Goalie // Sidney Crosby

Twenty-Seven

That morning Emerson had to drag herself out of bed; especially since there was limited time to get breakfast before the team headed off to Detroit. Her body ached from last night's game and more than anything she wished to be back in the warm confines of the hotel bed. The clock was slowly ticking towards departure time and Emerson needed to get on her way..

She did her best to dress quickly and gather her bag so leaving would be easier. She didn't want to bother with makeup or the way she looked, Emerson was out of her room in what seemed like record time. With her stomach beginning to grumble her stride quickened to get to the lobby of the hotel where there would be food.

It was no surprise that the young goalie was one of the last people down there. Lately she had been getting tardier when it came to arriving at certain times, it definitely wasn't like her. But all around in he breakfast area were all her teammates sitting at separate tables with who they were closer to. Emerson immediately spotted Sidney sitting at a high table with Geno, Flower, Kunitz and Tanger off to the side. They looked to be done with their food but deep in some conversation not really involving themselves with anyone else. The young goalie couldn't help but wonder if Sid was picking up on her lateness, if he'd ever wonder about her.. she couldn't help but let those thoughts sneak in..

But deciding she didn't want to intrude, Emerson made her way over to Olli and Jake who must have been late too because they weren't at a table, instead the lounge chairs by the 'fire place'.

"Yo Ems, what's up?" Jake asked giving her a wave. The TV over the fire place was blaring some bland news channel reporting on some weird animal sightings. Neither one of the guys felt like getting the remote to change it..

"Exhausted." she plopped down next to one of the boys in the empty seat.

"Not gonna get food?"

Emerson let out a groan as she realized she forgot to get the one thing she came down there for, food. "I'll get to it eventually."

"Want my waffle? I ate like three before this." Olli picked his plate up from the coffee table, "I just made it then realized I wasn't hungry."

"Don't see why not. Thanks." There wasn't much time so Emerson quickly ate the waffle with some syrup; but she knew it wouldn't suffice for long. She internally fretted when she'd be hungry next because she knew it'd be soon. But if she did want more food she'd then have to pass where Sidney was sitting, and right now she didn't want that. She felt like, her especially, was on eggshells because in actuality she had no idea which teammates knew and which ones didn't.

Emerson was glad that Olli and Jake were on the quieter side this morning as Emerson found herself in a rather irritated mood. She always considered herself more of a morning person than this, but at this rate anything was going to set her off. The less she talked the more likely it would be she'd start to feel better- she hoped. Everyone around them seemed to be involved in good conversation, and everyone seemed wide awake and ready for their trip to Detroit. Had there been some memo she missed?

***

Sid leaned back in his chair, allowing his eyes to once more wander across the room. This time they fell upon the frame of Emerson, the very person he would always be checking for each time he'd find himself not able to focus on the conversations in front of him. He felt a smile pull at the corner of his lips seeing her, but there was still a feeling of irk in his chest knowing she didn't contact him last night. He understood she didn't have to suddenly start telling him everything, but last night he did specifically ask her to text him.

Everyone started getting ready to load up as it was time to go. They had a plane to catch soon.

Sidney's bags were already on the bus that would be taking them to the airport. He saw Emerson with hers as she stood awkwardly texting on her phone as everyone was filing out.

"Hey." Gently, Sid placed a hand on her lower back which made the goalie look up.

"Hi."

"Tired? You got down here pretty late."

That answered Emerson's question on if he noticed. "Yeah I guess so." she couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with him, she actually felt pretty bad about last night. As of right now she was waiting for him to bring it up. And he was planning on it.

"Want me to take your ba-"

"No I got them. It's fine."

"Okay." Sid smiled warmly down at Emerson, "did you sleep alright? Get back to your room?" he wasn't trying to pry in a rude way, but he worried for awhile last night so he wanted to know.

Her face started to heat up, "Oh yah uh, so sorry about not texting back. I was tired-"

"No no don't worry, just that.. I was worried so-"

"Yah totally my fault there." The two were awkwardly standing close, unable to make eye contact as their cheeks were heating up, nerves swirling.

"We should probably get to the bus." Sid's voice interrupted the air between them.

"Oh probably." Emerson out of instinct went to grab Sidney's hand and lace his fingers with her own. She loved the physicality of hand holding, especially with him.

"Emerson..." her full name. The Captain looked at her with a stern look, but within his eyes there was a sadness. He removed his hand from hers, "let's get going." it killed him to have to do that, the moment he felt her warmth leave him it felt like there was a hole in his chest.

The two walked out to the bus, Emerson a few steps ahead of Sidney. Her mind was whirling with emotions and thoughts. Of course she knew Sidney meant no harm from their interaction in the lobby, she knew he was only doing it so no one else saw- but it still hurt.

Sidney watched Emerson briskly walking ahead of him. He knew he upset her, the look of pain on her face when he pulled his hand away felt engraved in his brain. But there really wasn't anything he could do about it, and he knew Emerson knew that as well. He also know within a few minutes it would blow over and she'd be okay.

Emerson of course thought a lot about the differences between her and Sid. Mainly it was before they actually got together, but if she hadn't felt comfortable enough with it all she wouldn't have wanted to be with him. She desperately hoped that having to stay a secret from most people would make things difficult- it was hard enough for the two to become official she'd hate to lose him now.

***

The month of January went by very quickly, with the Penguins bettering themselves into playoff position. Emerson was playing fantastic, one more proving herself and other wrong.

Their road trips went well, going on a winning streak and then losing a few at that. It was okay though, the team was starting to look like actual cup contenders.

Emerson and Sidney's relationship was going perfectly fine, the two finding comfort in one another's company. From spending their time in each others hotel rooms on the road or getting food when they were in Pittsburgh. It was almost surprising no one else was catching on to the two, they never displayed PDA but didn't go totally under the radar.

Emerson in fact was very happy with how things were going, having that person who genuinely cared, would listen and go the extra mile. She had always wanted to have that person, and now she was sure she had found hers.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTE: sorry for such a short chapter! It's been awhile since i've updated and i'm trying to get rolling again and i wanted to move past this part i was writing since it's kinda dragging