The Wait Is Over

New Beginnings

The post-game celebration at Sam and Abby's is a good mix of Breakers and Red Stars. Vanessa and Sofia have come at the insistence of Kristie, knowing that for them to get league-wide support like her and Steph get and Morgan and Kelley are getting, they need to be seen together as a couple. Megan's here, as is Steph Labbe. Rose has shown up, along with Meagan and Patrick.

Steph M.: Kristie, look at Steph. When we met this morning, she was really chipper. Now she looks like a wounded animal.

Kristie: She takes losses badly, or ties where she KNOWS she's at fault for the result because it feels to her like a loss.

Steph M.: That's pretty rough, to always beat yourself up like that when things don't go right. Maybe keep an eye on her so she doesn't go too deep into the tank.

Kristie: Will do, and thanks for caring about her. She's a good person deep down, even if she can scare the hell out of you at 30 paces.

Kristie goes to check on her former goalkeeper.

Kristie: I know you don't want to hear it from me since I WAS the goalscorer, but don't beat yourself up on giving up that goal. You didn't play the second half against us in Orlando, and I hadn't yet learned how Vanessa's balls flatten out when they lose steam.

Steph L.: Thanks, bud. We had been doing so much better with this makeshift defense of ours that I expected it to hold tight against you guys.

Kristie: Sam told Steph Yang in the post-game interview that with us having all the offensive weapons we do, playing us is a tough task for your squad, made more so by not having Abby at the moment.

Steph L.: True. The new kid, Meagan, she did alright for her first extended action with the team. I think she'll be kept when Abby is activated. We might deal someone for a pick or just release a player who is underperforming.

Kristie: Do you know if she's on a standard or two-way contract?

Steph L.: Would guess standard since John doesn't really like to keep talent around that he's not planning to use.

Kristie: Things better on the personal front?

Steph L.: It's complicated. I am starting to fall for someone that I can't have, and I have another person trying to get my attention but who I don't see as anything more than a placeholder until I can get with who I want.

Kristie: Careful with the booze, girl. Life can't be lived from the bottom of a bottle.

Steph L.: I'm still in control, Kristie.

Kristie: Ok, just checking.

Rose comes over and sits down next to the hulking goalkeeper.

Rose: Sorry we weren't able to keep the clean sheet for you. I should have been following Kristie closer so Meagan wouldn't have had to make the judgment call on that ball.

Steph L.: I think there's enough blame to go around. I let up on the ball as well, thinking it was going out.

Rose is wondering how she wants to phrase this, since she's a newbie in picking up women.

Rose: I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner together on Friday night after we get to DC.

Steph L.: Are you asking me out?

Rose: I guess I am. I think you're sort of hot in that "been there, done that, have the scars to prove it" way. Older women intrigue me.

Steph L.: I should be up-front with you. I just got out of a long-term relationship recently and am not looking at the present time for anything committed.