Lia06- I hope you got to go shopping. I have been debating on making a few different things. I hope you like this chapter as well.

Emador- I hope I got my point across in this chapter. (The one I said I was trying to convey.)I don't think I got my point across as good as I hoped. It's just hard to write it without actually writing it! LOL Let me know what impressions you get!

Meadow567- You have no idea how sick of the Superbowl I am. It's all that's been on the news for two weeks. I have to watch CNN if I want to know something other than how people have their bathroom's decorated in Steeler stuff!

Klinoa- I am so glad you're back. I wondered where you went. Underlying tension was the last thing I was going for. Perhaps I need to rethink my way of getting this part of the plot done! Hmmmm. Good luck with exams!

Prettypinkcheer5- You said it! Craig and Kylah are cute! LOL I am so glad you're coming around! LOL

Flowersc781- Yeah, well Craig was kind of impatient before and also understands she has reservations, so he's being patient now. I never knew until I wrote this story how many Bah fans there are. I think he has as many as OC!

Mid-January, Friday
Minneapolis

I walked into my office. I had just met with Herb, hoping he'd give me some indication of who he was going to cut. Even Walter was driving me nuts that we needed a final roster. But Herb didn't really know who he would let go and seemed to be struggling with the decision. I really couldn't blame him; I was dreading saying goodbye to someone from the team.

I slouched down in my chair and closed my eyes. Three weeks away from the Olympics, no final roster, the hostages were still in captivity in Iran, Soviets were still in Afghanistan, Kremlin still insisting on boycotting our Olympics……what a mess. And I was really starting to question our safety in Lake Placid.

"Kylah, hello? There is a blonde from Hazzard county outside." Craig interrupted my thoughts.

"What?" I said.

"I knew that would get your attention. Are you okay? I have been trying to get your attention since I walked in here." Craig said.

"I was just thinking…..do you think we'll be safe in Lake Placid?" I asked.

"What are you talking about?" Craig asked and sat on my desk next to me.

"Just so much going on in the world, and so many countries against us. President Carter is being pulled in a thousand different directions. And the Olympics…there will be so many people there. And I keep thinking of the 72 games in Munich. I remember sitting up late, watching the news…the announcement that all eleven Israeli athletes had been murdered." I sighed.

"It's scary I know. And with you being in the media you hear a lot more about this than I do. Security will be tight at the Olympics. And if we get there and anything is out of order, I am sending you home to Qualla." Craig said.

"You'll do no such thing. I have a job to do. Besides, I was more worried about the safety of the team than me." I said.

Craig smiled. "Just like you, always worried about others. And with your temper, a terrorist get hold of you…he'd give you back and surrender himself to US authorities."

"You might be right." I chuckled.

"Now…you have just over two hours to get home, and get ready to go out tonight. Do you have anything formal?" Craig asked.

"I have a hunter green evening gown. Why? What are you up to now?" I asked.

Craig reached in his pocket and laid two tickets on my desk. I looked at them. They were for a theater I knew was downtown to see 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

"This is my favorite play. I didn't even know it was playing in town." I said.

"I know. Tonight is opening night. I thought you might like to go. Of course now I have to drag out my tux….I don't think I've touched the thing since a banquet last April." Craig said.

"This is an awfully formal date isn't it?" I asked.

"Well I know how you like this play. And I thought it'd be fun to get all dressed up and go out." Craig said.

"You're so sweet. This is…..I mean just a few weeks ago you took me away for the weekend and now this." I searched for words.

"It's my pleasure. I'd do anything if it makes you happy." Craig said.

I smiled. "What time do you want to pick me up?"

"Be by around 7:00. Curtain goes up at 8:00." Craig said. He stared at me for a moment then leaned down and kissed me. "I'll see you then."

xxxxxXXXXXxxxxxXXXX

I was finishing getting ready. I had curled my hair, done my make-up and put on my grandmother's jewelry. I stood back from the mirror. Long sleeved, ankle length, hunter green evening gown. I had brought it with me in case I needed a formal gown. Before that I had worn it to a friend's wedding back in college.

There was a knock at the door. I hurried to answer it. Craig was on the other side. He looked great in his tux…but I preferred him in his regular clothes. He looked stiff and uncomfortable in his tux.

"Wow, Kylah….wow. You look so beautiful." Craig smiled.

"Thank you. You look great too." I said. "Help me with my jacket?"

Craig stood staring. "Hello? Craig are you okay?" I asked him.

"You just look so beautiful. I can't believe how gorgeous you are. And I'm so lucky to be with you." Craig said. He leaned forward and kissed me.

"We should get going." I said when he pulled away.

Craig helped me with my coat. Then we started down the hall. As we were walking out the doors to exit the building, we ran into a bunch of the boys.

"Whoa, look at these two." Janny said.

"Where are you two going? Dressed to the nines!" Christian said.

"We have tickets at the theater." I said.

"Nice monkey suit." Verchota said to Craig.

"It's great to see that just because you get old, you never lose that romantic side." Silk said.

"Coach Craig isn't that old." Rizzo said.

"Yeah, I'm not that old." Craig shook his head.

"We need to go. You guys have a goodnight." I told them.

Craig and I walked to his car. It was still cold, with snow on the ground. He opened the door for me, then rounded the car and climbed in himself. He pulled the car out into traffic.

"Craig, what is with all the special treatment lately?" I asked him.

"What special treatment?"

"You take me away for the weekend. You buy me tickets to my favorite play for opening night. You're just doing all these really nice things for me." I said.

"Kylah, I love being with you and making you happy. You make me happy. I have loved every minute of surprising you, taking you out, and spending time with you." Craig said and reached for my hand.

I couldn't help smiling. "I've really enjoyed it too."

"Kylah, did you date much before me?" Craig asked. "I know you had that bad experience with a guy after Jake died; but other than him, did you date?"

"Not much. I had lots of guy friends because I was always covering sport events at college. I casually dated a few guys here and there, but nothing serious. Why?"

"You just seem so surprised every time I do something for you. It was easy to see that you're not used to a guy spoiling you." Craig said.

(Intermission)

"Kylah, what do you see in this play? That Stanley is loud and obnoxious. Blanche is the most annoying woman ever. And I still haven't decided how I feel about Stella." Craig said.

"It's not that bad. Besides, Marlon Brando played Stanley for a long time. Just wait till you see the ending. You'll gripe more than ever." I chuckled.

"Well since its intermission and we have a few minutes, I have something for you." Craig reached into his jacket and pulled out a long box gray box and handed it to me.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Just a little surprise for you." Craig smiled. "Open it."

I opened the box. Inside was a gold ankle bracelet with diamond chips. It sparkled in the light. It was beautiful.

"Craig, it's so beautiful……I don't know what to say." I said.

"I wanted to get you a little cute something to wear at the Olympics at press conferences and such. Then I overheard Broten in the locker room saying that he thinks ankle bracelets are sexy. I thought you'd look really cute wearing this with your dresses in Lake Placid." Craig explained.

"Craig….thank you so much. You didn't have to get me anything." I said.

"I know that. I wanted to." Craig said and kissed my cheek.

"You're so sweet. I just never know what great thing you're going to do next." I said.

I looked over at Craig, who again seemed to be staring. He leaned over and kissed me. I smiled and took his hand.

(Leaving the Theater)

"Kylah, you were right, I hated the end. What happened anyway? Did Stanley rape Blanche?" Craig asked as he and I walked to the parking garage.

"That's kind of unexplained and everyone forms their own opinion. Blanche was so far gone into a mental breakdown, and Stanley was so overbearing, it's hard to tell." I explained.

"But Stella said she had to have Blanche hospitalized because of what she said about Stanley." Craig said.

"Yeah, but Blanche was losing her mind, so who knows if she told the truth or not." I said.

"It was an interesting play though. Did you have fun?" Craig asked and opened the car door for me.

"A great time." I said.

"Me too." Craig said. He walked around and climbed in the car.

"What are we going to do when we get back to the U?" I asked.

"Have anything particular in mind? Doesn't matter to me as long as I get out of this get-up." Craig said.

"Why don't you change and then stop back for a drink? There is no practice tomorrow, so we don't have to call it a night early." I said.

"That sounds good to me. That wrestling stuff Phil got you watching isn't on is it?" Craig asked.

"No, that's tomorrow night and Philly is wound up about it because Terry Funk is wrestling." I giggled.

"I really need to watch this and see what is so exciting." Craig smiled.

"It's a hoot. And if the boys have been drinking, they start doing imitations of the wrestlers. Cox does a great Ric Flair!"

Craig and I rode home through the streets of Minneapolis. I reached over for Craig's hand, feeling especially close to him tonight. He smiled up and me and kissed the back of my hand.

Craig pulled into the parking lot of our building and cut the engine. We hurried out of the car and across the parking lot because of the cold. Once inside, we linked hands and walked down the hallways towards our apartments.

"I'm going to change. I'll be over in a few minutes. Make me a slow gin fizz." Craig said and kissed my cheek.

He walked into his apartment and I walked into mine. I kicked off my pumps and threw my coat over a kitchen chair. I walked over to the liquor cabinet to make our drinks. I smiled, remembering the ankle bracelet Craig had bought me. I couldn't wait to wear it at my next press conference.

Then I remembered that the Olympics were in three weeks and two weeks after that I would be going home. I tried not to think about it because I didn't like the thought of being away from Craig. He had said that things would be okay, but I wasn't so sure. I tried not to think about it, but it was always nagging in my head.

The door to my apartment open and Craig walked in. I had left the door unlocked for him. He had changed into jeans and a shirt.

"You didn't change out of your evening gown." Craig said.

I looked down. "I will later. I am in no hurry." I said and handed Craig his drink.

"Well you look fabulous." Craig said and kissed me.

"Thank you. I haven't worn this dress in a long time." I said and sat down on the couch.

"It looks great on you. I was surprised we got out of here without one of the boys making a brash comment about it." Craig said.

"Why don't you stay with me tonight? I'd really like you to." I said.

"You got cold water in your shower?" Craig winked.

"Yes." I giggled.

"Then I'd love to stay with you." Craig said and pulled me closer to him.

I curled up against Craig's side. Smokey came out of my room to see what was going on.

"I wish we had a hot tub here." I said.

"Yeah that was nice. I hated to leave that place." Craig said. "That was a good weekend."

"It was. I've really enjoyed the past few months with you. This is the happiest I've been since Jake died. I owe that to you and the boys." I said.

"I know how you feel. I've been very happy too." Craig said.

I finished my drink and set my glass on the coffee table, then leaned back against Craig.

"Are you about ready to call it a night? Between practice, going out and the alcohol, I am tired." Craig said.

"Sure, I am getting sleepy myself." I said and got to my feet. "Give me a few minutes to change in private and then you can come to bed."

"No show?" Craig pretended to whine.

I shook my head and walked on into my bedroom.