What an awesome response to this story! I'm totally blown away by you sweet people :) Thank you for all your lovely comments!

Many thanks to all who have read, followed, reviewed, favorited this story.

I'm trying to get a feel for writing these characters, but I realize they might be slightly (or a lot?) out of character. I plead the 'AU' ;) Well, anyway I've decided to give this fic a go. This will be a multi-chapter story. I have no idea how many chapters are to come, but at least a few.

A guest reviewer wrote, that 'goalie' is not the correct term to use concerning soccer, but told to use 'keeper' or 'goalkeeper' and I shall :) Thanks! I edited the first chapter previously. Later another reviewer gave the okay to 'goalie' also - so problem solved, I might use all of the above ;)

So here's the second chapter. Seemed a bit choppy to me, but hope you enjoy it anyway :)

xoxo

Gail shuffled into the plane right after Traci. They were bound to Toronto. Gail had a raging headache from crying and way too much whiskey. Despite the fact she didn't even particularly like whiskey. Not really. She drank it, but only because of the quick burn it provided. After Holly had stormed out Gail had cried and wallowed in her misery, until she had gotten the brilliant idea to drown herself in that poison she found from the hotel room's minibar.

So now here she was feeling nauseous, sweaty and looking pale as a ghost with her bloodshot eyes covered by huge sunglasses. Gail had been holed up in her room until she boarded the team bus to the airport. Gail sat gingerly down on the seat next to Traci with a heavy sigh. She was aware that her friend would soon start her interrogation now that they had some privacy. So far Gail had only given one-worded replies all morning and afternoon. She never wanted to share her stuff with her teammates. Only Traci. Traci was her BFF after all, so sharing was sort of required. Still opening up was difficult for Gail and usually she told what was on her mind only after some prodding.

But Gail knew she would be forced to confess messing up everything once again. The worst part was that she didn't have Holly's number or even a last name. She wouldn't be able to find the woman to apologize for being an idiot. Bitch. Bitchy idiot. A moron, who probably wouldn't have the nerve to say 'I'm sorry' anyway, Gail finished her self-reprimanding thoughts.

"You look like shit." Traci noted bluntly, her eyes sweeping over the blond.

"I know. I feel like shit." Gail busied herself with the seatbelt. "I seriously need some water.. or I'm gonna hurl.." She swallowed dryly and desperately tried to catch the flight attendant's eye.

"What the hell happened?" Traci asked. "You left the club wrapped around that librarian. You were happy, smiley, a little tipsy and everything.. And now you're.. like this." She motioned vaguely at Gail's direction with a grimace on her lips.

"What can I get you?" The smiling flight attendant asked perkily once she reached Gail's seat. Too smiley. Too perky in Gail's opinion. the bright smile was adding to Gail's headache.

"Water." Gail said curtly. "Please." She added after a beat. No need to irritate the flight crew. I might need more water.. Or a barf bag.

"So?" Traci prodded, when the flight attendant had moved on. "What happened?"

"I messed up." Gail shook her head, before taking a large gulp from her water bottle.

"No shit. I wouldn't have guessed." Traci scoffed. "What did you do?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Gail grunted.

"Gail." Traci said with that gentle smile of hers, which always made Gail's resolve to keep quiet grumble.

"The short version?" The blond fiddled nervously with the label of the bottle. She had an urge to talk to Traci. Maybe Traci could help her to untangle this mess in her head. Just maybe talking about what happened would make it sting less. The fact that Gail was totally confused. She had enjoyed her time with Holly, but then shoved her out. Why? What's wrong with me, she thought.

"Fine." Traci nodded turning towards her friend. "Tell me."

"I was an idiot." Gail declared sighing. "And then I found a bottle of horrible whiskey in the minibar. Hence looking like shit." She shuddered at how she'd woken up on the floor clutching a half empty bottle in her hand.

"Okay.. I may need the longer version after all." The dark skinned woman rolled her eyes.

"Right.. When we got to my room, I flat out told her that she couldn't stay, you know, after. And that it was just a one night deal." Gail said recalling how she had fired off all those conditions. "She agreed to that telling me, I wouldn't see her again.. but then.." Gail trailed off training her shade-covered eyes on her lap.

"You invited her in your room? Really?" Traci's surprise was evident in her voice. "You never.."

"I know! My room!" Gail snapped scowling at her friend. "I really wanted to be with her.. so I invited her to my room. I obviously wasn't myself last night."

"Okay?" Traci didn't want to let Gail pause for too long, because the blond was opening up which she very rarely did and Traci hoped she would continue to confide in her.

"Um.. So.. We had sex. Lots. And after I cuddled her! Me! I never cuddle. Traci.. I cuddled her.." Gail groaned in disbelief.

"And that's bad? Cuddling?"

"It is! I shouldn't have! I was in her arms.. I relaxed and exhaled and then bam! She said, that 'she should go'. I went completely ballistic and threw her out accompanied by insults.." Gail finished lamely. "I know we agreed she'd leave, but it still.. felt bad and... And I threw her out. Shit."

"Gail, you liked her didn't you? You never like anybody. You liked her and you got scared, but why would you kick her.. "

"She called me a bitch and stormed out." Gail cut in wringing her hands.

"A bitch?" Traci lifted her eyebrow.

"She said I was being a bitch." Gail clarified with a sinking feeling in her stomach just thinking about Holly's face during their.. spat. Gail knew the brunette had been blindsided and shocked by Gail's behavior. Holly had been sad and disappointed in her.

"Pretty accurate I think." Traci said softly.

"Yeah.." Gail sighed resting her head against her seat. "I was horrible. And I don't even know why.. I did, you know, kinda like her but she was leaving and I.. I have insecurities or abandonment issues or whatever. So I overreacted and had a complete meltdown. I'd apologize, but.."

"But what? What's stopping you?"

"I don't know who she is." Gail put her water bottle in the holder.

"You had sex with a total stranger? You couldn't be bothered to ask her name?" Traci looked genuinely appalled.

"I was busy with.. other things." Gail got a little color on her cheeks remembering her hands on Holly's writhing body, Holly's hands on hers. Holly's mouth on her body, her lips on..

"Oh my God! You're blushing Peck! That doesn't happen like ever! So it was good?" Traci changed her tune and grinned mischievously.

"Shut up. Not blushing. I don't blush. It's just hot in here or something." Gail denied crankily.

"Right.. Right.." The other woman kept smirking.

"Fine. It was awesome. She was awesome." Gail grumbled. "Can we stop talking about this now? Enough with this sharing stuff. I'm tired." She snarled unhappily.

"Did you at least catch a name? First name I mean? Any name? An alias?" Traci continued unaffected by Gail's sour mood.

"Holly." Gail said with a little smile. "She must hate me." The smile fell of her face.

"Holly?" Traci gasped her eyes widening. "Holly?! Oh my god! I know who she is!" She squealed almost giddily.

"What?" Gail huffed giving her friend a weird look. "How the hell would you know who she is?"

"I told you she looked familiar. Oh my gosh, I'm so stupid. How could I have not recognized her? I feel like Lois Lane." Traci chuckled shaking her head.

"Lois Lane's not stupid." Gail inserted.

"No she isn't, but she was fooled by the glasses and I was too. Unbelievable." Traci smiled widely obviously amused by the whole thing.

"You've officially lost me now Trace. I know I'm like seriously hungover, but you're not making much sense to me. If any." Gail sighed annoyed.

"Your Holly is Holly Stewart! The Hornets' goalkeeper." Traci informed excitedly. "She obviously wears contacts, when playing. What a great disguise – a pair of glasses!" She snorted finding the whole thing hilarious.

"Stewart? Why don't I remember playing against her? I'd remember her. Holly's.."

"Hot. So you said." Traci smirked a little. "Vancouver plays in another division. I don't think you've played against her yet?"

"I'm sure I haven't. I've heard of her though. She's good." Gail said. "Stewart." She whispered softly.

"She's great. She should totally change teams. Stewart is wasted guarding the net for the Hornets. Their team is struggling. They've sold a few players already. I wonder if Stewart is going to be sold? Maybe the Rockets will sign her." Traci winked.

"That would be fun. Not awkward at all." Gail said sarcastically "Oh my head.." She groaned pitifully as she closed her eyes.

"Whatever. You know who she is, so now you can apologize for being a brat." Traci said in no-nonsense tone.

"Maybe." Gail said evasively. "No shut your trap so I can get some sleep."

.

It had been two weeks since the Montreal tournament and Holly's life was about to take a new direction. She had signed a contract with the Toronto Rockets. She was packing up her things with her friend, roommate and teammate Chloe. Her chipper friend had also been able to transfer to Toronto.

"I'm so glad we're going together." Holly rubbed Chloe's arm gently.

"Me too." Chloe beamed. "Not to mention we get to play in the Rockets. Pretty awesome huh?"

"It really is." Holly nodded. "I'm just dreading.."

"Meeting Peck." Chloe finished for her. "I know."

"Yeah. We left things.. in a bad way. I shouldn't have fallen into bed with her. I don't do that! With her I did and it ended badly. I should have been more.. I don't know.. careful maybe? Gail was so sweet.. Well, until she wasn't. She obviously freaked out about.."

"Holls. The woman threw you out on your ass. Stop making excuses for her. You did what you had to do. You need to put it behind you. Forget the whole thing." Chloe interrupted Holly.

"I guess.. But now we're gonna be in the same team.. I'll see her almost every day!" Holly groaned.

"I get it. It sucks, but Holly you're a professional. She is a professional. You two don't have to get along to be in the same team and to strive for a common goal, okay? Just be nice and friendly as you always are. Or just ignore her. Or maybe use a combination of those?" Chloe squeezed Holly's arm gently.

"Right. Of course. I'll be civilized and friendly." Holly decided meeting her friend's eyes. "Unless she's bitchy, then I'll.. just ignore her?"

"Good." Chloe praised. "Not too friendly though. Just say hello and that's it."

"I can do that. Play soccer and be friendly, but keep my distance." Holly promised.

"Yay! We are going to Toronto to play! Not get caught up in some stupid drama. Besides it'll may just work out alright and you and Peck will become good friends."

"Right." Holly let out a laugh. "She hates me, so that's never gonna happen. And I'm not so fond of her either at the moment."

"Never say never." Chloe grinned. "Come on let's pack the rest of this stuff." She gestured to the empty boxes littering the floor.

.

The two women continued to pack their belongings in silence, which surprised Holly because Chloe was usually such a chatter box.

"Chloe?"

"Hmm?" Chloe lifted her gaze from the books she was piling up.

"Is something wrong? You're awfully quiet."

"No no.. I just.." The smaller brunette trailed off.

"What? Chloe just spit it out. What's on your mind?" Holly prompted with a small encouraging smile.

"Are you okay with us living together?" Chloe asked hesitantly.

"Of course I am. We've lived together for almost three years already." Holly smiled, but had a confused expression on her face. "We've always gotten along right?"

"Right. I just don't want to cramp your style or anything.. But I really love living with you Holls." Chloe met Holly's eyes.

"You're not cramping anything, Chloe. Come on." Holly hugged the smaller woman. "I love living with you too. Really. It'll be great."

"Yeah. Let's get this over with so we can head to Toronto." Chloe grinned, before she started rambling about Toronto and the sights in the city, before proceeding to rattle about their new teammates and their game statistics.

Holly smiled fondly, while half-heartedly listening to Chloe's continuous flood of words. This is going to work out. Chloe's with me. I'm not alone. And to be a member of a new team is exciting. To play in the Rockets. A real chance to play for the championship. It'll be great. I'll concentrate on the game and forget the rest, she concluded and tuned back into what her friend was blabbering on about.

.

It was a hot day in Toronto. The Rockets had had their morning training session normally. Sweaty women were heading towards their locker room inside the stadium. Everyone had a sports drink clutched in their hand, while they settled on their seats.

"It's hotter than hell out there." Gail snarled starting to yank her training jersey off.

"No stripping yet ladies!" Coach Oliver yelled from the hallway making Gail and a few other groan and stop undressing. "I have an announcement."

"You think he's going to tell us about the new goalkeeper?" Luck asked Traci.

"He probably is." Traci nodded as she sat down on the bench under her name. "How have you been holding up Jen?"

"It's been exhausting to be the only keeper. I'm glad, if we really have gotten someone." The goalkeeper shrugged. "Someone good."

"It's about time to get another goalkeeper. The season is starting in a few weeks! Whoever she is, she's gonna have to work hard to learn our playbook and everything." Gail said as she unlaced her bright yellow cleats.

"Okay! Listen up!" Oliver announced venturing in the room. "We have signed a goalkeeper. And a left forward. They'll be visiting today after evening practice. They'll meet you and I'll show them around the stadium. And Traci you'll brief them on all the rest, okay?" He said and Traci nodded.

"And yes, you all remember we have a training session at 7pm tonight? Not 7.30 like usual. We'll go over some new drills."

"So?" Gail gaped at their coach, who had started rattling about drills they'd be going through tonight.

"Yes Peck?" The coach questioned pausing his speech on speed training drills.

"The new players? Who are they?" Gail said impatiently.

"We need names." McNally agreed with a little grin.

"Right. Sorry." Oliver said sheepishly. "Chloe Price and Holly Stewart have signed with us. They're both from the Vancouver Hornets."

"We're getting Stewart?!" Traci shrieked in excitement not noticing Gail's slacked jaw.

"Stewart and Price. Yes." Oliver smiled widely. "I share your excitement." He chuckled.

"They'll start training tomorrow, but like I said I'll introduce you all tonight. Now hit the showers. I'll see you all later." Oliver gave a little wave, before leaving.

.

"Holly." Gail sputtered after the coach had gone. "Holly's coming here. She signed with us. Trace, Holly's one of us. He did say Holly? Holly Stewart right? My Holly?" She rambled with wide panicked eyes.

"Yes. Your Holly." Traci smirked to herself. "We got her! Isn't it great?"

"Great? Are you kidding me?" Gail snapped nervously. "I can't believe it.. My one-night stand, who I verbally attacked by the way, is now my teammate. How's that great?" She hissed.

"You should have called or e-mailed her like I told you to! How hard was it at least send a 'I'm sorry I was an a-hole' via Facebook?" Traci hissed back.

"Shit shit shit. I need to not see her." Gail shook her head anxiously. "I'm not ready. It's gonna be awkward. I'm not ready!"

"You can't avoid seeing her. She's your goalkeeper now." Traci said unsympathetically.

"I can avoid seeing her today. I'll just slip out.."

"Quit being stupid. She knows you'll be here! You're not running. You'll say hello and play nice." Traci admonished with a pointed finger trained at Gail's face. "I'm not letting you out of my sight just so you know." She narrowed her eyes at her friend.

"Oh gods, I think I'm gonna be sick." Gail took a couple of deep breaths. "What can I possible say to her?"

"You'll be fine." Traci soothed.

"Fine?" The blond hissed.

"What's the worse that could happen? She'll rip your hair out, spit on you, call you names, embarrass you in front of everybody, kick you in the shins.." She teased.

"Stop talking!" The blond snarled.

"Be like that." Traci huffed. "But you won't upset her in anyway. We need her."

"Yes we do." Gail agreed hanging her head.

"Don't pout trout." Traci teased.

"Don't pout trout?" Gail tried to look angry, but couldn't help the little grin on her lips.

"I know deep down you're happy to see her Gail. For weeks you've been wallowing. So now's your chance to do something about this." Traci patted the blond on her shoulder.

"Right.." Gail sighed. I just need to make it right, she thought cautiously. "Make it right with Holly." She said out loud.

"That's the spirit."

.

The evening practice was in full swing, when Oliver suddenly gave the reins to his assistant coach Epstein. The team got a well deserved break after a few more drills. Gail had been stressing all day. And now this was it. She was sure that the coach had gone to pick up Holly and this Chloe Price from the gate. Gail wanted to see Holly, but she really didn't want to see her. Talk about mixed emotions.. She regretted treating the brunette like she did. The blond had no idea how to make it right. How to apologize for the way she had behaved.

"Fucking Facebook.. I should have sent her a message." Gail muttered. "Now Holly's here and.."

"What's wrong with you?" Andy eyed Gail, who was nervously fidgeting next to her. "You're all.. antsy."

"None of your business McNally." Gail spat scowling. "So fuck off."

"Wow! Miss congeniality in the house." Andy scoffed in mock offence. She was used to Gail's abrasiveness. "Sorry I cared." She lifted her hands up.

"She's just eager to meet the newbies." Traci covered for Gail.

"Me too." Andy shifted in her spot deciding to accept the offered lame excuse. "I hear they're both great players, but especially Stewart is awesome. We're so lucky to have her! She'll be a great asset for us."

"Stewart is awesome." Gail imitated in a high-pitched voice. "You're in love with her already aren't you." She spat.

"Well, she is smoking hot." Andy sighed wistfully, before smirking gleefully as Gail face darkened. She had seen Gail and Holly smooching at the club in Montreal and knew that something had happened between them later that night. Something that now made Gail anxious and moody.

"Shut up or I'll.." Gail snarled as jealousy started burning inside her, despite the fact that Andy wasn't into girls. That Gail knew of anyway. And Gail really didn't even have the right to feel jealous did she. "Stop talking about her." She sent a pointed glare at Andy.

"Gail, calm down. Take a breath." Traci whispered in the blond's ear. "Don't lose your shit."

"Shit, I'm so nervous. I don't know what to say." Gail fretted quietly.

"Just say hello. You can talk to Holly later. In private."

"Hello, hello, hello.." Gail exhaled getting a weird look from Andy. Gail shot back a glare.

"Just say hello." Traci repeated. "Oh, there they come."

.

Holly strutted to the field with Chloe bouncing right next to her. Both women were all smiles, when they greeted assistant coach Epstein at the sideline. Numerous pairs of eyes followed the interaction. One pair of icy blues were latched on the taller brunette, taking in the woman dressed in baggy jeans, boots and the Rockets black and red team jersey.

"Our coaches are practically salivating." Traci joked. "And so are you." She added quietly to Gail.

"Yeah.." Gail hummed continuing to rake her eyes over their new goalkeeper. "Do you think she'll say something? To me. Maybe Holly wants to talk about what happened. I want to talk about it. Maybe."

"What happened?" McNally butted in.

"None of your business!" Gail all but roared making everyone flinch.

"Jeez! Haven't had your daily dose of cheese puffs I guess? Miss Cranky Pants." Andy snorted, but then turned her gaze up ahead seeing coach Shaw approaching with the two women.

Coach led Holly and Chloe from player to player introducing them.

"Hey, great to meet you Holly and Chloe. I can't wait to play with you two." Andy was all smiles and hugged both women. "I'm Andy. Andy McNally."

"Great to meet you Andy." Holly smiled.

"And this is Gail Peck. Our striker." Coach Shaw said as they stopped in front of the blond.

"We've met. Nice to see you again.. Peck." Holly nodded stiffly, briefly meeting Gail's eyes, until glancing at Chloe pleadingly.

"Awkward.." Chloe breathed. "Hey, Chloe Price." The smaller brunette quickly shook Gail's hand.

"Okay.." Oliver eyed the women curiously. "So.. Here's our team captain Traci Nash. She'll be showing you the ropes and all that later."

.

"Nice to see you again? Peck?" Gail hissed at Traci, when the coach had tugged the new players with him to show them their new home stadium. "What the hell does she mean by that? And what's up with that cold shoulder? And that tone? She barely looked at me! Andy got a hug! I got a glare." The blond ranted.

"Gail you were a bitch to her. You kicked her out into the night! What did you think she'd do? Fall at your feet? Your actions have consequences." Traci scoffed. "Holly's playing nice and civil, but obviously she wants nothing more to do with you." She harshly spelled it out. "Sorry."

"Well.. crap." The blond groaned as in pain. I want everything to do with her, she thought gloomily as her eyes followed Holly walking away.

.

Thanks for reading :)

A/N Next chapter up next week I hope!