We swept Romania and West Germany like it was no tomorrow. I was really proud of the boys. All their hard work had paid off and they were celebrating in the best way they knew.

Silky pulled me aside after the West Germany game. He didn't say much but he told me to meet him at the fudge shop an hour after the game. I looked at Buzz. He only shrugged. He knew nothing of what was going on. But Jack and Rizzo did. They were all smiles.

I had my hands shoved in my pockets as I walked towards the fudge shop. It was a crisp night two days before they were supposed to play the Soviets. I wasn't sure how they were going to take it, not after Jack got hurt in the first game which they lost. I was hoping they could pull themselves together to give a decent game.

I rounded the corner to the fudge shop and found Silky waiting on me. He was rubbing his hands together and blowing on them to warm them up. The boy never wore gloves except when playing football and hockey. I told him he was going to lose them every time he went out. He always gave me a goofy look that gave away the twinkle in his eyes.

He looked up as I came to him. The kiss was warm and welcoming. We didn't talk as he took my hand and began leading me down the sidewalk. I had learned long ago not to ask where we were going. Even though he was a bad liar, he could keep a secret. He wouldn't tell me anything even if I asked a million times. When he wanted no one to know something, they wouldn't know anything. I was pretty good at getting him to talk about certain things, but this time was a no go.

As we passed, a few girls looked Silky up and down. I didn't say anything but I felt him pull me closer. His shyness made it easier for him to show girls he was with the person he wanted to be with. It felt good to be with someone.

I wasn't paying attention as we walked. The shops were bustling at night with all the people shopping and having fun with each other. I fell behind so Silky tugged me gently. I looked up at him. He was smiling at me. When he looked up over my shoulder, I had to look over.

We were standing in front of a little bed and breakfast. It was the same bed and breakfast I had seen when I walked through the other day on my little shopping spree. I had told him about it that night, not knowing if he even paid attention. This time of year, especially with the Olympics in town, it was a functioning hotel that served all the meals. I looked back at him. He only headed towards the building.

One of the ladies smiled when he told her his name. He had obviously made a reservation in advance. The lady led us to a nice table in the back. It had the plates and silverware already on it and there were two candles. Being the perfect gentleman, Silky held my chair out for me then scooted it up before taking his seat opposite me. We were given menus and a white wine. Silky knew what he wanted and ordered for us both. I could only stare at him in wonder.

When the waitress had gone and we were alone, he rested his elbows against the table, propped his chin on his hands and looked at me. I was still looking around the room, taking in the warm glow of the candles and the homely scents that were wafting around. I watched a young couple get engaged and the girl have a fit.

"Do you like it?" he asked suddenly.

I looked at him. "Do I like it? Silky, this place is wonderful, but how can you afford it?"

"The boys pitched in a little. They were worried about us not spending enough alone time together since we got here. After you told me you found this place, I told the boys and they decided tonight would be a good night, especially since tomorrow night we will all be quiet due to the game coming up."

I nodded, understanding completely. The entire team was nervous about playing the Soviets. Jack was more nervous than anyone because he hadn't played a lick in this tournament. He was itching to get back on the ice but Doc and I had to follow Herb's rules.

"You seem a little out of sorts." Silky said. He was looking at me as I zoned out.

"I'm nervous, Silk. Really nervous."

"We all are. We've come so far and yet we still have so far to go."

"You're a great team and I think you can go all the way, but what happens if you don't? what will that look like to all of us?"

"Min, we're in the Olympics. We're the best in the United States at what we do. That means something." I didn't look at him. "We were all chosen for our specialties. Jack for his defensive abilities and temper, Jimmy for his goalie status, Rizzo for his leadership, and you…" He took my hand. "You were chosen for your ability to calm the entire team down with your simple smile. Your degree in sports medicine helps but I don't think that's why Herb hired you exactly."

I had to smile at that. There was such sincerity on his face as he said it, it was impossible not to. I had a decent relationship with Herb and the fact that he hired me was a miracle in and of itself. I enjoyed my time I'd had with these guys and I didn't want it to end, but I knew it would.

We talked as we ate, every once in a while laughing at something the guys had said in the locker room. Not once did we mention where we would be living after the games were over. We never spoke about what we were going to do as a couple once everything was said and done. It didn't matter at the moment. All that did matter was that this was our time.

After dinner, we walked around the village in our own little world. it didn't matter that everyone was smiling at Silky telling him he was doing a good job in this tournament. I was his only concern, the only one who mattered at that moment.

At that moment, I was glad we hadn't decided to take this relationship a step further. I wasn't sure how comfortable we would have been at this moment. Now, I'm not naïve enough to think Silky hadn't thought about it. I knew he had and would in the beginning. I mean, seriously. He lives with nineteen other guys who had been working their butts off for seven months. They found pleasure with anyone. Silky hadn't said a word about it. My best guess was it was a mixture of shyness, being a gentleman, and the fact that he played on the same team as my cousin and best friend. That would stop anyone in their tracks.

Suddenly I slipped, falling hard to the ground. Silky's eyes were wide in shock. I started laughing so hard I was crying. He helped me up, laughing as much as I was. I wasn't much of a klutz but as I looked down, I saw I had stepped squarely on a patch of ice. My hip started to hurt really badly, which really wasn't uncommon after a fall like that. A few people asked me if I was okay. I could only nod while I was laughing.

We were still laughing as we returned to the dorms. The guys were surprised to see us laughing so hard we were crying. I flopped down on the couch beside Buzz and winced. He looked at me then turned to Silky. The other guy raised his hands in the I-didn't-do-it position.

"What did you do?" Bah asked.

That started a whole other round of hysterical laughing. Finally Silky got the story out when I couldn't. by the time I was done, my sides were hurting. Buzz had started laughing with me because he couldn't help himself. Bah was shaking his head in wonder but didn't say anything.

After that, we all lounged around and talked until we nearly passed out from exhaustion.