Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 91
It did not take long for the San Francisco to find their footing by the time they had the next possession. By the start of the fourth quarter, they managed to narrow the gap between them and Pittsburgh to one touchdown instead of two. While it was a good spot to be in, the Wolverines would only feel better so long as they continued to score something on every possession for the remainder of the game to seal the deal.
"All right," Heero yelled to his teammates huddled around. "Run, run, throw, throw, run! Plan on having more of a fight from them for this last quarter, so watch yourselves out there!" Nodding firmly, the offensive line clapped their hands and broke the circle to take their places at San Francisco's thirty-seven yard line.
* * * * * *
Inside the Cougar's examination room, Professor O sighed in relief as he looked over the last of the test results that he was waiting on. Considering how risky his taking Alex to an emergency room would have been if there was something terribly wrong, he kept his patient where he alone could look over him.
Fortunately, Treize had picked up on the reason for his urgency to bring Denton back to check things out before reaming the running back for his fumble. Far more important than winning the Super Bowl, they needed to cover themselves from having their use of steroids discovered. The symptoms that Alex had been experiencing raised enough alarm in the doctor-cum-therapist to possible early signs of heart failure and that needed to be looked into immediately.
Based on the vital examinations, O was able to breathe much easier. Everything came back perfectly normal. Stress could be the only good explanation to the lightheadedness and other indicators of illness. It certainly would stand to reason that Alex was suffering from nothing more than the pressure on him.
Heading into his small office, the therapist patched into the intercom linked to Treize's headset and Noventa's private line. As soon as both connections were picked up, he stated simply, "All things are clear for Denton. Nothing more than a bit too much stress. The bad news is that I must recommend that he sits out for the next couple of possessions before he pushes himself too hard and we do have something to worry about."
Just outside of the private office, Alex was listening in. Now that he had a moment to get away, he quickly threw his jersey back on and ran from the examination room. Running down the corridor, he made his way down the twists and turns where he knew there would not be any security around. Not bothering to waste valuable time by getting his belongings from the locker room, it only took him a few minutes to find himself back outside in the stadium's massive parking lot.
At the end of his call, Professor O sighed and stepped back into the examination room. "Well, it looks like you'll be taking it easy for-" he stopped in mid-sentence when he looked up from his notes to find the room empty. Eyes wide, the tall man ran into the hallway.
Finding no one down either half of the tunnel, he breathed, "Oh no."
* * * * * *
Ignoring the Wolverines' celebration over their kicker's successful field goal for an additional three points, Treize stormed off the far end of his sideline and yelled into his headset, "What the hell do you mean he's gone!?"
"Just what I said, sir," the therapist's voice replied. "I have had security searching for him, but there is no sign of him anywhere in the building.
Hands clenched at his sides, the head coach gritted his teeth and panted heavily. That rage instantly changed when a chill of realization ran up his spine.
That fumble had been intentional. It was a message to Treize and the organization through giving the Wolverines the upper-hand.
All of a sudden, the fact that his team was losing this late in the game was the last thing that he was concerned about. "You find him, doctor," he demanded in a low growl.
Even as he was making the demand, Treize had a terrible feeling that the running back would not turn up.
* * * * * *
Noventa returned to the owner's box after receiving word of Denton's disappearance. Pale and dismal, he all but collapsed into his cushioned seat between his wife and his daughter. Blinking in surprise, the two women turned their heads towards him in concern.
Gently placing a hand on her father's shoulder, Sylvia smiled, "It's only a game, father."
A small, almost nervous chuckle left the team owner as he kept his eyes on the field. Oh, before long, she would understand that it was not the game he was worried about.
* * * * * *
Every red-and-gold sporting spectator was on their feet and making noise by the time the last five minutes of the game rolled around. With less than two minutes left, it was clear that the Cougars were not going to come back to even so much as tie.
Already, the San Francisco players had been mentally defeated and lost their drive. Even Treize was still and quietly accepting his team's fate. No one knew that his mind was on anything but what the scoreboard said. Numb from head-to-toe, he was plain and simply at a loss over how everything had spiraled out of his control.
Talk was spreading all around over the mysterious disappearance of Alex to the field. Whatever the reasons for his not returned to the game, it would not have made a difference in who won or lost.
In the stands, the boards lit to show the final score as 44-31. Even if the fumble had never happened, Pittsburgh still would have won the game on their own in the end. Pittsburgh had a leading score for every point San Francisco put up.
On their own feet, the Wolverines were already embracing and wiping tears as they celebrated. Howard, Trent and Darren were laughing and partaking in handshakes and pats on the back for all of their efforts. For his part, Zechs stood with his arms folded and looking on to his offensive team smiling like a proud father.
Shaking his head, Adam grinned to the camera, "Folks, you have been in witness to one of the most incredible Super Bowls in ages. And in the end, against all odds, David has defeated Goliath. From the first pre-season game of the season, the Pittsburgh Wolverines have had to fight tooth-and-nail with everything they had to get here and they have bested one of the most revered teams in the entire NFL."
Tim cleared his throat against the lump in his throat and nodded, "Never given the benefit of the doubt, they have always been the underdog. Well, tonight, they are underdogs no more. The Wolverines have proven themselves time and time again and personally, I don't believe that there are many who will not see them as deserving this championship."
When all that remained were three seconds, to the deafening roar of the crowd, Heero carefully took a knee when the ball was snapped to him to clearly mark the end of the game. Stunned, the offensive team just stood in disbelief with tears rolling down their cheeks. Through the speaker system, the announcer exclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, your AC201 Super Bowl Champions- the Pittsburgh Wolverines!"
Heads lowered, the Cougar defense walked from the field as their challengers were swarmed by their teammates in a wave of hugs and embraces. Fans poured onto the field, jumping over the barriers and past security to join in on the celebration.
Surrounded by people, Heero scanned around him, calling, "Duo!" Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled for his lover again. Over the noise surrounding him, he finally heard his own name being shouted.
Carefully pushing himself through the crowd, the running back appeared with a wide smile and shimmering eyes. Spotting his partner, he let out an elated laugh. With their arms wrapping around one another, the couple leaned in for a deep kiss, lost in their own world even with hundreds of people around.
Treize and his team never bothered to stick around to congratulate the victors. Instead, they silently slipped back down the tunnel leading to their locker room.
In the Cougars' owner's box, Noventa stormed for the door as it swished open to him. Wincing, the wait staff standing around averted their eyes from the irate old man. "Let's go!" he shouted to his wife and daughter standing by the window.
Not looking at all pleased to be ordered in such a way, his wife joined him by the door. "We will talk when we get back to the hotel," she growled under her breath.
Still looking out to the field, Sylvia was grinning from ear-to-ear. Hands folded under her chin, she whispered, "Congratulations, cousin. You made one hell of a team."
Noventa hissed, "Sylvia!"
Turning to face him with wide eyes as though she had no idea he was trying to leave, she replied sweetly, "Oh. Coming, father." Quickly following after her parents, she giggled to herself.
* * * * * *
Out in the parking lot, Alex was sitting in the driver's seat of his car as he listened to the radio. Adam's voice laughed, "It is official. The Pittsburgh Wolverines have won the Super Bowl! No doubt this game will be talked about for many years to come.
A small, pleased smile lit the running back's face. "Nice going, guys."
Nearly jumping at a tap on his window, Denton looked up to find his father staring down on him with a heated glare. Swallowing roughly, he opened the door and stepped out. Once out in the night air, the cheers and cries from the stadium were all the more clear.
Fists shaking at his sides, his father's face burned red. "What the hell kept you from coming back?" he hissed quietly. "You could have beaten Maxwell's numbers and led your team to win the Super Bowl. Why did you walk away from that?"
Taking a deep breath, Alex's own eyes narrowed as he met his old man's eyes with a stern look. "You know," he began in a low voice, "Ever since I was a kid all that I wanted to do was make you proud. And you made it perfectly clear that the only way to do that was to be the best at what I did, even if I did my absolutely best and still fell short."
Nearly physically reeling at being confronted by his boy, the man blinked in surprise and frowned, "Son, you know as well as I do that no one remembers second place. No awards are given out to people for trying."
"I'm well aware of that," Alex nodded. "But I also have come to the realization that I'm just not cut out to be the best running back in the league." Shaking his head, he laughed quietly, "And for the first time in my life... I'm okay with that."
His eyes widening, the athlete's father stepped back as though the words were like a fist to his gut. Blinking in surprise, the old man silently watched his son turn away to seal himself back in his car and drive off.
Left behind in a low cloud of gravel and dust, he watched the red taillights fade off in the distance.
* * * * * *
Back inside the stadium, a small stage had been set up in the middle of the field. Already, the game's victors switched their jerseys to T-shirts and donned caps on their heads reading 'Pittsburgh Wolverines AC207 Super Bowl Champions' in their team colors.
Making his way to the top of the stage were the president and vice-president of the NFL- Jason Quinn and Evan Meyers. Between the two of them, they before the large, shimmering Super Bowl trophy. At the sight of them, the audience gathered close cheered and whistled anew.
Politely waving in request for the noise to be brought down a bit when he reached the podium at the head of the stage, the President smiled brightly. Bowing his head of dark and grey hair, the man opened, "It has been an incredible season to behold along with every football fan this year."
As the speech continued, Heero and Duo looked over as a glowing Dorothy, Hilde and Solo led their children to them. Brightening instantly, the couple opened their arms for the embraces they received and kissed each elated child's head. Huddled close, they continued to listen in to the president's words. Dabbing her own eyes, the team owner sniffled softly.
In conclusion to his speech, Jason grinned widely, "It is a true honor and a privilege to give to you the AC207 Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Wolverines." There was a deafening wave of applause and shouts from the spectators as the team gladly went up to the stage to accept the Lombardi trophy. It was passed around to each player so that they might have a moment to kiss or have a picture taken with it.
Clapping his own hands together, the president chuckled deeply and turned back to the microphone. "And now, let's hear a few words from the team's owner, Dorothy Catalonia, and head coach Zechs Merquise."
Hand-in-hand, the so named headed to the front of the stage and towards the podium to the outburst of support from the crowd. In respect of their own, the players took a moment to stand in silence as they watched and listened.
Dorothy wiped away another stray tear from her cheek and smiled, "Words are failing me at the moment right now." Looking over her shoulder to her team, she commented, "I cannot think of another collaboration of players that I would want to work with more. We have all been through a great deal this year- personally and professionally. But, through it all, everyone stuck together and only became stronger for it."
When her gaze fell on Heero and Duo near the front of the lot, another lump formed in her throat. Clearing it away, she kept her eyes on them and concluded, "It has truly been an honor and a blessing to work with every one of them." Returning her grin, the couple nodded their heads in appreciation along with their teammates.
Slowly looking back out to the crowd, the team owner searched out Noin and her staff. Finding them all standing close, said addressed them, "To my incredible band of administrators, I also would not be here were it not for any of you. I thank you for your dedication and hard work to overseeing everything behind the scenes." Bowing their heads, her associates applauded and whistled along with the spectators.
Giggling, Dorothy curtseyed to the head coach and announced, "Now, to turn the attention to the man that I could not trust more to lead this team. He is a coach who is finally getting the credit he deserves. Zechs Merquise." Once more, the people flooding the field broke out in jubilation.
Cheeks flushing a bit at the sentiments, the tall man leaned in to kiss her cheek in appreciation.
As he stood before the podium, Zechs's eyes fell on his family and began, "First and foremost, I much thank my beautiful wife, Noin and our boys- Gavin and Derek. They have supported and been more than understanding of me and what I do here. It's because of them that I am here, doing what I love and I will forever be in their dept. I am just so glad that I have the chance to share this moment with them." Voice cracking at the end, he lowered his head and cleared his throat.
The little boys were simply beaming from their spot and Noin dried her eyes and blew a kiss to him.
Peering over his shoulder to the team, the head coach smirked, "I have the best coaching staff and therapist in the NFL working for me and it's always a pleasure working with them." Howard, Trent, Darren and Sally all bowed their heads in appreciation.
Merquise held his arm out to the players and shared, "These boys have been waiting a long time for this. I've watched nearly the whole team grow and improve over their years fresh out of high school. Never once did I not believe that they were not capable of getting here." His players all smiled and nodded.
Not paying any mind to the tears running down his face, Zechs continued, "In a lot of ways, I do feel like a father to them, and I could not be prouder of them right now. This is a team in every sense of the word. United they stand and together they fall. My being a small part of that is something that I will forever cherish and be grateful for."
Before he became overwhelmed again, the coach turned back to the audience with shimmering eyes. "Thank you," he breathed before stepping down. The athletes were the first to whistle and begin the loud round of cheers and applause that followed.
The vice-president of the NFL, Evan Meyers, took to the podium with the silver metal MVP trophy. "Back in the spring season, when myself and my fellow committee decided to have these two teams meet for a pre-season game, we never would have imagined seeing them both here again tonight. Never before have we had two teams so tightly matched and such an exciting conclusion to the season. I wish to thank the players and the organizations of both teams for bringing excitement back into these games."
There was a pause so that the crowd could settle enough for him to continue, "Now comes my honor to present the trophy and prize of one-hundred thousand dollars to the Wolverine's most valuable player."
While the speech went on, Duo, Trowa and Wufei all turned to Heero with grins on their faces. His cobalt eyes widening, the quarterback shook his head. "It's so you," the running back whispered. "You had your leg broken, snapped back in place and came out to finish the game. How the hell do you top that?" The center and receiver chuckled quietly in agreement.
Evan was still speaking as the audience began cheering, 'Yuy! Yuy!' over and over. Laughing, the young man nodded, "That's right, everyone. The AC207 Super Bowl MVP is none other than starring quarterback and team captain Heero Yuy!" Out in the cheering crowd, the kids were jumping, shouting and waving to their stunned Otou-san.
Nearly falling over from shock, Heero's legs locked solid. When he did not move for the podium, Duo and his teammates lifted him on their backs and shoulders and lowered him beside Evan. Receiving one-armed embraces and pats on the back from his colleagues before they returned to the back of the stage, the team captain numbly turned towards the vice president.
Offering a hand, Evan smiled kindly, "Congratulations, Heero. You're more than deserving of this." Heero swallowed roughly with a word of appreciation and shook hands firmly with the young man. Hands shaking, he took up the silver statue and large prize check presented soon after.
Suddenly nervous as he looked out to the sea of people cheering and applauding him, Heero cleared his throat and stammered, "I... I... uh..." The roar from the fans finally quieted to a low rumble as he tried to speak again and managed, "I honestly don't know what to say. Like Zechs said before, this is a team by every sense of the word and I would not be the quarterback that I am today without every single person up on this stage with me."
Biting his lip and fighting the small tears in his eyes, he grinned, "I'd like to dedicate this to my parents for all of their support and for being the reason I am what I am today." Lady Une placed a hand over her heard and sniffled a bit from where she stood with her friends and the children.
The realization of what he was accepting finally hitting him, the quarterback shook his head, "God, I just have so many people to thank. Dorothy, Zechs, Pops, Trent, Darren, Lady Une, Quatre, Hilde, Solo, Karen, all of my friends and teammates."
Snickering, he added, "Sally for not committing me when I demanded my leg to be set back." Laughter filled the air all around. The braided therapist just giggled and shook her head in amusement.
Searching out his family in the masses, he found them and rubbed the bracelet they made him as he said quietly, "But most importantly my family. Before I met all of them, I really did not have a reason to be happy in life." Each child had a glow about them and a shimmer to their eyes as they looked on.
"And Duo," Heero sighed as he looked over his shoulder to meet the wet violet gaze on him. "This is every bit as much your trophy and your honor as it is mine. When I couldn't carry the weight on or off the field, you carried it for me. I couldn't ever ask for a better half of me and I love you more than anything in this world." There was a loud round of sappy sounds and even more applause from the crowd as the running back winked to his partner and mouthed 'I love you, too.'
Hand on his new trophy, the team captain peered back to the audience and nodded firmly, "Thank you so much to my fans for supporting me and to the administration for this great honor." Raising the trophy to the roar of everyone around, he carefully stepped down from the podium to return to his teammates.
Meeting him half-way, Duo threw his arms around his lover's neck and buried his head in his shoulder. Trowa and Wufei moved in to hold onto Heero's gifts so that he could return the embrace. All around, cameras continued to flash and video cameras rolled as they had since the close of the game. Deafening yells and cheers from the spectators continued on with seemingly no end.
And all the while, none of it reached Heero or Duo as they just centered their world around each other.
Yes, the championship was wonderful. But in the end, as long as they still had each other, that was all that mattered.
* * * * * *
Sighing deeply in relief, Dorothy kicked off her short-heeled shoes as she stepped into her hotel room overlooking the Atlanta skyline. Unbuttoning the purple lilac suit coat and removed it to be more comfortable in the black camisole underneath.
There was a smile bright as the day on her face that showed no signs of going anywhere as she collapsed into one of the cushioned chairs of the enclosed patio. Staring out to the lovely city ahead, the team owner recalled the celebration dinner and party that she had just hosted at one of the finest restaurants in town. It was wonderful to see those proud grins on her parents' faces that evening as they congratulated her team.
Nothing could have made the day any more perfect. It was all like a wonderful dream that she was almost afraid that she would wake up from.
A muffled ring suddenly broke her thoughts. Quickly gathering up her purse at her feet, Dorothy opened it to remove her cell phone. Reading the caller ID, she frowned deeply, "Caller unknown." Silently wondering who in the world would be calling her at the early morning hour that it was, she opened the flip and pressed to receiver to her ear, greeting, "Hello?"
For a moment, there was no response over the other line. Then, Alex's voice replied, "I was hoping that your offer of help still stands."
Blinking in surprise, Dorothy gasped softly. The brief shock wore off to sheer relief as she smiled, "Of course it does."
TBC...
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