Strangexbutxtrue- I am so glad you're back. I have missed you so much. I didn't write Christmas day, but I am sure you can imagine the usual fun and silliness of being with the boys. LOL

Prettypinkcheer5- I can't believe you are starting to like Craig with Kylah…..I may faint. LOL

Meadow567- Have never seen the movie so I don't know who Skank is.

Flowersc781- You're the second person starting to like Craig because of Christmas. I hope the Gettysburg Address thing doesn't cause trouble in a history class or something. LOL I don't want to go to a strip club, but I would love a few of those guys stripping for me.

1-800-epk-fano- Yay, glad to see you again. I love the Duke boys too. What a gift they'd make huh?

Lia06- I am crocheting too. That's what gave me the idea for Craig's gifts. That strip club advertisement is scary.

Emador- I could so see Rammer repeating that with a girl dancing near him. I wrote Craig's flower comments to be a bit 'macho'. And I would love finding Bo under either. Have you ever heard him sing? I did the other night and almost melted…and I heard him on the radio…I wasn't even seeing him! LOL PS- Random thought: Danny and Donnie- New Kids on the Block flashback! LOL

December 29, 1979

I dialed the number for Herb's home, wishing anyone else in the world would make this call. Sometimes being in the media had its downfalls.

"Hello?" I heard Herb on the other end of the line.

"Herb, its Kylah. I have some bad news." I said.

"Is Craig okay? Something wrong with one of the boys?" Herb asked.

"No, everyone is fine. I just called Walter with the latest news coming from the Kremlin. Walter said he'd make some calls himself and call you later. But I need to go ahead and let you in on what's going on." I said.

"Kylah, get to the point." Herb said.

"Since the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, President Carter is calling for sanctions against the Soviets. One of those sanctions is President Carter has announced that he will not send US athletes to participate in the Moscow games this summer." I said. "In response, the Kremlin released a press statement earlier today, stating that they will not send any athletes to the Lake Placid games."

"But the games are six weeks away?" Herb said. "How can they pull out now?"

"No one can force them to show up. Brezhnev has stated in no uncertain terms that he will not send any athletes from any of the eastern block countries. No Soviets, no Czechs, no Romanians, none of them. I'm sorry Herb I wish there was something I could do." I said.

"If the Soviets aren't allowed to come to Lake Placid, I'm assuming the exhibition game in New York City is out." Herb sighed.

"Sorry, but it is." I said.

"Isn't there something you or the USOC can do?" Herb asked.

"I'm sorry, I wish there was. Right now I am working on a press release of our response to the Kremlin's comments. Walter is doing all he can, even calling some politicians….."

"We're playing hockey here, how did Washington get involved?" Herb snapped.

"I wish it were that simple. The Olympics is an international event; and we're in the middle of a Cold War. Politics got involved and now the games are being used as leverage. I wish it wasn't this way. Our team has trained too hard to have to deal with world events too." I said.

"I'm not mad at you. I'm frustrated. I know you are doing all you can, you always do. I'll wait and see what Walter has to say." Herb said.

"I'll call you if I fin out anything new." I said and hung up.

I leaned back against the couch. I looked over at Jake's collage that Craig bought me.

I sighed. "Where is my miracle, Jake? Things haven't gotten better. They've gotten worse!"

I took a deep breath, realizing I needed to get my press statement done before I left for Verchota's birthday party. I walked into my room and sat at my typewriter.

Team USA Hockey, Press Statement, December 29, 1979
Earlier today, Team USA learned of the Kremlin's statement that they would not send any athletes if the US continued to call for a boycott of the Moscow games. Team USA will stand proudly behind the decisions of President Carter, for we know that he has America's best interest at heart. The team will be at Lake Placid playing against the finest teams in the world, which is what they have trained to. Team USA has trained hard for several months and is anxious to compete in the Olympic Games. They will play their best against any opponent set before them, and will not allow political situations to interfere with what they have trained so hard for. Team USA would love the chance to play against the Eastern Block teams to test themselves and put their training to work. However, they will not be distracted from their training by situations they cannot control. In conclusion, Team USA is leaving politics to the political arena, and keeping hockey in the sports arena. They will continue to train hard to face all teams they will be faced with at Lake Placid, no matter what country they are from.

Short and simple. I thought it would be best until we knew more on the situation. And I really hesitated to get so involved in politics, while being a sports writer. I wouldn't want to be around Herb right now. He was so bound and determined to play the Soviets; now finding out that he wouldn't…..he was probably at home chewing nails.

I looked at the clock. Cox would be around in an hour to take me to Verchota's birthday party. I guess Verchota's parents were out of town-having decided to go to Vegas for New Years. So Verchota was throwing himself a big birthday party at his house.

Craig had driven to Duluth for the weekend. UMD was hosting a holiday hockey invitational tournament. Craig went with Johnson, Bah and Strobel. So I had the whole weekend to myself and Verchota was hosting a beer bash. I just hoped there were no strippers!

I changed clothes, and fixed my hair. I wondered how much room there would be at Phil's house. I hoped he wasn't trying to cram 20 people in a room the size of a bathroom.

There was a knock at the door. I figured it was Coxie so I grabbed my purse.

"Who is it?" I called.

"Ralph, you ready?" Cox called back.

I opened the door. "Yeah. How far is Verchota's place from here?" I asked.

"Not far. Phil's been there drinking since noon. He'll be plastered before the party even starts." Cox said.

"Great…and knowing Verchota he'll start calling random women out of the phonebook." I said.

XXXxxxxXXXXXxxxx

"Kylah, welcome to my party!" Verchota yelled as I walked in.

"Happy birthday late." I said and hugged him.

Verchota put his arm around me. "Since you're here…we need strippers…and you're a girl."

"I don't think so. I think you all had enough of strippers before Christmas." I said.

"I can never have enough of girls taking their clothes off. But I don't think virgin boy could take it again." Verchota nodded towards Ramsey. "He'd probably make a mess in his pants this time……maybe he did the first time."

I rolled my eyes and walked to the liquor table. "Where did he get so much alcohol? This looks like Malone's bar back home!"

"Philly's been stocking up since Halloween for this." Pavelich said. "At least it's out from under my bed."

I poured myself a drink and looked around for someone who attended Minnesota. I spotted Broten in the corner.

"Hey Neal, I have a question for you?" I said and sat down next to him.

"Sure, ask away." He said.

"You played on the Gophers with Ramsey. And Verchota is always picking on him…..I just have to know. Is Ramsey really a virgin or is it a label he can't get rid of?" I asked.

Broten practically choked on his drink. "I didn't expect you to ask that."

"Well I want to know. I've heard about Rammer being a virgin since June, so I want to know." I said.

"Well, none of us know for sure if Rammer's a virgin or not. He's kind of shy and quiet and we've never seen him with a girl other than at banquets and formals. He doesn't jump in with sex stories in the locker room like the other guys. The virgin jokes just kinda started one day. Mike's never done anything to prove he's not a virgin. Of course, none of us really care one way or the other, but Philip really lets him have it about it." Broten explained.

"Interesting." I pondered.

"How drunk you getting tonight?" Christian walked over and asked me.

"Totally obliterated." I said. "I have the whole weekend to myself."

"How does Craig feel about you drinking so much?" Suter asked me.

"He doesn't care. He trusts the boys around me." I said.

"He shouldn't trust a bunch of horny drunk boys around his girlfriend." Silk said. Silky was already well on his way to plastered as well.

"I am sure none of you boys are brave enough to risk fooling around with the coach's girlfriend." I giggled.

"I'm always up for a risk." Baker said.

I rolled my eyes. "Someone get me another drink and some shots!"

An hour and much consumed alcohol later, I was sitting on the floor, leaning back against someone's legs…I think they were Rizzo's. I wasn't completely drunk, but feeling a buzz. Speaking of Buzz…where was the dark haired, smile boy Schneider?

"Kylah, are you okay?" Jimmy asked me. What do you know? I was leaning in his legs.

"Yes, just ready for another drink." I smiled.

"Then get off my foot, it's asleep." Jimmy said and pulled me to my feet. "Here, sit with Janny awhile."

Next thing I knew I was sitting against Janaszak and Morrow was handing me another drink.

"Kylah….can I ask you something?" Silk asked from my feet.

"Sure…wow, you're a lot drunker than I am." I said.

"Is coach a good kisser?" Silk asked and started laughing.

"Silky, what is your fascination with what Kylah and Craig do in private?" OC asked.

"She's hott and his days of getting action should've been over five years ago." Silk said.

"Silk, you don't plan on having game when you're 35?" Janny asked.

"Won't need to. I'm gonna settle down with some hottie who'll pop out kids and be a freak in bed." Silk started laughing again.

"That is the sickest thing I've ever heard." I shook my head.

"Careful talking like that Silky. Virgin boy is not used to talk like that." Verchota threw his arm around Ramsey.

"That's it!" I yelled. I stood up and carefully made my way across the room to Ramsey. I grabbed his face and pulled it up to mine and kissed him. I could hear the boys laughing and cheering. I let go of Mike. "How is that for Virgin boy?"

"Craig is gonna Kill me!" Rammer yelled.

"No he won't. If he were here, he'd laugh and know that it wasn't anything serious." I said.

"Hey, I am a shy virgin too!" Mac said and patted his lap.

"Nice try." I laughed. "Bring me another drink."

(TPPOV)

"Why is it I never volunteer to be your designated driver, but always get stuck bringing you home when you're drunk off your ass." Buzz asked as he dragged Kylah down the hall.

"Where did Coxie go? He was supposed to bring me home." Kylah asked.

"Coxie refused to drive you home because he was afraid you'd puke in his car." Buzz said.

"I wouldn't have. That wasn't very nice of him." Kylah stopped to put her hands on her hips.

"Kylah, come on. I need to get you safely to your apartment." Buzz said and pulled her towards the end of the hall. "Where are your keys?"

"In my purse. And be careful of the tampons." Kylah started giggling.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've had to deal with your tampons….and that just sounds so wrong." Buzz said, digging through Kylah's purse.

"Where is Craig?" Kylah asked.

"He went away for the weekend." Buzz said and opened the door to her apartment.

"That's right." Kylah stumbled into her apartment. "Where is Smokey?"

"Smokey is around here somewhere." Buzz sighed. "Are you okay?"

"Come sit with me awhile." Kylah grabbed his hand and dragged him to the couch.

"You're not gonna start stripping again are you?" Buzz sighed.

Kylah started giggling. "No…but if I were going to try to get the attention of one of the boys, you'd be on my list."

"I hear things like that a lot…yet here I am." Buzz sighed.

"Where is Craig? I miss him." Kylah said and laid her head in Buzz's lap.

"Craig went with Mark, Bah and Eric to Duluth." Buzz said.

"He coming back?" Kylah asked, nuzzling her cheek in Buzz's lap.

"Kylah you really need to stop that." Buzz said trying to pull her up by her shoulders.

"Craig went to Duluth…watching hockey?" Kylah asked, now laying her head on Buzz's shoulder.

"Yes, Craig and the guys are watching hockey in Duluth." Buzz sighed. "Boy you're forgetful when drunk…..and snuggly too."

"I miss Craig." Kylah said and threw her legs across Buzz's.

"Why isn't Craig ever around when you're drunk and needing someone to cuddle with?" Buzz sighed. "Why don't you go change for bed?"

"Yeah…I kinda sleepy." Kylah jumped up, and immediately collapsed.

"I am not changing you, so you're on your own." Buzz said.

"Okay, I'll go change alone…..here Smokey. Kitty." Kylah started crawling towards her bedroom, calling her kitten.

Buzz leaned back. "I've got to quit bringing her home drunk!"