Nobody spoke on the flight home. Shell shocked, it was hard to believe that the season was over. It didn't seem right. There would be no celebration on the ice, Caroline in his arms rejoicing his ultimate success. There would be no parade, no day with Stanley, nothing. All they'd been through over the past year and for it all to be over in just a span of a week, well it was heart breaking. Sid could hardly believe it as he took questions from the media afterwards. His parents waited outside the locker room and when he emerged, his father just looked at him and muttered "next year." Truth was everyone was just tired. There could have been a blow up, there could have been arguments of what went wrong, who failed to step up. Was it coaching, was it the superstars, was it Flower? In the end all it was was four loses and the end of a season. There would be a summer worth of figuring out what went wrong, who could have done what, but for right now there was just silence.

Sid dragged himself up the front walkway of her house and rapped lightly at the door. It was after midnight on a Sunday, but he didn't want to go home alone. His parents would meet him back in Pittsburgh to wrap up loose ends, then he would start him summer a lot earlier than expected. What that meant was figuring out how he and Caroline would make it work. He'd head out to California pretty soon, then a few trips to Cole Harbour and the clinics around the country. If he had his way, he's bring her along, but he knew that wasn't realistic. He'd never been with someone long term in the summer. His life turned even more nomadic in the summer time and juggling a serious relationship was going to be more difficult that during the season.

It was a moment or two and the door opened. Clad in shorts and t-shirt, Caroline stood in front of him. She gave him a sad smile and held out her arms. He fell into them immediately, his head buried into the crook of her neck as she just held him, her hands running over his hair, soothing him, as she whispered affirmations in his ear, assuring him that she was there for him, no matter how disappointed he was.

They didn't speak much, he shed his clothes the moment he came to her bedroom and crawled into bed in only his boxer briefs. Caroline climbed in beside him and burrowed in. Closing his arms around her, he breathed into the crown of her head and waited for sleep to come.

It didn't.

Finally he spoke into the darkness, "Care, are you awake?" He felt her nod before she spoke.

"Yeah," she responded quietly, sleep no easy for her either, despite her exhaustion.

"Will you do me a favor?"

He had a razor he kept at her place. Perched on her toilet seat, he sat his face covered in her lavender scented shaving cream. Caroline hunched over him, razor in hand, her eyes set nervously on his chin. "I don't want to cut you," she spoke softly.

"You won't" he simply said.

She was careful as she dragged the razor across his cheek, then dunked it in the sink filled with water. In less than fifteen minutes, she was done and he was clean shaven once again.

"Thanks," he said, rubbing his hand across his smooth cheek.

She just nodded and ran her hand up and across his forehead, brushing the shaggy strands away.

They didn't have sex. He held her, wanting to, but it just didn't seem like the right time. When he'd lost in '10, he'd fucked Lila's brains out after the game. They'd met up in his hotel room and he'd spent hours pouring out his frustrations on her and she took them with pleasure. With this disappointment, he just wanted to hold her. Know that she was there. No matter how bad things were between them, they could push it to the side and just be there for one another.

But she was gone in the morning. He slept until after ten, catching up on the hours he'd lost over the past few weeks. When he woke he just lay there, uncertain what to do with himself. He'd hoped Caroline would have called in sick or something, but honestly it was unrealistic. The world didn't stop just because his season was over. Life continued. Tomorrow would be locker clean out, today was a day of rest and catching up. There were a ton of people that wanted to talk to him, start pointing fingers, but he just didn't have the energy for it. Instead he sat on Caroline's couch eating an entire box of Special K and watching the History Channel. He didn't want to even see a hockey stick, let alone watch highlights (or in his case lowlights of last night's game). Around 2 o'clock he finally looked at his phone. Weeding through the messages, he saw his mom's, asking him if he wanted to go over things at the Sewickley house. They would be heading up to Cole Harbour in the next day or so. He didn't really want to do that, but it was better than lying around in his pity party of one. Gathering his things, he headed back to his condo to shower and regroup. He stopped at his favorite Sports Cuts in Sewickley and pulled up to his residence shorn and shaven, as if the playoffs had never happened.

He sat through analysis with his father for a good two hours. It was the last thing he wanted but he knew Troy was chomping at the bit to figure out what had gone wrong. In the end, Montreal was just the better team. They had the Pens figured out. There wasn't much more to say after that.

Sid texted Caroline to have them join his family for dinner at the Sewickley house and moments later she replied with a yes.

Trina made a feast. Baked chicken and mashed potatoes, oyster stuffing, corn casserole. green beans, homemade rolls and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was halfway during dessert that the conversation shifted.

"Caroline, when does school end for you dear?" Trina asked kindly. It had been awkward when Caroline had arrived. This was the first time she was seeing his parents since everything had come out about the engagement and the photos. Caroline had bravely looked Trina and Troy in the eye and apologized if she had caused their family any hurt. Troy had just shrugged it off, while Trina had smiled tenderly at the young woman and just said,

"We know who you are sweetie, we don't pay any attention to nonsense." Caroline's eyes had filled and she hugged Trina tightly.

Caroline swallowed her bite of strawberry and answered, "First week in June."

Everyone at the table did the math, three weeks away.

"Ok," Trina said nodding. "We can't wait to have you up to Nova Scotia, it's so pretty in the summer. Have you gotten your passport?"

Sid had wondered the same thing. He'd meant to ask her a few times to get going on that, so he could plan a visit for the two of them, but there just hadn't been time. But to his surprise, Caroline nodded. "Yes, I applied for it last week." she replied with strange caution.

"You did?" Sid asked turning to her.

She nodded, then looked at her lap. "It should arrive in three weeks."

Sid smiled, "That's perfect timing. I got to California at the end of the week, but as soon as your passport arrives we can head north."

Troy and Trina voiced their agreement. And now it was Caroline's turn to look surprised, "You're going to California at the end of the week?"

The air at the table changed. Sid squirmed a bit, he'd explained that, hadn't he? "Yeah, I have to. After the season ends, I go to California for my post season wrap up. A few weeks of training, meetings with my agent and sponsors. We set up my endorsement schedule, stuff like that."

Caroline looked slightly panicked. "You're leaving?" she asked stupidly.

Trina and Troy shared a look and rose from the table gingerly, grabbing a few things from the table and retreating to the kitchen, leaving the young couple to have the conversation that had eluded them for weeks.

"Care, it's part of my job. I don't have a choice. But I can juggle a few things around and be back by the time school's out for you. This isn't what I wanted either, but things ended so much earlier than I anticipated. You could...you could come with me. Get a sub for the rest of the year?" It was a long shot but worth a try.

Caroline shook her head,"I can't do that. I have so much to do before the year ends. Grades, parties, assemblies. I just thought…I guess I thought we had some time together before you left. Can't you switch anything around?"

He looked pained, "No."

Caroline stared at her lap, "There's so much we need to talk about...figure out. I know things are a little...shaky." she said tentatively.

Sid waved his hand, "I told you, I'm over that, I don't want to revisit that stuff."

"But…" Caroline looked around, this was not the place she wanted to be for this conversation.

"Caroline," Sid took her hand. "I want to forget about the other day, that stuff just doesn't matter, not in the whole scheme of things. I know the truth. I don't need to analyze it. The speed at which things happen, it just isn't worth it, you know." He leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. "I love you, I'm not going to dwell on it."

Caroline pulled back, her face troubled. "Sid we need to talk."

A shadow crossed over his face, "No, we don't. I'm tired of talking. I had the shittiest week and I'm about to leave my girlfriend for three weeks. Can we just spend time together and not revisit past mistakes? Please?"

She just nodded.

After dinner Caroline made a pit stop at her house and collected some belongings. Sid had been insistent that she stay with him for the week. Her permanent stomach ache heaved at the idea. He was leaving again, only this time when he came back she would be gone. After this week it would be months until they saw each other again. And somehow in that time she had to explain that she was leaving the country for 8 weeks, oh and despite him not wanting to hear it, she'd kissed another man. She gathered her things, unable to concentrate, grabbing clothes and shoes, trying to piece together the week. She pulled out the cat carrier from the closet and looked around for Eliot. Sid had surprisingly been insistent that her cat come as well…he was being too nice. It was making things all the harder. She called for Eliot but he wouldn't come. She searched her small house, looking through all his hiding spots, until she found him hidden under the guest bed. She spent fifteen minutes on all fours looking under the bed and trying coaxing him out, but he just wouldn't come.

"Eliot, Eliot, c'mon kitty," she said in a sweet voice. But Eliot just stared back at her, unimpressed.

"Eilot, please come." She said exasperated. Nothing.

"Eliot, damn it, just get in the cat carrier," she finally yelled, the emotions of the evening, the week, the month, just overwhelming her.

At the sound of his owner's angry voice Eliot darted from out of the bed and out of the room, before Caroline could even blink.

She flung the cat carrier across the room as a sob erupted from her lips. She leaned back against the bed and dropped her head in her hands, the angry tears coming fast. Fuck, she was so tired of crying. She was so tired of all of it. Her body shook with sobs, overwhelmed by a life she'd fallen into. Maybe this was all they were supposed to be. This season. He was looking to get his game on track, she was looking to have the experiences that eluded her for years. Now his season was over and she'd had a year of fantastic sex. Would it just be easier to end it now? How could they survive two months apart? But just thinking about it, knocked Caroline breathless. Breaking up was not an option but neither could being apart all summer. It was too much. And then it was all suddenly clear. Perfectly crystal clear that she actually laughed, mid sob. She felt Eliot nuzzle at her bent knees and she looked at him, her eyelashes wet as she cautiously reached out to him. He allowed her to pick him up and she carried him to the carrier. Once secured, she wiped at her eyes and nose, putting herself back together and headed to Sid's with renewed hope.

They finally made love that night. Fast and heated. Their mouths fused together, their hands roaming, clutching. He hovered over her, thrusting steadily and deep inside of her. Caroline pulled him into her, holding him tight. When it was over, her eyes were wet. He kissed her face. All over. Lips ghosting over her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead, her nose, until they landed gently on her lips. They whispered their affections as sleep lured them away.

"I'm very sorry to hear this," Lamar Dixon sighed heavily from behind the big oak table in his office. Caroline sat across from him, perched on her chair, her hands secured in her lap.

"I know, sir, but I've thought about it and it's for the best." Caroline replied, her voice sure.

"This was quite an opportunity, something unheard of for this district. We really thought you would represent us well. I have to say I'm quite disappointed." He studied Caroline critically.

Caroline tried not to squirm or show any sign of relenting. "I don't want to disappoint you, but I have to make some tough decisions and giving up this trip is unfortunately it."

The principal paused a moment before choosing his words carefully, "I know Ms. Reid that you have a difficult task." He continued as Caroline's face became confused. "Toeing the line, between real life and…well, a life that many people dream of. One that comes with wealth and opportunity. I'm proud of what you have accomplished over this past year, you have shown great resilience and are an important asset to the school. I know that there is opportunities for you that the other teachers don't have, but don't lose yourself in that other world Caroline. You have worked too hard to give that up."

Caroline thought about his words, but her mind was made up. The number one priority in her life was Sid. She loved him and she wouldn't lose him. No matter what. This summer needed to be about them.

"Thank you, sir, but I've made the right decision." Caroline replied confidently.

Locker clean up was as depressing as he thought it would be. He sat in his cubbie, the sea of reporters crowded around him. He took their questions in stride. Obviously everyone wanted to know what happened.

"We just couldn't score. We had plenty of chances but we couldn't get the puck in the net. We played hard, we probably deserved better in Game 3 and 4, but the puck didn't bounce our way."

After forty-five minutes of taking questions, the crowd dissipated and Sid began packing up his things. He'd go visit with Dana to set up his summer schedule. All the gear he needed for the summer would be packed up and sent to California. Guys stopped by to wish him a good summer and he did the same. Some guys he'd see here and there throughout the summer, others like Geno, he wouldn't see again til September. Some wouldn't be coming back, trades and releases would change the structure of the team. But that's how hockey worked. He'd just packed up his gloves, when a voice piped up from behind him, "Didn't think we'd be here this soon." He turned around to see Cameron standing before him. Her hair was up in a ponytail, her eyes heavily mascaraed, but her face looked drawn. She wore tight jeans and a tight black t-shirt with the NHL logo stretched across her ample chest.

"Yeah," Sid replied, trying to be polite, but not wanting to indulge in conversation.

Cameron, per usual, forged ahead. "We scrapped the video," she told him. "The season ended so abruptly and we didn't have much footage we could use anyway. I thought…" Her face screwed up just a smidge before the smile reappeared on her face. "I thought there would be more chances, but hey that's hockey right?"

Sid just nodded, relieved that no more of his personal life would be put on display.

"Anyway," she continued,"I wanted to let you know I'm leaving the Pens organization. I got a job working for the NHL Network in New York, going to be able to keep working through to the finals."

Sid felt relief was over him and he couldn't contain his joy at the news. Cameron frowned.

"Well, you don't have to look so happy about it. I know I'm not your favorite person, but I was just doing my job. I really did want to show a tasteful view of your private life."

There was something about the way she said tasteful that made Sid uncomfortable.

Cameron went on, "I mean better us than having pictures printed all over the city. It's funny, you know, being such a private guy there really isn't anything we don't know about you anymore, do we?"

Sid stayed silent. Cameron continued, "I mean, turning you down had to be a blow to your ego, right? I mean I know it's not my place-"

"No it's not." Sid interrupted with gritted teeth.

Cameron studied him, "I hope you find happiness Sid, I really mean that, with whoever. Just make sure she appreciates you." She smiled the PR smile and sauntered away. Sid turned back to packing and didn't look back.

There was an exit interview with Ray and an end of season physical and then he was done. Sid said his final goodbyes to teammates and the coaching staff, then took the long way around the arena back to his car. He stopped at one of the tunnels leading into center ice and stared at the rink for a long while. He'd really thought this was the year it would happen. It seemed like kismet, Everything had come together to create this perfect season and to share it all with Caroline. But it hadn't worked out that way and he had to wonder even if they'd won, would he have had this meaningful experience with her like he'd hoped for? He replayed the past few weeks in his head and there had been barely anything about the post season that had been a shared experience. From her attack, to the photos, to closing her off completely in this final week, this post season hadn't been about sharing in the experience at all. In fact, the best day he could remember was his off day, they'd spent together a few weeks ago. It made him wonder how well he'd really gotten at balancing the love of hockey with the love of his life. He sighed, shoved his hands into his pockets and turned and left the Consol.

That night it was like Caroline was a different person, she seemed...lighter. The glow on her face was back and she was eager to know more about summers in Cole Harbour. He told her about boating on the lake, long walks through the trails of Terrance Bay and family get togethers at his house...he downplayed the heavy training schedule he kept to during the day, along with the day trips to the outlying provinces with Andy, his trainer. He could adjust those a bit, be able to spend more time with Caroline. Her enthusiasm was infectious and soon the harsh reality of a season cut short, didn't seem so bad.

On Wednesday, they had Sara and Shane over, at Sid's insistence. He knew it would be special for her and thought a cook out on his roof top would be the perfect way to appreciate the arrival of the warm weather. He knew that despite her support for his abrupt departure and the complicated summer schedule they would need to work out, she wasn't quite right. Sometimes he'd catch her lost in thought, a forlorn look on her face, her features set on something troubling. He chalked it up to the tumultuous events of the past month and tried his best to bring her back to the present, where they were segueing into a new phase of their relationship. Inviting her friends over was just one way he could bring her what she craved and had sacrificed for, a normal life.

"So that's it? You're just giving it all up?" Sara's whisper hissed in the ear of Caroline, as the two friends stood at the butcher's block on Sid's expansive roof, cutting up vegetables for the dinner salad. Shane and Sid stood in front of the grill, talking Pirates baseball and flipping the rib eye steaks sizzling before them.

"Shhhh," Caroline hissed back, paranoid that somehow the guys would hear them. She spoke in a low voice, "It's the right thing to do."

"No," Sara shot back, her voice thankfully quiet, but still fierce, "The right thing to do is to tell him...everything. This is going to backfire. He's going to find out, somehow. And Caroline, it's gonna be bad."

Caroline stared at the thinly sliced cucumbers and shook her head, petulantly. "I'm willing to take that risk. Sara, I don't have a choice. He's leaving, if he finds out now, it's over. It's just...we won't recover from this, not if we're apart for two months. He'll go to California and then Canada and by the Fall, it just wont be worth the effort, I wont be worth the effort. He'll find someone else."

Sara didn't say anything, just stared at your friend, "Is that really what you think? After all this time? That he could just drop you like that? That the past six months don't mean anything? Caroline-"

"You don't get it," Caroline fought to keep her voice in control. "I was supposed to change everything for him this season and it didn't work. In the end, he's in the same place he was last year. Another disappointing season and nothing's changed from last year. This was supposed to be different and it wasn't. If he finds out the truth, it will just be another reason for him to put this year behind him, start over. And I wont be part of that. I can't have that happen." Caroline's voice sounded nearly manic and Sara's heart just broke for her friend, who was so clueless about so much.

"Caz, I know you don't have a lot of experience in this type of stuff, but this isn't a way to save a relationship, you can't just mold yourself exactly to what you think the other person needs, eventually its going to break you."

Caroline started whisking together the oil and vinegar dressing and tried not to let Sara's words soak in.

"It's the only way," she whispered.

Sara just shook her head, "And Spain, this chance of a lifetime, it just doesn't matter? Caroline, this is an amazing accomplishment and you're just throwing it away. You're better than this. You deserve this."

"No, I don't." Caroline replied simply. "I deserve him," she pointed her whisk in Sidney's direction, "and that's all that matters."

On Thursday they went out to dinner. A hole in the wall Thai restaurant they'd been to before. Conversation was light. He'd be leaving in the early afternoon tomorrow. They'd skype, talk everyday. No one wanted to mention how the time difference alone would be a challenge. Better to focus on the positive. She told him about her weekend plans. She was heading to Steubenville on Saturday for Neil's birthday. He was regretful that he couldn't join her, as he was expected in Pat's office first thing Saturday morning. She'd smiled and told him it was okay, he'd get there someday. The way she said someday, made his heart clench. Tomorrow, she told him, was a happy hour celebration for Bridget, a Kindergarten teacher that was getting married next weekend. A bunch of faculty and staff were meeting up after school at a place on Carson Street. "See I'll be busy," Caroline reassured him. "The time is just going to fly by." She gave a broad smile, "Promise." Leaning forward over their Pad Kra Pow, she brushed her lips over his.

Sex was slow that night. Long moments spent exploring each other, memorizing each other's bodies as they prepared for the next intermission in their lives. Creating three weeks of memories to get them through. Throughout the night they found each other over and over, neither wanting to waste a moment even if it left them sleep deprived. The only salvation was knowing they'd soon be together uninterrupted for the longest period of time in their tenure as a couple.

The goodbye was quick but difficult, held in the doorway of his penthouse, Caroline struggled to keep the tears at bay and even Sid's voice cracked when he told her he'd call her when he landed. Her heart was breaking saying goodbye, but she had no regrets.

She slugged through school all day Friday, but was grateful for the happy hour to keep her mind occupied and she was looking forward to her visit home. It would help in those first few lonely days.

The bar was bustling. Over twenty people from Garfield Elementary had shown up to celebrate the bubbly blond's upcoming nuptials. Bridget was marrying some bigwig real estate guy and he'd rented the second floor of The Library for group. Caroline had gone for the next round of drinks when she heard the ruckus. He eyes moved to where the noise was coming from and through the throng of bodies she saw a familiar head of hair.

Her pulse sped up, her hands became clammy. She abandoned the drinks and floated toward the crowd, her head spinning. Weaving in and out of people, she finally came to the source.

"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed over the noise of the crowd. Sid smiled widely, signed a few autographs and moved gracefully through the crowd, his hand slipping into hers.

They moved past the crowd towards the back of the bar to a quiet corridor.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated, her face washed with shock.

Sid smiled, "I came to surprise you. I moved my flight to the red eye. I wanted to meet all your coworkers and friends. Make up for what happened. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it work, so I didn't say anything. I didn't want to disappoint you again."

Caroline's stomach turned over. This wasn't happening.

"Caroline, are you alright?" Sid's brow furrowed as he looked at her with concern.

No, she screamed inside. Not alright. Not at all. From over Sid's shoulder she could see him. Chatting away with Deliah stood Pete, a beer in hand.

This was not supposed to happen. There was no way this could have happened.

But it had and she was stuck. Correction, she was fucked.

"Care?"

He looked at her with those big brown hopeful eyes and Caroline felt everything crumbling under her.

"Sid, can we go somewhere, just for a minute?"

He looked at her strangely. "Ok, sure."

But it was too late. Just as she took his hand, they were spotted.

"Caroline, Caroline!" Deliah was waving like a mad woman and soon the rest of her coworkers caught sight of the couple.

Sid gave a little wave to the group and they all went nuts, urging the pair to come up and join them.

"C'mon, Care, let's have some fun." He pulled her back and moved in the opposite direction, his hand securely in hers.

It was like a dream...no, a nightmare.

She let him lead her up the stairs, as her brain spinning. What could she do? How could she stop this?

She couldn't. So she had one job, one mission.

Keep Sid away from Pete.

It turned out not to be that hard. In addition to Bridget's coworkers, her fiancée Justin had invited quite a few friends. The large group made it easier for Caroline to keep Sid glued to her side. She introduced him to everyone. Her mouth moved, but she couldn't say what came out. The butterflies swarmed in her belly and fought violently against her ribs. She felt a light sheen of sweat coat her hairline as her eyes darted around the bar, seeking Pete. He was in deep conversation with the gym coach and some of Justin's buddies. It appeared to be a safe distance. She tried to focus on the conversation in front of her, as the Lou, the guidance counselor told Sid all about his yearly fishing expedition up to Lake Kipawa in Quebec. The men chatted animatedly as Caroline just smiled dumbly.

This was everything she would have ever wanted. Her boyfriend with her at a work function. Everyone watching as he had held a beer in one hand and her hip in the other. Proving that he was hers and that he really would and could do everything in his power to be there for her.

She held her breath for the next two hours. It looked like Pete would keep a safe distance, but Caroline couldn't risk it, so she moved them from person to person, making sure he never left her side.

A little while later, when Sid was listening to Mrs. Hammond, the nearly retired 5th grade teacher, tell him about the season tickets she and her husband had held for nearly 30 years, Caroline lost sight of Pete. He wasn't in the corner anymore. She scanned the bar but he was nowhere to be seen.

Deliah pulled her to the side, her cheeks and eyes bright from the five gin and tonics and shared her happiness and excitement that the famous boyfriend was finally making an appearance. Caroline smiled nervously and casually asked if Deliah had seen Pete.

"I think he left." Deliah said, her brow furrowing in thought, her voice slightly slurred. "C'mon, you have to hear about where Bridget is going on her honeymoon." Caroline felt a weight lift and gestured to Sid that she would be right back. He nodded and gave her an intimate smile.

It was all going to work out. She couldn't believe it.

She was only gone for a few minutes, but when she came back, Mrs. Hammond was alone and putting on her coat. Caroline searched the bar, her eyes scanning the sea of faces when she saw them. In the corner, just outside the downstairs bathrooms. She watched helplessly as the two men appeared to be in deep conversation. Then she moved quickly, flying down the stairs and through the crowd of people. When she was about twenty feet away, he turned and his eyes caught hers.

And she saw it.

The betrayal.

It was raw and it was angry. And it was so much worse than she ever imagined.

She froze, stupidly stuck.

He stared at her and for a moment there was no one there but them.

I'm sorry, her eyes said. I'm so so sorry.

Then, the wall. Just like that, she watched his heart turn off.

And then in a few strides he was coming towards her, but he didn't stop. His shoulder brushed hers as he kept moving.

"Sid," she said weakly. He didn't stop.

He kept going until he was gone.

***Author's note: please forgive the typos, I hurried to get this on "paper" and now I'm too exhausted to edit. I'll do my best to keep this moving quickly, now that we are in the thick of things. This was always the direction I was going in and I know that slow updates and sometimes poor writing didn't help in building the momentum of this turn of events. I know Caroline isn't anyone's favorite person and I agree. What I tried to show was that at the end of the day, she's just an inexperienced girl who is scared and insecure and doesn't want to lose her boyfriend. She's in panic mode and not making good decisions. As always thanks for reading!***