Title: Floating Up

Chapter 13: One

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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It had been weeks since Stephanie had spoken to Shawn. And honestly speaking, it wasn't like Shawn hadn't been trying; instead Stephanie found she was the one who was putting up the barriers. She hadn't answered any of his calls or messages, instead waiting with bated breath for them to stop, which they did eventually, mysteriously dying away.

She couldn't quite explain what she was running from. When she had first left Doctor Holden's office that day they had talked about Shawn she had been ready and raring to go. But suddenly she had been taken by a wave of apprehension. One that did not want to die.

All she could think of, remember, was his cruel rejection. Every time she found her fingers shaking, eager to dial his number or pick up the phone when he called she found her other hand, like steel, wrapping around the quivering fingers and stilling them, ordering them into obedience. She couldn't seem to allow herself to give in to him.

She spoke of this to no one, instead drifting in and out of each day feeling more and more empty. She figured no one noticed but unfortunately for her, one person in particular did.

Hunter.

He saw the hallows in her cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes and with a groan of trepidation realized that while he had all ready talked to her about what she should do where Shawn was concerned, many things had changed since the night in the hospital. For some reason, she was having doubts again. Shawn must have done something. And considering Hunter used to be his best friend, he knew it was probably something stupid. Something boneheaded, something so…Shawn.

He imagined whatever it was would probably make him want to crack a steel chair over his head. The way the man acted sometimes…honestly, it made Hunter's blood boil. Especially when it came to Stephanie, to seeing how she was taking whatever it was his dumb ex-friend had done now. Still, he knew it was his job as the newfound caring individual to try and set things right. He was really starting to hate playing the role of the selfless friend.

Seriously, it was much more fun and easier being an uncaring, conceited asshole.

Really, it was.

Still, he had gone this far; might as well finish things up.

He was only a few days from returning to his full schedule at RAW and he stopped by her apartment to see her. She was certainly acting less withdrawn as they sat next to each other on her couch, idly watching a movie on television and with a slight amount of prodding he'd managed to get her to talk about Shawn.

She told him the whole story. A little too much for his taste actually, as he could have done without the bedroom incident and it's…descriptions. He let her know so too, reminding her that he was not one of her highschool girlfriends she could gab to about boys and how they made you-ugh-feel.

She was, of course, immediately contrite and begging for forgiveness. He, naturally, couldn't hold a thing against her and urged her to continue…but to try and give him a nice, edited-for-my-ex-husband version.

When she reached the end, she whispered, "He just doesn't understand how much he hurt me."

"Well why don't you tell him, not me," Hunter had said, his voice low. He had offered the role of the friend to her and he had to taken it up but it sure as hell wasn't easy. Especially when he had to help her with her relationships of all things.

"Because…I don't know. I want him to wallow a little, I guess. Feel bad like I felt bad," Stephanie said, "I guess that's sort of catty of me."

Hunter had a smirk on his face, "Sounds familiar, didn't you pull that sort of stuff on me when we were married?"

Stephanie flushed, embarrassed as she swiftly got the point, "I'm sorry. We probably shouldn't be talking about this stuff. It's unfair of me to ask you about my love life and I can't imagine it's comfortable talking about this sort of stuff with your ex-wife of all people. Especially considering I know you still have some feelings-"

"Shh, just forget it," Hunter cut her off, not wanting to discuss his feelings anymore than he wanted to discuss hers, "It's like I said earlier when you were describing the-thing in his room. I don't mind helping you with your problems, Stephanie. I want to be your friend. But I also just feel… a little funny when it comes to this stuff. I can give you advice but try not to get too…explicit about it."

Stephanie nodded, "I know, I told you I can do that. But, I mean, you basically know enough to give me some words of wisdom, right?"

Hunter shrugged. He wanted to tell her that Shawn was an ass. He wanted to tell her he was stupid and didn't deserve her. He wanted to tell her he loved her and he would never do something like that. But he knew a lot of that was very bias and the latter was not entirely accurate.

So instead he took a hard swallow and gave her the most chick-like answer he could think of, "I don't know. I mean, you do have a basis for being mad. He blew you off in all sense of the word but then, he did have a few good reasons. And lord knows, you'd be happier with him than without him. Not like there's anything standing in your guys' way now anyway."

Stephanie took in a breath, blushing, "Oh, it's not…I mean, he doesn't even…"

He rolled his eyes, "Would you just talk to the man? I mean, Jesus, it's obvious, you two are totally retarded for each other. Just do something about it, willya?"

Stephanie burst into giggles then and Hunter couldn't help but bask in it. He couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy. It had taken some time but finally it seemed the great weight had been removed from her shoulders. She walked taller, looked happier. But there was still an underlying hair of unhappiness and he knew what caused it.

Hence why he was here, "Look, if you really want me to be honest and give you a friend's perspective, I think you should talk to him. Hiding isn't going to change anything. If you talk to him, you'll find all the answers you want and you'll feel better too."

Stephanie shook her head, "You're right. But how about we forget that for now and just watch this movie and enjoy each other's company?"

Hunter reached out and gave her hand a squeeze, a smile on his face, "I can do that."

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Stephanie lowered her bags and let out a healthy sigh as she looked around her suite. Her father had dished out a little extra cash for the comfy room. It was early compensation for what she would be facing in the next few days. She was only a few sweet, sweet days away from returning to work. But she also had to face more involved work with the police again. They had more questions and tests to run, they were pumping up her case to the max.

They had a few suspicions of what had happened to her that night, as well as a few possible suspects pegged and they wanted more input from her. It promised to be grueling and while she looked forward to returning to the office, she knew it too would be overwhelming, especially considering how long she had been absent. So to cushion the blow she got a few hours to spend alone in the suite, just all by her lonesome.

She rushed over to the mini fridge and had to hold back a squeal of delight at the complimentary foods and desserts she found inside. She quickly took out a small plate of strawberries and a bottle of Chardonnay she found inside. She imagined it was more appropriate for a couple to have these things in their room, it was a snack to share, not to dine on alone but she didn't see the harm in pampering herself. She didn't need a man to have a good time.

Besides, all the women magazines she'd ever read, 'Glamour', 'Cosmopolitan', and the like always urged women to kick off their shoes and have a night alone for just yourself. This would be her night. She poured herself a frosty glass and took a sip of the wine, finding it crisp and tasty. She then ate a couple of strawberries and bounded on to the cuhsiony mattress, finding the nearby remote. She clicked on the television and began flipping through channels. She was delighted to find the classic 80's film 'Labyrinth' and her mind bubbled with ideas of what to do next. Should she paint her toenails or give herself a facial?

She giggled to no one in particular, finding the idea of her evening ahead to be thoroughly exciting when she heard a knock at the door. She felt a loopy grin take her, the giddiness still skittering through her as she wondered who it could be. She imagined it was the probably a bellhop wanting to know if everything was all right and if she was enjoying her room. She hoped he was cute, deciding that a little harmless flirting might be fun. Heck, maybe she'd indulge in flirting even if he wasn't cute.

The smile on her face faltered the moment she saw Shawn standing there. His hair was pulled back and he wore one of those god-awful suit jackets that he had often been seen running around RAW in, the material gold and all wrong for him. A white t-shirt was hidden beneath that and this was all accompanied with a pair of black slacks that she imagined clung nicely to his…

She shook her head, not sure whether the action was to stop her thoughts or to actually test to see if he was really there when she heard a loud barking. She suddenly noticed the leash in Shawn's hand and looked down to see Rufus there, the dog darting about frantically. Before she could say a word, Shawn spoke, "He's a bit antsy. The elevator ride up really didn't sit too well with 'im, especially since I had to smuggle him in past the hotel security."

"What's he doing here?" Stephanie asked in puzzlement, then hardened her voice a notch as she looked at him, "What are you doing here?"

"I had to see you," Shawn said, his voice quiet but the intensity there unmistakable. He leaned against her doorframe, looking at her pleadingly. Her eyes flickered up and down him, taking him all in. It had felt likean eternity since she'd last looked at him. And even with the hideous jacket on, he still looked good enough to eat.

She found crazy thoughts running through her head. She thought about how much she wanted to tug that ponytail loose and free his hair. How much she wanted to tear that stupid jacket off. How much she wanted to kiss those arrogant, lush lips, the bottom one especially inviting. She could see herself drawing it between her teeth, sucking lightly. God, what was her problem? Most women in her situation would keep their thoughts geared miles away from anything sexual, hell, they wouldn't have to. But here she was, hungry for the physical. She was surprised she hadn't jumped him yet.

Down girl, her thoughts hissed, stop being horny and start being serious.

Vaguely recalling his response to her question she bit back, "Well, you've seen me, now you can go."

She went to shut the door when he nudged the dog forward. As if trained, Rufus trotted over to sit in front of Stephanie in the hotel room, looking up at her with almost imploring eyes, tail wagging. She shot Shawn a caustic look and he shrugged, "Can you turn that face away?"

"How long it'd take you to train him to do this."

"Not as long as you'd think," Shawn said dryly, a bitter grin taking his face. She suddenly noted how, despite her earlier drooling observations of his appearance, he actually had worn lines on his face. He was tired. Didn't take a rocket scientist to know why.

She sighed, weary herself as she stepped back and waved a hand inward. Shawn released the leash, allowing Rufus to dash inside as he slowly sauntered in. His slow gait turned Stephanie's thoughts back to their earlier, more lewd reactions but she pushed them down. She was angry at this man, had every right to be and had been avoiding him for said reason. No cute dog-antics or unconscious sexiness on his part would change that.

"So you brought the dog, what's that supposed to be? Some shitty peace offering?" She snapped, pleased with herself, an alligator smile taking her. Good girl, switch to anger, better tactic to take than your earlier knee shaking.

"Something like that," Shawn said, not rising to her bait, "I know a dog isn't the best form of an apology-"

"No, it isn't. I'm not five, Shawn," Stephanie crossed her arms as she faced him, "Bringing me a pet isn't going to sway me, even if I do like him. You can't just buy your way out of what you did. It was childish to think so."

"I'm childish," Shawn pointed a hand to himself and scoffed, his hackles finally raised, "What about you? Not answering your phone. Not returning my messages. Hiding behind the wall Daddy and Brother built for you. Do you know what I had to go through to find out where you were staying? What hotel? What room? You're running away and hiding like a little girl so I don't think-"

She cut him off again, "That's right, you don't think. You never think! You just go on your impulses. Like you did that day you shoved me out of your life. When you think of it, I'm not running, you're the one who started running but now you've changed your mind and have decided to 'take' me back or something and it's ridiculous!"

"Who said I wanted to 'take' you back? I never had you to begin with Steph and more important than that, I've all ready admitted I was wrong, hell, that's why I'm here. To apologize and admit what took place in Texas was…I was a jackass, I know that now and that's why I'm here.

"And yeah, I brought you a dumb present but it's something none the less. Something to say, 'I'm sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me'. I've wanted to do it for a while but you've refused, just like you are now. You just immediately jumped down my throat and didn't even give me a chance to explain much less defend myself…"

"You didn't give me much a chance in Texas so I figured I'd even the score," She hissed.

"Speaking of childish," Shawn muttered and Stephanie turned red, angered by his attitude. Her voice cracked on the next comment, "Maybe I am a child, but what do you want from me? You hurt me, Shawn, more than-than anyone else has in a long time. How am I supposed to react? To feel? Sure, I guess I'll admit I've been running but can you blame me from-from wanting to avoid further pain? I don't want you to hurt me again."

Shawn's hostility faded and he looked at her with such soft eyes that she felt as if she'd been cut to the quick, her devious eyes heating with unshed tears as he said in that soft husky drawl, "That's why I'm here, pretty lady. To bandage up those wounds I caused."

"You think you can just…just fix everything," she whispered, hating how her voice held a tone of hope. Deep inside she wanted him to say 'yes' and one better, she wanted him to do it. How sad that was. How weak. It made her angry but she couldn't stop herself from wanting it none the less.

"I'd like to try," he said and walked over, closer to her. She knew that wasn't a good idea, for him to get close so she backed away a few steps, turning away from those damn eyes of his, pretending she was looking for the dog. She found him rested on her bed, rolling on the sheets. She felt her lips screw to one side in amusement and she shook her head.

Still, knowing she couldn't avoid Shawn forever, she turned to him, hoping that moment's reverie would give her new fuel and strength. One look at him she knew it wouldn't. She sighed, scratching the back of her head, "Shawn, it's not that simple, what went down in Texas, how you hurt me, I can't just forget it and-and forgive it. At least, not without a reason. It was like I told you then, I can't just believe you think our spending time apart is for the sake of the case against my attacker, for my safety.

"There's something you're not telling me and I think it has to do with your feelings and I know you're not the kind of man to hide away from-from what he wants and feels. You're one of the most forthright men I know, heck, a lot of the time when you open your mouth you stick your foot in it, so fess up. Tell me the real reason that mess in Texas happened. Tell me what you're running from. Why you're-you're afraid."

He laughed at that, the sound dry and hollow. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes tightly; "It's not that simple."

"Of course it is. Just open your mouth and talk. Don't dodge it, don't change the subject just…let it go. Simple."

"Simple," He sighed and pulled his fingers away from his eyes, resting his hands on his hips as he looked at her. They stood in front of her couch, the dog behind them playing on her bed. He towered over her not so much in height as in presence. She could feel him towering over her. His eyes looked down at her, the pupils darting back and forth as he searched her face. She wanted to flinch but didn't, instead choosing to be solid, unwavering.

He reached behind his head, tugging on his ponytail absently before crossing his arms and fidgeting from one foot to the other, mumbling, "Easy for you. I don't know if I can."

"Oh god, would you just tell me!" She snapped exasperated, "We're not in high school, Shawn, all right?! Would you just-"

"It's embarrassing!" Shawn burst out, his face coloring slightly.

"No, it's frustrating. You're frustrating and-and you're stupid! And you're- you're stupid goddamn jacket is frustrating!" She didn't know why she added in the last part. It was absurd but for some dumb reason she blurted it out.

Shawn looked at her flabbergasted and she almost expected him to laugh but instead he said flippantly, "Fine, I'll just take it off then."

He shrugged off the jacket, "Anything else you'd like princess? Considering you always have to get your way, since I have to do everything for you? You want I should take more clothes off?"

Stephanie stung at his unexpected harshness and said snidely, "Sure, while you're at it take your hair down."

"Done," he hissed and tugged his hair free so viciously she was surprised he didn't tear a chunk of his scalp out.

They stared at each other, inexplicably angry and fighting over the most mundane of things but for some reason at the moment it seemed entirely relevant. In the back of her mind Stephanie found herself thinking that most couples fought like this. It started over something big or small and then went into something else, snowballing and escalating over the most small of a matters until one person in the relationship or both consecutively found an even ground. Made up. She couldn't even begin to imagine how to do that with Shawn.

Instead she hissed in a voice full of pain as much as anger, "Why are you picking on me? Why-if…if you came here to apologize and started off treating me decent enough you're being so-so mean."

"Me? You started it when you began snapping at me for ridiculous-"

"Why'd you bother even hunting me down? Are you stalking me?"

"No, I-"

"If you're not scared why won't you just tell me!"

"I'm NOT scared all right?! I'm just embarrassed to say-"

"WHAT?!"

"I know you're back together with Hunter!"

Stephanie stepped back, wide-eyed, slack jawed, "Wh-what?"

"You heard me!"

"But-but, Hunter and I aren't-"

"I saw you!" he hissed, his voice edged with splinters of hurt, "I saw you kiss him!"

Stephanie's voice came out reed thin, "When?"

"The hospital! It…it was the first thing I saw when I woke up…out of the coma," Shawn whispered, his voice soft with shame, his eyes looking away, "I saw you two kissing and it just…"

He waved a hand in mid-air, looking away from her. She looked at him, trying to recapture her bearings. He had seen them? She remembered he had woken the night after she had remembered everything. When her and Hunter…but she didn't think-

Oh god…

She looked at him and reached out a hand, brushing his arm, "Shawn, I didn't…"

"I know. It's okay. Stupid anyway," he muttered.

"Kind of like me forcing you to take off your jacket and pull down your hair?" Stephanie asked dryly.

Shawn couldn't help but give a mirthless chuckle, "Yeah but fights are like that…senseless. Why did you-"

"That jacket looks horrible on you," She said with some amusement, "And I like your hair better down."

"Hmm."

There was a few minutes silence as they looked everywhere but at each other when at last Stephanie spoke up, her voice quiet, "Why did you…say those things then? About me being a princess and you doing so much and me always getting my way?"

Shawn sighed and slowly looked at her again," Because I…when I saw you kissing Hunter and I knew you two got back together I felt stupid for feeling the way I did because I thought I was standing in your way and-and that I felt more than you did and….and all kinds of stuff so I lashed out at you. Very immature but then, we were calling each other children earlier so I guess it fits."

She looked at him and suddenly so much more made sense. If he had truly thought she was back together with Hunter he would naturally want to avoid her and more importantly her with him. She knew Shawn and Hunter still had their differences. She could remember well his reactions to their dates. The possibility of them being a couple again…now his actions were much clearer.

Still…

"If you thought I was back together with Hunter, I mean, why didn't you just ask and make sure before…"

"It wasn't just you two back together," Shawn said, suddenly very interested in looking down at his shoes, "It was the fact that he…that you…"

"What?" she pressed softly.

"You kissed."

Stephanie still couldn't quite understand, "So…we kissed. I can understand that being a shock when you first wake up but, I mean, that still doesn't explain….why would you care if Hunter and I kissed? Is it just because you didn't want me to get back together with him because you think that's a bad idea or because you feel we can't be friends if I was with him again because you two still can't get along or-"

"No, no it's nothing like that," Shawn said, his voice rising in annoyance at her suggestions. They weren't even close.

"Then why? Why would you care?"

He sucked in a breath, his voice coming out louder and tighter than he wished, "Because I wanted to be the one!'

Stephanie looked at him, barreled over again as he continued, "You said when we went out that night that you didn't think Hunter could be the first one you'd kiss after what happened and I just…I wanted to be…I wanted to be the one."

Stephanie continued to look at him. A breathlessness catching in her, blood racing as she found herself saying in an impulsive sarcastic tone, "So what? Does this mean you're finally going to kiss me?"

Shawn's flashed her a look. At first it was startled shock but it quickly melted to something dark and heated. Something overwhelmingly sexy as his whole demeanor changed. Stephanie wondered what she was getting into as she swallowed at his purred response, "Yeah, I'm finally going to kiss you."

He drew closer to her, his face inches above her own. His breath whispered across her lips and she let out a tiny sigh as his hand came up and brushed her cheek, cupping her face. Her skin was like silk under his fingertips and he searched her eyes with his own as his mouth came closer.

Stephanie had stopped breathing long ago, her heart crossed between thundering and stopping permantely as he loomed over her, close, so close. She had waited for this moment an eternity. Dreamed it, envisioned it, and now it was here. It was really happening. The scent and heat of him filling her senses. Her body was screaming, fingers itching to reach out and clutch at him. He wasn't too far away when a chuckle rumbled out from deep within his chest and Stephanie's eyes narrowed, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, it's just….I've thought about this moment so many times in my head that now that it's come I find myself unexpectedly nervous."

"You've got to be kidding, performance anxiety? About kissing me?" Stephanie voice came out throatily, her fingers finally daring to brush his shoulders as she edged him even closer.

"Mmmhmm," He murmured thickly, his nose rubbing along hers, "It's like you're a tractor beam, drawing me in…"

"Alien invasion?" she whispered softly, smoky eyes looking up through her long lashes.

"You could say that," Shawn whispered, his breath still rushing along her mouth again, stronger this time, causing it to part.

She couldn't help but feel a thick chuckle escape her, "Shawn, you've kissed me before."

He drew back slightly, a notch forming between his eyes thoughtfully as he cocked his head slightly and looked at her, "Oh yeah?"

"Remember? At the family estate you kissed me and said it can't rain forever."

"Oh yeah, so I did…but that wasn't a real kiss." He murmured his eyes almost closed as he drew close again.

"What's a real kiss?"

"This is a real kiss," his voice tapered off on the last word as his lips lightly pressed hers, his fingers slipping into her hair as he gave her a gentle kiss, slow and full of sweet promise. Her lips were soft, far softer than he had ever dreamed and he loved the feel of them against his own, unable to stop brushing his own firm mouth along hers, nothing but a delicate touch behind it.

She let out a pleased sigh and parted her lips wider, pressing harder against him allowing his tongue to tenderly dart inside to taste her. Her own fingers trailed along his back before driving upward to comb through his hair, her arms wrapping around his neck to press their bodies completely together, her breasts pressed in a full flush against his chest, her weight comfortable against him

An unexpected sound rumbled out of him as one of his hands escaped the tangle of her hair to run teasingly along her neck, causing her to shiver, his fingertips surprisingly ticklish. His hand continued to trail downwards, running along the side of her body, enjoying the sinuous shape before sinking into the lush curve of her hip. He deepened the kiss a degree, changing the angle slightly, causing a flutter of heat to sear beneath her skin.

She let him explore her, let him take full possession, as the tip of his tongue trailed along her teeth before lightly tracing the roof of her mouth, then finally plunging deeper to claim the honey sweetness within the warm cavern of her mouth. Hesitantly she met his tongue with her own and this time they both simultaneously let out a tiny delighted sound.

It was finally a complete kiss, both mutually searching and tasting more deeply of the other with each racing second, locked together in a supporting embrace that kept them afloat on melting bones. Savoring every detail about each other- taste, scent, feel everything. They kissed for quite a while before at last he drew away, pressing their foreheads together as he asked quietly, "How was that?"

"Huh?" Stephanie asked in a soft daze, her eyes glazed over.

He laughed at that and ran his fingers along her cheek again, "Aw Christ, Stephanie. You have no idea how much it killed me. All of it. I wanted to be the one. So badly I wanted it to be me."

Stephanie looked at him, her voice tender, careful, "Why?"

Shawn frowned, then shrugged as he drew his hand away, "You know why."

"Tell me. I want to hear it." She urged.

"Because."

She waited, her face full of expectation as they drew apart.

"Because….because I-"

"Tell me how you feel." She pleaded, an edge to her tone.

"I…can't," the last part came out strained, he wanted to tell her why but something held him back.

Stephanie sighed. Back to square one, she thought and looked at him with the saddest eyes, "No, it's because despite what you say, you're afraid. And I can't be afraid anymore. And I can't be around people who are."

Shawn pointed at himself in disbelief, the next words coming out on a squeak, "So now you're pushing me away?"

"No, I'm…giving you the space and time you need for the real reasons you needed them. You need to get over your…stigmatism."

"Stigmatism?"

"Shawn, you're ashamed of having feelings for me because you think they're inappropriate and it's not just because you think it's wrong for you to move in on me after what happened. Because you think you have an edge, you also are ashamed because…because you don't think I should have sexual and romantic feelings after what happened. You don't think I'm capable of them."

"I never said-"

"You didn't have to, I just know it. You think since I was raped that I can't…but I can and I do and I want you to know it but I can't make you know it, you just have to. You have to feel it. Have to allow yourself to, be free to it. And as for this situation with Hunter, if you haven't pieced it together yet, I'm not with him."

"Why?"

"Hunter," Stephanie sighed, "Hunter is a great guy, despite what you think and-no, no, you know what? I think you do know that. You know Hunter has some good qualities, you couldn't have been his friend for so long and not know them. Couldn't think, despite what he did to you, that they're gone for good. I'm sure somewhere deep inside you hope one day he'll apologize and be your friend again because you trust in those qualities that tied you to him in the first place.

"You think they're still somewhere in there and that's why you saw us being together again as only being logical. In fact, you might even think it preferable to me being with you and that's because, for all intent and purposes, Hunter is safe. I know Hunter, I've been with Hunter and he makes me happy so you figure, 'okay, good, she can be with him and it'll be fine It'll kill me but that's okay.'

"You think that's what I want, what I need. Safety. But it's not Shawn, at least, it's not what I want. Sometimes you need to do something dangerous. Something different or you'll never know…and see, that's what I see in you. But until you understand that you and I can't….we can't do anything. We're in a stalemate."

Stephanie didn't know where the words came from. Obviously she had been seeing Doctor Holden too much. And as for the courage to say them? She didn't know, all she did know was the stricken look on Shawn's face crushed her worse than any response he could have given. He grabbed his jacket and slowly moved to the door. Stephanie suddenly became desperate. She didn't want him to go, despite what she said. Not after what had happened.

"Shawn-"

"Watch Rufus for a few days, okay? I'll be back." He left without looking back.

Stephanie felt herself sit down as the sobs began to well up inside her. She pressed a hand to her lips. She could still feel him there. Could still taste him. A croaked sound of pain left her and she covered her eyes with her hands as she began to weep. She felt something nudge her knee and looked down to see the dog. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close as what she had once thought impossible happened again. Her heart breaking.