"My darling Chris,

Your not going to like what I'm about to tell you. I'm not liking the fact that I have to say it. I guess by now you've noticed that there are big empty spaces where my stuff used to be.

I really don't know how to explain all this to you. There's so much I want to tell you, so much you don't know. I tried to tell you several times, but you always told me my past didn't matter, that the present and the future was what was important. Well the past caught up with me today. I know that I was scared something would happen, but I never thought it would be this.

I can't even begin to explain what's happened. I was forced to make a choice and I knew that no matter what I chose to do, I would hurt you. Eventually, I decided to do something that will affect you less in the long run. I'm not asking you to understand, I barely understand what's happened myself.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not telling you the truth from the beginning about my past. I'm sorry for so much, but mainly I'm sorry for hurting you. Please, please, please believe me when I tell you that I did what I thought was the best. If I'd stayed then we'd be in position where you would resent the choice I'd made and then things would deteriorate to the point of no return and then it would all be pointless.

I love you. I'd like to think that you will forget about me and move on. But I know that won't happen. Remember how we once talked about fate and how strange it was we were thrown together in such an unusual way and became so close? I believe that's because you're my soul mate. That's one of the reasons I made this decision - because no matter what happens, we'll find each other again, either in this life time or the next.

That's why I'm doing this. There was too much at sacrifice for me not to. I hope, one day, you will forgive me for this. I love you. Please believe me and I hope one day you can forgive me for taking this decision out of your hands.

All my love, now and forever

Stephanie"

~~~~

Stephanie slowly drifted towards consciousness, aided by a soft voice and a tender hand rubbing her back. "Chris?"

"No Steph, it's me."

"Shane? What's going on? Where am I? Where's Chris?" She asked foggily. Shane sighed. "Steph, we're in the back of a limo on the way home. Chris isn't here. My guess he's at the flat you guys shared, either getting drunk, burning everything that reminds him of you or just being miserable."

"Oh god." She turned to face her brother in shock. "I've really done it now haven't I? I.. It's just..."

"Sis, you may not believe this, but I'm proud of you. You stood up to the old man, not because of what you wanted, but because you put Chris first. That's -"

"Shane?" she asked quietly. His voice was gentle. "What?"

"Shut the fuck up ok? I don't need to hear it! I didn't do it because it was the right thing, I did it because I knew Vince wouldn't rest until I had no other choice. I did it because I know how much Chris's career means to him. I did it because at least this way I know that Chris will have a shot in the WWF. I did it because I love him so much that at times it would scare me! I did it because there would be occasions that it physically hurt! I did it because..." Her voice trailed off into a hoarse whisper. "Because this way, I at least know I'll see him again one day. And if I didn't have that thought to cling to, there'd be nothing to live for."