I missed some of my regulars last chappie! In the words of an annoying pro-wrestler "Wat's Up Wit Dat?" LOL Hope you all enjoy this chappie. Thanks for all the reviews! Peace and Love.

Rtisticsoul- Loved your review. I am so glad you enjoyed the chappie. Those Minnesota boys (the actors at least) are very cute. Hope to hear from you again.

Lia06- Boo on your puter for not letting you review! I hope you have better luck with it.

Meadow567- You'll just have to be a patient little Jedi and wait like everyone else to see who the pairing is going to be! LOL

Klinoa- LOL, I was so excited you realized who Tom Wopat was. There are a few more Duke Boy references ahead in this story so I hope you catch those too.

B- I hope you enjoy this chappie as much as you did the last. Yes, OC was quite mean. But Bah is so sweet he makes up for it!

Emador- Bah was trying to be funny and sweet. So, you think it'll be Bah or Craig? Hmmmm.

Beautyqueen321- Thanks for your review. A description of Kylah is coming, I am adding more and more of her in each chappie.

Killerkeanegirl- I have gotten several predictions on who the pairing may be. I am not giving any hints. LOL Loved your review. Bah's make-over was quite popular!

The next day, I was sitting in the stands, making notes about the boys. Mostly just trying to put names with faces. Herb hadn't said anything to me, but Craig was very warm and friendly.

I also noticed that Herb was a very loud coach. Doc was a sweet old man that made me want to adjust his bowtie. And I still had an urge to rub Christian's head. A lot of the boys were so sweet to me. I knew I was going to enjoy working with them.

"Johnson, that coast to coast stuff may work here, but it won't against the teams we'll be playing." Herb yelled. That broke me out of my reverie.

I watched as a new line of boys skated out onto the ice. I had decided to write my newest press release on Herb's coaching style and what he has planned for the boys.

The boys started off skating and passing the puck. I was watching Verchota. Suddenly I heard a loud crash. OC had checked McClanahan. Mac went down hard on the ice. The play stopped and the boys on the ice gathered around Mac. Those on the bench jumped to their feet. I jumped to my feet, trying to see if Mac was okay.

"What the hell you hitting him like that for?" Verchota asked OC. OC stood watching McClanahan try to stand.

"This ain't the bush league, OC." Harrington said.

"Nice hit, OC," Silk called from the bench.

"Tell your boy here to keep his head up and he won't have to worry about it." OC said.

Mac made it to his feet and charged at OC, "Let's go!"

OC threw down his stick and met Mac's charge. Fists were flying as OC and Mac punched at each other. Craig started to walk towards them but Herb stopped him.

"Hey Craig, let them go!" Herb said.

'Is he nuts?' was all I could think. And I was surprised that more of each boys' teammates weren't getting involved. Baker was pulled away by Silky. That dropped my respect of Silk a notch. I refrained from jumping in on Mac's behalf. I was sure Herb wouldn't appreciate it. Mac wouldn't have liked having a woman fight his battles, and it would've given OC more motive to dislike me.

Finally the boys were able to get Mac and OC pulled apart. Mac's nose was bloody. Again the urge to punch OC rose in my chest. I dampened it as best I could.

"Well, how bout it boys? Look like hockey to you?" Herb asked the team. "Looks more like a couple of monkeys trying to hump a football to me, I dunno. How about you Craig?"

"Yeah." Craig answered, but looked confused.

"You wanna settle old scores you're on the wrong team! We move forward starting right now! We start becoming a team RIGHT NOW!" Herb yelled and slammed his stick off the ice. "Skating, passing, flow and creativity; that is what this team is all about gentlemen. Not old rivalries. So why don't we start with some introductions? You know, get to know one another a little bit. Who you are, where you're from, you know. Go ahead!" Herb nodded at Mac.

"Rob McClanahan, St. Paul Minnesota." Mac said.

"Who do you play for?" Herb asked him.

"For you here at the U." Rob said. Herb nodded.

"Jack?" Herb prompted.

"Jack O'Callahan, Charlestown Mass. Boston University." OC said.

"Over Here." Herb pointed to Coxie.

"I'm Ralph Cox. I'm from wherever is not going to get me hit." Cox said with a smile.

I chuckled as did most of the boys. Herb started practice again. I saw Doc helping Mac into the locker room. I left the stands and walked over to where Craig was standing.

"Does Herb always let one player break his teammate's nose?" I asked.

"I promise Kylah, you'll get used to him." Craig said.

"I'm gonna go check on Mac. I'll meet you after practice." I told him. He smiled at me.

I walked back to the locker room but waited for Doc to come out. I didn't want to intrude, or catch Mac naked. Finally Doc walked out of the locker room.

"Mac okay?" I asked.

"He'll be sore a few days, but he's okay." Doc said. "You can go on in."

I walked in the locker room and saw Mac in his boxers, lying on the table. I walked over to him.

"How you feeling?" I asked.

"OC must've killed me. I'm seeing an angel." Mac said and winked.

I giggled. "Nice to see you still have your sense of humor."

"The angel is from the south. Do you play a fiddle instead of a harp?" Mac asked.

"You're so cute. Do you need anything?" I asked.

"Can angels kiss things and make it better like my mommy used to?" Mac asked.

I chuckled. "What hurts? And don't tell me anything below the beltline!"

Mac sat up. "Make out with me for an hour and cover it all?"

"Does getting in fights make you flirtatious?" I asked.

"Not usually…..but you're so pretty." Mac winked.

"Well thank you…but I am not making out with you." I giggled.

"Can't kill a guy for trying." Mac smiled.

"But since you're a little scraped and bruised." I leaned over and kissed both cheeks. "That should make it all better."

"Thanks Kylah." Mac smiled. I was glad we could joke and not feel awkward.

"Anytime." I said. "If you need anything else….you let me know."

I walked out of the locker room and upstairs to type on my press release. I decided to get it finished, so I'd have the rest of the evening free to myself. I smiled as Craig flashed through my mind. He and Herb were so different. Herb barely acknowledged my presence; Craig treated me like his colleague. Craig was so friendly, treating me as if he'd known me a lot longer than a few days.

I sat down to work on my press release. Since Herb was a big part of the article, I would've liked to have met with him and talked more, but he just didn't seem to have time for it. I decided not to write about the fight between OC and Mac. The less publicity it got the better. Most feuds were fueled by public interest. I wanted OC and Mac to get along for the good of the team.

"Knock, knock." I heard. I looked up at the door and saw Craig standing in the doorway. "Working hard?"

"Just finishing my press release. The rest of practice go okay?" I asked.

Craig sat on the edge of the desk I was sitting at. "Yeah, I think most of the team is busy trying to figure out what Herb wants."

"That's good. I wish Herb would make some time for me. I am the link between him and the media and he acts like I don't exist." I said.

"Herb doesn't like media that much. Says it takes away from the team as a whole if one player gets attention." Craig explained. "I think you are doing great."

"Thanks. I appreciate that." I said and finished typing and pulled the paper out of the typewriter. "All done."

"What'd you write about?" Craig asked.

"I focused on Herb bringing young men from all over the US together and making them into a team. I wrote how he is emphasizing putting the past behind them and it's a new day kind of thing." I explained.

Craig nodded. "Ready to go? I think I know where we're going."

"Yeah. You're not gonna try one of those 'I'm lost and now we ran out of gas' tricks are you?" I giggled.

Craig chuckled. "Nah, I learned my lesson about that in high school." I looked at him stunned. I couldn't picture Craig ever doing such a thing. He shrugged. "How was I supposed to know she was the Sheriff's daughter?"

I started laughing. "You didn't."

"What? Did you think I was always laid back and mature?" Craig smiled.

"I guess not…but it's still hard to picture." I said, standing and grabbing my belongings. "Where'd you park?"

"Out front, let's go." Craig said, and we walked out of the press box.

I walked out of the arena and was blasted by the summer heat. I followed Craig to his car. He opened the door for me.

"You all unpacked?" Craig asked.

"Not quite, but almost." I smiled. "I'm just a bit of a packrat, so I have so much to unpack. I like having lots of things from home around me."

Craig started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. His radio was playing The Eagles.

"Harrington mentioned you grew up near an Indian reservation." Craig said.

"Oh yes. The Oconaluftee village is just a few miles from where I grew up. It's a Cherokee reservation. As a matter of fact, lots of the Indian kids went to high school with me. I really stood out with my blonde hair and fair skin." I giggled.

"You're pretty enough to stand out anywhere." Craig winked.

Again I was stunned. I couldn't tell if that was meant as a compliment o flirting. Craig was very polite, so most likely a compliment.

"Thank you." I said. "Why was Harrington talking about my hometown?"

Craig shrugged. "Silk was saying something about your accent and Bah brought it up. I was just standing nearby and caught part of it."

"So how long is your shopping list?" I asked.

"Pretty long."

"Yeah mine too." I said. "I really appreciate you inviting me to come along."

"Oh I was glad to. You're good company, and I knew you needed to get some things." Craig said. "Now according to Doc's directions a shopping center should be up here on the right. He said it has a department store and grocery store, so we should be set."

Craig pulled into the parking lot.

XXXXXXxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXX

"I can't believe we bought so much stuff." I laughed as we were driving back to the U.

"A lot of it is groceries. We have to eat." Craig smiled.

"I can't believe you forgot to bring sheets." I giggled.

"How often do men worry about linen?" Craig asked, with a wink.

"I guess you have a point there. But at least you have a few sets now. Nothing like bringing home a date to dirty sheets!" I laughed.

Craig pulled onto another road that I didn't recognize.

"What's out this way?" I asked.

"It's just a different route to the U. Less traffic." He said. "This was how I came into town yesterday."

I nodded. As I watched the residential streets go by.

"Does Doc live out this way?" I asked.

"Yeah, he lives a few blocks over. I think a few of the players are from this area too." Craig said.

"I think some of these boys are so sweet." I said.

Suddenly the car stopped, and Craig cut the engine. I looked at him questioningly. He smirked at me.

"We're lost and out of gas!" Craig winked.

"You're so BAD!" I giggled and playfully punched his arm.

Craig laughed and started the car. He drove us the rest of the way back to the U.

After Craig had helped me carry all my things inside, I helped him carry all his stuff into his apartment.

"Well, thank you for a great evening." I said. "I really appreciate you taking me with you. I'd have hated finding my way around by myself."

"It was no trouble." Craig said. Then laughed. "Feels like I'm dropping you off from a date…except I'm not worrying about a goodnight kiss."

I laughed. "Have a good night Craig. I'll see you tomorrow."

I walked into my apartment and put a few things away. I then found an icepack and filled it with ice. I grabbed a 6-pack and left my apartment.

I walked down the hall and knocked on the door I was looking for. After a few minutes the door opened and Mac was standing there. His eye bruised and nose swelled.

"Brought you ice and a six-pack." I said holding up said items.

"I'm hallucinating and seeing that angel again. She brought me beer this time!" Mac smiled.

"You're such a flirt." I said and laughed. Mac let me into his room. "How you feeling?"

"Sore, but I'm better now." Mac smiled.

I sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to me. Mac sat down beside me.

"Where's Johnson?" I asked.

"He went somewhere with Jim Craig." Mac said.

I handed him the icepack. "Hold this on your nose and eye. It'll help with the swelling. And tomorrow, put compresses of vinegar on your bruises for 15 minutes at a time. It'll take the color out of them faster."

"Thanks, I'll try it." Mac said and leaned back placing the pack on his face. "You didn't have to come take care of me. I am okay."

"I just wanted to. I have this strong instinct to fuss over my friends when one is hurt or sick, or upset." I said and handed him a beer. "That's to cheer you up."

"You're so great." Mac said and took a drink. "Are you going to the movies with us this weekend?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Actually Verchota is already hollering that I am his date." I laughed and took a beer for myself.