"I'm not having a party." Lydia looked at Integra and Stephanie sternly. Chris elbowed Stephanie playfully. "That means she wants a surprise party."

"Not this year. I seriously don't a party." Everyone looked at her for a second then started laughing.

"No offense Lyd, but if there's a reason, there's a party. That was your motto once wasn't it?" Edge asked, looking a little concerned. Lydia nodded. "Yeah, once upon a time. But you gotta grow up sooner or later."

"Who are you and what have your done with my woman?" Christain put his arms around her and drew her close. "Babe, what's up? You've been acting so differently lately. You know you can tell me anything."

"I know baby." Lydia buried her face in his neck. Stephanie and Integra grabbed their men and discreetly left, heading outside and sitting on the back porch. Integra sighed. "She's been like this the past week or so. Moody and unpredictable - worse than usual."

"And not the good kind of unpredictable either." Edge commented. "Before she was spontaneous and a little wild, and only a little moody. Now her mood swings are just short of being dangerous and she doesn't surprise Christain - or us for that matter - anymore with her weird ways."

"What's her health been like?" asked Chris. Integra sighed. "She's tired a lot. Lydia's generally a night owl and can happily exist for several days on 3 or 4 hours a sleep a night. Now she's sleep between 8-12 hours a night and is still tired. She's not eating either. There's certain foods that make her feel ill."

"I think she's given up smoking too." Edge remarked. "It's been about a week since I've seen Lyd with a cigarette in her hand."

"You're joking!" Stephanie exclaimed. She and Integra exchanged worried looks. Chris noticed. "What is it?"

Shouts from inside saved them from replying. "Why the hell can't you tell me what it is? No matter how bad the news is, it won't make me love you any less and it won't change a damned thing between us. Unless you let it."

"Damnit Christain, trust me on this! I don't know anything for sure yet ok?" Lydia shouted back. "Please, just trust me."

"I love you Lyd, but I can't take this anymore. You're not the same and quite frankly, I don't like this new Lydia much." Christian sounded sad. "The old Lydia trusted me and would tell me everything."

"Then maybe I should just leave? Is that what you want?"

"Speaking of leaving, we should too." Chris said, standing up and pulling Stephanie to her feet. Edge laughed uncomfortably. "You're going to miss the target practice?"

"Target practice?" Chris looked confused. Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Before things get thrown honey." She looked apologetically at Edge and Integra who were looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Integra, please let me know what happens. When she finds out for sure..."

"Of course." Integra said instantly. She smiled shakily at Steph. "We'll help her through it. Whatever she decides to do."

On the bus, Stephanie stared out the window absently, while Chris tried to find out what was wrong with Lydia. After several failed attempts, he gave up and rested his head on top of hers, bringing a smile to her face. They were nearly at their stop, when something occurred to him. "How's the job hunting going?"

"Slowly." Stephanie laughed bitterly. "They want 15 year olds or years of experience. Preferably, 15 year olds with years of experience. And I am neither."

"There's a reception job going at Gold's Gym. You should apply for it."

"I think I will." Stephanie nodded. She had basic computer skills and learnt quickly. Besides, it was more money right? What harm could it do to apply?

After dinner that evening, while they were curled up together watching TV, Chris asked "Why do you think Lydia wouldn't tell Christain what was wrong?"

"What brought this on?" Steph looked up at him in surprise. He shrugged. "I've never known her to be secretive before. Especially not with Christain."

"Maybe she feels she can deal with it herself." she replied slowly. "Lydia seems independent like that. And maybe she doesn't want to worry him until she knows for sure."

"Knows what for sure? I saw the looks you and Integra gave each other. You know something don't you?" Chris questioned intently. Stephanie buried her face in his shoulder. "It's not my place to say anything. And it's only speculation."

"Babe, please, tell me." He looked at her worriedly. Stephanie couldn't help herself. "I think she might be pregnant."

"Based on what?"

"She said a few weeks ago that only two things would stop her smoking. Death or pregnancy." She answered miserably. Chris lifted her chin. "It's ok Steph. I'm not going to tell him. Edge has probably already weaseled it out of Integra."

"So he'll tell his brother instead?" Stephanie sighed. "Wonderful."

Chris just held her tighter and stroked her hair, knowing that Steph felt bad about saying anything at all. "I just can't believe that she wouldn't tell him! Promise me that if you ever suspect that you might be pregnant, please let me know. Don't ever hide something like that from me."

"Even if I'm not sure? You wouldn't rather know straight away?"

"Nope. Because even if it turns out to be a false alarm, I still want a short time of thinking about what it's gonna be like being a Daddy to your baby. And it'll give a short example of the kind've panic I'm gonna feel about adjusting to being a Daddy." Chris grinned at the surprised look on Stephanie's face and kissed her gently. "You didn't think I'd think about stuff like that did you?"

"Not exactly." She admitted sheepishly. Chris smiled. "Well I do. And having made a fool of myself and suddenly developing a craving for rocky road ice cream, let's go get dessert."

"You didn't make a fool of yourself." Stephanie ran her fingers through his hair. He smiled goofishly. "I know. But I still want ice cream! Come on."

They walked down to the ice creamery, talking about Lydia. "Chris?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we gonna be one of those couples that has no secrets from each other, especially ones that could affect the relationship?" She said thoughtfully. He laughed. "I thought we already were."

"Then why don't you ever ask about my past?" Stephanie pushed open the door to the shop. Chris looked at her at her. "Because I don't need to know."

"You don't want to know you mean." She stormed into the shop and ordered her ice cream. "Death by Chocolate please. Better make it a double."

Chris came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, speaking quietly in her ear. "No, I don't need to know. You obviously don't want to talk about it and I trust you enough to know that you've told me all the important details." He paused as the assistant took his order. "Triple Rocky Road please."

As she got the ice cream, Chris continued. "There's something in your past that you want to keep secret. I can respect that and I hope that one day, you'll be able to tell me about it. For now, I just console myself with the knowledge that you've told me all the important details, because I know that you wouldn't hide something that would affect us as a couple."

She turned around and kissed. "I love you."

As they were getting back to their block of flats, Stephanie groaned. "Looks like Sable's back in business."

Chris tightened his arm around Stephanie's shoulders. "Lean into me."

"What?" Stephanie was confused. He squeezed her shoulder. "Please do it babe, I'll explain later."

Stephanie slipped her arm around Chris's waist and leaned against him. "How's that?"

"Perfect." He muttered. "Now ignore her completely and wait for her to speak to us."

"What's going on?"

"She made a couple of threats. I don't trust her, especially not after that note."

They had just made it to the flats when Sable called out "Hey Princess. Come here."

"What do you want?" Chris stepped forwards with Stephanie. Sable laughed. "Just you girl. Got a bit of news you might find interesting."

"What's that?" Stephanie asked as Sable motioned her into the alley. "Well Princess, I wanted to the first to tell you. I'm outta here."

"Yeah Neesya told us you might be headed off. Congratulations, I doubt that anyone could happier than I." She smiled sweetly at the older woman. Sable laughed. "I also wanted to tell you who my new boss is."

"So tell me."

"Vince McMahon." Sable's voice was smug. Stephanie felt a cold bolt of fear shoot through her, but betrayed nothing in her voice. "Who?"

"Don't get smart with me bitch." Sable hissed. "I was in his office, negotiating the contract and there's picture of you on his desk. You're about a year younger, looking a lot better than you do now, but it's defiantely you. When I asked, he said that you were staying with an aunt till he decided that it was time for you to come back. How would Daddy feel if he knew you were shacked up with someone in a neighbourhood like this? How would he feel if he knew that your lover was a wrestler?" She lowered her voice. "How do you think Chris would feel if he knew exactly who his little Princess was?"

"Get to the point Sable." Stephanie answered coldly. "Whatever mind game your trying to play, give it up. I don't care. There is nothing you can do to break him and I up, nothing you can do that will hurt me."

She turned on her heel and stalked off. Sable watched as Chris hugged Stephanie tightly, and guided her into the block of flats. Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing huh Princess? We'll just see about that."