Somehow Shawn and Cassandra managed to get all of her things into the hotel room. As she set down the bags Cassandra eyed the bed longingly. Despite her words earlier, her fatigue had caused her headache to worsen. As if sensing her exhaustion Shawn came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. "Why don't you go change into something more comfortable and I'll give you a massage before you go to sleep?" he whispered softly in her ear, his honeyed tone lulling her senses.

"Sounds great," Cassandra agreed lazily, laying one of her hands over his, "I'll be right back." Reluctantly she pulled out of his embrace and pulled a set of powder blue silk pajamas out of one of her bags. She moved towards the bathroom to change.

When Cassie emerged Shawn was laying on the bed, propping himself up on an elbow, "Come here, babe," Shawn beckoned gently.

Cassandra shivered, as his warm hazel eyes seemed to caress her body and spirit. Moving slowly her exhaustion seeming to pull at every muscle she shuffled over to the bed and lay down facing him.

Shawn reached out and stroked her hair soothingly. Cassandra's eyes fell closed under his ministrations. "Lay down on your stomach, sweetheart."

Slowly Cassandra did as he asked. Shawn shifted next to her and then she couldn't help but let out a moan of pleasure as the massage began. His talented fingers started at her shoulders and worked their way down. He seemed to know exactly how hard to rub and where. "Oooh, Shawn," she breathed, "That feels so good."

Shawn continued to move down her body until he reached her legs, "Turn over," he ordered gently. Cassandra again obeyed and was rewarded when he began to rub her thighs and then her calves. Finally he moved down and began to rub her small feet.

Cassandra was in a state of bliss, she hovered on the borderline of sleep and wakefulness. Finally she felt Shawn set her feet down and begin to move away. "Shawn," she called sleepily opening her eyes to half-mast, "Stay with me?"

Shawn hesitated a moment before moving back to lie beside her. Shawn pulled her to him, her head coming to rest peacefully against his chest, "Sleep, Princess," he whispered kissing her forehead, "You need it."

Cassie murmured unintelligibly before drifting completely off to the land of Nod.

Several hours later Cassandra began to stir her hand instinctively feeling around for Shawn. When she didn't find him she opened her eyes startled and sat up. "Shawn?" she called softly.

After a moment Shawn came out of the bathroom, "I'm here, darlin'," He told her with a smile, "Feel better?"

"Much," she assured him with a smile.

"Good," Shawn replied coming to sit next to her on the bed, "Because I made reservations for us at one of the local establishments," Shawn looked down a moment suddenly uncertain, "I-uh set out one of your new dresses," he told her shyly, "You don't have to wear it, I mean I would never tell you how to dress, but I thought you looked beautiful in it and I- I was hoping you'd wear it tonight."

Cassandra couldn't help but smile again. He was so sweet, "That's okay, Shawn," she assured him, "I'll wear it." Impulsively she leaned forward and pressed her lips firmly to his. Shawn's strong arms wrapped around her and he deepened the kiss gaining access to her entrance and stroking his tongue against hers. Cassandra sighed into his mouth and responded eagerly

Shawn's hands moved in soothing circles up and down her back leaving her skin tingling. Shawn was not the first man that she had ever kissed but none of them had ever kissed like this. His kiss was more intoxicating than the finest wine and the longer the kiss lasted the more Cassandra craved.

Suddenly Shawn dragged himself away and Cassandra was taken aback by the strength of the desire and passion in his eyes. Instinctively she felt her body start to respond to the unspoken demand in his eyes. After a long moment however, Shawn turned away and stood up. "I better let you get ready," he said uncomfortably.

Cassandra blinked in surprise. Green eyes dropped uncertainly to the floor. For a moment he had seemed to want her so badly that it hurt. And now . . . now he'd turned away. She didn't understand the sudden change.

Shawn glanced back down at her and mentally cursed himself as a damn fool. She had misinterpreted his withdrawal as a rejection. The Heartbreak reached down and took her hands pulling her to her feet. Shawn kissed her again softly and whispered, "I can't wait to see you in that dress," he told her bringing her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

Cassandra nodded and smiled somewhat reassured by this act of affection. "I'd better hurry then, huh?" she replied moving to gather her things before retreating to the bathroom.

As the bathroom door clicked shut Shawn let out a sigh. "This girl is going to be the death of me." Shaking his head Shawn retrieved his own luggage and opened a large suitcase, selecting his attire for the night.

A little over an hour later, Shawn sat on the couch idly flipping through the channels. Vaguely he heard the bathroom door open and turned his head. When his eyes settled on Cassandra he froze. The Heartbreaker's jaw dropped in awe. He'd never seen anything more beautiful in his life. The pale blue gown fell gracefully down her body accentuating her curves and flawless skin. The sequins of the dress caught the light, sparkling merrily. A slit to mid-thigh showed off her perfectly shaped legs. Slowly Shawn rose to his feet, "You're beautiful," he told hoarsely.

"Thank you," she replied softly her eyes raking over his figure. The tux he wore emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular chest and abdomen. Cassandra had never seen a more handsome man in her life, "You look very handsome, Shawn."

Shawn felt himself blush and his palms grew sweaty. Get a hold of yourself, Shawn, he scolded himself, you're acting like a school boy.

Shaking himself Shawn moved forward to stand before Cassie and with a shaking hand reached out to take her hand and brought it to his lips kissing her knuckles lightly, 'You really are beautiful," he repeated softly.

Cassandra smiled almost shyly feeling her heart flutter as her eyes met his.

"Shall we go?" Shawn suggested still holding her hand, his thumb caressing her fingers.

Cassandra nodded and moved to the door taking Shawn's arm and allowing him to lead her to the elevator and then down into the lobby. He guided her out the door and there waiting in front was a long black limousine. "Oh Shawn," she whispered her eyes wide in surprise.

"Your carriage awaits, M'lady," Shawn told her with a smile.

Cassandra smiled and leaned over to plant a soft kiss on Shawn's cheek. Of course she had ridden in limousines countless times before but this time it seemed so special. Cassandra realized that it made her feel special. The Chauffer opened the door for them and Cassandra climbed in followed closely by Shawn.

After they were situated Shawn reached over and retrieved a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. First he filled a glass for Cassandra and then one for himself, "To the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on," he toasted a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Cassandra blushed and laughed before sipping the champagne, "Shawn," she said indicating the limo in which they sat, "This is incredible. You didn't have to do all of this."

Shawn smiled, "I wanted to," he told her, "You deserve it."

Cassandra leaned over and pressed her lips to Shawn's. He returned the kiss and then deepened it. Cassandra tangled her fingers in his hair and allowed a sigh to escape her lips and Shawn took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her sweet entrance. Shawn groaned at the taste of her. She was so sweet. Nectar for the gods. Slowly, reluctantly Shawn pulled back placing a kiss on her forehead. Cassandra giggled and wiped some of her lipstick from his lips.

Their eyes locked and Cassandra felt a shiver run through as she saw the heated look in his eyes. The spell was broken however when the limo pulled to a stop and their door was opened. Shawn smiled and climbed out and stopped waiting for her to do the same. Shawn reached out and took her hand wrapping it around his arm. As he led her into the restaurant she felt like a Queen being led to her throne. People around them whispered and stared some recognizing them from TV, others simply struck by how beautiful of a couple they made.

Once they had been seated Cassandra took a minute to take in her surroundings. The place was beautiful. The tables were made of cherry, the floor was black marble, and above in the center of an area cleared for dancing hung a large crystal chandelier. "This place is beautiful, Shawn," she told him with an awed smile.

"But not half as beautiful as you," Shawn told her softly. Cassandra blushed and Shawn did the same a moment later. He had not meant to say that out loud. What's happening to ya, Shawn? he asked himself, You're going all soft and mushy here!

Shawn cleared his throat and changed the subject, "Have you talked to Shane yet?"

Cassandra shook her head. "No, but I'm going to call him tomorrow morning. I want him there when I sign that contract on RAW."

"Your father is going to be furious," Shawn reminded her gently, "You know he's not going to take this well."

"I know," Cassandra replied with a sigh, "But my mind is made up."

Shawn saw how unhappy this line of questioning was making her and changed the subject yet again, "How about we take a look at the menu, hmmm?"

Cassandra gave him a small smile and picked up her menu. Several minutes later their waiter arrived and took their orders. He left and returned shortly with a bottle of wine.

As they sipped their wine Shawn studied his beautiful companion for a moment, "Tell me about yourself, Princess."

Cassandra looked up surprised, "What do you want to know?" she asked not quite understanding.

Shawn leaned back in his seat, "Well, everything I know about you is from the last couple of days. Tell me about your childhood stuff like that."

Cassandra shrugged, "There's not a lot to tell. I grew up on the family estate in Greenwich. Because Mom and Dad were away so much I was mostly raised by our housekeeper, Nancy."

"That must have been hard having your parents on the road so much," Shawn commented taking another sip from his glass.

Cassandra thought a moment, "It wasn't too bad. I mean I love Nancy and she loved us like we were her own kids. It didn't really get to be lonely until Shane and Stephanie started traveling with the company too. I wanted to join them but Daddy insisted that I attend college first and get a degree. So, I attended college and got a degree in English Writing."

"English Writing?" Shawn asked curiously, "Did you want to be a novelist or something?"

Cassandra laughed, "No, not that I wouldn't love to write a book someday but I centered my studies on public relations. I never meant to be in the spotlight. I would have been happy working behind the scenes."

"You still learned to wrestle though. Why if you never intended to use it.?" Shawn inquired.

"It was fun, "Cassandra said simply, "It was a great work out and it is the center of the family business. I got the basics from an instructor and then Hunter polished me. I've learned a lot from him. Just like he learned from you."

Shawn looked down at his hands at the reminder of his friendship with Hunter. Cassandra saw the sadness in his beautiful blue eyes and reached across the table to cover his hand with hers, "How could things end up like this for you and Hunter? You were so close."

Shawn shrugged, "I guess Hunter didn't want me to steal his thunder. He's got it all now. I guess he was afraid I'd try to mess that up." Shawn sighed, "I know where he's coming from, at one time I would have done the exact same thing. But not to him. I thought that he would have known that."

Cassandra smiled understandingly, "Hunter has worked hard to get where he's at. You know how much he was kept back. Wrestling is everything to him. He gave up my sister because of it. If he looses his position as the Game, his reputation as the Cerebral Assasin, in Hunter's eyes he'll have lost everything."

Shawn shook his head, "I've worked hard too," he replied anger creeping into his voice. "I hadn't wrestled in four years. The doctors said I never would."

Cassandra arched an eyebrow, "When you returned as a member of the N.W.O. did you have any intentions of wrestling?"

Shawn shook his head, "None. I just wanted to be a part of it again, even if I had to do it from the sidelines."

"But you have wrestled. You put on the match of a lifetime at Summerslam. The entire wrestling world held their breath, Shawn!" Cassandra exclaimed, "If Hunter hadn't been such a jerk would you have ever gotten back into that ring?"

"That is not why Hunter betrayed me!" Shawn said in disbelief.

"No," Cassandra agreed, "But, in a round about way it turned out to be a good thing. Didn't it?"

Shawn opened his mouth to protest but stopped short and stared at Cassandra in surprise. Cassandra squeezed his hand, "I'm not condoning what Hunter did to you, Shawn. What he did was wrong. But look at how far you've come as a result."

Shawn sat in a contemplative silence and further conversation was put off when their waiter arrived with their dinner. Cassandra picked up her fork and began to eat leaving Shawn to mull over what she had said.