A different take on how Roy gets involved. He's pretty creepy. Please let me know what you think.

Matt seemed oblivious to Toni's discomfort and she did not want to make a fuss thinking that perhaps she was imagining the whole thing. After a few more moments, Matt led her over to the bleachers where she could sit and watch the game.

"Good Luck," she said with a smile.

Matt smiled back and ran off to join his team.

Toni was not sure what she had expected, but what she saw had her wondering if she should be notifying the trauma center of incoming victims. What she was witnessing was full contact football minus protective gear. While the Rangers and the Sheriff's deputies were both clearly officers of the law, there seemed to be some long standing rivalries and grudges that needed to be resolved.

Toni flinched as a particularly vicious tackle took Matt down and her heart skipped a beat when he did not get up immediately. She had not realized that she had been holding her breath until she let it out in a relieved sigh when she saw him roll over and stand up. He looked to be limping slightly, but turned and gave Toni a happy grin and a "thumbs up." "Men," she thought in exasperation.

"You know, Matt had always been lucky," a voice said uncomfortably close to her ear. She jumped in surprise and practically ran into Roy Calhoun's chest; she had been concentrating so intently on Matt, that she had not seen or heard Roy approach and take a seat next to her – much too close for her comfort. "He always could get anything that he wanted," Roy went on, unimpeded. "Class President, Football Star; any girl would have loved to go out with him." Toni tried to move away, but Roy continued to press close to her.

"And then…then, he got into the High Mountain Rangers, right out of college. Just like that. And now he has you for a girlfriend."

Toni was about to open her mouth to protest the characterization, but shut it just as quickly. Roy was not listening and he was not interested in any denials she would be making. His proximity and the angry energy that was radiating off his entire body was palpable and Toni wished to be anywhere, but where she was.

"Always the lucky one," Roy was saying to nobody in particular, "but not now. Not anymore."

Toni was not truly frightened, she stood up, praying that Roy would not follow her, and walked over to the concession stand where some of the deputies were congregating and watching the game. She found an empty bench at one of the picnic tables and sat there sipping her coffee and watching the game. She knew for certain that he frightened her and that, whether or not Matt saw it, he was very, very bad news.

The two teams were evenly matched and the score remained low as both the Rangers and the Deputies fought for every inch of field. Finally, in the last moments of the game, the young Ranger, Izzy was able to break through the Deputies' defense and score a touchdown.

The crowd that had gathered to watch, cheered the hard fought game and Toni found herself on her feet cheering, clapping and jumping up and down with joy. Without thinking about it, she ran toward the end of the field where Matt and the Rangers were congratulating each other. Without even thinking about it, Matt scooped her into his arms and swung her around in a celebratory dance. Toni laughed and threw her arms about Matt's neck enjoying the spontaneity of the moment. Eventually, Matt put her down with a slightly sheepish grin and the two of them exchanged a slightly awkward moment of silence.

"Pizza," somebody called out. "At Mike's. Loser pays." That idea was welcomed with cheers all around as the two teams joined together for congratulations and back slapping and agreed to meet at the local pizza joint within the half hour.

As Matt and Toni walked back to the Jeep, Matt casually took Toni's hand. She lightly gripped his in return; neither one saying a word. As they walked, Toni noticed that Matt was favoring his right knee and looked at him quizzically. Matt smiled self-deprecatingly. "One football game at UC Berkeley and I blow my knee out. Six months in traction, and no more college ball. But its pretty good most of the time."

"And you were out there, getting thumped by 250 pound gorillas," Toni said, giving him her best "nurse" look.

Once she and Matt were in the car, Toni turned to him and said, "How do you know, Roy?"

Matt was immediately on guard. "Why?" He asked.

"He's strange and he scares me," Toni was surprised at her own honesty, but now that she had started it, she might as well go on. "He thinks you got everything just because you're lucky and...," she hesitated, "and I don't like how he looks at me."

Matt sighed. "Roy had it really rough. He wasn't popular at school and then," Matt stopped for a minute, "then, he did not make it in the Rangers and I did. Its got to be hard for him. He also had some bad luck of his own."

"What kind of bad luck?"

"He did some jail time. I don't know the details." He took a deep breath. "I think its probably better if you stay away from him, but I guess I just feel bad...responsible somehow."

Toni was about to tell Matt not to be stupid, that his hard won success was earned, but one look at his face, and she closed her mouth. This was really bothering him and her giving him a rough time would not make things any better. "You're right, she said," smiling and resting her hand lightly on his knee.

Mike's Pizza was the local pizza handout. The pizza was good and the beer was cold. Rangers and Deputies mixed freely laughing and joking; whatever animosity had built up was resolved by the game and even if some of the players were limping or bruised, it looked like it had been worth it.

It was crowded and noisy and Toni had a great time. She moved through the crowd, chatting and laughing, but she somehow knew that Matt always knew where she was. Whenever she glanced up, she would see him looking at her with his wonderful, sweet smile and the look in his eyes made her heart beat a little faster.

As the party broke up, Matt offered to drive Toni home. Although her car was at the hospital, she did not want her time with Matt to end. She agreed to the ride home saying that she could catch a ride to the office with another nurse who lived in her building.

Matt parked the Jeep at the curb and walked around to open the door for Toni. They walked to the front of the building and she opened the door. They walked inside the building and to her door. Toni's heart was hammering. When they arrived at her door, she turned to Matt and said, "I think that was the best time that I have had in... well, in forever. Thank you."

Matt smiled, not able to take his eyes off her. God, she was beautiful. His throat was dry. "Toni," he said. "I'm sorry."

Toni looked at him. "About what?"

"Its my fault, we lost touch. I stopped writing and it got harder and harder to start again."

"Matt, I was the one who stopped writing," she looked at Matt and burst out in a fit of giggles. "I don't think it really matters. We can't even remember sho stopped." She became serious again. "I had no idea you were here when I moved and then I saw you. I remembered...everything. God, I can't believe I've let eight years go by," there were tears in her eyes.

Matt smiled gently, "All that's important is that you are here," he said, his voice husky with emotion. He reached a hand and gently brushed her cheek. "I am so glad that you are." Toni leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. "Toni," he breathed as his hands tangled in her hair and he pulled her close. Toni wrapped her arms around his neck as his mouth claimed hers.

I hope that you enjoyed the story. Please let me know. I always appreciate your reviews.