Beneath the Surface

A/N: Sorry it has been so long, but I am back. This is kind of a filler chapter. However more to come. :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sidney was sitting on the bed taking his shoes off." Do you think she made it home all right?" he asked.

" I am sure she is fine Sidney. She is a big girl. She can handle herself."

"I know I Just.. I feel bad that we just kind of left her there."

Katherine moved to sit behind him. "Of course you do..." Kissing his neck. "Your a very considerate person, but like I said she will be fine."

"Yeah, your right... how did I get someone so... reassuring?"

She held back a snort at his rather unromantic notion. "You must have been a good boy." was all she said, laying him down, while straddling his waist.

"Yeah?"

"Yes" She replied, sliding a hand inside his boxers. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I am in a paritcularly giving mood tonight." was her response.

"And it's not even Tuesday."

She rolled her eyes, "Well you were out of town last week."

She peeled his boxers off revealing his erection, lowering her mouth over him she heard him groan.

"Kath" He let out on a low rumble. She began to bob up and down on his hard length, and felt his hands splay across the back of her head, trying to control the speed. Why did he always try and control everything?

"Ugh!" She released him, which resulted in a frustrated groan from Sid.

"What Kath..."

"I hate when you do that."

"Do what?"

"I try to do something nice for you and you take control of everrything"

"Are you fucking kidding Katheryn?"

"No I am not. Why do you always have to be in control?"

"Katheryn?"

"Just... I don't even care... I think you hould just go."

"Yeah"

"Yes"

She didn't know what had set her off but she was sick of him being the center of everything they did.

-----Sid's POV------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was wrong with her? There were days she seemed completely fine with everything and then other days she would flip the switch. He and Katherine had been dating for about two years. She was exactly the type of person people would expect him to be with. She was pretty, well educated, she always said and did the right thing, anf came from a good family. Their personalities were similar. They were both workalohics. They stressed over everything they did and were extremely conscience of their behavior, both together and apart. They were both the type of people that needed to fill the cracks so everything was seemless. Everything was so clinical and planned with them. That didn't mean they didn't have fun together. She had her moments where she made him laugh. The first time he met her, she was so neurotic, not that Eleanor wasn't, but Kathryn was so bossy. It was her way or the highway around people she considered her equals (in other words people whose ass she didn't have to kiss). She came across as very intense. The word Intense seemed ot be lacking but it was the best he could do. The first time he met her, she was extremely entertaining to him. When he introduced himself to her she cut him off. "I know who you are..."As if letting him explain was frivoulous and a waste of her time."...you need to know who I am Katherine Marie Hyatte." It was the first time he met someone who took themselves more seriously than he did. It was part of what brought them together. But at the current point in time he was not in the mood for her Type- A personality.

---------------------------------------------------------------

There were 230 stiches per side on the squares on his down comforter. That is how wide awake he was.  He had tried to sleep, but all attempts had failed. He was agrevated over his fight with Kathryn. He didn't try to control everything, in fact she was the controlling one. Besides, so what if he was a little controlling anyway. There so little in his life he could control, sometimes it was nice to just take the reigns. But try telling that to Kathryn and se might explode. Latley, their relationship had become a lot of work, not that they would ever admit it to each other. But it kind of negated the point of them being togther. He groaned internally at everything that was bothering him. He needed to talk to Eleanor. It was one in the morning, and she might be asleep, but then again she was a night owl. However, if she was asleep waking her up could have lethal consequences, but he wouldn't be going over there if he wasn't desperate for someone to talk too. He threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed his keys, and walked out the door.

Hey Everyone

Hey Everyone

I am sorry for the lack of updating, things have been crazy. I have everything written out hard copy and will be posting again memorial day at the latest. Thanks for being patient and I hope you are enjoying the story.

                                             jeyre87

Like Fitzgerald

     
         Eleanor called a cab and went back inside to wait. She sat at the bar swirling her drink around. The fact that she was lonely was obvious. What she need was a physical touch. But, she wasn't one of "those girls".  In the past three years of knowing Sidney she hadn't been able to make herself care for another man the way she cared for Sidney. However, that left her with some unwavering desires. The only way she could think to get rid of them was by taking part in what the boys so fondly had deemed "Hit it and quit it." The first attempt, the guy had been such a drunken mess that he left a trail of whatever he had consumed that night on his way to the trashcan. The second time, the man threw on his clothes right after the gropey, unsatisfying sex and called her Rebecca as he walked out the door. After those two charming experiences that would make any girl swoon, she called off the whole endevor. Some women could do it, she just wasn't one of them; which brought her back to her original predicament. She had a fleeting vision of Sidney throwing the front door to her house open and taking her on the foyer floor. A shiver ran the length of her spine and she downed her drink.

She motioned for the bartender. She probably did not need it. But what the hell? If she was going to wallow in self pity she should commit. "Another please."

"Put it on my tab."

A roguishly handsome dark blonde walked up. He had a square jaw and dark orbs for eyes. There was an indication of a five o' clock shadow and defeat on his face.

"Thanks. Mr..."

"Oh.Um. Garrison." He held out a hand to her. "Jack Garrison"

"The author?"

"yes." He nodded taking the seat next to her. She loved his writing. He was a cross between a social commentator and an investigative jounalist. All his work was humourous, but had truth and meaning to it.

"You just finished a book on the perception of social classes in America....  The Irony Of The Delusion"

"I did. I figure I spend so much time focusing on different personalities individually, commentating on their lifestyle, I should put it all together, see how they compare. I am impressed though. Who knew I had such a fan base, and a beautiful one at that?"

She blushed at his compliment.

"So does my adoring fan have a name?"

"Who said anything about being an adoring fan? I just recognized your name."  He raised an eyebrow at her.

 'It is Eleanor... Ingram"

"A beautiful name for a beautiful face."

"You write for a living and that is the best you can do" she teased.

He smiled along with her. "It's been a long week, I am a little off my game. Honestly, if it were any other woman I probably wouldn't have bothered coming over here. But you are absolutely gorgeous and I was sensing a kindred spirit. I had to know if I was right."

"And were you?"

"yes"

"In what way?"

"I see someone with just as many problems as me, that is trying just as hard to hide them, probably for the benefit of someone else."

"Sounds about right." she conceded.

"So what is it? Boyfriend cheat on you? You cheat on him? Hurt someone you love?"

She let out a humorless laugh."Close... I am in love with someone I can never have." Something about saying it out loud made her wonder why she could talk about this with a complete stranger. 

"More kindred than I thought." 

"And what about you Mr. Garrison?" 

He gave his own dry smile and took a swig of his beer. "Rich girl's don't marry poor boys."

"Oh"

She gazed around the room giving him a moment with his thoughts. Her eyes fell on the sculptural looking clock on the wall. Oh Shit! Her cab was supposed to be there fifteen minutes ago and knowing the friendly faces that drove them they were probably long gone. Still it didn't hurt to check. 

"Listen it was really nice to meet you, but I have to go." 

"Okay." He reached into his jacket for something. "Here is my card. Give me a call sometime, we can grab a coffee."

"yeah." Not knowing if she would actually use it.

She put on her jacket and walked outside, feeling the wet, bumpy, uneven pavement beneath her feet. Eleanor walked to the curb, no sign of a cab in sight. Oh well. At least she was feeling a bit more desirable. She saw a cab coming down the street and began to flag it down. It pulled up to the curb and she went to get in. She felt a hand on her shoulder that nearly made her jump out of her skin.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine." She said looking into Jack's face.

They both just stood there for a moment, until he finally spoke.

"I don't know what you have got going on, right now and in general. But, would you like to come to this little bar with me?"

She stared blankly weighing her options.

"I know we just met..." he started, ready to make his case.

"um"

"It's not to far from here, it's just a drink."

Eleanor wondered what Sidney and Kathyrn were doing and had the strong desire to get sick. She looked from the murky yellow cab to his dark, onyx eyes and felt extremely sad.

" I am damaged."

Jack just smiled at her. "We all are."

His honesty sealed her fate. She deserved to escape from her life and he was going to help her do it. She linked her arm with his and off they went. If two people were going to be alone at least they could be alone together.

I Wanna Be An Ostrich

"Hey, I am going to head home I think."

"Are you sure you don't want to ride with us?" There it was. That small town boy upbringing. He was raised to respect women or at least pretend he did. No, he cared about her. Just not in the way she wanted him to.

"Sidney, that is ridiculous. She lives on the otherside of town."

"Yeah, Kathyrn is right Sid. It is no big deal. I will just call a cab and go wait inside. You guys can head home."

"Okay... sorry that your ride bailed." He said truly regretful leaving her all alone.

"Max will be Max anythime some cute little tail walks by. I shouldn't have expected any less."

"Yeah... Your right... bye Grace"

"Bye"

She watched them head to Kathyrn's car and she began thinking about how she got her nickname-- Grace.

-FLASHBACK: Summer 2006-

"You know what your doing, Right?" She watched her flamboyant boss ready himself for the shoot.

"Yeah, I think so. I am taking care of finishing touches on set design. Yes?"

"And laying out equipment, making sure lighting is right, and any little odd jobs I think need taken care of."

"ahh... The glamourous life of an intern."

" I told you what you were getting into when I hired you."

"You did."She conceded.

"Alright now grab these boxes and head to set. Make me remember why I hired you."

"Will do"

"Oh and Eleanor, make it work."

She laughed out loud, "I thought Adam told you you couldn't watch Project Runway anymore."

"He did, but they show reruns on the night of his book club, so I watch it before he gets home."

"Devious"

"I try."

Eleanor just smiled and headed for set. She was nervous about doing her first real photo shoot. Albeit, she was the errand runner, not the Set Designer or the Photographer, but it was a start. She teetered precariously down the stairs carrying boxes of film, lighting gadgets, and little odds and ends, thinking about her life. Christopher Johnson was one of the most promienent photographers on the east coast, he had done numerous spreads in national and global magazines and had worked with some of the biggest names in the business. However, he was a hometown boy at heart and when it came down to the location of his own company, he stayed trued to his roots and choose Pittsburgh. She had been extremely lucky to get an internship with him, in fact she had been certain she was not going to get it, but she did and couldn't have been more ecstatic about it. She also worked part time at an Art Gallery and was trying to finish up her degree in business.  Eleanor liked where she was at in her life. She confidently  strode down the stairs lost in her own little world, until her feel slid off the step sending her sliding down the stairs on her ass. The boxes rolled like dice in Las Vegas and she thanked God they were taped shut. Then she heard a high girlish sounding giggle and her face went from slightly pink to dark crimson upon realizing she had an audience.

"Are...You...Okay..." he managed to choke out between his chortiling.

"I am fine thank you very much.: She tried to hop but slipped on the slick concrete floors again with a charming squaking noise. That only seemed to send his cackiling into a frenzy.

"Here," He offered extending his hand "let me help."

She tentatively took his hand. It was big and rough and swallowed her own delicate hands. He pulled her up with little problem and she finally got a look at her spectator.  He was good looking with full lips and big honey eyes. He also happened to be a PR Agents dream because he was Sidney Crosby, a dying breed of athlete. The kind who actually cared about appearing to have a clean image, discretion was the name of his game.

They both just stood in the bleak, empty hallway. He was still trying to subdue himself and her embarrassment filled up the space so thickly you could cut it with a knife. She decided to break the silence.

"Well, now that my comedy act is over I am going to go."

"Bye" He said still bemused

"Yeah" was the only response she could conjure up.

She ran onto the set with the boxes, setting everything up quickly, laying out all Christopher's equipment. when Chris finally came in she asked if he woud need her at all during the shoot.

"Maybe in between shoots when the guys are coming in."

"Okay. But I don't have to say on set the entire time?"

"No."

"Okay, I am going to go wait in the back."

"Are you sure it is your first big shoot?"

"Yeah. Maybe I will watch some of the guys later today."

"Famous Athletes are kind overwhelming."

"Yeah," she lied.

She went and hid in the back room where they kept the Kraft service. Honestly, she could care less if he was famous or not, people were people. She was just embarassed over making an ass of herself in front of someone, a cute someone, a cute someone who happened to be client. She was not someone who fell apart over the big things, but the little things. That one incident had shot her confidence and she became a bundle of nerves. Her back slid down the rough, bumpy surface of brick. She sat with her head between her knees for quite sometime. The only thing that pulled her out of her meditation was the slam of the fridge shutting. Her head shot up smacking against the brick wall with a loud thud. She heard a snort and she wondered who she had killed in a past life to deserve this much embarassment in front of one person.

"You okay."

"Yes! Aren't you supposed to be on set right now?" Her tone was probably sharper than the situation warrented, but she couldn't have cared less.

"No, they needed to adjust the lighting because it looked of in the test shot. They said It would be a few minutes and I could just relax until they needed me. I just can't mess up anything or I have to be reset." He seemed to be just talking outloud rather than to her specifically. Very different from the reserved, stoic Pittsburgh Penguins Captain. " I am Sidney, by the way."

"I know"

"Hockey Fan?" He seemed hesitant to know her answer.

"Well, that and your name is on our client sheet."

"Oh yeah" he said with a self conscience, oh-duh kind of smile. "What's your..."

"MR.CROSBY, THEY'RE READY FOR YOU!" A voice from down the hall called.

"COMING!" He looked back down to her spot on the floor. "Bye Grace, it was... an experience meeting you." He said with a teasing smile and walked out the door.

"Ugh! Way to go Eleanor." She muttered to herself. Thank god no one else had been privy to her little accidents. At the moment she just wanted to stick her head in the ground and never come out. How great it would be to be an ostrich.

- END FLASHBACK-

Just a Note- Jeyre87

Hi Everyone,

Before contiuing this story I would like to give a little background information.

1) This story is taking place at the begining of the 2009-2010 season

2) to explain this Sidney and Eleanor's history and various other relationships in this story I will being doing flashbacks.

3) In the interest of keeping characters from seeming too one sided, and to show the difference in relationships, I will be developing characters by using several different view points.

These are just some things to keep in mind while reading the story. Oh and feedback is hugely helpful, I love hearing what you all think. The comments settings are not letting me embed the comment box so you just have to click on the comments and a pop up will come up. I hope you all love the story.

                                                      Thanks, Jeyre87  : )

One Fine Day

So here it is my new story.Let me know what you think.

They made a fine couple. Her cropped,silken, gold hair contrasted with his dark head of unruly curls. When photographed, the juxtaposition of her sunbathed exterior and hard emerald eyes with his moon pale skin and carmel colored eyes always made for a startiling compostion. They smiled duitifully and held each others hand in solidarity. They did not partake in any outlandish behavior, ever.

This would all be okay if it weren't for the fact that I am not the blonde, but a close friend of the blonde and the boy was my best friend whom I happened to be in love with. But alas, it is what it is and I can't change it now, so late after the fact. So here I am, sitting across the table from them, watching his druken pecks at her neck turn into suction cup mode with every rum and coke he finishes off while she swatts him away playfully. I have no one to blame but myself for this self-induced torture. Maybe I am a masochist? However, watching them do this in front of me is far less painful than thinking about what they might be doing without me there. So here I am, sitting across the table from them, trying to keep my Chicken Marasla down.

Sidney Crosby, If you had only chose me.