So! My apologies that it's taken so long to get this out. I'd literally written about 200 words on it, way back when and then didn't touch it again until today. This isn't a long chapter (I don't anticipate that many chapters of this will be lengthy anywho) but it does what it needs to and follows the format I wanted to set.

I've got quite a bit of free time today and tomorrow, somehow. So I will do my best to update these poor, neglected fics of mine. LOL. Stay tuned. And let me know what you think!

"Paul, where are you taking me?" Stephanie asked, laughing.

The muscular blonde glanced over to the passenger side of the jeep and flashed her a grin. "Just trust me, okay?"

"I'd trust you more if it wasn't ten at night and we weren't driving up the side of some huge hill," she muttered aloud.

Paul laughed loudly and turned his attention back to the winding road. He patted her jean-clad knee briefly, but affectionately before returning it to the steering wheel. "I know these trails like the back of my hand, Steph. We'll be perfectly fine."

At his reassurance, Stephanie felt her anxiety start to slip away from her, moment by moment. So far, he hadn't nearly driven them off a cliff or into a tree. And he did in fact grow up in this area. They were in Paul's hometown of Nashua, New Hampshire, currently driving up Gilboa Hill. It was the highest point in the city and according to Paul, it boasted a great view.

Since he'd mowed her down in the hallway, they'd hung out for the last two weeks, straight. In terms of how long they'd known each other, their acquaintance was technically minimal. But since they'd spent all of their free time together, it seemed like it had been much longer.

As far as Stephanie was concerned, that wasn't a bad thing at all. She was glad that she'd given him a chance because he'd certainly changed her initial opinion of him. Yes, he was a little rough around the edges – most wrestlers were. But behind his sarcasm, wisecracks and antics with his friends, he was an intelligent, thoughtful, chivalrous man.

Of course, her father would have a fucking heart attack if he found out that his precious, innocent only daughter was spending so much time with a wrestler. And not just any wrestler, nope. She was dating one who was an integral part of groups that gave her father constant shit.

And Paul? He still had no idea that he'd been hanging with the boss' daughter. Somehow, she'd done a very good job at making sure they weren't spotted in the hallways together. She'd cleverly slipped out of revealing her last name every time the topic came up. Stephanie was really good at sneaking around…as the daughter of a wrestling mogul who was a bodybuilder as a hobby, she had to get creative if she ever wanted anyone to be bold enough to date her. And that was just with the trustworthy guys. The assholes, who simply wanted her for her familial connections, pursued her with vigor.

It took a few failed "totally honesty" dating experiences before she figured it was better to hide the fact that she was WWF's heiress.

"We're here," Paul told her in a singsong voice.

He got out of the car and swiftly moved to Stephanie's side and opened the door for her. She stood up, smiling at him bashfully as he placed his hand at the small of her back while closing the door.

Paul grinned at her. If he were to be completely honest, he'd never met anyone like her before. She was seriously smart, but remained completely down to earth. She was so gorgeous it was almost ethereal. Her sense of humor was varied and she could take the jokes just as well as she could dish them out. He'd picked up on some tomboyish interests…which only served to make her more appealing since her appearance and chosen wardrobe was never even close to masculine. He'd love to know what the hell her flaw was. Nobody could be this fucking perfect but thus far, that's exactly what she was.

He should be scared at how quickly he was developing feelings for her. But Stephanie somehow made him feel safe, emotionally speaking. He was blowing off his wrestling buddies to spend time with her. Although he wanted her, making a move physically had been out of the question. He didn't want her to think he wasn't taking her seriously.

Serious. Huh. That's exactly how he thought of whatever it was that was happening here. He was serious about her. But did she feel the same way? She was interning for the WWF over the fall. To her this could just be a fling. God, he hoped that wasn't the case and that she saw he was worth getting to know deeper.

He led the way into an opening that had carved out area that was perfect for sitting.

Beside him, Stephanie gasped, taking in the scenery. The landscape included spectacular houses, the bright lights and tall buildings of downtown, the rivers that bordered the city and everything in between. "Paul, it's beautiful," she marveled aloud.

"It is," he told her, deciding to take the risk of grabbing her hand in his.

Stephanie turned to him, cheeks flushed pink already. "You're beautiful, too."

Paul wrinkled his nose cutely. "I'm not beautiful," he disagreed. "I'm a man."

Stephanie pinched his cheek and laughed at him. "You're a beautiful man."

"Steph…" he trailed off. "Don't make me get you."

"Oooooh, I'm so scared!" She gave an exaggerated shiver and started laughing again. "You wouldn't hurt me."

"You're right," he said, changing the lighthearted tone of the conversation. This caught Stephanie's attention and her eyes immediately softened.

"Paul," she started.

"I know what your first impression of me was. Hell, you told me yourself." He chuckled nervously. "But I'm not that guy." Paul released her hand and instead stroked her cheek gently. "I won't hurt you, Stephanie."

Stephanie searched his eyes and found nothing but sincerity there. She leaned forward slightly, inviting him to kiss her.

Their lips met and the rest of the world faded away. He ran his fingers through her hair, gently tugging on it momentarily. Stephanie parted her mouth, allowing his tongue to mingle with hers. His hands slid down and roamed a bit…he caressed and massaged her neck, fingers gliding over and around her ears, gently teasing. She moaned lightly, almost whimpering as she melted into the sensations beginning to travel throughout her body.

They broke apart for air and Stephanie found herself inhaling and exhaling a huge breath.

Paul looked at her and was somewhat concerned. "That – that wasn't too much, was it?"

Stephanie turned to meet his eyes and actually laughed a little bit. Her lips were full and pouting from the kiss. Her face was flushed. It was literally requiring a great majority of her restraint not to let him have her right here and now. If that's what the hell their first kiss was like, she couldn't wait to see what stops he pulled out for her when it was time for more intimacy. And that time would come; she was sure of it. Their connection was almost magnetic and they both seemed to be in this for the right reasons. She ruffled his hair playfully and eased his fears with, "No. It was perfect."

Present Day

Paul sat in the visitor's chair in Stephanie's room. He looked every bit as distraught as he felt. He clutched one of her hands in both of his silently willing her to wake up.

Wake up…shit; according to the doctors it was a miracle she was alive. They'd had to use the Jaws of Life to pull her out of the mangled fucking wreck that used to be her car. She was rushed to the emergency room, suffering from a punctured lung, a gaping wound on her temple and several broken bones in her left arm. While the SUV had hit the passenger side of her car, the impact made the left side of her body come into contact with her driver's side door, forcefully.

Needless to say, he was completely horrified when he first entered the room. Stephanie was unconscious, machines were beeping slowly, her entire arm was in a cast, a large bandage was on her head and there were tubes suctioning air out of her chest cavity. It was a goddamn horror show but he'd endure it because he wanted to be here for her…whether she was aware of it or not.