The score was tied at 1 with ten minutes plus stoppage time left in the game. Eric faked left, then blasted past a midfielder on the right. He was in the zone. Bee cheered. The center defender challenged Eric, who passed the ball to his winger. The ball came shrieking back to him. Eric charged to the goal. He tried to pass the defender, but he was tripped. Each man had so much momentum going that they flew a good foot each before hitting the ground. The Spanish man got up easily. He was a little winded, but nothing serious. Eric however, did not get up right away. The team trainer and coach were running out to the field when Eric stood up, the feel back down and screamed in pain. Bee gasped. Eric was seriously injured.

Bee didn't know what to do. Her life seemed to be in slow motion. Sheila came over to her.

"Hey," Sheila said sympathetically.

"I have to get down there!" Bee yelled, "I have to know something. He's got no relatives here that I know of. We can't get down there the normal way, there are security guards all around."

"Bee, if you'd just let me get a word in, I could tell you that I hear a security guard talking on his walkie talkie. They're looking for you. Eric has been asking for you. The security guard didn't hear me when I tried to get his attention."

"Attention," the intercom echoed, "Will Bridget Vreeland please come down to one of the field gates? A security guard will escort you to Mr. Richman."

"I told you," Sheila remarked.

"Bye," Bee began running down the stairs two at a time, "I'm Bee Vreeland!" she panted at the security guard.

"This way," the gruff man opened the gate and ushered her into the innerds of the stadium, "Wait here," he instructed as he knocked on a door, "Ms. Vreeland is here," he explained to the door."

Bee heard Eric yell her name. She ran to the door.

"Let her in," The doctor ordered.

Bee was relieved as the door opened. She sat down in a chair next to Eric and grabbed his hand. For both his benefit and her own.

"Eric's leg was broken on his impact to the ground," the doctor explained to Bee, "Its a very routine break and in a routine location. It will heal fine. I'm not sure at the time if he will be able to continue with his athletics yet."

Bee's mouth gaped open at the prospect of Eric's not playing soccer. She grasped Eric's hand harder as a tear trickled down her face.

"We're going to cast the leg up and give Eric a wheelchair. Within a week, Eric should be up on crutches. When he gets home, he'll have to talk to his physician and trainer about the rest of the rehabilitation plan. I will write my suggestions and fax them to both of the men," the doctor paused, "I understand you are his traveling companion," he paused to let Bee nod, "I'm assigning you the task of looking after him. It will be hard for him to get around. He needs plenty of liquids: calcium and juices are preferred. I'm prescribing a pain medication, and I want you to buy him these vitamins as soon as possible," he handed Bee a list, "For the first week, Eric should not move more than necessary. He may lift arm weights, and here are some exercises I suggest to keep his shape as much as he can," he handed Bee another piece of paper, "Eric should do a few sessions of physical therapy once he is out of the cast. His regular doctor can refer him to someone. Then, once he has done some therapy, he should be able to get back to his normal work out regime. Any questions?"

"I think you've covered everything. Thank you for all the paper work."

"Great, no lets cast that leg up. We don't need you anymore Bridget. If you'd wait outside?"

The next thing Bridget knew, she was rolling Eric down the hotel hallway.

"What happened?" Eric asked, "In the game, what happened?"

"I don't know. We'll call someone once we get you situated," there was a paused, "Besides, you stink."

"Thanks," Eric laughed.

Bee slid the keycard, "I'll start running you a bath," she went to the bathroom, and reappeared moments later. When the bath was half full, she took Eric into the bathroom, "How are with going to do this?" Bee asked awkwardly.

"How else?" Eric asked taking off his jersey.

Bee blushed.

"I just want to be clean. I don't care what you see."

Bee averted her eyes as he removed his remaining clothes.

"I need help getting into the tub," Eric reminded her.

Continuing to avert her eyes, Bee helped Eric up and into the tub, "Remember not to get the cast wet. If you need anything, I'll be in the other room."

"Bee?" she turned, "Thanks, and I'm sorry got bolting last night."

"I understand," Bee said warmly, "Should I call for room service?"

"A salad?"

"Sounds good. I'll have that for you along with your medication ready when you get out."

"Clothes?" he asked.

"What do you want?"

"There's a white shirt in the second drawer down, and a pair of boxers in the first drawer."

Bee blushed yet again, "No pants?" she asked.

"I don't want to depress myself with the fact that I can't get my cast through anything but shorts."

Bee set two towels down on the wheelchair. One was for drying off, and the other was to protect the chair for when Eric was wheeled into the other room to dress. Then she called room service for two Caesar salads. After that, she found clothes for Eric. Finally, she fixed an ice water and put it on the dresser by a pill She switched the TV on, when she heard Eric yell her name.

"I can't reach the faucet to rinse my hair," he explained.

Still averting her eyes, Bee stayed and turned the faucet on and off for him. When he was done, She held a towel up, and her hand out for him. He dried off, standing on one leg, then he hobbled into the wheelchair (one towel placed on top of him of course). Bee wheeled him out to his clothes. The room service came at the most opportune time. Bee got the salads. That was able to allow Eric to slip on the boxers. He was still putting on his shirt when Bee put the salads down.

"Here. Take your pill. You'll feel much better," she handed him the water and the pill, "Now you can't drink any alcohol with this in your system."

Eric obeyed, and then eyed the salads, "Lets eat!" He gobbled up his salad.

"Want to get into bed?" Bee asked.

"Yeah," he replied, "I'm starting to get cold."

She helped him up and into the bed. Then there was a knock on the door. Bee went to answer it, "Oh hey!" she exclaimed, "Sure, come in."

It was a portion of Eric's team.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Eric joked.

"Hey E" Jason said, "We hear you broke the leg."

"true," Eric replied.

"Bummer," Terrence added.

"So whats up?" asked Eric.

"We were hoping you could come out, but it doesn't look like thats gonna happen, so we came to tell you about the rest of the game."

Bee interrupted, "Hey, Eric. I ought to go call Sheila. She was worried about you. I'll let the guys catch you up on the action."

"Hey Bee?" Jason got her attention and pulled a gold medal out of his pocket, "Look what we got for Eric."

Eric smiled.

"If you need anything, you know the number," Bee told Eric, "Congratulations."

Eric kissed her cheek as she hugged him.

"Can you come back later on and check on me?"

"Yeah."

"Just take the key. Its not like I'll be going anywhere."

Bee called Eric's room about three hours later, "Hey. Have the guys left yet?"

"Yeah."

"Should I come keep you company?"

"Please."

"Bored out of your mind?"

"Of course."

"Pajama and pizza party? We can have our own little party. I can stay over there... in case you need me," she realized how bad the last sentence sounded out loud.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

"See you in a little under an hour."

"Okay."

"Bye."

Bee picked out her cutest pajamas, and packed her tooth brush away in a paper bag. She had some doritos and Swedish fish stowed away, so she took those too. She picked up a couple sodas out of the vending machines on the way to Eric's room. She slid the key card, and yelled, "honey I'm home!"

"Hey Bee!" Eric yelled from his bed.

"I've got soda, I've got chips, I've got fish. All we have to do is order the pay-per-view movie and the pizza. Why don't you pick the movie?"

Bee called for the pizza, then poked into the bathroom to change into her pajamas. Eric had made his movie selection, and was waiting for Bee.

After the movie, they continued to watch television. It was Italian with English subtitles. Bee could not focus on reading the dialog.

"Who ever said Italian was a romance language didn't see Italian Law and Order," Bee said yawning.

"Yeah."

Bee turned in his direction, "Can I take you home?" there was an awkward silence, "to my home," another silence, "I want you to meet my friends."

"Where did that come from?"

"They're just dying to meet you. I've told them tons about you. All good things after Pennsylvania of course."

"We'll see."

"We're like a married couple," Bridget chuckled, "A really old couple.You take care of me, I take care of you. A hug there, a kiss here."

"No sex," Eric knew Bee was thinking it, so he added that.

"Who needs it?" Bee asked, "I'm a born again virgin."

"A WHAT?" asked Eric.

"I decided that after I got my heart broken by you, that I wouldn't put myself out there until I was really sure whoever I did it with was truly committed to me. And that I was mature and committed enough to handle it."

"Thats deep," he took the last swig of his soda and cast the bottle aside.