AN: A series of 'what if' questions that are totally random and I'll write them as they come to me. Another thing, a lot of the stories are probably gonna be slash because my mind automatically sees slash whenever I watch anything. I know, effed up right? Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Peace
Disclaimer: I own nothing, which is sad because Nathan West and Patrick O'Brian Demsey are awesome!
Summary: What if….
Rizzo had been cut and Timmy stayed?
Told from OC's POV
I was reasonably sure that I might cry, or rip Herb's head off. Either one had undesirable consequences but I was never one to care about rules or consequences. Luckily for me and Herb obviously, the sadness overcame the anger. It all seemed so unfair, how could Herb cut Rizzo? And keep Timmy Harrer of all people? I knew it was stupid to hate someone I didn't know, but I did because he was the reason Rizzo was going home. Rizzo, my best friend, the biggest worry-wart in the world, and the heart of this team was going home because he just couldn't seem to score, even though he practiced harder than everyone on the team because that was just who he was.
I can't remember ever crying over anything in my entire life, not even when I broke my foot or when my grandfather died, but I was now. I was sitting in the utility closet outside the locker room because Rizzo had just been called to Herb's office and we all knew what that meant. He was getting cut right now as I blubber on and on. I wonder how the other guys are taking it because Rizzo was like our substitute mother. He fed us, worried about all of us, was usually the one to comfort one of us when we were in pain, and he was the mediator. Everyone respected him and loved him as much as one can when they've only known each other for a few months. Sure he wasn't the best hockey player of us all, but I was sure no one wanted to go to the Olympics without him. He saved our asses in Norway and still had enough energy to mother us all to death after that torturous session.
As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to win a championship game, but now I don't think I have the heart simply because it won't be the same playing without Rizzo. I feel like a big wussy girl because I'm crying in a closet while still wearing my gear. I must look so gay, but I don't think I would care if someone saw me right now. I'm pretty sure this is what losing faith in the world feels like, heartbreak. Wow, I even sound gay. Rizzo would probably comfort me if he was here right now and he should be the one needing comfort. I feel like a jerk now. He is probably heart broken right now and still holding his head up high because that is just how Rizzo is. He is probably in the locker room right now giving the other guys a pep talk to brighten their spirits. God, I'm a asshole.
I wiped my tears away and went to open the door, only to be greeted with Mac's visage. He looked like he was about to break down crying. His shoulders were slumped dejectedly and he too was still in his gear.
"…hey." Jeeze, he sounded like somebody broke his heart. For all I know, someone might have. He and Rizzo were friends from the beginning because Rizzo was incapable of holding a grudge against anybody and no one could resist being Rizzo's friend, try as they might, it was impossible, he was just too great of a guy. I felt even worse. Here I am crying my eyes out in the closet, thinking I would be the only one devastated, and I'm not.
"Can I get my turn in the closet? I really don't feel like crying out here where anyone can see me." Mac asked, sniffling and wiping at his eyes. He looked pathetic and I realized that I probably did, too.
"Yeah, sure…is Rizzo in the locker room?" Mac shook his head 'no' and sniffled again. I'm not a sympathetic crier but seeing Mac break down crying made me start crying again. I ducked back into the closet, followed by Mac, and closed the door.
"Man, this sucks! How could Herb do this? I mean, I've always respected him but I kind of want to kick him in the balls right now." Mac sobbed, his head protected by his arms.
"I know…I sort of want to rip his head off." Now I was even more aware of how pathetic I was. I hope that I didn't look as bad as Mac. Mac started mumbling things to himself and I kind of wanted to pat him on the back or something, try to comfort him somehow but I had never been good at that sort of thing. I was about to reach over and put a hand on his shoulder or something when there was a light knock on the door.
"Hold on a sec!" I said, trying to keep my voice calm and wiping my face off. "Mac, get a hold of yourself!" I whispered, not wanting him to look too much like a pansy.
"OC? What are you doing in there?" Rizzo's concerned voice came through the wood and I immediately threw the door open.
"Rizzo? What are you doing out here?" I looked him over and noticed that he had his sports bag with him, the one he usually left in the locker room. I felt like crying all over again.
"Buzz said he saw Mac go in here. I came to see how he was doing. I didn't think you would be in here, too." Rizzo's confusion turned to concern when he took in my uniform and red face. "Have you been crying?"
"Uh…"
"Never mind, if you were, I don't want to know. It might ruin my view of you." He said, cracking a smile. Ah jeeze, he is cracking a joke at a time like this. Although, his eyes were slightly watery, so he was putting on a brave face for the rest of us. Suddenly, a loud choking sob came from behind me and Rizzo looked over my shoulder.
"Mac?" Rizzo's concerned face melted into a weird look, probably something along the lines of adoration. I wasn't sure and it confused me greatly as to why Mac would incite that emotion from Rizzo. Mac looked up quickly before turning and wiping his face off vigorously.
"H-hey, man! Whats up?" He walked up to stand next to me, sending a small glare in my direction. I raised my eyebrow in response. Rizzo rolled his eyes and grinned.
"Well, I'm glad you two are bonding and all, but I have to go back to the room and pack up my stuff. I just came by to see if you were ready to go Mac but I can see you aren't. I guess I'll just head back on my own." Rizzo said before turning to walk down the hall. Mac jumped quickly and grabbed Rizzo's arm, stopping him.
"Wait! Give me a second! I'll be ready to go in a minute!" Rizzo grinned as Mac sprinted to the locker room. It looked hilarious because he was still wearing most of his gear. I looked at Rizzo as that weird look appeared on his face again.
"Whats up with you two?" I asked bluntly, catching Rizzo's attention immediately. His face went blank and I knew that he was about to BS me.
"What are you talking about?"
"C'mon Rizzo, just save the time and tell me what the hell is going on."
"…Honestly?" he asked, a sudden slump in his shoulders. I nodded and he sighed.
"As of fifteen minutes ago, nothing at all. It could have been something but now that I'm going home, its pretty much out of the question." I got a sort of dreadful feeling in my stomach as I started to peace it together.
"You two?…ya know…really?" I asked in disbelief. Mac I might have figured, but Rizzo? Seriously? Well, that just blew my mind. Rizzo rolled his eyes again.
"Its not like I was planning on liking one of my teammates, let alone another guy. It just sort of happened." He shrugged, as if that explained it all.
"It just sort of happened? That kind of thing doesn't usually just 'sort of happen', ya know? It must have come from somewhere, right? Repressed homosexual tendencies, or something like that." Rizzo snorted.
"I don't have any 'repressed homosexual tendencies'. Before this…whatever the hell it is…I was completely into women and I still am."
"Then…what the hell? Is Mac gay?" Rizzo laughed and shook his head.
"He is the same as me. I guess it was just a weird connection thing that sort of just happened. I don't know, we really didn't sit down and talk about it, just kind of let it flow I guess."
"So, are you guys…together or something?" I was a little flabbergasted by the whole thing, it just seemed so impossible but here it was, happening right in front of me.
"Its one of those 'what could have been' things. We never talked about it, so we never really confessed any feelings but we both knew they were there. We just kind of did what felt natural. We never did anything…intimate" at this point he blushed and I smirked, that was so Rizzo, "it was kind of like communicating with body language, ya know?"
"So you guys sent each other loving looks and blew kisses to each other?" I joked and Rizzo laughed, shaking his head.
"Not even close." We both had a little laugh before I realized that my gear was becoming uncomfortable and itchy.
"Well, I need to get this shit off. I itch." Rizzo grinned and rolled his eyes for probably the hundredth time. I was about to make my escape when Rizzo called out to me.
"You know, I'll see you guys at Lake Placid, right? There is no way I am missing my boys beating Russia." I turned back and Rizzo winked, before walking around a corner whistling. I grinned and shook my head. Leave it to Rizzo to know how to comfort me. I smiled again, when I realized that I could now tease Mac mercilessly about his gay-ness. Things were looking up.
