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Post by Wind Fish on Jun 30, 2005 12:54:22 GMT -5
This is an attempt at the Two-on-Two hockey challenge. This story takes place wherever it fits the best. I started this so long ago that I don't remember where that is anymore. Words: 3,800+ Rating: PG-13 just to be safe. If you can handle reading the actual series, you shouldn't have a problem with this. You can either click here to read the story, or just read the posts below. I'm not sure which is easier on the eyes. Hey, with proboards v4 I don't have to break the story up, it all fits in one post. I'm so happy. |
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Post by Wind Fish on Jun 30, 2005 12:56:49 GMT -5
Andrew was alone in the apartment studying demon languages. He didn't notice Connor and Jamie enter until a gift-wrapped box suddenly found itself on top of the book he was reading. "Huh? What is this?"
"A box," Connor replied with a smile. "It's got your name on it."
Andrew looked at the tag. It said 'Andrew Gillespie Wells'. He frowned at the sight of his middle name before stating, "It doesn't say who it's from."
"It's from us." Jamie laughed.
"Oh. You guys got me a present?" He tried to remember if it was his birthday. He didn't think so.
"We're going to take it back if you don't open it sometime today," Connor joked.
Andrew carefully tore the wrapping from the box, opened the lid, and removed its contents. "Rollerblades?"
"They're specially made," Jamie explained. "They're designed to take pressure off of your ankles."
"Now you have no reason to skip out on our hockey game today," Connor added.
Andrew swallowed nervously. "I haven't tried to rollerblade in a long time. I don't think..."
Connor picked a bag off of the ground. "That's why we also bought you these pads."
"Come on, man." Jamie chucked Andrew on the shoulder. "We need a fourth. You in?"
"Fourth? Andrew asked, rubbing the spot Jamie hit. "Who's the third?"
****
The trio took Andrew's car to a recently abandoned grocery store parking lot. The empty space provided a perfect playing area without having to worry about oncoming traffic. It also had the benefit of being within walking distance of the other player's dorm.
Salome was already there when they arrived. Connor greeted her with a kiss. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"S'not a problem. We just got here."
Connor noticed Oni, who was watching the couple intently with a notebook in hand, for the first time. "Hey, Oni. I'm a little surprised to see you here."
"I decided to be a spectator for your game. Witnessing an act of friendly competition sounded pleasant." Oni looked at Salome and added, "Much more so than staying in the dormitory, which has an unpleasant odor to it."
Salome threw her hands up in exasperation. "I said I'm sorry! If I knew that Warg blood gave off that kind of smell after it dried, I would have done laundry right away."
"Wait, what? Are you serious?" Connor asked Salome.
"I'm afraid so, Ace."
"I just thought something died in the walls of my room." Connor's eyes widened. "That blood soaked shirt is still sitting under my bed." He sighed. "I'm sleeping in a motel tonight."
Salome leaned in to her boyfriend. "Mind if I join you?"
"Hey, Riley!" Jamie called as he removed four hockey sticks from the vehicle. "Stop fraternizing with your girlfriend and give us a hand with the equipment."
Connor smiled at Salome before striding over to the car. "I'll take care of the nets. You get Andrew all set up, Jay."
Andrew, wearing a long sleeved shirt and a pair of pants that were heavier than normally necessary, was still sitting in the car with his legs hanging outside. He had on the knee pads and was working on the elbow pads. "Am I going to be able to move in all this stuff?" he wondered.
"You won't even notice you're wearing it." Jamie answered. "I was decked out just like you my first few times rollerblading."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Of course, I was six."
Andrew scowled as he put on his helmet.
"Don't worry about it," Jamie continued. "With all this padding, you're assured that no matter how many times you fall, you won't feel a thing."
"You're not helping my confidence."
"There's nothing to it. Once you get your first fifty, sixty falls out of the way, it'll be completely natural."
"The skating or the falling?" Andrew asked.
"One of the two." Jamie handed Andrew a pair of gloves. "Put on these on and you're set."
Andrew did so. With all of his gear in place, he carefully hopped to the ground. "How do I look?"
Oni and Salome came over and looked Andrew over.
"Like a complete dork," Salome answered with a grin. "You look very you."
"I think you look properly prepared for demanding competition," Oni said encouragingly.
"All right." Jamie grabbed the rubber ball acting as the puck. "It looks like Connor's finished with the nets, so we're ready to go."
"I am curious, how did you determine the opposing factions?" Oni asked.
"Oh yeah, we still need to do that." Jamie responded. "All I know is that the superpowered people have to be separated."
"That's a good idea." Connor said as he rejoined the group, putting an arm around Salome. "I don't want you to have any excuse to make a crazy rule where we have to wear blindfolds."
"I was sure that one would work," Jamie muttered.
"Here's an idea," Connor looked between Andrew and Jamie. "I'll pick a number, one through ten. Whoever guesses closest, you're on my team."
The two guys nodded.
"Can I borrow your pen and notebook, Oni?" Connor asked
"Certainly." She handed them over.
Connor wrote down a number. "Alright, Andrew you pick first."
Andrew thought for a moment and said, "Six."
"Three," Jamie said confidently.
Connor turned the notebook page around. There was a big "3".
"Whenever he picks a number, it's always three," Jamie said.
"Yeah, you do always order the 'number three' at the Doublemeat Palace." Salome added.
As Connor handed back the notebook and pen, he thought that over. '03' was the number he picked for his custom hockey jersey. He couldn't think of any obvious attachment to it. He also couldn't remember why he put his first name on the jersey, they usually display a person's last name, but he liked it the way it was.
"We need to pick teams again," Andrew demanded and broke Connor's train of thought. Everyone just looked at Andrew blankly.
He rolled his eyes. "You two obviously rigged them," he said, pointing to Connor and Jamie.
Jamie laughed while Connor just stared dumbly. "You're going to have to explain this one to me."
"You knew Jamie would pick that number. You two want to be on the same team."
Jamie looked amused. "Let's say that were true. What does it matter?"
Andrew eyed Salome quickly and shrunk down. "I... I guess it doesn't."
"Wait a sec." Salome narrowed her eyes at Andrew. "You don't want to me on my team."
"It's just..." Andrew was scared to continue.
"Yeah?"
"You're a girl."
Salome blinked. "Last time I checked."
"I've had bad experiences teaming with girls." Andrew frowned.
"You mean the Slayers?" Connor asked, not sure what being a Watcher had to do with hockey.
"I didn't mean that." Andrew's mood seemed became even more sullen. "I can't talk about it. It's too embarrassing."
"It is often helpful to share difficult feelings with friends, so I've learned," Oni suggested helpfully.
"Besides, we're not letting you leave until you tell us," Jamie added.
"All right," Andrew grudgingly gave in.
He moved to lean against his car, but the rollerblades made it a little more difficult than usual. Once he steadied himself, Andrew told the story. "One day in my third grade gym class we had to play horseshoes, with two people on a team. I was paired with Ashley Mitchell. When we lost, she blamed me. Later, during recess... she beat me up in front of everyone."
Salome tried to keep a neutral voice when she said, "So you think I'll hurt you if we lose."
"I'd rather not take the risk," Andrew explained.
"You're in luck, because there is no risk. We're not going to lose," Salome said confidently.
"We're not?"
"Of course not. I'm Canadian and everyone knows that we're better hockey players than Americans."
Jamie waved that off. "There won't be a fluke victory like the Two-Thousand Two Olympics. Connor and I aren't going to lose to two people who have never played the game before."
"Wouldn't it be logical to place the two experienced players on opposing sides?" Oni wondered. No one had actually thought of that before the team selection.
"Not anymore, Babe," Salome answered. "I feel the need to prove a point."
"Then let's get on with the game so that you can prove it." Connor was becoming impatient.
"God, I hope we win." Andrew pushed himself away from the car, but didn't make it more than three feet before he lost his balance and he hit the pavement.
Connor helped Andrew to his feet. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Maybe you should start with guarding the net," Connor suggested. "That way you can get used to the skates without having to move much."
"I guess I can try that."
"Do you want help getting there?"
"No, I can handle it." Andrew said unconfidently. With that, he headed very slowly towards one of the nets.
"All right, if Salome's handling the puck, I'm taking the net," Jamie declared. "There's no way I'm letting her get anything by me."
Salome didn't hear that comment. Her focus was on something else. "Hey, Ace, are you sure it's not supposed to rain today? Those clouds look nasty."
Connor followed her gaze then shook his head. "The air's not cool enough. We don't have anything to worry about."
"Do your powers allow you to sense weather patterns?" Oni wondered.
"He saw the news at noon," Jamie clarified.
"I've spent enough time outdoors. I don't need John Farley's forecast to tell me what the weather will be like."
Andrew stopped in his long trek. "None of this stuff is metal, is it?" he asked worriedly as he looked himself over.
"You're not going to get hit by lightning." Connor let out a long sigh. "Can we please play now?"
Jamie handed Connor the ball. "Don't take it easy on her."
"He never does," Salome countered in a husky voice.
Jamie rolled his eyes and headed to the other net.
Connor looked towards Andrew. "Are you ready?"
Andrew was trying to figure out how to turn around so he could face the others. "I guess so."
Connor gave the ball to Salome. "Here, we'll let you get the first crack at it."
"Aw, you're sweet." Salome kissed Connor on the cheek. She then dropped the ball on the ground, ready to start.
"Wait," Oni interrupted from her seat on the ground next to the car. "Isn't it customary to sing the National Anthems before a sporting event?"
Connor was a little surprised by the question. "That's, uh, usually reserved for organized events, not street games. Although, maybe we could invite Lorne to do it next time."
While Connor was busy amusing himself with that thought, Salome took off with the towards Jamie's net, guiding the ball with the hockey stick.
After a couple seconds of looking around disoriented, Connor yelled, "Hey!" and gave chase.
When Salome thought she was close enough to the net, about ten feet away, she stopped and started her swinging motion.
Jamie took a crouched position, ready to defend.
Connor desperately tried to get back to prevent the shot, but was too far back.
Andrew and Oni watched intently as Salome brought the stick back down and hit the rubber ball with as much force as she could.
The ball rolled at a stagnant pace and Jamie easily scooped it up with his free hand.
Salome looked at her stick in disbelief. "Wow. It looks like someone needs to eat her Wheaties."
"That's another reason I didn't want to be on your team," Andrew called. "Girls can't play sports!"
"We can't?" Oni was confused by the statement since she knew it wasn't true.
"He's just being sexist," Salome clarified. Turning to Andrew she called back, "Let's see you skate over here and try it then!"
Andrew couldn't find a good comeback for that. "I'm so dead," he whispered to himself.
Connor was now next to Salome. "You're swing needs a little work," he offered helpfully. He set his stick down. "Here, let me show you how I do it."
He moved behind Salome. Wrapping his arms around her, he grabbed her hands and helped her go through the proper motion. "You need to slow your swing and use your wrists more. And make sure to hit the middle of the ball, not the top."
After a couple swings he let go and asked, "You got it?"
Salome turned around to face him and smiled. "Yeah, I got it."
Connor smiled back. After a moment, they both leaned in. That's when a swiftly moving rubber ball hit Connor on the side of his head.
The impact knocked him off balance, but he remained on his feet. Putting a hand to his head, Connor glared at Jamie. "What the hell?"
Jamie pointed his stick at Connor. "Back away from the minx before you get too excited and can't play. That's probably her plan."
With the ball lying right next to her, Salome decided to try out her new technique. Jamie wasn't ready for the shot, but it managed to hit him in the knee cap and roll away without going into the net.
Jamie put a hand to his knee. "Ow."
"Maybe you should be wearing the same protection as Mr. Wells, James," Oni suggested.
"I'm fine, Oni," he said as he continued to rub the knee.
Connor picked up his stick and went to collect the ball. "That was much better," he told Salome.
She shrugged. "Thanks."
"You know it wouldn't have counted though."
She put her hands on her hips. "Why not?"
"Do I really have to explain it?"
"It was a rather dishonorable move, Salome," Oni scolded.
Salome shrunk down. "I had to try something. We're obviously overmatched."
"Wait. You're actually admitting your geographic background has nothing to do with talent?" Jamie asked.
At that, Salome stood straight up again. "I'm saying this is my first time playing. Once I get used to the game, I'd totally wipe the floor with you."
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready get back to the game," Connor said as he skated around in a figure-eight in between Jamie and Salome. "Are we all ready?"
After various positive responses, Connor started to move the ball towards Andrew's net. "Where should we go patrolling tonight?" he asked Salome as she skated backwards ahead of him.
"There was talk of some weird happenings at the University Golf Course the last night. I think we should check it out."
"Sounds like a plan."
After a moment, Connor hit the ball under Salome's legs. He skated swiftly after it. The move took Salome by surprise and her late reaction caused her to be a step behind.
Andrew watched as he saw Connor coming in at full speed straight at him, with no signs of slowing down. He closed his eyes, put his hands over his face, and let out a scream.
Just before impact, Connor softly pushed the ball past Andrew and swerved away from the net, circling around it as he looked at Jamie and grinned.
Salome put a hand on Andrew's shoulder and he screamed again. After jumping back at his reaction, Salome said, "You can open your eyes now, Andy."
Andrew did so and looked around. He saw the ball in the net. "I'm sorry."
"No problem. We'll get it back." She then leaned close to Andrew's ear and whispered, "I've got a plan." She winked at Andrew as she used her stick to remove the ball from the net.
Connor noticed Oni scribbling something in her notebook. "What is that you're writing, anyway?"
Oni showed her "I'm keeping a detailed recapitulation of the game in hopes to understand it better. You are free to study it if you like."
Connor nodded. "I might want to check it out later." He then turned to Jamie. "I got us a lead, now all you have to do is hold it."
"The game's as good as ours."
"Hey," Salome called as she started to bring the ball up. "You boys better not get too overconfident. There's a lot of game left."
As she came within a few feet of Connor, Salome stopped. Her eyes wide, she pointed behind and to the right of Connor. "The grocery store! It's being robbed!"
Connor dropped his stick in surprise and spun around. "What? Where?"
Salome used the opportunity to go by him and take another crack at getting a shot by Jamie. He was able to block the first one, but the ball bounced right back to Salome and she was able to get it under his stick and into the net.
As she skated away from the net, she looked between her two opponents and smirked. "I think the game is tied."
"Great job!" Andrew yelled in as he left his net to greet his teammate in celebration. He tried to skate a little too quickly, however, and he fell to the ground again. "I'm okay!" he said as he started to get himself up.
Jamie looked at Connor in disbelief. "You're an idiot, Riley."
Connor looked at the ball in the net. "And you're a sieve. What's your point?"
After checking to make sure Andrew was indeed okay, Salome went over to see what Oni was writing. Salome looked at her friend in surprise. "Aren't you villainizing me a little too much?"
Oni looked up from her writing. "Which part is untrue?"
Salome looked back at the notebook. "Well, you know, the part about me using 'lies and deceit' is a little harsh. I'd like to think of it as using superior intellect to outsmart my more seasoned opponents."
"Hey, what does that say about me?" Jamie wondered.
Before anyone could answer, Andrew banged his stick against the post of his net. "Can we get back to the game? I'm actually excited about it now."
"All right, I'll ask later." Jamie turned his attention to Salome. "By the way, that was a good shot."
"Thank you, Jay."
"It won't happen again." Jamie grinned.
"We'll see." Salome smiled back.
This time when Connor brought the ball up, there was no talking. Everyone was concentrating on the game. Even Andrew, who was doing his best to stay focused as the action continued to get closer to him.
Connor was having trouble getting a clear shot with Salome playing good defense. That is until he made a lightning quick crossover from his left to the right. Salome completely lost track of the ball so as Connor lined up the shot, she did the only thing she could think of: She tackled her boyfriend just as he hit the ball.
The shot rolled weakly to Andrew. He fell to the ground, this time on purpose, to make sure he blocked it. "I did it!" he yelled excitedly.
From his spot on the ground, Connor looked up at Salome, who was lying on top of him. "I think that's a penalty."
"So... What's the punishment?"
"Well, I can think of something."
It was at this point that the couple seemed to forget that they were out in public and not in Connor's bedroom.
"No one wants to see this," Jamie grumbled as he rolled his eyes.
"I do!" Oni chirped.
"Okay, break it up you two." Andrew tried to get up and separate them himself, but in his haste he found himself back on the pavement. From there he decided that he was close enough to use his hockey stick to pry Salome off of Connor. "I don't watch much hockey, but I don't think this is proper conduct!"
Salome lifted herself off of Connor and then helped him to his feet. "Sorry, I guess we got a little carried away." Looking at Connor she added, "We'll continue this later."
"That's it! You two each take a net," Andrew commanded. "There will be no more of this tomfoolery on my watch."
"You're the boss," Salome smirked as she straightened her clothes a bit.
"Yeah, I guess that's a good idea," Connor added embarrassingly.
"I've been waiting to take a crack at Salome anyway," Jamie said as he skated towards the group.
"I'm sure you have," Salome quipped.
Jamie blushed slightly. "Just so we're clear, I meant that strictly in a hockey sense."
"Whatever you say."
The two goalies took positions at their nets, and Jamie was in possession of the puck. He skated very slowly towards Salome, allowing Andrew to keep pace with him.
"Are you sure you can do this?" he asked Andrew.
"No, but I'm going to try."
Jamie shrugged. "Okay." With that, he took off at full speed.
Andrew watched helplessly. "Maybe I'll try later."
Now Jamie was one-on-one with Salome. He started to fake to his left, which got Salome leaning to her right. When Jamie saw that, he aimed a shot to just make it inside the post to her left.
Caught off balance, Salome reached back with her stick in an attempt to deflect the shot. She just barely got a piece of it, and the ball ended up hitting the post and flying away from the net.
Jamie looked on in astonishment. "There's no way you should have been able to get that."
"What can I say? I have good reflexes."
The ball rolled to a stop just a few feet away from Andrew. He looked at it nervously.
"Go on, Mr. Wells. You can do it." The crowd was on Andrew's side.
Swallowing nervously, he reached out with his stick and started to guide the ball towards Connor at a very leisurely pace.
Jamie skated behind him, but made no move to get in his way.
Suddenly, a massive downpour overcame the whole area.
"Ah!" Oni screamed. "My notes!" She frantically closed the notebook to save as much as she could.
"So it's not going to rain today, huh, Ace?"
Connor looked up at the sky as the water pelted him. "Well, technically, I never said those words."
Andrew was too busy concentrating on not falling that he didn't even notice the rain. He continued to move towards Connor.
"I don't know why I trust meteorologists," Jamie started. "They're never right. That includes you." He directed that last part at Connor.
"This better not last until tonight," Salome said. "Patrolling in the rain? Not fun."
No one was paying attention to Andrew. Sensing that he was starting to slip, he pushed the stick forward in an attempt to launch the ball towards the net. Just as he did so, he fell to the ground once more.
Connor turned to Oni, who had climbed into the car. "Were you able to save your notes?"
Oni shook her head sadly. "They are mostly indecipherable."
From his spot from the pavement, Andrew watched as the rain seemed to push the ball forward at a faster pace.
"Bringing a voice recorder next time may not be a bad idea," Jamie suggested.
"And there will be a next time," Connor said. "We need to break this tie. But I guess for now we should start packing up."
"Yeah, you get that net and..." Jamie finally saw what Andrew had been up to. "Connor!"
Connor looked down and saw the ball going between his legs. He tried to close his feet, but the ball slid by and into the net. He looked at the group. "What just happened?"
"I think Salome and Mr. Wells won the game."
"You've got to be kidding me." Jamie couldn't tear his gaze away from the ball sitting in the net.
"'Fraid not." Salome put an arm around Jamie's shoulders. "You just lost to two people who have never played the game before."
She then went to Andrew, who was still lying on the ground, staring at his winning shot. She helped him up.
"We won?" he asked.
"Yup. I'm definitely buying you a Medley." Salome looked at car. "Come on. Let's get out of the rain and let them pack up."
As they headed off to join Oni, Connor and Jamie looked at each other.
"This is your fault!" they yelled in unison.
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