Perfect Eyes

The Soviets skated on the ice while Herb pumped up Team U.S.A. by giving them the 'great moments come from great opportunities' speech and the 'if we played ten games, they might win nine, but not this one' line. Maddie watched them jump onto the ice, Alex right beside her howling and hooting when Jack skated easily around their end of the rink.

The first period was going great until the Soviets scored, then Buzz scored to tie, Soviets again. Two to one Herb sent Jack out and he checked a Soviet, allowing Johnson a shot and a goal. Heading into the second period with a two to two tie, they let the Soviets score and then in the third period a power play gave Johnson another goal. Rizzo went out onto the ice and scored his first and the only goal in the game that set them ahead.

A VICTORY!

Maddie and Alex ran down the stairs and headed strait for the change room. Alex walked right in with a respectful Maddie waiting outside the doors. She always thought it better to be invited than to intrude. She leaned against the wall for a second until her thoughts were interrupted by Alex.

"Madds, come quick!" She yelled, panic in her voice. "It's Jack."

Maddie whipped over to Alex and they both ran into the change room together but Alex halted at the entrance where as Maddie dashed to the other side of the room and she kneeled in front of a kneeling Jack. He looked up at her.

"What…happened?" She asked, shaking nervously.

He made an attempt at getting up but only succeeded in one knee being up. He still had his gear on, including skates, but no helmet. Maddie set her hand on his knee and he took it in his. She smiled at him but it did no help.

"Madison." He started.

"Yeah?" She asked, slightly irritated at the use of her full name.

"You know how much I love you right?"

She shook her head reassuringly. Robbie and Johnson smiling to the others in the background.

"I would hate to spend another second apart. You've been there when I needed someone most and you knew what to do. You've listened to me, heard everything, good and bad but you were still there."

Maddie was catching on. She teared up and continued to listen.

"Will you marry me?"

Maddie smiled as she wiped her right eye. She leapt at him and hugged him tight but still no answer.

"Hey Sis, answer the question." Robbie yelled jokingly.

She set her head on his shoulder and sniffed.

"Yes." She whispered.

Nobody heard her. Alex watched in awe at her cousin, by the way he looked at her she knew the answer. Maddie held on while he stood up and then let go, looking up at his eyes.

"Don't ever call me Madison." She laughed through another tear.

"Wait, what did you say?" Ramsey asked.

"She said yes." Alex smiled.

"One more game and it's over, but you know what, you'll see each other again someday." Maddie smiled back.

"Why do say that?" Pavelich asked.

"What are you stupid, she meant at the wedding." Alex stated rudely but only received a headshake. "Sorry."

"See the whole world doesn't always treat you like craps eh Madds?" Robbie asked.

"You do realize you'll be related to O.C. right?" Rizzo asked.

"No way." Robbie joked. "It's all good."

Maddie eyed him and smiled. He nodded slightly in return and watched her leave so they could get out of their gear. Alex walked behind Maddie who was almost ready to skate fifteen Herbies but decided against it and sat on the nearest chair.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Maddie sat on the bed in her room across from Alex. Robbie was standing in the doorframe. Jack was lying in the middle of the floor and a few other guys were crowded around various places in the room. Alex sat on Buzz's knee, Maddie smirking at the two.

"So, what happened?" Mark Johnson asked.

"What do you mean, you were there." Buzz remarked.

"I meant, Robbie."

"Yeah, you can't tell me you just let him, you knew didn't you?" Maddie added.

"I did. Up until last night O.C.'d been talking to me about you then last night he just asked. I think it was after I came back, it was what…"

"Midnight." Jack finished.

"And he waited up just to talk to me about the whole idea. I thought it was coming to start with, the only other guy who makes her eyes light up like that would be me and I'm her brother plus I've always been one for noticing this stuff."

"Yeah right." Maddie remarked. "You wouldn't know love if it hit you between the eyes, except when I do it."

"Hey Madds, do you think I'm predictable?" Alex asked out of nowhere.

"No, sometimes, but you're more spontaneous." Maddie tried to say politely.

"Alright, I think you're predictable." Alex stated.

Maddie shrugged and ran her hand through her hair, holding it back a second and drawing attention to herself. She sneezed and wiped her hands on her hip, making Alex laugh hysterically at her.

"What?" Robbie asked.

"She just wiped snot on her shirt."

"At least I don't wipe my hands…" Maddie wiped her hand on her breast, causing Alex to go silent. That was how she wiped her hand clean. "That's what I thought."

"Shut-up." Alex growled. "You think you're so cool just 'cause you're engaged, I didn't even see a ring."

Maddie glared at her cousin. Robbie knew why, it was a surprise, seeing as it wasn't just any ring.

"Well, do you?" Alex asked.

"Let me explain." Robbie broke in.

"I don't have it here, it was a surprise. I was going to give you my old championship ring or the Olympic one, depending on whether we won or not." Jack explained.

"You know how much I'm jealous of you right now?" Alex asked.

"Really jealous?" Maddie grinned.

"Yes Madison O'Callahan, and Robbie, you'll be related to O.C."

"Alexandra Schneider, you really should find someone with a better last name, or just stick with McClanahan and get your own car, house and brother. So far my life is better than yours." Maddie laughed.

"Yeah well I'm an aunt." Alex retorted.

"I'm the best cousin you'll ever have."

"I'm engaged to an immature McClanahan." Jack voiced. "I think I win."

"You're not engaged to Robbie." Maddie laughed.

"That was good." Johnson remarked.

"Well I may be immature but I'm surely not stupid." Maddie smiled and Alex stuck her tongue out.

Maddie slowly stood up, stepped over Jack and lunged at Alex playfully. She tackled her onto the bed and tickled her ribs. Alex squealed and tried to fight back but Maddie sat on her arms, looking around the room, she tilted her head and smiled.

"Hey, get off." Alex whined but Maddie didn't move, she sat on her, looking around the room once again, pretending not to hear anything.

Robbie walked over and pulled Maddie up and stood her in front of the bed where she flopped onto the floor and laid on Jack.

"You've been replaced." Maddie grumbled. "By Johnson, come here Mark."

"You can't replace your cousin." Alex argued.

"Tell that to my parents." Maddie shrugged.

Alex looked at her, she was no longer joking, just giving her a totally serious look. Alex knew what she meant but she would never know what it did to her, it changed her, if she asked Robbie he could've told her what happened but he would also tell her that the minute she met Jack, it all came back. Well, not all, most of the old Maddie.

"I did." Alex replied. "They didn't listen."

"They never listened." Maddie retorted, trying not to break out into tears.

"They didn't. I did, my family did, I realize it's not must condolence but it'd would've been nice if you came and lived with us." Alex smiled.

"Wait, you wanted us to live with you?" Maddie asked. "I never knew."

"Robbie." Alex eyed him.

"I told her, she was probably sleeping." Robbie argued.

"Used to do that a lot." Maddie kidded.

"We had fun, living in the apartment. Guess it's a me living in the apartment now." Robbie chuckled.

"No, until you find a place you want to live in you can use my basement." Jack remarked.

"Great."

"Actually, it's a nice basement." Silk added.

"Yeah, it is." Rizzo laughed.

"PARTY!" Alex yelled and blasted her radio.

Maddie glared at her before whipping her shoe at Alex. It was the only thing she could reach and when it hit her, everyone laughed,

"Nice aim." Mark stated.

"I got another shoe you know."

Robbie dove for her foot and struggled to get it off and he did, throwing it at the door. Maddie pushed herself up and head locked him. Alex soon joined the fun and eventually, everyone in the room was involved in the dog pile, Maddie and Rob on the bottom. Herb walked by the door and chuckled at the sight. Maddie could just barely see the look on his face, her eyes were almost covered by Alex's hand. She yelped and immediately, everyone stood up. Maddie still on the floor, Robbie beside her but Jack pulled them both up.

"Just stopped by to say congrats." Herb half smiled.

"For what?" Alex asked. "I mean I know I'm pretty but you don't have to congratulate me."

"Shut-up." Maddie ordered jokingly. "How'd you know?"

"Everyone in the United States saw it." Herb replied.

"Yeah, it was an amazing game." Jack broke in.

"Just remember, it's not over yet."

Coach Brooks turned on his heel and walked away, heading down the hall. Alex raised her eyebrow at the guys and shrugged at Maddie.

"Remember that hockey game we played today?" Robbie asked sarcastically.

"Hey, at least I didn't think he was congratulating me for being…" Maddie hesitated.

"Gorgeous?" Jack asked.

"Yeah."