"No stop signs, speed limit

Nobody's gonna slow us down

Like a wheel, gonna spin it

Nobody's mess me 'round" - AC/DC

Peary sat next to the hospital bed in room 207. The morning light was filtering through the windows of the room. The young man in the bed resting bore at Bronson's conscience. He had sat there all night, watching over Edwards.

Seeing the young man violently crash the day before had shook him to the core. He realized that this kid from the UK was never going to stop, and Peary's responsibility now was to either continue to try to convince him to quit, or do the crazy thing and coach him enough to qualify and get a spot on the British Winter Olympic Team.

Calgary was eight months away. Not enough time.

How in God's name was he going to get him ready in that short of a period?

Peary shook his head feeling defeated and overwhelmed. He had never met someone like Edwards. In his heart he had wished the kid had more talent to work with.

Bronson leaned back in his chair and spotted his reflection in the mirror over the sink. His face had hard lines and he wore dark circles under his eyes. He turned and looked back at Edwards. Eddie slowly opened his eyes. He winced as a wave of pain washed over him. Hips, knees, shoulders, ribs, jaw, elbows, fingers, they all hurt and were taking turns at getting his attention.

"You're not gonna give up are you?" Peary asked from where he sat.

"I am going to do it..." Eddie stated flatly while pulling his legs over to the side of the bed and sitting up. He grimaced slightly then looked straight at Peary, "I was in the hospital for a year when I was a kid. All the doctors said I should give up sports."

Peary sobered at the young Brit's words.

"You should've listened to them, Eddie." Peary folded up the newspaper he had been reading and tucked it under his arm. He stood and looked down at Eddie, "I can't be responsible for what you do to yourself out there. I'm not any kind of coach. You're looking in the wrong place, kid." He turned and walked out the hospital room door. Edwards watched him go, his expression forsaken.

Exiting out into the hallway, Bronson encountered a concerned Dr. Gössner. She hastily walked up to him, grabbing at his hands, "Is he alright?" her worried face searched his for an answer.

"He'll be fine." Peary brushed past her. She watched him continue down the hallway, confused by Peary's tone, but instead headed to room 207 to check on her would be ski-jumper.

Eddie's expression brightened as he saw her enter the room. Rossi walked slowly in, trying to catch her breath and composure. She sat gingerly next to him on the bed and looked down at his bare legs that peeked out from under his hospital gown. His shins were dotted with varying sizes and colors of bruises in different stages of healing.

"Why did you do that, Eddie? It's so very dangerous." she asked with a quiet but concerned voice while tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

"I have to, Rossi." He explained while examining his legs as well, then reached down and pointed at the deep scar that laced up the front of his left knee, "-for myself."

She sat in silence and watched Eddie swing his legs, testing the extent of his injuries. "What about Peary?" she finally asked.

They looked into each other eyes, searching for answers, not knowing at that very moment, Bronson Peary had changed his mind and was heading back to room 207. He pushed the door open so forcefully it slammed into the wall making them both jump, "Alright! I'll do it!"

Eddie blinked, a smile crawling to his mouth, "thanks, Coach! I won't let you down!"

"No, no... I'm not your coach. I'll show you enough to get you to qualify, then I'm out." He held out his hands as if trying to hold back Eddie's enthusiasm.

"Deal!" Eddie extended his hand, Bronson took it and gave him a painfully strong shake.

"No more 70-meter until you can land, got it?" Bronson gave him a final warning. Edwards nodded in agreement. "See you tomorrow, rest up." Peary turned and left.

He needed a drink after all of that mess, even if it was eight o'clock in the morning. What did he just agree to? He shook his head as he walked down the hospital hallway. Bronson knew where he'd be going for breakfast, and where he'd be going for some advice. The hostess at the Hausberg had always been a good confidant.

Rossi stood and turned to face Eddie after Bronson's abrupt retreat. She was upset with Peary and Edwards for continuing this escapade.

"Well, I guess that settles it then. You get to live out your death wish." She took his hand and shook it curtly, "Good luck, Mr. Michael Edwards."

Eddie held fast to her hand and looked up at her and blinked. "What are you getting on at?"

"I care about you, Eddie." she finally admitted, breaking his gaze and taking an interest in her shoes. Rossi tried pulling her hand from his, but even injured, his grip was stronger.

Eddie ducked his head, catching her eyes with his, "I'm not going to die, Rossi." He gave her a comforting smile, "besides, who would finish your office remodel?"

She let out a small chuckle. "You're mad, you know that?"

He shrugged and loosened his hold of her hand, "Really?"

"Just please, take Peary's instruction seriously. I can't be running off to hospital like this when you get some daft idea in your head." She tucked her free hand into her coat pocket and pulled out a glasses case. "I ordered a spare pair, for this very reason."

"Thank you, Rossi." he reached up and took the case from her. He reluctantly let go of her hand as a sharp pain reminded him of his injuries and decided better to rest back into the bed. Rossi covered him with the quilt and sat back down beside him on the bed. He looked pathetic but sweet as he gave her a weak smile, "might need to push off the remodel for a few days." Rossi nodded and rested a hand over his, giving it a slight squeeze, Eddie winced as she did so.

"Sorry..." Rossi apologized as she pulled her hand away.

The day shift nurse had come on and entered the room to start her morning rounds, "Guten tag, Herr Edwards. Halo, Dr. Gössner." she greeted.

"I'd better be going-" Rossi looked to the nurse then back to Eddie and quickly leaned into him, giving him a chaste kiss to one of the bruises on his cheek. "Get well soon, Eddie."