1Stephanie smiled to herself as she saw Trish leap into Chris's arms. She was glad her best friend was so incredibly happy. It made her believe in happy endings, not that this was the ending to some sort of movie, or soap opera, or television show. This was life, and it was so beautiful. She had gotten so sappy since Randy had told her parents off, and as she leaned against the starched, blue fabric of his dress shirt that he was wearing for the show...and had been wearing since he woke up today. Quite the contrast from her red jogging pants and matching red tank top.

"Isn't it romantic," Stephanie sang to Randy as she looked over at Chris and Trish.

"Maybe we should leave them alone."

"But I'm trying to improve my spying skills. I'm trying out for the CIA...oh shit, now I have to kill you because you know."

"Please don't, I enjoy being with you far too much to die."

"Well, when you put it like that, all I can do is sigh and wish that I was a southern belle and you were pushing me on a giant swing while my hair flowed freely through the balmy, southern air."

"Stephanie, is it pretty in the world that you live in?"

"It's very pretty, it's all very sparkly and twinkly, why do you ask?"

He didn't answer, just leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back and put her hand on the back of his neck. She didn't notice that Chris had started to walk over to them, but saw her kissing Randy and decided to leave well enough alone. He went over to Trish and took her hand in his.

"So are you glad to see me?" Trish asked coyly.

"As glad I am whenever they give me extra fortune cookies when I get Chinese food, and let me tell you, that's a lot."

Trish laughed, "Well I'm glad to know I'm on par with the fortune cookies."

Chris leaned down and brushed her blonde hair back behind her shoulder and kissed her softly. He trailed a kiss up her jaw and she ducked her head a little. He leaned in closely to her ear as she wrapped an arm around him to pull him a little bit closer.

"You're a little higher than fortune cookies," he whispered right into her ear.

"Even better," she whispered back.

He pulled away and smiled, "And since it looks like Stephanie is about to suck Randy's face off, how about we go get some food, because I'm starving and I think I need something to eat before I rip off my own arm and just chomp on that."

"And I don't want to date a one-armed man, so I guess I'll go with you."

Trish linked her arm through Chris's as they walked to wherever catering was for that evening. Chris was happy to be with Trish; she really was one-of-a-kind. He vaguely wondered what Christian thought of this arrangement since he also had a crush on Trish. But he didn't want to admit that he was better than Christian was, even if it was the truth.

Just as they turned the corner, they saw Vince and Linda walking up ahead of them, both of them looking at some papers in a manila envelope. Chris was still a little angry that they had made her cry, but in times past, she hadn't had anyone to lean on. Now she had Randy to lean on, and she didn't need him. It was nice that she had someone, but to not feel needed...it was a little sad.

Linda looked up and saw him. Nothing could hide the sour look on her face, but then she nudged Vince. Vince looked over at her and she looked at him and he looked straight ahead to see Chris walking with Trish. At this point, Chris was talking animatedly to Trish in order to ignore any looks he was going to get from Vince and Linda.

"Chris Jericho, we need to talk," Vince's strong voice said as Chris looked up at him.

"Look, I don't know where Stephanie is."

"This isn't about where she is, be in my office in no more than ten minutes."

"Is this about the show?"

"Be in the office."

"Whatever," Chris said with a sigh as they walked past.

"What do you think that was all about?" Trish asked once Vince and Linda were out of earshot.

"I don't know what that was bout, because they hate me. I imagine it has something to do with them paying me off in order to stop being friends with Stephanie. Like that would stop me. Even if they did try to pay me off, I'd just pull a Romeo and Juliet. Minus the suicide of course, I mean, nothing says, 'this story sucks,' anymore than a double suicide."

"You ramble a lot," Trish laughed.

"I better go to the office and see what they want."

"I thought you were about to chomp through your arm?"

"I am, but it's better than getting shot in the back of the neck by any of Vince's cronies. I can just picture it now, me running through the hills and them chasing after me until they shoot me down and then they laugh and laugh."

"It won't be so bad, meet up with me in catering," Trish said, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Chris walked down the hallway like he was walking to an execution. He didn't like interacting with Vince and Linda period. They had been happy to sign him, he remembered, they were promising great things for him. Those things had happened, but the dark cloud over him, the dark cloud that was his friendship with their daughter. It was like they thought that Stephanie hadn't been outgoing before she met him, but obviously they didn't know their daughter at all if they thought that.

He walked into the office without knocking and looked at Vince and Linda, who both sat there and stared at him. It was not unlike the stare that he often received when they saw him with Stephanie. He walked over and plopped himself down in the chair across from Vince's large desk. He gave an emotionless glance to them and shrugged.

"You wanted to see me," he said nonchalantly.

"Yes, we wanted to talk to you...it's come to our attention our daughter thinks very fondly of you."

Chris scoffed, "When did you come to that brilliant conclusion?"

"We didn't ask for a smartass," Vince said, "We asked a question."

"Yes, she's fond of me," Chris answered, "Is that what you wanted to know? Because you could've just asked me when we were in the hallway."

"No, that's not it, but you must've known that she was dating Randy Orton."

"She's dating Randy Orton, are you kidding me! I didn't know this at all! When did this happen, I need to talk to Stephanie! Oh my God, was that the guy I saw her with! NO! I can't believe this," Chris said, trying his best to sound like he didn't know. Vince and Linda were not amused.

"As our daughter's...friend, we wanted to know if you could inform us about our daughter's relationship with Randy Orton. As far as we're concerned, we want our daughter to only have the best. Don't you want that for Stephanie, Chris?" Linda said calmly.

"I've always wanted what was best for Stephanie. And I think Stephanie knows what's best for her? That's what makes her so special, in that she's a smart girl and she makes smart decisions. Maybe you don't think anything she does is smart. Maybe you think her biggest mistake is being friends with me, but Stephanie knows what's best for her, trust me."

"So you're not willing to help?"

Chris couldn't believe them and what they were trying to do. They were actually trying to what? Turn him against Stephanie? Make them choose them over Stephanie? They really didn't know him, and they really didn't know Stephanie. But of all this, the main thing they didn't know was that his friendship with Stephanie was the most important thing in the world to him, and he didn't go against his best friend.

"No, I'm not."

"You're going to lose her if they keep this up," Vince told him, "You're going to lose her."

"What do you mean?"

"She'll start spending more and more time with Randy, they may get married, and where do you think that's going to leave you Chris."

"I think that's going to leave me...probably in the guest room whenever I go over there. I usually stay in the guest bedroom anyways. We just call it my room. Sometimes she falls asleep in my room, she can be a little annoying at night, but I'm fine with that. Oh well, see you guys," Chris said cheerfully as he got up and gave them a small wave before leaving.

"Do my eyes deceive me, or was my Snooks coming out of my parent's office?" Stephanie said, feigning shock.

"No, I'm a hologram and I'm really around the corner projecting this to freak you out. I dare you to try and hug me and see how hard you fall into the door once you go through my holographic body."

"Wow, I want to be a hologram too. Then I can be in two places at once. Instead of having to run between two places and change in a phone booth or a public bathroom or something."

"Change in a phone booth? What are you, a superhero."

"I'm Super Stephy!" Stephanie said, putting her hands on her hips and taking a decidedly super-heroic pose.

Chris picked her up from the waist. "Then I'm the..."

"Super Snooks," Stephanie answered, "And we can fight crime and conquer the super villains, the Mysterious McMahons."

"You've thought about this too much. Oooh, I get dibs on the invisibility."

"Fine, but I get the super strength," Stephanie said, "And you'll look like the wimp that you are."

"Hey, that's not fair!"

"Seems fair to me," Stephanie said, "So where's the blonde bombshell, Snooks?"

"Catering, she thinks I'm still in a meeting so I can hang out with you. And where is the dreamboat?"

"Being totally like dreamy," she said in a valley girl voice, "Ok, so spill the beans, why were you conversing with Drone One and Drone Two."

"I haven't spilled the beans. I don't even like beans unless they're on the super nachos from--"

"Answer before I kick you."

"They wanted me to tell them all about you."

"You mean to tell me they've forgotten who I am! Really! This is like the happiest day of my life!" Stephanie said, jumping up and down and clapping.

"No, they didn't forget who you were Stephers. Though I did try to sneak that frying pan in there to hit them over the heads with it. I would've rigged up the good old safe to drop on their heads, but I figured that was too much work. Not to mention I couldn't get the number of Acme in time for the show."

"Well damn, you know that's like the first number in my Rolodex. What would we do without our Acme supplies."

"I think we'd still be chasing after that damn Roadrunner," Chris said, balling up his fist, "Damn thing, always getting away at the last moment. Do you know how many times I've fallen for the painting of the tunnel on the rock."

"Now we're not talk about Rocky are we? Because if he has a tunnel, I don't want to know about it."

"No, just a big boulder in the middle of the desert type of rock. Are there big boulders in the desert, I thought it was sandy."

"Do we need to go to the Discovery store again and stock up on books?"

"No, no, we don't. As for Drone One and Drone Two, I didn't tell them anything. They tried though Stephers. They shone the light in my face and everything. I was truly terrified for life. They could've sent me up the river. I'm too pretty to go to jail!"

"I'd post your bail," Stephanie said, patting his cheek, "I couldn't let my pretty Snooks get violated in prison, now could I?"

"Aww, thank you Stephers, I love you."

"I know you do, and it's because of that love that I put up with you."

"I put up with you Stephers. You're lucky I didn't press charges after you scalded me."

"Yeah, like you would've won anything."

"Yeah, I know. I underestimated your persistence."

"And you shouldn't have done that, right Snooks?" she said in a gentle, scolding voice.

"No, I shouldn't have," Chris said with a pout, "I don't know what came over me. I should never doubt you. You are the wind beneath my wings Stephers, the wind."

"But you're the wind beneath MY wings."

"We can't both be wind you know."

"What's wrong with being the wind? Remember that episode of the Cosby Show where Rudy was the wind, and she wanted to be the sun, but the wind was better. Because people remember the wind."

"Who the hell remembers the wind?"

"Meteorologists," Stephanie said, matter-of-factly.

"Oh, well you got me there," Chris said, "Shucks, you win again."

"I'm always the winner," she said, extending her arms out in victory. "Oh, which reminds me, you have a match tonight."

"And who is this match against pray tell?"

"Um...Edge, I think, yeah, I think it's Edge. Could be Kane though. I really should have read that schedule more thoroughly though."

"Yeah, and I'm still a loner, I want someone to accompany me," Chris whined.

"Snooks, you know that the blonde bombshell is with Christian for the time-being."

"Can I have you with me Stephers?" Chris asked, sidling up to her.

"With you for what Snooks? As your best friend? Aww, I'm honored."

"You know what I mean."

"I know what you mean, but I don't think it'll happen. You know how my parents hate to have me out there. They think I'm too fragile to be out there. Of course Shane gets to go and act like a fool half of the time, but for me, it's like forbidden or something."

"Oh well, whenever you do come back, I want it to be with me. I miss your crazy ass being with me."

"Even after last time when everyone said I humiliated you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He thought back fondly to when they had played as business partners. Most of the stuff they did in that feud had been one immense inside joke. Down to the comment he made that she looked like a movie star, it was all just one huge joke for them. The hand lotion was the best part. They had thought that up the night before when they had had a lotion fight in their hotel room. Stephanie had accidentally dropped some lotion on Chris's stomach and he took some and splatted it onto her face and it ended in an all-out war like it usually did.

"People just never know the true story behind anything," Chris said. "They think they know everything, but they don't. It's like, did they even know the brand of lotion you made me get? Or do they know that you keep a small stuffed dog next to your pillow that you got from your grandfather when you were three?"

"Shut up about Mr. FooFoo."

"And if I don't?"

"Bugsy."

"I'm shutting up."

"Ha, I know all your secrets, and you have nothing on me, NOTHING," she said, giving a loud, evil, laugh from her belly.

"I'll get you Stephy, and your little dog too," Chris cackled, yes cackled. Then he turned serious for a second, "I'd never tell your parents anything that you didn't want them to know."

"I know," she smiled softly. "It's kind of why I wanted you to be my best friend in the first place. That and you have a cute butt, so if I wanted to ever slap it, because it's so cute, then I would have to become your friend so I could do it under the pretense that I was your friend. See how that works."

"So when are we going to get to that point in our friendship when it's ok for me to grab your boobs?" he asked.

She touched his cheek with her hand and looked at him sweetly. "Never."

"And why is that!"

"Because they're off limits to you."

"Oh, but my ass isn't off-limits."

"Look at it this way Snooks. Your ass is like...the Jungle Cruise. Anybody can ride it, no age limit. And while it's fun and interesting, it's still just another ride that is up for grabs. Now my boobs, they're like...well, they're like the Matterhorn--"

"Yes, they are as big as a mountain peak," he nodded.

She narrowed her eyes at him and shoved him, "That's not what I meant."

"Oh, it wasn't, well then I must've gotten my signals screwed up then. Do proceed Stephers, enlighten me on your Matterhorns."

"Fine, they're like Space Mountain."

"Still mountains."

"Fine, they're like Thunder--damn, they're like...a ride with an age limit and a height requirement. It's a better ride and therefore has stricter rules."

"But I like the Jungle Cruise. Whenever you go under the waterfall, they say, here's the back of a waterfall. And then with the elephants and stuff, fun, good times."

"But is it as good as the Haunted Mansion?"

"Are you crazy or something woman!"

"Exactly my point. Thank the Lord for Walt Disney and his happiest place on Earth so that I could adequately describe this to you."

"You could've used the Oreo vs. Double Stuff Oreo debate. I would've liked that too. But then I would've felt like Oreos."

"Chris, I've been waiting for you!" Trish called out as she walked over, "Where did you disappear to?"

"Crap, I forgot about her."

"Ooh, you're going to be in trouble. She's probably going to take you somewhere and have you caned or something. Or you might have to watch every single one of Hunter's matches in order."

"No!" Chris said, running away with his arms flailing.

Stephanie laughed, "You're not allowed to do the Test run silly!"

Chris ran back over and then to Trish, "Sorry Trish, I got caught up with Stephanie."

"That happens a lot doesn't it?"

"Only when either the sun or moon is in the sky. Otherwise, nope."

"I have to go anyways," Stephanie said, "Randy's waiting for me, see you."

She walked away and Chris couldn't help but notice that she barely said a goodbye to him. That was unusual. She usually always said something in the way of a goodbye to him. She once said it was in case it was ever the last time she saw him, she wanted him to remember her well. He thought it silly, but he had gotten used to it by now, and it was a little disappointing that she hadn't even said goodbye.

Maybe Vince and Linda, for once, were right, and he was going to lose Stephanie to Randy. He didn't like that thought one bit, and as Trish started to pull him towards their locker room, he became increasingly worried that he was going to lose her. What if the universe pulled them apart. He was not two steps further when he felt two arms wrap around his neck from behind and felt someone press a kiss to his cheek.

"I'll see you later Snooks, I want the extra pillow from your room because I hate these damn fluffy pillows, and like I would not say goodbye to you. What if this was the last time I saw you? I'd want you to remember me well."

Chris smiled.

She always did remember.