"Ok, Christopher, what the fuck was that about?"

"What was what about?" he asked sleepily, fumbling for the clock. He squinted at it, frowned and squinted again. "Lyd, it's 4:30 in the fucking morning. Go away."

"Yeah, keep dreaming. Jason is hungry, Lucilla has colic or something and if I'm not sleeping, neither are you."

"Feeding one kid, comforting another and talking on the phone? You're a classy dame. Now piss off and let me sleep."

"No, I'm the mother of infant twins... goddamned genetics... and not until you explain your actions."

"What actions?" Chris was half awake and fully confused. Lydia sighed. "Hanging up on me tonight. That wasn't very nice you know."

"I don't care."

"Chris, I'm worried about you."

"Since when?"

"Since always! I mean, come on Chris, how long have I known you? I know when you're upset and now you are upset."

"Did it ever occur to you that I might not appreciate being woken at 4:30am to continue a conversation I considered over around 6 hours ago?"

"Nope." Lydia replied bluntly. She sighed. "Seriously, is everything ok?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Can you give me a straight answer for once?" Lydia sounded impatient. Chris rubbed his forehead. "Lyd, I'm sorry. But I'm having more than a little trouble dealing with this right now."

"I hate to be blunt about it -"

"No you don't. You love any excuse to tell people what your thinking that won't piss them off." A small smile crossed his face. Lydia chuckled. "Very true. My point it, you got a rebound floozy. You've been in and out of relationships for three years. From what has been shared with me, Steph has never ever considered seeing anyone at all. Test is the first guy she's been out with romantically in a long time. Don't you think she deserves that?"

Chris couldn't answer. He really wanted to talk to Lydia about this. Maybe she could help him figure out exactly how he felt about all this. Until now, he'd been able to tell her anything and it was her that kept him sane when Stephanie had left. They'd known each other for years - before Lydia had met Christain in fact.

"Lyd, I love ya. I always have and it was one of my proudest moments when you made me Lucilla's godfather. But this is something I need to sort out on my own ok?"

"Gotcha. You know I'm here for you right?"

"I know." He replied gratefully. Unknown to anyone else, Vince had called him and arranged a meeting regarding a possible contract. Chris had a feeling he was gonna need Lydia's advice depending on the outcome. He sighed again. "All I have to say on the matter is that Stephanie McMahon can do whatever she wants with whoever she wants."

"You don't mean that." Lydia said in disblief. Chris laughed bitterly. "Yes I do. She obviously doesn't want me anymore, so as far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter what happens."

~~~~

The next night Stephanie surveyed her reflection nervously. Blue skirt, purple shirt minimal make up and hair looking natural. "I can't do this."

"Yes you can." Integra stopped making faces at Jason and looked up at Stephanie who shook her head. "No I can't. What room is he in? I'm gonna cancel."

"No you're not!" Insisted Lydia, reaching over and pulling the phone cord out of the wall. "What are you so afraid of?"

"Do you have any idea how long it's been since I went out on a date?" Stephanie paced. "Over four years! It has been four years since I went anywhere with anyone. I don't know if I can handle this!"

"Let's look at this logically." Integra sat up on the couch. "Why do you want to go out with Test?"

"He's kind and sweet and was really supportive during the whole Ministry thing." Steph replied hesitantly. "And he is kinda cute."

"If you like the evil chipmunk look." muttered Lydia who was playing peek a boo with Lucilla. Integra ignored her. "Plus, Steph, if nothing else, the guy *is* a beefcake."

"And his ass looks damned fine in leather pants." Lydia added, sniffing suspiciously. She looked at Lucilla. "You couldn't have waited till you were in your father's arms?"

"Apparently not." Stephanie laughed. "And speaking of which.. you.. Christain.. the twins.. why are you looking at Test's ass?"

"Because it's there to be looked at." chuckled Lydia. "And speaking of which - you know who else looks good in leather?"

"I'm gonna regret this - who?" Integra asked nervously. Lydia smirked. "Bradshaw."

They looked at her in disbelief. Stephanie shooker her head. "I cannot believe I'm hearing this."

"I can't believe I just admitted that in public." Lydia muttered turning red. "But you can't tell me that the sight Helmsley in vinyl doesn't make you fall off your seat?"

There was silence as the three of them considered that. Integra snapped out of it first. "That's not the issue at hand. Back to the point. Why wouldn't you want to go out with Test?"

"Because Test is a great guy and I don't want him to get in trouble cause of me." Stephanie replied, her voice cracking. Integra realised what the real issue was. "Steph. It'll be ok. It's been a long time. But I know Test. He's a real gentleman and if he thinks he's making you uncomfortable or something then he'll apologise. He won't push for anything."

"And you-know-who will get over it." Lydia joined in. Stephanie looked at her anxiously. "Have you spoken to him?"

"Screamed abused and made idle threats." She lied to make Stephanie feel better. "He's a brat. I love him dearly, but he's a first class brat. I told him if he didn't like it, he could fly up here and take care of it himself."

"Do you think he will?"

"Do you want him to?"

"Yes.. no.. I don't know!" Stephanie sat on the edge of the armchair. "I can't do this!"

The alarm clock on Lydia's phone went off. She grinned. "Time to go."

"Any last words of advice?"

"Yes. Have fun. Don't think of Chris. If he brings up the past, change the subject or just tell him you don't want to talk about it." Instructed Integra. Lydia's was typical of her. "When you think you can't handle this, just think of how many people you're pissing off. It works for me everytime."

They hugged her quickly, and watched as she headed off to meet Test in the lobby. Integra sighed. "Chris is gonna kill us for supporting her so much on this."

Lydia's reply was rather curt and surprisingly bitchy. "Chris could've done something about it before now. Let the little brat suffer."