Chapter 16

Karen was a little put off by Troy's comment and instead of commenting back, she blew it off.

"I need to get going Sid. I have things to do before I head to Wheeling later. When you get some free time, call me." Karen kissed Sidney on the cheek and gave his dad a polite smile before walking off. Sidney knew Karen had to be upset by what his dad said and went after her.

"Baby, wait" Sidney said as he caught up to her. "I'm sorry. He shouldn't have said that to you."

"Its ok Sid, really. Tell you the truth, I didn't expect anything less. He has a right to be leary about who you're seen with."

"I'll talk to him tonight, ok?"

"If you think it will do any good" Karen shrugged

"Please don't be like this."

"I'm sorry, but I told you this would happen. They are going to see us together, judge by what they see before they ask what's going on."

"I know you did" he said hugging her "and I should have called my parents and told them about you before we got together. I just didn't want to put off what we have now to later."

"What are you talking about?"

Sidney turned around and told his dad he was going to walk Karen out then he would be back. They walked to the doors and Sidney stopped her, pulling her to the side.

"The day you and your friends came here, I was hooked and wanted to know more about you. I don't know if you would really call it 'love at first sight', but something drew me to you. When you guys stayed around to play against us, you impressed me with your skills. I was hooked even more and when you left, I thought I found the perfect girl and just watched you walk out of my life. I was so happy when Mario asked you to dinner that night and when you asked me to go along with you to Pops, I knew something was going to happen between us. If I would have talked to my parents first, or anyone for that matter, I might have missed out being with you. You could be with someone else right now."

"Not when you had the same affect on me. I knew about you from what I read on the internet or in the papers but that day, something was there. I saw that there was more to you, more that I wanted to know. I guess that's why I asked you to go with me to Pops, I wanted to know if my instincts about wanting to be with you were right. It's weird that no one will see that this is why we click together so well. After you talk to your dad and if he's still skeptical of this relationship, we'll figure something out later."

"So, what? If he still doesn't approve then you'll break up with me?" Sidney asked not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Karen brought her hand up and caressed his cheek with her finger "no, it just means we stay together for us. That is, if that's what you want too?"

"That is definitely what I want."

Karen inched her head closer to Sidney and let their lips meet in a soft kiss. Karen moved her hands to his neck and brought him closer to her as Sidney wraps his arms around her and held on to her tightly. After a minute, they broke apart and Karen walks out of the building telling him goodbye. Sidney watched her leave, only to turn around and see his dad staring at him.

"I'm going to get a shower and then we can head out" Sidney said as he walked past his dad and back to the locker room.

A while later, Karen was at home and sitting on the porch. She replayed the whole day in her head. There was so much she could have said to Sidney's dad but at the time, she didn't have the guts to say it. Maybe she didn't want to for fear of putting a wedge between her and Sidney. "Damn, I am in love with him." Karen knew that admitting it to herself, she was allowing herself to possibly get hurt again. She let the tears that had welled up in her eyes fall freely, not bothering to wipe off her cheeks.

Meanwhile at Mario's house....

"I don't want you seeing her Sid. These playoffs are important and getting involved with anyone now is not a good idea" Troy said sternly

"Anyone or Karen? I know this is not what you want to hear but I love her dad."

"You've only known each other for a week, how can you love her?"

Sidney slumped into the couch and sighed "because when I am with her, everything else disappears."

"Son, you know I am just looking out for your best interest here. I have seen what girlfriends can do to careers, I don't want it to happen to you." Troy said sitting down beside Sidney.

"Dad, I understand but she is good for me. Do you know she played hockey?"

"No, I didn't know. Who for?"

"Team USA in the '98 Olympics. That is one reason we connect, she knows the game and what pressures I am under. She even schooled me on a move. I read that play perfectly and she changed it at the last moment and scored" he said with a light laugh.

Troy saw Sidney's face light up talking about Karen and thought back to his other girlfriends knowing he never talked about them the way he talked about her. "I'm not going to continue to fight with you about her when you have so much going on right now. Maybe when you come home during the off season, you can really think if she's what you want in your life. Just be careful until the playoffs are over, that's all I am asking."

"I will, but you'll see how good she is for me dad." Sidney hugged his dad and got up, "I'm going to go see Karen before she leaves tonight."

"Where does she go?"

"She works in Wheeling during the week and spends her weekends up here. Her house is three down from Mario's. Since she has season tickets, she does come up for the games during the week, but the weekend is when we spend the most time together."

"Maybe I can sit down and talk to her to get to know her better. Even apologize for what I said earlier."

"I would like that, thanks dad. I'll be back in an hour when she leaves."

Sidney heads out of the house and Troy just walks to the door and watched his son run down the street.

"You know Sid's right, she is good for him Troy" Mario said walking up behind him. "Karen has been a friend of mine and Nathalie's for a long time, she is a wonderful and caring person. Just meet her, you'll think the same too."

Troy looked at Mario and gave him a nod. They walked back to the living room and talked.

Back at Karen's...

Karen was still sitting on the porch and just staring into space. Her cell phone ringing brought her out of her thoughts. She looked at the caller ID and smiled.

"Hey Sammie, what's up?"

"Hey girl. Just wanted to share some good news with you."

"What's the news girl?"

"Jason proposed and we're GETTING MARRIED!!!!" Samantha screamed into the phone.

"Congratulations girl. I'm happy for you both, he's a lucky guy." Karen said with little excitement.

"You ok? I think you're happy for me, but I can't really tell. What's up?"

Karen started to tell Samantha, not realizing Sidney was standing close enough to hear but not be seen.

"I somewhat met Sidney's dad."

"Somewhat? Is that possible? What was he like?"

"He was judgemental like I kind of knew he would be."

"Well all fathers are like that after meeting the girlfriend for the first time. Did you tell him all about yourself?"

"I didn't get a chance Sam. He made a comment and I left, I didn't want to stay around to finish hearing what he had to say about not being right for Sid."

Sidney hated hearing the sadness in Karen's voice.

"You know this can only mean one thing?"

"I know what it means Sam, you don't have to say it."

"Then maybe you need to say it to yourself. Come on, it'll make you feel better if you admit it to yourself out loud."

"I love him Sam" Karen said it softly, but it was loud enough for Sidney to hear her.

"It'll be ok Karen. We all saw the way Sid was looking at you that weekend and knew he was the one for you."

"But to feel this way this soon...it's rare."

"But if it feels right..."

"Then it can't be wrong. Thanks Sam."

"What are best friends for? Listen I've got to go, but you hang in there and if you need to talk, call me."

"I will. Tell Jason I said hi and congrats again girl. I am really happy for you guys."

"Will do. Bye Kiki."

"Bye Sammiekins."

They both laugh as they hung up. Karen put her cell phone down and settled back into the chair.

"Maybe this is right" Karen said out loud but wasn't expecting the response she got.

"I think it's right too" Sidney said as he came onto the porch.

"When did you...were you...did you hear...?" Karen said stumbling for words.

"Yes, I heard what you said."

Karen sat there for a minute to gather her thoughts but then Sidney kneeled down to look into her eyes. She was scared at what he was going to say to her and decided to get up and walk past him, going inside.

"Karen, wait" he said following her to the living room. "Let me tell you what I was going to say outside."

"I don't think I want to know" Karen said not facing Sidney but he turned her around to him.

"I want you to know that I feel the same way...I love you too."

Karen tried to walk away again, but Sidney kept ahold of her "it's too soon to say this to each other Sid."

"Maybe it is, but it's how I feel about you. If you didn't feel this way, why did you say it to Sam?"

"She said that when we were together last weekend, they all saw it and could tell how we felt about each other. She told me that the sooner I admitted it to myself, the better it would be."

"I knew I liked her" he said to lighten the mood.

"Sid?"

"Baby, this isn't going to end things between us just because we said out loud how we feel about one another. I'm relieved that its out there because now it's not nagging at me to try to find the right time to tell you. Now we can continue to be together and learn more about each other without wondering how the other feels."

Karen got out of his grip and moved away from him "but admitting it to myself and now you, it sets me up to get hurt again. I figured if I could hold my feelings about you in, I would be fine if something happened between us." The last part Karen said, she said it without looking at him.

Sidney walked towards her and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes "I love you. It might be too soon, but I do love you." He leaned in, kissing her "you admitted it to Sam and you admitted it to yourself....now just admit it to me."

Karen looked into Sidney's eyes and saw what they held for her. Just then, she couldn't stop the words that came out of her mouth "I love you."

Sidney smiled and kissed her again. As they continued kissing, he moved them over to the couch and sat down, bringing Karen down on his lap so she was straddling him. Sidney found the bottom of Karen's shirt and lifted it over her head. He recaptured her lips as his hands worked to unhook her bra and removed it from her body. Karen felt Sidney lift her off him and lay her down on the couch with his body covering her. She grabbed his shirt and pulled it over Sidney's head. As they laid there kissing, Sidney thrusted his hips into her as his hands covered her breasts and massaged them. Karen could feel him getting harder and it was turning her on. She arched her back into his touch and grabbed the arm of the couch, digging her fingers into the fabric. Sidney left her lips and went to her neck, whispering to her.

"Touch me" he reaches up and grabs one of Karen's hand, placing it inside his shorts and over his erection. "Can't you feel what you do to me?"

Sidney removes his hand from over hers and slides his fingers under the waistband of her shorts. He moves his hand completely inside her panties and finds her mound. Sidney begins to rub over her clit and soon his fingers found their way inside her. As he pumped his fingers in and out, Karen began to stroke Sidney until they were both moaning their pleasures. Karen couldn't stand it any longer and pulled her hand out of Sidney's shorts, prompting him to remove his hand from her's. Sidney got off of Karen to remove her shorts and underwear, throwing them on the floor. He then took off his own and laid back down on top of Karen. She moved her leg and wrapped it around his, opening her up to him. Before they both realized, Sidney had plunged deep into her heated center. They stayed motonless for a moment before he began to pump into her. Sidney went harder and deeper when Karen moaned into his ear. She felt her orgasm building and when Sidney hit her G spot one last time, Karen couldn't hold in her scream when she came. As she did, her muscles contracted around him drawing out Sidney's own orgasm. When he was done filling her up, Sidney pressed his forehead to Karen's and stayed there until they calmed down from their highs. Sidney pulled out of Karen but stayed on top of her, bringing his lips down to hers.

"Sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" Karen asked confused.

"I just got so turned on by you, we didn't use anything."

Karen was impressed by his sincereness "we'll be fine, so don't worry ok?"

"Are you sure? I don't want...."

Karen didn't let him finish "I'm sure."

The look in Karen's eyes told him to not worry. He smiled at her and kissed her again for the hundredth time that day.

"How long before you have to go?"

Karen searched the room for a clock, landing her eyes on the cable box. "I have about 20 minutes, 30 at most."

"What am I going to do without you when I'm in New York for the next 4 days?"

"It'll just be like when I'm gone for work during the week."

"Not really because if you remember, I was able to come down and see you when I missed you. That would be one long ass drive if I get that urge again."

"Aww, poor baby. I guess you'll just have to stay at the hotel, pine for me and wait until we see each other when you get back."

"Only if we can do more of this."

"Have you always been a sex fiend? Or is this something new?"

"I think I am definitely not new to this, but I wouldn't call me a sex fiend either. I just think you bring it out in me. But what about you? You jumped the gun when you told me how you wanted to wait. What do you call that?"

"The 'it's been too damn long' syndrome."

"How long has it been for you?"

"No one since that disaster night with Shanny."

"Damn, you're right it has been a long time. No wonder you pounced on me that first time."

"I did not pounce on you. Of course it wasn't like you had a second thought to turn me down either."

"Don't you know by now how irresistable you are to me?" As soon as Sidney said it, Karen looked away from him but was brought back to him "what's wrong?"

"Nothing" she said looking at the clock. "I need to get going."

"I know" he said with a defeated look.

Sidney got off Karen and picked up his clothes, handing Karen hers as well. They got dressed in silence and when Karen was done, she walked out of the room. Sidney wondered if he struck a nerve about something and followed her to her room. He saw her grab her bag and look around to see if she forgot anything. She started back out of the room when Sidney stopped her.

"I need to go Sid."

"You will, just tell me what's wrong and don't tell me nothing."

"It's not you and you didn't do or say anything wrong. I just have a hard time believing people when they give me certain compliments. I was never the 'pretty one' out of my group of friends and I would get jealous to see them happy when I always thought I never would be."

Sidney wrapped his arms around her "are you happy now?"

"Yes."

"Good and between you and me, out of all your friends that I have met, you are the pretty one. At least in my eyes."

"You need to stop being this charming towards me. It will ruin your reputation."

"And what reputation is that?"

"Your 'I'm the best hockey player in the world, everybody needs to worship me' reputation." Sidney tried to keep a straight face but laughed when Karen cracked a smile. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. But you have to admit, professional athletes do have a certain rep they have to hold up to."

"True, but I am out to prove a lot of people wrong. Especially when it comes to my personal life."

"Well you can prove whatever you need to, I will be the one in the background waiting for you."

"You will never be in the background" Sidney whispered as he kissed her.

The kiss would have lasted all night if Karen wouldn't have stepped away "sorry but I need to go."

"Oh alright" Sidney said dejected. "Will you drop me off at Mario's please?"

"Of course."

Sidney grabbed Karen's bag with one hand and her hand with the other. They walked downstairs and Sidney headed outside while Karen turned off the lights and closed the door behind her, locking it. They got in her car and she pulled out of the driveway to Mario's house. Karen put the car in park and Sidney unbuckled his seatbelt so he could get closer to Karen. He leaned in and kissed her.

"Is this our official goodbye every weekend?"

"Well if you stop coming to see me an hour before I need to leave, we wouldn't be doing this every Sunday night."

"You could always be packed and we could hang out here before you go."

"I'm sure Mario would love that, especially if we continue to do what we do before I leave."

"Yeah, you are kind of loud. If you could be a little bit more quieter then there won't be a problem."

"You know, your moans can fill a room too. So don't lay this all on me."

Sidney just laughed before diving in for another kiss. "Ok, upon my better judgement, I am going to get out of this car and watch you drive away again. I will miss you but will think of you everyday until I see you when I get back."

"Just look at it this way, by the time you get back from New York, I will be home a day later. So it works out perfectly."

"If you say so." Sidney caressed her cheek and looked lovingly into her eyes "I love you."

Karen smiled as her heart started to beat faster "I love you too."

They kissed again and Sidney got out of the car. Karen drove away and he stood there until he didn't see the tail lights before heading inside.

Chapter 15

Sunday morning and Karen woke up to the sound of her cell phone going off. She fumbled around half asleep until she found it and answered it.

"Whoever this is better have a damn good reason to calling me this early on a Sunday."

"I do have a damn good reason, I want to hear my girlfriend's beautiful voice before playing hockey today. Besides, I won't get to hear or see her until game time."

"Mmm, morning stud" Karen said smiling into the phone.

"Morning baby. You really aren't a morning person are you?"

"Not after all I drank last night."

"I don't think it was the amount as much as what all was in it" Sidney said laughing.

"Yeah, remind me to not let Sheril be bartender anymore. What time is it exactly?"

"10am. I'm getting ready to head to the arena in a few minutes."

"Well good luck today stud. I can't wait to watch you out on the ice."

"Why's that baby?"

"Watching you on the ice and playing the game, it just turns me on to no end. Plus you are wearing a jersey and you know what a uniform does to me."

"Actually I don't. What does it do to you?" Sidney asked with a level of huskiness in his voice.

"How about I show you after the game?"

"Well then let's get this game going so it can get over." Sidney laughed when he heard Karen giggle into the phone. "Alright baby, I need to go. I can't wait to see you in the stands cheering for me."

"I thought you never looked at the stands during a game?"

"I don't, but I have a reason to now. Besides, I am only looking for you."

"You are a charmer I will give you that and I will see you later stud."

"Bye baby."

"Bye."

They hung up from each other and Karen closed her eyes for another hour of sleep.

At 11:15am, Karen's alarm rang and she groaned at the sunlight coming into her room. "I am going to need to get heavier curtains in here."

"Yeah, escpecially if you want to keep it all dark during the day so you and Sidney can play in the dark" Sheril said coming out of her bathroom.

"What the hell are you doing in my bathroom?"

"Sorry chippy but Natalie is in the one downstairs and Diane is in the guest bathroom. So that leaves yours and I needed a shower before the game."

"Oh. Are you almost done so I can get mine?"

"Yeah, let me dry my hair, then its all yours."

Karen laid there and thought about the dream she had just woken herself out of. She started smiling to herself as she played it back in her mind until Sheril came out to interrupt her thoughts.

"All yours chippy. What are you smiling about?"

"Just remembering a dream I had."

"About Sid the kid?"

"Trust me, he ain't a kid."

"You would know" Sheril said as she left the room laughing. Karen just shook her head and got up to get ready to head to the game.

At 12:30pm, the girls arrived at the arena and waited around for the doors to open. They found some friends that had come to the game and stood around talking. A few mintues later, the doors opened and everybody headed inside. The girls got their beers and nachos and went to sit down.

A couple minutes later, the players came out for their warm up skate. Karen was busy talking to the people behind them when Diane got her attention and told her to look at the ice. Karen looked down and saw Sidney in front of them. He shot her a wink and a smile before grabbing the puck and shooting it on the goal.

"Man, he's got it bad for you girl" Diane said quietly.

"From the look on her face this morning, I say he ain't the only one" Sheril chimed in.

"Leave her alone guys" Natalie said " she hasn't been this happy in a long time."

Karen tuned them out as she just watched Sidney skate around the ice. He changed his concentration from her to his game and was amazed how he got so focused. She was brought out of her thoughts when on of the ushers stopped and tapped Karen on the shoulder.

"Could you come with me ma'am?" the usher asked.

"Is something wrong?"

"I just need you to come with me."

"Ok."

Karen told her friends she would be back and they all looked at her with a questioning look. Sidney saw Karen being escorted out of the stands and smiled before heading off the ice since warm ups were winding down.

The usher led Karen downstairs and through a hallway.

"Can I know where you are taking me?"

He stopped at a room that nobody was in and told her to wait there as someone would be in to talk to her shortly. A few minutes later as Karen just stood and looked around the room, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her.

"You know, if Sid sees us together like this, he won't be happy." Karen turned around in his arms and smiled at him.

"Why do you do that?" Sidney said while moving a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"Because it's fun. Besides, it's not like I actually gave a name or anything."

"I don't think I want to know who'd you name."

"So why am I here when you need to be focusing on the game?"

"Seeing you in the stands, I had to give you something to help me focus on the game."

"What did you need to give me?"

Sidney just leaned in and kissed her with a hard, yet passionate kiss that lasted for at least a couple minutes.

Karen pulled away breathless "if you can concentrate on the game after that kiss, I will be impressed."

"Well you know that's my plan....to impress you."

"I say your two for two" Karen said as she leaned up to meet his lips with hers.

As their kiss deepened, Sidney heard his name being called and broke the kiss.

"Do you remember how you got down here?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Take this pass and come back down here after the game. If you have any trouble, show them this and you should be fine." Sidney kissed her again, then left. Karen stood there and brought her fingers up to her lips. She touched them and smiled before heading back up to her seat. She got there before the national anthem and told the girls everything was ok.

The Penguins had won the game, but Sidney was held without a point and played a good game. Karen and her friends left their seats and headed to the exit. They met up with their other friends and Karen told them goodbye. She said she was going to hang around for a bit and she'd see them during the week.

Karen waited around until there wasn't many people around and headed back downstairs. She was stopped once, but she pulled out the pass and was waved on by. Karen saw a lot of people hanging around outside the locker room and stood back waiting for an opportune time to find Sidney and tell him she was there. A few minutes later, Sidney walked out of the locker room in shorts and a t-shirt and saw Karen leaning up against the wall. He walked over to her and grabbed her hand, taking her with him. She didn't ask any questions until she saw where he was headed....post game interviews with the media. She looked at him with a scared looked, but he just kissed her temple and let go of her hand, walking in to sit down. Karen just stood off to the side and listened to the media hound him.

Fifteen minutes later, Sidney was done with the media and headed back to the hallway. He saw Karen talking to Mario and walked up to them.

"Surprised that you're still here boss."

"I was on my way out and saw this lady here. I decided to stop and talk to her until you were finished. Did they ask anything new?"

"Are you kidding? I could've asked better ones."

"That could be a twist, you ask the media questions" Karen said.

"Yeah, there was one I should've asked....wanna meet my girlfriend?"

"You could have, but then you wouldn't have a girlfriend after that."

"Something you guys want to tell me?" Mario asked with a questioning look.

Karen looked around and saw the bathroom, "um, I'm going to leave that explanation to Sid and I'll be back."

Sidney laughed as Karen went to the bathroom. Mario shot him a look and walked him away from the media so they wouldn't overhear. "What's going on Sid? I thought you and Karen were just friends."

"We started out that way, but it just feels right with her. She understands about the game better than any other girl who tries just to impress me. I can be myself with her."

"I just don't think you need this right now."

"I think I do. Look at what she's been through and done. If something happens and we lose our chance at the Cup, who is going to understand what I am going through?"

"Karen will" Mario said with a sigh. "Alright I get it Sid, but be careful with her. I don't want this to be a distraction for you."

"She said the same thing to me before we got together. It will be fine, trust me."

"I do, but that's only because I trust Karen more. See you at home."

Mario walks away and Sidney saw Karen standing with her back up against the wall. He walked over to her and kissed her.

"Thank you for letting me handle that all by myself."

"You're quite welcome sir" Karen said laughing. "I'm sorry, but I just figured you could explain it better without me. Besides I know he's going to ask me on my own anyways, him knowing your side first will make it easier on me."

"Well as long as I made it easier on you...." Karen didn't let him finish as she brought him down to her lips. He broke the kiss "let's take this somewhere else."

Sidney grabbed her hand and led her down the hall. He took her to the equipment room and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her. Karen knew where this was heading and didn't mind, but for a moment she forgot where she was and let her feelings for him take over. Sidney moved them over to the door as they continued kissing. He let his hands roam down Karen's body to her leg. He lifted her leg up and held it at his waist. Karen's hands went under his shirt and dug her fingernails into his back as she felt Sidney thrust his hips into her. He left her lips and went to her neck and his spot.

"Mmm, you know you are going to need a cold shower if you keep going."

"Well, we might need to change it to a hot, steamy shower."

"What do you mean we?"

"Like I am going to let you get me this hot and not let me finish you off."

"Finish me off? Um, I think you have it backwards stud. You are the one who will need finished off because it won't show on me."

"You play dirty baby. Maybe I could wait to get my shower at your house and then you can join me."

"That option I like."

"Come on, let's head out."

Karen and Sidney leave the equipment room and head back to the locker room, only to be met by another visitor.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" Sidney said as he let go of Karen's hand and hugged his dad.

"I decided to come down for the game and then make the trip to New York with you instead of meeting you up there. Did I interrupt something?" he asked looking at Karen with skepticism.

Sidney walked back to Karen and mouthed 'I'm sorry' before taking her hand and bringing her over to his dad.

"No, we were getting ready to head out. Dad, I would like you to meet Karen."

"Nice to meet you Karen" he said with his hand stretched out for her to shake.

"It's nice to meet you too Mr. Crosby" she said shaking his hand.

"So, do you work with the team?"

"No, just a long time season ticket holder that happens to be friends with some of the players."

"And Mario. They've known each other since '91."

"How long have you known my son?" Troy asked.

"Well I've known of him since he came to play here in '05, but we officially met last week."

"I see. It didn't really take you long to make your way down here after a game and look to be all friendly with him, now did it?" he said with a disapproving look.

Chapter 14

As they played Twister, everybody was all tangled up. Of course Sidney was beside Karen, who happened to be close to Jordan and Evgeni.

"Left foot blue" Diane spinned and everybody shifted. "Now right hand yellow."

That move put Karen in a weird position with Sidney very close to her.

"You look like you are in a very compromising position baby" Sidney said leaning in to kiss her.

Karen moved her head away "you are not breaking my concentration stud and I am in at least 20 different compromising positions."

"I know where I'm at, I like the position you are in Karen" Evgeni said smiling.

"I knew I liked this game for some reason" Karen said wiggling her eyebrows.

Sidney shot his head up and glared at his teammate. "Geno, any part of you that touches her will not be at the next game."

"Did I hit a sore spot there Darryl?" he said laughing then whispered into Karen's ear, "if you ever get bored with Canada, take a trip to Russia."

"Sorry Geno, but I don't plan on getting a passport anytime soon" Karen said then locked eyes with Sidney who just smiled at her.

"Ok guys, left hand green" Diane said

"Shit" Karen groaned "I will not be able to bend that way without falling." She went to reach for it but lost her balance and fell. "Ow, that hurt."

"Alright, one down and 7 to go."

"Shut it Jordan" Karen said as she got up. "It just means I can go get another drink."

Karen left the group, but smacked Sidney on the ass as she went. She left the room laughing as Sidney yelled to her. When she came back, she watched how tangled up everyone was and laughed. Karen decided to head outside to the porch for a bit.

Diane spinned again "Right foot blue guys."

Sidney went to move his foot, but slipped and fell. "Fuck, I'm out." Getting up, he looked around and didn't see Karen anywhere. He was going to go to the kitchen but saw the front door open and headed out there. Sidney saw her leaning against the column and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Are you going to tell your parents about me?"

"Where did that come from?"

Turning around in his arms "are you?"

"When the time is right. I didn't think they needed to know right away, why? Do you want them to know right now?"

"Its not so much of them knowing now, I was just wondering if you were going to tell them about me at all."

"Well unless we totally avoid each other the rest of the playoffs, my dad would at least ask questions if he sees us together acting like we do."

"Why just your dad?"


"Because he'll probably be the only one down here for the rest of the playoffs. You don't have anything to worry about."

"Really? What exactly would be your reaction to see your son dating a woman twice his age? Better yet, wondering what her intentions are with him?"

"He's not going to be like that."

Karen could see Sidney getting mad "whether he's like that or not, this is what everybody will think before knowing what's going on." Pulling his face back to look at her, "you know I'm right to wonder about this Sid. The first time I meet them whether they know about me or not, I am going to be the one infront of the firing squad."

"I know and I'm sorry but when they find out how much I love you they will too."

Karen didn't know if she should comment on what Sidney said or not. Did he actually love her? They had only known each other for a week and still trying to learn about each other. Did he really mean 'love'? Karen was brought out of her thoughts when Sidney lightly shook her.

"You ok? Where did you go?"

"Nowhere, just got lost in thought I guess. I just want to be prepared for what comes at us. I can handle things better if I know what's coming at me."

"So if the press finds out about this and all the rumors/talk that get all over the internet, you can handle it?"

"Yes. I know why I'm with you and if the press or the people on the internet don't buy it, I can't do more than that. I am not going to debate this with people that only want to know every little detail because it's about you and your life. But I'm not about to defend it all the time either. I just want to be with you, plain and simple."

"To tell you the truth, that's all I want too. We'll be fine and my parents will get over it once they know."

"I guess I'm more worried about your mom than your dad anyway."

"Why's that?"

"Your dad will be more concerned with me and what it does for your hockey career than anything else, but your mom will be the one to not like age difference."

"Then I guess you'll just have to convice both of them how good you are for me to be around."

"I hope you plan on helping me to convince them of that. I don't think your mom is going to want to know every little detail about how I'm good for you."

"Yeah, that part we can leave out" Sidney said leaning in to kiss her, only to be interrupted.

"Hey Karen, do you want to see THE Twister champion?" Evgeni said coming out onto the porch.

"Only because he cheated by knocking Natalie into me" Jordan followed behind complaining.

"All's fair in love and war especially when it comes to Twister" Evgeni gloated.

"It is just a game Jordan" Karen said.

"Yeah, fine. Sid we need to get going."

"Shit, it's already 11:30pm" Sidney said looking at his watched.

Ryan and Max soon came out and told Karen goodnight. Sidney told them to go ahead and he would catch up to them.

"So I guess you're not staying tonight, huh?" Karen stuck out her bottom lip to pout.

"I think this would be one night Mario might have a problem if something happens and I show up late tomorrow. Could I have a raincheck for tomorrow after the game?"

"I guess" she said pretending to be hurt. "I can wait before I have you in my bed again....if I have to." Karen started to laugh "you better go and I will see you tomorrow at the arena."

"I have an idea, how about you see if you could stay around after the game for me to drive you home."

"I don't think that would work. The girls were going to head back to Wheeling right after the game with some other friends coming up for the game and I will still have my car here since I will be driving. I can't leave my car at the arena when I need to head to Wheeling later tomorrow night."

"Yeah, that wouldn't work. Well you could still wait around for me to get done with the media and everything and then we could follow each other home."

"I think I could do that."

"Of course I could just kidnap you and make you leave your car here and then I could keep you with me for another day."

"You might want to rethink that plan."

"How much time do I have to think about it?"

"The amount of time it would take for me to call Geno back."

Karen stood there smiling and just searched Sidney face for the reaction she was hoping for. After a minute, Sidney started laughing.

"Ok. You wait for me after the game and then one will follow the other home." Sidney leaned in and captured Karen's lips in a kiss. "Of course, after we get home, I may have to give you another ride" he whispered.

"Well with you leaving for New York and being gone for 4 days, I was hoping I would get some sort a ride to keep me going that long being without you."

"Don't worry, I would never leave without you having something to remember me by." Sidney looked at his watch again "I really need to go baby." He kissed her again letting it linger.

Karen broke the kiss, "ok, I am going to be the one to step away from you because if I don't you will not be leaving this porch."

Sidney gave one more quick kiss then ran down the steps and then down the street to Mario's. Karen leaned against the column for a moment before heading back inside. She was met at the doorway with one last glass and her three friends. They all clinked glasses and went back into the living room with her friends telling her what happened with the game and how it ended.

Chapter 13

Karen had told her friends what was going on and they were fine with it. They sat around and talked until Sidney arrived. At 2:45p, Sidney came and got Karen then headed out for a late lunch.

Sidney wanted to go somewhere different and Karen asked him if he didn't mind the drive they could head to Robinson and go for wings. Karen had a craving for Quaker Steak and Lube and Sidney hadn't been there before so they decided to head there. They didn't really talk that much on the drive there and that kind of scared Karen. She wondered if indeed Sidney did regret last night and tried to play every scenerio in her head of what he might want to talk about.

They reached the restaurant and went in. It wasn't crowded and Sidney asked for a booth somewhat secluded from everyone else. The hostess didn't quite understand until she recognized Sidney. He asked if she could not make a fuss and she smiled saying she wouldn't. She showed them to a booth in the back corner and when the waitress came over, they ordered their food and drinks then she left them alone.

"Are you ok?" Karen asked "You've been more quiet than usual."

"I'm fine, I just think we need to talk about last night."

Karen told herself that no matter what he says, she wasn't going to cry or get upset. "Ok. What about last night?"

"Did you regret it when you thought I had left you?"

"No. I thought maybe you did when I woke up and you were gone."

"I didn't regret any part of last night." Sidney took her hand and held on to it. "But I still thought you wanted to wait."

"I did, but you were right that there's something going on between us. I think I wanted last night to happen now so we wouldn't have to keep fighting our feelings for each other." Karen saw the look in Sidney's eyes "I know you know what I mean."

Sidney smiled "yeah I do. Everytime we got around each other, there was this electricity between us."

"And I think we just needed to get it under control before we both went crazy."

"Of course it doesn't mean it was a one time deal though, does it?" Sidney asked with his eyebrow cocked.

"Not if you don't want it to be" Karen looked at him with a smile "but the next question would be, where did last night just take us? Friends with benefits or..."

"Would you like it to be more?" Sidney asked hoping he heard the right answer.

"Anybody you ask about me, they'll tell you that I love to be in a relationship, but I can't be like one of those other player's girlfriends that just goes to games and sit around while you're on the road. I love my job, besides when I played with Team USA, I have finally found something I am good at to make a career out of. I don't want to just give that up because we become a couple. I need you to understand that Sid."

Before Sidney could answer her, the waitress came with their food and left.

"I do understand that, really and I could never ask you to give up your job for me. Unless you get a transfer or something, then I would have to protest to keep you here with me. I love that you are independent and know about the pressures of the game. That is one reason why I fell for you." Sidney didn't realize what he said until it was already coming out of his mouth.

"You fell for me?" Karen asked as tears started to form in her eyes.

Sidney locked eyes with her "yes I did and I just hope one day you could feel the same about me."

"I already do."

That was all Karen had to say. They looked at each other and smiled as Sidney grabbed Karen's hand and kissed it. He let her go and they finished eating their lunch. When they were done, Sidney drove around before heading home. He came across an overlook and stopped the car.

"Why did you stop here?"

Sidney never answered her with words, but with a searing kiss. He brought Karen as close to him as he could with their kiss heating up more. Karen pulled away after a few minutes relatively out of breath.

"Ok, wait. I need to make sure I understood what just happened at lunch. Neither of us regreted last night, we both admitted that we fell for each other, and now we are officially boyfriend/girlfriend. Is that right?"

"Sounds right to me. I mean, that is if you want to be my girlfriend."

"I don't know. I have had another admirer come to me and make a similar offer. You might have to persuade me."

Sidney smiled before answering her "well, I am cute from what I've read and been told."

"I can see the cuteness in a handsome, sexy way. What else?"

"I do play hockey which is the hardest game to actually score points in."

"That is true, plus you do wear a uniform and I do love a man in uniform, especially a hockey jersey."

"Well I do have several of them to wear for you whenever you want me to."

"Can I wear them too?"

"Only if that's the only thing you wear?"

"I think that can be arranged. Can we play 1 on 1?"

"Hockey? Any time, any place. Other than hockey? Any time, any place."

Karen couldn't help but let a laugh escape her lips but soon got serious "Are you sure I'm what you want?"

"I couldn't be more sure of anything right now. I need you in my life Karen."

"Good cause that other guy has nothing on you. I think you won by a landslide."

"Can I tell the press about you?"

"And look how fast this relationship just ended?" Karen said trying to be serious but the look Sidney gave her made her bust out laughing. "Could we maybe hold off on telling the press? I know where a lot of the Pittsburgh reporters will take this and I would like to keep the past where it belongs....in the past."

"Ok baby. If they find out it will be on their own."

"Thank you."

Sidney leans in and kisses her, making sure it lasts for a while.

Karen broke the kiss "you know this would be so much better if the consol wasn't in the way."

"We could always get in the back seat."

"Or we could go get my car and then later tonight if you come over, we could find time to continue this."

"I like that idea better."

"I had no doubt that you would."

He kissed her again and then started the engine, going to get Karen's car. When the arrived at Pops', Karen got out and Sidney followed her. After she unlocked the door and threw her purse inside, she turned around right into Sidney's arms. He held her as close as he could and kissed her. Karen brought her hands up and went into his hair, curling her fingers around the strands. They broke apart breathless and got into their own cars. Sidney let Karen lead and followed her. After they got back, Karen went on to her house as Sidney pulled in to Mario's driveway.

Karen walked into the house and found her friends laughing hysterically in the living room. She asked what was so funny and they all pointed to the tv. Karen saw they were watching Finding Nemo and all she could do was roll her eyes and laugh at them. She went into the kitchen to see there was stuff in the blender and poured herself a glass. Taking a drink, Karen almost choked at how strong it was.

"Um guys, what all is in this? It is really strong."

"Yeah, we were just experimenting and this was the third batch so we just started throwing things in." Natalie said.

"I think we over did the vodka in this one" Sheril added "but it needs more juice and maybe coconut rum."

"And you guys plan to just keep experimenting tonight?"

"Of course" Diane said "how else or we going to invent new drinks?"

"Alrighty then."

Karen sat down and finished her drink while watching the rest of the movie with them. Sheril had disappeared in the kitchen and made another batch, which Karen gladly took. After her third glass, Karen heard the door open. She was lying upside down on the chair and looked to see Sidney and a few other players standing in the doorway to the living room.

"What's up bud-dy?" holding out her drink "want some? It's goooooood!"

Sidney couldn't help but laugh at her as he walked over and took her drink from her, sniffing it.

"Oh just take a drink you wimp." After Karen said it, she busted out laughing.

Sidney took a drink and almost spit it out. "My god that is strong. How many have you had baby?"

Karen looked at her hand and held up three fingers to Sidney. He laughed at her and helped her up from the chair. She stumbled a bit but was able to straighten up. "Well look what you brought."

"Karen, you remember Ryan, Jordan and Evgeni from last week."

"Yeppers."

Sidney couldn't stop laughing at her drunkenness. "And this is Max Talbot."

"Nice to see you guys again and Max, nice to meet you" Karen said. "If you guys want something to drink there is some beer in the fridge and harder stuff under the sink. Help yourself to whatever and how ever much you want."

"So what is in this that your drinking?" Ryan asked as he took the glass from Sidney and sipped it.

"Um, vodka...rum...cranberry juice...."

"A lot of Tequila" Sheril yelled from the kitchen.

"And lime juice."

"That sounds pretty potent" as Ryan smiled.

"Some Triple Sec, ice, and Grenadine to help make it more red" Karen continued.

"How much of each did you put in?" Max asked

Karen stood there and thought for a long minute "we don't know, we just kept pouring until we thought it was enough for the four of us and then some."

"So basically stay away from whatever is in the blender" Jordan said laughing. "Since we have a game tomorrow, I think I will just get a beer. Anyone else?"

The guys all agreed and went to the kitchen to retrieve the beer from the fridge. Sidney asked them to get him one as Karen pulled him into the living room. Everyone else was in the kitchen, so Karen grabbed Sidney and kissed him. As they continued to kiss, everybody walked in on them and started making comments. They pulled apart and Sidney sat down on the couch and brought Karen onto his lap.

"We need to play a game or something" Ryan spoke up.

"We could play truth or dare" Natalie said.

"NO!" as Karen and Sidney said in unison as everyone laughed.

"Something you wanna share Sid?" Jordan asked.

"Let's just say that game never ends good."

Sheril spotted a game and got up to get it, walking back in with the box. "Hey guys, let's play Twister."

"Naked Twister?" Evgeni asked with a smile.

"Um, isn't that kinda of difficult with this game?"

"Not really. Want me to show you?"

"Geno, go ask someone that isn't my girlfriend. Let's just play the original way" Sidney said laughing.

"Alright, but she would have loved it" Evgeni stated before sitting down.

Karen leaned to Sidney's ear and whispered "I told you I had other offers."

Sidney just smiled and kissed her. They all got up and waited to see what the first move was. Diane was the spinner since she hurt her back and couldn't play.

Chapter 12

The next morning Sidney woke up to the sun coming into the bedroom. For a moment he forgot where he was since his room in Mario's house doesn't get sun until early afternoon. He looked down to see Karen lying on her side facing the opposite way. Sometime during the night, they changed positions because Sidney was now spooning her. He glanced at the clock that read 9:13am and he knew he had to get up. The team was having a meeting at 11a to go over last night's game and to prepare for Sunday's afternoon game. Sidney let go of Karen and quietly got out of bed. He picked up his clothes and headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he emerged dressed and left the room.

Karen woke up and looked at the clock. She groaned at the numbers staring at her, 9:32a. She laid there for a second and smiled at what happened last night, but her smile faded when she glanced behind her and didn't see Sidney beside her. Karen cursed to herself that she just became a puckbunny again. She reluctantly got up and went to the bathroom. When she was done, she put on her robe and headed downstairs to see if any of the girls were up yet.

As she got closer to the bottom of the steps, Karen smelled food being cooked. As she looked into the living room and still saw Sheril and Diane asleep, she figured it must be Natalie making breakfast. Entering the kitchen, she saw the refrigerator door open.

"Well you're up early. You are always the last one to get up after a night of drinking."

"I really didn't drink that much last night."

Karen stopped dead in her tracks and saw Sidney coming out from behind the door with a carton of juice.

"I didn't see..I thought you..."

"You thought I left without waking you up or leaving a note, huh?"

"Yeah I did. Sorry, I just thought..."

Pulling the pan off the stove and putting it on the table before walking over to embrace her into a hug, "If it was any other girl that I didn't care about, yeah, I would have left without a word. But I couldn't and wouldn't do that to you" Sidney said before kissing her.

"You care about me?"

"I thought it was obvious."

"It probably was, but I still wanted to ask. So why are you dressed and making breakfast?

"We have a team meeting at 11a and I need to go get a shower and changed before heading to the arena. I figured I would make you breakfast in bed before I went, but seeing how you got up before that happened, I guess you have to eat it in here."

"And I guess you don't have time to join me."

"No, I don't, sorry. How about when I am done at the arena, we can go for a late lunch?"

"I'd like that. Will you call or text me when you have an approximate idea when you'll be done?"

"Absolutely" Sidney looked at his watch "I'm sorry but I really need to go."

Karen walked him to the door and Sidney leaned in and kissed her. "We'll talk at lunch ok?"

"Ok. Bye."

Karen watched him drive out of the driveway before going back into the kitchen for breakfast, only Diane and Sheril was in there enjoying it too.

"Thanks for breakfast girl. I am starving after all that drinking" Sheril commented.

"I didn't make it. Sidney made it for me but he had to go before he could give it to me in bed." Karen said pouring herself some juice.

"I'm sure he'd like to give you something else in bed too."

Karen stayed silent and smile into her glass. Sheril and Diane looked at each other before looking at Karen with a 'no you didn't' look.

"Did you....did he....did you and he..." Diane stammered out.

"If you find verbs, nouns, and adjectives to add to that, you might be able to form an actual sentence."

"Let me ask this all personal question" Sheril spoke up "did you get to experience the man meat of the Pens captain?"

"I love how you ask a question girl" Karen said looking at them "yes I did."

"Did what?" Natalie asked as she emerged from the guest bedroom.

"Apparently, our friend here got to do what many girls in the Pittsburgh area would love to and that was fuck Sidney Crosby."

"It wasn't like that. It was a little more special." Karen explained.

"My god, you're falling for him." Natalie said.

"I already had" Karen said. "When we first met at the arena last week, the girls and I played a little 4 on 4 with him, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney and Marc-Andre Fleury. Apparently I scored on Sidney and he was a little taken with me after that. When Mario came down to play a little 1 on 1 with me and I beat him, we started jokind around. I sat and talked with Mario for a bit and even Mario realized that Sidney was mesmerized by me because of the move I made on him. He didn't even know Mario invited me to dinner and he learned a lot about me from that. Afterwards, I did ask if he wanted to got to Pops and relax a little and while we were there, it just felt right to be with him like that."

"What do you mean? Like how?" Diane questioned.

"Like we were so comfortable with each other right off the bat. There was no awkward moments. It felt like I had known him for a while. Something clicked right away with him. I don't know, it's hard to really explain. I just know what I feel when I am with him and what I feel when I'm not."

"You're in love with him. Does he know about you and Rick?"

"Yes. Mario brought it up at dinner. He also knows about my parents and the one night with Shanny. It felt right to tell him, like I didn't want to keep anything from him."

"Have you told him how you feel?" Diane asked

"I want to, but it's too soon to tell him. Isn't it?"

"Not after last night. You need to see if he feels the same about you or if last night was what he wanted." Natalie saw the look Karen gave her "if all he wanted was to get you into bed, you need to find out now before you keep falling for him. The longer you take, the more in love you become, the harder the fall when he breaks your heart and kicks your ass to the curb. If he does feel the same and you tell him how you feel, then you guys can concentrate on a relationship."

"But is it worth it when he'll only be in town until the beginning of June?" Karen asked her friends.

"What do you mean?"

"You know hockey players always go 'home' for the off season. He has a house in Cole Harbour, not to mention his family. I can't take three months off of work to be with him, even if he did ask me to go with him. I tell him how I feel now and when he comes back in September for training camp, what if nothings the same between us and something happened with him while at home."

"You'll never know until you take that chance Kiki."

They continued on with breakfast and then laid around for the rest of the morning.

At the arena, Sidney was in the team lounge with the guys after their meeting. They decided to stay and work out a little.

"So Sid, how come you didn't make it over to Jordan's after the game to celebrate?" Ryan asked with a questioning look.

"Had other plans."

"With your girlfriend?" Geno asked with a huge smile.

Sidney sat there and smiled. He wanted Karen to have that title, but he hadn't really asked her to be his girlfriend yet. "Right now, we're still friends."

"Friends? What's holding you back?"

"I don't know if she feels the same that I do. I think I have picked up on some feelings coming from her, but I can't be sure until she tells me how she feels."

"Have you told her how you felt?"

"Not to where she heard me."

"You want to explain that a little more Sid?" Ryan stopped peddling on the bike.

Sidney looked around and saw where him and Ryan were the only two in the room. He walked over to him so he didn't have to talk so loud. "After the game, I met up with her at a bar her and her friends always go to on the SouthSide. When they were ready to leave, I drove them home because they were way to drunk to drive. I ended up staying the night with Karen and when we were done, she fell asleep, I looked at her and said that I was falling in love with her. She didn't hear me and I meant what I said to her. I guess I want to be sure she feels the same before I go and blurt it out."

"And considering that after the playoffs you go home until training camp starts will certainly put a damper on things."

"If things are going great like they are now, maybe she'll go with me."

"Sid, she has a job of her own. She'll probably not be able to take a three month hiatus from work to be with you. Ask her about her vacation time. Maybe she can at least stay with you for a week or two."

"Maybe."

"Just let things happen naturally like they have been. Come on, lets get this workout done so we can head out."

Sidney thanked Ryan for his advice and went to his locker. He wanted to text Karen first before finishing his workout.

Karen had gotten her shower and was straightening up her bed when she saw a bulge at the bottom of the covers. She reached under and laughed when she pulled out Sidney's boxers from last night. That only made her laugh harder to realize he was commando this morning. Karen sat on her bed and thought about last night. She was glad they made love because now it's like it's out of the way and they can concentrate on other things. Karen thought about if she wanted the title to be his 'girlfriend'. Maybe when they went for lunch and talked it was one of the things that would pop up.

Karen was brought out of her thoughts when her cell phone went off. She saw it was a text from Sidney and a smile just instantly appeared at the sight of his name. She opened her phone to read the message.

Hey baby. Stayed to workout for a bit after the meeting. Will only stay until 2 then we can meet for lunch. Sound good? I will call you when I get done. ttyl Sid

Karen hit the reply button to text him back, knowing it would be another hour before he got it. She decided to do a load of laundry and added Sidney's boxers to the pile.

Sidney was done with his workout and he went to call Karen. As he opened his phone, he saw a text appear from Karen.

I would love to meet you for lunch but my car is still at Pops and no way to get it. Come get me? :)

Sidney forgot he drove everybody home and they had left Karen's car. He dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello."

"Hey baby."

"Hey you. Are you done with your workout?"

"Yeah. I just need to grab a shower and get dressed. Sorry, I forgot that we left your car at the bar last night. We can go get it after lunch."

"Well, we'll probably hit Pops tonight anyway if you don't mind playing chauffer to us again then I can just drive it home tonight."

"I figured we could just hang out at home tonight."

"Oh, that's right, tomorrow's game is an afternoon one. Well, we can get my car after lunch and if you don't mind hanging here with the girls, we can stay in. There's enough here for them to drink if they want."

"Mind if I ask a few of the guys to hang out too?"

"No, the more the merrier."

"Ok, well, let me get ready and I will be there in a little while. I missed you today."

"I missed you too. See you soon."

They hung up and Karen went to put the laundry in the dryer. She figured by the time Sidney got here, his boxers would be done. After she did that, Karen went up to her bathroom to get her make up on and change into something more appropriate. She was in a tank top and cut off sweat shorts....not a good look for going out to lunch with Sidney Crosby. Karen laughed at what the stories would have been if they saw her dressed like that and out and about with Sidney. She chose a pair of denim capris and a v-neck knit top, casual but nice. Karen headed downstairs to wait for Sidney to arrive.

Chapter 11

Finally it was Friday and Karen was antsy during work as 1pm couldn't come soon enough. When she got done with work, she called her friends that always go to the home games with her and told them the plan. After she got off the phone with them, she laid down for a nap. Karen was not about to go to the game dead tired, besides, her friend Sheril had to work until 4pm and that would give Karen at least two and a half hours of sleep. Before Karen fell asleep, she did a quick text to Sidney.

Sidney was lying around Mario's when his cell phone went off. He looked at it and saw he had a new message from Karen. He smiled and then opened his phone.

"Hey my hockey stud. Just wanted to wish you good luck for tonight. Taking a nap so I can be wide awake for after the game. Will be at Mellon around 5. ttyl"

He closed his phone and smiled that Karen had forgiven him. After he surprised her on Wednesday, they had texted for a good couple of hours on Thursday. Karen said she had forgiven him for what happened and knew it was not his fault and he actually had a right to be angry about it. They both had apologized to each other enough to know they would be ok afterwards.

Sidney closed his eyes and thought of what could possibly happen tonight before succumbing to sleep.

Later that day, Karen and her friends had made it to the arena and stood around waiting on the players to arrive. They didn't see the point to stand down by the parking lot as all the puckbunnies and little kids were always there trying to get to the players. They stood over the entrance and looked down on them. Karen scanned the parking lot and didn't see Sidney's SUV yet so she was happy to know she could see him before he goes in to the arena.

A few minutes later, Karen heard the crowd scream and looked to see Sidney pulling into the parking lot. The screams got louder when he got out of his SUV. Karen smiled on the inside because her friends knew nothing of her and Sidney. When Sidney got towards the entrance, the fans started yelling by where she was standing. He looked up and panned the crowd giving them the sexy smile he was famous for. Karen couldn't help but finally smile when Sidney caught her eyes. He gave her a subtle wink and headed inside.

At that moment, Karen's friends looked at her and wanted answers but before Karen could, her phone went off. She walked away from her friends and answered it.

"So was that wink for me?"

"It better have been, hate to know what impression the guy beside you got if he thinks I winked at him."

"You do know that I have some explaining to do to my friends since you did that."

"What are you going to tell them?"

"That I am just using you. For what I haven't determined that yet."

"I think I'm going to be worried."

"Well don't be. Um, after the game we were going to go to Pops' and since I figured you would be caught up with the media for awhile, would you like to meet me there when you're done?"

"Definitely."

"Good. I know you need to get ready, so good luck tonight."

"Thanks baby, bye."

"Bye."

They hung up and Karen walked back to her friends, who all had quizzical looks on their faces. Karen just smiled and told them she would explain everything later.

A little after 6p, the doors opened and the crowd ushered in. Karen and her friends went to the bathroom and to get beer before heading to their seats. The players were not on the ice yet for warm ups but she knew they would be coming out in a matter of minutes. As Karen was in line to get her beer, she felt a vibration coming from her pocket. She pulled out her phone and saw a text from Sidney.

"I forgot to ask where you are sitting."

"Thought I told you but West Igloo 2, row G, seats 1-4."

"Now I can find you during warm ups and the game. ttyl."

"later."

Karen put her phone back into her pocket and got her beer. She joined her friends and they headed to their seats. The crowd cheered and they looked up to see the Pens hit the ice. Karen waited for Sidney to come out before sitting down. When he skated past, he smiled and gave a nod to Karen and then skated away. She couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Ok, girl. You need to spill the beans of what is going on between you and the captain" her friend Sheril asked.

As Karen got ready to explain, Sheril, Diane, and Natalie all huddled closer to her so she wouldn't have to talk to loud. Karen didn't want anyone around them to hear.

"Last Saturday Liz, Stacie, Samantha, and Kasey were here visiting and we came here to play a little. Well, Sid and four others were still practicing around and we literally shared the ice. After that Mario came down to play and we ended up talking about old times. He invited me to dinner and afterwards, I asked Sid if he wanted to join us at Pops'. He came with me and we just clicked. We've called, texted and seen each other almost everyday since then."

"Let me get this straight" Natalie said wanting to make sure she heard it right. "You met Sidney Crosby last weekend, asked him out, and been secretly dating for the past week?"

"Yeah something like that."

"Were you ever going to tell us?" Diane added.

"I was, especially since he may meet us at Pops' after tonight's game" Karen said quitely. "You all would have met him tonight. So can we maybe curb the whole Sidney thing until after the game?"

They all agreed to not ask anymore questions until later.

Once the game started, Karen couldn't take her eyes off of Sidney. She had watched him before, but tonight was different. The Pens went down early but came back to win 5-4. Sidney was held to two assists. Before he left the ice, he glance towards Karen and she knew he would meet her later when he got done with the media.

The girls headed out and got into traffic to go to the bar. It was kind of crowded because Pops always had the game on for anyone that couldn't go. They walked in and Pops smiled at Karen who just waved at him. He nodded to tell them their booth was open and he soon brought over a round of beers. Sheril asked for a couple of bottles of Tequila and glasses to be brought over in an hour. This was a ritual for the four of them after every Penguins home game. When they got done with their beers, Pops brought over the Tequila and the girls played their favorite game of 'I Never'. Karen's phone went off and she read the text from Sidney saying he was 5 minutes away. She texted him back and told him where they were sitting when he came in, then she went back to the game.

By the time Sidney got in the bar, Karen and her friends were very muched buzzed. He found the table and instinctly sat down beside Karen, kissing her. The kiss deepened but was soon interrupted by her friends making catcalls.

"Sorry, Sidney I would like you to meet my friends Sheril, Natalie, and Diane. Girls, I would like you to meet Sidney."

After Karen made the introductions, Sidney asked them what they were doing. Karen told him the game and the basics to it.

"Ok, back to the game" Sheril said with an evil grin. "I Never....kissed Sidney Crosby."

Karen looked at her friend and just glared at her, "You ain't right."

"Well that's beyond the point, now drink."

Karen downed her shot and everybody waited for the next one.

"I Never.....had Sidney Crosby wink at me." Natalie said while stifling her laugh.

"You see where this is going don't you?" Karen said as she turned to Sidney.

"Yeah, I do" as he kissed her temple.

"Ok, let me see. I Never....had dinner at Mario's house." Diane chimed in.

Karen just shook her head and laughed before downing her third shot in a row. What she didn't expect was that Sidney had poured some Tequila into her shot glass and downed it. She looked at him with a questioning look. "I have dinner with Mario on any given night, so I figured I had to drink too."

It was finally Karen's turn to get back at her friends and she thought for a minute. "I Never....have been married." Karen knew both Sheril and Diane would have to drink because they are married and Natalie would have to drink because for a brief few hours one night in Vegas, she got married. It was satisfying to see them all drink.

They stayed for another hour and then decided to head to Karen's house. Sidney drove the girls to her house for fear not wanting any of her friends to drive. He only had a couple of shots and a beer so he was fine. On the drive to Sewickley, the girls were singing along with the radio and acting crazy while Karen was quiet and holding Sidney's hand. He pulled up to her house and everyone filed out of the car. Sidney held Karen back as the other three grabbed her keys and went inside. She walked up onto the step and turned to face Sidney still on the walkway. She was now face to face with him. Sidney pulled her close to him and they were soon kissing.

After a few minutes, Sidney was the first to pull away. "I better head to Mario's before it gets any later."

"Why don't you stay here?" Karen asked with hopeful eyes.

"If I stay, I may not be able to control myself. Besides, I thought you wanted to wait."

"I do, well did. I also wanted to wait until it felt right" kissing him again "this just feels right. Stay with me tonight?" she said in a whisper.

Sidney didn't answer her, he just kissed her and then led her into the house. When they got in, Sheril was passed out on the couch, Diane was on the floor, and she figured Natalie took the guest room. Karen was thankful that they all were downstairs.

Karen locked the door and they headed upstairs to her room. Once inside, they started kissing like there was an urgency for it. Karen slowed things down by breaking apart and undressing him as he undressed her. Sidney laughed when he peeled off the Penguins jersey she was wearing, well she was wearing Sidney's jersey. He got her down to her bra and underwear. She smiled at how fast he had her undressed and Sidney was still somewhat dressed. Karen took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. She let both of them fall off his shoulders and onto the floor. Karen couldn't help but run her hands over his chest and abs. She was finally seeing him shirtless and it turned her on even more. Karen got his pants off his hips and he kicked off his shoes to finish taking them off. They stood there kissing and roaming their hands over each others bodies. Sidney picked up Karen and placed her on the bed before lying on top of her.

They looked into each other's eyes before Sidney captured her lips in another heated kiss. This kiss was certainly different as it was slower and more sensual. His hands went behind Karen's back and she felt him search for the clasp to undo her bra by the way he was touching her.

"Um, my bra hooks in the front."

"That would explain why I couldn't find it."

They both laugh and Sidney removed his hands from her back, feeling his way to the front. He found the clasp and unhooked it, removing it off her breasts. Sidney helped Karen sit up so he could completely remove it. When Karen laid back down, she brought Sidney with her into a kiss. After a minute, Sidney moved from her lips to her neck. He kissed a line to her collarbone and then eventually to her breasts. He didn't just dive right in, Sidney kissed all over her breast before enveloping his lips around her nipple and lightly sucking on it. Karen had arched her back into him and the feelings he was creating inside her.

When Sidney felt he had her going, he continued his trail down Karen's stomach. He came to the top of her panties and began to pull them down and off her legs. Crawling back up her body, he placed feather-light kisses up her thigh. He stop over her mound and blew a stream of cool air over her. Karen's hips moved upward towards the air and Sidney's hands pushed her back down, holding her there. After he blew the air, he snuck out his tongue and licked her lips causing her to shiver and moan.

Sidney was about to go deeper when Karen grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back up to her.
"I realize what you were about to do, but I need you another way right now."

Karen never gave him a chance to answer as she was kissing him. Her hands went down his sides to his boxers. She started to pull them down as far as she could with him on top of her. Karen brought up one of her legs and put her foot in his boxers to bring them the rest of the way down, kicking them to the bottom of the bed. She could feel him growing harder by the second and wanted him more.

Sidney felt Karen's hand reach inbetween them and lightly stroke him. He stopped kissing her and pulled her hand away, causing Karen to feel scared that he didn't want to do this with her.

"Um, where's the present that Stacie bought for us?"

Karen pointed to the nightstand beside her bed, "top drawer."

Sidney reached over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. He found the condoms Stacie bought as a joke and pulled one out. Karen took it and put it on him. Sidney moaned into her neck at the feeling of her touching him. He picked his head up and looked at her.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I don't want you to regret this tomorrow."

"I'm sure and I know I won't regret it, unless you will."

"Never."

"Make love to me" Karen said with pleading eyes.

Sidney kissed her as he guided himself into her. He heard Karen gasp and stayed still so she could get used to his size. He felt Karen dig her nails into his hips and started to move inside her. Sidney started out slow and getting a rythmn going between them. Everytime he went deep inside her, Karen matched his thrusts by moving her hips up to him.

Minutes later, Karen turned them over so Sidney was on his back and she was straddling him. She arched her back, leaning her hands on the top of his thighs as she took control. Sidney had his hands on her hips, gripping into her skin as she was sending sensations throughout his body. Karen leaned forward and brought Sidney up to her, kissing him. Sidney knew he wasn't going to be able to last much longer as he flipped them back over onto her back and took control once again. He went harder, deeper, and faster with every thrust. Karen felt her orgasm building within her and reached its peak, literally screaming Sidney's name. He felt her muscles tighten around him and with his last thrust, he came moaning out for her. Sidney collapsed onto her as their heavy breathing became less. When Sidney caught his breath, he rolled off and brought her with him. Karen instantly curled up to him and rested her head in his neck, a smile draped acrossed her face.

"You alright baby?"

"Perfect."

Within minutes, Karen had fallen asleep but Sidney was still awake. He looked down at how beautiful she was when she was sleeping he couldn't help but smile at her.

"I'm falling in love with you Karen." That was all he said before falling asleep himself.

Chapter 10

The next morning Karen got up with her alarm blaring. She wasn't happy about how things ended with Sidney last night and hated what Maggie did. She looked at her cell phone remembering she turned it off. Karen turned it on and left it on the bed as she went to the bathroom to get a shower and get ready for work. As she was in the shower, she didn't hear her phone beep with a new voicemail.

Karen got her things ready and walked out of the room, but stopped when she forgot her cell phone. She picked it up off the bed and left the room. Karen walked into the kitchen and saw Maggie standing there getting her coffee ready.

"I'm heading up now, so I'll see you later."

"Karen, wait. I'm sorry ok."

"No its not ok Mags. Things have been going so great between Sid and I and you had to pull this shit. Why?"

"I don't know. I thought about just coming out and asking him but I figured if I could come on to him and he fell for it, then you'd know not to fall for him."

"Well it's too late, I already have." Karen said as she left the house and got in her car to head to work.

Karen got to work 20 minutes early an went inside to wait to clock in. She went into the break room and pulled out her cell phone. When she flipped it open, she saw she had a new voicemail. At first she wanted to ignore it, but she called her mailbox and listened to the message.

Hey baby, it's me. I'm sorry for not believing you and just leaving like I did. I feel like an ass for doing that. We need to talk to straighten this out. I was more mad at what Maggie did and I should have known you had nothing to do with it. You've been nothing but honest with me since day one. Anyway, I'm sorry too Karen. Please call me when you go to lunch. Bye.

Karen exited her mailbox and put her phone on vibrate before putting it in her pocket. She got up and went to the bathroom to let a few tears fall and freshen up before clocking in.

All morning both Sidney and Karen couldn't stop thinking about each other. Sidney had practice at 10am and he was on his way to the arena. He knew when or if Karen called him during her lunch hour, he'd be on the ice. He hoped that she'd leave a message and that would be something he'd look forward to after practice.

When Karen had gone to lunch, she stared at her phone constantly wondering if she should call him. Better yet, what she should tell him. Karen hoped that what happened last night isn't throwing him off his practice. She decided to pick up her phone and dial Sidney's number. When she heard it ring and ring, she knew he was in the middle of practice. Her hand was shaking and as soon as she heard his voicemail pick up she couldn't decide to leave a message or not. When she heard the beep she knew there was no turning back. Karen left a message and then put her phone on the table. Maggie saw her sitting by herself and went over hoping to talk to her.

"Can I sit with you?"

"Do whatever you want" Karen hissed.

"Ok I deserve that. How many times do I need to apologize to make this right?"

"I'm not the only one you need to apologize to."

"I know. Next time I see him I will profoundly apologize to Sidney."

"Fine, whatever" Karen said to get the subject changed.

"Have you talked to him?" Maggie asked somewhat cautiously.

"He left me a voicemail I guess last night that I got this morning. I just called and left a message back to him since he's at practice now."

"What did he tell you?"

"That he was sorry for not believing me and that he's more pissed at you for doing that to him. Honestly Mags, I don't know where your head is most days. The one thing that hasn't been in my life for 12 years and you go and screw it up for me when I get a chance again."

"I know I did and...."

"Your sorry, I know."

"Just tell me what I need to do to help you fix this?"

"Just stay away from him and for today stay away from me." Karen said getting up and heading out of the breakroom. She went for a walk outside until she had to go back to work.

At 1pm, the players were taking a break from practice and Sidney practically ran to the locker room to see if Karen had called. He opened his phone and saw he had a missed call. Going through the list, he saw it was from Karen and smiled calling his mailbox. His smile soon faded when he actually heard the message.

Hey Sid. I wasn't really sure about leaving you a message but figured I needed to. I told you I didn't want to be a distraction for you during the playoffs and I think I just became that. I'm happy that you don't blame me for last night. I was serious when I meant I had nothing to do with what Maggie did but it hurt that you didn't believe me right away. Maybe the best thing right now would for us to take a three day break from talking. I don't want to be the reason for any lack of concentration you might have because of this. I will just see you at the game on Friday and maybe we can talk afterwards if you want. I'm sorry this happened now.

Sidney shut his phone and sat down. He could hear the sadness in her voice and it sounded like she was starting to cry by the end of the message. He hated that he jumped to conclusions to make her sad. He was falling for her and falling fast. Sidney needed to try and reassure her because he didn't want to lose her. Their break was over and Sidney put his phone away and went back onto the ice.

Later that night, Karen had been in her room since she had gotten home from work. She didn't want to deal with Maggie but also because she had a guy over and didn't want to have to play nice and be socialable. She had the tv on to try and drown out the sounds of them but it wasn't working. A few minutes later her cell phone rang and she looked at the caller ID. Karen's heart jumped into her throat when she saw Sidney's name appear. She wanted to ignore it, but chose to answer it instead.

"Hey" Karen said softly.

"Hey baby. I'm glad you decided to answer."

"I thought I would be able to avoid you until Friday, but you make it hard for that to happen."

"I've been told I have that affect on people" he thought he heard a smile in her voice but wasn't sure. "I really am sorry for how I overreacted."

"I know. I think in some sick way Mags thought she was helping by finding out your true intentions. All my friends have been very overprotective since I moved back home in 1999. Its sweet, but it irritates me."

"I can imagine. You wouldn't have been a distraction baby. All we needed to do was talk."

"I don't think its that simple anymore Sid" Karen said as tears started falling down her cheeks.

"Baby, please don't cry and tell me what you mean."

"I can't, not right now. Just do what I suggest and let's wait to talk on Friday. Please?"

Sidney hated to hear her cry and didn't want to press the issue anymore. "Ok, but I will only do this if you promise me that we will talk on Friday."

"I promise, Friday."

"Alright. Night Karen."

"Night Sid."

Karen hung up first and curled into a ball. She let the remaining tears fall and eventually fell asleep.

Sidney laid in bed and couldn't help but hate himself for doing this to her, to them. He thought of what he needed to do before going to sleep himself.

On Wednesday, Karen was finishing up a few things before getting ready to take her lunch. As she was turned looking for a certain size, she didn't realize she had a visitor by her cart. Karen turned back around and was startled at the person staring at her.

"It's not Friday." Karen told Sidney as he stared at her.

"I couldn't let this continue until Friday. I had to see you and get this cleared up. Go to lunch with me?"

Karen knew she shouldn't but decided to go. "Ok. Let me go clock out and I will meet you outside the employee entrance on the side. Five minutes?"

"I'll meet you there."

Karen walked to the bathroom and then clocked out for lunch. She grabbed her purse from her locker and went outside to find Sidney. When she got out there, she saw him parked and standing by the passenger side. Karen walked up to the car and the first thing Sidney did was grab her and kissed her. As much as Karen wanted to pull away, she instantly melted into the kiss.

After pulling away "you know I only have an hour for lunch?" Karen told him.

"I know. I just had to do that." Sidney said as he opened the car door for her then getting in and heading out.

Sidney drove to the Chinese restaurant Karen took him to on Monday and she just laughed since they were there two days ago. When she questioned his choice, Sidney told her it was where they could be alone to talk. But it had different meaning to Karen. Once they were seated, they went ahead and ordered so she wouldn't be back over to bother them.

Sidney took ahold of Karen's hand and held it. "Talk to me. Tell me how to make this better between us. Do I need to go kick Maggie's ass for what she did?" He saw a small smile form on Karen's face and smiled himself.

"You could but her new boyfriend towers over you and weighs about another 60 pounds." Looking away from his eyes, "we'll be fine I just want you to be ready for the game without worrying about me or us."

"I can't do that because all I seem to want to worry about is you AND us. There's is something more building between us and I know you know what I mean."

"I do know what you mean" Karen said soft enough that she hoped Sidney didn't hear, but he did.

Their food came and they ate in silence. Not how Sidney pictured this, but at least they were together. After they were done, Sidney paid the bill and he took her back to work. Karen still had about 15 minutes until she needed to go back.

"Tell me why you're so afraid for this to go farther?"

"I'm not afraid of this going farther, I'm afraid of getting hurt again" she said while looking out the window.

"And I hurt you Monday night by not believing you and then just leaving angry. I never meant for that to happen."

"But it did happen" turning to look at him, "I just don't want it to happen again."

"I can't promise it won't happen, but I will do whatever it takes to not be the one to do it."

Sidney caressed her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. He was happy that she kissed him back and loved how the feelings that always poured into their kisses never left. When they broke away, Sidney felt the words that wanted to escape, but he knew it wasn't the right time. He looked at his watch and Karen knew she needed to get back.

"Now I don't feel so bad waiting to see you on Friday." he said.

"It did help seeing you today and it will make Friday night come quicker. Please tell me that you will be able to concentrate for your game now?"

"I know I will. You better go before you're late clocking in."

"Yeah I better." Karen kissed him again and got out of the car. She walked towards the building and turned back to see Sidney drive away. Karen couldn't help but smile the rest of the day.