The characters do not belong to me. I am just borrowing them. They belong to J.J., ABC, and BAD ROBOT. This is a story I wrote about six years maybe. And I had some people who wanted to read this again, so I uploading at .

This is story using the characters but set in a different time and a different place. No spy stuff whatsoever. So, if you don't like that kind of story, run away now.

The Iceman Cometh

1 (One)

The crowd is wild tonight. Exactly what I need right now; something to take my mind off of my otherwise pathetic life. It's opening night for the Kings. The excitement is palpable; and I find myself caught up in the hype and the hope for this season. Personally, this year did not start well; I am only hoping that the remainder of the year does not hold the grief and agony of the previous months.

I promised myself I wouldn't do this. But I just finished printing up the invitations; welcome everyone to my pity party. It's hard not to think of what life has handed to me recently. Going from planning a wedding to making arrangements for a funeral does not make for a happy man. Alice was thirty-two and bright and beautiful. We had been friends for years; going from hanging out to making out. We were close, friends kind of close, but at thirty-five I realized that having your best friend become your wife was not so bad.

I proposed, she accepted. I gave her a ring, she gave me season tickets to the Kings. Six months ago, all of that ended. So, tonight I sit here, by myself, one empty seat to my left; a reminder of what might have been; what nearly was; and what will never be.

I can't hear the crowd any longer, but I can see them clapping and waving their hands. Dancing to songs; and cheering for players who skate up and down the ice with such a fluid motion that they could be angels floating among the clouds. I decide that maybe tonight was not the night to conquer my demons. I grab my coat; and hoisting myself up out of my seat, I am suddenly face-to-face with a beautiful woman. It obviously startles us both.

"I am sorry." And for just a moment, I let myself look at her.

"No, I am sorry, excuse me." And she giggles as we try to side step the other, and end up once again, right back where we started. Too close for comfort. One of those awkward moments with a stranger; that just seems too funny to be awkward.

Finally, I step to the left, and she steps to the her left; and we are free and clear. She is still laughing as she sits down in seat 12.

I think I was staring at her; because she asks me a question. And yet, I have no idea what she said. I shake the cobwebs lose and try and save face.

"Oh, what?"

She yells just a little bit here, thinking that I didn't hear because of the crowd.

"Did I get your seat?" She is looking at her ticket and then back to the seat.

"No, not at all."

"Good, because I have no clue what I am doing here. My best friend and her husband had season tickets, and then he got transferred; so I inherited the tickets. Am I even in the right section?"

She hands me the ticket, and I realize that I still have my coat in my hand; but I have sat down. There is a seat between us. She reaches across; leaning towards me just a little. I take the ticket; and sure enough; her tickets are 11 and 12.

"You are exactly where you are supposed to be."

"Great. Are your seats around here?"

I haven't been a people person lately, but she is so vibrant and full of life; that I realize I am mesmerized by her.

"Yes, actually I have 13 and 14."

"How about that? So, we are seat buddies?"

"Seat buddies?" I laugh a little at that. It is just funny to me that she used the word buddies.

"Yep." She nods and her dimples greet me; and I can't help but notice the way that she seems to lighten my mood.

Her mouth is moving again; and I think I caught part of the sentence; but I realize that if I want to hear her I need to get closer. So, I move to seat 13; laying my coat on the seat beside me.

"Say again."

"Is anyone with you?"

"No, no one's with me."

"Then we are definitely seat buddies?"

"Alright, then it's decided."

The crowd is almost panicked at this point. The noise is deafening; and I look at her; and she is excited. Either she loves hockey or this is her first time.

"So, you've never been to a game before."

"Nope. Actually, I have never even watched a game on television."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, crazy right?" She has this look that is completely serious; and I can't help but smile.

"Definitely, so you have no clue what is going on do you?"

"Not at all. I thought I would wing it."

"Well, you have left me no choice. I am going to have to teach you about the rules of hockey. You will become the grasshopper."

"The grasshopper? Reminds me of a lame joke I heard once."

"The bar...and the drink named Phil."

"Actually, it's Doug." I grin at her; noticing the playful nature that we have already. I like it. It's comfortable.

"Speaking of names, I am Michael."

"Grasshopper; although most people just call me Sydney." And there it is again; my smile; and her laughter.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Very nice to meet you, Sydney."

"You too, Michael."

She reaches out to shake my hand, and I swear my pulse just jumped a hundred points. That smile of hers is addictive.

"First lesson, Sydney. You have to be on your feet for the lineups."

Her hand is still in my hand, and I pull her up. And she is a fast learner, because she is yelling and clapping. And I don't think she knows exactly who she is yelling and clapping for but she does it with such enthusiasm that it breeds a good feeling inside of me. Tonight, might not be a bust after all.