Peachy65: Thanks for reviewing. You'll see things start to develop between OC and Riley soon. Enjoy the chapter!

NellieBly413672: Thanks for your review, glad you liked it. The premonitions will come into play later too!

Dahlia687: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and hope you enjoy this one too.

A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long to get up. I know I basically promised that I wouldn't make my wonderful readers wait so long again, but school and life in general just got in the way… SO here it is. Please review. Just another quick note, this story has about three chapters left, but I am excited about an idea for a new story, which I will start working on once this is finished. I don't have a title in mind yet, but I will probably begin posting that this summer. Without further adieu…

Chapter 34: Livin' on a Prayer

The next afternoon, the team bus arrived in the Olympic Village and they headed to the Olympic Welcome Center and check in area. Herb figured Doc and OC, who they were meeting there, had probably arrived already. The team was two hours behind schedule because they stopped for lunch on the way.

Once Herb and everyone else made it inside, Doc spotted them and called Herb over. Riley hung back with the guys, figuring she would get the information from her uncle or OC later.

OC came over to join the group a minute later, and explained that he stretched a ligament in his knee and it wasn't torn. He said that he didn't know what Herb was going to do though. He then glanced at Riley, who looked away quickly. Although talking to Rizzo the previous night made her feel better, Riley wasn't going to let OC off the hook that easily. What he said really hurt.

The guys all began checking in and picking up their ID badges and room keys. At this point Riley headed over to the USA staff, because she had to check in with Herb. Riley was extremely excited when Herb told her she would have her own room. There were single occupancy rooms where the team was staying, so each member of the staff got their own room.

After everyone finished checking in and looking around, they were ready to head to the hotel. Herb noticed OC standing alone on the ice, and decided to take the opportunity to talk to him about playing.

On the bus, everyone noticed that the only two people that were missing were Herb and OC.

"What do you think is going on?" asked Rizzo. He was worried about his friend getting cut.

"I don't know, man," Bah told him. "I hope Herb's keeping him."

"Me too," Rammer said.

Riley sat by herself, listening to the guy's concerns over OC. In the beginning, actually even up until two months ago, Riley wanted OC gone. Now, she couldn't imagine the team without him, (even if she was mad at him). The teenager couldn't believe how much changed in seven months!

"I got some good news!" a very happy sounding OC said after hobbling up the bus stairs.

"You playing?" Mac asked with a grin.

"Hell yeah!"

Cheers erupted from everyone on the bus. It took a few minutes to settle down and get going, and then everyone was still clearly excited after the five minute drive to the hotel. It was like hearing that their teammate and friend was staying ignited a spark in them.

Herb was really glad to see everyone so happy. He wanted OC to remain on the team, not only because he was an excellent leader, an exceptionally good defensemen, and strong physical presence, but also because Herb knew his confidence in OC could motivate the guys.

Once the team arrived at the hotel, they got their bags organized and sorted so they could head to their rooms and crash. Between the game the previous night and the long bus ride that began early in the morning, they were all pretty tired. The opening ceremonies and preliminary round games weren't for another two days, so Herb gave the team the rest of the day off to rest up.

Riley made it up to her room and after dumping her bag down she sprawled across the bed, just laying there and enjoying her quiet surroundings. A few minutes later, she thought she heard a knock at the door but it was hard to tell because it was a really light tapping. Riley hesitantly got up and went to the door. She looked through the peephole and saw OC on his crutches.

Hey," Riley said upon opening the door.

"Hey, Riley. How's it going?" OC asked, making small talk.

"I'm feeling pretty good considering I have my own room for the next two weeks," Riley said, flashing a smile.

OC smiled back, but the smile disappeared a few seconds later and was replaced with a more serious look.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"Sure, come on in. I don't want your other leg getting worn out from standing there." Riley opened the door wider so OC could hobble in.

He took a seat on the bed because that happened to be the closest place to the door to sit. Riley sat next to him, leaving a couple inches space between them.

"What's up?" Riley asked. She thought she already knew why he was there, but she figured she'd ask anyway.

"I wanted to apologize for the yesterday," OC said with a sigh. "I know I was being an ass and you didn't deserve it. I was just so upset, and I needed to take it out on someone. I shouldn't have taken it out on you though."

Riley loved how remorseful OC looked. She decided to relish in this for a moment. "No, you shouldn't have taken it out on me."

"I know," OC said, still sounding as sorry as ever. He was worried Riley wouldn't forgive him. She had every right not to. He had acted like a complete jerk and it was totally uncalled for.

"So why did you?" Riley asked pointedly, sounding upset at him.

OC sighed and massaged his temples. "Jeez, Ri, I don't even know. You were there, an easy target I guess. I'm so sorry."

OC looked at Riley and knew the look she was giving him either meant she was trying to decide whether to forgive him or she was trying to decide whether he was truly sorry.

"Please, Ri?"

Then, Riley gave OC a huge smile and wrapped her arms around him in a giant hug. OC sort of pushed her away and asked, "So am I forgiven then?" he asked, a smile appearing on his face.

"Of course! I was just giving you a hard time. After your comments last night, I couldn't let you off the hook that easy!"

OC then shoved Riley a little. "Jerk!" he joked. "You had me thinking you hated me."

"I do hate you," Riley said, a glimmer in eyes.

"I hate you too," OC shot back, also being playful. "I better get going. If Herb stops by my room and finds out I'm not elevating my leg and resting, I'll be headed back to Boston faster than you can 'Gold Medal'."

"Okay, see you later." Riley followed OC to the door and just as she was shutting it behind him, she stopped him. "What room are you in? In case I get bored later I might stop by."

"If you're bored? I thought maybe you'd stop by to wait on me because I'm injured or something." OC said with a big grin.

"Yeah, maybe I'd help 'ya out too."

"I'm right next door," OC told her.

"No, really, Jack," Riley said, rolling in eyes. "What room are you in?"

"I really am next door."

"Our rooms adjoin?" Riley asked, sounding excited. She knew he was beginning to head to the left, which was in the direction of the adjoining room, so if the room was right next door, Riley knew their rooms were connected.

"Yeah, guess so."

Riley laughed. "I feel like we could have fun with that."

"Oh God, Riley…" OC began, laughing. "I can only imagine what you have in mind."

"Don't tell Mac our rooms connect!" Riley warned OC. "We have to come up with a prank or something to play on him."

"Well, you better come up with something quick. I feel like I will definitely be taking advantage of your offer to wait on me, and since you're right next door, it'll be that much easier."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Riley said, shaking her head, silently wondering why she offered. She heard OC laughing to himself as he hobbled along to his room.

Two days later was the team's first game against Sweden. Going into the game they felt pretty confident, but that quickly diminished as they got off to a rocky start.

In the months leading up to the games, the team spent so much time mentally and physically preparing for a matchup with the Soviets. Even though Herb was incorporated activities and drills to prepare them to play any opponent, the guys always kept a possible Soviet game in the back of their minds and sort of neglected the fact that they needed to beat other teams first to even play the Soviets. Herb did put more emphasis on playing against the Soviets, and the team knew it would be their toughest test; and one that they needed to pass in order to win the gold medal.

At the end of the second period, the team was tie with Sweden at one, and they were a little discouraged. Everyone in the locker room knew they should have been winning, no contest. Even though Sweden was ranked pretty high up, they played teams of their caliber and beat them without a problem.

It was not only discouraging that they were losing, but they were concerned about injuries. First OC, and now in this game, Mac's leg was hurt. The team was quietly waiting for Herb to come in, hoping they would play a bit better the following period. They knew they had to get something going because they weren't playing their best, and the Swedes were.

Herb was even more than discouraged though – he was completely livid. Riley followed her incensed uncle into the locker room and was almost scared at the events that unfolded. After Herb went totally crazy, flipping a table over and yelling at the team, he went after Mac, calling him out more or less, for getting hurt. Riley couldn't believe what she was hearing.

It's not like it was Mac's fault Doc said he couldn't play, she thought.

Can't he see Mac's in pain? Riley then wondered. It's like Herb has no sympathy at all. Riley was even more surprised when Mac went after Herb in return. The guys were holding Mac back while he was screaming and yelling. Now Mac was also furious. Riley wasn't sure what to do. On one hand, she wanted to follow her Uncle so she didn't have to witness fighting and screaming in the locker room. One the other hand, she didn't want to be anywhere near her Uncle either. Times like this was when having to sit in the stands would be advantageous.

Riley ended up opting to hang back in the locker room. After a minute, Mac calmed down a bit, though she could tell he was still furious at Herb. Riley noticed he also looked kind of hurt.

While Riley was just observing all that had transpired in the locker room, the guys were actually living it. No one thought Herb had any right to single Mac out, and they were even more upset now than they had been.

Normally Rizzo stepped up between periods to give a pep talk, whether they were winning or losing, but this time, he just didn't know what to say. Personally, he thought Herb said enough. Rizzo knew no one wanted to hear they were playing well at this point, because Herb didn't think they were at all, but he couldn't honestly say they were playing terrible either. Instead of talking to the team as a whole, he went over to Mac after he had a chance to cool down.

"Hey, man," Rizzo began and paused. Mac looked up at him without a response. "You're not a quitter. You work harder than almost anyone on this team, so don't let him get to you. Herb's just mad. It's not fair to make you play, but we all behind you," Rizzo finished, speaking on behalf of the team.

Mac nodded and thanked Rizzo for the bout of confidence. He knew the team had his back, but after Herb's harsh words, the reminder was nice.

With a minute and twenty seconds left, Jimmy was replaced with an extra attacker. Silky, Johnson, Buzz, Rammer, Pav, and Baker were all on the ice, and Riley was almost too scared to watch. She knew they needed to score. Although they went into the third period tied, Sweden scored to get the lead just a few minutes into the period. The bright side was that the guys were playing harder this period, but Sweden was still matching up. Riley was glad that Mac was doing okay as well. She could tell he was in pain, but at least he wasn't making his leg worse by playing.

With twenty seven seconds left, Baker took a slap shot just inside the blue line. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as the team watched from the bench. The puck passed Lindbergh. The goal light went on. The crowd went wild. Everyone on the bench charged the ice in celebration of the tying goal, some practically knocking Baker over in their excitement.

Riley fought the urge to run onto the ice, mainly because the rest of the staff was celebrating from the bench. She then turned to OC, who was also celebrating from the bench, not being able to get onto the ice easily and gave him a high five. "That was amazing!"

"Sure was," OC replied.

"Woohoo!" Mac yelled as he skated over to the bench. He was still on the ice side of the boards but managed to hug Riley with one arm and attempted to hug OC with the other.

"We did it!" he said, talking about the tie. The rest of the guys began skating over to the bench now, still excited but ready to head to the locker room. Many of them had post game plans with family and/or significant others and now that they were in a celebratory mood they were even more excited to go out.

"What are you doing tonight Riley?" OC asked as Riley was passing through the locker room on her way out. She always hurried out of section where the guys were changing because although she had been around for several months, it still slipped many of their minds that a girl was around.

"Not much. Probably chilling in my room."

"Same here. Well, after I grab a bite to eat with my family. Want to chill together?"

"Sure," Riley said, happy that she would have some company. "I think you remember where my room is right?" she said with a wink.

"I think I'll be able to find it," OC joked back. Then he stopped Riley again. "Why don't you come out with us?" he asked, meaning 'out' with his family. "You have to be hungry."

Riley hesitated. She didn't want to impose if the hockey player just wanted some time with his family. He hadn't seen them in months. "Well, if you're sure," Riley said, not sounding completely committed.

"Yeah, I'm totally sure. Besides, if you're there, they'll try to include you in the conversation too, and that means they won't dwell too much on my injury," OC said.

Riley smiled. "Okay, I'll meet you outside."

"Be out in a few," OC said, knowing he could leave after Herb made any comments he wanted to about the game. It wasn't like he needed to shower and get cleaned up or anything – the only bright side to not playing.

As the guys were finishing their showers and getting dressed they left the locker room to meet their families. Mark had plans to get something to eat with his parents and Emma that night. His siblings weren't in Lake Placid yet, which he was sort of thankful for because the four of them could be a bit much all together. Emma insisted she knew how it was because she had two sisters and Bah, but Mark knew she couldn't possibly have experienced anything quite like his two brothers and two sisters. Mark also wasn't sure how he felt about Emma meeting his parents. It wasn't like he had a choice because Lake Placid was only so big that they were bound to meet at some point during the next couple weeks. Mark mainly wasn't sure about the meeting because it seemed like such a big step. He wasn't even sure what would happen after the Olympics ended, so having his parents meet Emma seemed a little premature. Besides that, Emma probably wouldn't even be at the games if it wasn't for Bah, her best friend and pseudo brother, playing.

"Have you seen OC?" Rizzo asked Mark, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Not since before I got in the shower," Mark replied.

"He left already," Verchota piped up.

"Shit, really?" Rizzo asked. He really needed to talk to his best friend. Not that OC had the experience to give him advice with what he needed, but he wanted to hear his thoughts nonetheless.

"What do you need?" Verchota asked.

"I just need to ask him something," Rizzo said, purposely trying to be vague.

"And what's that? Verchota asked, not letting up.

"It's none of your business," Rizzo told him, not rudely, but just firmly. "I got to get out of here. I'll have to talk to OC tomorrow," Rizzo said, more to himself than anyone else.

Rizzo's plans for the night included seeing his family, but more importantly, he seeing Pam and her parents, who were also in town for the games. They were all going to dinner together that night which Rizzo knew would be interesting because it would be the first time his parents and Pam's parents were meeting each other. He really hoped everything went okay. Pam kept telling him it was no big, that they would all get along great, but Rizzo still had doubts. Pam's reassurance did make him feel slightly better though.

Just like the other guys with girlfriends or wives, Bah was excited to see Kristen. He was even more excited because his parents and older brother would be meeting Kristen for the first time. Bah just knew they would love her. When he walked out of the locker room, he spotted Kristen immediately.

"Hey baby," he said, greeting her with a quick kiss.

"Nice game," Kristen commented.

"Thanks, we needed that tie," Bah said. The team would have preferred a win, but with the way the game began, a tie was something to be happy about. Bah then noticed his family standing nearby, looking around for Bah. "Kristen, my family's over there. Ready to meet them?"

"Uh, yeah," Kristen said, trying to sound like she wasn't nervous at all.

Bah squeezed her arm and said, "They're going to love you."

"Mom, Dad," Bah said, leading Kristen and waving to his parents.

"John!" his mother said, reaching out to give her son a big hug. "Wonderful game!"

"Thanks mom," Bah replied. He knew better than to argue with her and say he hadn't played his best. Even if he caused a game losing turnover, his mom would still say he played great.

After introducing Kristen to his parents and brother, they went on their way to get a bite to eat. Bah noticed Kristen's ease in making conversation with his family, and wondered why she was ever nervous. She was a natural at talking to people and had such a friendly personality that she had no reason to be worried about meeting anyone, especially his parents.

"Kristen, Bah talks about you all the time. It feels like I've known you for years already," Bah's mother told her.

Kristen blushed and quickly responded, "I just hope he didn't make me sound too good to be true." She looked at Bah, hoping to get a sign that things were going okay so far. She thought they were but always had trouble reading these types of situations.

"Well, you seem pretty wonderful so far," the mother replied, giving Kristen exactly what she wanted to hear.

Later that evening, Riley and OC were watching TV in Riley's room when OC noticed it was getting late.

"Well, it's been fun, but I should probably make my way next door now. Early day tomorrow."

"Thanks again for letting me hang out with your family tonight, Jack."

"No problem. I think my sister thought you were really cool."

"She sort of reminds me of Erin, except a little older version." OC's sister was 14 and a high school freshman, so she was at the age where she looked up to, and tried to befriend girls that were a little older than she was.

"I'm just lucky my cousin didn't come with them," OC said. Riley gave him a quizzical look. She heard his father mention that OC's 20 year old cousin couldn't come because he was in a hockey tournament that week, but Riley didn't know why it would have made a difference.

OC went onto explain, "He's like me in so many ways. I would have really had to keep an eye on him," OC finished, winking at Riley before heading to the door.

Riley sat there for a minute, trying to process what OC had just said. Was he really just hitting on me? She thought, confused. Nah, she told herself. That's just what Jack does. Flirt is his middle name. The only time he didn't flirt with a girl was when he really disliked her. Like when we first met, Riley thought.

Suddenly, Riley had an idea, having nothing to do with her previous thoughts. "Wait, don't leave yet."

OC stopped, wondering why Riley sounded so excited.

"I have a prank we can play." Riley quickly explained her trick to OC and they set the plan in motion.

Riley walked out of the room and next door to Mac and OC's room. She knocked on the door and waited for Mac to answer. Riley hoped this would work. OC was supposed to go into his room through the adjoining door as Mac was at the door with Riley.

Mac pulled his door open. "What's up?"

"Nuth-thin," Riley said, trying to keep a fairly straight face. Mac just raised his eyebrows, wondering why she knocked on the door. "Is OC here?" Riley finally asked.

"No."

"Could you check?" Riley asked. She knew OC was in the room now because she just saw him over Mac's shoulder.

"He's not here."

"How can you be so sure if you haven't checked?" Riley said.

"Because it's a one room hotel room. Unless he's been hiding under the bed for the hour since I got back, he's not here."

"Just humor me," Riley said. "Check." Now Riley could barely keep the smile off her face.

"Go away," Mac said, not trying to sound mean, but not trying to be overly nice either.

"Please?" Riley said, giving him a pouty face.

"Why don't you check for yourself?"

"Okay, I will." Riley pushed in past Mac. Mac rolled his eyes and shook his head, wondering why Riley had to be so difficult when he heard, "Hey OC. Mac told me you weren't here."

Mac spun around quickly, and blinked twice when he saw OC sitting comfortably on his bed.

"Wha – What?" Mac asked, stuttering. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, this is my room," OC responded. "I thought I could be in here."

"Um, no," Mac said.

"No?" OC asked. "I can't be in here?"

"No, that's not what I meant," Mac said, still really confused. Riley began giggling uncontrollably.

"What did you mean?" OC asked.

"You were not in here a minute ago."

"Yeah I was."

"No."

"Yes. You were asleep," OC said.

"No I wasn't."

"Yeah."

"No," Mac said. "I was watching TV and I was alone. I know I was alone."

"Look man, you weren't alone," OC said, successfully keeping a straight face. "And don't feel bad. Everyone masturbates in their dreams from time to time."

With that, Riley dropped to the floor laughing. When she told OC to play along with whatever happened, she hadn't expected such a good improv.

Mac just stared at OC dumbfounded. "I wasn't masturbating in my dream! I was here alone."

"Sorry, dude," OC said. "But you must have been dreaming. If you were awake and masturbating, I would notice."

"I was not! I wasn't dreaming, I wasn't masturbating in a dream, and I wasn't masturbating at all!"

OC shrugged. "Well, you were so sure you were 'alone', I thought you must have a reason to believe you were alone."

"I was alone. I was watching the Olympics."

"No, I was watching this. You were asleep," OC said. Mac noticed the news was now on TV.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?" OC asked.

"The TV was on the NBC."

"Well, it actually wasn't. I was watching the news," OC pointed out. "But if I had changed the channel, it's a little something called a remote." Then OC continued, "I know they're a halfway new invention, but they've been around long enough that you should know how they work."

"No," Mac said. "I mean, how did you get in here? You were not here. And Riley, why the hell are you laughing?"

"I'm sorry, Riley said, between giggles. "It's just so funny."

"What is?"

"Nothing," she answered. "Jack's comments," she then admitted, still laughing."

"Riley, I really hope you don't pee on my floor from laughing so hard," OC said.

Mac ignored this, still trying to get to the bottom of how OC got in. "OC, this is not funny anymore! I want to know how you got in. If you don't tell me I'll…" Mac left his threat empty.

"You'll what?" Riley wondered. "Call the cops and tell them your roommate broke into your shared room?"

"Just tell me already!" Mac yelled, ignoring Riley.

"Okay, fine," OC said. "But you have to promise me something," OC said, looking really serious.

"I climbed in through the window." More laughter from Riley, which Mac continued to ignore. Instead he just looked at OC with a deadpan expression.

"How the hell did you climb through the window? You're an invalid."

"That's not funny," OC said.

"I'm not trying to be funny, or make fun of invalids. But there is no way in hell you climbed through that window."

"I really did. I forgot my key and didn't think you were here, so I just climbed up."

"I'm not Verchota!" Mac yelled. "I'm not dumb enough to believe you climbed through a window five floors up!"

"Are you implying Verchota's dumb?" OC asked.

"Stop changing the subject," Mac said. "I want to know how you got in here without using the door."

"I have special powers," OC said, not trying to sound serious, but instead almost bored with the continued interrogation.

"Come on, OC. Again, I'm not Verchota."

OC looked at Riley to silently ask if they should just tell him the truth.

"He did come in through the door," Riley said.

"Riley, would you fucking shut up?" Mac yelled.

"I'm telling the truth!" she said, laughing again.

"I was at the door. He didn't walk in."

"He used the other door."

"There's only one door."

Riley pointed to the door that adjoined to her room.

"It's an adjoining door. It only leads to the next-" Mac stopped himself, suddenly realizing what had gone on. He opened the door. Upon opening the second of the two doors, he stepped into Riley's room.

"You guys are so clever," Mac said, dryly.

"I know," Riley replied, smiling.

"That was good," OC told Riley.

"You were funny," she told her partner in crime.

"You two are ridiculous. You honestly thought I wouldn't figure it out?" Mac asked.

"Honestly," OC began, "I thought you would have figured it out long before you did. Guess you're more like Verchota than I thought," OC laughed.

"Haha, very funny," Mac said. Once the laughter was over, and Mac got over being pranked, Riley went back to her room, through the adjoining doors and shut hers with the click of the lock echoing softly in the room she just left.

Mac went up to the door. "Yeah you better make sure that's locked. Since we have adjoining rooms, I can come get you while you're sleeping!" Through the wall he could hear Riley's laugh.