Sorry this took so long. I have had a crazy few days.

I still own very little.

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Chapter 12: Doc

Beep....beep....beep

I hate alarm clocks. They always seem to go off just when I fall asleep. I know I have to get up, but I don't want to. It is cold beyond the covers....and Jack's arms....plus I am really comfortable. Maybe just five more minutes, then I will get up. I can feel Jack start to stir.

"Uh....turn it off....it is too early....go back to sleep."

I turn around to face him.

"I have to get up and work out how you, me and Doc are going to get to Lake Placid to meet up with the rest of the guys. But I want you to stay in bed and get some more rest."

I can tell he is still half asleep. I am not even sure he understands me, but then he smiles (with his eyes closed).

"Ok mom."

We both laugh and I kiss him on the forehead.

"I love you."

I think he is already asleep. Normally I would be a little mad, but they gave him some pretty strong pain medication last night. I am surprised he woke up at all.

I make my way quietly around the room, find my cloths and start to head out. I am softly closing the door when all of a sudden.

"Good morning Tara."

That sounds an awful lot like Doc. Think fast. How do I explain this to him? Why am I leaving Jack's room in my pjs this early in the morning? I turn and try my best to act casual.

"Morning. What are you doing up so early?"

"I have always been an early riser. What are you doing....up this early?"

"I have to make new travel arrangements for all of us to get to Lake Placid."

"Did you need something from Jack to do that?"

Yeah a good morning kiss....I don't think that is a good answer.

"No. I just wanted....um....um....to check on him....see how he is feeling."

"Is he up?"

"No, he is still sleeping."

"Why don't you come back to my room? I ordered room service. We can figure out the arrangements together and catch up. I feel like I haven't spoken with you in so long."

He is right. I have known Doc all of my life. I think of him as family and we haven't talked in a while. We have both been so wrapped up in the team and I have been so busy with Jack....that part I think I will skip when I talk to him.

The first thing we do when we get to the room is book three train tickets to Lake Placid. The way the time worked out we will probably beat the team up there. Once that was done we sat and started to eat. The conversation flowed pretty easy. We talked about the team and my dad. We even spoke about Jack....well his knee anyway. Doc really seems to think it may just be a strain and that Jack may be able to play in the medal round....if we get that far. However, neither one of us knows if my dad, or the USOC will keep him on the roster. Then things got real quiet....uncomfortably quiet. I didn't want to look at Doc. He would be able to see the fear in my eyes; my worry that Jack would be cut. Then he would know and he would tell my dad.

"You love him."

It wasn't so much a question as it was a statement of fact. I think my eyes bulged out of my head. Who is Doc talking about? I start to choke on my eggs.

"Hum....what....what did you just say?"

"You love him....Jack. I can see it in your eyes....every time you look at him or his name is mentioned. I have never seen you that way."

Oh my god! He knows. How long has he known? Has he said anything to my dad? Will he say anything to my dad? I don't even know how to respond. I look up at him. My face is contorted, I must look like I am in a great deal of pain.

"How long have you known?"

"I had my suspicions for a while. Then my wife said she thought she heard the you two in our kitchen on Christmas Eve. Then, when I saw you with him last night in the locker room I knew. It was all over both of your faces. He loves you very much."

I am completely speechless. Doc continues.

"You are scared I am going to tell your dad. Don't worry, I won't. The Olympics are too close. He doesn't need to be worried about this. Not that I think he should worry. I think you and Jack are good for each other. I don't know when you two started, but you have changed him and he has changed you. Both for the better. I have never seen you this happy and if that is because of Jack then how can anyone be upset about it."

I am now fully in tears. I need to tell Doc how much that means to me. I need for him to know how right he is. I need to....

"Thank you."

"You are very welcome. I only have one thing to ask of you....when you do finally tell your dad....which at some point you have to do....don't tell him that I knew. He would kill me for keeping this from him. He may make me do Herbies and we both know that I am too old to handle those."

We are both laughing now. I go over to him and kiss him on the cheek. I think he is blushing a little. We are interrupted by the phone. Doc goes over and picks it up.

"Hello....oh hello Doctor....that was fast....thank you for doing that....really?....that is good news....yes I understand....about a week....well it could have been worse....he may be able to play in the medal round.....yes....well thank you....I will make sure....thank you again....goodbye."

I am looking at Doc. From what I heard of the conversation it sounds like Jack may still be able to play.

"It's not too bad. He needs to stay off it for a week and then he could possibly play in week two....if we get that far."

"That is great news. Jack is going to be very relieved."

"Tara....I don't know what your father or the Hockey association is going to do. They may still cut him."

"I know....Jack knows too....but at least now there is still hope."

"That there is. Do you want to tell him or should I?"

"Why don't we tell him together."

We both smile and head down the hall. Jack is still in bed, with his back to the door, when we enter his room. I walk over too him and kiss him on his cheek.

"Um....what took you so long?....the bed has been really cold without you."

He turns over to kiss me. We are interrupted by Doc clearing his throat. Jack's eyes widen and he slowly turns his head to look at Doc and then looks back at me; he looks very confused and a little scared.

"Doc knows about us."

"You told him?"

"Not exactly....he figured it out. But I didn't deny it."

Jack still looks worried.

"I am not going to tell Herb. He doesn't need to know....yet."

Jack sits up and leans against the head board.

"So what's up then?"

"The doctor called me this morning."

Jack's head is now slowing moving between me and Doc.

"Ok....what did he say?"

"It is what we had hoped for. It is not torn, so no surgery....but you need to rest for about a week."

"So I could possible play in the medal round?"

"If Herb and the USOC will allow it."

"But there is that chance?"

"Yes."

"That's good at least there is still hope."

Doc looks at me and laughs.

"You too really do fit together well."

Jack looks at me and once again he is confused. I laugh too.

"I said the same thing when I heard the news."

Now we all laugh. It feels really good not to have to hide....at least for a little while. Things will change when we get to the Olympics....if Jack gets to stay on the team. I am not going to think about that right now. I am going to focus on the positive....on the now. I look at Jack. He is smiling.

"I love you baby."

"I love you too."

We kiss and at some point Doc leaves the room....unnoticed.

"How are we getting to Lake Placid?"

"Our train leaves at three this afternoon. We should be there by five."

Jack looks at the clock.

"Eleven am. We have like four hours before we leave. How should we pass the time?"

He has a devilish grin on his face right now. I know what he wants to do. Honestly, I want to too. We are not going to have many more moments like this....just the two of us.

"I don't know....we could play cards or sleep or....we could play jacks."

I laugh when I say jacks. He knows I am kidding and laughs here you....I have a different game of Jack in mind."

"Oh really? Will I like it?"

"You will love it."

"Something tells me you are very right."

"I am always right."

I push him on his back.

"You are so full of yourself sometimes."

"You know you like it."

"I love it."

We kiss....and kiss....and kiss....