Collide

"Oh my God! Longest three weeks of my life!!!" CiCi exclaimed as she curled up on Maria's couch Saturday night to watch the Pens game. Caroline and Tom had joined them as well.

"Whatever do you mean CiCi?" Derrick asked in a joking manner. She jerked her head and gave him the evil eye. Sitting up she studied her friend's soon to be husband before answering.

"I went from having sex two maybe three times a week to nothing. And it's not like I haven't seen Sidney. He has been home, but he became like a robot these last few weeks. I shouldn't be complaining because he is doing amazing things with the team."

"You know what is going on now?" Tom piped in. He and Caroline were cuddled on the extra wide sitting chair together. Caroline appeared to be completely focused on the television screen.

"Yes I do. For the most part." Tom and Derrick both laughed and Caroline tossed a pillow in Tom's face.

"What?" Tom exclaimed as he wrestled the pillow away from Caroline.

"Stop picking on CiCi. Because I know exactly what she means. Sid woke a sleeping beast," Caroline offered in CiCi's defense.

"Our beast is still wild as ever!" Tom exclaimed.

"Yeah, okay. We will go with that," Caroline piped in as Tom and Derrick went on about what Tom just said.

"Are you saying that we don't have sex that much? Because that can change. I will happily oblige. We can leave now and get started," Tom chided. Caroline rolled her eyes and looked up as Maria walked in with a tray of various flavors of wings from a local pub.

"What I am saying is that I can completely relate to what CiCi is going through. We had sex for the first time just before our sophomore year of college."

"Yes, I recall. I was there," Tom nodded his head.

"And we did it every time we were together, right?" She didn't wait for Tom to voice his understanding. "Then we left for school and I went a month without you. An entire month! So, I can definitely see where CiCi is coming from."

"Damn," was all Tom said. He and Derrick could no longer poke fun at CiCi.

"And given the fine specimen that CiCi gets to sleep with whenever she wants I don't blame her for doing it as often as they were!" Maria chimed in making the three girls break down in hysterics.

"Way to knock a man down, Mo," Tom said as they girls calmed.

"She makes no qualms about how she finds her best friend's boyfriend hot," Derrick piped in.

"Awe, Mo thanks! I was really feeling self conscious about a few extra pounds I've gained since Care and I have moved in together," Tom said which elicited another pillow to the face.

"Okay, okay! My needs will be satisfied this week. Sidney has a three day break and one of those days he has no practice. So I took the day off so we can spend it together."

"In bed," Derrick added.

"Whatever he wants to do. I may be missing sex with him right now, but it's more I just miss him. But I have to get used to it," CiCi explained with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Are you going to Sochi?" Tom asked.

"Russia? No. Why?"

"Well Sid is a shoe in for captain for the Canadian team. I just figured you'd want to go watch him."

"I never even considered it. I guess if he wants me to go I could take the time off. I have like five built up weeks of paid vacation time."

"He's not mentioned it at all to you?"

"No, he has talked about the Olympics with me. But never did it cross my mind to actually go there and watch."

"Oh man CiCi do you realize how cool that would be? Russia has some amazing architecture. And since you've gotten back into your own art you could take some great shots and recreate them!" Caroline exclaimed.

"Alright, alright! I'll bring it up with him. But I'm not banking on him wanting me to go. He hasn't brought it up yet and it's two months away! Wouldn't I need to be booking a flight and hotel right now?"

"That's why you need to bring it up as soon as possible!" Maria said.

*****

Sidney was not happy. The loss against the Bruins only stirred bad feelings and he was ready to get home for a few days of sleeping in his own bed. Next to his favorite person in the world.

He sat quietly on the plane next to Marc-Andre and didn't bother to play video games with the team. Marc noticed and asked him what was bothering him.

"Just hate losing to those fucks."

"Yeah I know what you mean dude. Don't dwell on it. It's not a playoff game," Marc spoke assuringly. "I can't wait to get home and spend some time with Estelle."

Sidney smiled. It was odd to think of his longtime teammate and close friend as a father now. "I know what you mean. I mean I can't relate to the father thing. But to be home. Sleep in your own bed. See your family every day for a few days. Not worry about a game every other day."

"It's nice coming home to somebody isn't it Cappy?" Marc teased.

"It really is. I never realized how lonely I was before. It's amazing what she does. You remember when you asked me if I had that feeling?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I said I had it to you. But it wasn't until that night that I knew what you meant."

"Oh god don't tell me you were in the middle of fucking her or something and you thought of me. Because that's weird dude."

"No! CiCi paints. And she is extraordinary! But she stopped painting because she didn't have the inspiration or support from this asshole she dated and almost married. That's beside the point, she captured me in one of her paintings. And seeing it made me realize that she didn't care who I am and what I do."

"What were you doing?"

"In the painting? I was asleep. It was just my profile, and honestly could barely tell it was me. But I figured it out and it was incredible."

"You think you'll marry her then?"

"I know I will. Is that crazy considering we've only been together for six months?"

"Not at all dude. It's not like you two are teenagers making rash decisions."

"No, just a couple twenty-somethings making rash decisions."

"Yeah, but you need that. No offense Sid, but you have lived a very sheltered and meticulously planned out life."

"I know this."

"I think the timing was just perfect for the two of you to meet." Marc shrugged his shoulders as if he was all knowing. "Which, by the way, how did you two meet? I mean I know at a bar while out with Nealer."

"What?" James said when he heard his name.

"Just talking about you stud," Sid called over the aisle at James.

"I'm asking Sidney about his first encounter with CiCi."

"Oh enlighten him, please!" James exclaimed.

"Fine. I met her at Mario's one night. It was early in the evening and the bar wasn't crowded yet. She was pretty and easy to talk to. She had no idea who I was. So we ditched our friends and snuck off into a private corner of the bar."

"And tell him what you did in that private corner Sidney," James taunted.

"What did you do?" Marc asked.

"We kissed."

"Stop being so modest!" James yelled from across the plane.

"What did you two do?" Marc asked again.

"We fucked in the broom closet," Sid mumbled.

"Shut the hell up! I don't believe you! Did you really?"

"Honestly. It was completely out of the norm for me, but I was drawn to her. I've never felt it before. She said she felt it too."

"What's her number?" Marc asked.

"Including me....uh, 2."

"No way. I bet she is lying through her teeth. And you're living with her!"

"Man, it's true. Her friends tease her all the time about it. Anyways, moving on from this."

"What's your number?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"Just wondering."

"Four including CiCi. And she has been the best by far. And why does it matter Mr. I've slept with one woman my whole life?"

"Yeah, true. Alright I'll stop. Just fucking around with you since you're not letting hockey rule the roost here."

"I'm just as passionate about hockey as I always have been," Sid said defensively.

"That I know. I just mean you are finally allowing a personal life with it."

"Yeah, well tell that to Ci. I think these last few weeks may have scared her just a bit. I've been a bit absorbed in the sport."

"She'll get used to it. And if she doesn't then maybe it wasn't meant to be."

"I'd rather not think like that," Sid leaned back in his seat signaling that he was done with the conversation.

******
"Thanks for the fun night," CiCi said as she hugged Maria.

"Anytime! We like hosting," Maria gushed as she returned the hug.

"And I hope you aren't offended by the teasing. Honestly, I'm really happy for you Ci," Derrick said as he leaned down for a hug as well.

"Oh stop! I wasn't the least bit offended. Next gathering we should plan it for when Sid is available and can come along."

"I don't think I will know how to act around him," Derrick exclaimed with a scared look on his face.

"He's a normal person dude, and actually really nice to talk with. And he won't shy away from hockey talk either," Maria explained and CiCi nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow," CiCi said as she turned out the door towards her car. Caroline and Tom had left early in the third period since Caroline had an early shift at work.

"No you won't. It's an off day with your beau," Maria laughed.

"Okay, you're right. I'll email Monday when I pretend to be working."

"Sounds good! Be careful!"

CiCi waved her hand in acknowledgement and turned towards her car in the driveway. She quickly climbed in as it was cold and starting to snow a bit and started the car to get warm. She checked the time on her phoned plugged it into her hands free headset and inched her way out onto the road. The snow had yet to begin to stick to the road, and she was confident she would be able to make it down the hill and onto the highway before it got worse. She knew the forecast called for several inches by the following day.

"Thank God Dad taught me how to drive in this shit," she mumbled to no one but herself.

******
They landed just after 1 am. Sidney was one of the last off the plane and was making his way into the private baggage claim area to claim his suitcase with the others. He was slow to get there as he was powering up his phone to see if he had any missed calls from CiCi.

Instead he had two voicemails from two numbers he didn't recognize. And a cryptic text from CiCi's mother asking for him to call as soon as he heard anything. He stopped in the middle of the airport staring at his phone. He had a sick feeling in his stomach and he appeared to be slightly panicked.

"Hey man, you alright?" Paul Martin asked as he walked by Sidney. He stopped and waited for a response, but got nothing from his captain. Instead he and a handful of other guys watched Sid as he listened to both messages carefully.

"Siddo! I grabbed your bag for you, you lazy sack of..."Marc stopped when he approached the group.

"Sidney what is wrong?" Paul asked.

"CiCi was in an accident. Where the fuck is Canonsburg General Hospital?" Sid's voice wavered as he spoke.

"Did you drive or did she drop you off?" Pascal asked.

"She dropped me off."

"Then come with me, it's near my house. Come on."

The rest of the team watched as Sidney and Pascal rushed out of the airport, luggage slung on their shoulders, towards the private lot that the players park in for away games. Sid heard a number of questions fired off at him, but he didn't answer any of them.

"How far away are we?" Sid asked while they climbed in and started the car.

"Depending on road conditions it could be about twenty minutes," Pascal explained as he pulled out onto the road. "Do you know what happened?"

"No. Just had two voicemails. One from a cop saying that there was an accident. And another from a nurse saying she was at the hospital. And a text from her mother asking to let her know if I hear anything."

"Looks like the roads have been treated, we shouldn't be delayed too long."

The ride was quiet and filled with tension. Sidney wasn't certain what type of situation he was about to walk into, and he was terrified. Thankfully, Pascal seemed to be projecting some sort of calmness that helped Sid steady his breathing and focus on not losing his mind.

As soon as they pulled into the parking lot of the emergency room Sidney raced through the sliding glass doors straight to the registration desk. Pascal stayed with him the entire time.

"May I help you?" The elderly nurse asked.

"Yes, my girlfriend was in an accident and I was contacted by someone here."

"Name of the patient?" The nurse asked without glancing up from her paper in front of her.

"Cesira Barsi."

"Oh yes, she wrote Sidney Crosby down as her next of kin." The nurse let out a little snort of a laugh.

"That's right. I'm her boyfriend," Sid was getting impatient. The nurse had yet to even look up to ask for proof of ID. "Can I see her? Is she okay?"

"Let me see what her status is and I will need to see a license or identification card," the nurse explained as she turned towards her computer.

"You're kidding, right? I'm not usually one to do this, but do you even know who I am? How many people come in here and write me in as next of kin?" Sid asked angrily. His patience was wearing on him. Finally the nurse looked up and stopped what she was doing.

"You'd be surprised. But I am surprised that this one is true. She is in triage 3. Go straight through those doors behind me. Mr. Dupuis may go with you too."

"I'm fine!" Sidney turned at the sound of CiCi's voice and relief instantly washed over him. She was being wheeled out by an orderly from the patient rooms towards him. "They wouldn't keep me back there."

"Babe, oh god what happened?" Sid asked as he rushed toward CiCi and knelt down in front of her.

"Some jackass was going too fast on the roads. Skidded through some black ice. I fractured my ankle. Get to wear a boot for several weeks. But I don't need crutches." Sidney looked CiCi up and down assessing any other injuries she wasn't discussing.

"Did the jackass get hurt at least?" Pascal asked as he stood behind Sidney.

"I was the jackass! I got cocky because I have never had a problem before. But my car is probably going to get totaled. It's a mess." CiCi sighed and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. She was embarrassed by her actions and couldn't make eye contact with Sid. It wasn't until his hands covered hers did she even look up.

"I'm just happy that you aren't hurt worse than you are. And anyone can skid on black ice. That is why it's called black ice. How fast were you going?"

"40 in a 25. I'll get sited for that. My insurance is going to skyrocket and I won't get crap for my car because of my carelessness."

"You'll have a car, don't worry. You should have taken mine though if you knew the weather was going to be bad."

"I thought we would be home before it started. I was wrong. Can we just get out of here? I'm tired and I'm sure you guys are too. Thanks, Dupers, for bringing Sid here by the way."

"Not to worry. Let's get you two home so I can go to sleep as well."

CiCi allowed Sid to fuss over her and even let him carry her to the car. They made sure to call CiCi's mom to tell her that CiCi was on her way home and that everything was fine with her. CiCi didn't want to have her mother rushing down to the city in the storm that was brewing.

"I'm sorry you guys lost tonight," CiCi said trying to make small talk.

"Can't win them all, right Sid?" Dupuis commented.

"Yeah. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Sid didn't want to talk about the game.

"No, babe I'm okay. Just a bit sore where the seatbelt threw me back against the seat. I'll probably have a bruise there." She rubbed around her collar where a bit of stiffness was forming.

"What did you hit?"

"A telephone pole. Ironically it stayed in one piece. I was right by the Iceoplex."

"Where the heck do Derrick and Mo live? I didn't know there were houses around there."

"If you go up Network Drive it leads into a residential neighborhood eventually. It's way at the top of the hill."

"Got it." Sid rested his head against the headrest and felt CiCi curl close to his side. His eyes drifted closed and he got cozy with her warm body next to him.

It wasn't long before they were through the tunnels and driving through downtown to their apartment. Silently the trio unloaded Sid's suitcase and helped CiCi into the lobby of their building to the elevator. Sid insisted CiCi not walk even though she didn't need crutches, and through her quiet protests he carried her down the hallway to their apartment.

Inside he didn't turn on any lights, but turned to have CiCi lock the door and continued through the darkened hallway towards their bedroom.

"Sid, I can walk," CiCi tried again as Sidney laid her on their bed.

"I want to take care of you. If you don't have to walk then you don't. And you should take the week off of work." CiCi was not prepared for that suggestion and immediately thought about earlier in the evening when her friends said she should go to Russia.

"Now, wait a minute. I don't...I don't want to do that. I may, I may need my vacation time."

Sid looked quizzically at CiCi. "Are you planning a trip without me?"

"No! Well, you wouldn't be there the whole time I suppose. I don't know!" She flopped back against the pillows and threw her arm over her eyes.

"Ci, talk to me," Sid said as he sat next to her and rubbed her thigh.

"Why haven't you asked me to go to Sochi with you yet?"

Sid paused his hand movements and studied his girlfriend. "You...want to go?"

"Well, I don't know. I didn't consider it until tonight when the guys asked me if I planned on going. Then I said well if he wants me there I could go and then I realized well fuck that's two months away and I don't have a plane ticket or a hotel room. I wouldn't know how much money to bring or how long is be there. And you've talked about the Olympics but you've never brought up the idea of taking me with you."

Sid thought CiCi was absolutely adorable when she rambled, and at that moment she was going on and on. He broke out into a grin and lunged forward onto her. Her little squeak made him pause and readjust before he proceeded gently.

"Accommodations and flight plans I will take care of," he said as he started to place kisses along her cheek.

"No, Sid! I can't let you do that. I want to pay for something."

"Oh you have to worry about a new car," Sid laughed. She pushed him away in mock anger but fell into a fit of giggles not long after. As they calmed down the pair, he still in his suit and she feeling the affects of the car wreck, slipped into a light sleep. They would worry about finishing their conversation later.

Notes

Enjoy! Let's go Pens!