A/N: Hi everybody. Sorry about the wait and about my other story if you happen to care. My muse is giving me a hard time lately, so review or send me an e-mail with any comments, ideas or questions.

Ten

Uncle Herb was running through a play in the beginning of practice the next day. He was sketching it out on a clear board as the boys stood by watching carefully. "Weaving." "Options." That was Coach's mantra. I may not be a hockey buff, but a hybrid of Soviet and Canadian hockey can't be an easy style to develop.

"Boom, he can hit it. He can hit it. Boom. Boom. Boom." Herb explained, he seemed really excited about it. "We're opening up options. Any questions?" The boys stood in silence. "Okay let's go." Uncle Herb made his way out to the ice and the boys stood there shell-shock a minute, before:

"What the hell is he talking about?" Buzz asked looking dazed.

"No clue," Robbie replied. At least we were all in the same boat.

"How about you?" Brooks asked.

"Mark Pavelich," the smaller, dark haired boy answered.

"Who do you play for?"

"UMD Bulldogs." The typical Q and A that came every morning. But what we didn't know then was that today would be a very good day for us. Today Herb discovered the Coneheads.

The line was made up of Buzz, Bah, and Pav, and the way they played together was out of this world...like the Coneheads. They weaved in and out and around in crazy patterns passing regularly and circling one another. There was an audible clack as the puck hit the back of the net. And the boys started off congratulating one another.

"You three," Herb called looking subtlety impressed, for once. "Run that again."

"Again?" They questioned, but were agreeable.

OOOOO

After lunch the boys were taking shots on goal. It was clear that Jim was struggling. He let three out of the first four shots get by him. Then Johnson went flying up the center of the ice and took a shot. The puck went flew through the air and hit Jimmy in the face and bounced away.

"Woo hoo!" I screamed supportively from the bench. "Yeah Jimmy!" I clapped and cheered, and soon all the guys followed suit. Herb smiled and rolled his eyes at me.

OOOOO

I entered Uncle Herb's office with Coach Patrick, to find Jimmy seated in front of his desk.

"So I know how you feel," Uncle Herb offered. "Hell, we don't have a chance. But don't let them know that." Jim nodded in agreement. "I'll see you Monday."

"Faye, do you have a minute?" Jimmy asked me and I walked back into the hallway with him. The minute the door closed behind me he planted a very wet kiss on my lips.

"What was that for?" I asked, surveying the hallway for any witnesses. Jimmy shrugged.

"A bunch of the guys are going to spring for a restaurant that serves more than fish and chips and beer tomorrow night," he said. "You want to come?"

"Love to," I said, planting a quick peck on his lips and went to hug him.

"Coneheads," he chimed, by way of a warning, I spun around to find Buzz, Bah, and Pav approaching.

"Hey guys," I called tot hem, waving a goodbye to Jimmy as I entered the office with them.

"Come in boys," Uncle Herb directed at the three of them..

"You wanted to see us coach," Bah asked. They all looked a little nervous, or at least unsure.

"Yea," Herb began. "I was thinking about keeping the three of you on the same line. Everybody okay with that?" I smiled brightly, at Buzzy.

"Yea, sure," the boys agreed.

"What about you Buzzy? How are things going here with Bah and Pav?" Coach asked.

"Things are going good," Buzz answered. "We're moving the puck well; it's just a little different playing with them."

"Yea I don't know how to explain it," Bah added. "We seem to just find each other at the other end off the ice and make things happen."

"Pass, shot, score," Pav offered.

"Pass, shot—"

"And score," Buzz finished for Bah. Coach Pat and Uncle Herb gave each other mystified looks as I wrapped Buzz up in a big bear hug.

"Way to go!" I congratulated him.

"Hey!" Pav complained, feeling left out. I mussed his dark hair playfully.

"You, too," I offered. Bah gave me a look with his puppy-dog eyes. "And you," I offered.

"Alright boys," Coach Brooks started. "We'll see you next week."

"Bye Coach," they replied, as we left the office.

"Rest up," Coach Patrick called.

OOOOO

After practice some of the boys decided to go for pizza and beer and meet back at the dorms at 6 o'clock for dinner. Doc and Herb apparently wanted them eating early. Probably something to do with their metabolism, but I don't see what would be wrong with a few of the guys bulking up. Right well, back to pizza and beer. We came back to the dorms with the food, and all the guys on the third floor had their doors open and people were floating back and forth.

I finally found a seat with Jim on his couch, with Rizzo, Coxie, Jannie, O.C., Mac, Buzz, and Rammer nearby. I had gone through God knows how many beers—lost count around eight or nine—and a slices of pizza for the day, and I was feeling extremely drunk.

"Has anyone else noticed," I rambled, slurring my words slightly. "That Jannie and Coxie are twins. It might be me, or it might be the mustache, but I think they could be brothers."

"Is she okay?" Mac asked nervously.

"I'm fine," I replied with a slight giggle. "You want to hear myPatsy Clineimpersonation."

"Oh no," Buzzy piped in. "She's whipping out thePatsyClineimpersonation. You know what that means."

"She's drunk," Jimmy declared. I groaned.

"Stop yelling," I hissed at him, bending over with my hands pressed to my temples. "My head hurts."

"Come on Rock Star," Jimmy offered helping me off the couch. "Let's get you to bed." He led me back towards the small bedroom, making a pit stop in the bathroom for the waste paper basket. He got me into his bed and pulled the covers over me. "You have to throw up, throw up in here for me, okay?" He said, indicating the trashcan.

"I'll try," I agreed. And he went to get me a glass of water.

"The guys are gonna get outta here to give you some quite," he said handing over a glass. "Drink this." I downed half the water in one continuous draught, and set the rest on the nightstand.

"Come 'ere baby," I urged, pulling on the front of his shirt. He ducked away from my embrace. "What's the matter?" I asked, I must have looked hurt.

"You're not thinking strait," he reminded me. "Lie down, go to sleep." He went to leave, but I grabbed his arm.

"Don't leave," I pleaded. "Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone. Just stay with me." Jim sighed, setting himself down on the bed and pulling the covers up over him. I sighed happily, as he put one arm around me and kissed my forehead lightly.

A guy who takes care of you and cuddles with you and won't take advantage of you when you're punch-drunk, now if that's not love, I don't know what is.

OOOOO

So I woke up the next morning with the mother of all hangovers. It was only after I discovered the headache and nausea that I realized I was snuggled against something warm and slightly hairy. I cracked my eyes open and found Jimmy in bed with me.

"Aww, no," I groaned loudly, letting my head fall back onto the pillow. Jimmy yawned, coming out of sleep and looked over to me.

"Good morning Sunshine," he offered. That's when I noticed we were both still fully clothed. Phew. "How do you feel?"

"Head...hurts," I groaned, rubbing my temples. Jimmy chuckled softly to himself, and headed to the bathroom, returning a moment later with a glass of water and a couple of aspirin.

"Thanks Jimmy," I replied, taking a drink of water before downing the aspirin. He took a seat in bed beside me and rubbed my back. "I'm going back to sleep," I declared, lying back down.

"I don't think so," he teased, pulling the covers off of me playfully and blew into my stomach as we laughed and I writhed happily. He rested his chin on my belly and I ran my hands through his hair; smiling at him, smiling at me.

"So what do you Minnesotans do on Saturdays," Jimmy asked with a slight smirk. "After you've slept through your hangovers...Take cold showers?" I laughed. I hummed to myself thoughtfully.

"We could get some of the guys together and go to the pool," I suggested. "Then tonight we could go out to eat, there's a place not to far with a bar and a band that knows just about any song you can think of, and pretty decent cheese fries."

"So first we'll get something to eat, then we'll see if the guys want to go swimming and then dinner and dancing," Jimmy agreed. "You want to jump in the shower, I'll see if we have anything for breakfast."

"Oh but, I don't have any clothes to change into," I protested weakly. Jimmy leaned over me and rummaged through his drawer before removing a worn plaid shirt. "Thanks," I offered politely, getting up and heading for the bathroom.

"I could try to find you some pants," he offered.

"Thanks," I called back teasingly. "But I have hips."

I turned the water on as hot as my skin could bear and stood under the spray. I smiled to myself noting the man-scent of Jimmy's shower gel and shampoo as I washed my hair. It reminded me of a candle in my room, with a light musky scent. I always thought it smelled like a man coming out of the shower. The man without the hassle.

I came out of the hot shower and pulled on Jimmy's shirt. It swam on me of course, but it was comfy. I headed out of the bathroom to see if Jimmy had scrounged up some food.

"Hey, Jimmy, you seriously owe me. I had to wrestle this donut away from Mac for you," I heard someone call, but by then it was too late. I had already turned the corner in nothing but Jimmy's shirt. I saw Jannie and shrieked, hurrying to find more coverage. He yelped in surprise and his hands flew to cover his eyes.

"Faye!" He hollered, as I rushed into the bathroom and grabbed my cutoff jeans. "You, er, stayed the night," he went on awkwardly, still averting his gaze as I came out a shred more decent than I was before.

"Yea," Jimmy interceded. "She got a little tipsy after a few beers last night. I didn't want her driving home, so I invited her to stay the night."

"Oh, well," Jannie started, looking like someone on the out-side of an inside joke. "I guess I should have grabbed another donut."

"You don't mind, do you?" I asked worriedly. Jannie shook his head,

"No." He offered, "I just wish you'd give me a little warning if you're going to be walking around in your underwear and Jimmy's shirt is all." I smiled at him and gave him a polite kiss on the cheek.

"I think I'm going to head home now anyways," I offered. "Jimmy, I'll meet you and anyone else who wants to come at the pool around one, okay."

"Sure," he agreed looking ever so slightly letdown.

As I drove home I decided that Jimmy and I were going to have to be careful if we wanted to keep things under wraps until the final cut.