt it, slowly waking to life. Blinking into the darkness, "Hello?"

"Shawn," whispered a soft voice.

"Stephanie?" Shawn mumbled and blinked a few times, trying to adjust his eyes to the dark. Sure enough it was Stephanie sitting over top of him looking down at him, her legs on either side of his hips as she straddled him and smiled, not saying a word. Shawn felt his senses fully awake at her arrival. He could smell her perfume, feel the delicious weight of her body above his.

His eyes were fully adjusted now as she leaned in closer to him, her hands running along his body, fingertips dancing along the bare skin of his arms and his chest. She towered over him and rolled her shoulders, shrugging of the black hoodie jacket. Shawn sat up in the bed slightly, his eyes widening, he was about to speak when she put a finger to his lips.

"Shh, no more talking," Stephanie whispered, tossing the jacket aside. She crossed her arms in front of herself, her fingers grabbing the edges of her white shirt and slowly drawing it up over her head. She wore nothing beneath and Shawn stopped breathing as she lowered her half-nude body over top of his, her movements sensual against him. Her lips hovered over his, the soft skin of her mouth bearly tracing his own-

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Shawn bolted up right in bed, gasping. He ran a hand through his hair and felt the heavy weight between his legs. He groaned and fell back, slinging an arm over his eyes. It was getting worse. Now he couldn't even escape her in sleep, his one refuge.

He clenched his hands into fists at his sides. It took all that was in him not to relieve himself manually now. He didn't want to. Not now. Not like this. Instead he sat up and ran his hands through his hair. He could see the phone out of the corner of his eye and he snatched it up, dialing the number swiftly, praying he'd be home.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"I need to see you."