James got the text and was instantly concerned. Something wasn’t right. She was so happy and relieved he was going out, so what happened?

“Hey, I gotta step out a sec” he told Geno and Sutter, then went outside to the street. Three rings had already gone by before he was even out the door.

“H-hello.”

“Are you crying?” James stared at the sidewalk in shock.

“I was.” Her sniffle was followed by a cough. “Can you just come home?”

“I will, but what the hell changed?” The wind pulled at the zip-up hoodie he had on. He hugged himself against the chill.

“I just don’t feel good.”

James knew better. Something happened. He didn’t just meet this girl, and she was so happy before.

“Alright, let me pay for my drinks then I’ll be home.”

“I’m really sorry…”

“Don’t say it, Ali. I’ll be home, just give me ten.” He hung up and went back inside, happy to at least be out of the wind. Every other part of him, however, felt shitty as fuck.

“Change of plans, boys. Sorry to bolt on ya, but I gotta run home.”

Sutter looked at him with some concern. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, Ali’s just been really sick, and I guess she is feeling worse.” James dug out a couple of bills from his wallet and handed them to Geno. “This should cover it.”

He frowned. “Sorry, Lazy. Tell Ali she feel better.”

“I will. See you two at what…7?”

“Sharp” Sutter said. “Good luck, man.”

James headed back out into the cold to tackle traffic. As he expected, the drive back was annoying, and it took too long. By the time he turned onto their street, it had taken 20 minutes to get there.

“Ali?” James tossed his coat on the table.

“Living room” she called.

James went in and found her balled up on the couch. She didn’t look all that terrible, thankfully. She had a comfy looking sweatshirt and the same black yoga pants she had on when he’d left. Everything looked exactly the same. He took a seat next to her and rubbed her leg. “Talk to me, babe. What’s going on?”

She looked at him, her eyes full and dark. “I love you so much.”

“I know that.” Why is my heart racing like this then? “Should I not have gone out?” He was still confused.

“No, I told you to go. I hope you had fun in the time that you were there?”

Now she looked scared that he hadn’t had a good time. James ran his fingers through hair nervously. “I did, yeah.”

“Can we just lay together?”

“Sure, babe. Anything you want.” He took her into his arms on the couch, and she was practically clutching him like a vice. “Hey…Look at me.”

Ali looked up. Her eyes were still a bit cloudy from her cold, but no less expressive.

“I’m not going anywhere, okay?” He cracked a smile as he felt her grip on him ease up. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

Ali pressed her face against his chest. “Yes, it’s better now...I just wanted you. Ugh, god, I’m being clingy, aren’t I?”

“Clingy’s fine by me.” He held Ali’s head against him as they lay together on the couch. His mind continued to race, but if Ali really did only want to be with him, then it was probably the easiest task he ever fulfilled.

“James?”

“Hmm?”

Her lips were on his unexpectedly, and it was a deep, hard kiss. It happened so fast that it took James a second to actually kiss her back. Once he did, he felt his body responding without delay.

“Hey….” He struggled to get a word out in between kisses. “…wait up…”

“No.”

James opened his mouth as her tongue flitted against his. Her breathing was heavy as she moved down to his neck, her hands struggling with his shirt.

“Are you sure?” he asked, sitting up to allow her to strip him of his hood.

Ali paused, staring at him. “Why not?”

“Are you well enough? I mean – do you feel up to it?” James searched her eyes, which were turning an even darker espresso color. He could clearly see she was wrestling with something. Once again, she leaned forward and their lips connected, slower but still with the same strong, needful pull.

Very gently and purposely, James placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her just enough so that their lips parted. “I don’t know that we should, babe.”

Ali’s bottom lip started to quiver. “Why? Is it because I’m gross?”

James wanted to laugh, but he held it back. “Well, you are sick…”

“Fuck.” She sat back on her feet between James legs.

“I just don’t think we should if you’re not feeling well, that’s all.” He pushed himself up into more of a sitting position. “Don’t take it any other way than that.”

Ali was staring down at her hands. Who would be attracted to her after all the sneezing and coughing and nastiness she displayed the past couple days. When she thought of this, tears came to her eyes.

“Oh, babe….don’t cry…” He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her tears dampen his shirt. Her sobs caused her to start coughing, so James put a hand on her back and rubbed her until she quieted.

“I’m s-sorry…”

“Sorry for what? For being sick?”

She didn’t answer him. I'm sorry for everything that involves Sidney. I'm sorry for letting him come over. I'm sorry for letting him into my life like I have.

“Ali, listen.” James held her out so she would look at him. “You’re still beautiful, and you’d still be beautiful if you blew your nose for a week. And you got my dick hard not five minutes ago. Look.” He pointed at his lap, and Ali smiled. “So that’s not it, okay? I love you and you could get me hard anywhere no matter what you looked like; sick or not.”

I’m a horrible person, she thought to herself. She tried to look away from the intense blue that was focused on her, but a strong hand brought her gaze back.

“I just don’t think we should have sex if both of us know you don’t feel well.” He shrugged, somewhat surprised at his own words. “I mean…let’s at least give it one more day. Until you can breathe...because that would be kind of weird." He relaxed a little when he heard her softly laugh.

Ali wiped her eyes. He actually loves me. This is what love looks like. Eyes that were two-toned and gorgeous, a mouth so full that spoke the words it just did. Take a good hard look, Allison, and don’t you forget it.

“Just hold me, then" she said.

James laughed in relief, and also for the silly request. “Now that I can do.” He took Ali back into his arms and lay back down. She remained resting on top of him; her head nestled under his chin.

“I want to go back to the pond” she said, her voice soft.

James smiled. “Me too, babe. Me too.”


* * *

(2 days later)


“FASTER FASTER FASTER, PUSH IT GUYS, let’s go!”

A whistle blew and the five players came to a halt. James coasted slowly near the sideboards, catching his breath. His chest expanded and contracted rapidly beneath his padding, and sweat ran over his brow from beneath his helmet.

Another whistle blew.

The same five came back to the blue line and stood waiting. When the whistle blew again, they sprinted down to the far end of the rink, their blades cutting sharply before they turned and sprinted back. On the bench nearby, the rest of the players waited, watching their teammates.

James crossed the blue line first, hit the edge of his blade, and sprinted back to the far end of the ice once again.

“ALMOST THERE. GIVE ME ONE MORE GUYS.”

His breathing was the only sound James heard besides the cutting of his blade on the ice. The other four members of his heat could have been missing and he would’ve never known. When he finally returned to their starting point and Dan blew the whistle a final time, James was spent.

“Nice job, everyone. Great times for all five of you. Next group – you’re up!”

James let his skates lead him to the bench, still trying to catch his breath. One by one they filed onto the bench to watch the next group, each of them reaching for their bottles. James lifted his helmet off and shook the sweat from his limp hair and squirted some of the water from his bottle over his face.

It was a conditioning day at practice, and he was definitely feeling it. Two days had passed since he and Ali had their moment on the couch. He held her the rest of that night, and the next night, and she eventually started to feel more like herself again. She no longer took it as a rejection when he said he wanted to wait on having sex. So for what James could tell, the worst had passed.

Now, as he sat on the bench at practice, he worried he may have caught a bit of Ali’s bug. He was definitely dragging, and despite his great times being recorded at practice, he felt sluggish.

“Nice times, Nealer.” Dupuis took a seat next to him on the bench and grabbed one of the green bottles on the floor.

James ran his already-damp rag over his face. “I could do better.”

“Ahhhhh, I disagree, man.” Dupuis sat holding his stick, watching as Dan blew the whistle and five more Penguins took off sprinting. “Look.”

James looked up, watching Adams, Crosby, Bennett, Letang, and Jokinen did the drill. Sid was out ahead by two paces for the first half. It was cut in half by Letang as they went for their second turn.

“Sid’s bustin’ ass today” Dupuis said, his and James’ eyes following the players.

James wiped his visor. “What was his best time?”

“Uh…think it was 41 seconds? Maybe?”

He nodded. The whistle blew marking their first round complete. “What was yours, Dupe?”

“46.” His broad smile appeared. “See, man? 39 beats us all.” He gave James a chummy nudge in the shoulder.

If his time was the fastest of the day, he sure didn’t feel he was that fast. Every muscle in his body seemed to want to argue with him, begging him to go slower. His mind was sharp as a tack; he just wished his damn body would catch up.

The whistle blew, and the line took off again. James watched Sid take the early lead for a second time. His crouched form and sharp movements were easily more efficient that some of the others in his heat. By the time they finished their final sprint, Letang and Sid were neck and neck.

“NICE JOB. SID. TANGER. 40 FLAT.”

They slowly made it over to the benches; all of them too out of breath to talk much. Sid motioned for a water bottle, so James tossed him one.

“Great work, Sid.”

Sid gave him a nod, squirting liquid into his mouth. “Fuck, though.”

Craig Adams reached for a bottle and wet his face with his the water. “You speedy bastard” he breathed, smiling.

James leaned against his stick, looking down. “I sure as hell don’t feel it.”

“39 seconds is great.” Sid leaned against the boards. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Long couple of nights and I feel like ass.”

Sid took a drink. “Not getting sick, are you?”

James looked at him. “No?” Did I tell him Ali was sick?

“That’s good. Just checking….We’ll need ya for the Hawks.”

“No worries about that.”

Sid tossed him back the bottle, then skated away. James looked at Dupuis. “Do I look sick?”

“Your hair could look a little better, but I think you’re pretty anyway.”

James laughed. “Thanks.” At least he could laugh about it.

As practice was nearing its end, Coach handed out the players their times, heart rates, and recovery rates. When James inspected his results, he was pretty happy. All signs pointed to ‘not sick’, if it was judged by his numbers alone.

After showering and a change of clothes, he headed home. The minute he killed the engine, all he heard was music blasting from inside. Curiously, he opened the door to the kitchen. The stereo in the living room was, in fact, blaring as he suspected. What he didn’t suspect was a dancing Ali cleaning the kitchen.

James watched her for a minute, since she hadn’t heard him come in yet. She was dressed in a fitted white baseball-style shirt with navy blue sleeves, and lighter colored jeans. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and the long ends swayed as she danced in place, wiping down the counters. He folded his arms over himself and enjoyed the scene. When her eyes finally caught his, she threw her hands up.

“Babe!” She shimmied over to him, biting her bottom lip and grinning.

“Well it looks like someone’s feeling better!” he replied, giving her a hug.

“Hell yeah!” Ali jogged into the living room and turned the music down a little. When she came back, she went directly to the refrigerator. “And check this out…” She held her hand out as she opened the door. “Food!”

“Whoa.” James took a peek inside. “I can’t even see the back wall.”

“Precisely.” Ali closed the door proudly. “I also cleaned the bedroom AND the bathroom.”

“Damn, I think you did more work this morning than I did at practice” he said with a laugh. “Is it really because you’re feeling better? Because this is the best you’ve looked all week.”

“Oh, I’m still coughing a little, but…” she shrugged, nonchalantly swinging the towel. “I figure, why waste the time? I might as well get up and do something. Maybe it’ll force the last bit of grossness out.”

Her smile turned mischievous. In one snap, she flipped the towel and hit James in the thigh.

“And that’s what I get for taking care of you this whole time?” He came up behind her and put her in a hold she couldn’t squirm out of. He stole a kiss, then let her go. “This might be the best news all day. I’m glad you’re feeling better…really glad, actually. I hated seeing you that miserable.”

“That’s because you’re basically the best.” Ali gave him an equally quick kiss. “How was practice?” she asked as she went back to cleaning and dancing.

“Exhausting. Who knew playing doctor to their girlfriend could wipe ya out like it did?” James smiled at her when she gave him a side eye. He leaned back against the edge of the table, quietly admiring her shimmying hips and ass in her jeans.

Ali glanced over her shoulder. “No loitering unless you’re helping.”

James walked past and gave her ass a slap. “Fine, I’ll go upstairs then.” She snapped her towel at him again, just clipping his side.

Once upstairs, James stared at a bedroom that didn’t even resemble the one he left that morning. There wasn’t a piece of clothing on the floor, the hamper was empty, and the end tables were polished and organized. He was even more surprised to see that all the suits in his closet had been arranged neatly.

He went out into the hall. “Even my suits!?!?” he yelled.

“Even your suits!” Ali shouted back. “Check out the top drawer of the dresser!”

James went back into the bedroom and opened the drawer Ali referred to. “Holy shit.” Before him was an entire drawer of panties, and on top of those were very tiny pieces of lingerie.

“Pick one.”

He looked back and saw Ali leaning against the doorway. She was rubbing her nose with a tissue, but smiling beneath it.

“Where did these come from?” James picked up the one that was on top. “And why the hell have I never seen this one?” He held up a skimpy, satin black and pink nightie.

“Bought that a couple weeks ago when you were cleared of your injury.” She walked into the room and took the satin piece and held it against her. “What do you think?”

“I think it’d look a hell of a lot better if that damn shirt wasn’t in the way.”

Ali laughed. “It’s a present for another time. We’ll celebrate your good knee whenever I wear it.” She placed it back in the drawer before closing it.

That gave James an idea.

He went over to the closet and opened her side, seeing that she had also organized her clothes as well. He pointed to the dresses that were hung on the far end. “Pick one.”

“Huh?” She walked forward. “Pick one?”

“Yeah. Pick a dress.”

Ali laughed. “Why?”

“Because I’m taking you to dinner tonight. And it’s going to be expensive. And fancy. And I’m going to woo you with my whit and my good looks. So pick a dress.”

This made Ali laugh even harder. “Really?” She looked up into his eyes when he wrapped both hands loosely about her waist. Their color had taken on a brighter shade of teal in the afternoon light.

“Yes, really. I’m going on the road for a few days, you’re bouncing back from a nasty cold…why not?” When he shrugged, he rolled his eyes to the side and smiled. “Plus….I mean…..If you’re feeling better, maybe…”

“James Neal.” She slapped his chest lightheartedly.

“But the Doctor officially gives you clearance!” His face looked so innocent, it made Ali giggle.

“Oh does he now?” She smirked at him. “When just the other day the Doctor wanted nothing to do—“

“—Yes he did. You saw the proof.”

Ali pushed out of his embrace playfully. “So where is this dinner I’ve just been invited to?” She went over to the long line of dresses that hung in the closet. She fingered through the line mulling over the choices.

“Good question.” James fell back onto the bed, resting his hands behind his head. “What do you think about Grandview?”

“Damn, you weren’t kidding when you said fancy!” She pulled the corner of a maroon wrap dress. “What do you think about this one?”

“Model it for me.”

Ali’s shoulders slumped. “Really?”

He nodded from his position on the bed. “Yeah. Let’s see a few of these. Any I haven’t seen yet?” His smile quickly turned wily. “Please say yes.”

“Yes, in fact.” She pulled another dress from the rack. “This one!” It was a black and silver marled mini dress with a drapey neckline. She held it up against her body, straightening the end.

“Hmmm.” James faked a frown. “I can’t quite picture it, so let’s see it on.”

He watched from the bed as Ali pulled her shirt up over her head, revealing a white lace bra. She gave him a little smile when she shimmied out of her jeans, leaving her trim thighs for viewing. James felt himself stir a little when she turned around and purposely stuck her shapely ass out while she grabbed the dress.

“Fuck, you have a nice ass.”

“You didn’t forget, did you?” Ali looked over her shoulder before pulling the dress over her.

“Just stating facts here, nothing more.” He watched as she turned around, hands open in display.

“Yes?”

“Very yes.” He had to believe this dress was made for Ali’s body and her body alone. It accentuated every feature on her that typically turned heads; from the cleavage down to her tiny waist to the curve of her hips.

“Should I do another?” she asked.

“You could do this all night and I wouldn’t tell you to stop, babe.”

“Good. I want to try the maroon one.”

She lifted the dress off her body and James actually felt sad to see it go. It was quickly replaced with another front row view of her ass in bright pink panties that barely covered any part of it, which he liked even more.

Ali wrapped the maroon dress around her body, tying it at the side into a small bow knot. “So how about this?” She faced him now, striking a pose.

James chuckled. “Honestly? You’re hot in both. It really doesn’t matter what you wear…” He noticed her staring at him. “But the first one shows your body off more.”

“Yes!” She clapped. “I wanted to wear that one. Good choice.” She untied the maroon dress, leaving her body on display once again. James struggled a little more each time she did this.

“Hey, babe?”

“Yeah?” She turned around in her panties and bra only. The ends of her ponytail tossed over one shoulder.

If she only knew what she does to me. He curled his finger and motioned her towards him. She stepped between his legs, nothing but white lace and pink in his view. He knew she was teasing him by the way she crawled up the bed.

“You’re killing me.” His focus desperately wanted to remain on the soft rise of her breasts, lifted and for the taking.

“I know.” Ali brought her mouth in to his, just barely touching his lips. She giggled softly, knowing she was teasing him. “Should I leave this for later?” she whispered.

James closed his eyes, his mouth needing to feel her. He wanted to pull her onto him, push himself into her, press his mouth against hers…but he held back.

“Save it, yes” he said. His nose and hers touched, but their mouths still didn’t. The electricity between them made the ache in his groin worse.

Ali backed away first, far enough to see James’ eyes. They had that half-lidded, desirous look she knew all too well. “Yes, sir.”

She jumped back off of James and off the bed in one hop, which made every curve held back by fabric wiggle again. Again, he was sad to see it go.

“So when did we plan on going?”

James was silent. He waited until she put her shirt and jeans back on, then made eye contact with her.

“What?” She looked confused.

James shifted his eyes towards his lap, and smiled when Ali finally noticed.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ohhhh” he said with a grin. “It’ll be a second before I get up.”

“Well take your time…I know how long it takes for that thing to relax.”

James let out a hearty laugh. “Tease!” He stood up despite the discomfort. “Be ready by 5, I’ll go make reservations.” With that, he headed downstairs to make the call.


* * *


They looked like a power couple. James [i]felt[/i] powerful. He was dressed in an impeccably sharp dark gray suit, a slate blue button-down, and matching gray tie. Ali was dressed in the marled black and silver dress with sheer black nylons beneath; her feet clad in black stiletto heels.

He held the door to the restaurant open for her, his hand finding the small of her back as they walked in together. The maître d' met them near the entrance.

“Good evening and welcome to Isabela. Your reservation, please?”

“Two for Neal.” James’ hand never left Ali’s back.

“Ah, yes! Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Neal; right this way please.”

The man turned to lead them to their table, and James and Ali both looked at one another and smiled.

“Sounds kind of nice, doesn’t it?” he said, his mouth close to her ear.

Ali was thinking the same, but was utterly surprised to hear anything close to it come from James. A smiled remained on her face as James followed behind her to their table. A white linen cloth was draped over an intimate table for two near the windows. The sparkling lights of the city and the Monongahela River were their view as they took their seats. The maître d' took both of their coats, and James took in the entire scene in front of him. Between the gorgeous woman in front of him, and the gorgeous city outside, he felt like the luckiest man alive.

“It’s so beautiful in here.” Ali gazed around her at the romantic décor. “Have you been here before?”

James shook his head. “Never had a reason to.” He never imagined himself ever taking anyone to a place like Isabela’s. Its price tag was hefty, but he didn’t care. The low lighting, gentle piano music, and candle lit tables were enough to drive a man far, far away…but when you loved a girl like Ali, not taking her here was out of the question.

The way she was sitting, her elbows on the table, hands clasped together: it made the Her hair tumbled over her shoulders and down her back in loose ringlets, and her smoky eye shadow only drew his eyes to hers even more than they already were.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better” he said, cracking a grin.

Ali giggled. “Me too.” Little did James know, she had every intention of tearing that suit off the minute they got home. Hockey jerseys? Yes. He looked good in them. Mesh shorts, hoodies…the official off-day uniform for #18? Hot. But when James donned a suit, it took everything she had not to beg him to take her back home.

“You’re staring.” James’ eyes sparkled in the candlelight.

“I know…sorry.” She ran a hand nervously through her hair. Everything about this felt like their first date all over again.

James nudged her leg under the table to grab her attention. “I’m staring too, so no worries.”

Maybe it was the setting, or maybe it was because they were out of their normal day-to-day attire, but James and Ali were flirting. It was the kind of flirting neither had done since their first two months together. James would complement her, she would feel butterflies; they drank their wine and spoke softly and James made her laugh, and she felt more butterflies. On the other side of the table, James was only confirming that he was, indeed, the luckiest man ever.

Dinner came and went, as did dessert. James even splurged and had a spoonful of the chocolate concoction Ali insisted they share. Whatever she wanted, he’d give it to her. Anything.

As Ali licked her spoon of the final bite of her dessert, both she and James looked up when young couple approached their table. The girl had shoulder length blondish-brown hair and was dressed in a black dress and heels. Her boyfriend also had a suit on.

“Hi, I’m really sorry to interrupt you” the girl said, looking mostly at Ali, “but I am such a huge fan of yours, James...”

James shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“And, well...I was wondering if I could get your autograph?” she asked, clasping her hands near her chin. “Hopefully?”

The boyfriend stepped up. “I have a pen, incase you don’t.”

James put a smile on. “Sure thing.” He took the pen and signed a piece of paper the girl handed him.

Well this is new. Ali watched as James scribbled out his name. The girl glanced at her and frowned, then turned away from her so she faced James. Ali almost laughed.

“Here you go.” James handed her the pen and paper back.

“Hey thanks, man. That’s really cool of you” the boyfriend said, obviously feeling a little guilty. “Sorry to interrupt again. Good luck this season.”

“Thanks, have a good night” James said with a small wave. He wiped his hands on his knees, looking at Ali. “Sorry, babe.”

“Superstar.” She winked at him.

He shrugged. “I guess even private places like this have their share of fans, eh?”

“It’s Pittsburgh” Ali replied. “I’m surprised only one person asked you and not ten.”

“True.” James took a drink of wine. “You about ready?”

“I am, though it’s not like I want to leave…” She gazed out at the river. The ripples of the current reflected the light of the city, glinting as it flowed onward. “But what a great choice in restaurant. Thank you for taking me here."

“I’m glad you liked it” James said, standing. “Shall we?”

Ali stood and took his hand. “We shall.”


* * *

Notes

Would it be revealing too much to say that some sexy-time is up next? ;) These two need it! And they definitely deserve it!