I think my story is taking a different turn to how I originally planned so I'll just wing it and see how it turns out. Just making things up as I go along now…

The Aftermath

It was the next day and the team were all floating around the locker rooms at base. Christian and Michael were chattering away and Josh was heading for the showers after being at the gym. Shannon walked in and they suddenly quietened, looking at her, remembering the tape they saw. Christian smirked a little and Michael struggled to look her directly in the eye. Partly weirdness and partly guilt as he was the one who had set up the cameras in the first place. He was also responsible for inadvertently causing the team to see the footage.

She only half noticed their odd behaviour as she was so preoccupied thinking about having to face Stella. Shannon continued to get her gear out of her locker when Stella suddenly arrived - a little late - and awkwardly approached her locker, right next to Shannon's. They exchanged awkward glances as Stella slowly opened her locker door.

"Hey…", Stella said, turning to Shannon with a hesitant look on her face. "Stella", Shannon muttered in acknowledgement, only briefly glancing back at her.

After a few moments of silence, Christian noticed the tension in the air and made a comment as he and Michael left the locker room. "Geez aren't we all a talkative bunch today." The girls continued going about there business without so much as a glance in the boys' direction.

After they had been gone a moment or two, Stella couldn't stand the silence any longer. "Look, are we going to discuss this or what?" she asked with anxiety in her voice as she stood with her hands on her hips in front of Shannon. Shannon took a deep breath and reluctantly looked towards Stella. Leaning against her locker, she tried to find the right words.

"I don't know what you want me to say Stel…"

"Well something… anything… would be a good start", Stella was getting a little anxious.

Shannon looked around the room, then back to Stella, "It's just that I never realised you thought of me like that….I just thought we were close…but not…"

"I was afraid to say anything because of what it would do to our friendship." Stella replied trying not to show her sadness.

"Last night, I didn't mean to hurt you…but I just didn't know what to say", Shannon said

Stella shrugged and cracked a half-smile, "I don't really know what I expected you to say either…it just happened…I mean, I saw the tape…with you and Lawson…I guess it just got to me."

"Shit, Lawson…umm well I won't tell him anything if you think we can continue working together like normal…there's no reason to mention it." Shannon said.

Stella replied "Yeah I guess so, it's not like I have much choice".

"I'm sorry Stel, can we try and not let this get in the way of things…I'd hate to lose you as a friend", Shannon's face was empathetic.

Stella sighed and nodded, trying to smile. She turned to walk out towards the cars to find out who she would be riding with that day. As she left the room, Shannon stood there momentarily to just comprehend what had happened and where to go from here. As Stella reached the TR cars, Lawson directed her towards TR1 along with Christian…where they both would be riding with Lawson for the day…..("Oh wonderful!" Stella thought to herself sarcastically, "Really god dam wonderful!", just what I needed today.)

Stay tuned for more in the next Chapter…hopefully coming soon!