Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 34
With the last practice of the week under their belt, plans were made for Heero and Duo to head back out to Chicago for a three-day break.
After the happy reunion, the family went out to the movies together in the outskirts of town to enjoy the film in one of the nicer neighborhoods. Strolling the streets together, each with an ice cream cone or dish in hand.
Peering from under the brim of his baseball cap, the quarterback asked Tai, "So school starts up for all of you again next week?"
Quickly swallowing his spoonful of sundae, the boy nodded, "Yep. This will be Flora, Tai and my sophomore year at high school. And the babies are moving on up to either first grade or kindergarten." He shook his head and mused, "They grow up so quick."
Heero chuckled deeply and took another bite from his waffle cone. Flora beamed, "Just one more semester to get through before we're in our new home. I can't wait to see what Green Bay is like once the adoption is final."
Biting his lip, Tai frowned deeply to his idol, "Heero, if our Dad does get traded to Green Bay, will you still come out and visit us?"
Lightly rubbing the top of the teenager's dark-haired head, the team captain winked, "Of course I will. You've all been growing on me quite a bit." He peered down to his right leg and smirked, "Right, Jamie?"
The child was standing on his foot with her free arm wrapped tightly around his ankle as she held onto her cone with the other. "Yep!" she smiled brightly up at him. Heero and the others around snickered while they continued on the way to the large van that they piled into. Solo took up the driver's seat with his wife occupying the passenger side as to not have attention drawn to them.
A sudden thought crossed Flora's mind that made her gasp. Taking a seat beside the quarterback as Jamie crawled into his lap, she thought aloud, "If Dad does get traded, you could always get traded to Green Bay, too, you know! I'm sure any team would love to have you onboard with them if you were interested."
Duo snapped his braided head peered around his partner to warn his daughter, "Flora, that's a lot to be suggesting to Heero. He's not in the situation where we need to get out of our situation. There's a lot going for him in Pittsburgh, let alone the fact that it's where he grew up."
The panic girl lowered her head a bit and said sincerely, "I'm sorry, Heero."
It was a thought that had crossed Heero's mind several times since learning of Duo's intentions to leave. Gently patting her back, he grinned, "It's all right, Flora. We'll just have to see how everything works out. Whatever happens, something will work out, I'm sure." Put at ease with that, she smiled and nodded.
* * * * * *
As the crowd gave a mix of cheers and boos, Duo ran up to Heero and jumped into his arms. Laughing, they were soon greeted by their teammates in the end zone after yet another touchdown in their favor. "Touchdown, Duo Maxwell," the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.
On their way off the field, the running back removed his helmet and took a seat beside his partner after a slap to his rear. "Gotta take advantage of these celebratory hugs and smacks while we can," Duo smirked while leaning close when his housemate removed his own helmet.
The black grease drawn in a thick, horizontal line under each violet eye was finally beginning to show a hint of spearing thanks to his sweating throughout the game. "Yet another thing that I love about football. No one thinks twice when two guys get a little 'touchy-feely' on the field after a big play." [1]
Chuckling deeply, Heero replied, "It is quite the convenience." Looking up to the stands that were beginning to clear out with many disgruntled spectators, he commented, "I don't think that the Miami crowd is having as much fun as we are."
After a long drink from his water bottle, the braided athlete shrugged, "Well, considering the bitch slap that we're giving their team, I suppose I can't blame them. I don't quite see their coming back to take the lead when they're down by twenty-one points with three minutes left in the game." His housemate just snickered and shook his head in amusement.
Pacing back and forth before his team as they rested, Howard was grinning like a loon. "I'm so damned proud of every one of ya's!" he exclaimed as he threw his arms up in the air. "You know, I always did consider you all like my own little shits."
"Thanks, Pops," the offensive team laughed and snickered at the same time.
On the other half of their sideline, Trent was praising his own young men before they had to go back on to the field. As always, Zechs remained still and unreadable. His arms folded, he looked at the field with his notes and playbook resting at his feet. There would be time to celebrate after the game was officially called to an end. Until then, he remained all business.
Wheeling up to his stand-in for the day, Darren complimented, "Nice going today, John. You and Scott are really starting to come into your own. And you both already have a touchdown to make a notch on your belts now."
Lightly nudging the injured young man's shoulder, John replied sincerely, "Yeah, well, we have a great coach to help us. You left some pretty big shoes for us to fill." Sitting beside him, Scott nodded fervently. All the more proud, Darren's smile just grew.
"Just one more pre-game left before the real show," Wufei stated as he wiped the back of his neck with a towel. "It won't be nearly this easy, but it should be a good game either way. Just the chance to play against one of the best teams in the league is an honor enough."
His heart falling into his stomach at being reminded of the challenge that lay ahead, Duo frowned deeply. As much of an honor he was sure the team felt it was, it was not going to be the opportunity that they were hoping.
Peering out of the corner of his eye, Mueller saw a slither of an opening to stir something. And it was his intention to pry it off its hinges. 'He never tells a lie,' he thought to himself.
Eyes narrowing, the tight end asked, "Why the long face there, Maxwell? You don't think that we stand much of a chance against the Cougars?"
Any and all conversation that had been taking place stopped that instant and all eyes around turned to the running back. Frozen stiff, Duo's eyes widened and he looked from one expectant face to the other. Heero swallowed roughly at the sudden turn of events. As much as he wanted to speak up, he knew that his teammates only wanted to hear from one person and one person only.
Taking a deep breath and composing himself, Duo gazed defiantly to his comrades and answered honestly, "No. It's not going to even be a close match up. They're just too good of a team and we still have a lot of work to do to reach their level." All around, jaws were dropping and eyes were widening in disbelief at what was heard.
Mueller rose from his place on the bench and gritted through his teeth, "And when you say 'we' you don't mean yourself included, do you? Duo Maxwell can do no wrong, isn't that right?" Several players around were murmuring amongst themselves, some agreeing and some opposing the idea that the running back thought he was better than all of them.
Heero, Trowa and Wufei were on their feet right along with Duo as they glared heatedly on their teammate. "I never said that I was fucking perfect, man," the braided football player hissed. "We all could use some work, myself included. Don't you ever put words like that in my mouth again, asshole." Those closest to the quartet were nodding their heads and folding their arms.
Stalking close, Mueller sneered, "Oh, don't tell me that all of this press about how wonderful you are and how you're the biggest reason we've been improving hasn't gone to your head. And you know, I'm a little tired of how the rest of us get shit when it comes to our efforts getting recognized." Even more of his teammates were grumbling to themselves in agreement. "Hasn't anyone told you that this is a team effort?" the wide receiver snapped.
Near at the end of his rope, Duo's violet eyes narrowed further as he growled, "When have I not mentioned that everyone has been doing their part, Mueller? I'm not trying to steal the spotlight from anyone of you, I'm just doing my goddamned job the best that I can! I give more of a crap about this team than you ever have or ever will, you little bastard!"
Taken aback by that, Muller's eyes widened before his face reddened along with a fierce glare.
"You son of a bitch!" he cried while lunging forward to land a square punch into the running back's jaw. Instantly recovering, Duo swung and landed a swift blow to his attacker's stomach that knocked the wind from his lungs in a loud grunt.
Finally able to get their bearings enough, the others pounced and moved to break up the fight. Tim and Adam blinked in shock from their post high in the stadium. The former announced into his microphone, "There seems to be a commotion on the Wolverine sideline. From here, it looks to be mostly between Duo Maxwell and Mueller Clayton."
All action on the field stopped as the players on both teams watched the struggle in shock. The Torrents on the other side of the field, in their green and silver-accented uniforms, looked on with wide eyes and slack jaws. Even their coach was at a loss as the referees blew whistles to stop the play clock at the disturbance.
In the stands, the few Miami supporters that stayed to watch the end of the game were cheering and yelling at the fight as the first bit of real action that they could enjoy. The coaching staff rushed into the scene from where they had been talking together a few yards away. "Break it up!" Trent hissed as he pushed some of the players away with Howard right on his heels.
First to reach the scuffling pair, however, was Zechs. With the help of Heero and the others trying to hold Duo and Mueller back, he pushed them all back with ease and threw his headset off as he cried, "That's enough!"
Panting, the head coach eyed the two bruised and bleeding young men. With a finger pointing to the door leading under the stadium, he ordered, "Both of you get your asses in the locker room! Trent, Howard, keep an eye on them until I get back there when the game's over."
Sally was rushing up with her medical bag as Howard turned to Heero and demanded, "Who struck the first blow?"
Not even looking at his coach, the quarterback' s cobalt eyes were narrowed on the tight end wiping at his bleeding lip. "Mueller," he answered in a growl. "But I wouldn't have blamed Duo if he was the one to do it." Wufei, Trowa and all of his teammates that were near nodded their heads in agreement.
Blinking in surprise at that, Sally and the coaching staff drew their anger on the said instigator. Mueller met their stares without so much as a word of argument in his defense. A fierceness still in his eyes, he turned his head to spit out some blood.
His shoulders relaxing with a quiet sigh, Duo took in the small bit of comfort that came with his being let off the hook. Still, there was not a real resolution to the problem and so he couldn't take off all of the edge that was brimming in him.
Gripping Mueller by the back of the neck roughly, Howard sneered, "You're with me." Finally showing the first sign of panic, the tight end swallowed roughly. Sally gripped her bag and stayed right behind them.
As they headed off, Trent walked up to Duo, a sad smile on his face and a light pat to the running back's shoulder before leading him into the tunnel after the others.
Just before his partner walked off, Heero lightly squeezed his arm and he offered a reassuring look when their eyes met. Put at even more ease at that gesture, Duo wiped the blood running from a deep and long cut over his right eye and gave a small smile of appreciation. Slowly, he followed the defensive coach into the dark entrance and disappeared from sight.
One of the referees sprinted up to Zechs and asked, "Have you managed to control your team, Merquise? There's still time left on the clock and we'd like to finish this game up."
Sighing deeply, the head coach nodded to him, "Yes, the situation has been handled. Thank you." Satisfied with that, the referee blew his whistle on his way back onto the field in an announcement for the players to be ready to go.
Zechs ran a hand through his long bangs and shook his head in frustration. Gesturing to Heero, he waited for the quarterback to draw near. Slowly leaning down at the waist, his blue eyes had a grim determination. In a voice that he fought to keep calm, he stated, "I want to know everything that happened."
* * * * * *
Wincing as another stitch went into the long laceration that ran over his right eye, Duo sighed inwardly. The aching in his ribs worsened and he slouched forward further in his sitting position atop the medical table. Sally worked with a steady and careful hand at sealing the wound. After the seventh and final stitch near his temple, she smiled in relief, "There. That'll take about a week to heal enough for those stitches to come out."
She turned to Trent and asked, "I need a moment alone with my patient here." With a bow of his head, the defensive coach stepped out of the physical trainer's office and closed the door behind him. The moment they were alone, Sally ordered, "Off with the shirt, Duo. I need to make sure you don't have any damage to your ribs. You never slouch the way you are now, so you're clearly in pain."
Violet eyes widening, the running back stiffened. That kind smile returned to the braided young woman's face. "I know about the showering alone agreement that you have," she said quietly. "Whatever it is you're hiding, I promise that it's safe with me. If you want to be difficult about it, I'll have to order you to see at the nearest hospital here."
If it wasn't for the burning sensation in his chest thanks to the blows he had been dealt, Duo would have argued. 'Better to have someone I know have a good look,' he thought to himself. Very slowly, he reached for the hem of his red and gold jersey. Before he lost his nerve, he removed it with his eyes squeezed closed to whatever reaction the trainer might have.
He never heard so much as a gasp. A pair of gentle hands rested on his abdomen and he finally peered into the concerned eyes that were scanning the deep bruises that spotted his scar-covered chest. "Take a deep breath," Sally gently ordered. Doing as asked, the running back winced once more at the pain it caused. "Again."
After a few reps, the braided young woman sighed in relief, "You ribs are a bit bruised, but not broken. I'll have to ask you to keep your chest taped for the next five days." Pulling out a large roll of medical gauze, she began to unravel it as she continued, "You should be healed up in time for next week's game so long as you take it easy between now and then."
To his shock, Duo noted that there were no lingering stares at his scars. There were no questions. And there was no pity in those eyes as Sally worked the gauze around him. When she was finished hooking the two butterfly clasps at the end of the long tape, she handed the jersey back over and announced, "All finished."
Carefully rising to his feet, the football player slid his jersey back on. Biting his lip, he spoke in little more than a whisper, "Thank you, Sally." He was sure to convey in his voice that he was thanking her for more than just her looking after his injuries.
A wide grin warmed her face as she nodded, "Thank you for trusting me." Together, they stepped from her office and met Trent in the hallway. At the coach's anxious look, Sally reassured, "Just a week of taking it easy and he'll be good as new for next Sunday."
Unable to hide his relief, Trent sagged heavily with a long sigh. "Good to hear," he managed and gave the running back a friendly slap to the shoulder. "Let's get back to the locker room, then." On their way, they met up with the rest of the team returning from the field at the last whistle that ended the game.
Heero quickly headed for his partner and walked beside him. "Status?" he asked softly, the worry dripping from his voice.
"Bruised ribs for the worst of it," Duo replied. "I'll be good to go next week after resting up these next few days." Letting out the breath he had been holding, the quarterback physically eased at the news.
Everyone filed into the locker room where Howard was standing in front of Mueller with his arms folded and eyes narrowed on the wide receiver sitting on the bench. Not the least bit concerned with the trouble he was in, the football player just stared up at him with his own arms folded.
That changed when he saw a red-faced Zechs stalking close.
When they were inches apart, the head coach bent at the waist until their eyes met. "Ever since Maxwell came onto this team, you've been a thorn in my side and the sides of your teammates. You just earned yourself a nice view from the bench for next week's game," he gritted. "And that's just the start. Dorothy just called to make sure that you meet with her personally the moment we get back to Pittsburgh tomorrow morning."
A sharp gasp pulled through Mueller's swelling lip and his eyes widened. While everyone had witnessed the team owner's kindness, no one had seen her angry yet. And everyone was more than sure they did not want to. Had he known that his little stunt was going to earn her chagrin, he might have reconsidered his actions.
Instead, he would have to accept whatever punishment she had in store for him... and she had a whole day to think on that punishment.
Swallowing roughly, Mueller collected himself to stand by his actions. He met the blue eyes locked on him sternly and nodded, "Yes, coach."
"Get showered and get the hell out of my face," Zechs commanded in a growl. "I don't want to see you again until tomorrow at the airport." All too happy to leave the eyes that stayed on him as he moved, the tight end moved quickly from the room.
Trent ran up to the head coach and whispered Sally's diagnosis of Duo. Sighing deeply, Zechs dry-washed his face and appraised the braided running back now sitting beside Heero at the bench. "I'm not about to risk making your injury worse," he stated, "But I would like it if you could at least sit out and help Terry out from the sidelines at practice this week."
Nodding firmly, Duo answered, "Sure thing, coach." He flashed a smile to his second-stringer. Terry beamed and seemed all but ready to jump out of his skin at a chance to get some real practice time in with his newfound confidence.
Slowly looking on everyone on his team, Zechs smiled sadly, "Let's not let this ruin the fact that you had a great game today. I'm proud of all of you. Clean up and get enjoy the rest of your stay here." That said, everyone rose from their feet and headed from the room.
It came as no surprise that Mueller was nowhere to be found the rest of the evening.
TBC...
[1] For those who ever wonder what those lines are for, they actually serve a purpose by cutting off the sun glare so a player can see better.
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