The house has been completely taken over by Pens staff, medical experts, publicists, and teammates. Sid hasn't even been home forty-eight hours, and after nearly two weeks in the hospital, he's ready to ignore doctor's orders to take it easy. The first night home was so quiet, just Sid, his family and me. I guess I was kind of fooling myself thinking this wouldn't follow. One night to ourselves, and now he's team property again.

"Kate," one of the Penguins communications staff corners me. "We'd like to schedule an interview with Sid, but he wanted us to check with you about date and time..."

"At the house?" I interrupt, unable to disguise my surprise.

"He's supposed to be resting, so we thought this would be easier on him," she explains. I just shake my head and sigh.

"He's supposed to be resting," I throw her words back at her. She stares at me, not understanding my point. "Let me talk to him and get back to you."

"It's a sooner rather than later kind of thing," she tells me firmly.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do," I offer, but I'm not even trying to hide how annoying I find these requests. I move through a throng of people gathered in the hallway and start making my way upstairs. Not before I'm stopped by an imposing figure leaning against the wall.

"Sorry, no one beyond this point," he waves me away, and it takes all of my willpower not to scream.

"I don't know who you are, but this is my house," I hiss, and his face flushes in embarrassment.

"Just following orders," he explains.

"Whose orders?" I demand.

"The boss," he points downstairs and I see Mario in deep discussion with Sid's agent.

"He's the boss at the rink, I'm the boss at the house, got it?" I stomp past him and march into the bedroom where I anticipate seeing a resting Sid, but of course, some of the guys are here, so he's out of bed.

"Uh oh," Sid catches me coming into the room and makes a dive for the bed, as if getting back in there quickly will magically make me un-see him goofing around. "Thanks for coming by guys," he says emphatically, and I can't help but laugh.

"You kicking us out?" James turns to me and I nod quickly.

"Yep," I tell him, my mood light, but my tone is serious. The room clears a few seconds later, most of the guys giving my arm or shoulder a supportive squeeze as they leave. It's a little weird, I haven't spent much time with any of them and here they are, in my bedroom. All at once. "You!" I scold Sidney.

"I know!" he sounds so apologetic, but I haven't even started.

"You're supposed to be taking it easy," I close the door behind the last straggler and then flop on the bed next to Sid.

"It's so boring!" he complains, looking around the room showing me how little there is to do.

"Do you want to go back to the hospital? Would that be more fun?" I ask sarcastically.

"Okay, I get it," he tugs me close to his side. "We'll just hang out, maybe watch the game later?"

"No way," I shake my head. "The doctor said you had to stay calm, and you cannot watch hockey and stay calm."

"Babe," he whines. "It's playoffs."

"Exactly," I stand my ground. I watch his reaction, and he moves through a series of emotions pretty quickly. At first he's about to bargain, his lips twisting as he considers what words will persuade me, then he's about to plead his case, his lungs filling with air and an argument on the tip of his tongue, and finally he concedes.

"Fine," he pouts.

"Maybe when the house empties a bit, we can do something fun," I promise.

"So you want me to do that, but I can't watch a hockey game?" he objects.

"I didn't mean sex!" I laugh. "I thought we could watch a movie, or something."

"Yeah, we can do your thing," his mood is so sour, but adorable at the same time.

"How is watching a movie my thing?"

"It just is," he says grumpily.

"Well, what do you want to do?" I ask brightly, hoping to cheer him up a bit, but I get a little nervous when a mischievous grin spreads across his face.

Two hours later, stops at four different stores, and I'm back home. The house is quiet, the staff and players have gone home, probably to watch the hockey game and study potential opponents. I set my shopping bags on the dining table, and sneak upstairs. The bedroom door is open a crack and I can see Sid sleeping soundly. Finally. I dart back downstairs and get to work. There's food to prepare, that I can handle, but I'll need Taylor's help setting up the game.

Risk.

That's how Sid wants to spend the evening. I've never played, but apparently it's been at the center of more than a few Crosby family-feuds. "Hey Taylor?" I call downstairs, and start unpacking groceries. This is the third time I've stocked the fridge in two days, but when the team drops in, they make themselves at home, and basically eat everything in sight.

"What's up?" Taylor walks into the room sleepily. It's been a rough few weeks for her. A few days in Pittsburgh after Sid's accident, then back to school, and now here for the weekend. I don't know how she's still standing, frankly. Between school and hockey, she's busy.

"Sid wants to play Risk tonight..."

"Oh hell no!" she shakes her head furiously.

"Come on, he can't watch the game, and he really wants to do this," I plead with her.

"Why can't he watch the game?" she asks, completely puzzled.

"He's not supposed to get worked up," I explain.

"Then he definitely shouldn't be playing this," she scoffs. Okay, I get it. He's competitive, but he needs this distraction.

"Taylor!" I'm begging now. "Please help me! He's so grumpy and bored, and he'll just be a nightmare if we don't do something for him tonight," my voice is whiny and childish, but I don't care.

"Fine," she rolls her eyes and grabs the game from my hands. "We should set an alliance now though, or he and Dad will control the game."

"Sounds good," I chuckle, but she flashes me a grave look.

"I'm serious. Mom too, girls against boys. It's our only chance." What have I gotten myself into?

I can admit when I'm wrong, and maybe this wasn't the best idea. Sid, as it turns out, is competitive in all things - family board games included. He and Troy have set out to achieve total world domination, and all other loyalties are out the window.

"Sorry babe," Sid says without even looking in my direction as he attacks my last territory, effectively eliminating me from the game.

"Yeah, I can see you're really broken up about it," I roll my eyes and stand from the table to join Trina in the kitchen. She's taking a minute to recover from a similar blow delivered to her by her husband, who swore up and down he wouldn't attack her. "Anybody want anything?" I call into the dining room, but they're all too engrossed in the game to pay any attention.

"The worst Christmas present I ever bought," Trina fumes.

"Well, at least he's not grumpy anymore," I say without much conviction.

"Oh just wait," she warns me. "When they've knocked out Taylor, they'll turn on each other. That's when things really go south."I want to burst out laughing, but Trina is so serious that I don't dare risk it.

"Who's winning the game?" I whisper conspiratorially.

"New York," she tells me quietly.

"Good thing?" I ask stupidly.

"They can take the Rangers," she says confidently and I smile. I can't believe I care about hockey playoffs, but I do. I care enough to even wonder about the games between teams they may or may not be facing in the next round. I glance around the kitchen and take in the damage. Family game night equals kitchen disaster.

"His appetite is back, yet he doesn't feel well enough to do the dishes," I muse, filling the sink with soap and hot water.

"Katie," Trina starts nervously, and it's unsettling. Trina never really sounds nervous.

"Yeah..." I drag the word out, sounding suspicious.

"I'm just a little worried that..." she trails off.

"You're worried..." I press her to continue.

"Are you sick of us?" she blurts out.

"What?"

"I know that this hasn't been easy for you, and hosting Troy and I for the past few weeks, well...we've been in your space and it can't be comfortable..."

"Oh Trina, you're joking right? I don't think I could have gotten through this without you two," I tell her sincerely.

"Are you sure?" she asks.

"Absolutely," I beam at her. "I'm actually really grateful, and I know Sid is too. He was so excited when he heard Taylor was coming for the weekend." And as if on cue, chaos erupts from the dining room.

"You two are such cheaters!" Taylor shouts, stomping into the kitchen, past her mother and I, and straight down the stairs.

"You're just a sore loser!" Sid calls after her, and I can't help but giggle. It's a board game people!

"Just remember, you said you were grateful to have us here," Trina reminds me without a trace of humor.

It's been two hours and Sid is still locked into his game with Troy. Trina and Taylor have long since moved to living room to watch a movie. It's a favorite of Taylor's and she's saying every second line along with the actor. It was cute for about a minute, and now it's kind of driving me crazy. I wander into the dining room to see Sid sitting back in his chair, a wide smirk on his face, his hands tucked behind his head.

"Did you win?" I ask hopefully.

"Not even close," Troy chuckles.

"I've got him on his heels," Sid explains, but when I look at the board, not much has changed since I was in here last.

"How long does this usually go on?" I ask.

"Forever!" Taylor calls from the other room.

"Babe? Can you grab me a drink?" Sid asks sweetly, but again, he doesn't even really look at me, completely engrossed in his game.

"Sure," I mumble. "Troy? Anything for you?"

"No thanks," he says quietly, and then makes a grab for the dice. I step into the kitchen, grateful that I don't have to listen to the dispute that follows whatever move Troy just made. I tiptoe back into the dining room and set a bottle of water next to Sid, and consider giving the movie another chance, but decide against it. For the first time in almost three weeks, I have a few hours to myself.

Bubble bath.

The warm water is so relaxing, exactly what I need after the past few days. With everything that's been going on, I haven't had time to think about anything beyond the immediate moment, but now that Sid's home and on the mend, I can resume my regular life little by little. I haven't written in weeks, I can't even remember the last time I worked out, or had my hair done, or...

Oh my god.

I think back trying to remember the last time my monthly visitor made an appearance, and I can't place it. Definitely before my family came, and it's been nearly four weeks since then. Stress. It's probably just irregular from stress. I sink back into the water, trying think of something else, anything else. Work. Well, work just hasn't seemed important since the accident. I'll get back into it no doubt, especially now that he's home. I can start writing from home in the mornings, and visit set in the afternoons. Perks of being the boss.

A baby.

It just feels like too much to hope for, like I've used all my good fortune getting Sid back. Who am I kidding? It's totally just stress. There's a small knock at the door, and a sheepish Sid walks in. "Hey you," I beam up at him. "Total world domination?"

"It's just a stupid game," he frowns.

"So you lost," I say evenly.

"I wouldn't say that..." he starts defensively.

"Would you say your dad won?" I tease him.

"What are you up to?" he changes the subject immediately.

"Just thinking," I tell him honestly. He pads into the room and sits on the tile next to the tub, dangling his fingers in the warm water. I lift my hand from the water and trace the bandage on his neck. This will be coming off soon, and I'm nervous about what's underneath. Is he going to have a horrible scar that will remind me of that night every time I look at him?

"Do you want to see it?" he offers, but I shake my head.

"Not yet," I frown.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks with concern.

"Honestly?" I laugh and he nods his head.

"Tell me," he smiles.

"I'm trying to remember when I had my last period," I close my eyes in embarrassment.

"Kate," his voice has gone up an octave, full of hope and excitement.

"It's probably stress," I warn him.

"Probably," he agrees, as if he's an expert in women's fertility. "Still, we should take a test just to be sure."

"We?" I laugh.

"Yes we!" he splashes me. "First thing tomorrow, okay?"

"Great!" I roll my eyes. "Let's start another day with disappointment!"

"Or..." he starts, but I wave him away. I can't get my hopes up, not when I've already been so blessed.

"They're coming to interview you tomorrow afternoon," I remind him and he takes it in stride. "Living room? Or we could get you all tucked into bed, looking rough and earn some sympathy..."

"Living room will be fine," he giggles. He stands up, my skin instantly missing his touch, and starts to undress.

"Oh babe, you can't..."

"Just can't soak the stitches Kate. I can sit in the bath with you," he says firmly, but there's a trace of excitement. I move forward, giving him room to sit behind me. His legs stretch out on either side of me and I lay back into his chest.

"That feels good," he tells me, his hands moving to cover my breasts. "When are you going back to work babe?"

"I don't know," I say with zero enthusiasm.

"Katie," he scolds. "Carter told me the show has been on hiatus for over a week now." My heart sinks to my stomach. I'm letting so many people down, but there's one person I just can't afford to disappoint, and he needs me right now.

"That's not the end of the world Sid," I try to laugh it off, but he doesn't buy it.

"Honey," his voice is patient, but firm. "People aren't getting paid if the show goes on hiatus. The crew needs you back."

"Jesus, when did Carter get to you?" I sit up, my voice dripping with resentment.

"He's just worried about you. I love you, and I appreciate that you've put everything on hold for me, but I'm fine now."

"You're not fine!" I hiss. "You almost died Sidney!"

"But I didn't, so let's start living again, okay?" he's so calm, trying to keep my emotions in check.

"I just don't care about it anymore," I admit.

"Yes you do," he laughs, but I couldn't be more serious.

"No Sid, I really don't. What do I care about a tv series if it keeps me away from you? I should be home, taking care of you," I feel like I could burst into tears, but I don't want this to seem like an emotional decision. Is it an emotional decision? I'm not even sure it's a decision.

"Oh love, I don't need you home taking care of me. I like that you're busy and have your own life. It makes you interesting, and I'm proud of you. I'm not going anywhere," he says softly. I decide to ask the question I've been dreading. To say the words I've been too afraid to say.

"Sid?" I start anxiously. "Are you going to try and play again?"

"Yeah," he sounds surprised by my question. "Of course."

"But..."

"Kate, you didn't think that was it for me, did you?" he asks me incredulously.

"I thought you might reconsider, after everything that happened..."

"A freak accident?" he's getting a little angry now.

"It nearly killed you," I remind him.

"But it didn't," he snaps.

"Okay," I concede. "I just want to know what the plan is."

"Listen," he says seriously. "One more day, and then you're headed back to work. Hanging around here and worrying isn't good for you." He's firm, and if I admit it, he's probably right. "I'll follow doctors' orders, you don't need to worry about me, okay?"

"Okay Sid."

"Get your show..." he searches for the word, "wrapped, so we can get married already." I haven't even thought of that.

"You want to get married after the show wraps?" I check him for any trace of sarcasm or teasing.

"I do," he says seriously. I feel my cheeks blush and a smile sneak across my lips. Suddenly I have more motivation than I know what to do with.

"One more day, and then back to work," I tell him with conviction.

"That's my girl," he says, kissing the top of my head and hugging me tight to his chest.