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Chapter 11: MSG

I think my dad has finally lost his mind. I honestly don't know what he is thinking. We really shouldn't be playing the Soviets tonight. The Olympics are only days away and practice has been going so well. I can not see how this is going to do any good.

Everyone is really nervous. The plane ride to New York was eerie. Have you ever heard the saying "the silence was deafening"? I really understand that now. I have seen the guys quiet before; when practice has been rough or their just really tired; but this was completely different. They wouldn't even look at each other. I think they each thought they were the only ones scared and they didn't want everyone else to know. Even Jack, who would have you believe that he has never been scared in his life, was quiet.

As I sit here watching the game I can tell they are all still scared. They won't even look the Soviets in the eye. There is no way we can beat these guys if we can't even look at them! We look like paper dolls out there. The Soviets are literally plowing thru us. It is hard to watch. The guys thought they were sore the night of the Herbies....with the way they are getting hit tonight they are going to be sore for days.

Shit, Jack just got hit. Why isn't he getting up? Oh God he is holding his knee. I can't see his face, but I just know he is in pain. I have to get to him. I can't go on the ice in the middle of a game, but I am allowed in the locker room. That is where they will take him.

I have never run so fast in my life. I make it to the room before Jack. Maybe he got up, maybe he is ok. Then the door flies open. It's Jack. He has his arms around two paramedics and Doc is behind them. He looks up at me. I want to run to him, but I can't; not with Doc here. They lead him over to the exam table. He is wincing with every movement. This can not be good. I can hear Doc and the paramedics talking but I can't comprehend what they are saying. All I can do is concentrate on Jack's eyes. Finally I can't take it anymore and I sit next to him and grab his hand. For a brief moment Jack seems to relax, but then the pain returns. I really can't tell how long I was sitting there. The next thing I know the paramedics are leaving. I hear them say something about an ambulance. I look over at Doc....he is shaking his head.

"Doc. What's going on?"

"Tara they are going to take Jack to the hospital for some x-rays."

"When?"

"As soon as the game is over. They ambulance will take he and I there."

"I'm going to."

"Tara there is no need for you to come too. We will be just fine."

"Doc, I wasn't asking."

As soon as I am done with Doc I re-assume my position by Jack's side.

"What's going on?"

"They want to take you to the hospital for more x-rays."

"I am really ok. It doesn't even hurt that much anymore. I can still play."

"Oh no you don't. You are going to stay here until the ambulance comes. Then you, me and Doc are going to go to the hospital and we are going to find out what is wrong and what can be done."

I give him the sternest look I can.

"Yes, mother."

Jack is trying so hard to be strong. I can tell how much pain he is in and I can also tell he is trying to hide it form me.

"Jack, you don't have to be brave for me. I know you are in pain and I know that it scares you. I can see it in your eyes."

"I'm fine. The pain is going away."

I touch his face and bring mine closer to his.

"Jack. Look at me. It's ok. You can tell me anything. I love you."

We stare at each other for what seems like forever. I can feel his body start to loosen up and then he breaks down.

"Shit. It's over. I can't believe this is happening. I think it is bad. It really hurts. What am I going to do? There is no way I am going to be better in a few days. God, why did this have to happen?"

All I can think to do is hug him.

"I don't know why this happened and I don't know what is wrong with your knee. Let's wait until we see the doctor. It could be just a strain or something. But whatever it is....I am here with you."

I stayed with Jack in the locker room until the game was over. I would have stayed longer, but the guys were coming in and they needed to change. When I saw my dad walk in part of me wanted to tell him about how much I love Jack and to plead with him not to cut him. However, then I thought that might make him cut him, so I stayed outside waiting for the ambulance and all I could think about was what my dad was saying to Jack.

The running theme of the day seemed to be me losing track of time and right now was no different....I really don't know how long my dad spoke to him. All I know is that when Jack came out of the locker room he looked slightly better than when I had left him.

"Doc, there is a taxi waiting outside. I'll go in the ambulance with Jack and you can follow in the cab."

Doc looked at me for a second and then over to Jack. I think he may suspect something is going on but at the moment I don't really care.

"That's fine. I will see you two at the hospital then."

We all nod in agreement and head for the hospital.

The stuff at the hospital kind of went by in a blur. There was a lot of paperwork and questions. Jack got some x-rays taken and a MRI. Thankfully the x-rays came back negative, which meant there were no breaks. Unfortunately, we would have to wait a few days for the MRI results. When the doctor said it was ok for Jack to leave, we all shared a cab back to the hotel.

The team was already on a bus to Lake Placid so the hotel was very quiet. Jack was getting around a lot better now. The doctor had given him some pain medication and a set of crutches.

"Doc why don't you go to bed and I will make sure Jack gets settled in."

Again Doc looked at us slightly "crossed eyed", but if he knew anything he did not let on. He just nodded and headed for his room.

"Do you think he knows something?"

"Maybe. I have known Doc most of my life and even if he did he probably wouldn't say anything to my dad until he at least spoke to me first. But, honestly I could care less about who knows what right now. All I care about is you. Are you feeling any better?"

"My knee does, but...."

"You're worried."

"Yeah. I just wish we knew what was wrong. At least then I could prepare myself for...."

"Well we don't know what is wrong and even the doctor said it could be just a pull. So I will not allow you to think the worst. Ok?"

"Yeah....ok."

"Good. Now let's get these sweats off and get you to bed."

"Um....sounds good to me."

"Don't give me that smirk. You need your rest. There will be none of that tonight."

"Please."

"No. I want you to get your strength up and what you want to do will accomplish the opposite."

"Will you at least stay with me tonight?"

"Of course. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried. So get changed and get into that bed."

"I love it when you're feisty."

"BED! NOW!"

"Ok....ok.....there I'm in bed....happy now?"

I climb into Jack's arms and get comfortable.

"I am now."

"Thank you.'

"For what?"

"For....I don't know....for being you....for loving me. You somehow managed to....you made me think that this could end up being ok."

"Because, no matter what, it will be ok. You....we will get through this together. I said you were stuck with me and I meant it. I love you, not just when things are going good....but always....forever."

"I love you too baby."

"I like how that sounds....baby."

"Then baby it is. I'm Jack and your baby."

"And together we can get through anything."