"Nothing! Jesus Christ! Aren't I entitled to a few mood swings now and then?"

"This is more than mood swing and you know it! You've been like this for a while now." Chris shouted back. He lowered his voice. "Something is obviously wrong. Please, tell me, I want to help."

"You can't. Nobody can. I need to sort this out myself." Steph replied, close to tears. Chris sighed. "No offense babe, but you're not doing the best job."

"You wouldn't understand."

"Then tell me. I can try." Chris pleaded. Steph looked away. "You'd better go. You'll miss your flight, then you'll be in trouble."

"Fuck the flight!" he yelled, throwing his coffee mug at the wall, where it shattered into 1000's of tiny pieces. Stephanie winced. "Chris, listen to me. This is about me. This is about my family. This is about something I have to deal with. Alone."

"I'm not happy with this."

"I don't care."

They stared at each other angrily for a moment. Chris broke eye contact first. "Do you want me to stay here?"

"No. This training thing will be good for you. Although you don't need it." She smiled shakily. He smiled back, just as shakily. "You're biased."

"You never complained before."

"Come here." Stephanie flew into Chris's open arms. He held her tight. "Please, baby, listen to me. I'm gonna get Mo & the girls to keep an eye on you. I don't think you should be staying here alone in this frame of mind. I'd prefer it if you went and stayed with Edge, Integra, Christain and Lydia. It'll be closer to work and they'll look after you."

"I don't know..."

"Well I do. If I call and things don't sound right, then I'm sending the girls around with mattresses and sleeping bags. Got it?" He said seriously. She laughed. "Yes boss."

"Stephanie, I mean it. I'm worried about you." Chris kissed her lightly. She nodded. "You better go."

"You're not coming to the airport with me?" He asked somewhat sadly. Steph shook her head. "If I go to the airport then I'll either end up on that plane with you or bringing you back home."

Chris laughed and rested his forehead against yours. "I'll call you everyday. Remember what I said."

"I will." She replied, kissing him goodbye. They embraced for a long time, before Chris caught sight of the clock. "Oh shit! I really have to go! I'll call you when I get there."

"Yeah yeah, we've been through this before! Now go!" Stephanie pushed him towards the door. Chris picked up his bags and kissed Steph on the cheek, pausing at the door. "Steph?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"Love you too baby."

~~~~~

"Thanks for coming in this evening Stephanie."

"Thank you for letting me have the day off to spend with Chris." She replied with a smile. Jason Colson, her boss, smiled at her. "I remember what it's like to be young and in love. When's he coming back?"

"In a couple of days. Then we have another six weeks before he hits the road." Steph replied with a sigh. "Then god only knows. Guess he'll fly home whenever he can after that."

"It's gonna be hard." he pointed out. "Do you think that you two can handle the long distance thing?"

"We'll just have to, won't we?" Steph narrowed her eyes a little. Jason laughed. "Fair enough. Now, tonight, we're not technically open. We've got a few professional wrestlers coming in to train, work out a little. Mike and I will be spotting, you're mainly just here to make nice and look pretty."

"You want me to convince them to come back and bring their friends?" She laughed. He nodded. "Whatever it takes."

"One condition. I am not going to be offered as an 'incentive' to these men." Stephanie's eyes flashed. "I'll be friendly, I'll be nice, I'll tell them what a great gym we have here and to go anywhere else would be letting themselves down, but that's it."

"Hell Steph, what kinda guy do you think I am?" Jason was shocked. "I would never suggest you do anything to hurt Chris like that. Speaking of which - it's 7 pm - shouldn't he be calling soon?"

On cue, the phone rang. Stephanie shook her head and answered it "Hell Gold's Gym, Stephanie speaking."

"Hey baby." Chris's voice came down the line. Steph grinned. "Hey. How is it so far?"

"Could be worse. Of course, I could have you with me and that would make it a lot better." he said softly. Steph could hear some laughter and gagging in the background. "Payphone?"

"Yeah, but it's free. Just a little perk to stop the new recruits from missing their better halves too much."

"Aw, you miss me already?" Stephanie teased. Chris became serious. "Babe, I miss you so much it almost scares me. I'm not sure if this is what I want if it means being apart from you so long."

"Don't say that Chris." Stephanie suddenly felt afraid for reasons she couldn't put her finger on. "You want this so much. I'm quite prepared to sit in the background and watch."

"But I want you in the foreground." He paused. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure? Cause I'm worried."

Stephanie crossed her fingers. "Hey, don't worry about me! Just worry about impressing everyone so much that they shoot you to main event status within a year."

They talked a little longer, and then Stephanie glanced at the clock. "Oh crap. I have to go. Some pro wrestlers coming in to use the place. Not some of your lot is it?"

"I'll find out." Chris replied. She could hear him yelling out to the others and the big chorus of nos that came in response. Uh oh. He came back on the line. "Not us. Must be the opposition. I'll let you go and I'll call you tomorrow night, same time."

"I'm having dinner with Integra & Lydia, then we're going to the movies." Stephanie informed him. Chris laughed. "Half your luck. I'll call you at Casa Non Sequitor."

"That's not nice. I love you."

"Love you too." Stephanie hung up as someone knocked on the now locked door. Jason grinned. "That's our pro wrestlers!" He peered through the window. "And a guest."

He opened the door and ushered them in. Stephanie's heart sank as she recognised 4 of the 5 faces in front of her. She prayed they didn't recognise hers - especially if her father kept a photo of her on his desk.

"Guys - and girl, This is our receptionist Stephanie. Steph, I'd like you to meet Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley and his bodyguard Chyna."

Stephanie gaped for a second, then remembered her manners. "Welcome to Gold's."

"Thank you." Nash looked Stephanie over and frowned slightly. "Have we met before?"

"I don't think so Mr Nash." She replied with a smile. He shook his head distractedly. "Hall, tell me if you saw this sweet young thing once, would you forget her?"

"I doubt it."

Stephanie was quickly growing uncomfortable with the situation, especially the way - what was his name - Hunter something-or-another was looking at her. And Chyna, his body guard had noticed that look and didn't seem to impressed by it.

"Hey, guys." Hunter said, finally looking away. "Are we here to work out or are we going play lets see where we remember this one from?"

"Hang on a sec Chy.' Michaels held his hand out. "I'm sure I know this face from somewhere."

"Hey Heartbreak Kid? You have that nickname for a reason." Chyna said, looking at Michaels with a smirk. "Do you really expect to remember them all?"

"Give the kid a break." Nash interjected. He clapped his hand down on Jason's shoulder. "Show us the place."

"Certainly. Chyna would you like a coffee or something? Steph here makes the best coffee's I've ever had." Jason trailed off. Chyna raised an eyebrow disdainfully. She smirked at Hunter. "Coffee. Yeah. That's why I'm here."

"Chyna will be joining us in working out." Michaels said proudly, slinging his arm around the Amazon woman, who just looked at him and rolled her eyes. Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Would you mind not getting physical with my bodyguard please?"

"Oh relax Helmsley, you know that if Chyna had a problem with it, she'd kick his ass." Hall laughed. Stephanie didn't doubt that for one second as she eyed Chyna nervously. To use one of Lydia's expression, the woman was built like a brick shithouse. There was something decidedly scary about Chyna. Mike noticed Stephanie's uneasiness and signalled to Jason, who grinned at Stephanie. "Let's get cracking. This is Mike; we're here to spot you. Uh, we were only expecting four of you, so -"

"I'll work on the cardio equipment." Chyna interrupted. "I don't need to pump iron everyday like the guys, I just need to keep fit and alert."

"OK, then Steph can you show Chyna where the cardio stuff is, Mike can spot Helmsley and Michaels, I'll spot Nash and Hall. Does anyone have any problems with that?" Jason asked. The guys shook their heads. Nash took control. "We prefer to work out two at a time, is that ok with you guys? It's just that we don’t to be like to be distracted. Helmsley and Scotty can start, then Michaels and I will finish up."

"Is that ok with you Mike?" Jason asked. Mike nodded and the guys headed for the change rooms, while Stephanie showed Chyna, who was already in her work out gear, how to use the cardio vascular equipment. She nodded silently as Stephanie explained how to change the settings and within seconds she was pounding away on the treadmill as the younger woman watched in surprise.

"Amazing isn't she?" A proud voice said quietly in her ear. Stephanie spun around to see Shawn Michaels standing behind her. She nodded in agreement. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Helmsley comes from Connecticut. You know, old money, the whole nine yards. Then he started wrestling and discovered that no amount of money or breeding could save him from the backstabbing and sneak attacks. He needed a bodyguard. Turned out the best man for a job was a woman."

"And the only person I'd trust to do the job safely." Hunter joined Michaels. Stephanie glanced at him quickly. He was definitely a good looking young man, but something about him made her a little uneasy. Hall and Nash came out of the locker room laughing about something. Hall & Hunter started warming up on the exercise bikes, Hall keeping up a steady stream of chatter with Nash & Michaels, while Hunter put his head down and concentrated on what he was doing. After 20 minutes on the bikes, Scott and Hunter headed off to the weights room.

"So, tell me Stephanie are you a wrestling fan?" Nash asked with a smile, sitting on the rowing machine. Stephanie laughed. "Not particularly. But my boyfriend's a wrestler so I think I'm about to become one real quick."

"Who's he with?" asked Shawn with interest. He was always on the look out for new recruits and it was his dream to run his own indie fed. "Oh, Kev, while I think of it, that guy we were thinking of recommending to Vince got snapped up."

"Which one?" Nash frowned. "Oh the Canadian kid? Damn, he's got a lot of potential. Oh well, hopefully we'll see him with us sometime in the future."

"Fingers crossed." Michaels replied. "Sorry Stephanie, you were about to tell me where your boyfriend was wrestling?"

"Was I?" She grinned. ~Damnit girl, you're flirting already! This is bad, very bad!~ Shawn grinned back. "Am I gonna have to tickle it out of you?"

"He'd do it too." warned Nash with a smile. "Shawn's a very tactile person."

~Eep! He's flirting too! Chris hasn't even been gone 12 hours and already your flirting with..~ she hesitated. ~One of your fathers employees. Oh Fuck!~

"Chris just got signed to a three year contract with WCW." She said proudly, holding her head high. Nash looked at her intently. "Chris? Not Chris Jericho by any chance?"

"That would be him."

"Damn! That kid's gonna go big places." Michaels remarked. "So he'd be at the new recruits thing now then?"

"Left today. He'll be back on Monday though." Stephanie confirmed, uncertain why she was telling them this. She just knew that she found Shawn & Kevin easy to talk to. They talked for a while longer, and then they switched places with Hunter & Scott.

"Chy, I think you've done enough for today." Hunter said gently, placing a hand in the small of her back as she pedalled on the exercise bike. Chyna looked at him and nodded in silence. He helped her off the bike and mopped the sweat off her arms and chest with a towel, then suggested "Why don't you take a shower while I cool down?"

"Meet you back here." She agreed, taking the towel and giving him a small smile. Hall snorted. "Or in there."

"Shut up Scott." Hunter said coldly. His gazed flicked over Stephanie. "Could you please get me a bottle of water? I don't want to dehydrate."

"Yeah, no problem." Stephanie headed down to the fridge. Hall looked at Hunter in surprise. "Please? I can't remember the last time I heard you say that to someone who didn't have authority over you."

"Shut up Scott."

"Is that your new motto or something? Cause I think that's the only thing you've say to me in the last hour." Scott mimicked Hunter. "Shut up Scott. Shut up Scott. And all I'm doing is the usual bullshit!"

Hunter looked at Scott in disbelief. "Are you quite finished?"

"Nearly." Scott grinned and jumped up and down on the spot before crossing his arms and stamping his foot. He then sang "Helmsley's got a crush, Helmsley's got a crush, Helmsley's got a crush! Ok, now I'm done.

"Scott, you are the biggest -" Hunter cut himself off when Stephanie came back with two bottles of water. "Here you go Mr Helmsley, a cold bottle of water and I got one for you two Mr Hall."

"Mr Hall?" Scott grinned. "I don't think I've been shown that kind of respect in, well, ever.

"So Steph - can I call you Steph? - Kevin tells me your boyfriend is with WCW?" Hunter asked, raising an eyebrow. Stephanie nodded. "Debuts soon. I guess I'll have to start watching it so I can see him a little more often."

"This business is tough on relationship." observed Hall. "I hope it all goes well for you both."

"Thank you." replied Stephanie. Hunter cleared his throat. "Will you be at the show on Sunday night?"

"Not likely. My boyfriend would kill me for supporting the opposition."

"Oh who cares what he thinks?" Hunter asked with a snide smile. Stephanie smiled coldly. "I do. Besides, there's no tickets left. I already checked."

Nash headed up the stair looking exhausted. "I'm fucked. Excuse the language."

"Hey Kev - you think we can round up a couple of spare tickets to Heat for Steph?" asked Scott. Kevin nodded. "No problem. We'll drop them off here tomorrow."

"So you'll be coming back?" Steph asked politely. Michaels grinned as he climbed the stairs and collapsed onto one of the bikes. "I will be that's for sure. This place is great."

The phone interrupted Stephanie. "Excuse me."

She ran down to grab the phone, feeling slightly out of breath. "Good Evening, Gold's Gym, Stephanie speaking."

"Hey!" Integra's voice came down the line. "Why are you working?"

"Get Lydia on the extension, I want to hear her reaction." Stephanie ordered, glancing up at four men in the cardio area. Lydia's voice came over the phone. "Steph, there had better be a good reason for this."

"Hi Lyd, nice to talk to you to you too." Stephanie laughed. "Ever heard of the Kliq?"

"Kevin Nash-"

"Scott Hall-"

"Hunter Hearst Helmsley -"

"And Shawn Michaels!" They squealed in unison. Stephanie rolled her eyes. "I'll take that as a yes. Guess who's working out in the gym right now?"

"OH MY GOD!" Lydia shrieked.

"Oh dear god, breath in breath out." Integra muttered to herself as a clicking sound started. Stephanie frowned. "Lydia, are you lighting a cigarette."

"Um, no?"

"We live in a non smoking house!" Integra reminded her. Lydia dragged heavily on her cigarette. "Not anymore!"

"Would you like tickets to Heat on Sunday night?" Stephanie held the phone away from her ear at the loud and shrill reaction. "Nash is gonna drop the tickets off tomorrow, I'll bring them around after work."

"Hey Steph?" Lydia sounded suspiciously innocent. "Any chance of getting a membership in the next 30 minutes?"

"Yes Lyd, but the gym is shut while the guys work out."

"Crap." Lydia & Integra spoke in unison. Stephanie laughed. "I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Not taking personal calls on company time now are we?" Michaels grinned at her. Stephanie laughed. "Not at all. Just had an couple of enquiries about new memberships."

"Well that's acceptable then." laughed Nash. He shook Stephanie's hand. "It was nice to meet you and I'll see you tomorrow."

"It was nice meeting you too." Steph nodded. "See you then."