Disclaimer: I do not own the characters that are mentioned in this fic they are the sole property of the WWE and themselves.

Chapter 4

Paul remained in the diva locker room for quite some time. He was completely devastated. How could he pursue her now? He cared about her like he had never cared about anyone in his life. Instead of denying what he felt for her in the past and pushing her away, even causing her to hate him, he could have told her back then how much she meant to him and they could possibly be together today. He wasn't sure if it was love but it sure felt like it. He knew that he couldn't live with out her in his life. She asked him to stay away from her if he cared about her but he wasn't sure if he could do that. He needed her like he needed air to breathe. If only things were different. If only he didn't marry Stephanie. Their marriage shouldn't even be called a marriage. It is more of an agreement than anything. It was true that at one time he did have feelings for her but then that all went downhill when her jealousy took over and destroyed the beautiful friendship that he had with Trish. She threatened his job as well as hers and he had to do the only thing that could be done and that was to marry her and end all ties to Trish. As much as it pained him to do so, he knew it had to be done. She had him wrapped around her little finger because of his love for the business and for Trish.

Paul held his head in his hands as he contemplated on what to do next. He had to find a way to get her into his life. Even if he had to just be her friend for now. He was sure that their on-screen romance would drive her over the edge. Eric let him read a few weeks ahead in the scripting and he and Trish had many scenes where they would be attached at the lips as well as ample body contact. She would be putty in his hands. He would just have to lay on the charm a bit more than usual. Before long she would be eating out of the palm of his hands. He hated being devious but it was the only way.

Paul decided that the best thing to do was to go out and hang with his friends. Besides, he was pretty sure that his Evolution buddies would be at the same club as Trish and her friends. He would at least be able to admire her beauty from afar and maybe even sneak in a slow dance with her. Paul got up from the bench that he was sitting on and headed out of the locker room, headed for the club.

Trish made her way through the crowded club over to the corner table where her friends resided. She was so glad that the night was over with. She didn't have to look at Paul at least until the house show on Saturday. She hoped that she would have him out of her mind by then. Who was she kidding? There was no way that she could ever get that man out of her head no matter how hard she tried.

Stacy smiled warmly as she noticed her friend heading over to their table. Trish smiled back and was greeted by the rest of her friends as she approached. "Hey guys, sorry I am late." "The water was cold in the showers so I had to wait for it to warm up," she lied. They didn't need to know what really happened and she certainly wasn't about to tell anyone. "So what did I miss?"

"Well diva, you missed your buddy Jay here falling on the ground and making an ass-clown out of himself." "I swear the dude has two left feet," Chris stated matter-of-factly.

Trish started to giggle as she visualized it in her head. She always could count on them to make her smile even when she was in the worst mood. "I cannot believe I missed that. How did you manage that one Jay? Have you had one too many already or are you always that casual?"

"Ha, Ha, Ha, Trish, very funny. I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. Don't forget last month when you went flying down the front steps of the Tsongas Arena or did that slip your mind?"

Trish scowled and stuck her tongue out at her friend. "Yeah but don't forget dear, it was because the stairs were a sheet of ice and I was certainly not drinking so there." Trish stuck her tongue out at him again as Jay started to tickle her.

Chris got up from the table and pointed at Trish, "The usual right?" Trish nodded her head in agreement. "You got it babe." Chris kissed the top of her head and headed off to the bar.

"So," Trish teased, "How are my two favorite love-birds?"

Stacy and Adam didn't pay her any mind. They were to busy locking lips to respond to her. They had to be the cutest couple that Trish had ever seen in her life. She smiled at her friends, knowing full well that they were madly and love and she couldn't be happier for the both of them.

Chris came back with two drinks for Trish. Chris knew her better than anyone and he didn't want to have to fight through the crowd in another five minutes after Trish sucked the drink down. He swore that she was a fish. She really could pound them down with the best of them. He never could figure out how a tiny little thing like her could drink so much and never get too drunk.

Trish felt herself relaxing more and more. This was exactly what she needed. She was out having a good time with her best friends in the world and she didn't have to worry about Randy or Paul bothering her and causing her to feel things that she didn't want to feel.

While the friends made small talk, a beautiful long-legged brunette came over to the table and asked Jay to dance. Jay checked the woman out from head to toe and liked what he had seen. He took the woman's hand and headed out to the dance floor.

Chris glanced at Trish giving her his pouty lip. He knew that she would give in like she always did. Chris loved the song that was playing and really loved to dance. Trish knew right away what he wanted and just smiled back, surrendering to him. "Oh alright Chris, you win again. I really wish you would stop giving me the lip and those gorgeous baby blues though. Couldn't you just ask? You know I am going to say yes. Why must you insist on tormenting me?"

Trish and Chris giggled as they headed out to the dance floor. Adam and Stacy weren't too far behind. "Geesh, I am surprised that they came up for air," Trish said jokingly. Chris laughed out loud agreeing with the diva. Trish moved into Chris's open arms and placed her head onto his shoulder as they began to sway to the music. The way the two of them fit into each other's arms anyone would think that they were a couple. However, they were anything but. They meant the world to each other but never overstepped the boundaries of the friendship. Jay and Chris were the best of friends just as Stacy and Trish were, but the bond that Trish and Chris shared was indescribable. Nobody ever questioned it. They just accepted it for what it was.

I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes
I want to be the touch you need every single night
I want to be your fantasy
And be your reality
And everything between

Trish snuggled into Chris even further listening to the music play in the background, the words of the song piercing her heart. No matter what she did, she couldn't get Paul out of her head. She thought about the way that her body responded from his touch. He knew all the right places to touch her. His mouth was mind-boggling. He did things to her with his tongue that drove her senseless. He was her fantasy in every way. However, the reality of it was that he was married and would never be hers.

I want you to need me
Like the air you breathe
I want you to feel me
In everything
I want you to see me
In your every dream
The way that I taste you feel you breathe you need you
I want you to need me
Like I need you

She did want him to need her but at the same time she wanted to have nothing to do with him. Wanting him only would cause her more pain. She couldn't fall like that. She wouldn't allow it. He made her weak inside and that scared the hell out of her but at the same time called out to her.

I want to be the eyes that look deep into your soul
I want to be the world to you
I just want it all
I want to be your deepest kiss
The answer to your every wish
I'm all you ever need

Trish thought of how he had gazed deeply into her eyes. He read her like a book. No words were necessary because he could see into her soul. He affected her on so many levels. His kiss was unreal. She felt as if he was crawling inside of her. Trish couldn't take it anymore. Tears started to rack her body and she began to cry uncontrollably. She couldn't hide it any longer. Here emotions were so screwed up. She didn't know what to do or where to turn.

Chris felt her body shaking and then the hot tears as they fell down onto his shirt. He pulled Trish away from him and looked into her eyes. His heart broke as he could see the look of despair in her beautiful hazel eyes. "Trish sweetie, what's wrong?" He pulled her against his chest squeezing tightly, allowing Trish to let out all of her pent up frustrations. He stroked her hair gently placing a few strands behind her ears. He whispered reassuring words into her ear trying to calm her down. He had no idea what brought this on but right now all he was concerned about what getting her to stop crying.

Trish wasn't sure if it was the alcohol that brought this on or if it was the fact that she was making herself sick thinking about him and her emotions just took over. She knew that she had to get out of there. There was no way that she could stay. Trish let go of Chris and attempted to leave the club. However, Chris wouldn't have any of that. He wanted an explanation and he wanted one now. He took her hand in his and led her across the dance floor over to a couch in the opposite corner of the room from where they were sitting and gently sat her down on the couch. "Okay Trish, spill it woman." "Tell me what is wrong right now," he demanded.

Trish knew that Chris meant business. Defeated, she started to explain what had been going on with her. "Chris, I don't know what to do. I am completely confused and I, I, I just don't know Chris." Trish lowered her head resting it against her tiny hands. "It's okay Trish," he cooed. "You can tell me anything, you know that. Please let me know what is hurting you so deeply. He gently rubbed her back as Trish tried to regain her composure.

She took a deep breath and continued on. "It all started last week when I was forced by Eric Bischoff to join Evolution. I was beyond pissed to say the least. So he tells me if I don't join that I will be fired right on the spot. Well of course I had no choice but to give in. So he leaves me alone in the room with Evolution to discuss what was going to happen the following week."

Trish paused briefly, taking in a deep breath again, getting up the nerve to continue. Chris placed his hand gently on her shoulder for reassurance, telling her to continue on. "Well, as you know, Paul and I were great friends a few years back and what nobody knew at the time was that I think I had fallen in love with him during our time together." Chris raised his brow in complete shock. This was all new to him.

"So, anyhow, we were supposed to be involved in a storyline where we ended up together but his jealous girlfriend decided that we were a little too close for comfort and ended it before it even got started. Along with the storyline, our friendship ended as well. He never spoke to me ever again except to call me names. I honestly don't know what happened but I am willing to bet it has Stephanie written all over it."

Chris nodded his head in agreement. He also had faced the wrath of Stephanie McMahon and was all too familiar with how she played her games. Chris was forced to start all over again, clawing and scratching his way to the top, all because he had turned down her sex proposal. "Sweetie, Stephanie McMahon is the biggest trash bag Ho that I have ever met in my life. I wouldn't put it past her. I can Guaran-Damn-Tee that it was her that made your friendship expire."

"So here we are two years later and it was like nothing ever happened. As soon as he spoke to me the first time, I saw my Paul. I saw the man that I had known standing in front of me like he had never gone away. All the feelings that I had for him came rushing back. I can't get him out of my head Chris. "What am I supposed to do," she asked pleadingly. "What am I supposed to do?"

Chris took Trish into his arms again trying to take away her pain. He could see that this was eating her up inside. He wished that he had the right words to say to her but none seemed to come to mind. The only thing that he could do was to just be there for her. Hopefully things would work themselves out. "Do you know if he feels the same way as you do honey?"

Trish nodded her head. "That is the thing Chris." "He showed me how he felt, earlier on tonight," she explained. "We had to kiss on-screen tonight and we both got carried away. Before I had come here he stopped by my locker room and questioned me about it. Then he kissed me like I had never been kissed in my life. I was completely blown away by it all. I reciprocated at first but then I shoved him away telling him that it could never happen again. He was a married man and I was unattainable. Our relationship has to be strictly platonic Chris. I can't be the other woman. I will not be his mistress."

Chris held onto Trish as her tears started to flow freely again. He felt horrible for his friend and wished that he could take all of her pain away. "Sweetie, all I can really say to you is, give him a chance to prove himself to you before you close the door on him forever. I can see how much he means to you and it wouldn't be right if you didn't give it a chance to work out. I am sure that his marriage isn't what you think it is. If I know Steph like I think I do, I know for a fact that she has got something on him and that is why he cannot break free."

Trish smiled weakly, thankful that Chris was there to talk to her. He always seemed to make her feel better no matter what was going on in her life. "I don't know Chris, all I know is that I don't want to be in pain and Randy Orton is single and wants to date me. He and I shared a kiss the other night and I have been blowing him off since. I think I might give him a shot and see what happens there. Who knows, I might fall madly in love with him and forget all about Paul."

Chris smiled back at his girl giving her the reassurance that she was making the right decision but deep down, he knew it would be a big mistake. Trying to forget someone that you love that deeply is a difficult thing to do. Chris knew first hand. He still pined away for Stephanie at times even though he hated her. "Come on sweetie, go touch up your makeup and head back over to the table with us. You need to have a good time tonight." Trish got up from her place on the couch and headed towards the bathroom, taking her friend's advice.

Little did Trish know was that Randy, Paul, Dave and Ric had entered the club while Chris and Trish were talking. Randy had caught sight of her as she entered the bathroom. Tonight, he was going to make his move. He was going to do everything within his power to make Trish his.