Once Stephanie arrived at the hotel she walked up to the elevator and pressed the two button, waiting for it to arrive. She patiently stood in front of it with her arms crossed over one another in an annoyed manner. It wasn't waiting that bothered her one bit, it was what Eric said about her that annoyed her so badly that she couldn't think of anything else.

Or is it that you refuse to think of anything but him? She asked herself.

Stephanie always tried to have the last laugh, or at least the last word. But this time it seemed what Eric said had effected her more then her words had cut him, or so she thought.

Stephanie finally stepped into the elevator and waited until she heard a loud ding she stepped out of the elevator and walked to her room, reaching around her pockets, thenher purse for her key card to the hotel room.

Damnit, where did I leave my card? She cursed herself in her head.

Finally she realized she didn't have it with her, that she must have left it in her rental car. Quickly she rushed to the elevator and waited for it to come back up. When she heard the distinct ding once again she stepped in and pressed the 1 button then waited.

Once she arrived at the first floor she rushed to her car, taking out her keys along the way and dangling them between her fingers.

She stopped at her car and inserted the key into the door when she felt the presence of someone behind her. She felt goosebumps on the back of her neck as the tall figure moved closer to her. Stephanie swallowed hard and turned around slowly, Great, I'm going to be face to face with a mugger or some sicko rapist.. or.. her eyes widened, Eric? The General Manager of RAW had a very unpleasant look on his face.

Stephanie put her hand on her heart and let out a nervous laugh. "You scared me! You should know better then to sneak up on people." She put her hand down and turned toward her car, unlocking it and opening the door.

"Stephanie, we have to talk." He said calmly. I hope it has nothing to do with us, there isn't even an us yet, is there?

Stephanie grabbed her key card then locked the door, turning around sharply. "About what?" She asked.

"I think you know." He said getting closer to her, a look of determination in his eyes.

Stephanie started breathing a little heavier as she locked eyes with the man she was supposed to hate.

"I don't know what you want Eric, but.." She slipped her key card in her purse then looked back at him, trying to think of something to say. Come up with something witty. She told herself.

"I'm not here to argue with you Stephanie." He said reassuringly.

That's a first. She thought.

Eric sighed, knowing what all women think lately, especially Stephanie, hadn't been a very pleasant experience for him the past couple weeks.

"Look Eric, I really.." She paused, trying to tell her pride to lay low for a minute, "I didn't mean anything I said back at the arena, I'm sorry." She let out a sigh, realizing how hard it was to tell the man she was supposed to hate that she was sorry.

Eric had a shocked expression on his face after she said the words "I'm sorry" for saying a few cruel words to him back at the arena.

"I'm surprised you even said you were sorry Princess." He smirked.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Please don't make me regret telling you I was sorry. Cause I could very well-" Stephanie suddenly felt Eric's lips press gently against hers, his hands finding his way to the curve of her back.

After the kiss was broken Stephanie looked at him with a relaxed gaze but suddenly shook it off. "We can't keep doing this Eric, it's really not good for business." She insisted.

"Who said our relationship had to be about business?" He asked as his left eyebrow raised up.

Stephanie crossed her arms. "Because I can see it all flashing in front of my eyes. We continue this.. thing we have and when I steal one of your superstars or you steal one of mine, then we'll fight and bicker, and.. it'll just end up in one big mess!"

"Who said that was a bad thing? Could lead to some amazing make up sex." He grinned from ear to ear.

"You're disgusting." She said.

"But you like it." He pointed out.

"No, I don't. That's my point. I don't want you to make the moves on me, I was happy before you came into my life Eric, I was even happier when you weren't meddling in my personal affairs." She insisted.

A small grin appeared on Eric's face.

"I know what your going to say, Eric. So save it and just leave." She said angrily.

Eric's smile turned to a frown quickly, his eyebrows pointing down showing an angry expression on his face. "What is your problem princess?"

"You were going to say something about me apologizing and make fun of me weren't you? I know you too well by now. You're so predictable." She huffed.

She would be so much better at this mind reading game I have going on then I am. It has many ups and downs, right now.. I'm seeing the downside of it. He silently thought to himself.

Stephanie sighed and wondered why she was still standing there. "Look Stephanie, yes, I was going to say something that would probably piss you off, what am I saying? It would be guaranteed to piss you off, but .." He paused, trying to think of what to say.

Stephanie half laughed.

"Would you just stop letting your McMahon pride get in the way for your feelings for me? I know how you feel about me, but your pride stands in the way. Try thinking with.." He paused for a second, just realizing what he was about to say. "Your heart for once." He said it calmly and thought to himself about how much of hypocrite he was for saying that.

"Start thinking with my heart Eric? And when have you done that? You're the one who thinks with your dick more then anything else!" She screeched while pointing at him as if she thought that would make it seem like she was making her point.

Eric put his hands in his jacket pockets for a moment and tried to think of what to say, so many thoughts passed through his mind, but not a single one was the right thing to say it seemed.

"What Eric? Did I point out the obvious like I always do and it hurt your pride like usual?" She hissed.

Eric moved closer to her but Stephanie took a step back. "Don't Eric." She put her hands up to keep him from getting any closer, "just .. leave." She pointed to the exit as she tilted her head a little to the left, trying to figure him out.

He stood there for a moment then finally turned his back to her, taking a few steps.

"That's it?" She called out.

Eric turned back. "What do you expect Stephanie?"

"Well, I thought you'd pick a fight or try and .. I don't know, at least defend yourself. This is pathetic." She almost laughed.

"I just don't think I'll ever be good enough for you Stephanie. Your standards are far too high for anyone." He cocked his head to the side as a small apathetic smile appeared.

Stephanie crossed her arms and started thinking quiet thoughts to herself. It's never been that.She thought to herself for a moment."Eric.." She walked up to him and turned him toward her, trying to get herself together for just one moment.

"It's never been that my standards are too high, it's just that.. I don't really.." Say. It. She encouraged herself in her mind. "I have a hard time trusting guys since Hunter left me." She finally let it out.

Eric didn'tlet a smug smile appear this time. He actually felt sorry for the princess.

"Stephanie, everyone knew that Hunter didn't deserve you." He said softly, getting closer to her and touched a strand of her hair with his index and middle finger.

I can't do this. I can't.. do this.. She told herself while trying to turn away from him.

"Yes you can.." Eric said as he moved closer to her.

"I can what?" Sheasked in an angry tone.

Eric kept his eyes locked with hers for a moment. He then realized he had slipped up big time. Shit. He said to himself in his head.

"You know, you've been acting very strange lately. It seems you've almost been.. able.. to.." She paused now and then. "That would be impossible." She said with a nervous laugh.

Eric seemed more then a little worried.

Stephanie noticed his expression and tried to read him. "You can.."

"No, I can't." He insisted.

Stephanie bit her lower lip for a moment then tried to think. "Look, it's really cold out here and I think we should..."

"Go to my hotel room and finish this conversation?" Eric said as his eyebrows raised up.

For once I'll be able to use my 'gift' for something useful.. He thought to himself with a grin.

"That sounds better. It looks like it's about to rain any minute and I don't want to get soaked out here." She half-smiled.

I wouldn't mind one bit. Eric thought to himself.

Stephanie started slowly heading toward the door, Eric following behind. For that night Stephanie tried not to let her thoughts take control of whatmight happen that night. Whether it would beright or wrong, it would only be just one time. Besides,she couldn't stand being alone tonight.

Authors Notes: Wish I could have put this up sooner, but the Holiday's are very busy. But since I'll be home more, I should be finishing up this story within the next couple weeks. Hope everyone likes the story.