A/N: OK, yeah…I know that I haven't updated in several months, but hopefully you guys are still interested.
Thanks for being patient, and I hope you like Chapter 3.
Disclaimer: The boys belong to themselves, the rest belongs to the studio, and anyone you don't know is mine.
Chapter 3: Old Habits and New Love
August, 1979
Minneapolis, MN
On her second day in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Izzy woke up with a splitting headache.
"You'd think that in two years of college, I'd learn how low my alcohol tolerance is," she thought remorsefully to herself as she reached for the Aspirin on her nightstand.
Hoisting herself out of bed, she stretched and yawned, slowly making her way over to her desk. She picked up her orientation folder and opened it, thumbing through its contents until she arrived at the object of her search. As she slid her orientation schedule out of its pocket, she was pleased to see that she'd be out of her last session in time to catch the end of hockey practice.
"Perfect," she thought, "now what should I wear to catch Jack- I mean Mac's eye."
After convincing herself that she really wanted to impress Robbie and not Jack, Izzy settled on a red t-shirt, and her favorite jeans. Throwing on her black jacket, she grabbed her keys and headed out of the door.
Fifteen minutes later, Izzy was completely, and hopelessly lost. She spun around, searching for someone who might know where she needed to be. A tall, handsome guy caught her eye, and she started towards him.
"Excuse me," she called, "Would you be able to tell me where Morrill Hall is?"
"Of course, keep going down University, take a left on Church and keep going until you reach a big old white building. You can't miss is, it's got pillars and everything."
"Thanks so much, you're a life saver. I'm already 5 minutes late for orientation."
"Oh, are you a freshman?"
"Nope, a transfer. I'm a sophomore from Boston University."
"Well, welcome to Minnesota, it's good to know that we've brought another one over from the dark side," he said with a smile, "I'm Tim Harrer."
"Izzy Eruzione, it's nice to meet you," she replied, "Thanks again for your help, but I really gotta get to orientation. Maybe I'll see you around sometime Tim."
"I certainly hope so!"
Hours later, Izzy entered one of her favorite places in the world, a hockey arena. Shivering slightly, she pulled her jacket a little closer to her body. She smiled as she looked down onto the practice. Watching hockey was one of her greatest loves. A loud shout pulled her out of her reverie.
"Miss, this is a private practice, you'll have to leave."
Her head snapped up, and she saw the coach staring at her from the ice, waiting for her to leave. The boys out on the ice stopped skating and looked up at who had interrupted their practice. A look of recognition passed over their faces and several smiled and waved.
"She's fine Herb," said Robbie, "That's Rizzo's sister."
Herb nodded reluctantly and turned back to his players.
Izzy made her way down the stairs and took her seat right behind the glass. She became entranced by their movements. Even the mundane things like the drills they repeated over and over again, thrilled her. Before she knew it, Craig's whistle was sounding shrilly through the arena. Her brother and his teammates were gliding off towards the locker rooms. Izzy stood up and remained in her spot for a moment, unsure of her new surroundings. Suddenly, someone called her name from the ice. Looking up, she saw Jack gesturing towards a hallway that apparently led to the locker rooms. She smiled and gave a thumbs up sign, which he reciprocated before turning and following his friends off of the ice. Izzy watched his back briefly before heading off in the direction he had pointed. A split-second later, Jack looked over his shoulder at her once more.
Their thoughts coincided as they walked their separate paths towards the locker rooms "Maybe being friends won't be such a bad thing."
As Izzy waited in the hall outside of the locker room, she thought about the repercussions of liking Robbie with both Rizzo and Jack around. Her thoughts were interrupted as the door swung open and she was greeted by several freshly scrubbed hockey players.
"My beautiful Isabella! How lovely it is to be graced by your divine presence this afternoon." exclaimed Silky in a loud, heavily accented voice.
"Nice to see you too Dave." said Izzy warily.
"Silky leave the poor girl alone," said Jack, "She's probably still nursing this morning's hangover, the Lightweight!"
"Thank you, for the first part at least."
"So how was orientation Baby Sis?" asked Rizzo.
"Long and boring, but on the upside I did meet an adorable Minnesota boy! You guys sure do know how to make 'em here in the Midwest." she said with a laugh.
"I'll pretend that you didn't just tear my heart out, throw it on the ground and do a little dance, you stinkin' traitor." said Jimmy with mock ire.
'Ah get over it, ya can't blame the girl for being honest." said Mac, "Now, just who is this guy and how 'adorable' is he?"
"Why do you want to know" responded Izzy.
"I just thought I should know my competition."
Izzy raised an eyebrow, smirked and started walking towards the exit, calling back "Who said that you're even in the ring?"
With assorted laughs and sarcastic declarations of pity the boys followed Izzy out of the arena, leaving Mac, Rizzo, and Jack standing in the hall, the latter two glaring at the first.
Mac turned to his friends with a smile that quickly faded as he saw their expressions.
"So… you like my little sister, huh MacClanahan?"
"Guys, come on. No disrespect, but Izzy's a grown woman, she can take care of herself, and besides at least you know me, if you stop me she could end up with that random guy that she was talking about."
"Or… we could protect her from all of you scumbags." said Jack.
"Jack he's right."
"He is?" asked Jack and Robbie simultaneously.
"Yeah, I guess if she's gonna date somebody, I'd rather have it be somebody I can trust. But hey, thanks for the help. I'm glad to know that if I ever need a couple of extra eyes or fists, you'll be there to back me up." said Rizzo as he followed the rest of the team out of the doors.
Robbie smirked to himself before leaving in the same direction. Stunned, Jack stood in the hallway for a moment, returning to earth as the doors opened and the bright sunshine poured in. There was Isabella, surrounded in a hazy glow of light.
"Jack," she said timidly "You OK Buddy?"
"He doesn't care." Jack said dumbfounded.
"What are you talking about?"
Jack looked up at her. She returned his stare with worry etched across her face.
"Um, nothing Iz. It's not important." he said with a forced smile.
Izzy stretched out her hand towards Jack.
"C'mon Big Guy. I'm starving and I just know that you're dying to buy me a burger."
Author's Note: So there it is. It's not much, I know but it's something. Hopefully seven months won't pass before the next update!
Thanks again for your patience.