Feels Like Home --6--

**KRIS'S POV**

God damn the echo in this building. I could hear every conversation in the halls while I stretched. So much for focusing. Sometimes it paid to listen to the conversations. I could always tell what Sid's latest complaint was, or who Talbot took home last night. I could always hear the visiting team too. There was once voice that always stuck out, Dan Carcillo.
"Ohhh. Temper. You know, that's pretty attractive." I rolled my eyes at this one. Did he seriously think any woman would be attracted to his line? I stopped listening and started to focus until I heard that one voice. April.
"Carcillo, let go of me. Now" She was panicing, I could tell. As soon as I heard her I instantly stood up, on full alert. I heard Staalsy say something and I started to run to where I heard them.
I rounded the corner to the visting locker room and saw them. That goon had his dirty hands on her. She was turned away from him as much as she could be, trying to hide near Jordan. I saw him take another step towards her and it all boiled over. I ran to them as Carc threw another insult Jordan's way.
I wanted to push him away from her and kick the shit out of him. But before a game? I wouldn't risk it. I did all I could do, I just grabbed her away from him, leaving him and Staal to their words.
April instantly started crying as soon as Dan couldn't see her. The visitors locker room door slammed, indicating Carc went back where he belonged. I stopped April at a bench to let her sit down, she just grabbed me and cried.
"Wow," I thought, "I could really get used to this." Well, minus the crying. I wanted to be the one that made her happy.
"Kris?" She was speaking through sobs. They were tears I couldn't stop.
"Yes?"
"Thank You. I was so scared. I didn't think he would try anything, but...I...I didn't know." She hugged me tighter and cried some more.
"April, you have nothing to be afraid of." After I spoke she stopped crying and looked up at me and smiled.
"Love ya, Tanger" She hugged me again and smiled.
"Love ya" I knew she meant it in a best friend way. God, why couldn't she have meant it otherwise.
"You too April"
She couldn't understand just what I meant.

**APRIL'S POV**
God, he couldn't have understood my inner meaning of that "Love ya". I wanted to tell him I wanted to be with him, that I wanted him to be my rescuer every day. I wanted him to rescue me.
I could really get used to this Kris hodling me thing. It felt so right, like home. Everything that had happened earlier just melted away in his arms. I wasn't scared. Surprisingly, I was happy. I never wanted the game to start. I just wanted to stay here, with Kris, forever.
We beat the Flyers 4-1, with some huge hits on Carcillo. After he game I headed to my car in the mainly empty lot; I was always one of the last ones out. I put my bag into the back and slid into the drivers seat. I tried to turn the ignition, no dice. Tried again, nothing. Great. I finally gave up after about 5 tries and got out to call my roommate.
"Hey you got Lea's voicemail. Leave a message and I'll...." She would not answer at a time like this.
"SHIT!" I screamed and kicked my tire.
"Uhm, April?" I turned around to see Kris standing outside his SUV, keys in hand, laughing at me.
"Shut up Tanger." I was glad he couldn't see how embarrassed I was because it was dark.
"Would you like a ride home?" Always the gentleman.
"Uh, yeah, thanks." I grabbed my bag and got in his car.

**KRIS'S POV**
"Attwood Street." She gave her address as I started the car and pulled out of the arena lot. God, I was starving. Would she want dinner? Worth a try.
"You hungry, Ape?" She looked exhausted.
"Shit, I forgot my walelt in my car. I think I have food at my house." Ouch. Was she serious or letting me down easy?
"April, I'll pay. No big deal."
"Really?" She thought I wouldn't? I knodded as we headed onto Forbes.
"OK then. I'll pay you back at the arena, Kris, I promise."
"April, no need." I smilled at her and pulled into the Fuel&Fuddle lot.
Dinner was...fantastic to say the least. I laughed more with her at that table than I have since Luc died. I didn't want to drive her home, I wanted to stay out with her until tomorrow.
I pulled up to the building she showed me. Did she have to leave?
"Well, this is me, Kris. Thanks so mcuh for dinner and the ride." She smiled and reached for the door to get out. It was now or never.
"Wait, April." God, what was I doing.
"Yeah?" She turned back around and leaned towards me.
"Just do it." It was the main thought soaring through my mind. I couldn't take it anymore. I leaned into to her and pressed my lips to her.
I half expected her to pull back and punch me and run. No, I entirely expected her to do that. But, she didn't. She kissed me back, smiling while she did it.
When we finally detached for air she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"I love you, Kris." She whispered in my ear and hugged me tighter.
"I love you too, April."

I caught my star.