Stephanie looked around and took a seat in the corner, where she could see everything that was going on and everyone who was coming and going. DX walked in, raided the food table and walked out again, Hunter, X-Pac and the Outlaws carrying huge plates of food, while Chyna munched on an apple and waved at Stephanie with a free hand. Steph waved back and smiled. She'd been coming to the shows fairly regularly since the start of the year and as a result had gotten to know a few of the wrestlers a little better. There'd been some resistance at first, but DX had taken her under their collective wings and since then everyone made an effort to be friendly.

"Hey Steph." Stephanie looked up and smiled. "Hi Mick. How are you?"

"Yeah fairly good." Mick Foley grinned back. "Not wrestling till later, so I thought I'd grab a drink."

"Hope that's water and not vodka." she teased light heartedly. Mick laughed. "Have you ever seen me drink?"

"Only once. And that was when Roaddogg spiked the punch at last years Christmas party." Steph admitted. Mick laughed. "Next time Colette comes to a show, can you tell her that? She thinks I was sneaking booze."

"I'll tell her that." promised Stephanie.

"Thanks. Hey, did you see the new guy?"

"The Canadian? No, I missed it." Stephanie replied. Mick shrugged. "OK. I just thought you might know him, that's all."

"How would I know him?" She was confused. Mick glanced around. "Val Venis recognised you from somewhere when he started he didn't he? Well apparently this new kid is a fairly good friends with Venis. Anyways, I better go."

"Okay. Good luck." Stephanie replied as Mick headed off.

She thought carefully. Her father hadn't specifically mentioned any new talent, but then she never really asked. Steph thought it over and realised that there were three possibilities. None of them she really wanted to see right then. She was still feeling vulnerable after Christina's death and had cut herself off from everyone for a while. She was only just readjusting now, a blast from the past was the last thing she needed.

After playing with her food for another 10 minutes, Steph decided she really wasn't hungry and got up to head back to her father's dressing room. Walking the corridors, avoiding the hardcore match that had spilled out of the ring, she found herself near the car park. On a whim, she decided to sit out the back for a while, enjoy the night air.

"That was a good match baby." A familiar voice floated over the balmy night air. Stephanie stood up and looked in the direction of the speaker. Two familiar figures were outlined by the lights and they were headed in her direction.

She looked around and considered ducking behind a car, but then realised that the car she ducked behind could easily be theirs and that if she wanted to avoid them forever she'd have to stop coming to the shows altogether. With a sigh, she remained where she was and prepared for the inevitable.

"Stephanie? Steph! OH MY GOD! You bitch, where the hell have you been the past two years? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Hey Integra." Stephanie smiled weakly. "Long time no see."

"How have you been?" Integra hugged her tightly. Steph shrugged. "I've been a lot better. How about you?"

"Yeah, not so bad. I'm writing for a wrestling magazine - just a few articles here and there, but it pays well. Did you see Edge's match?" She asked proudly. Steph shook her head. "No, I was getting something to eat. But I heard it was a good match."

"Thanks." Edge replied quietly. He looked at Stephanie for a long moment, then turned to Integra. "I've gotta go talk to the boss. I'll get a lift back with Val if you're not ready to leave when I am."

"No worries hon." She kissed him on the cheek. "Are we going out later?"

"Maybe. Depends." Edge nodded at Stephanie. "Good to see you again."

As he started to walk away, Stephanie remembered something. "Edge!"

He looked around and raised an eyebrow in question. She sighed. "Tell Vince that I've got stuff I need to do and I'll find my own way back to the hotel."

"Got it." nodded Edge. Integra watched him leave, then turned to face Stephanie. "Where the hell did you go? Why?"

"It's not something I really want to talk about." Stephanie looked at the ground. Integra raised an eyebrow. "Anything about it you do want to tell me?"

"Only that I made what I thought was the best decision. I don't want to go into it anymore than that." She glanced around nervously. "Can we go somewhere else? I don't really want to be around here right now."

"Whatever." Integra shrugged. "I've got the car keys, so we can take my car, go somewhere for coffee and I can either back here or at your hotel."

"Yeah, ok."

The car trip was uncomfortably silent, except for the stereo. A song came on that Stephanie recognised instantly, Lydia had played it a heap while she was going through her 'crappy 80s music phase’ Integra grinned at her, and they both began to sing along. ~ Again we're staring at each other with accusing eyes, keep our voice low, don't act surprised, if the word gets out... yeah that's alright.~

The song broke the ice between the two old friends and they started laughing when the song was over. Stephanie grinned. "How is Lydia?"

"You tell me and we'll both know." replied Integra wistfully. Steph raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What happened?"

"Edge and Christain had a fight about something - I'm not ever sure what it was about, that's how stupid it was. You know what they're like though. Christain told big brother where to go, packed his stuff, packed Lydia and took off. We kept in contact for a while, but I haven't heard from her in ages."

"That sucks." Stephanie looked out the window as they pulled up to a little cafe. "Oh, this place has great cappuccino’s."

"Just a boring old coffee for me." laughed Integra. They sat down at a table near the back and placed their orders. Stephanie played nervously with the frayed edge of the tablecloth. Integra noticed. "Something on your mind?"

"How is he?" Stephanie's voice was little more than a whisper. Integra shrugged. "To be perfectly honest, I haven't seen or heard from him in a while. Edge & I received a Christmas card from him, but since then.." she shrugged. "There's been nothing. I've been watching him on WCW, but I guess I'm gonna have to tape 'Monday Night Jericho' now."

"He hates me doesn't he?"

"Can I offer some advice?" Integra asked seriously. "Don't ask questions that you're not ready to hear answered."

"I guess I shouldn't expect to hear every detail of everyone else's lives when I won't talk about my own." Stephanie said. She wanted to confide in Integra about her deal with Vince and about Christina, but was afraid of the reaction she'd get. Integra nodded. "Two questions though. One - your family was behind you leaving weren't they?"

"Yeah." admitted Steph with a sigh. "Please believe me when I say that I did what I thought was best for Chris."

"Lydia and I said that. I doubt the guys believed it though. Secondly, what were you doing at Raw? Don't think I'm not glad to see you, but of all the places to see you again!"

"Let's just say you'll be seeing a lot more of me if you plan on travelling with Edge." Stephanie remarked. She sighed. "Guess I'd better tell you now. I'd prefer for you to hear it from me than anyone else. Vince McMahon is my father."