"Thank you very much for letting me stay Janelle." Stephanie hugged the older woman. Janelle smiled. "Anytime sweetheart. I have to admit, when Chris first mentioned you, I had my misgivings, but you’re everything he said you were and more. I hope you'll come back next time."

"I certainly will. I had a wonderful time, I think I can honestly say it was the best Christmas I've ever had." Stephanie smiled, and moved from Janelle to Louisa. The two young women hugged each other tightly and Stephanie whispered in Louisa's ear. "I'll take good care of him."

"You better." Louisa teased. "Or I'll hunt you down."

"Stephanie, come on, we'll miss the damned plane!" Chris urged. "And I am *not* going to explain to Lydia that she was sitting around the airport for god knows how long because you spent longer saying goodbye to my family than I did! Hustle!"

"I'll give you guys a call in a few weeks." promised Louisa as Stephanie hit Chris in the arm with her backpack. They waved to Janelle and Louisa as they boarded the plane and found their seats. Chris grinned as Stephanie laughed excitedly during take-off. "You love flying don't you?"

"I do." she replied simply. "I really do. So what are the plans for tonight?"

"Tonight, we finish planning tomorrow night's party, watch a few videos. I think that a few more people are arriving today, mainly Edge and Christain's friends from out of town." Chris replied. Stephanie frowned a little. "Guys from wrestling?"

"Yeah, is that a problem?" He suddenly remembered that they still hadn't talked about that issue. "Steph, about my training -"

"Not now Chris. It's only a small thing, but it's not." Stephanie said hesitantly. Now wasn't the time or the place and she needed to figure out what she wanted to say. Chris looked away. "Fine."

"Chris..."

"No. Forget it ok? Don't worry your pretty little head about it." Stephanie fought the urge to slap his face and covered his hand with her own. "Listen to me. I've got no problem with pro wrestling. In fact, I think I can safely say I've got more of a background in the sport than you have. But this is not something I want to talk about it. Not to anyone. Please understand."

"I'm sorry Steph." Chris answered guiltily. He turned around and looked at her. "I'm such a brat."

"I know. I think that's what happens when you’re the youngest of four. Why did you never tell me you have a twin sister?"

"Uh, well," Chris laughed. He launched into a long rambling explanation that didn't really answer the question at all. "So what did you think of my family?"

"I like yours better than mine!" Stephanie laughed. He looked surprised. "Tell me a little about your family Steph. No more than what you feel comfortable with, just a little story."

"I have an older brother, Shane. He's about 7 years older than I am. But despite all that, we used to get along really well. One day, when I was about 6 and Shane was 13, we were staying with some relatives. I was following Shane and his friends around the woods near the back of my uncle’s place. Then I saw something - I think it was a squirrel - and forgot about Shane and his friends, and chased it." Stephanie said, remembering with a smile. Chris listened, fascinated by this rare look into Stephanie's past. "What happened?"

"I got lost of course, but it didn't worry me. I got tired so I just curled up and went to sleep. A few hours later, my aunt and uncle arrived with a search party. When we got back to their house, Shane ripped the shit through me. He yelled at me for about half an hour. How could you have been so stupid Stephanie? Why didn't you stay right behind me? On and on and on."

Stephanie paused for a minute, a small smile on her face. "I ran up to mu room, bawling my eyes out. You see, I adored Shane and hated letting him down. After half an hour, he came in and sat on my bed. Then he said 'Damnit Steph, I was so worried about you. What if something had happed to you? You're the only little sister I've got and I doubt Mom and Dad will give me a new one if something happens to you. I was scared, I really was.' Then he hugged me and left."

"That sounds so sweet." remarked Chris with a smile. Stephanie rolled her eyes. "He was always like that. If I ever gave him a reason to worry, he always yelled at me before being glad I was ok. Last time... before I was... he didn't speak to me from the moment he found out, till I left. He was so disappointed in me." She trailed off. Chris squeezed her hand. "Are you ok? I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, I'm ok." Stephanie lied quickly. She grinned at Chris. "So tell me about these wrestling buddies of yours."

Not much later, they touched down in Toronto. Lydia and Christain were waiting for them. Stephanie was surprised to see that Lydia had dyed jet-black streaks into her hair. "What the hell did you that for? Your hair was gorgeous on its own."

"That came out of a bottle too." Christain informed Stephanie as they collected the bags. "You know, we've been together for nearly 18 months now and I *still* have no idea what her original hair colour is."

"And I'm not telling either." Lydia grinned. Chris laughed. "When it falls out, can we all point and laugh?"

"As if you'll ask permission before doing it." She replied tartly. She glanced at her watch. "OK, we have half an hour before we have to met Sean and his sister. They're flying in as well."

"We're killing two birds with one stone." Christain explained. Lydia' face darkened. "That's one bird I'd like stone to death and I don't mean with dope."

"Meow."

"Lydia, calm down." Christain warned. "She's here as our guest and I want you to remain civil to her. It's not like she's ever done anything to you."

"And if she does, she'll end up in emergency ward on life support." Lydia predicted angrily. Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with Sean's sister?"

"Sorry Steph, I only have 20 minutes."

"Lydia!"

"Christain!" She mimicked. He sighed. "You and Integra take her a little too seriously." They glared at each other for a second, as Chris rolled his eyes and Steph waited for the next comment. It came from Lydia, who remarked acidly. "If you aren't careful, you may end up with that manipulative slut as your sister in law."

~~~~

"I am *not* getting in *that*." Alanah said, staring at the van in horror. Chris grinned. "Vanessa's?"

"Who else's?" Christain grinned back. Stephanie laughed and threw her bags into the van. "If Vanessa's van is in Canada, then how is Vanessa gonna travel around while she's not here?"

"She is here. Or will be. She's flying in tomorrow." Lydia informed Stephanie with a grin as she swung herself up into the passenger’s seat. She stared at Alanah, who was still standing outside the van, her lip curled in disgust. "It's this simple. You invited yourself along and without informing the hosts or hostesses. This is the only way of leaving the airport, unless you'd rather walk or pay for a cab. Get in, sit down, shut up. Got it?"

"Fine." Alanah threw her bag into the van. Chris grinned at Stephanie and whispered in her ear "Alanah has a bit of a thing for Edge. And Lydia does not appreciate it one little bit."

"I bet Integra likes it even less." Stephanie whispered back. Chris muffled his laughter as Sean leaned over the back of the seat in talk to them. Christain and Lydia were talking quietly in the front, and Alanah was sulking in the back. "I'm sorry for my sister's behaviour. Alanah can be something of a brat. I think it's the youngest child syndrome."

"Yeah, someone else I know suffers that." Lydia looked pointedly at Christain, who leaned over and headbutted her shoulder, ignoring the yell of "Eyes on the road!" from Sean. Stephanie laughed. "I don't think he's the only male in the van that suffers from it either."

"Hey!" shouted Chris in mock outrage. He grabbed Stephanie around the waist and started tickling her. "I don't suffer one little bit Princess."

"Argh! Get off me! Chris!" shrieked Stephanie. She elbowed Chris in the ribs. "Cut it out!"

"Huh, you didn't have any problems getting close on Boxing Night." He sulked. Stephanie blushed. "That was different!"

"How?" he challenged as Lydia and Sean exchanged knowing grins. Stephanie went a deeper shade. "Because I was terrified!"

They continued like this the whole way back to Edge & Christain's place. As Christain pulled the van up, Alanah shouted "Are you lot going to be like this the whole weekend?"

"More than likely." replied Chris with a grin. Lydia glared at the petite blonde girl. "Well if you don't like it, I'll be more than happy to drive you back to the airport."

"What the hell is she doing here?" Integra had come out of the house to greet the new arrivals. Alanah sighed dramatically and flounced off inside. Integra and Lydia glared at Sean, who shrugged. "I'm sorry, I really am. But you know what she's like."

"It's not your fault man." Edge climbed out the window, holding some party lights in his teeth. "It's the youngest child syndrome. They're brats, all of them."

Christain playfully attacked Edge and the brothers started scuffling on the front lawn. Chris grinned at Sean and they both dropped their bags and joined in the fray. Lydia rolled her eyes. "Well, we'll just leave our stuff out here and they can bring it in."

The four women sat around the kitchen table as Lydia made coffees. Stephanie took a sip of hers and asked "Who's sleeping where?"

"Well we were originally gonna have girls in the basement, guys out the back." Integra said. "But *someone* is planning on playing match maker. Plus if I know this lot, then various people will appear as though they're joined at the pelvis and will refuse to part at the end of the night."

Stephanie laughed as she realised that Integra was talking about Lydia and Christain. Even Alanah dropped her sulky facade and allowed herself a giggle.

Lydia sighed as Integra continued. "So basically - all existing couples have a room and everyone who's travelled to get here, which means Stephanie, Chris, Alanah, Sean, Vanessa and Andrew. Everyone else sleeps where they pass out."

"When's Andrew flying in?" asked Alanah. Lydia thought for a second. "I think he's about an hour after Vanessa."

Integra narrowed her eyes at Alanah and opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Stephanie slammed her hand down on the table. "WILL YOU TWO CUT IT OUT! Look, I know you two can't stand to be around each other for various reasons, but just put it behind you and get over it, just for the next few days. Because I intend on having a damned good time while I'm here and I can't do that if you two keep sniping at each other."

"Go Steph!" Lydia cheered. Integra looked at Stephanie in surprise. Stephanie glared back at her. "I'm not asking you to become bosom buddies, just to be civil to each other." She looked at Alanah sternly. "And don't do anything to piss each other off."

"Just keep away from my man, and we'll be fine." Integra warned coldly. Alanah nodded. "I've already had this lecture from Sean."

"What lecture?" asked Edge, lugging a suitcase behind him. He looked at Alanah. "I think this is yours. How much stuff did you pack anyway kiddo?"

"Well you never know." She replied coyly, reaching for the case. "I'll just take that up to my room."

"Nah I've got it." Edge grinned. "It's too heavy for a little thing like you to lift. Where are you sleeping?"

"In the room with the window seat." Alanah quickly claimed, then shot a mug look at the rest of them. Lydia spoke up quickly. "I don't think you were listening when the rooms were being assigned. *Stephanie* gets that room. To herself, unless she chooses someone to share with. *You* get the little room next to the garage."

As Edge started heading down the hall, followed by Alanah. Integra leaned out the window and yelled "SEAN YOU DICKHEAD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOUR SISTER!"

"Fine with me!" he yelled back. "Lydia get this big oaf off me."

"CHRISTAIN!" She screamed obligingly. "GET IN HERE!"

"Gotta go, Lyd's calling." Christain immediately stopped ramming Sean's head into the flowerbed and dusted his jeans off. Chris and Sean stared at him, amazed. "I heard her. I think half the neighbourhood did."

"You rang babe?" He wandered into the kitchen. Integra hid a smile as Stephanie gaped at Lydia. "How the hell did you do that?"

"18 long months of hard work." Lydia replied with a smirk. "C'mere baby."

"Oh will you two cut it out!" Chris rolled his eyes and climbed in through the window as Edge returned from the hallway, suitcase and Alanah free. He laughed and threw a dishtowel at Chris. "Someone's annoyed cause their not getting any."

"Well someone else had better watch themselves or they'll find them selves not getting any at all - ever again but spending the night without female companionship." Integra glared at her boyfriend through narrows eyes. Edge looked around blankly. "What?" She stood up and grabbed his arm. "We need to talk." He didn't move. "NOW!" Integra yanked on his arm and dragging him down the hall. Stephanie stifled a laugh as she heard a confused Edge wondering "What did I do?"

Christain looked around as he and Lydia came up for air. "He's in trouble again right?"

"I think so." Stephanie jolted in her seat as Chris's voice came from about an inch above her left ear. He'd been leaning over the table to get himself a cookie. "You scared me then."

"Sorry Princess." he grinned at her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you ok?"

Stephanie smiled up at him. "Just a little sleepy."

"Then take a nap." Chris suggested. "I know where your room is, I'll grab your bags and show you the way."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" teased Lydia, curling up on Christain's lap. Stephanie poked her tongue out as Chris brought in her suitcase and, placing a hand on the small of her back guided her to her room. As Stephanie sat on the king sized bed, Chris looked out the window. "There's a great view from here. Come and have a look."

"Wow. It's beautiful." Stephanie joined Chris at the window. He put an arm around her waist and pointed. "Can you see that? Over there?"

"Nope. What am I looking for?"

Chris stood behind Stephanie and resting his chin on her shoulder, pointed again. "It's a lake. See the kids ice skating?"

"Yeah." As they stood together, looking out the window, Chris lightly wrapped his arms around Stephanie's waist. With a smile, she leaned against him, resting her head against him and twining her fingers around his.

"Steph?"

"Yes Chris?"

"Do you believe in fate and destiny and karma?" He asked quietly. Stephanie thought for a second. "Yeah, I think I do. Why?"

Chris hesitated. How could he say what he was feeling? He couldn't. Especially when he wasn't even sure he would put it into words. Stephanie craned her neck so she was looking up at him. "Chris?"

Their faces were barely an inch apart. He kept one arm around her and reached up to lightly run his fingers through her hair. Stephanie placed her hand on his cheek and stood on tiptoes as Chris inclined his head towards hers. Their lips brushed lightly, before Stephanie angled her head to deepen the kiss.

"Hey you two!" The door crashed open and Stephanie and Chris sprang apart somewhat guiltily. Christain looked at them from the doorway. "Pizza's arrived."

"Thanks." Stephanie pushed past him and hurried downstairs. Chris just stared at his friend and shook his head. Christain looked blank. "What?"

~~~~

Chris paced the back yard angrily after dinner. Goddamnit Christain was an idiot! Hadn't he ever heard of knocking? Argh!

The back door opened and Lydia slipped outside, lighting a cigarette. She squinted in the darkness. "Chris?"

"Hey Lyd." he sighed, joining her on the porch. She looked at him. "What's wrong?"

"Your idiot boyfriend has no tact."

"No kiddin. What happened?" Lydia asked. With a sigh Chris told the whole story. She rolled her eyes. "I'll kill him. Be right back."

She disappeared inside and returned a minute later with a protesting Christain. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

"What?" He asked in confusion. Lydia hit him on the arm. "You're an idiot you know that? I swear to god... you remember Integra and I talking about playing match maker and a certain two people taking their sweet time about getting their act together?"

"Yeah." Christain replied. Lydia waited. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Godamnit Christain! You're not stupid so why are you acting it?" Lydia shouted angrily. "Do you need me to spell it out?"

Comprehension suddenly dawned. "Oh my god. Shit, I'm so sorry man."

"You better be." Chris stood up and walked inside. He stood in the doorway of the lounge room, watching. Edge and Sean were playing Pacman, Integra and Stephanie were playing hang man on scrap pieces of paper. Once they had finished, Integra screwed up a piece of paper and threw it at Edge's head. He threw it back with a grin, but the glare he received in return made him turn sadly back to the TV. Chris watched the exchange and chuckled, wondering where Alanah was and deciding that she was probably hiding from the wrath of Integra.

Stephanie looked up and smiled at Chris, beckoning him over. He sat behind her on the couch, making sure not to get too close. They played a few rounds before Stephanie yawned and said "I'm going to bed."

"Night Steph." Everyone chorused. Chris grinned. "Wanna piggy back?"

"Damned straight." She stood on the couch and climbed aboard. Grasping her legs Chris carried her down the hall and into her room, sitting them both down on the bed. Stephanie slid her arms from around Chris's neck reluctantly, her hands pausing on his shoulders. "You're tense."

"Well Princess, we're in the middle of a warzone. Integra's pissed off at Edge, Lydia's pissed off with Christain, I'm pissed at Christain, the girls are both angry with Sean and I think everyone's angry with Alanah. Vanessa will probably jump on the angry at Alanah bandwagon. We're likely to witness a few domestics tomorrow night."

"I know." Stephanie sighed. She began to massage the stiff muscles. "Where are you sleeping tonight?"

"I'm sharing with Sean. God only knows where I end up tomorrow night thought. Oh yeah, that feels good." Chris muttered. "Where'd you learn this?"

"My father's neck and shoulders used to cause him a lot of problems. I used to watch my mother work on them." Stephanie explained. Chris nodded. "Well your good at it. I might get you to do this more often."

"After training?"

"Some nights it's a real bitch." Chris sighed. "I'm not sure if it's worth it any more. Maybe I'm doing all this hard work for nothing."

Stephanie was struck by the despair in his voice and wondered again if she should say anything about her father. But then what? She knew she'd never be allowed to date a wrestler and even though she knew it was completely selfish, she'd rather have Chris not make it than lose him and see him achieve his dream.

She only realised her hands hand stopped moving when Chris said "All done?" and stood up without waiting for a reply. He stretched and said "Oh yeah, that's much better. Thanks a heap for that Steph."

"My pleasure." She replied honestly. Chris grinned and gave her a quick hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Get a good nights sleep. We have a big party tomorrow night."