Chapter Fourteen; Ensemble de Nouveau

The entire team stood and watched the reunion, but was short lived when Coach Mike walked in yelling, 'Suit up and hit the ice,' in a thick French Canadian accent. Marc released Kailey and like the rest of the team he started to get ready.

"I'm gonna head to my hotel, I'll be back here for the game tonight," Kailey said to Marc as he walked towards the stall that was to be his for his stint in the AHL.

"Why don't you stay and watch the skate?"Colby asked. "She can stay, right coach?"

Mike nodded, Kailey agreed and went to take a seat where she waited for the team to take the ice. Just as the guys took the ice Kailey's phone rang in her pocket. '"Hey baby, what's up?"

"Just making sure you made it okay, how was the trip? Jared continued to ask question after question and Kailey answered. "I'll talk to you later okay baby? I love you."

"I love you too, bye." And she hung up before Jared could say anything else. She loved Jared, but she had a feeling that he was jealous that she had come to spend time with another man. He was just a friend; well at least that's what she had been telling people for the last few months, the truth was that she loved him. The fact that he boyfriend didn't trust her disappointed her. The reason she hung up. After placing the phone back in her pocket her frown was replaced by a smile, she couldn't wipe it from her face. She had looked up and seen Marc.

Marc smiled too, when he saw Kailey smile that is.

***

Kailey allowed the guys a few minutes after the practice ended to be able to shower. When she returned to the locker room all of the guys had at least boxers on, and since she was on a hockey team herself, this was nothing new for her. She talked to a few of the guys while she waited for Marc to be ready and when he was ready he walked her to her car.

"It really is great to see you Kay."

"You too Marc," she wrapped her arms around him. Marc opened his mouth to say something but before he could speak Kailey said, "Before you ask, yes I'm coming to the game tonight."

"How did you know I was going to say that?"

"I'll see you later Marc," she kissed his cheek before turning and getting into her car.

Marc waited until after Kailey pulled away to place his hand to his cheek. He missed the feeling of a woman's lips. Against his cheek, but especially his lips. He missed Vero. Maybe having Kailey back in his life, even if just for a little bit was good for him. Or maybe it was the exact opposite.

"You love her, don't you?"

The voice pulled him from his thoughts and he turned to see Colby. "Huh?"

"You love her." This time it wasn't a question. "You love Kailey, and I think she loves you too."

"She can't she has a boyfriend."

"Well you never denied that you loved her, I'll see you tonight buddy." He patted Marc on the back before walking to his car.

***

Having woken up early that morning to be able to get to Wilkes-Barre on time Kailey was tired when she finally arrived at her hotel room. She set an alarm on her phone so that she could wake up in time to get something to eat before meeting up with Marc before the game.

"Hello?" Kailey said when she was woken up by the sound of her phone.

"Hi Kailey, did I wake you?"

"Yeah, but it's fine. What's up Marc?" When she realized who it was she sat up in bed and wiped the sleep from her eyes as well as her bangs from her face.

"I was wondering if maybe you would want to get something to eat with me before the game, ya know, catch up?"

"Sure, do you wanna meet somewhere?"

"I was thinking that I could pick you up, if that's okay with you."

They talked a few minutes longer and after hanging up and getting ready for the game, they met downstairs in the lobby. They were staying in the same hotel. Kailey made it downstairs first and was sitting on a bench, but as soon as she saw Marc she stood and when he walked up to her she wrapped her arms around him.

A few minutes later they pulled into a parking lot across the street from the arena. "You like Cracker Barrel?" Marc questioned. The smile on Kailey's face answered for her.

After playing the peg game for a while and a quick game of checkers in which Kailey dominated their food arrived at their table. Kailey had ordered breakfast with a little bit of everything, and root beer. Marc had meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, not a typical pre-game meal, but he needed to eat something.

***

"Good luck tonight Marc," Kailey said before placing a kiss on his cheek and leaving the locker room. Marc tried to hide his smile, he wasn't like this before he went back to Canada. Maybe it was because he had spent so much time with her. No, he knew what it was, it was because when he was in Pittsburgh, at least for most of the time he had Vero.

When Kailey made it to her seat a few rows from the ice her phone went off and the caller id read Jared. 'He can wait,' she thought and shoved her phone back in her pocket. 'He should know not to bother me during a game.'

***

The Pens won the game, Kailey enjoyed nachos, and when the game ended she made her way to the locker room. "Good game Colbs."

"Thanks, Marc should be ready soon."

Kailey nodded and sat down, waiting for her best friend. A few minutes later he sat down next to her. "Ready to get going?" Kailey nodded. "Not talking much today, something wrong?"

"Jared has called a few times today, don't think he trusts me."

"Ah, well we're gonna get some ice cream to cheer you up."

After stopping at an ice cream shop, and both enjoying a waffle cone full of chocolate chip cookie dough they headed back to the hotel. On the elevator, on the way back to their rooms Kailey's phone rang and once again, it was Jared. "Hello."

"Hey I was getting ready to go to bed and wanted to say goodnight, so goodnight."

"Night, I love you."

"I love you too." She hung up and turned to Marc, the look on her face said everything.

"Well ah this is my floor, goodnight Kay."

"Goodnight Marc," she gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek before he got off the elevator.

When the doors closed they both whispered, "I love you."

Chapter Thirteen: En arrière dans vos bras

It's been way too long, I know. I've been busy and had no motivation to write. But I woke up this morning and wanted to write, so I sat down and wrote an entire chapter. So in honor of an almost perfect preseason and a win against the Wings today, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Comments are greatly appreciated. GO PENS!!!



Chapter Thirteen

Marc's stay in Cape Breton was definitely not a happy one, daily he thought of all that he had lost; the girl that he had been with for three and a half years and loved more than anything, his hockey career included, a group of guys that he had become great friends with, and a best friend. He talked to Kailey when he could, at least every other day. It was harder though being away from her, she was nearing the end of her senior year, school projects and her own hockey games were occupying her time, as well as time with her boyfriend, but she always made time to talk to her Canadian friend.

Marc was glad that she had Jared, he could see that they really did love each other. One good thing about being so far away from them was that he didn't have to see them together and to be hit with pains of jealousy. He missed Vero. He wished that he could hold her in his arms again, just one more time. More often than not she haunted his dreams. Night after night he awoke drenched in sweat after reliving her last seconds on earth. He still loved her and missed her presence in his life, but he wished that dreams like those would come to an end, it was hard enough to live through it once.

The end of April approached and tonight was the last chance for the Eagles to win to continue on in the playoffs they were down three games to one to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens . He had talked to Kailey that morning while she was on her way to school. She had wished him luck and said that she missed him but their call was short lived because she arrived at school.

Marc was in the locker room suited up for the game other than his mask, he was in net tonight. The game went by so fast he didn't remember most of it. All he remembered was the puck being dropped for the opening face-off and in no time the final buzzer was sounding and he was making his way to center ice for the handshake, the Eagles had lost, he was done with hockey until training camp in September.

"Marc!" His coach called down the runway after the handshake line had died down. He turned to face him, but when he tried to speak no sound left his mouth. "Get showered, GM wants to see you."

Marc nodded and headed to his stall, shed his gear as quickly as possible and headed to the showers. He let the warm water run over his body and ran his fingers through his long hair. 'I let the team down and now the GM wants to talk to me about how much I suck.' Normally he wouldn't think like this, but since January he hadn't been the most optimistic person. He snapped himself out of the negative thinking and quickly dried off and threw on his street clothes before heading toward the team offices and into the GM's.

"Have a seat," the older man behind the desk said. Marc sat down in the comfortable chair across from his boss, he was worried as to what was going to be said next. "How'd you like to play some more hockey, son?"

He had started to apologize for his poor play that night and then realized what the older man had said. "Huh?"

"Wilkes-Barre is about to start the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, since you're done here, how would you like to play a few games for them?"

Marc was stunned, to say the least, he had played horribly that night yet his boss as well an AHL team wanted him to play more. "I would love to."

"You leave Friday morning, better pack," he said with a smile.

All Marc could say was, "Thank you." Friday, it was Wednesday night, he needed to spend the entire next day packing and research Wilkes-Barre.

When he arrived home he pulled his phone from his pocket without thinking and called Kailey, like he did after every game. "Hey Marc, how'd the game go?"

"Hey Kailey, not so well, we're done for the season."

"Aw, I'm sorry. Looks like I'm down to only one team to cheer for, did I tell you, the Baby Pens are going to the second round?"

"You didn't, but I did hear from someone else. How far is Wilkes-Barre from Pittsburgh?"

"About five hours, why?"

"I'm flying in on Friday and would love to see my favorite American."

"Wait, you're going to be in Wilkes, why?"

"Playing I guess, so would you want to see me?"

"First thing tomorrow I'm conniving my mom to let me skip school, I miss you Marc!"

She sounded so excited, he was too, he really did miss her. "I miss you too Kailey. I should get some sleep so that I can pack and do some research tomorrow. I'll see you Saturday."

"Okay, bye Marc."

***

"Mom, I'm a senior and I haven't skipped school at all this year, would I be able to skip on Monday and Tuesday to go to Wilkes-Barre for the weekend?" She said too fast for her mom to say anything.

"Why do you want to go to Wilkes-Barre?"

"Marc's going to be there."

"Okay, you can go."

"But mom I haven't seen Marc in three months. Wait, did you say I can go?"

"Yes, now go to school."

Kailey practically jumped up and down, grabbed her bag from the floor and went outside to wait for the bus. On the way to school she told her friends what would be happening the next day. Jared was upset that his girl was going to drive five hours to see another man, but he hid it. He knew that even before Vero's death that Kailey and Marc were great friends, but that event had changed both of their lives.

***

Friday night Kailey packed for the weekend and went to bed, she was surprised that she was actually able to sleep. The next morning she threw her bag into the back seat of the car, set her GPS, and was off to see her best friend in Wilkes-Barre. When she arrived at the arena she saw someone getting out of their car and walking towards what she guessed was the players entrance. "Excuse me, maybe you could help me?"

The man was tall, had curly brown hair, and a big nose. He smiled, his smile was crocked, he was adorable. "What can I do for ya?" Canadian.

"I have a friend who's supposed to be getting here today to play for you guys, well I guess you guys, are you a Penguin?"

"I am, Colby Armstrong. Who's this friend?"

"Marc-Andre Fleury."

"Ah, goalie. He's supposed to be here for the skate, why don't you come inside and wait for him."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, now come on."

"Thanks, oh by the way, my name's Kailey Schwartz."

Colby smiled, he was adorable. There was no way he was that much older than her. "Oh crap, I left something in my car, be right back." A minute later Colby returned to her side with a McDonald's bag. All Kay could do was smile.

Kailey and Colby made their way to the locker room where Colby introduced her as, 'the goalie's friend'. She could tell that he was a jokester. After talking to the guys for a few minutes the door opened and in walked a tall man with dark brown hair and a huge hockey bag, someone Kailey knew and although she wouldn't admit it, loved. "Marc!"

"Kailey," he said dropping his bag to the floor. They met in the middle of the locker room and embraced in a long awaited hug. "It's good to see you."

"You too Marc."

He would never say it out loud, but it felt good to be back in her arms.

Chapter Twelve; Au Revoir

This chapter is a lot shorter than the normal ones, but I haven't updated in a while so I figured I would put something up to hold you over until I can find my writing touch again. Comments would be great... GO PENS!!!


Chapter Twelve

"You wanna hang out?" Jared has asked when Kailey sat down next to him on the bus after school.

"I would love to but Marc just called and said it's important."

Now she stood in the parking garage next to his apartment building and she was devastated; her best friend was leaving her and she didn't know for how long.

Once Marc was completely out of sight Kailey pulled her phone from her pocket and pushed two, the speed dial for Jared. It was cold out so she decided that her car would be the best place for this conversation to take place. "Hello?"

"Jare, can I come over?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'll tell you when I get there." She didn't say good-bye or even the usual, 'I love you' before hanging up. The last few weeks had really messed her up, first seeing on of her best friends in the hospital, then that friend dying, she had been there for Marc; being strong, helping him through the hard time, but Marc had been there to help her just as much. Now this, now her best friend, the friend who she had been there for and who had been there for her was leaving. She didn't know how long he was going to be gone, and when if ever she would be able to see him again. She was sure that he would come back to the NHL, but would they still be friends? Would he remember their friendship, or just forget it, after all it had only lasted a few months.

"Kailey stop," she said out loud. Of course he would remember, the last few weeks at the very least. He had said that they would remain friends though, and she was sure that Marc would never break a promise that he had made to her, especially one like that.

She started the car and soon she found herself in front of Jared's house. She had gone there on auto-pilot because she hadn't even remembered leaving the parking garage. She took one more deep breath before turning the car off, removing the key from the ignition, releasing the seat belt, and getting out of the car. The ground was still covered in a light layer of snow and it made crunching noises under her converse as she walked up the path to the porch. The doorbell let out a rang when she pushed the button and she brushed the bottom of her shoes off on the rug in front of the door as she waited.

"Oh hello Kailey, Jared's out back," his mom said.

"Thanks." She closed the door behind her as she walked inside and made her way to the back door and walked back outside. Jared was shooting at the net that he had in the yard but when he heard the door close he dropped his stick to the ground and practically ran over to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her.

"Tell me what happened baby," he brushed snow off the stone wall so that she could sit down.
"He's gone."

"Who?" Jared asked with concern.

"Marc, they sent him back to his junior team. That's why he called me after school. They told him at practice today, he wanted to tell me in person and say good-bye. He's gone Jare, and I don't know when I'll get to see him again." She rested her head on his shoulder and hoped that he wouldn't realized that she had started to cry.

Chapter Eleven; Au revoir, pour maintenant.

Kailey awoke to find the sun filling her room; it was the first decent sleep she had gotten since Vero had been in the hospital. She didn't want to get up but after seeing what time it was she rolled out of bed, she had to get ready. This was later than when she would have normally woken up on a Tuesday, but the cause of her being able to sleep in was not something that she was happy about. It was the day of Vero's funeral.

Still half asleep she stumbled into her closet to find something to wear; this was something that she should have done the night before but she had been with Marc, comforting him until late. The whole situation had taken a toll on Kailey but Marc, as was to be expected, was completely out of sorts. A black skirt, blouse, and heels were what she finally decided on; the usual attire for a funeral. With her hair up in a bun she grabbed her jacket and went out to her car where she found her boyfriend awaiting her. "Morning Jare," she said stopping in front of him.

"Morning baby, you look beautiful."

"Thanks, you look quite handsome today." She tried to bring herself to smile as she said this but her expression remained the same. Today was going to be hard for her; even though she had only known Vero for a few months they had become close. Deep down Kailey loved Marc in a way other than friendship and she knew that Marc had loved Veronique with all of his heart, and knowing how much he was hurting hurt her. Jared took a step closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, as he did snow began to fall from the sky, this would normally make Kailey at least smirk, but not today.

"You gonna be okay?" He released her, but held her at arm's length.

She nodded and cleared her throat as if she were choking back tears, which she may have been. "I'll be fine; I have to be strong for Marc today." With that Jared pulled her back towards him, kissed her cheek and opened the driver's side door for her.

The night before Kailey had offered to drive Marc to the funeral home but he said that he would be fine. He had been fine driving there for both viewings so she trusted that he would in fact be okay.

One more person needed to be picked up before the short trip to the funeral home, Amy. She was dresses much like Kailey and didn't say much one she got in the car. The funeral home was close to Kailey's house and when she pulled into the snow covered parking lot there was only three other cars; Marc's, Vero's parents, and the funeral directors. Once inside Kailey walked straight to Marc who was standing at the casket, staring at who had been and still was the women he loved.

Marc sensed that she was there, or at least that's what Kailey thought because she hadn't said anything to him yet and he turned towards her. She could tell that he needed a hug or a time machine so that he could make this all go away, but for now a hug would have to do since the latter was impossible. She held him tightly for a moment before looking him up and down. He wore a black suit with a white button-up and black tie. His hair was slicked back, his eyes were still filled with sadness and hurt but the dark circles had begun to disappear; he must have had a decent sleep the night before just as Kailey had. "How ya holdin' up?"

"Okay," he paused. "For now."

"You're allowed to cry sweetheart," she took his hand in hers.

"I know," he turned back towards the casket, each time he looked at her another piece of his heart broke. Kailey stayed there with him in silence until they were told that everyone would soon be leaving for the church. "I'll meet you outside, okay?"

Kailey nodded and turned to go outside with everyone else. Marc remained inside for a moment more; placing his hand on the side of the casket be began to speak quietly, a whisper. "I love you Vee, I miss you so much. I know that you're in a better place now, I would do anything to have you back, to see a smile on those beautiful lips. To see hope and love in your eyes. To hold your hand, to kiss your lips, and hear your voice. You could always make everyone in a room smile, Vee you could make me smile after a loss and no one else could. Now there's only sadness. I love you Veronique, I love you." All of this he said in French before looking at her lifeless yet beautiful face one last time. "Good-bye, for now."

At church everyone found their seats and sat mostly in silence. Kailey sat with Marc in the front; his family along with Vero's was also in that row. Jared and Amy sat directly behind Kailey. Mass began with a song and when it came to the eulogy both Kailey and Marc fought to keep tears from spilling over. "She was easy to love and she loved with all of her heart. She could bring a smile to any one's face, and I know that now she's in heaven smiling down on all of us," he father said from the pulpit.

Kailey knew that this was true, she had been holding Marc's hand thoughout the eulogy and at this point his grip tightened. She looked up to see that tears were falling, she didn't blame him, she was crying as well. with her free hand she whipped a tear from her cheek, when her hand reached her lap she felt a hand on her should. She turned to see Jared leaning forward, his hand on her shoulder; he was comforting her.

As everyone began to process out Jared waited for Kailey to leave her pew with Marc. She let go of one goalie's hand and it was soon replaced by another. "I love you," he whispered. "And everything will be okay, I promise."

"I love you too."

***

The next day the Pens played and Marc took the ice for the first time since Vero's death, well in front of a crowd. He was a bit nervous, he shrugged it off though, he was nervous before every game. He started out playing well but his game started to slip as the Blackhawks fired more and more shots at four by six behind him. The final score was Chicago three, Pittsburgh one. Marc left the ice with the rest of the guys as usual, but unlike every other day, he was the last one to the locker room. He was interviewed by FSN, but it was kept short as they knew that he was still mourning. Most of the guys had already showered and started to head home while Marc still sat at his stall, pads still on; leg pads and chest protector. It was almost eleven when his cell phone rang on the bench next to him. "Hello?"

"Hey Marc, did know if you still wanted to have our normal post game phone call, but I'm going to bed so I wanted to say goodnight."

"Oh, yeah I forgot, I'm still at the arena."

"Marc, the loss wasn't your fault, well it wasn't all your fault. Oh wait-" It finally clicked in her head; Vero had always been there to comfort him after a loss, even if it was just a phone call. Her voice had cheered him up enough to shed his gear, say 'We'll get 'em next time', and shower before going home. "I'm sorry sweet heart."

"It's fine, get some sleep Kaiely. I'll be fine I promise," he said before she could bring it up.

"Okay, goodnight Marc."

"Goodnight."

***

Over the next few weeks Marc got a few wins but he was still quite out of it, he was still hurting and it was showing in his game. Thursday the twenty-ninth after practice he was called into the general manager, Craig Patrick's office. "Marc, we know that you're still not yourself, and we understand that." The we he was referring to was coach Eddie Olczyk and himself. "But we're sending you back to your junior team. It's what's best for you and the team. As you probably heard we're having some financial trouble, and it should be good for you to be somewhere you're comfortable with."

"I understand," he said before leaving the office and going to the locker room. After clearing his stall he headed home to pack and while he was doing so he pulled his phone from his pocket. Kailey was still in school, but he had to tell her that he was leaving. She would be getting done soon and he hoped to time the phone call so that she was walking out of school as it began to ring.
"Hello?"

"Hey, are you free?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'd be better if I tell you in person."

Kailey told Marc that as soon as she got off the bus after school she would head over to his apartment. This is exactly what she did and about twenty-five minutes after they hung up Kailey was standing at Marc's door waiting for it to open. When it did she say sadness in his eyes. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

"I'm going back to Cape Brenton, I just wanted to say good-bye in person."

Kailey was shocked to say the least, she had become such good friends with him since their meeting back in August. She had just lost a good friend in Vero and now that Marc was leaving there was a chance that they wouldn't be friends anymore. She helped him pack and when everything that he would be taking was put into suitcases Kailey walked him to his car. "I'm gonna miss you Marc."

"I'll miss you too Kailey, I promise we'll stay friends though, okay?" Kailey nodded and hugged him one last time before he held her at arms length and said, "Good Kailey."

"Good-bye Marc," she kissed his cheek before he got into his car and she watched him drive-away.

They had been through so much and she knew that they would stay friends because of this. "I love you Marc-Andre," she said just before his car disappeared.