Here's Ch.6!

I probably won't update unless I get more reviews. Plenty of hits. Just not enough reviews.

Ch. 6- 'I'm sorry'

(Third Person POV-Lobby)

A few minutes later, all the boys except for Jim and Rizzo and those who stayed in the lobby, came back. They resumed their original seats, all feeling bad about what happened.

"Where are Jim and Rizzo?" Phil asked.

"Anya decided to talk to them." Ramsey answered. It remained quiet for a few minutes until Anya, herself, came strolling down the hall, followed by Rizzo, Jim, Craig, and Herb. She was no longer crying as like when she left, but there were wet stains on her cheeks as evidence. She walked straight up to Jack and asked kindly, "Jack, can I talk to you for a moment?" He nodded and slowly got up, questioning Rizzo with his eyes. Rizzo just shrugged, not knowing what exactly she would do. After their talk in the bathroom, Anya had a different aura surrounding her. She wasn't sad and depressed, nor angry or aggressive, but calm and open. For all he knew, she could be acting and kill Jack as soon as he turned the corner (even though that was very unlikely). Jack followed Anya as she turned down the corridor and stopped. She turned to face him and he took a small step back.

"I'm not going to hurt you." She said noticing his stance and the step he had taken.

"I know…Look, I'm sorry if I upset you. I really didn't mean for you to get hurt. I had no clue about your father. I am truly and deeply sorry for my big mouth and competitive drive. All three of us apologize." He said the last part as an attempt at a joke to lighten the mood. She seemed to pick up on it and laughed gently. She stared at his eyes for a moment, seeing that he spoke the truth with each word he uttered.

"I accept all three apologies, but I want to explain why I lost it. You know now that my dad is dead. Well, can you keep a secret?" he nodded, "Good. Please don't tell anyone this, but when I was sixteen I was really good at figure skating and I was trying out for the '74 Olympic team. I was in my qualifying round when my dad had a lot of work. But, being the great dad he was, he got away and drove out to see me. He didn't make it though. He was killed by a drunk driver. Long story short, I blame skating for why he's gone and I haven't skated since the day he died. Don't try to get me in skates because I will not do it, just as a future reference. The main reason I got upset was that you suggested that my dad cheated on my mother, which he never ever did."

"Yeah, about that, I'm really sorry. I was just trying to win because if I didn't do anything, I was going to have my ass handed to me by a girl who just got here." Jack said, very sorry for what he did.

"I understand that your pride was at stake, but I heavily suggest you don't try that line again unless it is a known fact and the person is comfortable with it."

"I know. I really am sorry. Is there any possibility of us still becoming friends?" he asked hopefully.

"Uh...friends…no, but I'll accept competitive friends with open arms. I have a bit of a competitive drive in me, too," She joked.

"Sure, I don't think I could resist beating you even if I tried." Jack taunted.

"Good, because I was about to say the same thing." Jack laughed at her response and they walked back to the team. Seeing them walking out laughing and not ripping each other's heads off greatly surprised the whole team, including Herb. Knowing Anya's nature from experience, he knew she was relentless and stubborn, just like Jack. She, however, could keep her emotions in check fairly well. Only really big issues upset her. Thankfully, he hadn't been the target and was able to witness her wrath when Halden made the mistake of reading her diary. Jack and Anya laughing was not what he expected. They finally noticed that the whole team was staring at them when Bah piped up.

"So we don't have to call and upset Mrs. O'Callahan and prepare funeral arrangements?" he asked seriously.

"No, I had no intention of killing him, just…putting him in his place." Anya said and looked over at Jack. They continued with their previous laughter and after a moment, the team joined in too. Finally, Herb broke up the laughing fits.

"Well, I finished my meetings, so why don't we head home Anya?"

"Sure, Uncle Herb, let me just get my stuff." Anya agreed and took off to his office in search of her bags. Once she was gone, Herb turned to the team.

"Now boys, you all know now that Anya's dad is dead. It was a few years ago, but it can still bother her, as you witnessed already. I suggest that you don't bring it up again unless she wants to, also, you don't want to get on her bad side. It would be like having 3women on your case." With this the boys' faces contorted to an unpleasant grimace. "I also want you all to know that she is off limits. I will not have any of you involved with part of my staff, especially her. Now, go to your dorms and get a good night's rest. You all have off-ice training tomorrow morning at 7:00 sharp. Goodnight." With that, Herb turned and followed his niece into the office. They each grabbed a bag and walked to Herb's car.

(First Person POV-Anya)

After Jack and I apologized (mostly Jack) to each other, Uncle Herb and I headed to his house. When I went to turn the door-knob, the door opened suddenly and behind it were a girl with curly blonde hair and a boy with light brown hair, both sporting bluish eyes.

"Anya!" the girl yelled, "Mom, Anya's here!"

"Coming, Kelly." I heard my aunt's voice from the kitchen. A few seconds later, Aunt Patty came down the hall, took one look at me, and gave me a huge hug.

"It's good to see you too, Aunt Patty, but I can't breathe." I squeaked out. Who knew that such a small woman could be so powerful? Then again, I'm a peanut anyways. She reluctantly let go and smiled widely at me.

"Sweetie, it's so good to see you again! Seven years is way, way too long!"

"I know Auntie. I've missed you so much." I turned around to face my cousins. "Oh my, Danny is that you? You've grown up so much!" My little cousin that was once only up to my hips was now at my shoulders, and he was only 12! Now I really felt like a midget. "And Kelly, too! You guys are so big! I remember the last time I was here, you," I said pointing to Danny, "were only this tall, and you, Kelly, you had just gotten used to running around the house!" I was shocked to see how much difference 7 years could make in someone.

"Yeah, Anya, you really haven't changed much." Danny said, secretly joking about my height.

"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny. Yes, go ahead, make fun of my height. Just remember, I have a little wallet picture of my cute little cousin Danny sitting with a baby doll, doing its hair." I got him. I might not have been around the last few years, but my aunt's letters and phone calls kept me informed about my little cousins. Especially how Danny now 'hated' the doll he begged us to get him for Christmas seven years ago.

"Oh, well…fine, you're still taller than me. Just remember, I'm only 12," he laughed and then carried one of my bags up stairs.

"Anya, why don't you follow me upstairs and you get settled while I finish up with dinner." Aunt Patty suggested.

"Sure, I could really use a little freshening up," I said, remembering my crying session in the rink's bathroom. After we got upstairs, my aunt turned left down the hall and stopped at a very familiar door.

"You're staying in the same room as your last visit, alright?" I nodded my acknowledgement, "The bathroom is in there, and my room is just down the hall if you need anything."

"Thanks, Aunt Patty. I really appreciate you letting me stay here."

"Don't worry about it Anya. I wouldn't have it any other way. We've all missed you so much. It's nice to have you here. Now we just need to get your mom and brother out here, too." Aunt Patty walked away and I entered my new bedroom. I grabbed my suitcase and threw it up on my bed. I went over to the dresser and opened some drawers. I began to transfer the clothes and accessories from bag to drawer when I noticed that the room looked different than I remembered. The walls that were originally a mint green were now a muted crimson. There was a wrought iron bed frame with intricate designs and small red roses entwined on a garland around each of the bars. The comforter was a white quilt with red silk trim and ivy-connected roses embroidered into it. The small end table next to the bed was made of iron and had an iron lamp with an olive green shade. The dresser was a white-washed wood that had been sanded down to make it appear older. To finish the little room, there was a small red couch and TV set in the corner. I took in each detail of the room, getting to know my new home. It was fairly similar as my room back in Reykjavik, except that it was all blue. I finished unpacking when Aunt Patty called us all for dinner. I quickly went to wash my face and hands before arriving at the dinner table. I took my seat and waited for someone else to eat something first. I noticed that Uncle Herb wasn't there. I turned to Aunt Patty with the question on my tongue. She must have read my expression (or thoughts, if that was possible) and announced that Uncle Herb would not be dining with us. We sat in silence while eating until Aunt Patty broke the silence.

"So Anya how is Hal?" she asked in a polite way.

"Oh, he's great. He just got a girlfriend. Turns out it's the girl who lived across the street from us all our lives." I said, laughing lightly.

"Does he still play hockey?" Danny asked.

"Of course he does. I don't think he could ever stop playing hockey. If hockey was school, he would have perfect attendance and grades." I joked. We continued our meal. I felt a little awkward again so I decided to make small talk.

"Aunt Patty, I love what you did with the room. It's so homey and comfortable." I complimented.

"Thank you, someone else thinks so! I designed it myself and your uncle just said it was too girly. Personally, I think it is very welcoming and relaxing. Then again, that man thinks watching hockey filmstrips is soothing." She shook her head and continued eating. When we were all done eating, I got up and started collecting the dishes.

"No, no, Anya. The kids and I can do the dishes. You must have had a long day. Go get some rest. You have an early practice tomorrow."

"Fine, Aunt Patty, but I need to do some chores around here, and I'm dead serious. I'll do laundry or anything you want me to. Tomorrow, I'll do all the dishes."

"Okay sweetheart, but right now you need your rest. Go to bed."

"Thank you again for dinner. I'll see you all tomorrow. Good night." I trudged up the stairs, my legs moving on their own accord. I quickly changed into my most cool pajamas and curled into bed. Tonight, there was no need for the quilt. It was so hot, and me being from Iceland didn't help too much. I looked out the window and noticed it was still somewhat light out. I closed the blinds but left the window open, welcoming the cool breeze into the room. I set my alarm for 5:30 A.M. and said good night to the pictures of my friends and family on my side table. I drifted off to sleep with their faces filling my dreams.