Okay, I want to thank all my reviewers, but I've got over 700 hits and only 15 reviews, so let's pump it up peoples please!

I'm gonna need some motivation for later chapters.

R&R

Ch 7. "She's Like Wonder Woman!"

I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing in my ear. After using an alarm clock for almost all of my life, I still couldn't get used to it. I got out of bed and stretched. I then began my early morning routine. I did butterfly stretches, long-sit stretches, arm rotations, calf stretches, and figure-4 stretches to warm up. I didn't want to turn on the small radio since it was still early in the morning, so I hummed to myself as I began my sit-ups. Once I had done about 30, I did my 50 crunches. Contrary to popular belief, crunches and sit-ups are completely different exercises. By this time, I had begun humming the second verse of an American song: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)". I think it was by Billy Joel, but I really didn't care. Next were my push ups, 25 of them, a water break, then 25 more. Finally it was time for the wall sits. I found about five books all fairly heavy. I was able to read my textbooks and plan out the boys' off-ice training schedules while working out, myself! After about thirty minutes of that, I got up slowly and stretched out my muscles. I grabbed my yellow and black exercise tank, some black shorts, and underwear. I snuck out into the hall and into the bathroom. I had put my toiletries in the bathroom the night before. I took out some my soap, shampoo, razor and shaving cream, and conditioner. After a cool shower and partially drying my hair, I was ready for the day. I grabbed some socks and sneakers and put my hair up in a pony-tail. Before I left the room, I grabbed my notebook, pen, Glossary of Exercises and Routines for Athletes (my Christmas present from Kiersten), and my 'BOSTON' sweatshirt and stuffed them into a bag. I entered the kitchen only to find Aunt Patty cooking something on the stove and Uncle Herb, hunched over his playbook, muttering and taking the occasional sip of coffee. I sat across from him and opened my glossary and tried to brainstorm exercises that could improve the boys' playing. I got so into my thoughts that I didn't notice my aunt put a plate in front of me. Finally, a bright flash and her laughing broke me from my reverie, and apparently, my uncle from his, too. I looked up at my aunt who was holding a camera and trying desperately to stifle her laughter.

"Patti, what's so funny?" Herb asked, confused.

"It…it's just that…you and Anya…you and Anya l-looked so s-s-similar. You didn't even…even notice the f-f-food!"

"I'm sorry, Aunt Patty, I just got so wrapped up in my planning that I didn't realize you had put out breakfast." I ventured, cautiously, afraid I had done something wrong.

"No, no, no, sweetie. You did nothing wrong! It's just that you and Herb were mimicking each other without knowing it!"

"Oh, well, I guess that is kind of funny." I said laughing too.

"Anya, eat up, we have to get to the rink early so we can get you what you'll need. You also have to meet Doc and Walter today?"

"Yes, Uncle Herb." I looked down to my plate and saw a bacon and egg smiley face starring up at me. I burst out laughing. Uncle Herb and Aunt Patty were just starring at me.

"Sorry…" I dove into the eggs, ravenous from my early work-out. Fifteen minutes later, Uncle Herb and I were in his car, heading to the rink.

"So, how was your first night here?" asked Herb.

"Oh, fine. The bed is really comfortable. The room kind reminds me of my room back home. It's comforting."

"Good. Listen, Anya, if any of the boys give you a hard time or bug you, just come to me or Craig, okay?"

"Of course, Uncle Herb, but after my showdown with Jack yesterday, I don't think too many of them will want to pick a fight with me."

"Yeah, I gave them a heads up about your hidden temper. They didn't look too interested in seeing it."

"Good, because I really don't feel like whipping it out. Being angry at someone can really drain a person."

"I know, but sometimes it just feels good to let it out on someone."

"So that's why you're always tough on the boys, isn't it?" I said jokingly.

"Anya…You know how good the Soviets are. Not many people believe that we can beat them, and honestly, at this point there is no way in hell we can beat them. Now, what I want you to understand is that I have to push these boys if they're going to get up to Soviet-level of play by the Games. Harder than either you or any of these boys have seen before. I just want you to know that at times I'll seem flat out cruel, but they need to be pushed…hard."

"I understand, Uncle Herb. I've been trying to figure out a routine, but I think that today I'll just get to know the guys, get basic measurements, you know, height, weight, age and I'll try and personalize each player's exercises to strengthen the muscles that need it." I understood that if my uncle and the boys wanted to win gold, they were going to have to build up their endurance, agility, reflexes, and strength.

"It's good to have you onboard Anya. We need someone like you."

"Thanks, Uncle Herb. That was really sweet." I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I saw the rink get closer as we pulled up the drive. We got out the car and I grabbed my bag. We walked to his office and I sat down, determined to finish up my plans for the day's session. I was almost finished when my uncle and the short older man with a bow-tie came in.

"Anya, I'd like you to meet the team doctor, Dr. George Nagobads." I got up and walked over to him.

"It's very nice to meet you, Dr. Nagobads." I shook his hand, "I'm Anya Marek. I'm here to intern as a personal trainer and nutritionist."

"Yes, yes, Herb's niece from Iceland. It is an honor to meet you, Anya. I've heard all about your internship. Anytime you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Thank you. I will definitely take you up on that offer sometime, Doctor Na…"

"Just call me Doc. That's what everyone calls me. Now, if you'll both excuse me, I need to prepare for the day."

"Go right ahead, Doc. I'll see you later." Herb called after the small man.

"He's nice. Is he from the U.S.? He has a very interesting accent." I asked my uncle.

"Not originally. He emigrated here from Latvia with his wife Velta. Hey, the boys are going to be here soon. Why don't you stand next to the locker room door and just tell them to do whatever you will be doing. I've had the weight room cleared out so you can start."

"Thanks, Uncle Herb." I said as I headed to the door with my book-bag over my shoulder. That was when I realized I had no clue where I was going.

"Um, where exactly is the locker room? Oh, and the weight room?" I asked stupidly.

"Just go down the hall, towards the rink, and there will be a big door with a sign over it. You're looking for the 'Home team' locker room on the left. The weight room connects to the locker room."

"Okay, thanks." And so I began my adventure to find the locker room. On my way, I ran into Craig (literally) and said hello. I kept going until I finally found it. I heard voices inside so I knocked on the door.

"Is anyone in there?"

"No." a muffled voice called out.

"If there was no one in there then I wouldn't have heard you answer 'no'. Now, who is it?" I answered in a smart-ass way.

"If you don't know, then you'll have to guess," said a second voice.

"Okay," I pulled out the roster I had gotten from my uncle the previous day, "Okay are you Auge?"

"No."

"Baker?"

"No."

"Broten?"

"No."

"Christian?"

"No."

"Christoff?"

"No. You're really bad at this."

"Craig?"

"Jimmy's probably still sleeping."

"Cox?"

"Damn it! You caught me! Two people left."

"Delich?"

"Nope."

"Rizzo?"

"Two down, one to go."

"Harrington?"

"No."

"Horsch?"

"I don't believe he is here at the moment. Do try again later."

"Hughes?"

"Still snoring."

"Janazak?"

"No."

"Johnson?"

"No."

"McClanahan?"

"Not here."

"Morrow?"

"No."

"O'Callahan?"

"I think he's hung over."

"Oh, um…alright, Pavelich?"

"No."

"Ramsey?"

"No."

"Ross?"

"NO!"

"Schneider?"

"GOD, WOMAN! GET THIS RIGHT!"

"Silky?"

"Bing, bing, bing, we have a winner!"

"Whatever, guys. Don't get changed into uniform yet. If you have any workout clothes wear those and go into the weight room. There's supposedly a door connecting them. When you go in there, DON'T MESS WITH THE EQUIPMENT!"

"Yes, drill sergeant!" I stood outside the locker room after our exciting rendition of twenty questions. After the boys were what I could assume was dressed and in the weight room, I headed in and closed the door. I walked to the front of the room, sporting my Boston sweatshirt, seeing as how it was a little cold inside the rooms near the ice.

"Good morning, everyone! When I call off your name just raise your hand: Auge, Baker, Broten, Christian, Christoff, Cox, Craig, Delich, Eruzione, Harrington, Horsch, Hughes, Janazak, Johnson, McClanahan, Morrow, O'Callahan…O'Callahan, where's Jack?"

"Right here!" I turned to see Jack walk through the door in his training gear. "What, are you all ganging up against me?" he commented humorously.

"You better have a good reason for being 10 minutes late, O'Callahan." I said threateningly.

"I do, I was hung over."

"That is a terrible reason to give a personal trainer or nutritionist. Whatever…Pavelich, Ramsey, Schneider, Silk, Strobel, Suter, Verchota, Wells. Good. Today, we're going to get height and weight measurements. I'll divide you into groups and you will be weighed, measured, and you will give me a description of your diet. After all that is done, we will do a brief workout session and you will go to practice. In addition, from now on, I would like you to keep a food journal of what you're eating and when. Please, please, please don't forget to put in the serving size. Without that, the journal is essentially useless." The boys all nodded as a consensus, but looking slightly disappointed about their new homework assignment. "Okay, there' 27 of us, so let's break into groups of 3." The boys got into groups with guys from their area (Boston, Minnesota, etc.). "No, no, no. I'm sorry boys but you need to get to know each other. Okay, Johnson, I want you with Rizzo and Schneider. Ramsey with Silk and Pavelich. Cox, Craig, Janazak, you three work together. Hughes, Auge, Delich. Baker, Morrow, and Wells. Horsch, Ross, Suter. Verchota, Christian, and Harrington. Broten, Christoff, Strobel. O'Callahan, McClahahan…"

"You sure about that, Anya?" Bah asked joking, "Who's going to be referee?"

"I know they're not going to win the best buddies award anytime soon. That's why I'm going to be the third person." I said simply. "Alright boys, you're going to weigh and measure each other. There are about 5 measuring scales and 3 scales. Rotate groups and the two who are not on the equipment will fill out these papers for me. Okay, get going." I pulled Jack and Rob over to a scale. "Hop up, Jack." He got on the scale and I told him 190 lbs.

"O'Callahan, did you gain 30 pounds overnight or something? Because yesterday, you only weighed 160!"

"I just let you off easy."

"I'm sure you were. Alright, McClanahan, get on."

"You can call me Mac."

"Okay Mac," I fiddled with the blocks, "You weigh 180."

"Okay." I noticed that there was barely anyone talking besides us three.

"Hey, what happened to the chatty little hockey players I couldn't get to shut up this morning? You guys are allowed to talk." I stepped up onto the scale and adjusted the balance.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked.

"I'm going to be working out with you guys; I should have a starting point too." Jack looked surprised at my response. We all rotated and I had everyone's info in my hands 15 minutes later. "Okay, now we're going to do a brief workout to get you guys warmed up for practice. We're going to stretch, and then do push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and a 5 minute wall sit. Then, we'll cool down with more stretching. Any questions?"

Schneider stuck up his hand and pretended to be an elementary school boy, "So, are you a Boston fan, Ms. Marek?"

"What? I..." I remembered what I was wearing and continued, "It was really cold in the airport in Boston, so I got this to keep me warm. I'm planning on giving it to my little brother."

"You have a brother?" someone asked.

"Yeah, he's sixteen. His name is Halden."

"You don't happen to have any sisters, do you?" Verchota asked hopefully.

"No, but I live with my best friends, who are like sisters to me."

"What are their names?" Rizzo asked.

"There's Halle and Kiersten, I live in a flat with them, and my other friends, Savea and Erika, live down the street."

"Do you have pictures?"

"Not with me now. I'll show them to you later. Right now, we need to workout." I pulled my sweatshirt over my head and the room went silent.

"Come on, guys, let's go…on the ground stretching." Some of them went down, but Jack, Verchota, Mac, and Janazak remained standing. "Boys, is there something wrong?" They shook their heads and finally sat down and began stretching. I was counting to myself while the boys were talking amongst themselves. I looked up when I heard Verchota say, "There's absolutely nothing wrong if she wears that everyday." He was talking to Jack, but when I looked at him quickly, I saw that Jack wasn't listening, he was staring at me! When I caught him, he put his head down immediately and continued stretching. I was a little unnerved about this. I found that many guys stared at me when I was working out, but Jack's gaze was…intense. Frightening, even, as to how focused he was on me. Once everyone had finished stretching, I told them to do 20 sit-ups and then 15 crunches. Next we did 20 pushups. Finally when we came to wall-sits, we all sat next to each other so we could talk. The boys started babbling until halfway through, when they started complaining and whining to me.

"Suck it up boys, only 2 minutes left." I tried to console them.

"Anya…what are you doing tonight?" asked Rizzo.

"I don't know, I think I'm just going to go home with Uncle Herb, why?"

"Some of us were wondering if you wanted to come to the bar with us."

"I don't know; I don't have a ride home."

"Ramsey or I could give you a lift home. We know where Herb's house is." said Mac.

"I'll have to check with Uncle Herb, but if I get the okay, I'm defiantly coming. I need to get to know you guys better. It will also give me the chance to monitor your alcohol intake." I said haughtily.

"Oh, come on!" they all said in unison. I just laughed at them.

"Well, since you aren't on your diets officially, I suppose I could let it slide this time." A chorus of cheers rang up as I said this. I just smiled and shook my head.

"Hey, Anya, there any chance you'll bring pictures of your friends by?" asked Mac.

"Sure, and I'll be sure to tell you all about them. They're…very interesting, to say the least." The timer went off and they boys moved to stretch out. When they were all finished, I told them I would ask Herb if I could go and wished them luck during practice. I stopped Jack and Mac before they left to go to the locker room.

"Listen you two, I hope you have reconciled, because the rest of the team is merging and you guys are halting their actions," I said seriously.

"Yeah, we've made up. We're not best friends or anything like that…but it's behind us now," Jack said and Mac nodded in approval. I smiled and shooed them out the door. I cleaned up until I heard the commotion (a.k.a. the boys) leave the locker room. I took all of my stuff and went to sit in the bleachers. When I got in the arena, I pulled on my sweatshirt and took a seat. While the boys practiced, I worked on their diet and exercise plans. The boys were starting to pick up some of the plays my uncle was trying to introduce to them. It was still a little messy, but it was coming along. I finished about an hour before lunch break, so I decided to run down to Uncle Herb and ask if I should go get the food. He told me that I could get whatever I thought was best for the guys and I briefly reviewed the food allergies before going to the lunches. I only had to worry about Broten (he was allergic to peanuts). I ordered about 10 sandwiches with chicken, 10 with turkey, and 10 with tuna fish. Uncle Herb said that someone was a vegetarian, so I got them a salad with croutons and dressing. As I finished setting up the lunch table, the boys came waltzing in all laughing. Bah turned around and yelled, "FOOD!" All of the boys (who had been on their way to the snack bar) jogged up to the table.

"Okay boys, there's tuna, chicken, and for whoever the vegetarian is I got a salad with croutons. So, eat up!" As the boys dove for the food, Silk went for a chicken sandwich, then turned to me and asked:

"Did you get all of this?"

"Yeah, I also got your exercise and eating guidelines done. I'll pass those out once you're all sitting."

"You finished all of that!" he said surprised. "You must be like superwoman or something…" he turned to go sit with the rest of the team. I sighed and went to give my uncle, Coach Patrick, and Doc their lunches.

"So Anya, how many days a week are you planning on having the boys train with you?" Herb asked.

"At least 4 days. I finished their eating guidelines and exercise routines and I'll pass them out in a few minutes." The boys were going to need all the training they could get if I knew my Uncle. He had been on the 1960 Olympic Team, but he got cut a week before the games. Ever since, he's been trying to figure out a way to beat the Soviets and redeem himself from '60. He would push these boys harder than they ever had been. He even admitted it to me! Uncle Herb nodded his approval.

"Anya, 4 days is good. How about Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday?" I nodded in agreement. "Good, practices on the weekend are two hours shorter than usual. Just pick the time and you've got it as long as it's before practice starts."

"Yes, Uncle Herb. I think I'll start practices at 7:00 and they'll last about an hour and a half." He looked at me, nodded slightly, and then turned back to his lunch. I got this as a message that my presence was no longer needed there. I walked over to my bag and took out the schedules. I looked at whose was on top. 'SHNEIDER, BUZZ' it said. I walked over to Buzz's table and held it out. At first, he didn't notice me, until Phil alerted him of my presence.

"Oh, hey Anya! We heard someone say that you put this all together. Thanks, by the way. So, what's up?"

"I have all of your eating recommendations and exercise routines done. Here is yours."

"Wow, thanks." He looked a little taken back. "I thought you just got the info this morning. How did you put these all together so quickly?"

"Yeah, you were able to get lunch and these things done already?" Phil added.

"Yeah," I felt embarrassed, "I have a tendency to do things like that. I like to multi-task and get things done quickly. It's just this habit." I gave Phil his packet, then Bah. He too asked about how I got everything done so quickly.

"She's like wonder woman!" Bah told Silky.

"I know; I said almost the same thing!" Silky replied. Bah stood up and called out to the rest of the team:

"Hey listen up! You all know that Anya put the lunch thing together, but she also has made up our personalized eating and exercise packets." A chorus of 'wow's, 'thanks', and 'Jesus' were heard around the room. "I know, I know. That is why Silky and I have come up with Anya's nickname: Supergirl. I just wanted to announce this. Now, Anya, do you accept your new nickname?"

"I guess. It's very similar to the name my friends call me… Yes, I accept the new nickname." I said giggling.

"Well, I would like to introduce you all to our newest group member…" Bah grabbed my arm and held it up high, "Supergirl!" all the boys clapped and cheered. I couldn't contain my laughter any more. Mac came over to where I was standing with Bah holding my arm.

"Can I borrow our new bestest friend for, like, a second." Mac said in the most girly voice he could muster. Bah released my arm and Mac wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"So," he began, "Are you coming with us tonight?" I shrugged. I completely forgot about asking Uncle Herb if I could go out with the boys.

"I haven't asked him yet, but I will during practice."

"Okay, if you can't, you could always come another time."

"Well, thanks, but I think you need to get back to your lunch, you only have 5 minutes left in your break."

"You're right…only 15 minutes for lunch. He's never been this bad at the U. God, are you sure your uncle wasn't a slave driver in a past life?" I looked at him, trying to understand it. "Don't tell Coach I said that, okay?"

"I wasn't planning on it." I shrugged gently and walked over to my bag. I had bought a cheeseburger for myself. They always made me feel at home, even if I wasn't. I went through a phase after my first trip to the U.S. where I discovered the 'burger'. For almost a year, the only food I would eat at dinner was a cheeseburger. My mother always said she would stop buying them, but my dad always convinced her to get them for me; they remind me of him. I know that sounds really stupid, but if I was sick or I was sad, my dad would take me to a small American diner in the center of town and we would eat burgers. My Uncle stood up and gestured for the boys to clean up and head back towards the ice. When the last of the troops had marched off, I went around with some cleaner and a dish towel that I found, and wiped down all the tables. I decided to go call the girls and my mom before I had to get back to work. When I found a payphone, I had to search for spare change! There must be some explanation as to why payphones are so complicated and hard to use. I calmed myself down as I told the operator my mother's last name and location. I was connected instantly and the phone began to ring. When at last the phone was picked up, I could hear my mother's labored breathing.

"You've reached the Marek residence, this is Susan speaking."

"Hi mom! How are you?"

"Ani, is that you? Oh, you made it! Good, good, good! How is everybody? How are you doing? Have you started work yet? Is Patty there? Have you met the team yet? Have you ca…" I cut her of here. When my mother starts babbling and asking too many questions, it's better just to cut her off.

"Mom, one question at a time. Uncle Herb, Aunt Patty, Kelly, and Danny are all fine. I'm at work right now; today was my first day. I'm sorry, but Aunt Patty's not at the arena, so you'll either have to call her, or I'll have her call you. I met the team yesterday, and they're all very nice. And I'm fine. A little homesick, but fine." I decided against telling her about my little fight with Jack. Sometimes she was a little over-protective and would probably demand that she talk to 'this Jack fellow…I'll give him a piece of my mind'.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Have you called the girls yet? They've been calling every few hours since you left."

"Yeah, I'll call them in a few minutes. Did they say anything else?" I could only hope that they weren't mad at me for not calling immediately.

"Well, you know how they are. But I do remember Erika saying that she couldn't wait to hear about the cute hockey players."

"Yeah," I said, embarrassed, "Erika was kind of obsessed with that when I was leaving. I have to send her pictures of the top 5 hottest on the team."

"So, do you have the winner's yet?" I could tell my mom was ready to laugh. I had always been very shy about and around boys as a teenager. In fact, I've only had 2 boyfriends in my whole life.

"Well, there are a few, but I wasn't actually planning on sending pictures."

"You should! We would all like to see the young men from America. Everybody knows each other around here. Fresh blood might be nice," she tainted sweetly.

"Very well. Is Hall there?" I missed my little brother. Most normal people hated their siblings. My brother and I are more like best friends than relatives.

"No, he's out with Valkyrie. That girl is beginning to get on my nerves. She's always over here, or she begs you're brother to go to the mall with her."

"Let me guess; she's very demanding and rich."

"You guessed it. And she is the rudest girl in the world. She spilt orange juice all over the kitchen counter and then had the audacity to point to me and say, 'Pick that up, won't you.' Then she grabbed Hall and walked out the door!"

"I'm sorry about that, mom. I'll talk to Hall about this, but right now, I have to call the girls."

"Alright, I'll talk to you later, Ani."

"I love you mom. Bye."

"I love you, too. Bye."

I sighed. Maybe I'm more homesick than I thought; this might be a long eight months.