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Stephanie McMahon smirked to herself as she sat at her desk and sorted through some papers.

Interesting... It seemed as though Amy Dumas had taken a job as commentator on Sunday Night Heat, alongside Jonathan Coachman. Apparently, the company and the fans alike had been disappointed that Lita had vanished from their sight. And because of that, someone working behind the scenes had called the redhead and inquired as to whether she'd accept this new, temporary position.

Stephanie felt she couldn't be any more disappointed and angry if Amy hadn't accepted it...

After Paul had witnessed the scene between the redhead and Adam a couple of months back - he'd been in the same restaurant they'd been in, ironically enough - and after he'd told her all about it, she'd felt more hopeless than ever...

The brunette raised both hands and covered her eyes wearily. She hated her life... All she had going for her was her career. She didn't give much thought to her looks or money, or even her health. What she really, truly and desperately craved was a relationship with a man who would sweep her off her feet...

...As Adam had...

Despite having never gone out on one date with him, Stephanie's heart desired the tall, handsome blond man. She'd seen a real and genuine side to him - generous, warm and kind - attributes the likes of which Paul Levesque did not possess...

She scowled as she thought of the man who, unbelievably, was still her fiance. He was such a pompous jerk! And when he'd told her about the tender moment between Adam and Amy, he'd been positively gleeful. God, but that man relished in gossip. Stephanie could honestly say that she'd never even met a woman who enjoyed gossipping as much as he did.

The phone on her desk abruptly began ringing, startling the young woman from her bitter thoughts. A quick glance at her right told her it was her personal secretary who was buzzing her.

She snatched up the receiver in a hurry before it could ring a third time.

"What is it, Rosie?"

"There's a call for you on line two..." the young woman replied.

"This had better be good," Stephanie thought aloud. "Who is it?"

"Adam Copeland..."

The brunette's breath caught at the sound of the Canadian's name, and her heart began to beat noticeably faster. She found it ironic that he would be calling at the same time she'd been thinking about him.

"Put him through..." she demanded, not caring if Rosie thought her rude. She wondered what this was all about.

"Stephanie McMahon..." The brunette spoke crisply, business-like.

"Stephanie, hi," Adam spoke, and his deep, thoroughly masculine tones sent a ripple soaring through the SmackDown General Manager's body.

"Hello, Edge..." The brunette was unable to keep the grin from spreading across her face as she spoke. "It's good to hear from you...How are you doing?"

"Coming along pretty well, thanks..."

"So," Stephanie continued, still smiling from ear-to-ear, "what can I do for you?"

"Funny you should ask," Adam said. "I was recently contacted by someone on the SmackDown behind-the-scenes staff about a temporary consultant position...?"

"Oh yes...What about it?"

"I think I'd like to take it..." the blond man said.

"Fantastic!" Stephanie cried, unable to keep the enthusiasm out of her voice. She would get to see him if he took this job. "The job is all yours..."