All The Small Things

UPMC Children's Hospital was bustling with life. The entire hospital was charged with energy both joyful and sad. It was a place where kid's made major triumphs, and a place where their bodies finally gave up the fight. The Pittsburgh Penguins, made it their mission to make those kid's days a little brighter. They visited as much as their game and practice schedules allowed. The boys were making the trek up to the oncology floor, to hang out with a few kids, while they were undergoing chemotherapy. Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Paul Martin, and Marc-Andre Fleury checked in at the nurse's station. The guys were all packing various toys, shirts, posters, and hockey paraphernalia.

"Hey" called Jared one of the nurses. "The kids are stoked. Cole has been asking if Sid and G were coming. His transfusions will start in about 20 minutes, said something about Call of Duty?"

Sidney smiled at Jared, and showed him the bags in his hands. "We brought PSP's for the unit. You guys can keep them for the kids in chemo, or however you want. But, we promised Cole a round of COD like we do on the plane." Jared shook his head.

"He hasn't been feeling great." replied Jared "He's still fighting."

The captain nodded, and headed towards Cole's room. The rest of the guys had already split off into other rooms. He heard Geno's booming laugh as he entered Cole's room. The little boy was asleep on his bed, looking even smaller than the last time Sid had seen him. He pulled the curtain closed, around the hospital bed. He walked over, and sat down in the chair beside the bed. Cole was pale, the dark circles under his eyes gave him a bruised appearance. The 87 in bright gold on his back, warmed Sid's heart. The jersey nearly swallowed him whole, but he always wore it on days he knew the Pens visited. Beau had told him, that they weren't giving much good news in regards to the boy. Sid logically knew not all the kids at UPMC made it, but this was the first time he really had a relationship with a dying child. He hated the thought of a dying child. Even more, he hated the thoughts of a dying child with no parents. He knew that Cole was a ward of the state. The kid had no one, his only visitor was his case worker, and even that seemed to be a revolving door. Cole needed something stable, even if that meant weekly visits from random Pens. They had all made Cole a priority.

Sidney sat back in the chair, and watched him sleep. He knew they would wake him for chemo soon. Sid wasn't going to wake him up from his few moments of peaceful sleep. Deciding to actually use the IPhone he bought, he was responding to an email, when he heard someone walk into the room. He heard heels clacking, thinking how odd that was, as the nurses usually wore those quiet squeaky shoes. He finished his response to the email he had from coach, and was texting Mario when the curtain flew open. Before Sid had a chance to turn and look, he was face to face with a small blonde girl. He couldn't get a word out, before she started questioning him.

"Who are you? What are you doing in here? You aren't supposed to be in here!" Sidney didn't know where to start, so he was simply staring at her. That probably didn't help the situation, thought Sid. She was eye to eye with him sitting down. Doing the math, he figured, she had to top out at around 5ft tall. She was still talking, he realized, and he had yet to answer her first question. The girl, well woman, had wavy blonde hair that flowed well past her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep dark brown, that contrasted with her light skin. She was dressed conservatively in a light blue button down shirt, and a navy blue skirt. The outfit did nothing to disguise her obvious curves. He looked at her feet, the right one was currently tapping a navy pump against the tile floor. She blew her bangs out of her face, and shouldered her large bag.

"Well?" asked the girl.

"Miss Laci" called Cole "Why are you yelling at Sid?"

"I am most definitely not yelling, Cole." she said softly approaching the little boy. She dumped the suitcase, some might call it a purse, on the floor beside Cole's bed. She placed the back of her hand on his forehead. "How's my favorite guy today?"

"Sid's here" he said brightly "We're going to hang out while I have chemo." Sid was watching their interaction, he still had no clue what was going on. Who was Miss Laci? But, Cole seemed familiar with her. Maybe, a foster mom. He quickly glanced at her hand, no ring. But, single parents could foster, right? He stood up from the chair, and joined them beside the bed.

Sid stuck a hand out toward the girl "I'm Sidney Crosby."

"Laci Prewitt" she said staring at his hand "You still haven't told me why you are in Cole's room?"

"He comes to visit all the time Miss Laci. He's my friend. Right Sid?" replied Cole

"Definitely!" answered Sid. Laci hadn't shook his hand, so he shoved them in his pockets. She was still looking at him skeptically.

"All friends need to check with me buddy." replied Laci "Remember what the doc said, no random germs. You could get even more sick. You want to get better, so I can take you to your hockey game, right? You promised to teach me about hockey. That's all I hear about."

"But, Miss Laci" said Cole.

"No but Miss Laci. We have a hockey date. So Mr....will need to leave."

"Crosby" supplied Sid looking at Cole with a smirk, making Cole giggle. Laci was eyeballing the guy standing in Cole's room. He was just a shade shorter than 6ft. His dark hair looked as if he tried to tame it but failed. It looked like if it got any longer it would curl. He was compact and muscular. She hadn't a clue as to what he did, but he was obviously solidly muscled. In fact, she had never seen a man with such big thighs. Solid was a good way to describe this guy.

"Well, Mr. Crosby, his immune system is very fragile. You can't just hide out in his room. He isn't supposed to have a lot of visitors." explained Laci as the door to his room flew open. Several giant guys walked in. Dear lord where were all these boys coming from. "What is this place, Grand Central station? Where are y'all coming from?"


"We are friends of Cole?" said the guy with a backwards hat, that read 'Kasual'. He had a French accent, and English didn't seem to be his first language. He was the only one of the guys you would describe as pretty. "I am Kris Letang." He answered. Why did all these guys act like she should be okay with them being here? The pretty one, pointed at a tall dark haired gentleman "This is Evgeni Malkin, or Geno." He then motioned, towards a blonde guy, whose nose had obviously been broken a few times "Paul Martin." He nodded his head at the guy beside him "An' Marc- Andre Fleury."

"But, we call him Flower!" said Cole giggling.

Kris stepped up beside her and Cole "Why you giggling, mon ami?" asked Kris "You t'ink, Flower is a funny nickname?"

Cole nodded. "Miss Laci, needs to know all your nicknames." He smiled, and pressed the button on his bed that made him sit up straighter. Laci hadn't seen him sit up in a few days. He'd been laying in bed, miserably sick from the chemo. He perked up when his beloved hockey team played, but couldn't make it through an entire game. She didn't need to spend as much time with him as she did, but couldn't help it. Laci was drawn to the little boy. She hadn't been with UPMC long, but she took her job as a social worker very seriously. She usually ended up in his room, as opposed to her office. He didn't mind her working, and she enjoyed his company. She stepped up to adjust his pillow, and her hand collided with Mr. Crosby's. They both jerked back, then managed to do it a second time trying to fix the pillow. He held his hands up, and stepped away. Cole leaned forward, then settled against the pillow. "Come on Tanger! Tell her!"

"Oui" said Kris winking at Laci. He smiled, and looked at her, then looked at Sid. The Kid was not sure how to take the girl. Kris was kind of amazed that she hadn't recognized any of them. She seemed to have no idea who they were. "But first, we need to know who Miss Laci is."

"She's my new social worker here, at the hospital. She's been here for a few weeks, but you guys have been gone. She almost met Beau, but he was gone before she got back from her rounds." explained Cole. The 6 year old little boy smiled at Laci "She sits in here and does her work because she's lonely. I don't mind, she's quiet during hockey. Miss Laci doesn't know about hockey, cause she's from the south. But, she said if I get strong enough, she'll take me to a Pens game!"

"Well then, she mos' definitely needs our nicknames." teased Kris "They call me Tanger" he stated. He pointed to the blonde guy, and said "Pauly." Then pointed at the dark eyed giant with the quick smile "Geno or G." He waved at Laci. Kris's eyes darted to Mr. Crosby. "We call this guy Sid the Kid or Creature."

"Okay, I get all the other nicknames, but why Creature?" asked Laci. Jared opened the door and brought a wheelchair in, no one answered her question. Jared helped Cole into the chair. All the guys dutifully followed behind Jared and Cole to the chemotherapy room. While Cole was being connected to his infusions, the guys were busy starting one of those handheld games.

"COD just like on "In the Room"" said Cole in awe "Thanks Sid!" Mr. Crosby just shrugged and smiled at the boy.

"You know that Sid sucks at COD?" said Pauly "If you saw that you'll know, he is truly horrible."

"He'll probably beat me." said Cole "I've never played."

"Not even then!" laughed Flower.

"I'm not that bad guys." said Sid.

"Yes you are." they replied in unison."You suck!" added Flower teasingly. Cole laughed out loud, making Laci's heart felt about 2 sizes bigger. She had no idea who these guys were, but they made him laugh. She would beg them to come see him more often if she had to, she needed him to fight.

"I guess you don't need me." said Laci rubbing his head "If you want me to have dinner with you, have Jared page me after while." Laci looked around the room, the guys were handing out games around the room to all the kids. They were all cutting up with the kids. Laci turned to Mr. Crosby "Can I speak with you in the hall?"

"Uh oh" said Pauly "Principal's office Sid."

"Be gentle" laughed Tanger "He's fragile."

Sid gave them all his, the Captain is not amused face, and followed her into the hall. Sid wasn't sure what Laci wanted, but he was pretty sure it wasn't an autograph.

"I'm sorry I was trying to shoo you away."

"It's okay you were looking out for Cole." replied Sid "He's one of our favorite kids. We visit him at least once a week."

"I've been here for about a month, and haven't laid eyes on y'all." she replied.

"Beau was here last week. I'm not sure who's been holding down the fort. I know Lappy came one week, and Nick and Patric another. Plus, Neal came when they were here. It's just whoever is available." he answered "It's our busy time, but we will keep coming. In Summer, we'll figure it out. I'll come when i'm here, and Mario is here most of the year." he stated "Were you serious about taking him to a Pens game?"

"Very, he loves that team. He tries to watch the games, but can't stay awake. I told him if he finished this round, I would spring him from the oncology ward, and take him to a game."

"Is it a good idea for him to be around that many people?" asked Sidney.

"The doctors told me the trip might give him something to fight for when I mentioned it. I need him to fight, the prognosis isn't good Mr. Crosby. We are staring down the barrel, if this round of chemo doesn't work. Today is the first time he sat up in several days, and he is animated today. That's because of you guys. So please keep coming to see him."

"We'll be here." he said looking down at her. His whiskey colored eyes found her dark ones. He had to stop himself from hugging her. He could see the fear of losing Cole in her eyes "Do you think he would be better off in a suite at the game? Maybe a few of the other kids could come? Maybe a nurse and a doctor, with some fast talking?"

"The less germs the better, but i'm not sure the hospital would okay that expenditure. Jared told me he was sure a few of the players would get Cole tickets. If not, I was just going to buy them. He's worth the money." she replied.

"I'll make it happen." said Sid confidently "You look at the schedule and pick a home game, and Cole will have a box, and whatever he needs."

"You can't do that!" she said incredulously.

"I can, and I will" he said "I don't say things I don't mean." Laci launched herself at him and hugged him. Sid didn't know what else to do, so he caught her. He was right she was tiny. Her head barely grazed his collar bone.

"Sorry" she sighed "That wasn't very professional. But, I really appreciate your helping Cole."

"It's okay" he winked at her "I won't tell anyone. No one will know, well except Jared, because he saw you hug me. But, we can buy his silence if we take him with us." Laci looked at Jared and blushed. She turned and started towards her office "You have to come too Miss Laci. You need to learn about hockey." he called. Jared smiled at her as she caught an elevator.

"She has no clue who we are" explained Sid to Jared "Not one inclination that we're the hockey team."

"Cole didn't tell her?" asked Jared.

"She shushed him, and tried to throw me out of his room." laughed Sid.

"I guess not all women are impressed with the face of the NHL." teased Jared.

"I know" said Sid staring towards the elevator that Laci disappeared into "Does he have to finish Chemo before he can come to a game? Or can I set it up so he can go soon?"

"He might not have a long time Sid." whispered Jared.

"We play the Flyers Wednesday."

"We could swing it." said Jared "But, Laci has to have time to get it approved by medical."

"Any chance I can get her number?" asked Sid. Jared whipped out a pen and a piece of paper. He wrote her office number, and her cell number on the paper. Jared started to hand him the paper then pulled it back.

"Listen, Laci has only been here about a month. She only knows hospital people, she mostly keeps to herself, and spends a lot of time with Cole. She isn't some puck bunny, Sid. Make sure the boys know that." Jared handed him the piece of paper. "And Sid I haven't seen her hug a living soul other than Cole."

Sidney nodded, and put the piece of paper in his pocket. He headed back into the treatment room. The boys were all engaged in lively chirping helping different kids play COD. Calls of "I got you" and "There you are" were heard through the ward. Probably, not the most kid friendly game, but they all seemed to be having a good time. He sat back beside Cole.

"Did Miss Laci yell at you?" asked Cole "She doesn't know who you are."

"No worries buddy" said Sid "We were just talking about you taking her to a hockey game. Miss Laci has forgiven me for hiding in your room."

"I'll tell her who you guys are." promised Cole.

"Don't" said Sid "She'll figure it out Wednesday when we visit."

The rest of the chemo session went without a hitch, they stayed until he was settled back in his room. As they were leaving Sid asked Jared not to tell Laci who they were. Tanger raised an eyebrow at him.

"She doesn't know who we are." replied Sid "Let me have one person in all of Pittsburgh, that doesn't care that I'm Sidney Crosby."

"All right Mon Ami" said Kris shrugging his shoulders "But, when this blows up in your face, I'm gonna laugh and say tol' you so."

"I'm just getting them a box for the Flyer's game." replied Sid "No big deal."

"So, we didn't see her hug you?" asked Pauly.

"She was just excited for Cole." he explained.

"Is okay" said G "I not know what hit me with Ally."

"This is so not an Ally situation!" exclaimed Sid.

"Sure buddy" said Flower "Call Vero when you figure it out."

Notes

Alright gang you've all been asking for me to do a Crosby story. Here it is! Good thing I have a Pens techincal advisor on this. Hopefully I have captured your beloved captain. Yes, I promise to do a Rask story but kid is busy saving the B's!!!