Thanks for the reviews and I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

A/N: I don't own anyone except Annabelle, Andrew, and any other person not in the movie.


Chapter 12: Merry Christmas…

Annabelle was in the middle of her work when there was a knock on her door and many whispers coming from behind it. She set down her pin and walked to the door turning on her lights so who ever it was didn't trip over anything and wake up everyone. When she opened the door, the whole team except Timmy was standing there.

"What's going on?" Annabelle asked looking at them and then stepping out to look down the hall. "Is something…"

"AB can we talk to you?" Mac interrupted her. She could clearly see they were a little nervous about all 21 of them getting caught in the middle of the hall and most particularly in front of Annabelle's room.

"At this hour?"

"Well since we're all up and everything. Please?" Buzzy begged like a little kid in a candy store. Annabelle stepped back and let all of them come in and make themselves comfortable on the sofa and floor while Annabelle took a seat on a chair.

"Ok so what bothering you guys to come in here at 2 a.m. when we have to leave in three hours?"

"Timmy." Everyone said at the same time.

"Look you guys I can't solve that problem. Herb is the coach and he's the one calling the shots. I'm here only to make sure things run smoothly for the team and you guys."

"Exactly! You're here to make sure we get along and we're not with Timmy here." Coxie said.

"You guys should be the ones to say something trust me. Besides I'm on very thin ice right now with the whole Andrew and Dennis thing so I can't really push it. Now will you guys go back to bed so you can do well tomorrow?" Annabelle said and yawned.

"We'll try to talk to him tomorrow, but we'll probably need your help." Pav said. Annabelle nodded and watched them leave to go to bed.


While the team was loading they're bags onto the bus that was taking them to the airport, Annabelle walked up to her father.

"Hey dad I just wanted to tell you I thought about the whole Christmas thing and I want to go home so I can be with Grace. I know that you wanted me to stay…" Annabelle said but was interrupted by Craig.

"I understand honey. Grace really depends on you and I respect that more then you'll ever know. When will you be leaving?"

"Today. I'll go to the game for as long as I can and then I'm going home until the 27th that way I can be here for New Years." Annabelle said and shifted her bag. "But please don't tell the team. I don't want they're Christmas to be ruined." Annabelle whispered enough for her dad to only here.

"I understand." Craig said and smiled. "Well let's hurry up and get on the bus. Have you noticed the guys are different though?" Craig asked.

"They're acting the same as I've known them." Annabelle said and walked over to the bus to put her things away and take her seat. Craig chuckled and followed in her pursuit.

The drive was relatively quiet since some of the team was asleep or nodding off. Annabelle looked out the window at the small snow flacks that were falling and the dark morning sky. The thought of going home was so over whelming that she really couldn't wait. But then the thought of the guys came back into her head.

'They're not going home. They're not as lucky as you are to get a plane ticket to see Grace. It seems like a bad idea to go home and leave them here to fend for themselves.' Her mind kept saying back and forth.

The ride on the bus ended as fast as it began and they were soon boarding the charter plane to the game against the IHL. The flight seemed like the ride on the bus, fast. When they landed, Herb instructed them to grab they're bags and get ready for practice after they get everything that needs to be in they're rooms set up.


During practice Timmy was quiet the show off. Annabelle watched him very closely and he sometimes looked over at Annabelle to see what she was thinking. The team was completely on edge and clearly wanted Timmy gone. Rizzo was under so much pressure that he missed the simplest of goals by a yard. Herb went on a full raging fit and had Mac take Rizzo's place on the line.

After practice Timmy came out first to see Annabelle leaning against the wall.

"Hey Annabelle how's it going?"

"It's going good. How's the cheek?" Annabelle asked with a smirk. Timmy touched his cheek along the dark red scar.

"I didn't think you would hold up against me that well." Timmy said.

"Touché." Annabelle said and looked over at the team that was coming out of the locker room.

"I'll see at the game." Timmy said quietly.

"What was that all about?" Suter asked.

"Just a little rivalry finishing I guess." Annabelle said with a smirk.

"Oh yes your handy work." Buzz said almost laughing out loud.

Annabelle breathed on her knuckles and whipped them on her shirt with a proud smile on her face.

"You mean you're the one that gave him that scar?" Mark asked with amazement.

"Oh yeah and I think that's the reason Herb's watching her like a hawk." Buzz said. The team laughed and Annabelle walked with them back to the hotel rooms.

The game started soon and Annabelle was dressed in the appropriate code, a suit that was light blue with an even lighter blue blouse underneath, and with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was pacing back and forth almost like Herb, but stopped every so often to look up at the clock. It was in the second period and the teams were tied 2-2. So far Team USA was holding up to the IHL League. Timmy came blazing out of the center of the ice and faked the goalie in a move to where he scored. Although it was a good feeling to know that they were leading, the team didn't celebrate as much.

Herb on the other hand treated Timmy like one of his kids and that's saying a lot. Annabelle watched Herb like a hawk every time Timmy would go on the ice or come off it. She knew something had to be said and fast or Timmy would definitely be on the team and two people off it. When the buzzer sounded Annabelle stood waiting for the team to leave, but she also went to Herb before hand and asked to speak to him. When the others walked into the locker room, Herb instructed Craig to point out what needed to be done to improve while he and Annabelle talked.

"Ok what is so important that we have to talk now?" Herb asked annoyed.

"What do you think your doing Herb? I mean bringing in Timmy a few weeks before the games and possibly cutting two well deserved players, I'm just wondering when these games are going to end?" Annabelle asked.

"Look Annabelle you don't have any concern in this. I brought Timmy in here because he deserved this as much as any other guy on this team." Herb said pointing at the locker room.

"I don't have any concern in this!" Annabelle asked astonished. "Like hell Herb, I'm as much as this team as they are! I'm there almost 24/7 with them helping them with they're problems and Timmy is one of they're problems! You just let him come in here and take the ice like he's been here for years. Herb this has to stop or you will have to go back to what it was like at day one."

"Annabelle stop worrying about my team and start worrying about you. You've caused problems with my team that I've had to fix so don't say that I can't have Timmy here to see how he reacts to this kind of work." Herb said and walked into the locker room. Annabelle stood outside and slowly walked away to head back to the hotel. Once inside she grabbed her bags and waved down a taxi.

Before leaving though, Annabelle left a note saying,

"Hey dad sorry I didn't get to say bye, but you just have fun with these guys until I get back. Like I said this morning about not letting the team know right away, I didn't have Herb have you come out or draw attention to my absence. Just have fun and I'll call you on Christmas Eve.

Love you,

Rose"

She folded it and set it on his pillow. While in the cab she passed by the arena the game was being held at, she could only imagine the cheering going on in there with Team USA winning. At some point she felt like she was abandoning them for her personal gain. But it was the best thing to do now that she got Herb even angrier with her then before.


After the final buzzer sounded signaling the end of the game, the score was 3-2 Team USA. It was a good win before Christmas and New Years for them, but they knew Herb expected more from them then any other person. After the team finished showering and packing they're gear back up, Jack and Rizzo walked out of the locker room expecting to see an anger Annabelle, but in return the hallway was empty. All the team had heard Herb and Annabelle's raised voices, but not clearly what they were talking about.

"Maybe she's at the hotel." Rizzo said with hope in his voice.

"Yeah because I want to find out what they were yelling about. I know for sure that AB wouldn't yell at Herb for any reason." Jack said waited with Rizzo for the rest of the team to come out. By the time they walked out of the locker room and to the bus it was dark outside and freezing cold.

"Wait a minute guys don't you want to talk to Herb about the Timmy problem?" Mac asked.

"Well yeah but can't we wait 'til tomorrow?" Jack asked.

"No let's do it tonight while everyone is on the bus and we'll have Herb's attention." Mac said and stopped Craig before he boarded the bus. "Hey coach we have to talk to you about something."

"What about?" Craig asked looking at the four players.

"We want Harrier gone and soon. He doesn't deserve to be on this team if he hasn't put forth the effort like we have." Mark said.

"Let me get Herb." Craig said and walked to the bus. Not too long he returned with Herb in tow.

"This better take two minutes." He said with a bit of edge.

"This is crazy Herb. You bring him in this late." Jack said after a few seconds.

"We've got parents buying tickets, getting rooms. What are we supposed to tell them?" Mac said looking Herb straight in the eye.

"And with one us going home as it is…" Jack added.

"I guess I don't have to ask where you stand on this do I, Rizzo?" Herb said interrupting Jack.

"This wasn't Rizzo's idea." Mac said in his defense.

"You want me to say 'I'm scared of getting cut'? I'm scared of getting cut. Everybody is." Rizzo said.

"We just want it to be fair, Herb." Jack said trying to really get Herb to listen.

"Don't try to tell me what's fair. He was right back there with us in Colorado." Herb said getting annoyed.

"That was six months ago!" Rizzo almost yelled.

"And you don't think he's been playing for the last six months?"

"Not with us he hasn't!" Rizzo said back.

"So?"

"So there's a difference!"

"Like hell there is! All I know is that that kid can flat out play!" Herb said looking at the four players and even Craig.

"What and we can't?" Jack asked angrily.

"He's got great vision on the ice…stick…soft hands…"

"That's not the point!" Mac yelled.

"You know what else he's got? He's got the attitude I want on and off the ice, so somebody here better tell me why I shouldn't be giving him a hell of a look!" Herb yelled.

"Because we're a family!" Mark finally said.

"What?" Herb asked shocked.

"We're a family." Mark repeated.

"A family. And this is the family you want to take to Lake Placid?" Herb asked much softer then before.

The four friends all agreed together and looked back at Herb.

"Harrier can help us then I'll send him home. Just remember that we've got one more to get down to 20." Herb said and walked away.


It was very late at night when Annabelle's plane finally landed in Boston. She collected her bags and started to look around for her step dad. When she caught sight of him she almost ran to hug him.

"Hi dad!" Annabelle said happily.

"Oh my Annabelle! My sweet Annabelle!" Ted said excitedly.

"How are mom and Grace?"

"They're doing great. Grace can't wait to see you and you're mother has been wearing a path in the carpet the last time I saw her before I left. When we didn't hear from you at first I thought that you weren't coming up here for Christmas."

"Well I just couldn't keep the heart to leave Grace alone for so long." Annabelle said hugged him again.

"Let's go home kiddo." Ted said and picked up her bags. "So lets see, your spending Christmas with us right?"

"I'm basically spending a week with you guys and then I'm going to celebrate New Years with dad in Minnesota."

Once Annabelle walked in the house she said good night to Ted and went straight to her room. In the morning when she woke up the smell of breakfast and coffee brought back the everyday tradition. Annabelle stretched and walked out of her room in her over sized t-shirt and plaid pants.


"Good morning everyone!" Annabelle said to her parents and then crouched down to Grace's eye level and touched her cheek. Grace reached for her hand and smiled knowing her hands very well. Grace leapt out of her chair and into Annabelle's arms. Annabelle hugged her close for a few minutes and then put her down so they could eat.

"Honey you need to go over to the O'Callahan's to see them. I told them that you most likely would come and they said to come over no matter what time in the morning." Her mom said and drank her coffee.

"Well I think I will then." Annabelle said and stood up and walked to her room. She changed into black pants and a red turtle neck and had her snow boots on since it snowed a few inches during the night. After getting her coat on she practically ran over to the O'Callahan's and knocked on they're door.

She heard footsteps coming but it seemed to take forever. She could visibly see her breath while waiting. Finally the door opened to reveal Mrs. O'Callahan in her robe and slippers.

"ANNABELLE!" She screamed grabbing her into a hug and dragged her in. "My goodness look at you! How's Jack? He's not causing trouble is he? Oh if he is I'll…"

"Sheryl he's not causing any trouble. He's the same Jack O'Callahan that left six months ago." Annabelle reassured her.

"Well he called me last night and asked where you were, and I told him that I didn't know."

"I didn't tell any of them except Herb, Doc, and dad that I was coming up here."

"Well honey you better call Jack cause he's worried sick that that Herb Brooks ran you off." Mrs. O'Callahan said in her thick Massachusetts accent.

"He should know better then that!" Annabelle said with disbelief in her voice.

"He said he heard you and Herb yelling at each other outside the locker room yesterday."

Annabelle looked at Sheryl and then around the living room. There were multiple pictures of Jack and his younger brother, James, in hockey and family events.

"How's James?" Annabelle asked breaking the silence.

"He's doing great. I think he might be asleep right now." Sheryl paused and looked at Annabelle. "Annabelle what are you doing here? Don't tell me it's just because of Grace, there must be something else too."

"I don't know Sheryl."

"You love him don't you?" she asked looking into her soul.

"Love who?" Annabelle asked looking at her.

"Jack. You love Jack."

"Yes I do, but Jack…"

"…loves you dearly Annabelle. Every time he called me he talked of you. Sweetie if you're here because you're unsure, leave and go back to Minnesota and you'll find your answer." Sheryl interrupted.

"I guess." Annabelle said and stood.

"Annabelle I suggest that you go before it's too late. Jack can't wait forever."

Annabelle hugged Mrs. O'Callahan and left the house. Instead of walking back to her house she walked to the local ice rink. Everything was the same, which included pictures on the wall of Annabelle in her baby blue ice skating outfit and Jack in his hockey gear. At that moment Annabelle knew everyone was right and ran back to her house as fast as the snow and boots would let her. Once she entered her room she picked up her now empty bag and re-packed everything.

"Honey Andrew called and asked…" her mom said but stopped in the doorway. "Where are you going?"

"Home." Annabelle said simply with a smile.


I hope that you liked this. It took me forever to write! Please review.

A/N: This chapter would have been up sooner but my computer had trouble uploading chapters. Oh and by the way this is the longest chapter I've writen so far so I hope it makes since.