Emador- Just wanted to remind you of the warning for this chappie. LOL And I am glad I could help remind you of Harrer.

Meadow567- I think you're just a tad superstitious. No Ira Einhorn doesn't have anything to do with this story, it was just a big murder case in the late 1970's and in 1979 he was awarded bail and jumped to Europe.

Prettypinkcheer5- I know, I cant believe how long this story is, but I am enjoying writing it. I hope you continue to enjoy reading it. Love all your reviews.

Lia06- Yes, Janny was from Minnesota. He called her to say how surprised he was because he had played for Herb too.

Flowersc781- Well I never get tired of hearing it. I enjoy writing Kylah to speak her mind.

I am going to do a shameless plug here, but it's for a good cause. LOL. Emador has started posting her newest story 'One Fine Day'. So check it out! Peace and Love!

Milwaukee, WI
December 1979

The game was over. We had just played the IHL all-stars. The boys were on the ice shaking hands with the other team. I knew I needed to get to the hallway to deal with the press. Herb had made it clear that he was not going to speak with any of the 'leeches'.

"Kylah, are you okay? You don't seem very happy." Doc asked me.

"I don't know. Something just isn't sitting right with me." I said. I knew exactly what that something was, but was keeping further comments to myself.

"Kylah, the press is waiting to speak with you." Walter said over the glass.

"I am on my way." I said and left the bench.

I walked back towards the hallway leading into the locker room. I had the arena staff set up barricades to keep the media from knocking down the team as they entered the locker room.

"Thank you all for coming out this evening. Team USA Hockey and I thank you for your time." I said. I always thought it courtesy to thank the media, even when it wasn't a formal press conference.

"Miss Jenkins, new team member Tim Harrer is looking great on the ice. What was Herb Brooks' motivation to bring him in at such a late date?"

"As I have said in the past, that was Coach Brooks' decision. He controls all roster changes for the team." I said.

"How is the team accepting Harrer to the team?"

"We just played a great game and Harrer was on the ice with the rest of the team and able to add to the score. It's always a team effort." I said.

"Two more players have to be sent home, any word yet on who they will be?"

"Once again, roster decisions are up to the coaching staff and they have not made any indication at this time." I said. I felt no reason to include Herb's threat on Rizzo earlier in the week. An incident that made me feel like rushing onto the ice and beating Herb with his own hockey stick.

"Is Herb going to call any more players to join the team?"

"He has not mentioned doing so." I said. 'Heavens I hope not.' I thought.

"Miss Jenkins, Steve Janaszak has not been between the pipes nearly as much as Jim Craig…will he be getting more playing time soon?"

"Team USA is very lucky to have two outstanding goalies. The coaching staff will be using them where they are most needed." I said.

"What is the team's frame of mind with the Olympics just over two months away?"

"They are training hard every day. They are focused on what they have to do and are anxious to compete." I said.

"Many people have criticized bringing in Harrer now, how do you feel about it?"

"It was Coach Brooks' choice. It's not my place to say my opinion." I said.

I turned and walked in the locker room. I was tired of answering questions and was restraining myself from telling the world my real opinion. Careful to look down I walked to the back where Doc was cleaning off his tables.

"You do a great job with the media." Doc said. "I was listening to your post game interviews on the radio."

"Thanks, I felt like screaming out there." I said.

"You're very good at giving honest answers that don't hurt anyone's pride. That is rare in the media." Doc smiled.

"Where is Craig?" I asked.

"Mac came to get him. He said he wanted to talk to him for a few minutes." Doc answered.

"Oh…well in that case I am going to get my things together and head for the bus. The boys should be moving along soon." I said and went to the press box.

On my way back, I ran into Craig.

"Hey, I was looking for you in the locker room. Doc said you were talking to Mac." I said.

"Yeah I was, and Rizzo and OC and Johnson…."

"Poor Rizzo, did you see his face during the game? That poor guy knows he's going to be sent home soon." I said.

"Well the boys have decided to talk to Herb about Tim Harrer and they wanted me for support. Help them out kind of thing. Did you put them up to this?" Craig asked.

I shook my head. "No, I haven't talked to the boys about this. I didn't want Herb accusing me of trying to influence their opinion. Why?"

"It just sounded like advice you'd give is all." Craig smiled and put an arm around me. "You got plans for back at the hotel?"

"Not that I know of. I am done with the media for the night." I said.

"Stop by my room around midnight?" Craig asked.

"Sure, what do you have in mind?" I asked.

"Just stop by." Craig said. "I have to go get the boys and find Herb. I'll see you on the bus."

Craig took off into the locker room and I continued towards the bus. A few of the boys were filing out of the locker room. Most of them were quiet, none of them speaking to Harrer. Herb had to see how this was affecting the team.

I climbed onto the bus and took a seat in the front where Craig and I usually sat. Herb took a seat across the aisle. I relaxed and wondered how Smokey was doing back in Minneapolis. I had left him with Patti early that morning. She said the kids would most likely play with him all evening after school.

Craig climbed onto the bus and told Herb that a few of the boys wanted to speak with him. Herb reluctantly got off the bus. I sighed wondering if anyone could get through to Herb. Part of me wanted to know what was being said just a few feet from the bus.

Herb and Craig climbed back on the bus. Craig sat down next to me. A few minutes later Rizzo, Johnson, OC and Mac climbed on the bus and walked to the back to take their seats.

"What happened out there?" I asked.

"The boys talked to Herb and Herb's said he was going to send Harrer home." Craig said.

I sighed with relief. I knew that one of the boys would still be going home, but at least it wouldn't be two of them. I glanced to the back of the bus, looking at Rizzo. I wondered exactly when Herb would send him home. He was smiling and talking with the other boys. He would be greatly missed.

I leaned against Craig for the bus ride back to the hotel. I was just a little tired, and feeling relief that Harrer was going home.

xxxxxxxxXXXXXXxxxxxxx

I was in my hotel room, getting ready to go visit Craig. I still didn't know what he was up to, but was looking forward to spending some time with him. It had been a busy day with traveling and the game. I had called Patti back in Minneapolis who was in the middle of telling Kelly that Smokey couldn't sleep in bed with her. Smokey was fine.

There was a knock at my door.

"Who is it?" I called.

"Herb." Came the quick reply.

I opened the door. "What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to tell you in person that I am sending Tim Harrer home. The boys talked to me and I think its best." Herb said.

"I'll make a statement to the press in the morning." I nodded.

"Kylah…you're not like most people in the media. You want to do the right thing. You care about the people you're reporting about. And you're always honest in your reporting. You stand up for what you think is right. That's a rare thing anymore. I'm glad we have someone like you working with us." Herb said.

"Thank you." I said.

Herb nodded. "You have a good night."

I watched Herb walk back down the hall.

I glanced around my room making sure I had unplugged my curling iron and then locked the door and walked down the hall to Craig's room. I knocked on the door and heard Craig call for me to come in.

I walked in. Only the lamps by the bed were lit, there was a fruit platter on the table and there was champagne on ice in a bucket.

"Ummm, what is all this?" I asked.

"Just thought I'd surprise you with a nice evening." Craig said.

I shut the door behind me. I walked over and hugged Craig. I looked around, realizing that Craig must have called room service.

"It looks nice…you were expecting me right?" I asked.

Craig chuckled. "Of course, who else?"

I sat down on the edge of the bed. I reached for some of the grapes on the fruit tray. "I am glad you ordered some snacks. I was a little bit hungry."

"I thought it would be a nice surprise. Do you easily get drunk from champagne?" Craig asked.

"No…I rarely drink it but when I do, I handle it okay." I said.

Craig started pouring the champagne. "Good, I was hoping it didn't. I didn't want to deal with you seeing pink elephants tonight."

"So what is the occasion for all this? Can't be just because of the game or Harrer being sent home." I asked and accepted a glass.

"Nothing really, just wanted a special evening. And I knew you wouldn't be expecting it." Craig said and sat next to me.

"You're sweet." I said.

"Have you been hanging out with the boys lately?" Craig asked.

"A bit. Verchota is getting me into watching professional wrestling." I chuckled.

"That stuff where they hit each other with chairs and yell and scream during interviews?" Craig looked surprised.

"That's it. It sounds so goofy but when you watch it, a storyline starts unfolding. You get caught up in it despite yourself. And I am really starting to like a tag team called the Rock N Roll Express." I said.

"I might have to watch this with you guys sometime. See what all the fuss is about." Craig smiled.

"Are you going to go home for Christmas?" I asked.

"No, it'd just be too hard to travel to Detroit and back in such a short time. And I'd rather stay in Minneapolis with you." Craig said.

"If you want to go be with your family, I'll be okay with the team. They're doing like they did for Thanksgiving." I said.

"And I had a great Thanksgiving with you. You didn't even gripe about me watching the Lions game." Craig smiled. "I wouldn't miss Christmas with you. I am looking forward to it."

"I am looking forward to it too." I said.

Craig leaned forward and kissed me. It was soft and gentle but more aggressive than I was used to from him. I snuggled closer to him, but was surprised when he started gently pushing me down on the bed.

I pulled my mouth away. "Craig…what are you doing?"

"Kylah, if you really need me to explain." Craig said dryly.

"Well, I don't want to." I said and scooted away from Craig.

Craig nodded. "What exactly are you waiting on? I mean we've been together awhile now."

"I know. I am just not ready. It's a big deal to me." I said.

"It's a big deal for me too, but I am only a man and waiting is starting to get to me." Craig sighed.

"I thought you were okay with how things were?" I asked.

Craig stood up. "I am, but do you think waiting is easy on me? I am with you everyday. I see you in those tight jeans and tight sweaters……I don't even use my hot water heater anymore!" Craig protested. "And the other day when you walked into practice wearing that little multi-colored sweater……I started thinking things that would make Verchota blush."

"Well I am glad that you feel those things about me, it's very flattering but I am not ready." I said.

"But when, I am starting to go crazy. I could write a book on the art of self-love." Craig said. "I feel like I am 14 years old again. And I might have to visit Doc for an exam about Carpel Tunnel."

I stared, completely shocked. It was a side of Craig I hadn't seen before. I hadn't realized that even as men grow older, some things never change. I sat still, but didn't know what to say.

"Craig, I am sorry, but I am not comfortable with sex." I said.

"What do you mean? Are you uncomfortable with sex in general? Or just uncomfortable about sex with me?" Craig asked.

"A little of both really." I said.

Craig sat down next to me again. "What about me makes you uncomfortable about having sex with me?"

"Well, you're older and more experienced…I don't know if I could satisfy you. You're used to women with experience that know lots of…..tricks." I said.

"Kylah…..I know I have more experience when it comes to sex but I don't expect you to be like 'Debbie Does Dallas'. I am ready to be patient with you. I just wanted to be closer to you." Craig said. "And I would never hurt you. I knew I'd have to take it slow and careful."

"I'm not……" I hesitated. "I'm just not ready. I adore you and love being with you…but I can't do this…not yet."

"What else about sex makes you uncomfortable?" Craig asked.

"I am just not ready is all. I'm sorry." I said. I stood up. "Thanks for the champagne and fruit. I need to go."

"Kylah, you don't have to go. I'll drop the subject and wait till you're ready." Craig said.

I rushed past him. "No, its better that I leave. Again, I'm sorry."

I hurried out the door. "You don't have to be sorry." Craig called after me, but I hurried on down the hall, back to my room.

I opened the door to my room and slammed it behind me. I slumped to the floor crying, wishing this night had never happened.