"This is crap. Even I wouldn't be seen wearin these outfits. Who in the hell bought this freakin stuff?" demanded Mo as she sorted through the racks of clothes. Hunter shrugged. "Probably Michelle, who had the job before you. Are you going to spend the whole weekend working?"

"Nah. I'm flyin back to check up on the Sub. Might drop into the Casa and visit the Terrible Two. Should get to know em better if we're gonna be hangin out together y'know?" Mo sighed and threw another armful of tops into a bag. "What about you? You and The Lio - Steph got anythin planned?"

"It's not that kinda marriage Mo, you of all people should know that." Hunter replied, sitting on a crate. He laughed. "What do you care anyway? I thought you'd take Jericho's side in the matter."

"I'm not sayin that Stephanie did the right thing. But I've been around a long time Helmsley. I've seen a lot of stuff. She did the best she could under the circumstances and what seemed right to her at the time. I can't hold that against anyone." Mo sighed again. "Jericho's a pissy little brat. If they got back together at this point in time, they'd self destruct. There's far too much anger and hurt. You're more what she needs right now."

She studied Hunter carefully. "You really care about her don't you?"

"We're friends. Of course I do." He looked up at her. "Can I tell you something? I've never admitted this before. A few people have guessed, but I've never even said this out loud, even to myself. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

"Helmsley, I'm a former hooker. I've seen and heard things that could destroy rather... well known people forever. Includin a few friends of yours." She looked at him pointedly, then sighed and sat opposite him. When she spoke again her voice was gentle. "But that's not the point. The point is, I'm a good listener. If you want to talk, I'm here."

Hunter couldn't explain why, but upon meeting Modina, he'd instantly liked her. Maybe it was because she was so laid back, so much more down to earth and straight to the point. The snob in him had come to the fore when Stephanie had told him that their new Women's Fashion co-ordinator was the madam of a brothel and he'd been horrified upon learning how they'd met. That had lasted only until he realised that Mo was a good person and he was being... well a snob. Besides, Stephanie obviously liked her, and Modina clearly adored Stephanie. Besides, there was something motherly about her that made Hunter want to open up and confide in her.

"You know what my first impression of Steph was? That she had class and money. Maybe it was what Nash called my 'Snob Sense' but I knew that the cute receptionist Michaels was so intent on flirting with was more than just a receptionist. She was better than that, better than whatever kind of life she was living at the time."

"Believe me Helmsley, you weren't the only one." Modina replied wryly. "For nearly a year, the girls and I talked about Stephanie, we often wondered where she'd come from and why she'd run away. We knew she came from money, but that was all we knew. And she wasn't talking."

"They loved each other very deeply didn't they?" He asked suddenly. "The way she reacts when he enters a room, the look she gets in her eyes when she talks about him sometimes... she'll never fully get over him." His voice was almost a whisper as he added "I'll never have a chance."

"But are things with you and Chyna any different?" probed Mo gently. "I mean... she's got this new boyfriend, who's a rebound guy but not really and it's a big secret. No body knows who he is." Off the look of surprise on Hunter's face. "Ivory gossips."

"What are you getting at Mo?" Hunter was in no mood to discuss his ex. She shrugged. "Who's to say this new boyfriend actually exists y'know? Maybe she's still hurtin and it's the best and easiest way to help her get over you. The same looks that those two were shootin each other last night, is the same looks that you and Chyna got when you asked me if I'd seen Stephanie after the show and Chyna and I were discussin outfits. It'll take time, but everythin will sort itself out."

"This started off as simply a business deal. She stayed married to me and I'd help her get her daughter back. I let it be known to Steph that if she wanted out, I'd give her an annulment, no problem. But she didn't even mention it. It's never come up." He laughed, sounding wistful and bitter at the same time. "Guess I'm not the world's worst husband after all."

"Sweetie, you're a great husband." Mo informed him. "Steph doesn't have many people she can trust completely y'know. There's Lydia and Integra, but they're also Chris's friends, and if I know Stephanie at all, she'll feel that because they've been friends with Chris longer, they'll be more likely to take his side. She's still not entirely comfortable with the rest of DX, and Tori happens to be Sable's sister."

"Is she?" Hunter looked surprised. "How do you know? Why isn't it common knowledge?"

"Several ways." She grinned at him and held up three fingers. "Sable and I used to work together. Ivory gossips. And Tor and I had a little chat last night. If you were the little sister of that manipulative bitch would you want it known?"

"Good point. Did she have anything to do with... with what Vince did?" Hunter's eyes flashed angrily. Mo shook her head. "No. Sable ran away from home. It wasn't till after she started here that Tori tracked her down. For different reasons, neither of them wanted it to be public knowledge that they're siblins. Can't say I blame Tori y'know? But enough about those two. There's somethin more important to deal with."

"And that would be?" Hunter raised an eyebrow. Mo grinned mischeviously. "You want to win Stephanie's heart? Make her feel special. Do somethin special for her. Take her out for a romantic dinner or somethin."

"You think that would work?"

"I know it would." Mo stood up. "I have to go. Got an early flight tomorrow. See ya round Helmsley."

"Catch you on Sunday Mo." Hunter waved half heartedly as his new friend headed off. So to win Steph's heart I need to make her feel special? Damnit Mo, I'm gonna treat Stephanie the way she hasn't been treated in far too long - like the Princess I know she is.