Chapter 101

The next day, Sidney needed to be at the arena to do some more media stuff and Karen was going to go shopping and lunch with Trina and Taylor before they went to the arena. When Karen got there a couple hours later, she went to look for Sidney and saw him signing an autograph for a boy in a wheelchair. She kept to the side until he was done, but the boy saw her and asked Sidney about her. Karen saw him point at her and then smile and knew what he was telling him. When they were done, Sidney walked over to her and hugged her.

"I missed you today."

"I think you had enough to do to actually miss me."

"That's not fair baby, I always miss you."

"Good."

"Did you guys have fun?" he said giving her a look.

"We had fun. It's your dad that I still need to work on, not your mom."

"Just give it time" he said kissing her as they walked out of the dressing room. As the day went on and into night, they wanted Sidney to walk the red carpet with the other players before the Skills Competition. Karen waited for him on the other side but to where she could watch him. It always fascinated her the way he handled himself with the fans and media. He walked down, signing autographs as he went and then got stopped to answer some questions. Karen knew it killed him to be here and not participate but he did what he always did, held his head high and was proud to still be a part of it. When he was finished, he signed for a few more fans and then made his way inside. Sidney grabbed for Karen's hand and went to meet up with some of the other players. Once the Skills Competition got underway, Sidney was asked to join the broadcasters for a little bit, but other than that, they were able to enjoy the festivities. They were both happy when Geno won the Accuracy and and it was bittersweet when Ovechkin won the fans' vote. Karen was actually looking forward to seeing what Sidney would have brought to it, but there's always next year.

After the Skills Competetion ended, they said goodnight to his parents and Taylor, waiting around for Geno and a couple others to head out to another club. About an hour later, a group of them made their way out and some of the media had followed them. Karen knew at least one picture had to have been taken of her with Sidney, she just didn't know when or where it would pop up. As they made their way through the crowd and to a VIP section, Karen hoped tonight wouldn't be like last night.

"So Karen, were you impressed with me?" Geno asked with a smile.

"I'm always impressed with you."

"More so than Sid?"

"What are you trying to do Geno? Go get your own girl to hit on tonight."

Karen smiled at Geno "you're suppose to be a little more subtle with this or he's going to pick up on our love affair."

"I don't think you could handle his love affair baby" Sidney said putting his arm around her, pulling her close.

"You giving her an option Sid?"

Sidney saw the look on Karen's face and kissed her "she always has the option, she just always chooses me."

"You know, one day will surprise you" Geno said getting up and walking over to a couple of girls.

"Well that just made his obsession with me go a little deeper."

"Oh well, he knows better."

Karen turned her head to face Sidney "my knight in shining armour, always here to protect me."

"And don't you ever forget it baby" Sidney said kissing her.

A little while later, Karen excused herself and went to the bathroom. As she was coming back she saw a girl approach Sidney, wrap her arms around his neck and place a very passionate kiss upon his lips. Karen wasn't about to think anything of it until she saw Sidney kiss her back. The worst fear hit Karen and hit her hard. She walked back to the bathroom and prayed that nobody saw her as she went into a stall and silently let the tears fall. Karen sat there for a few minutes and then composed herself. She decided to act like nothing happened and maybe Sidney would tell her on his own. She left the bathroom and made sure she looked presentable before heading back to the VIP lounge. When Karen walked up to where they were sitting she realized the girl was still there and had a very much grasp onto Sidney's arm. Since there wasn't any room next to Sidney, Vinny pointed to a seat next to him. She held a conversation with him since she couldn't look at the scene unfolding in front of her. Not that Sidney was making a play for this girl, he just wasn't getting rid of her either nor was he paying attention to Karen.

Vinny saw Karen's facial expressions and decided to get her away from the others "hey, want to head to the bar and get a drink?" he asked.

"Yeah I think I need one." They got up and headed to a bar that was upstairs by them. Karen didn't try to tell Sidney where she was going and didn't care. "So what's her story anyway?"

"From what I heard, she and Sid used to date while he was playing for Rimouski and then lost touch when he got drafted to Pittsburgh."

"Seems like she making up for lost time now" she said taking a drink.

"I figured it was hard to watch, that's why I got you out of there."

"Thanks but I still have to deal with it." Karen looked over to Sidney and saw what she had dreaded to see since the day she met him. They stayed by the bar talking for a little while longer until she felt she had enough, not only to drink but of what was going on infront of her. Karen walked back over to the couch and stood directly infront of Sidney "I'm ready to go."

"Maybe he's not" the girl said holding on to his arm.

"I wasn't talking to you and it wasn't a question" she told her then turned her attention to Sidney "if you want to stay, that is your choice but I am leaving." Karen grabbed her jacket, told everyone else goodnight and left. She walked out of the club and tried to hail a cab. By the time she got one, she wasn't the only one getting in. Karen sat down and looked to her left to see Sidney sitting beside her. She only looked at him briefly before turning her attention to look out the window. Sidney made a move and grabbed Karen's hand and was relieved when she didn't pull it away. They got to the hotel and when they headed inside, Sidney still had a hold of her hand as they went upstairs.

When they got to the room, Sidney tried to talk to Karen but she just grabbed some clothes and walked past him, going into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Sidney sat on the bed and put his head in his hands listening as the shower started up. He was about to join her, but decided to give her some time alone first. After 10 minutes, Sidney got up and got undressed before going into the bathroom and into the shower with Karen.

Karen heard the curtain being pulled back and felt Sidney come in behind her. She felt his hands touch her hips and all she could do was move his hands off her and step out of the shower.

"Baby" Sidney said in almost a whisper as he reached for her.

"No Sid" she said pulling away.

"I'm sorry. We were just catching up, just like you did with Modano last night."

"It wasn't the same Sid and don't you dare compare last night to tonight. When Mike and I saw each other, he hugged me. When we were all sitting together I didn't exclude you. It was like I wasn't there and that's what scared me the most....I was invisible to you." That was all she said before wrapping a towel around her body and leaving the bathroom.

Sidney stood under the water, cursing at himself for how he acted tonight. The fact that he did make her feel invisible killed him. He finished up with his shower so they could go to bed and hopefully work everything out in the morning.

When Karen left the bathroom, she put her clothes on the bed and sat down beside them. She looked at Sidney's clothes from tonight and stared at his pants. With the shower still going, she got up and grabbed the pants searching the pockets. She knew what she was looking for and found it in his front pocket. Karen pulled out a folded piece of paper and opened it up, reading what it said.

Next trip home give me a call. We definitely need to make up for lost time XOXO
Alicia
514-954-0981

Karen folded the paper back up and put it in his pocket. She put his pants back on the chair and got dressed. She crawled into bed and turned to the opposite side. Ten minutes later, Karen heard the water shut off and Sidney soon emerged. He got a pair of shorts on and turned off the lights before climbing into bed himself. He laid there on his back and just looked in Karen's direction. Sidney turned on his side and spooned up behind her, thankful once again she didn't move away from him. Karen reluctantly put her hand over Sidney's and wiped the last few tears that fell down her cheek before closing her eyes and letting sleep come over her.