katydid13: Thank you

Brown eyed Girl 75: It's a whole bunch of fluff this chapter! You'll love it. Thank you SO much for all your help with this chapter, I couldn't have done it without you

rejazzz: I do it so that you're always anxious to read more! Here is more

ooOoo

When cruelty comes with blind indifference, my humanity becomes the best defence. But if you consider the alternative, I really didn't have that much to give.

My Apology- Great Big Sea

ooOoo

His expression didn't shock me at all. It was a mixture of surprise, guilt, and confusion. I wasn't supposed to be back here, let alone in the medic station being treated for exposure. I'm sure that when Doc told them I was here, he'd had to do a double take.

"What are you doing here?"

I put the cup down beside me. "I came to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"This is my fault, Craig. I… I never meant to jerk you around. You don't deserve it."

His brow furrowed.

"After Gary died, and you found me in tears and all that, and what happened after… it, it wasn't fair to you."

"You were dealing with something extremely difficult, Vivianne. Something no one should have to go through on their own. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."

"No it shouldn't, Craig," I insisted again. "I was wrong. It was horrible of me to treat you the way I did."

"I don't understand…"

"It was right in front of you, Craig, and you still didn't see it," I reasoned. "It was like doing the tango. I want you, but I can't, it's okay to touch me, now it's not, and no one deserves to be treated like that."

He said nothing.

"And if that wasn't enough, I left you guys when you needed me the most! It was despicable for me to do so. I wouldn't have come back if I hadn't been threatened within an inch of my life! I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with you again…. I just couldn't face you…"

"Why?"

"Because I love you," I continued, not really knowing what I'd said. "Look, if I had come back and told you, what would I have said? I'm sorry I'm not good enough for you?"

Craig blinked. "What did you say?"

"I'm not good enough for you?"

"No," he stepped toward me and ran a knuckle down my cheek. "Before that, what did you say?"

My eyes closed at the shiver his touch sent through my body.

"I said I'm in love with you…" I whispered.

His eyes went wide.

"Which I shouldn't have said, I mean there's no possible way there could be anything between us, it just isn't right, we're too different and…."

I was interrupted by his lips pressed against mine. Pulling away, I felt a little flush in the face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," he quipped, grinning at me. "What did you say?"

"Do that again…" I was breathless.

Grinning again, he pressed his lips to mine. Intoxicated with the scent of his aftershave, I nearly forgot that we were standing in a medic station. Granted, it was two in the morning, and hardly anyone else was there, and at that point… I didn't care. His kiss was skilled, soft, and reassuring.

Breaking apart, I looked him square in the eye.

"Craig, I'm so sorry," I tapped him on the lapel. "Can you forgive me?"

He smiled, and kissed me again. "Does that answer your question?"

Tears were forming in the corner of my eyes. It felt wonderful to know that he could forgive me, and still hold me in his arms as though I were the only woman in the world, but it still left me with burning questions. Was I the woman he really wanted? Was I worth potential heartbreak? Was I worthy of him, as a person? Could Craig Patrick really love me, Vivianne Hallett, as a person?

I felt him wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. At this physical contact, I nearly melted into him. Laying my head on his chest as we stood there, alone together, I breathed in his aftershave again. It smelled of mint leaves, a scent I'd loved from when I was a little girl.

I heard the door open, and someone step into the room. I did not see who it was, though they left as quickly and as quietly as they had come. But at this point in time, I did not care.

ooOoo

Dr. George Nagobads smiled to himself as he quietly peaking around the corner. There stood none other than Craig Patrick and Vivianne Hallett, nose to nose in conversation. Deciding not to interrupt, he laid the blankets on the table and made his way out again.

"How's she doing, Doc?" Herb asked him. Though he had not seen Vivianne yet that night, he was worried. Upon hearing that she was at the arena, but had been denied access and had had to sit outside in the cold for seven hours, he couldn't help but worry.

Smiling, the only words he knew Herb would be willing to hear were "She's warm enough."

ooOoo

Craig and I must have stood there in silence for at least ten minutes. If not for him holding me up I think I would have fallen asleep, I was that tired.

"What do you say we head on out of here?" he asked me.

"Don't you have paperwork to finish?"

He made a popping sound. "Finished it a while ago. I just decided to stick around in case Herb needed some help."

"Since when has Herb Brooks ever needed help?"

"Hey, them's fightin' words," he chuckled. "I might have to carry you out of here over my shoulder for that."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Already you want me in bed, do you?"

He smirked.

"I'm kidding. You're not getting into my pants that easily…"

"I'm only smirking at you because I can, Vivianne," he kissed my cheek.

"Don't wind me up like that…" I shook my head, checking my watch. "It's nearly three in the morning. What the hell are we still doing here?"

"As I said, I think we should head out," Craig offered me his arm. "Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?"

"Someone's couch, more than likely," I answered. This was probably more than true. Every hotel in the city was probably booked solid, and the dorms in the Olympic Village were probably full too. If I was going to sleep anywhere tonight, I'd either be on someone's couch, or someone's floor. Whichever came first, it didn't matter to me.

"My couch is open, if you want it," he told me.

Taking his arm, I looked at him with a confused eye.

"How are you going to manage that ? Aren't the dorms segregated?" Not to mention the dorms were horrible as all could be. They were cramped, cold, and overcrowded.

"Not for those who have their significant others on the coaching staff."

"What?" I shook my head. "Come on, Craig, no one is going to buy that!"

"It's an idea, no one said it was definite."

Smiling, I shook my head again as we walked. "It's better not to risk it. Don't worry about me, I'll be alright. I'll find somewhere to sleep."

And find a place I did. Granted, it wasn't comfortable at all. I slept in the hallway by the entrance to the dormitories on Craig's jacket and underneath a blanket I'd found in a storage closet. There were only a few days before the final against Finland, and Herb did not want distractions.

Perhaps it would be better if the team did not know I was there until the end of the game. If they couldn't see me and no one told me I was actually back in Lake Placid, there was no need for distraction. I fully intended to watch the game, certainly, but I also intended to stay well hidden.

The arena was even more packed the day I hid myself in the crowd. Close enough to the ice to see them, but far enough away so they would not notice me.

The easiest way to do this was for me to wake up earlier than anyone else and make my way to the arena. What I didn't expect was to run into Herb Brooks, already dressed and pacing, when I got there.

I got in the door and was making my way toward the bathroom when Herb just happened to walk by me.

"Vivianne?"

I stopped and turned around. "Hello Herb…"

"What are you doing here this early?" he asked as he shook my hand.

"I don't want the boys distracted but I still want to watch the game. If I'm here, and hidden, they won't see me. I'd rather keep it that way till the end."

He nodded, turned, and began to walk away.

"Good luck!" I called after him.

"We're certainly going to need it," I heard him mumble before he disappeared.