February 14, 1980USA Vs. Czechoslovakia

I stood behind the bench as the game started. I was nervous; the Czechs were the 2nd ranked team in the world. Eastern block teams were the heavy favorites in the Olympics.

As it turns out we dominated the game. I knew my boys were good, but they were phenomenal that night. I never sat down the entire game. Mac was playing hard on his leg that was mostly healed but still a little sore. OC watched from the end of the bench.

7-3 USA was the final score! We had upset Czechoslovakia! As we all hugged and cheered at the final buzzer, I couldn't help but notice the look of happiness on Herb's face. Harrington was so excited he actually picked me up and hugged me.

While the boys went to the locker room to get cleaned up, dad, Herb and I were mobbed by reporters.

"Miss Patrick, team USA has just upset the 2nd ranked team in the world. What is next for this team?"

"Well the boys are going to rest and begin preparing to face Norway." I said.

"How do you feel about tonight's win, knowing that before opening ceremonies it was said team USA would be lucky to place 5th?"

"I am very proud of team USA. Each and every one of those players has trained hard and is very dedicated. Tonight's win is just one win; we have a long way to go in these Olympic Games." I said plowing my way through trying to get to the locker room.

"Any news on when Jack O'Callahan will get to play?"

"O'Callahan's condition will have to be discussed with Coach Brooks." I said, almost to the locker room.

"Miss Patrick, are you at all surprised with team USA's win tonight?"

"I believe in this team all the way. Their success never shocks me because the entire team works hard. Any other questions can be directed at my father or Coach Herb Brooks." I said and walked into the locker room slamming the door behind me. I closed my eyes and yelled out. "I don't care who is naked, I just had to get away from the media!"

"It's okay Chev; you can open your eyes." Silk said and hugged me. "We all have at least pants on."

"Thanks Silky." I said and walked over to Rizzo who was pulling on his shirt. "Hey, Captain Eruzione."

"Hey," he said and kissed me. "I hope you don't mind, but I am going out with Silky and Jimmy Craig tonight."

"Can I come?" I asked.

"If you don't mind we wanted to keep it, 'just the guys'." Rizzo said.

My heart sank, it was Valentine's Day. I knew he was busy with the Olympics and the game tonight, but I at least expected him to want to spend some time with me.

"Oh, well…have fun then." I said and forced a smile. Afraid of losing my temper if I stayed any longer, I stood up. "I guess I'll see you on the bus."

I walked the back way out of the arena and climbed right on the bus. 'I guess men just don't remember things like Valentine's Day.' I thought.

Later that evening I was sitting alone in my room. Dad had to meet with Herb about something. I was flipping channels when I did catch a glimpse of us on the news. I smiled watching the boys on TV. It was at least a change from the hostage crisis in Iran.

The phone started ringing. "Hello?"

"Hey, Chevon. Could you come to my room?" OC said over the phone.

"OC, why didn't you go out with the boys?" I asked him.

"I didn't feel like it. My knee is hurting pretty bad. That is why I want you to come to my room. I just need help getting some things." He said.

"Umm…okay I will be right there." I said and hung up.

'Since when do I take care of injuries? Shouldn't he have called Doc?' I thought. 'Then again if he might be afraid that if he admits it hurts he will be sent home.'

I walked down the hall to his room and knocked on the door. "Come in." OC yelled.

I walked in and saw a dinner for two sitting on the table, and a dozen roses on one of the chairs. "OC?"

OC came in from the bathroom on his crutches. "Hey Chev."

"Hey OC, do you have a date coming or something?" I asked.

"No, I am just the pawn used by my best friend to surprise his girlfriend for Valentine's Day." OC said with a smile.

Just then, Rizzo walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "You didn't actually think that I would leave you alone on Valentine's Day, did you?" he asked.

"No, actually I thought you forgot the holiday altogether!" I said and turned to kiss his cheek.

"I'm outta here you guys. Enjoy your evening." OC said and headed for the door.

"Wait, OC what about your knee?" I asked.

"It feels okay; I just needed a story to get you here." OC said with a wink and hobbled out the door.

I turned around in Rizzo's arms and pulled him down to me for a kiss. "I really thought you forgot."

"Actually, when I saw your face in the locker room when I said I was going out…well you looked so hurt I almost told you then what I had planned." Rizzo said. "We should eat before it gets cold."

We walked over to the table and sat down. The roses on my chair were beautiful. "Rizzo, this is so special. I can't believe you did all this for me!" I said. "When did you plan all this?"

"Once I realized we had a game on Valentine's Day, I knew we couldn't go out and do anything big, but I thought you might enjoy a quiet evening in." Rizzo said.

"I love you." I told him.

February 15, 1980, Lake Placid, NY

I had just returned to my room and was showering when the phone rang. Dad was out for his morning jog, so I jumped out of the shower to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Chev, you're actually in your room? I thought you'd be off with Jimmy or something?" Herb said. "Anyway, tell your dad I am going to be late to practice today. They are having some sort of press conference. Walter was telling me about it."

"A press conference? The reporters don't nag us enough after the games, now we have to go meet with them too?" I asked.

"Walter says that Americans are excited to have something good on the news for a change." Herb said.

"But we've only played two games. Granted we did just run circles around the Czech's." I said. "But we still have a long way to go. I tried to tell a reporter that last night!"

"I know. I just don't want anyone making too big a deal out of this and distracting the boys." Herb said. "I'll see you at practice."

I hung up the phone and thought about what Herb had said. 'The media told us we would be lucky to finish 5th; we play two games and suddenly everyone and their uncle wants to talk to us!' I thought. 'Then again, us winning games is more pleasant news than hostages in Iran or the problems with the Soviets over Afghanistan!'

Before I could get back in the shower the phone rang again.

"If this is a reporter, I want your name and editor's name so I can have you fired for…" I started.

"Whoa, whoa calm down Chevon." OC said on the phone. "You know the front desk is screening calls so that none of us are disturbed by the media."

"I'm sorry. I just get a little frustrated when my shower is interrupted." I said.

"You what?"

"Nevermind, what did you need O'Callahan?" I asked.

"Dallas is on tonight. Would you like to order in some room service and watch it over here? I don't think anyone has anything else much planned." OC said.

"Sure." I said. I had to laugh.

Mrs. Rizzo- Who Knows? I have so many ideas floating around in my head!

meadow567- Here is more for you! LOL

Emador- Why OC? Glad I wrote him good! The Texan is trying to linedance to Achy Breahy! LOL

Nikkd03- Glad to make you smile!

Klinoa- It's okay. (Here is a tissue.) Mac is going to be okay!