Captains Come First

"You alright?" James asked looking over at Heather as they went through customs after returning to Pittsburgh. The flight home had been silent. James insisted paying to upgrade Heather's ticket from coach to first class with him. He considered it his Christmas present to her.

"Yeah, just wondering what awaits me here." She said as they went to get their bags. "Plus what do I get you after you took me in and paid for my flight?" Heather asked. James circled his arms around her waist and lowered his forehead to hers

"having you for Christmas was good enough for me babydoll." He said placing a kiss on her forehead. Suddenly a hand was placed on James back

. "Excuse me? James Neal?" A bleached blonde with blue eyes under thick black lashes stared back at him. "Could I get a picture? I'm a big fan." She said thrusting her chest forward and smiling with what looked like capped teeth. James looked to Heather then to the girl and back. Heather nodded and smiled.

"Ok, but just one. I'm with a very special friend." He said smiling at Heather as the girl thrusted her iPhone into Heather's hands. Heather took the picture and handed the girl back her phone.

"Here's my number." She said giving him a business card that said 'Hair by Sandi' on it with her cell number. "Call me." She said placing a kiss on his cheek walking away.

"Hmm, Candy, Sandi, what next? Mandee with two e's?" Heather said jokingly.

"Oh stop." James said rolling his eyes wrapping an arm around Heather. "Wanna visit Duper?" He said asking as he squeezed her shoulder.

"Sure. I could use his opinion before I go to my meeting tomorrow." Heather said with a sigh. "I have no idea what going to happen." She said leaning her head on his shoulder walking to the car.

"I won't let them take you away from us." James said placing a soft kiss on her lips. He normally wouldn't be so candid but with her the moment felt right. They drove to duper's simply enjoying eachother's company. Once they got to Duper's Carolyne greeted them both warmly escorting them up to their large master bedroom where Pascal had taken up residence. He was sitting on their bed watching sports centre when the two came in. "Duper man what's up?" James said with a smile and a hug for his friend while Heather wandered in quietly.

"You're back." Pascal smiled slightly surprised and concerned all at once. "James, could we have a moment?" He asked as James moved to leave the room.

"Sure, I think there's a little girl here who would love a visit." He said alluding to Pascal's daughter Zoe who had a crush on James. He left the room in search of the kids. "So I take it things didn't go well." Pascal said patting a spot on the bed beside him. Heather joined feeling a little odd taking his wife's spot but with a little coaxing cuddled up into Pascal's side.

"Well not exactly." Heather said putting her head on his chest. "His wife left him. He told me he loved me. I said I couldn't do it." Heather said sounding a bit sad. "It didn't feel right." She added.

"So you came back with James." Duper said piecing it all together.

"Yeah, we spent Christmas together." She said with a smile. "It was really nice." Heather said looking up at him. "I think I'm in trouble with Mario though." She said quietly. "

"I can tell you what I know." Pascal said. "But it didn't come from me tu comprends?"

"Oui." Heather said simply.

"Ok." He sighed. "Sid was pretty mad that you and Spezz were playing house. He went to Mario. Sid thinks perhaps it's time to look at other options."

"Options?" Heather asked confused sitting up looking into Pascal's eyes. "They're going to fire me?" She asked nervously.

"I don't know cherie, what I do know is they seem to be taking Sid's side." Pascal said grabbing her hand. "You need to go into that meeting confident and commanding like I know you can be." He added with a kiss on her hand. "Wear that nude dress you have." He said with a smile. "It's my personal favourite." He added with a grin. "I think it'll work." Heather smiled.

"How come Duper?" She asked laughing. "Seriously?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"It kind of makes you look naked. I think it'll help." He smiled. "Win back Sid's heart and you'll be fine." He added with a smile.

"What will I do without you on the road Pascal?" Heather asked leaning her forehead against his smiling. "I mean, who will help warm my bed at night?" Heather asked jokingly.

"Oh I think a certain ginger beard might be interested in that job." He said smiling. "I think he loves you." Pascal said in a serious tone. "He wants to take care of you. We talked a lot during the break." He added. "Candy was a place holder, He missed you and needed somebody temporary. He told me you came back. He was so happy."

"Well, we'll see how things go." Heather added.

---

The next morning Heather confidently strode into Mario's office in her nude bandage dress, nude sky high heels, diamond and sapphire necklace and earrings with a confident smile. "Please sit down Heather." Mario said as she entered and closed the door. "Any idea why I've called you in?" He asked her.
"Not entirely." She said tilting her head to the side. "Please enlighten me." She said with a smile.

"Well, to be quite honest, you've been caught." He said to her.

"Caught?" Heather asked confused.

"Yes, caught." Mario said turning his laptop around to show her the main page of a hockey gossip site. The headline read 'Crosby's Girlfriend 5 Minutes for Holding' showing pictures of Heather with Sid at the recent fundraiser as well as grainy photos of Heather and Jason in a tight embrace in Ottawa as well as Heather and James sharing a kiss at the airport.

"Is this about Jason?" Heather asked head in her hands. "Because that's over. It's not going to happen again." She said to him

. "I have two choices. I can send you to another team or I can suspend you hoping you learn your lesson." Mario said looking into her eyes.

"Suspend me?" She asked confused.

"One week, without pay or condo. And no contact with the players. Candy will fill in for you." Mario said looking into her eyes. "Perhaps in that time you and I could...spend some time together again." He said to her. "My wife will be away visiting family with the children and I could use some company. You're welcome to stay with me." He said with a gleam in his eyes. Heather had planned on using her sexuality to help keep her job, but not like this. It almost felt like a scene out of Indecent Proposal. She didn't know whether to be insulted or flattered. Basically if she refused she'd likely be sent off to Long Island. She could think of worse things than servicing John Tavares, but they weren't her boys. Not the way the Pens were.

"I'll do it." She said in a quiet voice.

"You have 24 hours to pack, I'll send a car." Mario said allowing her to get up and leave. Walking to the parking lot she saw Sidney arrive for practise.

"You, you did this." Heather said to him. "Why do you hate me?" She asked him. "If it's Jason it's over with him." "

"We shouldn't be talking." Sidney said not been looking at her. "Good luck in New York" He said.

"Mario suspended me." Heather called out to him as he stopped and turned around slowly.

"He what?" Sidney asked walking toward her.

"Suspended me. One week with him and no players." She said angrily.

"So you...you're staying." He said to her. "It looks that way. Sid why are you so mad at me?" Heather asked throwing her arms out. He opened his mouth about to answer her and instead walked close to her, grabbed her face and kissed her hard on the mouth. His tongue probed her mouth stroking hers with his own. The heat rose between them Heather broke away from him.

"I love you Heather. I can't help it. You've had my heart since day one." Sidney said looking into her eyes. "Be with me?" He asked her Heather stood motionless and speechless.

"I have to go" she said getting into her car.

Notes

Heather's dress http://www.polyvore.com/m/set?.embedder=9379429&.svc=copypaste&id=109141466