)Not the most accurate title, but what the hey. :) Enjoy! )

Monday, January 16

It was less of a yappy practice Monday afternoon, with Damien Nathaniel (Hyena, SF, WIL) excused from the day’s drills. During the game against the Santa Fe Whips the previous night, Nathaniel reported to Coach Roosevelt (Raccoon) during the second quarter that he was achey all over and feeling quite ill. Roosevelt asked the young hyena if he felt he could continue and Damien said he’d try and tough it out.

Nathaniel put up an inspired stand against his old teammate Liam Orwell (Yellow Labrador, SF, SFW) in the second half. But, it was evident to the other players that Nathaniel was sick. As soon as the final horn sounded, the hyena groaned his way to the locker room and spent a good bit of time retching in the restroom stalls.

Damien knew he’d miss the Albany game, but he hoped to recover in time for the road trip to Tallahassee.

Vera La Tiérra (Red Vixen, PG, WIL) nodded as she was speaking to Tina McCall (Fennec Fox, PG, WIL) as the girls were coming out of the ladies’ locker room. Most everyone else had gone home for the day, save them and a couple others, including Leonard Mack (Fox, PF, WIL). The girls were dressed warmly, as the January temperatures in the forties, with some siwrling winds accompanying them.

“It’s very nice of jou to go over to Damien’s house to make him some chicken soup,” the vixen said. Tina nodded and smiled.

“It’s the least I can do. I know you can’t do it, ‘cause you have a previous engagement,” she said. Vera nodded and glanced back over at Leonard Mack and winked at him as she left. The fox, dressed in a sweater, jeans and his Minutemen wool cap himself, smiled warmly and watched Vera as she left. He swore she swung her hips a little bit, her tail flicking.

“I take it you’re not admiring the picture of Zak Pejovic (Red Fox, F/C, WIL) out in the hall,” said a voice. Leonard gulped and looked down at his shorter teammate Wiley Twaddle (Woodchuck, SG, WIL). The woodchuck, dressed in a red sweater, jeans and Minutemen jacket, grinned up at his teammate.

“Uh, of course not...” Mack replied, his cheeks turning red.

Twaddle grinned wider. “You’re really falling for her, aren’t you?”

Mack scratched the back of his head, the blush still on his face. “Yeah. I guess there’s really no point in hiding it..” he said sheepishly.

“Is it love?” Twaddle pried.

Leonard mumbled a little bit, but Twaddle could see his cheeks get redder.

“...she’s coming over, we’re going to watch Bounce Pass, that basketball romantic comedy,” the fox admitted.

“Sounds fun,” Twaddle said, elbowing Mack in the ribs playfully.

Mack chuckled, but then frowned.

“Wiley, please don’t tell anyone. I'd like to keep this under wraps," he said. Twaddle nodded and smiled.

“Hey, it’s all right, Leonard. I can keep a secret. There’s nothing more precious then good ol’ American romance,” he said. Mack nodded nervously, but smiled back. He felt that way too. His love for Vera was precious.

And he was going to tell her tonight.

* * *

Vera and Leonard sat in Mack’s living room with the lights dimmed. Their dinner of Mei Shing Express takeout was quite filling, and the movie was cute entertainment. It was a romantic comedy about die-hard Albany Alphas fan Kevin Marsden (grey cat) who falls in love with retail store sales representative Allison Rayburn (leopard) and, despite Kevin having to choose between his fandom and love at one point, the two end up coming together around the Alphas’ pursuit of the championship. The movie featured real game footage with Carl Esteban (Jaguar, SF, ALB) and Lenny Hicks (Coydog, PF, ALB) making appearances. The two foxes were amused at how much younger Hicks looked in the movie.

During a lull in the action, Leonard cleared his throat and looked over to Vera, who was looking at the screen.

“Vera, I... I want to tell you something...” he started. Unfortunately, he was starting to get a lump in his throat.

"Tt's your moment! You can do it!" his conscience said.

“Um... you see... Vera, I... I … I-mmmmph?”

Vera planted a kiss on Leonard’s muzzle and smiled at him.

“Te amo también, zorro tonto. Vemos la película, ¿sí?” she said.

“Uh huh, sí...” Leonard said quietly. Vera took Leonard’s left arm gently and rested her head on his shoulder as she watched the movie.

Leonard watched too, but his mind wasn’t there.

He registered the Alphas celebrating their long-sought title, recognizing Carl and Lenny in the pile of players, as that shot was shown from the FSPN televsion coverage.

But his mind and heart were focused on the vixen snuggled beside him.

He was thinking of all the attention she paid to him.

All the times she hugged him.

All the times she kissed him on the cheek.

Her teasing him with her beauty.

“I love you too, silly fox,” she had said.

She had come to love him too. It all really meant something after all!

The next thing Leonard remembered was escorting Vera to the door.

“Buenas noches a ti, Leonard Mack,” she said.

“Buenas noches, Vera La Tiérra,” Leonard replied, trying to display that he understood. Vera’s giggle indicated that it was satisfactory. He looked into her beautiful gray eyes and she into his yellow ones. The two hugged and closed their eyes as their lips met.

It would forever be a good night for the two of them.

* * *

Vera La Tiérra, Damien Nathaniel c  jtigerclaw

Leonard Mack, Lenny Hicks, FBA c  buckhopper

Carl Esteban c  gildedtongue

Williamsburg Minutemen, Tina McCall c  sam-gwosdz