Home.

Being back in a clinical setting rather than a hospital had become more of an adjustment than Mollie ever imagined. While in the hospital Mollie barely had time to sit and rest her feet for a minute, she ate meals at record speed, and slept odd hours when and wherever she could. But now, she had a receptionist who scheduled her days and today happened to be a very slow one.

As she sat in her office twiddling her thumbs waiting for one of her last scheduled patients a red light popped up on Mollie's desk phone signaling a call from the front desk. She picked up the black phone and tucked it between her chin and her shoulder, "Hey Kara,"

"Hey Dr. Holden, you have a gentleman up front that would like to see you."

Mollie made a face to herself, "Is it a drug rep?"

"No, but if it's okay I'd like to send him back there's a lot of attention being drawn by his appearance."

The woman shook her head with a laugh, "Yes, you can send Sidney back."

Mollie placed the phone back on her desk and checked her reflection in the screen of her computer. Her hair was in a polished knot on top of her head, she had a pale pink blouse on, black pants, and a lab coat draped across her shoulders. She tapped the toe of her blush heel on the floor waiting for there to be a knock at the door.

When it came she sat up straighter, "Come in."

As she assumed Sidney's head popped through the doorway he smiled as they made eye contact. It had been almost 2 weeks since their impromptu trip down memory lane and Sid had spent most of it on the road. On his first full day back in Pittsburgh he had decided to pay his favorite pediatrician a visit, "Hey Mols."

Mollie stood up as he let himself further into her office for the first time, she met him at the corner of her desk wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He hugged her tight and rested his chin on her shoulder as they stood there in silence. Counting the hug they'd shared just before Sidney left Mollie's apartment that night and the awkward one during their first reunion this was only the third embrace they had shared in years.

"How was your trip?" Mollie asked turning her cheek against Sidney's chest to look up at him through her eyelashes.

"Long, but good. Productive, guys feel good I like our odds at the division."

Turning once more she pushed her chin in to his chest to fully admire his presence, "And you?"

"Couple goals, handful of assists," Sidney shrugged.

Mollie pulled back from the embrace, "To what do I owe this surprise?"

With no pause and in typical Sidney fashion he blurted out, "I missed you."

Mollie rolled her lips around fighting the smile that was trying to come out, she didn’t want to admit it but she had kind of missed him as too. "Well then, I'm glad you're home."

"I also came by for a reason." Mollie nodded her head as she sat in her chair gesturing to the two seats across from her desk. Sidney however chose to move a stack of papers and sat on the edge of the desk just inches from Mollie.

"And that would be?"

"What are you doing tonight around 6?" Mollie's eyes tightened in the center as she thought, was he seriously asking her out to their first "date" with only 4 hours notice?

"Sitting at home as usual. Why?"

"Well tonight is the Christmas Party, and I forgot about it until practice this morning. So I thought maybe if you went with me it'd be a little more bearable."

Mollie let out a little laugh, "You're the Captain and you forgot?"

Sidney shrugged, "Been kind of preoccupied lately, so how about it?"

The Penguin's Christmas Party was always a blast and Mollie had enjoyed the handful she'd been to over the years. But she wondered if it was really her place, to come storming back into the "family" during one of he biggest events of the season. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Everyone else is going to have their families with them and you're the closest thing I have to family here. So yeah, I think it's a great idea."

Mollie subconsciously made a face to which Sidney responded with a bat of those damn caramel colored eyes, "Come on Mol, think of the children. They all love you."

Where were Trina and Troy when you need them? Mollie huffed and gave into one of Sidney's classic guilt trips, "Okay fine, six o'clock?"

"I'll pick you up, umm, do you need skates?"
She shook her head, "No, I still have the old pair you got me."

Sidney smiled down at her from his perch atop the desk, "So is this what you do nowadays?"

"Hardly, this is a slow one I've only seen 10 kids today."

"10 is slow?" The man questioned his eyes taking in the white walled room noticing Mollie's diplomas framed on the wall behind her desk and a photo of her in front of John's Hopkins Hospital hung below them.

The doctor shrugged, "In and out y'know, gotta keep it moving, well usually."

Sidney hopped down off the desk taking in the shelf to his right where more picture frames sat amongst medical journals, textbooks, prescription pads, and pamphlets on diseases and disorders he'd never even heard of.

In front of the bookshelf Sidney tucked one hand into his front pocket the other reaching out for a frame that held a photo of he and Mollie's family on the day of her undergrad graduation. They were all sweaty from sitting outside in the hot May sun for hours on end but all 5 of them were smiling ear to ear, so proud of Mollie and excited for her future. Sidney joked with her as he turned back towards the girl at the desk, "Nice to see I made it to the office."

"It's my favorite one from that day, but you're also over here if you're counting." She nodded her head towards the frame of she and Sidney standing on bright green grass of the Augusta golf course in Georgia the day she had become and NCAA Division 1 Golf champion. Mollie was wearing her Penn State golf skirt and a too big for her NCAA champion shirt holding her new trophy with Sidney's arm around her shoulder and a huge proud cheesy grin on his face.

"Aww, look at my little champion." Sidney cooed and Mollie rolled her eyes, she'd won that title just a few weeks before the 2008-2009 NHL season kicked off and Mollie had no idea Sid was even going to be there. He'd met her at the 18th hole with a bouquet of sunflowers in hand after a bogey wrapped up her #1 spot.

"It was a good year for us."

She'd become a national champion while he became the youngest captain to ever win a Stanley Cup. They were on top of the world and their friendship was blossoming into more slowly but surely. "Oh yeah, so are you expecting anymore patients today or are you just hanging out in here all day?"

"Two more," she checked the time piece on her left wrist, "first is due in about 15 minutes."

"And after they're gone?" Sidney asked standing behind her half leaning on the desk with an eye quirked up.

Mollie tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she stared him down, "I'll chart, check for loose ends, and then I'll head home. Why so inquisitive, Crosby?"

"Just trying to decide if we're doing dinner before or after."

Mollie chuckled, "So you're making plans without my input?"

"I hear the ladies like when you have things planned out for them."

This time Mollie practically snorted, "Sid, you just asked me out with four hours notice. That's hardly planning things out."

Taking a big move Sidney reached out placing both of his hands on Mollie's hips bringing her closer to him. Her throat hitched as their knees knocked together, "Trying to be spontaneous, we're being fun these days."

"Is that so?" Mollie asked with a grin.

"So before or after?" Wrapping her arms around her neck Mollie contemplated, they'd have just an hour if they did before assuming she got out of the office at 4 as planned. So she twisted her mouth around before telling him, "After, you know I don’t like to be rushed."

Sidney nodded acknowledging her decision his eyes never leaving her gaze. Mollie broke the stare down flicking her eyes down to look at Sidney's lips, full as usual and tempting as ever. Her head and her heart were arguing whether she should lean down and see if the fire was still there but the red light on her desk phone caught her eye before she could pick a side. Leaning around him Mollie reached for the phone, "Sorry, I have to get this."

She pushed the speaker button and stepped back as she spoke to Kara, "This is Dr. Holden?

"Hey sorry to bother you but the Butler's are early I didn’t know if you'd want to get them in so we can get out of here faster or?"

Mollie looked at Sid who nodded quickly, "Yeah that's perfect, go ahead and put them in a room I’ll be there after Sarah gets them triaged."

Placing the phone back on the dock Mollie stepped further away from Sidney straightening her blouse and lab coat. She watched him carefully as he pushed himself up off of the desk and reached for his keys inside his pocket. "Time to get back to work, doc."

"Guess so, I'll walk you out." Mollie motioned towards the door and allowed Sidney to go first only stopping to grab her bright pink stethoscope from the hook by the door on their way out.

At the front desk shielded by a door Sidney gave Mollie a light hug, quickly pressing his lips to the crown of her head. Mollie smiled at the familiar feeling, it was his signature show of affection for her, "I'll see you around 5?"

"Sounds good," Mollie opened the door slowly, "Walk fast I don’t need your groupies crowding my hood."

Sidney rolled his eyes as he slipped out the door and Mollie with a grin on her face watched him pull the hood of his sweatshirt over his head as he left. Closing the door Mollie jumped when she found her personal nurse, Sarah standing behind her clutching her iPad to her chest with a dorky smirk on her lips. "So, that's a thing again?"

"Uhhh," Mollie stalled as Sarah was the only person in the office that was familiar with the tales of Mollie and Sid as she had attended Penn State with Mollie all those years ago.

"I'll take that as a yes, Ellie Butler is in room three, Dr. Holden." Sarah gave Mollie a wink then walked away leaving Mollie to snap back into doctor mode as she meandered down the hallway to door number three.

Almost four hours later Mollie was changed into stretchy black jeans, an olive green button down, a black coat over top of it all, with combat boots, and a black beanie was pulled over her wavy hair. The old Reebok bag that contained her skates sat on the kitchen counter waiting for Sid to pick her up.

Mollie scrolled through emails passing time the nerdy way as she had gone social media free since she'd finished her undergrad. She was perusing a LuLu Lemon ad when she heard a knock at the door, "Come in, it's open."

The heavy door pushed open and thankfully it was Sidney who walked into the living room, "Do you just let everyone in like that?"

"No, I figured it was you. You used the passcode to get into the building I think you're far from a burglar."

"Whatever you say." Sidney nodded towards the black bag as he approached, "You ready to go?"

"Yep. But first you have to promise not to laugh at me if I fall, I'm probably a little rusty."

Holding out his pinkie finger Sid smiled, "I promise."

"Good," Mollie hooked her littlest finger with his, "Now lets go, the Captain can't be late."

As Sidney's Range Rover drove into the player's underground parking lot Mollie took an inventory of the cars in the lot. She didn’t recognize any of them and the lack of cars at all really threw her off. Maybe they were just really early? After checking her reflection one last time she climbed out of the car meeting Sid by the trunk where he was grabbing their skate bags. He slammed the back of the vehicle shut and turned to Mollie who reached out for her own bag. Sidney shook his head slinging the bags over his shoulder, "I've got it."

"Okay, then." Mollie bounced on her heels taking a step forward, she made it a few inches away from Sidney before he grabbed her hand lacing her fingers with his own. His thumb grazed over her knuckles as they walked their conjoined hands swinging with each step, the closer they got to the entrance Mollie couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy.

An arena attendant met them at the door wearing a bright yellow blazer holding the door open for the duo the man tipped his head at Sidney, "Good evening, Captain. Nice to see you again, Miss Holden."

"Hello, Pete, thank you." Sidney smiled at the man and Mollie did the same the muscles of her stomach tightening at the feeling of being just "the captain's girl" again.

Allowing Sidney to lead her through the depths of the arena Mollie noticed that the building was still and eerily quiet; no voices, no music, no skates on ice, nothing. As they got closer to the door that would let them out onto the bench Mollie was certain something was up, the arena was too quiet and too dark to be having a party. Fed up she stopped walking, "Sidney what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"
She gave him a face placing a hand on her hip, "There's no one here, Sid. It's dark, it's quiet, the Christmas party isn't today is it?"
Unfazed by Mollie trying to act tough and stern Sidney smirked knowing that he was caught, "No, it was a few weeks ago actually."

"So you lied to me?"

"A little?" Sidney began walking and Mollie who wasn’t finished having this conversation followed after him as he stepped out into the arena throwing the bags down before turning back towards Mollie. "But I just really wanted to get you here, down here."

Mollie took a deep breath and looked around; all the seats were empty, the ice was clear, the lights were bright, there was no one around but she and Sidney. Hit with a sudden burst of déjà vu Mollie gnawed on her bottom lip, "Where it all began."

"So you remember?" Sidney smirked his hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans.

"Of course, how could I forget the first date we went on that was actually our idea?" She walked forward leaning against the boards scanning the ice up close, the lights making the smooth surface shiny and perfect.

"Are you mad?" She could feel his presence close to her now and Mollie rolled her green eyes. How could she be mad at him for trying to surprise her?

"No, but you could have just asked if I wanted to go skating with you." She turned towards him and he shrugged, "This was more fun." Sidney then gestured towards the ice with a tip of his head, "What do you say we get out there?"

"Still promise not to laugh?" He nodded and Mollie moved around him to sit on the bench, she leaned down to untie her combat boots as the man nearly double her size knelt in front of her opening the old skate bag pulling out two Reebok skates that mimicked his own.

In only her socks Mollie wiggled her toes, Sid took that as a sign she was ready and snatched one of her legs by the ankle tucking her foot into the skate in a swift swoop. "Y'know, I'm capable of putting on my own skates."

"Leave it to the professional, Mol."

Unable to contest to that Mollie sat back and allowed him to put on her skates, she watched him tug at the laces as he'd done his own thousands of times before. When he was done he slapped his hands down on her toes, "Perfect."

Mollie spun around as Sidney began to put on his own skates, she straddled the bench watching his fingers move with years of muscle memory. His hands were large, and she knew the bottoms were rough with callous, the way his fingers tugged and pulled the laces was mesmerizing. Sidney laced his own skates much faster than he'd done hers and rose off the bench in just a few minutes. He stood up towering above her, then extended a hand towards Mollie, "Let's see if you've still got it, squirt."

"It's like riding a bike, right?" Mollie asked sliding her hand into his wobbling a bit as she stood on the blades.

Sidney shrugged, "Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself."

Mollie left her hand in Sidney's taking baby steps to the open door that lead to the ice, expertly Sid stepped onto the frozen surface turning backwards to ensure that Mollie was alright. Slowly she placed one foot at a time on the rink exhaling a slow stream of air once she stood solely on the ice. Still holding onto his hand Mollie looked up into Sidney's eyes, "Alright, I'm out here."

"Good, now get moving." It was the Captain voice and Mollie rolled her eyes taking everything she had to push off with her right foot. The left followed after as she inched away from the man to her left, their fingers stayed laced as Sidney tried his hardest to skate at Mollie's snail pace. Just as she'd hoped after a few small strides Mollie's comfort on the ice returned. Her legs were solid beneath her as she picked up the pace closing in on a full lap of the rink. "I think I've got it now."

"Is that your way of telling me to let go of your hand?" Sid asked swinging their conjoined arms.

Mollie shook her head side to side, her cheeks warm despite the cold air coming off the surface of the ice. "No."

"Good." He tightened his grip on her hand picking up their pace as they maneuvered around the glossy surface. Their feet moved in sync gliding in the silence of the arena, as Sid looked around Mollie looked over at him out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, his hair was gelled and spiked perfectly, and his lips were parted as he took in the sight of the empty arena. The man was beautiful and Mollie blushed as Sidney caught her staring, "Can I help you?"

She shook her head side to side, "Nope."

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to stare?"

"She did, but I think there was something about it being okay if there was a cute boy involved." Mollie winked at him as she spoke. Sidney as he always did when Mollie or anyone for that matter complimented his looks, rolled his eyes. "It's true, Crosby, you can ask my mother."

"I'll be sure to ask Renee next time I see her."

The doctor nodded as they continued to glide at a leisurely pace, "Which should be next month at the hospital gala."

"Ugh, the gala." Sidney mocked annoyance clear as day in his voice.

"Oh come on, it's not that bad." Mollie chimed in but she knew to him it was as painful as hitting his head against a brick wall. "At least I'll be there this time."

That made him smile just a bit a small twitch of his lips as he thought of Mollie in a beautiful dress, that view could make just about anything better. "That makes it a little better, I guess."

Digging his skates into the ice Sidney stopped the pair from gliding wrapping an arm around Mollie's waist to keep her with him. She stumbled coming to a halt her feet on either side of Sidney's, "A little warning next time."

He chuckled, his grip tightened on her thin shirt and Mollie could feel the heat radiating off of Sidney's hands on her skin. It sent a shiver down her spine.

Towering over her as usual he kept his eyes on Mollie, his gaze tracing from the crown of her forehead a place he'd kissed millions of times to her rosy cheeks, down to her nose, then over to the little freckle above her mouth, and finally to her lips. They were painted light pink and Sidney couldn’t help but wonder if they were still pillow soft and if they'd slot between his perfectly.

"Sidney?" Mollie's voice brought his eyes back up to hers which were wide with question. She giggled as he tried to play off that he'd been staring at her for such a long time. He blushed when she asked him, "Are you going to kiss me or are we just going to stand here all night?"

Mollie was always impatient and Sidney was always too timid to act on an impulse. But kissing her was something he'd never had to be told to do before. He had always just done it, in his own time.

The man smirked giving her his lopsided grin, "I think I'd like to just stand here, it's a nice view."

Mollie couldn’t disagree with that statement, the arena was a work of art on in its own , and she would never pass up an opportunity to admire Sidney's own beauty. His cheekbones made her envious, the slope of his jawline was one she could run her fingers down for hours, and his eyes were dark but welcoming, they were safe and she had secretly hoped they'd be passed onto their children many moons ago.

But they were both just stalling.

Putting off doing what they'd both been hoping, praying, dreaming of for years now.

Out of fear of being let down.

What if it wasn't there anymore, what if the spark had died?

They'd never know unless they tried.

Taking her hands off of Sid's forearms Mollie slid them up the length of his arms until they rested behind his neck. She laced her fingers and pulled down until he understood what she was trying to get him to do. With Mollie pushing up as much as she could in her skates they met in the middle, she took one final breath, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

With the touch of their lips it was like they both went into autopilot, they knew exactly what to do, how to move, and where the other was at all times. They'd probably kissed a thousand times before and it was clear as they did it once more for the first time in two years.

Mollie gasped as she was pulled in closer her feet moving without her control, her body was being held up my Sidney's arms and she was totally okay with it. Their lips were moving faster now like they'd never tasted anything sweeter in either of their lives. Mollie's head was spinning when she finally had to pull away, a combination of the lack of oxygen and shock of how much she had missed kissing him.

Still holding Mollie upright Sidney watched as she moved her hand down from his bicep to cover her mouth, he wondered if she felt like her lips were buzzing too. Uncovering her mouth she smiled and let out and winded, "Wow."

Sidney agreed, "That was, uhh, something."

Moving her mouth around trying to regain the feeling in her numb and most likely swelling lips Mollie nodded her head, "I think it's safe to say we've still got it."

"Was that ever even a question?" Sidney countered and Mollie shrugged, maybe she was the only one who was afraid the spark had been lost over time. Placing her hands on top of Sid's she laced their fingers back together distancing them just a bit. "I hoped not, but part of me was concerned."

Pushing back with one of his feet Sidney began to glide on the ice once more pulling Mollie along as he went. He skated backwards with ease while Mollie concentrated on moving her feet in sync with Sidney. She giggled as she stumbled to stay in stride, the sweet sound of her laugh turned Sidney's lips upwards.

Not paying attention to how far they'd come his backside collided with the boards on the opposite end of the rink with a thud. Mollie who had been coming at the same pace tried to stop herself but was unable, she found herself smashed against Sidney chest to chest both of them breathing heavy through fits of laughter. "Watch where you're going, Captain."

"Sorry, I was a bit distracted."

Mollie rolled her eyes as she straightened herself up, "I think that's two for boarding, 87."

"You pushed me, so that's a penalty on you Holden."

Shaking her head Mollie skated off the wall, "Oh please, you were pulling me!"

"Where are you going?" Sidney yelled as she moved across the rink towards center ice.

Mollie stopped at the faceoff circle and began spinning around in a circle a few times, she giggled as she tried to remember the things she'd learned as a kid taking figure skating lessons. She wasn't very good at it but her mother was adamant that she keep trying.

So she did until she was eleven and discovered that the golf course was her actual calling.

When Mollie felt dizzy from all the twirling she slowly tried to stop herself by digging the blade of her skate into the ice. As the snow shower shot off the side of her skate Mollie smiled to herself, icing was her favorite part of wearing knife shoes.

The sound of clapping brought her attention back to where Sidney was standing, he had remained leaning up against the boards across the rink. "Bravo."

Mollie gave him a mocking curtsey before skating off towards him, "So Crosby, I believe I was promised dinner."

Checking his watch Sidney saw that they had almost used up their hour of ice time, "Well, if you're ready I'm ready."

Back on the bench Sidney allowed Mollie to take off her own skates, when her feet were loose from the tight confines she wiggled her toes around before stuffing them back into her combat boots. She then tossed the wet skates into their bag and zipped it up tight, looking up at Sidney he smiled at her as he continued to take off his skates. The way he worked Mollie was sure it was one of his weird ticks and he had to do it in order or else the world would stop turning.

With their fingers laced on the center console of Sidney's SUV the pair drove further into the city of Pittsburgh. In the dark night's sky the town was lit up in red, green, and signature Pittsburgh gold all to celebrate Christmas and New Years. Soaking in the sights Mollie gazed out the window as Sid drove, her only reminder that he was present was the slow movement of his thumb across her knuckles.

Arriving at the restaurant Mollie turned her attention back to him, he smiled at her both in awe of all that the evening had already brought them. "You ready?"

Mollie nodded reaching for the door handle letting herself out before Sidney could get around to do it for her. At the front of the vehicle she settled under Sidney's outstretched arm, he lead them to the front of the building, an old-style pizzeria that Mollie had introduced him to so long ago. Pulling open the door Sidney asked her, "Is this okay?"

Looking up at him Mollie nodded trying not to smile too big, "It's perfect."

Inside the old brick building the duo slid into a booth near the back, the lights were dim and the glow behind Sidney's head came from the large pizza oven in the open kitchen. The air smelled of warmth from the flame and a hint of garlic, it was a familiar scent to Mollie who hummed as she breathed it all in.

As the two stared at one another an older woman appeared at their table wearing a black apron with her grey hair pinned up neatly. "Well, I don't believe my eyes."

Mollie's mouth opened but nothing came out as she realized that the woman was the wife of the restaurants owner, Patty who had taken care of Mollie and Sid many a time.

"It's nice to see you again, Patty." Sidney smiled at the woman as she tapped her hand on Mollie's.

"And you two as well, you look beautiful as ever Miss Mollie."

"Thank you," Mollie blushed looking from the woman to Sidney.

"So what can I get for you two, the usual?"

Sidney nodded, "I'm good with that? Molls?"

The woman agreed and off Patty went, she was gone for less than a minute before Mollie heard her yelling to who she assumed was her husband, Jack. "You'll never guess who just walked in! The Holden girl and Sidney, oh where's that good bottle of wine?"

Mollie giggled as she looked around the restaurant, nothing had changed in the years since she'd last dined there. "I guess it's been a while since we've both been here?"

"I refused to eat here without you, it felt wrong." Sidney admitted watching as Mollie sucked in her lips.

"Y'know you didn’t have to do that? It's your favorite pizza too." Before he could speak Patty returned with two glasses and a bottle of wine.

"Well kids, I'm not sure what you two are up to but I had an inkling that this was a special occasion. So, the wine is on us. And Jack will be out with your pizza soon." She spoke with a wink as she placed the items on the table.

"Thank you, Patty. You didn’t have to do that." Mollie told her as the woman waved her hand. "Oh honey, it's nothing. Consider it a welcome back, Merry Christmas, date night gift."

There was no arguing with her so Mollie poured two glasses of red sliding one across the table to Sidney, "You have to have a glass, Patty's orders, Captain."

The man lifted his cup off the table then over towards Mollie, "To us, Molls, to whatever this is."

"To us, and to starting over where it all began."

It was hours later that the two wound up on outside Mollie's apartment door. They had drank the bottle of wine dry, ate pizza, and laughed like the young adults they had been the last time they had dined there together. Everything felt right, Mollie's head was light as Sidney drove them home, her heart danced in her chest as he walked her to her door, and she couldn’t stop smiling as she leaned against the hardwood door staring up at him.

"So, how off is your game going to be tomorrow since I made you drink?" Mollie teased as she batted her lashes.

"I think that somehow I'll be okay, but only if a certain someone will be in attendance?"

Mollie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Hmm, I'm not sure who that would be."

Thumb under her chin Sidney locked eyes with her, "You. I need you to be there and everything will be just fine."

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Squid." Still holding her chin Sidney dipped down, and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was full of lingering red wine and déjà vu, but neither of then cared much. This night had been a long time coming, one they would both remember forever.

Parting pressed one last quick kiss to Sidney's scruffy cheek, "Goodnight, Sid."