Sticks and Skates [Wayhaught]

Lights Out (A Storm's A-Comin')

Wynonna groaned, looking down at her checklist to see the final two tasks she had to get done before they could lock up the rink for the night. The team's hectic "a game every other day" schedule meant that most days, she'd been cleaning up the aftermath of the rowdy fans from the night before on top of her other responsibilities. Time had become an enigma where her workdays seemed to drag on, yet she found herself amazed at how quickly October flipped over to November, and how November seemed to be melting away even faster.

The weather had changed accordingly, of course, most days looming with the threat of snow and cold, biting winds. There was a particularly large storm expected to roll in overnight, and Wynonna just really wanted to get home before it started.

She entered the laundry room, flipping the Devils' game jerseys over from the washing machine to the dryer, setting a timer on her phone to take them out after they finished. As she exited the room, Wynonna heard someone's voice coming from the training room.

"Well, I do apologize, but there is quite simply nothing I can do..."

She knew that there was only one person around here who spoke like he was a hundred and fifty years old, so she knew it had been Doc, but she was surprised that he was here at all considering the Devils had the day off and anyone who had come in for treatment would've been gone for hours by now.

"You know as well as I do, Mr. Dolls, that when a player sustains an injury, one must take the necessary precautions so as to not exacerbate the problem...I do not care what that old windbag—I say with the utmost respect—says, I cannot permit Miss Boardman out onto the ice in her current condition just because she is playing well...I am happy to speak to Ms. Loblaw herself, but it will have to be here in my office...yes, good day Mr. Dolls, do stay safe from this snow now."

Wynonna chuckled to herself as she ended her eavesdropping, knowing that not even Doc Holliday could be immune to the bitching of Bunny Loblaw. She'd seen Jenna take a hit and come up woozy in the game before last, and knew that Doc had benched the rookie due to her concussion. But she also knew that losing a first line winger was not in Bunny's "win or else" plan, and Doc was caught in the crosshairs.

The team store was her next destination, though she dreaded the task of taking inventory of the team merchandise—that was more Waverly's area of expertise. She heard her sister's laughter, growing louder as she approached the store and knew that Waverly wasn't alone.

"Oh my god! Nicole!" she heard Waverly say through a giggle.

As she entered the room, Wynonna saw them snap away from each other and stand awkwardly, trying to look normal, guilty eyes giving the two away. Hmm. Weird.

"What're you guys doing in here?" She asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"Well, uh—" Nicole started, lost for words, and the two spluttered. "Yes," Waverly added as though Nicole had explained their way out of the situation.

"Right, okay. Well, I'm supposed to do inventory so if you guys could get out, that'd be great."

"Or..." Waverly looked at Nicole before proposing, "we could do it for you."

"Sounds good to me." If Waverly were waiting for her to refuse the offer, she clearly didn't know her sister very well. She turned to the door, ready to walk out, when her suspicion got the better of her. "Wait a minute," she spun on her heel, "Why were you so quick to offer that?"

"Maybe so it'll actually get done right." Nicole deadpanned, finding her words rather quickly this time.

"Maybe so it'll get done right." She mocked, like a child, sticking her tongue out at the redhead (also like a child).