In Your Eyes

Piper slung her suitcase up the steps to her front door, through her house, and then onto her bed. It fell with a bounce, followed shortly by her small carry-on shoulder bag. Right there is where she left them as she went out to retrieve a few more items from her car. When she came down the steps from her porch and onto the gravel driveway, she took a long look around at the place she called home. She had missed it, yes...with its lush green grass of her small yard, the tall irises that lined the small path between the driveway and the side of her house, the tall pines she adored that provided shade and that fresh evergreen scent she adored.

There wasn't a massive lake and it wasn't a giant house....but it was home. And she was glad to be back.

The drive to her house from the port where the Cat was docked was a stone's throw from Piper's house, so she didn't have much time to think about things like she had on the ship. Despite that fact, her mind hadn't stopped racing since she gave Sid a final hug and boarded the high speed ferry. Up to this point, this was the hardest goodbye she'd given him. Tears had welled in her eyes, but she held them back until Sid couldn't see them fall.

It had been such a good weekend. Even with the ups and downs at the beginning, Piper felt like she truly lived the past couple of days. The time she spent with Ali made it feel like old times, and yet now they were able to bond over something neither of them expected: their men who played hockey. If someone said to her that they'd come together after graduation because of guys in the NHL, she would've laughed in their faces.

She and Sid had grown a little in a way she really never expected either. Piper no longer worried about what was said or what the intent was behind it; Sidney more than made up for it. He continued showing how sorry he was long after they'd left Ontario and headed back to Nova Scotia.

One of Piper's favorite moments was on the plane ride back to Halifax. Sid had fallen asleep with his head lolled to one side and his hand clasped loosely in hers. She watched him sleep as she had so many times before, and decided it was one of her favorite sights. The minute he woke up, his smile appeared and his fingers tightened about hers, and he kissed her. It was as comfortable as it was natural between them. That comfort-factor was the one thing Piper was hoping they'd never lose, no matter what.

But now she was home. Sid was a couple hundred miles or so away, and she felt this now as she stood in the living room, feeling oddly alone.

I just need to get back into the swing of things. That's all.

She sighed, her hands on her hips as she looked around at her humble, colorful home. The one thing she was most excited to return home for was her garden. This is where she went first - checking on the leaves of all her little plants and the moisture of the soil of her bigger plants. All in all, for as long as she'd been gone, her plants remained in fairly good shape. Once she realized she was staying the week at Sidney's, she called her mom and told her to check on the plants at least once. By the looks of things, it seemed she did a decent job of tending to them while she was away.

As she went about the house, she opened all the windows. The sea breeze smelled faintly of salt, and she smiled as it fluttered her curtains and tickled her face. Luckily for her, the weather had cooperated on her ferry ride home. It would have made her feel more alone if it was raining or cloudy or foggy. Instead, she'd come home to a few lazy clouds hanging in the air and the breeze off the ocean that was always present.

When Piper went back to her bedroom, she unzipped her suitcase and began the arduous task of unpacking, sorting through her worn clothes, and then a afternoon of doing laundry. The hard part was taking the outfits out of her suitcase: the bikini she'd worn all weekend, which still smelled faintly of sunscreen and lake water; the skirt she wore out to dinner with Sidney; the white comfy lounge pants she wore each morning after waking up next to Sidney. Each piece of clothing was like a story from her weeklong fantasy life with Sid. It made her wish she'd never left.

And then she pulled out a t-shirt of Sid's which she hadn't realized was in her suitcase.

"Oh no…." Piper held it up, seeing the red of the shirt and the small Team Canada logo at the center of the chest. She felt bad she'd missed this somehow and mistakenly packed it. If Sid needed it, she would mail it to him, or she could bring it next time--

With a laugh, Piper ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. He won't need this! It's a t-shirt, Piper, come on now.

She held it up again, and then pressed her nose to the cotton. With a deep inhale, she smelled everything that made SidSid. Even though it only had a hint of his cologne on the fabric, it was enough to transport Piper back to his bedroom, his large body pressed against hers, his hands roaming over her body in a way that was needful and tender all the same.

With a sigh, Piper set the red t-shirt aside. She would ask Sid if he needed it anytime soon, and when he said 'no' (and she knew he would), she'd wear it to bed.

It's as close as I'll get without being there, she thought. And I'll take it.

When she threw everything dirty into the washing machine, the next order of business was just that….her business.

Piper hopped into her car, checking her bangs and the rest of her mussed-up hair before pulling out of the driveway. She rolled the windows down and turned on a mix cd of some of her favorite driving music. It contained artists that mainstream radio never played; stuff that Sidney would never hear unless with her. The thought made her smile. I still need to introduce him to the good music.

Arriving downtown Bar Harbor, nothing seemed different…which was not unusual for the small city. While she'd only been gone a little over seven days, Piper felt like she'd been gone for a month. Time had a way of passing by when you never had to look at the clock and the only care you have is being with the person next to you.

But reality sets in at some point…and reality set in the minute Piper stepped off the Cat. It was setting in even more as she took a parking spot in the small lot behind her yoga studio. She wasn't exactly dressed for yoga, but she wasn't teaching that day anyway. She wore a flowy, sheer turquoise blouse and white tank beneath, paired with jeans cuffed at the ankle and bright yellow flats. Piper wasn't planning on being there long, but she had to find Danika, and she had to see how many leads she had for interviewing their next employee.

Entering the studio, Piper could tell right away that both rooms had ongoing classes. This would give her some time to sit down in her office and go through any mail or paperwork Dani had left for her, which there was a healthy stack of.

Plopping down on the chair, she started from the top. Envelope after envelope of the usual bills, advertisements, junk mail, magazines, etc….And then she came to the list she was looking for: a list of applicants that Dani had printed off for her. She was impressed.

Fuck, I owe this girl.

There were 10 names on the list and their resumes and cover letters followed.

Fuck, I REALLY owe this girl.

Piper flipped through the cover letters and glanced at the resumes, then set them aside. One by one, she could already tell which of the ladies would be top contenders, and which wouldn't make the cut. Some were from the Downeast coast of Maine, two were from the greater Boston area, one from northern Vermont, and another from New York City.

As she read through the resumes carefully while making notes in the margins, there was a burst of voices coming spilling from the door to one of the classrooms. Piper could tell the class was over as the voices moved down the hall and then out the front entrance. She hoped it was Dani's class, because she wanted to talk to her the most. She needed to talk to her the most.

When she exited her office, she saw Dani coming out of the classroom last. With a wave, Piper made sure Dani saw her. Much to her surprise, Dani's giant smile appeared when she saw her.

"Look who's back!"

The slender blonde hurried over and threw her arms around Piper. They hugged, and Piper was relieved as ever for this kind of welcoming.

"Whoa, someone got some sun" Dani said, leaning back.

"I know." Piper glanced down at her arms, still faintly pink from the weekend's sun. "I layered on the SPF, but guess I spent too much time in the water."

Dani smiled. "Oh listen to you brag."

"I'm not!"

"It's okay, you know." Dani's face fell a little. "I really am sorry…"

Piper wrapped an arm about her shoulders and lead her towards her office. "That plus a few other things is why I came in today. Do you have some spare time? Care if we hang a little?"

"No, actually, I'd like that." The blue of her eyes danced at the request. "I've been craving some hang-time all week."

That was good news to Piper's ears. As they sat across from one another, Piper's knee started to bounce ever so slightly.

"So can I start first?" she asked.

"Sure, but I get the last word." Dani winked. "Go ahead."

Piper inhaled. "Well….I was thinking a lot on the ride back here this morning. And I think I haven't been the best friend I could be." Dani went to argue the point, but she held up a finger. "Not yet! Just hear me out…"

Dani smiled. "Fine. Go on."

"And honestly, I think I turned into one of…you know…those girls who ditches their friend the minute they get a boyfriend." Piper saw Dani open her mouth to argue again, and she laughed. "Not yet!"

With a frustrated giggle, Dani waved her to go on.

"So I guess what I'm saying is…I'm sorry if I dumped all my responsibilities on you to go have fun all week." She felt the guilt sweep over her again, the way it had when she had phoned Dani from Sid's patio. "There was a better way of handling it, I know. I just didn't do it."

Dani blinked.

Piper stared.

"Done?"

"Yes" Piper said with a chuckle. "Your turn."

"Good, because YOU'RE CRAZY." Dani emphasized her wording with a large smile. "Listen, I get it - I just didn't get it at the time. I forgot what a crazy month or so this has been for you…all unexpected, all unintentionally amazing. Right?"

Piper nodded her head humbly. "Right."

"And I guess I just got a little jealous that…." Dani rolled her eyes at what she was about to say. "…that this guy was getting to hang out with you as much as I got to hang out with you."

"Oh Dan!"

"Wait!" Now she held up a finger. "The last thing I'll say is this: I just felt like I was more of your secretary than a friend. And yes, I get it - you're my boss, I know, and I'd do anything for you--"

"Dani--"

"--Ah ah!!" She laughed, and so did Piper, at how this conversation was progressing. "I'm almost done!"

Piper sat back in her chair. "Okay, okay."

"So do you see what I mean?" Dani asked. "I just felt like I was…not important….or something. That all I was good for was keeping your business going while you spent time with a guy you just met a month ago."

In all honesty, Piper knew everything Dani said long before she said it. It was stuff that wore on her mind all week, whenever she had a chance to think about it. It worried her, because it was the last thing she wanted Dani to think about the entire situation.

"I'm sorry" they both said in unison.

And then they laughed.

Piper held out her hand. "Truce?"

"Pffft. Truce. There's nothing wrong between us" Dani teased. She held out her hand anyways. "Here's to better understanding?"

"I like that" Piper said.

Then they shook hands.

With a great exhale, they both sat back against their chairs, legs slightly pushed out as if they'd just ran a mile in a minute. Piper and Dani looked at one another and started to giggle again.

"So when am I going to see some pics from this weekend? SURELY you took some?" Dani asked, sitting up.

Piper thought she'd never ask. With a few clicks, she held out her phone and scooted her chair closer to Danika's. Together, they flipped through the pictures Piper managed to take while at the cabin. They were mostly of her and Sid, or just Sid himself in all his shirtless glory...But there were others of James and Ali, Ali and herself, and the other guys all in a group pose, beer bottles raised and mouths open as they smiled.

"Damn." Dani took the phone from Piper and held it closer to her face. "Who......who are these people? The Shirtless Orgasm Brigade?"

"Pretty much."

"Who's this?" Dani pointed to a new picture.

"That's my girl!"

"OH! This is Ali?" She started to nod, a smile spreading across her face. "She looks fun. I approve."

Piper leaned over and pointed at James. "That's her husband."

"Holy hell."

Piper sighed. "I know. Total hunk."

"Boyish charm and all....." She pinched the screen and zoomed in. "And tatted up!?"

"Oh yeah."

Dani's crystal eyes flashed her direction. "Does your man have any?"

Piper nudged her lightly. "No. Here...look for yourself." She swiped to the next picture, which she knew was of her and Sid on a jet ski together. She was sitting behind him, legs and arms wrapped around him, feeling all that bare muscle beneath her hands. Ali took the picture - asking them to wave, but Piper held on. No way she was letting go of that solid body once she got it in her hands. Sid waved at the camera just as they were about to take off, his black sunglasses shielding his eyes but his smile prominent.

Dani leaned into the phone again, her brow furrowing. "He's fake. That body is fake."

"It's not, I swear." Piper gave her a naughty grin. "Trust me, I've investigated every inch."

"Did you get to 'investigate' any on this trip?"

They looked at one another and Piper didn't even need to say anything. Dani patted her on the shoulder and then flipped to the next picture. Piper didn't want to bring up any of 'the fight', even though the makeup sex her and Sid had was incredible. Dani would hear the story about Sid's Introduction Fail at some point in the future, but she was still too googly-eyed from playing house with him for a week to mention it now.

"Good Goddamn! Who the hell is this?! Does he play, too?" Dani asked, eyes going wide. She pointed at Stamkos in one of the pics, and Piper laughed.

"Oh, yeah....he definitely plays." She noticed Dani's excited expression. "In Florida."

She deflated. "Oh. Damn."

"They were all really nice."

"Nice to look at" Dani muttered, flipping to the next pic. "Ali again, right? With..."

"James" Piper said, helping her.

"Where is this?"

She leaned over, noticing the pic was one of the ones taken on the patio their final night there. "That's on the back patio of the cabin." She remembered the sun had been down for several hours, but no one made any move to go inside and waste the warm muggy night on sleep. Instead, they sat around laughing it up, enjoying one another's company, drinking until the booze was finally depleted. The guys laughed and joked about stories from the previous season, and Piper learned a lot just in sitting there and listening. She guessed it was Ali who took the pic at some point, snapping a pic of Piper with her head on Sid's shoulder, their hands linked together, listening as James was telling some rampant tale involving Jordan when he still played in Pittsburgh. They were laughing and looking off to the side where Jordan sat, and that was what made Dani let out a long Awwwwwww upon seeing it.

"You guys are too CUTE."

Piper grinned, her eyes still on the picture. "We kinda are, aren't we?"

Both girls' eyes moved to look at the other, and Dani pulled Piper in for a side-hug. "It's good to see you this happy again. Too many assholes in your past, my friend, and none of them left you looking like this."

She nodded. "I know." With a smile, she leaned her head against Dani's. "Thank you."

* * *

2 weeks until Pittsburgh and pre-season conditioning.

This was on Sid's mind as he prepared for his final week in his lake house. It'd been a bit of a blur since Piper left, what with all the last-minute training he and Andy were squeezing in before he left. He made sure all his checks and balances were taken care of, and then in exactly six days he would close up the house until his next lengthy break...if there was one.

He didn't bother to shower after practice that morning. He remained drenched in sweat, even with his air conditioning cranked on the drive back to his house. Even when he was inside and eating a grilled chicken salad in front of the tv, he didn't shower.

Fuck it he thought, munching on baby spinach leaves.

It was how he felt a lot lately. He drove himself hard when he needed to, which was on the ice. It was how he had always done it, but now...outside the rink, or outside the gym....he was in a state of mind that maybe he didn't need to remain so rigid all the time.

He knew it was Piper's doing. Their weekend together at Nealer's lake house had proven that much. If Sid truly cared about her - and he did - he'd need to change something, else it wasn't going to work.

And he wanted it to work.
He was scared as fuck, but he wanted it to work.

There are things he could never change, even if he wanted to. His pre-game rituals were as much a part of him as the game was. His love for the sport would never take backseat, but he could squeeze Piper up front with it, if he tried. Sacrifices would be common, but he had been debating with himself far too much in the past week to say he didn't want to try.

After all.....Piper said the same. If she was willing to try, so was he.

He clicked his tv off and picked up his phone. He fired off a short text to Piper asking if she was busy, hoping that she'd reply quickly.

Indeed she did, but called instead of texting. "Hey, sexy boy."

"Hiya baby. Does this mean you're not busy?"

"That's correct!"

"Good. I want you all to myself."

"Oh do you now?"

"Now and always" Sid replied with a smirk.

"If I have anything to do with that, then you're in luck."

Sid's smirk turned into a full-blown smile. "I have a question. Care to hear me out?"

"Mmm hmm."

Piper's voice hummed in his ear and seemed to shoot down his spine to below his waist. He could picture her lips pursed together, her voice lowering to that smooth, yoga-tone she always used on him. Her eyes would be looking at him with that familiar desire and spark of personality she wore so well. Two months ago, Sid wouldn't believe he'd give voice to the question he was about to ask, but ask he did.

"Would you come to Pittsburgh with me for the start of pre-season?"

"Wha...what?"

"It's just a couple of games, and they don't really 'count', as far as points go--"

"--No, but hang on" Piper said, interrupting. Her voice sounded confused, which is what Sidney expected. "You're asking me...." She trailed off and silence hung on the line.

Sid couldn't stop smiling. "Yes, Piper. I'm asking you to come with me."

"Not......by myself, but with you?"

"Yes."

"As in...."

He started to laugh. "As in - we fly together. We arrive together. You come to my first game. We hang out in my house."

"For.....for how long?"

The apprehension in her voice made Sid wish he could hug her. She had every right not to understand, especially since not long ago he referred to he and Piper as just 'good friends'. He hoped maybe this request would help their relationship go in the right direction. And above all, he just wanted her to come with him.

"I was thinking for a week or two? At least until we play our first game?" He said this with hope, wishing she would agree to come with him. "I won't keep you away from your studio too long." To his surprise, there was soft laughter on the line.

"Aww, thank you, but I'm not sure I'm in a position to just up and leave for that long..."

Sid played with the hem of his shorts, pulling at a stray string. "Just come for a week then. Come the week of my game."

"When is that?"

"3 weeks from now." He listened patiently as Piper mulled it over. He could picture her biting her nail or twirling the end of one of her wavy strands of hair. "I'll come get you."

"Sidney..."

"And then I can meet Bailey" he added, hoping this would change her mind. "I want to meet him, Piper. And your family. I want to eat at the lobster roll place again, and lay in your bed with you, and wake up next to you again."

There was another laugh, its trill much happier this time. Sid knew he'd convinced her.

"Promise to make me waffles?"

"Of course."

"Then I'm sold."

Sid could hear the happiness in her laughter across the line. It made him want to jump off the couch and do a cellie dance right in the living room, if his body wasn't so tired from his grueling morning workout. Sitting there, listening to Piper talk rapidly about this and that for their upcoming week, Sid felt like he was floating.

Another week with her. A very important, HUGE week with her.

"I know, I can't wait either, babe" he said, his face pressed tight to the phone as if it was her cheek. "Honestly. If you thought Shubenacadie Grand Lake is home to me, just wait 'til you come to Pittsburgh."

"Baby, I went to college there. Four years. I know Pittsburgh like the back of my hand--"

Sid laughed. "Yeah, but you weren't the girlfriend of the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain, were you?"

"How would you know!" she said in jest.

"Uhh....Piper?"

"Yes?"

"I've been the captain since 2007."

Silence hung on the line again.

"....really?"

He smiled. "Yes. That would make you....a......freshman?"

"....correct."

"Ha haaaa! Gotchya."

"Can I call you Captain next time we fuck?"

Sid's eyes went huge. "Huh?" And just like that, the exchange of power happened. Piper caught him off guard, just as he'd done not 30 seconds earlier. "Uh, yes...yes please..."

"Something about this conversation turns me on" Piper said, her tone changing slightly. "Am I alone?"

He thought about it, but he didn't need to think long. "Not alone at all." He sighed, slumping further down onto his couch. I want her to stay for 10 weeks. The whole season. I don't want her to ever leave.

"Oh and by the way?"

"Hmm?" Sid was still thinking about how Piper's voice would sound moaning out Captain in mid-thrust.

"I'm wearing your red Team Canada shirt right now, in case you were looking for it."

There was a definite air of pride as Piper told him this, which...when it finally clicked...made Sid feel like a king. "Did you steal my shirt?" he asked with a sideways grin.

"Noooooo....It just ended up in my suitcase, I swear!"

"What else are you wearing with it?"

"Nothing."

Thoughts buzzed through his mind faster than he could keep track of them. Piper's long legs, smooth to the touch leading up to the hem of his shirt, barely covering her hips and the gap between her legs, concealing a pussy he was slowly owning night after night after he entered it. He could almost feel her nipples under his hands, erect beneath the fabric.

He was starting to get hard.

Another week with her to myself...but still so far away from now.

"Crosby?"

I have to see her before then. I have to.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. "Call me Captain."

* * *

A chambray button down shirt. A navy blue striped maxi skirt. Pale yellow thong sandals. Shoulder-length, sandy blond hair that fell in loose waves, bright eyes, and soft pink lips.

This is what the interviewees saw when they shook the hand of Piper Lake, owner and lead instructor at Daybreak Yoga Studio. She invited them to sit in the chair opposite her and Danika's chairs behind the desk.

Piper inspected the body of each interviewee. Did they emulate fitness and well being? Did they bring about a sense of calm as they spoke? Did they want this job?

She crossed her legs and glanced down at the resume in her hands. This was the fourth girl they interviewed that day. Her name was Robin, from New York City. 28 years old. Tall with long dark hair she wore in a braid over one shoulder. She made the trek from the city up to Bar Harbor for this job, and this certainly wasn't lost on Piper. She had all the credentials too, and she smiled a lot. Piper liked that.

"So how long have you been in New York?"

"Too long" Robin said with a laugh. "Which for me, is 8 years."

"Since college?"

"Yes."

Danika had a copy of the resume as well, and was studying it as Robin spoke. "Do you feel the transition from the big city to a small city like Bar Harbor would be easy?"

Robin nodded firmly. "I do. While I love the energy of the city, I think that my love of yoga and the practice of it has certainly helped combat the hustle and bustle. I'm really looking for somewhere a little less busy, but still has a good vibe with plenty of terrain to practice out of doors."

"Well that's certainly Bar Harbor." Piper smiled, and Robin smiled back. She noticed that she was very calm; not nervous at all. In the margins of the resume, Piper made note of this. "Do you get annoyed by tourists?"

With a laugh, Robin shook her head. "No, but I like that question."

Dani and Piper looked at one another, smiles growing. "It's something that has to be asked" Piper admitted, making another note on the resume. "And you understand that most of our summer is spent practicing with tourists? We may see them once, or we may see them for a week, sometimes all summer...and then never see them again."

"And I would give them the same expertise and attention as a regular" Robin added. "New York may be bigger, but the tourists never change, right?"

Piper was liking this girl more and more. "That's definitely true."

"Any family that would be transitioning with you?" Dani asked.

"Just me, myself, and I."

"So your schedule would be pretty free right off the bat?"

"I'd be at your beck and call." Robin crossed one leg over the other, clasping her hands over her knee. Her perfect posture, poise, and confident air about her made Piper want to hire her on the spot.

"The job announcement mentioned this would be a fill-in position to start….but that doesn't mean there isn't a chance for promotion" she said. "I'm assuming this also interests you?"

Robin nodded. "Very much." She moved a piece of hair away from her face that had fallen out of her braid. "I guess I should admit something."

Piper and Danika looked up.

"I arrived here a couple days ago" Robin said. "I did it on purpose so I could really take in the feel of the coast, it's people, it's culture. I've been walking around and picturing myself here, really exploring myself as well as the area."

"And what did you think?" Piper asked. "Could you envision yourself here?"

"I could not only envision - but I could feel it. Bar Harbor is definitely the place I've always wanted to live."

Piper and Dani looked at one another. Very subtly, Dani scribbled something down on her notepad and slid it to the side so Piper could read it.

Hockey fan?

Piper looked over and smirked at Dani, who kept a completely straight face. She had no idea why she would want her to ask Robin that question, but at this point…why not?

"One more question" Piper said. "And this may seem random as hell, but…..do you like hockey?"

Robin's face actually lit up. "Hockey? Hell yes, I like hockey!"

"Really!?" Piper's brows lifted. "What's your favorite team?"

"The Islanders, of course" Robin said. "I'm partial, having lived right there."

Piper wanted to immediately flash Robin a picture of John from the weekend at James and Ali's cabin, but she held back. More would be revealed in time, especially when the question of "where is Piper always going?" would come up.

Having made up her mind, Piper stood and held out her hand. "So Robin - when can you start?"

* * *

Notes