Fan Fiction: Boyfriends XXVIII

[littlepebbles1]

The required elements
<img src=http://www.geocities.com0/Tokyo/Flats/3170/pkpix.gif>

Piyo Piyo
<img src=http://quick78.tripod.com/piyopiyo.gif>

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BFFFers' Ten Commandments by Yingshan
10. You shall not put forth any KFC around MK's temple where we worship.
9. You shall put the success of our production above your personal gain (no whining about pay)
8. You shall do everything to further our causes, e.g. sending PK a MK's book, hinting of MK when you can talk to PK, no matter whether it makes you a laughingstock.
7. You shall not nominate any guys for MK lightly (You shall do a detailed background check before mentioning it here). Our girl deserves the best.
6. You shall not be vulgar in any creative writing or picture splicing.
5. You shall not throw yourself at any guy who we consider a good match for MK no matter how attractive you find him to be or how close you get to him. This is a non-competitive clause.
4. You shall not mention any BFFF outside of this thread, especially not in any PK Forum.
3. You shall have a sense of humor.
2. You shall not mistake any writings here as "news".
1. You shall bow to the high pristess's wisdom at all time! (Should be optional if you ask me)

[littlepebbles1]

Any bold has been done so by me and any [italics] in brackets has been added by me, not the original authors.

Skatingfan
For first time visitors WELCOME. This is 100% fan fiction. Fan fictioners agree to start a new chapter whenever the thread grows to 80 messages long. We also agree to never discuss this fan fiction material outside of Fan Fiction Land, i.e. we do not post any of this in rssif, FSW, or other threads in this MK forum etc. [Or the PK Forum] Fan fictioners are in the process of producing a play on MK and PK - Paul Kariya the captain of Mighty Ducks. The genius writer is Mano, contributing writers are Kooky, Yingshan (who is also the set designer), Wonder, A-Chan, and Littlepebbles. Chemy is the photographer. Magenta is the ultimate matchmaker, and the rest are managers of this co. I come here just to chill out. Sometimes we refer to MK as 6.0 b/c of the unprecedented # of perfect 6.0s she earned, and PK as #9, he wears #9.

Yingshan
To New Comers: Welcome to our fantasyland! The purpose of this place is for us to have some fun with our favorite skater: Michelle Kwan. We weave fictional accounts and speculations into very skimpy facts. So you'll be in serious trouble if you take what we say here seriously. And everything we say here are for your and our eyes only. None of this should be repeated elsewhere on the USNET, e.g. RSSIF, FSW.... [Or the PK Forum!!!!!]

We're creating a romance novel/movie script. It's temporarily named "Ice to Ice" (I like "Icy Affairs" better). The leads are Michelle Kwan ("6.0") and Mighty Ducks captain Paul Kariya (#9). No, we don't know whether there's anything going on between them. We pick them to write because we think they make a perfect couple. [And not only because they're both Asian, or Asian and 1/2 Asian!] The main screen writer is Mano. I'm the producer/editor. My partner in production is Magenta. Chemy is our photographer. Wonder is my co-editor. Skatingfan is our sound whiz. Blizzard is our art director. Kooky and annabelle are on our contributing writing team. Littlepebbles is our director.

Welcome to stay and watch our creative process. But please obey our confidentiality rule. We don't want our brilliant ideas being pirated.

One More Criteria.....
for anyone who wants to read here:

YOU NEED A SENSE OF HUMOR!

Mano
Do not adjust your monitors, you have just entered...the Boyfriends Fan Fiction Zone (AKA BFFF)

If you are feeling lightheaded, dizzy, and see Michael Jordan back with the Chicago BULLs (pun intended), you must STOP, click the "Back button" and seek medical attention quickly.

If you happen to have a good sense of humor and realize that this is truly 100 % PURE FAN FICTION, then welcome to our humble abode.

Remember, we are not responsible for any mental injuries that might occur upon seeing the fictional stories and pictures. In other words, enter at your own risk. However, we do offer BFFF Life Insurance. Ask one of our agents for more info.

Without further ado...(drum roll)
May I present the stars of the show...
Paul Kariya and Michelle Kwan (Standing Ovation)
[ALL REAL (except PK's right hand in pic #2)]
<img src=http://www.geocities.com0/Tokyo/Flats/3170/sikids.gif>
<img src=http://www.geocities.com0/Tokyo/Flats/3170/realmkpk.jpg>

ABSolute Role Models!!!

<img src=http://www.geocities.com0/Tokyo/Flats/3170/abs.jpg>

As the photosplicer responsible for the above pics, Chemy, would say "You are now in BFFF channel"

The above disclaimer was paid for by the Friends of Michelle & Paul (AKA FOMP) a non-profit (and I mean non as in non-existent, right Yingshan?) organization.
===========================
This is LP here:
Not that PK fans aren't welcome, they are as long as they don't show up trolling, send threatening e-mails, or go running back to the PK forum bashing us and Michelle. Cause unfortunately all that stuff has happened. Hope everyone enjoys our antics and don't be scared of Yingshan, she only bites on Tuesdays. :oÞ

Note: It used to be Yingshan only bit on Tuesdays, but she has made it known that she bites when she is in the mood, so watch out for her.

[skatingfan]

and we are back to roman numerials again. hehe
Someone give us a good story please.

[akemi_chan]

does anyone know who Lynn Swan is? there was this article in the sports section of the OC register today making fun of last names...the guy thought it'd be funny if certain people got married and their last names got put together (like mia hamm and kevin bacon-hee hee)..then he started to rhyme names and said lynn swan and michelle kwan...i thought that was kinda funny...i'll check to see if it's online...

[akemi_chan]

about above...

www.ocregister.com/sports/youngman.shtml

[mano]

Thanks for sharing Akemi!!! I like the "PAK BELL PARK" the best though. Too bad he didn't try Kwan-Kariya. Okay, so it's not as creative as the others, but quite a match I say and would really give 'em something to talk about.

[skatingfan]

Lynn Swan is old enough to be MK's father.
He is one of the best wide receiver in the history of football. How could i ever forget in the late 70s, or was in 1980, the pittsburg steelers destroyed my Dallas cowboys in the superbowl. Cowboys lost by 4 points , ie the difference between a touch down and field goal. I can never forget the cowboy tight end who dropped a pass at the end zone.

Anyhoo, Lynn swan and John Stalworth were the 2 wide receivers, of course Bradshaw was the QB and Franco Harris the full back, and the steelers had mean Joe Green.

That was the most devastating defeat I ever had to face in my sports world so far, relative to my age of course. So BTw, the olys 98 is nothing compare to this, and I don't hate the steelers either.

Lynn Swan was/is tall lean and acrobatic, mildly flashy, but controlled type of flash. He has been described as graceful in his catches He is nice looking for a football player. I believe he is still commentating.

A year ago at fsw there was a thread " who is the most graceful swan" and some guy called Ed nominated Lynn.

So A Chan are you sorry that you asked?

Fellow fanfictioners and to all those who are lurking, have a nice holiday.

Blueshirt, PLEASE consider registering for that board, we need you, and it is opening registration again.

[littlepebbles1]

The arena seemed to go crazy with screaming. Michelle's teammates rushed onto the ice, throwing their helmets up in the air. They surrounded her, hugging her and slapping her on the back. Someone had called the press and a photographer was at rinkside taking pictures. John Jones stepped into the player's box(?) to congratulate Paul. Then Paul and his hockey players shook hands with the Huns and their coach. When Michelle went by the players box, Mr. Jones was waiting for her.

"Well, young lady, you certainly did your team proud today," he said. How would you like to play with us full time - as yourself and not Mike Swan?"

Michelle was flattered but shook her head. "Thank you anyway, but I think I'll go back to figure skating. I really miss it."

Mr. Jones seemed to accept her explanation. "I canned Surfer, are you sure you don't want his job?" he joked. They both laughed.

"Well, I guess I'll be going to change now," Michelle said. Mr. Jones shook her hand and congratulated her once again and then left. Michelle turned around to head to the locker room and came face to face with Paul. She stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

Paul looked back at her. His face looked a little red, but maybe it was the cold from the ice. "I…you…" he began. Michelle looked at him expectantly. "You play good," Paul finished lamely.

Michelle felt a little disappointed but she hid it from her face. "Thanks. Well, see you later." She walked off to find a ladies locker room to change.

Paul looked after her, mentally kicking himself for his comment. Then he heard a voice at his side. It was Mr. Jones.

"A wise man once said 'the flower than blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all'," he said. Paul looked at him in confusion. Mr. Jones added, "He also said, 'you don't meet a girl like that every dynasty'." Paul still stared and Mr. Jones took the KISS route. "Ask her out dummy!"

Soon to come: Epilogue

[mano]

Thought BFFF was going to be forgotten but Lil'pebbles comes to save the day again with her tres cool Mulan story. Rewind your Mulan tapes in your head folks 'cause LP did it justice. Raise, Raise, Raise!!! Hey, notice Yingshan's been making herself scarce since LP asked for a promotion, hmmnnn...

Thanks for the story LP, I know that skatingfan will be one happy camper tomorrow as well as a bunch of other story starved BFFFers. AAAANNNNDDDD WE GET THE KISS, WE GET THE KISS, WE GET THE KISS...Can't wait for the epilogue LP, 'cause WE GET the KISS, hehehehehe!!!

[littlepebbles1]

Michelle came out of the locker room. Her teammates came over to congratulate her one last time. One guy even asked for her autograph. "For my sister," he said hastily. "She likes watching you skate." The guys began to clear out until only one was left. And that was Paul.

Michelle was very surprised to see Paul standing there. "Uh…hi," she said.

"Hi," Paul said. "I was just wondering…I mean if you're not too busy…or if you want to…oh, never mind!"

Michelle grinned. "Would you like to go to dinner?"

"Oh!" Paul exclaimed. "Sure! Of course!"

Michelle smiled. "Great! Where will we go?"

They began to walk to the doors.

Later that evening/night

Paul walked Michelle to her front door. Michelle said, "Well, thanks for coming to dinner with me."

"No problem and thanks for inviting me," Paul said. He paused and then took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about the way I treated you earlier today. I mean about not listening to you when you tried to explain why you did what you did."

"It's okay," Michelle said. "If I were you, I'd be mad at me too. And I'm sorry for deceiving you and everyone else."

Paul smiled at her. "I guess were even now." Michelle smiled back. "I guess we are," she said. Neither of them broke their gaze. Then Paul slowly leaned down and…

…out of nowhere popped Teemu.




<font size=+2>I'M KIDDING!!!!!! DON'T BLOW YOUR STACK!!!!!</font>

Paul slowly leaned down and gave Michelle a gentle kiss. Then he stepped away and started down the walk.

"Good night Michelle."

"Good night Paul."

~The End~

I know maybe you all wanted a bigger kissing scene, but it's the first date for pete's sake!

[mano]

THAT's it??? Can't be!!! Where are the "long wet kisses that lasts for three months" or whatever Kevin Costner said to Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham??? I'm kidding, I'm kidding, Yingshan would ban me just for saying that.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> mano bows and scrapes on the floor humbly asking for forgiveness from the high priestess<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Okay, got that out of the way, great epilogue Littlepebbles AND I actually didn't mind Teemu popping in 'cause it would have prolonged the story even more. Nice save though, LOL!!!

[eilaram]

What a nice surprise to find this here...Thanks...great as always...hope this is an official awakening of this thread rather than a brief moment of consciousness in the middle of a long nap.

[yingshan]

Well, I just posted chapter one of my "The Rebirth of A Butterfly" novel. It's quite long. That's why it took me a month to finish.

eilaram, hope that will delay any nap time for awhile.

mano, what pay raise? I was busy with writing my fiction since I was back in town.

skatingfan, I watched Tiger on Saturday and yesterday. He didn't play as well yesterday, but he won anyway. He's good.

[yingshan]

Littlepebbles, great work! Good thing you remember our Ten Commandment, unlike Mano.

Mano, take your head out of the gutto!

[skatingfan]

YS, nice to hear that you watched Tiger.

Mano, I am having a mild headache already. Swan hunting season has begun in our mutal favorite
other board.

Blueshirt, where are you , we need you .

Just coming back to add one more thing, NOW MY HEADACHE IS A GIANT SIZE ONE, after going to skating chat, about that thread about another skater's board. Sigh..........

Anyone here care to go duck hunting with me?

[skatingfan]

Hehe........ Dudedette, you just wasted some ammunition over there, by using your second post.

But I love your LOL , , signs though, it will be a long summer.

[blueshirt]

Seriously, when I saw that fsw reopened its registrations, I was all set to register. Then I think, I really don't want to blow my fuse at the next posting by some TROLL and have the good name of MK fans smeared (this was before THE GASEOUS PLANET entered its orbit and things were pretty tame), so I procrastinated...and now registrations is closed again. ARGGGHHH. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Actually, the stuff posted on fsw isn't so bad...watching people's reactions to TGP's posts is rather amusing, even. The only one that seriously ticked me off was the whine on MK's edges "other than one spiral" etc etc. And mano handled that barb beautifully, as always.

As for the stuff over on Skating Chat, I didn't even bother going over to that other board. Life's too short to waste time reading garbage.

Lovely ending to a lovely story, lp. Now I'm waiting for the sequel...

[skatingfan]

I don't think you will ever give a bad name to MK fans over there. I want to see you there b/c I think it
would be fun. I think you usually have a much cooler head than a lot of people including me. I will not ever stop pestering you about it hehehe..........., so next time when registration is open again, I will bring it up,hope you don't mind.

[blueshirt]

I did go and check out that board. In a way, it's sort of a mirror of oneself. Sometimes I tend to take fandom waaaay too seriously, so it's a good thing to get some perspective on things looking from the other side of the fence. Off topic: there was a thread on the (now defunct) Stars/Avs series. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that those who posted were mostly Stars fans...

Actually, I'm pretty hotheaded. I can discuss things rationally, but not in response to trolls. And I'm pitifully short on wit, so I am afraid of embarassing myself in those "encounters," so to speak. But I promise to register...when I get around to it. :b

Ick, can't seem to keep this on topic. Sorry.

[mano]

Haven't been here in a while. For those wondering, yeah, I'm going to start working on IAC 'cause I'm tired of putting it off. I did work on a story so that's something. I'm just wondering where everbody went? Off-season sucks major, eh? BTW, Chemy, my ICQ# is 31645041.

[mano]

1. The following story is different from the recent ones. As you know, my other stories consisted of Paul and Michelle already fictionally dating and going steady. This story follows the premise from Michelle's statement on USA Today that "she doesn't have a boyfriend yet." This is set right after Michelle ended her COI '00 tour.

2. I linked a song by blues singer and slide guitar player, Bonnie Raitt, entitled "I Can't Make You Love Me". Click on the link to get into the mood. I was actually planning to make the story totally depressing to match the mood of the song but decided against it. 'Sides, can't see Paul and Michelle in too serious and depressing a situation like I originally thought up.

3. I am not nor ever will be Lori Nichol so you can begin thanking God now for that one. So I'm warning you that whatever choreographic element you see Michelle do in the story, just keep repeating these words to yourself, "mano is not the genius Lori Nichol, mano is not the genius Lori Nichol."

4. Lastly, there is no kiss. I know, I know, what's the use right? Might as well dump the story in the garbage. After bugging littlepebbles for one in her Mulan story, mine is totally devoid of one. Call it penance for breaking the BFFF commandments one to many times.

Okay, all the disclaimers I remember. Warning, it's a bit longwinded and COMPLETELY fictional. BTW, I did the math (a subject I totally stink at), and the chances of the stuff happening in the story actually happening is about one gazillion trillion billion to one. Meaning, mucho impossible!!! (Like all our other stories, but hey, live a little)

[mano]

Michelle was feeling a bit melancholy. Champions on Ice had just wrapped up and she was supposed to take a few weeks off to relax, and maybe go on vacation with her sister Karen somewhere. At the moment, that trip is still on the early planning stages because she and Karen couldn’t decide where they wanted to go. So in the meantime she might as well brush up on her skating skills. So off she went to El Segundo to practice for her July 4th performance at Lake Arrowhead. Although it was still about a month away, she didn’t want to slack off. It wasn’t in her nature (thank God). Now that her session is over she’s not really sure where to go. Well, if you’re a woman, best place to cure the doldrums is to go shopping. So she did.

She decided to go to a mall that was out of the way. Anonymity was her goal for the day. She parked her SUV, grabbed her black baseball cap and was about to walk in the mall. She remembered that there was an indoor skating rink and figured, why not? She had not skated in public for quite some time now and wondered if she can squeeze in a few minutes of skating without being recognized. After debating the pros and cons, she ended up flipping a coin instead. Heads she skates, Tails just max the credit card…okay not really, but those were the choices that popped in her head. It was heads and Michelle immediately grabbed her skates and headed towards the entrance of the mall. She noticed that there weren’t that many people milling about and that was fine with her. She went straight for the skating rink. It was located near the food court at the ground floor and people could watch the skaters from the railing or while they were enjoying a nice meal. Michelle looked around again and noticed that there weren’t really a lot of people eating either. That was a good sign. She can most likely skate in circles in peace.

“Just no triple lutzes Michelle,” she said to herself. She paid the admission fee then went to change into her skates. It was a good thing that she was still wearing her black leotard and only had her grey hooded zip front sweater over it. She stood up and looked down at herself, then her behind and sighed. “Well if my skating won’t clue them in, my bubble butt will.” She couldn’t do anything about that now but was thankful she at least had her baseball cap. She stepped out on the ice and joined the other skaters. Some of the skaters were just recreational ones, just out there for the fun, having occasional falls here and there and laughing their heads off. Others were more proficient, showing off a few moves, maybe a double jump, or even a nicely centered spin. She smiled. She decided to just skate a few laps around the rink and maybe do a waltz jump or two. She smiled again. She was enjoying this.

The music was interesting too. Ricky Martin here, Britney Spears there (GAG!!! Apologies, that was mano throwing up), and some rock music all of which she didn’t really care for. But at least she got to play around with the music, to see if she can branch out with it. She ended up cracking up in laughter instead. That caught someone’s attention. Michelle didn’t notice that she was suddenly being watched closely from afar. She was having too much fun. Then from time to time they would play a song by Tracy Chapman, Tori Amos, or even the Dave Matthews Band and she would sing along with it while zipping between other skaters or helping a little kid out on their first skate. Some of the skaters already knew who she was but were respectful of her privacy and gave her space. She was having fun though and at one point didn’t know she had lost her baseball cap along the way. Then a song came on that caught Michelle unawares and brought back her melancholy state. She’s heard of it before, and knew it was about unrequited love sung by Bonnie Raitt with the depressing title of <a href=http://www.streambox.com/exec/makeram.asp?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fmusic%2Eacmecity%2Eco m%2Fkidtunes%2F54%2Floveme%2Erm&Rating=0>I Can't Make You Love Me</a>. She sighed again.

Then as if in a trance, Michelle suddenly started skating to the music as if it were an exhibition program of old. Moving to every note and being moved by every word. She was in another world again, her world. She started at one side of the rink slowly before her moves started to encompass the whole rink. The other skaters knew she was in that zone and gave her that space. They wanted to watch a legend-to-be in action. They’ve never been this close to one. Pretty soon they all filed out and watched from the railing or sat on the benches just enjoying this glimpse of greatness. They watched the three time World Champion in her element. She started off with circular footwork before opening with a triple salchow. She didn’t notice the applause. Still she skated very much unaware that she had attracted a lot of onlookers.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Turn down the lights, turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me, tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronize - don't patronize…<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

[mano]

heard the words “just hold me close” she gently crossed her arms over her chest as if pretending she was being held by that special someone. It was only a crush and she thought it would go away, but it didn’t. She had watched him skate for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the longest time and was in awe of his speed, his power and how he was able to carry his team. It didn’t hurt that he was something to look at too. She didn’t mean to fall for him, except that he had to be too nice and humble to boot. Traits that she’s always found attractive and that did her in. She tried not to think about him too much, and tried to forget him since she figured they don’t really travel or “skate” in the same circles. She thought maybe in the ‘98 Olympics, they’ll meet, but he didn’t get to go because he had a concussion. So throughout the summer, she tried to forget about him…yet found herself looking for any scrap of info that told her he’ll be okay. It wasn’t until Shep told her she had been invited by Disney and the Mighty Ducks organization to skate an exhibition for the Fanfair on Sunday January 17, 1999 that she would a chance to meet him. She agreed but tried to keep her excitement to a minimum. Didn’t work, Shep just smiled, patted her head, and whistled as he walked away before she could shout out, “don’t you dare say anything to anybody!!!”

It was a lovely time too. She was just so happy that she skated well and her performance to her ’99 SP, Fate of Carmen, wasn’t marred by any falls. She finally got to meet him and even joke around with him on the ice. She was proud she didn’t make a fool of herself in front of him…or at least she thought she didn’t. She wasn’t so sure it was over a year ago. She had attended a couple of Ducks games after including a playoff game at Detroit against the Red Wings with Elvis since it was one of the COI tour stops. The Ducks had to leave right away for Anaheim after the game (in which they lost) so she didn’t really get to see him. Through that time though, she was thinking that she was probably not his type, that maybe she was too young in his eyes. She couldn’t help but realize that he almost treated her like his little sister. She winced visibly. He probably knew she had a crush on him that’s why he made sure to keep his distance. She couldn’t help it if she wore her heart on her sleeve. She could never hide her emotions even if she tried. She did back to back split falling leafs at the start of the chorus.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these lonely hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She went into an Ina Bauer, and almost felt like crying, but held it in. She did a double axle instead and landed it beautifully. She didn’t hear the applause that followed. She was still lost in her world. She did her best to try to forget him during the summer and even started summer courses at UCLA to meet new people. She wanted friends outside of skating, any skating, including hockey. She got her wish. As if in a gesture of goodbye to foolish dreams, she attended a pre-season game of the Ducks against the Kings at the Forum. It was to be the last game played there before it was closed for good to make way for the new Staples center. Paul Kariya didn’t play. He was recovering from a hip injury he developed over the summer for over-training after just recovering from a broken right foot that he received while blocking a shot during the third playoff game against the Red Wings at Anaheim. It was fitting then that the last game she attended, the one she had a crush on for so long wasn’t even on the ice. She saw him afterward, but she just said a quick hello, how’s your foot/hip, then a quick goodbye. She doesn't even remember if she allowed him to talk, she ran out of there so fast. Then she put all her attention on her school, and skating and that’s it. She didn’t even follow hockey at all. She ended the chorus with a layback spin, arms outstretched as if to signify letting go of the past. She was tempted to fold her arms in, but she resisted. “Just let it all go, Michelle,” she thought before exiting to her next move.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me till then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

[mano]

and saw Paul’s face knowing that his eyes will never reflect a love that he didn’t feel. He never ever held her beyond a handshake, yet the words of the song still hurt. She’s heard rumors that he’s found someone special, that he had a girlfriend that helped him get his A-game back in January. She wished she was the one who inspired him like that. She wished he were there to give her a hug after losing the Grand Prix title to Irina Slutskaya. She wished he were there to comfort her when she read all those articles that told her she was washed up. She wished he were there when the hurting started and didn’t end until she stood on the podium at Nice receiving her gold medal at the World Championships at Nice and watching the flag of the USA ascend while the Star Spangled Banner was heard throughout the arena. She wished he was there to wipe away the tears that fell during the ceremony or the 5000 more times she cried after. She wished he was there to…she wished he was just there…with her. She was getting maudlin.

She wiped away an errant tear as she heard “Morning will come and I’ll do what’s right.” She knew she did right. She knew that trying to forget about him was the best thing she did at the beginning of the skating season. She did footwork into a short entry triple lutz and landed it without any problems. Then she went into her signature spiral as Bonnie Raitt’s voice sang clearly “Cause I can’t make you love me…” and held it almost to a figure eight before going into a triple toe right from footwork and landed it beautifully at the end of “and I’ll feel the power”.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these lonely hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't…<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Michelle went into a Charlotte as the singer held the note on “if you don’t” and then accompanied the solo piano ending with edgework and sweeping moves, turning and flowing in different directions as if she was painting a work of art on the ice. She ended with a camel/reverse camel spin sequence. To the crowd that gathered, she was the work of art on the ice and they gave her a rousing ovation as she halted when the music faded away. She looked around in a confused state before collecting herself to smile at the crowd that gathered. So much for staying anonymous, she thought. She skated to the area where the other skaters were gathered behind the railing and apologized to them. They said they didn’t mind and the pleasure was all theirs. She got off the ice and put on her skate guards. Pretty soon people hoping to get her autograph surrounded her. She didn’t mind signing them, it helped her forget about all the memories that came slamming back to her when she heard that song. “Unrequited love? I don’t even love him,” Michelle thought to herself as another paper was shoved in front of her face. She signed it without complaint.

However, pretty soon the crowd was slowly closing in on her and she was getting a bit claustrophobic. She continued to sign, not wanting to disappoint anyone, when a wave of dizziness came over her and she almost fainted. She felt a comforting hand on her back and heard a loud firm voice say, “Everyone, please give her some room. She’s signed enough autographs for today.” It was a familiar voice, but she couldn’t place where she heard it before. She wasn’t feeling good at all. The crowd protested a little but gave her space. Somebody shouted out, “what are you her bodyguard or something?”
“You could say that.” He responded.
“Must be her brother.” For some reason, the stranger took offense to that and said so in a clear resounding voice, “NO!!!” He then started to lead Michelle away from the crowd to a place where she can rest up.

All of a sudden a guy who had an eye on the “skater with the great bod” jumped in front of Michelle and said, “Hi baby, do you have a name or can I call you mine?” Michelle looked up in bewilderment. Paul Kariya had enough. He shoved the guy out of the way. When the guy started to complain, he gave him a look that could kill. The guy fainted. Michelle finally turned to face her “savior” but became speechless instead when she realized who it was. It was as if she had conjured him up as she thought of him during her skate. He was clad in a black crew neck ribbed t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. She almost touched his chest, just to make sure he was real. She stopped herself in time.

[mano]

Paul asked.
“Um, nothing, I’m fine really.” Michelle softly answered.
“Are you sure? Can you walk the rest of the way or shall I carry you?” Paul asked seriously although he looked like he was trying to stop from smiling.

“Sure, I mean…yes I can walk.” Michelle said as a blush crept up her face. She turned around and started walking towards the lockers where her stuff was. Paul waited patiently as she removed her skates and put her sneakers on. Before she stood up a little girl came by and shyly said, “excuse me, Michelle, is this yours?” And handed the baseball cap to her. Michelle said thank you and watches the little girl hesitate, as if she was going to say something more, but turned to leave instead. Michelle knew what the little girl wanted and called her back but she had run out and didn’t hear her. Michelle looked at Paul and didn’t have to say a word. He smiled, and followed the little girl out. A few minutes later, Paul came back with the little girl behind him. He handed Michelle a gold colored marker that she used to sign the black baseball cap and promptly gave it to the little girl who squealed upon receiving her gift. Michelle gave her a hug and the little girl ran back to her parents who were waiting nearby. “How much do I owe you for the marker?” Michelle asked Paul. “Nothing, it’s on me. And don’t look at me as if I can’t afford it when you know that I don’t exactly play for pennies for Disney.” Michelle smiled.

Both of them walked out of the lockers in silence. Paul wanted to make sure that nobody was going to bother Michelle for the rest of the day and said, “maybe I should have gotten you another cap, a Mighty Ducks one so that you wont be too recognizable.” Michelle just nodded. He continued, “and maybe an extra large Mighty Ducks jersey long enough to cover all the way down to your knees.”
“You wouldn’t?” Michelle asked quickly.
“Preferably with my name and number on it?” Paul said.
“Are you serious?”
“So I can call you mine?”
“PAUL!!!”
“I’m kidding, but I just can’t help remembering the guy who tried to pick you up while I was escorting you out. You know how insulting that is? I am not exactly chop liver.” Paul explained although he wished he could cover her beautiful body with a sack if he had one. He didn’t like the stares she was getting from the guys, especially the ones that strayed to what she calls her “bubble butt.” He liked bubble butts, then he tried to banish away the other inappropriate thoughts in his head and said, “besides, that was a horrible pick-up line.”

Michelle laughed and Paul welcomed it. He was worried about her ever since she almost fainted earlier. She wasn’t the fainting type, that he knew in the little time that’s he’s been acquainted with her. He felt a bit guilty for not keeping in touch. He had a feeling last year that she had a crush on him, and he was a little attracted to her at that time also. They had been joking around on the ice at the Fanfare but he ended up hitting on her too. It was a little flirtation, nothing more, nothing less. He didn’t want to get her involved in anything. He thought he was too old for her, Teemu had said otherwise. He also reasoned that they don’t exactly skate in the same circles. Teemu just shook his head and said, “your loss.” But he was thinking about her welfare more than anything and knew that having a boyfriend would just be a distraction, especially since she was planning to juggle school and skating at the same time. He waited…and watched, as she grew more beautiful with each passing day, with each competition that was aired on TV. But it was her inner strength that drew him the most. He knew about her struggles to maintain her skating at an elite level, while being questioned left and right of her commitment to her sport. He saw how she weathered the loss in January with grace and dignity that she possesses in abundance. He felt her pain as he read disparaging articles, calling her over the hill at 19 even after winning Nationals, all the while calling for the coronation of the up and comers 4-5 years her junior. The media had given up on her, she didn’t…he didn’t.

He had wanted to give her time off after her tour before starting over with her again, but this changed everything. He had only come to the mall at the behest of his teammates, Matt Cullen and Pascal Trepanier, who had wanted to buy more electronic gadgets. He told them that he wanted to grab some coffee and they could go ahead and he’ll meet them later. He had sat near the skating rink and was enjoying the people making believe they were Michelle Kwan. Then he heard a familiar laugh and he noticed her. He wasn’t sure at first because of the baseball cap covering her head but he couldn’t mistake that oval face, those almond eyes AND that body of hers. And of-course her skating. She practically floated over the ice, her skates hardly making a sound as she passed by. It was Michelle. He smiled to himself and couldn’t believe his luck. She was having fun at first, just playing around, zipping past the other skaters, and even helping a little kid learn how to skate at one point. Then when that ballad came on, he noticed a change in her. Almost as if the joy left her face as she started skating to the music and feeling every word that the singer said. It was a sad song, a break-up song, a song about unrequited love. He felt a little jealous. Who would have caused Michelle to feel something so deep and painful that everyone felt moved by it in return? The ladies sitting on the next table were practically in tears. He wanted to get his hands on whoever treated her so.