***Author's note: A gazillion thank yous to all the feedback I received from the last chapter. I know I was a real jerk for leaving it on a cliffhanger, but it had to be done (insert evil laugh). I was worried about how Caroline's incident would be received. I know it was a little jump the sharky, but I have a plan for it and don't worry it wont involve Sid retiring to take care of an ailing Caroline. As you will see, it serves a purpose. I hope to have Part II up soon, this chapter just ended up being super mammoth and had to be broken up. Thank you for your patience, note to self: don't write fan fiction during the playoffs. Whew, I want to get the chapters up quicker but man these games are like a full time job. So so stressful, but pulling for our guys, they gotta get it together. Go Pens!***

The Pittsburgh Penguins hold music really blew Sara thought as she paced the ER of UPMC's Presbyterian Hospital. She had talked to about five different people and been on hold for over 30 minutes. It was ridiculous really, but she was determined to get through. It had been sort of funny a few years ago when Caroline had asked Sara to be her emergency contact. That designation was for a family member or spouse, not a roommate you had just met six months prior. But Caroline didn't know a soul in Pittsburgh and with her parents two and a half hours away, using them as the contact kind of negated the "emergency" part. It was ironic really, Sara had been on her way to work when she got the call. The caller id indicated Presby, which at first irritated Sara because she wasn't late, why on earth would they be calling? But the call hadn't been to see where she was, it hadn't even come from the OR where she worked, instead it had come from a nurse in the emergency room notifying her that a Caroline Elizabeth Reid had been admitted. The nurse explained there had been an accident and the school had given the nurse Caroline's emergency contact information. The young woman was being seen by a doctor as they spoke. Sara told the nurse she would be there in 10 minutes and she was. Racing into the ER she saw a few familiar faces from the countless traumas she had been a part of over the years. Luckily Sara was able to get information pretty quickly. A contusion above her left eye that would need stitches and a larger wound on the back of her head that would require a few more. The concern though was the amount of blood loss and the possibility of a mild concussion. She had been unconscious for only a few minutes when the security guard had found her. Caroline had come to in the ambulance. She was disoriented and confused. The EMS worked had calmly explained that there was an accident and where she was headed. Caroline tried to ask more questions but the seasoned worker had kindly told her not to speak and just relax. She was going to be okay. Nothing some bandages and stiches couldn't take care of.

Sara had gotten to see her friend for just a few minutes. She had been pumped of pain medication on the ride over so she wasn't making much sense. Sara had held back the tears as she smiled at her friend, promising her everything would be okay and that she was here. She was shooed away moments later. The first call had been to Caroline's parents. They were frantic but calmed down after Sara explained everything. Both Michael and Wendy were on their way to get to their only daughter. Next came the trickier call. Sara was sure Caroline would have all sorts of opinions about Sara calling Sid. He was in the middle of a game. She could just hear her friend agonizing over "not wanting to bother him" or "it's not that bad, we can call him later." Fuck that. He was her boyfriend, her serious boyfriend. He needed to know immediately.

So that's where she was. Telling her story over and over to every level of management at the CONSOL, trying to get a message to Sid in the middle of the playoffs that his girlfriend was in the emergency room less than two miles away. Finally the music cut off and a voice came on the line, asking her to tell her story one more time.

"My name is Sara Falco. I am a friend of Sidney Crosby's girlfriend Caroline Reid. She had been in an accident and I need to get a message to Sid immediately. No I am not fucking joking. I need to get a message to Sidney. I'm not asking for you to pull him off the ice and put him on the phone, just write down the god damn message and give it to him. I'm sorry, no ma'am I don't mean to be disrespectful. I am just very upset. Yes, I'll hold."

Sara wanted to throw the phone across the room, but she was already pushing it with making the call. The ironic part was that the game was being played on a small TV in the upper corner of the room. Sara watched as Sid scored his second goal and watched as he celebrated with his teammates. Finally a voice came on the line. It was someone from the front office with an official sounding title. Sara took a deep breath and calmly re-explained her story. "Please just give him this message." she begged and finally she was reassured he would be contacted immediately.

Ending the call she turned to the television. There was six minutes left in the 2nd period and so she waited.

Sid blinked and time stopped.

"Anything we can do son, just let us know."

This wasn't happening. He must have misheard Ray. The hospital? They must have another Caroline Reid. She had a common name. She wasn't in the hospital, she was in the stands. She was here, at the CONSOL. She was probably sitting with his parents who had arrived just hours before the puck dropped.

"There must be some kind of mistake." his voice hollow.

Ray looked confused then sorrowful. "I'm sorry, I don't think there is." He handed Sid the piece of paper with the message. It looked small and foreign in his gloved hands. But the words were there. Caroline in an accidnet, at Presbyterian hospital. Sara Falco 555-5621.

Time resumed.

"I have to go." he said staring at the paper. Then he looked up at Ray, "I have to go."

Ray looked alarmed.

"Sid..."

"No. You don't tell me this then expect me to go back on the ice. I won't. I'm sorry, I have to go."

Sid turned and walked into the locker room. His teammates sat retaping sticks and chatting amongst themselves. The mood was light with the comfortable lead they were holding onto. Sid made his way to his stall and sat down. He pulled off his jersey, then unclipped his pads. He was like a robot. And he didn't say a word.

It wasn't until he started unlacing his skates that some of the guys realized what was happening.

"What are you doing man?" asked Brandon Sutter to his right.

"I have to leave. Caroline's hurt. She's at the hospital." Sid said, his fingers loosening the laces on his skates.

"We're in the middle of a game," James Neal said confused.

Sid stopped what he was doing and looked at his teammate.

"I don't care. I have to go." At this point the whole team had gone quiet looking at their captain with a mix of confusion and concern.

"You don't care?" Neal responded his tone sharp as he stood and stormed towards Sid, "This is the fucking playoffs man; you better fucking care."

Sid didn't flinch, he barely even registered the aggression of his teammate, his mind was running in a thousand different directions.

"Hey man," Craig Adams jumped from his seat and put his hand on Nealer's shoulder. "Calm down, she's in the hospital, its gotta be serious."

James shrugged off his teammate and sat back down with a petulant look on his face.

Sid scanned the room, his eyes were wild. He found it hard to focus. "I don't know anything. I just know that she's in the hospital and I have to be there. It's an emergency, I'm sorry guys, I have to go…I have to."

From across the room, Sidney could see Ray talking to Dan. The head coach was waving his arms animatedly as Ray tried to calm him down.

Sid finally focused on his team. "I can't stay, please don't ask me to go back out there…" and before he could stop it, his voice caught on a lump of emotion that had lodged itself in his throat.

Suddenly Evgeni Malkin stood and walked towards his friend and teammate. He put his hand on Sid's shoulder.

"Don't worry Sid, we got this."

Sid looked up, his eyes bright and his face washed in gratitude.

The other guys nodded, even Nealsy and in minutes Sid was out of his uniform and in his warm up gear ready to go.

Nathalie met him in the hallway and looked at Sid with concern, "I'll drive you."

He nodded and they were on their way.

The five minute drive felt like five hours. Sid stared out the window and bounced his left leg at a rapid speed. His mind was in a million places. He punched in Sara's number and waited with baited breath for her to pick up. She answered on the 3rd ring. She explained that Caroline was found hurt in the school parking lot, they think she had been mugged. Her purse and wallet were dumped out beside her. She had a head wound the doctors had stitched up in the ER as well as a cut on her forehead. She was banged up and had lost a lot of blood. The doctors were concerned she had a mild concussion and would be keeping her overnight for observation. She had moved from the ER to a room and was resting comfortably. She was relieved that he had gotten the message and gave Sid Caroline's room number. Just as he ended the call the bright red and white lights of the ER came into view and Sid had the door open before Nathalie could even bring the car to a complete stop.

"I'll see you in th-" but he was gone before she could even finish her sentence.

He raced through the ER, keeping his head down and his hat slung low over his eyes. Although it didn't help that he was dressed in Pens gear from head to toe. He spoke quietly to the nurse at the nursing station and ignored how wide her eyes got when he spoke to her. Her eyes flickered to the TV behind him, as she shakily directed him to the row of elevators leading to the wing of the hospital where Caroline had been sent. If the car ride seemed long, the elevator ride was excruciating. His mind was all over the place. Mugged. Did they hit her? The sheer idea of it made him feel like punching something and vomiting at the same time. All her could think as the elevator ticked up the floors one by one was how scared she must have felt. And then the feeling of dread blossomed in the pit of his stomach as a thought struck him. Did they know who she was? Did they think because of her affiliation with him that she would be a good target? That she would have a lot of money? The dread turned to guilt as the elevator doors opened on her floor. He navigated quickly through the halls until he came to a nursing station. He asked the attendant where he could find room 3107 and the older, severe looking woman eyed him critically.

"Are you family?"

"I'm sorry?" he asked confused.

"Are you a family member of…" she looked over at the name board, "Mr. Reid's?"

"Miss Reid," he corrected. "No, I'm not but I need to see her immediately, I'm her boyfriend."

The woman's face remained frozen, "I'm sorry sir, only family are allowed in the room."

Sid was about five seconds from losing it. He hadn't gotten this far only to be turned away. He absolutely never played the celebrity card and to be honest wasn't sure if it would fly in a hospital, but he would try, at this point he would try anything.

But before he could speak, a voice echoed in the hallway.

"Sidney Crosby."

He turned to see an older man, a doctor coming towards him with a wide smile on his face. It took Sid a few moments until he realized he knew this man. Dr. Tolan had been on a team Sid had met with a few times when he first got his concussion. The older man was very outgoing and told terrible jokes, but a good doctor.

"Dr. Tolan," Sid said, relieved that he was able to come up with the doctor's name. Not wasting any time Sid plead his case to the man.

Giving Sid a sympathetic look, Dr. Tolan turned to the nurse, "Thank you Nancy, but we can make an exception for Mr. Crosby, under my authorization."

The stern nurse looked put out but nodded and pointed Sid in the right direction.

Moments later he found her room. His heart was beating a mile a minute and he mentally prepared himself for the worst. He pushed through and entered the room.

Tears sprang to his eyes immediately. She was alone. It was quiet, except for the beeping of the monitors. Caroline lay in the hospital bed, a white bandage wrapped around her head like a head band, her hair hanging limply around her shoulders. Her eyes were closed and Sid could see the large bruise covering her left eye and cheek. A bandage was positioned just above her eye and she had a scrape on her chin.

Sid walked slowly and quietly toward her and fell into the seat beside her bed. Immediately his hand sought hers and he wrapped his fingers around hers. His eyes raked over her, taking in everything. The bruise was dark and purple, her cheek swollen. He sat there holding her hand and just staring. He marveled at how quickly things can change. Just 24 hours ago he was frustrated and upset over something so trivial. All of that just seemed so pointless now.

He leaned towards her, "I'm here, Care. I love you. I love you so much," he whispered.

She stirred.

Sid watched as Caroline's eyes fluttered, then her big, brown eyes were on his, albeit sleepy and a little confused.

"Sid?" her voice was hoarse and shaky.

"I'm here Care, shhh, its ok."

Her mouth trembled and her eyes instantly filled with tears.

"Oh Care, please don't cry. You're ok, I promise." He said soothingly, his large hand caressing the good side of her face. Gingerly he moved towards her and ever so lightly pressed his mouth to hers in the softest of kisses. Her lips were dry and cool, but sweet all the same. He sat back in his chair and smiled encouragingly at her. "You're going to be good as new."

Caroline's hand left his and reached up to her face, her fingers brushing the bruised skin. "It looks pretty bad, doesn't it?" she asked timidly.

Sid swallowed. "No, it's not that bad."

Caroline gave a weak smile, "Liar."

Sid took Caroline's hand back. "You are still my beautiful girl."

Her eyes filled again and she smiled, the tears spilling over and down her cheeks, "I'm really glad your here." she said sniffling, the back of her free hand swiping as her nose.

Sidney squeezed her hand. "I am too."

She gave a weak smile and closed her eyes for just a moment. Then they flew open in alarm.

"Oh Sid your game…" her eyes flickered to the TV that sat in the corner turned off.

"Don't worry about that, I'm right where I need to be." Sid said resolutely. He paused, then forged ahead, "Caroline, did they…did they…hit you?" He found himself nearly unable to ask the question and more so too afraid of the answer.

She shook her head quickly and a wave of relief washed over him and he continued, "What happened?"

She swallowed noticeably and then began telling Sid about the events earlier. She told him about the boys and how they had yelled at her, how they had pushed her around and went through her purse. How she had been shoved and she lost her footing crashing into the mirror and falling to the ground. Everything after that was cloudy. She had explained it all to the policeman in the ER when she was getting her stitches put in.

"Do you think they knew who you were?" Sid asked directly and Caroline didn't need him to clarify. He looked at her with apprehension and she just couldn't tell him the truth.

She shook her head, "No, I don't think so."

Before he could ask any more questions a commotion came through the door. Sid turned to see Sara and Nathalie, along with Troy and Trina enter the room. They were all talking animatedly and Sid turned back to Caroline to make sure she was ok with the disruption. She gave a weak smile and then winced, her hand coming up to her head, the persistent throbbing in her head aggravated by the noise.

"Hey!" Sid was up like a shot and headed towards the crowd. "Hey, hey, keep it down. Caroline needs rest, I know you want to see her. But let's just give her a second ok?" Sid maneuvered himself between the new visitors and Caroline, ushering them out and back into the hallway. "One at a time maybe?" Sid asked.

Troy, pushed to the back of the line, shouted out to his son, "We won Sid, 8-4!"

Sid smiled, "That's great dad. I'll be out in a little bit."

Sid turned back to Caroline, "Sorry about that."

But she was just looking at him adoringly, grateful for his interception. "Thanks," she said softly.

He sat back down and stared at his hands, "Listen, Care. About last night…" he trailed off, not certain how far to get into this right now. She had to know though, that he felt awful.

Caroline reached her hand over to his and spoke softly, "I don't want to talk about it, not now. Ok?"

Sid nodded but the air had shifted. Awkwardness setting in.

Luckily they were saved by the arrival of the doctor. Sid was relieved to see that it was Dr. Tolan.

"Hello there little lady, oh and hi there too Miss Reid." The doctor laughed a hearty laugh at his lame joke and gave Sid a nudge. "Did this guy warn you about me, huh?" Caroline smiled a polite smile and shook her head. Sid just stood behind the doctor giving Caroline a "I'm really sorry this guy is ridiculous" look as Dr. Tolan laughed nervously and continued on. He explained to Caroline the concern about the mild concussion. He explained how the brain works and the impact of the fall. What symptoms to look out for and when to know if you are in the clear. Caroline nodded, while Dr. Tolan's words brought Sid back memories he'd rather not remember. Dr. Tolan grabbed Sid's weak shoulder and jostled him around a bit. Sid grimaced but the doctor took no notice, "This guy knows what I am talking about right?"

Sid just smiled and gave a weak, "yeah."

Caroline cleared her throat, "Um, doctor. When will I be ok to go back to work?"

The doctor paused and looked at Caroline's chart.

"You're not going back." Sid's voice piped in from behind the doctor and her eyes flew to his.

"Wha…what?" Caroline's voice was shaky.

Sid stood, his arms crossed in front of his broad chest. "Care, you're not going back there."

Caroline's eyes darted nervously from the doctor then back to Sid. "I'm fine, Sid. It was just an accident."

"It's dangerous."

"It's not…" she started to protest.

"You were attacked, Caroline." Sid said tightly.

Dr. Tolan may have lame jokes, but he knew when to make an exit. He broke up the conversation with the some final instructions for Caroline and a follow up appointment for Monday. Going back to work would be dependent on how things went Monday. Then with a nod to Sid, he walked out.

Caroline looked out the window, frustrated with the turn of the conversation. Who was he to decide what she could and couldn't do?

"Care," Sid started, his voice more gentle than before. "It's not safe. You are… in a position where you wouldn't have to work. I can take care of you. I want to take care of you. What if something else happens? It's a dangerous neighborhood."

Caroline finally looked at him, "I can't believe you," she said frowning. "You don't get to decide for me. If you have concerns fine. We will discuss them, but I don't need you dictating my life while you go off and do whatever you want."

Sid stared at Caroline, was she serious? "Go off and do what I want?" he asked incredulously. "I'm here aren't I? You are my number one priority. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, that's not dictating your life, that's me taking care of you. Forgive me if that means not wanting you hurt, Caroline this could have been so much worse."

"Yeah, I know," she responded quickly, "I was there."

The two were at a standstill when the sound of voices carried into the room. Sid was ready to turn and send them away when the faces of Michael and Wendy Reid appeared. Caroline's face crumpled at the sight of them and they rushed to their daughter's side. Sid stood and scooted away from the bed to give the family their space.

He needed to get some air anyway.