Yesterday's Present

It was the day they played the Soviets, Maddie was in the stands right behind the bench and she could hear everything they said, even joining in a few of the conversations. Alex ignored them all as she watched the game intent on figuring it all out.

"What do you think of them Russians?" Alex asked.

"I think they're Russians, if you even say cute I'll puke on you." Maddie retorted.

"Fine, Maddie thinks the Russians are cute." Alex grinned.

"Oh my God, you are so going down later."

XxxxxXxxxxX

The Soviets had just scored a goal, Jack on defense, angry as hell. He was being yelled at by the coach 'You got to listen to me Jack' but Maddie was sure he didn't hear a word as he attempted to take on three Russians, all taller and bigger than he was.

"Yeah that's a nice expression you got on your face you dummy." He said as the ref separated them.

Maddie shook her head as he was taken off the ice. The game finished with a ten to three loss for the Americans. Maddie rushed around the bench, heading for the change room, Alex rushing behind her. Alex yelled and screamed at people who wouldn't move and she was eventually pulled back by the security officers just as Maddie pushed her way through the door. She leaned against the corner and listened to Coach Brooks and Jack talking. When he had left, Maddie stood up and slowly walked into the room, alone with Jack on the table in the middle.

"Hey." She said quietly with half a smile.

"Hi." He replied. He had just stopped crying.

Maddie walked closer and sat on the floor with her back against the table. She set her elbows on her knees and set her head in her palms. Sighing, she began to speak again.

"So…is it bad?"

"No one knows. It could be a pull it could be a tear. Now what am I going to do?"

"I know the girlfriends job is to make you feel better but then I would be telling you a bunch of lies 'cause it can always get worse." Maddie sighed.

"Gee thanks."

"Just speaking from experience."

"What do you think Herb'll do?"

"If he was smart, keep you. I mean you'll make it. You'll fight through it and come out on top." Maddie replied, looking up into the lights.

"You make it sound like I'm dying."

"I thought you were." She joked.

Maddie stood up and hauled herself up beside him on the table. She leaned on her hands and sat with her back to him.

"We over?" Jack asked.

"Over what? You think I'm dumping you? Maybe I fell for you because you could play but that's not why I love you. I mean it's good and all but if I wanted to go out with someone not into sports I don't think I would've picked you or anyone associated with you or hockey."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Why'd you pick me?" Maddie asked.

"Besides the fact that you're gorgeous, you were there. You were you and-I get your point now."

"You think I'm gorgeous?" Maddie grinned.

"Have I never told you that before?" Jack asked.

"No, just stuff about us and then you saying as long as I'm there, you know stuff you would only say about me."

"You want me to say it more often?"

"No, I want you to say it when you mean it."

"That's often." He smiled.

Maddie blushed, this time he could see her. She sat there; looking at him, smiling because she knew that everything he said from then on was true.

XxxxxXxxxxX

"I would stay awake just to hear you breathing." Alex teased Maddie as she loaded her clothes into her suitcase early the next morning.

She couldn't go with Jack, she had to go with the team. Robbie met up with his family and they sat in the back of the bus together as they prepared to head to Lake Placid. Maddie was quiet, hoping and praying that Robbie would make it through without getting hurt. Robbie was quiet because he was tired.

The bus pulled up outside the arena in Lake Placid. Robbie wouldn't stand up, Maddie pushed him and shoved him but he didn't move.

"Please move?" She pleaded.

"Promise me, no matter what we find each other on Christmas and play, okay?"

"Yeah." Maddie smiled then pushed him out of his seat.

She walked hand in hand with her brother inside where Herb and some other guy were talking about Jack. She stood behind the man and when he started talking bad about Jack, she wanted to hit him but then she turned to hear him talking about it. Alex walked over behind her and patted her on the back.

"You okay?"

"Fine." Maddie retorted.

"I don't think so."

"Yeah well, life isn't fair-" She held her side and yelped.

That was one way to get a room full of attention, yelp in pain and everyone looks at you. Robbie took a few steps over to her.

"Fine, just a…cramp." Maddie lied.

"Okay."

He walked away and Maddie massaged her side. She had no idea what it was but after a minute it went away. Alex giggled a bit at the sight of her. Maddie started to walk away from Alex to join the circle of boys but it did it again. Everyone looked at her this time, including Jack. She cursed loudly and stood up strait, no more pain.

"What?" She asked.

XxxxxXxxxxX

The rooms were quiet until Maddie ran down the hall screaming. She stopped in front of a random door and knocked furiously. Ramsey answered the door with Craig behind him.

"Please hide me." Maddie begged.

"You know if you go about two doors down, you'll find who you're looking for." Jimmy stated.

"Really, can you do me a big favour, can you just block anyone from coming down this hall?"

"Sure."

"Thank you so much, I will so pay you back."

She whipped around in a circle and ran down to the door Jimmy said and knocked, less furiously. Robbie answered and she leapt at him, sending him backwards. She turned around and slammed the door shut, collapsing onto his bed. She looked up at the ceiling until Robbie poked her in the side.

"What are you running from?"

"Alex."

"What did you do this time?"

"I did nothing." Maddie retorted.

"What'd you do Princess?" Jack asked.

"Since I'm in the interrogation room…I told Buzz some stuff. Some bad stuff."

"You know when I read about your death and it says 'killed by own family member' I won't be surprised." Robbie laughed.

"Fine, I'd laugh." Jack teased.

"But you would come to the funeral right?"

"Yeah." Both answered.

"So…"

"You staying here for the night?" Robbie asked.

"No, Gwen was sent home so there's no excuse." Maddie stated.

"Good."

"Oh wait, there is, Alex is coming to get me." Maddie smiled. "And I know I can't defend myself."

"That's my job." Jack chuckled.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Alex wandered down the halls the next morning. She caught sight of one of the players, and they pointed her in the direction of Robbie and Jack's room. She knocked loudly and when Jack answered the door, she jumped in and on top of Maddie, Robbie just pulling on his shirt, struggling with the neckhole.

"Morning sunshine!" Alex grinned as Maddie slowly opened her eyes.

"Okay Moonbeam." Maddie grumbled.

Alex smiled and whipped the covers off of her cousin. She looked back at Robbie and then pulled the pillow out from under her head. Maddie rolled over and pushed Alex off with her feet, as she landed with a thud on the floor. Maddie sat up and rubbed her face, laughing at the sight of Alex.

"Hey." Alex remarked. "That hurt."

"Yeah so?"