Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 72
There were a few things going on as Heero and Duo sat in shock over the interview that they had just seen. In the dining room, they quietly sipped on some tea that Quatre had made for them as they sorted out some of those issues.
First, there was the shock that there was actually going to be a public relations frenzy that did not involve them directly. It was a welcome relief to know that perhaps they would be able to steer clear of another media circus from this point forward.
Second, there was the worry over Dorothy and what this was going to mean for her. Ever since the start of summer training, the team owner had become like family to them. And like any other member of their family, they wanted nothing more than to protect her from any harm. Even if they were not directly involved, they were involved in some way.
Running a hand through his long bangs, Duo finally broke the sack and forth in the living room of Dorothy's estate. Face red and eyes narrowed, she gritted, "I know that he was coached into making that statement just the right thing so that he could deny ever coming out and pointing a finger at someone. But in a sense, that's just what he did anyway."
Heero and Duo sat together on one couch as they watched the publicist blow off some of her steam. It was a pleasant surprise to them when they arrived that Dorothy had other supporters there with her. Zechs and Noin sat in the matching white love seat just across from them.
Entering the room with a tray bearing a variety of drinks in her hands, the team owner smiled sadly, "Karen, you are going to wear a hole in my carpet if you keep that up. You did everything that you could to prevent something like this from happening, so this is no fault of yours." She lowered the tray on the table at the center as her guests moved in to take up their beverages.
Karen ran a hand through her hair and sighed, "If only we had something on Alex that we could use against him. Make it an eye for an eye."
Just as Heero and Duo's mouths opened to respond, Dorothy held her hand up and stated, "I do have something on him, but I am not about to lower myself to his standards. This will be handled simply and cleanly." The nods and smiles she received spoke of the respect admiration that the statement earned her.
All but falling back in one of the single cushioned chairs with her tall glass, the publicist groaned, "It's just frustrating with the timing. Of course Alex would wait to make a remark like this right before the first playoff game. It's pretty evident that he believes the team will lose to Cleveland and everyone will be tuning in to see it after this lovely little piece of his."
"This is exactly how Treize works," Duo growled. Gripping the glass in his hand, he said, "If he's ever threatened by anyone, he makes sure that they're beaten mentally as well as physically. We've seen that before this season."
Nodding, Zechs agreed, "My thoughts exactly. You cannot tell me that Treize isn't behind this whole thing." He turned to the team owner and smiled, "In an odd way, it's a compliment that he feels like he has to go through such extremes to try to bring you and the team down."
Dorothy did smile at that. "Well, when you put it that way," she chuckled, "I suppose that there is something to be said about how worried he is to pull this. I never questioned his involvement, but I honestly never thought of the real motives behind it other than his just wanting to hurt me. Of anyone, I should have picked up on the real motive behind this."
The brief silence that followed was shattered when Noin's cell phone rang. Quickly answering it, she responded to the called with little more than 'yes's' and 'ok's'. Disconnecting, she winced before announced to her employer, "That was Timons. He and a few of the other administrators are saying that some journalists are coming out and taking sides to whether or not you're the blame to Mueller's death."
"Well, now that the door had been open, it was only a matter of time before this happened," Karen sighed as she threw her arms up in the air in frustration. Meeting Dorothy's eyes, she advised, "This cannot go unanswered. I'll start writing up a speech that will be fucking poetry." Already brightening at the thought of what she could concoct, she smirked, "We'll have this nipped in the bud before it becomes more of a problem than it already is."
Chuckling, the team owner smiled, "I never did intend to let this go unanswered. And I am sure that whatever you have in mind for a speech would be wonderful. However, I would much rather speak from the heart and not come off as scripted for this."
Karen grinned and nodded her agreement to the idea. Having worked as a journalist, she knew how easy it was to pick up if someone was being fed words or if they were being sincere. In this case, sincerity was the only option.
A thoughtful frown marred Dorothy's face as she said, "I'm just not sure how to handle this mess with my cousin."
"Call the bastard out on his role in this," Heero answered without hesitation. Arms folded and cobalt eyes narrowed, he shrugged, "The worst that he can do is deny it, but the idea will be out there for the public to debate for themselves." Duo, Zechs, Noin and Karen all smirked darkly their approval of the suggestion.
Blinking in surprise, the team owner's face lit up with a wide smile. "Brilliant," she replied. "That's just what I am going to do, then." Slowly taking in the faces of her friends and associates, Dorothy told them sincerely, "I can't thank you all enough for being here to support me in this."
Zechs responded, "You've helped all of us in more ways than one. And you have the backing of the whole team as well. Just let us know when you intend to call the press conference and we'll rally everyone up."
Instantly raising a hand, Karen offered, "I can arrange that conference within an hour if you would like. As big as this story is, all that it would take is my telling a couple of reporters you wish to talk and the word will spread for us. My advice would be to not have this wait for longer than we need it to."
"Agreed," Dorothy answered. "We'll set the arrangement for noon. That will give us two hours to have everything ready."
That said, the lot rose to their feet as assignments were given to each person before a brief departure to carryout the preparations.
* * * * * *
Just as Karen had predicted, it did not take long for the word to spread of Dorothy's call for a press conference. By the time the lady of the hour arrived to Patriot Stadium shortly before noon, the lot was filled with news vans and other vehicles. Resolved in what it was she needed to do, she took a deep breath and headed from her own car.
Stepping into the long corridors that lead to the meeting room, Dorothy smiled warmly in finding the whole of her team there. Each young man came up to wish her the best with kind words or an embrace. Long past any fear or doubts of her, the athletes now saw their owner as a part of their family- one who would go to no extent to take care of them. It was only right they show their own support of her in return.
Everyone shuffled into the room already crowded with cameramen and reporters. Taking the table at the front of the room as cameras flashed on her, Dorothy smiled, "Thank you, everyone, for being here. No doubt the whole nation knows of the interview in which Alex Denton indirectly blamed me for Mueller Clayton's death and I would like to take a moment to respond."
Back in San Francisco, Treize was sipping on a fresh cup of tea when the broadcast began. Having expected there to be some retaliation from his cousin in answer to Alex's remarks, he left the television on the sports channels waiting. A smirk tugged his lips as he watched and listened in on the live feed.
Her back straight and proud, the Pittsburgh team owner stated, "This is going to be short, simple and to the point. I have a responsibility to my team to look out for their best interest. While not one of you may be aware, Mueller Denton had been causing a rift amongst his teammates long before my decision to trade him.
"I had tolerated his lack of acceptance towards Duo Maxwell until he instigated the physical altercation on the sidelines of a pre-season game. If there is another team owner out there who would allow someone to cause such a disturbance amongst their players to remain on their team, I would like to know who they are." Around the room, many of the journalists looked to one another while nodding their heads.
With a rough swallow past the lump in her throat, Dorothy bowed her head and continued, "Had I known the events that would unfold after doing so I never would have traded Denton. However, I had to do what I thought was best for the whole of the team at the time."
Her eyes shimmering, she raised her head to look over the eyes on her. "Now does this mean that I am the sole blame for Denton's relapse into his publicized battle with alcoholism? Perhaps I do have a role in that. And if that is the case, I cannot tell you how sorry I am."
Turning to her team and staff, the owner smiled, "I have had a great deal of support from my friends and the whole organization and the fact that they still stand behind me is honestly the only thing that has kept me sane these last few weeks." Heero and Duo, their hands joined as they sat together, grinned widely along with their teammates.
Once again focusing on the video cameras that were zooming in on her, Dorothy said quietly, "I would hope that our fans and this city would understand my decision. To Mueller's family, I cannot tell you how sorry I am for your loss and your grief. If there is anything that I may be able to help, please don't hesitate to reach me."
Slowly taking a deep breath, the young woman's blue eyes narrowed as she stated, "Last but not least, I have a message for my cousin, Treize."
In his living room, the Cougars' head coach's eyes widened in surprise. Behind him, Sylvia stepped in the doorway to listen silently.
Raising a finger, Dorothy smirked, "One warning. People living in glass houses should not throw stones."
Treize's eyes widened further before narrowing heatedly at the screen. Fists clenched and trembling at his sides, he could hear the surprised murmuring spreading through the conference room. "That is all that I have to say," Dorothy nodded to her audience, "I thank you again for your time." As she rose from her seat, several members of the press called for her in hopes she might answer a question to no avail.
Quickly standing before the camera, the young man reporting for the station being view concluded, "Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Now that we have two sides of the story surrounding the death of Mueller Clayton, it will simply come down to a matter of opinion from the viewing fans when they choose whom they will side with."
Standing beside her husband, Sylvia frowned in confusion, "What did she mean by suggesting that you live in a glass house, dear?"
Nearly jumping at her unexpected presence, the coach met her eyes and smiled, "She is grasping at straws to try to get at me, darling. You know that Dorothy and I never did get along. For whatever reason, she is apparently convinced I am behind Alex's interview from this morning. That girl always was a spiteful one towards anyone she believes wrongs her."
There was a thoughtful look on his wife's face as she watched his own expression closely. "I'll go back to finish preparing lunch, then," was all that she replied before leaving the room.
Alone in the living room once more, Treize turned his reddening face back to the television.
Nothing would have pleased him more at that moment to just take his dear cousin's reputation and trample it in the mud. However, he knew that Dorothy was not one to make idle threats. She could very well ruin everything that he had going for him in his life-long goal of becoming a team owner. Better to just leave things as they were than have that happen.
"All right you little bitch," he gritted through his teeth. "You've won this round."
* * * * * *
Back at Patriot Stadium, Dorothy received a new wave of embraces, kisses and kind words from her team and organization. Beaming when she reached her boss, Karen winked, "Couldn't have said it better if I had written it for you." The team owner grinned widely as she hugged her publicist tightly.
Slowly but surely, the crowd filtered out until the same original five that had visited the Catalonia residence that morning remained. "At least this little dilemma should begin sorting itself out now," Dorothy sighed in relief. "All of the focus should shift back onto the playoff game in two days."
Noin wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and rested her head on his shoulder at the end of a tiring rush to have everyone contacted before the press conference. "Well, you did make a toast last night that this year would be just as exciting as last year," she reminded her employer with a sly grin. "Be careful what you wish for."
Rolling her eyes, the blonde young woman responded, "I was not hoping that our personal lives would be this exciting. I was referring to the team and how well they had been performing. There is a difference." Her friends snickered laughed and snickered.
Her eyes falling on her star athletes, Dorothy smiled, "It would be nice to have another victory this weekend that will just piss my cousin the hell off." Shrugging, she added, "No pressure there."
Without any hesitation or doubt, Heero nodded firmly, "We'll win. Everyone on the team wants this. And not just for ourselves, but for you and everyone that's believed in us."
"Not to mention everyone that hasn't given us a chance," Duo smirked. "It'd be nice to surprise the shit out of whoever thought we don't stand a chance in these playoffs. That's been one of the best parts about getting this far."
Zechs chuckled deeply, "I have to admit that's been a joy of mine, as well, this season. To have so many other coaches look across the sideline in shock is really something." Focusing on his players, he advised, "You'd best head on home and get ready for our last practice tomorrow."
The couple nodded and said their goodbyes before heading out, knowing that it was going to be business as usual from here on.
* * * * * *
Practice the day before their playoff game against Cincinnati was a light one for the Wolverines. Having pushed his players as far as he was willing, Zechs decided to focus the day more on strategies as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. With footage of the Hawks playing on the front wall of the conference room, the head coach paced before his team.
"We all know that Coach Browning is known for putting the fear of God into his players to get results," he continued on in his session. "I'm not about to do that because I know the work that you have all put in. Not one of you has given any less than a hundred and ten percent whenever you're on the field. And I know that won't be any different tomorrow."
He paused to gaze on his team and smiled, "Whatever happens tomorrow, I want you to know how proud I am of you. You really stepped up this week to push yourselves for tomorrow. But more than that, you've come further than anyone outside of this family thought you could this season. All the while, you've supported each other through quite a few trials along the way. That's far more than a lot of other teams can say for themselves."
Nodding to the proudly grinning players, he concluded, "All of you have a good night and we'll see you here tomorrow." And on that note, the team rose and filed out of the room to end what they hoped would not be the last practice of the post-season.
* * * * * *
Later that evening, Duo finished tucking the youngest of his lot to bed when he decided to call it an early night. Stepping into the master bedroom, he found Heero lying in the cushioned bench of the large windows overlooking the snow covered grounds. Dressed in light blue sleep pants and nothing else, the quarterback gazed out into the night with a football in his hands.
Chuckling lightly at the sight, the running back stripped down to the black sleep pants that he was wearing. As he neared his lover, their eyes met and he smiled, "You're not going to get a wink of sleep tonight, are you?"
With a sheepish look on his face when he looked to the football in his hands, Heero lowered it and sighed, "I've just never had a shot at the playoffs before. There's been so much work over the years that I've devoted to reaching this and I don't want to blow my chance."
"You won't," Duo reassured while sliding onto the bench. Curling up to his partner, he kissed his cheek and rested his head on his shoulder.
Lightly wrapping his arms around the braided athlete, Heero smirked, "Well, you're used to being at the playoffs from some of your previous teams. That's the only reason you're so relaxed right now."
Another soft chuckle left the American as he peered up to the cobalt eyes watching him. "That's not why I'm so relaxed right now," he shook his head. In answer to the confused look that he earned from his lover, he whispered, "I'm fine with whatever happens tomorrow because I know that win or lose, you'll still love me. That's all that matters."
Blinking in shock, the team captain took in those words and the sincerity behind them. That new perspective suddenly eased all of his fears and tension. Leaning in, he kissed his teammate deeply to pour in all of his appreciation and love.
Duo rested his head onto his partner's shoulder with a wide smile when they parted for air. "Ready to come to bed, now?" he asked gently as he traced his fingers along the quarterback's jaw line.
Heero grinned and nodded. Together, they headed for the bed with their hands joined. Pulling as close as they could get to one another under the covered, their eyes drifted closed for a restful slumber knowing that in a world of uncertainty they had one thing that they could count on.
And that one consistency was in their arms.
TBC...
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