Chapter 17

A/N As always, thanks to all who have read and reviewed, your comments encourage and inspire.

The day of the Del Mar contest dawned bright and clear. The kind of day that confirms what the world thinks of California. A day full of blonds and sunshine and promise. Stacy arrived in one of his striped shirts, white jeans and Vans, fitting right into the scenario. Alex followed him out to his car, blinking in the morning sunlight.

"So are you nervous?" she asked scanning his face.

"Nah, not really," Stacy exhaled, "I been practicing, I know I can do pretty good; it's just that it feels weird not to be part of the team. Besides, it's about a two hour drive down to Del Mar, I got plenty time to worry."

"I know you're gonna rock this competition," Alex reached over and squeezed Stacy's knee encouragingly. "Two hour drive, huh? I think any good cheerleader could keep your spirits up for that long, but we're gonna need donuts and coffee to keep up my energy level."

"That we can do," Stacy said pulling into a donut shop for supplies. "I'm sorry I've been all about work and practice for awhile, didn't mean to ignore you." Stacy wrapped his arms around her waist while standing behind her in line.

"That's OK, I'm feeling much less ignored now," Alex said contentedly reaching back to stroke the side of his face as he snuggled his chin into her shoulder.

"After I finish this contest…."

"After you win this contest, positive thinking – you know, rah rah" Alex interjected.

"Alright, if you say so, after I win this contest, I promise I'll make it up to you. What would you like?" Stacy asked.

"What would I like you to do? You mean to make it up to me?" Alex flustered at such a direct question.

"Umm, I kinda meant what kind of donut, let's start with that," Stacy laughed at her confusion and nodded his head toward the waiting donut clerk.

"OH! Glazed, please and coffee with half & half." Alex shook her head and laughed, thankful she hadn't blurted out any of the X rated answers she was thinking Stacy could do to make it up to her.

"Hey you're blushing! Cut that out, that's my move!" Stacy teased. "Hmm…what could you have been thinking?"

"Until this contest is over buddy, you're an athlete in training; no fraternizing with the cheerleaders!"

"Yes Ma'am! Back to driving then," Stacy checked his watch while getting back in the car.

"We gonna be in time?" Alex hoped her breakfast break wasn't going to make them late.

"Sure, just figuring how many hours before we can fraternize," Stacy winked at her.

Del Mar

They pulled into a real carnival atmosphere, kids and parents, balloons, lots of people sitting on hay bales, middle of the road music crackling through tinny speakers. The only thing marring the ambiance as they walked towards the contestants check in table was some pushing and shoving by some registrants, apparently line jumpers. Everything seemed copasetic by the time they signed in though, and Stacy got his official number, # 747 like the plane. Alex considered that a good omen, he was going to take off. "Come on" he said grabbing her hand excitedly, "let's go check out the competition warming up."

Passing by a large flat section of urethane coated plywood, Stacy whistled through his teeth; "Not a bank or bump in sight, not what we're used to. That's OK though, I been practicing a lot of 360's, that should do me right."

Alex was impressed with Stacy's focus on the matter at hand; he had thought it through, practiced and now he was going to do well. Skip's dismissal of him was completely wrong; Alex could feel it in her bones. It was like when she watched great rock bands, they knew they had the goods, whether or not you had ever heard their song before, they knew they were gonna rock you.

They heard a familiar voice behind them confirming Stacy's thoughts: "What are we gonna do with this fucking tabletop?" Red Dog wondered. They were adrift in Z-Boys suddenly, each welcoming Stacy as a brother pirate.

Stacy and Alex took their places on the hay bales on the edge of the Zephyr riders, Stacy included in all but team shirt. The contest started off with other great skaters, but their style was total kook- old school tricks and gymnastics. Jay was the first Z-Boy up, and from the opening notes of Black Sabbath's Iron Man, the crowd was on notice they were in for something new.

Stacy leaned into Alex's ear giving running commentary; "Jay's incredible! I've never even seen him do some of that stuff before. He just goes with his own flow."

Next came Tony, riding with an intensity only he could manage, Berts, 360's you name it, he did it with style. Amid all the whoops and hollers of the crowd, the judges had to grudgingly put him into first place.

Then it was Stacy's turn. Giving Alex a tight smile and her thigh a quick squeeze, he started his well rehearsed routine with his own brand of intensity and polish. It was yet another run that appeared flawless and very well received by the crowd, inspiring the judges to move him into a tie with Tony for first place. He skated off and into the cheers of the Zephyr team.

In the midst of all the congratulations, an official barged up to Stacy and said "You're disqualified! You touched the course with your hand."

Stacy argued his case rationally, noting that everybody touched the course. Tony on the other hand, flipped out and started screaming at the official, insults were exchanged, punches flew, Skip joined in; and when the dust cleared Tony was out, Stacy stayed in.

Just as Alex had hoped and expected, Stacy won first place in the free style competition. You could tell by the light that shone in his eyes and smile that he felt vindicated as he accepted his trophy. Jay stayed true to character too, nabbing a third place trophy for his innovative run and promptly grabbing the trophy girl for a big kiss.

But for Stacy the best was yet to come. After the contest Skip himself complimented Stacy on his ride and asked if he wanted to get something to eat with the team. At least that's how Alex heard it and it seemed simple enough. But Stacy got in the car elated, not about winning mind you, but about being called 'bro' by an overaged, burnout surfer. Boys and their bonding rituals, she thought bemusedly. Dinner at some local diner with the team brought even sweeter vindication in the form of the coveted dark blue Zephyr team shirt. Stacy had at last been pronounced a 'pirate' by Skip.

The ride home flew by thanks to Stacy's high spirits and a new mix tape he sheepishly debuted as Winners Circle Songs. When they pulled up to Alex's house he said "This day has been too good to end, I just want it go on and on. You up for continuing the party?"

"I was hoping you'd say that. Come on in, I got something just for this occasion." Alex said leading him into the house.

"Oh please, please God, let it be the cheerleader outfit," Stacy giggled under his breath.

"Well it's bubbly and fun, but sorry the cheerleader thing wasn't exactly literal."

"Bum me out why don't you?" Stacy groused while Alex disappeared into the kitchen.

She returned carrying a chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses. "The drink of champions, I believe."

"Wow, no one ever bought me champagne before, you were sure enough about me to go and do that?" Stacy held her hips and looked into her eyes, genuinely touched.

"I told you that you were as good or better than any skater I had ever seen, pirate or not," She smiled up into his eyes and took a step closer.

Stacy softly caressed her cheek, sliding his hand into her hair and pulling her lips to his. This kiss was different than the ones before; soft and lingering yet yearning for more as his tongue gently parted her lips then slowly explored her willing mouth. After what seemed both like just an instant and a lifetime, their mouths parted leaving Alex reeling. She recovered her senses enough to say, "Anyway, if by some miscarriage of justice, you hadn't won, I figured I could still get you drunk and take advantage of you."

"And it would be ungentlemanly of me to upset a lady's plans!" He looked around for somewhere to sit.

"Come out on the patio, I did manage to buy one new piece of furniture." Alex led him out to her new purchase – a hammock. "Couches were a bit hard to transport without a car but voila! Hammocks you can roll up and take with you."

"Looks comfy to me, so long as we both fit on it." POP! Stacy poured them each a bubbling glass of champagne.

"Here's to the Bahne-Cadillac Freestyle Champion," toasted Alex.

Stacy clinked glasses, "And to my lovely cheerleader, with or without her uniform," waggling his eyebrows.

They sat down hip to hip on the hammock, which doing what it's supposed to do, pushed them together. Stacy put an arm around her and gave an experimental push with his foot, rocking them gently. "Hey this is pretty cool, but if we're gonna be this mashed together I think we should stretch out."

They lay down side by side, careful not to flip the hammock as they got in. "Getting dumped on the ground would be a definite mood killer," Alex said, nose to nose with Stacy.

"Actually, I think it would take more than that to wreck my mood," Stacy noted putting light kisses on her eyelids, nose and working his way back to her lips. His hand roamed up and down her torso exploring the curves of her chest and hips, eliciting a shiver from Alex. "Are you cold? Do you want a jacket or something?" Stacy asked knowing that wasn't the case.

"No, definitely no jackets, but why don't we take this inside and make it a pajama party?" Alex suggested.

By way of an answer Stacy moved atop her, kissing her long and deep. "Of course, a good night's sleep is important for an athlete."

"Yeah, so you can get that tomorrow," Alex said pulling him towards the door.