Here we go. Game number four. This was the last shot the Stars had to stay in Stanley Cup contention. It was do or die; now or never; and boy was Jamie feeling it.

As much as he tried to hide it, he was beginning to crack a little bit under the pressure. He was snippy, irritable and kind of impossible to be around. I forgave him quickly, though. I knew this had to be tough. I let him do his sulking in his apartment with Tyler, I busied myself elsewhere.

Currently I sat in my usual seat next to Erica, who, wearing her new boyfriends jersey, sat in her seat, a very nervous expression on her face. The puck was about to drop; and to say we were tense was a vast understatement. We wanted this just as much as the boys did.

“I literally don't think I've been more nervous for a game, ever” Erica commented, Tyler winning the opening draw. Before I could even react the puck was in the Habs zone, Jamie slamming it in the back of the net with a slap shot to the top right hand corner.

“Holy fuck!” I jumped up along with the Dallas crowd, who leapt to their feet immediately. Not even ten seconds into the game, ten seconds into the first period, the Stars had found a way to get the lead for only the second time in the series.

“Jamie freaking Benn!” Erica shouted, hugging me before clapping loudly with everyone in the crowd. It was obvious he was trying to hide the grin from creeping on his face, but even from my seat I could see it. He looked up to the jumbo-tron to take a look at his goal; Price didn't even see it coming.

We sat back down, the same players taking their spots at centre ice. The crowd had found its voice; it was the loudest I had ever heard them. “Go Stars Go!” Chants were heard throughout the building; the amount of passion the crowd was showing was something truly admirable.

“I can't believe that” I murmured, as Carey Price covered the puck, face off going to his right.

“One shot, one goal, and holy fuck what an amazing shot” Erica muttered in awe. In all honesty it was the hardest shot I had ever seen Jamie take; and I'd like to think I saw him take a lot of shots.

“Probably the fastest I've ever seen from him” I commented my thoughts, smiling proudly. My smile vanished however, when I saw PK Subban slam Jamie into the boards from behind; and he wasn't moving.

“Get up Jamie” Erica muttered, her eyes wide. The crowd around me began to stand up, yearning to get a better look at their captain, who lay on the ice, clutching onto his right shoulder. The Stars trainer leapt from his position from the bench and began to run onto the ice just as Jamie got to his feet.

I never felt a bigger sense of relief wash through me when I saw him get up and skate to the bench, taking his seat instead of heading to the dressing room. I could see the trainers fussing over him, his teammates leaning to see if he was okay but he simply brushed them off, telling them to concentrate on the game.

My heart rate began to slow down to its normal rate finally; but I still worried. PK Subban was headed to the penalty box, Tyler right behind him. As soon as PK planted the hit Tyler was all over him, giving him a piece of his mind, and fist. I was so busy worrying and watching Jamie I didn't even notice Tyler take a swing at PK.

“Classic Ty, always looking out for his captain” I snickered, earning an eye roll from Erica.

“Don't even remind me” she grumbled. But her sour mood didn't last long. On the ensuing four on four, Jason Demers found the back of the net for the Stars once more; 2-0 just ten minutes into the first period.

“Oh daddy!” Erica leapt up, the pair of us growing more and more excited. The shots were in favour of the Stars, 5-1 and they held the 2-0 lead. In the first ten minutes of the game it was obvious what team wanted it more; and they weren't the ones wearing red.

Just five minutes later with five minutes remaining, Tyler skated rapidly up the left side, cut in front of the net and slipped the puck through the five hole of Carey Price; 3-0.

“I be the feels good after that goal!” I shouted, once the crowd had died down enough so I could actually hear my own thoughts.

The crowd was going crazy; it was electrifying. The Stars hadn't managed to score three goals all series, but now found themselves with a three goal lead. Michel Therrien called a time out for his team; he was fuming.

“He’ll feel good after the game too” Erica muttered, expecting me not to hear her.

“Holy fuck, gag me” I pretended to gag in my mouth, earning me a light smack and a glare.

“Don't act so innocent” she snapped playfully.

“Wasn't acting” I defended with a shit eating grin and a wink.

The rest of the first period finished without anything interesting really happening. The play was pretty even for the most part, the Habs not getting many good chances. When the horn sounded to end the first period, it was obvious the frustration level of Carey Price; they had gotten in his head. That was exactly what they needed to do.

I stood up to fix my jersey when I caught the eye of somebody I had hoped had left town. I sat down rapidly, wishing Erica would get back from the washroom, and I silently wished I had gone with her.

“Well, well, look who it is”

Derek.

“Hi” I smiled weakly, unsure of what else to say.

“Thought you and Jamie were done?” He asked with a devious grin.

“That's none of your damn business” I snapped immediately. “I'm here with Erica” I added, not wanting Derek to do anything to Jamie, or his career.

“Since when is she such a big hockey fan?” He asked with a snort.

“Again, that's none of your damn business” I can't believe the nerve of him. He knew where I sat; he knew where my tickets were for. I always sat here, same section, same seat; and I had since I met Jamie.

“Hey shit head, why don't you turn around and mind your goddamn business” I heard Erica snap forcefully, finally coming back to our seats. Thank god. Derek smirked to himself when he noticed the jersey she was wearing.

“I see” he said in response to his previous question.

“You see what? All I'm seeing is an asshole” Erica answered without missing a beat. I had to bite back a laugh; there was no getting anything by her. Derek rolled his eyes, presumably biting back a snarky remark when someone asked him to move from his seat. He snarled, waltzing back a few rows before taking his own seat.

“Does he not take no for an answer?” I asked rhetorically, groaning. Evidently not.

“Don't sweat it Hales, let's just enjoy the rest of the game”
And that we did.

By the end of the second, the crowd was officially the loudest I had ever heard. Tyler and Jamie both netted a goal each, chasing Carey Price from the net and securing a 5-0 lead going into the final period.

And they weren't done yet. Just two minutes into the third Jason Spezza hammered one past Tokarski, making it 6-0; this would prove to be the final score.

When the buzzer sounded signalling the end of the game, a new hope seemed to be born. Not one member of the crowd was in their seat. Everyone was on their feet, giving their team a standing ovation as the Habs skated off, embarrassed by the hands of the team they had only let score one goal in the previous three games.

One down, three to go, right?

*******


We waited patiently for Jamie and Tyler to come out of the dressing room with the other families, and we knew we'd be waiting awhile. I wanted to see Jamie before the team took back off to Montreal for game five; one Montreal was so sure they didn't need. The Stanley Cup had been in the building; but it hadn't been claimed tonight.

“Jamie Benn” I smiled when he waltzed out after waiting for a decent amount of time. It wasn't as bad waiting this time; the chatter was happy, the room roaring with laughter. The energy was so much different after such a significant win. “I'm so proud of you” I pulled him in for a hug. He wasn't smiling, however he wore a very serious expression. He didn't even hug back; he just stood there, zombie like.

“Thanks” he mumbled, seemingly distracted.

“You know you just won, you're allowed to smile” I joked, but on the inside I knew what he was thinking. It was just one win. They still faced elimination on Friday night when they played game five. They still had two more wins to go before they even tied the series.

“I know” ugh. I was growing frustrated with his one worded goddamn answers.

“Then smile, grumpy” I teased lightly, earning nothing but a glare in return. I rolled my eyes; I wasn't in the mood for this shit right now. After each of the players came out, the smiles on their faces were wide, happily accepting hugs and congratulations from their loved ones. Well, all except Jamie. Might as well take away Jonathan Toews’ nickname of Captain Serious and give it to Jamie.

“Mhm” he mumbled softly.

“Alright well, good luck in Montreal and I'll see you when you get back” I spat with anger, before turning to walk out the door, with or without Erica.

“Haley”

I turned around to the sound of my name.

“Yes?” I asked, not hiding the anger I was feeling.

“I'm sorry” he hung his head low and sighed. I sighed heavily too, approaching him once more, pulling him in for another hug, one to which he actually returned.

“It's fine” I answered back quietly.

“I love you, you know that?” He asked, kissing the top of my head.

“I know” I smiled. “You're damn lucky I do” I added with a smirk. “Come back for a game six, would ya?” I asked, knowing he had to leave shortly. He relaxed a little bit, pulling me in a pecking my lips.

“I will”

Notes