As Fate Would Have It

I've always found it astonishing how one person could change things. Meeting Ian wasn't just a twist of fate, it was fate itself. Our first meeting at the coffee shop had been rather pleasant. Somehow, I even made him late for some huge business meeting that he just had to be at. We exchanged number and both went on our merry ways. I have to say, when my phone rang a few days later with his number on the screen, butterflies invaded my stomach and made it home. It was like that every time he called, and they seemed to breed every time we met.

Our first date was some fancy restaurant on the other side of town. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a twenty dollar salad, but it almost seemed too much to me. I had always been a simple kind of girl. Give me a pulled pork sandwich and a glass of sweet tea and I was a happy camper. Of course, barbeque wasn't made in the north, and sweet tea was a foreign language to these people. The meal was good, and like a gentlemen, he paid. The dates after that were much the same, though the restaurants changed as did the conversation. I felt myself getting more and more into this man with each passing minute. However, I can honestly say the moment he stole my heart was the moment he pulled two Pittsburgh Penguins tickets out of his pocket.

"I got us glass seats for the game tonight!" Ian practically shouted when he pulled them from his back pocket.

I felt my eyes fall upon those little pieces of paper before snatching them from his hands and squealing like a child. Hockey. It was my one weakness in this world. Even growing up in the south, I knew a good hockey game when I saw one. My parents watched the sport when they used to live in Pennsylvania, and the sudden move down south seemed to all but take it away from them. Of course, they found their way to many Carolina Hurricanes, but it wasn't the same. In their hearts, the Penguins were king, and I carried the same love.

I had only got to see the team play once, and it was a moment I would never forget. They were playing the Canes in their last game of the regular season series between the two teams, and I was right at home watching those men in white skate all around that ice. Being only fifteen at the time, I didn't understand some parts of the game, but I knew enough to be screaming my heart out, and even throwing a few curse words into the mix for flare. Mom and Dad weren't too happy about that one, but they had never seen me so fired up for anything in my life. They had raised their daughter well. I was now sitting in front of what could possibly be the man of my dreams holding a pair of tickets to the Penguins/Islanders game that night, with a huge smile plastered on my face.

"You aren't serious?! How did you get these?!" I heard myself blurt out before I knew what I was saying.

"My parents can't go to the game tonight, so they gave them to me," Ian explained, taking the tickets back and securing them in his pocket where they had been, "I couldn't let them just waste a perfectly good set of season tickets when I knew my baby girl loves the sport."

Ugh. I hated it when he called me his "baby girl," but he could call me anything his heart desired as long as he held those tickets in his hand. Standing up, I felt myself drag him to his feet as well. Ian stood a good head taller than me, but I was taught to stand on my tip toes for a reason. Reaching up, I let a hand slip behind his neck and planted my lips right on his. Softly at first, then pressing harder to gain the territory I so rightfully deserve. Then again, this is just a taste of what he's going to get tonight, after the game of course. I pull myself away, making sure to leave him breathless. "Give me ten minutes to throw on the right clothes," I say before running to my bedroom and closing the door. Not that it matters. Ian had seen my body more than once now, and I had never really been one for modesty.

-x-

Consol Energy Center was even more beautiful than the pictures I'd seen. The inside was like a dream come true. I had only ever seen the property from the outside, thanks to my measly salary and the college bills I was still paying off. Everything had a new meaning once I walked through the doors. If it hadn't been for Ian, I would have gotten lost among everything. Even worse, I wanted to see everything the rink had to offer. I laced my fingers with Ian's and tugged him behind me around the concourse, smiling at every turn. It wasn't until Ian glanced at his watch that I realized we had to find our seats.

Sitting by the glass was something completely new to me. Every Canes came I ever attended, we sat in an upper section, since the prices were cheaper and you could still see the action below. But this...this was insane. I could almost touch the players that I had only seen in my dreams. I could almost smell the sweat that poured from their faces as the plays heated up. There were times I could even swear that one of them had locked eyes with me before skating away to finish warm ups. This is exactly where I was meant to be, and nothing could ruin it for me.

The first period was uneventful game wise, but for me, it was the most exciting thing to ever happen. I'm sure Ian got sick of me constantly tapping his arm and pointing out a player, or a hit, or a play. He didn't care in the slightest really. Ian had never been one for hockey. He only sat and watched games when I begged and pleaded. He didn't own a single piece of Penguins merchandise, while it took me ten minutes just to pick out the jersey I would wear (tonight I went with Staal, since it was the newest in my collection). But I loved him all the same for putting up with my obsessive behavior and love of the sport. It meant a lot. Then again, I knew when football season rolled around again I would be practically living at Heinz field, thanks to his season tickets.

At the end of the first, I felt Ian tap me on the shoulder, much like he did anytime he needed my attention. "Honey, I have to go talk business for a few minutes. Will you be alright?"

"Of course I will," I answer. Sometimes Ian had a terrible habit of treating me like a child. He felt, at times, I was incapable of taking care of myself. It was, in fact, untrue. Either way, it was nice having someone to look out for me. Ian stole a kiss before getting up to leave, and I watched him the entire way. My eyes trailed back to the ice for the intermission, and stayed there through the second period. It wasn't until there were only two minutes left that Ian returned.

"Sorry that took so long Savannah, but I was just coming to tell you that I probably won't be back down here until the end of the game. You're more than welcome to come to the box with me if you'd like," Ian offered, sounded genuinely sad about not being able to sit with me.

"Oh no. Go on. I like it here," I reassured him with a grin. He had to know that I was in heaven, and with him in the box talking business over God knows what, I could really enjoy the game. Another kiss before he was gone again and I was left alone in my seat.

Most people would find being alone at a hockey game uncomfortable or awkward. I seemed to love it though. Being alone gave me the chance to strike up conversation with the girl behind me, whose name was Ellie Rose, and whose husband was the one Ian had run off with to talk business. She quickly took Ian's seat next to me and we chatted through the entire game. I came to find out that Ellie knew some of the players personally for various reasons. When it came to charity events, she would often times do the hair and make-up of either the player's wives or the high class socialites that walked through the door. Apparently it was a nice gig, and Ellie loved the rewards she received for helping out. The tickets for tonight's game were such a payment.

The third period wrapped up with the Penguins winning 3-1 with goals by Staal, Kunitz, and Rupp. I couldn't help but notice the sheer happiness on the entire team's face as they all went to pat Fleury's head and go back to the locker room. As I rose, Ellie stayed in her seat. "Aren't you getting ready to go?" I questioned, not sure why she had yet to rise.

"Not yet. Traffic is going to be terrible. Besides, when Louis gets into his little business moods, I don't expect to walk out the door as soon as the game's over," Ellie explained.

So I sat back down. The arena had almost already been cleared out when she finally stood. "Want to go meet some of the team?" She questioned, looking down at me with blue eyes that nobody in their right mind could say no to.

"Sure thing!" I answer, darting up in my seat so fast I almost stumble over into the glass.

-x-

How Ellie could get away with these things, I didn't know. Her personality was just as striking as her looks. On the way towards the elevator to take us down below, she explained that she knew at least two of the trainers for the team, and even had a brief relationship with none other than Max Talbot. She knew CEC like the back of her hand, as well as Pittsburgh in general. She nodded to the guard by the elevator, who smiled back and let her on without question. I couldn't help but admire my new friend. Ellie seemed so...flawless. Perfect, porcelain skin, highlighted hair that complimented her deep blue eyes perfectly. Even dressed in a Malkin jersey and jeans I could tell she turned more heads than even she knew. Ellie was arrogant, that was for sure, but that's what made me like her so. I had never thought of myself in that way. Sure, I'd had my fair share of boyfriends and one night stands, but probably nothing compared to the wild adventures of Ellie Rose. That was the perfect porn star name too, though that thought I should probably keep to myself.

Once down below, Ellie worked her way through the caverns like they were her home. I followed closely behind, not wanting to get lost. All my trust was in the girl who I had just met. Hell, for all I knew she was leading me into some gangbang by an entire hockey team. Granted, that thought was highly farfetched and probably stupid. Still who in their right mind put their trust into a perfect stranger? This was where my mind stopped as we approached a group of players standing at the end of one of the long hallways.

"Hello boys," Ellie chimed in a voice that sounded almost like angels.

"Oh, why hello there Ellie," a voice answered. It wasn't until I looked up did I notice it was coming from Max Talbot himself. Heat rushed to my face, much like it did when I got nervous, "Finally come to see us again? I'm surprised that husband of yours doesn't have you under lock and key." He ran a finger over his hair behind his striking blue eyes landed on me, "And who is this little beauty?"

"Her name is Savannah Quinn. And if you lay a finger on her, I'll break it," Ellie answered with smile. At least now I knew she was out to protect me.

"H...Hi guys," I finally managed to get out as I stepped around Ellie to get a full view of the men in front of us. Jordan Staal, Max Talbot, Pascal Dupuis, Marc-Andre Fleury (with that smile that could stop traffic), and one more. He was partially hidden, though his back was also turned. It seemed he was having some sort of conversation with someone I couldn't see. My eyes trailed back to the group standing around me, not taking in a word that was being said. I was still in awe of this whole experience. My first game at CEC and I was meeting part of the team. I nodded along with the conversation, laughed when it seemed appropriate, and answered the questions thrown my way, though I forgot the answers mere seconds after I spoke. After several minutes, my eyes went back to the man who had his back turned. He was now facing us, and I recognized that face almost quicker than any of the others. Kristopher Letang was looking me right in the eye, sporting that crooked grin that made all the girls melt.

But it was more than just a look. It was more than just eye contact in a narrow hallway. Something in his eyes made me think twice about the look. Those dark brown eyes made my heart jump and my palms sweat. It was a feeling that I didn't know, and wasn't sure I really wanted. It took me several seconds to tear myself away from his gaze, and once I did a smile crept onto my face.