I held James hand as we both followed Mario into his office. I could tell that James was extremely nervous and worried. To be honest I was a little nervous also. I couldn't be sure what Mario would say or do. It wasn't often that we were called to Mario's house for a private meeting and I figured he had heard about what had happened the night before in the family room.

As soon as we entered Mario's office he shut the door behind him and made his way behind his desk. My eyes darted around the room. I was half expecting to also see Ray Shero sitting there also, but was relieved that he wasn't sitting there. At least not yet, who knew what was to come. For all I knew Ray was on his way or Mario would call him and put the meeting on speaker phone.

"Have a seat you two," Mario said, inclining his head to the chair's in front of his desk.

James and I both took our seats. Out of the corner of my eye I could see James shifting uncomfortably in his chair. I turned my eyes back to Mario to see him watching us intently with a serious look on his face. Like he was trying to figure out how he was going to start the conversation. I was about to open my mouth and say something, when Mario set his arms on his large mahogany desk and pressed his finger's together.

"So how is everything going for you two? You bought a new house at the end of last season, right? Are you settling into your house? I know you two went home for the summer," Mario asked, looking back and forth between the two of us.

"Yeah we did. It's going good. Though Talon is doing most of the work trying to get the house put together with this shortened season and me being out of town a lot," James replied, squirming around in his seat.

"Good Good. I'm sure if you need any help Talon, Nathalie would be more than willing to help you. She loves to shop and decorate," Mario replied, with a nod and than looked at me.

"Now anything else going on that I should know about?" Mario asked, this time looking at both of us.

"Noooo not really," James replied slowly, dragging out the 'no'.

James turned his head and looked at me. This time I squirmed in my seat. It was obvious that Mario knew what was going on. I mean in no way, shape, or form did I think that Mario Lemieux was stupid. I would expect him to realize what was going on with his organization and his players. I knew that Mario thought of the player's on the team more than just player's, he thought of them and treated everyone as family. He had shown how much he cared ever since James and I had arrived here in Pittsburgh from Dallas. But with that it meant that Mario knew about anything and everything that went on. It was also obvious that Mario was waiting for one of us to bring up the situation.

"Are you sure?" Mario asked seriously.

"Yep," James replied.

"Talon anything you want to add?" Mario asked, looking at me again.

The intensity in his stare made my mouth and throat go dry at that moment and I could only shake my head and tear my gaze away from his.

"Alright," Mario sighed. "Than I'll just get to the point since its obvious that neither of you are going to bring it up. I want to know what happened last night?"

"It was nothing sir," James replied.

"Are you sure about that?" Mario asked seriously.

"Yes," James answered, his eyes darting over to me.

"So there is nothing going on with the two of you that I should know about? Now know this before you answer," Mario replied, holding up a hand when James opened his mouth to say something. " I know about everything that goes on down in that locker room and family room. So think real hard before you decide to answer question."

"In fact I'll give you two a minute to talk and decide what you want to tell me. Just know that I'll know if you tell me the truth or lie to me," Mario said to us, than stood and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

James and I sat in silence for a few minutes. Both of us stewing over our thoughts.

"I think we should tell him," I said quietly, breaking the silence.

"Why? Its our business, our problems." James muttered quietly.

"He's your boss James and its obvious that he know's whats going on," I sighed.

"So what you think that we should just tell him what's going on, is that it? That we should just hang all of our personal business out there?" James snapped, glaring over at me.

"Well I don't know James. It was pretty much all hanging out there last night for everybody to fucking see last night," I snapped right back, and threw him my own glare.

"Its. Nobody's. Business," James gritted out through clenched teeth.

"James you made it everybody's business last night. I mean really what did you expect? That Mario and Ray would just shrug their shoulder's and be like 'Oh well he's only human and human's make mistakes?'. I mean really what did you think you were doing inviting her there and downstairs last night for everybody to see her?" I asked, the question had been floating around in my head all night.

"I didn't invite her," James replied.

"Yeah right. Like I believe that," I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"I didn't. I didn't even know she would be there," he replied, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I..... I can't.... I can't do this anymore James," I said quietly.

"Can't do what?" he asked confusedly.

"This...... This James.... Whatever this is anymore," I said, standing up and pointing between me and him.

"What does that mean?" he asked, his voice raising slightly.

"That means exactly what it sounds like. I can't do this anymore. I can't live like this. Live in a lie and than act happy in front of everybody. When I'm breaking inside, James." I answered.

"So what are you saying?" he asked.

"I don't know," I sighed.

"You don't know?" he asked incredulously.

"I don't," I muttered, shrugging my shoulders.

"You know what I don't know anymore?" he asked.

"What?" I asked.

"I don't know what you want from me. I have tried and tried to make things right with you. But nothing I seem to do seems to make a difference and its starting to piss me off. I just can't do anything right in your eyes," he sighed, rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair. Than seemed to grip it at the roots and tug slightly.

"Well maybe if you didn't stick your dick where it doesn't belong than we wouldn't have this problem would we?" I snapped.

"Well maybe if you acted more like a wife should than we wouldn't have a problem. Than would we?" he snapped right back.

As soon as the words were out of his mouth I could see the regret on his face. But the damage had been done and what he said had felt like a slap to the face. I could feel the tear's prick the back of my eyes.

"Tal, I'm sorry I didn't mean that. You know I didn't mean that right baby?" he asked, his eyes pleading with me to believe him.

Just than I heard the office door behind me open and than close. Mario made his way behind his desk again and sat down. Than looked at both of us undoubtedly feeling the tension in the room.

"Everything ok?" Mario asked, again looking between us.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "And I'm sorry Mr. Lemieux but I'm going to have to go."

"I told you dear you can call me Mario," Mario replied, with a small smile.

"Right. Well Mario as I said I'm going to have to go and I'm sorry about everything," I said, shaking my head.

"Alright. Are you alright dear?" Mario asked worriedly.

"No..... No I'm not," I replied, shaking my head again.

"Alright, well I still need to talk with James. If you want to wait in the kitchen with Nathalie while I talk with James. I'm sure she would enjoy your company," Mario replied.

"Ahhhhh I really just need to get out of here. I think I'm just going to call a cab to come and get me," I answered.

"Alright dear," Mario said, giving me a sympathetic smile.

"Talon," James said quietly, starting to stand.

I could only shake my head at him as I felt the first tear roll down my cheek. I turned towards the door and made my way towards it.

"James sit down," I heard Mario say sternly as I left the office.

Once outside the office with the door closed I slumped against the wall and let the tears fall freely down my face. I could hear James voice from inside Mario's office that he needed to come after me and could hear Nathalie rattling around in the direction of the kitchen. I took a deep shaky breath and knew I had to get out of there.

When I got out outside I pulled my cell phone from my purse and noticed that I had several missed text messages. There were several from Avery and a couple from Sid, basically asking if I was alright and if I needed anything. Even one from Sid asking 'If he needed to kick James ass for me.' I couldn't help that smile that started to form at that. Than there were a few from my sister Lacey.

**New Message** From: Lace

Did he actually have that home wrecking whore at the game last night?

**New Message** From: Lace

Are you ok? Do you need anything? Anything at all and I'll get it for you. I'll even fly to Pittsburgh for you and kick James ass if you want me to.

**New Message** From: Lace

Hello..... Hello..... Hellooooooo are you there? Are you alive?

**New Message** From: Lace

Seriously Talon would you answer me. I'm seriously starting to freak out here. If you don't responded soon I'm flying out there and kicking James ass and than burying him ten feet under.

I could only shake my head again at Lacey's antics. I knew she only meant well and cared about me. But sometimes I couldn't deal with how she got. I called information on my phone and asked for a cab company number. Than called the cab company and waited for the cab to come and pick me up.