*** I have had this chapter running through my head for over a year now. I hope that it lives up to what I have imagined it to be. In two parts all will be explained. This is only the first half, the second half is nearly done and will be up tomorrow or at the latest, Saturday. I needed to post this and get it out of my brain, so I can finish up the second part. Plus I thought you would rather have this part now and know more was coming than be overloaded with two chapters in a few days. Thank you again for all your patience. I hope you enjoy!***

Then

It was a lot heavier than he thought. That was Sid's first thought when the cup was handed to him. His knee was weak, but the painkillers both pharmaceutical and the adrenaline of this moment, kept the pain at bay. And tapping into a reserve of energy, kept safely just for this moment, he hoisted it over his head and let out a roar of pure joy.

It had happened. They had done it. It still didn't feel real.

He looked up into the crowd. Everything was a blur, but his eyes scanned the crowd and he found her. Up at the top. Smiling widely and cheering along with a bunch of the staff.

And his heart clenched in the best way possible.

It was madness in the hours that followed. Celebrating and interviews. Talking to family and friends. Popping champagne and drinking beers from the cup. It was more than he'd ever imagined. It was everything he had worked so hard for. It was a dream realized and all the hard work, the sacrifice, the hundreds of thousands of hours paying off in the most amazing way possible.

Finally the party came to a close, they were flying back to Pittsburgh that night. Sid showered and dressed, the whole thing felt like a dream. Guys buzzed from the thrill of the night made their way towards the bus. During the celebration he was so sure he would see her. Front office staff had come in and out of the locker room all night. He'd been busy talking to someone every minute, but that didn't stop him from keeping one eye on the entrance, hoping that Rebecca would walk through. She never did.

But the hockey gods were with him that night in so many ways. He'd had a few extra interviews with the CBC that had gone so long he thought he'd miss the bus, but as he walked towards the exit, Rebecca suddenly appeared. The black Penguins t-shirt she wore, stretched across her chest and fitted nicely around her hips, a buzzed Sid observed. Her jeans were low across her hips and the curve of her bottom was in full view as she rummaged through a pile of bags near the exit. Her wavy dark hair was up in a ponytail and when she stood and straightened he could see the hair that had come away and framed her face. And that sight was right up there with all the other evening's events. But just when he thought it couldn't get any better, she turned towards him and her face lit up in a wide smile.

She approached him immediately. The staff around them seemed to disappear as it just became the two of them.

"Hi," she breathed. "Congratulations! You did it!" She was so excited and it was more than he could have ever asked for. So much so, that he was stuck on a reply. Instead he dropped his bag, grabbed her hand and pulled her down the first corridor he saw.

Her face was a mix of confusion and realization and before she could utter another word, he pressed her up against the wall and moved in, his body surrounding her.

She looked up at him, anticipating his next move and this time she didn't pull away. Instead she gave a small smile, knowing what was to come.

He obliged her immediately as his mouth came crashing down on hers. Rebecca accepted his kiss instantly, her lips moving against his as they easily found their rhythm. He drank her in as her fingers came up and rested gently on his jaw, the bristle of his beard rubbing up against the soft pads of her fingers.

It was the perfect ending to the perfect night.

There were so many things to say, but at this moment he couldn't think of a single thing. The only thought in his mind were how sweet her lips tasted and how he could never grow tired of kissing her. Reluctantly, he pulled away.

Rebecca stared up at him pink cheeked and wide eyed. Her lips wet and swollen and it took every ounce of control not to pull into a nearby room and make her scream his name over and over.

"I…" He faltered. "I have to go." Was all he could come up with. This was not the time or the place for all he needed to say.

Rebecca nodded. "Me too, the others are going to be looking for me. I'll see you back in Pittsburgh."

He wanted to say that he loved her. He wanted to tell her she was the only one and that somehow, someway they could make it work, no matter how concerned she was.

But instead he nodded, "I'm glad you were here," said slowly. "I'm glad I could share this with you, even in a small way."

She half smiled and he knew she understood.

He gave her one last kiss and said goodnight.


Now

"This place, it was never the same, was it? Not like the Igloo. It's always been different, like some of the magic got lost I think."

Rebecca's voice is quiet and she doesn't turn around when I enter the meeting place she requested via text just a few hours earlier. I look out at the ice before us. She's staring at the empty seats and the fresh ice that has just finished being zambonied. It's after seven and most of the staff is gone. She hasn't turned around. Her back is to me as she stares into the dark and quiet arena. We are in my suite, the one I have had since construction on the CONSOL was completed. The one where I have taken her half a dozen times over the past few years.

I walk slowly towards her, letting the door behind me close, my fingers press the button ensuring it's locked and we won't be disturbed. Although, I'm pretty sure the activities that will take place in here, won't be like before.

Somehow something about this seems final. Like an ending to a story that never seemed to quite come together like it was expected.

To be honest, I'm shocked we are even here. That she even contacted me. I've spent the afternoon in a haze. So sure that I had blown it. I've been beating myself up for hours over what happened. I don't know how I let it all unravel so quickly. I'm ashamed. Embarrassed about what I did to her. I should have known better. I know her. And I should have known that I would only make it worse. But I didn't care. And I should have. And if this is it, then it's something I'm going to have to live with.

"No, I suppose it wasn't." I replied. "I guess you don't realize what you have until it's gone. Listen, Becs, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about earlier, I don-"

"Why do you love me?" She turns abruptly towards me. She's still wearing the clothes from earlier. Her eyes look tired, red and squinty. Her cheeks are flushed and her bottom lip is drawn in between her teeth. She's looking at me critically, waiting for an answer.

I'm taken aback for a moment, but answer her in a clear voice, "I just do."

She scoffs and narrows her eyes, "That's hardly an answer." Clearly she's not convinced.

"Ok," I take a deep a breath, my eyes flicker to her hands that lay at her side. They're shaking. In fact when I look closely, I can see all of her is trembling. She's gnawing on her lip because it too is trembling and she's trying not to let it show. Her nervousness, her anxiety, it fuels my answer, because I need her to know that she shouldn't be nervous, not around me. I love her for a thousand different reasons and she needs to know them.

"You challenge me. You make me think. You're the smartest person I know. Not just book smarts, but how you see the world. How you try to find meanings in things. You're strong. Even when you're scared, you push through and don't let people intimidate you. Even now when I know how hard this is, you're still here, trying to figure this out. Figure us out. You're loyal. You have expectations of people, the ones you care about most. You're the first person I think about whenever something happens. I like telling you things because I can't wait to see how you're going to process it. You're beautiful. Every time I see you, there's a split second where I feel like I can't breathe. When you smile, really smile, your eyes dance and your left eyelid droops down just a little and it's adorable. I love you because you've always been there and I'm sorry I didn't always appreciate like I should have. I tried to keep my distance at times because that's what I thought you wanted. You're complicated Rebecca. You're a puzzle to me and that's another thing I love about you. I want to know what's going on that brain, because it's always working, always thinking and...I guess I just want to be around you all the time because I feel this connection to you and I don't know how not to feel it. I don't know how to not want you, not talk to you. And ever since last spring I've felt empty and now, I feel full again and you're leaving and that scares more than anything, so I'm putting it all out there, because I don't know how to not love you. And you need to know that."

She stares at me, processing my words and I refuse to feel self-conscious for letting it all out. For a moment I'm afraid she's just going to walk away. But I can't stop her, I just have to trust that she will say what she needs to say.

Finally she speaks.

"I lied earlier." Her voice so soft I can barely hear her. She turns to me and her face is heartbreakingly broken. "I do love you. I love you. I've loved you for so long." Her voice doesn't waver as the big and heavy tears fall steadily down her red and raw cheeks.

I don't say anything, instead my heart is hammering against my chest. I want to rejoice, but it's a bittersweet admission, because the way she is looking at me, I know that her love comes with a lot of pain.

Pain for the both of us.

She swipes at the tears, pushing them away, a fruitless mission as new ones replace the old.

"But I suppose you know that."

I nod.

She laughs, but there is no humor in its sound.

"And you say all these things but every time," her voice rises. "Every time you went back to her. Even after...every time Sid. And it hurt, it still hurts. I can't love you and not hurt. I can't look at you and not feel my heart being broken in a thousand pieces."

"I didn't'-" my voice catches in my throat and I feel the sting piercing the corners of my eyes. "I thought you didn't want…" I trail off.

Me. I want to say. You didn't want me.

"Didn't want what? Didn't want you? How could you think that? I've been following you like a lovesick puppy for the past five years. Anytime you asked, I was there and afterwards, you would just go. And…" Her tears are coming fast and silent. She points to herself, jabbing a finger into her chest. "And I would feel so dirty, so insignificant. Each time a piece of myself broke and I told myself it didn't matter. But it did. Because I loved you and you went to her anyway."

My mind is spinning. It's killing me to watch her break down like this. To know that there was all this pain for so long. But at the same time I'm growing frustrated. She wasn't the only one that hurt. She wasn't the only one who felt rejected. The only reason I left was because she wanted that. She told me that.

I love her, but I can't live in these riddles anymore.

"It wasn't easy for me." I say weakly. "It hurt me too you know. I settled for whatever you could offer because that was better than nothing. And then you would close yourself off. So tightly. And…" I clear my throat awkwardly, "And Katy, she told me how she felt. She let me in. Being with her..." Whatever I say is going to hurt Rebecca. I wish I hadn't even gone down this road. Katy was easy and fun. But that didn't mean that I loved her. Or even wanted to be with her. It just meant that I wasn't alone. And wrong or right, it was the only option I had.

"I just didn't want to be alone."

I sound weak and foolish, but it's the truth and that's my m.o. these days, speaking the truth.

She stares at me, again as if she's trying to figure me out, even as she looks so miserable, I can't ignore the rush I get when she looks at me like this. Then as if it's too hard to even see me, she turns around, silent. Her back to me and once again we take one step forward, two steps back.

"If you had just told me…" I say weakly. "If you had just told me how you felt…"

"Would that have made a difference?" She asks coldly.

Heat rises from inside me, "Yes, it would have." I say shortly.

Rebecca still won't turn around, "You would have gone back to her anyway."

"How can you say that?" I say, there's anger in my voice, but I can't keep it out.

"Because it's true!" She shouts, spinning around quickly. Her face crumbles and she begins to sob. Openly. Her chest is heaving, her arms clutching her sides. The tears flow fast and in all the years I have known Rebecca I have never seen her like this. Even just a few weeks ago, when she told me she was leaving, when I felt like her and my worlds were falling apart around us, she still maintained some composure, some restraint.

But now, I can see all of the hurt and pain and how raw it is still.

She walks towards me, every wall crumbling down around her. Her eyes are red and swollen, her lips tremble, chattering as if she's in the middle of a Canadian winter's day.

"I told you I loved you and still you left. You left me alone in that hotel room, feeling like some cast away groupie, some sad mistake. I woke up and you were gone." She chokes out, her words sounding so defeated. Her tears are falling so fast and I feel sick.

But most of all confused. Because there is a part, a very important part that is missing. A part that has could have altered the last five years.


Then

The following days were a whirlwind. Interviews and appearances, all leading up to the Penguins sponsors gala on Sunday night. The event was being held at the Omni Hotel and along with the sponsors, staff and the team were required to be in attendance.

The ballroom was decorated beautifully with the Stanley Cup on full display in the center of room. The handler stood to the side while all of Pittsburgh's most elite filed into the party as a band played off to the side. It was like a wedding. The marriage of the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup. Most of the players hit the bar upon entering, while some mingled among the sponsors, doing their duty to schmooze the deep pockets that made this year possible. It wasn't long until the mood became raucous and joyful, everyone thrilled that the dynasty of Crosby and Malkin had finally begun.

Not long after the party began, Rebecca walked nervously through the ballroom doors. She hadn't seen Sid since Friday night. She didn't have his phone number or any way to contact him. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of him at the Igloo, but since Friday, the place had been a madhouse and Rebecca had been swamped with people coming in from all over the world to help celebrate. She had gotten away for a few hours to go dress shopping for the party. She'd decided on a simple black dress. It was sleeveless, with gathered black fabric ruching around the bust and a flared skirt that ended at the knees. She wore black heels and a light wrap. She'd gone to the salon and gotten her hair blown out and her makeup professionally done. A dark smokey eye, the makeup artist had insisted on. The result was someone that Rebecca didn't quite recognize. She looked sophisticated. And dare she say sexy. But rather than feel confident about it, she was nervous as hell. She didn't know where she stood with Sid, he gave all these signals as if he wanted to be with her and she was ready to toss out all the concerns and worries and be with him too. She wanted him. So badly. Every part of her body buzzed with the anticipation of seeing him. The kiss on Friday played over and over in her head. She'd watched him on the ice. How happy he'd been. She watched him embrace his dad. The tears flowing from the younger Crosby as the father and son celebrated the result of all that sacrifice and hard work. She hadn't seen Katy. She didn't know what to think about that. But Sid, he was a good guy. A standup guy and he wouldn't have kissed her that night if Katy was still in the picture. She had to believe that. And tonight, well tonight, she wouldn't indulge the uncertainties, she wouldn't say no to anything.

Aside from Sid, Rebecca was also nervous about all the expected socializing at the party. She'd become close with some staff, but she hated parties. She never knew what to say or how to act. And this one was going to be big deal. As soon as she entered, her bag clutched between her hands, she felt the nervousness grow.

Luckily it didn't last long. There were so many people that at first she went unnoticed. Small crowds were scattered everywhere, everyone laughing or chatting animatedly. The up-tempo music matched the pace of the wait staff as they weaved in and out of the crowds with trays of drinks and appetizers. Rebecca checked in at the welcome table and picked up her seat assignment. She'd barely had a chance to look around, when she was called over to a group of people standing near her assigned table.

It was Claude, with a bunch of men in suits that she knew only from emails and phone calls. She made idle chit chat, not quite sure what to say as she didn't share the level of appreciation for airports and hotels like these fellows did. And she was about three decades younger than them. Finally she escaped and found her seat at a large round table. She looked around, scanning the crowd, lying to herself that she wasn't looking for Sid.

"Hi there!" A bubbly voice interrupted her search.

Rebecca turned to watch a pretty curly blonde hair girl sit down next to her. She had a round face with big blue eyes and looked oddly familiar.

"I'm Chelsea, Claude is my dad." The girl smiled widely at Rebecca putting out her hand.

"Oh!" Rebecca replied, returning the smile, "It's nice to meet you."

Twenty minutes later, Rebecca knew Chelsea's life story. She was a talker that was for sure. She shared her father's warm demeanor and friendliness. Chelsea was twenty-three and worked for the Little Penguins in Wilkes-Barre in the sales department. She was curvy and short, but full of personality and really funny. Immediately Rebecca liked her.

Not long into the conversation, Chelsea's eyes flickered to the side more than a few times. Finally she said something.

"Um, Crosby keeps staring at you."

Rebecca froze. Immediately she felt her face go warm.

"What? No. He's not." She replied quickly, refusing to drift her eyes to the side.

Chelsea took a sip of wine, her eyes still to the side. "Yes, he is. He keeps looking over here."

Rebecca felt a cool sweat forming at her temples. This was ridiculous, why was she so nervous?

"Maybe he's looking at you." she replied lamely.

Chelsea looked at her and let out a laugh. "No, I doubt that. Although a lovely thought, he's definitely looking at you." Her eyes flickered, "He's doing it again. Damn. He looks like he wants to have you for dinner."

Rebecca's face was a full flush at this point. She picked up her glass of wine and took a long sip.

Chelsea stared at Rebecca. "Do you have something going on with him?"

Rebecca was quickly learning that Chelsea was rather blunt.

"No." Rebecca said way too quickly and high pitched to sound truthful.

Chelsea gave her a skeptical look and downed the rest of her wine.

"C'mon, let's go to the bar."

Rebecca took a quick glance to the bar and saw that was exactly where Sid and a group of players was standing. For a split second she looked at him. He was staring. And he did look like he wanted to have her for dinner. A thrill shot through her veins and ended right between her thighs.

Chelsea was up and already pulling at Rebecca's arm.

The walk over Rebecca tried to think of something to say, something smart and witty, something that didn't scream, "please drag me into the closest closet and have your way with me."

The girls approached the bar, right when Max Talbot looked up.

"Oopsy!" He said rather loudly in his hoarse French-Canadian accent. His eyes were bright and his mouth slack. Rebecca was pretty sure he was on his way to being hammered. She noticed Sid jab his elbow into Max's side. It was slight, but she saw it nonetheless.

"Ow, man!" Max groaned. He smiled goofily at Rebecca, "Sid doesn't like me calling you that, he's told me to stop, but I keep forgetting. You clean up pretty well...Rebecca." Max said long and deliberately. His grin was infectious and despite the heat of her cheeks, Rebecca returned the smile and cast a quick look in Sid's direction. His cheeks were rather pink as well. But it suited him, Rebecca thought. He looked very handsome. Clean shaven, his hair still pretty shaggy. He at one point was probably wearing a suit, but the coat was gone and his tie loosened, the top few buttons of his shirt undone.

"Heeeey Chelsea." Max said, acknowledging the other girl. Chelsea just rolled her eyes.

"Maxime." She said primly.

Max just laughed, then his eyes lit up with what appeared to be a genius idea.

"Let's all do a shot." And with that he turned around towards the bar and drummed his hands loudly against counter. Chelsea followed to make sure he didn't harass the bartender and Rebecca stood waiting for the drink.

"Hey," Sid smiled taking a few steps towards her.

"Hey," she echoed, the goofy smile unable keep the smile off her face.

"You look amazing," he said softly. "Beautiful, actually."

Rebecca didn't think her face could get any hotter. "Thanks," she said quietly. "You look great too." She cringed at how lame she sounded, but Sid didn't seem to mind. He just smiled even wider.

Soon shots were shoved in their hands as the group stood in a circle waiting to toast. Rebecca could feel Sid so close next to her and couldn't ignore how his arm brushed up against hers, how his bicep pressed against her bare shoulder.

They had a few more shots, the group becoming more rowdy with Max clearly leading the party.

They finally had to part as dinner and a series of speeches were about to commence. Rebecca and Chelsea headed back to their table with Chelsea asking a million questions about Sid. Rebecca, feeling a strong buzz confessed her feelings. Telling Chelsea how much she liked him, how on and off the year had been, with lots of uncertain feelings and hesitations due to who they were and the very different statuses they held in the organization as well as in life in general. Chelsea, just gaped at her.

"It's Sidney Crosby, you have to go for it."

"I, yeah, I just am not sure if…"

"No. Listen to me. It's Sidney Crosby. You must go for it. If not for yourself, at least for all female-kind. The man is de-lic-ious. I mean literally lickable."

Rebecca felt her pulse speed and her neck up heat to the point that she thought she might get hives. She knew he was good looking and admired by most of the female population. He dated models for crying out loud. Rebecca felt a pit in her stomach. Not exactly the direction she wanted this inner monologue to go in. Her brain was fuzzy and she refused to overthink anything. Katy wasn't here. He was looking at her today. He said she was beautiful. Not Katy.

The dinner and long speeches did little to sober her up. Not to mention Chelsea kept calling the server over to fill their wine glasses. By the time dessert rolled around Rebecca was officially drunk. She couldn't help it, she just felt so good. Her whole body felt alive and she knew the goofy smile on her face was way more emotion or excitement she usually displayed. A large group hit the dance floor. Chelsea and Max in the middle of a large circle showing off moves that in their minds were great, but in reality were pretty tragic. Rebecca stayed to the side, sipping a drink. She was the perfect drunk. Not sloppy or dizzy, but enough to think she never wanted this to end. Suddenly a shadow came up next to her, strong long fingers brushed up against hers.

"Hi again," Sid said. His eyes dancing and a large grin plastered all over his face. He looked just about as blitzed as she was.

"Hi yourself." She replied with an air of confidence she normally didn't possess.

"Why aren't you out there?" Sid asked, cocking his head towards the dance floor.

Rebecca let out a loud laugh, "You don't want to see me dance. I look like a kangaroo trying to swat away a mosquito."

Sid laughed fully, his head falling back. In his current state the joke was a lot funnier than it actually was.

"What about you?" Rebecca asked in reply.

"Same. Only more like an orangutan."

Rebecca laughed.

"I like seeing you like this." Sid said smiling at her.

"Like what?" Rebecca replied.

"Happy, carefree. It suits you. You're always so serious. It's fun, to see you, sort of…silly."

"Oh geez, thanks."

"No, no. I mean. I like you serious. You're smart. Really smart. I can tell you're always thinking. I like that about you. You are careful, you want to do things well. And you do."

"Oh, thanks." Rebecca said a little bit quieter and without the sarcasm.

"There's a lot I like about you." His voice was low and Rebecca felt his arm move around her waist, his palm dropping and grasp lightly at her ass.

Instantly all the blood rushed from her head to a heat growing between her legs. It was unexpected, but not pervy like some would think.

Suddenly his mouth was at her ear, his breath hot and it tickled her ear. "Count to ten, then meet me outside."

And then he was gone. She watched as he weaved in and out of the crowd and through the doors that led out to the veranda.

She started to count.

One, two. Oh god, the anticipation of his hands on her body was more than she could take. Three, four. She could tell that she was soaked. One touch and a hot breath and she could feel the pool of moisture. Five, six. She wouldn't deny him anything tonight. No matter what the consequences. She needed this...seven, eight...needed him, so badly. She gulped the rest of her drink and smoothed her hair, her eyes scanning the crowd. Nine, ten. This was it.

As soon as the cool evening air hit her, his hand was around her wrist as he pulled her from the eyes of the few party goers that mulled about the patio. In a short few steps, they were around the corner and obscured from view.

He was close. So close. His hand cupped her neck, his fingers threaded through the straightened locks. His mouth hovered over hers for just a moment. She could smell the liquor on his breath. His warm breath that cloaked her lips as he came closer and closer.

"What do you want?" He asked, his mouth only a centimeter from hers.

"You," she breathed.

"What do you want me to do?" his voice barely a whisper.

"I want you to kiss me."

She could see the small smile in the dark and it was the last clear thought she had as his mouth covered hers in a deep and toe curling kiss.

He held her tight as he kissed her, his body pressed so tightly to hers.

His mouth devoured her, his hands explored every inch. He walked them into the corner and up against the ivy covered brick. His hand moved quickly under her dress, his palm moving up and down her thigh, cupping her bottom, massaging her flesh.

He pressed up against her. He was hard. She could clearly feel the outline of him. She remembered that day in her apartment. When he'd pressed into her and she'd first felt the evidence of his arousal. That day it had scared her. Tonight, it made her even more wet and the anticipation would make her certifiably crazy.

Subconsciously her legs spread and Sid took the opportunity to fit himself in. The cloth covered bulge pressed against her mound and the contact made her nearly come.

He kissed her harder as she pulled him to her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders holding him close, needing to keep him close so that there was no way he could go. Right now there was no way she could let him go.

She was getting a little faint. Her level of intoxication, along with the lack of oxygen from his kisses was making her light headed. Reluctantly, she pulled away.

"Sorry," he said immediately. "Too much?" He started to step back.

"No," she said quickly. "Not at all. Just feeling a little dizzy." She replied smiling up at him, her fingers playing at the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I do have that effect on people." He replied, grinning, his lips swollen and wet.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," she teased.

He sobered, just a bit. "No," he shook his head. "No, just you. Right now, it's just you."

Rebecca felt her heart flop. She was in love with him. And the more she was willing to admit it, the more brave and bold she felt.

"It's just you too," she replied, her hand snaking down between him, as her hand closed over the length of him and she gave a light squeeze.

Sid closed his eyes and groaned, his hips instinctively flexing into her hand.

She touched him more boldly, her hands craving the heat and smoothness of him. She fumbled for his zipper, but his hand suddenly stopped her.

He stared deeply at her. Even in the dark, she could see how black his eyes were.

"Do you...do you want to go somewhere? Here. I mean. Do you...I can get us a room." He sounded nervous.

Rebecca felt a wave of affection wash over her. Standing up on her tiptoes she brushed her lips against his.

"Yes."

He smiled, "Ok, give me a few minutes. We have to be...discreet." Even in the midst of something like this, in the state he was in, he had to remember who he was and how he had to go about things.

"We'll go inside. Have a drink, gather your things. Then meet me in the fitness room in fifteen minutes. Ok?" He rattled off the instructions like a professional and Rebecca couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes sir," she gave a sloppy salute and pressed her mouth against his again.

The kiss turned into another make out session and Sid reluctantly pulled away, needing to get upstairs. He was hard as steel and his self-control was quickly waning.

They straightened themselves up and staggered their time re-entering the party.

Rebecca grabbed a glass of wine and downed it in two gulps. The party was winding down and she observed Sid, as he pulled his jacket from a chair and went to Max, who was standing at the bar. She watched as he pulled Max to the side and spoke into his ear. Max nodded, then they walked out of the ballroom without even looking in her direction.

She needed another glass of wine, to keep herself from thinking this was becoming a bad idea. She grabbed her things and headed towards the ladies room.

Rebecca spent the next few minutes staring at herself in the mirror. Her perfectly blown hair was starting show its natural wave again. Her cheeks were red, almost raw and her mouth swollen to nearly twice its size. Her smokey eyes were holding up nicely but she reapplied her mascara to even further the effect. When she was done, she stared back at herself. She was going to have sex tonight. It had been a long time. And to be honest, it was never that great. With Sid, she knew it would be. It wasn't because he was so good looking or insanely built. It was because around him, she felt alive. Every sense was heightened, ever nerve ending set aflame when he touched her. With just a look, he could make her come undone. And she loved him. And she'd never been with someone she loved. And she knew it would be different. She checked her phone. 14 minutes passed.

This was it.

From the fitness room they went to down a long hall and through two doors that led to housekeeping. They waited for the elevator. Neither saying a word. Rebecca wanted to look at him, but she didn't. If anyone saw them, it would be a disaster.

They got off at the 9th floor, Sid's shirt untucked, his hair rather mused. Rebecca's bra now in her purse. They walked down the hall until they came to room 922. Sid jammed the key card into the lock, nothing. He pulled it out and tried again. Still the red light appeared.

"Damn," he muttered. He tried again, and it was then she saw his fingers trembling.

Rebecca closed her hand over his, her palm against his knuckles. She gently guided the card in and pulled it out. The green light appeared.

He looked at her, her gaze steady on his, albeit her eyes a little glassy. Through his own slightly blurry vision they shared a small smile, pushed the door forward and went in.

There was a moment of awe upon entering the room. It was beautiful. Rich fabrics and dark wood filled the room, along with a big king sized bed with thick white bedding. Rebecca's head was spinning and all inhibitions were gone. Sid turned to her to say something and Rebecca pounced. She threw herself into his arms, not caring how she may seem. She pressed her mouth to his, the surprise allowed her to snake her tongue into his mouth. He immediately returned the kiss, his hands at her waist. They stood there for a few minutes. Just kissing. Her body pressed up against hers, her muddled brain trying to remember all of this. She wanted all of this to be a memory she wouldnt forget. But soon she grew impatient. She needed more. Her hands moved to his shirt tails, her fingers undoing each button as she tried to maintain the rhythm of her lips. Finally it proved too difficult and she reluctantly pulled away. He stared at her while she worked at each button, breathing heavily as her eyes stayed on his shirt. She completed her task and with hands that trembled in anticipation she pushed the shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. She took in his naked torso. The season had left a few battle wounds and he was skinny. But beautiful nonetheless. Smooth pale skin stared back at her. Solid muscle under pinked skin with freckles scattered across his body. Rebecca must have taken too long just looking at him, because Sid cleared his throat and asked in a low voice, "Have you done this before?"

It was sweet the way he asked and even though she wasn't a virgin, her cheeks heated all the same. She looked up at him and nodded, "I'm on the pill," her voice hoarse, "And I've had tests, I'm ok." She said awkwardly, trying to use proper sexual health etiquette. Sid grinned, "Me too, the test part that is." She returned his smiled and moved forward, pressing her lips against his collar bone. Her fingers moved up and down his sides as she felt the strong muscles. He tasted so good as she peppered kisses along his shoulder and pressed up against the warm skin.

"Turn around." He said after a few seconds. His patience was also weak. Rebecca looked up and obliged, kicking off her shoes in the process. With one hand he gathered her hair up and off her neck as the other hand pulled the zipper down. His breath was hot at her neck as he pushed the fabric to the side and kissed the back of her neck and down her spine. Then quickly his hands moved to the bottom of the dress and pulled it up and over her head. With one arm he spun her back around and took in the image before him. She was naked, with the exception of very small and delicate black panties. Rebecca was drunk but still felt a tinge of self consciousness as he looked at her. Her skin was olive, her breasts full but not more than a palmful. Her dusky nipples were hard and her chest heaved with expectation. Her skin looked smooth and soft and the tremble of her body was unmistakable.

Sidney looked up at her, his eyes dark and wild, "You're so beautiful," he said.

And that was it. Suddenly they came together in a tangle of limbs. Mouths moved quickly, while hands explored skin. Soon the rest of their clothes were off and they fell onto the bed. Sid lay over her, balancing his weight on his elbows, careful not to crush her. His erection poked impatiently at her thigh, as his mouth moved to her neck and down to her breast. His fingers moved gently between her legs and he trailed kissed down her chest to her breast. He felt the wetness between her legs and smiled at how responsive she was to him.

"You're so wet," he mumbled against her silky skin.

"I know," she breathed, her voice hitching as one finger entered her, then two.

"I did that," he said an air of pride in his voice. His mouth closed over her pebbled nipple and his tongue swirled around the tender skin.

"I know," she repeated. Not sure how much more she could talk coherently.

His fingers moved expertly, stretching her and curling towards the place that would make her see stars. Rebecca arched into his hand, one hand clutching the blankets and the other holding the back of his head making sure his mouth didn't leave the sensitive flesh.

It took only seconds for her to come. The impact hitting her like a freight train. The sounds of her completion echoed in the quiet room. Before she came back to her senses, he was up and over her again. His face came into view and the question lay in his eyes. With a slight nod and small smile, he angled his hips against hers and thrust into her.

She was tight, but the remnants of her orgasm served as the perfect lubricant. He felt her body accept his and surge towards him, drawing him in. He watched her face, making sure she was alright. Then he began to move. He enveloped her, taking her in his arms and began the steady rhythm. His lips found the pulse point at her neck and laved the tender skin as he moved in and out of her. He wouldn't last long. He hadn't been with anyone since the summer. He'd had his hand in the shower many times over the past few months, but this, being inside her. It was more than he could handle. And it wasn't because she was tight or wet or that he hadn't been with anyone. It was her. It was something about her that made this all seem perfect. She moved against him, her fingers curled into the muscles on his back, guiding him, urging him to move faster, harder. They moved together impressively well for a first time and snaking a hand down between their bodies to her bundle of nerves, Sid began to rub the swollen flesh until he felt her orgasm build and then crash into her, feeling her muscles clench around him. It was all he needed and in seconds his completion came as well. With a growl and a few more thrusts he felt the stars pop behind his eyelids and his whole body strum with the a sensation he'd never felt before. It was an orgasm like he'd never experienced and he was careful not to crush her, as he collapsed against her feeling the hot sweat coating her skin. The alcohol still flowed through his system, but more than that was a feeling he knew only came with finally being with her in the way he'd been dreaming about for months. He fell over to the side of her and lay there for a moment, recovering and trying to process what just happened. He felt her fingers move tentatively towards his, her small hand encasing his large fingers. And neither said a word. It took a few moments, but then they came together again. Mouths mapped out skin and limbs continued to tangle. They didn't speak much. Only encouraging words and sounds of approval and satisfaction. Over the next few hours, they explored each others bodies, moved into positions that would have made the sober versions of themselves blush. And finally, too tired to move another muscle, he pulled her pliant but exhausted body into his and wrapped his arms around her. He burrowed his nose into her hair and fought the pull of sleep.

And just as he drifted off, he heard a quiet whisper. His brain couldn't process the words, so instead he just gave a grunt of acknowledgement and fell into a blissful and heavy sleep.

***Author's note: I hate to stop it here, but if I don't the chapter would be 10,000 words. So to be continued…but at least you know some of what happened, if that's any consolation. Oh and that key part I totally stole from the good wife. And I promise the rest isn't too far behind. Thanks again for reading. So exciting to see all the hoopla start up for a new season. I mean Sid…can he get any hotter?***