Halfway down to the arena, Nadia started having aches and pains in her side. It seemed so much longer than two days since her accident. She didn't want to slow her friends down so she held her breath, hoping the pain would go away. It didn't.

"Nad," said Boris, "Don't tell Vlad I told you this, well, you can I guess but…"

Nadia looked at Boris.

"When he left your room, he went back to his and was outside his door crying."

Nadia gasped. "What?"

"Not like bawling," said Boris, "But he was sitting against the door, head in his hands, crying quietly. It was really sad to see."

"I can't believe I did that to him." Said Nadia, "What kind of person am I?"

"Don't blame yourself." Said Sally, "Something had to be said sooner or later."

"Yeah, but I picked sooner," said Nadia, "And what if Vlad doesn't play his best hockey and you lose… I couldn't live with myself if that happened."

"Nadia!" said Boris with a raised voice, "If we, by some chance, lose to the Americans, it won't be because of you or Vlad! It would have to do with how we played as a team. Don't worry so much! It'll be fine!"

"But what if—" Nadia started to say but Boris put his hand over her mouth to silence her.

"No Nadia." Said Sally, "It'll be fine."

They all smiled and realized that they were almost at the entrance.

"Well, I don't know if Tikhonov will like you two coming into the locker room with me, even though all of the guys know you." Said Boris.

"What about Vlad?" asked Nadia.

"Yeah, maybe you two should come." said Boris.

"Okay," Said Nadia, "I just want to sort things out before—"

"Yeah, the game." Boris finished for her.

Nadia smiled at Boris and saw him take Sally's hand and walk up to the security guard.

"Who are you?" asked the guard.

Boris pointed to his CCCP jacket and said, "I'm Boris Mikhailov."

"Oh, and, who's she?" he asked, pointing to Sally.

"This is my girlfriend, she's coming in with me." He said.

"Oh." Said the guard. He looked and saw Nadia standing behind Boris.

"What about her?" he asked, pointing at Nadia.

"She is my friend." Said Boris.

"Alright, you can go." The guard said, stepping aside to let them go.

"Spasibo." Said Boris, walking in with Sally and Nadia.

In the locker room, the team was getting ready for their game. Some were finishing putting on their uniforms and some were re-taping their sticks. Nadia looked and saw Vlad in the corner, talking with Vladimir Krutov. He didn't see her. Just then, she heard Viktor Tikhonov.

"Where's Boris!" he cried.

Boris stepped up. "Here, coach!" he said.

"Where have you been?" he said, "And why aren't—wait. Why are they here?"

"Well, I wanted Sally with me and I thought that Nadia should talk to Vladislav before we go play. I mean, Vlad was really upset, and so was she, so I though that…"

Boris stopped because of the look Tikhonov was giving him.

"Boris, I need to talk to Nadia. Alone." He said, nodding his head at Nadia, "Come with me."

Nadia saw Tikhonov walk towards his office and started to follow. She turned around and gave Boris and Sally a worried look. Boris and Sally both tried to smile but were worried for he, too. Slowly, she turned and followed Tikhonov into his office.

"So, Viktor, what do you need to talk to me about?" she asked, with fear in her voice as he shut the door.

"It's about you and Vladislav." He said.

"Well, I kind of figured that, but… what about?" she said.

"Nadia, Vladislav told me a few days ago that he wanted to let you go, but didn't know how." Said Tikhonov.

"What?" Nadia whispered, "When? Why?"

"He thinks that having a relationship is ruining his game," he said, "And he didn't want to hurt you but dumping you so harshly."

"Well, this is just as bad…" said Nadia, welling with tears, "I mean, he was lying to me that whole time and he could've just told me and it would have been over by now."

"Well, he made the wrong decision." Said Tikhonov, seeing Nadia cradle her head in her hands and cry.

He went over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" she cried, getting out of her chair, "Get away from me! I don't want anything else to do with you! Ever!"

Nadia ran from the room to the door, crying. All of the boys looked up and saw her in tears with Tikhonov coming from his office, slightly smiling. Vlad got up and ran to her.

"Nad, are you okay?" he cried, holding her in his arms.

"Get away from me you liar!" she said, pushing away from him and running out of the door, crying.

All of the boys were looking at Vlad now. Some were showing him signs to go after Tikhonov. Vlad had some ideas of what happened in Tikhonov's office and advanced on him.

"Viktor… what did you do to her?" cried Vlad, "Tell me!"

"I told her the truth." Said Tikhonov, "That you wanted to focus more on your hockey and that you didn't have time for a relationship."

"That's a lie!" shouted Vlad, "I never said that! All I wanted was to be with Nadia, forever!"

"But that's not what's best for you!" said Tikhonov.

"Yes it is!" said Vlad, "We… we were meant to be together! Nothing would feel right if we ended up apart!"

Outside the door to the locker room, Nadia stood and listened as Vlad confessed his love for her to everyone on his team.

'He really loves me…' she thought, 'now I feel like an idiot for believing Tikhonov. Stupid me!'

Nadia thought about going in to apologize, but she had a better idea. Nadia would make things up with Vlad after his game.

"It'll be best that way." She said, aloud, and walked into the arena to get her seat.