He was right. His knee hurt as soon as he got out of the shower and sat on the sofa, eating pasta together with Jane. She’d gotten him some ice to put on his knee, and she was watching him now.
“You’ll tell me if the pain gets worse, right?” She said after she’d swallowed another bite of pasta.
“Of course.” He’d had so much fun skating with his teammates that he didn’t want to risk anything. He had to be completely honest with Jane to make sure that he would improve further. That his injuries wouldn’t get worse and that he could play again soon.
“Good.” Jane finished off what was left on her plate and put it on the table in front of them. She’d put the plates away in a moment.
“Say,” Viktor said, finally asking her what had been bothering him every since she’d left the rink to leave him and the guys alone. “Why did you practically jump away from me when Patrick and Jonny arrived? You looked like you’d been caught stealing or something.”
“I did not!”
“Yes, you did. Your eyes were so big and you kind of ran away from us.”
Jane sighed heavily. “It’s just that Abby and Patrick told me that I should think about having sex with you. They realized that I am attracted to you and Patrick said that he knew that you were interested in me.” She turned her head to look at him. “They wanted me to open up to someone and you broke through that wall I built around myself.” She left out the part where Abby had said that Jane wouldn’t have to talk to him again after he was back in the game. “Seeing Patrick’s grin just freaked me out a little bit. You know how he is.”
“Yeah, I do.” Viktor nodded in agreement. He hadn’t known, hadn’t even thought that Jane might have talked to them about the situation. And that Patrick had realized that he’d been interested in Jane was also new to him. Then again, it was Patrick Sharp they were talking about. If someone realized those things, it was definitely him.
“Abby knows that I’m not a relationship kind of person. I usually spent a night with a guy and that was it. No attachments, no worrying about telling them about my scars. It was perfect.”
“So, what we’re having is not perfect?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just different. It hasn’t been like this in a long time.” Jane ran a hand through her hair.
Viktor watched her for some time before he decided to drop the subject. He pulled Jane close, pressed a kiss to her cheek and said. “How about we stop discussing this right now? It is what it is for now.”
“Okay,” Jane agreed and closed her eyes. She could live with that.

It was the last game of the regular season for the Blackhawks. Of course they took it seriously, but they’d take it a little easier than before. They had to be fit for the playoffs, not risk too many injuries. It was the first game back for Viktor. Saying that he was excited would have been an understatement. He was freaking ecstatic.
During warm-ups loud cheers erupted when he skated on the ice. They hadn’t let people know that he’d be playing that night, so it was a big surprise for all the fans. Hearing the cheers, being back in his own jersey, it was amazing. He’d been out far too long for his liking. Now he was back, all thanks to Jane.
He looked up to where she was. This was a game she wouldn’t miss for the world. She was joining Abby and April to enjoy the game together.
Since their conversation, Jane had stayed with him most of the time. She’d gone home now and then to clean, wash her clothes and such. At practices she’d left him alone and picked him up when they were finished. Everything was going well.
They all headed back to the locker room to get ready for the game. Viktor hardly heard a word that was said, because he was already thinking about being out there, playing for his team again after weeks of absence.
His heart was racing, a grin plastered on his face, when he took his seat on the bench. The game started and he followed the puck with his eyes. Of course he was a little nervous that his knee might give in. He hadn’t had problem during the last practices, but there was still a risk.
All that was forgotten once he was out on the ice. Adrenaline was rushing through his veins, making him chase the puck, skate among his linemates and thoroughly enjoy what he was doing. It was so good to be back.
After the first period it the score read one goal each. Both teams were battling, but the Blue Jackets were fighting a little harder. They were still in the run for the last playoff spot. It all depended on how they were playing tonight and how the other scores would turn out at the end of the day.
Viktor didn’t care about it. When he skated out in the second period, Andrew Shaw passed him the puck, setting him up for a wonderful goal that made the whole audience erupt in loud cheers that drowned out the goal song.
When he was back on the bench, Patrick Sharp said: “What a way to come back!”
It was indeed. In the third period Viktor got the assist on Shaw’s goal and the Hawks won three to one. Just what they needed to start the playoffs. For Viktor it had been a great game and he told the reporters so.
“I wouldn’t be here now without Jane, my physiotherapist. She exercised with me every day and took care of me. I’m really grateful to her. Sharpie got her on board, because he knew that she’d kick my butt if I didn’t listen to her and she did. So, that I was able to play today is all thanks to her.”
He answered a couple more questions and quickly got dressed after his shower. With the other guys he finally left the locker room, laughing at something Jonathan had said. April, Abby and Jane were waiting outside for them.
“That was a great game,” Jane said, beaming up at him. She hugged him quickly, before she moved on to give Patrick a hug as well. Viktor couldn’t say that he wasn’t disappointed. He’d hoped for a little more, a kiss maybe. He found himself longing for more day after day. When they were at his apartment, it wasn’t a problem, but as soon as they left the house, Jane switched to being his physiotherapist and friend, not his lover anymore. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to live with this, because right now it was bothering him. He’d love to pull her close and kiss her senseless. Hell, he’d just played an awesome game and he wanted to celebrate this with her. He’d get to celebrate with her at home, but that wasn’t enough. He wanted to show the others that she belonged to him.