Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 84
Adam had a wide grin on his face as he complimented, "Congratulations to the both of you on reaching the Super Bowl. We keep saying this, but this is quite the feat for a team that no one gave a fighting chance to getting to the playoffs let alone this far."
Smiling, Heero and Duo nodded and voiced their appreciation. "Well, we wouldn't be here without everyone involved in our team," the quarterback stated. "Any and everyone who works on and off the field have been giving a hundred-and-ten percent in helping us reach this goal." His braided partner's smile grew as he nodded fervently.
His head tilting a bit, Tim focused on the running back and smirked, "As we all know, this meeting between you and the Cougars will be reuniting you with two less than pleasant acquaintances for you- Head Coach Treize Khushrenada and stating running back Alex Denton. Will the tension between you be a motivation when you're on the field?"
Duo cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. As much as he would have loved to embellish on what he really felt, he knew to refrain from that. Much to everyone's surprise, Treize and Alex had been quiet when it came to expressing their distain for any individual or the Wolverines as a whole.
No doubt it was a public relations move to not be the first to throw stones.
Shrugging, the running back answered, "Just being on the field is motivation enough to perform your best. Every inch counts in a game, whether it is to win a championship or not." He slowly released a deep breath in relief at his dodging that bullet without lying. Heero grinned and discretely patted his lover's back.
"A very professional response," Adam chuckled deeply. "Certainly nothing short of what one would expect from you, Maxwell. We certainly have two of the best representatives on and off the field right here with us today."
Bowing their heads once more, the couple offered their appreciation to the sentiment.
* * * * * *
Once their interview was finished, Heero and Duo were greeted by a smiling Quatre and Karen just beyond the studio doors. "Very well handled," the blond agent complimented when he reached his friends.
Nodding, the former journalist added, "As hard as I am sure it was to hold your tongues, it is all for the best. All of the lead up to the Super Bowl is a political game between the last two teams. The first side that says anything bad about the other automatically is deemed the villain, even if the door was opened for the quiet team to retort. It is just best to just keep the fans on your side at this point."
Duo snickered, "Knowing that Treize will be pissed that he can't say the things that he would like is fine enough for me. I just know that bastard is waiting for someone in our camp to slip and say something that he'll be able to use as an excuse to attack us."
"We're the bigger people, anyway," Heero smirked as he gently nudged his partner's arm. The running back flashed him a bright grin filled with mischief. Quatre and Karen snickered in amusement.
As they headed for their vehicles together, Quatre stated, "I can imagine that it is going to be strange playing in warmer weather than you've played in all season with the Super Bowl taking place in Atlanta."
The quarterback winced, "That's one of the things that will put us at a bit of a disadvantage since San Francisco is used to the warmer temperatures for games. It's nearly impossible to really prepare for highs in the sixties when it's below zero here."
His eyebrows wiggling, Duo stated, "Now that it's required for both teams to be in Atlanta the week before to adjust to the new atmosphere before the Super Bowl, we're in for an interesting week when the Cougars show up."
Sighing, Karen frowned, "Hopefully everyone will be on their best behavior. I can work miracles in clearing anyone's name should something come up. But a whole team of people would prove to be quite the challenge should several players get involved in a dick measuring contest."
That particular choice of words had her friends laughing.
* * * * * *
It was a peaceful flight into Atlanta the following morning. Both Duo and Heero were already missing the kids. They wouldn't be arriving until that Saturday, the day before the big game, so that they could attend school.
Settling into their hotel room for the next week, the couple quickly packed away their things and headed for the small practice arena that would be their home for the next six days. They caught up with their teammates and went right to checking out the field. On the other side of the city, a similar setup was arranged as the site where the Cougars were to train.
Zechs stationed himself at the center of the field with his arms crossed. Waiting patiently as his team gathered close, he announced, "I know you're not going to like me for getting you started right after your trip here, on a Sunday no less, but we are not going to waste a single minute here."
Heads nodded in understanding and agreement as not one voice rose in protest to the order. There would always be time to enjoy themselves later. Right now, they were in Atlanta for business and they had a lot of work ahead of them.
Pointing to the far right corner of the field behind him, the head coach advised, "From now through Saturday, every practice is going to start with fifteen laps around the field to build up your conditioning. That's your starting mark, so get going."
Without needing to be told twice, the athletes jogged off to begin their training.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile...
Lying on his back on the bed of his hotel room, Alex slowly raised his arm and spun Dorothy's business card before his face. As he sat there in silence, the team owner's words came back to haunt him...
'I have a lot of time to think when I visit Mueller's grave every other day... Mueller would have wanted you to be happy and you clearly are not, whatever you might say or do to convince me otherwise.'
The running back hissed and pushed himself off the bed. Crinkling the card in a tight fist, he cursed himself for not just tearing the damned thing sooner. But... every time he was tempted to, something stopped him at the last minute- begging him to just hold onto it.
Maxwell's voice whispered, 'You were his partner...'
Shaking his head, Alex ran a hand through his short blond hair. Mueller was more than just a partner, he was everything to him. Mueller wanted better for him. He owed it to Mueller to at least hold onto some potential help.
While he had his new team, Alex knew that he could never really call them his friends. Treize was certainly not a friend. Who else did he really know that seemed sincerely concerned for his well being? His own father never really gave him the time of day.
Nearly jumping out of his skin when the phone rang, the running back quickly headed for the table and took up the receiver to greet, "Hello?"
Treize grinned on the other line, "Ah, Alex. I assume that you are all in order with your arrangements for the week?"
"Yes, I am," the athlete responded. "Are we going to be practicing this afternoon while we still have daylight?"
Snorting, the head coach answered, "There's no need for that. Hell, we could miss practice all this week and still trample Pittsburgh without a challenge. No, we will train again starting tomorrow and leading up to the game. I was calling to inform you that Noventa is treating the team out to a fine dinner tonight. I will relay the details momentarily."
His head nodding, Alex stated, "I'll be looking forward to that. It's never a good idea to turn down such an offer from the team owner." Chuckling, Treize gave a salutation before disconnecting the call.
Lowering the receiver back onto its cradle, the running back looked to the card in his other hand. With great care, he smoothed out the creases as best he could before placing the small offering back into his wallet for safe keeping.
It was not that he needed the reassurance, he tried convinced himself... it was because Mueller would have wanted him to hold onto it.
* * * * * *
Later that evening, the 'band of brothers' gathered at a bar named 'Tony's'. All four wearing baseball caps, they huddled together at the round table in the back of the large watering hole. Shrugging as he took up his soda, Wufei said, "Well, it's not 'Murray's', but it'll do for a temporary replacement."
The others nodded while Trowa raised his glass to toast, "To Quatre, Relena and the kids for understanding that we need the next few days to ourselves to get ready." Frowning, he added, "Even if we do miss the hell out of them."
Heero and Duo smiled sadly as they joined their glasses in the center of the room with a quiet 'Here here.'
When the front door opened to the bar, the lot looked up to find Alex and three of his teammates shuffling in after their extravagant dinner. Not bothering with caps or anything to conceal their identity, the well-dressed group was instantly greeted with cheers and a mob of fans made up of the patrons. Smirking cockily, the football players all took the time to greet everyone and sign autographs.
Shaking his head as he watched from across the room, Wufei sneered, "Would you get a load of that? They're walking around like they already won the damned championship."
Cautiously, Duo warned under his breath, "Easy, Chang. This is just how they work. There's no such thing as modesty when it comes to the Cougars. As far as they're concerned, they might as well just be handed the Super Bowl trophy and rings now." Grumbling, the wide receiver made some comment about 'sickening displays' before turning his head away.
Finally getting through the crowd, Alex and his companions were seated across Heero and the others. Once the last of his admirers allowed him some space, the blond running back's gaze turned to the table.
Gasping, he laughed, "Well, what do we have here, guys!? This is certainly an unexpected surprise running into you boys!" His three current teammates all turned to look at who he was addressing. Their eyes widening, they smirked darkly and snickered in a menacing way that made every hair on their prey stand on end.
Alarmed and annoyed, the Wolverines fought the urge to outright glare at their challengers. Heero decided to disarm the situation with a grinned, "This is a pleasant surprise, Alex. You seem to be doing well." Despite the calm and polite dialogue, there was an edge to his tone that could not be missed by anyone present.
Stretching his arms, the Cougar's athlete shrugged, "Well, you know it's hard not to do well knowing that we're days away from becoming the best team in the league." When Wufei and Trowa tensed, Heero and Duo gripped their arms from behind to calm them without making a scene.
"What's with the caps and baggy clothes?" Alex continued to taunt. "Already hiding from the public knowing how badly you're going to be crushed this Sunday? I suppose that you should get used to crawling in a hole in embarrassment for some time." His fellow Cougars laughed and nodded their heads.
Following his lover's example in trying to keep the peace, Duo rose from his seat and smirked, "Like I was taught- if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." He turned to his friends and suggested, "I'm sure we can find a more... hospitable place to hang out for the night, guys."
He received no argument from the others when they rose to their own feet. When they headed past the Cougars' table, the running back froze when Alex grabbed his arm and pulled him close. "What's the matter, Maxwell?" the blonde hissed into his ear. "Can't take the heat so you're going to run off scared and nurse your wounds?"
At the end of his restraint, Heero neared with fiery cobalt eyes. "Denton," he growled threateningly as Trowa and Wufei gripped each arm to hold him back. Many eyes throughout the room began to turn to the scene at the clear awkwardness and tension that had suddenly filled the air.
Smiling, Duo pulled back enough that he met his opponent's gaze. "You have to choose your battles wisely." His smile darkened as he stated, "I just choose to fight my battle on the field. Not here."
Taken aback by the retort, the blond athlete's eyes widened and his hand fell away. The braided running back straightened himself and turned back to his teammates. Flashing his lover a reassuring grin, Duo led the way to the front door.
Eyes narrowing, Alex called after him, "Yea, well, I'll see you there, Maxwell! You'll see what a real running back looks like!" Not even bothering to look back while he continued for the door, the American waved a hand in an acknowledgement and shun at the same time.
His face red, Denton folded his arms and growled to himself in frustration. Much as he would love to go after Maxwell, he knew that he would have to wait for the chance to show him up during the game.
* * * * * *
The evening before the Super Bowl, Sylvia was picked up by limo from the Atlanta airport where the private jet had landed moments before. She did not even need to call Treize to have someone get her thanks to the tracking device on the plane. It was why she timed her own arrival just right. Luckily, it all worked out beautifully.
For an added touch to keep with the story that she had been to somewhere exotic, the owner's daughter had visited Dorothy's tanning bed to darken her skin. Again, she had many bags of items that she picked up from a variety of stores that were well known to be located all over the world.
Not a detail was missed that would tip Treize or her father off to her deceit.
When the limo arrived at the grand hotel where the Cougars were staying, Sylvia got the number to her husband's room at the front desk and took her time getting there. Sighing once she reached the closed door, she knocked gently.
As the door slid away, Treize was revealed standing with an impressive bouquet of flowers and a brilliant smile. "There's the love of my life," he greeted before wrapping his arms tightly around his wife to kiss her soundly. Well aware that she was to play the role of the doting, loving partner, Sylvia made no move to fight him.
Pulling back, the head coach gave her a pleased grin and took the bags from her arms in exchange for the large flowers in his own. "They're beautiful, Treize. Thank you," the young woman beamed in act as she appraised the variety of rare blossoms. She tilted her head and smirked, "I take it you've missed me, then?"
"More than words can say," Treize answered. Closing the bags away in the closet, he returned to his wife and kissed her forehead. "Tomorrow is going to be a grand day for your father and me. While I would love nothing more than to reunite with you properly tonight, I am afraid that sleep is of the essence for me this evening."
Inwardly breathing a deep sigh of relief, Sylvia smiled, "That's quite all right, darling. As you said, tomorrow is a very important day. I understand that you need your rest."
Grinning from ear-to-ear, the coach hummed, "There's the wife that I've always known and loved." He kissed her on the lips once more before heading to the bathroom to change into his sleepwear.
Slowly sitting herself at the edge of the king-sized bed, Sylvia took a deep breath and did her best to fight the tears of loss and fear that threatened in her realization that she was back in the hornet's nest.
* * * * * *
Everyone had their own plans for the night before the big game. Some players spent their night in the clubs and bars to ease their nerves. Others enjoyed a quiet night inside to watch television or a movie. Still others continued to workout on their personal time to prepare themselves.
Heero and Duo spent their night with the children at an ice cream parlor.
For the children, they knew what it meant for their guardians-to-be to spend the eve of such an important night with them. Instead of joining their teammates, they wanted to spend the time with their family. It spoke worlds of their commitment and appreciation of their role in life as parents.
Arriving back at their hotel room, Flora turned to the football players and grinned, "Before we head off to bed, we have something for you." The couple blinked in shock and froze. Nodding to her youngest sibling, she winked her cue.
With a sharp gasp, Hope ran for her room and reappeared seconds later. Her brothers and sisters gathered close together in the center of the living room, the child smiled widely and she moved towards Heero and Duo. Holding out her hands, she revealed two bands that looked like bracelets. "For good luck," the little one announced with a giggle.
The material treaded through the stretchy string that held them together came in a variety of colors and textures. On each piece of fabric, a name of one of the children was written on it.
Violet eyes wide, Duo breathed as he took up his band, "Y-you made these for us?"
Nodding, Flora explained, "We each have a piece of our favorite shirts or toys on there." She blushed in embarrassment and shrugged, "So we'll be with you both on the field tomorrow." Marcus and Tai joined their sister in looking a bit sheepish at half-expecting to have their childish offering laughed at.
By that moment, the braided running back was fending off the tears stinging his eyes. He did not trust his voice to speak. Gently wrapping his own bracelet around his right wrist, Heero appraised the gift and whispered brokenly to his family, "Thank you. These are wonderful gifts." He moved forward to embrace and kiss the heads of each beaming youngster. Slowly coming out of his stupor, Duo joined in.
One-by-one, the little ones filed for their bedrooms while offering their good nights. When they were alone, the two athletes focused their gazes on the bracelets on their wrists. Chuckling deeply, Duo wiped a stray tear that fell and said quietly, "Even if it is just for the game, I don't plan on taking mine off any time soon."
Heero smirked, "My wrist would have to be cut off for me to lose mine." Hand-in-hand, the couple walked off for the master bedroom together.
Somehow, the Super Bowl no longer seemed to have near the level of importance it once held for them.
TBC...
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