RAW was live from San Antonio tonight and, as always, it was crazy backstage. Stephanie was chewing on her pencil, lost in thought. This production meeting was going on forever. When she felt fingertips caressing her knee, she turned and saw Hunter grin at her, ever so innocently. She stuck her tongue out at him before focusing on her father's monologue. Or at least she tried to. She couldn't quite help the smile on her lips. It was good to have Hunter back. Obviously, he wasn't on the road full time yet, but he had just started to attend the tapings a little more regularly again whenever his rehab schedule would allow. And if she was being honest, it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling that she was part of the reason he made the effort.

She wasn't quite sure what they had become over the past month and a half. Were they a couple? Not exactly, but whatever it was, it worked. Neither of them wanted to discuss it much or was eager to put a label on it. Most would probably call it friends with benefits, but that was too shallow to describe how deeply they cared for one another. They just took it one day at a time, enjoying each other's company, and who could tell where it might lead them.

Finally, Vince finished the meeting and everyone filed out of the small conference room. Now they were mostly free until showtime. She sighed in relief.

Next to her Hunter chuckled. "Gee, Steph, work used to get you more excited."

"And you used to be less distracting." Playfully she nudged him with her elbow.

"What can I say? It's been a long and lonely week in Birmingham without you." He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.

Stephanie laughed, but gently shoved him away and mouthed, "Later."

Still, Hunter put his head to her ear and whispered, "You're an awful tease, McMahon. You know that, right?"

And before she had the chance to do anything about it, he leaned in and kissed her.

As they'd been the last to leave, fortunately nobody had been lingering in the hallway anymore, but by the time they broke apart, Stephanie's eyes caught someone else's.

Shawn.

Hunter must have noticed her tensing up because he immediately turned around himself.

The expression on Shawn's face had been cold and he took off into the opposite direction without a word.

Hunter on the other hand looked as if he had been hit by a truck.

"I'm so sorry, babe. I…" She started, but Hunter cut her off.

"No, Steph, it's fine. I knew he'd probably be here."

Stephanie was aware that he seemed anything but fine, though. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." He shook his head. "No." Heavily he leaned against the wall behind him. "I don't know. This wasn't exactly how I pictured seeing Shawn again for the first time in months."

She reached out and touched his shoulder. "Do you want to go after him? Talk to him?"

Steph was a bit taken aback by how hard Hunter's voice sounded when he replied, "No. If he's got anything to say to me, he can come find me."

He pushed himself off the wall and brushed his lips against her forehead. "I'm gonna go and catch some fresh air. I'll meet you in your locker room in a little while, okay?"

While she watched him leave, she became painfully aware that things weren't as easy as Hunter would like to make them out to be. To be honest, that was why she had been concerned about him coming to tonight's show in San Antonio of all places. Not once had Shawn checked in with Hunter since he got injured back in May and despite their sore breakup that had to hurt. Hunter didn't mention it, but he didn't have to. She had been worried how it might go if they ran into each other here. And of course, it had to be the most godawful timing.

Well, there wasn't much she could do about it now one way or the other.

Walking towards her room, she figured she might at least get a head start on tomorrow's script for SmackDown until Hunter would return.

She was about halfway through and made a couple of notes regarding Kurt's promo that she wanted to speak about with her father later. She had just moved on to the next page, when suddenly someone stormed in without as much as a knock. At first, Stephanie figured it was Hunter as nobody really had the audacity to barge into her office like that, so she didn't even look up straight away.

Needless to say, when she did, she was surprised to see Shawn but caught herself fast. "Hey Shawn, what can I do for you?"

"I thought I'd stop by, say hi to the boys…"

"Looks like you got the wrong door then." She didn't mean to be snappy, but part of her was still pissed at him.

He casually sat down on the edge of the desk in front of her. "Ya see, somethin' came up."

Shawn glared at her, but one advantage of growing up in the business was that you weren't easily intimidated, not even as a woman. Stephanie leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

"And why should that be any of my concern?"

He actually started laughing. "I gotta give it to ya, Steph. You are as calculating as your old man."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She was getting tired of Shawn's bullshit. "If there is anything you want to tell me, spit it out already."

"Oh, I saw you and Hunter earlier. You seemed awfully cozy for 'just friends'."

The way he air quoted the latter unnerved her. Who did he think he was to judge anyway? However, she did try to stay professional. Causing a scene would benefit no one.

"I don't see why this would be any of your business, Shawn. You made it quite clear the last time we talked that you don't give a rat's ass about Hunter."

He tipped his cowboy hat. "Oh, I'm just amazed that the princess is fuckin' the talent now. Hunter must really be scared of losing his spot to sink this low."

In a flash Stephanie got up and slapped Shawn. Hard. "Get out! Now!"

He rubbed his cheek and was about to add something when she interrupted him, "And I swear to God, if you say one more word, you'll regret it for the rest of your miserable life."

For once Shawn did as he was told and backed towards the door. Upon opening it, he collided with Hunter but pushed by without even acknowledging him.

Steph sank down into her chair, suddenly feeling exhausted. Damn Shawn, to hell and back.

Hunter had watched him go before closing the door quietly and came around the table, leaning against it. "What happened?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know." His hazel eyes held concern and she knew she would have to tell him. Not today, though. "Let's just say that Shawn hasn't changed."

He took her hand. "Are you alright?"

She couldn't help but smile. "Funny, didn't I ask you the same thing earlier?"

"I guess so."

For a minute both of them were silent, but Stephanie could tell that there was something Hunter wanted to say. She let him do so in his own time.

"Look, I… I did catch the tail end of your little talk. And I'm sorry Shawn is taking out his anger at me on you. He had no right to…"

"Hunter, please stop it." She got up and stood right in front of him, putting a finger on his lips. "None of this is your fault. It's Shawn who messed up the best thing he ever had. And after everything you had to deal with, I'd much rather have him blow up at me than at you anyway."

Hunter moved in closer to kiss her. "I don't deserve you, McMahon."

"Oh, you do. I'm not sure why, but you do."

They fell into an easy banter, which was a relief after how these past few hours had gone. This trip might have left them rattled and she knew that for Hunter in particular it had ripped open old wounds that had barely begun healing, but right now they were okay. And for the moment that had to be enough.