I was a ball of nerves as we arrived at the first away game. They were an experience in themselves as the season was ramping up and there was more press to deal with along with the new environment. It was a bit odd to me that I was interviewed along with Garrett and Oliver. The three of us formed the decision makers of the team as the coach, captain and healer. I was used to being a part of a trio, but the dynamics of this one were much different. Aside from the interviews, we were put up at hotels and treated to team dinners after practice as well as parties hosted by the home team.

After the rush and tension I had for our first away match against the Montrose Magpies, I was feeling a little more at ease when we faced off against the Wimbourne Wasps. There were a few incidents, but I was able to get the team patched up and ready to go in no time, sometimes on the fly as they barely stopped.

The Appleby Arrows remained undefeated. Oliver was beaming with pride at his team mates at the end of each match before getting back to work the next day in our new location to go over what could have been better.

We were preparing for our third away game in a row and had just arrived at the hotel. Garrett was checking us in and there seemed to be a bit of an issue at the desk. Oliver excused himself from the light hearted conversation we had been having to go see what was up. Over our time together we had obviously become extremely close and I could read him quite well. I could tell by the way that he ran his hands through his hair that there was an issue, but his stance told me it wasn't awful. In fact, there was a slight twinkle in his eye.

Seeming to hesitate for a moment, he excused himself from Garrett and came over to me. "Aye, darling, can I talk to you for a moment over here?"

My heart rate sped up as I tried to work out how I could possibly be involved with whatever issue had arisen and followed Oliver to a quiet alcove.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, trying to keep the slight panic from my voice.

He ran a hand nervously down the back of his neck. "I'm hoping so. You see, there happens to be a potions convention here this weekend as well and the hotel oversold the rooms. Since we got in late, we're paying that price." My face faltered. I knew that small hiccups like these could weaken the team. "Thankfully, they are only short by one room. However, that still puts me in the position of selecting who will be forced to share."

I began to relax. His body language made a bit more sense now. "The answer is obvious. Isn't it?"

He dropped his hand and tilted his head to the side.

"Oliver, we've shared a bed before. It makes the most sense that we would do so for the week we are here." I said this all straightforward as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world. Which, really, it was.

His body relaxed. "I was hoping you'd agree, but I thought you would need more convincing."

I laughed at that. "You know how I feel about you, Oliver. I don't mind, really."

Leaning forward, he slanted his mouth across mine. "You're amazing, love." His breath coasted over my lips and I found myself wanting more contact. Instead, he pulled away. "I better go tell Coach we're all set."

I simply nodded and stared at his backside as he walked away.

In that moment, it hit me what we were about to do. The rooms were decent size, but it was still a hotel. Oliver and I would be living together in close quarters for the next week.

We hadn't picked up where we had left off when Garrett interrupted us at my flat. There just hadn't been an opportunity with all the extra events that came with away games. Now that we'd be in the same bed though, well, let's just say I couldn't stop my thighs from pressing together.

Shaking my head, I realized I needed to be on my best behavior. The match this week is against Puddlemere United and I know that Oliver is nervous about this one most of all. They really didn't want him to leave and apparently some of the team members were still a bit bitter at his departure. I'd definitely have to be on my best behavior in regards to our relationship this week.

Still, I had to admit I was looking forward to at least a little one on-one-time with my in-demand boyfriend.

We had a little bit of time before dinner and we all made our way to our rooms for a rare moment of downtime.

Oliver led the way to our room with his hand on the small of my back. Once inside we enlarged our bags and placed them in their proper place.

I watched as he carefully placed his things in drawers. He had been letting his facial hair grow for a bit now and the neatly trimmed beard that hugged his jaw only added to his appeal.

He wasn't looking at me, but he could clearly feel my gaze. "Keep looking at me like that and I can't be held responsible for my actions."

His voice was nearly a grumble and my jaw dropped slightly as a small gasp escaped my lips.

"That's what I thought, love. We don't have time for that now and I'd like if our first time together was a bit more romantic than this." He gestured about the room.

Merlin, I hadn't seen much of this side of Oliver, but I found myself wanting more. "I'll hold you to that."

He smirked. "I've got to go over some plays before dinner." his fingers fanned some pieces of parchment. "Want to sit with me while I do?"

I agreed, grabbing some books on new healing techniques as we sprawled out together on the bed. Our arms and thighs pressed against each other as we each got lost in our work. It was such a comfortable silence and it left me feeling content. I would even call myself relaxed if his touch didn't send a current of electricity that hovered just above my skin.

The minutes stretched on and I found myself getting worked up. I was just about to make a move to reach over and capture Oliver's lips just to have some type of friction with him, when his wand alarm went off.

"Blimey, is it that the time already? We need to be down for dinner in fifteen minutes."

I let out a half groan, half moan and Oliver smiled in appreciation.

"Don't worry darling, we have all night together."

That thought didn't help and my thighs rubbed together. "That may not be enough."

He quirked a brow. "Merlin, love, you can't say stuff like that just before we need to leave." His hand travelled down to adjust the bulge in his pants.

Finally, his mouth met mine in a kiss that told me he was as affected by our proximity as I was.

After several minutes, he pulled away, his hand still holding the back of my neck. "As captain, I can't be late."

I sighed. "I know. Let me just change quick and we can go down."

I headed to the bathroom and changed into a pencil skirt and silk blouse which was my signature attire for events, interviews and games. A quick flick of my wand and my hair fixed itself into elegant waves and I applied a little mascara.

Grabbing the handle and opening the door, I walked back into the sitting area. "Ready."

Oliver had changed into a suit. The look was something I was still getting used to. I had got so used to his casual dress, but he filled out the suit nicely.

He stared for a moment before clearing his throat. "Right. Let's go then."

Holding out his arm for me, I took it with a shy smile and we made our way downstairs and around the corner to the restaurant.

The dinner went fine. It was a comfortable but a bit boring affair as we were all tired and ready to get some much-needed sleep before the early morning practice.

Finally, we were done and headed back to the hotel. On our way, we ran into a small group of people. I instantly felt Oliver tense beside me and I looked up to give him a quizzical look.

"Well if it isn't Oliver Wood. The man who desserts his team for a better paycheck."

The man who spoke was clearly built like a Quidditch player and I had no doubt these were former teammates.

"Come on, you know it wasn't like that. It wasn't about the money."

The other man scoffed. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that. Hope your new team knows you're prone to abandonment. And what about this one here?" he nodded in my direction. "You sleeping with her? Does she know how disloyal you are? This man's a bastard, but I'm fair game if you'd like an upgrade."

The man whose name I still didn't know looked at me with a nasty sneer and I could see the jaw muscles working on Oliver as he tried to bite his tongue.

"Wait a second. You look familiar. I know, you're the little mud..."

His next words were cut off as Oliver lunged.

Using my wand, I held him back. "He's not worth it Oliver. International Quidditch rule number 394 says no fighting outside of the pitch. Violators are suspended for three games and you need to be there to beat this arsehole this weekend."

I turned my attention to the other man, flanked by two others. My wand was at his throat in a second and his sneer had vanished.

"However, that rule only applies to players. You better watch your tongue. I know just who I am and where I came from. If I didn't before, I think the torture I endured from Bellatrix Lestrange herself while I fought for the freedom from the worry of Voldemort really drove the point home. If I didn't let her break me, if I could stare down Voldemort himself, there is NO way I'm going to let a pathetic being like you get under my skin."

The three of them were backing up, sufficiently chastised, but I wasn't done. "Watch yourselves. I better not hear you spreading any lies about Oliver or myself. He made the decision he needed to do for his career and if that meant dropping a team because it wasn't the right fit, that was his right to do so just as it's yours. I'm sorry your playing wasn't enough for him to stay. And before you question my seriousness, I still have significant pull at the British ministry."

"Is that a threat?"

I dropped my wand and glared at him. "No. It's a promise. Let's go Oliver."

I removed the charm and we walked through the small group and around the corner to our hotel.

Oliver was quiet as we made our way back to our room. I wasn't sure what was upsetting him. It could have been the stress of the game, the altercation, the way I stopped him. Maybe I shouldn't have stepped in? Doubt was clouding my vision.

He banged into the room and quickly rifled through his drawers grabbing his bathroom kit. Without saying anything, he headed for the bathroom and took a shower.

A sick feeling flooded my chest. We were so close before we went to dinner, and now I felt like Oliver was a million miles away and I didn't know how to travel to him.

When the shower turned off, I stood to ask him what was wrong, but his jaw was so hard I stopped myself.

"I'm going to bed." He kissed my cheek briefly and quickly disappeared under the covers.

"Ok. I'm just going to take a shower and then I'll join you."

"Goodnight."

"Yeah, goodnight."

I couldn't help it. When the water began to flow, so did my tears. How could he be so cold? What was going on inside his head? He had to have known when we got together that I was strong willed and capable of standing up for myself.

Trying to push the evening from my mind, I composed myself and washed up. Sluggishly, I dried my hair and dressed for bed. By the time I laid down, Oliver was already breathing deeply. Sleep did not come as easily for me.