Heat Lightening

Harleigh sat on her knees in front of the large screen television in the rec room at the Veteran's Hospital. The entire room was deathly quiet after Patrick Kane scored in the third period. Harleigh was somewhere between wanting to cry and wanting to throw up. It was game six in Chicago and Kaner had just scored with only about five minutes left in the third period. The entire Tampa Bay bench looked dejected. Harleigh's heart was breaking for Morrow. She wasn't sure how Steven was going to react if they failed at getting the Cup. He carried the weight of the team around like Atlas on skates. It wasn't going to be anyone's fault but Steven would assume the blame.

"Harleigh, they still have five minutes." said Braxton "You've seen teams win in seventeen seconds."

"I know" she replied "But they’re banged up and look pitiful right now."

"Aren't you the one always trying to convince me pretty boy is as tough as any Marine?" asked Braxton

Harleigh shrugged "But it's the Cup." Braxton smiled at her because he didn't know how to reassure her.

Harleigh watched the clock tick down. Steven was headed toward Crow. She watched him fire the puck on net only to have it snatched out of the air by Crow. They regrouped. They had already pulled Bishop. Steven shot the puck. Harleigh heard the clang as the puck hit the iron. Nauseous, she was definitely nauseous now. The Cup was slipping out of his hands and she wasn't able to do a damn thing about it. Hell, she couldn't even hug him when it was over. She thought back to their conversation as he was packing for Chicago.

"You should come to Chicago with me." said Steven. Harleigh was sitting on the edge of his bed folding laundry. "I think you’re my good luck charm."

"Umm, how about no?" replied Harleigh "I have a full therapy load next week. Plus, I just got back from New York. They have a sledge hockey game this week."

"I see how it is" he laughed "Your boys are more important than me."

"Yep" she answered smiling at Stammer. He sat down beside her on the bed. She hadn't really been away from him since the trip to New York, except when she was working. And he had a tendency to pop up there more often than not. They had managed to have a nice dinner out in New York without any teammates tagging along. Steven had been a perfect gentleman the entire time. In fact, other than the occasional hug and some hand holding, he hadn't made a single move. She wasn't quite sure where the kissing her up against the wall Stamkos had went.

"If we win game five, you're flying up for game six."

"You're bossy, Stamkos." she answered "What if I don't want to come to Chicago?"

"Then you'll miss my first Stanley Cup win." he said giving her a wicked grin.


"Can't have that can we captain."

"I need you there." he replied.

"Then I'll be there." she answered.

"Promise?" he said. Harleigh made and exasperated noise. Steven looked panicked for a second. He didn't want to pressure her.

"Promise." parroted Harleigh nudging her shoulder into him "I've got to go to work and you have a plane to catch."

Steven shouldered his bag and grabbed his suitcase. He stopped long enough to lock the door. Harleigh was standing next to her car. He threw his bags in the back of his Mercedes. Harleigh was still standing beside her car. "Hey, Ninety-One?" she teased as she walked towards him "Think you can get me Hjammer's autograph?" Steven shook his head no. "Come on, Stammer!" she goaded.

"Never" he said "no Blackhawks for you."

"Oh well, you know Hags is my favorite anyway." she sassed. Steven trapped her between her car door and his body. "I've got a thing for hot blonde hockey players."

"You've got all you can handle right here."

"That so, captain?"

"Abso -fucking - lutely" Steven's mouth descended on hers as his hands pulled her flush against him. As quickly as it began it was over "I'm gonna miss my plane." he said with his forehead against hers.

Harleigh hands pulled his mouth back to hers "They'll wait." she answered kissing him again.
"Good luck, captain. I'll see you in Chicago on Wednesday." Steven smiled at her. He hoped that was true.

Harleigh looked up at the big screen in time to see Crow pull his face mask off and sling it. She saw the Blackhawks celebrate on home ice. She saw the Triplets on their knees on the ice. Harleigh couldn't imagine how disappointed they were. She then got a glimpse of Steven. She knew he was crushed. Worse, she knew that he would have to deal with the disappointment and be the bigger man and shake the hands of the men who destroyed his dream. Poor Morrow. Harleigh sat there in the floor watching the handshake line and the celebration.

"Har" called Braxton "Are you going to watch them bring in the Cup?"

"No" she said shaking her head "I need to go home." She hugged her vets and Braxton before getting in her car. She headed to her home. She was trying to decide if best course of action was to fly straight to Chicago or go to his house and get it ready for his return. She looked at her cell phone laying in the cup holder. What could she even say to make him feel better? Nothing. She knew the answer to that. She rationally knew that with the weather and the Hawks winning that getting a flight in tonight was nearly impossible. She grabbed her phone.

Harleigh: I'm here if you need me.

It was a simple text, but she hoped it let him know she was there for him. She flipped on the radio and listened to Bish being interviewed. He had finally told the media about the tear in his groin. They told the media about Johnson’s broke wrist. She would bet a lot of money that he would be in surgery by Wednesday morning. She then heard Steven's voice come through the radio. She could hear how hurt and upset he was. When he stated that it was a lonely place to be it absolutely broke her heart. He wasn't alone. He had the entire team with him. Hell, he had her. Harleigh regretted not going to Chicago with him. If only she had went, she could be holding him in a few hours.

Harleigh pulled into her apartment complex. She was moving on autopilot. Harleigh opened the door and Rebel grumbled from his shelf. She dropped her keys in the bowl. She gathered the large cat into her arms and petted him. Rebel growled. Harleigh laughed and let him go. He took off from the room and was gone under her bed. Harleigh turned on the television. The Blackhawks were still celebrating. Harleigh sighed and headed through the apartment. She turned on the tub and threw in bubble bath. Harleigh stripped out of her Bolts gear and sank down in the tub. She hated the thoughts of Steven being alone tonight. She knew he had the boys but he would shut down.

Harleigh was soaking and thinking when she heard her phone chirp. She dried her hand and grabbed the phone.

91: I know. Sorry you're not coming to Chicago.
Harleigh: Wish I was there now.
91: Me too. I just want to be out of fucking Chicago. They aren't going to let us fly out tonight.
Harleigh: When will they let you come home?
91: Tomorrow afternoon
Harleigh: Are you all out tonight or staying in?
91: There isn't a bar in Chicago that we would be welcome in.
Harleigh: I'm sorry.

Harleigh watched for his response. She waited and waited. After about 10 minutes she started to worry about him. She was contemplating calling him when her phone signaled an incoming FaceTime. Harleigh scooted farther into the bubbles and hit accept. She could tell by looking at him that he was completely dejected. Harleigh smiled at Steven.

"Hey" she said softly.

"Hey yourself" he replied "Got tired of texting makes it hard to hold my glass of bourbon."

"Priorities" laughed Harleigh

"Yep"

"Why are you drinking by yourself? You have an entire team of guys."

"I'm in a foul fucking mood. Everyone is miserable. Whoever said misery loves company has never lost the Cup." explained Stammer. She watched him drain the Knob Creek from the glass and pour another drink.

"I guess I should feel privileged that you've graced me with your beautiful face." teased Harleigh

"Fuckin' right" said Stamkos. Steven took a moment to look at Harleigh. Her hair was in a high ponytail and she still had her work makeup on. He looked to see which of his shirts she was wearing. He had been so focused on the fact that they were losers that he hadn't realized Harleigh was naked in front of him. Sure, she was covered by bubbles and they covered more than anything that she wore to the beach but damn. "Har, didn't anyone ever tell you that you shouldn't answer video stuff in the tub?"

"Says the man who roams Tampa shirtless unless it's a game, practice, or golf." replied Harleigh "I'm covered in bubbles."

"I get hot." he whined taking another drink of bourbon.

"Pace yourself, Stammer." she instructed "Flying hungover is a bitch."

"I'm just going to stay drunk."

"You know you can't do that. The fans will want to welcome you home. You can't be falling down signing autographs."

"I can hold my liquor. So, are you planning to come console me after work?" he asked

"Nope." she replied.

"Harsh, Harleigh." said Stammer.

"I'll be around." she answered

"Promise?" he asked

"Of course, Stammer."

"Don't call me that!" he fussed "I'm tired of being Stammer. Where's Stammer? Why can't Stammer put the puck in the net? What's Stammer waiting on?"

"Deal, no Stammer until you leave for Scary Gary." she replied. "I need to get out of this tub I’m turning into a prune."

"I'm not stopping you." he smirked at the screen. Harleigh flipped the phone sideways and stood up. Steven could hear the water dripping, but could see nothing but her face. "You suck, Har. That is completely unfair. Now I am imagining you dripping wet and naked. Very naked." He heard her laugh. Damned if he didn't love that sound. He then was subjected to a lovely view of her bathroom ceiling. Soon a smiling Harleigh wrapped in a bright yellow towel was looking at him. "You are the devil, Harleigh."

"I am not the devil, Steven Stamkos." she sassed.

"You are a bonafide she-devil. After the day I've had you could have at least let me have a peek."

"Not a chance, Stamkos. If and when I let you see all this you're gonna be right here with me."

"I'm hopping a charter to Tampa." Harleigh laughed again. He couldn't help but smile. Not the fake everyone is watching smile but the genuine one.

"No way, Mr. Stamkos." she replied "Fly in with your team. Hang on, let me get dressed. You can talk to me until I fall asleep."

"Deal. But you have to talk to me until I fall asleep." he answered.

"Jesus, so needy tonight." she laughed. Harleigh grabbed the pale blue button down that he had left at her apartment last week. She didn't want to admit it, but she slept in it or his jersey most every night. He was aware of the jersey, but he had no clue she had stolen the button down. Harleigh picked him back up and crawled in bed. He apparently had no issue stripping in front of her. Whoever made those hottest NHL player lists had apparently never seen Steven in just boxer briefs. Dear lord, the boy was so pretty.

Steven sprawled across the hotel bed. He put his bourbon on the night stand and his iPad on
the bed beside him. He watched her pull her hair free from the ponytail. It fell in waves. She then did what she always did and twisted it into a messy knot on top of her head. "Is that my shirt?" he questioned "I was looking for it."

"Finders keepers" she replied sticking her tongue out "You shouldn't leave super soft expensive shirts lying around."

"So I lose the Cup, my shirt, and my dignity all in one day?" he asked

"Alright Stamkos, you get to whine until tomorrow then it's suck it up time. I plan for us to have at least a few nice days before you go into full wolverine training mode."

"And this is why you are my favorite Harleigh." he replied "I am less than 4 hours from losing the Stanley Cup and you tell me to get over it."

"It's a hard job, Stamkos." she laughed "You know I only say it for your own good."

"It still fucking sucks, Harleigh."

Harleigh's face fell. Steven automatically felt like hell. He knew she only want him to feel better. He grabbed the bourbon and drained the glass. Harleigh watched him finish his drink. It didn't seem to matter what she said, he was still miserable.

"I'm sorry." she said softly.

"And I'm a dick." he replied.

"Yes" she said smiling at him "It's part of your charm." He laughed. Harleigh wanted to hear only that sound for the rest of the night.

"So, how did your sledge team do?" he asked

"Oh, they won. It was great. Mike and Tim had goals. Tim said that the angle changed worked." she reported "We were all watching tonight. Most of the guys at the hospital were. I haven't seen that much blue since the Wildcats dropped out of the NCCA tournament."

"Tim could have played for NHL instead of going into the Marines."

"Family tradition." replied Harleigh "I'm hoping my kids will go to Ole Miss like me."

"They can't play hockey at Ole Miss."

"Who says my kids are going to play hockey?" she snickered. Harleigh then realized he had ditched the glass and was drinking from the bottle. If she had one wish it would be to be beside him in that bed.

"Our kids will play hockey, Harleigh." he slurred "They have too. It will be my family tradition. You can teach them about Mason jars, Gone with the Wind, and Southern shit."

"You're drunk, Stamkos."

"I've been drinking since we lost." he answered "I think it's catching up."

"Gone with the Wind and Southern shit?" she questioned

"Yep, we will have blonde haired, blue eyed, wild rebel babies."

"The Southern gene will be dominant over the Macedonian gene." she asked

"Nope, it will just mutate." he said laying his head on the pillow. The bottle of Knob Creek was empty beside him.

"We'll see, Steven. I think you are ready to pass out."

"I don't wanna" he replied sleepily "Wanna sleep in your bed. Or in my big bed with you. Just want to be with you, Harleigh. Why didn't you come with me to Chicago? I don't fuck up when you are with me. We won game seven because you are my lucky girl."

"I have work Steven, you know that. I was flying in tomorrow. I'll be there when you land tomorrow. We'll hide."

"My brain knows, my heart isn't listening, and the bourbon says I should make you give me my shirt back." replied Steven "Not sure who to listen to. But the bourbon makes a very valid point."

"And on that brilliant note I'm going to bed Stamkos." she laughed "You are blinking like one of those nodding dolls. Go to sleep."

"Don't wanna" he said nodding off "Gotta see my girl. You're my girl, right?"

"Go to sleep, Stammer." she instructed "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Not answering eh?" asked Steven "I'm gonna show you when I get home."

"Go to bed and I just might show you." she teased "Don't make plans for after you get home. It's just me and you."

"It's always me and you. I like me and you."

"And a razor."

"You like my scruff."

"Scruff, yes. Viking overlord, no." she explained

"I'm not a fucking Viking." he growled

"Go to sleep, Ninety-One." she instructed.

"Nite, Har." he said as he started to snore. Harleigh watched him sleep for a few minutes. Even in sleep he didn't look peaceful. She wished she could fix it. Once she was convinced he was out she disconnected the call. She set an alarm so she would wake up in time to wake Steven up. She fell asleep planning her next day with Steven.

Notes