Malik did a final count to ensure that the entire team was on the field, then did it again; he was missing someone. And he couldn't be missing someone since that one was his goalie. He better not be missing that one.

"Where's Raafe?" he asked no one in particular and did yet another check; no Raafe. He sighed and waved Desmond over.

"Yeah?" asked the younger man, still in college and way to enthusiastic about everything.

"Where's my goalie?"

"He isn't here?" Desmond did the same as he did and quickly checked over the team as they did their stretches while Malik's other assistant coach, Shaun, led them through it. "Shaun," he yelled.

"What?" the Brit glared at Desmond, he didn't seem to notice.

"Where's Raafe?"

He was contemplative for a moment and there was some talking among the co-ed team, "His father called and said he'd be a little late. He'll be here," he said after a moment and nodded.

"See, nothing to worry about Malik," Desmond clapped him on the shoulder.

"Right… Speak of the devil," he looked over hearing the sound of running feet.

"Sorry I'm late coach," Raafe ran up to Malik thankfully already wearing his uniform.

"Go start warming up," he pointed to the rest of the team. The kid was like a machine and didn't seem to get tired, and he let very few shots get through his quick hands. So there was a low cheer when he finally showed up and he gave them big grins his red jersey standing out amid the normal white ones.

—

There was of course cheering when the game ended and the teams high fived each other before returning to their side of the field and Malik grinned as he watched at least one of the players jump on another in a form of congratulations for doing a good job. He shook hands with the other coach. "You have a nasty goalie there Malik," he informed him.

"Yes, I do," he didn't even deny it.

"Though I am glad he's a goalie and not your forward," he added, Malik sighed, Duncan, one of the kids who played forward was still getting used to the position after playing blocker.

"If he'd let me make him forward I would but he just wants to be goalie," Malik shrugged helplessly and the other coach grinned cheerfully before they parted ways. On the sidelines Shaun and Desmond were giving the team their pep talk and congratulations for playing so well. Malik let them finish before speaking up and reminding everyone they didn't have practice on Monday because of President's day, to which got nods and he let them go.

"Malik," Desmond came up to him as he got his own things together, "Raafe's father wanted me to tell you he's sorry for the lateness," he said.

"Ah," he said distractedly. "Which one is he?" he asked looking around at the kids.

"That one," he pointed, "Right there."

"That's Raafe's father?" Malik couldn't help his stare as he watched his goalie run up to a man dressed casually, a toddler balanced on his hip and seemed to say something excitedly which made the man laugh, though at a distance Malik couldn't hear it.

"Yeah."

"He's really… young," Malik changed his sentence half way through since the man was almost unfairly attractive.

"I know right?"

"He give his name?

"Uh… Al-tyre? Ow! Shaun what the hell?" he snapped turning to glare at the red head who'd hit him over the head with his clipboard.

"It's Altair you idiot," he said with a huff and rolled his eyes behind his glasses.

"Yeah that was it," Desmond nodded.

"Why haven't I seen him before?" Malik asked, it was a good question, he tended to know everyone's parents by sight at least. "Does his mother usually bring him?"

"I don't think so," Desmond said, Shaun was shaking his head as well. Malik watched the small family leave, Raafe skipping next to his father and kicking up dirt from his cleats.

"Interesting," was all Malik said and went back to putting his things into his backpack.

For those who have read my other fics, you'll see I have reused names. I do that and whenever I happen to mention Altair having children they will pretty much always be named this.