A/N: HEY-O! I'm back! I think I finally figured out where I'm going with this...it only took me, what? A year, plus? Yikes! I apologize. Really I do. I got back into this when I was on vacation (in Jamaica, of all places) when 'Miracle' came on TV. When I got home, I watched it a good three times before I started writing again.
I've decided that I'm going more movie canon than history canon...because I just can't seem to find all the information I want/need. Just an FYI.
Anywho, on with this very long chapter! Enjoy!
As Terri walked into her room, she realized that she had to go back down to the parking lot and get her equipment out of her rental car. Sighing, she grabbed the car keys, which were on the nightstand, then grabbed her room key. She left the room again, locking the door behind her, and headed to the stairs. Hopping down the stairs, Terri made it to the lobby, and quickly moved through it and out the doors. She jogged to the car and opened the trunk. Taking her skates, hockey gloves, stick, and pucks out, she set them on the ground. Closing the trunk, she then walked to the driver's side to get all of her garbage out of the car, shoving it in her pockets. After closing and locking the door, she picked up her equipment, and headed back into the hotel. She took the elevator back up to her floor.
While walking down the hall, she dropped her gloves, so she just kicked them to her door, afraid that if she bet down to pick them up, she'd drop something else. At her door, she unlocked, opened, and walked through it, closing it behind her. She left all of the hockey equipment by the door, then walked around the small room to gather up all of her belongings. After she finished collecting and packing her things, Terri took a quick shower knowing that she would use every last minute in the morning dedicating it to sleep. Once out of the shower, she laid out her clothes for the next day, took one last look around the room to make sure she had everything packed, then jumped into bed. She fell asleep within minutes.
The next morning, Terri woke up earlier than she expected. She had an hour to get ready and check out of her room. When she was ready, she took a final sweep of the room, then left, locking the door behind her. She headed to the elevator and took it down to the lobby. Herb and Craig were already there, lounging in armchairs. She walked over to them.
"Good morning." She greeted, setting her stuff down next to an unoccupied chair.
"Morning." They simultaneously replied.
Feeling just a little awkward with nothing more to say, she went over to the counter and handed over her room key. When that was taken care of, she walked back over to her chair and plopped down. Since both Herb and Craig were reading a newspaper, she didn't want to disturb them, so she took her notepad out of her pocket and started coming up with drills for her goalies.
Every so often she would look up and glance around, trying to get another idea and to observe what was going on around her. She began to notice that the boys started to trickle into the lobby. Very sluggishly in some cases, in others, they were chipper and excited. She would grin, then look back down to her notepad.
When ten thirty rolled around, Herb folded up his newspaper and stuck it in a side pocket of his bag. He stood up and immediately got everyone's attention.
"Alright. Since most of you are here, if you have a rental car, bring me your keys and we'll get everything settled. If you don't have a rental, just relax for another few minutes." He said, then started to walk towards the concierge desk so he would have more room.
Terri stood up and followed the small mass of boys over to Herb. She was still trying to figure out one of her drills, so she was a little lost in her thoughts and not really paying attention to anything around her. She didn't notice Rizzo step up next to her when she stood still.
"You alright?" he asked her, frowning slightly at the look on her face.
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." She said and turned to glance at him with a shy smile before quickly looking away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him nod. Then, not wanting to have an awkward silence, Terri continued.
"How's OC doing?" She asked softly.
"OC? He's fine. He just needed some time away from others." He replied.
Terri nodded this time. Before they could continue (or if they were going to continue) with a conversation, Herb motioned Rizzo over to the counter. He glanced at Terri with a small smile, then walked away.
Terri watched him walk, then shifted her eyes over to Herb when she felt his eyes on her. She looked away from him quickly and out of the window to her right. She saw the bus pull up to the curb.
Terri was the last of the group to hand over her keys (before Herb and Craig). Once her rental status was taken care of, she walked back over to her chair and sat back down. She perused the room, subtly watching everyone around her. She noticed how the boys were grouped: the Minnesota boys in one group, the Massachusetts boys in another, a group Terri couldn't seem to name a place to, and another group playing cards. She grinned as she watched the over-exaggerated facial expressions of one of the card-playing boys, whose name she unfortunately didn't know yet.
Before long, Herb came back over to the group.
"Alright. On the bus. Equipment bags below, personal bags up with you." He spoke quickly, then turned and headed out to the bus.
Slowly, the boys gathered their bags and headed out. Terri stayed in her chair and waited for the last player to head out, bringing up the rear. Craig unconsciously did the same. When the last group of boys started heading out (the Massachusetts boys), Craig and Terri stood from their chairs, picked up their bags, and followed them out.
On the way out, Terri started thinking of the seating arrangement on the bus. She didn't want to end up sitting next to one of the boys and have to engage in a very awkward, and probably one-sided, conversation with him. But she also didn't feel that sitting next to Herb or Craig would soothe her nerves either.
When she got to the bus, she handed her hockey stick and small equipment bag to the bus driver to load onto the bottom of the bus. When she brought her hand back, she noticed it was shaking slightly. She could feel her heartbeat quicken, if only a little bit. She was nervous. Scared, just a tad.
She turned towards the front of the bus and noticed Herb and Craig were standing next to the door. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to them to get on the bus. Herb stopped her.
"Terri, the last row of seats is empty. I'd like you to sit back there to make sure no fights or problems arise. These boys are just looking for a time and a place." He said.
Terri glanced at Craig briefly before nodding her head with a sigh.
"Sure. No problem." She forced a small smile, then climbed the stairs to the bus.
Good thing she liked the back of the bus.
Keeping her eyes on the last row of seats, she shifted her personal bag in front of her and walked quickly down the aisle, not making eye contact with any of the players. Once at the seats, she tossed her bag down, then fell onto the seat, releasing a breath of air. Her row of seats took up the entire width of the bus, so she was able to spread out. She sat towards the middle of the left side so she could watch Herb and Craig get on the bus and take a head count before sitting down.
Once the bus driver got on the bus, they started the drive to the airport. It would be a relatively short drive, but it was still long enough for Terri. She sat in the middle of her row of seats, crossed her arms over her chest, and slumped into the seat as she stared down the aisle to the front window.
Soon after they exited the hotel parking lot, the player in the row in front of her to her right turned in his seat to face her. He was the same boy playing cards with the over-exaggerated facial expressions.
"Hey, you're the goalie coach right?" He asked.
"Yes. Why?" She answered.
"Just wanted to introduce myself." He paused as he held his hand out. "I'm Bah Harrington."
"'Bah'?" Terri asked, shaking his hand quickly.
"It's John, actually, but when I was born, my brother, who wasn't even a year old, couldn't say 'baby' and it came out 'bah'...it stuck." He explained.
"Oh. And here I was thinking you had some sort of sheep fetish." Terri replied with a small smirk.
Bah stared at her for a moment before laughing. "No, no sheep fetishes. I swear." He said through his laughter.
"Well, nice to meet you, Bah. I'm Terri. No nickname for me." She said, nodding.
The player across the aisle from Bah turned to them as well. Terri recognized him.
"Hi, Terri. You forget to tell me you were coaching." He said.
"Hey, Buzz. I knew you weren't a goalie, so I didn't think it necessary to tell you." She answered, ducking her head. "Congrats on making the first cut, by the way."
Buzz nodded his head with a quiet 'thanks'.
The three of them quietly conversed on the way to the airport. At one point, Terri looked up towards the front of the bus to see where they were and noticed that three rows up Rizzo was looking towards her with a grin. She caught his eye briefly, then looked down to her lap trying to hold back a smile and willing her cheeks not to turn red. When she next looked up, Rizzo was facing forwards again. Bah and Buzz didn't notice her distraction.
When they reached the airport, the bus took them to a secluded portion of terminals that were reserved for charter flights. The bus stopped next to a silver charter plane. They all disembarked from the bus, starting at the front, leaving Terri to be the last one off. She didn't mind at all. Once off, she slung her personal bag onto her shoulder, then went over to pick up her stick and equipment bag, which had been set to the side so no one would trip over it.
Once the bus was cleared of all belongings, the group of players followed Herb, en masse, to the charter plane. Herb spoke to one pilot while the other helped stash all of the hockey bags into the cargo hold. When they were ready, the pilots told them to board. Once again, Terri stood off to the side with Craig so they were the last ones to board. Herb walked over to them as they watched the boys get on the plane.
"Terri, could you sit at the back of the plane? To, you know, keep an eye on things?" Herb asked, standing next to her.
"Uh, no, Herb. I don't think I can." She replied, not looking at him.
"What?"
"I...I'm...uh, not the best flyer and I'd really feel better if I were closer to the front."
"Oh...okay." Herb muttered, then looked at Craig. "Craig, would you mind sitting in the back?"
"Sure, not a problem." Craig answered, then started to board the plane after the last player got on.
Herb looked back at Terri. "Are you going to be alright? I mean, you don't have to be sedated or anything, right?" He asked.
"No, no sedation. I'll be okay...I'll just look like I'm gonna pass out or something." She replied, trying to smile up at him, but failing.
Herb nodded, then motioned towards the plane. He boarded first, then waited near his seat for Terri to get on. She slowly made her way onto the plane, taking deep breaths to prevent herself from passing out or hyperventilating. When she was on, she looked to Herb for further instructions...more specifically, where she was to sit. He pointed to the row of seats one row behind his on the other side of the plane. Terri nodded, then flopped into the seat closest to the window. She shoved her bag under the seat in front of her, then buckled quickly before grabbing the armrests in a death grip even though the plane wasn't even close to moving yet. When the plane started taxiing out to the runway, Terri felt herself shut her eyes and grip the armrests even tighter in a white-knuckled grip. As the plane was picking up speed for take-off, Terri's body tensed and she gritted her teeth, keeping her eyes firmly closed. In the air, Terri opened her eyes and unclenched her jaw, but did not give up her grip on the armrests. She did not let go of the armrests for even a moment until they touched ground in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Landings she could handle; take-offs and actual flying were rough for her.
When the plane finally stopped at a terminal, Terri let go of the armrests and looked up just in time to see Herb look back to her.
"Alright?" He asked, leaning closer.
"Yeah, I'm okay." She replied with a small smile.
Herb nodded, then unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, turning to face the boys.
"Get your things and wait inside the terminal. Our bus might not be here yet." He said, then picked up his bag and de-boarded the plane.
Terri shakily unbuckled her seatbelt and reached down to grab her own bag, setting it on the seat next to her. She noticed the boys started getting off, but she ignored them, taking her time and waiting to be one of the last ones off.
Silky, as he was exiting the plane, noticed that Terri was still in her seat with a hand over her eyes. He tapped Rizzo on the shoulder and pointed over to her.
"Think she needs help?" He asked his friend.
"Dunno." Rizzo replied, walking down the aisle to the row in front of Terri. He stepped into the row, along with Silky, and let some other players go past them.
"Hey, Terri," Silky started, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." She said, letting her hand fall away from her eyes and looking up at Silky and Rizzo with slight surprise. "I just don't really like flying."
They both nodded. A moment passed before Silky reached down and picked up her bag.
"Come on." He said with a grin. "I'll get your bag and Rizzo will help you."
Terri looked up at him with wide eyes. "Oh. No. I really don't think that's necessary. I can get my own bag and handle myself." She protested.
Rizzo turned his own wide eyes to Silky and leaned closer to him. "What are you doing, Dave?" He asked through gritted teeth and stressing Silky's first name.
"Just helping out a coach, Mike." Silky replied, also stressing the first name.
Silky then turned and de-boarded the plane, Terri's bag (and his own) in tow.
Rizzo turned back to Terri. "Sorry about that. I really don't know what's gotten into him." He apologized for his teammate.
"It's okay. I guess...I just hope it doesn't become a habit." Terri said.
"Yeah, me too." Rizzo mumbled, then stepped into the aisle after Craig passed. "Let's go. I don't think Herb'll be too happy if we miss the bus."
Terri nodded, then stood and followed Rizzo out of the plane. Once on solid ground again, Terri took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She and Rizzo went over to grab their equipment bags, then hurried into the terminal to catch up with the rest of the team. Terri sought out Silky to get her bag back. Feeling just a little pissed off and bold, she snagged her bag out of his hand.
"Don't try to pull something like that again...whatever you were trying to do." She growled. "If I need help, I'll ask for it."
She then turned and headed over to where Herb and Craig were standing in front of the players, getting information on the bus that would take them to the University of Minnesota where the team would be staying throughout training. Huffing, she stared ahead, watching the people and vehicles go by.
Ten minutes later, their bus pulled up to curb. Once again, equipment bags were stored below and personal bag were taken on with the players. Terri and Craig watched from the side as Herb took a head count as the boys stepped onto the bus.
Once the bottom was closed up, Terri and Craig walked over to Herb.
"Am I in the back again?" Terri asked a little more tersely than she wanted to. She was still a bit mad at Silky.
"If you don't mind." Herb replied.
Terri shook her head, then boarded the bus and walked to the back, where she threw her bag onto the seat, then sat heavily in the middle of the row.
They waited for the bus driver to start the bus, then they headed out of the airport and onto the highway. The ride was about twenty minutes long and Terri didn't feel like talking to anyone...but she was starting to no longer feel angry towards Silky. He was just trying to help her out. Her insecurities didn't allow for his help.
The bus stopped in front of a dorm building. Herb stood up and turned to the team.
"You can get off the bus, but don't wander. I need to get some information, then the rest of the day is yours, gentlemen." He said, then stepped off of the bus to meet with the person in charge of the team's lodgings.
Almost everyone got off of the bus to stretch their legs; it was a long time to be sitting. The bus driver unloaded the bottom of the bus and the boys collected their gear, then milled around the bus in their little self-designated groups.
Terri grabbed her equipment bag and stick, then stood next to Craig near the doors to the bus. They both watched the boys socialize as they waited for Herb to return. When he did, he had a list of the boys' names and a room number for where they'd be staying.
"Terri, you're going to be on the first floor in the same building as the boys. Hope you don't mind." Herb said, looking over the list.
"Nah, it's okay." She replied.
Herb nodded then called the boys around him. "Listen up. I have your room assignments. Two to a room. If you don't like your roommate, well...that's tough. Deal with it. Doc, who caught an earlier flight, has your keys inside the building." He then continued to read off the list of last names and their assigned rooms.
Terri listened carefully for Jim and Steve's room numbers...just in case she had to pay them a visit or talk to them about a drill. When she heard their rooms, she took out her notepad and scribbled them into it.
When Herb was finished reading off the names, he lowered the list and looked up at the players formed around him.
"We take the ice at nine AM at Bloomington arena. Don't know where it is? Make friends with someone who does. Anyone who's late will be running laps around the building." He paused then to make sure the information sunk in. Terri inwardly groaned. Any time before ten AM was not a friend in her books. "That's it for today, gentlemen. Get some rest." He started to turn away.
"Uh, Herb?" Terri stopped him.
"Yeah."
"Which, uh, which room am I actually in?" She asked, looking down at her feet.
"Oh, sorry." He lifted the list to look over it again. "You're in room twelve. I think it's a corner room with it's own bathroom."
"Okay. Thanks." She mumbled, then mumbled a 'see you tomorrow' to Herb and Craig before following the boys into the dorm, making sure she was the last one in.
She knew Herb lived in the area, so he would probably be heading home. Craig probably had an apartment somewhere off campus since he wasn't from Minnesota. And she wasn't sure where Doc was from, but if she had to guess, he was probably from the area as well.
When Terri walked into the building's main entrance, Doc handed her her dorm room key and gave her quick directions on how to get there. He then told her to get some sleep ("'cause you look like you need it") and that he'd see her in the morning. She thanked him, took her key and her bags, and headed down the hall the way Doc told her to go. When she reached her room, she realized how far away her door was from the next one over. Maybe Herb was right and she did get her own bathroom. It had been a few years since she last slept in a college dorm room and she was not looking forward to a communal bathroom.
Opening the door, she immediately saw another door and went to it. Opening that door, she found her bathroom, clean and ready for use. With a relieved sigh, she closed the main door and tossed her bags onto her bed. She set her stick against the wall next to the door and the light switch, then went back and sat on the edge of the bed. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was only close to three o'clock. Groaning, she fell back onto her bed, then brought her feet up. She kicked off her shoes, then nudged her bags off the bed; it was a short drop, so nothing would get broken.
Within a few minutes, Terri was sleeping soundly.
Doc was right: she really did need sleep.
A/N: There you have it! I'm back in business!
Lemme know what you think. I know there wasn't a lot of interaction in this chapter, but there will be plenty in the next!...And it won't take me a year to get that one out. :-P