December, 2001:

            They all look so happy. Stephanie pulled her large winter coat closer to herself. Matt, Jeff, and Lita were leaving. It was two days before Christmas, and the three all had off. Chris did too. And I'm going to be alone.

            She winced at the painful realization that she was family-less. Her family was finally completely detached from each other. Her dad basically hated the entire family—including her. Even though she had proved her loyalty for a few months now, her father still didn't trust her. Didn't even look at her, really. Her mother barely ever came around, and only did when she had too. She couldn't take the sight of her dad. Shane was still with his group, the group she left. Her last link to her family was severed when she left. The few times she saw him, he made no attempt to talk to her. The silence probably hurt the most.

            Chris was so amazingly nice to her, though. It had been a few months since he had welcomed her into his life. At first, she didn't trust him, and, with all probability, the feeling of uneasiness was not unknown by Chris as well. However, after awhile, things started to change for the better, and they began to actually work together as a team. People were finding themselves not having a problem with their partnership. Everything was falling into place, at least with her social life.

            She still could remember where she felt the turning point was. She was quite aware of his birthday, and she had gone out of her way to get him something. She knew he wasn't expecting it, that she probably forgot his birthday, and she was never one to do what people expected. She ended up getting him a CD that he had been craving for a long time, stuff she would never listen to, but knew he would completely adore. That was probably the first time she really showed some sort of emotion toward him, and was pleasantly surprised that he was both shocked and happy that she had done that.

            After that, the tension of the past sort of melted away.

            "Penny for your thoughts?" She looked up, her thoughts being shaken away. Lita sat down beside her, on the cold, snow-covered steps of the hotel they were both staying at.

            "Just thinking about Christmas," she explained.

            "Ah." She nodded, understanding. "Not looking forward to it?"

            "I don't have one." She shook her head bitterly.

            "Guess your family isn't ready to make amends, huh?" Lita frowned.

            "Definitely not," she shrugged. "But it's all right. I really never had a Christmas anyway."

            "It'll turn out okay, don't worry," she responded. "I didn't think I'd have much of a Christmas either."

            "You going to Matt and Jeff's house?" she asked.

            "Yeah, it should be fun."

            "That's good." She paused. "Lita, don't tell Chris, all right?"

            "About what?" she inquired.

            "About me not having any place to go for Christmas." She responded quickly. "I don't need his pity."

            "Chris never does anything out of pity, you should know that." She pointed out. "But if you don't want me to tell, I won't."

            "Thanks Lita." She smiled. The redhead shook her head.

            "It's no problem. But really, Steph, you should tell him. Just a suggestion." She looked toward their packed car. "Looks like my ride is ready. Hey, take it easy, all right?"

            "Yeah," she nodded. "I'll see you in a few days."

            They both stood up, and Stephanie gave Lita a slight, friendly hug. Lita grinned at her, giving a wave, before catching up with Matt and Jeff, who were being helped by Chris. He was really the only reason he was outside, well, that and the fact she wanted to say goodbye to her friends. Because they hung around with Chris so much, she couldn't help but become close with them too. It's going to be quiet without them around.

            She waved to Matt and Jeff who had waved to her. She watched as they got in, and soon left both her and Chris alone. There went three of their group.  It was just she and Chris now. He was leaving the following morning, and then she'd be alone, with no friends and, more importantly, no family. I hope they all have a good time, for both themselves and me.

            She felt something pelt her lightly in the arm. She looked to it, and found fresh snow on her coat. She looked down and saw the remains of a crushed snowball. Looking to Chris, she found him grinning innocently at her. She loved that look, perhaps because she saw it so often. It reminded her of the mischievous cat from Alice In Wonderland, a book she read when she was little. Actually, he always reminded her of that striped cat, who was always her favorite character in it.

            The Cheshire cat grin, that's what it is. She always called the smile that, as did a few other people. She wasn't alone, it seemed. Still, it meant he was up to something, and this particular time he was guilty of throwing snowballs made of the fresh snow that had fallen only a few hours earlier, covering the ground in about 2 inches of snow. She tapped her foot testily.

            "Chris, drop that snow." She scolded. He pouted, knowing he was caught, and tossed the remaining snow in his gloves. "I'm freezing. Let's go inside."

            "You're no fun, Stephy." He sniggered. He jogged over to her, grinning broadly.

            "Shaddup, Blondie." She smirked. He gave a fake look of hurt.

            "That hit me, right here." He clutched his heart. She rolled her eyes.

            "You're such a diva." She replied.

            "Me? Never." He grinned, locking her in a playful headlock. She squirmed in his grip as he tussled her hair.

            "Lemme go!" she pouted, muffled by his arm.

            "Say you're sorry." He laughed.

            "Fine! Fine! I'm sorry." She replied quickly. "Now let me go, I can't br—" almost instantly, the grip was loosened and she was freed. She stood up straight, trying to smooth down her messed up hair. "You're a jackass."

            "I know." He grinned brightly. "Shall we, Queen of the World?"

            "I don't know why I put up with you." She responded, walking past him, not before shooting him a glare.

            "You know you can't help but like me, that's why!" he nodded his head, proudly, following her inside.

            She just rolled her eyes. He's going to drive me crazy one day. Or even to drinking. Yet, sadly he's actually right. Like I'll ever say that out loud. Hah!

            They got back to the room they were sharing. They had been sharing a room since he first helped her. It was probably the safest for her.  The Alliance always seemed to be secretly after her for revenge. Chris will protect me. She just kept reminding herself that she would be all right with him. He seemed like he wanted nothing more then to help her, too.  The same went with her other friends.

            Actually, the only person in the WWF she didn't get along with now was her father himself. Who knew, Chris actually had a positive effect on her.

            "So, you ready for Christmas?" Chris asked, cheerily.

            "Yeah, I'm ready." She nodded, trying to sound upbeat. "What are you doing for Christmas?"

            "Going to my old house in Canada, of course." He grinned broadly. "My house is filled with lots of shit to do. Hockey, especially, and skiing is great there too."

            "Sounds fun." She nodded.

            "What about you? You haven't told me much about your plans." He asked, curiously.

            "Oh, you know.." she paused. I don't want his pity, forget what Lita said. "The usual."

            "Sounds like fun." He replied. He paused, peering at her squarely. "Even though you're absolutely lying your ass off.."

            "What do you mean?" she inquired nervously. Shit, he knows me too well.

            "You know you can't lie to me anymore." He chuckled. "So, what's up?"

            "It's nothing, Chris. You're delusional." She dismissed him sharply.

            "Oh really, then why aren't you looking at me, huh?" he asked. "You always look at me when you talk. Well, more like glare."

            "I'm—" she sighed. "Listen, forget it, all right?"

            "You know I can't forget stuff." He laughed. "So just tell me what's up, all right?"

            He isn't going to stop asking. It's not even worth lying. "I'm not going anywhere for Christmas. That's all. See? Nothing for you to worry about." She gave him a nervous glance. His face had grown serious. Pity all ready; he is so predictable.

            "Why?" he finally questioned.

            "My family has decided to keep up the long standing fight we're all having. So basically, it seems I'll be here when you get back, that's for sure." She shrugged lightly.

            "You're going to stay here, all alone?" he frowned.

            "Chris, I don't want your pity." She retorted, suddenly angry. I knew he was going to be like this. "It's all right with me. I don't care."

            "Who says I pity you?" he asked, confused.

            "That look you're giving me." She responded hastily.

            "Well, it obviously must bother you if you're so jumpy about it." He shrugged.

            "Well it doesn't." she snapped. She still felt his eyes on her. "Stop looking at me like that."

            "What look am I giving you?" he asked, exasperated.

            "The look that says you feel bad for me." She replied. "I hate that."

            "I'm not pitying you, Steph. I was just thinking that I don't want you to be alone because you're my friend, not because I feel bad for you." He explained. "You should know I never pity anyone."

            "..I'm sorry." She sighed, shaking her head. "I guess it is getting to me."

            "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he inquired.

            "I didn't want you to worry about me." She responded honestly.

            "Well, I'm not worried. Actually, I'm perfectly fine." He smiled. "I have an idea, a good one!"

            "Chris, the last time you had an idea—" she trailed off.

            "Come with me." He responded, ignoring her previous comment.

            "Huh?" she looked confused.

            "Come with me." He repeated. "To Canada."

            "You want me to come with you?" she asked, surprised.

            "Yeah!" he nodded, grinning. "Come on, Steph, it'll be fun. And it sure as hell beats being all alone for the holidays."

            "But—Chris, I couldn't." she responded, dumbfounded.

            "Why not?" he asked. "It's not like you have anywhere else to go."

            "Yeah I know but—" she paused. "Wouldn't your parents be upset if I just suddenly appeared with you?"

            "Nope." He shook his head. "My mom makes twenty times more food then we need. She's been trying to get me to bring home a girl for years, anyway."

            "Yeah, but when she said to bring home a girl, she meant a girlfriend, not a pathetic family-less 'friend'." She smirked.

            "You're not pathetic. So you're set, see?" he smiled. She gave him a deadpan look.

            "You know what I mean."

            "My mom only said 'bring a girl home'. And unless I'm mistaken, I think you fall under that category." He nodded matter-of-factly. "So come with me. I won't take no for an answer."

            He's in one of those moods. I'm not going to win this. I have a feeling he might drag me out if I don't say yes. Better to just agree—but that means I'll have to meet his family, and that's enough to make me dizzy with nervousness. She sighed gently. "Fine, I'll go." She finally replied. "But I really think this is a bad idea, Chris. Your parents are going to be mad, and they'll kick us both out."

            "Hey, if that happens, we'll still have each other, right?" he pointed out. She sighed.

            "I guess so—" she frowned. I hope I know what I'm getting in to.