Captains Come First

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Just like the movies
That's how it will be
Cinematic and dramatic
With the perfect ending
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"So you told him you love him?" Kris Letang asked rearranging the pillows on the hotel bed before laying down. "What brought that on?" He asked her signalling for her to join him. Kris was settling in for a pre game nap and decided it would be nice to have some company. Heather was more than willing to oblige a cuddle session with the handsome Frenchman
. "I don't know it just felt right." Heather said shrugging. "He opened his heart up yesterday to me. It was just...I don't know. He made me feel all gooey inside." She said smiling tucking into his side. "It doesn't mean I'm saying it on a romantic level. I mean I love him as a friend." Kris tsksd and kissed her forehead.

"I think we both know different than that." He chuckled. "Let's face it, the Creature is finally in love and you're it. I have to ask, what's he like? Romantic?"

"Very actually. He took me on a date to Hyehold for dinner one night. It was private and romantic, then we went home and had mindblowing sex" Heather said playing with a loose thread on the sheets. "But so is James. He seems to appreciate the small things, like listening to me sing Estelle a lullaby when we babysat together." She said sounding distant.

"But does he make you feel gooey inside?" Kris asked

"He makes me feel comfortable." She said smiling. "Almost like home. I feel safe. Like our souls have been together in a previous life or something." She added.

"Sounds like you have a bit of a conundrum." He said closing his eyes.

"Thanks captain obvious." Heather laughed giving him a playful shove making him laugh as well.

"But what happens if you pick one of them? How would we deal without you?" Kris said "you've become a part of us." He held her hand in his over his heart.

"Sid would expect me to quit. No questions about it. His girl, nobody else's."

"He is a control freak." Kris added nodding.

"James would be ok if I stayed on, but with obvious boundaries."

"Sounds fair" Kris said. "But you know Sid wouldn't have it." He said to her. This was something heather had never thought of. "He'd find a way to have you removed im sure. He wouldn't be able to see you cuddled up with Nealer. His ego wouldn't take it."

"That's when I go and sit on Papa Mario's lap and work my magic." Heather said batting her eyes for effect.

"He wouldn't fall for that."

"Where do you think I spent my suspension?" Heather sat up giving him a grin

. "No shit? For real?" Tanger couldn't believe it. "Dirty old man." He chuckled.

"There's nothing old about his sex drive." Heather said laughing

. "Well mama, I need a nap and you need to think." He said giving her a light kiss. "Sweet dreams." He curled around her side. Heather laid there contemplating the options. Sid: Mr. Control, Mr. Practical; or James: Mr. Easy going, Mr. Lighthearted. Both had intensity and passion. She was definitely sexually compatible with both. Time would have to tell

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That night the boys had a hard OT loss to the Oilers. It was a tough loss. Coach Bylsma had warned that they'd be there a while. Heather took a cab to the hotel where she changed into a black and charcoal striped sweater, jeans and her boots. It was a mild night for Edmonton so she decided to take a walk. The boys would likely be out for a team dinner, so she decided to take some much needed me time to think of the James/Sid situation. Her pocket began ringing about a block away from her hotel. It was Duper. "Pascal, comment ça vas?" Heather asked with a smile.

"About as good as you'd be needing ACL surgery." He said with a hint of a smile in his voice. "Rough loss huh?" He asked.

"Yeah, I have a feeling that the guys are still at the rink." Heather said seriously. "I decided to go for a walk instead of sticking around for the boys." She said. "I've had a lot on my mind. Sid invited me to Sochi" she told him.

"Wow, smooth move from the Cappy." He said laughing. "What about James? Still into him?"

"I feel like I've had this conversation about 8 times today." Heather said humourously. "I can't really choose between the boys." She said.

"They're both amazing guys." She added. "Who both don't deserve you." He added. "They both broke your heart on separate occasions." Pascal said seriously. "Heather you're such an amazing girl, I honestly don't know how you are still single. I mean would you really be happy just being Mrs. Sidney Crosby? What if Neal continues his womanizing ways?"

"Duper you worry about me too much. I'm not exactly a catch with all of the baggage that I have." She said.

"If I was single I would've claimed you for myself by now." He said to her. Just don't hurt yourself. Also if those guys hurt you, I'll hurt them...after my knee surgery" he joked. Heather laughed. She could see a figure walking towards her in the distance, it was James.

"I've gotta go Duper. Talk to you soon." She said as they exchanged goodbyes. She walked hurriedly towards James who seemed oblivious to her presence. He looked distraught and angry. "Hey Nealer!" She yelled as he turned around. She caught up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him in for a kiss. "Nice game." She said smiling at him. The kiss brought a smile to his face as well.

"Thanks." He said with a small smile. "The guys were getting on my case. Bylsma singled me out so I became the golden boy tonight." He said. "I didn't really want to go out with them after that." He added. "I needed to take a walk and clear my head."

"Me too." Heather said with a smile.

"So did you mean it?" He asked her as they started walking together

. "Mean what?" Heather was confused and unsure of his intention.

"With Sid. The big L." He said raising his eyebrows for emphasis. "He was talking about it in the room tonight." He added.

"Oh." Heather said surprised. Part of her was upset because she believed that he wouldn't mention it to anyone. A private thing. "I didn't mean it the way you think." She said looking at his face. He seemed upset that she didn't deny it. "I didn't mean I'm IN love with him. James I'm really in a confused place right now. I'm trying to figure out what my heart wants."

"You're scared." He said to her. "It's the same song you've sung before. Heather I want you and not just for the night." He said to her cupping her face in his hands. "You're an amazing, beautiful woman. I would love to wait forever for you, and I think that you know what." He said to her. "Be mine and I will make you ridiculously happy." He looked directly into her eyes.

"I...James...I umm." Heather started trying to find the words.

"I can't play around anymore." James said to her. "My pride and my heart won't let me." Tears started to form in Heather's eyes the pad of his thumb ran over her lips softly the way he wanted to connect his lips with her. "I can't say I love you, I'm not there yet like Sid is. But Heather I would make you so happy."

"Yes James." Heather said quietly. "Let's give this a go." She said smiling. "I don't know what I'm afraid of, maybe losing my job. Maybe the boys looking at things differently. Maybe I'm afraid of you." She laughed

"Afraid of me?" He laughed along with her. "I will never hurt you." He added.

"But can we take this slow? I mean date like real people do?" She asked worried that he'd say no.

"You mean no sex?" He asked her raising an eyebrow.

"Well maybe." She said biting her lip.

"I could deal with that." James said his blue eyes sparkling. "We are going to have to make some ground rules." He added. "Starting with one very important one." He said seriously.

"What's that?" Heather asked concerned.

"You only sing for me." He said with a small crooked smile.

"Deal." Heather smiled. "And we make an effort to have date night at least once a week." She added.

"That sounds good." He added nodding. "Are we telling people?" He asked her.

"I'm not sure. Anybody you had in mind?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"My Mom?" He asked a little bashful and embarrassed. Heather laughed and almost fell over from the laughter.

"Of course you goof." She said smiling. They walked hand in hand back to the hotel. They were silent for most of the way looking back and forth at one another. It was like their thoughts telepathically passed back and forth in silence. They reached the hotel and he turned to her holding both of her hands.

"I'd invite you to my room, but I heard Borts already talking about a date with you." He said laughing. "How crazy is this? I'm my even worried about my girl going up to another guy's room." He laughed.

"Your girl huh?" She asked with a laugh. "Is that official now?" He took a deep sigh closing his eyes before he continued.

"Heather Gardiner, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked looking into her eyes.

"Of course I will James Neal." She said smiling grabbing his face bringing him in for a kiss. As they kissed, large fluffy snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Just like the movies...

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