Val’s POV

Val was so happy that Evelyn was here. Brooke was nice and all and especially since she’d allowed him to stay at her place. Mainly it was so she could help him out with learning English and getting a better grasp of the language. (And for some reason, there was no one in Dallas, so he had to get tutored in Boston.) But Evelyn was the one who’d befriended him first. She was the one who introduced herself to the Dallas Star and was kind to him and all. She was the one who he really wanted to be with, however, she didn’t seem to want to be with him.

Val knew she cared for Jonathan, but deep inside, he longed for her to be his heroine. I mean, he wasn’t going to say that he was jealous…but he kind of was. I mean, he was in love with someone he couldn’t be with. Who couldn't sympathize with the poor guy?

At first he was fine with the friendship, but now, seeing her here…looking every bit as normal as Brooke, he was taken aback by the true beauty she possessed, but she was with Jonathan Toews. And that wasn’t going to change. She was born and bred to be his hero and they were supposed to be together. And Val...he was simply just her Russian bi-ligingual friend.

Val guessed he started to really care for her after her seventh Blackhawk Mission. The Red Wings were picking on Chicago, so she flew in to set them straight and remind them who was the boss. She was so fierce and tough and it was so cool to see a female like that.

He remembered hearing about it from Kelly, who often bragged about her super friend.

And there was this other time when she attempted another “mission,” but failed. The Blackhawks played the Penguins and Patrick Kane was hurt in the process this time and Evelyn blamed herself. She had been late and not really caring. She'd been busy with Brad. As her friends, the three of us: Brooke, Kelly and Val all tried to tell her it wasn’t her fault.

And later on Jonathan got hurt due to an awkward hit into the boards by Brooks Orpik of the Capitals. But what many don't know, is that he was totally fine...it was what happened after the game at a bar in Pittsburgh. That is what got him the injury and that is what Evelyn was upset about.

And with the two superstars out, she spiraled out of control, but Val helped her through…with help from Kelly and Brooke of course. But mostly Valeri Nichushkin.

He genuinely cared for Evelyn and her job. He didn’t want her to blame herself. Failures happened, but the good news was that both men returned to the lineup by the end of the regular season, good as new.

Unfortunately, during that time, she spent most of the time with Jonathan and didn’t seem to have time for her friends or Val.

(Poor little Valeri…)

But now, here she was in Brooke’s home and she needed their help, with meant one thing. He could hang out with her more! He knew about Black Hawk, but he had yet to see her in action and he really wanted to.

Evelyn was cool…

…but Val was certain Black Hawk was awesome!


“Val! Valeri! Earth to Nichy!” Evelyn’s voice called out, drawing the Russian out of his thoughts.

He shook his head, blushed and apologized. She smiled though and turned back to Jonathan. Val felt his heart breaking apart in his chest. Why was she doing this to him? He cared for her too much though to worry.

If she was happy, he was happy. That’s how it worked.

“Alright,” she addressed everyone in the room. “Kaner’s been kidnapped by a man named Eric Strum. Turns out he’s a superhero like me...but he’s from Russia. Can I count on help from Brooke, Kelly, and Val, my friends?”

Val was the first to respond and it came out so sudden and fast. “I help!” he said. He saw Evelyn freeze and Jonathan looked at him with a bizarre look. He racked his brain for some backup to his quick response. “Uh, what best friends for, if we no help out?!”

She took that, smiling, “You’re right Val, great thinking.”

He dipped his head. Jonathan and Val stared at one another. Val wasn’t sure if he was onto his game, but he didn’t seem bothered and eventually turned away, after giving Val a warm and friendly wink. The Dallas Stars' Russian forward guessed that he was proud that he was such a good friend and willing to help save his teammate. He could certainly think that and that’s what Val wanted. He didn't want to fight the Blackhawks' Captain. At all.

“Kelly? Brooke?”

“Like Val was quick to say, I’m in!” Kelly exclaimed, raising her arm and sending the wand into the air.

“Same here. I may be a mortal, but Patrick’s innocent and kind of cute,” Brooke smiled and clapped her hands together.

“Than I shall let Brad know and we draw up a plan!” Evelyn proclaimed, jumping to her feet. “Oh and Jonathan, dear, give them their devices, please.”

The Blackhawk Captain nodded. He crawled over to where the bag was and reached in. He took out the presents and passed one of each of the items to Val, one to Brooke and one to Kelly.

They clamped the watches onto their wrists and pocketed the tiny pucks. They also inserted ear pieces that looked like hearing aids into their ears. Then they turned to Evelyn, who was beaming.

“Looking good, my super-friends!” she stated, as Jonathan put his stuff on. “And my Jonny.”

The Blackhawk grinned. He stuck his arm out. “Should we do a sports huddle cry?” Evelyn laughed, but everyone put their hands in, so she sighed and did the same thing. “Let’s say, “Save Kaner” on the count of three. Okay? One... two…….three!”

“SAVE KANER!!” They all screamed out and raised their arms up.

“Alright, enough clowning around. Val, Kelly and Brooke I want you all to come up with a plan. Kelly, maybe talk to the Techies back at North End!? They can help you all out. Brad’s got enough on his plate and he’s gonna be checking in often with me anyway. I’m going to take Jonny and fly to the crime season. We’ll meet back up in three hours and then head out to find and rescue Patrick.”

“Sound like good plan, Black Hawk!” Val remarked, with a big cheesy grin that earned him more bizarre looks from Kelly and Brooke.

“Thank you again, Val. Please stay out of trouble. I don’t want another mistake like before, okay. I’d hate to lose a cute friend like you, baby Russian.”

She embraced the Russian, who put his arms around her. Gosh, her scent was intoxicating. He didn’t want to overstay his welcome though and pulled back. “I hope you find something, we need find Kaner and need clues and a location.”

“Right, Nichy. You're English is getting much better, but still needs a lot of work. Find me something good you three.” She turned and grabbed Jonathan’s hand into her own and gazed into his eyes. “Ready?”

They walked out of the house and stood on the porch. The hockey player nodded. There was a bright light that glowed concealing her form for a brief second. And when the bright, blinding light finally faded, "normal Evelyn" was now Black Hawk. Wings protruded from her back smoothly and suddenly. Val wasn't sure how she did it...how the change happened, but she was no longer a mortal or normal human being to him. She was a superhero! She was Black Hawk! She sprang up into the air and rapidly yanked Jonathan up and scooped him into her arms.

The brunette man moaned, as he was lifted off the solid ground. “What I wouldn’t give to have a pair of wings like yours Eve, so that I wouldn't have to make you carry me everywhere. I hate being carried, but at least it’s with you.”

Then they vanished into thin air, zooming away from Brooke’s house. Val waved good bye and slowly turned and followed the girls back inside. He hung my head, as he closed the door behind him. Black Hawk/Evelyn was gone again and Valeri Nichushkin, the helpless romantic Dallas Star, was all alone.

Notes

He's such a sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't worry Val, you'll be happy soon!
I hope that the changes I made, make it much better. :D


Next up: The pier and Black Hawk fails! - There you go, see I told ya she would fail! ;)