All or Nothing;9

We ended up winning that game, no problem. But no thanks to my so called "fans". Throughout the whole game they made me think they were hockey fans instead of actual hockey players.

After my game, most of the guys were waiting out in the lobby for me. I was in the middle of a conversation with Meech when Val walked over, put one arm around me and pulled me closer to him. From when I first met him, I thought he was super shy. But it seemed like he was warming up to me pretty fast.

Derek looked us over once and got the worst look on his face, before turning and leaving through the double doors. My jaw dropped and I punched him in the arm, "That was so mean!" It truly was, but I couldn't help myself from laughing.

"Ohh, He will get over it trust me, Meechy can just be sensitive." I couldn't tell you how much I loved just hearing Val talk. The way he stumbled over his words, and how he had to pause every so often, I couldn't get enough of.

All of us went and got pizza afterwards, and even though I was starving, a don't think I even ate two pieces. Not that it really would have mattered, I'm pretty sure Helm and Aaron ate two whole pizza's themselves.

"So," Val said, "What do you like to do besides volleyball?"

I turned and faced him, "Well, I don't know really. Shopping, I used to play hockey so in the winter when our pond freezes over I play, Oh, and I sleep, Alot. If someone let me sleep for three days straight I probably would."

He laughed at me playfully, "So you're like a girly girl, but not really? Why don't you play anymore?"

I shrugged my shoulders, not really wanting to get into the whole real reason I don't play that often. "It's a really long story I'll tell you another time. So what about you? What do you do besides hockey?"

He could obviously take a hint, "Well, I like to play tennis, you should play with me sometime. And, I love to be home in Finland."

I giggled, "Do you really want to see me fall flat on my face? I'm probably not as coordinated as you think I am."

Everyone put down some money on the table and got ready to leave, I knew they had a game against the Rangers the next night, And I was hoping to come. They used to be one of my all time favorite teams, and I was really excited. I was debating though on whether to wear my Shanahan jersey, since he had gone to the Rangers or my regular Yzerman one.

I told Val goodnight and he gave me a kiss on the top of my head, "Let's get together soon, I really want to know more about you, and why you don't play anymore..."

As he drove away, I sat in my car, distraught. Was I really going to have to tell him about something that had been haunting me since I was a teenager?

All or Nothing;8

I was sound asleep until I heard my phone ringing on the table in the kitchen. The television was blaring with Ken and Mickey going over highlights of the game.

"Hello?" I answered, still groggy.

"Jeesh, someones sounds like they've been sleeping on a floor all night." I immediately recognized the voice.

I laughed, "Yeah, I guess you know everything huh Aaron?"

"I try. Listen, though, someone let the cat out of the bag."

I cracked up at the use of his words, not bothering to comprehend them until later.

I groaned loudly, "Who? Helm?"

"Yeah, nice guess." He sounded surprised.

"Well, you let him know that I'm coming to practice tomorrow. Wait 'til I get my hands on him."

He laughed, "Can't wait to see this! I'll make sure to get the word out. Oh and one more thing"

I sighed, "Yes Aaron?"

"Fil was flattered, to say the least."

I shook my head and hung up the phone.

[Val's POV]

At practice I found what Helmer told me about Riley more adorable than anything else.My first impression of her was just a sweet, down to earth girl. But obviously she had a fun side to her, which I liked. Every one of the guys told me to ask her out but truthfully, I wasn't looking for a girlfriend, and I wasn't about to waste her time. Heidi and I had just broken up not even a month ago. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for another girl just yet.

Just as I was contemplating all of this in my head, she burst through the door of the locker room. She shot me a quick smile and I waved, the look on her face was like she was relived. Her walk then turned into a run as she spotted Darren hiding behind Maltby. I laughed as she playfully jumped on his back, put him in a headlock, and was talking into his ear. I was surprised that Helm couldn't toss her little frame right to the ground, but he listened and I'm guessing he deserved to.

I saw her make eye contact with me and then jump off his back, almost loosing her balance and her sweatpants at the same time. I could tell she was cracking up so I motioned for her to come over and sit next to me. She was still laughing when she sat down and her cheeks were a light shade of pink.

"Sorry," She said, "That had to be done. But I would have preferred not to moon everyone in the process."

"It's alright," I answered. "He did deserve it..."

She looked up at me, "Listen Val, whatever was said the other night, I'm really sorry if you took it the wrong way. I'm not like that at all."

I smiled at her, "Not a biggy. But what happened last week? I thought we were going to hang out after the game?"

She pressed her lips into a hard line, "Ozzie didn't tell you?" She turned her attention back to the full locker room, obviously looking for him.

She finally gave up looking for him, "Mrs. Illitch stopped me and wouldn't shut up. I'm so sorry. I'm not one to blow people off."

"Well, you'll just have to make it up to me then." I said proudly.

She laughed nervously, "I have a game tonight so what about Wednesday?"

"No tonight's perfect. I've been wanting to watch you play again anyway. Can a bring some of the guys?"

A smile spread across her face, "Yeah sure, tonight would be great."

All or Nothing;7

After Aaron had explained to me all that happened that night, about how when we were going to his apartment all I did was say, "Take me to Val's house." "No, I want to go to Val's place.", over and over again. You could say I had had my share of embarrassment for the day. They thought it was just flat out hilarious, but it didn't really bother me, so I laughed with them.

Huds drove me back to the bar and dropped me off to get my car. I then went home to an empty house and took a long shower. I had a game later, and the last thing I needed was a hangover. I knew the team would be going on their first away game of the season, so that explained where my dad was. I was getting really upset that I hadn't been able to talk to Val since I practically bailed on him. I knew he would most likely be upset with me.

I packed my duffel bag and headed to the gym. I wasn't feeling much better and I knew Coach Hazel would be pissed if she knew I was out drinking the night before a game, so I was going to try my best to hide it. So I picked up an Amp energy drink on my way, hoping it would help.

Most girls were practicing when I came in, others still in the locker room. I started practicing, getting about 50 sets in a row. Not as good as usual, and someone noticed. I got called into Coach Hazel's office not ten minutes later. I drug my body into her office, not knowing what to be prepared for, just that it wasn't going to be good.

"Well," She began, "Do you want to tell me a reason why you're playing like that." She pointed her finger back out to the gym.

I sighed, "No reason really... I'm feeling just fine."

Her face got beat red, and her voice level escalated, "Tell me, or I'll kick you off this team without looking back."

My jaw dropped and I shook my head back and forth. I was by far one of the best players on this team, she and I knew it.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm pretty sure don't want to do that." I knew I was being overly cocky, and it wasn't like me.

She then practically laughed in my face, "Don't think you can't be replaced."

I rolled my eyes and she continued, "You can sit this game out, but I want to see you back here tomorrow morning, ready for practice, and don't make me call you back in here again."

I pushed myself up out of her chair, threw my bag over my shoulder and walked out. I hadn't been kicked out of a game since my junior year in high school, and that's just because me and a few girls were picking on the freshman. Marie Hazel was my coach back then too, yeah we go way back. I laughed when I got into my Range Rover, it was her loss for the night, not mine. They would just have a harder time winning, if they were going to at all.

*************************

I raced home, barely stopped at any stop sign in our neighborhood, just so I could catch the pregame. I ran to the door, forgetting to unlock it the first time, and running fight into it. I rubbed my head and laughed at myself, before slipping the key into the lock. Brad must have been out with some friends and my Mom must have been shopping because once again the house was empty. I walked into my room and put on my Yzerman jersey for good luck

I flipped the TV and was glued to it for the rest of the night. We ended up beating the Hurricanes 3-1, which put me in a better mood. I hadn't been this addicted to hockey since I was younger. I watched Val the most, but couldn't stop thinking about what his first impression of me was, my mind wandered. Just another girl, was pretty much all I was to him at this point, and it was killing me. I had to get up enough courage to talk to him when they came back into town tomorrow for practice, but I had a feeling it was just too late. Plus I had other things to worry about, tomorrow was going to be hell.

All or Nothing;6

"Oh, hey Derek." I hoped he couldn't hear the disappointment in my voice, but I'm sure it was evident. "Yeah, I'm coming to the game later. I'll see you there." I hung up, thinking I had probably been a little rude.

I then got ready, not nearly doing as much to myself as I did the last game. I put on a older sweatshirt with the wings emblem on it, and my favorite pair of ripped jeans. My dad then called me and said it was time to leave.

**********************************************

Ottawa ended up scoring first, just six minutes into the game. But only a few minutes later, I saw Val's 51 skate right up the goalie and score of a pass from Samuelson.

My dad turned to me and told me something I already knew, "I told you hes good." I had a huge smile on my face the rest of the same.

I wanted to go down to congratulate everyone after the win, especially Val. But I also didn't want them to think I was just another crazy female fan. Or as they like to call them- 'A puck bunny'. So I'd wait to talk to them after their away game to Carolina. Or so I thought, just as I was walking down the stairs of the Gordie Howe entrance, Aaron texted me, "Were all going out to eat, you're coming. Meet us in the locker room."

I turned back around and went back into the Joe, meeting everyone outside the locker room. I looked around for him, before Aaron came over and whispered in my ear, "Who are you looking for?"

"Nobody really." I laughed.

"You're a terrible lier, you know that?"

************************

Little did I know, we were all going to a bar. There's a reason I don't drink alot, and once the guys figured that out, they kept buying me drinks. The last thing I even remember was Downey throwing me over his shoulder and leaving the bar.

I woke up in a unfamiliar room, but it must have been in someones living room because the TV was blasting. I sat up a rubbed my eyes, finally seeing Aaron, Hudler, and Helm all sitting scrunched together on the love seat. They immediately started snickering and laughing.

I groaned, "What happened last night?"

"Well, you were drunk after about five beers. I knew it when you really couldn't pick up the peanuts up out of the bowl on the bar. And I couldn't really take you home, so now you're here." Aaron told me, but I knew there was more to it, by the looks on their faces.

"Oh god.. what did I say?"

This time Huds starting talking, and though it was hard to understand his accent I got out of it, "You told us all what you thought about Fil that's for sure. "Don't worry about it though, cause we'll keep it a secret until you two become official."

I rubbed my head, "That's just great. It's all you're fault you know, you guys kept buying me stuff. Plus I've only talked to Val, like one time. he obviously thinks I'm just another girl, so it doesn't really matter."

"I bet you he doesn't. But look at it now, nothings a secret now, huh?" Somehow by Aaron saying that, it made the situation so much better.

[Sorry, Not a good update, I know. But I'm going on Vacation for the week so I just wanted to throw this together real fast. When I get home I'll have a really good update though, promise (:]