Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(59) Broken

Sophia

The Florida Panthers come to town to take on the red hot Blackhawks. This team was on a good run and it was good to see them clicking like this. With football being behind me I like that I was able to focus on this sport and this team. And they give me a lot of good things to talk about. It's never a dull day in the city.

Today was also a special day, for it's been exactly a year since Patrick and I met in that bar. So much has changed since then. I have a purpose, I have a family that I don't totally ignore, I have friends. Without even realizing it this man had changed my life for the better. I wanted to do something nice for him and show him how much he means to me.

So I go over to his place before the game and give him a little present. This whole mindset about guys not getting gifts was always beyond me. I like to spoil my friends and he was no different. I got him a new laptop because his bit the dust and now we could still Skype whenever we were away. And he can catch up on some Netflix shows while he's at it. Plus I got him some new shoes since he always complains about the ones he wears. Just a little something to make his life easier and thank him for being the best thing to ever happen to me.

"This is so sweet" he says as he tears up.

"You grew on me" I smirk as I make him chuckle.

"I actually got you something too. Sit tight" he says as he hops off the couch. He goes into his room for a few seconds before coming back out. This time with a bag in his hand before setting it next to me.

He got me a bunch of things for Olaf and the absolute cutest photo album of our time together. He put them all in order by date and left room for our next adventures. We had the allstar game and our trip to Australia and some more concerts. It was actually the sweetest thing ever and I was obsessed with it. We had so many memories together and this was just the beginning.

I let him go because he's a creature of habit and he had a game to get ready for. So I shower and change before going in for hair and makeup. I do the pre game show and get hype to watch the team play tonight. I watch warm ups with the biggest smile on my face. Patrick always seemed to find me when he was out there and sends me a wave. I happily wave back like a giddy high school girl watching her boyfriend play football.

The first period starts and like always my eyes find Patrick every moment he's on the ice. I couldn't help it, he was a superstar among superstars out there. No one played quite like he did.

And all of the sudden the smile runs from my face like a little boy from his life long bully. I watch as Patrick gets pushed awkwardly into the boards during a puck battle. Immediately he goes down to the ice and I gasp. Pat doesn't take hits like that, he usually avoids them thanks to his skill and heightened awareness. But almost as soon as he hits the ice the whistle is blown and play stops. Jonny and a trainer go out to help him up but he couldn't even lift his arm. The stadium went silent, like it could have been empty silent. He was the last person this team could afford to loose. He was leading the league in points and playing the best hockey of his career. There was still so much hockey to be played and no one wanted to lose him.

But my concern wasn't with the Blackhawks or this game, but it was with the man who had stolen my heart. I know how hard he works every day just for this game to be unfair to him. All he wanted to do was play, make his family proud and give people a reason to get up out of their seat. And now everyone was on their feet trying to see where the fire of this franchise was going to go.

As soon as they leave the ice they rush past the bench and down the tunnel, I knew it was bad. I felt my heart wrench as my eyes get glassy. Still no one said much as the stick taps sound. This game couldn't afford to lose someone like him. I couldn't afford to lose him either.

After much convincing they let me down there to see him. It took a while to be evaluated but eventually I see him come out of the training room. He was out of his jersey with ice across his collar bone. His arm tied to his side and in nothing but his spandex and a pair of shorts.

"Pat" I whisper causing him to turn around. As soon as he saw me down there he moves to where I am. I try to choke back tears but I knew this was bad.

"Posey what are you doing down here" he says softly as he grabs my arm with his good hand. He pulls me into him close enough that I could feel the ice in my skin.

"I- wanted to see you. I had to see if you're okay" I sniffle.

"I'm gonna be okay. I have to go to the hospital but I'm in good hands. They'll take care of me" he promises.

"I want to come with" I insist.

"Sophia you're working" he reminds me.

"I know. But... but it's our anniversary" I try as he laughs dryly.

"Nice try. Stay here with the team and if I'm still in the hospital once the game is over I'll text you which one. Then you can stay with me for as long as you would like. Until then they need you here. I need you here watching over my team for me" he tries.

"Okay" I say barley above a whisper.

He places a soft kiss on my forehead letting his lips linger. Finally he breaks apart and I look up into his eyes. "Stay safe" I beg.

"I will" he says.

I reluctantly let him go and head back to the media room. I pull myself together and finish the game like he asked. It felt like the longest game of my life as I wait for it to finish. The Hawks win and in the interviews everyone agrees this incident wasn't with malicious intent. It was a accident and it wasn't meant to happen. It sucks it did, and to Patrick out of everyone. But there's nothing we can do now but hold our breaths.

As soon as I have the okay to go I get to the hospital. I find Patrick drugged up and all bandaged as they continue to monitor him.

"It's bad isn't it" I ask as I walk into the room.

"Yeah. Doctors don't think I'm gonna make it" he smirks.

"Not funny" I whine. 

"I'm sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood" he claims.

"I just want to know that you're going to be okay" I beg.

"It a broken collar bone. I have surgery tomorrow morning and start therapy not too long after. They say I'll be out three months but it think I'll be back on the ice there sooner than that" he claims.

"You can't cheat this Patrick. Your body won't allow it" I insist.

"I'll be okay" he tries.

"Okay people don't win Stanley cups. So don't push yourself" I say.

"I know. I just... I finally got the love for the game back. I don't want to lose it" he argues.

I grab his good hand before giving it a squeeze. "You'll always have a love for it even thought it's knocked you down. Your teams going to need you but they're going to need you at 100%. So take your time, heal, and when the time comes I'll be cheering you back on the ice again" I assure him.

"Don't leave me" he begs as he squeezes my hands back.

"I won't leave Pat. I'm by your side until the end. We're gonna get through this, I promise" I smile.