Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 56
Over the course of the next two weeks following Thanksgiving, the Wolverines had been drilling themselves for the wind down of the regular season. Still the leaders of their division after two more wins under their belts, they needed to seal the deal in the last three games remaining. Things were looking up for them considering their last games were up against teams that they had beaten in the past.
But, nothing was to be taken for granted in football.
Two of those four teams had a chance to make it into the playoffs, themselves, if they could pull off some wins. No win would be bigger than bringing down Pittsburgh. So from there on out, the team would have to pull together and give everything that they had.
Snow fell from the skies during an intense day of practice just three days prior to the next game. Zechs, Howard, Trent, Darren and Dally stood by on the sidelines in heavy coats. Their heads shielded with either hoods or hats, they watched the drill being run on the field.
Dorothy emerged from the tunnel leading to the locker room, bundled in her own winter attire, and joined the coaching staff. "How is it looking?" she asked the head coach quietly, her eyes trained on her young team as they continued to run plays.
"Very well," Zechs answered without looking over to the team owner. "Now that wherever we play will be cold like this, there is no need for any special techniques to prepare. The snow that we've been getting these last few days only helps all the more."
Thanks to the cold, the football was hard as granite and bitter to the touch. That made for some interesting changes in the way that it was handled.
Regardless of how long as his hands were, Trowa put in extra effort to get a good grip for a clean snap. Wearing gloves that covered all but his fingers, Duo had to focus even harder on pushing past his opponents before the chill of the ball got to him....
Heero needed to adjust his own throwing technique to have the ball go where he wanted it to go for as far as he wished it to travel. Wufei and the other receivers had to be careful not to have the rock that the football had become hit them in the chest or in a way that could hurt them. Even an easy catch was a painful one at times.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to changes in playing that came with the cold and snow. There were also visibility, footing and other issues to be concerned with when it came to this weather.
Now that they were so close to reaching their goal of a trip to the playoffs for the first time in their careers, everyone was willing to put in whatever extra time and energy they needed to see that it panned out.
Pressure and tension were building higher than they had ever been for the team this late in the season. Every year before by that time, they were no longer in contention for the playoffs. It had been a lot easier to cope with practices when they knew there was nothing to lose.
When it neared time for the sun to set, Zechs blew the whistle to call the end of the long day. The players headed to the locker room and prepared to hit the showers just as Dorothy entered with the coaching staff.
Smiling warmly to her athletes, the team owner began, "I know that I have expressed this before, but I cannot say enough just how proud I am of all of you. It's been a joy to watch how you've all come into your own and made this a remarkable season."
Heads bowed and smiles lit the room at the sincere words. Nodding over to Darren and Howard, Dorothy smiled, "And we have an official announcement to make. Darren has accepted a permanent, full-time position as assistant offensive coach. He and Howard will be sharing the burden and I know that they will make an excellent team together." Everyone applauded and cheered the two said, grinning men.
Folding her hands behind her back, the blonde young woman continued, "As it is nearing Christmas time, I would like to extend an invitation to my estate for a holiday party that I have been planning for all of you. There will be food, music and campaigners who are now very interested in asking many of you to be sponsors for their products."
Several hoots and claps rose at that one, making Dorothy chuckle deeply. "The event will take place tomorrow night after practice and I hope that you all will be able to attend. Have a good evening and drive safely home in this weather." That said, she turned and gave the floor to Zechs by stepping out to a round of applause and shouted words of thanks.
Biting his lip, Duo leaned close to Heero and muttered, "Looks like we'll have to cancel our trip to Chicago until Friday. I'd hate to be a no-show after everything that Dorothy's done for us." His partner nodded in agreement. Few owners like her ever came around. Best to show their appreciation.
Rubbing his hands together, Zechs smirked, "Nice work today, everyone. Hit the showers and head on home." Not needing to be told twice, the team rose from the benches and gathered their belongings.
* * * * * *
At the dinner table later that evening, Lady Une gently blew on her forkful of lasagna before stating, "Trent has been pretty worried about the game coming up this weekend. I can't recall another time all season that he's been this tense."
"He's not the only one," Duo replied from his chair across from her. "Just because we beat Denver in our first game against them this season doesn't mean that it's a sure thing this time around. Even if they are coming to our house and won't have their dome stadium to use to their advantage, they are used to the cold."
Nodding, Heero added, "They also won't have the altitude issues to worry about by coming here. And there's a chance that they'll have a wild card slot to get into the playoffs, so they will be fighting." [1]
Quatre chewed on the inside of his lip before supplying, "And both teams have something to lose in this case. Even with your being at the top right now, it's not a guarantee that you'll stay there now that there are other teams on your heels. A loss or two could seriously turn the tide."
Duo smirked, "Thanks for reminding us of that, Quat." Both he and Heero both snickered when the agent gave them a sheepish grin.
Cutting another piece of his helping, the quarterback shrugged, "It'll be a good game either way. I personally can't say that I mind the challenge. I just hope that the rest of the team will be able to hold up since this is a first for all of us."
The brief silence that followed was ended with the ringing of Duo's cell phone from where it lay on the kitchen counter. Excusing himself, the running back rose and went on to answer the call. From the dining room table, Heero heard his partner greeting, "Hello?" A pause. "Yes, this is he. Who am I speaking to?"
Quatre blinked in confusion at the introduction. Besides his braided friend's family and teammates, no one know his cell phone number. "Oh, that's right, I didn't recognize your voice for a second there." Duo's voice laughed in the kitchen. "Tomorrow? That's great! Thank you for the update, Jonas! Keep me posted."
All but running into the room, Maxwell cried excitedly, "That was the head contractor that I've been waiting to hear from! He and his crew break ground for the new house in Green Bay tomorrow!"
Eyes widened and stomachs churned, but the three at the table all forced smiles. "That's wonderful news, Duo," Lady Une was the first to grin kindly. Rising to her feet, she embraced her friend tightly with a sincere, "Congratulations." The agent followed suit in offering a hug of his own.
Swallowing roughly, Heero stood and kissed his teammate gently on the lips. He didn't trust his voice to say anything at that moment. Keeping his arms wrapped loosely around the quarterback's waist, Duo sighed deeply, "I just can't believe that after all of my blood, sweat and tears over the years, everything that I've been working for is finally happening."
Nonchalantly wiping a stray tear that slipped past his defenses, the American smiled, "I have to tell the kids!" Running off with his cell phone in hand and braid swinging behind him, he disappeared into the living room.
Heavily sinking into the chair closest to him, Heero frowned sadly and covered his face with his hands. Lady Une sat to his right and Quatre to his left. Gently resting a hand on the team captain's shoulder, the Arab reassured quietly, "It's going to work out somehow, Heero. The building of this house does not mean the beginning of the end for the two of you."
Lady Une rubbed her charge's back and nodded, "He's right. First off, Green Bay never offered him a career with them. And even if they do, there are ways around it."
"I know," Heero replied, his hands falling to his lap. "To be honest, I was just hoping that maybe he would have called off the whole idea and just have his family stay here. Now that he gave the go ahead, I know that won't happen."
Taking a deep breath, Quatre offered a small smile and explained, "Duo has had this dream in mind ever since he was in high school. Something like that is very difficult to give up, especially when there are children involved. But it's not for any lack of affection or devotion towards you that he's going through with the build."
It was not a hard thing for the quarterback to know the truth in those words. Reminded of his lover's feelings, he became a bit more relieved over the matter. Nodding, he gave the agent an appreciative grin.
This was not a time for him to be selfish. Duo had put a great deal of himself into seeing this build through and even if it did hurt a little, Heero was bound and determined to be happy for him.
* * * * * *
The following night...
Parked a few yards from the gates leading to Dorothy Catalonia's estate, Nathan removed his binoculars to watch Heero and Duo rising up the tall front steps arm-in-arm.
Opening the front doors to her home, the team owner stood dressed in a red silhouette evening gown with droop gold earrings and a simple bracelet. Her hair pulled up to cascade around her in ringlets, she smiled brightly to the athletes as they approached.
Violet eyes wide, Duo whistled through his teeth and smirked, "Hey there, sexy. If I were straight, I would think that I was having a wet dream right now!" Dorothy's head fell back as she laughed at the comment. Heero just rolled his eyes and snickered in amazement over how the running back could get away with the things he said to her.
Lightly pecking her players' cheeks in greeting, Dorothy winked, "This way, gentlemen." Turning on her heels after closing the doors behind them, she led the way to the ballroom just as she had the last time they were in her estate. Quickly spotting Trowa, Wufei, Quatre, Relena, Trent and Lady Une, the couple made their way towards them.
Sharing the same table, the lot enjoyed the music, food and beverages available as they talked about everything from their plans for Christmas to the approaching game. Each of the young men accepted offers to have a dance with Relena and Lady Une throughout the night. Dorothy was making her rounds at saying hello to all of her guests and finally made her way to their table just as the dance music turned to another slow number.
Just as the team owner approached, Duo stood and bowed at the waist. "May I have this dance?" he grinned in request.
With a brilliant smile, Dorothy curtseyed and replied, "I would be honored." Heero sat back in his seat and watched the pair head towards the dance floor. Smirking, he winked to his partner when he looked over his shoulder to see him.
Easily settling into each other's arms for the slow dance, the running back and team owner moved across the floor in a lovely movement. "I gotta hand it to you, doll," Duo began, "You've done a hell of a job with the organization this year."
Brightening at that, Dorothy said quietly, "Thank you, Duo. Though I can't exactly take full credit for the whole of it. I've been very fortunate to have a great administration, coaching staff and team to work with."
Gracefully spinning his dance partner, the running back brought her close again and commented, "You know, you always let me get away murder with my pet names for you. If it offends you, just let me know."
The team owner giggled and replied, "It does not bother me in the slightest." Her smile turned wistful as shared said quietly, "You know, from the time I was very little, I always wished for a brother. Anytime I imagined what it would be like, I pictured it to be a lot like what you and I have."
She explained when Duo blinked in surprise, "I could always picture him teasing me and challenging me, yet able to confide in me. You know, in many ways, you and I are nothing alike. But in the most important aspects of who we are, we are exactly the same. That's what I always imagined it would have been like if I were blessed with a brother."
Raising an eyebrow, Dorothy warned, "Now, if you go telling anyone about any of this, I'll kill you."
His chest rumbling with a deep snicker, the braided athlete leaned in and kissed her cheek. Pulling back, he grinned widely, "And I would consider myself pretty damned lucky to have you as a sister, doll."
At the end of the song, the pair shared a tight embrace before they left the dance floor hand-in-hand as the music picked back up. Rejoining the group at the table, Dorothy took a seat and took a moment to catch up with her friends there.
* * * * * *
Elsewhere, in Chicago...
It had been a slow week in the drug ring. Little action from any female companionship only added to the frustration. It was time for some sort of action. The whole neighborhood had been too quiet for some time now.
At the arrival of the gang leader, it was announced that they would be hitting the road... and that everyone was to bring their guns.
Finally, something was going to be shaken up.
* * * * * *
Hilde sighed deeply in looking over the ingredients for the dessert that she had planned. Scanning the refrigerator, she frowned, "Not enough eggs. Solo won't be back from picking Flora up from ballet class for a while yet."
The concoction that she had been mixing up until then sat flatly in the mixing bowl on the kitchen counter. "I'll just have to toss out what I have so far since it'll go bad by then."
Entering the room, Marcus heard his aunt's dilemma and offered, "I can run to Sam's store right around the corner. It'll only take a few minutes." While he was always willing to help out any way he could, the teenager was also more than happy to finally have an excuse to get some air for a change.
A smile tugging her lips, Hilde shook her head and turned back to the counter. Gathering up the mixing bowl, she replied, "That's all right, Marcus. I can always just make up another batch of brownies lat-" She froze at the sound of the cabinets that sealed away a short stack of money behind her quickly opening and closing.
Spinning quickly, the young woman just managed to catch a sight of the boy running out of the room. With a sharp gasp, Hilde charged after him, crying, "Marcus, get back here!"
On his way to the door, the youth grabbed his coat and called back over his shoulder, "It's no big deal, Aunt Hilde! I'll be right back!" In a rush, he threw the front door open and closed again when he made it outside.
Coming to a halt, the young woman sighed and shook her head at the closed door. Really, what was there to be worried about? It was just a short walk around the corner and back. She certainly couldn't expect the kids to stay cooped up inside all the time.
* * * * * *
After a shared slow dance, Heero and Duo headed out to the balcony where they had their 'big talk' following their first kiss. Compared to the warmth in the ball room, the cold air was more than refreshing and made them sigh in relief.
Humming in content, the running back leaned up against his partner as he wrapped his arms around Heero's waist. Lightly chuckling, the quarterback kissed the braided head resting on his shoulder. "Ready to head home?" he asked softly.
Duo nodded with a hummed affirmative. Looking up, he leaned in for a gentle kiss. Once again, his cell phone rang to interrupt another peaceful moment. Removing it from his pocket, the American checked the called id in on the screen.
"Why would someone from home be calling at this time?" he muttered before opening the flip and placing the phone to his hear. "Hello?" he greeted.
Hilde's voice moaned on the other line. "Duo, you have to come home now," she wailed.
Paling at the sound of his 'sister's' falling into sobs, the running back straightened stiffly. Violet eyes wide, he insisted, "Hilde, what's going on?" Heero frowned in concern at the near panic in his lover's voice.
There was another moan before Solo spoke clearly over the line. A bit more collected, the young man still sounded a bit beside himself when he stated, "Duo, there was a drive-by shooting down our block. Marcus... he was shot."
TBC...
SkyLark: *quickly builds protective fort of Gundanium around herself with a waving white flag* Uumm... please don't hurt me.
[1] Each season, there are four teams for each conference- the American and National- that are locked in as known to be going to the playoffs for having the best records. When the regular season is over, those teams that came closest to being locked in are the 'wild cards' that will face off against each other for one last game to see who will also move on.
It's 'do or die' for every game thereafter. Whatever team loses is out and the winners move on to face the winners of the other face-offs until they get to the best of each league for the Super Bowl.
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