After a wonderful night with Silky, which we spent going to dinner, dancing, and then going back to his room to spend the rest of it watching movies, we made up for lost time by talking while getting ready for sleep to come. I figured he didn't like going out when I was sick. Buzz refused to let anyone in the room and Bah wasn't going to let him stay home and sulk. That's how he got roped into going to every dance club and every normal bar.

He slept peacefully all night. I figured he hadn't slept like this at all in the nights I was gone. When I woke up, he had one arm around me and the other propped under his head. His hair was mussed from sleep. I didn't want to disturb him so I climbed from the bed.

I put his kettle on the stove and set it to boil. Why these guys never thought of getting a coffee pot I would never know. Jack was happily snoring in the other room. He had gotten in around four this morning and crashed immediately. I thought it was because he was getting over the girl from the rink.

That thought made me frown. The whistle of the kettle brought me back to reality. I poured a cup of coffee and ventured back to the doorway. Silky had rolled over onto his side and was facing me. The thin layer of flesh covering his eyelids fluttered for a moment but didn't open. I knew once they did, those green eyes would be full of sleep and that was awesome. He looked better bedraggled.

There was a knock at the door. I walked over, not even caring that I was in only a Boston t-shirt. If it was one of the boys, he wouldn't care. But I was not ready for Herb to be at the door. He merely raised his eyebrows at my attire but I didn't say a word. I stepped back out of the door and let him pass.

"Can I get you any coffee?" I asked as I moved back over to the kitchen.

"That would be nice." He replied and moved into the room. He looked around. "I don't see any of your stuff here."

"I only sleep here. Everything else is in the room I shared with Buzz." I handed him the mug and leaned against the counter. "What can I do for you, Herb?"

He took a sip of the coffee and looked at me. "Are you really going through with this?"

"Through with what?"

"Are you going through with this relationship with Silky?"

"I wouldn't say it's a relationship."

"Silky makes sure you're taken care of, more so than Buzzy."

"Buzz makes sure I'm taken care of. Even his wife says I'm one of the most important people on his list."

"Yeah, well, you've become the most important person in Silky's life. I wouldn't be surprised if something more happens between the two of you."

I frowned. "This isn't the reason you came to see me is it?"

"If there's one thing your cousin tells about you is it's your intuition. No, it's not. I want you to come to New York with us."

"I was already coming, Herb. Buzz is in the Olympics, remember."

"Not just as a spectator. I know you stayed here with Buzz when he tried out for the team and then made it. I also know you went to school here as well. Your major is sports medicine and I know you worked as an intern with the Penguins the summer before your senior year. I want you in the box with the boys in case something goes wrong."

"Is there something going on with Doc?"

"No. I just want someone else there. There are twenty guys. They trust Doc and I need someone else to trust with them. That's where you come in. they all know and trust you."

I bit my lip. He was offering me a top paying job with the Olympic team. The same team that I had bonded with these last seven months; that I considered my friends and brothers. "Does that mean that the entire Middle East is playing?"

"It does. We have three days to get to New York. I need to know if you're in."

"I'm in."

"Good." He pulled a boxed up gift from his brief case. "You'll need this. Consider it as a belated birthday gift."

"Thanks, Herb."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I followed him to the door and locked it behind him when he went out. I went back to the box and opened it. Inside there was a blue training suit with USA on the back. I turned it over and my name was embroidered on the front left side.

I couldn't help it. I squealed in delight and ran into the bedroom. The breath left Silky as soon as I jumped on him. He coughed then looked up at me, the sleep in his eyes evident.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Nine-thirty." I replied.

"Why are you getting me up? We don't have practice today."

I covered his mouth with my hand. "Silky, shut up for a moment. Herb was here."

"Herb was here? Why?" he asked around my hand.

"He came by to talk to me." His eyes widened. "No, not like that. He asked me to go to New York with you."

"You were already coming. Buzzy's playing."

"No, stupid. He's asked me to come as a trainer." I stopped and looked at him. He didn't get it. Then the smile erupted. "I'm going to New York as part of the team."

The smile that erupted on his face equaled mine. He sat up, holding me so I didn't fall off his bed. "You're part of the team?" I nodded happily. His hands spanned my face and he kissed me before pulling me down to lay with him. "My girlfriend's my trainer."

I laughed at that. "I guess I am."

He looked at me. "You're admitting to being my girlfriend?"

I thought about it then nodded. "Yep, I guess I am."

He did it again, a laugh escaping him. He laid back and stared at the ceiling as we talked most of the morning while staying in bed.