Frozen.

Things between them seemed to have gotten worse, they were slowly escalating to a place of no return.

“Maybe you learned it all from him!” she replied watching the part of the tape over and over again, as she sat at home watching the episode of Idol from the night before. Things between her and Simon had gotten even worse, they were slowly but surely escalating to a point of no return. She didn’t hate Simon; he just made her so mad, they had known each other for a short time and he was already under her skin more than any person she’d ever known.

She hadn’t meant to say what she’d said on live television. She really hadn’t, but he’d just been getting under skin so much more than usual and she’d snapped. She’d known something was up the second she’d said it; Simon become very silent and subdued, only speaking when asked too and even then he spoke very little. The second they went off air Simon had rushed off, not allowing her to speak to him; to find out why her comment had upset him so much. She was just about to leave her dressing room when someone knocked on her door.

“Come in,” she called.

Moments later Randy and Ryan entered with solemn facial expressions.

“What?” she asked as they closed the door behind them and asked if they could take a seat on her sofa.

“There’s something you should know about Simon, something which will explain a lot of things,” Ryan replied in a solemn manner.

“Go on,” she replied as she turned her make up chair to face them before taking a seat; mentally preparing her body for what was to come.

“Simon’s dad… he uh, died a few years back-”

“Oh God,” Paula whispered as she buried her face in her hands.

“He and Simon were quite close, his dad was like his best friend, someone who Simon looked up to and when he died. Something inside Simon sort of died too. So when you said what you said tonight, all of which Simon thought was healed became broken again. He’s never gotten over the loss of his dad,” Ryan replied.

“We thought you should know,” Randy whispered before he and Ryan excused themselves from her dressing room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.


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“Ryan!” she cornered in Ryan in the parking lot as he was about to get into his car.

“Yeah,” he replied as he unlocked his car, placing his things inside.

“Do you have Simon’s address, I really want to go and apologise, please?” she pleaded when she saw the questioning look on Ryan’s face. “I won’t tell him you gave it to me, if that’s what your worried about.”


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She sat outside of Simon’s rented mansion, it was a beautiful house. She knew someone was home because there seemed to be a bedroom light on. She glanced down at the code to the house written on a bit of paper. She knew he wouldn’t let her in, so she’d also begged Ryan for the code. Reluctantly he given it to her and now here she was.

Her hand was shaking as she keyed in the code, opening the gates so she could drive her car into the safety of Simon’s gates. She sat in her car for what seemed like an eternity before she mustered up the courage to at the very least get out of her car and make her way to the front door.

She used the key Ryan had given her to open the front door. She gasped as she took in the beautiful home she was stood in. “Focus!” she quietly scolded herself as she began to look around for Simon. “He’s not downstairs,” she mused as she began to climb the elaborate spiral staircase to the first floor.

She searched every room she passed and there was still no sign of him. That is until she heard a faint sound coming from behind a closed door. She opened the door a crack to see Simon sitting on the bed with his back to her staring at a photo.

“Dad, I miss you so much,” she heard him whisper brokenly. “I need you to help me with this pain, please,” he whispered before moving back onto the bed and curling into a ball.

“I’m so, sorry Simon,” she whispered as she rushed to the bed and spooned behind him. Wrapping her arms tightly around him as he unexpectedly turned in her arms resting his head on her chest, where he broke down sobbing. “I’m so, sorry Simon,” she whispered after he’d fallen asleep in her arms; his exhaustion claiming him.


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No one knew what had transpired between Simon and Paula at his home not even Ryan. They did know that things between Simon and Paula couldn’t continue this way; snapping at one another, at every given opportunity. Now that Idol had finished for this season and Fox had renewed the show; Randy, Ryan, Ken and Nigel had come up with an idea to try and change the relationship between the ‘Star-Crossed Lovers’.

So with a trip organised and paid for by Fox the Idol group: Ryan, Randy, Ken, Nigel, Paula and Simon were to spend a week at a ski resort of Big Bear in southern California, where it had begun snowing early that year. It was non-negotiable; they were going skiing. Ken and Nigel stood at the head of the table as Randy and Ryan sat opposite two very angered people known as Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Simon raged as he stood up from his chair.

“This is some joke right?” Paula asked as Simon began pacing around the room, like a caged animal.

“I’m afraid not, Paula,” Ken replied. “We all as a group need to have some bonding time-”

“Bonding time!” Simon yelled interrupting Ken, “Don’t fucking patronise me! I’m not going! I’m going to go now and get breastfed by my DEAD father!” Simon snapped before leaving the room.

“I’ll go,” Ryan replied as he ran after Simon, shooting Paula a look before he left.


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“Randy, I don’t think, I can do this,” she whispered as her and Randy neared Big Bear. “I can’t be around him, like this. I just can’t.” she smiled when Randy took her hand in his, whispering to her that everything would be fine.


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“Paula this is the key to your cabin, it’s number 7. Which is just down there at the end,” Nigel pointed out where the cabin was. she simply followed the employee who had been given the task of carrying her bags to the cabin.

Simon didn’t seem to be here yet, which was a relief. Or maybe he was already in a cabin, hopefully as far away from her as humanely possible.

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“This is it, ma’am,” the employee replied as he set down Paula’s bags, moving aside so Paula could open the door.

“I got them, you can go,” she replied handing the employee a tip. She paused her key half in the lock, half out as she heard a familiar voice mumbling inside the cabin.

She opened the door to see Simon carrying some skis up the stairs, “Thankfully I can bloody ski.”

“I don’t believe this,” Paula whispered shocked as she carried her bags into the cabin before shutting the door behind her; it was chilly outside.

“What are you doing here?” She lifts her gaze to see Simon coming down the stairs looking none to pleased to see her standing there.

“Apparently this is my cabin, what are you doing here?” she replies as she removes her coat, and places it on the coat rack.

“This is my bloody cabin! This isn’t happening!” Simon mumbles as he fishes his phone out of his pocket. Before he manages to push a button his phone lights up; he’s gotten a text message.

He reads it out: “Simon. You and Paula are going to be sharing the same cabin. You two need to learn to get along and this is a perfect way to do it. And before you ask no you cannot change rooms or leave early. Have fun.”

“Look Simon! I don’t like you, you don’t like me! This is just a week, I’m sure we can avoid killing each other. Ugh,” she let out a groan as she tried to pick up one of her cases.

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he flew to her side. She didn’t respond. “For God sake! Just tell me? Is it your neck?” he whispered as she placed a hand on her neck. He’d heard all the stories explaining her health issues over the years.

“Yes,” she whispered, “Can you please get the pills from my handbag?” she asked softly as she lay herself down on the sofa.

“Here?” he whispered a couple of minutes later as he handed her the pills and a glass of water. She swallowed the water and pills mumbling a thank you as she closed her eyes. “Go to sleep darling,” he whispered covering her with a blanket before retreating to his room.


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“Si,” Paula whispered as she opened her eyes to find herself laying on the sofa with a blanket draped over her. She smiled when she remembered Simon bringing her some pills before covering her with a blanket. He must have taken her bags up to her room for her whilst she was sleeping.

“Hey,” Paula smiled as she saw Simon coming downstairs. He obviously just woken up; he was topless. She had to hide her face as she blushed. “You hungry? I made breakfast?”

“Yeah please,” he replied as he came over and sat at the breakfast table. “It smells delicious. What is it?” he enquired.

“It is what I believe you English would call a fry up? Anything specific you want on your plate?” she replied as she began cracking some eggs into the pan watching as the filled out and began to resemble eggs.

“Can I have my bacon soft? I’m not a fan of properly cooked bacon. Please?”

They both sat down to breakfast in relative silence; both had spent the night comfortably, there had been no arguments, no snide remarks. No, nothing and that was the problem. They were sitting here like they were comfortable with each other, like they knew and respected and liked one another; they didn’t.

“Did you take my bags up to my room?” she asked breaking the tension and the silence that had enveloped them.

“Yeah,” he replied after he’d swallowed some bacon. “This is good! Why do you ask?”

“I just wondered, that was all, Simon I want to apologise for what I said to you, about you father. I didn’t know about what had happened and then you were just needling me, and I snapped. I’m sorry.” Simon scoffs.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Especially not with you!” Simon replied coldly. “Thanks for breakfast,” he said before placing his fork back onto the table and excusing himself to his room.


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“You stalking me!” she snaps when they both emerge from their rooms half-an-hour later. Both wearing ski gear; Paula in pink and Simon in black.

“Don’t flatter yourself darling!” he said sarcastically pushing past her so he could stalk down the stairs. “I need some tea,” she heard him mumble as he went into the kitchen.

“You suck!” she screamed as she grabbed her gear and went out the door. Yes she knew screaming ‘You suck!’ was childish, but she was just so mad and it made her feel a little bit better. She knew Simon was an experienced skier, she was an ok skier just no where near as good as Simon. She placed her feet into her skis and set off.

She began to ski faster as she heard Simon’s voice behind her, calling for her to slow down and let him catch up to her, but she was just too mad to even contemplate it right now. So mad in fact that she didn’t notice a sign to her left saying; ‘Warning! Abandoned Mine!’ she only noticed the sign when she felt the ground disappear from beneath her feet as she suddenly began falling. She heard Simon’s scream as she fell hard to the cold, damp floor of the mine.

“PAULAAAAAAAAA!” he screamed as he neared the mine. He stepped out of his skis and kneeled down, peering over the edge. He breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw her eyes were open and she was staring up at him.

“Simon,” she whimpered, so softly that he barley heard it.

“Darling! Are you ok?” he yelled down as he fished around for his phone. “Damn!” he screamed as he realised in his haste to catch up to Paula, he’d left his phone on the kitchen table. “Stay there, I’m coming down,” he shouted before standing to have a look around for some rope to tie around himself so he could get down safely.

“Paula! I’m coming!” he yelled as he found a piece of rope which seemed strong enough to support both of their weights. “I’m coming!” he yelled once he had the piece of room tied tightly around his waist. Despite the pain she was in, she watched him intently as he slowly scaled down the mine shaft to get to her. She screamed as she watched him fall, the snapped rope following him as he crashed down to the floor; unmoving.

“Simon! Simon!” she screamed as she crawled over to his still, unmoving, silent form. She gently moved their bodies so that his head was resting in her lap. ‘He tried to save me,’ she thought as the silence extended around them. As the silence became almost deafening, she heared a small groan as well movement coming from her lap.

“Simon,” she whispered as he began moving his head slowing rousing himself from unconsciousness into consciousness.

“Don’t move! Stay still,” she whispered as she stroked her fingers through his hair; trying to relax him as he slowly roused himself.

She moved them so they are both laying down on the floor; it is becoming uncomfortable to stay the way they were. This way with Simon close to her; his body heat mingling with hers is what they both need.

“It’s so cold,” she whispers through chattering teeth.

“We need to stay warm, we need to stay close if we have any hope of being found,” Simon said weakly as he linked their fingers; squeezing softly.

“Are we going to make love in order to keep warm?” Paula whispers softly as she turns her head to face Simon. Laughing slightly as she takes in his dumbfounded expression. “What?” she giggled, “I read somewhere that making love keeps you warm. Besides I was just joking -” she is silenced as Simon’s lips touch hers - they are kissing and she isn’t stopping it.

There lips remain touching as he pulls her on top of him so she is straddling his stomach. The heat rushes through them as their bodies become one.


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The cabin is silent; no sound can be heard until Randy and Ryan enter the cabin in search of their two missing colleagues. They’d all agreed to meet for dinner and discuss what they’d done today but as more and more time passed the seats reserved for Simon and Paula remained empty. Prompting one Ryan Seacrest accompanied by an equally worried Randy Jackson to set off for cabin number 7, in search of their missing colleagues.


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“Simon! Paula!” Ryan called as he and Randy enter cabin number 7. They knew something is up the second they enter because the place looked as if a fight had taken place; it is a mess. Breakfast is sitting half-eaten and cold on the table. “There’s no one here but only one bed has been slept in,” Ryan says a wicked smile upon his face, as he comes downstairs after searching the first floor of the cabin.

“Ryan their skis are missing and there are ski tracks leading away from the house. I think they went skiing or something?” Randy says worriedly.

“Don’t die Simon, please,” she hears herself whisper as curls into Simon, the silence deafening her as they lay there in the darkness of the empty, abandoned mine shaft. “Help!” she began to yell again; she knew this to be a vain attempt. She was convinced that no one was going to find them, that she and Simon were going to die down here forgotten by the world. “Help!” she yelled weakly; her voice and body slowly failing her. Soon she too would be laying unconscious like Simon. Slipping further and further into the dark place of death.

“Randy!” Ryan stopped in his tracks as he heard a sound. “Did you hear that?” Ryan grew frustrated as Randy shook his head, unable to hear what he’d heard. Then he heard it again, taking off as fast as his skis would take him in direction of the sound. “Help!” the sound became louder and clearer as they reached a set of trees, their gazes immediately being drawn to a huge hold in the ground. “Paula, Simon,” Ryan whispered happily as he spotted laying Paula and Simon curled in on one another.


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Six hours later Paula lay in her hospital room, waiting for the bed next to her to be filled. “He’ll be fine,” Ryan said cutting Paula out of her daydream and bringing her back to the real world. Simon had been diagnosed the onset of hypothermia. She too had been diagnosed with the onset of hypothermia, Simon’s was at a more advanced stage for some unknown reason. She’d also been given pain medication for her neck.


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“How is he? Is he going to be ok?” she bombarded the nurse with questions as the door opened and they wheeled an unconscious Simon into the room. She swallowed a sob as she saw them hooking Simon up to several I.V drips as well as bundling him in several blankets to keep him warm. “I asked you a question!” she snapped at the nurse; her voice stern and unforgiving. “Is he going to be ok? Answer me!” she knew she was being unreasonable, none of this was the nurses fault. She simply had the misfortune of being the nurse who had to set Simon up in his new room.

“He’s going to be fine ma’am. You both are going to need to take it easy for a while,” the nurse replied politely before excusing herself.


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She awoke from her peaceful slumber to hear Simon mumbling loudly in his sleep; he was having a nightmare. “Simon,” she whispered leaning over to nudge his elbow as his nightmare continued to progress.


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Today was the day she would once again be face to face with Simon Cowell; someone she desperately didn’t want to see. He’d woken in the hospital angry, he’d yelled and screamed at her until the nurses had sedated him, and she herself had been in tears. He’d been way too angry and irrational for her to talk to him, he didn’t want to listen. So Paula had arranged for herself to move rooms and they’d not exchanged so much as a sound between them since then.

She felt this deep connection to him after all that they’d been through in the mine. This was something she knew to be true but something she wouldn’t admit even to herself; she’d fallen in love with him and his reaction in the hospital had broken her heart.


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In the room they were conducting auditions the air-conditioning system had broken meaning that the room was unbearably hot, but there were no other rooms available for them to conduct judging; they were stuck. She was beginning to feel dizzy and slightly nauseas, which didn’t help. This was just adding to her feelings of guilt, anger and feelings of being genuinely uncomfortable. Her and Simon hadn’t spoken a word to each other since they’d been reunited; the tension was palpable.

She stood the second the last audition before lunch had ended. She must have stood too quickly, because her feelings of dizziness seemed to intensify causing her to stumble backwards into the ready arms of him, he caught her as she fell.

She could hear voices around her, she knew she was in someone’s arms. She just couldn’t open her eyes; the effort too great for her small and tired body.


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She sat on the sofa in her dressing room and stared. Not wanting to accept what was set out in front of her as plain as day. She just couldn’t accept this; she was pregnant and the baby was his. Her child was to be fathered by man who loathed her with every fibre of his being; he hated her and together they were going to share a child.

A chill ran down her spine as she heard the door to her dressing room open, and his voice filling the unsteady, uneasy silence. “Your pregnant and I’m guessing that I am the father?”